PROLOGUE

I jumped at the sound of the thunder that quickly followed the flash of light that had occurred moments before. It was the biggest storm that I could remember.

“Don’t be scared, son.” My father said, putting an arm around my shoulder.

“I’m not scared dad!” I replied quickly, trying to look braver then I really felt. He gave me a knowing glance and rolled the dice to start his turn in RISK. My dad and I have been spending more and more time since he got back. He said he couldn’t tell me where he went, because it was a big secret. He said when I’m older, I’ll get to know. I wish I was older now. I liked him for the same reasons every other kid my age would, ‘cept it was true for my dad. He was tall, with dark brown hair and green eyes just like me. He did any favor that you asked him to and was really, really strong and smart too. Just the way I wanna be when I get older!!

“Matt,” my dad gently squeezes my shoulder, “it your tur—” and before he could finish his sentence, a what seemed to be a S.W.A.T unit threw open the door down and swarmed in on me and my dad like a swarm of angry bees. Then one of them stepped in front of the others, taking charge.

“GET DOWN AND NOBODY MOVE!! HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!!” we quickly followed their orders, having been persuaded by the weapons they brought with them. My mom and sister were thrown on the floor right next to us.

“You! The male! No tricks, understand? We know what you are, but what are they?” he asked pointing to me and my mother and sister. I took note of his appearance. He had dark brown hairs spiked up and eyebrow and well as a lip ring. His goatee however was an odd shade of blonde. The thing that made me stare were his eyes. They were grey and they seemed to shine slightly.

“Human.” He replied simply. The leader nodded slowly.

“In that case, tell us what you know about the gates.”

“I know everything about them, but two much for your evil minds to understand. It meant for other ear—”

“SILENCE!!” the leader screamed, lashing out at my father.

“DAD!!” I yelped, trying to be brave. The soldier turned to look at me, his eyes full of fire and hate. The shining increased.

“Quiet, or your next!” he barked at me and turned to my father and raised his weapon, making the message clear as I started to sob. “I’ll ask you one more time, Marner; where are The Gates?”

“Hidden from greedy and immature hand like yours.” My father replied without hesitation and fearlessly. As he finished his sentence, the air filled with the sound of fireworks and my father shook violently with every shot he took in. The room filled with smoke and my father lay motionless on the ground in the same position they had made him lay.

“NO! DAD!” I screamed as I ran to my father. Miraculously, he was still alive, but barley.

“Son,” he said in the faintest whisper, ever so weakly, “don’t let them find the Gates. Don’t let it..” and as he spoke his final word, his eyes lost their color and his body went limp in my hands.*