Terror Reigns

by Eleanor Cross

Tabitha Black does not believe in the supernatural even though for decades past her ancestors were gifted with clairvoyancy. She does not believe in legends either, because she would rather deal with facts. When her parents give her and her five best friends the graduation gift of a lifetime, her beliefs begins to change. On the way home from her boyfriend’s party on the eve of departure for her family’s tropical private island, she has her first glimpse of terrifying events that are about to unfold when she has her first vision. She should have heeded the warning. Upon arrival on the island, she and her friends meet a sole inhabitant of the island, Anthony Baker, who isn’t as fortunate to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. While camping on the island, Anthony tells a legend that the locals around the connecting islands tell their children about zombies who have roamed the islands in search for human flesh. No one believes the story however until a few of Tabitha’s friends disappear without a trace. Driven to find her friends, and desperate to find answers, Tabitha is in a race against time. What she wasn’t prepared to discover is who is behind this heinous crime, what started it all, and how deep the lies and deception run and from whom.

978-1-59431-923-5

suspense/thriller

Prologue

Guilt washed over me in waves as I realized what I had done. I realized as I sat there in that unfamiliar room bound and gagged and my heart beating jaggedly with two of the few people in this world that I loved, that we may not make it out alive, and I would not get a chance to kiss my Caleb again.

Tears of shame escaped my eyes as I tried to catch their attention to let them know how sorry I was for my deceit before our captors released their monsters upon us.

There was so much I wanted to say and do but now it was too late. Our captors were beginning their show; now I understood the true meaning of "Terror Reigns" as I accepted death and prepared to die.























Chapter 1

"Tabitha, dear, would you come down into the dining room for a moment, please? Your father and I have something we'd like to discuss with you."

I looked up at the sound of my mom's voice and sighed. We had gotten back from graduation about three hours ago. Mom and Dad had taken me out to eat at my favorite restaurant: Cyber-café Sur Le Quai, or Café on the Pier.

"Coming, Mom. I'll be right there," I called in the direction of the stairs. "I'll have to call you back in a little while, Shana. Mom's calling me. I don't like the tone of her voice," I said narrowing my eyes suspiciously. "Makes me uneasy," I admitted sliding to the edge of my bed and putting my feet on the carpeted floor.

"All right. Just don't forget to ask your parents if you can go to Caleb's party tonight and then call me back and let me know, okay? I'll come pick you up if they let you go," Shana hastened to tell me before I could hang up.

I sighed rolling my eyes. "Shana, I have my own car. I can drive myself, you know."

"I just wanted to show you my graduation gift from my parents, so I am coming to get you," Shana stated matter-of-factly. "It was supposed to be a surprise." Her tone was a little upset because she had to spoil the surprise.

"Oh!" I exclaimed abashed. "I guess you need to come and get me then."

"Tabbie!" said Shana exasperatedly. "You have to ask your parents first," she reminded me.

I laughed at myself. "All right. I'll call you back. 'Bye." I hung up the phone and descended the stairs into the dining room. My mother and father were both standing in the dining room waiting for me. Suddenly, I had the urge to just turn around and run back up to my room. Taking a deep breath and mastering the silly impulse, I glanced uneasily from Mom's face to Dad's face. Usually when they both wanted to talk to me together it was because I'd done something I shouldn't have. It was very rare. Searching frantically through my brain for my offense and finding nothing, I grew more uncomfortable.

"Have a seat, honey." My mom gestured to one of the oak straight-backed chairs in front of her. "And stop looking so afraid. You aren't in trouble," she smiled at me lovingly. Sighing, and incredibly relieved, I sat down in the chair to wait.

"Now, your father and I have been thinking this over for some time now, and as we've told you countless times, we are very proud of you because you graduated. Not that we had any doubt that you would," Mom smiled. "We couldn't think of what to give you for your graduation present. In the end we decided that we would let you and a few of your friends go to our island for a month this summer. As a graduation and going to college present." Mom's wide grin flashed across her beautiful face. She deliberated for a second before adding, "By yourselves."

My mouth dropped wide open in complete disbelief. Had I just heard her right? I stared at my parents in shock measuring their faces for something telling me they were telling a very cruel joke. It took a second to realize they were 100 percent serious. Finally as the shock wore off a little, I was able to let it sink in. My heart thumped in my chest. I squealed excitedly as I rushed out of my chair, accidentally knocking it aside in my haste where it crashed loudly on the floor, and threw my arms around my parents.

"Oh, Mom! Dad!" I was literally crying, big fat tears were leaking down my face dripping off my chin. "I can't believe it! A whole month! Mom! Dad! Thank you!" I gushed tearfully.

"But," Daddy interjected, and I felt a little pang of nervousness at his tone. There had to be a catch. I knew it was too good to be true. "There are rules." My heart sank. "Rule number one, you are only allowed to bring five other guests along with you. Of course your mom and I have to approve of them." I nodded my head jerkily to show that I understood. "Rule number two, since you are all under age, no drinking and absolutely no drugs," he said severely. That was a given. I didn't know of any of my friends who did those things anyhow. I hastily wiped the tears from my cheeks. Daddy paused for the final effect, "And rule number three, you call us and let us know as soon as you get there. We want to make sure you are all okay. Have a wonderful time," he smiled a genuinely happy smile at me which I returned.

"Now go call your friends and tell them to ask their parents. If their parents have any questions tell them to call and let us know," Mom encouraged me smiling. I couldn't help it; I just shook my head back and forth and hugged them both, still in shock.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad. I," words failed me. Vaguely I felt a pat on the top of my head and an extra squeeze of my shoulders.

"You'd better get to calling," Daddy reminded me gruffly. I let go of them both and thanked them again while backing out of the dining room. Taking the steps of the grand, spiral, marble staircase two at a time, I sprinted down the hall to my room closing the door quietly behind me. Waiting for my racing heart to ease a little, I stood with my back against the door. Finally, with an enormous grin I snatched up my cell phone beside my bed and dialed Shana's number.

Shana answered on the third ring.

"Hello, Tabbie. That was quick! What did they say?" Her excitement was as tantamount as mine.

"Oh God! I completely forgot to ask them!" I exclaimed slapping myself on the forehead. "I have something better to tell you than that! You are never going to believe this!" Quickly, my words almost slurring together due to my excitement, I recounted the surprise from my parents.

"You can bring five other people! A month! Wow! Your parents are so cool!" Shana gushed excitedly. "I am going to ask my mom and dad right now!" Shana had barely gotten the last word out of her mouth before the line went dead. I just shook my head. My friends were all going to flip. With trembling fingers, I managed to dial and complete my four other phone calls to my closest friends, well, the only friends I had: Nick Cole, Ian Mathers, Annie Harding, and of course my boyfriend, Caleb Young. Unsurprisingly, I got the same reaction from Annie and stronger reactions from Caleb, Nick and Ian. Everyone was so jazzed.

Remembering my earlier mission of asking permission to attend Caleb's party tonight, I went in search of my parents hoping they were together so that I could save time by asking them at the same time. When I walked into the sunroom the scene that greeted me was so sweet that it made my heart throb longingly. They were sitting on a cream colored loveseat together watching a sitcom on television. Mom was lounging with her feet curled beside her on the couch against Daddy who had his arm around her shoulders and his chin on top of her head. It was such a sweet picture that I couldn't help but feel a deep affection for my parents. They were still in love.

Just then Daddy looked up and caught me staring at them. My face filled with chagrin and my eyes dropped. Daddy straightened up a little bit taking my mom's hand in his at the same time.

He looked at me suspiciously for a second before he asked, "Yes, dear? Have you called all of your friends and asked them yet?"

I had Mom's full attention now.

"Yes, they're all as thrilled about it as I am. I'm sure you'll be getting phone calls in a few minutes from their parents," I replied grinning taking a seat across from them in a matching overstuffed chair. "That's not exactly the reason I came down here. There's something I wanted to ask the two of you if you don't mind." My hands began twisting in my lap; a habit I had when I was nervous.

"Yes?" Daddy inquired raising a bushy eyebrow at me noticing my twisting hands.

"Well," I paused and then rushed on, "Caleb is having a graduation party tonight, and Shana is going. I was just wondering if you guys would let me go. Please?" I was prepared to get down on my knees and beg if the need arose. Mom looked at Daddy.

"Well, what do you think, honey? Think we should let her go?" Amusement colored her voice.

Daddy pretended to contemplate a second. "What time is this party? Who all is going to be there? When will you be home?" He fired the questions at me the way only a prosecuting attorney could.

"The party begins at seven tonight, the whole senior class is likely to show up, and I think you two should tell me what time to be home," I answered anxiously my eyes darting from my mom to my dad. They both grinned.

"Good answer," Daddy nodded appreciatively.

" We will discuss this and get back to you," Mom replied resuming her position beside him as if I hadn't entered the room and disturbed their time together. I nodded and retreated back up to my room and closed the door quietly. I turned and faced the floor-length mirror on the back of my door. Being eighteen, the Valedictorian of Biloxi High School, and being the girlfriend of one of the most popular guys in school, I was feeling extremely lucky. I stood admiring my reflection. At five-feet-four inches tall, with an average build, not Miss America curvy, but still feminine, with grayish-silver eyes, peaches-and-cream complexion, and ebony hair that hung straight to the middle of my back, I guess I was pretty; just not pretty enough for Caleb Young. I couldn't understand what he saw in me. Even though we'd been together for almost eight months, he did not seem to want to leave. In my opinion, he was too good for me. Caleb was six-two, star quarterback, with curly black hair and aquamarine eyes that made me melt every time he looked at me. Unlike me, he didn't have to work at a tan. He was naturally swarthy and absolutely beautiful. Funny, charming, sweet, anything and everything any girl could ever ask for. And he is mine! I still marvel at it.

I walked over to my dresser and picked up my brush. Turning to face my mirror on the back of my door, I began gently pulling the brush through my hair until my hair was smooth and glossy. Studying my reflection in the mirror, I noticed how much more I resembled my father's ancestors than my mother's ancestors. My eyes are the same color and shape as Charles's. Our mouths are identical; we both have full, straight lips that curve up slightly at the corners. Light freckles are sprinkled across our cheekbones in exactly the same place. I have even inherited some of my Grandma Black's traits, such as my high cheekbones, the small clef in my chin and the tiny dimples around my mouth when I smile. The only traits that I inherited from Dana are my straight nose with a slight raised lump on the bridge and straight ebony hair.

Eden Black, my grandmother, was part Cajun and part Sioux Indian. It was her great-great-grandmother who discovered she had the gift of Sight. It has never skipped a generation before being passed along; the gift was only passed to the first girl in each generation. Neither Daddy nor Mom put any stock into believing in Eden's gift. I, myself, am still very skeptical.

It was in this line of Blacks for generations past that held some of Mississippi's most powerful, influential and richest people; from lawyers, to judges, and from surgeons to journalists. Old money was the main source of the family's riches. Daddy inherited his father, Donny's, share of stocks and bonds that he had in the stock market. When those stocks had skyrocketed, Daddy sold them, thus building his own fortune. He became a prosecuting attorney after law school, and met and married Mom shortly afterward who brought her own wealth to add to the family fortune.

Unlike Daddy's family, my mom had no idea that she had a family that was rich. She was raised in an orphanage in Jackson, Mississippi until the age of seventeen when a state lawyer came to visit her at the orphanage. He explained to her that she had a grandfather who had died the month before from battling lung cancer for the last year. The lawyer then went on to tell her that he had also left a will that entitled everything he owned to her. He left a considerable amount of money, a great eight bedroom mansion, equipped with five full bathrooms, three half baths, complete with an up-to-date modern kitchen, sunroom, foyer, full gym, study, living room, dining room, full and finished attic and basement, four car garage, with cars, stables, complete with the best bred horses, tennis and basketball courts, and all on fifty acres of beautifully manicured land. There was one more item in the will that he had left, and at this the lawyer had actually looked at Mom with utmost shock and disbelief upon his face. She thought she understood, because she was sitting there in front of the man open mouthed and dumbfounded. She had been told that she had no family because her parents had died in a plane crash when she was a year old.

"My God," the lawyer had gasped, coming to the end of the will. "He's left you an island. His own private island that is actually part of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa that form the Spanish Kingdom!" He ran his hand through his graying chestnut hair in shock. He was looking at Mom with admiring eyes.

"Are there any questions?" he asked amazed.

Mom composed herself enough to blurt out, "When do I move in?" The lawyer laughed and told her she could move in when she got ready to. He gave her the address and the legal documents that she signed and gave back to him and he left. She had her very own deed to everything. For once, something belonged to her.

The very next day, Mom arrived at her new home in Biloxi.

I replaced my brush in its original place on my dresser and glanced out of the double windows in my bedroom. It was one of those sultry June days. The sun was shining down brightly, but to the east I could see the beginnings of thunderheads moving in from the ocean. I groaned inwardly. Waiting for my parents' decisions was making me antsy. There was a knock on my door and my mother walked in. My mom walked over to the bed and sat down, patting at the space beside her for me to join her which I did.

"You can go, but, you have to be home before one," she said. "You know the rules: no drinking and no drugs, and if you drink, don't drive. If you need anything, just call me and I will come pick you up, okay?" Mom said stroking my hair lovingly. I couldn't help myself. I smiled and hugged her again.

"I want you home early if you can because your plane leaves at twelve tomorrow afternoon. I would like to spend a little bit of time with you before you go. Besides, you have to pack."

"I have to call Shana! Oh mom, thank you so much!" Tears overflowed again. As much excitement that has happened to me today, I was doing a lot of crying.

"I am going to miss you so much, baby. I love you," my mom whispered around the lump in her throat. "Now, you'd better call Shana and tell her to come get you," she said clearing her throat, and she walked to the door closing it shut behind her.

"Shana! Did your parents say it was all right if you could go to the island with me?" I asked enthusiastically.

"Yes! My mom called your mom earlier and got all the details, so I can go! We leave tomorrow!" Shana squealed happily.

"Have you been packing?" I asked taking one of my huge suitcases out from under my bed and opening it.

"Oh, yes! The only things I have left to pack are my toothbrush and necessities. Are you packed, yet?"

I hesitated. "Um, well, no. I am headed that way now, though."

"Did you ask your mom and dad if you could go to Caleb's party tonight?" Shana asked breathlessly.

"Yes, and they said I could go but I have to be home before one."

"Well, that's good with me. I don't wanna be out too late. It looks like it's going to storm and I don't want to be caught trying to drive in it!" Shana said apprehensively.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I agreed glancing out of the windows again. "I hope we at least make it to Caleb's before the rain hits. Maybe by the time the party's over the rain will have stopped," I said hopefully. "Well, are you going to come pick me up in half an hour?" I asked, taking clothes off the hangers in my closet and folding them up to put in my suitcase.

"Sure, I will pick you up then." Shana hung up the phone. I cradled the receiver and walked to my dresser pulling open the middle drawer to extract a pair of artfully faded blue jeans. Deciding to wear just a white tank top cotton shirt with the jeans, I collected clean underwear and skipped to my adjoining bathroom. Twenty minutes later, showered, dressed, makeup on, and hair made up in a simple braid, I descended the wide marble stairs to wait on the front porch steps of the mansion. The warm, muggy breeze felt so good on my skin. I laid my head back against one of the white columns, closing my eyes and letting the breeze play with the loose strands of my hair. It was a surprise when I didn't hear the double doors open behind me and someone walk out onto the wooden porch to sit beside me.

"So, are you packed, yet?"

I jumped so hard I hit my shoulder on the column. Wincing with my watering eyes shut tight against the pain and my hand clutching my shoulder I recognized my father's voice.

"I'm not packed yet," I glanced up at his face. Daddy looked nervous. I continued to look at him questioningly. "Can I help you with something, Dad?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something." If he looked nervous before, it was nothing compared to how he looked now. He wasn't just nervous, he looked extremely uncomfortable. His usually ruddy complexion was flushed scarlet. Somehow I knew what was coming next.

" Dad," I said before he could embarrass us both, "you don't have to tell me anything. I already know what you are going to say and let me just say that Mom has already had "The Talk" with me. I am not going to have sex tonight. I promise," I said going red. Unbelievable! Why would he do this to me?

Daddy visibly became less embarrassed and calmed down a great deal. He wiped a hand across his forehead. "Whew," was all he could manage, which was a relief, because Shana had just pulled in the long driveway honking the horn loudly, with the windows rolled down, and rock music blaring to pick me up. Daddy stood up and helped me to my feet. "I am so proud of you, kiddo. I love you so much. Please be safe, okay?" he whispered in my hair as he hugged me. I saw him glance over my shoulder admiring Shana's new car.

"I love you too, Daddy. Thank you for everything you have done. You and Mom are great parents. The best," I hugged him back forcefully, kissing him goodbye.

Daddy walked me to Shana's car. I watched out of the side view mirror of Shana's car as my dad stood waving at us as we drove down the driveway and knew he hadn't noticed my mom walk silently up beside him. He turned and took her outstretched hand, letting the only woman he had ever truly loved lead him back into the house, wiping a solitary tear from his cheek as they went. I continued to watch my parents, the best parents ever, walk holding hands until the large mimosa trees that lined the outside of our tall wrought-iron gate blocked them from view.

Chapter 2

The first deep rumbles of thunder echoed distantly across the sky. The storm clouds that I had noticed earlier were obstructing the sunset now blocking the last rays of sunlight making the evening darker. There was a slight breeze that lifted my hair as we climbed out of Shana's new pretty blue Pluto. Every light in the downstairs part of the huge house was burning, including the porch lights, illuminating the yard, and a few lights on the upper floor were on. Loud music was playing from somewhere in the house that carried out the open front doors to our ears. Almost immediately we were bombarded by admirers of Shana's car. Obviously we weren't the first to have arrived. No less than four members of our senior class were crowded around Shana's car, including, my heart leapt, Caleb.

Caleb nodded at Shana appreciatively. "Nice car."

"Thank you," Shana stuttered blushing.

"Let me guess, graduation present, right?" he said admiringly. Shana just nodded unable to speak. Caleb grinned at me and came around to my side of the car.

"Hello baby." He pulled me into his arms breathing in the scent of my hair. "I'm so glad you could make it." His aquamarine eyes were liquid and warm. Swiftly he swooped down and kissed me tenderly making my heart thud almost painfully as I felt that familiar ache deep in my stomach. Pulling back, and grinning down at me, he took my hand leading me into the house.

Turning to glance over his shoulder he added, "All right, guys. Come on, now. Leave the lady alone so that she can come and enjoy the party."

I distinctly heard the guys saying something along the lines of: "It goes from zero to sixty in five point two seconds." I just shook my head clearly not understanding the big deal about fast cars.

"So, are you going to come with us tomorrow?" I asked as we crossed the porch with our hands entwined into the living room.

"Yeah. Your parents are the coolest! What time do we leave?" Caleb asked walking to the bar where an assortment of shot glasses and a large bottle of vodka were sitting on it to pour himself a drink.

"Uhm, tomorrow at twelve. Mom said that everyone needs to be at my house by eleven so that we could all get to the airport to catch our plane on time. Are you packed yet?" I asked looking uneasily at Caleb. I didn't know he drank.

"Eleven. That is perfect for me. And no, I am not completely packed yet," Caleb said tossing back the liquor grimacing. "God that burns going down!" he gasped setting the glass down. "Do you want one, baby?" Caleb asked looking at me.

"Sure," I answered even though I didn't really want one. Caleb poured me a shot and handed it out to me. I sniffed it cautiously. It smelled like straight rubbing alcohol. Wrinkling my nose, I held my breath and tossed back the liquor. Caleb was right. It stung my throat, nose, and chest on the way down. It was quite disgusting. Gasping for breath, I looked around startled. Caleb thrust an icy glass in my hand.

"Here, drink this, it helps." It was a glass of cola with ice cubes in it. "Sorry, I should have given you some of the vodka mixed in to the cola. It makes the alcohol a lot smoother so that it goes down easier. And you can't really taste it that much," he grinned. "Not after the first one, I mean," he said laughing at the shock on my face.

"And how often do you drink like this, Caleb?" I asked my brow furrowing. How anyone could stand the nasty stuff I had no idea. Caleb handed out a shot of vodka to Shana who downed it without flinching. She never even coughed but did take a long drink of my soda.

"Oh, well, you know. Not very often, actually. I just have a drink every once in a while to calm the nerves. And this being a special occasion, I thought we'd all have a little fun," he added hastily. I wasn't sure, but I didn't think he was telling me the truth.

"Come dance with me," Caleb demanded suddenly. "Shana, help yourself to the chips, veggie platter," he indicated the food on the counter and grimaced at the carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower, "alcohol, anything. Whatever you need, make yourself at home." He pulled me gently by the hand to the living room where ten other people were already dancing in the middle of the floor.

"Wow, it's so great to finally be out of school for good, isn't it? I mean, you are going to college in the fall, but, you don't have to, you know? You could stay here with me," said Caleb as he twirled me away from him and I spun back into his arms. I looked into his beautiful face trying to decipher his meaning.

"Huh? What are you trying to say, Caleb?" We had stopped dancing. Now he was just holding me around the waist awkwardly.

"I mean, we've been together for almost eight months now. And I just thought that maybe we could get our own place or something, you know?" He eyed me uncertainly for my reaction.

My heart stopped and started again in a jagged rhythm. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?

"Caleb," I began, unsure what to say.

His face fell. "Oh, I didn't mean you had to quit college or anything. I just meant that we could...you know...go to college together. Somewhere close by." Well that was unexpected. "You don't have to answer right now. Just think on it. Please?" I nodded. He pulled me back into the dance. I was hardly paying attention to the steps anymore because I was pondering his statement. I guess I could go to a college that he got accepted into, but it depended on where the college was located at. I wanted out of this state. Just then we saw Annie, leading Ian by the hand, coming from the staircase holding hands. Caleb glanced at me from the corner of his eye grinning.

"Hey Tabs. How are you doing?" Annie asked smiling. Her face was glowing.

"Okay. You guys are coming with us tomorrow, right?"

"Oh, hell yes! We wouldn't miss this chance of a lifetime for anything!" Ian exclaimed. Caleb grinned and punched Ian on the arm playfully. "This is going to be one hell of a vacation!"

"Hey, Ian, you wanna get a drink with me?" Caleb asked hopefully.

"Yeah, man. You got vodka, right?"

"Only the best," Caleb replied laughing. He turned to me. "You don't mind, do you, baby?"

I shook my head. "No, you go on ahead. I'll catch up with you in a little while."

He kissed me on the cheek before he and Ian set off to the bar and the alcohol.

"We leave at twelve tomorrow?" asked Annie. We sat down on one of the red leather couches in the living room watching the other seniors dance and drink on the dance floor. Half of the senior class was here now congregated around the house together in various locations.

"Yeah, but everyone has to be at my house tomorrow by eleven so that we can get to the airport on time," I answered looking around at the huge living room. There were pictures of Caleb and his dad and mom on top of the elaborate fireplace that was on the east side of the living room. He looked most like his mom, with a trace of his father's features, too. His mother was dark haired with almost the same shade eyes as Caleb's, whereas his father was fair haired and green eyed.

"Do you want to go see where Shana went to?" asked Annie about five minutes later. Her eyes were darting around the living room.

"Yeah, I was kind of getting tired of the noise in here. I'd like a quieter place to think. The last time I saw her, she was at the bar drinking a beer."

"Good, 'cause I want a fuzzy navel. I hope there's still some left! But knowing Caleb, there's probably plenty," said Annie standing up pulling me to my feet. We walked over to the bar in the dining room where Caleb and Ian were talking and laughing; each had a beer in his hand. Caleb looked up as we approached and smiled at me.

"Hey, baby. Want a drink?" he asked holding up a beer. I grimaced shaking my head but grabbing a carrot off of the platter and dipped it into the dressing instead.

"Do we get to hear the joke?" asked Annie sitting on Ian's lap and putting her arm around him.

"Oh, it's nothing, really. You know, just guy talk. Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about," he grinned slyly at Caleb over the top of her head.

"Uh huh," said Annie skeptically. "Caleb, do you have any fuzzy navels?"

"Yeah, they're in the kitchen in the ice bucket. Help yourself."

"Okay, good! Will you come with me, Ian, honey?" she asked sweetly. Ian got up resignedly shooting a knowing glance at Caleb as he was led out of the room into the kitchen that did not go unnoticed by me.

"All right, spill," I demanded.

"What?" he asked innocently taking another drink of his beer. I cocked one eyebrow and glared at him.

"You know what. Tell me, because I am sure Ian is going to tell Annie, and I would like to know, too," I looked into his beautiful eyes. "Please?" I begged.

He relented. "Oh, okay, then. Well, you know how Shana has had the hots for Nick every since we were all in eighth grade, right?"

"Yes," I said slowly not sure how this was even remotely funny.

"Well, Shana was sitting at the bar alone and was drinking a beer when he came up and they started talking. Well, Ian and I watched from the other side of the room, casually, and after about ten minutes, they were headed upstairs together, holding hands."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything. They could have just wanted a quieter place to talk or something."

Caleb glanced down at me with a grin. "And how many times have we left a room "just to talk"?"

"It still doesn't mean anything, though," I insisted smiling.

"If you say so," Caleb said smirking.

It was hard not to like Shana with her straight chocolate brown hair and emerald eyes and not to mention the fact that she had a figure most girls would die for. It was a wonder why none of the guys really ever took the time to get to know her. It was probably because Shana was shy. Exceptionally bright, with the coolest personality, she still stayed single most of the time. It was an obvious secret that she was absolutely in love with Nick who wasn't exactly in our league money wise but a very close friend nonetheless. We weren't the kind of people like you saw on television who had rich parents and thought they were above everyone else. We helped people in our school if they didn't have much. Nick's father had left him when he was two, and he was raised by his mother. He achieved pretty good grades, worked hard to buy his first car when he turned sixteen and took very good care of his mom, whom he is very close to. When he was awarded a scholarship to attend a local college, his mother was ecstatic and tried to give him all of her savings which Nick flat refused to take. There was no doubt why Shana loved him. He was friendly toward her, always engaged her in conversation and was always a complete gentleman around her. Nick's six-three, two hundred pound, pure muscle frame, broad shoulders and good looks were always enough to make any girl look twice with lust in their eyes. Especially when he looked at them with his blue-green eyes they would all but melt. He always kept his light brown hair short especially in the summertime when he could ride his motorcycle. Shana would always tease him about cutting his hair. She liked it best long.

"Thank you for telling me," I said kissing his full lips. "I was wondering if they were ever going to get together. I guess I did know, it was only a matter of time, though," I said.

Caleb looked at me in disbelief.

"What?"

Caleb snorted. "You did not know that!" he exclaimed grinning. "You only suspected!"

I laughed too. "Okay, I didn't know, really."

"Maybe they'll finally be together now. It's been what, four years since Shana fell in love with Nick? How do you not know someone is in love with you?" asked Caleb shaking his head.

I raised my eyebrows. "Well, you didn't believe me when I told you that I was in love with you. You thought I only liked you as a friend," I reminded him. At that point Shana and Nick descended the stairs together holding hands. Shana glowed and Nick looked around a little bashfully. When Shana spotted me across the room, she made a beeline for us across the packed living room floor of dancers, towing Nick by the hand.

"Hello," Shana said sitting down on the bar stool next to me. I smiled at her.

"Beer?" Caleb asked Shana starting to get up.

"Oh, no. That's okay. Thank you anyway. We only have two hours before I have to take Tabitha home, so I don't think I should. I will, however, take an ice cold sweet tea." Caleb sat back down. Nick, who wasn't sitting down yet, went into the kitchen and brought back a can with ice frosted on the outside of it. He handed the can to Shana avoiding her eyes guiltily and took a seat next to Caleb. "Thank you," she murmured.

"Are you guys hungry? I can cook some steaks on the grill. It won't take long at all," Caleb assured us.

"You cook?" I asked him curiously. I had never known that about him.

"Oh, yeah. I cook for my dad and mom all the time. It was just my dad's wish for me to play football like he did when he was in high school. But I want to own my own computer business creating websites for people or repairing computers. Cooking is just something I picked up easily. My dad doesn't know that of course." Everyone looked stunned.

Surprised at this discovery, I wondered why I had never thought to ask him if he cooked or why he never mentioned that he could or ever offered to help me. On rare occasions, I cooked for him when he came over to my house. Nothing too extravagant like my mom did, just things like pepper lime chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, and shrimp scampi, just to name a few.

Caleb stood up and walked over to the stereo on the floor below the bar and turned it off. A few people on the dance floor complained a little bit about the lack of noise.

"All right, everyone, since the party is only going to last until one, and that is only two hours away, I am going to start grilling some steaks. I also think it is best that nobody else has anything else to drink tonight. I don't have enough room for everyone to sleep here tonight. I really don't want you all driving home drunk, either. So who wants steaks?" The room erupted to loud cheers and applause. He counted twenty people left, including us.

Good to his word, Caleb took all of the alcohol and put it away, turned the music back up, and headed to the patio with charcoal and lighter fluid. Shana, Nick, Annie, Ian and I followed suit out onto the well lit back porch deck where everyone except Caleb and Nick sat down around the patio table and chairs. The rain hadn't come yet although it had been sprinkling a little.

Annie glanced at Nick and Caleb at the other end of the large covered porch where they were talking beside the grill. Caleb had already lit the charcoal briquettes.

"Ian, honey? Could you give us girls some privacy?" Annie asked sweetly batting her eyelashes at him. Ian snorted and rolled his eyes.

"Why? Why don't you just cut to the chase and tell me that you want to talk to them," he jerked his head at Shana and me, "and spare me all of the extra nonsense?"

Annie giggled. "Sure. Okay, Ian, can you go and talk to Caleb and Nick for a while so that me and my friends here can talk about you guys without you overhearing us?" Shana and I stifled giggles behind our hands.

Ian's face broke into a grin, showing his straight white teeth. "That's better. See, wasn't that easier?" he asked getting to his feet. Annie nodded still grinning. He bent down to kiss her on the forehead but Annie brazenly kissed his mouth. Ian blushed furiously.

"Thank you!" Annie called after him as he strode toward Caleb and Nick. Ian waved halfheartedly at her without turning around. Making sure they weren't looking back at us, Annie leaned forward beckoning us toward her.

"What is up with you and Nick, Shana?"

Shana blushed uncomfortably. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" Annie repeated skeptically raising an eyebrow.

"What do you want me to tell you?" demanded Shana innocently.

"The truth, please," Annie grinned waiting expectantly.

"Oh fine! We sat talking at the bar about how awesome this summer is going to be. About all of the things we are going to do: snorkeling, fishing, campfires, hiking, and exploring the mountains around Tabitha's house…" she paused.

"Get to the juicy parts!" Annie demanded impatiently.

Shana blushed furiously again. "There really aren't any juicy parts," she mumbled looking down at the table. She glanced up and saw the look of incredulity on Annie's face and blurted out the truth. "I don't think what I did was a good thing. We went upstairs to find a quieter place to talk. When we found an empty room, we shut the door and talked for about fifteen minutes. Then I...," she stammered. "Fine! I attacked him. There I said it."

I giggled. "You attacked him? What do you mean by that?"

Shana's face got, if possible, redder. "I launched myself at him and kissed him until we were both breathless." She saw our stunned looks. "What? I got tired of waiting!" she said indignantly.

"Wow! Good for you!" Annie patted her on the hand. Shana looked at her with disbelief. "So are you two an item now, or what?"

Shana shook her head exasperatedly. "No. And I'm not going to ask him, either!"

"So you're just gonna...what? Let your pride get in the way? You might be losing out on something good," Annie remarked. "Besides, I have Ian, Tabbie has Caleb, and we're all, including Nick, going to the island together as an item."

"All right. I don't wanna talk about this anymore. Let's just drop it, all right?"

Annie nodded thoughtfully sitting back in her seat. "This conversation isn't over, you know." Shana just shook her head glowering at Annie. Annie, being so small, (five-one, with a petite build) she could get annoying sometimes. But she was our friend and had been since we were all in seventh grade; before we became friends with Ian, Nick and Caleb of course.

Just then we heard the guys approaching us. Nick held the door open for Caleb whose hands were laden with two platters of aluminum foil covered steaks.

"Come on. They're ready," Caleb called to us as he disappeared through the sliding glass doors. The tantalizing smell of steaks made my stomach ache as I suddenly realized just how hungry I was. It had been hours since my parents and I ate.

Annie nearly sprinted to the door. She was out of her seat before Caleb had finished his sentence. "Finally. I was about to die of starvation!" Shana and I rose from our seats following the others into the kitchen.

"Ian, could you get some plates down from the cabinet and put them over here on the bar? Actually," Caleb paused setting the steaks on the table, "never mind." He reached on top of the refrigerator and retrieved two large packages of paper plates, some napkins, and plastic knives, spoons and forks. He placed them on the table. "Thanks anyhow. I just didn't want to have to clean up the mess afterwards," he grimaced. "But, hey, you could go ahead and get the big green covered bowl of potato salad and the big blue bowl of garden salad out of the refrigerator for me, please."

When everything was set up in place on the bar and table, Caleb went into the living room, turned down the music again and addressed the room at large. "Come and get it!"

Someone hollered: "Food!" and there was a tittering of laughter at this.

It was like an angry pack of starving wolves that had just taken down a buffalo. Everyone who was left at the party nearly bowled Caleb over in their effort to reach the kitchen and the food first. When everyone had plates loaded down with Caleb's superb cooking and sitting in various locations throughout the house it became strangely quiet; the only sounds being of people chewing and plastic on paper. Nick, Shana, Ian, Annie, Caleb and I sat at the bar eating. "Man, Caleb. This is delicious!" Nick complemented him.

"Yeah, seriously. I was about to just start eating them off the grill raw, they smelled that good," said Ian laughing.

"Aren't you glad you waited until they got done?" Caleb asked around a mouthful of garden salad.

"Hmm...I dunno. I might have eaten them bloody," Ian shrugged. "I guess it's the animal in me," he grinned wickedly at Annie who rolled her eyes.

"Easy, Tiger. We don't wanna give our friends nightmares." Everyone laughed.

"What kind of marinade did you use for the steak, Caleb?" asked Shana curiously, dipping a piece of steak into her salad dressing.

"Well, a mixture of things really: Worceshire Sauce, onion powder, a little bit of hot sauce, red wine vinegar..., and I can't tell you the rest. It's a secret," Caleb replied winking at her. "Does it taste all right?" he asked frowning slightly.

"Definitely the best cooking I've ever tasted. It's better than my old cook and that is saying something as she's from Louisiana," Shana assured him.

"Well, I was pretty much just experimenting," Caleb admitted sheepishly.

"It worked. A Mississippi masterpiece," Nick said exuberantly brandishing a piece of steak on his fork. "To Caleb who knows how to cook...and to Tabitha," I looked up surprised, "for parents that rock! Because without you, I would probably be stuck at home not doing anything at all this summer."

"It wasn't me. It was my parents that," I started to say.

"I know. But I am so glad to be friends with you, that's all," Nick interrupted impatiently. I laughed. When everyone had finished eating, Shana, Annie and I each took a large garbage bag around to all of the guests so that they could put their trash in it.

"Tabs, I think we need to get a move on," said Shana looking at her watch. "It's twelve o'clock." Just the six of us were left now. The other party guests had already gone home.

"Oh! Yeah! I almost forgot." I carried the heavy trash bag to the kitchen and tied it closed.

"I'll walk you out to the car," Caleb said taking my hand in his and leading me to the porch. The wind was blowing the loose ends of my hair tickling my face. Caleb picked up a strand and tucked it behind my ear.

"So, I'll see you around eleven tomorrow, right?" I asked trying to keep the butterflies in my stomach at bay.

"Yes, I will be there. Bright and early," he smiled flashing his perfect white teeth before kissing me until I was dizzy and breathing almost erratically.

"Good," was all I could manage because I had stretched up on tiptoes to better reach his face and wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him closer. His arms wound around my waist as he deepened the kiss.

"Get a room!" Annie shouted at us. I started, pulling away from Caleb reluctantly. She and Ian were coming out from the corner of the house holding hands. Both of their faces were flushed.

"Where's Shana? I gotta go," I said looking around for my best friend. I hadn't noticed until then that she wasn't waiting beside the car.

"Oh, well...you know she and Nick are probably saying a very nonverbal goodbye, if you know what I mean," Annie said raising her eyebrows up and down. I rolled my eyes grinning.

Just then Shana and Nick came out from behind a tree down by the driveway. "I heard you, Annie," Shana called. Annie had the good grace to blush. "You ready?" Shana asked. I nodded and we climbed into the car just in time for it to start raining hard.

We said our goodbyes and drove toward my house. We were about halfway there when it happened. The radio was playing loudly, the rain was pouring down, and lightning struck illuminating the inside of the car. In that instant I saw something that I had never dreamed in my entire life I would see. These terrible images rose right before my eyes; I saw my friends, all of them, dead in horrible poses in different places. Their bodies were lifeless and cold. Their milky fixed eyes stared blankly and they were all covered in blood dripping from their clothes. They were half decayed and rotten. I started to scream.