A January 2024 Monthly Story Challenge Winner
Click the "Clap" button if you liked this story!
Reyna is a 14-year-old half-demon and can summon a variety of monsters.
Also, 14-year-old Alfie is an Angel who was cast down
from the heavens for a crime he didn’t do.
Neo, an age-12 shapeshifter who has rare shapeshifting powers.
Together, they make quite a great team.
But will they survive the many adventures ahead?
Chapter 1
Introduction
Present day, Dystopian California, San Fransisco.
“Honestly, it would’ve been more great if you got Instant Ramen instead of Fried Frogs on a stick, Neo,” Alfie, the so-called ‘Angel’ of the team said with a disappointed sigh. Alfie is the angelic, born human but raised Angelm, who is one of the most wanted people of the year. That's why he sent Neo to run the errands. Neo is a top-world-class Shape-Shifter. He’s also a tech maniac.
“Fried Frogs cost cheaper plus it’s on sale and the price of Instant Ramen is rapidly increasing. And Reyna was craving some amphibian taste.” Neo responded with an innocent yet quirky voice.
"Hey Neo, did you manage to pick up the Fried frogs on a stick?" called Reyna as she walked out of her bedroom, still craving some amphibians.
"Seriously, am I the only one wanting ramen?" Alfie groaned.
"Don't worry, I've got a bunch of ramen in my closet. Don't ask why," Neo chirped.
"Always putting a smile on my face, aren't you," 'Angel boy' said in a British voice as he strolled towards Neo's bedroom.
If you asked Reyna what she would’ve done to Alfie if he brought ramen instead of frogs, she would have punched him in the face, yell “YOU SUCK!!!” at his face, and stash him in the dumpster to make him smelly. Sadly, Reyna is half demon so if she’s caught, it's game over. If you also asked Reyna if she had a family, she would say only her Mom, who is chasing them because her mother wants Reyna to be a normal human. You see, Reyna is a half-demon so her mom found a scientist named Dr. Boosmith who can make a formula that can make any live animal that's not human turn into a human. Her mother also wants to raise Reyna because she ran away from home when she was eleven. Ever since then, her mom has been careful whenever she caught Reyna. That's another reason why Reyna never goes out where there are a ton of people. Reyna’s life is always changing course. That's how it is for a half-demon. When she first went out into the open world, people were chasing her, taking pictures, and bumping into her. It made her feel like she was an outsider. But then came a boy about a year older than her. They spent time together, and he helped her live a life; a life of thieving.
Chapter 2
It’s just the beginning
Dystopian California, Los Angeles 4 years before.
Travis spoke in a hushed tone, "Did you take it?"
“You bet, hassle head,” Reyna whispered back.
“There they are! Move forward, troops!” ordered a man with light green hair and smooth tan skin, wearing a black suit with a scar on his left hand. Scurrying, the two ran as fast as a car. But soon enough, the guards advanced. Surrounded, Travis yelled.
“Back off! Don’t you dare get closer. If you do, you'll be toast!”
“Listen, dunderhead. We only obey our master's orders. And you are not our master. You are only a mere thief,” A guard shouted while puffing his chest.
“That’s it, Grimace. You hurt my friend with your silly words. You deal with me.” 10-year-old Reyna roared. She summoned all her strength, resulting in 14- no 15 rotting, horrifying, zombies rising from the ground! All the guards yelled, ran, and shrieked in horror. During all this screaming, the two were able to escape.
After they reached their secret base in a junkyard a mile away, Reyna and Travis panted exhaustedly while lying on their handmade sofa out of car seats.
“I’m gonna scavenge around for gadgets and random stuff.” Reyna puffed.
“Be careful. I'm heading to Dominoes to grab some pizza,” Travis responded wearily.
If you asked Reyna how she was so good at finding and stealing stuff, she would say it’s all from experience. As she reached the top of mountains made of junk, she looked up at the sky, and the clouds. But when Reyna looked ahead of her, she saw the most beautiful sunset she had ever seen. The sky mixed with hues of colors. Blue, pink, orange, it was elegant. Or so she thought. As the sun setted, she caught something with a glimpse of her eye. Something falling. It was shiny about the size of a basketball. And when she lost sight of it, everything went black.
When she woke up she shouted for help. Reyna was alone. That’s when it hit her. “TRAVIS!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!?!” Reyna yelled. Her second family, her only friend, was gone. Suddenly, a Phoenix snatched her with its talons before she knew it.
Read Chapter 3!
(Illustration Credit: Milo)