Welcome to the Glade

Chapter 2: Strange Behaviors

As I am pulling into the driveway of our house, I remember my dad telling me he was going to be away for a few hours. Probably work. Ever since mom died, he has worked a lot more. Maybe to keep his mind off things? I'm not really sure. My little brother, Lucas, is sleeping over at his friends house. You know how boys are. I decided to head to the kitchen and get a snack before I do my homework. Now, I am in the kitchen. Suddenly, something starts lighting up.. It's in my shirt. What? I pull out the necklace. It looks like a flashlight, but.. brighter.

Weird. I thought to myself. Necklaces usually don't light up. No, they never do. It's not like it's some magical object. Probably just a prank.

Ugh. I forgot about my homework. Dad should be home in.. I check my watch. 3 hours. That gives me enough time to finish my biology homework, math homework, and study for my history test. Maybe even fit in an episode of Tv.

After 2 hours of long hard work, I decide to take a break and go outside to have a walk. As I'm walking, the boy, Hayden, walks up behind me.

"Hey." I jump a little, not knowing he was behind me.

"Oh... hey. Sorry, I didn't see you there."

"No it's fine, are you walking home?"

"Yeah actually, I live right down the road near the cul de sac."

"That's so funny, I live on the cul de sac." Hm. Weird. I didn't know he lived on the same street as me. "Do you mind if I walk you home?" Oh wow. Um that was unexpected.

"No not at all! So what do you like to do when you aren't at school.." We ended up talking the rest of the way to my house. Hayden is actually very similar to me. We both enjoy reading over tv, and he also has an obsession with football. It was fun, and by the time we arrived at my house, I already knew a lot about him! I even got his phone number (which we will not be telling Lindsey or Jackson.) "Bye! It was really nice talking to you.. Hayden."

"Maybe we could go out sometime? For dinner or something?"

"Yeah! Yeah, that would be nice." And with that I walked inside. Did that really just happen? Oh wow.. I haven't been on a date since.. well- I've never actually been on a date. Unless you count going to the hotdog stand with a boy from your class. As I'm thinking about all of this, I realize that the necklace is getting brighter. Again? What is it with this thing? You would think that after being thrown into the ocean it wouldn't work anymore. The thing is, it's just gradually getting lighter.. It doesn't just- turn on like a flashlight.. It gets brighter over time. My thoughts are pulled away from me when I realize the tv is home. It must be dad. I start to climb up the stairs and make for my bedroom so I can avoid any talk about today's activities. I don't really find it the most comfortable conversation to talk with your dad about a boy.. But before I can get to the top, my name is called.

"Lex!! Come here real quick." Aw shoot. Umm I can just tell him about the part with Lindsey and Jackson.. He doesn't need to know about Hayden- or the necklace. He might think I stole it or something. Which.. I didn't. Because I found it. Without an owner. Therefore, I did not steal it. I told him about my morning and lunch with Jackson and Lindsey, and I also told him about my walk that I took. By myself. After I told him about my day, I went up to my room. I know, most of the time the nosy parents annoy you. I agree. But, I love my dad, and after my mom died, he has been trying really hard to keep the family together. So, I go along with it. I decided on taking a shower, and then I got in my bed. As I was reading, my eyes started to get droopy. I look down and realize I forgot to take off my necklace. Oh well. I'll just take it off tomorrow. I put my book on the table beside my bed and fell asleep.

Ow. What is that? Why does my neck feel tingly? Ouch! That burns!

I open my eyes. The necklace is brighter than it's been before. It's lighting up my whole room. How-? I try to take the necklace off but it's stuck. What? I'm starting to think something is up. All of the sudden I feel like I have been hit by a car. My body completely shuts down. I try my hardest to keep my eyes open but they just won't. My body feels like it's being pushed into the center of the earth, like I am trapped under water. I can't move. Then suddenly, I lose consciousness. Before I'm completely lost though, I hear words come from an unrecognised voice. A woman's voice. I don' t recall any women being in our house.. Unless Dad has a secret girlfriend.

"Send her up."