Don't go in there

Chapter 3

I was woken up by a kettle boiling and sunlight fighting its way through my curtains. I blinked slowly, my eyelids as heavy as granite. I grinned realising it was the weekend and I could stay in bed.

Then the memories from yesterday came rushing into my head and a wave of unidentifiable emotions ran over my body. I checked the time on my phone, '07:23' flashed on the screen. I sighed; I might as well get up.

As I was getting dressed the dream I had last night sneaked into my mind.

A boy who looked about two years older than me was walking towards me. Fog swirled around him like wispy arms waiting to drag him away. His eyes were almost identical to those of the smaller wolf's. His dark brown hair was ruffled and his all-black clothes were wrinkled. He wore a warm smile that was weirdly familiar. Suddenly two other people appeared behind him.

A boy with similar features but who looked a little younger was on his left. His torquoise shirt was tucked into his pants and his hair was combed. A girl with long dark brown hair past her shoulders was on his right. She wore skinny jeans and a maroon top. It flowed effortlessly and cut just after her elbow.

All three of them shared the same blue eyes, the same dark brown hair and the same smiling expression. The boy in black put his arm around me and so did the girl. The other boy stood next to the girl.

They all smiled into the distance as if posing for a photo. "Just remember, family sticks together." the boy in black said solemnly and then everything faded, and I came crashing back into reality.

"So what are your plans for today?" my mom asked over breakfast. She was leaving for a work conference and was letting me stay at home alone. "I think I'll finish my homework and then invite Sarah over." I was telling the truth. I just left out the part where I go back into the forest. 

I knew it was a dangerous idea, but I could'nt not go. It was like a scab that I kept picking at. I just could not seem to drop the idea.

"I wish my boss would stop asking me to work on weekends." my mother said.  "Don't worry, it's just two nights." I said. "I suppose, but just remember..." my mom said.

"I know, I know. No parties, no boys, no fun." I interrupted. My mom tried to shoot me an angry look but broke into a grin unintentionally.

I waved goodbye to my mom as she drove away. As soon as she was out of sight I ran over to Sarah's house. Surprisingly her older brother, Matt, opened the door. He looked devilishly handsome in black sleeping shorts and a white vest.

His blonde hair looked sylish even though it was obvious it had not come into contact with a brush this morning. His hazel brown eyes struggled to stay open. His jawline jutted out and his pink lips opened in a yawn.

"Hey Nat." Matt attempted a smile but gives up. "Hey Matty-boo." I said teasingly. Matt pretended to glare at me and then lead me into the house.

All the silver and white modern furniture sat in wait for guests. The house was spotless as always. "Should I call Sarah." Matt asked. "No I'm here for you." I said.

"Well you ain't getting anything this early in the morning, sweetheart." Matt said and smiled. I pouted. "Aw no."

"If you two are done flirting, could I ask why you're here?" Sarah asked from behind me. I laughed and turned around. "I'm here to remind you about the project we need to finish."

Her eyes widen slightly in recollection and she nods. "Of course, that huge group project for English. Thanks for reminding me." she lies through her teeth.

"Well it must be important if you came all the way over here just to remind her." Matt laughs before walking up the staircase leading to the bedrooms. "Bye sweetheart." Matt said. "Bye hot stuff." I said. Sarah rolled her eyes.

"I'll be at your house in about an hour." Sarah said. "Awesome, see you then." I said, anxiety gnawing away at my courage, like a mouse with cheese.

I packed the same backpack from yesterday, though most of my things were left in there. Musical bells filled my house with sound and I let Sarah in.

She had changed into shorts and t-shirt. She wore hiking boots and her hair was in a tight bun. I was also wearing hiking boots and shorts. My shirt hangs loosely and I adjust my backpack strap.

I quickly tie up my hair and we set off in silence. As we reach the forest we both stop again, but for a different reason than yesterday.

"What if..." Sarah said. "What if the whole world collapses in on itself and we all die? Enough worrying, I want to go see Ethan again." I said.

"What if he's dead?" Sarah yells. "I don't know, but I want to find out." I said. My hands are shaking and uncertainty has become my new travelling partner. We walked into the forest slowly and quietly. The forest was silent around us, as if it was holding its breath and waiting for something big.

A twig snaps in front of us and we both jump back. We looked at each other and inched closer together. The undergrowth rustled and we both held our breath. Then a boy stepped out of the bushy depths and smiled. I gasped. It was the boy from my dream.

He was still wearing all black, he even had black shades dangling off his nose. "Hey Natalie, sleep well?" he asked. How does he know my name. He can't know about the dream, can he?

"Who are you?" I asked. "You don't remember?" he asked. "I'm Oliver Thwait, your cousin." he grinned, which grew when my jaw dropped.

"That can't be true, my mom only has one sister and my dad was an only child." I said regaining my composure. Oliver laughs, a cold, mischievous laugh.

"You really don't know anything do you?" he said seriously. "Follow me then." he said walking back into the forest.

"What are you doing?" Sarah asked when I turned to follow Oliver. "Following my cousin." I joked. "He's not your cousin, he's a lunatic." she said.

"I heard that. Now are you coming or not?" Oliver called from the forest. Sarah's cheeks reddened slightly as we both followed him into the unknown.

***

Author's note:

Heyyyy

Sorry that chapter was pretty short! At least it was longer than the 1st chapter, which isn't saying much. I've had grocery lists longer than Chapter 1!

So what do you think of Natalie's dream?

How do you like Sarah's brother?

And do you think Andrew is Natalie's cousin?

Will try to post again soon :)

Please vote and comment!

♡hc1717