Friday and the day we were all going camping for the weekend. I was still quiet tired but I had to get up. Richard was down the stairs, getting ready for work I guess. I was marginally smaller than him so he still called me small man in front of my friends. He was only about an inch taller than me for crying out loud. I would catch up to him though. My phone started to ring then. Almost falling of the bedside cabinet. I caught it in time though. Phew. It read Dom on the front. Its morning so what does he want when i'm going to see him at school.

" Hallo," I yawned " what's up."

" Schools apparently canceled today," He said. He wasn't alone as well. There was muted words in the background

" who is there with you," I said. "and what time is it." I looked at my clock. It read nine 'o' clock on it. Id slept in anyway so I was glad school was canceled.

" oh its just David. He is here now cause we thought about leaving a bit earlier." What. Leaving earlier and not telling me.

" And were you going to tell me about this then," I laughed knowing they were probable getting round to it.

" you worry to much. Besides we were going to call you in the next thirty minutes but David got my phone and started to phone you. I got it back but it was already ringing so I just left it for you to pick up. S'that cool." he was happy as normal. couldn't put a downer on him if you tried.

" yea its fine," I said. " So. What time am I coming down at then. Iv got my back packed and ready so just give me a time."

" um, try eleven. That way there's no rush."

" fine then. See you then." I flipped the phone down and got up. Getting up fast isn't a good idea. Gets me dizzy

Some toast for breakfast. Maybe some bacon, I should treat myself. Nothing mattered just now apart from getting food in my already fatiguing stomach.

" Morning sport," Richard said. As I entered the kitchen. " Sleep well." I hadn't thought about my sleep last night. Come to think off it, I dreamed of something but I cant remember it.

" yes yes," I said impatiently. Settling for the easy way out.

Katie came down the stairs then. She looked like she had never seen a brush before. I laughed

" shut up," Katie said embarrassed but laughing a little with me

Bacon was more suitable for me. I watched it cook. Richard was sitting in the arm chair watching the news. There was a killing in the south of Portland. Nothing the police cant handle. I flipped the nearly burnt bacon onto a plate. It was nine forty five already. I ate my food fast to give me some time.

" hey. Whats the rush."

" I have to be ready for ten," I said putting my plate in the dishwasher. " so I can be at Dom's at eleven."

" Ah, right. Just leave the dishes. I'll do them." dropping the plate, I ran past Richard patting him on the back.

" Thanks dad." my bag was packed so no trouble there. It was raining outside so I hauled a jacket out under the Heep off clothes in the wardrobe. I showered and brushed my teeth. Got my clothes on and went, with the bag down the stairs.

" Dad," I called. " that's me off. I'll call you when i'm at Dom's." I heard dad shout by but I was out the door. The rain was horrible. Thick and heavy. Thankfully it wasn't like this where we were going. I got on the bus and settled for the half hour ride. The rain was coming down ferociously. It looked almost as if there was a small stream forming on the road.

The bus stopped outside Dom's house, skidded a little due to the rain.

" thanks." I said to the driver and hopped off. Dom and David were brandishing a pellet gun they had up stairs. No doubt they'll try to shoot me with it. Dom's mother opened the door for me.

" look at you, your drenched. Give me your jacket and I'll put it on the heater."

" thank you." I said handing her the jacket. I had gotten here a bit early but it was no trouble. I went up stairs cautious to the fact that they had the gun and were probably round one of the corners. I did here them in the room however so I went straight to the door.

" Mason dude. You look wet."

" take a look out the window."

" Ha. Funny, anyway look at this," he pulled the gun from David who was aiming at the wall. " it's a four hundred dollar air rifle. Thought we could go hunting while up there." he held the gun for me to take. It was heavy and steel black. It had a scope on it as well.

" went straight through his seven hundred page book and the glass bottle. Therefore I shotgun first shot." David was only to excited to use the gun. Looked like he hadn't even seen one.

" No David. Bad boy, " Dom spoke to him like a dog. " sit and I'll give you a treat." that done it. I fell laughing at the two of them. David had actually sat down to see what the treat was and Dom was consumed by the bag he had packed.

" there," he tossed a single marshmallow to him. " there's more where that came from as well." he started to laugh as well.

" well this is great. I listen to you for a small thing like this. Doesn't matter. As long as I get my reward." He started sniggering along with us.

Jack arrived at half eleven and we all waited until Dom gave us the time to go.

We played on Dom's computer console until twelve. I was winning a race against David when Dom stepped in front.

" right boys. Time to go." He had a massive grin on his face.

" Finally," Jack huffed. " its been getting boring watching the two of them race again and again." Me and David laughed.

" Get it moving. We are getting dropped of at the edge of town." He was triumphant to the fact that he had over turned his mums rule and got his dad to drop us off.

" That's good then." I said hauling myself up of the bed

" This is going to be a blast." David was eager to get going.

" Yes, yes come on," Jack huffed not waiting for Dom and Me. " I'll be waiting down in the car then." Jack went out to the car. I picked my bag up and went down as well.

" Were to then boys." Dom's dad was like any other. Except he was unusually tall.

" North Buckland." We all looked at him in surprise. This was about a half hour drive into Washington.

" it takes us to the starting point," he said quickly trying to subdue any concern as to where we were going. It worked. The journey didn't take long. It seemed to fly past due to David and Jack fooling around in the row behind us. Muted thuds and scuffles came from them toy fighting as well.

" North Buckland," Dom's dad said with as much enthusiasm as we all had. " hope you guys have a great time."

" Yes dad. We will." and with that, he closed the door. We walked in silence until his dads car was gone.

" We have about an hours walk and then three hours to get the camp going before it gets dark," he was in command mode now. " we take a left and then-"

" get on with it. Which direction." David said impatiently.

" That direction." He pointed at a dirt trial which led high into the mountains. I could see Mount Hood way in the distance. Past quite a couple of other steep Mountains.

" Are we by any chance going to Mount Hood." Jack Beat me to the punch line.

" n-no. What gave you that idea." Dom was terrible at lying. We all looked at each other and new that's where we were going. It didn't look like we could do it in a day. that's probably why we had enough food for three days with us.

We walked and walked. All of us chatting now and again. The Rain starting to stop its ongoing downpour. David decided to be the comedian for the journey. Telling jokes and trying to fool some of us. He wouldn't shut up at times. The rain stopped but it was still overcast. Heck it was always overcast where we were.

" How long now," Jack whined. " Roughly."

"About ten minutes now."

" Well that's a relief." I Sighed. My feet were not going to hold up much longer. We had travelled up and down a couple of hills. We stopped for a break at the peak of one mountain.

" gees," Jack gasped. " What a view." We looked at the astonishing view in front of us.

" I cant see any houses, let alone towns." David was looking round and round. Pivoting on the spot. I followed his gaze round. I could see nothing apart from trees and mountains.

" Well. Better write my will. To my family-" Dom cut him of.

" You Had better include me in that," he made a face. " how about your television." David Got to his feet in seconds.

" Ha. I wouldn't give you my TV if you gave me one hundred dollars."

" Oh," Dom said Smugly. A smile tugging at his face. " is that so." He reached in his bag and pulled out the gun. He aimed at his feet. " Dance." David danced frantically trying not to provoke Dom any more. We all new he was kidding. He still had the huge smile on his face.

" Can I stop now." David said panting

" Oh sure yea. I cant believe you actually thought I would shoot you," Dom said laughing. " it would take your leg of with the power this thing has." David didn't look to happy. And very overly exaggerated with the guns power

" Cheer up. At least he didn't make you get on the ground and beg."

" good point." David brightened up

We walked for a little longer. I was replaying the last time I had played football. Noting the last touch down myself was a mistake.

" We're hear." Dom said approvingly. It was a small clearing in the ever so thick woodland around us. You might go as far as to say it wasn't even a clearing. Just a gap in the middle of the forest. The trees still towered over head and blocked most of the light which gave a hazy effect. There was a river just one tree out of where we were staying.

" I'll get fire wood." Dom mouthed to me as David and Jack fought over who would get the space nearest to the river.

" I'll set up both our tents." I said back.

It was pitch black all around us. Nothing but the fire to show us around. Cracks would sound every now and again from the wind and animals all around us. Dom didn't seem scared at all.

" I'll get the fire wood this time." Jack announced.

" right. Its about fifty yard through there and another twenty to the left."

" Yes Yes. I got it." Jack Was impatient due to the fire starting to die. He left without another word.

" You know. I don't know my step sister." I said. Julie had, had a third child with john. John was good for her. He loved her and probably never abandon her. She would be fine.

" Well then that's up to you if you want to meet her or not." Dom said.

" it is true you know," David agreed. " you are entirely in control. You could meet her when we got back if you want."

" yea I know." Time past by without us noticing. Just sitting watching the fire.

" all tell you a story." that got us. Anything to pass the time.

" I am originally from the native Americans and this one comes my great, great, great grandfather. It was about their journeys across north west America. Trying to find a convenient place to build a settlement." We were absorbed. " are leader of the tribe back then was called Coahoma Choctaw. Which stood for Red panther. The story goes like this. There was another tribe hell bent on destroying us. They saw us as a threat even though we didn't know they were there. They plotted there attack on us for several months, waiting for the right moment. Until that moment came." He winced. "They hurtled knifes and arrows at our men and women and children. No mercy. They decimated our defenses and took our leader hostage. The had him strung up on a wooden pole and made us watch. There tribal chief had a special sacrifice weapon. I don't know what it is. But it says that he raised it to strike. All of our people powerless to interfere when a magnificent beast ripped out in rage from the forest and snapped him in half like a twig. More of them came and destroyed there tribe. They killed a couple of ours as well and scratched a couple of others. My great grandfather got away with only some minor scratches but they now worshiped the beast as a god for saving them. And we still do to this day." Dom smiled to himself.

" Wow. What were the beasts." David asked.

" don't know. All I know is that their strong and fast. big as well." Dom trailed off.

" Has anybody noticed Jack has been gone along time." Their heads snapped to me.

" Your right. He's probably playing some trick on us." David said.

" I'm not so sure," Dom Disagreed. " He wanted to be here but he new it was his turn to get the wood. He didn't mention not wanting to go though because he didn't want to get embarrassed." Dom Was sincere with us.

" Well then. Suppose we had better go get him." David was up on his feet.

" And get lost and lose are way. You can count me out." I snapped back at him. It was near total black around us and probably worse deeper in the forest.

" Not if we stick together. Stay within a couple of meters of each other and we will be fine." Dom More was trying to avoid commanding us but I new we had to look for him. Cant imagine him being lost and getting to far away to not get back.

" Jack. Jack you there." David was heading to the north were Jack had left.

" Fifty straight and then twenty to the left." I echoed Dom's words. We all traced the footsteps made by Dom and Jack exactly were they had made them. Dom in front and me and Jack behind.

" There." Dom Whispered. The pile of wood was where it should have been. But Jack was nowhere.

" Jack. Jack, come on man. Quit fooling around." David was getting edgy.

" I'm going back to get the beam torch." David whisked away then.

" Be careful." I said looking after him. We looked around the wood and were Jack might have gone.

The silence was broken by the screams of David then.

" God. Whats wrong." The screams suddenly cut off.

" Stay here. I'll be back." Dom ran at full pace into the darkness. I listened to his steps disappear into the night. What happened to David. A Fright from a deer or goat maybe. Not the way he screamed. Blood curdling scream is the way I would describe it. I was suddenly aware that I was not alone. The dark figure was about the same height as Dom. Maybe it was Dom

" Dom. Good You're here. Did you find David." He didn't move. He stood rooted to were he was. I couldn't make out his face or any of his features due to the darkness.

" D- Dom," I stuttered from fear. " is that you." The figure only stood still. My instincts took over. It wasn't long before the forest was sweeping past me and I was in an all out sprint for what seamed my life. I looked to the left and there was the person. Keeping up with no effort.

" Dom." I screamed, running until my legs burned. I ran more. It wasn't long before I couldn't run any more. The figure had gone. I looked around and seen no one. I turned to go back and there. Right up in my face was the person. He grabbed me by the throat and lifted me up with one hand. He was cold and rock solid, I couldn't fight back. He whipped me to his face and jerked my head to the side. The pain was horrible then. It must have been daggers digging into my neck from the way they felt. But his head buried into my neck. I new that he was not going to stop. I prepared for what was coming. The inevitable. So sure I was that this was it that I closed my eyes.

Not a minute more and the hand and teeth ripped from me in a burst of speed. I whipped my eyes open to see him staring into the darkness. There, standing before him was a massive beast. Shaped like a dog or bear on all fours. Its growl pierced the silence. I felt relieved it was here though. My magnificent hero Come to save me. It crouched as did the person holding me. A snarl also ripped from the person holding me. It was a cold Grinding sort of snarl. The dog pounced For him. Quick as lightening but, the person had disappeared just as fast. Then the beast, quick to, ran after him.

I was alone. I felt better now. Peaceful now I was safer. The pain had gone now. Just a small burning sensation left behind at the wound. I could deal with that. I tried to get up but at the same time. My wound soared with pain. I fell. Pinned to the ground from the burning that was oozing all over my body. It was as hot as picking up iron tongs or slamming your hand on a hot iron. Hotter still the temperature rose. I Closed my eyes trying not to scream. The burning heat rose and rose. I felt like a pile of red hot ashes in a fire pit. My heart thundering. The indescribable pain surging through my being. As if sending me into eternal darkness wasn't enough, The pain that accompanied it was excruciating.

I realized that this must be the end. As all thing must end, it is the way of life. But why me, why now. I stopped that thought Immediately. Not allowing it to manifest itself. only to create more pain of it being ripped away from me. I tried to let myself be consumed by the pain and let the already nearing end come. that's all I wanted now. Slowly I let the pain take me.