Afteernoon sunlight and a ceiling fan. Those were the first two things I noticed when I opened my eyes. I lay there blinking, watching the blades spin lazily, until I couldn't tell how long I had been staring at them. I realized I was laying on the floor and sat up in order to get a better bearing on my surroundings. My back met against a bed frame so I assumed I was in a bedroom. Was it mine? The only other objects in the room were a desk, a chair, and a guitar in the corner. I stood up on stiff, aching legs and rubbed my forehead in confusion. I had no idea where I was or even my name, but strangely enough I was more confused than worried. However, I did begin to worry a little when I glanced down and saw that I was wearing nothing but a white bra and panties. I felt my cheeks grow hot.

"This is beyond weird." I mumbled to myself, my voice sounding strangely loud in the large room.

My legs felt like they were about to buckle so I sat down on the bed which was when my hand found the white envelope that was sitting there. I picked it up eagerly only to find that the front was blank. No address, no name...nothing. I was about to throw it to the side when I realized that there might be something inside.

My hands shook as I opened the flap and pulled out a single sheet of typed paper. I closed my eyes briefly, took a breath, and read it

Hey you, it read, I bet you're wondering where you are, who you are, and why you are you're here.

"No duh." I mumbled.

First of all, welcome to Peach Creek, a friendly cul-de-sac filled with neighborhood kids. Right now you should be in the bedroom of your vey own house. That's right, your house. No parents, siblings, or relatives. Don't feel too lonely though. This neighborhood is filled with kids your age so you shouldn't get bored. As for who you are, I'll leave that to you. This neighborhood is filled with all different kinds of kids so don't be afraid to hang with all of them and see where you fit in best.

I stopped reading for a moment and rubbed myforehead. This was beyond weird. I felt like part of some crazy social experiment. I sat down on the bed to finissh reading.

I also bet that you're wondering who I am... you don't need to know. You also won't need to commuunicate with me, nor will I be present. All of your needs will be met accordingly and since life is pretty simple in Peach Creek, you shouldn't need much. There is however one small thing that I require from you. On the desk there is a small book in which I would like you to keep a diary of your interactions. Well, I supposee that's all you need to know for the moment. Have fun and good luck! ~ The Author. Btw- your name is Jaclyn.

I stared at the letter stupidly for a few minutes as my mind struggled to understand what I just read. The whole idea was just too crazy to comprehend. And yet, I still didn't feel the least bit afraid or terrified. Just nervous at the thought of meeeting a bunch of kids and trying to make friends. I sighed and ran a hand over my face, only to knock off a pair of glasses I didn't realize I had been wearing. I bent down to pick them up when I noticed a dark blue backpack laying half under the bed with another envelope attached to the front. Feeling slightly dizzy I opened it and pulled out another typed letter.

Hey Jaclyn! I went ahead and packed some supplies for you for school just in case you woke up late. I also figured that after you woke up you mightt want to just take te rest of the day and adjust to your situation so you'll start school tomorrow. In the front pocket you should find your class schedule, some lunch money, and your locker combination as well as its location. Have fun ~ The Author.

Almost as if on que I heard the rumble of a loud engine and went to the window too see a large yellow school bus unload a group of kids. I felt my skin grow hot as I watched them talk to each other in small groups for a while before dispersing into separate houses. One girl wearing a cheerleading uniform went into the house next door to mine.

"Why the heck am I so nervous?" I mumbled rubbing my temple. "Maybe a short walk will calm my nerves."

I started blushing again when I realized that I was still unclothed and looked around wildly for something to wear. My eyes fell on to two large doors and I rushed to them, praying that they were the doors of a closet and not to some outsite balcony. To my amazement and relief, it was in fact a walk in closet filled with skirts, dresses, jeans, pants, shirts, shoes, and many other different articles of clothing, enough to clothe ten girls my age. Hanging from the light switch in the middle of the closet was yet another envelope.

"Boy, for someond who said I won't need to communicate with them, you sure are chatty" I mumbled dryly.

Hey Jaclyn, like I mentioned earlier I want you to choose what kind of person you want to be so I filled this closet with all kinds of different clothing so you can have your pick. Have fun~ The Author

I sifted through the racks and instantly decided against a skirt or a dress. Since all I really wanted to do was take a short walk I decided on a pair of jeans and close fitting, short sleeved hoodie with colorful twisting designs on the front. I pulled on some socks and a pair of sneakers and headed towards where I hoped were the stairs or at least the front door was. I got lost twice upstairs but I did find what looked like a library, and a room with art supplies and a stereo. When I finally got downstairs I got lost again but time I found the kitchen and a large living room. When I did reach the front door I found another envelope. Instead of another letter though, there was a small note.

In case you get lost.

I up ended the envelope and a set of keys as well as a folded up piece of paper fell into my hand. Unfolded, the paper turned out to be a map of Peach Creek with a red circle drawn around one of the houses with the words "your house" written next to it. I instantly felt like an idiot for attempting to go walking with no idea where to go or how to get back. I studied the map for a moment before deciding that the woods would be the best place for my walk.

"Who knows, maybe I'll find this creek." I said to no one in particular. "Ugh. I gotta make these friends soon."

Before stepping out I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my hair suddenly realizing that I had yet to look at a mirror. My hair was shoulder length and a little messy so I wondered if I should find a brush just in case I did meet one of the kids but I decided against it. If worst came to worst I could just put the hood up. With that thought in mind I pocketed my house key and stepped out the front door.

The firs thing thing I noticed was that there was no one outside (much to my secret relief).

"Must be doing homework I guess."

I did think I saw movement from one of the houses across the street, but when I looked closer all I saw was a piece of wood with what looked like a face drawn on it looking out of a window. I strugged and kept going. Following the map I was able to find the woods pretty quickly and let myself get lost in them. I smiled at how much at home I felt here despite my peculiar situation. I walked slowly savoring the rich dampness of the earth and the gentle rustling of the trees. I put my hands in my pocket and starting humming some random tune that I made up in my head. As I continued walking I came across a clearing with a large dead tree lying in the center of it.

I stared at it for a second before shrugging, "Eh, why not?"

I walked to the other side of the tree, lay the back of my head against it, and closed my eyes for a little cat nap.

Snap! The sound woke me up, but thinking that it was probably just a squirrel I decided not to get up just yet and kept my eyes closed. I then could have sworn I heard footsteps as well but decided to ignore them.

"Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating! "

My eyes shot open and I felt a bead of sweat roll down my temple. The voice had come from the side of the clearing I came in and now the footsteps were steadily getting closer. I was frozen from nervousness and hoped that whoever it was would go back the way they came. I had no such luck.

"It seems that Carlos feels just as home here as he was in the jar." the voice continued gleefully just on the other side of the tree. " Just look as he climbs up this fallen tree! It's as if he plans to recolinize it himself."

Please be talking about a different fallen tree. Please be talking about a different fallen tree! I prayed silently in my head.

The person on the other side of the tree chuckled. "But what can one expect from the Lamprima aurata, or as they're most commonly known as, the stag beetle."

Please be talking about a differen-wait. Did he just say 'stag beetle'? At that very moment I felt the prickle of insect legs go down the back of my neck.

Before I could stop it a high pitched shrieking noise worked it's way out from my throat and out of my mouth. " Get if off!Get it off! Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!"

I jumped up from my hiding place and hopped from one leg to the other and frantically tried to dislodge the beetle which had become attached to the back of my hoodie. In the corner of my eye I could see a guy around my age wearing a brown jacket and a black and white hat looking as surprised and as panicky as I felt.

"Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!" he wrung his hands nervously and then made his way quickly towards me. "P-p-p-please f-forgive me, but I had no idea you were there! Allow me to assist you!"

I suddenly froze when he gently put a hand on my shoulder to stop me from moving and with the same gentleness removed the beetle. I cleared my throat and felt my face heat up from complete and utter embarrassment.

"Um, thanks." I said quietly.

"You're, um, you're welcome. " he said just as quietly.

There was a moment of embarrassed and awkward silence as we both stood there staring at the ground nervously. After about thirty seconds I couldn't take it any longer.

"Well I should get going now, thank you, bye!" I hurriedly brushed past him and ran out of the clearing.

It wasn't until about twenty minutes later that I realized that I forget to check the map. It took me another hour to make my way out and by the time I got home night had fallen. Even though I was relieved at making it back home I felt stupid for not staying around to talk to that guy. But I realized that a combination of nerves and embarrassment would have probably stifled conversation. With that thought in mind I decided to play it cool when and if I saw him again.

I groaned when I realized that next time might be at school tomorrow which started at seven thirty in the morning. After I quick shower (turned out that there was a bathroom next to my room) I crawled into bed and waited for morning.