I was the kind of girl everyone thought had it all together: caring parents who sometimes cared too much, a cheerleading captain's title that was supposed to be a symbol of popularity, and a life full of shallow expectations. But none of it mattered when you spent your days running. Running from the jock boyfriend who never respected me. Running from the coach, who made my skin crawl with his leers and inappropriate comments. I spent my life running because I never had the courage to stand up for myself—not until it was too late.
I was standing there, staring at him, the coach's eyes gleaming with that disgusting, smug smile as he called out. [Vaelith, over here,] he said, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I forced myself to look at him, doing my best to hide the disgust that bubbled inside. [Yeah, Coach?] I asked, my voice flat but sharp.
His smile only widened. [It's supposed to snow hard. Your parents couldn't make it, so I'll take you home.]
I froze. Every cell in my body screamed to run, but I couldn't find my legs. It was like I was paralyzed by his presence, by the way he made everything feel wrong. [No thanks,] I said, my voice trembling with a lie, [I'll walk.]
Before I could turn away, his hand shot out, grabbing my arm with an unnatural grip. [Just let me take you.]
I jerked back, trying to free myself, but his hold tightened. [Let go of me!] I screamed, my heart pounding in my chest. Panic surged, and with a quick twist, I broke free from his grasp and bolted for the door.
Snowflakes whipped against my face as I ran, the night swallowing me whole. The cold air hit my lungs like ice, but I didn't care. I just needed to escape.
But then, a sharp honk echoed in the distance, followed by blinding lights. I didn't have time to react. My body was tossed into the air, weightless for a moment before crashing to the ground with a sickening crack. The pain was unbearable, but it didn't matter. I could feel my consciousness slipping away.
If this was the end, I could only hope my parents would be okay. And if there was more—if this wasn't the end—I wished for someone to guide me.
And then, darkness.
It wasn't like the simple darkness of closing your eyes. It was an endless void, suffocating. I tried to speak, but my voice didn't exist here. All I could hear was a soft whisper in my mind, like a voice from nowhere.
[Vaelith Solvryn died at seventeen, caused by vehicular homicide,] the voice said, distant yet clear.
[Who's there?] I tried to ask, but no sound came out.
"I am known as Ethereal Whisper,] the voice replied, its tone oddly comforting. [I can tell you the chances of winning a battle, and I possess knowledge of the world you are about to enter.]
[Battle?] I thought, confusion clouding my mind. "What am I fighting?"
["You'll be fighting different species that see you as a threat,] the voice answered, a slight echo of foreboding in its words. [You are the last of your kind, and that makes you a target. But don't worry, I will guide you.]