Blue Crescent

Make My Day!

Ava



My fists were clenched as I stood in front of the thief’s house. The earth shook as I stepped on the ground. I looked up at the window and climbed on the wall to get through Amara’s room. Suddenly, a huge beastly being attacked me, and I fell to the ground. I couldn’t believe my eyes. For the first time, I was tangible when I had always been invisible. A wolf! It was a huge black wolf. I was struck with fear that the first thing to creep into my mind was to run away.

Realizing that my existence wasn't meant for losing, I halted in my tracks and went back. I reciprocated the attack and called on my powers of wind and rain, drawing water from the rain and turning it into a ball of flaming hot body of liquid, I pushed it towards the black wolf. The creature's face was slightly burned but was incredibly fast to dodge and miss more of my attacks. Unprepared for an encounter that I had never experienced before, the wolf caught me in its claws and then sank his fangs into my skin. I screamed in pain and struggled to set myself free. Draining all of my strength, I ran at the speed of light when I finally got the chance to flee from its hold. My mind was stuck in a sea of questions. How did it happen? Who was that wolf? Does Amara have a guardian?

“How was it, my dear? Have you killed Amara?” Orpheus said, sitting on a couch at the entrance of the cave.

I looked at him and took the goblet of blood he was holding and threw it against the wall. The liquid splattered as the goblet broke into pieces all over the floor.

“Another episode, perhaps. What happened?” he asked, wearing a poker face.

“There’s a wolf! Amara has a wolf! Amara has a guardian, and it bit me! It never happened to me before, Orpheus. Who was that wolf? Why could it see me? Why could it touch me? I thought I was invisible!” I said angrily.

“How interesting, my dear. A wolf has touched you? Are you sure it’s a wolf and not a witch?” he uttered. "Or, that creature has immeasurable senses like me . . . who may not see you but can feel you."

“I am sure of that, Orpheus. It was a big wolf with black fur and red eyes.”

“Hmmm . . . I know who can answer your question, my dear.”

‘Who?”

“Lilith, the witch of the witches. She shall answer all your questions, Ava.”

Orpheus’s words calmed the tension in me. Leaving Orpheus enjoying his cup of blood, I walked towards my father’s room and lit a candle to illuminate his coffin in the dark.

I opened the coffin, touching the letters carved on the side: Gorgon, The Immortal. I looked at my father all in skin and bones. His body was adorned with Rosemary and Amaranth, which symbolizes immortality and memory.

“Father, I wish you would come back sooner. You have left me with a lot of questions. But worry not, my ruler and king. I shall get what you need to come back. I will let you live again, father,” I said through gritted teeth.

***

Maddison

“Hey guys!” Hannah greeted me and our friends on the school grounds. “Any news about Adrian?”

“Yeah, Adrian is missing, but we don't have any news about him. Called his parents, but they said Adrian had not come home from the camp,” Arthur said.

“Arthur, can I talk to you for a minute?” Hannah whispered, grabbing Arthur by the arm away from us. “I . . . I wanna be straight to the point. Do you remember anything about what happened at the camp?"

“What do you mean? We had a camp, and it was awesome though Mrs. Shaw was such an ass for making us wander around the dark forest,” Arthur said. "Is there something wrong?"

“Awesome, huh?”

‘Yeah, what’s wrong?”

“How awesome?”

“Awesome. Like we were singing and dancing around the bonfire and then went home the next morning.”

“That’s it?’

“That’s it.”

‘The book. How about the little book? Do you still have it?”

“What book?”

“This is unbelievable. Are you sure you don’t have the little book?”

“No, I don’t remember anything about a little book.” His eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with you?”

Hannah huffed. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“Everything fine in there?” Olivia yelled from our seats.

“Yeah, we’re fine!” Hannah yelled back before walking away.

“Where is she going?” I asked.

“I don’t know. She’s acting weird. She keeps on asking about anything I remember at the camp,” Arthur answered.

“Oh, she asked me about it too. Told her I didn’t understand what she was talking about,” I uttered.

“I know, I know. She’s acting weird lately,” Arthur said with a laugh.

“Yeah, she definitely is, “ Olivia joined in. “And she always says Adrian went missing after the camp when Adrian drove me home right after the camp.”

“Wait? He drove you home?” I asked. “Are you guys together?”

“Are you serious, Maddie? Adrian is gay," Olivia uttered. "He likes Arthur, but Arthur likes you, so he shifted to Andrew. Now . . . Andrew isn't gay, but he likes Erin, so that leaves our friend heartbroken. Hmp, poor Adrian.”

Andrew isn't gay. I silently smirked at the thought.

"Wait, I heard my name,” Arthur said, playing his video game.

“Shut up, Arthur. We’re talking about girly stuff,” Olivia said.

“How did my name come into the picture?” Arthur insisted.

“Stop asking, please.” Olivia huffed, making Arthur scratch his head in confusion.

“Just continue with your online games, Arthur.” Olivia rolled her eyes.

“I got a plan. Why don’t we go search for Adrian? I mean, print his picture and post it on the walls,” Olivia suggested.

“That’s brilliant, Olivia. Let’s go tell Hannah about it,” I proposed.

“Is that even a good idea? Hannah? Really? She would just be bugging us with the ‘do you remember what happened at the camp’ dialogue,” Olivia said.

“No! Stop it! No!” Arthur shouted.

Olivia and I looked at Arthur, then at each other. Rolling our eyes, we walked away and left him enjoying his game.

“Bye girls!’ Arthur said, waving his hand.

***

Ava

I couldn’t get the wolf out of my mind. Touching my neck, I looked at it closely. The bite was healed the moment I was freed from his fangs, but fear kept on surging in my veins. Being attacked for the first time was a nightmare, and I couldn't ignore the possibility that anybody out there could be just around the corner, waiting for the right time to kill me.

I had to do something. I had to find out who it was and what it was capable of.