Chapter 2

Meet the Freaks

I had shut my eyes for the short time I was on my little detour through the rabbit hole, or in this case it would be a black hole, but it's the same basic principle. As for who was with me at the moment I couldn't figure out much more than my kidnapper.

"Good grief," the abductor groaned, "you can open your eyes now."

I did so, carefully peeling my hands that had been plastered to my shut eyelids. What I saw I almost couldn't comprehend. It was a world, a whole different world or maybe even a different planet. I was standing atop a grassy hill with various wild flowers scattered over the downhill slope. Beyond that was a huge forest and it just seemed to keep going forever.

"Hey girl!" My kidnapper called, "We're going to the forest. Get a move on!"

"You're going to let me walk on my own?" I asked lifting one eyebrow. Clearly this guy hadn't read a Kidnapping for Dummies book because one of the things you're not supposed to do is let your prisoner run free.

"You're heavy." He said nonchalantly (I twitched with annoyance slightly at this), "Besides you won't run anyway."

"Oh really? 'Cause I think running sounds like a pretty good idea right now."

"You know nothing of this world, nor do you possess the knowledge of how to return home, so if you wish to live I suggest you come with me." Not waiting for an answer he grabbed my arm and hauled me off towards the forest. It was only now that I noticed the dagger tied to his waist. I gulped silently and imagined how many other weapons he could have on him.

The forest was darker and damper then the hill, but the boy marched on ahead as if he had hardly noticed the scenery change at all. About 10 minutes later we came to a small round opening in the trees that would be hard to find. He stopped surveyed the area and grumbled something about disobedient idiots.

This is my chance I thought, and while he was looking around his grip on my arm lessened. I grabbed the blade by its hilt and yanked it out along with my arm. He turned on me with the only emotion I had seen on his face so far, surprise. I pointed the dagger at his throat. I was running the show around here now.

"Tell. Me. How. To. Get. Back." I commanded my voice dripping with malice.

"Wow Damon. Bested by a girl, your fighting skills have hit an all time low," a chuckle sounded from behind me.

"Who's there?" I asked whirling so the weapon now faced the new threat.

"Hiya Captive!" A boy with light strawberry blonde curls came striding out into the light with a dopey grin on his face. His attire was similar to Damon's only he wore a white vest with a purple tie and a black top hat along with the dark pants. Then he proceeded to saunter up to me, held out his hand, and said, "Knife please."

After recovering from my shock, I thought of something to say, "No."

The new boy blinked a few times making his violet eyes sparkle as his long eyelashes brushed over them. "Ya know, sweetheart, prisoners aren't supposed to have weapons. Kind-of ruins the whole oh-no-I'm-captured-and-now-I'm-helpless thing we had going on a while ago."

"Christopher, don't be so crass with the nice young lady." A guy with yellow spiky hair came out and gently took the dagger from my hand, "I don't want you to hurt yourself, Miss." Blondie's shirt was more crisp and white then Damon's and looked like he took great pride in looking his best.

Well at least this one's a gentleman I thought. I looked up into his eyes, and I was startled by what I saw. They were bright, almost neon, green with a faint glow to them, but the worst part was the fact that there were no pupils.

Damon recovered himself quickly and jerked my arm back, "It's rude to stare." He snarled into my ear.

"No no Damon it's alright," Blondie assured, but I saw what looked like a little hurt in his full-iris eyes.

"I do not believe we have formally introduced ourselves." This time it was a dark boy with shaggy black hair and the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up over his head, "I'm Dustin Wilcons," He said extending his hand, which I didn't take.

"Hello Dustin." I said trying to not sound too grumpy, but to be honest I'm not having the best day ever. Turns out getting kidnapped can be a big downer on your mood. Who knew?

He continued with the introductions, "Blondie is James Carmen, you've already met Damon, and the idiot is-"

"I'm Christopher Adams the Great!" The curly-haired boy answered with an I've-been-eating-too-much-sugar-and-up-since-four- this-morning look in his eyes.

"Miss?" James asked in a quiet tone, "You can just call me Jem if you like. Everyone does."

Christopher jumped in front of me, "You will refer to me as 'master' or 'overlord'."

"Don't forget 'Spaz'," Dustin grumbled.

"All of you pull it together." Damon commanded looking very similar to a greatly abused nanny. Suddenly his head snapped up, "Something's coming."

All the guys fell quiet and tensed on the balls of their feet. Damon released my arm, pulled out a sword, and shoved me behind him. So he did have another weapon I thought glancing wearily at the blade.

The boys each pulled out a weapon of their own. Dustin clenched his fist around a gun. Christopher unsheathed a thin fencing lance. Jem held an assortment of throwing knives.

There was a small rustling in the bushes before a gigantic beast straight out of a science fiction movie lunged for Jem's throat.