Anthology by MCAMedia

Poems And

Short Stories By Students of MCA

I am very proud to be presenting the first edition of The MCA Anthology. This publication includes and celebrates some of the inspirational pieces of fictional creative writing produced by our talented learners since we opened in September 2010. One of the founding elements of the English Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vision at MCA is to nurture young people who have a passion for the power of the written word. It is through enjoying, producing and sharing their writing with real audiences that this passion can be nurtured; it is pleasure for us to be part of facilitating this process. The work published here spans many topics and genres and stems from learnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experiences working with professional published writers as well as our dedicated English teaching team. We aim to empower the pupils to have their own individual voice as well as the developed skills to voice it creatively. The range of writing here encompasses this belief. In the future, we aim to use the Anthology to share not only the fictional work of our pupils but also allow their opinions and viewpoints a platform through publication of the thought-provoking and personal non-fiction pieces our pupils produce. I would like to congratulate all of the pupils who have their work published in this first edition and, like I have done, urge you to savour the special talents which our pupils have here at MCA.

S. Whittington Lead Professional of English

ƙΎƚȳȯɃɂȷȴɃȺΎƥȽȼɁɂȳɀ ƙΎƚȳȯɃɂȷȴɃȺΎƥȽȼɁɂȳɀ

A light drizzle crawls down the shattered glass as I watch over the dark street. You don't know where I am and you never will. I send this to you in hope you can find survivors in this dungeon of a street and will save those who are about to become a part of it. What you are about to hear will most likely shock and disgust you. So please, leave the shadows because they listen and to every word you say. Now, are you alone? So let us begin... On the streets of Manchester, culture and light prevails like a dancer in the rain. Yet danger is a concept completely alien to the residents. The Stone Creature is the city’s newest structure. She is lined with the best crystal and darkest of wood. She sits in the centre without your concern. Hopefully, you are familiar with this stone monster. I recall, on the news, that your pea brained celebrities pay millions to stay there for a night; the right amount of time for the shadows, the darkness and the walls to snatch you. Nobody has ever told the story of the rooms that lie inside and most probably never will. The rooms takes the personality of the guest and moulds it into room. It leads you into a false sense of security and into a vulnerable state. Like the Lion's prey, you haven't got long left. How do I know this? Am I spying? Am I guest? No, I am the prisoner of the creature and you will never find me nor the rest of us unless you listen to me and my every word. As a young adult, I became more independent and begun to get the bus and earn my own poket money and had led myself into an unrealistic world of safety. On the day of my disappearance, I was on the bus and, to signal the driver to stop the bus, I rang the bell like any other normal day. But as I made my way to the front of the bus, closing in on my stop, the driver just kept going . In panic and confusion, I said to the driver, "Err, excuse me. I was supposed to get off there. If you could just..." He just wan't listening. "Excuse me " Now the stiff driver began to notice me.

After turning his head to look into my eyes, he shouted, "Your stop is at the Stone Creature!" Then, in a deathly hollow chorus, the other passengers yelled the same at me. "Your stop is at the Stone Creature! Your stop is at the Stone Creature!" I couldn't do anything but look at each and every one of their oblivious faces and hope that it was some kind of joke. Moments later, though, we arrived in the centre of town and there it was: The Stone Creature. Disciplinarily, all the passengers formed an impenetrable wall around me like I was a keep sake. I haven't seen one of them in ages. They all marched me into the reception of the building and threw me in, like bait into a lake; there was no pointin resisting. Inexplicibly, I began to look for an exit from those claustrophobic walls. Nothing. Hours, maybe days later, I came to an exhausting stop and sat on the velvety floor. A little, angelic girl holding a blood red balloon frolicked liberally through the corridors. I followed her through on instinct into a slithering labryinth of hallways and stairs. Eventually, she came to a room with an unwelcoming feel to it. The little girl inside sounded happy and joyful. I walked up to the door and grabbed the handle. I turned it and pushed with all my strength. Inside, the girl was sat in the middle of the room giggling at what seemed to be a Jack In the Box. Then, when she glared at me, she screamed. I turned around and there was nothing there. I turned back round annoyed to find the little girl being dragged into the cold darkness. As fast as lightening, the darkness slithered on with its prey. I ran after her into the darkness where I saw a collection of souls; harvested by the darkness and wrenched from people’s bodies. Then the darkness snatched me from life; I am now 90 years old. My name is Daniel Neaton. A drizzle crawls down the shattered glass as I fade away... By Daniel

Old Friend

Two years ago today, Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the day you were taken away. I can still see your face as clear as day, I can remember what you always used to say, You helped me through all my hard times, I wish you were still here. When I think of you I shed a tear, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget the times we had, All the good ones and all the bad, You were my family and my friend, And I was with you until the end. by Martin

Graveyard

The pathway was covered in leaves. Thunderously, the branches whipped together. The half-eaten tree had been demolished by winter. Underneath the leaves were trails of wet moss. Silence. The dreadful breeze dragged the leaves along the frosty floor like prisoners to their cells. Each leaf looked malnourished. Their veins were poking through the damp skin painfully. In the distance were the graveyard gates. The gate swung open like a prison gate, freeing the innocent. Justice. I could hear the sound of rattling leaves as I stamped on them. The rocks lay scattered on the demented floor, like prison screws. The mud covered the scaly rock like protective armour. The light was dull but it still hurt my eyes. I could hear the sound of the howling wind as the winds swirled around the tree, making tapping noises. The graveyard was misty. The graves were old yet I could still read the writing. They were ancient and unwashed: they were fallen down. Once the graves had been clean; now theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tarnished with age. The dense mist covered the house like a guardian.

Shaun Year 10

At The Gates Of Hell

At the gates of hell I stand, Ready to enter as a man. Sought out by evil here, It shall find me without fear. Upon the road of fire and bone, I am forced to walk this path alone. Haunted by his face of sin, I begin to doubt shall I ever win. Tortured souls of men, A howl in the darkness without end. This is a place no man should be, Without anywhere to run anywhere to flee. A chilling bang comes from behind, A soulless creature I dreaded to witness, I had become a gladiator on the brimstone path. One last battle one last standâ&#x20AC;Ś By Bill

Broken Family I ran and I ran and nothing could stop me…Nothing! The memories were breaking down each of my sane thoughts; that was certainly enough to drive anyone insane. If I were in any other situation, I would have been forced into a dark, dank memory cell which would never store a single happy particle. The year was 1830 and i was on the run. On the run from where they shipped you if you were “mentally disturbed”. But they couldn’t order me there. Not even the world’s bravest and valiant man could stand it there; he would take one step, feel the atmosphere that was rammed with misery and despair and it would force a lump into his throat, shivers up his spine and he would’ve been out of there too. It wasn’t so long ago that I was happy, although it seemed like centuries. It dripped away slowly beginning with when my mother had married a wealthy doctor named Edward. She had gone her separate ways from my father and fallen in love (not that I understood the concept but I always thought that love meant being completely honest). Well anyway, she married and was happy, for a time. I always suspected something about him but I refused to use the words step-father because they were unbearable! To think of him as family! One day, Edward and I were playing hide and seek.I wasn’t into that any more though being10 years old but my mother insisted we spent some quality time together. Oh what I withstood to make her happy! I was seeking Edward but I couldn’t find him immediately. Eventually, I tracked him to an abandoned warehouse which intimidatingly looked sound proof. Upon my entering, I saw Edward towering over a tennage boy, who looked as frightened as I felgt. A giant blade (12 inches at least) was glistening in my step father’s hand menacingly almost eager to find bloodshed. I managed to remain silent, creep away unnoticed and raced home. Obviously my mother didn’t believe ‘my ravings’ but I refused point blank for her to stay married to such a creature! And that led me here. AsI sprinted as fast as my undeveloped limbs would carry me, I thought involuntarily about what I had witnessed that day. It flashed blindingly bright stunning me as I felt pain like fire. I could only pray for the safety of my mother without me to protect her. I had to get back to her so I ran and ran from my incarceration.

Jynika

Finally the holidays, 3 days in and bored, Can’t wait to go back to school.

Last lesson now, Technology, Constantly watching the clock waiting for 3, Its finally 3, Can’t wait to get home.

By Indianna

s y a d i l o H e h T r o F t i a W Can’t

Now it’s lunch, No room to breathe, The sight of people eating doesn’t make me feel better, Can’t wait for the holidays.

I’m soaked from head to toe, My hair’s a mess, I look terrible, Can’t wait for the holidays.

Next lesson comes, it’s PE, It starts to rain, what a day? Can’t wait for the holidays.

Break finally comes but home time doesn’t, Can’t wait for the holidays.

More and more homework what can I do? Can’t wait for the holidays.

First lesson comes and registers are taken, Teacher calls out my name I’m still half asleep, Can’t wait for the holidays.

The drowning sound of the bell, Can’t wait for the holidays.

In a rush in the morning, Forgetting everything, Can’t wait for the holidays.

The stinging noise of the alarm clock, Can’t wait for the holidays.

One day he stepped into the empty house the phone rang only to realise she would give him the most precious gift. Shaking, he picked up the phone. Nothing could have prepared him for this, nothing. “Mr Russo, We’ve found a donor for your eyes”, the voice said.

Patiently, as time passed she taught Ben the smell of colours: The deep red of strawberries; the grey of ash and smoke; the light pink smell of baby’s talcum powder. Guilt consumed him that he couldn’t give something back to her.

Like two peas in a pod, you couldn’t find one without the other. Kara helped show him the brighter side of life while Ben kept Kara optimistic about her future. Kara decided that it was time for Ben to learn the colours. He struggled to understand that there were colours everywhere he just couldn’t see them. This undeniable fact left him feeling worse than when his parents took off and left him in the dust. He couldn’t cope.

There was one, though, just one. One girl saw something in Ben that the others didn’t. Kara saw the despair he tried to hide whenever someone mentioned colours. “Hello my name is Kara”, she said. Those 5 words started an unlikely friendship that could only end in disaster: The blind boy and the girl who was dying.

The children in the school weren’t as kind as he’d hoped. He started to see colours: the true colours of what is was like being different. The minute they discovered that he was blind they threw him and Tony aside like out of date food.

As he set foot into the school, Benjamin imagined it to be massive. Sounds of voices echoed down the corridors until silence descended. He felt rather than saw their calculating stares watching him.

Twelve years later, Ben’s body danced with excitement. Today would be the first time he’d set foot in a school with people who could see. His parents had always separated him prefering home school education. His shimmering pale blonde hair framed his face angelically. His mischievous grin masked the loneliness that had plagued his soul for those 12 friendless years. Since his parents had left 2 years ago. (they’d gone on one of their never – ending business trips but this time they didn’t come back) , the only true family he had was his loyal guide dog, Tony.

Sofia and Alexander Russo sat in the doctor’s office with their new born son in their arms. Numbness settled as the doctor said, “I’m sorry but your son will never be able to see unless he finds a donor.” Tears as cold as the kiss of death filled Sofia’s dazzling grey eyes while cold, desperate fear latched onto Alexander’s heart and soul. Together they swore to protect their son against the cruelty of the world. Benjamin stared at them blankly through silver unseeing eyes.

Benjamin doesn’t know what colours are. All he’s ever known is darkness. But he doesn’t feel any different because, after all, you can’t miss what you’ve never known.

Colours

Lynette

Cycling down the road, Not a care in the world. Though the winter roads of Manchester may seem cold, Cycling down the road can never seem bittersweet. Cycling down the road Watching so many lives pass, And so many other stories I will never know, Yet cycling down the road can never seem bittersweet. So many city lights shimmering as I ride past, Yet I seem so at peace, in a world of hate and anger, Cycling down the road can never seem bittersweet. By Cole

Cycling down the road

Best Friends

I love my friends and they love me, They came from different countries but we never are alone. They were so kind and helpful, Sometimes they were angry and sometimes really happy or sad. Sometimes my friends tell me off, They are always being like mum, When I did anything wrong they punish me. They always work hard and try their best, They always say good things to remember, They never do anything wrong did everything right, They like animals and birds, They are kind to everyone. They are in different types of countries, and we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talked to each other for one year. But we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forgotten each other, I hope I will see my friends soon. Do you think I will see my friends again in my country? Keerthika

Graveyard

Shaun Year 10

Haunted House

The house was an autumn tree, bare and creepy, especially in the dark. The door was a wolf in the night, battered and dark, howling as it opened its death-trap mouth. The door was also a broken hearted, unlovable boy, ugly: destroyed further as days went on… As cats lurked around panting and screaching, the sky became dark and sounded like a drum, banging in a band marching down the street, leaving terror, not celebration, in its wake. As the lightning struck, the ground was burnt and around the scorched earth the mud got damper and the tiles fell. It’s a gambler’s game who would escape the mud trap. Yesterday 0. Today 3. Tomorrow. UNKNOWN! Ethan

Instead Of Below

Do you see them too? Bodies… not just one or two, Thousands upon thousands of corpses around me, Am I mad or is it you too who can see? Some burnt from fire, Because of the enemies’ desire, Others limbless and blood stained, they were completely deprived and drained. Men that fought with me on the chess board of the devil, Pain and insanity enveloped us on every level, Now they sit with me and ask why it was, But all I can say is just because… Their questions and voices make me scream, It is much harder than it may seem, Cries of pain and fear, They know the end is near. Now they have been set free of this hell, But everything that I saw I will never tell, These things are far worse than you will ever know, It was hell on earth...instead of below. Bethany

By Remy

The little girl’s stressed Not nicely dressed Disowned by her ‘mates’ cause she’s different to the rest She really couldn’t cope Wanted to be alone Like she’s 6ft deep, in a hollow hole. She’s feeling suicidal, she really has no soul Isolated from the world. This silliness and bullying is driving her insane She needs a way to escape away from pain She’s walking home from school in the cold and rain She’s speaking to herself, conversing on the pain How to escape? Like a one way train So she gets in, goes to her room Needs to sweep away, calling her a broom She finally does the deed, and opens up That’s all I’m gonna say.

Isolation

Lost In The Woods

I’m lying here in the middle of the woods, wrapped up in an olive coloured blanket. The leavesd are awfully itchy and I’m scratching myself constantly, trying to stop the irritation. My efforts are futile so I shove the blanket to one side and rise up from the hard, uncomfortable bench that I’ve been sleeping on. Daylight shines through the trees and bushes. . I start walking along on my search for a new place to rest, dragging my blanket with me in the hope that I’m successful. Twigs crunch and snap beneath my feet, alerting the woodland animals that there’s a person in their territory. Squirrels, vultures and even insects stopped as I moved, many pairs of eyes staring at me. Fear shivered down my spine as the ‘welcoming committee’ observed me. Let’s just hope that I’m not their prey. Luckily, the creatures didn’t advance. I’m still alive, still clutching my blanket and still moving. But my feet cannot endure any more distance. They begin to slow down and eventually I fall onto the ground. Crumpled leaves brush against my hard, numb face and my eyes instantly water as I think of home. Home: where my comfortable bed was, where my mum and dad would cuddle me and tell me that I’m their little princess, where I could play inside the safe barrier of my garden, where I could have a hot dinner, where everything was alright. That changed. Now I’m cold, lonely, hungry and miles away from home.

I sit up and look around, trying to find hope of getting out of the woods. There’s just greenery and a small dim light that interests me. Should I follow the light or not? My mind thinks ‘yes’ so I decide to do it. I fling my blanket over my shoulder and resume walking. I’m back to twigs crunching beneath my feet and the sound of animals scurrying along the branches of trees. This makes me want to run. Although I keep following the light, a certain sound keeps getting louder. Like cars screeching. Could this be a sign? Yes, it’s a sign alright. I’m not surrounded by tall trees and hateful woodland animals anymore. I’m surrounded by shiny glass skyscrapers that reflect daylight, cars with registration plates on and people passing by. I made it. I’m out of the woods. Relief shoots through me as I breathe in the fresh air. I look down at the pavement to joy. A red piece of paper flaps about in the wind. I pick it up to discover that it’s a £50 pound note! I’m ecstatic. I rush to what looks like a train station. It’s bustling with people rushing onto trains and staff handing out snacks to people who look hungry. I find the ticket master. “One ticket to London, please.” I say. By Billie

Football, football. I love it so much, David Silva: heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a great touch, Sergio Aguero: he has the pace, Usain Bolt would be beaten in a race. With the power of Yaya: he can see everything, He sits In the middle where he should be based. Vincent Kompany: yes heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back again On top form: ready to train.

M.C.F.C Poem

Jack

Henry

Money causes arguments, Money causes war, Money ruins lives, But the question is: WHAT FOR?

We moan when it’s expensive, We moan when it’s cheap, We moan when it’s a rip off, Every single week.

Everything has a price, Nothing is free, Nobody wants to pay that price, Not you, not me.

Money is everywhere, We cannot escape it, It ruins friendships, And makes families split.

Everything we do, Is influenced by money, We need it, we want it, It’s sad, and it’s not funny.

Money....

By Hang My Le

As the sky goes does so do I, good night.

The vivid moon is a luminous light. Tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moonlight is comforting and right.

As the night darkens the full moon comes out. Optimistic stars runs across the night.

The stars they may seem to be in a line. But the wishing stars are the shining kind.

Beauty is seized in things that come in mind. Who does not see the obvious is blind.

Beauty is in the night sky.

My Life is a Never Ending Roller Coaster When I was born the ride was just beginning, Gradually putting my seatbelt on: Not knowing what was going to happen. The rollercoaster jerked into motion Maybe it was me crying when I first started moving, The ride went smoothly at first Just steady really slow, Like the slow moving of an unsteady toddler. Suddenly the rollercoaster was getting higher, I was getting taller by the time I was three. Ahhh! I went down this little dip I think I shouted at my mummy, But then I went back up to a normal height because I said sorry. I could hear the ringing And this pinging When I was five my sister bought me a phone. It was my first year in school I was really scared Soon as I walked in everyone just stared The rollercoaster was getting shaky and I was very nervous It was like that through all the few following loops: shaky and nervous I couldn’t wait to get into high school hoping that it wasn’t the same The first day of high school The rollercoaster was suprisingly shakier Riding on one track of wheels that’s how nervous I was. I met all my teachers they were all really nice Woohoo! I am thirteen And finally a teenager I’m now in Year 9 and I can’t wait to see What is going to happen in my teens … By Ellie

My Mind is a River Thabi Far from the hectic crowd A place to sit cross-legged Gazing far, perhaps to think out loud In my mind, people are gems, bright light shining overhead My mind is a river, Far from spirited off springs A place to loosen up intellectual thought My mind is a river Swiftly flowing to where the wind takes it, Not caring even if a difficult meander distracts me Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Pixelized Just a boring day at college. I was trying to beat my high score on Flag Run. Gaming was my life, and I bet I could beat anyone head to head in my class. Everyone made fun of me because I had a blue highlight in my hair and played a lot of video games. This was just my style and, to be honest, I didn’t really care what people had to say. They were just jealous because they weren’t as good as me. RING, finally we were dismissed. As I got home I flung myself onto the bed and turned on my Xbox. “Felix come downstairs you need to help me.” I hated my name, Felix. My mum said it was my grandfather’s name and she wanted to pass it on… But I hated it. “Felix!” I ignored her as always. I was too focused on this new game called Red Ops 2. My friend Arnold from Holland joined and we just played for a while. 18 games won and 2 lost, we were that good. An odd message popped up on my screen. I always answered my messages but this time I shouldn’t have. It said “FELIX YOU WANT TO PLAY GAMES? WELL LET’S PLAY ONE.” Wooooooooosh, I was sucked into a spiral shaped portal and landed hard on my face. I pulled myself off the ground. Wow, I must have been unconscious for a while, but as my eyes opened I saw a whole world of pixelated objects, trees, cars, rivers, hills. This was heaven. Broom, broom, what was that? A giant S.U.V came roaring down this pixelated hill and screech, it came to a dead stop… I jumped over a pixelated bush and peered through to an odd scene and from the car two men popped out. As odd as it sounds, I found a gun next to me. “THERE HE IS.” I jumped out of my skin and PEW, PEW accidentally I shot and vaporized the two men. I waddled myself over and found two tags. They said ‘Gaming Eliminators Incorporated’. I wandered about this, but I decided to explore this world. “Ha ha ha.” This voice boomed throughout the land and said. “You think you can beat me Felix? Well think again.” I was once again transported to a castle and there were about 500 of these men surrounding the castle. I had a grenade on me and decided that there was no point saving it so I threw it over the wall of this castle and destroyed the whole wall including the men who were firing at me. “NO THIS WASN’T MEANT TO HAPPEN” cried the anonymous voice. Once again I was thrown into a room with a man with a lot of armour on. I wasted no time and shot him in the chest. “Nooooooo” I was finally sent home. From that day I never played games again. Real life is not a game: you only get one life. Zach

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School Trip

They think they’re sick when they’re doing ciggies but when their heart falls they claim it’s not their fault Doing crime but can’t pay the time. Acting up but can’t stand up Thinking you’re grown up. But you’re just 15 getting on bigger men when you Know it’s not right. Dressing over the top when it’s just a school trip. And when you get Home, it’s not all about the make-up and the clothes With high skirts and big heels. By Habib

Connor

Now listen carefully: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I LOVE YOU MUM NEVER FORGET THISâ&#x20AC;?

So your life ends here. I love you very much Just remember my heart you did touch.

I sat there and watched you as you took the final breath. Then I folded your arms, crying and kissed you.

I never knew you were going to die Though I saw your health shed away.

I knew all the pain would one day come back Haunting me, making me re walk that track.

Sometimes I wish I could rewind your life To rethink all my actions and the strife One more time.

I see your outline in every place I lost you from my tender embrace Even your shadow is slipping and slipping away.

Shedding Tears

Jianze

In that game I scored fifteen goals in total, Thirty points for the school team. This match I loved and I was a success, Idonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I can live without basketball.

I will always play basketball matches for school, The first match I played I set up the winning goal.

I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without basketball. I have to play basketball one hour a day, It keeps me cool and concentrating.

The Basketball Match

The Beginning Of The End

I am in the Olympics in the sprinting race, I have to keep the pace I am raring to go At this time I know, I needed to show. Ready, Steady, Go! Getting to the finish line is all I need in sight, Any obstacles in my flight? I am running now After this I’ll take a bow Still running very fast I hope my muscles last. I’m beginning to stumble, Knowing that my dream will crumble Oh no! This is the beginning of the end Thinking of the sad messages I will have to send Five seconds gone Knowing I will have to live on. I know I have to finish the race Even with no pace All those hard times I’ve had Now I’m finishing the race with my dad. I’m injured babdly Watching all the rest lift the medals sadly I stand up and show courage Showing my country that I can encourage I am nearly there; my dad is by my side I have made up my mind. I finish the race with pride, My dreams have now died I have done it for my fans Whilst they are clapping their hands I know I lost the race With no pace But today I know I did my country proud Now my fans can be loud!

Jack

The End The men are right. I think the end is near. The men are right. We all should suffer for what we’ve done to the planet. It is my birthday in 12 days, 3 hours and 12 seconds. 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0. Something was wrong and I knew it. The end was over the horizon. The wave came and it was taking people, making clouds of blood. The screams were horrible. The water came. Blood filled the ocean. On Google Earth, I could see Japan split in two and the water devoured the rest. As you turned on the news you saw the jets of water in Yellow Stone Park destroying shacks and then: The Split. The earth split into about one million pieces. My mum reassured me and said calmly, “Don’t worry child I will save you.” The wave arrived at our door step: it took my house, my little brother, Darren, and my dad. She took me and probably saved my life. She swam though into a branch that pierced her lung like a knife. It stained the water. As we found our way out I saw the hole. There was just a hole in her stomach. I patrolled the land and fortunately I found help. My mum was seriously ill and they saw to her immediately. They said she will be alright but they wouldn’t let me in so I knew she wasn’t well. When I tried to find somewhere quiet to wait, I walked past a distraut man in the hospital who looked friendly. I think he said the name ‘Fredrik’ then sobbed. He couldn’t help me, but I could help him. I reunited him with his little boy, Frederick. One family had been torn apart, but I saved another. It is my birthday in 12 days, 2 hours and 42 seconds. 41 40 39 38 37 36 35. Will the planet let me see the day through? Ben

The Girl Who Planned My Death...

She was there. All the time staring at me through the gap in her curtains. Her eyes were red and glassy. Tears sprinted down her pale cheeks and splashed onto the window. I knocked on my front door, daring not to look back at the demon. Then I remembered no one was in. I snatched the spare key from under the mat and shoved it into the keyhole. I fell into the hall and slammed the door behind me. I ran upstairs to my room and slung myself onto the bed. I lay there with my eyes shut, and then the banging started. I opened my eyes and jumped out of bed clutching my pillow. Then again. Then I heard a faint voice inbetween the bangs. Someone was at the door. Summoning my courage, I crept downstairs and peeked through the keyhole. At first, I made out a shadowy figure, but then it disappearedâ&#x20AC;Ś I went back to my bedroom to attempt a disturbed sleep. What must have been a couple of hours later I awoke. I peered at my clock: 11pm. mum should be back by now. As I got up to get out of bed I heard a creek. Someone or something was coming up the stairs. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. My blood ran cold and a shiver ran down my spine. I hid under my blanket, hoping I was just dreaming. Then a skeleton like hand clutched my blanket from me. I glanced up to see if it was over. Suddenly, everything went pitch black. When I came round everything was different. It seemed I was in an alley way. I stood up everything was weary. I stumbled over to a corner hoping to notice someone. No, stood in front of me was a lonely, desolate, highway. The sky was ebony black. In the distance I could make out a young male in a black cloak then he walked slowly away down the highway. I chased after him, screeching for his help. When I got to the top of the highway nothing. He was nowhere to be seen. I turned around; the wind whipped my face like a smack. I squinted my eyes and barley could make out three men sprinting towards me like a pack of hyenas. Without a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hesitation I ran as fast as the wind could carry me down a narrow hill. I saw a grassy field with a gate and decided to climb it. Instead, I fell. Then I saw the girl. The one with the red and glassy eyes. I had no escape. It was the girl who lived next door. Lee

eaning of Lo M e ve h T

LOVE IS NOT JUST A WORD ITS COMPASSION AND COMMITMENT EATING TOGETHER SPENDING TIME WITH EACH OTHER CUDDLING TOGETHER MAKING A BREW FOR EACH OTHER TAKING PICTURES IN THE PARK HOLDING HANDS GOING SHOPPING WITH EACH OTHER STICKING WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH ROUGH TIMES MAKING EACH OTHER HAPPY LAUGHING TOGETHER CRYING TOGOTHER MAKING VOWS PROMISES HAVING CHILLDREN GROWING OLD TOGETHER FALLING ASLEEP FOREVER TOGETHER

By Reece

The Note Once it was full of joyful memories; now it held nothing but guilt. I glanced around the room with regret in my heart and tears in my eyes. My eyes clung to the note on the empty bed like a magnet, ¡ ¤ Ŵ ¤ ¤ ¤ £¤ £ ¤ ¤ £ ¡ န Sadness.

£¤ £¤ Ń ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¡¡ £¤ ¡ £ န £¤ ¨ ¡ ¤ £ ¡ ¤ထ ¡ ¡ ¤ ¤ ª £ £ ¬ ¤¡ ¨ ¡ဓ £ £¤ ¤ ¦£ န ª £ ¤ Ŋ¡£¤န ª ¤ £ ¨ changed… ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ Ś ¡ £ ¤ ¤ ¡ဖ£¤ ထ £ ¤ £ ¤ ¤ ª ¦ ¡ ¡ ဖ¡ ¤ ¤ န ¡ ¡ the solid oak doorknob with trembling hands and twisted it until I hear the faint click of the lock. The more it creaked open, the more ££ ¤ £ ¤ ¡ ¦ န ¦£ ထ Š ¤ £ ထ stepped out into the night. The stars gazed down at me as I took Ŋ ¤ ¤ ¦£ ဓ ¤ ¡ £ ¡ £ န

Jynika

The Olympic Games The Olympic Games, The first sign of life, It beholds no strife, It’s a thing of joy, From a noble land. We all have a dream, Which soon will come true, But for that time, We’ll all have to work. We all need the courage to work together, We all need friendship, We all need the help, We all need the determination, But that’s what counts. We all need equality, We all need inspiration, We all need courtesy; We all need to work together, For a better future. Anonymous Year 9

The World Is A Stage Ramez

False smiles. Fake laughs. Delicate voice, trying not to raise it. Is it really you? Expensive outfit: don’t want to be a misfit. Girls touch up their make-up. “Beauty’s on the inside”? Fast cars. Shining headlights. Meeting up at the bar, feeling dizzy and light! Out with your friends, Or is there an end? From the lies, The heartbreak. The concealment. All we’re receiving is heart ache. Is it the real you? Because I’m sick of hiding: creating an emotional barrier, Blocking my true feelings! Be yourself: let your inner self shine through. Don’t be afraid: don’t let the years waste. Show us how you feel and approach it with haste. Because before you know it You’ll have reaped every single thing you sowed. The world is our stage: Are we only the ‘actors’?

Deividas

I used to go outside every day with my friends Our feet would stick deep in trenches of white Exploring the mountains, enjoying the snow.

All the trees are white and frozen You can build a beautiful crystal castle of that delicate snow.

Snow covers the whole ground. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just snowing and snowing all the time. The snow is dropping gently like feathers.

Winter in Lituania

What if WW2 didn’t happen?

If World Wars hadn’t happened we would not know the pain of loss. Hatred for each other culture, religisons and backgrounds would have pushed us to fight. Humans would not live along with each other: there would be no such thing as freedom. The population would increase whilst the increase of knowledge would decrease. Valiant men such as Sgt Frank Wood Survivor of World War Two would not have been able to show their bravery. He survived every situation that man could’ve imagined possible. He fought courageously and was Football Football I Love It So Much honoured with a medal. David Silva He’s Got A Great Touch Sergio Aguero He Has The Pace Sgt Frank Wood was born on a sunny day in Arkansas, America on 19th July 1925. He was a normal working Usain Bolt Will Get Beaten In A Race class man. When the sergeant was told that he had no choice to go to war, he sat peacefully in his room for a With The Power Of Yaya He Can See Everything, day, waiting for the day he would sacrifice his peace of mind in the battle of war. He knew that he might have Like He’s Two Faced, no chance of survival. Sits In The Middle Where He Should Be Based. With Vincent Kompany, Yes he’s Back Again When he went off to the German battlefields, his first thought was survival, his second was to defend his Vincent Kompany He Looks Like Ten Men. nation, but thirdly, he just wanted to see his family again. His mind setvchanged from a young peaceful child all the way to a “war fighter.” 8 Years later he grew older, but war died away. Future changed its name to past. Because of the past, we know how to appreciate our present. Anjum Year 9