The rider continued to ride his horse, not permitting the animal to slow down for a second. Pulling out a sword, he stretched his arm out to stab my body. My other half did not budge, as if waiting for something. The second the blade was an inch away, and my body's scians could get a grasp on the male, my dark half grabbed him, and threw him to the floor. 

The amount of force she applied was enough to crack his head open, but still keep him alive. She kicked the motionless body so its face was facing the crescent moon. Drawing her head closer, my other half used her hands to choke the man by his collar. In response, the man opened his mouth, hoping to get some air into his lungs. As he opened his mouth, his soul emerged from his lips, as my body ingested his life energy.

"You know Kancia, I did you a favour by making this scum's death quicker. I could tell how much you want to save that girl," my dark half told me.

"I promise Systiere, I will make it up to you when that gang plans to rob the jewellery shop. Then you can have your blood-curdling fun," I replied. "For now, I need control over my body so I may help the girl."

"Fine by me."

Pleased with her meal, Systiere allowed me to regain command over my body. Instantly, I hid my wings under my black clothes. Heading to the tree, the girl climbed down before she stood in front of me.

"I saw what you did with that rider. Thank you for protecting me. Those men have been eyeing me for weeks since they arrived. Are you going to be bringing me home?"

"I wish I could, yet I fear more criminals will target you. Your pink hair and eyes are not very subtle, making you a valuable prize to them."

"Where will I go then? I cannot live by myself."

"How would you feel if you lived with me? I know I seem horrid, but that is only how I treat criminals."

"Do you know what I am though? I am not human, even if my appearance may appear otherwise."

"I know you are not. You are a bereacher like me. Let me introduce myself. My name is Kancia. What is your name?"

"Tama," she replied. Her stomach gurgled, causing her to clench it, hoping it would subdue the noise.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little. Although normal food will not fill me."

"Don't worry, I know the solution to your problem."

I brought her back to the outside of her house, where the dead bodies still lay on the ground. I knew that she could not remove the souls of the men yet, however, that did not mean I couldn't do it for her. Using my powers, I pried at one of the criminals' mouths, enabling his rust orange soul to escape. With my hands, the soul glowed in my palms. 

Motioning the girl to come closer, I urged her to close her eyes and open her mouth. Without hesitation, she listened to my instruction, revealing a perfect set of pearly white teeth. Successfully, I directed the soul down her throat, which she gulped.

"How does that taste?"

"This is the first thing I have ever tasted! Is this what bereachers eat?"

"It is. You know, if you would like, you could live with me, Tama. I could show you more of your kind."

"That would be nice. I wouldn't have to be an outcast anymore," she looked at her home with a forlorn expression. "But what will happen to my father?"

"You should probably wake him and tell him."

"I don't think he would consent to this, though."

"If he refuses, suggest that he at least speaks with me about the proposition."

Nodding her head, she rushed inside her home. Listening to her footsteps climb the creaky set of stairs, she ran into her father's room. She told him to wake up, causing him to groan in response.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"I need to ask you something important."

"Can't it wait until morning?"

"No dad. It is urgent. I want to move away."

"What!" the father jumped from his bed. "Darling, you only move away when you're married. And from the looks of things, that is a long time from now."

"Dad, I am not human. I can't live here. I need to be with my kind."

"Darling, I am your father. My blood flows through your veins. Am I not enough for you."

"Dad, I am bereacher."

"A what?"

"Just come follow me."

The girl approached the window to signal to her father to look at me. I stood there, waving to him, making sure I concealed both my scians and my wings, to avoid shocking him more than he already was.

"Who is that woman standing outside our house?" the father asked.

"That is Kancia. She is a bereacher like me. She says I could stay in her company."

"Invite her in. I wish to talk with her."

Once the girl arrived at the door to urge me to come inside, a neutral-looking man welcomed me. He was a balding individual, with a scruffy beard. His clothes were messy, assumedly from scrambling to put something on. He moved aside, signalling me to enter the kitchen. I could feel his eyes studying me from behind while I passed him by.

"It is to my knowledge that you wish to take my daughter into your care."

"It is true. She is not safe here."

"What makes you say that? Is she not here, safe and sound?"

"She would not have been, had I not come here an hour ago."

"What are you talking about?"

"Dad," Tama intervened, showing some of her scratches caused by the men. "She saved me from being kidnapped. There were some men who hauled me into a wooden crate, to use for their personal satisfaction."

"Is that true?"

I nodded my head.

"I am so sorry, Tama. I can't believe I did not hear the intruders," he held her, almost breaking into tears.

"It's alright," she returned his embrace, patting his back.

"And thank you for saving my precious girl."

"It was my pleasure."

"But I cannot let you take her in. Even though you saved her, what makes you think you could protect her more than I can?"

"For one thing, my hearing and sight can detect more things than the average person," I allowed my scians to appear from my back. "And I have these, scians we call it, as a portable weapon which I can use at will."

He looked frightened for a moment.

"I can assure you, I would never think of using these on your daughter."

"W-where do you plan to take her?"

"There is an area of this land, separated by a river, which belongs to bereachers like me. No man would dare tread there, let alone intrude in their homes."

"I see. I trust you will take care of her."

"I understand that it is hard for you to let go of someone you love," I said, even though in reality I had not a single clue, since I held no emotional attachment to anyone, "but she is safer with me. I promise I will let her visit you."

He gazed at his daughter, unsure of what to do. Seconds later he heaved a deep sigh, "I will let her stay with you. However, she must visit me every two weeks, so I can see how she is doing."

"Of course," I replied.

"Thank you so much, dad!"

Tama jumped into her father's hands, then jumped into mine. It was the first time someone hugged me, so I was very awkward when trying to return her embrace. In fact, I ended up just patting her back, which caused the father to chuckle.

"Well Tama, your new home awaits," I told her with a smile.

Leading her outside the home, I used my scians to wrap lightly around her waist while my wings propelled me into the sky. My grasp was tight enough for her to turn her body without her falling. She waved goodbye to his father, who sadly watched us fly away. Together, we soared over a lake that reflected the moon. Fascinated, she reached her hand to touch the water.

"I wish I could fly like you."

"Trust me, when you tap into your powers, flying will be the least impressive thing you could do."

That day was one of my happier moments. For the first time in a while, I did something for someone else. Now, after eight years, she has become my dearest friend. We confided in each other, and no one could impede our friendship. Like I promised, we lived together in my small cavern in the mountains on an island. 

Aside from the rock walls, our home had the same furniture you would find in a common house. We had tables made of ornate wood, drawers, chairs and some paintings. Most of our belongings were from other bereachers as a welcoming gift into the community. Some were handmade, while others were stolen during their murder escapades. Either way, it was useful.

She visited her father every two weeks, but as she got older and could look after herself, her father reduced it to once a month. Now, she no longer visits him anymore, as he died two years ago. It was a troublesome time in her life. She disregarded my suggestion to watch from afar. 

I remember secretly watching her from one building, seeing her blonde and rose gold head of hair amongst the sea of the various shades of brown. My heart sank. A year later, she was back to her happy, energetic self, yet I wondered in the depths of my mind if she ever felt the need to cry when she thought of her father.

"Kancia, would you stop dreaming!" Tama shouted from behind, "I would hate to be late for a celebration all the bereachers are attending."

"Do we have to attend?" I moaned, "It is the same thing every month."

"Just because you despise having a social life, does not mean I shouldn't have one," she told me as she placed some pink sapphire earrings through the piercings of her earlobes, "Let me help you choose something. I don't want you dressing anyhow. It would ruin my image."

"May I remind you I am not a small child, and am older than you by seven years," I retorted, as I searched through the stacks of dresses folded on my table.

"I swear, I will kill you if you wear anything black!" Tama warned, continuing to fix herself in the mirror.

"Great," I angrily muttered to myself.

Black was my least favourite colour, but it was the only colour that I would wear to show that I am remorseful for the being I am, even if I could not control it. I skimmed through my wardrobe, searching for something that would please Tama, but not make me feel uncomfortable. Similar to the furniture, the other bereachers gave the clothes as gifts to help us adjust. I continued to skim my outfits until I found a red velvet dress with a slit on my right leg, reaching to my mid-thigh. 

Attached to the garment was a thick black metal belt that wrapped around my waist. This was one of the few dresses I bought with some money I found after I killed a thief. Removing my clothes, I slipped on the dress. It was loose, considering I was skinnier than the average person since I would starve myself until it was time for me to consume another soul.

When I had escaped as an adolescent from that fatted lady, I locked myself inside a cave, much like this one. Days passed as I got hungrier and hungrier. That was when I met my alternate side. A side that made me do something I would never dream of doing. An act that would leave me to hear the screams, cries and much more, for as long as I existed on the face of the earth.

"You are finally wearing that dress you bought," Tama spoke, startling me, "Now what would make you look more stunning is if I put some makeup on you."

"I do not need makeup," I protested.

"All I ask is that once a month, you dress up to impress the men so you are not single for the rest of your life. Is that too much to hope for?"

"Yes, it is!"

Tama pouted.

"Fine, you may put makeup on my face. But not as much as last time. I could barely recognize myself."

Sitting down on a seat, I allowed Tama to do my makeup. Using what she had, she made my eyelids have a smoky effect, along with adding a red tint to my lips. She also took the time to choose some ruby and gold accessories that she insisted I wear, along with a pair of gold heels. Finishing up, I stood in front of my bronze, oval mirror hung on the wall.

"I did an outstanding job," Tama stated, "All those men will drop dead when they see you."

"I appreciate the work you put in, but I would rather drop dead than go to that stupid party."

"Would you stop being negative for once in your life," Tama complained.

"Fine. But if you force me to talk to someone I will end you," I replied, jokingly glaring at her.

"Blah, blah, blah. Let's get going!" she exclaimed, dragging me out of my bedroom to the door.