I would like to thank everyone who has read the first chapter. As well as anyone who reads this chapter.

Chapter 2 - Surprise Visit To The Nurse:

There was a ritual I had with Dylan.

You see, once a week at-least. We went out to a small clearing a little way into the forest just outside the school.

Students usually couldn't leave the building without adult supervision, well, unless they were going to the sports fields or outdoor basketball court. But, there were two stairwells in the History wing of the school. One had no security and wasn't checked by patroling teachers or staff. That stairwell led to the school basement. And there was a door leading outside that was free from cameras and usually left unlocked during the day.

There was a rumor around students that the upperclassmen used it for...not so innocent activities. But there was never anyone down there when I went to escape or explore the school.

The other stairway led to the sports fields, which also didn't have any security cameras or anything but was patrolled a little more frequently. Plus, the forest was more fun. Sometimes we would stop by a small creek a little further away from the school.

Now the ritual that Dylan and I had was...well, kinda embarrassing.

Completely innocent.

But kinda embarrassing to admit.

"Is this one big enough?" Dylan called out from my right.

I turned to look at him and saw him examining a three-foot-long stick.

Yea. A stick.

"Should be," I responded while swinging around one of equal length. "You ready to go?"

With a call of affirmative, I turned to face him, and we stood face to face holding sticks out at each other in a bad attempt of a sword-fighting stance.

Now, I know as the elder of the two of us, I probably should not be encouraging this. But it was fun, and it helped calm the ADHD a little.

Plus, it helped tire me out, so I slept through the night too.

"Start!" Dylan called out, almost like a referee.

We both lunged at each other at the same time, and the sticks met with equal force. I let go some of the pressure on my end, hoping to throw Dylan off balance and swung again, but Dylan managed to block.

We followed the same dance for a minute or so.

I swung, Dylan blocked. Then Dylan would go for a swing, and I would stop his stick with my own.

I'm not sure how this routine started. It was at some point during the two years that I would occasionally stay with the Jacksons. See, Dylan's mom was my temporary guardian sometimes. I would stay with them and their pig when my uncle went away on business, and my grandmother couldn't watch my brother and me.

A sharp sting in my hand brought my attention back to Dylan.

"Point." He grinned dopily.

I shook my hand to try and lessen the sting.

"You won't get the next."

I lunged with a stab to his stomach. He was too slow to dodge.

"Ow!" He whined.

"No gloating."

He scowled at me and lunged.

We continued our duel between sticks and must have been stick fighting for another hour when I heard it.

I had just gotten another hit on Dylan, this time on his hand. He was being a little bit of a drama queen, jumping around in a circle while shaking his hand.

It sounded...well, I'm not sure I can describe it well enough.

It was a harsh guttural howl like something crawled out of the deepest parts of hell. It was followed by growling, and it made my hair stand on edge.

It seemed like Dylan didn't hear it, and it sounded like it was far away, but still...

A foreboding feeling settled over me, and my breathing started to get erratic.

"What's that?"

Dylan stopped what he was doing and turned to face me. I wasn't looking at him though, I was frantically looking all around me.

I heard another growl. This time, the sound seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"Luna?" Dylan sounded so far away, even though he was right behind me.

A smell reached my nose. It smelled rotten, like a decaying animal that you passed by on the street.

"This isn't funny."

Another howl, this time closer, but still nowhere near us. I heard the sound of running accompanying it.

"LUNA!"

My head snapped to the right so I could look at Dylan. He was staring at the ground in panic. And my heart stopped mid beat when I saw there was a fog swirling around his ankles and slowly traveling up his legs. The clearing around us was filling with fog at an alarming rate.

I heard another howl and resumed my now frantic searching of the forest.

My head snapped to a point to the northeast, my vision seemed to tunnel, and it was almost like I could see everything for miles.

I saw some deer drinking at the nearby stream and some foxes chasing a few squirrels. I could see chipmunks running through the grass.

And then I saw the source of the howling.

I had to bite back a scream when I saw it.

The figure was emaciated. Its skin was a blueish gray and running on its arms and legs. The ears were pointed, and there was no hair anywhere on its body. Its eyes were beady and glowing red, the teeth were all pointed fangs that were drooling what looked to be blood.

I had just barely finished taking in the...things...features when I noticed it wasn't alone.

There were about five more following the first.

"We need to go."

I wouldn't have been surprised if it came out as a squeak.

I saw the leader perk up and sniff the air, and my heart nearly stopped when it looked in my direction.

It snarled at the following creatures and changed course, running full speed in my direction.

"Now!"

I spun around and grabbed Dylan by the wrist, just barely taking in the terrified look on his face. I bolted into the now light fog, heading back to the school, dragging my friend along with me.

I jumped over fallen logs and narrowly dodged stray rocks, Dylan somehow copying my movements.

Another howl rang through the air, and this time Dylan could hear it.

"What was that?"

I could hear the sounds of the running getting closer as I weaved through the trees. The fog was getting ticker. My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid it would burst out of my chest. All I wanted to do was curl into a ball and scream.

I tried not to look back, knowing that doing so would just slow me down even more than dragging my friend did. But just as the edge of the forest was entering my sight, I turned to look behind me.

The first creature was maybe a hundred feet behind us.

I looked forward again and tried to pick up my pace, but I couldn't go any faster. My breathing was coming in erratic bursts, and I was sure I was close to hyperventilating. I couldn't form a single coherent thought, and there was fear bubbling in my chest. It was forcing tears to appear in my eyes, blurring my vision.

I heard Dylan scream, so I looked back again. Dylan could see the creatures now. The leader jumped onto a tree, ricocheting off of it, and lunged at us.

I knew we were done for. There was no way that I could move us out of its way, and to make matters worse...my legs became unsteady from the force behind my running, and I tripped, dragging Dylan down with me.

We couldn't have been easier prey.

I turned to face the incoming beast, sure that its sunken face would be the last thing I would see. But I caught a glance of Dylan's pale face.

His face was completely drained of all color. He had tears streaming down his face, and it looked like he wasn't breathing. The horror-struck look on his face caused my own breathing to stop. My body moved on its own, and I pushed myself in front of Dylan, my right hand clamped over his eyes.

I couldn't let his last sight be my death.

I screamed as a single thought finally crossed my mind.

Sorry, you had to go out with me, Dill.

A grey blur entered my vision, knocking into the monster and forced it away from its path to Dylan and me. A snarl reached my ears, and my head followed the blur.

I could only make out the back of the animal as it faded into the rest of the trees, taking the creature with it, a roar of pain coming from the barely human-like figure.

A new voice thundered in my head as I watched it disappear:

RUN PUP!

I was awestruck watching what seemed to be a nearly seven-foot-tall wolf escape with my would-be killer.

It seemed like I was watching for an eternity. In reality, however, it must have only been a couple of seconds.

My attention was brought back to the danger at hand when I noticed another creature rush at me. But this time, I heard a new sound.

I vaguely could identify it since it's been years since I last frequently heard the twinge.

In fact, when I was younger, I heard it practically every day. It was such a constant in my life that I could identify the sound blindfolded.

Unfortunately, I've been exposed to the noise far less frequently over the past five years, which saddened me.

It was a bow being drawn.

The second creature's hand was inches from my face when I heard the arrow release. I could barely see the projectile pass me before it embedded itself in the left eye of the monster.

That was too close. It just barely skimmed past my head...is the person trying to shoot me as well?

My thoughts were cut off by the sound of another arrow shooting past me, followed by a yelp after it hit something. I heard Dylan whimper, and it made me snap out of my stupor.

The arrows flying past me encouraged me to get up again and pull Dylan along with me.

I look at where the arrow came from.

I couldn't make out the archer, but I could see the shimmer of a silver parka sticking out from behind a tree.

Another snarl from behind me forced my legs into action. I burst into a sprint, covering the last stretch of trees in record time.

The fog disappeared outside of the treeline, but I didn't slow, and I could tell Dylan didn't either.

It was a twenty-yard distance from the treeline to the school. Unfortunately, the entire span between the two was an open field. So if someone were to just so happen to be staring out a window, they would see two terrified sixth graders running towards the History wing.

I crashed into the door as Dylan reached for the doorknob. I moved out of the way and used this brief pause to stare back at the woods.

There was a lone creature standing on its legs at the edge of the forest. It seemed to be hiding from the sun, but at the same time, it was staring me down.

The fog had become unbelievably thick, and the face was slowly disappearing. But the red eyes started glowing.

It seemed like I was stuck in a staring contest, and what I was seeing in the orbs I did not like.

Suddenly I heard the door click open, and Dylan yell: 'Let's go!'

He let me in first, making sure to close and lock the door after him.

"I don't think it followed us." He called from behind me as we rushed up the stairs.

"Good," I responded, opening the door to the hallway. "The last thing-"

It suddenly felt like a thousand cymbals crashed through my head, the light in the hall was blinding, and I could hear every sound in the building. I could even hear the fish and turtles swimming in the science lab across the building and the principal's pet tortoise that he kept in his office.

I choked back a scream as the pain hit me as fast as that arrow hit the creature's left eye.

I collapsed onto my knees and brought my hands up to fruitlessly cover my ears.

-Dylan-

Luna was kneeling on the floor with her hands covering her ears, she was catatonic to the world around her.

She was hyperventilating, gasping for breath, and it seemed like she was holding back screams.

"Luna?"

No answer, besides the cut-off beginnings of a scream.

I pushed my way through the small gap between the doorway and the unresponsive body of one of my best friends. When I was standing in front of her, I knelt down to try and see her face.

Now before I continue, I need to ask.

Have you ever barely escaped a weird gremlin-looking creature that's about to eat you?

Then when you believe you're safe, you suddenly witness one of the strongest girls you know and one of the people you admire all but collapse in front of you?

No?

Well lucky you.

Because that, that is more terrifying than being pushed down a 50-foot tall water slide blindfolded.

Trust me, both situations cause your heart to stop for a moment, and I've been through both, unfortunately.

I tried calling her name a few more times, but I didn't get an answer. So after a brief pause to decide what to do, I hooked my arms under her armpits and lifted her up so I could get a better hold on her.

When she was somewhat standing, I used my chest to prop her up so I could wrap my arms around her middle and guide her a little further down the hall without dragging her.

I may have dragged her a little bit...

But I swear there was no way out of it! I was all skin and bones! I wouldn't have had the strength to carry her.

I set Luna down against the wall about halfway down the hall, and she slid to the floor sitting in a fetal position.

After a brief check to make sure the door was closed behind us- trust me, neither of us wanted to get a lecture - I bolted down the rest of the hallway to try and find help.

Luckily I didn't have to go far, and I was doubly lucky that it was Mr. Nilsen who was patrolling the hall.

I don't know if Luna said just how awesome Mr. Nilsen was or not, so I'll just do a quick rundown.

He throws classroom birthday parties for each of his students. Each party is individualized. And if more than one student happens to share a birthday, it feels like two different parties all at once. I've never heard a student of Mr. Nilsen complain about sharing a birthday.

If you include the fact that he rarely gives homework, never talks down to his students. Always asks for a student's opinion or side of the story, and that every Friday was a video game tournament. He was the favorite teacher for most students.

"Dylan, my boy," he called when he saw me. "Why the rush? You know that running is not permitted in the building."

I stopped before the limping professor, my hands resting on my knees, trying to catch my breath for a quick minute while pointing down the hall.

"It's Luna, sir. She's down the hall by Mrs. Carson's classroom. I don't know what's wrong. She suddenly grabbed her head and isn't responding to me."

Mr. Nilsen switched his hold on his cane so he could carry it.

"Show me the way, lad."

I rushed back the way I came, with the teacher now hobbling after me.

He was actually quite fast. It was surprising, what with his limp, but he was actually at my heel the entire time.

I'm thinking he saw Luna pretty fast because he said something under his breath. I'm assuming it was a curse, but what followed it made me a little confused.

"By the All-father's beard."

I didn't have time to question it because he suddenly barrelled past me. He stopped just long enough to crouch in front of Luna. I caught up to him in time to see him extend his arm to try and lift Luna's head to meet his eyes. Mr. Nilsen had his thumb holding her chin while the rest of his fingers wrapped around to the back of her head.

He had pretty big hands.

As soon as Mr. Nilsen's finger touched the base of her head, Luna's eyes rolled into the back of her head. It caused her to collapse into his arms.

"Lad, I'm going to bring her to the infirmary. You can come along or return to your dorm."

When Mr. Nilsen stood up again, he had Luna cradled against his chest like a baby. He passed me his cane and switched his hold on her to more of a bridal carry.

The infirmary wasn't too far from the History wing, so it took us maybe about ten minutes. Mr. Nilsen was keeping pace with me so that I could see my surrogate sister the entire time.

I've never seen Luna get like this before. I know she gets migraines, and I've seen her when she got them. This never happened.

"Get the door, Dylan."

I complied without hesitation.

The nurse's office had sky-blue walls and white tiles. When you first walked in, you were greeted by chairs lined against walls in half of the room. Two desks marked the middle of the room, one on the left and one on the right. There was a space separating the two desks for people to walk to the back. It was wide enough for paramedics to get past if the situation ever called for it. The corner behind the desk on the right had three different doorways, one on the right wall and two next to each other on the back wall, separated by a small trash can. The left corner had cabinets on both walls with a sink and a fridge for specialized medication.

There was also a mini-fridge behind the door of one of the cabinets. It held snacks and treats, like ice-pops and pudding, but you didn't hear that from me.

"Barbara!" Mr. Nilsen bellowed.

A strawberry blonde poked her head through the window that covered a portion of the back wall. It ran from the last cabinet on the left to the first door on the right.

Ms. Barbara was the head nurse of the school. She had short wavy hair in what I think Dove once called a bob cut and green eyes that made you feel at ease when they looked at you. She was about 5'6 and often dressed in a pair of slacks, a blouse, and a lab coat.

She seemed pretty young, I know I shouldn't be talking about a woman's age, but she only seemed to be in her early to mid-twenties.

I saw Ms. Barbara's eyes widen from behind the glass, and she rushed out of the back room. She bumped into something on her way out, and it fell to the ground with a 'crash.'

...Did I mention she was a bit of a clutz..?

She turned around to see what fell, waved it off, and turned back to Mr. Nilsen.

"Lars, what happened?"

...Lars? Was that Mr. Nilsen's first name?

"Don't know, was patrolling the History wing when the lad came running for help."

Ms. Barbara turned to face me. Her face was cooled into an expectant look, but her usual calming eyes seemed to be terrified.

I have been in this office when a student came in with blood dripping down the side of his face. She took charge and stayed calm.

Was she afraid now because Luna was unconscious?

"We went out to walk around the fields. When we came back inside, she suddenly clutched her head and fell to the floor. I went to get Mr. Nilsen, and she passed out just as he was trying to get her attention."

Ms. Barbara sighed in relief, then shot Mr. Nilsen a look with a raised eyebrow.

"Probably just another migraine then. Come follow me to the back. We can have Luna rest there."

I blinked once and replied in a matter-of-fact tone:

"She doesn't pass out from migraines."

Both adults turned to look at me. Ms. Barbara walked over and put a hand on my shoulder. I looked her in the eyes.

"I'll keep an eye on her. If it makes you feel better, you can stay here tonight and help me. Your sister couldn't be in better hands if I may be so bold."

I wanted to argue. After all, if something were to happen to Luna, Archer - her actual twin - would murder me. He wouldn't spare a thought and probably wouldn't let me tell him the entire story beforehand, either.

I sent a worried look back to my friend. Her head was nestled into the crook of Mr. Nilsen's neck, she looked so small, and even in sleep, her face seemed to be clenched in pain. Her skin seemed to be pale as well. Granted, Luna naturally had a light skin tone, but she usually had a golden undertone that was currently absent.

I looked back at Ms. Barbara. Her eyes were telling me to trust her.

I nodded once, and she smiled at me before turning to Mr. Nilsen.

"Follow me. There's an empty room you can place Luna in."

We followed the head nurse through the doorway next to the one she entered from. I had never been through that door before. If I need a bed in the nurse's office, I'm usually in the room to the right. It was a hallway that the door led to. There were five doors, three on the right, one on the left, and one at the very end.

Ms. Barbara brought us to the door on the left. The room had tan walls and bluish-green tiles. There were two beds, and I don't mean like those uncomfortable blue beds are found in a typical nurse's office. The metal frames reminded me of those old mental asylum beds that you would see in pictures. The mattress was quite thick, though, and both beds had silver sheets and a thin blue blanket on top.

Ms. Barbara moved the blanket, and Mr. Nilsen laid Luna gently on the bed. Ms. Barbara then covered her with the blanket and turned to me with a smile.

"I'll be talking to Mr. Nilsen upfront. I'll call Mr. Jacobs and tell him that you'll be staying here tonight. Would you like for me to ask for your roommate to run some things down for you? Or would you like to go get them yourself?"

I moved my eyes to the floor and cringed at Mr. Jacobs's name. He was the new substitute gym teacher in charge of the second-floor boy's dorms. He was a short middle-aged pudgy white dude, only standing at 5'4. He had shoulder-length light brown hair, a scruffy beard, a receding hairline, and dark beady eyes.

I luckily didn't have him as a teacher, but he taught the class that shared the gym with mine. He was horrible. Honestly, I don't even know why he's a teacher.

Oh, wait. It probably had something to do with the looks sends to the female teachers.

And the older, or more...ehem...developed students.

I'm sure you can understand why I don't like him now.

Honestly, I don't even know how that man - the word being used loosely- was ever hired at a school.

I don't believe there has ever been an incident. And some teachers had suspicions about him, I think. But the only thing we students knew for sure was that he was a creep.

And I certainly wasn't gonna risk him finding out about Luna right now.

He never tried anything. Honestly, I don't think he would be alive right now if he did. But better safe than sorry.

All the girls in the school tended to travel in groups. Luna and Dove were no exception, constantly by each other's sides. If they weren't, then they were with other students. Dove would travel with a classmate from Elementary school, and if Luna didn't have anyone to walk with, the thorn in her side, Charlotte would be with her.

It's kinda surprising now that I think of it. Luna didn't have many friends, mostly just Dove and me. Maybe two girls and a boy in higher grades, but they rarely mingled. Charlotte, however, would always show up when Luna was at risk of being alone, despite the two hating each other.

If I didn't know any better, I would think Charlotte was Luna's guardian angel.

I looked at Ms. Barbara again but with pleading eyes this time.

"Could you ask for Ari to run them down, please? And if possible...could you not tell Mr. Jacobs that Luna's here? Just say that I'm the one injured or something? Please?"

Mr. Nilsen tensed and gritted his teeth, watching Luna for a brief second.

Ms. Barbara searched my eyes for a minute, a blank look on her face and murder in her eyes, before nodding and standing up.

"Well, we can't risk you returning to your dorm room if you have a concussion. It's best to have you here overnight so I can keep an eye on you." She said, turning away from me.

She started walking out of the room. But paused at the doorway, turning her head slightly to glance at Mr. Nilsen.

"Lars? A word?"

Mr. Nilsen turned to me, but his response was to Ms. Barbara.

"I'll be right there, Barb."

Ms. Barbara didn't respond, just looked forward again, standing at the door waiting. Mr. Nilsen walked to me, kneeling as he reached me, and placed both hands on the dragon's head of his cane.

"Is there anything you would like to inform me about, young man? About Mr. Jacobs?"

I hesitated. I heard that some female students would complain to teachers but that they were waved off. I knew Mr. Nilsen wouldn't do that, though.

"Rumors are going around that he stares at some of the female students weirdly. Dove Derosiers has seen him do it a few times, and Luna has overheard some of the older students complain about it. I even overheard Charlotte Rose say that a lot of girls transferred out of his class because of it."

"Has he looked at either Miss Jackson or Miss Derosiers?"

"I don't believe so, sir. Both Luna and Dove would have said something if that were the case."

It felt weird that he didn't ask about Charlotte, but I guess he would ask her himself. It wasn't a secret that Charlotte and Luna or Dove didn't get along after all, and she also seemed to avoid a lot of the male students.

"Thank you, lad."

He got up and walked to Ms. Barbara. Both adults left the room, only talking in hushed whispers when the door was closed.

One thing I heard Ms. Barabara say quite clearly, however.

"He's a dead man."

I walked over to Luna. She was still ghostly pale, her face scrunched in pain, and she was now moving her head in her sleep. Some of her bangs had fallen over her eyes.

I used my hand to sweep the hair away from her face.

She has never passed out from migraines before, but I have seen her have nightmares.

She whimpered, and the faintest call of 'mama' left her mouth.

I never met Luna's mom. Only her uncle and grandmother. No one ever talked about her mom or dad either. The only thing I know about her parents is that she never knew her father, just like me and my brother Percy.

I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. I had seen my mom calm Luna during a nightmare many times.

I started smoothing the hair at the top of her head and very quietly started singing a lullaby my mom would sing to me when I was younger.

The melody reminded me of that mockingbird song.

'I see the moon and the moon see's me,

Shining through the branches of the old oak tree.'

She relaxed her face slightly but still looked to be in pain, so I continued my horrible singing of the next verse.

'Over the mountains, over the sea,

back where my heart is longing to be.'

I sang quietly for a little longer but suddenly realized that Ms. Barbara would have to call my mom about Luna's passing out. I stopped smoothing her hair and left the room, heading to the front to speak to Ms. Barbara.

I overheard her speaking to Mr. Nilsen, so I stopped just before the doorway to wait for an opportunity to make my presence known. I wasn't eavesdropping, I swear. In fact, I tried my hardest not to listen to what they were saying.

So I started asking myself questions.

I wonder what Percy and Archer are up to? Don't they have a field trip tomorrow?

How is mom doing? I should call tomorrow. It's been a while since I called.

The school year is almost over. I'm not sure if I wanna come back next year. Maybe I can go somewhere closer to home?

I wonder if Luna knows when her uncle is coming back from his trip? Could he and mom take us to the Arcade again?

As you can see, I was really trying not to listen to their conversation.

But all my efforts were in vain as soon as a single sentence was spoken by Ms. Barbara.

"Honestly, Lars. You had to do it in front of the boy? You couldn't have waited till you brought her to me before you knocked her out?"

Mr. Nilsen caused Luna to pass out? But he barely touched the base of her head before she lost consciousness.

Maybe it was a pressure point thing. I had seen it happen in a show or movie my brother, I, and our almost siblings were watching once.

"The lass was in pain, Barb. If you had seen her face, you would have done the same."

"Just be glad her protector wasn't here."

Luna had a protector? Why? Who?

I couldn't think much of this new information, no matter how strange it was, because Ms. Barbara kept talking.

"My aunt chose me for this mission. The last thing I wish to do is envoke her fury. And I'm sure that's what would happen if word got back to her that you knocked Luna out."

"You worry too much. I'm sure your aunt would be more understanding than you are implying. That-"

I'm not allowed to repeat the word Mr. Nilsen used. But it rhymed with 'plastered.'

"-Jacobs, however, I don't think she will be happy about."

"Language, Lars. And don't remind me, I don't even know how that-"

It was hypocritical for Ms. Barbara to call Mr. Nilsen out on his cursing. Especially when her word rhymed with Tucker.

"-even got hired at this, or any, school. As far as I'm concerned, Jacobs shouldn't be within 500 feet!"

"What was that about language again, my dear?"

"Right, sorry. It's just that I'm sure that my aunt has been told about him by now. It has been six months since he started, after all. And I don't wanna test my luck anymore! She's a-"

Ms. Barbara's tone dropped down a few octaves and took on a trace of panic. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear what else she said.

"-After all!"

I decided that I was done listening, as I heard more than I should have. So I crept back a few steps, not stopping till I was back at the door that led to the room Luna was in.

I opened the door and closed it again, louder than when I first left.

I heard the whispers stop.

I walked down the hall back to the front, this time being louder than before. I was praying that my face wasn't betraying the fact that I had heard them.

I appeared in the doorway, and both adults were looking at me.

"Umm, Ms. Barbara?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yes, Dylan?" Ms. Barbara replied kindly

"I know you need to call my mom. Could you call her cellphone, please? She's probably at work right now, and the house phone isn't working."

Ok, that last part was a lie. My step-father was probably home, but he wasn't Luna or Archer's guardian. Only my mom was.

Ms. Barbara nodded with a smile on her face.

"Of course."

I gave my thanks and went back to keep an eye on Luna.

I plan on switching to Percy and Luna's twin Archer soon. I think there will only be one more chapter before then.

I'm hoping to get the next chapter up in a week or two, so please keep an eye out.

Thanks