Confronted

I sighed and turned away from my computer.It had been a month since the attack,and I had found nothing leading me in the direction of the monsters.A couple disappearences and some howling wolves were all I found.

It was hopeless.

My dad was in his office,either working or starring off into space.I had heard him talk on the phone about selling the equine program.I rode the horses as much as I could to try and convince him to keep them,for me.

Sky was my favorite.Dad knew where all the riding trails were and I had been taught at a young age to follow them.

So I went to the barn and saddled the chestnut stallion.Sky looked at me with his intelligent,brown eyes.

I noticed a small note on the table.It clearly wasn't for my dad,but it wasn't signed.

Rivermouth Hill.Hurry.

Rivermouth Hill was on the edge of the tiny town of Riverbed Oregon,which no one had heard of.And it was way off the main bridal path.

On the other hand,on the bottom left corner was a paw print,made with mud.And looking closer,I thought I could make out a name.But it was hard to read.It looked like Lvoan,which I knew wasn't right.

This was the closest I had come.

Call me crazy,but I was going.

I,Astrid Aster,was going to find out why those creatures killed my mother and get my revenge.And no one was going to stop me.

I shoved some trail mix,bottled water,and a blanket into Sky's saddlebag,along with a few apples for him along the way.I slid a knife into my belt.

And I hopped into the saddle,and spurred the great stallion into action.

I followed the bridal path about half way,then turned off into a small patch of woods.I knew that it opened onto Rivermouth Hill.

There were three figures standing on the hill.In the afternoon light,I could see them clearly.The first was a tall boy,maybe two years older than me.His hair was chestnut brown like Sky,and his eyes were a brilliant blue.The second was a girl,about my height but maybe a year younger.Her hair was the same brown as the boy,and her eyes were silvery gray.The last was a tall girl about my age.A dirty blond with tanned skin and brown eyes,she didn't look too menacing.Not next to the others.

“Who are you?"I yelled.I held Sky's reins in one hand,and kept the other hovering over my knife.

The boy stepped forward.“Are you the girl with the shovel?"

To be continued