Am I allowed to see you this way Do I have your permission to daydream To lay beside you in a summer’s field And tell you, how much I hate the summer *** You have a balanced look Of ambition and amazement I let it go, every time I exhale No point of waiting, I exhale No point of anxiety, I exhale The moment I take in your image, I exhale *** Captured, but I can’t say it enough I never asked to be released from this trance Who needs a soul when I have eyes Can I just talk to your spirit instead
To tell you you’re beautiful Is to tell winter it’s cold *** To tell you you’re beautiful Is to hold the sunlight in one’s hand *** To tell you you’re beautiful Is to land a shot, on a stationed target *** It’s obvious that the wind blows during a storm And that night is always after day Just as I am after you, hand and foot If you were to pass my way *** (An inspired poem by you — thank you for being beautiful)
I didn’t know When you went away That I would lose this much Track of time So much is gone from me now So little left to complain about *** My only star in the sky On a napless night, you are Resting in my mind, like you aren’t Working the night shift Taking away my attention From the moon towards the disgrace So distant, let’s not be that anymore So maintained, let’s not blame life again *** Even if we know each other Let’s build all over again You’ve been outgrowing me I’ve been unsure about other things Call it a waste of time And be back beside me *** My only star in the sky On a napless night, you are Resting in my mind, like you aren’t Working the night shift Taking away my attention From the moon towards the disgrace So distant, let’s not be that anymore So maintained, let’s not blame life again
~ Sakari
Author’s Notes: Get access to the full book through my Linktree profile or browse through my catalog of books 🙂
My father finally went to bed, not truly knowing if he was sleep, though he was back in the room, after talking with me and my mother, for over and hour. It was a quarter past three now.
My mother stayed in the front room with me, asking me a countless number of times, was I okay. I made sure to tell her every time, that I was. I promised her that me, her, and my father, could go to the police station in the morning, if they actually heard me out, no matter what I told them, or how crazy it sounded. My mother agreed, though my dad needed time to himself. I understood.
My dad wanted immediate action. He wanted to get the ball rolling, knowing that his daughter was taken away by some stranger. That’s all he needed to hear. Though there was more to the story. Much more. But only my mother was willing to listen to the rest, with my dad leaving their bedroom door cracked, as he went back to bed. He couldn’t hide his frustration.
I started off from the school setting with my mother, with her telling me that she was notified about the school shooting, and that the school called her, telling her that they alerted all parents to stay away from the school grounds until further notice. She said the police spoke to them as well. I made sure to correct her though, informing her that she had only gotten one side of the story.
I took in a deep inhale, and released an even deeper exhale, before telling her everything. She sat there the entire time listening to me, squinting her eyes the more she heard, what probably sounded like, fan fiction to her. But it was a truth I lived.
When I was done, she got up out of her chair and hugged me. A surprising move. She didn’t say anything, she just hugged me. She didn’t even let me go right away. I stood up while she was still hugging me, placing my arms around her as well. I told her that I was warned not to come back home, as they could be placed in grave danger as well. She told me she knew. Her answer startled me.
You do? I asked her. She didn’t answer. I couldn’t quite see her face, as she was still holding me tightly. And I didn’t want to pull away from her, not quite yet, knowing that she was worried. However, I couldn’t quite help but feel a chill amongst my body, once she said those last words. Truthfully…I was frozen. Something was wrong.
My mother slightly moved shortly after, though I still couldn’t move. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t. My body though…my body jerked. I felt strong pressure in my back, followed by wetness. My mother slowly released me after this.
Chapter 14
My legs got weak first, and then my body. I dropped to the floor. I felt so tired. So numb. So quickly scared. What was happening?
Touching my back for a second time, my hand drew back…blood. My mother…my…my mother…my mother stabbed me.
Looking up at her, was she really my mother? She watched me lay on my stomach, bleeding from my back. I grew more and more fatigue, trying to concentrate on her. My vision…my vision even started to deteriorate. The room spent in the meantime.
My mother gained a devilish smirk, with my father being seen in the background, coming out of his bedroom, with the same smirk. He even held the baseball bat in his hand, hanging over his shoulder. He took his place beside my mother. These weren’t my parents.
My dad spoke, squatting down to lower himself closer to me. He told me with the most evilest smile…the coldest, yet, proud tone, to go to sleep. Let go. I felt a tear leave the corner of my eye.
I closed my eyes, as I didn’t want my last memory to be of these imposters, that looked like my parents. I now waited, for either of them to deliver the final blow. I should have listened to Gabriel. How did everything change for me, in the course of a day? Just twelve hours ago…I was…I was…
My train of thought was broken, the sound of glass shattering. But I felt nothing new. No other source of pain. Just tons of pressure coming from my back still. I slowly opened my eyes, seeing my mother stagger, with a blue glowing object, impaled into the side of her stomach. The object was shaped like some sort of arrow.
The glow from the arrow was so bright, like a mass of physical energy. I could see my mother’s blood quickly soaking her shirt, with my dad turned around, facing my mother. His face tightens, with a slight look of surprise. My mother’s hand extends out to him, before…
A massive explosion goes off from the glowing arrow, sliding my body across the floor, against the kitchen wall not too far behind me. I manage to hit my side, and not the knife that was jammed in my back. Landing back on the floor, I see that the explosion knocked my father back as well, with him barely getting back up. However, my mother…what was left of her, was spread across the ceiling and floor.
One of my mother’s arms laid rest in the corner of the front room, with half of my mother’s head closer to the front door. Her abdomen was completely gone, with her legs still held together, and her lower half ending up not too far from me.
Wanting to throw up, I coughed instead. I coughed up blood. I was sub-coming to my injury, this was obvious. I was gonna die.
My imposter dad picked back up his knife, standing in front of the door with his weapon ready, as if he was waiting for someone to open it. He unlocked the door to ensure of that. He snarled, an inhumane sound, with a demonic voice that echoed the phrase, c’mon on in you little bitch!
Looking at the door, I couldn’t see who he was talking about. Though his head bounced from the door and the damaged window, meaning he was seeing his advisary.
Soon after…he freaked out. Rushing to the door and opening it, then closing it, he looked around as if he had lost something. He looked slightly frighten by this. He asked out loud, “where did she go,” as if his target had vanished. Though soon after, he turned his attention back to me.
He marched over to me, telling me that he was just going to hurry up and kill me, so that the benefits of his wife’s failure, could be reaped. He raised his bat as he got closer to me, ready to slam the damn thing down on me. I attempted to crawl away, but my body was too heavy now, for me to even move. I didn’t close my eyes this time.
I looked right up at the demon who wore my father’s skin, knowing that by some chance…I wouldn’t die like this. Though I waited for my death blow. However, a strong glow of light came through the wall across the room. The wall that held the front room together. The wall with no door attached to it. The burst of light, the same similar light that destroyed my mom, impaled him in the back, without doing any damage to wall it magical phased through. The demon jerked upon impact, holding his arms in place in mid air.
Shortly after, the demon exploded with energy, just as my imposter mother did. He was pieces across the living room. I closed my eyes and covered my face, just in the nick of time.
Chapter 15
I waited for the hidden one to reveal themselves. I watched as a little girl, looking to be around Mykel’s age, approached the now unconscious Mykel. She entered the house by walking through the wall, as if it wasn’t even there. She didn’t use a single door or window. She was like a specter or something. There was no evidence of her arrival.
At first the little girl held a massive blue bow, with the string glowing in the form of a line of burning blue energy. The bow then disappeared, in just a single blink of my eye. She made her way to Mykel, who seemed to have a knife plunged into her back. I could see her stained soaked shirt, from where I hid, behind the doorway of the fat guy’s bedroom. She was dying. I could feel her life force depleting.
The little girl yanked the knife out of Mykel’s back, showing Mykel’s body inch off the floor, and then drop back down. The stranger’s hands then glowed blue, like the energy arrow that killed the previous two demons. She hovered these blue hands over Mykel’s wound, with her wound glowing blue as well now.
I quickly rushed from around the corner now, pointing the barrel of both ends of my guns, at the fighter. I demanded that she stepped away from Mykel, calling Mykel in this instance, “the girl.” The stranger told me that she couldn’t do that. I took the safety off both my Magnums.
I told her that I wasn’t going to ask her again, before I riddled her back with bullets. Those arrows she shot were familiar, as they were coated in destruction magic. So was the stranger’s hands now.
The stranger told me that she couldn’t step away from Mykel, because she was healing her. I took a closer look at Mykel’s wound, from where I was standing. She was right. The glowing wound, was nearly closed completely. Her magic was saving Mykel.
I slowly lowered my guns, putting one up, but not fully trusting the magical stranger, to holster the second one. However, my mind was settled enough now, to realize who, I mean, what, she was. She was using Divinity Grace to heal Mykel, meaning that she was a Divinity Wielder. A secret race, or coven, of magical mortals, that were blessed with the grace of actual angels. To sum it up, they were the angels’ cleaning crew, doing all their dirty work.
The girl’s hands stopped glowing, and so did the wound on Mykel’s back. She was healed. The teen girl took a sigh of relief, still on one knee as Mykel remained with her eyes closed, on her stomach.
The magical mortal, acting as if I wasn’t in the room with her, lifted Mykel into her arms, fully standing up now, as she carried the unconscious teen. She made her way towards the front door, forcing me to place the barrel of my right side arm, into her direction. She heard the safety leave the gun, once again, as she stopped moving, because of this.
With her back facing me, I eased my way a short walking distance behind her, not choosing to be in her arm’s reach, though standing behind her, as she remained still, in front of the closed door.
I asked the girl where she was going with Mykel, with the magical mortal telling me, that Mykel was better off with her. I responded as calmly as possible, telling her to put Mykel down, or take a bullet to the back of the head. She refused.
I drew my second gun, aiming my second side arm, towards the middle of her back. I told her I would shoot her in the spine first, and before Mykel would fall out of her arms, that I would shoot her in the back of the head next, warning her that Mykel and her, would hit the floor only seconds apart. She didn’t reply in the way I thought she would.
The magical mortal spoke up, telling me without even turning around to look at me, that I was too sloppy to keep watch over Mykel. She further stated that I almost brought about the end of days because of my careless ways, and because of that, she was not going to leave Mykel here with me. That was the answer she gave me, and it was time…to give my response.
Chapter 16
Little girl or not, i’ve done worst. That’s why I was fighting for my soul now. That’s why I was Heaven’s hound dog as well, with lesser privileges than the pussy cats that this girl belonged to.
My finger itched to pull the trigger, and I was about to scratch that itch. That was until I felt the presence of two other magical beings, their aura being similar to the Divinity Wielder in front of me. Pointing my right gun towards the kitchen, I watched as another Divinity Wielder phase shifted through the wall, being unaffected by its physics. He remained in place when he saw that I had a barrel pointed at him, with his upper body nearly coming through the wall.
I told the son of a bitch not to move, saying it just like that. However, the third one’s energy went faint. I couldn’t pinpoint where…
And behind me, he was. His voice only a short distance away from my neck, with him telling me to lower my weapons, or he was going to blow my head off. I could hear the radiating energy come from his glowing arrow. Still, I refused his demand. Though I didn’t move, I didn’t fight back either. I did nothing.
The Divinity Wielder still in the wall, spoke up. Being more “adult looking” in age, he wore a similar all white robe like uniform that the teen girl sported as well, requesting for the guy behind, calling him by his name, Aaron, to lower his weapon. Aaron challenged his order, reminding him that I had a gun pointed toward him, and the girl, calling her by her name as well I assumed. He called her Keonna.
Their general, I also assumed, reminded him back, that they didn’t come to this place for war. They came to make sure the girl, referring to Mykel, didn’t suffer at the hand of the Watcher demons. Keonna jumped in, looking over her shoulder at me, but not turning around. She spoke up, stating that it was only because of her that the demons didn’t kill Mykel.
Their general told Keonna that he understood, though he requested that not only Aaron discharged his bow, but for Keonna to place Mykel down. This four eyed bastard was talking my language.
Their general repeated himself, still in a calm voice. He held both of his hands out, in a surrendering motion, as his head bounced between his two subordinates, and then to me. He made sure I seen him, as he slowly took full steps through the wall, entering the kitchen. He speaks to his comrades while doing so, stating that “I,” referring to me again, was only scared, and that the only thing I wanted, was to take the girl and leave. The room was quiet for a moment.
Shortly after his words, Keonna slowly placed down Mykel, laying her on her side softly, before turning around to face us. Her face had attitude written all over it.
The glowing blue energy that radiated over my shoulder, burned out as well. I assumed that Aaron did as he was told as well.
And finally, their general lowered his hands, believing that the tension was low enough, for him to stand comfortably. I lowered my sidearms…slowly. Though I didn’t holster them, turning my body sideways to look at the asshole who was behind me. Aaron, looked at me with the same dirty look, I felt myself giving him.
In my background, I heard their leader, tell me that they were going to leave now, asking me to assist them. He states that back at their base, Mykel could finish her recovery. The look on Aaron’s face, as he looked back at his leader, was priceless. The saddened look of betrayal, was written, and visible on his stupid mug. Though he didn’t question his leader.
I looked down at Mykel, seeing that although her breathing appeared to have gotten better, she was still unconscious, with sweat coming down the sides of her face. Because of this, I agreed to go with them. However, I told him once Mykel was properly healed, that her and I were leaving. He swore on the angels, that they would do nothing…to stop us.
Chapter 17
We took some sort of underground tunnel to…nowhere, so far. Just a long and narrow tunnel. I don’t know how long we were walking. I could hear Keonna and the other Divinity Wielder, Aaron, whispering back and forth to each other, as they positioned themselves on the backend of the group.
Their conversation, went something like this, “Why was the commander bringing Gabriel along? Jeez, I don’t know, I’m just a stupid wall hacking bastard, who has to sneak up on his opponent, just to get a good kill in.” I hated that Aaron guy. I wish I had gas in this moment, i’d give them both something to talk about.
The two assholes referred to me as a “Tormented One,” which meant they knew more about me, than I expected. The angels don’t keep anything secrete anymore, do they? My business was just buzzing around upstairs.
Mykel had woken halfway there, walking on her own at this point. She didn’t say much, though i’m sure she remembered everything, as she wasn’t acting like her normal self. Her face did enough talking, with a mixture of sorrow and defeat.
The end of the tunnel finally came, and the five of us stood at the entrance of some sort of underground bunker. It was huge. There were wide doorways, that lead to…the hell if I knew. But yeah, these bastards had their own underground operation going on, with several other white robed bastards, walking about. They were all doing different things. Some where messing around with their bow, testing out the levels of energy they could store in it, from the looks of things. Others were testing out their gear in general, with a small group of Divinity Wielders holding some sort of glass orb, of glowing blue energy.
Their general saw me looking at the group, automatically assuming I was looking at the orb. He spoke to me, telling me that what they were holding, was a Divinity Bomb, a contained item of stored energy, that went broken, releases all the energy at once. The shit sounded painful.
Their captain turned to Keonna and Aaron, telling the two to take Mykel somewhere to replenish. I gave both of them a warning look, as if I was challenging them to disobey their leader’s order. He must have seen this look as well, because their general got my attention, placing his hand on my shoulder. He assured me once again, that everything would be okay. That Mykel and myself could leave, as soon as he was done speaking to me.
Aaron and Keonna did just what he said, with Keonna grabbing Mykel’s hand, and the three of them heading down a hall across from us, on the higher level that we were on. This place looked like the inside of an animated ant hole or something.
The two of us walked off, in the opposite direction. What the hell did this guy want to talk about with me?
My internal question was answered right away, as he told me right away, that he brought me down to their secret lair, to show me that neither of us, were threats to each other. I wasn’t sure why he was speaking for me though, as if he knew me or something. He was definitely wrong.
I had killed his kind before. Laid waste to multiple of those angelic “wanna-be’s.” Face shots with my sidearms. Decapitation with my blade. You name it. I was even on the verge of torturing one, one time.
The general added on that he could sense the Divinity energy coming from Mykel, and pointed out that he knew…that I could sense it too. I thought my senses was off when I first got around her, but he was right. Mykel was leaking Divinity energy.
He continued on, telling me that their division was eventually going to come for Mykel anyway, as she was one of their own. She was a Divinity Wielder. She just didn’t know it yet.
I cut him off, telling him to get to the point, as I was starting to lose my patience with him. The two of us stopped in front of an automated steel door, assuming that this door led to his room or something. It was much more fancy than the other doors. That, and their was a sign on the side of the door, pinned to the wall that said, “Captain O’land,” a stupid last name.
The bastard told me, that he was going to play the “waiting game,” but wanted me to assure him, that I would step aside, if Mykel came to them, wanting to harness her powers. I didn’t even reply to that stupid shit. I hated his kind, so I wasn’t about to answer no crap like that, let alone agree.
I gave O’land a dirty look, leaving him standing in place as I walked away, back into the direction we had came from. I called out for Mykel, getting the attention of the entire base, as I told her aloud, that we were now leaving. She came out of the short hallway that the other two fairies, had taken her down. Everyone watched, as the two of us went back down the exit.
Chapter 18
We walked back through the pizza place, and I couldn’t help myself. I damn near slammed the glass door shut, behind us. However, the owner’s face briefly popped into my head, and I nearly shitted on myself. This brought me to just closing the door, like a normal citizen.
I didn’t even let Mykel walk far before I asked her in a slow, yet annoyed tone, if she was crazy. It was something like this…(clears throat) ARE….YOU…INSANE? She didn’t answer back.
My voice jumped, as she stood there, with nothing to say. I reminded her how she had one job. One GOD DAMN ORDER! THE EASIEST FUCKING THING IN THE WORLD! TO SIT BACK, AND LAY LOW!!!! Why she couldn’t do that, was beyond me, as she didn’t even have any sorts of answers for me.
It wasn’t until I pointed out how she could have been killed, that I got a proper reaction out of her. She made eye contact with me, for the first time, in this conversation. Though she was sad. I could see it in her face. This brought my voice down. I mean, my voice just completely dropped. I almost had nothing else to say. This girl was obviously traumatized. Fucked up, over the course of these first twelve hours alone. And she had to go an entire year like this?
I broke the ice between us, telling her that I would stay up for a little bit and be watch, just in case she wanted to rest, or time to herself. She took my words with her, immediately turning away and going into her room, down the employee hall, right before the basement, where my room was.
The door to her room didn’t slam, though I did hear it lock. I should’ve never yelled at her in the first place. But something told me, that she wasn’t bothered by my loud tone. She probably didn’t hear me at all. It was as if, she wasn’t even there, when she looked at me. I was talking to an empty vessel at that point. This…this wasn’t for her. It was barely even for me.
I remembered when I first converted to the other side. When I first died. When I first was introduced…to demons. To be honest, she was getting off easy, compared to me…
Author’s Note: I just published my poetry collection, Sunset Beach. Check the link below to be directed to my LinkTree account, giving you the choice of what platform you would like to download/read it on.
Is it time for the sun to set already It doesn’t feel like I’ve been spending all day with you *** You’ve been thanking me With smiles all day I can’t say goodbye to you
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.
Poem # 1 I just wanted you to stop hitting me I wanted you to understand me I wanted you to hear me out Dad, I want you to hear me now When I say…I still hate you
~ Sakari
Poem # 2 His opinion matters more, doesn’t it? I’m not important enough He’s gotten to you, hasn’t he? I’m not important enough
~ Sakari
Poem # 3 Who says I was trying to escape I love the shadows that surround me They care enough about my feelings
