Chapter 1:

Future Unknown

School was out for the day. Jack Phillips had just got out of his last period course before Spring Break. It's been months since he and his fellow friends over there have experienced a sort of the paranormal. Of course nothing can be expressed as 'major' when his sister, Fi, was in the picture. Since her departure to Seattle, things haven't gotten much worse. Jack had changed these past two years; touring, encountering the third kind, and ecetera. Had the adventure came to a proper stopping point? Or was it placed aside the shelf for it to be removed out of?

"Man; what a way to kick off the weekend!" He exclaimed. Jack hasn't spoken in such an exciting mood, at least it has been awhile. While staring down at his interim report, he knew he could escape the 'prison cell'. As much as everyone dislikes coming to a public school system to get an Education, could anybody get as far as receiving a diploma in their hands? Who knows what Jack knows.

"Hey Jack," a voice spoken behind him. The clean cut teen turned his attention where a blonde sat upon the bench. "What have you been up to?"

"Ugh not so much at all," he replied. Jack and Annie have encountered many unordinary species. Whether it'd be someone who possesses the ability to do something your typical humans can't, or if a T.V would come on without an outlet to support it, it wouldn't be any surprise.

"Where's Carey? He would've been here about a couple of minutes ago?" She said. Annie has been in Hope Springs for over a year now. After the craziest adventures as a freshmen, she's moving over to whatever path that trails her when sophomore year comes along. The engraving ring Fi had given her the day she decided to drop her duties as a private eye has long been gone. Since she realized that, it seems 2001 may have turned out to have been a 'taken a back seat' year...at least that's what Annie considers.

"Um, he's always late. Is that a surprise?" Jack commented.

"I'm just joking you know," Annie giggled. "Well according to the weather report, it looks like it's going to shower."

"First of all, you're sounding like Clu. Next, I thought all of this paranormal stuff is finally done for. What more could I bargain for?" A paranoid Jack said. Meanwhile Annie just looked at him awkwardly, something she usually does when it came down towards random execution. "Please, not the look."

"Jack; is there something wrong? I mean you're acting like there's somebody stalking you." Annie out of curiousity asked.

"Oh it's nothing really. I'm just glad we are at Spring Break. You know seeing you in those bikinis, every guy squirting water guns at y..."

Annie interrupts Jack's speech. "Okay let's not play the 'pick on Annie' game. Not to talk like in third person, but I know we've always get laid."

The male teen sat on the bench next to her. He didn't gravitate at her nor did he touched her in a way a female would become uncomfortable of. It was just a friendly friend sort of talk.

"I...I- He stuttered. As frustrated as Jack feels, clarification wasn't his specialty. "I was wondering..."

Once again the blonde raised her eyebrows; upward and downward. "You're wondering...? Let me guess. You and I want to go out?"

Jack closed his eyes. For the next few minutes he couldn't think of a single phrase or word in an effort of completing his statement. How many times has he executed a conversation where it would involve as towards blind dating and other various types of going out, mostly during a Friday night? That's his personality for you.

"What makes you think that? Do you realize how much it means to have a girlfriend who doesn't like someone because of their looks?" Jack said.

"I think you've been asking way too many questions," Annie responded.

"Look just forget what I said. How about we go across the street? It's my treat." He suggested.

"You mean that house, or should I say abandoned house?" She asked. "Jack, if this is one of your typical plans of playing I Spy, count me out."

The clean cut teen sighed. He didn't want to admit whatever emotions swirled within him. Jack felt as if he needed a sort of sidekick. Just how pointless could he consider, or take into the account?

"I'm sorry; I don't think I should've said that." Annie said. Meanwhile Jack lied his back on the wooden bench. "Did you ever felt something like you've wanted to fit in somewhere? It's not that I want to know, but something that's been going on in my mind."

"Why are you asking? Not that I feel insulted the way I said it." Jack said.

"Who needs this ring anyways? I don't feel like I was doing my job being the instigator of sorts." She responded. Ann tried removing the ring out from her pinky, but Jack stopped her.

"What are you trying to do? If it means devaluing the special gift my little sister had since she was little, you're just going to throw it away?" Jack convinced the long haired blonde from surrendering the once engraved ring, a gift passed down from the offspring. Annie felt there was no point of investigation the unusual surroundings she and her crew have encountered. These past several months seem so thin, at least from her perspective. "Maybe it's best if I take it."

"I'm not joking Jack. This ring doesn't mean anything. I know you and Fi share as much than you guys claim. I was born as an only child in case you haven't heard. Where's the 'it' crew when I need them?" She whined. Soon she lied down on the bench, her head attached across from Jack's.

"We're not looking at the stars. I mean it's not even sunset." Jack joked. He'd sat up. Jack thinks back to the moments where Fi was in desperate need of help. He never admitted to her how deep inside he believed the paranormals lurking around. For the most part Jack kept silent.

"Hey dudes and dude dats; what's up?" a voice shouted. Not so distantly Clu Bell waved his hand, allowing the couplets to acknowledge.

"Didn't you say his car broke down?" Annie whispered.

"I never said anything about that. Let me guess..." Jack was on the verge of blurting the predicate, but Clu intercepted.

"Carey had to stop by. The last I heard he was getting something from the repairment shop." Clu assured the two teens. For quite some time he considered pursuing a career of becoming a school teacher. It wasn't like it was apart of his blood. Then again he has his reasons.

"What's up with college? I can't believe your already there." Jack said, "Not that I'm jealous or anything."

Clu placed his briefcase inside the open trunk of his car. As soon as it shuts, the gentleman took the duration hanging out with his fellow crew. "Of course how could I envy you bro? I know it's been months since we talked face to face...well, besides chatting that is."

"I think it's better off if we discussed this in the car?" The blonde said.

"You said it!" Clu responded joyfully.