We called ourselves the Trinity, but then Kevin came into the group and we debated calling it ‘the Council’ or ‘The Squad’. We bickered impossibly, never agreeing to anything.

Anyway,I’m Taida. And that’s Shade over there, he’s got spiky black that he never lets us touch. And the blonde girl over there is Sara, she’s super pretty and she snorts when she laughs. And, Kevin is blonde too with a mopey hair and buck-teeth that stick out over his bottom lip. I have straight brown hair that I cut on 4th of July now Sara says I have a bob, but it’s much too short for that. Right now we are debating how Giraffes fall asleep as we walk in a line on Wildwood trail.

“Maybe they hook onto trees and sleep upside down like bats,” said Sara looking wearily at the trees around as if she’d see one hanging from a pine near us.

“No you dummy they don’t hang upside down!” Said Kevin. “Your stupid.”

“I am not! Your stupid!”

“Your stupid ‘cus you stole my jell-o at lunch!” Said Kevin, he was in the middle of the line between Shade and Sara. I took up the front.

“It was delicious Jello-O, and it was payback for killing my goldfish!” Sara yelped poking the back of Kevin’s messy hair.

“I DIDNT KILL YOUR GOLD-“ Started Kevin but he was interrupted by Shade.

“Giraffes sleep on the ground, their head is curled onto their back.”

Kevin shrugged and said, “I told you were stupid, Sara.” Sara fumed.

“Look! It’s the Misty path!” I yelped stopping. Kevin ran into me and Sara bonked into Kevin’s head.

“Ow, you idiots watch where your going.” I said shoving them off.

“Sorry, also why are we here again?” Said Kevin rubbing his head shooting glares at Sara.

“Shade said he saw a ghost.” I said in awe staring at the mist.

“A phantom, and it was real I promise.” Said Shade. We all stood in silence for a few moments examining the shifting mist.

“Well, Taida, ladies first.” Said Kevin smirking. I stuck my tongue out at him and walked a few paces into the cloud. The protection of the forest was gone, replace by a ghoulish wall of surrounding mist.

“You guys coming?” I yelled.

“Yup right behind you.” Said Sara. I turned on my heels, seeing nothing in the shroud.

“Where?” I called again.

“Taida we’re right here.” This time it was Shades voice coming from the right of me.

“Guys, let’s head back to the forest.” I said stumbling backwards. Two strong hands grabbed my shoulders and I screamed turning around, the hands were gone.

“Taida, come on. My mums calling for dinner!” Kevin’s voice rang out somewhere far away.

“Help! Guys! I can’t see! Where am I!?!” I screamed. I saw Shade’s spiky hair and his silhouette. Then a black blur rushed by me, it’s finger brushing my check. I reached and up to touch my face, my hand came back bloody. I screamed before falling to the ground everything turning black.