[DISCONTINUED] -The Elements of Disharmony Book One- §Shadows and Flame§

Chapter 8

The minute I walk out of my dorm, I'm greeted with hushed whispers and fearful looks. I relish the apprehension they give me, basking in it like an actor in their wealth or an artist in their popularity. As I make my way to my first class of the day, Algebra 2, the whispers trail behind me, flitting words impossible to ignore.

The farther I travel into the school, the clearer the voices become.

"It's Ravena Nightshade."

"Oh sweet Celestia of the Sun, she looked at me!"

"Isn't she a murderer?"

"Her whole pack of freaks are killers, Oona. The school would be better off without them terrorizing everyone-"

"If you really think you're quiet," I turn towards the voice, "That would be an insult to the concept of silence." I stalk closer, a lion about to pounce.

Now, it's time to play with my prey.

The person who spoke was a small girl, in 7th grade. Like a deer in headlights, her eyes are dilated and huge. I just smile, flashing my fangs to everyone watching.

I slowly start to prowl around her, licking my lips every so often, occasionally playing with her thick turquoise hair. She flinches every time my acute, indigo colored nails contact her skin.

"Don't be scared," I purr in her left ear, making her shudder. "I just want to talk." I continue to circle her, analyzing her as I do so.

The little girl gulps, trembling. I can almost smell the fear radiating off her, a sweet scent unlike anything I can describe. Her throat bobbs with the motion of swallowing. It's very tantalizing to dig my claws into it, but I stop myself. I don't want another court case against my family, and I just got my nails done.

The little girl opens her mouth, but stays silent. Her hyperventilating sends chills down my spine.

"Do close your mouth," I fake scold her. "You're not a fish, are you?"

"N-no," she finally squeaks, stuttering in a high pitched tone that only emphasizes her weakness. She's nothing more than a child. I chuckle, and continue to play with her hair, twirling it around my finger and for fun, yanking on it so she yelps in pain.

"You're very pretty," I say slowly, "I would kill for hair like yours."

"P-please don't hurt me," she whimpers. I internally roll my eyes. So innocent and naïve. So vulnerable.

"It's hilarious how you think begging and crying will help your situation." I laugh, my smile immediately dipping into a scowl. "What's your name?"

"Rhea Blanche," she whispers, her whole body quivering like a leaf under her sky blouse. I grab her chin forcefully, and tilt her face upwards. Up close, she could pass for 11, 10, even. Pale skin, cute little freckles scattered across her nose, and huge chocolate eyes that are enlarged from fear.

"Well, Rhea," I whisper to her, my nails tracing a very slow line from below her right eye down to her cheek. "Do you know what happens to little girls who disobey the rules?" A prominent mark begins to show on her skin.

"They get punished," I hiss like a serpent, digging my nails into her neck, a thin crimson viper trailing my fingernails obediently.

Tears begin to well up in her eyes, and I know I've hit her breaking point. "I'll let you off with a warning this time," I snarl, "But only because I don't want to get blood in my clean hair." And with that final remark, I push her back into the open arms of her friends. While they're busy fussing over her, I turn sharply on my heel, leaving the whole hallway in dead silence.