I Don't Believe In Vampires

Secrets

Ash

Cali and Brian had their eyes locked on each other for what felt like forever. Almost as if they were speaking to each other in a different language. Cali broke the eye war and took a few steps back away from Brian.

 In that moment, Cali changed. She did not seem like the confident, high strung girl just seconds ago. 

“Whatever. Just stay away from us.” She demanded pulling me along with her and turning back towards Brian giving him one last glare. 

We got back to our lockers when Cali finally let go of my hand. 

“What was THAT all about,Ca-“

Before I could finish my question, Cali was down the hallway and out of sight. After that encounter, I didn’t see Cali or Brian the rest of the day. 

School went by at a slow pace. Even PE was boring. Of course, today was also the day we had to climb the ropes and Cali was not even there to laugh at me. 

 I got home and the house seemed...unusually empty. I texted my mom I was home. Maybe she went out to run errands. 

I headed into the kitchen and pulled out a cinnamon pop tart from the pantry and some carrots from the fridge and headed upstairs to start on my homework. I kept checking my phone to see if Cali decided to text me to tell me what exactly happened earlier today. 

I checked my phone. 7:30 and not a text from Cali. I heard the key click into the lock and my name echoing through the house. Mom was home. I went to greet her, as she was bringing in some groceries from the car.

“Hi honey, how was your day?” she asked, throwing the groceries onto the counter.

“It was ok. Long. Cali was not feeling too well and went home early. Been trying to see how she is but she hasn’t responded.”

“She is probably resting, Ash. I’m sure she’ll get back to you.”

“Yeah...”

“Now help me finish unloading the groceries.”

After helping unload the groceries, I grabbed some leftovers and retired to my room for the night. I checked my phone one last time and found a text, but it was not from Cali. It was from an unknown number:

“There’s a war coming. It will be at your doorstep. Will you be ready?”

I checked the phone number on white pages and found it was coming from a spam caller. Other callers have reported similar texts and to just block the number. This has been a weird day.

My eyelids started to feel heavy and before I knew it, the tiredness engulfed me…

 I rolled around. Taking in the last feeling of peace before I had to be up for school. I opened my eyes to see a huge willow tree right in front of me. WHAT! I shut my eyes for a few seconds and opened them again. The tree was still there. Where am I?  A forest? Looking around, the forest seemed compact and had a diverse group of trees. Trees that are not from my town. The trees allowed enough light to pass down through them and onto the forest floor. The ground was partially covered in moss and the remaining ground was broken stone. Almost looking like ruins from a past time. The air filled my nose with the smell of lavender. I stood up and started cautiously walking around. Hoping to find someone or an indication of something that could help me find out where exactly I am. I followed the path that was made up of stone to a fountain in the middle of the forest.  The old fountain looked like it belonged in an old-world time. The vines covered the right side of it and the water had a tint of glow to it. The glow danced the closer I got to it. I was memorized by it. It seemed so familiar.

“Hello, dear.” I heard a voice from behind me say. It sounded old and wise. Like it has been around for centuries.

I turn around to see a hooded figure in a grey cloak levitating off the ground. The opening to the hood was pitch black and I could not make out their face at all. 

“Hello” my voice trembling as I took a few steps back, creating some space between us.

“Do not be afraid, Princess. I come in peace.”

“Princess? Who are you?” I demanded.

“How did you get here?” The voice asked.

“I was sleeping and woke up here! Where am I?”

“You really don’t know?”

“No!”

“Then I cannot tell you. You must find him first. Once you do then you will know. I am not authorized to tell you as per the council’s orders. “

“Council?”

“Princess Ashyln, you must find him. They are coming and you are not ready!”

“Princess Ashyln?? Who’s him??? Who are you??”

“My child, you have eyes, but you do not see. He is the only one who can protect you-” The hooded figured started to say as they slowly  vanished just as quick as they came, and I was left all alone in the forest.