With Sword in Hand

By D. Amubitu

It was one thing to know she was on the run from, well, someone with a lot of power; it was quite another to be evading capture by her father, king of an intangible realm. That was made even worse when her father sent forces after her.

Namely, her fiance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wordlink
• Release date: Jan 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781301632923

Book preview

Chapter One

A chilling breeze swept through the Cobalt Room, licking at the heels of Atreyu as he paced across the room back and forth. His boots clapped sharply against the concrete floor in rhythm as he turned on his heel and headed back in the opposite direction, bringing his hand up to massage his temples briefly as he sighed. This was a problem. A major problem. He stopped in mid-stride, taking a moment to glance over the spacious room as he stood in thought. It was a simple design; all colored in the same shade of cobalt blue, hence its name.

The walls were made of a stony gray brick, but other than that everything was blue. The wide floor runner than ran from the door to the center of the room: cobalt blue. The large octagonal table situated in the middle of the room: cobalt blue. The eerie wave-like statues that sprouted from the walls of the room and even the hidden door behind one of the statues: cobalt blue. The simplicity of it all had always disgusted him, but he dealt with it. He had bigger things to think about than the color of his company's headquarters.

She was gone. Vanished. It was as elementary as that. Letting out another frustrated sigh, Atreyu tugged at the collar of his shirt, finding the room suddenly stuffy as he sat down in one of the chairs the surrounded the eight-sided table. It's been eighteen years, he mumbled to himself, leaning back in the chair.

Eighteen human years, a voice corrected as its owner stepped out of the shadows. It was Piran, a man older than the fledgling Atreyu by a great deal and therefore was the wiser of the two, but that didn't change the fact that he was his subordinate. Piran was considered past his prime, having recently celebrated his 672nd birthday. His hair was thinning, and his cheeks sagged, but he still managed to convey a sense of authority whenever he entered the room, with or without the high cheekbones. His seniority didn't matter though. It hadn't taken Atreyu long to earn the title of leader of the Cobalt Reach and it was argued that his inexperience in the group was the prime factor in his brash nature even if, on most occasions, he was the perfect lapdog.

Remember, we age fourteen times slower than them.

It doesn't matter, Piran, Atreyu said lightly, glancing up at the man as he folded his arms over his chest. The fact is we still haven't found her.

You've been in charge of the project, haven't you? Piran asked, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. To tell you the truth, I don't think we've taken the appropriate measures to go about retrieving her. Last we heard after the invasion, she was in the world on the other side, the human's world, was she not? It's a relatively closed environment that w e hybrids have an easy access to, so it shouldn't be this hard to locate one girl.

This one girl has caused a handful of troubles since she disappeared, Atreyu replied. The human's world may be easy to reach, but she's not as stupid as you think. We can't trace her now that she's taken up her other form. She won't let herself get caught so easily. Not until she's ready. Piran raised an eyebrow in question, tapping his fingers quickly against one of the wave statues that protruded from the wall.

Is that your opinion as the Cobalt Reach Commander or as her fiancé?

Atreyu turned to Piran slowly, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly as he stood up, deciding to ignore the inquiry. The normal soldiers aren't gonna cut it. We're going to have to get permission from Chaim to send in some of the specialists; the high ranking ones if we ever want to find her.

You mean. . . the hybrids such as yourself, right? Piran asked, letting a small grin creep to his lips as the younger man snorted in contempt.

Was there a reason for your coming here? The next meeting isn't for days and I doubt you've received a summons from his Highness. . .

But you have. That's why I'm here. His Highness, Chaim, has requested a meeting with you to discuss the very matter of the girl's disappearance. I'm afraid he's running out of patience with you. Perhaps you'll find that you're falling out of his favor.

All of Touchstone is falling out of his favor.

That may be so, Piran agreed mildly, nodding, but don't forget that you're part of a company now. You have to put the interests of the Cobalt Reach above your own.

Are you finished? he muttered, taking a few steps towards the door.

For now. Just keep in mind that nothing goes unnoticed here in Touchstone, Piran added. Well, you shouldn't keep Chaim waiting, he said quietly, wiping off a layer of dust that had settled on one of the statues. A smile settled on the corners his mouth.

I'm on my way there, the younger said as he brushed past him. You can tell the others to hold off on the search until we get more orders from Chaim.

Alrighty then. Atreyu watched carefully as the older man walked away, before making his way to the palace. There was something about that old man that he couldn't put his finger on. He'd have to watch out for him later if he ever planned to move up in ranks. Piran was a tricky one, that was sure enough.

The Cobalt Reach had always held something of a special place in Touchstone's government. Despite the particularly strict rules, Touchstone could be a rather peaceful community if you abided by the law and asked no questions. The entire place had been sent reeling since the incident seventeen years ago, but the commotion had inevitably died down since then thanks to the fact that it had been kept under wraps as much as possible as per the emperor's request. But things had changed lately, and Chaim had suddenly became restless when it came to the search for the girl.

Atreyu looked up slowly as he approached the gates of the palace, his eyes settling on the young woman in charge of the gate; Tresca. She was pretty scrawny, standing a couple of inches shorter than himself with very short black hair, light eyes and skin, and undoubtedly weighed only half of what he did, but she was well acquainted with her throwing knives and explosives. She alone was left with the task of guarding the entrance to the palace and no one had ever given it a second thought.

Taking your time, eh? she chided, fumbling with one of the clasps on her overalls. Chaim sent out the summons for you nearly an hour ago.

Tell that to Piran, he replied.

Oh, Piran again, she cooed. He sure can be a handful. I noticed he's been making an awful lot of visits to see you lately. You must be doing something wrong, Tresca said in a sing-song voice. Teasing high-class hybrids like him was one of her favorite pastimes. Standing around guarding a gate all day for years on end could get pretty boring, but this was one of the ways that she managed.

I see Yoril's been feeding you lies again.

Yoril tells me what I want to hear, although the only gossip he gets is from those back at the lab which makes for boring rumors. I can't help but wonder if you guys at the Cobalt Reach 'accidentally' lost his application during pending, she responded shrewdly, placing one of her hands over the lever that controlled the gate. She paused. What's with the sad face? I'm sure Chaim isn't too angry with you. I mean, it's only been eighteen years, she continued in a sarcastic fashion, watching the expression on his face turn from mild irritation to frustration. Besides, it's only his da --

Just open the gate already, Atreyu interrupted, rubbing the back of his neck. I don't have time for this.

You look like crap, she replied, stifling a giggle. How long has it been since you've had a shower? Don't tell me you spent all night at the Cobalt Reach again.

What's it to you?

That's right, Tresca said. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Why did it always have to be business with him? Ever since you got promoted you've let it go to your head. It seems like a pretty ol' gatekeeper like me can't possibly take a moment to have a polite conversation. You're above that now, eh?

Would you just --

I know, I know. And with a quick pull of the lever, the gate instantly flew upwards on its track, emitting the familiar screeching sound as it stopped, leaving an opening nearly as tall as the palace walls in its wake. Without another glance, Atreyu passed through. Don't forget to smile! Tresca shouted after him, but he merely walked faster in response. Boy, is he grumpy, she muttered to herself, leaning against the back of the gate as she followed him with her eyes as he ascended the stairs to the palace.

Truthfully, Atreyu did have some reservations about meeting with Chaim so suddenly. He was certain that it wouldn't be a pleasant conversation but he had to report back to him on the progress- or lack of, sometime or another. As he made his way down one of the long halls, he unrolled the sleeves of his sweatshirt in a futile attempt to iron out the wrinkles in the thick material so that he'd look at least half-presentable in front of his governor. Tresca had been correct; he had indeed spent the entire night in that sickeningly blue room trying to sort out a course of action for them to take to locate the missing girl, but nothing good had come of it. Sighing with frustration, he ran his fingers through short brown strands of hair as he passed by the rows and rows of painted mosaics on the wall. Nearly every single open space in the whole palace had been filled with an art form of some kind. It seemed that Chaim had a flair for self expression, or at least that's what Atreyu had concluded after his many trips to various parts of the building.

He could only imagine what sort of chaos would erupt if the humans were to discover that the ruler of the Touchstone was almost always absorbed in the numerous pieces of artwork that we was constantly having shipped to his castle. Atreyu was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice he was being followed.

Commander Desai, a good morning to you, a voice said from behind him suddenly. Atreyu stopped in mid-step, turning to face the owner of the voice.

Your Highness, he blurted out quickly, not expecting to see him in the hall. I thought you wanted to meet in the throne room.

No, this will do just fine, Chaim replied, a smirk setting on his features. Atreyu nodded slightly, taking a quick glance at the man. Chaim, often mistaken for Satan to the outside world, had an appearance that was drastically different than what had been depicted of his predecessor in the old photos and picture-books that the humans had generalized him by. In all truth, he looked just like all of the other hybrids; who in turn looked just like the humans save the well-developed fangs on their top row of teeth. You're late, Chaim continued, but never mind that. We need to talk. I want to hear of any progress you've made.

Well, Atreyu began, eager to get the response out without sounding like a complete idiot. The girl is still undetectable. We haven't been able to -- he paused when Chaim raised his hand slightly, grinning a bit.

You're in the palace now. You are free to use her name.

Yes, the brown haired hybrid mumbled, trying to reconfigure his words under the awkward stare of his superior. There hasn't been any sign at all of Hylika in the human's world. We don't even have a trace on her. There's a good chance that she's changed to her lesser form in order to stop us from detecting her.

Something as meager as that shouldn't be an obstacle. A hybrid is still a hybrid, Atreyu, whether in their weaker form or stronger. Is this really the best that you can do? Perhaps I'm putting my faith in the wrong hands. . .

No, Sir, Atreyu defended abruptly. We'll find her as soon as possible. Just give us more time. There's new technology being developed for --

You are aware that Hylika is your only objective right now, correct? Chaim inquired. You needn't worry about anything else at the moment. I'm leaving the case of carrying out the attacks to the Anke Division. Their meant for that trivial sort of thing anyway, and just think about it. The sooner she's back, the sooner you'll be married.

That's not exactly one of my priorities anymore. . .

Is that so?

Unless that would inconvenience you, Atreyu said, feeling as if he'd overstepped his boundaries, then added a muted, Sir.

Very good, said Chaim, nodding a little. At the moment, how exactly the attacks on the humans are carried out aren't of any concern to us. They ones we're sending out are low class hybrids anyway and if we order them to kill the humans, they will. They're of the one-track mind sort. Unlike Hylika and yourself. Of course, her powers are dwindling more rapidly the longer she stays in the world on the other side, which is why we need to find her as soon as possible. Once you finally capture her and transport her back to Touchstone. . .

She'll be put on trial in front of the Anke Division and be given her sentence, right?

Actually I've changed my mind, Chaim replied. After her capture, and after she's safely tucked away into one of the prisons, I want her executed. Atreyu's breath caught in his throat as he brought his gaze up to meet Chaim's.

But, Sir, he said quickly. He could feel the bile rise in his stomach as he pondered the sudden change of orders. Don't you think that's a little drastic? Earlier you were considering hard labor for life. Why doesn't that punishment fit her crimes anymore? She hasn't done anything else wrong.

Are you questioning my decision, Atreyu? He could only wish that yes was an accepted answer, but he'd learned the workings of the government long ago, and it was better not to ask questions and do what you were told; even if did mean having to go to great lengths to conspire against them in the future.

No.

Good. Keep it up and one day this might be your kingdom. He cast a glance at the younger. 'His Highness Desai Atreyu'. How does that sound?

I hadn't thought about it.

Well, you should, Chaim said, chuckling a bit. Oh, and there's one other thing.

What?

When she is eventually captured and imprisoned, I'll let you be the one responsible for her execution.

You want me to give the order? he asked, a feeling of dread washing over him. Chaim's expression didn't change. He moved his hand to Atreyu's shoulder in an attempt that seemed to display a certain amount of false reassurance.

You'll do it, right? You're my most trusted officer and I can only hope you'd like it to stay that way.

If that's what his Majesty wishes, Atreyu responded finally, I'll be sure to execute her.

You're wise beyond your years. I'll have to keep an eye on you. Well, he sighed, lowering his arm. I appreciate you coming here to meet me. You're dismissed for the day. Go enjoy yourself.

Thank you, Sir, Atreyu said, bowing slightly. He hesitated for a moment, taking a last glance at the man before he turned around; exiting the castle through the same way he'd entered, trying t o pay no heed to Tresca's incessant teasing and inquiries.

Wow, I'm impressed. You're still in one piece, she commented, letting out a low whistle as she trailed closely behind him down the stony path leading away from the gate. You weren't in there for longer either. I thought you'd get scolded for sure. You're lucky; he really must like you.

Shut up already, he muttered in return, not at all in the mood for chit-chat. But then again, he never was.

So what did he want? Did he take you off of the project? Is there still a search for her? Are you still in the Cobalt Reach?

I said shut up, Atreyu repeated in an irked tone. What're you doing wandering away from the gate anyway?

To talk to you, silly, she replied, sticking her tongue out at him. It's not like anyone is gonna try to sneak in anyhow. They know they've got to me to deal with if they try anything shallow like that.

Someone is going to report you whether anyone gets in or not. It's not wise to leave it open like that. One of Chaim's lapdogs is going to submit a complaint.

Well aren't you one of Chaim's lapdogs? she asked, raised an eyebrow. I mean, most of us around here are. There are a few oddballs like you and Piran, but other than that. . .

Hardly, he said. I may be commander of the Cobalt Reach, but I'm not a complete idiot.

So you are planning on over --

Didn't I tell you to be quiet? he interrupted, sending a glare in her direction. You should get back to your post. Like I said, you'll get reported otherwise.

If you're not nice to me than I'll just tell everyone about your little hidden agenda you've got going, she threatened mildly. I'm sure that Chaim would love to know about --

Then I'd just have to kill you, Atreyu responded blandly, although there was no intention behind the statement.

You know, Yoril was right about you getting nastier since you joined the Reach. Atreyu frowned, pondering the statement briefly. Nastier?

Since when was I nasty in the first place?

Oh, just about all the time, Tresca answered in a drawling voice as she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. But it was better back then. Now you're all uptight and apprehensive. Maybe that's why Hylika took the opportunity to leave when we were invaded. I mean, come on, she's known you for nearly two hundred years, maybe she's just gotten sick of you. I can't blame her though, she continued, giving a melodramatic sigh. But then again, if she left because she was mad, she could've just stayed here and deflated that ego of yours. Both of you may be high-ranking hybrids but she really has the upper hand when it comes to the intellectual arts. I would know, considering I took the class with you, she said, waiting for a reaction from the disgruntled hybrid.

You've got some nerve, Atreyu muttered. If there was anything that bothered him more than Chaim's incessant summoning, it was when people got their facts wrong. Especially when they were about him. I'm at least twice as strong as her. Where'd you get those stupid ideas, anyway?

That's not what Yoril tells me. . .

What would he know? He's just a lab rat, Atreyu said. Now get out of the way.

Don't insult him, Tresca replied, crossing her arms over her chest. Besides, if there ever was a match between you and Hylika, I think she'd win.

Then think again, he replied as he walked around her and continued on past.

You're still coming to the celebration tonight, right? Tresca called after him.

Celebration?

It's the first year anniversary of the wedding of Yoril and me, Tresca reiterated, a look of dismay replacing her smile. Don't tell me you forgot about it. I'm sure that Yoril mentioned it to you earlier; he said that he would. You'll be there, right?

Atreyu frowned slightly, steps slowing for a moment. The entire event had slipped his mind.

Yeah, sure.

Chapter Two

Hey, Tanner! Did you hear? Did you hear?

Huh? Tanner Aspen mumbled as he looked up from his desk, still half-asleep in the last few moments of pre-class slumber. He wiped the drool from his mouth as he raised his gaze to the boy in front of him, Shiloh, who was smirking as if he'd just gotten away with something.

Oh come on, don't tell me that you haven't heard about it yet, Shiloh said, leaning closer to the desk. Despite being labeled a geek all of his life, he could be pretty intimidating when he wanted to be-- with or without the thin wired glasses. There was another attack this morning! It was all over the news.

I heard something about it, another youth, this one a girl named Celvie, chirped from behind the two boys with a broad grin. She never missed the chance to show off her new braces. She pulled a hair tie out of the pocket of her jeans, making quick work of getting her thin black hair out of her face. An old lady was attacked this morning in her garage on her way to the hospital for a check up, she continued. She was found a few hours after she was already dead, and the cops are insisting that it's the same serial killer as all the other ones. She was cut down the middle, right in half. It sounds really gross.

Well, what would you expect? Tanner replied, rolling his eyes. Even though he'd reached the age of eighteen, Shiloh still couldn't pass up a potential supernatural story discussion.

I would expect a serial killer to have a little finesse. I mean, he practically butchers his victims and then drains their blood. That takes time. How could someone even do that? Celvie retorted, frowning at the boy. She sat back in her desk, waiting for an answer.

That's easy, Shiloh said. It was a vampire. It's been a vampire this whole time; it's just that everyone's too dumb to notice it.

Vampires don't exist, moron, Tanner muttered, finding the conversation just as infinitely boring as it was every time they talked about the Acroy Murders. It's just some psycho who's killing people. Simple as that.

"That's just what they want you to think, said Shiloh, finally settling into his seat in front of Tanner, his belt snagging on a jagged piece of metal in the process. Aw man, he grumbled, cursing lightly. Why doesn't the teacher get this thing fixed? That's the third belt this month. . ."

Just put a piece of tape over it, Celvie said. You're carrying a roll with anyway, aren't you?

Of course, Shiloh replied, pulling out a roll of duct tape from the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. He tore off a small piece of the tape and smoothed it over the sharp edge, then continued with his routine sermon on mythical creatures being not so mythical, if it's not vampires, then it's the woodland trolls. The attacks have been happening during the day, so it's only logical that it's not the vampires! But then again it could be the elves. . .

They don't exist either, said Tanner flatly, not questioning the boy's motives for carrying around a roll of duct tape with him.

Why are you such a non-believer? The signs are all around us!

"In that case, you're the only one seeing the signs, Shiloh," Celvie said. Tanner averted his gaze back to his desk, his eye twitching slightly as he twirled his pencil between his fingers. He stood up. The worse thing about Shiloh’s supernatural ramblings was that the guy actually believed them.

Hey, where are you going? asked Shiloh abruptly as Tanner climbed over the legs crossing the aisle way between the rows of desks.

I left my homework in my locker, Tanner said, scratching his head as he pushed passed a mob of students that had congregated around the doorway and made his way out of the classroom. The geniuses on the school board had thought it would be fun if they had the senior's lockers on one end of the school, and their classes on the other, so he had quite a ways to walk.

Had it not been for the cheap slots of metal that the faculty called lockers, Acroy High School would have been a pretty nice place. They had air conditioning, something that the lower schools didn't, as well as functional heat, carpeting, clean walls and a wide variety of teachers ranging from those bothersome tightwads to those 'free spirit' soul teachers. Mr. Sagan, his English Literature teacher, was something of the latter, but there was one thing he didn't allow. Late assignments. Of course, Tanner had never done very well in the academics department anyway, but Mr. Sagan just so happened to be both his gym instructor and hockey coach as well. He wasn't about to let his future hockey career get flushed down the toilet because he refused to read Romeo and Juliet. It was something to keep in mind when he slept off the last half of his class on Monday mornings.

The high school was just like any other. The walls were painted a sickly off-white color with rows and rows of lockers lining the hall ways. The exterior of the building was done in a two-toned brick wall with the standard three-foot-by-two windows. It was an old establishment, and from time to time the emergency sprinklers would accidentally go off without warning.

Aren't you headed the wrong way?

Tanner broke from his thoughts as he turned around, coming to face the owner of the voice. It was Odoka Daidrin, another one of his comrades that formed their misfit clique, but not quite as nutty as the other two. A year before, Odoka had been part of the 'in' crowd. They'd been kind enough to overlook the fact she was quite tall due to her constantly growing assets, something that he himself could remember noticing several years earlier, back when he might've considered asking her to the movies. But those days had long passed, and all he saw was a high maintenance girl who'd thrown a good friendship down the toilet for a little popularity.

She was his height, nearly to the centimeter, with auburn hair, although he had liked it better when it was blonde, her natural color, and teal eyes. Something had changed, though, at the beginning of her senior year when she spontaneously began hanging out with the motley crew of Acroy High again, being Tanner, Shiloh, Celvie, and the latter's boyfriend, Thaddeaus, also known as Teddy. The reason for the drastic change? She hadn't actually given one. Celvie simply said she’d gotten grounded in reality again. Which didn’t explain Shiloh.

Well, aren't you? Odoka repeated. Class is that way, she said, pointing back down the hall the way he'd came.

Yeah, I have to get my homework, Tanner said, turning on his heel. See ya at lunch.

Um, okay, she replied awkwardly, her smile contorting into a pout. Just as morning-friendly as ever, hmm? I guess I'll see you then. . .

Tanner shook his head and turned to see her pout. It was a pretty pout, but she never did much with it. Not like she could have. Sorry. Just tired, Odoka.

She nodded, smile brightening again. Much better. She gave him a wave and dissolved back into the students hurrying to classes.

Eventually arriving at his locker, Tanner quickly spun the three numbers needed to unlock the combination lock and pulled upwards on the latch, opening the rickety metal door. Should've gone to bed earlier last night, he muttered to himself, unable to restrain from yawning. He flipped through his advanced geometry book, skimming the pages for any sign of the folded paper that he'd written out his homework onto. Finding nothing in the book, he dumped it back into his locker and rooted through his backpack. A single slip of paper fell out and onto the floor.

Gotcha, Tanner said as he bent over to pick it up, but an unexpected breeze carried it away. The paper floated across the floor further down the hall, swept up by the light wind. You've gotta be kidding me, he sighed, wondering where the breeze had come from. There were no open windows. He approached the paper, staring down at it somewhat skeptically before the wind suddenly stole it away once more. This time it came to rest at the end of the hall, right in front of an open heat duct. It lingered there for a moment before being sucked into the opening.

What the hell was that? he cursed loudly, gaping at the heat duct. The one paper that he needed had miraculously decided to take a detour down the one opening that just so happened to be in the wall. "Now this is the kind of stuff that Shiloh and the others get off on," he told himself as he got on his hands and knees in front of the vent. The covering had been removed-- probably to be repaired by the school's procrastinating-prone janitor. The hole was big enough for him to get through, about two by three feet, although he really doubted that someone on the pudgier side, like Teddy, would be able to make it through. Besides, it was the end of October, so the heat and air conditioning unit weren't in use. He'd be safe if he went in just to get his homework. It would only be for a few minutes anyway, or so he told himself. He peered down the not so welcoming hole for a moment before looking back over his shoulder, making sure the coast was clear before he slid into the duct.

The last thing he'd wanted to do that morning was crawl down a dark hole. He certainly wasn't going to think that it had anything to do with the voices he'd been hearing in his head at night. And of course, it had nothing to do with the feeling he'd been getting lately that someone was following him. He wasn't paranoid. He'd grown up abiding by a simple rule when it came to that sort of stuff. If it wasn't there right in front of his eyes, it wasn't real. Right? He was a stickler for the entire 'seeing is believing' aspect of things, something that his older sister had often teased him about.

Then again, upon retrospect, he realized that he didn't really care what the long estranged sister had once said, or why she said it. He didn't believe in vampires. Or ghosts. Or elves, or angels, or bed bugs, or Big Foot. They were all stories; myths fabricated by someone with a pretty damn good imagination, but none of them held any truth. But he couldn't help but wonder, had he been hallucinating? What was that he'd heard before? The eerie voice that had been haunting him lately, more often when he was fully awake. It wasn't real, was it?

The tunnel was pitch black. Tanner couldn't see a thing. Which way had the stupid paper gone, anyway? Trusting his instinct, he turned right at the first fork in the narrow tunnel, cringing with every movement. He wasn't sure where the duct lead, but he did know that there were only a couple of classrooms below it, on the first floor of the school. If he fell through any ceilings, he'd most likely land in the middle of the home ec. class. He knew that if he traveled far enough, he'd find a large, gaping hole, which was located at the end of the school, but after thinking about it for a moment, picturing the layout of the school in his mind, he decided that he wasn't anywhere near it. Moving on his elbows and knees, he slowly made his way through the maze of ductwork. He could hear the tardy bell go off faintly as he inched down the heat duct, silently cursing to himself as he was becoming more and more convinced that the paper wasn't really worth retrieving, even if it did mean half of his grade. A feeling of dread washed over him. It was too late now.

Why the heck did I even bother coming after it? he muttered, carefully putting one hand in front of the other against the cold metal, making sure that there weren't any holes. Unfortunately, he hadn't been careful enough. Unable to stop himself from leaning forward as his left hand met nothing but stale air, he fell downwards head first, only catching himself on the ledge of the duct. Tanner cursed again, feeling no floor beneath his feet as he looked below him only to see more darkness. It must've been the tunnel leading to the school's basement. He swallowed hard as he swung one of his legs up to the ledge, trying to get a secure footing. Just as he settled back onto the thin piece of metal, he heard a creaking sound followed by a loud crash. Before he knew it, he was on his way down once more.

And suddenly, the impact of landing on something quite hard jarred his senses. He found himself sprawled across the ground, with the piece of sheet metal that had followed him down laying to his left.

Ow, he groaned, clutching his head as he sat up. He'd knocked his head pretty hard against the ground. What had he landed on anyway? Was it a classroom? More like basement, he noted to himself, feeling the cold texture of the ground through the new tear in one pant leg where the piece of steel had snagged. A small trail of blood trickled from the area, but he made no notice of it. He looked back up at where he'd fallen from, or at least where he assumed he'd fallen from. It was too dark to see the top. The drop that he remembered earlier must've been quite a bit closer to his location in the tunnel than he'd thought.

Tanner rose to his feet, brushing off his clothes as he surveyed the foreign atmosphere. Somewhere along the way, whether it was falling the first time or the second, he'd lost track of his math paper. The area was lit dimly, but he couldn't tell where the light source was coming from. That is, until it seemed to grow stronger. He remained still, squinting at the bright glow only a couple of yards in front of him. The air was stuffy, almost as if something was polluting it, but he couldn't place his finger on what exactly. It wasn't a scent per se, but more of an overall sense that there was something different. He heard footsteps.

Torin?

Tanner froze immediately. Torin? The name he'd been hearing every night for the past three weeks? The one that kept him awake at all hours of the night and the wee hours of the morning? The one that was responsible for his C- in English Lit? Great, not only was he crazy, but now he was having delusions at school. He was about to speak when he felt something slither around his legs, wasting no time in working its way up to his arms. The light came closer, and he found the strange phenomena to be some rather disgruntled looking eel-like creatures, though it felt more like snakes than anything. They were a dark green in color with long, slick bodies that wiggled about his own, pressing his limbs tightly together. His first inclination was to run, but his legs wouldn't move.

What --

Don't try to escape. They'll kill you, a female voice said. A young girl stood in front of him, holding a lantern. She stared at him intently, raising the lantern above her head as she fixed her gaze on his, having to arch her head upwards in order to do so. Appearing to be only six or seven years-old and clad in a pale colored sundress that looked like it was a couple of sizes too big for her, he couldn't identify the color with the poor light, and she had an unusually determined look on her face, even though she stood quite a bit shorter than him.

Did you hear me? she asked.

Who the heck are you and what're you doing in the basement of my school?

What sort of question is that? You don't recognize me? she inquired quietly, shaking her head ever so slightly as she lowered the lantern, placing it on the ground. You have to be him. If you're not, then what was it that I was sensing earlier. . .?

Who do I have to be? Tanner retorted, finding himself unable to struggle against the strange creatures.

Your appearance is awfully similar to his, but he would never behave with such. . . she paused, searching for the word, such recklessness.

What are you talking about?

Torin, the girl said simply. "I was sure you were him. Perhaps I should just let the saroja have their way with you now that I've been seen by someone. A human, no less," she added, more to herself than to Tanner, looking somewhat dismayed.

If you're gonna be playing stupid games like this, do it somewhere else, little girl, Tanner said, his temper rising as he finally managed to pick one of the creatures of off him, letting it fall to the floor. It squirmed around, twitching in spasms as if it were a fish out of water. And call off these stupid eels.

"They're called saroja. Wait -- you. . . you can't do that! Those creatures are stronger individually than ten humans put together. How did you --?"

What? Is it gonna die or something? he replied, finding it odd that she'd get so worked up over one eel. "Now would you mind letting me go? I have a class to go to, so set your saroja on someone else and leave me alone."

I don't think you understand, she replied quickly, crossing her arms over her chest. "If you can actually move the saroja then that must mean. . ."

Can we make this quick? I still have to find that worksheet that fell down here. . .

What? the girl scoffed. You think I'm going to let you go that easily?

Yeah.

You're mistaken, she said calmly, taking a few steps towards him, and reaching up, delivered a swift punch across his jaw.

What the heck was that for? he shouted, stumbling backwards. And where'd you learn how to punch like that?

Never mind that, she replied, seeming surprised that he hadn’t fallen over. She snapped her fingers. Suddenly, the slithering creatures disappeared, but as soon as Tanner was about to raise his hand to his tender jaw, he felt something equally as binding hold his arms down. It was rope.

Dang it, he growled quietly, pulling against the thick cord, but to no avail. How'd you do that --?

This isn't a time for ridiculous questions.

Then let me go, he repeated, beginning to wonder if this was all just a dream. A nightmare, to be specific.

It's not that simple, she said, sighing heavily as her eyes narrowed. "You're a human and yet you actually touched a saroja without it biting you. And, on top of that, you haven't passed out from the presence of a hybrid in the atmosphere yet. Just the overwhelming power alone should be enough to knock any human unconscious abruptly, and yet you're still standing. That in and of itself is commendable, perhaps unheard of among your kind."

Tanner ceased fumbling with the rope just long enough to get another look at her. This little girl was acting as if he was inferior?