Secrets of man-kind are very valuable, but are a secret for a reason.

Sliding back into the booth, I begin sobbing harder. How could I let this happen to Gus? He was my one and only friend . . .

Suddenly, I overhear a very loud conversation.

" . . . we need him for research. If he doesn't escape, we may be able to save man-kind from things like him. I'm sorry for the bother, miss."

"No problem," I hear the owner say and lift my head up. An elderly man, no younger than sixty, sets foot out of the restaurant. His trench coat moves with the wind as he gets in the van.

I jump up. Now is my last chance. I book it towards the door and begin running with the van. I attempt to grab onto the handle, but am just not fast enough. My lungs begin to burn due to the lack of exercise and I slowly come to a halt.

I watch as the black van gets smaller. A shadow appears in the back windshield, but I cannot make out the face.

Was that Gus . . . ?

Gus . . . I'm so sorry . . .

A horn breaks me from my thoughts. I look over to see my little brother in the backseat and my heart fills with joy. The car comes to a stop and I eagerly get in.

"Chase!"

"You are grounded young lady!" my mother hurriedly speaks up. I could care less anymore; I lost my only friend and my brother was in the hospital.

Could it get any worse?

***

It was a long car ride home; very awkward at that. My parents didn't say a single word to each other, and of course they didn't want to talk to me. The only noise that filled the car was Chase's sweet singing.

I lay in bed with the outfit I last saw him in, and let out a huge sigh. For all I know, he could be coming back. According to the weird guy who was talking to the lady, he may never return.

However, one question still haunts me: how did that man find out about us. I rack my brain in search of any sign of him. The memories from today were all with Gus though
. . . just Gus . . .

Then, it hits me. That voice!

That was the voice I heard the night I left school late.

This explains everything! That man was stalking us!

But . . . how did he know it was Gus in the lake . . .

"Alexa!" my mom shouts and I tune her out. My heart beats faster as I come to the realization that Gus may be dead.

I need answers.

Quickly, I go to my closet and pull out the pair of peace sign scissors in my drawer. I stab them eagerly through my window screen and easily hop over the windowsill.

I run as fast I ever have in my entire life. I've never felt this much adrenaline before. Heck, 200 pounds is A LOT to carry on my legs. Nonetheless, I push through the pain. When I reach the school, I dash towards the lake.

My head turns left and right quickly as I run, searching for that old man. Passing the lake, I search through the trees in search for the evil guy who turned my best friend in.

The only evil in life are the things that ruin your happiness.

And he ruined mine.

"Come out, old man!" I yell and attempt to catch my breath near the lake. Staring into the abyss, past memories flood my mind. As tears threaten my eyes, I instantly fight back.

This is not the way I'm going out.

I carefully set my glasses down on the small lump of grass I tripped on that day. Unzipping my jacket, I lay the only memory I have of him over them.

Taking each inch of grass hesitantly, I slowly turn around. My back is to the water and I look up at the night sky.

"This is for you, Gus," I say and fall back into the water.

The weight of my body creates a huge splash as I sink deeply into the water. No air exists in my mouth as I freely float in the lake; letting it take me without a fight. The pressure on my mouth becomes insistent and water begs to enter my eyes. I slowly open my eyes and my mouth . . .

****

"Alexa!" my mom yells, waking me from my precious dream. I sit up and rub my eyes, staring at my blank ceiling. Numerous ideas run through my head about the peculiar dream, but one catches my attention.

"I should make this into a book."

A/N

So I did.

Yes, this was a dream of mine.

No, this wasn't supposed to be slow paced or realistic whatsoever.

Simply a dream! What are your thoughts? : )

Huge shout out to SouthernGal01 for being the first person to actively read my entire book! It means a lot to me <3