1 Chapter One

The room was ice-cold and pitch-black.

I tiptoed inside,my heart thudding.The silence seemed to swallow me.I glanced over my shoulder,hoping no one had followed me.It looked like I was alone.I wiped my clammy palms againts my satin skirt and took a deep breath.

Then I saw them.

Glowing from every corner,like tiny points of light,were staring right at me.

Fear snaked down my spine ,but I told myself not to run away.I had to go ahead with this .There was no turning back now.

Suddenly,an eerily familliar voice called out in the darkness.

"Emma-Rose!"

I Froze.They knew my name?

The familliar voice called again,more urgently this time .

"Emma-Rose! Up and at 'em,young lady!

Wait, what?

I Blinked,and another room materialized before me. Purple curtains. Black wallpeper dotted with hot pink skull.A picture I drawn of my best friend,Gabby,tacked up over a wooden desk....

Oh.

I was in my bedroom. And my mother was hovering over me,frowning.My heartbeat slowed down as reality sank in.

I was Mom who'd been calling my name.I'd been dreaming .

Having that same creepy nightmare.Again.

"It's after seven,honey",Mom said,glancing at my bedside alarm clock.I must have slapped the OFF button in my sleep."You can't keep being late for school."

"I know," I groaned,sitting up and brushing my dark hair out of my eyes.

Ever since I turned twelve in August,I've had serious trouble falling asleep. I'll toss and turn,my thoughts tumbling, and I won't driff off until dawn. And lately,my dreams had been haunted by those glowing red eyes.

Yawning,I watched as Mom walked over to my window and yanked up the shade. I cringed-- but then felt a swell of relief.It was beautiful day. The sky over Central Park was a stormy gray,the autumn wind howled, and thunder rumbled. I smiled, sudenly feeling awake and alert.

Okey. I realize that most people - say ,my parents,and Gabby, and pretty much anyone normal-- prefer warmth and sunshine.But gloomy weather suits me best .I guess I've always felt a little bit diferent from other people, period.

Her mission accomplished,Mom headed for the door."Sausages and egg for breakfast!' she sang over her shoulder as she left .

My stomach groweld .The promise of sausages (and rain) made it easier than usual to get out of bed.I padded across my room, my black shag rug tickling my bare feet .Mom and I had fought long and hard over that rug; she hadn't understood why I didn't want a cheerful yellow one instead. Thankfully, Dad had said it was important for me to express

myself Creatively, and I'd agreed.