Chapter 1

Ariana's POV

I have always hated storms, ever since I was little. They reminded me of darkness, disaster, ghoulishness, horror, and everything terror.

The downpour was descending heavily, like something or someone angered it, I could hear it thudding viciously against the rooftops. The wind that accompanied made it pelt ferociously on my glass window, I was afraid it'll crack and shatter. A spark of lightning flickered in my eyes, temporarily illuminating my room with a clear tint, next a crash of thunder rumbled, with a loud deafening roar across the sky that sent my eardrums vibrating like a tuning fork.

I cowered safely under the sheets and buried my face underneath my pillow, it provided me with some sort of security - security against the storm, against the outside world. I dwelled in there till the vicious pours were subdued to a drizzle. I sprung up and ambled to the window, I wiped the cold mist off of it with my elbow to enable me to see clearly. Something caught my attention, something was hovering in the bush in front of my house.

At first, I thought it was the bush rustling to the now gentle breeze but I was wrong, something was out there, something animate. I wanted to ignore it, cloister myself under the sheets, and force myself to sleep but my conscience won't let me settle. I grudgingly grabbed my raincoat from the pole and headed downstairs. The stairs creaked as I tiptoed down, careful not to wake my parents. I unlatched the door and jiggled the handle open. I stood transfixed for a moment when a cool breeze swept past me, making my goosebumps prominent.

A cascade of thoughts deluged my mind, what if it was a dangerous stray dog or cat? What if a snake was out there? The thought of a snake made my heart pound in my chest. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, erected my posture – as straight as a ramrod and braced myself for whatever uncertainty that may lie ahead

I put on my rain boots which was at the corner of the porch and covered my hair with my hoodie. I snooped hurriedly but cautiously to the bush, careful with each step to avoid skidding into the mud or falling over a puddle. Leaning forward, I skimmed through the bush in search of something I hoped wasn't a mirage. Luckily for me, the porch lights were on so I had no trouble seeing as I scrutinized.

My eyes smoldered with care, curiosity, and empathy when I saw a strange-looking creature quivering underneath the bush. It looked scared, cold, and was drenched in rain which made its tanned brown fur glossy. I was fascinated when I looked into its eyes; they were steely Grey and shimmered like the waves of an ocean, something I had never seen before in an animal. I let out my hands, beckoning on it to curl in, which it did, it was like it understood my gesture. It was roughly the same size as a newly born puppy, so light and fragile to touch.

My face twinkled with a broad smile as I brushed my fingers against its wet fur - they were light, feathery and soft. I guarded it in one arm, hurriedly pulled off my rain boots with the other at the corner of the porch and rushed inside, latching the door behind me. My heartbeat accelerated, making my breath quicken as I darted upstairs to my room. I slammed my door room as I stormed in, squeezing my eyes shut and biting my lower lip to scold myself for having done that. I prayed within me that my parents wouldn't wake up now, but the noises I made were enough to jolt them from their sheets.

The nightstand scraped the floor letting out a muffled sound as I dragged it away from the top corner of my bed. I tossed my alarm clock into the dresser and nudged the creature beside the black base of the lamp, providing it with warmth. My eyes gleamed with curiosity and satisfaction as I watched every move it made. I have always wanted a pet but my parents wouldn't grant that wish. They said I was too desperate and reckless after I accidentally overdosed my kitty with candies and sweets, killing her as such.

The creature squealed and yawned showing its sharp but underdeveloped fangs, it must be sleepy I thought. It closed those charming eyes and nestled its tiny paws close to the base of the lamp, drifting to a peaceful sleep as its snout vibrated with each wheeze. I lay calmly on my bed, thinking of what to name and what to feed it the next day, but I made up my mind never to feed it candies or sweets after the overdose incident of my kitty. Those thoughts lingered in my mind till I finally surrendered to sleep I couldn't conquer any longer.