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Description
Chapter 3: A Hidden Power

Friday morning Iris awoke to the annoying beeping of her alarm clock. From underneath the bed covers her arm stretched out to hit the off button. Once the beeping ceased Iris forced herself out of bed.  She stumbled out of her mess of a bed and turned on the radio.

As she moved her body to the rhythm of the music she opened the closet doors and grabbed a pearl white chemise and slipped it on. The shoulders of the chemise hung delicately off of her slender shoulders. Next Iris grabbed a royal blue, velvet strapless bodice with golden draw strings in the back.

She turned to the full length mirror and shook her head vigorously. Her hair grew to its normal length, just past her waist. She used a blue ribbon to tie it into a loose pony tail. Now, should I go with or without the wings? Iris bit her lip as she tried to decide. Not wanting to get murdered, she opted to go without her wings.

After eating a quick breakfast Iris slipped on a sapphire blue, hooded cloak to conceal her outfit and face. She nervously walked out of her home and headed to her bus stop, which was just down the street. As she boarded the bus, a few of her classmates gave her strange looks. She took her usual seat on the bus near the back. Her heart raced as she anticipated the millions of questions.

“Hey Isabel, what’s your culture?” a boy from her history class asked her. Iris grinned devilishly.

“You’ll just have to wait till later to find out.” She answered him.

After the long ten minute bus ride Iris finally arrived at school. She didn’t know if she should be scared or excited. She looked around and saw many students dressed up wearing clothing from their own heritage.

Iris took in a deep breath and went to her locker, which was located on the first floor of the five storey high school. Once she had all her books ready for her morning classes, she then nervously took off her cloak and hung it up in her locker. The moment she had removed the hood from her head she got many looks of confusion.

Iris walked down the hall to her class in the science wing of the school. She sat down at the back of the classroom as usual and waited for class to start. Her friend Eva walked into class wearing a jade Moy gown. She left her shoulder length, copper brown hair down and teased slightly.

Eva took her seat to the right of Iris in the back of the classroom. It was only when she sat down did she notice what Iris was wearing. She was startled at first but figured it was some sort of joke. “Hey, funny joke Isabel. Dressing up as a demon.” she was laughing but not out of control.

Iris looked at Eva surprised. “This isn’t a joke. I really am an Angalikan.” Eva rolled her eyes and nodded, not believing her friend.

“Sure you are Isabel.” she replied sarcastically.

When noon rolled around and third period had ended, Iris went to the cafeteria to meet up with her friends as usual. All of them were already seated at a table near the back. She walked up to their table and sat down casually.

“Oh my god Isabel!” Iris smiled at Melody’s reaction; finally some notices that this isn’t a joke! “That’s hilarious!” Iris couldn’t believe it. “You know Halloween isn’t until October and it’s only May.” Iris hung her head low and shook it back and forth.

“It’s not a Halloween costume! I really am an Angalikan!” her friends just laughed. How come they don’t believe me?

The rest of the day was miserable for Iris. Her plans had gone down the drain. Everyone thought she was pulling some sort of joke. When she arrived home from school she went straight to her room and laid back on her bed.  Why didn’t anyone believe me? She wondered as she played with the golden pendent around her neck.

“Iris!” her mother called from down the hall. Iris sighed and sat up. “Oh, there you are.” her mother was surprised to see her daughter already dressed and ready to go to the colony. “Well, this is a surprise.” she exclaimed. Iris forced a smile then let if fade. “Oh honey, what’s the matter?” her mother sat down beside her on the bed.

“Well…it’s just that I wore this to school and everyone thought it was some sort of joke.” her mother’s eyes went wide.

“You’re damn lucky they thought it was a joke! Do you have any idea what they would have done if they thought otherwise?” Iris nodded. She knew perfectly well how they would have reacted but that’s what she wanted. She wanted her peers to know that Angelikans were the people they least expected and how they could be trusted.

Once the rest of her family was ready they headed off to the forest where they went every Friday night to gather with other Angelikans. When they had arrived, Iris’s mother and father went off to socialize with the other adults. Her older brother went and flirted with Alida. Quinton had been fancying her for the past year. She was a year younger than himself, making her 18.

Iris looked around and spotted her two older cousins, Bonita and Calista. Bonita wore a short sleeved, ivory chemise with a flaming red bodice while Calista wore a long sleeved, pearl white, silk chemise with a hunter green, strapless bodice.

Iris waved to Bonita and Calista. The two saw her and walked over towards her. “Hey Iris!” Calista said as she waved back. Bonita didn’t look too happy as she approached her younger cousin.

“You know you’ve got a lot, and I mean a lot, of nerve to go to school wearing that! Do you have any idea what could have happened if they didn’t think it was a joke?!” Bonita scolded. Iris shook her head in surprise.

“Wow, I think I just had deja vu because I could have sworn I’ve already heard the exact same speech before.” Bonita rolled her eyes. “No, wait, my mom already gave me that speech.” Calista couldn’t help but giggle.

“Whatever Iris. Just, don’t do it ever again. People might actually believe you next time. And you won’t be the only one who they’ll be after.” it was obvious she was referring to herself, her sister and even Iris’ brother Quinton. Iris sighed in defeat. She knew her cousin too well and that in an argument she didn’t stand a chance against her. After a long and bothersome silence, Calista took it upon herself to break it.

“Hey, why don’t we go and join in on the dancing?” she suggested. Bonita and Iris agreed. What was the point of going to a large gathering and not joining in on the festivities? It would have ended up being a waste of time.

Iris soon grew tired from the continuous dancing and decided to take a walk by herself. She didn’t even bother to tell anyone. She knew if she did, someone would end up going along with her.

It didn’t take long for Calista notice something or someone was missing. “Hey Bon, where did Iris go?” she asked as she stopped dancing. The two of them looked around and couldn’t see their cousin anywhere.

“I saw her walking along the path on her own.” Came the young and cheerful voice of Vesta. Bonita and Calista’s eyes widened.

“What?!?  She went on her own!?!” Bonita yelled rather loud, catching the attention of some fellow Angelikans.

“Huh? Who went where on their own?” a tall, boy who appeared to be around Iris’ age, with unruly raven black hair and sparkling blue eyes asked.

“Oh, hey Owen. Our cousin Iris went for a walk in the forest alone without telling any of us.” Calista said. Unlike her older sister she was much calmer about the situation. A worried look came to Owen’s face.

“Which way did she go?” he asked. Calista shrugged and Vesta pulled on Owen’s pant leg.

“She went thata way.” she said pointing towards a small pathway, which was barely lit with lamps. Owen frowned and went after her.  Since the death of Juno there had been more sightings of humans in the area, making the forest more dangerous for their kind.
Owen ran down the pathway to hopefully catch up with Iris. “Iris!” he shouted as he spotted her.  Iris turned around slowly. The look on her face was grim.

“What do you want?” she asked him, annoyed for interrupting her time alone.

“It’s not safe to be walking in the forests alone.” Iris rolled her eyes. How the hell am I supposed to get anytime alone then? Well, maybe it won’t be that bad having him around. He is kinda cute… Iris continued to walk and Owen followed. She was almost killed before and he didn’t want someone to find her dead.

Owen wasn’t sure what it was, but something was telling him he must protect Iris at all costs. Perhaps her soul was one that he had known in a past life. A sound from the bushes broke Owen’s train of thoughts. Instantly he placed his hand on Iris’ shoulder, stopping her.

“What?” Iris asked as she turned and faced him. His face was as hard as a rock. Iris knew there was something wrong. She stepped closer to him worried. “What is it?” she asked in a whisper.

“Humans…I think.” he whispered back then surveyed the surrounding area. “C’mon, lets get out of here.” he suggested. Iris nodded in agreement. She knew how deadly and ruthless humans could be to their kind; especially the ones that referred to themselves as Hunters.

As they both turned to head back to where the others where, they were stopped by a clicking sound that could only come from a gun. “That’s right you filthy demons.” a very familiar sounding voice to Iris, sounded from behind them. Iris regretfully turned to the voice. It was Matthew. He and a group of his fellow Hunters came out of the bushes with their guns aimed at Iris and Owen. “This time you won’t live you blasted demon.” Matthew slurred.

A lump rose in Iris’ throat. This is it. I’m gonna die… Her eyes fell to the golden pendent and looked at it sadly. Well look on the bright side, I’ll be able to be with Juno again. She forced a smile that soon disappeared.

Owen looked around frustrated. They were out numbered six to one and completely surrounded by the enemy. The trees around them were too low and in the way for them to fly away. There was no way out but death.

Just as all hope seemed lost, Iris’ necklace began to glow an eerie yellow aurora. Frightened by the strange light, Matthew pulled the trigger of the gun. The bullet speed towards Iris but slowly came to a stop, much to everyone’s shock. The bullet was dangling in mid air, not moving. Mesmerized, Iris touched it lightly with the tip of her finger and watched it fall to the ground.

Matthew opened fire again and again but the same thing happened. The bullets stopped in mid air and fell to the ground. He looked at his comrades sheepishly. Iris stared at him dead in the eyes. Her glare looked soft but terrified Matthew and his comrades. They first began to move away slowly then ran for it.

Iris began to feel dizzy. She couldn’t concentrate or keep her balance. She wobbled then fell to her knees. Owen ran beside her and caught her before she hit the ground.

Description
Chapter 3: A Hidden Power

Friday morning Iris awoke to the annoying beeping of her alarm clock. From underneath the bed covers her arm stretched out to hit the off button. Once the beeping ceased Iris forced herself out of bed.  She stumbled out of her mess of a bed and turned on the radio.

As she moved her body to the rhythm of the music she opened the closet doors and grabbed a pearl white chemise and slipped it on. The shoulders of the chemise hung delicately off of her slender shoulders. Next Iris grabbed a royal blue, velvet strapless bodice with golden draw strings in the back.

She turned to the full length mirror and shook her head vigorously. Her hair grew to its normal length, just past her waist. She used a blue ribbon to tie it into a loose pony tail. Now, should I go with or without the wings? Iris bit her lip as she tried to decide. Not wanting to get murdered, she opted to go without her wings.

After eating a quick breakfast Iris slipped on a sapphire blue, hooded cloak to conceal her outfit and face. She nervously walked out of her home and headed to her bus stop, which was just down the street. As she boarded the bus, a few of her classmates gave her strange looks. She took her usual seat on the bus near the back. Her heart raced as she anticipated the millions of questions.

“Hey Isabel, what’s your culture?” a boy from her history class asked her. Iris grinned devilishly.

“You’ll just have to wait till later to find out.” She answered him.

After the long ten minute bus ride Iris finally arrived at school. She didn’t know if she should be scared or excited. She looked around and saw many students dressed up wearing clothing from their own heritage.

Iris took in a deep breath and went to her locker, which was located on the first floor of the five storey high school. Once she had all her books ready for her morning classes, she then nervously took off her cloak and hung it up in her locker. The moment she had removed the hood from her head she got many looks of confusion.

Iris walked down the hall to her class in the science wing of the school. She sat down at the back of the classroom as usual and waited for class to start. Her friend Eva walked into class wearing a jade Moy gown. She left her shoulder length, copper brown hair down and teased slightly.

Eva took her seat to the right of Iris in the back of the classroom. It was only when she sat down did she notice what Iris was wearing. She was startled at first but figured it was some sort of joke. “Hey, funny joke Isabel. Dressing up as a demon.” she was laughing but not out of control.

Iris looked at Eva surprised. “This isn’t a joke. I really am an Angalikan.” Eva rolled her eyes and nodded, not believing her friend.

“Sure you are Isabel.” she replied sarcastically.

When noon rolled around and third period had ended, Iris went to the cafeteria to meet up with her friends as usual. All of them were already seated at a table near the back. She walked up to their table and sat down casually.

“Oh my god Isabel!” Iris smiled at Melody’s reaction; finally some notices that this isn’t a joke! “That’s hilarious!” Iris couldn’t believe it. “You know Halloween isn’t until October and it’s only May.” Iris hung her head low and shook it back and forth.

“It’s not a Halloween costume! I really am an Angalikan!” her friends just laughed. How come they don’t believe me?

The rest of the day was miserable for Iris. Her plans had gone down the drain. Everyone thought she was pulling some sort of joke. When she arrived home from school she went straight to her room and laid back on her bed.  Why didn’t anyone believe me? She wondered as she played with the golden pendent around her neck.

“Iris!” her mother called from down the hall. Iris sighed and sat up. “Oh, there you are.” her mother was surprised to see her daughter already dressed and ready to go to the colony. “Well, this is a surprise.” she exclaimed. Iris forced a smile then let if fade. “Oh honey, what’s the matter?” her mother sat down beside her on the bed.

“Well…it’s just that I wore this to school and everyone thought it was some sort of joke.” her mother’s eyes went wide.

“You’re damn lucky they thought it was a joke! Do you have any idea what they would have done if they thought otherwise?” Iris nodded. She knew perfectly well how they would have reacted but that’s what she wanted. She wanted her peers to know that Angelikans were the people they least expected and how they could be trusted.

Once the rest of her family was ready they headed off to the forest where they went every Friday night to gather with other Angelikans. When they had arrived, Iris’s mother and father went off to socialize with the other adults. Her older brother went and flirted with Alida. Quinton had been fancying her for the past year. She was a year younger than himself, making her 18.

Iris looked around and spotted her two older cousins, Bonita and Calista. Bonita wore a short sleeved, ivory chemise with a flaming red bodice while Calista wore a long sleeved, pearl white, silk chemise with a hunter green, strapless bodice.

Iris waved to Bonita and Calista. The two saw her and walked over towards her. “Hey Iris!” Calista said as she waved back. Bonita didn’t look too happy as she approached her younger cousin.

“You know you’ve got a lot, and I mean a lot, of nerve to go to school wearing that! Do you have any idea what could have happened if they didn’t think it was a joke?!” Bonita scolded. Iris shook her head in surprise.

“Wow, I think I just had deja vu because I could have sworn I’ve already heard the exact same speech before.” Bonita rolled her eyes. “No, wait, my mom already gave me that speech.” Calista couldn’t help but giggle.

“Whatever Iris. Just, don’t do it ever again. People might actually believe you next time. And you won’t be the only one who they’ll be after.” it was obvious she was referring to herself, her sister and even Iris’ brother Quinton. Iris sighed in defeat. She knew her cousin too well and that in an argument she didn’t stand a chance against her. After a long and bothersome silence, Calista took it upon herself to break it.

“Hey, why don’t we go and join in on the dancing?” she suggested. Bonita and Iris agreed. What was the point of going to a large gathering and not joining in on the festivities? It would have ended up being a waste of time.

Iris soon grew tired from the continuous dancing and decided to take a walk by herself. She didn’t even bother to tell anyone. She knew if she did, someone would end up going along with her.

It didn’t take long for Calista notice something or someone was missing. “Hey Bon, where did Iris go?” she asked as she stopped dancing. The two of them looked around and couldn’t see their cousin anywhere.

“I saw her walking along the path on her own.” Came the young and cheerful voice of Vesta. Bonita and Calista’s eyes widened.

“What?!?  She went on her own!?!” Bonita yelled rather loud, catching the attention of some fellow Angelikans.

“Huh? Who went where on their own?” a tall, boy who appeared to be around Iris’ age, with unruly raven black hair and sparkling blue eyes asked.

“Oh, hey Owen. Our cousin Iris went for a walk in the forest alone without telling any of us.” Calista said. Unlike her older sister she was much calmer about the situation. A worried look came to Owen’s face.

“Which way did she go?” he asked. Calista shrugged and Vesta pulled on Owen’s pant leg.

“She went thata way.” she said pointing towards a small pathway, which was barely lit with lamps. Owen frowned and went after her.  Since the death of Juno there had been more sightings of humans in the area, making the forest more dangerous for their kind.
Owen ran down the pathway to hopefully catch up with Iris. “Iris!” he shouted as he spotted her.  Iris turned around slowly. The look on her face was grim.

“What do you want?” she asked him, annoyed for interrupting her time alone.

“It’s not safe to be walking in the forests alone.” Iris rolled her eyes. How the hell am I supposed to get anytime alone then? Well, maybe it won’t be that bad having him around. He is kinda cute… Iris continued to walk and Owen followed. She was almost killed before and he didn’t want someone to find her dead.

Owen wasn’t sure what it was, but something was telling him he must protect Iris at all costs. Perhaps her soul was one that he had known in a past life. A sound from the bushes broke Owen’s train of thoughts. Instantly he placed his hand on Iris’ shoulder, stopping her.

“What?” Iris asked as she turned and faced him. His face was as hard as a rock. Iris knew there was something wrong. She stepped closer to him worried. “What is it?” she asked in a whisper.

“Humans…I think.” he whispered back then surveyed the surrounding area. “C’mon, lets get out of here.” he suggested. Iris nodded in agreement. She knew how deadly and ruthless humans could be to their kind; especially the ones that referred to themselves as Hunters.

As they both turned to head back to where the others where, they were stopped by a clicking sound that could only come from a gun. “That’s right you filthy demons.” a very familiar sounding voice to Iris, sounded from behind them. Iris regretfully turned to the voice. It was Matthew. He and a group of his fellow Hunters came out of the bushes with their guns aimed at Iris and Owen. “This time you won’t live you blasted demon.” Matthew slurred.

A lump rose in Iris’ throat. This is it. I’m gonna die… Her eyes fell to the golden pendent and looked at it sadly. Well look on the bright side, I’ll be able to be with Juno again. She forced a smile that soon disappeared.

Owen looked around frustrated. They were out numbered six to one and completely surrounded by the enemy. The trees around them were too low and in the way for them to fly away. There was no way out but death.

Just as all hope seemed lost, Iris’ necklace began to glow an eerie yellow aurora. Frightened by the strange light, Matthew pulled the trigger of the gun. The bullet speed towards Iris but slowly came to a stop, much to everyone’s shock. The bullet was dangling in mid air, not moving. Mesmerized, Iris touched it lightly with the tip of her finger and watched it fall to the ground.

Matthew opened fire again and again but the same thing happened. The bullets stopped in mid air and fell to the ground. He looked at his comrades sheepishly. Iris stared at him dead in the eyes. Her glare looked soft but terrified Matthew and his comrades. They first began to move away slowly then ran for it.

Iris began to feel dizzy. She couldn’t concentrate or keep her balance. She wobbled then fell to her knees. Owen ran beside her and caught her before she hit the ground.