The Beast Inside (book 2)

Chapter 23 - The Wrong Necklace

Kelli's POV
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Score: 10-1

Current time: 7:50

We just needed to hold them. The bases were loaded and there were two outs. The count on the batter was 3-2. I called timeout and walked to the mound. "You're doing great, Lauren." I said. "She's just fouling them off. What pitch do you want to throw?" "I haven't pitched my crossover this inning." Lauren said. "I'll do that." "Awesome." I said. "You always strike them out with that pitch. Alright, let's finish this." I walked back behind the plate as the batter got back in the box. I crouched down and gave her the sign.

I hit my glove as she was about to pitch. As she went through her windup, a chill went down my spine. I felt my eyes burn, my head ache, and my jaw throb. I ignored it as the pitch came in and broke to a side. The batter swung, but popped it up. I whipped off my helmet and dove into the ball, catching it and just missing the backstop by an eighth of an inch from face planting.

I got up and held up the ball. "Out!" The umpire said. I rolled the ball to the pitchers mound as my teammates swarmed around me. I grimaced in pain, holding my arm. "Careful." Coach B said. "Don't break her." I kept my mask on as we were being handed out awards. When Coach B called my name, the crowd cheered. "Our only eighth grader, Kelli Silvers." She said. "She played an outstanding job behind the plate with no pass balls. She never ceases to amaze me. And she's only in eighth grade."

I heard the screams of my friends and the other Sacred Heart sports teams. I smiled knowing that I only used my ability once with that tag play at home. The play that Annabelle forced on a Norwell player. The fact that she did that to me is a brutal attempt to make me change. Just thank the tuning fork necklace tangled in my hair elastic.

We walked back to the dugout as I gave the trophy to my mother. Rachel had asked me spend the night earlier so I asked her. "Hey, mom." I said. "Rachel wants me to spend the night at her house. May I?" "It's fine with me." She said. "Have fun, and I'll keep the trophy at home in your room." I watched as she walked to her car and drove away. Then I started to take my gear off.

Then, Annabelle walked up to me. "Well, congratulations." She said. "I could top that." "Ha, I don't think you could since you never played in your life." I said. "Nice rig in the game, you asshole." "Oh, you noticed?" She asked. "Well, when the ball was hit, it looked like a huge gust of wind blew it, but I looked back at the bleachers and you were using your magic." I said. "You nearly killed me."

"Can't you see that was my plan?" She asked. "Can you just take off your shades?" I smirked. "Okay." I said. I took them off through the mask. My eyes were brown in the reflection. She seemed puzzled. She then started to tap the fence with the fake necklace. I didn't seem phased. She then looked puzzled.

"Remember when I finally said I'd give you the necklace?" I asked. "Well, I didn't clarify which one." She looked at the necklace as it started to fall apart. Now was my chance. I didn't take off my gear yet. I ran in catching gear. Not bad, but Annabelle was raged. "You lied to me!" She screamed. I kept my head down to avoid the full moon.

I looked behind me. She held a dog whistle. It looked custom made. It was a magic one that surpassed the powers of my necklace. "No!" I screamed. However, it was too late. She blew the whistle and it made a high pitched shrill noise. It felt like my ear was just next to a fired gun. I clutched my head and knelt down in pain. Then I saw Katie run over. She helped me take off my gear. She hen teleported the gear to my bag and it zipped itself up and disappeared.

"What did you do?" I asked. "Don't worry." Katie said. "It's at your house. All safe and sound. And your necklace is at your house." "Katie!" I screamed. "I needed that." "Oh," she said. "Well, then we are screwed." She helped me get up and run as soon as the whistle stopped. I saw as Mary, Rachel, and Jason run another way to fight Collin and his friends. My teammates were still there just staring.

I could hear them. "What's going on with Kelli?" Lauren asked. "I don't know." Gabby said. "She looks like she needs help. We should help her." "Agreed." Lauren said. "Lauren and Gabby are helping us." I spat. "Just run. Rachel, Mary, and Jason will meet us on the other side." Katie followed me away from the softball field. However, Annabelle teleported in front of us.

"Change of plans." I said. "Go get the others." "I'm afraid that I already have my friends with me." Annabelle said. I saw Spencer, Nick, and Brandon behind Annabelle. "Wait." I said. "Now where's-" I felt strong hands grabbing my waist. "Collin." I spat. I fought, but he was too strong. He wouldn't let go.