Fate is a mysterious thing. It has a very complex plan and no matter what happens, fate adapts. It is Alexia's fate to study the basics of college then take another four years at a university to become a journalist and interviewer. Being an interviewer was her dream job. She has always been outgoing and loves to learn about people. Nothing could stand in her way, except for well, money. Of course in order to get a job you've got to have college experience and in order to go to college, gotta pay the tuition, which, unless you're born into a rich family, comes from a job. A completely illogical system society has created and she absolutely refused to work at a fast food joint. So here she was, sitting in the community college library as a work study just as fate has intended.

"Fuck you, fate," she mumbled as she doodled in her chemistry notebook. A snort-chuckle drew her out of her bored doodling as she looked up and raised an eyebrow. James had a crumpled up kleenex to his mouth and nose. She would've suspected he sneezed or coughed due to his cold if not for his eyes full of tears and his smile he was barely hiding. Even in his pale cold state, he was still quite handsome. His hair was straight with blond highlights scattered about, nearly touching his shoulders. He always complained about it being too long. Before Alexia met James, his hair was short and curly, that was until he lost a bet to Sam. Alexia really didn't care much for the hair, but loved his ocean blue eyes. She swears that depending on the time of day and even his mood, his eyes change from the a light sky blue to a dark nightly blue. His nose isn't big or long, just kinda buttony with a nose stud, which came to be after he lost another bet with Sam. Alexis favored James's lips most of all. They were full and pink. Very kissable. His body was fit complimented with a little bit of fat. Alexia liked men with both muscle and chub. Made her feel better about herself.

As James let out a stuffed up chuckle, Alexia kicked his feet. Startled, James jumped and whined as he looked at Alexia then removed the crumpled up kleenex.

"What," James asked. Alexia giggled at his stuffed up voice.

"What on earth are you laughing at," she asked. James smiled.

"What are you mumbling about," he replied. Alexia sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Oh, just fate," she said. James mocked her pose.

"Tumblr."

Alexia could not help but roll her eyes. She should've known.

"Why are you always on there?"

"It's fun and cool things are on there," James replied, "plus it's way more entertaining than Facebook let me tell you."

Alexia let out another chuckle then tried to continue onto her homework.

"Why were you mumbling about 'fate'?"

Alexia looked back up at him and shrugged.

"Why aren't you doing your work?"

James threw his arms wide.

"There's nobody here."

"I'm talking about your homework."
"Oh I've got time," James moaned.

"When is the due date?"

James paused for a moment before answering.

"Saturday," he says. Alexia raised an eyebrow.

"It's thursday."

"Oh, I've got time."

"Well get it done," she said. James made a face in disgust.

"C'mon, I don't want you to waste your weekend on homework," she said, "I want you to waste it on me."

James looked at her and smiled.

They've only been dating for a week, but Alexia felt that James could be the one. Of course they all pretty much say that don't they, but ever since they met almost a year ago, they've confided in each other that they couldn't do with anyone else. They've shared secrets that probably not even their closest friends would know and opened up their feelings they've held for such a long time. Alexia shared mostly about her mother's abandonment. Alexia's mother was a drug addict and a prostitute, but she was more of a high end prostitute. That is what caused Alexia's "father" to divorce her mother. Because of her mother's prostitution, Alexia wasn't even sure her so called father was really her father. It could've been some bored business man to hell maybe even secret services. She was that high end of a hooker. Desperate to turn her life around, Alexia's mother remarried a man named Richard. He was sweet and loving. He promised to take care of her and get her through her troubles. They even ended up having a kid together, Alexia's half-sister, Agatha, who was now five years old. Sadly, her mother played the man like a game piece. Fooling all to think she was clean and had a real steady job, but Alexia found out that her mother was working in a "business" called Full-Motion. Pretty much a very nice high end whore-house where CEO's and buisness tycoons go. She found out because he boyfriend, Now ex, told her. Of course she asked how he knew and his paleish look pretty much answered it all for her. A year and a half ago, her mother divorced her step dad and vanished. Because Alexia was yet to become eighteen, she was put into custody of her stepfather. Good thing she liked and admired him, or else it would've been hell for both of them. Robert decided that they needed to move out of Pennsylvania and move to his hometown in New Mexico, Clovis. A sad depressing little city, but it was still a nice change that Alexia grew to get comfortable to.

James had a slightly similar thing with his dad. James's father, Nathan, was someone like Indiana Jones or someone similar. He traveled a lot and brought many strange yet beautiful things back with him. James and his father were really close. So when James was at the age of seven, his father left normally for a month and promised like he normally did to come back. After a month went by, his father did not return. It was normal for him to be a few days late, but days turned into months. After almost a year, James's mother called off a search and prepared for his death. This infuriated James that his mother would give up so quickly on his father's return, but Nathan never did come back. It took maybe about four years for James to come to the term that his father would never return. His mother sold a few items to hire a private investigator, who of course found nothing. It was as if his father just vanished off the face of the earth, which put fear in both James and his mother. Since his father's disappearance, James's mother was so afraid James would disappear too that paranoia became a big annoying part of his life. His mother was a constant bug to him asking him if he is home right as he pulls into the driveway or if he made it to work before he could even shut off his car. He understood her worry and was worried himself, but, for christ sakes he was a twenty year old young man and surely he could handle himself. Even though he thought he could, it didn't help him with his own fear. Since then, even James has developed a bit of a phobia of being kidnapped or just disappearing. The thought absolutely terrified him.

She thought through all they had talked about and felt truly connected to James, and the thought made her smile. She looked back up at James who glanced up and smiled back. He was indeed a loving boyfriend, even though its only been a week, and the best part...who doesn't want a boyfriend with a cute ass?

They packed up and readied to end their shift. She helped James pack away his laptop since when he stood up, he became very dizzy. She chuckled as he swayed and grabbed his keys to his red 2011 Dodge Avenger. He made a noise to protest.

"You are not even going to touch the wheel while on cold pills," she stated as she walked outside. James quickly followed her.

"They don't make me drowsy or anything," James moaned.

"What, you don't want me to drive you baby?"

"I'm supposed to take you home."

"I'll just have your mom take me home later. Besides, I'm your girlfriend, I'm supposed to take care of you when you're sick since you men have this idea that every time you get ill you need to make a will."

James chuckled.

"That rhymed," he said, "only because it feels like I'm dying."

Alexia scoffed and popped open the trunk the threw her bag in.

"I feel like I'm dying at least once a month and you don't see me whining."

James pushed his lips tightly together in defeat as he put his bag in the trunk.

As James got into the passenger seat and Alexia opened the driver door, a large black bird swooped down and flew right past her head. Startled, she ducked a little and looked at the big bird that landed on the wall behind her. The bird and her stared at eachother for a while. Alexia shook her head and quickly climbed into the car. She looked over at James and smiled at his sleeping form. She started the car and looked back at the bird who continued to stare. The bird's unnerving gaze never left as she backed up and drove away. Strangely enough, even as Alexia drove, she could still feel that gaze upon her, but did not see the bird flying after them. She took a deep breath to forget and continued to drive on.

O

Alexia's Tuesday was full of exhaustion. Ever since the thing with the bird she has been having horrible strange dreams to the point she doesn't even want to go to sleep. Last night she slept maybe an hour and encountered a horrendous dream. In the dream, she was being led by these strange shadow-covered demonic figures. They led her to some sort of circular room where in the center, a young man stood with a cloth bag over his head and nothing on but a cloth to cover his privates. His wrists were bound by chains hanging down from the dark ceiling, if there was a ceiling. Standing behind the imprisoned man stood another. He was much taller than the younger man. His skin was pale and his eyes were of a light grey resembling no soul. His hair was long and black as the moonless night. She was brought forth to where she only stood a couple of feet away from the young man and the other. Alexia guessed he was the leader of these demons and warden to his captive.

"Lovely for you to join us, Alexia," the man spoke. His voice was deep and dark, sending chills throughout Alexia's body. She wanted to ask who the man was and where she was, but her mouth refused to open.

"No need to fear," he said as he walked from behind the younger and in front of Alexia. She stiffened as his cold hand touched her cheek. She screamed inside to run away, but she could not move. It was as if she too was chained in place.

"I do not wish to harm you." He smiled and Alexia swallowed.

"I am about to perform a ritual that will make both of us strong. We will become great and all who rebel against us, will fall down to the pits of hell. All that is left now is for you," He placed a small dagger into her hands, "to complete it."

The man moved to the side and held out his hand to the bound young man. Alexia gasped in horror. He wanted her to kill him. She couldn't kill him. She wasn't a murderer. Alexia shook her head.

"I'm afraid you have no choice, my dear." The man walked over to the younger man and ripped the bag off of his head. Tears formed in Alexia's eyes as she gazed at James's bloodied face. A black cloth gag was tied around his mouth as he moaned in pain. He looked at her with sad empty blue eyes.

"Right in the heart, my dear."

Suddenly Alexia began to move closer to James. She began to panic as she realized that she had no control over her body. Once she was a inches away from James, she began to cry. The pleading in his eyes were heartbreaking. She did all she could to stop her arm as it raised up the dagger.

She continued to scream inside to stop, but it was no use. She slammed the dagger right into James's chest. Finally she let out a scream and awoke.

A hand was placed upon her shoulder, causing her to jump. She looked up and saw James with a concern look upon his face.

"Are you alright, babe," he asked. Alexia smiled and nodded.

"Yeah," she replied, "I just didn't get much sleep last night." James raised an eyebrow.

"Again?"

Alexia slowly nodded. James sighed then sat right next to her.

"I'll give you some sleep aid strips that my mom has," he said, "She uses them and it puts her out like a light."

Alexia smiled.

"No, its okay," she said, "I probably just need to flip my mattress or stop drinking sodas before bed."

James glared at her completely unconvinced.

"You just don't want to go to sleep," he said, "Why?"

Alexia shrugged. James sighed and placed his hand over hers.

"I know you know, but I wish you would tell me. I don't like to see you like this. You have more bags than a nursing student."

Alexia smiled and chuckled.

"Stay over tonight."

Alexia looked at the ground and shook her head.

"I can't," she said, "We have work tomorrow."

"I know that," he replied, "but I want you with me all the same. Maybe I'm what you need."

Alexia looked up at James and smiled before nodding. James smiled back and leaned over to kiss her. The kiss was quick and sweet, just the way she liked it.

"You'll sleep good after I'm done with you."

Alexia scoffed and chuckled.

"You think, anyway," she replied. James' flirting was cute and raunchy, but he never did the things he would joke to her. Even he thought that it was too early to become that intimate. That attitude gave Alexia respect to James.

The rest of the day went on smoothly with James running to the soda machines outside of the library to get Alexia caffeine and sugar to try and keep her away. So strange that a college vending machine won't have a Red Bull or a Full Throttle to sell, but the sugar and caffeine a soda provided helped. Finally received the motivation needed to do her assignments while James, of course, sat across from her on social networking sites.

Alexia was on a roll with her assignments after that. She even got a 4 page essay finished within an hour. James continued to let her go on her roll and checked people in to the computers, checked out books, and picked up the paper they printed as Alexia typed furiously. After all was finished, James sat down back in his seat across from Alexia. Alexia looked up and smiled as she watched James pull out his sociology book and began on his assignment. She smiled and continued on.

She was pretty much finished with all her assignments for the week and only one thing was due for next week, which was an open book quiz. She closed her laptop and took out her English to try and study a little bit, but failed. All motivation had vanished. She closed the book and looked around. She spotted a pile of books ready to be put up. She decided that she can do those later. She let her eyes wander on James and smiled. When he actually did his homework, he was completly zoned out from the real world. Too focused on what he was doing to even notice anything. Hell, Angelina Jolie could walk right by him and he wouldn't even stop to look.

Alexia stood up and walked over to the pile of books. She grabbed them and made her way to the shelves. She found an empty table far from the front desk and anyone for that matter, to set the books on as she sorted them to where they belonged. As she placed the books back on their shelves, she couldn't help but feel like she was being watched. She looked all around and through the bookcases and saw no one. She quickened her pace and placed all the books in the right area, just not caring if it was in the exact place. She quickly made her way back to behind the checkout desk and sat next to James who was stretching.

"I only need one more page to finish my midterm," he said. Alexia looked at him and smiled then looked behind her. She still had the feeling that she was being watched.

"What's wrong," James asked.

"Nothing," Alexia said as she looked back at her work, "Just a weird feeling is all."

James raised an eyebrow, but before he could say anything, Alexia stood up.

"I'm going to go to the restroom real quick," She said smiling, "Those sodas finally got me."

James chuckled and nodded. He continued to type as she walked to the little restroom in the workroom. She quickly closed the door, locked it and placed her back to it. She could not rid the feeling of being watched.

"Just shake it off," she said to herself, "Its nothing. Maybe you're about to get on the rag."

She knew that wasn't true since she just finished, but it was something.

She took a deep breath and went over to the sink turning it on. She washed her face with cold water for a bit, closing her eyes while taking slow deep breaths. After a couple of minutes she finally felt relaxed.

She turned off the water and opened her eyes to look at her reflection. She gasped in fear as the man from her dream stood right behind her smiling. She quickly turned around and before she could scream, the man swiftly covered her mouth with his gloved hand. His grip was hard and hurtful upon her mouth. She screamed into his hand, scratched, clawed, and kicked to get him to let her go, but this only earned her a chuckle.

"Now, now," he said, "No need for that. I only need to talk with you right now."

Alexia didn't stop fighting and kicked him in the knee. He released her and ran over to the door. She tried all she could to unlock it, but it was as if something was holding it closed. She began to beat on the door.

"James," she cried out, "James! Help me! Help!"

"He can't hear you," the man said laughing, "No one can. I am in need to speak with you and I didn't want anything to disrupt me."

Alexia turned to face him with her hand on the door.

"What do you want," she choked.

"Oh dear me," he said, "I've been so rude. Allow me to introduce myself. My names is Lord Arcadius."

He took a bow to Alexia. Tears began to roll down her face.

"Oh, shhh," he said as he walked over. Alexia was flat against the door as he approached, placing his hand upon her cheek.

"There is no need for you to cry now. I'm not here to harm you, only talk."

Alexia looked into his grey soulless eyes.

"Now that I have your attention, I have a proposition for you. I would like you to become my apprentice. I am a lord and I am in need of someone to help me against the rebels that are growing to over through my rightful rule. Of course, you'll have to leave here and you may not return but from what I gather from this world…you won't miss it."

Alexia looked away and shook her head.

"Wh...what? N...no. No, No!"

Arcadius removed his hand.

"I can see you are upset and I understand, but I will only give you the choice of will."

"I...I can't go. I won't go!"

"There is nothing for you here. Don't make me force you, child. It'd be a lot easier if you just said yes and we be on our way."

"Over my dead body," Alexia growled. Arcadius smiled.

"I'll give you a week, Alexia," Arcadius said, "No more. No less. A week to gather your bearings and make your decision if you will willfully come with me and join me, or I have to drag you with me and you become a slave rather than an apprentice."

Alexia shook her head.

"You can't make me do anything."

Arcadius grabbed her arm hard, surely causing a bruise. She began to groan and scream as he squeezed.

"Trust me," he growled, "I can."

Arcadius threw her to the ground. As she landed she quickly crawled up and looked back at the evil man, but he was gone. Fear, confusion, anger, and many other confusing emotions swarmed within her. She clutched her head and began to cry.

"Why is this happening to me?"

She suddenly heard a knock on the door, causing her to jump. She saw that the door was unlocked.

"Alexa," came James's voice from the other side. At the sound of his loving voice, Alexia began to cry hard. She didn't want to leave him most of all. James opened the door and peaked in.

"You all一," he paused then quickly came over to her, "Oh my God, what happened?"

"He was here," Alexia cried. James's eyes widened.

"Who was here?"

"Arcadius."

James shook his head in confusion, then it hit him.

"Does this have to do with your dreams?"

Alexia nodded then rubbed her sore arm. She pulled up the sleeve revealing a large handprint bruise. She cried harder and wrapped her arms around James's neck. We wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He stood up with her still in his arms.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight," he whispered, "I'm taking you home with me."

Alexia nodded, but refused to move her face from his shoulder.

"But you have to tell me everything."

Alexia nodded once more and cried as James led her out of the restroom.