No Secrets: Chapter One

So this was just another story I was writing and decided to make it a vampire story since that's what you guys voted for. I hope you enjoy! It won't get to the vampire part until like the third chapter. Tell me what you think!
___________________________
I stared out the car window, the ear buds in my ears allowing me to only hear the latest country song. It was one of my little secrets. Sure I love my dark combat boots and torn jeans but I also loved singing along to country music while playing air guitar. Sadly the only person who knew about my secret was well...me.

Our expedition turned and finally I could see faint houses hiding behind the old large trees.

I flipped my book closed and placed it in my satchel, anxious for the car to finally stop.

A three hour drive is harder than it sounds. All I have to say is that I'm glad I had an iPod or else I would have to listen to my little ten year old jabbering about how he wants a famous new video game he saw in one of his kid commercials.

We passed several houses until finally my dad parked into a driveway. I didn't bother to look at the house until I finally got out of the car and stretched. I took out my ear buds and stared at the wooden house in front of me with a sigh.

Ok, so they didn't lie about the size of it. It was a huge house, but honestly, so was our last one. And the one before that, and the one before that. I didn't want a big house, I wanted a home.

"You know what I think I'm going to stretch my legs", I said.

"Well don't you want to take a look at the house first?" As always my mom tried to make the move exciting, but I had no need to search the house right 'now'.

"I will, it'll only take ten minutes. I'll be back to help unpack."

I quickly turned around before she could answer and headed toward the trees.

My boots stepped on the dozens of twigs that were scattered on the dirt floor. I searched around, trying to find a tree that stood out from the others. All of them looked the same that it felt like I was going in circles, but I made sure to only walk in a straight line.

Finally I found a tree that seemed to have fallen years ago. Plants have already started to grow around it. I leaned against it with a sigh.

We’re back to the beginning. My dad said this house was the final house, but after hearing that so many times I just found it hard to believe him anymore. The only thing I ask for is to spend my senior year in one school so I can try and enjoy it.

I took out my Nancy Drew book and flipped it open. She was officially one of my heroes. One day I wished to make a name as a detective and complete a million mysteries.

I looked up when I thought I heard a very faint growl. I glanced around, suddenly not feeling so safe. I dismissed it as paranoia and kept on reading.

I heard a growl again, but this time it was closer. I slowly closed my book and placed it away, glancing around me again. Then I heard quiet footsteps. I held my breath.

I wanted to walk back, but I wasn’t sure if whoever was close by knew I was here. Maybe the person was just walking by. But people don’t growl. Well if it was some crazy animal, I think what you should do is remain still right?

The steps got closer but they still remained careful and sneaky. I don’t think that’s a good thing.

When I hear the growl closer than ever, I noticed a shadow among the many large trees. It slowly came toward me. I tried to make out what it was but it wasn’t until it was a few feet away that I saw it clearly.

It was a lion.

It was then I felt my phone start to vibrate in my pocket, catching the lion’s curiosity. It growled at the vibration sound.

I attempted to get my phone out but when the lion took a step closer and showed its sharp teeth I decided to listen to its warning.

It paced in front of me, as if figuring out what to do with me.

I found myself pleading at this animal with my eyes, not caring how foolish that probably was. Maybe some wild animals had some heart. I tried to ignore the thought that some wild animals fed off the fear.

Suddenly I heard a whoosh and a sting.

The lion let out a faint growl before it collapsed and purred quietly. I stared at it in complete shock and confusion.

"You ok miss?"

I jumped when I heard the deep voice.

A young man walked out from the trees behind me, holding a small-looking gun. I froze when I noticed the gun.

"Oh no", he assured, putting the gun in a dark backpack he had. "No worries. This gun only sedates animals. Well it can sedate humans too but we’ve never really experimented on that."

He walked over to the passed out lion and reached out to it. At first I thought he was going to pet it but instead he removed a tiny little needle from the lion’s neck. He walked over to me and showed it to me.

"See", he said, "One of these little suckers can sleep the largest wild animal out there without harming them."

He opened his backpack and threw the needle inside.

He smiled at my lack of speaking.

"I’m Liam", he said, sticking his hand out in front of him.

I cleared my throat and shook it. "I’m Ava."

"Nice to meet you Ava."

He took out a cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number. He held it to his ear silently as it rung.

"Hey Dan guess who I found strolling around near the neighborhood."

Silence.

"Yes I did. Lady was hard to find but we finally found her. She’s knocked out though. Meet me in front of my house in ten and I’ll lead you guys to her destination."

He said a farewell before hanging up.

"She was missing?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes. Miss Lady over here somehow broke out of the zoo. She’s been missing for over 3 days now."

"Lady?"

He removed his dark baseball hat to run his fingers through his light shaggy hair before placing it back on.

"Yeah, she may not seem like it but compared to all the other lions she’s such a lady."

He smirked at my puzzled face.

"You should come by the zoo one time. I’ll give you a grand tour."

He leaned against a close by tree and was silent for a moment.

"So what brings you here?" he asked. "I’m sure the lion’s escape would have made you stay home, indoors, and safe."

I shrugged. "I just moved here so I didn’t know about a runaway lion."

"Well let me be the first to welcome you. I would invite you to the famous diner around here but I’m afraid I have to deal with Lady first. How about tomorrow morning for breakfast?"

It took me a while to understand what he asked. I’ve never really been asked to go out from a guy before. So I wasn’t sure if this was just a friendly gesture or…something else.

"Um", I thought for a moment, "Yeah sure. I think I’d like that."

Wait, I think that was a stupid thing to say. But his smile reassured me.

"Good. Well I should be going. I’ll walk you home. It also helps me to know where I have to pick you up tomorrow."

I hesitantly nodded. "Uh thanks."

I started walking back to my house and Liam followed.

It didn’t take long to reach my house and I was happy that I didn’t lose my way. It wasn’t hard to find my house considering my mom was yelling my name and pacing back and forth in the front yard. When she saw me her worried face became relieved.

"Oh Ava! Your father just told me about a lion on the loose. Are you ok? Why didn’t you answer your phone? Your dad went off looking for you. Young lady when your phone rings I expect you to answer it. That’s why you have a phone. If you can’t be responsible –"

"I’m fine mom, thanks." I had to stop her before she made a much bigger fool of me in front of Liam then she already did. He gaze went toward Liam and she didn’t exactly look worried anymore, but she wasn’t happy either.

"This is Liam. He found me a minute after the lion did."

That’s all it took for my mom to lighten up and start chattering with him. It got to the point where she invited him to dinner but he said he had to go and handle Lady.

"I’ll see you tomorrow at nine?" he asked.

I slowly nodded, knowing my mom was staring.

With a smile he walked farther into the neighborhood.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
I had written another vampire story I really loved but for some reason buzzle wouldn't let me publish it. I hope this will do. Hope you're having a great summer!