The Hanging Tree

o n e

NANCY SWAN HAD BEEN HAVING possibly the most normal day of her life. She had gotten up at 5:30 like always, eaten breakfast, argued with her sister Zoë over who got to use the bathroom first.... everything was as it was supposed to be.

But fast forward to the time she got home from school and the level of normality dropped.

Zoë had to stay after and help with debate club, leaving Nancy to walk home. Alone.

Not that Nancy was scared or anything. In fact, Nancy liked to think she was brave.

Although in the moment when she was grabbed from behind and shoved into a dark SUV, Nancy was not brave. Not at all.

She wanted to have courage and make a stand, she really did. It just wasn't possible, not when you're being blindfolded and tied to a seat.

"And then there were five." A gravelly voice came from the front. It was spooky, and Nancy was almost positive she was on the verge of wetting her pants.

Obviously, she had picked the wrong day to wear white.

The car was silent, and Nancy could hear every rough patch on the road that they went over. Her shallow breathing filled the air along with several other's.

"We're going to take your blindfolds off, so don't try anything, or your punishment will come sooner." A second voice came minutes later, smooth as silk and definitely female.

"What do you mean, punishment?" A deep voice spoke up.

"You see, son, there's always a punishment for rash actions. Just some more deadly than others."

"W-what's that supposed to mean?" Nancy managed to squeak out, all the while cursing her nerves.

"I'm afraid I can't say." Came the answer after a moment of uncomfortable silence.

"Are you going to take our blindfolds off or not?" An impatient voice demanded from behind Nancy.

And before she knew it, the darkness was lifted and Nancy could see again. Albeit a bit blurry.

Immediately she turned to her left to glance out the window for any signs of life. All she found was mile after mile of desolate land. Which didn't help her the slightest.

To her right was a boy who looked to be around fifteen. His bright green eyes were widened in shock and his light brown hair was mussed up from the blindfold. Behind her were three other teens. Two guys and a girl. Both boys had dark brown hair and eyes, while the girl was a blonde with blue eyes.

"Okay, here's how it's going to work. I'm going to point to you, and you'll tell me your name." The female instructed. Nancy couldn't see her face due to the ski mask she had over her head. Which Nancy thought was very unoriginal.

The lady faced the back and pointed to the boy positioned next to Nancy. "You."

"I'm Harry Potter, the boy who lived." The guy smirked. "It's really a pleasure to meet you."

"Shut up, Gunnar." The blonde from the back groaned. "You're such an idiot."

"Thank you," The woman said. "Now we know we have Gunnar Clements. Now what might your name be?" She turned to the blonde.

"Me? Oh, I'm Oprah Winfrey."

"Who's idiotic now, Jess?" Gunnar taunted.

"Jess Phillips, check." She scanned the car and pointed to the guy to the left of Jess. "You're next."

"I'm Perseus Jackson, but I go by Percy. So you can call me that." Nancy mentally applauded him.

"I don't live under a rock. I know that's the name of a fictional character. Now here's how it's going to go." She pulled out a gun. "If you don't tell me your name, this puppy is aimed at your head. And fired. So let me ask again. What is your name?"

"Drew Benedict." He answered, and visibly gulped.

"Great. Now I'm assuming you're Damian Pullman." She addressed the other boy, who nodded. "And you must be Zoë Swan." She looked to Nancy.

"Um, that's not me." Nancy's voice wobbled as she trembled with fear.

"What do you mean, that's not you?"

"That's my sister."

A/N: So this is going to start out a bit lighthearted-ish and stuff but once their situation has sunk in, it'll get intense, I swear. I mean, they're a bunch of teenagers, they don't get all somber right away. But there will probably be some humor involved because of the characters personalities. just saying.

#dealwithit #kayleesout