HI YOU GUYS!
Thanks for taking a look at my story. Please read. Please review.
Please point out my mistakes.
And now to disclaim so I don't get sued.
I do not own SkyHigh. That goes to its respectful owners. And I do not own the term 'mundane' or 'mundie'. Cassandra Clare, the author of the Mortal Instruments trilogy, owns that.
But I do own my characters and my plot line. So no stealing. Or I swear I will so kill you.
Or throw pixelized furniture at your head.
Either one.
ENJOY!
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
Klicketa klacka klicketa klacka.
That's the sound a $500 pair of stiletto heels make when running frantically through New York. The girl attached to these stilettos? Amelia Hart. And why was she running? Well, to tell you the truth, she's running because she is pissed. Incredibly pissed. But the real question is; why is she so angry?
It's because her infuriating brother has done it again.
He has ruined her life.
Again.
"Argggh!" Amelia growled as she was brought to a screeching halt at a crosswalk. The sign across the street flashed a red hand and 'Don't Walk' at her, almost, as if it were taunting her. But everyone who knew Amelia would tell you, 'Taunting Amelia is not a smart move.' Which was demonstrated oh so perfectly as the sign flashed walk and Amelia promptly rushed across the street and smashed her fist into the picture of the little white man. The glass shattered and tinkled to the ground at her feet, along with the drops of blood that now dripped from the slits in her roughened gloves. She cursed and glanced up at the large clock hanging over Times Square.
1:37 AM it told her.
She grinned. He couldn't have gotten far. Not in his weakened state. And she knew just where he would be. She started off to another breakneck speed, weaving through the still crowded sidewalks as the people she passed stared at her in wonder. After all, it's not every day you see a girl in a floor length ball gown wandering through the city.
Or perhaps it was because she was sprinting wildly down the sidewalk.
'Nah,' she thought. 'It's the dress.'
But Amelia didn't think this staring was entirely fair. After all, half of these people were coming home from parties that were probably as extravagant as the one she had been previously enjoying. She scoffed aloud. 'Enjoying' was an understatement.
She had been ecstatic at the party. She had been euphoric, elated, jubilant and in total bliss. She sighed and took a sharp right into an adjacent alley, her eyes adjusting as the light darkened. She had been in total bliss until Aiden had to go and ruin it for her. It just kept replaying in her head, over and over.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
"God, you look great," Jack whispered in Amelia's ear as she descended the grand staircase into the ballroom, taking his hand. She blushed and hooked her arm with his, giggling as she placed a kiss to his shoulder. His shoulder was the highest she could reach, even on her tiptoes. Even in three inch stiletto heels. Jack grinned and placed a kiss to the top of her head, his lips brushing against her hair. His gloved fingers twirled around an ivory streak in her hair, a startling white against the darkness of her ebony tresses.
"You ready to dance, my princess?" he asked, his green eyes twinkling down at her.
"Quite ready, my prince. Shall we waltz?" He laughed while he placed a hand against Amelia's back, another in her own gloved hand, and pulled her onto the dance floor.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a breakthis is a break this is a break this is a break.
Amelia shrieked as she toppled to the ground, her exposed arms scraping hard against the pavement.
"Dammit," she mumbled, examining one of her shoes. The heel had snapped off. She had saved up weeks of money to get these. And now they were useless. She removed the other intact shoe and tossed the pair aside. She stood up, brushed herself off, and glanced down the alley. She could see it, the place her brother was, towering above the roofs of the other warehouses that surrounded her.
Amelia started off again, her energy somewhat renewed.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a breakthis is a break this is a break this is a break.
"You're taller tonight but still not quite tall enough. Shortie," Jack said as he twirled Amelia around and around. She laughed and playfully punched his arm. Her black lace skirts whirled gracefully around her, rising briefly to show off her strappy shoes and slender ankles.
"Oh shut up. Maybe you're just too tall. Ever think about that?" she asked, curling up against him once again. He smirked and pulled her to a far off wall, leaning against it as they both rested momentarily.
"Aren't you hot in that?" Jack inquired, pointing to the black overcoat that covered her arms, shoulders, and even laced up the length of her neck. She was hot but she wasn't going to admit it.
"Not at all," she replied. He frowned and tugged her closer to him.
"I wish you would take it off anyway," he murmured into her ear. "I want to see your bare shoulders, your exposed neck. I want to touch your arms, your hands." He leaned near, his lips drawing closer to Amelia's.
And she pulled away.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
She ran through a puddle and the filthy water splashed up to soak her dress. She didn't care. Her night was ruined already. Her life was ruined. She would burn this dress later, just so she wouldn't have to remember.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
There was a violent explosion on the opposite side of the ballroom. The crowd screamed in sync. Amelia flinched and scooted over to Jack. He put his arms around her and pulled her close. There was a gaping hole in the wall, smoke pouring out of it. A burst of wind suddenly flowed through the opening, clearing the smoke. Four figures stood outlined in the haze. No other features were distinguishable except for the one that seemed to be leading the group. He was tall, slender, and the way he stood conveyed that he was of importance. The other dancing and partying couples had merely backed away now but Amelia was panicking, searching for an exit. She spotted one on the wall perpendicular to hers and began tugging Jack along beside her.
"Where are you going, love? We came here specifically to dance with you," a booming voice rang out, making Amelia come to a dead halt. Slowly, she turned to face the group who had now materialized completely. The tall, slender leader had black hair as dark as Amelia and he was built like a swimmer with strong legs and shoulders. He also had a handsome face with a square jaw, light brown eyes, and straight nose. The one slightly behind his right shoulder was also tall, but still shorter than the leader. Also unlike him, he was very stocky and was bald. Behind him stood a very skinny, very short boy. He had unruly blonde hair that stood up everywhere, as if he had just come out of gale force winds. The boy to the leader's left was short and chubby. His brown hair was plastered to his forehead and sweat rolled down his face. Amelia knew he was the cause of the explosion.
"Do you know them Ami?" Jack whispered into her ear, using his own special nickname for her. She always smiled when he used it but now…she did not.
"Yeah," she answered with a mournful sigh, "…yeah. I know them."
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
She was below a fire escape that was attached to the building she'd been searching for, trying to figure out if she could reach the ladder with a simple jump. Probably not. She backed up several yards and ran straight at the brick wall, leapt into the air at the last moment and placed her feet against the wall. She was able to climb up the side for a foot or so with sheer momentum until gravity halted her progress. Before it pulled her back down she pushed off the wall, into the air and clamped her hands right around the last rod of the ladder. She pulled it back down to Earth with her.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
The leader began to stroll towards the couple, his smile turning into something menacing. Amelia backed up, pulling Jack back too. Being Jack, he stood his ground once he realized Amelia was attempting to flee.
"Just stand behind me," he whispered, "I'll protect you." She glanced up at him, her hands curling around his arm.
"It's you that I'm scared for," she said, her voice clear. Jack stiffened and turned his gaze to the petite girl at his side. His green eyes no longer sparkled. They had become questioning and maybe even…frightened.
"But…why are you scared for me?" he asked, pulling away ever so slightly. She had injured his pride.
"Because she knows what I am capable of, little boy," declared the black haired leader. Jack and Amelia almost gave themselves whiplash the way they snapped their heads to face him. Amelia could sense time slowing as the man stopped a few paces away. She heard cracking knuckles and looked to her right. The bald stocky fellow had blocked their escape route. She could also hear something that resembled the rustling of thick cloth from behind her. That would be the blond with the disheveled hair. Also behind her, but slightly to the left, was the sound of heavy panting. That was chubby.
"What do you want with us?" Jack questioned the leader, his hands clenching up into fists. He had now realized that he and Amelia were the ones being targeted. This particular group had cornered them and only them. Something was definitely up. Amelia returned to his side but it now seemed to Jack as if she was trying to shield him, the way she curled around his front. She could have been scared herself but no, he was sure that the only fear she was currently feeling was for him.
"We heard our little Amelia was going to some fancy party with some mundane. We wanted to check out if he was acceptable or not. Which, being mundane, he obviously isn't," he told Jack, smirking. The rest of the group erupted into laughter, whooping at the joke. Amelia didn't think it was funny. At all. She could feel Jack tensing up in her arms. She looked up to his face and realized his jaw was locked. A vein could be seen throbbing in his neck. He was pissed.
"I'm not sure what kind of insult 'mundane' is but I can assure you I don't give a damn if you like me or not. I'm dating Amelia and you should probably get over it," Jack retaliated.
"And I'm not sure you know exactly who you're dating. Does he Amelia? Have you told him?"
The girl mumbled a curse and released the blond boy in her embrace. She turned, facing the handsome young man.
"Cut the crap, Aiden. Just leave okay? You've done enough," she hissed, her blue eyes aflame. He simply smiled at her and continued to talk.
"Has she ever told you what school she goes to? Has she ever mentioned her family? Has she ever discussed exactly what she is? Do you know just what she can do with her bare hands?" Aiden said, and began to circle the couple with his lengthy strides. Jack looked questioningly at Amelia and then to Aiden.
"Just…shut…UP!" Amelia shrieked, launching herself at the boy. A sudden gust of wind knocked her into a crouch at Aiden's feet. He smiled down at her and stepped over her, towards Jack. She grabbed Aiden's ankle and attempted to pull him to her level. He simply shook her off and wrapped an arm around Jack's shoulders in an almost friendly gesture.
"I'll indulge you, my dear mundie. I'll tell you all about her," Aiden said. Amelia stood up again and made a move towards the two. Before she could reach them, the tall burly one launched himself into her side, reducing her into another helpless pile. She didn't cry out. She never would.
"Careful, Heft. Don't break the poor girl," Aiden scolded the boy. Jack's gaze returned to Amelia. He shoved Aiden away and rushed to Amelia, kneeling to help her up.
"You shouldn't have done that, mundane. You really shouldn't have," Aiden growled, his eyes taking on a new light.
"Why the hell does he keep calling me that?" Jack whispered to himself. Amelia answered him anyway.
"It's the word The Four use when talking about people with no powers. Most of Hell uses it too. It mean's normal, boring, etc," she responded, dusting her dress off. She would have bruises.
"I know what it means, Ami, I just didn't….wait. The Four? Hell?"
"We're The Four."
Jack turned to look at Aiden again. Heft had come to stand beside him. The other two as well. "We're called The Four of Destruction," he continued, "We're the reigning students at the school we attend, Hell's Depths. It's a high school for 'special' teenagers. We have powers. Powers we use for evil. We're what you mundies would call villains." His eyes flashed to Amelia. "And you're little Ami is one of us," he added. Jack shook his head.
"You're lying," he simply stated.
"Show him, Heft," Aiden ordered. Heft came to stand in front of the group, reared his arm back, and punched a crater into the pristine, marbled floor. Jack continued to shake his head, albeit a bit quicker. "Not enough?" Aiden asked, "Alright then, Gage?" The blond came forward, raising his arms as a slight wind swirled around the group, increasing in intensity so much that Amelia could feel it beginning to lift her. Jack stepped back but still shook his head. Amelia realized it could now be shock causing him to do it. "No?" Aiden asked again, motioning towards the chubby boy who stepped forward to join the others. "This is my friend Roen, mundane, and he has a particularly interesting power. See the sweat rolling off his forehead? He can make it explode."
Jack stepped backwards again. Far back. Aiden smiled. Roen wiped his brow with the back of his hand. He flung it away from the group and they watched as a nearby wall and decorative display collapsed into a heap of debris. "And me, don't you want to know I can do?" Aiden inquired stepping away. He breathed in deeply, turning his head to the far windows where heavily patterned curtains hung. He suddenly exhaled and with his breath he also released a plume of fire, which enveloped the curtains in a cloud of smoke. He grinned contentedly, turning back to Jack. "And that's what I do."
Jack stuttered something incomprehensible and stumbled backwards. Amelia made a move to flee with him but Jack shot her look that included something that resembled fear and even disgust. She mentally flinched.
"Jack," she crooned to him, like he was a child, "I'm not like them…I'm really not."
"Au contraire, Jack! She is even worse than us! Don't you want to know what her power is?" Aiden said, chuckling. Amelia shot him the bird and stepped towards Jack again, holding out her hand. He stared at as if a sign hung from her wrist, declaring that if you 'TOUCH THIS, YOU MIGHT SPONTANEOSLY COMBUST.' Amelia knew that look. She had seen it so many times before. Because they're fears weren't unfounded.
"Get away from me you…you…you freaks!" Jack yelled. He barely had time to turn and run before Aiden snapped his fingers and Heft was football tackling the fleeing boy to the ground. Except for that when Heft tackles you, you leave an imprint of your body in the ground. The floor around them exploded and bits of marble dust floated up as Heft got back to his feet.
"Jack!" Amelia screamed and ran to him. He was motionless.
And pulse less.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
Amelia clambered up the fire escape. She slipped a few times but always regained her footing. She was determined. Very determined. She reached the top floor and shoved hard against the window. It swung inward. She crawled through into the room carefully and quietly. She shut the window behind her and began to creep towards the doorway, her footsteps making no sound on the dusty concrete floor.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
She wheeled on The Four her blue eyes narrowed and as cold as ice. "YOU KILLED HIM YOU SONS OF BITCHES. YOU KILLED HIM!" The boys looked at one another. Aiden merely shrugged.
"One less mundie in the world isn't so bad," he said. Amelia stiffened. There was some kind of change taking place inside. Her hands uncurled and hung loosely by her sides. Her shoulders straightened into a straight line. She lifted her head ever so slightly and stared straight at them, her eyes somehow glaring at each of them individually. And then she attacked them. First she tackled Heft who was taken by surprise and stumbled to the ground. She delivered punch after punch to his face, chest, and stomach. He was unconscious in seconds. Or perhaps dead. She didn't care. She leaped away from him and rushed in the general direction of Aiden but was promptly seized by Gage who tossed her into the air and suspended her there with his hurricane power. She twisted in the battering winds and stiffened her body like a board. Angling ever so slightly, she was able to cut through the wall of wind and crashed into Gage. He too, was knocked unconscious. Amelia shook herself and began towards Roen. He merely turned and ran.
She was facing Aiden now. And he was facing her.
"You killed him," she whispered.
He shrugged again.
She launched herself at him.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
She walked calmly down the hall of the abandoned office building. There was little light and the air was thick with the musky scent of mold and rats. But she had this place memorized.
One doorway she passed. Two doorways. Three. Four.
Aiden would be behind door number five.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
He sidestepped her and used her force to propel her to the ground.
"You don't want to fight me, Amelia," he murmured into her ear as he pinned her down.
"Yes. I do," she said through clenched teeth and supplied him with a fierce right hand uppercut. He stumbled backwards. Amelia yanked off her sweater for better mobility. He smirked at her.
"Smart girl. Freeing up your movement range. Just like I taught you," he said, springing towards her with fists flying. He caught her in the shoulder with an elbow, startling her, but she did not falter. She blocked the next one and began her own offense. She got him in the jaw again with another uppercut. She also dealt several well placed kicks to his chest and legs. He slammed a fist into her side. He was stronger. And bigger.
But she was faster. And it began to show while his energy drained and hers remained optimal. While she blocked his blows, he caught hers. He didn't have enough time to get in a hit otherwise.
However, even if she had speed, he still had knowledge. He knew her fighting style and he knew what kind of combos she favored. He managed to grab her ankle on one particular roundhouse and tossed her away from him, sending her sprawling across the floor. She sprang up and turned to face him.
He was gone.
She raced out of the building, catching a fading figure disappearing around a corner. Amelia knew where he where he would go.
She took off in pursuit.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
Amelia kicked in the rotting door, the harsh sound reverberating into the dank room. Someone stood silhouetted in the window, the city lights magnifying his form and making it seem even more ominous.
"Aiden," she whispered.
"Amelia," he said, turning to look at her, "I should have known you'd follow me." He slowly stepped towards her. "So now that you've found me, what will you do?"
"I'm going to capture you and turn you into the police. For the murder of Jack Hamilton."
Aiden smiled at her, taking another step forward.
"You were always the little hero. You do know right that you'll never be one, don't you? Not with your power and not with your history." Amelia narrowed his eyes at him.
"I'm not trying to be a hero. I'm trying to do what's right. You just killed someone, Aiden!" She was crying now, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly. Aiden looked almost…sorry.
Almost.
"I'm a villain, Amelia. It's what I do. I destroy things. I hurt people. Sometimes they die. It's part of the job description."
She shrieked and stumbled towards him, her arm raised, ready to smash his face in but she was blinded by her tears and her footing was fumbling. Aiden stepped forward for the last time and caught hold of her gloved hand. With his free hand, he held her arm while he removed the black silk glove.
"Aiden…Aiden! What are you doing?!" Amelia tried to wrench herself away from him but he held her fast. He held her bare hand in his, interlacing the fingers, and pressing his cheek against the back of her little hands. He cupped his other hand, now free again, to his mouth and exhaled a small ball of fire into his palm. He chucked it to the far side of the room where it ignited a mountain of cardboard boxes. "Aiden! LET GO OF ME!"
Amelia squirmed and squirmed but Aiden still held her close to him. She could feel the stubble along his jaw. He hadn't shaved recently. That wasn't natural for him. Aiden was always so clean cut. He held her hand gingerly, like a child searching for his mother. His eyes began to close. Amelia had a fresh batch of tears already pouring down her cheeks. "Aiden…" she whispered.
"I've never touched you before Amelia. You're bare skin. It's soft. Like a baby," he smiled at her. He was crumpling now, collapsing to the ground, pulling Amelia down with him. She could smell smoke. So much smoke. But she was stuck now. "I love you Amelia. I'm sorry. I wish you could have been born a hero. You would have made a good hero."
"Aiden," she murmured, "Let go, Aiden…please." His grip on her tightened briefly, before it was released completely. She pulled her hand away from him. He seemed to have fallen asleep on the floor next to her. "Aiden…why did you do that Aiden?" She touched his cheek, this time of her own free will. "Aiden…?"
He didn't stir.
"Aiden! Please don't kid around like this. We have to go now Aiden…the walls are burning. Get up. GET UP!" she cried, hitting him in the shoulder. "GET UP GET UP GET UP!"
And still, he did not move.
"Aiden…" she whispered, curling her arms around him, "Aiden, Aiden…." She could feel the flames. So close to her now. So hot. But she would not leave him here. She lay down next to him, holding both of his hands in hers. They weren't warm. Something crackled above her. The ceiling was burning now.
It began collapsing. A chunk crumbled on top of Amelia but she didn't cry out. And she never would.
Never scream. Never would she scream.
She wasn't afraid.
She wasn't.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
"Hello! Is anyone in here? Hello! Say something so we can hear you!"
"C'mon Frank, there ain't no one in here."
"But that homeless guy swore he saw two people climbing up the side of this place."
"And I'm sure he also plays poker with aliens every Wednesday night. Old cook is probably crazy. Let's go."
Amelia groaned. Why were they talking so loud? Why wouldn't they just let her sleep? She tried to move, to try and get out of her bed so she could chase off these goons who interrupted her dreams. But she couldn't.
"What's going on?" she tried to say but found she no longer had a voice. Just a hoarse whisper. Her throat her so bad and her body. Was she sick? Did she have the flu?
"Did you hear that, Jason? I heard something over here!"
"It's probably just a rat!"
"Just get over here would you? Help me move this stuff. Shit, it's still burning right here."
Burning? What was burning?
And then it all came flooding back.
Amelia tried wiggling free from her prison. She couldn't see anything. Her eyes were on fire.
"Hell, it's a girl! Help me!"
"Damn, I'm radioing the EMT!"
"Can you hear me miss? Are you alright?"
"Do you think I'm fucking alright, assholes?" she replied but it came out as more of an "Arnnnggh."
"She alive, that's for sure. Where are the paramedics? I'm going to pick you up miss, okay? Try not to move too much. Oh Jesus. Look at these burns." Hands began to press beneath her, wrapping around her stomach to lift her. But as soon as they brushed against her back, she found that she did have a voice, and screamed bloody murder. Maybe she couldn't cry out of fear. But she was sure as hell going to cry out of pain. "I'm sorry honey, I'm so sorry. We'll get you fixed up right away."
She was lying somewhere now. Somewhere soft and padded. A gurney. She could see lights now. Blurs of skin colored objects. And voices, so many voices.
"I need the oxygen! She's got black lungs I'm sure."
"Call the hospital and get the burn team ready!"
"Where is that oxygen!?"
And then Amelia blacked out.
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
There were voices again, soft, murmuring.
Amelia opened her eyes. Her vision was still blurry but she could now make out people in blues and greens. Doctors.
"Where…where am I?" she whispered, so quietly.
"She's awake!"
"How are you feeling, dear?"
She blinked at the brunette woman next to her.
"Like crap," she answered. The woman laughed.
"Well you probably should after what you've been through. Is there anything you need? Do you hurt? We administering you painkillers but we could amp the dosage if it's not enough."
"The boy….where is the boy that was with me?" The woman looked at her colleagues that were hovering around the door. One of them shook his head.
"There wasn't anyone else in the building, honey," she answered.
"But he was there. He was there with me." Amelia was stricken. "He was." The doctor looked uncomfortable.
"They didn't find anyone else…if he was there he must have been burned beyond…recovery…" the woman murmured softly, taking hold of Amelia's thoroughly bandaged hand. "Who was he?" she asked.
"He…was my brother," Amelia whispered, closing her eyes, "And I killed him."
This is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break this is a break.
And that's the end of the prologue.
I apologize for my sucky fight scenes. I could use some help with those.
I also apologize for those 'This is a break' lines. I was using xoxo's but didn't like those.
You see that little button down there?
The one that says review?
Well you should totally click it. I even accept anonymous reviews.
And if you don't I will so kill your character of preference at the end.
I can do that, you see.
So click it.
CLICK IT.
Come back now y'all hear?!
Love, Kat