The Undesirables

By Xlibris US

Their family was torn apart. Their home invaded, lives ruined, and hope crushed. When a group of people split their family apart, Clover and Avalon will find a whole new meaning to disaster. As they fight for their freedom, they will discover that no one can be trusted completely.

Clover never thought she'd find herself holding weapons or struggling to survive another day. Avalon wouldn't have pictured herself looking over her shoulder or cowering at every shadow... There are things...things in the dark. The monster in your closet is real, but you'll never see it coming. Monsters exist and they're more malicious than you ever imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493117765

Book preview

CLOVER – 

I WAS SITTING ON the hard leather seats of the black Dodge Charger that was taking me and my younger sister Avalon, further away from our family. I look over at Ava, her face paler than usual, and her blue eyes (the same as mine, our two younger siblings, and our parents) were wide with fear. I know how she feels, we are both scared about what happens when we reach our captors destination, and if we will ever see our family again. I’m trying to be brave for the both of us, but I am honestly not sure how long I can keep it up. I run my fingers through my dark blonde hair, and catch my blue streak. Our colored streak in our hairs’ is the only way Norms or Ords (normal/ordinary humans) can tell us apart. I have tried to dye my streak the color of the rest of my hair when I was younger so the kids at my school would not be able to tell that I was different, but no matter what color I tried or how long I keep the dye in, the color would not change from the solid blue color it is to this day. My ability is water. I can manipulate it to take whatever form I wish I can also move a large body of water with ease or even create water out of the molecules in the air. My family and myself are what some people are called gifted, each of us having an ability to wield as our own. The stories most children hear as a child about werewolf, vampires, witches, and elementals… well they are real. My dad (Jaraxle)’s ability is what people call a warrior (he can pick up any weapon and use it like an expert), my mom (Fate)’s ability is spirit (she can summon spirits, foresees the future, and she is empathic), my element is water, Avalon’s is fire, Annabelle is earth, and the only boy, Izack is air. Most call us lucky that each of us is gifted because it is so rare especially in a family the size of ours but lucky is not what I would call my family. I would say we are the complete opposites of lucky because if we weren’t so lucky then our home would not have been ambushed to capture and separate all of us. Our captors’ goal is to take us in pairs (depending on age) to an institution to teach us to master out abilities and after we have done so, join the army for the gifted to take out the norms that treat us as outcasts. But what they don’t know is that they picked the worst family to try to turn into their puppets because each of us are not only very powerful, stubborn, and brave but we are also strongly against this war they are trying to start. My parents taught each of us kids at a very young age that we are not better than the norms because we have gifts but we are gifted to help better the world we are in and to stand up for the Ords against others like ourselves. The driver slammed on his breaks causing me to bang my head at the back of the seat and pulling me out of my thoughts. I narrowed my eyes to try and see through the heavy rain to find the cause of us slowing down. That’s when I see the large Iron Gate and the sign with what looks like heavy bronze lettering that reads Vail Ray Institution Home of the gifted teens and my heart began to race, knowing that in the matter of minutes things are about to get worse. Some home. Ava snarls. Don’t worry we won’t be staying long. I whisper over at my sister so the driver can’t hear us. Avalon grins knowing were going to be breaking rules and undermining authority. Avalon is the trouble maker out of the family. She also has very little patience. We both know we’re going to have to break out of this school and find our parents and the twins; the only problem is we’re not sure how or where they are, so we’re going to have to make a plan before we do anything. We are pulling up to the school now the Institution looks like a scary haunted building from the medieval days. The entire scene outside my window was making me very depressed, but the rain gave me some hope and strength. I looked over at my sister and smoothed down her light brown hair and red streak (red for fire, which is Ava’s ability, and probably explains her temper) before we meet with the head master. As soon as I turned back around my door began to open, and I saw a woman about mid-thirties wearing all gray, her dark brown hair and gray streak piled high upon her head and holding a black umbrella waiting for us to step outside the car. I looked over at my sister and gave a warning glance to tell her, ‘let me do the talking’. As soon as Ava and I stepped out the car the women turns and heads towards the building. Avalon and I stand there with the rain soaking through our clothes exchanging glances. The woman turns and glares back at us with her dark green eyes Come along she says, an irritated voice. So we begin to run up the steps behind her. As we step through the heavy dark wood door, we are standing in a large lounge with a grand stair case to the left and a hallway filled with many doors to the right. We stand there for a moment dripping water onto the polished floor taking in our new surroundings, Avalon begins to shiver and I am not sure if it’s from the cold or being in this building. Then the woman speaks Follow me Miss Shades’ and I will show you both to your rooms, so you may dry off. Her voice gives me chills and I’m not even sure if she’s the head master or not. I’m the head master here at Vail Ray you may address me as Mrs. Morris or Head Master, nothing else. I fell a few steps behind as we climbed up the stair case and whispered over to my sister so we are not heard. That was weird. It’s like she read my thoughts speaking the words aloud covered my arm in goose bumps. I know. I was thinking of a nickname for her when she said that. Do you think her ability is mind reading? Ava whispered back. I’m not sure, but it’s possible. We continue the walk after we reached the top of the stairs and down a dark corridor. The girls’ bathroom is through that door. Mrs. Morris said as she pointed at the large door on the left. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. sharp so do not be late, your class schedules will be given to you then and here is your room Miss Avalon. Why are we not sharing a room Ava demanded. Mrs. Morris just gave her an eerie smile and said Well how are you supposed to make friends if you’re glued to your sister’s side Miss Avalon. Ava opened her mouth to give a smart alc reply. I gave her a look and she shut her mouth. Come along Miss Clover Mrs. Morris said as she turned away and started off down the candle lit hallway. I walked over and gave Ava a big hug and whispered in her ear. I’m right down the hall if you need me and I’ll find you in the cafeteria in the morning. Good night Ava. K, night Clover she replied back. I gave her what I hoped to be a brave smile and followed after the head master to my room.

AVALON – 

F EELING MY TEMPER tick already, I shuffled inside of my new room. I paused by the door to take everything in. Light walls, two twin size beds, and dark wood dressers. I frowned, bright rooms. I snorted, Nothing about this place is bright. I sank onto the closest bed. It’s not so bad I turned facing a childish seeming girl. She looked about my age. With her dark brown hair, lively brown eyes, with a childish face, she seemed normal enough. But I knew better. Err… Who are you? I’m Skylar, You? I hesitated. Did I really want to try and make friends? No. But, Clover would want me to be nice and try not to draw attention to ourselves. Avalon. I say as I take her outstretched hand. That’s a lovely name do you have a nickname? I cleared my throat. Ava… my family calls me Ava. Skylar must have caught onto my sadness. You don’t want to be here do you? I shook my head, my anger bubbling again. Hey don’t be mad she rubbed my shoulder and sat down by me on the bed. I blinked away angry tears. I’m not mad. She smiled knowingly. I read auras so I know you are she replied. I know she could because she couldn’t be normal not in this place. I looked at her hair and found her bright yellow streak. I eyed her Why are you here? She arched her brow. Because this is where I’m assigned to sleep I shook my head, smiling. "And here I thought I had the room all to myself, I meant why are you here , at Vail Ray Institute. Well we don’t know each other that well, so let’s not make this awkward. Come on let’s get to sleep you have a big day tomorrow."

CLOVER – 

I STARED UP AT my celling, in the dark waiting for sleep to come to me. I rolled over onto my left side and stared at my roommate’s empty twin size bed wondering where she was and if we were going to get along. When sleep finally crashed upon me I remembered my family and the days my sibling and me realized we were gifted…

I discovered mine first, I was 7 years old and Ava was 4 we were playing in our pool in the back yard on a hot summer day. Ava and I were playing a game to see who could splash the most water out of the pool when it was my turn the water was really choppy from all the splashing I ran my hand over the top of the water and it calmed then my hand began to tingle. I cupped my hand yanked it towards the edge of the pool and every drop of water was in the air. My whole body began to feel like it was humming as I stood frozen staring at the water that was staying in the air not even a drop fell. I slowly began to move my hand back towards the pool and the water followed my hand and slowly began to pour back in. Ava was so excited she was jumping up and down Clover your special just like mommy and daddy she exclaimed. We ran inside and told our parents, that’s when they sat me down and explained to me the importance of using my gift for good. My parents were smiling hugely but there was a small look of fear in their eyes as well. I remember running to the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror. The reflection was the same as usual except the girl staring back at me eyes were huge with excitement and there on the right side of her head was a deep blue streak through her hair. I went to school the next day and looked to see if any of my friends were gifted as well but as it turned out I was the only one even as we got older, none of my friends developed a streak, nor did anyone at my school for that matter. Next the dream shifted a few years later when Avalon was 8 she was getting bullied in school. The girl bulling her picked a fight and Ava was so mad she punched the girl in the stomach and caught the girl’s clothes on fire. As soon as Ava’s fist caught fire a red streak highlighted her hair as well. Next came Annabelle, It was hers and Izack’s 6th birthday and they both got bicycles from our parents. After the party we all went outside to watch the twins ride their new bikes, Izzy picked up riding a bike quickly being able to race up and down the side walk without wobbling once, but Anna was a different story she kept falling off her bike and skinning up her knees. She was so mad that Izzy could ride and she couldn’t. So when she fell off again she punched the ground and everything under our feet began to shake as if we were in an earthquake. Then my memory shifted to Anna’s and Izzy’s 7th birthday we all sat at the dining room table while Ava practiced her ability by lightning their birthday cake candles. Afterwards we all sang happy birthday and then the twins went to blow out their candles Izack blew them out before Anna, but that’s when he developed his ability when he blew out the air he was holding in his mouth the cake flew across the room and the entire family got knocked onto the floor. We all laughed about it saying how unexpected that was . . .

I slowly climbed out of my bed and stumbled to the door. Sleep has not fully left me yet. I rub my eyes to get them adjusted to the dim light shining through my window and realize where I am. I walked over to the dresser on my side trying to keep quite so I don’t wake my roommate, who finally made it to our room sometime in the middle of the night. I pull one of the drawers open looking for something familiar to wear. Our apprehensions allowed us to get a bag of our own clothes before we were forced to leave the house. I brought three pairs of my favorite jeans, a couple of t-shirts and tank tops, comfy pajamas, a few long sleeve shirts, a simple black dress, and the Shadow Falls series which are my favorite books, and the amulet my parents gave each of us kids that we never take off. Reflexively I reach up and hold the cold blue stone and my body began to relax. I grab a pair of dark blue jeans, a black t-shirt, my flip flops, and my necessities and step into the hall to find the restroom. After I was dressed I began to comb through my hair when someone began to bang on the door. Hurry up in there your using up my time a voice called. Wait just a minute; don’t get your panties in a bunch. I said as I rolled my eyes. You have five seconds to open the door before I break it down and pull you out the voice replied angrily. Jezz, someone is a drama queen I whispered to myself. Then the voice began to count down five… four… three… I yanked the door open and found myself facing a girl about my age. She had pale blonde hair with a hot pink streak through it and light blue eyes that were glaring at me. She was a lot taller than me, very slim but still had great curves. This girl was probably the prettiest girl I have ever seen. About time she snarled at me. Sorry umm… I said not knowing what her name was. Cindy Morris she replied looking down at me. Cindy Morris that must mean she is the head master and Generals daughter. The General is one of the men leading this war against the Ords. Sorry Cindy, I’m new so I didn’t realize there was a schedule for the bathroom. I said trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice, because I know there isn’t a one. She merely looked me up and down and replied from 6 a.m. to 6 thirty a.m. the bathroom belongs to me, now you know so don’t let it happen again. It won’t… as long as you get to the bathroom before me I said in the sweetest voice I have. Then I stepped through the door and started down hall when Cindy yelled Hey, new girl I turned and looked back at her my name is Clover, not new girl I replied. Cindy gave me a grin of approval good luck today Clover. Her response caught me off guard but before I could as her why she was wishing me good luck she already disappeared through the bathroom door. I made my way down the stair case into the lobby and went down the hall to find the door that led to the dining room. The hall was so quiet it was eerie. As I continued down the hall I came across two double wood doors that I thought could be the banquet hall. I slowly opened the door and stepped into the room. I found myself starring at probably the biggest library I have ever seen. I love libraries the pages in the books and the ink smell remind me of home and safety. I also love getting so absorbed in a book that the rest of the world seems to fade away. I circled around slowly trying to get a good look at all the books when I saw someone in the corner of my eye, sitting on a love seat watching me spin in circles probably with a huge dorky smile on my face. I turned and faced the guy full on about to demand why he thinks it’s okay to stare, but when I did my heart began to race and the words got stuck in my throat. He was the most gorgeous person I have ever seen in my entire life. No exaggeration he looked like a cross from an Abercrombie model and a Greek God. He’s hair was about medium length and it was dark brown with a deep purple streak. His dark brown eyes seemed bottomless as they starred back at me and the smile that was slowly creeping across his tan face was breath taking. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. Finally the dazzling guy broke the silence You do know it’s rude to stare, right he asked as he let out a breathless laugh. Sorry umm… you startled me. Startled me? Who says that? Omg this guy probably thinks I’m slow. Are you new here? he asked though I could see it in his eyes he already knew I was, so I decided to tell the truth. Yeah I am, I’m also a little lost could you tell me where the cafeteria is? Just a couple more doors down, I’ll show you. "Oh, no