The night under the stars was great. The crickets chirping, the trees swaying, and my mother and I were out in the wild. Nothing better than that.

The morning was extremely different for some reason. I don't know what's been going on, but I feel as if something big is going to happen at any second. And it's not going to be good.

Once mom woke up, we ate the pancakes we brought along for the trip. It's such a shame that mom has to go back and take her writing classes during summer. It would be a lot more fun if she was already a professional writer. Then we could sit down and enjoy a story whenever we want. But that's just not possible yet. We still have to wait.

And so we packed up our things after we went swimming one more time and had our lunch. Which was hot dogs.

Piling everything into the car was one job that I could handle very easily. Just through everything in a random order and Boom! You have a packed car. A tent, plates, and sleeping bags all put in a nice place.

"Are you sure you can't just take a day off?" I tried to convince her to stay a little longer. But it wasn't working so well. She always said no.

"No. Red, you know that this is important to us both. We need this. And I'm sure that you'll like the first book I have planned.

We got into the car and stayed there looking at the waves crashing onto the shore. When the engine roared to life and we were off. Going home like normal people.

It took some time, but we finally made it. We were back home. And I was glad for that. My swim suit was starting to cut into my skin, and it didn't feel good. So I changed out of it and into some normal shorts.

"Red, where are you going?" Mom asked as I was about to close the door.

"I'm going to go to the gas station to get a drink. Would you like something?" I told her.

"Yes. A cherry soda please." She said, and I was off. Out in the world again, I was off to the station. And it wasn't a long walk. Just a few minutes. I got there and got some orange soda and a cherry soda. Simple as that. Only walking home wasn't going to be so simple.

I got out of the store and there was a girl looking at me. She wasn't like stalker looking, more like, I'm going to kill you looking. I tried to ignore her, but she started a conversation that I didn't want to get involved in.

"Hey, you. What do you think you're doing out here in the human world?" She asked.

"What do you mean? We all live here." I said. "Don't we?"

"Oh, no. I live here. Not you Ecorites." She said something that I didn't understand.

"Excuse me, but could you please repeat?" I asked.

"You don't belong here. None of you do. That's why I'm here to help destroy you and the others." She said.

"But why? I don't even know you!" I shouted.

"Oh, my name is Samantha. And I'm going to kill you, so hold still.

I did exactly as she told me to as she pulled out a small pocket knife. And I was wrong. Small wasn't the word to describe that deadly weapon of mass destruction. It was indeed a sword. Where in the heck do you get a sword! Is there some kind of sword store around here! I certainly haven't seen any!

"So, Sam." I did my best to stall. "What did I do that made you so mad?" I had to ask. If I knew what I did wrong, then I would be able to try and fix it right?

"Oh, Red. What you did is something that you can't fix at all. And I'm sure you know the story." Samantha said. And, wait, how did she know my name was Red? I never told her that. She's a complete stalker now! How long has this been happening?

"Are you sure I can't fix it? I'm great at fixing things." I persuaded. "Especially when it comes to personal problems."

"This isn't a personal problem. This is the world's problem." She said. And she raised her sword.

Then, out of nowhere, Scout came and, with his own sword, knocked hers out of her hand. Where did Scout come from, I have no clue. But he is an expert at hide and seek, so it makes sense.

"Oh, you horrible Ecorite working together in groups! How I hate you!" Sam yelled, and there was that word again. I know I heard it before, but I can't put my finger on where I heard it. It's just so frustrating to me. Where was this word?

"Red," Scout said. "You should really run. Run into the woods, I'll meet you there!"

I ran off in the direction of the woods and I completely forgot about the sodas that were in my hands. I probably shook them so much that they're just about to explode at any random moment. And I'm sure we all know how well that will go.

I got to the edge of the woods when Scout came up behind me.

"Oh thank the Sources you're okay. I was worried something terrible was going to happen to you. Quick follow me before Samantha comes back with those awful Hunters of hers." Scout said, and together we walked into the woods.