Ebb of Ashburnfalls

Ebb of darkness in Ashburn falls

The day the world faltered, a lonely soul fell from above. Where he came from nobody knows, only that with his presence the world changed. Like a comet of shadows he burned dark as a Blacklight as he hit the earth.

The world exploded with A gust of darkness so dark it fused with souls all across the world. Quenched by night there spirits went thru a change that would later be called a infliction. With each infliction everyone gained a infinity of a element, some became more intone with the world around them gaining other worldly, or supernatural abilities.

The plague spread across the world, some believe it to be Devine intervention. Others say that this person is a demon here to end the world. Ultimately there is a amber alert that never goes a way. It is entitled. The seraph, sighted near Ashburn falls. Everywhere he goes a dark haze follows in his wake. Beware he is the celestial god of death who corrupted the world with his presence.

Everyone has there reasons for wanting to find him, some want to praise him for the gifts he gave them and With them a new meaning to life. While others just want to uncover the mystery man.

Rewards were placed everywhere for proof of the being. Others placed wanted posters paying unheard of money, to anyone who could claim the head of the king of darkness.

Powerful beings were created, and its been a year since darkness fell. People have had plenty of time to practice there skills. And now people are desperate and anxious willing to do anything to get a glimpse of the seraph.

Except for Claire. She just wants to finish school so she can spend more time with her sick mom, who spent all of her life earnings to send her baby to school. Claire remembers her words the day she was diagnosed with cancer “ Don’t waste a way here with me, your future is brighter than this.” Selene smiled putting on a brave face as she sent her daughter off to college.

It’s been four years and Selene has gotten worse. They say she doesn’t have long to live. With all the chaos going on around her, Claire just wants to finish the last test of the semester to spend the rest of her time with her mother.

Bringing her out of her thoughts Claire’s bestie points her phone in Claire’s face. “ do you see this? They say he was seen here near the academy.” Briar says with euphoric expression on her beautiful face.

Briar is a ditzy blonde obsessed with beauty, she’s the kind of person Claire would never hang out with. But somehow Briar is different, she’s Claire’s only friend. When all the popular want to be girls try to hang out with Briar, She always puts Claire first. And somehow over the years her personality has grown on Claire. Briar can’t help it, but it’s almost adorable how awkwardly dependable that she is.

The ones she should hang out with they secretly make fun of together, and they are able to tell each other anything without fear of anyone else finding out . That is a true friend, and yet she has never seen her mother.

Briar fusses. “ your making that face again. What’s wrong?” Briar puts her phone down to peer into Claire’s crystal green eyes.

Claire raises her sharp brows trying not to get lost in Briars dreamy ice cold eyes.” Nothing, I just can’t figure out why you care about this mystery guy so much. What if he’s just some ugly creature that wants to eat your soul?” Claire jokes with a stern look.

Briar flinches. “ Take that back. He’s not just a monster, he’s my future Lover. And your not going to be invited to the wedding if you don’t take back what you said.” Briar warns with a playful gleam in her eyes.

Claire snorts. “ you married? You would have to settle down for something like that. No more late night raves in the hopes of spotting your star crossed lover”. Claire states while gathering her books into her back pack.

Briar rolls her eyes and tosses her thick blonde hair over her shoulder. “ not that you could understand. You don’t have a infliction like me. But it’s like a piece of him resides in me, and I have to find him. So that’s why I’m going to Ashburn falls. There is something in the sky and I intend to see if its my man for myself.” Briar states as she Climbs to her feet. Spinning around in a low cut dress that’s too high on her thigh, she smirks. Claire just shakes her head , better not bend over.

Briar leans over placing her hands on the desk in front of Claire. “ you know you can tell me anything right?” Briar states with a seriousness that nearly brings a tear to Claire’s eyes. Suppressing the thoughts of her mother Claire puts on a bright face in the shape of a smile. “ I know. I just want you to be careful. It can be dangerous in Ashburn falls. Ever since the explosions started it’s been closed off, nobody knows what’s causing it.” Claire admits hoping she fooled Briar.

Briar shakes for head with smile that lacks conviction. “Well don’t worry about me. I still got this.” Briar reaches out and captures a thick strand of Claire’s fiery hair. Pulling gently the strand slips thru her grip trailing a layer of frost thru Claire’s hair.

Letting the clump of frozen hair go, Briar backs a way with a warm smile. Claire can’t help but smile at her friend. Backtracking in a pair of high heels she looks so clumsy like a careless airhead. But beneath it all she is like a sister to Claire.

As a writer, Claire writes down everything. Briar has inspired so many of her stories , and yet she’s never read a single one. Little did she know she’s the main character in her story.

Writing is a passion Claire enjoys. It’s also something she can do from home. But she couldn’t just let all of her mothers efforts and hopes go to waste. So for her mom she stayed and stuck to her classes looking forward to the day she returns home.

Lurking in the back, Claire is always the last to leave the class room. Every detail, every imperfection Claire captures with the ink in her pen. Investigative reporting isn’t her goal, but everything can be put together in a story to be used later. So Claire pays attention and writes it all down in her scrap book.

Someone comes to school with mismatched socks and Claire writes it down. Someone absent she jots it down along with every little detail. Maybe it’s just the describing of people in there natural state that she enjoys. We’re all the same, and there’s nothing more pure than forgetting to wear deodorant on a Monday morning.

Being The last to leave Claire walks alone in the Hall. Everyone has already made it to there vehicles to start the long party haul. Maybe Claire she join them, then she would have something to write that wasn’t about someone else.

Lost in thought. Claire startles as she bumps into someone. Dropping her books Claire stares up at a solid man, tall and toned with shaggy black hair draped across his smooth pale face. His face is tight with deep set eyes large and a soulful grey that Claire has never seen.

Claire tries to speak but can’t, this man is different his ears are pointy sticking out of his hair. When Claire notices they wiggle on there own accord sensing Claire’s interest. Then she notices that his shirt is ragged and torn, it’s as if they were scorched in a explosion. Most of his shirt is gone revealing blistered skin beneath.

The man startles and grabs Claire by the arms, he presses her against a recessed door hiding them behind the protection of lockers.

Claire studies the man up close feeling his warm body flush against her chest. His eyes are intent on something at the end of the hall, unaware of Claire’s soft chest plastered against him. This is the closest she’s ever been to a guy. The way he holds her protectively overrides her brain making it impossible to express her feelings with words.

The man returns her stare no longer interested at whatever was in the hall, he now notices the bulge of her thick breasts against him. He just frowns as if he is trying to figure out if they are dangerous.

Claire startles and pushes him a way. “ Don’t look at me like that. “ Claire warns as she tries to shake a way the feeling of his raised pulse from her flesh.

The mans brows turn up and his plump lips become a flat line, as he resists the words behind them. Putting a hand to his head his expression becomes pained , as if he’s fighting a war in his head.

Taking a step back the man looks away. “ I only live to fight. If…” the mans voice is a methodic melody cut short be a blast of light.

A concentrated blast of red energy explodes across the hall. The man reacts in a instant and moves to the side, but still the red beam tears into his side.

Claire startles as a chunk of meat is charred along his ribs. Still the man hardly reacts. Turning to the end of the hall he raises his hands and a black ebb of darkness explodes before him.

The hall fills before him becoming night. Without missing a beat he melts away materializing into the dark cloud.

When he disappears inside, the sound of slapping flesh greets the hall, and there is a fit of grunting giving way to a struggle.

Carefully Claire pries herself from the door to peak around the lockers. The dark cloud has thinned around the mystery man. Coming in and out of focus he becomes the darkness moving about with a agility that defies reality.

Before him strange men with skin like ebony attack with eyes blazing red, just like there eyes there claws smoke as they slash lines of ember thru the night trying to reach the Prince of night.

They look human but they are twisted into something vile. They pursue the man relentlessly, appearing from the end of the hall they pour in like a vicious river.

Darkness is a weapon he wields with precision. Throwing his hands left and right he flings barbs of darkness like blades pinning creatures to the lockers. When they squeal in agony he silences them with a flick of his wrist forcing the barbs to explode with a black light.

Claire pales, it’s the same black light that everyone saw when the seraph appeared a year ago. Is this him, how could he have found the one person who was never looking for him? Why not Briar, she is the one with a crush on him.

Claire shakes her head, no I got to get out of here. But she has to admit Briar knows how to pick them. That is if he isn’t as villainous as the creatures he kills so effortlessly.

Coming out of hiding Claire runs the opposite way, happy to abandon her books to escape the ever present danger.

A dark silhouette appears in the middle of the hall cutting her off. Stopping in her tracks Claire stumbles wishing she had stayed behind.

The creature stares into her soul and a vast chamber opens before her, and she gets lost in a inferno of darkness.

Claire tries to back a way, but something tugs on her soul stopping her in her tracks. Fighting the pull is as much physical as it is mental. Distraught, Claire gets desperate and puts all her effort into her legs and springs backwards.

Falling in her ass, Claire doesn’t know why she screams. Maybe because a demon is trying to steal her soul.

As if a bell is tethered between them, Briars lover appears before her. Hands raised he trails smoke as he appears catching the creature by the arms.

Staring into the creatures face he does something odd. A black light begins to high beam from his eyes and the creature squeals.

As the creatures wailing reaches higher octane the glow in its eyes begin to fade, and it falls lifeless to the ground melting into a puddle of black wax.

Turning around the seraph stares haggardly at her. “Are you alright?” when she nods he reaches out to help her up.

Claire studies his hand, the one that just single handedly killed so many. Claire reaches out and a voices fills the hall. “Claire!”

The seraph disappears fading a way like a cloud of black mist. And behind it Briar appears looking frantic. One shoe missing she wobbles down the hall, racing for Claire. “ what happen.?” Briar asks taking the hand meant for another. Why does it bother her that it wasn’t the seraphs hand.

Briar steadies Claire on her feet and begins check her out. Claire pushes her hands a way and looks around.” I am, fine. But the puddles, there all monsters “ Claire admits feeling stupid for believing it herself.

Briar frowns. “ what are you talking about , didn’t you here. The black mold is everywhere. One of the pipes exploded so there evacuating everyone. When I didn’t see you in the parking lot I got worried. You been acting strange lately” Briar informs her with her brows raised.

Claire looks closely at her. “ you don’t really believe that do you? There were creatures everywhere, I’m not crazy. And I saw your crush. The Prince of night he was here. He saved me” Claire admits getting defensive.

Briar takes a calming breath. “ I know your upset but you don’t have to joke. I’m only worried about you, It might be best you stop writing your stories for awhile.” Briar admits with a pleading smile.

Claire just turns a way in anger.” Believe what you want. But you should know I would never lie to you.” Claire admits storming down the hall.

Briar hobbles after her. “ wait please don’t be mad. I believe you” Briar admits without conviction.

In the parking lot Claire searches the parking lot looking for any sign of her savior. When the writer becomes the protagonist. Is what Claire thinks as she becomes Briar in one of her stories.

Spotting nothing Claire heads to her car. Which is a beat up Volkswagen beetle. It is silver with tinted windows her mom bought her on her sixteenth birthday. Without a man in the house it took all her savings to pay for it.

Sharing a dorm with Briar makes things easy, they take the car back and forth to there dorm on the other side of camp.

Later on under the cover of darkness, they say you can spot the seraph more easily than in the day. That’s when everyone goes looking for there idol, or the one they despise. Whichever he may be, everyone still looks for the blacklight in the night.

Still speaking from experience Claire believes that it is easier to find something when your not looking for it. “ stay here maybe he will show up” “ Claire pleads from under her covers while she reads a book.

Briar thick lips widen as she finishes putting on her perfect shade of red lip stick. “ you could come with you know.? You don’t have to lay around in your underwear reading about a guy you’ll never meet” Briar jokes trying to get a rise out of her.

Claire snorts.” I could say the same thing about you” Claire admits while secretly admiring her thin black dress tight along her curvy body. Claire wishes she could fill a dress like her.

Claire catches her looking.” I got one for you, all you have to do is say you will go” Briar admits with wide eyes.

Claire shakes her head. “ I don’t think your going to find the seraph, I’m staying here.” Claire admits caught off guard by the look of sympathy on Briars face.

Claire shrinks as Briar nears” what? “ Claire asks defensively.

Briar just plops on top of Claire unafraid of wrinkling her dress. Draped across Claire she traps her book between them.

Claire can’t help but laugh. “ get off your hurting my book” Claire admits not really worried about the book.

Briar turns on her side, head rested against her hand. Peering into Claire’s eyes she doesn’t say anything for a moment. “ you know I’m here for you right? I’ll stay here all you have to do is ask.” Briar confesses insinuating that she knows more than she is letting on. Does she really know that her Mother is sick?

Claire laughs it off. “. I’m fine. Go find your mystery man” Claire argues trying to reassure Briar that she’s fine

Briar picks her self up while shaking her head. “ he’s not a mystery man. So stop calling him that. “ Briar complains tossing her hair at Claire.

Watching Briar go Claire can’t help but feel bad. Briar always puts Claire first and here she can’t even support her friend at a time of need.

Briar hesitates at the door with her hand on the knob.” Your stories are good, so never stop writing. But sooner or later your going to have to move on” Briar adds before disappearing out the door.

Claire frowns at the door as it closes. Really, Briar is the one who was always obsessed about the seraph. And now she is upset because she found him first.

Returning to her book Claire reads half heatedly while her mind wonders. Nobody understands her mind. It is full of ideas she can’t get rid of, it’s a prison she can’t escape. Even when she’s free she’s a prisoner shackled by the pen in her hand, she follows it will at the mercy of her imagination. It’s the only distraction from her mother.

Claire’s eyes were just getting heavy when a knock sounds at the door. Claire laughs thinking that briar locked herself out again.

Climbing out of the covers Claire doesn’t put on pants, her long tee hides enough. It’s just Briar.

High dimples gracing her face, Claire swings the door open. “ forget something? “ Claire asks striking a funny pose against the edge of the door.

The seraph raises his brows looking her up and down. Claire startles. His eyes are everywhere and she blushes.” don’t look at me like that” Claire complains climbing behind the door she peeks around it. “ why are you here?” Claire asks noticing that he is holding her books.

Looking awkward he holds up the book as he scratches his head. “ you forgot your books. I don’t even know why I’m here when I’m on a mission” the seraph admits bashfully.

Claire has the same line of thinking. Why would he bring her books to her. Unless he has a crush on her. No it can’t be that, but at least now she has evidence that he is real.

Snatching the blanket off Briars bed, Claire opens the door for him to enter. “ come in, you have to tell me everything. My friend thinks I’m crazy. But your real, your here in person.” Claire admits feeling like a idiot for speaking it out loud.

The seraph nods. “ I am to remain invisible, No witnesses. I am here to serve a purpose. I am a weapon that protects. And I was born to mend darkness into something more.” The seraph admits as he enters. Looking around he sets the books on the edge of her bed.

Doing her best, Claire tries to stay calm and learn all she can. Just keep him busy until Briar gets here. “ so what is your name and where do you come from? “ Claire asks trying to fill the silence.

The seraph regards her closely as if he can see thru the blanket. Claire pulls it closer to her body as he answers. “ my name is ebb. I am the last of the Dark Fae. We are the oldest race in the universe. It is my mission to save your people. Once I am gone I will have left you with a gift to protect yourselves in the future. There is a necromantic, resurrecting souls and turning them into vacants that hunger for living souls. I got a glimpse of him earlier so I know where he is, so after I’m done here you won’t see me again.” Ebb admits all too calmly

Claire flinches without knowing why. Is it that he will leave before Briar gets here, or that he won’t see her again. “So, why did you come here? Claire asks moving closer.

Ebb takes a step back favoring his left side. “ I am still recovering. Once I heal I will have enough strength to finish off this warlock. And then I will not bother you again.” Ebb says stating it like she thinks he is bothering her.

Claire flinches. “I didn’t mean it like that. I wanted to see you.” Claire admits hating that it’s true.

Ebbs brows tighten matching the fierceness in his hazy eyes. “ This feeling makes me want to be near you ,Why?” Ebb asks catching Claire off guard forcing her to blush brightly.

Recovering quickly Claire shrugs her shoulders. “Don’t you have things you are attached to back at home?” Claire asks motioning for Ebb to sit on the edge of her bed.

Following her orders he steps around the blanket draped around her to sit on the bed facing her.” We are warriors raised a way from life. We are what’s called battleborn. We only serve one purpose, and it wasn’t until I saw you that I began to question my resolve” Ebb admits holding her gaze, it’s as if it hurts him to look a way but he doesn’t want to admit it. Somehow though his eyes convey all thoughts clearly, and Claire begins to want something she never thought she would. Two hearts become matching minds operating on the same wave length.

Trying to still her beating heart Claire tries to think of ways to keep him occupied, even if it’s just for a little while. “ earlier you said that you could turn darkness into something more. Does that mean if someone’s sick you can heal them?” Claire asks hating that she wants it more than her own life.

Ebb seals her hope with the motion of his bold lips.” yes I could take a way the darkness corrupting them” Ebb admits and a small smile graces his lips for the first time.

Resisting the urge to throw herself at him, she realizes that she likes his smile. “ My mother is sick. Before you leave will you do me this one favor? “ Claire asks hoping he won’t let her down after she got her hopes up.

Ebb watches her closely noticing the emotion she suppresses behind her eyes. “ yes, I will help you. But you have to tell me more about this feeling between us” Ebb reasons and motions between them.

Claire’s body buzzes with two different excitements, one more intimate that makes her toes curl.” Don’t go anywhere I will be right back.” Claire pleads running to the bathroom she drops the blanket and puts on a pair of spandex shorts.

Rummaging around Claire grabs the alcohol and some rags. Turning around she flings the door open anxiously.

At the same time the front door opens, and Briar enters with a dark hair man behind her, he is handsome in a dorky way. Startling, Briar looks her up and down before entering with the stranger.

Claire smiles brightly. “ your never going to guess who’s here.” Claire teases with a inviting smile.

Peering into the room they share, Briar looks around puzzled. “ There’s nobody here Claire. Please don’t start this. We came because we were worried about you “ Briar admits as Claire pushes pass her.

“ he’s on my bed, see?” Claire points a bottle of alcohol at a empty bed. And the world stills and reality comes crashing down.

Briar takes the bottle with her hand tight on Claire’s shoulder.” It’s ok, just lay down there’s nobody here. I’ll tuck you in.” Briar pleads trying to lead her to the bed.

Claire pulls free. “ no, you must have startled him, he said he would heal my mother.” Claire admits with tears swelling in her eyes.

Briar shakes her head sympathetically. “ Honey that can’t happen. Your mother’s gone. she has been for the last year.” Briar speaks softly and nears slowly as if approaching a stray dog.

The world slows and a sick feeling washes over Claire. Why would Ebb lie to her. He said he would heal her mother, he must be there waiting for her.

The look on Briars face is a pleading mountain of emotion, never has Claire ever seen her so vulnerable. But her words can’t be true.

Claire shakes her head feeling a pain so deep it can’t be real. “ no. Your just jealous. I’ll prove it to you. “Claire lunges for the night stand swiping her keys she bolts for the door bare footed.

Briar grabs her shirt trying to stop her.” Don’t leave, let’s talk this out.” Briar pleads as Claire slips out of her grip.

The man at the door makes himself as big as possible trying to block the door. But he’s not as big as he thinks, and Claire slips right around him.

Rushing out the door , Claire crosses the sidewalk oblivious to something sharp she stepped on. Nearing her car Clair can hear Briar yelling behind her.

Claire knows that all it takes is a short drive and everything will be fine. Her mom will be home and Ebb will be there to save them both.

The biggest problem is the tears streaming down her face making it hard to see. Where are these tears coming from, shouldn’t they be full of joy. Whatever this is hurts more than the glass biting into her foot.

The world blurs as the trees outside fly by turning to a field of green. Still Claire continues to drive trying to get to her mother as fast as she can.

Wiping the tears from her eyes. Claire jerks the wheel to hard and everything happens too fast.

The car veers and she whips the wheel the other way, overcorrecting too far and she is flung off the road hitting a ditch side ways.

Tossed around like a rag doll, Claire hits her head on the window and a air bag greets her face and everything becomes darkness..

A beeping followed by a yellow flashing light brings Claire back to reality. Pain greets her head when she stirs. Touching the side of her head her hand comes a way wet with blood.

The car sits crooked in a ditch and the car idles making a funny noise. Outside the car shadows gather nearing her car.

Adrenaline and hope fuse within her soul and Claire throws the door open.

Ebb is there to catch her when she falls out the car. Supporting her weight he drapes her arm over his shoulder. “ come with me, I want to show you something” Claire holds on loving the protective aura he resonates whoever he is near her. He is her safety net, all she has to do is hold on and everything will be fine.

Ebb is strong with his free hand supporting her ribs tightly. All the pain in her melts a way when she imagines his hand drifting a little higher.

Ebb stops and turns to grace her with a heart melting smile. Somehow he is different now, none of this is right. “ you said you would heal my mother, why are we here,” Claire complains noticing where they are for the first time.

Ebb let’s her go. “ my mission is complete, the dark times are over.” Ebb melts a way becoming nothing but a shadow.

With nobody there to support her Claire falls with a cry, she wishes for her mother. Kneeling on the ground Claire slumps grabbing clumps of grass, she lets out a woeful cry. “ Mother!”

. Claire sobs uncontrollably, why? Lifting her head, Claire stares thru the tears. Mother?

A slab of stone sticks out of the ground staring her right in the face. Selene palmer, loved mother and a friend to all in need. May her teachings live on in the afterlife.

Claire cradles the stone, using it as a lifeline as all the hard memories come rushing in. All this time, her bizarre mind was protecting her. Nothing was more real than the friend she took for granted. Of course Briar would never do anything to hurt her. “ I’m sorry mommy” Claire’s words are a whisper only heard in the afterlife.

Yet a warm hand settles on the middle of her back, and Claire doesn’t have to look to know that it’s Briar. Always there and never relenting. She has always been there to support her, joining in on her stories, they always pretended they were real. No wonder she looked so sympathetic every time she joined in. She was watching her friend use there favorite game as a shield to hide from reality.

Never forget but always move on to the task at hand, Claire’s mission. Apologize and mend the bridge between her and her friend.

Turning around Claire tackles Briar to the ground. “ I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize what I was doing. I got carried a way by my thoughts.” Claire cries with her face lost in Briars fragrant hair.

Briar just holds her tightly.” It’s okay sweetie, just promise me you won’t use your infliction anymore.?” Claire pales. my infliction? Then that must mean………………..is this real???????