Hero High

Chapter 1

I stared into the darkness. I saw a spark inside the black, and a clawed hand made of fire appeared. It extended its fingers and turned toward me. I turned and ran in the opposite direction.

I ran as fast as I could, but the hand was faster. It reached around my body and grabbed me. The fire singed my clothes but it didn't hurt me. Then it started to squeeze. Was it trying to make my eyeballs pop out of my head, like a twisted idea for a toy? I didn't know or even care for that matter. I only wanted to escape its clutches.

I struggled and twisted around. I started feeling dizzy and I shook my head. The hand was going back into the darkness and dragging me with it. I screamed out of fear and anger. Somewhere deep within the void I heard an unearthly laugh. It sounded like someone was gargling rocks.

I screamed again but I knew no one would hear me.

*

“J.J., wake up! Wake up!”

Alice was shaking me by the shoulders, her eyes darting from left to right.

“Uhhhn,”

My head still pounded from my encounter with the hand of fire.

Alice shook me again and said, “You were screaming in your sleep again. The other passengers were staring. Are you okay?”

I searched my clothes for burn holes and smoke from when I was grabbed by the hand, until I realized it was a dream. I smiled and patted Alice on the head.

“Thanks kiddo. Just a bad dream is all. I'll be okay. Thanks again.”

She stared at me with her big round eyes that were a dark chestnut color. She smiled and kissed me on the cheek. She was my step sister, but I still loved her like crazy. She didn't have a bad bone in her body.

“We are almost here. Mommy told me to tell you that she and Daddy are up if you want to talk to them before you...leave.”

She sniffed and turned her face away. I put my hand on her cheek and said, “Don't be upset, I won't be gone forever. It's only for a little while. I'll be home for Christmas in no time at all.”

She looked at me, her eyes full of tears, “Can I come with you? Please? I wouldn't cause trouble.” I smiled and said, “But then who would feed and walk and play with Misty. You know she doesn't like our parents that much. Are you ready for her to be unhappy just so you can be with me?”

She shook her head and sighed. I smiled again and headed for Dad and his wife's room on the train.

I knocked twice on the door before sliding it open. Dad and Loretta were sitting on the one side of the plush, red couch. A single blue chair sat across from it. Dad smiled warmly and motioned for me to sit.

“Jessica Joyce, my little girl, going far away to a high school,” My Dad chuckled softly, “Where did the years go?”

I smiled back and looked at Loretta. She looked sad, but had a small smile hidden underneath. I knew she didn't care much for me, and the only reason I didn't insult her to her face is because I like Alice too much. I don't get how such a mean woman could give birth to such a wonderful daughter. That's life for ya.

Dad reached across and took my hand. “Honey, you are so special, and I want you to know how proud I am of you. I couldn't have a better daughter. That is why you are going to this school. I, I mean we, will miss you terribly, but it's important for you to come here to hone your abilities. I just want you to know I love you. Do you have anything to say, Lorry?”

Loretta swiped some fake tears from her eyes. “I just wanted to say that I am going to miss you, baby, and I hope that you have a great time at your new school.”

I rolled my eyes when Dad wasn't looking and glanced at my watch. It was just past noon and we were supposed to arrive at the station around twelve thirty. I gave my dad a hug before going back to my room. Dad isn't allowed to come with me along, nor is anyone else, but he still wanted to travel the whole way here with me. I guess all that money must have been burning a hole in his pocket.

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An hour later, I was standing on the side of the road, next to the train station. My ride was supposed to pick me up fifteen minutes ago. I sighed and checked my watch again. I really hope they didn't forget me. It's not like I could just walk home.

Just then, a black van pulled up beside me. A man leaned out of the front seat.

“Ms. Dakota?” the man asked.

I nodded and started to get int the car before I regained my common sense.

“Wait, just so we're clear, how do I know that you are the person sent to pick me up?”

The man cleared his throat and leaned closer.

“Because,” he said, “I am here to take you to Hero High. Welcome to your first day of school, Ms. Dakota.”

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Hero High! I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster of a ride through the life of a very special JJ Dakota. So... yeah.

Anyhow, I was browsing through a couple of the older chapters (looking for people who asked me to keep them updated) and I noticed something

ALL MY CHAPTERS WERE ROALLY SCREWED UP!

Sometime in the process of publishing my chapters, Booksie changed the font of everything to 36 or something and totally disregarded spacing. I'm going through EVERY SINGLE STINKING CHAPTER and trying to fix this so hang on for me!

Thank you to everyone who has read even one chapter! Double thanks to those of you who commented! If you think I could've worded something better or tell me about something to do with grammatical errors, PLEASE LET ME KNOW so I can fix it and improve your reading experience.

Love, peace, and cotton candy,

-Avery McMillen