Stories...........

I was standing at the ocean shore, the misty water creeping around my ankles as I looked at the horizon, the setting sun lighting up the sky with colors of orange and pink. Ever since I was the age of 7, I knew something was going to change. And now on my 17th birthday, that feeling is only getting stronger. I can't explain exactly what's going to happen, but I know it's not good. The icy wind blew around me, making my hair stand on edge. Nothing seemed right anymore.

I remember hearing my name from a distance, my frantic mother looking along the beach for me. I was 7 years old again, playing in the sand, minding my own business. The skies were turning grey, my mother's voice growing even more frantic as she called, looking for me. I never understood why she was so worried, everything seemed fine to me. My mother finally came up behind me, quickly picking me up and holding me tight in her arms, before running off to our beach house. And then I suddenly knew what was wrong, when everything turned into chaos. I heard noises that sounded like gun shots, people giving orders as strangers were yelling my name. A clocked figure came up behind my mom and I, pulling me from my mothers arms. And that's when I witnessed my mothers death. The figure sank it's teeth into her neck, nearly riping her head off as I sat there crying, screaming and begging for him to stop. He simply tossed my mothers limp body aside before grinning at me. My eyes widened with fear as I knew what I had to do. I stood up and let the adrenaline take over, making my feet take me faster than they ever have before. I took off running, running away from all of it, not sure where I was going, but knew it would be better than here. Or so I thought.

I blinked my eyes open, returning to the present with silent tears streaking down my face. It was here, at this very spot, on this exact day, that I witnessed the Soul Takers murder my mother. The cruel and unwanted creatures that murder for a living, taking other peoples souls for themselves. Little did I know when I first saw them, was that they were after me. My soul was a prize to them, a soul unlike anyone else's. A soul that was made to die and be reborn again, for the sake of the world. I don't know all the details, nor do I really want to, but I know I'm not safe. I spun around, checking my surroundings as I made sure I had my knife in my back pocket; just in case I had any unwanted visitors. Walking down the shoreline, I thought of my next move, stay hiding here, or visit my grandmother. She was sure to know what was happening, I remember her talking to my mother when I was little, warning her about my future, warning her she had..seen, things that were to happen. I nodded to myself, knowing that was where I would go. The sun fully set over the horizon, the sky slowly turning black as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was on the run. Again.

The moon was high in the velvet sky as I reached my grandmothers house. I walked in to the fresh smell of cookies and coffee. Smiling to myself, I walked up to the front door which was already opened. Grandmother always seemed to know when I was coming.
"Hello my little Emiko." My Grandmother's voice rang from inside her little house as she came up to me, greeting me with a warm hug. I smiled at the name my Grandmother called me, the name meaning "Beautiful blessed child" in Japanese.
"Hello Grandmother.." I said softly, hugging her lightly and not wanting to let go. Even before my mother had died, I always felt like I was home here. I forced myself to pull away, knowing I came here for a reason.
"Grandmother...I need to ask you something." I said slowly, choosing my words carefully. Grandmother nodded softly, pulling up a chair and sitting down, motioning me to sit in the chair next to her.
"You came to ask about your pasts." She said simply, already knowing why I came, before even I knew exactly why.
"You say pasts...as in plural.."
"Of course I do, young Emiko." My Grandmother smiled sadly before continuing. "I told your mother she should have told you. Before it was too late..and now you're 17..I take it you have already begun having flashbacks?" I raised my eyebrows at her.
"Flashbacks..? Grandmother what exactly are you talking about? I've never-" And that's when I put two and two together. Bing bing bing it finally made sense. I shook my head slowly, comprehending what she was saying. "Flashbacks...my nightmares? Remembering my mother's death? Those are flashbacks? Flashbacks of what exactly? My other lives?"
Again my Grandmother smiled sadly, taking my hand in hers.
"Exactly, Emiko...Honey, you have to understand, I wanted to tell you, I've told your mother again and again we should have told you, but she wouldn't listen.." I sighed. Grandmother was rambling to herself. I hated to be rude and rush her but....
"Grandmother will you please tell me what's going on?" I said, getting irritated.
"Right right...okay. Where do I begin. Well, about 800 years ago, you were first born. But...things were very, dark back then. Creatures beyond explanation were among us. One species impiticular, called Soul Takers. There were old legends, that at one point in life, a very special child will be born, a child that would die, and be reborn again at a certain point, a child with great power. The Soul Takers, didn't want that child around, for the stories say that child would be the only one to defeat Soul Takers." I sat there speechless as Grandmother thought through the rest of her story, lost in the past. She sighed and closed her eyes, continuing again.
"Addison, you must understand. These times were very difficult. And when you were born...it was a blessing to everyone. The Soul Takers...they ruled our village. They ruled everything." This was when I had to cut in.
"Grandma what exactly are Soul Takers?" I looked over at my Grandmother, squeezing her hand softly and smiling when she squeezed back.
"They're horrible creatures. Half dead, half alive. They feed off of other people, just to keep themselves alive. They've been hunting you ever since you were first born. And now...now you must stop them, my little Emiko...my lovely blessed one...I've Guarded you this long, now it is your time to live up to your name."
"Wait wait wait, Guarded me? This long? 800 years? Grandma exactly how old are you?" I shook my head. I mean, I knew she was old but...not this old. Grandmother laughed at my expression, forcing me to smile at the kindly sound.
"Well, little one, you have heard of Guardian Angels, correct?"
I nodded, listening with sudden excitement.
"Well...I am, your Guardian. Not exactly an angel, but close. Every time you have died to be reborn, I die along with you, but I remember everything about your past lives when you don't. You simply know me as your grandmother. I sleep for a few months while you are reborn again. I'm stuck the same age, your birth mother for that life knows me as her foster mother." Grandmother smiled and pulled me into a hug, whispering softly in my ear.
"And now, Emiko, it is your time to fix this." Before I could answer, a loud sound came from outside, making both my Grandmother and I jump up, facing the door with fear. And I knew, it was my time sooner than I thought.

Everything happened so fast, it was all a blur. Grandmother was talking quickly and frantically as she pulled me to the back door.
"It's all a game to them Addison, they enjoy chasing you, enjoy the hunt. But you can't let them find you, not yet. I have some friends, acquaintances really. I want you to stay with them. They will train you, help you control your gifts. They won't mind, they owe me a favor anyways." Grandmother spoke quickly, shoving a piece of paper in my pocket with an address, name, and phone number on it.
"But Grandma, what about you?" I felt tears stinging in my eyes, I wasn't ready to leave yet. Grandmother smiled kindly and hugged me, letting go all too quickly.
"Be safe, young Emiko. I will see you again when it is time." And before I could argue anymore, she pushed me out the door, telling me to run, pointing in the direction of my safe place. The last memory I had of my Grandmother, was her standing in the door way, watching me and crying, the tears streaking down her wrinkled face, before I took off running.
I was tired, sore, hungry, and just wanted to be there already. I leaned against a nearby tree, resting my eyes for a moment, wishing I could just...appear there. And then it all came to me, it happened so quickly I couldn't make sense of it. A huge wind swirled around me, and I suddenly felt as if my body was being forcefully pulled away. I closed my eyes tightly, and when I opened them again, I was laying on the floor of a small cottage.
"She's here! She's here!" Screamed a little girl, standing by me and looking down with wide, green eyes. I sat up, looking around and rubbing my head.
"Um, where..where am I, if you don't mind my asking?" Before I could even finish the question, I heard a deeper voice behind me. Speaking clearly and I stood up.
"You're in the city of Acquirenti." He said. I blinked a few times, confused.
"Acquirenti..." I shook my head. Then my eyes widened, somehow the answer already coming to me, making fear course through my veins. "You're Soul Takers." I said, reaching for the dagger in my pocket and pulling it out. To my annoyance, the others laughed.
"Young one...do you think your Guardian would send you to a place you would get hurt?" He said, reading the expression on my face as I thought no, she wouldn't... "Exactly, now, it's true, we are Soul Takers. But we do not believe in the old ways. Consider us...out laws. Only the good kind." The tall man said with a smile. I nodded lightly, my messy brown hair covering my face.
"Now I am guessing we should introduce ourselves. I am Marcus. My son, Adrian," He motioned to a young man, leaning against the wall in the corner, black hair covering dark brown, almost black, eyes, standing out in his pale face. "My daughter, Emmaline," he motioned to the little girl that first saw me, a short, lean girl with pale blonde hair and green eyes. I smiled at her, she reminded me of my little sister. "And then my wife, Maddalin." She gestured to a tall, lean woman with long dark hair, surrounding almond eyes. A sharp pain hit my chest, as she reminded me of my mother. I looked away from her, hiding my emotions from the strangers. Marcus seemed to notice, but he didn't say anything about it. He just simply nodded towards Adrian, who smirked at me.
"My son will show you to your room." With that, he turned around, exiting the small cottage and walked outside with his wife, their daughter following behind them. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, letting it fall down my shoulders. Adrian walked up the stairs, looking down at me.
"Well? You coming or what?" He said sharply, giving me an annoyed look.
"Yea, coming." I said equally as sharp, rolling my eyes and walking up next to him. We walked in silence down a long, dark hallway. I almost forgot to breath as I looked around, this what not any normal cottage. The shining light from the moon lit up the orange-brown walls as the light shown through the windows, giving me a full look of my surroundings. Adrian made us stop at a dark wooded door, pushing it open and motioning me to walk in. I had to force myself not to gasp as I looked around my new huge, breathtaking room. The canopy bed sat in the middle of a dark red and gold red, then white drapes hanging lightly on the window. I smiled as I saw the walk in closet, somehow already full of a bunch of clothes my size. I sensed Adrian roll his eyes behind me.
"Girls..." He mumbled, obviously not wanting me to hear. I grinned.
"We're better than boys." I said, loud enough so I was sure he would hear. To my amazement, he actually laughed. I smiled and turned around to face him.
"Oh wow, he actually laughs." I crossed my arms grinning. He obviously started to say something, but forced himself to stop and say something different.
"Breakfast is at 6am. Training right after. Be up and ready by 5:30." After that, he left, not even giving me a chance to answer. Shrugging, I kicked off my shoes and crawled into bed, falling right asleep.

It was raining out, the rain puddling on a huge, grassy field. What I thought was mud on the grass, was really blood. Blood that was shed by fighting warriors, Guardians that were defending us. I stood there helpless, griping my dagger so tight it was cutting into my skin. Tears streaked down my face as I stood there, unable to do anything else but watch. People were dying, because of me. The cloaked figures from my memories surrounding the field, picking up helpless people and biting into their necks. And then I felt cold hands around me, making me scream out and the strangers touch, trying to pull away. I felt sharp teeth against my neck, scraping the skin.
"No!" I screamed, turning around and sending the dagger into the cloaked figures stomach, making him fall back onto the grass. When I was sure I had killed him, I bent down, removing the cloak from his face. I gasped, holding my hands to my mouth so I wouldn't scream. Adrian's face was looking up at me, a sly grin across his face. I don't know why I did...put instead of feeling happy, happy that I got away from him and I was still alive, I sat there next to Adrian's body, and cried. I shot up in my bed, warm tears streaking down my face, as I shook myself from the confusing nightmare.

The morning sun came up all too quickly, waking me from the sleep I despretlly needed. I sat up and slid out of bed, walking to my new closet. Rubbing my eyes, i pulled on denim shorts and a black t-shirt before brushing out my hair and walking down stairs. I looked over at the clock hanging on the wall, reading 5:29. I grinned to myself, seeing Adrian's gaze lock on me. I walked over to the long table, sitting right across from Adrian, smiling politely at him.
"Good morning." I said in a cheery voice, purposely to annoy him. To my amusement, it worked. He narrowed his eyes at me, shaking his head.
"Won't be so great once I start training you." He said, smirking at the look on my face.
"Wait...your training me? You can't be serious."
"And what's wrong with that? Afraid I'll hurt you?" He was testing me, and he knew he starting to annoy me.
"No...of course not, I'm just scared I'll hurt your big ego when I kick your ass." I grinned at his silence, almost laughing as his cheeks reddened with anger. The little girl Emmaline came up to the table, sitting down next to me, greeting me with an unexpected hug.
"Oh, well, um, good morning." I said, smiling and hugging her back. Marcus and Maddalin came to the table, setting out the breakfast. My stomach growled loudly as the scent of freshly made eggs, pancakes, waffles, and rolls filled the room. We all started digging in.
Breakfast was over all too soon as we started cleaning up, Adrian and I excusing ourselves to the backyard. Training time. Fun. The sun was still low in the sky, making the air chilly against my bare skin. Next time I'll remember to wear something more warm... Before I could even get a question out, a sharp hit came at the back of my head.
"Your training starts now." Said Adrian, laughing behind me. Something within me took over, as I quickly spun around, kicking him hard in the side, grinning when I felt him flinch.
"Now now Adrian, that wasn't really fair was it?" I laughed as we fought across the field, moving swiftly together as if dancing. He spun behind me, grabbing my arms and locking them at my back, grinning when he thought he had me pinned. He leaned forward slightly, just enough so I could feel his breath against my neck as he spoke.
"Fighting is never fair..." He spoke softly, seductively, almost making me lose focus. I blink a few times, leaning back against him.
"You're right, it's not." I hit my head back, smiling when I felt it come in contact with his nose and spun out of his grip, pulling a long and sturdy stick off the ground, hitting him in the stomach with it as if it was a dagger. His reaction was automatic, taking the end of the stick and pulling it towards him, making me fall against him. My hands landed at his chest, making us both hesitate, our eyes locked on each other. He was the one to pull away this time, and I swore I saw something flicker in his eyes before he did... Before I would think about what I thought I saw, a felt a sharp pain in my chest, making me gasp for air as the stick I had hit against where my heart is. I stumbled back, coughing. Once again, something kicked inside of me, as I fell back against the grass, closing my eyes and holding my breath. Adrian reacted at once, falling for the plot. He bent down next to me, trying to shake me awake. I grinned and grabbed his arm, flipping him down as I jumped up, pinning my foot against his neck.
"You tricked me!" He yelled in an outrage, only making me laugh.
"Fighting is never fair, remember?" I said, moving my foot away so he could stand up. I crossed my arms, somehow knowing he was done.
"I thought you never fought." He said in annoyance. I shrugged.
"I haven't."
"Then how the hell did you do all that? That's beyond beginners luck."
"I...I don't know. Something just, took over."
Adrian shook is head, running his fingers through his hair. This time I didn't recognize his voice. It was softer, calmer than how it ever was when we met the day before.
"You honestly don't know about any of this do you?" I shook my head, frowning slightly. Adrian sighed and took my hand, leading me to a near by bench, having me sit down next to him as he started the story.
"A long time ago, about 800 years, there were stories of a girl that would be born, born to defeat the Soul Takers. A girl with great powers, the only one of her kind. The Soul Takers didn't like that. When the little girl was first born, she right away knew her purpose, was able to control her gifts, trained to defeat the Soul Takers. The Soul Takers hunted her, watched her until she reached her 17th birthday, and then they killed her. But you see...there was this problem. Life didn't want her dead, the little girl would always be reborn, the same person, same powers and unique future, only she never remembered any of it. Stories say that during a certain life, she would begin remembering, learning her ways again, and it would be the fall of the Soul Takers." Adrian seemed as if he was about to continue with something else, but forced himself to stop. I shook my head, something inside me forcing me to take his hand.
"Adrian...you're leaving something out, what is it?" Adrian hesitated for a moment, wrapping his fingers around mine and closed his eyes, obviously not wanting to tell me, but looking as if he had no choice.
"During your first life...you met someone. Someone you would have least expected. But he protected you, gave you everything. Life, protection, comfort, love...But the love he gave you, the love you wanted to return, was forbidden. He was a Soul Taker, but blessed by your touch...he was like your Guardian, your Grandmother, when you first died, he locked himself away, slept away until you were reborn again, in hopes you would remember him..." He looked up at me, making my heart squeeze in my chest as I comprehended what he was saying. I shook my head stubbornly.
"No, no no no. First you tell me I'm born to defeat, these Soul Taker things, and then you tell me your some forbidden love I forgot all about? I'm sorry I just...it's just too much!" I ripped my hand away from his, ignoring the sudden sadness and aloneness I felt, and ran inside, up the stairs, running into my room and throwing myself onto the huge bed, closing my eyes against the unwanted tears, crying for the 2nd time over a guy I just met.