Chapter 1
Dedication
Here is to a character that I never expected
to make into a story
A character that started as a background storyline
And has progressed into something much, much more
Here’s to a character that allowed me to take
This story to a completely different place than
we have ever been before
Here’s to allowing me to bring back some old characters
And introduce some new ones.
Here’s to loopholes, and breaking the mould.
And once again a HUGE thank you to my best friend
And biggest cheerleader in my writing
Mike Powell
Who has been a constant in my storylines and
Continuously dealt with my constant book chatter
Who always gives his two cents
And never complains when the books are
All I talk about for a week straight
Thank you!
Chapter 1
I shot out of bed, sweat dripping down my forehead. My heart was beating out of my chest for seemingly no reason. I wasn't having a nightmare or anything, just the same recurring dream I always had. I was alone, in the darkness. No matter what way I looked, or what direction I walked in, nothing changed.
The silence was eerie, and even when I tried to speak my small voice was drowned out... Lost within the dark. I don't know why I dreamt this every night, but since I had been resurrected it hadn't stopped. I was still trying to wrap my head around the whole being resurrected thing.
I clearly remember being murdered. You'd think my nightmares would haunt me regarding that... But honestly, I think dreaming of being alone in that darkness was worse. Nothing could ever prepare you for being resurrected from the dead. Nothing...
"Who's there?" I said out loud. It may be dark in my room, but I know I saw something move by the window. I squinted trying to adjust my eyes to the dark. It was no use... I couldn't see anything but the dark. "Hello?" I said again, realizing that it was probably pointless, but I had to try.
"That's when I saw him. A man with curly blonde hair, green eyes and a levi jacket. He was standing there by my window looking directly at me. I pulled the blanket up towards my face. "Who are you?" I asked, trying to hide the shake in my voice.
The man had a confused look on his face and then he turned around looking behind him as if I was talking to someone else, but there was no one else in the room. I remained quiet, just watching the man. He then turned back and looked at me again. "Are you talking to me?" He asked. I nodded but didn't move.
I didn't feel like I should be afraid of this man, but I still didn't know who he was or why he was in my room in the middle of the night.
"How?" He suddenly asked, and I could hear the astonishment reaching his words. It was my turn to be confused. "What do you mean how?" I asked. I was confused now.
He took a step towards me to which I scooted back in bed until I felt my back push up against my headboard. "It's ok, you don't have to be scared of me... I won't hurt you." The man said, holding his hands out palms forward in front of his chest.
"Who are you and why are you in my room?" I asked again. "My name is Jayden and can I just be honest with you?" He asked. I nodded to him. "Well, I am..." He started to say, when my brother, Drake, opened my bedroom door.
"Reya? Are you ok?" He asked. I instantly panicked because now that Drake was here he would kill this man for being in my room. I looked from Drake back to Jayden in a panic but he had his finger in front of his lips telling me to be quiet. I looked back at Drake who didn't seem to notice Jayden at all.
"Reya?" Drake said again, walking into my room and sitting on the side of my bed by me. "Are you ok? Who are you talking to?" Drake asked me. I looked directly at Jayden causing Drake to turn around and look at him as well, but he turned back to me with a confused look on his face.
He couldn't see Jayden... That's when I understood why Jayden had his finger to his lips. He didn't want me to tell Drake that he was here.
In any other situation I would have screamed or told on him immediately... But there was something about Jayden that calmed me. Something that made me feel safe.
"I am ok, Drake. I just had a bad dream." I finally said. "Another one?" Drake asked. I nodded. "Every night, and it's the same one." I replied. I looked back at Jayden who was still standing in the same spot.
"I'm sorry, is there anything I can do?" Drake asked, drawing my attention back to him. I shook my head. "I will be ok. I just need to get back to sleep." I said.
"Ok." Drake replied softly, and then he pulled me into a hug. His touch calmed me, removing the last remnants of the darkness from my mind.
"I'm sorry, Reya. I honestly had no idea how bringing you back would affect you. I was selfish in my ask, and for that I can never forgive myself. I just hope that someday you can forgive me." Drake said.
I pulled away from my brother and smiled at him. "You don't need my forgiveness because I am not mad." I replied. "I know you aren't, but that doesn't excuse my behavior." He said.
"I'm fine, Drake. I'm going to go back to bed now, goodnight." I said, scooting down and attempting to pull the blankets up to my chin. He stood from my bed, fixing the blanket for me. His gaze lingered for a bit longer before he said goodnight, and then he left my room.
Once he was gone, I sat back up and looked at Jayden. He was still standing in the same spot by my window. "Jayden? Why did you shush me?" I asked.
He took a few steps towards me before sitting on the very edge of my bed. "I'm not exactly sure how to tell you this..." He said. I had no idea what he was referring to.
"Tell me what?" I asked. I was so confused and almost wondered if this was just a dream. "You shouldn't be able to see me because I'm a ghost..." Jayden finally said. My eyes widened into saucers and I swallowed hard but I didn't move. "Y-you're a G-ghost?" I stammered. I was scared at that point.
"Please don't be afraid. I will not hurt you... I promise." Jayden said. Somehow his words calmed me down a little, but a ghost? "Why are you here?" I asked him. He smiled at me. "I live here... or I did. This was a long time ago, but I find that I spend my time here often. This was my room once, you know." He replied.
"You lived here?" I questioned. He nodded. "I did." He replied. "So now I have a question for you, kiddo." Jayden said. I just looked up at him through my eyelashes. "How is it that you can see me when no one else can?" He asked. I just shrugged. "I honestly have no idea..." I replied.
I wasn't lying. I had no idea how I could see him. "Well, Humans can't really see ghosts. At least, not that I've noticed." He said. "I'm not Human though." I replied. Jayden got a confused look on his face.
"What do you mean you're not Human?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm a Wolf. Or at least I will be once I get my Wolf Spirit." I said.
"A Wolf? Like a Werewolf?" He replied. I nodded. "Yea, well... At least I was, before..." I said and then trailed off. "Before what?" He asked.
"Before I was murdered and then resurrected." I said softly. I was almost hoping that he couldn't hear me because I was somewhat embarrassed about it to be honest.
"You were murdered?" He asked. I nodded. "I was... It was a long time ago. I'm not even sure how many years have passed." I said. "How old are you?" Jayden asked me.
"I'm 13, but I was when I was murdered too. So Honestly, I'm not sure." I said. "Do you think that because you were dead already and then brought back that maybe that's why you can see me?" He asked.
"I... I have no idea. It makes sense though. I just... I just don't know." I said. "Well, I don't know much about things from this time, but I don't know that I wouldn't be telling people that you can see and talk to the dead..." Jayden said as he stood from my bed and started walking towards the window.
"Why?" I asked. "I don't know... It may not be a big deal, but I don't know what they might do if they find out. It's your choice, of course. I'm just trying to help." He said.
"Will you come back tomorrow?" I asked, suddenly aware that I didn't really want him to leave. He turned and looked at me with a smile. "Sure, I can do that." He said.
"Oh, and Jayden?" I said. "Yes, kiddo?" He replied. "Do you think I'm crazy?" I asked. He just laughed and shook his head. "No, not at all. The world works in mysterious ways. Goodnight, Reya." He said, and then he vanished.
