Chapter one.
* Note:
*** - Scene transition.
### - Transition to a memory.
"" - Character Thoughts
Chapter one.
A little boy, in the middle of the crowd. Everything was in chaos, city on fire, people dying. The child, frightened, seemed to be looking for something. An explosion happens next to him. Amazed, he continued his search.
He saw a building and went there. He quickly climbed the stairs, others were passing by, bumping into the boy, as if he wasn't there. He reached a floor that was completely on fire. A girl was at the end of the corridor, in front of a window. He went to her, crying, and turned to him, a redheaded girl. She hugged him tightly. With all her strength she pulled him up and pushed him out the window. Without understanding, he fell. A bullet hit the floor, he screamed. He is completely desperate.
A young man opened his eyes. He looked up at the white ceiling, the curtains blocking out the sunlight. He stood up quickly, a little confused, looking around, his vision adjusted. He was in his room.
- Shit. - He grumbled, scratching his head.
He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Looking in the mirror, he saw that his right eye had a red glow. With his finger he lifted his lips. His fangs were showing.
"I have to calm down.
He looked at himself again in the mirror. His white skin, with some scars on his muscular body, having a wolf tattoo on the left side of his chest and black hair shaved on the sides. This cut was based on a character from Haikyuu.
Curiosity : Jaden's style is based on Osamu Mya from Haikyuu, the only differences are his hair being black, and a slightly more explosive personality. But very similar in the rest. @
She splashed some water on her face, sighing to try to calm herself down.
She went downstairs, after getting ready. And went into the kitchen, a typical American kitchen, all white. Cooking in it was a woman with an apron, her light brown hair tied up, and a friendly look on her face.
The boy, taller than her, had to bend down a little to kiss her forehead.
- Good morning, dear. - The woman greeted, placing a glass on the table.
- Good morning, Chloe. - He tried to reciprocate, but his speech was interrupted by someone grabbing him from behind.
It was a pale-skinned man, taller than he was, with long black hair tied back, his face badly shaven.
- Jaden, today is your first day at your new school. - he told the boy enthusiastically.
- Let me go Thomas, there's nothing special about it, it's just a school. - He replied, drinking a cup of coffee.
- Don't be like that. I feel it will be better this time. I think he'll even get a girlfriend. - Thomas smiled, leaning back against the wall.
Jaden spat out his coffee.
- It's about time he got a girlfriend anyway," Chloe agreed, sitting down in a chair.
- It's not like that! - The young man said angrily, his face flushed. - I don't think about it.
- You're right. You're too lame. Just thinking about it doesn't make you afraid anymore. - Thomas commented, with his hand on his chin.
- IT'S NOT LIKE THAT EITHER! - he shouted even more angrily.
Thomas just laughed. Trying to change the subject, Chloe turned on the television. The host of the local newspaper kept talking.
- That night a refuge for vampires was found. On Roock Avenue. Just before the criminals had fled. Quickly the hunters were activated. Ending the local threat that could have caused the death of many innocent people.
Thomas changed his face. His eyes, which had a blue-green color, turned red.
- I have to go. Enjoy your day at school. - He said seriously, taking his coat and leaving.
- Idiot. - Jaden grumbled, reaching for his glass.
- You know how he is. - Chloe turned off the television.
- He's working harder than usual.
- He has to protect everyone, trying to do good. Even if he has to risk his life. - Chloe answers her godson, sipping tea.
- Thomas wanted me to do the same. - Jaden walks away, picking up his cell phone.
- But he opted for a normal life. All you have to do is enjoy it and make lots of friends and help those in need.
- I have always felt very lonely.
- But to have a normal life, a social circle, is important. - The woman sat down next to Jaden.
- I don't care about that. - He grumbled, turning his face away.
The boy popped a waffle into his mouth, while playing with his cell phone. Chloe glanced at her watch.
- Well, now it's up to you to get out of here. You're going to be late. - She began to push Jaden toward the exit.
- Why are you in such a hurry? Hey... Wait a minute.
She threw her godson out, and then her backpack and a T-shirt.
- I have to prepare the house for my friends. - She closed the door tightly.
Jaden smiled, put on his gray sweatshirt and put on his cordless phone. Putting his hood over his head, he closed his face as he walked. So that no passing person would talk to him.
It had only been two months since he had moved to Liberty City, he didn't really know what to do. But he also didn't want to ask for information, he hated interacting with people. Jaden is a boy who hates drawing attention, he thought that interacting socially (for example, asking for information on the street), was drawing attention.
It was an August morning, it was late summer. Jaden looked up at the sky, he was lost. He took a deep breath, looking at his cell phone to see the address.
- Damn, this is too hard. - he complained with his hand on the back of his head. - That's what I get for being locked in my room since I moved here. Why does this point have to be so far away?
He started walking again, with an idea, about where the bus stop was.
Shaking his head discreetly as he walked, he saw the bus stop. On the way he stepped on a newspaper. On the news it said: vampire revolt grows, monsters are reacting.
Jaden arrived at the bus stop, there he was waiting. He looked serious. Some time passed, when a little girl approached him.
She had dyed hair, looked about twelve years old, wearing a black leather jacket, colorful socks, with blue mud boots.
- Hey... are you new here? - The girl asked, but Jaden didn't hear.
She tries a few more times, losing her patience, kicking him in the butt. Jaden turned to her with a startled look on his face.
- Are you going crazy? Do you want to die?
- Are you new here? - She completely ignored Jaden's threat.
- Hey, answer me first. Brat...
- You shouldn't be. It's the first time I've seen you around here. My name is Lucy Addams and yours?
- Jaden Foster. - He answered dryly.
- Jaden is a nice name. But I think I'd better...
Jaden tried to ignore him, but just as he was about to lose patience, the bus arrived.
He went to the second to last seat in the left row, to sit by the window. Lucy came right behind.
- Why are you sitting here? It's better with your friends. - he asked, a little indignant.
- It's just that... I'm not very popular, you know.
Jaden saw her change, become more melancholic, her skin reddened and she clenched her hands.
- Whatever. - She put down the phone and stared at the window.
Lucy talked on and on, Jaden responded with a shake of his head. On the way they passed a street, where hunters in white uniforms carried some vampire bodies.
Everyone was celebrating, treating them as heroes. Even some soldiers waved at the bus.
- They are amazing. How nice that they are eliminating these demons. - Lucy commented with admiration.
- Don't you like vampires? - she asked, looking at the girl.
- I hate them. - She lowered her voice, as if what she was about to say bothered her. - They took my mother away from me. They are heartless monsters. What about you, Jaden? - She stared at Jaden. With those almost purple eyes.
- I don't care about that. - Jaden leaned his head against the glass.
Jaden remembered a conversation he had with Thomas.
#############################################
Jaden was training with Thomas. Both were holding wooden swords. The boy was delivering heavy and fast blows. But Thomas with just a slight movement. He was disarming him, giving a stumbling kick and knocking his opponent down.
- Argh! - asked the boy, as he lay on the ground.
Thomas stared, because Jaden was so skilled, he rarely lost like that. He could see that the boy was disoriented.
- He's a little disoriented today. What is it? Could it be because of puberty? - he asked, putting away his swords.
- No. He sat down on the rug. - He sat down on the mat. - I've been weighing myself lately. Why do I train?
Thomas drinks a little from his bottle.
- Are you stupid? Have you forgotten? - He pauses briefly. - It is your destiny. You can't escape, because you are half-breed.
- But I am neither human nor vampire. I have no reason to fight for either side.
- That is your choice, you will have to choose. You won't stop fighting, what will be your choice? - Thomas asked seriously.
- I want to have a normal life. You know, without getting involved in this war. - He jumped up, gathering momentum, and stood up.
- I understand. But remember, destiny will always pursue you. You won't escape it.
#############################################
The memory is interrupted when they reach their destination. George Victor High School, named after a general of the Hunters, who was considered a hero in the war.
The school was gray, two stories high, a courtyard with a garden around the path leading to the entrance.
- What grade will you be in? - Lucy asked, jumping instead of walking.
- In the second grade.
- I'm going to seventh grade, which is on the second floor. Then I have to go. - The girl ran away.
Jaden simply ignored her, walking with his face closed.
If his mission was not to attract attention, he failed miserably. Some of the students looked at him.
- That boy is very scary. Look at his face. - One boy said to his group of friends, referring to Jaden.
- Imagine what he must be listening to?heavy metal.
Jaden was listening to DADDY DADDY DOO.
- Hey, boy! - Suddenly someone started shouting from afar.
Jaden played dumb, continuing to walk.
"There's no way that's me.
- Or! you! - The call continued.
"It's not me."
He was trying to convince himself.
He kept walking. But he was interrupted by a book hitting his back.
- Oh, shit! Who the... - He turned sharply to see his attacker. It was a pretty girl, white skinned, blond, with a ponytail, wearing a white shirt, emerald green eyes, and she looked very angry.
- Did you by any chance not hear me? - she asked angrily.
- Sorry, I didn't hear you. - He quickly made up an excuse, gathering up the book and handing it to her.
- Good. - He paused to observe his new colleague from head to toe. - É... You have a terrible face, - she commented, putting her hands in the pockets of her jeans.
Despite Jaden's handsome appearance, which drew attention, his aura made no one approach.
- What do you mean? - Jaden asks in a calm voice.
- That angry face? Do you intend to stay like this all year?
- I think so, even. - He went on his way.
- Wait! - She ran after him, making him stop. - I'm Julie Green, I represent class 2-A. You're Jaden Foster, right?
- Yeah, so? - He said and kept walking.
The girl picked up momentum and a aerial kick hit Jaden in the back, knocking him to the ground.
- Now that I have your attention. I want to keep my reputation as a good representative... - She commented, brushing the imaginary dust off her hands.
- You're crazy, that's what you are. - He got up from the floor.
- That's why I want to show you around the school. - She continued, knocking him down again.
- No, I'm fine. - He answered, irritated.
Julie showed him the hallways. Jaden kept wondering in his thoughts how he had gotten there.
**********************************************
Not far from the school, inside an apparently abandoned shed, a man was sitting on an old sofa. And many others were standing around, smoking and drinking a red liquid. But suddenly someone opened the gate of the place.
- Well, well, well. The vampire Robin Hood. - The man who was sitting on the couch, came out of the shadows, bald with a big scar on his forehead, muscular, wearing a leather jacket, biker style.
- Trucker. Glad I found you! How's business? - It was Thomas, but he was wearing a gray mask, with only an eye hole.
- Not interested. - He paused to scratch his bald head - What do you want?
- Always direct. You know... - He walked over to one of Trucker's subordinates and pushed him out of the chair. Sitting down immediately afterwards. - As brother vampires. We should join forces, your group has strong and healthy men. But outside here, our brothers need...
Trucker started to laugh, everyone in the room followed him.
- Sorry... - he continued laughing. - Don't give me that. I used all the strength I have to create the Sewer Snakes. I can't take other people's problems on myself. Why don't they do the same?
- They just want to have a normal life. Without problems.
- They . - Trucker made quotation marks with his fingers. - They have powers. Let them use them to defend themselves!
- But most don't know how to control their powers, they get lost in blood addiction. Those who manage to free themselves, are killed. - He stood up, threatening Trucker. - Don't forget that many pay for what your gang does.
The bandit's henchmen stepped forward. Trucker didn't move a muscle. Thomas was even more indignant, at such insensitivity.
- FUCK... Have you no regard for those who lost their lives in the walls?
- What walls? - The truck driver lay down on the couch.
Thomas just looked at him. Letting out a sigh. Thinking to himself.
"That's weird, not remembering the walls."
Thomas turned around, heading for the exit.
- Enjoy your life of crime. But it will soon be over. - He smoothed his messy hair.
- Are you going to challenge me? - The criminal asked with a laugh. - I have the biggest gang in Liberty City.
- Maybe so. Maybe not. But keep that in mind. - He said, closing the gate.
********************************************
At General George Victor High School, it was history class, and as usual Jaden was asleep. The teacher, thin, gray-haired, with typical nerd glasses, was talking animatedly, pacing back and forth.
- Twelve years ago. A war raged across the state of Alaska. Supernatural monsters that hid in the shadows, decided to show themselves to the world, with a bloodbath. They called these monsters vampires, because they feed on blood. At first, humanity seemed to be losing. But a Japanese initiative came to help, allying itself with the American army. The Owl initiative, or Hunters, as it was called here in the United States. Where soldiers specialized to take down these vampires.
- Again with this story. - One student complained, bowing his head.
- This initiative was a success. Many heroes emerged from there. This event was given the name Blood War. Even though the humans won. The survivors took refuge around the world, multiplying. But the Owls, but also known here as Hunters. They fight to eliminate everyone for our protection. To perform better, they created our city, Liberty City. The city with the second greatest influence on the Hunters here in the United States. - The bell rang, interrupting the professor.
Curiosity: Liberty City is a small metropolis located between the American states of Ohio and Pennsyvalnia. A fictional Gotham City type city, with lots of crime in the suburbs, mostly coming from vampires. @
During the break, Jaden was eating a sandwich while reading a manga.
- I didn't know that when he slept, he used this kind of breathing. - he said, turning the page.
- Hi, newcomer. - Julie, sitting enthusiastically at the same table as him.
- Are you an idiot, do you always get excited? You don't even look like you're a crazy person who beats people up. - he asked, not taking her eyes off what she was reading.
- It's just that you're a case apart, you're not even looking for friends.
- I don't need friends, just leave me alone.
- Hm! You have a difficult gene. - She tugged on his ear.
- Ouch. - He spoke without showing any reaction.
- Give me a smile. - She tugged harder on Jaden's ear.
The boy gave a forced smile, turning his attention back to his reading. She giggled.
- You're funny, I feel like we can be closer.
- I don't know where you are seeing this.
A big headache came on. Jaden's vision blurred.
"Everything was blurry. It looked like he was in a forest. Someone was standing in front of you, because it was blurry, you didn't know who it was.
- You're funny. - A voice came into your head."
Jaden put his hand on his forehead in pain.
- Is everything alright? - Julie asked worriedly
- Yes... yes... - he answered quickly.
This thing that just happened, Thomas calls it a memory crisis.
It had been a long time since he had this kind of crisis. He felt pain and a sense of nostalgia at the same time. But before he could get up, a figure approached the table.
- Hi, little sister, how is your life as a tutor going? - A blond, athletic looking boy (what made it clearer was his soccer team jacket), also with green eyes, and a topknot, sat down next to her.
- I think he's doing well, he just keeps talking.
- Idiot. - Jaden said, biting into his snack.
- My name is Dean Green, I'm the twin brother of this girl here. - he introduced himself, hugging Julie.
- Strange, I didn't see you in the room.
- You can make small talk with him, can't you. - She grumbled, crossing her arms and turning around.
- That's because I'm in a separate class, a prep class for being a candidate. - She said, grabbing some of her sister's food.
- A candidate? - Jaden asked, showing a little interest.
- It's like being a recruit for the Hunters. You prepare for the written exam and physical tests. If you pass, during the course of your career you rise in rank...
- But he's a gorilla, very good in physics, but stupid as hell in his studies. - Suddenly Julie let out this comment.
Dean grabbed Julie, very angry.
- Don't pay attention to her. You know, you have a good size, have you ever thought about becoming a candidate?
- I don't really care about that. I prefer to stay neutral, but what they're doing to vampires I'd say, is a bit much. - Jaden answers, looking seriously at Dean.
- I see, you sound like Julie. Too kind. - He looked briefly at his sister. - Now I have to go, we'll talk more later. - Dean walked a little, but soon stopped. - But Jaden, the humans need as much help as possible to wipe out the vampires, otherwise more of us will die.
- I understand. - He turned his attention back to the manga. Jaden noticed that Julie was quiet. - Not the silent type, as far as I could tell.
- That's ok, I'm just thinking. I'm just thinking.
Jaden spotted Lucy, two boys were standing in front of her. She was reading something. But before he recognized it. One of them hit her hand, knocking it over. He didn't want to get involved, but his conscience was guilty.
- Damn it! - he grumbled.
The fat boy kicked the one his friend had knocked over.
- Check it out. She dyed her hair. - A thin boy, with a few gaping teeth, was messing with her hair.
- Leave me alone," Lucy said, pulling the bully's hand out of her hair.
- Look at you, sassy. - He raised his hand to Lucy, "My dear Lucy, be careful that you don't want to get...
A frightening figure appeared behind them. They both turned around, swallowing.
- Hey, hey, hey. What do you think you're doing you little shits? - It was Jaden, very angry.
- Na... nothing... - The bully had turned into a scaredy-cat.
Jaden took the boy's hand and squeezed. For a second his right eye glowed. The boy whimpered in pain and apologized.
- Don't apologize to me. Just get out of my face. And out of her sight forever.
She let go of his hand, walked away crying, and the fat boy stayed.
- HUH? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
The boy turned white with fear and ran away. Jaden turned to Lucy, she was putting together a manga.
- Given? - He questioned, recognizing the series.
- Do you know it? - she asked shyly.
- Sort of, I watched a few episodes. But I thought it was cool. - Jaden put his hands in his sweatshirt pocket.
- I only have this one, my dad hardly stops home for me to ask for more. I got this one from my mom...
Lucy squeezed the manga in her hands.
- Thank you, Lucy.
- Don't thank me, my conscience would weigh me down if I just saw it. - she put her hand behind her head.
She smiled briefly, leaving the room. Lucy was totally different from earlier.
- Bipolar girl. - she said, a little confused.
- WHAT DID I JUST SEE? - Julie suddenly appeared, punching Jaden several times in the back.
- You mean you have a sense of justice, you just helped Lucy Addams.
- Do you know her?
- Yes. Everyone at school knows her story. - She drank some juice from a carton. - Two years ago. Her mother was killed in a vampire uprising. She was completely destroyed. She isolated herself, didn't leave the house anymore. She even tried to kill herself in the school bathroom. Everybody knew about it, and they started to judge her.
- She must have had a hard life. - Jaden remembered a little about his past, and how much he suffered for not remembering before he was twelve.
- I'm glad she found a friend, but she's a little grouchy, and I hope he takes good care of her.
- I'm not her friend. - he muttered.
The bell rang, the two of them went into the living room. Julie saw a circle of friends, giving a smile.
- Hey, shall we go and meet some new people? - she asked, taking his arm.
- No... I don't want to... I don't want to... - He tried to pull free.
Julie punched him in the back of the head.
- That's not an option. - she said in a threatening tone.
- But you asked...
- Guys, guys. This is Jaden, he's new here.
- Fucking ignoring me...
********************************************
After class, Jaden came home, Thomas was watching basketball. Mary wasn't home. The best man looked at him.
- How was your first day?
- Fine. - He answered, taking off his sneakers.
- Did you meet someone? - He asked with a smile.
- No. Thomas stared at Jaden as he walked up the stairs.
Thomas stared at Jaden as he walked up the stairs.
- Is she pretty? Was it love at first sight?
Jaden stumbled, falling down the stairs.
- SHUT UP! - he shouted angrily.
Jaden climbed up and entered the room, throwing himself on the bed. A brief flashback comes to his mind.
#############################################
- I can't take it anymore. I don't care about friends anymore! - he shouted, punching the wall.
- Don't talk like that. Everyone needs friends. - Chloe said, looking at the scene.
- No matter what I do, they always end up afraid of me. I'll just stick with what I already have, alone.
Chloe hugged him.
- You may think that, but at some point you will come across someone who cares and wants to see you happy. Sometimes they can be in a different way.
#############################################
He smiled, staring at the ceiling for a while.
Jaden put on his headphones and opened his cell phone. On the news there was a story, saying that vampire crime groups were on the rise in Liberty City.
- That's not my problem. - He commented, closing his eyes.
The next day Jaden was walking with his hands in his pockets. Singing in a low voice.
- Spend three racks on a new chain... - but his singing was interrupted by something grabbing his backpack.
He looked back. It was Lucy, acting normal, cheerful and talkative.
- You're strange," he said directly to the girl.
- Why? - she questioned as she jumped.
- Yesterday at school, you were sad, you didn't smile. Very depressed, if I stayed close to you your sadness would rub off on me.
- Ah, that... That was momentary, I was sad, but my mother always said that I should never get upset and always keep smiling, that everything will get better.
- I understand.
Jaden had never thought that, when he suffered he just trained, trying not to think about it anymore, but this only made the situation worse, making him even more shaken. He realizes that in this part, she was quite strong, stronger than him.
Lucy put cat ears in her hair, pausing to strike a pose.
- How did I look?
Jaden looked at her.
"Weird."
He thought, analyzing her. But what he said:
- Weird. - He kept walking.
- Don't be like that. - she complained, running after him.
Jaden gave a hidden smile. He thought a lot about the idea that he could have a normal life. But to his surprise, a man flew out of a window. He was totally bloodied, his red eyes were showing, he immediately stared at the girl who was with Jaden.
Lucy was startled, Jaden pulled her behind him.
- You! - said the man getting up.