Chapter 05

Steven

The sun shone on my eyelids. I started to open my eyes and saw autumn leaves blowing gently. The clouds and rain were gone. Why was everything so peaceful? What were we doing again? I sat up and looked around. I saw Francine and Becca laying on the hill, completely asleep. They both looked very pretty lying there—Francine with her blonde hair brushed over her face. Fran was lying on her back with her arms spread out like she was soaking up the sun. Becca was lying on her side, her hair covering her glasses as if she were trying to keep the sun out of her eyes. Both of the girls looked quite peaceful.

I looked around us and saw lots of leaves and rocks. Just a little further up the hill, there was a gate. The gate was busted open—some of the pieces were totally removed from the rest of the metal. On the ground, there was a sign:

Warning
Toxic Hazard

There was a skull above the words on the sign... Uhhh, are we safe? I went to Fran and nudged her awake.

"Fran, are you all right? I think we need to keep moving."

Fran jolted awake, sitting straight up.

"Steven! You're awake! Do you feel any pain?"

I didn't realize it, but no, I didn’t. I looked down, and I was totally fine—no scabs, no cuts, no scars. Wasn’t I in a crash? Didn’t I bang my head on the window? I remember trying to climb out of the back of the bus. Very strange...

"Yes, I am doing fine, I guess. Where are we? I saw a gate up there. It says there is some tox—"

Fran hugged me—a strong, powerful hug. I was surprised.

"I was so worried about you!"

As she said it, she laid her forehead down on my shoulder, then pulled away. She told me what had happened and that she thought I was injured. She told me about the green puddle, which seemed like a big concern now that I had read that sign about toxic hazards... Perhaps I will tell her later about that when we are okay. Becca started to wake up.

"You feeling better, Becca?"

She looked up, saw me, sat up straight, and quickly scooted over to me.

"I'm doing okay, I think. My leg doesn't hurt anymore."

We all stood up and started walking up the hill again. We passed the gate and heard our names being called from the distance. The teachers were looking for us, and it seemed emergency responders were also searching the area. We were found and taken back up to the road, where we were checked for wounds and other injuries, of which there were none. All three of us were in totally healthy condition. The ambulance left, and the other emergency vehicles did too. The parents came to pick up the other kids, and my mom pulled up finally.

"Oh, Steven! I'm so glad you're okay! You too, Fran! Your mom is on her way now!"

She hugged me just as tightly as Fran did, which I realized was pretty strong for an elementary kid. My mom was hugging me tight.

I said goodbye to Fran and Becca and went home with my mom.

That night, as I lay in bed, I was thinking about what had happened. I totally forgot to mention to Fran about the toxic sign, and I was too scared to tell the EMT about it as well. I was scared it might be bad, but I felt fine. I didn’t want to worry about it anymore. I closed my eyes and listened to the darkness as I started to drift off to sleep.

Drip, drip, drip

The sound of the shower next door dripping in the bathroom. It was always annoying—it would keep me up at night—but it usually only dripped after someone used the shower. No one showered tonight. The drips were getting louder until they stopped... right outside my door frame. I opened my eyes, and without moving, I peeked at my open door frame. It was dark, but it seemed like there was a shadow standing there. I pulled my blanket over my head. I started panicking and breathing quickly. I was trying not to make any noise by covering my mouth and breathing into it. I thought I heard something whispering.

"....ce.....t.......eet....you"

It started walking again. This time, the steps were louder.

Thud, thud, thud

"sm...l.........ce"

The voice was getting louder, but it was raspy and wispy at the same time. I started to cry. The voice was so close now—it was hovering over me. I couldn't take it anymore. I shouted and cried as loud as I could.

"Help!!! Someone help me!!!!"

A crashing sound came from my window, then a thud, and the shadowy creature let out a wailing sound.

"I.......ry"

It disappeared into the air. I lay there under the covers, crying, wondering if I was going to be okay.

"Steven? Are you all right?"

Fran was in my room? I pulled off the covers, and there was Fran, glowing in a golden light. Her hair was floating, and her eyes were glowing. Then it faded, and her hair fell down. She smiled her bright smile at me.

"You're safe now!"

I cried as she hugged me until I fell asleep.