Ember

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-Prologue-
The early morning breeze flowing through my window gave me a chill, so I put my robe on to keep from getting sick. It was still dark out when I walked downstairs to the kitchen to fix a cup of hot chocolate. I've been drinking hot chocolate for the past week now, since I've been having dreams. They usually start out with flashes of images then go to a picture of a room with bodies and blood everywhere, after that I usually wake up. I told my mom about my dreams, but she thinks I'm hallucinating. She said she's going to take me to a psychiatrist, but I hope not, all of those weird stories start of like that. First they have dreams then they start seeing things, then all of a sudden they're in an asylum. I decided that I didn't want to be like them.
Usually my brother Josh would be downstairs by now like he is every morning. I guess he got home late last night. Josh is my twin brother, we're both nineteen, but he considers himself older, just because he was born one minute before me. I always tell everyone that it's really not a big deal, but he swears up and down that it's important, so I don't know. I'll just leave him and his little world to themselves.
Everybody thinks that if we had more alike friends that they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I see the fact that we're the same height, we both have brown straight hair, like horror movies, and like rock music, but other than that he's a boy and I'm a girl, that's a big difference. Sometimes people think I'm a boy if they have never seen me before because, there are not to many boy and girl twins around and the fact that my name is Jayla but my friends call me Jay which is a boy name confuses people sometimes too.
I sat there for a few minutes after I was done drinking my hot chocolate thinking about my dreams and all of the people that were lying on the floor dead and all of the blood on the walls, to me it looked like they had been murdered but I didn't know. It took me a while to realize that it was really stuffy and hot inside even thought the windows were open. So I decided to take a walk for a little while and get some fresh air.
Fall time in Lansing, Michigan seemed to stay the same temperature at night time as it did in day time which is usually cool and relaxing. But I wish it were just a little more warmer than it is now. When I stepped out side the air smelt so good and felt wonderful against my skin. This is the second time that I've took a walk in the morning since I started having my dreams. It was the same out side as it was last time, the air was cool it was quiet and the only thing you could hear were
the crickets and other insects that make noise at night. I always thought that it was so delightful and relaxing.
I always loved to be by myself and just do things on my own from time to time, just like this. Ever since I was a kid I was always caught sneaking out at night going to the park or just going for a walk. Sometimes Josh comes with me but he doesn't get in trouble because mom doesn't find out about him she only finds out about me for some reason. Mom has been letting some of the things that we do slip since dad was killed. My dad Jacob was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, ever since then mom has been acting weird. I kind of feel bad for mom because dad was her first and only love. But that was over a year ago and we're trying to get over it.
I was close to approaching the Ambrin Plantation that was supposabley haunted. It's hard to admit but I kind of get nervous whenever I pass it.
When I reached The house all I heard were whispers and I couldn't help but notice that one of the windows were open and a light was on. I am very nosy so of course I wanted to know what was going on in that room. I couldn't just keep walking and think that it was just teens being stupid, I had to go find out. So here I am walking towards the house wondering why am I doing this. My stomach felt tight like it does when I am getting ready to make a speech in front of hundreds of people or waiting for a roller coaster to take of. Before I knew it I was at the front porch of the house. The door was always wide open, but for some reason it was shut completely. So I had to check if it was unlocked, and to my luck it was. When I walked in I was met with an overwhelming smell of must that seemed to be coming from upstairs where the light was at. The house was dark and full of shadows, all I could think about was something popping from around the corner scaring the jeepers out of me. But I threw that thought away and kept walking to the stairs. When I reached them I could see the light flowing from the room and a shadow walking across it. My stomach started to really hurt now. I tried to walk up the stairs with ease thinking that there has to be a creak in them somewhere or another or either on of the boards would give out. But thankfully I made it to the top with no problem at all. I tiptoed over to the room that the light was coming from, the door was cracked open just enough for me to see what or who was inside. When I peaked through the crack I saw a tall young man , a little bit taller than me, leaning over a girl about maybe sixteen. The girl looked as if she had been knocked out unconscious by the looks of the bruise on the side of her head. I couldn't se the boy's face because his shoulder length hair dangled before his face. He lowered his face towards the opening of her neck and opened his mouth revealing long sharp canine teeth. He bit down hard on her neck gushing out blood everywhere. He didn't stop until he heard my foot slip which put me lying on my stomach on the musty floor. I raised myself quickly and looked back through the whole only to stare into deep green eyes that stared back deep into mine. I couldn't help but keep staring at him he looked so young and exotic. It was like there was force that kept me from looking away. I finally came to my senses and found the urge to look away. As soon as I looked back he was gone, all I saw was the girl's lifeless body just lying there on the floor. I slowly backed away from the door and hit something. I turned around and there standing in front of me was the boy staring deep into my blue eyes again. He grasped my arms tightly and pinned me against the wall. He looked at me for a long time with his scary piercing eyes as if he were going to attack me. He slowly loosened his grip and his teeth turned to normal. He backed away knowing that he had done something wrong. He looked as if he were going to talk but he didn't he just stood there staring down at the ground. He lifted his head back up and his eyes weren't green anymore they were a soft shade of blue.
"Go, you mustn't tell anyone about this," he yelled raising an arm and pointing downstairs.
I was so lost that I couldn't even comprehend what he was saying. I just stood there amazed and scared by what I had just saw.
"Go," he yelled even louder.
I started to breathe harder and harder every time he said something.
"That's it," he said very low to himself walking towards me with a steady pace. When he reached me he held out his arms and lifted me up as if I were hurt. He felt warm against my skin and I didn't feel afraid anymore. I felt safe in his arms. He walked downstairs and out the door into the cool breeze. I could feel the goose bumps rising on his skin and his body shiver. He started walking down the street not caring if anyone was watching and seemed to be confident about it too. I looked up at him wondering where he was taking me, I couldn't just let him do whatever he wanted with me I had to say something.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked in a shivering voice that almost didn't come out.
"Home."
"My home?" I asked nervously.
"Of course where else would I take you."
"I thought you were taking me somewhere so that you could kill me."
"If I wanted to kill you I would have killed you back there."
"You don't know where I live."
He didn't respond he just kept walking. Everything around me started getting blurry and I couldn't hardly make out where we were. I could tell that he'd reached my house when I heard him open a door. Gently he took me upstairs to my room and shut the door. He threw me on my bed and stood still for a while.
"I meant what I said back there," he said with a serious voice.
"What," I asked
"Don't tell anybody about what you saw, or I'll ..I'll.."
"You'll what?"
"I'll have to kill you."
A shock went through me. I started to sweat and I felt like I was going to cry.
He walked to the window and opened it. He put one leg through and stopped.
"Don't tell anyone. Especially not your mom."
Then he was gone, just like that. I got up and looked out the window. He was nowhere to be seen. It's like he just vanished into thin air.


Chapter 1
I woke up to some bushy looking creature sitting on my bed.
"Thank God your finally awake. I've been sitting here all morning." Thankfully it was only Josh.
"Umm. Why?" I asked
"Well. Umm. I was just wondering if you wanted to give me a ride to Alan's house. We're gonna go see some girls at the diner." Ever since Josh got caught racing in the middle of the night he hasn't been able to drive so I've been driving him everywhere lately.
"Ha. Ha. You really think that I would spend my precious time driving you somewhere to do something stupid. I don't think so. And what makes you think that girls would want you any ways. I'm not trying to be mean or anything, it's just that you look terrible. When I woke up I thought a monster was sitting on my bed." In a way I kind of wish that I hadn't have said that, because it did sound kind of mean.
He stared at me with those big blue eyes giving me the puppy dog look. That's my one weakness. The puppy dog look. I hate it, especially when Josh did it. He's always had that innocent look to his face but deep down inside he was a bad boy with a punky attitude. I couldn't resist any longer, he'd won like always.
"Ok, but on one condition." I said. I couldn't just give in like that I had to make it look like I felt sorry for him.
"Uh-Oh. What have I gotten myself into?" He said trying to be funny. He wasn't.
"I'll take you to Alan's house if you let me make you look nice." At first I thought he was Going to say something, but he didn't. "Come on. I can't go out with a grizzly looking creature from the underworld sitting with me in my car. Someone will get suspicious. Heck, they might even call the National Animal Control. Please, please, please, please, please…" I begged.
"all right. As long as you don't make me look girlie." He had a look on his face that I knew. He really thought that I would make him look like a girl.
"Me? You really think that I would make you look like a girl. I mean, come on, look at me. Do I look girlie?" I was serious I didn't dress like a girl. I wear black most of the time, but sometimes I'll add a little color like red or white. Right now I was wearing black boxers with white skulls on them and a red wife beater.
"No. You never do." he replied.
"That's what I thought. So sit in that chair, and let's see what I can do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside the air was cool yet it still felt good. But that feeling went away once I saw my car again. It was a SUV and it did good on gas but, it wasn't that good on looks. It was rusty and needed a new paint job, the interior was slashed with stuffing coming out. Basically it was a soccer mom's worst nightmare. A van would have been better but almost everything that I have is ancient because, it's a hand me down. My mom says that our family goes way back and that one day I will know what she means but, I doubt it.
As soon as I got in Josh had to turn on the radio and blast it loud enough to make your ears pop. "Please turn it down. A lot." I yelled screaming at the top of my lungs. I couldn't do it because his hand was on the knob.
"Why?"
"Are you deaf or something. If it were any louder the radio would break." I yelled back.
"What? I can't hear you. The radio is loud." he yelled pointing to the radio. He reached for the power button and turned the radio off. Finally.
"Why do you always turn it up so loud? It's too loud. I can't even see, it's so loud."
He started moving his hand toward the radio again and before he could touch it I slapped his hand. "Ouch. Why did you do that? Gosh"
"Don't touch my radio again or I will break your finger."
We were close to Alan's house now just about a block away. Alan lived in the richest part of the town where he stays in a three story mansion. He's liked me since the 3rd grade but Josh won't let him touch me because Alan is a little perverted and will do anything to get with a girl. He would probably kill someone if he had to. I had a strong feeling that he would even kill Josh for me. He's always trying to convince me that he is nice but, I've seen the way he acts around girls and I definitely don't want to be treated like that. I mean he's cute, well actually he is hot but he is too… I don't know I just don't like him.
As soon as we pulled into his driveway he came rushing out so fast it was scary. "Hey, Baby. My sweet Jayla." he said coming closer and closer.
"Excuse me. I know you didn't just call me Baby. Eww! You know that I don't like you, so just back away."
"You know you want me for my body." he said putting his hands all over me.
"Hey. Dude, get away from her. Are you blind? She doesn't like you. How many times does she have to say it to get it through your tiny little skull?" Josh said offensively while jumping between me and Alan. That's one of my favorite things about Josh, he's very protective over me. But sometimes it goes a little overboard, like one time there was this really nice boy and he asked me out but then out of nowhere Josh popped into the picture. He beat the guy down in an instant for no reason. Well I didn't know about it if there was a reason. But I was fine with him stopping Alan Because that's what I want him to do. "Jay go home, before I beat my best friend down. Now!" he yelled. I usually listen to Josh when he gets loud because when he does it gets scary. So I listened, and got into my beat up car and pulled out.
This is the first time that something like that has happened. Usually Alan just talks nasty but, this time he was all over me, everywhere. It was kind of scary, because I've never been touched like that before and that wasn't a good touch. He really needs some help really fast or he's going to go psycho on me and I might kill him if he does, trying to protect myself. Oh well it's over now, thankfully.
The sky was starting to get dark even though it was only twelve o'clock noon. Soon after that it started raining. Hard. I was afraid that I was going to wreck or skid. So I slowed down.
The rain was coming down hard pounding against the windshield and it was almost impossible to see. But I did see one thing. Standing on the corner near a stop sign was that boy. The one who brought me home and threatened me. My glaze was stuck on him and I couldn't look away. His eyes were a bright blue and he was soak and wet. He looked hurt because his pants were tore and his leg was bleeding. All of a sudden he vanished again into thin air just like before. Then I felt a bump and heard a scream from behind the car. I was afraid to get out but if I had ran over someone then I had to help them. I opened the car door very slowly and glanced at the back of the car. Nothing was there just a puddle of rain water. I got out and walked in the freezing rain to the end of the car. Still nothing was there. So I started walking to get back in but something caught my eye. I bent down and saw a shoe under the car. That's when I felt dizzy and everything went black.
The room was dark except for the little light coming in through the windows. It was still bright enough that I could see a man on the far wall. He was hurt and bleeding everywhere. There were chains around his ankles and wrists. There was something going through his heart but I couldn't make out what it was because, it was dripping with blood. A voice took my attention away "Jayla" it was a familiar voice but I couldn't place it. Again "Jayla" it said. He, she or even it was getting closer I could feel it. The room started to go black and something was on me, something heavy.
"Jayla. Wake up." I was awake and the voice kept repeating itself. Someone was shaking me hard I guess this person really wanted me to wake up. I saw a crack of light and soon I could see everything. I was still in the middle of the road and it was still raining really hard too. That boy was the one calling my name in my dreams and now he is on top of me shaking me to death. "Good your awake. I thought you were dead. Come on we have to get you home before you get sick. Can you walk?"
"Uhh." I couldn't talk I could only make moans and noises.
"I guess that means no, so this might hurt so please don't scream." He gently lifted me into his arms. Again I felt that sense of security and that nothing could harm me as long as I was with him. He opened the passenger door and placed me into the seat as softly and carefully as possible. He must have thought that I was hurt, but I wasn't, I was perfectly fine. I think. He shut my door and I watched him as he went around the front of the car and got in the driver seat. What does he think he is doing driving my car. I spent a lot of money at least trying to fix it. Well hopefully he won't wreck it. He apparently knew what he was doing because, he took off in a snap. I was trying to figure out how he knew this much about me. I mean he new my name and he knows where I live and I would bet money that he even knows what color underwear I have on.
When we pulled into my driveway he cut the engine off and didn't move for a long time, I couldn't help but wonder if he was breathing. About three minutes passed in complete silence when he decided to get out. He walked to my door and opened it. "Can you walk now?" he asked.
"Umm. I don't know" I guess voice came back.
"Well I'll carry you anyway." he said. He held out his hands and waited for me to take them this time. I kind of had no choice so I grabbed him around his neck and pulled myself into his arms. "Whoa! Why did you do it like that?"
"It was the easiest way." I felt stupid by the way I did it but, at least he didn't complain. I don't know what I was thinking. I don't even know him and plus he said he'd kill me if I told and he looked scary and intimidating, so he probably would with no problem at all.
He ran to the front door on account of the rain being so heavy and cold. I was really getting scared when he looked under the chair on the porch to get the spare house key. How did he know it was under there?
"How did you know that was under there." I asked my voice starting to get a little shaky again.
"Well in a way. It's kind of obvious. I mean who doesn't put there spare key on the porch. And the chair was the closest thing so I looked under it and there it was." liar, he knew it was there. I could tell by the look on his face. He looked kind of nervous, but he surely didn't act it.
My house was as quiet as it was when I first left with Josh, except for the squishing and squashing sound of his boots on the stairs. I closed my eye for a second and when I opened them we were next to my bed. Already? That was to fast. This guy is weird.
Suddenly everything started fading to black. "Imma pass out." I said in a weak voice.
"Oh gosh. You're bleeding." he whispered.

I didn't see it or feel it but i was on my bed in a flash maybe I'm losing my mind or something. He started backing away at a steady pace and he was almost at the door.

"Wait! Don't leave me I need help. What are you doing!?" I yelled at him thinking that he was going to leave me here. If he did leave me here I might die by the way the wound on the back of my head felt. I couldn't see it but it surely felt terrible. I started to get a serious headache and I couldn't help but hold my head, it hurt so much. I felt like I was going to pass out. "Please! No I'm gonna die!"

He hit the wall hard and slowly slid down. What was wrong with him. Can't he see that I'm hurt bad isn't he going to help me.
He put his head between his knees and when he raised his head his eyes were green again and his sharp teeth were back.

"What are you!" I yelled jumping off of the bed. I was so dizzy that i fell and hit the floor hard. I rushed to get up which surely didn't help my head out. I reached the far wall by my window and stood as close to it as possible.
He just stared at me. Then he slowly got up and started walking towards me.

OH MY GOSH! I'm going to die.

His pace got quicker and soon turned into a run he hit me hard with his whole body. His hands were everywhere. He pinned my head to the wall revealing my neck. I tried to push him off but i couldn't move he was so strong and solid. His head got closer to my neck and i felt his cool lips against it. His teeth brushed over my neck raising goose flesh. He was sucking my neck and kissing it too.
I was so terrified but just his lips on my skin made me so light and I felt like I was falling. It was the best feeling I had ever had.
He wouldn't stop and for some reason I didn't want him to. He let go of me but i was still pinned to the wall and he was still kissing me. I ran my fingers through his long luscious hair. He was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.
He moved closer to my mouth and soon we connected and it felt like fire. His tongue was everywhere. It was like we had done this forever. I felt a nip on my lip and he pulled away and stared at my mouth. I tasted that coppery taste of blood and after that it was a blur because he was attacking me again with his mouth.

His hands were soon on my thighs and i felt me feet leave the ground. I rapped my legs around his waist and he carried me over to my bed and laid me down and started feeling my stomach and soon his hand was under my shirt. His hands were freezing but I liked it oddly enough. He kissed me hard and then pulled my shirt up just above my navel and started sucking on it like crazy.

I don't know what was going on but it just wouldn't stop. It was like love. But of course its not i don't even know who he is or anything. He was so, so WOW though. I couldn't let this happen so i fought off the urge to keep going and pushed him with all my might and he sat up. I felt so exposed though my stomach was only showing. I pulled my shirt down quickly and when i looked at him he looked sad like i had upset him. He got off of the bed and walked over to the window climbed out.

Then another stupid thing happened. I got up and walked to the window and there he was lying on the roof looking up at the stars. I climbed through also and went and sat beside him.

"Aren't they amazing?" he said quietly. I had no idea what he was talking about.
"What?"
"The stars. Aren't they a mystery to you?"
"Umm. I don't know I never really took the time to wonder about the stars." I replied with a confused look.
"You should. I do it just to take my mind off things. Like when I'm mad or something. I'll just go look at the stars and wonder." he said still in a quiet voice.