Chapter 1

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The day started perfect. Sam and I walked through the buzzing streets on New York City, our bags slung over our shoulders and our heads high in laughter. Sam was crack jokes about her father's actions that morning, and I listened, walking next to her. The day was hot, so Sam and I both sported jean-shorts and tank tops. Sam's head was thrown back in her hysterics, her bronze hair flowing just past her shoulders.

I chuckled, feeling the warm breeze brush my neck. My eyes wandered to the ground, grazing the rough concrete as we plodded towards the café. "Today is beautiful, isn't it?" I said, shifting my gaze to her. She smiled, "Yeah, it's gorgeous." I smiled back, but it faded, though, as I noted the dark shadow creep up over her shoulders, quickly enveloping my best friend. It spread all over the block, cover building, people, and cars in darkness. Sam and I both looked up, and I heard her gasp in shock. A black mist covered the sky, spreading like ink in water. A powerful wave of energy surged through the Earth, shaking the city like an Earthquake. People who were standing fell to the ground, as did Sam and I.

Regaining my senses, I attempted to stand. Another wave, and I fell to my knees. Streets tore apart with a deafening crack. Another wave, and the buildings around us began to fall. The office building by us shook violently, and shards if glass rained down from the windows. It showered us in glittering shards that cut our skin like knives. Sam clung to me, and we huddled together for safety. 'What the hell is going on?!' I thought.

Chunks of concrete and brick ripped from the office, falling and smacking the sidewalk and people in its way. My eyes searched everywhere, looking for something, anything, to save us. People screamed, cars sounded, the structures and roads cracked. I felt a splitting pain in my head, and I watched the sidewalk rush towards me. Sam called my name, and my vison and heard became hazed. Everything sunk into black as I heard the frantic screaming of my best friend. "Holly! Holly...! Holly....."