CHAPTER 8

Dressed in black, he stood out from the bright crowd. Even though she never took her eyes off him he managed to disappear in the crowd before she reached him.

She felt Taos hand trying to grab her arm, but she slid away. Running zigzag through the maze of people, pushing and watching, yearning to see a flash of black.

She was on the outside of the crowd now where there was less people.

"SHIT" she yelled, slamming her first against the wall. She leaned her head against it, the cool stone taking the heat away from her face. But what would happen if she found him? Its not like they had confessed to eachother, but she didnt want to kiss another guy!

She continued walking down the street, darkness had fallen. She took random turns, not really caring where she went, only that it was in the direction of the church. A few minutes had gone by before she heard the sound of water. So she was near the river? That was fine, she could just follow it back to the school, she was ready to go back now.

When the body of water finally came into view, the full moon was projected perfectly onto its still surface. She walked along the edge; it was so much quieter out here… strange how much she missed the loudness of the town already.

Slowly, in the direction of the town, the sky seemed to lighten. The lanterns from the town had finally been let go for the festival and were now drifting through the sky towards her. Would Castor have liked this? Was he watching them too? She really didn't know if he liked that sort of thing, but she thought he would. She waited until they were right over her head.

She stayed there until the last lantern had drifted off across the water. She'd probably have to sleep outside until the gates opened, she wouldn't be able to get Castor to open them. She couldn't imagine what she would do if she saw him again tonight.

She walked on; finally she made it to the road that led right up to the gates. Maybe she would be able to sleep under one of the trees? She had heard stories that Labrador slept outside often, so it couldn't be that bad. Finally, she stood outside the gates, and tried to pull it open, just to be sure. But, of course, it was sealed tight.

Sighing, she turned around to find the most comfortable tree, and froze. Out of the shadow of the fence came a figure.

"Castor?" She whispered, but it seemed that instinct was stronger than her brain and her body crouched low.

The figure didn't have the same build as Castor, there was also something different with the way it moved. Barely breathing she waiting for it to come into the moonlight.

Coming to the edge of darkness, it took the finally step into the moonlight,

"Tao? What are you doing here?"

For it was Tao, but it didn't add up. How did he get here so quickly? He would have had to pass her to arrive before her… And why had she reacted as though he was an enemy? She stayed crouched low.

"Everything bad always seems to come in threes doesn't it?" When he laughed shivers ran up and down her spine. It was a cold and lifeless sound.

Tao started to walk towards her. "I think I've failed at pretty much everything in my life, but i was happy when I met you; it was the first time I've been happy in a long time. But you don't like me either huh? Why'd you leave me? I thought you liked me, I know I liked you. But then you ran away, just like everyone else in my life. So why'd you run away? Why did you seem happy the rest of the time?"

And suddenly there was complete stillness, the light breeze died completely. Nothing moved, no sound, as though the world stood still, holding its breath too.

A strange whistling suddenly seemed to come from Tao, growing louder. Hunching over, Sarah saw his face contort in pain.

Boned wings erupted on either side of his body, his face now full of darkness and shadows.

"Fuck" Sarah whispered as she watched him transform.