The ghastly shadows surrounded them. Croaks of all colors sounded in the darkness. Fledge worried that Buzzy would not be able to keep up if she flew far and fast so she stayed by Buzzy’s side.

“What should we do?!,” asked Buzzy, clearly panicked. “I don’t know!,” stammered Fledge. The birds stood there shaking together as the sounds grew louder and louder around them.

Finally, Fledge yelled, “Fly… now!!” Buzzy struggled to keep up, but the birds escaped into the ink-black darkness. They called to one another with their sing song voices so as to not lose each other.

(Big thanks to Caralia for choosing draft #8! I had a lot of fun writing this! It was another ones of those that I only had one word on.) ———

Nova hates this castle.

She knows that she and Haze are here to prove not all witches are bad (actually most aren’t), but she can hardly take these people.

They have uppity attitudes with their suspicious glances and hushed words (and some not so quiet). They hold their jewels a bit tighter around them, walk a bit faster. Have their guards just a smidge closer.

Haze may be blissfully unaware or just not addressing it, but it ticks Nova off. It is an automatic function by now to notice body language and certain behaviors. It is her survival instinct.

Her sister is the kindest, sweetest human being (that happens to also be a witch) that there is. The fact that no one can see past a label is stupid.

Walking along the halls towards the training grounds, Haze tells Nova all about what Princess Aziza told her at lunch. Lately, it has become quite obvious that Haze and the Princess have been getting close. A feeling of uneasiness settles in Nova’s gut. She knows Haze’s intentions are pure, but are the princess’ rooted in the same way?

They just reach the entrance to the training grounds to meet Ward when Nova’s ears pick up on something.

“Did you hear that they are actually working with the witches?”

Nova pushes Haze flat against the wall next to the archway of their desired destination.

“Yeah, they must be trying to keep an eye on them. There’s no way in hell the king and queen would trust a witch and a witch sympathizer. They are too shrewd for that.”

Nova resists a scoff.

The two knights leave the grounds and walk right past Nova and Haze. What great observation skills.

“Maybe their goal is to lure them in and then capture them. Execute them.”

With every word spoken, Nova’s blood boils infinitely hotter. She feels herself go for the hilt of her knife, but Haze stops her.

Once the guards were out of sight, they peel themselves from the wall. Haze grabs her sister’s hand, “I’d like to see them try to get us.”

A smile creeps on her face. They’ve been through jagged roads before but always came out the other side together. A few words should not undo her composure. First, they need to bring positivity to the witch’s name. Then she can stab someone.

They enter the training room with their chins up and heads held high, confident.

Ward greets them with great enthusiam. He bounds up to them, reminding Nova of a young animal.

“You ready to train us?” He asks, gesturing to a group of knights. The small bunch are varying in degrees of reluctance. Some had outright snarls on their faces, disgust evident. Fingers tapping at their weapons. Eager to fight them. Some just looked hesitant, shifting from one foot to another.

With one sunny smile from Ward, Nova almost forgets about the rude ones.

But it is difficult to completely let that go when she is training them. At least she gets to train them her way. The method to survive in the Wild Thicket.

Turning to the guards, she claps once to get their attention in her. “Alright. Some of you hate us. That’s fine. Better even. You won’t hold back then. We won’t either.”

A few snicker at her last statement. It just makes her smirk.

They don’t even know what they are in for.

“Haze, if you would?” It has a questioning tone, but it is a signal.

Haze lifts her hands up and her hands glow purple. All the light in the room flows towards her. It would be a beautiful display if these people weren’t afraid by her magic.

Once all the light is absorbed, her lavender glow dim until the room is entirely pitch black.

The darkness shrouds them, hiding them from the hungry gazes of their predators

“First lesson of the day. You won’t always have your vision. Tag either me or Haze and you get a point. Get tagged, then you are out.”

Sensing Haze next to her, Nova grins in the darkness.

“Good luck.”

As we ran through the forest, we could hear the heavy footsteps of the creatures that chased us. Wolves. A pack of them. We ran like nothing before trying to escape but they were catching up, and fast too.

I ran up the hill with my three friends and tried not to look back. We crested the hill and ran down. I saw a grand view so beautiful it made my eyes tear up. It was a huge crimson castle with spikes at the top. The castle was surrounded by countless trees and a wall separating the wild from the civilized.

We saw it and we ran for it not knowing what was awaiting us there. I heard a howl from behind and new they were close. Too close.

We closed the gap between us and the castle wall and yelled for the gate to open. But as the gate opened, the world became dark. Shadows stalked every wall and crevice they could find. We were hidden from the predators, for now at least.

We approached the gate and went into the walls of the castle. Suddenly the gate closed behind them and a path was shown in the darkness. My friends and I, although scared, followed it into the castle itself.

The path weaved corners and through doors that opened themselves. I could only look at the path for everything else was pitch black. After about five minutes, the path stopped and lights went on. Our eyes adjusted and we saw a grand throne room. The walls were made of stone and covered in moss. The cracks were filled with shadows, and the lamps were lit.

No sunlight penetrated the massive structure and would never. I looked to the throne and saw a woman. She sat on the throne tall and menacing. She stared down at us with unblinking black eyes, and long golden brown hair lay on her back. Her black dress was ripped at the legs giving her room to run if she wanted. Her black crown sat on her head, small shadows zipping to and fro around it.

“Who are you?” Her voice boomed around the room.

“We are just travellers that were roaming these forests, until were chased by wolves, and you?” I asked trying to be polite and not get killed.

“I am the Shadow Queen. Ruler of this castle, the darkness, and of all shadows that lurk around this earth. I think you have stumbled upon the wrong place.” She said calmly.

“Yes, we have. Sorry to disturb you,” I said nervously and quickly. She was frightening and we had to get away. We turned to leave but all of a sudden the doors slammed shut.

“Oh, your not leaving though. You should have stayed out there with the wolves, where it was safe.” The Shadow Queen stood up and set her arm out. Shadows moved and grasped us. The woman walked up to us and grabbed a knife out of thin air.

“I am very not sorry for this.” She said to us. I cried out and my friends who I had brought on this trip started to cry and protest. The shadows held them firmly, restricting every movement they tried to do.

“Please!! Don’t do this!” I whimpered to her, but she didn’t seem to hear me.

“Why do they never learn?” Asked Shadow Queen to herself. She beheaded the men and walked back to her throne seat, sitting on the uncomfortable chair. She wiped the blood from her blade while her shadows brought the bodies else where.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. It just gives me something to do!”

“Run.” Rift’s voice was calm way too calm for the face she was making a mix of concern, fear, and anger. I on the other hand was frozen like a deer in head lights when Rift realized I was not running as she had told me to she grabbed arm, and dragged me in to a full on sprint as she cursed under her breath. It was dark and I couldn’t see the things that were chasing us but I could hear them. My head had so many questions running through it number one was what in hell was happening. I had just seen my best friend shoot a man with a gun and not a normal looking gun either this one was silver and almost glowing as if it was made of some special medal, and the sound was off there was a bang when the gun went off but it was soft, there was also a ringing from the gun its self.

As I listen to the sounds of barking, hissing, and growling get farther and farther from us my brain seemed to start working again as I process that my friend shot a man seemingly in cold blood. When I was sure we where far enough away from the things chasing us I pulled my arm from Rifts hand and stopped Rift had stopped a few feet away once she realized what I had done. “What are you doing?” She asked in a slight panic and panted for air. “We need to run…we have to get out of here and back to the bookstore!” She took a step towards me and I took one back. She paused and looked at me eyes searching and questioning.

“You…,” I took a breath trying to calm my racing heart and burning lungs. “You shot a man,” my mind was reeling “you shot a man in cold blood?” The sounds where still far but where getting closer. “And…and what are those sounds? What is chasing us?” My eyes locked on to Rift and with the look on her face I knew she could see me. She could see the shock, the confusion, the slight anger for being dragged in to something that I have no clue about, and the fear pure and raw like a wild animal forced in to a corner. It was the type of fear that you calmly approach it was so powerful that fight was more likely to happen the flight if pushed far enough into my corner. I was scared. Scared of what was happening and of the creatures that were slowly getting closer, most of all I was scared of her. If asked why I was scared of her I would not be able to tell anyone why. It was just off everything felt off even Rift and I didn’t know why.

“Pyra Please,” Rift’s voice was soft and calming , but also pleading at the same time. “I can’t explain this now not here there is no time. We-“ she took a deep breath no doubt to calm her own nerves seemed almost as scared as me. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Make time!” I demanded a little louder then I was planing to. I watched as the loudness of my demand cause a flinch in the taller woman which gave me more confidence to speak. “You want me to trust you I can see in you face and I get that. We have been friends for 10 years Rift 10 years! Yet in these past few month I feel like I don’t know you at all…hell you just shoot a man right in front of me with out any hesitation what so ever in your eyes.”

“Pyra…” Rift started to cut me off but trailed off as in lost in thought.

“I want to trust in you. To trust that I’m safe with you but I can’t,” Taking a deep breath and sighing it out I shook my head. “My mind is reeling, everything is off this town, that man, those… those things, even you…you feel off to me and I can’t explain why I don’t know why. So make time if you really are Rift then make time.” The fear in my body starts to take over every emotion running through me and I can’t move from my spot I know we should run I feel it in my bones as the growls get louder still but I can’t. The only thing my body is willing to do is let my knees hit the cold concrete in the alleyway we are standing in as tears start to run down my face.

Rift’s hand comes into my vision as she bends down to my level. “It’s hard I know and I can’t prove it to you right now that I am the Rift you know and I shouldn’t ask you to trust me when I haven’t been fully honest with you, but I am.” There was not anger in her voice, no panic, no hurt. Only calming and almost loving level tones when I looked up at her face there was worry and alertness. “You have every right to want to know what’s going on and to want to understand it all. Please Pyra I will make time to tell you every thing but it’s a lot of information and now is not the right time to explain… I need to get you to Safe Haven Its safe there and I need to keep you safe.” She gave me a small reassuring smile though the worry was still clear in her eyes. “Can you trust me long enough to get you back to our favorite Bookstore?”

For a moment I look between Rift and her hand seeing my best friend for the first time in weeks and nod grabbing her hand. With a firm grasp on my hand Rift pulls me to my feet her golden orbs scanning the area as if to find an outing out of the alleyway that didn’t lead us in to the mouths of the creatures drawing ever closer. I knew where we were. I knew this alley was a shortcut from my apartment to the bookstore called ‘Safe Haven’. “I know how to get out of here.” I muttered causing Rift to look back at me. “Follow.” Was the last thing I managed to get out before I started a full sprint again Rift following close behind.

— — —

She was scared, she was angry, and to be fair she had ever right to be. These shadows lurking in the alleyways the hounds chasing us the unexplained, things that humans would normally just see out of the corner of their eye and not give a passing glance to. All this was her world it was her parents world the world she was born in to, and yet she knew nothing about it nothing at all. I her so called best friend should have told her everything from the begin when I found her again grown up and not a helpless new born. We should have kept her with us even back then, but Noura, Jewel, and Reed let the higher ups talk them in to handing her over to humans all because they feared that the darkness that took over her parents would take over you soul too. So in fear and agents every ones will the higher ups hid her powers to pass her off as human and left her at an orphanage and didn’t tell anyone where they had put her. This action of theirs has now put us here both of us Running for our lives, three of the five elder dead, Fae folk of all kind in disarray because some High Fae Lords and Ladies have gone missing, and the keepers…my people turning on us just because the owner of these damned hounds has promised them nothing but empty lies. As I follow Pyra out of the alleyway the anger of having to hide all this from her for so long builds at my very core; however every thing starts to fade every so slight as we reach the end of the alley and I see my beloved bookstore across the street. A sigh of relief nearly escaped my lips until I saw the hounds come from both sides of the road and behind us. “Shit.” I muttered under my breath as a grabbed Pyra and made a mad dash for the door of the store.

Pushing Pyra into the open door I pant slamming the door behind me and locking it and using my will to shut every curtain in the build as I hear and feel the hound hit my barrier around the outside of the Safe Haven co Bookstore. Soon, the darkness shrouded us, hiding us from the hungry gazes of our predators, as all we could do was collapse onto our knees out of exhaustion looking at each other hoping we where both okay.

My darkness is darker than a demons’. My fear is greater than a ghost’s. My pain is stronger than a spear. But my hunger is more powerful than most.

My demons hide and tremble When I walk in their room. My pain can twist and choke, But other people’s where it blooms.

I wasn’t always like this. No, once when I was small I was a simple Innocent, The most peaceful of them all.

But monsters came and woke me From that deep and quiet sleep. They tried to give me scars, But it was their tricks I choose to keep.

They tried to put my fire out, When I was just a lonely ember. But they created an inferno, So I said “return to sender.”

So now I watch and wait For more prey to break in two. And oh! I’ve got a target. And that target, dear, is you.

We had planned our honeymoon for so long that when it finally happened, it felt bittersweet. The packing, the waiting at the airport, the boarding of the plane. We were excited, but also ready to relax and ready for the planning to stop. We needed a break from the stress of it all, and, looking back, I wonder if that’s why it happened the way it did. If we manifested it for ourselves in some way.

The plane went down, and not where we were supposed to land. Over forest in some country I had never heard of, once they released the official reports. But the first night was the worst. The first night still haunts me when I try to sleep. Our marriage didn’t last, but I can only imagine that it haunts him, too.

Immediately, there was panic. There were some survivors, but not all. Some people were trapped in their seats and some were desperately trying to call for help. No phones had a signal. We were alone with no way to tell where we were or what time it was. The wrecked plane provided no shelter, so some of us started walking in search of something better, something more put together.

We stumbled upon three men seated around a campfire. Before one of us called for help, our voices were silenced by the scene: they were gnawing on human limbs. We were on an island with cannibals.

Soon, the darkness shrouded us, hiding us from the hungry gazes of our predators.

Adeline walked carefully over the wooden planks. They were remains from the buildings that once stood here, but now covered the dusty ground. The planks were like dominoes, one wrong move and they would come crashing down on top of eachother, alerting everything to her presence. Dusk was approaching, casting an orange light upon the dust in the air. She clutched Lilith’s hand. Adeline couldn’t lose her. She’d never forgive herself. Lilith would die out here all alone. They kept walking, flinching at every small noise. Anything could be a monster, vicious and ready to attack. They tried to be careful, but it wasn’t long before something went wrong. Lilith tripped over a piece of wood, falling in a pile of it. Each plank banged against each-other, echoing through the streets. They froze, not daring to make a sound. But then they heard something approaching. Many footsteps, light and delicate. A soft growl came from the shadows. A pack. “Quick” Adeline mouthed at Lilith. She scrambled to her feet. SNAP. Adeline looked around and spotted it— a wolf. Its teeth were set in a snarl. It had matted dirty fur with ribs poking out on the sides. 5 others came out of the shadows, all growling. Adeline grabbed a knife from her bag and threw it at one of the wolves. It winced in pain. But that wouldn’t be enough to stop them. They had no choice. Adeline lurched towards Lilith, grabbing her hand once again. “RUN” They ran for their lives. The only way they managed to outrun the wolves was by dodging around corners and swerving behind the old remains of houses. The sun was setting across the sky. Dusk had come to save them. Adeline pulled Lilith into an abandoned house and they hid a corner, shivering. Soon the darkness shrouded them, hiding them from the hungry gazes of their predators.

Soon, the darkness shrouded us, hiding us from the hungry gazes of our predators.

There were sighs and harried glances all around as each member of the cast felt the tension leave their bodies. Opening nights were a bitch.

(Orla’s pov)

  I walked around the small palace. My golden dress swayed as I walked.

“Princess you must go back to your room.” A guard said. I scoffed quietly. “Good sir.” I began softly “I know you’re just doing your job but.” I paused. I tried to look extra worried. “I fear I don’t know the castle very well. What if someone from the Shadow Tribe ambushed me.” I looked away for effect “I wouldn’t be able to get away.”

“Oh well… carry on Princess.” I walked away with soft footsteps. My heals clicked as I walked. Once I was out of sight, hidden in a secret passageway, I threw of my heals and ripped my dress. I sighed deeply. “Finally.” I spun in circles my golden hair cascading behind me. “My armor my beautiful beautiful armor.” I loved the feeling of the cool metal.

I walked deeper into the passage. Then I grabbed my sword. It was a fine sword. The handle was golden, and the steel was strong. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, and then I stuffed it into a helmet. Then I took some gold chalk and painted my face with the Sun Warriors symbol. No one would recognize me now.

We marched of to battle, hidden in the trees. The Shadow tribe crept forward. The Sun Worriers let out a loud battle cry. The battle had begun. Swords crashed into each other, shouts rang out across the field, our two tribes, one of light, and one of dark.

That’s when I saw a girl watching the battle from afar. I realized something. A voice in my head whispered to me. “The light cannot exist without the dark, something is coming, and you need to stop it.” I closed my eyes, I felt the sun’s heat on my shoulders. Taking a deep breath I plunged into a light portal, when I emerged I was right behind the girl.

“Coal!” The girl yelled. “I’m sorry.” I whispered behind her. The girl got up and turned around quickly. She had short black hair, dark skin, large dark brown eyes, and wore a black jacket with torn jeans. “Leave me in peace Sun scum.” She said. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” I paused. “Here.” I said handing her a sunburst pin. “Meet me tomorrow night, I need your help.” And with that, I vanished. I didn’t really know why I talked to the girl, or why I said that I needed her help, but I knew I would figure it out.

Broken glass crunched under my feet as fear shivered own my spine. Even with Geri and Freki, my Right and Left Claws, on lookout outside the warehouse, I felt exposed. The boss had worked over Pearl for hours until she gave up her brother’s hiding place. With a few guys, I was tasked with grabbing our missing man Percy. The streets had to know kingpin Lupine would not tolerate snitches. Tala, the boss’ mate, insisted on coming to the warehouse for the retrieval and she insisted the woman be bound and bought to the scene to encourage Percy to come out and play.

Littered with booze bottles and butts, Falada Warehouse was a shell of an old textile mill storehouse. The stale air smelt greasy. I put on my phone’s flashlight to cut the darkness. I saw nothing. According to my research, the old warehouse is under Percy’s mother maiden name and was used for excess stolen auto parts storage. Miles from nowhere this was a good hiding place. He had to be here and he had to be behind the recent attacks on Lupine Black’s nightclubs. Still something didn’t sit well in my gut.

“Come out, come out wherever you are,” Ashina joked in a Robert DeNiro accent.

Fang who laughs at anything laughed. I continued searching the trash strewn building for Percy. We’d nabbed Pearl a couple of weeks ago. We’d put the fear of God into their family and friends. We’d shook the tree and still no Percy. Dry-rotted canvas trolleys leaned in the darkness. Massive spools of once bright yarns were randomly stacked in the building. Ashina and Fang fanned out to search. Hand on hip and scrolling her phone, Tala looked beautifully bored.

“Wait, I found some burger wrappers over here. They seem fresh. Could we have missed him?” Fang asked.

“Wolfgang can’t go home without Percy. If that rat testifies we are all doing long time,” Tala answered. “Bring in the girl to draw him out.”

“No worries, if that dog can’t hunt, Mrs. Black, I will sniff out Percy Pigg and make him squeal,” Ashina said.

Fang laughed at Ashina’s snarky comment until he caught sight of my bared teeth. Quickly lowering his eyes, Fang snapped off his laughter and disappeared down a dark hallway. I called Geri to see if the twins had seen anything on the perimeter. Ringing, ringing then nothing. My heart stopped. Where are my Claws? I hurried over to the door. Through the door window I saw our vehicle in the dying light. Freki bloodied was slumped over the steering wheel and the trunk was opened. It was empty. Where was Geri? Who took Pearl? Why would she tell us to come to this remote location? I took my gun from its harness and watched the night. The darkness looked back.

“Fang, come back and check out these nasty magazines. We know what Percy was doing in here,” Ashina called out. “Fang? Fang?”

I wished I could go back. A faint scent of burning fabric teased my nose. I wished I had been an average, good man instead of what I had become. Tala and Ashina began to cough. I wished the darkness shrouding us could hide us from the hungry gazes of our predators. But I am a predator and I know better.