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Extra Note: This story was written by Essro, Amei's sometimes-writing-partner. If you're confused, the profile says all...
Star Chasers
Chapter 1: And we shall call them…
Jack Furrow paced one of the many corridors in the Leston Hospital. His dark eyebrows shadowed his troubled chocolate colored eyes. Finally after what seemed like hours the door to his wife’s room opened and Doctor Gray emerged. His face was covered in beads of sweat but there was a smile on his face. Jack looked up anxiously. “How is she doing?” he asked nervously. “They are both fine,” he said smiling. “They?” Jack asked. Dr. Gray nodded. “Congratulations Jack. You are a father.” The two men shook hands and Jack quietly opened the door. His wife lay propped up on a pillow and in her arms was a tiny bundle. “Come see, Jack,” she urged. “He’s beautiful.” Jack crossed the room and took his small son from her arms. “What will we name him?” his wife Kristal asked. Jack looked at the little boy. He had always liked the name Matthew but this name didn’t fit the small child. Then without another thought Jack answered, “His name is James.”
In the same hospital in another wing, a baby girl was born to Dave and Jessie Cart. Dave, just like Jack was asked what the child’s name would be. Dave kneeled by the baby’s crib and watched his daughter sleep peacefully. “Her name is Rachel.” he said and then more quietly, “I never knew I liked that name.”
Thirteen years later the Furrows and the Carts both lived in small farmhouses outside of Seaview, Maine. The Carts bread and raised horses and the Furrows bread Border Collies. James, who now went by Jay, would often visit the Carts and ride his favorite horse, Journey. Rachel would also visit the Furrow’s house and play with the dogs. The two kids were friends but not close ones. They enjoyed the company of their animals to other people. On occasion the two of them would go for a trail ride together. Rachel would ride her horse, Comet, and Jay would ride Journey. The two of them wouldn’t talk much but neither cared to. It was on one of these fruitless rides that Rachel and Jay were thrown into a life risking adventure.
Rachel I glanced to my right where Jay rode silently. His dark brown hair fell over his hazel eyes. I was about to say something when his head shot up. “Race you to the abandoned stable.” he yelled. Then he urged on Journey and the two flew by. I pressed into Comet’s sides and he, excited for the favored race, took off after Journey. I let him have his head and within seconds the two horses were running neck and neck. Jay was bent low over Journey’s cream colored neck and practically plastered to his face was an impish grin. I urged Comet faster and without a hesitation he passed Journey. I turned in the saddle and watched as Jay, flustered, urged Journey on. We rounded the bend and up ahead loomed the old, abandoned stables. Suddenly from behind me, I heard Jay’s surprised cry. I pulled Comet up short and turned him into the woods that bordered the side of the path. I jumped to the ground and led my horse farther into the woods. I tethered his rope up to a tree branch and rushed to the bend where I had last seen Jay and Journey. I peered out of the bushes and to my horror saw…
Jay I’d been thinking of asking Rachel if she wanted to go see a movie or something when I noticed her looking my way. I quickly started a race, the only thing I could think of to keep her from looking at me. She easily got ahead which annoyed me. Why does she have to rub in the fact that she gets to ride more than I do? She looked back and urged Comet faster. I slowed Journey knowing she would win any way. As she disappeared around the bend I heard a strange whirring noise in my ears. It grew louder but when I searched for the source of the strange noise I saw nothing. Still the noise grew louder. I covered my ears to keep out the piercing noise. I cried out in surprise at the volume of the noise. I looked at Journey who stood there calmly as if oblivious to the noise. Or could he really not here it? Suddenly a large dirty hand covered my mouth and pulled me into the woods to the left of the path. I was blindfolded and my wrists were tied with something that felt like rope but couldn’t be because although it was rough it clanked. I knew it couldn’t be hand cuffs or anything because the binds weren’t cold like metal should be. I was pushed along in a silence that scared me. I heard at least three men’s voices whispering back and forth behind me when something they said caught my attention. “Where are the other three?” said a gruff voice. “Mork and Tie went to look for them.” said a quieter voice. “Then what’s taking them so long? Only one was on a horse.” said Gruff throat. The other didn’t answer. Ahead of me I heard the sound of a door creaking as it was opened. I gasped knowing the sound all to well. I was pushed into what I was sure was the abandoned stables basement. Every now and then Rachel and I would explore around the old stables. This had been our first discovery. When we were younger we had played games here all the time. We hadn’t been here for at least two years though. I was forced into a kneel in the supposed corner. The news I had heard from Gruff throat and Shy voice led me to believe they wanted Rachel too. But what did they mean the other three? Rachel and I had been alone….or had we?
Rachel I stepped out into the road. I picked up Journey’s reins which were dangling from the saddle. Where was Jay? I was about to call him when I heard something from the bushes on the other side of the road. I cautiously walked over. Then I quickly bent over and pushed back the branches. There in the bush sat a girl about my own age with very blonde hair unlike my own light brown. Her blue eyes shown a gray blue and their depths revealed fear. “Are you okay?” I asked. The girl’s eyes didn’t leave me for a second as she cautiously stood up. “Who are you?” she asked. “I’m Rachel Cart. My family owns a barn a couple of miles away from here.” I explained. “Who are you?” The girl smiled slightly. “I’m Kela Camorsa Roondai. But you can call me KC.” She said smiling. I grinned back at her. “Ya like horses?” I laughed. I liked this girl already.
Jay I was dozing in and out of sleep when I heard several voices from above the trap door. Realizing where I was, I stood with a start and watched as Gruff throat and Shy voice dragged a struggling bundle down the stairs. As if not noticing me, the two men gripped the bag tightly and pulled it to a large bow on the other side of the stairs. I looked up at the open door but thought better of it. Even if I did make it up the stairs, I wouldn’t make it far tied up. I watched the two men close the box and begin ascending the stairs. As soon as they had left I wormed my way over to the box. Up close it was bigger than I had thought. I cautiously pulled up the lid. Then, sure nothing would jump out; I lifted it all the way off. Inside was the bundle. But it wasn’t squirming. Then I noticed a small trickle of red fume pouring out a hole in the sack. Suffocation! My mind raced as I stepped into the box and lifted out the sack. I fumbled with the rope and finally it fell to the floor. The red fume poured out and I pulled the sack off the creature inside. As the bag was pulled to the side I gasped. That wasn’t any old creature!
Rachel KC and I had been talking back and forth for a while when she suddenly screamed. I turned to look over my shoulder and in an instant we were both running faster then we had thought we could. We leapt over logs and trampled plants in the way. But it wouldn’t be long before we were at the mercy of our predators.