*cracks knuckles* Well, next chapter...

Yes, I know this chapter took a lot longer than the others, despite being one of the shortest, but schools back in session, and I'm uber busy.

I own nothing...

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Chapter 4: Let's Get Flaming

Aleena had never been one for parties. Just ask anyone who knew her.

So, it was really no surprise that she was starting to second-guess going to the dance as she approached the entrance. You know, girl, you don't have to do this. You could go home, call Basil with an excuse, and spend the night in the library.

"Hey, 'Leena!" Aleena gulped. Looks like it's too late for that... Basil ran over to where Aleena was and took her by the hand, tugging her towards the building. Aleena didn't attempt to resist. "Come, on. Party's just hitting it's peak." Aleena smiled wearily.

I hope I know what I'm getting myself into...

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Aleena had to admit it. This was fun.

The moment she stepped in, Diamond and Willow-not a surprise, really-had rushed over over and the four of them chatted about, oh, everything. Willow complemented Aleena on her dress, and babbled about her favorite books. Basil recalled the crazy antics of the other members of his basketball team and shared any news his pen-pal Skye had told him about. Diamond told them all about a music piece he was writing.

They all laughed and talked and joked and Aleena was having a grand old time. The decoration crew had really outdone themselves, the food was great, and Phoenix Silver was on of the best bands she knew. They started their last song, and Willow and Diamond went to dance.

After the song, Monica had bounced over to see them. Diamond and Willow had also made there way back, and soon, Monica's drummer Arthur popped up, with a platter of cupcakes, no less.

But, Aleena couldn't help but noticed an awfully blank look in Monica's eyes. She probably just tired, or overwhelmed by the crowds... She thought. They six of them chatting a little, but then...

Monica had suddenly lurched and collapsed on to the floor.

Aleena was wide-eyed and frightened. She numbly let Basil lead her outside. She just fainted. Aleena reminded herself rapidly. No surprise in this crowd, especially with that jerk looming over her. Aleena glanced unsurely at that boy she had seen, almost right behind Monica. He was very tall, with black fur. He looked like a wolf of some sort, and had an unusual white mark tattooed on the edge of his right cheek.

Aleena shook her head, trying to clear it, and stepped outside with her friends. Chill, Aleena, and breathe. Breathing is good, and necessary for survival. She told herself. Aleena glanced up at the night sky. A half moon floated effortlessly among all that blue-black.

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In a few minutes, Aleena and the others were alerted to Monica regaining consciousness by a soft moaning. Aleena, Basil, Diamond and Willow quickly all flocked over to where Monica and Arthur were sitting.

"Hhhh... Muh... Yeh?" Monica mumbled incoherently and rubbed the back of her head. After a some brief hugging and "Are you okay"s, the group began to make their way back to the school gym. That is, before the mass of student that were in the gym came rushing out like a river.

Monica cocked her head to one side. "Wh-what's up?" she asked wearily. Arthur smiled excitedly.

"It's time for the lighting of the bon fire! The Halloween tradition!" he explained hurriedly. Monica just nodded. As the students gathered around the huge, paper mache jack-o-latern that would be lit for the bonfire, Aleena couldn't help but shudder at the massive, pointy grin sliced into the front. She knew it was jst a fake pumpkin, but why did it seem so... sinister, to her?

Soon, the shapeless and aimless mass of kids began to spread out and form a circle. Basil grabbed Aleena's hand and tugged her over to join in. She noticed Diamond and Willow being swept up into it as well. Monica lingered behind, and Arthur stayed with her.

As the principal approached, torch in hand, the circle briefly broke to let him through. He stood almost triumphantly beside the huge pumpkin and gave a short speech that Aleena more or less droned out.

Just then, Aleena thought she saw a flash from within the paper mache pumpkin, closely followed by a low humming noise. She looked frantically at Basil, who didn't seem to sense anything amiss. In fact, Basil's full attention was on the soon to be lit bon fire.

Aleena glanced up, just in time to see the principal raise the torch and hurl it in to the pumpkin, which subsequently bursted in to flames. Many 'ooh's and 'aaah's and a lot of cheering erupted from the crowd of kids.

But something wasn't right.

No, somehow, to Aleena, this wasn't right. This didn't feel like one of the beachside bon fires she loved to go and see. And she soon noticed why.

The fire wasn't just on the pumpkin. It was spreading across the grass, and the flames were erupting higher and higher.

Then, suddenly, it practically exploded. Flames roared across the school lawn, and burst into the air in every direction. The fire was literally shooting into the air and circling wildly, before crashing into this thing or that. It was almost like the fire was... Alive.

The crowd's cheer were replaced with screams, and the mass of students scattered every which-way. Somehow, in all the confusion, Aleena lost hold of Basil's hand, and lost sight of all the others.

She managed to break away from the panic crowd that was rapidly becoming less of a crowd, and more of several clusters, pairs, and groups of kids running away from the massive fire. She managed to located Arthur and Monica, the latter of whom grabbed Aleena's hand and pulled her along with her as the three ran towards the school's from gate.

Then, that's when Aleena saw Willow and immediately stopped short.

The yellow-y white furred cabbit was pressed against the wall of the school, and her hands were up protectively. And Aleena could see why.

One of the fire bursts was hurling through the air, heading straight for her! Willow didn't-or couldn't-scream. She just stared forward in horror and anticipation of her doom.

Diamond shouted something. Monica screamed. Arthur tugged on Aleena's arm, urging her to run. But, it all seemed to move in slow motion. And Aleena could do nothing but stand there and stare. There was tension in the air that crackled like lightning. And then...

Willow scrunched up her shoulders and squeezed her eyes shut, excepting the worse. But the worst never came.

Because a firm, confident voice suddenly rang out, and seem to shatter the fear and suspense that hung in the air.

"STOP!"

And, stop... was precisely what the fire did.

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Wow, there are sure are a lot of fires at that school, aren't there?

And, the wolf boy who appears briefly in this chapter will show up again later. But, he has no name yet... (I'm considering Luke.) And suggestion's will be welcome.

Ciao.