Storm

Chapter Two

Present Tense
|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|

"Wes stop it! You're going to make us all die from lack of oxygen!" Said Meg as Wes told another one of his (absolutely horrible) infamous jokes. "Alright, alright. Just one more?" "No!" We all shouted at once. Wes put on a frown. "Fine! Sometimes it's like I'm the only one here with a decent sense of humor!" I put my hand over my stomach to try and stop my uncontrollable laughter.
We were all walking home together like we always did. With Wes's traditional jokes to keep us company. Our group was basically inseparable. We'd all been together for as long as we can remember. Wes was the joker, he could make you laugh any day. Meg was the designer, she designed anything from buildings to clothing items. Bradley was the kind of nerdy kid that was shy, but you wouldn't expect him to be, because of how much he resembled a football player. And I was the girl who was sort of, well, a rebel. I mean, maybe adventurer is the better word. Yeah. I loved adventure wether it was in a book or reality. And I loved to pretend to be new people, which is why I took up acting. Just for something to enjoy. Meg often shared my liking for acting, and we tried out for many of the schools plays and talent shows together. The boys would try out for sports like football or something else I don't really take an interest in...
"Hey guys! Watch this!" Shouted Wes as he climbed onto the side of the bridge that we always passed on. But it was also quite high over rough water down below (most of the water is excess water from the storm). "Be careful Wes!" Shouted Meg as I shook my head and yelled, "Wait up!" I ran over to the bridge and jumped on the side just as he did and began to walk, holding my arms out for balance. "Hey! Don't forget me!" Shouted Bradley as he followed suit. "You guys are insane! You'll get yourselves killed! But, then again, you only live once and I want to die with you guys so-" Bradley grabbed Meg's hand and pulled her up, the faintest pink etched onto her cheeks. We all walked the rest of the way on the side of the bridge, and jumped off as we reached the end. "Woohoo!" Shouted Wes as he reached the end. Smiling brightly and lightly laughing, we all did the same. "That was great!" Said Bradley, as we began walking again. "Sure does give you an adrenaline rush!" I said. "Sure does." Said Meg, sounding a little frightened. I smiled and patted her on the back. "Come on!" Said Wes as he began to run. Running after him, I almost reached him but stopped in my tracks. The storm is coming. There's nothing you can do. We are the storm. You are the storm. You are a danger to everyone around you. It's coming for you. I looked around, searching for the person speaking the words that brought fear to my heart, making my head pound, my eyes slowly filling with tears. It was a raspy voice, ancient sounding. Who wo-? Run. The voice said as I turned to see a figure in the shadows. A glimpse of a man in a black coat and a hat stared at me. His face was wrinkled from time and his face was framed with long white hair. His piercing blue eyes were the last thing I saw before I heard Wes call, "Janey?" I looked over at him and realized that I was close to hyperventilating. "Are you alright? What's wrong? You seem..." Wes put a hand on my arm and I pulled away. "Janey?" Said Meg from behind him nervously. "I'm fine." I said, unconfidently. "Thought I saw something." Everyone looked at me curiously, but Wes broke the uncomfortable silence looming in the air by saying, "We better get home. It's getting dark. You know what happens when it's past seven." We all nodded and began to walk towards our homes.
Meg and Bradley were the first to leave and go to their homes.  They lived closer to the school then Wes and I.  And Wes and I, lived farther away from the school them either of them (approximately ten minutes).  We were nearing our identical houses when Wes spoke up.  "Janey?" "Yeah?" "What happened back there? What really happened?"  I paused for a moment.  What should I say?  I can't just tell him the truth!  He'd think I'm crazy!  'Oh yeah, I totally just saw some random man who told me a supposed storm is coming.  But it's all cool.'  (Sarcasm detected).  "Um... I had... Uh... Just remembered that I had a, um, library book due this weekend."  Wes stayed silent for a minute.  "That's it?"  "Yes."  Another minute of silence.  "You know you can tell me anything, right?"  I paused again, breathing deeply.  "Yes, I know.  I'm sorry if I scared you guys, back there.  Sometimes these things happen though and you get a moment of realization that hits you like... BOOM!"  I said while putting my hands to my head and making and explosion imitation.  Wes nodded, seemingly deep in thought.  As we neared our homes, he did something unexpected.  He grabbed my arm and turned me around so that I was facing him.  My fave only inches from his, he said, "You just worried me, that's all.  I just... Never mind."  He turned away, but I wasn't going to let him escape that easily.  "What? Wes!"  I said as I grabbed his arm and made him face me, a mock look of seriousness on my face.  "You know you can tell me anything, right?"  Wes smirked, making me smile.  "Besides, I hate cliffhangers.  You of all people should know that."  Wes nodded and I raised my eyebrow.  "Well?"  He sighed.  "Just, be careful.  Alright?"  "Of course."  Wes smiled.  We both turned around and began walking to our houses.  "Hey!"  I shouted.  Wes turned around. "Yeah?!"  "See you tomorrow then?!"  "Of course!"  Wes said, putting his thumbs up.  I laughed and ran over to my front door.
"Jane!" Said my mother as I walked through the door. "Hello mom." I said as she embraced me, then pulled away to give me a kiss on my forehead. "How was your day?" "Fine. And you?" "Fine as well." She smiled, her green eyes lighting up. She brushed a strand of her golden hair out of her face and as she began to walk out of the room, she said, "Dinner is on the table!" I put my down my bag and headed towards the dining area. "Hello Janey." Said my father as he finished setting the table. "Hello dad." I said, helping him set out the last few sets of silverware. "How was your day?" "Fine. And you?" "Fine as well." He looked up at me with his bright blue eyes and smiled. "What'd you do at school today?" Typical father. Always wanting more details. "The usual." He nodded and pulled his hand through his jet black hair. "Well, dinners ready. Why don't you go and grab your sister. I'll get your brother." "Sure." I said as I turned around and ran up the stairs to my sisters bedroom. I gave the door a light knock, hearing a faint reply say, "Come in." I opened the door and entered the room to see her sitting on her bed with a book. "Elena, dinner is ready." I said, walking over and sitting on the edge of her bed. "Okay." She said, still looking at the book. Elena was a twelve year old girl with golden blonde hair and stunning green eyes. She was practically my mothers much younger twin. She was the average height, with a pale complexion like my father. She had also become quite distant recently, and much more mature. "Are you coming?" I asked, being the impatient sister I was. "Yes." She looked up at me, putting her book down, and walking out of the room. I'll need to check on her later... My conscious told me. Maybe it's nothing, it's best not to bother her... Another part of me said. Will you both shut up? I'll see what that was about later... I told the two parts of me arguing as I followed her out of the room, feeling stupid having a three sided argument with myself.
"Today's meal was provided by the scientists and farmers of storm. We thank them for the resources they create to keep us alive." Said my father. "Thank you." We all say together. It is necessary for all people on Storm to give their thanks to the scientists before eating a meal, to thank them for all they do, have done, or will do for us. Today, we were provided with a meal consisting of meatloaf, mashed potatoes (with gravy), an assortment of grilled vegetables, water, and for dessert, a small chocolate brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Although every meal we eat is absolutely delicious, everyone loves the one day a month when their meal comes with a dessert. "Yum." Said my sister as she took a bite of her meal. "Yum!" Said my five year old brother, Jacob, as he took a huge spoonful of mashed potatoes and shoved them in his mouth, making a very unappealing mess. My mother smiled and laughed while my father smiled just seeing my mother happy. I stared down at my food and tried to imagine me being that happy. Sitting around a table with my own family... A ridiculous thought to be that happy. But that's probably what my parents thought at my age. And why should I think about that stuff now? I should be planning the numerous adventures I will be having in my life! I looked up and saw my father staring at me curiously as my mother was talking to Elena about her day. "It was fine mother. And you?" "Fine as well." My father turned his attention to Jacob and said, "And how about you? How was your day Jacob?" Jacob just looked over at my father, and shoved another spoonful of mashed potatoes in his mouth. My father laughed and patted my brothers head, making my brother smile widely.
Soon our meal was done and we all threw our leftovers down the cute leading to the recycling center. "Goodnight children." Said my parents. "Goodnight." We replied as we headed to our rooms to get ready for bed. "Janey?" I heard a voice say as I was about to turn my door handle. I turned and saw Elena looking at me. "Yes?" "Do you feel like something... Something's just not... Not... Right?" I didn't answer. Did she know what was going on? "All the time. That's just life. Not everything is right." I said smiling at her. She nodded and a walked over and gave her a hug. "Goodnight Janey." Said Elena. "Goodnight Ellie." I said, kissing the top of her head. I let her go and she walked into her bedroom, softly closing the door.
I walked into my room and headed over to my dresser. I pulled out a white tank top and some polka dot pajama shorts, and put them on. I walked over to my bathroom, brushing my teeth and washing my face. Looking into the mirror, I stared at my reflection. Normal. My messy black hair down to my shoulders. Normal. My skin the slightest bit tan and the slightest bit pale. Normal. My eyes their normal startling greenish-blue. Well, normal. Not the white like they were the night before. I sighed a I recalled the strange occurrence. But I immediately pushed the thought out of my head before I couldn't become too involved in the matter. I walked out of the bathroom and over to my bed, where I lied down and picked up my favorite Earth book, The Odyssey. I opened up the book to the page I had left off on and began to read. But as I was on reading my fifth page, I began to hear a noise. Click. Click. Click. Click. I looked up from my book. What was that? I looked over to my window, thinking maybe Wes was throwing something at my window pane. I walked over and looked outside. Nothing. No one. I shrugged and went back over to my bed, pulling the covers a little closer to myself. I picked up my book cautiously, and continued reading. But, the noise came again. Click. It. Click. Is. Click. Coming. Click. For. Click. You... The noise stopped. What was tha-? CLICK.
CLAP!
I jumped as a door slammed somewhere in my house. My breathing steadily increased. Is there an intruder here? It's strictly against the law on Storm to intrude on other people's property. Especially when it's past seven. We're all supposed to be inside by then, or else... Who knows. I slung my feet over the side of my bed, and stood up. I walked over to the door, slowly pulling it open. I walked out of my room, and out into the halls to investigate.