Chapter Two: Dear Reader, Be Warned

So sorry about that abrupt ending in the last chapter. The author was having some difficulties, namely being chased through a swamp by a ferocious swarm of pink sparkly sharp-toothed bunny rabbits. But no matter. This is the Goldman story.

The three girls were huddled in Amber's room, listening to the storm. It was a terrific storm, kicking up a huge fuss. It was the kind of storm that seemed to be saying, "You guys are too secure. I'm going to rattle you up a bit."

"I love the rain, but this is just scary," remarked Lissie quietly, running her fingers through her short hair.

"The rain will wash away what's past," Lizzie sang.

"Lizzie Goldman! You're a bloody wonder- eminently practical and appropriate as always!" Amber replied.

Lizzie never really was as obsessed with Sweeney Todd as her sisters. She was more of a Les Mis kind of girl. She discovered it when her mother told her she looked exactly like Cosette from Les Misèrables, causing her to Google search the character and discovering that wonderful masterpiece made up of five large volumes.

Lizzie had always identified with Cosette the most ever since that fateful remark, causing gigantic disputes with both sisters, as the other two preferred Èponine to Cosette, when they took the time to think about Les Misèrables, which was when they took the time to think about anything other than Sweeney Todd. Another reason for arguments was whether Cosette was blonde or brunette. Lizzie argued that Cosette was a brunette; it said so in the book. Lissie and Amber replied that Cosette must be blonde, because every single Broadway portrayer had been blonde.

Lizzie was the prettiest triplet. She had large, defiant sea-green eyes and shiny, waist length dark curls. Her skin was olive coloured, slightly sun kissed and tanned. The thing she loved about herself most was the fact that she was a soprano. She was immensely proud of it, flaunting her voice whenever she could.

"I hope nothing bad happens," Lizzie murmured.

"We made it this far," said Lissie glumly. She was disappointed that the storm had ruined her plans to climb the tallest tree in the backyard woods. "We might as well wait a little longer."

"It was a dark and stormy night," Amber called out, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Some triplets were in their rooms, praying that the storm would not last."

"Suddenly..." A loud thunderclap interrupted Lizzie. "There was a knock at the door!"

The girls screamed as they heard a loud rap at the front door.

Now, you are probably thinking this is very cliché, and that the author ought to be ashamed of herself for writing such a terribly cliché story. Well, let me tell you, this is not some random cliché novel. You will be discovering this in another chapter, most likely the next one.

Another knock followed the first. Someone cried out, "Let me in! I'm drenched!"

Lissie grinned. So did the others. They knew who was outside.

Amber threw open the front door and ushered a wet, bundled up person inside.

"Oh, Kayla, what happened?" Lizzie asked, patting the figure known as "Kayla".

"Well, I was riding my bike up the hill, and suddenly this huge storm rushed in on me. I had practically nowhere to go, so I rode my bike fast as I could to your place," Kayla explained shyly, shrugging off a lilac sweater and bundling a matching hat into it. She yanked off her black boots and sighed. "So sorry."

"Oh no, please make yourself at home!" Amber told Kayla, gesturing toward the couch.

"Thanks. I called my mom while I was riding my bike; she'll pick me up soon." Kayla said softly.

Kayla Willis was a very shy, quiet girl of thirteen who was best friends with all three sisters. She possessed a red bob and a talent for cooking. Her dad was almost never home, and her mom worked as a nurse, so most nights she had to make her own dinner. She didn't mind so much, mostly because she enjoyed cooking almost as much as she enjoyed Sweeney Todd. Which meant she enjoyed it a lot.

"Well, come on in! Our parents are asleep." Lissie rolled her eyes.

"Let's trash the house!" Lizzie laughed.

Kayla smiled. "Thanks for letting me in on such short notice. You guys are awesome."

"Hey, your mom would sue if we left you out in the pouring rain," Lissie pointed out.

Kayla giggled. She lowered herself onto the couch. "So what's new with you?"

"Oh, nothing much, you?"

"I'm fine, just got back from summer camp a few days ago."

"Everybody loves summer camp!" chorused the girls. This was an inside joke of theirs. One day at a camp a girl had smuggled an iPod into her cabin and spent the night watching Everybody Hates Chris.

"Yeah," Kayla continued. "It was really- hey, what's up with this couch?"

"What do you mean, what's up with the couch? We got it reupholstered a month ago," Amber exclaimed. "Here, scooch, I'm sitting." She plopped herself onto the couch. "Hey, it feels hollow. And it's glowing!" She thumped the cushion a few times. "Come on, you have to see this!"

Lizzie and Lissie approached cautiously. Amber lifted away the cushion and exposed a blue swirling vortex.

No, this is not a cliché horror story! Stop asking me that!

"Ehmagod!" screamed Kayla.

"Ehmagod times three!" screeched Lissie.

"EHMAGOD TIMES TEN!" bellowed Lizzie.

"Amber, don't go in there!" Lissie warned.

"Too late,' Amber grinned. She climbed onto the couch. "Hasta la vista, sistas!"

"Amber!"

"Dang it, do we really have to save her?!"

"She makes fun of my Anthony drawings..."

In the end, the friends decided they would have to rescue Amber because it was the right thing to do.

And the following is indescribable. There is only one sentence that I am able to tell you:

Dear reader, be warned.