Trent Anderson , created by Gina Hayden © 2001-2003
Kevin Mathews, created by Gina Hayden © 2001-2003
"The Girl", created by Gina Hayden © 2001-2003

All the previously said characters have been modified for the purpose of this story, and are original creations by the author, Gina Hayden © 2006

Prologue

The lightening flashed brightly, lighting up the entire sky and the dark room that they were gathered in. This happened so suddenly that everyone in the room jumped out of their skins and then they jumped a second time when the thunder boomed loudly just a second later. The thunder was so loud that it was almost as though a large piece of the sky had fallen down and landed on the ground.

"Wow that was really cl…"

Before Bam could finish his sentence the power went out, surrounding the entire house in sheer darkness and silence.

"I hate storms." Novak muttered

Missy stood up and slowly felt her way around the house trying to find candles. Bam pulled out his cell phone and flipped it open. The light on the screen caused a soft glow, which Bam used for a make-shift flash light to help guide Missy's way.

"Thanks Babe."

She found some candles and sat them around and then lit them with a lighter she borrowed from Novak. She looked around the dimly lit room for a moment before noticing something odd.

"Where's Bam?"
"Um…" Novak looked around "Wasn't he just by you when you got the candles?"
"Yeah he was. He even lit a couple candles I thought. He couldn't have gone any where that fast without us knowing it."
"Yeah I guess…"
"Bam?" Missy called out

Missy and Novak stood still and listened, trying to hear any indication that Bam would be near by in the house. With the power out they would have been able to hear Bam no matter where in the house he was.

"Where could he have gone?" Asked Novak
"I don't know. Bam?" She called out again, only louder

They listened for Bam's answer, footsteps, a creek in the floor, anything that would have given away Bam's whereabouts in the house. But Bam was no where within earshot as far as they assumed. Missy and Novak wandered into two different rooms to search for Bam but they couldn't find him. They went back into the living room in hopes that he would be there once they returned. Except for the two of them the room was empty. Missy shivered and wrung her hands nervously.

"Where could he be?"
Novak placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her "Relax. This is a big house and we only looked in two rooms, not including this one. Besides he's a big boy. He can handle being by himself."
"Yeah I know. I'd just feel better knowing where he was right now."

The door flew open and a blast of the whistling wind rushed inside, causing all the candles to go out.

"Damn it." Missy went over to the door and closed it. "Nov you still got that lighter on you?" No response followed "Novak?"

Missy blindly made her way through the room, beginning to tremble. She ran into a table, banging her knee and causing her to nearly fall forward. She regained her balance and rubbed her knee before continuing her blind search for Bam and Novak.

"Bam? Novak?"

Missy stopped in her place and listened. She hugged herself in an attempt to stop herself from shaking with fear but to no avail. The darkness and deafening silence of the house seemed to swallow her, causing her fear to rise. Every time she called out for Bam or Novak neither of them answered her. The only thing she could do because of her increasing fear and lack of visibility was to stand there doing nothing but quietly shake.

Footsteps were heard coming up from behind her. She turned to face whoever it was but in the darkness it was impossible to tell.

"Ba…"

A hand was placed over her mouth followed by the sound of someone making a hushing sound. Another hand was placed around the back of her head and she was pulled close to whoever was standing before her. Missy was so scared that she didn't dare put up a fight. Her heart pounded and her breath was shaky, and she found herself unable to produce any sound.

Bam and Novak came into the room a few minutes later carrying lit kerosene lamps. They sat the lamps on the table and looked around.

"What the fuck happened?" Bam asked "The candles are out. Where'd Missy go?"
"I have no idea. We were talking and then I left to find you again."
Bam sighed and looked around "Missy?" He paused briefly to listen "Miss?"
"Hey Bam, what's that?"

Novak pointed to the floor near the door and shone one of the lamps in that direction. Bam picked up the other lamp and walked over to the spot that Novak pointed to. He bent down closer to the floor and picked up a metal safety pin. He held the pin in his hand and looked it over before looking at the floor again. There was a set of wet shoeprints coming from the door. He looked up towards the door and then at the prints on the floor and the pin in his hand before standing up straight.

"Holy shit!"

He ran over to the door and tore it open. The rain was coming down at top speed and in bucket-sized drops it seemed. The howling wind blew, causing rain to come inside and hit Bam in the face. The speed of the falling water caused Bam's face to sting once it hit him. There was no use looking outside for Missy or any traces of the intruder that he was sure that snatched her. He quickly closed the door and leaned against it, trembling. Missy was gone during a horrendous storm, and it was impossible for Bam or Novak to look for her.

Note: Epidemic is the title of the story that I've been trying to get published.