Never in a million guesses would I predict that I would be terrified of a fieldtrip, normally Karen, Chris and I would be over the moon right now planning what we would do in our free time during this trip. If you really think about it we do have plans for our free time on this trip, some serious life threatening plans.
I arrived at the school parking lot where the bus would leave, my Mum dropped me off, she was more excited about the trip than I was, she kept saying how great it would be to spend some time away from Stowe to have fun and clear my head, if only she knew how wrong she was.
"Have fun" My Mum waved goodbye and drove off.
I met up with Chris and Karen who were seated on a pavement with a little bit of distance from where the other students gathered.
"Is Susan here yet" I asked.
"There she is" Chris pointed at her as she approached us. She had two duffle bags, one in each hand.
"Hey, where's your Dad?" I asked, she walked right past me without giving me a reply.
"Hey guys" She greeted Chris and Karen. "As discussed, one bag contains my belongings and the other contains the weapons and as a precaution so my dad won't have to source for weapons outside Stowe, we coated every weapon in plastic, hopefully that should throw off the metal detectors"
"Nice work" Karen smiled. "I assume your Dad is parked around the corner waiting for us to move?"
"Yeah, he's parked outside the school. Is anyone else nervous?" She asked and then proceeded to hit her palm on her forehead "Dumb question, I've been on missions before but it's mostly a Goblin here or a Squonk there but this is like a really dangerous mission"
"We're all nervous, so nervous I couldn't sleep last night" Chris responded.
I walked closer to Susan "As long as we stick together and watch each other's backs we'll be fine"
She pretended not to hear me again, she didn't even look at me or acknowledge my presence. She picked up her duffle bags "They've started boarding the buses, let's go" she said and walked away.
I turned to Chris and Susan "Is it just me or is she mad at me?"
"Oh she's definitely mad at you" Karen responded.
"Why?"
Karen got up and picked her luggage "I'm not interfering in this Fred, you're going to have to talk to her and sort this out"
"I have no idea what's going on but I have a feeling I don't want to get stuck in the middle either" Chris said. "C'mon guys let's get on a bus and find good seats"
As we got closer to the bus we noticed the students were upset about something, they were visibly murmuring and one student voiced out 'This isn't cool man'.
"What's going on?" Chris asked.
"We're getting babysitters" Susan responded. "The AMU is sending two vehicles with us"
I sighed heavily "Talk about complicating things"
The students continued to protest until Mr. Park calmed them down, he assured us that the AMU wouldn't interfere with our trip in anyway and that they were here solely for our protection. We all boarded the bus and drove off, when we got to the checkpoint we were not searched, they allowed us to go through immediately, phase one of the plan was complete, we were out of Stowe and now all we had to do was wait for the Chimera to make contact.
In the few days we had before the fieldtrip, Dr. Adler trained me the best he could, he even sparred with me a couple of times and showed me that having powers doesn't automatically give you an advantage in a fight. I wish I had more time to train but I was confident I knew how to throw a proper punch now.
We arrived at our first stop on the trip, a city few hours away from Stowe that has a science museum, we were given accommodations in a motel and assigned two to a room. Chris and I paired up, we dropped our luggage and came outside, the motel had a huge patio with wooden chairs and benches lined up next to the swimming pool. The AMU soldiers were positioned around the motel, I doubt they expected an attack but still they took their jobs seriously.
Chris and I sat down on a wooden bench "Isn't that your Dad?" I pointed to one of the AMU soldiers.
"He didn't tell me he would be escorting us" Chris answered. Chris' Dad spotted us and waved, we waved back.
"So how're things going with your Dad?" I inquired.
Chris gave a gentle smile "Good, I mean I'm still mad at him obviously for the lack of contact over the years but he's been visiting a lot since he's been in Stowe and it's been nice having him around"
"I'm happy for you man"
A woman walked up to us and sat on the bench "Hey kids, what's with the military escort?"
"We're students from Stowe doing a field trip and the military escort is to protect us apparently" I responded.
The woman's eyes lit up "Oh I heard about the terrible things going on down there, have they caught the monster yet?"
"No, not yet"
The Woman scooted closer to us "I heard something's about the attacker and I would like to know if it's through. Is that okay?"
Chris looked at me before answering the woman "We don't really feel comfortable talking about this"
"It'll be quick questions, I promise" she said. "I heard that it's not only a dire beast attacking Stowe, that apparently a Chimera is controlling this beast"
"That's public knowledge, the AMU released that statement some weeks ago" I said.
She smiled "You didn't let me finish. I also heard that this Chimera is a big idiot who's having a hard time kidnapping a teenager with powers"
I looked at her in shock "What?"
She smiled fully, exposing her teeth which had two pointy fangs dropping from her gums.
"V-vampire" Chris said and attempted to get up when she grabbed him and pulled him right down.
"If you attract attention I'll be forced to do something rash" She threatened.
I was angry and sparked a little lighting off my palms "What do you want?"
"He was right, you really do have some fight in you" She giggled freakishly. "You want to know what I want, you see the gray sedan across the street, I want you to get up right now, walk over there and get in"
I tightened my fists "Yeah right, like that's going to happen"
"Careful there, you might be able to put up a good fight but I doubt your friend here can and remember I'm a vampire, I doubt you can reach me before I tear open his throat"
She was right, vampires are really fast, and not to mention she still had her grip on Chris' arm since she pulled him down. I looked over at Chris' Dad who was now busy conversing with another colleague, I looked at the other soldiers and they didn't seem to notice what was going on and who can blame them, this vampire has a pretty face and is wearing a flower dress.
"Fine" I responded. "You'll let him go as soon as I get in the car"
"You have my word" She smiled, exposing her fangs again.
"Don't do it Fred, you don't kn…." He was cut off when the vampire squeezed his arm tightly.
I turned around and walked over to the gray sedan, as I got closer I got a clearer image of the person in the driver's seat, it was the Chimera. He gave me a smirk as I came closer, as soon as I got into the car he grabbed my hands and handcuffed them together.
"Supernatural handcuffs, they should deal with that nasty strength of yours" He said.
I looked out the window and saw her unhand Chris and approached the vehicle, she was very close when Chris raised alarm, I could see some of the AMU soldiers getting into their vehicles, the others chased the woman on foot but she was fast, she slid over the hood and got in. "Drive!" she yelled and the Chimera floored it.
It was about time I did something to help myself out- I thought. I know he said they were supernatural cuffs but that wasn't going to stop me from trying to break free, with one try I broke the cuffs with my super strength.
The vampire was shocked "How in the…" I didn't let her finish that sentence, I grabbed her and pulled her into the back seat with me. We struggled but I was stronger, I overpowered her and put her in a chokehold, a move that Mr. Adler taught me.
"Stop the car or I'll hurt her" I threatened.
The Chimera picked up what looked like a gas mask and put it on.
"No! Don't you dare" The Vampire struggled to say with my arm wrapped around her neck.
The Chimera tossed a canister in the back and it went off, it was a smoke bomb, well almost. The gaseous substance in it was definitely not plain smoke. I instantly started couching and feeling lightheaded, next thing I knew I was struggling to keep my eyes open until I couldn't.