PREFACE
I wasn’t aware of the dark forest behind me. Wasn’t aware of the waves crashing against rocks in the distance. Wasn’t aware of the rain pouring down on me. I wasn’t aware of anything. All I could see was his dark, becharming eyes. They were captivating. Dark black lashes framing beautiful gray irises that dimmed as they went until they faded into a pitch black. I wanted to look away from the dark one’s horrifying eyes, but I couldn’t. He extended one finger and beckoned me to come forward; toward him. He wanted me to approach him so he could do whatever vile, torturous thing it was he wanted to do to me. A small part of my sub-conscious knew what he wanted. He wanted to kill me. He wanted to kill me and my friends. My knuckles tightened at the thought.
It was then I realized my hands weren’t empty. My hands were clutching somebody else’s hand in each. I finally broke my gaze away from the dark one’s eyes and glanced to my left. Sage’s frightened expression almost hurt. It was torture to see the pure fear cast upon her beautiful face. On her shoulder I saw pixie-sized Davin, his bright green eyes shut tight, hoping to have this over soon. Hoping that we could all just die now; hoping to end this torture. On my left shoulder sat Mysteria, her beautiful eyes teary, her flawless face marred with pain. On my right shoulder sat Jadin, her fairy-like body laying on me, cringing her face into my neck, avoiding the face of the killer. My right hand was clutching to Vanessa’s, her face was a mixture of emotions. Pain, sorrow, sadness, worry, and odd enough, anger. That was the most identifiable emotion on her martyred expression. On her left shoulder was Kerina, her jet black curls framing her sorrowful face. Her eyes were closed, tears flowing down her bright cheeks. We were all here, lined up to die.
I didn’t want it to end this way, all of us being murdered, leaving Ranna to be ruled by the wretched murderer himself. He lurched forward into a crouch, ready to spring… ready to attack…
I awoke, frantic and startled.
“Oh!” I gasped, trying to shake off the memory. Was this a dream, or was God warning me about what was to come? I couldn’t seem to get rid of the horrifying image in my head that I’d dreamt about. I couldn’t shake away the memory of his frightening, pitch black eyes. I couldn’t forget the fact that they were completely horrid, yet so hard to look away from. I fumbled for my phone, which read 3:17 A.M. I rolled over to the edge of my small bed and tried to go back to sleep. I was having trouble falling back asleep. It could have been because the bright, full moon was directly outside my window, permitting it to shine directly in my eyes, but most likely, it was because I was afraid.
