The Shadow In the Woods

Shadow in the Woods

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my unborn cousin Isabelle, rest in peace, I know myou are in a better place now. I also want to dedicate this book to my 5th grade elementary school teacher, thanks for calling me stupid in front of the class, I hope you have a nice life.

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Chapter 1
A long Drive to Colorado

      It was a lovely summer morning, the air was fresh with dew and the birds were singing their songs. I had just began to pack up for the trip to my grandparents house. I'm visiting them for about two weeks, so I get to stay with them in a small cottage in Colorado, it was somewhere on the map.
   I had heard it was a nice place, full of woods, with a small lake in the center of their back yard. I'm hoping to explore the place a little more when I get there.
"Tesla!", my dad yelled, "You need to start packing for your trip! You will be leaving about 10:40."
"Thanks dad but I already started." I exclaimed with a much calmer state of mind. I grabbed my favorite hoodie, and placed it into my suitcase. That very moment I was zipping it shut, I had this sudden urge of hesitation, like my body was telling me, "It's not safe... Don't go", but I quickly ignored the warning and continued my current objective. The thought burrowed into the back of my mind.
   It was now 10:26, and I had both suitcases packed. I had managed to grab my favorite picture of Maverick and I, Maverick is a cocker spaniel. He's licking the ice cream off my face while I'm laughing really hard. Just by looking at it made me laugh. I slid the picture into the side pouch of my suitcase and dragged them downstairs. Our house was small, we had wood floors throughout the house except for the upstairs, that's carpeted. I looked in the kitchen to see if there was breakfast. The smell of syrup and freshly made pancakes filled the air. I places my suitcase down and sat at the kitchen table. Silverware had been set out and a tall glass of orange juice stood on the table. My mom (Julie) turned her head while she was cooking,
"You ready for your trip?"
I looked at my mom and muffled, I was about to drink my orange juice, "Yeah, I'm super excited to go, I can't wait to see what grandma and pops' home looks like!" I said placing the cup down.
"Well, Im looking forward on dropping you off." She said sarcastically
"Ha-ha mom, very funny" I responded back with more sarcasm.
    She looked at me with a Cheshire grin, "Well you're breakfast is ready! Dig in."
She sat a plate down with three pancakes stacked on top of each other, placed in the center of my plate, with a square piece of butter on the top. Each pancake was lightly drizzled with syrup. My mouth watered, and I ate my breakfast, fast, but not too.
     After I had finished, I went upstairs got dressed, did my hair, and brushed my teeth. I put an extra toothbrush and toothpaste in my suitcase so that I didn't have to take them out and repack them again. Meaning I had a spare.
I ran downstairs again and gave my mom a big hug,
"Love you!"
"Love you too, stay safe!"
"I will!"
I saw Maverick waiting by the door
"Goodbye my lil' munchkin, be good!"
He licked my hand and wagged his tail, I scratched his head and walked out the door. I left my house for the last time and took my suitcases with me. My dad (Andy) helped me get them in the trunk.
  As I got in the car the same hesitation grew inside my stomach like a virus. It sat there growing slowly more deadlier than before, nevertheless I ignored it more. My hands were sweaty too. It was almost like I was nervous to go. A slight laugh leaked out of my mouth, this wasn't a joyful one though.
   The road trip was long, and boring. I was stuck listening to country music along with my mom and dad singing their hearts out to the songs... And to be honest, they DO NOT have good singing voices. Besides the deafening singing, the views were very beautiful, forestry everywhere, it was magnificent. It was almost fall so the trees were still green, but the tips of their leaves were painted with orange yellow, and red. The scent of pine and leaves filled the air.
     After five hours of continuous singing and looking at the views, we finally arrived at my grandparents house. As we pulled into the driveway, the same phrase consumed my every thought. "It's not safe... It's not safe..." I was a nervous now. For a 16 year old, I was pretty dramatic.
"Is this safe?" I asked without thought
My dad turned around and looked at me like I was stupid. My mom laughed,
"Of course it is dear, don't worry everything will be fine."
...Fine... Fine... Danger...
I opened the car door and jumped out. My mom and dad did the same.