Spit It Out (Ongoing)

Sweet Sixteen

Clara woke up with a flutter of excitement in her stomach. Today was her sweet sixteen, a milestone she had been looking forward to for months. She quickly dressed in her favorite blue dress, the one she saved for special occasions. As she looked in the mirror, she ran a brush through her brunette hair, which framed her kind, cheerful face. Clara had always been a bit overweight, but today she felt beautiful and ready to celebrate with her friends.

"Happy Birthday, sweetie!" her mom called from the kitchen as Clara came downstairs. A stack of pancakes, topped with whipped cream and strawberries, awaited her on the table. A single candle flickered in the middle.

"Thanks, Mom," Clara said, beaming as she blew out the candle. She quickly finished her breakfast, her mind already on the day's plans.

Her friends had organized a celebration at the county zoo, and Tanner, who worked there, had promised something special. Clara grabbed her backpack, gave her mom a quick hug, and headed out the door. At the bus stop, Melinda was the first to arrive. With her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and her impeccable style, Melinda was the best student in their class and was known for her striking beauty. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she saw Clara.

"Happy Birthday, Clara!" Melinda exclaimed, giving her a big hug. "Ready for an unforgettable day?"

"Absolutely," Clara replied, grinning. "I can't wait to see what Tanner has planned."

"Speaking of Tanner," Melinda said with a mischievous glint in her eye, "I've noticed you get a little blushy around him. Is there something you want to tell me?"

Clara felt her cheeks heat up. "Oh, please. Tanner is just a friend."

"Sure he is," Melinda teased, nudging Clara playfully.

Before Clara could protest further, Chloe and David arrived, hand in hand as always. Chloe, with her fiery red hair and freckles, was bubbly and impulsive. David, tall and lanky with messy brown hair, was her perfect counterpart, equally as fun-loving but often the more sensible of the two.

"Happy Birthday, Clara!" they chorused.

"Thanks, guys!" Clara said, feeling genuinely happy surrounded by her friends.

"Do you think Tanner will show us the lion first?" David asked, his eyes wide with anticipation. "I've always wanted to see a lion up close."

"I'm sure Tanner has everything figured out," Chloe said, giving Clara a knowing look. "He's always full of surprises."

The bus pulled up, and the group boarded, chatting excitedly. They found seats together and continued their conversation, the excitement building with every mile.

"So, what's the latest gossip?" Clara asked, eager to hear the latest school news.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe what happened yesterday," Chloe began, leaning in conspiratorially. "Mr. Thompson caught Jake trying to sneak out of detention through the window. It was hilarious!"

"Typical Jake," David said, shaking his head. "Always looking for trouble."

The bus ride flew by as they exchanged stories and laughter. Before they knew it, they were at the zoo entrance. Tanner was waiting for them, his charismatic smile making Clara's heart skip a beat.

With his tousled dark hair and confident demeanor, Tanner was easily the coolest kid in town. He had a way of making everyone feel special with his deep, resonant voice and infectious enthusiasm.

"Happy Birthday, Clara!" Tanner greeted her with a hug. "Ready for the best day ever?"

"You bet!" Clara replied, trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach.

"Follow me," Tanner said, leading the way. "I've got an exclusive tour planned, and you guys are going to love it."

Tanner led them through the zoo, his insider knowledge making the tour fascinating. They started with the majestic Gala the Lion, who lounged lazily in his enclosure. His golden mane shimmered in the sunlight, and he let out a deep, rumbling yawn.

"Gala's the king of this place," Tanner said, leaning on the fence. "He's got that regal vibe, doesn't he?"

"He's incredible," Melinda said, her eyes wide with admiration.

Next, they moved to Tigre the Tiger. He paced gracefully, his powerful muscles rippling under his striped fur. The group watched in awe as he prowled around, his eyes sharp and alert.

"He's so beautiful," Clara whispered, mesmerized by the tiger's elegance.

Tanner smiled. "Wait until you see Spitz. He's got a personality of his own."

They walked over to the alpaca enclosure, where Spitz stood, chewing methodically and watching them with an unsettling intensity. His eyes seemed almost too intelligent, and Clara shivered as he stared directly at her.

"Is it just me, or does Spitz look a little... creepy?" Chloe asked, inching closer to David.

"He's just curious," Tanner said, though his tone was nonchalant. "Don't let him get to you."

The group moved on to see Yoyi the Black Bear, who was busy rummaging through his habitat for hidden treats. He paid them no mind, his focus entirely on finding food.

"Yoyi's got his priorities straight," David joked, earning a laugh from everyone.

As they wandered past the llama enclosure, Chloe had a sudden idea. "Hey, let's give the llamas some of the alpaca food. It'll be hilarious!" David immediately agreed, already reaching for a handful of alpaca feed. "Let's do it!"

They giggled as they fed the llamas, who eagerly gobbled up the stolen treats. Clara glanced back at Spitz, who was now watching them intently, his eyes glinting in the fading light. She felt a chill run down her spine but brushed it off as excitement. As the sun set, casting long shadows over the zoo, the excitement in the group grew. The last visitors trickled out, and the group prepared for the next part of their plan. Tanner led them to the cafeteria, where they hid behind the counters, waiting for the staff to leave.

"Okay, coast is clear," Tanner whispered after the last employee left. "Let's get this party started."

He pulled out a keg of draft root beer, his grin widening. "To Clara's sweet sixteen!"

"Cheers!" they all echoed, clinking their cups together.

The root beer tasted unusually good, and they drank eagerly, laughing and joking. But after a while, Clara began to feel strange. Her vision blurred slightly, and her thoughts seemed to scatter.

"Tanner, did you put something in these?" Chloe asked, her voice slurred and unsteady.

"Just a little something to make the night unforgettable," Tanner replied with a mysterious smile.

Clara's head felt heavy, and she struggled to keep her balance. She glanced around at her friends, who were also showing signs of disorientation. Something was definitely wrong. A low, haunting noise echoed through the darkened zoo, making Clara's skin crawl. It sounded like a guttural growl, but distorted and unnatural.

"Did you guys hear that?" Melinda whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

"Probably just the animals," David said, though his voice lacked confidence.

The noise grew louder, more menacing. Clara's heart pounded as she looked around, trying to pinpoint the source. Suddenly, Chloe screamed, pointing towards the path they had taken earlier. There, standing in the shadows, was Spitz the Alpaca, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent intelligence. He stepped forward, his movements deliberate and predatory.

"Run!" Clara shouted, grabbing Chloe's hand, and bolting towards the nearest exit.

The group scattered in all directions, their laughter replaced by panicked breaths and hurried footsteps. The zoo, once a place of wonder and excitement, had transformed into a maze of terror. Clara could hear the frantic sounds of her friends running, their fear palpable in the night air. As they fled, Clara's mind raced. What had Tanner put in those drinks? And why did it feel like the animals were closing in on them? Spitz's sinister presence loomed large, and Clara knew they were being hunted. Her only hope was to find a way to outsmart the alpaca and survive the night.

To be continued....