I ran all the way back home, panting and gasping for breath. I hurried upstairs as Aunt Silka called, slamming the door. The door drowned out any sound, and i leaned against it, heart thudding at 100 beats per minute. Alone with my thoughts, i locked the door with shaky hands, then went to sit on my bed when i paused, staring at the golden light leaking out from my drawer.

I almost jumped back in shock and amazement, but then curiosity won over and i regained my composure, walking towards it with much hesitation. My heart beat fast in excitement, hands reaching for the drawer and pulling. It opened with ease, and I held the object in my hand with tenderness. Then it hit me: The drawer had been locked!

I gazed at the golden book, which was still glowing brightly. My hands found the edges and i slowly turned the pages. What i saw would forever be etched into my mind and amaze me to this very day.

The pictures moved, each telling a story with beautiful illustrations. One picture, however, caught my eye. It was a boy, whom sat crying on the page. His fair hair blew in the breeze, his bloodied hands clutching two limp bodies.

The next page, the boy had such pale skin and such crimson eyes it held my gaze there. However, the picture suddenly started moving, showing a broken, shattered heart which mended, turning black in the process. The boy whom had looked sorrowful was now grinning, sharp teeth gleaming in the darkness of the page-

"Lyra!" There was a knock at the door, and the knob started to turn. I hurriedly hid the book under my covers and did my best to look busy with some papers i had randomly grabbed. The door flew open, Aunt Silka's gaze burning through me.

"Why didn't you answer your phone? I was worried out of my mind!" I gazed up at her, looking guilty.

"I'm sorry. I had put my phone on silent and lost track of time." She narrowed her eyes, unconvinced, glanced around a bit, sighed and then left. I let out my breath in relief, grabbing the book from under my covers. However, i was disappointed to discover the pages no longer moved, the text back in its place.

Perhaps there was a button somewhere that turned it on. I touched and traced every inch of the book, but no avail. There were no buttons.

Making sure the drawer was locked this time after i had put the book in, i decided to go for a walk to clear my head. I needed to digest everything that had happened, and walking through the woods would help with that. The sky was darkening as i walked, the last rays of sunlight disappearing behind the horizon, and i could almost feel the night creatures waking up to feed or to roam around. It fascinated me, but i could not help but shiver slightly. I reached the forest and took the dirt path inside. The forest was eerily quiet today, no sounds or chirps of birds.

Just when i was enjoying the silence, a whimper pierced through the night air. I felt the creatures pain in its voice as i walked towards it.

But it wasn't an animal. It was the girl i had met earlier, shaking like an injured puppy.

"Katey!" She looked up, managing a weak smile. I rushed over and helped her to sit up and lean against a tree, then sat down beside her. She sighed shakily, eyes as wide as saucers.

"What happened?"

"T-they.." She choked, coughing violently. I pat her back, feeling helpless. "They a-attacked me...monsters!" She trembled, her small form looking even smaller.

"Who? Who did this?" I held her icy hands to comfort her, but she would not stop trembling. She shook even more, if that was possible.

"Two...two shadows...one stood while the o-other attacked me-" She coughed again, blood running down her chin. Panicked, I reached for my phone and punched in the number.

"911 what is your emergency?" It was a female operator, and i began to speak fast, clutching the phone with clammy hands.

"I found someone in the woods that is badly injured and-" The line suddenly distorted, turning into static. My heart raced faster than ever, and i threw the phone in frustration. It had started to rain, and i was already soaked. I clutched Katey closer and began sobbing. There was no one to help, and time could only stretch for so long.

I guess I've got no choice, I thought absentmindedly.

"HELP!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. In a second, footsteps filled the silence. I looked around, relieved, but then stopped dead. Two shadows stood in front of us, pausing as well.

I had never screamed louder.