A/N: Ok, you know how there are hundreds of books in the world that are set in New York but have nothing to really do WITH New York? It's just set there? Well there are many set in Bermuda as well. The difference is that all of the books set in Bermuda are ABOUT Bermuda. They're mostly youth fiction books about treasure hunts or the environment. Exciting stuff, if you're under the age of 8. So here is my attempt to write a novel SET in Bermuda, that has nothing to do with the Bermuda triangle, coral reefs, or vacations gone wrong. Because contrary to popular belief, people do live in Bermuda year 'round. We have computers, iPods, TV, stores, food, and everything else that people in America have (except roller coasters. I'll give you that). I find it easiest to write stories set here because it's the place that I know best in the world. Hope you enjoy!

The bus turned the corner onto North Shore and the sunlight hit Lauren square in the face. The piercing aquamarine water of the harbour reflected the rays, making them all the more unbearable, and the periwinkle blue sky just added insult to the injury. Flinching away from the windows and driving her iPod firmly into her ears, she tried to ignore the burning sensation on her arms as her window passed under the sun. When she had moved to Bermuda eleven summers ago, she hadn't even suspected how many sunburns she'd receive. But never the less, the island still held a certain charm for her; not in the cliché pink sand or the historical St. Georges or even the pleasantly mannered people. But in the small-town atmosphere. By the time you had lived there as long as she had, you knew almost everyone and everything there was to know. So when something of the most unexpected nature arose, only a select few chose to believe it.

July 9th, 2008. 2:56 am

Chaos broke out across the island. First in sleepy Somerset, making it's way through Southampton, Warwick, Paget, into Pembroke, and across into Devonshire, where a young woman ran as fast as her weak legs would take her, East, to the Smith's boarder. She heard screams from all around her, gun fire, doors slamming and children crying; adults running and falling, protecting their offspring. All Lauren could think about was her charge. 100 yards to go. So close. She ran up a dark driveway, still untouched by the havoc that was following almost at her heels. Sneaking through an open window, she crept into Evan's room and made her way to his bed where she slowly crawled towards him, covering his mouth as he awoke.

"Don't move, don't make a sound," she whispered urgently into his ear. She settled herself on top of him to pin him down. Though he was much taller than her, she still beat him out in weight.

"What's going on?" he mumbled almost inaudibly, the fear in his eyes being matched by surprise and curiosity.

"I'll explain later. Just lie still. What ever you hear, don't move," Lauren pleaded.

Within seconds, the noise began. The screech of rubber tires and click and slam or car doors. Hurried footsteps went past the window and Lauren flattened herself onto her friend, pressing him as far down as he could go. She felt him shudder beneath her and his arms laced around her waist into a tight hug. He was afraid, and she could feel it. The sound of the front door being kicked in made them both jump. When the screaming started, Lauren jumped up and dragged Evan to the window.

"Lauren, what the hell is going on?" he was raising his voice now, he sound of his parent’s screams making his fear climax.

"We have to go. Evan, please, don't make this difficult. If they catch us, they'll kill us."

One last look into each other's blue eyes settled it. Through the window, the back gate, onto the tribe road and into the bushes. They ran like Hell was chasing them, and it very likely was. After two minutes of full sprint, Lauren came to a dead stop at a solid stone wall. The crumbling sand stone left markings of brown and white streaked down it, leading to a leaf covered, steel man-hole. The night around them smelled of damp foliage and road kill and the sound of light traffic could be heard on the other side of the barrier. For what seemed like half an eternity, the two friends stood in complete silence, just listening. The sound of mettle scraping on stone broke the intense silence and Evan looked down into a dark hole that had previously been covered. Just past the opening, a dark face loomed in a dim light.

"Get in, fast," the face murmured in a thick Bermudian accent, beckoning the two newcomers to come under the ground.