Chapter 1 I stared at the reflection in the mirror.

The girl with long thick auburn hair that curled elegantly at the ends. Her skin tanned, and her body very in shape. Her bright green eyes like big orbs floating in her eye sockets. I moved hand up and tucked by hair behind my ear, making the swirls bounce, the girl in the mirror mimicking me exactly. My name is Alisa Ronokol. Im fifteen years old, and I seriously love reading. I know, I know. Why read a story about a girl who loves reading? I mean, how boring is that? Just wait, it gets better. Well, actually, most of the beginning of my life is pretty boring if you ask me. I grew up a younger sister to a brother who is now twenty. My mom died when I was two years old, so I grew up with dad for a while and he got remarried. So then I had my step mom, who in any terms is pretty cool. She has this full head of bright red hair, and occasionally breaks out into lines of her favorite songs. Shes also pretty nice to talk too. Then everything went downhill when dad died when I was nine. It was pretty much the worst part in my life, and I dont really like to think about it. Thankfully, Marisa, my step mom, agreed to adopt me. So now I live with her and her newer husband, John. So now I suppose you can say I live with my step mom and my step dad. Its pretty messed up by any means, but Im not unhappy, so its okay. Like I said, Im a bookworm. I absolutely live for new books. Each story with its own set of unique characters and fascinating story-line. On some days, Marisa actually has to force me to put the books down and go hang out with my friends. Sad, right? Another odd thing about me. Im home schooled. And no, its not because Im stupid or I need the home environment. Its because when I did go to public school, I drove my teachers crazy because I was over-ahead in everything. So yeah, I finished high school this January, and Im taking a year or two off before I even think about collage. Its not like I have to worry about age at this point,

right? Sometimes I swear I really do read to much because I see weird things at times. Then I have to shake it off and tell myself it was really nothing at all, even if I cant quite believe that. I used to tell my dad about my silly hallucinations, and he didn't think I needed to be hospitalized or anything, he would just smile and nod like this was all part of some huge plan. Do I have a best friend? Nope, I never really have. I've had good friends, ones I like to spend time with, but none of them I really feel I can give the title best. And then there's those odd times where random people your age walk up to you and just start talking. And with me, it cant be like anything normal either. Like this one time, this girl walks up to me in the park, all happy and stuff, and starts talking about the parts of a dragon. I listened for a while, because the way she talked was just so enchanting even a boring story could be made interesting. She talked about how the wing length corresponded with its body mass, and how its claws retracted, and a whole bunch of other stuff that I must admit I really dont remember. Oh yeah, and dont forget this one dude who walked up to me in the supermarket while I was browsing at new books. He chatted on and on about how to put on this lightweight medieval-like armor. How all the straps worked, and the correct way to attach everything and make sure its tight enough. He didn't really have that enchantment of story telling the first girl did, so after a while I found a way to politely tell him that I honestly didn't care. I mean come on, what dude comes up to you to talk about armor? Alisa, please tell me youre not reading again! called out Marias sugary toned voice from the kitchen. I grinned and set down my new book. She knew me too well! And whats wrong with reading? I countered, grinning all the while. Whats wrong with it is you havent checked your messages, so Kate had to call the house phone. Her and Ronald are going to the mall and they threatened me with

death to make you go! I heard her wonderful harp-like laugh come from the kitchen at the end of that sentence. So, she said, walking in the the living room and drying her hands off on a washcloth. I want you to march up to your room and get dressed. Kate expects you to be there in an hour little missy, she told me in a no-nonsense voice. I rolled my eyes at her playfully and went upstairs to get ready for the day. Little did I know, things were not how they seemed. Kate pulled up a few hours later. Lets get one thing straight. Kate it the reason of the word girlie-girl. She absolutely adores pink, and her makeup is never less than perfect. Guys practically fall over her, and my other friend, Ronald, has a major crush on her. I feel pretty bad for the guy because she really doesn't feel that way about him. Neither of them know anything about my hallucinations, or the fact that random people walk up to be and talk about armor. Like I said earlier, I dont really have a best friend to vent too. And its not like Im going to walk up to Kate with her perfect blonde hair and loud gossipy mouth. Hey guys, I greeted as I climbed into Kates new sport car. Did I mention her daddy is a big time lawyer? Im not even sure how we became friends, all I know is that after my dad died, Kate was right there and a great friend to me. Sup, Alisa, Ronald greeted from the front seat, his raggedy brown hair falling into his eyes and making him squint. Okay, Alisa, Kate said in a decision deciding voice. Were like, totally, going to get you an entire new wardrobe today. I shook my head, Kate was always saying that. Honestly Kate, I dont have cash to burn like that. She grinned at me from the rear view mirror. No worries there, daddy got this huge raise, and my allowance got bumped way up. Treats on me. I was about to refuse that offer, I feel so guilty when friends buy things for me. And no come backs from you, missy, she added before I could protest. Youre getting a

new wardrobe, like it or not. There is no way you can pull off those old jeans any longer! I laughed and looked out the window. My eyes settling on the perfect meadow landscape, high noon and the sun shining beautifully on the grassy area. The tall trees swayed to and fro in the wind, the forest coming up as we drove further, replacing the meadow. The forest here is an awesome place to hike, I go there just about every weekend, and I know the place top-to-bottom. As I was admiring it my eyes glanced something odd and out of place. A yellow snake was wrapped around one of the trees. Since when were there snakes in this part of the woods? As we drove closer it stopped looking like a snake, and more like a tail. Wait a second. What kind of animal has a massive yellow tail? I mean this thing was huge. Almost the length of the trunk itself. Before I could get a better look at the scaly, massive thing, we zipped past and I told myself to put it in the list of hallucinations. After the shopping fiasco happened, Kate drove me home, pretty happy with herself. Shes defiantly a fashion diva, and she practically lives to help others with their clothing choices. I got a few new threads, some nice summer tank tops and stuff. Id tried to watch for the strange, tail-like things as we drove home, but with no such luck. Maybe I had just imagined it. Yeah right, I thought. Just like how I imagined the fire coming out of the forest to hit a bird dead on. Or those bright yellow eyes staring at me during a camping trip last summer. Were these really all hallucinations? Or was I like just going crazy or something? I walked into my living room, my head at boiling point. I had to tell somebody about this. It was driving me up the wall. Who better to tell than Marisa? Hey, Marisa? I called out uncertainly, hoping she was home. Yeah? Im in the dining room, honey! I breathed out a sigh of relief and walked into the dining room. Marisa was sitting in one of the four dark oak chairs,

a newspaper spread out on the glass table. Um, hi. I just, er, wanted to talk to you, I said, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. She looked up at me, a little concerned. Yes? Whats the matter? Nothings really the matter. . . I mumbled quickly. I've been seeing. . . oh never mind. I just cant explain this! To my surprise she smiled knowingly at me. How about you go take a hike tomorrow? You know, by that big boulder about a mile in? I frowned at her. Yeah. I know the place. Why? Everything will make more sense tomorrow. I cant believe how old you are now! I looked around the room, embarrassed and very confused. Then I saw a. . . animal head. . . staring at me from the window. Bright red and somewhat scaly, with big yellow eyes. I blinked, and poof, it was gone. My eyes widened and I looked over to Marisa, maybe she saw that too. Apparently she had because she was shooting her scolding look over where the animal used to be. Honestly. . . she murmured under her breath. I have to go out shopping, Marisa told me, her voice tense. I'll be back in a few minutes, pack up for your hiking trip tomorrow, extra clothes, food, everything you want to bring with you. I widened my eyes a little. The way she said that it sounded like I wouldn't be coming back. And the most scary part? The back of my brain was saying the same thing. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, trying to remember this awesome dream I'd been having, but my brain was giving me squat. For a moment I couldn't even remember why I had stayed up later that night, completely excited and nervous. Then I remembered. I had a hiking trip today! Jumping out of bed I grabbed a pair of jeans and a forest green tank top. I really don't like to stick out while hiking, I can't tell you how embarrassing it is when some joggers pass you and you're wearing a bright pink diva shirt. (And no, it wasn't me who did that, it was Kate, just in case you were wondering) After that I don't think I really ever invited

her to go hiking with me again. But this trip felt different. It's like. . . hmm. . . Well you know that odd feeling where you absolutely know something is going to happen, something important, good or bad? Well that feeling was practicality warning the me best it could. Maybe I could question Marisa more, she obviously knew something about what's going on. I sure as heck didnt. After I brushed out my hair and put it up in a ponytail, I walked into the hallway, feeling sure I was going to get some answers finally. Boy was I wrong. "Marisa!" I called out. "Marisa, we need to talk!" The house was dead silent. I supposed John had already gone to work, maybe Marisa went shopping or something? I moseyed into the living room, half-expecting to see Marisa sitting in the deep blue love-seat. Nothing. A little desperate, I speeded into the kitchen, maybe she was eating breakfast? After all it was only seven a.m in the morning. I yawned, wishing I had stayed in bed longer. On the fridge there was a neatly written note. Alisa, I wish you the best of luck on your hiking trip. I'm afraid you might not see me for a little, there's nothing to worry about in that matter. Everything is going to change, and I hope your ready for it. ~Marisa I blinked. What in the world was going on? Marisa just disappeared out of thin air, leaving nothing but a warning note! This day was not starting off the best. I looked up the dirt trail. It seemed so much longer than before. My nerves were a little beyond tense, and my backpack felt extra heavy on my shoulder. I'd packed everything I thought was necessary. The basics, clothes, toiletries, an extra blanket (just in case), and a few personal things like my e-reader (which is totally cool, it can get Internet service no matter where you're at, even the forest), and my necklace with the little blue gem on it. Dad said I should always have it with me, even if I didn't plan on using it. I never questioned him why, and I always listened to that one rule for some reason.

I climbed deeper into the forest, the trees got thicker and provided awesome shade, rays of sunlight spilling through the branches. The path was getting rockier and harder to walk on without really sore feet. I estimated I was about a half-a-mile in. Halfway to the boulder. I don't normally go on this path, mostly because I grew up with locals saying it was cursed or whatever. I've been up here a few times, though. You know, just to check it out. Marisa never really liked me going up on this path, always insisting on going with me. And the entire time we walked on it, I swear she must have been wearing clogging shoes or something, because the whole time I heard something that might have been Clip, Clop or Flip, flap. Marisa insisted that she had big feet, but honestly, shes a size smaller than me. I certainly don't make funny noises while hiking. Thinking about all the odd experiences in my life, I got further and further into the forest. The birds chirping had stopped off a while back, which was really odd because on the other trails, the further I went in, the more birds there were. Scanning the treetops I tried to find if there were really any there at all. Not a single one. Feeling a little spoked, I took out my hand sized red ereader and plugged in headphones, scanning through my play-list. I tried to tell myself that I had been on this trail before, it wasn't cursed or anything, I'd even had a picnic with Marisa up on the boulder! This was just me making myself nervous. Nothing else. If only that were true. About twenty minutes later I reached the boulder, so trepidatious I almost expected something to jump out at me. I sighed with relief and a little bit of disappointment when nothing happened. I had no idea what I was supposed to do from here! There was just me, and a huge six-foot tall boulder with moss covering the sides, and a somewhat flat top where Marisa and I had had a picnic. Nothing crazy, no huge yellow tail or random dude's talking about armor. I had no idea what I was expecting, but I certainly wasn't expecting nothing. I groaned and sat down on the boulder. Why had Marisa

sent me here? Was there really a reason, or was this some joke and I was going to come home all sweaty and hear her say Gotcha? That didn't really sound like something she would do, she's not serious or anything, but she doesn't really like to pull practical jokes this far away from April first. I kept listening for the birds, it was really weird not hearing them. It's like if you saw it raining, but you couldn't hear it. It was eerie, sitting there on that boulder and thinking about the supposedly cursed part of the forest. After I finished my PB&J I put my e-reader back in my backpack and glanced around one last time, hoping to see something. Fully knowing it wasn't going to happen I jumped off the boulder, sighed in irritation, and glanced up at the sky. That's when I saw a long blue, scaly massive tail with smaller spikes on the end disappear into the treetops. I gaped, standing there like a idiot. I shook myself and started to run to where the tail had been, it was far away, sure, but I had to know of this was real. That's when a hand clamped firmly on my shoulder.