Life After High School. Is It Scary? You Bet.

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: What do we want? LOTR! When do we want it? NOW!

Summary: Hell, I thought you would have figured it out by now.

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We left that morning for the three day trip to Gondor. It actually took four and a half because Benny was a little sore. I didn't blame him. When we got to Gondor, Damon stopped. He turned to Billee, Legolas and me.

"I'm sorry guys, really, I am. But so you won't betray Lucas' location, I have to blindfold you."

I nodded in agreement. Billee and Legolas seemed to agree, but looked a little nervous. Damon put the heavy material around my head and tied it firmly, then, he took the reins of our horses, and led us all toward the hideout.

Later, once we were all inside, the material was removed and I saw we were inside a dimly lit cavern of some sort.

"So, Damon, Benny, you brought your most trustworthy friends, I hope."

I turned to where the voice had come from. There was a guy sitting with his face in the shadows.

Something about the stature of this man was very familiar.

"Lucas Blanco?" I asked.

The mans face can out of the shadows. He looked confused. Then he smiled slowly.

"Jamita Olesse Shadow. I wondered when I'd see you again."

"I had to come, they are my parents."

Damon had a look of confusion written all over his face.

"You two know eachother?"

"Know eachother?" I said, with a chuckle. "Lucas was Mark's best bud in high school. And half way through primary. He taught Mark how to protect us, isn't that right, Lucas?"

"Sure is." He said with a smile. "How is Mark by the way?"

I felt a weight sink in my stomach, usually I try to avoid this conversation.

"Lucas, Mark died a few years ago." Lucas looked shocked. Then sad.

"How did he die?"

I pointed to the window, where my father and mother were locked in their little room.

"Dad. I won't even bother calling him that anymore."

Lucas looked as angry as a lion. He growled a bit. He marched his way over to the door and opened it. Damon, Billee, Benny, Legolas and me all followed him. I came from behind all the tallest guys in time to see Lucas punch Galfo Shadow in the stomach.

"You killed my best friend!" He screamed. My father's head jerked back from impact with Lucas' fist in the stomach and he groaned.

I just watched on. I didn't really care about my parents anymore. To me, they weren't my family anymore. Frodo and Ria were.

After Lucas had tortured my father a bit more, he took us to the 'mess' room, where we grabbed a cup of coffee. Lucas began to tell us about times when he and Mark used to get together and play tricks. They had been inseparable, like me and Emma. Mark had been what you might call a little stupid. His marks were average and he used to get into lots of trouble.

Lucas and Benny laughed at a memory that they had of Mark getting caught by Gandalf, when trying to steal Mark's lifesavers from where Gandalf had hidden them after confiscating them.

After a while, the laughter died down, Lucas grew thoughtful.

"You know," He said. "I think we should hold a memorial service for our friend and brother, Mark. He was a good bloke and had lots of friends."

I nodded in agreement. Benny thought it was a good idea too.

"Who would we invite though?"

"Anybody who knew Mark before he died, I guess."

"What? You mean like class mates, teachers, friends, people in Midgewood, stuff like that?"

"Yeah."

That was how the list of people to invite got started.