CHAPTER 04

As Sammy heads out the front door she waves to her parents in the living room watching TV and says to them sincerely "Goodnight Mom and Dad..  I'll be home later tonight"

"Ok Sam.. be careful and have fun!  We love you!"  Sammy's mom answers back seriously while giving Sammy a slight wave.

Sammy heads out of the house towards the adjacent garage to retrieve one of the family's 4 wheelers.  Once in the garage, Sammy opens the old wooden cabinet on the wall and grabs the keys to her favorite quad hits the button to open the garage door.  Sammy cranks up the quad and quickly closes the garage door behind her.  Sammy begins the short drive across her family's ranch towards the Grant property while she catches her herself glancing toward the sky thinking to herself, "The sky is gorgeous tonigh!  I can't recall a night so beautiful.  So clear and full of stars!"  She can easily point out the North Star along with the Big Dipper in the sky tonight, while the full moon is illuminating the sky around it.  Sammy continues looking at beautiful sky when her train of thought is interrupted when she notices another abnormally bright "star" in the sky.  As Sammy continues to stare  at this "star",  she stops her four wheeler to get a better, safe view.... But the more and more Sammy looks at it, the brighter and brighter it gets as it becomes a brighter blue in color, much like the object she had seen the night before.  Sammy continues thinking to herself about similar this "star" is to the what she had been seeing in her flashbacks when suddenly, the bright blue "star" leaves it's position, darting across the sky as if it was a missile being fired from a military jet, but even a missile wouldn't move to a speed comparable to the what the "star" was moving at.  Sammy can't help but notice that within a split second, the blue "star" had appeared on the opposite end of the sky when she quickly thinks to herself, "How can it move that fast?..It doesn't make sense.".  Sammy finishes her thought just as the "star" settles in it's new location only stopping long enough for Sammy to begin to try and comprehend the distance and speed it had just traveled, when yet again the "star" darts in another direction with stealth like precision to a location that Sammy can only figure is 100's of miles in distance, if not 1,000s of miles within a second.  Sammy continues to look on puzzled for a few moments longer when this odd blue "star" jumps across the sky one last time before it completely disappears from the night's sky.

Sammy thinks to herself  one last time "What in the world was that?...A shooting star? but I've never seen a shooting star move like that.. let alone anything move like that, ever!"  Sammy thinks to herself briefly while recapping all of the odd things that she has encountered in the last day, but then quicly shrugs it off to what can only be a coincidence.  Sammy just wants to see her friends and forget all about the craziness she's had to deal with today, so Sammy cranks her quad back up and finishes her short commute to Luke's.

Sammy quickly reaches the edge of the pond on the backside of the Grant property where they typically have their bonfires.  A decent amount of people seem to have already started to gather near the pond.  As Sammy gets closer to the pond, she can already see that the fire is roaring as it's steadily increasing in size due to someone in the shawdow tossing more wood onto the burning coals.  Sammy turns off her quad to hear the smooth sounds of country music blasting from one of the jacked up pickup truck's stereo that's backed up toward the pond.

"SAMMY!" Luke shouts to her from a distance "YOU MADE IT!" as he runs towards where Sammy parked her four wheeler near the trucks and quickly hands her a beer to greet her.

"Of course I did... What else is there to do around here?" she answers back smiling while trying to disguise all the weirdness that's been happening to her today, "Thanks!, I need one of these!" Sammy continues on as she grabs the beer from Luke's hand and quickly takes a sip.

"Are Kate and Jenny here yet?" Sammy asks Luke as she looks around the crowd to see if she spots her friends.

"No, not yet.. but I just talked to Kate before you pulled up and they are 2 minutes out or so." Luke quickly responds as he interrupts Sammy's instense gaze towards him

"Oh, did you?  Just talked to Kate eh?" Sammy responds in a slightly teasing manner as she gives him a gentle nudge with her elbow as they both start to walk over towards the blazing bonfire and group of people that have begun to gather around it.

Luke can't help himself and feels as if he still has to justify himself to Sammy when it comes to things like talking to Kate, so he fires back at her, "You know... It's really not like that with Kate, right?"

"Luke, Even if it is "like that", it's OK.  It really is!  You and Kate are both my friends and I want you both to be happy!...and if that means together, well that's OK too!  You don't have to worry about me". Sammy responds back to Luke sincrely hoping he will finally realize that she really is moving on and it's OK if he does too.  So Sammy continues on, "I really don't care if you like Kate...I already told her if you guys like each other, you should go for it!"  Sammy says seriously. "It's not going to hurt me feelings.. Really!  I just want you to be happy."

Luke trys to shrug it off quickly as he and Sammy arrive to where Jimmy and Steve are standing by the fire.  As Jimmy and Steve are saying their "hellos" to Sammy, Luke starts to think to himself about all the good times he and Sammy have had, but they've been split up for for awhile now.. maybe it might be time to give things a go with Kate?  Luke continues thinking to himself for a few moments when he is brought back to reality in an instant when he hears "Beer Bong?" being asked by Steve directly in frot of him.

"You OK dude?"  Steve quickly follows up with before Luke has a chance to answer him... "You look out of it!"  Steve adds

"Ah..yeah.. I'm good... Was just thinkin' about something is all.. Maybe later on with he Bong, OK?"  Luke responds back quickly realizing he had been caught in his brief day dream.

Seconds later and a pair of headlights can be seen making their way up the dirt road alongside the Grant property.  Luke can already tell from the shape and height of the lights, and of course he was just told that they were two minutes out, that it must be Jenny's Jeep with Kate riding shotgun.  Luke lets out a brief sigh, followed up by a deep breath, and then takes a quick chug of the rest of his beer hoping he can somewhat get his "unsure feelings" for Kate in check, seeing as he is unsure of what he is goig to do.

"Oh yeah Luke.. I almost forgot... Did you see the shooting star right before I got here?" Sammy asks Luke intently wondering if anyone else may have seen what she had.

"Whoa! Really?" exclaims Luke in wonder, "I definitely missed it... I've been so busy setting up for this fire, I don't think I've looked up in the sky once tonight."

"Maybe you should look up every now and again, ehh?"  Sammy asks jokingly as she sticks her tongue out at Luke while giving him a gentle elbow to the stomach just as Kate and Jenny walk up to them.

"Jenny..Kate!  You guys made it!"  Sammy exclaimes excitedly to her friends.

"Of course we did!"  Kate answers back with a shy smile on her face aimed in Luke's direction.

Jenny quickly interjects by saying "We would have been her sooner, but this one had to change like 30 times," as she nods her head towards Kate while letting everyone know abouut Kate's dilemma.

"What?  I just couldn't decide on what to wear is all!"  Kate fires back, while slightly embarrassed

"Well, I think you look great tonight!.. You made a good choice!"  Luke exclaims quickly as his face turns red from the shyness in giving Kate a compliment.  Luke is instanly relieved in knowing that the color change in his face can't be seen by everyone in the darkness.  By now Kate's face begins to light up in a smile as she looks intently towards Luke and says:

"Thanks!  I'm glad you like it." Kate mutters embarrassingly with an increasing blushing face

Sammy and Jenny both look to each other and shake their heads and begin to giggle.  "C'mon, let's get you two a drink," Sammy says to Jenny hoping to get relieved from this conversation as they start to walk over to the cooler that houses the beer.

Luke opens up the cooler, grabs a couple beers and pops the tops off and hands Jenny and Kate both a beer.  Luke grabs another for himself while also motioning to Sammy asking if she'd like another too.

"Yeah, I'll take another. Thanks!"  Sammy answers Luke back as she's handed a fresh beer shortly after.

Kate goes to take a sip of her beer when she's quickly interrupted by Sammy exclaiming seriously while also teasking her, "Whoah there, forgetting something aren't ya?  So quick to take a sip tonight..Got something else on your mind do ya? Guess we know who's turn it is!".

"Ah, I'm sorry Sam..  I wasn't even thinking about our toast.  Sorry!" Kate says apologetically while also feeling embarassed .  It's not that she's embarassed for liking a guy, it's just that the guy is Luke and he used to date her best friend Sam... and they've all known each other all their lives... But Sammy says it's OK.  It's just a touchy situation is all.  You know, "complicated" as it's called.

"Yeah, we both know what you're thinking about instead!"  Jenny quickly fires back as she and Sammy both giggle knowing full well her minds on Luke.

"Alright now..Get your laughs in and get over it you two!  I've got one I think!"  Kate quickly interrupts their giggling and continues on..  Jenny and Sammy both stop their giggles and look at her intently ready to take a sip of their beers.

"Ok. Umm.. Let's see..  ""Here's to IT, and from IT, and to IT again, and if you don't do IT when you get to IT, you may never get to IT, TO do IT again!","  Kate finishes up her toast and clinks beer bottles with her friends, followed by a sip of their beers.  While finishing her sip, Kateas glances over to where  Luke is standing and can't help but to feel happy when she sees Luke has a smile on his face too and.. and he's looking right at her! 

Kate quickly gets her emotions in check as Luke walks back up to the group of girls and says seriously as he must've overheard them, "Don't you girls ever run out of these toasts?  You've been doing em for what?  Almost 3 years now?  

"You're just jealous that you, Steve, and Jimmy can't be so creative and cool as us!  Let alone wait until a toast is made before you can drink!"  Sammy quickly exclaims as she teases Luke.

"Yeah, you got me!  I'll never be as COOL as you three!"  Luke says as he starts to laugh while holding his hands up as if was being caught.

"Hey, Speaking of those 2 jokers, where are they?  I haven't seen them in a few."  Luke asks as he looks around the area by the fire trying to spot his buddies.

"I'm not sure.  They were just by the fire when Jenny and Kate go here a few minutes ago."  Sammy quickly answers Luke back.

"Ah, It'll be alright.. I'm sure they're round here somewhere doin something they aren't supposed to be doin... They'll turn up in a little bit."  Luke states truthfully as he and the girls walk closer to the pond where the majority of the group could be found.

By this point, it's a little afer 8 p.m., the pond is dimly lit by the brightness of the moon and the glowing fire.  There are a few people fishing for Catfish along the edge of the pond hoping to snag a big one during the party, but most everyone is just hanging out talking to each other near the waters edge or dancing to music that can still be heard from one of the trucks.  There's a small group of people playing Cornhole off to the side, across from Cornhole is a small table full of snacks, while hotdogs and burgers are being cooked on the nearby grill. 

As Sammy continues to talk with Jenny and Kate, Luke says "Hey, I'm going to go grab another beer.. anyone need another?"

"Yeah, I'll take one.. thanks!" Kate answers back first

"Me too" can be heard from Sammy and Jenny almost in unison as they also respond

Luke answers back to them all by saying "No problem.. I got ya!  I'm going to see if I can find Jimmy and Steve too.. I havent seen them for almost an hour now.. That's not like them" Luke states seriously as he begins to walk away.

"You know, it is pretty weird.. Jimmy and Steve not being anywhere to be found when there's beer and food for the taking."  Sammy says in a somewhat joking manner, while also feeling somewhat uneasy deep down as if something just isn't right...  and with everything else that's been going on, she can't help but to feel a little nervous.

"It may be a little weird for them.. but I'm sure they're off with someone doing something they shouldn't"  Jenny answers back with a smile on her face

"Yeah you're probably right Jen.. I wonder what that "shouldn'ts" name is?"  Sammy quickly responds as she cracks a joke hoping to lighten the situation.

"I know, right!"  Jenny responds back immediately

"Hey Sam, by the way...  What happened on your ranch today?  I overheard my Dad talking on the phone to Cap before I left.. Something about dead cattle with no eyes?"  Kate asks Sammy in a serious tone wondering if she knows what had happened.

"It's nothing". Sammy quickly responds "We just lost a few cattle is all.  It happens from time to time.  You both know that."

"Yeah, But Sammy, they said they didn't have eyes or any organs without a drop of blood anywhere?"  Kate says back to Sammy seriously

"Yeah, that's what made it so weird and that's why Cap came out there..  He said all of their eyes were gone along with all their legs and organs.  He said it's almost like they just dropped dead right where they were at because there weren't any kind of tracks in the field.  But, it's just that.. With everything that happened to them, you'd think there would be at least some blood right?  They couldn't even find a single drop of blood anywhere near the cattle."  Sammy finishes telling them the truth about what happened.  Sammy looks over to Jenny and Kate, only to see they both have a look of horror and confusion at the same time on their faces trying to comprehend what actually happened.

"But, H-how is that possible?"  Jenny states as she comes to her senses

"That's why Cap was there and that would also be the million dollar question. No one seems to know."  Sammy responds back seriously

"JIIMMMMY....STEEEEVE.... WHERE YOU GUYS AT?" can be heard from Luke off in the distance as the girls finish their conversation.

"He still hasn't found them I guess?"  Kate quickly says out loud to Sam and Jenny

"Guess not?". Sammy answers back, "Weird..  This is odd by for even those two!"

A few minutes later, Luke finally makes it back to where Sammy, Kate, and Jenny are with beers in hand. "Jimmy and Steve haven't been by here, right?"  Luke asks genuinely as he passes the beers out

"No, we still haven't seen them!"  Sammy responds seriously

"It's not like them to just take off like that.  I tried calling them both and their phones are going straight to voicemail.  They're probably out in one of the fields with the Davis twins again."  Luke states while wondering where his friends might be.

"Oh gosh, Davis twins again?"  Jenny states as she, Kate, and Sammy all begin to laugh because they all know what happened the last time Jimmy and Steve went off with the twins.  Jimmy and Steve spent hours messing around with the Davis twins out in the woods one night only to both come back with Poison Ivy all over their bodies, including places you really don't want to have it at.  Jimmy and Steve were itching like fools for days after that encounter and swore they'd never mess around with the Davis twins again.

They all kind of shrug it off and continue to talk and have a good time.  As time passes, as do a few more beers, Sammy notices that it's after 10 p.m. at his point and noone has seen Jimmy and Steve since she arrived at Luke's earlier.  She looks over at Luke and she can tell that he is even more worried than he was before and is constantly looking around trying to spot his buddies.  By now, Jimmy and Steve have been missing for over 2 hours.  While being missing for a couple hours doesn't seem like a big deal, but for Jimmy and Steve this is highly unlike their character.  Typically at Luke's bonfires you can find the three of them tied at the hip while drinking beer and playing pranks on people, but tonight is very, very different.  As time goes on, people are starting to leave the get together as the clock approaches 11 p.m. and the pair have yet to be spotted.  As the crowd thins, the only ones left by the fire are Luke, Sammy, Kate, and Jenny who are all wondering where Jimmy and Steve may be at.

"Something's gotta be wrong.. Everyone's gone, but Jimmy's truck is still here and they still haven't turned up.  I'm going to grab my quad and go look around!"  Luke exlcaims to the group of girls hoping he may be able to track down his friends.

"Luke, I'll go with you.  I have my quad here already!"  Sammy responds back sincrely wanting to help

"Thanks!  Two sets of eyes are probably better.  Jenny..Kate.. Why don't you two go ahead and go home..  We'll update you as soon as we know something..Ok?"  Luke says to the girls figuring they may want to go ahead and get out of there.

"But we want to help!  Jimmy and Steve are our friends too!"  Kate pleads to Luke as she continues "Jenny can drive her Jeep through the fields to help look!"

"Luke, just let them help.  You said two sets are eyes are better.. May as well make it four!" Sammy says to Luke sincrely

"Fine.. Let's just find them!"  Luke answers back as he heads to grab his quad from the garage.

The group spread out in their 3 vehicles to search the Grant property.  While this is Luke's parents property; Sammy, Jenny, and Kate have all spent numerous hours in the fields growing up so they are all pretty familiar with the terrain, but it's also late at night and darkness can play a huge part in the search.

About a half hour of searching later, the 3 vehicles cross paths to update each other on their progress, but they still haven't spotted them.  They all agree to give it another half hour or so before they'll Cap to get the Sherriff's Department involed. Once again the 3 vehicles head off in to separate directions to continue their search for Steve and Jimmy!

About five minutes later, Sammy is searching along the Eastern edge of the Grant property that borders her family's ranch when her attention is suddenly grabbed by something in the sky once again.  There is another bright, blue ball shaped object in the sky deep off in the distance. Within a split second Sammy can see the blue fireball go from being what seems like miles away, to appearing at the opposite end of the sky within a blink of an eye.  This time, the blue ball ultimately settled what seems to only be a couple hundred yards above her head in the sky.  As Sammy tries to focus on the light to try and get a graspe of what it may be, it once again darts away in an instance with immense speed traveling across the sky.  It moves from side to side, almost zig zagging at times as it bounces all over the sky with cosmic speed.  Sammy can't help but think to herself, "I've never seen a plane, or well, anything for that matter ever move like yet.  It's all over the place!" Just as Sammy finishes her thought, the blue fireball object has yet again disappeared from the sky just as quickly as it had just appeared.

Sammy decides she is going to go and find Jenny and Kate to see if they saw the light like she had just now, but as she follows the fence line, Sammy can start to feel a burning sensation coming from her temple.  The sensation begins to grow in intensity to the point that Sammy has to stop her quad due to the pain and begins to rub her temple trying to console the pain.  Suddenly, Sammy can hear a voice in her head saying "75 yards North.. 100 yards East.. Under the big Oak Tree you'll find your friends!" 

As soon as the statement finishes, the burning sensation vanishes alone with the voice, leaving Sammy feeling completely fine again physically, but makes her think "What the hell was that?  Are they really over there?"  Sammy can't help but wonder if Jimmy and Steve are really where she has just been told or if it's some weird trick.  She thinks for a moment and decides she has to check it out, so she starts to head her quad in the direction the mysterious voice had just told her.  Sammy continues to think about what just happened as she follows the directions, but she can't help to notice that the voice that she had just heard, sounds oddly similar to the voices she had heard in her flashback earlier today.

Sammy arrives to a point she believes is close to 75 yards heading North and now starts to head East towards the Oak Tree.  Sammy is familiar with this tree as the group has spent many nights hanging out under the tree with a cooler, but in the dark night, Sammy is struggling to see due to the brightness of the quad's headlights not being the brightest.  At this point, Sammy is getting close enough to the tree that she can start to make out the dark shadow of the big Oak just outside the reach of her headlights.

Sammy finally makes it closer to the tree, shining her headlights from her quad directly underneath the big Oak hoping to get a glimpse of if her friends are actually there or not.  Sammy's eyes begin to focus as gets alittle nearer to the tree, when she comes across a sight she's never encountered before and begins to scream uncontrollably with fear.