Chaser (2nd Book of the Supernatural Hunters)

The Dare

*Author's Note: This is regarding Hunter. If you're looking for romance, Chaser is based around that. Hunter does have romance, but not until half way through the book. Again, both do have romance, it just comes in at different times.*

A pack of girls who I know as my friends walk ahead of me, giggling and laughing between each other. I, on the other hand, glumly follow behind them, glaring at the backs of their heads. All I wanted to do tonight was lay in my bed like a potato and read my books. Then, out of nowhere, my friends had made plans to have a sleepover. With a lot of persuasion on their part, they were able to drag me out of my house and here I am now, acting like a loner.

"Hannah, c'mon!"

Grumbling beneath my breath, I take my time to make my way over to them as they stop and wait for me to catch up.

"What's with you?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

The pack murmurs, but they take my answer and continue on their way, making sure I'm with them this time.

As soon as they had achieved dragging me from my home, we went to Cassandra's house. After spending a couple of hours there, we decided to go into town to lighten up the mood. There isn't much to do in a tiny town like ours, but it beats sitting around bored. Not paying attention, I follow the group, ranting in my head. When they stop walking though, I glance around confused.

"This isn't the town, guys. Where are we?"

One of them giggles with a weird laugh and turns to me. "Do you know about the house here?"

"Yeah, sure. Who doesn't?"

In these woods, an abandoned house resides. It once belonged to a rich family, but after they moved, no one dared to buy the establishment. Rumors had started up that the house was haunted. Anyone who tried to enter was never seen again. They say it's a creature that mauls people alive, but no one has ever lived to tell the story so it isn't for certain. That, of course, is all a load of bull. It's just some stupid story a couple of idiots came up with to scare the crap out of others. If I had to guess, druggies probably use the house as their spot... to do what they do.

They erupt into quiet laughter at my answer. I raise an eyebrow. What could possibly be so funny? Unless...

"Don't tell me you guys brought us out here to go into the house?"

No one replies.

"Oh, God," I groan, annoyed at the situation. "Well, let's get this over with then."

Before I can pass by them, Cassandra whips out an arm, stopping me in my tracks. "We have other ideas..."

"Other ideas?..... Oh, no! I know what you guys are thinking! Not happening!"

"Oh, c'mon! You don't believe in that stuff anyway, why don't you go in and prove us wrong?"

"Because I'm not looking to get kidnapped or murdered by the drug addicts in there."

Heather makes a face at that. "There's no druggies in there, it's abandoned because of the legend."

"Don't tell me you're scared! I bet you're scared!" Cassandra taunts. "My wittle baby is scared!"

"Shut up," I sigh exasperatedly while punching her arm.

She laughs as she stumbles back from the hit, rubbing her bicep.

"You know what?" Georgia interrupts. "I dare you, Hannah!"

I can't help the laughter that leaves my mouth. "What are we, kids? Like a dare is going to make me go in there! Alone."