5 Chapter 2

Just right after Sheena said those words, a loud explosion shook the ground, blasting half of the house. Sheena didn't knew who screamed, was it her? Kyle? or was it all of them? She got back to her senses when she felt a grip on her hand, pulling her away from the falling debris.

"MY HOUSE, NOW!" Jackson's voice reached her ears and everyone snapped into action. Kylie and Kyle took as many things as they can making sure they also took the book and dip pen, they left the collapsing house. Jackson and Kylie started their cars. Right after the siblings got in her car, Jackson made a run for it, leading Sheena towards his home.

It was silent during the car ride. Only the occasional hiccups and whimpers from Kylie and Kyle's soothing words echoed inside the vehicle. Sheena was also having a hard time processing what happened.

The house just exploded.

No. It definitely was not an accident. They don't have anything that's flammable knor anything that can explode easily. And Sheena's sure that they don't own a grenade.

It was planned. Someone was trying to kill them.

It was nearly sundown when they arrived. Kylie was already asleep, already experiencing to much emotional trauma. Sheena turned off the engine and opened the door for the siblings.

Sheena knew Jackson's house was far. But she didn't know that it'll be in the middle of the woods.

"We can stay here in the mean time. It's secluded and nobody ever goes here" Jackson said as he hopped of his car, signalling his friends to follow him.

It was a cottage. It wasn't small, it could probably house 6 people. Opening the door, Sheena let her eyes explore the interior, silently admiring the simple but beautiful interior ofthe house.

The wooden floorboards were cold under her bare feet as Jackson silently guided them towards their own rooms.

"I have four spare rooms, you can pick whatever you want. Sheena, I'll give you some of my clothes later" Jackson said and smiled a little. Sheena gave a smile back and a thankyou. The room was simple, it had a white carpet, with a white bed. A small bookshelf decorated the corner.

She sighed and sat down at the edge of the bed. Everything was slowly coming down on her and she realized she hadn't cried since everything started. She was trying so hard to be the strong one out of all of them, she forgot the she was human too.

Sheena cried. She cried her heart out. It was a pitiful sight, yet she still cried. Sheena didn't notice when the door opened. She didn't hear the soft pattering of feet coming towards her. She barely even registered the two arms that wrapped around her.

"Its going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay" These words made her cry even harder. Because no, nothing's okay. Yet the person still held her close, whispering encouraging things to her while rubbing comforting circles on her back.

Sheena didn't notice when she fell asleep. She woke up in the middle of the night with someone cuddling close to her. Sheena smiled a little and snuggled close to the person, relishing the heat that enveloped her like a blanket.

"Thank you, Jackson" she sighed and hugged Jackson's arm that was wrapped around her, the hand tightened around her making her smile one last time.

"Thank you"

_

"Your welcome" Sheena smiled at the sales ladie as she took the bag of clothes. When she woke up, Jackson offered her his clothes and that's when she remembered that she never got the chance to pack clothes for herself. As quickly as possible, she asked Jackson for directions of the market and being the good friend that he is, he said that he'll just take her instead.

She wore a mask to make sure no one recognized her while Jackson waited at the car. She fast walked towards the familiar black car and hopped inside.

"You got everything you need?" Jackson asked beside her. Sheena nodded with a smile. Smiling at her back, he drove off.

_

"Sheena where's my pop tarts?" After last night, Kylie seemed better. And She knew that they both have worked about the 'overprotectiveness' issue. In fact, Kylie seemed more determined and it brought a smile on Sheena's face.

"I never said I'd buy you one though?" Kylie had an obsession with pop tarts. Everyone knew it. Sheena knew, the moment she announced that she's going to buy clothes, Kylie would ask her some pop tarts.

So she bought three boxes.

"Sheenaaaa" Kylie whined. It was cute, really. So she handed her the boxes, making Kylie smile and open the box rather dramatically.

"Sheena!" A cry from the living room. Sheena ran towards Kyle, who was already being assisted by Jackson.

"What?" Sheena looked at the two males. Trailing her eyes downwards, a small inaudible gasp left her lips.

"What happened?" Sheena traced the letters on the book. She looked at the boys for answers.

"I accidentally cut myself, so I experimented. I dropped a tiny bit of my blood on the book and it started writing stuff" Kyle said as he stared at his blood in disbelief.

"What does it say?" Kylie asked as she peaked and the book, her nose crinkling in confusion.

"I.. I don't understand.." Sheena stared at the unknown symbols that decorated the book.

"Maybe it's Greek?" Jackson inquired as he looked at the book, his brows also furrowing in confusion.

Kyle looked at his friends weirdly, like they've grown two heads. "Uh, it's written in English?"

Sheena squinted her eyes again, staring holes at the book, but to no avail..

"Its not! I can't even read it" Kylie groaned.

"Its clearly written in English" Sheena didn't know whether Kyle was getting frustrated or scared. Eyes blown wide, she placed a hand on his shoulder to garner his attention.

".. can you read it for us then?" Gulping, Kyle looked at the book and nodded.

"Uhh... Hello again, humans. It's been a while, has it? I'm surprised none of you died from the explosion, hmm.. you must be smart. But remember, the order can always and will always outsmart you. One by One, you will encounter, one by one you will see, one by one you will.. die"

Brainstorming silently, it made sense. Kylie spoke up, her words making everyone finally figure things out.

"One by One it said? The book only shows the clues to one person at a time. It showed it to me when I was alone, same at Kyle. One by One you will encounter " Everyone made eye contact.

"Kyle..What were the other two again?" No. It couldn't be. Sheena prayed that Kyle read the book wrong.

It had to be a joke, right? Nobody was going to have to die, right?

"One by One you will see.." Kyle gulped as he whispered the last message from the book.

"One by One you will die"

"We're.. going to die? All of us? I'll die first then" Kylie's voice wasn't scared. It hurt that she's actually accepting it. As if, she didn't have any fight left.

"Nobody is going to die" It was Sheena who spoke, yet the words she said didn't seem to register to herself.

"Yeah. We'll protect you and Kyle. We'll survive this and make it out together" Jackson gave one of his smiles. It lighten the atmosphere a bit, but the lingering feeling of dread never left Everyone.

"I love you guys so much" Kylie smiled through her tears, hugging everyone. Tears and Whimpers filled the living room as the friends hugged.

No one wanted to let go. With a determined heart Sheena swore, that no one will die. No one will leave.

No one will suffer.

_

Sheena was internally suffering. It made her anxious. Why wasn't her parents contacting her? Are they involved in.. all of this?

It hurt her but she somehow knew. She knew that her parents were acting strange.

And Sheena would break if her parents were somehow related to all of this.

Her parents, who took care of her ever since she was born. Her saviour, protector, warmth and comfort.

Every single day of her life...

A life that she loved and cherished...

And it might actually not be her's.