Post by Mia on Jun 12, 2011 21:28:01 GMT -5
Chapter 1: Awakening
“I’m sorry Haven. There’s nothing we can do for your mother.” The doctor said, his eyes cold and emotionless.
Haven shook her head, backing away. “There has to be something you can do!”
“The cancer has spread too far. There’s nothing we can do.”
Tears filled Haven’s eyes as she looked at her dying mother, laying asleep and motionless in the hospital bed. The tears blurred her vision as she reached out to touch her mother’s cheek gently. “I love you mom.” She whispered before turning and running away.
Haven woke with a gasp, shooting into a sitting position. A cold sweat began pouring down her face as she tried to control her breathing. She swung her legs out of bed, only to lean forward on her elbows, placing her forehead in her hands.
That dream…it had seemed so real, felt real. She shook her head, standing and slowly opening her door, which groaned loudly. She silently crept down the hall to her mother’s room, opening the door and sighing in relief when she saw her mother curled on her bed, fast asleep.
“It was only a dream.” She reassured herself.
“I’m sorry Haven.”
Haven turned, offering a weak smile, tears staining her cheeks. She stood outside in the pouring rain, arms wrapped tightly around her middle as her body shook, trying desperately to hold back the tears that threatened to break through.
“It’s cold. Why don’t you come under the umbrella?”
Haven gave a slight shake of her head, turning back to the tombstone, running a hand over the rough stone. Mom…
Haven crumpled to her knees then, not able to stop the flow of tears. She sobbed hard, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. “No!” She screamed, gasping for breath between each heart-wrenching sob. “Why did you have to go? I need you! You can’t do this to me!”
The park was the one place Haven could think. The one place she could be alone, without people feeling sorry for her about everything. She didn’t want that - pity. But that was all she got. “Oh, Haven I’m so sorry for your loss.” “Haven, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
Haven sat on a swing, sighing. She could feel the tears starting up, and clenched her jaw, forcing them back. It had been almost a year since her mother had died. In that time she’d turned 18 and was legally able to live on her own, which was good since she had no father in her life. He’d died a long time ago.
The dreams had also continued. Each time they came true, and each time bothered Haven more and more. She was convinced she was going crazy, but she didn’t want to tell anyone. They wouldn’t believe her even if she did.
“Excuse me miss?”
Haven looked up, startled. It was almost 9 at night. Nobody ever came to the park this late.
“Are you Haven?” The man asked, stepping out of the shadows.
Haven’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know my name? Who are you?”
“You’ve been having dreams haven’t you? And they’ve been coming true.”
Haven froze, her eyes growing wide. “H-how do you know that?”
“I’ve been watching you.”
Haven’s heart began racing. “Who are you?” She asked again.
The man walked over to her, grabbing her arm. “We need to talk.”
Haven yanked away from him. “I don’t know you. Why do we need to talk?”
“You don’t need to know me. I know you.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I know that you dreamt about your mothers death.”
Haven, without thinking, flung herself off the swing and broke out into a run down the street towards her house. She heard the man mutter something under his breath as he took off after her. “Haven! Wait!”
“Leave me alone!” She screamed.
They ran for what seemed like hours. As Haven’s legs began to tire, and her chest began to grow tight with the lack of breath, she thought his footsteps had died off. That is, until she heard him call her name.
"Haven!"
The girl stopped, twisting her body to look behind her. He's still chasing me! "Leave me alone!" She screamed.
"Wait! Just listen to me!" The man chased after her, tackling her to the ground.
"Get off of me!" She cried, struggling beneath the man.
He managed to get her on her back, pinning her arms above her head. "Would you just listen to me?"
She glared at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Have, you can't run from your problems." He started. "You have The Gift. You have to use it."
"I don't want this stupid Gift! Ever since I got it, everything bad has happened!"
"That's only the Dark One trying to keep you from realizing your full potential."
"I don't care!" Haven pushed him off of her and stood.
"You should!" He stood as well, crossing his arms. It's your life we're talking about. And the fate of the Kingdom ---"
"This Kingdom! I don't even know what the Kingdom is!" Haven interrupted. "Why would I risk my life for something I don't even know exists?"
"You're risking your life regardless!" He snapped.
"Then let me die!" She screamed. "It's better than living this life!" When she turned to run, the man sighed. "I don't have time for this!" He ran after her, catching up to her quickly and grabbed her by the arm, yanking her back against his chest.
"Let me go!" She screeched, thrashing against him.
With another sigh, he pressed a pressure point on her neck and she immediately collapsed against him. He lifted her into his arms and started on his way home.
"You did what?!"
"Gabi, calm down. She wouldn't come with me otherwise."
"So you knock her out? Eli." Gabi sighed. "That's the perfect way to gain trust."
Eli almost smiled at the obvious sarcasm. "We're her guardians. I can't protect her if she refuses to come with me."
"Elijah. You know if a human doesn't want out protection we can't force them." Gabi said softly.
"I know. I acted out of emotion rather than logic. But...we can't do anything now." Elijah replied.
"You know if she wants to leave, you have to let her right?"
Elijah nodded. "I know. I will."
Haven began waking up then, blinking slowly. "Wha...?" She sat up quickly, eyes wide. "Where am I?"
"You're at my house." Gabi said with a soft smile.
"Who are you?" Haven asked.
"I'm Gabrielle, and this is Elijah."
Haven's eyes travelled to the man standing in the corner and she gasped, pointing at him. "You!"
He smiled, nodded his head and holding his hand up in a wave. "Hello again."
"You...you tackled me." She frowned. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I had to talk to you and you weren't cooperating." Elijah said.
"So you knock me out and kidnap me? What type of person are you?" Haven frowned, crossing her arms.
"Told you." Gabrielle giggled.
"Hey! I did what I felt I had to." Elijah defended himself.
"What was so important that you had to chase me down and kidnap me?"
"Okay, could you stop saying kidnap?" Elijah asked.
"You're in danger." Gabrielle said, ignoring Eli. "We have to explain to you what exactly is going on and why the Dark One is targeting you."
"It's because of your Gift." Elijah added.
"This Gift! What Gift are you talking about?" Haven interrupted.
"If you quit cutting me off I could tell you!" Eli snapped.
"Eli. Calm down." Gabrielle reached out to touch his shoulder gently and turned to Haven. "The Gift is given to a few select humans." Gabrielle said. "You happen to possess the Gift of Prophecy."
"Prophecy?" Haven frowned.
"Have you ever wondered why some of the drams you have wind up coming true. Or you know things from the past about people you don't know, or that your friends haven't told you?" Elijah asked.
"I thought that was deja-vu. Or I was going crazy."
Both Eli and Gabrielle shook their heads. "No." Elijah said. "That is your Gift."
"It's the reason why the Dark One is attacking you. He knows you are beneficial to the Kingdom." Gabrielle added.
"Wait!" Haven interrupted again. "Who is the Dark One and what is this Kingdom?"
"The Dark One is an enemy of The Kingdom." Eli answered. "He used to be very close to the Almighty--the ruler of The Kingdom--but he decided he wanted to be the almighty and ended up being kicked out of the Kingdom. His sole purpose now is to overthrow the Almighty and take over the Kingdom."
"What is the Kingdom?"
"It is where we live." Gabrielle said. "When we are not dwelling amongst humans."
"You keep saying humans." Haven pointed out. "Are you not human?"
"No. We are called Lightbearers. Citizens of the Kingdom are very rarely human." Elijah answered.
At a closer look, Haven could see that they weren't human. Gabrielle possessed unearthly beauty. She had long, perfectly straight blonde hair and light brown eyes. She was short, only about five foot five, and she had flawless tan skin.
Elijah, on the other hand, was much taller than Gabrielle, standing at six feet and two inches. He was a bit lighter than she was, with short light brown hair and green eyes.
"What do you have to do with me?" Haven asked.
"We're your guardians." Gabrielle said. "We help you to develop your gift and protect you from the Dark One and Shadowdwellers."
"Shadowdwellers?" Haven asked.
"They are followers of the Dark One. They are those who were kicked out along with the Dark One, or those Lightbearers who have rebelled since then." Eli sighed.
Haven shook her head, running a hand through her messy brown hair. "This is all too much for me."
"We expected as much." Gabi said. "It usually is."
"Especially when we dump all the information on someone at once." Eli added.
"Can you take me home?" Haven asked.
"Yeah." Gabrielle nodded. "I'll take you home."
"What happened to you yesterday? We were supposed to meet up after school." Jayson said the next day at school.
Haven ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Sorry Jay. I had something come up."
"You okay? You look sick." Jayson frowned.
Haven shook her head. "I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep." Her normal honey colored eyes were dark and she had bags under them. After the whole thing with Gabi and Eli, she hadn't been able to go to sleep. She had stayed up most of the night, trying to process all the information they had given her with no luck.
"You sure?" Jayson placed a hand on Haven's forehead, only to have it swatted away by her.
"Jayson I'm fine." The bell rang then, signaling the end of class. "Come on. I'm starving."
Jayson followed his friend out of the room and down the hall towards the cafeteria. "So, what are you doing today?"
"Nothing." Hazel got in line for lunch, reaching out to grab a slice of pizza and an orange juice.
"Weird combo." Jayson laughed as he got himself nachos and a diet coke. "Do you think I could come over?"
Hazel looked up at him, grinning. "Says the one who drinks diet coke. Like you need to lose weight." She patted his flat stomach and paid for her food, waiting for Jayson to pay for his before walked to their lunch table. "Sure, I guess you can come over."
They sat at their table and began eating. After a few minutes of silence, Jayson frowned and said, "Hey Haven. Do you know that guy?"
"What guy?" She asked, following Jayson's nod to where a guy was. He was sitting alone at a table across from them, staring intently at Haven. His eyes were furrowed into a frown, as if trying to figure something out. Haven froze when they locked eyes, her becoming wide. She felt a chill go down her back and she quickly looked away, shaking her head to get rid of the feeling. "I don't know who that is."
"He's staring at you." Jayson ssaid.
"Quit looking!" Haven hissed, kicking Jayson from underneath the table.
"Ohh, he's still looking." Jayson laughed, looking down at Haven's red face. "Oh, look, he's coming over."
"You're kidding!" Haven looked back up to see the boy was indeed walking towards them. "You've got to be kidding me." She groaned, ducking her head again.
The boy drew closer to their table and and Jayson tried to control his snickering.
"Hello." The boy said, reaching their table. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
"Sure!" Jayson chuckled. "You new here?"
"Yes." The boy sat down across from Haven, smiling in her direction. She had glanced up to see him but looked down again, a blush staining her cheeks. "I just started today. I do not have any friends yet." As he spoke, Haven could tell he had an accent. She thought it sounded French, but she wasn't too good with placing accents.
"Where you from?" Jayson asked.
"I am from Australia." The boy answered. "I was born here in America, as both of my parents are American. But when I was a baby my father was transferred to Australia, and so that is where I was raised. He just recently got placed back in the U.S, and so I transferred to this school."
So, his accent isn't French. Haven thought to herself as she forced herself not to look up at him. He was pretty cute, from what she could tell when she'd glanced at him. He had dark brown hair that was curly on his head and bright green eyes.
"What's your name?" Jayson asked.
"I am Derek." The boy smiled. "And you are?"
"Jayson."
"And her?" Derek nodded to Haven, who couldn't help but look up. When she found him smiling at her, she looked down into her lap.
"That's Haven." Jayson laughed, nudging Haven, who ignored him.
"Haven. That is a pretty name." Derek smiled.
Before Jayson got a chance to comment, the bell rang and Haven shot out of her seat. "Oh, look at that. Lunch is over! Come on Jayson. It was nice meeting you Derek. Come on Jayson!" Haven grabbed Jayson's hand, who stood but didn't go anywhere.
"Wait a sec Haven. Derek, what class do you have next?"
Derek pulled his schedule out of his back pocket and unfolded it. "It say here I have P.E?"
"Hey! Haven! You have that class, don't you?" Jayson asked, a grin on his face.
Haven inwardly cursed and turned back to the boys. "Yeah. I do..."
"Great! Then we may walk together, yes?" Derek said.
"Yeah..." Haven muttered, no as enthusiastic.
"Oh well, I have art next period, so I'll see you guys later. Have fun!" Jayson laughed, turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Derek turned to Haven. "Shall we?"
Haven turned without saying anything and began walking to the gym room. After a few moments of silence, Derek said, "You know Haven, you do not say much."
Haven shrugged. "I'm not a big talker."
"Shy?"
"No." Haven frowned. "I just don't like to talk to people."
Derek chuckled. "So, you are shy."
Haven sighed, opening the door to the gym room. "I am not shy." She repeated. "I don't like talking to people. I get nervous."
Derek followed Haven to where the group of students were standing, noticing how Haven stood away from the group. "Haven. Everything you are saying now proves to me that you are shy."
"Alright everyone! Quiet down!" The teacher barked, walking into the room. "Jesse, Caitlyn, come get the keys!"
Haven winced. "Does she always have to be so loud?" She walked with the rest of the girls to the gym room while Derek followed the guys. After getting dressed, Haven went back to where Derek was standing. "Okay, so what if I am shy?"
"Okay everyone! Time to start warm-ups! Down, to the right!" The teacher yelled once everyone was in the gym room.
"There is no need for you to be shy." Derek said as he leaned to the right, Haven following suit. "You are much to cute to be shy."
Haven snorted in amusement, switching to the left once the teacher counted to ten. "I've just never talked to people. Jayson is pretty much the only friend I have."
"That does not make sense. You should have a lot of friends."
Haven switched to the middle, giving a little shrug. "Well I don't. Sue me, I'm weird."
Derek shook his head. "You are not weird."
"On your butts!" The teacher called.
Haven plopped onto the ground. "You've only known me for half an hour."
"It does not take that long to figure a person out." Derek said.
"Oh really? I haven't figured you out yet."
Derek laughed. "Maybe you are not as bright as me?"
Haven rolled her eyes. "I'm plenty bright."
"Yeah, okay." Derek laughed again. "We will see about that."
"Hey! You have chem with us too!" Jayson laughed as Haven and Derek neared the classroom door.
“Yeah…” Haven wasn’t too pleased to find that Derek had the same class. “Surprise.” She brushed past Jayson into the classroom and the boys followed her. She and Jayson headed to their desk as Derek went to the teacher. Haven noticed her teacher looking around the classroom, probably looking for a place to put Derek. “Please don’t point here. Please don’t point here.” She quietly pleases, only to groan in despair when the teacher nodded the desk Haven and Derek occupied. “Great.”
“I don’t see why you don’t like him.” Jayson said, having heard Haven.
“It’s not that I don’t like him. He’s just….weird.” Haven grew quiet when Derek reached the table.
“It looks like we are partners.” Derek said with a smile.
“Looks like it.” Jayson agreed. Haven opted to stay quiet.
The class grew silent as the teacher began to talk and explain the directions she was handing out about the lab. After she handed out the equipment, the groups began to work without much conversation. Things were quiet for a few minutes in the classroom, until a scream broke the silence. Everyone looked to see that a glass beaker from one of the tables had shattered.
“I don’t know what happened. We were using any fire!” A girl was crying.
“Weird…” Haven murmured. “It just…exploded.”
As the teacher was busing trying to console the girl, yet another beaker broke at a different table.
“What the heck?!” A boy jumped from his seat as the beaker from his table broke as well.
“What’s going on?” People started to talk and panic as more of the beakers broke. Haven screamed when the beaker at their table broke.
To make matters worse, the lights went out in the classroom. The quiet murmurs almost immediately grew panicked as they tried to figure out what was going on.
“It’s dark.” Haven whimpered, moving closer to Jayson.
“Is she okay?” Derek asked when Haven turned her face to Jayson’s chest.
“She’s afraid of the dark.” Jayson answered, wrapping an arm around Haven’s waist.
The lights flickered back on then and Haven moved away from Jayson.
“Is it cold to you?” Someone asked.
“Yeah.”
“I can see my own breath!”
‘What’s going on?!” Different people started talking at the same time as the temperature quickly dropped in the classroom.
The windows broke then, startling everyone into silence. Two men-like creatures jumped through the open windows, scanning the classroom for something. When their eyes fell on Haven, one disappeared, only to reappear behind her. Haven screamed as he grabbed her, tossing her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
“What are you doing?!” Jayson stood, attempting to grab Haven, but the second man backhanded him, causing him to crash into the desk.
“Do not interfere human.” The man said as they began to walk towards the window.
“Let me go!” Haven screamed, thrashing about.
Derek went to Jayson’s side, helping him to his feet. “Haven!” Jayson called.
They almost made it to the window when two other people appeared.
‘It’s you guys!” Haven gasped.
“What is going on?” Jayson asked.
“Let her go.” Eli said.
“Or else what?” The man carrying Haven taunted.
“You really don’t want to go there.” Gabrielle’s eyes began to glow. A white light formed around her body and one of the men gasped.
“They’re Guardians!” He growled, backing away.
“Well come on! No sense in staying here when we’ve got the girl.”
They didn’t get a chance to run though. Elijah suddenly appeared before the one carrying Haven, grinning at him before spinning, side kicking him in the stomach, and upper cutting him in the jaw, which caused Haven to go flying. She screamed, her eyes squeezing shut as she flew through the air, shortly before being caught by Eli.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle had caught the other in a headlock from behind, her legs wrapped around his waist. He was screaming a loud, high-pitched, unearthly scream as her eyes grew brighter, her arms and legs tightening around him. He exploded suddenly, Gabi dropping gracefully to her feet.
“We told you being by yourself was dangerous.” Eli scolded as he set Haven on her feet.
“Eli.” Gabrielle said. “More are coming. We have to leave now.”
“Oh, well in that case.” Elijah immediately picked Haven back up, causing her to gasp.
“Where are you taking her?” Jayson demanded.
Eli barely spared him a glance before jumping out the window, Gabi following closely behind.
“Wait!” Jayson ran after them, jumping out the window as well. Derek hesitated for a split second before he too followed the group.
“You can’t come with us.” Gabrielle said as they continued to run.
“I’m not leaving Haven.” Jayson simply replied, easily keeping pace with the two guardians.
“Why do you care?” Elli asked.
“Haven is my best friend.” Jayson frowned.
“Fine.” Gabrielle sighed as she and Eli stopped running. She stuck our her hands. “Grab hold.”
“Why was I attacked at school?” Haven sat cross-legged on the same bed she woke up on just yesterday.
Derek and Jayson sat in chairs on one side of the bed and Eli stood against the wall while Gabi sat on the window sill on the other side.
“They knew we wouldn’t be there with you.” Gabi said.
“How did you know I would need help?” Haven asked.
“We’re your guardians.” Eli said. “It is our job to know when you need help.”
“Wait. What’s going on?” Jayson finally asked.
“You need to be more specific than that kid.” Elijah said.
“Okay, who are you guys?”
“I’m Gabrielle, and that is Elijah.” Gabi answered.
“What do you want with Haven?”
“Haven possesses what we call The Gift. It is our job to keep her safe.” Eli said. “She is beneficial to the Kingdom.”
“Who were those people that attacked me?” Haven asked.
“They were the Shadowdwellers.” Gabi said. “They work for the Dark One.”
“They who?” Jayson frowned.
“He is the man…being, trying to take over the Kingdom.” Elijah shook his head. “Enough questions. Haven, you can’t go back to the human realm. You know that, right?”
Haven nodded, looking down. “I know.”
“Wait!” Jayson stood, nearly knocking over his chair. “What do you mean she can’t go back to the human realm?”
“I thought I said no more questions.” Eli said pointedly.
“It means I can’t go back home Jay.” Haven whispered. “It’s not safe for me.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” Jayson declared.
“You can’t stay here.” Gabrielle protested.
“It’s too dangerous.” Elijah shook his head. “You are only human.”
“Haven is human too!” Jayson cried.
“Haven has a Gift.” Eli retorted.
“Jayson cannot go back now.” Derek said quietly.
“Why not?” Eli asked.
“Would not the Shadowdwellers come after him now that they know he is her friend?”
“That means Derek isn’t safe either.” Haven said.
“Wait! You can’t all stay here!” Eli said.
“We have no choice Eli. They have too.” Gabi said. “It would be wrong for us to leave them unprotected.
“Fine.” Elijah pushed off the wall, sighing and sticking a hand in his back pocket. “I’ll go arrange with Mathis and get them some housing. In the meantime just…stay here.”
Gabrielle reached out to touch his arm. “Thanks, Eli.”
“Uh-huh.” Eli walked out of the door.
Living in the Kingdon was different. Each of them had their own house, although it was more like a huge bedroom with a bath and kitchen. It was peaceful, living by themselves, though they still spent time together.
Haven lay on the grass on her back, her arms crossed behind her head.
“It’s so boring here!” Jayson complained from his spot on the ground at the base of the tree.
“It is not that bad.” Derek said, leaning against the tree next to Jay.
“Yeah, Jay. At least we don’t have to go to school everyday.” Haven giggled.
“Okay, that’s true. But we could at least do without these clothes.” Jayson said.
Since becoming citizens of the Kingdom, the three had each gotten a new wardrobe. Haven had a white, flowy dress and slip on shoes. The guys were white as well, pants and a long sleeved top with white shoes.
“We look like asylum patients or something.”
“Jayson.” Haven rolled onto her stomach, laughing. “You’re just exaggerating now.”
“It is quite peaceful here.” Derek commented.
“There you guys are!” All heads turned to see Gabrielle and Elijah walking towards them. Haven rolled back onto her back and sat up, waving. Jayson rose his hand as Derek gave a simple nod.
“Hi guys.” Haven greeted. “What’s up?”
“Here.” Eli handed the three of them each a slip of paper.
“What are these?” Haven asked as she scanned the paper.
“Your schedules.” Eli answered.
“Wait. As in classes?” Jayson looked up at Elijah with a frown.
“Yes. You have to learn about the Kingdom somehow. We can’t teach you everything.” Gabi said.
“Why do me and Derek have to go? We don’t have any Gifts.” Jayson protested.
“You still have to learn how to help Haven in case she needs it.” Gabrielle said. “You will be taught how to fight and such.”
“Classes start tomorrow.” Elijah said.
“Good luck guys!” Gabi grinned before she and Eli walked away.
Jayson glanced at his paper with a sigh. “Well, it says here I have General Assembly first.”
“Hey, me too!” Haven squealed.
“As do I.” Derek added.
“Well, I guess it won’t be too bad.” Jayson sighed again.
“It’ll be fun.” Haven reassured. “You’ll see.”
The next day brought Haven, Derek and Jayson to the Study Hall where the classes were being held. The three sat next to each other and waited for everyone to settle in and for the teacher to begin. Once everyone was quiet the teacher started talking.
“Good morning everyone. My name is Prof. Longlee and I will be your General Assembly teacher. I’m not going to actually teach, as you are only in here for twenty minutes. I only take roll of who is here. For some of you, I will be your history teacher.”
“Aw man. I have that class next.” Jayson groaned.
Haven giggled. “Have fun.”
The teacher glanced at the clock, and frowned a bit. “We are a bit early but you may be dismissed to your next classes.”
Haven stood and stretched. “I have Archery next.” She grinned, punching Jayson on his shoulder. “Have fun in history.”
“Welcome to Archery class. I am your teacher, Prof. Lauran.”
Haven sat on the grass, slightly away from the rest of the class.
“Today we’ll review how to properly hold a bow and arrow.” The teacher continued.
Haven sighed. She was excited for archer but she was horribly clumsy and sucked at sports.
The teacher talked for a few more minutes, explaining how to hold the boy and where to place the arrow.
Finally it was time for them to practice. They had dull arrows so people couldn’t accidentally hurt themselves. Unfortunately for Haven, she was unusually clumsy. And her clumsiness often found her hitting herself with the arrow more than she hit the foam target.
“Here.” Haven felt someone behind her and turned quickly, her eyes wide.
“Don’t turn around.” The boy laughed, grabbing Haven by her waist and turning her back around. A blush burned her cheeks as his hands gripped her elbows., lifting them higher. “Raise your arms like this. You’ll hit the target.”
Haven did as she was told, making sure to keep her arms up. She fired the arrow and nearly jumped for joy when she hit the target.
“Yay!” She giggled, spinning around. “Thanks.”
The guy smiled. “You’re welcome.”
Whoa, he’s cute! Haven thought as a blush spread across her cheeks.
“You’re new here aren’t you?” He asked.
“Uh…yeah. How’d you know?”
“One, you came in the class late. Two, we learned how to properly hold a bow and arrow the first day of class.”
“Oh…” Haven’s blush grew deeper.
“Merritt!” Both heads turned to see a girl standing a way off, hands on her hips.
Merritt sighed. “Tamera…” He shook his head. “What?!”
“Come on! We have to practice!” Tamera huffed impatiently.
“Girlfriend?” Haven asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“God no.” Merritt shook his head. “She wants to be though. She clung to me the very first day of school and she wont leave me alone. She wants us to be more.”
“So why not date her?”
“She’s like an annoying kid sister.”
“Merritt!” Tamera whined.
Haven giggled as Merritt groaned. “See?”
“I get your point.” Haven shook her head.
Tamera decided then that she didn’t want to wait for Merritt anymore and made her way over to them. “Merritt!” She huffed, latching onto his arm. “You said you would be right back! It’s been ten minutes. Besides, you’re my partner!”
“Tammy.” Merritt pulled his arm from her grip. “She needed help. And I’m your partner everyday. You can stand to be away from me for a few minutes.”
Tamera pouted. “But…Merritt that’s not fair!”
“It is. Go back to our post and practice.” Merritt dismissed her, turning back to face Haven. “Is there anything else you need help with?”
Tamera glared at Haven before turning and stalking away.
Haven gave a sheepish smile. “She doesn’t like me very much.”
“She doesn’t like any girl I talk to.” Merritt shook his head. “I don’t know why she clings to me so.”
Haven shrugged. “She likes you.”
“Sometimes, I wish she didn’t.” He sighed. “Turn back around.” He said then, touching her waist again.
Haven quickly turned back around so he couldn’t see her blush. Merritt lightly touched her elbows, placing his chin in the crook of her neck. “Won’t this make Tamera jealous? And angry?” Haven asked.
Merritt grinned, pulling away slightly. “Probably.” He chuckled as Haven strung her arrow and aimed for the dummy. Merritt pulled away so he wouldn’t get hit.
“That’s not nice.” Haven giggled. “She’ll hate me.”
“She’ll hate you regardless. You’re a female. Spread your legs a little. It’ll help keep your balance.” Merritt said when Haven missed the target from falling over a bit.
Haven looked over her shoulder at Merritt. “Why are you helping me?”
Merritt shrugged. “You needed it.”
Haven smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, focus on shooting the dummy.”
Haven’s next class was History of The Gifts, a class made solely for those with The Gift.
Haven walked into the room slowly, glancing around for a place to sit. When her eyes fell on Merritt sitting at a desk by the window, she smiled and walked over to him.
“Excuse me.” She said in a sweet voice. “Is this seat taken?”
Merritt answered without looking up. “Huh? Oh, no. You can--” He broke off when he finally looked up at her. “Hey you! Of course you can sit here.”
Haven grinned and took the seat next to him.
“You have a Gift?” Merritt asked. “I didn’t expect you to be one with a Gift.”
Haven frowned. “Why would you say that?”
“Oh don’t worry. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.” Merritt said. “It just…in Archery…ahhh.”
Haven giggled. “The fact that I’m horribly clumsy? Yeah, I know.” She ran a hand through her hair, a habit she’d had for a while. “I just found out about this Gift recently. Like, last week recently.”
Merritt laughed. “Really? Most people with the Gift know about it early in life.”
“I guess I’m different.” Haven shrugged.
Merritt shook his head. “Wow. Well, do you know what Gift you have?”
“Prophecy? That’s what my Guardians told me at least.” Haven said.
“That’s cool. Not too many people have that Gift.”
“What about you? Which Gift do you have?” Haven asked.
“Discernment of Spirits.” Merritt answered.
“Dis…what?” Haven asked.
“Alright class, listen up!” Merritt didn’t get a chance to answer as the teacher walked into the classroom and got the class’ attention. “For those of you who don’t know me, I am Professor Zion and I will be your teacher. Today we’ll continue working on the projects we started last semester.”
“Oh what joy.” Merritt murmured.
Haven giggled and placed a finger to her lips. ‘Shhh…no talking while the Professor is teaching.”
Merritt rolled his eyes. “Please. She doesn’t care. I’m the best student she has.”
“So modest.” Haven teased.
“Well, I studied the Gifts way before starting school.” Merritt smiled. “I’m a bit of a nerd.”
“Aww, I think it’s cute.” Haven giggled again.
Merritt shook his head. “Thanks.”
Haven leaned closer to Merritt, a grin breaking out on her face. “You’re blushing!”
Merritt turned away. “I’m not.”
“Okay guys! Get with your partners!” The teacher said.
“Waist, partners for what?” Haven asked.
“We have to do a paper on one of the Gifts. We picked partners last week. I usually work alone but would you like to work with me?”
“I have nobody else to work with.” Haven smiled. “What gift are you working on?”
“Tongues. I love that Gift.” Merritt said.
Haven snorted in amusement. “You are a dork.”
“Nerd! I said nerd!” Merritt said, shaking his head. “But thanks, I appreciate it.”
“You know what? I don’t think I ever told you my name.” Haven said.
“You know, you’re right.” Merritt laughed. “And here you know my name.”
“Haven…is my name.” She added the last part as an afterthought.
“Very pretty.” Merritt said, grinning when she blushed. “What?”
“Nothing. I just get embarrassed easily.” Haven shook her head, looking away.
“Hey, class is almost over. Want to work on this after school?” Merritt asked.
“Okay, we can go to my place.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Merritt and Haven spent a lot of time over the next few weeks, much to the dismay of both Tamera and Jayson, him in particular. He’d been trying to figure out the best way to tell Haven his true feelings, but every time he got up the nerve to, Merritt would come strolling along to take Haven away from him, claiming they had to work on their project together. And Haven would just leave willingly! Saying she would talk to him later, giggling as she walked away with him.
“Jay?” Haven’s soft voice broke him from his thoughts, and he looked up, startled. “Are you okay? You look upset.”
“I’m fine.” Jayson replied, looking back down at his textbook. They were at his house, studying for a test they had coming up in History. Jayson read over the words, not really registering them in his mind. I should tell her now, while we finally have some time alone.
“Haven.” Jayson started.
“Hm?” Haven looked up, a soft smile on her face, and Jayson found it hard to think.
“Uh. I…I have something ask you.”
“What is it?” Haven frowned a bit, confused by Jayson’s strange behavior. He seemed nervous, and he was never nervous around her.
“Uh. I--” Jayson quickly shook his head. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t tell her, not yet. “How is your project going?”
Haven’s eyes lit up. “Its going well! Merritt is really patient with me, you know how I am with History, it’s so boring and I don’t do well. Anyway, we aren’t very far but Merritt doesn’t get angry cuz he knows I’m new to this and--”
At that, Jayson grew angry. What had seemed like an innocent question had caused her to go on and on about Merritt. “Do you like this Merritt person?” He interrupted.
Haven stopped talking, a blush growing on her cheeks. “What? Why would you ask that?”
“Because, you spend so much time together.” The blush did not go un-noticed by Jayson, and it only proved to worsen his fears. “And you talk about him all the time.”
“Jayson, we’re working on a project together. We kind of have to work together.”
Jayson sat on his windowsill, sighing. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it.” Haven frowned. “It’s none of your business.”
“It is my business.” Jayson crossed his arms.
“How is it your business?”
“I’m your best friend.”
“Yes, my best friend. Not my father.” Haven stood from her seat on the bed.
“You spend more time with him then you do me!” Jayson said.
“I told you, we’re working on a project! We have to be together.”
“I don’t want you spending so much time with him.” What Jayson really wanted to say was that he didn’t want her to fall in love with him.
“Jayson.” Haven sighed. “It’s not like I’m dating the guy. And he’s not taking your place as my best friend. I don’t see how it matters.”
“It does matter!” Jayson snapped.
“Why?!”
“Because I’m in love with you!” He blurted out in the heat of the moment.
Haven gasped and Jayson’s hand flew to his mouth. “Jayson…” Haven didn’t know what to say to that. She hadn’t been expecting that to be the reason why. Anything but that. She shook her head and began towards the door. “I-I should go.” Before this got any more awkward.
“No, Heaven wait!” Jayson reached out to grab her hand. Haven turned to look at him. “Don’t go.”
“Jay…”
“Please.” He pleaded softly.
Haven bit her lip, but turned her body fully towards Jayson. Why couldn’t she just leave before it got worse? “Jay, you can’t love me.” Haven shook her head. “We’re best friends. You’re like a brother to me.”
“So? Haven, you have no idea how long I’ve felt this way.”
“I don’t want to know!” Haven cried, pulling away from him. She ran a hand through her hair, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t…I don’t understand why you’re telling me this Jayson.”
“So you’ll understand why it bothers me. Why I don’t like seeing you with other guys.”
Haven shook her head again, backing away. “Jay. I can’t…I should go.”
“Haven!” Jayson jumped off the windowsill and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him. Haven barely had time to fall against him before he leaned down to press his mouth to hers.
Haven gasped and immediately froze. Jayson pulled away.
“Why did you…?”
“I’m sorry Haven.” Jayson said, his grip on her hand slacking a bit. “I didn’t mean too. I acted in the moment.”
Haven pulled away from him, a tear sliding down her cheek. She opened her mouth to talk, and then closed it again. When Jayson began talking again, she quickly shook her head, turning and running out of the house, only to run straight into Merritt.
“Haven!” Merritt reached out and caught her by the waist so she wouldn’t fall. “Are you crying? What’s wrong?” She was trembling, tears blurring her vision as she struggled to put together what had just happened between her and her best friend.
“Haven?”
Haven glanced behind her at Jayson, and then back at Merritt. Another tear slid down her cheek, and then she ran.
“I’m sorry Haven. There’s nothing we can do for your mother.” The doctor said, his eyes cold and emotionless.
Haven shook her head, backing away. “There has to be something you can do!”
“The cancer has spread too far. There’s nothing we can do.”
Tears filled Haven’s eyes as she looked at her dying mother, laying asleep and motionless in the hospital bed. The tears blurred her vision as she reached out to touch her mother’s cheek gently. “I love you mom.” She whispered before turning and running away.
Haven woke with a gasp, shooting into a sitting position. A cold sweat began pouring down her face as she tried to control her breathing. She swung her legs out of bed, only to lean forward on her elbows, placing her forehead in her hands.
That dream…it had seemed so real, felt real. She shook her head, standing and slowly opening her door, which groaned loudly. She silently crept down the hall to her mother’s room, opening the door and sighing in relief when she saw her mother curled on her bed, fast asleep.
“It was only a dream.” She reassured herself.
-x-
“I’m sorry Haven.”
Haven turned, offering a weak smile, tears staining her cheeks. She stood outside in the pouring rain, arms wrapped tightly around her middle as her body shook, trying desperately to hold back the tears that threatened to break through.
“It’s cold. Why don’t you come under the umbrella?”
Haven gave a slight shake of her head, turning back to the tombstone, running a hand over the rough stone. Mom…
Haven crumpled to her knees then, not able to stop the flow of tears. She sobbed hard, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. “No!” She screamed, gasping for breath between each heart-wrenching sob. “Why did you have to go? I need you! You can’t do this to me!”
-x-
The park was the one place Haven could think. The one place she could be alone, without people feeling sorry for her about everything. She didn’t want that - pity. But that was all she got. “Oh, Haven I’m so sorry for your loss.” “Haven, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
Haven sat on a swing, sighing. She could feel the tears starting up, and clenched her jaw, forcing them back. It had been almost a year since her mother had died. In that time she’d turned 18 and was legally able to live on her own, which was good since she had no father in her life. He’d died a long time ago.
The dreams had also continued. Each time they came true, and each time bothered Haven more and more. She was convinced she was going crazy, but she didn’t want to tell anyone. They wouldn’t believe her even if she did.
“Excuse me miss?”
Haven looked up, startled. It was almost 9 at night. Nobody ever came to the park this late.
“Are you Haven?” The man asked, stepping out of the shadows.
Haven’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know my name? Who are you?”
“You’ve been having dreams haven’t you? And they’ve been coming true.”
Haven froze, her eyes growing wide. “H-how do you know that?”
“I’ve been watching you.”
Haven’s heart began racing. “Who are you?” She asked again.
The man walked over to her, grabbing her arm. “We need to talk.”
Haven yanked away from him. “I don’t know you. Why do we need to talk?”
“You don’t need to know me. I know you.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I know that you dreamt about your mothers death.”
Haven, without thinking, flung herself off the swing and broke out into a run down the street towards her house. She heard the man mutter something under his breath as he took off after her. “Haven! Wait!”
“Leave me alone!” She screamed.
They ran for what seemed like hours. As Haven’s legs began to tire, and her chest began to grow tight with the lack of breath, she thought his footsteps had died off. That is, until she heard him call her name.
"Haven!"
The girl stopped, twisting her body to look behind her. He's still chasing me! "Leave me alone!" She screamed.
"Wait! Just listen to me!" The man chased after her, tackling her to the ground.
"Get off of me!" She cried, struggling beneath the man.
He managed to get her on her back, pinning her arms above her head. "Would you just listen to me?"
She glared at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Have, you can't run from your problems." He started. "You have The Gift. You have to use it."
"I don't want this stupid Gift! Ever since I got it, everything bad has happened!"
"That's only the Dark One trying to keep you from realizing your full potential."
"I don't care!" Haven pushed him off of her and stood.
"You should!" He stood as well, crossing his arms. It's your life we're talking about. And the fate of the Kingdom ---"
"This Kingdom! I don't even know what the Kingdom is!" Haven interrupted. "Why would I risk my life for something I don't even know exists?"
"You're risking your life regardless!" He snapped.
"Then let me die!" She screamed. "It's better than living this life!" When she turned to run, the man sighed. "I don't have time for this!" He ran after her, catching up to her quickly and grabbed her by the arm, yanking her back against his chest.
"Let me go!" She screeched, thrashing against him.
With another sigh, he pressed a pressure point on her neck and she immediately collapsed against him. He lifted her into his arms and started on his way home.
-x-
"You did what?!"
"Gabi, calm down. She wouldn't come with me otherwise."
"So you knock her out? Eli." Gabi sighed. "That's the perfect way to gain trust."
Eli almost smiled at the obvious sarcasm. "We're her guardians. I can't protect her if she refuses to come with me."
"Elijah. You know if a human doesn't want out protection we can't force them." Gabi said softly.
"I know. I acted out of emotion rather than logic. But...we can't do anything now." Elijah replied.
"You know if she wants to leave, you have to let her right?"
Elijah nodded. "I know. I will."
Haven began waking up then, blinking slowly. "Wha...?" She sat up quickly, eyes wide. "Where am I?"
"You're at my house." Gabi said with a soft smile.
"Who are you?" Haven asked.
"I'm Gabrielle, and this is Elijah."
Haven's eyes travelled to the man standing in the corner and she gasped, pointing at him. "You!"
He smiled, nodded his head and holding his hand up in a wave. "Hello again."
"You...you tackled me." She frowned. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I had to talk to you and you weren't cooperating." Elijah said.
"So you knock me out and kidnap me? What type of person are you?" Haven frowned, crossing her arms.
"Told you." Gabrielle giggled.
"Hey! I did what I felt I had to." Elijah defended himself.
"What was so important that you had to chase me down and kidnap me?"
"Okay, could you stop saying kidnap?" Elijah asked.
"You're in danger." Gabrielle said, ignoring Eli. "We have to explain to you what exactly is going on and why the Dark One is targeting you."
"It's because of your Gift." Elijah added.
"This Gift! What Gift are you talking about?" Haven interrupted.
"If you quit cutting me off I could tell you!" Eli snapped.
"Eli. Calm down." Gabrielle reached out to touch his shoulder gently and turned to Haven. "The Gift is given to a few select humans." Gabrielle said. "You happen to possess the Gift of Prophecy."
"Prophecy?" Haven frowned.
"Have you ever wondered why some of the drams you have wind up coming true. Or you know things from the past about people you don't know, or that your friends haven't told you?" Elijah asked.
"I thought that was deja-vu. Or I was going crazy."
Both Eli and Gabrielle shook their heads. "No." Elijah said. "That is your Gift."
"It's the reason why the Dark One is attacking you. He knows you are beneficial to the Kingdom." Gabrielle added.
"Wait!" Haven interrupted again. "Who is the Dark One and what is this Kingdom?"
"The Dark One is an enemy of The Kingdom." Eli answered. "He used to be very close to the Almighty--the ruler of The Kingdom--but he decided he wanted to be the almighty and ended up being kicked out of the Kingdom. His sole purpose now is to overthrow the Almighty and take over the Kingdom."
"What is the Kingdom?"
"It is where we live." Gabrielle said. "When we are not dwelling amongst humans."
"You keep saying humans." Haven pointed out. "Are you not human?"
"No. We are called Lightbearers. Citizens of the Kingdom are very rarely human." Elijah answered.
At a closer look, Haven could see that they weren't human. Gabrielle possessed unearthly beauty. She had long, perfectly straight blonde hair and light brown eyes. She was short, only about five foot five, and she had flawless tan skin.
Elijah, on the other hand, was much taller than Gabrielle, standing at six feet and two inches. He was a bit lighter than she was, with short light brown hair and green eyes.
"What do you have to do with me?" Haven asked.
"We're your guardians." Gabrielle said. "We help you to develop your gift and protect you from the Dark One and Shadowdwellers."
"Shadowdwellers?" Haven asked.
"They are followers of the Dark One. They are those who were kicked out along with the Dark One, or those Lightbearers who have rebelled since then." Eli sighed.
Haven shook her head, running a hand through her messy brown hair. "This is all too much for me."
"We expected as much." Gabi said. "It usually is."
"Especially when we dump all the information on someone at once." Eli added.
"Can you take me home?" Haven asked.
"Yeah." Gabrielle nodded. "I'll take you home."
-x-
"What happened to you yesterday? We were supposed to meet up after school." Jayson said the next day at school.
Haven ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Sorry Jay. I had something come up."
"You okay? You look sick." Jayson frowned.
Haven shook her head. "I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep." Her normal honey colored eyes were dark and she had bags under them. After the whole thing with Gabi and Eli, she hadn't been able to go to sleep. She had stayed up most of the night, trying to process all the information they had given her with no luck.
"You sure?" Jayson placed a hand on Haven's forehead, only to have it swatted away by her.
"Jayson I'm fine." The bell rang then, signaling the end of class. "Come on. I'm starving."
Jayson followed his friend out of the room and down the hall towards the cafeteria. "So, what are you doing today?"
"Nothing." Hazel got in line for lunch, reaching out to grab a slice of pizza and an orange juice.
"Weird combo." Jayson laughed as he got himself nachos and a diet coke. "Do you think I could come over?"
Hazel looked up at him, grinning. "Says the one who drinks diet coke. Like you need to lose weight." She patted his flat stomach and paid for her food, waiting for Jayson to pay for his before walked to their lunch table. "Sure, I guess you can come over."
They sat at their table and began eating. After a few minutes of silence, Jayson frowned and said, "Hey Haven. Do you know that guy?"
"What guy?" She asked, following Jayson's nod to where a guy was. He was sitting alone at a table across from them, staring intently at Haven. His eyes were furrowed into a frown, as if trying to figure something out. Haven froze when they locked eyes, her becoming wide. She felt a chill go down her back and she quickly looked away, shaking her head to get rid of the feeling. "I don't know who that is."
"He's staring at you." Jayson ssaid.
"Quit looking!" Haven hissed, kicking Jayson from underneath the table.
"Ohh, he's still looking." Jayson laughed, looking down at Haven's red face. "Oh, look, he's coming over."
"You're kidding!" Haven looked back up to see the boy was indeed walking towards them. "You've got to be kidding me." She groaned, ducking her head again.
The boy drew closer to their table and and Jayson tried to control his snickering.
"Hello." The boy said, reaching their table. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
"Sure!" Jayson chuckled. "You new here?"
"Yes." The boy sat down across from Haven, smiling in her direction. She had glanced up to see him but looked down again, a blush staining her cheeks. "I just started today. I do not have any friends yet." As he spoke, Haven could tell he had an accent. She thought it sounded French, but she wasn't too good with placing accents.
"Where you from?" Jayson asked.
"I am from Australia." The boy answered. "I was born here in America, as both of my parents are American. But when I was a baby my father was transferred to Australia, and so that is where I was raised. He just recently got placed back in the U.S, and so I transferred to this school."
So, his accent isn't French. Haven thought to herself as she forced herself not to look up at him. He was pretty cute, from what she could tell when she'd glanced at him. He had dark brown hair that was curly on his head and bright green eyes.
"What's your name?" Jayson asked.
"I am Derek." The boy smiled. "And you are?"
"Jayson."
"And her?" Derek nodded to Haven, who couldn't help but look up. When she found him smiling at her, she looked down into her lap.
"That's Haven." Jayson laughed, nudging Haven, who ignored him.
"Haven. That is a pretty name." Derek smiled.
Before Jayson got a chance to comment, the bell rang and Haven shot out of her seat. "Oh, look at that. Lunch is over! Come on Jayson. It was nice meeting you Derek. Come on Jayson!" Haven grabbed Jayson's hand, who stood but didn't go anywhere.
"Wait a sec Haven. Derek, what class do you have next?"
Derek pulled his schedule out of his back pocket and unfolded it. "It say here I have P.E?"
"Hey! Haven! You have that class, don't you?" Jayson asked, a grin on his face.
Haven inwardly cursed and turned back to the boys. "Yeah. I do..."
"Great! Then we may walk together, yes?" Derek said.
"Yeah..." Haven muttered, no as enthusiastic.
"Oh well, I have art next period, so I'll see you guys later. Have fun!" Jayson laughed, turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Derek turned to Haven. "Shall we?"
Haven turned without saying anything and began walking to the gym room. After a few moments of silence, Derek said, "You know Haven, you do not say much."
Haven shrugged. "I'm not a big talker."
"Shy?"
"No." Haven frowned. "I just don't like to talk to people."
Derek chuckled. "So, you are shy."
Haven sighed, opening the door to the gym room. "I am not shy." She repeated. "I don't like talking to people. I get nervous."
Derek followed Haven to where the group of students were standing, noticing how Haven stood away from the group. "Haven. Everything you are saying now proves to me that you are shy."
"Alright everyone! Quiet down!" The teacher barked, walking into the room. "Jesse, Caitlyn, come get the keys!"
Haven winced. "Does she always have to be so loud?" She walked with the rest of the girls to the gym room while Derek followed the guys. After getting dressed, Haven went back to where Derek was standing. "Okay, so what if I am shy?"
"Okay everyone! Time to start warm-ups! Down, to the right!" The teacher yelled once everyone was in the gym room.
"There is no need for you to be shy." Derek said as he leaned to the right, Haven following suit. "You are much to cute to be shy."
Haven snorted in amusement, switching to the left once the teacher counted to ten. "I've just never talked to people. Jayson is pretty much the only friend I have."
"That does not make sense. You should have a lot of friends."
Haven switched to the middle, giving a little shrug. "Well I don't. Sue me, I'm weird."
Derek shook his head. "You are not weird."
"On your butts!" The teacher called.
Haven plopped onto the ground. "You've only known me for half an hour."
"It does not take that long to figure a person out." Derek said.
"Oh really? I haven't figured you out yet."
Derek laughed. "Maybe you are not as bright as me?"
Haven rolled her eyes. "I'm plenty bright."
"Yeah, okay." Derek laughed again. "We will see about that."
-x-
"Hey! You have chem with us too!" Jayson laughed as Haven and Derek neared the classroom door.
“Yeah…” Haven wasn’t too pleased to find that Derek had the same class. “Surprise.” She brushed past Jayson into the classroom and the boys followed her. She and Jayson headed to their desk as Derek went to the teacher. Haven noticed her teacher looking around the classroom, probably looking for a place to put Derek. “Please don’t point here. Please don’t point here.” She quietly pleases, only to groan in despair when the teacher nodded the desk Haven and Derek occupied. “Great.”
“I don’t see why you don’t like him.” Jayson said, having heard Haven.
“It’s not that I don’t like him. He’s just….weird.” Haven grew quiet when Derek reached the table.
“It looks like we are partners.” Derek said with a smile.
“Looks like it.” Jayson agreed. Haven opted to stay quiet.
The class grew silent as the teacher began to talk and explain the directions she was handing out about the lab. After she handed out the equipment, the groups began to work without much conversation. Things were quiet for a few minutes in the classroom, until a scream broke the silence. Everyone looked to see that a glass beaker from one of the tables had shattered.
“I don’t know what happened. We were using any fire!” A girl was crying.
“Weird…” Haven murmured. “It just…exploded.”
As the teacher was busing trying to console the girl, yet another beaker broke at a different table.
“What the heck?!” A boy jumped from his seat as the beaker from his table broke as well.
“What’s going on?” People started to talk and panic as more of the beakers broke. Haven screamed when the beaker at their table broke.
To make matters worse, the lights went out in the classroom. The quiet murmurs almost immediately grew panicked as they tried to figure out what was going on.
“It’s dark.” Haven whimpered, moving closer to Jayson.
“Is she okay?” Derek asked when Haven turned her face to Jayson’s chest.
“She’s afraid of the dark.” Jayson answered, wrapping an arm around Haven’s waist.
The lights flickered back on then and Haven moved away from Jayson.
“Is it cold to you?” Someone asked.
“Yeah.”
“I can see my own breath!”
‘What’s going on?!” Different people started talking at the same time as the temperature quickly dropped in the classroom.
The windows broke then, startling everyone into silence. Two men-like creatures jumped through the open windows, scanning the classroom for something. When their eyes fell on Haven, one disappeared, only to reappear behind her. Haven screamed as he grabbed her, tossing her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
“What are you doing?!” Jayson stood, attempting to grab Haven, but the second man backhanded him, causing him to crash into the desk.
“Do not interfere human.” The man said as they began to walk towards the window.
“Let me go!” Haven screamed, thrashing about.
Derek went to Jayson’s side, helping him to his feet. “Haven!” Jayson called.
They almost made it to the window when two other people appeared.
‘It’s you guys!” Haven gasped.
“What is going on?” Jayson asked.
“Let her go.” Eli said.
“Or else what?” The man carrying Haven taunted.
“You really don’t want to go there.” Gabrielle’s eyes began to glow. A white light formed around her body and one of the men gasped.
“They’re Guardians!” He growled, backing away.
“Well come on! No sense in staying here when we’ve got the girl.”
They didn’t get a chance to run though. Elijah suddenly appeared before the one carrying Haven, grinning at him before spinning, side kicking him in the stomach, and upper cutting him in the jaw, which caused Haven to go flying. She screamed, her eyes squeezing shut as she flew through the air, shortly before being caught by Eli.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle had caught the other in a headlock from behind, her legs wrapped around his waist. He was screaming a loud, high-pitched, unearthly scream as her eyes grew brighter, her arms and legs tightening around him. He exploded suddenly, Gabi dropping gracefully to her feet.
“We told you being by yourself was dangerous.” Eli scolded as he set Haven on her feet.
“Eli.” Gabrielle said. “More are coming. We have to leave now.”
“Oh, well in that case.” Elijah immediately picked Haven back up, causing her to gasp.
“Where are you taking her?” Jayson demanded.
Eli barely spared him a glance before jumping out the window, Gabi following closely behind.
“Wait!” Jayson ran after them, jumping out the window as well. Derek hesitated for a split second before he too followed the group.
“You can’t come with us.” Gabrielle said as they continued to run.
“I’m not leaving Haven.” Jayson simply replied, easily keeping pace with the two guardians.
“Why do you care?” Elli asked.
“Haven is my best friend.” Jayson frowned.
“Fine.” Gabrielle sighed as she and Eli stopped running. She stuck our her hands. “Grab hold.”
-x-
“Why was I attacked at school?” Haven sat cross-legged on the same bed she woke up on just yesterday.
Derek and Jayson sat in chairs on one side of the bed and Eli stood against the wall while Gabi sat on the window sill on the other side.
“They knew we wouldn’t be there with you.” Gabi said.
“How did you know I would need help?” Haven asked.
“We’re your guardians.” Eli said. “It is our job to know when you need help.”
“Wait. What’s going on?” Jayson finally asked.
“You need to be more specific than that kid.” Elijah said.
“Okay, who are you guys?”
“I’m Gabrielle, and that is Elijah.” Gabi answered.
“What do you want with Haven?”
“Haven possesses what we call The Gift. It is our job to keep her safe.” Eli said. “She is beneficial to the Kingdom.”
“Who were those people that attacked me?” Haven asked.
“They were the Shadowdwellers.” Gabi said. “They work for the Dark One.”
“They who?” Jayson frowned.
“He is the man…being, trying to take over the Kingdom.” Elijah shook his head. “Enough questions. Haven, you can’t go back to the human realm. You know that, right?”
Haven nodded, looking down. “I know.”
“Wait!” Jayson stood, nearly knocking over his chair. “What do you mean she can’t go back to the human realm?”
“I thought I said no more questions.” Eli said pointedly.
“It means I can’t go back home Jay.” Haven whispered. “It’s not safe for me.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” Jayson declared.
“You can’t stay here.” Gabrielle protested.
“It’s too dangerous.” Elijah shook his head. “You are only human.”
“Haven is human too!” Jayson cried.
“Haven has a Gift.” Eli retorted.
“Jayson cannot go back now.” Derek said quietly.
“Why not?” Eli asked.
“Would not the Shadowdwellers come after him now that they know he is her friend?”
“That means Derek isn’t safe either.” Haven said.
“Wait! You can’t all stay here!” Eli said.
“We have no choice Eli. They have too.” Gabi said. “It would be wrong for us to leave them unprotected.
“Fine.” Elijah pushed off the wall, sighing and sticking a hand in his back pocket. “I’ll go arrange with Mathis and get them some housing. In the meantime just…stay here.”
Gabrielle reached out to touch his arm. “Thanks, Eli.”
“Uh-huh.” Eli walked out of the door.
-x-
Living in the Kingdon was different. Each of them had their own house, although it was more like a huge bedroom with a bath and kitchen. It was peaceful, living by themselves, though they still spent time together.
Haven lay on the grass on her back, her arms crossed behind her head.
“It’s so boring here!” Jayson complained from his spot on the ground at the base of the tree.
“It is not that bad.” Derek said, leaning against the tree next to Jay.
“Yeah, Jay. At least we don’t have to go to school everyday.” Haven giggled.
“Okay, that’s true. But we could at least do without these clothes.” Jayson said.
Since becoming citizens of the Kingdom, the three had each gotten a new wardrobe. Haven had a white, flowy dress and slip on shoes. The guys were white as well, pants and a long sleeved top with white shoes.
“We look like asylum patients or something.”
“Jayson.” Haven rolled onto her stomach, laughing. “You’re just exaggerating now.”
“It is quite peaceful here.” Derek commented.
“There you guys are!” All heads turned to see Gabrielle and Elijah walking towards them. Haven rolled back onto her back and sat up, waving. Jayson rose his hand as Derek gave a simple nod.
“Hi guys.” Haven greeted. “What’s up?”
“Here.” Eli handed the three of them each a slip of paper.
“What are these?” Haven asked as she scanned the paper.
“Your schedules.” Eli answered.
“Wait. As in classes?” Jayson looked up at Elijah with a frown.
“Yes. You have to learn about the Kingdom somehow. We can’t teach you everything.” Gabi said.
“Why do me and Derek have to go? We don’t have any Gifts.” Jayson protested.
“You still have to learn how to help Haven in case she needs it.” Gabrielle said. “You will be taught how to fight and such.”
“Classes start tomorrow.” Elijah said.
“Good luck guys!” Gabi grinned before she and Eli walked away.
Jayson glanced at his paper with a sigh. “Well, it says here I have General Assembly first.”
“Hey, me too!” Haven squealed.
“As do I.” Derek added.
“Well, I guess it won’t be too bad.” Jayson sighed again.
“It’ll be fun.” Haven reassured. “You’ll see.”
-x-
The next day brought Haven, Derek and Jayson to the Study Hall where the classes were being held. The three sat next to each other and waited for everyone to settle in and for the teacher to begin. Once everyone was quiet the teacher started talking.
“Good morning everyone. My name is Prof. Longlee and I will be your General Assembly teacher. I’m not going to actually teach, as you are only in here for twenty minutes. I only take roll of who is here. For some of you, I will be your history teacher.”
“Aw man. I have that class next.” Jayson groaned.
Haven giggled. “Have fun.”
The teacher glanced at the clock, and frowned a bit. “We are a bit early but you may be dismissed to your next classes.”
Haven stood and stretched. “I have Archery next.” She grinned, punching Jayson on his shoulder. “Have fun in history.”
-x-
“Welcome to Archery class. I am your teacher, Prof. Lauran.”
Haven sat on the grass, slightly away from the rest of the class.
“Today we’ll review how to properly hold a bow and arrow.” The teacher continued.
Haven sighed. She was excited for archer but she was horribly clumsy and sucked at sports.
The teacher talked for a few more minutes, explaining how to hold the boy and where to place the arrow.
Finally it was time for them to practice. They had dull arrows so people couldn’t accidentally hurt themselves. Unfortunately for Haven, she was unusually clumsy. And her clumsiness often found her hitting herself with the arrow more than she hit the foam target.
“Here.” Haven felt someone behind her and turned quickly, her eyes wide.
“Don’t turn around.” The boy laughed, grabbing Haven by her waist and turning her back around. A blush burned her cheeks as his hands gripped her elbows., lifting them higher. “Raise your arms like this. You’ll hit the target.”
Haven did as she was told, making sure to keep her arms up. She fired the arrow and nearly jumped for joy when she hit the target.
“Yay!” She giggled, spinning around. “Thanks.”
The guy smiled. “You’re welcome.”
Whoa, he’s cute! Haven thought as a blush spread across her cheeks.
“You’re new here aren’t you?” He asked.
“Uh…yeah. How’d you know?”
“One, you came in the class late. Two, we learned how to properly hold a bow and arrow the first day of class.”
“Oh…” Haven’s blush grew deeper.
“Merritt!” Both heads turned to see a girl standing a way off, hands on her hips.
Merritt sighed. “Tamera…” He shook his head. “What?!”
“Come on! We have to practice!” Tamera huffed impatiently.
“Girlfriend?” Haven asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“God no.” Merritt shook his head. “She wants to be though. She clung to me the very first day of school and she wont leave me alone. She wants us to be more.”
“So why not date her?”
“She’s like an annoying kid sister.”
“Merritt!” Tamera whined.
Haven giggled as Merritt groaned. “See?”
“I get your point.” Haven shook her head.
Tamera decided then that she didn’t want to wait for Merritt anymore and made her way over to them. “Merritt!” She huffed, latching onto his arm. “You said you would be right back! It’s been ten minutes. Besides, you’re my partner!”
“Tammy.” Merritt pulled his arm from her grip. “She needed help. And I’m your partner everyday. You can stand to be away from me for a few minutes.”
Tamera pouted. “But…Merritt that’s not fair!”
“It is. Go back to our post and practice.” Merritt dismissed her, turning back to face Haven. “Is there anything else you need help with?”
Tamera glared at Haven before turning and stalking away.
Haven gave a sheepish smile. “She doesn’t like me very much.”
“She doesn’t like any girl I talk to.” Merritt shook his head. “I don’t know why she clings to me so.”
Haven shrugged. “She likes you.”
“Sometimes, I wish she didn’t.” He sighed. “Turn back around.” He said then, touching her waist again.
Haven quickly turned back around so he couldn’t see her blush. Merritt lightly touched her elbows, placing his chin in the crook of her neck. “Won’t this make Tamera jealous? And angry?” Haven asked.
Merritt grinned, pulling away slightly. “Probably.” He chuckled as Haven strung her arrow and aimed for the dummy. Merritt pulled away so he wouldn’t get hit.
“That’s not nice.” Haven giggled. “She’ll hate me.”
“She’ll hate you regardless. You’re a female. Spread your legs a little. It’ll help keep your balance.” Merritt said when Haven missed the target from falling over a bit.
Haven looked over her shoulder at Merritt. “Why are you helping me?”
Merritt shrugged. “You needed it.”
Haven smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, focus on shooting the dummy.”
-x-
Haven’s next class was History of The Gifts, a class made solely for those with The Gift.
Haven walked into the room slowly, glancing around for a place to sit. When her eyes fell on Merritt sitting at a desk by the window, she smiled and walked over to him.
“Excuse me.” She said in a sweet voice. “Is this seat taken?”
Merritt answered without looking up. “Huh? Oh, no. You can--” He broke off when he finally looked up at her. “Hey you! Of course you can sit here.”
Haven grinned and took the seat next to him.
“You have a Gift?” Merritt asked. “I didn’t expect you to be one with a Gift.”
Haven frowned. “Why would you say that?”
“Oh don’t worry. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.” Merritt said. “It just…in Archery…ahhh.”
Haven giggled. “The fact that I’m horribly clumsy? Yeah, I know.” She ran a hand through her hair, a habit she’d had for a while. “I just found out about this Gift recently. Like, last week recently.”
Merritt laughed. “Really? Most people with the Gift know about it early in life.”
“I guess I’m different.” Haven shrugged.
Merritt shook his head. “Wow. Well, do you know what Gift you have?”
“Prophecy? That’s what my Guardians told me at least.” Haven said.
“That’s cool. Not too many people have that Gift.”
“What about you? Which Gift do you have?” Haven asked.
“Discernment of Spirits.” Merritt answered.
“Dis…what?” Haven asked.
“Alright class, listen up!” Merritt didn’t get a chance to answer as the teacher walked into the classroom and got the class’ attention. “For those of you who don’t know me, I am Professor Zion and I will be your teacher. Today we’ll continue working on the projects we started last semester.”
“Oh what joy.” Merritt murmured.
Haven giggled and placed a finger to her lips. ‘Shhh…no talking while the Professor is teaching.”
Merritt rolled his eyes. “Please. She doesn’t care. I’m the best student she has.”
“So modest.” Haven teased.
“Well, I studied the Gifts way before starting school.” Merritt smiled. “I’m a bit of a nerd.”
“Aww, I think it’s cute.” Haven giggled again.
Merritt shook his head. “Thanks.”
Haven leaned closer to Merritt, a grin breaking out on her face. “You’re blushing!”
Merritt turned away. “I’m not.”
“Okay guys! Get with your partners!” The teacher said.
“Waist, partners for what?” Haven asked.
“We have to do a paper on one of the Gifts. We picked partners last week. I usually work alone but would you like to work with me?”
“I have nobody else to work with.” Haven smiled. “What gift are you working on?”
“Tongues. I love that Gift.” Merritt said.
Haven snorted in amusement. “You are a dork.”
“Nerd! I said nerd!” Merritt said, shaking his head. “But thanks, I appreciate it.”
“You know what? I don’t think I ever told you my name.” Haven said.
“You know, you’re right.” Merritt laughed. “And here you know my name.”
“Haven…is my name.” She added the last part as an afterthought.
“Very pretty.” Merritt said, grinning when she blushed. “What?”
“Nothing. I just get embarrassed easily.” Haven shook her head, looking away.
“Hey, class is almost over. Want to work on this after school?” Merritt asked.
“Okay, we can go to my place.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
-x-
Merritt and Haven spent a lot of time over the next few weeks, much to the dismay of both Tamera and Jayson, him in particular. He’d been trying to figure out the best way to tell Haven his true feelings, but every time he got up the nerve to, Merritt would come strolling along to take Haven away from him, claiming they had to work on their project together. And Haven would just leave willingly! Saying she would talk to him later, giggling as she walked away with him.
“Jay?” Haven’s soft voice broke him from his thoughts, and he looked up, startled. “Are you okay? You look upset.”
“I’m fine.” Jayson replied, looking back down at his textbook. They were at his house, studying for a test they had coming up in History. Jayson read over the words, not really registering them in his mind. I should tell her now, while we finally have some time alone.
“Haven.” Jayson started.
“Hm?” Haven looked up, a soft smile on her face, and Jayson found it hard to think.
“Uh. I…I have something ask you.”
“What is it?” Haven frowned a bit, confused by Jayson’s strange behavior. He seemed nervous, and he was never nervous around her.
“Uh. I--” Jayson quickly shook his head. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t tell her, not yet. “How is your project going?”
Haven’s eyes lit up. “Its going well! Merritt is really patient with me, you know how I am with History, it’s so boring and I don’t do well. Anyway, we aren’t very far but Merritt doesn’t get angry cuz he knows I’m new to this and--”
At that, Jayson grew angry. What had seemed like an innocent question had caused her to go on and on about Merritt. “Do you like this Merritt person?” He interrupted.
Haven stopped talking, a blush growing on her cheeks. “What? Why would you ask that?”
“Because, you spend so much time together.” The blush did not go un-noticed by Jayson, and it only proved to worsen his fears. “And you talk about him all the time.”
“Jayson, we’re working on a project together. We kind of have to work together.”
Jayson sat on his windowsill, sighing. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it.” Haven frowned. “It’s none of your business.”
“It is my business.” Jayson crossed his arms.
“How is it your business?”
“I’m your best friend.”
“Yes, my best friend. Not my father.” Haven stood from her seat on the bed.
“You spend more time with him then you do me!” Jayson said.
“I told you, we’re working on a project! We have to be together.”
“I don’t want you spending so much time with him.” What Jayson really wanted to say was that he didn’t want her to fall in love with him.
“Jayson.” Haven sighed. “It’s not like I’m dating the guy. And he’s not taking your place as my best friend. I don’t see how it matters.”
“It does matter!” Jayson snapped.
“Why?!”
“Because I’m in love with you!” He blurted out in the heat of the moment.
Haven gasped and Jayson’s hand flew to his mouth. “Jayson…” Haven didn’t know what to say to that. She hadn’t been expecting that to be the reason why. Anything but that. She shook her head and began towards the door. “I-I should go.” Before this got any more awkward.
“No, Heaven wait!” Jayson reached out to grab her hand. Haven turned to look at him. “Don’t go.”
“Jay…”
“Please.” He pleaded softly.
Haven bit her lip, but turned her body fully towards Jayson. Why couldn’t she just leave before it got worse? “Jay, you can’t love me.” Haven shook her head. “We’re best friends. You’re like a brother to me.”
“So? Haven, you have no idea how long I’ve felt this way.”
“I don’t want to know!” Haven cried, pulling away from him. She ran a hand through her hair, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t…I don’t understand why you’re telling me this Jayson.”
“So you’ll understand why it bothers me. Why I don’t like seeing you with other guys.”
Haven shook her head again, backing away. “Jay. I can’t…I should go.”
“Haven!” Jayson jumped off the windowsill and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him. Haven barely had time to fall against him before he leaned down to press his mouth to hers.
Haven gasped and immediately froze. Jayson pulled away.
“Why did you…?”
“I’m sorry Haven.” Jayson said, his grip on her hand slacking a bit. “I didn’t mean too. I acted in the moment.”
Haven pulled away from him, a tear sliding down her cheek. She opened her mouth to talk, and then closed it again. When Jayson began talking again, she quickly shook her head, turning and running out of the house, only to run straight into Merritt.
“Haven!” Merritt reached out and caught her by the waist so she wouldn’t fall. “Are you crying? What’s wrong?” She was trembling, tears blurring her vision as she struggled to put together what had just happened between her and her best friend.
“Haven?”
Haven glanced behind her at Jayson, and then back at Merritt. Another tear slid down her cheek, and then she ran.