The Man Behind The Mask

Chapter Two

"Mia, what do you mean??" I whispered aggressively, trying not to wake my mom who was sleeping next to Tommy in her room.
"Come on, just trust me," Mia pleaded. I was very hesitant. No one in our town has gone into those woods. My dad was the only one and he... never mind.
"Mia, you know what happened to dad!" I said, louder now that we were outside.
"No! Kelsey, I don't know what happened to dad and that's why I want to go into that forest!"
"Mia please, I can't."
"Shh," Mia said, suddenly startled. I couldn't ask her what was wrong before she covered my mouth.
We heard rustling in the plants. Was it the shooter? We hid underneath the porch and watched.
"Psst, Kelsey," a man's voice said. Hold on. It was Lucas!
I crawled out and said hi.
"Kels...what were you doing?" he asked.
"We um thought you were like ..." I tried to explain. I can barely talk to him without stuttering and blushing like crazy.
"Oh I get it," he said softly. He smiled and took me under his arm. My heart skipped a beat. "You're all shaken up."
A huge smile grew on my face. Mia coughed a little to get my attention and I pulled away.
"So uhm what were you guys out here so early for?" Lucas asked.
"Mia gonna take me -" I started.
"On a walk," Mia finished for me. She gave me a dirty look.
"Oh well um, Kelsey, if you're up for it, I wanted to explore the forest this morning.
"That's what we were planning on doing!" I said, Mia rolled her eyes.
We all three snuck off the front yard and through our gate. It was looking like it was going to rain again today. This whole week has been very rainy, like it is all the time. It's almost like Green Lake is it's own little rainy world...
We walk into the forest and Lucas stands closer to me than usual. I like it.
We paused to listen for any other footsteps. The sun was somewhat up, but it was still dark enough for something to be sneaking around.
"I'm scared," I said. Lucas put his arm around me.
"Better?" he asked. I smiled. Mia scoffed. 
"Guys, be serious. There could be something very strange in these woods," Mia disciplined.
All of the sudden, we heard leaves crunch and I let out a yell when I felt something grab my butt. We all turned around and frowned when we saw who it was.
Christopher. The town player/bully. He's basically you're well known bad boy type. He's also my sister's ex boyfriend.
"Hey baby, what's a pretty girl like you doing all alone out here?" He smirked, getting in close. Mia scowled and slapped him in the face, hard.
"OW! What the hell was that for," he almost growled. I took a step back, but Lucas jumped on him from behind.
"LUCAS! Lucas stop!" I screamed. I pulled him off and both wiped blood away from their noses and lips. Chris shook his head.
"Did you shoot up Leah's house three hours ago?" I asked. He raised his eyebrows.
"No I wouldn't do that. I would break in to Leah's bedroom window though, am I right?" He laughed, looking around for his little possy of jocks. His laughter quickly faded out as we gave him disapproving looks.
"You guys looking for whoever did that?" Chris asked. We nodded.
"Hey, I could help," he suggested.
"I mean..." I stuttered.
"We don't need you, Chris," Mia forced.
"That's what you think," Chris argued. I began to have flashbacks of how they were together. They would be in the next room over. Last fight they had resulted in Chris hitting Mia. As soon as I heard the sound of a slap I ran in and kicked his ass. Yeah. I won.
I took a step closer, preparing for the worst.
"Chris, I don't need your help," Mia said. I could hear the fear in her voice.
"Thats what you think sweet cheeks," Chris smirked.
"Don't come near me, Christopher."
"Why? As long as you're in here, I am too," Chris said with an added wink. He put his hand on Mia's waist and Mia slapped it off.
"Leave me alone. Now."
"No."
I winced as I heard the all too familiar sound. Mia looked up at me from the ground where she landed with a bloody nose.
"MIA!" I screamed as I ran to help her up. "You get the hell away from my sister right now or I swear I'm calling the police." I threatened.
"And tell them what? You're gonna have to say you were in the forest, and you know that's illegal," Chris grinned an evil grin.
"Kelsey, Mia. Let's go," Lucas said, grabbing my hand. I told Chris if I saw him again it would be the last time he saw anything and left with that.
***
Around 8 am, the town was already buzzing, as it always is. Except this time it wasn't the usual neighborly cheer. It was more-so a panicked tone. Everyone needed information. A lot of people were coming to my mom because she's best friends with the sherif. It was getting overwhelming so my mom locked up our house. Of course the shooting isn't on the news, no one actually knows or cares about us. And our town doesn't have a news station, we don't really need one.
Ms. Whitney said that she thinks this is only a one time occurrence but we should all take precautions and lock our doors and windows at night. I'm pretty sure everyone was already planning on that though.
"Kelsey, are we gonna be ok?" Tommy asked. I gave him a hug and told him not to worry.