Beyond The Breaking Point

Chapter One

Xianya Barkay loved the woods behind her house, from the fresh earthy scent to the daily calls of birds and other animals to each other. The stray rays of sunlight that streamed through the tree limbs felt heavenly on her skin. But she cherished the quiet time to herself. Well, not so quiet because her best friend, Nia, was with her. Thank God she was asleep. She didn't think she could listen to Nia babble on such a wonderful day.

They'd both taken an end-of-school picnic after all the stress that had happened at school. She turned her gaze to Nia, who lay stretched out on the multicolored blanket. Her short black hair was disheveled, and a small trickle of drool ran down her cheek. She wished she had her phone to take a picture. A smile tickled the corner of her lips. It felt so good to escape her parents, her aunt, and the real world.

Xianya pulled her e-reader closer to continue the novel by Christine Feehan, her favorite author. The quiet, relaxing solitude was addictive. Her father owned about five hundred acres of the forest, as he would classify it. He'd always told her that all of it would be hers when she came of age. She had to admit she loved it, and it was one of the—

Loud screams sounded from somewhere in the distance.

Startled out of her thoughts, she whirled around, clutching her reader to her chest. Nia jumped up with a start. Her big brown eyes were bloodshot red from lack of sleep or anger.

"Anya, what the fiddle-kins was that? I hope it isn't a wild animal!" She shouted, looking around.

"No. I don't think it was an animal. It sounded like somebody was in pain. And it's coming from somewhere over there." Anya pointed to the fence that separated "them."

Nia's eyes widened. "Oh shit, do you think they are killing each other? I've heard about them." Her voice dropped an octave. "The Savages."

Anya swallowed. She didn't deny that she'd heard those stupid rumors. But that didn't mean she believed any of them. "Don't be an idiot. Maybe they need help. Come on, let's go check it out."

"What! Nuh-uh." Nia shook her head. "I'm not going there. I love my life, and that sounds like trouble. Let's go home and forget about that."

"Stop being a coward and let's get going." Anya packed everything into her bag.

"But... but... how are we going to get over that?" Nia pointed at the huge wooden fence.

Anya didn't have a clue. But that person needed their help. "We'll figure it out when we get there."

Nia pouted. "If you get me killed, I'm coming back to haunt your skinny ass! You bet your last dollar I will."

Anya rolled her eyes, and the two of them jogged toward the fence that separated "the Savages," as people referred to them in Buxville Town. She'd never set eyes on them before, but their reputation was nasty.

They scared grown men and women. She'd overheard an old lady talking with the owner at the supermarket the other day about them. The lady had said they were a rowdy bunch. And people loved spreading false rumors. Anya had stared wide-eyed as the little old lady poked the owner in the chest when she spoke.

"You people are ignorant to believe such nonsense about those people."

She wasn't too sure about what that old lady had said. But she was holding onto that little speech, hoping there was some truth to it. She glanced at Nia, not wanting Nia to know she felt afraid.

"Okay, genius. Now we're here, what do we do?" Nia deadpanned.

"I..."

The scream sounded again. This time it was louder and closer to them.