Sorry for the short prologue. This is kind of experimental story so please let me know what you think.

Chapter 1

It's a wonderful life

New Mexico 2005

Ring around the rosy, a pocketful of posies, "Ashes, Ashes", we all fall down! Come out, come out where ever you are… It's time to play…

"Zora! Zora, wake up damn it!"

Zora opened her eyes. Nathan was shaking her.

"You had one of those dreams again. Whole damn trailer was shaking", he said.

"I'm sorry", Zora murmured.

"Yeah, yeah, just get up and get ready for school."

Zora buried her head under her pillow. She really didn't want to go to school. She couldn't understand why Nathan insisted it. Not like she could ever have a normal life anyway.

"Now Zora! I don't have whole day."

Zora gave up. What did it matter? Nathan was sitting on a couch smoking a cigarette. He seemed tired. He probably didn't get much sleep last night. He was running his fingers through his already messy dark hair. Zora stood in front of a mirror and tried to tame her auburn curls. She wore her old lacer jeans and a black t-shirt.

"Are you ready?" Nathan asked impatiently.

"Yes, I just get my pack."

Nathan went out and started the car. It was an old pickup truck. Their trailer was in farthest corner of the trailer park. Zora got in the car quietly. Nathan didn't speak either until they had driven a long while.

"We have to perform the ritual tonight", he said.

"Has it been a month already?" Zora asked.

"Yes, tonight is full moon."

"Hmm."

Nathan bit his lip.

"Look, you know I don't like to put you through it, but it must be done."

"I know, it's just… Why do you make me go to school? I mean what difference does that make?"

"Zora, we've been over this, you are 15 years old, girls in that age are supposed to go to school."

"Why? It's not like I can ever go to college nor have a career or… family."

Zora didn't look at him. Nathan was quiet for a while.

"I know I'm not exactly paternal type but I'm trying", he said tensely.

"I'm sorry Nathan, I didn't mean that. You're great. Really."

Last thing Zora wanted was to insult Nathan. He had given up so much for her. He didn't have to look after her. Not like he was her father. But he had loved Lucilla more than anything.

"I'll pick you up later. Have a nice day", Nathan said when he left her in front of the school.

"You too Nathan."

Zora walked across a yard.

"Oh look, it's the trailer trash", some girl said.

Other girls laughed. Zora didn't care. She had heard it all before. They never come up with anything new. She really hoped that Nathan would decide to move again soon. Zora hated this place. They moved so often that she didn't really have time to get no know anyone. She has never had any friends. It was probably better like that. She had to hide, be invisible. Zora often felt like she actually was invisible. Some guy bumped into her.

"Watch it freak!" he said annoyed.

Zora didn't say anything. It looked like this would be another great day. She kept by herself most of the day. She didn't speak in classes. It wasn't like she didn't know what teachers were asking, she just didn't want to stand out in anyway. In lunch time Zora went to girl's restroom. She needed to wash her face. Luckily it was empty. Zora looked at her own reflection and took a deep breath. She tried to find a hairbrush from her pack. Books, water bottle, pens, calculator, protection amulet, stake, vervain… Where was that damn hairbrush? Suddenly Zora heard a strange sound. It was like… croaking? She turned around and saw a crow jumping up and down on the floor.

"Hey… How did you get here?" Zora mumbled. "Are you hurt?"

Zora kneeled next to the bird. He didn't try to get away. Instead the crow came toward her croaking. Somehow Zora couldn't turn her eyes away from his eyes. There was something in them…

"Zora… He's coming. You must run…"

Wait. Did that crow just speak to her?

"Did you drop your contact lens?" someone asked laughing.

Zora turned and saw three girls standing at the door. They looked at her grinning. The crow was gone. Zora stood up and walked past the girls.

"What a freak", she heard one of them saying.

She had to speak to Nathan. Zora took a cell phone from her pack.

"Yes?" Nathan answered almost immediately.

"We have to talk."

"Urgent?"

"Yes."

"Is the location secured?"

"I'm not sure."

"Plan A, now."

"Understood."

Zora hung up and walked out the door as calmly as she could. The yard was full of people. Zora was tense. Her senses were going crazy. She moved carefully among the crowd. Anyone could be the enemy.

"Hi", someone said.

Zora saw a cute guy who was smiling to her. That was not good.

"I'm Josh, we're in same biology class."

"Hi, sorry but I'm a little busy right now", Zora said trying to sound calm.

"Oh come on now, why don't we go somewhere more… quiet to talk", Josh said smiling.

"Thank you but I really have to go", Zora replied.

Josh grabbed her arm.

"I don't think so."

Zora kicked him straight between his legs as hard as she could. He fell to his knees groaning.

"What the hell…?" someone said but Zora was already running.

She was relieved when she saw a familiar pickup truck. Nathan slowed down enough for her be able to get in.

"What happened?" Nathan asked.

"Just drive, we have to get out of here right now."

Nathan didn't ask any more questions. Zora tried to catch her breath. Clearly that boy was compelled. That wasn't good. Well, it seems that she got her wish, they were definitely moving.