Chapter 1

Blazing spheres, twisting viciously towards the heavens, warm and heavy. Billowing black clouds of smoke fly into the air, becoming one with the clouds, turning the heavily starred skies into a grey canvas. The only sound of the night was that of the cackling fire, silencing the curious birds and out singing the night-bound crickets. In the distance, sirens come closer, but it wouldn't matter. The mansion was gone along with my family. A roar bellowed deep from inside of the fire before a suddenly explosion of brick and fire flew into the sky, expanding before vanishing back into the surprisingly comforting flames.

"Aiden!" Calls a familiar voice. I turn my gaze from the fire only momentarily, having not been aware of all of the men in yellow rushing towards what I once called home. A man in black runs towards me, embracing me closely, checking my face and arms for visible damage. With that, he picks me up, my arms dangling over his shoulders, gaze on the fire as I move further from where the firefighters begin to drag out bodies.

"I know you miss them, Aiden."

How many times had I heard this? Once a week, if not twice. Well over 1000 times since the night of the incident. I turn towards him. "I don't miss them anymore."

"That's a lie," He growls, getting to his feet. "You're family loved you very much and they miss you so much."

"Then they shouldn't have left," I reply dully, putting the spoon back into the cereal bowl. I was tired of this shitty food he had to offer me, the constant remarks he had and the overwhelming feeling that … "I'm turning 17 soon you know. I can make it on my own without you constantly checking up on me."

"Aiden, you're still very young and Spenc-"

"Father could have cared less if you took care of me. He gave me to you for a reason." I was on the ground before I even realized what had happened. Staring up, I could see the contempt in the man's eyes, the same kind of eyes my father shared with me.

"Don't you ever speak poorly of your father! You father and mother loved you very much and you should thank them every day for having saved you from dying. They saved your life and sacrificed their own!"

I look down. They threw me out the window. It wasn't the same. "I'm late for class," I lie. But before he could respond, I'm quick to my feet, snatching up my backpack and heading out the front door. There, a plump man waits, watching me before opening the door to a small black car.

"Master Churchill." He greets. I don't acknowledge him. He sold his soul, the rest of him wasn't worthy. Sliding into the car, I watch my god father move to the front door, crossing his arms and I could imagine that ever so familiar grunt from his throat. I turn away, not really caring what he thought of me. I had my self and that's all I needed.

Arriving at school, I look in the mirror, not really worried if I looked alright but making sure that my hair covered my cheek bone where my cheek was beginning to swell from the earlier blow. Golden eyes narrow angrily and I stare back at them, pondering what I should do about this, moving more of my ravenous hair against the pale cheek. I couldn't let anyone think I was being bullied or next thing I would know, I'd have to live with that man full time. I had no interest in family.

Stepping out, the driver checks the buckles I have tied around me, one around the turtleneck and three on each arm where each joint lie. He hands me my backpack and I take it wryly before heading towards class. There were no words between a master and a servant.

Class went by as usual. I had no interest in friends either. They would all die eventually anyways. All that mattered were grades as they were the key to eventually making it to college where I could further my boring education and achieve a useless degree I would never need. I didn't plan to work. I don't have to. 70,000,000 dollars… every last penny in my name.

By the time lunch rolled around, I found myself heading subconsciously towards the third floor. Everyday I would go up there, up the bell tower and watch the city and all of its golden glory. Arriving at the top, my bag drops to my feet, almost perfectly atop the single bald spot among the field of dust. Each step echoes as I near the large opening, falling idly against one of the rounded walls before sliding down. The sun was high in the sky, not a cloud in sight. The buildings glimmer with gold from the fiery kisses and close my eyes in response. I could almost hear the cackling of an entire city going up in flames. What a glorious idea.

The rest of the school day went by uneventfully. I sought out reasons to get out of group projects whether they were as simple as 'I have this great idea and my group doesn't want to do it' or as predictable as 'here's a 20. I'm working by myself'. I always got my way. It was only during the last period where the teacher finally stood up to me.

"Mr. Churchill," she scolded lightly. "You could take this opportunity to teach your classmates something rather than doing your own project. Wouldn't that be beneficial?"

I stared into her eyes for a moment, trying not to begin to scream at the math teacher. Mildly offended by her words, I turned away and said, "They could always use the help."

She smiled. I could hear it with the way her simple 'thank you' came.

"So we're going to Serena's house," announced the one I was sure whose name was Rachel. I stared down at the floor for a moment. Another shitty little house with shitty little people in it. Why did Ms. Scarlet want to torture me today? Agreeing, we decided to meet up after school to get directions to her cave.

When the final bell rang however, the last thing I wanted to do was be anywhere near those preppy idiots. But like the good student I was and just because I liked Ms. Scarlet a little better than most teachers, I went towards the school parking lot.

The stood there in a group, whispering and smiling. This made me uneasy but at the same time I could really care less what they had to say. It was all useless anyways. Any information that was never put on paper would never be of any use to anyone.

"Aiden," Serena smiles quirkily and I look at her for a minute before finally muttering a simple:

"Let's get this over with."

Sliding into the car, I got closest to the passenger side window as possible, wanting the least to do with the other passengers as much as possible. Everyone squeezed in and we began what felt like an overwhelmingly long drive. Each minute seemed like an hour and I debated whether to simply offer them my phone number and tell them I'd text my portion of the project. But that would give them access to something further into my life, and I had no interest to have any sort of bonds with these people.

It was already almost sunset when we pulled up to what seemed to be an older sturdy gate. Serena hopped from the car, moving towards it and managed to push it open. Getting out as well, I wondered if only for a second why the others seemed so amused. Then I saw it. The museum, never having opened due to the accusation that it was haunted. I turn towards the car but they've all hopped back in, locking the doors.

I stare at them emotionlessly, knowing that they'll regret the decision to leave. However, they simply laugh and drive away. We'll see who will have the last laugh. Taking my cell phone from my pocket however gave me the feeling that it would in fact be them. I was in a remote, deserted area, one which I never knew of before this moment and there was no signal.