The girl’s hazel eyes looked at Lucas as he started to get up, her hands on the cement and her knees against the rough sidewalk. The strands of the girl’s black hair barely brushed her shoulders. Lucas stared at her with gray eyes, having no idea what had just conspired.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“What do I mean? WHAT DO I MEAN! You almost got run over by a car! You were standing in the middle of the freakin’ road!” she yelled, sitting up on her knees.

Lucas realized the girl must’ve “saved” him before he could switch to his shadow form. He had spoken with many humans before, but this one…her aura was…not what he expected.

“You are correct. I apologize. Thank you for saving me,” he said, knowing he could have saved himself.

“You’re welcome. Oh! Is your arm okay? I yanked on it pretty hard,” she said, still on her knees.

“Yes, it is fine. You need not worry yourself,” Lucas swiftly rose to his feet. “Let me help you,” he said, outstretching his hand.

She looked at him for a second then took his hand. When the girl was on her feet, Lucas realized she had injured herself. Her stocking was torn. A small hole revealed another scratch on her knee.

“You are hurt,” said Lucas looking at her injuries.

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” she replied looking at her arm. “I should be more concerned about the guy who was almost run over.”

“True, but you are injured.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just a scratch.”

Lucas was surprised. This girl knew her injuries were present but acted as if they were nothing. Her smile made his chest ache, this pain…Who is this girl?

“Oh, I never got your name!” she exclaimed. Lucas looked up from his daze. He saw a look of worry upon her face, once again.

“A-are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

Her eyes…They were filled with so many things…Worry, sadness, happiness…Was the worry for him?

“What is your name?” asked Lucas.

“Oh, my name is Raven.”

“Raven…”

“Yes,” she said with a smile.

Her smile made his heart skip a beat. Why was she smiling? In her face, Lucas saw joy, but in her eyes…He saw…

“You are a strange human,” he said bluntly.

Raven gave him a strange look, then he realized why. He mentally kicked himself for calling her a human.

“You’re one to talk,” she remarked.

“Oh, I guess you’re right,” Lucas chuckled, trying to salvage the moment.

Lucas’s response was somewhat successful, and Raven laughed nervously. Her laugh caused a small smile to form upon Lucas’s face. However, hers had a different reaction. Her cheeks blushed a light red and he could tell she was trying to hide it. He’d seen more than enough humans hide their shy expressions. Frankly, it was getting old.

She quickly changed the subject. After a few moments of awkward silence, he could tell that she wanted to leave…Rather quickly actually.

“So, um, if I may ask, what are you doing here?” she questioned.

Lucas was quick to answer to her. “Just taking a walk.”

“Oh, you live in the neighborhood?”

“You could say that.”

Lucas did not want to lie to her, nor did he want her to find out who he really was.

“Do you need me to call someone? Maybe they can help you?” she asked again, worriedly.

“No. No, I’m fine,” he replied.

“Oh, that’s good,” she said with a smile.

“Where are you going?” he asked curiously.

“I have to catch my bus to school.”

“Oh, where is your bus stop?”

“Right here.”

“Ah.”

Before long, a bus was turning the corner. Lucas assumed it was hers and always his assumption was correct. “There’s my bus. Hope you feel better,” she smiled.

“You too,” he replied

Her bus pulled up and the door opened with a clank. She was about to step on until…“Raven!” Lucas called.

She looked back at him.

“My name is Lucas.” He told her his name. Why? Why did he tell her his name?

She smiled. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lucas.”

Raven began to step up the stairs of her bus. She sat in a window seat and gave him another wave. Lucas stood frozen as he watched as her bus drive away. With a turn Lucas changed into his shadow form. As he was leaving, a thought crossed his mind. Raven…means ‘dark’.