Hunted

Chapter 1

"The body of Mason Delley, an 8th grader at Hare Creek Middle School, was found yesterday morning, November 1st, near the shore of Hare Creek. His parents say that when they went to bed the previous night, Mason was in his room. According to investigators, his body was ice cold and very pale, but no fatal damage had been done to the body except a two-holed mark on his shoulder blade. The cause of his death is uncertain. There are plans to test his blood for any traces of drugs or alcohol. Make sure to stay tuned for-"

Amika grabbed the remote from the table and turned the news off. She looked back down at her history book and continued studying for her test tomorrow. The silence was interrupted by her annoying younger sister.

"Come on, Amika! It was just getting interesting!" Annabelle protested.

"Too bad, Annabelle. You shouldn't be watching that, you know. It's not good for kids your age." Amika plopped down on the couch and looked back down at her book.

Annabelle slammed the book closed and crossed her arms. Amika looked up at her, clearly annoyed. "Don't call me Annabelle! It's Anna now, okay? And I'm not a kid anymore! I'm ten now, which means double digits, which means-"

"That you'll be more on my nerves now than before." Amika grabbed her book and walked out of the room. She opened the wooden sliding door into the kitchen and closed it in hopes of Anna remaining in the living room.

Still, Annabelle jumped out of her chair and ran after her sister. "Wait up, Amika!" She opened the sliding door and walked up to her sister.

"You like CSI and other shady stuff like that. Maybe you could solve the crime on TV! Remember that time when that one boy stole my sandwich at lunch and you found out it was him because of the lettuce left at his desk? I'm the only one who makes sandwiches with lettuce in my entire grade." Anna flopped down in a chair at the kitchen table.

Amika opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water and some strawberry flavored yogurt. She sat down at the table in the chair across from Anna and took a big gulp of her water.

"No way, Annabelle. You let your imagination get the best of you."

Amika began to eat her yogurt. Anna was still at a loss for words. When Amika was halfway finished with her yogurt, Anna started to protest with a comeback. She was cut off when somebody knocked on the door.

Amika put down her yogurt and walked over to the front door. She opened it, and expected to see someone there. She was smiling and everything to greet them. To her surprise, there wasn't anybody waiting for her. The only thing there was a small, handwritten note lying on the doormat.

It said:

You're next, Annabelle White.

Amika slammed the door in fear. She shook her head continuously. "What's wrong Amika?" Annabelle questioned. Amika shook her head in response but Annabelle didn't notice. "Amika, tell me!"

She didn't wait for a response. She pushed past Amika and opened the door. She looked around and then down at the doormat. "Seriously?..." Annabelle whispered in surprise.

"No Annabelle! Step away from the door! You'll get hurt..." Amika stopped when Annabelle held up her finger.

Annabelle walked a few feet outside the door and bent down to retrieve a box from Ember's. "Your clothes came in Amika! But mine didn't even though we ordered them on the same day! You're smart. Can you call the company and complain for me?"

Amika shook her head in response. "How is that..." She trailed off and then began a new sentence. "That isn't possible..." She shook her head. "Annabelle, I can't..." Annabelle gave her an annoying look.

"Spit it out already!" Annabelle insisted and Amika shook her head.

"It's nothing, really. I just thought..." She began to lie to little Annabelle. "I just thought that it was your package and I was going to hide the clothes and give them to you for Christmas. That would've been a big surprise, right?"

Annabelle beamed with a smile. "Really? That was thoughtful. Now I wish I didn't open the door so then it could've been a surprise!"

Amika shrugged and closed the door. "Come on. Let's go watch a movie. Your pick."

"Yay! Let's watch Mean Girls! I've never seen it before and my one friend has. It's not fair!"

"No Anna. Anything but that. You can't watch that for another year. Mom's rules." They continued to argue over a movie, unaware of the figure watching them from the backyard.

"Oh Annabelle White. You will make a great addition to our team." Mason walked out of the trees bordering the backyard.

"That she will, Master." He responded to the figure that had spoken. "When will we strike?"

"Not for a while, young Mason. When we do, you will be stronger than imaginable."

 Mason smirked. "Stronger than imaginable." He laughed. "I nearly was caught escaping that wretched death home. But never again..." 

He paused and repeated himself. "Stronger than imaginable."