Hunt of the Night

c h a p t e r t w e n t y f o u r ( m i k i e )

Previously...

"You...you're eyelash...fell off?" Shawn was gasping for air, wiping his eyes from tears that came from laughing so hard. Jade groaned, smacking him on the back of the head. 

"Oh, gosh. Yep. Definitely a platypus." I snickered, covering my mouth to shield her of my laughter. 

"I. Hate. Both. Of. You," Jade stomped off into the woods, throwing her hands up in the air. Now, Shawn and I were both doubled over laughing. 

"God I hope she can get the other one off, or we are in for one heck of a night."

Currently...

12:45 am on Saturday

"Jade? Where are you?" I called out, looking around the darkened woods.

"This isn't funny Jade. Come on," Shawn sighed.

"Did you see which way she went?" I asked Shawn, turning to face him.

"Yeah, she went into the woods. Duh," He snapped at me, rolling his eyes. "It is dark as shit out and she wants to play this game."

I looked at him, "You were kinda mean to her. You could have been nicer."

He shook his head, "Don't pin this on me Bird Brain. She is just hiding around here somewhere." I watched him, not sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.

We looked around a bit longer before finally deciding that she must have just went on without us.

"Why'd you have to be so mean?" I looked at the boy, who was biting his lip.

He shrugged, "I was just joking. I didn't mean any harm."

We moved along in silence. It hung around us like a sheet, slowly suffocating us.

"Do you think she is okay?" I asked quietly, fixing my glasses.

Shawn turned his head to face me, "I'm sure she's fine."

I nodded. It didn't seem like there was much else to say. I just hoped that the girl knew how to get back. She wasn't the brightest, but hopefully she would surprise us.

We heard the scream before it actually registered. It came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It cut the silence like a knife. Shawn and I glanced at each other, both of us knowing exactly who that was. We had heard her screams all night. The only difference was this one was filled with fear and it spliced the calm night.

For the first time that night, Shawn and I sprinted through the woods. No amount of gym class would prepare me for that night.

What we were running to, I don't know.

What I did know was this: We both had a gut feeling that something was really, really wrong. 

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QOTC What would you do if you were in Mikie and Shawn's shoes?