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dingy colors. The lights
from the car were bright and glimmered off tiny pieces of reflecting objects and
hundreds of tiny vases stacked on one another, layering the ground in between
the homes like tiny little bridges attaching each home together. Outlining the exterior
of the one closest to me were dozens of wooden sticks a few feet high in length
with skulls and horns attached at the tips. Hanging on the ends of the horns swung
long, vibrant feathers, dangling in the wind. I swallowed the fear inching its
way up my throat.
    I
knew exactly where we were—the Lowers.
    The
Lowers, the place that I, and everyone else my age, was forbidden to go. Not
just that, but nobody ever wanted to come out here, forbidden or not. When I
was little, kids told haunted stories about where the Lowers lived. But they
were always made up, stories pieced together from their own imaginations.
Parents didn’t talk about them, and besides the kids, nobody else did either.
We kept our distance unless forced near one another due to a mandatory meeting.
    Instantly,
the wheel disappeared from my hands and all the lights turned off. Now the car
was entirely out of power. I had mixed feelings, more horrified than not, but
slightly glad the car turned off in a place where other people existed, even if
I was terrified at who these people were.

Chapter Four
     
    I lowered my hands from the empty area where the
translucent virtual wheel subjected my grip—and my uncertainty. The tension I had
been so desperately trying to control freed from my arms and sunk effortlessly
into my body, transferring the tension throughout me. I sat there not moving, with
my stomach convulsing. Minutes later, I swung my legs out the doorless side,
placed my feet on the ground, and braced myself with my hands.
    I
stood up in the quiet, breezy night alone, staring at the home not far away. My
long sleeves kept the wind from hitting my skin and my body was grateful for it.
Somehow, my shirt from home also felt like a barrier, something to keep me
safe. More of a mental thing, I guess. Finally, my eyes adjusted as much as
they would with the only light available being the stars and the full moon; the
natural tiny balls of fire numerous, covering the sky like a blanket of lights.
    All
of a sudden, a figure ducked out from underneath the entrance of the house and
a curtain swung back behind him, or her. For a short while, the person remained
in their doorway, eyes facing my direction. I could see, though not well enough
to tell what the individual looked like. I assumed the only thing they’d be
staring at was me and this large car. And I wondered if this particular
individual had been the reason for all the deaths I passed along the trail
here.
    Was
he going to kill me too?
    I
looked at James still lying across the front seat. If it wasn’t for all the
blood, I’d think he was sleeping peacefully. He was not moving, eyes gently
closed, with no expression on his face. Unfortunately, that also meant he was still
unconscious and would be no help protecting me.
    I
closed my eyes and tried wishing him awake, hoping that this situation would simply
disappear. Maybe he could read my thoughts?
    That
was a stupid. Nobody is able to do that .
    The
memory of him moving swift and precise as he fought the two guards clearly
bigger than he, was alarming, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him do the same right
now with whoever this person was still looking at me. Honestly, I didn’t know James
could move like that. I never saw him in action or training. Nobody did unless
they were also a guard. And he never bragged in detail when telling me about
his day. I knew without a doubt, he could easily overpower this person—who was most
definitely contemplating ways to kill me.
    Or
was it a she?
    I
couldn’t make out any movement from the other houses, only this one. The house where
the dark figure now took his first step towards me.
    I
wasn’t sure if the earthy ground beneath me was trembling, or