CHAPTER 2

Sometimes, I felt like a part of me was missing, erased somehow. I don't know why I'd feel this way or for how long, but I'd always feel like there was a part of me that had been taken away.

At least being at school I wouldn't have to dwell too much on it, or other problems would arise that would take my mind of things. Problems like:

Surviving.

Everywhere I went inside or outside of class felt like I was playing a game with the Grim Reaper, one where I'd end up dangling off the school building, covered by a mountain of cafeteria food, being thrown in the school dumpster, or meeting my untimely death in the girls' restroom.

The most evil of all places.

Aria, carefree as ever, kept on going on and on about this Tom guy, not noticing the envious and murderous glares that were sent my way.

Some even seemed to be assessing me, either trying to find what he found so interesting about me or trying to figure out what type of coffin to put me in.

To put it simply I am drained beyond how I normally feel. From the engravement that never left my mind to the constant reminder that I could be living my last few hours.

For once I didn't mind the solitude of being at home and away from my school's female population.

I reached my house and walked in. I was instantly greeted by the smell of homemade food. I smiled contentedly sniffing some more as I felt my body leading me straight to the kitchen.

And as always my mom was by the stove, which explained the delicious aroma that was wafting through the air. I walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"How was school Cecile?" She asked.

I gave a sad sigh, "Terrible."

She stopped dicing up the vegetables and gave me her full attention, "Did something happen?" her voice was laced with concern.

I explained everything that happened at school, leaving out the bathroom incident.

She gave me a small smile, "I'm sure it wasn't that bad," she tried coaxing me.

I scoffed.

"I hardly even know the guy and he's already causing problems for me. Mom, it was bad," I complained.

"I'm sure it will be better by tomorrow, now come help me with the vegetables."

"Yes Mom," I spoke dejectedly, she noticed my tone and bumped her hips with mine.

The atmosphere lifted and we worked while chatting every now and then.

Joshua, my older brother, came down once we were finished and we sat to dine.

"Guess what Cecile told me," My mother spoke to my brother with delightful humor, my green eyes widened in horror. She wouldn't dare.

"What?" Joshua asked, green eyes filled with curiosity.

"A popular boy at school is planning on asking Cecile out," her emerald eyes gazed in my direction and she winked at me, I gaped at her in horror.

Joshua scoffed, "Yeah right."

I glared at him, "What do you mean by that?" I asked a bit angrily.

"Obviously, he's been on too many drugs to want to ask out Cecile."

"Hey!"

My Mom laughed, and I admired that moment of seeing her happy face. It always seemed rare to see my mother smile and laugh like this, not since our father left us.

His name is George Edwins.

I can't explain it but he just disappeared without a trace. He left us while I was 14 years old, being that age I'd expect to have memories of him but I hardly remember any conversations or activities with him.

It didn't help that none of us looked like him. I have my Mom's red hair, green eyes and pale skin, while Joshua only has my father's brown locks and tan skin. Other than that we resemble our mother, who has soft and delicate features.

Most times when I'm sad I can't help but wonder what our family would be like if he hadn't left and I know it is a lot more with my mother. No one knows what went wrong, not even her. He just left us.

My mom was very devastated on that day. I had never seen her cry so much before that day. She was depressed, full of anxiety, and started doubting herself, it was painful to watch. If she wasn't the owner of her restaurant I'm sure she'd have been fired at the rate she was going. It certainly took her a while to get back on her feet, but with Joshua and myself by her side she managed to pick herself up, and we were right back on track.

Conversations around the table continued, with my mom joking and laughing a few times, and I was satisfied to see her look happy. Soon enough the dishes were all empty. I gathered them and started cleaning up while my mother and brother left the kitchen.

Once I was finished I entered the living room to find my brother sprawled out on the couch watching some TV, I moved his slanted body to make room for myself and joined him.

We then started casually browsing from channel to channel trying to find something good to watch when Joshua started making conversations.

"So how was school really young one?" He said rubbing my hair and causing it to stick out in most places.

I scowled at his choice of name. I hated when he called me young one. He was older than me but treating me like a kid was a bit uncalled for.

He is 21 and currently doing his third year in business, while I am 18 and still deciding on what I'd major in, and being a senior didn't help make deciding easier.

I tried straining my hair whilst giving him a hard look, "School was fine Josh." I said annoyance clearly heard from my tone of voice.

He chuckled at my response, "What? Did he really ask you out, or are you the one crushing?" He teased.

I rolled my eyes at my sorry excuse of a brother, "Uh no, not yet actually and I don't do love dearest brother."

He whistled, "Must be bad if you used the term 'dearest' and 'brother' in one sentence."

He smirked then proceeded to pat my head again. "And it's only a matter of time before you start having this dazed love-sick look on your face." I swatted his hand away, successfully removing it from further ruining my hair. He laughed at my rising anger and the scowl that was slowly etching across my face.

"I won't fall in love in the next 8-10 years you'll see." I stated confidently with my arms crossed.

"Right," he replied mockingly.

"I'm serious!" I exclaimed.

"I don't believe you. You'd have to tell me this again when you're prancing around holding hands with a guy. Do you really think you can last 8 years?" he challenged.

I rolled my eyes for the umpteenth time. I decided to just ignore him.

"Anyway, other than this crush fiasco, did anything interesting happen today?" He asked changing the topic. Even though I didn't want to talk. I did.

"Actually, yeah, this girl had a weird bow and arrow engravement on her skin. One would think it was a tattoo, but there were no indications that her skin was tampered with," I answered.

Joshua twitched.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I-" Joshua started to say but abruptly stood up and left the room living me confused.

I decided not to watch anything and head up straight to my room. I entered my room and immediately lay on top of my grey comforters, I glanced to the side and noticed the two books I had checked out on my desk. I wanted to grab the romance novel but my hand grabbed the other book I had checked out. The book about a female warrior.

The weapon she holds was the book title. The protagonist was named Edna and she was fighting to save her kingdom as the last known princess warrior.

There was a knock on my door that interrupted my reading. No one was at the door.

I was about to close the door but I noticed a small box on the floor. A paper was attached with my name on it. I picked it, and entered the room with it in my hands.

An old looking book lay inside the box, it was rough, made of leather, and it gave me chills.

Despite this feeling I opened the first page to examine its contents:

The world is known for nothing

But yet it could be of something

The safest is way is in sunlight

But your way is in the moonlight

Darkness will surround

Try to make it around

Nothing will be as you know

Everything that happens now

Will only be the start of what is yet

To set

Make friends not foes

you never know who you might need the most

climbing high or crouching low

never take an unnecessary blow

Make use of the extraordinary senses

not known from these places

There will be no time for hesitation

Kill or be killed

this is your first warning

It could be your last

in this time be your best

or fall with the rest

Confused as you are, it may be hard

Try to understand

Your life my very well depend upon it

The date has been set

The journey shall begin

Unanswered questions shall arise

Some answers will never be found

Darkness shall be your friend

Light could endanger your living

Once you are in the only way to win

Is to survive

Remember this

Even the most prettiest of flowers can be deadly

Try to keep alive

It's not really a guarantee

Obstacles will arise

Death will become a part of you

Cecile, don't forget this

Once the game starts

there is no turning back.

A message or warning will be given each day

Take heed towards it

I closed the book feeling my heart hammering inside my chest. I was shaking. I had so many questions, with no answers.

It was like this book was sent as a clue of something that was to come. That got me a little scared, but what exactly is to come?

This was a warning, but what exactly was it warning me against, or who?

I felt torn and confused, I could feel a headache coming along.

I put the book away and closed my eyes, trying to shake the bad feelings that were coursing through me.