Chapter one: Glow street

My parents always told me when people come into your life you only have one chance to catch them before they leave but honestly no one ever going to catch me because I’ll be too fast for them but the thing is no one would want to catch me “Ahem ms. Brookes?” “Yeah?” “Yeah what perfessor yes I’m so sorry what is it?” Perfessor Trix shook his head and beckoned me to the front of the class ms. Brookes please answer the question on the board like I asked you for the fifth time I breathed in slightly and looked at the board surprised to see that I had to just share the writing assignment I’d done over the weekend alright here we go I thought. 

Then I read I started in a loud and proud voice but by the end of the story I grew quite aware that either the class found my story horrifically bad or confusing when I got to the end of my story and put my head down and walked to the back of the class I watched Mr. Trix he had peach colored hair that went of one eye but didn’t cover the other one he had brown eyes and he always wore a tacky sweater to school everyone including me thought it was a bit amusing then I studied the classroom it had an old fashioned look to it and had posters of old newspaper clippings on it I was just looking around because I was  trying to take my mind off of what had just happened I knew all the people in this classroom even the professor would forget about my story sooner or later.

Although I wouldn’t because whenever I make something or read something to anyone they pretend to like it or outright tell me how awful it is the only people that like my writing is my parents but normally there the only people that like it I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what my classmates were thinking when the bell rang and I got up from my seat mr. Trix held me back and said he would like to speak with me privately for a few moments I blushed and heard someone whisper “ohhh Londons in trouble now” I sighed and walked into mr Trixes “office” it was just the computer room with a desk in it mr. Trix sat down and motioned for me to take a seat I did and fittled with a pen to make things seem less intense mr. Trix could fail me and was possibly about to do so right now 

mr. Trix sat up a little straighter and told me to put the heckin pen down and look at him I stared into his old knowing eyes I listened very carefully as he talked he had a sort of British accent “London you have a gift to write you should use it to your advantage and enter in the competition you would most certainly win.” “I already told you sir no one likes my writing didnt you see the looks the kids in the class were giving me when I read them my assignment about stars?” “Yes… Yes I did their looking at you like that cause they don’t understand why you write differently than them and that’s why you’d win the competition.” “I’ll think about it.” I replied mr. Trix wrote me a pass to my next class so I wouldn't get in trouble for being late I took a seat and watched the clock as the teacher went over normal procedure checking everyone's name down

Then telling them the rules of the class I took some deep breaths and tried to decide I sat back a little farther back in my chair I blew my hair off my face and listened to the teacher again “Now remember class the ancient ruins were about to visit are very old so please try not to touch anything I nodded politely but scoffed in my head . no way was I leaving those ruins without anything in my pocket.  

London's writing assignment

Once upon a time when the stars didn’t shine and the moon didn’t glow there was a maiden she could not be harmed by anything she could not fear anything and she could walk on absolutely everything that including space including that she could walk on nothing too she had a long cloak like dress that covered her whole body it was covered in black stars and the color of the cloak was silver she had short hair that was cut into a pixie cut one day the maiden saw the sadness in the moon for it could not glow and the blankness of the sky so she touched her cloak and pulled off the black stars then she placed them into the sky one by one suddenly the moon started shining and the stars started glowing and then the maiden disappeared the end.

(Continue chapter now)

I stepped onto the damp dirty bus and scanned for Ring I finally spotted her she was in the third to last row in the bus which meant she was in an awful mood the places Ring sat were very important to me because when she’s in the very back she’s slightly annoyed when she’s close to the back but not all the way in the back she’s ready to kill someone when she’s in the middle she’s tired and sluggish when she’s close to the front but not in the very front she’s in a pretty happy mood and when she’s in the very front she was the happiest person I’d ever seen 

so… me seeing her in the third to last row was stressful I swallowed my gut instinct that was telling me to be a jerk and walk away from her anger and I gathered all of my stamina and courage and sat next to her that’s when  started “London you won’t believe what I’m about to tell you and by the end of this bus trip your eyes are going to be on fire and you going to want to punch someone in the face I’m not going to say who but just listen someones told everyone your secret they’ve told people that you got expelled from your old school I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to forget the throbbing memory in my head I could tell that Ring didn’t know what else to say “Who had been spreading that around the school?...” I tried to make my voice calm and peaceful

but it may have come out forced or too calm in a way “Ember has been” Ring said I clenched my hands into fists and then unclenched them “Don’t do anything stupid London you know that I know the truth and your parents know the truth and that’s all that matters I let out a wavering breath and said “I won’t” when the bus stopped it was to let more kids from different schools come on I understood why so many people were coming I mean this was a giant field trip to Mexico’s old ruins and old places that were not functional anymore then I saw Quail was on the bus “Hey…London” I looked away and pretend not to hear her Ring hugged me and motioned for me to talk to her 

“I know you won’t forgive me for that day at the office I almost got killed in a school fight with the bully and the person that saved me was you but when you knocked out the kid that tried to hurt me she played the victim card and I played the jerk card and I said that you had started the fight to save my own skin and then you got expelled and I just want to tell you I’m sorry.” Quail said I looked at Ring to get some kind of answer for what I should say but she just smiled and shrugged I inhaled and turned to face Quail she had bags under her eyes and she looked exhausted I wanted to smirk at her but I couldn't my normal confidence was drain “Im sorry Quail but I think it's too late for us to makeup by.” Ring she sighed sadly as we both watched Quail walk away she was obviously depressed by what I just told her.    

“Ring I know what your going to say that I should have been more gentle or something, but what she did really hurt me and my life and…” Ring stopped me and said “No I think you had every right to do that she needed to hear the truth.” I felt my heart warm tremendously “London can I ask you something though?” Ring asked. I sat down farther in my seat and nodded I thought miserably “Sure Ring.” I said with a maybe too pleasant voice “Are you going to take something from the ruins or respect our teachers wishes?” I let out a breath of relief and said “Um that depends on how you look at things he said I couldn't touch anything he didn't say I couldnt take anything.” Ring put her hand on her forehead

Then she said “Fine then I'm coming with you to help you not get caught and if we do get caught we both have a way with words. The bus came to a sudden halt there was no way we were at the airport already “Ring do you know what that was?!” I asked my heart beat growing louder by the minute Ring’s eyes widened as she shook her head and pointed outside the window I tugged the window down with a loud “crr..crr..crakk” Ring and I stuck our heads out the window and saw everything in a flash the back of the bus was spilling fuel everywhere I ran to tell the bus driver but before I could do anything else “Wack!” I went flying forward 

Except Ring got my hand just in time as she pulled me back into my seat seat started to pour down my face I saw Quail get launched forward and the bus tipped forward Quail was falling outside the window but I grabbed one of her hand before she made it all the way out I screamed Rings name and she grabbed Quails other hand together we heaved her back inside the bus my breathing seems shallow as I tried to get back in my seat for some reason walking on the moving bus made me feel dizzy and sick my eyes closed and I could’ve sworn I felt someone catch me when I opened my eyes I was back in my seat and Ring was next to me 

Her eyes were sparkling with fresh tears “What happened?!” I asked “Well… Ring sniffled “You fell over and you passed out because you got motion sick then I went to find the bus driver and he was thankfully knocked out and not dead but there wasn't anyone who could help you and no one was willing to lend me their phone to call for help and I was about to pass out myself until you woke up!” I couldn't keep myself from laughing hysterically and I pointed my bag as I sputtered “I have a phone you could’ve used Ring!” Ring sat up red with fury and embarrassment I hugged Ring and the I looked out the window again the backside of the bus was busted and there was a car behind us that was smoking and covered in oil.

 “Hey Ring do you think the person behind us is okay?” Ring peered outside with me “Ring don't even think about it..” but I was already of the bus and heading towards the car Ring looked at me then to the bus driver she groaned and jumped out the window “For the record if we get in trouble for this I’ll say that you pushed me out of the bus!” She said definitely “Uh huh. Like the time we got caught in the library trying to steal a book and then you said that the teacher asked us to retrieve that book even though it was my idea.” 

Ring rolled her eyes but grinned beside herself I knocked on the car window and rubbed the oil away so I could see what happened “What’s in their London?” Asked Ring my eyes lit on fire as   

I saw that person inside was drinking a can of coke and laughing at the broken bus when Ring saw this she grabbed my shoulder “London don't do anything stupid.” I was too far gone I banged on the window and yelled “You got you could have killed all of us do you know how many people almost died because you hit us” the person inside the car looked mildly amused and rolled down the wind “Kid go back in your bus till the cops get here so we can sort this out my cheeks flushed a scarlet red I grabbed the collar of the persons shirt and slapped them across the face I was about to do it again when Ring caught my hand “London no don't waste your time on this person the cops will arrest him but they might arrest you too if you slap him!” I kept my hand in the air but I let Ring hold it back and we jumped back into the bus Ring hugged me and I took out my phone to call the police “Hello?” the operator said “Hello my name is London and there's been a car crash well kind of my school bus ran out of fuel and then a car hit us I think we're okay but our bus driver is knocked out.” “Alright we’ll be there soon just stay put kid.” The operator hung up on me for some reason Ring furrowed her brows and shot up with enthusiasm “What do you think we’ll find in the ruins?” Ring asked cheerfully “I hope there are some good crystals or rocks there I’ve been collecting for awhile!” 

Before either of us could say anything else a police man came up to the door and banged on it I went to the front of the bus and pulled the lever to open the door for him “Hello where is the adult here?” The police officer asked “He is currently unconscious.” “I see… said the police man in a very interested tone “is anyone hurt?” he asked “No I don't think so sir.” I replied “Alright a new bus is coming soon so I’ll handle the rest you just stay put I went back to my seat with Ring and said “That wasn't too bad.” Ring nodded thoughtfully “Why did you save Quail?” Ring asked. “What do you mean I would’ve done that with anyone even Ember” I said Ring and I sat together reading our new school book for a few minutes when anew bus pulled through and we all boarded. 

Me and Ring found seats at the back of the bus and it didn't take very long for us to arrive at the airport and board the plane to Mexico I started out the window at the sky murmuring whines of fear “Calm down we’re safe London.” Ring said I nodded stiffly “I know.” Ring looked at me and asked“Have you ever heard a sparrow before?” “No not really.” I replied earnestly “Well you act like one their fearless, inspiring, and they know how to get anywhere without getting caught.” Ring said. The plane stopped and we all got off with our luggage “Alright Sadie, Ember, Ring, and London you’ll be staying together on glow street exploring the cave ruins first. Remember everyone you’ll be sleeping and eating here and don't forget you will explore all of the ruins 

so don't be upset if you don't get you favorite choice right away!” 

I breathed deeply and tried not to scream as I walked with Ring “Don't lose your temper London you know that Ember can hurt your school life.” I sighed gloomily and pouted as we checked into our rooms “Why was this placed called glow street”? I asked. “No idea.” replied Ring I put my suitcase down and smiled softly I looked at the crescent moon painted in silver on it I stood up and squeezed my eyes shut I cursed in my head and opened my eyes slowly as I turned around 

“Well…well of course I had to spend time with the most violent person in the school just great… Although at least I have a brain that's not crazy” she roared with laughter I turned away hearing Ring’s warning eco in my ears Ring was watching from the top bunk bed in our room “Oh so what now “brave strong” girls been humiliated by little old me?” she asked bemused I rolled my eyes “If your trying to hurt my self esteem your doing a horrible job of it” I said plainly Ring nodded her head encouragingly “The only thing I don't understand is how that the school let bloodthirsty maniac in here” I was getting annoyed of her snotty comments “Please shut up would you” I said with no interest in my voice “Hey?... Ring was it? Come down here now!” 

Ring swallowed hard but silently obeyed her as I shook my head “Girls please show London what happens when she doesn't listen to high authority.” Ember said she had a look of pure enjoyment on her face I was oblivious to what she was going to do  Except when I was about to say something one of Embers friends lifted their fist in the air and made their first strike at Ring I side stepped Ember and caught the fist of the other girl Rings face had no confidence or determination in it just fear and obedience I stared down the girl who had tried and failed to punch Ring “leave ring out of this” I had never intimidated anyone once so I had no Idea if this would work or not and I hoped that no one knew I was afraid this had only happened one other time

Ember clicked her tongue “You know I could make your life miserable if you…” I cut her off immediately “I dont care what you do to me but if you even touch a single hair on Rings head you will be sorry” Ember scoffed and motioned to her other friend both of the girls were now infront of me and now I had a good look at them they were both muscular but one of them had wavy orange hair and the other had straight dyed gold hair they were both wearing high heels and a shirt that was signed by Ember I looked at them and shrugged as I shook my head “so what are they suppose to be doing?” Ember hissed and I could see the sparks flying out of her hair she pointed at Ring and said “DO IT NOW YOU IDIOTS!” 

The girls were both hesitant but nodded as they both tried to kick Ring I snatched a bed sheet and threw it over their heads but one of the girls managed to grab Ring’s ankle I quickly bent down as the girls tried to get untangled from the sheet and fumbled with my shoe as I threw it on the girls hand “Come on Ring we gotta get out of here now!” Ring and I sprinted outside “You shouldn't have done that London she is going to ruin our lives!” Ring said frantically “She’ll get in major trouble and since you didn't try and protect yourself or fight back only I’ll get in hopefully a small amount of trouble “No! No! No! London we cannot do that it will just make things worse but thanks for protecting me!” Ring said earnestly

“Fine but if you change your mind I’ll help you tell a teacher what happened.” Ring hugged me and I grinned. “Come on let's go to the ruins I got a pickaxe just for this vacation!” I said happily “London! You cant damage this site!” Ring said angrily “Don't worry I mapped out the perfect spot that won't be near the site but near enough the ruins that it should still have good crystals there!” I retorted cheerfully Ring sighed with a defeated look on her face “Fine.” I walked down the path to the ruins and looked down at my map to see when we were near enough “and….bingo!” I stuck my shovel into the ground and dropped my pickaxe “We're gonna be out here all night!” Ring shouted “meh..maybe.” I said I smiled and started digging 

about thirty minutes later when Ring when laying on the ground with boredom I hit rock “I hit something!” I shouted Ring sat up and I felt adrenaline surge through my veins as I handed Ring a pickaxe and with my other pickaxe I struck the stone it cracked slightly Ring’s enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment “Just wait a spell Ring!” I said I squeezed both my hands into the crack and pulled it open my eyes reflected the glittering objects inside I stared at Ring and mouthed “We hit gold..” I looked down and pulled out the sack it had I picked up about one hundred stones I picked up a beautiful neon colored amethyst with rainbow rings in it I picked up a dull colored jade I found aquamarine that had the most shiny glint of moonshine on it

I found tigers eye that was pastel orange I found a simple colored agate I found a dark rainbow aura quartz and a light colored aura quartz but the last thing I pulled out looked like nothing I had ever seen before it was glowing absolutely glowing it was white but reflecting purple pinkish rainbow off I found fifteen large chunks of this but the last one was somehow even stranger it was in the shape of a crescent moon but it was a necklace and around it was different colored rainbow crystals I had never seen before “Do you think they call this place glow street because of the underground crystals?!” I asked Ring shrugged her shoulders and said “It could be possible I took my shovel and dumped the dirt back on top of it 

“Come on we got a good haul we need to get back before the teachers start checking that all the students are in their beds!” I said Ring sighed and said “You know everything will be worse when we get back…” I smiled slyly and replied “How much worse could it get?!” Ring laughed and hugged me we walked slowly until we made it back to the hotel we were staying at I motioned for Ring to sneak into our room through the window I walked in to see a teacher glaring at me she had a long nose that was sticking in my face as she leaned forward she had matted slik hair that was brown and her bright blue glasses reflected off the light Ember was crying fake tears I rolled my eyes at Ember before the teacher could see “Have I done something wrong ma’am?” I asked politely

“It’s ms. Glass to you and I know exactly what you’ve done to poor Ember and her friends.” Ms. Glass said in a cruel tone I was glad that Ring had taken all the crystals up with her I clutched the one rainbow crystal moon necklace in my fist though I needed strength from it now “Ms. Glass that was only because Ember and her friends were threatening to hurt my other friend Ring and then they tried to punch her so I used self defense to get us away from the hotel I’m fairly sure that I haven’t done any real damage to any of these girls.” I said statistically “Listen girl if your telling the truth then where is this Ring?” Ms. Glass asked her eyes stared sharply at me I could feel her eyes burning into mine as if she were trying to burn the truth out of me “Ring is still out” I lied 

I didn’t want to bring her into this “Well then girl I’m sorry but I think I’m going to have to punish you somehow although you were correct in saying that  you didn’t hurt anyone badly so… I’ll just have to tell you that you must go with these three and your “Ring” throughout the rest of the trip unless I get a real truthful story.” Ms. Glass said I nodded curtly and looked at Ember I saw her snickering at me she laughed out loud when Ms. Glass left I shut my eyes and went into my bed I could almost taste their disappointment they had wanted to egg me on enough to make me fight them but I wouldn't I refused to Ring climbed up next to me “I’m so sorry Ring I didn’t mean to get you dragged into my punishment or what happened earlier.”

 I sighed Ring looked at me as if I were mad and insane “I’m not mad you just saved me from getting in trouble with teachers and you just saved me from getting bullied in school from Ember!” Ring flung her arms around me “Thanks Ring and at least tomorrow we get to look at the real ruins in the caves it’ll be so cool!” I said breathlessly “I’m so excited but we better get good sleep!” Ring replied Ring climbed back down to her bunk bed and I lay down and soon fell asleep dreamlessly the next morning I sat up with enthusiasm but sank back down at the thought of going to the ruins with Ember and her other gang of girls I stepped down the ladder into the main room of our hotel when I saw that Ring was already up

 I heard a horrible giggle behind me I turned swiftly and saw Ember behind me “Are you ready to take all of us to the cave? magic believer?!” She said I shook my head sympathetically and smiled sadly “I feel so awful for you Ember you know one day all your karma's gonna catch up to you and there won't be anyone there to help you back up again.” I waited to see the smile on her face burst with laughter but her eyes dropped and she turned around “I don’t like this punishment either let's just get this over with idiot.” she said I helped Ring up and raised an eyebrow she shrugged and mouthed “I don't know either London.” I looked down at the new map it had a fresh woody smell that made my mouth water it smelled exactly like a new book 

I followed the fastest trail there and when all of us stopped we were in front of the caves my heart sprang to life when I saw another instructor at the entrance of the cave she had a bright smile and her red hair was pulled back in a ponytail she had a black uniform on that had the words “Ruin Expert” on it “Welcome! Welcome everyone I’m so happy to see you all now a few rules for when we explore the ruins listen to everything I say it can be dangerous and there are many pounds cliffs and sharp pointy rocks here rule number two don't touch anything we want to preserve this place for many many years to come…” She said happily she led us into the cave and we started walking when suddenly I saw Ember about to break off one of the amber crystal points and I smacked her hand away 

While I was saying “Hey don’t break that our instructor told us not to!” “Don’t touch me!” Ember yelled as she did this she stepped backwards and rammed into the back of the wall my eyes went wide when rocks started collapsing everywhere I scanned for Ring everywhere when I saw that the rocks had stopped I found Ring on the floor I slid to her side and checked her heart beat “London I’m fine!” she coughed I hugged her and said “Sorry I was just worried!” I looked around everyone else was alright but I saw that our instructor was gone “Ma’am?! Ma’am?!” I shouted 

“Kiddo’s listen be careful there’s another exit on the other side of the cave you just have to walk straight forward and stay on the curved path but remember don’t touch anything I’ll try and meet you halfway but be safe I’ll be there soon kids!” she shouted I stepped backwards and looked at everyone else waiting for them no one budged I stepped onto the bridge and said “Well come on we have to meet her.” Everyone walked slowly and the tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife Ring stood close to me as we quietly chatted about who might used to live here “You think that people actually used to live here?!” I asked “I think it’s very possible London.” Ring said she tapped her head thinking and then she pointed to a series of holes 

“Maybe people would sleep there when they were cold or the weather wasn’t safe!” I eagerly nodded and continued her theory “Maybe some crystal provided nutrients!” “That could have worked for them although your a crystal expert what crystal could they have gotten nutrients from?!” Ring asked “Well maybe they used to eat himalayan salt crystals we can't eat them now but maybe back then they could’ve scrapped off the salt or something!” I said we both burst out laughing at our crazy theories I suddenly paused as my own voice boomed through my head I spin my head around and sprinted towards Ember she looked at me annoyed and started to say “What the he…” but the rock under her foot broke and she fell backwards over a cliff 

“Ahhhhh!” she screamed thwack! I caught her hand and yanked her up “How did you…” I was already walking away before she could finish but I looked back and saw her flushed in the face with a scarlet red blush I resumed chatting with Ring “Why did you help her?” Ring asked gently “Was I supposed to let her fall to her death?” I asked “Well no…but me and you hate her so….” I chuckled “To change someone's life they have to change yours first.” Ring nodded thoughtfully we made it to the end of the tunnel and my breath stopped as I saw that the other side of the cave was collapsed as well Ring stopped and her eyes flickered behind us “We…were….we’re tr..trapped we can't get out we can get out what are we gonna do she won't find us!” Ring shouted 

“Ring come here you need to calm down our instructor will find us and if not we’ll find a way to get out!” Ring snarled and her eyes welled up with tears “This is all your fault Ember if you hadn’t said all those fake horrible things about London or if you just left me and London alone or if you were just a good person and listened to authority we wouldn't be in this mess!” Ring shouted I held Ring back but I didn't want to hurt her and when she slapped me across the face I could only blame myself for not holding her arm tighter she pulled Ember multiple times and when I tried to stop her I got flung across the bridge Ring hesitated for one moment to catch her breath when I pulled her away from Ember and caught her before she hit the floor 

Ring stopped and gasped her eyes showing that she was horrified by what she’d done “I..I didn’t mean to!” Ring stammered “Ring it’s alright calm down I can help Ember and you go wait until our instructor gets back!” I said Ember was bleed and her arm was dislocated her two friends stepped in front of me but before they could anything I stopped them “Are you going to let me help her or not!” I shouted my temper was rising again I felt the part in Ember’s arm where her bone had been popped out I pushed inward on the open space her arm and rolled her shoulder back into place a felt her jump but she was still unconscious I Listened to her heartbeat it was steady but the rest of her was in bad shape I took out my water bottle and poured the rest of it on Ember’s forehead 

I sat Ember up against a rock while I set my bookbag down and took out the first aid kit I poured rubbing alcohol over the cut and put a bandage on the cut I took out a lukewarm ice pack and put it on her eye I zipped up the first aid kit and walked back to Ring “Any sign of someone?” I asked hopefully Ring shook her head dully “Ring… listen you just got a little angry it happens to me all the time and….” but she cut me off and yelled “but you never did that!” she pointed at ember tears pouring down her face I pulled Ring into a gentle hug “Everyone… even the kindest sweetest best people make mistakes and I’m right here with you through everything.” I said simply suddenly a rock fell down and the rocks that were blocking the way out tumbled down 

everyone that was awake in the room looked up to see the ruin instructor from before “God is everyone in here alright?!” she shouted we all nodded but then I spoke up “Ember fell through and hit her head we all did the best we could but Ember needs more medical attention soon!” the instructor nodded and said “I’ll call an ambulance as for the rest of you kiddo’s go grab a ring, a necklace, and one large crystal from the table for your hard work today!” we all looked at eachother and walked out of the cave I grabbed a silver wolf amethyst ring and necklace but chose a half neon rainbow moonstone and half purple fluorite large raw chunk crystal we all follow the path back to our hotel and Ring and I held our breath when a tall man with a tie came in 

he was the manager of the ruins “Ring and London I need to speak with you both please now!” he said in a booming voice I grabbed Ring’s hand and walked with her briskly into a formal looking office with gold encrusted seats my eyes fluttered to Ember who was sitting in one of three seats across a desk “Take a seat ladies.” The man said I sat beside Ember and Ring trying to keep the peace between them but surprisingly Ember did not seem the slightest bit upset although her arm was in a sling “Now girls my name is dr. sprite I am the manager of the ancient ruins her Ember would you please explain how this happened to you these other laddies say that you fell and hit you shoulder and head which would make sense but is this what really happened?” he asked

I looked across at Ember my eyes were pleading with her to lie Ember made eye contact with me and looked blankly at me “Yes that’s what happened why would you think differently dr. sprite?” she asked my heart thudded louder and louder “Alright then ms. Ember your excused ms.London and ms. Ring would you stay a moment please?” he said Ring and I nodded as dr. Sprite took out two small chests and pushed one at me and Ring “For your kindness and your trouble.” he nodded and left his seat I opened my chest and I was dazzled to find many many rare crystals there was a Kashmir Sapphire with was a beautiful deep ocean blue stone there was a black opal with was a black stone with rainbow slits in it thatwere warmer colors there was a purple fire opal with was rainbow that was as bright and orangey purplish