Chapter 6

Once Skai was home after the rain stopped (Since Mrs. Damien wouldn't let her leave until it did.) she noticed the ski darkening as she walked up the stone steps to her house.

She'd made it just in time for dinner. But when she got to the dining room she was surprised to see someone else in her seat.

"Skai honey there you are. Skai this is Eric. Eric this is my daughter Skai."

Skai stared at Eric. He had spiked, jet black hair, and was white as marble. His bright green eyes glowed against the ivory background of his skin. He's very good looking

"Ah Skai. Your mother has been talking about you."

"Ski, Skai sit," her mother ushered her to the only empty seat. Right beside Eric.

Skai sat, taking her eyes off him for the first time since she saw him. Eric looked her age, sounded her age, but something about him made him seem much older than 14.

"I just moved to the neighborhood. My father isn't feeling well, so he told me to introduce myself without him." His voice was quiet but seemed to run together like running water.

Skai was avoiding looking at him, afraid she'd end up staring again. No one said anything for a while, and Skai was grateful. She picked at the dinner in front of her.

"So how are the boys?" her mother finally asked.

"The boys? Oh, Matt and Jason. They…they're fine."

"What are they sick with?"

"I…don't really know," she replied. "They're both pale, and really weak. It sounded like it pained Jason to talk. Also they have black completely around their eyes. They almost look….dead." Right when Skai finished describing the strange disease Eric started choking on his Pepsi. He pounded his chest to get the soda out of his throat. "Are you all right?" Skai asked him as he breathed heavily.

"Yes, I just….I've heard of that before. And surprised me a bit to hear about it."

"Oh. Where did you hear about it?" Skai's mother asked.

"Just an old book," he replied, giving a sideways glance at Skai. "Anyway thank you for the wonderful dinner Mrs. Moonstone. I hope I will be invited again." Before anyone could stop him, he left.

"Mom, I'm telling you there's something really strange about him." Skai said later while her mother was doing dishes.

"Skai Marie Moonstone. I can't believe you. Judging someone before you even know them." Her mother looked appalled.

"Mom I'm serious! I mean have you ever seen someone whose eyes all but glowed? And that smirk of his…"

"Eyes? Smile? Skai if I didn't know any better I'd say you had a touch of a crush on him."

"I don't have a crush on him! I just think he's weird!!"

"Well…regardless you're going to need someone to hang out with since both of the Damiens are sick. And since you're such a nice girl I know you'll do your best to welcome him right?" Her mother raised an eyebrow.

Skai sighed, defeated. "Yes mother I will." Now she knew she would if she didn't she'd feel like a terrible person.

"Good girl. Now get to bed." Her mother kissed Skai's forehead. Skai left the kitchen and went up to her room. She changed into her pajamas and jumped into bed. She stared at the ceiling for a few minutes and turned out the light.

Later on that night as Skai slept peacefully, someone was watching her.

Pretty girl...he thought. Pretty brown hair, and those green eyes. Despite the night quiet he could hear her heartbeat ringing through his ears. Almost taunting him. But he wouldn't touch her. Never would he touch her. "She's the one." His voice was like running water. "That's why I can't touch her," he said solemnly to himself. "But no matter what she is, she will me mine." He jumped down from his perch, the tree beside her room. See you at school tomorrow little Skai. I'll be waiting.