It was cold. That was the all encompassing characteristic of the week. James and I had found a corner of the old house that kept most of the frigid air away. No one had lived in it for years. The smell was nauseating, but it was better than freezing to death. In theory anyway.

Rumors spread around by the other street kids said this house was cursed. The ghost of the former owner tormented anyone that spent time in here. Possession was his favorite.

My magic didn’t work on any living thing, I wasn’t sure if a ghost was still considered living. If he showed his face, we’d find out.

“I know you aren’t afraid, but I am. Can we find somewhere else to stay?” James asked.

“In the morning. I don’t want to be out in the weather tonight.”

I was afraid. I just didn’t want him to know that. James lived openly, heart on his sleeve, never let the world harden him. At 12 I was already jaded and bitter. Cold and closed off to the world; at least openly. I couldn’t stop myself from caring. I shouldered the burdens and never showed any fear.

“Vanessa, I can’t stay here…” James said softly.

“Ok. Stay close, and do exactly what I say,” I replied just as softly.

We were only two weeks apart, but from time we were in diapers I always tried to protect him.

We slid out the back door quietly. This was a dangerous neighborhood at night. I lost track of time and we got caught here too late to make the trip back to our regular makeshift house.

A girl only slightly older than me sprinted around the corner panting. I stepped back into James, pinning him against the house. A crackle of electricity filled the air just before a bolt hit her. She screamed.

I muttered the best incantation I could to shield us both from sight. Even with all the practice, I still needed the incantations. I hoped whoever was throwing lighting bolts didn’t hear.

Another bolt hit the girl and she stumbled forward, cracking her head on a stone step. A pool of crimson slowly spread from her prone form. As the wind whipped around the corner, I watched as ice crystals formed in her blood. James shifted enough to cover his mouth. I willed him to just close his eyes but I didn’t dare move.

“You didn’t have to kill her, Lisa,” a man said as he came around the corner.

“She had all the information she needed to expose us. I wasn’t going to let her walk away just because you had a little crush.”

I held my breath. They couldn’t know we were here. My magic was waning. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep us shielded from view.

Just as my magic was starting to slip, they turned their backs to us and started walking away. I grabbed James’s hand and pulled him in the opposite direction. He didn’t need anymore time to look at that poor girls body.