Chapter 2

As I walk home, my hands are shaking, and my lips are trembling. I'm still in define shock. But, I have to do what I have to do. The world is depending on me; they just don't know it yet. I can't keep this to myself; I need to let my family and friends know I'm on their side. But I can't, for if I do, we will all die.

I've got to think this through, who would be the most trustworthy through this process, who would stand by me through thick and thin?

I see someone walking towards me from the corner of my eye. If I have to go through with this, I will have to accept that I have to kill others. I slowly reach down to pick up a rock. I clutched onto it, ready to throw.

"Chelsea! What are you doing?" I meet the eyes of a horrified girl. I froze, realizing those eyes are well known to me. Realizing those eyes belong to someone special. Realizing those eyes belong to my best friend, Rachel.

I let the rock drop from my hand, watching it helplessly hit the cement.

"Rachel! Why are you here? How did you get here?" I yelped in surprise.

"I'm here to visit you… Were you about to throw that rock at me…?" Rachel suspiciously asked.

"No! No… just examining. I took it up as a new hobby." She stared into my eyes, almost figuring out the lie. To my relief, she flashed me a huge smile, opening her arms, inviting me for a hug. I throw myself at her, glad to have some comfort.

Rachel took me by the shoulders, "How have you been? Have a boyfriend? Spill everything!" Oh, how much I would love to tell her everything. I can't deal with lying to her, but I need to.

"I'm… I'm great, now that you're here!" That was the honest truth. But she looks at me deeply, knowing I have more to say. I couldn't stand looking into her eyes anymore. So I nervously looked to the ground.

"That's great! But Chels, are you alright? You seem shaken up about something…"

"As I said, I'm great! I'm just shocked to see you here!"

I know she doesn't believe me, but she knows when to stop asking, and when to ask next.

"Alright, fine. I'll let that go… for now." She says dismissively.

I then pull her in for another hug.

We just stood there, in each other's arms for what seemed like no time at all before she let go of me. I wished more than anything that I could go back into her arms. My best friend's comfort is what I need most at the moment. But I can't let her see me like this. I can't let her suspect me more than she already does. I wish she didn't even suspect me at all! Why does she have to know me so well? I'm practically like a book to her! There are no lies that come out of my mouth that she doesn't catch. This is just going to make it so much more difficult because I cannot let her know!

"So, why have you come to visit?" I asked, "Have you not heard about Tayler Thorn? I mean, don't get me wrong, 'cause I want you here! But shouldn't you be with your family?" Right after I said, I realized that I don't want her to go back. I don't want her to go to her family in case she never comes back. In case she gets killed along with everyone else. I need her with me. I won't be able to go through this without her. I know I am being selfish, but whatever it takes, I am going to keep her alive and with me.

"Tayler Thorn?" Rachel replied, "I know she's your friend…is there something else I should know? And why should I be with my family? I'm with them all the time! I came to see you, Chels!" She doesn't know about it? I thought that it would be all over the news! I guess that it technically isn't even on the news here, but still! Did I just give away too much information to Rachel? I hope not. I didn't know how to cover for myself.

"Oh I just…well family is very important and…-" ring ring ring. My phone! Yes! Saved by the bell…sort of. I reached in my pocket and grabbed my phone, not bothering to look on the caller ID. "Hello?" I answered.

"Chelsea! I have another great idea!" It was Tayler. Her voice sent chills down my spine. "I was thinking that since I need some bodyguards, you would need some too! Especially since everyone is going to hate you just as much or more than they hate me. But anyway, since you will need some bodyguards-"

"Who's that?" Rachel interrupted.

"Oh are you with someone?" Tayler asked, hearing Rachel's voice. "Why don't you kill her? She'll be your first kill! I wish I was there to see this memorable moment, or to offer you a weapon but you don't need one! You are your own weapon!" I froze. What was I supposed to do? I'm not going to kill Rachel but Tayler wants me to! I looked at Rachel, and noticed her staring at me with a worried glance. My face probably looked like a ghost. I didn't want to say anything to Tayler. I wanted to hang up on her and run away. But I had to say something to her.

"Oh, but it's too easy!" I responded to Tayler, "I need a little more challenge for my first, don't you think?" I carefully avoided anything too suspicious because Rachel was listening.

"That's a good idea, Chelsea! I completely understand! You'll have to tell me everything about your first kill though!"

"You know I will!"

"NO, SAM THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED!" and then the line went dead. I hung my phone up and looked up at Rachel.

There was a silent moment where Rachel and I just looked at each other. I was waiting for her to scream at me or something. She looked like she heard the whole conversation I had with Tayler! Had my volume been turned up too high? Did she really hear it? Maybe she didn't. I cleared my throat.

"Well anyway, we should-" I started to say, but was immediately interrupted by Rachel.

"Who was that?"

"Oh, it was just…Tayler…"

"Tayler? That girl we were just talking about?"

"Yeah."

"You were talking like she was some sort of threat! What did you two talk about just barely?"

"Oh, just a game."

"Just a game? That game sounds pretty intense because you looked honestly scared!" I didn't know what to say. So I said the first thing that came to mind.

"Yes! I was scared that she would win! Scared that she'll kill every last gum drop on the board!" Technically I wasn't lying…if I considered every person on the planet a gum drop.

"Gum drop?" I knew that she would see right through me if I didn't act right. So, with deep concentration, I looked into her eyes and said, "Of course!" I then smiled and put my arm around her. "C'mon Rachel, you worry about me too much!" She returned my smile and we started walking back to my house.