Zane woke up suddenly. Fear was already swirling in his mind; he sensed something, and it was dangerous.
Sensing important things was like the boy's gift; it proved to be amazing and useful in the past, and is unexplainable. That was why Zane trusted his gut that said that something wasn't right.
He sat up from the blanket he slept on on the hard floor next to the couch, where Kai slept. He could hear Kai snoring, and Jay and Nya were still asleep; they hadn't noticed anything like he did.
And then the noise came. It sounded like a door slowly creaking open.
Somebody was coming inside the Mayor's house.
Zane knew it won't be long until it finds the correct staircase. The mysterious noise was loud enough to wake up Nya, who was beside him.
"What was that?" Zane immediately asked her, and her eyes widened. Nya didn't answer her boyfriend. She merely said, "Stand up, and get ready to hold a door down. They're here."
"They're here?" Zane asked her, worry mixing in with his fear.
When he had first entered the Mayor's house a few hours ago, all three briefly explained about the creatures and what to do when they came again. And from what they said, Zane could tell that these creatures, whoever they were, were bloodthirsty killers, and they were hunting for them.
So Zane quickly shook Kai, Jay and Cole awake. "Guys," he said. "They're here."
Immediately knowing what he meant, the three jumped up. Kai stood by Nya and Zane while Jay kneeled down before his young brother, who was no doubt eager to join in on the action.
"Yeah! Let's do this!" Cole happily, but softly, cheered.
"Cole," Jay interrupted. "These things are dangerous. We need you in the closet, where it's safe."
"Safe?" Cole repeated, pouting. "But I don't want to be safe! I want to protect you guys!"
"No." Jay told him sternly. "Now is not the time. This is real, Cole. And if those things gets inside, staying in the closet is the only way for you to be safe. Do you understand?"
"But-" Cole started, but knew it was no use. Jay had made up his mind, and was one of the most stubborn people the boy had ever met. He was wise and shut his mouth.
Jay pushed the boy in the nearby closet, and quickly joined Kai, Nya and Zane. "The footsteps are getting closer. They're almost here." Zane informed him, seriousness and a hint of worry and fear hidden in his alluring blue eyes. Jay nodded, and listened intently. Indeed, the soft footsteps were getting closer, creeping around the corner, preparing for battle like the teens were.
And suddenly it happened. They didn't know how, but it caught the four off guard. The first pound was extremely loud and powerful, and the four pushed up against the door immediately.
"Hold!" Kai yelled, and without even thinking about it, they obeyed and used all of their strength. But Nya could tell that their prediction had been right. More had come, at least two or three more than the one creature they had faced the first time.
They shouted with effort, and Kai straining every order that came from his mouth. Sweat poured down their necks, but they barely noticed.
Zane, using his well tuned hearing, listened and noticed that the creatures on the other side of the door were also making noises of effort. It sounded kind of like a growling sound, low and a sort of alien vibe to it. It was like a warbling instrument.
But perhaps they aren't making noise...maybe they're communicating with each other? Zane asked himself. It was a possibility, but he had to talk to the creatures and maybe actually look at them in order to be sure; for all it could be, they could speak perfect english.
Zane snapped his attention from his thoughts suddenly when the pushing and force stopped abruptly. It looked, and felt, as though the threats have given up and left.
But when he looked to his companions, they didn't seem to be relaxed; Nya's face was contorted, Jay's was put into a frown, and Kai's eyebrows were more creased than he had ever seen them. And then he learned why.
A grinding noise was heard, and it was loud. Again, Kai covered his ears and screamed, just as before. Zane looked at his friend with worry, and by the time he turned back, the noise had ceased itself.
Then, and Zane strained to hear, retreating footsteps walked down the stairs. All of them, one by one. One of them closed the door behind them quietly.
As soon as the coast was clear, they all let out a large exhale from their lungs, none of them knowing it was there at all.
It was Nya who went forward and bravely opened the door. She looked behind it, and gasped; she had found the result of the mysterious grinding noise. The rest followed her example, and they widen their eyes at the strange sight.
Five straight and deep vertical lines ripped through the wood on the door. The first three looked a little older. Nya realized those were the first three that were made when the creatures first came. Then, the last two were new; fresh and much deeper than the first set.
Kai walked out of the door and traced his pale fingers on the rips. Then, he spoke.
"It's not safe here anymore." Kai said. He looked at all three of the teens. "Pack your bags. We have to go to the Elder's hut."