Mirror, Mirror (Book 2)

Chapter 27: Hail Storm

Looking around the campfire, Oliver noticed a dozen people yearning for a scary tale. Some chewed their s'mores in silence, while the others stared at him impatiently, expecting Oliver to start.

Although he's a nice boy, the one thing Oliver hates is attention; and that's something, coming from the boy who befriended a vampire.

Whenever he receives an award in his class, Oliver gives credit to his teachers and Amelia, who helped him with his assignments. However, people seem to focus more on Oliver, which made him uncomfortable to accept the praises.

It was as if the paparazzi wouldn't stop tailing celebrities, taking pictures of what they were doing, who they were doing it with, and where.

Speaking of uncomfortable, Max snorts, "The beginning of Esterville? Sounds like a shitty tale."

"Max," Jake scolded, but it was true.

Oliver knew the story was a little macabre, but he doesn't know any haunting tales. The ones he would hear, are rumors of haunted mansions and abandoned amusement parks.

Coming to Oliver's defense, Harriet retorts, "do you want to be entertained or do you want to be scared?"

Max snorts at her response. "Oliver is a weird kid. He knows scary stories more than being social."

Jonah scowled at him sternly. "Do you have any stories to tell?"

The jocks and kids sneak looks at the newcomer when Max quickly gazes at Jonah.

His eyes were relaxed, his muscles were tensed, and despite meeting him three seconds ago, Max sensed a very haunting aura around him.

It was like seeing a ghost in front of Max; Jonah blends in with the rest of the group, but he never spoke out. Until now.

Sensing his fear, Jonah gives him a cold smile.

"What? Got any stories to tell?" he asked, jokingly.

"Well, I-"

"Then shut up," Jonah interrupted harshly.

His statement brought cold looks from Max and the group, who were a little frightened and skeptical of the newcomer.

The minute he introduced himself to the others, Jonah looks as if he doesn't show any regard for children, Ms. Fern, and especially Jake.

Max didn't believe that Jonah loved kids because if he does, Jonah would have been kind to the juniors and fourth graders, not tell them to piss off whenever they ask him where the bathroom was.

He didn't understand how Jonah got the job or why, but as much as he wanted to tell the man to go fuck himself, Max kept his mouth shut and listened to Oliver's story.

Speaking of Oliver, he was busy tossing small sticks in the blazing fire.

One by one, it gulped the pieces whole; nothing but charred embers and ash replaced the kindling.

After finishing its first round of sticks, the flames shook back and forth, like a frail leaf, before shrinking down again.

"If anyone wants me to stop telling this tale, you are free to do so," Oliver says. "I am not forcing you guys to listen."

He surveyed around to see children and adults eating their s'mores, staring at the wildfire in front of them.

"Everything all started with a young woman named Angel," Oliver starts to say, "like Eve, she was the first female who was ever created by God."

"Are you sure?" Ms. Fern gawked. "the Bible claims that Eve was the first woman."

Oliver nodded, "that's because Angel was God's prototype. After God created the earth, Angel was formed from dust and foam."