John stared out the car window at the beautifully lit sky. He tried not to ponder the unbroken, alarming silence that had filled the car between he and his mom for what seemed like an eternity. Finally his mom broke the silence.

“So where are you goin’ tonight?” she asked.

“Just a friend’s house, you know nothing special,” John replied, trying to be calm.

“What’re you going to do there?” She heard the timid tremble in his voice.

“I don’t even know.” He said shortly.

            With that the silence continued until they arrived in the drive way of his friend Peter Cunningham’s house. The mansion stood like a castle. John got out, said goodbye to his mom and knocked on the door. A person whom he’d never seen before opened the door. He searched the room for a familiar face. John saw peter talking with some people on a couch in the corner of the room. He stood next to him until Peter acknowledged his presence.

“Oh hey there you are,” he exclaimed, “we’re just about to go around the neighborhood.”

            Peter handed him what seemed to be water and everyone exited through the front doors. About ten people were gathered in his front lawn. As he began to walk, he was parched so he drank a sip of the water. There was a slight burn in the back of his throat and he seemed more relaxed. He took another sip and felt all his pain and stress begin to leave his mind.

“Whoa there slow down buddy, you don’t want to choke.” someone said, patting him on the back.

            He drifted off and followed the ameba of teens walking through the neighborhood. After about twenty minutes, he felt a warm tingle in his body even though it was chilly.

            The next thing he saw was a light flashing back and forth. His friends dragged him along with them. They sat still, peering out at the bright light, wondering what it was doing. John turned and ran quickly, following the group so he wouldn’t get left behind.

            Next thing he knew he was being held tightly, one hand on his shoulder and the other on his waist. John couldn’t feel the painful grip; it seemed his whole body was numb.

“Follow me.” the voice said sternly. His voice reflected the cold air outside.

“No, what are you doing? Where are you taking me?” he managed to get out.

“Stop talking and follow me.”

            John opened his eyes wide to focus on the blue and red flashing lights. He also looked out to see neighbors on their front porches watching. There were tree branches and sticks laid out in front of the houses, and toilet paper running all down the street. He got in the car not to see a familiar face, his parents. When his mom saw the man she stepped out of the car for a moment to have a word. John lied back and closed his eyes, his head spinning from the series of events that had recently taken place. He quickly drifted off to sleep, not a worry in his mind.