Disclaimer: I do not own D. Gray-man. I only own my OC character, Alexandria Pontmercy.

Chapter 1

"Alexandria, wake up! It's already seven; you're going to miss school if you don't get up!"

I rubbed my eyes. "Maman, I stayed up late last night," I called, hoping for just a few more minutes of rest.

"Just get out of bed!" she yelled back, her voice gaining a frustrated edge.

"D'accord," I answered tiredly, getting out of bed and quickly changing. While heading downstairs, I realized the house was much quieter than I was used to. "Maman, where is everyone?"

"Your Papa is at work, and your frére and soeur are already at school," she said impatiently, pushing my school supplies into my arms. "Now hurry up!"

"Oui, oui, Maman. Au revoir." Maman is always like that even though it's my effin' birthday today. She didn't remember! It was so upsetting.

Frowning at the thought, I began the walk towards school. My bag was heavy and my legs felt like lead; I wondered how I would make it through the day being this tired. Within about five minutes—a record time—I arrived in school, thankfully on time. Life could be so difficult, especially with school to think about. I just hate school.

Upon entering the school doors, immediately to my right I heard a voice call out, "Hey, Xandria! Have you heard about the murder incidents these past few days?" Looking toward the source of the voice, I realized it was one of my friends, Antoinette. This was how I was greeted on my birthday? Not with well-wishes, but with news of murder? Only in my life…

"No, I haven't," I said, somewhat perplexed. "What's going on?"

"Well," Antoinette started, launching into the tale with gusto. "They say that every day at six in the afternoon, a mythical creature comes by and feeds on human flesh. It's also been reported that star-like markings appear on the victim's body. There have been many cases of this sort of incident right near your neighborhood! I want you to be careful on your way home and also warn your family. Okay, Xandrie?"

"Yes, of course. That's pretty scary," I murmured, thinking of what she told me. "Thanks for the news, Antoinette."

"Of course you're welcome!" she gushed, always happy to up on the latest gossip. "Oh, and by the way, bon anniversaire, Xandria!"

"Merci beaucoup!" Antoinette is so kind and considerate, being the first person to remember. I really appreciated it after my not so great beginning to a day that was only to get worse. After chatting with Antoinette for a while longer, we headed towards our classroom together.

"Happy Birthday, Xandria!" A chorus of voices greeted me as Antoinette and I came through the door.

"Merci!" I replied, happy that my classmates remembered as well.

I felt like my day was finally taking a turn for the better. Then again, that was before Amandia Colette presumptuously strode across the room, blocking my way to my seat. Amandia was a gorgeous girl from an aristocratic family. Spoiled, rich, and beautiful, she believed she controlled the school with every word that spilled from her mouth. In a way, she was correct. Amandia was that girl who most others were either entirely jealous of, or absolutely hated. I fell into the latter group.

Knowing she would most likely try to pick a fight or create a scene, I tried to keep my feelings in control. "Xandria Pontmercy," she began with a flip of her hair. "What is your birthday celebration going to be like? Will it be grand and glamorous? Mine was." Amandia looked on expectantly, knowing my answer before she even asked the question. She was obviously trying to embarrass me.

"Well, it appears that I may not be having one at all," I replied. "Either way, though, my personal life does not concern you at all. We are not close friends. We are hardly even acquaintances. Now I would really appreciate access to my seat." Amandia looked taken aback like she couldn't believe someone had the nerve to contradict her.

"Ohhhh!" the class echoed in unison, some students laughing at Amandia's expression, while others looked nervous at the outburst that was to come.

"What are you trying to start?! Are you seriously trying to pick a fight with me? Me? You know what, Xandria? I hope that something bad happens to you on this very special day." Her normally beautiful face was twisted into an ugly snarl as she finally stomped off, allowing me to finally take my seat.

"Well, that was mean," I said, pretty disturbed by Amandia's parting words. We were never nice to each other, but that was taking it pretty far.

"I know," said Antoinette, taking the seat beside me. "She's just bitter, I suppose. You are getting all the attention, you know! Really, though, Xandria, nothing bad will happen today. Enjoy being fifteen! It only happens once in your life!"

Our teacher entered the classroom, catching the end of Antoinette's exuberant speech.

"Mademoiselle Antoinette, please settle down. I realize you are excited about your friend's birthday—by the way, happy birthday, MademoiselleXandrie—but I need the class to be paying very careful attention today," Madame Esperaldi said with a patient smile.

"Oui, Madame Esperaldi," Antoinette said, with an eye roll in my direction. The teacher continued with her lesson, a very basic one, despite her insistence that we need to be paying very careful attention. There was really no point in listening.

The day passed slowly, all my classes equally boring. My special day was really quite ordinary indeed.

I packed my stuff, finally ready to leave school. It was a quarter to six. With Amandia's words still on my mind, I sincerely hoped the worst of my day would be its boring monotony.

"Be careful, Xandria, just in case," Antoinette warned, patting my shoulder. "I'm sure everything's fine, though. I'll see you tomorrow, ma cherie!" I smiled, despite my gut feeling that something just felt wrong.

That insistent pessimistic voice in the back of my head kept saying go, go, go, and my walk morphed into a run as I became more panicked. I ended up at my house much more quickly than normal, only to be stopped by a throng of people.

No… I thought, sheer horror coursing through me. This cannot be happening… Maman, Papa… Eleanor, France…! No!

Maybe it wasn't what I thought. Maybe this was all just a mistake. Swallowing my fear, I hesitantly asked a bystander, "Excuse-moi, s'il vous plait, monsieur. Can you tell me what happened here? This is my home."

"Oh, you poor dear…" The man before me looked stricken. He looked towards the scene again and then back at me. "You must be Alexandria,vraiment?"

"Oui, monsieur. But please, just tell me what is happening? Where is my family?!"

The man seemed at a loss for words. He didn't need to say it. The look in his eyes was confirmation enough. My family… ma famille… they were…

I pushed through the crowd with growing anguish. Tears that had been gathering in my eyes finally began to spill. I could hardly think. I eventually broke through the crowd, my breath heavy and irregular, my eyes clouded with tears. My heart stopped.

The house lay in ruins, smoke curling up from the rubble and ashes staining the grass. My brother and sister were lying near where the door used to stand, covered in grit and blood.

I ran to them and new tears, tears of gratefulness, fell. I embraced them, headless of the grim that covered them. "Thank God. I thought you both were dead." I pulled back and looked at them both. Their tears made tracks down their filthy faces, both at a loss for words. "It's fine," I whispered. "You're fine now. I'm here, your sister is here. You are safe now."

I felt a hand on my back and I looked up. A man dressed in the police uniform was looking down at me. Wiping the tears from my eyes and standing, sliding my hands to grip my siblings' hands, I addressed the officer.

"Monsieur, please tell me what happened." I sounded a lot braver and put together than I felt.

"I'm afraid that your family fell victim to the serial killers that have been wreaking havoc on this area. Your parents did not survive."

"Serial killers?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. "I heard it was mysterious creatures."

"Non, that is just a tale running around. These serial killers are very dangerous and even more so if people suspect they are just creatures." The man scoffed, obviously grieved and frustrated.

"It doesn't make sense! Why would anyone want to come after my family! We haven't done anything!" I screamed, so emotionally drained and confused. I couldn't wrap my head around it; only yesterday I was playing cards with Papa while Maman taught my younger siblings how to play the piano. How could they be gone? Who would want them gone? Why was this happening?

"We are still trying to figure out their motive, but I assure you, mademoiselle, we will catch them." The officer bowed his head in respect. "I'm very sorry for your loss." He then left and began to usher away the crowd, leaving us alone, still standing in the ruined yard.

Finally, Eleanor spoke. "Xandrie?"

I quickly bent down to her level and wiped some of the dirt from her face. "Yes?"

"What are we going to do now?"

That stopped me short. What were we going to do? How could I care for my younger siblings? How could we live without Maman and Papa? Where would we live? How were we going to eat? How could we live to see tomorrow?

Instead of answering like I should have, but couldn't, I just held her. I buried my head on her shoulder, breaking into tears again, trying not to let them see. I felt France's hand on my back trying to comfort me, but my one thought was…

That should be Maman.

…

The funeral was set for the next day. Since my family was not notably rich, it would be a humble graveside service, enough for close family and friends. I did not attend school.

Instead of Maman scurrying about the house making sure everyone was dressed and fed, my siblings running around trying desperately to outrun her and foil her efforts, and Papa quietly sitting by the stove with a cup of coffee and a bowl of porridge smiling at me across the table, the house was silent. In fact, it wasn't even our own house. Antoinette and her family—who was very much alive—were kind enough to house us until further arrangements were made.

Today I was officially fifteen. Instead of the happy celebration with my family I was expecting, only a funeral was on my calendar on this dark day, despite the radiant sun shining through the window. I felt something wet hit my hand. With a dull feeling inside, I realized I was crying again. I should probably stop that.

I began to help prepare breakfast only to be stopped by Antoinette's mere, Sylvie,with a sad, silent smile and a minute shake of the head. She gestured towards the table where my siblings sat and I tiredly acquiesced.

Missing the jolly smiles and silly antics of my siblings that were now replaced with unfitting blankness, I tried to emulate Maman's way of always been able to cheer them up.

"Get rid of those frowns, for if not, I'll hire clowns!" France giggled and I sent him a small smile. Sylvie gave a generous laugh and Antoinette, who had just come in, joined in as well. I then looked to Eleanor, expecting the same reaction, only to find that was not the case. Her eyes held no amusement and her bottom lip jutted out. Her next words silenced the room in seconds.

"You're not Maman." A single tear slipped from her eye. Before I could reply, she shoved back from the table and ran up the stairs. France, who was very close to his sister and would follow her into anything, repeated her actions and disappeared from the room as well.

"I'm trying," I whispered into the silent room as my own tears began to fall. "You don't know how hard I'm trying."

My words only fell on an empty room.

When the group was finally gathered and apologies were made, Antoinette's family and what was left of my own headed to the funeral site. The sun was blindingly bright and it didn't fit.

When we arrived, only a few people were there. The town's religious leader was standing behind to simple boxes that I realized were my parent's coffins. He was holding a Bible and a bunch of flowers. I assumed he brought them to place on the grave once they were buried. I wish I had thought far enough ahead to do the same.

The last few guests shuffled in, breaking the gloomy, stifling silence. The leader then began the traditional words spoken in honor of the dead. I heard him speaking, but I didn't hear the words. Nothing he could say would truly make people understand how special my parents were and what great people the world lost yesterday. Those words meant nothing.

Soon enough, my parents were laid side by side in the ground. I watched as the last of the dirt was placed and my parents were forever gone. Eleanor began crying uncontrollably and Antoinette held her close. I would have, but I could hardly move.

They asked me to say a few words for my parents, and I shook my head. I had nothing to say to these people who would not understand. All they saw of me was yet another girl who had lost her parents. After all these attacks from serial killers, my siblings and I weren't the only ones left orphans; this wasn't anything new.

I held the hands of Eleanor and France, tears present on all of our faces, as we stood in front of the gravestone. "Forever in our hearts" was engraved at the bottom of the stone.

Nothing lasts forever.

The guests had all long gone, but the three of us stayed by the grave, hand in hand, for an immeasurable amount of time. The sun finally began to set.

"We are going to be alright," I said, not only assuring them, but assuring myself as well. "We will be fine." I gave them both a smile. "Let's go,d'accord?"

"Non. Let's stay a bit longer," France said stubbornly. Eleanor nodded resolutely.

"That's fine, but not too long. We really should be going before it gets dark." I received no answer. I looked down at them again and something seemed off. I couldn't tell what exactly. There was an almost empty look in their eyes, one I had noticed earlier. It made sense. We had just lost everything. Even so, it was starting to scare me a bit. They were young, yet it looked as if they had lost all will to live.

Changing my mind with the unsettling feeling growing within me, I said, "Come on, you two. It's time to go." Again, there was no answer. A little knot of fear began to twist in my stomach and I looked around nervously. "Come on! We need to go! Something doesn't seem right…"

What is this feeling?

To be Continued..