The Shadow-Eater

part 1

It was summer when he found me.

I was perched in a tree, reading. He was staring at me from across the park, not wavering even when I looked up. I tucked a curly strand of hair behind my ear and glued my eyes to the page. After a minute, I glanced around. He was standing beneath me; I nearly fell off my branch. The wind ruffled his wavy brown hair. His face was milk-pale and bright in the sunshine. He looked up at me with curiosity and I felt naked under his green gaze.

"Do I know you?"

I shook my head. "Just moved here a few days ago."

His eyes swarmed with something, pain or disappointment.

"You look familiar, I thought..." He swallowed. "Why are you in a tree?"

I held up my book. "And so weirdos won't bother me"

He laughed and tipped his head, turning as he said, "I can take a hint."

As he walked away, his black trench coat flapped against his legs like a dying bat. He reached the sidewalk and looked over his shoulder. His eyes clawed deep inside me with their lingering sadness. My voice called out before I could stop it.

"I'm Manaia."

A smile and then he was gone.