“… And now I don’t have a job!” Adam sobbed. “They fired me over $5.00 of bubble gum!?!” looking around the abandoned church with its smashed windows and lopsided pews he wiped his eyes on the back of his sleeve. “ I’m eighteen I shouldn’t be crying like a baby even if I’m broke, my mother hates me, and I don’t have anywhere to live, Damn it!!” He picked his way across the church to the door. A slight breeze was blowing through the big stain glass window behind the alter, or what was left of the window. Adam looked through the colored panes to see a tall, lanky, brown-haired kid walk into the graveyard.
“Where is it?” looking around sixteen year-old Hunter Daniel entered the graveyard. Walking between the rows searching the stones with his peculiar eyes. Little did he know he was being followed.
“Oh!” Adam gasped as he caught sight of the boys face. One eye was blue yet the other green. He looks only 16 he should be in school Adam thought to himself. Adam opened the little black iron gate to the cemetery “SQUEAK!” “Darn it, never trust gates with a hinge missing.” He muttered. Adam wasn’t the only one that heard. Hunter whipped his head around, starring at his follower.
“Who are you?” Hunter never had trouble getting straight to the point.
“Adam, the guy that used to work at the gas station, who used to have a place to live, and the guy that used to have a mother that loved him. What about you kid?” Adam said.
“Hunter, the guy that used to go to high school, the guy that used to live with his parents but ran away, and the guy that has a mother that probably isn’t to happy with him right now. In other words nothing new.” While they were talking they had wandered to the old rusty metal swing set in the old rusty park “next door”.
“Ladies first.” Adam said with a bow, gesturing to the swings.
“Hilarious.” Hunter scowled at Adam, but plopped right on down.
“So, you dumped high school.” Said Adam sitting on the swing next to Hunter. “I did too.” He laughed.
We have so much in common.” said Hunter sarcastically.
“Actually we do our mo…” he never did finish that sentence actually. For Adam had noticed something… something strange.
“What, what is i…” Hunter followed Adams horrified gaze, the swings they were moving! There was no wind, no one else in the park. Just them and the swings, moving soundlessly. Wait what? Soundlessly? To be silent they would have to be… oiled. Hunter thought to himself.
“This place is giving me the creeps. We should leave, something’s not right here.” Adams voice started to shake.
Scrambling they ran for the side walk only to stumble, blinded by a bright light that rose out of the ground around the property.
“RUN!” Hunter screamed. So that’s what they did, smack into a 20 foot high ancient looking metal fence.
“Oh no. It goes all the way around the whole park we can’t get out!” Adam became hysteric, he was hyperventilating. They simultaneously spun around to face the church. Some sound was coming from the graveyard.
“Why do I feel like scary music should be playing in the background?” Hunter whispered softly. Then they could see it, the dirt freshly turned with groaning sounds coming from underneath it. They started backing up right to the black iron fence.
Looking to the sky Adam cried” Why? Why do I have to die?”
“Will you please, SHUT UP!” Hunter ended in a yell.
They turned back to the cemetery. Hunters eyes widened, fingers were appearing on the edges of the graves, pulling at the dirt. Rising, something was rising out of the graves.
“This is not good. But I’m not going to die, I’m not going to die.” Adam squeaked.
A smoky mist came out of the churches windows. “Find thy sword or you shall perish…” a ghost!!! The ghost came out of the mist dressed in a priests robe.
“Oh, Father forgive me!” Adam cried falling to his knees.
“Snap out of it!” Hunter hissed shoving his elbow into Adams ribs.
“OW! Oh right – ghosts – not good.” Adam said shaking his head and reaching into his pocket. His hand brushed against something. His bubble gum!
By now the zombies had gotten at least their waists out of the graves pushing with all their strength to get their legs out. “Zombies! Really, why not skeletons, zombies are so much scarier!” Adam whined.
“Stop whining! What do you think, that I can control that?” Hunter asked.
“Yes, yes I do.” Adam replied.
“Oh my... OK well remember what that priest said? We have to find the sword or we will die.”
“That’s not what he said he said perish.” Said Adam tartly.
“That’s what perish means!” Hunter was being rubbed raw. “I’ll go find this sword and you stay here and well kick some zombie.” Hunter set off running.
“But…Bu…” Adam stammered “OH…OOOH!” Adam screamed. The zombies were walking through the fence towards him. He fainted.
Turning around Hunter saw Adam faint. “Just my luck. I’m stuck in here with a sissy.” Hunter muttered. “ADAM!” Hunter yelled at the top of his 16 year-old lungs. Seeing his friend get back up he turned trying to find the sword. He heard a sound… “Ahoooo!” “Ahoooo!” He looked up ghosts were flying over the trees “Oh no…” Hunter started to say but he saw something. Something that would make their lives a whole lot easier. “The sword!” rejoicing Hunter started climbing the tree reaching the sword he said “Take this Mom, take this principal, take this stupid school!” he yanked on the sword with each word he said. “Hoi-yah!” Hunter cried raising the sword in one hand getting in a ninja pose he had seen on TV. “Sweet!” He was loving it!
Over on Adams side of the park Adam was panicking, he was surrounded my zombies. Their feet making thudding noises as they trampled the grass. One by one the zombies came forward slowly so slowly. “I’m not going to die, not going to die.” Adam whimpered. The zombies came closer and closer yet. Panicking Adam threw out a fist punching the zombies head right off! Amazed he stared at his hand. “Wow!” was all he could say. Now he started to enjoy himself spinning and kicking he pounded off head after head. Laughing he shouted “I’m king of the park!” before going back to his boxing match. “Watch out Jackie Chan the Adaminator is coming to town!”
“Really!” Hunter shook his head smiling slightly. Sprinting he got to Adam with the sword, “What should I do now?” he asked.
“How about you stay here with the zombies,” he paused to punch a head, “while I go execute my own plan!” Adam ran off with those words hanging in the air.
“Fine then.” Hunter declared, chopping off hands, feet, arms, toes, fingers, anything he could get at, like a madman.
Dodging past zombie after zombie Adam ran to the little kids jungle gym. Stuffing a handful of gum in his mouth he swung up onto the monkey bars. Chewing he swung to a platform, kicking off some zombie heads with each swing. He stuffed more gum in his mouth. With $3.00 worth of bubble gum in his mouth he waved his hand in the air shrugging off Hunters questioning stares. He spit the $5.00 worth of bubble gum into his hand taking out his new stolen pen (that used to be his old boss’) and drew some lines into the slimy glob.
Finishing his creation at last hr ran into the field of zombies and thought You cost me my job but you just might save my life. With that he yelled “Free brains! Who wants ‘em?” he dropped the “brains” and ran to where Hunter was standing.
“You look like you took a shower!” Adam laughed.
“It’s called sweat.” Hunter had to crack a smile. Turning they watched as one by one the zombies choked on the gum and disintegrated.
“It’s just like the movies!” Adam was enjoying himself. When all the zombie s had disintegrated the ghosts flew away, like they had seen death, which they actually had before.
“Congratulations, you are blessed.” The ghost of the priest said in his wispy voice, and right before their eyes he vanished. Unfortunately for them the fence didn’t.
“You’re kidding right! We did all that work just to be stuck in here the rest of our lives!” Hunter exclaimed raising the sword to fling it at the ground. “THUMP!” the sword hit something on its back swing. “WHOSH!” the fence vanished.
“Whoa due! What did you do?” Adams eyes got big. Turning around they looked at where the sword had hit the play set. The tip of the sword lay embedded in the plastic picture of a heart, right in the middle.
“In the heart of the park!” Adam laughed shaking his head, “Dude you killed the park!” Hunter couldn’t help but laugh too.
“Well, see you on Tuesday?” Hunter asked.
“You can count on it.” Adam said before turning leaving walking back home to his mom, where he should be.
Watching Adams retreating back Hunter thought Maybe, just maybe life isn’t that bad after all.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Remember Me! by Elise Stepka 8th Grade
Beep, beep, beep. The heartbeat monitor went on and on. I couldn’t believe it. Just yesterday, she told me I drove her crazy, and now… The woman who changed my diapers, and bought me my first skateboard, was lying in front of me, helpless, and I couldn’t be the one to help her.
Wake up!
Open your eyes now!
Come on, you can do it!
Beep, beep. Nothing. Her chest rose and fell, rose and fell.
“Wake up mom!” I said out loud this time. I felt tears stream down my face, and I didn’t even care if anyone saw me. For the first time in 15 years, I was really scared. Not ‘scared of the dark’ scared, but horrifyingly, terrified, scared.
A doctor wearing a white coat walked in, “How are you related to Melinda Jones?” he asked.
“I am Jacob Jones, her son.” I answered.
“I could tell, you’ve got her eyes, “ he said.
I hear that a lot. Dad lives in Texas, he and mom are divorced.
“Your mother had a terrible car accident with a drunk driver. We are assuming that she has a concussion, but we need to wait until she wakes up. My name is
Dr.Telley, I’ll be your mother’s main doctor. I’ll be working with her until she is ready to leave."
I knew the only thing I could do, was wait. I keep seeing flash backs of me and mom. Mom and I at the movies, mom teaching me how to read, mom teaching me how to ride a bike the memories keep playing, like a movie in my head. All of a sudden, the beeps got faster. Beep, beep, beep, beep. Her eyes flickered, and then opened. “Mom!” I cried. I hugged her until she looked at me funny. She looked at me like I was a stranger.
“Can I help you son?” she questioned softly, being who she is.
“I’m your son, Jake!” she has to remember! What is wrong with her? Maybe she’s just a little groggy. Dr What’s-his-face stormed in. he introduced himself to Mom as he did me. "What’s your name?” he questioned.
“Melinda Jones” she replied.
Theres no point in this! She knows who she is.
“What year is it?”
“1998”
“see she knows!” I told the doctor when I realized what she said. No she’s off by 13 years!
“How old are you?”
“29” she replied confidently.
He went on and on. The only thing she got right, was her name. She still didn’t know who I was. I explained that I was here son . She didn’t believe me. I grabbed a taxi. I had no where to live. I’m only 15 for goodness sakes! I can’ drive, I could live with dad, but he doesn’t want me there. I can’t live by myself!@ What’s going to happen to me? Just like always, I have to depend on adults. Even if they aren’t worthy of my respect.
Wake up!
Open your eyes now!
Come on, you can do it!
Beep, beep. Nothing. Her chest rose and fell, rose and fell.
“Wake up mom!” I said out loud this time. I felt tears stream down my face, and I didn’t even care if anyone saw me. For the first time in 15 years, I was really scared. Not ‘scared of the dark’ scared, but horrifyingly, terrified, scared.
A doctor wearing a white coat walked in, “How are you related to Melinda Jones?” he asked.
“I am Jacob Jones, her son.” I answered.
“I could tell, you’ve got her eyes, “ he said.
I hear that a lot. Dad lives in Texas, he and mom are divorced.
“Your mother had a terrible car accident with a drunk driver. We are assuming that she has a concussion, but we need to wait until she wakes up. My name is
Dr.Telley, I’ll be your mother’s main doctor. I’ll be working with her until she is ready to leave."
I knew the only thing I could do, was wait. I keep seeing flash backs of me and mom. Mom and I at the movies, mom teaching me how to read, mom teaching me how to ride a bike the memories keep playing, like a movie in my head. All of a sudden, the beeps got faster. Beep, beep, beep, beep. Her eyes flickered, and then opened. “Mom!” I cried. I hugged her until she looked at me funny. She looked at me like I was a stranger.
“Can I help you son?” she questioned softly, being who she is.
“I’m your son, Jake!” she has to remember! What is wrong with her? Maybe she’s just a little groggy. Dr What’s-his-face stormed in. he introduced himself to Mom as he did me. "What’s your name?” he questioned.
“Melinda Jones” she replied.
Theres no point in this! She knows who she is.
“What year is it?”
“1998”
“see she knows!” I told the doctor when I realized what she said. No she’s off by 13 years!
“How old are you?”
“29” she replied confidently.
He went on and on. The only thing she got right, was her name. She still didn’t know who I was. I explained that I was here son . She didn’t believe me. I grabbed a taxi. I had no where to live. I’m only 15 for goodness sakes! I can’ drive, I could live with dad, but he doesn’t want me there. I can’t live by myself!@ What’s going to happen to me? Just like always, I have to depend on adults. Even if they aren’t worthy of my respect.
I Wish I Had Moved To The City, by Halley DeLong 8th Grade
My heart pounded in my chest as I ran faster and faster. I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it: she was getting closer. The pouring rain flooded my eyes with dirt and sweat as I tripped and tumbled down into the river, its icy, rushing water dragging me under, threatening a cold watery death. My female pursuer was still after me, except she had an advantage, a canoe, and she was navigating the rocky river like a pro, weaving in and out of boulders, logs and other obstacles. On the other hand I had nothing. Oh how I wished I had moved to the city, with its twinkling lights, and lack of rivers, but for the moment, I was stuck in the middle of nowhere.
I wondered why I hadn’t thought of the canoe, it was laying right there, just waiting for somebody to jump in and go. Stupid me. But there was no time for that, because my head was suddenly dragged under, the filthy water stinging my eyes, and the taste of salt flooding my mouth.
I looked back at the woman, expecting to see a broken canoe, and an unconscious lady floating down the river behind me, but instead, got the worst surprise of my life, a gun pointed right at my nose. If only I had kept my mouth shut. If only I hadn’t told them everything. If only I hadn’t thought I was safe. I wouldn’t be in this mess.
Thursday, September 1st, I witnessed a violent crime, on my way home from the grocery store (even people living outside of cities need food). Now, I’m not talking about someone getting beat up AND stabbed. Being the idiot I am, I screamed like a five-year-old girl, sprinted toward the police station, and when I got there, I fainted. Yup, me, a 21-year-old man, fainted, yup. I guess I had been followed, because now, five days later, here I was.
“Hello Steven.” She said coolly as I stared deep into her amber eyes. I couldn’t believe how calm she was, sitting upright with perfect balance, her long slender arms effortlessly holding the gun to my head. Her slick black hair was pulled into and almost perfect ponytail, with a few stray hairs floating in the breeze. She had a long pointed nose and thin lips set in a constant sneer.
“Goodbye Steven” she seemed to laugh. I blinked, and saw her trigger finger twitch, then watched the bullet come at me in slow motion, the second it hit me, the lights came on.
“Cut” The director yelled, his cigar wagging to and fro like a conductor’s baton. “From the top” And it happened all over again.
I wondered why I hadn’t thought of the canoe, it was laying right there, just waiting for somebody to jump in and go. Stupid me. But there was no time for that, because my head was suddenly dragged under, the filthy water stinging my eyes, and the taste of salt flooding my mouth.
I looked back at the woman, expecting to see a broken canoe, and an unconscious lady floating down the river behind me, but instead, got the worst surprise of my life, a gun pointed right at my nose. If only I had kept my mouth shut. If only I hadn’t told them everything. If only I hadn’t thought I was safe. I wouldn’t be in this mess.
Thursday, September 1st, I witnessed a violent crime, on my way home from the grocery store (even people living outside of cities need food). Now, I’m not talking about someone getting beat up AND stabbed. Being the idiot I am, I screamed like a five-year-old girl, sprinted toward the police station, and when I got there, I fainted. Yup, me, a 21-year-old man, fainted, yup. I guess I had been followed, because now, five days later, here I was.
“Hello Steven.” She said coolly as I stared deep into her amber eyes. I couldn’t believe how calm she was, sitting upright with perfect balance, her long slender arms effortlessly holding the gun to my head. Her slick black hair was pulled into and almost perfect ponytail, with a few stray hairs floating in the breeze. She had a long pointed nose and thin lips set in a constant sneer.
“Goodbye Steven” she seemed to laugh. I blinked, and saw her trigger finger twitch, then watched the bullet come at me in slow motion, the second it hit me, the lights came on.
“Cut” The director yelled, his cigar wagging to and fro like a conductor’s baton. “From the top” And it happened all over again.
Show Don’t Tell, by Sifora Tek-lab
Heat. Intense Heat. That was the only thing he could feel. A nearby flame licked his arm, sending an unimaginable pain through! He screamed and sobbed on the dark burned floor, desperation in his actions.
“Mommy! Daddy He-elp!!”
His voice was now barely above a whisper. He inhaled a mouthful of smoke and started to cough violently! His eyes started to drift close, sleep, creeping upon him, starting to take him away.
No.
He couldn’t fall asleep now. He wasn’t going to die here. He sat up from the floor, went on his hands and knee’s, and tried crawling on the floor to the window.
“BAMM!!”
A large piece of wood landed inches from his head onto the floor next to him. The house was coming down. He couldn’t think straight, he couldn’t move. He was paralyzed with fear. The little nine-year-old boy was dripping with sweat from the intense heat that filled the air. His clothes darkened with smears of ash coming from the wood that had been consumed by the fire just minutes ago. Smoke seemed to cover every wall, surface, that he tried to look at. Only the window was not covered. There was his chance of survival. He had to make it. He was not going to die. He had his mindset up. He was going to survive. He forced away his fear, still not thinking clearly, but enough to know that he had to get to the window. He crawled almost ten feet and then his arms started to wobble. All of a sudden the world came crashing down as his arms let up and collapsed to the ground with a big, “OOF!” Tears welled in his eyes again. He had gotten so close. Just five feet in front of him was the window, was the way out.
Why am I crying? I’m not going to die.
He grinned. Yah, why was he crying? After this, he was going to get ice cream with mommy and daddy. Ya...today I’m gonna get something different. Maybe we can all share something. Just like when I was younger and we shared that ice cream cone. Just like back then. His eyes started to slowly drift close. This time he accepted it welcomingly. Everything went black. But right before he lost conciseness he heard a voice, fading, but he still heard it.
“Hey, I found the kid! He’s out cold, lets get him ou…”
>>>>>>>>
The air tasted funny. Different..cold. It was like someone was forcing it, making him breathe.
“He’s waking up! He’s regaining conciseness!”
Who was that? Where am I? He opened his eyes and light exploded everywhere! He was in a hallway and the walls seemed to move. Like those movies when all of a sudden you’re sucked into hyperspace, and all the walls around you seem to rush past. He was in a bed too, being pushed. Then he remembered. The fire, the smoke, the heat and flames ready to consume him.
“It’s okay son, you’re gonna be okay.” He was going to be okay. He could see mommy and daddy again. He was going to be okay.
“Mommy! Daddy He-elp!!”
His voice was now barely above a whisper. He inhaled a mouthful of smoke and started to cough violently! His eyes started to drift close, sleep, creeping upon him, starting to take him away.
No.
He couldn’t fall asleep now. He wasn’t going to die here. He sat up from the floor, went on his hands and knee’s, and tried crawling on the floor to the window.
“BAMM!!”
A large piece of wood landed inches from his head onto the floor next to him. The house was coming down. He couldn’t think straight, he couldn’t move. He was paralyzed with fear. The little nine-year-old boy was dripping with sweat from the intense heat that filled the air. His clothes darkened with smears of ash coming from the wood that had been consumed by the fire just minutes ago. Smoke seemed to cover every wall, surface, that he tried to look at. Only the window was not covered. There was his chance of survival. He had to make it. He was not going to die. He had his mindset up. He was going to survive. He forced away his fear, still not thinking clearly, but enough to know that he had to get to the window. He crawled almost ten feet and then his arms started to wobble. All of a sudden the world came crashing down as his arms let up and collapsed to the ground with a big, “OOF!” Tears welled in his eyes again. He had gotten so close. Just five feet in front of him was the window, was the way out.
Why am I crying? I’m not going to die.
He grinned. Yah, why was he crying? After this, he was going to get ice cream with mommy and daddy. Ya...today I’m gonna get something different. Maybe we can all share something. Just like when I was younger and we shared that ice cream cone. Just like back then. His eyes started to slowly drift close. This time he accepted it welcomingly. Everything went black. But right before he lost conciseness he heard a voice, fading, but he still heard it.
“Hey, I found the kid! He’s out cold, lets get him ou…”
>>>>>>>>
The air tasted funny. Different..cold. It was like someone was forcing it, making him breathe.
“He’s waking up! He’s regaining conciseness!”
Who was that? Where am I? He opened his eyes and light exploded everywhere! He was in a hallway and the walls seemed to move. Like those movies when all of a sudden you’re sucked into hyperspace, and all the walls around you seem to rush past. He was in a bed too, being pushed. Then he remembered. The fire, the smoke, the heat and flames ready to consume him.
“It’s okay son, you’re gonna be okay.” He was going to be okay. He could see mommy and daddy again. He was going to be okay.
The Lake, by Kristen Hamel 8th grade
My back was on fire. I could almost feel the sun slowly cooking my back. I should have put on sunscreen. My lungs were dying. If lungs could sweat, mine would be drenched with perspiration. They were getting one heck of a workout. It was one of those days. One I had no patience for. My toes twitched impatiently.
“HURRY UP!”
My voice carried across the water to the dark trees on the other side. I wonder what lives in those trees, just beyond my line of vision. There was a sudden BANG, and Sarah appeared from the cabin, the wooden screen slamming behind her. She raced over to the dock I was standing on. I saw a swimsuit and some blond hair flash by, and she was gone. Only the sudden waves on the surface of the lake showed were she had disappeared.
“EEEEEEK!” Sarah’s head popped up. “C-C-COLD!” she managed to squeak. I laughed.
“Don’t get hypothermia!” I teased.
“I-I-I w-won’t!” she chattered. I snickered.
“C-come on in!” she challenged, a daring look in her eyes. Rolling my eyes, I stood on the edge of the dock and looked down. The surface of the water was no longer smooth from the waves Sarah was making, so I couldn’t make out the rocky bottom. The wood on the dock felt old and battered as I tightened my legs to jump. The dock over-loved by the wilderness. I released the tension of my legs, and I was flying. The cold water waited patiently below me as I was suspended into space. Too soon, I was forced to come down to earth. Stupid gravity. I could stay up here in the sky forever. Gravity, of course, didn’t listen. My cheeks bulged as I filled them with air. My big toe was first, then my feet, then my legs… The world was suddenly clouded. I blinked, but that improved little. It was a beautiful blue. That enough I could tell. The rocks down there seemed to be glowing as the filtered sunlight hit them. The glowing rocks chained to their roots, some seaweed rocked in the eternal dance of the wave. In the murky distance, I could make out a flash of silver. A fish. Living the life of avoiding the fishhooks of fishermen. I had to force myself not to breathe water in my lungs as I took in the beauty of the lake. And the cold. It was like jumping in a pool in wintertime, one memory I’d like to forget. Suddenly, I was in the world of light, color, and air. I erupted from the waves with a shriek.
“C-C-COLD!”
Sarah laughed. “Don’t get hypothermia!”
I smiled at her blond, wet hair still dripping with water. The face of my best friend.
“I-I-I w-won’t.”
“HURRY UP!”
My voice carried across the water to the dark trees on the other side. I wonder what lives in those trees, just beyond my line of vision. There was a sudden BANG, and Sarah appeared from the cabin, the wooden screen slamming behind her. She raced over to the dock I was standing on. I saw a swimsuit and some blond hair flash by, and she was gone. Only the sudden waves on the surface of the lake showed were she had disappeared.
“EEEEEEK!” Sarah’s head popped up. “C-C-COLD!” she managed to squeak. I laughed.
“Don’t get hypothermia!” I teased.
“I-I-I w-won’t!” she chattered. I snickered.
“C-come on in!” she challenged, a daring look in her eyes. Rolling my eyes, I stood on the edge of the dock and looked down. The surface of the water was no longer smooth from the waves Sarah was making, so I couldn’t make out the rocky bottom. The wood on the dock felt old and battered as I tightened my legs to jump. The dock over-loved by the wilderness. I released the tension of my legs, and I was flying. The cold water waited patiently below me as I was suspended into space. Too soon, I was forced to come down to earth. Stupid gravity. I could stay up here in the sky forever. Gravity, of course, didn’t listen. My cheeks bulged as I filled them with air. My big toe was first, then my feet, then my legs… The world was suddenly clouded. I blinked, but that improved little. It was a beautiful blue. That enough I could tell. The rocks down there seemed to be glowing as the filtered sunlight hit them. The glowing rocks chained to their roots, some seaweed rocked in the eternal dance of the wave. In the murky distance, I could make out a flash of silver. A fish. Living the life of avoiding the fishhooks of fishermen. I had to force myself not to breathe water in my lungs as I took in the beauty of the lake. And the cold. It was like jumping in a pool in wintertime, one memory I’d like to forget. Suddenly, I was in the world of light, color, and air. I erupted from the waves with a shriek.
“C-C-COLD!”
Sarah laughed. “Don’t get hypothermia!”
I smiled at her blond, wet hair still dripping with water. The face of my best friend.
“I-I-I w-won’t.”
Burning Into Love. by Jena Moody, 8th grade
Two very different people were walking home on what they thought was an ordinary day. But this day was the farthest from ordinary; this day would change their lives forever. Nicole was walking home from her intense soccer practice. And Michael was walking home from a long day at the ice cream parlor. Due to construction they had to take a different path than they normally did which caused them to have a little run in. Both cautiously stepped through the filthy alley, they looked up and saw each other.
“Hi, I’m Michael,” Michael politely introduced himself. “And you are?”
“Nicole,” she replied.
“Nice to meet you Nicole!” Michael smiled.
Suddenly huge flashes of orange whizzed pass their locked eyes. They saw smoke rising from the building next door. Together they ran out of the alley, they got out just as the corner of the alley caught fire. They entered the Target about a half-mile away from the burning alley. They entered the Target laughing and joking around. Nicole clutched her Nike soccer ball and Michael held his employee hat. They strolled through Target just looking at everything from snacks to video games to even snuggies! They just happily walked together glad to be away from the fire. They made their way over to the jewelry section. They saw many lovely earrings and bracelets. Michael kept asking her what she liked for he wanted to buy her a lovely gift for Valentines Day. He was in luck because Valentines Day was only a few weeks away! Now they were at the necklace and locket section in the jewelry isle.
“Oh I love this locket!” Nicole beamed. “I have one just like it! See?”
She reached for her Grandmother’s locket that hung around her tanned neck. But the locket wasn’t there.
“I think my locket is in the burning alley!” Nicole shrieked. “It’s my Grandmother’s, I need it! It was around my neck in the alley but I don’t have it anymore!”
“Then we have no choice but to go back and get it,” Michael announced trying to calm her down.
They sprinted out of the Target and ran through the warm Florida air for a half-mile until they were at the flaming alley. Michael turned his head towards Nicole’s and locked eyes with her.
“I will go and get your locket,” he told her. “You wait here.”
“No wait!” Nicole called, “you’re risking your life for something that’s mine!”
But it was too late; Michael had already disappeared into the alley. Nicole sat down on some nearby bricks and cried. She was afraid! What if Michael got hurt? What if he didn’t find the precious locket? What if he died? She moaned outside the alley. Suddenly she heard sirens. She whipped her head around to see a big red fire truck speeding towards the alley. The firemen jumped out of the truck and grabbed the hose. Nicole ran over to them.
“My friend went into that alley six minutes ago to find my grandmother’s locket and he didn’t come out!”
The firemen rushed inside the burning alley. Nicole was shaking with fear outside the terrifying flames. Two minutes later, three firemen walked out with Michael in their arms. He lay there dead.
“Oh no! He’s dead!” Nicole screamed her eyes filled with tears and fear.
“He’s not, he’s not!” A fireman tried to calm her. “He’s just unconscious, the smoke filled his lungs. We are taking him to the hospital.”
An ambulance pulled up behind Nicole and the firemen lowered Michael onto the stretcher. Tears rolled down Nicole’s rosy red cheeks. She walked over to the hospital and asked to visit Michael Anderson. The nurse informed her that he wasn’t ready for visitors yet but she can wait and go see him as soon as the doctors gave the ok. Nicole nodded and walked over to a chair in the waiting room. She sat there for what seemed like hours but was really only twenty minutes. Finally a nurse came out and announced that Nicole may go see Michael now. Nicole walked anxiously to room 217 where Michael lay in the bed, he smiled when she entered the room and made eye contact with him. She launches a huge smile back at him. She was so relieved that he would be okay. He broke the eye contact that he had and looked down at his left hand. Nicole’s eyes followed. His hand was clutched together as if he were holding something. Michael uncurled his burnt fingers to show a glowing object. He was holding her Grandmother’s locket! Nicole jumped with joy!
“Let my love be with you wherever you are,” Michael whispered. Just then Nicole leaned down and kissed Michael. As they were kissing, Michael slipped the locket into Nicole’s soft hand. A nurse walked in the room and said that Michael could go home.
“Since nothing was wrong and your lungs were just clogged up with smoke, you can go home. Your body stopped working and made you unconscious because you couldn’t breathe. But since nothing was truly wrong you can go home, I bet your parents are worried about you.” The nurse informed Michael.
Michael lifted himself out of the hospital bed. Nicole and Michael walked out of the hospital together. Nicole decided to walk Michael home. On the way home, Michael got down on one knee.
“Are you okay?” Nicole asked. She was afraid that there was still a little bit of smoke in his lungs.
“Oh yeah, I’m totally cool!” Michael replied. “But, will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes!” Nicole eagerly replied. They continued to walk home together.
Nicole and Michael were high-school sweethearts. They had been dating for five years. One day they were taking a walk on the beach. Michael got down on one knee.
“Are you okay?” Nicole asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
Just then Michael pulled out a box and opened it exposing a beautiful diamond ring.
“Nicole, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Nicole joyfully answered.
Nicole and Michael Anderson had three kids. They lived a very happy life with their kids. And it all started in an old filthy alley.
“Hi, I’m Michael,” Michael politely introduced himself. “And you are?”
“Nicole,” she replied.
“Nice to meet you Nicole!” Michael smiled.
Suddenly huge flashes of orange whizzed pass their locked eyes. They saw smoke rising from the building next door. Together they ran out of the alley, they got out just as the corner of the alley caught fire. They entered the Target about a half-mile away from the burning alley. They entered the Target laughing and joking around. Nicole clutched her Nike soccer ball and Michael held his employee hat. They strolled through Target just looking at everything from snacks to video games to even snuggies! They just happily walked together glad to be away from the fire. They made their way over to the jewelry section. They saw many lovely earrings and bracelets. Michael kept asking her what she liked for he wanted to buy her a lovely gift for Valentines Day. He was in luck because Valentines Day was only a few weeks away! Now they were at the necklace and locket section in the jewelry isle.
“Oh I love this locket!” Nicole beamed. “I have one just like it! See?”
She reached for her Grandmother’s locket that hung around her tanned neck. But the locket wasn’t there.
“I think my locket is in the burning alley!” Nicole shrieked. “It’s my Grandmother’s, I need it! It was around my neck in the alley but I don’t have it anymore!”
“Then we have no choice but to go back and get it,” Michael announced trying to calm her down.
They sprinted out of the Target and ran through the warm Florida air for a half-mile until they were at the flaming alley. Michael turned his head towards Nicole’s and locked eyes with her.
“I will go and get your locket,” he told her. “You wait here.”
“No wait!” Nicole called, “you’re risking your life for something that’s mine!”
But it was too late; Michael had already disappeared into the alley. Nicole sat down on some nearby bricks and cried. She was afraid! What if Michael got hurt? What if he didn’t find the precious locket? What if he died? She moaned outside the alley. Suddenly she heard sirens. She whipped her head around to see a big red fire truck speeding towards the alley. The firemen jumped out of the truck and grabbed the hose. Nicole ran over to them.
“My friend went into that alley six minutes ago to find my grandmother’s locket and he didn’t come out!”
The firemen rushed inside the burning alley. Nicole was shaking with fear outside the terrifying flames. Two minutes later, three firemen walked out with Michael in their arms. He lay there dead.
“Oh no! He’s dead!” Nicole screamed her eyes filled with tears and fear.
“He’s not, he’s not!” A fireman tried to calm her. “He’s just unconscious, the smoke filled his lungs. We are taking him to the hospital.”
An ambulance pulled up behind Nicole and the firemen lowered Michael onto the stretcher. Tears rolled down Nicole’s rosy red cheeks. She walked over to the hospital and asked to visit Michael Anderson. The nurse informed her that he wasn’t ready for visitors yet but she can wait and go see him as soon as the doctors gave the ok. Nicole nodded and walked over to a chair in the waiting room. She sat there for what seemed like hours but was really only twenty minutes. Finally a nurse came out and announced that Nicole may go see Michael now. Nicole walked anxiously to room 217 where Michael lay in the bed, he smiled when she entered the room and made eye contact with him. She launches a huge smile back at him. She was so relieved that he would be okay. He broke the eye contact that he had and looked down at his left hand. Nicole’s eyes followed. His hand was clutched together as if he were holding something. Michael uncurled his burnt fingers to show a glowing object. He was holding her Grandmother’s locket! Nicole jumped with joy!
“Let my love be with you wherever you are,” Michael whispered. Just then Nicole leaned down and kissed Michael. As they were kissing, Michael slipped the locket into Nicole’s soft hand. A nurse walked in the room and said that Michael could go home.
“Since nothing was wrong and your lungs were just clogged up with smoke, you can go home. Your body stopped working and made you unconscious because you couldn’t breathe. But since nothing was truly wrong you can go home, I bet your parents are worried about you.” The nurse informed Michael.
Michael lifted himself out of the hospital bed. Nicole and Michael walked out of the hospital together. Nicole decided to walk Michael home. On the way home, Michael got down on one knee.
“Are you okay?” Nicole asked. She was afraid that there was still a little bit of smoke in his lungs.
“Oh yeah, I’m totally cool!” Michael replied. “But, will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes!” Nicole eagerly replied. They continued to walk home together.
Nicole and Michael were high-school sweethearts. They had been dating for five years. One day they were taking a walk on the beach. Michael got down on one knee.
“Are you okay?” Nicole asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
Just then Michael pulled out a box and opened it exposing a beautiful diamond ring.
“Nicole, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Nicole joyfully answered.
Nicole and Michael Anderson had three kids. They lived a very happy life with their kids. And it all started in an old filthy alley.
THE JOURNEY TO THE DAGGER OF DREAMS, by Dylan Novacek 8th grade
My Heart pounded in my chest, faster and faster I couldn’t look back, they where getting closer and closer. I ran like I have never ran before, threw the Arabian Desert. So hot and so sandy like a never-ending track. They where coming. Unknowingly just straight ahead was I fall on a rock & I bust open my knee. Sand quickly fells the cut. I couldn’t get up or move. I just lied there on the ground, broken, beat, and scarred. I saw 3 faint shadows over my face, I closed my eyes and saw nothing but black. It felt like it was just for a second or two. But when I had opened my eyes again I was in a hospital room, hooked up to an IV with my knee all wrapped up. I slowly get up and look out the window.
Outside I see miles and miles of sand. I was just standing here in a hospital dress. I hear foot steeps in the hallway. Frightened, I open the window and jump out. “Where did he go?!” a man said. “He got away!” said another. “GET HIM!” I have no idea what happened or how I got in the hospital. All I know is, that the Arabian’s want my knowledge of where the dagger of dreams is located. I ran for about a mile, and then I stopped. I feel my head and I realized the men shaved my once blond hair, there where going to operate on me. I know stopping would be a bad idea, but I just couldn’t run any longer. I look up and see a copter in the sky. I didn’t know if it was my team or the Arabians. I ducked down low. I saw a hand wave from the copter . “Lonnie!” I shout. “Its me , Lyn!” His hand goes back into the copter then it came back out with a rock. He threw it at me. POW! Right in the face. I knew just then that I had been tricked. I tried to run but then men on ATVs came roaring by and hit me straight to the ground. From that point on I was screwed. Motionless on the ground. A hurt head and a hurt knee, dehydrated. I knew the info I had would soon be theirs. Before I knew it a man walks off of the ATV and picks me up and throws me on to the back.
I couldn’t let this happen. About 5 min into the ride I jumped off and rolled out. From there I got an epic second wind & once again ran as fast as I could. I jumped into a rock area where they couldn’t find me. I found a hole to hide out in. I stayed there, with out a sound. I herd nothing but the sounds of bugs and the sound of crackling sand. I had been hiding in there for about 2 hours. As the sun set things got cold. At first it was a nice feeling to actually have a cool breeze come by. But it got to the point where it was like I was at home in Alberta, Canada. I closed my eyes and feel asleep. I recall hearing noises that night, of men talking and searching. The thing I recall most was a loud gunshot. I got up and as soon as a man saw me, I got pistol-whipped. I was half asleep and knocked out.
I woke up in a dark room alone, knowing that is was over. I thought of the dagger of dreams. And what it could do. Fight away any demand, it was worth so much money. Plus it looked really cool, HA. The Arabians wanted that dagger. They wanted to use it for domination. They want people to fear them, they wanted to sell it and make millions and use that money as they’re vice on others so they may rule. Yes I know, it is really lame, but around here people will do anything to be the best, to get by. I wanted that dagger for money as well, but also for history. In fact it was rightfully mine. After years and years of research I figured out the location of it. But all of that didn’t matter at all anymore. Here I was in this dark room. As anxious as I was I fell back to sleep. I dreamed of the dagger. How it glowed in the light, the jewel incrusted blades, the feeling of it in your hand. It glowed as if it was a symbol of vanity. Money and dreams. But what will it even matter anyways. Is it really worth dyeing for ? Dying for gold, dying for lust. My shaven head on the floor, my busted bloody right knee, all my pain that I could feel with each and every gasp of air I took.
After sleeping for a while I woke up, still in the same dark room. Nothing has changed. For a moment I felt safe. I thought to myself, “Where am I? Why am I here?” wishing I never came to this place. Vanity kills. As faith would have it something wicked came my way. I herd footsteps. The big doors slowly cracked open, a small glow of light shined into the pitch-black room. A man violently took me by the arm and took me into the next, extremely bright room. My eyes where still adjusting to the light. I allowed them to take me, I had no other choice. I was thrown then tied up to a chain. The Arabians hitting me. I finally lost it. “STOP! STOP! STOP!” I yelled. They did. “If you continue to beat me then how in the world will you get the location of the dagger?” I asked using my amazing whit. “Tell us now.” I mad said. “Well the dagger is-“ the window breaks open. Came in was Lonnie, my partner, jumping in threw the window. Kicking 2 men in the face. Both fall to the ground. 3 men come running towards him. Hitting him in the gut and in the face. But Lonnie blocks one punch and flips over them with style. With his spiked black hair, white teeth, and ugly vest(it worked on him). As the man fell the ground. He unties me. “Nice job, boy scout.” I say to him. I take the chair and hit one man over the head with it. Lonnie goes all out and aggressively beats down several men. I help him, but yet I’m still too weak at the moment. We team up on one guy then we jump out the window. “Lonnie, I can’t run. What should we do?” I ask him. “ATV! Quick lets roll out!” Lonnie says. No one was chasing us. After an action packed 2 days we where finally in the clear.
“Man , what the hell happened?!” Lonnie, extremely mad at me. “I got lost.” I slowly responded. “I told you to stick by me. How did those men find you?” Lonnie’s anger grew. He was the leader of our team. We are a team of archeologists. We where searching for the dagger of dreams. Our team is a team of 5. Lonnie, Jack, Ben, Bud, and me. I got lost on our way there. The Arabian’s saw me and must have knew I was looking for the dagger.
“Dude?!” Lonnie yells. “Sorry, I feel sick. I was walking to the site and the Arabian’s hit me down. They asked who I was, I told them my name was Lyn. They asked why I was here. They where hitting me several times. I got up and ran, they took my bag and saw all this stuff about the dagger of dreams, that’s how they found out . So the chased me down looking for some info.” I explained to Lonnie. “Lyn your weak. Now listen the others are went home, I stayed back to find you. Now we are going to find that dagger!” Lonnie kept yelling. He was like the leader of our team. But I was sick of it.
“Damn it Lonnie! Don’t you get it? Everything happens for a reason. I’m dying out here. And for what? Gold? Money? Power? I have done research for years and I think that is going to be enough to make some money. After my expericance out here I know more about it. I still have maps at home, the stuff they took is nothing.” “We came to far to stop now!” Lonnie said. “For vanity. Don’t you see it kills?” I yell. “I have research at home. Its to hard to go and find the dagger, and we are going to die out here. This is the end of the line!” I tell Lonnie. He stops the ATV. “Why are we stopping here?” I ask. He gets off the ATV and walks forward. “Does this look like something you’ve seen before!” he yells. The tomb of the dagger. I get up and run into the tomb. It was right there out in the open. I take it and run out with it. “YES! YES! We got it! After all these years!” I yell. “It feels good doesn’t it? You have what you wanted. After you just told me how much we don’t need it.” Lonnie says. “Your right man. But I think after years of searching we dissever it. Vanity may kill, but something like this is worth it. If we can make it we can get it.” I tell him and smile. “We better get out of here.” Lonnie says, smiling back. After years of searching we did it. We got on the ATV and went to the airport and went home. We got past the Arabians and did it all. My life was complete.
This goes to show if you want something get it, but you need to think, is it worth it. For our team it was. I know things got wrapped up pretty fast in my tale. But I got to get going. Tonight is my night…
“The winner of the noble peace prize is, Lonnie Buckwelt, Jack Bertleson, Ben Callies, Bud Gibson, and their leader Lyn Venson, for the discovery of the Dagger of Dreams.”
We made it to our dream. The Dagger of Dreams.
Fin…
Outside I see miles and miles of sand. I was just standing here in a hospital dress. I hear foot steeps in the hallway. Frightened, I open the window and jump out. “Where did he go?!” a man said. “He got away!” said another. “GET HIM!” I have no idea what happened or how I got in the hospital. All I know is, that the Arabian’s want my knowledge of where the dagger of dreams is located. I ran for about a mile, and then I stopped. I feel my head and I realized the men shaved my once blond hair, there where going to operate on me. I know stopping would be a bad idea, but I just couldn’t run any longer. I look up and see a copter in the sky. I didn’t know if it was my team or the Arabians. I ducked down low. I saw a hand wave from the copter . “Lonnie!” I shout. “Its me , Lyn!” His hand goes back into the copter then it came back out with a rock. He threw it at me. POW! Right in the face. I knew just then that I had been tricked. I tried to run but then men on ATVs came roaring by and hit me straight to the ground. From that point on I was screwed. Motionless on the ground. A hurt head and a hurt knee, dehydrated. I knew the info I had would soon be theirs. Before I knew it a man walks off of the ATV and picks me up and throws me on to the back.
I couldn’t let this happen. About 5 min into the ride I jumped off and rolled out. From there I got an epic second wind & once again ran as fast as I could. I jumped into a rock area where they couldn’t find me. I found a hole to hide out in. I stayed there, with out a sound. I herd nothing but the sounds of bugs and the sound of crackling sand. I had been hiding in there for about 2 hours. As the sun set things got cold. At first it was a nice feeling to actually have a cool breeze come by. But it got to the point where it was like I was at home in Alberta, Canada. I closed my eyes and feel asleep. I recall hearing noises that night, of men talking and searching. The thing I recall most was a loud gunshot. I got up and as soon as a man saw me, I got pistol-whipped. I was half asleep and knocked out.
I woke up in a dark room alone, knowing that is was over. I thought of the dagger of dreams. And what it could do. Fight away any demand, it was worth so much money. Plus it looked really cool, HA. The Arabians wanted that dagger. They wanted to use it for domination. They want people to fear them, they wanted to sell it and make millions and use that money as they’re vice on others so they may rule. Yes I know, it is really lame, but around here people will do anything to be the best, to get by. I wanted that dagger for money as well, but also for history. In fact it was rightfully mine. After years and years of research I figured out the location of it. But all of that didn’t matter at all anymore. Here I was in this dark room. As anxious as I was I fell back to sleep. I dreamed of the dagger. How it glowed in the light, the jewel incrusted blades, the feeling of it in your hand. It glowed as if it was a symbol of vanity. Money and dreams. But what will it even matter anyways. Is it really worth dyeing for ? Dying for gold, dying for lust. My shaven head on the floor, my busted bloody right knee, all my pain that I could feel with each and every gasp of air I took.
After sleeping for a while I woke up, still in the same dark room. Nothing has changed. For a moment I felt safe. I thought to myself, “Where am I? Why am I here?” wishing I never came to this place. Vanity kills. As faith would have it something wicked came my way. I herd footsteps. The big doors slowly cracked open, a small glow of light shined into the pitch-black room. A man violently took me by the arm and took me into the next, extremely bright room. My eyes where still adjusting to the light. I allowed them to take me, I had no other choice. I was thrown then tied up to a chain. The Arabians hitting me. I finally lost it. “STOP! STOP! STOP!” I yelled. They did. “If you continue to beat me then how in the world will you get the location of the dagger?” I asked using my amazing whit. “Tell us now.” I mad said. “Well the dagger is-“ the window breaks open. Came in was Lonnie, my partner, jumping in threw the window. Kicking 2 men in the face. Both fall to the ground. 3 men come running towards him. Hitting him in the gut and in the face. But Lonnie blocks one punch and flips over them with style. With his spiked black hair, white teeth, and ugly vest(it worked on him). As the man fell the ground. He unties me. “Nice job, boy scout.” I say to him. I take the chair and hit one man over the head with it. Lonnie goes all out and aggressively beats down several men. I help him, but yet I’m still too weak at the moment. We team up on one guy then we jump out the window. “Lonnie, I can’t run. What should we do?” I ask him. “ATV! Quick lets roll out!” Lonnie says. No one was chasing us. After an action packed 2 days we where finally in the clear.
“Man , what the hell happened?!” Lonnie, extremely mad at me. “I got lost.” I slowly responded. “I told you to stick by me. How did those men find you?” Lonnie’s anger grew. He was the leader of our team. We are a team of archeologists. We where searching for the dagger of dreams. Our team is a team of 5. Lonnie, Jack, Ben, Bud, and me. I got lost on our way there. The Arabian’s saw me and must have knew I was looking for the dagger.
“Dude?!” Lonnie yells. “Sorry, I feel sick. I was walking to the site and the Arabian’s hit me down. They asked who I was, I told them my name was Lyn. They asked why I was here. They where hitting me several times. I got up and ran, they took my bag and saw all this stuff about the dagger of dreams, that’s how they found out . So the chased me down looking for some info.” I explained to Lonnie. “Lyn your weak. Now listen the others are went home, I stayed back to find you. Now we are going to find that dagger!” Lonnie kept yelling. He was like the leader of our team. But I was sick of it.
“Damn it Lonnie! Don’t you get it? Everything happens for a reason. I’m dying out here. And for what? Gold? Money? Power? I have done research for years and I think that is going to be enough to make some money. After my expericance out here I know more about it. I still have maps at home, the stuff they took is nothing.” “We came to far to stop now!” Lonnie said. “For vanity. Don’t you see it kills?” I yell. “I have research at home. Its to hard to go and find the dagger, and we are going to die out here. This is the end of the line!” I tell Lonnie. He stops the ATV. “Why are we stopping here?” I ask. He gets off the ATV and walks forward. “Does this look like something you’ve seen before!” he yells. The tomb of the dagger. I get up and run into the tomb. It was right there out in the open. I take it and run out with it. “YES! YES! We got it! After all these years!” I yell. “It feels good doesn’t it? You have what you wanted. After you just told me how much we don’t need it.” Lonnie says. “Your right man. But I think after years of searching we dissever it. Vanity may kill, but something like this is worth it. If we can make it we can get it.” I tell him and smile. “We better get out of here.” Lonnie says, smiling back. After years of searching we did it. We got on the ATV and went to the airport and went home. We got past the Arabians and did it all. My life was complete.
This goes to show if you want something get it, but you need to think, is it worth it. For our team it was. I know things got wrapped up pretty fast in my tale. But I got to get going. Tonight is my night…
“The winner of the noble peace prize is, Lonnie Buckwelt, Jack Bertleson, Ben Callies, Bud Gibson, and their leader Lyn Venson, for the discovery of the Dagger of Dreams.”
We made it to our dream. The Dagger of Dreams.
Fin…
The Chase, by Robyn Wegleitner 8th grade
My heart pounded in my chest as I ran faster and faster I couldn’t look back. I knew he was getting closer. I knew I had to get away. But how? It was a rainy, hot, Monday afternoon in southern Florida. I kept tripping over root and ditches as I ran through the forest. Just keep running I repeatedly was telling my self. You can do it. I was starting to get tired and my breathing was coming very fast and I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep running this fast much longer. I needed to find a place to stop. That’s when I found a little cottage up ahead. It looked as if it was 100 years old. I was made of thousands of different colored grey stones. It was open so I made my way inside to hide for a little bit and catch my breath. I herd his footsteps get close. I was sure my breathing was loud enough that he would here it, but he ran past the little cottage. I herd his foot steps get very loud and I knew he was by the door but they kept going and gradually got softer and softer. I let out a huge sigh of relief. I knew I couldn’t stay here forever. It was getting dark and I needed to find my way out of this forest before dark because who knew what would be lurking in the shadows of the thick woods at night. I crawled to the door and opened it just a crack to make sure he wasn’t out there. The coast was clear so I got up and went to start running again. I had been running for about 20 minutes when I knew I needed a rest. I stopped by a giant bright green palm tree. I must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing I remember is that awful morning that this chase started. My dad left my mom when I was very young. Like only 1 or 2 years old. But he’s not the reason my mom’s ex-boyfriend is chasing me. Jeff and my mom had been dating for about 2 months when she found out he was a criminal. I had always guessed this because he had a tattoo of a knife on his arm and was always wearing dirty ripped up clothes and grease stained shirts. My mom thought he was wonderful until she found out he had abused all of his three ex-wives. She didn’t want him around me so one day while he was off at his mysterious daytime activities she changed all the locks and threw all of his stuff in the front yard. When she saw him approach the house she had me go to my room. Even in my room I could here him yelling from outside. My mom and me went on with our lives that night until he eventually left. The next morning was a typical morning, no sign of Jeff. I walked to school like every other day. By the time I saw him there standing on the side walk right in from of my school it was to late. He grabbed my arm. “ It’s all your fault your mom left me,” he hissed in my ear. “ She didn’t want some criminal by her precious little girl.” But I knew this was a lie. The real reason my mom left his is because she was terrified of Jeff. I could see it in her eyes every time he was near. She was afraid he would hurt her like he did his last three wives. I felt his grip loosen a tinny bit and I knew this is when I had to get away. I pulled so quickly and so hard that he was startled and let go. I ran into the woods by my school with him still following me. I woke up from the dream expecting it to be a nightmare and my mom was down stairs yelling at me to get up for school. But it wasn’t a dream. I was panting hard and still leaning by the tree when I heard his nasty snake like voice calling my name.” May, I know you’re around here” Jeff called. I jumped to my feet and sprinted toward the lightest part of the forest hoping it would lead me to an opening where I could call the police. I passed the last tree of the forest and came to a small little city. I looked at the sign that showed the name of this city. It said I was in Halim, Florida. This couldn’t be right. I lived in Miami Florida. I haven't even heard of Halim. How long have I been running I asked my self, and which way was I running? North? East? I needed to find a police station to call my mom. It was 5:00 she would be worried. I should’ve been home having dinner in our little light blue corner house. I felt arms grab me. I knew it was him. I didn’t even have to look. I smelt his awful fish like order and I wondered what my mom ever saw in him. I screamed, ”help” as loud as I could hoping someone would here me. Everything else happened so fast it felt like someone pushed the fast-forward button on the remote that controlled my life. Someone must’ve herd me because a police car came around the corner and another one came from behind me and more came on all sides of Jeff and me. Jeff was cornered. Police officers hopped out of the car and ran towards me. Jeff was so shocked that he just let go of me and I fell tom the ground. Before I even got back up he was in hand cuffs and police officers where all around me asking if I was all right. Then my mom stepped out of a police car. She ran and hugged me and told me that when I didn’t come home from school, she automatically knew Jeff had me. They had police officers all over southern Florida looking for him. Jeff got put in jail for life and my mom promised me she would never date a guy again that I didn’t approve of.
The Locket, by Andrew Mikulski 8th grade
Two very different people were walking home on what they thought was an ordinary day. Michael had closed up the ice cream shop as usual and headed home. On the other side of town Nicole, the school soccer star, had just finished a grueling practice and was on her way home as well. Normally the two never crossed paths on the way home but today was different. Some of the roads were under construction so Michael decided to take the alley. Nicole had the same problem and came up with the same solution. They ended up meeting on accident. When the met they introduced themselves
“Hi I’m Michael.” He said
“I’m Nicole.” She replied
They hit it off right away. They continued to talk for a while. Michael and Nicole talked about everything. They talked about sports, school, and almost everything else they could think of. After talking for a while Michael started to smell something funny.
“It smells like smoke.” Michael said with a hint of worry in his voice.
“Yeah your right it does smell like smoke.” Replied Nicole equally worried.
They looked at the buildings around them and that’s when they saw it. The building behind them and to there left had smoke pouring out of it into the alley, it had a faint orange glow.
“We should get out of here.” Nicole said anxiously.
“Yeah lets go.” Said Michael.
Michael grabbed Nicole’s arm and they ran out of the smoke filled alley together. Once they had reached the safety of the street they turned around to see the building engulfed in flames. As they watched the building burn Nicole’s face turned pale white and she said
“I left my backpack with my grandmothers locket inside in the alley”
“Wait here ill be right back, he ran and disappeared into a wall of smoke.
Right then Nicole realized that Michael was one of the most amazing people she had ever met. It felt like hours before the fire trucks arrived at the scene. Nicole had started to get very worried that Michael had not yet exited the burning alley. One of the firemen came over and asked her if anyone was inside. She nodded her head and started to cry.
Nicole stood there with her tears running down her face, as everything seemed as though it were happening in slow motion. She could faintly hear the sounds of the firemen yelling, and the sirens of the nearby trucks blaring. That was when she saw them. Nicole watched as two firemen carried a limp body out of the alley and she knew instantly that it was Michael. She sprinted towards where the firemen and EMT’s were working together to load him onto a stretcher, but before she could get there she felt the arm of one of the firemen reach out and stop her. The firemen held her tightly as she screamed and cried while the ambulance pulled away.
Nicole visited Michael everyday she could while he was in the hospital. When Michael first woke up he could feel someone holding his hand and when he gained the strength to open his eyes he did and he saw Nicole asleep in a chair pulled up to his bed. It looked as though she had been crying for days. He gave her hand a little squeeze and she quickly sat up, screamed, and cried but this time, they were tears of joy not sadness. Both Michael and Nicole had the same thought that morning in the hospital; they both knew that they wanted to be together forever. The next day when Nicole came to the hospital to see him, he was holding something in his hand. He smiled as she entered the room and motioned her over to his bed. When she got there he told her to bend over, when she did he reached up and put something around her neck. It took Nicole a little while to figure out what it was but then she realized, it was the locket. She pulled it of her head and looked at it. The locket was golden in color but now instead of being shiny it was duller and was charred from the fire. Nicole was too happy to care about the minor imperfections of the locket because she knew that Michael had risked his life saving this for her. Nicole bent down and whispered
“I love you.” Into Michael’s ear
“I love you too.” Michael replied
Nicole thought to herself
“I am the happiest girl in the world.”
And she continued visiting him in the hospital until he had recovered.
From then on they did everything together. Five years later they got married. Nicole still wears that locket everyday so she can be reminded of the happiest day of her life, only now inside the slightly charred, dull gold heart of the locket, there is a small picture of Michael and Nicole.
“Hi I’m Michael.” He said
“I’m Nicole.” She replied
They hit it off right away. They continued to talk for a while. Michael and Nicole talked about everything. They talked about sports, school, and almost everything else they could think of. After talking for a while Michael started to smell something funny.
“It smells like smoke.” Michael said with a hint of worry in his voice.
“Yeah your right it does smell like smoke.” Replied Nicole equally worried.
They looked at the buildings around them and that’s when they saw it. The building behind them and to there left had smoke pouring out of it into the alley, it had a faint orange glow.
“We should get out of here.” Nicole said anxiously.
“Yeah lets go.” Said Michael.
Michael grabbed Nicole’s arm and they ran out of the smoke filled alley together. Once they had reached the safety of the street they turned around to see the building engulfed in flames. As they watched the building burn Nicole’s face turned pale white and she said
“I left my backpack with my grandmothers locket inside in the alley”
“Wait here ill be right back, he ran and disappeared into a wall of smoke.
Right then Nicole realized that Michael was one of the most amazing people she had ever met. It felt like hours before the fire trucks arrived at the scene. Nicole had started to get very worried that Michael had not yet exited the burning alley. One of the firemen came over and asked her if anyone was inside. She nodded her head and started to cry.
Nicole stood there with her tears running down her face, as everything seemed as though it were happening in slow motion. She could faintly hear the sounds of the firemen yelling, and the sirens of the nearby trucks blaring. That was when she saw them. Nicole watched as two firemen carried a limp body out of the alley and she knew instantly that it was Michael. She sprinted towards where the firemen and EMT’s were working together to load him onto a stretcher, but before she could get there she felt the arm of one of the firemen reach out and stop her. The firemen held her tightly as she screamed and cried while the ambulance pulled away.
Nicole visited Michael everyday she could while he was in the hospital. When Michael first woke up he could feel someone holding his hand and when he gained the strength to open his eyes he did and he saw Nicole asleep in a chair pulled up to his bed. It looked as though she had been crying for days. He gave her hand a little squeeze and she quickly sat up, screamed, and cried but this time, they were tears of joy not sadness. Both Michael and Nicole had the same thought that morning in the hospital; they both knew that they wanted to be together forever. The next day when Nicole came to the hospital to see him, he was holding something in his hand. He smiled as she entered the room and motioned her over to his bed. When she got there he told her to bend over, when she did he reached up and put something around her neck. It took Nicole a little while to figure out what it was but then she realized, it was the locket. She pulled it of her head and looked at it. The locket was golden in color but now instead of being shiny it was duller and was charred from the fire. Nicole was too happy to care about the minor imperfections of the locket because she knew that Michael had risked his life saving this for her. Nicole bent down and whispered
“I love you.” Into Michael’s ear
“I love you too.” Michael replied
Nicole thought to herself
“I am the happiest girl in the world.”
And she continued visiting him in the hospital until he had recovered.
From then on they did everything together. Five years later they got married. Nicole still wears that locket everyday so she can be reminded of the happiest day of her life, only now inside the slightly charred, dull gold heart of the locket, there is a small picture of Michael and Nicole.
Monster of a Mother, By Elise Stepka 8th Grade
My heart pounded in my chest as I ran faster and faster. I couldn’t go back, there was no doubt about that. He was getting closer.
My mind flashed back to the darkened New York City alley. I had heard someone scream and saw the figure fall. I ran over to see what happened. As I got closer I saw something lying on the ground. I looked down to see a woman writhing in pain. Blood was streaming from her head. “Tell Will.. Will Johnson…. I love him.” She whispered. Without another word, she closed her eyes, and stopped breathing. “Hello?” I asked cautiously. “Wake up!” I screamed. I was horrified. Who is she? Why did she jump off that building? I reached in my pocket for cell phone. MY fingers were milli-seconds away from dialing 9-1-1. “Oh my gosh!” a woman gasped. A man came running after her. I jumped into the dumpster so they wouldn’t see me. “Tony! Tony you can’t tell anyone!” she whispered. “It wasn’t my fault!” The man Tony replied in a low baritone voice, “I’m sure it wasn’t but what happened? What are we going to tell the police?” The woman walked closer to the dumpster and then turned around. “No! You don’t understand! It wasn’t my fault! I just meant to scare her! I didn’t mean to push her out the window!” As she walked closer, I saw her face. It wasn’t just any woman, it was my mother! Mom’s face was now streaming with tears. She walked over to the man, and kissed his cheek. How does she know him? She hasn’t had a boyfriend since dad left her 15 years ago. “I didn’t mean to kill her!” she whispered again. The world stopped. My own mother? The one who wouldn’t kill the spider in my room? The vegetarian? A murderer? I couldn’t take this anymore. As I tried to sneak out, the trash beneath me crumpled and rustled. “Who’s there?” asked the deep voice. That’s when I ran. My feet were a blur beneath me, exactly like m mind felt. All these years I thought I knew her and now she’s killed someone? I have to turn her in! Wait no I can’t, she’s my MOM! Some mom she is. I ran past a group of giggling girls wearing extremely short dresses. As I past them, I saw I only had two choices. Let the gigantic, strong, huge man catch me, or…. I sprinted past the security guard and made my way through the crowded dance floor. I had gotten away. Or so I thought.
I made it to the back door, my hand hovering over the doorknob. I felt a hand on my shoulder. There was Tony. He looked Italian, very handsome, and incredibly strong. He had me by the t-shirt and yanked me outside. He dropped me on the curb and stood over me. “Who are you?” he demanded. “I am Samantha Smith,” I replied trying to sound confident. “Jenny’s daughter?” he questioned, his face softened. “How do you know my mother?” I asked. “None of your business. I’ll do the questioning here,” He snapped. He grabbed me by the t-shirt yet again. “Ow! That hurts!” I whined. He ignored me. Hoping that someone would hear me. No ne did. He broke open the window to a moving van. The keys were in the ignition. What a coincidence. Somehow, he had found duck tape. He bound my hands together, behind my back. My feet were next. After he did so, he wrapped tape around my mouth. “Have a nice trip! We are going to be in here a while.” With that he shut the door and I heard it lock. I found a key hidden under the old couch, and tried it on the door. It opened. When we came to a stoplight, I jumped. I’ve been on the run, ever since.
My mind flashed back to the darkened New York City alley. I had heard someone scream and saw the figure fall. I ran over to see what happened. As I got closer I saw something lying on the ground. I looked down to see a woman writhing in pain. Blood was streaming from her head. “Tell Will.. Will Johnson…. I love him.” She whispered. Without another word, she closed her eyes, and stopped breathing. “Hello?” I asked cautiously. “Wake up!” I screamed. I was horrified. Who is she? Why did she jump off that building? I reached in my pocket for cell phone. MY fingers were milli-seconds away from dialing 9-1-1. “Oh my gosh!” a woman gasped. A man came running after her. I jumped into the dumpster so they wouldn’t see me. “Tony! Tony you can’t tell anyone!” she whispered. “It wasn’t my fault!” The man Tony replied in a low baritone voice, “I’m sure it wasn’t but what happened? What are we going to tell the police?” The woman walked closer to the dumpster and then turned around. “No! You don’t understand! It wasn’t my fault! I just meant to scare her! I didn’t mean to push her out the window!” As she walked closer, I saw her face. It wasn’t just any woman, it was my mother! Mom’s face was now streaming with tears. She walked over to the man, and kissed his cheek. How does she know him? She hasn’t had a boyfriend since dad left her 15 years ago. “I didn’t mean to kill her!” she whispered again. The world stopped. My own mother? The one who wouldn’t kill the spider in my room? The vegetarian? A murderer? I couldn’t take this anymore. As I tried to sneak out, the trash beneath me crumpled and rustled. “Who’s there?” asked the deep voice. That’s when I ran. My feet were a blur beneath me, exactly like m mind felt. All these years I thought I knew her and now she’s killed someone? I have to turn her in! Wait no I can’t, she’s my MOM! Some mom she is. I ran past a group of giggling girls wearing extremely short dresses. As I past them, I saw I only had two choices. Let the gigantic, strong, huge man catch me, or…. I sprinted past the security guard and made my way through the crowded dance floor. I had gotten away. Or so I thought.
I made it to the back door, my hand hovering over the doorknob. I felt a hand on my shoulder. There was Tony. He looked Italian, very handsome, and incredibly strong. He had me by the t-shirt and yanked me outside. He dropped me on the curb and stood over me. “Who are you?” he demanded. “I am Samantha Smith,” I replied trying to sound confident. “Jenny’s daughter?” he questioned, his face softened. “How do you know my mother?” I asked. “None of your business. I’ll do the questioning here,” He snapped. He grabbed me by the t-shirt yet again. “Ow! That hurts!” I whined. He ignored me. Hoping that someone would hear me. No ne did. He broke open the window to a moving van. The keys were in the ignition. What a coincidence. Somehow, he had found duck tape. He bound my hands together, behind my back. My feet were next. After he did so, he wrapped tape around my mouth. “Have a nice trip! We are going to be in here a while.” With that he shut the door and I heard it lock. I found a key hidden under the old couch, and tried it on the door. It opened. When we came to a stoplight, I jumped. I’ve been on the run, ever since.
Runaway Bride, by Caroline Berg, 8th grade
My heart pounded in my chest as I ran faster and faster. I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it. He was getting closer. Maybe I wanted him to. I wasn’t sure of anything at this point. My white-as-snow heels scraped against the concrete, and it was all I could do not to knock down every other New Yorker, bustling around outside of the Plaza Hotel. I struggled to remember what happened. I know I was walking into the church, and I saw him in there. Then, I got scared, and the next thing I knew I was running down what could have been the longest flight of stairs I have ever seen in my life, eager for a cab to arrive to take me anywhere but where I was. I’d left them all waiting. My family, his family...and, it was all because of my stupid, senseless cold feet.
I was almost oblivious to when he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace, but I felt safe there, and I didn’t want to leave. I couldn’t clear my mind. I just stood there, in the middle of Time Square, sobbing onto him and his rented suit. I could hear nothing but his voice, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Was it? Did he realize that I had just left him at the altar? Did he realize I had just voluntarily fled a room full of people who matter most to me? How could he?
“We don’t have to get married,” his lips brushing on my ear.
“I love you,” was all I managed to choke out.
“I know,” he smiled. I needed to explain.
“I shouldn’t have gone. It was stupid. I want to marry you, it’s just I felt…”
He shut me up with a kiss. That did the trick.
I was almost oblivious to when he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace, but I felt safe there, and I didn’t want to leave. I couldn’t clear my mind. I just stood there, in the middle of Time Square, sobbing onto him and his rented suit. I could hear nothing but his voice, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Was it? Did he realize that I had just left him at the altar? Did he realize I had just voluntarily fled a room full of people who matter most to me? How could he?
“We don’t have to get married,” his lips brushing on my ear.
“I love you,” was all I managed to choke out.
“I know,” he smiled. I needed to explain.
“I shouldn’t have gone. It was stupid. I want to marry you, it’s just I felt…”
He shut me up with a kiss. That did the trick.
Park O’ Death Nicole Bichsel 6th grade
“…And now I have no job!” Adam sobbed. “They fired me over $5.00 of bubble gum. After 10 minutes of crying his eyes out Adam heard the crunching of leaves outside.
Like a frightened little girl he called for his mom, but no one replied.
He stood up wiped his eyes and tip toed to the door .He slowly creaked it open. Then he out of the shadows he saw a tall skinny figure much like himself, walking into the graveyard.
He slowly followed behind. When he saw it was a kid younger than him he shouted, “who goes there?”
The frightened kid shouts back “Hunter Daniel”. Then turns around and spots Adam.
“Hey there Hunter, I’m Adam. Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“Not if you quit.”
“Hey I quit too, up top.” As Adam goes up for a high five Hunter just stares.
“Um, lets go to the park and talk first.” Adam suggested.
“Fine whatever,” shrugged Hunter.
Once they start swinging and talking, they notice the other swings also starting to swing.
Then they hear an ear-damaging scream from the graveyard.
They start to run and scream like eight year old girls.
Right when they’re about to escape a ten-foot tall wall pops up and smacks Adam right smack in the face While Hunter just stands there laughing his head off.
Just beyond the wall they heard the opening of coffins that haven’t been touched in years. Then out of nowhere a translucent priest type figure is floating before them. He beckons in a strong authoritive voice “ findith the sword, it is your only way to destiny. Attack My Minions!”
Then the zombies of the under world start creaking slowly toward Adam and Hunter.
After seeing and hearing their fate both of them fall over and faint.
Right when a zombie was about to rip their faces of Adam wakes up and his cowardness saved them. Because when he saw the boney figure coming toward his face he freaked out and punched his had off.
He quickly woke up hunter and they jumped up ready to fight.
They knew they couldn’t take on the zombie army, but there was no other choice.
Then Hunter remembered they needed the sword.
HE left Adam and told him to “hold on your own while he looks for the sword.”
Adam despised this idea but there was no other choice.
HE remembered he had the bubble gum. So using his quick chewing skills and chewed and moistened the gum enough to make a whip.
Using the whip he was tearing apart everything in sight. Nothing could get past the Adam machine.
As Adam was being full of himself Hunter was furiously looking for the sword.
All of a sudden something hit him literally an apple fell from the tree and hit him.
He looked up and saw the glowing most beautiful sword he’d ever seen, not that he has seen many sword before.
Hunter not having much experience with climbing climbed the tree so fast you’d think he’d been doing it his whole life.
It took him only 10 minutes to climb 2 feet. Finally when he reached the top, luckily it was a short tree, he grabbed the sword and heroically jumped down from the tree. He didn’t know what to do with it though. So he oddly asks Adam “What do I do with the sword?”
“I don’t know maybe help me defeat these things!” Adam scolds.
“Fine whatever.” Exclaimed Hunter.
There’s one problem with their plan. To escape they have to stab the wall with the sword.
Hunter sarcastically remarks, “I feel like I’m on one of those lame sitcoms.”
“How can you be thinking like that at a time like this?”
“Whatever” replies Hunter.
After a while of fighting Hunter says” I wish these zombies were tougher.”
Right then and there all the zombies form together to make one big zombie.
Adam smacks Hunter across the face, “thanks a lot now it is going to be a whole lot harder to defeat them.”
“Well sorry I was just sharing my opinion.” Hunter defends
“Well your opinion is stupid!” Adam replies
“I have an idea, duck and cover.” Hunter commands.
“Why?” Adam remarks.
“Just do what I say!” Shouts Adam.
Adam ducks down and mutters a quick prayer.
Hunter chucks the sword across the park to the gigantic zombie. Then ducks down and starts praying with Adam.
The sword completely missing the zombie but slamming the other side of the wall. The zombie moving quickly tries to get to Hunter and Adam to get the slightest bit of flesh. Right when he’s about to touch Adam and Hunter he disappears into thin air.
Adam and Hunter still praying look up and find everything back to normal.
They both let out a long sigh of relief.
“What a day.” Says Adam
“Yeah, and some people were at school learning.” Replies Hunter.
“What losers.” Remarks Adam.
“I know right.” Says Hunter.
“I can’t wait to write this in my diary.” Says Adam.
“You have a diary?” Asks Hunter.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” Replies Adam.
“No not at all.” Says Hunter sarcastically.
“So you want to go get some coffee?” Asks Hunter.
“Sure, and some bubble gum.” Replies Adam.
“Whatever.” Says Hunter.
Adam and Hunter casually walk off the park, this time aware of a ten-foot walls.
Nicole Bichsel
Like a frightened little girl he called for his mom, but no one replied.
He stood up wiped his eyes and tip toed to the door .He slowly creaked it open. Then he out of the shadows he saw a tall skinny figure much like himself, walking into the graveyard.
He slowly followed behind. When he saw it was a kid younger than him he shouted, “who goes there?”
The frightened kid shouts back “Hunter Daniel”. Then turns around and spots Adam.
“Hey there Hunter, I’m Adam. Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“Not if you quit.”
“Hey I quit too, up top.” As Adam goes up for a high five Hunter just stares.
“Um, lets go to the park and talk first.” Adam suggested.
“Fine whatever,” shrugged Hunter.
Once they start swinging and talking, they notice the other swings also starting to swing.
Then they hear an ear-damaging scream from the graveyard.
They start to run and scream like eight year old girls.
Right when they’re about to escape a ten-foot tall wall pops up and smacks Adam right smack in the face While Hunter just stands there laughing his head off.
Just beyond the wall they heard the opening of coffins that haven’t been touched in years. Then out of nowhere a translucent priest type figure is floating before them. He beckons in a strong authoritive voice “ findith the sword, it is your only way to destiny. Attack My Minions!”
Then the zombies of the under world start creaking slowly toward Adam and Hunter.
After seeing and hearing their fate both of them fall over and faint.
Right when a zombie was about to rip their faces of Adam wakes up and his cowardness saved them. Because when he saw the boney figure coming toward his face he freaked out and punched his had off.
He quickly woke up hunter and they jumped up ready to fight.
They knew they couldn’t take on the zombie army, but there was no other choice.
Then Hunter remembered they needed the sword.
HE left Adam and told him to “hold on your own while he looks for the sword.”
Adam despised this idea but there was no other choice.
HE remembered he had the bubble gum. So using his quick chewing skills and chewed and moistened the gum enough to make a whip.
Using the whip he was tearing apart everything in sight. Nothing could get past the Adam machine.
As Adam was being full of himself Hunter was furiously looking for the sword.
All of a sudden something hit him literally an apple fell from the tree and hit him.
He looked up and saw the glowing most beautiful sword he’d ever seen, not that he has seen many sword before.
Hunter not having much experience with climbing climbed the tree so fast you’d think he’d been doing it his whole life.
It took him only 10 minutes to climb 2 feet. Finally when he reached the top, luckily it was a short tree, he grabbed the sword and heroically jumped down from the tree. He didn’t know what to do with it though. So he oddly asks Adam “What do I do with the sword?”
“I don’t know maybe help me defeat these things!” Adam scolds.
“Fine whatever.” Exclaimed Hunter.
There’s one problem with their plan. To escape they have to stab the wall with the sword.
Hunter sarcastically remarks, “I feel like I’m on one of those lame sitcoms.”
“How can you be thinking like that at a time like this?”
“Whatever” replies Hunter.
After a while of fighting Hunter says” I wish these zombies were tougher.”
Right then and there all the zombies form together to make one big zombie.
Adam smacks Hunter across the face, “thanks a lot now it is going to be a whole lot harder to defeat them.”
“Well sorry I was just sharing my opinion.” Hunter defends
“Well your opinion is stupid!” Adam replies
“I have an idea, duck and cover.” Hunter commands.
“Why?” Adam remarks.
“Just do what I say!” Shouts Adam.
Adam ducks down and mutters a quick prayer.
Hunter chucks the sword across the park to the gigantic zombie. Then ducks down and starts praying with Adam.
The sword completely missing the zombie but slamming the other side of the wall. The zombie moving quickly tries to get to Hunter and Adam to get the slightest bit of flesh. Right when he’s about to touch Adam and Hunter he disappears into thin air.
Adam and Hunter still praying look up and find everything back to normal.
They both let out a long sigh of relief.
“What a day.” Says Adam
“Yeah, and some people were at school learning.” Replies Hunter.
“What losers.” Remarks Adam.
“I know right.” Says Hunter.
“I can’t wait to write this in my diary.” Says Adam.
“You have a diary?” Asks Hunter.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” Replies Adam.
“No not at all.” Says Hunter sarcastically.
“So you want to go get some coffee?” Asks Hunter.
“Sure, and some bubble gum.” Replies Adam.
“Whatever.” Says Hunter.
Adam and Hunter casually walk off the park, this time aware of a ten-foot walls.
Nicole Bichsel
Circus Me, By: Hannah Dettmer, Ms.Bartl, Grade 6
Be honest, who would expect a homeless girl to retire at age 11. I did. But I’m not what you would call ordinary. I’ll tell you something then we’ll see what you think. My parents died a year after I was born so I was raised in an orphanage. Then I ran away from there at age 6. After living in hiding for a year I joined the local circus and was taught the tight rope at age 7.
Then yet again I ran away (or ‘retired’) at age 13. Now hear I am roaming the dirty streets of Manhattan.
I run down the alley and zoom into my favorite ice cream shop: Rockin’ Rowley’s ice cream parlor. Right as I’m about to jump up to the counter I slam into someone who I’m pretty sure is a lot bigger than me because I’ve got a pretty good look at her feet. They’re enormous. I slowly look up and stare at a pretty blonde-haired girl with eyes kind of like mine.
Anna
I just slammed into this small girl who has short jet-black hair and scared green eyes. Her face is all dirty and her clothes are much too small.
“Hi,” I say helping her up. She looks like I just punched her or something. She’s scared. I realize then she must be homeless. She has to be. Don’t ask me why I said this. I don’t know.
“Are you homeless?” I ask stupidly. Her eyes grow real wide and she runs.
I open the door to my large house and step inside calling. “Mom!” I yell, “Mom!”
“What?” She huffs coming down the stairs. “I was right in the middle if my exercises!”
“Oh, well sorry but I just met this little girl on the street that’s probably about my age and I think she’s homeless!”
“Well honey there are a lot of those people around. Its just part of life.”
“No mom this isn’t some bum who steals things this is a real innocent girl!” I yelled
She just shakes her head and walks away. I walk glumly outside not being able to quite enjoy spring at it’s fullness. The flowers in full blossom the smell of sweet earth. I stalk restlessly to the orphanage to hand out the daily bread. One of my many chores. I feel sorry for all those little girls out there who are treated so badly. It makes me sad.
Riana
All day every day I stay in my house if you could even call it a house. More precisely it’s an old refrigerator box. I think. Then everything happens so fast I have no time to think. A gnarled hand clenches my slim shoulder and drags me with such surprising strength I’m knocked of guard. All I can do is wiggle. I’m thrown roughly into the back of a familiar truck. “She’s the one Gad we’ve got her.” We start moving and wa la I’m on my way to the same orphanage I ran away from.
When the horrid car comes to a stop I’m marched into the stone house, up some stairs and into a room that I have to think is my bedroom. Wooden beds line the peeling, bare walls and hard uneven wood covers the floor. Little dirty faces stare at me. I am more alone than ever.
Anna
I run to the orphanage to get the boring chore out of the way and start silently out the rations of bread to the muddy children. I stop short. There was the little girl. The girl I had seen at the ice cream parlor more dirty than ever with a small name tag slapped on her chest reading: Riana
Riana
I sit miserably on my bed when I’m not made to eat or go for a walk. I prefer to be alone these days.
I wake up one morning in my hard wooden bed and the everyday dread of being here washes over me. But something is terribly wrong. I can’t see a thing and my body wouldn’t listen to me. I try to get up but a spurt of pain so terrible rockets through my entire body and sends me screaming. The girls look at me in fright and one sprints from the room I hope to get a professor. I’m laid on a quickly made stretcher and hurried out of the room to a waiting ambulance where I’m loaded into the back. Mrs. McCarty looks at me with pretend sympathy. I really do hate her. I lose track of time and black out.
I open my eyes not seeing well at all. I’m on an I.V. and three doctors whisper urgently nearby.
Anna
I hand out the bread today again and this time the girl Riana isn’t present. Never a good sign. I ask Mrs. Sacridge and she tells me devastating news: Riana is in the hospital.
Riana
Everyday is worse. I can see no longer, I’m getting weaker and weaker and I can’t move. The doctors reassure me but I hear them when they think they’re out of earshot. I catch words like “Typhus-“ and “fading” and “typhoid” and I know I am dying.
…To be continued…
Then yet again I ran away (or ‘retired’) at age 13. Now hear I am roaming the dirty streets of Manhattan.
I run down the alley and zoom into my favorite ice cream shop: Rockin’ Rowley’s ice cream parlor. Right as I’m about to jump up to the counter I slam into someone who I’m pretty sure is a lot bigger than me because I’ve got a pretty good look at her feet. They’re enormous. I slowly look up and stare at a pretty blonde-haired girl with eyes kind of like mine.
Anna
I just slammed into this small girl who has short jet-black hair and scared green eyes. Her face is all dirty and her clothes are much too small.
“Hi,” I say helping her up. She looks like I just punched her or something. She’s scared. I realize then she must be homeless. She has to be. Don’t ask me why I said this. I don’t know.
“Are you homeless?” I ask stupidly. Her eyes grow real wide and she runs.
I open the door to my large house and step inside calling. “Mom!” I yell, “Mom!”
“What?” She huffs coming down the stairs. “I was right in the middle if my exercises!”
“Oh, well sorry but I just met this little girl on the street that’s probably about my age and I think she’s homeless!”
“Well honey there are a lot of those people around. Its just part of life.”
“No mom this isn’t some bum who steals things this is a real innocent girl!” I yelled
She just shakes her head and walks away. I walk glumly outside not being able to quite enjoy spring at it’s fullness. The flowers in full blossom the smell of sweet earth. I stalk restlessly to the orphanage to hand out the daily bread. One of my many chores. I feel sorry for all those little girls out there who are treated so badly. It makes me sad.
Riana
All day every day I stay in my house if you could even call it a house. More precisely it’s an old refrigerator box. I think. Then everything happens so fast I have no time to think. A gnarled hand clenches my slim shoulder and drags me with such surprising strength I’m knocked of guard. All I can do is wiggle. I’m thrown roughly into the back of a familiar truck. “She’s the one Gad we’ve got her.” We start moving and wa la I’m on my way to the same orphanage I ran away from.
When the horrid car comes to a stop I’m marched into the stone house, up some stairs and into a room that I have to think is my bedroom. Wooden beds line the peeling, bare walls and hard uneven wood covers the floor. Little dirty faces stare at me. I am more alone than ever.
Anna
I run to the orphanage to get the boring chore out of the way and start silently out the rations of bread to the muddy children. I stop short. There was the little girl. The girl I had seen at the ice cream parlor more dirty than ever with a small name tag slapped on her chest reading: Riana
Riana
I sit miserably on my bed when I’m not made to eat or go for a walk. I prefer to be alone these days.
I wake up one morning in my hard wooden bed and the everyday dread of being here washes over me. But something is terribly wrong. I can’t see a thing and my body wouldn’t listen to me. I try to get up but a spurt of pain so terrible rockets through my entire body and sends me screaming. The girls look at me in fright and one sprints from the room I hope to get a professor. I’m laid on a quickly made stretcher and hurried out of the room to a waiting ambulance where I’m loaded into the back. Mrs. McCarty looks at me with pretend sympathy. I really do hate her. I lose track of time and black out.
I open my eyes not seeing well at all. I’m on an I.V. and three doctors whisper urgently nearby.
Anna
I hand out the bread today again and this time the girl Riana isn’t present. Never a good sign. I ask Mrs. Sacridge and she tells me devastating news: Riana is in the hospital.
Riana
Everyday is worse. I can see no longer, I’m getting weaker and weaker and I can’t move. The doctors reassure me but I hear them when they think they’re out of earshot. I catch words like “Typhus-“ and “fading” and “typhoid” and I know I am dying.
…To be continued…
A Dollar Can Go Very Far By Katie Moynihan, 6th Grade
My name is Katherine Valoe. I’m fifteen years old, and I love mysteries. Little did I know that I was going to be in one. That was the day things would go wrong.
I was walking home from school, minding my own business, when I find a dollar on the ground. I struck luck today. I picked up, just like any other kid would. Now I have money for a candy bar. Man I was hungry.
Then I realized, this wasn’t a regular dollar bill, this was a hundred dollar bill! But what I didn’t know was that this type of bill has never been released to the public.
I shoved the bill in my backpack, and quickly walked home. But it felt like someone was watching me. Maybe even someone following me. I never turned round because, I imagine things way to often. But my mother said the strangest thing when I got home, and I got nervous.
“Who’s your friend out there?” she asked. It sounded like I was five.
“Mom,” I said. Really responding to the sound of her voice. “Wait, what friends?”
“I don’t know, kids with ages 25-40 years.” she replied.
Kids, she calls everyone kids, and it was starting to embarrass me. But that wasn’t what was bugging me now.
“Mom, I didn’t have anyone follow me home on purpose,” I said in a real quiet, shaky voice.
Maybe they were following me, but why? I didn’t do anything different today. I had math band, Spanish, English, art. I did all my normal things today.
“Katherine, it’s ok, maybe they were just moving a long down the same street as you,” Mom said in a calm firm voice. “Did you do anything different today?”
“I was thinking that myself…”
I stopped in mid-sentence. I know what they’re after. My luck of the hundred dollar bill has now turned into the most dangerous escape of my life.
***
“Mom,” I said. “Something weird did happen today.”
“What was it sweetheart?” She asked. I couldn’t believe how calm she was.
I told her my story. From the end of school, until I got home. Afterward, her face went white. I thought she was a ghost.
“Sweetie,” She said. Her voice was really shaky. “Before you got home, I was watching the news while I was cleaning.” She took a deep breath. “I heard that someone stole the brand new, not even released yet, one hundred dollar bill.”
I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even think straight. This is just really scary.
“Mom, what should I do,” I asked. I was about to faint from fright. One time I took someone else’s flute, but it was easy to fix. “Should I give it to the bank, send it back to he White House, or what? Should I even do anything? I’m glad my dad wasn’t home yet, or he would be bouncing off the walls.
“I don’t know,” She answered. “But I think we should hold on to it, and see if we can get to the bottom of this mystery.” I sat back in my seat, eyes closed. Why would this happen to me? My life already gets difficult enough.
I started to cry. What else should I do? The only thing is that it makes me feel so young.
“So we’re going to e like detectives?” I asked my mom still sniffling.
“I guess, but we don’t have the outfits,” Mom said. “So I guess we are detectives. And you must tell l nobody about our assignment. Where do you think we should start first?”
I thought for a moment, trying to think of where we should start.
“I think we should start asking people around the docks, and people in the shops,” I said wisely.
“Ok,” she answered. “Oh no, I almost forgot. Katherine, I have to stay here and keep cleaning. Maybe you can take Maddie with you.
“Sure mom,”
Maddie is my best friend. After I called her and told her the story, she ran all the way over here and was ready to go.
“Alright,” she said. “Let’s get a move on.
***
When we got to the docks, we started asking everyone that would listen if they had seen something strange today. We got no clues, information, or leads. It was very disappointing. Especially since this is a big problem.
“I think we should go to all the shops, and ask the employees if they saw anything.” I answered, sounding much like a professional. “And see if they have any footage of the last four hours or so. Wait Maddie, when was the bill stolen?”
“I think it was on the news. And according to the news, they said it was late last night. Around one a.m.”
We walked into a gift shop, and luckily there was no line, so I went over to the clerk. I asked her some questions, and then asked her if they had a security camera, and if we could take a look at it.
“Sorry,” she replied, smacking gum that could be heard all the way across town. “Employees only. Next!”
And with that, we headed out the door, and went to the next shop. This was a jewelry shop. They have to have security cameras. I went through the same procedure, and we still couldn’t look at the cameras. They didn’t give us any leads either.
Maddie and I went along every sore on the street for at least an hour, if not more.
Well, every shop except Little Joey’s. Little Joey’s was an old trade shop that needed a repaint 25 years ago. Everything form pluming to wall paint was wrong in that place.
“I don’t think they have security cameras,” Maddie whispered in my ear.
“Well if not, someone might have something that will help,” I said sounding reasonable.
We went into the little shack and looked around. There was everything from radios to cards to tables.
“Wow,” Maddie replied as we went in the store. “You can find anything antique you want in here.
We heard a guy snoozing behind the front desk. He was a man about 65 years old, and was clean.
“Umm, excuse me sir,” I whispered, trying to wake the man up. “Sir, excuse me.”
“Huh? Oh, hello there! What can I help you with?”
“Hi,” Maddie said sweetly. “Are you the owner?”
“Have been for the last 40 years, and hope to stay for many more.” Said as I presume, “Little” Joey.
“Great,” I said. Trying to het to why we were even here. “We were here to ask you if you saw anything strange today.”
“Well, I see a lot of strange things, everyday\y.
But this morning, or late afternoon I saw 5 people around 30-40 years old run into my shop and asked if I sold frames. Then they asked if I had frames the sixe of a dollar bill.” Joey paused. “I haven’t had someone in the need of that size since 1974. Then…”
“Wait, Maddie do you have paper and a pencil,” I asked.
“Yeah why?”
She said, taking the notepad and pencil from her back pocket.
“I need you to take notes,” I said. “What did these men look like?”
“Well, hey all looked similar. Like they were related. Brown hair, green eyes, one of them had a long nose. And they were all wearing black sweatshirts and sweatpants.”
“Thank you sir, I mean Joey. This is the information we needed.” I was about to do a happy dance, but I stopped myself. “Do you know where they went after they came here?”
“I don’t know much, all I heard them say was that this place had little value. That way they would be safe. He finished looking sad. “I wish I had more to hive you.”
“It’s ok, and thanks, you helped us a lot.”
“Glad to help.” Joey said, and then disappeared behind his desk.
***
Maddie, think, Where is a place with little value to most people?”
“True, let’s start there!”
I exclaimed.
We ran to the school, and searched it from head-to-toe. I thought she would be right. The school seems to be the only thing that would work.
(to be continued…)
I was walking home from school, minding my own business, when I find a dollar on the ground. I struck luck today. I picked up, just like any other kid would. Now I have money for a candy bar. Man I was hungry.
Then I realized, this wasn’t a regular dollar bill, this was a hundred dollar bill! But what I didn’t know was that this type of bill has never been released to the public.
I shoved the bill in my backpack, and quickly walked home. But it felt like someone was watching me. Maybe even someone following me. I never turned round because, I imagine things way to often. But my mother said the strangest thing when I got home, and I got nervous.
“Who’s your friend out there?” she asked. It sounded like I was five.
“Mom,” I said. Really responding to the sound of her voice. “Wait, what friends?”
“I don’t know, kids with ages 25-40 years.” she replied.
Kids, she calls everyone kids, and it was starting to embarrass me. But that wasn’t what was bugging me now.
“Mom, I didn’t have anyone follow me home on purpose,” I said in a real quiet, shaky voice.
Maybe they were following me, but why? I didn’t do anything different today. I had math band, Spanish, English, art. I did all my normal things today.
“Katherine, it’s ok, maybe they were just moving a long down the same street as you,” Mom said in a calm firm voice. “Did you do anything different today?”
“I was thinking that myself…”
I stopped in mid-sentence. I know what they’re after. My luck of the hundred dollar bill has now turned into the most dangerous escape of my life.
***
“Mom,” I said. “Something weird did happen today.”
“What was it sweetheart?” She asked. I couldn’t believe how calm she was.
I told her my story. From the end of school, until I got home. Afterward, her face went white. I thought she was a ghost.
“Sweetie,” She said. Her voice was really shaky. “Before you got home, I was watching the news while I was cleaning.” She took a deep breath. “I heard that someone stole the brand new, not even released yet, one hundred dollar bill.”
I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even think straight. This is just really scary.
“Mom, what should I do,” I asked. I was about to faint from fright. One time I took someone else’s flute, but it was easy to fix. “Should I give it to the bank, send it back to he White House, or what? Should I even do anything? I’m glad my dad wasn’t home yet, or he would be bouncing off the walls.
“I don’t know,” She answered. “But I think we should hold on to it, and see if we can get to the bottom of this mystery.” I sat back in my seat, eyes closed. Why would this happen to me? My life already gets difficult enough.
I started to cry. What else should I do? The only thing is that it makes me feel so young.
“So we’re going to e like detectives?” I asked my mom still sniffling.
“I guess, but we don’t have the outfits,” Mom said. “So I guess we are detectives. And you must tell l nobody about our assignment. Where do you think we should start first?”
I thought for a moment, trying to think of where we should start.
“I think we should start asking people around the docks, and people in the shops,” I said wisely.
“Ok,” she answered. “Oh no, I almost forgot. Katherine, I have to stay here and keep cleaning. Maybe you can take Maddie with you.
“Sure mom,”
Maddie is my best friend. After I called her and told her the story, she ran all the way over here and was ready to go.
“Alright,” she said. “Let’s get a move on.
***
When we got to the docks, we started asking everyone that would listen if they had seen something strange today. We got no clues, information, or leads. It was very disappointing. Especially since this is a big problem.
“I think we should go to all the shops, and ask the employees if they saw anything.” I answered, sounding much like a professional. “And see if they have any footage of the last four hours or so. Wait Maddie, when was the bill stolen?”
“I think it was on the news. And according to the news, they said it was late last night. Around one a.m.”
We walked into a gift shop, and luckily there was no line, so I went over to the clerk. I asked her some questions, and then asked her if they had a security camera, and if we could take a look at it.
“Sorry,” she replied, smacking gum that could be heard all the way across town. “Employees only. Next!”
And with that, we headed out the door, and went to the next shop. This was a jewelry shop. They have to have security cameras. I went through the same procedure, and we still couldn’t look at the cameras. They didn’t give us any leads either.
Maddie and I went along every sore on the street for at least an hour, if not more.
Well, every shop except Little Joey’s. Little Joey’s was an old trade shop that needed a repaint 25 years ago. Everything form pluming to wall paint was wrong in that place.
“I don’t think they have security cameras,” Maddie whispered in my ear.
“Well if not, someone might have something that will help,” I said sounding reasonable.
We went into the little shack and looked around. There was everything from radios to cards to tables.
“Wow,” Maddie replied as we went in the store. “You can find anything antique you want in here.
We heard a guy snoozing behind the front desk. He was a man about 65 years old, and was clean.
“Umm, excuse me sir,” I whispered, trying to wake the man up. “Sir, excuse me.”
“Huh? Oh, hello there! What can I help you with?”
“Hi,” Maddie said sweetly. “Are you the owner?”
“Have been for the last 40 years, and hope to stay for many more.” Said as I presume, “Little” Joey.
“Great,” I said. Trying to het to why we were even here. “We were here to ask you if you saw anything strange today.”
“Well, I see a lot of strange things, everyday\y.
But this morning, or late afternoon I saw 5 people around 30-40 years old run into my shop and asked if I sold frames. Then they asked if I had frames the sixe of a dollar bill.” Joey paused. “I haven’t had someone in the need of that size since 1974. Then…”
“Wait, Maddie do you have paper and a pencil,” I asked.
“Yeah why?”
She said, taking the notepad and pencil from her back pocket.
“I need you to take notes,” I said. “What did these men look like?”
“Well, hey all looked similar. Like they were related. Brown hair, green eyes, one of them had a long nose. And they were all wearing black sweatshirts and sweatpants.”
“Thank you sir, I mean Joey. This is the information we needed.” I was about to do a happy dance, but I stopped myself. “Do you know where they went after they came here?”
“I don’t know much, all I heard them say was that this place had little value. That way they would be safe. He finished looking sad. “I wish I had more to hive you.”
“It’s ok, and thanks, you helped us a lot.”
“Glad to help.” Joey said, and then disappeared behind his desk.
***
Maddie, think, Where is a place with little value to most people?”
“True, let’s start there!”
I exclaimed.
We ran to the school, and searched it from head-to-toe. I thought she would be right. The school seems to be the only thing that would work.
(to be continued…)
It's gonna be O.K., by Jessica Davis, sixth grade
Jessica Davis 3/19/09 It’s gonna be ok
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it. It was getting closer. I looked back.
“AWWWWW!” I wailed as the bell rang to come inside from recess.
“Well I guess I can start a new game tomorrow.” I thought aloud. I leaped from the rocks in line to where my entire class was lined up.
“your late, again.” Mrs. Anderson scolded me.
“sorry I was playing a game.” I atemped to convince Mrs. Anderson , but she didn’t buy it.
“well class, let’s head inside.” Mrs. Anderson said in a angry tone, while glaring at me. I shrugged my solders. Mrs. Anderson looked away and led the class inside. The entire class glared at me as if in agreement with Mrs. Anderson.
“C’mon guys.” I pleaded
“I was just playing a game.” I tried to explain to my class but like Mrs. Anderson they didn’t understand.
“Well I guess not everyone understands me.” I whispered under my breath.
I walked into class with my shoulders slumped. But Mrs. Anderson didn’t seem t notice. So we started working in math. I just couldn’t sit still, I didn’t understand what we were doing. The teacher stepped outside with another teacher. I could over hear what they were saying. They were talking about me and my problems. Did I have problems? I questioned myself. I couldn’t take it anymore. I got out of my chair and ran to the doorway.
“what did I do that was so wrong?” I Screamed at the teachers.
“How come your talking about me.” I questioned the teachers.
“Well honey, we just want you to get the help you need, that’s all.” Mrs. Anderson tried to explain to me.
“I need help?” I asked Mrs. Anderson
“Well everyone needs help sometimes.” Mrs. Anderson explained.
“So I didn’t do anything wrong?” I asked Mrs. Anderson.
“No, you just need help. That’s all.” Mrs. Anderson replied in a soothing voice, much different than the voice she used earlier. I walked back into the classroom and sat in my seat.
Before I knew it the day was over. Once I got off the bus I ran towards my house surprised to see that the door was open.
“Mom why are you home?” I asked confused
“I got a call from school. They want us to have you checked out for ADHD.” My mom replied sadly.
“whats that?” I wondered aloud
“ It’s when little*-*e kids just can’t sit still. So we are going to go to the doctor this evening, ok honey?” I just walked away. I climbed the stairs to my room and fell asleep. About an hour later my mom called me downstairs.
“were going to the doctor now.” My mom explained. I yawned and nodded. I sleeply stepped into the car and fell asleep again. Once we got to the doctors officethe doctor proudly greeted us. I am guessing he was trying to make us feel as comfortable as possible because the prediciment we were in wasn’t a comfortable one at all.
“Hello. I’m Dr. Green.” Dr. Green handed me a
picture book to look at while he stepped outside to talk with my mom. I smelled the sterile smell of latex fill the room. I continued to look at the picture book. Soon after I heard the door creak open, it was my mom and the doctor who appered. The doctor hooked me up to a lot of tubes and cords.
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it. It was getting closer. I looked back.
“AWWWWW!” I wailed as the bell rang to come inside from recess.
“Well I guess I can start a new game tomorrow.” I thought aloud. I leaped from the rocks in line to where my entire class was lined up.
“your late, again.” Mrs. Anderson scolded me.
“sorry I was playing a game.” I atemped to convince Mrs. Anderson , but she didn’t buy it.
“well class, let’s head inside.” Mrs. Anderson said in a angry tone, while glaring at me. I shrugged my solders. Mrs. Anderson looked away and led the class inside. The entire class glared at me as if in agreement with Mrs. Anderson.
“C’mon guys.” I pleaded
“I was just playing a game.” I tried to explain to my class but like Mrs. Anderson they didn’t understand.
“Well I guess not everyone understands me.” I whispered under my breath.
I walked into class with my shoulders slumped. But Mrs. Anderson didn’t seem t notice. So we started working in math. I just couldn’t sit still, I didn’t understand what we were doing. The teacher stepped outside with another teacher. I could over hear what they were saying. They were talking about me and my problems. Did I have problems? I questioned myself. I couldn’t take it anymore. I got out of my chair and ran to the doorway.
“what did I do that was so wrong?” I Screamed at the teachers.
“How come your talking about me.” I questioned the teachers.
“Well honey, we just want you to get the help you need, that’s all.” Mrs. Anderson tried to explain to me.
“I need help?” I asked Mrs. Anderson
“Well everyone needs help sometimes.” Mrs. Anderson explained.
“So I didn’t do anything wrong?” I asked Mrs. Anderson.
“No, you just need help. That’s all.” Mrs. Anderson replied in a soothing voice, much different than the voice she used earlier. I walked back into the classroom and sat in my seat.
Before I knew it the day was over. Once I got off the bus I ran towards my house surprised to see that the door was open.
“Mom why are you home?” I asked confused
“I got a call from school. They want us to have you checked out for ADHD.” My mom replied sadly.
“whats that?” I wondered aloud
“ It’s when little*-*e kids just can’t sit still. So we are going to go to the doctor this evening, ok honey?” I just walked away. I climbed the stairs to my room and fell asleep. About an hour later my mom called me downstairs.
“were going to the doctor now.” My mom explained. I yawned and nodded. I sleeply stepped into the car and fell asleep again. Once we got to the doctors officethe doctor proudly greeted us. I am guessing he was trying to make us feel as comfortable as possible because the prediciment we were in wasn’t a comfortable one at all.
“Hello. I’m Dr. Green.” Dr. Green handed me a
picture book to look at while he stepped outside to talk with my mom. I smelled the sterile smell of latex fill the room. I continued to look at the picture book. Soon after I heard the door creak open, it was my mom and the doctor who appered. The doctor hooked me up to a lot of tubes and cords.
Slide, by Irina Berman, 6th Grade
“ Can we go again?” I yell back at my mom. We walked slowly up the rickety stairs. When we reached the top of the pink slide, looked down into the dark tunnel. Half exhilarated, half scared. The roar of happy voices tuned out, it was just the slide and I. I had an urge to spin around and run back down the rickety stairs. But I didn’t, I plopped down on the double raft. The raft felt wet, and almost sticky from the rubber, I felt as if I would pop it if I sat down. My mom sat behind me, I sat in the front. We were both sitting down facing the Deeping slide. The lifeguard said, “1,2,3… go!” He then pushed us down. With a jolt, we started the deep and winding journey. I screamed and laughed. The dark slide twisted and turned, it was very long and narrow. The water around us swished, I loved the feeling of moving side to side. Then I could see alight at the end of the slide, it made an opening. A few lifeguards waited for us to be pushed out. I was so excited, I laughed, and I leaned back on my mom giggling. We were tossed out of the slide. I felt a force pulling at me. Like arms pulling me down. My body weakened and dropped. My braids floated upward. My body seemed to let itself go. I didn’t move my arms or legs. I couldn’t, it was all so fast.
I felt hands on my arms and legs, they felt real this time. They pulled me up to the surface. I breathed and spit out water. “Had I drowned?” my brother and my mom and two other lifeguards were there. I couldn’t breath, I was spitting uncontrollably. I sat up, hiccupping, and scared. “What happened?” I asked in short breaths. Nobody seemed to know. I searched through my brain but I couldn’t see to find it either. The roar of happy kids surrounded me. I didn’t feel that way, I feel sad…. And scared.
I felt hands on my arms and legs, they felt real this time. They pulled me up to the surface. I breathed and spit out water. “Had I drowned?” my brother and my mom and two other lifeguards were there. I couldn’t breath, I was spitting uncontrollably. I sat up, hiccupping, and scared. “What happened?” I asked in short breaths. Nobody seemed to know. I searched through my brain but I couldn’t see to find it either. The roar of happy kids surrounded me. I didn’t feel that way, I feel sad…. And scared.
THE BRIDE TO BE. By: Alexei Askvig, Grade:6
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it they were realizing I was hear.
I speed walked down the street whith my body screaming and shrieking for me to slow down or stop. I new I couldn’t they were almost on to me, they could smell my presents and they could taste my soul. I have only 1 suggestion for my self in the future…never make a deal with the devil.
He’s coming my mined shrieks! He’s coming to get you! You know he doesn’t like it when you “forget” to pay up.
I know I whisper almost silently, but if you don’t mined I’m running for our life so unless you want to come out hear and run for me then you can be quiet for at least a half an hour.
Just as a I finish talking I run in to something big and hard and in new York that can only mean 1 of 3 things. #1. You ran in to a wall.
#2. A car just hit you.
#3. (For me) You just ran in to Merin.
“Hello sweet cheeks. I just love how easy this has gotten. Did you miss me?”
“Hello Merin. No I really didn’t miss you but I did miss Damien.” I say sarcastically. “He’ll like that wont he?”
‘Why don’t you ask him your self?”
“You know I would love to but mmmmm, I’m just not feeling the love tonight.”
“Now, now Ever you should know by now that Damien loves it when his food is feisty.”
“Fine I’ll fill the order for your majesty tonight but then he’ll ether keep me forever or let me free.”(Not that I love him or anything but I’d rather just stay cus actually he’s got a pretty nice house.)
“Well it’s your lucky day cus that’s why I was sent to get you Damien’s planning you wedding for tomorrow and he thought the bride should help. So come on now, your majesty, your chariot awaits.”
Sitting behind Merin was a long stretch limo, for me. (Even though he’s bad and all Damien really knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.)
“Merin I’m going to have to decline that offer.”
And with out another word I sprinted down the streets of New York with merin in tow.
Yes,yes,yes, I can see It now my home away from, well the streets.
I jump into the long dark tunnel and slam the concrete door shut.
“That should keep him out, well at least till he gets the power drill.”
“Ginger, Miles! Come here! Merin is gone and Damien is some where that’s, well not hear.”
“Ever! I thought you were gone forever this time.”
“No, no Ginger I would never just leave you like that! Speaking of not coming back where is Miles?”
“OH! I forgot, Miles has a surprise for you, come on flow me.”
As we walked down the tunnel my mined was racing with a thought that may be I should not be here but I shook that pretty quickly.
“Ginger turn on the lights.”
When the lights were turned on I screamed. In one corner Miles was tied to a chair, in the other Merin was standing with Damien.
I stutter and Damien says. “Ask Ginger.”
“Sorry.” She said with a big smile.
“Good night my bride to be.” And that was the last thing I hered before a bag and bat were brought down over my head. (To be continued)
I speed walked down the street whith my body screaming and shrieking for me to slow down or stop. I new I couldn’t they were almost on to me, they could smell my presents and they could taste my soul. I have only 1 suggestion for my self in the future…never make a deal with the devil.
He’s coming my mined shrieks! He’s coming to get you! You know he doesn’t like it when you “forget” to pay up.
I know I whisper almost silently, but if you don’t mined I’m running for our life so unless you want to come out hear and run for me then you can be quiet for at least a half an hour.
Just as a I finish talking I run in to something big and hard and in new York that can only mean 1 of 3 things. #1. You ran in to a wall.
#2. A car just hit you.
#3. (For me) You just ran in to Merin.
“Hello sweet cheeks. I just love how easy this has gotten. Did you miss me?”
“Hello Merin. No I really didn’t miss you but I did miss Damien.” I say sarcastically. “He’ll like that wont he?”
‘Why don’t you ask him your self?”
“You know I would love to but mmmmm, I’m just not feeling the love tonight.”
“Now, now Ever you should know by now that Damien loves it when his food is feisty.”
“Fine I’ll fill the order for your majesty tonight but then he’ll ether keep me forever or let me free.”(Not that I love him or anything but I’d rather just stay cus actually he’s got a pretty nice house.)
“Well it’s your lucky day cus that’s why I was sent to get you Damien’s planning you wedding for tomorrow and he thought the bride should help. So come on now, your majesty, your chariot awaits.”
Sitting behind Merin was a long stretch limo, for me. (Even though he’s bad and all Damien really knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.)
“Merin I’m going to have to decline that offer.”
And with out another word I sprinted down the streets of New York with merin in tow.
Yes,yes,yes, I can see It now my home away from, well the streets.
I jump into the long dark tunnel and slam the concrete door shut.
“That should keep him out, well at least till he gets the power drill.”
“Ginger, Miles! Come here! Merin is gone and Damien is some where that’s, well not hear.”
“Ever! I thought you were gone forever this time.”
“No, no Ginger I would never just leave you like that! Speaking of not coming back where is Miles?”
“OH! I forgot, Miles has a surprise for you, come on flow me.”
As we walked down the tunnel my mined was racing with a thought that may be I should not be here but I shook that pretty quickly.
“Ginger turn on the lights.”
When the lights were turned on I screamed. In one corner Miles was tied to a chair, in the other Merin was standing with Damien.
I stutter and Damien says. “Ask Ginger.”
“Sorry.” She said with a big smile.
“Good night my bride to be.” And that was the last thing I hered before a bag and bat were brought down over my head. (To be continued)
Saving The Park By: Natalie Wijesinghe, Grade: 6
“I’m sorry, he’s not going to make it, the wound is just too deep.” The moment the words came out of the doctors mouth, I knew. My heart, and soul had been ripped out of me, until there was nothing left just me, Emily Hanson. My mom hugged me, but nothing could take away the pain. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, and then everything seemed to go blank.
A week later we were unpacking boxes into our new apartment. It felt weird not having my dad say, “Go and help your mom upstairs Emily.” Or “Look at you carrying all those boxes.” But I knew he wasn’t gone for every night I would talk to him, before bed.
“Goodnight Dad” I said. Setting the picture facedown.
I opened my eyes. “Emily wake up sweetie” my mom said. “You don’t want to be late for your first day of school.” Oh joy, I thought. I got up ate breakfast. Brushed my teeth and went to the bus stop.
When I got there I noticed everyone was in groups. I was scared, but walked up to one group, and said “Hi, I’m Emily Hanson.”
One of the girls turned. “Well look it’s the new girl trying to fit in.” She said smugly. Her friends laughed. That made upset, but I forced myself to shake it off. I went over to another girl standing alone. “Hi, I’m Emily” I tried. The girl didn’t say anything.
In what seemed like forever the bus came. I got on and sat alone. I missed my best friend; we always sat on the bus together. Unfortunately, I cannot say school went much better. Each time I tried to talk to someone, they would say something mean. My heart had been ripped out all over again.
As soon as the bell rang, I ran out school, not caring where I went, when I noticed an old park. I went over and sat on a swing. Letting my tears pour out. Then I heard footsteps, I turned. My teacher, Ms. Williams stood behind me. “Hi Emily.” She said.
“Hi” I replied sulkily.
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything I said.”
“ Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Well I’ll tell you something.” She said. “When I was a little girl, my dad died in war, I know how you feel.”
All of a sudden I cracked. “It’s just so hard, my mom is working to jobs, my dad died, and nobody is even nice to me.”
Ms. Williams hugged me. “You can always talk to me when you need someone.” She said
“Thanks” I replied. Then some construction workers came.
“You girls should move the said we are doing some measurements.” One of them said.
“Why?” I asked.
“We are demolishing this place to put a mall here, you should leave now.”
On the way home, Ms. Williams said she had been playing there since she was a kid. We made a plan to protest, and ask the kids at school to help.
But the kids refused. The girls wanted a place to shop. And the boys wanted a place to ‘Hang out.’
I went home felling like a failure. I had let Ms. Williams down. Then I got an idea. I rushed home and asked my mom if she could ask the people at her work to meet at the park for a protest tomorrow at 3:00.
The next day after school Ms. Williams and I rushed to the park. You would not believe how many people were there. Some were holding signs, or starting chants. It was the best day of my life, since Dad died. The protest worked. And the park was saved.
A week later we were unpacking boxes into our new apartment. It felt weird not having my dad say, “Go and help your mom upstairs Emily.” Or “Look at you carrying all those boxes.” But I knew he wasn’t gone for every night I would talk to him, before bed.
“Goodnight Dad” I said. Setting the picture facedown.
I opened my eyes. “Emily wake up sweetie” my mom said. “You don’t want to be late for your first day of school.” Oh joy, I thought. I got up ate breakfast. Brushed my teeth and went to the bus stop.
When I got there I noticed everyone was in groups. I was scared, but walked up to one group, and said “Hi, I’m Emily Hanson.”
One of the girls turned. “Well look it’s the new girl trying to fit in.” She said smugly. Her friends laughed. That made upset, but I forced myself to shake it off. I went over to another girl standing alone. “Hi, I’m Emily” I tried. The girl didn’t say anything.
In what seemed like forever the bus came. I got on and sat alone. I missed my best friend; we always sat on the bus together. Unfortunately, I cannot say school went much better. Each time I tried to talk to someone, they would say something mean. My heart had been ripped out all over again.
As soon as the bell rang, I ran out school, not caring where I went, when I noticed an old park. I went over and sat on a swing. Letting my tears pour out. Then I heard footsteps, I turned. My teacher, Ms. Williams stood behind me. “Hi Emily.” She said.
“Hi” I replied sulkily.
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything I said.”
“ Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Well I’ll tell you something.” She said. “When I was a little girl, my dad died in war, I know how you feel.”
All of a sudden I cracked. “It’s just so hard, my mom is working to jobs, my dad died, and nobody is even nice to me.”
Ms. Williams hugged me. “You can always talk to me when you need someone.” She said
“Thanks” I replied. Then some construction workers came.
“You girls should move the said we are doing some measurements.” One of them said.
“Why?” I asked.
“We are demolishing this place to put a mall here, you should leave now.”
On the way home, Ms. Williams said she had been playing there since she was a kid. We made a plan to protest, and ask the kids at school to help.
But the kids refused. The girls wanted a place to shop. And the boys wanted a place to ‘Hang out.’
I went home felling like a failure. I had let Ms. Williams down. Then I got an idea. I rushed home and asked my mom if she could ask the people at her work to meet at the park for a protest tomorrow at 3:00.
The next day after school Ms. Williams and I rushed to the park. You would not believe how many people were there. Some were holding signs, or starting chants. It was the best day of my life, since Dad died. The protest worked. And the park was saved.
A Dark Capture By Hannah Rumon Grade 6
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it, it was getting closer. I turned the corner of the elegant Paris shops, hoping to get away from it. I got a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. It was more beautiful than I ever imagined.
I wanted to look at it in more detail I also wanted to get away. I stopped in a little café near the tower. It smelled of hot chocolate with mint, I ordered one.
I sat right near the glass doors and gazed at the Eiffel Tower. As I sat and looked at it in detail. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something. Was it, it walking pass? I sat up and tried to see it but there was nothing in plain sight. I ran outside.
I looked left and right. Left and right again, there was nothing I walked around the next corner. Looked in every putrid ally and every fancy shop and café. There was still nothing, nothing at all. The streets were deserted.
I felt that shivery feeling go down my spine again. My luscious hair was now being touched. I wanted get that thing away from me. All I could think of doing was turning around and screaming.
I turned around slowly, silently but fast. I shouted, “What do you want” The next thing I knew I was being put into this brown bag and everything went black from there. When I woke up, I can only remember being dragged and yanked, somewhere. I felt distorted, dizzy and somewhat hungry. How long have I been in here I thought. I was dropped on a cement floor and left there alone.
I heard doors closing and locking, closing and locking. Again and again, I heard them close, again and again. I rustled in my bag and noticed I could get out. I raised my arms and opened up the bag to see no sunlight. I was locked in, in a room with only a couch and a rope. No sunlight, the windows were boarded up. I heard some mumbling from the one of the rooms next door. I put my ear to every door but every time failing. Of course the last one was it the door.
I couldn’t make out all of the grump almost silent words, but this is what I heard, “Did…you…get…her…Brown.” That was my last name, why did they want me?
I heard the other somewhat high voice response, “Yes...did, boss. Not…sure…she’s…right…Brown.” Who Brown, did they want me Emily Brown or another Brown. Their conversation continued I decided not to snoop, not to strain my ears. I sat down and the next thing I knew. It strolled in.
It walked in and walked out. I got only a slight glimpse that disappeared in a blink of an eye. He shut the door and locked it. He came backing a minute later and tied my ankles together, my legs, arms, everything possible. Stuffed me in the brown bag tied that up and my world went black again.
To Be Continued…
I wanted to look at it in more detail I also wanted to get away. I stopped in a little café near the tower. It smelled of hot chocolate with mint, I ordered one.
I sat right near the glass doors and gazed at the Eiffel Tower. As I sat and looked at it in detail. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something. Was it, it walking pass? I sat up and tried to see it but there was nothing in plain sight. I ran outside.
I looked left and right. Left and right again, there was nothing I walked around the next corner. Looked in every putrid ally and every fancy shop and café. There was still nothing, nothing at all. The streets were deserted.
I felt that shivery feeling go down my spine again. My luscious hair was now being touched. I wanted get that thing away from me. All I could think of doing was turning around and screaming.
I turned around slowly, silently but fast. I shouted, “What do you want” The next thing I knew I was being put into this brown bag and everything went black from there. When I woke up, I can only remember being dragged and yanked, somewhere. I felt distorted, dizzy and somewhat hungry. How long have I been in here I thought. I was dropped on a cement floor and left there alone.
I heard doors closing and locking, closing and locking. Again and again, I heard them close, again and again. I rustled in my bag and noticed I could get out. I raised my arms and opened up the bag to see no sunlight. I was locked in, in a room with only a couch and a rope. No sunlight, the windows were boarded up. I heard some mumbling from the one of the rooms next door. I put my ear to every door but every time failing. Of course the last one was it the door.
I couldn’t make out all of the grump almost silent words, but this is what I heard, “Did…you…get…her…Brown.” That was my last name, why did they want me?
I heard the other somewhat high voice response, “Yes...did, boss. Not…sure…she’s…right…Brown.” Who Brown, did they want me Emily Brown or another Brown. Their conversation continued I decided not to snoop, not to strain my ears. I sat down and the next thing I knew. It strolled in.
It walked in and walked out. I got only a slight glimpse that disappeared in a blink of an eye. He shut the door and locked it. He came backing a minute later and tied my ankles together, my legs, arms, everything possible. Stuffed me in the brown bag tied that up and my world went black again.
To Be Continued…
The Butt, The Game, The Tree Anna Hutsell 6th grade
Help! Help! Help! That’s all I heard on my jog to the world cup soccer game. I was looking around and saw a butt sticking out of a tree. “ How in the world did you get stuck up there?” “Well I’m a teacher and my name is Mrs. Buckingham and I needed some samples of bark for my students, so I climbed up this tree and started cutting through these v shaped trunks and now my whole body is stuck.” “Well I have to go get butter for you at the ice cream parlor down the path in less you didn’t want me to help you.” “No!” “I absoulutly need your help!” “Ok so I’ll go get some butter and you can just wait here I will be right back Mrs. Buckingham.” So Angela (the soccer player) ran to the ice cream parlor and got some butter. When Angela got back she rubbed the butter around the gluteus maximizes area and Abigail Bookingham tried so hard to squirm out from where she was stuck, she couldn’t so Angela said “wait I almost forgot I have a WORLD CUP SOCCER GAME!” “ Hurry, go said Abigail I can wait till you get back.” “Thanks she said to Mrs. Bookingham.” So Angela raced off once she got to her locker room her coach looked furious, “Angela my office now!” Angela walked over to her coach’s office and looked at the floor “Angela… her coach started to say you know that I told you one more late you’re going to not be on this team.” “ I know said Angela I get so distracted easily though and there was this girl and.” “NO her coach said just get out of my office get out of here you messed up big time.” Angela walked back slamming the door behind her. Angela raced back to the tree and said “are you alright up there” Mrs.bookingham answered “ok, I guess.” “Ok let me make a quick phone call.” “Beep, beep, beep, beep beep, beep.” Dialed the phone. “Hello.” said Angela “can I help you?” answered the worker. “Yes can we get a crane over here on Fay road.” “ Sure thing we will be there in about 30 minutes.” “Ok thanks.” “ WAIT “A MINUTE YOUR GETTING ONE OF THOSE BIG GIANT HAND THINGS THEY HAVE LITTLE POINTY FINGERS ON THEM AND THEIR DIRTY FULL OF BACKTERIA.” After hearing 30 minutes of complaining from Mrs. Bookingham, the crane finally arrived. ”Vroom, vroom, vroom.” “NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!! Cried Mrs. Bookinngham “I’m GONNA DIE PLEASE NO! “Bring her over here.” The crane worker said to the crane driver. “Ok drop her here.” “Splat.” Right in the mud.” Nooooooooo.” Mrs.Bookingham started to cry. “I’m melting I’m melting.” “ Your ok said Angela your not melting.” “Oh ok.” “ Come on said Angela lets go for tea.” Everyday Angela and Mrs.Bookingham started to hang out and go out for lunch they did just about everything. Everyday from now they look back to this day and always laugh about it and have a great time.
The Chase, by Erin Dawson 6th grade Mrs. Elder
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back there was no doubt about it. It was getting closer. I didn’t know what it was and I wasn’t planning on knowing. I was sprinting down the Seattle streets not knowing where I was going. There was so much fog it looked like there was a wall in front of me. I heard the clitter clatter of its nails on the cement sidewalk. I was turning on so many corners trying to get away it was making me dizzy. I was tired from running and I didn’t get that much sleep last night. The only things keeping me going were the freezing breeze and the thing trying to rip my body a part. Hearing the sound of the waves smashing into the land I knew it was my only hope. Yes I had to go towards the water! I was starting to slow down but I couldn’t stop now. It was getting closer, I saw stairs. As I flew up them it started going slower, it wasn’t climbing, but why? I then realized I was in a hotel I franticly search the halls for an elevator. As soon as I found it I pressed the button as fast as I could a million times until it came I ran inside and pressed the close door button, it rushed down to ground level. There was the water I had to make a brake for it. I broke out into a mad dash towards the water I closed my eyes. I finally was free from that ferocious beast. Oh no I can hear it’s roar, it’s back. It seems like we were the only ones on earth. Had it already killed everyone else, it couldn’t have done it. ”No” I screamed on the top of my lungs it couldn’t have. I then realized I had just cornered my self in an ally. I looked up there was a shadow here It comes. “Roof” then it stepped through the fog. It was just a helpless little wiener dog wearing a tutu. He was just hungry. I reached into my pocket and gave him a piece of bacon
The Butt, The Game and The Tree, By: Elena Dawson 6th grade Mrs. Elder
“Help help help!” that’s all I heard on my way to the world cup game. I was looking around and saw a butt sticking out of a tree. I sprinted over and asked the person what happened, in reply I heard, “I was climbing up the tree and fell in.” then I asked her what her name is and she said “Abigail Bookingham”. “Hmmm I wonder what I can do to get you out?” “Butter” is what Abigail said. “Good idea, I will be right back” I sprinted over to the ice cream parlor and got some butter. I sprinted back to the tree and slid the butter around Mrs. Buckingham’s gluteus maximums. “Okay now try to get out,” I told her “I cant,” she replied. “Oh no, if I don’t leave now I will be late for the world cup game, I will be right back.” I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the game. I arrived and the coach yelled at me for being late and that I was off the team. I ran back to help Abigail.
I saw that the butter wasn’t working so we had to think of a different plan. “I got it, we could call the Crain Company and have them lift you out, but first.. “WHAT?!?! You’re getting a crain?!?!” Abigail interrupted “anyway, I said we would have to cut off the top of the tree, but to do that we will have to call parks and recreation to see if it is okay.” “I am going to call now” ……. “Hmm…. Okay… thanks…bye. They said yes! Because its an emergency.” I told Abigail. Good thing I brought my handy portable saw! I started cutting, after about a half an hour, the tree fell! “Okay well I called the Crain people and they said that they will be here at 2:00 which is in five minutes. “no no no no no!” complained Abigail “Hey Abigail why were you climbing the tree in the first place?” I asked trying to change the subject “Well I teach 2nd grade so I was getting bark samples for science.” She replied. “Cool” I said. Oh look here comes the Crain. Vroom vroom vroom, “no no no no!!”
She started to scream and cry. I backed away from the tree. And saw the Crain lower down, it grabbed Abigail and brought her higher and higher and then lowered her down about 3 feet from the ground and BOOM dropped her in the mud, “am I in heaven? I SEE LIGHT!!” “no you are not dead, you are safe and you are out of the tree!” I explained. We hugged. And she said “Angela, I would like to thank you for all you did today, I mean you missed your soccer game and then came back to help me.” Oh, your welcome” I replied. “Now how about I help you get your bark samples?” I asked, “ I would like that” she replied. “Anything for a friend” I said “anything for a friend.”
I saw that the butter wasn’t working so we had to think of a different plan. “I got it, we could call the Crain Company and have them lift you out, but first.. “WHAT?!?! You’re getting a crain?!?!” Abigail interrupted “anyway, I said we would have to cut off the top of the tree, but to do that we will have to call parks and recreation to see if it is okay.” “I am going to call now” ……. “Hmm…. Okay… thanks…bye. They said yes! Because its an emergency.” I told Abigail. Good thing I brought my handy portable saw! I started cutting, after about a half an hour, the tree fell! “Okay well I called the Crain people and they said that they will be here at 2:00 which is in five minutes. “no no no no no!” complained Abigail “Hey Abigail why were you climbing the tree in the first place?” I asked trying to change the subject “Well I teach 2nd grade so I was getting bark samples for science.” She replied. “Cool” I said. Oh look here comes the Crain. Vroom vroom vroom, “no no no no!!”
She started to scream and cry. I backed away from the tree. And saw the Crain lower down, it grabbed Abigail and brought her higher and higher and then lowered her down about 3 feet from the ground and BOOM dropped her in the mud, “am I in heaven? I SEE LIGHT!!” “no you are not dead, you are safe and you are out of the tree!” I explained. We hugged. And she said “Angela, I would like to thank you for all you did today, I mean you missed your soccer game and then came back to help me.” Oh, your welcome” I replied. “Now how about I help you get your bark samples?” I asked, “ I would like that” she replied. “Anything for a friend” I said “anything for a friend.”
The Chase, Annika Martell 6th grade
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it they were closing in. I’m running down the busy streets of Manhattan. I needed to stop or hide, but where? Where was I going to go? The ally? I kept running from the gang. I then turned the corner to see more hustle and bustle. I thought about what I saw. Where they killing that guy? What did he do to them? I couldn’t think about that now, just keep running. If I went into the mall do you think they would find me? NO! I ducked into the crowded mall and looked back, they had turned the corner. I had to think fast… the dressing room! I ran to the ladies, no one there. So I acted fast ran into the dressing rooms and waited for hours and hours. As those hours passed I thought, will I have to move? Change my name? Tell the police? Well I might as well check the news on my phone. OH MY GOSH “A man found dead in dumpster in Manhattan please tell police if you know any information.” What will happen to me if I tell? Ok it is five o’clock I should go home. As I walked out I looked around to make sure the men weren’t there. They were three huge, no humongous men. Dressed in purple jump suits. I am surprised that they weren’t noticed. One had a hard hat on. Another had nothing on his head, not even hair. And the last one had and orange hunting hat. What did they want from me? Well I did witness them almost kill a guy, but still there is no need to chase me. Ok there is no one in the mall, go outside slowly, slowly. I’m out! Walking down the road, scratch that running down the road. They are after me again. The ally! As I ran into the ally jumped into the trashcan I heard the guys turn the corner. Yes they passed my hiding place. Now how do I get out? Oh my goodness I’m being lifted of the ground by the garbage truck. “ Hay you guys shouldn’t be back in this ally” I heard the truck driver yell. I have my chance to get away. As I crept out of the ally I heard him yell “I’m going to turn you guys in’ I called 911 and within minutes the police were there. I explained how the men were casing me and that they were the ones who killed the man found in the dumpster.
News: 7:00
“This is just in the search for the men who killed the man in the dumpster is over and they have been arrested.” The newscaster announced. “Wow I am so good, like James Bond good. Bond, James Bond. I should be in a movie, action movie. Shouldn’t I Jessi?” “ Yes you should honey” she said “ and the man to thank is Alexander Carrney” The TV announced, “ I am good.”
News: 7:00
“This is just in the search for the men who killed the man in the dumpster is over and they have been arrested.” The newscaster announced. “Wow I am so good, like James Bond good. Bond, James Bond. I should be in a movie, action movie. Shouldn’t I Jessi?” “ Yes you should honey” she said “ and the man to thank is Alexander Carrney” The TV announced, “ I am good.”
The Menace, By David Lu, 6th grade
My heart pounded in my chest but I couldn’t slow down and I couldn’t look back. There was no doubt about it. He was getting closer. I should never have taken off on my own. I should have known this was the kind of opportunity he was looking for to kill me. He shot his pistol at my head and suddenly I rolled into an alleyway. My lungs were ready to burst, but I couldn’t stop running, not now. My legs turned numb, and I had to throw up over the side, but I just had to keep going. I put on a new burst of speed, and emerged from the alleyway. I was nearing the heart of the abandoned city now, and it was getting to a dead end. I spotted an ancient rusted vehicle that people called a “car”, and I sprinted towards it. I leapt into the trunk and slammed the door shut just as he appeared around the corner. I was too late. He smiled and opened the trunk door.
It is the year 3000. This city was the radioactive city of Rotterdam. It was a thriving civilization until that fateful missile struck. Millions of people were killed on the impact, and many people died of shock shortly afterwards. The city was evacuated shortly afterwards, as terrorists began to raid the city. It was too radioactive to spend over 48 hours in, and was unsuitable to live in anymore. There was a huge crater where the missile struck, but it was grown over with grass. It was a catastrophe, an outrage. But actually, it was one of the lucky ones. In, fact whole continents are too dangerous to live in. The only place that really is free of that poisonous radiation is Antarctica. But that’s only because of the fact that when the ice caps melted, well, that’s a whole lot of snow, and all the radiation and radioactivity washed into the sea with it. This had all started on that fateful day that the terrorists stole the technology from the N.J.U., an anti-terrorist organization that was more advanced than anything anyone else could’ve ever dreamed of. They were experimenting with a kind of “super soldier” using nanotechnology. As the special chemicals were being transported down to the lab to be tested on POWs, a terrorist group that calls themselves Derbarah ambushed it, and stole the contents. They took it and tested it on one of their own people that had tried to desert. It seemed promising at first, and the subjects showed increased mental awareness, and had much greater strength. But then the subjects started to have side effects. There were yellow horns that protruded from their skin, and their skin started to have a greenish tint. They became moody, and refused the antidote for the green skin. Then one day they had an especially bad day, and they made a violent escape. The unfortunate thing was that this could spread by simple physical contact. But back to the bombs. They mixed this chemical with Uranium, but the chemical was totally destroyed by the Uranium. So then they tried adding some antimatter and it created a huge cloud of the green vapor. It transformed anyone that breathed it into one of the green monsters, which were later to be known as mutants. Rotterdam was one of the lucky ones. The Uranium hit it, so no one was mutated. The only place that people still thrive in groups of more than 1 million people are in the USA. But that was only because it remained neutral in World War IV. But no one blamed them. They were still fighting off mutants. Eventually they cornered them against the sea, and they were blown into the sea by a missile. The sea is the most toxic place on Earth currently. It instantly kills.
I was assigned to track down and kill the leader of the Derbarah. They were planning to destroy the last 3 million humans in the USA, and then they would rest their case. Little did they know that they would be hunting me.
TO BE CONTINUED…at http://www.burstabubble.webs.com
It is the year 3000. This city was the radioactive city of Rotterdam. It was a thriving civilization until that fateful missile struck. Millions of people were killed on the impact, and many people died of shock shortly afterwards. The city was evacuated shortly afterwards, as terrorists began to raid the city. It was too radioactive to spend over 48 hours in, and was unsuitable to live in anymore. There was a huge crater where the missile struck, but it was grown over with grass. It was a catastrophe, an outrage. But actually, it was one of the lucky ones. In, fact whole continents are too dangerous to live in. The only place that really is free of that poisonous radiation is Antarctica. But that’s only because of the fact that when the ice caps melted, well, that’s a whole lot of snow, and all the radiation and radioactivity washed into the sea with it. This had all started on that fateful day that the terrorists stole the technology from the N.J.U., an anti-terrorist organization that was more advanced than anything anyone else could’ve ever dreamed of. They were experimenting with a kind of “super soldier” using nanotechnology. As the special chemicals were being transported down to the lab to be tested on POWs, a terrorist group that calls themselves Derbarah ambushed it, and stole the contents. They took it and tested it on one of their own people that had tried to desert. It seemed promising at first, and the subjects showed increased mental awareness, and had much greater strength. But then the subjects started to have side effects. There were yellow horns that protruded from their skin, and their skin started to have a greenish tint. They became moody, and refused the antidote for the green skin. Then one day they had an especially bad day, and they made a violent escape. The unfortunate thing was that this could spread by simple physical contact. But back to the bombs. They mixed this chemical with Uranium, but the chemical was totally destroyed by the Uranium. So then they tried adding some antimatter and it created a huge cloud of the green vapor. It transformed anyone that breathed it into one of the green monsters, which were later to be known as mutants. Rotterdam was one of the lucky ones. The Uranium hit it, so no one was mutated. The only place that people still thrive in groups of more than 1 million people are in the USA. But that was only because it remained neutral in World War IV. But no one blamed them. They were still fighting off mutants. Eventually they cornered them against the sea, and they were blown into the sea by a missile. The sea is the most toxic place on Earth currently. It instantly kills.
I was assigned to track down and kill the leader of the Derbarah. They were planning to destroy the last 3 million humans in the USA, and then they would rest their case. Little did they know that they would be hunting me.
TO BE CONTINUED…at http://www.burstabubble.webs.com
The Attacks on John Edwards, by Andrew Erickson 6th grade
My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t slow down and couldn’t look back. There was now doubt about it. He was getting closer by the second. “I don’t understand why he is chasing me. I don’t remember doing anything wrong. I was just driving home from school when he started to chase me.” It’s been an hour and I don’t think I will be able to stay ahead of him. He doesn’t seem human but he looks like a man. The thing I don’t understand is I am driving as fast as I can and he can catch up by running. I hope it will tired and slow down a little. My name is John and I am in 11th grade. “It seems to be slowing down a little but not much. I think I can loose it on the freeway if there are enough other cars behind me.” It seems to be catching up now it is small enough to get between cars, I have to get of the freeway, so I am going to that gas station so I can see what it wants. I’m getting out of my car and it attacks me. So I defended myself but it is to powerful. So I grabbed a hammer out of the back of my car to hit it. It certainly is not human but it looks like a man. So I hit it with the hammer on what looked like the head it made a loud ding and then it fell over. It seems to be destroyed but I am not sure. I hoped into my car to head home when it started to get up but then it fell over and didn’t move. “I will stay home until I go fishing tomorrow.
**********1 day later**********
I am surprised how much this fish is puling my fishing line. This is the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. It seems to be chasing me but it looks more like a robot than a fish to me. I don’t get it I was just fishing and this robot starts to chase me. I must try to destroy it before it attacks me and maybe kill me. I slowed down and I jumped on my boat. So I grabbed a fishing net and whacked it with the pole. Then I wrapped it up in a net and shoved it overboard into the river and it sank to the bottom. I headed home quickly because I didn’t want to take any more chances with robots attacking me.
**********1 day later**********
I am surprised how much this fish is puling my fishing line. This is the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. It seems to be chasing me but it looks more like a robot than a fish to me. I don’t get it I was just fishing and this robot starts to chase me. I must try to destroy it before it attacks me and maybe kill me. I slowed down and I jumped on my boat. So I grabbed a fishing net and whacked it with the pole. Then I wrapped it up in a net and shoved it overboard into the river and it sank to the bottom. I headed home quickly because I didn’t want to take any more chances with robots attacking me.
Goodbye Dad, by Abigale Skaudis, 6th Grade
“ I’m sorry mam, but I don’t think that he is going to make it. The wound is too big.”
My heart stopped, there, another thing taken away from me. Even my house failed to remain our’s. Things had been going rough and knowing that my dad was in the army injured didn’t help. We knew that the house was the only way we could pay for our bills.
The next few days passed by way too fast. Everything was a blur. And before I knew it the moving van was packed and we were ready to go to our other house in the run down town of San Pusci, New Jersey.
“ Honey will you stop frowning? This place is going to be gorgeous it’s one level…has 1 bathroom…” My mother trailed off, and looked at the road. “You’ll still love it, I swear.”
From that moment on all I heard was the rattling of the few things we had in the back of the truck. And before I could even think we were in front of a apartment building labeled ‘ Glacier Hills’. We spent hours unpacking and didn’t talk once during the whole thing. Dinner was only the sounds of clanking forks. I knew that my mom was in pain, she loved my father. But now that she knows he’s never coming back, Her heart is broken in 2.
The morning sun woke me up fast, and school was the next thing to do today. I heard my mom calling to me from the small kitchen.
“ Emily!” there was a small pause. “ Emily it’s time to eat!” I could hear the eggs simmering on the pan, but didn’t have enough energy to answer her call. “ Emily Jane Hansen! You better get up now young lady!” I groaned loud enough to make her hear me. “ I’m coming…I’m Coming,” I screamed. I slowly forced myself to get up and looked out my window. Over and across the meadow, I saw a strange jungle gym thing, just sitting there, lifeless. “ Okay Emily this is the last time if your not here in 2 minutes, NO T.V. for 2 weeks.” I groaned again but quieter, Then opened my door and stumbled to the kitchen table. “ Egg’s?” i looked at her. Then she looked at me and frowned. “ These are for me. New house’s come with new responsibilities.” She smiled then looked back at the frying eggs. “ What school am I going to mom?” she looked at a crumpled sheet of paper next to the stove. “ San Pusci High”
I laughed then layed my head on the table. “ What time do I have to be there?” she looked at the sheet again. “ 7:00.” I yawned, “ Good, because it’s only 8:00 so I have….” I sat up quickly. “ MOM, IT’S 8 O’CLOCK!!!” I screamed. “ She walked away from her pan of egg’s and grabbed the keys, and then we were in the car, cruising down the highway. We pulled up to this historic looking high school, and once again I groaned. “ Gosh, why couldn’t we stay in New York? Where the high school’s weren’t made in the 1700’s!” My mother gave me this look that sent a tingle down my spine. “ Okay…okay….im going.” She signed a piece of blank paper and handed it to me. “ Give this to the lady in the office, I have to work late tonight too, so I’m expecting you to walk home.” She smiled, then opened the door for me, “ Have a good day honey.” I slowly slipped out of the seat and my feet landed on grass, not pavement. I walked toward the school and stared at the door for a moment, then took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.
As I opened the door, I felt like I was entering a jungle, full of crazy animals and creatures that wanted to rip me to shreads. As I walked in it was almost like all the bullies looked at me and were ready to attack. I walked up to a nice looking girl, “ Um….Excuse me, I’m new and I was wondering if you could tell me where the front desk is?” She turned her head and smiled, “ Um…it’s not my problem now is it? Talk to someone who actually cares.” On her way past me she hit me with her shoulder. I stood there astonished. “ Okay..” I walked toward a sign that said ‘ Main Office’ Thinking that it meant like the sign up desk, But when I walked in a principle was sitting there looking at a file of papers. “Can I help you?” He looked at me and smiled with glissening white teeth. I felt like I was in the presence a famous person, I was starstruck. “ Um…ah….yah…well I was late, and new and I need help…..” He interrupted me, “ Finding your class, We get new kids all the time, don’t worry. Can I have your name please?” He started going through a filing machine. “ Em….Em…Emily…Hanson.”
“ Okay, Emily, here is your class schedule and here is the lunch times, feel free to stop in here if you have any questions.” He smiled again. And I smiled back with my yellowish grin. Then walked out of the room. Everyone was gone, I looked at my schedule, “ Gym.” I mumbled, “ room 204”
To Be Continued……
My heart stopped, there, another thing taken away from me. Even my house failed to remain our’s. Things had been going rough and knowing that my dad was in the army injured didn’t help. We knew that the house was the only way we could pay for our bills.
The next few days passed by way too fast. Everything was a blur. And before I knew it the moving van was packed and we were ready to go to our other house in the run down town of San Pusci, New Jersey.
“ Honey will you stop frowning? This place is going to be gorgeous it’s one level…has 1 bathroom…” My mother trailed off, and looked at the road. “You’ll still love it, I swear.”
From that moment on all I heard was the rattling of the few things we had in the back of the truck. And before I could even think we were in front of a apartment building labeled ‘ Glacier Hills’. We spent hours unpacking and didn’t talk once during the whole thing. Dinner was only the sounds of clanking forks. I knew that my mom was in pain, she loved my father. But now that she knows he’s never coming back, Her heart is broken in 2.
The morning sun woke me up fast, and school was the next thing to do today. I heard my mom calling to me from the small kitchen.
“ Emily!” there was a small pause. “ Emily it’s time to eat!” I could hear the eggs simmering on the pan, but didn’t have enough energy to answer her call. “ Emily Jane Hansen! You better get up now young lady!” I groaned loud enough to make her hear me. “ I’m coming…I’m Coming,” I screamed. I slowly forced myself to get up and looked out my window. Over and across the meadow, I saw a strange jungle gym thing, just sitting there, lifeless. “ Okay Emily this is the last time if your not here in 2 minutes, NO T.V. for 2 weeks.” I groaned again but quieter, Then opened my door and stumbled to the kitchen table. “ Egg’s?” i looked at her. Then she looked at me and frowned. “ These are for me. New house’s come with new responsibilities.” She smiled then looked back at the frying eggs. “ What school am I going to mom?” she looked at a crumpled sheet of paper next to the stove. “ San Pusci High”
I laughed then layed my head on the table. “ What time do I have to be there?” she looked at the sheet again. “ 7:00.” I yawned, “ Good, because it’s only 8:00 so I have….” I sat up quickly. “ MOM, IT’S 8 O’CLOCK!!!” I screamed. “ She walked away from her pan of egg’s and grabbed the keys, and then we were in the car, cruising down the highway. We pulled up to this historic looking high school, and once again I groaned. “ Gosh, why couldn’t we stay in New York? Where the high school’s weren’t made in the 1700’s!” My mother gave me this look that sent a tingle down my spine. “ Okay…okay….im going.” She signed a piece of blank paper and handed it to me. “ Give this to the lady in the office, I have to work late tonight too, so I’m expecting you to walk home.” She smiled, then opened the door for me, “ Have a good day honey.” I slowly slipped out of the seat and my feet landed on grass, not pavement. I walked toward the school and stared at the door for a moment, then took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.
As I opened the door, I felt like I was entering a jungle, full of crazy animals and creatures that wanted to rip me to shreads. As I walked in it was almost like all the bullies looked at me and were ready to attack. I walked up to a nice looking girl, “ Um….Excuse me, I’m new and I was wondering if you could tell me where the front desk is?” She turned her head and smiled, “ Um…it’s not my problem now is it? Talk to someone who actually cares.” On her way past me she hit me with her shoulder. I stood there astonished. “ Okay..” I walked toward a sign that said ‘ Main Office’ Thinking that it meant like the sign up desk, But when I walked in a principle was sitting there looking at a file of papers. “Can I help you?” He looked at me and smiled with glissening white teeth. I felt like I was in the presence a famous person, I was starstruck. “ Um…ah….yah…well I was late, and new and I need help…..” He interrupted me, “ Finding your class, We get new kids all the time, don’t worry. Can I have your name please?” He started going through a filing machine. “ Em….Em…Emily…Hanson.”
“ Okay, Emily, here is your class schedule and here is the lunch times, feel free to stop in here if you have any questions.” He smiled again. And I smiled back with my yellowish grin. Then walked out of the room. Everyone was gone, I looked at my schedule, “ Gym.” I mumbled, “ room 204”
To Be Continued……
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