Excerpt: The Lights of Eversin

A fine mist had covered the cracked streets in fog. This far from downtown Eversin, the strobing lights and constant flashing of the advertisement screens failed to penetrate the gloom. The slender youth staggered down the center of the road, oblivious to the few other souls present on the seedier end of town. He shivered, finding himself alone. The empty windows of the old warehouses and abandoned homes peered at him like disapproving eyes. Hugging his thin arms to his body, he slowed and looked for the number on the damp slip of paper in his hand. It had nearly worn off between the humid air and the sweat from his own hand. The wan light from the street lamps abruptly stopped, and he realized that the next several had shattered bulbs. Not surprising, he mused. Kids probably smashed them for fun. The street was cloaked in darkness beyond the dim circle of light from the lamp and he was hesitant to go further. He could barely see already and the dark had always bothered him. Surely they would not be looking this far from downtown? With a shiver, he tried to scan both sides of the street and the alley nearby. Nothing stirred. He was shaking so badly from cold and fear that he decided to risk it. A small puff of smoke rose from his fingertip, then his whole hand was aflame. He urged his chilled body into movement. One step into a dark that seemed to have a weight of its own, he felt strong arms grab his, and the flame went out.