Warning Signs [Chapter 1]

The sun planted itself firmly against the cloudless, blue sky. For most, it was lunch time.
But for Beatrix Bell, it marked something very special; the final hour in this stuffed up car.
She was on a road trip with boyfriend. But as any teenager would suspect, they didn’t go alone

Her boyfriend, Mike Mason drove fast and furious. His hazel eyes somehow stayed on the road, while his head bopped to the music blasting on the radio. He tapped his fingers on the staring wheel in beat with the music too.
The vehicle swerved in and out of traffic, causing Beatrix to worry. As much as she wanted to grab the wheel and pull the group to safety, she couldn’t. According to Mike, the front was “a man’s seat.” So the seat next to him was occupied none other than Mike’s best friend; Remi Peroch鮜r

Besides Remi coming from a rich French family, he spoke very good English. “My mom used to work in America. She used to bring me along when I was 4.” He had explained.
Remi sung along with the radio. Making his fist into a imaginary microphone, and putting it in between him and Mike. They both sang a terrible, out of tune duet. But Beatrix couldn’t help but smile. “They’re inseparable.” Said a voice from beside her.

The fourth and final passenger; Alice Hyde. She was Remi’s girl. Beatrix didn’t really get along with her. She’s your typical teenage drama queen.
“Just try.” Mike had told her before they left. Beatrix sighed, she tried. But it never worked. Alice ALWAYS had something wrong with her, or someone did something wrong around her. Her blonde hair fell over her eyes as she continued her texting. Her marine blue eyes stared at her little cell phone screen. As they always have been doing since they left home. Four hours ago.

Speaking of being a drama queen. Beatrix isn’t too innocent either. She hated the way she looked right now. She wasn’t anything special, but she wasn’t boring either. She liked to keep her dirty blonde hair in a ponytail. Mike said he liked it better like that. Not that she always did what Mike said. But she guessed, she agreed.

The car pulled over into a rest stop. Mike smacked Remi on the shoulder. “Do you see what I see?” He asked his friend.
Remi nodded furiously. “FOOD!” They both yelled, spilling out of the car. Beatrix watched them as they ran into a McDonald’s.
“Boys…” She muttered and pulled at the door handle. “Are you coming Alice?” She asked Alice, who was still texting.
“No.” She replied. ” I don’t want to get all fat and greasy.” She glanced up from her cellphone and looked at Beatrix. “You better do the same, I see a stomach growing.”
Beatrix gasped and patted her belly. She did feel something. A lump maybe? She hopped back in the car. “Good idea. I’ll just steal some fries from Mike.”
“No!” Alice exclaimed suddenly, pulling a granola bar from her pocket. “Eat this instead. Way healthier.”
Beatrix took the snack and peeled back the wrapping. “Thanks.” She said.

Finally, the boys returned, bringing remnants of their feast for the girls. When they got turned down, they shrugged and ate them.
Mike pulled out of the parking lot. “One more highway!” Mike said happily, high fiving Remi.
Where they were going Beatrix had no idea. “It’s gonna be outta hand!” Mike had told her. “Some dudes from school rented out some old house. Fixed it up. And now it’s party central this summer.”

Beatrix rolled her eyes. Oh yeah, she thought. That’s where we’re going.

“Herrre we are!” Mike cried, pulling the car on the side of the road. Beatrix shook herself awake. Must have dozed off a bit. She thought, sitting up right in her seat. Remi and Mike already left the car, running into this “party central.”
The house looked abandoned, almost haunted. Beatrix didn’t really know how Mike thought it was fixed up, but she’d save her scolding until she saw the interior. Beatrix exited the car, and slowly followed the boys. Alice loomed after.
“Where’s the ‘big party’?” Beatrix questioned Mike. Who was still staring at the house. “This is the right place.” Mike said, glancing at Remi. “It’s the right place right?”
Remi shrugged. “Sais pas.” He said in French. Something he likes to do out of habit.
Mike pushed on the front door. As if it was a horror film, it creaked open. Slowly. The house was completely dark. Mike started walking in.
“Mike..” Beatrix said cautiously, grabbing onto his hand for protection. “Remi.” Mike whispered. “Have a look around this place outside.”
“Got it.” Remi pulled Alice away with him.
“Maybe we should just go Mike.” Beatrix whispered, pulling herself closer to Mike’s body.
“Not until I look around th- Shh!” Mike silenced her. “Hear that?”
Beatrix listened hard. Just when she was about to open her mouth to disagree, she heard footsteps.
Mike and I are standing still, she thought. So who is moving?
Mike let go of her hand. “Stay here.” He ordered. “Don’t let anyone see you. I’ll be right back.” He pulled away from her, slowly walking into the darkness.
Beatrix squinted in his direction, Mike was so far in. She couldn’t even see him anymore. All she could hear was the shuffling of his feet, and his hands moving across the wall as he felt his way in.

Suddenly, the lights clicked on. Shielding her eyes Beatrix looked towards the front door. There stood Alice, staring at Beatrix was a quizzical look.
Remi popped up behind her. “So you and Mike are into those wild stuff huh?” He joked, walking inside and taking a look around.

Mike appeared from another room. “Any luck?” He asked Remi.
“Nope. Maybe they’re coming in tomorrow.” Remi replied.
“Yeah, okay!” Mike said hopping onto a couch. “We’ll crash here for the night.”
Remi, agreeing with Mike’s “genius” plan, sat beside him.
“I have no signal in here” Alice said. “Might as well wait for the party to start.” She pulled out her nail filers, and got to work.
Beatrix smiled at the word ‘crash’. That meant no more adventures.

She was about to cuddle with Mike on the couch went he sprang up. “Oh my God!” He yelled, pointing at Beatrix’s face. “You’re turning into a man!”

~Nass