Theodore "Teddy" Lancaster

"Jesus Teddy, if your stare was any more intense, you'd shatter that rock by just looking at it."

His sister's words brought him out of his reverie; his daydream broken as he lifted his gaze from the small rock back to the barreling forest next to him. They were in the thick of it now, a full half hour into the Columbine Peaks and the woodlands that surrounded it. His sister Rose was behind the wheel, travelling at high speeds towards Trish's cottage.

"Sorry, what?" he asked, still confused. He blinked once at his sister as he regained his focus, the thoughts he'd been entertaining slowly leaving him as he settled back into the seat.

"I said, you keep staring at the rock as though you're trying to break it with your mind. You gain superpowers I wasn't aware about or something?"

"I... Um, what?" Had he? The note had been clear, but...

"God you're useless. Just do your job and keep an eye on the road, will you? I don't want to hit any deer."

He shrugged as he pocketed the rock, shifting his gaze to the passing woodlands as his mind replayed what had happened that morning.

He was packing his gear when he heard the knock. Seeing as Rose was still in the shower and his parents asleep upstairs, he'd been **** to answer it, slightly annoyed that someone would bother them so early in the morning. Instead of someone **** to deal with an angry Teddy, he'd found a small brown box; innocent in stature and left alone on their front porch. When he'd grabbed it, it had rattled in his hands - the contents loose. That's when he'd seen the note.

A Wishing Rock. A stone that granted anything its holder desired, or so the note claimed. He'd never tested it; his mom had apparently also heard the knock and had chosen that moment to peak her head down the stairs, asking who it was. At the time, he'd shrugged and discarded the box, saying it was junk mail. In the flurry of packing that followed, he'd forgotten all about it. The last thing he needed before a ten hour drive was distractions.

He'd only remembered the rock during his sister's half of the drive, when she'd entered the woodlands and hit a bump that made him land awkwardly on his pocket, crushing the rock between thigh and seat. The resulting pain had jumbled his memory, bringing both the rock and its note back to the forefront of his attention. He'd been staring at it ever since.

"Yeah, well I wish you'd mind your own damn business." he grumbled as he put the rock away, only half aware of what he was saying as he paid attention to the passing treeline. He hadn't been staring that long at the thing - only thirty minutes. Still, he resigned himself to doing what his sister had asked: keeping an eye out for any crossing animals. They'd soon arrive anyway.

His sister barely said another word as the siblings finished the last trek of their long journey, Rose completing her share of the drive. Soon, Trish's cottage was in sight and the festivities would begin.

Patricia Newman was one of Rose's oldest friend; the girls having known each since early elementary school. They were part of what they called The Fearsome Foursome; a name that Teddy had always found rather stupid. Consisting of Trish, Rose, Samantha Barker, and Julie Bagdale, the girls had grown up together until each had turned eighteen and quite literally moved to separate parts of the country. In fact, this reunion, the first of its kind since the girls separated, would be the only time the four girls would find themselves all together since their highschool graduation over two years ago.

Having rented a cottage for the summer, Patricia had decided it was time to 'get the group back together again' and had invited all her old friends to spend a week together by the lakeside. Problem was, since Patricia had moved to the opposite end of the country and transportation wasn't cheap, Rose only had one way of getting there. This resulted in Teddy and Rose's ten hour drive.

Initially Teddy didn't want to go and, truth be told, he still didn't. While he didn't dislike the girls, they were Rose's friends, not his. But, his sister had assured him it would be fun and convinced him to tag along for two reasons. One - she didn't want to drive ten hours on her own; wanting to split the driving. Second - both Trish and Julie were bringing their boyfriends and his sister swore that him and the two boys would get along. This despite having never met them herself.

Needless to say, he wasn't thrilled.