Once

Chapter 1

I had no choice.
They did though, they chose to inflict this upon me. This pain, this freezing feeling. The one that starts without you realizing it and before you know it, you are cold. Empty.

Some say dead inside others say soulless. Little do they know they are right but, it's not that bad...Being soulless I mean. It didn't hurt, in fact it felt good to be free from an emotional train wreck that is the human soul. If it weren't for my horrible joke of a life I wouldn't have had to sink so low. Unfortunately this does make me inhuman and unable to understand or connect with others. The only real emotions I can feel are pleasure, envy and anger. Which quickly became obvious. Not that I was soulless humans aren't that smart just that I was different and that drew too much attention. I see that day as a rebirth. A stronger more powerful me.

11 years earlier

The cool fall air began to nip at my skin but yet I still sat motionless where the last scene had unraveled an hour ago. I am alone again. Dumped in the middle of crossroads in a town I don't know. I begin to gather myself and look around. Next to me sat a convenience store but judging by the boards on the windows  I would say no ones home
"Well maybe I'm home." I thought to myself . I got up off the gravel and picked up my small suitcase. The leather groaned in protest and so did my knees. My head was spinning it was like a hundred people talking at once.

As I walked toward the dark convenience store the forest around me breathed as if uncomfortable with my presence. I reached the door and peaked in. It was less of a gas station store and more of a tourist attraction. Attempting to Lure people to the beginning of a quaint town. Trinkets and wooden statues lined the far wall while a canned food section sat to its right. I pulled the handle and liked I worried it was locked.

"Of course" I sniffled. The rivers came flowing from my eyes as I dropped my suitcase and slid down the door. I sat with my knees to my chest crying for what I felt was hours. Questions abused my mind. Why am I alone again? Does no one want me? What is wrong with me? Why do they keep leaving me? Does it even matter anymore? Do I even matter?

When the tears slowed I lifted my head to rest on my knees and wiped my face with my sleeve. My Hello Kitty shirt I'd stolen from a foster sibling  was stained with tears and dirt. I stolen it as a birthday present for my self when I turned seven about a week ago and now it's ruined. I had to squeeze my eye shut so I wouldn't cry again. A strong scent burned my nostrils as I opened my eyes again a shadow began to emerge from the woods directly In front of me. I stood quickly grabbing my case and before I could turn the shadow became a man who called out.

" I won't hurt you." He stated. "I just want to talk."

Hesitating to come closer I took him in. Dark hair and a slim figure with sharp features almost inhuman like.

"I..I have a knife!" I stuttered " s..so don't try anything!"

" No you don't." The man stated bluntly.

I stared at him in shock coming to the edge of the crossroads. "Who are you and What do you want?" I said when I finally found my voice.

"I am a friend and I'm here to help you." He paused for a moment handing me his coat. I stared at his pale hand which unlike his porcelain like face had scar of what looked like a cross.

" I know you have struggled.  Moved from foster home to foster home. Promised a new life but ended with none of them caring about you except for the checks you bring. But, yet you still attach yourself  to them like it'll change.  You convince yourself to love them even though they beat you, rape you and ignore you. " he paused once more as if waiting for the right moment then asked simply.

"Why?"

"What.. How..Who are you?!" I backed away frightened

"Answer my question."

I stood for minutes staring into his eyes unable to run but I soon calmed myself and thought of what he said. The wind caressed his baggy gray coat making me shiver. After deep thought I was still unable to come up with a reason.

" I don't know." I finally admitted

" Well then I have a way to help you, a way to make all the pain, the sadness  and the helplessness go away! I can make you strong and powerful to where no one can hurt you again. Don't you want that?"

" How?" I whispered

" Easy.." He kneeled down placing his hand on my shoulders. " you promise me a small part of yourself. A part you'll never miss and I'll guarantee to make the pain stop forever. No more nightmares, no more disappointment, and no more lies all just for your useless soul."

A small spark of hope fizzed in my heart at this sound of freedom the weight of the pain I had been carrying had been lifted and with no hesitation I agreed. At  that moment the mans eyes clouded over pure black as the deal was made. He pulled out a thin blade no bigger than a pencil and before I could protest he sliced his hand and mine. our blood  sealing my fate.

Shock flooded over me like a wave of  heat. A swirl of black clouds swallowed him and he vanished. The ground rushed at me and it was dark.