Chapter 1

There was darkness. A hissing sound of steam. A low orange hue, permeating the room like a haze. The air smelled of oil and smoke. A young black girl walked through, barely able to make out mechanics to a boiler room. Her name was Kiki Pizza. She creeped through the boiler room, hissing and almost alive. Looking all around, but being only vaguely able to see the darkness around her. Before she her eyes could adjust, a figure flew past her vision. She stumbled backwards, falling on the ground. As she turned around, she could see four sparks, sliding along one of the engines. Creating the sparks were knives attached to a leather glove. As they slid further towards her, the screeching and sparks growing brighter and louder, Kiki was able to see a humanoid figure, wearing a fedora and sweater. His arms were outstretched as he slid his gloved hand against the engine, finger knives continuously drawing sparks. Kiki realized his malicious intent and began backing away, finally turning over to get on her feet. She tried to run away, turning corners around the boiler, but was lost in the maze of metal and smoke. She could hear the screeching of the man's knife-glove. A fire suddenly erupted from one of the engines and she found herself face to face with the man. He had severe burns on his face; cold, evil eyes; and a devilish grin. Before Kiki could react he rose his glove in the air and swung the blades down on her as she threw her arms out to block the coming blades.

She jumped up with a scream, eyes just barely closed as she realized where she was. At home. In bed. Her heart was pounding and she was drenched in sweat. She stepped out of bed and walked into her bathroom, turning on the lights. When she turned on the faucet to splash some water on her face, she turned over her left hand, and saw a bloody gash in her palm. It wasn't deep, but it was bleeding. She quickly opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out a bandage to put over it. Then she remembered her dream. That burned man with the bladed glove attacking her. How did that wound follow her into the real world, she wondered. As she got into her bed again, she decided in the morning to go to the one person who could help her.