Prologue
Four teens stood patiently waiting in the clearing, unsure of how they ended up there, or where ‘there’ was.
The boy was the first to speak, his voice cracking as he turned to the three girls.
“Where are we?” Such a simple question, yet no one knew the answer.
“The woods?” The girl to his far-right spoke, slinking over to stand beside him. The blonde girl to the boy’s left locked her gaze on their surroundings, nerves on edge.
“Lilly, Heather, come stand by us.” The boy calls, his ears picking up the sound of twigs snapping in the cover of the forest. All his senses screaming DANGER. Lilly and Heather oblige, quickly moving over to the black haired boy.
“I heard something in the woods over there, just now.” He points his finger between two oak trees, his eyes narrowing as the shadows move about just beyond his vision.
A crisp ‘snap’ echoed throughout the woods, startling the four teenagers.
“What was that?” Hannah hissed, the hair on the back if her neck standing on end.
“Something’s out there.” The boy’s whisper was nearly missed, as it was so quiet. The three girls tence up, all locking their eyes on a pathway nearly hidden in the darkness.
“Someone’s coming!” Lilly scowled, posture stiffening as an old man hobbled out of the woods, a large polished staff in his hand.
“Welcome, children.” He spoke slowly, his voice a deep rasp, thick with age.
The boy was the only one to be startled, his shoulders jumping slightly as a shudder crawled down his spine. He licks his lips nervously, eyes darting to glance at his friends to see if they’d noticed.
The old man had by then hobbled over to center of the clearing, were a wooden chair sat when moments before it had been nothing but grass.
Curious yet cautious, the group inch forwards half a step at a time.
“Come sit, and I will explain everything.” The old man rasps, motioning for them to sit in front of him.
Chewing his lower lip, the boy moves forward, setting himself down in front of the man, fear and caution thrown to the wind.
“Max?” Hannah whispers, her head tilting in confusion. Lilly and Heather stood on either side of her, none of them making any move to join the boy.
“We can trust him.” Was Max’s simple reply, his eyes locked on the old man’s, full of curiosity.
Although skeptical, Heather moved forward to kneel beside him, brushing her long hair out of her eyes.
Sighing, Hannah folows soon after, Lilly on her left.
The four teens looked up at the old man expectantly, none knowing what they wanted to hear, but know that wanted to know something.
“The silent war has begun.” The old man started, leaning forward with the support of his staff.
“Hell’s demons have risen, Lucifer can no longer keep his devils in check, as for the Angel’s; they’ve been preparing for-”
“Get to the point, old man.” A voice cuts in sharply, their voice a mellow baritone.
“Max is already beginning to wake. So cut to the chase.” At his name, Max’s head whips around, searching for the voice. There, standing approximately eight yards away, was a boy. Black hair fell over his eyes, that of which were a golden yellow, and his bottom lip pierced in snakebites. His jacket was unzipped, the fluffy white hood resting against his shoulders, and a navy blue t-shirt beneath with sinfully tight black ripped skinny jeans and combat boots to pull the look together.
“I was filling them in on the details, and where are your manners?” The man snaps, glaring at the wolf-boy.
“Up your ass’n round the corner.” He sneers, glancing down at the group sitting before the old man.
Blinking, Hannah suddenly whipped around, looking at Max. Lilly and Heather follow suit, their eyes widening at what they saw.
Max’s body was fading out, leaving a ghostly outline.
“Shadow?” With that, Max woke up.
