Night:

"He's...your brother?!" I mumble, running my hand through my hair. Images flood my mind before I can stop them: death, power, destruction. Even though years have passed, his words still haunt me. His own revenge yearning for my blood.

"That's what I just said," she growls.

"Why didn't tell me who you really were?" I ask, searching in her eyes for any answer.

"Because you didn't recognize me and if you had the mission would have been compromised," she answers. I see Julie hover over her worriedly, but now even she looks familiar. Mary makes no move to attack me. She doesn't look at me with malice. Why isn't she mad at me? I...killed most of her family.

"Should I continue this another time?" the priest asks, looking a little uncomfortable.

"No, please continue," Mary reassures him. She gives me a look to silence to me. I open my mouth to protest, but no words come out. My guilt had never felt this strong. Knowing while I was sitting in my cell, plotting ways to Shane; she never had any intent to kill me. I don't have the right to be mad!

"Night, are you alright?" Moon whines worriedly.

"I need air," I say, walking away before anyone can stop me. Mist circles reassuringly around my legs, but not even Moon's presences can sooth my troubled doubts.

"It's alright, your feelings aren't wrong. You're allowed to be angry," Moon says calmly from my mind.

"I've been mad at Shane this whole for arresting me, when she's forgiven me. I deserve it, I deserve everything!" I protest telepathically. I feel a hand grab my wrist, I spin around to see Shane holding unto me. His face only brings me pain, his hand makes my skin crawl. He only makes my rage more intense. Despite my discovery, I can't make myself forgive him.

"Don't touch me!" I scream, yanking my hand away. For a moment that power I felt years ago consumes me. Strong, addicting, outrageous power. I snap out of the trance. Shane backs away, rejected and hurt. I turn away, that seductive feeling lingering. I walk down the endless halls of this practically empty facility. Memories coming back in waves:

I sit under a tree to escape the sun's harsh rays. My right cheek swelling and bruised. Moon is curled up at my feet, snoring softly. I look up at the cloudless sky. I had won another fight. Many thugs or other Spirit Dancers would start fights to be the "strongest." I always won.

"Excuse me, are you Night?" asks a voice. I turn around to see a boy. His dirty blond hair brushes his ears. His blue eyes sparkling with eagerness. He smiles at me hopefully.

"Who's asking?" I reply, narrowing my eyes in distrust.

"Shane, nice to meet you," he answers. "I heard she's the strongest. I'm training to be a guardian and I was wondering if she could give me some tips on getting stronger." I stand up, Moon blinking at me sleepily.

"Yeah, I'm Night. I'm not a guardian, but I guess I could give you some tips," I answer.

"Thank you! You won't regret this!" Shane grins.

* * *

A wave of destruction follows me, but I barely notice. I can hear Moon howling my name, but I am too deep in darkness to truly comprehend what she's saying. Where am I? Who am I? I am numb except the pulsing that seems to consume me. This power controls all of my senses, filling up with this addicting feeling. I only watch as I see the bloody mess before me. A swing of my sword slices a house. People scream. Red liquid soaks my skin, making me sticky. My feet seem to be searching for him. This destruction won't mean anything if Shane isn't dead. Is how it feels when a Spirit Dancer loses control?

"Night, stop! You're destroying everything!" yells a familiar voice. My body shudders. He's here. Every part of me shivers with bloodthirsty anger. I remember now.

"Shane. Must. Die." I mumble. I watch him tense. He's scared. I raise my sword to strike him down, but something pulls me to my knees. Roots, vines pin me to the payment. That power that had consumed is dying with my will to fight. Shane bends down to my level, his blue eyes wet with tears, his hand touching my face.

"I'm sorry, Night," he whispers, pressing his lips against mine in a soft kiss. The moment our lips part, a scream erupts from mouth. A scream full of love, anger, and betrayal. He stumbles backwards.

"I'll kill you!" I scream.

* * *

He softly puts his hand in mine. I tense for a moment, but slowly relax knowing I couldn't deny my feelings anymore. I forget my usual distrust and let my walls crumple. We remain silent, too deep in this moment to say anything and we didn't need to.

"Night, I love you," Shane whispers.

"I love you too," I whisper back.

* * *

I don't fight as they lead me to the police car. Restraints cover my body so I could only move forward. My eyes downcast and my body exhausted. Mist surrounds my feet, but Moon is too exhausted to take physical form.

"When I get stronger, I'm going to kill you. So try not to die yet, okay?" says a voice behind. I slowly turn around to see the town jewel and her brother. The town jewel, Mary, leans on her brother for support, her right leg bent at awkward angle and her skin bloody and bruised. Her brother, who's name as escaped my memory, looks at me defiantly. My blood goes cold, never in my life had I seen such hate confined to one glare.

"Jermaine...stop it," his sister says between pained breaths.

He means every word. Because hatred is something I know well.

* * *

Standing in front of a door that reads restricted, I am finally free from my memories. I turn the knob, expecting it to be locked, but it opens instantly. A poorly lit hall stretches before me. My instincts telling to run, but my curiosity begging me to explore. I take a step inside, but Moon stands in front of me.

"It says restricted, Night," Moon reminds me.

"Then they should have locked the door," I point out, pushing past her. She paces at the entrance, barking for me to come back, but after a few moments follows me inside. I find that I'm not the only one with secrets.