Find the Light-Grace Buchanan
Introduction
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I started to have dreams. Dreams about caves, underneath my home town. These caves were home to things I could never imagine, rulers of nightmares, and terrorists of dreams. I was relieved that we moved away from my old home, and that the big city of Celeste was safe from whatever caves lie beneath Osoko. Then one day, Mom came into my room, and told me to come out into the kitchen, because her and dad had some news.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter One
“We’re moving back to Osoko!” Mom said, highly enthusiastic about my doom.
“Why? I thought you were happy here!” I said.
“Well, Vivian I think change is good for you, you keep talking to Scarlett I think you need to get out more,,” Mom said, “I mean, This city’s a joy to be in, but you need to get back to Osoko, Celeste has taken a toll on you, and Scarlett… You need to get back to Osoko,”
“No Mom! No way am I going back to Osoko! You were just saying you love it here!” I yelled “I am not going back there! I love Celeste, and I know you do too,”
Mom, being Mom, interrupted my temper-tantrum said “Scarlett's parents have also agreed to move back to Osoko, seeing as she too is from Osoko,” Flustered she took a large breath and exited going to the master bedroom in our apartment.
“You too should have some time apart,” Dad murmured as he quietly exited the kitchen.
I ran to the master bedroom and said “You never understand anyone’s emotions!” I screamed from my waterfall of tears, “Why can’t you just settle in one place!”
I cried and ran back to my room, Remembering my horrible past of moving, and resettling, then repeating. My family did this for multiple purposes, including my father getting frequent promotions, gruesome accidents in our/near neighborhoods, bad memories/feelings, etc. I decided to call my oldest friend, Scarlett. I logged onto my Macbook and went to the FaceTime application, barely able to see through my flood of tears.
“Ring! Ring! Ring!” went the laptop. Scarlett’s face materialized on the screen.
“Hi,” She said suddenly noticing my condition. “Oh my gosh! What happened?!” “You don’t know? We’re moving back to Osoko…,” I said confused.
“I’m not moving back to Osoko, Silly,” Scarlett said “You are,”
“Scarlett I need to talk to my mother quickly,” I said
“Okay Bye!” Scarlett said as I closed my laptop.
“Mom!” I screamed.
“What!” She yelled back. “I thought you were mad at me!”
“Why did you lie to me about Scarlett moving to Osoko?” I asked her.
“Sweetheart, I love you with all my heart and I needed to ease you pain the first way I thought of,” She said “I hope I didn’t make your argument worse,”
“You didn’t,” I said a little bit heartbroken “I love you Mom,” I said
“I love you too,” she said.
When I got back to my room I looked at my digital clock. 8:57 pm. Looked at my calendar. Sunday, August, 31. Oh no. First day of school tomorrow. Crud. I flew around my room collecting pencils, notebooks, paper clips, pens, markers, and my backpack.
“Uhhhhhhhh,” I moaned. After what seemed like forever I had gathered all of my school supplies, and a cute outfit. I threw on some pajamas and fell back into my messy bed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 2
“Ahhh,” I yawned. I looked at my clock: 6:43 am. Perfect. I ran to my bathroom to get to work on my personal hygiene and saw that I slept a little too soundly.
“Eeeeekkk!!” I screeched. My blond was so tangled and matted around my face
“Brush, Brush, Brush!” I said searching for my hairbrush “Found Ya!”
As I brushed my hair I found it was not as painful as I thought it would be. Until I reached the back of my head. It was like the bristles of my brush were spikes and my hair was being tortured by the brush of the devil. After what seemed like eternity, my hair was silky smooth as usual.
“Alright, time for the spotlight to land on my teeth,” I said awkwardly to myself in the mirror. I grabbed my electric toothbrush and turned it on.
“Zzzzzzzz” my toothbrush buzzed away as I swished it around my mouth, the minty flavor of my toothpaste spreading my mouth. I put my toothbrush down, feeling clean, and headed to my room to put on my cute outfit including: A gray sweater that said force, some gray leggins, white converse, and an adorable wolf-ear headband.
“Adorable!” I said in the mirror “I think I’ve earned a quick dance party,”
I rushed over to my mp3 player and selected Hair by Little Mix. I was on fire! I jumped and danced and played around in time to the music. Afterwards I sprinted to the kitchen to pick up a energy bar and sat on a bar stool and unwrapped the plastic.
“Honey do you need to ride to school?” Mom said.
“Sure. Thanks,” I replied.
A little later I hopped out of the car and onto the sidewalk. I ran into the school just as the bell rang. I sprinted to the office and received my schedule.
“Room 104,” I mumbled to myself. I walked along the endless hallways until I found room 104. I walked in and found a girl clearly impatient.
“I’m here to like, show you around,” The girl said. Suddenly I realized the girl was Evelyn, another old friend of mine.
“Where’s Scarlett and Emma Grace?” I said.
“Showing around a newbie” Evelyn replied. “I also wanted to tell you there’s a party next week, a masquerade ball!”
“Cool!” I responded. “Who pulled it together?”
“Scar, Anna, and yours truly,” Evelyn said “To cheer you up. Scarlett told us about your funk, and it sounded nasty,”
“You guys are the best!” I said giving Evelyn a big bear hug.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 3
(One Week Later)
“I am soooooooooo super excited for the party!” I said to Emma Grace, Scarlett and Evelyn. “Scarlett your room looks awesome1 Did you redo it?”
“Yeah. I went with a red theme,” Scarlett replied. As I applied some foundation,, an odd voice said: “You will die tonight. Stop in your tracks and the evil will have mercy,”
“Did you hear that?!” I screeched. I was seriously creeped out.
“Yes,” Evelyn, Emma Grace, and Scarlett responded in unison.
“Okay, Let’s not panic,” I said. “Scarlett it was probably your little brother trying to scare us,”
“Yeah,” Scarlett said, a little shaken.
As we worked away, mastering cat eye liner and the smoky eye, no more whispers came to haunt us. Emma Grace swished in her blue and green peacock-themed masquerade dress.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Emma Grace excitedly squealed over her swirling dress.
“Yes!” Evelyn screamed, Dancing in her soft yellow, firefly glow inspired evening gown.
“You all look wonderful,” I said thoughtfully. “I will never look as stunning as all of you,”
“I bet you’ll look even better,” Scarlett said swooping her dress in her arms to reach me more quickly. “Put on your dress. We don’t have much more time,”
I worked and slipped myself through all of the zippers and ties and fabric until the dress snugly fit me.
“You look… Like a million bucks!” Evelyn said. Her fox themed masquerade dress glistering in the light of Scarlett’s room.
“How are we going to get there?” I pointed out.
“Easy. My dad’s driving us… In a limo!” Scarlett shouted.
Cheers were exchanged and dresses were swirling around.
“Girls! We have to take a selfie!” Evelyn said as she gathered all of us together
“Smile!” Evelyn said as she held up the camera. “Perfect!”
“Let’s get going!” Scarlett said.
We trotted down the twisting stairs of Scarlett’s penthouse apartment and on to the illScarlett.
“Ho hum,” Scarlett annoying hummed as we descended down to the parking garage. Finally, we started to walk along the concrete to the long, slim, black vehicle. The inside of the limo was very modern. Slick black seats, small marble counters, two high-class miniature televisions. There were small shelves and a mini refrigerator filled with soft drinks and sparkling waters. The shelves were filled with glasses and dishes, and the small doors on the outside appeared to be glowing. I realized that the darkwood that framed the glass the inside had cleverly placed LED lights.
“Cool limo,” Evelyn said
“Yeah,” I said. “Really brings out the fact that you’re wealthy,”
“I agree completely.” Emma Grace replied.
“Shut up,” Scarlett said. “I am grateful to be wealthy but I try not to boast about it too terribly much,”
“Well stop driving limos to school,” I replied snarkily. Scarlett went silent after that. We’d been driving for a long time, “We may be late,” I thought. Finally after what seemed like a century, the car started to bump along cobblestones and a large mansion appeared in the distance.
“Here we are!” Scarlett said seeing as she booked the mansion using a little bit of money from her parents bank account.
“Let’s get our party on!” Emma Grace remarked as we pulled into the drive of the old mansion. As our shoes hit the cobblestones the car seemed to Scarlett Pirate. Scarlett’s father must of had a show he wanted to catch on television or something like that. All of us dismissed it as we walked to the house. Music started to course through our ears as we neared. As we started to ascend the stairs to the large oaken front doors a girl in a black raven themed dress opened the door and said “Welcome guests of honor,”
“Hello Raevyn,” Scarlett said unamused. “How ironic for you to dress as your name,”
“I know,” Raevyn said. “I’m a genius, now come on! The parties to die for,” Raevyn face spread in a wicked grin as she said that last line as well winking at Scarlett. We entered and some people were dancing their lives away while other gossiped away while enjoying the food.
“Well, I have to announce your here,” Scarlett said. “Also I have to make some opening remarks I guess,” Scarlett sneaked around to the top of stairs that led into the main party area.
“I guess we should enjoy the party,” I said. Suddenly I spotted Ryan Demartino, captain of the school’s football team. I didn’t have a crush on him, he was just easy to spot in a crowd.
“Excuse me,” Scarlett said “Test, Test, ahh here we go. Hello fellow students and peers. You are here to cheer up Vivian Rose Silvstedt, and because off her tragedy she has become sad and almost alone. Soon she won’t have to deal with any of it,” Scarlett grinned evilly as she started to rise in the air as well as a black and red vortex that appeared as she ascended. Gradually the vortex became larger and thinner as it started to wrap around others, then move farther in the terrified crowd of paralyzed teenagers.
“I know where your secrets hide, Vivian,” Scarlett said ominously. “I know why you’re moving to Osoko, and your little tricks to rid the world of evil. But you will never succeed. I am the embodiment of the evil that leads the revolution of the fire of gruesome destruction and rage. You will be trapped here to live out your days in a cold, meaningless dungeon, your souls forever trapped to haunt this house. Or, you can join me, and all of your kind will live peacefully,” Scarlett floated above me and offered her hand. “Come on, just say-”
“No!” I screamed, cutting her off. “I will not let you destroy the universe! I know your lying and… and if you're not I’ll rescue everyone my… my own way!”
“Fine. May you die a horrible, painful death, Vivian Rose,” Scarlett darkly quoted as all of her dematerialized in a red mist.
“Oh My Gosh!” a girl said. I noticed Evelyn
and Emma Grace scrambled elsewhere and the crowd was focused on me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter Four
A circle surrounded me as my wolf inspired dress started to unnaturally swirl around me. The fake jewels and gems on my gown glittered in the moonlight that serenely fell through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Help any-” I started to feel hazy as people screamed and pointed. Everything went mute as I started to feel warm and tingly, like I was wrapped up in soft cotton blanket. The feeling started to fade, I tried to hang on too it, but it slipped away. I groggily opened my eyes to see everyone staring. Something was different. I seemed… shorter, and hairier. What is that delectable smell? My instincts were sharper. Wait a second. I looked to the side I saw myself. A blank stare in my eyes.
“Ahhhhhhh!” I screeched.
“What the heck just happened?” Someone yelled.
“Why is there a psychopath wolf on the dancefloor?” Another called. Then, In a instant flash, the guests started to dematerialize and materialize again, only like animals. The only thing heard were chirps, squawks, barks, and meows.
“Not the right image I wanted to project, but it’ll have to work,” Scarlett appeared and started to walk towards me, putting hand under my chin and flicking it away. “But it’ll have to do. To bad it’s temporary,” I heard her mutter. She stalked into the crowd and started analyzing everyone else. Her back and red vortex reappeared, but smaller as it whisked her away.
“Temporary…” I thought to myself “Temporary!” the meaning of the word returned to my mind and I knew I would return to normal soon. After about five minutes the tingly feeling returned and slipped away like before. I looked down and, there it was. Glittering dress, sparkling jewelry, and hair, only growing out of my head. Other starting returning to normal as well, and all was well, physically. I had no idea about the crowds mental state.
“You!” Someone said pointing at me. “I demand you tell me what happened!”
“I don’t know!” I cried “But I do know something, let’s get the heck out of here!” We all started to sprint toward the large oaken doors as a silver wall descended from the ceiling. Too late. The silver wall was stubbornly placed and impenetrable, by human hand, which was our only choice.
“Alright people, clearly this psychopath ghost-human thing is trying to kill us all for no reason, and so we need to defend ourselves,” I heroically stated. “So let’s get down the business! And no, that was not a Mulan reference,” We worked away, and I realized I was friendless, because my best friend turned out to be a murderer, and my other friends were cowards and went to hide somewhere. I mindlessly rummaged around the food tables to gather water and some delectable delicacies.
“Um.. Excuse me… um… Vivian? A girl came up to me and said.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“Should we dismantle our costumes?”
“Yes, we can cover more of this mystery in the right attire,”
I started to cut away the multiple layers off my dress with some tiny scissors in the sewing kit I keep in my bag. A few minutes later I reached the shorts I had been wearing underneath. “Buzzzzz! Buzzzzz!” I looked into my bag to see my mom was calling me. Pressing accept the conversation got nasty.
“Vivian Rose were in heaven's name are you!” My mother screamed into phone.
“At death’s party,” I replied. “Told you I was going out tonight,”
“Death’s Party?!” Mom said. “Besides that you said you would be home by 10:00, sharp. It’s 10:02,”
“So,”
“So you need to come home young lady,” Mom said sternly.
“I can’t,”
“Why,”
“Because there's a huge silver wall blocking the entrance,”
“Just be home soon, okay?” Mom said. “And find a window or something, Also we need to talk when you get home, if you do. I love you, bye,”
I clicked off on my phone and continued working. The final result off my ensemble was a light grey/white sort off T-shirt, white shorts, and bare feet.
“Time for weapons,” I thought to myself. A girl in a tiger inspired ripped up dress waltzed over to me.
“Hi my name is Arianna and it looks like you need a second in command,” Arianna said.
“I could use some help,” I replied. “So… first order… help me work on weapons?”
“Okay I’m not a servant,” Arianna said playfully offended. “But okay,”
Arianna started to walk around to tell the others to start to finish up their outfits and to start to work on weapons. Meanwhile, I worked on mine. I started by laying out my materials to work with. Some fabric, shoes, wire, fake gems and jewels, thread, needles, etc. I decided to try and make a spear. But to do so I would need a strong, sturdy, stick. Suddenly in my peripheral vision I caught sight of a broom.
“Perfect!” I thought. Starting to part through the sea off people wasn’t easy as the words excuse me repeated out of my mouth. I needed to get to that broom. After what seem like traveling across the universe and back again, I was at my work station, with the broom.
“Now I need something to cut the wood,” I thought as I looked around. Deciding to search the banquet table, at first, all I found was loads of food and different flavors of punch in fancy glass bowls. About three minutes later a silver glint caught my eye and I chose to investigate. Knives! I could cut wood and defend myself! I ended up collecting all the utensils I could find (mostly forks and knives, a couple spoons). I raced back to my materials and started work on my spear.
“The knife would work better than the high heel, but it’s my only knife,” The decision favored the high heel. Sawing away, The thin tip off the tan heels glinted tied to the broom with some threads.
“Arianna!” I cried. “Come here! I found a way to make spears!”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 5
Arianna raced to me and coughed up her shoes.
“Teach me the way off the high heel spear,” Arianna playfully got down on her knees and fake begged.
“Alright unadvanced child,” I said playfully in a booming, low voice. “You may learn the way off the high heel spear,”
“But seriously, teach me how to make that,” Arianna said talking all business.
“Okay,” I said, all business as well.
We worked away ,breaking the broom into little pieces, as well as asking those who wanted spears to cough up some heels. After about an hour everyone was a large army. Scarlett invited the entirety of the tenth grade, so that was about one hundred and eight people tops.
“Alright!” I yelled in my loudest voice. “We are going to split up into groups off twenty-seven! Two people are going to lead in each group, chosen by voting within that group. So let’s start splitting up,”
The process of getting people organized was not easy, it was highly chaotic, but we did it. Arianna and I were last to hop into our group. Easily, Ari and I became leaders in our cluster of people. We started traveling the labyrinth of hallways and rooms.
“Arianna, do you have a preference witch way we go?”I asked her.
“No,” she replied.
“Oh, well right’s supposed to be right!”
“That’s not funny,”
“Fine,” I said rolling my eyes. “That really wasn't funny,”
We went right and found a large window. The idea came to my head, cut a circle with the knife, scale the distance, round everyone up, and escape.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I said to the clique of scared people.
“Blow it up!” One person said. Wait a second. That’s the voice of Emma Grace!
“I bet you found some dynamite and chose not tell us about it,” Evelyn said, standing next to Emma Grace. “You should re-elect the supremes off this division,”
“I disagree,” A small girl with a colorful, tattered, long shirt in the crowd said. “You two bullied me a lot this past week and lied about it too Vivan. Also, Vivan is a better, fairer leader, from what I’ve seen so far,”
“Who are you?” I ask the small girl.
“Lucinda,” The small girl replied.
“Nice to meet you,”I commented
“Uhh… It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance?”Lucinda nervously uttered.
“Anyway, I was going to suggest after I somewhat rudely interrupted,” I glared at Evelyn and Emma Grace. “We cut a hole in the glass with my knife, scale it, tell the others and get outta here,”
“Sounds good,” Arianna said. “Let’s get cutting,”
It wasn’t an easy job, we sawed away for what seemed like an eternity, but we did it. I kicked out the glass and looked out the window. It was at least a 12 ft drop. Nope.
“We’re not doing this,” I said to the group.
“I am,” Someone said. She bulldozed through people and sprinted to the window. After she jumped out, she was frozen in time, then became ash and floated away with the wind.
“Sammy!Why didn’t you listen to me and stay put! A boy cried. “I’m so sorry,” He said, turning my direction “Samantha had a screw loose, and she thought she could escape and save the day, but unfortunately, you saw what happened,”
Crack! Thunder echoed through out the hall and the lanterns on sides off hallways went dark.
“AHHHH EEEE!” A blood-curdling scream escaped an unidentified mouth. The lights flickered back on and the crying boy hung from the ceiling, blood dripping from his open mouth.
“Scarlett!” I screamed. “WHY ARE MURDERING INNOCENT PEOPLE?!”
“Stupid mortals, I kill because I need one hundred souls and bodies to make the shrine of the underworld, to take over, become queen and have hypnotized peasants do my bidding. Duh,” Scarlett said.
“You’re sick,”I said to the disembodied voice.
“Guys I found something!” those words echoed down the long hall.
Something caught my eye. Red mist. Uh oh. Crack! Silence. The darkness seemed to consume me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 6
Crack! The lights were back on. Bodies. Dead bodies. Everywhere.
“Arianna? Lucinda?” I muttered. The loneliness was unbearable.
“Vivian?” A quiet voice said.
“Lucinda!” I cried! “Oh dear Lord I thought you died with the rest of these innocent life forms,” I said finding her and wrapping her in a bear hug.
“Number One, Innocent life forms? And two why are you hugging me?” Lucinda said awkwardly.
“Number One, see those dead plants?” I said pointing up where the plant hung along with decaying bodies. “Number two every survivor is precious. So yeah it is awkward but…”
After a few more awkward moments Arianna walked in and ask what was going on.
“All of our group members died,” Lucinda replied.
“Okay… Well let’s look for another way out,” Arianna stated.
“I agree,” Lucinda and I said at the same time. “Jinx!”
We looked around as lanterns turned into candlesticks. As we walked I noticed a candlestick that stuck out of the wall a little more than it should.
“Hey guys,” I said as I slowed to be level with the candlestick.
“Pull it,” Arianna said.
“YOLO!” I screamed as I pulled down on the candlestick. Some of the stone bricks parted to reveal a passageway. Lucinda ran to yank a candleholder and a candle to light the way. The passage was dimly lit and eerie. As we walked, a red message scrawled on the wall made an alarmingly fast appearance.
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Chapter 7
Come and Play your three. Good thing I have another player for you.
The material used to write… was blood. A dead body hung with chains attached to it hands above the message.
“This is so-” I was cut off because the floor gave out underneath us and the topsy-turvy feeling like when you’re doing a flip came to our stomachs. Colorfully painted walls surrounded us like we were going down a rabbit hole, of doom. A creepy song repeated in high voice that kept playing: Come and play, Come and play, my beautifully complicated game.
“This place definitely puts the creep in creepy,” Arianna said sarcastically, attempting to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, Her attempt at dark humor failed. The colorful walls started to end and a pit of water awaited for us at the bottom. Splash! We entered the water but when we climbed out, we were dry. A massive game board awaited as Scarlett appeared in a red mist.
“Hello my pons,” Scarlett said with a creepy welcoming bow.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Arianna fiercely growled.
“Welcome to the final battle, that determines if your first, last or dead,” Scarlett replied. “Here are the rules: Rule one: Four player to each team. Rule two: You must move around the board to get back to your base, and at least one player has get back to their base, and losers die. Rule Three, You know what?I’m done just look at this scroll,” She tossed a scroll over to us.
“Where’s our fourth player?” I called after her as she walked away.
“Their coming!” She called over her back. I watched her jump into the air and raise her hands. She hovered over the game board and started creating cities and farms and holographic citizens.
“Ahhhhhhhh!” Other screams. Others were coming. Splash! People from one of the other groups had landed in the mysterious water.
“Lilith! Why did you make us go through that tunnel!” A female voice angrily called.
“I’m sorry I’m curious Kelsey,” The girl I’m assuming called Lilith sensitively cried. “BREAK IT UP!” A male voice shouted. “We’re not getting out of this any faster by arguing and crying,”
“Jay, just stop trying to get involved,” The girl named Kelsey said.
“Well at least I care about Lilith’s feelings,” Jay muttered back “Let’s just get out of this pit of water,”
They climbed out of the stone basin and immediately made eye-contact with us.
“Hello?” Kelsey said. Another boy was there who clearly didn’t take part in the argument.
“Did I hit my head because I see a massive game board and that weird, creepy, chic?”The boy said.
“Nope. I see it too,” Kelsey said. “Also who are you?” She said pointing a knife at me.
“Kelsey! It’s me! Vivian? That other chic that made everyone split up? I remember that in seventh grade when you puked in the bathroom and begged me not to tell?” My voice ended in a high note, making me more suspicious than I would like. I slapped my hands over my mouth because she told everyone what happened in seventh grade.
“Vivian? Okay guys this one isn’t a creepy ghost,” She said pointing at me. “These other two… Look suspicious to me,” Kelsey said poking and prodding Arianna and Lucinda.
“We have something to tell you Vi-” Lucinda said.
“Oh get on with it! Just tell her my minions possessed their bodies already!” Scarlett interrupted.
“Holy crap really?”I screamed.
“Yeah really,” The Arianna imposter said. “The real Lucinda and Arianna will know what’s going on and everything they’ve said and will believe that it was them doing everything, blah blah, happy ending, friendship or whatever,”
“Okay I’m so getting out of this wimpy body,” The fake Lucinda said.
Whoooosh. Scarlett’s minion flew up to join her and stretched out. The other minion flew out of Arianna's body and joined the other two demons.
“Now let’s play!” Scarlett said. “Oh wait! I need my players!”
Scarlett spread her arms out and created holographic people to be her pons.
“Basically, You have to get around the board without being killed.
One person will control the pons through earpieces/manipulation on each team. And since their are only two teams, Vivian and I will control, while everyone else plays. If you run into someone, you try to kill them. Only four players are allowed at a time on the board. Now let’s play,”Scarlett explained. Shooo. A buzzing sensation filled my body as I was teleported to a viewing/control box the sat promptly above my base. My “team” walked in and sat down.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on the gameboard?” I said, kind of confused.
“Yeah… The creepy chic said we should talk gameplan,” The boy said.
“Okay… Here’s what we do,” I muttered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 8
I discovered that the little squares light up when someone stands on one. Each team had different color. Scarlet’s was red, obviously. Ours was blue.
“Jay, or pon three, to square 1, diagonal,” I said into the small microphone. My voice echoed through the large, underground room. I watched as Jay took a big step and hopped onto the square I commanded him to take his place on. Scarlett’s turn.
“Minion 1, or pon 2, to square 2, diagonal,” Scarlet commanded. My turn.
“Pon 3 to square 2, diagonal,” I shouted. “Battle!” Scarlett and I howled through the speakers. Jay swung a punch at the minion, and he must have been a black-belt in karate or something because after the minion threw a punch, Jay grabbed his fist and flipped him on to his back.
“Pon 3 wins the first battle,” Scarlett reluctantly said. Battles were won and lost, soldiers lost and died, but after fifty battles almost all won by me, She gave in. Clearly, she chose the wrong battle.
“You win. But only this time. I will kill you Vivian Rose,” Scarlett said. “But I won’t let you escape. Everything is now unlocked, but the silver wall is still their. Therefore, you have to find an exit,”
Shooo. We landed in the hallway that lead us here and I told Kelsey and Jay:
“I feel bad. Like I ruined the ways of life and all of that stuff,”
“I understand,” Kelsey said. “I feel the same way that others didn’t make it out,”
“Let’s just get looking for a way out,” Jay muttered. We started to look around, and the ominous feeling that haunted the passageways and halls. What if nobody believes us? Is this a dream? Am I going to die here? These were the thoughts that repeated consistently in my head. We made our way back to the grand foyer and broke one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Peeking out of broken hole in the glass, the drop wasn’t life threatening, but steep.
“We can make this drop,” I turned and said.
“You first,” Kelsey said gesturing towards the broken window.
“See you on the other side,” I called back. “Ahhhh!” Slightly screaming as I jumped into the dawning day. Celeste’s skyline shimmered in the light of the rising sun.
“Hhh Mmpphh!” I grunted as I disembarked on the hard, grassless, ground. “Come on down,” I called up
“Weeeee!” Kelsey’s ripped costume floated around as she fell.“That was fun!” She said as hit the uncared-for lawn.
“Jay!” Kelsey called up. “Get down here you big chicken!”
Jay unnaturally stepped out of the broken glass and landed, barely squatting at the impact.
“Well. Let’s start walking,” I said, looking at the city skyline.
END OF BOOK ONE
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I started to have dreams. Dreams about caves, underneath my home town. These caves were home to things I could never imagine, rulers of nightmares, and terrorists of dreams. I was relieved that we moved away from my old home, and that the big city of Celeste was safe from whatever caves lie beneath Osoko. Then one day, Mom came into my room, and told me to come out into the kitchen, because her and dad had some news.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter One
“We’re moving back to Osoko!” Mom said, highly enthusiastic about my doom.
“Why? I thought you were happy here!” I said.
“Well, Vivian I think change is good for you, you keep talking to Scarlett I think you need to get out more,,” Mom said, “I mean, This city’s a joy to be in, but you need to get back to Osoko, Celeste has taken a toll on you, and Scarlett… You need to get back to Osoko,”
“No Mom! No way am I going back to Osoko! You were just saying you love it here!” I yelled “I am not going back there! I love Celeste, and I know you do too,”
Mom, being Mom, interrupted my temper-tantrum said “Scarlett's parents have also agreed to move back to Osoko, seeing as she too is from Osoko,” Flustered she took a large breath and exited going to the master bedroom in our apartment.
“You too should have some time apart,” Dad murmured as he quietly exited the kitchen.
I ran to the master bedroom and said “You never understand anyone’s emotions!” I screamed from my waterfall of tears, “Why can’t you just settle in one place!”
I cried and ran back to my room, Remembering my horrible past of moving, and resettling, then repeating. My family did this for multiple purposes, including my father getting frequent promotions, gruesome accidents in our/near neighborhoods, bad memories/feelings, etc. I decided to call my oldest friend, Scarlett. I logged onto my Macbook and went to the FaceTime application, barely able to see through my flood of tears.
“Ring! Ring! Ring!” went the laptop. Scarlett’s face materialized on the screen.
“Hi,” She said suddenly noticing my condition. “Oh my gosh! What happened?!” “You don’t know? We’re moving back to Osoko…,” I said confused.
“I’m not moving back to Osoko, Silly,” Scarlett said “You are,”
“Scarlett I need to talk to my mother quickly,” I said
“Okay Bye!” Scarlett said as I closed my laptop.
“Mom!” I screamed.
“What!” She yelled back. “I thought you were mad at me!”
“Why did you lie to me about Scarlett moving to Osoko?” I asked her.
“Sweetheart, I love you with all my heart and I needed to ease you pain the first way I thought of,” She said “I hope I didn’t make your argument worse,”
“You didn’t,” I said a little bit heartbroken “I love you Mom,” I said
“I love you too,” she said.
When I got back to my room I looked at my digital clock. 8:57 pm. Looked at my calendar. Sunday, August, 31. Oh no. First day of school tomorrow. Crud. I flew around my room collecting pencils, notebooks, paper clips, pens, markers, and my backpack.
“Uhhhhhhhh,” I moaned. After what seemed like forever I had gathered all of my school supplies, and a cute outfit. I threw on some pajamas and fell back into my messy bed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 2
“Ahhh,” I yawned. I looked at my clock: 6:43 am. Perfect. I ran to my bathroom to get to work on my personal hygiene and saw that I slept a little too soundly.
“Eeeeekkk!!” I screeched. My blond was so tangled and matted around my face
“Brush, Brush, Brush!” I said searching for my hairbrush “Found Ya!”
As I brushed my hair I found it was not as painful as I thought it would be. Until I reached the back of my head. It was like the bristles of my brush were spikes and my hair was being tortured by the brush of the devil. After what seemed like eternity, my hair was silky smooth as usual.
“Alright, time for the spotlight to land on my teeth,” I said awkwardly to myself in the mirror. I grabbed my electric toothbrush and turned it on.
“Zzzzzzzz” my toothbrush buzzed away as I swished it around my mouth, the minty flavor of my toothpaste spreading my mouth. I put my toothbrush down, feeling clean, and headed to my room to put on my cute outfit including: A gray sweater that said force, some gray leggins, white converse, and an adorable wolf-ear headband.
“Adorable!” I said in the mirror “I think I’ve earned a quick dance party,”
I rushed over to my mp3 player and selected Hair by Little Mix. I was on fire! I jumped and danced and played around in time to the music. Afterwards I sprinted to the kitchen to pick up a energy bar and sat on a bar stool and unwrapped the plastic.
“Honey do you need to ride to school?” Mom said.
“Sure. Thanks,” I replied.
A little later I hopped out of the car and onto the sidewalk. I ran into the school just as the bell rang. I sprinted to the office and received my schedule.
“Room 104,” I mumbled to myself. I walked along the endless hallways until I found room 104. I walked in and found a girl clearly impatient.
“I’m here to like, show you around,” The girl said. Suddenly I realized the girl was Evelyn, another old friend of mine.
“Where’s Scarlett and Emma Grace?” I said.
“Showing around a newbie” Evelyn replied. “I also wanted to tell you there’s a party next week, a masquerade ball!”
“Cool!” I responded. “Who pulled it together?”
“Scar, Anna, and yours truly,” Evelyn said “To cheer you up. Scarlett told us about your funk, and it sounded nasty,”
“You guys are the best!” I said giving Evelyn a big bear hug.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 3
(One Week Later)
“I am soooooooooo super excited for the party!” I said to Emma Grace, Scarlett and Evelyn. “Scarlett your room looks awesome1 Did you redo it?”
“Yeah. I went with a red theme,” Scarlett replied. As I applied some foundation,, an odd voice said: “You will die tonight. Stop in your tracks and the evil will have mercy,”
“Did you hear that?!” I screeched. I was seriously creeped out.
“Yes,” Evelyn, Emma Grace, and Scarlett responded in unison.
“Okay, Let’s not panic,” I said. “Scarlett it was probably your little brother trying to scare us,”
“Yeah,” Scarlett said, a little shaken.
As we worked away, mastering cat eye liner and the smoky eye, no more whispers came to haunt us. Emma Grace swished in her blue and green peacock-themed masquerade dress.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Emma Grace excitedly squealed over her swirling dress.
“Yes!” Evelyn screamed, Dancing in her soft yellow, firefly glow inspired evening gown.
“You all look wonderful,” I said thoughtfully. “I will never look as stunning as all of you,”
“I bet you’ll look even better,” Scarlett said swooping her dress in her arms to reach me more quickly. “Put on your dress. We don’t have much more time,”
I worked and slipped myself through all of the zippers and ties and fabric until the dress snugly fit me.
“You look… Like a million bucks!” Evelyn said. Her fox themed masquerade dress glistering in the light of Scarlett’s room.
“How are we going to get there?” I pointed out.
“Easy. My dad’s driving us… In a limo!” Scarlett shouted.
Cheers were exchanged and dresses were swirling around.
“Girls! We have to take a selfie!” Evelyn said as she gathered all of us together
“Smile!” Evelyn said as she held up the camera. “Perfect!”
“Let’s get going!” Scarlett said.
We trotted down the twisting stairs of Scarlett’s penthouse apartment and on to the illScarlett.
“Ho hum,” Scarlett annoying hummed as we descended down to the parking garage. Finally, we started to walk along the concrete to the long, slim, black vehicle. The inside of the limo was very modern. Slick black seats, small marble counters, two high-class miniature televisions. There were small shelves and a mini refrigerator filled with soft drinks and sparkling waters. The shelves were filled with glasses and dishes, and the small doors on the outside appeared to be glowing. I realized that the darkwood that framed the glass the inside had cleverly placed LED lights.
“Cool limo,” Evelyn said
“Yeah,” I said. “Really brings out the fact that you’re wealthy,”
“I agree completely.” Emma Grace replied.
“Shut up,” Scarlett said. “I am grateful to be wealthy but I try not to boast about it too terribly much,”
“Well stop driving limos to school,” I replied snarkily. Scarlett went silent after that. We’d been driving for a long time, “We may be late,” I thought. Finally after what seemed like a century, the car started to bump along cobblestones and a large mansion appeared in the distance.
“Here we are!” Scarlett said seeing as she booked the mansion using a little bit of money from her parents bank account.
“Let’s get our party on!” Emma Grace remarked as we pulled into the drive of the old mansion. As our shoes hit the cobblestones the car seemed to Scarlett Pirate. Scarlett’s father must of had a show he wanted to catch on television or something like that. All of us dismissed it as we walked to the house. Music started to course through our ears as we neared. As we started to ascend the stairs to the large oaken front doors a girl in a black raven themed dress opened the door and said “Welcome guests of honor,”
“Hello Raevyn,” Scarlett said unamused. “How ironic for you to dress as your name,”
“I know,” Raevyn said. “I’m a genius, now come on! The parties to die for,” Raevyn face spread in a wicked grin as she said that last line as well winking at Scarlett. We entered and some people were dancing their lives away while other gossiped away while enjoying the food.
“Well, I have to announce your here,” Scarlett said. “Also I have to make some opening remarks I guess,” Scarlett sneaked around to the top of stairs that led into the main party area.
“I guess we should enjoy the party,” I said. Suddenly I spotted Ryan Demartino, captain of the school’s football team. I didn’t have a crush on him, he was just easy to spot in a crowd.
“Excuse me,” Scarlett said “Test, Test, ahh here we go. Hello fellow students and peers. You are here to cheer up Vivian Rose Silvstedt, and because off her tragedy she has become sad and almost alone. Soon she won’t have to deal with any of it,” Scarlett grinned evilly as she started to rise in the air as well as a black and red vortex that appeared as she ascended. Gradually the vortex became larger and thinner as it started to wrap around others, then move farther in the terrified crowd of paralyzed teenagers.
“I know where your secrets hide, Vivian,” Scarlett said ominously. “I know why you’re moving to Osoko, and your little tricks to rid the world of evil. But you will never succeed. I am the embodiment of the evil that leads the revolution of the fire of gruesome destruction and rage. You will be trapped here to live out your days in a cold, meaningless dungeon, your souls forever trapped to haunt this house. Or, you can join me, and all of your kind will live peacefully,” Scarlett floated above me and offered her hand. “Come on, just say-”
“No!” I screamed, cutting her off. “I will not let you destroy the universe! I know your lying and… and if you're not I’ll rescue everyone my… my own way!”
“Fine. May you die a horrible, painful death, Vivian Rose,” Scarlett darkly quoted as all of her dematerialized in a red mist.
“Oh My Gosh!” a girl said. I noticed Evelyn
and Emma Grace scrambled elsewhere and the crowd was focused on me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter Four
A circle surrounded me as my wolf inspired dress started to unnaturally swirl around me. The fake jewels and gems on my gown glittered in the moonlight that serenely fell through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Help any-” I started to feel hazy as people screamed and pointed. Everything went mute as I started to feel warm and tingly, like I was wrapped up in soft cotton blanket. The feeling started to fade, I tried to hang on too it, but it slipped away. I groggily opened my eyes to see everyone staring. Something was different. I seemed… shorter, and hairier. What is that delectable smell? My instincts were sharper. Wait a second. I looked to the side I saw myself. A blank stare in my eyes.
“Ahhhhhhh!” I screeched.
“What the heck just happened?” Someone yelled.
“Why is there a psychopath wolf on the dancefloor?” Another called. Then, In a instant flash, the guests started to dematerialize and materialize again, only like animals. The only thing heard were chirps, squawks, barks, and meows.
“Not the right image I wanted to project, but it’ll have to work,” Scarlett appeared and started to walk towards me, putting hand under my chin and flicking it away. “But it’ll have to do. To bad it’s temporary,” I heard her mutter. She stalked into the crowd and started analyzing everyone else. Her back and red vortex reappeared, but smaller as it whisked her away.
“Temporary…” I thought to myself “Temporary!” the meaning of the word returned to my mind and I knew I would return to normal soon. After about five minutes the tingly feeling returned and slipped away like before. I looked down and, there it was. Glittering dress, sparkling jewelry, and hair, only growing out of my head. Other starting returning to normal as well, and all was well, physically. I had no idea about the crowds mental state.
“You!” Someone said pointing at me. “I demand you tell me what happened!”
“I don’t know!” I cried “But I do know something, let’s get the heck out of here!” We all started to sprint toward the large oaken doors as a silver wall descended from the ceiling. Too late. The silver wall was stubbornly placed and impenetrable, by human hand, which was our only choice.
“Alright people, clearly this psychopath ghost-human thing is trying to kill us all for no reason, and so we need to defend ourselves,” I heroically stated. “So let’s get down the business! And no, that was not a Mulan reference,” We worked away, and I realized I was friendless, because my best friend turned out to be a murderer, and my other friends were cowards and went to hide somewhere. I mindlessly rummaged around the food tables to gather water and some delectable delicacies.
“Um.. Excuse me… um… Vivian? A girl came up to me and said.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“Should we dismantle our costumes?”
“Yes, we can cover more of this mystery in the right attire,”
I started to cut away the multiple layers off my dress with some tiny scissors in the sewing kit I keep in my bag. A few minutes later I reached the shorts I had been wearing underneath. “Buzzzzz! Buzzzzz!” I looked into my bag to see my mom was calling me. Pressing accept the conversation got nasty.
“Vivian Rose were in heaven's name are you!” My mother screamed into phone.
“At death’s party,” I replied. “Told you I was going out tonight,”
“Death’s Party?!” Mom said. “Besides that you said you would be home by 10:00, sharp. It’s 10:02,”
“So,”
“So you need to come home young lady,” Mom said sternly.
“I can’t,”
“Why,”
“Because there's a huge silver wall blocking the entrance,”
“Just be home soon, okay?” Mom said. “And find a window or something, Also we need to talk when you get home, if you do. I love you, bye,”
I clicked off on my phone and continued working. The final result off my ensemble was a light grey/white sort off T-shirt, white shorts, and bare feet.
“Time for weapons,” I thought to myself. A girl in a tiger inspired ripped up dress waltzed over to me.
“Hi my name is Arianna and it looks like you need a second in command,” Arianna said.
“I could use some help,” I replied. “So… first order… help me work on weapons?”
“Okay I’m not a servant,” Arianna said playfully offended. “But okay,”
Arianna started to walk around to tell the others to start to finish up their outfits and to start to work on weapons. Meanwhile, I worked on mine. I started by laying out my materials to work with. Some fabric, shoes, wire, fake gems and jewels, thread, needles, etc. I decided to try and make a spear. But to do so I would need a strong, sturdy, stick. Suddenly in my peripheral vision I caught sight of a broom.
“Perfect!” I thought. Starting to part through the sea off people wasn’t easy as the words excuse me repeated out of my mouth. I needed to get to that broom. After what seem like traveling across the universe and back again, I was at my work station, with the broom.
“Now I need something to cut the wood,” I thought as I looked around. Deciding to search the banquet table, at first, all I found was loads of food and different flavors of punch in fancy glass bowls. About three minutes later a silver glint caught my eye and I chose to investigate. Knives! I could cut wood and defend myself! I ended up collecting all the utensils I could find (mostly forks and knives, a couple spoons). I raced back to my materials and started work on my spear.
“The knife would work better than the high heel, but it’s my only knife,” The decision favored the high heel. Sawing away, The thin tip off the tan heels glinted tied to the broom with some threads.
“Arianna!” I cried. “Come here! I found a way to make spears!”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 5
Arianna raced to me and coughed up her shoes.
“Teach me the way off the high heel spear,” Arianna playfully got down on her knees and fake begged.
“Alright unadvanced child,” I said playfully in a booming, low voice. “You may learn the way off the high heel spear,”
“But seriously, teach me how to make that,” Arianna said talking all business.
“Okay,” I said, all business as well.
We worked away ,breaking the broom into little pieces, as well as asking those who wanted spears to cough up some heels. After about an hour everyone was a large army. Scarlett invited the entirety of the tenth grade, so that was about one hundred and eight people tops.
“Alright!” I yelled in my loudest voice. “We are going to split up into groups off twenty-seven! Two people are going to lead in each group, chosen by voting within that group. So let’s start splitting up,”
The process of getting people organized was not easy, it was highly chaotic, but we did it. Arianna and I were last to hop into our group. Easily, Ari and I became leaders in our cluster of people. We started traveling the labyrinth of hallways and rooms.
“Arianna, do you have a preference witch way we go?”I asked her.
“No,” she replied.
“Oh, well right’s supposed to be right!”
“That’s not funny,”
“Fine,” I said rolling my eyes. “That really wasn't funny,”
We went right and found a large window. The idea came to my head, cut a circle with the knife, scale the distance, round everyone up, and escape.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I said to the clique of scared people.
“Blow it up!” One person said. Wait a second. That’s the voice of Emma Grace!
“I bet you found some dynamite and chose not tell us about it,” Evelyn said, standing next to Emma Grace. “You should re-elect the supremes off this division,”
“I disagree,” A small girl with a colorful, tattered, long shirt in the crowd said. “You two bullied me a lot this past week and lied about it too Vivan. Also, Vivan is a better, fairer leader, from what I’ve seen so far,”
“Who are you?” I ask the small girl.
“Lucinda,” The small girl replied.
“Nice to meet you,”I commented
“Uhh… It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance?”Lucinda nervously uttered.
“Anyway, I was going to suggest after I somewhat rudely interrupted,” I glared at Evelyn and Emma Grace. “We cut a hole in the glass with my knife, scale it, tell the others and get outta here,”
“Sounds good,” Arianna said. “Let’s get cutting,”
It wasn’t an easy job, we sawed away for what seemed like an eternity, but we did it. I kicked out the glass and looked out the window. It was at least a 12 ft drop. Nope.
“We’re not doing this,” I said to the group.
“I am,” Someone said. She bulldozed through people and sprinted to the window. After she jumped out, she was frozen in time, then became ash and floated away with the wind.
“Sammy!Why didn’t you listen to me and stay put! A boy cried. “I’m so sorry,” He said, turning my direction “Samantha had a screw loose, and she thought she could escape and save the day, but unfortunately, you saw what happened,”
Crack! Thunder echoed through out the hall and the lanterns on sides off hallways went dark.
“AHHHH EEEE!” A blood-curdling scream escaped an unidentified mouth. The lights flickered back on and the crying boy hung from the ceiling, blood dripping from his open mouth.
“Scarlett!” I screamed. “WHY ARE MURDERING INNOCENT PEOPLE?!”
“Stupid mortals, I kill because I need one hundred souls and bodies to make the shrine of the underworld, to take over, become queen and have hypnotized peasants do my bidding. Duh,” Scarlett said.
“You’re sick,”I said to the disembodied voice.
“Guys I found something!” those words echoed down the long hall.
Something caught my eye. Red mist. Uh oh. Crack! Silence. The darkness seemed to consume me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 6
Crack! The lights were back on. Bodies. Dead bodies. Everywhere.
“Arianna? Lucinda?” I muttered. The loneliness was unbearable.
“Vivian?” A quiet voice said.
“Lucinda!” I cried! “Oh dear Lord I thought you died with the rest of these innocent life forms,” I said finding her and wrapping her in a bear hug.
“Number One, Innocent life forms? And two why are you hugging me?” Lucinda said awkwardly.
“Number One, see those dead plants?” I said pointing up where the plant hung along with decaying bodies. “Number two every survivor is precious. So yeah it is awkward but…”
After a few more awkward moments Arianna walked in and ask what was going on.
“All of our group members died,” Lucinda replied.
“Okay… Well let’s look for another way out,” Arianna stated.
“I agree,” Lucinda and I said at the same time. “Jinx!”
We looked around as lanterns turned into candlesticks. As we walked I noticed a candlestick that stuck out of the wall a little more than it should.
“Hey guys,” I said as I slowed to be level with the candlestick.
“Pull it,” Arianna said.
“YOLO!” I screamed as I pulled down on the candlestick. Some of the stone bricks parted to reveal a passageway. Lucinda ran to yank a candleholder and a candle to light the way. The passage was dimly lit and eerie. As we walked, a red message scrawled on the wall made an alarmingly fast appearance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 7
Come and Play your three. Good thing I have another player for you.
The material used to write… was blood. A dead body hung with chains attached to it hands above the message.
“This is so-” I was cut off because the floor gave out underneath us and the topsy-turvy feeling like when you’re doing a flip came to our stomachs. Colorfully painted walls surrounded us like we were going down a rabbit hole, of doom. A creepy song repeated in high voice that kept playing: Come and play, Come and play, my beautifully complicated game.
“This place definitely puts the creep in creepy,” Arianna said sarcastically, attempting to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, Her attempt at dark humor failed. The colorful walls started to end and a pit of water awaited for us at the bottom. Splash! We entered the water but when we climbed out, we were dry. A massive game board awaited as Scarlett appeared in a red mist.
“Hello my pons,” Scarlett said with a creepy welcoming bow.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Arianna fiercely growled.
“Welcome to the final battle, that determines if your first, last or dead,” Scarlett replied. “Here are the rules: Rule one: Four player to each team. Rule two: You must move around the board to get back to your base, and at least one player has get back to their base, and losers die. Rule Three, You know what?I’m done just look at this scroll,” She tossed a scroll over to us.
“Where’s our fourth player?” I called after her as she walked away.
“Their coming!” She called over her back. I watched her jump into the air and raise her hands. She hovered over the game board and started creating cities and farms and holographic citizens.
“Ahhhhhhhh!” Other screams. Others were coming. Splash! People from one of the other groups had landed in the mysterious water.
“Lilith! Why did you make us go through that tunnel!” A female voice angrily called.
“I’m sorry I’m curious Kelsey,” The girl I’m assuming called Lilith sensitively cried. “BREAK IT UP!” A male voice shouted. “We’re not getting out of this any faster by arguing and crying,”
“Jay, just stop trying to get involved,” The girl named Kelsey said.
“Well at least I care about Lilith’s feelings,” Jay muttered back “Let’s just get out of this pit of water,”
They climbed out of the stone basin and immediately made eye-contact with us.
“Hello?” Kelsey said. Another boy was there who clearly didn’t take part in the argument.
“Did I hit my head because I see a massive game board and that weird, creepy, chic?”The boy said.
“Nope. I see it too,” Kelsey said. “Also who are you?” She said pointing a knife at me.
“Kelsey! It’s me! Vivian? That other chic that made everyone split up? I remember that in seventh grade when you puked in the bathroom and begged me not to tell?” My voice ended in a high note, making me more suspicious than I would like. I slapped my hands over my mouth because she told everyone what happened in seventh grade.
“Vivian? Okay guys this one isn’t a creepy ghost,” She said pointing at me. “These other two… Look suspicious to me,” Kelsey said poking and prodding Arianna and Lucinda.
“We have something to tell you Vi-” Lucinda said.
“Oh get on with it! Just tell her my minions possessed their bodies already!” Scarlett interrupted.
“Holy crap really?”I screamed.
“Yeah really,” The Arianna imposter said. “The real Lucinda and Arianna will know what’s going on and everything they’ve said and will believe that it was them doing everything, blah blah, happy ending, friendship or whatever,”
“Okay I’m so getting out of this wimpy body,” The fake Lucinda said.
Whoooosh. Scarlett’s minion flew up to join her and stretched out. The other minion flew out of Arianna's body and joined the other two demons.
“Now let’s play!” Scarlett said. “Oh wait! I need my players!”
Scarlett spread her arms out and created holographic people to be her pons.
“Basically, You have to get around the board without being killed.
One person will control the pons through earpieces/manipulation on each team. And since their are only two teams, Vivian and I will control, while everyone else plays. If you run into someone, you try to kill them. Only four players are allowed at a time on the board. Now let’s play,”Scarlett explained. Shooo. A buzzing sensation filled my body as I was teleported to a viewing/control box the sat promptly above my base. My “team” walked in and sat down.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on the gameboard?” I said, kind of confused.
“Yeah… The creepy chic said we should talk gameplan,” The boy said.
“Okay… Here’s what we do,” I muttered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 8
I discovered that the little squares light up when someone stands on one. Each team had different color. Scarlet’s was red, obviously. Ours was blue.
“Jay, or pon three, to square 1, diagonal,” I said into the small microphone. My voice echoed through the large, underground room. I watched as Jay took a big step and hopped onto the square I commanded him to take his place on. Scarlett’s turn.
“Minion 1, or pon 2, to square 2, diagonal,” Scarlet commanded. My turn.
“Pon 3 to square 2, diagonal,” I shouted. “Battle!” Scarlett and I howled through the speakers. Jay swung a punch at the minion, and he must have been a black-belt in karate or something because after the minion threw a punch, Jay grabbed his fist and flipped him on to his back.
“Pon 3 wins the first battle,” Scarlett reluctantly said. Battles were won and lost, soldiers lost and died, but after fifty battles almost all won by me, She gave in. Clearly, she chose the wrong battle.
“You win. But only this time. I will kill you Vivian Rose,” Scarlett said. “But I won’t let you escape. Everything is now unlocked, but the silver wall is still their. Therefore, you have to find an exit,”
Shooo. We landed in the hallway that lead us here and I told Kelsey and Jay:
“I feel bad. Like I ruined the ways of life and all of that stuff,”
“I understand,” Kelsey said. “I feel the same way that others didn’t make it out,”
“Let’s just get looking for a way out,” Jay muttered. We started to look around, and the ominous feeling that haunted the passageways and halls. What if nobody believes us? Is this a dream? Am I going to die here? These were the thoughts that repeated consistently in my head. We made our way back to the grand foyer and broke one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Peeking out of broken hole in the glass, the drop wasn’t life threatening, but steep.
“We can make this drop,” I turned and said.
“You first,” Kelsey said gesturing towards the broken window.
“See you on the other side,” I called back. “Ahhhh!” Slightly screaming as I jumped into the dawning day. Celeste’s skyline shimmered in the light of the rising sun.
“Hhh Mmpphh!” I grunted as I disembarked on the hard, grassless, ground. “Come on down,” I called up
“Weeeee!” Kelsey’s ripped costume floated around as she fell.“That was fun!” She said as hit the uncared-for lawn.
“Jay!” Kelsey called up. “Get down here you big chicken!”
Jay unnaturally stepped out of the broken glass and landed, barely squatting at the impact.
“Well. Let’s start walking,” I said, looking at the city skyline.
END OF BOOK ONE
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