Safehaven

Chapter 4

"... and that is how we nearly died at the hands of America's next top model participants. Ta-da!" Quinton leaped up and added jazz hands for an extra flare of dramatism. Sometimes, he could really be a nut.

All five of us were seated around a small coffee table situated in the center of the room. Outside, fists pounded against the walls, and irritated howls resounded. Thankfully, the sides of our shack had not caved in, compliments to Sage I guess. For some reason, she has always been obsessed with the idea of a zombie apocalypse. When we had built the hang out, she had insisted on adding extra "measures", to ensure our safety if one ever did occur. When the creepy dudes started to chase us, it was Sage's idea to use the shack. She had gone ahead to get everything ready, because she was the only one that actually knew how to defuse the traps and get safely inside. Now, however, we were very thankful that Sage had stepped in. If not, well, let's not think about that. Suddenly, there was a snapping sound outside, followed with a cry that slowly faded into the distance. Yep! Sage's traps definitely did work.

Behind us, the sound of a door quickly opening and shutting broke the silence. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Antigone slowly pull a knife out of her boot. The girl was strange that way. She was somehow able to sneak weapons on her person without me noticing. That took talent! At the moment, though, she slunk off her chair and crept toward the doorway that lead to the other section of the shack. Slowly, Antigone placed her back against the wall next to the door, knife ready and prepared to attack. Footsteps slapped against the cement floor, getting closer and closer. A girl with straight blond hair and vivid blue eyes appeared in the doorway, her face white. She doubled over and wretched, her body shaking. Next to me, Jada leaped up and raced over, placing her hand the girls back. "Oh my gosh Holly, what happened!?" Holly glanced up. Her normally bright blue eyes were clouded with fear, and a thin, fresh cut ran down the left side of her face. "I am gone for half an hour, and nobody remembers me enough to tell me that there is a mob outside the shack that might try to kill me if I get close enough?" A fit of coughing racked Holly's body. She straightened and shrugged off Jada's hand, only to topple over. This time, Antigone catches her before her head can strike the cold cement. The knife is nowhere to be seen. Slowly, she helps Holly to her feet. "Sorry, Holly." Antigone mutters. "With all of the excitement, I guess that we forgot." Quinton chuckles. "Well, we also don't have internet connection. So even if we had remembered, you'd still be toast!" He abruptly fell silent. I can tell that Antigone gave him the eye. I told you she was scary! With her arm around Antigone's shoulder, Holly moans. There was cold sweat dripping down her back, and her eyes had become glossy and unfocused. She needed to rest.

Without even being asked, Antigone helped Holly to the back rooms, where I know that Holly will be well taken care of. That just leaves the other four of us standing around like idiots. I was just about to suggest that we break for lunch when a voice booms from outside. At first, it sounded like a series of scratches and howls, but in time it came in clearer. My friends and I leaned closer into the wall to hear. There are no windows in the shack for "safety" reasons. "Children!" The voice called. Just the sound of it sent chills down my spine. The voice itself was gravely and raspy, but a deep undertone seemed to ring in my ears even after the initial words had been spoken. "I call unto you to open your doors to us so that we may rip you to shreds." There was a pause. "Tempting, but no." Jada hollered back in response. I wanted so bad to smack my hand over her mouth, but I was too scared to move a muscle. The evil words continued. "It was very smart of you to guard this place with magic, but my men and I will soon find a way in and we will devour you given first chance." My head reeled. Magic? Had it said magic? I didn't know a lot about the little shack, but I did enough to know that there was nothing magical about it. The thing was nuts! "Yes, we know who you are, children of the Elders! The pater fuscious has called us back from exile to feast on your blood. We have waited hundreds of centuries for this opportunity." Sage turns to me. "Pater fuscious? What does that mean?" She managed to whimper. My mind was like mush, but at least I was still able to think right. Years of miserable latin lessons began to kick in. "I think that means "dark father" in Latin. Whoever these dudes are, they are certainly not from time period." Quinton snorts, which surprises me. Even in this dire situation, he has the nerve to keep his cool, and even his humor! "Well that makes sense." He continues. "They probably raided the nearest Macy's and found what they thought was modern. I mean, didn't men back then have to wear sandals and kilts?" Again, Quinton's ability to laugh annoys me. The voice started to shout another threat, but it was cut short. There was the sharp sound of a sword being drawn out of its scabbard, a sharp intake of breath, then silence. Finally, there was a knock on the door. "Just leave us be!" I managed to scream. I just wanted to be left alone. After being chased through the woods, threatened, and on the verge of going crazy, I was pretty shaken up. Then, much to my surprise, the voice of a young man called out from the other side of the door. "There is no need to worry. They are all gone for the time being. It's alright to open the door now." For some strange reason, I was compelled to open the door and welcome the stranger in, but the little voice in the back of my head kept telling me otherwise. "And why should I open the door?" I whimpered. "For all we know, you could just be the others playing a trick on us. How do we know that we can trust you?" "Because," The voice whispered. "I know who you really are."