I was paralyzed where I stood. Their faces almost unrecognizable. Their blood drenched the walls and furniture. What could have done this? What did they do to deserve this? What did I do?

            “Luna, baby, go outside and play with Taylor and Sean; I think Mrs. Castello has some treats for you.” I could comprehend Sheyla’s words clearly, but they meant nothing to me. Nothing took my mind off their bodies. I could see their eyes frozen open in horror as if forever damned to look upon the faces of their killers.

            A black sheet flew down over them but it did no good; their disgruntled, bloody faces were forever burnt to the back of my mind.

            Eleven years ago, I was five. Eleven years ago, my parents were executed.

            “Luna you need to get up! Your guna be late. Again. You can’t stay out so late on a school night no matter what the reason.

            I heard Sheyla yelling at me but I didn’t have the desire to move let alone get up for school. I am extremely bruised and sore from last night nad my body reminded me with every move I make. Nonetheless, I turned away from Sheyla and the light and she took itas an invitation to start shaking the hell out of me sending pain rippling through my entire body.

            Despite the pain, I sat straight up and glared at her to stop; she did. When she started heading for the door, I laid back down. No way was I going to get up for school today.

            Now, I’m used to all the yelling, the painful shakings, and all that useless stuff, but what I’m not used to, what so ever, is freezing, ice cold water being dumped on me, giving me that wonderful feeling of drowning. “Ar…are you kidddding me?! The hhell you do that fffor?! Are yyou insssane?!” I stammered while stumbling out of my bed looking like some wet animal.

            I stood at the foot of my bed shivering and dripping water everywhere while Sheyla stood there laughing her head off. “Wow! Now that’s a funny picture. You should see yourself!” I could do nothing but shiver and glare at her; she is much stronger than I and I know there is no point in even trying anything.

            When she finally subdued her laughing, Sheyla looked at me and said, “You wouldn’t get up so you deserved it and you know it and you know it so don’t look at me lie that. Get to school, you and Taylor run by Kiva’s to pick up some merchandise, and then you have training. And Luna,” her eyes became narrow and serious. “If you are late to your training one more time, I will mark every kill you ever made on your skin with a hot poker. So, DO NOT BE LATE TO YOUR TRAINING AGAIN. Clear?” Sheyla smiled her sweetest smile but her eyes went black with rage.

            “Just gget outtt. Ppplease.” Sheyla left giggling her way down the stairs. God how I would love to just help her down a little bit faster. Fudge-monkeys. Guardian my ****; she’s evil.

            I went and got a towel out of my bathroom and tried to dry off as much as I could while staring into my closet. Why couldn’t I just wear what I hunt in? I would be much more comfortable. Oh, right, Sheyla…I couldn’t tell you how long I stood there, but I finally picked out some black skinny jeans and a red and black tank top when my cell rang. “Hel…”

            “Oh my god Luna! There’s a new kid and oh my god he’s so hot! Eeeeekkkk!!”

            “Tay…Taylor…oh my god you have to see him…Taylor shut up…your guna die…Shut up my ears are bleeding…Yes, thank you. Now, slowly, what are you screaming about?”

            Taylor Castello is one of my best friends and has been ever since I can remember. I can’t think of a time she wasn’t there for me. I love her to death but my god she’s got a set of lungs. “Okay, okay. So I got to school right and in our first period class he was talking to the teach and oh my god he’s got brown hair and brown eyes and he’s so tall and muscular and I don’t even know what but he’s so hot!!”

            “…Wow…That’s a whole two minutes of my life I’ll never get back. Thank you. Look, I’ll be at school in a few minutes so I’ll see you soon ok? See you in a few.” I walked over to my full-body length mirror and wondered about Taylor’s sanity as I looked myself over.

            I’m not that abnormal; I have long black hair with a small strip of white on the right side as if those strands of hair have never possessed any pigment. My skin is pale but not white-white and I’m 5’4””. Pretty close to a normal teenager. The one thing I keep hidden from everyone though; even Taylor; is that I have purple eyes. Throughout my sixteen years of existence, I’ve never been able to find out the cause of them, but I know they would keep me from being any kind of normal anymore.

            8:10. Oh crap. I jerked around the room painfully gathering all my stuff, dreading going to school today: crowded hallways, cramped seats, and bad bruises don’t mix. Today will not be fun. Unfortunately, though Zuka High starts at nine, you get crap from your friends if you’re not there early. I quickly threw in my contacts, watching my eyes turn from purple to blue, and flew down the stairs skipping two and three at a time. I waved goodbye to Sheyla and sped down the road in my 2007 black Kia Rio.

            When I pulled up, Taylor was waiting for me in my parking spot with a jokers grin plastered on her face; kind of scary. “I feel like you’re my stalker.” I said. She then proceeded to squeeze the life out of me and my bruises like she does everyday. She’s always so giddy, it’s insane; except when here hunting she’s more serious than death, but then I’m glad as hell she’s on my side. “How’s Sean doin?”

            “He’s pretty beat up but he’s healing quickly thanks to Aleister. He’s really upset he can’t come tonight though. I think the next time we see Casey, we’ll have bits and pieces of her to pick up.”

            “Yeah, all he talked about while I was there was repaying her for breaking his arm and ribs. I feel bad for her now.” We walked up to my locker and while I fumbled with my books, Taylor stared wide-eyed at the new kid, who, coincidently, had been assigned the locker next to mine. I know Taylor’s happy.

            “Hi! Taylor Castello. This is Luna Heart; we have first period together. You’re new right? Pleased to meet ya!” her smile reached past her eyes. Creepy.

            At first, it looked as if he was just going to turn and run, but surprisingly, he took her hand and kissed it. “As a matter of face, I am. I’m James. James Ice. And the pleasures all mine.” James then took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on top; our eyes locked together the whole conversation.

            I know it’s early for judgmental thoughts about him, but I have to not like James. He makes me feel too calm, too relaxed. Something about him feels too safe.

            You know all those awkward conversations you have with new kids about where they came from and their view on the new place? Well we didn’t have one of those. Up until the bell was about to ring, we talked all about the supernatural. It was the hardest time hiding what we were from him and I don’t know why. Usually it’s really easy, but something about James makes it hard. I need to figure him out.

            “Well, I guess I’ll see you in class. T’was good talking to ya.” He walked away staring at me; staring through me. What is it that makes me want more? Well, I guess we’ll see.