Chapter 1

           Grabbing her books off the table, Ivy headed to her locker. It was Friday, she had three papers to write and some math homework. Grabbing the books, she needed from her locker, she headed out to the parking lot, where she spotted Drake Greenwood, her longtime crush, and his evil girlfriend Ashley.

           Shivers ran down her back, Ashley looked in her direction, Ivy quickly looked away.

           “Loser!” Ashley yelled in Ivy's direction.

           She quickly ran across the street, her heart slowed down. Walking through the park to get to her house, she knew her parents wouldn't be home for a few hours, so she had some time to relax before her mother nagged on her about doing her homework, or dishes. 

           Halloween was two days away, one of Ivy’s favorite holidays, lots of candy. She smiled at the thought. Thunder crackled, lightning hit nearby, and then the rain. Ivy put her hood on and ran the short distance home. 

           Unlocking the door, she shook her wet jacket off. Heading towards the kitchen, Ivy’s stomach growled. Turning the corner, she almost ran into someone. 

           Ivy quickly backed away, holding her ground “Who are you!” her voice shaking. “How did you get in here?” Glancing behind her, two more men stood nearby. She couldn’t see their faces.

           He didn’t say anything, his eyes never left hers. Ivy glanced around hoping to find something to defend herself with. Ivy looked down again, then back at him. He looked past her, she glanced again over her shoulder, another one stood even closer to her.

           Ivy’s heart raced, “what, what do you want?” 

           He still said nothing, Ivy glanced down at the phone, she could dial 911 before he could take the phone from her. She thought about it again, looking back up at the man standing in front of her. He shook his head as if to warned her. She took a step closer to the phone, glancing over her shoulder the men stood still like they were statues. 

           Instead of going for the phone, Ivy leaped over the couch, running into the kitchen looking for anything to defend herself with. Grabbing a knife, she turned towards the living room. Two of the men with hoods, and the other creepy guy stood there.

He finally spoke, “Ivy, we can do this the hard way, or the easy way. Your choice.”

           Ivy looked at him for a few seconds, the knife trembled in her hand, “We're going to do this my way. You three are going to leave and I'm going to stay alive.”

           He took a step towards her, “You have half the plan right. At least you're thinking like us,” he said.

Shaking her head in confusion, “What?” 

He took another step towards her; Ivy took a step back, closer to the back door. “We're not going to kill you, that part you have right. However, we are here for your parents. They have to die.”

           Ivy’s heart jumped into her throat. “Why?”

           “Because they’ve killed off some of our people. You bear the mark we have; we need to teach you our ways,” he said.

           He stood inches from her, if he wanted, he could grab her. “I am not what you think I am. I don’t even know what you think I might be.” She challenged.

           “We are Shadow Dwellers.” He spoke. “I am Daniel. Drake sent me.”

           “What the hell is that?” she said confused. “Drake from school? You’re joking right?”

           “No Ivy, we’ve been following you around since you moved here, to make sure you are who you’re supposed to be.” He spoke. “We see both shadows and whites, do you know what those are?”

           Shaking her head, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Right, so you four are from the nuthouse. Guess what? Get out of my house!” she growled shaking the knife at them.

           Daniel’s hand moved swiftly taking the knife from Ivy. She looked down at her hand, and then at Daniel. Twisting her body around trying to run from him, his arm wrapped around her neck. He held the knife inches from her neck. “Now, it’s my way,” he said. “Now, are you going to be a good girl and do what I tell you? Or do I have to gag you?” he asked.

           Ivy shifted her weight, “I, I guess I don’t have a choice, now do I?” 

           Daniel moved the knife from her throat, pushing her towards his men. They walked into the living room. Daniel forced Ivy to sit down.

           “You here, make sure she doesn’t move.” He barked orders to his men. “We have to wait for your parents to get home. Then we can end this quickly,” he said pacing the hallway near the front door.

           Ivy looked down at the phone again, one of Daniel’s men put his hand on her shoulder, putting his nail into her skin. “Ow.” She whined.

           Daniel looked in her direction, “to provoke my men, you must have tried to warn your parents.” He said walking towards her.

           “No.”

           “Relax, and he’ll let up.”

           Ivy looked down at his hand, his decayed fingers relaxed their grip before he released her entirely. Daniel went back to pacing near the hallway.

A knock at the door alarmed the two hooded men. “Come here Ivy,” Daniel said walking towards her. “You tell them about us, I will kill them and their blood will be on your hands, got it?” he growled.

           Ivy stood, “Yeah, whatever.” She said walking towards the door. Daniel trailed her with the knife. She opened the door, “Can I help you?” Ivy asked nervously. Daniel nudged her back, glancing around Ivy noticed he wasn’t a normal postman.

The man cleared his throat, “Yes, I have a letter here for your parents. Are they home?” he said glancing around nervously.

Before Ivy had a chance to answer, Daniel pulled her back into the living room. He grabbed the man, pulling him inside.

The man stumbled around, “Geez, get your dog off me, girl,” he complained.

Daniel threatened him with the knife, “What is this letter you speak of?” he asked.

           The man pulled the letter from his bag, “Um, something certified. I don’t know what it is,” 

           Daniel grabbed it out of his hand, “Give it to me now” Daniel ripped open the letter and read it. He looked towards the hooded men and nodded. One grabbed Ivy, while the other three took the delivery boy into the kitchen and outside. 

           Ivy struggled to get free. “Hey, where are they taking him?”

           Daniel looked over at Ivy, “Do you know what this letter is?” he asked, waving it in front of her.

           Finally, Daniel allowed her to be released, he pushed her down in the chair, “Um, no. What is it?” she said.

           Daniel tossed the letter onto the table, “It's a letter warning your parents of our arrival.” He spat. “We got here just in time, although your parents know we have been searching for you. I think that is why they started training; they knew we were coming.”

The two men returned without the delivery person; Daniel nodded at them. Ivy tried walking towards the kitchen, Daniel stopped her. “He has to be killed. He works for those that want to kill us.” He said stepping in front of the door.

            Taking a step back, Ivy knew if they wanted to kill her, she’d die. “Really? Dude you need to go back on your meds, there is no one out to kill you. You won't kill my parents because you think they are a part of something, which they aren’t!” 

Daniel shook his head, “Ivy, you don’t understand. Our numbers are low and need to kill them. When you turn eighteen, you’ll understand. You’ll start to see.”

           Ivy tried walking past him again; he grabbed her arm, twisting it until she sat down again. “Keep quiet, you’re starting to give me a headache.” 

A car pulled into the driveway. Ivy tried to stand up, but the hooded man put his nail into her skin again. Ivy relaxed a little, he let up on the pressure.

           The lock clicked, and the front door opened. Ivy’s Mom walked in talking on her cell phone. She looked up before realizing Daniel was behind her, she put the knife to her throat. “Walk, Witch.”

           She did as she was told. “I’m guessing you’re Daniel?” she said glancing down at Ivy.

           “Yes. So, you were warned.” Daniel said pushing her down in the chair.

           “Yes, a few weeks prior. We knew you’d come and kill us. I’ve already arranged for Ivy’s safety. So, do what you came here to do.” She challenged.

           “Mom?” Ivy whined, “What is he talking about?” 

           “I’m sorry Ivy, I thought you’d be safe if you didn’t know what you are.” Her mother’s pleading eyes.

“Wait, Mom, you know something about this?” Ivy whined, she didn’t want her mother to lie, but she didn’t want to know the truth, she was scared.