27 June 2012
Erin It was horrible. Anna seemed to have been badly affected by the HellHound. I had heard all of their furious argument - in fact, the whole school probably had - that seemed more like an argument, but the only thing that I could actually understand was that he had supposedly killed her brother. Which seemed preposterous, but considering he could turn into a dog, maybe it wasn't. I wanted to go after her or something, but didn't know what to say. Also, he decided to talk to me again before he left, which meant I had to listen. He leaned down, and spoke into my ear. "Erin, people lie. She lies, I lie, you lie, he lies. It's a fact of life." He walked away, seeming happy that he had confused me, but turned to tell me something else."Remember - my name is Uro." With that he left, chuckling to himself. About five minutes later, I was searching for Ryan and Anna. I figured Uro - what an odd name - was probably avoiding Anna after what she'd said. Being accused of murder wasn't to be taken lightly - though he'd probably find it funny. But I doubt anyone beyond me, Anna and Ryan had heard it. Which reminded me of what Uro had said. He'd said about lies - that I was lying to Anna and Ryan (by not telling them about him?) but also that both of them where lying to me. I didn't really understand that, but I'd probably have to figure it out. Fun. I was about to round the corner when I heard Ryan's voice, and stopped. I felt mean about it, but maybe I could learn what they where lying about by listening in? Eavesdropping is such a horrid word. "Don't worry, he's not worth it." I heard Ryan say quietly. "I know...but he killed my brother! He tortured us!" Anna said, emotion flooding her hushed voice. "And that's why you can't react. You said they're evil; they live off others pain. So don't reveal yours to him, don't show it." "But..." She trailed off, and her voice had sunk to a volume so quiet that it was barely audible. "He's the reason I'm here." "What?" Ryan almost shouted. "Well, I remembered a bit about what happened when he was speaking to me. He found me. Up there." She paused, and I thought she must've pointed to something. "We fought. I stabbed him in the leg, he got me in the shoulder. But you remember that, right?" I was mortified. She seemed so kind and nice - she'd stabbed someone? And the way she spoke so easily about it...Mind, if he'd killed her brother... "He dragged me to the edge, and pushed me off, after restraining me. He must've gone back home or something and been dragged up, or maybe he's come to taunt my failure. Maybe the others pushed him after me." She made an odd noise, like the next sentence had caught in her throat. "What do you mean, he pushed you off?" Ryan sounded confused. "You know I said what they did to those who fell? They pushed them off a certain place. That was where he pushed me off." I didn't really understand, but thought I'd heard enough. She fell silent, and I decided to walk backwards a bit, before making a fairly loud noise with my feet on the gravel as I walked up and turned the corner. "Anna! Ryan." I said, looking sympathetic. I didn't know how to react about what I'd heard, but I did feel bad for Anna. She'd evidently been through an awful experience. "Hi, Erin." Anna said, a small smile touching her mouth. For some reason, this cheered me up a bit. "Are you okay?" I asked. She nodded, and I noticed how tightly Ryan was hugging her from the side. As though she was going to break if he let go for even a second. It looked a bit painful for her, if I was honest. "Do you think they might let me go home? It's almost the end of the day anyway." Anna said in a small voice. "If you explain about your brother. Do you want me to?" Ryan said, the first part almost sounding reluctant. She nodded, and he walked over to the student reception. She leaned on the wall behind us as I stood beside her. Just before he walked off, he turned back, pushed her hair back slightly and whispered "Stay strong, okay?" With a tear escaping slowly down her cheek, she nodded. A few moments later, Ryan emerged again. He nodded at her, and walked over. "Come on, you've got to wait there. She's almost here - she was driving past anyway. You might have to travel to see a patient with her. Is that okay?" She nodded. "I can't believe I'm breaking down on my first day." She said with a light chuckle, scrubbing away the tear on her face with the back of her hand. I smiled. "Don't worry." She raised her head high. "I won't. He is beneath me." She said proudly. 'Ummm...Okay...' I thought, but smiled at her. "Exactly." I told her. Ryan showed her to the student reception, and I saw his mum walk across. She looked a bit annoyed, but when she saw Anna her expression changed. The two left. Ryan came and stood next to me. "What do you think that was all about, then?" He asked. I shrugged. "I have no idea. All I understood was that he killed her brother." Ryan sighed. "I don't think she even knows his name." He shook his head, as if even the thought of the demon hurt him. After a moment of silence, I whispered "Uro." His head snapped around to look at me. "How do you know that?" I shrugged. "He told me." "When?" "Just after Anna left." "Why?" "I don't know!" I shouted, hands on my hips as I looked him in the eye. "He said 'Remember.' Maybe he wanted Anna to know who he was." Ryan thought. "I'm surprised he didn't try and kill her." "Why?" I said, glad it was my turn to ask the questions. "He's vicious. Nasty. Unhinged. I wouldn't doubt that he was capable of it - why else come to this school on the same day Anna joined?" I nodded, accepting the news. "He said something else as well." I told him, staring into the distance. "What?" Ryan looked confused now. "That you and Anna were lying." I said clearly. I didn't turn my head, or even move for that matter. Ryan froze. "See what I mean? He lies." He said. I shook my head with a smile. "I know. But so do other people. And you seem rather...odd...at the moment." "Are you serious, Erin?" I chuckled, turning to face him. "Of course. My dad is a detective, after all." I paused. "But anyway. You shouldn't be lying, and a secret's safe behind a smile. Especially mine." He sighed. "What if it wasn't my secret to tell?" He said, staring at the ground. "Would it have anything to do with the fact that Uro is a HellHound?" I asked, hoping it was the right track. Otherwise I'd sound mental. "You know he's a HellHound?" Ryan asked after a moment, looking at me. He seemed shocked. I shrugged in reply. Ryan continued. "Well, a bit, yes. But as I said, its not my secret to tell." We stood side by side in silence after that, until the bell went. Then we went our separate ways. I couldn't help but wonder 'if it's not your secret, is it Anna's?'
I have finally found the correct spelling for Anna's brother! It's taken me a while, and numerous changes, but I have decided on the spelling that I wanted. His name is now Alec, and I have changed all the previous chapters to reflect this change (but I probably missed places). Thanks for reading!
Crossfire.10 • Opuss № I