The Ones Who were Chosen

The girl glanced round nervously; wondering that someone was following her. Like a fox leaving a trail for hounds that were near. Nowhere was she feel truly safe, because of what she was.

Her pure white hair lifted as she turned and continued to run. Her matching white dress trailed after her in a ghostly fashion as her bare feet slapped with every step upon the pavement. Always she was searching around her for signs of danger, warnings that her pursuers were nearby. Her grey eyes never rested.

She would run until she found somewhere to hide. Then run again, before she stayed too long in one place and risked being caught.

As was her life. Because of what she was.

The woman slammed the door. Hoisting the strap of her handbag up her shoulder she stormed away down the stairs.

From inside the apartment silence ensued. Lucas aged nineteen stood just inside staring at the closed door. There were sudden hurried footsteps approaching from behind. His brother Reuben burst into the room, two years younger. Similar in appearance to his brother, with the same jet black hair swept back and pretty blue eyes. They were both very handsome.

'What is it? What's happened?'

'She's gone' Lucas replied calmly.

'What, again?'

'Yeah.'

Lucas fidgeted on the spot, sticking his hands into his pockets, shoulders slumped.

'What set her off this time?'

'Just the usual' Lucas replied '...nothing.'

His tone was weary.

'Well...what do we do now?' Reuben asked

There was a pause.

'Lucas?'

Lucas looked back at his brother with a devilish glint in his eye.

'I say we make some fun.'

Drake leant forwards on the desk with a huff, listening to the teacher drone on and on about something he had long since lost interest in. It was chemistry, a subject he usually enjoyed, however lately it had become more and more tedious for him. Now the lessons just dragged.

Drake was an ambitious adolescent nearing twenty, soon to leave the comfortable routine that college offered him. He looked forward to this, and his dreams were big. But nothing his teachers or his career advisors offered him was appealing, and he had yet to find something he wished to pursue. For he had skills that others hadn't, skills he wished to use. If only he knew where.

Drake watched the teacher moving his lips and walking back and forth before the class, waving his arms around as he talked as he always did. Drake found himself wondering then, if he tied the man's arms to his side, would he still be able to talk? His eyes drifted out of focus, as did his thoughts. He snapped back seconds later when the teacher suddenly raised his voice in enthusiasm about a particular point he was making. His lecturer was a fat balding man with glasses, friendly enough, if not a little annoying at times. The other students seemed to be paying more attention; they had their books and pencil cases out and about their desks. The exams were not far off, and most were listening eagerly, save for two girls who were whispering and passing notes.

Drake sighed again, beginning to fiddle with the studs and chains on his leather bracelet. He then checked himself in the reflection in the window beside him, flicking back his light brown hair and admiring his own handsome features. He sighed again, before returning to the doodling in his book. Naturally good at art though not interested in taking it on as a subject, now he added the finishing touches to his picture. A large breasted woman fighting with a sort of giant sea serpent, her hair sweeping dramatically back and spear thrust out at the serpent in mid lunge, its jaws gaping.

'He's up there' Lucas said.

'Are you sure?'

'Positive.'

'How do you even know his timetable?' Reuben asked, climbing up on his brother's shoulders.

'I just know ok' Lucas retorted, rising from his kneeling position to a wobbling stand.

'Stand still' Reuben hissed. 'Get closer to the wall.'

Lucas did so, stumbling as he struggled to keep his brother straight and balanced as he held onto his shins. He gave a cheeky grin through the window they stood before to the classroom inside. Many of the students had noticed them, and more were turning to glance curiously their way.

'Alright up there?' Lucas asked, diverting his attention back to his brother.

'Yeah' his brother called back.

Inside the classroom on the second level, Drake had seemed to have suddenly noticed something drawn on the table. He glanced up at the teacher; then lifted his pencil, contributing to it.

Outside, Reuben fell against the wall, using it to balance himself better.

'Can you see him?' his Lucas asked from below.

Reuben craned his head further.

'Got him.'

Lucas brought out a tiny metal ball from his pocket.

'Here.'

He threw it up to Reuben who caught it swiftly. Reuben held it carefully in one hand as he tapped on the glass lightly.

Drake was distracted from his graffiti by a tapping noise. He glanced around to see the top of someone's head at the bottom of the window, with light blue eyes staring back at him.

He looked forward again. The teacher had his back turned.

Still facing ahead Drake leaned to the side and slowly flicked the latch, pulling the window up by a tiny fraction. Drake silently took the small device Reuben handed him and leant back in his chair, trying his best to look inconspicuous. The teacher was still distracted. Standing on his tiptoes to write on the very top of the white board, book in one hand; pen in the other. Most of the rest of the class were paying attention to the teacher, Drake felt grateful that the whispering girls were distracted too. He quickly wrote a note upon his desk, and then turned his attention to the thing Reuben had handed him.

Drake fingered the device in his hand. It was a curious thing, one of Lucas's own personal creations, for he had many. Many hours Lucas had sat in his room tinkering with toys of scrap metal and his mysterious powers and brilliant mind. And this was the result. A sphere in shape, it had many shallow ridges and grooves running upon it. Drake turned it over. It had what looked like tiny screw heads protruding out from the surface. He tweaked one of these; then sent it rolling across the classroom.

'...and so the hydrogen bonds in water act unusually.'

The ball rolled under the teacher's desk. There was a second's delay, and then it exploded.

The entire class jumped in shock, coughing as the thick purple smoke enveloped the entire front of the classroom. Like a typical smoke bomb, very effective and just as fun as the last one.

By the time the smoke cleared enough for the teacher to realise one of his students were missing, Drake was already long gone.

The lecturer approached the empty chair, and saw the writing on the desk, next to the picture of a man with wings newly added.

Go to work, Go to school, Come home

Obey the law, Pay tax, Eat chips

CCTV

I am free

Running and laughing as they went, Drake raced the brothers out of the grounds of the college, feet pounding on the smooth grass in huge strides. It was far too lovely a day today to be trapped inside. Outside the gates of the college the streets of the town were busy, and people turned their heads as the three sprinted past them. Taking the shortest route from the college they cut across the streets, leaping over railing and darting across traffic causing strife as they went. The three were able to cover huge distances within mere minutes. Jumping impossibly high jumps rolling and running they carried on. They knew the streets well, had been born here, raised here.

It was their home.

They reached the edges of the town, where the buildings became fewer and more spread out. Now there were mostly just homes and a few corner shops. But they kept going.

About half a mile or so beyond the homes and past an industrial estate, was an abandoned building. It had been empty for many years now, and was secured by a chain link fence that ran all the way round. This used to be an old hotel, but the owners had run out of money and the building was never finished. It was just a structure of brick and stone now, the only part of the building that seemed in any sense recognisable as a hotel was the reception at the front. There was a faded red carpet on a finished floor and a half-oval desk in the middle, with little else within the smooth walls.

There was the smallest gap in the fence outside. Lucas glanced about them cautiously as he pulled back the chain links, making the hole big enough to crawl through. Reuben went in first, scrabbling through the dirt as he squeezed through the gap. Drake followed next, holding back the fence for Lucas to follow after him.

The building was the perfect place for what they planned to use it for, however it was dangerous. Drug dealers and criminal gangs often chose this as their favourite spot, and very occasionally the homeless. Though they stayed no longer than they had to, and only if it was quiet. It was said by some that people had been killed here, and it was said by others that there were bodies hidden in the area. Lucas had scoffed at this, dismissing it as nothing more than an urban legend. The hotel was well known of, and people liked to fabricate all kinds of crazy fairy-tales about it, including those that said it was haunted. It was rarely visited by ordinary people. However, the three that entered it now, were far from ordinary.

'Check the area' Lucas whispered to the others as they drew closer, quietening their footsteps. 'I'll go in first, you two scan around the building, and be careful of the windows. Someone may be looking out.'

Reuben and Drake nodded seriously. The three had visited this place often, yet it had become no safer for them. On one occasion several months back, Lucas had rounded a corner within the hotel and been jumped. The man that attacked had seriously injured Lucas, catching him by surprise. Had his brother not been there, Lucas would likely have been killed.

It took only minutes to search though every room, and once the three had determined the building was truly empty, they relaxed slightly.

It was filthy here, the typical used needles and fag ends lay about in many of the rooms amongst other rubbish, even the occasional empty bullet cartridge could be found. The three made their way up to one of the higher levels and situated themselves in the largest room they could find, the one they were most used to. It was cleaner than the others, being brighter and more open. The sun in the sky was in the correct position to give them plenty of light while they worked. The floors were mere concrete and the edges of the open windows were sharp with brick and cement. It was chilly here, most of the building shut out the heat from the sun, yet the open windows and doorways let in the wind. Its howling could be heard throughout.

'Are you ready?' Reuben asked Drake.

'Sure am.'

Lucas situated himself in the usual position by the window and gazed outwards, scanning the environment.

The two took their positions on opposite ends of the room and readied themselves.

'Do you want to go first?' Reuben asked.

Drake cracked his knuckles eagerly in anticipation, sneering at Reuben smugly. He stepped back, making a flourishing movement with his hand. A dark light fell around him.

Magic.

He became shrouded in a dark purple shadow. Long metallic poles of dark metal criss-crossed before him forming a sort of barrier. These metallic things were blunt at one end, and pointed at the other, their sharp ends jutted backwards in a sort of cruel angular hook. They levitated in the air around him, hovering up and down gently.

A flicker of a grin crossed Reuben's face. He thought; then cast his own hand out.

From the ground at his feet lifted great vines, like the wide stems of huge deformed brambles, they twisted and curved in unnatural ways. They very slowly grew towards Drake, curling round themselves and twisting back they writhed, like their own existence caused them pain. They lifted up; touching the barrier Drake had created. Their contact created a series of flashing lights, a zapping sound, like an electrical current.

Lucas meandered around the pair and into the other room.

The vines drew back suddenly as if they had been struck. Calmly they crept forwards again. They were freakish; their relaxed persistent demeanour was almost frightening.

Lucas returned to the room and resumed his stance by the window again.

The metallic stakes lifted higher in the air, lowered again. They shot suddenly straight towards the vines, spinning so fast in the air that they became blurs. Screeching a high pitched sound so horrific it curdled the blood. The vines were struck, and faded out of existence with nothing more than a sigh.

Reuben stared coolly back at Drake, and summoned his next spell.

Lauralie was sitting cross-legged on the college grounds reading. She was learning about Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. She found psychology to be a very interesting subject, and one she was very good at. Lauralie was a very pretty girl, born with natural beauty. She had thick wavy ginger hair tied into pigtails, a rounded face, blue eyes and luscious lips. She dressed tastefully, yet modestly. But no matter what she wore, she always drew attention, from both genders.

It was an all around pleasant day, and the grass she sat on was dry and comfortable. The only distraction now being the small group not far away from her playing Frisbee and water pistol, a girl screamed as she was sprayed with water by her boyfriend. She stormed over and hit him on the shoulder when he complained he didn't do it.

Lauralie turned the page, trying her best to ignore their racket. Her friends were in their classes now, some had gone home; she had decided to stay here. College was a place she really liked, her secondary school had been a bad experience, but here people were nice.

She closed the book as she heard a throng of people jostling out of the buildings. Lessons had ended now, and the more eager ones ran out of the grounds, some jumping on skateboards. Lauralie slung her bag over her shoulder and joined the people as the majority walked calmly towards the gates.

From behind her someone watched; a male character dressed in black and startling red. His leather trousers were red, falling over pointed leather boots that had a slight heel. The rest of him was dressed in leather, and he had black hair spiked forwards. He had a slim angular face of perfect proportion and an appearance that would make most girls swoon. Everything about him screamed confidence and a large ego.

He stalked up behind her.

'Oh my goodness!' Lauralie jumped.

'Hey there.'

'Jacob! You scared the life out of me.'

She took steady breaths to calm her speeding heart while Jacob took up a pose before her, hands on hips.

'Well that was not my intention of course.' He flashed her his most charming smile.

She frowned at him.

'Say' he began casually. 'How do you feel about going out to see a film tonight?'

'With you?' Lauralie asked dubiously.

'Uh, yeah?'

'Sorry, I'm busy.'

'You said that last time.'

'And I'll say it next time.'

She walked past him. He rushed after her, falling into step by her side, walking with his hands in his pockets.

'You might enjoy yourself' he said.

'I might not.'

'You won't know until you try.'

'I suppose you're right.'

'So you'll come with me?'

'No.'

He sighed and made a noise of irritation.

'I have to go now' Lauralie said picking up her pace.

'Where are you going?' he asked looking suddenly and unnecessarily alarmed.

'Nowhere in particular.' She waved him away. 'I'll see you tomorrow' she beamed teasingly.

'I'll keep trying' he called after her slowing to a stop. He slumped his shoulders in disappointment, unable to think of any other reason he had to follow her, and cursing himself for it.

'Good luck!' she called back merrily, turning from him and jogging away.

A seeping mass of gold light grew out of thin air, growing brighter. It was so bright that Drake was forced to shield his eyes. It shot towards Drake, rolling like waves in the ocean and completely shattering the defence Drake had created. The light fell.

'Alright' Drake soothed, 'I guess its hand to hand then.'

'I guess it is' Reuben smiled back.

Drake walked forwards, arms open, almost in a welcoming manner. Reuben curled his fists ready to strike.

'Hold it!' Lucas suddenly hissed.

The fire in Reuben's palms went out.

'What is it?' he asked nervously.

Lucas craned his neck. He spied a figure a distance away entering the grounds. She pulled back a section of the fence and clambered through.

Reuben and Drake came to the window.

'It's Lauralie' Drake said as he recognised her.

'Dammit' Lucas hissed, 'I told her not to come here. Doesn't she know it's dangerous?'

'She must have known we'd be here' Reuben said.

'No' Lucas retorted, 'she's guessing. She has no idea whether or not we would be here today. How many times does she come here when we're not?'

Drake slunk away from the window, sighing with disappointment that their games had been interrupted. 'I guess we'd better go meet her.'

They descended the stairs, meeting her at the reception as she was entering the building.

'I knew I'd find you here!' she cried triumphantly at the sight of them.

'No you didn't' Lucas droned, arms crossed. The three stopped before her. 'What the hell are you doing here Lauralie?' Lucas asked her impatiently.

Lauralie made a pouting face at him.

'There's no need to be like that' she huffed, 'I came down all this way to see you all.'

'Don't you know it's dangerous here?'

'Don't you?'

Lucas dismissed this with a wave.

'What are you doing here anyway?' she asked them all. 'You know I'm beginning to get suspicious, all this sneaking around. It's like you're holding a secret meeting or something. What's really going on?'

'Mind your own business' Lucas spat.

She stuck her tongue out and turned her back on him, speaking to the others like he no longer mattered.

'So do you wanna hang out or what?'

'Sure' Drake smiled at her. 'Come on, let's get out of here before a gang shows up and tries to kill us all.'

'Oh don't' she whined swatting at him. 'You know I hate it when you scare me like that.'

'It's true' Reuben added standing to her other side. 'In fact just last week, we saw a dead hobo.'

'Now you're making fun of me' Lauralie frowned in irritation.

Drake took her by the arm and led her away. Reuben shrugged at his brother as Lucas gave him a sceptical look.

'Come on, let's go, I suppose we've had enough fun for one day anyway' Reuben said.

'We barely even started' Lucas tutted. 'Ever since she found out we come here she's always trying to find us. It's annoying. Why doesn't she just go home?'

'Shhh' Reuben hissed. 'Don't say that, she might hear you.'

Lucas gave his brother a bored look, but said nothing.

'We're not the only ones who don't always want to go home' Reuben told him in a whisper.

'Why doesn't she hang out with her own friends?' Lucas complained.

'Who knows? Maybe she's attracted to us.'

Lucas groaned at his brother's idiot response as he walked away. Reuben smirked, and jogged to catch up with him.

'Do you think we can come back here tomorrow?'

'Probably' Lucas replied. 'We'll have to skip college again to avoid Lauralie though.'

Jacob knelt in the grass examining the strange markings in the dirt. The busy footpath of the park could be seen not too far away from where he was. There were mostly students in sight, taking a short cut home like he had been. But something had drawn him from the path and to this secluded spot. Everything had seemed normal on this day, except for what Jacob was about to find.

He moved past the strange marking that looked like scuff marks from a boot, and further into the bushes. Jacob pushed back a pile of fallen leaves that looked like they had been deliberately collected together to hide something. He ran his fingers along the earth as he noticed something that glinted. Jacob brushed the dirt away with the back of his hand, gripping the object protruding from the vegetation he lifted it up, marvelling at it.

It seemed to be a staff of some kind. It was short and silver in colour, with wings that curved around a sort of dome at its head.

'What the hell...is this?'

He turned it over. It was engraved with an inscription which ran along its side.

Where I fight I live

'What the hell is that supposed to mean?'

Jacob turned it over to examine it again, when a sudden and sinister voice caught him off-guard.

'I see you've found my weapon.'

Jacob spun round in alarm; startled that he had been snuck up on like that, so engrossed he had been in his find.

He hesitated. His heart began to pace as he drew a deep breath. The man that stood before him was unlike any he had seen before. A normal human, but dressed in the most peculiar fashion.

He was dressed only in three long strips of cloth. One yellow, one orange and one red. They wound over his whole body, tied in knots here and there. The ends trailed loosely from his arms and knees. His eyes were both milky white.

'Who are you?'

'Who am I you ask?' the stranger replied.

He stepped towards Jacob, brushing back strands of hair delicately with a nail. They were six inches long and coloured a deep dark purple. From beneath his black fringe Jacob saw that there was an unusual sort of metallic plate that ran across the stranger's forehead, like a sort of bandana. From one side of the plate hanging down in three separate chains were a line of metallic stars.

The stranger moved closer, uncomfortably so. But shock and uncertainty had frozen Jacob to the spot. The man brushed Jacob's cheek with a nail, caressing him almost lovingly. Like a mother would to her son. Jacob felt a twinge in his stomach, a feeling of unease, was he safe here?

'War brings out my spirit' the stranger said. 'It's who I really am. It is who you will become.'

He smiled, but Jacob could read nothing into it. Was it kind? Was it cruel?

'My name is Venom. I have been watching you closely for many weeks now, and I think you are the one.'

'The one?' Jacob stammered, breaking his silence. He snapped back to himself, slapping the strangers hand away and stepping back.

'Don't touch me.'

Venom faltered for a moment, then regained his original demeanour. He smiled again, this time almost seductively.

'My dear boy, I bestow upon you a great gift. I think you will like it. You will see.'

Venom moved closer again. He embraced Jacob like a brother, holding him close.

'Now your eyes will truly be open.'

Jacob felt a surge of energy shooting through his body like an electric shock. He was enveloped in a great pain that ceased as fast as it had begun. His body felt alive, powerful, he felt liberation. Jacob suddenly saw an image then, a world he had never known. It was vast, with miles and miles of open plains and woodland, and near the coast was a great city made of stone. And at its heart, a mighty palace.

Jacob let out a gasp, stumbling back and away from Venom as he was released.

'I' Venom spoke, 'am a guardian, and I pass my powers onto you now.'

Jacob collapsed, weak and shaking.

'Farewell' the man said to him turning away. 'We will not meet again.'

'...but now I can't say anything because I'm not supposed to know. Honestly as much as I love her she can be a royal pain in the ass.'

'What is it with you girls?' Drake said to Lauralie in a disapproving tone.

'Oh come on' Lauralie winked cheekily at him. 'You've got your interests too. It's not easy being a girl, it's more political than you realise.'

'Mmmhmm' Drake replied.

It was getting late now. The warm summer's breeze had cooled and the sky was now darkening as the sun dipped just below the horizon. The town was winding down, and as they entered the culdasack they saw more cars parked in the driveways. Most people were at home, resting after a hard day's work or study, now they ate with their families. Simple quiet folk when they were at home, but out, like everyone else, life for them was hectic.

'Here's your house' Drake pointed.

Lauralie heisted, staring up at the modern white building, with its neat edges and tidy garden, it looked so tranquil.

'Thanks' she said quietly to Drake.

'We couldn't possibly leave you to walk alone in the dark.'

'I'm not afraid of the dark' she said smiling lightly. She glimpsed the brothers behind him; they waited now at the end of the drive.

Lucas stood with his arms crossed looking sour; Reuben at ease was tapping his foot. Reuben waved at her when she looked at him, and she waved back.

'Goodnight then' she said giving Drake a quick hug. 'And you'll get home safely yourself won't you? And you guys' she called to the brothers, 'see you in college tomorrow.'

'Ok bye' Lucas replied casually dismissive while Reuben waved jovially.

She nodded to them, turning and walking slowly towards the house. Drake returned to the others when she was inside.

'Get home safely she says' Drake laughed. 'If only she knew. I wonder what she thinks is going to happen to us?'

Reuben slapped him on the shoulder. 'We had better be getting back anyway, exams are coming up after all, don't want to be late to college because someone overslept.'

'Don't give me that' Drake huffed walking with him, 'you spend more time out of college than the rest of us.'

'Not just me. Lucas too.'

'Don't drag me into this.'

'That wasn't much of a defence' Drake said looking sceptically at Lucas. 'Don't pretend that you're not as bad as each other.'

But Lucas wasn't listening, his thoughts were far away.

She's starting to get nosey; it's only a matter of time before she finds out.

Reuben smirked at Drake. 'You know you shouldn't be so lovey with her, your girlfriend may start getting jealous.'

'I'm not lovey!' Drake protested. 'I'm just being friendly.'

'That's how it starts out' Reuben teased. 'For you friendly and flirting are the same thing.'

Drake punched him hard in the shoulder and the two began to wrestle. Lucas ignored them as he continued his casual pace, watching Drake and his brother messing around as they teased each other.

It was lunchtime the next day in college, and Jacob had met up with his friends.

'Hey are you alright?' his friend Josh had asked him.

'Yeah I'm fine' Jacob answered.

'Sure, you look a little pale' his friend persisted.

Jacob gave him a cold hard stare.

'Whatever' Josh shrugged, 'not my problem.'

'Why do you have to always poke your nose into other people's business?' Alex said from across the table, jabbing an accusing finger in Josh's direction. 'Don't you know when to leave it alone?'

'Hey!' Josh argued. 'I said it's not my problem.'

The canteen now was brimming with people getting their lunch and talking loudly. As each person speaking contributed, it sounded as one continuous indistinguishable noise over the clatter of knives and forks. People cued at vending machines, some sat in large groups at the tables, a few on their own trying to revise.

'Have you just come in then?' Alex asked Jacob between slurps from his carton of orange juice.

'Sort of, I've only had one lecture...only half an hour though. Just a revision class. Listen, you wanna go outside?'

'Hold on I've nearly finished!' Josh shovelled the last few forkfuls of chips into the hole in his face. 'Ok, I'm done.'

They passed a small group of giggling girls on the way out, sitting around a table by the wall, some sitting on the table itself to see the others better.

'So what did he say?'

'Well he insisted on meeting me after class.' Lauralie answered her friend hesitantly, 'but I don't think I'll be there.'

'But why not?!' Christina demanded. 'He's totally hot.'

'But he's still with someone' Lauralie replied flatly.

'And? If you play your cards right he might pick you instead of her. Hell if you don't want him...'

'You can have him' Lauralie said over the laughter of her others friends beside her who carried on in their own discussion. 'He's not my type.'

'I don't know what your problem is' Christina replied sulkily. 'Everyone has a type, but not you. You don't like anyone.'

'Hey it's not like that' Lauralie argued. 'I like some people.'

'Really? Who do you like now? And they have to be in this college, they can't be famous.'

'Well...I can't really say' Lauralie blushed.

'Oh yeah?' Christina leaned towards her. 'Name me a single guy you stuck with for more than two months.'

'Ray...'

'Ray?'

'Yeah.'

'How long ago was that?' Christina asked.

'Uuuhhh.'

Christina grabbed her round the shoulders with an arm and shook her.

'Ooohhhh' she teased. 'You're terrible, you'll never change you know that?'

Outside the college, in a home not too far away, was a girl sitting inside, alone on her bed with her shoes on. She was seventeen in age and dressed all in black. Her black hair was cut into a bob, and she wore a short-sleeve black top and a long black skirt. Though pretty she had rather plain features, with large hazel eyes and a little button nose.

The bed in her room was against the wall next to the open window, and on the floor were several large boxes left open and half unpacked. They were filled mostly with old toys she had collected from her younger days. A faded multicolour train, a puppet and a pack of tarot cards worn from regular use was in one of the boxes. In one of the other boxes was a bookshelf dismantled, alongside old books of fairy tales and fantasy, her favourite picture of a meadow, and a bedside lamp made of seashells.

As a breeze lifted suddenly through the window, Ebony leaned on the sill, ignoring the rest of the room.

'Such a big town, she whispered, 'I'm not used to this kind of space.'

She saw a small group outside her house crossing the road. They were talking and laughing with one another. Ebony felt a twinge of jealously, and sadness.

She sighed and leant back, falling against the bed and staring up at the ceiling unmoving for some time. Then when she became uncomfortable, she rolled on her side, staring at the open box that contained her soft toys. Something stood out to her then, one of her favourite toys. It resembled a cat-like creature, with little wings and a long tail. It was something she won in a fare some time in her past, with someone she used to know. The toy carried many happy memories with it, that's why it was one of her favourites.

Ebony rose from the bed and took it. Holding it in her hands she stared at it intently.

'I wonder what's it's like to have some company again' she said.

Then just like that, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, the toy came to life.

First its ears twitched, then its whiskers. And then it sprang into animation, leaping out of her hands and into the air.

'Where am I?' the toy said at it landed on the bed.

'This is my bedroom' Ebony replied with a smile.

'Who are you?'

'I am your creator'

'My creator?'

'Yes.'

'....mother?' the toy asked, cocking its head in the most curious way.

Ebony smiled again. 'Yes, I suppose I could be called your mother.'

The toy turned its head and flew to the window, levitating in the air.

'It's nice outside' it said.

'Anything is nicer than in here.' Ebony huffed, turning away.

'You don't like it in here?' the toy asked returning to her side.

Ebony sighed forlorn and hugged her pillow.

'I'm supposed to like it in here, any normal person would.'

'You mean you're different?'

'I'm not an ordinary person' Ebony continued.

'Are you a guardian?' the toy asked her curiously.

Ebony gave the toy a glance.

Of course it knows what a guardian is; it's absorbed some of my thoughts and intelligence.

'No' Ebony explained, 'I'm something else.' She leaned towards the window again, watching the clouds go by. 'I don't want to be alone. Would you stay with me and keep me company?'

The toy stared at her back, expression never changing.

'I will.'

Downstairs were Ebony's parents by adoption. Ebony had never been told about her real parents, and in the end she had stopped asking.

They were both still unpacking boxes, squabbling amongst themselves about what should go where and which box out of the many stacked up they should unpack next.

Ebony stood halfway down the stairs watching them. After several minutes of not being noticed she spoke.

'When's dinner ready?'

'Don't know' her adopted mother replied without looking up. 'Why don't you go outside and play, get used to this place. I'm sure it's lovely.' She ignored her further as she carried a stack of books across the room and placed them where she wanted.

'But I'm frightened' Ebony told her. 'I'm scared people want to hurt me.'

'Don't be stupid' her adopted father retorted, laughing at the absurdity of it. 'Why would you say a thing like that?'

'Because!' Ebony shouted in frustration.

Neither of them rose to it, which infuriated her even more. No matter what she said to them or how much she screamed, neither seemed to even notice.

'I'm going back to my room' she said, not caring for a reply.

'Could you take that box with you when you go?' her adopted mother asked.

But Ebony had already slammed her bedroom door shut.

'They couldn't see me?' the toy asked her, having followed her down and back to her room.

'No.' Ebony went over to the bed again and collapsed onto it. 'Only those with magic can see you.' She sat up and held her knees, shoes again on the bed, though she didn't care.

'Does that mean they can't see you either?' the toy asked coming to rest on her shoulder.

'It means they barely notice me.'

Ebony gazed out of the window again, like she had done so often already in the short time she had been here in this new home.

'I'm tired of running' she pleaded to the air. 'I just wish someone would save me from this cycle. I wish it so badly...'

Lucas stared at the card his brother had put down, placing his own on top of it.

'Snap' he shot, before Reuben had time to think.

'Dammit' Reuben hissed, balling his fist in annoyance.

'Come on' Lucas said throwing the rest of the cards down. 'We should be getting to our lecture now.'

'Yeah I suppose' Reuben huffed disinterestedly, picking up the cards. 'I'm not really in the mood though.'

'I know.' Lucas rose from the grass, brushing flecks of dirt from his jeans. 'But we can't miss too many classes; the lecturer won't be very pleased.'

'Screw him; he talks a load of rubbish anyway.'

'What are you talking about? You like physics.'

'Only at the best of times' Reuben said, putting the cards back in their box.

He handed Lucas the deck of cards as they made their way off. Reuben slinging the bag up his shoulder began strutting across the field.

'You know I think we should go away after the exams' Reuben started.

'Oh yeah? Where did you have in mind?' Lucas asked keeping in line with him as they walked.

Reuben fell silent.

'You don't know?'

'I just think it would be a nice break from this town' Reuben shrugged.

'I thought you liked this town.'

'I do' Reuben said defensively.

They walked up the steps side by side and entered the building, with its cheap carpeted floors and walls filled with pictures and diagrams that were all contributions from every subject. Science with pictures of atoms and body parts, psychology, ancient history, art, even Latin, one of the many languages offered by the college. There was a balcony with glass walls overlooking the lower level, and automatic doors leading to the other exits which opened as the brothers went past.

The corridors now were fairly busy, some of the classes had just finished and people were milling out of a few of the doors set in a row along the wall.

'Well what is it then?' Lucas questioned his brother.

'It's just...' Reuben struggled for words. 'There must be more out there.'

'Is that it?' Lucas scoffed. 'More than what?'

'More than this, here, what we do.' Reuben indicated everything around them as he spoke. 'Our powers certainly didn't come from around here. Not originally anyway. They must have come from somewhere else.'

'You mean another world?' Lucas offered, not bothering to keep his voice down.

'It's not impossible' Reuben shrugged, uncertain for a moment whether or not his brother would laugh at him. But he didn't.

Someone ahead of them in the corridor lit a cigarette, the match burning brightly.

'I mean since we first changed' Reuben explained, 'it's got me thinking, there must be a lot more out there that we don't know about.'

'You're probably right.'

As they talked they passed a small group hanging around outside one of the classrooms. One of the boys blew a cloud of smoke as they walked on. Then suddenly both brothers felt something. A sharp and sudden pain on their hand, like they had been burned. The brothers turned in unison, staring back down the corridor.

Jacob looked back, frozen as he noticed their stares. He stood as part of a circle with his friends. In his mouth was a burning cigarette, in his hand, a shrivelled black match.

Reuben glanced to his brother as Lucas gave Jacob a calculated expression. He then turned and continued walking, Reuben followed suit.

'There must be more out there than just us and Drake' Lucas went on, as if nothing had happened.

'And more keep appearing' Reuben added.

It was late by the time Jacob left the college after attending a revision class. The college was mostly empty now, and Jacob was one of the last to leave. The lecturer gave him a nod as he made his way gradually out of the computer room. His bag heavy with books made it uncomfortable to carry, and he switched it from one hand to the other often.

The corridors were eerily quiet. It was strange to be in the college and see it so empty, it almost felt unnatural. His footsteps echoed in the deserted building, and he felt a tingle down his spine as he passed the art classes, seeing a model of a young boy with a crow's head outside one of the doors. It seemed nothing but a trivial amusement in the day, now when the place was deserted; it stood out like a freakish shadow all in black.

'Creepy' he whispered to himself, averting his gaze.

He thought he was alone as he exited the building, however just as the automatic doors slid shut behind him, Jacob was stopped short. One of the brothers blocked his path. Lucas, he gave Jacob a cold hard stare.

'We need to talk.'

Jacob was used to that tone, mostly from the girls he dated. He heard movement behind him. Glancing back he saw that it was Reuben. The brothers as always, working together.

'So this is where you live.' Jacob absorbed the surroundings critically.

The apartment was small and modest. The first room they entered was the sitting room, bearing only neutral colours. It opened onto the tiny kitchen and the hallway that led to the rest of the apartment. Glass double doors led out onto a pitiful balcony with dying plants, and below was a filthy alleyway filled with rubbish and bad smells.

'It's nice' Jacob said.

'Don't be sardonic' Lucas droned. 'We didn't bring you here for you courtesies and compliments.'

He dumped his bag on the floor and slumped into one of the large sofas, sinking into it. Reuben trailed away into the kitchen, leaving Jacob standing uncomfortably in the middle of the sitting room.

'Sit' Lucas drawled flatly, and Jacob did so. Descending in one of the armchairs and eyeing the room again from this new perspective.

Everything in the room was designed with a modern feel, and everything was neat and tidy.

'A place for everything and everything in its place' Lucas recited, watching Jacob as his eyes rolled around the room. 'That's how our bitch mother likes to put it.' He immediately put his shoes up onto the clean glass coffee table.

Reuben returned to the room a few minutes later carrying three mugs of tea, frowning at his brother's feet.

'Lucas what are you doing?'

'What I want for a change. Now sit down, I don't want a lecture.'

Reuben sat beside his brother on the sofa. Leaning forwards he slid one of the mugs across the table towards Jacob. Jacob stared at the sloshing liquid uncertainly.

'It's not poisoned if that's what you're thinking' Reuben said, drinking from his own mug. 'It's only tea.'

Jacob picked up the mug, drinking from it tentatively. It was sweeter than he was used to, and still piping hot.

'Why did you bring me here?' he asked putting the mug down.

'Because there is something we need to tell you' Lucas replied reclining back into the sofa.

'Oh yeah?' Jacob swirled the contents of the mug. 'How many sugars did you put in here Reuben?'

'Five.'

'Five!'

'Hey' Reuben shrugged, 'we need the sugar rush; we use a lot of energy. Sorry it's just a habit.'

'Energy? Doing what?' Jacob sighed. 'Or would I rather not know? Anyway what was it you wanted to tell me?'

'Earlier today' Lucas said, 'when you burned yourself on that match, we felt it.'

'Felt it?'

'You're a guardian now' Reuben added. 'That means you're one of us.'

A swirl of emotion rose through Jacob, and he thought back to that strange man he had met in the park. His voice was running through his head.

'I, am a guardian, and I pass my powers onto you now.'

'You've heard of guardians too?' Jacob breathed in awe. 'And I thought I was going crazy.'

'We've not just heard of them' Lucas groaned, as if he was already bored with having to explain. 'We are guardians, we've met other guardians. Not many mind you.'

'Why?'

'Do you think that if guardians were that common you wouldn't have met one before now?' Lucas tutted and turned his head away, tapping his foot on the table. A habit of irritation.

'So what happened?' Reuben took over. 'You've not been a guardian for very long obviously. Where did you get your powers?'

Jacob bowed his head, thinking back to that stranger, who had called himself Venom. How strange he had dressed. How strange he had acted.

'I met someone yesterday' Jacob began. 'I've never seen anyone like him before, like he was from another world.'

Reuben stiffened, glancing to his brother beside him. Lucas wore an expression unreadable.

'You said you felt the match burn me' Jacob hurried on, swiftly changing the subject at the brother's reaction. 'What did you mean by that?'

'Guardians can feel other guardians around them to varying degrees. Their pain...strong emotions...When you burnt yourself holding the match, both Reuben and I felt it in our own hands. Like we were holding the match ourselves.'

'Really?'

Lucas seemed unconcerned as he stirred his tea, chasing the end of the spoon around the mug with a fingertip. 'You said you met a guardian yesterday. Where was this?'

'In the park...near here...' Jacob trailed off, gazing out the window. 'He said he passed his powers onto me.'

Reuben grinned slyly. 'How exciting' he sighed. 'I remember the day I first became a guardian, so does Lucas. Right Lucas?'

'Hmm' his brother replied.

'I remember it like it was yesterday' Reuben said. 'I felt weak suddenly, terribly terribly weak, and then strong, like I had never felt before. It was good.'

'Who were the guardians that gave you your powers?' Jacob asked the brothers.

They faltered at this, glancing to one another. Lucas was the one to answer.

'We are...' he was silent in thought for a few moments. 'Different...' he chose, 'than other guardians. We've asked Drake and other guardians we've met before how they first became, and they all say that they were given their powers by another guardian, those who were older and weaker.'

'Drake is a guardian?' Jacob asked incredulous.

'Don't interrupt. The guardians who pass on their powers tend to be handicapped in some way, ' Lucas went on. 'Something that prevents them from being at their best.'

Jacob thought back to the guardian he had met, and remembered his milky white eyes.

'When a guardian doesn't want to be a guardian anymore' Lucas continued, 'they pass their powers onto another. One they think is worthy, someone who matches their character. Someone they've grown fond of. And then they themselves retire.'

'And what does a guardian do exactly?' Jacob asked the older brother.

'The truth is we don't know' Lucas replied reluctantly. 'We've been guardians for many years now, perhaps ten or so. And we live here and carry on with our lives, occasionally meeting others like us who come and go. Drake is the only one who stayed when others have gone. When we were young, we used to believe there was something great for us out there, something big that would happen, some adventure.'

Lucas lifted both his hands before him, staring down at them. He flexed his fingers slowly, and the air between his hands began to glow. From nothing grew a beautiful blue light. Bright and sparkling, it grew larger and more fabulous the more Lucas teased it. 'Like some kid I believed once that there was more to this life, we both did. But in the end, all it came down to was a child's imagination.' He closed his fists, and the light snapped out of existence. 'We keep our magic secret. If anyone other than a guardian were to see this, it would drive them mad. It's like there's some sort of barrier placed upon normal people. No one notices it as long as it's in the corner of their eye, but if they were to look at it directly...well, put it this way. You wouldn't want it to happen. Trust me.'

Reuben leaned forward, speaking to Jacob now in a whisper. 'Our mother once saw-'

'Shhh!' Lucas hissed. 'That's none of his business. Don't you know when to keep your mouth shut?' He balled his fists, gritting his teeth and glaring at the wall away from his brother.

'How are you different from other guardians then?' Jacob asked hastily, ignoring Reuben's discomfort.

'When other guardians we have met gained their powers from older guardians who willingly gave them their magic, people they spoke to and interacted with, we knew no one.' Reuben glanced at his brother. 'My brother and I received our powers, one shortly after the other. On both occasions it happened in the day, with no warning.' Reuben shook his head. 'But we saw no one, no guardian, nothing. It irks me even to this day, but there is nothing either of us can do to solve that mystery, even back when it first happened. It's not like there was anyone we could have asked.'

'I, am a guardian, and I pass my powers onto you now.'

'How many guardians are there then' Jacob asked them. 'And how come I've never seen them before?'

'Were you not listening?' Lucas said breaking his silence. 'Guardians come and go occasionally though they aren't common, and you've never seen them before because you cannot see magic. Unless you're a guardian. Which you now are.'

'So I can use magic?' Jacob said uncertainly. 'Like you?'

'Like both of us.'

'How?'

Lucas cocked his head, considering Jacob. 'You will know when you are ready. Each guardian has specific abilities, specific magic that they can perform. It will become as natural to you as breathing. Trust me. What was the name of the guardian who gave your powers to you?'

'Venom.'

Lucas nodded. 'A good name. Many new guardians take on the name of the one who gave them their magic, and so the name lives on.'

Jacob was silent in thought, hardly daring to believe what was happening to him. 'God this all seems so surreal' he said, putting down his steaming mug. 'I feel like this is all a dream.'

'Imagine my surprise when I fell from my swing and fire shot from my hands' Reuben said. 'And I didn't even burn.'

Jacob lifted the mug again; the steam was hot against his face as he took another sip.

I, am a guardian, and I pass my powers onto you now.'

'He said I was the one.'

'The one he chose to pass on his powers to.' Lucas spoke as if he had heard this all before. Like old gossip.

'But why choose me?'

'Already been told' Lucas sang.

'He probably picked you because your personality was similar to his' Reuben explained, 'or he liked you for another reason. Maybe you resemble someone he cares about. Whatever the reason he was sure of his choice, if a guardian wants to pass on their powers to another, they want to know the person first. He's probably watched you for days.'

'Look' Lucas leant forward putting his mug down on the table. 'It doesn't really matter why he picked you. What's done is done. You're a guardian now.'

'What powers do I have?' Jacob asked.

'Each guardian has different magic' Reuben told him. 'It's like a signature which defines the individual.'

Jacob hummed thoughtfully, biting his lip.

'You are one of us now' Lucas clarified. 'We guardians should stick together.'

'It's strange' Jacob smiled nervously. 'I've never really spoken to you two before. Never had a reason to.'

'Isn't it funny where life takes you eh?' Lucas said sardonically. 'When I was young I wanted to be an archaeologist. I loved dinosaurs.'

'So...' Jacob digressed as he surveyed the apartment again. 'You live here with your mother I presume. What about your father?'

'To say we live with our mother wouldn't be entirely accurate' Lucas told him. 'She's out so much of the time she barely lives here. We don't know where she goes, when she's coming back, or even what she does for work.'

'Probably whoring' Reuben mumbled.

'In fact I think it's fair to say that we own the place' Lucas continued. 'We certainly spend more time here than she does.'

'And as for a father' Reuben added. 'We've never met him. Don't even who he is or even if we have the same father.'

'So...where's your mother now?'

'Don't know' Lucas dismissed. 'She has these bursts of anger sometimes, and for the thousandth time she's walked out on us. Last time she didn't come back for months.'

'So you're here alone?' Jacob asked.

'Are you worried about us?' Lucas questioned with a smirk.

'No.'

'It's better without her anyway.' Lucas stretched his muscles, yawning and clicking his fingers. 'You should probably be going now. We've told you everything we wanted to tell you. You should go before your family begin to worry where you are.'

Once Jacob was gone, Lucas let out a heavy sigh. 'Reuben' he said. 'I think life is about to change for us very soon.'

'I think you're right.'

Reuben stood and groaned at the room. 'We'd better keep an eye out for her in case she comes back when we don't want her to.'

'That bitch...'

Reuben relaxed his body, watching his brother still seated with his feet on the table.

'You're not going to get yourself hurt again are you?' Reuben asked.

Subconsciously Lucas's hand moved to his left arm. She had broken it many years ago when he was younger, defending Reuben over something he had done wrong.

'We're older now' Lucas answered quietly. 'She can't hurt us anymore.'

Outside in one of the parks within the town, was the most unusual group one could have seen, gathered together around a child's climbing frame. There were four of them, and they paid no heed to any of the people around them, who neither saw them, nor heard them. There was a group of teenagers by the swings drinking and smoking, and the occasional passerby late home from work. It was a typical scene at the park, save for this group.

There was a man, a mother, a daughter and an aberrant.

The hour was waning, and with every passing minute, the stars grew brighter, the evening star taking centre stage.

'It's here' the aberrant rasped in his low harsh voice, he whipped his tail in agitation and flexed his mighty wings 'It's very close now.'

There was a sudden uproar of laugher from the swings as one of the boys attempted and failed to do a handstand on the swing itself. The aberrant jerked his head up, snarling at them and their disruption.

'Do you think the others have found it yet?' the mother asked.

The man twirled a strand of his fiery red hair between his fingers.

'Not yet' he replied, 'we would know if it was found. They still don't know yet where it is. But the problem is, neither do we.'

'I wonder who will reach it first' the daughter voiced, passing a hand over the orb she held before her. The sphere glowed; within it were many beautiful colours, though all of them were dark. 'I fear things will not go well.'

The next day

'Hey check out the new girl.'

Lauralie raised her head at the sound of whispering from her classmates, scanning the room briefly, the new girl didn't take long to spot. Lauralie saw the girl sitting two rows behind from her. She was dressed all in black, with medium length black hair. Lauralie found herself thinking the girl to be very pretty, but immediately decided that she didn't like her at all. The way she sat and postured gave Lauralie the feeling that she was very arrogant. The girl rested her chin on steepled fingers, almost sulkily. Her expression was vacant and her eyes were cold.

Lauralie turned back to her desk.

'What's she like?' the whispered conversation continued nearby.

'I don't know. I heard her name is Rhian. She's not from around here, apparently she just moved in recently.'

Lauralie returned her attention back to her work. A picture she had been drawing in pastel of a woman, floating on a lake in a rowing boat with her child. It was shortly afterwards the bell rang, and people started filing out of class. Lauralie dusted her hands off on her jeans, gathering together her pencils and sketch books.

'I'll see you later Christina' she told her friend.

Christina winked cheekily at her, waving as she danced away. Lauralie left the classroom alone once she had packed up her things, swinging her bag over her shoulder and strolling out into the corridor. It was seconds later another one of her friends caught up with her.

'Hey Lauralie!'

She squeaked in shock as her friend pounced on her, jumping from behind and grabbing her shoulders.

'Why does everyone have to frighten me like that all the time?' Lauralie whined.

'Well' her friend Alice said slyly, clinging to her. 'You're so easily startled, it's hard not to make fun of it. You're like a little lamb.' Alice gleamed, looking much like a cougar standing before its prey.

Lauralie hooked her arm though Alice's as they walked together.

'So where are you heading?' Alice asked. 'Do you have another lecture to go to?'

'No I'm finished now.'

'Great' Alice beamed. 'I'm finished too. Actually I was finished ages ago. I wanted to wait for you because me and the others are going over Kirsty's now. Do you want to come?'

'Sure' Lauralie said perking up.

'Great' Alice said again. 'The others are already there. I told them I would wait for you.'

'I know where her house is' Lauralie laughed.

'Yeah but I wanted to walk with you.'

Lauralie squeezed her friends arm tightly. 'You're so good to me Alice.'

'I know right?'

They walked slowly together, heading out of the college grounds.

'Did you hear the word on the street?' Alice asked.

'What word?'

'The brothers are coming to town!'

'Eh?'

'They're well known street dancers, entertainers' Alice rambled on. 'They've been travelling round together for the last year doing their thing and now they're coming home again. They're going to be putting on a show. I hear they're pretty good at it, though I've never seen them myself.' She cast a sideways glance at Lauralie, grinning happily. 'I've heard they're both pretty handsome.'

'If you haven't seen them before how do you know they're any good?' Lauralie asked.

'My little sister is friends with their little sister. She's told me about them. Anyway I was wondering if you wanted to come along to see them. Me and the others are going together, you can bring a friend or two of your own if you wanted. The more the merrier, that's what they say.'

Street dancing? Lauralie thought. Oh please, what a ridiculous thing to do, go around prancing in different towns making a fool of yourself. Dancing is for girls and gays...

Lauralie smiled sweetly at her friend.

'That sounds brilliant, I'd love to come.'

'Great!' Alice beamed squeezing her arm excitedly. 'Who will you bring?'

'I could ask Drake, he might be interested.'

'Drake?' Alice made a comical face. 'Is he your...?'

'Friend' Lauralie finished. 'Just a friend.'

Alice sniffed disdainfully. 'You make me jealous to know that? You have so many boyfriends.'

'They're not my boyfriends' Lauralie scowled.

'Alright, boys that are friends' Alice corrected.

'That's better.'

'Anyway, Kirsty's got a film to watch tonight if you're not expected to be home.'

'That sounds fun' Lauralie replied. 'I wasn't going home tonight anyway.'

It was in the library that Jacob revised now, free from his lectures, he sat now with his friends Josh and Alex.

'Macro. Computer science. A set of instructions that is represented in an abbreviated format. In short' Jacob said.

'Say whaaaa...?' Josh raised an eyebrow.

'It's a pattern that specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to a replacement input sequence according to a defined procedure.'

'In English?'

'It carries out a sequence of operations intended by the user....you record a set of actions on the computer' Jacob sighed patiently.

'Oh I see.'

Jacob closed his book, frowning at his friend across the table.

'I'm sure glad at least one of us understands this stuff' Josh huffed. 'I just can't get my head around macros. They're so confusing.'

'Well you'd probably understand it better if you actually listened to the lecturer' Jacob replied.

'I can't help it' Josh argued. 'I just switch off. As soon as anyone mentions the M word I zone out.'

Jacob shook his head.

And you know our lecturer has the most boring voice' Josh went on. 'It's enough to put anyone to sleep.'

'Well at least you're doing better than me' Alex chipped in looking up from his books. It was the first time he had spoken in a while. 'I'm doing ancient history. I can't even remember what we're supposed be doing. Something about the Catiline Conspiracy and a man called Superbus.'

'The Catiline Conspiracy?' Josh said. 'Nothing actually happened. It was a supposed attempt' Josh stressed these words as he spoke. 'To overthrow the roman republic.'

'Wait didn't Superbus live in a different time to Catiline?' Alex asked.

'You should know dumbass' Josh returned, 'you're in my class.'

'So who was this Catiline guy anyway?' Jacob cut in before an argument began.

'He was a roman politician.'

'Wait, did you say Superbus...?' Jacob asked, realising what a strange name it was. He hesitated then, noticing three figures standing just outside the doors of the library watching him, he didn't even hear his friend's response. The three figures moved away.

'Jacob? Are you alright?' Alex glanced around to see what Jacob was looking at, but the three had already gone. 'What are you looking at?'

'What is it?' Josh asked. 'You look...nervous.'

'I'm fine' Jacob lied. He shifted, trying to get back to his work, but found that he could not. 'I've got to go' he said shortly after, rising to his feet.

'Why? Hey wait a minute!'

But Jacob ignored the both of them, heading out of the library and into the beautiful sun. The car park was in view from outside the library, and Jacob could see the three figures waiting for him there.

Lucas, Reuben and Drake. They were all leaning against the wall at the back of the car park; in formation, they all eyed him like hawks.

Jacob felt a great weight descend upon him. The air suddenly felt heavy and his chest tightened. He took a deep breath, taking a step towards them, he began to walk.

Their eyes never left him as he approached them. Behind him standing just outside the library, Josh and Alex now watched. Jacob paused to glance back at them; then turned to face the three again. Lucas pushed himself off the wall and straightening up.

'Welcome aboard' Lucas said seriously.

'Things are going to change for me from now on' Jacob said. 'Aren't they?'

Lucas cocked his head in response, his eyes gleaming.

'You've past the point of no return my friend' Lucas told him.

'I still haven't been able to use magic...but...I feel different since that day.'

'The day you met Venom?' Reuben asked.

Jacob thought of Alex and Josh, wondering how he was going to explain to them what was happening. But he decided then that it didn't matter. He didn't need to explain anything; he couldn't, even if he wanted.

'Your magic will come to you' Lucas assured him. 'When you are ready.'

'How long will it take?'

Lucas shrugged. 'Everyone is different.'

He extended a hand towards Jacob.

Magic Jacob thought. Will this be a gift, or a curse?

Jacob looked down at Lucas' hand, and extended his own. Lucas grasped his forearm tightly, either side of him, Reuben and Drake smiled.

Jacob was led away by the three, as his friends no more, watched.

They headed out of the town, and towards the abandoned hotel where the brothers and Drake so often practiced their magic. But on this day they saw something strange. Something not even the brothers had seen before. All four of them slowed to a stop, staring in disbelief.

It was a black creature, large in size with an entire head that welded into one colossal horn. Its mouth held a neat row of splintered teeth, and it walked on all fours.

They all watched as it walked casually past; its only acknowledgment of them was a brief glance as it continued on its way.

Lucas gasped as he recognised it, suddenly realising what it was. He uttered one word.

'Aberrant.'

'Where are they?' the woman hissed, glancing all around her as if what she feared might appear at any moment.

The man beside turned to her, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.

'Be calm Li my sweet, they pose no real harm to us.'

'But there are more of them than us' she argued.

'So?' Kreas replied. 'If they appear, we'll kill them.'

'Easier said than done.'

'We can defend our own in a fight' Kreas said stretching. 'As well as they can at least.'

'But what if they find it before us? You know they'll flee as fast as they can back to the king, how do we get it back once the king has it? We would be no match against his men.'

'Well' Kreas drawled, 'we had better make sure we get it before they do.'

He raised his hood, glaring at a passerby.

'I can't wait to get away from here. I don't like this place.'

'Me neither' Li replied. 'The air here is so....polluted.'

'A silly thing to complain about. We're in a busy town' Kreas teased. 'You're just a soft country girl.'

'You be quiet' Li snapped. 'You hate it here too.'

Kreas purred dangerously, his eyes glinting.

'It won't be long now' he told Li. 'It's still in this town; our chase is coming to an end.'

'Then perhaps at last we can rest.'

'Rest?' came a third voice.

The pair glanced towards the man that had spoken. He turned and strode away, the hem of his ankle length white coat lifted on his heels as he marched.

'Kreas, Li, come.'

Kreas obeyed, snarling at a passerby who moved too close. Li fell into the footsteps of the man who commanded her, and together they followed their master, through the streets.

Kreas shoved aside a man who moved too close. The man stumbled, glancing around to see what had pushed him, but finding nothing.

'Control yourself Kreas' the master spoke calmly to him. 'You let your anger get the better of you.'

'Sorry master' Kreas replied. 'I've become short of temper since we came to this town. We've been here for far too long as it is.'

'We've not been here that long' Li argued.

'One minute is by far too long' Kreas snapped. 'I hate this place...as much as you do Li.'

'So you keep saying' the master replied. 'If I hear you say it again, I'll make you wish you hadn't.'

Kreas quickly fell silent.

'Where are you taking us master?' Li asked.

'You will see.'

A short time later and the master had brought them to the edge of the town. He turned to them and spoke.

'I want you to circle the entire town, make sure she is still here as you think. There is something that's keeping it here, and I want to know what.'

'Maybe the others have found it' Li replied.

'If that's the case it would have vanished by now' Kreas argued.

'The others have not found it' the master spoke over them. 'I still sense her magic near, and it is strong. You will circle the entire town to make sure she is still here as I suspect, then you will create a net of magic to trap her, before she has a chance to escape.'

'Sounds like fun' Kreas sneered.

'Just go' the master sighed, waving them away. 'And be quick about it.'

The two bowed their heads obediently, transforming into their beastly selves. They were gone in an instant, running on all fours in opposite directions around the edge of the town.

That night

Rhian heard a disturbance in the darkness outside. It was either very late or very early, she didn't know which, but it was a strange and frightening sound that had brought her so abruptly out of a deep sleep. Rhian tensed with eyes wide open. Frozen for a moment she listened hard. The town so late at night was usually quiet now, even the clubs were closed this early in the week, but there was a noise, something out of place that disrupted the usual silence of the night. She sat up and threw back the duvet, grabbing the metal bar which leant against her bedside table. Stepping lightly she crossed the room, bare feet slapping on the smooth wooden floor. Rhian threw the double doors to the balcony open and let the wind catch her hair. The chill of the night breeze was refreshing, waking her tired mind further. Besides from the chirping of the strange insects of the night; and the shrill noise of the bats as they chased the moths that danced in the streetlights, there was another sound.

Rhian tiled her head, listening hard, the metal bar raised in both her hands.

There!

A screeching howl that echoed through the town, then another one shortly after coming from another direction nearby. There was more than one, likely there were several. Rhian glanced back into her room, realising her parents would not be able to hear the sound. Nor would anyone else who was not a guardian. She turned back towards the night, leaping atop the railings of the balcony with the balance of a gymnast. Jumping to the house immediately next door and running over the tiles, they clattered together as they took her weight. She covered several houses in a matter of minutes, and woke no one. She kept running until she eventually found the source of the disturbance.

They were gathered together in a small group by the side of one of the houses several streets away. Tearing into the rubbish bins and the dumpster and fighting amongst each other like typical scavengers. Several of the bins were tipped over, with the heads of the creatures buried within as they rooted around for anything they could find. Occasionally one more dominant than the others would snap at an omega and push him back with teeth bared.

Rhian sneered at their savagery as she looked down on them from the rooftop; disgusted by the way they fought over meagre scraps thrown away.

What worthless creatures she thought. These the world would be better off without.

'Demon scum' she spoke aloud.

Several of them looked up suddenly at the sound of her voice, growls rising from deep within their throats as they searched for the source. Rhian spun the metal pole in a hand and leapt down from the building. She fell right in the middle of the circle of the creatures, rubbish crunching under her feet as she landed. They scattered, not out of fear but out of surprise, many had bolted but no more than a few feet away. When they realised what they saw was not bigger than themselves, they slunk forwards to challenge the intruder. The only thing these beasts truly feared was another aberrant bigger than themselves.

These were scrawny and deformed looking beasts, with feet resembling that of a chicken's that were malformed and twisted. Some bore exaggerated spikes of bone that protruded sharply through the skin from the shoulders and spine. Others had upwards pointing horns, long thin tails and skeletal wings. And some had two narrow heads on the end of two long necks, each acting independent of the other. In this one small area were several different species.

One of the two headed aberrants closest to her lifted its head snarling, and was immediately met by a swing from the metal pole. One head was thrown to the side, cheek bones and jaw broken on impact. The other head snapped backwards as Rhian struck it from below, swinging her weapon as if it were a golf club. The aberrant screeched in pain, writhing on the ground, trying desperately to escape her. Another aberrant roared at her in a display meant to intimidate. Rhian translated it as an invitation. Standing with its back legs up on the dumpster and its front legs on the ground Rhian lunged forwards. Stabbing the beast in the chest, the metal pole went right through the creature's thin skin, stopping its heart instantly.

The remaining beasts fled, scrambling away in a fit of raw terror. Aberrants they may be but they were still driven by instinct, and knew when they were beaten. They would rather flee than die.

'Cowards' Rhian spat.

She let the end of the pole slide through her fingers until it touched the ground, blood still dripping from the end. Rhian observed the animals she had killed. Their pupils were white, their skin black, and their manes red.

'Juveniles' Rhian said to herself. 'They don't know how to fight yet.'

The puddle of blood by the head of the first one she struck was rapidly growing, its jaw cocked sideways and the bones in its cheek caved in. The second one was still twitching.

Rhian tapped her foot, and brought the metal pole up to rest on her shoulder.

'I've not seen aberrants for many years; I wonder what they're doing here?'

The next morning (Saturday morning)

The screen of the mobile flashed blue as it vibrated across the bedside table, coming dangerously close to the edge. Eleanor moaned in agitation, slowly waking up from her wonderful dream and feeling regret that she was already forgetting it. She furrowed her brow angrily at the loud and overly happy sound of her ringtone. Rolling over she pushed herself up with a groan, catching the mobile before it fell off the table and landed on the floor. She flipped it open.

'...Hello?'

'Hey Eleanor, how are you?'

'Drake?'

She sat bolt upright, suddenly wide away.

'Drake! It's so good to hear from you, how are you?'

'Are you still in bed?' Drake said incredulous. 'I should have known.'

Eleanor groaned again, turning to look at the clock on her bedroom wall.

'It's only seven thirty' she spoke in her morning voice.

'I was up an hour ago' Drake chirped happily.

'Doing what?'

'Revising.'

'Don't be stupid.'

She rolled back into bed, withdrawing into her blankets like a hermit into its shell.

'Sian and I had a sleep over; we were up late last night watching horror.'

'Oh yeah?' Drake replied. 'Just the sort of thing you want to watch before you go to bed. Did you have any nightmares by any chance?'

'There was this really horrible bit in one where someone drives a lawnmower over someone else's face!' Eleanor said dramatically, ignoring Drake's question.

'That's horrible.'

'That's what I said. There were so many jumpy bits in it, I had to ask Sian to tell me when they were coming up so I wouldn't get scared...because she's seen it before.'

'What's the point in that?' Drake scoffed. 'I thought you watch horror because you like getting scared.'

'No. I watch horror because it's exciting. But it didn't work anyway because Sian kept deliberately forgetting to tell me when the jumpy bits were coming up.'

'So you had fun then?' Drake asked.

'Sure did.'

'Who's that on the phone?' Sian asked yawning as she sat up beside to her. 'Hey you're taking all the blankets! No wonder my arse is cold!'

'It's Drake' Eleanor told her.

'Drake?' Sian rolled over to the other side of the bed, resting with her head on her hands. 'Could you ask him if Lucas is still coming tomorrow?'

'Why don't you ask him yourself?' Eleanor said. 'He's your boyfriend.'

'I can't speak to Lucas at the moment because my phone is broken' Sian sighed. 'And I forgot his number.'

'Fine' Eleanor sighed dramatically. She spoke to Drake again.

'Sian wants to know if Lucas is coming down tomorrow.'

'Yeah, we both are' Drake replied.

Eleanor gave a thumbs up to Sian, who turned away with a smile and went back to sleep, taking most of the blankets with her.

'I'd better go now anyway' Drake said.

'Awww?'

'Sorry babe, I'm just going out, and anyway you should have your breakfast.'

'I suppose, where are you off to then?' Eleanor asked.

'Just going to town, apparently there's going to be a show there today, two street dancing brothers.'

'Cool' Eleanor said perking up. 'Well I hope you have fun.'

'You too' Drake answered. 'Whatever it is you two are doing today.'

'I love you Drake' she smiled.

'I love you too.'

He ended the call.

The girl slowed to a stop, glancing fearfully around her and wondering which direction the danger was going to come from, and which direction she should run to next. Clutching the hem of her white dress, palms sweating now, she noticed an insect hover above her head, it was a dragonfly.

They were very close now, those that hunted her.

The dragonfly darted back and forth quickly, before whizzing away in another direction. The girl followed at a run, barefoot across the skate park and weaving in out of the people who all saw through her, completely oblivious to her presence.

She fled the scene, and moments later, her pursuers appeared.

They met in the centre of the skate park, appearing from different directions.

'Where is she?' the black creature called Kreas hissed, crawling on all fours, red eyes gleaming pupil-less.

'We've lost her' his companion realised with a howl of fury. Li sniffed the concrete feverishly, crouching close to the ground on her long legs. 'That way!' the canine beast cried.

'Stop right there' commanded another voice.

Li growled in acknowledgement at the newcomers, white eyes narrowing at her adversaries. They were freakish, pupil-less, like her companions.

'We will not let you hurt her' the guardian ordered. He stood tall and proud alongside his own companions, a girl with long blue hair, and an aberrant, with a figure shaped like a man, but with black skin and large bat-like wings.

'The longer you stall us the further she runs' Li informed him.

The tall guardian averted his attention, brushing his fingers through his fiery red hair as if in disinterest. He let his hand drop, speaking now to the youngest of the three, the blue haired girl.

'Siren. See if you can find her' he said. 'Don't lose her trail. We're so close now.'

The young guardian clutched tightly the orb she held in her hands. She left her companions side, jogging she headed in the direction the one dressed in white had fled. The winged guardian watched her go silently.

'Indigo' Kreas purred. 'You are missing one in your company.'

The slinking black creature before them chattered happily. His red eyes laughing at them in mockery.

The red haired guardian glanced behind him towards the winged guardian.

'Where is she?' he muttered under his breath.

'She seems to be preoccupied lately' the winged guardian answered in a flat tone.

'With something more important?' Indigo replied exasperated. He turned back to the creatures before him. 'We are evenly matched' he declared.

'Or so it would seem' Li replied smoothly.

'This isn't how it should be' Kreas told them, daring to crawl closer. 'We should be working together.'

'To kill her?' Indigo cried. 'We are trying to protect her.'

'Is that right?' the slinking creature said leering. 'And what do you think the king will do with her if you bring her to him?' he asked the red haired guardian.

'He will keep her safe' Indigo replied.

'Will he now?' Kreas cackled. 'Just ask yourself...do you truly believe that, or do you just want to believe it?'

The winged guardian behind Indigo began to groan, clutching his chest, body hunched over.

'Looks like one of you at least is in no position to fight' Li remarked.

Indigo clenched his fists, jaw tightening.

'Let us not shed blood here' Li went on. 'We don't want to do ourselves an injury' she gleamed sardonically. 'At least not if we can help it. Not yet anyway.'

She ran away then, after Siren and in the same direction the girl in white had fled. Indigo called for them to stop, though his efforts were futile, he knew he was no match for the two of them, not on his own at least.

He gritted his teeth, turning back to his companion. 'Culture. Are you going to be alright?'

'Yes' the aberrant said smiling, as he lowered his body to the ground. 'I just...need to rest a while...' he lay back on the pavement, breathing a deep sigh as he relaxed his muscles. 'Go' he said.

Indigo gave a nod; then ran after the creatures, leaving the aberrant alone in the skate park to rest.

A short pursuit followed that ended in failure, the creatures snarled and howled in frustration, throwing curses and words of hate towards the guardians for delaying them. They turned their tails and ran away. The two creatures returned to their master, who was waiting patiently for them in another part of the town.

'Well?' he said when they appeared.

Kreas began to cackle.

'We saw her, very briefly though. She is here after all, as we thought.'

'And the net?' the master asked. 'You've trapped it here?'

Li growled with the thrill and pleasure, still excited from the chase. Her white pupil-less eyes gleamed.

'The net is complete. She is trapped here. With thanks to the others.'

'Thanks?' the master asked.

'They were creating a net to trap her also' Li replied. 'Like we were.'

'I see' the master said thoughtfully. 'Well it makes sense. We have the same cause after all. It's just too bad we're not working together. Things would be so much easier if we were.'

'They will not be convinced' Kreas said slinking forwards and hissing in frustration.

The master nodded in understanding. 'You've done well Kreas, and Li' he said looking from one to the other.

The two changed then, transforming into their human selves.

Kreas cracked his knuckles, and Li brushed her hair back.

The master grinned cruelly. 'It's become a game then' he said. 'Who will catch her first?'

'Have you checked the drawers?'

Reuben began pulling out everything that was in the drawer, dumping the contents untidily wherever there was space.

'Nothing' Reuben sighed.

'Check in the kitchen.'

Reuben shoved everything messily back into the drawer and shuffled towards the kitchen. Lucas continued to scroll down the page on the laptop, listening to the sound of pots and pans being thrown about and doors banging loudly.

'There's a job going in the bakery' Lucas called to his brother. 'Just down the road, you know the one.'

Reuben popped his head round the door.

'I am not wearing a hairnet.'

Lucas snapped the laptop shut, turning with his arm on the back of the chair.

'We're going to have to get a job soon or else won't be able to pay for anything.'

'The money for this place automatically gets taken out of her bank account every month' Reuben argued.

'I know that' Lucas huffed in irritation. 'But what about food? We can't eat the furniture can we?'

'Good point.' Reuben mused. 'The cupboards are near enough empty....she could have at least done a shop before she left.'

Lucas groaned, rubbing his forehead with a hand. 'Did you find anything?'

'Found this' Reuben produced a coin. 'Two pounds.' He looked to his older brother. 'One pound each? We could go to the shop and buy something nice.'

'Oh how dire our situation has become, alright lets go.'

Reuben tossed the coin in the air and Lucas caught it as he rose from his seat.

'So where's Jacob gone then?' Reuben asked, picking up a hoodie from the back of the chair and putting it on.

'He's on holiday with his parents to visit family. Cousins and grandparents...you know.'

'I wonder what it's like to have a big family' Reuben thought aloud.

'Must be nice' his brother said forlorn.

'Oh well. So what are you going to get?'

'I don't know' Lucas shrugged. 'Lion bar?'

'What are we going to eat later?'

'Let's not worry about that until later comes' Lucas said, grabbing him round the shoulders and walking with him towards the door.

'Aren't we going to lock it?' Reuben asked as they left.

'Why? It's not like there's anything to steal.'

'We could sell the TV if things get really desperate.'

Lucas shrugged again. 'I don't see why not. Sounds like a good idea.' He turned and locked the door behind them.

Once they were outside, it was only a short walk towards the shop where on the way they met Drake and Lauralie.

'Hey look there's Drake and Lauralie' Reuben called as he spotted them approaching.

Lucas groaned as Reuben ran towards them.

'Hey guys!'

'Reuben' Lauralie beamed slowing to a stop. 'It's so good to see you.'

Beside her Drake smirked and gave a nod.

'Where are you two off to?' Reuben asked as Lucas dragging his feet followed his brother.

'There's a show here today' Lauralie smiled. 'We're just going off to see.'

'A show?' Reuben asked.

'There are two brothers performing as street dancers' Drake replied. 'They're supposed to be very good.'

'I've heard about them' Reuben said. 'Never actually seen them before though.'

'Hey why don't you come along with us?' Lauralie volunteered. 'It'll be even more fun with more of us.'

'Maybe some other time' Lucas interjected before Reuben could agree and result in them all being dragged around the town by her.

Lauralie pouted, deflating. Disappointment was written all over her face.

'Lucas you're such a bore sometimes.'

The two glared at each other.

'We could meet you later' Reuben thought aloud suddenly, causing Lucas to wince.

Lucas turned and glared at Reuben now.

'Where is it exactly?' Reuben asked, ignoring his brother.

'In the centre of town' Lauralie said becoming suddenly animated again and bouncing on the balls of her feet. Drake had to steady himself as she used him for support. 'It should be easy enough to find' she smiled. 'Just follow the crowd.'

'Good' Reuben nodded. 'We'll see you there.'

Lucas shrugged.

'I told Sian we'll be there tomorrow' Drake said to Lucas.

'You did? Good.' Lucas suddenly perked up. His stomach growled then.

'Well we'd better go now' Reuben said. 'We'll meet you later ok?'

'Great' Lauralie cried out excitedly. 'Don't be late!'

Drake touched a finger to his forehead and nodded at them, before he was dragged off by Lauralie.

Once they were out of earshot, Lucas spoke to his brother.

'Why did you do that?'

'What?'

'Volunteer to go to this stupid show.'

'You don't want to go?' Reuben asked.

'I don't want to go with her.'

'Don't be like that.' Reuben frowned at Lucas, shaking his head. 'I know she can be annoying sometimes but she's not that bad.'

'Hm.'

'Don't be like that' Reuben said again.

'She just never shuts up.'

Reuben shrugged. 'Stick your fingers in your ears.'

Lucas made a strange face.

'How peculiar would I look walking around doing that?'

Reuben smirked in amusement.

'Come on' Lucas said marching away. 'Let's hurry up and buy some food. I'm starving.'

They walked for a short time before Lucas spoke again.

'We've got to be careful' Lucas told his brother seriously. 'She seems to want to spend a lot of time with us; we have to be careful she doesn't see our magic.'

'She won't.'

'Oh? You seem certain.'

They came to the edge of the pavement to cross the road. Lucas suddenly grabbed Reuben by the sleeve and pulled him sharply back.

The car sped by, and Lucas relaxed his arm, letting go of Reuben.

'How can you be so sure?' Lucas continued their conversation as if nothing had happened.

'Well as long as we're careful, there will be no mistakes.'

'Everybody makes mistakes' Lucas replied. 'I worry sometimes that she'll find out.'

They crossed the road at a quickened pace, careful to avoid the cars. The weekend was always busy here, especially on sunny days like today.

'We have to ensure our mistakes are kept to a minimum' Lucas went on.

'I thought we were doing that.'

'We can never be too careful. Especially around her.' Lucas paused momentarily, taking in the environment. 'Let's go through the skate park.'

'You want to avoid the crowds?'

'I would like to avoid people altogether' Lucas said, stepping forwards. 'But in a town like this and on the weekend it's impossible.'

They changed course and went in the opposite direction to where they were originally heading. It was only a short detour to the shops this way, and the best way to go to avoid most of the people.

The skate park when they reached it was thankfully not too busy. Plastered with thick graffiti on every possible surface, the skate-park was a large one, giving lots of space to the people within. Some people did tricks on the rams and half-pipes, others hung around in groups watching the world around them. Everything was brightly coloured here, including the people who resided here. They wore trashy jeans and bright shirts, some with backwards caps.

The brothers passed a wall; there was an image of a large lidless eye staring unseeing outwards, alongside a psycho rabbit that was devouring heads.

A skater swerved around the brothers as they sauntered through the park, and they watched their step as they walked. It was easy to have an accident in a place like this. The sound of the wheels rolling on the concrete, boards grinding on the rails and the muttering of voices from the groups that had gathered continued as constant noises overlapped each other. Everything should have been normal, but there was something out of the ordinary here today, something that few could see.

Lucas slowed to a stop, eyes sliding across the park.

'What's wrong?' Reuben asked pausing and glancing back at him. '...Lucas?'

Reuben could not see his brother's face from where he stood, but he knew something wasn't right. He walked back to him, following his gaze.

'Hey is that the new girl?'

Lucas didn't reply.

'I heard her name is Rhian.'

Lucas approached her silently, with Reuben slinking behind.

Rhian was kneeling by one of the graffiti covered walls, wearing her typical dark colours. As the brothers approached they saw what it was that had caught her attention, from a distance they had not seen, as she had blocked their view.

Lucas circled around, coming to stand in front of her. Finally Rhian lifted her head, acknowledging them at last. At a glance she seemed weary, exhausted. Her eyes were sunken and her hair was scruffy. It looked as if she hadn't slept. The creature she was kneeling before; was a thing the brothers had never seen in their lives. Lying on his front seemingly unconscious was a creature resembling a human in shape, but with the black skin of an aberrant. With flesh the shade of coal, he had large wings at his back. Leathery and bat-like they were, and bearing huge curled hooks on the joint. His hair, jet black like the rest of him grew down to his shoulders, and he had a long thin tail that ended in a point. His chest was bare, and he wore black wide legged trousers.

Lucas had the strangest thought at that moment.

'Ha!' he barked a laugh. 'He wears black just like you do.'

'What are you implying?' Rhian glared. She rose to a stand. 'I don't even know who you are.'

'And let's keep it that way' Lucas replied.

'Hey, I'm Reuben' Reuben said stepping forward with a smile.

Rhian's upper lip twitched and she crossed her arms in distain.

The figure on the ground lay peacefully as if he were only asleep. His face was young, and his skin was sleek and smooth and flawless.

'You can see him?' Rhian asked them.

'What do you mean?'

'None of the others can see him. I've watched several people walk past, some even glancing this way.'

And it was true. The skaters carried on, seemingly oblivious to the presence of the strange being simply lying in plain sight.

'Wait a minute' Reuben spoke up. 'You're a guardian!'

Rhian scowled at him. 'Is he the smarter of you two?' she asked Lucas.

Lucas began to laugh hysterically. 'Oh come on Reuben don't look so angry' he said to his brother when he calmed.

Rhian circled around the brothers, moving away from the winged being on the floor.

'I saw fighting' Rhian told them. 'There are more of them; I don't know if it's entirely safe here right now.'

'Are you scared?' Lucas asked raising his eyebrows.

'Of course not!' Rhian spat.

Lucas smirked, feeling a strange satisfaction at getting under her skin. Beside him Reuben was positively quivering with excitement.

'There've been aberrants walking around lately' he said. 'Have you seen them?'

'I've fought them' Rhian answered.

'You have skills in fighting?' Reuben asked with interest looking her up and down. 'How nice.'

'I was brought up fighting' Rhian said. 'I saw my first aberrant when I was very young.'

'Why do they appear?' Lucas asked her. 'We've never seen one before...but somehow we know what they are.'

Rhian smirked then, amused by their lack of knowledge. 'You don't know much about being a guardian do you?'

Lucas felt a twinge of annoyance, but he'd be dammed if he let her know by showing it.

'You want to know what attracts them, what draws them out?' she said.

The brothers waited patiently for a response.

'Philosophers stone' Rhian breathed. 'There is one here.'

'Where did you hear that?' Lucas asked slowly, narrowing his eyes.

Rhian stopped circling, turning to face them now.

'I have seen visions of another world, where there are many guardians. Like us. There are Philosophers stones there, its where they originated. But some fled here.'

'Fled?' Lucas asked. 'You mean these things have a mind of their own?'

'Is that your power?' Reuben butt in. 'Seeing this other world?'

'It is one of my powers' she replied curtly.

Reuben began to fumble his words, Lucas knew he was deciding which question to ask first, but in his enthusiasm he came across as a jabbering fool.

Lucas knelt by the black skinned figure on the ground, suddenly noticing how tall he was, at least a head taller than the average man. He also noticed something else.

'Reuben look at this.'

'What is it?'

'These marks' Lucas replied. 'The ground has been scorched.'

'It's on the walls as well' Reuben suddenly noticed.

Rhian watched the brothers sceptically.

Lucas became suddenly rigid.

'We have to get out of here.'

'Why?' Reuben asked, worried by his brother's urgent change of tone. He glanced around nervously. 'Is it safe?'

Rising fast Lucas whipped round, turning on the spot.

'Lucas...' Reuben said in a steady tone, 'Lucas you're scaring me.'

The following events were the start of a life completely new, a life in a different direction, a life as a true guardian.

'This is the first time in my life...' Reuben whispered in awe, head tilted back as the shadow passed over them, 'that I have ever seen one like this.'

'I knew we shouldn't have stayed here' Rhian said backing away. 'I knew it was dangerous.'

The beast cried out in many voices. A high pitched screech, over a moaning noise that sounded almost like the wind. It was a terrible thing to hear, like an agonising cry of pain and despair.

'Aberrant' Rhian whispered.

It came, crawling up and over the wall they had been standing by. Its movement was graceful yet exaggerated. It was a tall creature, strange in appearance with a thin body and very long legs that ended in sharp unforgiving talons. Its neck was shaped like that of a horse, and it had a small oval head, narrow eyes and a thin scraggly mane. The most bizarre thing about this aberrant however, was its mouth. It was long like a tube, with what looked like sharp inward curved teeth at the opening on the end. Running all the way down the tube were creases, like the kind one might find on an umbrella, its mouth was like this.

The aberrant swung its mighty head over them, letting out a prolonged hiss, advancing on them menacingly.

The three backed away quickly. Reuben cast his palms out, summoning flames that wreathed the flesh of his hands. 'Quick use your magic!'

The aberrant moved towards them, following their movement carefully as they backed away further. Its look was far too intelligent for ones liking, it was as if the thing was assessing them. The beast paused and flicked its lizard-like tail, swinging its long mouth from side to side.

'What are you doing?!' Rhian hissed at Reuben. She grabbed him by the arm and jerked him towards her.

The fires went out.

'You can't kill it!' she told him. 'You're not strong enough, it's too big!'

'Who are you to tell me that' he growled, yanking his arm out of her grip. 'You have no idea about my powers.'

Lucas took another step away, concentration fixed on the aberrant, which was advancing again.

'Guys its coming closer...' Lucas informed them, uncertainty lacing his voice.

'Have you ever fought these beasts before' Rhian snapped at Reuben turning on him.

'And you have?' Reuben retorted.

'Are you even listening?' Lucas stepped further away.

'I've been a guardian a lot longer than you have' Rhian went on.

'How the hell would you know something like that?!'

'It's coming!' Lucas called over both of them.

'I know a lot of things you don't' Rhian said balling her fists in fury, ignoring Lucas' cries.

'That's not an answer' Reuben shot back.

'It's good enough!'

'The aberrant is rather close...' Lucas said.

'Then show me your powers' Reuben demanded.

'I am not under your control!' she screeched. She grabbed him again. 'Are you stupid enough to use magic in front of these people?!'

'GUYS!'

The beast opened its mouth and roared.

Their clothes and hair were blown back violently in the sudden gale. Its mouth had opened out into a massive pentagon shape. The long tube of its mouth had opened outwards like a massive umbrella, now this was all they saw, teeth and tongue, and the pink inside of its fleshy mouth in one massive shape.

Reuben saw fast movement out of the corner of his eye, though he didn't acknowledge it. He was fixed to the spot, by awe by fear by shock, he didn't know which.

The aberrant closed its mouth again, shrinking it back into its tubular form.

Reuben realised now that Rhian was not with him, realising the movement out of the corner of his eye must have been her. He spotted her, standing on a half-pipe a safe distance away. There were black wings coming out of her back, feathered they were, like an angels. Reuben simply stared at her dumbfounded, feeling too many emotions to put a label to any of them.

'Reuben!' his brother called.

Reuben shifted his sights back to the creature before him. It hissed again, sensing his weakness and targeting it. The aberrant in one swift movement swung its mighty clawed hand. Its range of attack was far, its long limbs stretched outwards and claws unfurling. In his frozen state Reuben could not react, locked in what was now only pure fear.

He was suddenly shoved aside by his brother, tasting the pavement.

He heard his brother cry out behind him, saw him fall to his knees. Behind the strange mouthed beast, the unconscious guardian was stirring.

Lucas began to shake, there were three deep gashes in his side, and blood spilling down the left side of his body at an alarming rate.

Reuben pushed himself up, wiping his chin with the back of a hand as he did so and feeling blood there. He ran to his brother, falling to his knees.

Lucas' body tensed, his hands were shaking violently as he held his injury, trying in vain to stop the bleeding. The first stage of shock was setting in, and Reuben could see his brother was paling fast. Lucas had never felt pain like it before, but then again, he was still a young guardian.

'Lucas?'

Lucas lifted his head, saying in a trembling voice to Reuben, 'are you alright?'

Reuben didn't answer.

The guardian who had been unconscious mere moments ago had risen, standing now with wings splayed and tail flicking from side to side. He had a menacing dark aura about him. He circled calmly around the aberrant, coming to stand before it.

Please, don't hurt us. Reuben thought as the winged being drew closer.

The stranger stood now between the brothers and the aberrant. In his dark hands he held chakrams. With many great spikes around its circular edges, the metal was painted vividly in black and red. These were weapons he had summoned from the very air itself, weapons that were wreathed in flame. This was his magic.

He charged forwards with all the speed, agility and confidence of one born into war. A true guardian.

The winged stranger threw out both his weapons before him, spinning them in the air they created a wall of fire which blazed and roared fiercely. The aberrant screeched in fear as the fire burned bright, forcing it backwards. It scuttled, like a panicked animal trapped on ice trying get away, tripping over its own exaggerated limbs. It ran. The black skinned stranger released his magic with a sharp intake of breath, weapons vanishing into thin air.

Reuben tore his eyes away and looked to where Rhian had stood not moments before, only to see that she wasn't there.

'She's gone...' Reuben gasped in horror, 'she left us...'

The winged guardian approached the brothers, staring expressionlessly over Lucas. Lucas had fallen on his side still holding himself, curled up and groaning in agony.

'Please don't hurt us' Reuben begged. 'Please help him...'

The black guardian knelt over Lucas, grabbing his arm and forcing it up with a hard grip. All the better to see the wound.

The gashes were deep, and there were three of them. He would surely bleed to death in minutes.

It was lucky in that instance, that the stranger was not only an experienced guardian, but also a healer as well.

Lucas' forehead began to hurt somewhat as he rested it against the solid, unforgiving concrete. His hip and shoulder hurt too as he lay uncomfortably, but no more than his new injury, which now became nothing more than a dull throb. The strange being was running his hands along his bare waist, having lifted his shirt up to see the injury. The stranger examined the flesh where Lucas had been cut, slowly healing him.

It didn't hurt so much anymore, in fact he felt ok.

The man, if he could be called that, ordered Lucas to sit up. His tone was short and sharp. Lucas obeyed before he realised he had, kneeling now. He removed his shirt on command and the stranger began to wrap around Lucas' waist a roll of bandage. He wound it around and around his torso until he came to the end of the roll, where he tied it off. Lucas' shirt, torn and bloodied was discarded. Reuben waited nervously nearby, pacing back and forth.

'How do you feel?' Culture asked.

'Surprisingly good' Lucas replied rising gingerly.

The stranger grunted.

'I would have done a better job at healing the wound, but I don't have a lot of strength right now....I am weak.' Culture rose to a stand. 'The injury is mostly healed. I suggest you keep discrete about it until it's healed fully. You would have a hard time I'm sure explaining to others how you got it.' He sent a thin jet of fire towards Lucas' shirt which lay on the floor nearby, completely destroying it in the blaze and leaving behind only ash.

Lucas stared wordlessly up at him. His glaze slid past the stranger and to the skate park around them. Despite all that had happened in the last few minutes, the scene around them, had not changed.

Bizarre Lucas thought to himself.

'You're very young' the aberrant noted. 'I've not often met a guardian so young.' He glanced at Reuben, who continued his pacing.

'Brothers I assume' he said.

Lucas examined himself; the bandages looked clean and new, as if they had only just left the hospital. He studied the black skinned man before him, and saw that his wings were folded neatly back, now looking so much smaller than they had before. They reminded Lucas of a bat.

'Thanks' Lucas said awkwardly. 'Where did you get these?' he indicated the bandages.

'I can summon objects from afar' Culture said.

'It was good of you to help me.'

Reuben quickened his pace, continuing back and forth.

'Any good man would have done the same' Culture purred.

'But you are not a man are you?' Lucas said. 'You're an aberrant.'

The aberrant paused.

'There are many different kinds of aberrant that exist' he said. 'Some of them look a lot like myself, like a human. Others look like beasts, like the one you just saw. They are not intelligent. For the most part.'

'There are many aberrants?' Lucas asked.

'Oh yes' Culture replied slyly.

'Lucas I'm so sorry' Reuben cut in huskily, suddenly interrupting them. 'I froze up, it was weak of me...you got hurt because of me...it was stupid I'm sorry...!'

'Hey' Lucas smiled gently, speaking in a calming tone. 'It's not your fault.'

'I was stupid' Reuben repeated.

'Everybody makes mistakes' his brother told him.

'A mistake that could have killed you.'

It sounded more than he intended like a verbal attack. Reuben forced himself to relax and took a slow, deep breath.

'Are you going to be ok?' he asked.

'He's going to be fine' Culture told Reuben. 'Just take it easy' he said to Lucas, 'and don't do anything too strenuous.'

Culture turned away.

'I had better be going now; I've got to find the others.'

'The others? Lucas rounded on him. 'You mean there are more of you?'

'The rest of my group' the aberrant replied.

Lucas and Reuben exchanged a glance uncertainly.

'How many are there?' Reuben asked.

'Four of my group including myself' Culture answered. 'And more.'

'More?' Lucas echoed.

He took off without warning, flying away before Lucas had another chance to toss him a new question.

I don't understand Lucas thought.

The aberrant moved through the sky with the ease of any bird, he soared over the town, quickly growing smaller until he vanished from sight entirely.

'I forgot to ask his name' Lucas trailed off in the following silence.

'It doesn't matter.' Reuben turned to him. 'Are you sure you're going to be ok?'

'I'll be fine. And don't keep asking.'

Reuben took another slow breath. 'We should go home.'

'I think so.'

Reuben moved close to his brother, helping to support him as he walked.

'I'll be fine.'

'That's not what he said' Reuben retorted. 'You have to take it easy from now on.'

Lucas groaned with the effort, moving slowly and carefully, and putting most of his weight on Reuben as he did so.

'You know you're really heavy.'

Lucas smirked. He hunched over suddenly, throwing back his head and laughing. His mirth quickly subsided into tense moans as he clutched at his side. He relaxed, and straightened up again.

'What the hell do you find so amusing?' Reuben asked, giving him a strange look as if he were mad.

'There are abnormal magical creatures in this world now, and we're worrying about finding food?'

Lucas sighed shaking his head.

Reuben looked to the nearest group of people; they were doing wheelies on their skateboards and spinning in the air as they took off from the ramps.

'Blind fools' Reuben cursed them with a glare. 'After all that and they're all completely oblivious.'

'It's better they don't see anything' Lucas replied. 'We wouldn't want that kind of attention anyway.'

'It makes you think though doesn't it?'

'Does it?'

'How can they not see a guardian's magic or aberrants?' Reuben voiced aloud. 'They must have a spell of some sort put on all of them.'

'I guess we're not going to meet Drake and Lauralie after all' Lucas sighed as they shuffled along, sounding not in the least bit disappointed about it.

'I guess not.'

Lucas slouched tentatively forwards, supported by his brother. He felt uncomfortable without his shirt, reluctant to be seen with these bandages on, especially by somebody he knew. Looking down at himself he could see spots of blood were already seeping through the bandages.

'Give me your hoodie' Lucas said suddenly, 'I don't want to be seen walking around bleeding everywhere...wouldn't want that kind of attention.'

Reuben immediately complied, and they walked very slowly back home. Reuben supported his brother the entire way.

Once Kreas and Li had gone, having deemed their quarry lost and the trail gone cold, Siren turned back. Retracing her footsteps, she soon found her red haired companion, who was now with the aberrant and the mother. All four of the guardians were present now. The aberrant seemed to be telling the other two a strange story, of two young guardians he had met, brothers. He had healed one of them after he had become injured by a strike from another aberrant. Siren heard as she approached them, that he would likely make a full recovery.

'Did you find her?' Indigo asked the second he noticed Siren. The mother and the aberrant turned simultaneously at her arrival.

Siren shook her head reluctantly.

'I'm sorry' she spoke in a gentle voice. 'I lost her.'

'It's ok' Culture reassured her. 'We have her trapped here. There is nowhere for her to go.'

'Don't you feel bad for it though?' Siren asked Culture.

'Bad for what?'

'When I ran after her, she stopped for a moment......she had the saddest look in her eyes.'

'How did she escape?' Culture asked her.

'I don't quite remember. It was a trick of some kind; she used some of her magic on me. I remember seeing a dragonfly, but it looked mechanical, not living.'

'I thought she couldn't use her magic' Culture said.

'They can' the mother spoke up. 'But only in very small amounts compared to the magic they posses.'

'What a joke' Culture laughed shaking his head without mirth. 'Having so much power and not even being able to use it, the gods must really have a sense of humour.'

'She is trapped here now' Indigo declared. 'She will be caught. It's only a matter of time. Let's just try to make sure we get her before they do.'

It was packed in the centre of town when Lauralie and Drake arrived. The market was open today and there were many attractions and sights to take in. Money exchanged hands at stalls which had been set up outside the regular shops, stalls selling all kinds of things. One sold interestingly shaped helium balloons, another sold take-away snacks as well as little gifts and trinkets, and one was selling masks made of the most fabulous and colourful designs. Lauralie danced past stall after stall, eyeing up its merchandise, skipping past a figure wearing a plague mask, and sparing it only a glance. There were dream catchers and candles on one stall, another that sold all bags, one garden accessories, another did engravings. Lauralie fussed and hurried around the market, picking up everything she could get her hands on. She reached the end of the row of stalls, then turned back and started all over again. Trailing after her Drake followed patiently, feigning interest in the things she tried to show him.

'Hey look a Ferris wheel!' Lauralie suddenly called out excitedly.

Drake glanced at it, amazed by her short attention span.

'That wheel is there every year' he said in an exasperated tone.

'I know. But I get so excited.' She moved away from Drake and towards the Ferris wheel, weaving in and out of the crowd of people. 'I keep forgetting how busy it gets' Lauralie said to Drake, who was struggling not to lose her in the crowd as he followed behind.

The wheel was located very close to the town centre where the brothers would perform, but Lauralie and Drake's progress moving through the ever thickening crowd was slow and tedious, especially when Lauralie stopped at every opportunity to look at everything. Her excuse was that she was attracted to things that shine. Little trinkets, cut glass in the shape of tiny animals, earrings with too many digits, she even found a silk scarf that sadly didn't match her hair colour. Drake in turn would occasionally risk going off on his own to look at things that interested him, watches, shirts with brand names, she would find him soon enough as he never wandered far. It was easy enough to get lost with so many people around.

'I told Alice I would meet her in the town centre' Lauralie was saying. 'She should be there somewhere. But we might need to get to higher ground to find her.'

The scene in the town was wonderful in all its bright colours. Closer to the centre near the Ferris wheel were tents of red and yellow, blue and white, and green and white. Some of them were hosting sideshows and stalls which featured games like the coconut shy, and others which involved rubber duckies.

Lauralie and Drake passed a merry go round on their way, with its insufferable and repetitive music. They paused again briefly and Drake bought each of them a toffee apple.

We'd better go meet your friend' he said at last when they had finished. 'She must be wondering where we are.'

'Well' Lauralie winked at him. 'We would get a better view of the town from the Ferris wheel. She would be easier to find.'

'How did I know you'd say that' Drake smiled wearily.

From the Ferris wheel, they finally caught sight of Alice who was waiting for them at the edge of the crowd within the town centre. When the ride had finished, Lauralie leapt from the carriage and ran to meet her. She was greeted by several other friends that Alice had brought with her. And once he had caught up again, Lauralie introduced Drake to the others, causing many of them to immediately swoon over him. Drake was very handsome.

Once the formalities and introductions were over, Alice led the group quickly to the front of the crowd.

'Come over here, the show's nearly started' she told them.

They made their way forwards though the mass of people with smiles and winks. Drake came after them, moving slowly and politely so as not to intrude upon anyone.

They eventually reached the front and stood in a row side by side as the performance began, with Lauralie in the middle.

They waited for the performance to begin.

The first brother almost had an aggressive look about him, a look of attitude. He was tall, wearing torn jeans and a blue coat with an upturned black collar. His ears were pierced and on the left side of his neck, was a tattoo of a beautiful rose with its petals unfurled. His hair was spiked downwards and was pure white, streaked in vivid red. His expression was calculated, and he had freakishly unnatural bright blue eyes that pierced the very soul.

The music started simple, only one brother was there, he moved in time with the tunes, dancing with his shoulders first, head perfectly still. Then as the second beat came in he moved to the side, sliding his whole body, arms and legs and head and neck in perfectly graceful motions, moves perfectly co-ordinated. Then he suddenly turned stiff, robotic. He pushed himself to the ground, impossibly low; then with no effort at all rose to a volley of cheering and clapping. People laughed as he impersonated a robot, a car, moved closer, winked at a girl.

Drake chuckled, clapping his hands.

'He's pretty good' he admitted to Lauralie. 'What do you think?'

The dancing brother shuffled to the side in a crouched position, holding a comical face, his body slowed in time with the music. His robot self shut down.

'He's very good' Lauralie smiled back, not entirely impressed as the routine came to an end.

His first dance was quite simple, the music not too fast or lively.

The second brother stepped in. Lauralie gasped in awe as they began, it was at that moment; her heart was taken, beating faster as she watched utterly mesmerized as they moved.

The second brother had a gentler appearance and a softer expression. There was almost a boy-Lolita look about him. He had blonde highlights in his light brown hair, which was medium in length, and he was dressed more casually than his older brother.

Throwing his head back he marched forwards, his dancing was just as aggressive as his brothers. Lauralie was fixated on him, taking in his every feature. He was shorter than the other brother, but had eyes just like his.

Dancing side by side, occasionally changing positions to hide behind the others, using their arms, using their legs and moving their heads, they twisted their bodies. Locking and popping, they danced in various styles.

It was fast, it was beautiful, but all too soon it was over.

Lauralie let out a breath that didn't know she had been holding. She gathered herself again, only to see Drake giving her a teasing look.

'Fallen in love have we?'

'What are you talking about?' Lauralie flushed in a sharp tone.

'Oh don't give me that' he nudged at her arm playfully. 'Do you think I'm blind?'

She was a lot angrier and irritated with herself than she expected, and was surprised at what she felt. Was it perhaps because someone had caught her off-guard? That had never happened before.

But before she could say anything else to Drake he had mumbled something to her that she didn't quite hear; then he left her side. Lauralie craned her head, trying to find him in the crowd, wondering what he was up to. But he was gone.

'That sneaky little devil.'

Alice cut her thoughts.

'They should be taking a break now' she said as the brothers moved away. 'So? What did you think?'

'They were really good' Lauralie answered, composing herself.

'Come on' Alice said. 'Let's go look at some of the stalls.'

It was beginning to get dark by the time the group decided to split up and go home. Drake had found Lauralie walking with Alice before they had left the town. He didn't say where he went or why, which annoyed Lauralie even more, and no matter how much she nagged him he remained silent. But the glint in his eye still remained.

After nearly an hour she gave up asking.

'It's really pretty here when it's dark' Lauralie sighed, sitting on a low wall with Alice and Drake either side of her.

The town was quietening as people returned to their homes, and the funfair was winding down, only a few people still trailed back and forth now. And yet it grew more beautiful by night. Multicoloured electric lights on strings, the dim lights of the stalls, the tents now silent and desolate for the most part sat with their darkening colours. The entire town square glowed with magnificence and the aftermath of the joy the day had brought to so many people. It was all so peaceful.

'You're right' Alice replied to Lauralie, rising and pulling her with her as they walked side by side. 'It is really nice here.'

Drake pushed himself off the wall, following after the two girls.

The three of them wandered through the empty town square, heading slowly towards the Ferris wheel.

Alice twirled and took a seat on a flight of steps that led up to the base of the Ferris wheel, which now sat still and silent, but with its lights still burning bright.

'It's a shame Reuben and Lucas didn't come' Lauralie said glumly, taking a seat beside Alice. 'It would have been nice. I wonder why they didn't in the end.'

'There's always tomorrow' Alice chimed in.

'Come on' Drake said to the both of them. 'It's getting late, we had better be going. I'll take you both home now.'

'Oooooh he's such a gentleman' Alice teased nudging Lauralie's arm. 'I don't know why do you don't go with him.'

'I'm ready to go home now' Lauralie said in a deliberate voice sharper than she intended. She had had quite enough annoyance for today. 'Take me home Drake.'

'How do you feel?' Reuben asked Lucas.

'Alright I guess.'

They had just arrived home safely; Lucas was lying down on the sofa with his feet up and several pillows behind his head. It was the first place he chose to rest as soon as they got back. Reuben proceeded to bombard him with questions as to how comfortable he was and if there was anything else he could do to help.

'You really shouldn't fuss so much Reuben' Lucas tittered, taking the bowl of steaming soup his brother handed him. A readymade sachet found at the back of one of the cupboard.

'I can't help it, I'm sorry I just feel so bad.'

'Just forget it' Lucas drawled.

'But you could have died because of me.'

'Well I could have, but I didn't.'

Reuben sat and stared at Lucas as he sipped the soup from his bowl. After a while Lucas began feeling uncomfortable under the glare.

'I'm fine. You know you don't have to stare at me for the rest of the day.' Lucas began to laugh. He tensed suddenly, holding his side. Immediately Reuben rushed forwards the grab the bowl before it spilled.

Lucas gave him a disapproving frown, taking the bowl back. The two of them relaxed, Lucas more than Reuben.

'We could spent our whole lives saying but what if'' Lucas began. 'Nothing was ever gained from regret.'

'I know.'

'Tell you what' Lucas began as a sudden thought hit him. 'If you want to do something for me why don't you go find this girl Rhian?'

'I could do that' Reuben nodded eagerly. 'Where would I find her?'

'Jeez I don't know...just look around.'

'Ok.'

'We guardians should stick together' Lucas went on. 'I think it's important that you find her.'

'But why did she run off, I mean fly off...she's got wings!'

Lucas gave Reuben a sceptical look.

'Wings aren't anything new Reuben.'

'I know.'

'She may resent being a guardian' Lucas continued. 'It's not easy being different and living half a life in secret. We need to convince her how great the gift we've been given really is. We can help her.'

'Alright, I'll try my best' Reuben said rising. 'Are you sure you don't need anything else?'

'Just go' Lucas droned in a bored voice.

Reuben nodded, hesitated; and then made for the door.

'Ok then...um...bye...'

He hesitated again; then left.

Lucas smiled to himself, thinking fondly of his brother's foolishness. He sat back against the pillows, sighing and closing his eyes content.

Here he rested for several minutes, until he received a call on his mobile. Not recognising the number, he answered anyway.

'Hello?'

'Hey' came a female voice. 'It's me.'

'Hey Sian' Lucas smiled, grateful to hear his girlfriends voice. 'I don't recognise this number.'

'My phone broke' Sian explained. 'I'm using another. Anyway I just thought I'd check on you. I would hate for you to forget about me.'

'I could never forget about you.'

'I should think not' she answered. 'So, how are you?'

'I'm fine.'

'Anything to report?'

'Nope.'

'Ok good. So when are you coming to see me next?'

'I don't know' Lucas admitted. 'I haven't got much money.'

'Ok, well how about I come down to see you.'

'Maybe.'

'You don't like that idea?'

'I'm feeling a bit unwell.'

'If you say so' Sian dismissed. 'I'll speak to you later then. Don't strain yourself.' She hung up.

Lucas stared at the mobile. His girlfriend had never been the clingy type, most of the time if anything she was distant. But there was nothing she wouldn't do for him.

He closed the mobile, slipping it back into his pocket and becoming still.

It was several hours later when it began to get dark, and Reuben had still not returned. Lucas sat there growing bored, sitting in complete silence. He began to get worried.

About another hour or so later the phone rang, catching Lucas by surprise. Its call was loud and persistent breaking the silence.

Lucas heaved himself up. He slouched his way over towards the phone, holding his side and moving gingerly. Lucas wondered who would call at this time.

He stopped before it, and picked up the phone.

'Hello?'

'Is this Lucas?' a female voice said quickly.

'Yes?'

'I'm a district nurse from Golden Heart Hospital, your brothers been hit by a car.'

Reuben spent many minutes scanning the whole town, walking in random directions and feeling hopeless. Things had begun to wind down now, and even the crowd in the town centre had begun to break itself up. He wandered now through one of the parks on the edges of the town, thinking he would never find her. But by a phenomenal piece of luck, he actually did. Leaning against a wall she was throwing chunks of bread at the ducks in the pond before her.

There were no streetlights here, though the road next to the pond was still fairly busy. The sun was beginning to dip, and the park was growing dark. By the time Reuben reached her, she had already seen him.

'I can't believe I actually found you.'

'I can't believe you were stupid enough to try' she retorted.

Rhian threw the last piece of bread and turned on her heel, storming away.

'Hey wait where are you going?' Reuben called after her.

She didn't answer but continued to walk, her pace quickened.

'Wait!'

Reuben ran to catch up.

'Leave me alone!'

'Hey don't be like that, I just want to talk to you.'

'Talk to this, ' she said, pausing only briefly and giving him the finger.

Reuben hesitated. 'Well there's no need for that.'

He ran to catch up with her again.

'Why are you being like this' Reuben demanded, 'I just want to talk?'

'Yeah well I don't.'

Growing increasingly more irritated; he struggled to keep up with her now, almost jogging.

'Listen, I understand if you're upset and confused, it's not an easy thing.'

She stopped, swinging her head towards him in a sarcastic gesture.

'Oh and I'm sure you know everything.'

She continued her marching pace.

'Ok, you're annoyed, I get that. You don't have to talk just listen ok, we guardians should stick together.'

'Guardians' she laughed tutting. 'I'm perfectly fine on my own, and don't use that word.'

'You're lonely? That's ok you can stick with us, my brother is a guardian as well, like I said our kind should stick together.'

Rhian stopped again, confronting him.

'Stop talking like I'm a different species' she shouted.

'You know I didn't mean it like that.'

'I don't need anybody.' She made to walk away.

'Everybody needs someone.'

She spun around again, fuming and puffing her chest out, fists balled.

'Look stop talking like you know who I am! I don't need you, I don't need anyone else and I certainly don't need these worthless powers! You think it's so great being a guardian...then do it on your own!'

She shoved him back as hard as she could.

The car running along the road had no time to stop, and Reuben has not time to protect himself.

The vehicle steamed right into him, screeching its wheels to a halt.

Sterilized to a sickening degree, the hospital smelt of disinfectant and emptiness. Its hallways and floor were white and bland with bored-looking nurses at the desk.

Lucas made his enquiries to a lady sitting at her computer; she was pleasant but stiff in her words, pointing him in the right direction. Lucas took the lift.

It was painfully slow.

Lucas tried his best to compose himself as he moved through the building of sickness, keeping his head straight and not looking either side of him. He heard snoring, crying, moaning.

He was made to wash his hands before entering the next room, the push-device on the wall extracted a tiny squirt of some strange soap that required no water. He was reluctant to touch it, though did so anyway.

The room Reuben was in was large, with four beds on one side, and four on the other. Many were occupied, most of which were elderly. Lucas felt apprehensive as he approached Reuben, who lifted his head as he came closer. A few of the other people around had visitors also. Lucas glanced at the bland design of a clock on the wall.

08.15 PM

'Visiting hours end at half-past' Lucas told him. 'I've only got fifteen minutes.'

'I'm just glad you came' Reuben smiled.

Reuben was sitting up in his bed, pillows stuffed behind him to prop him up.

He looked in bad shape.

He had bruising on one side of his face, under his eye and on his cheek, and all over his left shoulder. His left arm was in a cast up past his elbow, and he had heavy bandages around his head.

'Don't be stupid' Lucas replied, 'of course I came.'

'I mean, during visiting hours, they wouldn't let you in otherwise.'

'Do you think I'd let a bunch of pansy nurses and doctors stop me from seeing my brother?'

Reuben smiled gratefully at him. He could always count on his brother. Lucas had always been there for him, no matter what.

Lucas sat on the edge of the bed, watching his brother closely. 'How do you feel?'

'Bloody awful.'

Reuben pushed himself higher up on the bed.

'They think I broke a rib, and my wrist is broken, but I don't know why they cast it all the way up to where it is.' He touched his cheek tenderly, then his bandaged head. 'And I've got a concussion; they've given me some drugs that made me throw up. And they said I was lucky not to break my leg too.'

'What happened?' Lucas asked.

'That girl pushed me into the road.'

Lucas diverted his attention. 'This bed isn't very comfortable is it?'

'What are you going to do?' Reuben asked.

'I'm going to find her, tonight.'

Reuben didn't ask why.

'Here' Lucas said taking something out of his pocket. 'I got you this.'

He handed Reuben a partially squashed, stone-cold pasty.

'Thanks....what is it?'

'It's called a Tin-Miners. It's like a normal pasty but it's got desert on one end, its apple. Miners apparently used to take it down when they worked. It's like a whole meal in one, meat at one end, and desert on the other, or at least that's what the picture in the shop told me.'

'What did you get for yourself?'

'Nothing' Lucas shrugged.

'But you've hardly eaten today' Reuben protested.

'And you haven't eaten anything at all' Lucas replied.

Reuben nodded. 'Thanks for bringing me this. I'd offer you something from here, but all the food just takes like air...sorry.'

'Don't worry, I'd rather go hungry than eat from this place.' Lucas sighed. 'Do you know when you'll be out?'

'Hopefully tomorrow, the doctor said if the tingling in my fingers stops I can leave. It was only a minor break.'

'Great.'

'Can you open this for me?'

Lucas took the pasty and tore the packet open, handing it back to him.

'I told Drake' Lucas said as Reuben began to eat. 'He said he'll be here tomorrow.'

'Great, does anybody else know?'

'No.'

'Good' Reuben sighed with relief. 'I'd hate to have to explain myself.'

'Well good luck explaining why you have a cast on Monday morning.'

Reuben fell silent as a feeling of dread slowly descended upon him.

'You'll be fine' Lucas reassured, 'don't worry about it.'

'Did you bring me something to read?'

'Sorry I forgot.'

'That's ok, ' Reuben shrugged. 'It's just that it's terribly boring in here.'

'I'll be back tomorrow.'

There was the sudden sound of a mobile buzzing.

'That must be Drake' Lucas said rising from the bed, 'I'll tell him you're ok.'

Lucas flipped the mobile open and quickly began to text.

'You'd better go now' Reuben said. 'Visiting hours are almost over and the nurses get really ratty if you hang around, and I don't want to making a scene.'

Lucas hit the 'send' button and snapped the phone shut again.

'Fine' he said smiling confidently at his brother. 'I'll be back again tomorrow, what time am I allowed to visit?'

'Two till five in the afternoon, then after that six thirty till eight thirty.'

'I'll see you then' Lucas clicked his fingers at him. 'I'm going to sell the TV tomorrow morning for some cash. You get some sleep.'

'See you tomorrow.'

Lucas fought the urge to turn and look back as he walked away, aching in his heart at the hurt of his brother, and the thought of having to leave him here. He realised how Reuben must have felt when he himself had been injured earlier that day. And the guilt.

I shouldn't have asked him to go.

Once home, Lucas spent the remainder of that night drinking whisky until he fell asleep, waking several hours later in the early hours of the morning, he decided to begin searching for Rhian. However, she could not be found.

He returned home and fell asleep again on the sofa, waking this time when Drake rang at one o'clock in the afternoon.