Whispering Trees by Creative Projects

A THRILLER BY

SEVCAN CAGIN

WHISPERING TREES

SEVCAN CAGIN

My eyes open as I feel like being pinched. It hurts. Strange. But not painful enough to make me cry, only enough to make me flinch. I lift myself up from the ground where I was lying unconscious. I am wearing a white singlet with tight blue jeans covered in dirt. My hands start to burn and tingle moving hesitantly. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where I am but it is dark and there are fallen trees and branches that prick my feet. It feels like being stabbed with thousands of needles that only penetrate the first two layers of skin. That feeling fades when the cold gets worse, into a foreboding kind of numbness. At that point all of my extremities feel swollen, clumsy, stiff and useless, as though thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a layer of water pumped under my skin that dulls the sensation of touch. The branches creak, the wind whistles around the tall dark brown trees ruffling and rattling. I start to walk towards the light against the trees, where I can see the moons reflection. It is a full moon tonight. But I still have no clue why I am here. The trees move from side to side-blowing leaves off branches to the ground. I feel like I have walked for a long time until I came across a school bag left on the ground. The bag was fairly large but its appearance looked more like a camping bag, it had been ripped from each side; it had a red sleeping bag, clothes that were mainly for a guy to wear, cans of food and a map. The map is wet and sticky making it difficult to work out where I am. It is pretty strange for a camping bag to be left here unattended but I kind of feel insecure on my own in the middle of know where. In the distance I notice a yellow school bus. I quickly rush towards the bus hoping there will be somebody there. Only I find no body. I catch my breath. The bus is empty. Whilst observing the bus; I see the front tires are flat with broken glasses left on the ground. The back doors are wide open. Inside

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the bus, there are more school bags left on the ground. The leather seats are ripped apart; more glass is shattered inside on the sides. I hear not so far away leaves and twigs scatter and break, it comes closer. Branches crisp and twig. I hop out of the bus looking around till I notice someone is carrying a shovel in the distance walking further into the forest. It was a man wearing black and long pants. I follow from behind silently trying not to be spotted or make any noise. Who knows he could be a killer on the loose. Plus if I was not alone I probably would have called out help, but I don’t feel safe at all. The man in black stops and starts to shovel the dirt from the ground hastily. I slowly peak from the other side of the tree, noticing a torch left on the ground pointing towards the hole. Finally he throws the shovel back up climbing. He is a very large man who is quite muscular, although his hoodie is pretty low on his face; it is hard to spot who he is. He dusts off his hands clamping them together; I hide again behind the tree. He grabs something heavy dragging it along the ground and pushes it into the whole. I couldn’t see what it was but I felt curious to find out. It’s quiet now I don’t hear the man at all. I take another peak from where I stand and he is gone. Come on Stacy just one quick look won’t kill you; find the courage I say to myself. I feel worried; I take one breath and walk out towards the hole. I stare; it’s dark and too quiet. I see a shinny object on the ground and pick it up. It is a silver earring. ‘Help.’ I hear a low voice which is difficult to hear. I only hear movements and it is coming from the hole. I panic getting on my knees kneeling down at the hole. I see movement that I find the urge to call out, ‘Is anybody down there. Hello.’ No one replies I hear the constant breathing of a woman struggling, and then she stops. I hear nothing but silence.

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The branches creak from behind I stand up slowly and turn only I see him in black standing right next to me. His face pale and slightly ghostly made me scream in panic. His cold dark eyes were hollow and unforgiving. He starred tilting his head side woods slowly from left to right before he smiled surprised to see me. My eyes stared to become teary I couldn’t breathe; it felt like I was being chocked. My heart was racing all I wanted to do was cry for help hoping someone could save me. But no one was there it was just me and the man in black. A drop ran down my cheek it seemed like this was the end of the road so I closed my eyes again. *** My eyes shot open. I was breathing short, heavy breaths. Sweat beads ran down my face and my hands. I looked around the bus, wide eyed, making sure I was back home. That was weird... All the students in my class are all excited for camp. My close friend Julia who is sitting beside me glances at me. ‘Hey Stacy it’s all right, you just had a bad dream.’ She places her hand gently on my hand to calm me down. I look at her trying to control my breathing. My heart is pacing. ‘Stacy you look pale do you want some water.’ I nod, while she grabs her bottle of mount Franklin giving it to my hand. I take a few sips wiping off the sweat from my forehead. ‘It was a dream, a very frightening dream. It felt so real.’ I say to her. She laughs in amusement. ‘That’s normal Hun we all have those kind of dreams but it can’t harm us so you’re fine. It’s all over. You’re back to reality. Come on cheer up another two and a half hours and will be at camp.’ She acted normal and excited, I didn’t answer her; instead I looked out the window. I saw the fields of yellow corn and a long fence going down the road.

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It was a big land field with many crops which went for many hectares. I observed the bus I was in it was normal, was wide from both sides and there were many seats in front roughly around 30 seats. It was leather just like in my dream. With wide windows, behind where I sat there was an exit door at the back of the bus also. Now I felt really curious about this trip the bus I was in was exactly the same in my dream. I probably was not having a great start waking up from a shocking dream. I should stay focused, it’s a dream ill forget it. I should try and really enjoy this camp with my friends. ‘Hey you sexy thing what’s going on.’ a young college boy talks with Julia; he has blue eyes with blonde curls and is wearing a black singlet with the number 69 in red. I found it pretty off but luckily he was not talking to me. ‘None of your b-wax Jack.’ Julia replies with attitude. She actually loves when guys talk to her and gives attitude at first but then starts to flirt if she enjoys the company. ‘Oh come on, I was just being nice.’ He replies to her with a smirk. ‘Bullshit you were being nice. Plus who are you to call me sexy don’t you have a girlfriend.’ He scratches his head before he replies. ‘Well not exactly, I kind of broke up with her not so long ago.’ ‘Sure, sure and you want me to believe that. Besides I’m taken so if I were you I wouldn’t talk to me.’ He looks surprised but feels amused the way she speaks with him. I found the conversation pretty distracting to get my mind off the dream I had. ‘What about you. Was Stacy right?’ before I answered my boyfriend Brad came standing behind Jack and he spoke answering. ‘She’s taken mate.’ Jack turns filling like an idiot but replies to make things normal again.

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‘Yeah I know I was just jerking off. Sorry bro.’ Brad places his hand on Jacks shoulder and says ‘No harm done mate. Do you mind?’ Julia gets up from her seat and offers Brad to sit next to me instead while she goes and sits with Jack to continue her conversation with him. ‘What’s wrong babe, you look startled are you feeling orite.’ I smile and cuddle him I missed him so much. ‘I’m fine now that you’re here.’ He smiles then kisses me softly on my forehead. I have been with Brad since first year in College. He has been more than just a boyfriend but a caring loving friend. He looked the same as I first met him. His eyes were hazel brown they always sparkled whenever he looked into my eyes. His smile sweetened the very air in my lungs. The corners of his lips hooked themselves to my heart I almost felt like kissing him. ‘I would really want to know what is going through that tiny mind of yours. I sure hope your thinking of me.’ I placed my hand on his neck pulling him closer to myself. ‘I was actually thinking about your lips.’ He smiled again hoping I would kiss him and I did. I felt the shiver of apprehension shake through my body as his lips were gently placed at mine. I loved kissing him I couldn’t help but smile and look into his eyes, I was so happy with him. I would forget everything that troubled me and concentrate on him only. Mr. Coleman makes another announcement through the microphone at the front of the speaker box. ‘Hey listen up students. We will be making a stop shortly for fuel, so if anyone needs a trip to the toilet please raise your hands up for me to count.’ A few students place their hands up. ‘Okay right then. Just so you guys know we only have half an hour left till we make it to the camp site so don’t go wondering off and wasting any time.’

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Mr. Coleman sits back in his seat just when I notice a big black van from behind flashing his lights on and off and pressing on the horn furiously like he is in a hurry. I turn back to the bus driver he is waving his hand out to let the driver know that he or she can over take. The driver in the black van overtakes the bus quickly, his windows where tinted so you could not see anything. ‘Well what’s his hurry? Bloody idiot drivers.’ Brad moves forward while speaking. I don’t respond at all but am surprised the way people can drive. We finally pull over next to the petrol station. The doors open for the students to get out. ‘Come babe let’s get out for a stretch and for some fresh hair. I grab hold of Brads hand and we walk out of the bus. He grabs hold onto me cuddling me I smile feeling happy and glad to be away from home with him. ‘Brad I love you so much. I don’t know where I would be or how I would feel without you.’ ‘Sshh..’ he places his hand on my lips. ‘I’m here for you, I’m not going anywhere. You know why. Because you mean the world to me, you’re the only person that I would rather be with. And I am truly, deeply in love with you.’ He kisses me softly on the lips with a small peck. ‘Check out these love birds. Aww how cute I want a kiss too.’ Brads two mates Ken and Ryan come besides us. They’re both funny blokes of his that have always been close mates since I have been with Brad. Ryan is quite tall he has brown hair and brown eyes, his studying architecture and loves his music. He parties a lot on the weekend at the clubs Dj-ing late. Ken is more of the shy boy, hard to get bloke, he thinks he could get any girl he wants because of his looks. Ken is a few inches shorter than Ryan who is quite muscular and has green eyes. He loves his sports and late session training at gym. ‘Bro sorry to be annoying but were going to get drinks from the shop you guys need anything.’ Ken looks at me asking. I nod while Brad answers.

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‘Yeah get us both a soft drink of coke and a cold bottle of water.’ ‘No worries mate, you owe me one.’ Ken responds. Ryan then speaks while Ken walks towards the shops. ‘Hey I came with the best remix for touching loving. It’s one of Treys songs.’ Brad turns and gives a wink. ‘What you serious. What’s the idea another dirty rap to a song?’ ‘Yeah man it gona be hot. I know its gona sound quite disturbing but girls will love it.’ I gave a funny impression. ‘Oh my god I’ll have to listen to it.’ I answered him. ‘Yeah you should.’ Ryan answered. ‘You might get turned on.’ He then gave me a wink. ‘Oh Ryan, do you have to be so annoying.’ ‘What did I make it awkward? Dood she loves me. But on the inside.’ Ryan replies. ‘Ryan stop it your being a weirdo again.’ Brad speaks. ‘Orite bro I’ll just go now and annoy these bitches. These chicks love it when I talk dirty. I’ll be back.’ Ryan walks besides Shadya, Jess and Ellena their also from my class but I don’t generally get along with them for my own reasons. They’ve always been the cold type not easy going girls. So I don’t bother talking with them.

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***

Dear Stacy I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to come to your graduation. I just caught up in New Orleans. It’s very frustrating as it is, I did try very hard to come and see you. Besides that I want you to know that you are a fully mature young adult now, so I want you to be careful in what you do. Don’t be afraid of anything. You’re a strong hard worker I’m sure whatever you do in your life you will make me and your father proud. I love you dearly make sure you enjoy your holiday at camp be careful at night try and stay warm. Make sure you have plenty of water during the day and don’t forget to take your iron tablets. I just hope the food there won’t make you feel sick so watch out for what you eat. I love you heaps, it’s devastating that I won’t be able to call you while you’re at camp hardly any reception but I want you to be safe so make sure Brad takes good care of my girl. Be careful the both of you. Be Safe Your mother. My mother has had a very busy struggle in life since she divorced dad. But she loves what she does. She works as a neurologist at the New Orleans East Hospital looking after many patients treating nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. That’s all I know about her life we live apart but I still try and visit her on holidays. As I fold the letter back in half in the letter there is a photo of mum with her patient. She looks very happy and I feel happy that she enjoys what she does.

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‘What’s that babe?’ Brad asks ‘My mum.’ I hold the photo out for Brad to see. ‘She still looks young. You and your mum look so alike.’ He smiles as he comments on the photo. ‘I missed her so much.’ I reply ‘Don’t worry its only a week of camp and then back to New Orleans with your mother.’ He wraps his arms around me and I inhale the smell of his perfume and feel his heart beat and warmth. A hallow thump draws my attention. The bus driver brakes down slowly coming to a full stop. Mr. Coleman and the bus driver get out of the bus. I look out the window and see the bus driver kneeling down next to the tire. Mr. Coleman comes back inside holding out the microphone again. ‘Steve.’ He calls out the bus driver’s name. ‘Would you like to make the speech?’ Steve gets back onto the bus holding the microphone to his mouth. He is wearing black shades and a blue collared shirt with blue navy shorts and is quite over weight. ‘Okay guys we have had a short delay. We have a flat tire and I don’t have the tools to change them. So I will be here waiting till I get a response back from the station to come and fix it. I’ll have Mr. Coleman guide you through the forest it’s a half an hour walk from here so you will be simply cutting across. So no one panic this is one hell of a camp experience.’ He smirks as he passes the microphone back to Mr. Coleman. ‘Okay guys I need you all to get your bags and meet me outside so up you all get.’ Everyone gets up from their seats, most of them are winning not

WHISPERING TREES wanting to go for a walk through the forest but it’s an experience so they should live a little. Outside the road is quite deserted there are only tall trees going down the road, the tire is quite flat with ripped torn chunks of rubber. Mr. Coleman observes his map with Steve. He nods and talks but I couldn’t work out what they were saying as there was too much talk happening in front of me with thirty students talking loudly. Brad hands me my bag I place it around my back tightening the two straps at each side. He has his red bag already placed around his back. ‘OMG. I just hope that this walk won’t go for like an hour otherwise ill need a shower.’ Jess wines to her friends Ellena and Shadya. ‘Yeah well I’m hoping my nails won’t break.’ Ellena talks over Jess. ‘Well I’m hoping to enjoy this tequila tonight. Say’s Shadya. ‘Oh no, you didn’t.’ Elena replies surprisingly. ‘Where is it?’ Jess tries to go through Shadya’s bag. ‘Shhh…you’re going to get me in trouble. I’ll take it out at night.’ We all start walking down a small hill onto the fallen leaves scattered all over the ground. I look up and see the long brown branches going high up with long massive trunks going from each side point. Jack grabs a long thing stick with a couple leaves attached to it. He goes and annoys Julia by flickering it at her legs. She jumps feeling funny. ‘Stop that.’ She yells out to him. He laughs in joy feeling proud to be annoying her. Brad and his mates walk beside me. I feel secure being surrounded by three guys. The forest is green as I continue walking with the rest of the students. Light filters through the top branches, smelling the composting leaves, crackling branches as I walk through. I walk around in the forest, green meadows hidden in the folds of the forest, the earthy smell of beginnings and endings. We finally

SEVCAN CAGIN saunter through a natural avenue of trees, it is shady, dark and cool almost cold. As you come to the end of the trees it opens up into a lake. The air is warmer; the sounds of insects are almost too loud. The lake seems like a black void, the sun bouncing off its surface. There is a large building just 30 steps ahead of us. It almost looks like a warehouse but that’s where we will be staying. A young man and a young woman step out of the building approaching towards us. Around the side of the building I see a black ford parked. ‘Well finally made it I see. Hi I’m Sarah this is George you must be Mr. Coleman.’ the kind woman shakes hands with our teacher and stares at the rest of the students smiling along with the young man George who looks like he is about 29 years old. ‘Hi glad to be here.’ Mr. Coleman answers her. ‘Well then let’s all get inside and will go through some important information about the camp site.’ We all go inside and there are tables with seats along with two more people who are dressed in dark green uniforms wearing black shorts in runners. Julia grabs my arm and we sit next to one another while Ryan, Brad and Ken sit across from us on another table due to the spilt up of having girls and boys on each side of the room. Sarah stands in front of the room with both hands behind her back while Mr. Coleman and George stand beside one another. ‘Hello students you guys must be all excited to be here I presume.’ No one answers as she continues speaking. ‘Now I would just like to go through a few things for your information. We have rules at camp Mud blood so please listen careful.’ ‘What a name for a camp site mud blood.’ Julia laughs to herself. ‘Reminds me of Harry Potter, with Hermione Granger.’ I smile and turn to Julia. ‘I know pretty strange in deed and creative I laugh with her.’ Sarah continues on speaking.

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‘Now as you can see this is mainly where you will be dinning for breakfast lunch and dinner. In your common rooms where you will be staying there is a timetable that shows the times that you need to be here. Along this long corridor there are bathroom facilities one for girls and boys it has showers and toilets. Also there will be groups of 3 with 10 students who will be participating on daily activities.’ She stops and giggles. ‘I’m just kidding there are no such things as following the guide to doing daily activities, I’m leaving all you students in charge you are all young adults feel free to do what you like this is not high school.’ ‘Well thank god I almost lost my mid there for a sec.’ Julia replies. I don’t know how long the talking was for but I was great to be in my room all settled and organized. ‘Hey missy, where you think you’re going.’ I turned to Julia just before I stepped out of the cabin. ‘I’m just going to have a walk around that’s all. ‘I replied ‘Well don’t leave me here I’m coming wait for me.’ I was hoping she wouldn’t tag along but I did not mind the company at all. Outside Julia and I were walking near the lake; she kept doing my head talking about Jack. We found ourselves back in the forest. I was hoping that I was not distracted by her so I knew where I was going luckily for a map. There was a long thick tree ahead of us Julia skipped ahead and screamed right when Jack popped out to frighten her. ‘Jack you idiot.’ She smacks him one on the shoulder as he laughs. ‘I was not expecting that but your face expression was hilarious.’ ‘It’s not funny you’re a jerk.’ ‘Naw don’t be like that buttercups I’m sorry, just having a little fun.’ ‘Go away I’m cut.’ She walked away furiously into the depths of the forest. I told jack to go after her not leaving her by herself. Only I was alone now. I

SEVCAN CAGIN walked the other direction down a small hill onto a soft service where there were scattered leaves all around the ground. The colors of gold and brown made the forest come to life against the trees. It was so beautiful I held out my Samsung camera to take a shot. I zoomed in towards the distance and took a photo then moved my camera around to adjust it slightly before I saw a dark tall figure starring right at me. It was disturbing and yet daunting. The black figure moved quickly pacing towards me. I was frightened the camera fell out of my hands. I push through the leaves with no hesitation. I don’t bother looking behind me. I can hear his footsteps. His heavy breathing. He’s chasing me. And he’s catching up. I stumble over sticks and logs. My legs ache and I don’t think I can go on any longer. A branch hits me in the face and I scream. I fall to the ground, hitting my back on a log and losing my breath. I gasp for air, but nothing comes in. “You can’t run forever!” his raspy voice screams. He’s not too far behind anymore. I gulp and get up. I glance around in all directions. Where can I go? Everything looks the same. I shake my head. Every second I waste here, he gets closer. I dash to my right without thinking. The tears stream from my eyes into my mouth. I hate the bitterness of the taste. I swerve through tree after tree, through bush after bush. This isn’t going to end, is it? A tree root snatches my ankle and I fall to the ground screaming in pain. I try to get up, but I can’t walk. My ankle is cut. I hear footsteps getting slower and slower until they finally stop. He’s behind me now. ‘Found you-” I lay on the ground, my ankle throbbing in pain, shivering. “Who… who are you?” I choke. The man turns his head to me. He has crystal blue eyes, with dark brown hair. Thick eyebrows, full lips, and high cheekbones. This man is absolutely gorgeous. He squints his eyes at me and tilts his head. I gasp, and start to crawl away. “Wait. I’m not going to hurt you.” His calm, deep voice says. I keep

WHISPERING TREES crawling until he twists me around which I am now laying on my backside. He gets down on me inhaling my scent. He places his hand on my cheekbone, gently sliding it towards my lips. He brings his hands back up to his and places it gently on his lips with his eyes closed. I needed to escape but I couldn’t move at all. ‘Stacy, where are you.’ I hear Brads voice call out my name. I was just about to scream when the man placed his hand on my mouth so I don’t call out. My eyes start to tear up I am frightened. He grabs a black cloth out of his black jacket with a white bottle, he places a small portion of liquid on it before he places it against my mouth blocking out the air from my nostrils. His face starts to fade and I find unconsciousness. *** I wake up in Brads arms I am in his cabin room both Ryan and Ben are sitting down at a small table playing poker. Brad moves his arm to kiss me gently on the head. I move quickly before I realize the pain on my uncle. ‘Ouch.’ I cry. ‘Stacy, you all right.’ Brad gets up to look at me. ‘I was worried sick about you today.’ My eyes started to tear up both Ryan and Ben came beside us. ‘Hey Stacy you gave us all a heart attack.You were missing for hours. You were very lucky we found you.’ Ryan says his worried expression makes me feel that I am cared about. I turn to Brad. ‘I heard you, you were calling my name. I remember.’ I replied. ‘What happened Stacy? I found you unconscious and you were bleeding. I had to take you back to the camp site.’ ‘You gave us all a fright.’ Ben speaks.

SEVCAN CAGIN ‘Don’t ever go alone out into the forest like that again. Ever.’ Brad leans to cuddle me. I’m glad that I’m back to safety. Curios and confused what did happen to me. I pull away from Brad. ‘Brad, I was not alone there was somebody chasing me today. I was scared so I ran but then I fell and he caught me. He covered my mouth with his hands so I don’t call out to you. And then he put me to sleep. That’s all I remember.’ Brad was furious when I told him what had happened. ‘Did he do anything to you? Tell me.’ ‘No he didn’t. He just said he was not going to harm me.’ I replied. The door opened Mr. Coleman came in to see how I was. ‘You’re awake are you okay Stacy.’ Mr. Coleman asks, before I answer the lights in the room begin to fade into a faded yellow, it turns off completely. I hear the bolt of lightning went speeding to earth and when it landed, the lights turned off as if everyone had turned them of at the same time. I have never witnessed such an event as this power outage and was quite puzzled. I heard some people shriek down the hall and I thought to myself it was extremely immature to scream when we were experiencing such a minor incident like a blackout. I got out of bed with Brad he held my hand so I don’t lose him as it was difficult in the dark. Ryan found a candle and some matches lightning it up. We find ourselves outside there are students missing. It’s raining and it is cold. Mr. Coleman insists we go back inside till he could find a solution with the power outage. ‘You kids go back inside I’m just going to see if George or Sarah could help out.’ Mr. Coleman disappears we hear a scream from inside the common room. Ryan and Ben go running back inside while brad and I head back to our room. ‘Brad I’m just going to go to the bathroom to wash up I’ll be back.’ ‘Okay ill wait outside for you.’ He says.

WHISPERING TREES I go into the bathroom and open wash my face it feels cool against my skin I can feel the water running down towards my chest along my neck. I close the taps grabbing a hand cloth to dry off. Suddenly I hear the doors shutter against the walls they turn and slam giving me a fright. I go back outside to find Brad only he is not there. The hallway is empty. I thought maybe he would be back in the room. As I head down the hallway I see a door slam shut and hear the shocking screams in the girl’s bedroom. I hear another door slam and hear a flock moving hastily in the common room. The movement of chairs and tables are knocked all over shaking the ground and the cracking glasses being scattered. I walk towards the room that was shut closed. My hand is placed on the silver knob. I turn it giving a slight click pushing it wide open slowly. The room is too dark. I walk inside hoping to find something light a light to take a better look. I knock a few chairs and bump my leg onto the bedside before I smell something metallic almost like iron. I get closer to the smell and hit something. I lean down and the floor are wet. I place my finger on the wet floor dragging it towards my nose to inhale the smell. The wet feeling of warm and thick moisture felt pretty ordinary on my hands. Something grabs hold of my leg making me fall. I see Julia. She has been stabbed in many parts of her body she struggles to talk but let’s go of her grip around my leg. I scream but cry in shock finding her there lying. I place my hand on her wrist and can’t find a pulse. ‘Stacy is that you.’ ‘Someone calls out my name.’ a deep voice unclear to make out who it is. He grabs me by the arm holding me to his chest. I try to pull away. ‘Sshh Stacy it’s me. It’s Brad your all right. I grab him close to me grateful that he is okay. Come on we need to get out of here his close.’ ‘What is happening? Who is getting close? Brad I can’t leave her.’ I cry.

SEVCAN CAGIN ‘We can’t stay we need to leave.’ He holds onto my hand his hand his in sweat. He too feels scared. ‘Tell me what is happening.’ He pulls me aside as he hears something. I hear the tumbling sounds down the hall way. It gets closer and now he stands there in black watching. His firm grip is on the large butcher knife in his hand. Ben smashes him with a chair knocking him onto the ground he turns to face us. ‘I got him.’ Ken feels proud of himself before the metal knife pierced out through his stomach. I screamed again holding both my hands on my mouth. Ben had blood splashing out from his mouth. The blade was taken out and Ben fell to the ground with both has on his stomach. ‘NOOO.’ Brad called out but it was too late we had to run. Our lives were in danger. Brad and I ran for our lives we made it to the common room only there was more blood all over nearly ten students were dead on the ground. I saw Jacks body on the table he lay there with his neck sliced open. It was unbearable to see him in that state. We couldn’t stay so we ran outside. There was a fire camp that was set on fire purposefully. The flames were strong and fuming along the branches there was nowhere to run. The ford was still parked around the side we got inside the car. ‘Get in Stacy.’ We got in, however there was no key. The door slams open from the building. The man in black comes out holding a knife around Ryan’s neck. Brad goes furious. ‘Brad, leave me.’ Ryan pleads. The man in black finally speaks. Stop your winning you pussy. Now you two get out of the car slowly.’ He smirks eyeing the both of us. ‘Now, otherwise I’ll just have to kill your friend, you wouldn’t want that now would you.’ ‘Don’t listen to him Brad leave or he will kill you both.’ I turn to Brad. We both get out of the car slowly brad stands in front of me the man in black watches every

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move I make. ‘Brad if you would be so kind in letting Miss Stacy come next to me.’ He speaks again in his dark voice. ‘That is not happening.’ Brad responds feeling agitated. ‘I won’t harm her for starters.’ He speaks more calmly. My heart is racing I feel the Goosebumps on my skin pointing up wood. Brad winks at Ryan making eye contact. Ryan stamps on the man’s foot in order to get away from his grip, elbowing him on his right jaw. Brad punches the man twice before he falls to the ground. Ryan goes for the knife but the man quickly sticks the blade through him. He gets up from the ground. ‘Last chance hand the girl over or you can join your friend.’ He laughs when brad does not respond. ‘You want it the hard way I see. Well you’re going to die now.’ He throws the blade at Brad which pierces him on the elbow Brad falls to the ground in pain. I yell out. ‘Don’t hurt him please stop. I’ll do anything don’t hurt him.’ He turns and looks at me grabbing out the blade out of Brads arm. Brad falls unconscious after he has been punched out. ‘Don’t worry love I only did it to make you happy. All of it. I will never harm you.’ As I took a good look in the man’s eyes it was exactly the same guy I saw earlier in the forest, his blue eyes and muscular body. I was on the ground on my knees. He came down beside me trying to grab me up from the ground. ‘Now there finally I can keep you.’ He inhales again. And more deeply then breathes out. I can feel his breath on my neck he gently presses his lips on my neck and the tears drop down my cheek again. He works his way across my face finally piercing his lips gently at mine. Ryan manages to hit the man one last time

SEVCAN CAGIN

before he passes out again. The knife falls from his hand I grab it piercing it through him. He squeals stunned by the blade. He smiles again. ‘That’s my girl. You are quite the killer tonight babe.’ I stare at him unsure of what he is trying to say. ‘What…what are you?’ I reply ‘Don’t you know your dreams are real? You did all this tonight. You, me. You loved it. You enjoyed the killing. You enjoyed the excitement.’ I pulled away the blade away from him and he pulled me against himself. ‘Remember.’ I can smell his scent it was strong he was not going to harm me his eyes where shining they looked loving. But I still was not sure of anything. My mind starts to take me backwards, I remember what happened after I had passed out I woke up and went after jack and Julia and killed them before dragging their bodies latter into the cabin with the help of Eddie my partner. I remember in the bathroom also that the distraction of the toilet doors slamming I had gone and killed everyone in the common room I was fierce and enjoying myself. The blood splattered in my face. ‘No, I couldn’t have. What did you do to me?’ I try to move away. ‘Your lying this isn’t true. He tries to come near me only I stab him again he gets angry he knocks me out onto the ground. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t mean that, but that really hurt.’ He says. My eyes close. I finally open them. Its morning the fire has stopped. I find myself on a canoe boat. It is fairly large. I’m away from the camp site in the middle of the lake. I then remember what happened. I see it I wake up and find Eddie kissing me intensely before he places his hand down towards my waist I stab him again and again laughing in joy. He feels happy to but from all the pain and bleeding he finally dies. I grab Brads head he is still knocked out I cut through his neck intensely grabbing his head off his body. The blood skirts all over that it makes a mess everywhere and gets my top on stained. Finally I kick it into the lake.

WHISPERING TREES Back on the boat I feel regret and feel obsessively afraid of myself. How can I kill Brad the man of my dreams my true love, what is wrong with me. I start to lose my mind. I yell to the top of my lungs. Before I plunge into the water. I was never a swimmer. I struggled moving in the water. I felt my lungs squeeze by the pressure; I choked and gagged on nothing. My throat burned with trapped air and ears were pounding. My heart was beating against my chest as fast as a mouse and all I heard was the rumble of the clear liquid that had surrounded me. I could not take anymore. I did not deserve to live with myself. The cool rush of water flowed through the back of my throat and nose. It was relieving, but not for long. Natures Rivers, slowly my sight and consciousness started to slip away and I was enveloped by the darkness below.

THE END

SEVCAN CAGIN

Its cold and dark, also windy, Stacy is all alone in the forest. she does not know why she is there but she finds a deserted bus. She encounters finding herself next to a black hole after she sees a large man in black appear. Leaning into the hole she finds herself caught by the man in black waking up on a school bus on the road to camp. She does not know what will happen at camp but she will see the man in black appear again. Whisperin treess will enduce fear you will feel the adreanaline rush, you will encounter the pain the loud cries of suffereing.