Prologue 2

New Light

Flashback, Four Years Earlier..

Mateo Heights National Park..

Thirteen year old Nick Negron didn't know what had gone wrong as he and his two best friends Elliot and Richie ran through the deep woods of the National Park. Elliot's older brother Steven had just moved back to Crystal Springs with his girlfriend Shirley. As a welcome, Nick, Elliot and Richie had decided to get the whole neighborhood out to the park to throw a huge party. Everyone was excited, even the Vaziri sisters who had been invited much to Richie's chagrin. As the party had gone on, however, things quickly turned upside-down.

Apparently, Steven and Shirley owed money to some loan shark back on the south side of Meteor Heights county. They in turn hired the local gang, Los Crystalis, to get the money back which Steven and Shirley obviously no longer had. Now, all of the neighborhood kids had gone in different directions through the woods as the gang members ran after them, with the only ones being spared at that time being the Vaziri sisters, who were now trying to find the boys they loved.

Back a few hundred yards from the boy trio Bryanna, Faye and Kyryna Vaziri ran, following the obvious steps of their men. Kyryna stopped when they hit a fork in the road, the other two stopping just behind her. Looking around, she noticed a glint of light on the ground. She bent down and picked up what looked like a medallion with what looked like wings and a central spire emblazoned on it. She gasped, recognizing it as the Star Wars medallion Nick kept with him, insisting it was a good-luck charm. "Nick.. This way, girls!" She took off down one lane of the fork, the other two starting to struggle with keeping up with their sister.

Back with the boys, Nick Richie and Elliot had wound up in a clearing where they stopped. "Damn it! Now what?" Richie cursed as several Los Crystalis members entered the clearing.

"Now we got you! Now just give yourselves up nice and easy-like." Said one, the crystal-motif du-rag covering his face muffling his voice slightly as he held up a pistol pointed at the young teens.

"Well, it was nice knowing you guys. You two are the best friends anyone could ask for."

The boys closed their eyes, fearing the worst as they heard a gunshot ring out through the forest, followed by a thud and an unexpected voice. "Nobody fucks with our boys! Get 'em, girls!"

Cracking his eye, Nick saw the three Vaziri sisters literally wiping the forest floor with the thugs. Kyryna slammed one onto the ground, stomping down on the arm she still held. It broke with a sickening crunch as Nick suddenly felt a bit woozy. Looking at his shoulder, he saw that the shot fired had hit him, leaving him losing blood. Before he momentarily lost consciousness, all he could see were the girls defending them, ultimately stopping the gang members' plans.

"..Ick.. Nick!.. Come on, babypop, wake up. Stay with me." The first thing Nick could see the next time he opened his eyes was a shock of dark red hair with an electric blue streak, followed by the voice again, this time sounding relieved through the present sobbing. "That's it, sugah, stay with me. I promise you're going to be okay. Just don't move too fast you could start bleeding again."

Able to see the now obvious rescuer, Nick tried to take a breath, wincing at the shooting pain in his shoulder as he half-smiled at the apparent angel looking down at him. "Kyryna.."

"Shh, baby, don't strain yourself. We still gotta wait for the ambulance and police. I'm just so glad you're alright."

"Thanks to you.. The others..?"

"They're fine. My sisters brought them back to the rest of the neighborhood. I didn't want to move you and aggravate the wound." She stroked Nick's shoulder-length black hair from his face. "I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you..We made a truce."

"Truce? What kind of truce?"

"Me and my sisters promised we wouldn't attack the three of you anymore, especially if something like today was going to happen again, God forbid. We were lucky to find you guys." She left out the medallion, which she had decided to keep as a memento.

Nick managed a slow nod. She's so beautiful, even when she's sad. He thought before his mind remembered exactly who this girl was. No, she's a Vaziri, I can't think like that.. But it's true..

Two Years Later, Geode Lake..

Now fifteen, Nick had made his way a few miles south of the Cul-de-sac to the nearby lake. Why had he gone out there, alone even? The note he had received that morning when he had gone to check for the day before's mail, which hadn't yet been collected. The note had read:

Nick, I want to talk, alone. Meet me at Geode Lake this afternoon. I promise this isn't a trap. I just want to ask you something. So please, just consider it. K.V.

It was obvious who had written it, and Nick had been hesitant to go all the way out to the lake. But, since the Truce had been formed two years earlier, it had been rare to even hear from the Vaziri sisters. Deep in his mind, as much as he was afraid to admit, he was worried something had happened to the angel who had made sure he was safe after being shot in the shoulder.

Riding past the entry sign to the lake, Nick kicked his foot around the bike and stopped himself and the vehicle before walking up to a tree, leaning the bike on it. Looking around, he found the telltale dark red hair of Kyryna Vaziri standing under the gazebo overlooking the lake. He approached her, standing next to her and leaning on the railing. "Hey, Kyryna." He greeted her.

Kyryna smiled as she noticed Nick there. "Hi, sugah. Thanks for coming, I thought you weren't going to."

Nick chuckled lightly. "Yeah. I almost didn't."

"Well, what changed your mind?" She asked, her emerald green eyes looking into his own brown ones.

"Mostly curiosity. But it feels different in the neighborhood with you and your sisters being almost nonexistent these days."

"Aw, you do care. Then I'll just get down to why I asked you out here." Nick waited patiently for her to continue. "I want the avoidance between us to stop. I.. I want to start over, maybe really get to know who you are and you me. The way I figure, that would allow me to see how I truly feel about you and make a new friend for myself in the process. If there's even a remote chance we could find it in ourselves to be a couple, then starting over and taking things slow would likely be our best option."

Nick was taken aback by the suggestion. Not because Kyryna had suggested it, but because he had thought of the same course of action over the past week. He smiled, nodding. "Sure, we can do that. But, because of our history, I have to suggest a couple of ground rules."

"Of course. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, first there's no more overly affectionate ambushes. Secondly, no invading my personal bubble unless I allow you. And third, no kissing on the lips unless allowed. And, I'll let you still call me your pet names."

Kyryna beamed at the last statement and hugged Nick. "Oh, thank you, babypop! I promise I won't disappoint you and abuse your trust about this."

Nick chuckled. "You're welcome, Kyryna. Now my question for you is why did you want us to meet out here by the lake?"

"It's romantic, and the lake is one of my favorite parts of town, even if those Los Crystalis jerks are right on the other side of it."

"Well, they won't mess with you or your sisters, that's for sure. Well, I kinda have to get back to the neighborhood. Elliot and Richie are probably trying some stupid money scheme without me to keep it from going overboard."

"That's fine. We can always make a day to just hang out. Oh, here's my number, text me, 'kay?"

"Of course. Maybe I'll call later tonight, if you're still awake by the time I get to have any privacy."

"I'd like that. See you, Nick." She leaned up on her toes and pressed a small kiss to Nick's cheek. "Safe trip home."

"You too, Kyrie."

As Nick began to leave, Kyryna stopped him. "Oh, and Nick?" He turned back around. "One last favor. Would you mind helping me study? I had trouble enough in middle school and high school is only going to get harder."

Nick laughed. "Sure, whenever you need it. Alright, see ya later, Kyryna." Nick left the lakeside, hopping back onto his bike.

And like that, the new friendship between Nick and Kyryna began..

Present Day..

It was some time after their revelations that Kyryna shifted in her sleep, aware of approaching voices. "Kyryna? You still up.. Oh. Well, this was not what I expected to find when we got home." Stated Bryanna as her and Faye stood just inside their sister's door.

"Fuck! I'll let you guys in on it later. Go leave us so I can get him out before Ma gets home." Nodding in the mutual fear the girls shared for their mother, Bryanna and Faye left the room.

Nick, having only been pretending to be asleep, listened to the sisters, grinning unseen by the youngest Vaziri's hair. When he heard the door close, he opened one eye. "That was interesting."

Kyryna jumped in his arms, his reaction to pull her closer. "Nick! Stop it!" She whispered, although she knew a part of her had absolutely no issues with Nick pressing his body against hers.

"I would have thought you wanted it. You lying to me, best friend?" Nick joked, chuckling into her ear.

Kyryna tried but failed to stop the pleasured shiver that ran through her at his words. "Seriously, babypop? What happened to us taking it slow still?"

"I'm not breaking the rules yet. We agreed that until I leave, we stay as a little more. So have some fun with it. We don't know when we'll really be like this again."

Nick only had to say something else before Kyryna did for the girl to lose her focus and jump him. Fortunately, she managed to grit out. "It's already late, I say we're back to friends for now. So get up and just.. Go home, sugah. Please."

Sighing, Nick smiled at the object of his affection. "Fine, I'll go. But I don't want you to send me some ridiculous text later on saying you regret not doing something."

"Like that would ever happen. I'm good." Kyryna said, completely lying but holding her composure against Nick not to let on.

Nick put his arms up. "Okay, okay. Well, it was good to see you, Sunshine." Nick left the room, Kyryna hearing him say goodbye to the other two sisters. "See you around, Bryanna. Faye."

Left alone in her room, Kyryna collapsed back onto her bed, a long sigh escaping her. Things just got complicated.. She thought as her sisters came back. "So that wasn't.."

"No, it wasn't. He's not ready." Kyryna half-smiled.

"But he totally wants to, right? You two spooning? That isn't just friend territory anymore."

"You're right. He wants to, he just wants to keep taking it slow for now. Wants to be sure about being with me, and I can't fault him for that."

"Still sucks. He wants you that bad he should do something about it before you try to move on."

"Girls, come on. This is Nick we're talking about. That boy is literally the sweetest and most caring guy out there, he wouldn't try setting me up for all the crap we did to him and his buddies years ago. That's why me and him made our own Truce two years ago. That's why I have a feeling Nick is up to something about it all."

"And if he is, then we all better hope he thinks everything through. Nick is smart, but even smart people make stupid decisions."

"Right. I remember his plan last Spring to make a snow day, and he only managed a dusting of snow. Had us all excited for a homemade blizzard."

"Exactly. Just don't let him get ahead of himself. It's a bad habit with that smartass." Bryanna said before she left the room, Faye following behind her.

Kyryna giggled as her sister's last words sunk in. Yeah, it really is. It'll work out, they're right. She thought before getting up again, prepping for the next day before bed.

Across Crystal Springs on Bell Drive, Nick had just pulled into his driveway. He smiled at the evening's events, even if things had gone a bit sideways. He had to admit, seeing Kyryna squirm with him like he used to with her was pretty hot. He felt his phone vibrate. Looking, he saw a new text from Kyryna.

I'll be amazed if I can sleep tonight. That was dirty of you, babypop :p

Nick chuckled as he replied back. Sorry. Had to see how it felt to be the one on top with that situation for a change. You're hot when you resist ;p

He could almost hear Kyryna's gasp at his reply. He was never so forward with her. Oh so it was revenge? You're lucky I love you, asshole, letting you exploit me like that :(

You enjoyed it too, Sunshine. It was obvious from how much fight I saw you give. I won't do it again, not until after I finish growing a pair ;)

Nick laughed at himself as he sent the text, if there was any doubt why he enjoyed spending time with this girl he used to loathe so much, their texting wiped that doubt away. You're gonna make me drop my phone if you keep talking like that, sugah. Or make me come over there.

Please, don't. That's worse than no control. Not to mention that'll be in violation.

What if I say fuck your rules, we're doing this my way? Hmm?

Honestly? You wouldn't leave my room until Sunday night.

You wouldn't be able to! It's humanly impossible. Very tempting, though.

Please, it would be your first time too, mami. Neither of us would be that ready.

Well, still.. She pouted in her reply. Wait, did you just call me mami?

Nick shook his head as he had made his way out of his car, entering his house and leaving his car keys on the kitchen counter. Yes I did. Was it that surprising?

Well, duh! You don't call any woman mami, not even all of the Hernandez girls that live at your corner.

Of course not, I don't know those girls like that. And you're the most important girl in my life, it would make sense for me to call you mami eventually.

Mhm. What am I going to do with you?

No idea. Talk about it tomorrow?

Lol. Yeah, alright. Night, sugah.

Night, Kyryna.

Turning his phone off, Nick turned the light on in his bedroom and jumped back a foot as he saw Elliot and Richie sitting there in the dark. "Jesus Christ! What the fuck, guys?"

"It's about time! Why the fuck were you over with Kyryna all night? We could have used your help today."

"We fell asleep, that's all. What did you need my help with? Bryanna and Faye already told me you guys made the money you needed way before they went back home."

"Damn traitors. No, we needed your help because you're the one with the connect on your phone."

After a moment, Nick laughed as he went to take his shoes off by his bed. "You two really needed me to find weed? All our friends smoke, what about them? Not to mention my connect and I were both sleeping as I told you."

"Wait, your dealer is Kyryna, too?"

"Actually it's Bryanna, but Kyryna's the only one I like to deal with, so."

"Of fucking course! That's why Bryanna looked at us like that. Any way you can get them to drop something off for us?"

"Not at this point. Now it's too late. Their mother will be home soon, and that woman doesn't let those girls out after she gets home."

"Yeah? Well then Kyryna sneaks out because I've seen her sneak around your place now and then." Nick gaped at him. No one on Bell knew about the late night bud deliveries the two had now and then, Nick was sure of it since none of the other kids should be by their windows after eleven

"How did you.. Fuck, fine. But, if she does come out, you two get gone once you get the bud. Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah. Why?"

"We're having some.. Control issues with each other."

Richie's eyes widened. "Control.. Shit, you're making a move on her, aren't you?"

"So what if I am? We talked about this, Rich."

"I know, I wasn't expecting you to do something so soon."

Elliot spoke up before Richie could continue. "I like Faye."

Nick snapped his fingers. "Good for you on admitting it, El. See, Rich? The Vaziri sisters aren't the enemy anymore."

Richie sighed heavily. "I know. I was thinking about it myself, when the sisters were talking to us in the Alleyway. Come to think of it, they said it sounded like you and Kyryna had been fighting."

"It wasn't fighting. Alright, let's just get this over with." He took his phone back out. Hey, wanna come over? I need a favor though.

What do you need?

Richie and Elliot need weed, and they didn't realize I went to you for it.

-_- how much?

"How much you need, guys?"

"Tell her an eighth."

40. Can you do it?

No problem. Be there soon, babypop.

"Alright, it's done. Now, which of you wants to see if they've gotten better at Kombat?"

Soon after, when Nick had defeated the other two in seven straight matches when a knock sounded at Nick's window. "Really? She knows you guys were coming." He said, getting up and unlatching the window.

Kyryna slipped in, brushing her hair back behind her shoulder as she dusted off her Samurai Jack pajama pants and the exercise top she wore. "Could have used the door tonight, Kyrie." Nick deadpanned.

"What fun is that, sugah? Now, here you two idiots. Roll, because I don't go home until I've smoked."

The other two boys looked at Nick. "Yes, we smoke together when she brings it God you two are so nosy." Effectively, they stopped and Elliot went to roll the blunt as the other three sat back down, Kyryna taking the second PlayStation 4 controller.

"Injustice please! MK is good but I like my superheroes." Nick rolled his eyes as he went and started the other game.

Richie, by the time Elliot was done rolling the blunt, was on the floor laughing hysterically. Reason being, Kyryna utterly destroyed Nick in Injustice like she programmed it herself. "Damn, Nick, and I thought you were the champion of fighters in town."

"She knows Starfire better than I do, that's all. I'll get her next time. E, you done over there yet?"

"Yeah, yeah, open your window again. Your dad hates when your room smells like pot." Elliot reminded him.

"I know that. Yet he has no problem with us smoking in the basement.. Then that's where we should go. After the blunt though, you two get out of my house. I've had a long enough day without you two making it more difficult as I come in to go to bed."

"Sure, sure. To the basement!" With that, the four made their way down to the basement of Nick's house.

Nick's basement was probably made to be a man-cave, what with the small bar and huge flatscreen television on one wall. Nick started up the tv and set it to the video input where his Blu-Ray player was hooked up. Almost immediately, a roar sounded that literally shook the basement as the Indominus Rex is shown on-screen as Jurassic World begins playing, resuming where the movie had been left last.

"Holy fuck! Nick, do you realize how many times you've watched this movie?!"

Nick scrambled to turn the TV down. "About ten times, maybe fifteen."

"What.. Nick, you've seen this movie at least fifty times since you bought that Blu-Ray player, and a lot more when you were still just downloading movies."

"Wow, really? Well, Kyryna always watches it with me when she comes around."

"Still gets old, sugah. Put something else in. There has to be something I haven't seen in your vast collection."

Nick thought about it. "There is one, but you told me I couldn't get you to watch it for anything."

Kyryna blanched. "No, not that."

Richie and Elliot, now with the blunt lit in his hand as he held his inhale, looked at Nick in wonder. "What movie could you have that makes the admittedly nicest but most deadly Vaziri sister cringe?"

"See, and that's the kicker! This one, actually." Nick rummaged through his cabinet of Blu-Ray DVDs until he pulled one out.

The cover didn't show much, but the title read Paranormal Activity the Ghost Dimension. Seeing this, the other two boys started laughing until Kyryna glared at them. "Wait, why does Paranormal scare you? That movie's barely scary, even for a found footage movie." Richie said.

Kyryna put her head down and mumbled something. "I couldn't hear you, what was that?" Elliot asked, passing the blunt to Nick.

"The fourth one scared me okay? I told myself I wouldn't touch any past 4. Another movie, Nick. You must have something else new."

Turning back to the cabinet, Nick pulled a stack of movies out, all still in their initial packaging. There was Shin Godzilla, Transformers the Last Knight, Stephen King's the Dark Tower, Power Rangers, and Spider-man Homecoming. "These are my newest, been meaning to tell you guys actually."

"You've had Power Rangers this whole time? Well put it the fuck on, man!" Elliot said, settling into the armchair on the right of the TV, with Nick and Kyryna on the long couch and Richie in the armchair opposite with Nick already having put the disc into the player.

Nick leaned into Kyryna's ear as the movie started and the other two became focused. "No rules for tonight, it wouldn't be fair for a movie night."

She smiled as she leaned into Nick more, resting her head against his shoulder as the two had to move to keep the blunt in rotation. Ten minutes into the movie, Kyryna gasped as the movie showed the would-be Rangers and how they were switched around as they had been in the original tv show. "No! Elliot, roll another one. This movie's going to piss me off just as much as make me nostalgic."

Elliot turned to look at her incredulously, then looked at Nick. "Hey, you guys decided this was a good idea. Although I could go for another one too." Nodding, Elliot got to it as the movie continued.

Later on, as the movie reached its climax, Kyryna burst out laughing as a familiar tune sounded during the scene. "The sound guy had one job and they fucked up where that belonged! And that Mastodon zord doesn't even look right! It looks more like a six-legged frog!"

Next to her, Nick stifled his own laugh at her outburst as the other two just looked at her. "You know, Nick, she really isn't that bad. I never would have thought she'd like the nostalgic stuff like we do."

"Does Faye enjoy this stuff, too?" Came the surprising question from Elliot.

The inquiry even stopped Kyryna's outburst. "Not all of it. She'd probably enjoy this, but not say Transformers. She is into creepy movies, the more hyped the better." That made Elliot nod and turn back to the TV, Kyryna deciding not to press him further.

As the movie ended, Nick realized Kyryna hadn't said anything since answering Elliot's question. Looking to his side he saw that she had fallen asleep. He smiled as the other two got out of their chairs and looked, Nick shushing them before they woke her up. "I'll take care of her. I'll see you two in school." He whispered.

"Yeah, sure. Listen, Nick. Sorry about lunch, I can see that I was wrong. If this one's any indication, then maybe her sisters aren't that bad anymore either. Oh, and are you coming to the bonfire tonight?"

"Of course. I'm the must-have musician," Nick laughed. "And apology accepted, Rich.. Maybe I should invite the sisters?"

"Yeah, you do that. Just tell them no going overboard."

Chuckling, Nick nodded. "Of course." The other two bumped fists with Nick as they made their way back to their own houses, leaving Nick alone with the sleeping Kyryna.

Deciding against waking her up, Nick instead carefully pulled her up, carrying her bridal style. In the awkwardness of picking her up, Kyryna's shirt had ridden up, exposing her toned stomach and the belly ring he remembered her mentioning to him earlier in the week. Hiding the blush that crept up his face, Nick sighed and continued to his bedroom, where he placed the girl on his bed, covering her with his comforter before taking the spare off of the armchair by his own TV and reclining it, letting sleep take over after noticing Kyryna had brought her backpack along with her.

The Next Morning..

Nick awoke with a start as a loud booming could be heard from downstairs. Looking around, he saw that Kyryna was indeed awake and elsewhere, her backpack open with her pajama pants sticking out from the open pocket. Listening more carefully, he deciphered the tune of Starboy by The Weeknd. Smiling, he proceeded to get dressed for the day and followed the music to the kitchen, where he had to stifle a laugh as he watched Kyryna sway her hips in tune with the chorus as she cooked something Nick couldn't see as of yet.

He made his way into the kitchen silently before stopping just behind her, grabbing her hips and swaying with her. Despite the scare he caused her, Kyryna continued dancing. "Morning. When did I fall asleep?" She asked him.

"Not sure. You were asleep when the movie ended. I just figured you might as well stay over. Good thing you prepared for that outcome."

"I figured something more was going to happen, actually. But that's alright. Hungry?"

"I could eat. Surprised me that you know how to cook. And so well, by the smell of it."

"Don't get used to it. I don't just cook for anyone all the time."

"I know, I know. Still, I think it's kinda cute. Me finding you down here cooking for us before school."

Kyryna giggled. "Better. So, I am ready for the test today, right?"

"Yes, Kyrie. We went over the next three chapters just in case. Although I would think that's too much for the starting weeks."

"Except of course knowing some of the teachers here."

Nick nodded as he finally let go of Kyryna, opting instead to sit at the table. "Do you have work tonight?" He asked her then.

Now, most of the older kids in Crystal Springs had jobs, but unless it was important they usually didn't talk about work much. Nick himself worked some nights at the warehouse across town, but he usually always did Saturday nights. Kyryna worked as a waitress at the local diner, and Nick was surprised she hadn't had to work the last few days. Kyryna smiled as she continued cooking. "No, not until tomorrow. Rachel and I switched this week, so tonight I'm still free. Why?"

"Well, we're having a bonfire down by the lake, and your sisters have an invitation to come with me. And you, unless you'd rather find something else to do."

"Without you? I've heard about your 'musical talent' from some of the others in school. I wouldn't miss it."

Nick smiled. "Good, because I have a song or two I wanted you there for when I sing them."

Crystal Springs High, Later That Day..

It was almost dismissal, everyone sitting at their desks with hands clenched on the edges, awaiting the bell to ring so the weekend could begin. Inside Nick's head, the opening scene from High School Musical 2 ran through his head, making him chuckle.

As the bell rang, all the students hurriedly got their things and rushed out to the parking lot. Nick stopped at the door, waiting for the others. Soon, Elliot and Richie joined him. "Who are you waiting for?"

"The girls. I figured I'd be kind enough to bring them all home today. I'm probably going to bring them all out to the lake with us later anyway."

"Good thinking, sugah." Came Kyryna's voice as she smiled and bumped Nick's shoulder as her sisters followed right behind her.

As the six climbed into the car, Kyryna up front while the other four sat together in the back, Nick played with the radio as he dropped the convertible top. "Nick, what are you about to do?"

"Something I always said I would do. Just had to find the right version of the song I needed."

"Dear God, no!" Elliot shouted as suddenly the car exploded with music as a heavy rock beat began, playing a tune that made Kyryna's eyes widen.

"Wait a minute.." Bryanna said as the song truly began, the singer belting out all too nostalgic lyrics. "Really, Nick? Power Rangers?!"

"The movie was good. I told you we watched it high as fuck last night. And we can't knock Nick, it's his car. But I get next song."

"Fine. I was only keeping it until we got out of the parking lot. Here." Nick handed Kyryna his phone as she looked through his songs, ready to change it as they left the high school parking.

As the new song started, Kyryna and Nick both began to sing. "She played a fiddle in an Irish band, but she fell in love with an Englishman.." The others all just laughed at the would-be couple as they continued to sing.

Soon. The group arrived at the Vaziri's home, the girls filing out of the car. "So.. Pick us up in an hour or so?" Kyryna asked before getting out.

"Yeah, maybe two. Don't want to start the bonfire too early, right?" Nodding, Kyryna told him to text her when he would be coming back around before heading inside.

"The lovey crap with you two is kind of sickening. I'm starting to regret having your girl there when you sing."

"She's not my girl. And just shut up, Richie. The two who have the hots for you will be there as well. I have a song that fits all three of us and them in one nice little rock song. My advice is to try and compromise like I did. Let you get used to the idea of having them around and get to know them. Tonight will be a good night, whatever happens."

"Alright, fine. God, you're so pushy these days."

"Better than letting you two figure everything out. If that was the case, we probably would have all been dead already. Remember Elliot's biggest idea? The haunted house we all destroyed three years back after setting up in an abandoned house?"

"Damn, I forgot how badly that ended up. Point taken, Nick. I'll be good."

Nodding, Nick changed whatever song had started to another, shuffling through until he came to an older song he liked that his parents had always listened to when Nick was little. The song Tainted Love by Soft Cell began, Nick bobbing his head to the beat as the three friends drove back to Bell Drive to prepare themselves for the night's festivities.

Geode Lake, Three Hours Later..

The bonfire was now in full swing. Every once in awhile, Elliot and Richie would turn to one side and shove their middle fingers at the security officer stationed off the road. They were only there to keep an eye on the teens, and make sure nothing bad happens while they have their fun. Contrary to popular belief, the police factions in Crystal Springs didn't mind the teenagers of town doing their own thing, as long as it kept them out of bigger trouble. Even smoking pot and drinking weren't off the table as long as the environment was controlled. Not that many of the local teens had a problem with getting away with drinking or even smoking.

There were three separate fires, forming a triangle with the students huddled around and between each. In the center of the three fires, Nick sat with his guitar in hand, tuning the strings and testing the notes with the small amp to carry the sound around to everyone. "Do Headstrong!" Shouted one of the other students from somewhere to Nick's right.

Nick laughed as he spoke into the microphone he usually brought as well. "Sorry, guys. Tonight is a special bonfire event, and I have a set lined up. Don't worry, though. Trapt is a part of the list. Now, how's everyone doing tonight?"

The crowd of Crystal Springs locals erupted into cheers. "Sweet. Now, as I said, tonight is a special event. No real reason as to why, at least it ain't your business." He laughed again. "Otherwise, in case anyone wasn't aware of this, tonight is also one of our awaited campout nights due to the meteor shower tonight. So if anyone didn't bring a sleeping bag, you're lucky Teddy and Batty always bring spares. Enough about that, though. Everyone ready to get this party started?" Another round of cheering. "Excellent. So, let us begin with a song that I've already warned Elliot and Richie about me singing, but feel free to sing along if you know it."

Elliot and Richie had to facepalm when they recognized the beat. Nick rolled his eyes and took a deep breath before starting to sing. "I keep swinging with those moods, I keep crawling back to you. I know now that love is blind, cuz that you put that veil over over my eyes. I'm addicted to your touch, you tear me down to build me up. I'm a sucker for this game, but it's all I wanna play!

"A little piece of Heaven raising hell! Sex is just a weapon that you use to possess, keep me all to yourself. The more I feel the pleasure, the more I feel the pain. I'm in a love hate relationship too deep to escape. Everyday is a gamble, that's the risk that I take. In a love hate relationship and you are to blame." Nick looked to his friends and the Vaziri sisters in turn, smiling as he watched the once clashing groups mesh together like they had been friends all their lives. He took another breath before continuing.

"I keep taking this abuse. Oh am I being used? Thought you were the perfect drug, well this time I think I took too much. You taste so bitter sweet, you mean so much to me. Be careful with a heart you take because it's a heart that you can break.." As Nick went into the chorus a second time, his eyes met Kyryna, who looked like a little girl on Christmas morning. He smiled as he continued into the bridge.

"We pull it together, and tear it apart. We walk a thin line, it's just who we are.. Oh-h! A little piece of Heaven raising hell! Sex is just a weapon that I have to accept, you've got me all to yourself. The more I feel the pleasure, the more I feel the pain. I'm in a love hate relationship, too deep to escape. Every day is a gamble, that's the risk that I take. In a love hate relationship and you are to blame.

"The higher you take me, the farther I fall. In a love hate relationship and you I have lost. I have to forgive you, for all of your flaws. In a love hate relationship and you're all I want! Yeah-h!" Nick strummed the ending notes of the song and as the last note hummed over the amp, the students gathered around all cheered.

Kyryna didn't really surprise anyone when she jumped up and kissed Nick. Nick just smiled as she separated herself from him, looping her arm with his as he readied his guitar for another song. Laughing, he spoke up. "Well, wasn't what I expected, but no complaints here. Now for the next song on my little list. Now to sound like a time capsule." Readying the guitar, he started with a few steady notes.

Later, the party had begun winding down, several other students or even couples already asleep while Nick continued strumming melodies into the night. Teddy and Batty, his ever present and somehow self-conscious novelty baseball bat were floating on a raft on the lake, noticeably unmoving. As this was a usual occurrence at the neighborhood bonfires, Nick figured they were sleeping. Further along the beach, a very nervous Richie could be seen walking with Bryanna, and back by Nick's car he could just make out the shapes of Faye and Elliot. Karyna, meanwhile, had stayed awake, listening and even singing to some of the songs Nick played, more amazed that she'd never known how good a singer he could be.

Reggie and Alisa were eating s'mores on the other side of the pit where Nick and Karyna were, with Colin and Priya both surprisingly missing despite it being much later than they usually stayed away from the older teens. Lastly, Issam could be seen on the edge of the woods, doing some form of 'goblin hunting'. Nick smiled as he finished another song, finding that this bonfire, the latest of many and only still hopefully the beginning of many more, was a special night, a night the whole neighborhood had no beef with each other, even the Bell Drive trio and the Vaziri sisters. Little did any of them know, things were going to take a dark turn, and sooner than they would ever imagine..

Meteor Heights County Northern Border..

The area of the northern border of Meteor Heights county was pretty much just a huge forest that stretched through the entire length of Big Creek county north. Deep inside the woods however, there was an overgrown cemetery, the kind you would see in a horror movie. In the center sat a plot of earth where no plants would grow, and it was this burial plot that began to tremble. Pebbles bounced and rolled off the raised layer of soil as suddenly a clawed hand burst through the ground and an earsplitting howl filled the air but unheard by the partying teens.

A few miles away from the forgotten cemetery, a hunter revved the generator up, starting up the power in the cabin he sat outside. The man turned his head as he heard an unearthly howl. "That's strange. Sounds like a wolf, but wolves haven't been in this part of the county for at least a hundred years." He said as he made his way back into the cabin.

Minutes later, there was a knock on the cabin door, as unexpected as you could imagine. Answering it, the hunter found himself looking at a young woman, probably around her late twenties. She stood on the cabin porch with barely tatters on for clothes and everywhere you looked on her there seemed to be a layer of dirt. "Are you alright?" Asked the hunter.

"So.. Hungry.." The woman said, her face bent down.

A caring soul, the hunter stepped sideways. "Come in. I can have something ready for you quickly."

The hunter would never get a chance to regret saying those words as the woman picked her head up, fangs glistening in the moonlight and her eyes practically glowing blood red as she sneered at him. "No thanks. You'll do just fine." She cackled, lunging at the unsuspecting hunter.