Chapter 1: BRUISED

JANE'S POV.

"Again!" I shrieked.

It's always the last day of each month, It's been almost a year since this has been occurring, and I found myself here again. It was a dark room with a fireplace serving as the only source of light. Silence filled the room, she would be here soon I thought.

Thinking out loud, I said let's get over this scene as it has happened too many times. Before I could think further, she came in wearing a little grin and calling my name. I whimpered and shivered but could not utter a sentence, this lady has been my worst nightmare, showing me a glimpse of the future every last day of each month.

Without uttering a word, she moved closer, I could see her but it was blurry, she whispered "Let it burn" into my ears, I felt cold and wondered who the next victim was gonna be.

Dave died the previous day from an asthma attack which everyone thought but I knew it wasn't. How could I tell anyone that I could see their deaths without sounding delusional?

"I'm crazy, this isn't real, please don't let it be" I screamed as I found the right words to express my dilemma. She laughed hysterically and the room echoed. Touching my face, I could feel how cold her hands were as she sheepishly said "It's gonna last forever, this is a blessing don't see it as a curse, you've been blessed with a power that no one could ever imagine".

I asked with fear in my eyes " Why is this happening to me? I don't want this, I'm only a girl who wants to be loved by everyone but each time I feel like I'm alone in this world and here I am watching people die before it happens". I couldn't deal with it anymore as I closed my eyes.

I could feel her tight grip on me as she forced me to open my eyes. In bewilderment, I watched as Kate my seat partner's soul was summoned.

"No, no, no, please I pleaded". Kate was my only friend in school, maybe not exactly a friend but she has always been soft towards me. Remembering when she beckoned me to sit with her at lunch in middle school when I had a huge scar on my face and everyone called me ugly was one of the few times I felt truly loved by someone else.

I had to save Kate, can't let this happen. Turning my face I asked her how I could save my friend. She knew how desperate I was but it didn't matter at this moment. She smiled widely, you saving Kate means two more people had to die in her place. Not that I cared about anyone else, I nodded as long as the only person who cared about me isn't gonna be a victim.

Kate was saved, I was glad but not remorseful about the two souls that were gonna be six feet underground.

I felt weak as I stood, looking at the old lady I muttered a few words. I could feel her eyes piercing through my soul as she wanted me to watch the usual ritual of the departing souls. I slumped that was the last thing I remembered.

" Jane, Jane get up you would be late for school" I heard. This was not the only time I had overslept, I struggled to get out of bed. I murmured, "Don't wanna go". My step Mum kicked me hard as I screamed in pain" I said get up" she howled.

Jumping out of bed I dashed into the bathroom and turned on the shower as I watched the water rinsing the blood from my hand. I was "bruised" again. With each encounter with the old hag who feasts on people's souls, I always got bruised.

"It will heal," I said trying to reassure myself and it always had. Got dressed hurriedly and ran across the hallway trying to get myself to have my breakfast. "Pancakes again"? I asked feeling disappointed at the breakfast. Lizzy my step Mom growled at me with disdain in her eyes. " You ungrateful nitwit, take the pancakes or go hungry". I sighed as I took the pancakes, I missed the bus it was 7:59 am, and the bus probably left 30 mins ago.

It was windy as I jogged to school, and could hear the bell from a distance. I attended Westwoods High in New Orleans. The school campus was a beautiful sight to behold housing several buildings. At the school gate, you could see the security officers doing a regular check on students ensuring no contraband items were sneaked in. The school gardener was tending to the flowers as I walked past him, at the security point, I could hear someone arguing with the officer, probably it was another notorious student. Then, I walked to the car park, taking a glance around I could recognize the Principal's car which was a Blue Rolls Royce parked at the end. Walking further, there were several buildings, the administrative block, the lecture theatre, halls, cafeteria, school clinic, sports center, gym, library, and ICT center in designated areas. My classroom was on the second floor of the story building behind the administrative block.

You could see students chit-chat In the hallway about their weekends. I walked to the locker room and took my books while I headed to the classroom.

High school wasn't so much fun as I read in books. Finding Prince charming, being the most popular girl at the school with an unbelievable amount of followers was the typical story I read which was the opposite for me.

"Late again"? Kate said as I sat beside her. I smiled and remembered how terrifying it could have been if she was dead this morning. My friend was with me and I felt a sense of fulfillment. I hugged Kate tightly and I could see how shocked she was when I looked at her. Before she could ask what was going on, Mr. Beck walked in.

Everyone hated Mathematics but not me, I always excelled in all subjects. The class continued to murmur as Mr. Beck dropped the teaching materials on the desk. " Decorum," he said, the class went silent, all I could hear was the sound of the marker falling off Mr. Beck's hand, the class laughed as he struggled to pick it up.

Mr. Beck had always tried to encourage me to apply to a prestigious college after high school, but I had always felt uninterested in advancing in any career. He told me I was bright which I knew but it wouldn't change a thing, I felt no motivation to do anything. "Mr. Beck!" someone screamed.

I looked at Mr. Beck, he was lying helplessly on the floor. I couldn't believe what was happening, as the stretcher was wheeled in. "Is he gonna die?", I asked myself, "this is my fault" I thought. He didn't deserve this, no one does, I closed my eyes as tears flowed.

Kate hugged me and whispered, "he is gonna be alright". How could I tell her he wouldn't be because I tried saving her? The class was in an uproar. The Principal whom everyone feared in the entire school walked into the class and everyone went mute.