CHAPTER ONE: It all happens.

"Terra?" a soft voice said, "Terra? Terra!"

"Sod off," I grumbled.

"Terra, this is important!"

"When is it not?"

"I mean it!"

I felt someone shake my shoulders and I continued to grumble. After a moment I opened my eyes and stared at the frantic look in Irvine's. He pulled he in a tight hug, kissing the top of my head.

"What is wrong?" I asked, pulling away, "and why are we in the closet?"

"Listen carefully, you here that?" he asked, I didn't hear anything, so he continued, "you slept through the screams. How you did that was beyond me, but someone is somewhere in your house."

"Then we need to get out of here," I whispered.

"We can't, he'll notice," Irvine shook his head, "I called the police though and they are on their way."

I don't know why I believed him, he used to do anything to get my attention. But soon I heard loud crashes in the kitchen and I threw myself on Irvine. My arms wrapped around him tightly and I began crying into his shoulder.

"Shh..." he whispered in my ear, rocking back and forth slowly.

More crashes sounded, and I was pretty sure they were my mom's nice plates. Letting out a sob, I nuzzled his neck, hugging him tighter, if possible. How had this happened to me? Me? I was a good girl, for the most part.

I hoped my family was okay. This thief would have hell to pay if he killed them. And when would the police get here? The crashes stopped, and heavy footsteps trudged up the stairs, knocking down pictures on the way.

Irvine and myself practically held our breaths as we listened to the destruction going on in all the rooms. Soon all that was left was my mom's room and mine. Irvine kissed the top of my head again, as he too realized this.

The destruction continued. Crashing, Banging, Snapping, Tearing and the scent of smoke. Oh god, not this! Mom kept a lighter in her room, for candles of course, but... He was going to burn my house down!

I thrashed about but Irvine bit my neck and I felt the pain searing through my body. I cried out and then it happened. The destruction stopped. And all hell broke loose. Heavy footsteps leading to my closet.

And he ripped it open and I screamed, throwing myself onto Irvine once again.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"LEO!" A dark haired woman yelled at the ceiling, "I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!"

A moment later the white spheres filled a spot and a male appeared in its spot, a worried look on his face.

"What is wrong Piper?" Leo asked, taking a few steps to her side.

"What is wrong?" Piper asked disbelieving, "What is wrong? I'll tell you what is wrong. What is with that?"

She pointed at the TV and a woman was talking, and it showed a picture of a blonde boy in the hospital in ER. It then showed flashes of the burning house.

"I don't know," Leo shrugged.

"No, that," She growled.

A picture of a man appeared, blood red swirls on his pale face in elaborate designs. Blood red pupiless eyes and horns sticking out of his head. Leo's eyes widened and he turned the volume up.

'Only one survived,' the woman said, 'He was on his way to visit his friends, and he had just gotten into the house when, he claims, that this man appeared in a flash of black orbs glowing blood red.

"He was knocked aside in an explosion and had just enough time to take a picture of the man before he was stabbed with a sword. The family, a brother and cousin, were both killed.

"The sister and other friend that had earlier visited are missing, and presumed dead. This accident happened two nights ago, and if you have any information please call your local police station.

"Our next story is about the worlds largest rabbit..."

Leo stared at Piper and she raised an eyebrow in a knowing way. As if reading her thoughts Leo nodded before the white orbs surrounded him and he disappeared.

"Phoebe!" Piper yelled, "Cole! Paige!"

She began to pace around irritably, and then a new thought hit her. She took off up the stairs and to the book of shadows. She flipped it open, then started skimming pages looking for the one she needed.

"What is up?" A second female asked at her side.

"Oh, a demon kidnapped two kids, the usual," Piper said sarcastic, "Where are the other two, Paige?"

Paige shrugged, and looked over her sister's shoulder as she flipped through the book, hand on Piper's arm.

"What is that?" the younger asked.

"Our demon," Piper smirked, "A shade?"

"What does it say?" Paige questioned, a confused look on her face.

"Shades," Piper read aloud, "Elemental demon spirits. You can usually tell what clan they are from by the colour of their eyes, and the marks on their faces. Besides the elements in shades there are also classes. Typically Warrior, but you can also find Cleric's Rouges, and things of the sort. Not very dangerous, but for if enraged they are very deadly. Males typically search for female mates that tend to be human."

"That is sick," Paige groaned, "A human woman?"

"Girl," Piper scowled, "She is about sixteen. Her best friend is also missing, I am assuming that is because she was holding onto him or something. You should watch the news sometime."

Paige smiled, and then frowned going back to the more important subject.

"So, what are we supposed to do?" Paige asked.

"Wish Cole was here, that would make this easier," Piper crumbled, "and where is Leo?"

"I'm not sure," Paige shrugged.

"It was a rhetorical question," Piper frowned, "We need Leo to see if he knows where the Shade might be... Meanwhile, let us go see this boy that saw the demon."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"Are you family?" The nurse asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"No, but we need to ask some questions," Paige said frowning.

"Are you a reporter?"

"Of sorts."

"Then go ahead."

"Thank you."

Paige and Piper smiled at the old nurse and she led them to the boy's room, but stopped them before they went inside.

"Listen up," the nurse frowned, "The boy just got out of intensive care. And the doctors think he may be insane, so don't believe everything he tells you."

"Of course not," Piper smiled, "We're trying to string together a few facts."

The nurse led them into the room and walked over to open the window. After a moment she left, and Piper and Paige walked to the boys side. Paige looked at him, and despite the cuts on his face and some burns, he looked familiar.

"You awake?" Piper asked softly.

"'Course," the boy snorted. "Do you know how loud the nurse is?"

"Zell?" Paige asked, hurrying to his side.

"Yeah," Zell said opening his eyes.

He stared at Paige for a moment, as if trying to remember who the heck she was. After a moment he let out a soft 'oh' and grinned.

"You know him?" Piper asked.

"My mom used to baby sit him years ago," Paige smiled, "I used to yell at him for messing up my room."

"You had cooties," Zell grinned.

"So, anyways," Paige said, "what do you know about the man that appeared and destroyed the house?"

"I had come by to visit my friend Terra, so I could give her camera back." Zell said slowly, "And her brother let me in. We stood talking for a moment, and then the black orbs with red glow appeared and that... thing appeared. It caused a large explosion, and me and Touya-"

"Who?" Piper asked.

"Her brother," the blonde male replied, "so, like I said, me and Touya were thrown up against the wall, random sharp things cutting our skin. I took a picture, and the... thing stabbed me here with a sword."

He pointed to a spot on his stomach and then stared up at the ceiling blankly. Paige looked at him sadly, and then pat his hand gently.

"What happened to Terra?" Zell asked softly, "Did it kill her too?"

"No," Piper replied, "We think a demon took her."

"A demon?" Zell asked, looking at her.

Paige and Piper exchanged a look and then the older sister took a breath and slowly began to explain.