Dark's Descent

by Basil Bacorn

  “Hey, Cas,” he whispered, “wake up!” He gently shook her awake. “Huh?” Cassie mumbled. As she sat up, Will was inches from her face. She studied his face, and kissed him.

  They made-out as Sky opened her eyes to a buzzing noise. Sky smiled and tried to get Cassie's attention. She tapped on her back, but to no avail. Sky decided to wait until they were done.

  Cassie slowly pulled away and whispered, “You are a good kisser!” Sky tapped Cassie's head. “You got a text.” she informed her, “Could be important.”

  Cassie gasped and picked up the phone, it was from Charlie. She opened the message. It read, 'Stella did it'. Cassie dropped her phone and it cracked. She knew Stella didn't like her, but this was ridiculous! If they had proof, they could sue. Cassie would have to wait to find out. In the meantime, she had to tell the others.

  “What?!” Will yipped when he heard Stella's name, “Really?” Cassie nodded, “Apparently so.” Cassie knew someone would be coming now. Charlie has probably told Mrs. Spencer everything.

  “What time is it?” Sky asked. Cassie looked at her phone. “4:30” she answered. Cassie got up and walked to the street. Will and Sky followed.

  A Change In Heart?

  Charlie frantically looked for Mrs. Spencer. He had to give her the information he got. There she was! Talking to Stella?

  “So, let me get this straight, Stella.” Mrs. Spencer continued, “You are the one who hacked into everyone's cell phones in order to get us to leave Cassie, Skyler, and William at that restaurant, and get them to hop on a bus to Philadelphia, after trapping the girls in the restroom? And you accomplished all of this with a small mirror?” Stella nodded, “This is a Magic Mirror Mini. It was too powerful for the market, so Daddy gave it to me.” Mrs. Charlotte smiled, “I appreciate your honesty, but you will be paying for their return.” Stella agreed and gave Mrs. Spencer a wad of hundreds.

  Charlie couldn't believe it. Stella Sanders actually did the right thing! For once in his life, Stella actually was able to impress him! But why? Charlie had to know.

  “Stella,” Charlie bellowed, “follow me!” The two went inside an elevator and went to the top floor. Stepping outside, Charlie demanded, “Why did you do any of this?” Stella smiled, “You'll get nothing from me, Char-Char, without a little incentive!” Charlie knew where this was going. He had to know, so he grabbed Stella in his arms and kissed her. She held him back as they leaned against the wall. Though he really, didn't want to, Charlie pulled back. “Answer?” he asked, gasping for air. He always forgot to breathe. “Oh, Charlie,” Stella cooed, “I did it to get you!”

  Charlie was secretly flattered. Stella wouldn't stop trying to win him over. Charlie leaned over, and gave Stella a peck on the cheek as a thank-you.

  Stella was stunned. Charlie was a good kisser, but that small smooch on the cheek gave her butterflies!

  “Now let's go find Cassie, Sky, and Will.” Charlie ordered. “How?” Stella questioned. “We're going to sneak out, and you can buy us a ride to Philadelphia!” Charlie instructed.

  “Then what are we waiting for, let's take the fire escape!” Stella squealed, and ran towards the fire exit. There was no way she was going to miss this opportunity!

  Charlie and Stella stepped down the side of the inn. “Hurry up!” Charlie ordered.

  Holy cow, that hunk runs fast! Stella heaved. Think of the four-hour ride! Just Stella and her dreamboat!

  At the bottom, Charlie looked at Stella. “So what are we doing for a ride?” he asked. Stella perked up as a limousine pulled up. “Who said you can't search in style?” Stella interjected, “Hop in!” Charlie slid inside, and Stella hopped on his lap. “To Philly!” Stella yelled, with her arm wrapped around Charlie's neck. Charlie laughed as the limo left the hotel in the dust.

  Charlie's phone vibrated. Finally, it was already the middle of the night! The text read:

  'Charlie, I just got ur txts, we've sent 100s! Me n Sky were trapped in the bathroom, and Will rescued us. His dad said that our bus broke down and sent us to the new bus. Somehow we went to the wrong bus and are now in Philly. Please help us we r planning on sleeping in an alley.'

  Stella grinned. Charlie shot her a look. “I'm telling them.” Charlie told Stella as he replied 'Stella did it'. “I will never kiss you again unless we find them!” Charlie warned.

  Stella popped up, “So there's more kissing?” Charlie put down his head. Stella ripped out her mirror.

  Favorite mirror of my life,

  Find Charlie's friends so I can become his wife!

  Charlie laughed. He was never going to marry her.

  The mirror showed a video of Cassie, Sky, and Will walking down a street.

  The ones you see are looking to eat,

  So you can find them on West Campbell Street!

  Charlie gaped at the device, “That isn't -” “No, silly, it's not magic! Boop!” Stella reassured, ending her sentence with a tap to Charlie's nose. “You're adorable!” she squealed, “And cute, but mostly hot! You're sups amaze!” Charlie wished Stella would get off his lap.

  Cassie and Will held hands as Sky followed them down the street. They went around a corner, and sat in a picnic area.

  People who walked by gave them money. Cassie looked at the group and understood why, they were filthy! Who knew that spending the night in a city alley would make them so dirty!

  Within the half hour, they accumulated $34.73. “This should be enough for breakfast!” Cassie exclaimed, “Where do we want to go, and what do we want to eat?” Sky pointed across the street to a grocery store. “How about some groceries?” Skyler suggested. Will and Cassie agreed, and they entered the store.

  There was food everywhere. “Should we get some cereal?” Cassie asked, showing the group a box of Sugaroos. Will nodded and got some milk. Sky grabbed some bowls and took some free spoons from the taste-testing table.

  “That will be $17.65.” said the cashier. Cassie counted out the bills, and grabbed the receipt. “Thank you, have a nice day!” she told Cassie. Sky smiled and followed Cassie to the picnic table. There, Cassie gave everyone some cereal and milk.

  Once they were done, Cassie grabbed the grocery bag and put their items back in. “Let's get out of the city,” Cassie announced, “it will be easier for the others to find us.”

  Mrs. Spencer awoke to a knocking on the door. She put on her robe and slippers and moseyed to the door. She opened the door and before she could open her mouth, Mr. Braddock yelped, “We lost two more kids!”

  Mrs. Spencer gasped. Agree to the field trip, they said. It'll be fun, they said. She officially lost 5 kids in one night! “Who?” Mrs. Spencer asked. Mr. Braddock looked side to side and said, “Charles Myers and Stella.” “STELLA SANDERS!!!!” Mrs. Spencer screamed, “Mayor Sanders' daughter!”

  They probably went to find Cassie, Sky, and Will. So if they find Cassie's group, then they'll find Stella. “Do the police know yet?” Mrs. Spencer asked. The school district couldn't stand any more bad publicity. Mr. Braddock shook his head. “Good.” Mrs. Spencer sighed, “Go with Alice, Stephen, and Mary in the rental car and bring back our children!”

  Mrs. Spencer was freaking out. Cassie's mom was the only parent who knew, besides Mr. Braddock. She has until they leave tomorrow to bring them back, or else she has to go to the police.

  Stella's limo sped into the barn where the mirror said Cassie, Sky, and Will were. It crashed through the door for no reason and Charlie pushed the just now awaking Stella off of his lap to get out. Stella jumped out after him. “Cassie? Sky?” Charlie called out.

  Cassie never wanted to see Charlie more in her life! She ran over to the limo and gave him a hug, and Sky followed suit. Cassie's gaze then fell on Stella. “When are you going to stop!” Cassie screamed, “Why do you enjoy ruining my life so much!”

  “Calm down, Cassie.” Charlie said. Will held her hand. Sky gave Charlie a hug.

  Stella showed Cassie the mirror. Grabbing the mirror, she said, “Is this
how you did it? Is this how you sent us away!” She threw the device at the barn wall and it sparked on contact.

  “Skyler! Why did you do that!” Cassie yelled. Sky fell on the ground and cried, “I'm so sorry!” Stella turned around and left through the hole the limo left in the barn wall.

  Stella picked up a rock and threw it at the wall in a blind rage. Suddenly the barn creaked, and the ceiling collapsed around the exit. “Oops.” Stella whined.

  Rubble further crushed the sparking mirror.

  Cassie looked up, she smelled smoke. “Fire!!!” Cassie screamed. Everyone looked at the pile of rubble ablaze with flames. The old barn had giant fans rigged to the ceiling, so when the fire hit the cables, sparks flew to the roof and giant fans fell to the ground.

  “Get out of there!” Stella yelled to no avail. The limo driver had run away when the barn fell apart. Apparently, he didn't want to be at the scene of the crime. Stella saw no other way, if she was going to save Charlie. She hopped in the driver's seat and turned the key, hoping for the best. The engine roared to life, and Stella drove away. A few thousand feet away, she whirled around and pushed the pedal to the metal.

  The limousine flew through the barn, allowing everyone to escape. Stella twisted the wheel and zoomed next to the group. Everyone piled in and she drove away.

  “You can drive!” Cassie howled. Stella nodded, “I'm rich, remember?”

  They drove until they saw Mr. Braddock and some other chaperones driving down the road. Stella honked until they pulled over. Everyone got out and ran to their teachers.

  “No explanations, just get in the car” Mr. Braddock demanded. Cassie and Will sat together, and so did Skyler and Charlie. Stella sat in the very back with her head down.

  Ithaca Space Place

  That was at 5:30, and they got back to Ithaca at eleven. Since the rest of the class was already at the Space Place, that's where Mr. Braddock drove. Regardless of how filthy they were, they were already short on chaperones and needed them back as soon as possible.

  When Mrs. Spencer saw the students, she was so relieved that she hugged the messy Cassie. No one will find out.

  Then, Mrs. Spencer realized something awful: she never told Susan they found Cassie! She immediately whipped out her cell phone and called Cassie's mom and told her the news. “Aw, good,” Susan sighed.

  While, Cassie and Will went off on their own to check out the exhibits in the museum wing of the Space Place, Charlie and Sky went to the seminar about 'Man on Mars'.

  Stella ran off to the gift shop. She loved wasting money on useless objects. Since her Magic Mirror Mini got destroyed by Skyler, she bought a cheap compact mirror so she could still check her face in case of emergencies.

  In the museum wing, Cassie and Will were geeking-out. They saw the moon exhibit and the sun exhibit. They even saw the other seven planet exhibits! Cassie was so excited! She had her learnin’, and her boo!

  Will watched the excitement on Cassie's face and it made him happy. Her green eyes sparkled with interest in each of the rooms.

  Charlie studied Sky. She was beautiful. He loved her, he loved her, he loved her! Charlie kept repeating that thought in his head in order to keep Chyler alive. Long live Chyler!

  At noon, everyone met in the yard for lunch. They had PB & J's with juice boxes in brown paper bags. They then spent the rest of their time at the Space Place in a presentation about space science.

  Hotel Room Chaos

  Tonight was Cassie's first and final night in the hotel room. It was the same for Will, Sky, Charlie, and Stella. Since each room only had two beds, they had to share.

  In room 834, Cassie's room, everyone got into their pajamas and got into bed. Alice soon came around to do bed-check. “Everyone here?” she asked hopefully. When they all nodded, Alice sighed in relief.

  Room 842 had the same routine. They got in their pajamas and got in bed to pose for bed check. When Mr. Braddock saw everyone was there, he relaxed.

  Will's phone vibrated. It was Cassie. The text said, 'Ugh, it's so boring!'. Will grinned and texted her back. 'I have an idea'. The naughty prince nudged Charlie. “Wanna sneak over to Cassie's room?” Will whispered.

  Charlie was surprised. Of course he wanted to go to Cassie's hotel room! He would get to bond with Sky, see Stella, and hang with Cassie! But they were supposed to stay in their own rooms! He was so conflicted! As Cassie always said, though, you only live once!

  Charlie nodded, “Yes, let's go!” Henry snored. Will grabbed his shirt and put it on as he headed to the door. Charlie rolled out of bed and followed. Will stuck his head out the door. “The coast is clear!” he hissed. Will ran out, and Charlie grabbed a room key before following him out the door.

  On the way, Will texted Cassie 'Me and Charlie are coming over'.

  Cassie saw her phone light up with a message. She reached over to get it, and fell out of bed. Stella turned on the light. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Checking my phone, Will and Charlie are coming. Both Sky and Stella sat up and yipped, “Charlie!?” 'And the excitement begins' Cassie thought with a smile.

  Will knocked on the door, and a giggly Cassie let him and Charlie in. Sky ran up to Charlie and kissed him on the cheek, while Stella sat on the bed and growled. Cassie led Will to the bed and they sat down. “What's your idea?” Cassie giggled. Will thought for a moment and the idea came to him! “Truth or dare! One of the most exciting and risky hotel room games ever!” Cassie smiled and fell on the floor with glee. “Who wants to join us?” Will asked. Everyone, including Riley, raised their hands. Will grinned from ear to ear.

  “I'll go first,” Will volunteered, “Cassie, truth or dare?” Cassie smiled and picked truth. “Is it true that you think I am a good kisser?” Sky giggled at Will's questions. “No,” Cassie started, “I think you are a great kisser!” Will blushed and smiled. “Now it's Cassie's turn.” Will dictated.

  Cassie thought for a moment. Now was a perfect time to get back at Stella! She had the perfect dare! “Truth or dare,” Cassie began, “Charlie!” She was saving Stella for later.

  Charlie wanted to prove he was risky, so he chose to do a dare. Cassie smirked, “I dare you to sell your shirt to Stella!” “What kind of -” Charlie was interrupted by Stella. “$50!” she squealed. Charlie sighed and traded his shirt to Stella for the fifty.

  Cassie boggled. Since when did Charlie have such defined muscles? She snapped herself out of it. Boyfriend. She repeated the word in her head.

  Sky was so lucky! She looked at her boyfriend's abs. They gave her chills.

  For the first time, Stella actually didn't hate Cassie! Thanks to her dare, Stella now owned Charlie's shirt, and had a great view!

  Charlie was cold. Charlie wanted his shirt back. Looking at Sky, Charlie said, “Truth or dare, Riley?”

  Riley Alicia gaped. He knew her name! Truth or dare, she thought. She was nowhere near popular, so maybe if she did a dare, people would think she was brave! “Dare” she said with confidence.

  No one expected that. Charlie had no idea what to do! He grabbed his phone and searched for dares on the Internet, and he found the perfect one!

  Charlie looked at Riley and dared her to swap clothes with the person on her left. He didn't realize who was on her left, but Cassie did.

  She rolled over her boyfriend to save him from having to wear Riley's pajamas! Riley stood up and took Cassie to switch. “I take it she accepted.” Will joked, relieved he didn't have to wear girls’ pajamas.

  Cassie came out wearing Riley's pink nightgown, and Riley was wearing Cassie's grey tank top and sweatpants.

  In retrospect, it wasn't the best dare, but oh well, they did it.

  It was Riley's turn, and she targeted Stella. “Truth or dare, Stella?” she tested.

  Stella thought about it. If she did a dare, she might impress Charlie. “Dare me!” she sassed.

  “I dare you to lick the floor!” Riley teased.

  Stella's face scrunched up. Lick the floor? She was
repulsed! How many people have walked on this floor? Do it for Char-Char, Stella!

  Stella got on the floor, and got a big mouth full of carpet fuzz. Yuck!

  Everyone laughed, and then Cassie shushed them. “Lights out was an hour ago!” Cassie warned, “If we get caught, we'll be in so much trouble!”

  “Well, it's my turn now,” Stella announced, “Truth, or Dare, Cassie, pick dare!”

  Cassie knew if she picked dare, Stella would slam her. She held her breath and breathed, “Dare.”

  Stella grinned, “I dare you to do a headstand!”

  A head-stand? That was so easy! Then, Cassie remembered that she was in Riley's nightgown. “I can do that,” she said, “Will, can you help me, Stella didn't say no one could help me.” Cassie smiled as Will stood up. She bent down to touch the ground as Will held her ankles, and nightgown. Before they knew it, Cassie was doing a headstand in a nightgown!

  Show-off! Stella had to do a better one next time.

  Back to Cassie, she thought about who to go at next. Looking at Will, she decided to get closer to her boo.

  “Truth or dare, Will?” Cassie asked, hoping for a dare. Thinking Cassie was up to something, Will decided to pick a dare anyways.

  Cassie smiled and began, “I dare you to kiss me while wearing your shirt.” Will was confused. “Wait, who's wearing my shirt?” Will questioned. “Both of us.” Cassie teased. Will jumped up and pulled Cassie in his shirt.

  Cassie smiled big. Her boy had a six-pack already! She knew this because her arm rubbed against it on the way in.

  With Cassie close, Will kissed her on the lips, for a while. Will pulled away, causing Cassie to lose her balance and make them both fall on the ground. Uh oh, they were stuck.