Night fell sooner than I thought it would, the moonlight eerily lit the room, the breeze pushing hard against the window, the sound of the crickets chirping echoed across the air. Alyssa's seductive voice playing in my mind, the sensation of her touch still tingling on my skin, blush slowly crept to my cheeks as I closed my eyes embracing the nostalgic feeling. A voice had me knocked me out of my mini-fantasy. "Join me...its the only way out...the only way..." I turned around, the darkness surrounding me, the air no longer carrying the sound of the chirping. A cackle echoed ominously, "Who's there?" I called out only to have my own voice echo back. In a split second everything returned to normal. I swallowed hard as a bead of sweat fell down my neck. I crawled back to bed, curling up under the covers. The voice and Alyssa's memories each fighting for their own dominance. I covered my ears with my pillow dramatically like a distressed heroine from a 1990 movie. I could feel the sweat mix with my newly washed hair but I was too scared to move. I closed my eyes tightly and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

  The sun lit the room slowly disturbing my sleep, my eyes fluttered opened slowly unwelcoming to the rays visiting my room. A new day, a new challenge...

  I had to visit the enchanted library with Feriona, it was the only way to find out about Selvise Injed and the Solitaires. What is a WitchTaire or was it TaireWitch? , well whatever that was I needed to know before it was too late. I took a step toward the door when the air became unusually cold, the leaves rustled ominously, the windows opened and shut although the breeze wasn't that strong. I looked around, my throat parched and goosebumps forming on my skin. I rubbed my arms hoping to get rid of them but that failed tragically. I swallowed hard as the door slammed shut, the bang echoing loudly over the sound of the leaves. My breathed came in rapid pants, my voice turning hoarse as I tried screaming. Once again the voice cut through the noises, it spoke, "Join us TaireWitch...its the only way...come..." it whispered, it sounded slightly strained. My legs was shivering, my wrists stung bitterly.

  Just as I was about to say something, the door flung open, pure silence fell. I looked around again, not a soul to be seen, just the emptiness of my dorm and a few books staring blankly at me. I grabbed my bag and raced out of the room, my legs still shaking. I kept looking back to ensure I wasn't being followed, although there wasn't anyone there I felt an enigmatic presence. The path wasn't long yet it seemed like an eternity to get there. My feet felt heavy as if someone was dragging them back. My hair tickled my skin gently as a breeze brushed past me. Strangely nothing else in its wake seemed affected. Brushing it off, I continued walking. By the time I was half-way I was panting heavily, anxiously I looked up at the sky, the clouds carrying a hint of grey. My head spun, my eyes drooping, my vision blurry and my limbs giving up. "Come TaireWitch...come...I'm waiting..." the voice called again causing me to trip over a rock. I heard another voice faint in the distance, "Feri..." I mumbled, my voice small and weak.

  I felt an arm around my shoulder, slowly all my senses faded. When I awoke I found myself surrounded by darkness, the room enigmatically lit by an unknown source. "Hello," I called out, my voice hoarse, "is anyone there?" The response was silence, a figure approached in the distance, small and cuddly , the darkness seemed to disappear as it took calculated steps toward me. Just two emotions spread through me, fear and curiosity, "Who are you?" I asked evidently intrigued. It stood before me yet I couldn't see its face, it was a...a form without structure, like that made a lot of sense. It poked my sides ticklishly causing a laugh to escape my lips. It stared at me before tracing wierd patterns on my face, it let out a strange noise before poking my sides again. Each time I laughed it stopped and made a noise, I'm assuming it sounded happy. "You like my laugh?" I asked, my voice slowly returning to normal. It nodded and nuzzled into my neck, I felt a strange warmth as it did so. "So what's your name boy?" It tilted its head to the side and opened its mouth amused by my statement, again it made a soft noise. "How about Disco?" It made a angry growl.

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  "Eric?"

  Growl.

  "Rocky?"

  Growl.

  "Victor?"

  Growl.

  "Shadow?"

  Purr. It squealed happily.

  "Then Shadow it is!"

  It rubbed its head against my cheek. "Were you a puppy?" It shrieked in horror. "Okay, then what are you?" It looked at me, its smile fading. "Aww," I said rubbing its fur, "it's okay. I still love you." It made its happy sound and nuzzled into my neck again. Something about this creature reminded me of my family, its warmth, its joy... somehow keeping this creature happy and safe became my priority, it just felt right. I carefully lifted it up to meet my eyes, when the sudden noise of footsteps echoed through the air. Quickly I put Shadow down, he hid behind my back, occasionally peeking. A tall man stood before me, his face stern, his strawberry blonde hair ruffled slightly, "Come here Flame," his voice firm yet gentle, Shadow scooted to his side, "I told you not to trouble guests!" with that he rubbed Shadow's head. "Flame?" I asked rather curious. "Yes, my pet here," he said pointing at Shadow, "She's a bit naughty!"

  "She? But I thought..."

  "It's a boy?" he asked before I could complete my sentence. I nodded, my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. He laughed, his smile was charming. "You're not the first, she's a bit of a...tomboy." I giggled by the way he called her a tomboy, it sounded like he said a foreign word. "I named him...sorry her Shadow..." I confessed shyly. "Hmm...a good name...not bad." I smiled. "Gender neutral..." he said. "Like Flame" I added. We smiled awkwardly. Shadow stepped in between us making its weird growls, "What creature is that?" I asked lifting Shadow into my arms. "An enchanted wolf." I stared down at Shadow who made herself quite comfortable in my arms, "She doesn't seem like a wolf..." He just stared at me, trying to take Shadow away. She looked sadly at me, extending its paw toward me. He turned to leave, a strange, unreadable expression played on his face. "What's your name Flame's owner?" I called out desperately. "Rolan" he replied as he continued to leave. I wanted to stop him but I was scared. What would he think? That I just met him now I'm clinging to him. No, I'm not like that.

  In a few seconds he returned without Flame. I looked around, nope he didn't bring her along. "The exit is that way Ms..." he said pointing to strange wall that had light emitting from a circumference. I gasped as a circle appeared in the wall. "Umm...I'm Nara." I said and walked toward the door. I placed my palm against the circle. Creak....crack...grr...squeak. It opened with an ominous screech. I turned around to avoid being slapped by the bright light, Rolan was staring at me. "What?" He shook his head, sighing heavily.

  I thanked him, questions filled my mind but I dared not ask. I smiled at him one last time and left. It was already afternoon, the library was probably closed so I rushed back home before the curfew. Strangely the place didn't seem familiar, this was not my village, this was somewhere foreign, somewhere dangerous. I wandered around for a while trying to figure out where I was, the atmosphere seemed suffocating and tense. I felt a strange breeze tickle my skin, the sky was all shades of colors, SUNSET! The curfew would start in a few hours, I had to be home but I couldn't see anyone in the distance to ask for help. I placed my hand on my back like an old woman and sat on the ground taking deep breaths trying to figure out a plan. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder which had me jumping up. I crossed my fingers around turned around to see a familiar someone, Rolan and Flame. He looked a bit pink but hey I could be mistaken. "Umm...well...ahh...Flame wanted to see you." I looked at Flame who had her tongue stuck out and panting excitedly. I patted her head gently and picked her up, rubbing my cheek against her soft coat. "I missed you too baby," I said and planted a kiss on her nose. She squealed happily. Rolan made a face though, he looked disgusted. She licked my cheek. It tickled allowing me to burst into laughter which overjoyed her. Rolan looked me mesmerized...