The End Of The Beginning

The First Incident

"Dalton, why is Kyler so freaky?" I ask Dalton. "That's just who he is. He's a demon." "Right. He's a demon. How do you know him?" Dalton stops. "He used to come up from hell and..." He fades. "And?" I push. "He would come up and turn innocent people into demons. If any human mysteriously disappears, it's more than likely because of Kyler." "Oh my gosh! Amelia Earhart?! D.B. Cooper!" Dalton just stares at me. "What? Was that not him?" He smiles, then we hop in his car. "Dalton?" I ask. "What did Kyler mean when he said you need to tell me the truth?" Dalton pales, more than normal. "He just wanted me to tell you about him being a demon." I'm not convinced. "Are you sure? Even after that he seemed to be pushing you to say something else." Dalton doesn't look at me. "Dalton?" "It was nothing." He shrugs it off. I knew he wouldn't tell me, but I would still bring it up later.

"Why are we at your house?" I asked when he pulled into his driveway. "I just thought the guys would want to see you before you go home." I nod. "Yeah, ok! I love the guys!" I hop out of the car and run inside. "Vanessa!" Zaiden greets me at the door. "Is Vanessa here?!" Ruben comes into the room. "How do you feel?" he asked. "Pretty good! It's crazy, I feel like a whole new person." Dalton laughs. "That's good. Here, why don't you just come and sit for awhile." "Oh, I don't think I need-" "Just sit down." Dalton pushes me to the couch.

"Ok ok." I sit down and sigh. "Can I at least call my folks?" "No!" Dalton yells. I frown. He looked panicked for a second. "I just thought you could surprise them when you go over later." "Oh, they'd be surprised." Zaiden said. Dalton elbows him in the arm. "Fine. I'll surprise them." I cross my arms and lay back. "I'm sorry, Vanessa. I guess I'm just still worried about you." Dalton joins me on the couch. "But I'm fine! You see?" "I see." He leans in and kisses my forehead. "Well, I do feel a little sick." I fake. He smiles and kisses me again. I run my hand through his hair, but suddenly I stop. My hand is over his temple, and I can feel his pulse. I get up quickly, perhaps too quickly. "Vanessa?" Dalton asks. "I-I need fresh air." I run outside, hoping and praying nobody followed.

My mouth was watering and my stomach growled. I realized I was super hungry. There was something specific I wanted, but I couldn't figure out what it was. But I needed to figure it out quick. Have you ever been so hungry you felt sick? That's how I felt.

The sun felt very warm on my body, I needed shade. It was there when I first smelled it. Something so delicious, nothing I had ever had before. Funny how I had never had it, but I already knew it was delicious. What was it?! I drew it in again. Wow! Where is it?! What is it! I needed it. So badly, I could've killed for it. I leave the tree, and walk down the street a little.

I heard Dalton call my name from a distance, but I was already so far from his mansion. How had I gotten this far? I honestly didn't care about that answer. I was so occupied by the smell! I drew it in again and got a headache. This smell wasn't the nice smell! It was smoke. And really horrible smelling smoke, too. Almost like burning...flesh...

I stop and look to my left. Smoke is rising just beyond a batch of trees. Walking slowly towards it, I find myself wanting to turn back to Dalton's. But I was too far to turn back now. Especially since if I turn, I'll probably get lost.

The smoke was getting thicker and thicker, blacker and blacker. I have to say I was honestly getting freaked out.

Finally reaching the fire, I immediately regretted coming out there. A boy about my age was walking around the fire. A girl, same age, was sitting in front if it, crying very hard. "Please! Don't-" "Shut up!" The boy yelled. His voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't put a name to it.

I wished I hadn't looked directly at the fire. I cover my mouth when I see a burning body in there. "Why are you doing this?!" the girl asks. "It's for a good cause. C'mon now, don't you want to join your brother?" The boy asks. "What good cause could this possibly be for?" "Get in!" "No!" "Fine!" The boy grabs hold of the girl by the arm and literally tosses her in the fire. The girl screams on her way in, and when she's in there. I start crying in horror. What the hell is happening?!

Suddenly the fire disappears, and in it's spot are two people; the boy and the girl. Only they look different. Red eyes and sinister faces, kinda like...

The familiar boy speaks. "You look wonderful!" He says. Then he turns and spots me. "Vanessa." Oh shit! I was hoping he wouldn't see me.

"Kyler."