"WAKE THE HELL UP ALREADY!!" The woman yelled.
Joey jumped out of his bed and slowly got up. Already annoyed by the voice.
"Grandma…it's 4am. I don't have to be at the bus stop till 6." Joey explained.
You know you take a long time to get ready in the morning, boy. Stop arguing and just do it! She snapped back.
She slammed the door shut and walked down the hall.
Y-yes ma'am. Joey whispered.
After getting dressed Joey began searching for his book bag. He ran down the hall and into his mother's room.
He noticed her sleeping and quietly tip-toed into the room.
There it is! He thought to himself.
He grabbed the bag quickly and was about to leave until he heard his mom's whispers behind him.
"Have a good day at school sweetie." She said.
Good morning, And yes ma'am. I didn't wanna wake you so I was just gonna take my leave. But since your awake now I'll just…
Joey sat beside the bed and put his book bag down on the floor.
How are ya feeling ma? He asked.
I'm doing better. I just wish this sickness could just go away. I wish I could go back to normal. Joey's mother said with pain in her voice.
Joey sat in the corner and looked at the floor. "It'll be better soon enough. You know me and Lily will always be here for you, including grandma."
"Yea I know but…I just wish I was normal again."
Joey got out of the chair and sat down on the bed. "You are normal, ma. No different from no one else. We'll get through this, just trust me. And don't forget, I'm about to start at that burger joint don't the street soon. I'll be paying bills left and right around here! Joey said happily.
Joey stared as his mom had a big smile on her face.
(I love seeing her smile. Smiles help me know that your happy in the moment.)
"Well ma…I'm off to school! I'll be back this afternoon. Love you!"
Joey was getting ready to open the door and walk outside.
"Wait for your sister!" His grandmother yelled down the hall.
But Lily takes forever to get ready! She can just meet me at the bus stop! Joey said.
"No bus is coming. Not anymore." His grandmother said with disappointment.
Huh? Why's that, grandma? Joey asked with curiosity.
Apparently the bus stoped coming down this street. It's "to dangerous" for the students and driver to come this way. The grandma explained.
The school called and said that? Then why did they come down here before!? Joey asked.
His grandmother sat down at the kitchen table and waved him over.
Joey put his bag back down and trotted towards the table.
"There's been lots of…I guess murders in the area. There's been no bodies found but…always lots and lots of blood." His grandma explained.
Interesting. That must be why school has been canceled a lot for the last two weeks. Joey said.
His twin sister Lily came running down stairs. "Whatcha talking about?" She asked out of curiosity.
Joey got up and pat her head. "Nothing important. You ready to walk to school or what?" Joey asked.
Don't rush me. U young woman have to make sure our makeup and everything is in check! Lily said.
Yea well, if you weren't ugly you wouldn't need makeup. Joey added. Lily rolled her eyes and went up stairs to white her makeup off.
"Is that better, Joey?" She asked while rolling her eyes at him.
Yep. That's the pretty sister I know! Now we look the exact same!
"Yea…I think I don't wanna look like you!" Lily said as she stormed out the door.
See ya later grandma. Joey said as he waved goodbye.
It was still dark outside and the moon was bright.
"You'd think it'd be illegal to send kids to school wheats dark.." Lily said to Joey.
We got a long walk. Let's keep on moving.
Joey looked at his watch to see the time. 5:45 am.
"We've got plenty of time! Let's just keep this p-" Joey stopped talking when noticing a woman crossing the street. The woman stopped and turned in their direction. A car came by and when it passed she disappeared.
"Did you see that, sis!?"
See what? Lily asked.
There was a woman in the street. She had some weird weapons I've ever seen before on her and-your just sleepy. Lily interrupted.
"We can't end up like our dad so let's try to think straight. Ok, Joey?" Lily asked.
"Yea, yea, I must've seen things." Joey said.
They continued walking down the dark n cold street of their town.
(Life's been kinda hard lately. But we all keep pushing on in life. We might even be homeless in a couple of weeks if we can't pay that damn bill.) Joey thought to himself.
"Oh Joey! Why are you wearing those jeans!? They have holes in them, damn it!" Lily scolded.
Oh shut up. You wore tight leggings to get attention the others day, so I don't wanna hear a thing! And besides…these jeans are comfortable! Joey added.
They arrived at the school and sat down in the cafeteria.
"There they go!! I'll see you later, Joey. Byeee!!" She yelled over the crowd. Joey watched as Lily ran over to a group of girls.
(That's good Lily has lots of friends. For me…I only talk to about 2 people. But 2 is better than none.)
Joey felt a hand on his back. He turned his head to see his best friend, Ty.
Wassup, Ty! How's that little date coming along? Joey asked.
"Eh…she rejected me. But who cares. As long as I'm living the life, that's good enough for me." Ty said.
Ain't that the truth. School and everything sucks right now man!
Joey looked to have right to see another friend of his, Elizabeth.
Hey Elizabeth! Joey yelled across the cafeteria.
Elizabeth smiled and waved back. She sat beside Joey and gave him a hug.
"How's life at home going, Joey?"
It's been alright I guess. I applied at the burger spot! So now we can work together!" Joey said excitingly.
"Good. It's about to me you got a job anyways. You damn clown." Elizabeth said.
So…when are you gonna ask her out?
Joey turned his head over to Ty. Will you shut up!? I don't have a crush on her!
"So you told me all those pick up lines for…?"
"That's besides the point, Ty!"
"Wait what?" Elizabeth asked.
Oh nothing! Just Ty being weird as usual. Joey said.
"We'll tell Ty that I said he needs to stop being weird." Elizabeth said.
The bell was ringing and it was time for school to start.
Joey waved goodbye to Elizabeth and walked upstairs with Ty.
Joey went to the second floor of the school and could see their room in sight.
Before Joey and Ty could walk in, a guy and three others cut them both off.
Excuse you? Joey said.
"Umm…what, castle?" The guy said.
I know you seen me trying to get in. Don't cut me off like that again. Joey threatened.
"Or what? You gonna go run away and cry like you've been your whole life!?" The guy said.
The three boys started to laugh at Joey and pint at him.
(I really do hate this kid…Jackson is so annoying. Everyone loves him. He's rich, gets girls, tall,athletic, and very charming. I'm the complete opposite of him…it sucks. And we're in high school now! He's even the captain of the football team!) Joey thought to himself.
"Just shut up and get in the class, Joey. You aren't nothing special anyways." Jackson said.
The two boys followed Jackson in the room and sat down.
Joey looked at the floor and walked in the room. Everyone laughed at him.
Ty sat down next to him all the way in the back of the class.
Joey blew his hair above his eyes. "I hate my blonde hair…shit is annoying." Joey whispered to himself.
"Ok. Everyone turn to page 7!" The teacher yelled to the class.
"Mrs. Bakes, it's a little to early for all that yelling…mind toning it down a bit?" Jackson asked.
Sure. Sorry about that, Jackson." She said.
No problem. He answered.
"Today we'll all be talking about dreams. You can tell a lot about a person if you know their dreams." Mrs. Bakes said.
Jackson,how about you go first? Mrs. Bakes suggested.
Jackson got up from his chair and slowly walked to the front. His hair blew in the wind. ToJoey he looked very,very cool. But he still despised him.
All the girls laughed as Jackson got to the front of the class.
"My dreams and goals…that's a good question Mrs. Baker. I guess it's to-"
Jackson heard crying in his mind as he stood in front of the classroom.
(NO PLEASE…TAKE ME AWAY INSTEAD! LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!!) he thought of.
"My dream and goal is to find someone who I lost…and find someone who I need answers from." He said with anger in his eyes.
The class went silent and stared at him with blank expressions.
Jackson snapped out of it and smiled at the class. That's my goal. He said.
"Interesting…call on someone else, Jackson." Mrs. Baker said.
Jackson pointed at Joey. Joey rolled his eyes and got up from his seat.
The moon was still shining in the sky and it was showing in the window as Joey stood in front of the class.
"Don't freeze up this time." A girl said mockingly. Everyone laughed once again at Joey.
He ignored it and started speaking.
"My dream is to- WE DON'T CARE!!" The classroom yelled all together.
Everyone laughed once again at Joey. Before Joey could say anything else to classroom went dark. It was pitch black.
"A power outage!? Someone asked in the class.
Joey could hear the screams of another student down the hall. (That scream…it sounds like Lily!!) he thought to himself.
The lights turned back on and Joey noticed that Ty was gone.
He sprinted out the classroom and down to the hall.
(What's going on, what's going on!?)
He turned the corner and the screams led into the bathroom of the second floor.
"Lily!!" He yelled as he ran inside.
When he opened up the door he was surprised to see Ty standing in the corner and facing the wall with his head down.
"Ty…you sounded just like-Lily…I know, kid." Ty said in a demonic voice.
Ty turned around to reveal a creature that Joey had never seen before.
Joey yelled and tried to run out the bathroom. But something was blocking his path.
"Don't bother running away. I've used a ritual to keep you stuck here with me until one of us die! And I'm here to kill you, Joey Castle!" Ty said.
Ty's left arm grew longer and more muscular in size. He reached towards Joey. Joey couldn't dodge in time and Ty grabbed him by the neck and held him in the air.
"I thought you'd be way more powerful. I've heard so much about this Joey!!" Ty said.
Joey was to scared to say or do anything. "Eh-what the hell are you!?" Joey asked.
"I'm a jinn, kid! When I first saw you…I didn't expect you to see me. That's how I know your different from the rest of humans. Most can't see Jinns, but you saw right through me!"
Ty tightened up his grip even more around Joeys neck.
Joey stared in shock as Ty's face transformed into some kind of monster with horns.
"Someone-help me!" Joey yelled.
"There's no need to scream. No one can hear you in my ritual. That is h less your a jinn Hunter, but there hasn't been one here in a while as a jinn hunter or slayer!"
Just then Ty stopped his choking and froze.
(I-I can't move my body!? Don't tell me that woman is here! Out of all the slayers…she had to be the one to show up!?) Ty thought to himself.
"My, my. What a mess we have here." A soft voice said.
Joey fell to the ground and turned around to see a woman standing right behind him.
(I didn't even notice her. She's not human though…almost like she's the same as Ty but…calm.)
What…are you doing here!? Out of all places! Ty said in anger.
"Woah! Calm down there glob face. I'm here for the same reason you are. But I'm not gonna kill him. I'm here to educate him at all times." The woman said.
Your here to-kill me? Joey asked.
The woman bent down and looked into Joey's eyes. You can see me? She asked.
Umm…yes? Why wouldn't I be able to see you!? Joey asked.
The woman smiled and faced Ty. She took a step in front of Joey and made a hand sign that looked like a gun with her hand.
"What is he? How come he's this creature!?" Joey asked.
The woman turned around. "He's a evil sorority that came here to kill you. He took a human form and pretended to be your friend for the last couple of weeks…all to kill you." She said.
Joey had disbelief on his face. "This must be some weird dream. I haven't woken up from sleep yet, yeah, yeah, that's it!" He said to himself.
I wish I could tell you it was a dream…but it's not. The woman said.
"Let me go! You…are not supposed to be here! And if the uppers find out about this then…they'll come after you and the b-
"Bang." The woman whispered.
Joey watched as Ty's body went flying into the wall. As though he'd been shot.
The woman walked over to Ty and stood there.
She placed her hand on his head and closed her eye.
What a sad life you lived. I hope you rest easy. She said.
Tears came from the jinn's eyes as he bled out on the floor and disappeared into thin air.
"They disappear when they die. And now he'll go face the seven trials of hell. If he makes it to seven then…he'll be just fine." She explained.
Joey looked on the floor and noticed the blood was gone also.
The lights turned back on, but the hole was still in the wall from the attack.
"How am I supposed to explain that!? And I have so many more questions to ask you!" Joey said to the strange woman.
"Meet me tonight. Near the park a couple blocks down from your house. I'll answer questions. And about that hole…tell them you punched it or something." She said.
Joey heard the door open. It was his sister Lily.
She ran over and hugged him tight. "I was so worried about you! Are you alright!? Your classmates said you just ran out of he room. Where you scared!?"
Joey ignored all her questions and stared at the woman.
"Don't worry, Joey-boy. She can't see me or hear me. I'll be taking my leave now, See you later." She clapped her hands and disappeared.
"Joey are you listening!?" Lily screamed.
Y-you didn't see-yes I'm listening! Joey said.
Why is there a hole in the wall? Lily finally asked. "I uh…I punched it? Yea, yea, I punched it!"
Damn. Your pretty strong! Lily said. The door opened once again and this time it was Jackson's girlfriend, Elena.
"Eww you perv…get out of the girls bathroom!!" She screamed.
The day went by and school finally let out. Joey and Lily walked out the building and noticed everyone staring in their direction.
(This sucks. People think I'm hell of strong and a pervert! And to make things worse…my best friend was a monster the whole time. I really have been alone then. And if that means he was a monster and dead then-the whole time to other people, I've just been speaking to myself the whole time!) Joey thought to himself.
Everyone was on their phones and shocked. Elizabeth walked over to Joey and Lily.
Elizabeth held out her phone and Joey took a peek.
It was a picture of the hole in the wall.
"Don't mess with Joey Castle, bro is crazy strong!" It said underneath the photo.
Some people are saying you punched the wall out of anger. That true? What were you angry about!? Elizabeth asked.
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet." Joey said.
He grabbed both, Lily, and Elizabeth by their hands and went to the store across the street.
How many people know about that hole? Joey asked.
Umm…like the whole school! But it's a good thing. Means people shouldn't mess with you. Lily said.
Joey felt a surge of happiness go through his body. Yea…yea your right! People know I'm the top dog now! He said with his chest high.
Joey took a look at his watch and noticed the time was 3:12. "Oh shoot, we have to get going, Lily. Tell Elizabeth bye!" Joey said as he ran out the door.
Lily quickly grabbed her things and ran out the door while saying goodbye.
Elizabeth was shocked and sat there. Uh…goodbye? She said.
Joey was running down the block of the street with his sister quickly behind.
(Shit. If we aren't home by 3:20 then…grandma's going to kick our ass!)
(Shit. If we aren't home by 3:30 then… grandma's going to kick our ass!)
Joey checked the watch and saw they had 15 seconds left.
"Faster Lily!!"
"I'm right here!!"
They both jumped at the door. Joey checked his watch and seen one second on the timer.
"Yes!!" He yelled as he lauded down on the floor.
We actually made it this time! Lily said while out of breath.
Grandma, we're home! Joey yelled.
"I heard you when you brats came running in. Now shut up, your mom's sleeping." She yelled back.
Joey looked at Lily and they both laughed. "We sure are the blond disaster twins, huh?" Joey asked with a smile.
Lily laughed and held out her hand for a fist bump. "Hell yeah!" She said.
Joey stared at the hand for a moment, then smiled and gave his sister a fist bump.
Joey's alarm went off. He checked to see it was 10pm at night. He got out of bed and wore his pajamas.
He noticed his sister sleeping next to him. (When did she get there?)
He opened up the window to his bedroom and snuck out. Joey got on his bike and headed towards the park.
When he got there he could see the woman sitting on a slide and staring at him with the one eye she showed.
The woman stood up in the moonlight. Joey could see two swords on the side of her, she wore a suit, and had long, beautiful blue hair. With a eye patch covering her right eye.
"I have so many questions miss-don't call me miss, Joey. From here on out I'm going to be the thing that protects you. We'll be working together!" The woman said.
How can I trust you? Joey asked.
I just saved your life from a jinn. But I was sent here to eat your soul from the higher beings. The woman explained.
Eat my soul? Joey asked.
"Yep. But when I first started watching you…I realized just how different you were from every other kid. You can see things others can't and even hear spirits. Your rare indeed."
Joey took a couple steps back from her. "There's no need to be frightened. If I wanted to, I'd hold you down and eat you already. But I'm not here to kill you. I believe with your power we can help each other." She explained.
"Why-why did Ty pretend to be human? Why could I only see and hear him this whole time!?" Joey asked in desperation.
The woman jumped off the slide and walked towards Joey.
"I already told you that your rare. And normal people can't even see or hear jinns. He did it to kill you."
Why did he want me dead?
"Because your special. I don't know how but…jinns fear you. And I've seen a lot in this area for the last two months."
Wait a second…are you the one that's been on the news!? All these murders?" Joey asked.
"Nope that's not me. But it's something more sinister." The woman said.
(Maybe even a upper jinn. All those killings were humans with blonde hair and blue eyes just like Joey. Something's hunting him and it's not waistline anytime.)
I chilled outside your school for a while and noticed you all over social media. Try to keep that low key will you? They talked about how strong you must be to punch a hole in that wall…if the enemy sees that then…I don't know what would happen." She explained.
So let me get this straight. Your protecting me from jinn's which are evil spirits. They fear me because I have abilities that haven't been seen or heard by them in years, and you want me to stay on the low!?" Joey asked.
Yep. She said.
"If those are jinn creatures then what are you?" Joey asked while scratching his head.
The woman was face to face with Joey now. She leaned in closer to his face.
"I'm a jinn slayer. I kill jinns and protect you beings from being possessed or getting cursed by a jinn. I always watch the ones who have lots of pain in their life…because those are the kinds that are most easy to get possessed and used by a jinn. But I'm not worried about that with you, because you can see them. But be carful. Jinns can turn into someone you love or care about, a animal, make sounds that only you'd recognize, and much more."
"I see. And what was Ty talking about when he said the uppers were coming for you-you don't need to worry about them. When that times comes, I'd expect you to already know how to fight Jinn's and kill them." The woman interrupted.
"So there's a ranking system or something for jinns?" Joey asked.
"Yea. And same with slayers. Jinns only have a couple of upper rankers. The ones that can't speak or don't think are what we call trash level. Then you got the ones like your friend. They can talk and think, those are medium level. They can also cast ritual spells on you in fights. Then you got high level jinns. These types of jinns take over a dead body or possess a human and use them to fight. And the uppers…are just insane." She explained.
"What the hell is a ritual?"
Powers of a jinn. It helps them in fights, Kinda like what your little friend did to you in the bathroom. (Jeez that sounds wrong) he used his to make sure no one could hear you or so you can't leave. But luckily I was there because it wasn't that powerful at all.
"One more question, miss." Joey said.
Lay it on me,Joey-boy.
"Are these so-called jinn slayers all dead? Or what?
"It's hard to explain. Some of us are dead and didn't finish our trials yet. Some are alive to but they wear special glasses to see jinn creatures and fight them with jinn weapons if they don't have jinn energy." She explained.
She looked up at the moon and started walking away. "I'll walk you home. It's getting late and you have school in the morning kiddo."
(All this information and I'm surprised I got it all memorized!) Joey said to himself.
He was riding his bike while she walked closely at his side.
"By the way, I never got your name miss."
She smiled and said "the name's Ahana." She said proudly.
Joey looked in shock and turned his head.
Doesn't that mean something like,"the one that cannot be killed!?" Joey asked.
She ignored him and kept waking towards his house. (Your lucky I ran into you kiddo. I am the strongest after all…and I'm curious just what kind of jinn you'll be bringing my way.)
Ahana watched as Joey went into his house and quietly shut the door.
"What an exciting journey this is about to be." Ahana said with a smile.