"I like to say, salvation was created for sinners."
Author's note: Sorry this chapter is soooo sooo long, i just couldnt quit writing. And sorry for the wait. My mom was visiting. So, hope you like it and comment
what you think. And
PS...like the cliffhanger? XP Comments/reviews are like readable chocolate! :]
~CalicoKahlia
"I like to say, salvation was created for sinners," Pastor Jim tells me for the nth time. "But, I don't get it!" I say, frustrated. "You will one day, dear, now wake up,"
I sat up in bed. Why would I dream of Pastor Jim? Ugh, whatever, gotta get ready for school. I lug myself into the bathroom to assess the nightly damage. My hair was everywhere, you could tell that I was tossing and turning last night.
I grabbed my duffel, threw it up on the sink and started to brush my hair. I don't wanna go to school! But, I'm gonna. I finished brushing my hair and dug through my bag. Black undershirt, Asking Alexandria tee, red skinny jeans, and my trusty bag of Sharpies. Oh, this is gonna be good.
I slid my clothes on and gawked at how the shirt fit perfectly; snug and a little long, defining my curves, enhancing my hour-glass figure. I'm not conceited but, I can admit I'm not average looking. Defined cheekbones, long, straight blonde hair that changes color every other day, right amount of muscle for a girl, perfectly curvy and lets not get into my boobs and ass. Curves just a amazing as the perfect proportions that make them up.
My band tee matched my pants with the blood coming from the mans severed head. Morbid, I know but they play some great music. Oh, which to do first, hair or make-up? Make-up, I decided. I pulled out a stick of eye-liner and some powder.
After replacing them in my bag I set to open up my zip-lock baggie of multicolored markers. I grabbed red, black and silver; that should sum up my outfit completely. I opened up the red one and set out for splotches and stripes and raccoon tails about my blonde head. With black and silver, I did the same.
I started to walk out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth and smiled and my reflection as I left. I'm so random. I had grabbed essentials out of my duffel; extra make-up, my lovely little markers, and my black and lime green paint splattered butterfly knife. I pulled on my red high-tops and shoved my knife into it. Hehe, secret weapon!
I pulled on my leather jacket and grabbed my keys. All my school stuff is in my car. I headed outside and braced myself for morning air and sunlight. I made my way to the car and pulled my panda backpack from the backseat. Paper, pencils, pens, notebooks and my fake transcripts and other officials. Check.
I threw my school bag back in the seat. I turned my key in the ignition and my car rumbled to life beautifully. I jumped as my radio started blaring. I forgot to turn it down when I turned the car off last night. "Tell me I'm an angel, take this to my grave!" I turned the radio down a great portion and backed out of the space.
"Tell me I'm a bad man, kick me like a stray." If only I could get so close to you, Gerard, I definitely wouldn't kick you...get ready to be glomped if I ever see you! Oh, Gerard Way, so beautiful. I drove off by the light of sunrise, in a wonderful daze. I found the school I had researched and found a spot in the student parking lot.
I said goodbye to my baby as I grabbed my bag and set out for the administration building. Students milled around me, containing themselves in their own high school cliques and groups. I found the office in the first building and brought myself up to the secretary. "Hello, there. How may I help you, dear?" the lady asked me.
She smelled of stale coffee and her voice was raspy with age.
"My name is Echo Winchester. I just moved to town and I needed to enroll," I replied, voice masking the innocence of a teenager.
"Head right through that door to the right and you'll be with the guidance counselor. She would be very happy to help you," She said and sent me on my way.
I knocked on the door, once, twice before it opened to reveal a woman smiling broadly and blushing slightly. A man then walked out, saying his goodbye.
He kept his back to me not noticing I was there, but I could tell by the hair and a glimpse of his profile as he was walking out of the office that it was the man form last night. Not the pedo, but the cocky guy in the car.
"Call me sometime, Dean." the woman beamed at his retreating figure.
Then another man came out of the office. His face was hidden behind a mass of brown, shaggy hair. He was really tall and wore faded jeans, boots, an unbuttoned, long sleeve blue shirt over a white tee shirt, and an unzipped black hoodie. He kept his head down as he passed me and made his own way out of the office.
"And you have a good day, son," she added to him. Then she addressed me, "How may I help you?"
"I need to erm enroll?" I said.
"Come in, come in," she beckoned me into the office with he hands. "Can I get your name and papers?"
I handed them over after extracting them from my bag. "Do I need a parent here or...?" I trailed off.
"No, hon," she smiled, "Since your eighteen you can do this yourself. And I'm glad your finishing school instead of slacking off and dropping out like most of the youth nowadays." I smiled politely and finished up enrolling.
She handed me my new schedule.
History-Ms. Brennan, English-Mr. Douglas, Science-Mr. Nix, Senior study hall-Library, Lunch A, followed by Calculus-Mrs. Peterson, Psychology/Criminalistics-Mr. McMasters, Computer Business Applications-Mrs. Helena, and P.E. with Coach Dunbar. Glad I have P.E. last. Don't wanna be sweating in the morning.
She handed me a post-it note with my locker number and combination. I left the office in search of locker 394. I found it and opened it. Emptiness and scribbles, scratches and drawings. J+M, skool sux, Peterson needs to be assassinated. Good golly, miss molly, that last kid has problems.
I shut the locker and standing behind it was a blonde haired, muscular teen, probably a senior in a football jersey and letter-man jacket. I jumped back.
"I almost decked you, dude," I told him.
"The names Jake. Your new here aren't you?" He gave me a broad smile, crooked but cute. For a jock.
"I'm Echo, and yeah, little bit."
"Who do you got for first hour?" He asked and I handed him my schedule. "Okay, Brennan. She's nice enough, but you probably don't wanna slack off in there, she gets a little too mad at kids who doze off or text during class-little stunts like that. But, down this hall, there's an adjoining side hall to the left, she's the...second door on the right."
"Thanks, uh, Jake," I smiled back.
"We have, Psych, science, study hall, p.e. and lunch together. Guess I'll see you there?" He said, flashing me another smile.
"Guess so, later."
I turned and headed in the direction of the hall he signaled out. A bell rang overhead, alerting students to start heading to class. There was a rush of students that filled the halls and I found myself walking into a bathroom to avoid the stampede.
I checked out the hall to find most students had cleared out. Another bell rang. I was tardy for my first class. Good goin' there, Echo.
I walked to the door and knocked. A few seconds later a middle-aged woman opened the door with a frown.
"Can I see your schedule?" She asked.
I handed it over and she brightened, happy to see that I wasn't just some slacker but I was just new and lost in the school. She led me inside and the desks were filled with students moping and in a daze. Everyone must hate mornings.
She handed me a textbook and addressed the class.
"Everyone, this is Echo Winchester, she's new and I would like you to welcome her, too." She then turned and looked at a seating chart.
"Mr. Winchester, are you and Echo, here, related?" She asked a boy in class.
I looked up to see a familiar site.
Brown, shaggy hair hiding a face that replied, "No, ma'am,"
The teacher smiled, "All right then, just a coincidence," I smiled, getting a little uncomfortable just standing at the front of the room.
"Well, seems the only open seat is back there by Sam and Denny." She stated.
I made my way back to the open desk while she scribbled my name down on the seating chart. I sat down at the desk and pulled out a notebook and a black pen.
"We're going to take some notes today, from a slide show," Mrs. Brennan said. Earning groans and mumbled words from the students.
"Hey, there, doll. I'm Denny," a boy whispered from my left.
I looked over and he was leaning a little towards my desk.
"Cool," I said as I turned back towards the front of the room.
"Just trying to introduce myself to the new kid," he said feigning hurt.
"Mmkay, I'm Echo," I replied still not looking his way.
I looked to my right at the kid who spoke earlier, the one from the counselors office.
He was tapping his pen softly on his notebook and staring at the projector board. He began to write notes down as the teacher announced important parts. I wrote some down too, halfheartedly. I looked up at him and studied him more.
"So this is your first day?" Denny said quietly from my other side
."Yeah," I whispered back. '
It was then that the boy I was studying chose to look up and meet my eyes with his hazel ones. It took me a few seconds to register that he had moved and I broke eye contact, looking back up front. But not before I noted his faint smile and the hair that moved out of his face to reveal smooth tanned skin and perfect set of white teeth.
Denny started up again beside me.
"So, did you find someone to sit with at lunch? Most of us seniors have the same lunch, so."
"Kinda," I said, remembering Jake from earlier.
"Well if that doesn't pan out, I have room at my table." I looked at him and he smiled. He was okay cute, in that kind of obvious prep jock-ish way. He didn't wear the jacket or jersey but you could tell that was his crowd.
"Kay," I said, zoning out. A few minutes and a couple paragraphs of notes later, the dismissal bell rang and I packed up. By the time I had my bag hoisted over my should and stood up most of the others students had filed out. Leaving the teacher at her desk, a couple students up front and Denny and the other boy, Sam, I guess if the other one was Denny, still in the room.
"What do ya got second?" Denny asked. I looked at my schedule.
"Douglas for English." I stated matter-of-factly.
"Cool, I got science, so I guess I'll see ya at lunch," He smiled big and shot me a wink before exiting the room.
I was trying to adjust my backpack when I dropped my schedule which fluttered to the floor on the other side of my desk. I leaned over trying to reach it when it was raised up above my head.
"Here, this is yours, I guess. I'm Sam." I leaned up off the the desk and straightened my shirt. I looked up at the other student.
"Echo, and thanks." He handed it back.
"You new too?" He asked. So, that's why he was in the counselors office this morning.
"Yeah, just transferred."
"Well, we got Douglas together, so I'd suggest we go before we both get tardy." he laughed.
"Yupp," I replied and made my way to the front of the room. He followed and we found ourselves walking to Mr. Douglas' room together.
"So, where'd you go before here?" He asked me. I ran through my mind and found the last school I attended.
"Nettleton, over in Arkansas."
"So, you move to New Mexico your senior year? That must suck."
"I guess. I don't really stay at one place for too long." "Me neither," he laughed. We found the room and made our way to the teachers desk.
"You two new?" Mr. Douglas asked.
"Yes, sir." We said at the same time. Wow, weird. We handed him our schedules.
"Winchester, and...Winchester. You two siblings?"
I looked at Sam. "No, sir." We said, at the same time, again. Odd.
"Well, okay, here's your English books, pick any seat. I don't like filling out seating charts."
Mr. Douglas smiled kindly and handed back our schedules. I headed to a seat in the back of the classroom and heard someone plonk down beside me. I looked over at Sam who shrugged.
"Okay, so your a stalker now?" I asked smiling.
"Guess so," he smiled back. English came and went, so did science.
I headed for the library for study hall and ran smack into someone in front of me.
Note to self: Don't walk too fast in a crowded hallway.
The boy turned around. It was Sam.
"So, who's the stalker now?" He asked. I pushed him softly and made my way to the library. He walked ahead of me and opened the door.
"Looks like we have yet another class together." he said as I walked into the library. I sat down at a table where I could see all around me. He snagged a seat across from me and pulled out a laptop.
I rifled through my bag and pulled out my own laptop. I set it on the desk, opened it and powered it up. Now, I could discreetly research my case. I opened up Firefox and went to Google search engine.
After about twenty minutes and miniscule results I closed my laptop, silently promising to try harder later. My eyes were starting to hurt.
"So, whatchya doin' over there?" I asked Sam.
"Nothing," he said quickly and closed his laptop.
"Well, by the look on your face and your evasive answer, I'm guessing porn?" I laughed.
He blushed furiously, "No!"
"Good, cause I don't want one of my first couple friends here to turn out to be a stalker pervert." I said, smiling.
I put my laptop back in my bag and set my elbows on the table. I rested my chin on my hands and looked at Sam.
"So, where ya gonna sit at lunch?" I asked.
"Dunno, you?"
"Probably with this guy I met this morning, unless someone else wants me to sit with them..." I said, feigning innocence once again.
I could flirt a little while I'm here, couldn't I?
"Oh, hmm, well, good luck with that. He's probably a nice guy and not some stalker pervert," he said.
"Oh take a hint," I said, rolling my eyes a little, "Your sitting with me, deal with it."
"Oh, really?" he replied, smiling, "Who said?"
"I did, and there's nothing you can do to change it, new kid."
"Your new too, new kid, so you don't get to call me new kid. It's irony to yourself." I laughed and then the bell rang, signaling meal time.
We got up and headed to the lunch room. It was in the middle of the building, so it wasn't hard to find. I spotted Jake and started forward, Sam trailing behind me.
"Echo, hey, who's your friend?" He asked, eyeing Sam suspiciously.
"Another new kid," I threw a smile back at Sam. "Got room for both of us?" I asked.
"Yupp," he said, smiling again. "C.J., Denny, go sit at Marcie's table today," he said. Looks like he's the boss.
"Hey, Echo, your sitting here?" Denny asked.
"Uh, I guess, yeah." I said and sat my bag down in one of the vacated seats. Sam did the same and set his on the chair next to mine.
"Jake, make Allen go with C.J."
"Why?" Jake asked, sitting down in front of me.
"Because I'm gonna hang out here with y'all and Echo."
"Kay, whatever." Jake said, "Allen, yo, go sit with Marcie and them over there, we gotta get a couple open seats."
A boy stood up from the seat next to me and walked over to another table. "You got it, Jay." he said as he made his leave.
Denny sat in the seat to my right and I walked with Sam over to the line of kids.
"Looks like you've made some new friends." Sam observed.
"What? You gettin' jealous, there? Stealin' your stalker spotlight?" I said, laughing a little, smiling a lot.
"Nope." He said, popping the 'p' and smiling. We got out trays and sat down at Jake's table.
I forked my mac and cheese and my stomach growled. This food may not look too good but I'm hungry.
"So, what's your name?" Jake asked Sam. "Sam, uh, Winchester." he replied taking a drink of the Mountain Dew he got from the vending machine. I didn't think to bring money so I was stuck with milk. Eh.
"Echo and Sam Winchester, y'all two related."
"Nope, just a coincidence," I said, recalling Ms. Brennan.
"Cool, cool. So, Echo, did ya hear about the game tonight?"
I looked up from my food and met eyes with Jake.
I took a swig of my milk. "Nope, why?"
"Well, everybody's gonna be there and after some of us are gonna go hang out at The Ridge." he said. That got me wondering.
"What's The Ridge?" I asked.
"This place up in the woods behind the school. It looks out over the old quarry and some of us go out there every now and again to hang and swim."
I took another bite of mac and cheese.
"Would I be able to bring a friend to this little gathering?" I asked, looking at Sam.
"Totally, the more the merrier."
My throat was caked with the sludgy cheese and I contemplated taking another drink of the school milk.
Nope.
I grabbed Sam's soda and took a big drink.
"I don't like milk," I said to Sam, smiling.
He shook his head and laughed a little. I handed him back the drink.
"But, what if you have cooties!" He exclaimed in mock fright/disgust.
"Deal with it," I laughed, "So, Jake, what time's this game and after party?"
"Game starts at seven, so we'll head out to The Ridge after, if your in," he smiled.
"Definitely," I said, smiling at Jake. I turned to Sam. "You in, Sam?" I asked.
"I thought you'd never ask," he said, smiling.
The bell rang and I headed to Calculus. My last few classes came and went. Sam and I had most of them together with the occasion of Jake. The last bell rang and I exited to the locker room in the gym.
I changed pretty quickly, grabbed my bag and headed out the front door of the building. Sam was sitting on the steps.
"Whatchya doin'?" I asked, sitting down next to him.
"Waitin' for my brother." he said, smiling at me.
"Well, I'll wait with you, then. So, want me to pick you up for the game tonight or what?"
"I guess, yeah," He pulled out a pen. "This is so cliche, but gimme your hand."
I set my hand in his, palm up while he wrote his address down.
"Super 8?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm staying there for a bit with my brother..." he said, embarrassed.
"I'm not ragging on you. I asked because that's where I'm staying. I kinda met your brother last night. Gave him directions at the motel?" I said, "I'm guessing it was you in the car with the laptop, couldn't really see your face."
"Oh, that was you? I didn't know. Ya, know. Last night you didn't have your hair all colored and makeup and junk."
"Yeah it was me," I said, laughing, "I absolutely love your car though." I added.
Just then, the car pulled up. Talk about the devil.
"Well, there's Dean, so, I'll see you tonight?"
"Yeah, six thirty." I replied.
Dean called from the car, "Come on, Sammy, I don't wanna get stuck behind no damn buses!"
I laughed and Sam got up.
"Later, Echo."
"Bye, Sam." I said and made my way to the student parking lot.
When my baby came into view I sighed and smiled. I got in and turned my tunes up, the bass shaking the car.
"Well, it rains and it pours when your out on your own..." MCR sang through my speakers. I pulled out of the lot and headed towards the motel. Today was an okay day. And tonight, I'd get to hang out a little and maybe find out a little about the case.
The disappearances did happen near the woods. And I had to be there if there was gonna be a party. Someone else might get taken.
I pulled into the motel and grabbed my backpack. I keyed my room door open and stepped over the threshold. It was four thirty. Two hours til I had to pick up Sam and head to the game.
I jumped on the bed and turned on the T.V. for the first time since I got the room. I channel surfed until I landed on Die Hard with Bruce Willis on FX. I sighed, content. "Yippee-ki-yay motherfucker."
**Third Person P.O.V.**
Sam and Dean pulled into the motel parking lot and went to their room. Dean had spent the day watching television, researching horribly, and being restless. Sam sat on the bed farthest from the door and started to address Dean.
Dean cut him off. "I was bored all day, why do you have to go to school?"
"Because, Dean, the disappearances happened to students and they were near the school so, yeah." he replied, voice laced with disinterest. They had this conversation a million times before during other cases.
"Remember that girl from last night? The hot blonde who gave me directions? Mmm. Maybe she could take away this boredom."
"Echo." Sam said, sighing and laying back on the bed.
"What? There's no echo in here."
"No, her names Echo. She goes to my school. We're going to a game later and this little party thing that's in the woods by the school. That way I can keep an eye on the other kids and maybe get some insight on what this thing is since I'll be in the area."
"Dude, can I come? I love parties...and senior chicks...mmm...senior chicks."
"Nope," Sam said.
"Why not?" Dean asked.
"Because, dude, it's only a couple people and having a random guy showing up in the woods is gonna be kinda weird. Plus, this is my thing."
"Whatever. I'll just go down to the bar and get myself some company." Dean smiled.
Sam frowned in disgust.
"Well, Sammy, you sly dog. Goin' out with blondie. But, I call dibs!" He exclaimed.
"Whatever, she's just a friend."
The minutes ticked by in silence and Sam checked his watch. Six 'o clock. Time to get up and adam.
He closed his laptop and got off of the bed. He took off his button-up and white tee and traded it for a black one. He slid on his hoodie and sat back down on the bed.
"Time for your date?" Dean asked from his bed, where he was paging through their father's journal.
"Shut up, Dean," Sam said. There was a knock at the door and Sam opened it to reveal Echo standing there, not looking much different from earlier.
"Let's go, stalker." She said and acknowledge Dean on the bed. She nodded an introduction.
"Well, hello, there," Dean said, rising from the bed. Sam stepped out side and quickly shut the door, leaving Dean inside.
"Well, and we're off." Sam said as they walked towards Echo's car.
"Did you bring swimming trunks? Jake said we were gonna swim." She held up a clear bag with a black bikini in it.
"Nope, be right back." Sam said and headed back towards his room. Echo got in the car and waiting for Sam to return. Sam came back holding some shorts and got in.
Echo started up the car and the stereo started blaring which scared them both. "Sorry, I always forget to turn it down," she said, as she fingered with the controls. "Nah, it's fine." "Well, lets go to that game." Echo said, smiling.
The car pulled out of the lot and onto the road, headed towards the football field.
**Echo's P.O.V.**
I thrummed the beat of the song that was pouring out of the stereo system. Sam sat back in the seat and it seemed he was humming along. We pulled into the parking lot at the school, a couple minutes later and I parked and got out.
I walked towards the gate of the football field with Sam by my side. I walked up to the window.
"Two, please." I said.
"Are you two students here?" She asked.
"Uh, yeah, why?" I asked.
"Discount for students. That will be eight dollars, please." She replied.
I started to pull out my wallet but Sam had handed her money, already.
"It's on me," he said and we walked inside the gate.
The stands were almost packed. A good amount for just a high school football game. I was walking up the steps to the bleachers, Sam in tow, when a football player, decked out in pads, jersey, cleats and helmet stepped into my path.
"Hey," the football player said, as he removed his helmet to reveal Jake.
"Hey, Jake, we're here." I said motioning to Sam and myself.
"Great, well, games about to start so find a seat. I'll find you at half-time." He said. With a little wave he walked off towards the field.
I pulled Sam up to the top corner, happy to find it was unoccupied.
"Hey, don't man-handle me," he laughed.
"Oh, you cry baby." I pulled him down onto the bench and the game begun. By the time I realized it, it was half-time and we were winning 14-0. Wow, our teams actually good.
I walked down the stands and made my way to the concession area. I hoped they had pizza.
Jake met us coming out of the field house and caught up.
"So, how is it so far?" he asked us.
"Pretty good," I replied, "Y'all are totally kicking that other team's ass."
He laughed and I walked up to the window. Sam, Jake, y'all want anything? I can just get it in one order, instead of y'all waiting in line."
Sam observed the sign on the window, so did Jake.
"Mountain Dew and piece of pepperoni pizza." Sam said.
"Um, Dr. Pepper and piece of pepperoni pizza," Jake added, "I'll pay you back after the game, my wallets in the locker room."
"No need," I said. Sam started to get out his wallet.
"Think of this as my part of the admission fee." I turned back to the window.
"Ma'am? I'd like 2 Mountain Dews, 1 Dr. Pepper, and three slices of pepperoni pizza."
"That will be...18 dollars," the woman stated. I handed her a twenty, got my two dollar change, and turned to the boys while I waited for the food.
"I love me some pizza," I said and smiled. The lady called out from behind me and I grabbed the food, almost falling over because I was trying to carry it all.
Sam and Jake took theirs and Jake started towards a couple picnic benches under a wooden awning type thing. We sat down and I immediately started to devour my slice.
"Slow down, there, girl, your gonna choke!" Sam stated, laughing and tearing into his own pizza.
After a couple minutes, our pizza was gone and Jake had to head back to the field house. Sam and I took our drinks and headed back into the stands. After the game, which we one 22-4, Jake asked us to wait for him at the benches.
After about ten minutes Jake came out of the field house, lugging a duffel bag. We walked out of the gate and he through it into the bed of a black two door truck. He opened up the door and grabbed a flashlight, a plastic bag, and a cooler.
"I have to grab something out of my car," I said. We walked over to where I parked and Sam and I grabbed our swimming clothes.
We followed behind Jake as he walked down a path beside the school. A couple of curved stone benches were here and there under weeping willows that were at the front of the woods.
He walked down a trail in the middle of the benches and soon we found ourselves at a clearing. An orange gravel road to our right signified how a few trucks and cars were parked in the clearing.
Teenagers were sitting on cars and listening to the blaring music. Jake walked up to the first truck and Denny came around it. The truck was black, like Jake's but the tinting on the windows was way past illegal.
I smiled at Denny and Jake hopped into the truck.
"Gotta change," he said. Denny came to stand by me and Sam.
"That's what this trucks for. The tinting is too dark, so it's not street legal. This is what we use if for. Changing when we go swimming," he laughed.
I hadn't noticed before but Denny stood bare foot, with black swimming trunks with white Hawaiian flowers printed on it and a grey tank top.
Jake exited the truck and came to stand next to me.
"Your turn." he said.
He wore sandals and plain blue swimming trunks. No shirt. Wow, that's a sight.
Washboard abs, and the perfect amount of tan. I climbed into the truck and locked the doors, just in case. I pulled off my tee shirt, undershirt, shoes and pants.
I pulled off my under wear and bra and replaced them with my black string bikini. I made sure the strings were double-knotted and stuffed my other clothes and shoes into the bag.
I pulled a pony-tail holder off of my wrist and pulled my hair up. I did it so it looked really good, but gave the effect that I didn't really try. I looked in the rear view mirror and was satisfied.
I unlocked the doors and got out of the truck. I stood on the ground right outside the door.
"Well, what are you waitin' for, Sam. Get dressed. Well, undressed," I said, smiling.
The other two, Denny and Jake turned to look at what Sam was open-mouthed towards.
Jake broke out in a grin and Sam climbed into the truck, blushing. After a couple minutes, Sam got out of the vehicle himself and it was my turn to stare.
Forget Jake's washboard abs. Sam was way more muscular. And tan too.
He came out in nothing but white and black checkerboard swimming trunks that hung low on his hips. You could make out distinct abs and every kind of muscle your supposed to have there. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Can I stick my stuff in your bag, Echo? Didn't think to bring one..." he trailed off.
I immediately handed him my bag and silently berated myself for gawking. He put his stuff in the bag and handed it back to me.
"Just throw it in the floorboard," Denny said. I put the bag in the designated place and Jake opened his cooler. He pulled out four beers and handed them to each of us.
"Oh, wonderful..." I commented, smiling.
We opened our beers and walked towards the other people. Shouts and laughing could be hear in the midst of the music. We walked to the edge of a small cliff-like land form.
"See you on the flip side." Jake remarked, downing his beer. He gave a last reckless smile, a little salute and stepped backwards off the cliff.
I lunged forward too late.
Denny shouted, "Yeah!", cupping his hands over his mouth, laughing.
Sam looked just as surprised as I was. Denny then leaned over the edge. I looked too.
And down, below the drop was a smiling, wet, Jake, splashing in the water.
"I'm gonna kill you!" I screamed at him.
"Then, come down here and do it!" he retorted.
I looked at Sam who shrugged. I smiled at Denny and Sam.
"Yippee-ki-yay mother-" the quote was cut off as I jumped off the ridge, replaced by a scream of excitement.
I was then engulfed in cool water. I resurfaced and grinned a Jake who was laughing while swimming backwards.
"Now, I got you," I laughed.
He started to swim faster. I was about to go after him when a giant splash erupted beside me.
Sam came up out of the water and shook his head.
I pulled out my pony-tail and did the same. We started towards where Jake was and Denny plopped in behind us. We made it over to a couple of rocks that sat in a shallow part of the water.
I jumped up onto a rock, smoothed over the years by erosion from the water. Sam sat beside me and Jake and Denny grabbed a seat on another rock.
"Well, what now?" I asked. I turned to Sam and my breathing hitched. His hair was wet and it matted in parts around his face and the moonlight shown down, illuminating little drops of water that clung to his smooth and tan skin.
He was smiling broadly, obviously enjoying himself.
"Dunno, Jake?"
Jake looked up at us.
"Lemme go grab a few more beers and I know what we can do."
He looked at Denny who gave him a questioning look.
"Be right back." he said, smiling at me as he walks up a trail on the bank behind us.
A few minutes later he returned from the same trail, carrying his cooler. He plopped back onto his rock and threw everyone a beer.
"Okay, so, do you guys wanna hear a story?"
I eyed Sam.
"Guess so," I said, smiling at Jake. "Bout, what?"
"Well, it's kind of a ghost story, local legend thing."
I brightened inside. He must be talking about the case I'm on, maybe this is the insight I need. Sam looked interested too.
"Well, according to the story, back before our town became a town, it was all forest and woods, like it is around here. Now, there used to be this old quarry, but back then it was what started the town. They would mine, and cut down trees, started to build on this land. But, some say that the land we claimed was already inhabited.
"By some kind of Indian like people. But these people weren't normal. They didn't work or live in houses or go to school. That kinda thing. You see, they lived in little caves and underground spaces that spread throughout the quarry. Well, they weren't normal people, so they didn't have normal pets. And when the first people came to try and take this land they took the pets off the leash. These things were beasts. They ravaged the new comers and the only way to kill them was fire, so they set the whole forest up. Burning down most of what was there except for this portion.
"They thought they killed all of the beasts but now, its told that if your in the forest you can hear them. Screeching and calling out. And they hunt you. They jump down from above or come up behind you, they catch you off guard, then use their claws and rows and rows of sharp pointy teeth. The rip you to shreds, eat you alive then toss your bones in the quarry. After a meal they go into the caves and rest until they are hungry again. Then, they come back. FOR YOU!" He screamed the last part.
Getting what he wanted, me jumping. He then laughed and Sam chuckled.
"That is so shit!" I exclaimed. "There is no such thing as monsters!" I lied.
I took another swig of beer and nudged Sam.
"Wanna get wet again?"
"You don't have to ask me twice." he smiled and we set our beers down and slid into the water.
"So, Sam," I asked, as Jake and Denny jumped in, "You up for a game?"
"What game?" the three asked in unison. I laughed.
"Um, Marco Polo."
"Alright," Sam said, "Who's it?"
"Me, I guess," I said, "Since I thought of it. Strict boundaries, though. No going out of the shallow part. I'd lose y'all in a split second."
I closed my eyes as the boys made there way through the water.
"Marco!" I called.
"Polo," Jake and Denny's voices came from my right.
"Polo," Sam said from behind me.
I turned. "Marco!" I called again.
"Polo!" They called in unison again.
"Polo," Sam said from behind me.
How did he get back there?
I said 'Marco!' once more as I faked to turn.
I lunged forward and face planted into a hard chest. With my eyes still closed I meandered my hand upwards, passing over abs and pecks until it met a neck and jawline.
I leaned up and opened my eyes.
"Polo," Sam said softly in front of me, my hand still on his jaw. He smiled.
"Your it," I said, blushing at the closeness.
Then, a wailing screech and a girl's scream ripped through the night and echoed through the open space of the quarry; bouncing off of the black, moonlit water.