Okay. I think I look perfectly fine.

I stood in front of my mirror, studying the outfit I had chosen for the party; black tank top, a dark brown suede jacket, a denim blue skirt that reached just above my knees and a pair of black wedges. To top it off, I wore a simple silver chain necklace and wore a pair of diamond studs on my ears.

I let my russet hair loose, messing the waves up a bit to give myself an edgy look. As usual, make-up was out except for lip gloss and a bit of black eye shadow, giving myself slightly-smoky eyes.

As I turned to see every angle in my reflection, I became more and more pleased with myself. This was kind of the first time I was wearing an outfit like this, and it felt so new and different, as though there was a part of me that had been released after being kept inside for so very long.

Suddenly, while I was still continuing to admire myself, I heard a honking of a car coming from outside, and I knew immediately that it was Henrietta. I quickly grabbed my cell phone and dashed out of my room and down the stairs. But at the foyer, I collided into my mother, who had come from the kitchen.

"Where are you going, Spring?" she questioned me, her eyes assessing the clothes I wore.

I brushed off the dust on my clothes as I answered, "I'm going to a party, Mom. Don't wait up, okay?"

But then, just as I turned and grabbed the door knob, I felt her hand grabbing my other wrist tightly. I turned my head to look at her, and saw the worried expression that was clear on her face.

"Mom. Don't worry, alright? I promise to you that I'll be fine."

She pursed her lips in response, hesitance shown clearly in her eyes. I prayed hard that she would not forbid me to go. Or not, I'd be all dressed up for nothing.

"Mom…"

She then sighed and let go of my wrist. "Alright. Just be back home soon, okay?" she said wearily.

I nodded my head and swiftly kissed her cheek before I made my way out of the door. I instantly saw a white Chrysler 200 parked on the neck of road leading to the cul-de-sac, and its rear lights were flashing at me. But as I made my way down the steps, I heard my mom call out for me.

"Yes, Mom?"

She stood at the threshold with her arms crossed, looking at me with uncertainty. I waited for her to say something, and she then sighed and gave me a small smile.

"Have fun and stay safe, alright?"

I wanted to roll my eyes at how she was talking to me as though I was ten years old. But instead, I smiled and assured that I will, and then I waved goodbye to her before I walked up to the Chrysler.

I got into the car, taking the passenger seat in the front. There, in the driver's seat in front of the wall, sat Henrietta, who, I had to admit, looked fabulous to the max, all dressed in a dark purple cropped shirt that showed off her midriff, denim shorts and a pair of bronze-coloured gladiator heels.

Her blonde hair was tied into a high ponytail, the end just touching half her back. She too had smoky eyes, though hers was darker and looked really good on her. But unlike me, she wore make-up that was applied to perfection.

She turned to me with a smile and she looked at me from head-to-toe. She nodded her head in approval. "Lookin' good,Spring," she commented.

As I buckled my seatbelt, I replied, "Same to you. So, you hyped up for the party?"

"You know it!" she chirped, getting the car out of brake and starting to drive out of the cul-de-sac. "There's going to be everything! Music, snacks, beer. And-"

Henrietta then turned to look at me with a mischievous grin and an equally mischievous twinkle in her blue-grey eyes. She then continued, saying, "-a lot of hot guys."

I snorted and rolled my eyes to the window. "Please. If they're going to be hitting on me shamelessly and their breaths reek of alcohol, there is absolutely no way for them to get my number."

And then, I heard her mutter, "Or get you in bed."

"Oh God, Henri!" I exclaimed in disgust. "As if I'm going to let that happen!"

She let go of the wheel for a while, her eyes still on the road ahead as she raised both her hands to the level of her face. "Hey, I'm just saying. You have to be careful at a party like this one. I'd advise you to take an unopened can of coke instead of the drinks served there. Who knows? Some guy might try to roofie your drink."

On the inside, I cringed slightly. I have heard of parties like this, where the guys, and even girls, would carry along with them some powdered drugs that could knock anyone out in a second. They would pour it into their victim's drinks without them realizing it, and they would take advantage of them later, when they're unconscious.

I shuddered. I really did not want that to happen to me. Looks like I'll have to be on my complete guard while I'm there.

"Thanks for the heads-up," I said blankly, concentrating my gaze on the buildings we drive past.

Suddenly, while we are at a red light in an intersection, I felt a nudge on my shoulder and I turned to look at Henrietta.

"Look. Whatever it is, we stay together, alright? Watch out for each other's backs and just have fun. Do you hear me?" she said to me confidently in her bubbly tone.

I chuckled and nodded my head. "I hear you."

The music is so loud I could only hear myself if I shouted at the top of my voice. My head is pounding to the beat. My ears are going to deafen soon.

I pressed myself up against the wall, trying hard not to attract attention and not let anyone have the slightest contact with me. So far, many guys, both okay-looking and extraordinarily hideous, approached me, asking for my name, for my number, and some even offering me drinks which I suspected was drugged. I walked away from them as far as I could, hoping that they wouldn't stalk or corner me anywhere.

Throughout the whole time I was here, which I guessed must be about an hour and a half, I didn't take anything to drink, and I was glad because I would rather be safe than sorry. Henrietta, on the other hand, drank about two cans of coke and even had two peach wine coolers. I tried my best to keep her in my line of sight, wanting to make sure that she doesn't do anything stupid. But somehow, in the midst of swaying human bodies grinding up and dancing against each other, I lost her.

I got extremely frustrated that she had strayed away, leaving me all alone. But I was worried about her. Who knows how many more wine coolers she was drinking or whoever she was with right now?

So, like the friend I am, I tried to look for her.

I pushed myself past the dancing people and tried my best to keep a sharp eye for Henrietta. It was so difficult. There were so many people that I couldn't even see the wall across the room.

And then, I remembered my cell phone in my jacket pocket. I took it out quickly and tried to dial for her number. But lo and behold, there was no signal in the crowded and loud house.

Maybe I could get signal outside. I thought to myself.

So I decided to head outside, wanting to get some fresh air and hoping that there would be signal to call her. As I craned my neck to try and find the front door, some random dude with greasy dyed-blonde hair and green eyes stepped into my view. In an instant, the odor of alcohol shot straight into my nostrils, and I gagged.

"Hey there, babe," he slurred. "What's say you and me have some alone time?"

I wrinkled my nose in response to the repulsive alcohol smell and shook my head. "Not interested," I simply said, and pushed my way past him when I caught sight of the door just across the room. But as I walked off, I felt a hand grip the wrist of my left hand.

"Come on!" the drunkard whined. "It'll be fun! Just the two of us! I even got some cherry-flavoured condoms…."

Hearing that, I turned to him and planted my right hand firmly in the centre of his chest to give him a strong push.

But I did not expect him to be flung to the wall at the touch of my hand.

He was pushed past many people and the wall cracked when his back made contact with it. As he fell to the ground in pain, I stood there in shock.

What. The. Hell. Just. Happened?

Everyone who had been in his way then turned to look at me with the same amount of shock as mine. I looked at the hand that had pushed him, wondering what power was in it that managed to cause the guy to be flung that far.

Suddenly, the stares became too much. I became embarrassed and immediately felt the need to disappear now.

So I quickly turned and dashed for the front door, running out into the open.

The house was near the outskirts of town, but was surrounded by huge and tall trees. There were little people outside, and I was grateful.

I was still freaked out over what had happened back in there. I stared at my right hand and inspected it closely. There was nothing unusual. It was still smooth and my nails were well-manicured. But I was still trying to figure out how my hand had managed to attain enough strength to do that to the guy with just one push.

No. That was impossible. I couldn't have done that...

Oh, I should stop being in denial! It had happened, and I didn't know how the hell it did.

I felt my head get dizzy as more and more questions piled up into my head. I needed to sit down and clear myself.

I decided that the safest place to be now was just nearby Henrietta's Chrysler. I recalled where we had parked it and immediately walked. But to my shock, it wasn't there.

She had left me here.

I don't know why, but instincts told me that she didn't go back by herself.

I angrily whipped out my cell phone and dialled for her. But my call got immediately sent to voicemail. I could feel my annoyance and anger suddenly flare up and I wanted to scream out so loud that even the whole forest could hear me. But the anger immediately made me feel exhausted.

No. Right now, I just wanted to go home.

But with no car, I decided to just walk. It wouldn't take too long. Probably about thirty to forty-five minutes before I reached Heatherton again.

Great….

I sighed to myself and tried to calm myself down before I finally began to walk.

"What a feat!" the redhead chirped.

"Yes!" the brunette giggled. "As the day comes closer, her powers would fully reawaken."

Suddenly, the blonde said, "My sisters. Now is the time where she will face her first challenge. On the road, alongside the forests, a creature will appear and attempt to harm her."

The brunette and the redhead stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. And then, with a smile, the blonde said, "But need not worry. He is coming to her rescue as we speak."

Luckily, the moonlight was bright enough to light up my way. I stayed at the side of the road, taking many steps closer to Heatherton. Not many cars were driving on the road and the only sounds I could hear right now was the sounds of the night critters in the forest.

I thought about calling for help, most possibly my mother. But I can't risk getting her all freaked out because my 'friend' had left me alone and had possibly gone off with some random dude she met while she was drunk on wine coolers or anything stronger than that. Mom would probably keep me under her watch until she was sure that I could go out by myself again.

That would probably take a long time.

Suddenly, I heard a rustle in the bushes. My skin prickled with fear instantly and I quickened my pace, murmuring to myself that I was going to be fine and that it was probably a squirrel or something that was making that noise.

I wasn't able to reassure myself.

And suddenly, I suddenly stopped in my tracks against my will when I heard someone say from behind me, "Don't move."