The Hidden Revelations: First Light Read online

  The Hidden Revelations:

  First Light

  By Koriana Coles

  Contents

  Preface:

  1. True Pain

  2. Welcome to the neighbourhood

  3. Extraordinarily perfect

  4. Brothers

  5. Abilities

  6. Sylar

  7. Amators

  8. Frighteningly scared

  9. Separation

  10. Confrontation

  11. Training

  12. Message

  13. Relationships

  14. Warrigal Coven

  15. Attack

  16. Collision

  17. Preparation

  18. Time To Strike

  19. Snatched

  20. Escape

  21. Scorching

  22. Apologies

  23. Last Dance

  24. Fight

  25. Hostage

  26. Alive

  Epilogue: Promises

  Preface

  I never thought my life could get worse, but it did, and then when it finally got better it was taken away from me.

  But if I had chosen to give up when I wanted to most, I would have never met my destiny, known love, known life.

  So I guess as I look into the eyes of my killer, I am still thankful that I die knowing I was loved for once in my life, truly loved.

  My killer raises his hand and smiles deviously…

  And suddenly, I die.

  The end.

  1. True Pain

  My brother turned onto our street and pulled up in the long narrow driveway. It was thirteen degrees outside of the old heated Ford, so I was in no hurry to get out and freeze my butt off. Although this is the coldest it has been in months in the small remote suburb of Forestville New South Wales, which I just call a town, since it was as small as one, though surrounded by neighbouring suburbs. It really didn't make any sense.

  I saw dads car wasn't in the drive so he wasnt home yet, he rarely got home before dark. I had been unusually overcast for the past few weeks which could only mean winter was coming early this year.

  My brother turned the music in the car off. “Layla?”

  I turned towards my brother. His short dark hair was covering his face slightly, he seemed troubled. “Lays, I have to tell you something…” he trailed off.

  “What's wrong?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

  My brother was nearly 18yrs old and I was nearly 16, pretty much the baby of the family. We have always been close ever since mum died, there were never any secrets between us that I knew of, and we rarely ever fought with each other. We had to take care of each other in order to stay sane because dad hadn't been the same ever since mum died in a car accident.

  “Hey, what's going on?” I asked gently, giving him a reassuring smile while trying to read his eyes.

  He looked out the windshield, pursing his lips and then he let out a sigh. His eyes flicked back to me: guilt clear as day. “I'm moving out.”

  I looked at him with my mouth gaping open. I realised what I was doing and quickly shut it. Staring at him dumbfounded, he observed my reaction patiently.

  I started laughing. “Alright, where's the punch line?” I asked in disbelief.

  When he didn't laugh I searched his deep set blue eyes and stopped, because I realised he was dead serious.

  “What!” I nearly shouted at him. “Why?”

  Then I remembered; he and dad were fighting a couple of weeks ago, about me and how reckless he was for taking me to that party last year.

  “No. Adam, you don't have to leave because of me, I'm sorry I made you take me to that stupid party, it… it was my fault what happened, not yours. Please, don't move out,” I blurted out, ready to burst into tears, thinking this is not real.

  He looked at me and smiled half-heartedly, but it didn't reach his eyes. He took my hand. “Lays, you're not the reason I'm leaving, nothing is your fault and-” I cut him off.

  “It's dad isnt it? He kicked you out. Well if you go, I'll go too …” I stopped talking.

  I saw the look on his face; it was gut wrenching. He didn't want to have to do this, it was marked clearly all over his stupid face. Then why was he doing it?

  “Don't be angry with dad okay, this is my choice, not his.” He looked away and mumbled nearly to himself, “I can't put you in danger, and I'm not going to risk it. You need to stay here, with dad, where you're safe.”

  I was trying to think this through but my thoughts were scrambled, I couldn't form a clear sentence. How could he be leaving, he was the only person I had left, the only one who really cared if I was dead or alive.

  I sighed in defeat. “Where are you going? When are you going?” I asked with a brave face, hoping we had some time.

  He hesitated but then said, “I don't know where Im going, I just need to get away … as soon as you leave this car.” Wow, those words were like a blow to the stomach.

  “What? No, why do you have to go now? Its too soon... You just told me and I-we don't even get time together before you go. This isn't fair.” It sounded a lot less childish in my head.

  “I have to okay, Layla. Just please go inside, you're making this harder than it has to be. I'll try to call as often as I can, I just need to do this alone, so please... just go inside,” he pleaded, his hands visibly shaking but his voice forceful.

  I looked at him and pouted, giving into my immaturity. “I'm not leaving this car, so that means you can't leave me.”

  I folded my arms over my chest and looked straight ahead, trying to be stubborn. He sighed and I heard him get out of the car. I didn't want him to think that I was joking around so I kept my eyes forward and saw him walk in front of the car. He came around and opened my door, all the coldness swirled in around him.

  “We can do this the easy way or the hard way Lays, take your pick.” I didn't look at him and I heard him say, “I guess it's the hard way.”

  The next thing I know, he unclipped my seatbelt and swung me over his hard shoulder, grabbing my bag and slinging it over the other shoulder.

  “Put me down Adam!” I protested as he carried me towards the house.

  But he ignored me, even when I was pelting his back with my fists as hard as I could. God!

  I realised my behaviour was beyond childish at this point, so I gave up with what little dignity I had left and let him carry me inside, my arms dangling lifelessly down his back. Why did he have to be so strong?

  When he finally put me and my bag down in the living room I was fuming, the anger was radiating off of me. I crossed my arms over my chest to try and restrain myself from hitting him square in the jaw.

  “Lays, this is for the best, for both you and me. You just don't know how careful I have to be, and this is the only way to keep you safe.”

  What the hell was he on about!

  I looked at him and saw he had something on his cheek. It was a tear and I was amazed because I had never seen him cry before, he was always the strong and silent one. He didnt even cry at mums funeral, and I know that hurt him so much it was unbearable to see. Adam was one of the people who would bottle his feelings up and then release them through anger, but he never took it out on me, never. He was like my guardian. But seeing him so vulnerable, I saw that this must be hurting him beyond belief and I didnt understand it.

  At that moment I threw my arms around him and started crying into his shoulder, my salty tears staining his jacket. All my barriers protecting my emotions instantly collapsed as his emotions mixed with mine.

  He had his arms around me and his face was in my hair, I could feel the tears escaping his eyes as were mine. I dont know how long we stood in ea
ch others embrace but eventually I stopped crying and he pulled back from me, but I was not letting go of him that easy.

  “Adam, what am I going to do? You're my family and you're leaving me... and I don't understand any of your stupid reasons.” I looked at him pleadingly, anger rising up while asking myself over and over why, why was this happening?

  He looked back at me for a moment and said, “Stay strong, for me and dad. Don't take it out on him. You'll understand why I'm doing this eventually but I hope you know of the right reasons. You're a smart and strong girl, you always have been, and you'll be fine without me.”

  I looked at him and tried to think of something to say to make him stay longer. “No, I won't be fine,” I whispered.

  He put his big hands on either sides of my face and I couldn't hold my words, “Why would you leave like this? Don't I matter?” My heart was breaking as my world was falling apart again.

  I tried to hold back the new wave of on coming tears, but I knew they wouldn't stay concealed for long.

  “Of course you matter!” he said, sounding outraged. “It's because you matter. I need to do this to protect you, it's always to protect you. You will always be my little sister, the most important person to me. But please try to get on with your life... I don't want to have to leave like this but it's now or never...”

  I loosened my hands around him, dropped my gaze and let my arms fall to my sides. “I'd prefer never, or take me with you,” I whispered, not even trying to contain my hurt as I blinked back the fresh tears.

  He pulled my chin upward with one cold finger so I was facing him. “I wish I could, I wish it was that easy, but it's not, it's just not. I gunna miss you, don't ever doubt that.”

  I could feel the tears threatening to erupt and I hugged him, almost in a strangle hold around his neck, knowing that this may be the very last time I could ever see him. He always justified his actions somehow, and I Always believed he had a really good reason.

  I pulled away this time and he kissed my forehead tenderly. “I'm going to walk out that door now, I'm not sure when I will come back, but I will try. And you're going to continue your life, you've got everything going for you, and you're going do anything you want when you get older because you're smart, strong and brave. And even though I'm not here, I'll always be with you. I love you, Sis,” He let me go and started walking towards the front door.

  I could see his eyes were agonized but he didn't stop, and then before I had time to process; he was gone. I ran to the front window, and as he was pulling out in the old Maroon Ford. I saw him mouth miss you to me as the tears streaked down his hard set face. He wasn't turning back, this wasn't a joke. How could he leave me here? How! He was my brother!

  That was it, I couldn't believe it, I wouldn't believe it. My worst fear had come true. It was the only thing I use to fear; the last person I trusted, loved and would do anything for; my family... he left without no real explanation. A bunch of bullshit about protecting me. What kind of person would do that to his sister!

  My fists balled at my sides. I couldn't contain my fury as I threw them up against the thick window pane, screaming as loud as I could. I kept pelting my fists against the glass again and again, and it began to splinter into cracks. My fists ached and felt bruised, but the fear in my chest hurt more. What if he never came back for me? What if that was the last time I ever saw him and I didn't even tell him I loved him or to be safe.

  I was crumpled up on the floor the second that thought came to mind. Regret and fear I swelled in my chest, I couldn't fight the tears back any longer. I let myself go quietly. My heart felt like it was non-existent, it felt like my body was just full of air and I was choking on it. I had nothing left.

  Eventually I cried myself out but the pain was still there in my chest and it wouldn't go away, even in unconsciousness as I slipped more and more away in the dark, alone in this world. I didn't want to wake ever again, I never wanted to think of what had happened. Although I was still aware of the pain, it was numbed for the moment. I didn't think Adam would ever cause me to fall back into this all too familiar place: darkness.

  ****

  My eyes flashed open. I couldn't see anything but the literal darkness before I spotted the dull strips of light shining through the cracks between the curtains. I stumbled around trying to find a light switch and frantically trying to recall what had happened, had it really happened or was it all just a dream? Please let it be a dream, please!

  I finally found a light switch and flicked it. I looked around in the light and realised I was in my small room of dissaray. Maybe it was all just a crazy nightmare, I thought with a small glimmer of hope.

  Once I thought of that I ran to Adams room. I flew down the stairs, almost falling flat on my face, twice! But I finally made it to his door. I hesitated before turning the knob, took a deep breath, twisted it slowly and pushed the door open.

  NO, I thought horrified, shaking my head. I looked around and his room was bare, his stereo was gone, his clothes, posters everything. There was nothing left. My brother who was my only sense of security, and the only person who really took care of me... he was really gone. I was so reliant on him, more than myself, he was the only person I had ever trusted, and he was gone without a proper explanation. After everything we both had been through... he left and I felt so weak, so vulnerable, so tired and bare. What was left living for?

  I walked over to the empty bed and sat down carefully, my hands facing palm down, tracing lightly over the pattern on the blanket. A blotch appeared on the blanket and I saw I was crying, a sob building in my throat. Before it could rise I looked over at the clock on the bedside table, it was 8:00am.

  “Aw well,” I said quietly to myself.

  I guess I could just walk to school. Usually Adam would drive me even though he had not long dropped out of the 12th grade. I was in the 10th grade, but since he wasn't here I guessed I would have to walk to my high school: Forest high, which is technically in The French Forest: the next town over, but it's not too far from where I live in Forestville.

  Beside the clock was a small rectangular silver box. I picked it up and started running my fingers over it. I wanted to open it but I hesitated: was it even for me? Under the box was a piece of paper folded in half that was addressed to me. I picked it up and read it aloud shakily.

  Layla,

  I don't want you to get hurt, it would kill me.

  It's hard to explain but this is the best way,

  For both of us.

  I love you and I hope someday you'll forgive me.

  All the love in the world―Adam

  I still didn't understand. What did he mean by me getting hurt? This was even more confusing.

  With a sigh I decided against my better judgement to lift the silver lid off the box. I found that inside was the most beautiful silver necklace with a dark blue crystal pendant on it, shaped as an oval it hung off the chain elegantly. It was the colour of Adams eyes exactly.

  I put it on and silently vowed to never take it off, ever. This is the only thing I had left of him, and I would treasure it with my life. Even though I was angry at him, the sadness he left was much more overpowering.

  I got dressed for school in a hurry, throwing on my tree-green-like uniform with a jumper over top. I ran to the kitchen with my bag on my shoulder, grabbed a muffin bar in case I found my appetite and ran out the door, locking the dead lock behind me.

  Dad must have gone to work early again. I wondered how he reacted when Adam told him. No, it didn't matter, I had to stop my mind from wondering off. I had to act normal at school for my sake and everybody elses, that's what I would concentrate on. I hated talking about my problems to anyone at school, it just felt desperate and I didn't trust them. I had to rely on myself and myself only.

  As soon as I was out the door I started to freeze when I walked down the driveway. I took my thick jacket out and put it on hastily, still feeling empty and relentless, wondering why I even bothered getting out
of bed.

  I thought with a small ray of hope of my mobile, maybe he'd answer it and explain to me quickly.

  I quickly grabbed my mobile out of my bag and hit the speed dial button for his number. After it rung for a few seconds an operator informed me that the number had been disconnected. I returned to my morbid state as I put my phone in my pocket. I looked up at the sky; overcast again, not a spot of sun. This was going to be the coldest autumn yet in New South Wales, it could have been winter it was that cold.

  I was at the end of our long drive and I saw three trucks driving through the huge iron wrought gates of the house next door. Well it was more like a property.

  But weird. That house has been empty for years, before we got here, ever since the old couple who lived there died apparently. I guess it could't stay vacant forever, after all it was a beautiful house on a huge property, and we were relatively close to Sydney. There were really loud renovations going on last week, I really should have thought. From what I could see from my house, the house next door was set on a huge property, it was a two-story house, gigantic front gates and trees that hid the property well from the front and vainly from my side of the fence. My house wasn't as hidden behind trees, our property wasn't near as big, and we didn't have enormous gates blocking the long driveway.

  Well who knew, all I knew was that I was going to be late for school if I didn't quicken my pace and hope to god it didn't rain, or I didn't have year 10 assembly.

  When I got to school I was pretty much running when I heard first bell ring. I sighed in relief as I saw the other students were just entering math, so I followed in after a few people lifelessly, feeling like a flushed shell. I took my seat in math next to my best friend; Rosetta Broad. She's been my best friend since my first day of high school in yr9 last year, but I didn't feel like talking and neither did she by the looks of it.

  Math flew by as we were just taking notes today on algebra. My worst subject ever was math so I tried to concentrate. But it was kinda difficult to concentrate today. I had to deal with the thought of my family being no more. He left me alone, by myself and I felt betrayed by that. He says hes protecting me, but I don't see how hurting me is going to protect me. Where was the danger. Pain coarsed through me as I remembered the night two weeks after mum was re-buried and we had just moved here; to Forestville. Adam told me something I will never forget as I had curled into him on the floor, knowing I needed him more than he needed me. He told me, swore to me, that we would always fight together, fight for our survival against the world. Its just you and me, thats all that matters Layla, you and me against the world, he had murmured to me soothingly as I clung to his arm. As common as the saying was, it meant a lot to me.