Chapter One

 

Zane stared at the fire in front of him, his pale blue eyes catching the flickering glare of the flames. His friends watched him with expressions of concern and confusion. The girl sitting next to him smoothed out her blue baby doll dress and pulled her strawberry-blonde hair over her sun darkened shoulder. She looked at Zane and gently touched his knee.

 

“Come’on Zane, cheer up.” she soothed. “We planned this trip so we could have a fun weekend away from the academy.”

 

Zane looked at his friend and smiled.

 

“I know Sylvia, I’m sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about how we should have invited Reggie and Jess.”

 

“Well, didn’t Reggie and Jess say they don’t like going camping?”

 

“Yeah they did, but I think we still should’ve asked them to tag along.”

 

“Next time we will, ok?”

 

Zane nodded then turned back to the fire. A boy in a black muscle shirt and camouflage shorts yawned, running his fingers through his light brown hair.

 

“Damn, I’m tired already.”

 

     A girl with honey blonde hair and bright, ocean-blue eyes laughed. She stood up, brushing the dirt off of her light blue denim skirt, then straightened out her pale pink tank top. The girl slipped on her black flip-flops, and looked at the brown haired boy.

 

“Geez Jone. It’s not even eleven yet.”

 

“Kara you’re not the one who had to carry your girlfriend’s bags ‘cuz she’s too lazy to do it herself,” Jone retorted.

 

“Hey! You offered to carry my bags!”

 

“Ok, yeah I did, but you could’ve packed lighter.”

 

“True.”

 

     Kara laughed and sat on Jone’s lap. Jone smiled. Zane looked at them briefly then turned his attention back to the fire. A purple jeep pulled up next to the ring of white tents that Zane and Sylvia had pitched earlier that evening. Four people, two guys and two girls, piled out. Sylvia waved.

 

“Hey guys!” 

 

     The girls ran over but the two guys lagged behind, arguing. One guy, dressed in light, ripped jeans and a grey t-shirt, pointed an angry finger at the other guy, wearing denim shorts and a white muscle shirt. Sylvia patted the ground on either side of her, smiling as the two girls plopped down.

 

“Hey Karma, hey Thorn. What’re Skylar and Kris arguing about now?” she asked.

 

     The girl to Sylvia’s right, dressed in a deep red fitted t-shirt and tight black jeans, shrugged.

 

“I guess Karma left her phone in Kris’s car and now Skylar is jealous. Like Karma and Kris would be together for anything other than carpooling.” the girl said in an irritated tone.

 

     The girl pulled her light purple hair into a ponytail and sighed. Sylvia looked at her.

 

“Thorn, are you and Kris together again?”

 

     The girl on Sylvia’s left, wearing a light blue sun dress, laughed and Thorn shot her a dirty look.

 

“Shut up Karma!!”

 

     Karma covered her mouth to stifle her giggle. Thorn rolled her dark purple eyes as she watched her friend laugh at her expense. Sylvia gave Karma a warning glance and Karma immediately quieted down. 

 

“Well are you and Kris back together or not?” Sylvia asked.

 

“Not yet. Kris is being a bit of a jerk right now. It’s just ‘cuz finals are in two weeks and he still hasn’t “perfected” that spell he created. You know the one that one that’s supposed to give him a sudden burst of strength every time he uses it? Yeah, he just can’t seem to get it right,” Thorn replied, looking at the guy in the grey t-shirt.

 

“Yeah. He’s such a worry wart. Around finals he gets so tense. I’m amazed he even sleeps.” Karma said.

 

     Thorn shot her another dirty look as her eyes flashed an angry red.

 

“Do you ever keep your goddamn mouth shut?!”

 

"No," Karma replied with intentionally annoying emphasis.

 

"God, you're a real pain in the a*s."

 

     Karma laughed, throwing back her head of hot pink hair. Sylvia sighed, shaking her head in disbelief.

 

“You two are unbelievable. You’re best friends who act like enemies.” 

 

     A man and a woman stepped out of the shadows and Zane smiled.

 

“Raven and Sage are here guys,” he said.

 

     Skylar smoothed back his blonde hair, stuck his hands in the pockets of his shorts, then looked at Kris who looked back through the bangs of his blood red hair and crossed his arms over his grey t-shirt covered chest. They both then looked at Sage and Raven, who were now sitting on a log behind Zane. Karma, Sylvia, and Thorn looked at Raven and Sage as well.

 

“Hey guys,” Karma said.

 

     The woman smiled and leaned against her companion.

 

“You guys know if Aracne and Morticai are coming?” Raven asked.

 

“Yeah are they? They’re supposed to bring the booze,” Sage said

 

     Zane shrugged and continued to poke at the fire. Thorn stretched, then looked at the sky.

 

“They said they were, but you know them. They can’t keep they’re hands off each other long enough to go anywhere,” she said.

 

     Everyone laughed.

 

“That’s so true,” Karma said as she tried to control her laughter.

 

     Two bats fluttered into sight and everyone fell silent. In a brilliant flash of pale blue lightning, the bats turned into an extremely pale man and woman. The man smiled.

 

“Aracne did you two bring the booze?” Sage asked.

 

     The woman rolled her eyes and plopped down close to the fire.

 

“Relax Sage. Morticai and I didn’t have time to go to the liquor store. Either Blake and Ember or Misty and Theo will bring it. Maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ll all bring some.”

 

     The man sat down next to Aracne and pulled her into his arms. Aracne laughed.

 

“Morticai, not here.”

 

     Morticai laughed and looked at Sage.

 

“Sage, why are you so set on drinking this weekend anyway?” Morticai asked.

 

     Sage shrugged, his long silver ponytail falling over his shoulder and resting against his back.

 

“Isn’t it supposed to be a fun weekend?”

 

“Good point.”

 

     Raven looked into the darkness of the surrounding woods and frowned. She tapped Sage’s shoulder and he turned to her.

           

            “What?”

 

     Raven pointed toward a speeding sports car that was headed their way. Sage groaned and rolled his eyes. He looked at Raven who looked back with the same annoyed look in her eyes.

 

            “Here come Mr. and Mrs. Big Shot,” Raven said with complete annoyance riding on every word. “Who invited them anyway?”

 

     Sylvia bit her lip then looked at Raven and Sage.

 

            “Sorry. I asked them if they wanted to come and they said they did, so I told them they could.”

 

     Raven smiled and shrugged.

 

            “Nothing we can do about it now. All I can say is…if that stuck up b***h tries to start s**t with me again I’ll deck her.”

     The bright yellow sports car screeched to a stop next to the Jeep, headlights and hip-hop music blaring. A very tan woman in a metallic silver mini dress stepped out of the passenger side, her wavy waist length auburn hair falling around her face. The headlights and music turned off and a man, tanner than the woman, in a black suit climbed out of the driver’s seat. His dirty blonde hair was slicked back and there was a conceited grin plastered on his face. The couple linked arms and proceeded to walk toward the fire. Zane and the others watched as the pair sat down next to Raven and Sage. The woman looked at Raven and smiled.

 

            “Raven dear, have you missed your sister? I sure have missed you.”

 

     Raven kept her eyes on the fire, but she clenched teeth and balled her hands into tight fists.

 

            “To be honest Ember I had forgotten I had a sister until you and your pimp showed up. I guess there’s no way to forget about your family even if the only person you have left is a w***e.”

 

     Ember’s pale green eyes flashed and she stood up. She pointed a French manicured finger at Raven.

 

            “Listen here you arrogant little s**t. You’re no better than me.”

 

     Raven slowly stood up, eyes closed and fists clenched. She stepped a few feet and opened her eyes, which were now a frightening yellow-orange.

 

            “I swear, if you don’t back off and shut your goddamn mouth, I’ll knock you out.”

 

     Ember’s eyes widened and she sat down. Raven unclenched her fists, taking slow, deep breaths, then sat down in front of Sage. Zane shook his head and stood up.

 

            “Is everyone done making a scene?”

 

     The group nodded. Jone suddenly looked to the east and stood up next to Zane. He let out a deep growl and he bared his long white fangs. Kara fell to the ground with a ‘thud’ and she looked at Jone with a pained expression.

 

            “What the hell Jone?!”

 

   Jone looked down at his girlfriend.

 

            “Sorry babe. I should have warned you.”

 

            “Damn right you should have warned me!”

 

            “Here, just get up and stand behind me. Something’s coming and I have no clue what it is.”

 

     Jone held out his hand and he helped Kara to her feet. He stepped in front of her and he let out another low growl. Sage pulled Raven close to him and his eyes narrowed. Kris teleported to Thorn’s side, putting a protective arm around her waist. Thorn blushed a little then moved closer to him. Skylar looked at Karma who immediately ran to him. Zane glanced at Morticai and Aracne who were both staring toward the east, then he walked to Sylvia.

 

            “What do you think it is?”

 

            “I don’t know Zane. But whatever it is, it isn’t friendly.”

 

            “You got that right. Should we leave?”

 

   Sylvia looked around at her friends.

 

            “No, let’s wait and see what it is. If we are in danger then we have enough teleporters to get us out of here quickly.”

 

            “Alright.”

 

     A black van pulled up and a young man, wearing a grey sweatshirt and baggy jeans, climbed out. He ran to Sylvia’s side, and pushed his fingers through his short blonde hair. He took Sylvia’s hand and looked at her.

 

            “Baby what’s going on? I was on my way here and you energy reading began to trouble me.”

 

“Something is coming and it’s probably dangerous. Drew, I’m kinda scared.”

 

            “Well it’ll have to go through me before it gets to you sweetheart, so you ain’t got a thing to worry about.”

 

     Sylvia smiled as she squeezed Drew’s hand.

 

“I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”

 

     Drew looked at Zane who was standing completely stiff. Zane’s face was as white as snow and he was barely breathing.

 

            “Zane, are you ok man?”

 

     The color returned to Zane’s face and he blinked slowly, as if he was trying to rid himself of a bad dream. He looked at Drew.

 

            “Whatever is coming isn’t going to harm us. It’s chasing someone else.”

 

     Sylvia’s expression went from frightened to confused. She let go of Drew’s hand, then looked at Zane.

 

            “What’re you talking about Zane? Who is it chasing?”

           

            “I don’t know.”

 

            “Zane, just tell me.”

 

            “Sylvia I really don’t know.”

 

     Sylvia sighed then turned her attention back toward the east, just in time to see a tall, ominous figure appear in the moonlight. The figure was moving swiftly and was approaching the group’s campsite at an alarming speed. Raven looked at Sage who nodded, and together they created a deep, pine green energy field, making the entire group’s presence unknown to the approaching silhouette. The band of friends watched in silence as the profile of the creature became visible. Its eyes were sunken in and kept going like deep, dark black holes. The creature’s lips were black, and were curved into a disturbing smile, showing off a mouthful of lemon yellow teeth and fangs. Its face was very long and stretched out, and the color of its skin was that of decomposing flesh, pale blue with splashes of deep, sickening, purple. Long greasy strands of thick black hair hung around the creature’s grotesque face, giving it an eerie appearance. Its arms had no muscle, the skin tight around the bones. The creature’s legs, thin but muscular, were too long for its physique. Tattered cloth covered its body, each piece coated in blood.

     In the shadow created by the creature, ran a teenage girl. She was clutching her left arm that was dripping with crimson blood, and her facial expression was that of pure fear. Zane’s eyes turned pitch black as the scent of the girl’s blood filled his nose.

 

            “Keep yourself under control,” he thought. “Don’t add any extra drama or danger.”

 

     The girl running ahead of the creature suddenly tripped, falling to the ground with a ‘thud’ and a pained groan. She rolled over onto her back, waiting for the monster to stop and kill her. As the creature slowed down and began to reach out for the girl with a large clawed hand, Zane turned to his friends.

 

            “We have to stop that thing from killing her. We have to distract it.”

 

     Drew nodded, and stepped closer to Zane. He looked around at everyone.

 

            “Ok I’ve got a plan."

 

 

To Be Continued........

Reviews

[deeps]

This is quite an intersting read here.
I like it i think it's wonderful.
Wonderful imagery and details.
I really like how you have your story set up.
It flows nicely.

I can tell I am really going to enjoy your
story too. Like creature writes. So far
Very well written and very interesting.

[Neeeks!]

This is really good. I like it. Let me know when you have the next chapter up.

[Lenore WhiteRain]

i remember when you read this to me. l loved it, and i still do.

[Shannon]

I love it, but I can't help but feel like I've heard this story before. (most likely because you read it in class) Zane is my favorite character so far. Can't wait for the next chapter. LOL!