The Moonlight Lake (Book 1 of the Magic Wing Series)

Chapter 6

"Tami, what time is it?" Crystal asks from the back of the group.

"Eleven forty." Tamila says she looks at Maggie with a hint of concern, "will we be able to get to the lake in time?"

"We should be fine if we keep moving." Maggie replies.

"Help me!"

I jump a bit and look around. "Alice?!"

"What?" Maggie says.

"I heard Alice." I say.

"You did?!" Aya says.

I nod.

"Guys, twelve minutes 'til midnight." Tamila says.

"Alright, let's go!" Maggie says before turning and continuing on.

~

We run through the forest and eventually find the lake. The cabin Alice is in is nearby. We walk around the lake to see if we can find it.

"See anything?" Aya asks.

"No." Jace replies.

Aya sighs and keeps looking. She walks into the forest a bit and gasps. We all look over at her.

"You find it?" I ask.

"Maybe..." She says.

"Maybe?" I say as I walk over to her. I look at the cabin and freeze with fear. Right there in front to of the cabin, scratching at the door, is a tall tree-like monster with long, sharp claws, raggedy hair, and large feet.

Maggie and he others walk over to us.

"Crap!" Maggie says under her breath "alright here's the plan." She turns to me. "Carter you're going to distract the monster while Aya, Crystal, and I get Alice." She looks at the rest of the group. "The rest of you, be ready to help fight the monster if it attacks." She looks at Tamila. "Tamila how much time do we have?"

"Five minutes!"

"Alright go straight to the lake once Alice is out." Maggie demands, "do not stop for anything! Got it?"

We all agree to her plan.

"Good, move out" Maggie says. And we all move out. Maggie, Aya and Crystal run around the back of the small cabin while Tamila, Sage and Jace take cover behind some trees. I look at the monster.

Five minutes. I remind myself. I take a deep breath before running up behind the monster.

"Hey, Big Foot!" I call out to the monster. It whips around and glares at me. I stand my ground and glare back at it. "Come get me!"

The monster lets out a loud yowling screech and charges at me. I whip around and sprint through the forest towards the lake as the monster chases me.

Maggie, Aya, and Crystal go in the cabin and get Alice out and head towards the lake.

"Everyone, get to the lake!" Maggie calls.

Tamila, Jace and Sage run to the lake while I circle around it to lure the monster away.

"Thirty seconds!" Tamila calls.

"Get in the lake!" Maggie yells.

They all help get Alice in the lake.

"Carter!" Sage calls to me.

"Carter!" Maggie yells, "Get in the lake!"

"Twenty seconds!" Tamila says.

I glance at them then look back behind me. The monster is out of sight. I use this opportunity to turn and run towards the lake. I'm almost to the bank when, out of nowhere, the monster jumps out in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.

"Carter!" Crystal calls.

"Ten seconds!" Tamila yells. She starts counting down from ten. "Ten!"

"Carter get in the lake!" Jace yells.

"Nine!"

The monster takes a step closer to me. I panic as I look around for a safe way to get passed it.

"Eight!"

"Carter!"

I look up at the monster and take a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." I say.

"Seven!"

I run towards the monster.

"Six!"

The monster lifts its large, clawed hand up to swipe at me.

"Five!"

The monster brings its hand down towards me and I roll out of the way.

"Four!"

The monster howls and whips around.

"Three!"

The monster chases me as I run as fast as I can towards the lake.

"Two!"

"Carter!"

"One!"

I get to the lake and jump in it right at the last second. There's a bright flash and all that's left is a confused monster in a dark forest next to a sparkling moonlit lake.