by Basil Bacorn
James told Susan what the man said. “What happened, Cassandra?” she demanded to know. “I had a nightmare, so I went to see Will and Charlie. I was being followed. We ran inside the cabin and some creep broke in. I don't remember much after that, but he came back when we were in the Mess Hall, Mrs. Matthew was involved, and we hid in the kitchen.” Cassie took a breath before continuing, “I had taken the man's knife to protect myself. Then Henderson came and took us to the office, the creep came back and Sky knocked out Henderson.”
Skyler's parents gasped and Cassie added, “I was afraid he was going to hurt us, so when he grabbed for the Silver Shadow, I stabbed him. Charlie already called the police, so we just waited” Susan hugged her daughter. “You are braver than I ever could be.” Susan wept.
“Wait, so this camp is named after a knife?” Betty posed. Cassie thought about it and it was true, Camp Silver Shadow. The Silver Shadow wasn't a monster; it was a knife. Why was it so special, though? Cassie quickly dismissed the thought, for now, anyway.
Susan called her high school friend, Laura Lingard, who became a popular lawyer in the law firm of Lingard-Belton-Bannister, stationed in northern California. “I'm sure it was in pure self-defense,” Lingard explained, “so I accept the case. I'll be up right away.”
Susan was the popular nice girl in high school, so she had plenty of connections. If it wasn't for her past, Susan probably would've never had a future!
By the time Laura arrived, Cassie had already been cleared to go. They didn't need a lawyer after all. After a thorough investigation, and interrogation, it had been determined that Cassie was trying to protect herself and her friends from the threats of the adults, not to mention they were scared out of their wits.
Cassie got cleaned up and changed into new clothes for the trip home. There was no way she was ever going back to Montana again!
Then it hit them, they had ten people in Montana, and their only way to get back was a five-seater police chopper. The police volunteered to give them a ride to the nearest airport so they could get home. James, Susan, Cassie, Betty and Charlie took the chopper, while the others went to the airport.
Cassie never got to ride in a helicopter before, so she took a selfie with Charlie as they flew home.
Will sat next to his knight on the plane. It was time to tell him about his relationship with Cassie. “Dad?” Will began, “I have something to tell you.” Mr. Braddock looked at Will with his curiosity face. “Thanks for coming.” Will sighed.
Arthur was dumbfounded. The prince never thanked him for anything! That was a first! Maybe the near-death experience was good for him.
Cassie looked at Charlie. “I still can't believe that the Silver Shadow is a knife!” Cassie exclaimed. Charlie just smiled. Cassie was always so curious.
When the airplane landed, James picked them up in Betty's van to take them to their cars.
Cassie ran up to Will. “Did you tell him yet?” she inquired. Will kissed her on the cheek and said, “He'll know soon enough.”
First Dates
Will sat on his couch thinking about his love. He imagined her soft hair, her smooth skin, and her loving smile. He was in love.
Then it hit him. They haven't officially had their first date! How was he going to take Cassie out on a date, without Sir Arthur finding out?
Charlie got a text and checked his phone. It was from Will! Charlie groaned. He hated Will with a passion! He still didn't know why, but something about him he despised. Regardless, Charlie opened the text. It read 'Wanna double date? Me and Cassie and you and Sky'. Charlie figured it would probably strengthen Chyler, so why not?
When Will got the okay, he texted Cassie. 'Will you go on a double date with me?'.
Cassie laid in her bed daydreaming when her phone vibrated itself off her desk. Cassie rolled onto the floor and read the text. She jumped up and ran to her mom as fast as she could. “Will just asked me out on a date!” Cassie announced. Susan whipped around and beamed, “Your first date!”
Sky received a text from Charlie. It read 'double date with Cassie and Will?' Sky fell on the floor and texted back 'YES!!!'.
Will got a reply text from Cassie that invited him over. Realizing that the buzz kill knight was napping, Will got dressed, headed to Cassie's, and left a note saying he went to a friend's house.
Cassie popped on her favorite dress. Her mom told her that the first date was the most important, so look good, and be herself. When the doorbell rang, Cassie flew to the know and welcomed Will with a kiss.
Her boyfriend was wearing a purple dress shirt, a tie, and basically the works. His shiny dress shoes squeaked when he walked.
“You look handsome,” Cassie flirted, “Nice shirt.” Will smiled, “Charlie and Skyler are supposed to meet us at Central Park at six. What time do you need to be home by? So far, everyone needs to be back by eight. Cassie looked at her mom.
In all honesty, after going through what they did so far, Susan trusted them to be out all night. “Eight sounds good!” Susan chirped.
Cassie showed a big sparkling smile to her mother as a thank-you. “See you later!” Cassie called while closing the door.
Outside, the couple started walking to the park, holding hands. Will looked at Cassie as they walked through. He was the happiest boy ever!
Charlie and Sky waited for Cassie and Will to show up. They didn't know the plans, but they were dressed up and ready.
It was August, and back to school ads were everywhere. The summer was pretty much done with, and everyone was getting ready for fall, winter, and the school season.
Cassie and Will walked into the park, and past the old man who always fed the pigeons. They soon came upon Chyler, sitting on a park bench.
“What are we doing?” Sky asked when she saw her friend. Will simply shrugged. “It's up to you guys,” he disclosed, “I'm not good at planning things.”
Will didn't have any plans at all. He had no idea what to do for a first double date. He had grabbed $350 from his allowance before leaving. That may seem like a lot, but for a prince with a big inheritance, it was merely pocket change. There was about five years until his sixteenth birthday, which was when his parents would bring him home. He wouldn't become king until his father stepped down, or was killed, but he would still be rich.
Showing the group his cash, Will offered to buy. “Where did you get all of that cash?” Cassie demanded. Will just smirked and said, “I have a big allowance.” Though it was little to him, Will was used to people around here being surprised with him having the amounts of money that he did.
“I know a place that delivers to here,” Sky offered, “We can have a picnic!” Cassie liked the idea and said, “Sounds good to me!” Will and Charlie agreed. If anyone could lead the group, it would be Cassie. She could easily get the two boys to follow her blindly.
Sky called and ordered their dinner. They had mozzarella sticks as a group appetizer, and each got their own entrees. No one was surprised when they heard Cassie order pancakes. Soon, they received the three course meal in a box.
Cassie figured that if she was going to eat food that came out of a box, it might as well be her favorite.
Everyone soon finished, and they remembered dessert. They ordered a Monster Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie. It was $35 of sweetness. It was a chocolate chip cookie crust, filled with chocolate pudding pie filling, topped with a monster-sized chocolate chip cookie that covered the whole thing. On top of that stood a five-inch heap of whipped cream drizzled with chocolate syrup.
Charlie looked at the thing. He glanced at the plastic butter knife he was supposed to cut it with. “I don't know what to do!” he wailed.
Sky laughed at her hopeless date. Seriously though, how do you serve a foot-deep pie with plastic ware! Whose bright idea was this?
In the end, they gave up and sent it with the pigeon man. “At least we don't have a sugar-high now!” Cassie piped up.
“What now?” Cassie asked Will. “It's 7:45, and the s
un's setting,” he began, “if you had fun, we can call it a night.” Cassie thought about it. She really didn't want to end her first date yet, but she did have a good time. She gave Will a quick kiss and shook her head yes.
Charlie smiled to himself. Finally, this night was over! He could go home, and no longer have to watch Will and Cassie ogle each other! Woo-hoo!
School Life Under Mother Jurisdiction
It was the first day of the new school year. Cassie's mom was excited for her first full year in her new position. Last year, she had a few weeks of training before school ended, so she didn't get to the full experience. This year was the beginning of her reign over Ezekiel Jacobs Middle School!
Susan walked with her daughter to school like they used to when Cassie was little. They left early so Susan could meet with Mrs. Spencer to discuss the first day.
Once they were at the school, Cassie decided to wait for Will outside, as per their new tradition. “Hopefully I won't have to go to your office!” Cassie joked, making Susan snigger.
Will ran to school, he couldn't wait to see Cassie! His 'dad' was in charge of scheduling, so he had him stack the system so him and Cassie were in every period together.
“That way I can study her!” Will had lied. He just wanted to be with her, but there was no way he was going to tell that jester! He wanted to tell her about Everlanon! She would be ready when they went, but he knew if he told her without proof, she would think he was crazy!
When the school was in sight, he slowed down into a strut. Cassie looked his way and waved, smiling big.
“Will!” Cassie called, “What's your schedule?” Will ran up and smiled, showing her his twinned schedule.
They both showed the other their schedule. They had Alice Harper for homeroom. Their schedule was then English, math, their elective spot, history, lunch, science, gym, band, and homeroom. Cassie wondered how they got everything together, but she didn't care!
Mrs. Smith took very little time talking to the students, before she sent them to go through their schedules with the normal bell schedule, starting at first period.
This year, Cassie and Will had English with Mad Alice, which didn't disappoint. Cassie loved how she taught, even if she was a little loony.
Alice was in her closet screaming when the first two students walked in. The door opened and Alice took a nosedive into the floor. “Are you okay?!” Cassie hollered. “Close the door!” she demanded, lifting her head off the floor, “NOW!”
Cassie walked over to the door, and to her surprise, a flaming arrow flew past and hit the chalkboard. From inside the closet! She yanked the door shut. “What was that!” Will shouted. Mad Alice stood up, quickly locked the door, and turned towards them. She reached in her pocket and said, “Assuming you believe me now, no one can know about the door.” She pulled out a vial that was labeled 'FORGET-ME-NOT'. She threw the vial on the floor, and ran to the window as a mist surrounded the two.
Cassie didn't know how, or why, but she woke up on the floor next to Will. “What happened?” she moaned. Will shrugged his shoulders and stood up.
Alice ran in with Ms. Smalls, the school nurse, and Mrs. Smith. “They just passed out!” Alice yipped, “I didn't know what to do.” The nurse checked their eyes and vitals. “All normal, probably just dehydration.” the nurse diagnosed. Mrs. Smith then brought them a bottle of water and told them to drink up.
After her second bottle, Cassie soon got her bearings straight, but she still didn't remember what happened.
The bell rang and class soon started. “Welcome to English class, I am your teacher, Alice Harper.” she introduced, “Call me what you like, as long as you are learning.”
Cassie looked at the closet. She thought she remembered something about it, but she didn't know for sure. So she stood up.
“What are you doing, Miss Smith?” Alice asked politely. Cassie didn't answer, she just walked over to the closet and knocked on the door. Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Get away from there this instant!” Mad Alice wailed.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Everyone looked around. Cassie didn't do it. The noise came from inside the closet! “What's in there?” Will questioned. Cassie turned the door handle and opened the closet.
“Noooo!!!!” Alice yelled, running to the door, but it was too late. A giant tentacle reached out and slammed around the room, crashing around, causing everyone to scatter. Alice lit a paper on fire and slapped it on the beast. A loud shriek filled the school, and the tentacle slammed on the ground, and slowly withdrew from the room, dragging a desk with it.
Alice shut the door and sighed. “I knew I should have invested in a better lock!” she said, leaning on the door.
“That door really-” Charlie stuttered, “You're not crazy?” Charlie was one of the students who stayed. Alice sighed. “I'm not crazy, but no one can know about this,” Alice explained, “so I have to put this mist in the air vents. She held up a familiar vial labeled 'FORGET-ME-NOT'.
She ran to the blower that circulates air throughout the school and dumped the potion in. A chugging followed, as she grabbed a gas mask. Cassie screamed as the school became very misty. A guy ran to Alice, his identity hidden, and stole her mask and put it on.
Principal Smith woke up with her head on her desk. What happened? It was 3:30! The last time she checked, it was nine! She walked out to the office. People were sleeping everywhere. A mass dehydration? That can't be! They must have been gassed! She announced over the loudspeaker that everyone report outside as soon as possible for attendance. She then called James.
“James, I believe that the school was just gassed, can you send someone?” James agreed to his wife's request and sent five cruisers and Detective Allen to investigate the scene.
When the cops came, everyone was waiting outside. Only one person could remember what happened, but they said nothing.
Detective Allen checked the ventilation system, and sure enough, there was broken glass in and around the main machine.
He took fingerprints, but received none, so he talked to Susan.
“Yes, you were gassed.” the detective stated, “But it wasn't dangerous, so as long as nothing is missing or damaged, and everyone is okay, we'll drop the case.” “Well no one reported anything so-” Susan was interrupted by Allen, “Okay, then call us if you need anything else!” With that, the cops all withdrew and Susan sent the students and faculty home. She hoped everyday wasn't going to be like this.
A Chance To Find Everlanon
Will waited for Sir Arthur impatiently. When he finally showed up, Will ran to him. “Let's go back to Everlanon!” Will shouted excitedly. “You know there's still five years until the portal opens?” Mr. Braddock reminded.
Will laughed. “Mad Alice.” he said, “She's not really mad.”
Arthur sat down and listened to Will's story. “If we get to that closet,” Will explained, “we can use it to go back ourselves!”
“Let's do it.” Braddock agreed.
Cassie got a text from Will that said to meet him at the school. Will was not going to leave her behind, not in a million years.
“What are we doing here?” Cassie asked. “My dad agreed to sneak us inside to take a closer look at Mad Alice's closet.” Will explained, “I'm curious, aren't you?”
They ran inside and went to their English teacher's room. They opened the door, and saw Mr. Braddock laying on the ground, knocked out cold.
The door slammed shut and locked. Cassie turned around. It was Mad Alice Harper! “You shouldn't have come!” she warned, “I needed to destroy the door, it has become too much of a hassle!” Cassie banged on the door as her former favorite teacher finished piling newspapers throughout the school, and sprinkled gasoline on everything. “This was my favorite job,” she cackled, “too bad you all have to go away with it!” Alice lit a match, and it went out. She threw it down and tried again, with the same results. “That's it,” she said, whipping out her lighter. She took her scarf off and lit it on fire. She
then threw down the hot accessory on the papers. Cassie screamed as the flames flew through the school.
Will didn't know what to do. Alice was mad after all! He looked out the door window and saw her skipping through the flames, this way and that, like a moth to a candle.
Sir Arthur regained his consciousness and jumped up. “What happened?” he yelled, “Is that smoke I smell?” Cassie nodded.
Mr. Braddock wasn't going out that easily. He ran to the door, and kicked it down. The door landed with a bang and Alice turned her attention to the escapees. “Oh no you don't!” she warned, getting out a small handgun. She shot at Mr. Braddock, but missed, giving him time to tackle her down so the kids could exit.
Will pulled Cassie outside. “What if they don't make it?” Cassie cried. Will shook his head and whispered, “I don't know.” Cassie remembered she had a phone, so she got it out. Her hands were shaking so much that she dropped it on the ground. It smashed on contact with the pavement.
Will held her trembling hand and squeezed it. “Calm down, everything will be okay.” he comforted. Just then the school exploded, and debris rained down on them. They ran to the other side of the road, and Cassie cried out, “Why can't I have a normal life!”
A fire truck, ambulance, and police car pulled in. Another explosion happened. Where were they? Why haven't they come out yet?
