Instinct - Recieved

Chapter One

Laila

I'm running, and I can feel this...darkness. I can feel it, and it's reaching to me, but it can't touch me. I'm stuck. And I hear this voice, this voice so familiar but not anyone's that I have ever heard before. It is calling my name, telling me that they will be by my side forever...

When I wake up, the first thought that pops into my head was that my birthday is today and I sit up, all stretched out, a grin finding my lips, the nightmare out of my mind. Today was the day; and nothing was going to stop today from being what I have planned for it to be for the past twelve months, not even a stupid bad dream.

I look across my sun lit bedroom to the window and see that the sky is a perfect blue, which is very rare here in Rye, England. I slide my feet off of my bed and onto the floor and then standing I stretch my body out again, a smile never leaving my face once.

I walk over to my closet and grab the outfit I had sitting waiting for me, a yellow flowy v-neck and black pair of ripped jeans, and I walk to my bathroom, laying them out. After my well attentive shower, I step out into the steam filled room and wrap my towel around me swiftly, starting my morning routine. I do my make up specially to look more natural and flattering.

Suddenly, for the first time since I have been awake, I hear my family in the house stirring. I hear mum call to my older brother, he never wants to wake up when he's told. And then I hear the clear deep laugh of my dad, the one that has never failed to make me smile.

I walk out of my room and down the hall, nearly bumping into my adopted sister, Maya, a good 4 years of cuteness and crazy. I swoop her up into my arms before she can escape and I kiss her all over her face and she giggles. Her curly hair is a mess and I set her down again so she can go to where ever she was headed.

When I see mum and dad at the table I notice they both share a quick look that seemed strange but it goes nearly unnoticed as mum stands and comes to me, kissing me sweetly on the cheek. "Good morning darling, happy birthday." She says, that same gentleness in her voice that I have known my entire life, and dad follows right after with a birthday wish.

"Good morning mum, dad, thank you both. I can't wait until later, and I can't believe I'm finally sixteen!" I say, smiling big then sitting down at the table. I begin eating and when Steve walks in, finally awake. "Well look at the birthday girl. What are you, 6 now?" He chortles and I roll my eyes. "Yeah you chump and you're 80." I fire back and he just laughs. "Happy birthday Laila." He says and half hugs me from his standing position.

After breakfast, I go to my room and grab my white Adidas and socks and put them on. As I'm walking out of my room suddenly a feeling of dread washes over me and the room goes dark. I can feel my breathing halt and a dark shadow crosses in front of me. And then it's over. Like it was never there. I realize that I'm standing, shaking when Maya tugs on my shirt. "Sissy, are you alright?" She asks and I nod slightly.

I was just tired. That's all. I just had a rough sleep. I have had nightmares and even when I was little I remember weird things scaring me and mum always said it was just my guardian angels, and when I got older I realized that the shadows in my room were harmless. I shake my head lightly, clearing the thoughts and I walk back into the sitting room where mum and dad are. Mum comes over with a small bag in her hand, giving it to me. "I got you a little something sweetie, well separate from the party this evening."

I grab it, a sheepish grin finding my face as I pull out a small box. I open it up and find a thin chain necklace and attached is a small blue crystal wrapped in silver wire. I gasp as I examine it. The crystal seems to glow and shimmer under the light. I put it on immediately, and then setting the bag and box down I hug mum tight. "It's beautiful mum, really." I whisper.