• the Devastation
    Chapter
    1
    (The beginning of the battle)

    "NO," I CRIED ,BUT IT WAS TOO LATE SHE WAS DEAD.
    I sit there, motionless tears rolling down my face. I try to sort through my thoughts. Oh! I can't do this to master Masia! And...What about... I gasped aloud... Oh my gosh! what about... Kallik?! I haven't got to tell him the truth about how I feel about him! Why did I have to get myself into this?
    I suddenly remembered where I was and staggered to my feet. "I will never give in to you!" I screamed. grabbing my sword swiftly, a million things flowing through my head.
    He laughed quietly at first but then it grew louder. "What's so funny Ezushie?" I said his name with disgust. I was frustrated, and not to mention the fact that I wanted to scream my head off.
    "Oh, nothing, it's just the fact that you really think you can defete me!"
    He laughed his horrible laugh once more, just the same as before.
    Ezushie belongs to a clan that is an enemy of the Quinoma clan, the clan in wich I was born in. The ally clan.
    He was power--hungry and supposedly drivin by madness.
    My sword in my hand I stand, ready to fight for my life, and maybe evoryone elses as well.
    His assistant Jarocu-- a man who's lanky legs are both fast and fierce-- wispers into his masters ear. fear rattled inside of me, drowning me in immortal rage and impatents. When he spoke his words where cunning, and dangerous "Yes, it's your chance to make me proud!"
    I tensed, aware that I was going to have to meet death sooner or later, I preffered later. And I don't know why but I had a feeling he was feeling some sort of satisfaction.
    I heard a voice in the back of my head,weather I was ready for it or not. It sounded more like Hopes melodic voice rather than mine. "Stand your ground, don't give in!" It made me jump inside. I wasn't ready for it. The voice faded until it was completely un-comprehindable, I wanted the voice to come back, to comfert me, but it was long gone. I thought that over and decided I was crazy, but proud.
    I took that advice and did as she instructed... I think.
    Suddenly, using his "lanky" legs as an unfair advantage, Jarocu darts straight at me, knife in hand. I took one possobly life threat-- ening step forward. heart thudding noisily. With one quick, hard, and dangerously sharp slash of my sword I managed to deflect his fierce attack, in an attempt to save my life, and maybe my entire clan.It even made him fly backward in the opposite derection. Shocked, I stumbled backward until I fell to the ground. I realized that and quickly struggled to my feet.
    Jarocu belongs to the same clan as Ezushie, the Elinzar clan. they are half blooded brother, and from the moment they met were un-seprable.
    "You silly girl!", said Ezushie in between laughter, I didn't think it was very funny, but I guess everyone's different, "I'll bet you can't deflect this!"
    Ezushie launched at me, Ok, This is my moment, I was ready to deafen myself, heart racing, but ready.
    I never knew how I did it but I did. Somehow I quickly dodged the worst of the fierce attack.
    He skidded to a holt. I got a scratch on my left arm, nothing severe.
    On his sword was a black onyx.
    evil, I thought. For our clans have a red crystel for freedom.
    "Oh, come now Ammie", he said,dramatically. "All you have to do is come with us, come with me and all of your dreams will come true." His voice was unsurprisingly evil. I was furious. Never would I ever go with him.
    "Never!" I screamed at him. "You may have beaten hope but don't think for one second that you can defeat me!" I didn't know if these words were true, but they were all I had at the moment.
    Suddenly I felt something sharp make contact with my back. I quickly turned around and my instincts told me to duck. My instincts where right.
    I swung around and my leg tripped Jarocu. Instinctively, I sliced his neck with my sword. That was the way of our clan.
    "No"yelled Ezushie."JAROCU", he screamed into the air. He said it so loud that it made me jump. "What have you done to him?" He asked in a frantic quivering voice. "I have killed him as will I do to you." I quickly charged at him but I felt a sharp fierce pinch on my left leg that tripped me up.
    I looked down to find a snake attached to my leg, it's red, dangerous eyes focused on it's prey. I quickly sliced its head off, pulled it off of my leg, and realeased the venum. Don't ask me how I did that...it's a complacated prosess.
    "So," I said, "you have an animal two." I grinned and "called" for my pet Elizabeth. Its a good thing I have her, or I might not make it out of here!
    A leapard appeared behind a tree, strong and bold, muscular and tense. Just like my parents raised her... I stopped, for remembering them made my heart ache. "Elizabeth!" I called. She came running toward us. she viered off, suddenly charging straight for Ezushie.
    She started clawing and toothing at him. "Good job girl!" I sang aloud proudly. "Now, Come!"
    she did as she was told.
    He was screaming in pain. " I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN GO THROUGH THIS!"
    I have to do something!
    "You will die and burn in hell!" he shreaked in despair. I scowled at him, "Not if you go first!" I was going to attack him once more, but before I could make a move he sliced my side. I cringed. I was screaming in pain, clutching it. The stinging was so intence. Elizebeth ran toward him and bit him in the arm.OUCH!!! You stupid animal! He yelled angrily. "I am not stupid!" I heard her retort in disgust.
    Us sole speakers can understand our sole animals, as can they to they're masters.
    "Oh, it is on!" she said repulsivley. Elizabeth, mind yourself, I warned her. She stopped and walked back to me. "You know what to do," She told me. I nodded, tears bremming my eyes.
    "She was about all I had," I could hardly talk between slight shutters, "and you... killed her!" I all but screamed at him.
    "Now", I said, "You will...DIE!" I jabbed my sword into his stomach, with as much force as I could handle. He screamed so loudly that I-- after struggling for a while-- had to pull my hands over my ears.
    Once his screaming subsided, silence fell.
    I stammered backward and fell on the dusty earth, exausted.
    Before anything got anymore out of control, I remembered something. Something that almost made the tears fall again. I grabbed the note that she had given me from my pocket, hoping it would calm me enough not to kill my self. It read:

    Dear Ammie,

    Thanks for being my friend I appriciate your attempt to make me feal welcome in this world full of unrealistic pain and civalization. I love you with all my heart and it's because of you that I have true friends like you Alex, for example. You are my #1 best friend in the whole world and nothing can change that. I hope you stay my friend until the day of death.
    Your friend, Hope.


    "You were all I had." I whispered as I folded the note back up and put it in my pocket just the same as it had been before.
    "Are you injured?" Elizabeth asked me quietly.
    I looked up at her, into her eyes. "I'm fine." I knew it was a lie, but I didn't care.
    I couldn't wrap my head around this, why did they do this, what makes them so hatefull?
    "It's okay" said Elizabeth calmly,"You'll be alright." I looked around and saw blood surrounding me, my body became limp, pulling me into a coma like darkness overpowering me, my whole body, and...silence.














    Chapter
    2
    (Back home)

    NEXT THING I KNEW, I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. It took a little while to get my vision steady but once I had realized where I was I took a deep sigh of relief, I was in the hospital. The nurse came into the room with an important looking clipboard.
    "Oh, your awake, are you alright?" She asked, nicely.
    She wore a propper looking white coat.
    "Oh, yeah, I'm fine" I said weakly. Even though I had a major headache.
    "What's your name?" she asked me, her brows furrowed.
    Aummie, Aummie Salum." I said my name proudly.
    Good, no trauma," she muttered as she jotted something down on her clip board.
    "When can I get out of here?" I asked as politely as I could muster.
    "In at least an hour." she answerd me. "After your check-ups."
    "Okay, thanks." I said.
    She quickly turned on her heals, and walked out of the very brightly lit room.
    The room that was supposedly a hospital room was empty of people, but full of pictures, pictures of what I thought were earie- looking patients.
    In about an hour--after all of my check-ups the nice nurse came back and told me that I was free to go. "Thank you, very much,"
    I said. I quickly stood and walked out, escorted by the tall slender nurse.
    * * *
    Once I got out of the hospital, I decided I would visit Master Masia. I started off and turned at Peach Street and into his driveway. I knocked on the door ond waited about ten seconds before a tall middle-- aged man answered. "Oh, why it's you Ammie..." he paused, "What happend to you?" He asked, astonished.
    "Well, if you must know I was on my way back from delivering the treaty to Minsten, when I ran into,him, and I had to fight him." I explained.
    His face said that he was shocked to hear the news.
    "Don't scare me like that my young child!" ("Young child" was a term used from sensei to student.)
    I looked up at him. "I'm not trying to."
    He let me inside, then directed me to a comfortable looking chair.
    He took one look at my leg and told me to swich the lever on the side of the chair, he said that the chair was a recliner.
    "Thanks," I said as I pulled the lever and elavated my leg.
    "As for your side," he said, as I realized he was looking at also, "I'll be right back."
    He left me alone in the room, with no one around eccept for his sole animal, Coroku, a sabertooth tiger. A strong, beautiful creature of the Destany Socioty.
    The Destany Socioty is kind of like a civalization outside of the regular world. That's why we live in odd places, like woods and forests, or on small islands that the regular humans have not yet found. Somewhere we can build our socioty and live with little fear of being discovered. Thats why we have messengers, if we were to travel in groups of ten or twelve we're more than likely to run into trouble, wich would give us more of a chance of being cought.
    Masia sensei entered the room with what looked like little white sacks.
    "Here," he said as he wrapped one of the pouches-- the smaller one-- around my anckle, and the other around my waist.
    They happened to be cool, and, serprisingly, made my wounds feel better!
    I sighed, leaned back, and closed my eyes. It felt wonderful.
    "Okay," he said as he sat on the couch, "We'll start out slow, now, what happened?"
    I hesitated a moment, gathering my thoughts before answering. "Like I said, I was on my way back with Hope..." I paused, and suddenly remembered everything.
    "Yes Hope, where is she?" he asked, looking puzzled.
    "You didn't hear?" I asked, astonished.
    "No...what?"
    Oh, well...I, um...hear." I handed him the number to the hospital that I got before I left. "Call this number and everything will make sence," I assured him, as I got up and put the rags on the coffee table.
    "I have to go now," I told him quietly, "goodbye, sensei." I wispered just before shutting the door behind me.
    After that I decided to just go home.
    Why did this have to happen to me? First, Hope had to try to protect me, and then, she had to die trying, then, I had to attempt to protect myself, and now I am in this mess!
    I made my way home after a long trudge. I walked into the door to find Elizabeth waiting for my arrival at the bottom of the steps leading upstairs.
    "Ammie! Your home!" My older sister, Lexy, cried from the living room, I assumed she was watching TV. "Please, I don't want to talk about it," I pleaded, "It's bean a long day and I'm exhausted."
    Then before she could say anything else, I ran upstairs with Elizabeth at my side. I quickly took of my shoes, turned off the light, and climbed into my bed seconds before falling quickly to sleep.
    * * *
    I woke that morning to Elizabeth meowing and growling and moving around. I fell back to sleep for about another hour and then woke up once more. I couldn't fall asleep after that, so I decided to take a nice decent shower. It was about 9:30 in the morning when I looked at the alarm clock. I assumed that my sister wasn't up yet because she wasn't making any noise.
    In the shower my leg and side hurt because of the steaming water. I had so much to think about that for a minute I thought I couldn't take it. ok, I need to relax and clear my mind . . . Oh, what am I saying? I just had to fight ,"him," almost got killed by "him," and my best friend got murderd by "him." How could I possibly have self-control over that?!
    Once I got out, I had to put a fresh bandidge on my leg, it stung a little, but I had to get used to it.
    I put on my favorite sweatshirt, with jeans and a pair of sneakers. I was trying to blend into the croud so no one tried to talk to me. I can't beleave it! I almost got killed and I am worried about someone recignizing me? how much stupider can I get? I figured "stupider" wasn't a word, but I didn't care.
    I brushed my hair and my teeth, then exited the bathroom and headed across the hall and down the stairs where Elizabeth was waiting for my appearance. "Good morning Ammie!" She said to me.
    I sighed loud enough for her to hear, "Good morning Lizzy." Lizzy was one of her nick names along with Liz or Stella.
    "Ammie!" I heard my sister yell from the other room.
    "I'm alright" I assured her, "I'm just going out for my morning walk."
    "Okay," she said slowly. "Have fun."
    "Thanks" I muttered as I grabbed a granola bar off of the counter.
    "C'mon Liz!" I called to Elizabeth, while grabbing a bottle of water out of the refridgerator.
    I picked my bookbag off of the floor and walked out the door with Elizabeth at my heals.
    Once we were out the door I mindspoke to Elizabeth, Lexy needs to stop worrying about me so much!
    These words were true, she did hover around me alot.
    "She is just trying to keep you under protection so you don't get hurt." she said calmly. Its just her way of keeping you safe. Just like it's mine to go on missions with you."
    I was mistafied for a few seconds until I realized what she was talking about. She had a point, I guess I could deal with that. I took that in, thought it over, and then I sighed and with a triumphant smile, I said, Yeah, I guess you're right, I don't give her enough credit like I should.
    "You don't realize how much she cares about you."
    I'll work on that. I said with a smile.
    She was comferting, considering everything else that had already passed.
    In a strange way I was sort of relieved to have that fight over with. The only thing I didn't like were the aches and pains that have been left on my skin from that battle. Battle scars.
    I was deep in thought when Elizabeth stopped dead in her tracks.
    "What is it?" I asked in an alarmed manner.
    "I...I have to tell you something."
    Yeah?
    She hesitated, "well, he...Ezushie...Kind of..."
    Yes? I prompted her on.
    "Got away."
    I felt the blood run from my face, making all color, wormth, drain from my face. I shudderd.
    "no, I thought I..."
    "So did I. I don't no how but somehow he got away." She paused, "Im sorry Ammie." She said earnestly, and I could tell she meant it, I could hear it in her voice... or, rather through her mind.
    She made me feel guilty, like I was a bad person.a DKH. (Destany keeper hunter.)Destany keepers are what we call "sole speekers."
    As the story goes, sole speekers came from our ancient ansesters of quenoma --a city in the outscerts of Japan, on a small beach, a little ways out to sea.
    They often spoke to thair battle animals, which came in many different varieties, from bears to birds, and often wished they could speek to them without anyone else hearing their conversation.
    Their goddess, Aramonia, a strong and powerful leader felt bad for them and made a deal with the worriors. If they promised to never injure one of their own comrads, or there sole animals, she would allow them to mind speek (speak through the mind ) with each other freely.
    They accepted the deal, and in return, they got exactly what they wanted, and deserved. Thats how I came to be...
    "Ammie!" a loud voice suddenly jerked me back to reality.
    The voice was vaguely familiar. I recognized it as Alex's voice.
    "You okay Ammie?" She asked me, looking concerned.
    "Huh? Oh, I'm fine, just a little out there." I absently jestured with my hands.
    "I heard about Hope," she said softly, "I'm so sorry Ammie."
    Alex was my life long friend-- well ever since starter school.
    I looked up at her and saw that she was frowning, her face streaked with tears. Right then I knew her appology was sencere.
    "It's okay, it was meant to be." I wrapped my arms around her forming a gentle hug.
    "Comrads forever?" She asked me hopefully, as if to brighten the mood.
    "Forever." I agreed.
    That was when I noticed that I too, was crying.
    I unraveled my arms from her and waited until they got to her hands. I held hers in mine.
    "Look at us." I said with a smile. A smile broke across her own face. We laughed quietly together. It made me feel good inside.
    "Um, Ammie," Elizabeth interupted our little fuzzy moment, "are we going for a walk or not?"
    She made me mad, but she had a point, so much for blending in.
    "Oh, right...would you like to come with us?" I asked Alex hopefully.
    She shrugged "Why not? I have nothing else to do."
    "Yesss!" I heard Elizabeth hiss. I laughed at her.
    "But, before we go, are you going to be able to run in that kind of situation?" Alex asked me.
    Once again, I was reminded of the pain that my injuries had left on me. I flinched.
    "I'll just walk it off at first, I'll be fine." I didn't know if that was true but I really didn't care.
























    Chapter
    3

    ( Friends )

    WE HAD TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH ELIZABETH, considering she didn't need-or have a leash, or collar. instead she wore a violet-red ribbon tied around her neck. My mother gave her that ribbin so that she could have a part of our village's stone, symbolizing that she was a part of our clan.
    My parents supposedly died in a car crash. The thought of that made my heart skip a beat, painfully. But I had to withstand that.
    There had to be a different reason, and I vowed to find that reason.
    I let go of that thought as I rushed to pass up Alex. Once I did we both started laughing.
    When she got too far behind I called for Elizabeth to stop. She slowed and eventually came to a stop. I caught up to her, Alex not too far behind.
    "You-are-one-fast-cat!" I panted.
    I'm a leopard, I'm supposed to be fast.
    "Ha," I laughed,"funny," I said, sarcasticly.
    Then, I sighed, "Lucky," I muttered.
    At that moment, Alex cought up with us. finally.
    "You alright?" I asked, playfully.
    "Yeah-I-think-so." She panted like me, only her's was a little heavier.
    I was glad that I injoy the warm air, and that reminded me of my birthday that was coming up in a week. I will be thirteen. I really didn't care all that much, It's just the date of birth. No big deal. We usually have a big celebration or something, indicating I'm getting older and becoming a teenager.
    I was interupted in my thoughts by a slight buzzing sound, like a motor. I strained my ears to listen to the sound to hear how far off it was from my location.
    I turned my head to find that nothing would prepare me for this moment.
    Just then a strong gust of wind knocked me over, sending my head falling to the ground with a loud thudding sound, followed by a sharp pain.
    Dizzy, I try to see what had made the gust. then I could make out that it was infact a motercycle that had knocked me over. The driver didn't surprise me in the least. It was Justin Hickle, one of my least favorite trouble makers in the whole school. I have hated him ever since starter school, kind of like being friends with Alex, only he was my enime.
    The first time I noticed him was when he puked all over me during sharing time.
    "Oh, my goddess! are you okay?" He asked me, worry in his voice.
    "Yeah," i muttered to him, as i tried to get up off the ground.
    Elizabeth growled at him, angerily, as she tried to help me up.
    "What? I'm sorry! Oh! By the way, I heard about Hope, I'm sorry." I heard the apolagy in his voice.
    "Why don't you just shut up and go back to the six year old free toy give-away and get that trike a horn?" I gestured toward the motorcycle behind him.
    "Tuche`." He said with a smirk.
    He always acted like an idoit around me, as you can probably tell. Thats why I could tell that he liked me. smart, ain't it?
    "Oh, stop. We all know thet you have a crush on me." Yes! I cought him off guard!
    "Whatever." He said in what I thought was a disbelieving voice.
    "Okay, Whatever you say. Now if you don't leave us alone, Elisabeth will tear you apart." I threatend him.
    "Yeah,right." He said stupidly.
    "Elisabeth." I said, not bothering to look at her, "Sick him." I said with a grin.
    She gladly lept forward, and as soon as she did, He stumbled hastily onto his bike and drove off. As he did this, Elisabeth came back to stand beside me.
    I watched him as he rode off screaming like a little girl.
    "Woooh! We win!" I cried happily.
    Elisabeth snarled in agreement.
    I was having so much fun having my coolness back, that I almost forgot that Alex was there, with us. To my surprise she was frowning.
    "What's wrong?" I asked her, the pitty that she had was rubbing off on me.
    She looked up at me for a moment and then quickly looked away, to her right.
    "I...I have to go. My house is right over there."
    She insisted gesturing to the left where her house stood, white and plain.
    well...okay. I...I'll see you around..." I said giving her one last hug.
    "Yeah," she said, "see ya..."
    We started gogging again, after she shut the door behind her.
    I felt the tempreture gradually rise as I pushed myself harder to keep up with Elizabeth.
    I felt stupid and selfish for getting into my semie-- normal routine so fast.
    I re-thought that and figured out that I indeed wasn't as happy as I thought I was. I felt something dark in the back of my mind and I think that might have been depression. I didn't want that to happen, so I quickly pushed that aside. It scared me.
    We started to slow, as I saw a bench by the lake. I sat down, exhausted, Elisabeth lie down by my feet. I took my water bottle from my bookbag and poored some for her, afterward getting some for myself. And took a rest for a while.









    Chapter
    4
    (Truth)
    AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES I HEARD FOOTSTEPS. I look off to the left to see who it is. My heart stared racing, it was Kallik. He was only five feet away.
    Elizabeth looked up and automaticly stood, she nodded an ecnoledgment.
    He wore a black hoodie with the hood up over his head. He also wore jeans and a pare of tennisshoes.
    His featers were sad as he looked at me.
    "Hey, I heard about what you did. I'm sorry you had to see that," he said, sorrow in his voice.
    I've known him for about as long as I've none Justin and Alex, and he had almost always looked upset and usually kept to himself.
    I have had a majer crush on him since last year, that's when I realized how nice he was.
    "Oh," I said. "Don't be sorry, it was my fault it happened that way." I felt like my heart was going to break.
    "Hey, it wasn't your fault," he said "you didn't make her do it. She chose to." I knew exactly what he was talking about. Hope.
    "I know, but it feels like it's all my fault." I said glumly.
    He sighed and bent down to scratch Elizabeth's ears.
    Thank you. I heard her think.
    "She said thanks." I said, hastily.
    "I know." He said. His spirit visibly rose. (I forgot that he was a destany keeper too.)
    "He looked back at me. "Me and Seazer are throughing a party at my house tomorrow, would you like to come?"
    When he asked me that question I almost hugged him. But in real life, I said, "Sure, I would like that."
    Seazer is his sole animal. He is a wolf.
    I looked up into Kallik's face and tears started to brem my eyes. When they spilled over he, frowned.
    "Whats wrong?" he asked me. He sounded consurned.
    "I'm fine." I said looking down.
    For a minute, I sat there while I let the streaming tears fall. Then I felt a jentle hand on my shoulder.Before I could stop myself, I leaned into him and hugged him, sobbing into his chest.
    He hesatated for a moment, then, slowly, wrapped his arms around me and put his chin on my head.
    "It's okay," he reassured me softly "It's okay."
    I don't know how long we stayed like that, I wanted to stay there forever, but, after a time, I reluctently pulled away.
    "Im sorry," I murmurd, not recignizing my own voice. I started to get up when his hand surprisingly cought my wrist. I looked at him.
    "Are you going to my party?" He asked me.
    I considerd. It would be wierd after what just happend, but I did need a break. It would also get me to keep my mind off of things.
    "Sure," I answered him, with a small smile.
    "Thank you." His words were little more than a wisper, but they had a huge meaning to me.
    "No, Kallik, thank you." I replied. He looked puzzled, but I ignored that. Instead, I turned to Elisabeth, who stood up as soon as she saw me looking at her.
    "What time is your party?" I asked him.
    "Eight," he told me. I guessed I had nothing to do then. Unless my sister was going to hold me hostage, or something.
    "Okay," I told him, "I'll be there." I didn't know how I was going to be able to do that, but I could try. It was the least I could do, to make up for everything that happend.
    "I'll see you later, okay?" I asked him.
    "Okay," he said as he handed me my bookbag, "Thanks, see you."
    I gave him one last fleeting glance before taking off again. I am so stupid! I kept thinking to myself, as I ran harder to get back to my home and sulk in my room. It was the safist place I could think of, and there, I could even hide from Elisabeth if I wanted. That sounded like the best idea in the world. Then...
    The worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life shot right through my body. I shrieked in pain as I tumbled on the ground. Round and round I went for what seemed like hours. I think the pain might have come from my leg, but I wasn't sure. It felt like I had stop-ped, but I couldn't be surten. And then... I blacked out. Again.














    Chapter
    5
    (Emergency)
    I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. Not even the darkness of sleep. I couldn't even feel my body. No pain, no movement, nothing.
    All of a sudden, a picture started to form in the darkness. At first it was kind of fuzzy, then it became clearer.
    The picture was of a boy sitting in the rain, alone, crying. He had pale blonde hair, and raggedy clothes. With a closer look, I discovered that he had deep scratches and dark bruises all over himself. I walked closer to him and extended my hand to the scared little child. He moved into a more definsive position. I balled my hand into a fist and held it near my face as I backed up. That was a really bad habbit I had to get over.
    He looked up at me and his eyes had that glent of releaf that ment he was safe. I took that as a good thing and nelt down so that we were seeing eye to eye at the same level. I looked him in the eyes. "who did this to you?" I asked the child.
    I could hardly talk, I was shaking so badly from all the anger that flowed through me. Who would do this to such a sweet little child? I thought to myself.
    He opend his mouth as if to say something, but then quickly closed it. when he opened it the second time he manidged to say,
    "Him," and pointed north, where a form stood, its back to us.
    "Hey!" I yelled, angrily to the form...but quickly stopped. Once I notised who he was.
    He wherled around to face us as his head hung at a downward angle and just laughed. When he looked up he had that arrogent smirk that I hated so much.
    "Silly girl!" He said dramatacly. "As I've said before, You are no match for me." he laughed again.
    I sank to my knees and turned my head away from him, "No," I said, "I thought I killed you! you should be dead!" I cried aloud. my throught tighten
    "Well I'm not, as you can clearly see." I could tell he found me amusing by the ugly sneer he was giving me.
    "Go away!" I shouted at him. I wanted to scratch his face off.
    He looked at me as if I was the worst person he had ever met...wich, to him, I probubly was. "No! I was hear first!" He sounded like a foolish child.
    I wanted to punch him so bad. I wanted to hurt him like he did to this boy, and like he did to me. I hope he goes and dies and burns in a ditch!
    I want revenge.
    "Apolagize!" I orderd him, pointing to the scared little lump who was balled up, still crying. Oh, I wasn't about to let this guy get away with this.
    "No thanks." He said annoyingly. What am I going to do with this guy? And...wait. What about...Jarocu? Could he be hiding somewhere in the shadows beyond? He laughed. Again.
    "Leave me alone!" I shouted at him. Then his smile turned reasuring.
    "Fine. Good night, Aummie, sleep well." Ok, that confuses me even further.
    "Wait...wha--?" All of a sudden the picture started to fog up. The little boy stood and walked toward Ezushie, who ushered the little boy in the opposite direction of me.
    I screamed, yelling at him to stop.
    "What are you doing?! No! Don't!"
    But it was too late, he was soon gone.
    the darkness of sleep came soon after that. It wasn't like the cold, dark, scary, fierceness as before, but instead, a nice, gentle, warm softness that felt wonderfull. Wonderfull enough, in fact, to let my mind fall into a deep slumber. finally, I get to rest.

















    Chapter
    6
    (releaf)




    I WOKE IN A DARK ROOM, confused, and a little stiff. I saw a dresser and two doors. I soon realized that I was in my room on my bed.
    I tried to get up but a hand gently pushed me down. I looked up into Kallik's face.
    "Hey," he said, softly.
    "What happened?" I asked, confused.
    Why am I in my room? I was just going for a walk and...now I'm here.
    "I don't know. You were running back to your house...and you...fell-- or something."
    Then the full force of the situation hit me. I remember everything. The pain, the dream, everything.
    Before he could say anything, I jumped up... sort of. As soon as my feet hit the ground the leg with the snake bite on it seered and I fell to the floor. About two seconds later I felt Kalliks hands help me back up. He lead me back to my bed.
    "Are you alright?" He asked me urgently.
    "Yeah. Fine." I said probubly sounding rushed.
    "Elizabeth!" He called.
    Wait! Elizabeth is here? This situation just got so much worse!
    Out of the corner of the room a form rose and advanced foreward. Elisabeth came over to stand near my bed.
    "let me see your leg." she told me.
    I pulled my leg up onto the bed and pulled my jeans up. What I saw next made my stomic churn. The two marks where the snake's teeth met my skin where outlined in a blakesh band of flesh. Outside of that was dark red.
    I freaked out.
    "What happened to me? How could this get so bad? I thought I got all of the venom out! Ugh! What am I supposed to do? Clean it out? Then what?"
    "Calm down." she told me softly.
    I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm myself, before I exploded.
    "Okay" I said, "now what?"
    "Kallik, get a bucket of warm water, a rag, and a knife." She comanded.
    I whimpered. "Oh, it wont be that bad." She said reasuringly.
    Where is Lexy? I asked as Kallik exited the room.
    "She is down stairs. Would you like me to get her?"
    Yes. I thought in a small voice.
    "Okay, I'll be right back. She said slowly.
    She left the dark room. I was now alone.
    Images flowed through my head, of the fight, of the little boy, of hope...it just kept getting worse and worse. I didn't know what else to do, besides face them.
    I saw Hope's face right before she had been killed. Her last words where, "Aummie, run, run and get help! Don't get Elisabeth! I want to do this myself! I have to do this. Goodbye, Aummie."
    Then I saw her face before the assignment. So happy, confident, full of life...and then her face after the incident. pale, blank, and--it looked to me--like she was full of regret. Why? Why did this have to happen to us? What did they have against us? Why can't they be normal?
    Then, a new question hit me.
    Why did they live in a cave outside of minsten? Was that really their home? If it is, then how could they live like that?...
    The door opened and kallik entered with a bucket of what I figured was water, a rag hanging over the side, and a sharp, smoothe, and shiny knife in his mouth.
    I looked away. I didn't want to see what was soon going to be cutting into my skin.
    I didn't want to speek but I urged myself on.
    "Kallik...what happened earlier..."
    "Aummie, it's ok, what happens, happens." He looked completely relaxed.
    I felt the tears well up again.
    "It's ok, Aummie, you dont have to cry, I'm right here." He reasured me, slowly.
    I didn't know what to do or, what to say.
    The door opened again and Elizabeth entered the room.
    "What is it?" I heared Lexy ask her. "Is Aummie okay?"
    Once she saw me she she frowned, once she saw my leg she covered her mouth and dashed across the room.
    "Aummie!" she wailed, "What happened to you?"
    She hugged me so tight that I couldn't breathe.
    "Its okay, it's just a snake bite... from... the incident." I said hesatently. She didn't seem to care.
    "You need to take better care of yourself out there!"
    She was acting like a parent. Like a guardian. One I've never had since I was ten.
    My parents where the only thing I used to have besides Lexy and Elizabeth. I had no friends back then because everyone thought I was a freak.
    I'm not --and never was-- like my sister. She's all... I wouldn't say "popular" but she's... like... really outgoing, and I'm... well... most of the time, I'm shy and don't ask questions when I think I need help.
    When my parents passed away I started to stand up for myself. I didn't want to be alone all of my life. I wanted people to see me as I am and how I always will be.
    Then Hope came into the picture, and so did Kallik. After that Alex soon joined the group.
    Alex and Hope are not destiny keepers.
    They are messengers...or, destiny seakers. They are assinged one destiny keeper to work as back up, unless that seeker wants to pretect that keeper. Then if the seeker dies the keeper can finish the job, if needed. (I now it's complicated, but you'll get it eventually.)
    That's what I did... kind of...I wasn't supposed to let the enime survive. It was a huge mistake...
    Lexy snapped me back to life. She was shouting at Kallik and Elizabeth asking what they were going to do to me.
    "Calm down," came Kallik's soothing voice, "Okay, we are going to try to remove the venom from her and then treat the bite and get the infected skin off." He said slowly.
    She sank to the foot of my bed and started to sob.
    Elizabeth mind spoke to Kallik only. I could tell because she was looking at him sturnly.
    He walked over to Lexy and tried to soothe her by telling her facts and that is was going to be okay.
    I couldn't stand it any longer.
    "Elizabeth, just do it already! I want to get it done and over with!" I said sternly.
    I felt like I was going to explode.
    "Okay, fine, whatever...okay stay still."
    "Kallik get the knife and put it in the hot water."
    I whimpered again.
    He did what she told him
    "Get the container of soothe cream." She told us.
    "I will." said Kallik.
    "Will what?" asked Lexy.
    We ignored her.
    Kallik asked where it was.
    "I...in my wardrobe." I told him.
    He opened it and found the soothe cream.
    "Good, now rub it on her neck."
    Wait, what? I'm sooo not ready to go back to sleep yet! I just woke up...
    I started to protest, but Kallik hushed me, calmly.
    "It's okay," he said, "it will all be over soon."
    Something about that made me instantly calm down. I settled back down.
    I reluctantly tilted my neck so that I was in a good position for him to put the cream on it.
    "What are you doing to her?!" I heard lexy cry.
    We ignored her again, for none of us felt like speaking out loud.
    I could tell Kallik was hesitant in his motions as his fingers touched my skin and slowly started rubbing in the cool, soothing cream, like he thought he was going to hurt me.
    Then a huge wave of exhaustion hit me, like a hurricane on the edge of florida.
    Kallik must have noticed because he instantly screwed the lid back on the contaner and leaned over me.
    "Aummie! Are you alright?" He asked me as he put his arm under my upper back.
    I looked around at him...and apparently moved too fast.
    "Calm, its okay." He said soothingly.
    He laid down on the bed next to me, as I turn in the opposite derection. I didn't care if he got mad at me, I suddenly just wanted to sleep.
    He rapped his arm around me pretectivly, and I snuggled into his chest.
    I tried to keep my head clear, but I just kept slipping under. I felt my cheeks burn red as I lay there. Then he did the most unexpected thing I can think of.
    He kissed my cheek.
    I think my whole face got red that moment, but I can't be sure.
    That was all I needed to fall asleep.

















    Chapter
    7
    (Recovery)


    LIGHT, BRIGHT LIGHT COMMING FROM BEHIND MY BED ROOM WINDOW. I still feel Kalliks arm around me.
    I groan, by accident.
    His arm just tightened aroud me, so I just snuggled in further.
    I didn't feel like talking, I was tired and just wanted to sleep.
    I soon realized that I was uncomfertable. I turned around so that I was facing Kallik, but I didn't look at him. I just burrowed into his chest. He held me tightly, but it was a good kind of tight.
    "Its alright." He said reasuringly, "Just rest." I heard him say before drifting back to sleep.
    ***
    I FELT A RIPPLE IN THE DARKNESS AND REALIZED THAT I WAS AWAKINING ONCE MORE. Once I opened my eyes I found that I was still burrowed into his chest. I looked up at him and we locked gazes.
    "Good morning." He said, softly.
    "Good morning...what happened?" I asked him shyly.
    I have just noticed that I was madly blushing, I could feel the warmth in my face.
    "Well," he said tiredly, "Your leg should be clean...but you might want to check it later." he added.
    I groan as I lay back down.
    "You don't have to do it now," he said softly, "It's okay, the soothe creem must still be effecting you."
    Infact, it was. I couldn't see very streight. I was still tired, and I couldn't help it. I wish I wasn't so tired...I feel drained...like the life is being sucked right out of me...
    "Aummie..can I ask you something?"
    I felt the immedate blush spread across my face. "Yes?"
    "How do you feel right now?" He asked me quietly.
    I didn't now how to describe how I felt at that moment. I felt embaressed, yet...it felt so...right to be next to him, to feel his arm around me.
    "I feel warm and safe...like nothing can harm me." I told him truthfully.
    I didn't know what else to say. I felt the estatic connection between us.
    He squeezed my as I stay safely inside my little safty bubble.
    "I don't know why, but I feel like we have a connection...like we,re more than just friends," he said, apparently trying to find words as my heart thumps loudly, "I feel more...like your my sister then my friend..." he drifted off.
    I felt it well up inside of me.
    Oh, god! Please not now!
    "Are you alright?" came kalliks voice.
    I must have been shaking while trying to stop the tears, so I muttered shakely that I was fine.
    He looked at me, those soft blue eyes burning as they looked into mine.
    "There's something wrong," he said, "what is it?"
    "I...nothing," I paused, "I just...cant...explain how I feel..." I struggled for words.
    I was sitting up now, facing away from him, thinking maybe not looking at him would help.
    It didn't. Kallik sat up with me and wrapped his arms around me.
    I was scared and not to mention embaressed as I struggled to find a new topic.
    I was just about to make a suggestion when he beat me to it.
    "Aummie..." he paused, and I held my breath, "look...you have a great destany ahead of you. Dont dwell on the past... look at the future that lay ahead of you.
    I was confuzed.
    What does he mean 'the future that lay ahead of'--
    then I understood. He thought I was worried about what happened with me and Hope back in the woods. I let out the breath that I had been holding.
    "Oh! Kallik..." Then I decided to just go along with it. "I...I... it's just that..."
    I didn't know how to word it...I just couldn't. It's another habbit of mine I really need to get over.
    He just squeesed me and, to my plessure, he kissed my forehead.
    I shuttered from the electric jolt I felt and he looked at me. I felt my face blaze hot.
    "I...uh..." I was looking for an excuse, then, it hit me. "It's just that your...so warm...compaired to me..."
    Okay, that didn't come out write! It sounded so much better in my head. I hate that! When you mean to say something that sounds okay, but you end up saying something else really stupid and then make a complete idoit of yourself in front of your crush, your family, your friend...etc.
    "Well, in that case," came Kalliks smooth voice, as he pulled the blanket around me and kept me wrapped in his arms, making me feel safe...but there was a part of me that was just itching to see how the bite had healed.
    "Kallik...can you do me a favor?" I asked him, hoping he didn't take it the wrong way.
    "Sure, and what might you need?" he asked me, obviously flerting with me.
    "Can you help me check my leg?"
    He hesitated fore a moment then released me and unraveled the blanket so that I could move freely.
    "Thanks," I said as I put my leg in a good position to check it.
    As I rolled up my pant leg I was aware that Kallik was watching me, and couldn't help but wonder if he liked me as much as I liked him. I hoped so.
    Once I had all of the bandages off of my leg I was happy to see that the bite had heeled remarkabley well. The two holes indacating where the snake had bitten me where almost completely closed up and had a little light red band of skin around them.
    "Wow," I wispered as I ran my finger over the bite. "I didn't expect it to heal so fast."
    "I'm sure none of us did." He said, a bit of wonder in his voice.
    I wrapped the bandages back on my leg and got up to walk over to my mirror. I could only emagine how bad my hair looked after sleeping so much.
    He's watching me again, my mind told me, I wander if he sees some stupid girl with bad hair?
    But when Iooked in the mirror my hair wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. It was a little poofy here and there, but it was nothing a brush through it wouldn't fix.
    As I started brushing the tangles out of my hair I heard a soft knock on my door.
    "Come in," I said wondering who it could be.
    "Aummie, are you alright?" It was my sister, her voice soft and sounding a little worried.
    "Yeah," I told her, " I'm alright."
    She opened the door Lexy's gaze went from me to Kallik.
    "Hey, Kallik," she said warmly.
    "Hey," he said to her akwardly, "Thanks for letting me stay last night."
    My sister walked over to me, "No problem," she assured him, "I know you wanted to keep her safe, we all did."
    She looked at me with thoughtful eyes. I could see that she really cared about me and the things I did. I appreciated that and wondered if that was what all older siblings felt for their younger brothers or sisters. Man I wish I had a younger sister. I could show her how to fight... but I could also protect her... like Lexy protects me.
    Before I realized what I was doing I was in Lexy's arms, feeling her love and knowing that she was there for me, no matter what I did.
    "I love you Lexy," I wailed through the hot tears that burned my cheeks as they flowed down my face.
    "I love you too, Aummie," she responded, sounding like she, too, was crying.
    I suddenly realized that the reason the tears where hot was because they where tears of happiness, not anger or sorrow, but pure happiness.
    I enjoyed the love and comfert my sister was giving me.
    Even though I really didn't deserve it.
    All of a sudden, footsteps. Footsteps coming fast.
    I break away from Lexy to see who it is. I didn't have to.
    The door flew open so fast that it created a gust of wind that russed passed me.
    I didn't know what to think at first, I was still shocked at the amount of wind the door had produced. I stared into deep emrald eyes that gleamed with panik.
    "Aummie!" She shouted frantically at me, "Come quick!"
    "What is it?" I asked her, shocked and confuzed.
    "It's Justin! Something bad has happened to him!"