By Your Hand

I glanced down the grassy hill towards my cabin. Secluded and empty as usual, it gave me a feeling of comfort each time I looked at the dark, wooden beams and stained glass windows I had made myself. Being a daughter of Tyche benefited sometimes.

I rolled off the tree stump I was propped up on, and tumbled down the bumpy hill until I came to a stop in front of my cabin’s marble entry.

I lay with my eyes closed, letting the sun beat down on me. I slipped my hands under my head, and I eventually fell into peaceful darkness.
--
“Viv.” A strong hand shook my shoulder. “Vivian. Wake up.”

“What...” I groaned, sitting up. My straight brown hair tumbled in front of my face. I blinked, rubbing my eyes.

“Let me go back to sleep, Mom.” I murmured, turning over onto my side.

“Vivian!” I sat up straight this time.

“What!” I nearly screamed, until I realized I was sitting in a wet pile of dirt and grass. I had fallen asleep outside accidentally.

“Oopsies.” I giggled, hauling myself up and brushing off the dirt on my legs and short shorts as best I could. I looked around for the person who woke me up, but no one was present. I shrugged and wrapped my arms around myself as I walked up the steps to my cabin door. A breeze ruffled my hair and sent a chill down my back.

“Aiden?” I questioned, looking around for his familiar face.

“Hey, Viv.” Aiden’s gentle voice whispered in my ear. Cold air flew right past me, making me shiver uncontrollably. I squinted, trying to make out his slender figure in the fog, but I couldn’t see anything.

“Are you trying to freeze me to death?” My teeth rattled in my mouth, and I rubbed my tan arms, trying to generate some body heat.

“Maybe.” Aiden laughed softy in my other ear.

“Can you at least open my door for me?” I asked, my hands shaking from the drop in temperature. The giant, cherry wood door squealed open, revealing my huge, empty cabin. I had done the best I could to make it welcoming, and Aiden had hung some posters and decorations from the ceiling for me.

“Homey, isn’t it?” Aiden’s voice echoed in the desolate cabin. I whirled around to find him right behind me. His dark beanie was tugged over straight black hair, hiding sharp cheekbones and dark eyes that stared into my pale brown ones.

“There you are.” I huffed, walking towards the fire. “No wonder I’ve been so cold.”

“I’m always with you. Duh.” He smirked. I tossed my dirty, wet hair over my shoulder, and fumbled with the heating switch.

“Why couldn’t you be a warm spirit? You always make me shiver.” I refused to look at him. He didn’t deserve my acknowledgement. After all, I was still shaking from his little breeze that had blown around me.

“Nah...Who needs to be warm when you’re dead?” He grinned, morphing right in front of me.

“You brat. Move. I’m taking a WARM shower.” I walked through him, or tried to at least. I smacked into his chest and fell onto my butt.

“Of course, you materialize as a solid boy the one time I try and walk through you.” He held out a hand to help me up, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. I grabbed it. It was soft and warm, for a change. He hauled me up, nearly flinging my lightweight body across the room.

“Your hands are warm.” I broke the silence.

“Just for you.” He winked. I waved him off, and he faded into thin air. I shook my head and walked to my bathroom to try and warm up my icy body.

I turned the faucet on full blast, steam curling off the hot water. I slipped out of my clothes and stepped in, my skin aching from the cold.

I had made a deal with Aiden a long time ago that he wasn’t to follow me into the bathroom or into my bedroom unless it was a life or death situation. It was for obvious reasons, I mean, wouldn’t anyone think it at least a little creepy to have a teenage boy constantly watching you? I shrugged. I knew he’d respect me, and I’d know if he was watching me. He was always a cold presence.

I let the heated water wash over me, absorbing the heat. I leaned my forehead against the tile in the shower, when my water turned from warm to shocking cold. I cringed, and jumped out of the shower, quickly wrapping a towel around my body when my lights went out.

“Aiden...” I growled. “It’s not funny, you know.”

A sharp, piercing pain jolted through my head. Whispering shot around my bathroom, fading in and out. I grabbed the sides of my head, sliding down the wall.

“Aiden?” I muttered.

My shower curtain whipped aside, revealing a bloodied girl. I screamed and threw myself into the farthest corner away from her. I reached up and rattled my doorknob, but to no avail. It wasn’t budging. I shrunk into my towel, shaking, watching her. She didn’t move, but her brilliant, white eyes snapped open.

“Help...m...me.” She cried, reaching a grotesque hand out, blood dripping onto my once flawless white floor.

“Aiden!” I banged on the door, my breath quickening. I waited for all of thirty seconds before I grit my teeth and grabbed under my counter for the spare knife I had hidden. I felt the handle, and slid it into my hand. I slowly stood up, the girl’s disturbing eyes followed me as I moved, right up until I plunged my knife into her chest and she vanished.

“Oh gods.” I stumbled backwards, banging against the door. I pulled the towel tighter around me, and fumbled with the doorknob. I had to get out, had to get away. Then I got very, very cold again. I muffled a scream, afraid she had come back.

“Viv?” Aiden’s voice sounded worried. I nearly melted with relief.

“Aiden.” I sobbed. “Help.” He wafted through the door, sending cold shivers up my spine. He touched me lightly on the shoulder, catching my attention.

“What happened?” His eyes darkened. I started to slide down the wall again, but he grabbed me under the arms and held me up.

“There was a girl, and blood, and whispering, a..and...” I shook uncontrollably. “I stabbed her. Why did I stab her? She asked for he...help. Why?” I rambled. Tears poured down my cheeks.

“Come on.” Aiden placed a frigid, gentle hand on my back. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Notes

Aaannnnddd....thus begins my newest story. ;)

<3 Echo

--Don't forget to check out my first, Half Blooded, Half Chosen!