"Was Saturday the best party ever or what?" Jessica grinned.

It was Monday morning just during break. Andie, Jessica, Emily, Isabelle and Bane were sitting outside, enjoying a few minutes of sunlight before locking themselves in stuffy classrooms for the next few hours.

"Yes, it was," Andie agreed. "Thanks again for that, you guys."

"Ah, no big deal," Jessica said, ruffling her hair. "You remember the awesome ideas you always have for our birthdays? It was our turn."

Andie smiled. She loved her friends. They were only three, well, four, now, but she felt closer to them than anyone else in the word, even her parents and sister, who she loved dearly. She was actually not always sure why. It was like a thread had been woven between the five of them in an unbreakable alloy of some sort. She liked that idea immensly. She couldn't imagine her life without them. Even Bane, in the short time they'd known each other, had come across as friendly. Of course, she wasn't ready to share everything with him or Isabelle the way she would with Jessica or Emily,but she had a feeling that their friendship was going to keep growing. The bell rang at that moment, so the five friends gathered their things and headed to class. At the entrance, Jessica went to History while Emily and Isabelle had gym class, leaving Andie and Bane make their way to Spanish alone.

"Hey, I really hope you were okay with my being at your party... I know we haven't known each other very long..."

"I haven't known Isabelle much longer," Andie pointed out. "And don't worry, I was glad you came."

Bane smiled.

"I still can't believe Jessica had that crazy idea!" Andie said with a laugh.

"... Well... actually, it was my idea."

Andie froze.

"She did the organizing and supervised decorating, but the suggestion was from me."

Andie flushed in embarrassment.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm an idiot!" she exclaimed. "It's just Jessica and Emily have known me longer, and Jessica's always the one who comes up with the craziest ideas, so I assumed..."

"It's okay," Bane smiled. "Don't worry about it. Of course you'd come to that conclusion."

"You sure you're not mad?"

"Do I look mad?" he said, with a huge grin.

"Uh... no," she said, flushing slightly as she noticed how his eyes sparkled when he smiled.

"Come on, we had better get going or we'll be late." Bane said, still smiling.

He held out his hand. Andie smiled back at him, then slid her hand in his. Then, they hurried up the hall to class, laughing.

The rest of the day went on normally. The final bell rang, filling the students with that happy feeling that school is over. At least for until the next day. Everyone poured out the doors to their cars or buses. Well, almost everyone. Andie was still in the school. In the library to be exact. The librarian was well into the last trimester of her pregnancy and Andie had offered to help her after school until she left for her maternity leave. She was currently sorting through the books on the higher shelves, which were often the one with the most misplaced books. She was standing on a stool, looking at the titles, removing them to put them in a box, which she to move them to the correct section. Andie was almost done. She glanced at her watch. It was almost six. It was lucky her mother had taken the day off and could take care of Hannah. She hadn't expected this to take so long. Of course, she preferred to be doing that rather than imagining Miss Philipson doing all the work in her condition. So she grit her teeth and kept going. Eventually, she found the last book in the shelf that shouldn't be there. She put it in the cardboard box she'd placed near her to avoid going up and down all the time. She meant to climb down, but she couldn't quite see her foot, and accidentally placed it wrong. So when she moved the box back, whe lost her balance as her foot slipped from the stool. Both Andie and the large box fell to the floor. Everything else happened in a split second: Andie hit the floor hard, saw the box tumbling down towards her, and she instinctively raised her hands above her to try and shield her face. There was a loud thump, but no box crashing on top of her. After a few seconds, Andie opened her eyes. And to her utter amazement, she could see a faint red-orange glow above her. Slightly breathless, she glanced around her. The faint light had formed a perfect circle around her...

It's like a... I can't believe I'm thinking this... it's like a force field... she told herself, eyes wide.

Cautiousl, she reached up to touch the "force field". But as soon as her fingers brushed the surface, it vanished, startling her. She wasn't sure if she could move, at first. Too many questions were buzzing in her head. What had happened? How had that box not hit her, and what the heck was that strange circle of light she'd just seen? She hadn't imagined it! Or had she...?

"Oh, my, Andie! Are you alright?"

Andie jumped and looked round at Miss Philipson, who came tottering towards her looking worried.

"Oh, my, what happened? Are you hurt?" she asked, starting to lean forwards.

"No, I'm fine, don't bend down. I just slipped. Don't worry."

"Are you sure? You could have hit your head, maybe you should see the nurse..."

Maybe I should see a psychiatrist if I'm imagining force fields... Andie thought.

"No, I'm fine, really. I'll just put these out of the way and sort them tomorrow, is that okay?"

"Yes, of course. It's getting late, your parents will be getting concerned. Thank you for the help. Are you quite sure you're not hurt at all?"

"Positive," Andie said, smiling reassuringly. "But thank you for your concern."

She smiled again and walked confidently out. However, as soon as she had left the library, she tore off across the hall and out of the building towards her car. She leaned against her door, gasping for breath, her face covered in sweat. She closed her eyes, her hands pressed against her car. She breathed slowly, keeping her eyes closed. And felt a hand on her shoulder.

Andie whipped around, startled.

"... Bane?" she asked, in a slightly croaky voice, her breath still short.

"... Andie... sorry, I didn't mean to scare you... are you okay?" he asked, looking worried.

Andie was unable to answer for a few seconds.

"Honestly? I don't know." she said.

"Here, sit down, you're trembling."

He led her to the bench across the campus and helped her sit down. They could still see Andie's car.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bane asked gently.

She glanced up at him. He was looking at her with concern in his piercing blue eyes.

"... I... I'm not sure I can..."

"You mean you're not allowed to?" Bane asked.

Andie shook her head.

"No... no, it's... I don't even know... I can't even make any sense of it myself..."

"Why don't you try telling me what happened?" Bane suggested gently.

 Andie was about to, when something made her pause.

 "... What about you?"

Bane looked at her, taken aback.

 "What?"

 "You. How come you're here?" Andie asked.

 Bane seemed uncomfortable.

 "Uh... I had an essay to do, I was working in the library." he said.

 Andie frowned.

 "No, you weren't," she said. "I was in the library, just now, and there was no one but Miss Phillips and me!"

 Bane bit his lip.

"Uh... well... I... okay, I wasn't in the library I... but I can't really explain where I was."

 Andie was really getting suspicious, now. First lying, then keeping secrets?

 "What does that mean?" she asked.

 "I..."

 Bane clearly wished he hadn't started this conversation. He was nervous, sweat forming on his forehead.

"Look, I..."

 Just then, his head snapped up. He stared into the trees, tensing, as if he was expecting a monster of some sort to appear. But that was impossible! ... Wasn't it?

 "What?" Andie asked, looking too.

 "Shh!" Bane hissed, raising a hand to silence her.

 He scanned the area without turning his head.

 "Bane, what-" Andie began, starting to feel scared, now.

 "Sssh!" he whispered again.

 Then, after a few more seconds, he caught her hand, pulled her to her feet and ran.

 "Bane, wha..."

 "Just run!"

 Andie heard another rustling sound which made her look round. And let out a scream. A black hairy creature was running towards them.

Andie didn't want to look at the beast any longer so she focused her attention on what was in front of her. They reached Andie's car which was still sitting quietly in the parking lot.

 "Get in!" Bane said, yanking the door open and pushing Andie inside.

 "Hey!" Andie protested.

 He ignored her and hurtled across to the other side. Andie immediately fished for her keys. She quickly found them and pressed them into the ignition. The engine roared to life.

 "Go!" Bane shouted.

 Andie's foot pushed the accelerator down and the car sped forwards just as the creatured leaped towards them.

 "What is that thing?!" Andie asked in an unnaturally high voice.

 "Eyes on the road," Bane said, looking at his rearview mirror. "Darn it, it's still there. Just keep going."

 "We can't lead it into town, it could kill someone!" Andie screamed.

 "Just drive, I'll take care of it!" Bane retorted.

 Andie then saw him open his window fully, and to her utter astonishment, he leaned forwards and sat on the edge of the window, leaving only his legs in the vehicle.

 "What the hell are you doing, get back here!" she shouted.

 "Don't worry about me, just keep driving!"

 Andie tried to keep her eyes ahead. Her heart was racing in her chest, her head pounding. What the hell was going on? What was this creature, and how did Bane know about it? Just then, she heart him shout:

 "Light of the Guardian!"

 Before she could ask what that was, she saw a bright light shoot towards the creature, hit it squarely and knock it backwards as it burst into puffs of smoke. With a scream, she rammed her foot down on the brakes. The car screeched to a halt... and Bane fell out. Andie silenced the engine and hurtled out.

 "Oh, my God, I'm sorry!" she said, pelting to the other side to make sure Bane was alright. "Are you okay?"

 "Yeah... I've lived through worse than that, believe me," he said as she helped him to his feet.

"... Oh, no, you're bleeding..." Andie said as she looked him over.

Sure enough, a trickle of blood was sliding down his forehead. Unthinkingly, she reached up to gently brush Bane's hair out of his face so as to get a better look. It wasn't too deep. She suddenly realized what she was doing. Flushing, she quickly withdrew her hand.

"Sorry..."

"It's fine," Bane said.

Andie wasn't sure, but she thought she'd sensed him tense when she's touched him. She wondered why. What, was he worried she was toxic, or something?

"Uh... come on, I have a first aid kit in the car..."

One never knew when one might need one, after all. She'd learned that from her parents.

"I'm fine, I-"

"Head injuries aren't to be taken lightly," Andie interrupted firmly.

She opened the passenger door and looked at him. He sighed and sat down obediently.

Andie opened the glove compartment and produced a white box. She pulled out a plaster and disinfectant which she dabbed on some cotton wool.

"Hold still, this might sting a little," she warned and reached up.

Bane winced at the contact, but didn't move. She then noticed he was looking at her with an odd expression.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

She wasn't sure in the dark, but she thought she saw him flush slightly.

"No reason," he said, his voice steadier than his eyes. "It's just... we barely know each other, really... and you're tending to my injury."

"Well, you saved my life," Andie said, her eyes on his forehead as she placed a plaster on it. "This is the least I can do."

She gently pressed the plaster into place.

"There..." she said, feeling a slight tingle in her fingers without quite understanding why.

"Thanks." Bane said.

"I should get you home."

"I have my car." Bane said, getting to his feet.

"I am not letting you drive with a head injury." Andie protested.

"Minor head injury," Bane corrected, rolling his eyes. "I'm fine."

They stared at each other. If she thought about it logically, it was true that was probably the best thing to do. It would bring up tricky questions if they found a student's car outside the school.

"Fine." Andie said finally. "But you call me as soon as you get home. Deal?"

Again, Bane gave her a strange look.

"Okay. Deal." he said.

Andie drove him back to his car.

"Bane...? Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

Andie hesitated, unsure how to put her questions into words.

"About what happened... what was that thing?"

Now, Bane hesitated.

"Bane, whatever it is, I'm involved now. So if I'm to expect being attacked like that again or something, I need to know."

"... It was a demon."

Andie stared.

"What?"

"I know it sounds crazy. But... that's the truth."

"... What does it want with you?"

"... Not just me. Us." Bane said, eying Andie cautiously.

"... Okay, meaning what?"

"... I... it's not just you and me. It's best if you all hear it."

She'd stopped her car next to Bane's.

"What do you mean, all of us?" Andie asked, frowning in confusion.

"... I can't tell you anymore. I probably shouldn't have told you this much. I have to go. Sorry."

He got out of the car.

"But, Bane, wait..."

"I'll explain everything, I promise, but... not tonight."

He closed the door and climbed into his own car. Andie watched him drive off, feeling confused. Clearly someone else was involved, but who? And why them? She glanced at her purse, thinking about calling Jessica, Emily or Isabelle. But she quickly dismissed the idea. The odds of them being involved too were completely ridiculous, and she didn't want them to think she was crazy or something. She made her way home and parked next to her mother's car which was in the driveway. She used her father's because her father usually drove with her mother. She saw that the lights were still on, and bit her lip. She was very late... She took a deep breath to put the fear from the demon incident off her face. Her parents would be inquisitive enough without that. She paused to think of a story to tell, because she obviously couldn't tell them the truth.

"... I was at the library helping Miss Philipson," she said. "And... I ran into Jessica and we lost track of time. Yeah. I'd better not mention phones or they'll always find some counterargument."

She breathed in deeply again, and climbed out. Soon enough she was inside, closing the door and trying to make a quiet retreat to her room, when...

"Adrianna Rosalyn Galestone, get in here, young lady!"

I sighed in defeat. When her mother used her full name, it was never a good sign. And her voice didn't suggest she was very happy either.

Well, there's not much to do but show good faith... Andie sighed mentally.

She moved away from the stairs and went into the living room where her mother was standing, her arms folded, with the same composed look she had with her clients.

"Hey, Mom, I'm sorry, I ran into Jessica and we lost track of time..."

"You could have called!" Lauren retorted.

"I'm sorry, my battery was dead and Jessica forgot hers in her locker..."

"You are very aware I disapprove of tardiness!"

Okay, she was going too far, now. Andie was only a little over an hour late! No reason to make such a huge deal out of it...

"Oh, there's no need to go all lawyer on me, counselor. I haven't done anything illegal."

"That's not the point, young lady, and I don't like your tone!"

"What is the point, then? You control everything in your cases so you want to control every aspect of my life, as well?" Andie asked angrily. "Look, Mom, I love you. Really, I love you, and you know that. But I'm not a legal case. I'm your daughter. And sometimes, it's like you don't even see it."

Without giving her time to respond, she spun around and marched up the stairs to her room.

 ******************************

Family is complicated, isn't it? Help Andie cheer up with a helpful vote and comment!

What is this secret Bane is hiding? What was that demon attack about? Let's find out in the next part!