Black Roses, Silver Thorns Prologue

“Hey Cinderella,” Kataro greets me with a kiss on the cheek. I just got out of the shower so I imagine I smell like Ocean Zest. I was wearing the pair of green cargo pants, my brother put in my backpack, and the black sequined camisole. I look at the table. Kataro made pancakes with a sausage smile. I smiled at him, took his hand in mine, and squeezed it.

“Hey Ninja Boy,” I flirted. I just blurted it out without thinking. He liked karate so I figured why not make a cute nickname out of it?

“Ninja Boy, huh? I like it Cinderella,” he smiled at me.

“So what are we doing for the morning?” I asked him.

“We are meeting Angel and Cameron. You are hanging out with Angel and I am hanging out with Cameron.”

I smiled, “Angel is cool. I haven’t seen her in forever. Maybe I can learn a little more about her.”

“That is great. Now eat your pancakes before they frown,” he started laughing. I joined in. I sat down and dug into the pancakes. They were really good. Twenty minutes we got into his black pick up truck to meet Angel and Cameron at the mall. Once we got to the mall Angel pulled me away from Kataro and into a store that I have never heard of before.

“He totally has a crush on you. You know that?” Angel asked me when we were out of earshot of the two boys.

“I know! I am so happy. I really like him too,” I told her. Angel smiled.

“He is like a big brother to me and to Cameron. Cameron won’t admit it because he is supposed to appear macho and tough,” Angel laughed as she looked through a rack of jeans that was in front of her. I watched her pick up a pair that was ripped in the knees.

“Cameron is pretty cool. How long have you two been a couple?” I asked her as she hung the jeans back up on the rack.

“We’ve been together ever since…a long time ago,” Angel finished abruptly. She looked uncomfortable for a girl wearing the most comfortable clothes ever. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a blue flannel shirt that looked like it was one on Cameron’s. On her feet were a pair of loafers and her bubblegum colored hair was tied back in a pony tail.

“A long time,” I echoed, “wow. You are so lucky.” I looked down at my sneakers. I feel a pair of eyes digging into my back. I turn around and look. It is just a teenager in a black trench coat. There seemed to be nothing harmful about him so I pushed him out of my mind and focused on Angel.

“Thanks,” she walked out of the store and into the hallway of the mall. I looked around hoping to spot Kataro somewhere but he was nowhere in sight.

“How long have you known Kataro?” I asked her out of curiosity. She raised her eyebrows and laughed.

“I was never into him if that’s what you’re asking. He is the one that introduced me to Cameron,” she walked a little faster, “Speak of the devils. There they are. Up ahead.” She pointed to the two figures walking toward us.

“Uh-huh there they are!” I exclaimed. They saw us and started running toward us. When they were right next to us Cameron picked up Angel and spun her around. He looked over at Kataro and then put her down.

“We’re going to the movie now girls,” Cameron told us. Cameron intertwined his hand with Angel’s and started walking forward to the movie theater. I slowly walked behind them. Kataro walked beside Cameron. I looked around. The teenager in the trench coat was watching us closely.

When we got to the movie theater the boys paid for our tickets. I bought a large Mountain Dew and small popcorn. Kataro got a small Diet Coke and small popcorn. Angel and Cameron shared a large popcorn and a large Pepsi. We walked to theater 7. Angel and Cameron sat together in front of Kataro and I. The previews began to roll. Then the main feature began to play. We ended up seeing a movie about Vampires sucking blood and eating Humans. I started hyperventilating. I stood up and ran of the movie theater. I didn’t see their faces and I didn’t care. I found the bathroom and ran inside of it.

“Why do they portray us as monsters?” I asked myself. I put my head in my heads and started to cry. I heard the bathroom door open.

“Hey Kairi don’t cry. A lot of us had parents and friends that were lost to creatures like them. They are horrible monsters. We can see another movie if you want,” Angel brushed my tears away.

“No. No. I want to just go home. Please,” hot wet tears streamed down my face. A salty tear got into my mouth.

“Okay. Shh…it will be alright. Let me go get Kataro to take you home,” Angel took my hand and led me out of the bathroom. Cameron and Kataro met us outside. Angel turned and looked at Kataro.

“Kataro can you take her home and then meet us at my house?” Angel asked him. Kataro nodded.

“Yeah I can. Come on Kairi let’s go,” Kataro took my hand, led me out of the mall, and into his black truck. Kataro didn’t say anything the whole way to the truck.

“So you’re afraid of Vampires?” Kataro finally asked me as we got into the truck.

“Uh…yeah something like that,” I looked down at my feet. Kataro started the engine and started to drive me home. Kataro stopped the truck in front of his house and handed me the house key.

“I’ll be home tomorrow. Don’t ask questions. Okay? Pasta is in the fridge. You can heat it up. Sauce and cheese are in there too. Have fun and don’t talk to strangers. Bye Kairi,” I got out of the truck and Kataro drove off.

I looked up at the sky. It wasn’t exactly dark out but I could tell it was about 3:00pm. I walked up to the door and put the key in the keyhole. I turned the key and opened the door. I walked into the living room and turned on the TV. I wasn’t feeling very hungry so I didn’t eat anything. I played in my head over and over what Angel had said at the movie theater. A lot of us had parents and friends that were lost to creatures like them. What did she mean? Did she know about people like me? More importantly, if she did, was she a Werewolf?

I shook the thought out of my head. She couldn’t be a Werewolf. I would have known if she was one. Wouldn’t I have? We’ve been together ever since…a long time ago. Of course! Cameron had to be a Werewolf too. She looked uncomfortable talking to me about it. Then that would explain why I couldn’t go to their meeting. Today is also a full moon. Maybe, just maybe I already fell in love with a Werewolf. Maybe I am living with one.

“But if I am in love with a Werewolf, why am I not Human?” I wondered aloud. I looked around the room and expected an answer but never got one. My phone suddenly started to ring. It was in my pocket again so I took it out and looked at the caller id. It was a number I didn’t recognize. I pressed the green button and picked up anyway.

“Hello?” I asked uncertain of the caller on the other end.

“Hello my beautiful fiancé,” I froze.