Chapter One - Mysterious Crimson Eyes
"KAREN!"
Slamming the door, I glanced over my shoulder to take one last look at the red-brick building of my former home. A sign above the door read, ORPHANAGE, in bold black letters.
My name blared into the night again and echoed. The sound carried up into the sky and sent chills down my spine. Instead of heeding my name, I ignored the voice calling and turned. I scrambled down the stairs and nearly tripped in the process, but managed to catch my footing. I stopped, but only briefly to slip on my hood to hide my face from world.
Fat drops of rain hit the sidewalk and I flinched as a few slapped my face. The wind tore through the sky causing me to stumble from its force. Reaching up, I wiped away the liquid trickling from my lips. A bright red substance clung to my fingertips and I gasped. I felt the heated skin of my cheek with tentative fingers.
A door banged open and I flinched. Panic flooded the senses and my hands turned to ice as I did the only thing left to do...
I ran.
Sprinting, I gripped the straps of my bag firmly. I flew around a corner and scurried down the pavement while brushing past pedestrians. Footsteps thudded against the cement as I headed down an alleyway. The shadows flashing against the brick walls were unnerving. I kept shooting glances over my shoulder. The path turned sharply right, winding around buildings before narrowing out again. Trashcans were toppled over and littering the ground. Garbage in huge heaps become the dinner for wandering rats.
I scooted around the various junk while tripping over a can now and again. My lungs burned. My legs shook with fatigue. I stumbled against a wall to allow my body to rest. The cool grimy surface seeped through my already soaked coat but the reprieve was welcomed.
Only to rest... just to rest, I reassured myself. I chanted the words in my head.
From the corner of my eye, I saw movement. Neon colors flashed, alerting me that beyond the alleyway was the more lively part of New York City. People strolled past the alley dressed in flashy clothes, some in short skirts and some in leather jackets. Laughter reached my ears, reminding me that people were out having fun, going to parties and livingthelife.
I leaned my cheek against the cool bricks and watched the passing people. Giggles echoed into the night along with the sounds of music and the roaring engines of the passing cars.
Why couldn't I havethatlife?
Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I felt a wad of paper.
At least I didn't forget my cash.
I pushed myself from the wall and sauntered towards the street. My drenched hooded jacket seemed poor compared to the women dressed in the latest styles. They giggled and snuggled against their men beneath their umbrellas.
I stared at the ground and walked away. I tried to dodge the happy people but grunted as I bumped into someone. Looking up, a young woman smiled at me and I grinned back in apology. Stepping around her, I took off. I needed some place quiet. I needed to think in silence. I needed some place where I was not running into people and ruining their nights.
I needed to be alone.
I headed into the city park. It was deserted as I had known it would be. Who would want to hang out in the park when one could go to a hip club or hang out with friends?
Hauling myself to a nearby bench, I plopped down with a groan. I fingered the peeling red paint of the bench. The paint cracked and turned into powder as it fell to the ground. It was soon washed away. My nails kept scraping the surface. The act of peeling paint was a small comfort to me.
The rain continued to pour. I was soaked and violent shivers began to exhaust me, but still the time alone was nice. Memories began to resurfaced and I slouched forward to let my head rest in my hands. Voices drifted inside my mind. Questions rumbled like thunder inside my head..
What are you going to do now? My mind asked.
I don't know... I just don't know.
What about school?
I can't. They'll send me back.
What about food?
No, I'm not hungry right now.
Karen, what about Maria? What about her? What are you going to do now?
I don't know. I don't know. I DON'T KNOW!
I groaned and threw back my hood to grip my hair in frustration.
Seventeen. I was only seventeen. I was still a child compared to the government...
I was a minor.
A job required information which I did not have because my records were kept at the orphanage. Apartments needed references which I did not have. Money was needed for food, shelter, and life in general. I barely had enough to make a living. Sure, I could make it on my own but I wanted my papers. I wanted to do it right by graduating from school and leaving the orphanage with all my documents.
Jesse, the orphanage's owner, had probably informed the authorities of my departure. I wondered if they were searching for me. I wondered if they were combing the streets? What's the use of running if they'll find me? Why did I have to run?
It was instinct.
Purely instinct.
The clock had been nearing midnight when a door crashed open. Still awake, I had glanced at my door. A light flickered on beneath the doorway and shadows danced beneath. Heavy footfalls thudded against the floor. I had heard those footsteps before. It was another bad night.
Jesse.
He was heading towards Maria's room.
Maria was Jesse's assistant. She helped manage files and kept order around the orphanage. She was wonderful. I had known her, as well as Jesse, since I was five. I had always had them, depended on them and loved them. Yet, things change and I wished that time could turn back.
Everything had been simple then...
Happier.
-Flashback-
I heard Jesse heading down the hall towards Maria's room. It had to be Maria's room because his room was located on the bottom floor while my room was located down the hall from Maria's room.
I sat up in bed and listened carefully. He had come home later than usual and that worried me.
Later meant trouble.
A sudden scream pierced my ears and I jumped out of bed. Throwing my door open, I tore down the hallway before stopping at Maria's door. I reached out and twisted the knob but it didn't turn. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw a few curious heads peeking out of the rooms and I motioned them to stay in their rooms with my hand. I was the eldest. I didn't want them to get hurt.
"GET OFF!" I heard Maria yell from within the room as my hand jiggled the doorknob.
Tears blurred my vision as I heard a loud smack, but I forced them back. Ramming my shoulder into the door repeatedly, I whimpered as my arm began to ache. I quickly brushed the pain away and took a deep breath. I couldn't let Jesse do this. He wasn't well and he'd regret this mistake forever.
With renewed strength I gave one last push against the door. It swung open causing me to stumble into the room. My eyes widened as I saw Jesse pinning a screaming Maria to the bed, one hand holding her hands together, the other unbuckling his pants.
Adrenaline soared inside me and growling, I ran at him. My body collided into his, knocking him off of Maria and off the bed entirely. I toppled with him and managed not to hit Maria's dresser. He let a string of curses exit his mouth as his head hit the corner of Maria's dresser. Clearly angry now, his eyes flashed at me. His fist shot out and headed towards my face. I instinctively clenched my eyes. The force of his hit caused my head to hit the floor. Pain exploded behind my eyes and I grew light headed.
"Bitch! I'll teach you a lesson!" He growled out at me in alcohol covered breath. I almost gagged from the strong smell.
"NO! Don't you touch her!" I heard Maria yell as she pushed him off me. I quickly stood up, moving to help her.
"Maria-"
"RUN! GO!" She screamed at me and I nodded before dashing out of the room and back to my own room. Grabbing a bag, I stuffed some clothes inside before sprinting down the stairs and out the door.
-End of Flashback-
Closing my eyes, I shook my head to shake away the memory. I groaned at the gradual throbbing in my temple.
Great, a headache. Just great.
A scream emitted from within the deeper part of the park.
I wondered what else could be in store for tonight. I decided to ignore the scream. I couldn't do much and maybe it was a group of teens screaming for fun.
My body jerked as another scream reached my ears. I quickly stood up and impulsively dashed towards the direction of the cry. My skin prickled as I ran further into the park and I felt this urge to turn back. My mind screamed at me to turn around.
Don't go near. It's not safe. Turn around. Turn around. The voices whispered as I pushed forward.
I ignored my feelings and kept running until I came upon two shadows. My breath formed small clouds while I shivered. I squinted, trying to make out the images before me. Suddenly, the clouds drifted away to reveal the moon. The moonlight illuminated the figures and I suddenly regretted my impulsive actions.
My lips parted as I tried to scream but my throat closed up. Standing before me was a creature. His back faced me nearly obscuring the pale figure of a woman. I slowly stepped back but froze as he turned.
I felt dizzy. My legs threatened to collapse beneath me. His body was massive. Dark, purple, scaly skin stretched across his form. A gooey substance poured from his lips, dripping onto the ground. Spikes covered the length of both arms, long and sharp like his claws. Three horns were located on his face, with two on either side of his head and one in the middle of his forehead.
Stepping closer, the beast's eyes met mine and I tried to scream. They were a hollow black, like a dark hole that pulled me in...
Hypnotizing me.
His large eyes stared into my own, reflecting my blues eyes as I remained frozen. His body shifted as he lifted his head to lick his black claw. Trembling, I eyed the blood dripping from his claws. I managed to look down and saw the figure of the woman lying at his feet. Her head was dislocated...her lifeless eyes staring at me.
He stepped forward and I fell back as the ground shook from his massive size. Advancing closer, I scrambled back as tremors moved the earth. I tried to stand but each time the ground quivered. I kept loosing my footing. Quickly I began crawling in desperation. My hands sank into the mud as I moved.
Abruptly, everything stopped and silence met my ears. I should have kept moving but I was dead the moment I ventured into the park. Chills danced along my neck and I slowly turned around.
He towered over me.
I wanted to move...I wanted to scream or do something. But I couldn't...all I could do was sit there and gawk in terror. The creature's lips lifted into a smirk as his claws poised in the air. I clenched my eyes.
I waited for the pain of his claws to tear through my body.
I waited for the blow to come and take my life.
Yet, nothing happened. I slowly opened my eyes and was surprised to see a man in front of me. A steel blade blocked the creature's claws. I stared at the man in awe. He was covered in a black cloak with a white scarf around his neck. His hair blended in with the night, styled oddly into a flame. I noticed a white cloth around his forehead as I stood.
Another figure stepped out of the trees and he was also male. His long red hair stuck to his back from the rain. Dressed in a red suit, which resembled some kind of a school uniform, I saw a whip in his hand. Thorns danced up the length of the whip.
Raising the whip back, he slashed at the beast in one quick motion. The beast's head was sliced off neatly and rolled onto the ground. In a flash of light, the beast was gone and nothing was left of him.
The strangers turned then to stare at me. I blinked. The red head's bright emerald eyes flickered at me as he smiled. His mouth moved and a strange language emitted from his mouth. I didn't understand.
Glancing over at the other stranger, an odd heat settled in my stomach. His sword was sheathed and arms crossed over his chest as he listened to the red haired man. Turning to me, his face was blank and unreadable until his eyes met mine. Crimson eyes that caused my heart to beat furiously. I shivered violently.
I was scared. Something was happening and I wanted to know what was affecting my body. I stiffened as he glared at me while responding back to the red head, gibberish leaving his mouth.
"Who are you guys?" I asked hesitantly.
Confusion etched onto their faces and I gave myself a mental slap. Obviously, they were speaking in a language I wasn't familiar with.
"Shuuichi." I stared as the red head pointed at his chest with a smile. I tilted my head to the side, realizing that he was telling me his name.
Turning, he pointed a finger to the one beside him. Warmth spread inside me as red eyes stared at me. Electricity soared inside my body, tickling me.
"Hiei." Shuuichi uttered.
Tearing my eyes away from Hiei, I frowned as Shuuichi pointed at me.
My name, he wanted my name.
Shall I?
...No.
I just met them and I didn't exactly know who they were. I didn't trust them. They had killed a creature I had never seen before and now, my body acted funny when Hiei looked at me. Hiei carried a sword; Shuuichi had a whip. On top of that, they were both strange males. No, I didn't trust them.
I looked away and decided that I rather not tell them. I stiffened as Hiei stepped forward, only to be stopped by Shuuichi whom said something to him again in that same language. Hiei replied in a cold tone before walking towards me as Shuuichi released his arm.
Once again, I was unable to move. He stalked over to me, eyes making contact with me the whole time, never once wavering. I felt my breath hitch in my throat, mouth going dry as I tried to tell him to stay back. He stopped mere inches away and heat tickled my skin. I wanted to push him away because he was in my personal space but I just couldn't bring myself to do that.
Leaning closer, his breath feathered my face. My own breathing was erratic and shaky. I stepped back. I was afraid of the sudden intimacy but he grabbed my wrist. At the moment of contact, I felt fire race throughout my entire body. It hurt.
He stared a moment longer before shifting his eyes to side, glancing over his shoulder at Shuuichi. His mouth moved as words filtered from his mouth while I tugged on my wrist. He kept a firm hold while listening to Shuuichi respond. After a moment, he looked back at me, smirking as he unsheathed his sword. Before I could react, a searing pain blinded me.
Everything faded and I sank into darkness.