Chapter 1 THE UNEXPECTED MOVE

Denise's life was carefully planned. She ended her life as a high school senior with two best friends, Emily and Sarah, and a gorgeous lover, Alex.

Since their first year together, they had been inseparable, and Denise couldn't fathom her life without them.

Denise felt proud and successful as she walked through her school's hallways. Her cheer squad, of which she was captain, had recently won the state championship. Nothing could pull her down; she was on top of the world. Or so she believed.

Denise expected to see her parents in the kitchen preparing dinner when she arrived home from school.

They were sitting in the living room, though, and they were serious. Her mother patted the couch next to her and said, "Hey, sweetie," then. "We need to talk." Denise believed her heart sank.

Something about it made her uneasy.

"What is it?" she asked, attempting to appear composed. Before her father spoke, her parents exchanged strained glances.

"We're moving to a new town," he declares. "A place called Arazona." Denise's mouth fell open. "What? "Why?" Her parents informed her that they would be relocating to Arazona in two weeks because her dad had a new job there. Denise felt like everything was falling apart.

Everything she had known and loved would have to go. Disappointed, she heard her phone ding as she made her way to her bed. Alex sent me an SMS about it. I write, "Hey, gorgeous," "What's the deal? You appear distressed. Feeling slightly better, Denise grinned.

She valued Alex's generosity and kindness. "I just found out that my parents are moving me to a new town," she said. Alex called her right away, and they spoke about the relocation for hours. After speaking with him, Denise felt somewhat better, but she was still concerned about leaving her life and her friends behind. Denise became aware of how much she would miss Alex while they conversed. After two years of dating, she found it impossible to envision her life without him.

She went on, "I'm going to miss you so much," as tears filled her eyes. "I'll miss you too, baby," Alex replied, but we'll get along. Every day, we will text and talk to each other on Skype.

And as soon as I can, I'll come see you." Feeling slightly better, Denise grinned. She was confident that she and Alex could manage.

However, Denise was about to disconnect when her mother called her. "Denise, we need to talk about something else," she responded. Denise believed her heart sunk.

What follows? "What is it, Mom?" she said, a little nervously. Her mother was silent for some time.

"There's something you need to know about Arazona," she stated. "Something that might change everything." Denise was intrigued. What could her mother possibly mean? "What is it, Mom?" she repeated quickly. Her mother, however, simply shook her head. Her words, "You'll find out soon enough," "Just be careful in Arazona, okay?" Anxiously, Denise nodded. What had been happening in Arazona? And why was her mother acting in such a covert manner? Denise couldn't get rid of the sensation that something wasn't quite right after she and Alex had finished up and gone to bed.

She was about to have a life-altering event at Arazona. She continued wondering what that thing was as she fell asleep. The following morning, Denise awoke with a sense of unease and uncertainty about what was ahead. She had made an effort to ignore the enigmatic talk she had had with her mother, but the discomfort remained.

Denise's thoughts returned to the discussion she had with her mother while she changed and prepared for school. What does "something that might change everything" imply to her? Why had she become so reclusive? As she went downstairs for breakfast before school, Denise made an effort to ignore the thoughts. Nevertheless, when she entered the kitchen, she saw her mother waiting for her at the table, looking solemn. She said, "Denise, we need to talk," in a quiet, serious tone. Denise believed her heart sank. What follows? She tried to seem nonchalant as she asked, "What is it, Mom?" Her mother was silent for some time. "I know I didn't tell you everything last night," she said, "but I want you to know that there are other reasons besides your dad's job that we're moving to Arazona." We must exercise caution since something else is going on.

Denise was intrigued. What could her mother possibly mean? "What is it, Mom?" she repeated quickly. Her mother glanced anxiously about the kitchen, as though she was afraid someone could be listening in. "I'll tell you everything when we get to Arazona," she replied. "But let's just exercise caution for the time being, shall we? Additionally, don't discuss this with anyone."

Anxiously, Denise nodded. What had been happening in Arazona? And why was her mother acting in such a covert manner? Denise couldn't get rid of the terrible feeling she was having as she left to catch the bus. She was unaware of the plot and felt as though she was living in a mystery book. As Denise went about her schooling, the remainder of the day was a blur. She found it difficult to focus in class as she began to worry about what Arazona had in store for her.

Denise packed her bags and made her way to the bus as the last bell rang. When she reached home, she couldn't wait to ask her mother some questions. Alex, however, was waiting for her with a worried expression on his face as she left for the bus. "Hey, what's wrong?" He inquired, observing Denise's nervous expression. Uncertain of how much to tell him, Denise paused.

However, she was calmed by Alex's friendly and gentle demeanor. "My mom's being really secretive about something," she stated. "And I have no idea what's going on." Alex's face grew serious. "Do you think it has something to do with the move?" the man questioned.

Denise gave a nod. In her own words, "I think so," "But I don't know what it is." Alex wrapped her in his arm. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out together," he replied. "And I'll be here for you, no matter what." Denise grinned and expressed her appreciation for Alex. Knowing that she could always rely on Arazona gave her the courage to confront whatever he had in store for her. Denise was curious about what lay ahead as they took the bus home.

But she felt like she could handle anything with Alex at her side. Her mother was waiting for her in the living room when they arrived at Denise's residence. A solemn "Denise, we need to talk," she said. Denise believed her heart sank.

What follows? However, she noticed something odd as she sat down beside her mother. Her mother appeared anxious as she held a little box. "What's going on, Mom?" Denise asked, feeling apprehensive. Before speaking, her mother inhaled deeply. Her words, "I want to show you something," "Something that will explain everything."

Denise was intrigued. What was her mother planning to show her? Denise's eyes widened in wonder as her mother opened the box. There was a small, finely crafted stone in the package. It had a sense of alien intensity despite its beauty. "What is this?" Denise asked, feeling astonished. Her mother had a serious look on her face. "This is a stone of protection," she remarked. "And it's the key to understanding what's going on in Arazona."

Denise's thoughts were racing. What was her mother trying to say? What did Arazona hold for her? Startled and frightened, Denise gazed at the stone. She was aware that unimaginable changes were going to occur in her life.