Disclaimer: I do not own the things you recognize. This is my first time writing in first person – so be nice please. (I don't like it very much but sometimes I challenge myself to do things I don't like). Please read and tell me what you think.
1
The start of a new year is always chaotic. The parents don't know how to drive, the new kids always forget where their classes are, and to live in South Africa it means that there is always a car accident somewhere – so some kids will ultimately be late for their first day of school.
Unfortunately on the first day of school my sister and I were one of those victims that were trapped in traffic. Luckily we were close enough to the school to walk on our own but we were already late so we ran and made it just in time for the bell to ring.
I, Angela Stonewell, and my twin sister, Jennifer Stonewell, were going to Orion High School. This year we were looking forward to be seniors and boss the little ones around.
As identical twins we liked to play pranks on other people. There are small differences that only our closest friend and family knew: Jenny's hair was a bit darker blond, where mine was more of a golden blond.
My eyes were also a bit brighter blue than her eyes but other than that we were almost the same in physical appearance. The biggest differences were noticeable when it came to our personalities.
Jenny liked to talk and play games where I liked to read and keep quiet. We also liked different things: I liked dogs and she liked cats. I loved mushrooms but she despised them.
She cries much more easily than I do and usually I would provide comfort to her when she needed it. (Not only for her but for our best friends, Grace and Charise, too.)
Jenny didn't like school. She liked crafting and keeping busy the whole time. I, on the other hand, loved school. The school work, the sport and the silence when it was time for a test.
If you didn't know us personally, you would surely be fooled by one of our pranks.
"Maak gou, Angie! Hulle is al klaar in die saal! (Quickly, Angie! They are already in the hall!)" Jenny yelled in Afrikaans (our home language) and pulled me by my arm 'till we were inside. We ended up sitting with the grade elevens instead of the grade tens but that was okay.
The first assembly of the year was the same as the previous two years: long, boring, giving us the rules, introducing the new teachers, blah, blah, blah.
But this time something else happened that scared the crap out of everyone. The stage erupted in flames and some kids wanted to leave the hall but the doors flew shut and locked themselves.
Out of the flames a man with a thorn crown and pale skin floated out and high above our heads. Five black, ugly creatures came crawling out too and surrounded us.
Jenny held my hand tightly. She was scared and needed me so I was there for her as a big sister should (even if it is by six minutes).
When the man spoke his voice sent a shiver down my spine and deep down I felt the need to protect everyone from him.
"Finally I found the place where the signal is the strongest," he said and looked down on us. "Tell me, who of you are the strongest Shadowhunter?" he asked.
"Wat is 'n Shadowhunter? (What is a Shadowhunter?)" Jenny asked in a whisper.
"Ek weet nie. (I don't know)," I replied and watched as our principal, Mr. Sam Morgenstern, stood up and with bravery that I have never seen before and asked, "Who are you and what do you want?"
"I am Asmodeus, King of Edom, and I am simply looking for the strongest Shadowhunter among you." The man replied.
I know I should feel scared in this situation but I only felt anger boiling in me. How dare this… this… this man come here in my school and scare everyone half to death?!
One of his monsters snarled next to me (I didn't even hear it coming!) and all of the girls around me yelled and scurried away. When I didn't move Jenny pulled me back.
Asmodeus landed in front of us and I stepped in front of my sister to protect her. He looked me up and down before he stepped forward and asked, "What is your name, girl?"
"Angela." I answered with courage that I didn't know I had. He gripped my chin tightly and looked closer at my face.
Up close I could see his high cheekbones and sharp yellow teeth. But what caught my attention were his cold, gold-green eyes with a split pupil.
"You are the one," he said and smiled wickedly.
He pulled me away from my sister – losing her is what made me scared at that Moment – so I struggled to get out of the man's grip but he was too strong.
"Jenny!" I yelled and she also yelled my name but the creatures held her back. A circle of fire surrounded me and Asmodeus and floor started to fall away one by one until there was no floor left and I fell in a dark hole.
The change in pressure made me black out with Jenny on my mind and how much I was going to miss her.