When the Monsters Roam: Part 3 (Short Story)

Chapter 2, Part 3: Arrival

The next day, Evelynn’s parents drove to drop her off at school, and Evelynn felt extremely nervous. She knew she shouldn't be too nervous, but people weren't her best strength. They pulled up at the front and saw another car. Out of it stepped Alex and Luke. Evelynn felt a little relieved when she saw them, because this meant other people came too. She didn't want to be the only one; that would have been embarrassing.

Her parents were saying goodbye and telling her a list of stuff in case she had forgotten anything, but she hadn’t. Evelynn opened the door after listening, stepped out with her duffel bag, and waved goodbye to her parents. After they drove away, Evelynn felt like someone was watching her again as earlier. She froze at the unsettling feeling for a moment, feeling a shiver run down her spine, then she tried to brush it off as she started to make her way to the front door.

She looked through the glass doors and saw the lights weren't on. That's weird, she thought, then went to open the door. It was unlocked, so she just went right in. And as soon as she took three steps inside, she saw the two boys standing near a window on the right. She hadn't noticed them standing there before.

Luke saw Evelynn first. “Hey, are you here for the thing too?” He asked. Evelynn felt like it was weird that they acted so normal right now, as if they had always known her. She didn't want to ruin it if they wanted to be nice, though.

She opened her mouth to answer, just now noticing how Alex looked slightly angry and annoyed. She worried that Alex was mad Luke talked to her, but she told herself that’s probably not what happened. She answered, “Yeah, I am. Um, do you know where we’re supposed to go?” She felt proud she didn't sound quite as nervous as she was, but that didn't do anything to her stomach, which was acting like a rollercoaster for no legitimate reason whatsoever.

Luke looked down the hall both ways. “No, I was hoping maybe you would. But–”

He got cut off when Alex moved forward, cutting in, “How about we all take a look around? I bet we can find where it is.”

Evelynn was happy about this, she didn't want to be alone. Nodding, she said, “Yeah, that sounds good.”

Evelynn waited for one of them to say, “Not you, just us,” but it never came, so she started to walk down the hallway. The two started to follow her, and she wondered if they would be her friends. Most likely not, since they always seemed to have at least ten friends waiting for them anytime they needed company. Yet Evelynn believed it was worth a try.

~ (Written by Ashlynn Blue, do not try to copy) ~

As they walked down in awkward silence, Evelynn tried to ignore how Alex and Luke seemed slightly mad at each other. Maybe they just fought, she thought, brushing it off. She still felt like someone was watching her, but she didn’t want to focus on that.

She was probably just imagining the feeling, and was unsettled at school for some reason. There was obviously a logical answer to the feeling that didn't mean she was crazy. 

Hopefully. 

Definitely.

Maybe I need a therapist.

She went back to focusing.

The three looked at each classroom, finding all dark and empty, then moving on. It was weird that nothing was around, like a teacher or a sign for them. It was almost creepy. Then, just as she was wondering again if they had accidentally gone the wrong way, she saw the cafeteria lights on.

The three sped up and saw the cafeteria empty except for two sleeping bags and two girls sitting on them. It was Lily and Astrid. Evelynn immediately felt relieved that the two girls were here too. 

They walked in and Lily and Astrid spotted them. They stood up and waved. When the three got over there, Lily was surprised. “Hey, we thought no one else was coming.”

Alex shook his head. “Nope, we came.” He motioned to Luke, and they started to get out of their sleeping bags. The two seemed to slowly get over whatever had annoyed them about each other during the walk. So now they were buddies again. Must be nice to be that close. Or maybe it’s just a guy thing. She’ll never know.

Evelynn nervously took out her sleeping bag and put it next to Lily’s. Astrid’s sleeping bag was on the other side of Lily’s sleeping bag. She waved at the two girls and said, “Hi.”

They turned and greeted her as well. Astrid pulled out an extra bag and passed it over, asking, “Do you want some snacks?”

Evelynn nodded slowly and grabbed the bag. She was happy they all were so casual. When she looked inside, she saw an assortment of candy, plus sodas and chips. Then, before she could grab anything, there was a loud banging noise as someone hit the door open.

~To be continued, maybe. -Ashlynn Blue, original, do not try to copy this.~