Shannon's Area

Darkness Eternal

Chapter 1

January 1st, 2011

Journal,

Today was a bumpy ride. After being late to school (due to another screaming match between mom and I), I found out that I failed my algebra test. (Wait till I tell mom...) Then, I fell asleep in Chemistry and Billy Martinez drew all over my face in pen. At lunch, Karina dumped her tray on me, and to top it all off, I tripped in the parking lot and fell in a puddle, right in front of ALEX RICHARDS! I am thouroughly convinced that the world hates me.

Gabi

Gabrielle closed the worn, leather book and pushed it back under her mattress before running downstairs for a snack.

16 year old Gabi was small for her age, only 4'11, she had short brown hair and bright blue eyes. Her hair was inherited from her mother. Though her and her mother looked similar, they were nothing alike.

Mary Stevens was a business woman. She was cold, sharp, and hard to get close to. She was a small woman with long brown hair that was always pinned up in a bun. Her cold, brown eyes were nothing like her daughter's kinda dn loving blue eyes.

Gabi had always wanted to be an author, for as long as she could remember. Writing was her passion. Gabi's mom didn't approve, arguing that a person couldn't make a living off of writing.

"What about a family?" she would always ask. "You can't support a family!"

"Hmph. She can go screw herself." Gabi muttered, pushing her lips out in a pout.

"Who can go screw herself?" Her mother's professional voice came from the doorway of the kitchen.

"Karina." Gabi lied smoothly, turning to face her mother. "What are you doing home so early?" She asked, changing the subject.

"I finished up early." Gabi nodded as her mother sat at the table. "I thought you and I could go see a movie. How about it, kid?" Gabi's face broke into a smile.

"Yeah, mom, I'd love that." She said, grinning.

"Let me go get changed." Her mother went upstairs as Gabi sat at the table.

Gabi and her mom were very close. She saw a side of Mary that no one else did, the soft and loving side.

Her mom came back downstairs. She was wearing shorts and a blue t-shirt. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and a beautiful smile graced her face.

"Ready?" She asked, grabbing her purse. Gabi nodded, standing up.

The ride to the theater was quick. It was when they got to the teather that the problems started.

"On second though, let's go somewhere else." Her mom said hurriedly, driving away.

"Mom! What're you doing?!" Gabi exclaimed, looking behind them. A black car was following them.

"Shit." Mary cursed, veering left onto a side street. The black car followed them.

"Mom, what's going on?" Gabi asked, fear making her voice waver. Mary didn't answer, instead whipping out her phone adn dialing a number.

"Yes, Amalia? It's Willow." Gabi stared ta her mom in confusion. Who is Amalia? Why did she call herself Willow? I'm so confused!

"They're here." And then she hung up and pulled over. Mary turned to the side to stare at her wide eyed daughter. "Gabrielle, I need you to stay in here." Gabi nodded at her extremely serious tone. Mary's face softened as she looked at her terrified daughter. "Everything's going to be OK." She comforted before opening the door and stepping out of the car, drawing her blade.

"Demon." The blonde woman who had stepped from the black car said in a curt, openly disgusted voice.

"Angel." Mary spat back, narrowing her eyes. The woman slitted her eyes dangerously.

"You're outnumbered, scum. Hand her over." the blond woman hissed. Mary smirked.

"That's where you're wrong." She said smugly as the shadows melted and took forms of people.

"Dozens of people...all dressed in black..." Gabi muttered to herself, thinking back to a dream she'd once had in which dozens of people wearing what looked like black fighting gear had slunk from the shadows and surrounded her, all muttering words she couldn't decipher.

Suddenly, the windows of the car burst. Gabi threw her arms over her face as glass rained onto her. She heard the car door open, then a hand grabbed her arm and roughly dragged her out. She vaguely heard the sounds of fighting as she stumbled blindly after whoever was dragging her. Her mind was racing as her eyes took in the scene. The street had quickly become a battlefield as black and white clashed.

The boy holding her was a teenager looking not much older than herself. He had black hair that covered his right eye and a small lip ring. His eyes were emerald green. He was wearing black fighting gear. The left sleeve was cut from the shoulder all the way to his wrist, and Gabi could see blood welling on his arm.

"Come on!" He shouted at her in a smooth and commanding voice. He seemed to know what he was doing, so Gabi let him pull her away from the fight. When they got a little ways away, Gabi fell to her knees, her eyes wide and glazed over.

"So much blood." She whimpered, wrapping her arms around her stomach. The boy's hard eyes softened and he dropped to his knees next to her.

"You're cut." He said softly, pulling bandages from one of his many pockets. Gabi let him dress her wound. "A piece of glass must've hit you." He sat back, studying her with steady eyes.

She was quite small, he noticed. Very fragile. He could tell by her trembling shoulders.

Almost like fine china. A small smile touched his lips. Just like Kaeta.

"That's a pretty name. Who's Kaeta?" A soft voie startled him out of his thoughts. He looked up at the kind, blue eyes of the girl in front of him.

"My sister." He answered, a smile in his voice.

"Oh..." The two fell into a comfortable silence.

It was then that Gabi noticed the sounds of fighting had ended.

"We can probably go back." The boy stood up and offered her a hand. When Gabi took his hand, a shock ran through her, making goosebumps rise on her arms. The boy quickly dropped her hand after she was up and walked away. Gabi scurried after him.

"What's your name?" she asked curiously.

"Alec." He answered cutrly. Gabi became silent as they reached the street. She put her hand over her mouth, eyes wide.

"Oh my..." She whispered in shock. Blood covered the street, and many unmoving bodies lay scattered on the ground. That's when she saw her mom, her body among those whose lives had been lost. The many people dressed in black fell silent as Gabi slowly walked up to her mom's lifeless body. She dropped to her knees beside it and bowed her head in mourning, a single tear falling from her eye.

"Her death was not in vain." Alec kneeled beside her, putting his hand softly on her back. Gabi nodded and stood up, staring at everyone around her.

"Who are you?" She asked in a loud, clear voice. "What did my mother have to do with you?" No one answered her. "Why did she die for you?" She called loudly. "Please let me know about you." Gabi pleaded. Alec sighed beside her and she looked over at him sharply.

"Gabi, I promise to explain everything, but it isn't safe here. They know where you live now." She stared at him in confusion. "Don't let your mother's death be for nothing." at those words, Gabi sighed in defeat and let Alec lead her towards the shadows.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked curiously as they finally reached the shadows.

"Hold on to me and don't resist it." Was all he said. Suddenly, Gabi felt like she was falling. Alec's arms, wrapped tightly around her waist, held her to him as they fell.

They landed in a large, circular room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were made of obsidian. There was a large, throne-like chair in front of them. A man with black hair and warm brown eyes sat on the chair. Though he looked to be somone who smiled often, he was not smiling now, instead glaring up towards the ceiling somberly.

"How many did we lose this time?" He asked in a clear, deep voice.

"Sixty two this time sir." A woman behind Gabi said. "It was a brutal fight, my King." She sounded very remorseful.

"But we regned victorious, yes?" He asked.

"Yes, father. I have her." Alec answered, puting his hands on Gabi's shoulders as he stood behind her.

"She's a pretty little thing isn't she?" A boy gave a creepy smile to Gabi. She cowered into Alec's chest. His protective grip on her shoulders tightened.

"Back off, Marc." He said in a warning voice. Marc raised his hands in surrender.

"What is your name, young one?" The man on the throne asked.

"G-Gabi." she stuttered. Alec could feel her small fram trembling and he wished he could do something to make this less scary for her.

"Welcome, Gabi." He smiled armly at her. She sawllowed, gathering her courage.

"What's going on?" She asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I'm sure you're confused, butr I cannot reveal anythingn to you quite yet. I'm very sorry." He said apologetically. Gabi sighed dejectedly. "All in good time, Gabi. All in good time." The man said quietly. "Alec, sho wer to a room." He commanded, waving everyone away.

"Come on, Gabi." Alec muttered, sterring her away from the man, who was now leaning his elbows on his knees with his head in his hands.

Gabi was led through a heavy stone door. They ended up in a hallway that was lined with gray stone. Dim torches lined the walls periodically, flickering and casting dark shadows on the walls.

Alec pulled her down the dark hall as she looked around warily.

"What the hel is going on, Alec?" Gabi demanded suddenly, yanking her arm out of his grip.

"Gabi, I promise I'll explain later. Please don't do this." He begged, looking at her with pleading brown eyes.

"I'm tired of waiting! I want answers!" Her loud voice bounced off of the stone walls and echoed down the hall.

"Gabi-" He started. The angry girl interrupted him.

"My mother died for you, and you won't even tell me what's happened! I don't know where I am, I don't know who I'm with and I'm scared, Alec!" And there it was. Realization dawned on Alec as he stared at the small girl in front of him. That strange emotion he had see in her icy blue eyes...it had been fear.

"Gabi..." He whispered, stepping closer and softly gripping her upper arms. Before Gabi knew what was happening, Alec had pulled her in for a tight hug.

-NOT DONE-