Chapter 1

Estelle POV

Slamming the door open anger fills my body. My gaze shifts, ignoring the clear shock and confusion coming from my peers. Meeting the gaze of the person I came for, my anger grows.

Logan speaks up, "Estelle! What the hell are you doing?!"

"You."

The air around me thins, as I rise from the ground. The various items, around me joining me reforming, changing, bending to my will.

"I'll kill you."

A Few Months Earlier

Walking through the bustling mall, I carry the many bags through the thick crowd. Summer break is around the corner and the last day of school is near. Meaning it's time for me to gift my students for a successful year. With the weekend to wrap everything up, and my lesson plan coming ending, I can't help but feel a bit giddy.

Quickening my pace, desiring to beat the traffic, I bump into someone. Dropping my bags I grow frustrated, luckily not all the bundles of toys leave my side.

I scramble to put everything back and so does the man I bumped into.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

His voice is rough and hard, "It's fine."

Helping me I apologize once more before dashing off with my bags in hand. Plopping into my car, I'm off, heading further and further away from the city.

After a long drive, I make it back, dropping the bags in the living room. A wooden cabin that my father built. He bought this land and created a home for my mother. Now it's mine, my family's legacy, I smile softly, before doing a quick stretch. A few hours pass as I start organizing and wrapping the various toys and knick-knacks.

Halfway done, I slip on my cardigan before heading out the back door. Walking down the path I consume the thick trees, enjoying the undisturbed life around me. I've watched these trees grow for so long, every leaf changing, the ground shifting. This is my home, my sanctuary.

Hearing something, I turn my head.

Nothing, just the forest.

It's probably an animal.

The sky fills with warm colors being chased by the night. I mumble to myself, "I should head back."

As I continue down the path, the night creeps closer and closer. The routine sounds that once soothed me, now leave me in fear as I feel something in the pit of my stomach, leaving me on edge. Slowing down a bit I hear it, slow breath creeping behind me. As it grows closer I turn around, "STAY BACK!"

A thin sap of energy leaves my fingertips, cashing to the head of my dusk stalker. He shouts before falling back, leaning against the trees, I stare at him. His features are vaguely familiar. Eye wondering I see my wallet on the ground, something I know I didn't bring with me.

Then it clicks, he's the man I bumped into at the mall. I must have dropped my wallet, he was trying to return it.

Well, I hope he was.

He could have just stayed on my porch or left it in my mailbox. He could still be dangerous.

I take a deep breath, a bit worried as he doesn't move.

"Um, excuse me, are you ok?"

I hope I didn't hurt him too badly, the last thing I need is for his brain to shrink or something. He starts to move a bit making me feel a bit at ease that he's not dead. "Look, I'm sorry I zapped you. But you shouldn't sneak up on someone like that..."

My words trail off as he stares, his eyes dark as silver blades form from his large hands. I take a step back, fear returning, my words are caught in my throat. He shouts out, making the birds scatter in the sky. I don't ponder too much as I start to run for my life. I pray my feet won't fail me as I zip past the thick trees, rushing over the dead bark and dry leaves that have been left behind with time.

Hearing his steps grow closer, I take a sharp left, barely missing the thick blades that threaten to kill me. Out of breath, my chest burns as the cool air hits my face.

This can't be happening.

I can't die like this.

Feeling a pain in my ankle, I fall forward, landing on the dead leaves and sharp twigs. Cursing under my breath, I try to sit up, but I see him coming close. Then he stops, crying out in pain and rage. I watch as he falters, confused I look at his ankle to see an old and rusted bear trap.

A quick memory flashes through my mind, Dad couldn't find the last one. He made a path, so he never looked for it, and I never worried about it.

My eyes widened, staring at him, I start to notice the panic in his eyes. The fear is deep within them as he stares at the blood on his hands. He doesn't notice me, he doesn't pay attention as I stand. Walking closer, I feel an ease as the blades embedded in his skin are out of sight, returning to his flesh.

He panics again, placing my hand on his arm, rage snaps through his eyes. Quickly wrapping my arms around him I squeeze as he trashes, I keep my grip tight, leading him to calm down. I mumble softly, "I'm not going to hurt you."

Letting him go he stares at me, analyzing me like a predator ready to pounce. Looking at the bear trap I pull it apart, freeing him from its constraints. He relaxes, leaning against the thick tree beside him. Taking a breath, I sit on my bump, looking at the star-filled sky.

Glancing at him, he breathes slowly, in a deep calm slumber. Looking at his ankle I feel a bit astonished at the sight of his healed wound. Leaving traces of blood on his pants and hands. Standing I slip behind him, gripping his shirt, I start to drag him off towards home.