I died on April 18, 1966. It wasn’t a fast death or a torturous one. I merely faded from existence. I suppose I was born once, but my parents never held me. I remember the day I was born, the moon was heavy, dragging the stars down along with it. The night was somber and dead and the lively corn stalks sang high into the atmosphere. At first, I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear the crow serenading my limp, infant form. It was the late summer and the cornstalks were wilting, I could smell autumn being born, but for me, time stood still.
Off away, in the deadening horizon were the whispers of hush noises. A boy and a girl emerged, like me, they were nameless, nonexistent. The girl, her wide forehead and heart lips, swung me onto her shoulders, and fastened me with her scarf. Their bare feet marched, deep into the cornstalks.
Winter fell swiftly, heavily on top of two ambiguous silhouettes, their bare feet marching. We wandered into the woods, thick heavy tress sheltered us against the turbulence. We ate the carcasses and flesh of the deer who could not outrun the death of winter. Together we were alone, but never lonely. The girl whose shoulders I borrowed never cried in frustration, in desperation. She never mourned nor appeared funereal, her expression always steadfast, and the boy who led us, his brows always furrowed. Near the heart of the lynching trees stood a wide, meadow clearing. A small field, absent of sound, was fenced in by thick tree trunks. We had begun to settle when we heard the echoes of low growls, waltzing through the misshapen trees.
The indigenous people of this area had once told rumors of giant wolves, larger than seven feet when standing on their hind legs. The people and the rumors had died, but the wolves did not. The girl, the boy, and I held our breaths, listened intently on the paw prints, but the wolves made no sound. Then, the sound of growling came from all sides.
‘Crunch,’ the beasts pace quickened and they no longer worried about stealth. They lunged into the clearing. There were five of them, dirty, gray coats protected them against the wind. Their eyes were hollow, calculating their next meal.
The first one lunged from behind. Its teeth, an index finger long and its jaw, menacing with drool. The child flung forward, jumping, her little feet sprinting through the cold fangs of snow. The young boy followed quickly. The other wolves snarled behind us. There was no way we could outrun them. The little girl began weaving through the trees. The big wolves were not as agile as her. Two collided with bark, the other three were suddenly more tenacious. Branches whipped into our faces, our feet being eaten by the snow, more snarling. They were close now, We could see them running beside us, their white bodies a blur. We ran towards the sound of rushing water.
A cliff stood before us, linking another landmass by a single, rickety, wooden bridge. She glanced at the young boy, they were moving further and further apart, but his smile reassured her. She began crossing the bridge, tiny foot in front of tiny foot. She reached the end. He was still at the beginning, knife in hand. Her wide eyes grew larger.
For a second the sunlight faded. The bridge fell apart and so did our little family. He ran back into the woods. Suddenly deep within the nothingness of the woods, a foreign, white, figure raced. The shape jumped and for a second we mistook it for a moving mass of snow.
Before us stood the mother, she had leapt across the river and her coat was pure white. She stood on her hind legs. The mother stood almost seven feet. She smirked, her fangs making up half of her face. Her eyes were bloodshot and mad. I could feel us slipping, and then the ledge broke. We all fell into the river, but we were striving to survive. Our family did not die that day. We could not die without each other.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Welcome to the world baby -- Cherokee sanders, Grade 9
It was a sunny day in July and my family was having a picnic in the park. Everyone was there and me and my favorite cousin Sharon was just sitting on the bench watching the girls jump double Dutch and watching the boys play basket ball and while we were sitting there watching our family enjoy the picnic I thought to myself and said “this day couldn’t get any better”. That is until my brothers girlfriend water broke and she went into labor. Every one was hysterical except me and her I mean I thought the parent was suppose to act like that but I guess not. When I seen her water break and she started screaming I thought I was going to fall out I mean I never seen anyone go into labor before so I was really shocked. My brother and my mom got her in the car as quick they could and they started down the rode to HCMC. As soon as we got there they rushed her to the emergency room and she was screaming and squeezing things and she reached for my hand but I had no idea that she was going to squeeze it that hard it was like she was squeezing the life out of my hand. So here we all are in the delivery room well not all of us just me my mom and my brother and there she is just pushing away and taking deep breaths every chance she got and after like ten pushes you can see his head and right then and there I thought I was going to faint but I manage to stay on my feet .as she’s pushing and pushing the baby is just staying In one place and then finally she got so mad and yelled “get this baby out of me” and as soon as she said that he came out a liltle more and every time she yelled he kept coming until he finally came out he was 6pounds and seven ounces. When it was my tern to hold him I just stared at him and then I whisper softly to him and I said “welcome to the world baby”
Valentine’s Day Special - - Brett Briley 10th grade
I hate Valentines day. It’s a day where the good looking get what they want, and everyone else gets nothing. The day where jocks go out and celebrate with their girls, and everyone else sits back in the shadows and watch them. And the day where my spirit was put down.
My name’s Jimmy. I’m not very popular here at Northtown High. Just about everything here revolves around the football team and their big-headed quarterback Fred. Fred and I, we can’t stand each other. One day in 3rd grade I accidentally spilled glue on Fred’s chair and he sat on it. After school he waited for me at the park and threw me on the ground and kicked me. Ever since we’ve been doing things to break each other. This mostly turns out in Fred’s favor, and today was no exception. The girl that I’ve dreamed of since 1st grade, Emily, accepted Fred’s invitation of going on a date with him. Now let me tell you a little about Emily. Emily is very hot. She was voted most prettiest girl the last 4 years. She has brown hair and blue eyes that sparkle more than all the water in the world. She’s about mid-sized and plays a great amount of sports. She’s caption of the volleyball team and the cheerleading squad. Besides sports she’s involved with student council, the French club, and money manager for the concession stands. Emily is a really great girl.
The thing that really makes me mad about this situation is that Emily doesn’t even like Fred. She’s always telling me about how she wished Fred would just grow up and act a little more mature, like me. That was a great day. Not only did I finally have a chance to sit down and talk to Emily, I also got a few hugs out of it too! If only every day was like that day. So after school I decided to wait at Emily’s locker for her to see if she wanted to do something. When Emily saw me down the hallway, she smiled and gave me a hand gesture to wait a few minutes. She told each and everyone of her friends goodbye and gave them all hugs before walking over to me. She came up to me and gave me a nice, big hug. She then asked, “What’re you still doing here?” In a shy tender voice I replied, “I wanted to ask you if maybe you wanted to go out and do something tonight.” Emily had to think about it for a moment. She finally whispered, “ Sorry Jimmy, but Fred already asked me.”
Just at that moment big badass Fred walks over and pushed me into the locker next to Emily’s. I stayed on the floor in pain. Fred wasn’t just the quarterback he was a wrestler too. Emily started freaking out, screaming at Fred to leave me alone. Fred just kept kicking me no matter how many times Emily told him to stop. After a few minutes Fred finally let me up. My nose was busted my arm stung, and my clothes were ruined. At this point I was tired of Fred and his bullshit. I turned around and socked him right in the face with my fist. Fred stared at me in shock before he tumbled onto the floor, going into a few hour sleep. I knew that I was going to be in trouble, because nobody ever believed me. But at the end of the day, it didn’t matter to me. I was Emily’s new hero.
My name’s Jimmy. I’m not very popular here at Northtown High. Just about everything here revolves around the football team and their big-headed quarterback Fred. Fred and I, we can’t stand each other. One day in 3rd grade I accidentally spilled glue on Fred’s chair and he sat on it. After school he waited for me at the park and threw me on the ground and kicked me. Ever since we’ve been doing things to break each other. This mostly turns out in Fred’s favor, and today was no exception. The girl that I’ve dreamed of since 1st grade, Emily, accepted Fred’s invitation of going on a date with him. Now let me tell you a little about Emily. Emily is very hot. She was voted most prettiest girl the last 4 years. She has brown hair and blue eyes that sparkle more than all the water in the world. She’s about mid-sized and plays a great amount of sports. She’s caption of the volleyball team and the cheerleading squad. Besides sports she’s involved with student council, the French club, and money manager for the concession stands. Emily is a really great girl.
The thing that really makes me mad about this situation is that Emily doesn’t even like Fred. She’s always telling me about how she wished Fred would just grow up and act a little more mature, like me. That was a great day. Not only did I finally have a chance to sit down and talk to Emily, I also got a few hugs out of it too! If only every day was like that day. So after school I decided to wait at Emily’s locker for her to see if she wanted to do something. When Emily saw me down the hallway, she smiled and gave me a hand gesture to wait a few minutes. She told each and everyone of her friends goodbye and gave them all hugs before walking over to me. She came up to me and gave me a nice, big hug. She then asked, “What’re you still doing here?” In a shy tender voice I replied, “I wanted to ask you if maybe you wanted to go out and do something tonight.” Emily had to think about it for a moment. She finally whispered, “ Sorry Jimmy, but Fred already asked me.”
Just at that moment big badass Fred walks over and pushed me into the locker next to Emily’s. I stayed on the floor in pain. Fred wasn’t just the quarterback he was a wrestler too. Emily started freaking out, screaming at Fred to leave me alone. Fred just kept kicking me no matter how many times Emily told him to stop. After a few minutes Fred finally let me up. My nose was busted my arm stung, and my clothes were ruined. At this point I was tired of Fred and his bullshit. I turned around and socked him right in the face with my fist. Fred stared at me in shock before he tumbled onto the floor, going into a few hour sleep. I knew that I was going to be in trouble, because nobody ever believed me. But at the end of the day, it didn’t matter to me. I was Emily’s new hero.
The Truth Hurts
I hated everything! Nothing was going the way I planned. First, the boy of my dreams, Alexander, wasn’t paying any attention to me. He ignored me and one day he told me something that filled me with anger and disappointment.
It all started the first day of school, when I spotted a new kid in my biology class. He was tall, athletic, with really pretty blue eyes and the best part was his perfect tan. As Ms. Johnson assigned lab partners, I crossed my fingers hoping that Alexander would be mine. I couldn’t stop smiling when she said “Cristina P. and Alexander O.” My heart started to beat faster and faster, I felt like the luckiest girl in the whole world. I was very nervous but I managed to welcome him to the school and to introduce myself. He did the same with a quiet and shy voice. By the end of the day we had become very good friends, so I invited him to go to the mall with me and my friends. Alexander agreed and we went to meet Molly, Katie, and Annie at the mall.
When we got there I introduced him with all my friends and they seemed to get along really good. After a while, my friends, Alexander, and me hanged out a lot until one day I decided to tell him what felt for him. With my voice cracking I told him that I liked him but he told me that he liked my best friend Annie.
It all started the first day of school, when I spotted a new kid in my biology class. He was tall, athletic, with really pretty blue eyes and the best part was his perfect tan. As Ms. Johnson assigned lab partners, I crossed my fingers hoping that Alexander would be mine. I couldn’t stop smiling when she said “Cristina P. and Alexander O.” My heart started to beat faster and faster, I felt like the luckiest girl in the whole world. I was very nervous but I managed to welcome him to the school and to introduce myself. He did the same with a quiet and shy voice. By the end of the day we had become very good friends, so I invited him to go to the mall with me and my friends. Alexander agreed and we went to meet Molly, Katie, and Annie at the mall.
When we got there I introduced him with all my friends and they seemed to get along really good. After a while, my friends, Alexander, and me hanged out a lot until one day I decided to tell him what felt for him. With my voice cracking I told him that I liked him but he told me that he liked my best friend Annie.
The Strange Dream -- By: Ivan Jimenez Grade: 9th
My breath burned in my chest and I was running out of strength there was no doubt about it, he was getting closer, the man with a black mask trying to kidnap me. I was horrified because it was late at night in the city I thought to myself, where is everyone?
Having no idea where they were I kept running, I ran through two buildings and a store but the man in the mask was still behind me about a block away but it felt like he was right beside me.
I kept running, finally I reached to a point where I was too tired too go on, my feet were soar and I could barely feel them so I decided to hide in the very next building I saw but the next building was a small store, I had no other choice I checked behind me the guy in mask was two minutes away from me enough time to hide
So I ran into the store and hided inside a big box of candy waiting for the kidnapper to pass by but the kidnaper walked into the store I took three deep breathes and as the kidnapper got closer I started to panic in my head telling myself “he is going to catch me he is going to catch me!!!” I was breathing harder as he opened the first box but luckily I was in the fourth box, he opened the second box I wasn’t in there, he opened the third box I wasn’t there either when he finally got to my box I screamed in terror jumped out of the box and tried too run but he grabbed my shirt and pulled me back, I fell and fainted for 3 seconds but as I was waking up I saw him putting me in his big black bag I tried too fight my way out of the bag but he tied the bag to tight for me too get out.
He was about to put me in his truck full of kids but suddenly I felt a hit, a hit so soft it felt like a pillow I opened my eyes and it was my little brother on the side of my bed I asked myself “was that just a dream?” I looked around, it was my room but it couldn’t be I was just getting chased by a guy in a mask. I got up from my bed and was thankful that It really didn’t happen I ran downstairs too the kitchen and as I ran downstairs I saw I black figure in my hand, it was a black mask.
Having no idea where they were I kept running, I ran through two buildings and a store but the man in the mask was still behind me about a block away but it felt like he was right beside me.
I kept running, finally I reached to a point where I was too tired too go on, my feet were soar and I could barely feel them so I decided to hide in the very next building I saw but the next building was a small store, I had no other choice I checked behind me the guy in mask was two minutes away from me enough time to hide
So I ran into the store and hided inside a big box of candy waiting for the kidnapper to pass by but the kidnaper walked into the store I took three deep breathes and as the kidnapper got closer I started to panic in my head telling myself “he is going to catch me he is going to catch me!!!” I was breathing harder as he opened the first box but luckily I was in the fourth box, he opened the second box I wasn’t in there, he opened the third box I wasn’t there either when he finally got to my box I screamed in terror jumped out of the box and tried too run but he grabbed my shirt and pulled me back, I fell and fainted for 3 seconds but as I was waking up I saw him putting me in his big black bag I tried too fight my way out of the bag but he tied the bag to tight for me too get out.
He was about to put me in his truck full of kids but suddenly I felt a hit, a hit so soft it felt like a pillow I opened my eyes and it was my little brother on the side of my bed I asked myself “was that just a dream?” I looked around, it was my room but it couldn’t be I was just getting chased by a guy in a mask. I got up from my bed and was thankful that It really didn’t happen I ran downstairs too the kitchen and as I ran downstairs I saw I black figure in my hand, it was a black mask.
The Silent River - anonymous
Jane and I walked down to the river, it was a beautiful morning and I was sure nothing could go wrong. We sat down on the lush green grass next to the calm flowing river. Birds were tweeting and the smell of the outdoors just filled your lungs with the sweetest sensation. Jane and I are best friends we’ve been living with each other since we were both born. I’d have to say that I’m about three weeks older than Jane. Our parents bought a farm together after they got married and ever since, we’ve been living here. Our dads were best friends since the third grade. It was late June and my birthday was just around the corner, July 2nd. The day I turn 18 and boy was I excited.
I wasn’t too sure why Jane asked me to go to the river with her. We usually met there when we just needed sometime away from our parents. But that day, Jane was acting different and I just couldn’t quite get it.
“John?” She asked me in a hushed tone.
“Yeah, Jane? What’s wrong? You seem too gloomy to be my Jane today.” I replied, hoping to make her smile a little.
“Oh! It’s nothing.” She smiled really big. Now, before I get to the next part of my story, I should tell you that for a while no, I’ve been starting to have feelings for Jane. It was not the kind of feeling where I liked her as sister. It was more like the feelings you see on T.V., like the romantic kind. So anyway, I was a little confused when Jane smiled because just before, she looked like she was going to cry.
“Are you sure it’s nothing?” I confusedly asked her.
“Yeah.” She replied. “I just wanted you to come with me today so I could talk to you.”
“About what?” I asked impatiently.
“Well, you know how your birthday is coming up and you’re about to turn 18.” This is what I absolutely love about Jane. She always thought about others and she always remembered dates. Even though her birthday was only three weeks after mine, she still was thinking about my birthday instead of hers.
“Yeah? So?” I asked her trying to act cool.
“I just wanted to give you your birthday present, that’s all. I wanted to give it to you before hand. Is that okay?” her voice was getting a little nervous and shaky.
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Of course I wanted an early birthday present.
“Okay…” she said drifting off. “Close your eye.” And so, I closed me eyes and waited impatiently, and nervously to see what my present was. Then, smack, my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to fall to the ground. Jane was kissing me! I opened my eyes and there she was, face to face with me. I was in shock; I’ve never felt like this before. Jane got up and ran off. I heard her in the distance screaming, happy birthday! I could feel my face getting hot and red. I got back to reality and ran back to the farm. I turned and looked at the apple tree, Jane was crying. I ran towards her and hugged her not knowing what was wrong. I wiped her tears. “Jane, what happened?” She answered me in quiet sobs,
“My parents want to move to the city, they say it’ll be better for me, better for my future.” She leaned into my chest and hugged me. “I don’t want to go John, I don’t want to go.” I was shocked, but this time, it was a chock of pain. I held her tighter in my arms.
“It’s okay Jane. I’ll make sure that you stay.”
The next morning I woke up and I was determined to talk to Jane’s parents. I skipped breakfast and walked next door. Knock, knock, knock. Mrs. Smith opened the door.
“Why, good morning John. What brings you over here?” I try to respond calmly.
“Good morning Mrs. Smith. I just wanted to visit Jane and Mr. Smith. May I come in?”
“Of course, of course. Come in.” I walked into the house. It looked so similar to mine, every aspect about it. I saw Mr. Smith sitting in the living rom. I walked over and spoke up to him.
“Mr. Smith?”
“Yes son? What brings you here this fine morning?”
“Well you see, I don’t think its right for you guys to decide where Jane gets to live. You can’t make her move to the city.”
“I’m sorry John, but we’ve already made our decision.” Jane comes running in and you can tell that she is infuriated.
“No dad! I won’t go! I don’t want to go. Can’t you just consider my feelings for once?”
“Sorry honey, but no.” I panicked; my mind was racing, so I said the first thing I could think of.
“Mr. Smith, Jane and I want to get married.” It seemed like we were in a movie and everyone just paused. Mr. Smith looked at me from the top of his glasses. By now I was very afraid to see what his response would be.
“Well.” He said. I guess we’ll have to…” he stopped in the middle of his sentence and looked back down at his news paper. “… plan a wedding then, won’t we?” Jane’s face expression went from shocked, from when I said we were getting married, to great joy and a smile when she knew she didn’t have to move anymore. She jumped up in joy and hugged me so tight I almost couldn’t breathe.
Our wedding was held in mid August at Silent River, where we had our first kiss. Now, Jane and I are happier than ever. We have a three year old daughter and we never regretted getting married.
The End
I wasn’t too sure why Jane asked me to go to the river with her. We usually met there when we just needed sometime away from our parents. But that day, Jane was acting different and I just couldn’t quite get it.
“John?” She asked me in a hushed tone.
“Yeah, Jane? What’s wrong? You seem too gloomy to be my Jane today.” I replied, hoping to make her smile a little.
“Oh! It’s nothing.” She smiled really big. Now, before I get to the next part of my story, I should tell you that for a while no, I’ve been starting to have feelings for Jane. It was not the kind of feeling where I liked her as sister. It was more like the feelings you see on T.V., like the romantic kind. So anyway, I was a little confused when Jane smiled because just before, she looked like she was going to cry.
“Are you sure it’s nothing?” I confusedly asked her.
“Yeah.” She replied. “I just wanted you to come with me today so I could talk to you.”
“About what?” I asked impatiently.
“Well, you know how your birthday is coming up and you’re about to turn 18.” This is what I absolutely love about Jane. She always thought about others and she always remembered dates. Even though her birthday was only three weeks after mine, she still was thinking about my birthday instead of hers.
“Yeah? So?” I asked her trying to act cool.
“I just wanted to give you your birthday present, that’s all. I wanted to give it to you before hand. Is that okay?” her voice was getting a little nervous and shaky.
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Of course I wanted an early birthday present.
“Okay…” she said drifting off. “Close your eye.” And so, I closed me eyes and waited impatiently, and nervously to see what my present was. Then, smack, my heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to fall to the ground. Jane was kissing me! I opened my eyes and there she was, face to face with me. I was in shock; I’ve never felt like this before. Jane got up and ran off. I heard her in the distance screaming, happy birthday! I could feel my face getting hot and red. I got back to reality and ran back to the farm. I turned and looked at the apple tree, Jane was crying. I ran towards her and hugged her not knowing what was wrong. I wiped her tears. “Jane, what happened?” She answered me in quiet sobs,
“My parents want to move to the city, they say it’ll be better for me, better for my future.” She leaned into my chest and hugged me. “I don’t want to go John, I don’t want to go.” I was shocked, but this time, it was a chock of pain. I held her tighter in my arms.
“It’s okay Jane. I’ll make sure that you stay.”
The next morning I woke up and I was determined to talk to Jane’s parents. I skipped breakfast and walked next door. Knock, knock, knock. Mrs. Smith opened the door.
“Why, good morning John. What brings you over here?” I try to respond calmly.
“Good morning Mrs. Smith. I just wanted to visit Jane and Mr. Smith. May I come in?”
“Of course, of course. Come in.” I walked into the house. It looked so similar to mine, every aspect about it. I saw Mr. Smith sitting in the living rom. I walked over and spoke up to him.
“Mr. Smith?”
“Yes son? What brings you here this fine morning?”
“Well you see, I don’t think its right for you guys to decide where Jane gets to live. You can’t make her move to the city.”
“I’m sorry John, but we’ve already made our decision.” Jane comes running in and you can tell that she is infuriated.
“No dad! I won’t go! I don’t want to go. Can’t you just consider my feelings for once?”
“Sorry honey, but no.” I panicked; my mind was racing, so I said the first thing I could think of.
“Mr. Smith, Jane and I want to get married.” It seemed like we were in a movie and everyone just paused. Mr. Smith looked at me from the top of his glasses. By now I was very afraid to see what his response would be.
“Well.” He said. I guess we’ll have to…” he stopped in the middle of his sentence and looked back down at his news paper. “… plan a wedding then, won’t we?” Jane’s face expression went from shocked, from when I said we were getting married, to great joy and a smile when she knew she didn’t have to move anymore. She jumped up in joy and hugged me so tight I almost couldn’t breathe.
Our wedding was held in mid August at Silent River, where we had our first kiss. Now, Jane and I are happier than ever. We have a three year old daughter and we never regretted getting married.
The End
The Emancipation - Shaena Swanson, 10th grade
The sun was hurting my eyes and the helmet was pushing awkwardly against my temples, but it was worth it, being on that motorcycle and leaving my old life behind. The worn blacktop road unwound behind us and beyond the horizon laid untapped freedom. We had been trapped here for far too long. It was finally time for us to break the chains, to escape the grip society had held us in our entire lives.
Maverick was driving. He was my boyfriend of two and a half years, and was just as motivated to run away as I was. He’d lived in a trailer park with his father for his entire life, and they had hardly any money. On Valentine’s Day and my birthday, he would give up an entire month’s salary from his minimum-wage job at the lumberyard just to buy me gifts. This motorcycle was a gift from his mother, who had remarried an extremely wealthy software producer and now had more money than she knew what to do with.
Me, I’m just from a small town in Oregon. I’ve lived in the same house my entire life. Everything in my life- my house, my family, the dreadful family-friendly minivan- was the epitome of suburbia. That was my mother’s goal: perfect house, perfect family, and perfect life. Unfortunately for her, I was ruining her master plan by running away with my boyfriend to California.
The sun was beating down hard on my neck. The winters here in Oregon were terrible, below-zero temperatures, icy wind, and foot upon foot of thick snow, but the summers here were also disgusting, in a completely different way of course. It was hot and humid. The air was thick and heavy with beads of moisture that seemed to reflect every ray of sunlight, nearly blinding you every time you stepped outside.
“Sophya, are you alright back there?” Maverick called from the front.
“I’m absolutely fantastic!” His hair blew wildly in the wind, dark brown curls flying all over the place. I laughed and took a look around. This freedom, this emancipation- it was what I had been waiting for my entire life. We needed to get away from our old lives. We needed to start a new one, together, in California. There, we would be happy.
I wrapped my arms around Maverick’s torso and took a deep breath in. He smelled like leather and cigarette smoke. To me, that was the true smell of freedom.
The last thing I remember is the back wheel of the motorcycle catching on something- maybe a pebble- and us spinning out of control. I recall flying off the back of the bike and soaring through the air, but I don’t remember hitting the gravel.
When I woke up, my mother was sitting next to me. She had my hand clutches against her heart. Her tear-streaked face stared at me in awe as I slowly opened my eyes.
“M-mom,” I attempted. It was feeble, and came out as merely a whisper. She just nodded. “W-where’s Maverick?” I asked.
“He’s fine, honey. He’s over in the next room with his father.” Tears, stained black with eye makeup, streamed down her aged face. “Oh, Sophya, I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“W-what happened?” I asked. She told me about when they found the motorcycle, how it was badly scraped up on the side and the back wheel was bent. Maverick hadn’t been as badly injured, just a broken ankle, but I had flown off the back of the bike, hit my head, fractured my right arm in three places and broken two ribs. My entire body was bandaged and covered in road rash.
My mother’s well-manicured hands stoked my left hand. She kept whispering, “I love you Sophya. I’m so glad you’re okay.” It was then that I realized that it doesn’t matter what my mother wanted me to be, or how annoyingly meticulous she was. What was important was our relationship as mother and daughter. I no longer felt out-of-place, no longer felt as though I had to run away to feel happy or free. I had found a different kind of freedom, here in my hometown. I was free from my feelings of inadequacy, and surrounded by those who loved me.
Maverick was driving. He was my boyfriend of two and a half years, and was just as motivated to run away as I was. He’d lived in a trailer park with his father for his entire life, and they had hardly any money. On Valentine’s Day and my birthday, he would give up an entire month’s salary from his minimum-wage job at the lumberyard just to buy me gifts. This motorcycle was a gift from his mother, who had remarried an extremely wealthy software producer and now had more money than she knew what to do with.
Me, I’m just from a small town in Oregon. I’ve lived in the same house my entire life. Everything in my life- my house, my family, the dreadful family-friendly minivan- was the epitome of suburbia. That was my mother’s goal: perfect house, perfect family, and perfect life. Unfortunately for her, I was ruining her master plan by running away with my boyfriend to California.
The sun was beating down hard on my neck. The winters here in Oregon were terrible, below-zero temperatures, icy wind, and foot upon foot of thick snow, but the summers here were also disgusting, in a completely different way of course. It was hot and humid. The air was thick and heavy with beads of moisture that seemed to reflect every ray of sunlight, nearly blinding you every time you stepped outside.
“Sophya, are you alright back there?” Maverick called from the front.
“I’m absolutely fantastic!” His hair blew wildly in the wind, dark brown curls flying all over the place. I laughed and took a look around. This freedom, this emancipation- it was what I had been waiting for my entire life. We needed to get away from our old lives. We needed to start a new one, together, in California. There, we would be happy.
I wrapped my arms around Maverick’s torso and took a deep breath in. He smelled like leather and cigarette smoke. To me, that was the true smell of freedom.
The last thing I remember is the back wheel of the motorcycle catching on something- maybe a pebble- and us spinning out of control. I recall flying off the back of the bike and soaring through the air, but I don’t remember hitting the gravel.
When I woke up, my mother was sitting next to me. She had my hand clutches against her heart. Her tear-streaked face stared at me in awe as I slowly opened my eyes.
“M-mom,” I attempted. It was feeble, and came out as merely a whisper. She just nodded. “W-where’s Maverick?” I asked.
“He’s fine, honey. He’s over in the next room with his father.” Tears, stained black with eye makeup, streamed down her aged face. “Oh, Sophya, I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“W-what happened?” I asked. She told me about when they found the motorcycle, how it was badly scraped up on the side and the back wheel was bent. Maverick hadn’t been as badly injured, just a broken ankle, but I had flown off the back of the bike, hit my head, fractured my right arm in three places and broken two ribs. My entire body was bandaged and covered in road rash.
My mother’s well-manicured hands stoked my left hand. She kept whispering, “I love you Sophya. I’m so glad you’re okay.” It was then that I realized that it doesn’t matter what my mother wanted me to be, or how annoyingly meticulous she was. What was important was our relationship as mother and daughter. I no longer felt out-of-place, no longer felt as though I had to run away to feel happy or free. I had found a different kind of freedom, here in my hometown. I was free from my feelings of inadequacy, and surrounded by those who loved me.
The Drink of Acceptance - - by Shelly Wagner, 10th Grade
And there I sat, in the corner of my cold, dark room, wrapped up in the red wool blanket that my mom gave me when I was 5. I had a ½ empty bottle of Bacardi in the hand and I just felt so lonely. That’s practically how every night has been since my senior year in high school. I’ve been abandoned and on my own since…as far back as I’d like to remember. I was always the odd one out. I had no siblings, no parents, no one that really loved me. Until one day when I met Jill.
Jill was a fine young lady. She was energetic, motivated, social, and was always doing something. Although after she met me, it seemed like she spent all of her time trying to make me happy. It never worked though. She was as clingy as a new puppy to its owner, always following me around, asking where I was going, and she was like that for only one reason. She loved me. I don’t know why either. She told me many times that all she lived for was me, and I couldn’t even care. I had known for a long time that there was something wrong with me. I never really liked girl all that much, they were too weird. I wanted to be with guys constantly, but to cover this all up I went out with a couple of girls. After an incident where, as embarrassing as it is to admit it, a girl that I dated named Cindy said I was “barely a man” while in bed with me, I gave up on women. In the 8th grade, I knew I was gay.
I never seemed to have the heart or the guts to tell Jill why I couldn’t love her, or even see her as something other than that pest I tried to avoid. One day I attempted to tell her, and I almost had the word out of my mouth, I was thinking to myself “just say it, I am GAY!” but it just wouldn’t go. She sat there anxiously, awaiting this big truth I was finally going to expose to her, and it never came. Instead she screamed in my face, telling me I was the most inconsiderate bastard she had ever met in her life. For the first (and only) time in my life, I cried over a woman. Although she was a pest, she was the only friend that I had had. She comforted me and made me feel like I was suppose to be a part of this world, and from that day on, drinking was my best friend.
Jill was a fine young lady. She was energetic, motivated, social, and was always doing something. Although after she met me, it seemed like she spent all of her time trying to make me happy. It never worked though. She was as clingy as a new puppy to its owner, always following me around, asking where I was going, and she was like that for only one reason. She loved me. I don’t know why either. She told me many times that all she lived for was me, and I couldn’t even care. I had known for a long time that there was something wrong with me. I never really liked girl all that much, they were too weird. I wanted to be with guys constantly, but to cover this all up I went out with a couple of girls. After an incident where, as embarrassing as it is to admit it, a girl that I dated named Cindy said I was “barely a man” while in bed with me, I gave up on women. In the 8th grade, I knew I was gay.
I never seemed to have the heart or the guts to tell Jill why I couldn’t love her, or even see her as something other than that pest I tried to avoid. One day I attempted to tell her, and I almost had the word out of my mouth, I was thinking to myself “just say it, I am GAY!” but it just wouldn’t go. She sat there anxiously, awaiting this big truth I was finally going to expose to her, and it never came. Instead she screamed in my face, telling me I was the most inconsiderate bastard she had ever met in her life. For the first (and only) time in my life, I cried over a woman. Although she was a pest, she was the only friend that I had had. She comforted me and made me feel like I was suppose to be a part of this world, and from that day on, drinking was my best friend.
The Day I Met John
One sunny day at Logan Park the birds were chirping, the trees were calm and the grass was swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the wind. John’s mother had passed away but she was a millionaire and now all that fortune went to him. He was also secretly dating Megan Fox. He decided to disturb the peace and race by the park with his friends.
He was going 60 mph and he’s passing by the park when Clarissa, a young 22 year old woman gets in his way. There’s no way John could have stopped so he swerves around her. As he’s swerving he panics and lands in the lake that was right by the park. Meanwhile Clarissa lost all of her color because she thought the car was going to hit her. As she watched the car that almost took her life, sink into the lake she runs towards it to try to save the driver. The driver was conscious and he managed to take out his seat belt but he panicked because he felt the car sinking. Clarissa came just in time and took him out of the car. As she helped him to the ground all he could do was think about his precious car and how he almost lost it. So he pushed Clarissa away from him, with tears filling up his eyes he started yelling at her. “How could you have just popped out of nowhere?” he yelled. “I could have died” he said. So Clarissa simply took a deep breath, held her head high and asked him to calm down. “You should be thankful I came here and saved your life while you almost took mine away” she replied. “My precious car!” yelled John. “You stupid materialistic boy” Clarissa yelled. “Your car is now in the lake along with the soul of the woman’s body they found in there five years ago.” John said nothing and walked towards the park with tears streaming down his cheeks.
The clouds no longer seemed to smile at him and the sun didn’t shine as it had before. His eyes blurred by the tears, he sat on the grass and started humming to the song his mother used to sing to him. Clarissa simply followed him; she sat right next to him and asked if he was alright. He just nodded but didn’t turn to look at her. He simply starred off into space. “You can just get a different car, please don’t be upset over that” said Clarissa. John took a deep breath and seconds later he said what had been his worst memory. “Uhh..my mother, she uhh…she was the woman that was found in the lake.” His voice broke as he said lake. Clarissa simple put her head down and felt so ashamed. The tears continued to scroll down his face. Clarissa didn’t know what to do, she had only seen one other man cry before, her father and that was because her older brother Jack had got into a motorcycle accident and passed away. But now she has a stranger, tall handsome guy break down in front of her. How was she supposed to handle all this? All she could say was “I’m sorry”. She gave him a hug and told him that everything was going to be ok. She apologized than twenty times. Finally John stood up, fixed his shirt, wiped away. He turned back once to look at Clarissa; he gave her a soft smile and walked towards the city. Clarissa simply thought of the events that happened that day. She looked up at the sky and smiled.
She smiled because she had life, she smiled because if someone who had lost their mother could smile than so could she but mostly she smiled because she knew that somewhere up in the sky her brother Jack and John’s mother were looking down at her and smiling right back.
He was going 60 mph and he’s passing by the park when Clarissa, a young 22 year old woman gets in his way. There’s no way John could have stopped so he swerves around her. As he’s swerving he panics and lands in the lake that was right by the park. Meanwhile Clarissa lost all of her color because she thought the car was going to hit her. As she watched the car that almost took her life, sink into the lake she runs towards it to try to save the driver. The driver was conscious and he managed to take out his seat belt but he panicked because he felt the car sinking. Clarissa came just in time and took him out of the car. As she helped him to the ground all he could do was think about his precious car and how he almost lost it. So he pushed Clarissa away from him, with tears filling up his eyes he started yelling at her. “How could you have just popped out of nowhere?” he yelled. “I could have died” he said. So Clarissa simply took a deep breath, held her head high and asked him to calm down. “You should be thankful I came here and saved your life while you almost took mine away” she replied. “My precious car!” yelled John. “You stupid materialistic boy” Clarissa yelled. “Your car is now in the lake along with the soul of the woman’s body they found in there five years ago.” John said nothing and walked towards the park with tears streaming down his cheeks.
The clouds no longer seemed to smile at him and the sun didn’t shine as it had before. His eyes blurred by the tears, he sat on the grass and started humming to the song his mother used to sing to him. Clarissa simply followed him; she sat right next to him and asked if he was alright. He just nodded but didn’t turn to look at her. He simply starred off into space. “You can just get a different car, please don’t be upset over that” said Clarissa. John took a deep breath and seconds later he said what had been his worst memory. “Uhh..my mother, she uhh…she was the woman that was found in the lake.” His voice broke as he said lake. Clarissa simple put her head down and felt so ashamed. The tears continued to scroll down his face. Clarissa didn’t know what to do, she had only seen one other man cry before, her father and that was because her older brother Jack had got into a motorcycle accident and passed away. But now she has a stranger, tall handsome guy break down in front of her. How was she supposed to handle all this? All she could say was “I’m sorry”. She gave him a hug and told him that everything was going to be ok. She apologized than twenty times. Finally John stood up, fixed his shirt, wiped away. He turned back once to look at Clarissa; he gave her a soft smile and walked towards the city. Clarissa simply thought of the events that happened that day. She looked up at the sky and smiled.
She smiled because she had life, she smiled because if someone who had lost their mother could smile than so could she but mostly she smiled because she knew that somewhere up in the sky her brother Jack and John’s mother were looking down at her and smiling right back.
The Beast - by Natalie Koch, 10th Grade
The forest around me was suffocating. The tree’s howled with laughter as the wind rustled their silhouettes against the pale moonlight. The forest was mocking me at my desperate attempt to escape my attacker. But I couldn’t blame them; I didn’t even know why I was trying. It was as though the tree’s themselves were draining away my last strains of faith. They were cascading there leaves down to the damp ground in front of me, provoking me to slip. There roots stretched out over the beaten path, desperately trying to snag my feet upon them. Not only was U being hunted by an unimaginable beast, the forest, nature itself, was playing against me, and I was losing fast. As the darkness of the woods began to consume me, what I thought would be my sanctuary was quickly turning into my death bed.
As I approached the heart of the forest, the plants around me were thickening. I spread my arms across my face as I charged through a particularly large group mesh of sharp branches and thorn veins. I stumbled out into a clearing on the other side, covered with scratches and thorns in my skin. I didn’t have time to brush myself off, I had to keep moving. I kicked my brain into over-drive as I scream mental to tell my throbbing legs to resume their speed. Instead, they collapsed under my weight, my body tumbling onto the cool, soggy ground beneath me.
The cool dirt felt relaxing against my hot, sweaty face. I felt as though I had been running for days on end, but in reality, it had only been about forty-five minutes. For several, tense seconds, the forest around me had gone completely silent. The only thing I could hear was the thumping of my heart against my chest as I lied motionless. A wave of new hope washed over me. Perhaps the beast had grown tired, or better yet, had lost track of me. Whatever the case, I took the opportunity to check my battered body. With my adrenaline temporarily easing off, huge excruciating pain surged through my legs. I tried to relieve some discomfort by massaging them with my trembling, dirt covered fingers. It was no good, the pain had escalated to the point in were my legs were numb. With a shaky breath, I slowly picked off thorns protruding from my irritated skin. Tears collected in my eyes as I pricked each one by one. Time passed as I got the majority of the thorns out. I longer I stayed here, the more at risk I was for the beast to return. I figured my next best move would be to try to back track home along a different route, cringing at the fear in running into it through the way you came. I braced myself as I struggled to get into an upright position, then onto my feet. I staggered around before I was able to keep my ground, then gingerly made way towards a small, open path on the other side of the clearing. Suddenly, an ear piercing howl roared from behind me. I swung around and locked eyes with my pursuer. An enormous, black shaggy dog like creature stood before me. Its eye’s like fire, razor sharp teeth, and large matted paws stood ten feet away. It took a couple of paw steps forward, growls rumbling deep from his throat as he was about to pounce. I staggered backwards, frantically trying to flee the monster. Suddenly, the ground below me disappeared, and I feel down what I think was a cave, and hit the bottom with a thud, blacking out.
As I approached the heart of the forest, the plants around me were thickening. I spread my arms across my face as I charged through a particularly large group mesh of sharp branches and thorn veins. I stumbled out into a clearing on the other side, covered with scratches and thorns in my skin. I didn’t have time to brush myself off, I had to keep moving. I kicked my brain into over-drive as I scream mental to tell my throbbing legs to resume their speed. Instead, they collapsed under my weight, my body tumbling onto the cool, soggy ground beneath me.
The cool dirt felt relaxing against my hot, sweaty face. I felt as though I had been running for days on end, but in reality, it had only been about forty-five minutes. For several, tense seconds, the forest around me had gone completely silent. The only thing I could hear was the thumping of my heart against my chest as I lied motionless. A wave of new hope washed over me. Perhaps the beast had grown tired, or better yet, had lost track of me. Whatever the case, I took the opportunity to check my battered body. With my adrenaline temporarily easing off, huge excruciating pain surged through my legs. I tried to relieve some discomfort by massaging them with my trembling, dirt covered fingers. It was no good, the pain had escalated to the point in were my legs were numb. With a shaky breath, I slowly picked off thorns protruding from my irritated skin. Tears collected in my eyes as I pricked each one by one. Time passed as I got the majority of the thorns out. I longer I stayed here, the more at risk I was for the beast to return. I figured my next best move would be to try to back track home along a different route, cringing at the fear in running into it through the way you came. I braced myself as I struggled to get into an upright position, then onto my feet. I staggered around before I was able to keep my ground, then gingerly made way towards a small, open path on the other side of the clearing. Suddenly, an ear piercing howl roared from behind me. I swung around and locked eyes with my pursuer. An enormous, black shaggy dog like creature stood before me. Its eye’s like fire, razor sharp teeth, and large matted paws stood ten feet away. It took a couple of paw steps forward, growls rumbling deep from his throat as he was about to pounce. I staggered backwards, frantically trying to flee the monster. Suddenly, the ground below me disappeared, and I feel down what I think was a cave, and hit the bottom with a thud, blacking out.
The Bad Dream - this writer wishes to remain anonymous
There I sat, where you might ask? The honest truth is I don’t know. However what I do know is that I’m cold, and wherever I am its pitch black. I feel a pain on my forehead and the ground feels like concrete. Suddenly I heard footsteps. For some strange reason I felt terrified. Now you might think its normal for people to be scared, but not for me. I couldn’t move and I couldn’t speak.
The footsteps seemed to be walking around me, and for a second I thought they got so close, that I could feel someone breathing right above me. Then they stopped, and I hadn’t noticed that my eyes were shut tight. When I slowly opened them, I still couldn’t see a thing. However I could see a small spot of light, but then it went away so I thought I had just imagined it. When I tried to look for something, anything else I saw the light again. It was like a glow of light from somewhere outside, or light that same from another room through the creek of a door.
It got so bright that my eyes couldn’t stand looking at it, so I covered my face. In the light I could make out a persons shadow. This gave me chills down my spine. The person called my name but it was an unfamiliar voice. They sounded demanding but at the same time I could make out fear in their voice. I blinked, and in a split second I was in my room. It was bright and sunny outside, and there I lay relieved that it was only a bad dream. Although it seemed so realistic, it was definitely something that was going to be on my mind all day.
The footsteps seemed to be walking around me, and for a second I thought they got so close, that I could feel someone breathing right above me. Then they stopped, and I hadn’t noticed that my eyes were shut tight. When I slowly opened them, I still couldn’t see a thing. However I could see a small spot of light, but then it went away so I thought I had just imagined it. When I tried to look for something, anything else I saw the light again. It was like a glow of light from somewhere outside, or light that same from another room through the creek of a door.
It got so bright that my eyes couldn’t stand looking at it, so I covered my face. In the light I could make out a persons shadow. This gave me chills down my spine. The person called my name but it was an unfamiliar voice. They sounded demanding but at the same time I could make out fear in their voice. I blinked, and in a split second I was in my room. It was bright and sunny outside, and there I lay relieved that it was only a bad dream. Although it seemed so realistic, it was definitely something that was going to be on my mind all day.
KNOCK OUT - by Mohamed Mohamed 10th Grader
I was trying so hard not to sleep in my Biology class. The class is just so dead. Everybody is tired, and probably wants to go back to sleep. Having Biology first hour doesn’t sound so good. The teacher stands in the front of class giving us notes. Her name is Mrs. Walker; she likes me very much because of my academic effort. She wasn’t so happy wit my last semester’s class. This semester I am trying to get an A to be in great shape.
I decided it’s the first day, and just went to sleep. I felt so good and relaxed. When it comes to sleeping, I will sleep on top of huge rocks with below zero temperature. I can be a deep sleeper, but sometimes little things wake me up. I don’t know how many minutes I was sleeping, but after Mrs. W finished the notes she woke me up and asked me, “Tom are you ok”. I lied, “Yeah, but I have a little headache”. She told me “Maybe you should go to the nurse”. I said, “I’m ok now, but thanks”.
When class was over I wasn’t sleepy anymore. I actually was feeling good. I was thinking to myself, one hour down six more to go. In case you wanted to know I’m a sophomore in high school. I live with my mother and father, but I’m thinking about moving out because they get on my nerves. The thing I love about school is I’m away from them, but you need to stay away from them at least ten hours a day.
My second, third, and fourth hour classes felt long. That’s because I wasn’t sleepy. But I headed to lunch starving my ass off, I love lunch time because you eat and get to talk to your friends without being bothered.
Jim came up to me and said, “Hey let’s head up to the library, that English project is not going to do itself”. This is why I hang with Jim his always on the top of his game. He is good at sports, especially basketball and football. He also takes care of his academic things, He also helps me to do the same, and not slack off or get in trouble.
I went to the bathroom to go take a leak and I bumped into this girl named Sheryl. I chopped her up, and got her number of course. When it comes to talking to girls I got mad game. Any ways I told Sheryl I’m a call her tonight, but I’m not. It’s all part of the game, if you show the girl you really like her she’s going to be over herself, and probably not talk to you anymore. I’ll call her like next week. After that I’m a call her twice a week to pull her off.
“Ding Ding Ding”, the final bell of the school day rang. I went to my locker got my stuff, and headed straight home. I have like a school day routine. It’s like school, home, gym, then home again. I do most of my homework at night. That’s why I’m always sleepy in first hour class.
When I got home I called my buddy Jim, and told him lets go to the gym. He picked me up, and we headed to the gym. It’s boring at the gym now a day because basketball season ended. But I and Jim go work out, and practice basketball, and play for fun. When we entered the gym I saw Moses’ shooting around. His fake I don’t like him, and with his attitude I know I’m going to fight him one of these days.
I went in mean mugging him, but he didn’t say anything he just mugged back. A couple of my other friends came like Adam and Jake. Moses said,”Yo lets run twenty-one real quick. We all said, “Start it up”.
As we were playing, Jake got the ball he checked up with Moses. The funny thing was Jake crossed him and Moses fell. We all started laughing, but for some reason he tried to punk me. He always tries to because I’m the youngest. This time I wasn’t going for any of his bull.
He said to me, “Laugh one more time asshole”. I replied “You’re not going to do shit bitch”. He came up to me, and shoved my head and said, “Don’t you ever…..”, before he could finish the sentence I gave him a fierce blow to the nose. I know that’s his weak spot, because he has the biggest nose in the world. As he was holding his nose I gave him two more punches to the face. Just as I thought I took over he hit me on the side of my head with a punch. That got me kind of dizzy, but I bucked up and regained stamina. To tell you the truth I’m a really good boxer. Then I hurried in and hit two more times and before you know it it was over. I knocked him the fuck out.
Then the gym staff took him and he was sent home. They didn’t do anything to me because they know I was just protecting myself. I went home a man, because I was waiting so long to fight him. Today finally I got my respect, and he knows he can’t mess with me anymore. He might try to fight me again, but I’m going to still knock him out if he tries me again.
I decided it’s the first day, and just went to sleep. I felt so good and relaxed. When it comes to sleeping, I will sleep on top of huge rocks with below zero temperature. I can be a deep sleeper, but sometimes little things wake me up. I don’t know how many minutes I was sleeping, but after Mrs. W finished the notes she woke me up and asked me, “Tom are you ok”. I lied, “Yeah, but I have a little headache”. She told me “Maybe you should go to the nurse”. I said, “I’m ok now, but thanks”.
When class was over I wasn’t sleepy anymore. I actually was feeling good. I was thinking to myself, one hour down six more to go. In case you wanted to know I’m a sophomore in high school. I live with my mother and father, but I’m thinking about moving out because they get on my nerves. The thing I love about school is I’m away from them, but you need to stay away from them at least ten hours a day.
My second, third, and fourth hour classes felt long. That’s because I wasn’t sleepy. But I headed to lunch starving my ass off, I love lunch time because you eat and get to talk to your friends without being bothered.
Jim came up to me and said, “Hey let’s head up to the library, that English project is not going to do itself”. This is why I hang with Jim his always on the top of his game. He is good at sports, especially basketball and football. He also takes care of his academic things, He also helps me to do the same, and not slack off or get in trouble.
I went to the bathroom to go take a leak and I bumped into this girl named Sheryl. I chopped her up, and got her number of course. When it comes to talking to girls I got mad game. Any ways I told Sheryl I’m a call her tonight, but I’m not. It’s all part of the game, if you show the girl you really like her she’s going to be over herself, and probably not talk to you anymore. I’ll call her like next week. After that I’m a call her twice a week to pull her off.
“Ding Ding Ding”, the final bell of the school day rang. I went to my locker got my stuff, and headed straight home. I have like a school day routine. It’s like school, home, gym, then home again. I do most of my homework at night. That’s why I’m always sleepy in first hour class.
When I got home I called my buddy Jim, and told him lets go to the gym. He picked me up, and we headed to the gym. It’s boring at the gym now a day because basketball season ended. But I and Jim go work out, and practice basketball, and play for fun. When we entered the gym I saw Moses’ shooting around. His fake I don’t like him, and with his attitude I know I’m going to fight him one of these days.
I went in mean mugging him, but he didn’t say anything he just mugged back. A couple of my other friends came like Adam and Jake. Moses said,”Yo lets run twenty-one real quick. We all said, “Start it up”.
As we were playing, Jake got the ball he checked up with Moses. The funny thing was Jake crossed him and Moses fell. We all started laughing, but for some reason he tried to punk me. He always tries to because I’m the youngest. This time I wasn’t going for any of his bull.
He said to me, “Laugh one more time asshole”. I replied “You’re not going to do shit bitch”. He came up to me, and shoved my head and said, “Don’t you ever…..”, before he could finish the sentence I gave him a fierce blow to the nose. I know that’s his weak spot, because he has the biggest nose in the world. As he was holding his nose I gave him two more punches to the face. Just as I thought I took over he hit me on the side of my head with a punch. That got me kind of dizzy, but I bucked up and regained stamina. To tell you the truth I’m a really good boxer. Then I hurried in and hit two more times and before you know it it was over. I knocked him the fuck out.
Then the gym staff took him and he was sent home. They didn’t do anything to me because they know I was just protecting myself. I went home a man, because I was waiting so long to fight him. Today finally I got my respect, and he knows he can’t mess with me anymore. He might try to fight me again, but I’m going to still knock him out if he tries me again.
Stairway to a new me. Taylor Steeves. Grade 9
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The person leading the race was only 50 yards from leading our last lap. My Nike track shoes are scraping the pavement like skates on a fresh sheet of ice. I’m gliding but slowly loosing my pace with every other step I take. All I’m thinking is no one can stop me now, my strength is still weakening but I can feel my feet pick up around the first corner, this is where my lungs start working 10 times as hard as they did when I started the race. It doesn’t matter where you are until almost a minute from now. I can feel the muscle growing in my legs. My arms are swaying back and forth with the wind blowing in my face. With my every breath I can feel it go deep into my lungs and right back out. I’ve never been so strong in my life, for this is my moment to shine. The leader and I are head to head 20 yards from the finish line. My stomach is quenching and I know I’m going to loose if I don’t give this my all. I stride across the finish line and here the announcer “WE HAVE A WINNER!” Taylor steeves please come to the office to claim your ribbon. I’m totally ecstatic. I nearly faint climbing the steps of following my dreams.
The person leading the race was only 50 yards from leading our last lap. My Nike track shoes are scraping the pavement like skates on a fresh sheet of ice. I’m gliding but slowly loosing my pace with every other step I take. All I’m thinking is no one can stop me now, my strength is still weakening but I can feel my feet pick up around the first corner, this is where my lungs start working 10 times as hard as they did when I started the race. It doesn’t matter where you are until almost a minute from now. I can feel the muscle growing in my legs. My arms are swaying back and forth with the wind blowing in my face. With my every breath I can feel it go deep into my lungs and right back out. I’ve never been so strong in my life, for this is my moment to shine. The leader and I are head to head 20 yards from the finish line. My stomach is quenching and I know I’m going to loose if I don’t give this my all. I stride across the finish line and here the announcer “WE HAVE A WINNER!” Taylor steeves please come to the office to claim your ribbon. I’m totally ecstatic. I nearly faint climbing the steps of following my dreams.
Sometimes, its not always the best thing… (anonymous)grade 10
My breath burned in my chest, and I was running out of strength. There was no doubt about it: they were getting closer. The trees at night looked spooky—like lost people out to get you. As I ran across the bridge, it creaked so loud that I thought it fell. Unfortunately, it didn’t. They were still out to get me, this time coming on harder. They sky was murky—and just as I thought that, I felt a raindrop on my hand. Another thing to add to all the marvelous things that could possibly go wrong. The bushes were too thick, and I ran across them without thinking. I stumbled, but thankfully didn’t fall. The rain was coming down harder. I didn’t even know what direction I was going anymore. Right? Left? North? South? I hurriedly ran to a large tree and hid behind it. No one finding me here. I took a couple of seconds to catch my breath. The footsteps seemed to be going the opposite direction this time. Close call. Should really know what I’m getting myself into before I go on a wild speed chase that could’ve cost me my life. And how exhausting…Enough to make someone ravenous, for just about anything. That should be the last thing on my mind. First priority: survival. That was the last thing I remember thinking before a cool darkness overwhelmed me.
The room that I woke up to was unbearably clean. There was a big machine with many numbers that I would gladly have liked to push, if there wasn’t chained down. To add to that, there was hooks all over me. I’d become some kind of freak experiment. All because of what I saw and what I shouldn’t have seen. And not human was supposed to know. After I crashed, the lucky people who had been hunting me down must’ve found the pathetic lump that decided that falling asleep was okay, and came back and took me away. And not to a good place, you might be thinking. I was of course in a deep sleep, because the jungle is the last thing I remember. But I wonder if…they took the treasure. How clever they are, no one was supposed to know about that. It was supposed to be hidden until the entire human race started to depend on it. All of this was in my pocket, and was given to the clumsiest one of us. Wait until everyone else heard about this…if I ever saw anyone again.
Two stout, green monsters came in hours later. They stood their distance, observing me. They had antennas, four eyes, and 10 fingers that moved rapidly on a clipboard—type device. They exchanged words in a language that I obviously couldn’t comprehend, and then they brought in someone that looked slightly human.
He began to shout at me, demanding where the others where the others were. I shouted back that I didn’t even know what he was taking about. He realized what he was doing and decided to calm down. Now, in a slightly nicer tone, he asked where the rest of the treasure was. I told him that while I was being kept hostage, I would say nothing. He still kept his cool and asked again. I replied the same. Furious, he unhooked me from the life—sucking machine. Before I could open my mouth to negotiate, glass from behind me shattered.
Being a pessimist, I thought it was more alien-like reinforcements out to get to me. Luckily, it was exactly who I needed-my team. In lightning speed, our spacecraft snatched away the precious treasure and we zoomed off away, into the sky.
The room that I woke up to was unbearably clean. There was a big machine with many numbers that I would gladly have liked to push, if there wasn’t chained down. To add to that, there was hooks all over me. I’d become some kind of freak experiment. All because of what I saw and what I shouldn’t have seen. And not human was supposed to know. After I crashed, the lucky people who had been hunting me down must’ve found the pathetic lump that decided that falling asleep was okay, and came back and took me away. And not to a good place, you might be thinking. I was of course in a deep sleep, because the jungle is the last thing I remember. But I wonder if…they took the treasure. How clever they are, no one was supposed to know about that. It was supposed to be hidden until the entire human race started to depend on it. All of this was in my pocket, and was given to the clumsiest one of us. Wait until everyone else heard about this…if I ever saw anyone again.
Two stout, green monsters came in hours later. They stood their distance, observing me. They had antennas, four eyes, and 10 fingers that moved rapidly on a clipboard—type device. They exchanged words in a language that I obviously couldn’t comprehend, and then they brought in someone that looked slightly human.
He began to shout at me, demanding where the others where the others were. I shouted back that I didn’t even know what he was taking about. He realized what he was doing and decided to calm down. Now, in a slightly nicer tone, he asked where the rest of the treasure was. I told him that while I was being kept hostage, I would say nothing. He still kept his cool and asked again. I replied the same. Furious, he unhooked me from the life—sucking machine. Before I could open my mouth to negotiate, glass from behind me shattered.
Being a pessimist, I thought it was more alien-like reinforcements out to get to me. Luckily, it was exactly who I needed-my team. In lightning speed, our spacecraft snatched away the precious treasure and we zoomed off away, into the sky.
By: Sakorahh clark♥
We are going to play uno and that’s final, she said with anger in her voice. No I want to play regular cards sandy, Becca said going to cry,well I am going to tell mom on you sandy. Fine Becca you win we can play gold fish she said with Irritation in her voice, Yeah she said with excitement, ill get the cards,okay 1,2,3,4,4 there is your cards 1,2,3,4 okay you don’t have to count out loud becca,ugh’h I wish I didn’t have a little sister, well you do she said mocking her for the 100th time so get over it sandy,sandy always let Becca get under her skin all the time.
Mom!!! I am not watching this little brat she get on my nerves ugh’h I am leaving. Okay if we have to pay for a baby sitter we are using your allowance money, mo said smiling at the new born.Why do I have to watch her while all my friends are out at the movies and the mall having fun with out me, that’s not fair, she said going to cry to get her way.
Stop wining sandy you acting like a to year old,but mom,I said stop wining and tako that makeup stuff of your face you look like a drag queen, Becca started to laugh, butt sandy didn’t find that funny at all. Ugh’h I hate my life, she said very upset.
Mom!!! I am not watching this little brat she get on my nerves ugh’h I am leaving. Okay if we have to pay for a baby sitter we are using your allowance money, mo said smiling at the new born.Why do I have to watch her while all my friends are out at the movies and the mall having fun with out me, that’s not fair, she said going to cry to get her way.
Stop wining sandy you acting like a to year old,but mom,I said stop wining and tako that makeup stuff of your face you look like a drag queen, Becca started to laugh, butt sandy didn’t find that funny at all. Ugh’h I hate my life, she said very upset.
Options-- By: Damien Mobley Jr, 9th Grade
I was running out of options. My breath burned in my chest, and my strength was running low. There was no doubt about it, they were gaining on me, and my fuel was draining on me. I could hear the dogs barking and grown men yelling like a hungry pack of wild dogs themselves. As I looked back I could see flashlight beams desperately searching through the woods. With my feet, all the way up to my hips aching, I thought about stopping and hiding, and taking my chances of the dogs picking up my scent, or climbing a tree, but with my fuel so low and legs so exhausted there was know time for that. So in the mist of running and thinking at the same time, the noises stopped. No more barking or yelling. I looked back to see if the were any signs of flashlight... None! While looking back and running I thought to myself “I’m free!” As I turned back to look at where I was going, I was hit square in the nose with a Shotgun Butt. “Take ‘em away boys!” was all I heard.
DROWNING . . . . by Priaa Gauna
One summer about two years ago, I went to my friend Taylor house. It was a very hot day so we decided to go swimming in her pool. I don’t know how to swim so I stay in the shallow end of the pool. I really wanted to know how to swim so I asked Taylor to teach me how to swim, she said yeah. So we got started, first she taught me how to doggy paddle, I learned that fast so she started to teach me to float, I couldn’t do that. I kept trying but it was not working so we moved on to swimming laps under water. I kind of had that right, we got out the pool to eat, when we came back I really wanted to get in the deep in of the pool, but I was scared I didn’t know how deep it was so I asked Taylor, she told me it was 10 feet. When she told me that I was even more scared. I wanted to touch the bottom to see how deep it was but I couldn’t swim so I wouldn’t know how to get back to the top of the pool. Taylor told me she would hold my hand and we could go down so I can she hold deep it was, and then she would push me back up. Her mom said she was right there if I needed her so I agreed. We went to the edge of the 10 ft part and we had on the edge of the pool and our other hands were holding each other, we counted to three and we went down. We were about halfway down when I panicked and let go of her hand, I was thinking to myself that was a dumb idea to let her hand go because I knew I couldn’t swim. I felt around for her hand and I couldn’t find it I was sinking and I still couldn’t find her hand. I felt the top of her head on my hand , still panicking I pushed her head down so I could push back to the top, thinking she was going to drown to she pushed me back down. About five seconds after that I felt a hand pull me back up. When I caught my breath again we looked at each other and started to laugh.
My Dragon - - By: Danna Gilbertson, 10th Grade
In history, there were people who tamed and rode dragons. People who would swoop in and save the innocent from evil. They were real heroes and ever since my father read me stories about them, I’ve wanted to be one too. Sometimes, when I was little, my dad would pretend to be a wild dragon and I would tame him, climb on his back, and soar through the sky with him. My dad was my best friend and always believed in me. He would always say to me, “Someday Lily, you’re going to find your own dragon and be one of the best Dragon Riders ever.”
A year ago, my father was arrested by the new king that took the throne. He’s a horrible leader that everyone says has a brain the size of a walnut. He’s been taking innocent people and locking them up in the dungeons for reasons only a mad man would understand. Forester, the new king’s father, knew how to run a kingdom and everyone felt safe and protected. Now all that is changed. People are afraid to leave their homes in fright that a military guard will be waiting out that door to take them away. Who could blame them? Once someone is taken they aren’t seen ever again and that’s something to be afraid of.
All this is ridiculous to me though. People shouldn’t be greeted with fear when they wake up in the morning, but comfort, and peace. I want to bring that feeling back to the kingdom. No one else is going to try so I figured that this was my chance to be a hero. It was time for me to embark into the forest and find my dragon. However, my mother doubts me and my dreams. “You’re just another normal girl in a normal kingdom.” She would say. I understand that she’s scared. Scared that her little girl whose hair she used to braid everyday is going to leave and never come back. I’ll come back, I ensured her. She still doesn’t have confidence in me. She even claims that the Dragon Riders never even existed and that my dreams would only get crushed when I can never find a dragon and then I wouldn’t be able to save the world. I don’t listen to her of course. Even when she isn’t talking about dragons, I’m always in the fantasy of my mind where dragons were everywhere and all I needed was to pick one and then everything would be okay.
Tonight, I talk to my dad as if he’s right here in the room with me. I tell him about my day and new things that mother has said to me about Dragon Riders. I tell him that I miss him terribly and want him home. Before shutting my eyes to dream, I tell him, “Don’t worry dad. I’m going to find my dragon and then everything will be better. I promise. I’ll set you free.”
The next morning I’m caught with laundry duty. I hate doing the laundry and would rather sleep with pigs. If only someone would invent some sort of washing machine so that I don’t have to get my hands all pruny. And then maybe even some sort of drying machine so that the whole process doesn’t take so long. If only it were possible. I sigh and plunge my hands into the soapy water. Thank god the load isn’t so big today. Laundry should only take an hour at the most. After everything is washed, I carry the bin of wet clothes outside to hang them up to dry in the sun. While doing so, three houses down, military guards were taking old Mr. Farris to the dungeons. This is the last straw. Mr. Farris is the nicest man in the whole kingdom. Now the king was jailing people for sport instead of justice. It is now time to find my dragon. It can’t wait any longer.
Late into the night when I was sure my mother was deep in sleep, I was preparing for my quest. Into a small sack I put some food and my father’s book on Dragon Riders. Careful not to make a sound I left out my front door, leaving a note for my mother behind me. By only the light of the moon I snuck out the kingdom gates by slipping my skinny body through the bars. Right now, I was glad I was as thin as a stick. Worried that I would be noticed, my walk turns into a jog and then into a run, finally skidding to a stop at the edge of Druadan Forest. It seems a lot scarier at night then it does during the day. I take a nervous swallow and step by step make my way into the creature infested wood. As I trek farter in the light of the moon begins to disappear with the densing of the trees. To make matters worse I started to hear things. The sound of fury bodies running through the bushes. The calls of wild animals being carried by the wind.
A year ago, my father was arrested by the new king that took the throne. He’s a horrible leader that everyone says has a brain the size of a walnut. He’s been taking innocent people and locking them up in the dungeons for reasons only a mad man would understand. Forester, the new king’s father, knew how to run a kingdom and everyone felt safe and protected. Now all that is changed. People are afraid to leave their homes in fright that a military guard will be waiting out that door to take them away. Who could blame them? Once someone is taken they aren’t seen ever again and that’s something to be afraid of.
All this is ridiculous to me though. People shouldn’t be greeted with fear when they wake up in the morning, but comfort, and peace. I want to bring that feeling back to the kingdom. No one else is going to try so I figured that this was my chance to be a hero. It was time for me to embark into the forest and find my dragon. However, my mother doubts me and my dreams. “You’re just another normal girl in a normal kingdom.” She would say. I understand that she’s scared. Scared that her little girl whose hair she used to braid everyday is going to leave and never come back. I’ll come back, I ensured her. She still doesn’t have confidence in me. She even claims that the Dragon Riders never even existed and that my dreams would only get crushed when I can never find a dragon and then I wouldn’t be able to save the world. I don’t listen to her of course. Even when she isn’t talking about dragons, I’m always in the fantasy of my mind where dragons were everywhere and all I needed was to pick one and then everything would be okay.
Tonight, I talk to my dad as if he’s right here in the room with me. I tell him about my day and new things that mother has said to me about Dragon Riders. I tell him that I miss him terribly and want him home. Before shutting my eyes to dream, I tell him, “Don’t worry dad. I’m going to find my dragon and then everything will be better. I promise. I’ll set you free.”
The next morning I’m caught with laundry duty. I hate doing the laundry and would rather sleep with pigs. If only someone would invent some sort of washing machine so that I don’t have to get my hands all pruny. And then maybe even some sort of drying machine so that the whole process doesn’t take so long. If only it were possible. I sigh and plunge my hands into the soapy water. Thank god the load isn’t so big today. Laundry should only take an hour at the most. After everything is washed, I carry the bin of wet clothes outside to hang them up to dry in the sun. While doing so, three houses down, military guards were taking old Mr. Farris to the dungeons. This is the last straw. Mr. Farris is the nicest man in the whole kingdom. Now the king was jailing people for sport instead of justice. It is now time to find my dragon. It can’t wait any longer.
Late into the night when I was sure my mother was deep in sleep, I was preparing for my quest. Into a small sack I put some food and my father’s book on Dragon Riders. Careful not to make a sound I left out my front door, leaving a note for my mother behind me. By only the light of the moon I snuck out the kingdom gates by slipping my skinny body through the bars. Right now, I was glad I was as thin as a stick. Worried that I would be noticed, my walk turns into a jog and then into a run, finally skidding to a stop at the edge of Druadan Forest. It seems a lot scarier at night then it does during the day. I take a nervous swallow and step by step make my way into the creature infested wood. As I trek farter in the light of the moon begins to disappear with the densing of the trees. To make matters worse I started to hear things. The sound of fury bodies running through the bushes. The calls of wild animals being carried by the wind.
Mini Scenario: URBAN -- By Stephanie Pomeroy, 10th Grade
My breath burned in my chest, and I was running out of strength. There was no doubt about it: they were getting closer. I can’t take this constant running anymore. The paparazzi are always doing this to me. There are so many of them, and only one of me. I have to hide somewhere, I need to stop running. As I run around a corner I notice a dumpster. Maybe if I duck behind it, they won’t see me.
As I dart behind the dumpster, I squat low to the ground, hugging my knees trying not to make a sound. The city lights and the urban noises surrounded me, but somehow it seems so dark, and quiet. I feel my heart slow and my chest isn’t going a million miles an hour. I peek out to see if it’s clear, I see no one there. I stand up cautiously, I tiptoe around the dumpster, I step foot on the sidewalk, and just as I start to walk away, my endless journey starts all over again.
As I dart behind the dumpster, I squat low to the ground, hugging my knees trying not to make a sound. The city lights and the urban noises surrounded me, but somehow it seems so dark, and quiet. I feel my heart slow and my chest isn’t going a million miles an hour. I peek out to see if it’s clear, I see no one there. I stand up cautiously, I tiptoe around the dumpster, I step foot on the sidewalk, and just as I start to walk away, my endless journey starts all over again.
The night of terror. - - this author chooses to remain anonymous
My breath burned in my chest, and I was running out of strength there was no doubt about it, it was getting closer. I stood there against a tree just waiting for it to find me, then it would all be over. I started thinking why me, what did I do I was just doing my job searching for new plants and animals in the jungle. I didn’t do nothing wrong……..BOOM BOOM RAWRR knocked me out of my thoughts. Now I was neck and neck with it. I could feel its hot breath on me, I saw its fangs just ready to eat me, and to be happy. I have never seen anything like it was hairy and slimy looking.
I had to act fast. It was do or die. So I took of running as fast as I could . BOOM BOOM , it was chasing me. Run run I said to myself . boom boo…..all of sudden it was quiet, I looked back and it was gone. I had no clue where it was , I slowly started walking back, then out of no where there is was in a big hole , trying to get out. Then I thought,how didn’t I fall in I must have been to light to fall in. then it spit something at me it was like a white string shooting at me. And it stuck to me, I was pulling it off and it was very strong I kept pulling and pulling and I finally got it off.
I didn’t know what to do. So I took off running to find some help so they could kill this thing. I finally got to one of my partners that was about 3 miles away and they said that they were looking for me cause they heard me screaming. Then BOOM knocked us over there it was in the distance. We took off running hoping to make it to our boat to take off and get some help. We made it to the boat. And there was police boat near so we went to them and they looked at us like we were crazy! They didn’t believe us.
We had no clue if we should leave it there and just go back home. We decided to go back home and tell the police about it and tell them to check it out. But they didn’t believe us either. So now we were the only ones that ever seen it. And they has been reports about people gone missing while in the jungle. Butt they never found out where they were!
I had to act fast. It was do or die. So I took of running as fast as I could . BOOM BOOM , it was chasing me. Run run I said to myself . boom boo…..all of sudden it was quiet, I looked back and it was gone. I had no clue where it was , I slowly started walking back, then out of no where there is was in a big hole , trying to get out. Then I thought,how didn’t I fall in I must have been to light to fall in. then it spit something at me it was like a white string shooting at me. And it stuck to me, I was pulling it off and it was very strong I kept pulling and pulling and I finally got it off.
I didn’t know what to do. So I took off running to find some help so they could kill this thing. I finally got to one of my partners that was about 3 miles away and they said that they were looking for me cause they heard me screaming. Then BOOM knocked us over there it was in the distance. We took off running hoping to make it to our boat to take off and get some help. We made it to the boat. And there was police boat near so we went to them and they looked at us like we were crazy! They didn’t believe us.
We had no clue if we should leave it there and just go back home. We decided to go back home and tell the police about it and tell them to check it out. But they didn’t believe us either. So now we were the only ones that ever seen it. And they has been reports about people gone missing while in the jungle. Butt they never found out where they were!
McDonalds - - by Matt "the boss" Kourouma, 10th grade
She smelled so good. She was beautiful. I was filled with lust and desire. I wanted to devour her. She was radiant and the scent of chicken patties and French fries overtook me. I couldn’t think straight. She was hypnotizing and mesmerizing, and I was fantasizing. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
“Can I take your order?” she said in her divine mellifluous voice.
“Yes!!” I said, startled. "I’ll have a number two please.” I said licking my lips seductively. She rolled her eyes and curled one side of her upper lip. It looked beautiful. I was sweating now. I eyed her up and down like she was a piece of candy and I was a small child.
“You can wait back there sir, you’re food will be right with you” she said motioning to the far corner of the restaurant. She obviously wanted me!! She was clearly impressed by my swagger and reserved disposition.
“I love you!” I yelled, seizing my opportunity. I was drenched in sweat now. She didn’t respond. But I knew she wanted me she was just shy. I leap-frogged the counter and wrapped my arms around her, kissing her on the neck trying to caressing her bosom and rump. She screamed and kicked me in the crotch. It must have been an accident. The police officer standing in line behind me, who was obviously jealous, arrested me and drove me to the jail downtown. But all I could think about was when I could see her again.
“Can I take your order?” she said in her divine mellifluous voice.
“Yes!!” I said, startled. "I’ll have a number two please.” I said licking my lips seductively. She rolled her eyes and curled one side of her upper lip. It looked beautiful. I was sweating now. I eyed her up and down like she was a piece of candy and I was a small child.
“You can wait back there sir, you’re food will be right with you” she said motioning to the far corner of the restaurant. She obviously wanted me!! She was clearly impressed by my swagger and reserved disposition.
“I love you!” I yelled, seizing my opportunity. I was drenched in sweat now. She didn’t respond. But I knew she wanted me she was just shy. I leap-frogged the counter and wrapped my arms around her, kissing her on the neck trying to caressing her bosom and rump. She screamed and kicked me in the crotch. It must have been an accident. The police officer standing in line behind me, who was obviously jealous, arrested me and drove me to the jail downtown. But all I could think about was when I could see her again.
Keno Ali 9th grade
When I was ten years old I lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota there was a dog that would always chase me. It was a vicious pitbull with red eyes and razor sharp teeth that could rip through steel. Every time I seen that dog I would get so scared. One day I was going to the store on my way back I seen that crazy dog. I froze with fear, I was shaking so much that I drop the bag of groceries. The dog stared at me I knew he was going to run at me I just didn’t know when. All of a sudden he started barking then that’s when he broke out running at me. I also started running me fastest I could see that crazy dog behind me getting closer and closer. I was so scared I though he was going to catch me I was getting closer to my house I knew I would be safe there. I got to my house but unfortunately the dog was still right behind me I jumped as high as I could and right over the gate I was safe the dog couldn’t get over my fence. After that the dog couldn’t chase me anymore because animal control came to get it because it was a stray dog.
THE END
THE END
Running to Freedom - - this writer chose to remain anonymous
My breath burned in my chest, and I was running out of strength. There was no doubt about it; the soldier was getting closer. I can hear the breaking of branches as the sound got closer and closer. I try running without making so much noise against the leaves and branches. Looking back every so often, I saw them getting closer. Running with all my strength, I could feel the sweat that ran down my face and back. Out of no where I heard a big boom, my heart felt like it had exploded of fear. I was so shocked that I dropped to the ground. I waited awhile hiding behind trees and using leaves and branches as a covering. All of a sudden I heard people screaming and gun shots, bang, bang, and bang. I closed my eyes holding back fear. I got right back up started heading south going the opposite direction for the gun shots. The farther I got the more dead body I saw, I hold back the sadness as I kept running.
Then, it was getting darker as the day was soon reaching darkness, I was lucky enough to find a cave to rest for the night. No one would have been able to find me in here since the cave was covered by the trees. Not able to sleep much due to the bombings and shootings, I heard screaming of people begging for help and forgiveness. Closing my eyes trying to think about my happily family, wife, and children. I soon fell asleep. Even before sawn three gun shots went out waking me up, I jumped up to look around. All I saw was trees everywhere but in the cave there was drawings of people being chased and heading toward this unknown river and on the other side was people smiling, I knew that I had to find that river. I remember back when I was little and all the story I have heard, I remember that I had to go south. Since being starved, I was in desperate need of water and food. All of a sudden, I heard the sound of crunching leaves and I didn’t know if it was a villager or a soldier. I didn’t want to take any risk so I took off on foot. Not able to run, I just walked and walked. Trying to remember the route and stories that my great grandpa had told me and also the drawing in the cave, I headed south towards the river. Day after day searching to find the river, I slowly fainted on the side of the path. I don’t know how long I was unconscious but when I did I got up. Even without any strength left, my feet was still moving and moving. All I saw was leaves and I didn’t care anymore and started eating the leaves to stay alive. Now that its been weeks, and I haven’t been caught. I started going crazy and seeing things. i kept seeing a soldier carrying a gun chasing me telling me to stop. I was so scared I ran for my life. I kept looking back to see how close he was to me. Not noticing anything in front of me I knocked into a tree. I was knocked out cold. When I woke up, I was laying on a bed. I got up trying to run away. Seeing people in white jacket telling me to stop, I finally realize that I was safe by refugee camp soldier. Crying my eyes out, I was filled with happiness that all running really paid off. The nurse told me to rest, I closed my eyes and all I could see is the shooting and bombing. I was free but scared for life.
Then, it was getting darker as the day was soon reaching darkness, I was lucky enough to find a cave to rest for the night. No one would have been able to find me in here since the cave was covered by the trees. Not able to sleep much due to the bombings and shootings, I heard screaming of people begging for help and forgiveness. Closing my eyes trying to think about my happily family, wife, and children. I soon fell asleep. Even before sawn three gun shots went out waking me up, I jumped up to look around. All I saw was trees everywhere but in the cave there was drawings of people being chased and heading toward this unknown river and on the other side was people smiling, I knew that I had to find that river. I remember back when I was little and all the story I have heard, I remember that I had to go south. Since being starved, I was in desperate need of water and food. All of a sudden, I heard the sound of crunching leaves and I didn’t know if it was a villager or a soldier. I didn’t want to take any risk so I took off on foot. Not able to run, I just walked and walked. Trying to remember the route and stories that my great grandpa had told me and also the drawing in the cave, I headed south towards the river. Day after day searching to find the river, I slowly fainted on the side of the path. I don’t know how long I was unconscious but when I did I got up. Even without any strength left, my feet was still moving and moving. All I saw was leaves and I didn’t care anymore and started eating the leaves to stay alive. Now that its been weeks, and I haven’t been caught. I started going crazy and seeing things. i kept seeing a soldier carrying a gun chasing me telling me to stop. I was so scared I ran for my life. I kept looking back to see how close he was to me. Not noticing anything in front of me I knocked into a tree. I was knocked out cold. When I woke up, I was laying on a bed. I got up trying to run away. Seeing people in white jacket telling me to stop, I finally realize that I was safe by refugee camp soldier. Crying my eyes out, I was filled with happiness that all running really paid off. The nurse told me to rest, I closed my eyes and all I could see is the shooting and bombing. I was free but scared for life.
The Advice From a Role Model. - -Joe Jensen , 10th grade
The sky was filled with clear orange and red clouds as the sun was just about to set. I’m alone tonight, for once, but I feel that it’s good to have a little bit of down time for myself to think. I’ve been sitting on top of this hill, waiting for the sky to turn dark so the stars and the full moon can come out. I sat there, just thinking about my future. My name is Dave Ostrander and I’m a senior at my high school. I get good grades I guess. I’m in honors classes and I get on the A honor roll every year. But I still think school is boring. My favorite thing to do is play baseball and I’m pretty sure that’s what I want to be. I’m pretty good too. I had scouts come in for me from all across the state to watch me pitch and hit and they gave me a scholarship to the University of California, a division I college. But I really want to think of what I really am. I don’t even know. My dad gave me two options: To take his offer at Yale University, which help me would pay for. The other option is for my father to not help me pay for a different college and I could go to University of California for baseball... And I had the whole day to think about it, starting tomorrow.
Baseball lives in me; it’s my love and passion. During the summer, there was a time when the only thing I ever wanted to do was play baseball. Almost every day a few friends and I would walk down to the park and play ball for hours on end. Normally we would go play right after lunch and stop playing when it gets dark out. I never got tired of it and neither did my friends. Baseball is the best thing man has ever invented.
“So today’s the big day”, my dad said. I replied “Yea, I’m still not completely sure about what I want, though”, I said. For the past couple of months, I’ve been lying to my dad saying that I’m going to go to Yale University instead of playing baseball in college. If I do decide to go to the University of California, it’s going to be tough to break the news. Its 3:30 and I have until 5 to decide on my future. I had a little bit of trouble on deciding, so I called up one of my best friend’s older brother, who just finished four years of college and is going into the MLB draft. I asked him for advice about what I should do and he gave me the best advice that I have ever gotten from anybody. He told me to do what I feel is best for me and not what’s best for others. Right when he said that, I thought about how much the team really does need me. I’m going to play baseball and I’m really sure about it.
Breaking the news to my dad was tough. It really pissed him off. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen him this mad. He was so mad that he kicked me out of the house and told me to live somewhere else until college. But I didn’t care. I knew that I was going to play baseball and I know my dad will regret all the bad things he said about my decision once he sees me in the majors in a few years. So in the end, all I needed was some words of advice and more importantly I needed a role model, my friend’s older brother.
Baseball lives in me; it’s my love and passion. During the summer, there was a time when the only thing I ever wanted to do was play baseball. Almost every day a few friends and I would walk down to the park and play ball for hours on end. Normally we would go play right after lunch and stop playing when it gets dark out. I never got tired of it and neither did my friends. Baseball is the best thing man has ever invented.
“So today’s the big day”, my dad said. I replied “Yea, I’m still not completely sure about what I want, though”, I said. For the past couple of months, I’ve been lying to my dad saying that I’m going to go to Yale University instead of playing baseball in college. If I do decide to go to the University of California, it’s going to be tough to break the news. Its 3:30 and I have until 5 to decide on my future. I had a little bit of trouble on deciding, so I called up one of my best friend’s older brother, who just finished four years of college and is going into the MLB draft. I asked him for advice about what I should do and he gave me the best advice that I have ever gotten from anybody. He told me to do what I feel is best for me and not what’s best for others. Right when he said that, I thought about how much the team really does need me. I’m going to play baseball and I’m really sure about it.
Breaking the news to my dad was tough. It really pissed him off. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen him this mad. He was so mad that he kicked me out of the house and told me to live somewhere else until college. But I didn’t care. I knew that I was going to play baseball and I know my dad will regret all the bad things he said about my decision once he sees me in the majors in a few years. So in the end, all I needed was some words of advice and more importantly I needed a role model, my friend’s older brother.
Rain - This writer chose to remain anonymous
Rain
It was a rainy morning and you couldn’t see the sun because of the cloudy dark weather. You can hear many heavy rain drops like gunshots outside, mean while inside I was getting ready for school with my older brother, we were going to walk to school unaware of the time we checked and it was eight am we were going to be late, so we ran to the backyard hopped on our bikes and raced out of the drive way. It was about a ten minute bike trip everything was going to be ok until, a small white rock hit my head it hurt I ignored it but all of a sudden many rocks hit my head I thought to my self in that instant what’s happening then I said to my self “its hailing”.
I couldn’t see where I was going it was like I was biking through a cloud I was slowing down I couldn’t see my brother he was a head of me but he didn’t realize it I had to act fast and catch up but then, I fell of my bike and scraped my leg on the concrete, I got up sat by the side walk alone in the rain thinking all hope is lost then I hear something approaching me it was my brother and I thought to my self for once im happy to see him he said “what happened” I said “I fell” he helped me up then said come on we are going be late I was encouraged ready for another lap so this time he waited for me by my side and we raced to the school.
When we got there we locked the bikes to this pole and ran to the school we got in, he went another way and so did I, I was running to my classroom you can hear my foot steps they squeaked every time I stepped the I entered my room right when the bell rang I had a smile on my face happy that I want late.
It was a rainy morning and you couldn’t see the sun because of the cloudy dark weather. You can hear many heavy rain drops like gunshots outside, mean while inside I was getting ready for school with my older brother, we were going to walk to school unaware of the time we checked and it was eight am we were going to be late, so we ran to the backyard hopped on our bikes and raced out of the drive way. It was about a ten minute bike trip everything was going to be ok until, a small white rock hit my head it hurt I ignored it but all of a sudden many rocks hit my head I thought to my self in that instant what’s happening then I said to my self “its hailing”.
I couldn’t see where I was going it was like I was biking through a cloud I was slowing down I couldn’t see my brother he was a head of me but he didn’t realize it I had to act fast and catch up but then, I fell of my bike and scraped my leg on the concrete, I got up sat by the side walk alone in the rain thinking all hope is lost then I hear something approaching me it was my brother and I thought to my self for once im happy to see him he said “what happened” I said “I fell” he helped me up then said come on we are going be late I was encouraged ready for another lap so this time he waited for me by my side and we raced to the school.
When we got there we locked the bikes to this pole and ran to the school we got in, he went another way and so did I, I was running to my classroom you can hear my foot steps they squeaked every time I stepped the I entered my room right when the bell rang I had a smile on my face happy that I want late.
Janie the Justice Seeking Superhero - - By: Stephanie Pomeroy 10th grade
There once was a girl named Janie. She was quite an extraordinary little girl; for she thought she was a super hero. She called herself “Janie the Justice Seeking Superhero”. She loved wearing the cape her grandma made her; it was purple with a big orange J, right on the front. Janie would always run around the house as if she was flying and when she wasn’t doing that, you could always find her up in her room saving her stuffed animals.
Janie had a little brother, Ethan, he was three. He was always getting into things and searching for adventure, he was Janie’s little sidekick. They were always fighting “crime” together. One day, last fall, Janie was in the living room playing, and Ethan came running in. He was frantically shouting her name. He told her that Keyava, their pet fish, was stuck in the toilet. He explained to Janie that he was playing with Keyava in the toilet and accidently flushed her down the drain. Janie grabbed her cape and ran to the bathroom and peeked into the toilet. Keyava was no where to be found.
Janie sat there for a few minutes and tried to think of ways to get Keyava out of the toilet. Then she had the best idea. She ran into the kitchen and grabbed the fish food. She got some string out of her dad’s tackle box and found some tape. Janie then taped a piece of fish food to the string. She ran back into the bathroom and plopped the string with the food right into the toilet. She slowly lowered it down the drain and waited for Keyava to take the bait, just like fishing. After a couple of minutes, nothing happened, so Janie the Justice Seeking Superhero went to plan B. She ran into the living room and found her daddy. She told him what happened and asked if he could help. Janie’s dad thought for a few moments and had an idea. He walked out of the room, and Janie followed him. They both walked the garage and Janie’s dad got his tool bag. Janie knew that her daddy was going to do something drastic. They both went back into the house and into the bathroom. Janie stood by Ethan as they watched their dad take apart the toilet. He got his big wrench and twisted the pipe at the bottom of the toilet. Then, something bad happened.
Just as their dad untwisted that pipe a bunch of water spilled everywhere. The whole bathroom was flooded, and everything was wet. Janie’s dad said some very naughty words, and told Janie and Ethan to go get towels to clean up the mess. When they came back, their dad was standing there, holding Keyava. Janie and Ethan were so happy that they rushed over and scooped her up and put her in her fishbowl. Janie and Ethan learned a lot that day. Especially not to play with their pet fish in the toilet!
Janie had a little brother, Ethan, he was three. He was always getting into things and searching for adventure, he was Janie’s little sidekick. They were always fighting “crime” together. One day, last fall, Janie was in the living room playing, and Ethan came running in. He was frantically shouting her name. He told her that Keyava, their pet fish, was stuck in the toilet. He explained to Janie that he was playing with Keyava in the toilet and accidently flushed her down the drain. Janie grabbed her cape and ran to the bathroom and peeked into the toilet. Keyava was no where to be found.
Janie sat there for a few minutes and tried to think of ways to get Keyava out of the toilet. Then she had the best idea. She ran into the kitchen and grabbed the fish food. She got some string out of her dad’s tackle box and found some tape. Janie then taped a piece of fish food to the string. She ran back into the bathroom and plopped the string with the food right into the toilet. She slowly lowered it down the drain and waited for Keyava to take the bait, just like fishing. After a couple of minutes, nothing happened, so Janie the Justice Seeking Superhero went to plan B. She ran into the living room and found her daddy. She told him what happened and asked if he could help. Janie’s dad thought for a few moments and had an idea. He walked out of the room, and Janie followed him. They both walked the garage and Janie’s dad got his tool bag. Janie knew that her daddy was going to do something drastic. They both went back into the house and into the bathroom. Janie stood by Ethan as they watched their dad take apart the toilet. He got his big wrench and twisted the pipe at the bottom of the toilet. Then, something bad happened.
Just as their dad untwisted that pipe a bunch of water spilled everywhere. The whole bathroom was flooded, and everything was wet. Janie’s dad said some very naughty words, and told Janie and Ethan to go get towels to clean up the mess. When they came back, their dad was standing there, holding Keyava. Janie and Ethan were so happy that they rushed over and scooped her up and put her in her fishbowl. Janie and Ethan learned a lot that day. Especially not to play with their pet fish in the toilet!
In life it is Either Love or Divorce - - by Jessica Ortiz
It was a sunny and warm when I woke up on the morning of the worst day of m life. I heard screams, plates shattering and being thrown across the living room. Once again my mother was having one of those days were she regrets the fact of marring my father and the fact that today she was going to sign the divorce papers. I wish I could go back into my dreams where a perfect place actually existed and no one had to regret the mistakes they had made and would later on regret. I wish my life or more known as my misery would change into HAPPINESS and PERFECTION.
At school everyone would know me because of my parents. You know getting a divorce during my childhood was just unacceptable everyone would be nice to you one day and as soon as they found out someone related to you was getting a divorce they would turn their backs on you and look at you as a perfect stranger, or as a person that they have never seen I their lives. I was sure that as I grew older and became more interested in women I would look for the right one that would just be perfect, for me of course, knowing that no one in this world is perfect at least I wanted my girl to have what I expected of them.
But there was one problem after so many years of seeing how my mother suffered I was just too afraid I didn’t want to suffer like her or if I had kids I wouldn’t want them to go through what I went through. I was afraid that if I were to fall in love, Love would turn its back at me and just stab my heart and crush it trying to hurt me. No I wouldn’t want to have thrown plates be thrown at me if I were to have a divorce I wanted a perfect family. All I wanted was a God damn perfect life.
When my mother started realizing that I was getting older and with the years
I started looking like my father she wouldn’t even look at me she was disgusted at me just for looking like my father, I asked my self what sin did I do to have a life like this. But the good thing about my Life is that I actually met the girl of my dreams the one that I was sure not going to throw plates at me the one that I will love and have love back from her. She was just the one.
At school everyone would know me because of my parents. You know getting a divorce during my childhood was just unacceptable everyone would be nice to you one day and as soon as they found out someone related to you was getting a divorce they would turn their backs on you and look at you as a perfect stranger, or as a person that they have never seen I their lives. I was sure that as I grew older and became more interested in women I would look for the right one that would just be perfect, for me of course, knowing that no one in this world is perfect at least I wanted my girl to have what I expected of them.
But there was one problem after so many years of seeing how my mother suffered I was just too afraid I didn’t want to suffer like her or if I had kids I wouldn’t want them to go through what I went through. I was afraid that if I were to fall in love, Love would turn its back at me and just stab my heart and crush it trying to hurt me. No I wouldn’t want to have thrown plates be thrown at me if I were to have a divorce I wanted a perfect family. All I wanted was a God damn perfect life.
When my mother started realizing that I was getting older and with the years
I started looking like my father she wouldn’t even look at me she was disgusted at me just for looking like my father, I asked my self what sin did I do to have a life like this. But the good thing about my Life is that I actually met the girl of my dreams the one that I was sure not going to throw plates at me the one that I will love and have love back from her. She was just the one.
I Remember You. - - By: Trisha Rae Bixler, Grade 9.
2.11.2010
It’s a warm, cold, fall morning. It’s the first day of my freshmen year, I’m so scared yet, kind of excited to see all my old friends and see how everyone changed. Mostly, I want to see my old best friend, if he even goes here anymore. As I’m sitting here, waiting for the bus, then. A person was appearing out from the fog. As I look closely. I see this tall, light skinned, brown haired, hazel eyed guy. As he gets closer. I notice he looks sort of familiar. Then I remembered. It’s him, Avon Andrews. My best friend from elementary. Avon and I were best friends since 5th grade and we were close friends, always hung out with each other, went to the movies, and took a few trips to his family’s cabin. We did mostly everything together. But that all changed when I had to move away. I had to move away because my parents didn’t want me worrying about some boy, and worry more about school.
Now that I’m 15. My parents thought we could move back. As long as I keep my grades up. And get everything turned in on time. So we moved back. But now that I haven’t been here in little Columbia Heights, Nobody really remembers me, Or at least I don’t think?
As I’m going through my backpack, seeing if I have everything that I need. I hear a voice. “Hey Rae. “ I look up, and there was Avon. I was so excited that I dropped my bag, and gave him the biggest hug I ever gave someone before! “Hi Avon! How have you been?? I haven’t seen you since 5th grade!” I yelled in excitement. I quickly pick up all my things so he doesn’t laugh at me or anything. “I’ve been good, just been busy with my family and also busy with basketball still. And yeah it feels like I haven’t seen you in like a billion years. Ha-ha.” Avon says while letting out a little laughter.
We’re both waiting for the bus to come. We talked about what has happened since we last seen each other.
It’s a warm, cold, fall morning. It’s the first day of my freshmen year, I’m so scared yet, kind of excited to see all my old friends and see how everyone changed. Mostly, I want to see my old best friend, if he even goes here anymore. As I’m sitting here, waiting for the bus, then. A person was appearing out from the fog. As I look closely. I see this tall, light skinned, brown haired, hazel eyed guy. As he gets closer. I notice he looks sort of familiar. Then I remembered. It’s him, Avon Andrews. My best friend from elementary. Avon and I were best friends since 5th grade and we were close friends, always hung out with each other, went to the movies, and took a few trips to his family’s cabin. We did mostly everything together. But that all changed when I had to move away. I had to move away because my parents didn’t want me worrying about some boy, and worry more about school.
Now that I’m 15. My parents thought we could move back. As long as I keep my grades up. And get everything turned in on time. So we moved back. But now that I haven’t been here in little Columbia Heights, Nobody really remembers me, Or at least I don’t think?
As I’m going through my backpack, seeing if I have everything that I need. I hear a voice. “Hey Rae. “ I look up, and there was Avon. I was so excited that I dropped my bag, and gave him the biggest hug I ever gave someone before! “Hi Avon! How have you been?? I haven’t seen you since 5th grade!” I yelled in excitement. I quickly pick up all my things so he doesn’t laugh at me or anything. “I’ve been good, just been busy with my family and also busy with basketball still. And yeah it feels like I haven’t seen you in like a billion years. Ha-ha.” Avon says while letting out a little laughter.
We’re both waiting for the bus to come. We talked about what has happened since we last seen each other.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Hospital Dad - - By: Shekyia Gibson 10th Grader
It was a Friday night and me and my cousin Shedonna were in my room with the music blasting. I was on the phone with a friend, looking in my closet for something to wear. While my cousin put on her clothes, we were ecstatic because it was Friday, and that meant it was teen night at the roller gardens. When suddenly my mom clicked in. That was unusual. I knew she was at work. So I clicked over, “Hello mommy”.
“ Kyia I need you to come to the hospital you can’t go skating”.
I was up upset, so I asked “ Why?”
“Your dads been shot and it looks bad”.
My whole world froze, and I couldn’t hear anything. All I could hear was your dads been shot, over and over again like a bad dream. Like time stopped and I was the only one in motion. Tears fell off my face, like bombs falling out of a helicopter at war. BOOM! BOOM! One on my shirt and the rest on my heart. My hollers of screams, like a whale trying to be heard in polluted water. My cousin’s strong embrace like she could feel my pain. Feel my pain pouring out of my eyes and into her heart.
Before I knew it, my mom walks in my room. We look at each other with sadness and fire in each others eyes. She grabs me and holds me close, we hold hands walking to the car. We know when we get there everything is going to change. Like from sunshine to a thunderstorm, I’m in the car and all I see is the street lights trough my tears.
We arrive at HCMC faster then I thought!! We walk in, the sound of my visitors pass being ripped from the paper. Rip through my stomach like a jagged knife. My walk to the elevator seems like my walk to hell. We at his room, I see the white board “ Lenfield Kendrick Jr. gun shot victim”.
VICTIM!!! Makes my flame up like gasoline on a grill.
I see him with tubes everywhere, my legs get weak, my throats getting dry, and my heads spinning. I can’t take it, I holler like I’m a wounded whale this time dying from the polluted icky murky water. His eyes open slightly, before I can say “Hi”.
My mom pulls me in the bathroom. Wipes my eyes and tells me I’m his golden girl, his miracle baby, and I have to be strong for him. I wipe my face once more, look in the mirror all I see is his face. Not really his face but him lying in that bed, I feel like it’s me looking back at him. This made me feel like we were connected, stronger. So strong I could feel his wounds. Not like I was shot but in my heart, my spirit, and my soul.
He opens his eyes and cracks a sick, but easing and wonderful smile. That soothes my on going fire. Opens his lips and says, “Hey mommy I been waiting on you all day”. I walk to hug him, his arms feel like a big flesh warm blanket of security. My tears dry up like the Sahara desert. My screams turn to weeps, then to soft sniffles. Like a baby whale is being born in clear, cool, deep claiming water. Being held for warmth by its mama. Lying on his chest. I felt like I was just swimming. Swimming deep in my hospital dad’s arms.
“ Kyia I need you to come to the hospital you can’t go skating”.
I was up upset, so I asked “ Why?”
“Your dads been shot and it looks bad”.
My whole world froze, and I couldn’t hear anything. All I could hear was your dads been shot, over and over again like a bad dream. Like time stopped and I was the only one in motion. Tears fell off my face, like bombs falling out of a helicopter at war. BOOM! BOOM! One on my shirt and the rest on my heart. My hollers of screams, like a whale trying to be heard in polluted water. My cousin’s strong embrace like she could feel my pain. Feel my pain pouring out of my eyes and into her heart.
Before I knew it, my mom walks in my room. We look at each other with sadness and fire in each others eyes. She grabs me and holds me close, we hold hands walking to the car. We know when we get there everything is going to change. Like from sunshine to a thunderstorm, I’m in the car and all I see is the street lights trough my tears.
We arrive at HCMC faster then I thought!! We walk in, the sound of my visitors pass being ripped from the paper. Rip through my stomach like a jagged knife. My walk to the elevator seems like my walk to hell. We at his room, I see the white board “ Lenfield Kendrick Jr. gun shot victim”.
VICTIM!!! Makes my flame up like gasoline on a grill.
I see him with tubes everywhere, my legs get weak, my throats getting dry, and my heads spinning. I can’t take it, I holler like I’m a wounded whale this time dying from the polluted icky murky water. His eyes open slightly, before I can say “Hi”.
My mom pulls me in the bathroom. Wipes my eyes and tells me I’m his golden girl, his miracle baby, and I have to be strong for him. I wipe my face once more, look in the mirror all I see is his face. Not really his face but him lying in that bed, I feel like it’s me looking back at him. This made me feel like we were connected, stronger. So strong I could feel his wounds. Not like I was shot but in my heart, my spirit, and my soul.
He opens his eyes and cracks a sick, but easing and wonderful smile. That soothes my on going fire. Opens his lips and says, “Hey mommy I been waiting on you all day”. I walk to hug him, his arms feel like a big flesh warm blanket of security. My tears dry up like the Sahara desert. My screams turn to weeps, then to soft sniffles. Like a baby whale is being born in clear, cool, deep claiming water. Being held for warmth by its mama. Lying on his chest. I felt like I was just swimming. Swimming deep in my hospital dad’s arms.
Hope - By Muhammad Khalid
Hope is one of the feelings that many people in my country rise up with, they rise with the hope that one day our country will be free of chaos, it will develop and flourish. The government will become better and that we will be freed from being under the banner of terrorism. The people would be caring and nice and that the rich will help the poor. The government won’t go killing people around and instead it will help the people to live a better life. Hope isn’t a normal feeling for my people it’s a piece of their lives, upon it is that they spend there days and upon it they continue to live their lives. I hope that one day when I return to my country I will find peace there, may God make that true.
The River
It was a hot summer day. The sun was baking people as if we were cookies. I was visiting my aunt one Saturday and we decided to go swimming in the Saint Croix River. So we packed up some snacks and headed out. When we got there we were going to ride in her boat. When we got to our destination we suited up and got ready to swim. I had a feeling in my gut that didn’t want me to go out so far. I didn’t listen to it. I was a decent swimmer and saw that the current wasn’t that strong. I swam out and was having a good time. Then I was curios, and wondered if I could touch the bottom of were I was swimming. So I headed down not realizing that nobody was paying attention to what I was doing. So I went deeper and deeper. Since I was very young I had a sense of adventure. I felt as if I was discovering a new world. I finally touched the bottom and had a sense of pride, which would soon become fear.
I decided that I have had enough fun and started to go back, to the surface. Then something stopped me. I couldn’t see what was holding me back. I feel around to see what was holding me back. I finally find what was holding me back. It was my necklace. It had gotten tangled up with a stick that was engraved deep under the sand. My body instantly was filled with fear. I tried to pull out the stick from under the sand. I thrashed and twirled but the stick wouldn’t budge. I was running out of air in my lungs. I couldn’t feel them start to shrivel into a raisin. I started to feel lighted. And with the last amount of energy I tried to break the stick. A lot of adrenaline was kicking into my body. The power coursed through my arms. I used power I didn’t even know I had. And finally the stick broke. I felt like fainting. My arms were exhausted. I let myself float up to the surface, where my lungs awaited to be relived.
I decided that I have had enough fun and started to go back, to the surface. Then something stopped me. I couldn’t see what was holding me back. I feel around to see what was holding me back. I finally find what was holding me back. It was my necklace. It had gotten tangled up with a stick that was engraved deep under the sand. My body instantly was filled with fear. I tried to pull out the stick from under the sand. I thrashed and twirled but the stick wouldn’t budge. I was running out of air in my lungs. I couldn’t feel them start to shrivel into a raisin. I started to feel lighted. And with the last amount of energy I tried to break the stick. A lot of adrenaline was kicking into my body. The power coursed through my arms. I used power I didn’t even know I had. And finally the stick broke. I felt like fainting. My arms were exhausted. I let myself float up to the surface, where my lungs awaited to be relived.
Go-kart - - this author wishes to remain anonymous
In the month of July in 2008, my friends Dustin Smeth, Jason penny, Ron cross, and I attempted to make a go-kart. It all started when Dustin came to my house with an idea, he stated that he wanted to build something this summer. “Like what?” I asked. “I found out how to make a go-kart” he said. When he finally convinced me to help, I gathered tools while got more people to help. Within a week, we had very few supplies, so we started going to garage sales and looking for free stuff. When we went, we found a steering mechanism, duct tape, and a wooden entertainment center. A week later, we found an old stroller and tried to break the wheels off. When they wouldn’t come off, we rode it down the hill on 3rd street and they broke off when Dustin ran into the stop sign. We never finished it.
Emily's Story - - by Norhan Mohamed, 10th Grade
Her name was Emily. When she was twenty she experienced abnormal activity in the house she lived in. When she was twenty-one she moved in with a boyfriend, four months later she killed him. This is Emily’s story.
When Emily was a child she always experienced abnormal things happening to her. She went to church to talk to someone who might know something. They told her it was some sort of evil spirit. They also had no explanation of why it chose her. When she goes to bed at night, she can feel something breathing on her but nothing or no one is there. She can hear someone whispering unclear things. Emily and her parents thought that maybe with time it would leave, but learned otherwise when they decided to go talk to a specialist.
The specialist told them that these spirits don’t leave. He also mentioned that trying to talk to them would piss them off and that’s not a good thing. The man told them they’re good unless they’re being messed with or being told to leave. He also warned Emily and her parents that trying to make it leave will only make things worse and have a very bad outcome—death.
Emily and her family didn’t talk to the spirit like they were told to. She was absolutely fine for a good seventeen years. As she got older she could barely tell that it was even there. Things were looking good for Emily. When Emily felt like it was time to move out, she found an apartment and moved in with her boyfriend Mike. Emily had been seeing Mike for about a year. They really loved each other, everyone could see it. Emily told Mike about the evil spirit and her childhood. He understood but still insisted on moving in with her. She loved that.
The second night after they moved in is when the abnormal activity began again. She woke up in the middle of the night completely out of breath. She woke Mike up; when he heard her panting he was startled. He turned the light on and asked her what’s wrong. All she said was, “it was talking to me…” Mike looked confused but when he figured out what she was talking about his eyes got big. “What did it say?” Mike asked. “I don’t really know—“ She replied. They both looked at each other and then they and then suggested that they go back to sleep, but with the lights on. So that’s what they did.
In the morning, they both agreed that if it got worse they’d call a specialist. Mike also came up with an idea to set up a high-tech sound recorder in the bedroom at night. Emily told him it might anger the spirit but he did what he wanted to do. They went to work and when they came home they were dead tired. So he set up the recorder and they went to sleep. He also set up a mini camera in the room just to see what would happen. Emily didn’t hear or feel anything that night, but when Mike reviewed the tape he was amazed by what he saw. The door closed and opened all by itself.
The following night they were startled when they heard the bedroom door slam shut. She slept with the lights on that night. In the morning they called the specialist, he came and hour later. Right when he walked in he told her he could feel the spirit, and that it was unhappy that he was present. He told them that they were doing good that they didn’t communicate to it and that Mike’s idea about getting a Ouija board was out of the question. Mike wouldn’t listen though. After the specialist left Emily told him he wasn’t allowed to bring it in the house, he lied and said he wouldn’t. When she went to school the next day he went and bought one. He set it up on the coffee table in the center of the room. He asked the board “is there a spirit here?” Without even touching the board the piece started moving and then there were huge monsoons in the room. Then the board started on fire. Mike stood back breathless and frightened. When everything cooled down he went over to the board and picked it up without hesitation. On the board a name was scratched on—ROSALIE.
When Emily was a child she always experienced abnormal things happening to her. She went to church to talk to someone who might know something. They told her it was some sort of evil spirit. They also had no explanation of why it chose her. When she goes to bed at night, she can feel something breathing on her but nothing or no one is there. She can hear someone whispering unclear things. Emily and her parents thought that maybe with time it would leave, but learned otherwise when they decided to go talk to a specialist.
The specialist told them that these spirits don’t leave. He also mentioned that trying to talk to them would piss them off and that’s not a good thing. The man told them they’re good unless they’re being messed with or being told to leave. He also warned Emily and her parents that trying to make it leave will only make things worse and have a very bad outcome—death.
Emily and her family didn’t talk to the spirit like they were told to. She was absolutely fine for a good seventeen years. As she got older she could barely tell that it was even there. Things were looking good for Emily. When Emily felt like it was time to move out, she found an apartment and moved in with her boyfriend Mike. Emily had been seeing Mike for about a year. They really loved each other, everyone could see it. Emily told Mike about the evil spirit and her childhood. He understood but still insisted on moving in with her. She loved that.
The second night after they moved in is when the abnormal activity began again. She woke up in the middle of the night completely out of breath. She woke Mike up; when he heard her panting he was startled. He turned the light on and asked her what’s wrong. All she said was, “it was talking to me…” Mike looked confused but when he figured out what she was talking about his eyes got big. “What did it say?” Mike asked. “I don’t really know—“ She replied. They both looked at each other and then they and then suggested that they go back to sleep, but with the lights on. So that’s what they did.
In the morning, they both agreed that if it got worse they’d call a specialist. Mike also came up with an idea to set up a high-tech sound recorder in the bedroom at night. Emily told him it might anger the spirit but he did what he wanted to do. They went to work and when they came home they were dead tired. So he set up the recorder and they went to sleep. He also set up a mini camera in the room just to see what would happen. Emily didn’t hear or feel anything that night, but when Mike reviewed the tape he was amazed by what he saw. The door closed and opened all by itself.
The following night they were startled when they heard the bedroom door slam shut. She slept with the lights on that night. In the morning they called the specialist, he came and hour later. Right when he walked in he told her he could feel the spirit, and that it was unhappy that he was present. He told them that they were doing good that they didn’t communicate to it and that Mike’s idea about getting a Ouija board was out of the question. Mike wouldn’t listen though. After the specialist left Emily told him he wasn’t allowed to bring it in the house, he lied and said he wouldn’t. When she went to school the next day he went and bought one. He set it up on the coffee table in the center of the room. He asked the board “is there a spirit here?” Without even touching the board the piece started moving and then there were huge monsoons in the room. Then the board started on fire. Mike stood back breathless and frightened. When everything cooled down he went over to the board and picked it up without hesitation. On the board a name was scratched on—ROSALIE.
I Don’t Regret It Much At All - - By: Ellen Knealing 10th grade
Derek had once loved that man’s eyes; those deep, clear, azure pools that drilled into you more and more as you stared at them, and as they stared at you. But he found he liked them better then, with less shine in them as the stared at him lifelessly from the kitchen floor. Derek had also once loved the fascinatingly pale skin of that man. He had been enthralled at the sight of it stretched over what were probably perfect muscles, and perfect bones. Yet he found that he liked that skin better as ghostly pale and gray-tinted as it was then, and as covered in crimson rivers as it was at that moment. Yes, while Derek had once loved that man as he lived, he found that he enjoyed him much more when he lay dead at his feet.
“I got you what you asked for,” A voice said from the kitchen doorway. “Do you like it, Derek?” Derek remained silent for a moment, staring at the body on the floor. The murder had been brutal, obviously, but the look of death suited Arthur, and Derek found himself smiling as he turned around.
“You didn’t have to be so violent,” he said softly. “But I really do like it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now pay up.” Derek pulled his wallet from his pocket, thinking about the scene he was playing a part in. A couple of days ago, a scene like this could only cross his mind if he were reading it, or watching it on TV. Who’d have thought he would ever pay someone to kill his best friend? The two were closer then two peas in a pod. Why would he ever do something like that?
Because Arthur had struck first, that’s why. At first, it wasn’t that big of a deal, with Arthur bringing over a few drinks from his parents’ liquor cabinet to try. Lots of teenagers did, right? But Arthur had gone a bit too far, drinking too much as the days went by.
“Here,” Derek said. “I hope you were careful, because I’m going to have to call the cops.” He handed the money to the other man, who shrugged.
“I’ve never gotten caught before.” Without another word, he left Derek alone in his kitchen. Derek turned around to stare at Arthur again, and then forced himself to fall over and emit a loud scream.
“Help! Somebody call 9-1-1!” Almost the very same words had passed through Derek’s lips a few days ago, as Arthur had been completely intoxicated and had barged into his apartment. He had been violent, and he had left Derek bruised and in pain. He didn’t tell anyone though, and allowed himself to sit in pain those few days. He was still in pain as he sat on the floor, pretending to tremble and shedding fake tears for the man who had hurt him so badly.
The instant the yell had left his lips, the door to his apartment had flown open, and Derek’s intrusive neighbor had raced inside. Once she saw the two boys on the floor, she let out a scream louder then Derek’s had been.
“Derek! Oh my god!” Derek scrambled to his feet and threw himself at her, ‘sobbing’ into her chest.
“I…I just got home from school, a-and when I came in here…I…he…”
“Derek, sweetie, calm down. I’ll call the cops. Just come sit with me until your parents get here, alright?” He nodded, following his neighbor into her apartment and sitting with her on her hideous floral couch.
“Derek, dear…” He looked up at his neighbor, the tears he didn’t mean slowing to a halt. “How did that boy get into his apartment?”
“I…I dunno…I mean Arthur is…was…my best friend.” His neighbor nodded, looking away from Derek. “He might’ve taken a key from me, or my parents might’ve given him one…”
“Why would your parents give him a key?”
“He’s over a lot, and we find him waiting outside the apartment all the time. And we…trust him…” The words almost refused to leave Derek’s lips. After all that had happened a few days ago, he couldn’t honestly say he trusted Arthur, especially after talking to him about it that next day at school. Derek had thought that his actions were due to the alcohol, and only the alcohol, but…he had been wrong. And what Arthur had told him that day was what prompted Derek to get rid of him.
“To be honest,” Arthur had said. “I…I don’t regret it as much as I should. In fact, I don’t regret it much at all.” Then he had smiled and left, leaving Derek alone in the library, horrified.
“Derek, honey…” Derek looked up at his neighbor and found that his vision was blurred for real.
“I…I’m sorry,” he mumbled, wiping at his eyes. The tears continued to fall, however, and suddenly, he felt so pathetic… “I just…” his neighbor pulled him into her arms, and he couldn’t stop himself from sobbing.
Over the next few days, Derek’s mind was racing every which way, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about Arthur’s death. At some moments, he was so happy that he couldn’t keep a grin off his face, but at other moments, he was hysterical and ready to turn himself in. On the day of the funeral, when he wasn’t feeling anything at all, he was pulled out of school to attend, and he wasn’t the only one. He recognized so many people from school there, blubbering over the death of such a great boy. The casket was open, and Derek stood beside it for a long time, staring. No one said anything to him, and no one suspected anything of him.
“Oh…Arthur…,” Derek mumbled, brushing a hand gently through Arthur’s hair and shuddering as his fingers accidently touched the cold skin of his forehead. He had once heard, at the funeral of a family member, that the recently dead individual appeared to be sleeping, and almost looked peaceful. He hadn’t been allowed to look then, but he realized as he stared at Arthur that that had been a lie. Laying there in the clothes he never would’ve worn with his hair cleaner then it had ever been while he was alive; Arthur didn’t appear to be sleeping. He simply appeared to be…dead. He was cold and blank and gray and still, but not sleeping. Not peaceful. He was dead.
“Arthur,” Derek repeated, keeping his voice soft and barely moving his lips. He didn’t want to be noticed. “I really hope you forgive me. But you know you had it coming to you.” He stopped, hearing someone start to cry not too far behind him. Casting a glance over his shoulder, he saw Arthur’s mother sobbing in her husband’s arms. Derek’s own eyes filled with tears as he turned back to Arthur and leaned over him.
“I’m feeling worse about what I’m doing to your family and friends and to myself then about what I’ve done to you,” he whispered. “They’re going through so much, and I’m loosing my mind wondering if I shouldn’t have done what I did. But I hope that, even after what you did, that you make it into heaven. I won’t see you there if you do, though, But please forgive me. You’ve always been, and always will be, my best friend. But…” He straightened himself up and finished his sentence as he turned away from his friend and began to walk away, still crying slightly.
“I don’t regret it as much as I should. In fact, I don’t regret it much at all.”
“I got you what you asked for,” A voice said from the kitchen doorway. “Do you like it, Derek?” Derek remained silent for a moment, staring at the body on the floor. The murder had been brutal, obviously, but the look of death suited Arthur, and Derek found himself smiling as he turned around.
“You didn’t have to be so violent,” he said softly. “But I really do like it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now pay up.” Derek pulled his wallet from his pocket, thinking about the scene he was playing a part in. A couple of days ago, a scene like this could only cross his mind if he were reading it, or watching it on TV. Who’d have thought he would ever pay someone to kill his best friend? The two were closer then two peas in a pod. Why would he ever do something like that?
Because Arthur had struck first, that’s why. At first, it wasn’t that big of a deal, with Arthur bringing over a few drinks from his parents’ liquor cabinet to try. Lots of teenagers did, right? But Arthur had gone a bit too far, drinking too much as the days went by.
“Here,” Derek said. “I hope you were careful, because I’m going to have to call the cops.” He handed the money to the other man, who shrugged.
“I’ve never gotten caught before.” Without another word, he left Derek alone in his kitchen. Derek turned around to stare at Arthur again, and then forced himself to fall over and emit a loud scream.
“Help! Somebody call 9-1-1!” Almost the very same words had passed through Derek’s lips a few days ago, as Arthur had been completely intoxicated and had barged into his apartment. He had been violent, and he had left Derek bruised and in pain. He didn’t tell anyone though, and allowed himself to sit in pain those few days. He was still in pain as he sat on the floor, pretending to tremble and shedding fake tears for the man who had hurt him so badly.
The instant the yell had left his lips, the door to his apartment had flown open, and Derek’s intrusive neighbor had raced inside. Once she saw the two boys on the floor, she let out a scream louder then Derek’s had been.
“Derek! Oh my god!” Derek scrambled to his feet and threw himself at her, ‘sobbing’ into her chest.
“I…I just got home from school, a-and when I came in here…I…he…”
“Derek, sweetie, calm down. I’ll call the cops. Just come sit with me until your parents get here, alright?” He nodded, following his neighbor into her apartment and sitting with her on her hideous floral couch.
“Derek, dear…” He looked up at his neighbor, the tears he didn’t mean slowing to a halt. “How did that boy get into his apartment?”
“I…I dunno…I mean Arthur is…was…my best friend.” His neighbor nodded, looking away from Derek. “He might’ve taken a key from me, or my parents might’ve given him one…”
“Why would your parents give him a key?”
“He’s over a lot, and we find him waiting outside the apartment all the time. And we…trust him…” The words almost refused to leave Derek’s lips. After all that had happened a few days ago, he couldn’t honestly say he trusted Arthur, especially after talking to him about it that next day at school. Derek had thought that his actions were due to the alcohol, and only the alcohol, but…he had been wrong. And what Arthur had told him that day was what prompted Derek to get rid of him.
“To be honest,” Arthur had said. “I…I don’t regret it as much as I should. In fact, I don’t regret it much at all.” Then he had smiled and left, leaving Derek alone in the library, horrified.
“Derek, honey…” Derek looked up at his neighbor and found that his vision was blurred for real.
“I…I’m sorry,” he mumbled, wiping at his eyes. The tears continued to fall, however, and suddenly, he felt so pathetic… “I just…” his neighbor pulled him into her arms, and he couldn’t stop himself from sobbing.
Over the next few days, Derek’s mind was racing every which way, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about Arthur’s death. At some moments, he was so happy that he couldn’t keep a grin off his face, but at other moments, he was hysterical and ready to turn himself in. On the day of the funeral, when he wasn’t feeling anything at all, he was pulled out of school to attend, and he wasn’t the only one. He recognized so many people from school there, blubbering over the death of such a great boy. The casket was open, and Derek stood beside it for a long time, staring. No one said anything to him, and no one suspected anything of him.
“Oh…Arthur…,” Derek mumbled, brushing a hand gently through Arthur’s hair and shuddering as his fingers accidently touched the cold skin of his forehead. He had once heard, at the funeral of a family member, that the recently dead individual appeared to be sleeping, and almost looked peaceful. He hadn’t been allowed to look then, but he realized as he stared at Arthur that that had been a lie. Laying there in the clothes he never would’ve worn with his hair cleaner then it had ever been while he was alive; Arthur didn’t appear to be sleeping. He simply appeared to be…dead. He was cold and blank and gray and still, but not sleeping. Not peaceful. He was dead.
“Arthur,” Derek repeated, keeping his voice soft and barely moving his lips. He didn’t want to be noticed. “I really hope you forgive me. But you know you had it coming to you.” He stopped, hearing someone start to cry not too far behind him. Casting a glance over his shoulder, he saw Arthur’s mother sobbing in her husband’s arms. Derek’s own eyes filled with tears as he turned back to Arthur and leaned over him.
“I’m feeling worse about what I’m doing to your family and friends and to myself then about what I’ve done to you,” he whispered. “They’re going through so much, and I’m loosing my mind wondering if I shouldn’t have done what I did. But I hope that, even after what you did, that you make it into heaven. I won’t see you there if you do, though, But please forgive me. You’ve always been, and always will be, my best friend. But…” He straightened himself up and finished his sentence as he turned away from his friend and began to walk away, still crying slightly.
“I don’t regret it as much as I should. In fact, I don’t regret it much at all.”
The Bike Race, by Diego Vivar 9th Grade
It’s was on a hot sunny day during summer and I just moved from Chicago to Minnesota. I was 12 year old and I was in sixth grade. So during the weekend I was racing with other kids in my neighborhood. And my brother came up to me a said he could beat me in a bike so I said lets race. At first was beating, but as soon as I got to finishing line I messed I hit bump which led me to the a brick wall and I was going really fast and I lost control and hit the wall. I was knocked out by the brick wall for at least one min. I woke up my mom saw me on the ground and she hurried to the car and we left to the hospital. The doctor said I needed stitches on my lip and they put white thing around my neck. We got home I went to sleep and then the next morning my whole body was sore and I had burses around my body. Since that I decide to never bike race again because I was scared of that same thing happening to me.
The End
The End
The deep dark blue sea - By Danielle Curry
Danielle Curry
2/11/10
The deep dark blue sea
My breath burned in chest as I swam in the dark blue sea. I was running out of air and strength. There was no dought about it the sea monster was getting closer. My chest pounded of a heart beat as the sea monster roared. I was afraid that I would slow down and what ever it was’ was going to get me. All I kept thinking about was I got to get back to the boat. I swooped behind a rock that thing couldn’t find me yet. I knew sooner or later I was going to have to start swimming again. I looked at my oxygen tank it was half way full. I said to my self am going to die.
But at the last minute I remembered that I had called for help an hour ago and didn’t know if any one responded or not. But it was time for me to start to swim again but I noticed it was quit almost as if the sea monster had left. I knew that hadn’t left so I looked around. I looked to my right and there it was the sea monster right behind me. But the monster looked as if it couldn’t see me but just scene me and hear me. Suddenly I was pulled away fast underneath the rock into a down ward cave. I was so scared because I couldn’t see what was pulling me. But then all I could see is a under water city it was the most chocking thing ever. I tried to turn around but I was taken away again. Not being able to see what was pulling me away. I was brought to a room that was field with water and then into a door. Witch brought me into a room that held oxygen like I wasn’t under water any more. I was asked by women was I ok? She was the prettiest women I had ever seen but in me as I looked down I noticed she had no feet but a fin. She was a mermaid I couldn’t believe it.
2/11/10
The deep dark blue sea
My breath burned in chest as I swam in the dark blue sea. I was running out of air and strength. There was no dought about it the sea monster was getting closer. My chest pounded of a heart beat as the sea monster roared. I was afraid that I would slow down and what ever it was’ was going to get me. All I kept thinking about was I got to get back to the boat. I swooped behind a rock that thing couldn’t find me yet. I knew sooner or later I was going to have to start swimming again. I looked at my oxygen tank it was half way full. I said to my self am going to die.
But at the last minute I remembered that I had called for help an hour ago and didn’t know if any one responded or not. But it was time for me to start to swim again but I noticed it was quit almost as if the sea monster had left. I knew that hadn’t left so I looked around. I looked to my right and there it was the sea monster right behind me. But the monster looked as if it couldn’t see me but just scene me and hear me. Suddenly I was pulled away fast underneath the rock into a down ward cave. I was so scared because I couldn’t see what was pulling me. But then all I could see is a under water city it was the most chocking thing ever. I tried to turn around but I was taken away again. Not being able to see what was pulling me away. I was brought to a room that was field with water and then into a door. Witch brought me into a room that held oxygen like I wasn’t under water any more. I was asked by women was I ok? She was the prettiest women I had ever seen but in me as I looked down I noticed she had no feet but a fin. She was a mermaid I couldn’t believe it.
Brotherhood Bites -- Destin M. Smith, Freshman
Brotherhood Bites
Destin M. Smith
Freshman
During a fateful night in a suburban neighborhood in Seattle, my little brother Jake was eating spaghetti, and I was making Jell-O. By the way my name is Tin. “Jake said with a yelp “It good!”. I said back “yeah I know now finish up the rest”. After making the rest of the Jell-O I went to watch the ending of the news. There was an urgent report on saying that an experimental wolf has escaped from the lab. I was astonished to find out the that there was a secret lab. Hidden in this god forsaken town. Yet it is so abandon that it is a great place for stuff like that. All of the sudden Jake stared to growl and snarl. I ran over to him in a flash.
Destin M. Smith
Freshman
During a fateful night in a suburban neighborhood in Seattle, my little brother Jake was eating spaghetti, and I was making Jell-O. By the way my name is Tin. “Jake said with a yelp “It good!”. I said back “yeah I know now finish up the rest”. After making the rest of the Jell-O I went to watch the ending of the news. There was an urgent report on saying that an experimental wolf has escaped from the lab. I was astonished to find out the that there was a secret lab. Hidden in this god forsaken town. Yet it is so abandon that it is a great place for stuff like that. All of the sudden Jake stared to growl and snarl. I ran over to him in a flash.
Bad Dream - - By Brieanna Lewis 9th grade
My breath burned in my chest, and I was running out of strength. There was no doubt about it they were getting closer by the second as in the mall. The people in the mall did not even notice me running. I was ten feet away from the pet twenty feet from Old Navy. There was a restroom about three feet from my center; I leap to it like a cat. As entered there were five to ten monsters appeared. As I ran out of the restroom in a flash. Strangely there was no one there empty as of night time. I spun around quickly as it I was hallucinating there they were again. This time they had multiplied. I realized very quickly that I might die. I tried to escape but I could not. As they went to eat my head I wake up drenched in sweat. I leaded from my bed screaming from my mom but mom was not there. So I ran downstairs passing the white cover table. What was it on the table? I asked myself scared. I was a nightmare of my own a table full of coke what was I doing to myself...?
Arkansas State Finals - - by Shawn McMillan, Grade 9
It was the Arkansas football state finals for football. It was the Ravens vs. The Warriors. Tyler B. was the running back for the Ravens. And Bill T. was the running back for the Warriors. They hated each other and both craved the state final championship trophy. They hated each other because two years ago they were both in the Ravens then Bill left because he thought the team sucked, and so he went and joined the Warriors who are the Ravens rivals
The first half was relatively quiet The Ravens had 21, and the Warriors had 14. On the first play of the second half Bill made a 50 yard touchdown. The Warrior fans cheered as the Ravens fans hissed and booed. It was now tied. Nothing happened for the next 45 minutes. The Ravens were on their own 20 yard line and it was third down. Tyler feels as if he has been punched in the stomach by a giant, and wants to blow chunks all over the Warriors. The quarterback tells Tyler hat he is running. That just adds to his distress.
So the play begins. The quarterback hands him the ball and he finds a hole right up the middle. He sheds one tackler and jumps over another! He feels super human. Nobody could stop him now. He picked up his pace and you could see the dirt flying up from under his cleats. And he made the 80 yard touchdown! The fans erupted in glee, and whole team pilled onto he field. And Tyler got the game winning ball, and got to have the mayor hand him to trophy. After the game Bill game up and said good game and shook his hand. They were friends for the rest of their lives.
The first half was relatively quiet The Ravens had 21, and the Warriors had 14. On the first play of the second half Bill made a 50 yard touchdown. The Warrior fans cheered as the Ravens fans hissed and booed. It was now tied. Nothing happened for the next 45 minutes. The Ravens were on their own 20 yard line and it was third down. Tyler feels as if he has been punched in the stomach by a giant, and wants to blow chunks all over the Warriors. The quarterback tells Tyler hat he is running. That just adds to his distress.
So the play begins. The quarterback hands him the ball and he finds a hole right up the middle. He sheds one tackler and jumps over another! He feels super human. Nobody could stop him now. He picked up his pace and you could see the dirt flying up from under his cleats. And he made the 80 yard touchdown! The fans erupted in glee, and whole team pilled onto he field. And Tyler got the game winning ball, and got to have the mayor hand him to trophy. After the game Bill game up and said good game and shook his hand. They were friends for the rest of their lives.
Camping - - by Anna Nelson, 10th Grade
My parents were happy with each other at once. They can’t be in the same room anymore. Things started getting bad before I can even remember. All I know about anything that far back is what I’ve been told.
I don’t remember them fighting, but Dad says they would argue at least once a day, but they wouldn’t let us see it.
The furthest back I can remember is when I was about four. I was staring out a window in a boring, old yellow table. I was seated at a circular table, gazing at the horrifying storm outside. Fearing the thunder, and wondering if my dad would ever come back.
They say he left early one morning before work and came home to an empty house by the end of the week. I think that’s when my younger sister and I went to live with our mothers parents in Texas. I don’t know.
When I came home, to live with my mom again, we were all staying in a tiny car with my mom, brother, three sisters, and my dad’s best friend.
I’m not sure how long we lived like that, moving from campsite to campsite, but it wasn’t good. On the plus side, there were a ton of wild berries growing everywhere, so when we got hungry, we could usually collect those. It’s funny what a person will remember. We didn’t eat much. My mom and that guy would order a pizza and leave us the crusts, but it was better than nothing so we were grateful. Sometimes wed meet people. Just those ones who go camping practically every month, even when the ground is covered with ice. That’s what our mom called what we did. We camped. Anyway, those people would come and say hi a lot. They were nice and they’d give us things. It wasn’t a big deal to them, and by the way, by “give us things,” I don’t mean wed get a new computer and a jaguar every time we saw them, just little things. Like gum or donuts. They didn’t mind any, but to us, it was like Christmas morning. My little sister, who was about two at the time, gave them all names based on what they gave. I remember the “Gum Guy.” My younger sister couldn’t talk very well, so she didn’t say the “gum” part clearly so the Gum Guy thought she was calling him the “dumb” guy the whole time.
Our mom was very strict about manners. If we forgot a “thank you” shed be mad. If we forgot to say sir or ma’am, when addressing our elders, she’d get that man to swat at us with a stick. That went on for maybe eight months. I don’t know exactly how long.
Things were worst for my youngest sister. She was just a baby at the time. At least she can’t remember any of it. She spent every minute of every day in a car seat that was way too small for her. She only had her diaper changed once every two days if she was lucky. Also my younger sister had gotten a hold of some raw eggs she thought would make good toys and she cracked them all over the back seat of the car. After about a week, our home had been infested with maggots.
After spending all the time in her car seat, her legs had been deformed to match the shape of the seat and her head had flattened in the back.
[teacher's note - - I absolutely love the first line of this story: Nostalgia, heartbreak, history and acceptance, all bound up in a voice whispered directly into the reader's waiting ear. Awesome!]
I don’t remember them fighting, but Dad says they would argue at least once a day, but they wouldn’t let us see it.
The furthest back I can remember is when I was about four. I was staring out a window in a boring, old yellow table. I was seated at a circular table, gazing at the horrifying storm outside. Fearing the thunder, and wondering if my dad would ever come back.
They say he left early one morning before work and came home to an empty house by the end of the week. I think that’s when my younger sister and I went to live with our mothers parents in Texas. I don’t know.
When I came home, to live with my mom again, we were all staying in a tiny car with my mom, brother, three sisters, and my dad’s best friend.
I’m not sure how long we lived like that, moving from campsite to campsite, but it wasn’t good. On the plus side, there were a ton of wild berries growing everywhere, so when we got hungry, we could usually collect those. It’s funny what a person will remember. We didn’t eat much. My mom and that guy would order a pizza and leave us the crusts, but it was better than nothing so we were grateful. Sometimes wed meet people. Just those ones who go camping practically every month, even when the ground is covered with ice. That’s what our mom called what we did. We camped. Anyway, those people would come and say hi a lot. They were nice and they’d give us things. It wasn’t a big deal to them, and by the way, by “give us things,” I don’t mean wed get a new computer and a jaguar every time we saw them, just little things. Like gum or donuts. They didn’t mind any, but to us, it was like Christmas morning. My little sister, who was about two at the time, gave them all names based on what they gave. I remember the “Gum Guy.” My younger sister couldn’t talk very well, so she didn’t say the “gum” part clearly so the Gum Guy thought she was calling him the “dumb” guy the whole time.
Our mom was very strict about manners. If we forgot a “thank you” shed be mad. If we forgot to say sir or ma’am, when addressing our elders, she’d get that man to swat at us with a stick. That went on for maybe eight months. I don’t know exactly how long.
Things were worst for my youngest sister. She was just a baby at the time. At least she can’t remember any of it. She spent every minute of every day in a car seat that was way too small for her. She only had her diaper changed once every two days if she was lucky. Also my younger sister had gotten a hold of some raw eggs she thought would make good toys and she cracked them all over the back seat of the car. After about a week, our home had been infested with maggots.
After spending all the time in her car seat, her legs had been deformed to match the shape of the seat and her head had flattened in the back.
[teacher's note - - I absolutely love the first line of this story: Nostalgia, heartbreak, history and acceptance, all bound up in a voice whispered directly into the reader's waiting ear. Awesome!]
Untitled - - by Alicia Dorr, Grade 10
Alicia Dorr
Grade 10
Minnie ducked behind a garbage can. Breathing so heavily she was sure it could hear, smell and taste her fear. It wasn’t every day that a wolf ran through the city of Chicago. Why her though? Why was this animal singling her out? Before she could think another thought, she heard a low growling sound. She turned around and a ferocious growl escaped the creatures’ mouth. On instinct, Minnie ran for her life, darting through alley ways, jumping over trash piles. She thought she lost it for the second time when she turned a corner, but heard snapping noises followed by more growling. Minnie was scared, not only was she just scared, she feared for her life. It all seemed to work into her mind like a movie, slow motion. Darting down another alley, Minnie saw it was a dead end. Before she could turn back she saw the creature running towards her. She had no time to think, the wolf was going to corner her and tear her to shreds, for that she was certain. At that moment she looked up and saw a ladder with a rope hanging down on the side of the building next to her. Without thinking of the black beast, she jumped with all her might to reach the rope that destined her for life or death.
Just as she jumped, the beast jumped with her, following her moves in the air. She held her breath as she reached the rope and hauled herself up the metal ladder. A sigh of relief, until she looked down and saw blood seeping through her blue skinny jeans. The one thing she didn’t notice while jumping through the air, was the wolf nipping at her legs. She scrambled to the top of the building with a tingling in her leg. The gash wasn’t as deep as she thought it was, a little blood never hurt. Minnie dared herself to look down and see if the wolf was still lurking below. Peering over the edge of the building, she saw no sign of the dangerous wolf. She still could not bring herself to feel like she was safe. Cautiously, she made her way down the ladder and brushed herself off, slightly limping. Walking down Arthur Street, she felt an abnormally cool breeze for the hot summer day. Something very weird was happening that day, she just couldn’t tell what yet.
That day was a very important day in Minnies life, she didn’t know it at that moment but it very much was.
Grade 10
Minnie ducked behind a garbage can. Breathing so heavily she was sure it could hear, smell and taste her fear. It wasn’t every day that a wolf ran through the city of Chicago. Why her though? Why was this animal singling her out? Before she could think another thought, she heard a low growling sound. She turned around and a ferocious growl escaped the creatures’ mouth. On instinct, Minnie ran for her life, darting through alley ways, jumping over trash piles. She thought she lost it for the second time when she turned a corner, but heard snapping noises followed by more growling. Minnie was scared, not only was she just scared, she feared for her life. It all seemed to work into her mind like a movie, slow motion. Darting down another alley, Minnie saw it was a dead end. Before she could turn back she saw the creature running towards her. She had no time to think, the wolf was going to corner her and tear her to shreds, for that she was certain. At that moment she looked up and saw a ladder with a rope hanging down on the side of the building next to her. Without thinking of the black beast, she jumped with all her might to reach the rope that destined her for life or death.
Just as she jumped, the beast jumped with her, following her moves in the air. She held her breath as she reached the rope and hauled herself up the metal ladder. A sigh of relief, until she looked down and saw blood seeping through her blue skinny jeans. The one thing she didn’t notice while jumping through the air, was the wolf nipping at her legs. She scrambled to the top of the building with a tingling in her leg. The gash wasn’t as deep as she thought it was, a little blood never hurt. Minnie dared herself to look down and see if the wolf was still lurking below. Peering over the edge of the building, she saw no sign of the dangerous wolf. She still could not bring herself to feel like she was safe. Cautiously, she made her way down the ladder and brushed herself off, slightly limping. Walking down Arthur Street, she felt an abnormally cool breeze for the hot summer day. Something very weird was happening that day, she just couldn’t tell what yet.
That day was a very important day in Minnies life, she didn’t know it at that moment but it very much was.
Abyss - - by Kassandra Eam, Grade 10
Richard was your average sophomore, he got average grades, he was on the baseball team and was in student council. The only thing that made him different from the rest was the fact that he wasn’t sure of what was real.
Everyday he would scour the public libraries in search of something to tell him different. That he did exist. He looked for the answers in forgotten tomes and scrolls, in the Bible, in any religious writing he could get his hands on. But in the end he wasn’t sure what his answer would look like, or if he already knew the answer – that he didn’t exist.
Today, he was in the cellar beneath the cathedral in his city that held tomes, books, scrolls, and so much more.
Drowning in a sea of dust, he fled to the stairs that led back upstairs to the main hall. A beam of light shown down on his face, like a holy calling. But this light felt cold, and distant. If it felt like anything at all. Just as Richard was about to leave he heard a mumble. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. He knew no one came in after him, and that there were no secret doors down here.
Turning slowly he dashed his eyes from corner to corner, looking for the source. He saw nothing. And again, he heard another mumble.
“Who’s there?’ he called out, his voice cracking from not saying anything for so long. The reply was a monotonous one. “Not who, but what? If anything at all.”
Startled by the reply he once again looked for the owner of the voice. “W-where are you?” Richard managed to sputter out. Again, the voice answered lazily. “I exist here, there, everywhere, nowhere.” Angered and confused, Richard found a crumpled p piece of paper and threw it as hard as he could in to the darkness. “Pain is no reality, no matter how much you convince yourself it is.” The Voice said.
“Quit hiding and show me where you are!” Richard barked. There was silence. Not even the slight ruffles of paper could be heard. It was almost as if he had gone deaf. Just silence, until the ringing that pierced your ears from being in isolation for too long. “Very well, find me where the dark will rise.” The Voice said.
Another minute or two passed before Richard realized that whoever that was, was gone. Shaken up, he left. What did that guy mean? “Not who, but what? If anything at all.” “I exist here, there, everywhere, and nowhere.” And “ . . . Find me where the dark will rise.” What kind of person could bear to speak in riddles all of the time. The Cheshire cat popped into mind. Riddles always have answers.
“This guy is trying to give me answers. . .” Richard said to himself as he left the cathedral. The sun was setting, but there as still enough sunlight to walk home.
Richard began his trek home, not paying much attention to anything. Just trying to understand the riddles that The Voice had left him. The last one, he was chewing on. “The dark can’t rise. . . “Richard mumbled to himself. Kicking a rock to the other side of the street, he admired the odd shape that the rock’s shadow took at this hour. Then he realized it, that’s what it meant to meet him where the shadows rise. Richard made a mad 180 to face his shadow. Nothing happened. Still nothing happened. Until just that second the shadow began to rip itself from the ground.
No longer was it molded to Richard’s shape, but a rather bland figure. No hair of dominant features. As far as Richard could tell, this creature was flat. Just when things couldn’t get freakier, the creature opened its eyes. Sick yellow slits gleamed like the sun, and a white smiled that looked like it had been painted on there just sat on the creature’s face twitching with delight. The corners of the mouth went much farther than the eyes. It went almost way past the eyes in fact.
“What are you?” Richard gasped. The creature tore itself from the restrains of the Eart and turned towards the sun with it’s unchanging grin plastered on its face. “I am nothing, I am everything, I am anything the world wants me to be, but at the same time I am nothing when the world forgets me. Then it turned it’s terrifying face back to Richard. “You seek answers. I’ve come here to lead you to those answers.”
“I know.” Richard whispered.
The creature laughed and stopped abruptly. “You know nothing.”
Everyday he would scour the public libraries in search of something to tell him different. That he did exist. He looked for the answers in forgotten tomes and scrolls, in the Bible, in any religious writing he could get his hands on. But in the end he wasn’t sure what his answer would look like, or if he already knew the answer – that he didn’t exist.
Today, he was in the cellar beneath the cathedral in his city that held tomes, books, scrolls, and so much more.
Drowning in a sea of dust, he fled to the stairs that led back upstairs to the main hall. A beam of light shown down on his face, like a holy calling. But this light felt cold, and distant. If it felt like anything at all. Just as Richard was about to leave he heard a mumble. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. He knew no one came in after him, and that there were no secret doors down here.
Turning slowly he dashed his eyes from corner to corner, looking for the source. He saw nothing. And again, he heard another mumble.
“Who’s there?’ he called out, his voice cracking from not saying anything for so long. The reply was a monotonous one. “Not who, but what? If anything at all.”
Startled by the reply he once again looked for the owner of the voice. “W-where are you?” Richard managed to sputter out. Again, the voice answered lazily. “I exist here, there, everywhere, nowhere.” Angered and confused, Richard found a crumpled p piece of paper and threw it as hard as he could in to the darkness. “Pain is no reality, no matter how much you convince yourself it is.” The Voice said.
“Quit hiding and show me where you are!” Richard barked. There was silence. Not even the slight ruffles of paper could be heard. It was almost as if he had gone deaf. Just silence, until the ringing that pierced your ears from being in isolation for too long. “Very well, find me where the dark will rise.” The Voice said.
Another minute or two passed before Richard realized that whoever that was, was gone. Shaken up, he left. What did that guy mean? “Not who, but what? If anything at all.” “I exist here, there, everywhere, and nowhere.” And “ . . . Find me where the dark will rise.” What kind of person could bear to speak in riddles all of the time. The Cheshire cat popped into mind. Riddles always have answers.
“This guy is trying to give me answers. . .” Richard said to himself as he left the cathedral. The sun was setting, but there as still enough sunlight to walk home.
Richard began his trek home, not paying much attention to anything. Just trying to understand the riddles that The Voice had left him. The last one, he was chewing on. “The dark can’t rise. . . “Richard mumbled to himself. Kicking a rock to the other side of the street, he admired the odd shape that the rock’s shadow took at this hour. Then he realized it, that’s what it meant to meet him where the shadows rise. Richard made a mad 180 to face his shadow. Nothing happened. Still nothing happened. Until just that second the shadow began to rip itself from the ground.
No longer was it molded to Richard’s shape, but a rather bland figure. No hair of dominant features. As far as Richard could tell, this creature was flat. Just when things couldn’t get freakier, the creature opened its eyes. Sick yellow slits gleamed like the sun, and a white smiled that looked like it had been painted on there just sat on the creature’s face twitching with delight. The corners of the mouth went much farther than the eyes. It went almost way past the eyes in fact.
“What are you?” Richard gasped. The creature tore itself from the restrains of the Eart and turned towards the sun with it’s unchanging grin plastered on its face. “I am nothing, I am everything, I am anything the world wants me to be, but at the same time I am nothing when the world forgets me. Then it turned it’s terrifying face back to Richard. “You seek answers. I’ve come here to lead you to those answers.”
“I know.” Richard whispered.
The creature laughed and stopped abruptly. “You know nothing.”
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