From The Sky

From The Sky

Written by Savannah

Chapter 1

Falling. That’s what me and two strangers are doing. I don’t know why I volunteered for this, skydiving that is, but I guess I thought it would be fun. I should have trusted my suspicions. You see, this morning, I was eating warm cinnamon toast and watching trash tv, when my mom came in. “Evi! I’m sick and tired of you wasting your summer on junk tv!” She looked tired as she scowled at me, a scowl I’m very familiar with. “G-go do something. Just something that doesn’t involve killing your brain cells.” She had a puzzled look on her face, like she was thinking about something in the back of her head. Her long brown hair draped messily over her shoulder. It always baffled me, where I got my blonde hair from. Actually, I don’t look like my mom, or my dad, who had curly raven black hair, and brilliant blue eyes. I, on the other hand, am not even close to being as beautiful as my mother. Age never seemed to do much to her. Having boring blonde hair, and the most basic brown eyes, I am not the pretty one. Mom says it’s unique to have brown eyes and blonde hair, but I think it’s just as basic as you can get. I only see my dad in pictures, because he died when I was two months old. I always wonder what it would be like to have a dad, but I don’t bother mom with any questions about him because I know it’s a sensitive topic for her. I hopped out of my comfortable seat. ¨fine.” I said, a little bit peeved. Her face showed no expression now. She must have not gotten any sleep again. “I´ll go downtown, does that make you happy?” I know I shouldn’t have talked to her that way, besides, she was just preventing me from a regretful summer. I ran into my room, shut the door quietly, threw on some blue jeans, and my favorite maroon t-shirt.

It was a quiet Wednesday morning. Everyone was probably still asleep. In my town, Trenton Illinois. Nobody, except for my mom, is up early on a summer morning. Outside it was hot and muggy. The streets looked abandoned, and the stores barely looked open. Our town was old and drab. Everything was either grey, or covered with dust and grime. As I was making a mental list of things wrong with this town, when something caught my eye; a blue flyer across the street. I ran up to read it, desperate for something to do. FREE SKYDIVING! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Sign up at Mayor Olson’s office! 8am-10pm Wednesday July 18th. I sprinted as fast as I could. I don’t exactly know why, there certainly wasn’t anyone to take my place. I arrived at Mayor Olson's office at 8:13am sharp. My hand was shaking with excitement as I wrote my name and number on the crisp white sign-up sheet.

The day went by slowly. Too slow for my taste. It was 5pm when I got a call. “Hello. Miss Evi Baker? Ok yes yes, we are calling to let you know that you will be boarding the plane at 7pm if you still want to skydive. Can we expect you there?” Her voice sounded almost shaky. I felt that she was pressuring me in a subtle way. That made me hesitate a little, but I wanted to be free from boredom more than I was suspicious. “Yes! Yes, that sounds perfect!” I came off too strong. I regretted it the moment I squealed at her.

I didn’t bother telling mom, I should have, but I was feeling impulsive. I continued strolling around town, waiting for 6:35pm to come (that’s when I would drive to the airport.) As people began to flood the town, I started getting anxious to get to my flight. My heart was pounding, but I couldn’t decide why. I was suddenly aware of the people staring at me. I could feel their stares, and it made me uncomfortable. Why were they staring at me? I took a deep breath, and kept walking. I gasped when I saw my reflection in the old antique store window. I didn’t know that someone could look so pale. My eyes looked hollow. It’s like my brain knew a horrible secret, and could only tell me through my reflection. Something makes my stomach hurt when I think about that flyer. But I had to go, I had to go.

“Are you alright hon?” The man standing there made me jump. “I’m fine! I’m fine. What? Um, I’m fine...” I blurted out the words without thinking. As I looked up at his face, I noticed an old flip phone sticking out of his jacket pocket. A burner phone. Why would this man need a burner phone? His face was familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Then it came to me. The mayor! “Oh hello Mr. Olson. Yes I am fine. Thank you for your concern.” I said in the most proper voice I could acquire. I wondered why he was walking down the street like this. He didn’t buy it. Just his presence made me uncomfortable in a way that I can’t describe. I looked at my watch that read 6:40p, so I looked up at Mr. Olson. “I’m so sorry, and I hate to cut this short, but I have a flight to catch.” As I was walking away, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. Mr. Olson turned me around, and looked at me with cold eyes. “I know exactly where you’re going, and I’d like to give you a ride.” I protested, but he put finger over his peeling lips. “I insist! Please, I have a beautiful cherry red convertible. That's your dream car right? How about a ride?” He gave me a mischievous smile. I looked around for someone to help me, but everyone had gone inside a store. I think they had free samples of hot cocoa at the sweet shop. I had no choice but to hop into his car. How did he know about my dream car? My head throbbed with confusion and fear.

The car ride was quiet, but Mr. Olson was sitting too close to me. When we arrived at the airport I practically dove out of the car. I was free. The plane was shiny. Its big wings were longer than a house. It was jet-black, and had the most comfortable tan leather seats. The lights were bright, and it looked like it had just been bought. There were only two other passengers on the plane, two boys that looked around my age. One was tall, and had shaggy brown hair, and mysterious green eyes. He looked like he was in his own world the way he stared straight ahead, right above the other boy’s head. The other was medium height, and had sort of scrawny limbs. He had pale blonde hair that almost matched his skin. He looked like he regretted his decision to sign up for the trip.

The first boy started shaking his knees up and down. He looked nervous, but I could tell he didn’t want anyone to know it. We sat there in silence as the plane glided through the hot air. I started to open the tan plastic cover that kept the window from showing the hopefully beautiful view. A tall, strong looking man that had been watching us, started to walk over to where I was sitting, with an apathetic look on his face. He abruptly slammed the window cover down, almost trapping my fingers between it, and the windowsill. I let out a small shriek. He didn’t look at me, or even seem to care. A shiver ran down my spine. I looked at the two boys. The pale one looked horrified, while the other was still staring at the wall. What was he thinking? There’s something seriously wrong with all of this.

It was time for the jump. I was scared, but I did my best not to show it. As we slowly got up from our seats, a scary looking man with grey hair walked in. I noticed a black flip phone in his suit pocket, just like the one in Mayor Olson’s. We sat down quickly as if we were forced into them by his intimidating eyes. “Hello and welcome!” His voice was friendly, but his eyes were dark, lifeless, and seemed to be hardened by anger. “We are overjoyed that you are with us today.” His white suit shimmered in the bright lights, and his teeth looked almost fake as he talked. Something about him made me shudder. A tall woman in heels stayed at his side every second of his welcome. She wasn’t exactly pretty, or welcoming, but she seemed nice. “Come and stand at the emergency exit, I will explain how this works as my assistants put on and fasten your parachutes.” said the tall, scary man. Three men wearing all black walked slowly toward us with the parachutes in hand. They seemed to know something that we didn’t; something bad. “This is completely safe, you have nothing to worry about. We will slowly guide you onto a platform where you can jump when you’re ready. We have plenty of time, so take as much as you need. My name is Lewis Wright, and I am hosting this adventure.” I looked at the boys. I could tell they knew something was up too.

I felt uncomfortable as the man was putting on my parachute. When we were finished, my heartbeat slowed back to a normal pace. The emergency exit opened. I expected to see a platform, but there was nothing. impulsively, I started to turn around getting ready to leap away from the door, when as if by instinct, all three of the men grabbed us, yanked off our parachutes, and shoved us out of the exit. I caught a glimpse of Wright’s smiling face just before the door closed.

Falling. That’s what me and the two boys are doing. I couldn’t get out a word, a scream, or even a breath. We were going to die. This was it. If only it were yesterday. I don’t know if I’m ready yet. I can’t go now! Tears welled up in my eyes, then were stolen away by the wind. I took in the scene around me. A dark, clouded sky, lush, green trees, an ocean, and what looked to be light down below. I couldn’t see the boys, but I could hear one of them. He was screaming his head off, and it made me feel the urge to scream my head off as well. Just as sound escaped my lips, I felt something close up around me. A soft, almost rubbery feeling. Is this death? It’s so peaceful. Then, darkness. After what felt like a minute, the moonlight flooded my eyes. I felt around. A foam net-like trap surrounded me. Alive. It was all I could think of. Alive, alive! Of course! This was part of the skydiving experience. I sighed with relief. I looked around me. Everything was dark, but I could make out a long stretch of woods, and possibly firelight in the distance. Suddenly I realized I wasn’t alone.

The two boys were right beside me, looking like they just died. We practically did! Even the tough boy, or at least that’s what he wanted us to think, had a pale face, and his eyes had a rabid look in them. As we came to our senses, the scrawny one was the first to speak. “Now what?” How blunt. Was that all he had to say after all that? I spoke up. “When do you think Mr. Wright and the plane are going to get here to bring us back?” They looked at each other, then at me with disbelief. “Ok Blondie, did it not occur to you that maybe this isn’t some fun adventure?” Said the tough boy. “Hey hey, leave her alone. She’s just in shock. Besides, didn’t we almost die?”

As they argued about our situation, it began to sink in. We aren’t going home. My head throbbed as I hyperventilated. What did I do? My mom. Oh no my mom! She doesn’t even know where I am, she´ll probably have a heart attack if she finds out I’m missing. Regret, that’s all I can feel. My stomach begins to turn. I look up, and begin to vomit all over, making a puddle in the net. It’s only now that I realize I’m shaking uncontrollably. I look at the two boys. My heart is beating so fast. The vomit missed them by a couple inches. The look in their eyes is an unforgettable look, full of disgust, and exhaustion. I breathe in deep, bracing myself for the shouts I’m going to receive. “Oh well,” says the rude one. I replay it in my head at least twenty times. ´oh well´? I’m flustered now, looking at him in disbelief. Without a second thought, he simply says, “What’s the plan Blondie?” I don’t know why he asked me, I’m obviously not stable enough for my own thoughts. “Let’s start by learning each other’s real names.” I glared at the boy who called me Blondie as I said the last part. “I’ll go first; My name is Evi Baker, I’m seventeen. I want to get home as soon as possible so let’s hurry this up.” I looked at the rude boy, and he started talking. “I'm Shawn, I’m 19, and it’s not like we can just teleport off the island, it’s gonna take a lot longer than that Blondie.” My cheeks grow hot. I can’t stand being called names. Before I jumped Shawn, the other boy spoke up rather hurriedly. “Ok, ok. I’m Lucas, and I’m 16. By the way, we aren’t going to survive if you guys kill each other first! ” “Aw, only 16. We’ve got a kid with us!” Says Shawn in a mocking voice. I shoot him a look, and ball my hands into fists. Lucas looks hurt. I’m about to throw a punch, when we hear the most awful noise tearing through the woods. It sounds like it’s close, with its high pitched shrieks. Except, it’s not human. It’s the sound of pure evil.