Fallen Truth

__TOC__
== Chapter One ==
I fall onto the ground. Hard. My bones feel as though they are splintered into a million pieces. Slowly I open my eyes, taking in the scene around me. I am in a forest, the tree's towering above me, aka The middle of nowhere.
"Hello?" I say, knowing it is very likely that no one will answer. And no one does. I attempt to stand up and fail miserably. Pain jolts up my leg like a lightning bolt, and I fall back to the ground again. Great. I place my hand over my leg slowly, and eventually, the pain disappears, leaving me with a perfectly mended leg. Sort of. I stand up and wobble a bit before being able to walk. Overhead, a bird soars, harping out a sweet melody. I glare at it. How come it still gets to be free?  My progress is slow but steady, and eventually, I make it to the edge of a city. The lights shine across my face, and I realize it is almost midnight. I glance around, before darting into an alleyway. It is mostly empty, save for a few haggard cats and a garbage bin. I wrinkle my nose. Humans are so disgusting. One of the cats, a toffee-coloured one with a few white spots, rubs against my legs.
"Hey there. You an outcast too?" I ask it. It meows in response, and I rub its thin back. It purrs loudly, encouraging the other cats to come closer. One it pure black, with emerald green eyes. The other is pale gray, with white stripes on its chest. I roll my eyes at them. Cat's are always so trusting. I give the toffee one another pat and leaned against the wall. That was when I remembered the note Alis had given me. I reached into the pocket of my jeans eagerly. Maybe there will be an explanation on the note. I pull out the slip of paper and read it, my face falling at the shortness of it. Alis's writing looked messy, as if she was in a hurry...
The note doesn't tell me anything. I crumble it into a ball and throw it across the alley. Topaz, the name I chose for the toffee cat, runs after it and pounces on it. I grin at the cats attempt to rip it up. Topaz plays with it for a while before jumping onto my lap. I stroke her back and find myself falling asleep...
=== ~~~ ===
When I wake up, the cat is still sleeping at my side. I feel a bit bad about leaving it behind, but I couldn't take it with me. I stood up and dusted the dirt off my jacket. The sun has barely risen and yet hundreds of people are awake and getting ready for their day. 
A girl's voice cuts me out of my thoughts "What are you doing here?" She says. The girl has warm brown skin and wavy black hair. She is exactly my brother's type, I think. But then again, all pretty girls are.
"I asked you a question" She reminds me.
"And I don't need to answer it." I retort. 
"Fine, don't answer it. But you'll regret it." She holds out her hand to me. I ignore it and stand up.
"What's your name?" I ask, glancing at the street. I could make a run for it if I was fast enough to get past her.
"I don't need to answer that." She says, using my own words against me. She waits a moment before adding on "But I will. My name is Karma."
I glare "Well, then Karma, get out of my way. I have better things to do than talk to you." Karma hesitates a moment before saying
"I can nearly guarantee that you don't have anywhere else to be, or anyone else to talk to. You look like you slept in a ditch all night." She smirked "Or, an alleyway"
I struggle to respond. "I just..I did..Fine. You win. What do you want?"
Karma grinned "I want to know your name. Oh, and also why you were sleeping.." She glanced at the cats and garbage can. "Here."
I think about running now, but decide if it went wrong, Karma would get back at me. "I'm Amelia. And I'm sleeping here because of my family.." I consider the lie before continuing "Because my family is dead. I have no one to take care of me, not that I mind, and I ran away from the orphanage that I had been sent to"
The lie was believable enough, but Karma looked skeptical.
"Can I go now?" I ask.
"Where are you going to go?" Karma asked. Her face looks curious, but there is a twinge of...envy? I blink and the look is gone.
"I don't know. Somewhere." I ask, trying to keep all hints of emotion from my voice.
Karma finally relents "Go, then. I won't stop you."
I pick up my bag and Topaz. I can't leave her alone with that girl. I brush past Karma and feel her gaze on my back. I glance towards a tall building in the distance. The situation I'm in finally dawns upon me. I'm all alone. I'm never going back. I decide to take it one day at a time. And right now, I'm hungry. I follow the smell of fresh bread all the way to a bakery. A plump lady stands behind the counter. I glance at the food, and contemplate stealing. But there is too many people around, and someone would surely notice. 
Sighing, I turn around and push open the door. I'll have to find somewhere else to eat. 
Then I see the shadow again. I didn't imagine it. Darting into another alleyway, I take deep breaths, petting Topaz and trying not to freak out.
Someone's following me. 
== Chapter Two ==
I sit, awaiting the stalker. Topaz bounds away as someone nears,and I silently hope she'll be okay. 
A boy with blonde hair stood in front of me. He looked to be about my age, maybe a year older. 
"Stay back," I warn him. He stares at me, then smiles. It's an eerily calm smile, and I find myself looking away from his face. 
"I'm here to collect you for Tory."
Is he crazy? I think to myself. Out loud I say, "Mhm-"
"The Fallen have been waiting for you." he looks down the side of the building. "But first we should move somewhere more private. People can't be listening. It's far too dangerous."
I plant my feet into the ground and he sighs.
"Stubborn, I see. Listen, we have to leave. Now. One of the Auram's has already found you."
"Seriously..what are you talking about? Are you like a kidnapper or something?" I ask, suddenly feeling very concerned about the mental state of my 'friend' here.
"I'm talking about us. The Caeli" He says.
I nearly fall over. "How do you know about what I am? And what are you?"
He looks annoyed. "You're not really observatory, are you? I said 'us'. I'm one of you"
I look into his dark blue eyes. No lies play across them. He catches my gaze.
Trust me, I didn't trust the Fallen at first either. 
I startle and pull my eyes away from his. I'd heard of Caeli who could share a thought with another Caeli (occasionally a human) but never experienced it myself. I turn away from him, "I can't. I can't trust you, nor anyone else. Not here."
"Well, then I really am sorry. Because I must do this." He says it with a twinge of regret in his voice.
"What are you talking ab-" I start to say, but I never finish the sentence. Blackness seeps into my mind, and I lose track of reality.
=== ~~~ ===
"Emeila! Emeila, wake up! We're here!" an unfamiliar voice said, shaking me awake.
"God, impatient much," I grumble, opening my eyes. It's the guy from before. "And where on earth are we?" I add on, looking around. We appear to be in a library of a sort, shelves lining the walls.
He smiles that smile of his and says, "I think that it's best that Tory tells you."
"No, I think that its best that you tell me who Tory, The 'fallen', and you, are," I respond, glowering.
He rolls his eyes, "Well, I suppose this just proves that you're the impatient one,"
"I'm not joking. But it's getting kind of obvious you are." I say, not even trying to hide my irritation.
"Fine, I'll answer your questions. Just not here," he replies.
"Where, then?" I ask.
He doesn't answer, instead, he walks over to one of the bookcases. He scans several books, before pulling one off. It's titled Fallen, Volume I. He tucks it under his arm and walks back over to me. He places the book in my hands. 
"What." I paused for a moment, "Am I supposed to do with this?"
He grins, "Open it."
"It's locked," I state, feeling a bit like he is making fun of me.
"You didn't even try to open it yet, Emeila. Sometimes things are less than what they seem," he says calmly.
"Will you just shut up with all the 'wise' quotes?" I snap at him. Despite that, I still attempt to open the book. It doesn't open.
"See, locked," I say triumphantly.
He takes it from me and replies, "Well, I suppose I shouldn't have expected you to open it on your first try." then presses his thumb against the emerald, and the book's cover swings open like a door. A blinding beam of bright green light streams out. I turn to him and ask, "Was that supposed to happen?"
He grins, "Of course. Now reach your hand in there."
"I don't think that I will," I inform him.
"Hurry up, Emeila. We don't have all day." is his only response. I sigh and reach my hand towards the light. It tingles the tips of my fingers as I reach in. I expect to feel paper, but instead, my hand grasps onto a chain- or something of the sort. I draw my hand back quickly. In it are 2 lockets, set with emeralds like from the cover and lock.
"Necklaces?" I ask.
"Yeah, do you need help putting one on?"
"No, I'm fine," I say, handing one to him. I clasp mine around my neck. Nothing happens.
"Is something supposed to happen or-" another bright flash, identical to the one from before fills the room. When I finally can see again, the bookshelf which the guy-I really need to learn his name- had got the book from is replaced with a door.
"I gotta say, you guys should really make an entrance that doesn't take 20 minutes to open," I say.
"It's only been 5 minutes," he says, already starting to open the door.
"Wait!" I say, grabbing his wrist.
"What?"
"I need to know what your name is," I say.
He sighs and says, "My name is Orren. Now let's go."
I take Orren's offered hand, not without noticing the scars, and am about to ask him about them when he pulls me through the door. It shuts behind us, trapping us in endless darkness.
== Chapter Three ==
"What is this place?" I ask, but the darkness seems to swallow my words. 
Orren laughs, "Somewhere you shouldn't be,"
I bite my lip. Everything about this is wrong. I shouldn't have ever trusted him. But you didn't. He was the one that knocked you out. 
I'm sorry about that.
I nearly jump at the sound of his voice in my head. "You seriously have to stop doing that!"
He shrugs, "I find it easier than talking out loud,"
I find myself fighting the urge to smile. "Yeah?"
"Yep. Oh, also, just a warning, this next part is going to be...strange." 
"I'm used to strange," I assure him. And I am. Or, I thought I was. Light pours over me, and it feels..solid. Real. The light recedes, and I'm in a new world. The room is beautiful, with marble floors, gold decorations, and a domed roof, painted to look like the sky.
"This place is beautiful."
Orren nodded, "It sure is. Welcome to the home of the Fallen,"
"Orren!" I whirl around at the sound of another voice, this one light and whispery. A beautiful girl with light blond hair and a pale pink dress stands there, a smile lighting up her face. 
"Anesha." Orren greets with a nod. Anesha finally notices me, and her smile vanishes, replaced with a frown.
"Who's this?"
"Emeila, a Caeli," Orren says.
I nod, and she glances over me. "Hm. Anyway, have you seen Tory anywhere?" 
"I just got back," Orren reminded her. 
Anesha and Orren continue talking about things I can't even begin to understand, so I find my eyes wandering all over the room, until my gaze settles on-
"Tory, there you are!" Anesha says, rushing over to the dark-haired woman. She hardly acknowledges her, and her eyes are staring right at me. 
"This is the new one?"
"Yes ma'am," Orren's tone is much different than the one he used speaking to Anesha. "Emeila,"
"Such a pretty name," Tory murmurs.
"Thank you?" I say, though it sounds like a question.
"Bring her to room 066." Tory orders Orren, turning around and leaving.
"So," I start, "That's Tory,"
"That's Tory," Orren agrees. "Come on, lets go to your room,"
Orren leads me out of the room, with Anesha trailing behind. We walk down hallways, each more extravagant and luxurious than the next. He finally stop in front a door with the number '066' engraved onto it. 
"I'll be back to check on you in an hour," Orren says, and I give him a small wave. Anesha glares at me, and though I'm confused, I don't question it. Pushing open the door to the room, I step inside.
I give a gasp of delight. The room is huge, with a glass ceiling, dark blue walls, and a four poster bed. Bookshelves line the walls, full of colourful volumes. I collapse onto the bed, and close my eyes. 
Yet something still haunts me.
This is wrong.
More than 66 rooms. 
Only 10 Caeli's have ever been banished. 
"Stop thinking like that," I scold myself, "This place is great, and that's all there is to it,"
But the voice in my head is still there.
This is wrong.
=== ~~~ ===
When Orren returns, he's carrying a blue dress. It's fluffy, made of tulle and taffeta. 
"There is no way in **** I'm wearing that." I tell him. He grins at me, laying it down on a chair.
"Tell Tory that," Orren says. 
"I think I will," I retort, crossing my arms. 
Orren sighs, "Look, she's a bit...well, she expects respect, from all of us. I'd suggest you listen to her," 
"Fine," I say, submitting. This is wrong, that annoying voice in my head says again. 
I give him a pointed stare when he doesn't leave. "Some privacy, please?" I finally ask. 
"Oh, yes, of course," Orren blushes, turning around and leaving. 
I slip off my dirty outfit, pulling on the ridiculously fluffy dress. Looking in the mirror, I catch sight of my dirty face and my messy hair, paired with a dress that looks like it belongs to a princess, and I laugh. 
Someone knocks on the door, and I open it, figuring it's Orren. Instead, I'm met with the sight of Anesha, wearing a pink dress not so different than the one I have on now. 
"Hm," she says, glancing over me, "Your hair is a mess,"
I reach up to touch one of my dark brown curls, and shrug, "I'll be fine," 
She rolls her eyes, "Tory requests you to come down for dinner. It's time for you to meet the rest of the Fallen," 
I take a shaky breath. Why was I doing this? I don't know these people. Orren practically kidnapped me. I've got broken wings, wings I can't fly with. Wings that aren't there anymore. 
This is wrong, "Okay," 
=== ~~~ ===
Tory's gaze is one me all dinner. Laughing, smiling Caeli surround me, talking about things I don't even understand.
"Jase killed an Auram yesterday," one redhead said proudly, "She was right on top of him, whispering sweet nothings into his ear, but he just ignored her charm and killed her when she looked away,"
"Really, Tatiana?" a wide-eyed blonde said, "That is so cool," 
The redhead- Tatiana- nodded, "He'll probably be sent on his first mission soon," 
The blonde gasped, and only then did I realize Orren was trying to talk to me, "-see, that blonde you were staring at is Kasey, and the redhead is Tatiana, oh, and that guy over there with the green eyes is Klayton..."
He lists off names, far too many for me to memorize. "What is an Auram?" I interrupted. 
He pales a bit, "I.." his voice lowers to a whisper, "You know that girl you met earlier,"
I furrow my brow, "Karma?"
"Yeah. She is an Auram. They are the sworn enemies of the Caeli, or, at least, the Fallen. Deadly, especially with their charmspeak," 
"Emeila," I glance up, and see Tory, staring at me inquisitively. 
"Yes?" My voice comes out as a tiny squeak; I have to admit, I'm scared of her. 
"I take it you've met Anesha?"
I nod, remembering the pretty pale girl who had insulted my hair. 
"She'll be acting as your tour guide."
"I'd really prefer Orren!" I blurt out, before I can think. 
"Oh?" Wincing, I turn around to face Anesha, who has raised one of her perfectly arched eyebrows. 
"I didn't mean it like that," 
"Sure sounded like it," Anesha said, "Though I might just be petty and overprotective, I don't exactly like the thought of my boyfriend giving you a tour. Besides, I've been here for much longer than he has,"
"He's your boyfriend?" I ask, like the complete idiot I am. Obviously she is his girlfriend. 
Anesha rolled her eyes- I've noted she is particularly adept at that gesture- and said, "Yes," 
Oh. 
¨Anyways, the tour starts at 6am, sharp.¨ she tells me, then goes back to sit in her spot, right beside Orren. 
I mentally facepalm myself, and stand up, ¨Goodnight, Emeila,¨ Orren says, noticing the fact I'm leaving. 
I don't answer him, instead turning on my heel and leaving behind the laughing, smiling Caeli's.