Chapter 2

Surprises

Celeste, Roxanne, and Audrey greeted each other with squeels of delight, as always. And immediately were locked in Celestes bedroom, planning games, and picking names, and powers.

This was a tradition for the threesome. Ever since they could talk they had been playing make believe. They were fairies of the north, or witches of the west, or mermaids of the east coast. It didn't matter, they always had fun. Sometimes Tony and Marcus joined in, but normally played "spy" and "war" and such. Of course fairies and secret agents don't mix.

Celeste was 13, a few months older than Audrey, but taller than both. Actually, Roxanne was the shortest. Celeste had orange-brown eyes.

Thankfully, the two boys were out of sight and out of mind. As long as they didn't bother the girls, they wouldn't get hurt.

"Well? What should we play?" Even though she was 15, Roxanne still loved playing make believe, I mean, who doesn't?

Audrey flopped down on Celestes flower printed bed.

"Lets make a movie!" she exclaimed!

"Yeah!" They all agreed. Celeste owned a small video camera that they often made movies on. It was fun, and very amusing to watch afterward. The threesome got together props, costumes, and the all important camera, and stepped outside. Roxanne was carrying the camera, and zoomied in and out in, taping all the yard to see where the light was best. She was looking towards the sky, when a large, quick movement caught her eye.

Sitting on top of the neighbors house was what might have resembled a large bird. Roxanne zoomed in more, and made out an arm, and a head. She pulled back in shock and almost called out to her friends, who were arguing, but just then the creature began to move. Entranced, the young girl continued recording. It sat up and began making large, counterclockwise circles above its head.

Roxanne held her breath. Was it speaking to her?

Did it want her to come up there?

Was it putting a spell on her and her friends? (of course she thought this, with her imagination.)

Roxanne squeaked and turned away.

"Hey, guys? The light sucks out here, why don't we just play a game." Roxanne said suddenly.

Audrey looked up at the sky (which was indeed quite dim) shrugged and headed inside, but Celeste looked more closely at her cousin.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" Roxanne answered a little too fast.

Celeste turned to follow Audrey back into the house. Roxanne waited till they were gone, then pressed "play" on the camera, and watched what she had been recording since she walked outside. Roxannes eyes widened. There it was, a giant, well, something. Bug? Maybe. Just as it was before.

The teen looked up.

Whatever it had been, it was gone now.

Roxanne took a breath, looked down at the little camera, and pressed delete.

She blinked. What? WHY DID I DELETE IT?

After a second the camera beeped and a message popped up on the screen "Message deleted" it said.

NO! Roxanne shook the camera. Then spun around towards the roof. The figure was still gone.

She drooped. The camera fell to her side, and she shivered.

With one final scope of the lawn, the last girl walked inside.

Audrey and Celeste had decided to play fairies. They were already picking names, and powers when Roxanne came into the room, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Hey, I wanted to be called Peresphonie!" wailed Audrey.

Celeste tilted her chin, "Nope, I got dibbs first!"

They continued squabbling, but Roxanne didn't hear any of it.

She couldn't believe that she had deleted that. I mean, it might have been evidence that something other that human and beast existed! (Her imagination was really having fun with this one.)

Maybe you're hallucinating…her brain said. But then, what about the recording? She meant to show her cousin and sister, so why did she delete it?

"Umm……Roxanne?" Celeste said.

"Yeah?" Roxanne asked, looking up at her cousin, who was now piling on heavy eyeliner.

"What'll your name be?" she asked.

Roxanne sighed, and told herself once again to forget about the whole thing.

Outside Celeste Hartfields bedroom window crouched what might appear to be, at first glance, a huge insect, for it was bent over and pressing itself against the side of the house. Of course, on closer examination, it was most certainly not a bug. It looked human, though slightly shorter, and wearing odd, battered clothing. The creature was watching the humans as they got ready to play their game. Her eyes shone yellow-red under a head full of brick-colored hair. She smiled, revealing two pointy white fangs.