Vanish

 Prologue 

My eyes scan the room, trying to see someone. All I saw was myself, dozens of reflections staring back at me from the mirrors covering the walls.

Swoosh.''' '''

I heard something pass by my ear and I span around. Panic filled me, my heart pounding like a band.

“You have finally joined me,” whispered a voice.

Gulping down dread, I closed my eyes, taking it all in. When I opened them once again, I was taken aback by what I saw. Shaking my head, I staggered back, my body hitting mirrors.

“What have you done?” I yelled, tears welling in my eyes.''' '''

At that moment, it dawned upon me. They wanted me here. They wanted to drag me down.

For the first time since my childhood, I realised just how dangerous I was.

 Chapter 1 

“Lupar!” I spun around to see a blonde haired girl with incredible ice blue eyes running towards me.

“Suldreen!” I shouted back, wrapping my arms around her when she came closer. Laughing, she pushed me away. I tucked my long black hair behind my ears and took a step back. “I thought you were going to be late.”

Gasping, Suldreen put a hand to her heart, her eyes looking hurt. “Me, late? I am offended!”

Rolling my eyes, I reminded myself how similar she was to her dad, Keefe Sencen. From the care she put into her hair to her witty humour, she was like a mini version of him. However, she also shared multiple traits with her mom, Sophie. Reen was kind, caring and extremely determined, willing to put others before herself.

I was also like my father: I had black hair, a pale complexion and intense eyes… eyes that were teal. Mom’s eyes. My mother had left six months ago to visit Grandpa and Grandma, the famous Alden and Della Vacker. She told me she would return in a year, after she had spent some time with her family. I knew she hadn’t seen them in years and I remember overhearing a conversation she had with Dad.

“I should see them again,” she had told him. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “You haven’t seen them in years.”

“I will be alright. Just look after yourself and Lupar.”

 

Those words had remained with me since she had left. Look after me? Those words seemed to be… wrong. I thought she didn’t need to tell Dad that. It felt wrong. They lingered in the air before I heard her footsteps beginning to come towards me, making me run into a nearby room. Mom was always there for me and I knew she would come back. I knew she loved me and Dad more than anything in the world. More than…

 

“Lupar?” Suldreen said, waving a hand in front of me. When I shook my head, she laughed. “You were daydreaming again.”

“Sorry Reen, just Mom.”

Nodding her head, Reen grabbed my bag and ran off with it. Shouting, I chased after her, my light leaping crystal in my hand. Suddenly, we were both gone, making our way to Foxfire.

 

We landed on the grass in front of the school, the air fresh and clean. Students laughed and chatted, everyone so different from one another. Reen finally tossed me my bag and I gave her a quick smile. The thought of mom was still on my mind as I walked into the beautiful building. Waving goodbye to my friend, I headed off to ability sessions whilst she went to ability detecting. For some reason, she was one of the last ones in our level to manifest, despite her parents being two of the most powerful elves alive. She wasn’t the only one though, which is why I wasn’t worried about it. I left to go to class, people often saying hello to me as I passed through the halls. When I finally reached my class, the door was closed. The room appeared dark but the handle was loose. Carefully, I pushed open the door, stepping into the chilling setting. Creaking echoed in the room as the door shut and the floorboards showed age. I couldn’t see a thing.

 

That was when I felt it. The whispers came to me and my mind became a pile of sludge. I couldn’t think clearly. Nothing came to my mind as I drew a blank. I was brought back to Dad’s story about how he manifested, a tragic and horrifying tale. I was in his situation. But… I wasn’t a Shade. Pain hit me, taking over my body. A scream slipped out of my mouth and light erupted around me.

 

When I awoke, I saw my Dad’s face along with Elwin’s, the school physician. “Honey, what happened?” His panic frightened me. Dad was never scared. He knew everything.

I looked down at my hand, which was numb. I nearly screamed. It was black, glinting in and out of existence.

“Elwin?” I asked, fear in my tone. “Do you know what it is?”

“Yes,” he replied, a worried expression on his face. “It seems like you… nearly faded… in shadows.”

I will be adding more chapters when I have some time and if this goes well :)

Millie the Froster