Kian fell into the blue glider seat next to me. Low radio music occupying the night scenery in the backyard. In his hand, he had a can of beer. I glance over at my mom who is fussing over my dad's grilling. Alec and Lucy sat on the outdoor table seating. Their heads close together as they whisper. Alec said something that made Lucy laugh and her laughter filled the night air.

I felt bitterness eating my heart and inside for dinner. Feeling guilty, I snuffed the emotion and took a long gulp of the can of beer in my hand.

"What's with the face?" Kian asked.

"What face?"

"You know what I am talking about."

"Actually, I don't." I blinked at him.

He chuckles and shakes his head.

"I know you better than anyone here, Grace. You're jealous of Lucy."

"Am not," I deny.

"Am too."

"I'm not doing this with you." I felt exposed to his observation.

Kian threw his hands up in a sign of surrender. I lean back into the seat and cross my arms. He fell back and I felt his arm brush mine.

"Even if you don't say it, I can see it. You like Alec and I am telling you it's not going to work."

"Are you just here to piss me off?" I look at him angry.

"You don't understand-"

I shot up from the seat. This sudden movement got everyone looking in our direction. Frustration hits me like a tidal wave and I walk around the house into the front yard. Sitting on the step leading into the house, I inhale deeply.

Kian didn't follow me.

He was right and I was a major ass to him. I shouldn't feel this way. It wasn't right and I felt an extreme amount of guilt. It ate my insides and left me feeling cold and empty.

In my defense, it wasn't like I wasn't trying. This feeling—I've been fighting it for years. I tried telling myself it was my imagination. What I felt was just a little puppy love and it'll all be over as soon as I find someone new. I tried dating, but the feelings weren't the same. It felt forced.

A car zoomed by our street. There were no stars tonight, but the streetlights and neighbor's home lit up the night with the moon.

Unexpectedly, a firefly flew in front of me. I lifted my left hand up and it sat on the back of my fingers. Its light glows out and in.

Firefly

I blew at the thing and it flew away. I down the can of beer all the way before standing up from the step. I think I am done for the night. I open the front door and walk inside. Heading up the stairs, I walk to my bedroom door and head in.

An hour later, I was in my bed. I glance at my phone and flip through my school emails. There was a text message from Kian. He asked if I was in bed. I texted back that I'm already in bed and safe. He didn't respond after that.

Setting my phone down, I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to take over.

I don't know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, it was from the sound of a loud explosion. I heard scuffling and footsteps. Lights lit up the sky. I thought we were having an earthquake.

Suddenly, my bedroom door crashed open. My dad came in frazzled. His hair is a complete mess and face is bleeding. I sat up in my bed. He stalks over to me and grabs me by the arm. He yanks me out of bed with one move.

"What's wrong? What happened to your face?" I ask when I saw blood and cuts.

His salt and pepper hair was a strewn mess while his white sleeping t-shirt was ripped with blood.

"I'll explain later, but for now, you'll need to listen to me."

"What's going on, dad?"

"Don't worry. You'll be safe."

He pulled me out of the bedroom and into the narrow hallway. A shadow appeared at the top of the stairs. My dad saw it. The shadow grew darker and more sinister as it moved closer to us. A black fog or smoke touched every corner of the ceiling, walls, and floor. I scream in terror. My dad shoves me behind him and deflects the attack with his hands. A form of bright light covered us.

My mom appears in front of me. She helps my dad hold back the black fog with her own hands, but it seems to be making its way closer to us.

"Go into the bedroom, Gracie."

"Dad-"

"Go now!"

Reluctantly, I turned and ran back into my room. I didn't know what to do. Another explosion and the house catches on fire. I could see the flames emanating from my window. I scream out loud and cover my eyes. Falling onto the cold floor, I pulled my legs up to my chest and closed my eyes.

This is a dream. I'll wake up in the morning and it'll just be a nightmare.

Someone grabs my left wrist and tugs hard. I heard my name. I shook my head and pushed that person away.

"Firefly!" Alec shouts pierce my fear.

My eyes shot open and I saw him. He crouched and held onto both of my wrists.

"We have to go."

"But my parents-"

"They'll be fine, but you can't be here."

"We can't leave them."

"We have to, Grace. I have to take you out of here."

"What about Lucy? Kian?"

"They are safe. I don't have time to explain. You have to listen to me."

I nod my head. I had no other choice. He seems to know what he is doing.

"Alec, now. Run!" I hear my dad ordered Alec.

Without another word, Alec threw a hiking backpack at me. Surprised, I caught it barely with my hands.

"Put it on."

"I-"

I still couldn't believe what was happening. Confusion forced me to shake my head at him. His light gray eyes darkened, cutting me from any protests.

"Put it on, Grace!" I threw the backpack on without hesitation. As soon as I had it on, Alec grabbed my wrist and threw me onto his back. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he held onto my thighs.

"Tuck your head."

I tuck my head behind him. He ran and the next second, I heard glass shatter and another second later, we were outside our home. He lands on his feet with a thump. I hugged him tighter, but my eyes flew open to see if we were safe.

With me on Alec's back still, he ran towards his bike. He dropped me onto the ground and then swung onto his bike. Handing me my helmet, I put it on quickly before swinging my leg over and wrapping my arms around his waist.

He pulls out without a second thought. Just as we pulled out of the driveway, the house exploded. Incinerated under the fire. A black fog spreads and suddenly launches toward us.

Fear grapples at my heart and I hug Alec tighter.

"It's coming!" I don't know what's coming, but I felt like I needed to tell Alec.

He revs his engine and steps on the gas. I risk a glance behind and notice street lights being snuff and electrical cables flashing as it breaks. Whatever is chasing us is reeking chaos in its path.

I felt an eeriness and it made my hair stand up and goosebumps pepper all over my skin. I was about to look but Alec lost control of the bike. We swerved and I could feel his body tense up as he tried to control the car.

I felt something wrap around my arm and I looked to see a dark shadow touching me.

"Alec!" I shout in panic.

Alec steps on the gas immediately. Everything around me zoomed by and the shadow lost its grip.

"We just need to survive till morning." I heard Alec shouts.

"Should we go somewhere where it won't kill everything in its path?"

"We need to be where there is light. Taking it away from the city will only make it stronger."

"What is that thing?" I shout as Alec takes us deeper into the city. The shadows lessen as we gain more light.

"They're Shadow Dwellers. Malevolent entities that work as mercenaries."

"Shadow Dwellers?"

Alec turns down a corner. It looks like he was heading to the town square. The streets weren't busy and it made it easier for Alec to speed down the streets. The shadow continued to chase us until we grew closer to the heart of the city.

"I know you have a lot of questions and I promise you, I'll answer all of them when the time comes."

I fell silent as what happened in the last hour replayed in my mind. All of this seems hard to believe. I read about these imaginary things in books. They were labeled fantasy for a reason.

I didn't ask any questions until we got to the time square. He parks the bike near the water fountain. I got off first and walked over to the fountain. I sat down on the edge. He follows and sits next to me.

Shadow Dwellers are no longer in sight. I felt safer and feeling safer means I could think now.

"Tell me what I need to know."

"Not here," Alec protests.

I shot up in anger.

"When is the right time, Alec? An hour ago, I was sleeping in bed. My life was normal and now-"

He stood up and grabbed my arms to stop me from walking away. He turns to face him.

"I'm sorry, Grace."

I shake my head. I didn't realize I was crying until he touched my cheeks with his hands and swiped away my tears with his thumb.

"Just tell me. What are we going to do?"

"The Shadow Dwellers might not come back. It would lose our scents among the cities."

I laughed. Right, cause this all make a lot of fucking sense.

"I'll get us a place to sleep for now. You just need to trust that I'll keep you safe."

I looked at Alec and saw the sincerity in his eyes. If the world was going to fall apart and we were all going to die, I would trust him.

I nodded my head and he gave me a half smile.

"Are my parents going to be okay?" I ask him.

"I'm not sure, Grace." At least he was honest with me...

The last thing I remembered was my parents' frantic look on their faces. My heart twists at the thought of losing them or them getting hurt. Then I thought about Kian and Lucy and I assumed that Alec would give me the same answer since he and I were in the same situation. So, I kept quiet until we were safer.