A Small Spark

Escaping
I awoke from my sleep, stretching my long, quick limbs. Behind me I looked, and thought I had grown wings for a second. But I hadn’t. Sadly. Mommy told me it would be some time during her hard work hours that they’d grow. It was the middle of that time. No wings.
Beside me was dad. He looked strong, powerful, and peaceful in his sleep. I wanted to be just like him. I didn’t care how much work it took, I wanted to be dad’s little spark of hope. I admired dad’s choices, and tried literally to follow in his footsteps.
Then as I arouse, continuing to stretch, dad had groaned and turned over in his slumber. I cautiously tiptoed off, in search for mom.
“Hello hun.” Mom chimed as I came into view. “I haven’t been able to catch a second mouse, so once you finish this one, can you catch dad one before he wakes up?”
“For sure, mommy!” I smiled. Finally, a chance to run around!
I lurked across the empty halls for a few minutes. Crouching low, I made my way to an area with a possible mouse inhabitant. My nose senses weren’t too strong, but I could tell there was a mouse in there. I waited, then I heard its nearby chipping.
A little bit closer... And SNATCH!
My paw brought up a full-grown mouse. Perfect size too!

A long time passed before my dad drooped from our tiny bedroom.
“Hey daddy! Mom told me to catch a mouse for you!” I held up the squirmy mouse to him.
“Thanks Zappy, I really appreciate this.” Dad managed a lazy smirk to show he cared, then took the mouse and ate it. Moments later, he turned back to me and asked, 
“Have you gotten any bigger or stronger in the last few days?”
“Quicker, definitely.” I replied with pride.
“Good, now I’m gonna go take a nap. I came out here to see if you were okay.” He yawned then limped back into the bedroom again.
So strong! I thought. The rest of the day, though, I spent exploring. Then at one point, I found a small little cavern. Peeking outside, I saw something I’ve never seen before. Green, and above were shades of blue and white. Outside looked so different, so I decided to take a look!

As I was trotting around, those humans were everywhere. Running, walking, screeching. I stumbled upon a big stretch of green. Big buildings surrounded me. A big can towered over my little body, and it had an odd smell!
All of a sudden, the can moved. I cautiously pushed it, and it moved again! Curious, I zapped the contents of whatever was inside the opened can.
“Youch!” A high pitch screech responded. “What’s the big deal?” Seconds later, a creatures head appeared from the top of the can.
“Oh my goodness I’m so sorry!” I rapidly stammered and bowed my head in shame. “Strike me if you’d like, I’m so sorry for my rash behavior!”
“Whoa whoa whoa little guy.” The creature leaped from the can gracefully and cleaned its paws.
“You have paws! And a tail!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah, who doesn’t? Other than those humans.” Black fur whipped across her face, showing me her glowing blue eyes.
“But, what are you?” I mused in curiosity.
“Me? Oh, I’m Alley, the cat.” She mewled in sassy pride. “I dunno why I was named that though. Some human over there kept calling me alley cat.” Alley motioned to a nearby building. “I just kinda got used to that name.” She smiled in a cat way.
“Ah. A cat... I’ve never heard of those before.” My eyes glimmered with amazement.
“What’re you?”
“My name’s Zappy! I’m a dragon!” I replied with dignity.
“Humph, only heard of ‘em.” Alley sassed and whipped a tuff of fur behind her ear. “I heard they have wings. So you can’t possibly be a dragon.”
“I am! I’m just too young! I’ll grow them soon!” I couldn’t believe she didn’t trust my word!
“Oh whatever... By the way, what are you doing out here anyways?”
“I came out here to explore!”
“Huh. A naive little one.” Her tail lashed and she began trotting away, “see ya kid.”
Something inside me tumbled a feeling of anger. A thing I’ve never really felt. “Hey! Wait!” I ran and quickly caught up with the cat, matching her stride, which was much slower than mine. “Headed somewheres?”
“Na, just wanna walk.” She giggled softly, “and get away from you.”
I grew silent, and stopped in my tracks. “That’s not nice to say.” I glared at her and my tail lashed. Alley just knew how to aggravate me.
“Sorry kid, I guess life ain’t too nice then.” Her shoulder blades made a shrugging motion, and she continued walking.
“Hey, can you help me with something?” I asked because I had gotten a great idea.
“I need to free my parents from this building... see...”

In The Tunnel

Apparently, the note of my disappearance, spread around. A human sent one of its fellow pets, called a dog, to fetch me.

“Hurry up Alley!” I hollered loudly, hearing a rushing monster fly by.
“Just wait...” Alley panted from afar. “For a small little one, you can run so, so fast.”
As Alley caught up, I let her take a break. Looking around, I investigated our surroundings. A tunnel was ahead, followed by suspicious tracks.
“Ugh, are we seriously gonna go in the train tunnel?” Alley murmured in irritation.
“Yes, we’ll hide on the sides if we hear it coming.” I responded.

About halfway through the tunnel we heard roaring. Looking behind us, we saw the blinding lights.
“Run!” Alley hollered and bolted. I did too. By just a hair, we escaped. Yet as we tumbled into safety, a growling snarl met our faces.
“Oh no... It’s a dog.” Alley said as we lifted our heads. “Play dead.” She whispered into my ear.
I did as she said, guessing she knew more about these dogs than I did. I was then met by nuzzling, and couldn’t resist opening my eyes. The dog had reared back at my action, and lifted me up by the scruff.
“Zappy!” Alley mewled and attacked the dog. It dropped me, and I landed swiftly to the ground. Surprised, but uninjured. Miraculously.
“How dare you attack a small one like him!” Alley hissed, and swiped another attack on the dog.
It growled, “I’m Bull. I have come here on the telling of my owner.” The dog growled and faced me. “I must bring Zappy back to the power plant.”
“I don’t want to go back yet! Not under the command of those horrible humans!” I barked at him
“Too bad!” Bull snarled and lunged for me. I zoomed away from him, and took off a distance. “Alley!” I called for her.
“Coming!” She hollered back, and began running. Sadly, Bull lifted her also swiftly from the ground by her neck.
“No! Alley!” I screamed.
Bull muffled through Alley’s fur, “now come ‘ere, or I’ll dump your little friend in the lake.”
Alley yowled in response. My anger surged through me, like an electric circuit. I owned my mouth, expecting to yell, but instead, bolting lightning across the field and straight towards Bull. He was shocked, literally! Alley was barely affected from the bolt, and landed fast on her feet, scurrying, fleeted, to my side. We turned and ran towards town, leaving Bull in the dust.

Planning To Action
“So you said you wanted to free your parents. From this, nuclear power plant? Inhabited by hundreds of humans?” Alley spat a me in disbelief. “Are you crazy?”
“Nope!” I piped. “I think it’ll work, surely!”
Alley sighed, “fine, I’ll help, but I better get some catnip for this.”

“How will we do this?” We were marching along the highway, I was sneaking in every crevice and behind every sign.
“I think if we just run in, if you distract them, I’ll take care of the rest.” I replied, peeking from a mailbox. “Now let’s hurry!”
“Wait!” I heard a roar from behind, when I turned to look, Bull jumped and tackled me to the ground. Not again!
“You’ve just made my job easier. I can’t wait for my reward biscuit!” I was lifted from the scruff again.
“He just never learns...” Alley rolled her eyes and pounced for Bull’s forepaws.
“Not this time!” Bull swiped Alley to the side like opening a curtain.
“Alley!” I squirmed, and struggled. “Wait Bull! I need to tell you something!”
“Sh, little lizard.” Bull grunted. “You have no right to talk to something bigger than you are.”
“I’m not that small!” I yelped. “Hey, then why do you listen to those evil humans!”
That caught Bull off guard. He froze in place, and set me down. “You’re right. I shouldn’t. I’ve been ordered and bossed around too long.”
“Then you should help us raid the power plant!” I urged.
“You would be a great edition...” Alley panted as she met up with us.
“Edition? What am I? An object?”

The Raid

Bull roamed through the door. I bolted through the room, heading as fast as I could to the door which held my parents. The door was locked, and I couldn’t find the key.
“Mom! Dad!” I yelled against the door.
“Zappy? Is that you? Oh my gosh! We were so worried about you!” It was my mother’s voice.
“Can you break out of there?” I whimpered.
“Yes, let me get your father.” I heard her paw steps fade. Then I decided to check on Alley and Bull.
They were fighting side by side against the humans. Suddenly Alley collapsed under pressure, and I quickly took action and zapped the human about to attack her. By her side, and her aid, I helped her up, and fought with her.
All of a sudden, there was a big BOOM. We turned, and saw mom and dad emerging, covered in bolts of electricity spazzing around them. They had pulverized the door! I ran up to them.
“Mom, dad! I’m so happy to see you two are okay!” I whimpered and nuzzled them both.
“We should say the same for you.” My father spoke in his deep, concerned tone. “I’ve never been so worried in my life.”
“Hey! A little help?” Bull was caught on a harness. My mother leaped foreword and broke it with her tail. In one swift movement!
I gaped a little, wondering if I would be able to do that someday. But as quick as we went in, my father picked up Alley and I, and my mother had Bull safely on her back. Then we escaped from the prison that kept us for so many years.

Depart
My parents set us all down as soon as we were in a nearby forest.
“So what’re you gonna do now Bull?” Alley purred.
“Probably roam around the city. Maybe even find someone special.” His shoulder blades shrugged. Alley snorted, “I’ll believe it when it happens.”
Bull chuckled. “I’d like to see you with a tabby.”
“Excuse me,” I said. “But Alley’s done so much for me, that I’ve taken a liking to her.”
My parents laughed. Then my father spoke, “I’ve never seen a romance like this.”
“Whoa whoa whoa! You don’t even have my approval!” Alley protested.
I chimed in happily at her, “Alley, will you be my mate?”
“We’ll see little one.” Alley smirked.
“Well, I better get going.” Bull sighed. “See you, and thanks for what you’ve done.”
“Bye Bull!” We all said in unison.
“Oh, by the way...” Bull turned to me, “sorry for calling you little.” With a laugh, he ran off.

“Alright guys, let’s get going.” Dad said.
“Going? Where?” Alley asked.
“Somewhere, anywhere but here.” He replied. “His mother and I have some strength left, we should be able to get to some mountains by dark.”
“But its already dark.” Mom replied.
“Really? I’ve been in the dark so long, I couldn’t tell.” He laughed.
“I’ll light the way!” I yipped.
So I climbed onto dad’s back, noticing the strong ripples of his body, clearly representing his might. Alley was on my mother’s back, and since we were already adrift, they were talking. Some female talk, I guess. Probably about me, too. I saw Alley glance at me once or twice, giggling and smiling. Her blue eyes, so bright. I couldn’t express this feeling. Affection, maybe even love. Yeah, that’s what it felt like.
“Zappy!” I heard Alley’s voice echo in the air. I realized I was staring at her for some time now.
“Yeah?” I hollered back. My parents flew closer so we could hear, see, and touch each other’s noses.
“Yeah.” She nodded. Yeah?
“Yeah what?” I inquired.
“Zappy!” Alley sighed. I’ll be your mate.”
All the love I explained surged through like a lightning bolt once again. As strong as the wind blew through Alley’s gorgeous black fur. My horns sparked together, and suddenly two flaps of membrane penetrated out of my back.
Wings.
“You weren’t kidding...” Alley gasped.
“Yeah, I wasn’t.” I was just as surprised as she looked. All this time, this is what maturing felt like...
“I got wings! I can fly and twirl in the air!” I shouted.
“Will you be able to take me with you?”
“That’ll take some more maturing to do.” My mother said.
I stretched and looked at my long, quick limbs. I saw the wings, Alley, my parents, and the mountainous land ahead of us.
I’ve never been so happy to want to grow up, just like my dad.

Then we lived Zappily, ever after!

Sacrifice

Dear friends I must warn you before you begin that this is the story of two brothers. You may say that it is a concept over used, but let me tell you before you put this down that it is not some story about two brother fighting or coming back together after a long separation. It is merely a story of the bond known by all to be the strongest in existence. So let me take you back, friends to before Facebook and cell phones, before airplanes and blue jeans , before even America was discovered. In a very small village tucked between a great forest and an even greater mountain lived two brothers...

The thunder of hooves sounded across the field of flowing green grass; over the ridge two horses appeared. They were as different from each other as the riders atop them. Upon the leading horse sat an older boy by maybe a few seasons. He had already the features of a man with his strong jaw showing the beginnings of a beard he also sported eyes a green as the grass they road on and short dark hair. His horse was bay and built like a stone wall strong and compact like it’s rider. The boy slightly behind (but not by much) was just that; a boy. He was delicate and if anyone was really looking they would find incredibly beautiful (for a boy at least). Well, the former was attractive he was nothing like the boy. He had eyes of pale blue with flecks of gold buried near the iris. Hair like a ravens wing hung down past his chin and delicate cheek bones were set over plump full lips( every girl in the village was envious of him). His horse was a creamy palomino light boned like his rider.
The two rode bareback out across the field, their pace breakneck as they galloped toward a fast approaching fence.
“Ryan, slow down! You’re never gonna make that jump!” urged the younger as he pulled up spotting the fence.
“Oh, come know Mika I’ll be fine!” answered Ryan as he continued toward the looming fence. “Come on Ty let’s show ’em what we got!” he whispered to his horse as he crouched low over its withers waiting for the leap. He let out a sudden cry as the horse came to an abrupt halt nearly sitting down as it stopped. His young rider went tumbling off over the horse’s rump.
The younger of the two broke out into fits of laughter as the horse proceeded to trot off before lowering it head to graze. Ryan stood quickly brushing off dirt before turning to glare at the other boy.
“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?” he questioned the younger.
“Well, brother you would be laughing too if you saw your face.” Mika answered sobering quickly. He looked over to his brothers grazing mount.
“You better hurry up and get Ty back. Father is expecting us home soon,” Mika said before turning away and heading parallel to the fence.
“Where are you going?” Ryan questioned startled by his usually happy brother sour remark.
“Me and Sam are going to use the gate like intelligent beings,” he answered patting his steed’s neck and continuing on without a second glance. Behind him his brother hurried to catch up.

The two road in silence as the made there way home there village was just insight when Ryan spoke.
“Hey what’s going on with you?” His brother gave him a strange look. “It just you’ve been off lately.
“Ryan,” the younger sighed.
“Un-uh don’t give me that nothings wrong crap. You are upset about something!” He gave his brother a pointed look. “So spill!”
“It’s just that... just something one of the Priests said the other day... it’s fine really!” He added as he saw his brothers angry expressions.
“What did they say Mika?” He sounded surprisingly calm given his expression.
“Does it matter, they’ve always been cruel to me.”
“Yes, but you’re old enough now it’s not the same!” It was quite obvious the topic was familiar.
“Just drop it Ry, I don’t want to talk about it!” Mika brow was furrowed and he looked increasingly worried, but at his brothers final words he couldn’t help, but snap. “Were done talking about this... okay!”
“Fine... but if you ever want to share...”
“I know where to find you” Mika finished. They road in silence the rest of the way, but the tension in both boys was obvious.
Both boys dismounted in front of a small barn by an only slightly larger house made of crooked shingles and appeared to be painted to match the dull tan of the mostly dead field behind it. The field had only a few sparse patches of green and the plants lay rotten on the brown soil. Ryan scanned the field and turned to see his brother doing the same, managing to keep his face blank, but it was clear he was upset. Both knew the Priests had been here.
“Mika!” Ryan yelled as the boy suddenly took off running. He went to follow, but a strong callused hand grabbed his shoulder holding him back.
“Don’t son, he’ll be back soon. He just needs a minute,” Ryan turned to look at his father’s strong, weather worn face smiling sadly at him. “Just let him be.”
“He’s not stupid, Father, he knows they were looking for him.... you said no?” The last part was a question. His father nodded but frowned
“They’re not going to ask much longer eventually they’ll just take him... you know that right Ryan?”
“No, I won’t let them... he’s only a boy.”
“I’m sorry Ryan, but its the way things are!” his father gave him a look to drop it.
“Then things should change!” with that he stormed off in the direction his brother had run.
Ryan found Mika sitting in the middle of the field fingering the locket around his neck absently. His eyes were locked on the huge mountain in the distance. Ryan was heartbroken to see the tears in the young boys eyes.
“Hey you doing alright?” Ryan asked quietly as he sat beside his brother.
“Yeah... just... why does he keep saying no. It’ll be easier if he just let them take me!” Mika’s anger grew with each word.
“He’s just trying to protect you Mika why can’t you except that?”
“Because what does it matter if we all starve anyway! I’m cursed Ry always have been and you know it! It’s why dad tried pushing me down the stairs when I was eight... or how about the time he almost ran me over with his horse when I was ten! Or..or why mom can barely look at me. Come on Ry its over give up! I’m of age and the prettiest boy in the village, of course they want me for a sacrifice and if it saves the village and our family from them then I’ll do it!” At the last words Mika rose and began to walk away again when a shriek sounded from the house. Both brothers looked toward the house, than back at each other.
“Mom!” They spoke in unison. They ran as fast as they could in the direction of the house, Mika falling slightly behind. They could see the smoke rising, as they approached the flames became visible. There mother was just outside being held back by a man dressed in long black robes( a Priest!). Ryan called out for his mother, but she continued to yell toward the house as he got closer he could make out she was calling his father name, in the direction of the section of the house currently caught in an epic blaze.
Ryan ran toward his mother pulling his dagger from it sheath at his hip, intending to take out the Priest dumb enough to mess with his family, when he heard a slight squeal noise from behind him. He spun and saw another Priest holding Mika tightly around the waist. Mika was kicking and crying out, but he was no match for the massive Priest.
“Let him go!” Ryan demanded, but the Priest just laughed.
“And what are you going to do little boy, stick me with that pig poker, don’t you know not to play with Daddy’s grown up toys?” He mocked.
Ryan could only see red. He stormed forward before he heard a weak cry from the direction of the burning house and turned to see his father struggling toward him, several burns visible and covered in black ash.
“Ryan don’t!” Even in his weakened state he still managed to be forceful and commanding causing Ryan to pause, but even his fathers order couldn’t overcome his need to help his younger brother and he quickly turned back. Only to find the Priests and his brother gone by whatever dark magics they possessed. His mother lay in a crumpled heap on the ground crying quietly. She had spent the last ten or so years attempting to distance herself from her doomed youngest, but it was obvious she hadn’t succeeded. Ryan felt a kind of numbness overcome him as he looked at there half burned house the fire had left with the Priests( and Mika too). A sort of grim determination came over him next. No one was going to take his baby brother and get away with it.
He heard his father calling him as he stormed to the barn grabbed Ty tacking him up as fast as possible before heading to the trunk in the corner he pulled out the old broad sword his father hid there. Strapped it to his waist before mounting up and riding fast as he could go into the darkest part of the forest( where he knew the Priests had gone) his parents calls fading away behind him.

Ryan didn’t know how far he had ridden, but he found himself in the middle of an eerily dark forest with not a single soul in sight, save for him and his horse. Ty snorted his displeasure, obviously not thrilled with there current predicament.
“It’s okay boy... I’m sure the fact that this place is so creepy means we’re close to the Priest’s chapel.”
The Priests had two chapels one in town and the other in the center of the darkest part of the forest near the base of the grand mountain. Ryan could see he was near the mountain and he was certainly in a dark part of the forest, but he realized now that the forest was so large he was completely lost. Suddenly he froze looking over at Ty who was turned in the direction of the sound ears perked. Then it came again from the other side of the small clearing. A high pitched girly giggle. Suddenly it was all around them Ryan stared up at the moss covered trees with their claw like branches.
“Who’s there?” He questioned fearfully.
“Oh Rae, I think the the wittle boys lost.” A high voice mocked.
“Yes Mae, I very much agree he must have lost his mummy.” Giggles sounded in the trees.
“Whats wrong with you wittle boy?” The one called Mae questioned from where ever she was perched.
“M-my... brothers b-b-been... kidnapped!” He tried to sound tough only to have it come out sounding weak and fearful.
“And who took him?” Rae sounded honestly curious.
“The P-P-Priests did!” The giggles stopped suddenly
“And you have come to get him back?” Mae’s tone was suddenly dark and serious.
“Yes!” Ryan said as forcefully as he could. He jumped as two lithe figures dropped from the trees landing as soundlessly as cats. Fae( forest people who could live hundreds of years and loved nature) he realized as he took in there small bodies, with there streamlined features. The one he realized must be Mae had short brown gold hair and golden tan skin with strange glowing golden eyes. Rae had shoulder length black hair and pale skin with bright sliver eyes. Mae had a bow and quiver on her back with a knife strapped to her waist. Rae carried a casting staff. Mae were dressed in a red tunics and leggings. Rae had on a purple robe.
“Well, you’re going to need a guide.” Rae stated, it wasn’t a question.
“You know where the chapel is?” Ryan was a little skeptical they didn’t seem very trustworthy with their glinting feline eyes and weapons.
“Of course we know were those horrible creatures live. There essence reeks of sulfur and death all through our beautiful forest!” Mae growled.
“Do you think you could take me there?” Ryan’s confidence was growing now that he knew they had a common enemy.
“Sure.” They said in unison. They both then let out high pitch whistles and moments later two beautiful mares charged from the woods. They reminded Ryan of Mika’s horse with there light boned figures. They moved with such fierce grace it was amazing to see they were no more than ponies standing barely at Ty’s shoulder. Though there most amazing feature by far was there color. The one who trotted up to Mae was bright crimson red, but appeared slightly blood colored in the dim lighting. Rae’s steed was the deep dark purple of the night just before black.
Rae and Mae mounted effortlessly they had no tack and sat bareback clutching there mounts manes. They looked at Ryan expectantly. He clambered on to Ty feeling terribly clumsy in comparison. Before he even had his reins in hand they had taken off into the woods there mounts moving effortlessly over the hazardous landscape. Ryan and Ty struggled, but managed to keep up.

The ride passed in a blur before Ryan realized it they had pulled up in another small clearing. The two Fae signaled for him to dismount, he tied Ty to a nearby bush so he could still graze and followed them. Mae put a finger to her lip to tell him to be quiet and moved forward cautiously. Rae pulled aside some branches so he could peer through revealing the chapel.
It was not quite as intricately decorated as the one in the town, and lacking the great pillars and spires. Actually it appeared nothing more than a low lying shingled building with the exception of its great steel reinforced doors and stained glass windows depicting scenes of chaos and death.
“How do we get in?” Ryan questioned seeing the doors.
“Hey, it’s your brother in there, you gotta find they way in.” Mae put bluntly. Ryan studied the building closely thinking hard about anyway to get past the defenses.
“I’ve got an idea, but I really hope you can shoot as well as I think you can.” He turned to Mae with a wink.

Ryan stood in front of the chapel his sword hidden by a clever spell Rae knew. He sighed and looked up. I’m coming for you Mika, we’ll make it home I promise! He steadied himself and called out.
“Hey, demented excuses for wizards, you’ve got something I want!” It was barely a moment when the first two Priests stormed out. Huge hulking creatures they glared at him with menace in there red eyes. The one on the right started forward pulling out a short, but deadly curved black sword from it sheath and smiling wickedly. Just as he raised it to strike he froze, a raven feathered arrow protruding from his chest. The other Priest barely had time to look toward the trees when an identical one sprouted from his forehead.
Ryan dodged to the side as more Priest guards stormed through the entrance quickly shot by arrows or a few hit by what appeared to be bolts of energy (killing spells he later realized). Smiling seeing Mae and Rae had things well in hand he dodged around the few remaining Priests and into the foreboding building.
It was slightly dank in the dark foyer. He had to descend a short flight of stairs in front of the doors and found himself partially underground. When he looked around he couldn’t see anyone and figured they majority of the Priests must be out fighting (and probably being killed by)Rae and Mae. Ryan moved cautiously forward finding Mika was the only thing he could think about.

Mika was terrified. They had blindfolded, gaged, and bound his wrists when they first brought him to the chapel. When the blindfold was finally removed he found himself in a washroom with a bath filled with strange white petals standing at the center. A young Priest pulled off his clothes and pushed him roughly into the tub. Mika was far too scared to consider fighting back as the young Priest scrubbed him raw with soap and washed his dirty ebony hair. The young Priest then pulled him out and dried him with a soft towel before rubbing a strange oil over his irritated skin making it unnaturally smooth. After he redressed Mika in a pure white tunic and leggings before brushing out his hair and pulling him into another empty room and leaving him. The whole process the Priest did in complete silence and with an air of indifference that suggested he had done it before.
Mika sat there for what felt like forever just waiting. At one point when he was being taken here he had caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror and was shocked by how perfect and innocent he looked( he later figured that was probably to appease the Great Ones taste for the pureness of the boys he took). The only thing they’d let him keep was his locket. He clutched it in his hand his only comfort the knowledge that his family would no longer suffer at the hands of the Priests. It seemed hours before the same Priest came in with a plate of food and a small cup of water. Mika hadn’t realized how starving he was till he saw the small hunks of bread and cheese. He ate both greedily before gulping down all the water. The Priest then grabbed his arm again and pulled him from the room.
The Priest took him to what appeared to be the chapel center. Lines of pews led to a large obsidian alter surrounded by unlit black candles. The Priest led Mika to one of the front pews, pushed him down, and tied him to the arm rest before waking off. Mika studied the alter and found to his horror it was covered in dark red stains.
He turned suddenly when he heard a commotion from behind him. The doors burst open as the Priest that had been supervising him earlier fell through a gaping sword wound in his chest. Over his fallen body stood Ryan bloody and with massive bags under his haunted eyes, but it was his Ryan none the less.
Jumping up as much as he could being tied up he felt a pair of large hands grab him from behind. A knife cut the ropes and he heard the harsh breathing of a Priest in his ear. Ryan froze starring at the Priest currently holding a wicked looking knife to Mika’s exposed throat.
“Put the sword down boy!” The Priest spat.
“Okay... okay just don’t hurt him.” Ryan slowly lowered the sword speaking calmly as to not upset the delicate balance of the situation.
“Ryan!” Mika’s voice sounded terrified as he gazed at his brother longingly. Ryan took a moment to take in his baby brothers appearance. He was dressed in all white and his pale skin had a strange glow to it. His hair was washed and brushed and all Ryan could think was how terribly innocent and perfect his little brother looked.
“Good... now I highly suggest you leave unless you want to see your brother meet an early demise!” The Priest smirked. He lifted one of his large clawed hands and stroked Mika’s silky hair.
“He is strong the Great One will get a good meal from this one.” The Priest smiled.
“You and your little boy eating god can suck it you’re not getting my brother!” Ryan was losing it seeing the Priest touching his brother. Nothing so good and pure as Mika should ever have to go through all of this.
“What are you going to do about it boy?” The Priest spat as Ryan noticed someone approaching slowly from behind. He noticed a flash of gold before the Priest froze. Blood tricked out of the corner of his mouth as knife appeared out of his upper chest. Mika pulled away just as the Priests body collapsed to the floor. Mae stood behind him her hunting dagger in hand.
Ryan ran to Mika pulling him into his arms. Mika was crying as his brother pulled him into a tight embrace. No boy had ever come back after being taken as a sacrifice for the Priest Great One before, he had been so sure he was going to die.
“Hey, baby brother you know I always save my damsel in distress.” Ryan chuckled quietly trying to calm the distressed boy in his arms.
“Hey, I’m not a girl!”
“Could have fooled me!” Ryan smiled down at his brother.
“I’m do happy to see you Ry!”
“Yeah, I’m happy to see you too little brother!”
“Ummm, hate to break up the happy reunion, but we gotta get out of here!” Mae spoke up suddenly. “Me and Rae will finish off any left you two go home.
Ryan turned to her, “thank you so much for helping I know you didn’t have to.”
“Aw, and pass up the chance to get pay back on these S.O.Bs no way we were missing it!” Mae smiled. “Now go on home and don’t some back!” She slapped Ryan playfully on the back ushering him out of the room.

Ryan and Mika had been ridding for a few hours before they reached home. They were ridding double and at a much less breakneck pace then when Ryan had gone charging in to the forest. After saying there thanks and goodbyes Rae had used a spell to light up the forest floor showing them the path home.
The small farm house they called home had been half burnt off. Ryan could just spot his father working to remove some of the debris. His mother was sitting by a small fire out side cooking in a small blackened pot.
Ryan urged Ty into a trot suddenly anxious to be reunited with his family. As they approached his father turned to look at first he looked curious then shocked.
“Ryan? Mika?”
“Father!” Mika cried out jumping down from Ty and running to his father. There father scooped up the boy crying out happily.
“Thank the gods I never thought I’d see you again!” By know there mother had noticed and run over all three embraced joyously. Ryan approach cautiously not wanting to ruin the moment.
“So... I guess you don’t have to punish me for running off.” Ryan ventured with a conman smile.
“Oh, you’re still in a ton of trouble... just not right now!” His father pulled him in to the hug with the rest of his family. Ryan couldn’t think off a time when he was more happy.
The woods sounded with distant giggles and the small family went to fix there life. Finally the villagers and people of the woods were free of the Priests curse.

And that my friends is my tale for the night.
“Oh Grandpa Mika won’t you tell us just one more time?” The small children on the floor begged.
“ Alright.. Dear friends I must warn you before you begin that this is the story of two brothers...”

Thorns, Roots, and Scotch-Taped Knees (Charlie)

This story is about a day last June when a bunch of us guys went over to Brian Awalt’s house for his birthday party; me, Brian himself, Cooper, Jared, Gordon, Nick, and Raymond Maddox. Many things happened that day, night, and morning (we barely slept). We ate, fought, played video games, and swam (Jared and Cooper almost got electrocuted by Nick in a hot tub).
The day started with all of us showing up in ones and twos. We began by shooting around on an eight foot rim, barely playing defense, and trash talking (the usual: “You might have gotten two inches of air on that” or the like). Since I was one of the taller ones, I had no trouble dunking. We then migrated over to the pool area, where I read instead of going swimming. In case if you didn’t guess, I hate swimming. Not because I’m bad at it; but because every time I swim in water colder than 80 degrees I feel like I’m getting hypothermia. After that, all of us guys got in the hot tub, which I can stand to be in. Our total size seemed to exceed the acceptable, and half the water in the tub ended up on the ground outside. (Note: later, Cooper told me a story. He and Jared were hanging out in the hot tub, alone, and Nick came over and tried to turn on the radio. Somehow, he managed to damage the hot tub and nearly electrocute Cooper and Jared).
To pass the time, we we went into the basement and played video games. Once there, some of the guys fired up MLB 2K 11.
After a few minutes of watching, I asked, “Can I play?”
Brian let me take his spot against Gordon, and it turned out that I was an excellent pitcher. I beat Gordon in my first time ever playing that game.
Then the pizza arrived. Each of us fell on it like vultures, decimating a pizza in the first few minutes. The soda bottles emptied quick, too.
Next, I’ll talk about the most dangerous thing of all; an airsoft gun war at 1:00 in the morning. It started slow and easy. We traded guns, divided into teams, and set off into separate directions. Hills, rocks, and trees surrounded us, and it was near impossible to see, even with a bright moon. Things got interesting, though, when my team encountered the other. My team began pursuit, and we split up. Of course, none of us could have tracked a bulldozer in broad daylight, let alone several people in the dark. The “chase” developed into all of us walking around, trying not to shoot people on our own team. That doesn’t mean we didn’t enjoy ourselves. Few things are more fun than trying to shoot someone else in the dark.
About a half hour after we had started I was walking by a deep ditch that was beside the dirt road I was walking on. As I was reloading, I heard a rustling from the ditch. Curious, I didn’t shoot (actually, I couldn’t see anything in the ditch and didn’t want to look like an idiot). Out crawled Cooper, covered in scratches. Running, he had fallen down the ditch into a group of thorn-bushes. Even though we were on different teams, neither one of us shot one another. Probably because I was laughing and couldn’t aim.
The second injury happened a short time later. Our teams had reformed into two clear groups, and my team was in pursuit. We chased them across a field, and just as they reached the cover of a tree, Gordon tripped. Diving behind the tree, he smashed his knee onto a big, thick root. This paused the game; we let a hobbling Gordon and his team walk back to the house.
You would think that after two injuries during the airsoft gun wars, we would have just gone inside and slept. But no; a couple hours later, we were out doing the exact same thing. That was when our third (and thankfully final) injury occurred.
I was running after someone yet again (actually, I don’t think I was ever chased myself). While running on a dirt path, I slipped on some loose gravel and fell. Stopping my fall with by hands and knees, I didn’t even think I got cut. Minutes later, I was walking outside a garage with floodlights, and saw blood staining my knees and my shins. As I examined myself in the dim light, I found blood across my knuckles, too. Since it didn’t hurt, I didn’t go inside for a while. When I did, I found that band-aids could only do so much. As a quick fix, I wrapped my knees in Scotch tape. Looking back, probably not the best idea. It held up, but ripped off half the hair on my legs.
After we settled down inside with tired legs, scratches, and bruises, some people boxed while the others played Xbox. I boxed Brian, and won. Some other matches were Cooper and Gordon, and Brian and Gordon. Since we boxed with big, foamy, green Hulk gloves, we didn’t get hurt. Except Cooper, who seemed to have the worst luck of anyone there. When he got punched, the hard plastic handle in the glove popped out and hit him in the eye. I played Ping Pong, which I seemed to be the best at. Cooper, Brian, and Nick were pretty good, though.
Within the next few hours, several of us fell in and out of sleep. Nick and Brian were the first to go, and then I realized how exhausted I was. I had been up for almost a full day, so it wasn’t hard to go to sleep. I remember trying to keep my eyes open and talk, but it seemed that the harder I tried to keep them open, the faster I fell asleep. Almost everyone fell asleep at one time or another, until we were called upstairs for breakfast.
I wandered through the morning in a daze. I could barely follow a conversation, and I talked even less than usual. That morning there were no airsoft guns or boxing; I just tried to collect all the stuff I had left around the house. We left the same way we arrived, in ones and twos over a few hours. As soon as my dad arrived to pick me up, I dozed in the car. I was too exhausted to do anything else.
That was probably the best birthday party I had ever been to. We had a ton of fun, ate great food, and I think we can all say that it was overall an excellent night.

Joey's World

Joey's World - By: Brian

“Whoooooa, now that was a close one.” I slammed the door behind me, twisted the lock, and dashed upstairs to my room. I looked out the window and John and his gang were still outside waiting for me to come out. They should know by now after 4 years I will never go outside and be their punching bag. Besides they just run away when my parents get home by 3:30 anyways and it is 3:05 when I get home after my daily run thanks to John. The worst thing about it is that they pick on me cause I am tiny, smart, and just don’t fit in. I can’t take the bus or they will just go on that and that would just be suicide, and the bus driver doesn’t pay attention and probably just doesn’t care.
My life has been kind of tough over the past couple years with obviously John, my parents have been arguing since my dad has been drinking more than often, and to top it off I can’t even talk to girls especially Delilah. So thats my life right now and wait I forgot to tell you my name, sorry, that was kind of rude, but I am Joey Frenski. Just to give you a visual of myself I am 13 years old, a whooping 4’11 95 pounds, have brown eyes, and light brown hair. For my personality is I would have to say I am super shy, smart but don’t pay attention in school, don’t care what people think about me, and just not a social person. I think you should know my best friend is Danny Cornwell. I call him Duke cause he loves Duke Blue Devils for their sports. Now one more thing is that I have a watch that is my very lucky watch. It is my lucky watch because one day when I got chased by John and his friends I was wearing that watch and escaped them for the very first time. I have always worn it since and never been caught by them after school ever again. Anyways that is a little about me and this is my world.
“EHHH! EHHH! EHHH!” the alarm sounded as I felt like chucking it across the room from that everlasting sound stuck in my head. I got up snoozed the alarm and felt sad as another day of school was to come before me. So I showered, devoured breakfast, and brushed my teeth. I was so tired from watching Netflix all night so I looked like a zombie roaming the house. I just about flipped out when I saw someone on the couch because my parents are usually at work by now. It was only my dad sleeping on the couch so no worries. He didn’t look to well though so he might have stayed home from work. Worse, he could have got kicked out of the room again from mom and hasn’t waken up yet.
I stood outside waiting for the bus to come and get me, and John doesn’t go on the morning bus, thank God. I kicked a rock for time to pass by and felt that I was missing something, but what the heck I’m to tired to care. I saw the bus and was preparing for another...crazy day. When I got on the bus there was Delilah looking beautiful as ever. I just couldn’t get my eyes off her...and then I tripped in the aisle. Everybody started laughing except Delilah cause she is different than other people but I’m pretty much used to people laughing at me. Then right when a I sat down I realized something horrific. I didn’t have my watch on.
“No, no, no this can’t be happening.” I sighed desperately.
I already started the day off bad and it can only get worse without my watch. I just couldn’t get my mind off all the bad things that might happen while I was thinking on the bus. Especially if John decides he wants to chase me today. When I got off the bus the first person I saw was John and I tried to keep my distance. Obviously he doesn’t cause he came right up to me and pushed me right in the chest which knocked the breath out of me.
“Ready for some running today Joe. I see your not wearing your stupid watch, maybe your luck has just run out.” John whispered in my ear.
I stood there silent as he walked away with my heart feeling as if it was going to explode. I snapped out of it and went into the school. I couldn’t get what John said to me out of my head but I watch can’t protect me I will be just fine, I think. I went into homeroom and got my stuff ready for first period and went to social studies. I took my seat and saw “POP QUIZ” written on the white board. I turned to Duke with a lot of nervousness.
“Dude we have a quiz today! I am totally not ready for this. I think I am going to bomb it.” I said frantically.
“Yeah me too, I hate social studies.” Duke replied.
The teacher handed us the quizzes and told us to get started. I tipped my head back and sighed deeply. For about the whole class I was staring at the clock and somehow I finished right in time. I was just not having a good day and could not focus at all. In math I lost my vocabulary notes, in science I couldn’t even read without stuttering, and then in E.L.A. I deleted my whole story by accident. I just couldn’t do anything right today and couldn’t wait for school to get over.
When school sounded I took off like a olympic runner in a race to the exit. Unfortunately John saw me running like a wild man. Then he took off in a blink of an eye. I shoved the exit doors out of my way not letting them slow me down. When I got to the end of the road I had to take a quick breather but saw John right behind me. I knew he wanted me real bad this time and I didn’t think that I would get much farther. Then a light bulb turned on in my head.
I turned the corner like I was still running hard but I hid around the corner and got my gatorade out and opened it. I heard his footsteps coming down hard so right when he turned the corner I doused him right in the eyes with my gatorade and then socked him one right in the face. Right after that I felt like flash I was running so fast to my house. When I got to my house John was nowhere in sight so I that was a relief. I went upstairs to my room when I saw John coming down the road looking like he was in awful pain. I hollered to him to see if he was ok. He just dropped down to the ground. I took off downstairs and went outside.
“John! John! Are you alright!” I yelled.
“I can’t see come help me up!” John yelled angrily.
I went over there right when I helped him up he punched me in the stomach and pushed me down. I charged right at him and took a swing but he dodged it and tripped me.
“Now your really gonna pay, and no one is here to stop me.”
He picked me up and when he was just in mid swing a rock cam flying and hit his head. I was so surprised to see who I saw was there.
“Stop John, and just go home.” Delilah hollered.
John took off sprinting to his house holding his head and moaning in pain.
“Thanks, I didn’t know what I was going to do, and you got a arm.” I said.
“No problem, and yeah I got the best arm on our softball team. You know John’s a jerk don’t let him get you down, and if you want to dodge him after school I guess you could come hang out with me.”
“Yeah I would like that a lot, thank you.” I replied.
She went back to her house which is right down the road and couldn’t be any happier. I just couldn’t wait for tomorrow after school and the next day and the next day and the next day. I called Duke and told him how I was going to be hanging out with Delilah for now on after school. If I can say so myself I think he was pretty jealous.
Time was flying by hanging out with Delilah and I really felt like I meant something I guess. We really started being good friends and people started accepting me a little more. There was still some people that were not very fond of me, which you should know was John and his friends. After about a couple weeks of me getting more popular John came up to me in front of everyone even Delilah at the park after school.
“Hey, so you think your a big shot now huh? Well lets see who the bigger man is then.”
“John, this isn’t about fighting so leave me alone and I’ll do what I do and you can do what you do.”
“Just like the old Joey backing down and scared. Your not going to get out of this one, Joey.”
“I’m not scared but I’m not going to waste my time on a pathetic person as yourself, now bye.”
I walked away standing up tall not caring what John said because I know I am the bigger man. It didn’t go to well with him though. The next thing I know I was in bad pain in the back of the right knee, and on the ground. I looked up to see John who was just staring at me. Then “Boom!” he was right out of my sight when Duke tackled him into the ground. Next I saw John’s friends get Duke up and shoved him to the ground. That’s when I lost it bad. I got up and got Jack and Michael (John’s friends) off Duke and shoved them to the ground.
“There you go Joey now you ready?” John said anxiously.
“Don’t do it Joey he’s not worth it.” Delilah said.
I was trying to blank everyone out and focused on John. I charged and took a swing at him but he dodged it. He took a swing at me I stepped back and then lunged forward at him and got him to the ground. I got a couple of good punches on him. He shoved me off him and took a good hard swing at my face. His fist hit me right in the side of the head and I dropped.
“I knew you were weak, Joey. Don’t even get up, that would be the wise choice.”
I think I started to black out but I wasn’t ready to quit now. I was a little shaky getting back up but I did.
“Wrong choice.” John said
He charged right at me and took another swing but I dodged this one and took another but I stepped back. He was getting frustrated and I just kept dodging and dodging. I so him huffing and puffing and I knew what to do. Right after his next swing I ducked and swiped him off his feet with my kick to his right leg. He was knocked out of breath. I gave him a good kick to the side of the stomach and he was done. He rolled over on his stomach and just laid there. Everyone was silent, then there was clapping and cheering. I was so tired and Delilah walked me home
The next day when I was at school I saw John. He was acting normal and everyone was looking at me like I was really somebody. I felt like a superstar and I liked it. Then I saw John and he did something I never would of imagined in billion years. He gave me a respectful nod. That made my school year and I knew I was finally somebody that means something.

Not So All Star

Not So All Star
            
      It always wasn’t like this. Chris didn’t have a great childhood. When Chris was younger he had a great childhood. Chris and his dad always would go outside and play some basketball for about an hour or maybe more. Then once Chris got older he started to learn more and more about his dad, and how he acted. Chris’s dad Dan has not been so great staying out trouble. Dan, when he had been fired from his job last year, his life went all down hill from there.  Dan had to get a divorce because his wife was not happy with the choses he was making, and he wasn’t going to change, so they got divorced. Chris was 11 when his parents got divorced.
    Chris was heartbroken that his parents had to get divorced. He always thought of why his parents got divorced, because they never told Chris about what his dad really does. Chris always asks about his dad. Now that he is 14 they are going to tell Chris what his dad does and did. After they told Chris about all the drugs he did, about all the times he had been in jail, and how many times he had tried to job a convenient store. Chris was in shock he didn’t want to look up to his dad anymore, he didn’t want to become like him either. Chris didn’t want to be anything like his dad. Chris had looked up to his dad his whole life, and then this is what happens to Chris. Chris has so much anger stored up in him.
    Chris is 14 years old and he is 6’3. Chris has been practicing basketball ever since his dad had left him and his mom behide. Chris has become a very good basketball player, and he is a team player. Chris has been scoring and having a lot of assist, and a couple rebounds only because he is the point guard. Chris has been practicing basketball so much and playing the sport some much, not just to show everyone that he is good but his dream is to be in the NBA. This is one goal that he is really trying to have. He can’t see his dad anymore, so he can’t have any help with his basketball skills. Chris has to be independent and do this alone, also he needs to work on his left hand ball handling skills just a little more. Chris the next 10 games he was scoring over 30 points, 14 assist, and 10 rebounds! Chris is just doing great now.
    Chris has had one friend since his dad left him, his name is Luke and him and Luke have been friends forever. Luke was there for Chris when his dad have left he helped Chris get though the pain and anger that Chris was in. Chris is 16 now and Luke is 17 years old, and Chris is starting his sophomore year and Luke is starting his junior year of high school. Chris has started to hang out with the wrong crowd of people, Luke nows what Chris’s new “friends” want, and they are going to use Chris so they can get what they want. Luke has been trying to tell Chris stop hanging out with them, you have to bright of a future, to be hanging out with those guys. Chris just wouldn’t listen and kept on hanging out with them.
    They got Chris into drugs and alcohol, and into stealing things from stores. Luke found out about his and confronted Chris about it, Chris told Luke the truth about everything. Luke was holding back so much anger, Luke wanted to punch Chris in the face many times but he controlled his anger. He asked Chris “what do you think you are doing”? Chris didn’t answer, he just had his head down. Then Luke yells at him saying “this is what your dad did, do you want to be like him”? ANSWER ME. Finally Chris answer “no I don’t”, “I don’t want to be anything like him”. Luke says “don’t come complain to me when you are in jail”. Chris has started to cry. Luke tells him “if you don’t straighten up then you wont be able to follow your dream, and go into the NBA”. “You want to know where you will be, you will end up in jail then be going to prison”. Chris just puts his head down and starts to cry and thinks that it wouldn’t turn out good, if he doesn’t smarten up.
    Later on that same day, Chris has been told by his buddy’s if he doesn’t go rob a store then they will beat him to his last breathe, and hurt him bad. So Chris doesn’t know what to say. His “friends” are giving him a minute to think about it. Chris thinks back to what Luke said to him, and Chris says “no”. His buddy’s are in shock, they are speechless. They just walk away, Chris goes to Luke and tells him what just happened. Luke says “i’m happy to hear that, but now you need to put your past behide  you”. Chris needs to stop with the drugs, and alcohol, and start to work on his basketball more and more.
    When Chris gets home his mom is waiting for him on the couch. She does not look very happy with him, he asks “whats the matter”. His mom says “I have heard what you have been doing with you so called friends”. Chris replies “mom I have stopped doing that stuff and i’m a better person now, you don’t have to worry about it anymore”. “I have stopped hanging out with them”. “Chris, thank you so much, I am glad to hear this”. Later on that day, Luke stops at the house and says “don’t worry about Chris, he has stopped.” “Yes he had told me about it, thank you Luke”.
    Chris is now working with a guidance counselor to help him stop doing drugs and getting into trouble. Chris always staying after school to play basketball, and on the weekends he will be outside everyday of the weekend and play basketball. Luke isn’t very good at basketball, but he is a good friend so he try’s to help Chris with his skills. Like with his left hand dribbling. Chris and Luke went inside and now are playing basketball on the Xbox 360. After about 2 hours, Chris’s mom yells to them it’s time for the basketball game. So Chris and Luke get all packed up for the game, and are ready.
    Chris has now entered the game. Chris is on fire right now, he has hit 3 three’s, 5 assist, and 4 rebounds in 6 minutes. Luke has a wide open lay up and he makes it! Luke’s first made basket of the season! The crowd stands up and is going crazy, everyone is freaking out, including him. Chris and him do a chest bump when the time out was called. Chris has the ball with the few seconds left on the clock, the score is 78-80 and they are down by 2 points. Chris dribbles the ball down the court and he has 4 seconds 3,2,1, Chris shoots a 3 and he makes it! Chris has just freaked out, Chris is so happy. Everybody is just around him, chanting Chris’s name. Chris just won the game for the Red Hawks, The Red Hawks have won the Championship! The Red Hawks have finally won a Championship. The Coach is very happy with Chris. Chris has finished the game with 35 points 12 assist and 13 rebounds! What a incredible game that was. After the game the crowd ran out on the court and lifted Chris in the air and started to cheer MVP, MVP, MVP.
    Chris and his mom get home, then Chris and his mom sit down on the couch. “Chris I have some big news for you”. “What is it mom, I can’t wait tell me”. “Chris the NBA scouts were at your game”. “They want you to go into the 2014 NBA draft, Chris”. “Mom are you joking”! “No son I am not joking”. Chris is so happy he is flipping out of how happy he is. Chris runs to Luke’s house to tell him the big news. Luke is so happy for Chris. Luke says “Chris you turned your life around, and looked what happened”. “Thank you so much for everything Luke, you are a great friend, and I’m lucky to have you stay with me through all of this”.
    Chris is going into high school as a Junior, and he got the chance to have his dream come true. Chris still didn’t believe that this was happening to him. Chris’s dad was watching the news, and found out what happened with Chris and basketball. Chris’s dad calls Chris. He tells Chris “I had so much faith in you, and i’m sorry about everything that had happened with your mother and me”. “Dad you have screwed up my life, you have given up on me”. “I don’t want to talk to you or see you ever again”. After the phone call, Chris and his mom had talk about his future. Chris didn’t want to finish high school he wanted to go straight to the NBA, and make his dream come true. Chris  had to overcome so much to finally get his goal. He stuck with the sport, and he had a friend to help him get through everything.
   

Chasing Courage

CHAPTER 1
All my life I have not really been very courageous… like if I were to be sorted into a house in Hogwarts, I would probably get Hufflepuff, because, as I have said. I am not very manipulative or sneaky, I’m not super-smart (riddles hurt my head, the same thing with mind games), and I definately don’t have any courage or bravery. Or at least I didn’t. One day that changed, I snapped, I showed my frustration at being pushed around and stepped on, and took charge. I am a leader now, and I’m proud of it. My name is Cyan and this is my story about finding my bravery.
But…before I tell you what happened to change me. I will tell you who I was before I changed, then you can be the judge on how much I really changed (if that’s your thing). I was pretty much quiet most of the time in school. A brainiac. I observed and interjected sometimes when my friends were talking about something and I had something to say about it. But when I talked I was loud, and not purposely. Oh, and did I mention my clumsyness. I almost always manage to hurt someone or break something multiple times during the day. mostly though, I hurt my self, by tripping or running into something or falling or… well i think that you get the point. And no I’m still clumsy, that hasn’t changed. I pretty much always wore graphic tees and a pair of jeans with sneakers. Either putting my thin blonde hair in a ponytail or leaving it down. My style changed and now it is uniquely me. So I would tell you what happened to make me change, but that wouldn’t be a very interesting story. So I will tell you the events that lead up to it, then maybe I will tell you what happened. Starting with the morning of...
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I slam my hand down on the snooze button and roll over. I have seven minutes to wake up. I sit up, rub my eyes, and look at the clock. 5:43. Great… another early monday morning I think to myself. Not wanting to wake anybody else up I turn off my alarm with a click and get ready for the day. Once I am showered and dressed, I gather my things and head out into the kitchen for breakfast. By this time my brother, sister, and mom are all up.
“ Good morning Cyan!” my little sister chirruped, she seemed way to hyper for someone awake at 6:40 in the morning.
“Mornin’ Pheobe”
“Hi Cyan” my brother chimed in, not wanting to be left out
“Mornin’ Jack”
“Good mornin’ Mum”
“Hello Cyan, what do you want for breakfast”
“I’ll just have a bowl of cereal, thanks”
I didn’t want my mom to get up and make me breakfast. She looked really tired, she had bags under her eyes, also she was still in her pajamas.
“Do you two want anything for breakfast?” I ask my younger siblings
“Sure Cyan”
“Nope! I already ate breakfast”
“Okay”
So I make two bowls of cereal one for me and one for Jack. I ate my cereal thinking about homework, and my friends. Jack on the other hand eats his cereal like a starving person, managing to get milk on the table and the floor. When we are finished, I hand him a paper towel and tell him to clean up his mess while I put our bowls in the sink. I have enough time to grab a granola bar and then we were putting in our shoes and coats grabbing our bags giving our mom a quick kiss on the cheek and then we were our the door and walking to the bus. The bus ride was pretty uneventful, so I’m just going to skip to school.
At school I walk in the door quietly while all the other kids that ride on my bus flood around me chattering happily. I get stuck behind some little kids that walk really really slowly. Come on hurry up! I think to my self.
“Walk faster little kids” Someone behind me had called out my exact thoughts. The voice sounded familiar. I look behind me to see one of the girls who rides on my bus. She isn’t one of the popular people, but she isn’t an outcast either, she is in the middle of the eighth grade food chain. I on the other hand am part of the same group in the middle-school ladder except I am closer to the popular group. If the popular people were first class, my group of friends would be second class. If they were gods and goddesses like Zeus, Athena and Artemis. My group would be the minor gods and goddesses. Not quite demigods, not quite major gods/goddesses, and definitely not mortals. So enough about social statuses. My point is that I know this girl, she is in some of my classes, but we are not considered friends.
Science- 13W
Reading- 09W
Social Studies- 17W
Special
Lunch
L.A.- 04E
Math- 22E
Study Hall- 12E
That is my schedule for the day. The W’s stand for west wing and the E’s stand for east wing, but the easiest way to remember is that all the odd numbers are in the west wing and all the even numbers are in the east wing. Same schedule, all day every day, with the exception of the special, of course. Science…… room 13… Easy, that’s in the west wing. On the way to science from homeroom, I pass the kitchen, and smell something burning. You just have to love school food! The science room is full of volcano projects from the sixth grade, so as we file in we have to dodge around them to reach the unused tables. I sat fairly near the back so I wouldn’t have to deal with listening to the Pops talk- wait let me rephrase that- gossip. But, of course they sit behind me and smack their gum. All during class I could hear snatches of their conversation.
“Did you hear…”
“Yeah! They are soo cute together” They started talking in hushed whispers, then stopped as the teacher walked by and glared at them. After she sat back down the burst into quiet fits of laughter and resumed their whispering.
“Did you see her hair?!”
“Yeah, she looked like a poodle”
OMG! They are talking about Melanie. Melanie is my friend that is really short and skinny with strawberry blonde hair that is super curly and pretty. She usually straightens it though. They must think that she got a perm. Ha. Melanie will laugh at this.

Finding the Scrolls

It all started when he went to Egypt for a high school class trip. He
has heard stories about The Scrolls but didn’t think they were real. Brian was landing into Egypt when an old man came up to him, gave him a map, and said, “Whatever you find will take you far...” Brian was puzzled by this, but kept on going.

Brian stared at the map for hours trying to comprehend what it meant. He knew that blue lines were rivers/streams and triangles were pyramids. In the corner of the map he saw small symbols. He knew that long long ago they used hieroglyphic’s and thought to himself if he could figure out what it meant it may be a lead to another “clue”.
Brian opened up his laptop and searched on Google for hieroglyphic codes. He took the map, scanned it onto his laptop and compared the writing’s with the codes on Google. He compared all the letters and found out it was a signature that said, King Tutankhamen. Brian remembered reading about him in a NatGeo magazine.
Brian was a high-tech, smart kid who had all the latest technology, so he was able to get a new portable scanner before he left for Egypt.
He did some research on King Tut and found out he made maps of the secrets to the pyramids and the lost scrolls, but nobody knew where any of them were. He had a long thought on if he should turn in the map or go on an adventure to find the secrets of the pyramids and the lost scrolls. He decided that early in the morning he would wake up and sneak out to find some answers about the map.

Early that morning he grabbed all of his important things like his laptop, drinks and snacks. When he left his room he heard movement behind him in the hallway, when he turned around he see nothing. He kept on walking down the hallway and swore that he heard something behind him again and quickly turned around and made karate noises trying to scare the thing that was following him. He looked at the persons face and realized it was his friend Cooper. He asked him why he was following him and Cooper said because he couldn’t sleep on the hay beds and saw Brian leave with a backpack. Brian told Cooper to go back because it might be dangerous but Cooper kept on following him. Brian finally gave in and let Cooper follow him, but only under one condition. Brian told Cooper that he found an important map and that nobody could know about.
Brian whistled to a taxi cab and told the driver to bring them to the border of Cairo. On the way there they saw many mud and brick hut’s, and people riding camels on the road. The road was also crowded with pedestrians and little kids running around. When they got out of the car there were many people crowding around them, speaking some language Brian didn’t even know existed.
They snaked through the crowd making there way to the buildings and shacks on the side of the roads. Brian pulled out money he got from the exchange once they landed, and bought fresh fruit then put it in his backpack. His friend Cooper grabbed a couple of fresh pomegranates and snuck them into Brian’s bag without anyone noticing. Then they started the walk to Giza...

It took them and hour to get to the “populated area” of Giza. When they got there it was about noon, so everyone was out and about. Brian saw a sign that read, “خرائط” which translated to, “Maps” in English. He walked over to the shop and walked in. There was a man with a robe and a cloth around is head. He walked up to him and asked him if he knew anything about the map King Tut made.
The man made a very ecstatic expression, so Brian pulled out the map. The man grabbed it, running his finger along the hieroglyphics reading it out loud. Brian nor Cooper knew what the man was saying so Brian pulled out his laptop and put it to Google Translate. As the man was babbling Brian was reading what it was in English. It said, “Ah the Lost Map! Finally it’s mine!”
After Brian read that he grabbed the map and told Cooper to run! They ran in the direction of the Pyramid of Giza hoping they would be able to get in. By sunset they made it to the pyramid to find it was closed for a week due to loose debris. Brian and Cooper didn’t care about the sign and climbed the fence and walked into the pyramid...

When they got in the pyramid it was pitch black. Brian pulled out his iPhone and turned on the L.E.D. light. When he turned it on he saw tunnels, doors and a stair case. He told Cooper that they would go down the stairs first. They started to walk down the stairs when they heard a big bang above them. When they looked up they noticed a door closed over the stairs. They tried to open it back up but it wouldn’t budge. Brian told Cooper they would have to find a different exit.
They walked into another hall, and when they did torches lit up all around them. They looked around and saw shadows of mummies all around them. They both screamed and tried to run but couldn’t move. A dark see-through mummy came up to Brian and reached through him into his backpack and grabbed the map then disappeared...

Two weeks later at Brian’s house he got a letter in the mail from Giza, Egypt. It read
“Sorry about stealing the map, but it was for your own good. Once I find the Secret Scroll, I will sell it and send you half the money I get for it.
Sincerely,
Alexander Badawy

Another two weeks past and Brian got another letter, but this time it was a check for 2 million dollars from Alexander Badawy. He gave 1 million to Cooper, gave some to foundations, then put the rest in the bank for future trips to Egypt.

Murder on Evergreen Lane

Introduction
Kansas Correctional Facility- year=2007

The prison Warden’s eyes bulged when he saw the release forms for his most dangerous inmate. Beads of sweat formed on the tip of his brow as he looked at the forms and looked at the prison guard that brought the forms in. A dramatic silence fell over the room as the Warden continued looking over the forms. Only the sounds of the Warden’s heavy breathing filled the room. The guard spoke up, breaking the silence.

“Sir, we got over twenty-thousand in bail money from a friend of inmate #5125. We have no choice but to release her.”

The Warden shot a worried glare in the guards direction.

“I know.”

The Warden got up and walked over to the window that overlooked the exercise yards.

“I don’t know if I can let her go. I mean, she killed a handful of people in a week. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt by her. She’s to dangerous!”

The guard watched as the warden turned to face him.

“What time does she leave?”

The guard had to think for a moment.

“In forty-two hours from now.”

The Warden closed his eyes and said a quick silent prayer. The warden opened his eyes and looked at the guard.

“Please leave. I need to some...alone time.”

“Yes sir.”

The guard walked over to the door and opened it only to turn his head in the wardens direction. The guard left. The Warden pulled the chair up to the window and sat thinking about what would happen when this inmate left the prison.


___________________

Robin paced back and forth in her cell. Her bunk mate, Helen, was asleep. The only noise in the cell was the trudging of feet and the soft silent snore of Helen. Robin made sure Helen was asleep. After making sure, Robin walked over to the cell door and looked to see if a guard was coming her way. When the coast was clear, Robin walked over to her bunk, and looked under her bed. Robin had a hershey’s chocolate bar which she stole from one of the other inmates. She lifted an old bed sheet and under the bed sheet, a half-eaten chocolate bar. Robin grabbed the chocolate bar and sat on her bed. As she unraveled the bar, she could hear Helen moan. She knew that Helen was waking up.

“Robin, what’s going on? And why do I smell chocolate?”

Robin didn’t talk for a second.

“Probably the guards are drinking or eating a lot of chocolate.”

Helen, still groggy from her nap, fell back asleep.

Robin started to hear Helen snore and continued eating her chocolate.

“That was close!” thought Robin. “If I got caught eating chocolate, I would be in tons of trouble.”

Right after Robin ate the first bite of the chocolate bar, she heard footsteps coming up the hall. She knew it was the guards.

(This story will continue in the novel written)

12-0

12-0

It all started after my team and I lost in the RSU 24 Basketball Championship last year to Mountain View. We went undefeated over all of sixth grade and undefeated up until the final game of my seventh grade year. I couldn’t believe it, we lost to a team 44-40 who we had blown out by something like 21 and 27 points in the regular season. We thought that we were just going to go into the game, play a few minutes get ahead by twenty five or thirty and then just coast for the rest of the game. That was the pretty much the opposite of what had happened...
We only led by a few points at halftime, I believe that it was three and that was after I had hit a turn around while time in the half expired. While going for a rebound in the third quarter I was hit in the face with an elbow and my eye swelled up so I could barely see. After that I was unable to play for about ten minutes of game time. When I got back in the game, the game was close and there wasn’t much time left. Well it turned out to be too much time because in that last few minutes out undefeated hopes for our middle school basketball career went down the drain. We lost by four and the whole team was pretty much broken, especially us eighth graders this year who had thought that we weren’t going to lose a basketball game in school until high school.
After that game I knew that for me and the team we needed to not even come close to losing a game this year. We came into the season with sort of a chip on our shoulder. We were frustrated with how last year ended and we weren’t going to let it happen again. I knew that we were going to take it all this year, but I learned that I shouldn’t be arrogant and expect it because I learned the hard way last year that you have to work hard, and anything can happen.
In our first few games we rolled over people no problem at all. Easy twenty to forty point games over some easy teams. Then we had to play the our most difficult competitor that we would face all year, Lamoine. Hancock and Lamoine have always been two teams that are contenders in RSU 24 (formerly Union 92). This year although, was the year of HGS. We were good, very good. We had five players who made the Ellsworth travel team, and eventually went on to make the all-star/tournament team. On those teams there are only three Ellsworth players, Alex, Bruce, and Billy, one player from Surry, Bryce, one from Lamoine, my close friend Spencer, and the rest were from Hancock. Nick, Cooper, Brian A, Charlie, and myself are the Hancock players who made up the five that played on the travel and all-star teams. Other than us five we had a few other role players, Gordon, Brian H, and Nathan.
Our starting five was pretty amazing for a small school like ours. We had Charlie at point usually who’s pretty tall for a middle school point at about 5’9/5’10, then at the two guard we had Brian A who is a short little guy but he had a massive impact and was one of out leading scorers. The next three positions were really mixed up, it was myself, Cooper, and Nick, and at anytime any of us, me being the shortest (which I hate) could be playing either the 3, 4, or 5. Gordon who was probably our sixth man and had a big influence on the game is tall and usually played a four or a five.
From the first Lamoine game to the second game we played against them we really didn’t have any challenge and most of us, including me, didn’t expect much from Lamoine in our second duel. I once again found myself being overly confident and I knew that if I wanted to do well and for the team to win we I had to make sure that I was taking them seriously. I felt that in order to get back to the top we had to prove that no one had any chance against us at all, and that was what we were going to do by the end of the season.
In the second meeting between the two powerhouse teams, us and Lamoine, the game was played on our court. That was an even bigger need to win that game, to show them were boss at our house. That game got scary for a little while, as I recall, we only had an eight point lead going into the half. In the third I think that they had that down to a four point game when one of there giants got his fifth foul and was forced to sit and we regained a healthy twenty or so point lead. In the fourth we had to put in some of our bench players and I believe that the game ended with us winning by fourteen or so points. I was so glad that we won but I really was hoping for a dominating victory of more like twenty to thirty points.
After that game was the playoffs, we had an easy undefeated season but the scores of the games with Lamoine were still to close to say that we could beat the all day and I wanted to change that... We had to get through Peninsula first to get there though. Peninsula was the best team after us and Lamoine, I mean they weren’t really good at all. We had been up by forty and sometimes fifty in games against them but we needed to play good against them so that, one, we would beat them no problem, and, two so that we would be ready to face Lamoine on the night of the championship.
We got past Peninsula with ease, easier than expected even. I had three fouls in about the first few minutes of the first quarter so I did a lot of sitting that game, I wasn’t really needed though, which was a good thing. I did really want to play though and get some rare points for me, scenes how I mostly just pick up rebounds and assists in school games. When that game was over I immediately got butterflies, instantly just like that, I was more nervous than ever.
The butterflies didn’t stop for a long time. It was a few days, maybe a week after the Peninsula game (can’t exactly remember) was the game that I had been wanting to come for about a year and also a game that I was more nervous about than ever. I knew that we needed to win, I needed to win. Not because it was a life or death situation, nothing like that, I just needed it for me, and for us after last years break down.
The moments leading up the the game were terrible, I literally thought that I was going to throw up. I had never in my life been so nervous. The nervousness climaxed when we stepped onto the court for warmups and stayed at it highest point until I got my hands on the ball, after that I was good. Instantly, after a week of butterflies, they had all disappeared, like somebody just let them out of my stomach. Right then I knew that we had the game locked up, I could smell victory, it was in our hands and this time we weren’t going to let it slip away like it had a year before.
We knew that we were’t going to and we didn’t, we took the game over before the first half was over, even with Nick and myself in foul trouble we had a lead in the high teens. By the end of the third we had it up to twenty-five or so and we just kept expanding on that lead. By the end of regulation we had won 80-51. That was what I needed and I got it, we proved to ourselves and to everyone else that cared that we we’re THE team and no one could and can stop us... Dominating, all day.

Chapter One- Victoria

I pull my sweatshirt down over my head, and fix my hair accordingly. Take a deep breath. Breathe, Genevieve, breathe. I look at my self in the mirror, a short, small framed, blue eyed, blonde haired girl stares back. I don’t know her. I see her soul and not her appearance. I see every tear those blue eyes have cried. The strength hidden deep within my petite body, through my arms and my back, my core and my legs.
“Geni honey, hurry up!” my mom nags me from the bottom of the stairs.
“Whatever...” I mumble back. I grab my tote bag filled with homework I haven’t done in several weeks. Another day at Central Meymont High School, another day of my life I’ll never get back.
The car ride to Central lasts 4 minutes and 27 seconds, and that’s 4 minutes and 27 seconds too long if you ask me. You’ll figure out that that’s my way of thinking for just about everything. My music is screaming in my ears so I can’t hear my mom until she taps me on the shoulder, “Geni! Are you listening to me?”
I remove my left ear bud closest to her, “Huh?”
“Genevieve,” she pauses. “Honestly.”
“What?”
“Don’t get into any trouble, okay? Please?” She rubs the bridge of her nose with her pointer finger and thumb and then sighs. I know what she’s thinking. She wishes I were my brother, but I’m not. I will never be like him. We have the same genes, we look a like, but our insides are wired completely different. My mom tells me to have a good day and gestures me out of the car. “You too.” I mumble back to her without thinking. Sometimes we get so accustomed to the same routines that life becomes so predictable. I slam the car door shut and curse the winter air. I crane my neck up at the sign that I see everyday, our tacky colors of green and white reading Central Meymont High School plastered on the side of the building.
I meet Ben and Danika at my locker, they were talking about something important it sounds like by the awkward silence I get when I open the metal door and get my books. Ben and Danika are weird like that, I love them to death but their relationship perplexes me. They have been in love since fifth grade and we are sophomores.
“Gen..” Danika tries.
“Yes?” I answer raising my left eyebrow and ripping my earbuds out of my ears.
“People are talking Geni, about you. About... well,” Ben pauses, his adams apple bobs at the base of his throat. “You’ve heard the rumors baby girl.” Ben has called me baby girl for as long as I can remember, but I don’t remember why.
“If you get caught Geni, you’re going to be kicked off the cheering team. Is all this really worth it?”
“I know.” I say, not answering her question. I grab at random loose papers floating in my locker so that i don’t have to look them in the eyes.“I know.” There is noise all around us, slamming locker doors, the distant laughter of people walking in happy bliss. The bell dings and I grab my books.
“Let’s go,” Danika interrupts the silence. “We’re going to be late for first period.”
I roll my eyes and lull along behind my best friends, school isn’t exactly at the top of my list of priorities. I stumble through the classroom door and sit down at the desk next to Danika. It’s going to be a long day.

Explosion

Death. So sudden, so sure. Its part of life, it’s been around since the beginning and yet it’s such an uncertain word. For Lillian Hampton death itself would be heading her way.

It was a normal Friday afternoon. Lillian Hampton was heading home from her prestigious private school in Connecticut with, of course, her very best friend Charlotte Hilton. Where there was Lillian, there was Charlotte. The sound of their brand new BCBG boots clacking against the freshly paved road echoed down the tree lined street. It was the perfect scene, two rich and beautiful freshman walking home in their uniforms from a perfect day at school. Their lives would be perfect, until about 10 minutes later. As they crossed the street, the Hampton’s house in sight, a loud booming sound filled their ears. A sleek black car rolled up next to them.
“Hey girls. Need a ride?”, Said one of the most popular seniors in school.
“No. Our houses are right there, thanks. Besides, I hate that song.”, Lillian said sarcastically. Lillian was in the mind set that no one was good enough for Lillian Hampton not even the captain of the lacrosse team.
“I totally love that song! You can give me a ride on Monday! I’d totally be okay with that!”, Charlotte said way to excitedly.
“Actually, my butler is going to pick us up on Monday. Thanks but no thanks.”, Lillian said pulling Charlotte across the street.
“Charlotte, how many times do I have to tell you to not give in when jerks like that flirt with us?”, Lillian scolded as the car sped off.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve had a crush on him since kindergarten! Now he’s on the lacrosse team and all the girls like him!”, Charlotte said.
“Yeah, all the girls but me!”, Lillian said laughing. Lillian knew that Charlotte had always been jealous of her. Lillian had long blonde hair and sky length eyelashes and barely wore any makeup, she had the biggest house in all of Connecticut, and was the most popular girl in school. Charlotte on the other hand was always second to Lillian. Charlotte was the second prettiest in school, had the second biggest house in Connecticut, and was the second most popular. As they were crossing the street something pushed them back and they crashed into a fence.

When they finally rose from the ground Lillian and Charlotte both saw the Hampton Mansion going down in flames.
“This isn’t happening right now.”, Lillian said stunned. Tears filled her eyes and her knees suddenly gave out. Her mother had always told her that only a truly beautiful person could make crying look good, and over the years Lillian had perfected the art, but right now she couldn’t care less. Charlotte stood there like a deer in the headlight’s. The piercing shriek of the sirens filed their ears.


“Hospital bedding is so scratchy.”, Lillian said moving around uncomfortably. Her injuries weren’t severe, just a broken arm, a broken nose, some stitches, and her some internal bleeding. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton demanded she get the best care possible. Considering Lillian parents were in the house the moment of the explosion, the Hilton’s offered to take her in.
“Can me and Charlotte talk in private?”, Lillian asked sweetly. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton nodded and left.
“I heard on the news that someone planted a bomb in your house. It wasn’t a gas leak.”, Charlotte said quietly. Lillian nodded.
“That’s true...but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”, Lillian said. Charlotte scrunched up her eyebrows like she did when she was confused.
“My parents secured my trust fund so that I wasn’t able to use any money until I was married, in college, or...when my parents die.”
“So, what you’re saying is that as of right now, you have-”, Charlotte got cut off.
“10 million dollars in my bank account.”, Lillian finished her sentence.
“What are you planning on doing with it all? If you want my preference, shopping trip!”, Charlotte squealed. Lillian looked down and shook her head.
“I already have it all planned out. I’m going to save around 150,000 dollars so I can get into an Ivy league school. I’m going to buy a home with some of the money and I’ll figure the rest out as I go.”, Lillian said, “But someone was out for my family, which means that I’m in danger. So if, god forbid, I...die...I want you to have the money.”, Lillian said with fear quivering in her voice.
“Lillian, oh my god, thank you!”, Charlotte said hugging Lillian, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“We’ve always had a empty guest room that we wanted to fill!”, Mrs. Hilton said excitedly. The room was pink and filled with light from the big window to the right of Lillian’s bed.
“It’s perfect, thanks for you know...everything.”, Lillian said quietly, “Can I have a moment to settle in?” Mrs. Hilton nodded and headed towards the door.
“I’m going to the grocery store with Charlotte. Do you want anything”, Mrs. Hilton asked.
“No thanks.”
As soon as Mrs. Hilton pulled out of the driveway Lillian pulled out five thick envelopes that had all her money in it. She quickly hid it under a floorboard, she discovered lifted up when she was in the 2nd grade. She then heard someone walking slowly in the hallway.
“Hello?”, She said, “Is anyone there?” She carefully got up from the floor and walked down the hall until she came to a door. Mr. and Mrs. Hiltons bedroom. She slowly opened the door and tiptoed in. She walked as slow and as quiet as she could until she walked over a squeaky floorboard. She sank down and lifted it up.
“Oh my god!”, She said quietly. Under the floorboard she found love letters from Mr. Hilton to a woman named Coraletta who he was having an affair with, along with unpaid bills, illegal drugs, and a picture of Lillian on the cover of a notebook. She opened the disturbing notebook and found this:

Today is the day that my whole plan will finally fall into place. At 3:30 pm as Lillian and my beloved Charlotte are walking home from school, I will set off a bomb at the Hilton Mansion, destroying and/or killing anything inside. Lillian will stay with us because of her friendship with Charlotte, then little by little I take from her trust fund until she is left with nothing.

“You shouldn’t be in here.”, Mr. Hilton said standing in the doorway, gun in hand. Lillian jumped up abruptly.
“You were going to use me to pay off drug money! You killed my parents! Why would you do something like that?! What has my family ever done to you?!”, Lillian cried.
“Nothing, thats why they were the perfect target. They didn’t owe me anything so no one would suspect that it was me.”, Mr. Hilton explained.
“I’m calling the cops.”, Lillian said threateningly as she ran for the phone.
“I wouldn’t do that.”, Mr. Hilton said cocking his gun, “I just found out, that if you die, we get your money.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”, Lillian said.
“You sure about that?”
Lillian dashed for the phone while Mr. Hilton shot at her. Thankful that he missed and was out of bullets, she dialed 911 as quick as she could. Mr. Hilton reloaded his gun and shot her before she could speak. Her eyes got wide and she sank to the ground clutching her stomach.
“Never test a Hilton.”, he said as he walked out the door, went into her room and grabbed the envelope.

The last thing that Lillian Hampton saw before floating away forever was Mr. Hilton packing a bag, stuffing it with money, clothes, and drugs he made a phone call to Coraletta, but she couldn’t make out the words. The whole world darkened before her eyes, and before she knew it the earth was floating away, out of her reach.

Missing In Maine By Jessica Lindsay

Abby Carter was a fourteen-year-old girl who grew up and lived in Jonesport, Maine her whole life. She lived her life with only the close comfort of her dad, Martin who every one referred to as Marty and her dog, Searrya. Her dad worked the typical job of a quahog and scallop dragger. Therefore, her dad worked from roughly three a.m. to seven p.m. every day of the week. Leaving Abby to get her self ready for school and prepare her own meals. Due to that fact of her father’s job she often woke up at about two a.m. to the ringing phone from Buddy, who was the captain of the boat her dad worked on. He would call to make sure they were all set to go out within the next hour.
So this day didn’t start out unusual, the call came through and Abby was awakened. Buddy called and said, “Hey there Marty bud, you about ready?”
Marty responded with “Sure am, waiting on you pal.”
They exchanged byes and then hung up. So Abby ran to give a good bye hug to her father and then went back to enjoy a few more minutes of the comfort that came from her plush bed.
She awoke later and did the usual. Slipped on some jeans and pulled over a light blood hoodie. She then went down stairs, made a bowl of frosted flakes for breakfast, and placed the same for Searrya on the floor. They ate in complete silence and then Abby let Searrya outside to go to the bathroom, later letting her back in. After everything was taking care of, she shut the house up and waited for the bus.
Her bus arrived and carried her to the front of Jonesport Beals Middle School. She then went to first period. School for her was often a blur because it seemed so easy, so it was no surprise that the school day went bye within what seemed like minutes. After school she boarded the same bus as in the morning and sat in silence with only the noise of her music blaring, IPod. She tuned out all the chatter around her for the most part. She was not vary sociable but she still had many friends including people like Stacey and Jacob. Her stop was the third stop so her bus ride was not very long. She unloaded from the bus to find as usual her dad was still out on the boat, probably in the Northern Bay by this time of day. So she did most of her morning in reverse, opening up the house and allowing the dog out, then going back later for a snack. Abby then laid on the couch watching her favorite show The Simpson’s. She finished the first ten minutes of the show before she conked out. She slept for nearly three hours, waking at about six thirty. It was about dinner time, so she went to the freezer and pulled out a chicken and brownie frozen dinner and popped it into the microwave. While she waited for it to finish cooking she puled out two cups of dog kibble for the pup. They sat eating on the coach while watching more TV, but this time flipping the channels to Good Luck Charlie. Time ticked past and it was now eight o’clock. She expected her dad home any minute. While she waited she decided to get a head start on her Social Studies homework. So she headed to her room to work. She worked for a while until she finished the assignment and that’s when she looked over at the clock. It was now nearing nine thirty. She was a little worried her dad was not home yet, but figured that they just decided to sell there catch instead of storing it in the floats. She knew the lengthy process of scallop and quahog dragging and figured that’s where he was. So she just got ready for bed and crashed for the night. She tossed and turned a lot that night, probably a combination of worry and discomfort from the squiggly dog she shared a bed with. She slept and awoke around six. Then went down stairs and checked to for any signs of her father, but there was no Marty, and there wasn’t even a note. She even checked the voice mail on the phones but nothing. She decided that her dad was probably just spending the night on the boat and heading out again today for some more work. She thought and knew that no matter where he was he would want her is school, so she went about her schedule as usual just with a bit more worry. She got on the bus and found Jacob one of her friends who happened to be the son of Buddy, the captain of her fathers boat. She sat next to him and asked him the question she was also trying to avoid.
Abby asked, “Hey Jacob, did your father, come home last night?” She feared his response.
He responded with a seemingly calm, “No” and further questioned with “Why did your dad not come home?”
Abby thought that if she told anybody Jacob was the only one she would tell. So she shared, “Well no, he didn’t come home and I’m a little worried, he always comes home or leaves me a message on the answering machine but there was nothing.”
Jacob thought a minute and then replied, “We figured my dad was just out drinking or something. He does that sometimes, but if he went out drinking I’m sure he would have dropped Marty off?”
The bus was now unloading so he said they would catch up again at the bus home and talk about plans. She left it at that and decided she would go about her day and not tell anybody, Jacob did the same.
Today school went bye super slow for Abby, she spent most of it looking at the clock and taping her pencil, luckily no teacher noticed he lack of attention to the class instructions. She got through the day and rushed to the bus, wanting to get home quick to see if her dad had arrived home during the school day. She was also anxious to see if Jacob had learned anything new. Sadly Jacob new nothing new and worst of all when she got home her dad was still not there.
She then decided that she was going to take a walk to the pier to check to see if her father’s boat was back in, but it still wasn’t in. She walked to the end and asked the man in the bait shack who was the Wharf manager if he had seen the boat, Mother’s Pride, come in but he said he had three boats come in that last night and none of them went by that name. She slinked her head down and walked back up the Wharf. She only looked up when she heard the sounds of a car coming, to her surprise it was Jacob and his mom, Nicky. They slowed and stopped next to her, rolling down there windows to talk. Nicky told Abby that she hadn’t herd from either Marty or Buddy, she said she also checked the bar and drinking hot spots and hadn’t found neither. She further explained that she was going to have to contact the state, so Abby was going to have to get a bag of things and bring Searrya with her and go with them to the police department that was two towns over, in the town of Machias Port. So she hopped in and did as she said, after all Nicky was no stranger and her dad would have trusted her, so she decided that it was probably in her best interest to go with them. After all she surely didn’t want to sit home alone, and worry by herself. The drive lasted about twenty minutes, and was fairly quiet everybody slightly worried.
When they got to the department they made a bed for Searrya in the back of the car and went into the building that for Jacob and Abby seemed slightly bigger then they expected and a little on the creepy side. When they went in they sat the kids on a bench in the lobby and took Nicky in to and office down a long hall. They sat twiddling there thumbs in silence for what felt like an hour. After the hour passed Nicky and an Officer came out, he then asked the two kids, Jacob and Abby a few questions. They answered them in shaky voices and then continued to sit in silence just this time with Nicky. They told us that they were working on sending out ocean skimmer planes to hopefully detect the boat, and that they checked the boat navigation number but it came up that the navigation system was out of service range or shut off. It finally sunk in that Marty and Buddy weren’t just out drinking or out late on the boat but indeed where missing. They sat and they sat for a long time before and officer came out again and told them they probably should get going home and come back in the morning and he also said that if they gained any new information or got any promising leads they would give them a call. Nicky also told the officer she would take care and take custody of Abby while the search went on. So they did as told and went home. When they reached home Nicky made up a bed on the couch for Abby and Searrya and sent everyone to bed. No calls came or went that night but no one slept well under the worry. The next day Nicky woke and made chocolate –chip pancakes to brighten the start of the day for Abby and Jacob. The kids awoke by the scented smell of there fresh fluffy cakes dripping in syrup and then slumped about. After Nicky cleaned for a bit, they headed to the department. First they stopped in at Abby’s and Marty’s house to check for any signs of life but when they arrived Marty and Buddy were no ware to be found, the house like a ghost town. So they headed to the police department.
When they got to the police department they were told there was no leads and no discovery’s from the skimmer panes. They also said they were widening the searching zone. So Nicky, Abby, and Jacob sat the day away in the waiting room. They left only to go to the bathroom and to get snacks from the vending machine. By six p.m. Nicky was the only person awake. When the kids awoke again more realization sat in. Abby began to shake and sob, and Jacob seemed slightly teary eyed so they decided to call it a day and go home. That night more family arrived at Nicky’s house but none came for Abby. Abby grew dreary and sad that no one had come for her, she felt alone and really was in need of her father. That night she silently cried herself to sleep. Once she finally got to sleep she and Searrya slept soundly. So soundly she didn’t even here the phone ringing around two a.m. Quickly Nicky answered the ringing phone and tried super hard to control the emotions that poured into her and keep quite. The voice on the other line was from the police department, saying they had skimmed up the boat about five hundred miles off, down near the under side of the Mass. tip. Everyone on board they told were healthy but suffered hypothermia and they were being transported to the Machias Hospital to be treated. He said they should arrive at the Hospital at about five a.m. Nicky thanked the officer and then they exchanged good byes, and proceeded to hand up. After hanging up Nicky contemplated when she would tell the kids. She could wake them now and wait three hours at the hospital until the men arrived, or let them carry on sleeping and wake them when it got closer to the arrival time of Buddy and Marty. She decided to wait, so at four-thirty she woke them up and told them the news. They exchanged tears of happiness and ran for the car. When they arrived the ambulance, carrying the two had just arrived so they were placed in the waiting room for the time being. They waited ten minutes and told they were all set, so Abby ran to her fathers bedside while the others went to Buddy’s. She didn’t mind because she actually preferred to be alone with her father for a little while.
Later they told Abby her father, Marty, seemed to be clear of any sicknesses but had to stay for a while to make sure no sicknesses surfaced or sunk in as a result of raped temperature increases. At this time Abby and Searrya had already climbed in the hospital bed and fallen asleep curled up with there father, finally feeling safe and comforted.
The incident scared Abby but also taught her having friends and being sociable wasn’t so bad after all. So on the bus she began talking and when her dad got home she started to spend more time with him and never failed to say, “I love you.” Fearing that it could be the last time she could have seen her father.