Believe (1) - The beginning....

Wave after wave of exhaustion passes over you as you sit with Raven later that night, running over your homework and an assignment for Chemistry which you should have received last week... You don't even remember falling asleep, you have vague memories of a soft laugh and then arms carrying you gently but that's all. The next thing you know a loud banging on your bedroom door wakes you and you drag yourself out of the comforts of your bed and into the ensuite, 'ready' to face a new day.

Today is Thursday, sports day at Rigel High. Sure enough your sports uniform is hanging up, blue trackpants and a light blue polo shirt. Your year 12 jersey is also hanging up, the jersey is cool, it's dark blue in colour with light blue and yellow stripes. On the back it says 'Rune' at the top and then '08' beneath it. Luckily in year 12 you don't have to actually do sport, you're just allowed to come home, which means that you only have four classes today, well three actually you have a free, or 'study period' as the teachers call them, fourth period. The only bad news is that you don't have Biology today; you really wanted to see Crusade and talk to him, preferably without Raven around. But your chances are not looking good.

Arriving at school the commotion is obvious, something is going on. This feeling is further emphasised by the sudden appearance of the Principal as you and Raven step out of the Jag.

"Raven." The Principal, Mr Brogan, says sharply, "My office, now."

Raven looks to you and you give a small shrug, as confused as he is, "Yes sir." Raven says softly, moving over to Mr Brogan.

You go to follow but the Principal raises a hand, "Alone, thank you Miss Koa." He says, his voice still sharp and you stop, giving a small nod.

Raven looks worried, and you're quite sure that he is not worried about what Mr Brogan will say, but rather about leaving you alone.

"I'll see you when you get back." You say to Raven with a smile, trying to reassure him, but you can see just how tense he is as Mr Brogan leads him away.

"What's going on?" A voice asks from behind you and you start, spinning to see Sade standing just behind you, you hadn't even heard his approach. He's carrying a leather jacket slung over his shoulder and you spot a motorbike not far away, you guess it must be his.
"I don't know." You reply, still a little surprised.

He grins, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." His smile drops slightly, "I wonder what is going on... That was your friend, Raven right?"

You give a nod, "Yeah... I bet it has something to do with the fight yesterday afternoon..."

"You're worried about him, aren't you." Sade says gently, "Come on, I'll buy you something at the canteen to help take your mind off it." He begins to walk and you fall into step next to him Do you drink coffee?" He asks as you near the canteen

You shake your head, "I drink tea..."

"Really?" He asks, "I would have picked you for more of a coffee girl."
"A close friend of mine makes really nice tea..." You reply, suddenly missing James terribly and wondering what has happened to keep him away so long....

Sade's eyes narrow just slightly and for a moment it is as though a wave of anger or annoyance washes over him, but it is gone just as swiftly as it came, causing you to wonder if you were just imagining things....

He smiles at you and you're quite certain that his expression was simply a trick of the light and nothing more. As he promised Sade buys you a hot cup of tea from the canteen, it's nowhere near as good as the ones James makes, but that was to be expected.

You and Sade find a bench and sit, he bought himself a coffee, and now the two of you sit and drink in silence.

"By the way. I never really introduced myself to you." Sade says finally, looking over to you. "It was all a little rushed yesterday afternoon, I had to hurry home..." He holds out his hand, "Crusade Hopesend." He says with a charming smile

"Rune Koa." You reply taking the offered hand and shaking it.

"And your friend, Raven, is he.... I mean..... are the two of you...." He blushes and you get the idea.

"No, we're not." You reply with a smile

The two of you sit and speak until the bell sounds for homeroom, its nice really, just sitting and speaking of nothing important, about the bands you like and don't like, about television shows and just about nothing. Nothing to do with the end of the world or saving mankind or lies or deception....

Sade smiles and stands, "Well, I'd best go. Can't be late on my second day." He offers you a hand and helps you to your feet.

"Which house are you?" You ask curiously

"Me? I'm in Fox." He says with a smile, "I found it most ironic that 12F is meant to be the best academic house."

You grin, "I never really thought of that before."

Sade gives a laugh, "Ah well. Hey Rune... I'm really glad I met you. I was kinda worried about coming here, you know starting a new school so close to finishing, I was worried that I would just be a loner all year, so thanks." Before you can reply he runs off to class and you realise that you had best hurry off as well.

Raven does not make his reappearance either in homeroom, first or even second period. You are starting to grow worried when recess swings around and there has been no sign of him, Mr Brogan is known for his temper and you have a feeling that Raven had ignited it...

Crusade finds you at recess, which is quite amazing, you don't sit with the other people, but rather you are alone and on a bench away from the cruel crowds, and he walks over to you with that smile of his, it's an alluring smile, gentle but dark.

"Hey." You say as he comes over, "Fancy seeing you here."

"Fancy that." He replies, sitting next to you, "So, how's your day been?"

"So far? Yeah, it's school...." You say with a smile, "What more can I say?"

"Very true." Sade seems to be about to speak again when his eyes move away from you and across the yard, your eyes follow his and you spot Raven walking towards you.

You look back to Sade, only to find him gone. He left so silently that you didn't even hear him go, you scan the yard around you, but you can't spot him anywhere. You look back to Raven with confusion in your eyes.

"What a morning...." Raven says with a sigh as he arrives, sitting down next to you, he looks annoyed, an emotion you have never seen on him before.

"What happened?" You ask curiously

"Mr Brogan was.... not very impressed with my behaviour yesterday afternoon. As such he gave me a choice. I could either join the school kickboxing team or 'pack my bags right now'." Raven replies resting his head in his hands. "A brilliant set of choices really...."

You place a hand on his shoulder, "So.... Does that mean you're on the team then?"

Raven gives a small nod, "And we have practice every afternoon and on sports days we practice from the end of period 3... which would be today, correct?"

You give a nod, "That's right..." A small sigh escapes you, "So.... Now what are we going to do?"

"I believe I have failed in my mission to protect you." Raven mutters bitterly, "And I can not ask you to stay at school until practice finishes everyday. That would be dangerous for you as well as boring..." He closes his eyes with a sigh, "You... do not have anyone here whom you trust, do you?"

"Umm..... Why?" You ask finally

"I was thinking if there was anyone who you could go home with. I can pick you up from their home after I am finished training. I do not believe that Delran would attack you if a human was nearby. He dislikes bringing humans into his business and it would be awkward for him if he was forced to harm one." Raven replied, "I don't suppose there is anyone like that?"

"There might be... But I would need to ask him..." You reply softly, you can't wonder how Sade will take this...

The electronic, mind-numbing bell sounds, beckoning you both to your next round of torture.

Raven gives a sigh, "Alright, well, ask him and we will act from there accordingly." He stands and offers you a hand to stand.

Your next class is English, you and Raven sit together at the back of the class and it starts out where it left off the day before.

"A credulous father! and a brother noble,
Whose nature is so far from doing harms,
That he suspects none: on whose foolish honesty
My practises ride easy! I see the business.
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit:
All with me's meet that I can fashion fit."

Normally you enjoy Shakespeare but today you can't focus and you find yourself daydreaming. Flashes of images flit across your consciousness amazing scenes so realistic they seem real, ancient battles of angels and what you suppose to be giants. Suddenly the scenes cease to flash as one becomes clear in your mind, a single image as clear as if you were staring at it. It shows an angel with black wings holding a cup overflowing with blood, one of his kin lying dead or dying on the ground behind him and another angel, a younger one perhaps with white wings kneeling before the black-winged angel, reaching for the cup.

"Rune? What are you doing?" Raven's voice breaks into your thoughts and you suddenly realise that you have drawn the scene in your English book, but what really surprises you is how clearly you drew it. The drawing before you surpasses your artistic skills by far, the sketch could almost pass for a black and white photo where it not for the blue lines in your book.

"I... I don't know...." You whisper in reply, your hands are shaking and your breath is coming fast and hard.

Raven's eyes narrow in concern and he stands, "Miss, I think there is something wrong with Rune, may I take her to the sickbay?"

Mrs Parsons gives a small nod and continues with King Lear, "Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest...."

Raven packs your bag for you and helps you to stand, you are not in a good way, shaking and pale as Raven helps you from the room. You are short of breath as you reach the stair down to the sickbay and suddenly find yourself unable to gasp in your next breath, the world swims around you and you slowly fall backwards. The last thing you know is strong arms lifting you before darkness claims you completely.