She packed carefully that night trying not to alert her parents that anything was wrong. They were the kind of parents that enjoyed probing to the point of driving everyone away.  Just with this fact she knew that there could be no suspicion on their part as she prepared to fade away from them leaving no trace but her room.

Her room… was it even her room anymore. She looked at the mismatched shades of black and blue that was her “life”. No wonder she had always felt alone… Loneliness she could write a novel on her observations of her peers, but she paid for it having no friends. Her life was full of nothing, she was just a body in the day, sitting in classroom corners and hoping that no one would talk to her, but at night…. she smiled. ‘I’ll be forgotten in a week,’ she thought stuffing an extra shirt into her backpack, ‘ I’ll just fade away like a memory.’ There was nothing left for her here anyway. She had never fit in so what was her incentive to stay? Nothing she couldn’t find somewhere else.

She carefully picked her “run-away” outfit without much thought besides all black and a strong pair of shoes. Her backpack was now filled as she put it beside her door before going to the computer one last time. Maybe she would a suicide note or something dramatic.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Her backpack was thrown against her back hard. The secret leaving of her home was blown as more items shattered around her. Someone had heard her dress in the night and alerted her loving parents whom now stood screaming at her. Younger siblings began to wake with the noise. She got up and turned glaring at them all. This would NOT be another show of strength by her parents, and she would NOT let them stop her.

“ YOUR NOT LEAVING THIS HOUSE IF I HAVE TO LOCK YOU UP,” screamed her father coming closer.

“ You’re not stopping me father,” her calming voice stopped the intense looks she was getting. “ I have to go now. Let me leave in peace or I’ll never come back.”

“ YOU’RE NOT LEAVING,” he screamed now an inch from her face. She could smell the scent of old food and stale beer on his breath.

She grinned challenging him. “ Dad you can’t stop me.. its destiny.”

Grabbing her long hair he shoved her in the direction of the stairway. Her little brother now awake ran in front of her in a protective fashion. “ You’re hurting her. Dad, stop it now!”

“ You don’t know what’s going on dear. Get out of your father’s way. She’s been a very bad daughter and she needs to be punished,” said her mother grabbing at him and pulling him from his spot. He got loose and remained in front of his sister.

She turned him around slowly seeing the anger in her father’s eyes. She kneeled whispering her words slowly and with as much control as she could. “ Josh, I have to go away now.”

He wrapped his eight-year-old arms around her neck. ‘ Ok maybe there was one reason why she should stay,’ she thought hearing his quiet sobs begin.

“ Look it’s gonna be ok, but this is something I have to do. There is no going around it and if I stay I’m putting everyone else in danger.”

“ Then take me with you,” he said as her eyes met her father’s. Why he was allowing this she would never know, but he did so with glazed eyes.

“ I can’t Josh. I could never look at myself in the mirror again if anything happened to you.”

“ But when… when will I see you again.”

“ I don’t know, but you know a part of me will always be with you. I wrote you a letter. It’s under my bed along with all my notebooks, journal, and all my pictures. Please, look though them draw strength from them and most of all don’t let anyone else have them.”

“ So you’re just leaving us, just like that.”

“ You know I wouldn’t if I didn’t have to. You KNOW that, Josh. I love you, but I have to leave for awhile ok. You can’t come and you can’t come looking for me. Do you understand?”

“ Yes,” he said pulling away and wiping his tears.

“ Good, now I have one last thing to say to you my young brother.”

“Yea.”

“ I’ll never forget you, and you might not see me but I’m there somewhere..” She sighed. “ Oh Hell. I’ll just say it! I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but no matter how many times our “loving parents” tell you that you’re a failure know that I’ll be watching and that I’ll always believe in you.”

“ I love you sissy!” he exclaimed.

“ I love too. Now go sleep in my room tonight”

She had to literally pull him off of her neck before pushing him into the direction of her room.

She glared at her father and mother who now came to life. “Now! DADDY, I LOVE YOU and all, but I must be going.” With a little bow she made for the door.

“ NOW…. NOW YOU WAIT RIGHT THERE! YOUR….NOT…..LEAVING!!!,” he said grabbing her this time by the (done at midnight 2004) her collar.

“ You will VEX me no more,” she said sinking her nails into his hand forcing her release. Running for the door she raced into the open air and out of the lives of her biological family.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

She walked on and on not knowing where to go just that she had to keep moving. Putting her limbs in autopilot she walked wondering if her brother would be ok. She saw a lot of poetical in him. Compared to the two other sisters she had, he was a prodigy.

She forgot those thoughts now snapping back to reality with a start. Something was howling violently into the night and her gut told her it all had to do with her. Frozen to her spot she could do nothing but stare hoping that she was wrong. Soon more voices joined the others, a grad cacophony of animals sounded in the air. Eyes were watching her now she could feel them staring holes through her. Probably just trying to figure out the best way to scare her into a trap. She kept walking then, trying her best to mask her instinct….  What else could she do?

Although, this time she thought to double her pace to a jog and kept a sharp eye open for whatever it was that was following her, its presence did not leave. Suddenly, thuds of padded feet thundered behind her howling all the way. Frustration was setting in since she had yet to see her attackers, her energy leaving her as she ran to nowhere. There was no reason to run. Another round of howls went up pushing the thoughts of quitting out of her head.

Tripping on a branch she had to rest. Her chest heaved air in and out as she waited for whatever it was to take her. Rational thoughts pushed her way into her mind… what the hell was chasing her! Another howl went up…. Well, that was it in her mind, if they wanted her they would have to do so with her clawing and screaming till death. She got up and faced the darkness that was now oddly silent. Turning she did not like the feeling from the deep shadows, she did not like the fact that she could not see what was within them. Around and around her mind went till the howls were blocked out with thoughts of her own. Quieting them down she found that there was no more howls, nor sounds of her attackers…..

The silence was deafening as her heart raced, about ready to jump out of her chest. Tension was thick all around as a figure slowly emerged from the shadows. Hunched over and walking on four legs it was huge, far too big to be a dog. Yet so canine like she was confused. With confidence more of them came surrounding her taking the lead of the first who was now only a few yards away. She was completely afraid, being completely unarmed, she felt like her parents screwed her over somehow.  The circle was closing in and every step she swore more and more that these creatures where some kind of wolf. Different shades textures and sizes of them met her as she turned around and around. Finally the lead wolf of a dark shade of brown, stopped within a small bound from her. The rest of them did the same sitting as if waiting for something. Its yellow eyes stared right through her catching her breath as it sent up another howl. The sound was deafening as the vibrated with the different pitches, putting her hands over her ears it brought her to the ground her eyes closed.

Finally they stopped letting her open her eyes she was now face to face with the alpha of the pack. Everything she remembered about dogs slipped from her mind, all she could was stare with the same intensity as the dog. A dizzy feeling passed over her making her feel like she was going to be sick, but that would have brought a quick end. Her heart was pumping at its max, hoping that the next beat would no be its last. Finally, the feeling passed and the wolf turned its back on her as did the others leaving in the shadows.

“ Your coming with us,” sounded a voice from behind her.

She didn’t even feel the blow; her whole world just went dark.
   
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

She didn’t even have to open her eyes to conciseness to feel the large amount of pain in the back of her head. She didn’t want to open her eyes at all for fear of what might happen. She much rather lie in the soft bed that she found herself in.

“ I know your awake,” whispered that oh so familiar voice. “ Please get up to met yourself.”

Rolling her face toward the voice. She opened her eyes slowly to the blur that met her. Throbbing pain took a hold of her head and she tried to rise to get a better look at the room. There were no walls, no floor, and no door. Were these items should have been was the night sky. The walls literally looked like the sky itself was watching her in the large gold colored bed where she now lie. The old man was no where in sight leaving her feeling alone. Where in the hell was she?

The void felt no smaller as her question seemed to answer itself. A hole formed in the “ sky” that was soon plugged up by a large mirror rimmed in the same color as the bed.

“ Look.” Was the only word of direction that the old man gave her? “ See the lies you dreams gave you.”

Every muscle in her body begged her not to move as she dangled her feet over the side of the bed. The sky that covered the floor looked to go on forever making her wonder if that was really the case. Quickly she took one of the large pillows from the bed and dropped it. A soft thud came from it hit something solid making her feel a little better about leaping onto a bottomless looking sky. The old man must have some great skill of illusion to pull off something so simple yet beautiful.

Gathering up a little courage she hopped off the bed making contact with a cold smooth surface that must have been the floor. Picking up the pillow she tossed back  onto the bed and walked over to the mirror as directed. Its reflect surface was cool and calming as she looked at herself in it. Someone had changed her clothes to something close to a nightgown. As with the rest of the room it was in a light gold color that touched the odd floor. Other than that she looked horrible. Her hair was dirty and in a desperate need of brushing. Flecks of dirt and blood where on her face making her smile with the insanity that this night had brought. Absentmindedly she played with the ring that was around her finger. Taking it off she looked at it taking in the details in the light silver, with small stones of ruby and onyx covering it. Sighing she looked back at herself feeling loveless and forgotten trying to figure this object out.

Snapping out of it she looked back to the mirror, the mirror itself was almost hypnotic. Staring at the cool glass she barely could contain herself from laughing. Picking a large leaf from her hair she scanned couldn’t get over her reflection. There was something about it that made her look different something she couldn’t put her finger on.

Looking closer at the mirror she found that the deep gold and carefully carved frame fascinated her to no end. Primitive figures of people and animals at war covered it along with characters that she had never seen before. Various arms, legs and wings that littered it seeming to center around the very top of the frame.

She gasped realizing where this must have been from.. this scene was none other than the very field that she was to protect. Checking again she was completely sure after seeing the formation of rocks and burning grasses of her dreams. How could this battle have taken place? Going around again she ended her search at the top of the mirror where words were lightly scratched in.

“ The soul never truly dies,” it exclaimed to her as she stared.

“ The mirror speaks one truth.”

She jumped back completely afraid of the figure she now saw in the mirror. This time it was not her reflection but that of another person.

“ But your dreams tell you lies, and your heart, it betrays everyone,” said the female figure. She was well-spoken that much could be seen just by looking at the way she stood, which was weird to say the least since the figure looked worse than her. Ripped clothes a blood and grime covering them both they were equal, and in that she felt an old connection.

“ I know this is weird but there isn’t much time and you must hear these words to set your path straight,” she flicked her reddish brown hair behind her.

“ The visions that were to start your awakening were a lie. The guide is haunting you, the phoenix is dead and the field is burning. The time that was shown to you is the past.”

“ The three races.. us, the vampires, and the werewolves are broken. There is nothing between us, no honor, no order, and no haven,” her green eyes flashed as she spoke of enemies and conditions. “ Our people no longer care for quality of life or rights they simply want order and to live. Our race is growing tired of being hunted, and there are some that are now giving up to slavery. It doesn’t have to be this way, and you are probably the only one that can change our fate.”

“ The whole reason you’re here is because your mortal body has been bitten. You can feel it can’t you the place where the vampire is biting your neck. The sight where the wolf is digging into your thigh.”
She looked away from the mirror with a newfound wave of pain. Her neck and thigh ached just as the creature said. Gently she put her hand to neck and pulling it away to discover her own blood covering her hand. Eyes almost snapping to her pained thigh she saw that the result was the same. Crimson contrasted the ivory of the gown making her groan with the horrid pain that went with it.

The figure jumped away from the mirror as if something was coming closer. White wings meet her eyes as the figure did so.  Something had scared the mirror girl, something that she couldn’t see. The figure’s head was still turned she spoke on, “ I know this doesn’t make much sense. I know your afraid, but heed my words…..especially these, leave the ring that is on your finger here. It will lead to nothing be pain for you. Like I said the Phoenix is dead and there would be a good chance he would do nothing but haunt you keeping it. He can seem real, seem solid, he can make you feel like you touching him, but know that he is not real.”

This time there was a audible crash, but the figure ignored it to face her again.“ Take what you like in this room, all of it was made for you the new leader of your people, for my time has come. Find my brother the Raven and take care of him. NOW GO!! Don’t linger here go back to the living and save what I could not!”

Other figures rushed across the room in every direction dragging the figure with them. Their screams of, “ Their coming” seemed to have little affect on her fighting to stay within the mirror. Struggling all the way she shouted her words to be heard over the noise. “ There is nothing I can do to make you understand what is happening or what will happen before this night is up, but you need to trust me. Trust that this message will reach you, and trust that everything has a plan.” With that the colors of the faded swirled and she was left with nothing but her reflection. Holding her own gaze she was stunned. Frozen in that moment she only moved when she noticed out of the corner of her eye that something new was waiting for her on the bed.

Slowly she turned and picked of some of the clothes that lie in front of her. They were not horribly elaborate nor where they heavy and she put them on she noticed a change within herself. She no longer felt beaten but confident and strong. Where she bled barely flowed so she ignored it for now. Turning toward the mirror she barely recognized herself. Black leather pants and a leather tank top were accented by the broadsword that now weighted lightly against her hip. Silver chains of various sizes hung below it matching the silver hole in her army-like leather boots. Everything fit perfectly and everything was leather. Everything right down to the bra and open fingered gloves that creeped all the way up to her elbow. Odd as it was it wasn’t confining in the least but she could say that it was really lose fitting either. It was like everything there was made solely for her.

Looking herself over again she looked to the bed for the final piece. A long coat of deep red leather waited for her. She held it up looking too over carefully. Before trying it on she thought it over, but quickly tossed it on thinking herself foolish. The lighting in the room suddenly became brighter giving her a better look at what she had become. She no loner looked innocent but quite dangerous as soon as the red coat touched her shoulders. Smiling she couldn’t take her eyes off herself as pinched herself just to make sure that this wasn’t a dream….but wait it was a dream. She laughed at her gittyness, which sent a wave of pain through the bump on the back of her head. Dizzy from it she put a hand on the mirror to steady herself. Cool to the touch she regained her balance and looked to the mirror again.

Meeting herself eye to eye she almost screamed. Her face was not her own or at least not fully. Her green eyes remained with little change besides the elongated pupil that now resided there. Her face was still human like but new stripes of black covered her cheeks and foreheads, giving her an almost tattooed look about her. Her mouth that was hanging wide open was filled with new sharper looking teeth, complete with a set of canines that looked especially threatening. Then there were the wings. Huge gold wings that were folded so she could just make out their golden outline. Reaching behind her to feel its feathers she noticed her fingers. They were longer with wicked looked nails at the end. As a whole she wasn’t really human, but she wasn’t a tiger either, at least not fully. Did her dreams of shifting into her true self finally come……..