When The Darkness Sets In

Chapter Two

Beautiful forest green eyes stare into my hazel ones and his muscular figure towers over me. The wind blows the wavy brown hair against his forehead and I have the urge to trace my fingers against his jawline. His even more handsome up close.

Wait a second! What am I thinking?

"Bro you gonna hold her the entire night or can we go explore the forest?"

Our heads snap towards Joey and thank God it's dark otherwise they would see the stupid blush on my cheeks. Andrew let's go of my waist and I take a few steps back. Jane smirks in my direction and I narrow my eyes at her. I know what she's thinking. "So where exactly are we going?" I ask, eager to change the subject. "There's a lake near by, we'll go there", Joey answers.

The six of us walk through the dark forest, the only sound that could be heard was the crunching of dried leaves and crickets. The air feels awkward, atleast it does for me. The girls seem to enjoy eyeing Andrew who surprisingly pays no attention to them. Joey and Jane chatter and laugh while I just awkwardly follow the group.

If you hadn't noticed I'm socially awkward.

"How far is this lake Joey? We've been walking for so long.", Tory whines. Joey looks around and let's out a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Uhhh I have no idea."

"What!" The girls and I scream. I shoot him a glare, "So you're telling us that we're lost in the damn forest?" He gulps and looks at Jane who just stares at him with her eyebrow raised, waiting for an answer. As if this wasn't enough, thunder booms in the distance causing all of us to jump. Startled, we look around, trying to remember how to get back to our cars but soon our visions become blurry by the rain that begins to pour heavily down on us. The girls squeal and we all scrambled under a huge oak tree. It provides little shelter as raindrops still fall through the gaps of the tree. "Where are we supposed to go now?" I ask. "We need to find shelter", Andrew says. My heart skips a beat as I hear his voice. It's so deep and masculine.

We decide to walk under the trees,careful not to trip on the dead branches. I shivered against the wind and rain. We need to find shelter quickly. Still using the torches on our phones we all looked around. There were nothing but trees and moss. It took us about twenty minutes to find shelter which was an abandoned cabin covered in twines, moss and grass. Joey and Andrew pulled the old rotten wooden door open and we all hurriedly went in.

The place was a complete disaster. Whoever had lived here left in a hurry...as if they were running from something. Suitcases were splattered all over the floor, cupboards were aimlessly open and clothes and dishes were scattered everywhere. Not to mention furniture was still here. The boys discovered an old brick fireplace that had a pile of wood in the corner which collected a heap of dust.  It was better than freezing out here in the cold. Andrew struck a match, then another and one more again and finally, the wood caught the flame and it spread. We all sat near the fire, waiting for our wet clothes to dry. I stare into the fire not knowing what to say as the others make their own conversation. A ringing noise snaps me out of my thoughts and I look at Jane's phone. It's midnight...my eighteenth birthday. "Happyyyyyy birthday Kass!" She screams and hugs me tightly. I chuckle and mumble a thank you. The girls give me a group hug and I smile. Joey smiles and wishes me and after awhile they get back to chatting with each other.

Once again I'm lost in my own thoughts, I wonder what grandma is doing right now. Grandma is all that I have. My parents died in a car crash and grandma had taken care of me ever since. As weird as it is I don't really remember what my parents look like or what their voices sound like. "Happy Birthday." Breaking out of my thoughts I turn my head to see Andrew staring down at me. I give him a polite smile and mutter a thank you. He nods his head curtly and turns his head back to the fire. His hair is now damp and a little curly and lays against his forehead making him look even more handsome.

The group finally gets bored and decide to snoop around the cabin. I just stare at the fire and play with my fingers. Why did Jane think this was a good idea? I wish I was at home, cuddling with my blanket and my nose buried in a book. "Uhm Kass you should come see this", Jane says nervously. I see the group huddle against a antic cupboard and Jane is holding a frame. I walk up to them, my eyebrows furrow and I'm curious to know what their looking at. I hold up my phone and use the torch to provide light. Jane hands me the frame and I see a lady that looks a little old, probably in her fifties and a small baby that...looks similar to me. How is this possible? I read the names at the bottom of the frame, in cursive writing it says, 'Cassidy and Kassandra Jefferson'. I'm a Johnson not a Jefferson. This has to be some weird coincidence. I look at the lady and something catches my eye, she wearing the same necklace as me. Grandma had given me this necklace. She said it will always offer me protection. I look at the baby and her hazel with a hint of grey eyes bores into the exact same eye color as mines. Her nose is similar to mines and her smile too. Everyone watches me carefully, my breathing begins to quicken and I grip the frame. What is this? Jane rubs my shoulders and I take a deep breath in. "It could be some coincidence Kass", she says softly. I nod my head even though my heart doesn't believe her.

Our phones suddenly die. I had almost a full battery. "What the hell? My phone was fifty percent!", Tori exclaims. The room is lit dimly with the fire only being the source of light. In far corner of the room I see a figure. I squint my eyes, adjusting to the darkness of the room. Red glowing eyes stare back at me and sinister smile decorates it's dark face. "Tell me I'm not the only one that can see that", I whisper. "We have to get out of here", Andrew whispers back. The figure growls and we all make a run for it. I clutch my necklace as I hear quick footsteps behind us. I close my eyes tightly and push myself to run faster. I make the group take a left and Andrew screams out directions to go to his car. Finally a sliver car comes in view but we quickly jump back in fear. The dark figure with red eyes stands infront of the car looking directly at me. I gulp and clutch my necklace, muttering a silent prayer in my head. The figure takes a step towards us and growls.

I remember grandma's words, "Whenever you're scared clutch your necklace and say nothing can harm me nor destroy me for I am an angel." I always thought it sounded ridiculous but at this point I don't really care, my friends lives and mine are in danger. I clutch my ruby necklace and say shakily, "Nothing can harm me nor destroy me for I am an angel." My necklace glows and everyone gasps. The figure cowers back in fear and turns into a mist of black and infront of our eyes, it just disappears. My necklace stops glowing and I breathe heavily, feeling lightheaded. I sway slowly from side to side and I'm about to fall when strong arms wrap around my waist. "Quick let's get out of here", I hear Andrew's voice . His chest rumbles against my back as he says each word. His the one that's holding me. I blink rapidly and find a little strength. I grab his hand that holds my waist. "It's okay, you can let go." My voice quivers and I suck in a deep breath. He lets go off me hesitantly and Jane slings my arm over her shoulder, providing me support incase I need it.

We all get into the car quickly and Andrew we're off on the road. Nothing but panting, heavy breathing and the wind shield wipers can be heard. Everyone must be in shock. Questions races through my mind. What was that figure? Why did my necklace glow? Who was that woman and baby in the frame?