Chapter 2

I'm walking by the path well known to me . Maybe too well known. Nothing in the landscape has changed. The same smashed hovel. Stone pavements and staircases here and there covered with moss. Immutable trees slightly and mysteriously swaying in the wind, and the stream which flows through the center of townships, to then fall into a large lake, by which the village is situated. The only thing that wonders me is why is it so empty. Yes, there never were crowds in here, but now there is not a single living soul ... Even a dead one ... There's no one here but me. 
Piercingly cold wind whips my body. I'm tightening the collar of my coat and going to upland located right next to the shore line where my family home is. Although it is not entirely accurate term, but I used to call this place just like that. Stooped, with my hands in my his coat pockets, my eyes following every movement of the legs, struggling with all the memories associated with this place. All my childhood. All this shit started here. Such a seemingly beautiful, innocent place, and indeed hideout for the worst creatures. Or even the vestibule of hell. 
" Nialler .... " The whisper, carried along with the wind tore my thought apart " Niallll... " Someone said my name, mixing it with a sweet, girlish giggle. I desperately looked for the owner of the voice, unable to find her. I spun a second time on my axis and then I saw her. Hidden behind an old tree in a white dress. The white, summer dress, which heaved on the icy wind. It's so damn cold and she is standing barefoot. 
" Adriana ...? " My lips whispered her name involuntarily. She as if on cue broke into a run heading into the woods " Adriana! " 
I run after her. Every now and then running along the path, I heard my name, and her laugh. The melodious chuckle were singing in the trees, losing its noise in the noise of leaves dancing in the heightened breeze. Storm was coming. Through my thoughts ran piles of questions that I could not find the answer, but one thing bothered me the most - What is she doing here? What the hell is she doing here? I speeded up, unable to come to terms with the onslaught of questions in my mind. Suddenly I stopped, not hearing either laugh or the voice of a girl. I called her, but I could hear a deafening silence. My heavy breathing seemed to drown out anything. It was like a scream in the space surrounding me. With every moment when I could not find her, blood hummed loudly in my ears, and the adrenaline exploded my body. 
" Adriana! " I yelled. This time soft whisper answered me behind my back. I turned in that direction and saw her. 
" Looking for me? " She laughs again.
" What are you doing in here? Are you could? " I uttered these words with a strange relief and unexplained tension. Something does not fit here, but before I could pick up the pieces again I heard laughter and saw only her retreating figure. " No, no, no! Adriana! " 
" Catch Me! "
Brown long hair were waving happily in the wind. The girl giggled innocently running between the trees, occasionally whispering my name. She was so unreal, and sometimes she seemed to melt into the mist. But in the chase I did not allow this to myself. Then it hit me where we're heading. Above the lake. The lake near my home. It chilled my blood, and all the muscles tensed. I remember this path, I walked around here with Liam, fishing and going for long walks. I also remember how boys drowned body of their first victim in the reservoir. 
" Adriana! Wait a minute! Stop! " I called her desperately. I want her to stop so badly. But it was too late, I just ran out into the rocky shore of the lake. 
" We should get into the water " She said coquettishly smiling at me. 
" Wait a minute! Do not do this! Are you crazy!? " What's going on with this girl? Of course, my words were for nothing. She was already in the water. The sky was filled with dark storm clouds. The wind was gusty and even more cold than before. I stared at the sky anxiously . " Ana get out of the water! Now! Storm is coming!" 
I was looking into her eyes and studied her face but she only smiled defiantly, going deeper into the water. 
" You should do something " and suddenly I heard Zayn's voice next to me. I turned my head and I saw sad eyes of my friend " You know, this is not going to end well " 
I was about to answer when Zayn turned his gaze to Adriana. I followed him and what I saw stunned me. I saw Liam, Louis and Harry getting out of the water behind the silhouette of the girl. I saw their faces and what they wanted to do. After the dark misty eyed, after their demonic smiles. They slowly come closer to Ana, and she did not even notice them! She was already too far in the water. In a panic, I was looking for support from Zayn but his sadly eyes were looking at the scene in front of us. This, what actually happened next, was the worst scene from a horror movie, though I experienced a lot of things in my life, it was electrifying. Louis, Liam and Harry dived into the water. It was not long when the face of the girl changed into terrified, a moment later she was under the surface, screaming in terror, clawing and losing all the air. She was drowning. Dragged by the ankles deeper. No ... I'm gonna lose her... I'll lose Adriana. I threw myself in that way. I had to do something. They'll kill her! Spouting water suddenly flooded my face. 
" Noooooooo! " I suddenly got up, choking on air and opening my eyes wide. 
" Take it easy man, it's just water " I looked at Zayn. He was standing over my bed with a half full glass of water. I was in my apartment again. My heart was pounding like crazy, and my breath was fast and ragged. It's just a dream. Damn realistic, tangible dream ... I lay on the pillow, breathing deeply, when I felt another wave of water 
" Get up! " 
" What the fuck Zayn?! " I could not calm down after the horrors of the night when I started to shout on him. 
" Hey! What's up? " Harry happily looked through the door " How Sleeping Beauty has responded to your waking up? "
" Should I omit the screams and curses? " 
" Yes, I heard that. " Harold said with a smile. 
" So he said nothing special " Zayn grinned at me while I stared at him with murderous eyes " Get ready sunshine! " 
I went to the bathroom reluctantly and then into the shower , still cursing. I guess, it would be enought to just punch me in the arm. 10 minutes later with a little better mood, I walked into the living room. Of course, Harry and Zayn were lying on the couch talking about me. 
" You know that I can hear everything " I told them. 
" Yes we know sunshine, are you ready? " Zayn asked, without looking up from the phone. My phone. I snatched it out of his hand gracefully, smiling a little.
" Breakfast, I have something to eat " He often forgot about my human needs. Marching into the kitchen and waved my phone in front of my face I added " Thanks, but I'll take care of it. " In response, everything that I got was just a smile from Harry and a deep sigh from Zayn. 
" Nialler I bought you something for some breakfast at the bakery " Harry stood up from the couch and nod his head in the direction of a paper bag, standing at the counter. Zayn graciously walked after him. At that time I had time to push to my mouth half of rolls with apples " Tasty? " 
I nodded, smiling widely as far as you can smile with a mouth full of food. Boy was amused because his face showed me his cute dimples. It always looked so innocent and cozy that if someone tell what lies are hidden inside this guy and what he allowed to do, people would say that you're out of your mind. 
" You changed your password. " 
" Is this question or statement Zayn? " The boy just gave me a look from under his lashes '' Yes, I changed my password. Recently someone was interested in my phone, and I did not want to not invited guests and just in case I changed it.''
 " So what it is now? " The brunet asked me. 
" Fuck you. " Zayn mouth twisted into a grimace, but evil chuckle from Harold soften even the badboy. I took another bite from my roll while guys continued their questioning. 
" By the way, who is Adriana? " The question from Harry surprised me. In the middle of chewing I stopped and carefully watched the faces of friends. Curly head had no attempt to hide pride from the fact that something surprised me. 
" How do you know about Adriana? " Again, I slowly began to chew my food. 
" All night you were talking about her " Zayn said pulled Harry into yourself, embracing him tightly around the waist, when he laid his foot on the hip of Zayn, leaning back and putting a hand to his forehead in a comical way. They started making noises (which probably should have been sighs) and quoted my words that I had to say in my sleep '' Adriana Ohh! Oh Ana! Wait! No! Adriana! Ohhh!'' 
" You sound like someone went up your ass " I summed their antics, rummaging in a paper bag and looking for something good for breakfast, trying to hide the embarrassment they have caused. 
" Admit it! This probably was some random girl you slept with after your father's birthday party! '' Curly boy could not hide the enthusiasm. 
" First of all, I do not celebrate his birthday and secondly I do not remember their names " 
" Uh-oh ho ho how many were there? Admit it! I scored three naughty girls " Harry winked. " Zayn? "
 " Four cute girls " Saying this he bit his lip and picked up four fingers, waving them before in front of Harry's face. Ge shook his head disapprovingly at beating the outcome and pointed at me. 
You want me to tell you the nuber? Okay, as you wish. 
" Six girls in beautiful long night, plus one of them was a virgin " The guys dropped their jaw. At that time I grabbed the bag with the rest of breakfast and a jacket in my hand and I was already on the stairs. 
" You're lying young man! " Zayn shouted immediately, materialized beside me along with Harry, who still do not incredulous. 
" I wouldn't lie to you, sunshine! " I mimicked Zayn. They drop the subject about Adriana and good, because I had the slightest desire to explain them. " It just happened .... You know a little, well, a bit to much drink and at the same time my irresistible charm" I smiled from ear to ear, pointing to myself. 
" You motherfucker! You beat our record! " Zayn jumped on my back, ruffling my hair "You beat me! Ahh, I taught you that!" 
"The student becomes better than his master " I said with a laugh. 
"You're all fucked up" 
" Ohh Harold, you love all of us anyway! " 
" Ohh Zayneee, you are so fucking wrong!"
 Coming down the last stair I smiled, nodding. With who am I friends with?! 
Of course we managed to cross two streets away, and Harold already got the business phone. When we told him we want to have a smoke with Malik, he kicked us out of the car. And now as these morons we're standing near the high school square and smoking, waiting for Harold graciously finished talking. 
" What is it?" Zayn snatched me from my thoughts. 
" Nothing. " 
" Come on, I know for a couple of years and I see that something is wrong. " 
" Well... Recently, I have terrible nightmares " 
" What therefore? " The boy did not give up. 
" I guess that's all " I finished the sentence, the bell rang at school and everyone began to crawl out of the building. Nothing would be interesting if not for the fact that between the vastness of young people I noticed HER. She walked, listening to the conversation of two other colleagues, smiling sweatly from time to time '' September 1.''
 " What is it? " In the meantime, Harry hung up and joined us. I felt they were both looking at me. Zayn looked at me intently with unread expression on his face and curly boy had confused gaze, looking at me and at Zayn. 
" Harold what do you think about having another job this week? " 
" What documents do you need? " I smiled broadly. How good to have a friend who is engaged in counterfeiting documents. 
" Birth certificate, my license and certificate of completion of these levels of education. " 
" For the name? " 
" Niall James Horan. " 
" You are fucked up! " Zayn nerves showed up, Harry did not dare to speak a word " For your real name?!" 
'' For a long time the death certificate is in my documents, and enough time has passed and I can go back to my normal name." Brunet mouth tightened into a thin line without speaking. 
" What medium and marks do you want to have on those certificates? " 
" Such for what I can do. " I smiled to my friends, throwing butt and back to the car. The boys looked at each other worried " Gentlemen, I go back to high school!”

Chapter 1

Silent tears all the turmoil behind the walls. Despite the open window and a small slit in the world, nothing doesn't reach me. I lay in silence. The absence of any pulse, sound, motion ... Nothing at all. Just me and my melancholy, quiet breath.
 Reluctantly, I raised my honorable four letters, and dragged them to the desk, taking beer. I took a long sip of a drink, checking the calls and time on the phone. It was almost midnight. 
" No! Let me go! " Someone shouting in the street, I leaned my head to the window to see is screaming like that. I quickly found the owner of the voice, which is running out of the cage block, desperately struggled with some guy. " Please let me ... I don't want to! I beg you... " She added words with more and more tears. Idiot probably want to rape her. He mumbles some words to encourage her and try to voluntarily enlist her to bed, but it seem to not help him because she tried to pull away harder every time he said something. 
As a neutral spectator I back to drinking beer and writing text messages, when the sound of the collision of the body with something metal got me. Probably with the car. I turned my head in that direction lazily. The boy just pulled the girl from the car and tried to drag her to the stairwell. Her legs bent down, her face was swollen from crying. I do not have any desire to listen to her continued crying. Ehh ... See what we can do about it.
" I'm sorry but it seems to me that the girl said NO " Boy jumped nervously when I appeared from out of nowhere with my hands in my pocket and very rudely cuts into their argument. " And even I dare to say that she said it in a pretty understanding way. 
" It's none of your business! Get the fuck out! " Boy snapped irritably.
 " If I were you, I wouldn't speak like that to me and a large amount of alcohol in your body is not any excuse for me - I replied softly while keeping a straight face. 
" Dude! Don't you understand the word 'fuck out'?! " Now I was pissed. REALLY pissed. I smiled at my worn vans, taking a step closer to that idiot. He had a fierce face and he squeezed harder that girl's arm, and her face was in pain. 
" I politely warned. " I whispered to him in the face now, trying to punch him. A second later, the boy writhed on the sidewalk. The girl gasped air with her hands covering her mouth. I put my hand into my pocket, just to make sure I won't punch that idiot again, because, after just one blow, he was choking on his own blood. 
 " Let the air out or you'll choke" I said to the girl.Two, chocolate and especially frightened eyes rose to mine. Slowly, she lowered her hands, letting the air out of the lungs. Confused, she looked from me to him. She took a few steps to the boy, to see if he was okay. I felt strong emotions emanating from her, which were smaller with every passing moment. Full of admiration for mastery. She may not be so hysterical as I thought for the first time.
" I would not advise " She jumped at my words " He's fine. I would not worry " I tried to read the reaction of the girl, staring intensely into her eyes. I could feel her emotions pour through her but nothing, absolutely nothing else " Do you have a ride home? "
 " No ... I do not know ... " She raised her lost eyes on me " I do" She added more confidently.
 " Are you sure? "
 " Yes, my friend will drive me " She raised on straight legs, then a blonde girl jumped out of the building.
 " My god Ana! Are you all right?!? Kim said that you had fight with Mark and ran out of the apartment with him after you! What happened? I thought everything was going well! Did you break up? - Short, blonde girl said like a torpedo. Brown haired girl was still confused and embarrassed and she nodded her head at me, then her friend noticed me. " Umm ... Who are you? And what happened to Mark?! " Annoying, small, vociferous creature that rolled her eyes. Such small and such annoying. That was all I could say about her. 
" Nobody important. I understand that this is drive home" I turned to the girl that I've saved, and she only nodded to confirm " Next time, better watch your friend, because her 'boyfriend' wanted to rape her " I smiled sarcastically to her annoying friend. The girl stood up to those words and blushed. I could feel her mood change. Had my aura began to work? 
" For... for... for sure ... Thanks for... umm... rescue my sis... friend... I... I mean we " She stutter.That means aura work. Sunshine, now you're mine. Despite the fact that you are so annoying, we would have been in my bed now - I think...
" Thanks for your help. I think it's too much excitement for one evening so we should probably go" Another girl said and I felt like I'd been slapped. I raised an eyebrow and blinked my eyelids in surprise. How is it possible that she feels nothing?! After all, she should grovel before me as her friend. I gently cleared my throat and nodded my hand. 
" Take care " I do not wait for nothing and turned on my heel and left the whole circus behind me, anxious to get away from all this shit.

                                                          ***

A few of the innocent *sun shines* ripped through my bedroom curtains. I looked at the bedroom reluctantly or rather the space I called that way. It’s rather difficult to call it a bedroom with only a materace with sheets, a blanket, few pillow, unlimited stocks of books and an ash tray. The only decorations inbetween those four walls were the photos, which weren’t stuck on neatly. Blindly I was looking for my phone lost somewhere inbetween my bed sheets. Victory! I sled my finger across the screen, unlocking it and … 2:25 PM! Fuck … Which human being sleeps as much as I do? Oh yeah – I’m not a human. Well, only half human I suppose.
My head keeps keeps banging. I drank too much … once again. Okay, I admit it, I lost my count after the eighth one. My only remedy now is the shower. Cold and a long one.
I am standing outside by the door which lead to my flat, with a cigarette in my hand waiting for Zayn to show up, at the same time looking at myself. Skinny black jeans, which were overhanging loosly from my hips, white t-shirt, black leather jacket, Ray-Ban glasses in the same colour, worn-out Vans, which took on a weird tone of black mixed with brown and that strap from Zayn, who already be here. Oh that’s so him. Tell him to be here at 3:35 PM and he’ll come at 4:15 PM anyway! Who would have noticed such a little oversight. I fucking would. I did. 
Irritated, I rest by leaning on a cold wall. I inhale the smoke from the cigarette as the car pulls up (of course, it’s not Zayn). A girl with with a long brown hair walks out of it and enters the building across the street. I feel like I know her. As I try to bring back the memories connected with the girl I see another girl coming out from the same car, running after her. Not even ten minutes later and the girls are already on their way back. Ana (if I can remember correctly) is carrying some sort of a box and her annoying friend is right beside her.
'' Ana, come on! Nothing serious happened! ''
'' Nothing?! Happened?! He tried... '' Ana’s voice cracked '' He tried to hit me. If not that creepy guy I really don’t know what Mark would have done to me. ''
'' You’re over-exaggerating a bit '' said the blond girl with some disrespect in her voice '' He was just a bit tipsy! That’s all. I’m sure he didn’t want to hurt you in any way. ''
'' You better watch yourself so that I don’t hurt you '' Ana added '' Get in the car. '' 
The blondy with a grumpy face went towards the car as Ana had some problems with the car and she struggled to open the trunk. Amused, I was watching the whole situation, getting closer to the car.
" So I'm creepy? " She was scared of my sudden presence and she released a book that she was holding with one hand and she grabbed her chest with the other one. With gracefully I bent down for the dropped object, then I handed it to the owner.
" Carlos Ruiz Zafon 'Shadow of the Wind' " I arched my mouth in a grimace of awe, she surprised me. Few young people read in these times value books. " Good taste"
" Thanks " She took the book from my hand and quickly threw it in the trunk " Have you eavesdropped? " 
" No " I smiled a little " You talk loud enough that I could hear everything" The girl slowly nodded in approval. Suddenly I saw a glimmer in her eyes. 
" What are you doing here? Following me? "
This amused me and I did not try to hide it. I looked up to the sky and nodded. 
" I'm not a psychopath " Saying this I nodded toward the window, brown haired girl looked where I did " There's my apartment" 
" Ahh " She blurted out " Sorry. It was just odd that we meet again and ..." 
" And you immediately assume worst-case scenario" 
" Recent events have made me to walk up to everything with a reserve" 
" I'm not surprised " With my arms folded, leaning against the hood of the car I look at the girl's face with a mild scratches. I was wondering why she hasn't already into me? " Ana is not your full name " She denied with a nod " So what is?"
" Adriana " Her chocolate eyes met mine. Intriguing, deep look " And what is the name of my savior? Previously, there was not given to me to know" 
I looked down at shoes, smiling to myself. My aura doesn't work for her for sure. Intriguing and annoying at the same time. Why she can not resist? I'll have to rely on my personal charm then. 
" Nialler " 
" Nialler? "
" In fact, Niall but my friends call me Nialler, it's a long story" I summed do not want to drag this topic any further. 
" Oh, what a pity that we do not have much time " God. This little girl interfered in our conversation again, when I still do not know the answers to my important question that I had on my mind " And do not lean on my car " She snapped. Raising my hands in a defensive gesture I fell back two steps from the car. I did not even notice when she got out of the car " Ana, have you finished? " 
" Yes ... Ymmmm, remember the boy who helped me yesterday? Jo this is Niall, Niall is Jo, my sis... friend." 
"Very nice to meet you " I smiled politely but I did not feel like it. She is the first person who annoys me so much just from the facial expressions. Not that she was ugly, stupid or shallow, she was just annoying. Maybe I can do something about that? Yesterday she gave up to my aura so easily. In contrast to her friend.... 
" Of course. You have nothing to do beside disturb us? " 
" Jo! " Adriana scolded her friend, and her answer was silent 'what?'. 
" Jo meant if you do have any plans for today " She weakly smiled. 
" No! I meant... " She not finish the sentence because she gave up to my charm. Very well, because I do not want to hear her talking again. Why am I even here? I could go away a long time ago. 
" I do and in fact, they just drove up" I nodded in black Porsche, which Zayn was driving. " This is my friend " I smiled mysteriously " Girls, sorry but I'm gonna go " I nodded for a goodbye " Ana, be careful" 
" See ya " They boith said at the same time but Jo was more politely and it was all my job. 
I got into the car and I was embarrassed. Calculated what I just said to Adriana. Damn it! What's wrong with me? 'Ana, be careful' . Since when am I so protective and naive boy?!
" Okay. I have no idea who he is, but his ass is fine and his friends are fine, which doesn't change the fact that I don't like him.'' Blonde said shaking off the aura. It went quickly. Ana rolled her eyes, closing the trunk.
" Jo, you should be nicer, eventually he helped me selflessly yesterday and save for yourself this sexual potential and what's wrong with you? You were stuttering! " She blushed on the last words. 
" I woulnd't be so sure if he helped you so selflessly" Jo raised her eyebrows in an eloquent gesture when her friend pointed to get in the car. " I do not know why I stutter. That guy is strange which does not change the fact that he's obviously into you" 
" Are you crazy? Like really crazy? " Too fast and too shrill Adriana responded. Do I sense a little bit a desire from her? Involuntarily, a smile crept on my face. 
Listening to their conversation when they are firmly convinced that I can not hear is hilarious and bad ... very bad. And I really like to do bad things. 
" First, he know me one day! And today was the day that we actually could normally talk. And of course he's handsome and polite" 
"Well, so what? " Jo said indignantly. 
" So.. You can't be into someone who knows you so short and he must be already taken or he's gay" 
" Anyway you can always.." 
" Move on! " 
" But you've got to admit that he's good looking " 
" Jo! " 
Interesting .... I am handsome, polite, 'good looking' and I can be gay. The latter statement shocked me.
" Nialler? Hi to you too" Zayn snatched me from my thoughts. " And explain to me what are we waiting for and what these girls are saying." 
Girls pulled away when I was digesting all the news and events from a few moments before. 
" First of all, for fuck's sake you are 45 minutes late! Zayn what the hell were you doing? Hair arranged?'' 
" Yup " I felt like all the blood drain from my face. 
" Are you kidding me? " I raised eyebrows in a characteristic gesture for me. 
" Not really " I clench my lips into a thin line, wanting someone to hold me before I punch him. 
" Who were they?" 
" I hepled one of her yesterday, saving her from horny boyfriend." 
" Let me guess, then you taste fruit that you saved by yourself? " Zayn raised his eyebrows as if his mind still was not literal. 
" For your information, no" I said sarcastically smiling " I went to get drunk to the club" 
" Nialler ... I do not recognize you " Zayn summed our exchanges, deadly serious, starting the car " If not fucking, then what?" 
'' Intrigue.'' 
'' Intrigue?'' My friend nodded thoughtfully. 
'' Intrigue '' I cut quickly. Zayn knew it was the end of the conversation and accelerated the car. Time finally get to meet face to face with the worst demons, or rather my three other friends and my father.

Prologue

In exile, thoughts and deeds have become one.
 Sadness and hatred poured out.
 Everything blends together and makes one ...

My name is Niall James Horan and I am an exile - though it's not quite the right word. Many of my friends don't think it's correct. They claim that I have a unique gift and I should enjoy it , while I feel cursed. I'm like millions of broken pieces. Like a lost soul which do not have much sense feelings locked somewhere in the body of miserable man. Often happen to me things that I can not explain, or even I don't want to. I know that the truth would just kill me. I do not believe in a better and happy life. Also, I don't believe in love, which is to transform our lives and enter it into the light. I don't believe in bullshit which people love so much. Why don't I believe? Because I had not once my ass by life kicked, and I knew that love and affection are not for me after my birth. So who am I? Almost human shell without feeling and soul that can safely be called dead. Shell is no longer capable of any of man's moves, not to mention the worst animal instincts. Ohh ... I can safely say that I am nucleus of darkness.