ADA“Ada, get back,” Dad yelled as he pulled me behind him.The eerie silence that lingered in the compound was broken by the sudden intrusion of the Xiray. Its skin, an inky shade of black, was the very embodiment of darkness. Its eyes were like deep, empty pits, within which swirled an otherworldly energy that sent shivers down my spine.As I watched, my hands trembling, from a safe distance, Tyler and Johnny slowly came up to the Xiray. Their movements were slow but steady. Both of them had this grim determination as they approached the Xiray, their claws already out of their fingers. I stared at them in awe because in this moment, there didn't seem to be a foe they couldn't take down.However, the Xiray seemed fearless. If anything, it was excited for the fight to start. The Xiray was a formidable foe, with sharp claws that glinted menacingly in the dim light. I held my breath as I stared at it. But Tyler and John, from the way they acted, didn't seem like they were strangers to f
ETHANI was in the bookstore, enjoying some hot coffee. Yeah, just another day in the bookstore.As I sat there, coffee in my left hand, my mind wandered towards memories of Brent, and my heart instantly quickened its pace. You know what's funny? I always like to say I don't like him, but I find myself helplessly drawn to him.A few days ago, I saw that demonic face I previously saw at the Conans. Even to this day, I can't explain what I saw. Long story short, I called Brent, and like the noble soldier he was, he came, kissed me, and had me in his arms. Call me a kid or whatever, but I felt safe. Even though he didn't understand why I was so terrified, he told me that everything would be fine, and willingly, I believed.Brent, in my somewhat biased opinion, was the epitome of strength, exuding confidence in every move he made. His face, chiseled to perfection, held the promise of the world in his eyes, as if he could conquer anything that crossed his path. Yes, he was a carpenter, but
TYLER I walked along a pathway that led to the top of a nearby hill. As I looked around, it was as though I was suddenly transported to a realm of utter serenity and tranquility. I have always been one to sit back and enjoy watching the beauty of the world. The towering trees extended heavenward, like imposing giants commanding the attention of all who behold them. Their branches stretched out like arms beckoning me forward. The grandeur of the natural world left me awestruck, and a profound feeling of respect and admiration washed over me. The warm rays of the sun tenderly grazed my cheeks, while the gentle breeze brushed against my skin. I felt as if the world itself was embracing me and, of course, it received the same energy from me. Taking it all in, I gaped at everything I saw, taking in the beauty and splendor of my environment. My heart beat with gratitude for the beauty that surrounded me. The trees stood tall like magnificent monuments of life. Their trunks exhibited an un
ADA **Three Weeks Later**I found myself drifting in a dream, surrounded by a somewhat unreal landscape of white and shadow. It was an unusual feeling, like floating in an empty void, waiting for something to happen. And then, suddenly, a woman appeared before me.She was stunningly beautiful, with a face that glowed with an inexplicable intensity. Even though I knew it was a dream, I couldn't help but feel awestruck by her presence. It was as if she was imbued with a power beyond anything I had ever seen.“Ada,” she started, “I’m guessing you know who I am.”What the hell! It was at that moment I knew who was speaking.As I looked at her, I couldn't help but notice a striking resemblance to my mother -- the same gentle smile, the same kind eyes. It appeared somewhat comforting, but now that I knew who she was, I was beyond terrified. I didn't feel afraid, however. I guess I knew if she wanted to hurt me, she could.The woman's eyes locked with mine, and suddenly, everything changed.
TYLER “One more bastard and it's over,” Johnny said, exhaling. “Just one more. I hope it will just come out right now.”“Man, I feel you. The last one should have gotten here by now.”It had been days since we killed the nineteenth Xiray. We were all impatiently waiting for it to appear so that we can put all this behind us. As I sat on the porch of the cabin, with my best friend Johnny beside me, we chatted about everything, including the day that had been bestowed upon us. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and the sky was painted with breathtaking shades of blue.My attention was drawn to the magical ring on my finger. It wasn't the most beautiful piece of jewelry you would find, but it’s function was quite impressive. It contained a power that wasn’t like anything in our realm, and it would glow when one was close to a Xiray. It was the only thing that could lead us to the last Xiray if we ever had to go look for it. I gazed at the ring and marveled at how ordinary i
ADAAs we lay on a sheet on the grass, Alex asked, "Can you tell me why we had to meet here?"I gently snuggled closer and replied, "I mentioned it's a family affair. You shouldn't even be here, as I told you on the phone. I asked you to come because I was so lonely and I missed you."It was breathtaking to be surrounded by such beauty, as if the entire world had stopped only for us to bask in its glory. Alex's hand intertwined with mine, his warmth seeping into my skin. As I stared into his eyes, I couldn't help smiling. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the peaceful moment; something that seemed rare and precious in the midst of our busy lives."Imagine if we got to live like this every day," Alex said, smiling at me. "Just imagine how happy we would be. Every day, you and I would run around in the woods, playing like little kids. Uh...well, until we have to make love."I chuckled, hitting him softly on his left shoulder. "That sounds great, I have to say. So, you wo
ETHANI left the house around the time I usually head to the bookstore, but today, instead of going there, I went to Brent's house.Brent had a workshop a few yards before the actual building in the compound. I first noticed the changes Brent had made from the outside; it now had big modern lighting that gave it a bold look.I stood near the entryway of the workshop, my eyes tracing Brent's every move as he worked. He turned and looked at me, and a smile dawned on his face.“Hey there,” he said, walking towards me. “I forgot you said you would be coming early.”He put his hands behind my waist, pulling me closer as we kissed.“You know what?” he let out, “I just have to finish up something here. I will join you inside in no time.”“Don’t worry, I will wait here.”I feasted my eyes on the view of the interior of the workshop, which was, mind you, not what I was expecting. The room itself was really attractive— from the beautifully polished wooden floors to the carefully arranged tools
TYLERAnother day has arrived. We are all waiting for the last Xiray to show up. Whenever we hear any sound from the gate, we get excited, hoping that the final Xiray has arrived and that it would put our minds at peace.But alas, there's still no presence of any Xiray around despite scouting the premises three times a day. It makes no sense since Xirays are only created to kill werewolves; they serve no other purpose. Having two Green Eyes in one place should have been enough to lure any Xiray to the cabin."I always enjoy playing chess with you," Grandpa said gleefully as a smile cracked along his lip. "I win every time, but it's always fun, I must say."I sat across from my grandfather, our eyes focused on the game of chess we were playing. This is a tradition that we have shared ever since I was old enough to grip a pawn. As always, I am sure that my grandfather will emerge victorious in our game, but that has never been a reason enough to stop me from playing. The chess piece's s