Chapter 1
My name is Aloe McCord, and I live in Norfolk, Virginia. Pretty small town right? When it all started I was about 16, going to North Point High... I guess you could say I was kinda popular. I never really tried to feed into all that drama, but if you're, "gorgeous," as I'm frequently called, I guess it just sort of happens. Even though I'm apart of the cool crowd, I only hang with my two best friends; Farah, and Cole. I'm like, MAJORLY crushing on Cole, but he's Farah's brother so it'd be pretty awkward... Besides! Why would he go for a girl like me anyway?
It was a Saturday night and my mom had pissed me off for about the billionth time this week. "Hey slut! Get your lazy ass up here and fix me some dinner," she yelled from the main floor. My mom has always kind of been mean, but when I turned 14 she really started being a bitch. I grabbed my keys and my phone and tromped up the stairs, shouldering her out of the way. As I made my way to the front door, she stopped me with a question. "Where in the hell are you going? I told you to come make my dinner," she nearly yelled. "Shove off you lazy cow. Make your own dinner I'm leaving," I yelled back. I walked out the door and sighed as the warm air touched me. I love Virginia summers, their so very pleasant. I headed down the road towards the forest, A.K.A my personal get away and I know what you're thinking. Isn't it nighttime? Why is she letting a 16 year old girl go into the forest at night alone?? I told you my mother was a bitch...
As I walked down the road and neared the hole in the fence, I shivered. I should of brought a jacket with me, I forgot Virginia can actually get cold sometimes. I contemplated going to Farah's for the night instead, but decided against it. I wasn't gonna make her play therapist tonight, I'd feel bad. I climbed in the open hole in the fence and made a mental note that they should really have that thing closed up by now, but I'm glad they didn't. I took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of the forest... It smelled like home... Like I was at a racetrack, I sped off, no particular destination in mind.
Breathing hard, I plopped down on one of the logs lying around. This forest used to be a loggers haven, till something drove them off... Who cares, more forest for me! I pulled out my iPhone 4s, one of the only things I ever received from my 'father'. 4 missed calls and about 10 texts, 2 from my mom calling me a selfish whore, 4 from Farah, and the rest didn't really matter. Farah: Stormed out again lol? Me: :) how'd you know? I'm in the forest though, mind if I come over later? Farah: Naa it's cool! Me: K. I locked my phone again and Cole's handsome face popped up. I inwardly sighed as I got to thinking about him again. He was just so perfect! He had messy blonde hair and grey eyes to kill for. I swear his smirk was made by god himself!
I got up from the log and started to pace. I wondered what I'd be doing for the rest of the night... Screw it, I'll sleep over at Farah's, I thought. I pulled out my phone and dropped it, screaming. What the hell was on my background? I stooped down slowly and picked up my phone studying it. Instead of Cole's face, it was a picture of something in a suit. The thing didn't have a face... Well it did, but it was white and it didn't have any facial features at all! It had blacks tentacles coming out of its side, It was just plain creepy. Thankfully, my background turned back into Cole and I sighed. Maybe this forest was messing with my head or something. I checked my phone and it was about 11:30, so I decided to call Farah and let her know I was sleeping over. I don't even have to ask anymore... Farah wouldn't say no to me even if she wanted to.
When I walked into the house, it was just dark and quiet. I headed towards the basement so I could grab my overnight bag and my things so I could leave already. I opened up my door and started to walk down the stairs when I bumped into something hard and fell back onto the steps. I know my mom isn't down here, she wouldn't THINK of coming in my room. But then again, she's the only other one here with me... What the hell is this thing? I reached out to touch it and my fingers brushed open air. Shrugging the whole thing off as me just being paranoid, I continued to climb down the stairs and flipped on my light. I walked to my closet and got a 7 days worth of clothes, I didn't feel like dealing with Martha and her bullshit, so I'd be staying for the rest of the week... I grabbed my charger, bodywash, toothbrush, and my keys. I shut the light and walked up the stairs, and out of the house.
