All right, second chapter now up. Please R&R. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Chronicles of Ancient Darkness or any of its characters. I only own my idea and writing.

Chapter 2

Renn awoke as the sun made its way under the curtains. She flicked her eyes to the clock on her bedside table, two minutes before her alarm. How did that always seem to happen?

She moved her legs out from under the covers and her feet slipped into her shoes. Renn made her way to the shower and, after getting dressed, headed down to the kitchen. She grabbed a packet of porridge out of the cupboard and refilled the kettle.

Some coughing and hacking from the bedroom down the hall indicated that gran was awake. Renn finished making the porridge and let it cool for a few minutes before putting it on a tray and walking down the hall.

Once Saeunn was all set for breakfast, Renn hurried back upstairs to finish getting ready. She packed her darts as well as her books and pinned a badge to the strap of her shoulder bag. She tied up her fiery red hair in a loose bun and double-checked her appearance in the mirror. Skinny jeans, black Converse and a baggy white top seeing as the weather was warming up.

Satisfied, Renn went back to the kitchen, grabbed a slice of bread and yelled a goodbye to Fin before running out the door. The morning air was still cool as she walked across the road to Bale's house.

Renn folded the piece of bread in half and took a bite while knocking on the door with her other hand. It was Bale that answered.

"Mmhorninhg Bhle!" Renn said before swallowing, "Ughh, sorry"

"Renn, have some manners!" he joked and Renn gave a sheepish smile.

Bale, who was only in board shorts, stepped out of the house and sat down on the front porch with his legs dangling over the edge. Renn joined him and noticed a new tattoo on his right shoulder.

"You're actually just the person I wanted to see," he began.

Renn raised her eyebrows, "Oh?"

"Last night my cousin arrived"

"I know, I saw the car pull up outside your house," Renn said with a nod.

"Yeah, well. He's come to live with us," Bale continued.

"Permanently?"

"I think so, his mum died when he was a baby and he's been living with his dad up until now-"

Renn interrupted, "Was that who dropped him off last night?"

Bale winced a little, "Unfortunately no. That was child services"

He paused and Renn put a hand on his shoulder, "What is it?"

Bale took a deep breath, "His dad was murdered last week"

Renn gasped, "Bale that's terrible!"

"The police think it was a random attack. Just some kid hopped up on drugs who happened to cross paths with him one night as he walked home," Bale shook his head.

"So why did you want to see me?" Renn asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"He starts at your school today and I was wondering if you could look out for him for me. He's in your grade and, well you know"

"Know what?"

"I thought you could relate to him," Bale said hesitantly.

Renn frowned, "Why? Because both of my parents are dead too?"

"Well, yeah. Sorry," he made to get up but Renn stopped him.

"Don't worry about it, of course I'll watch out for him. What grade is he in?"

Bale smiled, "The same as you"

Renn was surprised for a moment, but didn't show it. "What's his name?"

"Torak"

"Torak," she whispered, testing the name on her lips and thinking about all of these sudden happenings.

A silence fell over them both. Renn was the first to speak.

"I see you've got a new tattoo," she commented, pointing to the blue seal curled around his shoulder.

Bale looked to where she was pointing and flexed his bicep, "Yeah, well. I wanted one to match my board"

Renn laughed and rolled her eyes, "Your such a guy"

"I should hope so!" Bale retorted while getting back up, "I'm going to go see if Torak's ready. You're going to be late if you don't leave soon"

Renn turned her head back and looked out at the road. Bale had always been more of a brother to her than Hord, watching out for her at school and even playing darts with her when Hord was out with random girls. She sometimes wondered what life would have been like if Bale's family hadn't moved to this house three years ago.

After kicking her legs for a little longer, Renn got up and dusted her pants off, preferring to wait standing up. She leaned against one of the posts and played with a fray on her bag whilst finishing her bread.

It was about five minutes before the door opened and Bale stepped back out, this time with a surfboard under his arm. Renn scanned the fiberglass object and noticed that Bale's tattoo did indeed match the design on the foam.

Renn raised an eyebrow, "If that's the brand logo, then you do realize that you're walking around with an advertisement on you shoulder?" she said sarcastically.

Bale stood the board against the wall, "Oh ha-ha, Renn. This is, in fact, one of the boards my dad made. The design is my mothers"

Renn's tone softened, "It looks good"

"Thanks," Bale replied, not looking at her.

A movement behind the door's fly screen caught Renn's eye. Bale followed her gaze. "Ahh, look who decided to show up!"

He reached back and grasped the door handle, "Renn, this is Torak"

Hehe, cliff hanger :)