• F O U R •

"A walk in the woods helps me relax and release tension. The fact that I am dragging a body behind me should be irrelevant."

•  •  •

My eyes snap open at exactly 6:30 AM, same as every other day. When I was younger, it was especially important to wake up and get started on my chores. There were many chores that needed to be completed and an early start was always necessary.

I quickly change into a pair of ripped, black skinny jeans and the butterfly shirt that I bought yesterday. Speaking of yesterday, I need to apologize to Darkon as soon as I get the chance.

Sighing, I brush through my black hair. Technically, it is impossible to have black hair. There is only dark brown hair that looks black. However, my hair is not brown. It is black. My hair is an inky black with a slight curl to it and a habit of getting incredibly tangled up.

As I stare into the cracked mirror in the bathroom, my yellow eyes stare back at me. I don't know why I have yellow eyes. If my family is to be believed, I was born with them. That was also the day that I first killed.

It started with my mother. She died giving birth to me, just another reason for my fathers to hate me.

I shake my head. They are all gone now. No point in thinking about them.

Grabbing my backpack, I run to school. Passing by houses and running through the streets, I do my best to memorize where everything is. I know that I will need to be able to get around on my own. I get to the school just in time for breakfast. My new school serves breakfast before school and it is free for those who are poor according to the government. And I am most certainly poor. I used to be able to take whatever I wanted. Hell, people just gave me what I wanted. But I remember life before that.

I remember when I went days without food. When I showed up to school covered in bruises and cuts and no one noticed and they certainly didn't say anything. I remember the life where no one spoke to me at school except to mock me. I remember the life of pain and loneliness.

They were very different, the two lives, but similar. I never had friends in either, only people who disposed me and people who pretended to like me. I was hated in both, though people his their hatred when they found out about my power. I have been mocked, I have been told false praises. I have learned to just do my best to ignore others and their opinions. People never liked me anyway. Both lives were full of pain and bad memories.

But those lives are behind me now.

I grab a tray and dump some eggs and canned fruit on my plate and head to an empty table. Sitting down, I quickly eat my breakfast, thankful that the food is not bad. It certainly isn't the best, but when you are hungry, you eat what you get. As I am eating a plate thuds down next to me and a girl sits down.

"Hey, Rage," She says casually, running a hand through her green hair. "I decided to sit with you. We girls need to stick together."

I give her the best imitation of a smile that I can summon up.

"Victoria, right?" I ask her, making sure I have her name right.

"Yup! Now, where are you from?" She asks curiously.

"Oh, just a small town," I answer, dismissing the question.

Thankfully, an outburst from across the cafeteria draws her attention, preventing her from pressing further.

"And if you weren't so arrogant, maybe you'd finally go somewhere in life, Gage!" Nekoda yells.

Gage seethes, "At least I'm not some little dog who does everything his parents tell him."

"Don't even start with me," Nekoda warns lowly, drawing closer to Gage.

"Boys!" A teacher yells. "Sit down and be quiet or get out!"

In the morning, the cafeteria is far more empty and the teachers are able to monitor the students better. Gage and Nekoda exchange a glare before storming away from each other. Nekoda's face instantly clears of emotion.

"Interesting," I murmur.

hearing me, Victoria announces, "That's Gage and Nekoda. Both are really popular, but they hate each other with a passion. They are always at each other's throats."

"How come?" I question, my curiosity getting the best of me.

Victoria shrugs, and takes a bite of her food.

"No one knows. They just have always disliked each other. Actually, when they first met, they got along fine. Something must've happened, I guess, to make them stop being friends so quickly," Victoria surmises.

Storing the information away, I return to my food and quickly eat my breakfast. Standing up, I am about to leave when I turn to Victoria.

"Thank you for sitting with me," I tell her with a small smile.

Victoria beams. "Of course. See you at lunch, then?"

Nodding, I smile and leave to dump my tray in the bin.

I think I just made my first friend.

• • •

Do you ever feel like just punching someone? And punching and punching and punching and punching until they die? Because I do.

The stick insect from P.E. yesterday is back again with her friends. Perhaps she thinks that I can't take them all?

"Hey!" She snaps. "I'm talking to you, bitch!"

Rolling my eyes, I yawn, "I know. I was tuning you out."

"Seraphina! You can't let her talk to you that way!" One of her friends exclaims, attempting to glare at me.

My eyes snap to her and I growl, a deep growl from the back of my throat. Her eyes widen and she pales to an unhealthy shade of white. Seeing her fear, I laugh. Having seven older brothers can have its benefits; I sure do know how to scare someone now.

"Abigail!" Another screeches at the scared girl. "You can't possibly be scared of her!"

There are seven of them in total with Seraphina in the lead. They all look unhealthy and not the brightest. They are all trying to look brave, but I can tell that they are scared.

I have that effect on people.

I lean in close and ask, "And why the hell is that?"

"B-B-Because y-you aren't-t scary at all!" She stammers, her brown eyes widening.

My yellow eyes can be incredibly intense when I am mad. They have a habit of scaring others, something that works out to my advantage often.

"Oh?"

I jerk forward, not even touching her. She staggers away, throwing her hands in the air and screeching.

"Hmm... It seems as if I am scary," I muse.

"L-Leave her alone you freak!" Seraphina squeaks.

I shake my head in disgust. She came up to me with her little bimbo gang, screaming about how I need to stay away from her boys, who I don't even know who are, and now she has the gall to act as if I am the monster? Seraphina can call me a freak all she wants, I've been called far worse. Hell, I've called myself far worse things.

With a laugh, I push past the group and head to my class, not wanting to be late again. I head to my math class and enter the classroom to reveal Mrs. Valdez looking over papers.

"Hello, Mrs. Valdez!" I call with an overly sweet voice. "I believe you'll note that I am early today!"

Mrs. Valdez replies in a voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, look. My favorite student is back."

"Aww, Mrs. Valdez," I coo. "You're certainly aren't my favorite teacher, but I appreciate the sentiment."

Mrs. Valdez snarls, "Take a seat, Rage."

Smirking, I plop down in a chair in the back.

Kolton soon comes in and sits next to me. I sigh heavily, but I am secretly pleased that he is sitting next to me.

"Hiyo, Rage," Kolton greets me.

"Hello," I reply.

"Do you ever pay attention in class?" Kolton asks after a minute.

I snort, "Certainly not in this class."

"Well, would you want to skip with me?" Kolton asks, his bright blue eyes hopeful.

"Seriously? You want me to cut class?"

I don't mind missing class or getting in trouble, but I do not want to attract any attention to myself.

Kolton shrugs. "I don't get this shit and you know it all already. Neither of us benefits from attending class. Are you worried about the school calling your parents? Because I know for a fact that they won't if I am involved."

My curiosity sparked, I can't help but ask, "Why not?"

"I am too important in their eyes. They need me for the football team," He answers with another shrug. "I think it is stupid that I can get away with just about anything, but I'm certainly not going to complain. If you came with me, no one would even say a thing."

That would certainly take care of the attention problem...

"Kolton Skye, you have a deal," I agree with a dangerous smile.

His smile matches mine. His blue eyes scintillate with excitement.

"Grab your stuff. The class hasn't even started yet. We can easily leave and just not come back."

I'll probably get in trouble with Mrs. Valdez, but I don't care. What could she possibly do to me? Give me detention? I couldn't care less. I don't have anything except training to do, anyways. Well, I should get a job soon, but that doesn't matter right now.

I grab my backpack and exit the classroom without a single glance backward. Of course, I'll need to come back so I can apologize to Darkon. However, there is no reason for me to stay right now.

Kolton grabs my hand and pulls me outside the school. He doesn't let go, though. Instead, he laces his fingers through mine, instantly warming my hands up.

No.

This isn't going to happen.

I gently pull my hand free and stare straight ahead so I don't have to see the look of hurt that flashes across his face before disappearing. I came to this town to escape and avoid detection. This isn't the way to do that.

"So is there a plan, Kolton?" I ask with an imitation of a smile.

Kolton glances at me.

"Yes, I definitely have a plan."

"Plan on sharing it?" I ask, growing irritated.

"Nope," He replies with a smug smile. "You'll just have to learn to be patient."

I grab him by the collar, knee him in the balls, and headbutt him. Then, I deliver a roundhouse kick to his head, swiftly knocking him out.

Shaking my head slightly to clear the daydream, I give a false smile and reply sweetly, "Why, I believe that I am the most patient person I know."

"You must not know many people," Kolton snorts.

"You're really not going to tell me?" I whine. "I just wanna know where we are going."

"Sure, I'll tell you," Kolton agrees quickly. "When we are there."

I roll my eyes, but I am smiling. A real smile. It is a small smile, but it is a genuine smile.

Now, I don't even care where we are going.

"Only one more block," Kolton announces cheerfully after dragging me around the streets for literally years.

What's today again? Oh, yeah, Tuesday. I guess he lives.

"Are you going to tell me now?" I whine.

"Nope. Ahh, here we are," Kolton declares, his blue eyes twinkling.

"A cafe?" I ask to confirm.

"Yup."

I wonder if he knows that "yup" and "nope" aren't really words.

The cafe is small and cozy. The outside is modern looking and classic at the same time. Tall glass windows and the glass door allow natural light to brighten it up. Its name, The Grind, is written in tall letters above the door.

I pull open the door and Kolton follows before leading me to a table in the corner. I sit down in the corner and Kolton sits across from me. He hands me a menu from the holder on the table and uses his fist to prop his chin up. I look over the menu, biting my lip.

The floors are checkerboard and the walls are cream colored. The round tables are a matte metal and carefully spaced throughout the small cafe. Fresh lilies in clear vases decorate every table.

"How come we're eating? Didn't we just have breakfast?" I ask.

Kolton grins. "I'm always hungry. You don't have to get anything, but I'll pay for it if you do."

"No." I shake my head vehemently. "If I'm going to eat, I'll pay for it."

"Why not? Do you have a problem with getting help?" Kolton teases, not knowing how true his words are.

Yes.

"No, I just would rather pay for my own stuff, thank you very much," I all but spit, clenching a fist under the table.

"Okay, okay," Kolton obliges, raising his hands in a defensive manner. His clear sky eyes reveal that he finds the conversation amusing.

A waiter makes his way to our table, blinking in an odd way when he looks at me.

"What can I get you?" He asks me.

"I'll have a blueberry muffin," I reply, not looking at him and sliding the menu back in its place.

"Excellent," He murmurs, jotting it down and moving like he is going to leave.

"I'll have an omelet and a chocolate muffin," Kolton announces, gaining the waiter's attention.

He blinks his brown eyes as if noticing him for the first time. "Oh, okay."

He writes that down as well and heads to the kitchen. I turn back to Kolton to see that he is glaring at the table.

"What has you so annoyed?" I laugh. This is the first time that I have seen Kolton show an emotion remotely close to anger or annoyance.

"Nothing," He grunts and leans back, but the light has dimmed in his sky eyes.

"So Kolton, what position do you play?" I inquire.

"Quarterback," Kolton answers before looking at me and adding, "You do know what that is, right?"

"Yeah, I think I have an idea," I snort.

In truth, three of my older brothers played football for the high school and often made me play with them. Playing different sports with my brothers has taught how to not only play but do well in several different sports. Life with my fathers and brothers has taught me many, many things. Some good, some bad. All memorable.

"Well, what about you?" Kolton prompts. "Where are you from?"

"A small town," I answer vaguely. "So why did we come here?"

Kolton shrugs. "Figured it would be a good place."

His phone buzzes and he glances at it quickly before looking up and asking, "Wanna stay out a second period and meet with a friend?"

"Who?"

"Oh, his name is Nekoda. He—"

"I know who he is," I interrupt. "We met yesterday, plus I saw him this morning in the cafeteria with Gage."

"Gage? You know him as well?" Kolton breaks in.

"Not really, I just have a class with him," I respond simply.

"Oh."

I sit back and there is a stretch of awkward silence. Thankfully, our food arrives at that point. The silence continues, but it is no longer awkward, more because we are eating instead of talking. I get up and toss my wrapper in the trash and the waiter comes up to me in the process.

"Hey, I never did get your name," He says with a grin.

"I know," I reply stonily.

I don't know why he wants my name, but it can't be for a good reason. I didn't think that people were looking for me. They might be, though. I can't let anyone from my town know that I am here.

Turning on my heel, I storm back to the table. I try my best to control my rage.

"Hey, what happened?" Kolton asks, an unknown look in his eye as he runs a tan hand through his golden hair.

"Nothing," I answer shortly.

Kolton looks at his phone and stands up. "Let me just pay and then we can get out of here to meet up with Nekoda."

I nod. While he is gone, I take deep breaths and do my best to calm down. Frost covers my hand as I tap into my ice powers. Stay icy, Rage, I tell myself. Stay icy.

Kolton comes back, still smiling and leads me out of the store.

"Come on, then," He calls overly cheerful. "We have a bit of a walk ahead of us."

I hope we're going to a forest. It'll make it so I don't have to drag the body too far.

• • •

Q: What is your favorite food for dinner?

A: Lasagna, but I love noodles in general.