Chapter 1

Life's full of mysteries and unknown secrets. Some are hurtful, while other's can be life-threatening. But, few can help us all. I always had a feeling that my parents are keeping something away from me to know about. Big or small, I want to know about it.

Other than that, have you ever watched a movie or TV show that you actually thought or wished that it would happen in real life? Well, in this little "fairy tale" some of those stuff might be real. Is there such thing as super powers? Are mythical creatures real or truly fake? So many thoughts like these scattered across and throughout my inner skull.

"Jaclyn! Come downstairs now!" my mom said. I huffed a large breath and headed down. I found her with my dad in the kitchen. My mom is chopping vegetables while my dad is reading the newspaper. Did I mention that I'm the only child in this household? Yeah at age 14, my parents still treated me as if I was still 8 years old. But, I'll explain about my personal life later since I need to know what's going on.

"What is it mom?" I asked. "Um, your father and I will be leaving town again but this time we don't know how long we will be gone or when we will be coming back. So have your cell phone on with you at all times with full volume. You still got your job at American CD's right?" she asked.

"Yeah of course I do." I answered. "Good, because we aren't going to be able to send you money to pay the bills this time either. Think of this as your first experience doing housework all by yourself as an adult." she beamed. I nodded my head in agreement even though I hate being mature about life. I just want to be crazy, become an artist without any worries. Just me and my art.

"Don't you dare skip school on us again." my dad said angrily. "Yes Papi." I replied. "Then we're settled. We got to go now." she said. "So soon?" I asked curious. "Yes mi hija. The sooner the better I guess it's what the Americans would say. Adios y caudate mucho." she said and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "And no raves." my dad joked and he too, gave me a kiss on the other cheek. "Si Papi." I said then laughed a little.

"Ok be careful now Jaclyn." My mom called out from outside the house while my dad is in the car honking his horn. "You guys be careful." I said. She gave me a sad smile. "Oh I left you a note on my bedside table that might help you in your future. Read it at your greatest need. Even if you didn't, bring it with you. Without that information, you'll regret leaving it." she said.

"Ok Mami, adios!" I said. She gave me one last look then closed the door. I don't get what the whole deal is, but I just left the note in peace, for now. My phone started vibrating telling me that I've received a new message. It was from Kimberly, my "preppy" friend I should say. The message read "heyy wats up bud? (;" I texted back saying, " bordom wbu?" I have other friends, but Kim here just gives me a little too much attention than what I needed, or at least wanted. I headed for the kitchen and went to get something to eat since I haven't eaten all day and it's about 5 in the afternoon.

I was reaching for a simple apple when my phone vibrated again. Of course it was from Kim. Except this is what the message read this time, "SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS! NEED HELP NOW! CORNR OF LIBERTY LN & SOUL SOS SOS SOS!"

I ran up the stairs, grabbed my pocket knife and some gauzes and ran out to Kim's location. Of course I've got my own car with an I.D at age 14 but I think at times like this, driving takes long. As I sprinted by, pedestrians walked on by staring at me as I ran. Women held their young ones close as if I was going to run over them, like I would want to do that. When I turned to the corner I looked around frantically looking for Kim. Ran past an ally, looked in ran a couple feet, then stopped my pace. I ran back and gasped by a horrible sight.

There stood Kim, her flaming orange hair all messed up and around her face. Her pale and frail body was covered in bruises and cuts. Surrounding her was a small gang about to take her down like a pack of lions about to eat their prey. I found a glass bottle not too far from my right foot and crushed it into the closest guy's skull. Sure enough it worked because the dude fell down unconscious. The other four, including Kim looked at the body and up at me. "Jaclyn! You're here to save me!" Kim said.

"Ok, if you touch my friend one more time, either I'll hit your sorry selves with any weapon I have on me, or I'll call the cops. Take your pick." I said. The remaining four ran away in fear leaving me, Kim, and the body. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up. Let me get my car you can wait here right?" I asked. She whimpered and stood closer to the wall. "Don't worry, just give me 5 minutes. Here," I said, handing her my pocket knife, "here's my knife. Use it for your own protection. You got your cell and that you can live 5 minutes without me." I said then ran back home.

The whole way back was the same as my first trip. I ran into the house, got the car keys, locked the front door, and opened the garage. As it was fully opened, the sunlight exposed my black Volvo s60. I got in, turned it on, got out of the driveway, and headed back for Kimberly. Sure enough, she's still in the ally with my knife in her hand as if she's gone psycho. When she saw me, she immediately ran in and put on her seatbelt. I sped back home talking to Kim during the whole drive.

As she was taking that shower, I took my time getting all the information sorted through my head. She mentioned that she was walking down Liberty Ln. with Amanda. I didn't need to know the rest. Particularly, she was like a witch in disguise. But poor Kim was too blind from her fake kindness to see the true Amanda. She's hated, but the most popular out of everyone at school, because of her "beauty". Like that ever get herself that rank.

Anyway, they turned into the ally and Kim got confused and tried to get herself out. But Amanda wouldn't let her. Few seconds later the small gang come up from behind her and followed Amanda's order's, which was to murder her. Kim was just as confused as I was. Who knew why Amanda wanted to kill her so badly? But Amanda left a minute after she sent me the text.

Well, Kim was always there for me, and I wanted to help her back. I can't risk her having another accident like that. As Kim got out of the shower I asked her if she would like to live here with me for her own protection. She hesitated for a moment, but then sighed, "Well, there's a good chance that my parents would let me. They always thought that you're a big influence in my life ever since you saved me from drowning back in the 5th grade swimming try-outs. Remember?

"I could never forget that day." I replied. She was so young. She never had any experience with swimming other than bubble baths. She must've thought that swimming would be her best sport even though she's a major star at basketball. "I'll drive you to your folk's place and we'll see what they'll say." I said. "It's a deal. I can't believe that I was stupid enough to fall for being Amanda's friend. I just thought she needed a friend even though she was hated by everyone and-and-and…" she stuttered.

"It's ok. You were trying to do the right thing. I'm proud that you were reaching out to her, but just be careful next time, ok?" I said. She nodded and went to put on her blood-stained converse. "Better we go and ask them now." she said. "Sounds like a plan." then we got out and headed our way.