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we still ate out. This time we went to a restaurant and sat in a little booth next to the window watching the townspeople passing by. We were chatting, just light-hearted conversation, when I saw a glow out of the corner of my eye. It was coming from a little ally across the road. I ignored it and carried on chatting. Then it happened again, and again.
    “What’s wrong?” Lily asked, before turning to face the direction I was staring.
    “Nothing. Sorry, you were saying?”
    As soon as she started talking, it happened again.
    “What is that?” I interrupted.
    “What’s what?” she asked, looking again.
    “I’ll be back in a minute.”
    “Keira!”
    “Just wait here for me, OK.”
    I walked out on to the street and headed for the alley. It was getting darker now and the street was empty apart from a few parked cars. When I got to the alley there was no one there. I walked down it for a few seconds. It was a little darker due to the tall buildings blocking out the light, and then they came into view. All four in their robes again, with their hoods up hiding their faces. They looked like four grim reapers but without the scythes.
    “Oh, what now?” I asked impatiently.
    “Who are you?” the tall one demanded.
    “Cinderella. Who are you?”
    “I expect the truth.”
    “Oh really, well do you want to know what I expect!” I snapped, walking closer to him. “To be able to visit a town and not get harassed by four idiots who think it’s Halloween. To be able to enjoy a meal with my best friend and not be distracted. Oh yes, and to be spoken to with a bit of respect.” I was now about two feet away from him. “How about you do that for me, then maybe, just maybe, I will be a little friendlier and answer you honestly.”
    “For your sake, I advise you to answer now,” he said, taking a step forward.
    “Look, you tried to take me down last night and you failed. Miserably, may I add. If you want to attack me that’s fine, but I’m not fighting you. If it turns you on hurting a woman, then go ahead; I won’t even fight back. Now I’m going to finish my meal with my friend, then I’m going back to my motel, getting in the shower, maybe watch a little TV and then I’m going to bed, OK.”
    I turned around and walked towards the street again. I’d got about fifteen feet away from him when an energy ball hit the wall beside me. I didn’t even flinch, I just carried on walking. He threw two more but must have realized he wasn’t going to get a reaction and left me alone. I went back into the restaurant and told Lily what had happened.
    “I think they might be testing you,” she said.
    “Why?”
    “Hey, do I look like I’ve got all the answers?” she said, pulling a funny face.
    “Sorry,” I laughed.
    “Maybe they want to make sure you’re…you know.”
    “Whatever. Let’s just get back to the motel; I’m craving a shower.”
     

Chapter 4
    Temper
     
    We were a mile from the motel when the car made a strange noise and slowly came to a stop. I turned the key but it wouldn’t start again.
    “Oh great!” Lily moaned, throwing her hands up, “It’s dark, people are after you, we’re on a deserted side road and the car breaks down. You know if we were in a horror movie we would get slaughtered about now.”
    “Nice to know my best friend has such a positive outlook on things,” I sniggered. “I’ll go take a look.”
    “Can’t you just do your thing and get us moving.”
    “Sometimes I do like to do things the normal way, you know.”
    She sat back in her seat and folded her arms, huffing. I laughed and got out of the car. I popped the hood but I couldn’t see any reason why it had just given up. The car was virtually brand new so I couldn’t understand it. I closed the hood and looked at Lily but she was gone.
    “Lily!” I shouted, but there was no reply. “Answer me, Lily, it’s not funny!” She was gone. I tried calling her mobile but the ring came from in the car; it was on