''Life often showers you with misery, but it is with the power of your heart, the purity of your soul that you conquer all evil.'' My grandfather used to tell me to recite this 'prayer' every time I felt scared or unsure. I was about eight then. Now I am sixteen. I have it all memorized, not a day goes by when I don't recite this 'prayer'. It calms me down, for some reason. I look up at the dark, threatening sky.
"Acacia, I've been over since, like forever and you haven't helped me with my homework!" I turn around. It's Agnes. Her ginger brown hair, freckled skin, round figure and enraged green eyes meet mine. I sigh. "I thought you'd tell me to help you when you needed it. Where can I help?"
There is nothing I hate more than to be interrupted while I'm losing myself in my thoughts, out in the dark. Agnes isn't really much of a friend. She just wants to improve her grade so she sticks around me when she needs help. That's about it. I stand up; brush off the dirt from my green top. She leads me to the living room where she has all her books spread out. Before I make my way over to the table, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. Gray blue eyes, high cheek bones, wavy black hair, small pouty lips, a prominent forehead and long eyelashes greet my eyes. I tuck my hair behind my ear, and move to help Agnes.
I help her do her homework. By 'help', I practically do all of it, but I'm glad when she packs up and gets ready to leave. "Bye Acacia, see you tomorrow.'' ''See ya,'' I whisper.
As I pack my own stuff, my mom comes in and says, ''Acacia, it's getting late. Don't you think you should be in bed? You look extremely pale, my love, when was the last time you ate something?'' I look up at her. She has an olive complexion, dark eyes, short straight hair and a friendly, concerned smile plays on her lips. I smile back. ''Mom, I'm almost done, thanks. Agnes and I had some snacks while we worked.'' I lie. My mom, Amber, is an attractive woman in her 40s. That's the side she wants to keep visible. She is single, as in well, it's complicated. She divorced my dad after she caught him cheating on her after I was born. Ever since then, she's been in different relationships, but nothing's worked out. My mom's a rebel. She doesn't like to share much about her personal life. ''When it gets serious, I'll tell you,'' she used to say. I head to my room, change into a sapphire blue t-shirt and black trousers.
Lying in bed, I can't sleep. The way the moon glared at me earlier…it just tells me there is something. Something is wrong somewhere. I get out of bed and head to the balcony. Looking out, I see a dark sky. The moon appears to glare at me, to shed its wrath, and then disappears behind the cover of the clouds. Suddenly, I hear a rustling sound. A cool breeze touches my warm face. More movement follows. I see something move…someone. Before I know it, I'm cornered in a wall, and someone whispers, ''Your destiny awaits you.'' It's a dark, but seductive voice. His strong hands grab my face tightly. I hold my breath. ''Who are you?" I say calmly. He moves away. I hear him sigh. ''You shall know soon. '' He grabs my wrist, thrusts it forward, only to drop it. He picks it up, puts his cold lips on my skin, and surprisingly, takes a nibble. I yank my elbow away. Before I can do more, he leaps across the wall, and with a brush of wind, leaves me to my thoughts.
I take a deep breath. The whole thing leaves me dizzy. I stare at the moon, which just happens to have come back from the shadows. I take a look at my wrist. There lies a small dot of scarlet. I go back to my room, turn the light on. There is a tiny mark on my wrist, he didn't hurt me. But I don't understand what has happened, who he was, what he was, and what he just did. And, what does this mean for me? My face becomes pale and I shiver as I recall his touch. My grandfather, throughout is perhaps my only friend. I reach for my cell phone to give him a call. I glance at the time, it's 3.30 AM. I hesitate.
When my mother had me, she was about eighteen. As she had studies to focus on, she left me to my grandfather for a couple years. He always told me stories, of things…things such as the one I encountered. Things that made their way from another world. And he believed them to be everywhere. I used to love those stories, the feeling of mystery, the power behind them all. These 'things' known to be 'grawiches' believed in a goddess, she was Hera. Hera is supposedly a powerful being who exerts control over these creatures. They are powerful, strong, fast – superhuman. They exist just as humans do, but humans are prey to these creatures. Some humans are also powerful members of their clan. But that's rare. Ghosts, demons, witches all exist, and are used as slaves by these 'grawiches'. The 'grawiches', however aren't completely horrid though, they are magic. They've helped mankind in the past. Many of the things around us, such as flowers, are actually a creation of these 'grawiches'. They create beauty, but sadly, represent death. It is said, that one day a human would end up ruling the 'grawiches'…that would be a sign that the Day of Judgment is near. When human and 'grawiches' unite against a bigger threat. Something bigger than death itself. All these thoughts made their way into my head as I settled into bed. That night, I had confusing dreams that I don't recall. I woke up several times, only to fall asleep again….