Chapter 2 - Birthday: Part 2

Selene woke up around noon, drenched in sweat. Once again this month she had the same nightmare - ran through the dark, sinisterly rustling forest, over dry leaves and stones that hurt her bare feet painfully. Behind, Selene heard someone's footsteps, her breathing quickened more and more, and legs slowly failed to obey - she stumbled over protruding boughs more and more often, her sweater got caught on branches, leaving threads of yarn on them, which caused holes in the material. Eventually Selene exhausted herself completely, caught her foot on something large and fell face down into the pile of leaves which caused her to groan softly from pain. Whoever was chasing Selene now grabbed her arm and rolled onto her back, so she looked at this someone's face. It was a man with ebony, mid-length hair and a long black coat. His raven black eyes drew her into their irretrievable depth like a cosmic black hole. As Selene watched him in horror, he clasped his hands together in a strange gesture, as if was going to pray, but soon a ball of fire began to grow between them. The man smiled triumphantly and threw it right at her heart, and Selene felt extremely real pain, but it did not last long, cause that's when she finally woke up.

It took a while for Selene's breathing to calm down enough for her to realize it was just a dream. Yes, she was in her room now, not in the woods, but the pain Selene felt when a fireball hit her was so real that she wondered all the time if it was really just an ordinary dream.

Finally Selene calmed down and looked aside. The alarm clock showed 11.30. It was about time to get up, especially since she made an appointment with her friends in the cafe few minutes after 12 o'clock. This time aunt did not allow anyone to come home, because some distant family was about to come... But she wondered why only now?

Selene got up and went to the mirror above the dressing table, sitting down on a chair and examining her appearance. She looked terrible - hair was completely disheveled, and face much paler than usual, making her looking like a corpse. Selene flinched at the very thought and immediately opened the wardrobe and fished out a juicy pink dress and beige sandals specially prepared for the day of her birthday. Then she went to her bathroom, which consisted of a small but modern shower tray, a washbasin, a mirror above it, a white cupboard hanging on the wall right next to it, and the toilet was in the next, smaller room. Selene started her morning routine with a cold shower, then put on a bathrobe, dried her hair thoroughly with a dryer, and brushed teeth. After leaving the bathroom, she dressed in previously prepared clothes and sat down at the dressing table, then Selene picked up the brush and carefully combed her long black hair, now shimmering silvery in the light of the California sun. She then applied a foundation to her cleansed face, mascara on the eyelashes, blue eyehadow on eyelids, pink lip gloss on lips, and additionally emphasized the eye contour with a black pencil. Prepared so carefully, she took her turquoise purse and left her room.

Selene walked slowly down the stairs and when reached the kitchen door, she immediately heard Meredith merrily bustling.

- Hello aunt.- she said with a broad smile, opening the door.

- Hello, Selene. Happy birthday, sweetheart.- aunt Meredith replied tenderly, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

- What are you preparing for my birthday today?- Selene asked bluntly, though she knew the answer.

- It is a surprise so I can not tell you, but can only promise that this evening will be unforgettable.- Meredith replied with a mysterious smile.

Well, that's the answer Selene expected. She sighed resignedly and took care of her breakfast, the toasts with strawberry jam, washing it down with orange juice. When finished eating, Selene got up, took her purse from the back of the chair, kissed her aunt goodbye on the cheek, and left the kitchen. In the hall, she checked if had the keys and the phone in her purse, then ran outside, closing the doors.

~~~~~~

Damon was awakened by some annoying, buzzing noise, so stood up slowly, stretching lazily. He was a tall, muscular man, brown-haired, with gray eyes filled with a magnetic glow, and was surrounded by an aura of mystery that attracted women to him. His hair was cut short and he was dressed in a leather jacket and black velvet pants. Damon didn't even take them off to sleep, so didn't have to get dressed. In addition to beauty and mystery, also hid a dark secret that people did not notice - he was a demon, a completely evil creature whose main purpose was to lead people to the wrong path and bring them down, so that after death their soul would be condemned and spend eternity in the depths of Hell. Damon had lived in the Underworld for five hundred and fifty years, being one of the most powerful, not counting Alistair, the ruler of this part of Hell. He was five thousand years old and loved Damon like a son he never had, so everyone in the Underworld knew who would be his successor - sometimes it was all too obvious. Damon, aware of what awaited him, was glad, felt superior to others and looked down at them as if he was already a ruler.

He left his cave and walked towards the hustle and bustle, having no idea what might have caused such a commotion today. Slowly, Damon entered the main square of the Underworld Kingdom, which was more crowded than usual. He pushed himself to the front and noticed Alistair standing on the dais. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with half-long ebony hair pulled back in a ponytail, dark eyes that sucked in like black holes, and was wearing a black ankle-length coat.

- What's going on here?- Damon asked the blonde-haired demon standing next to him.

- What's going on? Were you sleeping under the stone for thousand years or what?- the other was indignant.- Today the "chosen one" turns sixteen. Alistair will be looking for volunteers who will go to Earth to kill her.- he explained after a moment.

- "Of course! How could I forget something so important..."-Damon scolded himself mentally.- Alistair waited sixteen years for this day, and so did I. Finally I have a chance to complete the mission messed up then. I did not manage to get the "chosen one" before her mother sealed her and I had to kill the mother. Eh, what a wonderful thought, first I killed mother, and now I will kill the daughter..."- he smiled to his thoughts.

~~~~~~

Selene greeted her friends as she sat across from them in the cafe. The first one, named Sarah, had short, tightly curly blonde hair, green eyes, pale skin, slightly covered with freckles that made much her prettier. She was of average height, but very skinny. The other girl, Jennifer, overshadowed even Sarah with her beauty. Nature endowed her with shoulder length, brown hair, turquoise eyes, and a model figure - she was tall, slim and rounded where needed. The boys passing their table looked after her in awe.

- Wow, you're so lucky to look like that, Jen.- Selene said appreciatively.

- Well... Being popular among the boys is a little troublesome, but very pleasant.- Jennifer replied with a triumphant smile.

- Happy birthday.- Sarah interrupted, handing Selene a small package, beautifully wrapped in decorative paper and tied up with a lovely ribbon. Surely Sarah was involved in the wrapping of this gift, she has always had a talent for decorating, always choosing the right combinations.

- Oh, right, that's a gift from us. Happy 16th birthday, Selene.- Jennifer grinned.

The package contained a lovely pair of earrings with a navy blue eye and a necklace of the same color. Selene felt breathless at the sight, when unwrapped the gift.

- My God... It must have been terribly expensive.- she gasped finally.

- Eh, it wasn't that expensive, for me it is a trivial matter. Besides, we both put some money into it.- Jennifer replied easily. In fact, it was not a big expense for her, after all, she was the daughter of a bank manager.

- Jenny paid almost the full amount, I managed to collect about 20 percent, but I chose the right one, and took part in packing everything beautifully.- Sarah added.- This set is perfect and it matches the color of your eyes.- she smiled, pointing to the gift.

- It's one of the best presents I've ever got, so thoughtful. I don't even know how to thank you...- Selene said, deeply touched.

- You just have to wear it.- Jennifer said cheerfully. Sarah smiled as if in confirmation of her words.

Selene sighed and put earrings on her ears.

- That's enough for now, I don't want to show off this necklace too much.- she turned to her friends.- You really are the best friends on the whole world.- Selene shook their hands, looking at them with gratitude.