Michael Allan spread mustard across the bread and poured tea into the cups. Something suspicious was brewing outside his quiet, confined living quarters. He could feel it. When residing in the town of Whispers, whether by accident or not, one must develop a "6th sense".
One of the many keys to staying alive and protecting your soul.
Lately, things were different, ever since the night before. Five unfortunate tourists wandered into their carefully hidden, and often dangerous, world. The normal system of daily life was thrown off balance.
Michael finished making turkey sandwiches and brought the lunch trays into his living room. It wasn�t an everyday occurrence for company to arrive in his humble abode. Or, in this case, hide.
When he awoke this morning, evil was stirring. The Lost Souls were running about, which is how Michael figured something big was up. He decided to emerge from his hidden home and check it out.
Discretion is something he prided himself in as far as survival skills go. He combed the streets for the soon-to-be victims.
He only found one of them. The poor guy had been curled up in an alley, basically on the edge of despair. Michael convinced him he wasn�t a Lost Soul, and brought him back home.
His company sat slumped on the couch. Michael passed him food.
"So tell me, what�s your name?"
"Joey."
Joey sipped the tea.
"Thanks for rescuing me."
"No problem."
"Weird house."
"Last resort."
You see, Michael lived underground. Simply crawl through the sewer.
"What do you mean?"
"Well Joey, the Master nor the Lost Souls realize I exist. If they did, they�d convert me."
"How did you wind up here, and why on earth have you stayed?"
"It�s complicated. Before coming to Whispers, I was on the run. Let�s just say my business partner didn�t like sharing the company with me and would earn plenty of benefits if I died. Like you, those monsters ran me off the road. At first, I tried to live normally. Then I figured out how screwed up this town really is. I tricked them all, made them believe I�d run away, but had actually taken refuge below ground."
Joey bit into a turkey sandwich.
"That explains the first half of my question, so what about the second half?"
"Simple. I�ve searched endlessly, but I can�t find a road out of Whispers."
"What about the road you came in on?"
"Haven�t you noticed how whenever you enter town, the road behind you just mysteriously vanishes?"
"Not exactly."
Joey sighed unhappily. Great. There went the last shred of hope he�d clung to for the past few hours.
"How long have you lived underground?"
"Six insufferable years."
"I�m surprised you haven�t gone insane yet."
"Me too."
Michael finished his sandwich and offered Joey another one. Joey accepted.
Suddenly, Joey broke down crying. Michael scooted closer to comfort him.
"Gee, what�s wrong?"
Joey threw his hands up in the air.
"I�m afraid, Michael."
"Understandable reaction."
"No, afraid for Lance, JC, Justin, and Chris. I don�t know where they are, or if they�ve been caught yet, or if they�ve been eaten�"
"Relax pal. We�ll get your friends back."
Joey hugged himself.
"I really hate not knowing."
"Joey, let me tell you a thing or two about being clueless. As far as everybody�s concerned, I�m dead. I haven�t seen my family, I can�t tell you who the President is, nor have I heard any music in 6 years. The world stopped moving when I came to Whispers."
Joey felt true sympathy for Mr. Allan. Michael was very perceptive.
"Don�t feel sorry for me, man. I�m alright and that�s what�s important."
Joey and Michael stood up.
"How are we gonna save my brothers?"
Michael grinned mischievously.
"I�ve got an ingenious plan."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Justin thrashed through the freezing river.
The log was inches away from his face.
Taking a deep breath, he stretched his arms towards the wood. His fingers grasped the soggy bark.
Yes!
Justin silently thanked God and clung to the log with all his strength. The river current tugged at his body, but he remained firm.
Now how do I swim back to shore?
Justin spit out a mouthful of water and glanced to the left.
He saw a small embankment near a cluster of rocks.
I just edge down the log, then let go and swim as fast as possible to reach the embankment.
Cautious, he slowly edged along the log. When about 2 feet away from the embankment, he released his grip.
Immediately the current sent him backpedaling.
Summoning every ounce of strength, he fought small waves to get to the grass and rocks.
I have to stay alive! I have to!
His arms grew tired. His shoes and jacket added unnecessary weight to his body. He wanted to close his eyes, quit fighting, let the water carry him away�
NO! Gotta continue swimming!
He thought about his parents and his little brothers. They needed him. He thought about his four best friends. He had to stay alive for their sake. They might be dying.
His fingers touched something smooth.
Rocks!
Justin anchored himself to the rocks and pulled himself onto the grass. He stared up at the sky, panting and dripping wet. The foggy sun was setting lower. Dark rain clouds covered the sky. Lightening zipped across it, followed by thunder. Night would soon blanket Whispers.
Thanks God.
Justin leaned against a tree and gradually stood. His knees ached.
Leaves and branches crunched behind him. Footsteps running.
Justin twisted his neck over his shoulder.
A tall shadow stood next to two adjacent trees. Two amber colored eyes glowed in the dark patches of hidden sunlight.
Justin whirled around.
"Who-who are you?"
No answer, only a malicious glare.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
No answer.
"Please say something!"
The figure stepped out of the shadows.
For the first time, Justin got a look at his face.
He trembled and whimpered.
"You!"