Dead Ends: The Awakening

Chapter | 1 |

Reservation, Louisiana. October, 2019.

It was a cold, eerie Monday morning, but other than that, it seemed oddly normal.

Elizabeth usually rode the bus but had planned to walk to school seeing as her house wasn't far from school, and she needed to meet Rose early to finish a project.

Noah walked to school with his best friend James. They usually didn't go to school this early, but Noah had wanted to get away from his house as quickly as possible this morning. Something just hadn't felt right, but he couldn't put his finger on it. James went along with it, not questioning him on it. He knew what Noah's house was like.

Elizabeth met Rose at her locker. Oddly, no other students seemed to be around. "I know it's early, but does it seem odd to you tha-"

Suddenly, James and Noah rounded the corner. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, turning back to her locker after watching them round the corner. "Nevermind." She sighed.

The girls walked up to Noah and James, Elizabeth speaking first. "Either of you know what the hell is going on?" she said indifferently.

"What do you mean?" James asked her, not seeing what was wrong.

"Isn't it oddly quiet?" She asked, motioning around with her hands.

Rose just stood behind her, silently agreeing with Elizabeth.

"It is really early." Noah said, looking around.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"Something's wrong. Did either of you get a ride from someone to school this morning?" Rose asked, her dark liquid brown eyes searching each boy's face.

"Er, no? But what does that have to do with anything?" Noah asked, rolling his eyes.

"We walked here." James summed up quickly, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Well, Noah, when's the last time you talked to your parents? Or you, James?" Elizabeth questioned.

Something seemed to snap inside Noah. "It's none of your damn business, geek." He said through clenched teeth.

"Jesus, dude, what the fuck?" James yelled, jogging after him.

"I haven't seen my parents since last night, if it means anything. I'm up after they've gone to work." Rose said.

"I wasn't home last night..." Elizabeth murmured. "Something just seems odd." Elizabeth had a sudden, jarring flashback. "Do you wanna.... Walk with me to my house? I... I have a feeling."

"Sure. Elizabeth, you have a funny look in your eye... What's going on?"

"I don't know." She said, ending the conversation. A sinking feeling had made its way into her stomach, her hands had started tugging on the ponytail she wore around her wrist incessantly.

After the short walk to Elizabeth's house, Rose walked up the steps to the door. Elizabeth had seemed unwilling to approach the door, so Rose took it upon herself to.

'Knock... Knock... KNOCK!'

No answer. Rose tried opening the door, and finding it unlocked quirked an eyebrow.

"My parents always lock the door." Elizabeth said, finally walking towards Rose and the now slightly cracked-open door.

When Rose went to open the door completely, Elizabeth saw a quick flash, a hand, a shirt, before she plunged backwards into a pile of dirt, dust, and leaves. "What the hell!" She yelled, standing up.