Manufactured Magic

II.

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!"

I rolled over and groaned, hitting the stop button on my alarm clock. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, getting a whiff of the pancakes my mom was making. I quickly got out of bed, pulling on a pair of dark jeans and a grey hoodie. Running to my small kitchen, I almost slipped on the rug in our family room.

"Woah there, bud," my mom said. "Watch where you're going."

I heard laughing from behind my mom, I immediately felt the blood rush to my face as I realized who was here.

"Oh man," Cam said, pretending to wipe a tear from her eye, "that was glorious!"

I quickly made my way to the plate of pancakes, avoiding both my mom's and Cam's eyes. I practically inhaled my pancakes, wanting to get out of there as fast as possible. I walked my dishes over to the sink, placing them down carefully.

"You ready to go, fun size?" I asked, making sure to use another nickname that she hates.

Cam glared at me, her normally cheerful green eyes hardening. "Oh, you are so going to regret that, Alex."

I chuckled, grabbing my bag and walking towards the door, "Just getting back at you."

Cam quickly got up, grabbed her bag, and raced passed me out the door.

"Love you, Mom!" I called. "See you after school!"

Little did I know, I was not going to be doing that.

•••

"Wait up!" I yelled after Cameryn, who was almost three yards away. I was sweating a little. What?! Don't judge me, it gets really hot in Eagle City, California! Not to mention I'm also not the most athletic person you'll ever meet.

She stopped, waiting until I caught up with her. Although, as soon as I did, she whacked me upside the head, well more like the top of my neck. She couldn't really reach my head.

"Relax, I'm just getting back at you," she said, mocking me.

I rolled my eyes, "Wow, great impression, Cam. Do you know what time it is?"

She pulled out her wrist and looked at her watch, "Uh yeah, it's 7:15." Cam looked up at me from her watch. "Do you need to be at school early or something?"

"No, I just-" I was cut off as something dark tackled me to the ground.

"Alex!" Cameryn yelled, worry in her voice.

I tried to push the figure off of me, but it was no longer there. I didn't understand it; it felt like something heavy was on me, and all I could see was black. I tried to move my legs, but they were pinned down too.

"Cam!" I tried yelling. "What is this thing?!"

All I heard was a muffled yell in response. I don't know how long I just sat there without being able to see or hear anything, but eventually another series of muffled words and faint flashes of light came from above me. I waited a little while longer, the dull conversation and light still taking place, until I felt the weight being lifted off of me. Slowly, all of the heavy, black stuff was removed from my body, and I stood up. Immediately, I turned to look for Cam, wanting to make sure she was still alive and okay.

"Cam?" I asked looking around. "Cam!?"

I started to get worried. I mean I know she's small, but she's not that hard to find!

I felt a small hand cover my mouth. "Would you be quiet, Alex," Cam whisper-yelled from behind me. "It's like

you want to be killed!"

I turned around, taking her hand off my face, and gave her a confused look, "Jeez, Cam, don't do that me," I

said, thankful that she was alive. "I thought you were taken by whatever attacked me. And what do you mean

'killed'?"

She ran a hand over her blushing face, mumbling something I couldn't make out. Then she said, "Well, I didn't

think I would be bringing you there today, or even telling you for that matter, but here goes."

"There?" I questioned, "What is going on, Cameryn?"

"Trust me," she said, placing her tanned hands on my shoulders. "I'm not going to take you to the woods and

murder you."

"Really, Cam, I need to know what's happening. And in order for that to happen I need you to be serious," I

told her.

"Okay," she replied, taking her hands off my shoulders. "I'll be serious."

"Thank you." I sighed. "Now. What on earth is going on?"

She looked at the floor and kept mumbling. Her not telling me anything was really starting to make me worried. Finally, I put my hand under her chin and lifted it up towards me. I could see that her blush didn't go away, but just increased.

"Cam," I said, trying my best to hide the annoyance in my voice and focus on the worry, "please stop mumbling

and tell me what is freaking you out so much!"

She took in a deep breath and brushed her light brown hair out of her face before saying, "Well it's kinda hard to tell you, Alex, so I guess I'm gonna have to show you."

As soon as the words left her mouth I was confused, "Show me? Cam, wh-"

Before I could finish my sentence she grabbed my wrist and starting running, dragging me along with her.