Barely Alive (#JustWriteIt #SuperCharged)

Chapter 1 - Travis and Darcie Jones

Darcie froze in place. She was stunned.

"And you'll be my reason," she whispered to herself.

"You don't need as much reason as me. You're the youngest sibling. I'm the oldest. If I lost you, I would just give up. I love you," he told her.

"I love you too," she stated.

A large, black, armoured van pulled up behind the kids. Travis, out of instinct, pushed Darcie behind himself. The door opened and a teenage girl with vibrant blue eyes opened the door. That's all Travis could make out in the darkness.

"Are you kids unbitten?" she asked.

Travis nodded slowly.

"Get in," the girl instructed. "We're heading out of town. We can take you two with us as far as you would like."

Travis started to get in the van but Darcie pulled his arm.

"Mommy said never to get in a vehicle with strangers, Travy," Darcie whispered

"We don't have anything to lose. If they can drive us to the forest, we have a better chance of surviving," he whispered.

Darcie was still hesitant. The girl sighed.

"Listen LG. We have no intentions of hurting you or your brother. We want to help you. My name's Maria. That no longer makes us strangers. You can trust us."

Darcie wasn't budging. Travis picked her up around her waist and they got into the vehicle. Travis finally got a good look at Maria. She was African-American. She had long, curly black hair that was pulled into a frizzy ponytail.

"Travy, this isn't safe," Darcie whispered to her brother.

"We have to risk it," Travis whispered back. "We won't escape town on our own."

"How much longer until we get outside of town, Trevor?" Maria asked.

The driver, Trevor, was a male with tan skin, blonde hair, and clear green eyes. He had the look of a typical surfer.

"About ten more minutes," a girl in the front seat stated.

"Thanks Bella," Maria stated.

Bella was the female version of Trevor. They were spitting images of each other.

"Do you know where you will want out?" Trevor asked.

"I don't know if we should let them leave," Maria admitted.

"What?" Darcie screamed. "Why not?"

"It's not safe out there. Who says if we let you leave, you're going to make it? We want to save you kiddo," Maria stated firmly.

Darcie opened her mouth to say something but Travis put his hand over her mouth.

"We can make it on our own," Travis stated firmly.

"I don't think so kids," Bella stated.

"If they want to go, we should let them. They truly aren't our problem. If they want to risk their lives, they can go ahead," Trevor scoffed. "Just let me know when you want me to pull over."

"Trevor," Bella stated on a warning tone. "You know-"

"No, Belle. You won't be able to change my mind. If they want to risk their own lives, that's their choice. If they want to stay with us, they can stay with us. If they want out, we can't stop them," Trevor hissed.

The rest of the ride was quiet. About an hour later, Travis spoke up.

"You can let us out here," he stated.

"You sure? There isn't anything here. There isn't anything for miles," Maria asked, concern evident in her voice.

Trevor had already pulled over.

"Here you kids go. Good luck," he said flatly. "Maria, you need to stop micromanaging everything and everyone. They'll be fine."

Maria sighed and reached over. She opened the door and let the kids out. Travis hopped out and let Darcie hand him both bags. She crawled out and took one of the bags.

"Wait," Maria called.

The two turned to look at the teenager.

"Good luck," she stated.

Travis and Darcie both smiled.

"And to you too," Travis laughed.

Maria smiled as she shut the van door.

"Let's go," Travis instructed.

Darcie took Travis' hand

"We're going to be just fine," she said with a small smile.

Travis released Darcie's small hand and pulled he in for a hug.

"I know. And I promise," he whispered.

The two turned towards the dark woods. Darcie looked back at the road as the lights on the back of the van disappeared. She turned towards Travis.

"I'm not good with the dark, Travy," Darcie whispered with a gulp.

"I know, Darcie. But I promise I will never let anything happen to you. I will always keep you safe," Travis whispered.

And he was planning to never break that promise.