I almost don’t want to answer this question (just kidding). But I’ve spent tons of time writing, as usual. As well as figuring out a really good marketing strategy. I’ve also moved around the country a few times now, and I’m on my way out.
Let’s start with me moving around. I was in Michigan for a while. Then California. Now I’m in Seattle, and I’m on my way to Oregon. Oregon being my last stop, before I head overseas. My end goal: Move To The Philippines.
I’m also going back to online school. I was taking a course to teach abroad, and I recently stopped for about a month. I’m starting my classes back up next month, and I should be done soon. I’m super excited.
Secret Project???
There are two crowds of readers in the publishing world: Casual Readers & Subscription Readers. Again, this is how they are presented to authors. These readers aren’t often seen mixing, meaning casual readers don’t mind finding books on different platforms, while subscription readers are found checking out books on Amazon (exclusively). The goal for me, is to line the pieces up.
Both communities in one.
I know I can’t do this under one brand. Sakari Lacross is only one being. It’s a name that has already stapled more as a “wide author,” meaning the brand behind that name is known for publishing to a wider audience. No exclusivity. However, a second brand, allows for me to form a different strategy, without abandoning my old pen name’s lane of marketing.
Kamari L???
Exclusivity will be the brand under this pen name. The name will be under Kamari L. Kamari will introduce a more disciplined lane to my writing, as well as my targeted audience. The pen name Kamari will work under the horror and Fantasy audience. The writing style will tell stories through the form of journal entries, giving the feel of poetry and emotional connection, through past and present tense story telling.
Targeting Amazon exclusivity, allows me to keep the door open for readers. Those with a Kindle Unlimited account, will be able to gain instant access to my biweekly releases of all the episodic fiction I release under the Kamari name. For so long, I’ve abandoned this audience.
I have multiple projects in the works under this name, and I can’t wait to…yeah…more on this in the future…
Photo by Maria Elizabeth on Unsplash
Entry 1
I requested my mother’s body. I wanted to give her a proper burial. To my surprise…they couldn’t find it. A corpse. She was clearly dead. She had been murdered by…
None of that mattered. I still couldn’t wrap my head around her missing body. She had now been added to the list of missing corpses that had been being removed from their last site of rest. Who would move a woman spilling in cold blood?
The law would only tell us citizens so much. I hated this. This was now my mother missing — not someone I was watching on the news. And to think…me and my mother was just watching a missing corpse report on the news, four days ago.
She was gone before the scene could even be properly investigated. Though I watched her take her last breath. None of this made sense. There was no sign of proper connection to the previous bodies and hers. Just a string of murders and then… Whoever was doing this, was beyond sick. *** (Future Project In The Works. Something for Kindle Unlimited Users)
When I ask what you’re doing I meant to ask if you were thinking of me I mean do you love me When there’s so many guys around
~ Sakari
My latest poetry book is out now. Alone, is the start of a new poetry series, known as Too Many Missing Pieces.
A free quick read that’s available for everyone. Downloadable from multiple published platforms — Link Below:
Plot:She’s been on the run from the League for five years now. She maintains as quiet of a life as possible. With that being said, twenty-six-year-old May, is being tracked down by a faction of assassins, who have the ability to dispose of their targets, by murdering them in their dreams. Using what they call, “Dream Magic,” May has to face manipulated nightmares, with death by dream, being death foreal.
Chapter ??
SETTING: BRIGHT RED SPACE — TIMING UNKNOWN
A twenty-six-year-old woman by the name of May, stands in the center of a red plane. An open space of nothingness.
Surrounding her, a group of people stand in a mindless matter, with their faces stuck in the sky above. May is confused as to what is going on.
She doesn’t say anything, just waiting to see what’s going to happen next. She doesn’t move, only spinning her head in different directions as the bodies stand around her, still not forming any human actions.
May conjures the courage to move first, barely reaching a hand out to a motionless man in front of her, before…
His body suddenly suffers a large gash across his neck and shoulder. This gash nearly splits the man down the middle, before fountains of blood sprout out the stranger, and his body drops to the ground.
May gasps.
Withdrawing her hand, the blood gets on her, following a sequence of sudden deaths happening to the other mindless people around her. One by one, the others are cut down, with their blood raining on her as well.
May’s anxiety builds, as she turns in every direction to see all of this. With no killer in sight, she screams.
Chapter ??
INT. MAY’S BEDROOM — NIGHTFALL
May wakes up in her room. A nightmare is what she realizes had happened, as she looks down into her hands, before covering her face with them.
She speaks to herself.
MAY: Get a grip May.
INT. FRONT ROOM — MORNING
Morning comes around and May enters the front room of her two-bedroom apartment. Seeing her younger sister sitting at the dining room table, Clarissa, is already having breakfast.
Clarissa immediately notices her big sister.
CLARISSA: You look like crap.
MAY: I feel like it too.
May opens the fridge before closing it right back up.
MAY: I guess I have to go shopping.
CLARISSA: What do you mean — there’s plenty to eat in there.
MAY: Yeah, but there’s nothing I want.
May leans on the kitchen counter, now carrying a strong thinking face.
CLARISSA: It’s safe to assume that last night you didn’t sleep well either?
May nods.
MAY: It’s going on six days now that I’ve barely been able to get a lick of real sleep.
CLARISSA: Wanna talk about it?
May shrugs her shoulders.
MAY: What is there to talk about?
CLARISSA: Your past. That has to be what is bothering you.
May thinks shortly into this.
MAY: I’m not sure anymore.
May looks at the watch on her wrist.
MAY: I picked up an extra client though, so I guess I’ll get ready for that.
May grabs her backpack and her keys and heads for the front door.
MAY: I’m skipping breakfast today. I’ll be going to the grocery store later. Just send me a list if you want something.
Clarissa nods, stuffing her mouth with more of her bagel. The sound of the front door closing is heard in Clarissa’s background.
Chapter ??
INT. CAFÉ — MORNING
May sits down at a table by herself, opening her laptop. The café is semi empty, with only a handful of workers at the front.
May gets a nice view out the window, before a video chat request comes in on her laptop. May accepts.
Appearing on the screen, is her friend Zeon, a man who’s thirty-one years of age.
ZEON: Catch you at a bad time?
MAY: I wouldn’t say that. But I do have a meeting in a few minutes, so I can’t be on here long with you. Why, what’s up?
ZEON: Well, I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I was starting to worry.
MAY: Sorry. I’ve just been in my head a lot.
ZEON: Still aren’t sleeping?
MAY: Not really.
May rests her head on her fists.
MAY: Shit sucks. Feels like I’m falling apart, but I don’t know why.
ZEON: May, do you need –
MAY: I’m fine. I’m fine.
May ruffles her hair with both of her hands.
MAY: My sister is keeping me tons of company. She’s keeping me mentally together, so I don’t feel like I’m going to fall over the edge.
Zeon sighs.
ZEON: Ok. But before you go, I need to ask you one more thing. Have you…experienced anything weird?
MAY: Weird? No. I’ve been keeping low.
ZEON: Alright. Stay alert. Even though it’s been five years, you don’t want to chance making a single mistake. They could still be watching.
MAY: Yeah. I expect that.
ZEON: I’ll check back in with you in a few days.
May nods and the video chat ends. She sighs and sinks her head into her arms that she folds on the table.
Chapter ??
INT. CAFÉ (HOURS LATER) — EVENING
The café is now empty, and the workers are starting to clean up. May sighs and closes her laptop, packing up shortly after.
She speaks to herself.
MAY: I need a break.
EXT. LOCAL STREET — EVENING
May leaves the café and heads down the street. The streets are empty, with cars not even coming down the way.
MAY: I could get used to this peacefulness. I don’t really see this nowadays. It’s usually noisy as fuck down this way.
EXT. RIVERBANK. PARK — EVENING
May moves alongside the local Riverbank Park. Here, there isn’t anyone in sight as well. This raises an eyebrow to her.
MAY: Ok, now something isn’t right.
May moves her head back and forth, checking her surroundings carefully.
MAY: People are normally here. There’s just no way that not a single person or vehicle has been seen, and I’ve walked several blocks now, near the main road. Especially at the park around this time.
May comes to a sudden stop. Upon feeling a disturbing chill, she slowly turns around.
She’s been on the run from the League for five years now. She maintains as quiet of a life as possible. With that being said, twenty-six-year-old May, is being tracked down by a faction of assassins, who have the ability to dispose of their targets, by murdering them in their dreams. Using what they call, “Dream Magic,” May has to face manipulated nightmares, with death by dream, being death foreal.
First Part of the mini-series will be available soon on Amazon…
Mykel, a 9th grader, is chosen to be an obstacle to hell’s freedom, as demons are given an opportunity to walk the earth, freeing themselves from eternal damnation. However, the catch comes in, with only a selective handful of demons, being able to target the human girl, as the rest must stay in the abyss, hoping for a victory. This victory being, killing the 9th grader, and bypassing her chosen bodyguard, Gabriel, a demon gone rogue, fighting for his freedom, as he chooses to serve Heaven, in this underground war.
Who’s not acknowledging every echo from your voice?
River streams to the ear
You have to be whispering somewhere close
It’s underneath my own skin
These words that I’m just saying
You have to be more than just my inspiration
But no matter what anyone else is saying
I spill portions of my heart’s potion
Thinking of you
~ Sakari
Photo by Alrick Gillard on Unsplash
Until My Days End (Interlude)
What efforts do you need
My heart has pen and paper ready
My soul has your link
I only need your permission
Does the edge of a night’s shore
Sound like a plan to you
I’m asking because my life force
Cannot sustain another year without you
After seeing that you exist
~ Sakari
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
Won’t Forget Your Waves (Interlude)
So jealous I’m not in your bed Upset that I’ve caught you so late When are you really going to bed Can I get you to stay up late *** Won’t change my mind if you say yes I’ve been locked inside these thoughts for days Like seeing you come my way isn’t natural for me Not questioning if I can keep you in your room for days *** Is it mine or your waves That will lead us in direction I want to know what I don’t know about you I can see myself with you, in every direction
~ Sakari
Author’s Notes: For more poetry by me, just check out my LinkTree link below. Here, you can find access to my poetry ebooks, and even fantasy fiction by me (if you’d like). Quick reads all across, so i’m never taking up too much of your time 🙂
Ignoring Mykel, Josh’s body begins to mutate. Josh grows a few inches in height, with an estimated range guess of about eight feet. His skin turns dark grey with his shirt tearing apart.
Josh’s lower arms morph into a set of chainsaws, with human flesh merged at the handles of each one. Josh’s eyes fall out onto the floor, and in the matter of seconds, his mouth disappears.
The sound of dual chainsaws can be heard in the distance as Josh taunts the two girls, hearing loud screams come from Riley as the girls back up slowly, with Josh making his way forward at the same paste.
MYKEL: Oh my god, run Riley!
The two girls turn around into a sprint, with Josh running after them. Looking over their shoulders continuously, they notice each time the amount of speed the creature was gaining on them, enticing Riley’s screams further.
The girls make it near the end of the hallway, almost reaching the double doors that lead outside. Making an appearance from another angling hallway, Philip stands in front of the doorway.
MYKEL: Philip, run!!
Philip doesn’t move. Instead, his body begins to mutate as well, with his skin changing into a similar color of Josh’s skin, as his teeth fall out and chainsaw like blades replace them.
Philip’s new form submerged his shirt as well, with his arms falling onto the floor, as his flesh tore apart by themselves, from his upper abdomen.
Mykel and Riley stop, with Riley breaking down onto her knees at the sight of the horror that was now in front of them, and behind them.
Philip’s monstrous teeth began to rev like an actual chainsaw, showing that an object placed close enough to them would be shredded with any effort from Philip himself.
Mykel attempts to pull up her friend Riley, continuously looking up at the threat Philip, who was also charging them.
Riley refuses to budge as she keeps her hands over her head, kneeled onto the floor, with screams acting as her only means of communication. Paying more attention to her friend that appears to be trapped in a frantic frenzy, Mykel is knocked down by Josh as Josh places his focus on Riley.
Josh jams his chainsaw limb through Riley’s back, revving her insides as he lifts her off the floor with the strength of an actual monster.
Riley is suddenly silenced, with only the sound of chainsaws coming from Josh’s limbs and Philip’s teeth.
Fountains of Riley’s blood squirts onto the hallway floor, with some of it managing to get on Mykel. Mykel begins to shake, just as her friend did, as Mykel decides to crawl backwards against a wall.
Chapter 8
Both Josh and Philip place their attention on Mykel, with Josh still carrying Riley’s limped body on his limb like a glove. The two slowly close in on Mykel, with Mykel placing her hands over her eyes, expecting to die.
The two mutated students were ready to pounce, coming to a sudden stop once in arm’s length. Slowly realizing that she wasn’t being mauled by her fellow students, Mykel removes her hands with caution.
The two monsters were seen looking down the previous end of the hallway as what appeared to be the math teacher, Mr.Isenberg, sped walk down the hallway in frustraion. The two mutated students backed away from Mykel with their heads down, showing some sort of fear at the arrival of Mr.Isenberg.
Mr.Isenberg reached the three of them in no time, Riley’s body still hanging and dripping blood from the calming rev of Josh’s chainsaw limb.
MR.ISENBERG: (Gets in both monsters’ faces)Didn’t I tell you two not to touch Mykel? She’s mine, that was the agreement.
MYKEL: M…Mr.Isenberg?
Mr.Isenberg placed his attention on Mykel, rushing over to her and lifting her off the ground by her neck, slamming her back into the wall behind her.
The wall’s impact forced Mykel to scream. Mykel begins to shrivel in fear, forcing Mr.Isenberg to place his freehand’s finger over her lips with an attempt to calm her down.
MR.ISENBERG: (Speaks in a peaceful tone)You were my favorite student so far. Because of this, i’ll make sure your death is quick and less messy than your friend’s.
Mr.Isenberg drew his freehand back as his hand morphed into a short sycthe-like blade. Mykel closed her eyes as tight as she could, unable to cry from the tightening grip he had around her throat.
Just as Mr.Isenberg is about to impale Mykel, a series of bullets fly through the glass of the double doors. Mr.Isenberg jerks from each bullet riddling within him, dropping Mykel as he attempts to stand his ground. The bullets began to riddle within Mr.Isenberg.
The glass from the double doors shatter upon the series of soaring bullets storming into the building.
After what sounds like two clips of dual sidearms being emptied, Mr.Isenberg begins to bleed through his shirt before dropping to the floor on his face.
The two monsters place their attention on the double doors, with Mykel following suit. A man with an open hooded coat, wearing a gray muscle shirt underneath, can be seen holding smoking sidearms in both his hands. The hoodie isn’t over the man’s head, so his face is revealed in the sky’s half light.
The strange man lowers his guns.
STRANGER WITH GUNS: A bunch of demons picking on one little girl…that sounds like pussy antics to me.
Chapter 9
Mutated Philip shrieks, while Josh charges in head first. Philip chargers after him, with both the mutated students heading outside with where the stranger is standing.
The two mutations make it outside, with both creatures attacking the stranger at the same time. Mykel stands up, watching the fight between the three from the hallway.
The three stay in the doorway’s view, curtesy of the stranger as he seems to toy with the two monsters. He effortlessly dodges both monsters at the same time, avoiding Josh’s sharp blades and Philip’s buzz sawing teeth.
MYKEL: Who…is this guy?
The fight between the three begins to get even more serious, with the stranger rushing out of Mykel’s view as the two mutated students follow after him. A series of gunshots can be heard, with one of the monsters releasing a series of shrieks before two more gunshots echo.
Startled, Mykel doesn’t move. There is a short pause before the stranger is seen back in the entrance way, his sidearms smoking once again.
The stranger leans on the entrance doors, stepping on the shattered glass underneath his feet. He faces Mykel in the distance with a careless look on his face.
STRANGER WITH GUNS: Hey kid, you wanna hurry the fuck up? I’m sure after all the shots I let off, the police will be here soon.
Chapter 10
The stranger keeps his distance as he continues to speak to Mykel from down the school’s hallway. Mykel stands in place, giving the stranger a confused stare.
STRANGER: (Yells down the hall) Kid? Did you here what I said? We have to get the fuck out of here. Hurry the fuck up.
Mykel’s confused facial expression tightens up.
Mykel: (Yells back down the hall) Do you have to curse so much? And why would I go anywhere with you? I don’t even know you.
STRANGER: (Yells) Because I just saved your ass from man eating demons! Now can you please come the hell on before you piss me the fuck off! You little sh-
The stranger’s words are cut short when he sees something behind Mykel. He raises both his sidearms once morning, pointing the barrel of the guns in her direction.
STRANGER: Duck!
Mykel immediately does as she’s told, dropping to the floor as she covers her head with her hands.
Mr.Isenberg is seen standing not too far from Mykel, his body shaking uncontrollably with a sudden submergence soon after of a much larger creature, bursting from his skin. The creature was black skinned with large scythe blades replacing his hands. He held eye sockets but no form of eyeballs. His teeth looked like animalistic fangs.
The stranger begin to walk towards Mykel as he let off what seemed to be an infinite supply of bullets at the once math teacher. The creature jerked continuously, attempting to endure every bullet as it made its way towards Mykel.
The mutated Isenberg seemed not to even pay attention to the gun wielding stranger, but instead payed more attention to landing a fatal blow on Mykel while her back was facing it, raising it’s blade high for a killing impalement.
As chunks of the creature’s body flew off, staggering the creature more and more, the stranger made his way closer and closer to Mykel, still firing an endless supply of bullets without a single reload.
A few rounds took away chunks of Mr.Isenberg’s abnormal face, finally dropping him for the count. The stranger stopped shooting for a moment as he made his way past Mykel and onto the mutated teacher’s twitching corpse.
The stranger placed his foot on the creatures back, aiming his right sidearm at the creature’s neck before firing off four more rounds.
STRANGER: (Looks back at Mykel who is now seen standing back up, looking at him as well) Now can we go, or do you need more of these things coming after you? Notice, I didn’t cuss this time.
Chapter 11
The scene transitions to the outside of a restaurant, with a flashing red sign that says, “Uncle Perry’s Pizza.” It is now nightfall as Mykel and the stranger are both entering the restaurant.
The stranger leads Mykel towards a doorway in the very back of the pizza place, no one in the lobby or in the front is seen. The wooden door takes them to a set of stairs, leading the two into the basement of the place.
A couch can be seen with a stretched out rug on a cement floor, as a washer and dryer sits in the corner across the room and a small Tv takes position in front of the couch. The stranger, now having both his guns in a holster, points at the couch.
STRANGER: Make yourself at home, you’ll be here for some time.
Mykel stares at the man as he walks past.
MYKEL: What?
STRANGER: You heard me(flops on the couch). You’re not going anywhere.
Mykel is now speaking to the back of the stranger’s head as she stands behind the couch.
MYKEL: So what, you’re kidnapping me?
STRANGER: It’s not kidnapping if it’s voluntary.
MYKEL: But when did I volunteer?
STRANGER: You didn’t(looks back at Mykel). I volunteered for you. You know, when I saved your ass from those three demons that were about to turn you into an ornament.
MYKEL: Demons? You keep saying that. Those were really demons?
STRANGER: (Waves his hands sarcastically)In the flesh. Well, should I say, in your friends’ flesh.
MYKEL: But they didn’t look possessed. Josh…Mr.Isenberg…Philip…they were all just normal earlier that day. How is it that they just…transformed out of nowhere?
The stranger sighs before standing up from the couch. He faces Mykel.
STRANGER: Nine out of ten, your friends were devoured some time ago. It could have been that day, it could have been days before. Demons don’t possess, they eat their victims and then they take the form of their most recent meal, if they choose so. I’m sure those demons planned an attack on you.
The stranger makes his way back towards the staircase.
MYKEL: But why would demons be after me? I didn’t even know they existed before today. What did I ever do? I’ve never even smoked a cigarette, let alone done anything to draw a demon’s attention.
The stranger is seen heading up the staircase as he answers.
STRANGER: Hold that thought while I go grab some pizza.
MYKEL: (Shouts from the bottom of the stairs) Could you please take this situation more seriously? This is my life we’re talking about here!
Mykel gets no response, forcing her to chase after the stranger upstairs. She makes a left turn as soon as she leaves the basement, heading into the kitchen where the stranger left the door open. The stranger is seen with a slice of pizza hanging from his mouth and a small box of pizza in his hand.
MYKEL: Hello? Are you even listening to me?
The stranger takes a bite out of the hanging slice in his mouth, walking past Mykel without a care in the world expression on his face.
STRANGER: You need to lighten up.
The two are ready to head back down stairs, when Mykel suddenly blocks the basement entrance with her body.
MYKEL: I’m going to really need you to answer all of my questions, please.
The stranger begins to smack loudly in Mykel’s face with a mouth full of pizza. He stares at her for a moment before looking around and pulling out a chair.
STRANGER: (Sits in the chair) Fine. What is it that you want to know?
MYKEL: Why did you bring me here?
STRANGER: To protect you from anymore demons, what kind of question is that?
MYKEL: Wait, there are more demons that are after me?
STRANGER: Of course.
The stranger sits the pizza box on the nearest counter without getting up. He then pulls a box of cigarettes out of his pocket, lightening the cigarette before saying anything else.
STRANGER: (Takes a puff) You’re a third generation selection. You fit the cycle this time around.
MYKEL: What cycle?
STRANGER: Every thirty years a new child is selected, or, every three generations is more like it, a chosen girl or boy is hand picked by angels themselves. Sort of a biding war between angels and demons. Anyway, the angels pick a sorry soul, that case being you, and hell picks ten demons that have a chance at killing you. If the demons succeed at killing that person either within a year’s time frame, or before the selected demons themselves are defeated, then the bargain must go forth, and the gate to hell is opened up. In which case, a demonic god leads hell onto earth.
MYKEL: And how does a human being like myself stop ten demons? Those three at the school almost killed me.
STRANGER: You don’t. Your protector does. Part of heaven’s way of winning the bargain is to assign some even lamer soul to watch over your pathetic ass. That’s where I come in.
The stranger gets up from his seat and walks back towards the kitchen. He opens the fridge and pulls out a carton of orange juice.
STRANGER: And by the way, those demons didn’t count as the ten demons. Those were Watchers.
MYKEL: (Takes a few steps towards the stranger in frustration) What do you mean they didn’t count?
STRANGER: I mean they weren’t strong enough to be part of the ten demons a demonic god would pick to win a bet against heaven. Watchers are more so known to stalk and report back to the higher ups, not attack the wanted individual. If I had to guess, that particular set of demons were just trying to earn a rank up in hell. They were too weak to be part of the higher ups, hell, I could barely feel their essence.
The stranger finishes off the carton and throws the orange juice box at the garbage, missing the inside of the garbage can as the carton bounces off the edge. The stranger walks past Mykel as she picks up the carton and tosses it away instead.
MYKEL: So there’s really demons out there stronger than the ones that killed my best friend and almost killed me?
STRANGER: Yep.
The stranger heads back down the stairs. Mykel follows after him.
MYKEL: And you’re my protector?
STRANGER: The best there is.
MYKEL: How many other people have you protected before me?
The stranger stretches out across the couch.
STRANGER: None.
Mykel pauses with a look of confusion and concern on her face.
MYKEL: Then how do you know you’re the best?
STRANGER: You’re still alive aren’t you?
MYKEL: That doesn’t even make sense.
STRANGER: It doesn’t have to when you’ve got moves like mine. Did you not see me out there?
Mykel pauses once again as she gives the stranger a mean glare, taking a seat on the staircase as she quickly realizes the stranger is more interested in the tv than what she has to say.
MYKEL: How long do you plan on keeping me here?
STRANGER: This is the safest place on earth, believe me. The demons will never find you here, due to my uncle’s warding. He placed a spell around the building that will make you undetected by any of hell’s minions, as long as you stay here. So to answer your question, the entire year. You are not to leave this place for any purpose. I’ll provide you with food and everything else you may need.
MYKEL: What about my family?
STRANGER: Fuck em.
Mykel stands up from the staircase.
MYKEL: Excuse me?
STRANGER: You’re no good to them dead. (Sits up and looks at Mykel) Look, just lay low and don’t give me any shit, alright? It’s only a year. Don’t make it a long one.
Mykel gives the stranger a disputed stare, with the stranger staring back at her. She then rolls her eyes and makes her way back upstairs.
The stranger places his focus back onto the television.
STRANGER: (Speaks loudly so Mykel can hear me) Bring me a soda out the fridge, will ya?
MYKEL: (Speaks loudly back to the stranger) Get it yourself, you jerk.
STRANGER: That’s Gabriel, the jerk, to you.
Chapter 12
The television watches Gabriel, as he lays asleep on his back, across the couch. His arms are folded across his chest, Mykel, looking down at Gabriel, from the top of the stairway. She is seen with her thin jacket and backpack on, as she eases her way back away from the basement’s entrance, taking caution, as she slowly opens the store’s front door. She watches the bell on the door, not pulling the door open far enough to alert anyone.
After sleeping through the cracked door, Mykel makes a full dash away from the pizza place.
She reaches her home, knocking in a furry, as she continuously looks over both of her shoulders, seeing only the night scenery, in the dark, yet nice neighborhood, she resided in.
The lights to the front room cut on, with the locks being heard removing, from the other side of the door. The entrance door is then open, with two adults, who look to be in their mid forties, standing in the home’s doorway. Mykel smiles.
Mykel: (A worried look) Mom? Dad?
Mykel doesn’t give her parents a chance to respond, hugging both of them with an arm each, at the same time, as she nearly dives into the middle of them both, standing up. They both put an arm back around her.
Mykel’s Mother: Mykel, where have you been?
Mykel, still paranoid, quickly glances behind her, back into the night scenery.
MYKEL: (Tells her parents) I’ll tell you right now.
Mykel is seen closing the door behind her.
A short segment of time passes, with Mykel seen sitting at the kitchen table with her father, as she holds a mug of cold milk, in front of her. Her mom is seen standing up, behind her father.
MYKEL’S FATHER: So let me get this straight…you were kidnapped?
MYKEL: (Nods her head repeatedly) Yep.
MYKEL’S FATHER: (Looks back at his wife) We have to call the police. (Pulls out his cellphone from his pajama pants pocket) Do you know this man’s name?
MYKEL: His name was Gabriel. But dad, he didn’t really kid-
MYKEL’S FATHER: Where did he take you? Do you know the address? (Holds the cellphone to his ear, though he hears nothing.
MYKEL: I don’t really know the address. But yeah, I think I remember the place. But dad, he-
Mykel’s father looks down at his phone and sees there are no bars in the corner.MYKEL’S FATHER: No signal. (Gets up and goes into his bedroom. Though he speaks from his bedroom)
(SWITCH INTO FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW)
Mykel
My dad wouldn’t allow me to get a word in edge wise, and I didn’t make it any better, making it seem like Gabriel was some sort of a monster. He was an asshole. A jerk. But he saved me, from actual monsters. I didn’t know how to tell my father that, in a believable state. I mean, he had every right to be dramatic and amped up right now, it was going on two in the morning, and I was just now returning home to them.
My mom didn’t go in the room to get further dressed, like my father did. Reason(s) being, she was already wearing her house shoes, and, she was now behind me, rubbing the back of my head repeatedly. She often did this to not only calm mine or my father’s nerves, but her own nerves as well.
My father came back out of their bedroom, with his bat in hand, a cigarette in his mouth, and the car keys. He told me and my mom to get ready to go the police station, as we were going to go downtown to make a report on Gabriel. I requested for my father to wait, with both my parents looking at me crazy at this point. Again, I wasn’t making any of this, look any easier on myself.
Author’s Note: Finally got my LinkTree together! Now I can properly give choices of where readers can go to obtain my poetry and fiction. For those who only read on Apple, or Amazon, or Barnes & Noble, I have all that together finally. So for future releases, i’ll just posting the link of my LinkTree, below the book that comes out.
Author Notes: I’m putting together my own e-commence store. My books, being digital products, will have their own safe haven to be in, instead of being split amongst many places. I’m taking absolute control over my career, being more of an entrepreneur than “author.”
The chapter opens with ninth grader Mykel and her best friend, Riley, walking down the hallway with their books in hand. The hallways are briefly crowded as everyone seems to be headed in the same direction.
RILEY: I wonder what’s for lunch today.
MYKEL: Hopefully it’s not spaghetti and meatballs again. I can still feel my stomach turning to the mere thought of eating it again.
RILEY: (Snickers) Oh yeah. I almost forgot about your encounter with the “Lunch Ladies’ special” the last time it was up for grabs. You had two other choices though. You should’ve just grabbed the chicken salad like I did.
MYKEL: Well, i’m never making that mistake again.
Mykel and Riley are passing a poster on the wall, when suddenly Riley stops her. Riley’s eyes are glued to the poster at this point.
RILEY: Oh…my…god.
MYKEL: What? What is it?
RILEY: (Points to the poster) The fall festival. It’s coming.
MYKEL: Fall festival?
Riley nods her head.
RILEY: It’s when the school gets together to host events after school from four to eight. It’s only one day a year but it’s topped off at the end with a dance at 6:30.
MYKEL: That’s…cool…I guess.
RILEY: (A male voice unintentionally speaks from behind them at the same time as her, saying the exact same phrase) It’s better than cool.
Riley and Mykel both turn around to see an older and taller male student approaching them, his arm reaching for the poster as well as his finger lands on a piece of text.
STUDENT: (Speaks by himself) It’s one of the rare events we have where students of all grades that attend high school, get to hang out together. Freshman and Senior alike. This’ll be my brother’s first time attending this event as well, assuming you two are both freshman as well.
RILEY: (Jumps to answer) Of course we are. (Holds her hand out for a handshake) I’m Riley.
The older student shakes her hand with a smirk on his face.
STUDENT: Josh. Nice to meet you. (Looks at Mykel with his other hand out, as Riley has yet to let go of his hand out of excitement) And you are?
Mykel is hesitant to shake Josh’s hand, looking at Riley first. Riley gives her a justified look before Mykel shakes his hand.
MYKEL: (Fakes a short laugh) Sorry, i’m not much of a hand shaker.
JOSH: Oh? So you’re a hugger instead?
Josh goes in for a hug on Mykel. Mykel takes a step back and Josh stops in mid motion.
JOSH: (CONT’D)(Smiles) Just kidding. Welcome to your first week at Manifest High. I try to greet all the freshman; I don’t want them to think that any of the high school terror stories they might have heard, are true. (Looks around the hallway with his head) I’ve been trying to convince my little brother the same thing. He’s around here somewhere. Shy kid, but he has a really good heart. Oh well. It was nice meeting you both, and if I don’t see either of you around anytime soon, I at least hope to introduce you two to my kid brother, he’s terrible at making friends.
Riley’s mouth is nearly left open in amazement as Josh walks off with a wave down the hallway.
RILEY: (Squints in excitement, attempting to maintain her composure) Oh my god, this is so cool!
MYKEL: What? What’s so cool?
RILEY: Us! We met a Senior on our first week of school! A senior who is actually kind, sweet and very, very attractive.
MYKEL: Oh please.
Mykel walks off and Riley follows. The girls turn into another hallway.
RILEY: What? You don’t think he’s cute? I thought I was going to have to go to the fall festival with hopes that I could meet a senior there. But now i’ve already met a Senior, so I can just show up and hang out with him and his friends if I wanted to. Or hopefully just him.
MYKEL: Boys are a complete waste of time. I’m more concerned about band practice. Besides, Riley, he is way older than the both of us.
RILEY: Only about three years older. Besides, older guys are way hotter and way more mature than the boys around our age. Who wants to date the same losers we were in the eight grade with?
The two girls head into the school’s cafeteria.
Chapter 2
The school bell rings, and Riley enters the classroom as Mykel is on her way out.
RILEY: Good luck with Ms.Kane’s class. She has a surprise test for you just waiting.
MYKEL: I don’t think it was supposed to be a surprise. She kept hinting at it all day yesterday during the first civil war reading. You probably just weren’t paying her any attention.
Riley gives Mykel a dumb look.
RILEY: It’s not my fault she’s so damn boring.
MALE VOICE: Mykel.
Mr.Isenberg, a tall man with no hair on the top of his head, yet, grey thin hairs on the side of his head, approached the two.
MYKEL: Yes, Mr.Isenberg?
MR.ISENBERG: Even though the school year has just started, you’ve shown a lot of promise. Keep up the good work.
MYKEL: Thank you sir. I love math. It isn’t that hard. Every new equation is just a stepping stone from the last one.
MR.ISENBERG: I wish other kids caught on just as fast as you. By the way, were you doing anything after school?
Riley and Mykel look at each other.
MYKEL: No, I wasn’t.
MR.ISENBERG: Great, then would you mind staying after to help me grade papers? I would offer you extra credit but you don’t seem to need it.
MYKEL: (Smiles) No problem, i’ll just have to call my parents and let them know that i’m staying after.
MR.ISENBERG: Great. And Riley, you’re not too far behind in your studies from Mykel. If you wanted to, you could stay after as well with her.
RILEY: (Slowly nods her head in an unhumorous fashion) Sure, I guess. I’ll call my parents too.
MR.ISENBERG: Thank you girls so much. Hope to see you two after the last bell.
Chapter 3
Mykel leaves the classroom with her phone in hand as her books are weighted in her free arm. Riley follows behind her, books in hand as well.
MYKEL: (Speaks into phone) Hey mom, you’re probably sleep. Taking another one of your cat naps, I’m sure, so i’ll just leave you this message. I’ll text you too, so you don’t forget. I know your medication has you drowsy. Anyway, i’m calling to inform you that i’ll be staying after, so don’t wait up for me. I should be at home by seven at the latest, the math teacher has asked me to help him grade papers. Anyway, love you, bye. (Tries to hand Riley the phone) You need to call your parents?
RILEY: (Shakes her head) As if. I hate keeping my parents in my business. I barely get any privacy as is. Parents can be so annoying.
MYKEL: They can, but i’m sure your parents just care about you a lot. You know, trying to keep you safe?
RILEY: From what? All the smothering they do? No thank you.
Riley spots Josh changing classrooms from a distance, further down the hallway.
RILEY(CONT’D): By the way things are looking, the less they know, the better.
Mykel smirks and shakes her head.
MYKEL: I’ll see you after class.
RILEY: You betcha.
Riley goes back into her math class and Mykel heads down the hallway for her next class.
Chapter 4
The final bell rings, and just as planned, Riley and Mykel, meet up in front of Mr.Isenberg’s classroom. Mr.Isenberg’s classroom is locked.
The lights are out, with no one in the room. Mykel looks down at her cellphone.
Mykel: It’s only two ‘o’ six. School just let out. Where the heck could Mr.Isenberg, have went already?
A small group of students walk by. Riley snaps to no one.
Riley: This is just great. We stay after, and Mr.Isenberg, isn’t here.
Mykel: Didn’t you say you didn’t have anything to do after school anyway?
Riley: Yeah, but he didn’t know that. I swear, if it wasn’t for-
Riley stops mid-sentence, at the sight of Josh, who walks up to the door the two girls are already seen standing in front of.He holds a smile on his face, at the two.
Josh: Hey Riley. Hey Mykel. Looks like Mr.Isenberg, has you two waiting?”
Mykel sighs.
Mykel: Yeah. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. The bell just rang not too long ago, so i’ll give it some time before I decide to go home.
Josh: Knowing him, he probably had to go run a quick errand. Though I think I seen his car outside still, some i’m sure he’s around campus somewhere.
Riley: So why lock the door? (Riley pulls on the classroom doorknob, with frustration) He knew we were coming. For a math teacher, he sure is stupid.
Josh: I think he’s quite cool and calculated. I mean, look at it from his point of view, what if he had hidden answers to an upcoming test or something and he didn’t want any of the students just going in and searching through his desk. Heck, even some teachers leave their personal belongings in their desk as well.
Josh maintains a laid back facial expression.
Riley: I like him too. I was just frustrated, that’s all. I talk bad about everyone when i’m frustrated, it doesn’t mean a thing. Isn’t that right, Mykel?
Mykel nods in agreement, trying to help her friend save face. Josh ends the conversation with a smirk, looking into the classroom right after, through it’s room’s window, on the door. Josh soon backs away.
Josh: Well, guess i’ll be keeping you girls company until he gets back.
Riley’s face lights up.
***
An hour passes, Mykel repeatedly looking down at her phone. Out of arm’s reach, Riley and Josh sit on the floor away from her, having a conversation amongst each other.
With an hour’s worth of talking between the two, Josh stands up.
Josh: I’m going to the restroom real quick.
Riley: (Jumps up) S…So do I. I mean, I’m going to the restroom as well. You know, the lady’s room.
Josh nods with an awkward look on his face, followed by a fake smirk as he walks off without her.
Still in eye’s view, Riley continuously looks back at him as she leans towards Mykel, for a low volume conversation. She takes her eyes off him for a short period of time, only to tell me in a whispering, yet anxious voice,
Riley: (Anxious low tone) I’ll be right back.
Riley strolls off before Mykel can respond, catching up to Josh in no time.
Mykel: (Speaks to herself) I hope that girl doesn’t do anything she’s going to regret.
Chapter 5
Another hour passes. Mykel, still sitting on the hallway floor, pulls out her phone. She sends a text to Riley.
The phone can be seen, with text messages between them both.
MYKEL
Mr.Isenberg still isn’t here.
(4:15pm)
MYKEL
Are you still in the bathroom?
(4:32pm)
MYKEL
Where are you?
(4:37pm)
MYKEL
Helloooo?
(4:40pm)
RILEY
Help me.
(4:43pm)
MYKEL
(Stands up) What the-
Mykel continues to text.
MYKEL
Where are you?
(4:44pm)
RILEY
Bathroom.
(4:45pm)
Mykel makes her way down the hallway to the girls’ bathroom. She slowly creeps in, unsure what to expect.
Chapter 6
MYKEL: Riley?
A thin trail of blood catches the attention of Mykel, walking along the floor as the blood leads her to a closed stall. A pair of shaking feet can be seen underneath the stall’s door.
Mykel slowly opens the door, seeing her friend Riley shaking, balled up in the corner beside the toilet. Riley’s right arm is bleeding with a long cut down the upper half of her arm.
MYKEL: (Kneels down to Riley’s aid) Oh my god, what happened?
RILEY: (Tears in her face) Did he hear you?
MYKEL: Who? And where is Josh? Who did this to you?
Riley doesn’t answer, only continuing to shake as she attempts to look over Mykel’s shoulder without making much movement.
Mykel takes a quick glance behind herself.
MYKEL: (CONT’D)(Short pause) Did…did Josh do this to you?
Still shaking, Riley manages to nod her head. An unusual snarl is heard that echoes down the hall, grabbing the attention of both Riley and Mykel.
Riley releases a quick shriek before placing her own hand over her mouth, startling Mykel in the process. Mykel gives her a frightened look as well, as she sees her friend crying even more hostile-like.
MYKEL(CONT’D): We’ve gotta get out of here.
Mykel takes her hoodie off and wraps it around Riley’s arm. The two then cautiously make their way for the bathroom door.
Mykel and Riley look around the corner of the bathroom’s entrance, before fully moving forward. Riley is still horrified and shaking from her prior encounter.
Seeing nothing, the girls move forward, heading for an exit that is seen on the opposite end of the hallway.
MYKEL: (Whispers to Riley) We just have to make it to the exit. We’ll get help then.
RILEY: H…he…he isn’t…he isn’t…person.
MYKEL: Don’t worry about it, Riley, i’m going to get us both out of here. I promise.
RILEY: J…Josh. He…he isn’t…a…person.
A monstrous shriek is heard behind them, forcing both the girls to turn around and stop in their tracks. Josh is seen standing down the previous end of the hall, his backpack and books now gone.
You’re here now You’re part of this final fantasy as well Up here in the sky as well Endless clouds, we walk on
I prefer your company During the night, we’re supporting endless stars Have you ever been this close to the above Being part of the day and night sky
No one can see us We can no longer see them The floor cuts all of this off Looking down is your own reflection
The clouds still move without moving us Think of the surface beneath us as a threshold Between our realm and theirs Between the sky and our domain
***
If you want back home It’s going to be a rough path Deep within your memories, you’re going to have to find But these memories, I’ve already erased I never want you to go back You’re part of my fantasy An addition to this world’s shape An aspect to my assignment A destination on my map A description to my story Why would you want to leave What makes you want to stay Tell me what direction your heart melts
