Beth was a perfect example of a teenage woman. Well if 20 counted as a teenager. She had always thought a true adult was when they turned 21. But that wasn't that far either.
After she graduated, she moved. New York City was such a pain. Even with the beloved Spiderman saving everyone all the time. Going south but not too far. Landing herself right in New Jersey near Wharton state forest. In the year and a half she had been there, she had gotten a job in Atlantic city in a coffee shop. Yeah it was a drive but at least it was peaceful when ever she came home.
The alarm clock was her only thing that helped her stay alive. Without it she'd sleep snuggled and covered in her comforter forever. Best had a unusual attraction to eat. Maybe it was because she was so small. No she wasn't small. She was average height and a measly 195 pounds.
Slapping the alarm clock off Beth climbed out of her fortress of blankets and heat. Going to the bathroom she started her daily routine. Brush teeth, take shower, get dressed, leave. She always ate a muffin at work. Thankfully the boss had realized that they needed something to keep them going especially with how early it was now, 4 in the morning.
Within minutes Beth was outside getting into her car.
Work always went fast then again it had to with so many people coming in for coffee and food before they would go to work. It would die down eventually until the lunch hour rush came then it was hell all over again.
Luckily it was over now. Beth thought as she pulled into her driveway looking at her home. It was a two-story white old-fashioned home. Beth did not know why she bought one so big it was just her and the darn thing had four bedrooms, attic and a basement. Maybe it was because of how close it was to the forest.
She looked at the treetops visible over the house when something caught her eye. Shooting star? Who knew. And who cared right now Beth certainly didn't. Any other time yes but now, no. Migraines did that to her. She was a people person, she liked seeing everyone happy. Yet after eight incident with a woman today she had grown grumpy. Nothing PJs and a cup of tea wouldn't fix.
So Beth did just that. Putting a pair of black plaid sleep pants on and a gray V-neck shirt. Then going to the kitchen.
She had just started pouring the hot water into the cup when the ground and started shaking and a large crashing noise rung out. Being a curious little thing she was Beth went outside to her backyard.
Something had slammed into the ground ripping up the grass sliding into the forest.
Normally Beth would have whimpered her way back into the house. She wasn't the biggest or the strongest and she knew that. But curiosity killed the cat.
She put on a pair of boots and followed the ripped up ground into the forest. It took a few minutes to get to the end of the trail. What ever it was had to be massive if it took this long for it to stop.
There in the end of the trail was a puddle. Beth stared at it. The puddle was a mixture of colors red, white and black. Someone had to be pranking her. Beth stood there looking around when she heard a wet noise. It was like that noise you hear when you slap water. She looked back down at the odd colored puddle.
Beth got down on the ground sitting, not caring about getting dirty, to watch the puddle. It twitched. Can puddles even do that? Cautiously best leaned forward reaching out to it. Little vine like things came out gently clinging to Beth's hand and fingers. Soon the whole puddle and climbed onto her arm. It felt tingly and warm. All fear she had, had before was gone now.
Beth's eyelids grew heavy. Too heavy. Ever so gently she leaned back on the grass. Before her eyes were fully shut she heard a soft feminine voice.
(Rest. We will keep you safe.)