Modern Farmer December 2014 by Bryan Hoskins

Inside - Poems

by: Maggie

- The Legend Of The Four Amulets a novel by: Michael Perez

- Podcast Yu-Gi-Oh!!! - Student Artwork

featured article ALL I want for

X-mas

“All I Want for X-mas”

is...

- Poetry by: Tiffany Reazor

Mrs. Flores

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PoemsMaggie She Is a Writer

Her book covers her stomach and thighs She writes in hope to make the hurt lighter And hides it with a few lines But people saw the cover not the tale They didn’t see it as a foreshadow They taunted her without fail Isn’t society shallow? Now the Author has ended her book And it was published at her funeral Everyone that made fun of her story cried for the life they took If everyone gets hurt, Why are people so cruel?

by:

10th grade

I am The Game and you’re the gamer You play until you’re Bored I am The Lion and you’re the tamer You want to rein over me: Lord I am The Rabbit and you’re the fox I put up with you’re Horde I am trapped in a box I am tired of ﬁghting

I am you’sed

Student

Fiction

The Legend of The Four Amulets

Created by: Michael Perez, Samuel Jack, & Andie Martinez

A Continuing Story By: Michael Perez 9th grade

Prologue I remember myself as a child rummaging through my grandfather's possessions. Vari-

Grandpa comes stomping toward me, he slaps my hand making me drop the necklace

ous knick knacks and ancient clothing litter the old attic. My iconic dusty brown hair

and growls “You look with your eyes, not your hands!”

matches the wood, and my slight tan tells I am somewhat of a wild child.

“I just want to know what that stupid rock is, and why its here...” I said rubbing my hands

I Wear a pair of jeans and a dark green shirt, I note that I have to take a shower soon or

“If you must know that ‘rock’” he starts as he grabs the necklace off the floor. “It Hap-

my only pair of jeans would be ruined by the flying dust around me.

pens to be a great beacon of unfathomable power.” He says matter-of-factly.

The dust was recently disturbed by My grandpa and I on its wooden cove. Various

“Ok...?” I ask unsure “So what do you call… this power?”

books and heirlooms litter now the deteriorating attic. I brush my fingers along a table to

The old man looked at me for a while and then back to the rock. He gives a heavy sigh

leave a negative trail of dust.

and sat down upon a box covered with dust. He sits down sending millions of tiny dust

I breathe in the nostalgic air around me, but it doesn't bother me. Memories flash through

particles into the air.“ There is something you must know Alex. You are the beginning

my mind, riding my first bike, eating cookies on a cold night, my parents… now long

product of the project my...friends and I began long ago, and part of this project was to

gone. My emotions drop as I realize that my parents are now nothing more than an old

make those very stones you see now! Well we originally called it The Creators rock , but

memory. I shake it off and continue my adventure through the museum that is my grand-

the name didn't make sense so we just named it an amulet...and you are to one day inherit

father's attic.

it.”

As I stroll around the old room, I can hear my grandfather telling a specific story about

“Whats it do?” I question.

each thing every item holds, but being an eight year old boy I get tired of my old man's

“It would give a chosen few amazing abilities with the elements of nature itself, to be the

tales, so I continue to look through a chest in the corner.

creator and destroyer of all humanity, and to-”

Then I finally find something that peaks my interest…a single engraved box. Made of

“Wow-that’s-pretty-cool-can-I-have-it-pleeeeeeeease??” I start to use my child like charm.

wood and about a thousand years old? I open the box to see it lined in crimson velvet with

“Not yet. You must wait until you're older.” my grandfather says he didnt even look to-

four circular indentations. Each containing a single stone tied to a chain… all but one.

wards my general direction.

“Hey grandpa whats this?” I ask him as I held the chain.

“How much older? ”I plead.

The feeble man continues to his notes barely hearing my question. He waves a hand and

“Sixteen.” Grandpa answers.

warns “Alex don't touch that or you will be in so much trouble that-”

“Sixteen?” My heart sank to that. “What?! But that’s a such a long time!”

“Oh come on grandpa I just want to have a look at it.” I interrupt holding the rock part

“Yes, but that will show me if you're responsible enough to handle the power of the

Through the dust and smoke, I heard the footsteps of a man entering the house. As

amulet.”

the smoke cleared, a dark figure emerged. It's around six foot and as thin as a rail,

“Ugh fine I’ll wait.”

looking like your everyday thin man.

Except for the man was draped in a robe…dark and sinister, almost as if the cloth

Its been exactly six years its was August 24th. I was resting for school tomor-

row, well not exactly resting just laying there looking at the ceiling. My grandpa was

was a part of him. The robe draped down to its wrists, only to reveal two clawed

in his study, working tediously on a journal of his. It all seemed like a normal way to

hands. The skin looked pale and cold… like the way you may imagine a corpses

end the day.

hand may look. The fabric ran up his neck and covered his face to only to leave the

When out of no where I quickly removed the covers that were on top of me,

bridge of his nose supporting two cat like eyes that were blood red…almost as if the

because I was hot but at the same time cold. There was sweat around me (I believe it

very prism of red was encased in this mans eyes. The pupils pierced through me I

was sweat). "Crap, I'm thirsty...” I say to myself. I get up to get a drink of water.

began to feel faint and lost. It seemed the whole world was gone all that was left was

I walk through the living room to kitchen. Turning on the lights as I go. Amidst of

the blazing red eyes of this man.

the silence there was a loud bang on the door. I was about to answer when my

I began to lose all hope of fighting and just stand there.

grandpa shoved me, looked through the peephole, and his face began to drain of

Suddenly a voice that sounds like scratching fingernails on a chalkboard broke the

color. My first assumption was that something was wrong.

trance. It screeches only four words “Get me the boy!!”

He turns slowly and says, “Get your things we need to go now!"

From behind the man emerges two figures cloaked in rags comically held together

“What?” I ask confused

by patches and poor stitching. They didn't seem to walk they just… glide along.

“We have to go now!”

They would have soon cornered the me it had not have been for a bang, a flash, a

I just stood there unsure of what to do.

spray of blood, and my grandfather running to grab me…still holding the smoking

“You need to go to your room and pack your things, do it quick and only pack what

gun.

you need.. GO!” He orders as he violently ushered me up the stairs.

My grandpa fitted me into the closet and whispered, “Okay Alex , these are very

At this point being the brainiac I am, I realized that the man at the door had some-

bad men. You have to get out of here. Now. I got you your bag. It has a few things in

thing to do with the amulet I saw Earlier. Then it came upon me even more ques-

there some clothing, a map, some food and drinks, and a switchblade… just in case.

tions. "Why? Who is at the door? Does he want the amulets? who made these amu-

I realize that this isn’t a lot but it’s all you need, but the one thing you must guard

lets, what are we running from, who are the others, what’s happening anyways?”

with your life… is this.” The old man placed the cold unfeeling rock in my hands.

The words were pouring from my mouth.

The chain slid and plummeted only to be jerked by the tie. “I want you to run now

“You will understand later. You Just have to get out of here “

and don't bother coming back for me… I'll see you soon.” Grandpa Whispers as he

I was still confused. I ask again. “But what about y-”

held me.

But as I was speaking, a louder bang than before sounded causing the door to glow

This kind of thing is hard for me knowing that I'm his only grandchild. “Okay...” I

faintly, and just before it exploded into smithereens and sent splinters flying every-

said with tears in my eyes. Then I opened the door and bolted towards the back

where. It was as if the door exploded from the inside out ! vi

door, swinging it open. I didn’t know how long or how far but I ran and never

Pulling every little thing out I examined carefully until I got to the book. The book

looked back.

was black, small and had an oddly shaped key hole. “Hmmmm,” I thought, “What

I saw what I thought was a plains biome but was a field of rocks and mountains. I

can I use as a key?” Just then, I look down “Ah ha!” I exclaim while taking off my

was amazed to see what was out of the forest that I lived in... “Wow...” I breathed in

amulet that I waited so long for. I stick it in the keyhole. It opened and first thing I

a surprised tone. I collapsed on the floor.

saw was a note from my grandpa; I read it carefully.

“Grandpa… are you there..?” I murmur with a slight quiver in my voice.

“I know that i've haven't been real clear with you but you must know that you are

I was up in an instant looking around, trying to figure out what happened. My first

the chosen one.Here is what I desperately tried to tell you but could not. A long time

instinct in my confused mind was to go back to grandpa. I was just about to turn

ago me and this band of people called the creators, made these amulets to protect

when erupting through the land and shattering the tranquil silence, there was a

humanity from destruction. During this process we had accidentally created a mon-

boom, a flash of red, and the next thing I knew I was staring at a humungous billow-

strosity. A monstrosity of which would soon be the end of us all… if it weren't for

ing cloud of fire and ash in the sky… directly where the small cottage was located. I

you. You see what we were trying to create was a band of AMULETINS of which

just stand there, in awe of the horrible and dark sight. Unable to say anything, I just

would be used to fight evil with the only natural weapon there is… nature itself. But

looked. Then without warning, all the remembrance from the night before had

creating these we realized that no human would be correct for the amulets. As for

came rushing in, causing me to burst out in anger.

humans ourselves are creatures of wrath and envy. So we tried to make a perfect hu-

“WHY?!” I start "Why does all this always happen to me!? Why did you leave me,

man, one of which would have an element of nature itself embedded in its very be-

why did you leave me alone?!” I didn't know who I pointed that after, my grandfa-

ing. But we had decided to make a human for each element, fire ,electricity, earth,

ther or my parents. My anger was uncontrollable. I fell steamy tears running down

love, water, and fear. We tried to create a human of fear first because to the old say-

the my face, unable to find a vent for my anger. Pacing around in anger and wrath

ing, if you conquer fear, you conquer all else.But what we did not know was that fear

started to control me. I was so angry, so frustrated. that I punch an immense boulder

was a disease, one that would contaminate a vey soul. Thus was created a demon by

in hope to drain my anger.

the name of Series. His plans are to drain the world of all life and destroy anyone

Expecting my hand to shatter was soon a dream. What actually happened was the

that is involved with the amulet so that he cannot be challenged by any other. You

bolder I punched shattered itself ! The huge boulder caved in and then exploded

have untapped power you could only DREAM of.There will be a group of others

with an array of dirt and pebbles. My anger lowered and confusion was taking over.

along the way you will meet, then and only then would Seris try to drain earth of

I needed to stay in control by doing so I punched the air, as I did this, I saw another

life… he will try to drain you first.Remember You are the leader of a band of 4

bolder fly in the direction I punched. I was Amazed at my grandpas work. It turns

other Amuletins. find them and make an alliance and beat Series the sorcerer. Re-

out he wasn't lying.

member Alex I will always love...”

“Alright... I need some answers” I say to myself as I search through my backpack,

I noticed then there was a blood stains all over the paper, making my eyes widen.

thinking it contained something. I quickly repeat the words, “Where is it, where is

“Oh dear god...” I whisper, putting my hand to my mouth; containing my tears.

it.” at last I found it. Searching through the backpack I found these things: clothing, food, bottled water, a first aid kit, and a small black book. vii

The Raging Fire I awake screaming, sitting upright in my bed, my shirt stained with dried sweat. “That dream- no... nightmare.” I thought to myself. The unsteady sound of my breathing was the only thing that broke the silence in the house. That was it, the nightmare I’ve had every night since that fateful day where I lost my grandpa, five years ago. I decide to get up and do my daily routine to get it out of my head. 4:30- 4:50: Get dressed for school (ugh) 4:50- 6:30: breakfast 6:30- 8:00: practice skills in basement I’ve gotten dressed and eaten my daily toast and burnt eggs, it was about time I attend to my workout session. I have done this daily workout everyday for the past two years, but I'm not exactly the strongest of men because of my small structure and almost no muscle mass. You may realize that I don’t have the everyday workout you’d sign up for at an intown gym. I have my workout session in my basement. I'd open a ratty rotten wood door. That descends to rotting, crisp brown steps onto a dirt floor. I set a timer for an two and a half hours. I then place the timer on the bottom step along with my shoes, socks, and shirt. After that I’d sit with my fist together er and concentrate on that feeling deep within the one that had all the power in the world and yet was only the part of something big. To then be brought back by the comforting glow and the small humm of my amulet given to me long ago. Finally I stand with my eyes closed, breathing in the air around me; preparing myself. I flash open my eyes, throwing an upwards punch. Feeling the earth react with me; a pillar of dusty brown rock rockets out of the surface. The swift movements of myself were just as well imitated by the ground. Punch after punch, kick after kick, and series of complicated movements to conjure the rocks around me glide, shift, and hover around me. The power of millions of years coursed through my veins

through, my mind, and through my soul. I would then dramatically stop, grab my t h i n g s , r e t u r n t h e g r o u n d t o i t s o r i g i n a l s t a t e, a n d l e av e f o r school. I live in a town called Hinton Town (well the outskirts that is). Just your average suburban town, no particular backstory, and nothing special. Oh, and get this, it's actually special for being literally the only town with nothing special about it. It’s located in the middle of average day Texas… surprisingly if you bring a random person to that town, they couldn't tell if they were in Texas or Minnesota…or Canada. Its a really bland town…perfect for someone trying to stay low like me. The town consisted of maybe 1,500 population…yeah not exactly a popular town, It consists of a small neighborhood, one fire and police station, a small high school, a local string of shops and grocery store, and one itty bitty town hall. As I walk through the small town. I glance at my watch and realize the time. "Not again." I adjust my satchel, ready myself for a sprint, and run. With great difficulty I rush up a hill. When out of nowhere a shopping cart came towards me. (The kids around this town like to steal them and take them for rides on hills and such and when they are done they usually don't return them.) So I guess that this one was just abandoned.

Normally what a person would do is move out of the way, but I decide to face

the cart head on. I do so by trying to stop it. I place my left in front of me and wait for the impact. The cart slams on my left hand, and since I'm on a hill the back of the cart lifts of the ground. I use my right hand to grab the handle, I lift it over my head, and toss it aside. "We'll now that's over let's hurry on to school," I tell myself. I decide to take a shortcut. I take what I think is an alleyway. Instead I emerge from the corner to be brought face to face with a dead cold wall. “What a dead end? "Are you kidding me?!” I say to myself. “I have no time to go back... so I'm just have to go over it." I strategize in my head what I'm going to. After a few moments pass. I turn to the wall on my right, jump, and grab a bar that was hanging from above. Then I push off the wall with my feet; letting go I turn my body around and grab the other bar on the left side that was about a foot high. I viii

prop myself over the top. “All right now what” I thought again. I look over the roof-

“Well I was going to be late for the bus, but now I can't because I am…thanks alot ”

top edge, grab a rock, and drop it over the edge. Gravity pulls it towards to ground,

I hint with attitude.

as I count how many seconds it took to hit the ground. “One…two.” "So that's

“Ok, ok there’s no need to be a jerk about it!” she says back. The bus is probably

about twenty feet."

late anyways.

I jump over, and put my left hand and foot against the wall. Just before I hit the

Just as she was finishing her sentence there was a loud horn. The bus pulls up and

ground I jump of the wall and land on the sidewalk unharmed. I skidded my right

surprisingly we were the only ones on the bus (for now). Kara and I sit together tak-

foot behind me, and blast forward.

ing turns on talking about our childhood. To my favorite food and hobbies; hers as

I spoke to myself while running “Okay I'm almost there all I have to do i-," but be-

well. We also got to talk about her just moving here!

fore I could finished. This girl and I collide making both of our bag of belongings

“I’ve never actually had a real friend.” I say with a smile, I begin to actually feel hap-

explode. To my map of the town, my book, school binder, and my water bottle; to

piness (for once).

her papers, pens, pencil, basically everything a typical girl needs for school.

My dreams were then smashed when within seconds a fairly large set of hands

Being dazed entire time I examine the girl from head to toe. She has curly, red hair

landed on my left and right shoulder. I hear what is a voice that I was familiar with

put into a ponytail that was braided, a face littered with freckles, beautiful brown

The deep voice with sarcasm “Well, well, well, the Dweeb got himself a girlfriend.”

eyes, a chainmail necklace that shined in a way that was underneath her black t-shirt

I turn to see that familiar teenager that I've seen so much of. Dressed in a navy blue

that has some kind of a anime design on it, dark blue skinny jeans that were a little

blazer, a light blue collar shirt, Lightly faded blue jeans, a pair of the whitest Vans

worn out, and niké baby blue sneakers. She seems familiar somehow, but I couldn't

you’ll ever see. They appeared to have never touched the ground; even the soles

figure out why. I scramble to my feet and help the girl retrieve her items.

where purest white. His skin looks like he spent most of his time outside but was a

"I am s-so sorry m-miss!" I stutter. “Really Alex, MISS?! What are you in? The

little pale. His height was unfathomable for a seventeen year old…six foot two inches

1800's?” I coach myself in my head

I believe. His silk black hair wavered over his right eye and was adjoined by (an obvi-

She asked rubbing her head. "Ugh, what was that!?"

ously painted) blue streak of hair. He flashed off his blue stud earing and his silver

“Thats was me. I kind of ran into you...sorry.”

bland ring, but above all else that stood out on him. His electric blue eyes.

“Its ok just watch where you're going next time ok."

“Hey...Finn...” I mutter annoyed.

"Um..yeah. Sure." “This girl is actually kinda cute!” I think darkly.

“Wow they look real cute together right guys. Ey Rico how long do you think these

We just sort stood there for a couple of minutes. I decide to break the silence.

dorks been dating? ” Finn asked one his gang members.

“Um..My names Alex...what's yours?” My voice trailed off.

Ah...His gang. These guys may not even have a mind of their own; it was as if the

She answers “My names Kara but most people call me a...nevermind"

only reason they existed was to accompany Finn. I honestly don't think they can

There was a sudden pause. It lasted for several minutes. The girl Kara starts,

even take a breath without him saying so.

“so…?”

Kara and I correct in unison “WE AREN'T DATING!"

“what?” I say laying on the grass; folding my arms behind my head

Finn continues to tease us until we arrive to the school. We sit down to eat breakfast

“What were you in a hurry for?” she asked confused

amidst the swarm of tired, half awake, coffee drinking, sleep deprived teenagers in ix

the café.The only sounds that brakes the dry morning was the chitter chatter of teen-

Kara’s eyes return to the fight unfolding in front of her. Finn put his hand up to his

agers, the clip clop of someone passing by, the occasional car vroom passing by, and

mouth to check for blood. Speechless he tastes blood he had nothing to say until I

of course the ridicule of Finn and his gang.

turned to leave.

“You're really gonna let him push you around like this? Kara whispers

“Just ignore them they'll leave eventually.” I reassure her. I ignore The rage was boil-

arm!”

ing within me and I notice my amulet hum as Finn says something that pushes it too

I close, turn around, and the same time I tell myself Slowly. “In...out…in…out”

far. He leans over to my ear and hisses “You like her and I know it.”

“WELL...GET HIM” he yells at his gang. With a crack of my eyes I sees the bully

I say nothing, just clench my fists, as small stream of blood trickle from where I dug

advance his troop of juvenile delinquents towards me. Rico, Daymond, Elvis, and

my nail into my palm.

Gasher against the one moron who had to open his mouth…me.

“look dweeb, this is how I see it.” He continues “Someday you'll fall in love, get mar-

And these aren't your everyday gang members. Everyone of them has a laun-

ried, and have--”

dry list of committed crimes and felonies.

“I told once and I’ll tell you again we are not dating, you jerk!” I interrupt.

Rico was charged for 13 different cases of trespassing and vandalism, and Elvis has

“What did you call me…?” Finn asked dumbfounded.

been in and out of prison ever since he could open a cash register…which kinda

“Did I freakin stutter?!” I ask sharply, slam fist on the table, stand up bringing

tells you what he is in for.

the chair I sat on to the floor, and punch Finn in his annoying trap that is his mouth.

Deymond actually killed a guy… and thats no rumor. He actually brags about it on

He steps from back from me, as he did Finn and I hear series of quotes from other

campus like it was like winning an award. And Gasher you don't wanna know. Lets

tables.

just say he didn't get his name for nothing, and the only thing that keeps these dicks

“What’s going on?”, “Oh my god!!! did Alex just punch Finn!?”, ”I think he did.” , “

from overtaking Finn is the well known fact that he can kick all of their butts, at the

OH MY GOD ITS A DEAD MAN WALKIN!”, and other choice phrases.

same time… it’s been done before. Three of them had to go to the hospital and one

Kara asked to the girl next to her. "Is he usually this violent?”

of them was in the I.C.U. for a month.

The girl next to her answers “um...no…”

Rico came at me, full speed punching and kicking while at the I was effortlessly

“Is there like a story against these two or what?” She questions the girl

blocking his uncontrolled attacks. There came a time during the fight to where Rico

was open. Thats when I striked; by doing so I punch Rico as hard as I could in the

“Well yes there is...ever since Alex came to this district Finn has picked on

Finn at the top of his lungs shouts “Holy crap! Dork over here has got an

him, I guess he finally broke. Though I never knew he had the guts to actually hit

stomach, and kick him in face.

Finn like that. In all of my years knowing him he has NEVER been one to jump

By the time Rico fainted Deymond leaped on top of me. I flip him off of my back.

into violence.”

He collides into a table. Bringing the plates on the table up into the air and onto the

“Oh, and you are?”.

floor. Making them shatter into tiny pieces.

“Me?” the girl starts “My name’s Charlotte. Charlotte Schatten. I’ve basically been

Elvis yells as he charges toward me; alerting me in the process. I spin to Elvis swing-

the only one who would talk to the kid. He isn't the most social thing.”

ing my foot up to his cheek. His face sinks into the heel of my sneaker; causing him to whirl around until he hits the floor. x

After I had defeated the three out of four of Finn's gang, I had believed that

minute you should consider yourself lucky.”( I had know idea that he took this min-

I would live to see another day. A smile of both relief and satisfaction grew across

ute thing literally.)

my face as I listen to the crowd around me cheer.

Then he came at me throwing a right hand punch. I grabbed his arm with my right

Apparently that’s not the case! Finn looks at the Strongest of the gang; Gasher and

hand put my other hand on his chest lifted him over me and basically threw him

gives him a slight nod.

across the large crowd. I sensed someone was behind me, so I turn to see Rico up;

He slowly walks towards me, as he did he removes his hood, flicks a cigarette out of

breathing heavily in his fighting stance. He threw a weak right hand punch. I moved

his mouth, rolls up his sleeves to reveal the many tattoos pasted onto his arms, and

his hand out of my way and punch him in the face. He fell face first to the floor. I

reveals a bloody switchblade.

got a bit cocky so I yelled to him “Get up again and I swear!”

There was a large gasp over the crowd. I was so scared that my heart actually

I Turn to see a knife to my face, so instinctively I duck. The knife that I barely

skipped a beat. To boost my spirits up some idiot hollered out “Somebody call an

dodged belonged to Gasher that he some how retrieved. He took no to time to do a

ambulance.” I glance over at Kara…Her face...the face full of fear, but why was she

vertical slash with the knife. Then a horizontal slice across the face. After that a di-

scared? It was me that might die today.

agonal slash towards the right arm.

There was a long stand off. It lasted more than a couple of minutes. I assume

I dodged almost everyone, but the last one got me. Though the amount of adrenalin

Gasher was studying me; trying to decide how to take me down.

I made it to where the wound didn't even faze me.

He called out to Finn “This shouldn't last more than a minute”

Everyone was surprised to see if I could survive Finns entire gang. I figure that this

I clench my fist together, and cough out the words ”You better rethink that.”

fight should end, so spin my fist toward Gasher hitting him on the right side of his

He turns to and swings for my chest with the knife in his hand. Reluctantly I block,

cheek bone causing him to fall to the floor.

by bringing up his arm, and hitting a weak point to make his arm go numb. In effect

There was a long pause in the crowd. “Its over.” I thought to myself.

Gasher dropped the blade.

Finn was surprised, everyone was including myself. Finn shook his head back and

Gasher swings his other arm downwards. I put my wrists in a X formation to block

forth like he didn't believed it. I looked at his face was red I knew that he was angry.

this attack. By the time his critical attack made contact with my wrists they're in-

He came towards me I stepped back, but I hesitated to run. That was my first mis-

stantly brought down.

take and maybe my last.

Gasher saw this as his opportunity to attack. He brings his arm back and with full

He grabs my neck and squeezes it like it was a chewtoy. He threatens while grinding

power he strikes for my head. Without even thinking I bring myself around Gasher

his teeth “ Oh now you’ve done it.”

dodging his fatal blow. I then jump backwards to get away from him.

I was losing oxygen. I think to myself “Well it was fun while it lasted,” and before I

He turns to me with his blank expression, as he looks at his watch as the second

blacked out I saw the fading image of Finns deathly blue eyes…

hand slowly crosses the twelfth hour. He slowly at stares at me, the whole crowd was speechless, for everyone saw this moment as the acme of the fight. After a while he said something while taking off his jacket. “Hphm. Well you've lasted more than a xi

The 16 Hour Healer

“Man, is he still shaking?” Charlotte asked. “Yeah, but Its ok I have an extra blanket for him.” Kara answers as she sets a blan-

There is a rumor that when you lose consciousness, you are aware of everything that

ket over me.

is going on. I have found that to be true. As I fell to the ground I vaguely caught

(What I may have not have mentioned was that I have some characteristics of stone;

glimpses of what was going on.

my power and one of them is to be stone cold... I don't know why, it just is)

“Alex!” Kara starts, She runs towards me, “What do I do.” She panics in her head.

“Does He have a fever?” Charlotte asked Kara.

“What do I do.” Just then her new friend Charlotte kneels beside Kara and I...“He's

“I don't think so. Why? ” Kara replies.

unconscious.” Charlotte said to Kara.

“Oh I don't know, its that he's shivering like he just came home from a blizzard.”

“What do we do?” Kara finally gets the repeating thought out of her head.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Well,” she starts, “we can't just leave him here.”

“You could check his temperature.” She motioned her hand towards my head

“Oh so we take him back to his place?” she asks.

“Ugh...fine.” Kara leans over and places the back of her hand on my head. All of

Charlotte shook her head, “I don't know where he lives.”

the sudden I jolt awake feeling a hot sensation upon my head. Almost as if someone

“What about your house?”

had placed a hot pan upon my forehead. I wake from my unconsciousness with a

(I swear if I had control of my face, I would be blushing.)

jolt, I look at Kara, and say out of breath,

“I don't think that my mom would let me keep a guy in my house.”

“Woah…you're hot…”

“Alright. lets take him to my house.” Kara offers.

Kara gave me a disgusted and confused look.

"Ok, I'll get us a ride."

“Temperature!” I say, “Temperature-temperature hot!”

They both lifted me up by my shoulders, as they did Kara thought to herself. “How

Kara turns away, red-faced. I decide not to say anything since it appeared that I had

was he able to defeat this guys gang and got knocked out from one single person?”

embarrassed her.

Charlotte asked out of breath; breaking her train of thought. “Is it me or is he kinda

“Great," my mind rings."You should at least you say sorry.”

heavy?”

“Hey I’m-" before I could finish I was interrupted by an eruption of laughter from

“Yeah but don't worry…well be there...eventually.” Kara pants.

Charlotte.

As The two girls chit-chat, a nightmare appeared. I was dreaming of this dark man

“Wow”, she said gasping for air.“You really made her face red thats for sure!"

covered in a dirty white robes transforming to this demonic creature of a sort. I

“Shut up!” Kara

shouted. “I’m fine, leave me alone, it doesn't matter

don't know what it was, but there and bestow him stood a band of four ready to

anymore...could you drop the subject?”

fight this beast. I assume that one of them was one of them, because I look like one

Against all that anger I thought I saw a vague hint of blushing. “Alright fine.” I say

of them. I was dressed in garments and armor I have never seen before. The crea-

crossing my arms.

ture swiftly defeated the other three. Then it used its claws to pierce my chest…I

Just then a door slams; all three of us look towards the sound of the noise. Reluc-

slowly fell...shivering uncontrollably.

tantly I begin to stand up to see what was the noise. Kara objects by grabbing me by xii

the collar and shoving me back to where I laid before I was awoken. “Stay here!”

Kara then asked,"You just sit tight okay Alex? Charlotte and my aunt are going to

Kara orders with a sharp voice...Kara and Charlotte walk over to the noise. There

the store and we'll get you some new bandages"

were thoughts in my head were questions I needed to ask later.

"I politely nod. I felt somewhat selfish on the fact that I was making them wait hand

and foot for me, but I reasoned with myself with logic... and the fact that my whole

It was then Kara and Charlotte abandoned my side to investigate the noise, and to

body hurts.

leave me in the presence of only my thoughts. I began to evaluate my surroundings,

Kara then says,"Okay I will be right back, and Alex...Try not to get yourself hurt

I saw a bookshelf containing various books and pictures. One of her on horseback

again okay?"

(pretty cool), one of her with a medal (dancing competition, or something along

I gave a faint smile as I watch her walk out the door. I lean back and close my eyes. I

those lines), and one of her parents...they look so happy there.

listen to birds chirping, wind blowing, the familiar hum from my chest, the sound of

Visions phase through my mind. My father entertaining me when I was bored, my

a car passing by-familiar hum from my chest?!

mother consoling me on rainy nights, a blinding light...I shake the thoughts and

I bolt upright, ignoring the rush of blood to my head and the pain, and look at my

memories out of my head. It was at that point I realized how much my head hurt. I

chest. Beneath my shirt a faint green light was pulsing vividly right where I felt the

took myself away from evaluating the room and focused on my own condition.

pain of the gash in my side. I claw out of my shirt to examine that in place if my

I have an ACE bandage around my chest and a band-aid on the left temple, not to

wound was a glowing crack getting brighter and brighter along. All of a sudden it

mention the one on my arm. It was poorly placed and was already peeling off. I

stopped and the lights dimmed to reveal my normal, tanish, flesh. This is a thing I

have some minor bumps and bruises here and there and a faint red mark my neck. I

like to call; the 16 hour healer. With this I have the ability to sort of heal myself.

am guessing that is where Finn decided to place his grip upon me.

Let me explain, whenever I experience a major injury ( I'm not talking about a pa-

And that got me thinking, how could the town bully be able to beat up ME?! I'm not

per cut, I mean like a knife wound) my skin will begin to bind together to speed up

saying it to boast, but my powers allow me to be insanely strong, fast, and

the regeneration cycle in a 16 hour time limit. The Downsides to this, are it works

powerful...and thats with all the earth powers put aside! How could Finn be that

one out of three times, the wounds still hurt like hell, and I can't move much or the

powerful? Maybe he’s a…no, no way. I decided to think nothing of it, I mean hey, I

process will stop. Plus the fact that it takes 16 hours to kick in, so it's not the best in a

beat up like four guys at once. Maybe I was tired! That must be it! I was only tired.

combat situation. I guess is more like to keep me from bleeding out, and I personally

Just after I shook my thoughts away. Kara, Charlotte, and a mid-aged woman, (that

find it to be relatively useful.

somewhat resembled Kara in a way) entered the room. “Alright Alex, nothing to

worry. It was only my aunt coming home. I told her about what happened and she

The automatic doors open as Kara, Charlotte, and Kara’s aunt walked in. “So what

says she will be glad to help you get better.

do we do?” Kara asked her aunt.

But first things first, we have to replace your bandages with new ones.” Kara told

“Well I have to buy a few things for dinner...” She responds as she reaches in her

me. I nodded as If I understood. Obviously I didn't. Taking off those bandages hurt

p u r s e .

like hell! I mean my body isn't really used to getting beat up this bad, but seriously. It

“Well what about us?” She asked again.

felt like bones were breaking! xiii

“You and Charlotte can buy that boy’s bandages.” She said as she gave her a crisp

what boring. Kara stared out of her window gazing at the trees as the flew by, as

twenty dollar bill. Which was more than enough to buy just a few bandages.

they moved quickly towards the house.

“Why a twenty?” She asked blindly.

Charlotte jumped in the conversation and blurted out. "Oh I don't know, a gift, a

I lay on the couch unmoving; talking to myself quietly. “I can't move or the process

box of candy, a get well soon card…” she grins “...a love note...” She obnoxiously

will stop, but the wounds hurt so much.” I couldn't feel anything, my legs, arms, and

raised an eyebrow to suggest a hint.

worst of all my head. Man I have a headache. Ever since Kara left I have been hear-

“Wai-wai-wait- I never said that.” Kara conceals her blush.

ing a constant ringing getting louder, and louder. Until the sound of a car door clos-

“Yeah.” Charlotte dove in for the kill, “but you didn't deny it!”Charlotte stood there

ing and the chatter of Kara, Charlotte, and Kara's aunt walking towards the door.

wide eyed and smiling. While Kara frantically tries to change the subject from the

Then I realize what kind of situation I was in. “Crap! The 16 hour healer, Kara, I

extremely awkward conversation.

can't let her see me like this.” The thought flashed pass my mind. “Ok.” Another

“So…anyways, this is a nice town you got here.” Kara says changing the subject.

thought began as I stood up. “lets get out of here.” I walk over to the front door, lock

“Yeah, if you like complete boredom and nothingness,” Charlotte replies. “And by

the doorknob, pick up my bag said the words. “All right feet don't let me down.”

the way, where did you live here before you moved here?”

Then blast through the backdoor.

“Oh I lived in New york.” Kara answers.

Kara sets down the two bags full of food down on the porch. Grabs the doorknob

Charlotte stands there dumbfounded, ”NEW YORK!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME,

tries to open it but fails.

I LOVE NEW YORK!!!” Kara then slapped her hand against Charlotte’s mouth,

“What's wrong dear?” Kara’s Aunt asked Kara

attempting to keep the silence of the store.

“The doors locked.” Kara answers

“Yeah, I lived there, no big deal.” Kara says, shrugging it off as she glances at a dis-

Kara’s aunt gives her a key to the house.

play case.

Kara tries the bottom lock on the door, she turns the key to the right until she heard

“No big deal? New york is literally the place of action and adventure, not to men-

a click indicating that the door was now unlocked. She opens the door. There was

tion that its like at the top of the map, why would you ever leave that? Wait...why

dead silence, not a soul was in the house. "Alex?” She calls my name "Where could

did you move here anyways?” Charlotte questioned.

he be?"

“Um…I…” Kara stalls,” I…my parents had to...leave for a while…and my aunt

She walks over to where I laid before I left. By the foot of the couch was a small

was the only living relative of mine.

black book with a oddly shaped key hole. She examines the book “What’s this?" she

“Well enough small talk lets get what we need, and get out of here.” Charlotte in-

thinks to herself.

structed.

""Whoa What's that?" Asked Charlotte.

“I agree." Kara says.

"I don't know some kind of book." Kara responds.

They both grab a box of bandages along side a bag of chips and soda, They paid

Kara flips over the small book. Revealing words engraved with golden pen. She

off their taxes, and set off towards home. The ride back was uneventful and some-

reads the words on the back the book. xiv

The Owner of this book is Alexander Terrestia, if you find this DO NOT OPEN. Also If this book is found return as soon as possible…

“Yes” I hesitate. “Where were You missed a day of work! I expect you to work double time tomor-

"HIS DIARY?" Charlotte exclaims

row!” his angered old voice rambled on.

"No its a journal." Kara denies Charlotte's sudden out burst.

“Dude calm down, just because I missed a day doesn't mean I won't missed an-

"Oh well then why does it have a lock on the front." Charlotte ask.

other.”

"I don't know....privacy?."

“I just want to know Why! Why you were here today!”

"Exactly".

“lets just say I had a fight…with His Gang.”

Kara stands up to go to her room. When she enters she look around, as if she didn't

“Huh…” he grunted. “Well, tell me the details...Now!”

recognize it. Pink walls, white flooring. A pink bed that was in front of dresser; above

“God, he’s done nothing but yell at me now’s the time to yell back," I think in my

it a painting of a meadow. "Ugh this room is for a little girl" she thought to herself.

head

She walks over to the bed and hides the book under her pillow. Then she pulled

“I tell you tomorrow at 4:30 sharp! That is if you're there! Goodnight!"

from her purse that was across her shoulder a get well soon card, She opens it, and

I slam the phone on the table, face-planted my body on the couch, and effortlessly

reads the words that were printed on the card “Get well soon Alex.” Kara suddenly

fell asleep.

gets a burst of anger. She crumples up the note and throws it in her room trash can. *

It was very difficult getting to my house from Kara's. I didn't know the way, I was injured, and the fact that it's almost dawn. “Ok thats far enough” I tell myself. My running slowed to a jog then to a walk. I check my surroundings. “Dang it.” My thought starts. “Its too dark to see anything." I Could only see the outer edges of the the objects around me. I stop, remove the luggage case that was my backpack, and unzip it. I then reach my hand in my backpack grab a flashlight, and turn it on. The ray was bright; I could see the dust in the illuminated area. I continued myself towards home limping my way there. *

The door to my house swings open. I thought to myself “Well I made it home can I sleep now”.Then out of the silence that was my house my phone was started to ring…well more like vibrate. I look at the digests “972-261-9027 ”. I press the answer button, put the phone against my ear, and asked “Hello?” With a quick response a very iterated voice called upon me “Alex!” he yells. xv

Student

Artwork

We are working on Balance, a principle of Design. My students have taken a form of balance called Radial Balance where all of their designs emerge from the center of the paper. We chose to use Watercolor to paint our designs. We used various techniques such as washes, blends, gradients, and even putting salt on some designs. Students were encouraged to add black to some of their color scheme in order to make their vibrant colors even more vibrant. - Mk Miller

xvi

Podcast An LHS-Killough Student

tournament recorded live!!!

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satire

High

school couples have become the bane of my high school career for a while now.

Now,

By: Kaitlin Stewart

break up!!!

I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but as I'm just casually walking through the halls at main, I’m stopped because this couple is taking up half the hallway! I get it; you think you are in love and you want to be with your “pookiewookie” “snuggle bear”, but please have the decency to leave the hallway open for those who actually want to go to class. This leads me to another aggravating subject... Couple Nicknames Now I’ve heard people call each other a large range of nicknames; baby, babe, honey, sweetie, and plenty of others, but the one that gets on my nerves the most is the word bae. If I hear one more person call someone else that atrocious word I will most likely spontaneously combust. Are you so deprived of creativity that you must resort to a three letter word that sounds like where ships come into harbor? If I were in a relationship and someone called me that our relationship would promptly end.

Another thing about high school relationships that drives me crazy is the over excessive use of the word love.

Let me tell you “sweetie pie”, you are a teenager, you don't what you want or who you really love!!! The real definition of love is being willing to sacrifice your wants and needs for the wants and needs of your significant other, and most of you can't even be separated from your iPhone for more than five seconds, how can you be trusted to care for a boyfriend or girlfriend? Honey... you are most likely not going to get married to your high school sweetheart, so stop with the love thing because let's be honest, it ain't true. So here are a few bits of life advice from me: Don't drive people crazy by clinging to your boo in the halls. If you are going to call each other nicknames, come up with something creative; and if you use the word bae? I will hunt you down and, for goodness sake, you will realize that you and your “honey boo boo” are not soul mates!!! Thank you for reading this public service announcement.

Student

Fiction A Continuing Story By:

Gioia Schwalm

10th grade

Counter Work a novel

Chapter One He arrived in the city on one of the last trains that ever ran. With smoke billowing up

had been accessed recently by how easily it was opened; he did not have to exert any great

from beneath the rails, he stepped onto the platform. The metal grates underneath his

force to wrench the creaking metal door back on its hinges. The inverted cubic interior

feet did not give the impression of being the sturdiest material, especially considering the

was empty apart from a small, white envelope placed precisely in the middle of the square

great height of the tracks. If the support of the grating were to falter, it would be roughly

base. Quickly, the man slid it out of the locker, secured the padlock again, and, with the

a fifty-story fall to the cracked pavement below. However, the man did not give this peril

envelope tucked into his pocket along with the key, he was on his way.

any thought, as he was used to trusting this city’s precarious exterior. Everything appeared to be on the verge of crumbling away, but nothing ever did. It was quite miracu-

He did not stand out from the crowd enough to start getting glances from the people

lous when one thought about it, but then again, he didn’t.

around him until he was in the lift. Closed together into the metal walled space, they peered at him uneasily, unsure whether he returned their gazes or not. His own eyes were

His mind was set on another goal, far more specific than simply surviving the walk across

concealed by dark glasses, obscuring the subject of their attention. In addition to this ir-

the grates to the lifts that would take him to the streets below. On that platform, precisely

regularity, due to the fact that the sky was rarely anything but a gloomy yellowish-gray

between the two adjacent tracks (one of which was now occupied by the train he had just

these days, he was also, as they used to say, dressed to the nines. His clean white shirt was

exited) there was a wall of small, slightly rusted metal lockers. Wasting no time, the man

tucked into the slim waist of his long, black trousers with the crisp sleeves rolled neatly up

paced over to them, sliding his unoccupied right hand into his pants pocket on the way.

to his elbows. He had no jacket despite the chill weather that hung over the city.

His long fingers closed firmly around a small, brass key. It was meant to be unique to him and the train company – they shared ownership of the locker itself – but, unbeknownst to

He stood up straight, his posture well-supported by his expensive-looking shoes. In one

all but for himself and the second holder, there had in fact been another copy made of it.

hand he held a thin suitcase, and the other was tucked into his pocket. Among the drably-

This made it easy to inconspicuously slip notes and messages, sometimes even items of

dressed passengers of the now-active lift, he stood out significantly. Still, no one voiced

interest, back and forth.

their uneasiness and skepticism toward him, and the minute-long ride to the street below was spent in silence.

The man reached the lockers and found his: No. 1604. He efficiently drew the key from his pocket and brought it up to the locker’s padlock. There was a muffled, internal clicking sound within the metal chamber as he turned the key. He could tell that the locker

Chapter Two

craned, Alexandria looked up at the underside of the station. Through the count-

The autumn brought with it a cool chill, one that hung thinly in the air, penetrating

out onto the platform. From where she had temporarily stopped walking on the

all layers of the seasonal clothing the city inhabitants wore on the street. The chill

crooked pavement, they looked like tiny insects crawling across a surface.

less metal beams and grates, she could see the dark forms of the passengers stepping

cut down to the bone, and the dropping temperature was more like the weather of winter than the season's predecessor. The world had gotten colder, and while not

Those, too, were very common in the city. There was no real focus on pest control,

everyone questioned the recent patterns, everyone noticed them.

and the population as a whole seemed to have gotten used to seeing bugs scuttling over walls and through alleyways.

Alexandria was one of those who took a particular notice of the change. Still, she would never bring it up in conversation. She despised small talk, and any topic that

Alexandria tucked her hands in the pockets of her coat and walked on. She briefly

remotely resembled it was one she avoided. Today, in an attempt to fight the cold,

wondered about the people who had arrived on the train this morning. Were they

she wore a long coat and a black scarf. She had on thick leggings beneath a knee-

travelers, planning on visiting the city for only a few days? Or, like her, were they

length sweater dress. She had bought the dress months ago at a second-hand

moving here, relocating their lives? There were only so many places that they could

shop lit only by a flickering fluorescent light directly above the register, but one

be coming from on these tracks, but she was not in the habit of keeping up with the

wouldn't guess it to look at the outfit. She was used to cutting corners, making do

trains’ schedule. Wherever they came from, she did not know, and soon she did not

with what she had while appearing to get along effortlessly.

particularly care. Her curiosity about the crawling strangers was a fleeting thing. As she walked further down the familiar street, leaving the massive structure behind her,

This city seemed to be the opposite; on the outside, it appeared dilapidated and

Alexandria's mind went to other things. The well-oiled gears inside her head spun,

crumbling, but at its core, it ran surprisingly smoothly. As she walked through the

meshing together in the contemplative motions that she never rested from. On occa-

wide, though not overly crowded, street the shadow from the bridge stories and sto-

sion, she wished that whatever mechanism her brain possessed that held her in con-

ries above fell across her face. She was passing beneath it just as a train was hissing

stant thought would function a little less smoothly, and spare her from the over-

to a stop in the elevated station. She looked up at the rattling tracks. The platform

analysis of everything.

shook, appearing unsteady beneath the weight and momentum of the passenger train, but in truth it was unfailingly sturdy, raised up on thick, iron columns. These

She didn't particularly enjoy how her thoughts latched onto every detail and

were large enough in stature to conceal lifts that carried passengers up to and down

churned them through their complex process. She didn't want some things to inter-

from the station. The lifts were in constant operation, despite there being only two

est her as much as they often did. The weather, for example. It was a popular topic

trains that arrived in and departed from the station.

for strangers to discuss in a moment that, if not for the brief conversation, would be deemed uncomfortable. Alexandria despised this philosophy; she found silence be-

Steam sprayed down in hot, billowing clouds, utterly visible in contrast to the frigid

tween two people far less awkward than starting a conversation that they neither in-

air. It dissolved into clearness, leaving no trace of its presence. With her neck still xxi

tended to finish nor were actually interested in having. Silence was comforting to

the woman on the street in angry, broken English. The old woman would always

her.

yell back, though her raspy voice never carried very far. The worst aspect of the nearly daily exchanges was that neither the woman nor the man could understand a

She only wished that, for one moment, her thoughts could go silent. Despite all of

word that each was hurling at the other. Alexandria, powerless in the situation, was

her efforts, she could not mute the ceaseless musings about the weather and people

left stuck between the two sides of the battle until the woman, each morning, eventu-

on a train that only reminded her of struggling small talk and all of the meaningless

ally subsided. She always took her time, however, and stayed out long enough for

conversations throughout her life.

the manic little dogs to run themselves exhausted.

She emerged out of the long shadow of the train bridge after she had walked down the right side of the street, passing about twenty of the narrow two- or three-story

Now, with her duplex building in sight, Alexandria crossed the wide street. She

buildings that, despite being of varying height, all seemed to run together into a sin-

stepped around a sewage grate that billowed foul-smelling steam up toward her.

gle structure. They all served as homes, mostly apartment buildings or duplexes.

Traveling diagonally across the grimy concrete, she reached the opposite sidewalk.

There were no specified living quarters in the city, but this street consisted mostly of

Once up the three steps of the minuscule cement porch, she slipped her key into the

lodgings. Despite the fact that many citizens lived on the long, wide avenue, Alexan-

lock. She shared her half of the duplex with Annick from work. Annick was also an

dria rarely crossed paths with her neighbors. She didn't know much about them,

immigrant, although she was better adjusted to her new home than their neighbor.

but was, as usual, always noticing things. The woman next door, whose wispy hair

Although she had settled into the duplex with Alexandria nearly three years ago, she

was dyed a dreadful and obviously unnatural red-turned-orange, had about five

had never talked about her big move much. She always said that she “got out of

squat, borderline-mangy Scottie dogs. Always wearing the same ratty old coat no

France before it was too late,” and nothing more.

matter what the weather, she took them outside every morning, even before the break of dawn. Their restless yapping tended to wake Alexandria.

The other half of the house was owned by a young man, about Annick and Alexandria’s age. His name was Owen, and he was a writer. Rather, that was what he

The old woman's habit had allowed the un-neighborly veil of obscurity to be slightly

called himself. He didn’t actually write as a profession, but if anyone asked him

lifted, and had allowed Alexandria to learn more about the people that she spent so

what he did, he would only ever say: “Write.” No one ever actually did what they

much time around, separated only by thin walls.

loved these days. Alexandria had always loved to sing, but even that joy had dimmed over time. The practice had lost its spark, and now, singing was merely a

The occupant of the building on the other side was a middle-aged man with an un-

job to be done.

recognizable accent. He was an immigrant and had come to the city by boat, not train. Almost every morning, his sleep, like Alexandria's, was interrupted by the

Annick was upstairs when Alexandria arrived. The sound of the shower running

Scottie dogs and their frail, fanatical owner. He was more vocal about the nuisance,

resonated down the narrow staircase as Alexandria took the small stack of envelopes

however. Just in case the other neighbors slept through the dogs' taste of fresh air,

out of her coat pocket and set it down on the little table in the hallway by the front

the immigrant would be there with his front window shoved open, yelling down at

door. It consisted of the usual assortment of mail that she had come to expect xxii

weekly. One was a general bill, one a paycheck for herself, and the other two were for Annick. Alexandria left them there for later.

Chapter Three He savored the feeling of the steaming water on his back as it poured over him in

She was still settling in when the shower stopped and Annick came downstairs,

forceful streams. Much to his own unrest, it was becoming the norm not to have ac-

dressed in an oversized sweater and loose pants. She patted her wet long, brown

cess to the showers that he enjoyed so thoroughly. It had been months since he had

hair with a towel in an attempt to dry it. “Anything interesting in the mail?” she

been in a place where he was able to indulge himself in the jetting torrents of hot

asked after the usual greeting.

water for however long he wanted, or even at all. Now, he intended to take full ad-

Alexandria shook her head in reply. They continued along in their loose routine,

vantage of the situation while he was in the city, however long that might be.

not feeling the need to say anything more. The two of them got along exceedingly well. Annick never made small talk, perhaps as a result of the still-present language

The message he had collected earlier in the day was lying in the other room. He

barrier, or perhaps not. Either way, she appreciated – savored, even - silence. Some

had already opened the envelope and read what had been left for him inside, and

of the best times between the two women had been spent in silence, merely sitting in

still he knew nothing about why he was here. Running his hands along his scalp, he

each other’s company.

let his eyes close. He let the darkness of his eyelids swallow his thoughts for a moment. It was an elusively comforting blackness, and after not long at all, the con-

They shared a small meal; small mostly because they had yet to do the shopping for

solation morphed into something far more sinister. This kind of blackness was a

the week. Alexandria would go out sometime tomorrow for groceries. For now,

wholly different breed, and it haunted him. After each brief moment of soothing,

though, neither of them really minded the lunch-sized dinner. It was early to eat,

the otherwise constant overwhelming anxiety was never far behind.

but they both had to eat now or wait until much later. Tonight, their shifts began and ended at the same time. Annick waitressed at the lounge where Alexandria

Opening his eyes again to the mist of the shower, the man composed himself. He

sang nightly. It was low pay, but nothing better was offered elsewhere.

checked his watch; it had been a gift. It was intended and enhanced for any given condition and was thus water-proof.

After so many years, it still functioned

perfectly. He did not allow himself to sigh upon seeing the time, but inwardly, he As Annick washed the dishes – a quick job, to be sure – she listened to Alexandria

wanted nothing more than the release of that seemingly insignificant expression.

warm up her voice in her own shower. She enjoyed hearing her sing. It somehow

Release in general. One last time, he ran his fingers through his well-cut hair. Fi-

reminded her of home. For Alexandria, however, it was merely a habit. As she

nally, he turned the faucet, ceasing the flow of water from the shower head. He

worked her slender fingers through her lacquer red hair, the familiar melodies and

dried off quickly with the hotel towel and then stepped out into the only other room

words she knew by heart poured out of her as if they were an extension of her be-

in the very temporary living-space. Still unrushed, he dressed in the orangeish light

ing.

of the bedside lamp. Again, he checked his watch.

xxiii

Sitting down on the edge of the stiff bed, he tightened his thin, black tie around his

the flea market, and no one would ever guess. It was reminiscent of another time –

neck. A noose, he mused. Just part of the required attire. He grew increasingly

a true vintage. It had been worn and loved by someone else, long ago – the old

vexed by the hypocrisy of his ways; he had to go out of his way to find somewhere

woman who had sold it to her had also offered a personal anecdote. Though her

low-key to stay, but he was also told how to dress, and this particular requisite ap-

retelling of the days of her youth had been hazy, Alexandria could clearly see that

parel never failed to draw attention to him in a crowd, especially during the day

the dress had meant more to the woman than just any piece of clothing – even one

time. Oddly enough, this was when he did most of the traveling around that was

as beautiful as this.

essential to his work. She met Annick at the top of the staircase. The brunette wore her customary skirt Out of boredom or anticipation – even he wasn’t sure which - he pulled on the suit

and blouse. This was the closest the Alizarin Lounge came to having a uniform for

jacket that had been tucked in his briefcase next to his other, more essential, gear.

its waitresses. Pulling on her second two-inch-heel shoe, Annick asked, “Ready?”

Once again, he glanced at his wrist. He stood, taking a single step with his long legs

Alexandria sighed. “I suppose. Here we go again.”

to reach the table. With the opened envelope now in hand, he returned to his spot on the bed. He quickly drew the thick paper card out of the envelope and set it on

“You look very good,” Annick assured her, her French accent kicking in.

his lap. Reaching across the bedside table, he lifted the phone – cradle and all – to-

“You, too.” She started down the steps, grabbing her coat from the hook mounted

ward himself, evading the lamp. The cord could only stretch so far, and the man

on the wall. “Well, let’s go, then.”

was left in an awkward position. Nevertheless, it was time. So, glancing down at the card, he dialed the number – black type against stark white paper.

They linked their arms together as they walked through the streets, huddling close to

The recipient of the phone call was quick to answer. A familiar, distorted voice

each other in order to stay warm. Occasionally, they would step over a grate – care-

spoke, and the caller replied, “1-0, 0-9.” At the utterance of the numbers, no matter

ful not to catch their heels on the metal grids – that spewed clouds of warm vapor.

how hard he fought it, his throat tightened. He cleared his throat, covering the mi-

Most of these, however, were surrounded by the less fortunate. For the homeless,

crophone of the plastic handset. Quickly, he uncovered it again. In as clear a voice

these grates were the only means of staying warm. The Alizarin Lounge was not

as anyone could muster, he said, “I’m ready for my assignment.”

located in the most ‘respectable’ part of the city – the girls’ apartment was close, after all. The area was frequented by vagrants, along with petty criminals, call girls

__________________________________

and hustlers, and, amusingly enough, musicians. It was the perfect place for the classic musician personality – low rent, plenty of venues, and a wide acceptance of beat-

Alexandria wore her red sequin dress. She liked the idea of it – it was something

nik behavior.

flashy, maybe risqué, maybe even tawdry. Yet what she had on was elegant. It fell down to the floor and was cut perfectly for her body with its high square neck and

Still, neither of the women ever felt threatened by the milieu that they found them-

cinched waist. It also went well with her ginger hair. Her absolute favorite thing

selves in, even now as they walked through the sparsely-lit streets. They actually felt

about the dress, however, was the fact that she had bought it for almost nothing at

that they fit in with the somewhat grimy and yet also somewhat honest way of life. xxiv

It was honest in its lack of the societal veil. The absence of any pretention or mas-

microphone to match her height. Where Judy was small and petite, Alexandria was

querade of being high-bred or high-class. It was honest in its griminess and its

tall, even regal-looking in her heels and dress.

harshness.

She headed back over to the bar, behind which its tender had returned. He greeted her the same way he did every night they shared a shift. “There’s my girl.” His

By the time they arrived, The Lounge was already bustling – if only at a lethargic

lighter clicked open and shut in his hand, one moment ablaze with orange and blue

tempo – with slow, smoky, activity. The tables and booths were mostly occupied by

flame and the next dark.

men, although some women joined the fun. Glasses and steins clinked, cigarettes

“Hello, Van,” she replied with a slight grin. “Nice jacket.”

puffed. The smoke hung in the air, drifting and swirling around the already dim

“Oh, what, this?” He pulled the red leather collar up. He wore almost the exact

lamps that hung down from the high ceiling. Both girls clocked in, punching their

same outfit every night – the same dark trousers, the same thrift shop loafers, and

timecards into the machine around the back of the bar. Then, they parted ways –

that same jacket over a rotating variety of ironic Hawaiian shirts.

Annick headed off to begin her rounds, and Alexandria headed for the stage.

Alexandria remembered the shirts being the first thing she had noticed about Van when she came to The Alizarin – back when she was living alone in an even cheaper

Judy, the girl who performed during the early shift, when there were really only a

apartment. She had even asked him, “Are those authentic?”

few customers in and out, was just finishing up. She was a pleasant person – pretty

“You mean did they come from Hawaii?” he had asked in return.

and simple, with a case of perpetual, but inconsequential, stage fright. She didn't

She had shrugged, the shadow of an amused smirk on her painted lips.

mind singing to a small audience, especially when those people paid her no

“No. I’ve never been.” She remembered him leaning in across the bar with mock

attention. Alexandria dealt with this as well, but she preferred a more sizable crowd.

surreptitiousness. “I don’t think it exists,” he had murmured. “I think it’s a lie the government feeds us – this prospect of paradise? There’s no reason to work un-

“How was it?” she asked Judy.

less you’re working toward this goal of visiting the Aloha State.” He pulled back

“Oh, alright. Just about the same as every other night.”

away, raising his eyebrows at her. “Just think about it.”

“Sounds about right. Where’s Carlos?” He was The Lounge’s resident pianist, and

“Oh, it’ll keep me up at night,” she replied.

an excellent accompanist for the two singers.

He had laughed and told her, “You know what, I like you.”

“I think he’s just taking a break.” She stepped down off the stage.

“Oh, thank god! I don’t know how I could go on without the approval of a conspir-

“Are you taking off ?”

acy theorist.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired,” she said, almost sounding apologetic. “I hope your set goes

Again, he had laughed to applaud her wit.

well!”

“Thanks a bunch,” he said now. “What can I get you, darling?”

“Thanks, Jude. See you tomorrow.”

Although he was not much older than Alexandria, his pet names for her had never felt strange. She pulled off her coat, tucking it back behind the bar. “Just some wa-

Alexandria stood on the unlit platform – it was a humble stage, only about four and

ter for now. You’re going late tonight, right?”

a half feet wide – the piano sat down on the floor – and adjusted the old Shure 55 xxv

“I’ll be here when you’re done,” he assured her. He turned to grab a glass from the

On occasion, Alexandria would look out into the audience and find Annick, who

mirrored shelf on the paneled wall. As he ran the tap into it, he looked Alexandria

always gave her a supportive smile. Sometimes, in the smattering of applause after

up and down. “Great dress.” Handing her the water – lukewarm, as he knew she

each song came to its conclusion, she could hear Van’s distinct ovation. Mostly, she

preferred before a set – he raised an eyebrow.

did not mind her work, and even then it was made better by the presence of her friends.

“Well thank you,” she said, somewhat flirtatiously accepting his somewhat-flirting. “I’d better get up there. See you after.”

About thirty minutes into her set that night, the lounge door opened. This was not

“You’ll be great, as always.”

a unique occurrence, as people were always coming and going. Alexandria did her best not to be distracted by it, but each time the light from the flickering street lamps

The Manager was milling around by now, weaving in and out between tables and

outside poured into the venue, it drew her attention. This time, her attention was

booths, as transient and dodgy as the arabesques of cigarette smoke that his custom-

held by the silhouette of a man entering through the doorway of The Alizarin. The

ers breathed. Tonight he wore a faux-designer pin-striped suit, his usual assembly of

exterior light outlined the tall, thin figure like the corona of a moon. A cigarette –

rings. He was truly the quintessence of Sleazy Business Owner. His name was Ray

just an orange-ish, reddish glow – burned between his lips. The ember reflected in

– or Mr. Durante, if he was power-tripping for the night – but everyone just called

the lenses of dark glasses. He was an imposing shadow in the doorway, with eyes

him The Manager.

burning. Then the door closed behind him. Alexandria tore her eyes away from this new presence just as she sang the last note

He sidled up to Alexandria, putting his hand on her waist. “Looking good tonight,

of her song. She hit the high pitch perfectly, having regained her focus just in time.

honey.” She much preferred Van’s sobriquets for her. “Good luck up there.”

The crowd applauded. She thanked them. She crouched down and took a drink of

And so she began. Carlos returned to his piano bench just in time. The spotlight –

the half-empty glass of water. Standing again, she introduced her next song. “This

a dim, pale blue beam – strengthened into its full brightness, the first notes of her

one’s called ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” Her eyes followed the newcomer as

first song (by tradition) twinkled into the air, and she began to sing. She knew every

he walked coolly through the dark room, not looking up once toward the stage. She

song by heart; even the ones that she had learned more recently to add variety to

watched as he put out his cigarette in the ashtray of an empty table. “Some of you

her set were ingrained in her head and in her voice. Despite her perfect memoriza-

might know it,” she said, flashing a showgirl’s smile.

tion, no one could ever accuse her performances of being programmed, redundant,

She looked at Carlos, who began to play. After a few beats, she began to sing. The

or bland. Each time she sang a song, it was a little different and, it seemed, always

man found his way to the booth in the very front, closest to the stage. He sat down,

better. Although she no longer thrilled in the nightly performances, she gave each

joining another man at the table. When she heard him speak, her professional re-

one her all.

solve and concentration almost foundered yet again under the sudden rush of exasperation.

She was so well-loved that everyone in the lounge gave her attention, and the whole

He said: “Hello, Mr. Bower. How have you been liking the weather?”

room was respectfully quiet. xxvi

Chapter Four

Without any more warning than the sound of her heels approaching, she addressed

The set was soon over, but the two men’s somewhat one-sided conversation

asked, making it fully clear that the question was rhetorical. “You really shouldn’t,”

continued. In the newly quiet lounge, in lieu of the ruby-clad chanteuse’s perform-

she continued without pause, “Because I think you’ve done your fair share of talking

ance, the sound of her heels resounded. Now she was more a phoenix than a song-

– through my entire set. It’s fine if you want to have a little chat over drinks, but this

bird as she flew cantankerously toward the bar. Van was waiting there, sullied rag

is my job and you shouldn’t keep me from doing it with your ridiculous weather

draped over his shoulder and smoldering cigarette hanging out of his mouth. “You

talk.”

killed it!” he congratulated her, his arms open as if he was half expecting a hug. His

Only after she finished speaking did the man turn his head. He looked at her for a

acclamatory grin shrank, however, for now she was close enough he could see

moment, never removing his dark glasses. Then, he turned his whole body to face

through the diaphaneity of her fair skin that she was burning crimson underneath.

her. “I’m sorry. Are you saying you want to join in our ‘weather talk’?”

“Whoa, there, Gossamer! What could possibly be wrong after such a great show?”

Alexandria’s eyes fell on the glinting, metallic object in his hand, pointed at her now.

She spared him the glare that came as her natural response. “A couple of guys

Her expression transformed from one of indignation to alarm, and she took a step

talked through my entire set – loudly. And right by the stage, too?” She wrung her

back.

hands angrily. Though she had not been able to hear every word, the sound of the

“I thought not,” the man said.

men’s dialogue, the sound of their discourse was more than enough to be disruptive

“Listen…” she attempted, her voice still empowered by her confidence from earlier.

“I hate having to deal with all of these people every night.”

“Just… take that somewhere else. We don’t want any trouble here.” She glanced

“Then go tell ‘em off,” Van suggested, pouring a drink for another customer who

over toward the bar. Van had acted as a bouncer before – even when things got

stood at the other end of the bar, giving the fuming Alexandria ample space.

rowdy, they could all count on him.

This time she shot him her most scolding, scalding look. “I can’t do that.”

“No, you certainly don’t,” he said, clearly having noticed her wandering gaze. “And

“Sure you can. I tell people off all the time.”

I certainly don’t want to find myself in the middle of any trouble. But I'm perfectly

Alexandria sighed, glancing over her shoulder back toward the table. The two men

happy where I am, so you'd best scurry off, now." He turned away from her, but

were still deep in discussion.

kept the gun aimed. "Thank you for your concern," he dismissed.

“Go on,” he encouraged, nudging her elbow slightly. “Show them your teeth.”

Finally, though still hesitant, Alexandria backed away. She had reached a distance

She nodded once, decisively, and turned. Again, her heels clacked against the

where she felt safe enough to make sudden movements – at least enough to rush off

scuffed floors of the lounge as she made a beeline back toward the stage. The man

as the man had suggested – when he turned back. “By the way,” he said. “It was an

who had arrived more recently – the one that she held responsible as the true instiga-

excellent performance, Alexandria.”

tor – sat with his back toward her, and did not see her coming. His companion, how-

A slight tremor ran up her spine at the sound of her name being voiced by the man.

ever, did. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the woman charging toward

At last, she fled. Her first instinct was to go straight back to Van. Yet the eyes of the

them, and his mouth slammed shut at the look of determination in her eyes.

man – which now she could only picture as two burning embers beneath those

them both. “Yeah, hi, do you mind if I have a word?” she insisted rather than

shades – still seared into her back. xxvii

So instead, she took a left turn away from the bar and pushed through the swinging

“Thanks,” she murmured. “See you tomorrow.”

doors of the kitchen. The lighting was far harsher – rows of fluorescents lined the

On the way home, neither she nor Annick spoke, and for possibly the first time in

high ceiling. Annick was right inside, hanging her apron up on the iron hook drilled

her life, the silence did not comfort her.

into the wall. “Hey,” she greeted pleasantly. “You ready to go?” Alexandria asked, unable to fully mask the urgency in her voice. “Almost.” Annick looked over at her. “Are you alright?” “Oh. Yeah, I’m fine.” “Alright,” she replied, though clearly she was not fooled. “I’ll just clock us out here,

then.”

“Thanks.” Alexandria drifted back through the doors after first attempting to look through the round, cloudy windows into the lounge. Backlit by the brighter lights that were quickly muted out again, she walked hastily toward Van. She refused to

look over at the table. Van welcomed her back with his warm grin. “How’d it go?” he asked. “Fine,” she lied, finally daring to glance. The booth was empty. She looked around, her eyes darting from table to table, but neither of the men were anywhere to be seen. There was no evidence of them having been there, except for the cigarette butt ground to ash, left in the arbitrary tray on one of these tables. “Are you okay?” Van asked, echoing Annick’s tone of concern from a moment ago. “You look spooked.” “I’m fine, really. Just… tired.” He gave her a skeptical look, but said nothing. Annick joined them at the bar. “Alright. Until tomorrow night, then,” she said to Van, hooking her arm into Alexandria’s. “Roger that,” Van said. “See you two later.” Alexandria considered asking him to walk them home. She decided against it, however, partly because she wouldn’t know how to explain why. She was also somewhat embarrassed by how “spooked” she was. She and Annick turned away to leave. “Hey,” Van called. Alexandria turned back. “Don’t forget your coat. It’s cold out there.” He handed it across the bar to her. xxviii

Poetry

Ode To The Holidays

by: Tiffany Reazor 9th gradeâ&#x20AC;¨

Ode to the holidays cold, moist air coats and gloves uggs and hats Ode to the holidays red and white candy canes Seasonal coffee beverages decorated malls Ode to the holidays broken Christmas lights tacky blow up decorations Christmas radio songs Ode to the holidays joy and wonder peaceful family time

T E N SO N

M a l S Fall, 2014

xxx

LHS-Killough Shakespearean Sonnet Award

Not Society’s Decision

By: LeeAnn Rossi

t s e B

We think of our selfs with blind eyes were bound. Our sight is blocked by a vale of labels. A generation held down and rewound, Time and time again we look unable. Why can't you see that we don't have to be? We can not pretend to drown any more! We shall not be unwanted. Can't you see, Swim from the current it's our tainted core.

Stand on the shore rase, your head to the stars. Don't stand forlorn your words have clarity, Your colors they sore. Don't stare at the scars They don't define you. Your a rarity.

9th grade

T e n Son

You are your own don't let others decide. You won't stand alone, we are by your side. 31