Past Destiny

Part 1

Evelyn's eyes shot wide open as something jolted her brain into consciousness. Without moving from her bed, she went in search of whatever it was but stopped when she met her mother's very close, very frantic gaze.

"Evie, you must get up. It is time," her mother said in hushed, hurried words.

Evelyn blinked and then nodded as she threw her heavy blanket to the side and slid her feet to the cold floor below. Her mom didn't offer anything else, but no other explanations were needed. They had known for months that this night was inevitable. They had done their best to stay a few steps ahead of their pursuers, but even with centuries of knowledge and inhuman strength, there are moments that are fixed and inescapable.

But, sometimes, just sometimes, in the right conditions and circumstances, individuals have the power to rewrite their destiny.

Tonight, they would fight.

No more running. No more hiding.

Pulling on her thick socks, fur lined boots, and heavy winter parka, Evelyn was ready to go within minutes of rolling out of bed. She had gotten fully dressed the night before. They all had for the past month in anticipation of this very night. She scooped up her bag and turned to face her parents.

Weapons already decorated their bodies in a variety of belts, loops, and harnesses and she could see the hard lines of determination and vigilance in their features. Her father stepped forward and stretched out his arm. A thick, well-worn belt containing a knife and several small spears lay balanced in his hand.

"Take this and go directly to our meeting spot," he said, his whispered words sharp and firm, cutting through the uneasy anticipation like hot metal.

"I want to fight with you. This is my - ," she tried, but one look from her father had her swallowing her words.

She nodded as she took the belt and wrapped it around her waist. The weight was reassuring, and the familiarity of the weapons felt comfortable against her fingers. With one more quick nod, she fastened up her parka and finished strapping her pack to her body. Her parents walked her to the back door. It was a more direct path to the dense forest that would be her escape. For a moment they all stood and watched as a house in the distance went up in flames. The screams finally broke through her thoughts and planted themselves in her brain.

This was it.

The humans had found them.

A hand landed on her shoulder and she turned to meet the brilliant green gaze of her father. His features were tense and serious. He was ready for the coming fight.

"We will meet you at the rendezvous point. If we are not there by the third day, you are on your own."

Evelyn felt the sting in her eyes and she blinked quickly but she knew she couldn't hide it from either of her parents. Her dad gave her a sad smile.

"You are strong and brave. We both love you very much," he said.

She nodded but it sounded too much like a good-bye for her liking. Hugs and kisses were exchanged and then she was out the door, swallowed up by the cold, dark violence beyond.

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The colorless trees stood tall and mysterious, enticing the wayward traveler to enter and explore their secrets. Unlike others, Evelyn loved the night and embraced the secrets and the unknown. She was a creature of the night after all. It was in her blood.

Her back pressed against an outer wall of a house as the sounds of chaos and destruction grew closer and louder. A quiet breath escaped into the biting winter air and Evelyn quickly tucked the lower part of her face into her parka, flipped her hood over her head, tied it tightly, and checked her weapons.