Shadow Army: The Shadow War

Chapter Two; The boy

"I don't understand... how is this happening!?" Row cried.

"How is what happening sweetheart?" asked the boy.

"Do NOT call me sweetheart!" snapped Row.

Row could hear Katie and Caleb approaching the tree. Row was pacing back and forth wondering what on earth was happening. He wasn't one of them. Why could he see them??

"Hey Row! Woah... who is this?" asked Caleb.

"I'm Lucas. Why is it so dark here??" asked what seemed to be Lucas.

"Oh no... He...?" asked Katie.

"Yup. He can see us!! But why?? This makes no sense!!" Row said more to herself than to Katie.

Caleb just stayed silent. Could you blame him? Something fishy was seriously going on but... but what?

"Why is it such a big deal that I can see you guys?? I don't get it!" Lucas seemed annoyed.

"Look. You... We... There is a curse on this village. I can't explain here. Follow me," Row took his hand and led him back to the village.

Katie followed but Caleb didn't. Caleb still sat there. Caleb's long dirty blonde hair blew in his face. Katie sat down next to Caleb.

"You alright Caleb...?" asked Katie.

"I... I don't understand what's going on... First the matched but now this...?" Caleb said in a whisper.

"The matches...? What do you mean Caleb? What happened to the matches!?" pleaded Katie.

"My father wanted me to get more matches because we ran out... I went to the cellar but... They were all gone Katie... They all disappeared!"

"WHAT!? This CAN'T be happening!! What if all the lights go out!? How would we be able to relight the lanterns!?" Katie screamed.

"I... I don't know..." Caleb's voice cracked.

~ ~ ~

Meanwhile Row was leading Lucas to the village library. There were tons of books that explained the curse and why Lucas SHOULDN'T be able to see them. There was one book that Row that would work the best for Lucas.

"Where are you taking me...?" asked Lucas.

"To the library. No questions."

"Are you always this mean?"

"I said no questions!"

"Yeesh."

   When Lucas and Row got to the library she let go of Lucas' hand.

"Morning Row. What book are you looking for today...?" asked Miss White the librarian.

"The Shadow Legend."

"Here you go," Miss White handed the book to Row.

"Is that Caleb...? He sure looks different."

"No ma-" Lucas started to say but was interrupted by Row's hand.

"Of course it's Caleb, Miss White. You're sight's iffy," Row said with an upset tone.

"Row huh?" Lucas asked sitting down on the velvety red couch.

"I said no questions! Here. Read this."

    Lucas opened the book and said, "This is like a million pages long! Do I have to!?"

"Ugh. Skip to page 453."

    Row began to stare at Lucas as he was reading. He had dark brown hair almost black. His eyes were a beautiful blue green and he was almost pale.

    When Lucas was finished he seemed surprised. It also didn't look like he believed a word either.

"This... This is some joke isn't it!?" said fiercely.

"This isn't some joke Lucas!! I would never lie about it! Okay!? There is something going on. You shouldn't be here!" Row snapped

"I'm sorry. It's just hard to understand... to believe..."

"I know... I'm sorry too."

   The village's three bells rung loudly for the whole village to hear. Three bells meant it was time for bed and four bells meant there was an attack.

"We have to go. It's getting late."

"How can you tell?" Lucas asked.

"The bells. Wait... where's Katie and Caleb!?"

    Katie and Caleb ran into the library with worried looks.

"Row! It's not just Lucas! The matches!! The matches disappeared! Something bad is going on!!" Katie said in between breathes.

"The matches... disappeared?" Row whispered.

"Yes... I..." Katie started to say but what was interrupted by Miss White saying, "Children! Go home! It's past curfew! Row, if you'd like you can stay in the library since your parents aren't here."

"I'm fine Miss White. I'll go with Katie. Let's go guys."

    When all four of them left the library they began their walk to Katie's house. Lucas not knowing where to go followed.

"What happened to your parents?" asked Lucas.

"They're fine. They're just... busy," Row tried to end the conversation.

"Oh I thought-"

"Will you shut up Lucas!? You're giving me headache."

    Katie and Caleb looked at each other and looked down at the ground. Row was obviously in a bad mood.

   When Katie, Caleb, Row, and Lucas arrived at Katie's house Row had to talk to Lucas.

"Look. We don't know what's going on but you need to stay quiet. We can't let Katie's parents know you're here. So when we go inside you'll have to run to her room. Got it?"

"Got it," Lucas nodded.

    Row nodded and went inside to join Katie and Caleb until... four bells rung.