Blue Crescent

Caught By Surprise

“Do we really have to be outside in the middle of the woods at this time of the night? I mean, seriously guys, it’s 10PM. How could Mrs. Shaw do this to us? I mean, if we go back to the camp alive, does that prove we are brave or something? Something’s not right, I’m just saying—ouch! This twig is hurting me!” Olivia grumbled, kicking the twig away. Holding the flashlight, she aimed it at the trees and then back to the narrow path.

“Olivia, stop it! You’re making us scared more than we already are,” Hannah said. “We aren’t even halfway to our destination according to this stupid map.”

Olivia sighed, focusing the light on the ground.

“Arthur, what if your story was true and that there are really vampires, werewolves, and witches around here? What if Mrs. Shaw is a witch, a vampire or . . . a demon? Who knows? The way she’s been treating us is so ridiculous!” Adrian panicked.

“It’s just a book guys, of course it’s not true,’ Arthur said.

“Yeah right, thanks to that unlisted book from the library,” Olivia said.

“Unlisted?” Hannah and Adrian chorused, making Arthur surprised.

“You mean that book wasn’t in the directory? How come?” Adrian asked.

“Wait. Something in my gut is telling me that you took it. Arthur, look at me. Did you take it?” Hannah stopped in her tracks, making the rest turn to her.

“Ah . . . no, I didn’t,” Arthur said.

“Arthur? You might get expelled, or worse be accused of stealing a school property.” Hannah glared at Arthur.

Arthur reluctantly put his hand in his pocket and took out a palm-sized book. Hannah facepalmed while Arthur scratched his head and couldn’t look straight into Hannah’s eyes.

“What the—” Hannah made a face. “What if my dad has a list of all the books in the library and realizes that a little . . . book is missing?” Hannah uttered with disappointment.

“Guys, why don’t we just go back to the tent and tell Mrs. Shaw that we lost the map? What do you think?” Olivia suggested. “Arthur? Adrian? Hannah? Mad—Where’s Maddison?”

***

Ava

“Thirty days more and the blue crescent moon shall ascend again. Finally, I shall have my own body. I suggest you prepare for our first meeting, Amara. I will find you no matter what it takes, and I shall kill you in my own hands.”

All I wanted was to find Ambrosia’s daughter and take immortality from her. My father would be proud of me, and he would make me a ruler of all the supernatural beings. How wonderful it is to see all the creatures bow down before me! I shall show them how powerful I am.

Just then, I heard voices coming in my direction. Humans, I see. I could smell their blood from afar, but I couldn’t smell Amara’s presence. Where could she be?

I followed their scent and finally found them. I tried to possess the girl holding something that gave off light, but I couldn’t get in. I rushed to her body once again, but I ended up being thrown away as if hitting a wall. I tried again and again, but nothing happened until my energy was depleted.

“This is awful! If I couldn’t use a lame human like this one, how could I get into Amara’s body?” I whined. “Ahhh!” I screamed at the top of my voice, which caused the rain to pour down.

The immense frustration made me furious, and I shattered the earth with strong winds. Uncontended, I used my power to make the rain pour heavier and the wind blow stronger. It was a lovely sight to see the stupid humans running for their lives, seeking sanctuary. I could smell their fears, and their screams played like soothing music to my ears. I raised my hands with delight, but the entertainment was short-lived when I finally smelled the scent that I had been waiting for. I closed my eyes, sniffing my victory.

“Amara.” I grinned.

***

Maddison

“Maddison! Maddison!” The four exhausted their voices but to no avail.

“Oh my god, it’s raining again!” Hannah said, and everyone ran as fast as they could to find shelter.

“And the wind is blowing again! Can you check the map, Arthur?” Olivia said. “Check the map and see if there’s a way out!

“I don’t know how. Do I look like I have the flashlight with me?” Arthur said.

“Are you kidding me? It’s your fault you did not bring some stupid flashlight!” Olivia said.

“Oh, shi—” Arthur uttered.

“What’s wrong?” Hannah asked.

“The map!” Arthur replied. “It’s gone!”

“What do you mean it’s gone?!” Hannah asked, while the rest uttered their disappointment.

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice screaming.

“Maddison?” they chorused. “Maddison! Where are you? Over here! Where are you, Maddie!”

I followed their voices and moved towards their direction. I was naked and soaking wet while covering my body’s sensitive parts with my bare hands.

“Please help me,” I cried as I approached them.

Silence and shock took over their faces.

“Ah . . . Alright guys, turn around. I don’t think you need to see this. Turn around, turn around,” both of the girls said.

Olivia took her jacket off and put it around me, leaving herself in a tank top. Hannah opened her bag and took out a pair of denim shorts. I hurriedly wore the clothes on with fear obviously showing in my eyes and in the trembling of my hands.

“With that, I think the guys can help,” Olivia said, pointing at my bare feet.

“Ahm . . . are you guys done?” Arthur asked.

‘Yeah, you can face us now,” Hannah said. ‘So, who’s willing to lend him his shoes?”

“Not me, please. I can’t live without my shoes on,” Adrian answered.

“Well, that leaves you Arthur, or else, I’m gonna tell my dad that you stole a useless little book from the library,” Hannah threatened.

“Now you’re blackmailing me?” Arthur said annoyingly.

“Sort of,” Hannah answered with her hands on her waist and glared into Arthur’s eyes.

‘Fine.” Arthur sighed.

“Hannah! Arthur! Maddison! Adrian! Olivia! Where are you!” Mrs. Shaw and the campers' voices could be heard nearby against the deafening sound of the wind and heavy rain.

“Is that the lioness and the gang? It’s them! They found us!” Olivia said excitedly. "Over here!"

"Over here! Over here!" Arthur, Hannah, and Adrian followed.

Mrs. Shaw heard and found them sheltering under a huge tree.

“Go straight to that cabin, move!” Mrs. Shaw shouted, pointing to a shack ahead of them. "Arthur, lead your team now!"

With heavy bags on their backs, the campers sprinted to the little shelter. When they finally got in, they sat in each of the corners while Mrs. Shaw took out her phone and dialed.

“911, what’s your emergency?’ the operator answered.

“Hello? Yes, I need help. This is Mrs. Shaw and—”

“198 Blue Crescent road, Middletown? Yes Mrs. Shaw, we have already cancelled the operation as you requested, thank you.” The operator hung up, dropping Mrs. Shaw’s jaw and leaving her frozen for a couple of seconds.

“Excuse me?!” Mrs. Shaw shouted, looking at her phone before facing the students. “I want you to settle down and stay calm, okay?” she continued. We’re safe, and we just need the rain to stop on its own, alright?”

The students were struck with fear and couldn’t contain their tears from falling. They started dialing their phones while others tried to comfort each other. Some of them were screaming in terror when their phones went dead. Others were calling out their parents' names and anyone they could think of.

“Rea, is your team complete?” Mrs. Shaw asked.

“Yes Mrs. Shaw,” Rea answered.

“Connie?”

“Yes Mrs. Shaw.”

“Jeanna?”

“Ahm . . . I think Erin is missing.”

“What do you mean Erin is missing?’ Mrs. Shaw asked, lowering her glasses.

‘She is not here, Mrs. Shaw. We are only four and each team has five members.”

Mrs. Shaw took her glasses off and folded them while the students looked at each other as a chilling stillness clothed the cabin.

“What did you do to her, Maddison?” Andrew stood up, breaking the silence.