I waited outside in the car park for what seemed like forever. Paul had told me he'd pick me up at five, but that had come and gone. I stared around at the deserted grounds and sighed. Just my luck to have to walk home today. My mom had made me promise not to miss another dinner, but it didn't look like I had much choice in the matter. Andy was just going to have to face up to the fact I wasn't going to be home on time today. Or any Wednesday for that matter. Paul seemed to love the power he had over me. And liked to flaunt it whenever possible. Like that ever got a guy anything. He keeps going on about how much he wants me and then he pulls a stunt like this. The only consolation was that I was at least wearing comfortable trainers. Not the 6 inch heels I had on last time.
I trudged slowly down the quite streets, listening to the sound of crunching pebbles beneath my feet. The wind was blowing gustily at my bangs, and it was starting to get annoying. Hair kept getting stuck on my lip-gloss. In the end I got fed up of it and wiped it off with the back of my hand. Not ideal, but better than the alternative. Then the worst possible thing happened. It began to rain. And not just a little. Big, wet drops of water soaked into my Joanna Miller jean skirt, and you know how long it takes jean to dry. It was a night mare. I rushed towards a nearby tree and flopped down onto the grass. Great, I thought unhappily. Now I'm going to miss dinner and desert.
I looked down at a nearby branch and picked it up, twirling it around inexpertly. That is how bored I was. I kept playing with the stupid stick for a little while before finally giving up. I threw it down in a huff and risked a glance up at the sky. What I saw did not seem promising. Huge flashes of light were filling the sky, accompanied by the blackest clouds I'd ever seen. Then I heard the thunder. I gulped.
I scrambled to my feet and ran forwards. Aren't trees the one place you aren't supposed to go in a storm? But seeing the size of the hail stones falling out of the sky, I reconsidered. Maybe it was better to get struck by lightning, if it meant not getting hit by one of those things. I sank back down into my place next to the thick trunk of the tree that was saving my jeans life. Then I heard it.
At first it sounded like a small creak from above my head. But it caught my attention just the same. I immediately moved away from the trees base and stared up at it in horror. A huge crack had appeared right below the lowest branch. I gaped in horror as it swayed towards me. I couldn't do anything, let alone run. Another bolt of lightning shot down, hitting the tree once again. By now it was looking very unstable. I gathered up my confused thoughts and flew to my feet. But as soon as I looked out at the glassy balls falling from the sky, I knew it was over. No-one could survive a whack from one of those. I decided to take my chances though. I tensed my muscles ready to sprint forwards, i heard something and froze. A voice coming from where I'd just been sitting. Who would be stupid enough to stand there though? Just as I was about to turn around and find out, I felt a sharp jolt in the back of my throat. Red, agonizing pain vibrated through my stiff body as I fell helplessly forward.
When I looked up again all I called see was a light. Pale and blue, gleaming through the darkness.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered. "You shouldn't have to die. But what is written must be done."
I could see her now. She was young and very pretty. About my age. With pale golden hair and jewel blue eyes.
"What did you do to me?" I choked out in horror. I could no longer feel my body. It was like I was floating in mid air. I don't even know how I managed speech.
"The prophesies say you must die. So you must die. I am so sorry. I tried to make it look like an accident so that your family can grieve peacefully."
"My family...." I began. But she cut me off with a single hand gesture.
"Are safe. They don't have to die. You do." She said it gravely. Like she was talking through a business meeting with me.
"What if I don't want to die?" I asked quietly. I couldn't believe I was talking to her rationally. The bitch had just tried to kill me for crying out loud!
She stared into my eyes sadly. I could tell she wanted to cry.
"If I could change fate I would. But if you don't die then someone else must. But that will do no good. You are the chosen one. The shifter of light." Ok, now I knew she was completely mad. But at least I was used to people like that. One thing I did know was I was so not going easily.
"Do you know what?" I could feel strength coming back to me now. I was so pissed off that it was easy. I just didn't think about the pain. Just how much I hated her and how much I didn't want to die. "I'm not ready to go yet. So why don't you just get lost and leave me alone?" I asked sweetly.
"Fine." She said quietly in her gentle way. "You live for now. But remember, I will come for you. It's destiny." Then she disappeared and I was left in the rain. I couldn't have moved even if I'd wanted to. So I just focused all my energy on doing the one thing I'd never attempted before. Well not deliberately anyway. I called Jesse.