New Acquaintance

“Stella?” I was shocked, he was shocked. His eyes changed from red, to blue and stare in awe. “Stella!” He hugged me! I shook my head and pushed him away.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Who are you? What are you?!” The boy’s eyes got curious. He left a distance between us and I could finally see him. He was as tall as Nate, maybe taller, he was fit and had a black shirt and jeans. His black hair was messy and his eyes were a wonderful blue. You could actually get lost in them. He gave a goofy smile and scratched the back of his head.

“Oh, yeah. I forgot you don’t remember. Well, nice lady, I am Alexander Smith, but you’ve always called me Alex…or Drake, for some unknown reason. Or it was Dino? I don’t remember. It’s gone a long time since then.”

He had seen how lost I was, because he chuckled. “Sorry, sorry. I’ll make it as simple as I can. I’m Alex and I’m a vampire. I’ve been your best friend since I can remember but then, Cameron erased your memories and you’ve left with that vampire slayer. Weird, huh?” I nodded very slowly.

“You’re freaking me out.”

He started chuckling again. He went near a tree and sat. He patted the place next to him. Normally, I wouldn’t go and sit near a weird stranger but I felt…familiarity. I went and sat down.

“Let’s take it slowly.” I nodded. “Have you had weird flashbacks with a girl who looks like you, named Stella and a boy who looks like your brother, named Nathan?” I nodded, curious how he knew about that. “These persons are actually you and your brother. It really happened somewhere in 1897. Those flashbacks are memories. Pieces of your past.” I rolled my eyes.

“Do you really think I believe this?”

He shrugged. “I guess not. But, look at your necklace. That ouroboros. Do you know who gave it to you?” I shook my head.

“That’s because you have the feeling you have it from a very long time.” I nodded. “I gave it to you. It means immortality. You’re an immortal.” This Alex guy touched the ouroboros and I flinched.

“I’ve got you a present!” A boy, who looked like Alex told Stella. He took something from his pocket. It was a silver pendant. “This is an ouroboros. It’s a serpent touching its own tail. It represents immortality. You’re a vampire, you can’t die. Sometimes I wish I could be one too.” Stella looked softly at her friend. She hugged him and kissed him on the check.

“It’s beautiful.” Stella whispered, inspecting the pendant.

“After 1000 years I won’t be here anymore, I bet everything will change but not you. I want you to remember me and through this pendant I will be immortal too. An immortal memory.” The girl’s smile faded. Her only friend and he’s a human.

“Maybe not.” Alex raised his eyebrow. He didn’t have time so say anything because Stella titled his head and pushed her fangs through his neck.

“That day you also changed me. After I made you feel like shit, I guess I deserved it.” He chuckled while my eyes were still on the pendant.

“I remember…” I whispered. “I mean, I had a flashback.” I looked up at him. “You have blood on your face.” I stopped realizing what I said. “You killed my friends?” He smiled nervously.

“Well, I need to feed right?” I nodded and I stopped. I shook my head.

“But they were my friends! Were you going to kill everyone?!” He shrugged.

“Well, yes. But I didn’t.” He said proudly, raising his finger and pointing it at me. “We can say you saved them. I was ready to kill you, but…you’re Stella.” I rolled my eyes at his logic.

“My friends probably think I’m dead.” He shrugged.

“Sorry to tell you this princess, but you are dead. You’ve been for a long while.” I raised my eyebrow.

“You’re not making me feel better.” He shrugged again.

“I don’t intend to. I’m realistic. You were born in…um…eighteen nighty and…um…a long time ago.” I chuckled shaking my head.

“If I’m a vampire, why don’t I shine in the light? Why don’t I die in the light? Why can I enter in the church? Why don’t I have golden or red eyes? Why don’t I kill people like you for blood? Why…” I stopped when Alex put a hand over my mouth.

“I got it. Well, dear Stella, we’re not in Twilight nor in any other vampire book. Though some things that I’ve seen in movies are half real. For example, vampires can’t go out on days, the sun light kills us but we found a trick to survive. There are two stones which save us. Lapis Lazuli, which is rare and Amethyst. Most vampires use amethyst, including me. But I think you have both. If I remember correctly, your parents melted somehow a Lapis stone and put it in the ouroboros. They did the same with your brother, but I don’t know for sure what’s his pendant. I think it’s an endless knot…” I immediately raised my head. “So that’s it. He found it.” I nodded.

“It has our initials on it.” Alex nodded.

“S and N, an endless knot. Bound to a forever brotherhood, or something like this. Your brother used logic too much. How is he now?” I chuckled.

“He has been everywhere. In hospitals, jail.” He started laughing.

“I think I’d like this new Nate. He sounds cool.” I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

“What about my other questions?” He got up and turned to me.

“First, we’re not in a fairytale. I don’t know if in this big, big world, witches and werewolves are real and I don’t care, truthfully. I do know there aren’t too many vampires alive. You can actually count them on your fingers. 30 in total. However, there is a small amount which does this idiotically thing with animal blood. They’ve been reading too many books. The rest are normal.” I nodded. “Shining in the light is a pure stupidity. Vampires don’t shine at all. You can enter in church. We all can. Where did you hear this thing, anyway?” I shrugged. “No vampire has golden eyes. Your eyes change in red if you’re hungry or when you attack. Also, you can use it whenever you want to scare someone.” He flashed in front in a second, his evil vampire face on. It didn’t scare me. Not even a little. He narrowed his eyes. “You should be afraid.” I shook my head and he sighed. “I’ve been watching you for the past decades, caring about your safety and this is how you repay me?” I got up myself and raised an eyebrow.

“You weren’t there. You didn’t even know where I was or if I was alive.” He titled his head in one side.

“Details, details.” He trailed while coming closer.

“So, what now? Do you want to go searching for the tooth fairy?” I asked, amused. He glared playfully and pushed me. I fell and he just ran with his super speed. “Not fair! I can’t do that…” I mumbled the last part, pouting. I didn’t understand why he just left until I heard someone yelling after me. It was Sami’s voice. “I’m here!” I yelled, signaling them I was alive.

“My God! You’re alive! I’m so glad!” Sami and Ana both took me in a big hug.

“Where is Tracy?” Ana smiled sadly. “Is she dead, too?” Sami shook her head.

“No, thank God. No one died after that incident. By the way, what happened?” I tried to look half scared, knowing they won’t buy the thing with my past and Alex.

“It was indeed an animal. It was um…a…wolf.” I tried covering up but I’m a bad lire.

“Wolf?” Ana asked again, unsure. I nodded, pretending to be scared, again. For me it seemed like they bought my lie, surprising me.

“What happened after I was pushed?” Sami rolled her eyes.

“Tracy fainted. And when we tried to come after you, Riley’s body was hanging in a tree. Austin fainted.” I was a little amused, even if she was serious. “Shane and Roy called 911 and the ambulance came too. They’re back home. This camp thing was a bad idea.” I nodded. It was indeed. We lost two friends and we were just in the nearby woods.

When I got back home, dad was more than worried, mostly because I was in a police car.

“What happened?” He gave me that parental look and I silently went inside. I had a lot in my mind.

That night I couldn’t sleep at all. Nate wasn’t home and it was midnight, freaking dad out. I sighed and closed my journal, leaving it on the desk. I went on the balcony. It always calms me down. I closed my eyes and I felt someone sneaking behind. I turned to see Alex.

“This” He pointed to him. “Was supposed to scare you. Aren’t you surprised to see me here? Or even a little curious how I got here?” I shook my head. He rolled his eyes and jumped on the bed. “You’re no fun.” I chuckled.

Ieri, azi, maine

Stau si ma uit pe geam la cerul instelat

Radioul e pornit pe un anonim program

Aud cum lumea in jurul meu

Se pregateste pentru ce va fi mai greu

Iar eu doar stau

Nimeni nici nu ma ia in seama

Si sper ca maine va fi mai usor

Ca ieri cand nu puteam sa dorm

Si visez la azi, la cum va fi

Si ma rog ca tu sa fi acolo cand ma voi trezi

Deschid geamul si iau o gura de aer

Imi vine sa strig tot ce am pe suflet

Inchid ochii si-mi imaginez,

O lume mai buna dar daca ma gandesc mai bine

In lumea aia nu te-as fi cunoscut pe tine

Scrisoare de Plecare

Vise, vise am avut de mica
Si credeam în ele în fiecare clipa
Iar acum uite unde sunt, am o vârstă și știu
Știu mai multe, vrute și nevrute

Știu ca trebuie sa scriu o scrisoare de plecare
Pentru fiecare, exista o zi în care
Trebuie sa-ți iei rămas bun de la o viata, de la o casa
De la o iubire, de la mândrie și sa primești cu bratele deschise
Ce va veni sa fie

Mami, eu iți spun acum
Ca în curând voi pleca pe propriul meu drum
Si știu ca-mi va fi bine, tu ții la mine și asta e de-ajuns
Ai încredere, știu ce fac, o sa-l fac și pe dracu-n patru
Si ceva, ceva cu siguranță o s-ajung.

Știi mereu ca viata se va schimba
Vine o vreme în care totul depinde de logica ta
Nu poți spune nu, nu poți nega
Dorința aceea, de a fi cineva

Attacks

Back in the tent, Stella was a little worried but that didn’t stop her from going over to Ana and have a little fun.

Stella’s POV

“So…you have a crush on my brother?” Ana’s checks went deep red.

“What makes you think that?” I shrugged.

“Don’t know. Maybe you staring at him, thinking we don’t see it?” Ana blushed harder.

“Has he noticed?” I shook my head.

“Lately, he has a lot of things to think about.” Ana nodded, a little bit disappointed. Nate was so deep in his research that he would definitely ignore Ana or any other girl. Plus, he has always been a flirt and I’m not sure if Ana would accept this.

“You should talk to him, get to know him. He’s very different than what you imagine. You might not like him as much after.” She nodded, the disappointed look still there. At least I was fair.

“Shane! Ow!” Everyone turned their heads to look at Tracy.

“What happened?” Sami asked, going closer.

“I wanted to go to Austin but because the tent is a little…small I tripped and fell on Shane. Look what you did!” I trailed my eyes over where Tracy was pointing. It was just a scratch but this didn’t stop the blood spilling out. I started having a sick feeling, but in a good way. My eyes were on the blood, a small amount but still, it was…weirdly enough, tempting me. I licked my lips, unconsciously.

Like in one horror movie, we heard a branch cringe. I got out of the trance and looked at the worried teenagers around me. I couldn’t figure why they stopped abruptly. Then, I felt it. A presence, and it was slowly approaching. The boys were tensed and the girls were clinging to one another or one of the boys.

I stood there, alone on my own side, the presence fading. I sighed, moment when I felt the presence again, very close. Everything happened in slow motion for me. Something took the tent, maybe the wind, and the teenager girls started yelling.

“Stop yelling. It was just…” Greg was taken by something above. The girls started yelling again, this time, running around too. I couldn’t believe how calm I was.

“Let’s stay together! Don’t run!” Sami started but no one listened. Eventually everything calmed down and we were sitting together near a tree, not far from where we set camp.

“Something took Greg. I can’t believe it.” Tracy was in Roy’s arms, Sami was in Shane’s and Ana was in Austin’s arms. Riley was shaking slightly but she was calmer than the others.

“Maybe it was a bear.” Riley rolled her eyes.

“It took him from above. Plus, in these woods there aren’t any bears.” Tracy started shaking harder. I closed my eyes. I didn’t know how to tell them that the presence was still there somewhere.

“I’m scared.” Sami finally chocked out. They all nodded slowly. I opened my eyes and sighed.

“Maybe if we stay in silence then, whatever that was will go away.” Unfortunately for them, Greg’s body dropped on the ground. Again, girls started yelling. Greg’s body was bloody and his eyes were still open. Riley, the one who was shaking the less, went to close Greg’s eyes, even if she was a little freaked out. When she finished, she turned to us and smiled sadly. Until, something took her too.

“What’s happening?!” Tracy yelled again. I got up and went closer to Greg’s body. “Stella! Are you crazy?! Haven’t you seen what happened to Riley?”

I nodded to a very worried and scared Tracy but I couldn’t stop the curiosity. I watched above to see just the sky, there were black clouds, indicating there will be a storm later. I looked in the right and in the left and everywhere. Nothing. There was nothing. Until I felt it again.

“Stella!” I turned to look at them, time when something came from behind. I turned to see everything happen in a second. Something pushed me hard, making me fly back into a few trees. But, I was still alive. And it didn’t even hurt as bad as it should. The thing that killed Greg and Riley flashed in front of me. I could see it was a boy and he had red eyes and fangs.

When he got closer he wanted to stab me or kill me in some way but he stopped.

“Stella?” I was shocked, he was shocked.

Halfway to the Truth

“What do you want?” Eric asked out loud, coldly. He already knew that person was a vampire. Also, the evil smirk on the vampire’s face was a pretty visible clue. He flashed in front of Eric.

“What do I want? Well…let’s see…” He put a thinking face. “I want a new car –maybe a Mercedes CL class, freedom, blood, oh…and your little friend…” He licked his lips.

Eric punched the vampire so hard, he flew into two trees. He didn’t waste any time, he wanted to kill that bastard. The vampire just smirked.

“Leave her alone,” he said through greeted teeth.

“She’s beautiful. Even more than before, in the 1890’s. Stella Blanche, a vampire girl you could actually die for. From a pretty princess she transformed herself into a true devil.” His smirk grew. “I guess we should thank you for this.” Eric’s grip loosened, his head lowering. “It must be hard to be in your place right now. To be so close to the one you loved for centuries, yet so far. But, if I know the story correctly, you left Stella for her older sister, Rebeca.”

Eric turned around, his eyes closed tightly.
“I loved Stella.”

The vampire rolled his eyes.

“Sure, sure. And when an older, fiery vampire used her charm on you…” He flashed close to Eric’s ear. “You forgot her.”

Eric was very tense in that moment. His fist was stark white. “I never stopped loving her.”

The vampire raised his eyebrow.

“Really, Eric? Really? You blamed Stella when Rebeca died. I guess it was her fault. She made Nathan kill her. She couldn’t stand the idea of her adopted sister’s filthy blood on her hands. Nathan did it, of course. He loved Stella more than anything. He was and still is her brother.” He started walking in circles around a mad Eric. “She changed, she’s wiser now, but the love she had for you is still somewhere deep down…if it is anymore. Stella Blanche…I would bang her anytime.”

Eric’s eyes opened and glared daggers at the vampire.

He heard another chuckle from the vampire. “She’s not stupid, she’s feisty…” He licked his lips again. “I like it when they’re opposing. When they try to escape. When they struggle and scream, pleading to stay alive.”

He flashed behind Eric again. “Don’t you, Eric? Don’t you want to hear her screaming for help, to see her tasty blood running down her smooth legs…to bang her senseless…to tame the…leviathan.”

It was enough for Eric. His eyes changed from blue to fiery red and punched the vampire again and again. He found a small branch and thrust it through the vampire’s heart, killing him in an instant. He turned around and walked where he knew Stella was. While walking, he couldn’t stop thinking about what that filthy creature said. How right his words were, annoyingly.

He left Stella, he made her blow up from so much fury and hurt. It was his fault that Chris died and, most importantly, it was his fault that Stella suffered so much, and suffers even now, after more than 100 years.

In the tent Stella couldn’t believe how much Tracy could talk. She was sitting on her butt, a bored Nate leaning on her shoulder.

Stella’s POV

“Will she stop soon?” Nate mumbled loud enough just for me to hear. I chuckled. I couldn’t believe how many were there with us. The tent was a medium-sized, nine people occupying it. Beside me was Sami with her new crush, Shane, on Nate’s other side were Roy and Greg, opposite me and my brother were Tracy, Ana, who was pretty much gazing at Nate, Riley, a girl I just met, and Tracy’s best friend, Austin. It was weird, they all seemed so silent at school and too cool for anyone, yet they were friendly and nice.

“So, I told Jamie that we couldn’t be together anymore and he blamed Eric, but it wasn’t his fault.” I raised my head immediately.

“Eric? The Eric from school? The silent and…” She nodded.

“Yes, yes. Maybe it sounds impossible but Eric was a very out-going guy.” Riley nodded.

“True. He was a flirt. I think he had a few girlfriends just in that time.” Nate raised his eyebrow.

“What’s a ‘few’ for you?”

They all shrugged.

“10 or 12…more or less.” I was surprised, no, beyond that. Nate seemed to be too. We glanced at each other. After that moment people started talking, not letting Tracy interrupt much. She had too big of a mouth.

I stopped when I felt Nate tense up. I gave him a worried glance and he just gave me a reassuring smile. He got up and went outside.

Normal Narration

Nate was indeed a little tense, mostly after the number of weird flashbacks and all the events. He felt a presence, he felt Eric walking towards the tent. He had some questions and he wanted answers from the one who caused that mess.

“Eric…” He mumbled, narrowing his eyes at him. Eric knew that look very well and stopped. He sighed and leaned on a tree. Nate walked closer, until he was just a foot away. “You know what I want from you.”

“I…don’t remember everything. Let’s start with what you found out.” Nate was a little skeptical but he started talking.

“I went to the library, the woman there told me that you went there every day and stared at one picture of a girl. Stella Blanche. Who is she?”

“A young woman from 1890. She disappeared a long time ago and the citizens thought she’s died, as well as her brother, who went with her. But they didn’t, everyone was wrong because they didn’t know the truth.”

Nate glared at Eric.

“And what’s the truth?”

Eric smirked. “Vampires. Real vampires that can’t survive during the day and hunt for blood as night falls.”

While for Nate things couldn’t get any weirder, Eric’s eyes went red. He walked closer to Nate. “You want to know a secret, Nate? I am a vampire too.” He flashed behind Nate.

“It’s plain daylight and you are here. You said that vampires couldn’t survive the light of the sun.” Eric’s eyes went back to normal.

“Correct. But, vampires these days found a trick.” Nate was shocked when Eric took out a necklace from his pocket, with a weird stone on it. “This is a lapis lazuli stone. It was used in ancient Egypt to create seals. As long as we carry it after us, we can survive the light. But not many vampires have it. It’s a rare stone. Most of them have amethysts. Those were used by the ancient Greek people to prevent intoxication.

Also, European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as a protection in battles, believing that the stone could heal people and keep them cool-headed. It’s not as strong as Lapis Lazuli but it works. Amethysts have this power of keeping the vampires calm when they see blood. I also have one.” Nate was very intrigued by every little word Eric said. Also, the handsome vampire was a little skeptical as to telling Nathan the truth about him.

“Who is Eric Arche?”

“That’s me. I found the truth a year ago. I was so furious that I killed my father. That’s when I realized what I was and what I could do.”

“This also means you’re the Eric who broke Stella.”

Eric nodded slowly. “What’s the story behind that?”

Eric shrugged.

“I don’t know everything. I remember how I met you…Stella and Nathan, that I was a vampire even then and my family wanted me to marry Stella, but she was in love with someone else. I didn’t love her either but after our parents forced us to spend a lot of time together I started falling for her. I knew she was too…until her sister came back. She started flirting with me and toyed with my head. I was getting closer to Rebeca and far from Stella. I still remember the day I went over to the Blanche mansion. Stella thought I came to apologize…that’s when it happened…”

Eric was on his way to Blanche mansion, his mind going all the time to Rebeca. That vampire was incredible, charming and smart. She got Eric where she wanted just in a few days. He rang just once and Miss Blanche was at the door. She was smiling widely. She had always liked Eric.

“Eric, I’m so glad you’re here.” She invited him in, and started asking about his parents. He smiled and responded to every question, until Nate entered the room. When he saw the guest he glared, his eyes changing from green to red and back to green.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was so powerful and mad that anyone could get scared. Eric wasn’t an exception but he didn’t show it. Nathan ignored the curious glances his mother gave him and walked to Eric. “You’re going to destroy her. Piece by piece she’s falling and you did this. Don’t make things worse and leave.” Eric felt in like the most ashamed man in the world. Still, he couldn’t deny the attraction he felt for Stella’s sister.

And there was Stella, still. She was a nice, lovely and innocent girl, but she was a vampire and she was nothing like one. She couldn’t even go and hunt! Rebeca was the opposite of Stella and he liked this.

“Eric!” The vampire turned to get in a tight hug from Rebeca. He smiled and returned the hug. Unfortunately, Stella came down too and saw the scene between the two. Her heart ached.

“Eric…” She mumbled. Nate glared at both vampires and went to his sister. Miss Blanche was already gone, searching for her husband. Eric’s eyes traveled to Stella’s sore ones. She looked beautiful outside even if she was horrible inside. Rebeca, like always, didn’t care about the younger vampire, but Eric’s heart ached too and for a moment he felt that love again. It disappeared when Rebeca tangled her fingers in Eric’s.

“I’m sorry.” These words Eric just couldn’t stop saying out-loud. These were also the words that made Stella completely broken.

“Sorry?! You’re sorry! That’s all you can say? Every single time? I’m sick of this, Eric!”

That was also when Eric broke too.
“It’s all about you, isn’t it? You’re the youngest member, the princess, and you always get what you want! Things aren’t always going to be easy like that, Stella. Grow up! You’re such a baby! Wake up! You are a vampire! Do you know what that means? Do you know what a vampire is?! A parasite, a hunter, a bloodsucker! You can’t even look at blood! I don’t know how you live! I bet you didn’t even know you drink blood!”

Stella’s head bent down. Eric was right. She was just a pussy, worse than a human.

“That’s when things changed, drastically. Stella wasn’t the Blanche princess anymore. She changed her way of living. She was different. That’s all I know.”

Nate was surprised.
“So it is your fault.”

Eric’s head bent down, the hair covering his eyes.

Leviathan

It was weird. I was alone in a black space. I already knew I was dreaming, but it still freaked me out a bit.

Monster

I turned to see no one. I could have sworn I heard a voice.

Monster!

I glanced behind to see blood drooping, forming a huge puddle on the floor.

I hate you!

I knew these words. I gasped when the scenery changed.

Stella was in a mansion, her eyes bloody red. Nate was next to her, his eyes the same color.

“Stella…don’t go…” The boy, Eric pleaded with the girl. He had small minute cuts on his face and a large wound on the chest. He was also stumbling on his feet. Stella smirked.

“Eric, Eric, Eric…such a noble soul you’ve been. You said you loved me…how foolish I was to believe you. You left me for her. Well, now she’s dead and you’re alive. Let’s see how this will work out. Be grateful that I won’t kill you.” Stella glared and walked away. However, Nate went over to Eric and took him by his shirt.

“When you met Rebeca you left Stella without thinking. Do you know who killed her for good, Eric? It was me. I killed her for Stella’s happiness. Rebeca wasn’t a Blanche, she was adopted.” Eric’s eyes widened. “I hated her because she hated Stella. My only sister is Stella and you just broke her heart. You deserve to die by her hands.” He smirked. “Like your brother and our parents.” Nate dropped Eric and flashed away.

Outside the mansion was sitting Stella, her eyes back to their original green. When Nate walked next to her he saw tears dropping on her face. His eyes softened.

“I wish I could go back in time and change everything I’ve done.” Nate sighed and took Stella in a one hand hug.

“You haven’t done anything wrong, Stel.” She gave a forced laugh.

“Half of my life I lived like a princess, until I blew up. I was drowning in my own feelings and now look what I’ve caused. I killed our parents, I killed Chris and I made you kill Rebeca. And it’s not just Eric’s fault. I’ve always had everything but the reality was I had nothing. I never knew what real friendship or real love was. I just had you.”

Nate’s arm tightened around her shoulder.

“Stop with this bullshit. I killed Rebeca because she destroyed our lives.” Stella sighed.

“Just mine. She messed with my head. She faked her death because she didn’t want to marry the Arche and when she had seen Eric she decided to fuck with my life and get back what she was supposed to have. Eric liked her and…forgot about me. I should’ve killed her myself.”

Nate shook his head.

“Stella, when will you understand that you are my life?” He took his pendant off. “See this? The endless knot. We’ll be siblings forever, we’re bound to an eternal brotherhood.” Stella’s head bent down.

“I’m destined to an eternal fight. I will always be a leviathan, no matter what will happen in the future. I will always endure pain and blow up at one point.”
Nate sighed but didn’t say anything.

I opened my eyes at the sound of my phone ringing. I sighed and responded.

“I hope you’re ready for a big announcement!” I flinched, hearing the bright and happy voice of Tracy.

“What?” My voice was groggy.

“Don’t tell me you were sleeping.”

I opened my mouth to say something but she started talking again. “However, move your ass here. Today is that camp thing! Eric will be there…I think.” I rolled my eyes. After my dream I didn’t think I wanted to see him.

“Don’t we have school?” Tracy sighed.

“It’s Saturday, silly! Now put something cute on and, please, use make up. There will be half of the town.”

I rolled my eyes again but managed a small smile.
“Fine. Anything else?”

She coughed.

“Take Nate too. Ana has a small crush on him.” I gasped and laughed.

“You’re joking, right?” She started to chuckle.

“No. Now I’ll let you get ready. Be at the Screen in an hour?” I agreed. The Screen was actually a big publicity screen in the center of the town. I closed the phone and put it on my nightstand, but didn’t get out of bed. I drew my knees close to my chest and rested my arms on them.

“Leviathan…” I mumbled.

When I arrived at the Screen I was with Nate, who wasn’t in a great mood after the latest events. I caught him glancing at me again.

“Relax, Nate. It’s just a day in the woods with our friends. Nothing bad can happen.” He rolled his eyes. I bet he wanted to say something about this whole thing but a squeal interrupted us.

It was Tracy.

“I’m so excited! This will be a lot of fun!” I smiled, nudging Nate to do the same. He gave a tiny one, but it was good enough for now. We climbed in our cars and drove to the forest. The camp would take place there. When we arrived, I looked with a shocked expression out of the window.

“Wow. She didn’t joke when she said half of the town would be here.”

Nate was still in his thoughts. I rolled my eyes and got out of the car. In one moment Tracy, Ana and Sam were right next to me. Tracy was beyond excited, Ana was in her own little world, maybe thinking about Nate, and Sam was bored. We walked in silence towards the others. The mayor was there too, announcing the start of the camp.

“Why are they making such a fuss? It’s just for a day.” I said out-loud, not really addressing someone in particular.

“A day and a night.”

I turned to see Eric. I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, so now we’re talking again?” He shook his head, a small smirk visible even if it was almost unnoticeable. He glanced back for a second and left. I wanted to see what he was looking at. It was Nate. He had a serious face, his eyes cold. I shivered seeing those green orbs so icy.

When the mayor finally ended his speech I went in an adventure, trying to find my friends. Fortunately, they found me faster.

“Come on! We have to go to our place.” I looked at Sam.

“Our place?” She shrugged.

“Of course. We reserved it…well, I did.” We walked in nothing but silence. Tracy was talking nonstop, no joking.

“Are we there yet?” I asked, my ears bleeding. Tracy nodded, unfazed by my tone. We stopped in a deserted place. There were just trees and weed and other things forests have.

“Isn’t it a little too far?” Ana asked, her voice shaking a little. It seemed she didn’t like nature. I didn’t either but something there was different. Familiar, even. I looked at Nate who had the same expression as me.

“No. Don’t be afraid. Nothing happens in this town. It’s so boring.” I glanced at her.

“What about those crimes?” She scoffed.

“I bet they’re just false information thrown in by the media. Mayor Wood is obsessed with fame. He wants his little city to become the next New York, who knows.” She was talking like everything was as normal as it could be. That girl was very optimistic, always thinking positive.

“Bullshit,” I heard Nate mumble under his breath. I chuckled.

While the teenagers were installing their tent, deeper into the forest, Eric lay on a branch, his eyes closed. He opened them when he felt someone walking over.