The Beginning: The Start of Something New

Birds chirping in the air, trees rustling in the wind, and the summer sun scorching high in the sky. On the ground, students are playing music through their instruments. Today is the first march off of the pre season and the first time the rookies are competing against the veterans. How well can they do under pressure? They are nervous, excited, expecting their first ever march off to begin. The rookies have worked very hard to start off the season and this march off will determine if they retained the information or not.

So far, the band is working on chunking the first part of the show. This year they are performing The Light Prevails. This show is about the darkness trying to win against the light, but eventually the lightness wins. They are very proud to be a part of the Class of 2019 New Providence High School Marching Band.

“There are many shows and competitions in front of us. Let’s get better,” Mr. N says. There is a chill in the air as they start walking around the parking lot. No one thought anything of it at first. It’s just an ordinarily windy day.

Just a simple breeze in the air, thinks Maddie. Maddie is a senior clarinet player and last year’s drum major. She has experienced mysterious things in the past, so she didn’t think anything of the chill.

“Set it up on the hash,” Mr. N, the director of the marching band, says through his microphone as the students set up and dress the form. The veterans are standing scattered around the parking lot in their spots. Soon after, the rookies join them on the hashes. Everyone is excited to begin the 2019 March off. Drum majors Maddie and Allie Draco are at the front of the crowd carefully observing the techniques of all the students.

Suddenly, a strange magical pink orb starts rolling towards the students in the parking lot. Allie is the only one who notices this at first. She sees the mysterious orb roll towards her and, being curious, she walks over and investigates what that peculiar object is.

“Allie let’s help the-” Maddie starts to say. “Allie?”

When Maddie looks to see where Allie is, the other is nowhere to be seen. It’s very unusual for Allie to just disappear like that, so Maddie wanders off to find her.

After seeing that everyone is set up on their spots, and not being aware of the orb or the fact that both of the drum majors have gone missing, Mr. N says, “BAND TEN-”

Suddenly, screams ring out as everyone’s attention is drawn to the orb. It suddenly starts shooting pink dust everywhere, creating a mist.

“Everyone stay calm,” Mr. N says. “It’s going to be alright.”

“He is so good at keeping people calm in scary situations,” Willow Wong remarks.

After noticing that the drum majors were missing, she motions for Cooper Reigean and they both start walking towards the mist.

“Can someone get Maddie or Allie please?” Mr. N asks through the loudspeaker. Everyone looks puzzled on their faces when they don’t see any of drum majors in their usual spots. All of the kids start to panic more than they have already until a few moments later when Maddie, Allie, Cooper, and Willow appear through the mist of the orb.

When everyone becomes quiet, Maddie asks for two volunteers to go with them and take a look at the orb while Mr. N leads the rest of the kids into the choir room.

“I’ll go” Martin Rodrigo offers.

“So will I” Crystal Lane chimes in.

So, the six kids walked briskly into the morning breeze to investigate the pink orb.

Chapter 1: From the Perspective of Cooper Reigan

Shizzle.

That’s all I think as I fall. Yes, fall. A long, long, long way down.

I hear people screaming. Or it might just be me. I’m not sure.

But what led to this, falling situation, you may ask. Well, I’m not a great storyteller, but here we go.

It all started the day of marching band practice. I was playing percussion. Because it’s fun. But that’s not important right now. I was with my friends, practicing our piece. But then the pink orb rolled in, spraying mist everywhere. It was extremely strange, and most of the students panicked.

Our conductor, Mr. N, brought everyone inside, but my friends and I stayed behind to check out the orb.

Oh, I’m so incredibly rude! I never introduced myself. I’m Cooper Reigan. The friends I mentioned earlier consists of Maddie Freeman, Allie Draco, Willow Wong, Crystal Lane, and Martin Rodrigo.

Soon enough, we found the orb, sitting harmlessly against a tree. I advised against touching the orb, but nobody listened to me, per usual.

The next thing I know, I’m falling.

And that, dear reader, is how I got myself into this situation. But it’s not over yet. Not by a long shot.

I look over at my friends. The initial shock seems to have worn off, so they’re pretty quiet.

We’re all looking around at each other.

“What’s happening?” Maddie asks.

I shrug, as does everyone else.

“None of us know what’s happening?”

“Nope,” Crystal responds.

“Coop, you’re the smart one. How do we get out of this?” Maddie turns to me.

I shrug. “I wish I knew.”

“I mean, if we’re going to fall to our deaths, at least I’ll be with you, sweetheart,” Martin says, scooting closer to Willow.

She pushes him away, of course. She has no tolerance for him. Nor does anyone, but we have to deal with him for the time being.

Martin is one of those people who flirts with every girl he sees. If we’re falling for eternity, there’s definitely a chance that there will be arguments.

“Listen up, everyone,” Maddie announces, “we need to get out of here. We need to work together. All of us.”

She looks towards Willow and Martin, as if silently urging them to get along.

“So… how exactly are we going to get out of here?” Crystal asks, looking around at the empty expanse of black all around us.

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER…