• Hazel


    Above the streets of Hillspire, I sat on the billboard looking down at the busy town. The sun shined and the clouds churned but I still was depressed. I pulled out my last cigarette and lit it with the tip of my finger. With a puff, I muttered, “The life of a demon.”

    I have no human rules, but try to live a human life. I was born from human parents and end up evil. Being that my folks were church folk, they tried to ‘remove’ the evil from within me. They took me to the Holy Union Church, but before the purification began, the place was set on fire. It burned to the ground because I did it, an infant who had the power to level a building. I guess they had a right to fear.

    So I learned to be a human. I walk with them everyday and speak their language. But for today, I watch them from afar for there is a force of darkness approaching. I sat there feeling the suppression of evil. I closed my eyes and tried to stay steady. Then, I hear the scream of the Hood, the ghastly creature that steals souls for power. I opened my eyes and seen the black specter flying down from the clouds.

    I stood up and decided to watch the show. Jumping from the rooftops, I followed the Hood until it came to a school. It was a private holy school for girls. I spotted the Hood’s target, a young teen with blonde hair and casual wear. She was sitting there on the bench in the courtyard alone. Suddenly, she looked up and screamed in horror. She saw the Hood.

    With no time for true judgment, I leaped from the roof and landed on the Hood. It phased into the ground as I stood up brushing the dirt off. But I knew he wasn’t gone just yet. I turned to face the girl, who had a blank look on her face, and began to wonder. How could she see the Hood?

    Many of us demons can’t be seen with the human eye. But she could see a Hood, one of the hardest demons to see. Few moments passed then the Hood submerged from the ground. I saw the fangs, water dripping, as it snarled and hissed. The creature bolted right at me at full speed and then engulfed me in its cloak. The girl stumbled backwards and watched it move closer to her.

    But the Hood stopped moving. It moaned and shrieked as if it was in pain. Its chest started glowing red. The girl stood up and looked the creature. The Hood then exploded into thousands of burning cloths. My hands were still on fire as I walked towards the girl. She was scared and I wouldn’t blame her.


    The bell rang and students came bursting out of the school due to the sound of the explosion. I had to get out of here. I leaped back onto the rooftops and made my way back to my place. But as I was crossing the roofs my mind was still racing. A human had seen a demon that couldn’t be seen. About six roofs down, I stopped and looked down at the street below me. There I saw the girl walking along the sidewalk. I wonder what is with this girl.

    A storm rolled in and it began to rain. I followed the girl a good bit of ways till she stopped moving. She turned around and looked up at me. There was a calm presence about her as she smiled. She turned again and walked into an ally. I jumped down into the ally but she disappeared.

    I finally made it back to my place. Wasn’t much of a home, but I really didn’t care. It was there attic of the old opera theater. I fell on my bed and muttered to myself, “That girl is the strangest person I ever seen. I got to speak with her.” With that said, I turned over and went to sleep.



    Ellie

    I realize I am different from others. I have always been like that. Seeing things that others can’t can really hurt you morally. But I live with it because I want to live out my life. Curse or not, I am not thinking about death. Today however, somebody thought about it. That specter I seen, it came right at me. It wanted to kill me. Then there was that guy. He saved me.

    I walked home and realize that he did follow me so I lost him at Gunge Alley. I went to my room and plopped on my bed thinking about him. He was absorbed by the creature then exploded his insides. He was a demon himself! I was scared for my life and his. But when he was free, I knew everything would be okay. Still, I feel like I should have talked to him.

    I opened the window to look outside. The rain had quit and the sun emerged. There was a feeling inside of me, why couldn’t I get that guy off my mind. I know there are some questions I like to ask but this feeling is something else. Oh well, best not worry about it now. It is late and I needed to sleep. I looked at the big opera building just before I closed the window. “Why did he save me?” I asked myself as I close the blinds and went to bed.



    Hazel

    I woke up earlier than usual because I heard some commotion downstairs. I opened the attic hatch and peeked down below. It was the girl from yesterday. How, even why is she her? But instead of stammering, I leaned forward and then fell through the hatch. I emerged from the rubble and dust myself off but when I looked up she was smiling at me.

    “Why did you come here?” I asked
    “ I came to talk to you, something told me you would be here.”
    “I think you knew I was here.”
    “Part of my gift that I inherited.”

    We sat down in the front row close to the stage. Her words were small but made much sense. Apparently, her mother’s side of the family comes from a long line of gypsies. She had the power to see demons, sense them, and even track them with a familiar scent. A human with this power the Holy Union would surely execute her. Then she moved on asking me questions. I didn’t feel uncomfortable but some questions I wish she avoided. She asked about my parents which I did tell her. She put a sad look on her face and then apologized.

    Hours went by and the sun went down. I spent an entire day talking to her. But she realized her father would be looking for her so she rashly tried to leave. I asked if she would like a ride. She looked at me as if it were a “are you serious?” look. I took her to the balcony and picked her up then leaped into the sun set.

    As I leaped from the roofs, I noticed she rested her head on my shoulder as if she were asleep. But I didn’t stop so, I just left her alone. We made it to her house. I slid down the roof ended up on the porch as planned. She had a big grin on her face when she said thanks.

    Before I took off the door opened. It was her father and he didn’t look happy. There was a silence between her father and her. She walked inside and closed the door. Her father was a well muscled man but none the less not bright. He clutched his fist and walked forward. He looked like he was ready to take action. As he moved closer, I noticed a tattoo on his wrist, the mark of the Holy Union. He swung his fist at me but I spun around behind him and ran out the yard. I was heading for my home.






    Ellie

    I hoped Hazel knew what he was doing. He should have run away when my dad opened the door. I know dad usually doesn’t like boys coming to the house but to actually swing at one? He could go to jail. Even if he is a judge! I went down stairs to peek at dad. As I went down, I heard another voice. It was a deep voice that sent a chill down my spine. I listened to the conversation.

    “ You sure he is the boy Aldan?”
    “ I am certain, he reeks of blood.”
    “ Well, if it is him, we must advance."
    “ Of course.”

    I covered my mouth frighten. Something might happen to Hazel. But why would dad want to hurt him. He never done anything wrong, hell he even saved me. I know what I have to do, I have to tell Hazel. I climbed to my room opened the window and climbed the scale ladder I made. I then ran out the gate as fast as I could. I had to reach him. I just had to.

    I later came to a cross light section. It was still dark and the lamps were fading. I was scared and lost. It was so dark; I couldn’t make out the streets. Then I heard a dark, menacing growl. Three men strolled into the street under the light post.

    “You are out mighty late young one.” The tall one said.
    “I’m just looking for the…..” my voice trailed off.

    I couldn’t move. It felt like I was being pulled to the ground. Then I realized, it was a trap by some demons. I was trapped. I was standing in a binding circle made from chalk and blood. I felt weak and pressure came over my body like a ton of bricks. I was passing out but as my visoin faded, i heard yells and moans and a figure running towards me shouting, "hang on".........

    Hazel

    That was too close. She shouldn't have been out during the night. Thats auto-kill for humans. But I can't be mad at her......I'm drawn to her and I don't know why. As I jump from the rooftops I look down at her. She is so innocent while she is asleep but it is getting too cold out. She won't make it back to the opera house. I stopped on the roof of a store. We huddled up against the annex room and conjured a minor fire to keep her warm. She rested her head on my shoulder again. What is with me? I never really cared for a someone like this before. But she is different, and I....I don't know what I am feeling. Her skin.....is smooth and untainted. I wrapped her up in my coat and phased through the roof into the store.

    Now, stealing is not my trade but she will need food. After an encounter with demons it is natural to get sick or pale. I found some candy, which is very disgusting. That all the store had! I asked what kind of store is this then a light came on. A man with a long barrel rifle was standing a few feet away. Finger on the trigger.

    "Hands up creep!"
    "Hey pal, no need to point that thing at me."
    BOOOOOOOOOM!

    I flew back into a rack. I get up and then realized this is a damn pawn shop. The pellets in my chest were burning! The round was made of iron!. Some demons are weakend by iron. I jumped to phase through the roof. I barely made it, luckly Ellie was still asleep till the store alarm rang. Lights all over the block were lighting up. I picked Ellie up and made a run for it to the opera house. I was getting weaker, the pellets continued to burn in my chest. I made it to the opera house and dived through the window. I laid on the attic florr barely breathing and Ellie was still sleeping. I picked the heavy sleeper up and laid her onto the bed. Then I fell to the floor, passed out............

    I woke up to sounds of cutting flesh. Ellie was removing the iron from my back. It stung but nothing compared to last night. But she look so tire as if she have been doing this all night,

    "How long was I out?" I asked.
    "Three days now, been trying to get these pellets out."
    "Three days! Thats......ouch!"
    "Sorry, the wounds have healed from where I removed some."

    Her voice was tired and worn. It seemed like she hasn't recover from the encoutner she had. She finished and I looked at her with sad eyes. She wasn't getting better at all. We sat down on the stage, silent and depressed. I finally broke the silence, I turned to her and tried to speak but she just came face to face with her lips touching mine. I didn't back from it, I had the feeling again only stronger. I grabbed her and pulled her closer. Her color was restoring, my power seemed to be transferring to her, restoring her beauty . We finally pulled back and she smiled.

    "What do we do now?" She asked as she leaned on my shoulder.
    "I guess, we have to leave the city, it is too dangerous here now." I said sadly. I didn't want to leave." Why did you come looking for me?"
    She lightly whimpered, "He said something about 'the one' and a key.....I....I not....."

    She feel asleep on my shoulder. I picked her up and laid her on my bed. As I walked back down to the stage, I heard foot steps at the end of the hall. A man emerged into the moon light. It was her father.

    “Please, take my daughter and leave. There isn’t much time. They will hunt her down and use her against you.” He said desperately.
    “What do you mean?”
    “They waited for her to mature to use her powers against you when they found you. So please lea….” He fell to the floor.

    A man with daggers stood behind his body, pulling a blade from his back. He looked dead at me and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, lit torches were thrown into the windows, catching everything on fire. I leaped to the top, picking Ellie up then looking for an exit. The skylight was the best way. I focused and let the tension of my heart burn. I roared as two silver wings emerged from my back. With a leap and a flap, I broke through the skylight and flew into the night.

    I landed on a old tower a good bit of ways from the opera house. I watched them burn my home to the ground. Ellie wrapped her arms around me in an attempt to make me feel better. It kinda helped. But now, we had to leave. We had to make it to GraveTown.