The Impossibles and the Misty Bay (Book One of the Impossibles Trilogy)

Chapter Five: The Note

Chapter Five: The Note

The day was almost over, the sun was beginning to set, and Jake was finally starting to relax. That should've been the first sign that something was wrong. He sat around the bonfire on the beach, staring out at the open sea.

It seemed strange to him that no one knew this island existed except for the super-human kids that lived there. It wasn't small. The island stretched over five miles wide, with sandy beaches on all sides. There was always a patrol walking along the perimeter, but it was almost pointless. The island was invisible to the un-gifted.

There was quite a climb to reach the entrance to Camp Wright, for you entered through a hidden door in the mountain, Wright. Once in the mountain, the cabins were the first thing visible. Passing the empty Cabin Twenty, you then had sight of the whole island. The forest beyond the Potion Room was where most people practiced wielding their swords. Only the ax throwers seemed to use the actual arena for it's purpose.

The weekly bonfire always took place on the back side of the island, where the sand on the beach was the smoothest. Normally, everyone would be telling stories of the heroes before them or dancing away to the music the Healers produced. But today, Jessica, Jake and Edward sat on a log, staring into the fire, unable to join in with the celebration.

"Pass the root beer," Edward burped, causing Jessica to crinkle her nose.

"Ugh," she groaned, passing him a brown bottle. "Men."

Over all of the laughing, talking, singing and general rowdiness of the bonfire, a shriek echoed throughout the island. The noise stopped suddenly. Everyone turned to look at Jessica who had gone pale. She was shaking violently.

Jake didn't hesitate. He shoved Jessica aside, sprinting for the trees. The camp was quick to follow. He ran past tree after tree, searching for something, anything that would give him a clue as to who screamed and why.

Then he saw her.

Her body was mangled. The Camp Wright shirt was covered in blood. Her slim oak wand was in her hand, as if, with her last bit of strength, she'd tried to cast a spell. Her body was pale with the moon's rays. And her eyes... Her eyes were open and staring at Jake, begging him for mercy.

"Beth!" Alex's voice tore a hole in Jake's heart. He watched as his friend shoved through the crowd to get to the girl dead on the forest floor. Alex cradled her head in her lap, whimpering her name. Henry began to sob loudly, running to his sister.

Jessica was mesmerized at the scene. She had followed them. Of course she had. But it was clear this was not what she had expected. Her eyes never strayed from her sister's cold body.

Jake walked slowly to them, something catching his eye. He bent low, slipping a thick yellow-stained sheet of paper out from under Beth's body. Very carefully, it opened it. The writing was old fashioned, obviously written by quill and ink. With shaky hands, he read:

"Your move, Miss Williams.

                               ~D"