By Connie Tang
I walked up the stairs to my room number 32. I was surprised to see m door open so that a crack of light was beaming through. My roommate Savannah would never forget to close it. I got a felling that something was wrong. The worst thing I expected was that the room was robbed, but I didn’t expect Savannah lying on the ground dead. I dropped everything in my hands. All I saw was Savannah’s body in the living room with a pool of dark red blood surrounding her pale face. There was still blood dripping down the side of her head. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was it just a dream?
I froze. My mind was racing with questions that I tried to answer on my own. I didn’t even think of calling the police until my mind got back on track. I dialed 9-1-1 telling them about how I found my roommate dead with no trace of life left in her body. It felt like forever when the cops got to the apartment.
They asked me the same question like do you know who would do this? Of course I didn’t know. Savannah was the nicest person you would know. She is always there when you need her like if you lose your car keys and need a ride or if you need some advice for personal things.
It was about three days after the death of Savannah. It was dark and I just got back from work. I am staying at another room until it is okay for me to return to the other room. As I shut the door and turned around, I saw a man standing in the room in all black clothing with a gun...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Temptation
By Sonya Bengali
It tempted me to come closer. It was a strange sensation that I wanted it but I didn’t. It wasn’t mine, but it looked so delicious. A bite couldn’t hurt, or maybe two. Was anybody looking? Surely nobody would notice. My tight anxious body sat up straight at the booth nearest to the counter. With my eyes watering, my mouth drooled as I stared at the steamy sensation. My tongue ran over my dry parched lips. Oh it looked so perfect! Soft thick squishy dough, perfected to a circle. There was an ideal amount of the delectable crimson red sauce, made with the ripest tomatoes, and a medium-thick layer of wonderful melted mozzarella cheese. Drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs, I decided to make my move.
Carefully, quietly, and stealth fully, I made my way up to the counter and snatched the big white plate away from the marble. Rushing back to my seat, my eyes glistened. It was mine, it was ALL mine!! With no hesitation, my starved mouth tore into the Italian delight. Mouthful after mouthful, I dove face first into warm masterpiece, eating like a wild pig. People stared and snickered, but I didn’t care. Nothing could separate me from my dinner. The grease from the cheese coated my rough palms, and red tomato sauce stains lined my lips.
Chewing contently with my cheeks and stomach full, I heard a terrifying voice and jumped from my seat. Slowly turning around, my eyes laid upon an extremely obese woman. She was nobody to mess with. My jaw dropped and I stared at her with utmost horror.
“Excuse me boy, but that was my pizza!”
In a flash I was out of my seat and sprinting out the door with a long awaited full feeling in my stomach.
It tempted me to come closer. It was a strange sensation that I wanted it but I didn’t. It wasn’t mine, but it looked so delicious. A bite couldn’t hurt, or maybe two. Was anybody looking? Surely nobody would notice. My tight anxious body sat up straight at the booth nearest to the counter. With my eyes watering, my mouth drooled as I stared at the steamy sensation. My tongue ran over my dry parched lips. Oh it looked so perfect! Soft thick squishy dough, perfected to a circle. There was an ideal amount of the delectable crimson red sauce, made with the ripest tomatoes, and a medium-thick layer of wonderful melted mozzarella cheese. Drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs, I decided to make my move.
Carefully, quietly, and stealth fully, I made my way up to the counter and snatched the big white plate away from the marble. Rushing back to my seat, my eyes glistened. It was mine, it was ALL mine!! With no hesitation, my starved mouth tore into the Italian delight. Mouthful after mouthful, I dove face first into warm masterpiece, eating like a wild pig. People stared and snickered, but I didn’t care. Nothing could separate me from my dinner. The grease from the cheese coated my rough palms, and red tomato sauce stains lined my lips.
Chewing contently with my cheeks and stomach full, I heard a terrifying voice and jumped from my seat. Slowly turning around, my eyes laid upon an extremely obese woman. She was nobody to mess with. My jaw dropped and I stared at her with utmost horror.
“Excuse me boy, but that was my pizza!”
In a flash I was out of my seat and sprinting out the door with a long awaited full feeling in my stomach.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Unlucky
By Myles Jeffery
The hot, burning sun crushed down on me and seared my old, dark skin. I breathed heavily, the polluted air pushed down my dry, hot, throat. My dry, rain jacket hung down over my eyes, and I could only see the people’s feet steeping on the stove-like sidewalk. I held the old Starbucks coffee cup weakly in my hand, begging for change. Every now and then, a quarter or a dime will fall into the bottom of the cup.
My story: “Your monthly rent is late two weeks, Anthony. Pay it or get out.” Mr. Shneebly said.
“Please, I beg you, god hasn’t been kind to me. I lost my job, my girlfriend, my dignity. Even my hair, look it’s falling out.” I begged, showing him my hair.
“No! Too many times, Anthony. Too many times your rent is late, I’m losing all my own money!”
“Please sir, I’ll have it to you tomorrow, I swear!”
“NO! GET OUT! PACK YOUR THINGS AND GET OUT!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. Then, he kicked me hard in the groin and shoved me into my bedroom. Horrified, I packed the few things I had into my backpack and ran down the creaky stairs, out of the building.
I ran down the street, confused on where to go. I had nowhere, I realized, so there, on the spot, I sat down on the cold, harsh sidewalk. Laying my back on the wall, I took out my diary and the pencil I had used down to the nub.
I wrote:
Dear Diary,
Mr. Shneebly, the man who I pay my rent to, brought down an anvil of anger on my shoulders for not paying my rent. Ever since I lost my job as a pizza delivery guy, luck has failed me.
The hot, burning sun crushed down on me and seared my old, dark skin. I breathed heavily, the polluted air pushed down my dry, hot, throat. My dry, rain jacket hung down over my eyes, and I could only see the people’s feet steeping on the stove-like sidewalk. I held the old Starbucks coffee cup weakly in my hand, begging for change. Every now and then, a quarter or a dime will fall into the bottom of the cup.
My story: “Your monthly rent is late two weeks, Anthony. Pay it or get out.” Mr. Shneebly said.
“Please, I beg you, god hasn’t been kind to me. I lost my job, my girlfriend, my dignity. Even my hair, look it’s falling out.” I begged, showing him my hair.
“No! Too many times, Anthony. Too many times your rent is late, I’m losing all my own money!”
“Please sir, I’ll have it to you tomorrow, I swear!”
“NO! GET OUT! PACK YOUR THINGS AND GET OUT!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. Then, he kicked me hard in the groin and shoved me into my bedroom. Horrified, I packed the few things I had into my backpack and ran down the creaky stairs, out of the building.
I ran down the street, confused on where to go. I had nowhere, I realized, so there, on the spot, I sat down on the cold, harsh sidewalk. Laying my back on the wall, I took out my diary and the pencil I had used down to the nub.
I wrote:
Dear Diary,
Mr. Shneebly, the man who I pay my rent to, brought down an anvil of anger on my shoulders for not paying my rent. Ever since I lost my job as a pizza delivery guy, luck has failed me.
S.W.A.T.
By Eric Jadallah
My team gets ready to drop onto the roof. S.W.A.T. agents are suppose to be ready for anything but I don’t know. I have never handled a situation like this before and if they notice the captain of their team isn’t completely sure they might freak out.
“How you feeling captain?” Asked Carton with the same intent as if this mission was just another stupid bank robber. But it wasn’t and I choked at the thought of what a joker impersonator will do. I just hope he didn’t see The Dark Knight.
“Fine, lets rock and roll” I said trying to cover up my cowardliness jumping out and sliding down the cold hard rope in my sweaty gloves. I fell off at the very end of the line and listened as my teammates laughed at me. We S.W.A.T. were supposed to make look like I fell into jello. But the nervousness rattled my body and made it a bone-crushing drop.
“Get up Merell, we got a job to do!” Said Christopher, or as we call him Christmas. He gave villains “presents” more than the rest of us. He pulled me up and I brushed myself off as we went over to the staircase door. Chills went up and down my spine and I felt like throwing up. We slowly opened the door and went down the staircase. We watched as the joker impersonator took his mask off to get a drink of water. It was my old teammate, Jack…
My team gets ready to drop onto the roof. S.W.A.T. agents are suppose to be ready for anything but I don’t know. I have never handled a situation like this before and if they notice the captain of their team isn’t completely sure they might freak out.
“How you feeling captain?” Asked Carton with the same intent as if this mission was just another stupid bank robber. But it wasn’t and I choked at the thought of what a joker impersonator will do. I just hope he didn’t see The Dark Knight.
“Fine, lets rock and roll” I said trying to cover up my cowardliness jumping out and sliding down the cold hard rope in my sweaty gloves. I fell off at the very end of the line and listened as my teammates laughed at me. We S.W.A.T. were supposed to make look like I fell into jello. But the nervousness rattled my body and made it a bone-crushing drop.
“Get up Merell, we got a job to do!” Said Christopher, or as we call him Christmas. He gave villains “presents” more than the rest of us. He pulled me up and I brushed myself off as we went over to the staircase door. Chills went up and down my spine and I felt like throwing up. We slowly opened the door and went down the staircase. We watched as the joker impersonator took his mask off to get a drink of water. It was my old teammate, Jack…
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Jump Rope
By Andrea Kim
"Ha," Molly said when she watched me jump rope. "Not bad," she commented when I collapsed with exhaustion. "Now watch me," Molly commanded. The ground seemed to disappear beneath her feet she was jumping so fast. I looked at her blond, perky ponytail as it bounced up and down.
"Teach me how you do that," I said after Molly put the rope down, not the slightest bit out of breath.
"It's easy," Molly said, rolling her pine green eyes. "Just jump." I glared stonily at her.
"I was jumping!" I retorted.
"No, you weren't," Molly informed me, "you were walking." I narrowed my eyes.
"Molly! Of course I was jumping. I just. . . wasn't in the mood!" Again, Molly rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, right. Let's see if you can get 1,000 in two minutes, like me," she challenged.
"Oh yeah?" I doubted that I could do it, but I wanted to see her be stunned at how much I could do. "Try me."
"Let's see you move." Molly sat criss-cross-apple-sauce. I guess she was waiting for me to struggle- again. I picked up the plastic rope with green and white plastic stripes. My beat up, white sneakers tapped, waiting for me to jump. My heart pounded. My breathing came out in soft little puffs, warning me not to do this.
The rope began to spin. One, two, three. "Hurry it up, you're never going to do it!" Molly laughed. The rope spun faster and faster. My feet began to flutter and take to the air. The basketball hoop in the background became blurry. My shoelaces became untied, but I barely noticed. My heart beat faster and faster. Molly became clearer when I stopped.
"Hey, you have another minute and 45 seconds," Molly snickered with delight. My heart skipped a beat and I stared at her.
"WHAT?" I snapped.
On The Run
By Alex Grossman
The minute puddle of grey water reflected back a dim light. It was a quiet winter evening; piles of bright white snow were littered throughout the deserted street. The light had faded surprisingly quickly that day; the only light here was the faint glow of the old street lamp. There was dead silence.
Then there was the distant sound of running and heavy breathing. It seemed like someone was coming. The young boy stuck his head out from the concealed vent he was hiding in. The sound grew louder; it was coming nearer. The boy thought he saw a shadow sprint right past his vent. He turned to his left; the wall reflected a black figure, twice his height; it was bending down as if in pain. The grey pool of water near the lamppost turned to violet red. More footsteps were heard in the distance.
The figure started to run again, it came to a sudden stop when it found the dead end; the figure was trapped. The sound of footsteps got nearer, then stopped. The boy turned to the entrance to the street; there was a line of grey armored soldiers armed with rifles. They took aim.
The dark outline of the figure moved faster than the boy expected, it jumped onto the wall and began sprinting along it like a spider. The soldiers opened fire. Although there were silencers on the guns, the clatter and number of bullets crashing into the aging brickwork of the buildings made the street echo with sound. The figure jumped and made a double flip in midair landing right behind the line of soldiers. He pushed one back and sent the soldier sprawling back several feet. It began to run again. The soldiers sprinted after it.
The young boy stared after them.
The minute puddle of grey water reflected back a dim light. It was a quiet winter evening; piles of bright white snow were littered throughout the deserted street. The light had faded surprisingly quickly that day; the only light here was the faint glow of the old street lamp. There was dead silence.
Then there was the distant sound of running and heavy breathing. It seemed like someone was coming. The young boy stuck his head out from the concealed vent he was hiding in. The sound grew louder; it was coming nearer. The boy thought he saw a shadow sprint right past his vent. He turned to his left; the wall reflected a black figure, twice his height; it was bending down as if in pain. The grey pool of water near the lamppost turned to violet red. More footsteps were heard in the distance.
The figure started to run again, it came to a sudden stop when it found the dead end; the figure was trapped. The sound of footsteps got nearer, then stopped. The boy turned to the entrance to the street; there was a line of grey armored soldiers armed with rifles. They took aim.
The dark outline of the figure moved faster than the boy expected, it jumped onto the wall and began sprinting along it like a spider. The soldiers opened fire. Although there were silencers on the guns, the clatter and number of bullets crashing into the aging brickwork of the buildings made the street echo with sound. The figure jumped and made a double flip in midair landing right behind the line of soldiers. He pushed one back and sent the soldier sprawling back several feet. It began to run again. The soldiers sprinted after it.
The young boy stared after them.
Giving Thanks
By Joweina Hsiao
You know how everyone is asked what they are thankful for on the day of Thanksgiving. Every parent asks that right? Anyways… This year I know who I’m going to thank. My mom.
My mom has helped me through a lot of things and maybe that’s why I’m some close to her. When I was little, I had bronchitis and pneumonia a lot. I remember having to take pink medicine all the time. The pink medicine was antibiotics. That same pink medicine also helped me get rid of my ear infections that I got a lot too. My mom was usually the one who took me to the doctor. Now that I think back, I think that was very nice of her.
In second grade, I went to the doctor a lot too. This time though it was for asthma. I had asthma for about 3 years in total, but the first year was the hardest. I had to go and get a check-up about every week. I also had to take a lot of medicine. At times when I got a cold, my asthma would act up and I would feel horrible. At those times, I had to take a very bitter medicine too. As the years went by, I was able to control my asthma more. I felt better too.
Since I had asthma for so long, my lungs still aren’t that great. Swimming though has helped me make my lungs stronger though too.
So if someone asks me this Thanksgiving, “What are you thankful for?” I can proudly answer, “My mom.”
You know how everyone is asked what they are thankful for on the day of Thanksgiving. Every parent asks that right? Anyways… This year I know who I’m going to thank. My mom.
My mom has helped me through a lot of things and maybe that’s why I’m some close to her. When I was little, I had bronchitis and pneumonia a lot. I remember having to take pink medicine all the time. The pink medicine was antibiotics. That same pink medicine also helped me get rid of my ear infections that I got a lot too. My mom was usually the one who took me to the doctor. Now that I think back, I think that was very nice of her.
In second grade, I went to the doctor a lot too. This time though it was for asthma. I had asthma for about 3 years in total, but the first year was the hardest. I had to go and get a check-up about every week. I also had to take a lot of medicine. At times when I got a cold, my asthma would act up and I would feel horrible. At those times, I had to take a very bitter medicine too. As the years went by, I was able to control my asthma more. I felt better too.
Since I had asthma for so long, my lungs still aren’t that great. Swimming though has helped me make my lungs stronger though too.
So if someone asks me this Thanksgiving, “What are you thankful for?” I can proudly answer, “My mom.”
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tiger Mask
By Rico Colley
On a cold, rainy night in Chicago, an old man was walking home from work. He turned a corner into a dark alley where the only light was the dim moonlight. At first, he was nervous to be in such a place at that time, but he took that alley home every night and nothing bad ever happened.
As he reached the end of the alley, he heard a faint growling. He turned his head and saw what appeared to be a man standing behind him. He felt a sharp, icy pain go straight up his spine when he realized that the man was wearing a tiger mask. He kept on walking trying to ignore the tiger masked stranger. He turned his head and saw the other man following him. He began walking a bit faster.
Finally, he made his way out of the alley, but as he turned on to his street, there were two other strangers with tiger masks on. The man let out a loud yelp of fear and began running. The three tiger masked strangers were still following him.
When he reached his house, the terrified man saw another stranger with a tiger mask crawling down the side of a near building like a spider. The man stormed into his house and locked every lock in the house. He calmed down and let out a sigh of relief. He went to the closet to hang up his coat when a stranger with a tiger mask leaped out and injected a shot into his neck.
The man suddenly hopped out of bed screaming. He then assumed he had just had a nightmare. The man walked to the closet with a small limp and opened it. As he reached for his hat, he let out a yell of horror when he realized that his closet was completely filled with tiger masks.
On a cold, rainy night in Chicago, an old man was walking home from work. He turned a corner into a dark alley where the only light was the dim moonlight. At first, he was nervous to be in such a place at that time, but he took that alley home every night and nothing bad ever happened.
As he reached the end of the alley, he heard a faint growling. He turned his head and saw what appeared to be a man standing behind him. He felt a sharp, icy pain go straight up his spine when he realized that the man was wearing a tiger mask. He kept on walking trying to ignore the tiger masked stranger. He turned his head and saw the other man following him. He began walking a bit faster.
Finally, he made his way out of the alley, but as he turned on to his street, there were two other strangers with tiger masks on. The man let out a loud yelp of fear and began running. The three tiger masked strangers were still following him.
When he reached his house, the terrified man saw another stranger with a tiger mask crawling down the side of a near building like a spider. The man stormed into his house and locked every lock in the house. He calmed down and let out a sigh of relief. He went to the closet to hang up his coat when a stranger with a tiger mask leaped out and injected a shot into his neck.
The man suddenly hopped out of bed screaming. He then assumed he had just had a nightmare. The man walked to the closet with a small limp and opened it. As he reached for his hat, he let out a yell of horror when he realized that his closet was completely filled with tiger masks.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Unlucky Dances
By Jordan Vasquez
Once there was this kid named Mike he was one of the type of people that took their skateboard everywhere he went. Friday was the dance and he really wanted to ask a girl named Ashley if she would go with him, so put on all his "skater clothes" and started riding to school. When he came to school everybody was giving him high fives and fist bumps because he was very popular. He finally came upon Ashley when she was talking to her friends he tapped on her shoulder and asked her if she would go with him to the dance. she said in a sorry voice
"I'm sooo sorry I already have a date for the dance but fortunately for you he's leaving early so I'll save a dance for you, just tap me on the shoulder.
The night of the dance was here Mike was in his best outfit, he looked for Ashley and as always she looked Beautiful. Hours whent by and finally her date left he went over towards her by the lockers while she talking with friends, and tapped on her shoulder not knowing it was him she kicked im right into the lockers. someone eventually called 911 thinking that it was a minor injury. days went by and Mike was in the hospital the doctor came with bad news the when he got kicked into the lockers it messed up his feet, it was so bad that they had to decapitate the whole lower part of his body. A month went by and all that was left of Mike was the upper part of his body, some how he finally went back to school on his skateboard ( just go with it) and did the same old rutine. Fortunatly Mike just was in time for another dance that friday and hopped with his board towards Ashley, Ahsley was also popular so if you didnt ask her the first day to go somewhere forget it. She told him that she wwas SOOO sorry and that she would save a dance for him. The day came and he dressed in only a shirt becasue thats all he could wear. more hours went by and he saw tha her date was gone so he went toward her not knowing she was near the lockers and with her friends and tapped on her feet with his head. She freaked out and thought it was a rat a kicked Mike...... "IM SOOOO SORRY" those were the words that came out of her mouth. He was rushed to the hospital again and found out that the kick rupshered his spine. They decapitated his whole upper body and all that was left was his head. (again dont ask questions.) He some how got on his skateboard and rode with his toungue pushing him. he got to school and the first thing he heard was that there was a dance after that everybody was patting his head and feeling his hair. He finally came up to Ashley AGAIN and this time she asked him if she would go with him and he said......
"NO WAY ONCE ILL PAT YOUR LEG YOUR GONNA THINK THAT IM SOME SORTA SMALL ANIMAL AND SAY EWW AND KICK ME AWAY!"
Once there was this kid named Mike he was one of the type of people that took their skateboard everywhere he went. Friday was the dance and he really wanted to ask a girl named Ashley if she would go with him, so put on all his "skater clothes" and started riding to school. When he came to school everybody was giving him high fives and fist bumps because he was very popular. He finally came upon Ashley when she was talking to her friends he tapped on her shoulder and asked her if she would go with him to the dance. she said in a sorry voice
"I'm sooo sorry I already have a date for the dance but fortunately for you he's leaving early so I'll save a dance for you, just tap me on the shoulder.
The night of the dance was here Mike was in his best outfit, he looked for Ashley and as always she looked Beautiful. Hours whent by and finally her date left he went over towards her by the lockers while she talking with friends, and tapped on her shoulder not knowing it was him she kicked im right into the lockers. someone eventually called 911 thinking that it was a minor injury. days went by and Mike was in the hospital the doctor came with bad news the when he got kicked into the lockers it messed up his feet, it was so bad that they had to decapitate the whole lower part of his body. A month went by and all that was left of Mike was the upper part of his body, some how he finally went back to school on his skateboard ( just go with it) and did the same old rutine. Fortunatly Mike just was in time for another dance that friday and hopped with his board towards Ashley, Ahsley was also popular so if you didnt ask her the first day to go somewhere forget it. She told him that she wwas SOOO sorry and that she would save a dance for him. The day came and he dressed in only a shirt becasue thats all he could wear. more hours went by and he saw tha her date was gone so he went toward her not knowing she was near the lockers and with her friends and tapped on her feet with his head. She freaked out and thought it was a rat a kicked Mike...... "IM SOOOO SORRY" those were the words that came out of her mouth. He was rushed to the hospital again and found out that the kick rupshered his spine. They decapitated his whole upper body and all that was left was his head. (again dont ask questions.) He some how got on his skateboard and rode with his toungue pushing him. he got to school and the first thing he heard was that there was a dance after that everybody was patting his head and feeling his hair. He finally came up to Ashley AGAIN and this time she asked him if she would go with him and he said......
"NO WAY ONCE ILL PAT YOUR LEG YOUR GONNA THINK THAT IM SOME SORTA SMALL ANIMAL AND SAY EWW AND KICK ME AWAY!"
The Last Time I Opened iChat
By Max Zats
Everyday, I wake up and my left eye starts twitching uncontrollably. My right arm pantomimes holding a mouse. I have also developed a nervous glance when I am at my computer. Let me tell you my story.
One day, I opened up iChat. My friend told me that his friend had just got an account. Awesome! I was always eager to add new people to my buddy list. I also liked talking to people over IM. He told me the account name and I added him. I opened up a new chat, and said hello. It was all downhill from there.
We immediately started chatting. After a bit, we both were tired of typing, so we resolved to video chatting. He sent me a video chat invite, which I accepted. We talked for a bit, then I had to go. In a few hours, I came back only to discover that he was still online. I got another video chat invite, which I declined since I was busy. As soon as I hit "Decline", there was an off-spring effect where three more invites came. I tried to decline all of them, as they were now cluttering my desktop, not allowing me to work on my project. How long will this fight last? I couldn't log off, I would be cut off from talking to my other friend about important stuff. I couldn't block him, that would be just mean. I couldn't go invisible, because then everyone would be questioning me. My eye twitched as another invite appeared on the left of my screen....then another....and another. It was like being scared by the same part in the same movie. A migraine had crept into my brain. I laid my head down and closed my eyes.
I will never open iChat again. Ever.
Everyday, I wake up and my left eye starts twitching uncontrollably. My right arm pantomimes holding a mouse. I have also developed a nervous glance when I am at my computer. Let me tell you my story.
One day, I opened up iChat. My friend told me that his friend had just got an account. Awesome! I was always eager to add new people to my buddy list. I also liked talking to people over IM. He told me the account name and I added him. I opened up a new chat, and said hello. It was all downhill from there.
We immediately started chatting. After a bit, we both were tired of typing, so we resolved to video chatting. He sent me a video chat invite, which I accepted. We talked for a bit, then I had to go. In a few hours, I came back only to discover that he was still online. I got another video chat invite, which I declined since I was busy. As soon as I hit "Decline", there was an off-spring effect where three more invites came. I tried to decline all of them, as they were now cluttering my desktop, not allowing me to work on my project. How long will this fight last? I couldn't log off, I would be cut off from talking to my other friend about important stuff. I couldn't block him, that would be just mean. I couldn't go invisible, because then everyone would be questioning me. My eye twitched as another invite appeared on the left of my screen....then another....and another. It was like being scared by the same part in the same movie. A migraine had crept into my brain. I laid my head down and closed my eyes.
I will never open iChat again. Ever.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Halloween
By: Averi Westerman
Samantha was really excited for this Halloween. It wasn’t because of the candy, it was because she was sixteen and she was finally allowed to go the haunted house on her street. Samantha has been looking forward for this year since she was a child. She picked out a group of friends that always had the guts to come with her.
The night went on. She heard the doorbell ring. It was her group of wide receivers ready to take on the challenge of going to the haunted house. As she walked down the dark windy driveway Samantha could hear the screams coming from inside. “Ready set go”. Samantha and her friends sprinted up to the front of the house and suddenly stopped. They were all discouraged and did not want to go on that first step. Shivering Samantha urged to put out, “ Whho wants to gooo firrrstt?” in that weird whispering voice. Drew, her friend, said, “ I will”. He picked up his foot and placed it on the first step determined to keep quiet. There was a little creaking sound. One after another and he finally made up to the top step and said, “Come on. It's fine” So Samantha and Alex came up the steps. The steps made creaking noises again. They got to the top step and grabbed each other's hand and walked up to the front door and wiped their feet on the mat. Samantha dropped hands and swiftly turned the doorknob opening the heavy door with a goblin knocker on it. “Boo” Alex, Drew and Samantha screamed. At the front door was the little kid who was supposed to be sleeping instead of a scary old lady with a mole on her nose.
Samantha was really excited for this Halloween. It wasn’t because of the candy, it was because she was sixteen and she was finally allowed to go the haunted house on her street. Samantha has been looking forward for this year since she was a child. She picked out a group of friends that always had the guts to come with her.
The night went on. She heard the doorbell ring. It was her group of wide receivers ready to take on the challenge of going to the haunted house. As she walked down the dark windy driveway Samantha could hear the screams coming from inside. “Ready set go”. Samantha and her friends sprinted up to the front of the house and suddenly stopped. They were all discouraged and did not want to go on that first step. Shivering Samantha urged to put out, “ Whho wants to gooo firrrstt?” in that weird whispering voice. Drew, her friend, said, “ I will”. He picked up his foot and placed it on the first step determined to keep quiet. There was a little creaking sound. One after another and he finally made up to the top step and said, “Come on. It's fine” So Samantha and Alex came up the steps. The steps made creaking noises again. They got to the top step and grabbed each other's hand and walked up to the front door and wiped their feet on the mat. Samantha dropped hands and swiftly turned the doorknob opening the heavy door with a goblin knocker on it. “Boo” Alex, Drew and Samantha screamed. At the front door was the little kid who was supposed to be sleeping instead of a scary old lady with a mole on her nose.
Cave Secrets
By Sabrina
The five rowdy kids in our family were all crammed into the backseat, like too many monkeys trapped in a small cage. We were all ready to see what the surprise road trip was that my dad promised.
“Surprise! We’re here!” said my dad.
We all looked to where he was pointing. Oh no, I thought. My dad was taking us to Mezanian Caves, an old historical site. Word has it the ancient people of the area used to live in them. We all got out of the van, I went over to one of the roped-off caves.
I peered over the edge into darkness, not much to see. The archeologists had taken all the artifacts. I was just about to head back down when a rumble came from below. The next thing I knew I plunged into darkness. I found myself in a dark hole, which I suspected was a cave. There was a small sliver of light coming from the exit. My eyes searched the interior. Clay pots and cave paintings covered the place. I couldn’t explain it, but something here felt strange. I got an obscure feeling the cave didn’t want me here. That there was a secret hidden. Curiosity won me over. Carefully I crawled towards the artifacts. My hands reached for the lid of one of the pots. It took off the lid and a peculiar smell floated towards my nose. I looked inside the pot, something was drawing me to it. A wisp of cold air made loose strands of my hair fly around me. Suddenly I had an urge to get out of here right away! I felt something was chasing me, forcing me to leave. Relived I climbed out of the cave. Everything looked the same, but I myself felt unfamiliar.
The five rowdy kids in our family were all crammed into the backseat, like too many monkeys trapped in a small cage. We were all ready to see what the surprise road trip was that my dad promised.
“Surprise! We’re here!” said my dad.
We all looked to where he was pointing. Oh no, I thought. My dad was taking us to Mezanian Caves, an old historical site. Word has it the ancient people of the area used to live in them. We all got out of the van, I went over to one of the roped-off caves.
I peered over the edge into darkness, not much to see. The archeologists had taken all the artifacts. I was just about to head back down when a rumble came from below. The next thing I knew I plunged into darkness. I found myself in a dark hole, which I suspected was a cave. There was a small sliver of light coming from the exit. My eyes searched the interior. Clay pots and cave paintings covered the place. I couldn’t explain it, but something here felt strange. I got an obscure feeling the cave didn’t want me here. That there was a secret hidden. Curiosity won me over. Carefully I crawled towards the artifacts. My hands reached for the lid of one of the pots. It took off the lid and a peculiar smell floated towards my nose. I looked inside the pot, something was drawing me to it. A wisp of cold air made loose strands of my hair fly around me. Suddenly I had an urge to get out of here right away! I felt something was chasing me, forcing me to leave. Relived I climbed out of the cave. Everything looked the same, but I myself felt unfamiliar.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Tragic Playground
By David Ball
I cheerfully ran up the steps eager to finally be able to descend the slide. I loved coming to the park and playing on the old playground. The paint was worn out and it peeled every time it was agitated. The swing set was crooked, and it squeaked every time I pumped my legs pretending to fly. The slide was the color of dead grass which had been faded by the sun’s rays. It was the oldest most rundown park in Ohio and yet, I still loved it. I played there day after day. Year after year, until the sun would set I would sprint home gleefully.
Today was just like any other day. I would go about my business until the time came to leave. I had so much independence, so much freedom so I had to be a bit concerned when my mother showed up at the park two hours before sunset. I attempted to elude her for my time wasn’t yet up. The sun was still clear over head. I continued to amuse myself by watching the fascinating boy jump off the structure. After a couple of minutes I was struck with boredom so I decided to go see what my mother was up to. I stopped, frozen in my path as I heard sobs coming from my mom. “What is it mother?” I yelled shakily.
“It’s your brother,” she replied. “He has cancer. The doctor said it is a horrible condition. They may not be able to stop it.” I stood there frozen trying to grasp the concept that I could not accept. The memory of a happy old playground had transformed. Now it was the place where my tragedy began.
I cheerfully ran up the steps eager to finally be able to descend the slide. I loved coming to the park and playing on the old playground. The paint was worn out and it peeled every time it was agitated. The swing set was crooked, and it squeaked every time I pumped my legs pretending to fly. The slide was the color of dead grass which had been faded by the sun’s rays. It was the oldest most rundown park in Ohio and yet, I still loved it. I played there day after day. Year after year, until the sun would set I would sprint home gleefully.
Today was just like any other day. I would go about my business until the time came to leave. I had so much independence, so much freedom so I had to be a bit concerned when my mother showed up at the park two hours before sunset. I attempted to elude her for my time wasn’t yet up. The sun was still clear over head. I continued to amuse myself by watching the fascinating boy jump off the structure. After a couple of minutes I was struck with boredom so I decided to go see what my mother was up to. I stopped, frozen in my path as I heard sobs coming from my mom. “What is it mother?” I yelled shakily.
“It’s your brother,” she replied. “He has cancer. The doctor said it is a horrible condition. They may not be able to stop it.” I stood there frozen trying to grasp the concept that I could not accept. The memory of a happy old playground had transformed. Now it was the place where my tragedy began.
Rainy Day
By Kevin Walker
“Mom!” I shouted in an over exited yell. “It is raining outside, it is really raining" As I had this flash back I looked up at the usually pale blue sky and saw a gray bunch of heavy looking clouds coming over the horizon.
“Uh Oh,” Mom said. “We better get home to your father with this firewood, it looks as though it might rain tonight. A rainy day, I thought as we neared the half way point to home or as I like to call it, “The Old Oak.” “Hey mom?” I asked. “When was the last time we had a rainy day here in Utah?”
“Oh I don’t now, I think it was back when you were about four and a half so…three years ago.” She responded. I rolled up the window as we reached my house. I waited for my mom to turn the engine off then I opened the car door and helped my mom unload the firewood. Once inside I put on a sweater over my “Barbie” t-shirt and headed towards the family room. I saw my dad watching the news while sipping at his tea. That’s my dad, I thought. Always with his tea. “Honey?” my mother called. “We may need to start a fire tonight.” Said my mother.
“You really think it is going to rain tonight, don’t you.” He said with an amused smile on his face. “Yah I do so make a fire!” my mom shot back at him with playful remorse. “Fine,” said dad as he got up from his chair. He made the fire and a couple of hours later it started to rain. My mom looked at my father with a look that said told you so. I watched as the rain pored on downwards from the sky.
“Mom!” I shouted in an over exited yell. “It is raining outside, it is really raining" As I had this flash back I looked up at the usually pale blue sky and saw a gray bunch of heavy looking clouds coming over the horizon.
“Uh Oh,” Mom said. “We better get home to your father with this firewood, it looks as though it might rain tonight. A rainy day, I thought as we neared the half way point to home or as I like to call it, “The Old Oak.” “Hey mom?” I asked. “When was the last time we had a rainy day here in Utah?”
“Oh I don’t now, I think it was back when you were about four and a half so…three years ago.” She responded. I rolled up the window as we reached my house. I waited for my mom to turn the engine off then I opened the car door and helped my mom unload the firewood. Once inside I put on a sweater over my “Barbie” t-shirt and headed towards the family room. I saw my dad watching the news while sipping at his tea. That’s my dad, I thought. Always with his tea. “Honey?” my mother called. “We may need to start a fire tonight.” Said my mother.
“You really think it is going to rain tonight, don’t you.” He said with an amused smile on his face. “Yah I do so make a fire!” my mom shot back at him with playful remorse. “Fine,” said dad as he got up from his chair. He made the fire and a couple of hours later it started to rain. My mom looked at my father with a look that said told you so. I watched as the rain pored on downwards from the sky.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Tornado
By Taylor Mullin
I cried softly as my mother held my head to her chest as we sat together in the small bathtub in our basement, the tub full of dirt and shattered debris.
“Everything will be okay,” She murmured, gently petting my head with her hand. Tears streamed down my hot, flushed cheeks, dripping onto my muddy, torn jeans. I was thirteen years old, but I was blubbering like a small child.
I sobbed, looking around me at the demolished pieces of plywood beams and shattered glass. My bright green eyes were shadowed and gray by the tears, distress and the enraged storm clouds that stared down at us from the depressing gray sky.
Suddenly, I thought of my brother, Blake and my father, who I had seen leaving for a football game just before the tornado hit, and my heart suddenly sped up again.
“Mom, what about dad and Blake?”
She looked at me, tears now welling up. She quickly averted her usually warm, brown eyes and shrouded her face with her long wavy red hair. She didn't need to speak a word, for her actions spoke the truth loud and clear. Blake and my father had gone to the football game, and the tornado had taken them.
I let this sink in, and allowed myself to be engulfed in my sadness, smothering in it. I was too sad to cry, so the endless down-pour acted as my tears.
My mother and I slowly stood up, my legs and arms numb and stiff from sitting in the tub and gripping the metal handrail. We climbed out of the square hole that was once our basement, and as I knelt on the ground, looking out at the flattened mess that was Topeka, I saw them, my father and Blake, limping toward us.
I cried softly as my mother held my head to her chest as we sat together in the small bathtub in our basement, the tub full of dirt and shattered debris.
“Everything will be okay,” She murmured, gently petting my head with her hand. Tears streamed down my hot, flushed cheeks, dripping onto my muddy, torn jeans. I was thirteen years old, but I was blubbering like a small child.
I sobbed, looking around me at the demolished pieces of plywood beams and shattered glass. My bright green eyes were shadowed and gray by the tears, distress and the enraged storm clouds that stared down at us from the depressing gray sky.
Suddenly, I thought of my brother, Blake and my father, who I had seen leaving for a football game just before the tornado hit, and my heart suddenly sped up again.
“Mom, what about dad and Blake?”
She looked at me, tears now welling up. She quickly averted her usually warm, brown eyes and shrouded her face with her long wavy red hair. She didn't need to speak a word, for her actions spoke the truth loud and clear. Blake and my father had gone to the football game, and the tornado had taken them.
I let this sink in, and allowed myself to be engulfed in my sadness, smothering in it. I was too sad to cry, so the endless down-pour acted as my tears.
My mother and I slowly stood up, my legs and arms numb and stiff from sitting in the tub and gripping the metal handrail. We climbed out of the square hole that was once our basement, and as I knelt on the ground, looking out at the flattened mess that was Topeka, I saw them, my father and Blake, limping toward us.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Nightmare on Elms Street
By Jada Rice
I stood at my room gazing at my white walls wondering what was the consequence of my foolishness. Darkened and closed in with surrounding walls and no light. Almost as if I were a vampire kept inside of a black and silk interior coffin ceased from the rest of the world and its beauty. I wanted to escape from the darkness, but how? My mother awaited outside of my room door keeping eye and making sure I was not capable of escaping my misery. I was punished for something I didn’t do. My mother could no more put up with my guilt. My life is miserable, my foolish father abandoned my family for his other. Who knew? His name was Fredrick Rod the third and I, Fredrick Rod the fourth, but I go by the name of Fred. Why? It's because Fredrick is an extremely ferocious name. My father looks just like I, blond and thin hair swooped over to one side, though my father’s hair is short. We just have a similar hair texture. We comprise blue and wide eyes, a nose the size of a medium button, coffee smooth skin, and a short torso, but with lengthy legs.
My father works at a brown and creepy haunted house on Elms street. It boasts a scary history about a witch who was executed there because of her mischievous practices of witchcraft and voodoo. At night I managed to escape my house. My first instinct was to enter the historic house. Once I entered I felt a burst of goose bumps swarm over my body.
“CREEK, CREEK,” the stairs were ancient.
I reached the top of the ancient staircase. I glanced to my right and noticed a mysterious white light beaming from behind a chestnut door. I decided to peek inside, but before I knew it a current of wind swept me inside. From there on it felt as if I had been brainwashed.
I stood at my room gazing at my white walls wondering what was the consequence of my foolishness. Darkened and closed in with surrounding walls and no light. Almost as if I were a vampire kept inside of a black and silk interior coffin ceased from the rest of the world and its beauty. I wanted to escape from the darkness, but how? My mother awaited outside of my room door keeping eye and making sure I was not capable of escaping my misery. I was punished for something I didn’t do. My mother could no more put up with my guilt. My life is miserable, my foolish father abandoned my family for his other. Who knew? His name was Fredrick Rod the third and I, Fredrick Rod the fourth, but I go by the name of Fred. Why? It's because Fredrick is an extremely ferocious name. My father looks just like I, blond and thin hair swooped over to one side, though my father’s hair is short. We just have a similar hair texture. We comprise blue and wide eyes, a nose the size of a medium button, coffee smooth skin, and a short torso, but with lengthy legs.
My father works at a brown and creepy haunted house on Elms street. It boasts a scary history about a witch who was executed there because of her mischievous practices of witchcraft and voodoo. At night I managed to escape my house. My first instinct was to enter the historic house. Once I entered I felt a burst of goose bumps swarm over my body.
“CREEK, CREEK,” the stairs were ancient.
I reached the top of the ancient staircase. I glanced to my right and noticed a mysterious white light beaming from behind a chestnut door. I decided to peek inside, but before I knew it a current of wind swept me inside. From there on it felt as if I had been brainwashed.
Hurry Up
By John Strong
“Run faster. We are going to be late. The taxi driver says he will leave if you don’t come soon.” Mary flipped closed her phone with anger. This was going to be the second time she had missed a taxi because of James. Last time he had insisted on waiting a bit longer to get to the front of the line to get Michel Phelps’ swimming card. They were leaving Beijing, China to fly back to good old Alabama. But again James was trying to get a glimpse of the American medals one last time.
The taxi driver rumbled in a deep voice, ”I’m going to wait one more minute.”
She nodded her head as if to say leave. The taxi driver was gone almost instantly and was picking up more tourists to take to the airport. At that moment, James came running, yelling about something crazy again. She told him that the taxi had left and if they wanted to leave today, they should probably get going. There was a taxi driving by so James held up his hand and haled the taxi down. They hopped in and did not need to say anything. The taxi man pointed at the airport 10 mile sign. They were stuck deep in traffic. About 10 minutes later, there was a loud popping sound and the car skidded to a stop. They stumbled out of the car. It was a blowout. It was only a half a mile from the airport. They were going to walk. They walked slow, held down by the luggage and the thick green grass. They had to get to the airport in twenty minutes or they would probably miss their flight. They could see the planes taking off and could hear the loud gargle of the engines. They had three minutes and Mary shrieked, “This is all your fault!” A second later, they could see fireworks showing the end of the Olympics. One stray firework hit the airport. She whispered, ”I guess we will stay in China for a bit longer.”
“Run faster. We are going to be late. The taxi driver says he will leave if you don’t come soon.” Mary flipped closed her phone with anger. This was going to be the second time she had missed a taxi because of James. Last time he had insisted on waiting a bit longer to get to the front of the line to get Michel Phelps’ swimming card. They were leaving Beijing, China to fly back to good old Alabama. But again James was trying to get a glimpse of the American medals one last time.
The taxi driver rumbled in a deep voice, ”I’m going to wait one more minute.”
She nodded her head as if to say leave. The taxi driver was gone almost instantly and was picking up more tourists to take to the airport. At that moment, James came running, yelling about something crazy again. She told him that the taxi had left and if they wanted to leave today, they should probably get going. There was a taxi driving by so James held up his hand and haled the taxi down. They hopped in and did not need to say anything. The taxi man pointed at the airport 10 mile sign. They were stuck deep in traffic. About 10 minutes later, there was a loud popping sound and the car skidded to a stop. They stumbled out of the car. It was a blowout. It was only a half a mile from the airport. They were going to walk. They walked slow, held down by the luggage and the thick green grass. They had to get to the airport in twenty minutes or they would probably miss their flight. They could see the planes taking off and could hear the loud gargle of the engines. They had three minutes and Mary shrieked, “This is all your fault!” A second later, they could see fireworks showing the end of the Olympics. One stray firework hit the airport. She whispered, ”I guess we will stay in China for a bit longer.”
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Divorced or DiForced
By Ryan Mclaughlin
He sat in the darkness and wallowed in disbelief. He was in a cave huddled and muttering sentences that the crying drowned out. He looked up expecting to see a bright light but all that was there was the darkness of betrayal and sorrow. The cave had swallowed him whole right out of his living room. It had seemed that it had suddenly appeared and he could not see it coming.
He looked again and he saw a door open in front of him. The lights turned on and he looked around to see his bathroom around him.
“Will, you have been in here for an hour please come back out.”
It came back to him. The shock of his parents divorce and the feeling that they let him down. He stared into the eyes of his dad and behind him emerged his mom. He looked at their faces and then their hands. The wedding rings were off and the glimmer of light no longer did exist.
He thought to himself that he should have know it was coming. A week before he had heard his dad screaming at his mom and the weeping of both of them. He slowly trudged out pretending that his parents didn’t exist. He went to his dog, leaned down and felt the smack of the dogs tongue against his red cheeks. He turned to his parents looking furious but all he said was, “Where am I gonna live.”
His mom turned to his dad and said, “All to be decided.”
He stayed at his dad's house while his mom drove away to the apartment she wass renting. Will’s Dad was trying to explain that nothing would change. Will thought to himself, “Liar. Everything will change, everything."
He sat in the darkness and wallowed in disbelief. He was in a cave huddled and muttering sentences that the crying drowned out. He looked up expecting to see a bright light but all that was there was the darkness of betrayal and sorrow. The cave had swallowed him whole right out of his living room. It had seemed that it had suddenly appeared and he could not see it coming.
He looked again and he saw a door open in front of him. The lights turned on and he looked around to see his bathroom around him.
“Will, you have been in here for an hour please come back out.”
It came back to him. The shock of his parents divorce and the feeling that they let him down. He stared into the eyes of his dad and behind him emerged his mom. He looked at their faces and then their hands. The wedding rings were off and the glimmer of light no longer did exist.
He thought to himself that he should have know it was coming. A week before he had heard his dad screaming at his mom and the weeping of both of them. He slowly trudged out pretending that his parents didn’t exist. He went to his dog, leaned down and felt the smack of the dogs tongue against his red cheeks. He turned to his parents looking furious but all he said was, “Where am I gonna live.”
His mom turned to his dad and said, “All to be decided.”
He stayed at his dad's house while his mom drove away to the apartment she wass renting. Will’s Dad was trying to explain that nothing would change. Will thought to himself, “Liar. Everything will change, everything."
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