New Beginnings

By Morgan Straughan Comnick

You’ve been chosen to be God’s Warrior, but not even He knows what lies ahead.

Spirit Warrior Stary Moon is prepared to begin her sophomore year of high school with a better understanding of the powers granted to her from the Lord. But the path set out for her is uncertain. Stary never imagined what a challenge it would be to get her friends and family to accept her true love, former spirit Umbra, whose Ultimate Weapon powers are resurfacing mysteriously. On top of this, a dark presence is possessing spirits and ghosts, haunting Stary’s dreams, and wanting revenge. As Stary dives deeper into the world of spirits, she begins losing her connection to the world of mortals. Does Stary have the strength to overcome this darkness alone, or will she need to dabble in some ancient magic? Can she continue this path no matter what the cost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paper Crane Books
• Release date: Nov 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310047800

Morgan Straughan Comnick

Educator of young minds by day, super nerdy savior of justice and cute things by night, Morgan Straughan Comnick has a love for turning the normal into something special without losing its essence. Morgan draws from real life experiences and her ongoing imagination to spark her writing. In her spare time, she enjoys doing goofy voices, traveling to new worlds by turning pages, humming child-like songs, and forcing people to smile with her bubbliness. It is Morgan's mission in life to spread the amazement of otaku/Japanese culture to the world and to stop bullying; she knows everyone shines brightly. For more information about Morgan and her works, check out her website, which also have links to all her social medias: http://morganscomnick.com

Book preview

Prologue

swirl-title--ebook

The One Who Watches from Above

Are you settling into the Angel Counsel nicely, my lady?

I beamed, scanning the massive wooden table that was as vast as an ocean and the clear blue sky above us where only angels could reach. The moon was so close. I yearned to touch it and the stars above. As I stepped on the floor made entirely of clouds, the mosaics of every Holy Scripture scene danced and moved along with me from the only solid wall on the opposite side of the meeting room where I stood. The wall also held texts, research, documents, and memories of our Savior, His son, and our heaven.

Oh yes indeed! I am still baffled beyond belief and honored that I am a part of such an important part of our heaven above.

President Lincoln, tall and dashing as all the history books depicted, nodded at me, absorbing the glory of the room as well. He stared at my back and a deep sadness filled my body; it was radiating off him and into my soul. He strode up to me and reassuringly rested his large hand on my tiny shoulder. And yet, my dear, you seem to be lost and heaven is not a place for that.

I tried to think of a way to prove his assumption was incorrect, but lying was not my strong suit and he was called honest for a reason. I lowered my head and nodded slowly, allowing the truth to sink into my soul. I had accepted my death. I even accepted the fact I was murdered. I had found my family waiting for me beyond the golden gates and was given this high honor.

Yet…I felt lonely. A string still pulled me towards Earth. In heaven, this way of thinking was not allowed. Heaven was a paradise, a place to rest eternally with God until your loved ones found you. Although I had so much, I still wanted to be on Earth with the three I still knew. Clinging to this possession made me selfish and I was not sure what punishment I would endure if discovered for still having thoughts about Earth, the land I dreamed of living on since my youth, the land I can never return to unless told…

Mr. Lincoln smiled at me, the mosaics’ colors bouncing off his eyes. Will you follow me child?

I followed him over to a small fountain that was the size of a bird bath. It had flowers springing around it in a ring; the stand was a lovely silver. It was the perfect height for me to bend down and gaze into a pool of water so clear and pure that I had to blink to make sure it was real. I forget sometimes how pure everything in heaven really is. My reflection was glossy like a mirror—a mirror made of rippling water.

You have only been here for a few months, so it is understandable that you still long for the land of your birth. Even the most devoted angels have to look into this pool once in a blue moon. He took a deep breath to allow me to process this and he stared forward, as if lost in his own memories. One thing about being an angel was I could read emotions and thoughts of anyone I focused on long enough. At the second meeting I attended, everyone chuckled when I became shocked that I could read the emotions of Mr. Mahatma Gandhi before they explained it to me.

Mr. Lincoln turned to me and smiled, his eyes strained, but his heart full of empathy for me. I returned the gesture to this kind man. He spoke, If you need to see how your connections to the physical world are, just look into the pool and touch the fountain. Your heart knows where to go from there. But, I warn you young on: remember they are alive, and you are not. Do not get caught up in viewing the world of the living; that is when true issues arise.

Although I accepted my fate full-heartedly, I did consider wandering alone forever to make sure these connections, pieces of my heart, would find happiness. How could I not be concerned for them? I had to know if they were all right. Something in the air felt wrong.

I gazed into the crystal mirror pool, cradling the brim delicately. Suddenly, the bottom of the fountain vanished and my vision (and my stomach) did a freefall through the clouds to a new place. I was amazed at what I could feel, amazed at the thoughts I heard, and amazed at what I saw.

1

swirl-title--ebook

Stary

Lavender. The sky etched the color into swirls across the plains of life and the borders of heaven. Bursts of orange and red hues danced breathtakingly among the lilac hue. I felt as if they wanted me to follow their glory. Wait…who was I? What was I? Where was I?

Dizzily, I rubbed my fingers against my eyes, which were spinning just as madly as the dazzling colors of the falling dawn. In a blur, I saw the outline of my smooth hands, delicately coming into focus. A rush of waves filled my head, pulsing with thudding vibrations, making the boldness of the sky vibrate to my inner rhythm. My head was clear now and locked into the eternal wonder of the beyond that was my normal life.

A whistle reached my ears and the wind soon followed like a siren call. It cooled my senses, opening up my emotions to expand on possibilities. A refreshing breeze patted down my hair with force, the wind making the hues of the space blend like an oil painting trapped in the rain. The scent of the air fueled my lungs with confidence, making me recall everything.

I remembered. I remembered I’m Stary Moon. I remembered I’m a Spirit Warrior and a normal high school girl. I remembered I—well sadly, I didn’t know where I was. However, I knew one thing about my location. Distance. It was all that was between me and discovery.

I was prepared. Slowly, I stood up. I brushed dirt off my knees like a downpour, hitting my earth-colored sandals that blended with the ground, which I normally wouldn’t wear. Surprised, I glanced down to see I was in a deep purple dress, which flowed like a stream. The material was light as a feather and beautiful as the wind hit my skin with the dress’s soul. The colors above me were now fused together and spinning worse than a merry-go-round out of control. A stir was in the air. Something was happening. I had to find it.

I began to run. No matter how normal or fast my natural speed was, the melody of change made me feel slow, lost in nothingness. Although my dress was more appropriate for spring, the chilled air seeping into my feet indicated it was really autumn. In a blink of an eye, I was rushing into a forest where all the leaves were falling off the trees. Dark green bushes shielded each tree’s side. The sky above the trees didn’t have a speck of light hinted in it as the colors began to hum. Between the wavering branches of the trees, the sky above the trees were the oil colors of lilac, orange, and bleeding red watching me carefully. The lingering scent of cherry blossoms that suddenly entered my nose was contradictory with the mood of the heavens above. I wanted to pause to piece together these clashes, but I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. I was trapped in life’s unknown motion meant solely for me.

Leaves were smacking all parts of me, tangling my body and going through it like the small injection of a needle. The rain of leaves created a road that bathed in the colors of God’s ambers and yellows—it was a path overlapping the gray trail of the planet.

I was so determined to find my place that I didn’t notice how far I had run or how much I had completed. A circle of burning power was ahead of me, pebbles surrounding it like a picture frame. However, as soon as I was a foot away, the pebbles absorbed itself into the ground, making the dirt moist to the touch…

Flash! A blinding light hit my eyes and I was forced to halt in a whirlpool where the circle of light once was. I blocked the mighty wind with my arm, trying to control the madness with the tightening of my teeth. The bright gold light shone fiercely, illuminating the sky in clear glory. The humming of the wind that once bent the colors of the sky halted into an echo of silence. The quietness was shattered by the strong wind. A sound like a bumble bee zipping away vibrated my being.

As the air died down, the clamor revealed itself into four leaves, spinning like tops with the aid of their own personal breezes, forming a perfect square around me. My eyes were locked on to their movements, sparkling with emotion. It made me feel like my cheerful self again. With the square embracing me, I was the me not meant to make an impact on the world.

I wanted to reach for the stars and touch the amazement the leaves brought. But my curiosity cursed me for the leaves twirled faster. In front of my pupils, the leaf in the left corner began to take on a new form outside its intended shape. Dew drops were dripping off it like it was crying. Water? Water was coming out of the leaf like it was a part of its destined nature.

A red blaze from my right caught my eye. That leaf was engulfed completely in fire, sizzling and crackling the edges of it, which was perfectly unharmed. Frightened, I jerked my head back to look over my left shoulder to see another leaf with steam emitting from it. Pieces of lead were also smoldering in the vapors, blending more into its mystery. The final leaf (behind my right shoulder) was smoking as well, but lightly. It was sparking intensely, the edges burnt to a crisp. Static boomed all over its area and bolts of lightning escaped from all of its ends. The world stopped outside my square. I was a misled child trapped in the vortex of elemental confusion.

I clung my hands tightly to my chest, focusing on the madness in front of me. Still, my heartbeat, the drive to my life and the melody to my mission, was calm and wanted to learn more, wanted to continue. With the clash of my body’s fearful reaction and my heart’s innocent cries, the leaves halted their dance, almost like their movement was based on my state of thinking. I gasped, not really wanting them to leave and regretting my earlier fear of them. They began to vanish beautifully into specks of light, engulfed by heaven’s honor in the clouds. I was alone then, staring at their spiritual ascension and allowing the wind to cool my face with relief.

I took in a crisp sigh before preparing myself to move forward. I was now more in control of myself. That was until I saw…him. Leaning elegantly on the final tree on the now sunny path, aligning his spine to the tree’s thin posture was the man my heart, mind, body, and soul were driven to: Umbra. He narrowed his eyes, looking directly into my pools and smiled slyly, making my cheeks flush. He shrugged and walked swiftly to the center of the trail’s edge, smiling and waving at me. It was like the old personality of Umbra and the new persona of him was combined and I, myself, was the changing factor in him.

Stary! Come on! he called in his dreamy voice that made me melt, pulling me to him. I could feel a dumbfounded look forming on my face.

Umbra: the adventures, the struggle, the compassion, the enlightenment, the heartache, and rewards…All the things we went through together were rushing into my being and the emotions were my only needed fuel to continue forward. He was all I needed.

As his loving face got closer, my clockwork of time seemed to slow down again. Another snap echoed, popping annoyingly in my eardrums, the sound soaring through all parts of the forest path thanks to the wind. The black in the sky above me shattered to reveal more sunset hues. The colors of the sky blurred once more, dancing in a slow vibe like I was witnessing a moving art museum while having a major headache at the same time. But nothing else mattered. I would reach Umbra and I knew we could figure out the situation because together, we can do anything. That is the power of love…

A smile took over my face, sparkling in harmony with Umbra’s perfect features. They were traits I would notice in any world or time. With each passing second, I wanted to be with him sooner. This look must have been apparent on my face for his eyes laughed, his expression mocking my naïve nature. I could almost reach his priceless face that was now grinning at me. My fingers yearned to leave a mark on his flesh as his hand rewarded me with his own gentle touch.

Umbra! I yelled happily, my heart singing its praise for him. He gestured his hand like a proper gentleman, looking at me like I was the most radiant creature on the planet no matter how ridiculous I looked stumbling towards him. Umbra was my everything.

I had to beat the slowing of time that was trying to trap me. I was half a meter away from him; having him so near was stimulating. He looked frozen in the frame of life showing off his burning smile. My hand reached to grab his, but it slipped right through, like Umbra was merely an illusion.

In a panic, my eyes widened to the size of Mars, but my feet were still running; my toes were about to touch the shining light peeking through the final trees of the forest path in the alternate universe. Umbra was gone and worse: he got sucked into the moist ground. I had to run forward with all my might to search for my beloved, the other half of my soul.

I saw a small hill ahead of me and all the light was overlooking its safety. I had to find Umbra! As I entered the hillside, I noticed that this hill was the source of the eternal sunset of colors that painted over this never-ending midnight land, the tones steaming from the grass. But my mind had no room to marvel at this sight! For all I knew, Umbra could be hidden in this next piece of this mysterious world. I had to find—

The light attacked my eyes at full force, blinding me to the core for a few seconds. I felt like I was missing, like I was nothing but a hollow shell. Something was gone, erased from me. Who…who was I? Why was I here in a lovely meadow of Kelly green grass and gorgeous deep red flowers? There was no background to this portion of where I was except for an onyx-colored wall of smooth rocks or perhaps it was more darkness. The circle of a warming spotlight was solely above the meadow, creating energies of pollen that floated upward to paradise’s wonder.

A large ink puddle was in front of my feet. I was spellbound staring at it, finding it fascinating. I could see my pupils in the reflection: clear and blank. Was something wrong with me? What was my purpose here? I felt as if something was missing…

The spill in front of me was moving. A motion stirred it, making it curl. Smaller circles were forming inside it and then, emerging from the bubbles were long black waves, shooting out like beanstalks, the movement slow and calming, rocking back and forth. Danger, the inner voice in my mind was screaming, but it soon vanished, and looked at the relaxing dance of the black whips. One traced my arm. It felt like soft, radiant hair. Its secret waves were calling me, telling me nothing mattered. I knew nothing. I felt nothing. As long as I was here with this unknown comfort, this unknown creature, all would be well.

However, an alarming pulse was surfacing, trying to escape. Should I let it? At the thought, the creature inside the ink circle grabbed my other wrist and tightened itself around it, slowly sucking all the feeling and blood from it. In a close harmony, it did the same pattern to my right wrist. I bent my head back by bodily response, but no emotion crossed my mind or triggered my heart. Nothing mattered for I knew I was missing. I knew I was nothing.

Gracefully, a figure rose, which was what the hair whips were attached to. It was a silhouette of a woman, a lovely woman with extremely long, wavy, and alive hair. The creature wrapped my waist with her hair—her choice weapon. Her faceless head seemed to be beaming at me, locking me in a spell. I lifted my chin up to expose my neck. I knew she was pleased. Her hair slithered up and wringed my neck, the pain automatically swelling tears in my dull eyes. It was a slow process, but her point came across. She wanted me dead so she could use my power for her own to get out of her imprisonment. The thought was jolting. Escape. Stop her, I said, knowing I needed to speak, but my voice began to fade away as my world went black…

2

swirl-title--ebook

The One Who Watches from Above

"Stary moon! You need to get up. Since I’m retired now, I cannot be your personal alarm clock. Wake up!"

The voice had an edge of friction and blended with the blinding morning sun and the ding of the toaster, all into a routine melody that was familiar. It was 6:15 a.m., and time to get up and start the next chapter in her life.

All right Daddy! I’m just…pacing myself is all. She heard a hardy, lumberjack laugh and knew she was off the hook.

Stary Moon sighed, rubbing the sleep that sprinkled the tips of her delicate eyelashes before hopping out of bed. She had trouble keeping her balance and stepped backwards a little. The sun was too piercing in her eyes, but that was not the problem. She felt funny. Her insides were warm and fuzzy, like she was a newly born volcano, but her skin was cold, her fingers purple and blue like the Arctic. Her goose bumps were oddly shaped, like ice crystals had permanently indented themselves into her flesh.

That dream…Was it real? What did it all mean?

A yawn escaped her lips, crushing the thoughts with her jaw’s unexpected snap. She shook her head fiercely, like a wet dog. She strolled to her vanity mirror, her dark and deep blue eyes, the shade of the ocean during a raging storm, twinkled with amusement and excitement for the upcoming school term, but with her powers, she felt a wave of uncertainty as well.

She sighed heavily now, looking at the young fifteen-year-old girl staring back at her. Stary pushed her apprehensions down, allowing her natural good cheer to sink in so she could prepare for school. She giggled shortly at her messed up, very long, light brown hair and the barely noticeable dark half circles under her eyes.

Well…it won’t get much better than this, she whispered ever so softly to herself. It was like a secret butterfly in the wind, and she expected no one to answer as it continued to flutter its wings.

In her usual upbeat manner, Stary hummed a past choir melody quietly to not annoy her not-morning-person little brother, Link, as she walked by his room on the way to the bathroom. Regardless of it being morning, it was an important day: Stary Moon was now a sophomore in high school and got to officially show off her beyond-wonderful-for-words boyfriend, Umbra Rowe. As she was putting toothpaste on her toothbrush, the thought of Umbra made her pulse race and her mind freeze, blocking all her common sense. All she could see or think about was Umbra and every little aspect of him. If only time would move faster…if only she could reach out and touch him right now…

"Stary! Get out of the bathroom now! I need to brush my teeth fast so I can take a ten minute nap before it’s time to leave!" The loud and irritating voice of her now fifth grade brother made her drop her toothbrush into the drain of the sink, the paste leaving a sticky river on her arm.

To contain her anger, Stary took a deep breath and gave a piercing stare into the mirror for a moment before looking annoyed, but controlled, at Link, who just barraged in. How she wished the bathroom lock had not broken over the summer!

Link, I’m almost done and besides, I can catch a ride, which would make you leave ten minutes later than your little pea-sized brain realized.

Like Dad really would let you get a ride with Umbra! Dad’s positive he belongs to a motorcycle gang! Link challenged.

Dad rode a motorcycle when he was younger.

He didn’t belong to a gang that picked knife fights!

Stary inhaled a staggering breath and held it in her cheeks like a puffer fish, not allowing her frowning brother to beat her down. Sadly, her patience was thinning as the impending nuclear explosion between the siblings was about to erupt.

"Umbra does not have a car yet, therefore I can’t get a ride with him. I was going to go with Jorgen since we had driver’s ed together over the summer and he lives two blocks over. If I were you, I wouldn’t say mean things about Umbra, little brother. You want him after you?"

Stary’s smile was edgy, making Link stop in his tracks for a few seconds to think of how to rebut. Finally, he tapped his side. Fine, but hurry up!

You’re the one who made me drop my toothbrush! Now it’ll take me even longer to get ready. See what rushing does? She wagged her finger at him, just like their mother did, making Link turn to give a disgusted look as his stare caught sight of the river of toothpaste.

Sis, clean the toothpaste off your arm. It makes you look uglier than you already are naturally. He gave her a devilish, revenge-filled smirk before running away to find their father.

You creep! I can’t believe you’re so rude at such a young age!

Her hands flew into the air, becoming fists, but she stopped, knowing it was effortless. Slowly, she saw the nasty looking toothpaste stream on her arm, all dried up like a desert and flaking like paint chips.

With a washcloth, she wiped it off with some good scrubbing and managed to save her trapped toothbrush. "I was almost done anyway, but what is the probability of that happening again? Maybe I should call The Mythbusters," she joked, not wanting to notice how sickening it looked. She barely touched the end. She would have to buy a new one for sure.

With a final brush to make sure her shiny hair was as neat as it could be, she gave herself a shy smile and hurried towards the kitchen, her dogs eyeing her sleepily. There, by the counter, was her mother, making sure Link had his lunch in order after her dad had packed it the night before.

Hey Momma, Stary said in a chipper tone, grabbing an apple off the table and throwing it in the air, but she missed catching it. It rolled on the floor with an awkward thud. The dogs looked puzzled by the noise, but paid it no mind; they were used to Stary’s clumsy moments.

Her mother glanced at her with a look that said she knew that was bound to happen and her eyes questioned Stary’s reasoning. Stary shrugged, turning to face her mother after she washed and dried the apple.

"It worked on Aladdin," Stary simply said. Her mother laughed, covering her mouth as discreetly as she could. Stary took a bite of the apple and spit the skin in the trashcan; it was too hard to chew.

Stary leaned on the counter where the sink was and looked at her mother, a lazy look on her face. Mom, I need a new toothbrush. Link made mine fall in the drain.

Selene Moon caught her breath and looked at her daughter with disappointed eyes. Stary, how on Earth did that happen and why are you blaming your brother?

Stary sighed and recounted the events to her mother, allowing the light streaming from the window to fill her lungs and help hold her thoughts in. She had no idea if her mother was joking or serious on the final part of her question.

Quickly, she finished her apple and tossed the core into the trashcan. Three points she wanted to shout. Of course, no one noticed when she had an athletic moment. At least basketball was one sport she was good at, even if it was the only one.

Mrs. Moon shook her head lightly, making her lovely shoulder-length brown hair bounce in sync with her swaying arms. Is that all you’re going to eat? Stary Moon, you’re going to make yourself ill!

Stary had to shake her head in a jolting motion to focus on her mother’s worrying words of wisdom as the drive to roll her eyes became too strong. I have a fruit bar in my bag and I promise I’ll eat lunch. I put my money in early. Daddy wanted me to be ready—

Of course I did, because Dad is always right. What was I right about today…?

Stary glanced up to see her father entering the kitchen, walking swiftly and proud like a trooper surviving his first battle. Link must have finished brushing his teeth and went to take his power nap; getting him ready for that was a chore in itself.

Selene Moon groaned and tossed her hair in her husband’s direction, looking upset at his overflowing parental confidence. Something about lunch money. Oh dear! Poor Stary won’t have her daddy to protect her this year.

A small puppy pout spread across Stary’s face as she batted her eyelashes to make her father feel guilty. Crater Moon looked emotionless, not affected by Stary’s cuteness. He let out a grunt of disapproval before wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulder.

Stary, you know that crap doesn’t work on me! You’ll be fine, you’re a Moon after all. Besides, I couldn’t pass up all the extra buyout money. Stary caught her dad winking at her, making her stomach twist at how soon that money would be spent on her college. The thought was downright horrible in Stary’s eyes.

Thanks Dad…Love you too, Stary said in a monotone.

Don’t worry babe. If you have any problems, you can go to Mr. Tin. He reassured me he will be your father figure while I’m gone.

Mr. Tin was wonderful, but to imagine him as her father…She betted her friends would never be near her again. Stary scrunched her face up heavily to reflect her feelings.

Her dad honored her with a low and smooth laugh. Stary snorted, but agreed. Her father really was amazing, like the true role model of a gentleman Stary always told him he was.

Thanks Dad…I’ll be f-fi-FINE! Stary wailed, her voice jumping up two octaves. Confused, her parents cocked their heads in opposite directions, trying to understand Stary’s frightened gesture.

There, dangling like a deadly, black spider was Umbra, upside down, half in her ceiling and half not. His locks shot straight out like missiles greased in oil, making him look surprisingly boyish, but still sexy. His eyes twinkled like the night, vast dark holes glowing from his inner self and his smile (or happy frown was more what it looked like from her angle) was wide and breathtaking as usual. Stary was lost, unable to ignore Umbra’s call to her, but also in fear to explain her shouting. How could she explain all this to her parents? They would need a novel for that!

As Stary’s parents got directly in her face, their eyes flickering with unneeded and unknown confusion, she waved her hands in front of them frantically to allow herself some thinking space. As they stared at her crazed body motions, she mouthed to Umbra to Go with dagger-like eyes, and then Wait for me outside. Umbra only smiled wider, shaking his perfect head and mouthing he needed to see her beautiful face. Stary’s heart thudded, yearning more to embrace him, to never look back or let go. Why did he do this to her in front of her loving parents? Maybe he was still a little evil after all, she pondered.

Quickly, she turned to look at her parents, to halt their reactions. "It was…hmmmm…a spider! Yeah! A huge, annoying spider, who needs to go outside." She stressed the final words.

Stary’s words were harsher than she wanted, but she needed to prove to Umbra that she was serious. Pretending to be offended, he let his mouth hang somewhat agape before vanishing into the ceiling, invisible to the naked eye. With a deep sigh of relief, Stary turned to see her parents, who were giving each other questioning looks.

With a gulp, Stary wondered who would be the first to not believe her tale. It was her mother who reacted faster, "But Stary…you like spiders. Well, not like spiders, but you’ve never been scared of them before. I thought you hated snakes darling…"

Her father crossed his arms in a firm agreement although his eyes were glistening with kindness. Darn! Stary wanted to shout for them figuring out her fib. "True Momma. I don’t mind spiders, but this one was huge. I mean, flippin’ bigger than my hand huge! It startled me is all, but it’s okay. He’s gone, probably to meet his other friends."

He went away that fast? But Stary, I didn’t see—

OH! Dad? I was wondering since it’s Link’s first day of fifth grade at the intermediate school and he’s a crabby pants today, could I get a ride from Jorgen, you know, to save time? He said he’d happily do it. Stary allowed the sweat to tingle down her back, praying her parents would not catch her cover up.

I don’t know Stary. He’s only had his license for three months and he seems like an okay boy, but I’d feel safer if I took you… The worry in his face was sharp, like a spear.

"Plus your father is worried he likes you," her mother added in a teasing voice and a coy smirk. The comment made her father grunt with anger.

Stary let out a huff, not wanting to discuss that especially when her true love might be listening outside. Jorgen did not need to be killed with lasers! "Mom, Dad, Jorgen doesn’t like me. He’s my twin."

Stary, I hate when you call him that! I do not own that boy in any way.

I know that Daddy, but we have the same birthday and live so close together, so it’s a fun thing we do. Come on Daddy. He’s a great guy and we both need to go until we can figure out a time system. Please Daddy…, she whimpered, acting like she was begging with all her heart.

Okay, but you have to lay out all the safety rules! A shining light showed itself in his eyes although a tiresome frown lay across his arched face in parental concern for his daughter. He spent several minutes discussing safety protocols to her, the time dragging.

After waking Link early and taking the annual new school pictures to please their mother, Stary was off like a refreshing breeze, waving at her family and shouting warm regards as she skipped into the world, being careful on the sidewalk. Perfect hues of blue swirled in the sky into one brilliant and indescribable color, blending dreamily into the shapes of the clouds. The craft of honest imagination, Stary thought. The world seemed so private, so peaceful, and so inviting that Stary could hardly recall the nightmare that gave her chills. Still…the feeling of needing, the urge to fight, and the power to defend was too strong to be called good. She had no idea what or when something was coming, but the air was stirring in pieces of evil.

Excited and overpowered by personal thrill, Stary smiled brightly, more noticeable than the rays of the blazing sun, and began to jog forward at a hastening speed. Not long before she began to feel her cheeks flush, a shadow caught up with her, seeming to run beside her. The melody of the most amazing laugh reached her eardrums. Umbra was the moving shadow and was there. Like Mary’s little lamb, everywhere that Stary went, Umbra was sure to go. The two were interconnected: one was not able to function long without the other near.

Ha! You’re really this happy to go back to school, huh? You really are something…

Stary’s smile stopped and transformed into a light, closed grin, her hidden delight now fully exposed. Maybe I am, or maybe I wanted to catch up with that freakin’ huge spider. He was so big! I bet he was Spider-Man undercover…

Although her words were teasing, the feelings under the surface were as clear as a chime: I wanted to see you as fast as I could because I love you more than anything Umbra.

Umbra, still acting like a stalking shadow, chuckled and replied, I take that as a personal insult. I know I can beat Spider-Man!

Probably…, Stary said with a snicker. How she wished to touch him, to run away with him. School did not matter, especially the first day of explaining the rules. But she had to go to see all her loved ones such as Chloe Dew, Rin Fortune, Lauren Flower, and Mark Steel…

Oh wait, Stary recalled sadly, the memory tugging at her heartstrings harder than she requested.

Mark had to move away because of his father’s minister job. Letting Mark, her best guy friend, leave on the last day was difficult. He had hugged her in an extremely close, supporting embrace and affectionately kissed Stary’s cheek. Her dad swore that Mark kissed her lips in front of him, but Stary reassured him she would have remembered that.

I miss him too, Stary. I only knew Mark for about three weeks, but he was a great guy. Umbra soothed his caring girlfriend, startling her a little bit out of her painful flashback.

Get out of my head would you? Stary said jokingly, but still strict enough to show she was deeply affected by Mark’s departure. Umbra laughed briefly, enough to make Stary wonder if he could read her mind. How embarrassing would that be?! Besides, Umbra, I’m worried about Chloe. I’m not sure if they straightened things out before he left.

Umbra’s breathing became apparent as he pondered how to comfort his too-worried-for-others love about that one, Well, at least she has you to help her heal. She trusts you so much.

Thank you Dr. Phil! Stary said with a loud laugh that echoed down the street. Although she could not see Umbra, she knew he was there and his thoughts were all on her. Make sure you’re careful where you stare Umbra, Stary choked out, scared and mousy, humiliated to have to be worried about someone loving her too much.

Umbra’s spell of chuckles combined into an enchanted harmony with Stary’s racing heartbeat. Honey…that ship has sailed! But…I’m being careful where my eyes land to respect your feminine wishes. A groan was hidden at the last part; he was a typical guy after all.

"My feminine wishes thank you…Oh Umbra, we’re three houses away from Jorgen’s, so you’ll have to follow sneakily, okay?" Stary stopped her running, panting for a few seconds as Umbra froze in place, looking like spilled ink rocking in the wind. Ink…shadows…her dream. It was all too real. The wind, the trail, the horrible woman trying to destroy her into a shadow being, forgetting Umbra existed. That scared her most of all. Mini earthquakes attacked her body, ramming her heart into her ribs. The feeling of boiling blood was gushing through her like a crimson hot spring.

Babe, are you all right? You shouldn’t have run that far.

Stary tensed up to look down at Umbra’s form, wiggling slightly to show his liveliness.

All I ever do is make him worry, she thought wretchedly. He was about to pop up, to quickly transform into his normal, handsome self.

Continuing to force air into her lungs, Stary raised a hand in front of Umbra’s shadow, making him cease. Don’t, she managed to cough.

The details of the dream, the horror lurking in the nightmare was now a reopened wound—fresh in her mind—and she could not stand to look at him until it was suffocated. Thinking of losing him would only make tears escape her forlorn eyes and make her soul mate more concerned.

I’m…okay Umbra, honest. Stary was almost ready to stand up straight, looking down at him over her shoulder. To Umbra, it made her look like a