Shadow-Land by Heather Parsons (best books to read for teens .txt) 📕

look in the rear view mirror to make sure that the girls were still behind them. Taking the less traveled highways so they could drive as fast as they wanted without getting caught. This way it wouldn't take as long to get there but when he looked back the second time their car was no where to be found. Dean stomped on the brakes and pulled off to the side of the road.

"What are we stopping for?" Joseph turned to him but his body was turned around looking at the deserted road behind them. Catching on pretty quickly, he turned around too.

"Did Teri mention anything about taking a different route?" Dean started questioning himself too. Did he drive to fast? Did they not see him turn on this road? Jumping out of the jeep as he looked around to see nothing other than himself and Joseph and of course the jeep. There was nothing around at all. Open fields of land that traveled on for miles and miles.

"She didn't say anything to me. We're wasting time with this, why don't we call them and find out where they are?" Joseph pulled his phone out and was about the dial when their car speed past. Dean could see them screaming and laughing as they passed by. And as angry as he was, he couldn't help but smile.

"Let's go, pay back is so sweet!" They both jumped back in the jeep and sped off towards the girls car. Catching up to them wasn't that hard but Dean had other things on his mind on how to get his revenge. Coming up on them from the other side of the road, he looked over and simply waved. Pressing his foot against the gas pedal and speeding away. When he did look back their car was only a small speck on the road. "Sorry but I'm not falling for it again." He muttered to himself when he couldn't see their car anymore.

They have been driving for a couple of hours now and his gas gag is blinking. Now finding a gas station out here is going to be fun. "Joseph keep your eye out from gas, we're running low." Glancing back in his rear view mirror one more time to see faint head lights.

"Dean turn in here. I'm hungry and I'm sure you are too." Joseph said and Dean looked over to where he'd pointed and was almost positive he didn't want to go in there. The place was rundown and didn't look that safe but then again, it was the only place for miles. So without thinking about it twice, Dean pulled into the gas station and up to the pumps. Shutting off the engine they both jumped out. Joseph went straight inside while he waited outside, pumping the gas.

Dean saw the girls car come around the corner but never stop. Wondering why they did that but not getting the chance to ask. The looks on their faces had him concerned that something was wrong. "Joseph lets go!" Dean yelled towards the store's entrance.

He walked out a short time later with the store manager. Dean looked down and saw him carrying something and not wanting to know what it was, he grabbed Joseph's arm and they both jumped in the jeep. Taking off before finding out what it was.

Looking back in the rear view mirror Dean saw the man was holding a gun. Now knowing why the girls didn't stop in the first place, he slamming his foot down on the gas petal and racing away. Thinking death was starring him in the face and for the first time, he had run away. This thought upset him, changing his mood instantly. Dean was no longer laughing and making jokes, the ride there was quiet.

They drove around the next to corners and found the girls car pulled off the side of the road. Thinking the worst when Dean saw Teri outside the car and no where did he see Carmen. Pulling over behind them, and seeing her turn around only to stand there frozen, had Joseph and Dean jumping out to protect them.

After reassuring that they were okay, Dean took Carmen with him in the jeep and Joseph drove Teri's car. He didn't want to let go of Carmen's hand ever again. More afraid to loss her after what he had seen than ever. She looked scared and worried but he didn't dare ask why. Just having her in his arms was enough for him. Her beauty out shinned even the sunrise.

♥`♥`♥

DEAN wouldn't tell us anything, he just said they were leaving now and to pack the bags in the cars. This was really irritating her, most severally. Not knowing why Sierra was hurting and most of all what secret the guys were keeping. Teri looked Joseph in the eye before they walked out of the house and demanded to know what he knew.

"Joseph what is it that your not telling me?" She reached out placing her hands on his shoulders, stopping him for moving.

"I don't know anymore than you do." His sweet voice had her convinced that he was keeping something from her.

"Do you love me? Cause if you do then you'll tell me." Teri leaned in and kissed his lips. Just a quick and soft kiss, giving him a sense of what is to come if he tells her. But he just shook his head and escaped her grasp, climbing into the front seat and shutting the door behind him.

Teri raised her eyebrows and watched him and although what he was refusing to tell her was as she thought it to be important, he showed no interest in it what so ever. Maybe she was making a big deal out of nothing. Teri was so focused on watching his every move that she wasn't paying attention to the others around her.

"Teri, I'm going to ride with you. Dean is being difficult and I'm not in the mood for his jokes right now." Carmen's voice brought her out of her stare, turning to face Carmen and seeing Dean grinning from ear to ear.

"That's fine but your going to have to get Joseph to get out. He looks to cute right now for me to say anything." Teri looked her in the eyes then turned her attention back to Joseph. Watching Carmen walk over and open the door, pulling him out and simply pointing to Dean's jeep. Without a word from him, he did as he was told. Looking at her with disappointment then walking off. Teri wanted so badly to run to his arms, wrap herself around him and never let go but there was one matter to attend to first. Taking care of Sierra then she will get some alone time with Joseph.

She winked at him before climbing into the front seat and starting the engine. Soon they were on the road following behind them. They followed them onto a less traveled road and decided to pull a joke on them themselves. "Carmen, when we get on the straightway, I'm going to slow down and make the guys think we are lost. Then when they get out we'll turn the headlights on and speed past them. Leaving them in the dust behind us. What do you think?" Teri smiled at her own ingenious thought. She has been spending to much time around Dean lately, that's the only conclusion she could come up with, with why she was thinking this way.

"Can't wait to see the look in their eyes when we pass by them. You know they won't like us very much for it but it will be worth it. Just to see their faces. Oh...lets do it." She replied and Teri could see her grinning hugely and knew they would be in so much trouble.

When they were finally on a straightway, Teri turned off the lights and slowed down. To her surprise, it was rather easy to see the road in front of her and to keep the car on it. Carmen was watching the guys jeep and when they pulled over. "Gun it now!" She yelled and that's exactly what Teri did, turning the headlights back on. When they passed by them, it was classical. She wished she had a camera at that exact moment. Of course Dean couldn't keep the smile off his face but Joseph's face was the complete opposite.

Feeling bad for what she did, she slowed down so they could pass. Silently hoping Joseph wouldn't be mad at her. This ride would be long enough as it was and she didn't need him upset with her because of some prank they decided to pull.

A few miles down the road, they saw the guys pull over in a gas station. Having a bad feeling about the place, Teri didn't want to pull over as well. "Carmen do you mind if we don't pull over with the guys and just head for the next station?" She looked over to her and saw the same worried expression on her face as was on Teri's. Catching sight of the guy behind the counter, holding something in his hand and Joseph standing in front of him.

The tears were streaming down her cheeks thinking that they just left the loves of their lives back there and they may never see them again. Teri had to pull over to the side of the road, not being able to see the road in front of her anymore. "Teri what's wrong? Did you see something?" Carmen's voice was very shaky and Teri watched as she turned around to watch the road. A short time later, another car's headlights shown but she made no attempt to move. Teri was having a hard time breathing, taking in gasps of air and releasing it slowly. "Teri what are you doing?" Carmen reached over to grab her arm.

"In need air, Carmen. I can't breathe." Teri sobbed pushing the door opened and climbing out. Standing in front of the car and taking in deep breaths, she couldn't get the picture of Joseph's expression out of her head. Thinking the worst but praying for the best as they waited for news from the guys. She needed to at least hear that they were alright. Having him in her arms would be better, she would at least be able to breathe again.

Carmen gasped and Teri spun around seeing the car pull over behind hers. First she thought it might be the store owner, standing frozen in the lights of the car. "Carmen, Teri are you two okay?" Dean's voice sounded over the engine of his jeep. Teri watched as Carmen jumped out the car and run into the arms of Dean.

"Teri honey, are you okay?" Joseph's voice was right beside her. Holding her around her waist as she stood there perfectly still. This feeling she had was unnerving and she turned around to face his beautiful face. Smiling