Translucent
by: Joshua Castellano
Chapter 1
In Alsager a small town in England; a young girl named Sasha lives. Sasha Hill is seventeen years old and her birthday is May 26. Sasha lives on Meads Road and decides to take a shortcut and walk through Shady Grove. "It's such a beautiful day today, I can wait to get home and sleep" Sasha said stopping at a corner and looking at the sky. It's cloudy and cold it seems like the clouds were finished crying. Armed with her favorite black sweatshirt and grey sweatpants over her black yoga pants and her combat boots she feels balanced. On her left wrist is a watch with a black leather strap hugging her wrist gently. Approaching her house she looks down and feels a bit sad. Sasha is a foster kid and lives with her foster mom Julie and her three other foster brothers. Timothy Cooper the youngest 6 years old and the most annoying in Sasha's opinion but she still loves him. Augustus Hill the middle child 8 years old and very disconnected and depressed Augustus is very close to Sasha; Sasha doesn't know why they have the same last name but she thinks of him as her little brother. Michael Cooper the oldest of the foster children 18 years old; bosses everyone around in a good way because Julie doesn't do anything besides blame the children for her bad life.
When Sasha seen the foster home she was at peace with herself; the house and its gloomy tan color seemed alright to Sasha. She raised her head proudly with a smile to see Augustus coming out of the front door. "Hey sis!!! I missed you!!!" Augustus says running up to Sasha and hugging her burying his face in her sweatshirt. "Oh haha I missed you too." Sasha says hugging him dearly like there was nothing else in the world to care about besides him. "So how was your day Augustus?". "It was alright until you got here. I really missed you sis so much." Augustus says almost crying. "I really missed you too Augustus." Sasha says. Augustus crying in Sasha's arms and hugging her dearly. "Let's get you inside. I'll make you some hot chocolate". Augustus lightly crying with a small chuckle "okay sis". Sasha takes Augustus's hand and they walk up the stairs together and when Sasha opened the door she was very relieved the house was quiet and everyone was taking their afternoon nap. The house's interior was very cozy and warm. It had dark brown wood floors in the hallways and light tan carpet in the rooms. Sasha checks her watch "ok cool its only 2:50 come overhear Augustus" Sasha says whispery. Augustus adoring the knight in the painting. "I wish I could be like him" Augustus says. Sasha looks at him with an adored smile on her face and walks up to him. Sasha kneeling beside him with her hand on his shoulder "you are like him Augustus, your very strong and brave but you have to keep an eye out for the dragon!" Sasha says while scooping him up and spinning him around laughing. "What is going on down there" Julie says. Julie is a tall intimidating woman most kids fear her for her size. Sasha knows deep down there she cared for the foster kids. "Sorry we were just-" Sasha says unable to complete her sentence "I told you to be here at 1:00 to help me with the kid's lunch, you're so worthless I can't stand you and your attitude." Julie says cutting Sasha off. "I'm sorry I got caught up with school". Sasha says regaining herself from the shock.
Julie attended St.Gabriel's Catholic school and was a senior there. She loved it there because it was away from Julie and whenever Sasha rides her bike to and from school she feels alive. "Don't talk back to me!" Julie says with one slap with her right hand. To Sasha it felt like a boulder pounding her face. Sasha thought she shouldn't cry in front of Augustus because that would make him scared or to stand up for her and Sasha didn't want him to get in trouble. "I want you here tomorrow before 3:00 do you understand?" Julie says angrily. Today was a minimum day the school got out at 12:00 and it takes Sasha an hour and a half to get home. The next day was a regular day and the school gets out at 2:30. With all her strength not to cry or sound weak Sasha said flatly "okay". "Alright now go get yourself cleaned up Michael needs help making dinner" Sasha walks up the stairs and Augustus follows Sasha with his head down as he passes Julie.
"Alright everyone dinner!" Michael always had a strong personality and always cared for everyone and Sasha thought he is a good person. There were ten other foster kids eating Mac and Cheese and chicken nuggets. Sasha sitting next to Augustus watching him as if she was his mother and making sure he was okay. "How's dinner?" Michael says to Sasha and pulling up a seat next to her. "It's fine" Sasha says with blushing cheeks. Sasha had a crush on Michael ever since he first walked through the door with Timothy when she was ten and she sensed that he was strong. "Awesome, how are you Augustus?" Michael says leaning over to see Augustus's face buried in Mac and Cheese. "Great" Augustus says with cheese on his cheeks. Sasha chuckles and reaches for a napkin to wipe his face. Michael taps Sasha's shoulder, holding a napkin he says "here you go". Smiling Sasha says gratefully "thanks".
After everyone was finished eating Mac and Cheese and chicken nuggets they took showers and went to bed. Sasha laying in her bed looks up at the ceiling and wonders where her parents are and how her mother was doing. Sasha turns over to hear light footsteps followed by a light knock on her door as gentle as a feather touching the ground. She knew it was Michael checking up on her. She got up out of bed and glided over the floor to the door and opened it slowly and seen Michael leaning against the wall in front of the door. "Hi" Michael says his short blonde hair almost military style and his emerald eyes reflecting the light of the hallway. "Hey what are you doing up?" Sasha says brushing her black hair out of her eyes. Her hair was black with a midnight blue and her sapphire eyes adored his emerald eyes. "Just making sure everyone was okay" Michael said with a small grin. "Thanks but I'm fine" Sasha says blushing. Michael and Sasha stand in the hallway staring into each other's eyes for what seemed like a year. Augustus walks out of his room to Sasha's and says tiredly "Sasha I had a nightmare can I sleep in your room please". Augustus had golden blond hair long on the top and short on the sides but not too long Sasha always had to cut his hair herself because he liked it when his hair was above his eyebrows. Augustus also had sapphire eyes which always felt comfortable to her and it also seemed as if she had to care for Augustus like it's her sacred duty. "Okay you can sleep with me" Sasha says smiling. "Alright champ, sweet dreams" Michael says while petting his hair. "Goodnight Sasha". "Goodnight Michael" Sasha says while taking a few steps to give him a hug goodnight. Michael walks the rest of the way and hugs Sasha.
Sasha walks back into her room with Augustus and she lies in bed staring at the ceiling and Augustus curls up beside Sasha. "Do you remember your parents" Augustus says drowsily. "Just a little bit, I know I have a mother and a father but I don't know we should get some sleep we have a big day tomorrow". Tomorrow was Sasha's 18th birthday and her graduation day at St. Gabriel Catholic School. "Alright big sis I love you" Augustus says while drifting off into his dreamland. "I love you too Augustus." Sasha says while drifting off into a nightmare.
Chapter 2
Darkness snakes around Sasha "What's going on?" Sasha says. A strange shadowy figure wraps its shadowy snake like body around Sasha. Stunned with immense fear she feels shadowy air surround her where she should feel its tail squeezing her. Sasha sees the other end of this shadow snake its head looks like an iguana but it's black as midnight and the darkness surrounding it is liquidy and dripping like it just got out of a pool. The figure raised its head and directed it straight into Sasha eyes. The figure had blue sapphire eyes; Sasha stared into its eyes and could see what looked like a man in pain. "I'm coming for you don't forget that" the strange beast said as it unwrapped it's body around her and snaked around her bed up the walls and out the window shattering it.
Sasha rose up from her slumber so fast that her hair flew behind her; out of breath she breathes heavily almost like she's been running miles all night long. She starts to scan the room and the window in her dream that was shattered wasn't shattered in real life but she still inspects it. There was water on it not like the black water she seen in her dream but what looked like purified water from Nestle'. "What happened last night" Sasha says whispery. Immediately she checks up on Augustus who was sleeping like a baby in her bed. She instinctively pats his shoulder gently and takes a breath of relief. Sasha checks her watch with the black leather strap and breathes with such relief and comfort "ah ok its 5:00 in the morning" Sasha says whispery to avoid waking Augustus up. As quickly and quietly as a ninja she glides down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Since I'm up I might as well start making breakfast hmm how about pancakes for everyone I think that would brighten everyone" Sasha thinks as she's grabbing the Hungry Jack pancake mix. For two hours Sasha cooks flipping pancakes and having a really good time humming her favorite toon Only Human by Christina Perri.
Michael is sitting at the third staircase step watching Sasha flip the pancakes. He watches her with respect and he thinks "This girl has a lot of heart, Augustus really looks up to her and that's good they're both going to be great kids". "Hey. Are you just going to sit there or do you want help me flip some pancakes?" Sasha says gently and quietly like a person going into a cave looking for their lost friend. "Toss me a spatula" Michael says almost laughing. The two of them flip pancakes together simultaneously almost as if they were yin and yang. Suddenly Michael flips a pancake wrong and it lands on Sasha's head. Michael and Sasha immediately start laughing so hard. By this time it was 8:30 and all the kids were starting to wake up. After Sasha and Michael stop laughing they start to serve the kids pancakes. Even Julie was awake and she wasn't mad or sad but appeared grateful and also ate some pancakes with the kids. "Don't forget to be home today at 3:00. Ok?" Julie says. "Yes Madam" Sasha says while handing Augustus a plate of pancakes. "Oh and one more thing thank you for making breakfast" Julie says smiling at Sasha. "You're welcome" Sasha says smiling back. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SASHA" All the kids say at the same time. Sasha thought she was hitten by a tsunami wave but she felt extremely happy.
"Thank you guys" Sasha says laughing with a tiny bit of tears in her eyes almost like the last water drop in a desert. She felt like she shouldn't cry in front of them for an unknown reason. "Alright guys we need to start getting ready for school today and my graduation". Michael gives a respectful look and Sasha makes direct eye contact with him and returns the same look of true friendship
Graduation was fantastic there were so many people. But there was one person in the crowd that I felt like I knew but I don't know. "Congratulations Sasha" Michael and the kids say hugging her "I'm so proud of you" Michael says and gives her a big hug. Sasha looked over Michael's shoulder and seen a strange woman approaching this woman was beautiful. She had black hair almost midnight like Sasha's and she wore jeans, a white T-shirt and a sky blue zip up sweatshirt with some sneakers. It looked like she just got out of a hair salon. Sasha noticed something oddly familiar this strange lady had blue sapphire eyes and to Sasha she felt like she knew her or at least she should "Excuse me do you have a moment I need to speak to you urgently Sasha" the strange woman said. The strange woman lead Sasha outside of the hall and into the entrance way and sat by a bench outside.
"Do I know you?" Sasha asked as she sat next to the strange woman. With a breath of sadness the strange lady said "No you don't". "I have to get back inside with my family" Sasha says getting up from the bench and walking back inside. "Wait Sasha" the strange lady said like she lost someone and just found them again. "Come sit down I have to talk to you". Sasha stood still for a moment and then sat back down. "How's Augustus?" the strange lady said. "He's fine how do you know me and him" Sasha says with a crooked brow forming. "My name is Emma and I'm your auntie" the strange lady says smiling. "What" Sasha says star struck."Your mother" Sasha cuts off Emma and says "Wait I have a mother?" "Yes you do and Augustus is your brother; oh I missed you guys so much; I know this is all a huge shock for you but it's the truth and there's more; Your blue sapphire eyes are glowing; we must hurry we don't have much time" Emma says preparing herself to tell Sasha something tremendous. "You and Augustus are the lost children of a powerful shape shifter Talyia your mother." Sasha cuts her off "What are you talking about your sounding insane" in extreme shock. "Your mother Talyia tasked me of protecting you from your father".
Sasha cuts her off once more "What I have a father and your keeping me away from him?" Sasha says mind blown. "Your father is a horrible man he made a deal with first born so he could have similar power compared to your mother". Emma says intently looking deep into her eyes. "His jealousy almost destroyed the whole clan and the city too." "He is dangerous Sasha and he's hunting you and Augustus; I see it in your eyes you've seen him already, Listen to me Sasha Ethan is dangerous don't let him get to you stay strong" "Ethan?" Sasha says confused. "Ethan is your father and he's a human Talyia was the Alpha of our clan and she's immensely powerful and she uses her power to protect you and the whole clan, she's at war with Ethan and firstborn; you and Augustus are powerful shape shifters too and tonight is your full moon and I need to be there with you; the moon is our connection to the ancient magic that is in our blood." "Seriously?" Sasha says "Now that you mention it I do feel something right now," "do you feel like there's tiny things lightly touching you everywhere?" Emma asks "Yeah" Sasha says feeling light headed. "Then it has already begun; Ok Sasha I'm going to stay with you for the rest of the day. And maybe I can meet this Michael fellow?" "What?" Sasha says star strucked.
TO BE CONTINUED...…
Chapter 3
Sasha roaming back to the main hall with supposedly her 'aunt' in what feels like a roundabout going on in her head. "uhhh I feel light headed" Sasha says. "It's just part of the transformation, here have some water it helps" Emma says. "Soon you will realize how much I do care about you and Augustus". Sasha looks in her peripheral vision and sees Michael walking out of the main hall with his head held high like he had a debate with Julie for years and he finally won. "Hey Sasha are you ok?" Michael says. "huh yeah I'm fine" Sasha always adored him but there is something about him that Sasha cannot depict. "So your Michael, it's a pleasure to finally meet you! I'm Emma Sasha's aunt". "Hi! I can tell! You have beautiful eyes" Michael says. "Oooooo Sasha you never told me he's a charmer! How lovely" Emma says and then suddenly out loud Emma says "ok I approve". "What?" Michael says "What are you talking about?" "Oh I just had this feeling that I had to judge you if you like my niece" Emma says. "Oh my god Emma!!!" Sasha says blushing. "Oh no it's ok" Michael says chuckling. "Sasha can I talk to you for a minute alone please?" Michael says.
Michael holds out a hand as if he's asking her to slow dance with him. Sasha gently sets her hand in his palm they walk together side by side as two stars become one. "So your aunt" Michael says awkwardly but happy. "I don't even know if she's my aunt for all I know she could be some crazy woman." Sasha says. "I don't know she did say one thing that wasn't crazy" Michael says. "And what is that?" "Listen, Sasha this is why I wanted to speak to you alone, the things is I do like you" Michael says confidently and slightly blushing. News to Sasha was like flipping a switch in a dark room and seeing light so bright that eyes can see kilometers away. "I was wondering if you want to watch a movie together when we get back". "I'd love that" Sasha says joyfully.