My first real friend was Connor James. I met when he stopped some kids from beating me up after school. The other kids didn't like him much either so we were each others support. Mother liked Connor as well. She said that he was the most polite boy she had ever met. I like Connor, but I was also envious of him. He had a father.
I never had a father. Mother said that he had been killed before I was born. One night when I couldn't sleep I decided to ask Mother about it. So I boldly walked into her study where she was writting in her journal.
"Mother." I said quietly
She turned to me and smiled.
"Yes Love?"
"I was wondering something. Don't be angry with me, but why don't I have a father?" I aske timidly
Her smile dissapeared and she looked sad. I immediatly regretted asking her. I hated to see her sad.
"He died Hon. Thats all you need to know." She said.
I was puzzled by what she said. The puzzle grew when I turned ten. That was the first time I saw the Dark Man.
Mother had been late getting off work and Aunt Willow had a doctors appointment. So before going to the doctor's she dropped me off at Sears where Mother worked. I sat on a bench beside the cash register. The other ladies that Mother worked with gave candy and said I was just the cutest thing.
It was dark when we left. For some reason Mother was nervous. She kept looking in the rearview mirror. Suddenly on a little backroad she stopped the car.
"Mother why are we stopping?" I asked scared.
"Hush Harlyn. I want you to stay in the car. No matter what happens you don't get out." She said cutting me off.
"But why?" I asked
"If something happens and I go down you call Giles then you call the police on the cell phone. I'm going to do some pretty frightening things so you stay in the car." She said digging in the glove compartment.
To my surprise she took out a long stick that was sharppened at one end, a spray bottle of water, and a wooden cross. As she climbed out of the car she locked oll the doors but hers and stepped into the light of the headlights. That's when she went crazy.
"I know your out there. Show yourself. Come and get me. I dare you. I'll stake your bloodsucking carcass before you could get close either of us." She shouted into the darkness.
A man stepped out into the light. as the light hit his face I realized that I looked a little like him. Mother didn't seem to notice this, she held he ground and watched him warily.
It was then that I discovered my power. It was something that I never told anyone about, not even Mother. I knew what they were feeling, because I could feel thier emotions. From Mother I felt Pain, betrayal, and powerful love toward the Dark Man. From him all I felt was hatred. I watched as they circled each other.
"If you give him to me now I won't hurt you . . . Much." He said smiling.
"Never. You have to kill me first." Mather said evenly
"You know that I could, but I won't. Not yet. Someday. Just remember that I'm always watching you." He said stepping back into the darkness.
Mother stood there for a moment longer and then climbed back into the car. Her hands shook as the started the engine, and she didn't say anything to explain.
"Who was that?" I asked finnaly
"The man who killed your father."
