Jason Doran: The Spellcaster King

1: Hike gone wrong (Terribly)

Running through the woods as fast as I could, I caught a glimpse of something Ephemeral. It also always seems to be there but disappears the minute you try to focus on it. It was annoying every time I tried to focus on what it was, but it seemed like the more I try to look at it the more it blended in with the woods. Don't you hate it when that happens.

It seemed that today was an awful day to take a hike. It was obvious that whatever was chasing me was looking for me especially because I checked the terrain online before I came to hike. I was really sure I checked the terrain before I got here and it never mentioned something unknown, maybe, probably and definitely something killer.

What seemed like a nice day to take a hike went horribly wrong. I was still running from an unknown threat with my with sweat caking my hair to my head. I felt like I wouldn't make it out alive. I felt like laughing like I always do when I watch horror movies(if you think I'm weird for laughing at horror movies, your problem).

I couldn't help but feel like my favorite character from The Nightshade series, Shay Doran who bears the same last name as me. Because of him I started hiking and learning Latin. I also learned latin, so I could insult or cuss without anyone trying to censor me.

Then I realized I was still being chased by something. I was apprehensive of what it was or why it was after me. I just kept running as fast as my legs could take me, in the moonlight it looked like the woods went on forever (which is what I was hoping for at the same time what I dreaded).

I tried to stop and catch my breath but heard the rustling of leaves and was about to sight what was chasing me..... Right before I hit my head on a thick branch and blacked out. I was thankful I blacked out cuz I was tired of running but also scared cuz something was still after me.

I wasn't sure if I really woke up cuz when I got up I wasn't in the woods anymore, I was at my old house in Athens. It was a like a modern two-story house clashing with a 15th century castle. It had modern colors, but gargoyles and lions on the terrace.

I dreaded ever coming back here. You know the feeling you get when you're looking at the only thing that made your life a living hell (if you don't I wish I were you). Well that's how I felt (which is a crappy feeling by the way).

It seemed that I was in the most vivid and realistic flashback ever, or maybe it was a dream. I remembered everything, from the animals and monsters on the terrace and balcony to the crack on the center pillar I made while playing with knives(I was a problematic child, don't judge my choices).

It was around autumn cuz it was kind cold and the trees were already in colors ranging from yellow to reddish brown. So I was guessing we were on mid October. The cold air did nothing cuz I had sweat all over my face.

Then I saw my mom come outside through the back door with a camera in her yellow sundress. She only wore that on special occasions like birthdays cuz it always made her look younger(dealing with me can give you stress, so I don't blame her).

Then I saw five-year old me come outside running with my first book. It was Beowulf. I might be a problem child, but I liked reading, mostly cuz I have an imagination worth 50 artists(I'm not bragging, am I?). I remembered this day like you would remember yesterday.

I remember this day cuz it was the day I turned six. It was at night cuz I loved looking at the stars and especially the moon. My uncle came to celebrate with me. I didn't really like my uncle coming over cuz he always looked at me like I wasn't human and at random times he would just say stuff like, "watch yourself when you grow up." I always thought he meant I should be careful of strangers.

Anyways, he came over to visit and this time my uncle gave me an amulet. It looked weird, so weird I couldn't describe it. So after my birthday party was over, my uncle said, "if you ever need help, tap your amulet and say, 'patronus'. It was Latin so I liked saying it.

Before I forget, this was also the only birthday party I ever had. This was because as I said I was a problem child, so I always got into trouble, and by always, I mean ALWAYS. I've been a con man when I was four. I've destroyed the entire kitchen when I was two(you see what I mean by problem child)

So where was I, yeah my uncle telling me about the amulet. He had a grim look on his face when he said, "never follow strangers." In the night sky he looked like those statues in museums, with chiseled features and tight jaws. I still thought it was those lessons where they teach you I never take candy from a stranger.

Soon I went to bed very happy because I just had a birthday party even though the only people there were me, my mom and my uncle(sad right, but to me it was the best thing ever). I always tried to get prepared for sleep, I loved to sleep but my imagination was so wild that anything could happen in my dreams.

But tonight was different.