A knife in the dark part 14 (Jon)

when Jon woke up, a girl that looked about 12 was siting next to him. She was watching something faraway, like a battle or something.
“Who are you?” he asked. The girl turned around and looked at him.
“What happened to you?” the girl must have known something about him because she lifted up the leg of his pants and looked at the burn.
“Umm… I don't know.” the girl touched his leg and he screamed in pain.
“Sorry! I promise that I'm not trying to hurt you.”
“I know.” the burn glowed, and stung. He looked around and saw what the girl had been looking at. Eli, and an other boy, probably her brother, we're fighting a giant at the other end of the room they were in.
“You never answered me, who are you?” the girl looked at him with sympathy, but didn't answer him. He looked back to Eli and the other boy.
“We have to help them. Theres noway they can win that battle.”
“Lucy! Tell Anna that we need Kate and Rose now!” the other boy yelled. The girl must have been named Lucy, because she looked at him and nodded. Then she closed her eyes for a few seconds. Looked up and smiled at him.
“Kate is coming! But Rose has a little bit of, um... Hate for her?” Jon looked around for his sister, but couldn't find her.
“Kate! Is she alright?!” Lucy had to hold him down.
“Where is she! Tell me!” A sudden rage filled his body. Pain, heat, and light. With a scream, Lucy let go and ran away. Faraway. Eli was hit to the ground by the giant. The other boy ran to his aid, but he was to late. Eli had been stabbed in the chest with a sword that the giant was using as a knife.
“Ahh!” Jon fell to the ground in pain. It felt like something was struck into his back. Everything went black. All that was left was an echo in his ears. A sudden flash, causes fall of ash. A burning call, and fire consumes us all.
“No!” He regained control of his body. The world came back into focus, and he ran over to Eli.
“Eli! Stay with me! Oh, if you die now it will creat a paradox!” said the other boy. Jon ran up to them and knelt at Eli's side.
“Eli! How can we help?!” Eli managed to say one thing to him.
“You are not in the four.” with that, Eli looked at the other boy and whispered something to him. The boy looked like he was going to cry. Jon took one last look at Eli. His choppy blond hair, that needed to be cut. His brown eyes that looked like they could see the future. Tattered shirt and pants. Eli took off something from around his neck, and gave it to Jon.
“Give this to your sister for me? It belongs to her.” Jon nodded. Eli vanished in a cloud of smoke. Jon looked down at the necklace in his hand. Kate's choker. A peace of obsidian on a thick cord. He closed his hand around it.
“Hay you,” he pointed at the boy. “What's your name?”
“Sean, 506. That's my twin sister Lucy,” he nodded over to Lucy at the edge if the room. “She can be a little annoying, but she is my sister.”
“I'm-”
“Jon Star. Yes, I know. Right now, we need to kill that giant.” Sean looked scared, like every word he said would be his last. Sean picked up the sword on the ground and looked at it with suspicion.
“I should be dead. Why hasn't the future been altered?” Jon shrugged, but he had no idea what he was talking about.
“The giant has a weak spot on its forehead. If we can hit it with the right amount of fours, we mite kill it.” Sean nodded in response, but he looked like his mind was somewhere faraway.
“Yeah, I think that should work. How do we get the right amount of fours?” Jon looked at the giant, and a thought that was hard to even think of came into his mind.
“Sean,” He gave him a big smile. “I have an idea.”

B'rinna {Part 10}

Read {part 1}, {part 2}, {part 3}, {part 4}, {part 5}, {part 6}, {part 7}, {part 8}, and {part 9}. Can you believe that this is the 10th part in the series? I can't! Enjoy! :)

Last time...

"Well, it's like this, because you were pre-destined to save the Heavens, your brain has forever been programmed to read the ancient languages like Greek, Latin, etc. But I'll explain more another day, right now you have to study." And with that, he gathered his things and left the room.

I studied into the night and only broke my concentration when Axel came into the room. I looked up as he closed the door behind him. And nearly had a heart attack!
"Axel! What.. why... ahh!" I nearly screamed as I ran to engulf him in a massive hug.

to be continued...

A Knife in the Dark Part 13 Eli

I know that it is still Sunday, but I can't get to the computer on Monday so you get the next part now!

When we last left Eli… He doubled over in pain, Rose yelled something at Jon but Eli couldn't understand it. Next thing he knew light and heat was poured over him. When he looked up, Rose was gone.
“Jon? What did you do?!”
“Killed her.”
“Why Jon? Why…?”
“She was figuring it out. I can't have anyone know about me, and my burn.”
“Your what?”
“I don't expect you to understand Eli. Do you remember when I saved you from the fire pit? I got burned.”
“Right?”
“I knew you wouldn't get it.” he turned around and looked at a girl that was standing behind him.
“Leann?” Jon asked.
“Ha! No.” the girl said as if the idea scared her.
“Then who are you?”
“Annabella, but you can call me Anna.” when she said it she pointed at Eli.
“Okay,” Eli thought that his heart was going to pound right out of his chest. Anna must have seen that because she blushed.
“Can you two stop that!” he looked at Anna, and tried to punch her, but she was fast. When Jon started to punch her, she grabbed his arm and twisted it, kicked him in the gut and looked back to Eli. Jon swore, and held his arm in his other hand.
“How did you do that…? You're… You're, amazing.” Anna blushed again.
“Thanks.” All the sudden a girl and a boy stood next to her. “This is Sean and Lucy, they're twins.” Sean glared at Eli, but Lucy gave him a big smile.
“Hi!” said Lucy.
“Uh…Hi?” Eli replied.
“Hello, I'm Sean. You must be Eli.” Sean shook his hand.
“How do you know that?”
“I can read minds. Not really, I've been in the shadows the whole time. Lucy, why don't you take Anna and leave us alone.”
“Okay Sean!” she left, leaving Sean, Jon, and Eli alone. Sean whispered to Eli something he wasn't excepting.
“We've been looking for your friend here for about a year now, how long have you known him?”
“about five years.” he looked surprised at that, as if he just said he was a donkey.
“Five? That's not good.” he said something under his breath, it sounded like, Died of fire by a lost friend, Saré has fallen to the ghost's command.
“The ghost's command…”
“Oh, You're good, Eli. Yes, Leann.” Sean turned to Jon, and gave him a smug smile.
“Now, Jon, you have caused to much trouble for one lifetime.” He took out Rose's knife and pointed it at Jon. The look on Jon's face was priceless, a little fear, a little surprise, and if he wasn't mistaken, a little bit of concern for Eli.
“Now, Sean, I don't do harm, I make fire. I am fire. And you don't seem like the type of person that plays with fire, you're to nice. You can't even protect your sister, can you? You left her when you were two, and never went back. If anything you're the bad guy.” Sean's hand was shacking wall he held the knife. Eli walked over and took the knife. He felt bad for Sean, it's not his fault he was born into the system.
“Sean, whats your number?” he almost felt bad asking but he wanted to know.
“506, do you have one?”
“Yes, 370.”
“Lucy and Kate have the same number…507.” they both looked at Jon with shock. The only thing Eli could think at that moment was, Wha? But luckily he didn't say it.
“Oh no, it's starting again. Eli, Sean, help me please.”
“Eli, help him to the ground.” Sean ran to the end of the room, opened the door and yelled something to the girls out side. Anna came running in to the room with Lucy right behind.
“What happened to him?”Anna was pale and looked concerned for Jon.
“Its happening again, we have to help him.” Sean looked back at Lucy.
“Get the ice, Lucy. Eli? Where'd he go?”
“Over here!” they all turned around except Sean.
“Well, get over here!”
“Can't!”
“Why?”
“You're going to laugh at me,”
“No I won't, I promise.”
“Fine…I'm stuck.”
“Suck how?”
“I have the choice to move and die by a Giant, or stand still and live. My choice is to live.” Sean nodded in agreement.
“That makes sense. I'll come to help you in a moment.” He got up and when he turned around Sean saw the situation.
“Oh…You really meant a giant…” His voice got a little squeaky when he said the word giant. he walked over slowly.
“You thought I would lie?”
“I won't know you for another two years so…”
“What?”
“Never mind. Let's talk strategy.”

As of yet untitled song

It's not finished yet, clearly, but it's coming along and I'm proud of it :)



She could hold the sunlight
She could hold the moon
Sunlight's just too happy
The other fades to soon

Even in the starlight
You can feel her pain
When her tears fall to the ground
We just call it rain

Up above the clouds
Stars become a dress
Everybody's grieving
The life of the princess

She broke the sky
With a looking glass
And now the sun won't shine

She says she feels
Like a broken dream
But she'll promise you she's fine

A Knife in the Dark part 12 (Rose)

“The way is hard”. I told myself.
“He'll find a way. He won't let you die in here.”
“Will he? He did this to you in the first place, didn't he?” I turned around and looked at someone I had never seen in my life until now.
“My name is Annabella. you are Rose, Chaos Rose.” said Annabella. “Or maybe I should call you princess Rose?” I stepped back in shock.
“How…”
“You smell like a princess, and your blood is too cold to not be. That, Rose, is why you never went to the contest. You were too valuable to risk in there.”
“Who are you, really?” Annabella smiled coldly.
“You have seen me before.” She said it with a big smile. “When you were a little girl.”
“That can't be possible, I am older than you.”
“Yes, yes you are. But are you as strong as me?” it took Rose a moment to get it but when she did it wasn't pretty.
“You-I-Mom.”
“Yes, I did love her vary much but it had to be done. I am sorry about mom Rose, I really am.”
“How could you! My little sister dead, can you imagine what mom went through! I'll kill you Anna!”

B'rinna {Part 9}

Read {part 1}, {part 2}, {part 3}, {part 4}, {part 5}, {part 6}, {part 7}, and {part 8}.

Last time...
Mercury stepped forward and said,"My Lord, I shall proceed with educating this fine young female mortal in all things Dark Lands."

Then the work began in earnest. A dryad showed me my sleeping chambers, and I clambered onto the bed and fell asleep instantly. I was woken up by a knock on the door. A nymph, trailed by some dryads carrying a bronze tub between them. The tub, with it's lion feet, was set down, and filled with water. The dryads helped me out of my mud-splattered clothes and combed my hair. One of them held a mirror in front of me. I hadn't realized how dirty I was. I climbed into the bath gratefully and drifted off to sleep as the nymphs worked to clean me of the dirt, and purify me of my words. They gently woke me up, and clothed in the most exquisite I had ever seen. It was a light green, with very fine needlework on both sleeves in various colours. Then they braided my hair with flowers, and sweet smells.

A short while later, after the nymphs had left, Mercury entered with a pile of ancient manuscripts. "Now, B'rinna, you are to read through these like your life depends on it, which it does, but these manuscripts contain everything we know about the Dark Lands, and the legends that surround it. Read carefully, my dear." I looked at him, not knowing what to say. Didn't he understand that I had dyslexia. That I couldn't read properly. I tentatively opened the first book, and... I could read as clearly as I could see my dress. I looked at Mercury in amazement.
"Um. Mercury, I can read."
"Of course you can, everyone can read," he replied
"No, I mean, in my world it was always annoying to read cause all the letters would get mixed up."
"Oh, you mean that dysplexia-thing?"
"Uh, yeah, dyslexia. It means that I can't read properly."
"Well, it's like this, because you were pre-destined to save the Heavens, your brain has forever been programmed to read the ancient languages like Greek, Latin, etc. But I'll explain more another day, right now you have to study." And with that, he gathered his things and left the room.

A Knife in the Dark Part 11 (Kate)

It was dark, the world was spinning and a falling feeling had found its way into Kate's body.
“Hello? Anyone?” no one replied, Kate was alone. She looked around but it was to dark to see anything. Kate took out a glow stick from her backpack, she'd been saving it all year for something like this. Kate cracked it and its glow made just enough light for her to see: a fall that was about 30 miles deep, and Kate was heading right for it. She screamed, that wasn't like her, she always had control of her feelings.
“What's wrong with me?”
“Your body is going through denial.” Kate turned around to quickly and stumbled back into the pit. The girl that was talking before was fast, she came form the other side of the room to catching Kate right before she fell.
“thanks,” I said.
“Don't say a thing.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Shhh! They can hear you!” I quitted down.
“Who?” I asked in a shushed tone.
“My boss, Leann. Oh, I am Annabella.” Annabella said quietly. She slipped something out of her pocket, and handed it to Kate. Kate looked at it. The object was some sort of knife, Rose's knife. The gold handle felt heavy in Kate's hand, something had happened to Rose, something bad.

Harry Potter Fanfiction. P1

   So, I've been starting this story I've been wanting to write for a very long time. It's told in first person, unlike the Harry Potter books. (I'm horrible in writing third person.)
   Anyway, I hope you like it! Oh, yeah. If you haven't read all the Harry Potter books, you're in for SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEWARE!!!!!!!!

Prologue

    A man walked around a forest in Albania. He looked around for some time, before starting to head back to his room.

       But that's when he saw it. He stared at it for some time. It... It was... A baby. Then it was a grown woman. Then it was a baby again.

A woman was trapped inside of a glass box, growing and shrinking from babyhood to adulthood in moments. He watched this for some time. He had to help her! He pulled on this... Whatever it was, until it came off and a baby sat before him, crying. There was something etched into the glass.

Anna Merope Gaunt. Born May 22^nd, 1924.

    The man picked up the baby and she quieted a little. She looked at the man with big blue eyes. He frowned. What was a this doing all the way out here? He turned around and headed back home.

    He set the child down. She looked at him and he shivered. She wasn't crying anymore. She looked like she knew something.

    The next morning, he brought the child to an orphanage.

    “What's her name?” the manager said.

    “Er... Anna Merope Gaunt.” said the man.

    “When was she born?” the manager asked. She frowned as she looked at the child.

    “May twenty-second.” the man replied.

    “Well, then. You said you found her abandoned?” the manager asked.

       “Yes, Mrs. Carrin. I found her without anyone there.” he said.

“Well, we'll take good care of her. Good day to you, Sir.” said Mrs. Carrin and the man left. The baby looked watched him leave. And then looked back at the woman. One name burned into her memory.

    Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Chapter one

    I was staring at the street from her bedroom window, fingering my necklace. I smiled when I saw a person appear from thin air on the exact place where I was looking. I snapped a picture of the woman and then looked at it. I looked at the woman again and, to my surprise, saw her walking towards the orphanage.

    I got off my bed and walked to the door. I opened it and walked to the staircase.

    “You want to see who?” Mrs. Carrin said.

    “Anna Riddle.” a woman's voice said.

    “I apologize, but we don't have anyone in the system named Anna Riddle.” Mrs. Carrin said.

    “Perhaps you know her middle name? It's Merope. Anna Merope Riddle?” the woman's voice pleaded.

    I stood and walked downstairs. “Gaunt. Not Riddle. Gaunt.” I said as I entered the room.

    “Anna! Away with you.” said Mrs. Carrin. I didn't pay attention. I looked at the woman and walked up to her.

    “Who are you?” I asked.

    “I am Professor Ives.” she said. I tilted my head and said “I have been known as Riddle before... I forget.”

    “Anna! Go back to your room.” said Mrs. Carrin. I looked at her and said “Yes, Mrs. Carrin. Of course. Good day, Professor Ives.” and I was about to leave when that accursed name popped up again. I turned to her and said “Does the name Tom Marvolo Riddle mean anything to you?”

    Professor Ives stood and said “You're the one. I would like to speak with Anna in private.”

    “Why? What does this... Riddle person have anything to do with?” Mrs. Carrin asked. Professor Ives took out some paper and said “Here. This will clear everything up.”

    I glanced at the paper. It had nothing on it. I smiled as Mrs. Carrin "read" it and said “Very well.” and she went back to work.

    “Why don't you show me your bedroom, Anna?” Professor Ives asked. I led her up there and said “It's not much, but make yourself at home. Anyway, who's Tom Riddle? Do you know him?”
    “Not... Personally. But anyways, let's get right to it. You can do things, can't you, Anna? Things that other people can't?” she asked.

    “You can too.” I said. “I've seen you appear on the corner there.” and I pointed. “You look at my window and then leave again.”

    “Yes, well... What things can you do?” she asked.

    “Oh, I can do thousands of things. I can float in the air for a moment when I want to. I can make things move with my eyes. I can make people do what I want, like get out of my room when I want them to leave.” I said. “I can climb trees better than the boys can. I can run very fast. Can you do those things? Are there more of us?”

    “Yes, Anna. There are lots and lots of us. A world of wizards and witches. You see, I am a witch. You are too.” she said. She pulled a letter out of her pocket and said “This is for you.”

    I opened the letter.

   Dear Miss. Riddle,

   We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
   Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

   Yours sincerely,

   Minerva McGonagall
   Headmistress

    I looked at her and said “Owl?”

    “The letter back, if you wish to go. The way Wizards and Witches send letters are by owls.” said Professor Ives. I looked at the letter. There was a second page too that looked like a shopping list.

   UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1.Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2.One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3.One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4.One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.


   COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
 

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble


   OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales

Students may also bring and owl OR a cat OR a toad.


   PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

    I looked it over and said “Is this some sort of... No. I can tell it's not.”

    I had a sudden memory. Like a dream of bricks moving to make a gateway into a magical ally.

    “Where do I go to get these things?” I asked.

    “Diagon Ally.” Professor Ives said. I looked at the letter again and said “I don't have much money.”

    “The school will provide money for you.” she said. She pulled out a bag and said “You will have to buy a few of your things second-hand. Now, I can send someone to go with you, if you like, or you can go alone.”

    I looked at her and said “Could you send someone? I couldn't stand going alone!”

    “Of course. I shall send someone immediately. Are you sure you would like to go?” she asked.

    “Yes! Oh, yes!” I said. I stopped and then said “There's something you should know. I can talk to snakes. They find me and whisper to me. Is that unusual?”

    “Yes, but it's not unheard of.” she said, but she looked slightly scared of me now.

    “Okay. I shall see you at school, Professor. Have a good journey back.” I said. She nodded and then walked out.

    I looked at my list and sat down. I had been through this before. I was sure of it. But I didn't know why.

A Blood Red Sky. Part Six.

Chapter Four

About a week later, I was in school. I was sitting my my locker and a few bullies walked past, but for once, they ignored me.

Dell sat next to me and said “Do you have a GC meeting today?”

GC meetings were what we called my visits to the guidance counselor. GC standing for Guidance Counselor.

“Yeah.” I said. “But not until later.

“Oh. I'm tired. I didn't sleep well. Kill any dragons lately?” asked Dell.

“No. I've been waiting for one to get caught in my trap.” I said with a sigh. “I should just take it down. They don't seem to be very interested in me lately.”

“Yeah, I haven't seen any lately either.” said Dell. “It's weird. They all just seemed to just... Go.”

“I know. It's very weird. Oops. I got to go meet Hope. See you later.” I said.

“Becca! Want to come over to my place once you're done?” called Dell.

“I'll ask Hannah, but yeah!” I called back as I ran down the hall.

I ran into the office and said “Sorry I'm late!” but it wasn't Hope sitting there. It was a man.

“Who the hell are you?” I said.

“I'm the substitute GC.” said the man. “You must be Rebecca Jones. Hope warned me that you would be coming. My name is Jason Gaunt.

Gaunt was right. The man was tall and dark and he had a sort of sinister look about him. I blinked and said “I'm not talking to you!”

“Why not?” he asked, sitting down. He was dressed all in black.

“Because you wouldn't understand my problem. When is Hope getting back?” I asked.

“Tomorrow.” he said.

“Then I'll talk to Hope tomorrow.” I said.

“She said you might take it this way. She wouldn't tell me much about you and she wouldn't share her notes, but I assure you, I am just like her. Now, what's bothering you, Rebecca?”

“Right now: You. You're dark and sinister looking! I'm not talking to you. Tell Hope I'll spent two hours with her tomorrow.” I said. I stood and left, even though Gaunt-guy called me back a few times.

When I got home, David said “You're home early. No meeting today?”

“There was, but some Jason Gaunt was there instead of Hope, so I left. I'll spent two hours with Hope tomorrow.” I said. David sighed and said “Does Hope know that?”

“I told Gaunt to tell her.” I said with a shrug. “Is Hannah home?”

“No. Not yet.” said David.

“Right. Tell her than I'm spending the night with Dell.” I said. David smiled. My whole family knew who Dell was now.

“Okay.” said David. I left a note for Hannah because I knew that David would forget to tell her.

I walked to Dell's house and her mom let me in.

“Dell's room is up the stairs and it's the first one on the right.” said Dell's mom. I ran up with a hurried thanks and walked in.

“Hi, Becca.” said Dell, not looking up from her book. She put the book away and looked up at me, smiling.

“What's that?” I asked. She smiled even more and said “I'm writing a book about Dragons and Fairies.”

“Can I help?” I asked. Dell smiled more and said “I was hoping you would want to. Okay, I'm writing down facts about Dragons. What do you know? I figured you're the expert.”

“Well, they're very smart. They didn't go for my trap at all. You know, we should go try and find one. A Dragon, I mean. It's been too long since I last saw one.” I said. Dell nodded and said “Yeah. Is the Kingdom good?”

“Yeah, I went the day after it was attacked and it was fine. The Dragons are still gone and the Queen refuses to tell me anything.” I said.

“I wonder why. I mean, you are the Dragon Slayer, after all.” said Dell.

“I know. I think she's hiding something.” I said with a sigh. We sat in silence and then we both saw a flash of lightning and heard thunder. I smiled and said “Storm Dragons.”

“What?” asked Dell.

“Storm Dragons! They love a good storm. C'mon.” I said.

“But it's not raining!” said Dell.

“Not yet it isn't! We're not made of paper. We won't melt.” I said. We ran out to the beach and I saw Storm Dragons circling the skies.

“Dragons!” I yelled, excited. I pulled out Stella Ensis and handed something to Dell. “This is a weapon. It's my back-up in case something happens.”

Dell took it and I used a magic powder to make us fly to the Dragons.

Dell wasn't actually very good at fighting Dragons. But, then again, neither had I when I first started.

When they were dead, I said “Did you like it?”

“No! I'm all wet now and my mom is going to wonder what happened!” said Dell, but she was laughing.

We got back to Dell's house and Dell changed clothes. I was skilled at killing Dragons, so I didn't get very wet.

We both worked on the Dragons book for a while, then went to sleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night. It was very dark, but Dell's mom seemed to still be awake. I walked downstairs and Mrs. Clemons turned to see me. She had been talking to a man and she said “Are you okay, Rebecca?”

“Fine. Just thirsty.” I said. Mrs. Clemons got me some water and I went back to Dell's room. But I stopped when I heard Mrs. Clemons arguing with the man. I peered out back out into the living room and the man and Mrs. Clemons were whispering an argument, but they were getting louder. But that wasn't the problem. They were talking about Dell.

“Maria, Dell has... illusions of Dragons! We can't ignore this.” whispered the man. “She's my daughter, after all.”

“I don't care, George. Dell isn't insane! It's just her imagination. It's a game that she and her friend plays.” said Mrs. Clemons.

“Then what were they doing on the beach? Dell was all wet and the other girl didn't have a drop on her!” said the man. “Face it, Maria. Dell has schizophrenia.”

I walked out and said “That's not true. Dell is not crazy!”

“Rebecca, this has nothing to do with you.” said Mrs. Clemons.

“Yeah, it does! Look, if you want us to play Dragons at my house instead, then I'll respect that choice. But otherwise, we're not going to stop. We both really like to play Dragons!” I said. Mrs. Clemons looked at the man and he rolled his eyes and said “Dell is crazy! She has schizophrenia.”

“You think I'm insane?” I heard Dell whimper from behind me. I turned to see Dell in pajamas, with tears running down her cheeks. “You think I'm insane, Dad?”

I put my arms around Dell and she sniffed. Dell's dad looked at her and then looked at Mrs. Clemons. “I'll see you tomorrow, Maria.” and he left. Dell burst into tears and ran down the stairs, opened the door and screamed “I hate you!” and slammed the door. I ran down to her and she cried into my shoulder. “Do you want me to go?” I whispered. She shook her head and I said “Okay. I'll stay.” and we sat there for a moment and then Mrs. Clemons said “I'll make some hot chocolate.” and so she went into the kitchen.

Dell and I moved to the couch and Dell curled up and said “Am I insane?”

“No, Dell. We're both normal. We have Sight and no one else does. We can see what they can't.” I said. Dell nodded and said “Yeah. You're right.”

The next morning, I went home. Hannah asked me how it was and I told her it was fun.

“Did you two kill any dragons?” asked Hannah.

“Yeah, actually. They've been hiding, but some finally came out. We killed some and then went back to Dell's house. It was great! Anyway, I've got to go and see Hope.” and I went to the school.

Hope was expecting me of course. We sat down and she said “So, what did you do yesterday?”

“Well, after I got to Dell's house, I finally saw Dragons! We fought them and Dell's not very good at it. She'll get better, though. Her dad showed up in the middle of the night and Dell overheard him saying that she was insane. She was pretty upset.” I said. We talked for another two hours and then the session was over.

When I got back home Hannah and I had an argument about my room.

“You painted it with your paints and you have clothes all over your floor! said Hannah.

“You said I could paint my room with my paints, remember? And it's not like Dave and Logan care about my room.” I said.

“That's because they're boys! No offense.” added Hannah to our brothers.

“None taken, Sis.” said Dave and Logan in harmony. We kept arguing and I got madder and madder until I shouted “You're not Mom! However much you may look like her, you're nothing like Mom! You never believe a word I say and you never talk about Dragons the way she would. You don't even know me!” and I ran to my room and slammed and locked my door. There were two jackets on the floor and a hat. I picked up the hat and put it on and I put the jackets away. I grabbed a slip of paper with Hope's address on it, my sketchbook, and a pencil with an eraser and unlocked my door. I walked out of the house with Hannah calling me back. I ignored her and kept walking. I always walked and when I was extremely mad and I usually didn't talk at all. I was very, very pissed off and I decided I hated Dragons with a fiery passion. I wanted to challenge someone. Anyone. I walked more and soon, I was at Hope's house. I knocked on the door, but she wasn't home. I walked to the curb and sat down. I started to draw Mom. They way she had looked before she had gotten poisoned.

“Rebecca?” I heard. I turned and saw Hope walking up. I stood and she said “Is something wrong, Becca?”

“Hannah and I had an argument.” I said with a sigh.

Hope smiled and said “Why don't you come in?”

I followed her into her house and she said “Do you want to chocolate milk?”

“Sure. Thanks.” I said. I sat down at the kitchen table and watched her.

“Do you want to talk?” Hope asked.

“I don't know.” I said. “I mean... No, I don't. I just wished someone other than me could see Dragons. That's all. I wished that Hannah believed that they exist.”

“I do.” said Hope.

“Really?” I said.

“I never did forget that first session we had.” Hope said with a laugh. I smiled slightly and said “Yeah.”

I thought for a moment. “Hope?” I asked.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Would you like to see a Dragon? Really see one?” I asked.

“Why not?” she asked. I smiled and opened my bag. The bag was crammed full of magic items. I pulled out a thin bottle of clear liquid and said “This is tasteless. Take only a drop of it.” and I handed it to her. She put a drop on her finger and the put it in her mouth. She frowned for a moment, then rubbed her eyes.

“Mm, I'm feeling tired.” she said.

“It'll wear off in a minute.” I said. Soon enough, her eyes widened and she said “Okay. Now I feel wide awake.”

“Great!” I said. “Let's see...” I pulled out Stella Ensis and said “Do you see what I'm holding?”

Hope's eyes widened more (if possible) and said “That's- That's-”

“Stella Ensis.” I said. She nodded slowly and said “C'mon.” and she followed me out as I put the sword back into my bag. I stopped dead. The Dragons were back and flying about. Hope screamed and said “What the hell!”

I turned to her and said “This is how I see the world, Hope. Dragons.”

She looked at me and said “And you kill those things?”

“Yup. Some hare harder than others.” I said. I walked up to a sleeping on on Hope's front lawn and stabbed it. It vanished like it always did and I said “See? Not hard at all. I tend to kill them where others can't see me, but whatever.”

Hope walked back inside and said “When does this stuff wear off?”

“No idea.” I said. “Queen Amelinda didn't tell me.”

Hope sat down and said “Bloody hell.”

“I know right?” I said. “I'd give this stuff to Hannah, but I can't waste it.”

“Then why did you give it to me?” she said.

“Because you said you believed me. Hannah doesn't.” I explained. “Dell can see them too.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Well, not all the time like I can, but still.” I said.

“Why didn't you tell me?” she asked.

“I had to protect Dell. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but Dell has the sense not to tell anyone that she can see them.” I said. “Dell is my only friend. But the Dragons have been acting... Odd lately. They vanished altogether for a long while. But now they've come back again. But only a few. I'm not sure why.”

Hope didn't answer. She seemed rather shocked still and so I said “Do... You want me to leave?”

She didn't answer so I said “I'll go now.” and I stood and walked to the door.

“Rebecca.” said Hope. I turned. “This is a big battle you're fighting. Make sure you're on the right side.”

She stood and walked out. I went home and Hannah said “Where the hell did you go?”

“Nowhere.” I said. I went to my room and saw a note on my bed. I opened it and it said If you want a battle, meet me on the beach, Sunday afternoon.

I looked around and saw a Dragon staring at me. It flew off and I crumpled the paper. Tomorrow was Sunday.

I waited on the beach for a long while. I was half an hour early and I suddenly saw a few people coming up the beach.

“Ah, nuts.” I groaned. It was the three stupid bullies from school. They saw me and then walked up to me and started to laugh.

“Whatcha waiting for, Biker Girl.” Jade asked. “Make-believe dragons?”

“What are you doing? Looking for little kids to beat up? Pick on someone your own size!” I said.

“Like... You?” she asked. Her fist met my face and I stumbled back. My nose was bleeding. I stood, but she punched me again. Her friends grabbed my arms and I finally used their weight against them and flipped them over. I punched Jade's face and then tackled her to the ground. She rolled me over and then she was pulled off me.

Dell had come. Jade turned around and hit her. Dell stumbled back and fell. I stood and wiped the blood off my face.

“Okay, Jade.” I snarled. I took off my hate and threw it aside. I pulled out the formula I had used with Hope and tacked Jade to the ground. I eventually got a drop of the stuff into her mouth and she stood up, coughing.

“Jade!” I shouted as I pulled out Stella Ensis. She looked at me and screamed her bloody head off.

But not at me. I turned and said “Oh. My. God.”

“What the hell is that?” Dell screamed. I turned to look at her and said “It's Ladon. King of the Dragons.”

Ladon had one-hundred heads, all like black snakes, hissing and snapping at me. And when the spoke, they all spoke at once, in perfect harmony.

“Magistra Sanguis. I see you have come for our battle.” he said.

“Are you kidding me? How the hell am I supposed to kill you?” I shouted.

“You're not. You are the one I shall be killing.” he snarled and he lunged at me.

I chopped off a head and rolled. Jade, her two friends, and Dell ran to find cover. I jumped onto Ladon's back and stabbed him best I could.

Our battle went on for some time. Each time Stella Ensis clashed with his scales, a crash like thunder came. I finally saw his underbelly and I stabbed. He screamed in pain and I pulled down until his belly had been split open. He turned into black smoke and retreated. And I fell and fell and fell until I hit the ocean, a mile below me.