Happy Birthday!

Chapter 33

Sunday December 1,2013

12:45 pm

(Ivan's POV)

"Why do we need other person to go on a quest?" I say as I reach into the container filled with spicy fries. Michael sat on the other side of the table.

"I don't know! That's what Coach said."

"Who's Coach?" I bit into the fries, instantly my mouth felt like it was on fire.

"That tall guy." Michael said. I bit my lip as I started tapping my foot. The spicy taste filled my mouth. I start sweating as the spiciness intensified with each second.. "We still need one more person to go with us though. You got anyone yet?"

"N-no," I took a deep breath as tears welled up in my eyes. "You?" I quietly say as my mouth was filled with pain. I take out a bottle of water and quickly chug down the entire thing. Michael casually bit into a fistful of fries.

"Nah, all the people I know were busy." A chair beside me was pulled out, a familiar person with blond hair sat down in the chair.

"Hey." Alice said as she sat down. Michael and I greeted her as we continued our conversation.

"What are we supposed to do? We can't go without another person/" Michael said. Alice's hand gravitated towards the container. I reached toward the container, I made sure that my hand blocked hers. I kept my hand in the container as she waited for me to pull my hand out.

"I don't know." I said. A face of annoyance appeared on Alice's face.

"Should we tell Coach?"

"What are you talking about?" Alice asked. I ignored her.

"I guess." I replied. I leaned back in my chair. I really wanted to leave camp. It's so boring here. Michael faced Alice.

"We're going on a quest, but we need one more person." Michael said as he rested his head on his hand. Alice's face lit up with excitement, her face quickly went back to normal after a few seconds.

"Why are you leaving?" Alice asked as Michael shrugged. I grabbed a fistful of fries and stuffed them into my mouth. I instantly regretted my decision as a painful sensation covered the insides of my mouth again.

"We have to find someone in Chicago. I don't know who though."

"How are you supposed to find someone if you don't know what they look like?" Michael shrugged at the question. Alice reached into the container and grabbed a fry. I stared at her as she ate the fry. She didn't even ask! The spicy feeling went away, but was instead replaced by a constant sting. Michael looked like he was lost in thought. Michael turned his head in my direction.

"Ivan did you ask Alice?" I shook my head as Alice's face wrinkled up. She grabbed some more fires and ate them with a little bit of hesitation. Michael rolled his eyes as he faced Alice.

"Alice you want to come with us?" Michael asked. Alice's face brightened up. She quickly nodded her head as a wide smile formed on her face.

"Mmmm!" Alice responded excitedly.

"Just meet us at that little house on the top of the hill as sunrise." Alice nodded as she stared at the fries.

"Where did you get these." Michael shrugged as I got annoyed.

"I! Was hungry so I got bought fries with chicken nuggets at the market. Then Michael asked for some so I gave him some. Then he just started taking my fries without asking." Michael muttered a faint, "Sorry." Alice glanced to the side.

"So where are we meeting?" A box suddenly appeared in front of my face as Michael answered her question.

Lvl 2(23%)Spicy food tolerance- You can't tolerate spicy food for your life. Just don't eat it.

God dammit!

Monday December 2,2013

4:23 am

I wobbly walk up the hill with my while rubbing my eyes. Why did we have to get up at sunrise? I yawn as the house slowly appeared in my sight. I pat down my jacket as I walk up to the front of the building and sit down. I ball of excitement formed in my chest as I though about going back to Chicago. I only spent a week here and now I get to go back to Chicago! I wish I can stay there, but Coach wants me to stay in camp. Maybe I can runaway? But I'm pretty sure someone here can easily find me, they wouldn't have someone try to find me right? Then again there's nothing important to me in Chicago. There is nothing to do here though.I sit down against the wall of the house. I bring my knees to my chest and rest my arms on my knees. I do like the city more than this Amish like place. There's barely anything modern here.

I feel someone tap my shoulder. I look up and see Coach standing over me. I stare blankly up at him. "Are you here for the quest?" Coach asked. I silently nod as he nodded back. "Where's the rest?"

"I dunno know." I replied. "Who are we looking for anyway?" Coach reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture. It was a teenage boy with a well defined jaw. His eyes were a dark brown, his black hair was curly. There was nothing that really stood out. "Where should we start looking?" Coach shook his head.

"He's in some place called Norridge haven't heard of it but the gods told me start looking there." He's in my town? I haven't seen him before.

"I haven't seen in Norridge before. You sure?" Coach seemed surprised.

"You live in Norridge?" Coach asked. I silently nod. Silence fell over us as Coach opened the door to the front of the building. "You wanna come inside? I have hot chocolate." I nod as I lick my lips. I always wanted to try hot chocolate. I never had enough money for it. It's not like money is an issue for me anymore, thankfully. Coach went inside, I quickly followed. Coach went behind his desk and bent down. I awkwardly stood still as he pulled out three thermoses. He grabbed one and walked over to me. He slowly handed me the the thermos as he talked. "I heard Chicago is cold, so I thought some hot chocolate would be nice." I grab the thermos excitedly.

"Thank you." I said quietly. I take a sip, a burning sensation covered my tongue as I put the thermos in my Inventory. My face makes a sour expression as I made a ice cube and put it in my mouth.

"Where did my Thermos go?" Coach asked. I never thought about that. I shrug as I chew on the ice. "Can you get it back?" I nod as I take out the Thermos from my Inventory and show him. I swallow the ice. Coach stared at the Thermos for a second. "Where did you learn that?" I stare up at Coach.

"I don't know, it just comes to me." Coach nodded as he pointed to a chair in the corner. "

"Just wait over there. Your team should be here soon." I nod as I walk silently walk over to the chair.

They better be here soon I don't want to wait here for long.

4:47 am

I grab a sword from the weapon rack as Michael came up walked up to my side. Light bounced off the blade as I inspected the blade. Finally we actually have some weapons that aren't wood. Michael suddenly appeared by my side, with a bag on his back. His bat like weapon poked the top of his bag. "Why do you have one of those fluffy sweaters?" Michael asked. I put the weapon in my Inventory as I look towards Michael. Michael was wearing a light blue hoodie. He had dark rings under his eyes, he was clearly tired. He's definitely going to be cold.

"Chicago is pretty cold, plus the snow." Michael looked down at his hoodie.

"I think I'll be fine." I roll my eyes as footstep came up behind me. He's going to get frost bite. I feel someone put their hand on my shoulder. I look up to see Coach with a spear with a straight blade at the end.

"I think this will be a better weapon for you," Coach said. He handed me the spear. It felt weird holding a spear. The weight didn't feel right. "At least with this you'll have more reach."

"Thanks?" I said as I put the spear in my Inventory. Coach nodded as he walked off. I take out the sword and put it back on the weapon rack.I never used a spear, should't be too hard though. I just have to poke people really hard. I look around and notice Alice was nowhere in sight. "Where's Alice." Michael shrugged.

"She said she was going to get something." I roll my eyes as I stomped my foot. I just want to go back to Chicago! I take a deep breath and lean against the wall. I look to the side and see Alice running towards us with a backpack on her back. In her hands was a sword with a short, straight blade on the end. Coach appeared by our side as we waited for Alice. She was out of breath when she approached us. I notice that she was too under dressed for Chicago as she gasped for air. She was only wearing a tank top along with shorts. I'll be surprised if she doesn't get frostbite. "Where were you?" Michael asked.

"A-at c-c-cabin" She said as she struggled to get air. Coach waved his hand, I felt a stream of air force itself into Alice's body. She took a deep breath and she somehow went back to normal. Alice glanced at Coach then quickly looked away. I looked in Coach's direction.

"When are we going?"I asked Coach. Coach held up both of his hands, two thermoses appeared in his hands. He handed the thermoses to Alice and Michael.

"Drink them when you're cold," Coach turned to Alice. Also hide your weapon." Alice nodded as she took off her bag and put her sword in her bag. Alice stayed silent as she put her bag on her back. Michael's eyes lit up with confusion.

"How are we getting there?" Michael asked. Coach looked towards Michael and moved his hand in a circle. A white portal appeared out of thin air with snow falling out of the portal. Alice's eyes widened as she muttered something under her breath.

"You guys just go through here whenever you're ready." His eyes looked up, he looked like he was remembering something. "Trust your instincts, don't use magic in public, and... I think that's it." I nod in response.

"How are we getting back?" I asked.

" We'll come get you in three days." I nod. Michael walked in the portal without hesitating as Alice stared blankly at the portal. She took a sip from the thermos and reluctantly walked in. I made sure my jacket was zipped up and walked into the portal as I waved at Coach. Coach waved back with a warm smile, I took one step in and my vision blurred in an instant. I blink several times before my vision went back to normal. Alice was clattering her teeth, she hugged herself and shivered. Michael looked slightly unconformable but seemed to be ignoring it. I smile as I feel the heat left my body and feel the familiar cold wind seep into my skin. The cold is so much better than the heat.

Michael looked around confused. "I thought Chicago was a city, I just see trees." I roll my eyes.

"Chicago has some forests. It's just that there aren't many forests." Michael looked through the trees, his pupils shifted to a long line going down the eye, it reminded me of how a eagles eye would look like.

"Ca-ca-ca-ca g-g-go?" Alice somehow said through her clattering teeth. I ignore her and look around. I couldn't even understand her if I tried, so it's not like I can answer anyways. I don't know these woods at all, I know there were some woods near Norridge, but I never spent time exploring them. Michael pointed seemingly in a random direction.

"I see buildings over there." I look over at the direction Michael was pointing at, it was hard to make out but there were buildings that I could barely make out. How does he keep seeing these things? Alice quickly started speed walking towards the buildings. Michael and I quickly take off after her. Her speed walking slowly transitioned into a jog, then changed into a full on sprinting. Snow crunched beneath my feet as my feet tried its best carry me through woods.

As I ran out of the woods one of the first things I see was a Red Lobster. Alice stopped to gasp for air. I look around and smile as I recognize the area. Michael was a little late but he eventually caught up to us, his face was red as he put his hands on his knees. I didn't even know that we lost him. Alice speed walked up to my face and stared into my eyes.

"Clo-thes str." It took me a while to find figure out what she was saying, but I got it after a few seconds.

"Oh yeah sure." I look over at Michael. "Michael we're leaving for a store." Michael nodded as I walked off towards the nearest store. It took us about a half hour just to get to the store. Alice had snow covering her arms and legs. As soon as the store was in sight Alice sprinted towards the front of the store. I walk in after her with Michael by my side.

"Should we just wait by the front of the store?" Michael said. The store isn't that big. I'm sure she can find us. Plus I don't feel like looking for her.

"Yeah, lets just wait." I sit by the door as Michael leaned on the wall. Michael reached into his bag and pulled out the thermos. He took a sip and frowned.

"It's cold." He said with a sad tone. "Is your's hot chocolate cold?" I take out my thermos, I took a sip and felt a burning feeling instantly covered my tongue. I frown. I wish it was cooled off just a little.

"Nah, still hot."

"Gimme some?" A look of confusion appeared on my face.

"No."

"C'mon, just a sip."

"No."

"Please." I looked at Michael, he looked kind of desperate. "It's cold outside."

"Can't you use fire? Just boil it."

"We can't use magic in public. Please, it's cold. I just want to be warm." I shake my head.

"Use it in the bathroom?" He thought about it for a moment.

"Sure!" He said in a cheerful tone. He quickly wondered into the store. I waited until one of them came back. I took a sip from my thermos as I saw Alice walking towards me. She wore a pink sweater with sweatpants. She rubbed her arms together in an attempt to warm herself. She looked around for a bit.

"Where's Michael?"

"He went to the bathroom." She walked over to me and sat down right next to me. She went into her bag and took out her thermos. She took a sip before making a uncomfortable face.

"Really wish I could've drank this before. Now it tastes sad." I ignore her and just stare forward. "Is your's hot?" I nod silently.

"Gimme the thermos."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it's mine." She frowned. "Just ask Michael to warm it up for you." She thought about it for a moment.

"Can he use fire?" I nod. "I'll ask him later then." I stare forward not really knowing what to say next. I notice Michael walking towards us with a grin on his face. He brought his thermos to his lips and held it there for a long time. I take a quick sip and put my thermos in my Inventory.

"You guys ready?" Michael asked,the top of his lips were covered in hot chocolate. I nod while Alice stood up. I stood up and walked out the door. Michael tapped me on the shoulder. "Where should we start looking?" I feel a restless feeling build up in my body. I could just let them do all the work.

"We should split up. At noon let's meet up somewhere."

"Where though?"

"Meet back here?"

"Somewhere more private maybe?" Why isn't this place good enough? Maybe the library?

"I know a library nearby." Michael nodded as he turned to Alice. "Is that okay with you?" Alice stared at a nearby car with a confused expression on her face. She pointed towards the car.

"That's fine with me but is that thing a car?" I raise a eyebrow.

"Yeah, why?" I asked.

"I just thought they would look different. You know more slim, or smaller? Maybe a bit more futuristic?" I roll my eyes and wave at Michael to follow me. Alice followed behind Michael. She had a curious look in her eyes, she looked around constantly with a slight frown. She sniffed the air, her face showed disgust as she sniffed the air again. "Does the air always smell like this in cities?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"The air... it's so dirty!" I take a deep breath, I smelled nothing wrong.

"What's wrong with it?"

"If anything it's the camp's air that smells weird." Michael said.

"What's wrong with the camp's air? It smells the same to me." I say. They both ignore me.

"The air is-is so dirty! It's like there's dirt, or something else in the air." She snapped her fingers. "Like the smoke from a fire. It reminds me of that." Alice said in a disappointed tone.

"Isn't that normal?" Michael asked.

"No." Alice responded. "Why is it so dirty?" She asked. Michael and I both shrug.

"Cars, factories maybe?" I said. There was silence for a moment.

"Maybe. Are all places like this?"

"I dunno." Silence fell over us as the library came into view. I grin as I see the familiar library. Alice pointed to the library.

"Are libraries supposed to look like that?" I roll my eyes.

"What's wrong with it now!" Alice looked towards me with a surprised look on her face.

"I just wanted to say I like it, way better than the one we have at camp." I glance to the side.

"Oh, sorry." I mutter under my breath. Michael looked around and kicked the snow.

"Should we split up now?"

"Yeah." I said as I walked off.

"Yep." Alice said as her footsteps could be heard walking in the distance.

"We meet back here in the afternoon!" Michael yelled. I wave my hand as I walk back to Walmart.

I wonder if my tent is still at Walmart?

11:50 pm

(Michael's POV)

I walk up to the library, I shiver as snow covered my arms and head. I feel the back of my head tingle, I look over my shoulder, nothing was there.

"I wish I was back in Texas, or camp." I say as I lean on the library's wall. A strange feeling told me to get away from the library as soon as possible. I ignore the feeling, but the feeling was always on the back of my mind. I feel something watching me from the side. I follow my instincts and look to the side, Alice was sprinting towards me with a blood flowing down from her forehead along with her sword in her hand. I rush over to her, she shook her head and pointed in the opposite direction. I stop and run in the opposite direction. I run into a nearby alley, I stop and wait for Alice. I look around and notice a connecting alley right next to me. Alice turns the corner, I quickly run into the alley. I stop at the end of the alley. I peek over my shoulder, Alice did some hand signs, the concrete broke under her as a pillar of dirt rose from the ground. She quickly turned around and sprinted over to me. I was about to turn around but, a group of men jumping over the pillar stunned me for a bit. I quickly raise my arms to my chest and make some hang signs. I feel heat build up in my chest as my back arched backwards. My body lurched forwards as a ball of fire launched out of my mouth. The ball of fire flew past them and crashed into the pillar of dirt.

One of the men caught up to Alice and reached for her. Alice quickly turned around and swung her weapon. The man jerked his hand back, I take off my bag and quickly take out my weapon. I put back on my bag and take a few steps back. I run to the end of the hallway and turn a right. I look around and see an empty parking lot. Maybe they'll stop attacking if we get out in the open? I run to the parking lot and turn around.I take of my bag and take out my weapon. I throw my bag away as Alice sprinted out of the alley, somehow in the alley she lost her bag,she only had her sword in her hand. The group of men rushed out of the alley as Alice caught up to me. She collapsed to her knees, she slowly got up to her knees as the men neared us. I prepare myself mentally for a fight as a smile crept up on my face. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I realized that I'll be forced to fight. Alice turned around just in time to doge a man lunging towards her. I locked eyes with one of the men and raised my weapon. Another man ran to my side. I took a couple of steps to the side as I feel hear footsteps approach me. I instantly turn around and swing my weapon. My weapon slammed into a rip cage of a man, I hear a thump as the man was shoved to the side. I waste no time raising my weapon over my head and slam it onto the top of his head. A image of someone grabbing me from behind appears in my head. I turn around just in time to see a man throw a punch at me. I step to the side and swing my weapon. My weapon slammed into the man's stomach, I tried to pull my weapon out but for some reason it wouldn't budge. A strong hand grabbed my shoulder and tighten around my shoulder. I Immediately let go of my weapon from the pain coming from the shoulder.

Another hand tighten around my shoulder, I get lifted up into the air and slammed into the ground. My head bounced off the ground as something heavy fell on top of my waist. I look up to see one of the men on top of my waist. He brought up his fist and smashed into my head. My head jolted to the side as the force of his punch made my head spin. I bring up my hand and reach for his face. He didn't waste a second punching my face again. Tears formed in my eyes as his fist slammed into my nose. I force myself to ignore the pain and grab his face. His skin felt like rubber under my hand. I tightened my grip and jam my finger into his eye. He let out a yelp as he quickly rolled of my waist as I scrambled over to him and kicked him in the stomach. I stomp on his head as I hear concrete crack behind me. I kick him in the stomach again as I turn around. I see Alice standing in front of me with my weapon in her hand. A pillar of dirt was in front of her. She turns around and shoved my weapon into my chest. I grab it and rest it against my leg. I do some hand signs, I feel my arms tense up as they grow before they go back to normal. I grab my weapon and slowly go around the pillar. I bump into a man, he jumped back as I swing my weapon. My weapon slammed into the pillar as the man jabbed at my neck. I was barely able to lean to my side as I let go of my weapon as I bring back my fist and smash it into his neck. MY fist connected with his neck, I hear the air leave his lungs as he took a step back.Alice rushed from behind me and stabbed the man in the neck. The man brought up his hands to his neck as he fell to the ground. I pant as I look around and see a body with a weird red face with horns on top of their heads. The whites of its eyes were replaced with yellow. I hear grunting to my side. There was still two men left standing. My head throbbed as they rushed towards us. I spear made of ice suddenly penetrated one of the man's faces. A woman with pale skin rose up from the snow behind the man still standing. The man looked around as the woman made a icicle in her hand and jammed it into the man's neck.

I feel the adrenaline leave my body, a painful throb flows through my head as I feel something wet go down my nose. The woman looked towards me with a warm smile. Her long black hair waved in wind as her dark eyes felt like they were burning a hole in my hand.

"Michael I have a bad feeling about her." Alice said while slightly wheezing.

"She just saved us, she looks nice anyways." Alice walked backwards as I approached the woman. My cheeks turned red as she looked down at me. I smile as I sheepishly look down. "Th-thanks for saving us." The woman nodded as she stretched her hand out and touched my cheek. My cheek felt like it was being frozen. She bent down until she was about my height. She closed her eyes as she slightly tilted her head and leaned towards me. My body tensed up. Her mouth suddenly opened as mist left her mouth. I instinctively jump back and run to her side. The woman's eyes roll back as she breathed out in my direction. A white mist left her mouth as I tried my best to doge the mist. Alice ran up behind her and stabbed her through the head. The woman's body flopped on the ground. I pointed at the woman as I tried to caught my breath.

"What is that?"

"Yuki Onna, a woman who freezes people with their breath." I point to the weird looking people with the red face.

"What are those?"

"Amanojaku," she stopped for a second to catch her breath. The steal the skin of people and trick them." I sit on the ground and hold my nose.

"I hate them."

11:54 pm

(Ivan's POV)

Where are they? It's already noon.