I walked home from school singing lightly as I listened to music on my ipod. My mom doesn't like us to have phones, ipods, tablets, and so on. but my Uncle Austin secretly gave it to me for my 12th birthday. I opened my eyes and I swear I saw a seven foot tall boy with one eye. I blinked and shook my head. Quit, Sky. These hallucinations have been getting worse. I told my mom to get me tested for ADHD but she refuses to go anywhere near a doctor.

I pushed my thoughts to the back of my mind and continued walking but I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. I kept looking around if I saw a shadow or something move. I would tell myself it was the wind or my imagination.

"Mom! I'm home!" I yelled and threw my keys on the table.

"Oh, honey!" she gushed and hugged me.

"I've been gone for eight hours not a week." I laughed at her.

"Go do your homework, Skylar," she smiled and went back into the kitchen.

"Don't burn any water!" I shouted and ran up the stairs snickering.

I grab my math and literature homework debating on which to do first. I'm glad I only have to do these tonight. I end up starting with math since I'm extremely good at Greek and Roman mythology which is what we're learning in literature. Once I'm done with the ten questions for math that took almost an hour I start with literature. I start the third question when I hear a loud crash. Instinctively, I open my desk drawer and grab the pocket knife I got in Montana.

"Mom?" I call out as I open my door.

"Lock the door, Skylar!" she yells and I see a large shadow cover the light from the kitchen.

I run down the stairs and silently gasp. Standing there is the seven foot boy from earlier. I shake off the panic in me and whip out the blade to my knife, walking towards the guy. My mom's eyes landed on me and widened giving me a clear message: Get out of here! My expression hardened and I took a bold move and shouted 'Hey!' causing the guy to swing around. I was not going to let my mother get hurt and just watch.

"Hello." He grinned evilly and went to grab me but I swung my knife and put a gash in his hand.

"Get out," I sneer, hiding the fear that was slowly taking over and roll under his arm. I took karate and dance a few years back.

I stabbed his foot and he bellowed in pain. My mom grabbed my arm and bolted to the door. She headed to the car and drove off. I'm glad I never take my ipod from my pocket. I take it out and play some music trying to calm my nerves. I never finished my literature homework.

"Where did you get that?" my mom asks as she sees my ipod.

"Uncle Austin." I mutter.

"I told you not to have anything electronic!" she scolds.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Who was that guy? Was he a burglar?" She pursed her lips.

"How much did you see?"

"He was tall and buff. It looked like he only had one eye when I saw him on my way home."

"You saw him!"

"Uh, yeah."

"It was that ipod of yours. I should have done the right thing and sent you to that school in Los Angeles," she muttered the last part but I still heard her.

"You mean get rid of me? I know I'm difficult sometimes but you'd really send me away?"

"Honey, I never wanted to send you away but it would have been best."

"Sending me away would not be best for me! Why'd you even think that?"

"Skylar, you're different."

"I know that! I know I'm hyperactive and can't concentrate. I know that wherever I go I cause trouble. I know I'm a freak but I'm okay with that!"

"That's not what I mean-"

"Then what do you mean?"

"It's about your father. It started fourteen years ago..."

So, my mom told me how she met my father and how he was the happiest person when my mom got pregnant with me. When I was born, he had to leave for a business trip. He took a plane that never landed with him inside. My mom was heartbroken when he didn't return.

"So, he ditched us?" I summarized.

"No, Skylar, he had to leave."

"Okay, sure."

"I know it's hard to believe."

"It's impossible to believe! He didn't have to leave! He could have stayed."

"You'll understand soon enough."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm taking you to a safe place. It will take a while to get there."

"How long?"

"Get some sleep, honey." I frown knowing that my mom has officially closed the topic and turn in my seat to get comfortable. I closed my eyes and drift off to sleep. Bad things happen in dreams, my dear, a strange voice says as I slip into unconsciousness.

I'm running in the hall of my school. I'm late for a class. I think it's literature class. I burst through the door and take my seat at the back of the classroom. Something doesn't seem right, though. Something has changed. I look around and see four boys sitting around me. One has a dark demeanor and he seems emotionless and that makes me strangely interested. Two others have a look that screams 'leader' but one of them has a troublemaker vibe like me. The last one seems laid-back and a carefree vibe but I can tell he can be serious when he has to be.

"Who are you?"

"That's always the question, isn't it?" emotionless mumbles and starts messing with, what looks to be, a figurine of Hades.

"We can help," says troublemaker.

"That doesn't answer my question." I state angrily.

"Feisty. I love it!" says carefree. I noticed that he was always moving and messing with something. Maybe nuts and bolts.

"It's not the time for questions," says the serious one.

"I don't like games!" I shout becoming uncomfortable.

"Yet that's all we are. We're just part of a twisted game called life," emotionless scowls and slips the figurine back in his jacket.

The scene changes and I'm in a forest. I back up to a tree and look around frantically. Something shuffles to the right of me and I snap my head towards it. A dark figure comes out of the shadows and comes towards me. The figure radiates ancient power but it isn't good nor evil. It simply is. It has done both good and evil things.

"The young ones are never ready." the figure mutters to herself almost looking sad.

"I don't understand. Why am I here?"

"They never understand. Just know that you have a choice to make. You're at a cross-roads. You must chose which path you want to take."

"Why?"

"Everyone has to choose at some point. I'm sorry you have to choose so soon."

"What if I make my own path?"

"You still have to chose which side you're on."

"Like good or evil?"

"This choice has so much more meaning, though. You must choose whether you will save the ones you love or the innocent."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll know when the time comes. Will you let the world die or will you let a loved one die?"

"How can I choose something like that?" I shout.

"I can't tell you more. At least, not just yet."

"Stop confusing me!"

"I must warn you. Don't let your emotions control you or you will hurt those who you care for."

"Please! Explain!" I cry out.

"You must wake now, young hero."

Before I can answer, the scene starts to fade. I try to call out but my voice is gone and so is the figure.