The writing of "Deer Lakes" was a five-year process during her vacations and free time. The result was a 405-page book comprised of 30 chapters.

"I didn't plan for it to be so long as I didn't start with a clear outline. I did a lot of research and talked to many people about things going on in the story and it just turned out that way," said Rushe. She would give her teacher 10 chapters at a time to critique and proofread.

Her inspiration was a video game about deer hunting. The cover art for the book was drawn by Rushe as well.

"Deer Lakes" liner notes read as follows: "The predator has become the prey, the hunter has become the hunted, and if the rampaging deer cannot be stopped, the human race itself may become nothing but a distant memory.

Marcus Ambler is prepared for the greatest hunting trip of his life. Accompanied by his sister Cassie and best friend Cody, he is bound for the small rural town of Sakoran in Ontario, Canada, and the beautiful lake that borders it --- all in hopes of bagging that 'prize buck.'

However, it's not long after their arrival that the three notice a pattern of strange behavior amongst the local deer population. Cars are rammed, houses are destroyed and, before long, this series of attacks grab the attention of the authorities and expands farther and farther south with deadlier results.

As officials scramble to hide the destruction, Marcus and the others find themselves caught in a battle for their lives against the violent creatures, as well as a personal war between an obsessed hunter and the mysterious force of nature that is behind these events.

Will the humans be able to band together and stop this uprising, or will the deer be the ones to reign supreme when the struggle is over?"

At Bethel Park, Katelyn worked on the school newspaper and also appeared this fall in the school play. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Robert Morris University and major in media arts, with the hope of pursuing a career in film or television writing.

Reviewed online, one reader wrote, "I usually prefer short stories to a novel, but this one held my interest from start to finish. I loved it."

Deer Lakes is available for $20.50 from Lulu.com.

Shannon Smith a a freshman at South Fayette High School.