Order of Death (Book 1)

The Bidding of the Black Ram

Chapter 1

We Get a Big Problem

The school gym was decorated with blinking lights and fog machines. Terrible music blared through a set of speakers by the entrance. That was probably the school's way of eliminating any romantic vibes during the duration of the dance, either that or they just had bad taste. Judging from what I had learned during my time at Crescent Academy, I was having a hard time figuring out which one. Crescent Academy was a boarding school in California. It had been where a few friends and I spent our freshman and what we've finished so far of our sophomore year.

My friends Gabriel Cecilia and Tabitha Ace sat with me at the bleachers. We talked amongst ourselves quietly. Even though there was a party going on, which was rare enough at our school, we still seemed to do what we did best. From what I could tell, it wasn't that we were antisocial or scared to go out where everyone could see us. The three of us found it most peaceful in the back near each other.

Gabe was wearing a black leather jacket over a grey t-shirt. Mud and dirt were splattered all over his combat boots like he had spent his time before the dancing in the rain. His hair was normally longer than mine but now it was almost as short as it could get. Although it looked nice, he didn't seem to like it. Gabe sat on my right, while Tabitha stayed on my left. She was wearing black basketball shorts and a muscle shirt. Her brown hair was tied back, which was weird considering it wasn't very long either. Clearly both of my friends didn't even try to care that we were at a dance, somewhere most people dress like they're getting married. I didn't have much room to talk though. I was wearing a large brown jacket, which had been one of the only things I had ever gotten from my father, over a tan blouse. So I suppose all three of us could have used some lessons.

Even though I hung out with Gabe and Tabitha the most; I had always felt off around them. Like there was something that they weren't telling me. Yet at the same time as that, they had given me a feeling of peace.

Gabe began to tap his foot impatiently. "What time does this thing end?"

His brother, Frey Cecilia, walked over to us with a group of his friends. "Come on Gabe."

"Come on what?" Gabe seemed to have grown exhausted all of a sudden.

Frey said while sighing, "Have some fun you three. When's the next time this dump is going to throw something even remotely like this?"

Gabe looked at me for support, unfortunately I couldn't offer him any. He turned back to his brother. "No thanks dude. I'm gonna hang out with Jasper and Tabitha for a little."

Frey frowned. "Why not hang out with your brother?"

I put my hand on Gabe's shoulder and moved towards him. "You can go if you want. Tabitha and I can manage some alone time for a few minutes."

He chuckled, "we can hang out tonight in our dorm."

I looked at Tabitha for some kind of comment but she wasn't there anymore. She had gotten off the bleachers and was now talking to a tall dude with almond colored skin. His hair was cut army style and he wore a light football team jacket. Gabe seemed to notice this too. He turned to me and sighed. "I guess we better get out there too." He rose to his feet and held his hand out for me to take. "Do you want to dance?"

My face felt hot all of a sudden. I ignored my nerves and nodded slowly. I stood up, took his hand and the two of us walked towards a corner of the gymnasium.

I tried to focus on Gabe as we danced but my mind slowly began to notice every small thing about our surroundings. After a few minutes, Gabe gripped my hand tighter as if he had just realized something. His peaceful expression melted to a more alert one.