I slammed my door as hard as I could before throwing myself on my bed. Creighton was downstairs with my parents.

I could hear the footsteps in the hallway followed by a soft tapping at my door. The door creaked open and I turned to tell them to leave. It was Creighton. Great.

"Oh, Cassandra. That's no way to greet someone who's going to help you find your sister." His smile was warm and kind, but I knew better than to trust it.

"Screw off, Creighton. I know who you are and I know you have no intention of finding Brianna." I backed up into the corner next to my bed. I didn't want to be too close to him.

His warm smile faded and was replaced with sorrow. He went to say something and stopped. Instead, he made his way over to my bed and sat down. I glared at him. He shouldn't act so familiar.

I growled. "Get. Off. My. Bed."

He laughed and didn't move.

I had just recently changed, so I didn't know all the spells and tricks that my father did. I knew one thing, though.

I closed my eyes and centered myself. I could feel a surge of heat rush through my body. I focused the heat on my hands and made eye contact with Creighton.

"Anash'ka kubar'ashi." Creighton was easily knocked to his knees. He gasped for breath from the force of the blow.

He coughed before he could speak. "So, you're not as weak as I thought." He met my gaze and smiled.

"Leave, Creighton." He got to his feet and turned to leave for the door. Just before walking out, he turned and blew me a kiss.

My heart fluttered. He... he made my heart flutter. I wanted to scream. I wanted to beat him till I felt better.

I wanted him to hold me.

I shook my head. No... I can't think like that. Why am I feeling like this? What is he doing to me?

My phone vibrated, scaring me half to death. It was Scott.

"Hey, Scott." I breathed into the phone. I didn't want to talk about what happened at the hospital just yet. I didn't want to talk about it at all.

"What's up, Cass?" He sounded different. He's usually so lighthearted when we talk. He's usually so... cheerful.

"Nothing much, really. How are you feeling?" I didn't tell him that Creighton was in the house. I hadn't even had the time to tell him about Brianna, let alone Creighton.

"Eh, a little better than earlier," he paused and I could hear him take a deep breath, "Look, Cass, I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have said that."

I sighed. I didn't want to talk about this. I wanted to put it behind us and pretend it never happened. Scott's my best friend and all but... I don't think it would be best for him to date someone like me.

"Scott... It's fine. I know how you feel. Believe it or not, I feel the same way."

"Then why didn't you say so, Cass?" I could tell that he was smiling, which only made this conversation harder.

"Because, it's not a good idea for you to date someone like me. I nearly got you killed today. If I lost you forever, I don't think I'd be able to go on living." I wanted to throw up. I felt sick to my core. I hated doing this. Especially to my best friend.

"Oh, please. It's not like you have enemies or anything. Don't go pulling that Spider Man crap with me." His tone changed from excited to angry. I hated not being able to explain to him exactly what was going on.

"Uh, Scott, I don't know if you realized this or not, but... MY YOUNGER SISTER TRIED TO KILL YOU! I'm pretty sure that falls under the 'enemies' category." I sighed. He wasn't going to be able to understand. I didn't even understand.

Why, Brianna?

We fought back and forth for what seemed like hours. I tried to stay as quiet as I could, in case someone was listening. I couldn't believe we were fighting over this. I couldn't believe we were fighting in the first place! We never have. Never in the history of our friendship. What was happening to us?

I quit listening when I spotted the note near the night stand. I leaned over and picked it up. It had been folded into a perfect square with my name written, very elegantly, on the front.

"I just don't think it's fair that-"

"Scott, I have to go. I'll call you later, ok?" I cut him off and I heard him sigh before saying goodbye and hanging up.

I stared at the strange note for a few seconds before actually reading it. It seemed too perfect to be unfolded. Nonetheless, I gave in and opened it.

Meet me tonight. I'll be waiting by the large oak tree on the outskirts of the river. Be there exactly three minutes after midnight. There's much to discuss, Cassandra.

-S.

"S? Scott? No... it can't be him. That's just crazy. He just got back from the hospital!"

I glanced at my clock to check the time. It was a quarter till midnight. That should be enough time to get down to the river. I walked to my door and peeked out, making sure there was no one around.

Feeling satisfied that everyone was busy, I locked the door and headed towards the window, grabbing the note on the way. I stepped out onto the roof and put the end of the curtain under the window so I could get back in.

The moon illuminated the river, giving it an unnatural look. Everything was still, even the water. It was like the moon was looking at herself through a mirror. I glanced at my phone to check the time. Exactly three minutes after midnight. I looked around only to find nothing.

"Great. Just great. You should have known this, Cassie. You're losing your mind." I began talking to myself to fill the silence that was eerily floating around me. "This was all just a wild goose chase to begin with."

"You're phone is two minutes fast, Cassandra." The voice came from above me, making my senses go numb. There was a soft thud next to the oak tree and I whirled around to face whoever called me out here.

She was beautiful. Her hair was waist length and white as snow. Her eyes were wide and crystal blue with a calmness about them. She was about my height, maybe a little bit taller. Everything about her was so beautiful and... graceful. I was so captivated by her beauty, that I found myself unable to speak.

"Cassandra, my name is Sarathena. You may call me Sara." Her smile was warm as she extended her hand towards me. Hesitantly, I took it.

I forced myself to speak. "Who are you?"

She chuckled, but didn't respond. Instead, she glided over to the river, motioning for me to follow. I took my seat beside her and waited for an explanation. Nothing.

"So, are you going to say anything else? I'm not too fond of the 'quiet game', you know." She stared out at the river, unfazed by my words.

"Cassie, have you ever noticed how the water remains so still at night? Even water needs it's rest, too."

"You brought me out here to talk about the river? Seriously?" I was getting frustrated. This couldn't be the only reason she had me come out here. It just couldn't be. She still wasn't answering my questions, either!

"You shouldn't rush things, you know. You'll miss the beauty that you're passing by." This time, she looked at me. She wasn't smiling anymore.

We sat there, quietly, for what seemed like fifteen minutes before she finally spoke again.

"You're too focused on finding your sister. I know it's important, but it shouldn't distract you from having a life of your own. There's a really sweet boy sitting at home, upset, because you're too worried about your younger sister."

Her tone was so serious that it took me by surprise. How did she know about Brianna? How did she know about Scott? Is she stalking me?

"Who the hell are you?"

She smacked me on the back of the head. My vision blurred for a second and it took me a moment to realize what she had just done.

"Cassandra, that is NO way to talk to your superior! Now stand up." She was already on her feet and waiting for my response. Geez, she didn't even help me up.

Taking my sweet time, I stood up and turned to face her, only to be greeted with an insane amount of power throwing me back a good twenty feet. I landed on the rocky shore of the river and slid a few more feet before coming to a stop.

She hit me! Not with her hands but... she used magick. I groaned as I sat up. If I wasn't already sore from my fight with Brianna earlier, I definitely was now.

"Look, lady, I don't know where the hell you come from, but..." She was at me in an instant. She picked me up and threw me down before I could catch my breath. Was she really trying to fight me?

Yet again, I was on the ground. This Sara lady was strong. Stronger than Brianna, that was for sure. I didn't get up this time. I tried to remain as still as possible, in case she wanted to hit me again.

"On your feet, Cassandra." She sounded like a drill sergeant. I didn't move.

"You'll just knock me down again!" I closed my eyes, anticipating her next attack, but it never came. Slowly, I peeked up at her. She didn't look mad nor dangerous. Instead, she was laughing.

I forced myself to sit up. "What's so funny?" I stared at her, suspiciously. She continued to laugh as if I hadn't asked a question. After finally calming down, she spoke.

"I'm going to rush you." She said it with a smile, but something inside me sank. Before I knew it, she was running full speed towards me. Without thinking, I jumped to my feet and dodged her attack.

I did it! I dodged her!

Again, she knocked me down. "Don't get cocky. You may have dodged me once, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try again. Keep moving. Never stay in one place for too long."

Finally, something clicked. She was just like me.

"You're here to train me," she nodded, "why?"

"Because, you can't defeat Brianna on your own. I have my sources, but that's irrelevant. Ready yourself!"

She came at me again. I dodged and whirled around to face her and dodge her next attack. Instincts took over as I awaited her next attack. I crouched down right before she reached me, knocking her to the ground.

"Not bad for a beginner, eh?" I grinned at her and offered my hand. She took it, but pulled me down. She was on me in an instant and raised a glowing hand. For a moment, I actually thought she was going to kill me.

"NEVER do that. Even if this is practice, don't do it. It's too easy for your attacker to get the advantage." She lowered her hand and I sighed internally.

"Teach me how to do that." I nodded towards her hand after we had decided to take a break. She was able to summon so much power without a moments notice...

"Not this time. Meet me again in two days. There's still a lot you have to learn before you can master a spell like that." She smiled at me.

"Two days? Where? Why not tomorrow night? It's best if I learn as much as I possibly can before-" My words were halted when she smacked me. Again.

"No. Slow down and start paying attention to the little things in life. Besides, you just texted Scott saying that you want to hang out tomorrow night." She waved my phone in the air with a triumphant grin.

"I'll cancel!" How dare she do that!

"Then I'll cancel our practice," she tossed me my phone, "he's a good boy. Give him a chance." With those last words, she was gone.

I stood there, alone, for a while before walking back home. I effortlessly climbed onto my roof and approached my window. There was a note wedged into the crevice of the panels. Without thinking, I snatched it up and crawled back into my room.

This time we'll meet south of the elementary. It's important to keep moving. We wouldn't want 'someone' noticing. Remember: three minutes past midnight. I'll see you in two days.

-S.

I sighed. I don't care if I don't have a normal teenage life. That was destined the day I was born. I checked my phone for the message that she sent Scott.

"Scott, meet me at the movies tomorrow at around 7. I think we should talk this out. I love you!"

"Damn it." I ducked, involuntarily, thinking I would be smacked again. For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that she somehow knew what I had said... Creepy.

I grabbed a sticky note and placed it on my window with the words: "Thank you, S."

I smiled. She'd appreciate that.