Chapter Four: Raven.
Looking out my window, I could see a girl looking slightly upset. I know her! That’s raven from school, not like I go anymore.
I ran outside, only to find her standing in the rain.
“Hey Raven, do you want to come inside to dry off?” I asked her.
“Yeah” she muttered, her eyes always looking down.
When she had dried off, I went in my room, shut my door, there he was. My mouth could only manage one word.
Devil.
“Hello Ashley” He said, stroking my cheek.
“Hi” I said, moving away slowly.
“You know I'm going to kill someone” He said slowly, searching my eyes.
“Yes, who this time?” I asked Eagerly.
“Your friend Raven” He said.
At that moment, the world felt as if it has stopped and broken into pieces.
“Please, not her!” I pleaded, getting onto my knees, as if to bow to him.
Suddenly he disappeared in a puff of red smoke.
Ugh, he always does that, it kind of gives me a whiplash.
“Ashley, you up there?” I heard a voice, obviously Raven.
“Yeah, I had to deal with……Something.” I shouted back.
I slowly and shakily came down the stairs.
“Anyway I need to go now, things to do, people to see.” She said.
“Okay” I said, as I gave her a hug goodbye.
I watched her go out the door, if only she knew.
***The next morning***
I brushed my hair, for the first time in my life I felt happy. I turned on my stereo Cascada came blaring out.
I then got a phone call, I looked at my phone, it was Raven.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked.
“I can’t tell you here, can I come round yours?” She pleaded.
“Sure” I said positive.
I heard the door go, suddenly I saw a shadow run across the wall, it was him. The devil.
“Remember, she’s mine for the taking” He smiled, disappearing into my room.
I opened the door, pale white.
“Hey” Raven said.
“Ermmm… you wanted to talk to me about something?” I asked.
“Yeah, lets go into the forest, its quieter there” She said, heading out the door.
“OK” I said, following behind her.
“I think the Devil or a demon is after me” She confessed.
“I know the devil’s after me, he’s coming for you” I said.
“Put this on” She commanded.
So I did.
She waved her hands around the candles, after lighting them, chanting words, this was dark magic.
I collapsed on the floor, everything went black.
*** A few hours later***
I woke up, in a cave.
Where am i?
I heard the devils voice, my hand was bleeding, I sensed him behind me.
He took my hand, cut into my flesh and smiled that evil smile, right before my eyes, he was a human, with golden eyes and lush brown hair, you couldn’t resist him.
“You can go now” He whispered, I felt his fiery lips on mine.
I slowly got up and walked out of the cave, Raven was nowhere to be seen. I looked around; she came down the hill with a boy.
“Sorry I was so long Ashley, I met this boy, Daniel, and he helped me out the forest.” She told me.
I looked up at Daniel, it was the Devil.
He was holding hands with Raven.
My mouth flung open, I felt like screaming.
“Raven, I’ll be going home now” I called to her, turned around, her and Daniel were gone.
***Meanwhile with Raven and “Daniel”***
They walked through the forest, eyes on each other the whole time.
“Thanks for rescuing me” She Smiled up at him.
“No Problem” He said, flashing a smile.
Raven scribbled down her number on a piece of paper.
“This is my number, call me tonight” She said, passing him the piece of paper.
“OK” He said, taking the piece of paper.
This was all going how he planned, she would make a good target for the plan, and well she was the target.
***Meanwhile with Ashley***
I lay on my bed, she was the victim of something that’s my fault, I know what’s going to happen and I can’t let it happen.
“ADAM!” I Shouted.
Suddenly Adam appeared in a flash of white light.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, sitting on the bed with me.
“The Devil wants Raven” I sobbed, putting my head over his shoulder.
“It’s Okay, they only just met” He sighed.
He stroked my cheek.
“But it’s not, she might lose control” I sobbed even more.
“She’s Stronger then you think……I hope.” He paused.
I lie on the bed in despair, pressure and pain eating away at me. Should I tell her?
Tell her what?, her boyfriend’s the devil.
No I won’t tell her, I will wait…..
*Phone Rings*
“Hello, who’s there?” I asked.
“Its me” Raven said, happily.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Its my first date with Daniel tonight, we are going into the forest.” She said out of breath.
“Cool, listen I need to go” I said trying to be happy for her, but knowing the truth, I hung up the phone.
I took a deep breath, put on my scarlet red hood and ventured out into the forest.
My cloak stood out in the dark forest, I heard whispering, it must be them. I listened in, hiding behind a tree.
***Daniel and Raven***
“I only just met you, but I think I’m in love.” She sighed and turned away.
“You’re the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life” Daniel said, stroking her cheek.
“Thanks,” She blushed.***Meanwhile with Ashley***
I watched them, as their lips pressed against each other, I remember the devil kissing me like that, his lips were fiery and passionate, not that I liked it, or did I? He is poisoning my mind.
I walked towards them, I could feel his eyes on mine at that time, it was like I was naked and vulnerable, and he was pouring into my soul.
“I’m going to go home now.” Raven said, slight bitterness to her voice, that’s how I knew it was working.
I paced up and down the forest, wondering what to do, I needed a plan, otherwise Raven will die……
All because of my deal….. That is destroying my life.
I had another detailed look at my gold chain around my neck, pretty soon I would be marked. I suddenly noticed a figure behind me.
I ran for my life, stumbling then I fell over; my face was bloody and bruised. I tried to crawl fast, but something was pulling me back, I screamed
When I woke up, I was surrounded by white. My joints ached, in fact everything ached, I remember being pulled into the darkness by something.
“Ashley.” A soft voice said.
I opened my eyes slightly, peering at the figure
“Yes?” I replied.
“Are you feeling better?” Came the soft voice.
“A little bit, my neck and my legs still hurt” I replied softly.
***2 Hours Later***
“Your all better and fixed” He said to me.
“Thanks” I nodded at him to say thank you.
I closed my eyes and let the white light consume me and take me back to where I was before.
I lowered my hood of my cloak and walked out of the forest.
I turned around, only to see Adam behind me.
“Hey” I said.
“Hi” He replied.
“I need to leave” I whispered, my head lowered, trying not to meet his gaze.
“Is it the whole Daniel, Raven thing?” He asked, intrigued.
“No” I lied.
“I know it is, there’s no point lying to me” He said sternly.
“Umm….. Well, yeah it is.” I paused “I don’t want her to die; he has control over her already it’s no use.”
“You need to relax, Ashley.” He whispered.
Giving in, I let him kiss me, it was softer and sweeter, I loved him and he loved me. It couldn’t be that complicated, could it?
Oh yeah, I forgot he’s an angel, I’m a human, we kind of broke the rules, oh well, at least nobody knows apart from us and I’m pregnant with his baby….. It just gets better.
“Could you take me home?” I asked him, smiling.
“Sure” He smiled a teasing smile back at me.
I watched as we flew, I have never seen his wings before, they were delicate and beautiful and as light as a feather, I knew I would be safe in his arms.
We landed in my room; he carried me to my bed.
“Sleep, Ashley, you need it” He whispered into my ear, stroking my hair, until I fell asleep.
***The Next Day***
I woke up, the sun came gleaming through my window. I looked beside me, Adam must have fallen asleep. I wanted more; I wanted him to show that he loved me. I smiled, thinking about it.
I got into the shower, and the hot steamy water ran down my body. I washed my hair and body, I felt good today.
I got out the shower and wrapped a towel around me. I walked into my bedroom, drying my hair and brushing my shiny long hair.
As I walked over to the wardrobe, I saw a note on the chest of drawers. It said:
If you want to live, find me in the forest in exactly 2 hours,
From Anonymous
I decided to ring Raven; she was the only friend I had.
“Hey” I said.
“Hi” She said.
“How are you and Daniel?” I asked.
“We are fine, he is moving in with me and we are getting married!” She squealed, like this was a good thing becoming the queen of darkness or whatever.
I held my head in my hands, I can stop this.
It’s up to me.
If I go and meet my death, I will miss the wedding and Raven will die, that’s a risk I can’t take.
I sighed, I looked at the burn mark on my wrist, I need to do this, and losing isn’t an option.
I picked up the phone, tapped in Raven’s number and lifted it to my ear
“Hello?” A voice said at the other end of the phone.
“Hey Raven” I said confidently.
“Guess What?” She said enthusiastically.
“What?” I asked.
“The wedding dress is picked out” She squealed.
“That’s Great…. Listen” I paused.
“I'm coming to the wedding, don’t tell ANYONE, ok?” I took a deep breath.
“Okay,” She agreed, sighing.
“No I mean it, someone at your wedding wants to kill me, I need a low profile.” I replied.
She hung up.
I looked in my wardrobe, I found a emerald green dress, I laid it on the bed. I then looked in the mirror, I passed on the makeup, I looked better without it. I brushed my silky black hair. I put on my gold earrings, then I slowly put on my emerald dress, then I slipped into gold high heels.
I slowly, confidently and sexily walked out the door, forgetting about any worries I had.
I got into a nearby taxi.
“Where to?” He asked.
“Cherry Blossom Road.” I replied coolly.
“Too bad, you’re staying here” He said bitterly.
“Who are you?, what do you want?” I replied shakily.
“Don’t try and save your friend, he’s too strong, with your blood, he will be immortal” He said slowly, looking into my eyes, filling them with despair.
I nodded.
“But I can’t just stand there and watch her die.” I replied in tears.
The figure transformed into Adam.
“Adam” I snuggled up against his chest.
“Don’t do this……. Please.” Adam whispered, hand stroking my hair, he kissed it tenderly.
“I have to….. I’m Sorry” I whispered, sighing.
Suddenly we were outside the chapel.
“How did you do that?” I asked, surprised.
“Magic,” He grinned.
We got outside.
“I want you to know, whatever happens we are going to stay together” I kissed him passionately.
I couldn’t help but feel nervous when I walked in, I was smiling on the outside.
Everybody stopped in their tracks to stare at me.
I sat down, watching Daniel wait for Raven to come down the aisle, where the priest was waiting.
I watched eyes on Raven as she walked down the aisle, in cascades of black and what almost looked like silk.
“Do you take this man to be your Husband?” The priest said.
“I Do.” Raven said confidently, slipping the ring onto his finger.
“Daniel do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest said.
“I Do” He said, in his low tone of voice.
Everyone clapped and whooped and cheered, I searched Daniels eyes for any sign of emotion. I got a wink.
**A Few Hours later**
I searched the room for any sign of Raven, I couldn’t find her. Just then the slow music started, I realized everyone was dancing.
With partners.
Daniel came over, holding out a hand.
“May I?” He smiled.
“Sure,” I looked deep into his eyes, as he put his hand round my waist.
I Held my head back, exposing my neck. Only to be kissed about 4 more times on the neck.
Just then Raven walked out of the bathroom, mouth open wide, gawping at us.
“It’s….. It’s not what you think.” I said shakily.
Adam just walked through the door then, looking pretty angry.
“I think it is.” Raven said, storming out the room.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
I got into my car and drove home, without a glance from Adam or from Daniel.
**At Home***
I stormed into my room, how could I have been so stupid?
I whipped around quickly, only to find Adam Standing there.
“Why?” He said, looking down.
“I…. I was forced, he compelled me, I had no choice.” I sobbed.
I looked down at my stomach, poor baby, trapped no way to escape. Suddenly I felt it kick.
“Adam, It’s kicking.” I busted out with excitement.
He touched my belly, I surrendered to his warm, loving touch, his eyes met mine, he had such an inviting gaze.
Suddenly the phone rang, we sprang apart.
I picked up the phone.
“Hello?” I called.
“If you want Raven alive, you will come to the church.” A cold voice drawled.
“Okay.” I answered back with panic.
“Oh and Ashley, I will possess you, even if it kills me.” The cold voice drawled again.
I hung up shaking.
***A Few hours later in the church.***
I heard a scream; I prepared myself for what may lie inside. I slowly took steps in, the door slammed shut behind me.
It was pitch black, the windows have been smashed, there was candles in a circle and in that circle was…..
“Ashley!” Raven screamed.
I ran to her side, I looked her up and down, there was a needle stuck In her arm, her eyes were bulging and black, her arms and legs bruised.
I hugged her.
“What has he done to you?” I leaned over, where she was tied up and hugged her.
“I…. I’m Fine.” She said her voice quavering, she paused.
“He’s coming.” She hissed, lowering herself back into the shadows.
“Ashley, I see you have come to join us.” The cold voice hissed in the darkness.
He came closer, moving behind me. His teeth grazed the back of my neck; I fell to the floor in a heap. My eyelids could barely open.
He advanced to Raven, taking the needle out and collecting the blood that dripped from her arm, he bit his hand, lifting the bleeding hand towards Ravens mouth.
“No, take me, take me instead!” I shouted.
“As you wish.” He said bitterly, giving me a cold glare.
He grabbed a knife from the table, silting my arm open. He pushed his hand that was bleeding towards my mouth and forced me to drink, the blood felt like venom as it rain through my veins.
I screamed.
He pulled me towards him, took my arm to his mouth and drank deeply.
He pulled my face close to his and gave me a deep passionate kiss.
“You are mine now Ashley by blood.” He said coldly, triumph in his voice.
I stared at him for a few seconds before shutting my eyelids and falling to a heap on the floor.
