A V I V A

I open my eyes, not knowing they were even closed. They take a moment to adjust to the brightness of the blinding sun and the vibrant green leaves. The forest looks enchanting, and I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out it actually is.

One of the first things I notice is the heat that hits my face. Beads of sweat collect at the back of my neck and I have the urge to take a bath in ice cold water. It's still chilly back home, even though it's already April. Maybe Kairan just has a warmer climate. Is this even Kairan? Or did the portal teleport me to some other land I have no idea even exists?

If this is the place where Demons roam, I definitely wasn't expecting it to look so beautiful. I thought it would be haunting, and I thought the teleporter would leave me in front of the palace, but I admit, it was stupid of me to assume that.

Maybe I should text Alec. Would that even work? Would my phone have service here, in another dimension? I doubt it, but I'll try anyway. I sigh when I notice the screen is cracked-probably from the teleporting-and write a message to Alec, but it doesn't work. There's no service, and to top it all off, my phone is about to die.

I stand up and dust the dirt off from my pants, but my legs are so wobbly that I almost fall right back down. I move to lean on a tree, balancing myself. Though I completely forget about staying on my feet because something above me twinkles, grabbing my attention. A small creature reveals itself, giggling like a child as she does. A Fairy? I've only seen a Fairy twice before and studied them when I was younger. They're usually shy Supernaturals, but they're smart and speedy. In this case, however, this Fairy seems to be quite confident and playful. She twirls and dances in her spot, the sparkles dancing with her. Her long, chocolate brown hair flows over her shoulders in waves, covering most of her pink, flowery dress. Her bright green eyes twinkle just like sparkles.

"Hello," Her soft voice is calming and holds elegance. "you're not from around here, are you? Kairan has never had a Cupid visit before."

So I am in Kairan, after all.

Smiling at the Fairy, I nod. "No, I'm not from around here. And I'm definitely not supposed to be here."

"Is that so?" She laughs when I shake my head. "Then what are you doing here?"

I wave it off. "It's a long story." Since I'm here anyway, I might as well go look for Alec. "Um, do you know where the palace is?"

She claps her tiny hands in excitement. "Oh, of course, I do! I can take you there myself if you'd like."

"Really? You'd do that?" I know I shouldn't be this quick to trust a Supernatural I just met, but what else can I do? My phone doesn't work here, and I have no idea how to get back home. I don't know my way around Kairan, and this Fairy might be the only creature I come across that's this friendly.

"Sure! I've got nothing else to do, anyway. All the other Fairies are out doing their own thing. And I like helping others out. It makes me happy," The Fairy grins. "Anyway, I'm Farren. What's your name?"

"Aviva," I say, following her when she begins to fly backwards like a hummingbird.

"Ooh, that's a beautiful name. So, Aviva, why do you want to go to the palace?"

"Well, I'm. . . visiting a friend." As if she'd actually believe me.

"Ah, well, let's go, then! The palace is this way," She motions for me to follow her through the forest. I almost gape at her.

I trial after Farren, silently thanking her for not flying too fast until she says, "Oh, I forgot to tell you one little thing."

I step over a log and wait for her to continue. Her eyes dart side to side, as if to make sure no one else is around to listen.

"This forest may look peaceful and all, but there's a lot of dangerous Supernaturals here. Goblins and Ghouls are almost everywhere, though, so you have to especially watch out for them. Kairan is full of a bunch of tricksters, and they are all usually the ones you never expect. They just want money, and they'll sell you to their highest bidder. You must be extra careful, since you're a Cupid."

Well, that sounds like fun.

Was I expecting Kairan to be a safe land? No way. After all, this place is also referred to as the "Demon Kingdom". And as far as I know, Demons are one of the deadliest Supernaturals out there. That is, only if they want to be. Take Paige, for example. She would have burned me alive if it weren't for Alec. But so far, I've come across two very different Demons. While Paige is still out there, probably getting ready to throw another one of those smokey fireballs at me, Alec is the complete opposite. He can be a gentleman and a total goofball at the same time, and he actually cares for others.

Maybe most Demons are like Paige, or maybe they're like Alec. Gosh, I really hope they're more like him. I don't need any more Supernaturals trying to kill me.

After what feels like thirty minutes of small talk with Farren, she stops flapping her glittery wings and spins around to face me, widening her eyes.

"Did you hear that?" She sends a quick glance over her shoulder. My face twists into a puzzled expression.

"Hear what?" When I strain my ears, I get an idea about what she's talking about. Bushes rustle in multiple directions, and a hundred warrior cries are released.

"Oh no," Farren gasps, terror masking her face. "Goblins. We're in their territory, and I didn't even notice. They're mad, Aviva. We have to go, now!"

But before she could even move an inch, blood pours out from her stomach. She falls as I gasp, catching her in my palms before she hits the ground. Farren sputters the red liquid from her mouth, her chest heaving as she struggles to breathe while she chokes on her own blood.

"Oh my gosh, Farren!" I panic, looking around for the weapon that was used to injure her. A small dagger is dug into the dirt, with some specks of blood. I pull it out, ready to use it at whatever comes at me.

"Run," Those are the last words I hear from the Fairy before she finally gives in, letting death take over her. Tears prick at my eyes, but I don't let myself cry. Right now, I have to get out of here.

So I run. I run in the direction Farren was leading me towards before we were attacked. I run through the forest, stumbling over roots of trees and rocks. I run faster when I hear footsteps behind me, silently begging my legs not to grow tired when I need them most, like right now.

Farren's lifeless body is still in my hands. The blood hasn't stopped pouring from her stomach. Her wings are already rotting. I didn't think Fairies decompose so quickly, but the body is turning grey to green as I run from the Goblin troops. Once I escape them-if I escape them-I'd like to give Farren a proper burial. Did she have a family? Will they ever find out about her death?

I yelp just as an arrow slices through the air, narrowly missing my left ear. I throw a quick glance over my shoulder, my eyes narrowing at the sight of a Goblin with a bow, aiming another one of his arrows at me. Can I somehow manage to take it from him? I'm good with archery; I've practised all my life. Being a Cupid, I kind of have to have good skills with a bow and arrow. But how can I steal it away? With my hands already preoccupied and my legs set on running for my life, I have no choice but to give up on the idea. Still, I grab the arrow that was plunged into a tree with one of my blood covered hands. Perhaps it could be of good use later.

"Krugaz tolum! Raculp yvūel!" The Goblins yell as they chase me. I really should have studied their language, but I never thought I would need to learn it.

I let out a string of curse words when an arrow gets lunged into the back of my left thigh and I falter, dropping Farren's small body. I can't do anything but watch it roll down into a river and grunt when the current carries her away. At least she'll be buried by nature itself. With a deep breath, I quickly pull the arrow out of my leg. If I had the time, I would clean the wound the best I can, but I don't even have the time to move a muscle because a second later another arrow is shot at me, piercing my right shoulder.

And then again. Right below my ribs.

Then my upper arm.

Then on the right side of my chest.

The Goblins are still chanting in their language as they run towards me with all kinds of daggers in their hands. My injuries aren't paying me any mercy, and neither are the Goblins. My eyes wander around the forest. Will I make it out here alive? Will I bleed to death on this riverbank? Or will the Goblins get me before that, and make me face a fate far more worse than dying here could ever be?

I think of Farren. All she wanted to do was help. That's what made her happy, or at least that's what she said. I've known her for less than an hour, yet I know she didn't deserve to die. She had a kind heart, but a lonely one too. As much as she tried hiding it, I could easily spot the sadness in her eyes. I wish I could've known her for longer.

I think of my friends. What happened to them? Did they go home, or did they go searching for me? Do my parents know where I am? I'm probably never going to see them again. Damn, I really wanted to watch Carl and Faith grow up together and fall in love on their own. Now I just hope they won't need a push from me, because I don't think I'll be around to give them one.

I think of Alec. Where is he, now? Arguing with his brothers? Fighting another battle with a Demon that isn't Paige? For his sake, I hope she's one of a kind. If there are any other Supernaturals out there with a mind like hers, I feel really bad for this world.

With the Goblins getting closer and my eyelids feeling like they weigh a thousand pounds, I struggle to turn my body so that I can look at the water instead. Pain is all I feel until I completely forget about it. I have no idea where this river goes, but I'm positive it's better than here. So I roll closer to the river, trying to ignore the smell of my own blood and the pain that comes with it. The current is stronger now. Shouts keep coming from behind me, but I close my eyes and clamp my bloodied hands over my ears in attempt to block out the noise.

When I finally hit the water, everything goes black.

♡♡♡

Hewwo! How long has it been since I last updated? Was it 100 years or 200? Eh, I lost track. But hey, because of my laziness, I gave you guys a slightly longer chapter! What did you think? Are you confused about anything right now? Was this chapter boring?

On another note, summer break has officially started for me, which means I should be updating my books more often. If I don't, it means writer's block has hit me again. Ugh.

Now, here are some cute covers made by letsjam8 <3

Don't forget to vote and comment! I love you all so so soooo much!!

Chloe ❤