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CHAPTER 1 A NEW START

The sky was clear. All the clouds were absent to present the breath taking endless blue and the sun was shining bright, leaving twinkles of its beautiful rays against my window. The birds perched delicately on the rooftops and tree branches, singing their own symphonies that each seemed to have a unique note to heighten the joyful season of summer. That's why I pulled the covers over my head to try and block it out, and essentially get more sleep. I was so comfortable in my bed, you know when you're not too hot not to cold just right, a bit like Goldilocks all cosy in your claimed space. Well that's when the annoying alarm decides to violate my content slumber. beep beep beep beep This went on for a long five minutes, repeating its sound without pausing, before my older sister Silver came through to switch it off with quite some force.
I call Silver my sister even though she isn't biologically ,because you see I'm fostered, I have no real family -I don't know anything about them at all- all I know is my name. Crystal Charmers. My earliest memories are growing up from birth in the orphanage and I wished every day to get out of that dingy, torturous, hell hole. Yet not all the times were bad, I met my first best friend there, a girl the same age, named Bethany Halimoore. We were the best friends practically inseparable for a few years. Even so, she got fostered in the night, so I woke up the next day and she was gone like most things in my early life. This resulted in me becoming the target and victim to the beastly bullies that resided there as well. I actually don't blame them for taking and expressing their pain onto me and I'm somewhat thankful. In those twelve years I learned something which no school could teach. How to stay strong when you have hardly anything left.
Anyway back to the main story. I turned to face the wall, in an attempt to pretend to still be asleep, while she fiddled with the alarm to turn it off properly.
"Wake up Crystal. Its morning" silver said softly.
I just groaned in reply as any average teenager does at seven in the morning. A few moments passed before she started to get frustrated and prodded sharply at my side.
"You're not blaming me for being late again. Now get up!" She snarled angrily.
I started to slowly open my eyes, flickering my eyelids to adjust to the intense morning light, but all of a sudden, I was purged out of my peaceful nest by my ankles. thump I hit the floor, like a rock that had just been pushed off a hundred foot cliff.
"Ow my head!" I yelled as loud as possible.
bang! That banging was my younger brother Jake -again not blood related -he gets pissed off at just about everything that happens in this house.
"Shut the hell up! "He shouted.

I got to my feet quite shakily as I staggered out my room. Then I changed my pace as I slid my arm down the paint peeled banister, charging down the stairs like some sort of rhino on a rampage "wheeeeeeeee!"
I guess you could say its routine because then my foster dad yells at me "Crystal what have I told you about running! One day you'll bring the banister down with you!"
Then I say smugly" I was only doing you a favour by hurrying up."
So I get into the living room, the cleanest room in the whole house, dad grabs the car keys off the dust coated stand next to the front door. He leaves for work, with a piece of semi burnt toast in his mouth, as he tries to say goodbye to me while slinging on his suit jacket. I always wake up first even though I have to be gotten up. This is because my sister goes collage which starts later and my brother goes to a school that's next to the house near enough. Bing that's the just microwave telling me breakfast is done. I usually eat leftovers from dinner.Yum yum. Today's menu is cold pizza and nachos -anything covered in cheese is one of my favourites- guaranteed to destroy my insides too. As I pick my totally appetizing breakfast, I can hear the usual banging. It's Jake again, but this time on the VIGS (virtual in game system) the latest gaming console craze for geeky teen boys. I finished off my meal feeling the heartburn already taking its effect. I trudge into the kitchen prying the fridge door open again trying to tackle the indigestion by guzzling down some almost flat lemonade straight from the bottle. After resealing the fridge, I put my plate in the sink, leaving it in soak for someone else to wash the in-scalable mountain of cutlery. I go to brush my teeth climbing back upstairs and wash up with only the best orange scented soap, and then I hunt for my school uniform in my trash heap of a bedroom.
After I finally located them I start by slipping out of my baggy worn out Pj's, which draped over me like curtains too long for the pale frame they concealed, tossing them over onto the pillow. Remembering instantly that the blinds are open so I cover my modesty with my arms, even though there's not much to cover and I hastily drew them. Letting an idle sigh out as I chose to relax back on my bed, staring up at the roof while unclothed for a bit. In your own room it's just about the only place where it's acceptable to be fully undressed, that and in the shower of course. Struggling to keep my eyes open, I got back up so I didn't drift back off to the perfect land of dreams. I wriggled into my flower patterned undies, then using the mirror as a guide while I fastened my plain black bra on its hooks, a complicated task which required complete focus, which meant my tongue was subconsciously poking out. I picked up my screwed up pair of coal coloured tights and popped one leg in followed by the other, cursing rather loud as my little toe chose to poke out laddering them again. Muttering under my breath as I rummaged through my wardrobe to pick out the least creased, off white, shirt. Which I thought to myself that I needed to probably iron it ,as I fastened the buttons up leaving the top one untouched like always. Placing my tie over my shoulders not tightening up the noose yet, as I sat back down on the edge of my bed, powering up the straighteners tapping my fingers rhythmically as I waited. Once the LED light stopped flashing, I picked them up making sure not to catch the plates which is easily done and trailed them through my brown locks as I combed through with my fingers. Checking the dirty mirror to see if I was done I flicked them off satisfied with it and shoved them at my bedside. I grabbed the jet black skirt off the back of the chair and hopped into my foggy grey old school shoes. I nibbled at some sticky sweets I had abandoned on my dresser which had that warm weird taste to them. Standing back I scratched at my head wondering where I left my blazer at, however as I glanced around the crimson jacket stood out in the scattered assortment of junk on the floor. West Milford High. Named after our town and the most populated school in it including the east side campus. Although I know for certain our schools the best...Why? That's simple it's great due to the people and that's all. I don't cake my face in make-up like most girls these days but I add a bit of eyeliner and mascara and head down the stairs and out the front door...Two seconds later I popped back in realizing I forgot my bag then I headed out for the first day back at school.
So after the school day I returned to my routine sitting down and snuggling up in my duvet like a more normal girl which I tend to avoid showing others.
Dear diary,
Today...Well how to begin, perhaps with the fact, yet again I had to endure another dreadful day at the teenage safari we call school. The animals hounded me after my lunch like vultures and this time my pack wasn't around to protect me. It wasn't all bad since the "warden" (I say that with sarcasm diary as he couldn't fend off a rock) managed to disperse the bunch.
After that I kind of sulked and resided in my lonesome state, it seems lately those guys -Tom, Jade and Scott- all seem to have better things to do. I don't want to make it awkward by confronting them with my misery but, I guess it would be nice to have a friend. I haven't felt this solitude since the orphanage and it's starting to feel like a recurring hell.
My head's been hurting again. Think I might tell someone soon -if someone shows up- because it's becoming severely painful like someone's blasted a bullet through my thick skull.
Well let's just hope I see someone tomorrow I'm sure it can only get better.

Keep this secret safe diary... love Crystal
p.s I miss and love you still mum and dad xxx

I placed down my secret journal back into my pillow before laying down to snuggle into the bedding then repeat the day again... I woke up had almost the same morning as the last and headed out to the educational excuse which would be better to be called prison.

chapter 2 : Normality

I left the house letting a breath out as I clicked the lock, I heard Tom waving and bellowing to me from across the street. Me and Tom have been best friends since I moved here with the Rosenbergs from Draycoat where they fostered me at age twelve, though the first time we met was kind of awkward. I had just found out that my pet mouse Whiskers had died the first thing I loved so much, I went to the beach in Kronos and sat on the broken pier crying for most the afternoon since he was my first pet. As I watched my tears hitting the ocean making my reflection ripple he came and asked me "Hey down there...What's wrong?"
I didn't reply for a while but then I turned and smiled being hard headed and not wanting a stranger to see me cry and said "Nothing's wrong at all."
"Huh? Then why were you crying?" He asked.
"I had something in my eye." Lying awfully like I normally did when I was upset.
It went silent for a while then he burst out laughing. "Typical girl hahaha. You're just like the rest in this town nice to meet you though."
I stood up with a smirk on my face dusting off wiping my cheek once more to remove the bleeding eyeliner from my eyes and said "The name's Crystal."
"Uhhh I'm Thomas. Tom for short though." He stumbled holding out his hand for some sort of handshake.
I then finally replied taking his hand gently at first "nice to meet too you Tom I really hope you can swim"
"Whaaaaa...?" He uttered as I pulled his hand in to me then turned around and pushed him in and left giggling as he spluttered clambering back onto the pier drenched in the sea water with his damp clothes clinging awkwardly to his rather skinny build.

So as you see it was a weird way to first meet." Hey Crystal you need a lift?" Tom asked with a gentle smile on his face as he was getting into his father's heavily built deep blue car.
I was about to answer him when my dad came out and said "thanks for the offer Thomas but Crystal needs the exercise."
I turned with a scowl on my face and yelled "hey are you calling me fat old man"
and he replied slyly" who you calling old now get going or you're going to get grounded"
I walked off dragging my feet as I was mumbling to myself and dad shouted "don't forget to be home by five"
I simply waved back in reply.
Walking to school is so boring I hate it and don't think there's actually anything more boring. I mean you're walking to a boring place so that's a downer, then the road looks like it goes on forever as if it's some artistic illusion as the grassy fields break up the constant view of the symmetrical houses to both sides of you. On the way I have to entertain myself by playing tunes on metal railings with sticks like they were a xylophone or kicking rocks ahead as if they were footballs scuffing up my shoes more. I guess you could class me as a tomboy, but I hate that title it's so generic and I hate labels. Although it's as almost as worse as what Cyndi, the stuck up fake bleach blonde miss popular cheerleader calls me. When I talked to Silver of how many times I deal with the snob she just tells me not to worry there's one of her type in all schools a.k.a the stuck up bitch. Speaking of Cyndi I happened to accidentally hit her left calf quiet hard with one of the rocks as I skimmed it on the concrete. "Hey! Well guys look what the freaks dragged in!"
I was so confused I don't get what satisfaction she gets from picking on me "Cyndi I'm sorry I didn't mean to hit you (well at least I didn't this time)."
Her expression went from mad to a sarcastic smirk
"Can it Charmy I didn't ask you to talk." She scoffed as she flicked out her silky hair proudly. She seemed to be eying me up looking where to knife me next. "So where did you find the rags? Lost property?" She said letting out her evil laugh.
I hate how she is so full of herself, if she isn't getting her "minions" to complement her; she has to brag about herself she literally has a stick up her ass. "Hey I said sorry Cyndi what's your problem just because your daddy thinks you're a princess, doesn't mean you are. To me you're just a complete bitch."
Her eye twitched I knew I hit a raw nerve, she hates getting answered back from anyone even her parents.
"How dare you Freakoid you know that you can't talk to me like that." She growled.
I knew then I should probably leave it, but I was bored and caught in the heat of the moment so I pushed her even further.
"Talk to you like what?" I asked her.
"Just like that. Ugh! Shut up you... Orphan...You multi-coloured eyed freak. No wonder you were adopted who would want a freak for a baby!"
Now she had done it I hate when people insult my red and blue eyes I get so annoyed and self-conscious. Then what's worse she had to be the insensitive brat like always and pick on my family.
"Why don't you say that to my face whore?" She clicked her knuckles together and gritted her pearly teeth as one of her minions pushed her in my direction. She punched me directly on my right eye and it felt like I'd been struck by or something.
"Ha! That's what you get for messing with me freak. Let's leave the mutant alone now. Just like her parents did." she laughed as she walked away from me shaking her hand like hitting me actually hurt her too.
My eye was stinging me worse than sunburn but I wasn't thinking about that as I watched her slowly walking away chatting her head off to her gang.
I got to my feet and sneaked up on Cyndi. "Hey Cyndi"
"Huh?" She said as she tipped her head lightly back.
I grinned as I clenched my fist and swung at her face "You forgot something."
I landed it in the same place she hit me giving a bit of mirrored justice for a change.
"Yeah go on run away chickens! All talk aren't you!"
Her friends ran so did she, after one helped her scamper up while she was snapping at them trying not to cry. I smiled proudly to myself thinking this day had suddenly become better, but that's when I heard the ear shattering squeak of a brake. The door opened and gulp it was dad.
"Get in now" he yelled.
I saw he was pissed off from his scowl and anger that was clear in his body language. Another awkward silence, talk about great timing I love how he didn't see her punch me.
"What were you thinking?" he asked.
I didn't answer instead I was sulking, because we both knew this whole conversation of by heart so he just sighed.
"You know how I feel about violence. There's no need for it. That's how I lost ...Rachel." He seemed to choke on his words.
It was understandable. Rachel was Silver's and Jake's mum she left six years ago after a row between her and Johnathan.I never asked any of them about her, as it seems right that way as they don't ask me about my family even though I couldn't tell them anything.
"Crystal I know she hit you first but does it make it right to correct a wrong with a wrong to make it right" He sighed.
OK... Does that make sense in any way because I don't get it? I was simply confused.
"Umm yeah dad I'm sorry" I said with a bit of a sniffle.
"This is the last time I'm going to let you off so get going or you'll be late."
I got out the car after unbuckling the belt and kissing his cheek
"Thanks dad" I said.
He smiled and nodded. Well at least I didn't have to walk all the way so that was a bit of a brighter tone to this drrrrrrrrrrrrr .Oh no... I quickly snatched my phone out of my inside blazer pocket pressed the on button sharply and the time read on the display "09:05"I'm late! I shoved the phone back into my satchel and pushed past all the doors in the school slamming them into the walls making the corridor echo. I darted through the winding science lab leaping down the stairs across the courtyard twisting my ankle as I hit the cobbles too hard. I had to push on through so I kept sprinting up the stairs past the crooked display which contained crinkled posters from two years ago, concealed behind the peeling plastic and up to the English class EN07 home to our form Rolwynn named after the man that founded the first bank in Kronos. Not sure why he is such a big name here but still it's better than being in Amthor or Fallain they're both full of the evil kids in this school. Well I braced myself as I prepared to go in.
chapter 3: dark clouds on the horizon

I opened the door slightly and as soon as I put my foot in the doorway everyone's attention was directed at me.
"Uhh ha...ha you know there's a reason for why I late." I stuttered.
Mr Baxter our form tutor and middle set English teacher really hates me in that teacher kind of way and best friend's father way too.
He glimpsed over with a disgusted look on his face then looked back at the register. "Crystal Charmers?"
Was he trying to be sarcastic or do I have some shimmering sign of good luck at ten past how could he still be doing the register.
"Uhhh yes sir?" I replied.
Again he turned in my direction but this time with that evil bitter teacher look like they have one up on you.
"Guess what?" He asked.
I really didn't know what to say so I said this...
"Uhhh sir I can totally explain on the way to school..."
He interrupted me "Let me guess you were chased down town by a bunch of rabid raccoons and had to seek shelter in the arcade?"
Oh man he does not trust me.
"Sir I may look stupid but I'm not that stupid, besides that only happens on Wednesdays, any way I got in a fight with Cyndi hence my black eye." I said pointing it out even though it was obvious.
The whole class gasped in shock and started to whisper things which were granted to be rumours
"That's enough class. Crystal go take a seat." He said gesturing his hand to my seat.
I went to my usual desk in the middle at the back next to Tom, Jade and Scott. We prefer to sit at the back not because we cause trouble we just don't like to get involved much with the teacher's activities like the drama and writing on the board. We rarely get picked but if the teacher in our lesson has the hump then they seem to target our group. However between us we do have all the knowledge to get through school.

I also met them on my first day at school they helped me stand up to the terrible two, Sam and Samantha two kids with a school wide reputation to pick of freshmen. I always thought it was weird how their parents named them similar names, but I can't talk my parents named me after a stone. The day I met Scott and Jade is one I'll never forget it was the best ever.
"Psst Crystal snap out of it." Scott said clicking his fingers in front of my eyes.
"Huh?" I said shaking my head.
I think I just drifted off into my own world again something I tend to do a lot at school.
"Are you alright?" They all asked me
"Yeah I'm fine it's just a small scratch." I said scratching idly at my head as we started making jokes and giggling to ourselves to kill the twenty minutes of form left.
"Umm Crystal?" That timed voice was Ashley, Tom's little sister in year 8 which the way she entered was reasonable since year 11's can be intimidating.
"Yeah what's up Ashley?" I asked giving her a friendly smile and soft hug as she is practically a sister to me.
She handed me a pink slip and I knew what that meant as I kicked my chair making a clash like thunder "Detention for what?"
OK maybe shouting that out wasn't my best idea.
"Crystal go to the cooler now!" sir shouted.
Great could today get any better?

I grabbed my stuff and shuffled off to the room of total boredom called isolation, where you have to sit in silence no talking not at all, unless you want to add onto your suffering. Sometimes I wish I was dead, I mean not in a morbid way at least then you can float around as a ghost scaring people. Anyway enough about being dead, as I entered this room I get the usual greeting from the teacher watching the room giving me the motion to hand over my phone and then the annoyance of Jordan Ritchie sticking gum onto my chair, which to be fair the gum was probably from under the tables in the first place.
"Thanks" I whispered giving him a glare as I sat on the edge of the seat to avoid gum on my skirt. I put my head down on the desk gazing out the window waiting for each minute to pass but it felt like hours. The day wasn't the best of days as the weather was freezing the sky was cloudy kind of the complete opposite to the lovely day we had before...Weird I didn't notice the dark fog engulfing the field like a shroud how could I miss that? Staring at it made me feel all woozy but after a while drifted off to sleep, I think the teacher didn't notice me passed out like a corpse.
"You can go to your next lesson now Crystal"
"Zzzz...Huh? What? Yeah thanks."
I grabbed my stuff and wiped the drool from my mouth that must have spilled out like Niagara Falls as I left a puddle on the desk and let my eyes adjust to the light. Also when I was leaving Jordan hit me again and when I turned growling he winked at me. I'm officially disturbed.

Maths was extremely boring apart from when miss nearly fell down the stairs and we all burst out laughing. Yeah we are mean people. I was so glad when the lunch bell rang and my ears perked up.
"Yay lunch!" Jade exclaimed.
"Hey that's my line Jade" I told her as the boys sneaked out quickly from the last lesson.
"Last one to the den has to clean it." They shouted teasingly.
We all legged it apart from Jade who was too busy saying "Gah! You are sooo immature I mean racing we're seventeen... what! Grrr you guys are evil wait up!"
Jade is one fast runner she holds the 400m record in the school but Toms the fastest he always wins any race apart from when I cheat and that's a lot.
"Huh hey Crystal no fair since when can you use your skateboard?" he yelled.
"You never said I couldn't" I laughed riding on my home made neon blue skateboard that Jake helped build with me. I couldn't afford a new one from the shops definitely when I only have a paper round. Tom has one too but his is a brought one the Cyclone electric, black and yellow but he never brings it to school only to the park. I got a bit distracted as I stuck my tongue out at them not realizing how far I had travelle. As I turned my luck had ran out. Why? I hit a two hundred foot tree that had been there for years sending shearing pain through my body in an instance. Then I blacked out...

chapter 4: clouded visions

"Ow my head" I mumbled.
I must have wiped out pretty bad looking at myself I couldn't see any cuts or bruising, oh no am I dead, look God I know that whole conversation earlier about dying being OK
"Shush Hun!" A voice said from somewhere.
I could see an angelic figure in the distance wrapped in silk that was pure white trailing like a dress while on the back they were carrying a long sword with weird golden glowing engravings on it.
"Wow I guess I tumbled off badly I mean I'm seeing angels "I thought to myself as I squinted trying to get a better look.
"You're not dead or dying and I'm certainly not an angel." She said in such a melodious voice.
She's not an angel for sure as she has no fluffy pearly wings... Then what's with the weird glow also she's a she?
"Wait weird light lady how can you hear my thoughts?" I asked puzzled.
She rolled her eyes and said "Listen kid you may look dumb but you're not that dumb."
Whoa hold on! One she insults me and two she takes my own saying and changes it who does she think she is?
"Follow me, this way" She beckoned.
A light appeared out of nowhere a little like a gate to another world, it actually nearly consumed the darkness around us.
"You can trust me" she said as she held out her hand I took it and got up, though her hands were freezing like I was gripping an iceberg.
"Cold hands warm heart. Have you heard that saying Crystal?" She softly asked.
"What? No but how do you know my name and who are you?" I said puzzled.
Her face seemed to lose hope.
"Well I personally thought you were bright, but I guess she was right after all." She paused.
"My name is Yuna. I control light aura and all your good actions"
I didn't know what to do or say I mean I'm in my own head apparently. Maybe I just passed out and this is a lucid dream or some comma trick...
"Confused?" She asked.
"Yeah" I replied.
"This way" She said as she guided me to get closer to her.
I followed close as I could, hearing terrifying shrieks coming from behind that sent shivers across my spine. We didn't walk far and we walked through that beam of light that earlier appeared making my eyes squint as it was unbearably bright at first.

We entered a new place where the grass on the floor was shrivelled up dead and the trees had all turned to ashes and small ember's floating like leaves from the tree's in the orange sky.
"What...Where are we Yuna?" I stumbled.
She turned to me with a great sadness on her face and simply said "Just watch."
We both stared into the distant sun as a dark solemn figure rose up against it like a mountainous shadowed silhouette.
"Who's he?" I asked.
Yuna just place her finger gently against her lips to tell me to be quiet. The man just stood there on his horse then began to laugh with such a bitter tone. The smoke from the fire was really hurting my eyes and I began to cry due to the unbearable burning sensation
"Yuna! Who is he and why can't we go?" I screamed.
I eventually collapsed to my knees and clutched my throat as I struggled to breathe feeling my lungs filling with toxic fumes. I managed to lift my head up to see him the man -with the ashy grey hair to match his vacant white eyes- he'd already approached to be in my face as he spoke.
"Does it hurt?" He said in a gruff tone.
I didn't answer as I couldn't. I had no strength left I felt zapped and helpless, but when I closed my eyes to blink he was gone, but I fell to my back. My vision was so blurred now, although just as I was closing my eyes a similar person to Yuna but wearing darker silk clothing appeared and spoke quietly
"Don't you think that was a bit too much Yuna?"
I then finally passed out cold.

My breathing was much easier now slower more relaxed and not choked by smoke.
"Crystal. Can you hear us Crystal? CC? Wakey wakey." I heard a familiar voice say softly.
My head was killing me worse than a hangover, though I managed opened my eyes to see Jake, Tom, Jade, Scott and a Doctor standing by my bed.
"Doctor... I'm fine look I don't need to be here it was a little trip and... Sigh. You're not telling me off are you?" I said presumptuously.
The doctor smiled as he told me "you're lucky you have great friends they carried you here from school and got you in just in time."
I reached out and grabbed the glass of water a little bit shaky, from the table by my bed then smiled and thanked my friends.
"You suffered from a head concussion but you recovered miraculously fast so you should be out tomorrow."
The doctor left the room and I took another long drink letting the water slide down the sides of my throat then said "Thanks guys."
"No prob CC" Tom said bluntly.
"I didn't tell dad I told him you had revision for a test with Tom" Jake told me.
"Thanks, where's Silver?" I asked.
"She is doing some work stuff" Jake muttered.
I had nothing else to say, so I turned to the window to see police everywhere surrounding the offices next door like a swarm of bees running frantically around getting into positions. Tom's, Jade's and Scott's phones rang weird coincidence each with their individual ring tone; I presumed it was their parents.
"Sorry we got to go" They said almost synchronized.
"That's alright I told them" as they left in haste.

I wasn't thinking straight again, but they always seem to get phone calls at the same time something's up I had to know.
"Jake I'm just going to the bathroom."
"Whatev." he said with his eyes glued to his portable game console like a zombie as I left.
I wasn't really going to the bathroom, I was sneaking out so I slipped past all the staff dressed in white and blue and the sickly patients quickly and out the exit. I weaved round some alleyways and came to the offices and thought I saw them so I climbed on the bin then on to the takeaway roof next to it the leaped to grab the ledge like an agile cat. Climbing has always been my forte when it came to physical education.
"Come on." I told myself gritting my teeth as I pulled myself up and through the window.
I sat down on a chair. "Few" I said panting for some breath.
click I turned my head to see someone dressed in black wearing a mask to cover their face holding a gun to my head, though they were trembling wickedly
"OH...I...I'm so sorry." gulp.

chapter 5: Wrong place wrong time

click what have i got myself into. I have done some weird, random, stupid things in my life but I think this is number one on the list now.
"Who are you and how did you get in?" The masked maniac said pushing the gun against my head.
What should I do? Tell the truth if I do he could shoot me dead like some sort of rabbit being mangled by a car.
"Why do you want to know mister?"
As soon as I said that I heard him grip his gun harder grinding against his palm and fingertips like sandpaper, I could also sense the anger on his face.
"Why? Why? Because if this goes wrong someone is gonna pay. I'm not taking the crap from the boss again!" He snarled.
Now what do I do. Can't run my chances of escaping were very slim I felt like I'd been placed in the execution chair.
"Last question kid." He snapped adjusting his hand on the gun.
What should I ask, I thought feeling my heart racing at a hundred miles per hour.
"So if you're in here then what's going on outside?" I whimpered.
I heard him sigh under his mask as he walked away for a while.
"well since you asked we are thieves, if you didn't get that already and we are having some trouble stealing the precious stones from the vaults due to a minor hiccup" He said waving his hands around while pacing.
"Minor hiccup? Like what the cops?" I asked.
He laughed sarcastically then said "Nah the cops ain't the prob you see kid, the true prob is those heroes"
I looked at him confused. Was he delusional? Heroes don't exist at all I wondered if he thought I was some gullible kid.

All the sirens on the street went silent leaving the place in an uneasy quiet, then I heard one of the officers say "This is your last chance let the hostage go and come out with your hands up."
It clicked in my mind that it meant I'm the hostage.
"Ha ha ha as if we're gonna go down without a fight." He snickered.
Normally I'd have made some idiotic comment but for once in my life I kept my mouth shut. Now that the police said that I realized I was submerged in this hectic thing. The masked thief went and locked the windows double checking each one then he said "keep your mouth shut kid and you might just live."
He left and locked the door behind him. Normally I'd have some great plan, but this is one of those situations where you thought you knew what you'd do if you got involved in it. However in practice you just can't pluck up the courage to do the things you though you could. I went to the door and tried the handle but the door was obviously locked tight. What now? I could hear him talking outside on what I guessed was a radio.
"crrrk what's the situation? crrrk"A voice said off the other end.
"Seems like we're trapped inside I think the others have acquired the gems, but they are surrounded boss." The masked man said.
" crrrk what's happening your end mate? crrkk." Weirdly this sounded like a boy's voice around my age with a strong cockney accent.
"Not much is happening here, just a little problem a teenage girl broke in through the window."
That's me but I'm co-operating it's not like I've been bugging him I thought.
"crrrkk what? Grrr! Get rid of her, the more witnesses the harder this is gonna be! crrrkk." this time the voice sounded like a girl around my age too sound a little like the boy what the hell is going on.
"crrrkk "Wait is she a Super or a Mort?" The boy asked.
"I think she's a Mort she hasn't tried anything yet."
"crrrkk Stay on guard idiot don't mess up like last time! crrkk."The arrogant girl said.
I was terrified. If I'm what they were talking about then I'm gonna die here. The communications seemed to cease.

I saw the handle begin to rotate; I panicked and crawled to hide behind a sofa in the room. The door opened and he strolled in. Each one of his footsteps sent shivers up my spine hitting the floor, each one sounded like elephant's. I tried to stop breathing so heavily but my body was stuck in a state of shock. I just couldn't seem to take enough air in to satisfy my lungs. I had no control over my body it felt like I wasn't in my own skin anymore, as I froze up then saw a larger shadow cast over mine.
"It's nothing personal kid just you ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time." His hand was shaking as he said it gritting his teeth.
Either that or I was shaking as if my body was at the centre of an earthquake. It felt like a life time had passed in two minutes and I couldn't speak and my vision was hazy all. I could see was every tear sparkling as it dropped to the floor splashing against the carpet.
"I'm so sorry" He winced.
His hand went to pull the trigger on the pistol I closed my eyes waiting for the intense pain to come, when a flash of static entered the room.
"What? Who are you?" I stammered as I was confused.
"Shut it kid!" The gun man yelled.
I heard gun shots close ones but not aimed in my direction. I peeked up above the sofa curiously.
"No!" I shrieked as I saw him shooting at the stranger.
Then the man with gun turned to me sharply and fired.
"Get down!" The stranger cried.
I looked at him like a deer stuck in the head lights and heard the ear piercing shots and shut my eyes tight. All of a sudden I felt my body being pushed to the ground like a rag doll. Regardless of what happened, I timidly opened my eyes. I saw directly above me a guy dressed in modern golden clothes: Jeans that dangled just over his shoes; an open hooded jacket; a white shirt which seemed to cling perfectly to his stomach muscles and spiked up blonde hair as if his hair had been shocked to stay up stiff.
"Are you alright?" he asked his voice sounded so familiar but it sounded soft and calming.
"Yeah I'm fine..." I shyly replied.
The gun man already ran for it.
"Sorry I have to go." The guy said as he got off me helping me up grabbing my hand tight.
I just nodded to him and smiled. He did the same then ran out as I pushed my brown fringe over my cheeks to cover up the bit of blush which crept in. I sighed as I thought to myself I got to see a hero so they do exist like all the stories said wow. It wasn't fiction...It was real.

I got to my feet and scampered out to the balcony on the second floor in the office, to see my hero fighting of the masked man and his accomplices. It was apparent to me that this wasn't a fair fight they had guns and he had a sword. I could only see the handle of his weapon I knew it wasn't a fake, it didn't look cheap, and it was specially crafted. The handle was gold and silver swirls in colour and it hand a lively mechanical shine to it. Though I couldn't see how this sword helps. Everyone knows bullets travel too fast for humans and his chances of getting to them unscathed and slice them with the blade was extremely low. But, I probably shouldn't doubt him he saved me so he could do it again. Could he? I watched eagerly anticipating his next move. I was sure he had saw me as I caught the corner of his eye thought little did I know, things were about to get worse. As the girl was reloading she pushed her hair to tuck it behind her ear, that gave her a visual on me and she looked up to the balcony.
"Idiot! Never ask a man to do a girls job." She growled as she smacked the gun against the man that held me hostage.
The man in the mask yelped a bit, but just focused on shooting at some officers that had made it in, even though they were retreating.
The other kid said as he waved his gun in the air like they were just having a normal conversation "Hey sis I resent that just cause he screwed up don't mean I will."
"Sorry brother I'm just annoyed that's she's still breathing and that moron couldn't take out a Mort."
The girl who from my vantage point looked to be about six foot, with mulberry purple long hair that traipsed down her smoky black overcoat. The coat matched her eye shadow which emphasized her emerald green piercing eyes which were fixed on me. She started to run towards the stairs to get up here, the hero dashed over to cover them. She slowed down as she fired the rest of the rounds in her mamba pistol with 9,19mm rounds. He drew his sword and started to move so fast and elegantly as if he was flowing with the air deflecting the bullets, ricocheting them across the room.
"Move it Sparks!" she infuriatingly said with a grin.
"Not on my life Nighty darling." He winked at her as he spoke as if they knew each other.
"Fine" she said as she put the empty gun back in her holster tied round her thigh.
The masked man ran for the exit with his hands up tackled to the floor by the officers, but the other boy seemed to be shooting down a corridor shouting. I couldn't see what he was shooting at. The villainous girl smiled as she raised her hand. She kept her elbow bent as she pointed her hand at him, tucking her last to fingers against her palm and her thumb and index pointed at him while the middle one pointed to the floor. Her midnight black nails reflected her dark and evil attitude, but then her hand started glowing with a dark purple mist. From under her sleeve a vine of deadly nightshade crept around her arm and grasped onto her skin. The deep purple flowers bloomed against her fair skin while the vines hugged tightly to the tip of her fingers. The hero stood there thinking as a feint yellow stream of electricity danced around him, repelling the vapour that diffused from the flowers. They were both staring each other out for quite some time. Then the other remaining accomplice leaped from the ground onto some platforms which appeared hazily then threw himself onto the balcony. He stood towering over me at about six foot five, his intimidating glare made his coffee brown eyes fix onto mine. He pushed his raven black fringe from his face revealing his bitter grin as he dusted his tar trench coat.
"What how did you?" I said fearfully.
"Bye bye pest" He snickered evilly.
As he fired the last shot in his Berretta room temperature dropped below zero and my skin coated in goose bumps.
"No Crystal!" The hero yelled looking up to the balcony.
As he yelled the girl growled launching the dark energy from her hand. It hit him hard and the spray quickly engulfed him like ivy. He cried out in pain ensnared to the ground by the nightshade vines while she stood there laughing. As I turned from the bullet being fired at me, an ice cold breeze cascaded across. I stayed in the fetal position for some time before letting a pant out which turned all misty; I turned my head to see the bullet frozen in the air. A girl with hair almost see-through like icicles that seemed to solidify at the ends. Her breath not misting like mine as she appeared to be out of breath. Her snow white skin covered in water droplets, which quickly hardened. Her lips were blue as if they had frostbite and her sky blue eyes glanced down at me. Her attire seemed to be very revealing as all she had was a deep blue crop top and a pair of tight cerulean trousers which hung low showing her lower abdomen and the sides of what I guessed were her underwear.
I awkwardly looked away as I muttered "thanks."
"Get her out of here Azure!" She yelled behind her as she kicked her heel at the hand I offered.
The villains seemed to back down as a ladder broke through the skylight making it rain shards of glass. The boy dived from the rail on the balcony and the girl turn on her heel and leaped to grab on. They hung to the rungs and the helicopter above began to take off with a loud hum.
"Later super zeros!" He said as he began to chuckle.
"Hope we can do this again sometime Sparky" She said as she blew a kiss from the helicopter ladder.

I scampered to my feet and paced down the stairs to the hero on the floor he seemed to be in less pain now but the others seemed concerned. I went to pry off some of the vines when my hand was grabbed.
The hero blinked and struggled to say "Don't...Their creepers and the poison will kill you..."
He flinched up again biting onto his lip as boy dressed in a deep sea blue outfit sat next to him with his hand on the hero's head. His hair flowed with a slight curl in a hazelnut brown colour and his eyes were a fern green.
"How did you know my name?" I asked.
He turned his head looking up at me with a familiar smile which made me think as I felt a shy smile crawl onto my face.
"You still here!?" the ice girl asked.
"Huh?" I said slightly confused.
"Glacier get her out of here and wipe her memory." the one called Azure said idly as he was controlling water and sending it around the vines and killing them.
She sighed "Come on then let's go."
She went to grab my arm but I slipped away and ran out the back door.
"Hey get back here!" she yelled as she chased me.
I ran for some time hearing her heels clicking on the pavement as she kept yelling things. It took a few blocks before she stopped exhausted and slumped to the floor. I didn't notice though so I carried on running leaping over the benches heading across Greendale Park. I listened closely to the grass brushing on my shoes then realized there were only my footsteps. I turned then flopped against the ground in the open dark sky. My phone started vibrating sending me a message reminding me that I promised my family I'd be back tonight as it was a solar storm. I watched my breath against the star filled sky and gripped to my blazer as it went cold. I got to my feet and started crossing the park and fiddling with my phone trying to dial Tom but it kept going to answer phone. I sighed texting some message deleting some words wondering what I could actually say. I was absent to what was going on around and the world seemed to ignite in lights. I was too late to react though as the sky lit up like the fourth of July but instead the fireworks came down not up. I stopped further on to catch my breath I sat down and watched the beacons in the sky rain down. It was so cool I wished I was home but what a night I can't wait to tell Scott and Jade but they probably won't believe as much as Tom will. I smiled swaying my legs wondering about the trouble I was going to be in from sneaking out of hospital. I sat there unaware of the flaring light that kept coming down towards the park. I hugged my legs tight as I followed some of the lights with my fingers. That's when I heard the fierce rumbling like a lions roar and tipped my head back and in a sudden flash I was consumed by an agonizing blazing bolder. Everything went white as I lay there in the crater completely knocked out.

chapter 6: playing with fire

I lent up to see my room, I was in my bed with my back arched up as I wondered was all of that some kind of dream.
"What happened, why does my head hurt?" I said this even though no one was around.
Then as I thought about what happened rubbing my head someone entered my room.
"Crystal ummm are you alright?"
It was Jake being nice to me for a change but I wasn't gonna let up that something bad happened so I kept my normal front on. I sighed lightly.
"Who are you and what did you do with my brother."
Even though I asked him that with a smile on my face he thought I was serious for a minute, but then he realized.
"Huh. I guess that knock on your head didn't change your personality."
Wow what a nice thing to say I thought.
"I love you to brother." I giggled.
"Crystal you're awake thank God."
It was nice to see dad, though after last night I wouldn't rely so much on the big man.
"Ahhh... Hey so what's wrong with every one? I only tapped my head."
Dad looked really annoyed then he burst out. "What the hell were you thinking?"
When he said that I looked like my face had been permanently frozen in shock.
"What do you mean?" I asked with a stutter.
I knew if I played dumb he would explode for real as he hates my playful acting. Although this time I wasn't I really was lost for words.
"You know what! I mean just because you banged your head don't mean you can't remember!" He yelled.
Gulp He sounded really pissed off. I thought to myself I'll just play along.
"Ok I'm sorry I do remember and I'm really sorry...I am."
He rolled his eyes and I was surprised that Jake didn't snicker.
"Hmmm that sounds as real as your report card."
Admittedly I forge it so it reads as A's apart from a few but don't judge me I try in school I just hate to disappoint.
"Hey...Ahhh!" I held my head as it was in a huge amount of pain.
"Crystal!"
Dad ran over and helped me from falling out my bed. "Sigh take it easy rest for today."
I smiled and nodded weakly "yeah thanks dad."

They both left silence again. I hate quiet times. I saw Tom from across the road so I opened my window.
"Hey Tom!" I yelled he turned around and came towards my house.
ding dongthe doorbell rang.
"Hello Thomas would you like to see Crystal?" Dad asked.
"Yeah please."
"She's still upstairs but I think she won't mind." He said gesturing him in
I heard him run up our few stairs and trudge along to my room.
"Hey ever heard of knocking?" I snapped.
He sighed then walked out and knocked then entered." Better?"
"Ahhh no you trying to give me a headache!" I said clutching my head.
He looked very shocked "sorry I don't know what came over me."
Normally he'd forgive me in a heartbeat but this time he looks mad like I messed up or something.
"Huh what's wrong?" I sighed asking.
"Huh you stopped being a jerk?" He snarled.
"Hey I'm not a jerk... most the time at least."
"Well maybe it's time you looked in the mirror and think of others!" He yelled.
"What maybe you should Mr Crabby pants at me for no reason!" I scowled.
"You can't talk why do have to be such a ..."
He stopped himself, but we both knew what he was about to say. I felt myself about to cry and couldn't bear to see him when I'm upset.
"Get out!" I screamed.
"Huh...I...I...I didn't mean it." He stuttered coming over to me.
"Get lost you idiot!" I said throwing a tear filled glare.
"Wow what the hell did I do?"
"Tom i..."
He slammed the door, I watched him run home from my window before falling against my pillow and screaming. Why was I such a cow? Sigh I never meant those words but I just felt so much rage when he entered. That's not like me it's definitely problem .Still what was his issue.

The argument we had gave me a real bad headache it killed as if I had an arrow through my brain. I held my head again but this time my hands were roasting hot and scorched my skin.
"Owwww!!!"
I leaped out of bed and ran to the mirror area then turned looking at my reflection.
"Huh what's that" I muttered to myself.
I saw something glowing under my baggy pyjama shirt. A belt had appeared around my waist some lights were flashing so I pressed the clear one curiously.
"Ahhh" I squealed jumping back.
A hologram appeared on my bedroom floor. It was of a man in a lab coat with some glasses perched on his acorn brown hair with an assistant wearing the same with red hair holding her hands in front.
"To whomever this concerns." The hologram man said.
"I guess that's me?" I muttered.
"The gift you received from the solar storm I designed is called the Dresspheara, a powerful device that can harness inhuman abilities." He continued.
"Wow cool..."I said running my finger over the dial.
"The power of this item is not to be taken for granted. It chose you as you have a strong will and powerful aura. It is to be used to restore Kronos to its previous peaceful state, of which was disturbed. This device is delicate so please don't interfere with my calibrations."
"Calabra what?"
"Also you are entrusted to use this to fight your cause whoever you are......can you also crrrrkkkkk."
The picture started fading going all grainy.
"Can I what?" I asked thinking it could hear me.
The picture kept pausing.
"crrrrrkkk tell.....crkkk my...crrrk daughter....crkk I......crrrrk love her." The hologram faded.

"Inhuman abilities." I said pondering.
The belt didn't seem to be very active as the white button in the center went back to a solid light. Around it there was more buttons but all of them were black accept a red one that was blinking furiously. I taped at it for some time before I accidentally pressed on it too hard and I was suddenly engulfed by fire breaking from the belt. I tried to scream but couldn't. I fell to the ground and gasped for air.
" cough Ahhh my skin is burning up!" I managed to yell.
I grabbed my bed covers in my fingers only to burn a hole in the sheets. I fell again but this time I grabbed the metal cabinet quickly pushing myself up as it melted out of shape.
"What the..."I said stopping lost for words.
I looked in the mirror to see my hair had completely changed.
"Ahhh! I'm a red head!" I screamed running my hands through the messy red locks that had replaced my natural brown.
I also looked down my clothes had changed too, I was no longer in my old Pj's I was in some crimson high rise boots a baggy pair of scarlet shorts with a matching ripped shirt which exposed my belly button. I pulled at the fingerless gloves and noticed my eyes had both turned blood red.
"What's going on?" Silver said barging in.
"Ohh my God who are you? Never mind that where's my sister!" She barked gripping her hands tight.
"It's me silly just a little different." I uttered.
"Nice try I know my sisters a mortal. So where you from: Darkheartia, Pyrovilla, Drakonspore, The underworld? What is it Pyro?" She snarled.
"Umm here you idiot you fostered me remember from Draycoat."
A few seconds of silence past
"Man I can't believe you don't remember me hahaha!" I suddenly said.
I didn't say it though. Those words were not mine and I felt my head roll to a side as my body chose to click its knuckles.
"Hehe...How bout Moonlight, me and you fight like old times?" I grinned.
I tried to talk but all I seemed to be capable of was seeing
"Ha! You again! OK but I'll win like always. Trust me you picked the wrong family to mess with." Silver said smiling.
My hands got warmer and all of a sudden they ignited on fire.
"Bring it on" I said.
Silver ran back into her room and my legs kept pacing after her. She dived at her bed and grabbed a scepter from under the mattress. Silvers room was kept in good order even though she had her art projects around the room although, they were organized well. I hadn't been in her room before she never lets anyone in, but now I was here. She pirouetted and a sparkling light shimmered off the tip of the chrome rod. She got a matching gown to her usual silver dyed hair and ballerina shoes where she was already on point. She then drew the staff in my direction as I raised my fire covered hands.
"I hope you're ready to pay Scarlet."

Description
CHAPTER 1 A NEW START

The sky was clear. All the clouds were absent to present the breath taking endless blue and the sun was shining bright, leaving twinkles of its beautiful rays against my window. The birds perched delicately on the rooftops and tree branches, singing their own symphonies that each seemed to have a unique note to heighten the joyful season of summer. That's why I pulled the covers over my head to try and block it out, and essentially get more sleep. I was so comfortable in my bed, you know when you're not too hot not to cold just right, a bit like Goldilocks all cosy in your claimed space. Well that's when the annoying alarm decides to violate my content slumber. beep beep beep beep This went on for a long five minutes, repeating its sound without pausing, before my older sister Silver came through to switch it off with quite some force.
I call Silver my sister even though she isn't biologically ,because you see I'm fostered, I have no real family -I don't know anything about them at all- all I know is my name. Crystal Charmers. My earliest memories are growing up from birth in the orphanage and I wished every day to get out of that dingy, torturous, hell hole. Yet not all the times were bad, I met my first best friend there, a girl the same age, named Bethany Halimoore. We were the best friends practically inseparable for a few years. Even so, she got fostered in the night, so I woke up the next day and she was gone like most things in my early life. This resulted in me becoming the target and victim to the beastly bullies that resided there as well. I actually don't blame them for taking and expressing their pain onto me and I'm somewhat thankful. In those twelve years I learned something which no school could teach. How to stay strong when you have hardly anything left.
Anyway back to the main story. I turned to face the wall, in an attempt to pretend to still be asleep, while she fiddled with the alarm to turn it off properly.
"Wake up Crystal. Its morning" silver said softly.
I just groaned in reply as any average teenager does at seven in the morning. A few moments passed before she started to get frustrated and prodded sharply at my side.
"You're not blaming me for being late again. Now get up!" She snarled angrily.
I started to slowly open my eyes, flickering my eyelids to adjust to the intense morning light, but all of a sudden, I was purged out of my peaceful nest by my ankles. thump I hit the floor, like a rock that had just been pushed off a hundred foot cliff.
"Ow my head!" I yelled as loud as possible.
bang! That banging was my younger brother Jake -again not blood related -he gets pissed off at just about everything that happens in this house.
"Shut the hell up! "He shouted.

I got to my feet quite shakily as I staggered out my room. Then I changed my pace as I slid my arm down the paint peeled banister, charging down the stairs like some sort of rhino on a rampage "wheeeeeeeee!"
I guess you could say its routine because then my foster dad yells at me "Crystal what have I told you about running! One day you'll bring the banister down with you!"
Then I say smugly" I was only doing you a favour by hurrying up."
So I get into the living room, the cleanest room in the whole house, dad grabs the car keys off the dust coated stand next to the front door. He leaves for work, with a piece of semi burnt toast in his mouth, as he tries to say goodbye to me while slinging on his suit jacket. I always wake up first even though I have to be gotten up. This is because my sister goes collage which starts later and my brother goes to a school that's next to the house near enough. Bing that's the just microwave telling me breakfast is done. I usually eat leftovers from dinner.Yum yum. Today's menu is cold pizza and nachos -anything covered in cheese is one of my favourites- guaranteed to destroy my insides too. As I pick my totally appetizing breakfast, I can hear the usual banging. It's Jake again, but this time on the VIGS (virtual in game system) the latest gaming console craze for geeky teen boys. I finished off my meal feeling the heartburn already taking its effect. I trudge into the kitchen prying the fridge door open again trying to tackle the indigestion by guzzling down some almost flat lemonade straight from the bottle. After resealing the fridge, I put my plate in the sink, leaving it in soak for someone else to wash the in-scalable mountain of cutlery. I go to brush my teeth climbing back upstairs and wash up with only the best orange scented soap, and then I hunt for my school uniform in my trash heap of a bedroom.
After I finally located them I start by slipping out of my baggy worn out Pj's, which draped over me like curtains too long for the pale frame they concealed, tossing them over onto the pillow. Remembering instantly that the blinds are open so I cover my modesty with my arms, even though there's not much to cover and I hastily drew them. Letting an idle sigh out as I chose to relax back on my bed, staring up at the roof while unclothed for a bit. In your own room it's just about the only place where it's acceptable to be fully undressed, that and in the shower of course. Struggling to keep my eyes open, I got back up so I didn't drift back off to the perfect land of dreams. I wriggled into my flower patterned undies, then using the mirror as a guide while I fastened my plain black bra on its hooks, a complicated task which required complete focus, which meant my tongue was subconsciously poking out. I picked up my screwed up pair of coal coloured tights and popped one leg in followed by the other, cursing rather loud as my little toe chose to poke out laddering them again. Muttering under my breath as I rummaged through my wardrobe to pick out the least creased, off white, shirt. Which I thought to myself that I needed to probably iron it ,as I fastened the buttons up leaving the top one untouched like always. Placing my tie over my shoulders not tightening up the noose yet, as I sat back down on the edge of my bed, powering up the straighteners tapping my fingers rhythmically as I waited. Once the LED light stopped flashing, I picked them up making sure not to catch the plates which is easily done and trailed them through my brown locks as I combed through with my fingers. Checking the dirty mirror to see if I was done I flicked them off satisfied with it and shoved them at my bedside. I grabbed the jet black skirt off the back of the chair and hopped into my foggy grey old school shoes. I nibbled at some sticky sweets I had abandoned on my dresser which had that warm weird taste to them. Standing back I scratched at my head wondering where I left my blazer at, however as I glanced around the crimson jacket stood out in the scattered assortment of junk on the floor. West Milford High. Named after our town and the most populated school in it including the east side campus. Although I know for certain our schools the best...Why? That's simple it's great due to the people and that's all. I don't cake my face in make-up like most girls these days but I add a bit of eyeliner and mascara and head down the stairs and out the front door...Two seconds later I popped back in realizing I forgot my bag then I headed out for the first day back at school.
So after the school day I returned to my routine sitting down and snuggling up in my duvet like a more normal girl which I tend to avoid showing others.
Dear diary,
Today...Well how to begin, perhaps with the fact, yet again I had to endure another dreadful day at the teenage safari we call school. The animals hounded me after my lunch like vultures and this time my pack wasn't around to protect me. It wasn't all bad since the "warden" (I say that with sarcasm diary as he couldn't fend off a rock) managed to disperse the bunch.
After that I kind of sulked and resided in my lonesome state, it seems lately those guys -Tom, Jade and Scott- all seem to have better things to do. I don't want to make it awkward by confronting them with my misery but, I guess it would be nice to have a friend. I haven't felt this solitude since the orphanage and it's starting to feel like a recurring hell.
My head's been hurting again. Think I might tell someone soon -if someone shows up- because it's becoming severely painful like someone's blasted a bullet through my thick skull.
Well let's just hope I see someone tomorrow I'm sure it can only get better.

Keep this secret safe diary... love Crystal
p.s I miss and love you still mum and dad xxx

I placed down my secret journal back into my pillow before laying down to snuggle into the bedding then repeat the day again... I woke up had almost the same morning as the last and headed out to the educational excuse which would be better to be called prison.

chapter 2 : Normality

I left the house letting a breath out as I clicked the lock, I heard Tom waving and bellowing to me from across the street. Me and Tom have been best friends since I moved here with the Rosenbergs from Draycoat where they fostered me at age twelve, though the first time we met was kind of awkward. I had just found out that my pet mouse Whiskers had died the first thing I loved so much, I went to the beach in Kronos and sat on the broken pier crying for most the afternoon since he was my first pet. As I watched my tears hitting the ocean making my reflection ripple he came and asked me "Hey down there...What's wrong?"
I didn't reply for a while but then I turned and smiled being hard headed and not wanting a stranger to see me cry and said "Nothing's wrong at all."
"Huh? Then why were you crying?" He asked.
"I had something in my eye." Lying awfully like I normally did when I was upset.
It went silent for a while then he burst out laughing. "Typical girl hahaha. You're just like the rest in this town nice to meet you though."
I stood up with a smirk on my face dusting off wiping my cheek once more to remove the bleeding eyeliner from my eyes and said "The name's Crystal."
"Uhhh I'm Thomas. Tom for short though." He stumbled holding out his hand for some sort of handshake.
I then finally replied taking his hand gently at first "nice to meet too you Tom I really hope you can swim"
"Whaaaaa...?" He uttered as I pulled his hand in to me then turned around and pushed him in and left giggling as he spluttered clambering back onto the pier drenched in the sea water with his damp clothes clinging awkwardly to his rather skinny build.

So as you see it was a weird way to first meet." Hey Crystal you need a lift?" Tom asked with a gentle smile on his face as he was getting into his father's heavily built deep blue car.
I was about to answer him when my dad came out and said "thanks for the offer Thomas but Crystal needs the exercise."
I turned with a scowl on my face and yelled "hey are you calling me fat old man"
and he replied slyly" who you calling old now get going or you're going to get grounded"
I walked off dragging my feet as I was mumbling to myself and dad shouted "don't forget to be home by five"
I simply waved back in reply.
Walking to school is so boring I hate it and don't think there's actually anything more boring. I mean you're walking to a boring place so that's a downer, then the road looks like it goes on forever as if it's some artistic illusion as the grassy fields break up the constant view of the symmetrical houses to both sides of you. On the way I have to entertain myself by playing tunes on metal railings with sticks like they were a xylophone or kicking rocks ahead as if they were footballs scuffing up my shoes more. I guess you could class me as a tomboy, but I hate that title it's so generic and I hate labels. Although it's as almost as worse as what Cyndi, the stuck up fake bleach blonde miss popular cheerleader calls me. When I talked to Silver of how many times I deal with the snob she just tells me not to worry there's one of her type in all schools a.k.a the stuck up bitch. Speaking of Cyndi I happened to accidentally hit her left calf quiet hard with one of the rocks as I skimmed it on the concrete. "Hey! Well guys look what the freaks dragged in!"
I was so confused I don't get what satisfaction she gets from picking on me "Cyndi I'm sorry I didn't mean to hit you (well at least I didn't this time)."
Her expression went from mad to a sarcastic smirk
"Can it Charmy I didn't ask you to talk." She scoffed as she flicked out her silky hair proudly. She seemed to be eying me up looking where to knife me next. "So where did you find the rags? Lost property?" She said letting out her evil laugh.
I hate how she is so full of herself, if she isn't getting her "minions" to complement her; she has to brag about herself she literally has a stick up her ass. "Hey I said sorry Cyndi what's your problem just because your daddy thinks you're a princess, doesn't mean you are. To me you're just a complete bitch."
Her eye twitched I knew I hit a raw nerve, she hates getting answered back from anyone even her parents.
"How dare you Freakoid you know that you can't talk to me like that." She growled.
I knew then I should probably leave it, but I was bored and caught in the heat of the moment so I pushed her even further.
"Talk to you like what?" I asked her.
"Just like that. Ugh! Shut up you... Orphan...You multi-coloured eyed freak. No wonder you were adopted who would want a freak for a baby!"
Now she had done it I hate when people insult my red and blue eyes I get so annoyed and self-conscious. Then what's worse she had to be the insensitive brat like always and pick on my family.
"Why don't you say that to my face whore?" She clicked her knuckles together and gritted her pearly teeth as one of her minions pushed her in my direction. She punched me directly on my right eye and it felt like I'd been struck by or something.
"Ha! That's what you get for messing with me freak. Let's leave the mutant alone now. Just like her parents did." she laughed as she walked away from me shaking her hand like hitting me actually hurt her too.
My eye was stinging me worse than sunburn but I wasn't thinking about that as I watched her slowly walking away chatting her head off to her gang.
I got to my feet and sneaked up on Cyndi. "Hey Cyndi"
"Huh?" She said as she tipped her head lightly back.
I grinned as I clenched my fist and swung at her face "You forgot something."
I landed it in the same place she hit me giving a bit of mirrored justice for a change.
"Yeah go on run away chickens! All talk aren't you!"
Her friends ran so did she, after one helped her scamper up while she was snapping at them trying not to cry. I smiled proudly to myself thinking this day had suddenly become better, but that's when I heard the ear shattering squeak of a brake. The door opened and gulp it was dad.
"Get in now" he yelled.
I saw he was pissed off from his scowl and anger that was clear in his body language. Another awkward silence, talk about great timing I love how he didn't see her punch me.
"What were you thinking?" he asked.
I didn't answer instead I was sulking, because we both knew this whole conversation of by heart so he just sighed.
"You know how I feel about violence. There's no need for it. That's how I lost ...Rachel." He seemed to choke on his words.
It was understandable. Rachel was Silver's and Jake's mum she left six years ago after a row between her and Johnathan.I never asked any of them about her, as it seems right that way as they don't ask me about my family even though I couldn't tell them anything.
"Crystal I know she hit you first but does it make it right to correct a wrong with a wrong to make it right" He sighed.
OK... Does that make sense in any way because I don't get it? I was simply confused.
"Umm yeah dad I'm sorry" I said with a bit of a sniffle.
"This is the last time I'm going to let you off so get going or you'll be late."
I got out the car after unbuckling the belt and kissing his cheek
"Thanks dad" I said.
He smiled and nodded. Well at least I didn't have to walk all the way so that was a bit of a brighter tone to this drrrrrrrrrrrrr .Oh no... I quickly snatched my phone out of my inside blazer pocket pressed the on button sharply and the time read on the display "09:05"I'm late! I shoved the phone back into my satchel and pushed past all the doors in the school slamming them into the walls making the corridor echo. I darted through the winding science lab leaping down the stairs across the courtyard twisting my ankle as I hit the cobbles too hard. I had to push on through so I kept sprinting up the stairs past the crooked display which contained crinkled posters from two years ago, concealed behind the peeling plastic and up to the English class EN07 home to our form Rolwynn named after the man that founded the first bank in Kronos. Not sure why he is such a big name here but still it's better than being in Amthor or Fallain they're both full of the evil kids in this school. Well I braced myself as I prepared to go in.
chapter 3: dark clouds on the horizon

I opened the door slightly and as soon as I put my foot in the doorway everyone's attention was directed at me.
"Uhh ha...ha you know there's a reason for why I late." I stuttered.
Mr Baxter our form tutor and middle set English teacher really hates me in that teacher kind of way and best friend's father way too.
He glimpsed over with a disgusted look on his face then looked back at the register. "Crystal Charmers?"
Was he trying to be sarcastic or do I have some shimmering sign of good luck at ten past how could he still be doing the register.
"Uhhh yes sir?" I replied.
Again he turned in my direction but this time with that evil bitter teacher look like they have one up on you.
"Guess what?" He asked.
I really didn't know what to say so I said this...
"Uhhh sir I can totally explain on the way to school..."
He interrupted me "Let me guess you were chased down town by a bunch of rabid raccoons and had to seek shelter in the arcade?"
Oh man he does not trust me.
"Sir I may look stupid but I'm not that stupid, besides that only happens on Wednesdays, any way I got in a fight with Cyndi hence my black eye." I said pointing it out even though it was obvious.
The whole class gasped in shock and started to whisper things which were granted to be rumours
"That's enough class. Crystal go take a seat." He said gesturing his hand to my seat.
I went to my usual desk in the middle at the back next to Tom, Jade and Scott. We prefer to sit at the back not because we cause trouble we just don't like to get involved much with the teacher's activities like the drama and writing on the board. We rarely get picked but if the teacher in our lesson has the hump then they seem to target our group. However between us we do have all the knowledge to get through school.

I also met them on my first day at school they helped me stand up to the terrible two, Sam and Samantha two kids with a school wide reputation to pick of freshmen. I always thought it was weird how their parents named them similar names, but I can't talk my parents named me after a stone. The day I met Scott and Jade is one I'll never forget it was the best ever.
"Psst Crystal snap out of it." Scott said clicking his fingers in front of my eyes.
"Huh?" I said shaking my head.
I think I just drifted off into my own world again something I tend to do a lot at school.
"Are you alright?" They all asked me
"Yeah I'm fine it's just a small scratch." I said scratching idly at my head as we started making jokes and giggling to ourselves to kill the twenty minutes of form left.
"Umm Crystal?" That timed voice was Ashley, Tom's little sister in year 8 which the way she entered was reasonable since year 11's can be intimidating.
"Yeah what's up Ashley?" I asked giving her a friendly smile and soft hug as she is practically a sister to me.
She handed me a pink slip and I knew what that meant as I kicked my chair making a clash like thunder "Detention for what?"
OK maybe shouting that out wasn't my best idea.
"Crystal go to the cooler now!" sir shouted.
Great could today get any better?

I grabbed my stuff and shuffled off to the room of total boredom called isolation, where you have to sit in silence no talking not at all, unless you want to add onto your suffering. Sometimes I wish I was dead, I mean not in a morbid way at least then you can float around as a ghost scaring people. Anyway enough about being dead, as I entered this room I get the usual greeting from the teacher watching the room giving me the motion to hand over my phone and then the annoyance of Jordan Ritchie sticking gum onto my chair, which to be fair the gum was probably from under the tables in the first place.
"Thanks" I whispered giving him a glare as I sat on the edge of the seat to avoid gum on my skirt. I put my head down on the desk gazing out the window waiting for each minute to pass but it felt like hours. The day wasn't the best of days as the weather was freezing the sky was cloudy kind of the complete opposite to the lovely day we had before...Weird I didn't notice the dark fog engulfing the field like a shroud how could I miss that? Staring at it made me feel all woozy but after a while drifted off to sleep, I think the teacher didn't notice me passed out like a corpse.
"You can go to your next lesson now Crystal"
"Zzzz...Huh? What? Yeah thanks."
I grabbed my stuff and wiped the drool from my mouth that must have spilled out like Niagara Falls as I left a puddle on the desk and let my eyes adjust to the light. Also when I was leaving Jordan hit me again and when I turned growling he winked at me. I'm officially disturbed.

Maths was extremely boring apart from when miss nearly fell down the stairs and we all burst out laughing. Yeah we are mean people. I was so glad when the lunch bell rang and my ears perked up.
"Yay lunch!" Jade exclaimed.
"Hey that's my line Jade" I told her as the boys sneaked out quickly from the last lesson.
"Last one to the den has to clean it." They shouted teasingly.
We all legged it apart from Jade who was too busy saying "Gah! You are sooo immature I mean racing we're seventeen... what! Grrr you guys are evil wait up!"
Jade is one fast runner she holds the 400m record in the school but Toms the fastest he always wins any race apart from when I cheat and that's a lot.
"Huh hey Crystal no fair since when can you use your skateboard?" he yelled.
"You never said I couldn't" I laughed riding on my home made neon blue skateboard that Jake helped build with me. I couldn't afford a new one from the shops definitely when I only have a paper round. Tom has one too but his is a brought one the Cyclone electric, black and yellow but he never brings it to school only to the park. I got a bit distracted as I stuck my tongue out at them not realizing how far I had travelle. As I turned my luck had ran out. Why? I hit a two hundred foot tree that had been there for years sending shearing pain through my body in an instance. Then I blacked out...

chapter 4: clouded visions

"Ow my head" I mumbled.
I must have wiped out pretty bad looking at myself I couldn't see any cuts or bruising, oh no am I dead, look God I know that whole conversation earlier about dying being OK
"Shush Hun!" A voice said from somewhere.
I could see an angelic figure in the distance wrapped in silk that was pure white trailing like a dress while on the back they were carrying a long sword with weird golden glowing engravings on it.
"Wow I guess I tumbled off badly I mean I'm seeing angels "I thought to myself as I squinted trying to get a better look.
"You're not dead or dying and I'm certainly not an angel." She said in such a melodious voice.
She's not an angel for sure as she has no fluffy pearly wings... Then what's with the weird glow also she's a she?
"Wait weird light lady how can you hear my thoughts?" I asked puzzled.
She rolled her eyes and said "Listen kid you may look dumb but you're not that dumb."
Whoa hold on! One she insults me and two she takes my own saying and changes it who does she think she is?
"Follow me, this way" She beckoned.
A light appeared out of nowhere a little like a gate to another world, it actually nearly consumed the darkness around us.
"You can trust me" she said as she held out her hand I took it and got up, though her hands were freezing like I was gripping an iceberg.
"Cold hands warm heart. Have you heard that saying Crystal?" She softly asked.
"What? No but how do you know my name and who are you?" I said puzzled.
Her face seemed to lose hope.
"Well I personally thought you were bright, but I guess she was right after all." She paused.
"My name is Yuna. I control light aura and all your good actions"
I didn't know what to do or say I mean I'm in my own head apparently. Maybe I just passed out and this is a lucid dream or some comma trick...
"Confused?" She asked.
"Yeah" I replied.
"This way" She said as she guided me to get closer to her.
I followed close as I could, hearing terrifying shrieks coming from behind that sent shivers across my spine. We didn't walk far and we walked through that beam of light that earlier appeared making my eyes squint as it was unbearably bright at first.

We entered a new place where the grass on the floor was shrivelled up dead and the trees had all turned to ashes and small ember's floating like leaves from the tree's in the orange sky.
"What...Where are we Yuna?" I stumbled.
She turned to me with a great sadness on her face and simply said "Just watch."
We both stared into the distant sun as a dark solemn figure rose up against it like a mountainous shadowed silhouette.
"Who's he?" I asked.
Yuna just place her finger gently against her lips to tell me to be quiet. The man just stood there on his horse then began to laugh with such a bitter tone. The smoke from the fire was really hurting my eyes and I began to cry due to the unbearable burning sensation
"Yuna! Who is he and why can't we go?" I screamed.
I eventually collapsed to my knees and clutched my throat as I struggled to breathe feeling my lungs filling with toxic fumes. I managed to lift my head up to see him the man -with the ashy grey hair to match his vacant white eyes- he'd already approached to be in my face as he spoke.
"Does it hurt?" He said in a gruff tone.
I didn't answer as I couldn't. I had no strength left I felt zapped and helpless, but when I closed my eyes to blink he was gone, but I fell to my back. My vision was so blurred now, although just as I was closing my eyes a similar person to Yuna but wearing darker silk clothing appeared and spoke quietly
"Don't you think that was a bit too much Yuna?"
I then finally passed out cold.

My breathing was much easier now slower more relaxed and not choked by smoke.
"Crystal. Can you hear us Crystal? CC? Wakey wakey." I heard a familiar voice say softly.
My head was killing me worse than a hangover, though I managed opened my eyes to see Jake, Tom, Jade, Scott and a Doctor standing by my bed.
"Doctor... I'm fine look I don't need to be here it was a little trip and... Sigh. You're not telling me off are you?" I said presumptuously.
The doctor smiled as he told me "you're lucky you have great friends they carried you here from school and got you in just in time."
I reached out and grabbed the glass of water a little bit shaky, from the table by my bed then smiled and thanked my friends.
"You suffered from a head concussion but you recovered miraculously fast so you should be out tomorrow."
The doctor left the room and I took another long drink letting the water slide down the sides of my throat then said "Thanks guys."
"No prob CC" Tom said bluntly.
"I didn't tell dad I told him you had revision for a test with Tom" Jake told me.
"Thanks, where's Silver?" I asked.
"She is doing some work stuff" Jake muttered.
I had nothing else to say, so I turned to the window to see police everywhere surrounding the offices next door like a swarm of bees running frantically around getting into positions. Tom's, Jade's and Scott's phones rang weird coincidence each with their individual ring tone; I presumed it was their parents.
"Sorry we got to go" They said almost synchronized.
"That's alright I told them" as they left in haste.

I wasn't thinking straight again, but they always seem to get phone calls at the same time something's up I had to know.
"Jake I'm just going to the bathroom."
"Whatev." he said with his eyes glued to his portable game console like a zombie as I left.
I wasn't really going to the bathroom, I was sneaking out so I slipped past all the staff dressed in white and blue and the sickly patients quickly and out the exit. I weaved round some alleyways and came to the offices and thought I saw them so I climbed on the bin then on to the takeaway roof next to it the leaped to grab the ledge like an agile cat. Climbing has always been my forte when it came to physical education.
"Come on." I told myself gritting my teeth as I pulled myself up and through the window.
I sat down on a chair. "Few" I said panting for some breath.
click I turned my head to see someone dressed in black wearing a mask to cover their face holding a gun to my head, though they were trembling wickedly
"OH...I...I'm so sorry." gulp.

chapter 5: Wrong place wrong time

click what have i got myself into. I have done some weird, random, stupid things in my life but I think this is number one on the list now.
"Who are you and how did you get in?" The masked maniac said pushing the gun against my head.
What should I do? Tell the truth if I do he could shoot me dead like some sort of rabbit being mangled by a car.
"Why do you want to know mister?"
As soon as I said that I heard him grip his gun harder grinding against his palm and fingertips like sandpaper, I could also sense the anger on his face.
"Why? Why? Because if this goes wrong someone is gonna pay. I'm not taking the crap from the boss again!" He snarled.
Now what do I do. Can't run my chances of escaping were very slim I felt like I'd been placed in the execution chair.
"Last question kid." He snapped adjusting his hand on the gun.
What should I ask, I thought feeling my heart racing at a hundred miles per hour.
"So if you're in here then what's going on outside?" I whimpered.
I heard him sigh under his mask as he walked away for a while.
"well since you asked we are thieves, if you didn't get that already and we are having some trouble stealing the precious stones from the vaults due to a minor hiccup" He said waving his hands around while pacing.
"Minor hiccup? Like what the cops?" I asked.
He laughed sarcastically then said "Nah the cops ain't the prob you see kid, the true prob is those heroes"
I looked at him confused. Was he delusional? Heroes don't exist at all I wondered if he thought I was some gullible kid.

All the sirens on the street went silent leaving the place in an uneasy quiet, then I heard one of the officers say "This is your last chance let the hostage go and come out with your hands up."
It clicked in my mind that it meant I'm the hostage.
"Ha ha ha as if we're gonna go down without a fight." He snickered.
Normally I'd have made some idiotic comment but for once in my life I kept my mouth shut. Now that the police said that I realized I was submerged in this hectic thing. The masked thief went and locked the windows double checking each one then he said "keep your mouth shut kid and you might just live."
He left and locked the door behind him. Normally I'd have some great plan, but this is one of those situations where you thought you knew what you'd do if you got involved in it. However in practice you just can't pluck up the courage to do the things you though you could. I went to the door and tried the handle but the door was obviously locked tight. What now? I could hear him talking outside on what I guessed was a radio.
"crrrk what's the situation? crrrk"A voice said off the other end.
"Seems like we're trapped inside I think the others have acquired the gems, but they are surrounded boss." The masked man said.
" crrrk what's happening your end mate? crrkk." Weirdly this sounded like a boy's voice around my age with a strong cockney accent.
"Not much is happening here, just a little problem a teenage girl broke in through the window."
That's me but I'm co-operating it's not like I've been bugging him I thought.
"crrrkk what? Grrr! Get rid of her, the more witnesses the harder this is gonna be! crrrkk." this time the voice sounded like a girl around my age too sound a little like the boy what the hell is going on.
"crrrkk "Wait is she a Super or a Mort?" The boy asked.
"I think she's a Mort she hasn't tried anything yet."
"crrrkk Stay on guard idiot don't mess up like last time! crrkk."The arrogant girl said.
I was terrified. If I'm what they were talking about then I'm gonna die here. The communications seemed to cease.

I saw the handle begin to rotate; I panicked and crawled to hide behind a sofa in the room. The door opened and he strolled in. Each one of his footsteps sent shivers up my spine hitting the floor, each one sounded like elephant's. I tried to stop breathing so heavily but my body was stuck in a state of shock. I just couldn't seem to take enough air in to satisfy my lungs. I had no control over my body it felt like I wasn't in my own skin anymore, as I froze up then saw a larger shadow cast over mine.
"It's nothing personal kid just you ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time." His hand was shaking as he said it gritting his teeth.
Either that or I was shaking as if my body was at the centre of an earthquake. It felt like a life time had passed in two minutes and I couldn't speak and my vision was hazy all. I could see was every tear sparkling as it dropped to the floor splashing against the carpet.
"I'm so sorry" He winced.
His hand went to pull the trigger on the pistol I closed my eyes waiting for the intense pain to come, when a flash of static entered the room.
"What? Who are you?" I stammered as I was confused.
"Shut it kid!" The gun man yelled.
I heard gun shots close ones but not aimed in my direction. I peeked up above the sofa curiously.
"No!" I shrieked as I saw him shooting at the stranger.
Then the man with gun turned to me sharply and fired.
"Get down!" The stranger cried.
I looked at him like a deer stuck in the head lights and heard the ear piercing shots and shut my eyes tight. All of a sudden I felt my body being pushed to the ground like a rag doll. Regardless of what happened, I timidly opened my eyes. I saw directly above me a guy dressed in modern golden clothes: Jeans that dangled just over his shoes; an open hooded jacket; a white shirt which seemed to cling perfectly to his stomach muscles and spiked up blonde hair as if his hair had been shocked to stay up stiff.
"Are you alright?" he asked his voice sounded so familiar but it sounded soft and calming.
"Yeah I'm fine..." I shyly replied.
The gun man already ran for it.
"Sorry I have to go." The guy said as he got off me helping me up grabbing my hand tight.
I just nodded to him and smiled. He did the same then ran out as I pushed my brown fringe over my cheeks to cover up the bit of blush which crept in. I sighed as I thought to myself I got to see a hero so they do exist like all the stories said wow. It wasn't fiction...It was real.

I got to my feet and scampered out to the balcony on the second floor in the office, to see my hero fighting of the masked man and his accomplices. It was apparent to me that this wasn't a fair fight they had guns and he had a sword. I could only see the handle of his weapon I knew it wasn't a fake, it didn't look cheap, and it was specially crafted. The handle was gold and silver swirls in colour and it hand a lively mechanical shine to it. Though I couldn't see how this sword helps. Everyone knows bullets travel too fast for humans and his chances of getting to them unscathed and slice them with the blade was extremely low. But, I probably shouldn't doubt him he saved me so he could do it again. Could he? I watched eagerly anticipating his next move. I was sure he had saw me as I caught the corner of his eye thought little did I know, things were about to get worse. As the girl was reloading she pushed her hair to tuck it behind her ear, that gave her a visual on me and she looked up to the balcony.
"Idiot! Never ask a man to do a girls job." She growled as she smacked the gun against the man that held me hostage.
The man in the mask yelped a bit, but just focused on shooting at some officers that had made it in, even though they were retreating.
The other kid said as he waved his gun in the air like they were just having a normal conversation "Hey sis I resent that just cause he screwed up don't mean I will."
"Sorry brother I'm just annoyed that's she's still breathing and that moron couldn't take out a Mort."
The girl who from my vantage point looked to be about six foot, with mulberry purple long hair that traipsed down her smoky black overcoat. The coat matched her eye shadow which emphasized her emerald green piercing eyes which were fixed on me. She started to run towards the stairs to get up here, the hero dashed over to cover them. She slowed down as she fired the rest of the rounds in her mamba pistol with 9,19mm rounds. He drew his sword and started to move so fast and elegantly as if he was flowing with the air deflecting the bullets, ricocheting them across the room.
"Move it Sparks!" she infuriatingly said with a grin.
"Not on my life Nighty darling." He winked at her as he spoke as if they knew each other.
"Fine" she said as she put the empty gun back in her holster tied round her thigh.
The masked man ran for the exit with his hands up tackled to the floor by the officers, but the other boy seemed to be shooting down a corridor shouting. I couldn't see what he was shooting at. The villainous girl smiled as she raised her hand. She kept her elbow bent as she pointed her hand at him, tucking her last to fingers against her palm and her thumb and index pointed at him while the middle one pointed to the floor. Her midnight black nails reflected her dark and evil attitude, but then her hand started glowing with a dark purple mist. From under her sleeve a vine of deadly nightshade crept around her arm and grasped onto her skin. The deep purple flowers bloomed against her fair skin while the vines hugged tightly to the tip of her fingers. The hero stood there thinking as a feint yellow stream of electricity danced around him, repelling the vapour that diffused from the flowers. They were both staring each other out for quite some time. Then the other remaining accomplice leaped from the ground onto some platforms which appeared hazily then threw himself onto the balcony. He stood towering over me at about six foot five, his intimidating glare made his coffee brown eyes fix onto mine. He pushed his raven black fringe from his face revealing his bitter grin as he dusted his tar trench coat.
"What how did you?" I said fearfully.
"Bye bye pest" He snickered evilly.
As he fired the last shot in his Berretta room temperature dropped below zero and my skin coated in goose bumps.
"No Crystal!" The hero yelled looking up to the balcony.
As he yelled the girl growled launching the dark energy from her hand. It hit him hard and the spray quickly engulfed him like ivy. He cried out in pain ensnared to the ground by the nightshade vines while she stood there laughing. As I turned from the bullet being fired at me, an ice cold breeze cascaded across. I stayed in the fetal position for some time before letting a pant out which turned all misty; I turned my head to see the bullet frozen in the air. A girl with hair almost see-through like icicles that seemed to solidify at the ends. Her breath not misting like mine as she appeared to be out of breath. Her snow white skin covered in water droplets, which quickly hardened. Her lips were blue as if they had frostbite and her sky blue eyes glanced down at me. Her attire seemed to be very revealing as all she had was a deep blue crop top and a pair of tight cerulean trousers which hung low showing her lower abdomen and the sides of what I guessed were her underwear.
I awkwardly looked away as I muttered "thanks."
"Get her out of here Azure!" She yelled behind her as she kicked her heel at the hand I offered.
The villains seemed to back down as a ladder broke through the skylight making it rain shards of glass. The boy dived from the rail on the balcony and the girl turn on her heel and leaped to grab on. They hung to the rungs and the helicopter above began to take off with a loud hum.
"Later super zeros!" He said as he began to chuckle.
"Hope we can do this again sometime Sparky" She said as she blew a kiss from the helicopter ladder.

I scampered to my feet and paced down the stairs to the hero on the floor he seemed to be in less pain now but the others seemed concerned. I went to pry off some of the vines when my hand was grabbed.
The hero blinked and struggled to say "Don't...Their creepers and the poison will kill you..."
He flinched up again biting onto his lip as boy dressed in a deep sea blue outfit sat next to him with his hand on the hero's head. His hair flowed with a slight curl in a hazelnut brown colour and his eyes were a fern green.
"How did you know my name?" I asked.
He turned his head looking up at me with a familiar smile which made me think as I felt a shy smile crawl onto my face.
"You still here!?" the ice girl asked.
"Huh?" I said slightly confused.
"Glacier get her out of here and wipe her memory." the one called Azure said idly as he was controlling water and sending it around the vines and killing them.
She sighed "Come on then let's go."
She went to grab my arm but I slipped away and ran out the back door.
"Hey get back here!" she yelled as she chased me.
I ran for some time hearing her heels clicking on the pavement as she kept yelling things. It took a few blocks before she stopped exhausted and slumped to the floor. I didn't notice though so I carried on running leaping over the benches heading across Greendale Park. I listened closely to the grass brushing on my shoes then realized there were only my footsteps. I turned then flopped against the ground in the open dark sky. My phone started vibrating sending me a message reminding me that I promised my family I'd be back tonight as it was a solar storm. I watched my breath against the star filled sky and gripped to my blazer as it went cold. I got to my feet and started crossing the park and fiddling with my phone trying to dial Tom but it kept going to answer phone. I sighed texting some message deleting some words wondering what I could actually say. I was absent to what was going on around and the world seemed to ignite in lights. I was too late to react though as the sky lit up like the fourth of July but instead the fireworks came down not up. I stopped further on to catch my breath I sat down and watched the beacons in the sky rain down. It was so cool I wished I was home but what a night I can't wait to tell Scott and Jade but they probably won't believe as much as Tom will. I smiled swaying my legs wondering about the trouble I was going to be in from sneaking out of hospital. I sat there unaware of the flaring light that kept coming down towards the park. I hugged my legs tight as I followed some of the lights with my fingers. That's when I heard the fierce rumbling like a lions roar and tipped my head back and in a sudden flash I was consumed by an agonizing blazing bolder. Everything went white as I lay there in the crater completely knocked out.

chapter 6: playing with fire

I lent up to see my room, I was in my bed with my back arched up as I wondered was all of that some kind of dream.
"What happened, why does my head hurt?" I said this even though no one was around.
Then as I thought about what happened rubbing my head someone entered my room.
"Crystal ummm are you alright?"
It was Jake being nice to me for a change but I wasn't gonna let up that something bad happened so I kept my normal front on. I sighed lightly.
"Who are you and what did you do with my brother."
Even though I asked him that with a smile on my face he thought I was serious for a minute, but then he realized.
"Huh. I guess that knock on your head didn't change your personality."
Wow what a nice thing to say I thought.
"I love you to brother." I giggled.
"Crystal you're awake thank God."
It was nice to see dad, though after last night I wouldn't rely so much on the big man.
"Ahhh... Hey so what's wrong with every one? I only tapped my head."
Dad looked really annoyed then he burst out. "What the hell were you thinking?"
When he said that I looked like my face had been permanently frozen in shock.
"What do you mean?" I asked with a stutter.
I knew if I played dumb he would explode for real as he hates my playful acting. Although this time I wasn't I really was lost for words.
"You know what! I mean just because you banged your head don't mean you can't remember!" He yelled.
Gulp He sounded really pissed off. I thought to myself I'll just play along.
"Ok I'm sorry I do remember and I'm really sorry...I am."
He rolled his eyes and I was surprised that Jake didn't snicker.
"Hmmm that sounds as real as your report card."
Admittedly I forge it so it reads as A's apart from a few but don't judge me I try in school I just hate to disappoint.
"Hey...Ahhh!" I held my head as it was in a huge amount of pain.
"Crystal!"
Dad ran over and helped me from falling out my bed. "Sigh take it easy rest for today."
I smiled and nodded weakly "yeah thanks dad."

They both left silence again. I hate quiet times. I saw Tom from across the road so I opened my window.
"Hey Tom!" I yelled he turned around and came towards my house.
ding dongthe doorbell rang.
"Hello Thomas would you like to see Crystal?" Dad asked.
"Yeah please."
"She's still upstairs but I think she won't mind." He said gesturing him in
I heard him run up our few stairs and trudge along to my room.
"Hey ever heard of knocking?" I snapped.
He sighed then walked out and knocked then entered." Better?"
"Ahhh no you trying to give me a headache!" I said clutching my head.
He looked very shocked "sorry I don't know what came over me."
Normally he'd forgive me in a heartbeat but this time he looks mad like I messed up or something.
"Huh what's wrong?" I sighed asking.
"Huh you stopped being a jerk?" He snarled.
"Hey I'm not a jerk... most the time at least."
"Well maybe it's time you looked in the mirror and think of others!" He yelled.
"What maybe you should Mr Crabby pants at me for no reason!" I scowled.
"You can't talk why do have to be such a ..."
He stopped himself, but we both knew what he was about to say. I felt myself about to cry and couldn't bear to see him when I'm upset.
"Get out!" I screamed.
"Huh...I...I...I didn't mean it." He stuttered coming over to me.
"Get lost you idiot!" I said throwing a tear filled glare.
"Wow what the hell did I do?"
"Tom i..."
He slammed the door, I watched him run home from my window before falling against my pillow and screaming. Why was I such a cow? Sigh I never meant those words but I just felt so much rage when he entered. That's not like me it's definitely problem .Still what was his issue.

The argument we had gave me a real bad headache it killed as if I had an arrow through my brain. I held my head again but this time my hands were roasting hot and scorched my skin.
"Owwww!!!"
I leaped out of bed and ran to the mirror area then turned looking at my reflection.
"Huh what's that" I muttered to myself.
I saw something glowing under my baggy pyjama shirt. A belt had appeared around my waist some lights were flashing so I pressed the clear one curiously.
"Ahhh" I squealed jumping back.
A hologram appeared on my bedroom floor. It was of a man in a lab coat with some glasses perched on his acorn brown hair with an assistant wearing the same with red hair holding her hands in front.
"To whomever this concerns." The hologram man said.
"I guess that's me?" I muttered.
"The gift you received from the solar storm I designed is called the Dresspheara, a powerful device that can harness inhuman abilities." He continued.
"Wow cool..."I said running my finger over the dial.
"The power of this item is not to be taken for granted. It chose you as you have a strong will and powerful aura. It is to be used to restore Kronos to its previous peaceful state, of which was disturbed. This device is delicate so please don't interfere with my calibrations."
"Calabra what?"
"Also you are entrusted to use this to fight your cause whoever you are......can you also crrrrkkkkk."
The picture started fading going all grainy.
"Can I what?" I asked thinking it could hear me.
The picture kept pausing.
"crrrrrkkk tell.....crkkk my...crrrk daughter....crkk I......crrrrk love her." The hologram faded.

"Inhuman abilities." I said pondering.
The belt didn't seem to be very active as the white button in the center went back to a solid light. Around it there was more buttons but all of them were black accept a red one that was blinking furiously. I taped at it for some time before I accidentally pressed on it too hard and I was suddenly engulfed by fire breaking from the belt. I tried to scream but couldn't. I fell to the ground and gasped for air.
" cough Ahhh my skin is burning up!" I managed to yell.
I grabbed my bed covers in my fingers only to burn a hole in the sheets. I fell again but this time I grabbed the metal cabinet quickly pushing myself up as it melted out of shape.
"What the..."I said stopping lost for words.
I looked in the mirror to see my hair had completely changed.
"Ahhh! I'm a red head!" I screamed running my hands through the messy red locks that had replaced my natural brown.
I also looked down my clothes had changed too, I was no longer in my old Pj's I was in some crimson high rise boots a baggy pair of scarlet shorts with a matching ripped shirt which exposed my belly button. I pulled at the fingerless gloves and noticed my eyes had both turned blood red.
"What's going on?" Silver said barging in.
"Ohh my God who are you? Never mind that where's my sister!" She barked gripping her hands tight.
"It's me silly just a little different." I uttered.
"Nice try I know my sisters a mortal. So where you from: Darkheartia, Pyrovilla, Drakonspore, The underworld? What is it Pyro?" She snarled.
"Umm here you idiot you fostered me remember from Draycoat."
A few seconds of silence past
"Man I can't believe you don't remember me hahaha!" I suddenly said.
I didn't say it though. Those words were not mine and I felt my head roll to a side as my body chose to click its knuckles.
"Hehe...How bout Moonlight, me and you fight like old times?" I grinned.
I tried to talk but all I seemed to be capable of was seeing
"Ha! You again! OK but I'll win like always. Trust me you picked the wrong family to mess with." Silver said smiling.
My hands got warmer and all of a sudden they ignited on fire.
"Bring it on" I said.
Silver ran back into her room and my legs kept pacing after her. She dived at her bed and grabbed a scepter from under the mattress. Silvers room was kept in good order even though she had her art projects around the room although, they were organized well. I hadn't been in her room before she never lets anyone in, but now I was here. She pirouetted and a sparkling light shimmered off the tip of the chrome rod. She got a matching gown to her usual silver dyed hair and ballerina shoes where she was already on point. She then drew the staff in my direction as I raised my fire covered hands.
"I hope you're ready to pay Scarlet."