~Author's Note~

Firstly I'd like to apologize for not working on this story like I should have, but I can't at the moment, so until then you'll have to just be satisfied that I'm at least editing it somewhat :"D

Aged 16

I was standing, arms crossed as I tapped my foot on the pavement, waiting for Nick by the cinema's entrance. If he didn't hurry it up and get here, both of us would miss the movie. I pulled my phone out to check the time when a text from Nick popped up.

Nick: Srry can't make it. Need 2 run ernds. Make it up 2 u l8r.

I stood there for a minute, chewing my lip and wondering if I should even bother to reply. I hadn't seen Nick for a whole month, and when he finally schedules a meet, he flakes. I sighed, shoving the phone back in my pocket before leaving the cinema, heading for home. Fleetingly, I wondered what the twins would say when I came back so soon, after making so much of a fuss about seeing Nick again.

I got into my car and sped off back home, making sure to be careful as traffic in New Orleans was ridiculous and it took me about 45 minutes to make it back home. I pulled up into the drive, and sat there, the car still running. I looked at the house, and frowned slightly as something seemed off about it. It wasn't anything like the house was all dark and creepy looking since a light was on in the twins' room. I decided to shrug it off and pulled out my phone again.

Nick's message was still there.

Nick: Srry, can't make it. Need 2 run ernds. Make it up 2 u l8r.

I bit my lip as I looked at the message, knowing that I would most likely see it a lot in the future. And it was definitely one I hadn't planned on seeing when I finally admitted to myself that I had, in typical cliché fashion, fallen for my best friend. Lately I've been wondering about what would happen if I ever told him. Would it ruin everything between us? I stopped at that thought before laughing cynically. "I never see him anymore anyways. What would it matter now?"

Ana: Nick, I love you. I've loved you since you helped me up on the playground after that jerk Ben pushed me down. I've grown to love you even more over the years. Tell Kyrian he's a man-stealer 3

~with love,

Anaba

With a shaky hand I pressed send, grinning at the 'man-stealer' part I had added as an afterthought. I hoped it would…make things better, maybe make him think it was a joke. "But I doubt he would see it like that." I sighed and once more shoved the phone in my pocket before turning the car off. I got out, and walked up to the front step and hesitated, hand on the door handle.

There was a weird vibe in the air around my house tonight. My phone buzzed, and I flinched, startled. Did I want to take it out? I took my hand off the door handle, and pulled my phone out. It was from Nick, and the message flashed. If I pressed ok, I would either read something that made me insanely happy, or something that would send me into a depression.

"I'll read it later…" I opened the door, and walked into what looked like a massacre. Blood and body parts were everywhere, and a large man in a black trench coat stood up, whirling to look at me. "W-who are you?" the man was easily over 6 ft tall, with medium length messy black and red hair, and sleek black sunglasses.

He took them off, and studied me with glowing crimson eyes. "Do you live here?" he motioned around the house like it wasn't covered in blood, and like he didn't have glowing red eyes the same color as the walls. His ridiculously deep voice penetrated my clouded mind, suddenly bring everything into focus. "Yes, now what the hell happened here? Is this some kind of sick joke, cuz I'm not laughing!" My voice was strained and my heart was beating weirdly as the stench filled my nose.

His strange eyes softened, and he reached out and put his hand on my head. "This is no joke, little warrior. I'm afraid you've just been pulled into a war that is not of your universe. Sorry, but this way, it'll be easier to train you." Before I could even move, a bright light flashed in my face, and I was knocked unconscious…

Aged 23 (7 years pass)

I pulled out the cell phone from my life on Earth. It still amazed me that it hadn't broken in all the years I've had it. Even more amazing was the fact that it apparently didn't need to be charged. It still had the same amount of battery bars that it did all those years ago. The message from Nick still flashed, unread. "You ever gonna read that kid? It's been quite awhile…" I turned to see Myruie.

"I'm over 7 million years old. I don't think I'm a kid anymore." I pointedly ignored his question, and he smirked. "You've still got a lot to learn kid. You're now one of us, and our years are different from human years. A 'million' to you is just one to us. But time here in this universe moves a lot faster than in your old one. While 7 of our years pass here, 7 years have passed on Earth. So you can come up out of your depression. Your boy's still alive and moping."

I stiffened. "He's not my boy." Then, curiosity got the better of me. "How old are you, in our terms?" "898. J'edain is 649, K'hell is 724, Garthos is 900, and Neathgello is 718. As for the other generals, you'll have to ask them. I've already risked my dick telling you K'hell's age. Oh yeah, don't tell anyone I've told you their age. I love conflict, but when we're so close to ending this thing, I don't want to risk it." He reached out and patted my head.

My mind flashed back to the first time I met him. He had tracked a Khoul'aei to my home, but had come too late to save my family. My heart clenched, but I quickly dismissed the thought. I had had my years of grieving, and it was time to move on. "Ria, pretty soon, you'll be able to go back. It won't change that you're one of us now, but you'll be able to see your friends again. You'd have to move after a few years though. After all, you won't age as fast as you do here." His penetrating gaze pinned me to the spot before he closed them, grinning.

Then he took my phone, and pressed 'OK'. "Here, now it'll be easier to read." He handed it back, then disappeared. I froze. The screen was bright, and it took a second for my sensitive eyes to adjust.

Nick: I'll meet u at Sanctuary 2morrow at 7. We need 2 talk in person.

That was it? This is what I had been so worried about? Suddenly I felt foolish and a little relieved. I had been so scared, and for what? That. With a sigh I moved to close it, but then stopped. I could always reply. I thought of it as a way to make up for time lost over a silly fear.

Anaba: Alright, see you tomorrow then.

Myruie owed me vacation time anyways.