h3>Storm II

Mallory stared out the glass windows at the school yard beyond. She was worried. when they had arrived at the hotel, it had began to rain even harder than it had before. they had gotten inside just in time. She had taken a shower and was drying her hair, in this very spot, actually, when she saw someone outside, watching her window from a distance. she’d ran outside at them, but they’d already taken off. It had been very weird. And now, she had the odd feeling that there was eyes on her. Very weird.
She scanned the hedge lining the hotel, nothing there ‘Unfortunately’, she caught herself thinking. She smiled. ‘They’d never live if I did catch them there.’
She turned away from the window, running her fingers through her hair. A peal of thunder sounded across the sky, catching her off guard. ‘Mal’, she chided. ‘You’re being silly.’ But she nervously looked at the window again, before sliding under the covers. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the room. She shivered. She really was scared. This was irrational.
But, then again, she’d always been told to trust her instincts. . . . . . Maybe she’d just sleep wiith the lights on. Yeah. Comforted, she slid under the cover, and turned the lamp on. Now she’d go to sleep. She didn’t get a chance to.
The lights went out.

* * * * * * * * * *

Duke threw a pillow at Avery playfully. “Go. To. Sleep.” He growled. She sighed and threw up her hands.
“I can’t.”
He threw up his, mocking her. She looked at him disdainfully. “Why not?”
She sighed again. “Duke, you ever get that feeling that something really, really bad is going to happen, and soon?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“Well, I feel that way. And I think something really bad is going to happen soon.”
He leaned backwards over the bed. “When, then? And what?”
“Tonight. And I think alot of bad stuff is going to happen. It’s kind of like a stew. Lot’s of ingredents.” She started pacing. “With a good recipie.”
“What is it?”
“Hmmm?”
“The recipe. What is it?”
She stopped and looked him in the eye.”A storm, a famous hocky team, and one over excited fan. Makes disaster. Serves 7.”
The lights went out.
* * * * * * * * * *

Wildwing threw his brother’s duffle bag at the blonde lump on the couch. “C’mon, Dive. I leave for one minute, and them place is already pitted. At least help clean up.”
Nosedive grunted and picked up a few pieces of trash around the base of the sofa, stuffing them in his pocket, then returned to his previous position.
Wing, seeing no other way to get his brother to help except the absolute drastic, grabbed the remote and switched off the TV. Nosedive yelped and sat up.
“Hey man, I was watching that! Givit back!”
Wing held it out of the teenager’s reach. “Keep your paws off and help me clean, and then you can have it back. Deal?”
Nosedive sourly stood up. “Man bro, it took a lot of work to get it this messy in so little time! Why ya have ta ruin it?”
“Because, bro, it took just as much work dealing with the whats-his-face manager, and I think I at least deserve a clean hotel room. Don’t you agree?”
“Somebodys got a stick up their butt.” Nosedive grumbled.
Wing sat down on the bed. “Sorry.”
Nosedive picked up the last of the trash. “There. Good enough?”
“Yeah.”
Nosedive sat down next to his brother. “What got you so up tight in the first place?”
“I suppose it was that guy Fergeson.” Wildwing mused. “Weird guy. Can’t get a word in edgewise.” He paused. “Ya know Dive, actually, he creeps me out.”
“Hey, me too! I thought I was the only one!” His face turned serious. “Wing, do you think this is serious?”
Their lamp shut off.
* * * * * * * * * *

“Aww Sh*t.” Duke grabbed for the small flashlight clipped to his belt. Before he could turn it on, a blue glow filled the room. Avery levitated a ball of light above her hand and grinned at him. He glared. “I hate it when you do that.”
She grinned even wider, then turned to the door. “The storm, most likely. Lets find the others.”
He followed her out into the hall, then down to Tanya’s door. “Hey Tanya, you in there?”
“Yeah. who is that?”
“Duke and Avery. Just wondering if everyone was all right.”
“I’m fine. Just a sec.” There was severly bumps, followed by a curse, then the door opened. “I’m coming.”
Avery shrugged “Fine.”
They headed down to Grin’s room. Apprently, he was asleep. “Let’s not bother him.”
A flashlight beam shone down the hall to where they were standing. Wing and Nosedive headed down the hall twards them.
“Hey guys.” Said nosedive cheerfully. “Nothing like a late night party, huh? Who brought the chips and dip?”
“Quiet Dive.” Wildwing looked at them. “Anybody got any ideas what to do now?”
“Find the Manager.”
“Sleep in the Areowing.”
“Ignore it.”
“Have that party.”
They all glared at Nosedive. He looked innocent. “What?”
Suddenly Tanya looked wildly around. “Hey, where’s Mallory?”
Avery cocked her head. “She’s not here?”
“No. Should we check her room? She probably just asleep.”
But she wasn’t asleep. She wasn’t even there. The Ducks stared in awe into her room.
“Jeez.......”
It was a mess. It looked like a small bomb had blown up in there. The glass doors were shattered.
“Check the room.” Ordered Wing. “Look for a clue to where she is.”
Tanya headed outside, Duke went to get Grin, and the other three checked it. “Wing. .” Avery held up Mallory’s com. Wing was about to say something, but Tanya rushed into the room, breathless.
“Wildwing! The Areowing! It’s gone!”
Wildwing took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night . . . . . . .