Chasing Shadows

by Rebbeca Stoddard

  After school I was going with him to Clamora’s and she was going to do a ritual. This ritual was going to be able to tell us if I was really Amaryia reincarnated. I was completely thrilled. But I was scared at the same time. Sebastian had already told me he loved me, but that didn’t mean it was going to make him stay if I wasn’t her reincarnated. My heart picked up its pace as I thought about it. We had one more class before lunch, which meant the day was almost through. Taking a deep breath, I tried to focus on what the teacher was saying.

  A loud clap of thunder tore my attention from the whiteboard. Heavy rain ripped through clouds, and wind threatened to knock over the small trees. And then I saw them again. Shadows. They shifted and moved with the wind, coming closer to the windows. My heart stopped, and my breathing became escalated. Sebastian turned immediately in his chair, looked at where my eyes were focused, and told the teacher something calmly. He grabbed my arm, pulled me out of the seat, and the moment we were out of the classroom, we ran. We were no longer as safe as we thought we were. The end was coming sooner than we had hoped.

  I sat straight up. My sheets were tangled, and sweat clung to me like I had just run a marathon. The sun blared through my curtains. It was ten in the morning, and I had two hours to get ready for registration. Frustrated and scared of my dream, I stumbled out of bed and into my bathroom. The claw-foot tub looked so inviting, but I had to hurry, so I opted for the shower. Hot water struggled to get going for a few seconds, then poured out of the faucet vibrantly. Steam filled the room as I got undressed. When I stepped in, goose bumps crawled on my skin, so I put my head under the water. Tense muscles started to loosen and relax, my body heated up, left over thoughts of my dream faded away, and my mind felt clear. Cucumber melon shampoo and conditioner left my hair hydrated and filled the room with a wonderful smell. I shaved my legs and washed my body. Soft fluffy towels hung on a rack, and I used them to dry off.

  Various jean shorts littered the floor of my closet. I dug through them to try to find what I wanted to wear. White shorts with roses printed on them caught my attention in the corner; I grabbed them and decided to pair them with a baggy gray T-shirt. My hair was practically dry by the time I was finished getting ready. Helios purred and chirped at me, so I scratched his ears before going downstairs. There was orange juice on the counter, and Alexandier was making toast. I shuffled around the busy kitchen, got a glass of juice, a banana, and a spoonful of peanut butter. The front door closed, and my dad hurried in with some bags from the car. He stopped, pointed at me, and then pointed to the door. It was time to register for my senior year.

  The parking lot was full of redneck trucks, beat-up cars, and fancy rich-kid cars. My dad carefully pulled into a spot and we got out. Groups of kids huddled together in the commons of the school. Friends hugged and laughed about stuff they remembered from last year. I kept my head down as we made our way to the registration tables. As my dad paid the appropriate school fees, two new girls walked up to the tables. They were short, with long, thick, wavy hair. One of them had fire-red hair, and the other had earthy-brown hair. The girls smiled brightly at the teachers and staff behind the tables, and their voices were soft and delicate. A tug on my arm pulled my attention away from the girls and toward my class list, locker information, and receipts. I followed the line as it led to the school and student ID photos. After handing the photographer my receipt, he made me sit, pose, smile, and stay still for a minute. An awkward little machine whirred and buzzed, then spit out a school identification card. Then we made our way to the library to get my textbooks and stopped at my locker so we could put the heavy books inside. Feeling a deep sense of relief, I sighed and closed my locker.

  I jumped when I saw two pairs of big brown eyes staring at me. The two girls from the registration tables smiled up at me. “I am Fiora, and this is my sister Willow.” A sweet voice came from the redhead, and she gestured appropriately. “We know Sebastian. He’s a family friend, and he told us about you. So we came to this small town and decided to go to school. We are here to help. He sort of filled us in, a little bit.” Fiora kept going, and I had a feeling she wouldn’t stop until she felt like it. I smiled and shrugged at my dad, and he walked outside.

  “Fiora, leave the poor girl alone. She doesn’t need your incessant babbling.” Willow elbowed her sister and gave me a soft, sweet smile. “I apologize. We are nymphs. She is a fire nymph, and I am an earth nymph. Fiora here tends to talk too much, and it gets kind of annoying. So here is my number. Call me if you have any questions or just need some girl time.” She handed me a piece of paper with beautiful handwriting and smiled wider.

  “Thanks. I will keep that in mind. I, uh, I have to go. My dad is waiting for me, so I guess I will see you guys in a few weeks.” I waved at the nymphs and smiled back at them. Keeping my head down as other students passed, I hurried out of the school and toward the car.

  On the way home, my dad stopped at a local mini-mart and got me my favorite ice cream, a bag of candy, and an iced tea. He always did it when I registered for school. It was like he knew that I had a hard time going back, but he didn’t quite know how bad it really was. Part of me felt that this year might be different. There were going to be three people who knew what I was, what I could do, and who were supernaturals as well. My heart was happy at the thought of not being completely alone. All I had to do was wait for two more weeks and my life would be turned upside down one last time.

  Chapter 5

  An obnoxious blaring noise filtered through my dreams. My hand reached out and flailed, searching for the alarm clock that was disturbing my sleep. It was Wednesday morning and the first day of my senior year. Groaning, I sat up. A disgruntled Helios jumped from my bed and hid in the closet. He had gotten bigger, heavier, and more ornery since the day I had gotten him. The sun was still rising, and I needed to shower and start my day. When I was finally ready, I had to rush to get out the door. My dad hollered for me. I grabbed a pop tart and ran out the door. He dropped me off by the school office. Staring at the big green doors that led into the school, I gulped down air and forced myself forward.

  The halls were crowded with students. Everyone seemed to stop and stare at me as I walked to my locker. Langdon was watching my every move, calculating what his next move was going to be. He always had to make a new rumor about me, tell people another lie, or say something he thought would hurt me. In all honesty, I was getting used to the jabs, remarks, and stares from fellow classmates, but it still hurt to think that people I grew up with would believe someone’s stories. Reaching around to dig in my bag, I almost bumped into someone. My iPod clattered to the floor, and students laughed at my misfortune. When I looked up, I smiled. Sebastian was there with the two nymphs I had met on registration day. Relief flooded through me as I noticed his locker was on the other side of mine. Fiora was twirling her hair and glaring at everyone who had laughed. The air around her seemed to crackle with electricity, and her sister elbowed her. Teenagers forced their heads down and scattered. Something about Fiora frightened them.

  I got to my locker and was sandwiched in between the two girls and the very handsome Sebastian. My heart fluttered in my chest, and heat flushed my cheeks. Tucking hair behind my ear, I finished my combination and grabbed my textbook for first period. The three of them talked, argued, and teased like best friends. Placing headphones in my ears, I walked away from them and outside toward the art room as a loud ringing bell announced it was time for the first class of the day. Students filtered into the large room, talking and waiting to take their seats. Willow and Sebastian wandered into the room just before the second bell rang. A short, stout, and eccentric teacher waddled in. She was strict about rules but gentle with her students. In a deep nasally voice she demanded we take our seats and told us that we needed to choose wisely, since they were to be our assigned seats for the rest of the trimester. The other two supernatural creatures took their seats by me, being dutiful protectors and guiders.

  The hour-and-tw
enty-minute class passed with Mrs. Summer explaining the rules, going through the course overview, and taking questions. When the bell rang, most of the kids hurried to leave the room, but I lingered for a moment. Sebastian looked back at me and waited. His deep green eyes were filled with concern and tenderness. I smiled and walked by his side to our lockers. Popular girls stared with shock and confusion; some even looked deadly. As I switched out books, I saw that Fiora was going to the same science class as I was. We walked together to the chemistry lab, and she caught the attention of an awkward junior boy. She waved and winked. I tugged her into the class, and the bell rang.

  Our chemistry teacher was new, he looked like he was fresh out of college. His eyes were dodgy, and my fingers tingled. I looked at Fiora, and she wrinkled her nose. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on each face, and then he stared at me with a tilted head. A grin broke out on his face, and his eyes gleamed with menace. A loud snap broke the tension and his concentration. My pencil had broken in my hand. When he turned around to write his name on the board, I grabbed a new pencil and avoided the fire nymph’s questioning gaze. Without any more glances or stares from the teacher, second period went much the same as first. After another hour and twenty minutes, the bell rang and I practically ran from the room.

  Sebastian was waiting for me at our lockers, and my frantic expression told him something was off. He grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look into his eyes. My breath caught in my throat at his beauty, and I calmed down quickly. Fiora whispered frantically to her sister about the chemistry teacher, Mr. Hodges. Willow cursed, and Sebastian frowned. Math was my next period, and I had it with Sebastian. Never breaking contact, he laced his arm around my shoulders and ushered me toward our third-period classroom. I took a deep breath in relief as I saw my favorite math teacher, Mrs. Stipple. She was tall, with long brown hair and almond-shaped eyes. Her smile was bright as she skipped into the room. With humor and kindness she went through the rules, course overview, and even made us play a game. Third period passed easily, and when the bell rang for lunch, I reluctantly walked to my locker. Shoving my math book in, I scowled. My first day wasn’t going as decently as I had hoped. Sebastian waited patiently and looked down at me with curiosity. Tired, and not ready for lunch, I just sighed. The tingling sensation in my fingers reappeared, I searched for the cause, but with all the craziness of lunch, there was no identifying it. However, I had a feeling the cause was the chemistry teacher. With one last glance in my locker and one over my shoulder, I slammed it shut and walked toward the commons.

  Fiora and Willow had brought their own lunches. They explained that nymphs had specific foods their bodies allowed them to eat, and school lunch was not one of them. Willow had fruits, vegetables, and some other earthly grown stuff, whereas Fiora had spicy stuff, and not all of it was healthy. Sebastian couldn’t eat normal human food because it didn't appeal to him, and since I felt like throwing up my breakfast, I just got a bottle of water. Our small group made our way outside to one of the sturdy picnic tables. The girls sat in the sun; Sebastian and I sat in the shade. We talked about little things, leaving the second-period incident in the recesses. No one brought it up or tried to ask about it. Maybe they thought I was scared or overly nervous, and I was, but I was mainly curious. Why did I get a tingling feeling in my fingertips? Why did Mr. Hodges look at me that way? I had a suspicion that it all had to do with what was coming. My stomach hollowed, and my face felt too hot. Sighing, I put my forehead against the table. There was no way I could make it through another class, and they weren’t that important anyway. I didn’t get up when the bell rang. My body wouldn’t let me. Pure understanding flooded through Sebastian. He helped me up and walked me to the office. They signed two admit slips and let us go home. My thighs burned when they touched the leather seats of his car, and I groaned. As he pulled away from the school, my stomach sank as the realization hit: He wasn’t taking me home, he was taking me to Clamora’s new house.

  Sebastian parked the car at an old abandoned warehouse just outside of town. I prayed to whoever was listening that we weren’t going to be doing any training today. With his help, I hobbled out of the car and walked unsteadily toward the building. The inside looked brand new. It was furnished, polished, arranged, and updated to be a house and training center, and it was fantastic. Leading me to an old office space, he opened the door. Clamora frowned as she saw us walk in her new workplace. She was about to start asking questions when her eyes landed on me. Worry forced her into motion. My vision got really blurry as I heard her barking orders at Sebastian. I wanted to tell her to be nice. I even tried, but nothing came out. Then, everything went black and I fell asleep.

  My eyes started to flutter and I felt something rough against my cheek. I tried to force my eyes open, but they wouldn’t budge. Fear clogged my throat. What if I was dying? No, that wasn’t right, I couldn’t be dying. I would feel cold, and my life would be flashing by right now. Right? A million thoughts ran through my head, and I felt like they would never slow down. Something cold touched my face and my breathing started to go back to normal, but my heart still raced. Sighing, another wave of blackness hit me and I fell asleep again.

  Drool from my open mouth woke me up. Opening one eye, I looked around the room. The roughness under my cheek was gone, which meant that I had only drooled on the couch. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and used my shirt to dry the couch off. I figured it was time to go find Clamora and Sebastian so I could get some answers about what had happened. Searching the warehouse was easier than I thought it would be, but when I couldn’t find them, I got worried. Then I heard voices, faint at first, but as I focused they became clearer. They weren’t arguing, but Sebastian sounded defensive and Clamora sounded sincere. Focusing harder, I could tell they were talking about me.

  “Sebastian, I know you feel that way. But the only way to tell is by doing the ritual.” Clamora’s voice sounded sad.

  “I won’t do it. It’s too dangerous, and that would be risking her life for something I already know the answer to!” Sebastian was angry and frustrated.

  “I wouldn’t allow that to happen. You know that, Sebastian. You’re like a son to me, and I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt again. That’s why you guys cannot truly be together until the ritual. If you fall in love with AubrieAnna and she isn’t Amaryia, you will be heartbroken. We both know that.”

  “I know. But Clamora, I already love her.” He sounded defeated.

  “Sebastian . . . ”

  They were silent as I walked up the stairs and toward the small sitting space. Sebastian looked startled as I snuck into the room. My heart fluttered and I smiled at him. Then, without any thought, I asked, “When can you do the ritual?” Shock spread across both of their faces, and then embarrassment crawled over Sebastian’s as he looked down.

  “It will take me a few months before I can get the correct supplies. But you need to know the dangers.” Clamora’s voice was gentle.

  “Okay. But I don’t want to know what the dangers are. Just get it done, and make sure you can save me. Also, Sebastian, thanks for not telling me your suspicions that I was your wife reincarnated. Oh, and information for all of you: I have been having dreams about future and past moments. Thank you very much. And, on top of that, the new chemistry teacher is crazy. He makes my fingers tingle. Clamora, I want answers. Full, straight, honest answers. I mean it. Because if I don’t get them, I am walking right out that door and I’m never coming back. Whatever is coming be damned.” Something inside me seemed to just snap. I was tired of not getting the answers I deserved. And if I wasn’t going to get them, they weren’t going to get me. After a moment, I calmed down and sat next to Sebastian. Clamora walked to the window and sighed.

  “All right, I will tell you everything you need to know.” She paused, as if not completely sure where to start. “I do not know much about your dreams, just that you have them and probably have your whole life. It could be related the supernatural,
but I do not think it is. I believe the gods gave you a gift so you can help the world survive. The end is not what is coming, although many people will wish it was. It has been discussed that something is coming. And it is from beings that are far more dangerous, evil, cunning, and maniacal than anyone has ever seen before. They are not demons or goblins. They are what my people call U da yv la dv. You call them shadows. But they are not normal shadows. Their blood is mixed with dark magic and vampire gifts. They can howl at the moon and shape-shift to look like whoever they want, even possess shadows of people and objects.

  “Your chemistry teacher may not be the actual teacher. The man you saw could have been an U da yv la dv. When they shift, they can also see the memories of the person they possess and have all the knowledge they have. The tingling in your fingertips is a warning to you, and to them. They can feel the power radiating off you. It is a defense mechanism. But it is also a weakness. Since the U da yv la dv can feel it, they know when you are near them. I can teach you to control it so only you can sense it. My training will also teach you how to use all of your gifts at once so you may kill these beings.

  “When the time comes, an opening in the earth will allow these things to come out of their world. They will fight to destroy everything so that earth can be their new home. AubrieAnna, when that time comes, you will have to rely on yourself and your own resources. Sebastian will be there with you every step of the way. He knows all that I have taught him, and more. This will not happen until next August; at least that is what we have predicted. If anything disturbs you, you must let us know. There is no arguing with me on this.