Bus ride

The bus driver was new so I hoped Ms. Alice would realize we were going the wrong way, but she never said anything. We continued driving until the bus came to a stop next to a field of tall grass. We all looked at each other confused.

The bus driver stood up shouting, "I know you are here! You can't escape now! There is no one here who can save you so just show yourself!"

No one knew who he was talking to. I did. I recognized the voice. The stranger from last night. I slid farther down in my seat hoping he wouldn't notice me.

"Show yourself now!" He shouted.

I peeked around the seat. We made eye contact and I quickly hid behind the seat again. I heard his steps become louder as he walked towards me. He reached the seat James and I were sitting in and looked down at me.

"Get up!" He shouted.

I didn't move. He grabbed my arm and pushed me to the ground. "Are you Lily Grey?" He asked impatiently. I didn't answer. He turned to Ms. Alice and she nodded her head with a smile.

"Ms. Alice what's going on? Who is this man? What does he want?" I questioned. She didn't answer. She just stood there. I looked up at the man standing above me. I saw his eyes change again, they became darker and darker. I started moving backwards but he followed me.

"Fight me you coward!" He screamed.

"I-I don't want to fight sir!" I cried.

I continued to move back and he continued to follow me. I saw a shadow behind him. The shadow grew and my heart started pounding fast. I began to feel weak as he stepped closer.

"Get away from me!" I shouted.

He didn't listen. My heart beating faster and faster. I felt as though I couldn't breathe. I tried to stand but I fell to the ground. I couldn't see. My vision became dark and I felt alone. In the distance I saw a light. I heard a voice, "Be strong Lily. Use your gift. Save them. Don't give in to the darkness."

I opened my eyes. The man was still standing above me. The shadow once behind him was wrapped around my wrists. I couldn't move but I wasn't going to give in. I closed my eyes again, I listened to the beat of my heart. I opened my eyes to a flash of light and the shadow once wrapped around my wrist had disappeared. I looked up and the man who once stood above me was blinded.

"Don't let her escape!" I heard Ms. Alice yell to the man. She pushed him out of the way and walked towards me. I was confused. Where did the light come from? Ms. Alice came closer to me until she stood in front of me. Her eyes were dark too. Her shadow was stronger than the other shadow. She looked down at me. Still feeling weak I couldn't stand. The shadow behind her wrapped around my wrists and lifted me off the ground.

"Join us Lily. Don't fight it. Join us." She whispered.

"No!" I shouted, "I won't!"

She threw me to the back of the bus. Everything hurt. My head, my arms, my ankle still sprained. I wanted to give up but I heard the voice again, "Listen Lily. You can save them. You are strong enough. Listen Lily."

I closed my eyes again. I heard the sound of my heart beating. I listened. I heard the beat of another heart. Opening my eyes, I tried to stand. My legs lifted me. My heavy arms felt light. My right hand then felt heavy as I looked down to see a bow shining bright, the color of gold. Ms. Alice yelled to the man and they both came towards me. I lifted the bow unsure how to use it, closed my eyes, and pulled back the string as though I had an arrow. I let go and heard the scream of

Ms. Alice. I did it again and heard the bus driver fall to the floor of the bus. My eyes opened to see them both lying there, shadows disappearing.

"Lily are you alright?!" James ran over to me.

"What happened?" I said before my vision was slowly replaced by darkness.