✧I✧

➳Stranger Danger➳

I read the spines of books, seeing title after title. I am finding nothing that appeals to me. Of course, physical books are an outdated medium these days. Not one of my friends understands why I spend so much time in this library.  To me, they are a treasure of a time long past. Books are a historic creation from a mankind before this one. I've read from Romeo and Juliet to Les Miserables. Of course, I can't take them from this building because it's kind of a museum. The Last Library it's called. I am not sure what this city used to be but now it's Aradia. It's the year 4003 in the Orion Era.

I hear a chime from my wrist and I look down at the black wrist watch-like device. It's called a Holopad. Everyone has one. They holographically present text messages, face to face time, and the daily news, which is  mandatory to watch.  I see words hover over my watch as I press a finger over it. Sora is asking if I want to lunch with her today. I haven't seen her much since she graduated last week.  She knows I'm pretty nervous about my own graduation. 

A week from now I become 16. Along with 25 other people in my class, I graduate. At 16  your magical talent awakens. I am really nervous. See the magic that you obtain will guide the rest of your life. Yes, there are people who turn 16 but have no magic. They find jobs the same as some magic folk or do odd jobs here or there. Usually, people without magic have more of a choice on what they would like to do as a career choice. See my Father is a baker and a fire mage.  His abilities aren't very strong but they work the ovens well enough. My mother is the accountant for the bakery and she has no magic. They both have a simple life. That life is not what I want. My dad is putting pressure on me to follow in his footsteps.

Suddenly, I hit a brick wall. I don't remember there being a brick walls here in the middle of this particular section of books. I turn my head and realise it's a man. Not just any man I realise as my mouth drops open. I recognise that face.

"FYE!!! HOLLY S**T!" I scream at the top of my lungs in excitement. Fye drops the book he was going to pull from the shelf and instead covers my mouth with a gloved hand to quiet me down.

"Will you keep it down, please." He gruffs in annoyance. After a nod from me, he lets me go.

"What are you doing here?" I ask in a hushed tone. "You're one newest COMB recruits. Every outlet is talking about you." For those who don't know, COMB stands for Care of Magical Beings. The organization is made up of very powerful mages. That are known to help those struggling with magic or fighting evil mages.

"Need to know, top secret." Fye glowers at me, then turns back to the shelf ignoring me. A sudden thought pops into my head.

"I have to call Sora right away! She'll lose here freaking mind. She's in love with you." I lift a finger to tap my halopad. His hand grips my wrist preventing me from doing so.

"I have to bump heads with the world's biggest loud mouth." The words sting as they aren't a complement. "I dare you to tell anyone you saw me. I'd love to arrest you." 

Arrest me. I don't think so. I yank my wrist free and get in his face. "You wouldn't do that," I say. "I haven't done anything."

He rolls his eyes. "Whatever." Turning from me he yanks a book off a shelf then throws the book in a messenger bag then walks away from me. I stare in shock. What a rude man he is. He must fake being nice for the cameras. I stomp off following behind him as he turns to leave the building. How dare he steal a book from here. I follow him for two blocks. Not once does he turn around, then he takes a turn into an alley. I follow him, when I see no one I am super confused. Then I hear a thump behind me. I turn and see Fye who has jumped off a fire escape.

"Your curiosity is going to get you killed one day." Fye warns, grabbing my arm. "Guess I have to drag you home."

I yank my arm free of his and take a step back into the alley. 

"You have to return that book you stole." I say crossing my arms. "Besides, curiosity hasn't killed me yet."

"Then I guess your number is up." A male voice speaks darkly behind me. Out of the shadows, a of a man  walks out of them. As he he becomes more visible he sticks his tongue at me. I notice one thing a marking on his tongue. I freeze in shock. This man is Gluttony. He's been on a murder spree in a city west of here. He's in a gang called "The Sinners". I call them Sins for short. The Sins are a rebel group. They don't believe in fair rights for those without magic. I can't say y research has gotten me closer to the truth quite yet but definitely do not want the answers this badly. 

He c***s a gun pointing it straight at my forehead. This is not the way I expected to die. Nope. Meeting one of my heroes and finding him to be a d********g and then walking right into the worlds most wanted. None of these things were on my schedule for today. 

"I think I left something in the Library... I better go and get it.." I gasp attempting to take a step back toward Fye but the look in Gluttony's eyes dare me to move. "On second thought.. I'll just stay here.. yup..." 

"It's been a while since I've seen your mug, Fye." Gluttony chuckles with a smirk. Fye rips off one of his gloves. I swirl around in time to see blue scales that have taken over Fye's fingers. Before Fye can even grab me, Gluttony makes his move first. Gluttony wraps  one arm around my waist and points the gun at my temple. S**t. I shouldn't have turned my back on him. Damsel in distress 101. 

"Gluttony. Don't you dare." Fye hisses in anger. He takes a step toward us. Gluttony's sense of amusement only seems to increase.  Tears are threating to drop from my eyes but I hold them there. I won't act like a helpless victim. I've read too many books where girls are helpless. I know I have to be strong.

Gluttony face leans forward. I can feel is warm breath on my cheek. Then something horrible happens as I feel a moist body part touch my cheek. He licked me. I start to shutter involuntarily. 

"Why would I do that?" He giggles. "She tastes delicious." Did I mention Gluttony's power was the ability to eat almost anything whole, which includes human. 

Blind rage echoes in Fye's pupils. It's a burning anger that causes smoke to swirl around Fye. An inhuman growl bellows from his throat. "Release 60%" His short red hair become long enough to reach his waste and turns straight and white. His eyes become black with green cat-like pupils. Grotesque wings sprout out of his back. His own skin becomes covered with the same blue scales that were only visible on his hand.

"Let her go!" The horrible creature in front of me demands.  I have never seen or felt this kind of terrible power surge. Fye or whatever creature that has taken over him makes my skin crawl. 

"What a scary beasty." Gluttony taunts as he raises the gun from my temple to directly in front of us pointing in Fye's direction. I feel a strange wind and rush of darkness from the gun as it morphs into a blood red scythe with a long blade and taller than Gluttony and Fye. 

The next thing I know, Gluttony casts me aside. My whole body slams directly into a wall. I feel bruises and scrapes all along my back, my legs, and my arms. I am tossed away like garbage but what I hear next chills my bones. 

"Oh, I'm saving her for later. An after snack in victory of your death." He briefly glances in my direction with a glint of joy in his eyes. I try to regain my footing with a sense of dread taking over my body making it hard for me to breathe. 

Please no.

no.

not me.

not today.