It’s four in the morning and the sun was finally starting to crest over the rolling hills of the small, rural town known as Amerlin.
There is a small, cottage-like house near the center of this quant town, which holds the lone Ally Joplin. Or, at least, what had been Ally Joplin. Around 5.3 minutes ago, she had fallen and hit her head on the hard wood banister that curled up her stairway and into her bedroom, knocking her fragile and elderly head, killing her. She was an intelligent woman until the very end, and spent most of her time in her office, musing about the unanswered questions of life until the wee hours of the morning. She had never expected, of course, to receive answers to those quite so soon after pondering them. He looked down at his watch, a frown crawling across face. He was late, again. He supposed that he did have all of eternity to get to her, but you can’t just have spirits wandering around by themselves for hours on end; that would be absurd. Gliding across the soft grass covered in morning dew, he made his way to the doorway of what he assumed was his next pickup. He wondered what her reaction would be like. People were different. Some of them screamed, some cried, and some just simply shut their mouths and followed him. The saddest ones were those who, after being told that they had left the world of the living, smiled, looking almost ecstatic. He often wondered what those people so desperately needed to escape. He told himself once again that it wasn’t his business to get involved with these humans. He continued to think as he waited patiently by the door. He didn’t, however, like the angry ones. What was he supposed to do? In fact, they should be thankful that he was a guide for them instead of making them go alone. He could have been anything other than this. A baker, a cop, an artist… but no: he just had to decide to take the hardest job possible in the afterlife. It had run him down so much he wondered if he might just keel over and die again. “At least I’d know the way back,” he thought with a chuckle. His watch beeped at him and he waited a few seconds until he heard a sickening thump from inside the house. Preparing himself to meet the newest addition to the afterlife, he opened the door and walked inside. The house was small, but not cramped and had a sort of dollhouse charm. He wandered around looking for where she might be. They had given the location of the body, but, as usual, headquarters was oblivious to the fact that that doesn’t help find them at all. People are going to wander around, especially when in a state of panic like they are usually in. You don’t quite expect to die and then get straight back up from your body, do you? Eventually he stumbled upon her, wandering around aimlessly, a confused and pondering look glazing her eyes. He cleared his throat and her gaze shot up at him. Confused, she stepped forward and looked at him. “Who…Who are you?” she asked, eyeing at the astoundingly thick tome that rested under his arm, “and why are you in my house”. He stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, the movement carefully calculated to give the illusion of comfort. He didn’t have much time for the living and their over-reactions these days. He had grown weary of them over the years. “My name, is David.” He paused and removed his hand to straighten his newly-pressed black suit jacket. “But I believe you mortals call me Death.” She seemed shocked, mouth agape, “so then…. I suppose I’m dead. But how is that possible? I’m still moving, breathing, talking and…everything.” “This, my dear, is Limbo. And I will be helping you get to where I’m from: the Afterlife.” “This….this is insane,” she muttered looking around, “I have so many questions to ask you, so many things I’ve been pondering my whole life.” “Well you’re just in luck. Before we go, I’m allowed to answer one question. That’s the policy,” he said glancing back at his watch. He had been late for this and now he was going to be late for the next pickup. He sighed, expecting the usual question: “So, what comes next?” He was exceedingly sick of that question, and he had grown apathetic to the concern that came with it. It was just the routine now. She was thinking awfully long. He couldn’t be more then 20 minutes late, or he would miss the death and possibly lose his job. However, how bad would that really be? After a few minutes of silence, she looked up at him, with wonder in her eyes, having created what she believed to be the question that answered everything. “Death….What do you remember?” He gave her a quizzical look and asked why, having all the memories of years and people who had passing running through his head. “I don’t know. I just suppose that you’ve been doing this for so long that you’d know a little bit of everyone’s story. I can’t imagine all the lovely, or inspiring, or depressing stories you’d be able to spin.” Death smiled and straightened his suit. He could be a few minutes late; Julie could pick up his shift. “Well”…he began. Kidnapping
*At the End of the Day* ‘Finally! That was a lesson in self-restraint, not history if you ask me.’ I said telepathically to Noah. ‘Oh yeah? Why’s that?’ He asked. ‘It’s so hard not correcting the teacher. Do you know how many times he messed up on historical moments?’ No response. ‘Noah?’ Nothing. I couldn’t even sense him. ‘Noah?! Where are you?!’ This is so not the time to joke around! With the Coven tracking us, we won’t survive long without the other. All of a sudden, a flash of white light went off in my head, and I heard a scream. ‘NOAH!!’ I threw everything I had at his mental walls, but there was something, no, someone, blocking me. I tried remembering what his last class was, and where it is, but I couldn’t. I started sprinting towards the entrance of the school, shoving students out of the way. A lot of them shouted curses at me but the majority of them just muttered under their breath. I couldn’t care less what they had to say, not when Noah could be in serious trouble. I pushed open the main doors, racing down the steps. I twisted around trying to catch Noah’s scent in the hopes of tracking him. What I saw was even worse. He was being dragged to a black, unmarked car, with several men surrounding him. All I could catch a glimpse of was his face: bruises on his cheekbones, a split lip, and his eyes. There was an emotion I had never seen before. Fear. He saw me standing on the grass and I took a single step towards him. He made eye contact with me and shook his head no, telling me to stay where I was. I knew better than to draw attention to myself, otherwise they might take me as well. I could only watch helplessly as the men shoved Noah into the back of the car and sped off. Fear and Excitement I stood there and did nothing. All I could do was stare at the spot where Noah had been standing. We had never been apart since my change until now and I was getting worried. He was the one who kept me calm in situations such as these; even if we weren’t physically connected, we were at least mentally connected. At this moment I couldn’t even ‘feel’ Noah’s mind. It was as if our telepathic link had been severed as soon as he was shoved into the car. The sound of the school bell broke me out of my daze, pushing me into action. There was no way that I could sit in class and pretend nothing had happened, so I grabbed our backpacks from our lockers and snuck out of the school while teachers were directing kids to class. Running to the car, I was relieved that I drove to school, otherwise Noah would have had the keys. I tossed our bags onto the passenger seat and drove out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell, racing for home. I pulled the car into our garage and twisted the keys out of the ignition. Striding into the house I threw our bags down onto the kitchen counter, then stopped as I saw something blink out at me from Noah’s bag. I cautiously made my way over, not sure what to expect. As I slowly lifted the flap open, a thousand ideas were racing through my head as to what the mysterious object could be. Pulling the object out of his bag, I stared at what was resting in the palm of my hand, not believing my eyes. Somehow, someway, Noah had stolen the epicenter of the Coven. Their largest source of power, the Arcturian. This is the end of Running From Love, for now. Keep reading our amazing stories and you never know, Shayla and Noah might have some more dangers and adventures waiting for them around the next corner. Flashback
When I woke up, it was pitch-black. As in, can’t even see the outline of something, black. I bolted up, but collapsed onto one knee just as quickly, clapping a hand to the side of my neck in pain. As I felt around with my fingers, I found two puncture marks, situated close to each other. Close enough to have been made by canines. Or fangs. ‘Stop overreacting’, I told myself silently. I was able to control myself, until there was a blur, then a person standing in front of me. It was a guy who looked like he was no less than a year older than me. He could have passed as one of the many boys at my school, except for the fact that his eyes were blood red and he had fangs extending out of his mouth. I noticed all of this in less than a second and as soon as I did, I let out a bloodcurdling scream. He rushed forward and clapped a hand to my mouth, cutting me off mid-scream. “Do you want me to kill you properly?” he asked in a menacing voice, scowling. “What do you mean, ‘properly’?” I asked him belligerently. He replied in a quiet tone, “I only killed you halfway. If I had kept feeding you would be dead. Completely.” I gaped at him, part scared, part horrified and part shocked. My brain kept repeating ‘He’s lying. He’s lying. He’s lying.’ over and over again. It was on a never ending loop and it only became louder, until I was saying it out loud. As if I believed that if I said it enough it would all be a dream. He had loosened his grip on me, so I looked up at him and screamed, “YOU’RE LYING!!!” I then jumped up and ran toward the entrance I had noticed a few seconds ago. I had taken no more than two steps before he flashed in front of me, blocking my escape. I tried to dodge around him but he stayed in front of me, never wavering anytime I tried to trick my way around him. “Arhgg!! Will you just move?!” I asked him in frustration. “Nope” he answered, popping the ‘p’. “Fine. I’ll just sit here then.” I said, sitting down right where I was. He gave me a smirk and sat down next to me saying, “Alright then. I’ll keep you company.” “You can just go away.” I replied to him, staring at his fangs. “See something interesting?” he asked me. I tore my gaze away from him, choosing to stare at the floor instead of answer him. As I was examining a pile of dirt, I heard him say, “You can ask me any questions you have. I don’t bite… right now.” At that I couldn’t help but smile. Even when sitting here on a dirt floor with a, dare I say it, vampire, I could still crack a smile. Now that said something about this guy. “Ok then. If you’re so interested in my questions, why me? Why did you take me, bite me? What am I now? Am I still human?” All these questions poured out of my mouth and they tumbled over each other in their race to be answered. “Okay, okay.” He said with hands raised. “One at a time maybe?” I blushed in embarrassment, muttering a small “sorry” in response. “I’ll answer your questions, but I’m going to be completely honest with you, even I don’t know the answer to some of them.” He told me, looking me right in the eye. I looked back at him and said, with as much conviction as I could muster, “I just want the truth.” So he told me everything, from why he took me to what I now am. But he also told me some things that changed my life forever. My name is Shayla Adams and I, am a vampire. PRESENT DAY That’s why I’m where I am today. Walking through the halls of yet another high school, in yet another city, wondering why God has been so cruel to me. This has been our fourth move in three years and I’m getting tired of running. Running from the hunters who are intent on killing us, to finish the job their ancestors couldn’t. For almost four hundred years Noah and I have been running from The Coven. They are intent on getting rid of us, even though we haven’t done anything to them. Well, except for the time we stole some items from their vaults back in New York. Then when we kidnapped a couple of them and stung them up like Christmas lights in a deserted warehouse. ‘So they obviously have their reasons.’ I gave a little jump with fright, before realizing that it was just Noah being a smart-aleck again. ‘Give a girl some warning before you do that again, will you.’ I said back to him. ‘And aren’t we supposed to communicate like regular humans anyways?’ I teased. ‘Yah, but where’s the fun in that.’ He said in such a way that I could just see him with a pout on his face, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. I couldn’t help but giggle and I could sense Noah’s confusion through our link. ‘It’s nothing.’ I told him, still silently laughing. ‘Alright.’ He said. ‘Where are you right now?’ ‘What, you can’t just sense where I am?’ I teased. ‘Hey! I’m still getting the hang of having another person with me.’ He defended himself. ‘Okay okay.’ I placated him. ‘I’m in the east wing, near the cafeteria.’ ‘Good, cause I’m hungry.’ Noah replied. ‘You’re always hungry.’ I said exasperated. “Yes but I’m hungry enough to eat a horse right now.” I heard him say as he materialized in front of me. “Jeez Louis!!” I nearly shouted at him, I was so scared. “No. My name is Noah.” He said slowly, as if I had bad hearing or something. I punched him in the stomach, making a sound like hitting a brick wall as he doubled over laughing. “I keep forgetting I can’t hurt you.” I said sullenly. “But I can still tickle you!” I exclaimed suddenly, laughter in my voice. “You wouldn’t.” Noah said with a hint of fear. “Watch me.” I pounced on him, catching him by surprise. I wrapped my legs around his waist and started tickling his sides, giggling like a maniac. “Stop, stop!” He tried to say through his laughing, but it came out all mangled sounding due to the fact that he was breathless and hiccupping. “Never!” I shouted. “Unless you buy me lunch.” I added as an afterthought. “Fine. Just – hic – stop – hic…” I pecked him on the cheek and jumped off of him, standing there watching him try to pull himself together. He finally stopped laughing, but he still had the hiccups, so we started making our way to the cafeteria. “I think you need some water.” I said to him, still laughing. “No duh, Sherlock.” He replied sarcastically. “Rawr.” I made claws in his direction. “Did you just imply that I’m growly?” Noah questioned. “Yes. Yes I did.” Gradually the halls started to become congested with students, their chattering filling my ears. I picked up pieces of conversation, from jocks talking about the hot girls at last night’s party, to the nerds discussing this week’s homework. There was a lot of diversity, which made it easier for me to blend in with the crowd. I slipped around people, making my way to my period one class, math. Ugh. How many times do I have to sit through the same lessons, year after year? It’s already hard enough not answering all the questions rapid fire, not including having to wait for my fellow classmates to decipher the question and figure out the answer. ‘I did give the option of homeschooling.’ Noah said telepathically. ‘I know. But then I would be home alone all week; where’s the fun in that?’ I was internally pouting at him, knowing he could sense it. ‘Please don’t pout. You know I can’t resist the pout.’ He was pleading, hoping I would relent. I refused to give in though, knowing I would win – Noah could never resist me for long. Just like all the other boys I’ve crossed paths with. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind, not about to allow it to overwhelm me once again. Written by: C.R O’Toole
By: Reese
I step outside my front door with my favorite army green jacket hugging my torso. I feel a chill run up my spine as the cool October morning air grazes my unexpecting skin. I readjust my hefty knapsack and start on my journey. Step by step, I get closer to my next day of this high school adventure. As I walk, I look down at the superstars upon my feet and try to remember when they were brand new... the first day of school. They were a bright white, and looked as sharp as a pencil that could pierce though paper. I had bought them recently and wouldn’t let anyone come even close to the box for the fear that they would get dirty. My feet pounded the sidewalk confidently as I approached the school that day. It was as if I was on top of the world. I stepped through the front door cautiously, losing some of the confidence that was braided into my stride and I try to keep calm. My shoulders back, my head up and my mind ready for whatever the day could throw my way. A strong scent of sophisticated perfume fills my mind as I am woken from my memory, only to catch a glimpse of the women passing me. She has a tight jumpsuit on, that resembles the colour of the sky. The colour complements her eyes, but not too much that it is over powering. She struts seamlessly with her two Pomeranians bouncing along beside her, like the trusty sidekicks of a major villain. I continue walking at my own pace, carefully making sure that I am on time and my pace isn't slowing. I hear the faint sounds of the birds flying over head and chipmunks hurrying across the branches of the near by tree. I watch as a chipmunk scurries across the freshly cut green grass to the tree near by as if it were a beacon of safety. The chipmunk bolts up the tree and I don't see it again. I soon come face to face with my home away from home, even though my legs are pleading for a break from the result of walking to school, my mind is eager for the day to start. By: Surayya Kanji
Today is my first day of senior year, and I should be feeling alive. I'm a queen of the school! But because today is my birthday, and the worst day of my life, I couldn't be feeling worse. Ever since I turned 17 my life has been a living hell. And it all began with a surprise... 450 YEARS AGO "SURPRISE!!!!" Yelled my mom, dad, and little sister. I woke with a start, wondering what in the world was going on. My sister, Lydia, jumped onto my bed - or more accurately me - with all the power of a sugar-fuelled cannonball. I don't know what my parents fed her this morning but it certainly got her moving. "Happy Birthday Shayla!!" she shouted in my ear. "Jeez Lydia. Do you have to ruin my ears?" I asked, annoyed. When I saw the crestfallen look in her eyes, I tickled her sides lightly and laughed, saying, "I'm just joking Lyd. I love the surprise." I looked up to see mom and dad with their arms around each other, smiling at us. When I opened my arms to them they came and hugged me for several seconds, neither letting go until Lydia wormed her way in the middle. We separated, laughing at the toothy grin she was giving us. "Alright alright. I still have school, so let me get ready." I said, herding my family towards my bedroom door. Almost an hour later I was ready to go, with only breakfast left on the list. When I walked down to the kitchen, I gasped in shock, then out burst a giggle. I tried to stop myself, but it was no use. I was almost rolling on the floor laughing, with tears streaming down my face. Sitting on the kitchen table were five plates piled high with pancakes, waffles and omelettes. But not only were those there, but there was a huge cake sitting right in the middle with a large picture of my last school photo on it. I was laughing because I looked hideous in the photo, and someone, probably Lydia, had drawn a moustache with black icing on my picture. I knew I should be mad, but I was just too happy to even try. After I stuffed myself with breakfast I walked to school, where I was met with another surprise. My two best friends, Anna and Christie, were standing in our usual meeting spot holding a card and a cupcake, with a single candle lit up. Walking home from school, I was thinking about all of the well wishes I had received, along with the multiple outbursts of 'Happy Birthday'. It was all over in a second. If anyone had been around, they would have only seen a blur of black, and then an empty space where a teenage girl had been standing. By: Taylor A.
The moon bounced off the water as it illuminated the faces of the teens standing around the small circle. The small group of teens shuttered at the bitter cold wind, one of the guys spoke in a low tone. “ Are we going to go? Or…” Tommy spoke quietly, although know one knew why he was speaking so only the group could hear him. No one around for miles, only the dim moonlight brightening the small town on this dreary night. “ Yeah we should its too frigid out here,” Hannah said as she rubbed her arms to warm her. The adolescents started their climb up the steep hill leading to the main street of the town. Their town was unheard of and was no bigger than a postage stamp; some highlights of the town include their only post office and the local grocery store run by Mr. Redburn. Hannah struggled as she tired to climb up, getting her feet stuck on the long uncared for grass that lined the hill. They reached the main street, it was empty of course when you live in a town of 150 people no one ever is around. “Where are we gonna start Trick or Treating? I’m getting hungry.” Chris complained as he dragged his feet down the rocky gravel road. They walked down until they found a row of houses lit up. The eerie decorations a signal to the local kids that house was willing to give candy. “Look at the creepy decorations” Hannah said cringing at the sight of a ghost hanging from a translucent string tied to a porch. “ Mr. Redburn was selling halloween decor and I guess everyone bought it” Chris said shrugging at Hannah. “It’s funny how no one is willing to go outside of town to get any decorations” Tommy said laughing as they walked up to the first house on the block. Tommy and Hannah went as a pair, dressing up as vampires. Their costumes a mix of ripped clothing and fake blood. Chris on the other hand was a zombie, his face painted green and his clothes lose and baggy around him, the half dead look went with his personality. The group of three went up the stairs of the first house. They had to dodge the spider web the people had put out to add a horror element to the otherwise simple house. They had to wait for the local kids to get their candy and run to the next house. Hannah looked at the kids as they held out their pillow cases eagerly waiting to receive candy. As soon as they had they said thank you and descended down the porch steps and onto the next house. Hannah, Chris, and Tommy stepped up and enthusiastically held out their pillow cases. “Trick Or Treat!” they hummed in unison. The man behind they door looked tired and upset the wrinkles on his face displayed in the full moon night as he mumbled and threw candy at the teens bag. Before they could say thank you he had slammed the door and turned off the lights. They stood there for a moment stunned, an unspoken question hanging from all of their minds. “Lets move on the next house” Chris said breaking the silence. “Yeah, that was unusual” Hannah spoke quietly as to not disturb the irritated man inside. The teens stood for a moment longer to digest what just happened before making their way back down the steps and out of the driveway. “ Isn't that Mr. Redburn” Tommy said looking down and fiddling with his pillow case a look of confusion streaked his face. “Yeah! It is!” Chris uttered realizing who that man was. “ Hey, Listen” Tommy said in a hushed tone. “What!” Hannah snapped bothered by how the man treated her. “I know a secret short cut through a backyard, we will get twice the candy in half the time” Tommy said ignoring the clearly agitated Hannah and pointing at a backyard in front of them. “Lets go then” Chris said in a monotone voice. They ran across the street and into the backyard pointed out by Tommy, they had to jump the old rickety cedar fence and navigate their way in the dark. As they began to march over and out of the dim backyard. Chris was leading the way walking faster and in front of the group. All of a sudden he felt the ground give out around him and he was falling. “Chris!” Hannah screamed hearing him fall. It was way past 11 O’ clock now and it was too foggy to see anyone. They were away from the houses and nothing was lit up. “I fell down into somebody's basement” Chris whispered, purposely making it just loud enough for only Hannah and Tommy to hear. Tommy and Hannah rushed towards the voice and finds the old doors in the ground that leads into a basement. They felt around and realized one of the worn out doors were slung open. Tommy went in first and lowered himself carefully into the dreary damp basement, Hannah quickly follows his action and joins Chris and Tommy. “ Where are we?” Hannah whispers kneeling by Chris joining him on the cold cement floor. The basement was unfinished and old insulation was hanging from the walls and on the floor, as for the walls that were done and painted the blue old paint was peeling and curling off the walls. The floor was all cement, cold and sticky. Around the basement was rack and racks of halloween costumes, things from vampires to monsters were thrown around the basement, there must of been thousands of costumes in the old basement. Suddenly there were footsteps coming down the basement stairs, they sounded harsh and angry. The kids hid behind a rack of costumes and watched as Mr. Redburn came into the basement and admired a rack of his costumes. The kids looked at each other wide eyed and shocked. Mr. Redburn walked closer and started to look at the clothes on the rack the kids were hiding behind. The teens held their breath as he started to pick at the clothes. Mr. Redburn moved one costume revealing Chris’s leg. “Who’s there?” He spoke in a deep angered voice. “It’s Tommy, Hannah, and I,” Chris said a shudder in his voice. “Come out here now,” Mr. Redburn said softer this time. They got up and Mr. Redburn scratched the back of his neck. “ I guess I have some explaining to do,” He said nervously. “I have been scaring people so they would keep coming to my store,” he said guilty. “ I dress up a monsters and scare people into coming my store.” “Why?” Tommy said. “ I do it because I want people to come to my store and talk to me, I don't want to be the old man that no one talks or visits so I scare people so they will keep talking to me,” He said as he hung his head. “ Well we like you Mr. Redburn, so do all the people in town you don't need to worry.” “Thank you kids,” Mr. Redburn said as he smiled at the teens. That night was kept secret forever, never spoken of again. Mr. Redburn stopped scaring people as long as the kids would always visit him. His opinion of teenagers had changed forever that cold foggy Halloween night. The End |
Brooklin High School Blog