Cover Art by, Joseph Gettler (listed before written piece)

Beast Artwork by, Morning Kornely "The Pencil Samurai" (listed after writing piece)

She looked over to the wall to her right lazily. She searched her mind. But she found nothing.

Nothing, didn't that seem odd?

She listened to the quiet chatter of those around her. And then their voices became very muddled. She flicked her head but was curiously confused to find she could not assign any description to the vague blurred faces. She looked back to the wall but found she could not tell what color it was tinted to. Her brain felt as if it was swimming in honey like waking up late at night and not even being able to sense whether your dreams were fake. She let out a dull hum that escaped her lips like a stifled yawn.

"It's happening", she whispered. But of course, this information meant nothing to her moments after. Then the wall changed and she saw a sprawling field laying out before her. Giant rocks jutted out of the ground at odd angles and waterfalls in the distance seemed to be going nowhere. She couldn't feel her chair beneath her anymore and instead, she was sitting on an old-fashioned wooden bench.

Why, where did that come from?

Her brain cleared again. Her body tensed as she tried to survey the world around her. Everything was so real, even if it was just for a second. She could smell the grass and- and, the distant scent of antiseptic? That's what ticked her off to what was happening, but it wasn't normally this detailed. Her nostrils flared with discomfort at the unsettling scenery. She craned her neck in confusion, she had never liked such open areas, it always felt like something could come from any angle, and now she didn't even know where she was. When she looked to her right she saw the end of the valley, a forest of oaks that had an obnoxiously blue stream that ran to its left like a border.

Wait what was what?

She was about to look to her left when she heard the rustling of someone right next to her breaking the quiet atmosphere, her chest seized up. Her thoughts came so horribly fast that they canceled each other out. She looked to her left and saw a small boy who looked to be around seven but, when he looked back at her she wanted to scream. His face, his face it was so wrong, his eyes were too big, but small and his lips were unnaturally pink but almost white. It was incomprehensible like a thousand horrifying features laying on top of each other. Like one of those pictures that shift when you look at them from a different angle.

"Would you happen to know where we are? '' she said softly. She was horrified but felt an instinctual need to keep her composure, especially around such an otherworldly threat. She could feel his thousand eyes staring at her. Yet for some reason, she felt far below this boy in any mortal standing for a reason she could not put her finger on in a state of disbelief. As if she was a chimpanzee staring back at a scientist.

He tensed and his eyes squinted suspiciously, "Mama told me not to talk to strangers".

"Sorry", she stuttered. She stood up, her feet wobbly beneath her. A splitting headache shot through her head and her ears rang. She stared desperately at the back of his head as the boy walked away feeling unable to speak. She was suddenly very aware of her own powerlessness in this new world.

Now why is that?

She looked to her right and that's when she saw them just beyond the river. The first had a long white coat and what looked to be blue scrubs, but unnaturally lanky arms that looked like claws. Its head seemed to be that of a human and a bird mashed together, with little beady eyes and black feathers instead of hair. The second was more beastly. It had lengthy legs, strong like a horse, but its jaw held sharp teeth like a wolf and was speckled with void black spots. The third was different. It looked human, but distorted. It had the same eyes as the boy she had talked to earlier, but sharp scales that came off its eyelids. It was wearing a long regal robe and layers of jewelry carved from crystals she had never seen. If she had to pick one thing that set it apart from being human the most it would be the wings, it seemed to flood its surroundings with them there must've been at least six pairs varying in size and weight only keeping the same beige color.

Their eyes were locked on her. The third one spoke in a beautiful voice unbecoming of its mutated appearance, "You don't belong here". She was suddenly charged with fear, she careened to the left, but the field looked as if it went on forever. She didn't dare look back. She heard the splashing of them uncautiously marching through the river as if it was nothing. The steady footsteps behind her as they seemed to go in a perfect four beat pattern. They weren't running, but they were still faster than her slow legs.

"Let us return you", said what she could only assume the first one said in a high pitched, scratchy voice.

Soon she started to recognize the sound of a horse trotting behind her. In her panic she couldn't help but wonder what "return" meant. Maybe if by some chance she could find that boy.

For what?

She very suddenly realized that she didn't have much of a plan besides to cling to the only other being she could find. She was too distracted by the smell of antiseptic that felt toxic in her mouth and through her lungs to think of anything much better.

Why keep running?

It was as if every pain she had ever felt was coming at her at once. Her everything, her existence seemed to depend on this, this nothingness of a world that was far too immersive for any dream she thought she could have before, unclear mind or not. Through the regret and pain she felt an odd sense of calm. It felt like the realization of denial was just beyond her feeble understanding. She was running from an incomprehensible nightmare to another incomprehensible nightmare in hope for help, and there was very little hope to try to fix that.

She reached the first spire of stone and scooped up a medium sized rock. She was about to turn to hit one of them with it when she felt the breath of the horse-like beast breathing harshly down her neck. A singular beat too late was what it had taken for her to fail. A claw quickly grabbed her shoulder, it was leathery cold like the leg of a bird. Her legs gave out and she let out a cold dead laugh into the grass.

"Ha, I guess it is all worthless". She didn't look at any of them, but she could sense the third one laughing quietly, not sadistically , but in triumph. The four beat pattern stopped as the first caught up to the two in front of it.

She could barely sense anything when she saw the wall again.

"What a terrifying dream" she thought,"of course it would seem twisted in the moment", but she knew deep within her subconscious that something was wrong.

"Brook Veller!" The receptionist repeated "Is a Brook Veller still here?". She was about to push herself up from the chair when she felt something sharp below her hand. She had her hand resting on a medium sized rock. In a panic she shoved it into her bag, not wanting to make a scene. "It's just a side effect of the treatment, it will wear out, it has to wear off" she thought. She walked slowly to the receptionist.

"Doctor Rivet will be waiting for you in the next room".

"Hello Miss, Brook Veller what a nice name you have".

"Thank you" She noticed immediately the blackbird pin on his scrubs. She must have accidentally made her glance more obvious than intended because the doctor's eyes followed hers to the pin on his scrubs. "Yes about that, when I worked in the pediatric wing a while ago I had this little boy who loved birds so much he gave this to me when he was discharged".

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare".

"It's ok, it says here you scheduled this appointment to talk about the clinical trial drug, to help with thee….., "he glanced back down at the clipboard "Myasthenia Gravis". She clutched her bag and felt the rock inside. She knew the doctor's eyes were staring at her, analyzing every twitch of her muscles. Looking at the pin she lost the confidence she'd once had. She dug her hand into the stone once more.

"I just wanted to tell you how well it was working, it's really been such a privilege to participate in this trial", she lied.

"You can talk to me, it's ok to tell me it's not working, that's why these trials exist".

"Really it's great" She could barely hold it together now.

"If it's really so great then why didn't you wait until the next appointment"

Her breathing increased, and sweat gathered on her face like dew "I- I- '' She looked to the art on the wall of horses galloping in a grassy plane. Horses. She started rocking back and forth in her chair, she pushed her hand down into her purse so much she was sure it must've bled. There was a knock, wait, four knocks. Four beats.

The doctor laid her hands on her shoulders and tried to steady her as she hyperventilated and sobbed "Brook! Brook! Just look me in the eyes, just breathe its- it's ok if you want to talk about something else- " his voice trailed off. "If you feel like you don't belong here".

YOU DON'T BELONG HERE

Bleeding Hearts

By: Arsh Rodriguez

Hera was sleeping in her bed peacefully. Happy about what she did. She had a smile as she fell asleep. She always did. Today it was exactly one year since she did that. Later that night while she was sleeping she heard loud banging on her front door. She got up to go tell her mother there was someone at the door. She heard the door fall and finally her mother awoke. We both ran to the door wondering why the door was down. There were multiple police officers. I looked at my mom in shock. “Why are they here mom?”

“I don’t know, I thought you knew.” I nodded my head

“Your daughter has committed a first degree murder.”

One year and six months ago

This morning I got the cutest outfit. It was a small black dress with some black leg warmers. I got a cross necklace and a few bracelets. I was trying to impress him today. I put my shoes on which were some black converse and grabbed my backpack. I walked into the living room to be met with my mother. “Hi honey, how did you sleep?”

“Fine, also is it okay if I start wearing makeup to school?” She looked at me and nodded. I got up leaving my backpack in the living room. “Breakfast will be ready soon dear.”

I walked away but my mom knew I heard her. I grabbed my makeup stuff and went to go to the bathroom. There was better lighting there than in my room. But, the door was locked. My older brother was in there. “Hurry up Mathis!” I yelled. He opened the door, he was fixing his hair. He let me in as I did my makeup. He looked at me.

“Why are you doing your makeup?”

“Because I feel like it! Now leave me alone Mathis!”

“If you're going out with a guy I’ll find out.”

“No, I’m not. I told I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not talking to anyone.”

“Let me check your phone then.”

I unlocked my phone and gave it to him. I had nothing to hide. He looked through my phone and saw nothing. He gave it back to me and smiled.

“Look, I just don’t want you to get hurt. The guys at our school are so rude.” I rolled my eyes. I finished my makeup off with some clear lip gloss. All I put on is the basics fondation, concealer, stuff like that. Then I put on gold eyeshadow with mascara and eyeliner. I came downstairs and my mom had breakfast ready on the table. She made some toast with nutella and fruit. My brother came down and we grabbed a piece of fruit in sync. We both finished and said goodbye to mom. We walked to school together then his girlfriend came around. He was allowed to have a girlfriend but I couldn’t have a boyfriend? I guess those are the benefits of being older. As we were walking I tripped and almost fell but my brother caught me. Although he was really rude he was really protective of me. More over me than his girlfriend. After that his girlfriend pushed me out of his arms and I hit the ground really hard. My whole arm was scraped and bleeding. It hurt and stung so bad. My brother pushed his girlfriend off of him. He started yelling at her. After his whole pity party she left and he helped me up. I was crying and he took off his sweater and wrapped it around my arm. We walked to school by ourselves the rest of the time and we got to school. He took me to the nurse and left. I got about three really big band aids. I sat outside waiting for the bell to ring. That’s when my crush Cody came up to me.

For a second I wasn’t sure if he was gonna talk to me or not. But then he sat down next to me with my favorite flowers in his hand. Bleeding Hearts.

Bleeding Hearts.

“Hey, Hera.” I smiled as he said my name. I gave a little wave trying to hide my blush.

“Um, I’ve liked you for a while now, and I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go out?”

“Yea, sure, yes, I would love to!”

He and I spent the rest of the day together. It was amazing. I slept well that night. I slept happily.

Six months later

It was our six month anniversary. It’s October first. He asked me out on April first. My brother had been supportive. After school I walked to his house wearing the same outfit I wore when he asked me out. I had a card for him and I had reservations at a fancy dinner for the both of us. I walked up to his door with a bright smile on my face. I knocked on the door to be met with his mother. She smiled with her bright ginger hair gleaming in the sunlight. “Hello Mrs. Miller!”

“Hello sweetie, happy six months!” She hugged me and I hugged her back. She was like my second mom. “Cody is in his room with his friend Noah.”

I smiled and nodded wondering why he had his friend over when he knew I would be here. I walked to his room and opened the door to see Cody and his so-called ‘friend’ making out. I gasped and dropped my bag that I had and his card. Cody looked at me and Noah looked at Cody. “Who is that?” Noah asked.

“My,” he paused, a single tear drop falling from my eye “girlfriend.”

I walked right up to him and Noah and spit on him. “How could you do this, and on our six months? How long has this been going on?” Cody was to stunned to speak so Noah used his voice instead.

“Two months, but I swear I had no idea that he was dating you. He told me he was single and I really liked him. I swear on my mothers life if I knew he was dating you I would have never dated him”

Cody finally spoke up, “I’ve been wanting to tell you that I think I might be gay or bi, but I wasn’t sure how you felt.” I pushed him, “You know you could have just simply told me that there was a guy you liked and that you were questioning yourself!”

“He’s just a side piece! I knew you would never do anything sexual with me so I found someone who would! I don’t even love him!”

“We’ve never even done anything sexual and I never agreed to that either!” Noah said

Cody started crying like he was the victim! He cheated on me! He knew that I was an ally! He knew that I was omni with a preference for guys! So, how is he gonna say that he doesn’t know how I would have felt?

Yea, I would be a little heartbroken that he was gonna break up with me for someone else but I mean I would be happy that he’s comfortable with his sexuality. “You make me sick.”

I walked out of the room crying while Noah followed trying to help me calm down. He also had a few tears. Cody’s mom saw us both walking and in tear trying to calm each other down.

“Oh my! What happened?”

“Your son happened.”

Me and Noah left and we heard Cody and his mom arguing back and forth. I looked at Noah and opened my mouth “I think I know how to get back at him, but you have to promise you won’t tell or think I’m crazy.” He nodded. I leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

He smiled. “I’ll do it, but I need your help planning it.” That night Noah came over and they planned everything. Hera would talk to Cody and try to get him to be with Noah. Afterwards when Noah and Cody are on their date, Hera will ***** *** ****** ***** ***** ***.

The next morning at school Hera walked up to Cody who was with his friends. “Cody I need to talk to you about Noah.” Cody stepped away

“Noah still really likes you and said he’ll do anything as long as he’s with you.” Cody looked at me like he had just seen a ghost then started smiling. “Are you being serious?” I nodded. He thanked me and ran towards Noah smiling. He kissed Noah and of course he kissed back for this happy little surprise.

Noah texted me the same night saying they had a date this Friday but it would be at his house. Noah explained that he also wanted me to kill his mother. He told me that he had a similar problem to Gypsy Rose Blanchard. But his mother wasn’t as bad but still abused him mentally and emotionally making him think that he was allergic to a whole bunch of crap. So, an hour before Noah got home. I ditched school and went to his house. I walked in through the front door since Noah left it unlocked. His mother could walk but she was very slow.

Once I met eyes with her I slashed her throat letting the blood seep out. It was a deep bright red color. I dipped a finger into it and licked my finger. It tasted of crimson wood. As if she smoked a lot. I cleaned up the mess and a few minutes after I was done Noah and Cody were here. I went to hide and waited for the two to do whatever they were gonna do. Noah texted me to come in as he went to the bathroom. He didn’t want to see. Once I reached the room I said hello to Cody. I was wearing a short red dress with the same black leg warmers and some blue latex gloves. I grabbed the same knife I used for Noah’s mother. I stabbed the knife deep into his eyes making blood ooze out of his ears, nose, mouth, and of course his eyes. I slit his tongue and cut off his fingers and toes. Lastly I stabbed my knife a few inches away from his heart. I cut through his flesh as it made gushy noises. Blood was everywhere. It was coming out everywhere. I grabbed his heart and put it in mason jar with some water.

“All done.”

I said to Noah.

I hurried home and got changed. I got the flowers he gave me when he asked me out and his heart and put it all in a bag. I went to an old cemetery.

I dug into the ground and put the flowers and his heart right in the middle. The blood and a little water wandered onto the flowers and buried them. All of it. Now it really would be bleeding hearts.

Bleeding hearts.

7 weeks and 3 days later

(totally not a yungatita reference

I was walking around with Noah and we came across a coffee shop. We had finally seen that his heart and the flowers had been found. We prayed that no one would know it was us. And no one did.

1 year later

)

Hera was sleeping in her bed peacefully. Happy about what she did. She had a smile as she fell asleep. She always did. Today it was exactly one year since she did that. Later that night while she was sleeping she heard loud banging on her front door. She got up to go tell her mother there was someone at the door. She heard the door fall and finally her mother awoke. We both ran to the door wondering why the door was down. There were multiple police officers. I looked at my mom in shock. “Why are they here mom?”

“I don’t know, I thought you knew.” I nodded my head

“Your daughter has committed a first degree murder.”

My mother gasped. “She’s killed Cody Miller and Janice Cruz.”

She looked at me and cried “Who the hell are you? You are not my daughter!”

They took me as my mother and brother cried in sync. They also took Noah in for second degree murder and would spend 15 years in prison since he had the similar problem to Gypsy. But me, I got a life sentence. But, I’m happy about what I did. So, if a boy ever gives you flowers and he cheats. Be creative. Because those 7 weeks and 3 days will always come back to you.

“Do You Know the Pumpkin Man?”

Miguel ducked under the bush. He could hear it coming. Its low moaning in the distance. Sweat dripped down his forehead. What was he to do? It was inching closer every second, looking for him. His time was up.

1 Hour Earlier

The bike glistened in the sunlight as young Miguel Ramirez rode it down his street. He was wearing a black t-shirt and tattered jeans. It was a bright sunny afternoon, and the flowers glistened in the sunlight. It was as hot as the desert that day. There was a nearby ice cream truck ringing its nursery rhyme song to attract kids nearby. Miguel just so happened to be one of the kids that would go up to the man to buy a popsicle. Miguel walked up to the little truck and took a crumpled ball, which was his money. He counted out 2 dollars and handed them to the man. In return, the man gave him a popsicle. On this summer day, he had to quickly lick the popsicle. Within seconds, the orange popsicle was melting onto his hand. He got up on his bike and started pedaling again. A while later, he got to his house, he sat down in the kitchen and pulled out his homework. His mother was running errands and his father was still at work for another hour. It was silent while he was working until he heard a soft sound. It sounded like a little child singing. He or she was singing a nursery rhyme, “Do You Know the Muffin Man?.” What was going on? Miguel wondered. The song started sounding faster and faster. It felt closer until it stopped. All went silent.

When the song stopped, he dug back into his backpack and took out his phone. He called his friend, Chad, who was no more than 2 houses down. Eventually, Chad picked up.

¨Hello?¨

¨Hey, this is Miguel, did you any sounds earlier?¨ Miguel asked.

¨How early?¨

¨Like, a minute ago.”

¨Oh, uh, maybe, I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

¨Because I heard something.”

“Huh? Are you having hallucinations?”

“I don’t know.”

“Here, I’ll come over.”

“Ok.”

“See ya.”

“Alright, bye.”

Chad arrived at Miguel’s house. Miguel opened the door, and Chad entered. Chad was a stubby person, with a blue shirt and black shorts, not very bright either.

“Are your parents home yet?” Chad asked.

“No,” Miguel replied.

Miguel walked outside and Chad followed. Miguel spotted something odd on the ground.

“What is that?” Chad asked.

“It looks like a pumpkin,” Miguel replied slowly.

Miguel looked to the side of him to see if there was anymore. He looked back and the pumpkin started rolling away.. “Hey, where are you going?” Chad shouted at Miguel while closing the door.

“I am following the pumpkin!” Miguel shouted back.

“I am following you!”

They quickly followed the pumpkin and it led to the top of a hill. It was an overgrown pumpkin patch.

“Oh, my God,” Miguel said.

“What?” Chad asked.

“This is the legendary pumpkin patch.”

There was an old rumor around the town that goes like this. There once was a man named Jack who was a lonely man who owned this pumpkin patch. He was always bullied and one day he decided to commit suicide by blowing up his trailer and himself in it.

“ This is it,” Miguel then said. He examined the patch and noticed that there were still pumpkins fully grown all around the area. “Why are there still pumpkins, no one has ever planted any since he died?” Miguel questioned.

“Probably someone planted pumpkin seeds here and they're growing,” Chad replied.

“But I thought that no one has been to the hilltop ever since?” Miguel asked.

“ Well, I don’t think the myth is true,” Chad said, “It's probably made up so no one would go here.”

“ I don’t think so, because would there be a little house or trailer where that person lives.”

“ Well, I bet it’s a bunch of baloney,” Chad said.

Chad then walked up to a pumpkin with roots and weeds growing around and over it and started tearing the weeds. “Oooh, look at me, I am gonna get bad luck!” Chad taunted.

“What are you doing!” Miguel exclaimed in horror.

Chad continued his mockery until there was one weed that he grabbed, but it didn’t rip. Chad went quiet and started tugging on it with all his might. Miguel chuckled, “Come on, let's go home.’’

Chad continued to tug and tug on the green root until it came out. Chad stumbled backward onto the overgrown grass. “Yes!” Chad exclaimed.

“Seriously?” Miguel said.

All of a sudden the quiet little song that Miguel heard before was back, but this time it was loud. And it kept getting louder and LOUDER. Miguel looked around trying to find the source of the sound. It seemed everywhere. The weeds and roots on the pumpkins started retracting and the pumpkins started detaching from their roots. They all started rolling together and began forming a body. A body made of pumpkins. In horror, Chad fled to Miguel. But before he could reach him, he tripped over a large pumpkin, this pumpkin was not moving. Chad turned to look at it. The pumpkin started carving itself with mad eyes and sharp teeth. The body was fully formed, standing about 9ft tall. Like a giant beanstalk. Miguel watched in horror as Chad tried to escape. The hands of this pumpkin man were razor-sharp claws. It picked up its head and set it on top of the pumpkin body. In an instant, the pumpkin glowed with fire from the face. Chad started running to Miguel again. The pumpkin man eyed Chad and extended his arm and slashed him in the back. Miguel was speechless. Chad became motionless, his eyes became stone-cold as his body fell to the floor. Dead.

Miguel looked up in fright at the pumpkin man. It was now eyeing him. Miguel fled in terror down the hill. The pumpkin man gave a long screech with fire blazing out of his mouth. Burning everything in its path. Miguel continued down the hill and ducked under a bush. His heart was pounding and sweat was dripping from his forehead. The beast was inching closer by the second. Miguel didn’t know what to do. He then spotted a gas can a few feet in front of him. He crawled towards it and picked it up. He could use this against the pumpkin man. He just needed something to light it with.

He could hear the pumpkin man’s low moaning and the thudding of its feet. He could see the glowing of the pumpkin man shine near his face. The pumpkin man was closer than ever to him. The pumpkin man stopped moving forward and started searching around. Miguel knew this was his chance. He grabbed the gas can and started running again. The pumpkin man saw him and let out a loud screech. The fire was blazing from the mouth, burning nearby trees and grass. The fiery path ran towards him and he felt the burn on his feet. He then accidentally tripped over a log. He fell with a loud thud. His ankle hurt like heck. He couldn’t run any further. The pumpkin man was catching up. “You should have never disturbed me!” he growled, “you and your little town are imbeciles!”

“But why did you have to kill my friend!” Miguel cried.

“He thought my death was a myth, as most people think now, but it isn’t! The town may have hated me, I thought I'd at least live in the afterlife in peace, but no! You and your stupid friend disturbed me and now you shall die!”

The pumpkin man raised his hands in the air and smashed them to the ground. Miguel dodged the attack last second by hiding behind a tree. The force of the smash rumbled the ground and broke the log he tripped on. “Why did you kill yourself!” Miguel Shouted over the pumpkin man’s roaring fire, still clutching the gas can harder than ever.

“Oh, so they fed you more than one lie! They were the ones that killed me! They thought that it would be funny to light my trailer, but I was in the trailer when they did it, I had no time to escape!” the pumpkin man replied.

Miguel thought it all made sense now. He would never kill himself or else why would he haunt people? But still, even if the people killed him for a bad reason, not everybody was guilty of this. He couldn’t let the pumpkin man kill any more innocent people. The pumpkin man tore up the tree he was hiding behind. Miguel screamed. Sweat was still dripping down his forehead.

The pumpkin man took in a breath for a final exhale of fire. Before the pumpkin man could completely inhale, Miguel chucked the gas can into the pumpkin man's fiery mouth. The pumpkin man started coughing and then started glowing brighter than ever. Miguel had to gain another source of protection.

He ducked under a large boulder as a chunk of the head of the Pumpkin Man exploded and flew off the body. The Pumpkin Man fell to his knees as the chain reaction began. Pieces of pumpkin flew everywhere; some got on Miguel. The body of pumpkins exploded one by one until there was nothing left He looked around at the scene. Shattered bits of pumpkin and patches of fire were everywhere. He looked behind him and saw the destroyed pumpkin head. He wanted to stare at it no more and fled the scene in horror. The Pumpkin Man’s head lay there, on the ground; with chunk of the head missing and one eye remaining.

Then, the little nursery rhyme started again and the remaining eye, glowed with fire.

The End

Be good kid…

By Stella Tombyll

It was a day like no other, Alex had gotten detention (again) but today was different. Alex sat down in the detention room, they were bored out of their mind. A couple minutes later the principal walked in, “Somehow you always find new ways to disappoint me Alex.” the principal said. “I don’t know, you kinda just get used to it.” Alex replied.

The principal sighed, and in the blink of an eye was gone. Hours passed, the sun had just set, Alex got up to leave. They walked out into the pitch black hallway. There was one little flickering light going off, in that light there was an old dusty history book. Their curiosity got the best of them, they ran over to the book and turned the first page. It read, “There were many nightmares in history, they do say history repeats itself…” the rest was torn out.

Confused, Alex dropped the book and headed towards the exit. Then, in the distance, they saw two… things! They were charging strait at Alex. They looked like they had been dead for a thousand years. (and smelled like it too) Alex shrieked in horror and ran into the principal’s office. After a moment of silence, a little girl started to laugh.

Alex turned around to find a little doll next to a rotting dead corps in the principal’s office chair. Terrified, Alex ran out of the principal’s office and with all their might ran for the school exit. They heard footsteps behind them, but just ran harder. Then something grabbed them, terrified of what they might have to encounter, they turned around to find the principal, with a warm smile on their face. Alex, relieved, asked what Ms.Watson wanted to tell them. The principal then said, “I just wanted to give you some advice, be good in school, or STRANGE things will happen…”

THE END

Yes, yes, I remember. It was a bright, unpigmented room. And, there was a man. A very… odd many if I do say myself. A beaming light was glaring above us. A typical table was in between me and the peculiar man. “Where were you?” Asked the strange man calmly. I responded with silence. He now lost his temper, and thrusted out of his seat, frustrated by my ignorance. “WHERE WERE YOU!!!”

I looked up at the man. If I told him, he would not believe me, would he? But then, the once vivid room turned into a despicable dark void. But, the void was not empty. A familiar house, stood, just a few feet from me. I walked forward, toward the entrance of the old, spine-chilling home. I opened the door, however so cautiously. The door creaked open. Dust automatically hit my face. Spiderwebs were in every corner. The wood flooring was rotten. But worst of all, a voice hit me. “Give it back!” It was coming from upstairs of this displeasing home. “GIVE ME MY ARM!” The voice was a horrible, shriek. So horrid, that not even most wise men would not be able to explain it. It was pure evil, searching for vengeance.

A faceless figure emerged from the shadow on top of the stairs. The ungodly creature slowly crept toward me. I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed by its vile growl. Yet it kept demanding, “GIVE ME MY ARM!” It now cornered me. As it got closer and closer, I realized, it was missing an arm. But it was too late, it pounced at me, and I closed my eyes.

I opened my eyes. Was I somehow, alive? Unharmed by the vicious beast. But it did grow quiet. The wind was roaring at me with rage. I was by a cliff, surrounded by cacti and sage. Where am I? How did I get here? Am I dead? So many questions rushed through my head. That's when I heard it. “GIVE ME MY LEG!” I stopped dead. “Who’s there!” I yelled with such courage, yet fear still ravaged from beneath my skin. The voice called out once more. The voice was deep and grim. “GIVE ME BACK MY LEG!” That's when I saw it. A pair of rotten, and bloody hands, holding onto the ledge of the cliff. It seemed like it was climbing up the rocky cliff. It cried out once more. “GIVE ME BACK MY LEG!”

My mind was spinning. I was now back in the hideous house. I heard both disgusting voices speak. “GIVE ME MY ARM! GIVE ME MY LEG! GIVE ME MY ARM! GIVE ME MY LEG!” I was once again cornered. Both demonic monsters had now cornered whatever life I somehow still had in my body. It was over… or so I thought. Something, unexpected, dare I say unexplainable happened. The faceless creatures, well, they turned into, people. A woman and a man. The two ghostlike beings did nothing but stare at me in disappointment. In anger, and in hate. They looked into my soul, with despite. But, I must say, that's when I remembered. What I had done.

I was back, in the bright room. The man still sitting across from me. “What did you remember, what did you do?” The uniformed man questioned me. He leaned intently, to hear my response. But now I remembered. I rolled up my right sleeve and my left trouser cuffs. The man looked at me in absolute horror, in disgust. He was in complete utter shock. What he saw were the limbs of my victims, sewn onto my body. “W-Wh-Whose are those.” The man asked, still in a state of complete disgust. And I simply responded, “They’re mine, they should have always been mine.” “You're a monster.” The man said profoundly, as he put me in cuffs. All I did was laugh and respond to the man saying, “Just two more to go. Just two more to go.”

I’m part of the photography club at my school and my job is developing film. It's not the funnest job in the club, but it's pretty cool to chill in a dark room for an hour every school day. My job got very boring when the photographers started downloading images into computers and didn't need someone to develop the film. Instead of changing my role in the photography club I decided to tell people around school that I can develop film for them. They would bring me their roll of film and a sticky note with their name on it, so I knew the owner. I would develop the film and bring it to them. It was like I was running a store, but it didn't involve money. Pretty simple. Nothing could go wrong,......right?

It was a normal day, 6th period came in a flash. It was the last period of the day, so I would be developing photos for the last hour. I decided to finish the roll I was working on the day prior and finished in 15 minutes or so. I decided to start another roll with my extra 45 minutes. I had an unclaimed roll in my box of film. So I decided to take an adventure and started the developing process.

“Heyyyy!” someone yelled from behind. I turned around and saw my best friend Joe. “Hey Joe,” I said back as he walked toward me. “What are you doing here, shouldn't you be in calc?” I asked him. “Got bored so I skipped, no biggie.” I chuckled at him,“Well, you wanna help me?” “Sure.” He smiled back. We worked on developing the film for a while. Then he started splashing the developer around and we started laughing and running around. “We should get back to work, we still have to finish this roll” I said. “You’re right,” he said, “ Who’s film is this anyway?” he sighed. “I actually don’t know. I figured that the owner must be in one of the photos, so I guess we’ll have to wait and find out” I shrugged. “Why do you ask?” He looked at me in a weird way and said, ”No reason.” “Um okay,” I said as I went back to work.

“Woah, look at these photos.” He said as he pointed to the ones drying. I walked over and saw the photos slowly developing, showing a clear image of the dark room door, covered in blood, with blood pooling underneath the door. I ran to the door and took a step back to investigate the door. It was clean. Nothing. Not a single drop of blood or speck of dirt. Joe joins me in the hall, staring at the door as well. We look at each other in confusion. “It’s probably just a prank or something.” Joe said unsurely. “I guess so, but still creepy.” I said as we walked back inside to get ready to leave.

THE NEXT DAY

6th period was about to start as I rushed to my locker, exhausted from my 5 other classes. “HEYYY.” A voice exclaims from behind me as I shut my locker. “JOE! Jeez man you scared me” I say as we make our way towards our next classes. “Sorry sorry” He chuckled. “So are you skipping calc again?” I asked. “Of course!!! Nobody needs to sit in that boring smelly classroom for an hour. Plus why would I sit there when I can hangout with you?” He said. “Ha.Ha.Ha. Very funny Joe. You need to go to class or you’ll fail the test that’s coming up.” I said, trying to convince him. “Yeah, yeah whatever.” He rolled his eyes, “I’ll see you later” “Bye!”

I waved bye and grabbed the keys to the dark room. I unlocked it and threw my stuff on the floor and sat down. I sighed as I put my head on the table and contemplated whether I should nap or work on a new roll. *knock knock* “I have some more rolls for you.” Ms Perky, the assistant principal said as she walked in with a smile on her face. “Thanks” I said as I took the tray from her with hooded eyes. “All I want is a nap right now” I thought to myself. “ I guess I should get to work” I said as a hint for Ms Perky to leave. “Have fun” She waved off.

I got up and grabbed the materials I needed from the cupboard. I set everything up and looked at the 5 rolls of film I needed to develop. I scanned the names on the sticky note then AHHA! An unlabeled roll. My heart beat with excitement as I quickly grabbed it and started the developing process. After developing the photos, I hung the photos from the roll, waiting for the image to appear. I ran to the hallway and to the calc room. I knocked on the door lightly 2 times. Our secret code, only Joe and I knew it. then ran back to the dark room and heard chairs moving from the clac room. Then Joe appeared by my side in no time. “So what’s happening, you used the code.” He said as we walked inside the room. “ There’s another unclaimed roll.” I said as I shut the door behind us. “For real?” He asked curiously. I nodded my head as I pointed to the photos hanging. The images started to appear clearer. We could finally see it. The photo showed the inside of the dark room, but the walls had bloodied hand prints and there was a large black silhouette on the floor. My eyes grew huge as I studied the image. “What the hell.” I said under my breath. “Do you think it's a prank?” Joe said from the other side of the room, next to the wall shown in the photo. “ I don’t know what to think anymore, I feel like I’m going crazy.” I said as I walked over to Joe. “I guess we’re both going crazy then, cause I feel the same way.” He said as he chuckled. “ I need a soda” I sighed as I grabbed a few bucks from my backpack and headed down the hallway to the vending machine. Joe was still in the room, hiding from the calculus teacher. I bought the soda and took a seat on the floor, trying to relax. I sighed as I took a sip of Dr Pepper on the stairs next to the vending machine. I looked down the stairs to the first floor. Contemplating my sanity, I closed my eyes. I leaned my head forward and rested it against my knees. I sat there enjoying the silence. I finished my soda and stood up. I knocked over the empty can by accident. It rolled down the flight of stairs. I walked down and grabbed it. Making my way back, I looked at the steps ahead of me, but they were covered in blood. I shook my head and closed my eyes, when I opened them the stairs were back to normal. I gasped as I ran up the stairs and back to the dark room. “What happened?!” Joe urgently asked as I ran into the room out of breath.

“Th-the stairs. I-” I said trying to catch my breath. “What?! Tell meeee!” He yelled, shaking my shoulders. I calmed down and collected my thoughts. “Let’s sit down” We sat down as I explained what just happened.

“Jeez. I think you really are going insane.” He chuckles as he looks at me like I'm a crazy person. “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes. *DING, DING* “Welp, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said, leaving me in the room. I waved him off.

THE NEXT DAY

5th period ended as I walked absentmindedly to my locker. “Hey.” A quiet voice said from behind me. “HELLOOOOO!!!” The voice yelled at me. “Whut?” I said as I turned around slowly. My eyes opened wide as I met face to face with Joe. “Jeez man, what's up?” I asked him. “What’s up? What’s up?!! YOU’RE ACTING LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED YESTERDAY!!!” He yelled at me. “Calm down dude.” I shushed him. I sighed, “Look man, I’m about to go to 6th period, so are you coming with me or not?” “The test is tomorrow, I better go to calc so I don't flunk it.” He said in an interesting tone. I shut my locker and started walking. “ Wow. Look at you Mr Smarty Pants.” I laughed as we walked down the hall together. “Alright, bye.” He said as I reached the developing room. “Bye, see you later!” I waved back.

“He was acting strange,” I thought to myself. I looked behind me and unlocked the door to the dark room. My heart started beating fast as I walked in and put my stuff down. I made my way to Ms Perky’s office to grab more rolls of film. “Knock Knock.” I said as I walked into her office. “Well hello dear.” She said as she waved me in. “Here’s the film,” she smiled, “Anything else you need?” I shook my head, “Nope, I’ll be on my way.” I smiled as I walked out of her office with the tray of film. I looked down and read the names on the sticky notes.

“Oh my god.” I whispered under my breath. Another roll was unclaimed. I walked past the calc room and knocked lightly 2 times, the code. I continued on my path back to the dark room. I waited for 10 minutes and no sign of Joe. I assumed that Joe didn't hear the knocks, so I decided to develop the unnamed film by myself. I was wearing a brand new shirt so I was careful not to get it dirty with the developer. I hung the mysterious image up and waited for it to clear. I peaked my head outside the hall looking to see if Joe was coming. Silence. There was nothing, no movement. I headed back inside, giving up on him. I shut the door and sat down in front of the photo.

My heart beated faster and faster as my eyes widened. “Oh my god.” I whispered, unable to comprehend the image. The photo was of me, but I was covered in blood, laying on the floor lifelessly. I noticed what I was wearing in the image, my brand new shirt that I bought yesterday. I was wearing it in the image and at this very moment. I gasped as I ran my hand through my hair anxiously. “It’s just a prank,right?” I thought to myself. I suddenly felt a funny feeling in my stomach, it felt empty and I felt anxious. I felt that something bad was about to happen. Two light knocks on the door break the tense silence, but it didn't feel welcoming.

Ad Vitam, Ab Extra

The floors creak under her footsteps, she couldn’t help but cringe each time the chipped wood shrieked underneath her. She needed to be quiet! Otherwise, she would never get the freedom she so deeply dreamed about.

****

It was midnight, Nami decided. The time when everyone in the ruined cabin was fast asleep, even Yert, the cabin’s WatchGuard. Tonight was the night she would escape. Her heart raced at the mere thought. Is this really it? Would she, alone, be able to escape such a place? She wondered. Every day of her 12 years of life since she was captured she dreamed of this exact day.

Nami looked over to where the travel bag she hid near the trees, in fear of her plan being discovered. She wished she took her time making the bag, however one cannot do something when always demanded at every turn. She hoped she packed everything she needed until she found other resources at least. She packed; water, wild berries, an old blanket she found unattended, and a dagger she traded in for six of her crystal pebbles. It was one fine trade, its original owner was too young to understand the value of something like a dagger. Nami couldn’t help but feel shellfish for it.

Shellfish that she would be escaping without them. Her family.

Since she was captured at 5 years old, cold and unwanted, the other kids in the cabin made her feel happy. Joyful that someone shares the same burdens as her! Someone who understands her!

Mrs. Naivia, a sweet old lady who was the capturer’s cook, would sneak in and share the little bit of stale bread that was given to the children, and the older kids would secretly treat her wounds after their capturer released their anger on her, while the younger ones tried to make her laugh and ignore the pain.

The cabin was her home, the only home she ever knew.

So why was she leaving? Did her home not start to feel like home anymore?

And the kids…

She couldn’t take them! What if they got caught? The punishment would be death. After all, that is what happened to Mikiah, a kind older boy. Attempted to run away with three other children during her second year at the cabin. Mikiah was publicly hanged while the older children were forced to watch, and the other three children were no longer heard of.

Nami shivered and stood up slowly. It was time.

****

Nami whipped the sweat from her brow, she had just nicked a map of the northern woods from Yert, a big ball of a man, with no awareness or an ounce of battle strategy in his large body. Not necessarily the best choice for a WatchGuard. But his imitating plump stomach makes up for it.

All she needed to do was get through the enormous rusty gate…the hardest part. The part where Mikiah’s plan was unveiled. Nami felt her heart speed up, she was going to do it.

Carefully, she walked through the narrow path. Brown and green leaves withered from its trees, softly falling to the ground. The brown and black squirrels couldn’t care less about her. The tall trees blow south towards the cabin as if to say ‘go back.

Her stomach was in a deep abyss, every muscle in her body told her this wasn’t a good idea. But her heart screamed for her to continue.

Nami finally reached the gate, it was opened. Wide open. She couldn’t believe her luck! She wouldn’t have to move the big thing, she could just slip right through! Nami’s excitement was short-lived before an old shrill voice made her drop the bag she was holding in fear.

“ Why, hello there dear.”

TBC

Behind You

“Why? Why did this have to happen to me?” the girl said while she stared blankly at herself in the mirror. “It's been almost a year since the accident. Why do I still continue to suffer?” Well if you're curious like me you must be wondering what this girl is talking about. Now let me bring you back to exactly a year ago from today….October 31, 1981 Halloween. It all started as a normal day for the girl. She went to school, came home, and prepared to go out to the halloween festival with her friends. As the girl was getting ready she felt a pit in her stomach, but the girl shook the feeling off and continued to get ready. Fast forward to when she arrived, the girl saw her friends and went over to where they were. The girl and her friends decided to go to the haunted corn maze. They all ended up splitting up once they got in there, the little girl found herself lost but not in the corn maze she was lost in her thoughts. She was thinking about that bad feeling she had earlier and then all of the sudden her bad feeling had returned. Then there was a shriek, a shriek of pain. The girl began to sprint over to where the noise was coming from. When she arrived it was a spine crawling scene. It was the most horrifying thing the girl had ever seen. There was blood everywhere and what was laying on the ground were all of her friends in shreds. Their throats had been ripped out and their flesh looked as if it was processed through a meat grinder. One of her friends was still but barely alive and she spoke two words…BEHIND YOU. “Honey, it's time for breakfast!” “I'm coming mom!” the girl said as she rolled the wheelchair down the hall….

The hand of a sister

There once were two sisters they had the same face they had the same voice but they did not have the same mind one was sweet one was evil their names were Ray and May. It was December 3 and a candle will be lite for both of them turning one year older and slowly growing closer to death one will take longer to die the other one is right at the bus to death. Ray grabs a knife sharp enough for cutting meat sharp enough to piers a young girl but changed her mind about it not wanting to get a blood on her yellow dress so she grabbed a long rope that was used for decorations and greeted her lovely sister. She was on edge asking questions in a light soft voice slowly get more desperate, strained turning too screams but came to a stop once she turned blue. Ray swapped outfits with her motionless sister and tied the rope on the porches rail leaving her shoes on the edge of the porch and with a worried look she reported to her mother about ¨Ray´s death¨ days turn into weeks weeks to months amd months to years May was living a life that she wished for. But even having a nice life can still means you can have bad days in the end laying down in a nice bed with a warm drink makes anything better. ¨Look in the mirror Ray…¨ a disembodied voice said

¨Huh?!¨ May answers

Why are you tellig me that she is dead. I saw her die. May states

No, no you´er wrong you are Ray look in a mirror if you don´t believe me. She pinches in

As quick as a deer runs while being hunted she ran to the mirror seeing herself and a girl her sister. Her face was so rotted May is unable to tell her face or describe. She also can smell the rotting flesh she stank of and feeling her leaning on her.

¨Who do you see?¨ she asked in a calm tone

I see me and you… May answers

¨Do you know my name though?¨ she questions

Your name is Ray. May says

¨No, its May dear sister¨ She denieds

But I'm May…This is not real!? May? cries out

¨You don't remember dont you my, my I guess this is what happens ¨when you fake being someone eles for 17 years¨ May adds

The girl´s feachers start to merge out of her face seeing her eyes, mouth, nose she had a kind smile glued on her face while the women´s face stared to change slowly melting off her and a new face being made onto her she had no emotions in her eyes looking dead and a bearly visible smile. Memories flooding down her skull realizing Ray did not die May did. May did not die to suicied she killed her. Overwheled with emotions Ray sobbed to herself having May slowly comforting her feeling her leathery skin touch her with a soft lullaby with a voice that was stained as if she was chocked until she could not breath. Ray woke up the next day finding herself on the floor walking to her kitchen see May sitting on the nearest chair looking at her this time she looked exactly like they day her killed her Ray´s yellow dress and her white socks covered in dirt no shose on and and noose around her neak she was not saying anything just walking close to Ray for a hug. This brought Ray to her edge she pushes May sobbing hysterically on how sorry she was but this is not something you can have forgiveness for. Ray in last efforts to leave the grief of killer her sister and seeing her from above the grave she picked up a knife snarp enough to cut meat sharp enough to kill a 26 year old women. Ray slashed her neak and stabbed herself bleeding on the floor unable to get a beath out May holds her head humming to her.

¨We are more alike eachother Ray… You are the reason for my death by chocking me to death and I´m the reason for yours for driving you to suicide at least your death won´t be covered up¨

Things getting blurry for Ray hearing a loud ringging in her ears until that was all she can hear blood leaving her body back into the land feeling the hand of her sister leaving her head.

The Afterthought

By: Lovelle Lategra, 2022

Definition:

[ Afterthought; A later or second thought; reconsideration. Reflection after an act

Annie and her best friends, Isabelle and Nic find old games and ancient mystery files in her grandparent's basement but there's a twist. What if the games and files weren’t as harmless as they thought? What if they were forced to solve these cases in a timely manner? What if one of them were one of the missing people in one those files?

----------------------------------------------

CHARACTERS:

Annie Magdelen| 14-Year-Old| Dob: June 24th

Isabelle Lee| 13-year-old| DoB: January 17th

Nick Smith| 14-Year-old| Dob: August 30th

Appearance:

Annie: Blond/Golden hair, Green eyes, fair complexion

Isabelle: Light Brown Hair, Hazel eyes, brown-ish/Tan complexion

Nick: Midnight black hair, Light blue, Pale complexion

CHAPTER I

. I couldn’t stop the thing. I couldn’t move. Emotions swirled around me like a hurricane. ‘ If only I hadn’t been curious.’ ‘If only I haven’t involved them.’ But it’s too late...

****

“ Annie, Will! Come and eat breakfast! “ Her mom shouted from downstairs. Annie slowly lifted herself from her cosy bed, she would have rather stayed in bed but she had school, who had assigned her to supervise the 8th grade Halloween party, making sure everything was how it was supposed to be.

Halloween was one out of three of her favourite holidays. Halloween or October was when her favourite show came out with a new season, with 100+ episodes! The show is about crime and unsolved cases. Sometimes, they're pretty scary but it’s 100% worth it when you see your brother looking like you told hime Jabba the Hutt is his best friend.

“ Annie! William! Hurry up, you’re going to be late!”

“ Yes, Mom!” Annie shouted as she was getting dressed.

Unfortunately, as Annie walked out of her room her brother walked out of his. Do we have telepathy abilities? Annie thought. Probably, they’re twins anyway. The look of surprise on their faces quickly changed into a look of haterd. Hate might be a strong word but not for them. Ever since Annie messed up her brother's chance with Hailey White from elementary school, he hated her. Well, what was she supposed to do? She wasn’t going to have someone who stole her pack of delicious barbecue chips set foot in her house Or share her blood. She wasn’t even that cute anyway!

Annie sat on a stool at the kitchen table, her brother across from her, hugging the lazy orange cat, Sage.

“ So, how did we sleep? Any plans for today? Anyone, you’re interested in going to the party with?” Mom spoke with a smile.

Mom had always been a person who wanted to be involved in things. Whether it was a crush you have, drama with a girl, drama with a boy or just someone you dislike or hate in general. She always wanted to be “ Like the youngsters” because her generation is “boring.”

“ I slept well. I’ll just go to sleep all day after school.” Will replied first.

Mom hummed, “ That’s good. I agree this gloomy weather makes you wanna sleep all day. What about you Annie ?”

“ I slept okay, Nic, Izzy, I was going to hang out today.”

“ Ooo, Is Nic your boyfriend?!” Her dearest brother Mockingingly said it’s as if he had never seen Nic before! If it wasn’t for mom being present she would have punched him in the face.

“ Shut up Will! Stop acting like a 5-year-old! “ Mom rolled her eyes at Will before turning to Annie.

“ That’s great Annie! Well, hurry up kids, you have a bus to catch.”

******

CHAPTER II

Once Annie stepped out of the bus she was attacked with a pair of arms.

“ Annie~!” Her best friend of 9 years shouted.

Isabelle and she met in preschool due to a fight between Isabelle and one of the boys who took her doll

.

“ Hey, Izzy.” Annie looked up at her, Isabelle was quite a lot taller than her, but people hardly noticed Annie’s short height with her strong character.

“ Soooo, any plans this Halloween?” Izzy asked as they started walking to their morning class.

Annie didn’t have any plans for Halloween this year, she was too old to knock on people's doors, asking for candy. Or at least she thought she was too old.

“ I think my mom said something about going to my grandparent's house for a few days. Do you have any plans?”

Izzy sighed, “ Not really, I was thinking we could spend Halloween making candy apples and solving mystery cases .”

That sounded way more fun than visiting her grandparent's house.

“ Well, I could ask mom if you could come with me?”

Her mother would probably agree, she loves Isabelle like her own daughter. Annie wouldn’t be surprised if her mother loved Izzy more than her.

By the time they arrive at their morning class, it’s only 7:46. No students, no parents, only Mrs. June.

Mrs. June spots them at the door and gestures to them to come inside.

“ Good Morning, Annie, Isabelle-” Mrs June said with a small smile “- Today our class is assigned to decorate the 8th-grade hallways for the Halloween festival !”

Annie felt a wave of excitement pass through her, she always wanted to decorate the gloomy hallways of her school. She and Isabelle were going to ask the principal if they could decorate the school a bit.

Suddenly. the quiet peaceful classroom was filled with happy chattering of the students.

How could anyone be so loud in the morning? It’s literally only 8 am!

******

It’s lunch for the 8th graders, most likely everyone's favorite time of the day.

“ Annie! Izzy! “ Their best friend Nic ran to their table.

“ Hi, Nic!” Izzy said cheerfully, bringing her friend in a tight hug.

“ How was science?” Annie asked, nibbling on a piece of chicken.

“ It was okay, learned about animal ecosystems. Tomorrow we’re dissecting frogs.”

“ Nic!” “EW!” The girls yelled.

Nic gave them an amused smile.

****

CHAPTER III

The school day was finally over, kids yelling in the courtyard, cars driving, honks beeping, the typical everyday after-school noise. It was sort of comforting which was quizzical to her.

She and Isabelle talked quietly as they were walking to Nic’s last class.

“ Are you planning to dress up this Halloween?” Izzy asked, her voice hopeful.

“ I might, I was thinking about being a pirate,” Annie replied, glancing at Izzy.

Izzy scoffed “ A pirate? That’s lame! I thought you wanted to be a detective!?”

This time Annie scoffed, “ I was a detective last year.”

“ Yeah, but you also were a pirate 7 years ago!”

“ I wanna be a singer.” A voice spoke from behind them.

“ What singer, Nic?”

“ Ariana Grande.”

“...”

“...”

“ You aren’t funny Nic,” Izzy said shoving him playfully.

“ Your humour is as broken as my bank account.”

“ You don’t have a bank account, Annie.”

“ I know."

“...your sense of humour is awful.”

CHAPTER IV

On the freeway, In a Navy coloured car. Annie, Izzy, and Nic were going to Annie’s grandparent's house. Will, Annie’s brother, would be staying with her aunt, much to her delight. Annie hated when William came on vaccinations with her, he was honestly very annoying. Even if they were twins she felt that she was 10 years older than William.

“ Annie! Do you think your grandparents would like me? “ Isabelle asked for the 10th time already. She was nervous, even though there was no reason to be. Izzy’s bubbly aura makes everyone wrapped around her finger without her even knowing it.

Nic sighed tiredly, “ Izzy, calm down. They’re going to love you. Everybody does!”

Anne nodded sleepily, golden locks of hair falling into her eyes. “ Yeah Iz, they would love you more than they love their blood-related grandchild.”

“ Don’t say that! They love you WAY more-!”

“ Go to sleep Izzy.”

******

After 5 hours of driving, they finally arrived at Annie's grandparent's house. A three-story house, freshly painted in white paint, decorated with lively vibrant plants.

Ms. Wood knocked on the shiny red wooden door,

Knock

Knock

“ Mom? It’s me.”

Knock

Knock

Knock

No response.

Ms Wood was about to knock again when the door was thrown open, revealing a middle-aged woman grinning.

“ Livi dear! Finally! Come in! Come In!”

The middle-aged woman closed the door from behind them and rushed to the kitchen.

“ You all must be starving!”

Ms Wood smiled tiredly, “ It’s okay mom, we ate.”

The old woman looked disappointed, but it quickly turned into a surprised or rather confused expression.

“ Oh? Since when did you have 2 more children? Where’s Will?”

Ms Wood laughed a bit, rolling her eyes.

“ Will's with Marley. And these two are Annie’s bestfriends. This one-“ She pointed to the brown-skinned girl “ is Isabelle, Izzy for short.” “ And this one -” She pointed to a brunette freckled boy. “ Is Nic.”

Annie’s grandma smiled, “ It’s a pleasure to finally meet some of Annie’s friends! “ I’m Mrs Magdalene. but please just call me Carla.”

“ It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs Magd-, Carla,” Isabelle responded shyly, Nick nodded in agreement.

“ Well, mom. Where’s dad?” Ms Wood asked her mother.

Carla shook her head, “ Your father is at the lake, fishing. I told that man not to go! But what did he do? He went!” Carla threw her arms in the air in frustration.

She sighed,“ But whatever, let's get you lot settled in.”

*****

Annie and Isabelle were sitting on the wooden floor of their shared room, warm blankets around them, talking quietly.

“ My grandfather told me he wanted me to help clean out the basement. Do you want to help?”

Izzy nodded excitedly, she loved adventures, whether it was finding new plants, exploring a new place, or even observing ( “ staking” as Annie likes to call it) “ abnormal” people.

“ Of course! Maybe we’ll find an ancient artefact! Or old magazines and books! Or even an ancient diary!” Izz blabbered on, pointing out everything they might find.

Annie watched her friend talk silently, nodding at everything Isabelle was saying.

*****

It was morning and the faint aromatic smell of cinnamon grew stronger and stronger as they headed closer to the kitchen.

“ Morning children!” A raspy, old, cheerful voice said to the three friends who just come down from upstairs.

“ Morning Mr-? Isabelle replied, as equally enthusiastic as the older man.

“Mr. Magdalen, but please call me Richard!” Richard's brown eyes were shielded in red-rimmed glasses as he smiled kindly at them as Carla did.

“ You all must be hungry, let's have some breakfast. Shall we?”

The three friends nodded, smiling politely.

****

After breakfast, Richard brought them down to the basement.

The basement was filled with dusty stacked brown boxes, old papers, clothes, and strange metal rusty gadgets that occupied the corners of the basement.

Shards of green broken glass were scattered across the room, cobwebs inhabited the corners of the walls. The light brown walls were chipped and covered in mud and moss.

“ Needless to say, I wouldn't say that this was unexpected.” Richard sent an apologetic smile to the three teens.

Izzy looked up at the older man eyes glistening with excitement, “ This is so exciting, Mr. Richard! Maybe we can find your family history! Or something that'd worth millions, maybe even billi-”

“ Izzy! We get it!" Nic said tiredly

Richard laughed slightly, " Yes, yes, this old room hasn't been cleaned properly for 25 years! I'm sure we will find many interesting things here!"

CHAPTER V

" Grandpa? May I ask you a question?" Annie said standing next to Richard as they looked through papers.

"Yes, of course, ask away dear! Oh, and please drop the formalities, there's no need for them," He said, smiling at her.

" Did you work in a criminal facility, or had connections for work with the criminal department?"

Richard looked at her for a second, before closing his eyes.

" Yes, I did - " He smiled, " but not in the way one would think."

" What do you mean Grandpa Richard?" Isabelle asked as she and Nic walked over to the two.

Richard looked at her with a large grin, and said, ``Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes!" Izzy said excitedly, while Nic and Annie nodded.

"Well, There is a green box somewhere that is full of things, dangerous things, things your creative mind wouldn’t dream of…so be careful when opening these boxes."

"But children, that's for another time, we better be heading to dinner otherwise we might get a scolding by madam Carla," Richard said, holding the wooden door open for the trio.

****

"Awww! -" Izzy pouted, "I really wanted to find some more cool things!"

Annie, Isabelle and Nic were in the girl's guest room, chatting quietly, as it was already midnight.

"Izzy, it's not like you'll not see the basement tomorrow morning!" Nic complained, trying to cheer up his pouting friend.

" Exactly, but what do you think grandpa meant when he said, " not the way you think"? There are all these jobs in the criminal department, what can we not think!" Annie said from her spot on one of the guest beds.

"Maybe there was a job that got banned? or maybe it was too dangerous to be a job? I mean Grandpa Richard retired 48 years ago! He did say that whatever is in that box is dangerous ." Nic suggested.

"Honestly, what else could there be?" Annie covered her face with her pillow.

"Oh!" Izzy gasped.

Annie and Nic looked at her quickly.

"What?" The two said in unison.

" What if there were people making clones or people time travelling? And too many experiments went wrong, then the officials had to ban the practice! Oh, and what if zombies or vampires were trying to eat people so the government had to hire agents to get rid of them? Or what if-"

If Izzy heard her friends sigh loudly, she wasn’t bothered by it.

And that's how the trio's night ended, The two watching their bubbly friend go on a 2-hour rant before she fell asleep mid-sentence.

CHAPTER VI

“-ke Up! Wake Up!” Annie groaned, rolling over to the other side of the bed.

“Annie! Get up!” Annie groaned again, clenching the pillow to her ears.

“ Wat’ Izzz’?”

Annie heard her friend sigh dramatically, “ Ana! Please! We’re wasting time, the earlier we rise the earlier we can explore the basement and celebrate Halloween!” Isabelle whined, tugging Annie's blankets.

“ First of all Isabelle! I’m sure Grandpa is asleep right-” “ I just talked with Grandpa Richard, he’s awake and ready!” Annie threw her pillow to the side of the bed, sitting up.

Annie looks over to the window at the other side of the room where the skies were black.

“ Izzy, what time is it?”

“Uhm…” Isabelle avoided her glaze.

“Spit it out. I’ll not be mad.” That was a lie. She would be very, very mad.

“ 4:43…Am.”

“ So you expect me to go explore with you, with only less than 3 hours of sleep?”

“Well, no, but-”

“ Get out.”

“ Huh?! I sleep here too, you know! I-”

“Get. Out. Now.”

****

After a very rude sleep interruption, it was now 9 Am, on a cloudy chilly Saturday. The day of Halloween.

“ Happy Halloween Kids, did yall’ sleep well?” Ms.Wood asked with a smile, giving a plate of pumpkin-spiced waffles to Annie.

“ Thanks, Mom, yeah, my sleep was okay.” She glared lightly at Izzy, who in return found the butter on her waffles quite fascinating.

Nic laughed behind his hand, fully aware of the situation. As he to has been interrupted by Isabelle the Explorer.

“Ahoy!” A voice from upstairs shouted. There on the stairs stood Grandpa Richard and Grandma Carla. Grandpa Richard was wearing a costume that looked to be inspired by the famous pirate, Blackbeard. While Grandma Carla wore a dazzling floofy Victorian green gown paired with silky black long gloves, The outfit truly made her look years younger.

Lizzy gasped, “ You two look great!”

“Mom! You and dad look like you’re from a complicated dramatic romance movie.” Mrs. Wood exclaimed with a chuckle.

The Trio nodded firmly, agreeing.

“ Oh, you all so kind!” Grandpa Carla laughed, walking down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“ Say, why don’t you kids change into your costumes then we’ll go explore the basement?It’s Halloween after all.” Grandpa said smiling at the dazed trio.

“ YES!” The trio shouted, or rather Izzy shouted.

****

“Urgh!” Annie planted herself face first into the bed.

“ What’s wrong Ana?” Isabelle asked from inside the bathroom.

“ I don’t know what to wear!” and after a second she added- “ Already been a pirate, doctor, detective, princess, you name it!”

Lizzy walked out of the bathroom, holding 4 costumes in hand.

“ Well, I have some extra costumes, just in case, what are your thoughts on Spencer Reid?”

“ Love him, but been him already.”

“Okay, what about Sherlock Homes?”

“ Was him 3 times in a row?”

“ Well, what about Chopper from One Piece?”

“ No, You’re gonna be Robin from One piece.”

“So?!”

“ I don’t wanna buddy-buddy with you.”

“ …The last costume I have is Alice from Wonderland. Have you been her?”

Annie jumped up from her bed with a large grin. “ No!”

Annie snatched the costume and hugged her best friend quickly, before running to the bathroom.“ Thanks, Iz! You’re a lifesaver!”

Isabelle shook her head, “ How can you not be Alice once in your lifetime?” She asked in the now empty room.

-TO BE CONTINUED

CHAPTER VII

Again and again again and again again and again my mom would read me that story of the monsters i was so young and scared why did she read me that story every night again and again these images children on the street dead bleeding out and the eyes the eyes of the monsters were always watching i tried to tell myself it wasn’t real but the eyes stared straight into my soul again and again i cowered in fear of the monsters until one night where again my mom was reading me the book she heard a creek and went down stairs leaving me with the book i was too scared to be myself with monsters not again so i followed her where i saw her arguing with my dad my dad then beat her with a broken bottle and began to walk away then my mom got back up her head going all the way around she was a monster she climbed on the ceiling attacking my dad then dad turned into a monster too they were fighting again and again why this book whats happening to me the eyes the eyes were everywhere again but my mom and my dad are fighting they are monsters i was terrified so i ran i ran towards the bathroom then my parents saw they followed me to the bathroom were in front was the mirror when i looked at it isaw me as a monster my parents behind monsters too the eyes everywhere were my eyes too for i i was a monnster

Dolly's Donuts

I was new in town and I was looking for a dessert shop for my halloween party and I found this place called Dolly’s donuts. It seemed very interesting so I went inside and it looked very abandoned but I thought it was just a part of their halloween decorations. So I went to the front desk and I saw a bell so I wiped it off and rang it. And someone with a Halloween mask popped up from behind the front desk and said “I was waiting for you Holly ''. And I said “how do you even know my name”? And they said “who knows there are a lot of people named Holly aren't there” ? I thought about that and I said “ I guess thats true” and rubbed it off. They said “what can I get for you” ? I said '' can I please have some desserts” ? They laughed and said “ oh yes you can '' with a smirk on their face. And I told them what I wanted and they gave me a bag of desserts and said “ I hope to see you soon Holly Adams “. And I ran out as fast as I could go and was really creeped out. That was all I could think about that night and I didn’t really even sleep. The next morning I was so excited about the Halloween party it was today so I went to a party store. And I saw the masked person and they saw me and they started to come over so I paid for them and before I could leave.They grabbed me and said “ you are in danger Holly”. I said “ from who or what”? They said “ nevermind” and left the store with a smirk on their face. So I went back home and was setting up for the party with my friends and they said “ what's on your mind” ? And I said “ you wouldn’t believe me” . But they said, “ What's so unbelievable about it?'' When they said that I said “ Just, I’m not in the mood” ! As I ran inside to my bedroom. One of my friends said “ Man, what’s wrong with her?” My other friend said “ give her time, it's probably just traumatic.” They said “ yeah you're right.” I came back down and I said “ I’m sorry I ran away like that.” And we continued on and finally finished the decorations for the party. And my friends saw the muffins and they took a bite of them and said “ this tastes funny.” I said “ oh no!” They started to choke and fall on the floor. I called 911 and they were taken to the hospital and they died in their sleep. So I ran to the place where the dessert shop was and there was nothing. It was empty and so I took a bite of the muffin but before I could take a bite they disappeared so I was left there sitting in a puddle of tears.

As I thought I would never make it, my hands finally touched the hard rough ground on the top of the cliff. I quickly looked at the sea knowing that I would never come back. The smell of salt and fish, the sight of seashells and sand dollars, and the sound of the waves crashing down now haunted me. I had lived on that beach every day for the past 36 years and 49 days with no way of leaving. My hands started to slip and I knew that if I fell I would not get back up so I took a deep breath and hosted myself onto the soft grass growing out of the hard rocky earth. I sat there finally realizing that I was free, I started to cheer then I realized that people might not recognize me. ¨ What if I am an outcast my brain told me.¨ A thought came to me that sent shivers down my spine. I could always just go back to the beach, the place of nightmares.

LOST DISNEY KID

I was with my family and we were having the most spectacular night at Disneyland; It was even more fun because……. Well, We were in our Halloween costumes. I was doctor Mc.stuffins and I was obsessed with Minnie mouse. I was walking with my family until I saw MINNIE MOUSE dressed up.

I walked over to take a picture but my family was walking in the other direction. I was so terrified, Minnie mouse asked me where are my parents but obviously, I couldn't answer that question. All I can see are people dressed in goofy, scary, and cute costumes.

Until someone snatched me and I thought it was my mom but it wasn't. I kicked, screamed, and realized………… THAT IS NOT MOM!

My mom finally spotted me and they all started laughing cause they thought I was behind them the whole time and they just couldn't see me, I guess they just thought I was too little like an ant compared to a human ( keep in mind I was FIVE). That night there was just too much to process in my mind like, what would've happened if they didn't find me. THE END ( fiction).

Title Name:Drag me to hell

By:jerry

One day they thought it was a normal day that ruined their whole life.They were at a hospital and the hospital went on lock down they did not know why they went on lockdown.then they soll a monster outside the hospital.

Then the monster sal Chris and attacked Chris and made a hole in him and the mom sal Chris die the mom was so sad she code not stop crying then ever won sal the monster then they got so scared and ran when they Chris bode on the floor they got even more scared .they sell Jeffy outside and they let him in the hospital then they sal the monster that killed Chris then they told Jeffyto run and he started to run as fast as he can then when he got in he loft around and he sal that they had no food he went looking for food he found a lot of food he told ever won that he fawn food then they all ate.

Then they all sall that people started to get a rune nose then they sall people then trend into a monster they were scared of then they sell Jeffy get a rune nose then he trends into a monster.

As music played through the speakers people sang to me. My sister

seemed sad and left the room. I wondered what had happened to my sister? Why

was she so sad i shrugged away the thought and smiled as they finished the song i

blew my candles i turned 13 i couldn't believe it as they slowly left the room i

notice how it was wrapped.This person really is good at wrapping thing as i opened

the present.i notice how there was a bow,a red bow and a doll she had blonde hair

pink cheeks and a blue dress she also had a headband she looked beautiful so i

picked it up out of the box and hugged it.A note fell off the doll i picked it up and

read it “ This is rosey but you can call it daisy! I give this present with all my

heart” the note read i stared at it and back too the doll “daisy? looks like i got

lucky” i said and picked up the box and walked up the stairs as i left the doll on my

bed and picked up the bow i smiled and placed it on my desk as i threw away the

box and jumped into my bed and stared at the wall i turned to the doll and picked it

up and hugged it and closed my eyes.I didn't even realized i fell asleep as i slowly

opened my eyes and yawned i sit up and looked through the window expecting to

see the moon my eyes widen to see a sunrise i smiled and got off my bed i realized i

didn't change so i grabbed my clothes and headed towards bathroom.

I turned on the shower and took off my clothes from yesterday and got in the

shower as i softly hummed a song and got out of the shower and got into my new

clothes i looked into the mirror as i brushed my hair and tied up my hair as i got

out of the bathroom i walked towards my bed a grabbed my doll and walked out of

my room i locked it because id never like somebody looking through my room and

walked down the stairs “hello mom, hello dad!’ i said cheerfully “hello dear im

making pancakes if you want some just wait for a minute” mom said and smiled at

me as i turned around and looked at my sisters ‘’Hello slater,hello teresa,hello

emily’’ i said “hello siren” said both teresa and emily but slater said nothing and

walked past me, i never understood why my sister was like this me slater look like

each other it's hard to tell the difference expect the height im 4’6 while slater is

5’6 ,teresa is 5’2,emily is 5’1 i am the shorts one in family ” hey mom thanks for the

pancakes ” said slater “can i head over to yaritixs ?” slater said again facing at

mom “yes dear just take your sister with you, siren you're going with slater to her

friend house-” mom was cut off by my sister “ nevermind i'm not going to yaritixs

today” said angrily and stomp up the stairs and slammed the door shut and locked

her room mom sighed “teresa can you take her to your aunt house” “yeah, lets go

sis go get your head helmet we are taking our bikes!” said Teresa, my sis she was

always nice to me. “Okay!” as i ran up the stairs and too my room i open the closet

and grabbed my helmet and ran back downstairs and open the door and placed

daisy in my basket that's my bike has put my helmet on git on my bike and followed

my sister as we got their i grabbed daisy and ran to the door and knock 4 times as

my aunt opened the door i hugged her “ Oh hello siren, how are you doing” “ well

mom told me the stay at your house for today!right teresa?” i said teresa nodded

“yep slater has been acting more....” “more angrier and sadder?” “yeah but I guess

you siren are going to have fun,” said Teresa and climbed up back on her bike and

was out of sight. I turned back around and walked in my aunt's house and sat on

her couch “ aunt rose?” “yes dear” “why does.... Sis hate me?” i said silently i

looked at aunt rose she seemed thrown off and her face was pale “aunt rose?”

“yeah-i -uh i think it's time for you to know my real name” she said quietly “you're

real name? Your funny aunt rose” i said smiling at her “well my real name is jen

,rose is my middle name dear”she said while giving me tuna sandwich

The Haunted House Dream

Once upon time there was a girl named madi. Madi and her two friends wanted to go to a haunted house to explore. and they did not believe in ghosts. They thought ghosts were not ture. but what did they know about war they were going the place had a history. whoever went in there would die.

The three friends went to the haunted house. They

started exploring. First there was nothing that was scary. But after litat time they felt that there was something but they ignored it. and that was their biggest mistake. it was getting dark so they decided to stay thar. Wall they were staying thar they got bored so they started playing a scary game called. Ouija board as soon as they started playing the door

Got closed the light started to filcar. They realized that they were trapped. and games that they were playing speld play a game to escape if you win or die if you lost they had no option. they had to say yes the Game was hide and seek. if the ghost finds them they lose. and the ghost does not find them they win. they had to be hidden for 5 min ghost and madi and her friends started playing hide and seek. Madi gos to hide at a different place then her friend Ghost finds the two friends. Now madi was the only one left madi knows she and her friends are going to die. That is what happens ghost find madi and they all die. and Madi wakes up it was all a dream.

The Hospital

By: Kevin Montiel

Military Commander: Chris, I need you and your team to go to an Abandoned

Hospital. Chris: Yes sir. Chris and his team get in a car to go to the hospital

Teammate #1: So this is it. Chris: Yes, now we enter, Bob. They enter the Hospital

Teammate #2: I don't like this. Bob: So, we don't care.

The scariest night of halloween

Once there was a little boy named Naoh going trick or treating with his friends. Their name is jayden jacob ivan nick they went to every single house in the neighborhood and got so much candy they decided to go to one more house which was the last one.

It was the creepy house no one lives in but people say they see an old lady sitting in a rocket chair their friends dared Noah to go knock at the door. Noah was scared he did not want to do it and Nick told him I would give you all my candy.

Do go in side the house noah actually thought he fell for the trap he did not know that nick was not even going to give him all his candy but noah did want to do it know because nick had so much candy so noah goes to the front of the door and knocks then the door open he decides to enter the house.

He enters the house pitch black he gets his phone out and gets the flash light the worst decision he's ever going to make The DOOR SLAMS CLOSED that's when he knew he shouldn't done that it was so loud the friends got so scared they went running and left noah in the house.

Noah was so scared he heard something coming upstairs. It was a creek of a rocket chair he decided to go up stairs and check it he saw the rocket chair but no one was on it the rocket chair moves so slow he got scared he tripped down stairs.

Noah tried to call his mom but there was no service in the house. He did not know what to do. He hears someone coming down the stairs, he goes running to the living room and hides under the couch he sees old legs he knew it was the old lady that there were theories of.

The old lady sits in the couch and turns on the tv she was watching a horror movie of zombies there was a knock at the door the creepy lady went to go get the door no one was their she thought she closed the door but she left in right open noah had a perfect chance to get out of the house he snuck out of the couch and he slowly open the door and he got out he went running to his house he wanted to tell his mom or dad but he knew they won't believe him and think he is crazy.

THE END

Ashley got to her new house “I like the house, it's big and it’s a nice neighborhood but i’m going to miss all of my friends” Ashley said “ yeah i like it, it's better then our old home” Her mom said. “ Ashley, come help put some stuff in the house” her dad said “Coming dad!” Ashley said she went outside and helped her dad with some suitcases, then her dad parked the car in the garage and went inside. “We should take a nap, we had a long day” her dad said “ yeah i’m going to my room to take one” Ashley said. While they were taking a nap they heard a knock on the door her mom open the door and there were two girls named Anne and leslie “ Hi our mom sent us to bring some cookies and welcome you guys may I ask your name” leslie said “ Hi girls my name is stacey but you can call me Mrs. stacey” said ashley’s mom “What is your names” said Mrs. Stacey “I’m Leslie and this is Anne she’s kinda shy” said leslie “ Oh well nice to meet you and thank you for the cookies” said Mrs. stacey she was about to close the door “Wait Mrs. stacey we were going to tell you that if you want to come to our party in the afternoon our mom’s asked to invite you” Said Anne “sure i’ll bring my daughter” said Mrs.stacey. Later on in the afternoon they went to the party and ashley got to meet Anne and leslie “Hi what’s your name?” Anne saidsaid Anne “My name is Ashley, what about you??” siad Ashley “My name is Anne and this is Leslie” said Anne “Nice to meet you” said ashley. After her mom got to meet their mom’s and they all were friends. It was getting dark “Ashley let’s go home it’s getting late” said Mrs.stacey “Okay mom i’m going! Bye guys I hope we can hangout tomorrow plus it halloween tomorrow” said ashley after they got home and they went to bed it was a long day, the next day ashley was so excited it was halloween she took and shower and she heard a knock on the door “Mom can you get that!” said Ashley Mrs Stacey went down stairs and opened the door “Hi girls what do you need?” Mrs.stacey said “ Mrs.Stacey can Ashley go trick or treating with us” said Anne “Sure are your mom’s going” Said Mrs.stacey “No mostly the mom’s stay to give out candy and we go trick or treating if you want you can help our mom’s give the candy out” said leslie “Okay you guys can wait for ashley when she’s done” said Mrs.stacey “okay” said anne and leslie they waited on ashley, Meanwhile ashley got out and put on her costume she went out and saw Anne and leslie “Hi guys you want to go trick or treating” said ashley “wait ashley I don’t think it will be safe if you go by yourself I need to go with you” said Mrs. stacey “No mom please can i just go with Anne and Leslie we’ll be safe” said ashley “fine but you

promise you’ll be safe” said Mrs stacey “ Yes mom i promise” said ashley “ come on guys let’s go” ashley said “we forgot to tell you that were going to bring more friends” said Anne and Leslie they went to get some friends Ashley this is Jake and selena “Hi nice to meet you ashley” said jake and selena “we should go to the haunted house” said selena “You want to go ashley cause you know how your mom wants you safe” said leslie “yeah i’m sure i’ll be fine” said ashley. They got to the haunted house a d they went inside “ oh we forgot to tell you ashley there are ghost that get you in there” they all said “ your joking right ghost aren’t real” said ashley “ believe what you want’” said Jake they went inside and they heard “OoOooO” “guys i’m scared” said ashley “ GUYS FIND THE EXIT GO GO “ ashley tried to get away but it was to dark “HELP HELP” she scream hoping someone will hear her. Jake, Selena, Anne, Leslie made it all out “we all made it out right” selena said “ wait where’s ashley” said Anne “ SHE DIDN’T MAKE IT OUT” said leslie “HER MOM IS GOING TO KILL US” said Anne they went inside to tried to find her lucky they didn’t get caught by a ghost but they never found her…

What's a long time ago there was a kid and his friends they were in a clown

fair then they went inside this haunted room that had spooky stuff in it then they

saw this clown that was inside with them then they ran out the spooky room then

they all agreed to go home then they saw this unbanned house then they were

walking to it.

When they went inside it then when they walked inside their heart dropped when

they saw this person sitting in the corner saying do you want to play then theyran

out through the door but it closed then locked. Then they ran upstairs then tried

calling their mom but there was no signal.

Then they heard footsteps coming upstairs then the guy start bagging in the door

they were in then the guy said come and play then they were all scared and try

breaking the window but there were bear traps next to it so they sleeped there

and the next morning the mom was worried about them so they called the police.

The police started looking for them but they were 5 hours away from there family

then they woke up and opened the door that made this noise that could wake the

guy up then they were so close to being caught but the guy is a heavy sleeper so it

didn't bother him.

The Spirit City By: Alejandro Castillo

Once there was a boy named Boby. He and his family went to California to visit his cousin at a farm. When they get there his cousin and him went to the forest and they fond a abandoned city. His mom and dad call them to come eat so they went back to the farm. The next day they went back to the forest and his cousin told Boby to go to the abandoned city.

Boby didn't believe in ghost or spirits so he went in to the city. His cousin didnt know that he would actually go in the city so he had to go for Boby. His cousin went in the abandoned city and got Boby and told him lets head back to the farm so they went back to the farm. The next day his cousin woke up Boby wasn't in his bed so his cousin looked out the window he saw Boby walking to the forest. His cousin ran out and caught up with Boby. He told him why do you have a back pack Boby said supplies his cousin said ok?. They went to the the forest when he stepped in the abandoned city Boby felt a strong blow of wind. Boby and his cousin were walking in the abandoned city they saw a shadow of a person they ran to the shadow and no one was there. His cousin said lets go back to the farm Boby said no lets explore the city Boby took his flashlight. The flashlight was flickering off and on. His cousin and Boby ran to the farm. When they get to the farm picture frames started to fall. His cousin toys started to walk and move. They through all the toys outside. The next day Bobys mom and dad went to the lake.

Boby was canoing and his cousin was swimming. Bobys canoe tips over and his cousin was trying to save Boby but it was to late Boby drowned to death. His cousin told Bobys mom and dad that Boby died. Bobys mom and dad were crying but Boby saw

it because he is a spirit now. Boby was following his cousin back to the farm. When they got to the farm Boby notice that his cousin was talking to Spirits and his plan was to kill Bobby because his cousin wanted parents.When Bobby heard that Bobby's plan as a spirit wanted to kill his cousin.

By:Alejandro Castillo

Francisco and his friends

By Bryan perez

One day francisco friends were going to the park to play football.and they took a shortcut but it was a creepy shortcut to the park but they still went to the creepy shortcut.after they kept getting scared but they couldn't go back because they were already half way.in the creepy shortcut it looked like the woods. After they got lost and saw a creepy dude in a clown costume so francisco and his friends told the creepy clown if he needs help and the clown kept and laughing and didn't answer so francisco and his friends got scared and got on their bike and biked away but the clown was chasing them and they saw more.

And more so the other clowns kept on chasing them after the clowns were throwing rocks and bottles. But Francisco and his friends kept on going forward they saw a cop or a street but they didn't see anything, they even didn't see light, that's how dark it wasl. So they needed to put on the flashlight that they had on the bike.after they saw the park and francisco said hurry i see the park. So after they hurried up they were going fast because they wanted to find a cop.or someone that could help them. So they kept on getting chased by the clown

They found someone and asked him if they could help but the guy that they asked he thought that they were playing with his mind so after the guy walked away but francisco kept on begging the guy to help them but he kept on saying no so after they were gonna give up but they found a cop and they asked him if he could help and the cop said yes the cop got out but the clown was behind the cop and the clown knocked out the cop so francisco said you know what lts fight. So they got sticks and everything that they could get to defend and they were fighting they were trying so hard that they jumped on the clowns body and after they saw one more and they went hard on him that they broke the clown back after they defeated all the clowns and took them to jail. one day Francisco and his friends were going to the park to play football.and they took a shortcut but it was a creepy shortcut to the park but they still went to the creepy shortcut.after they kept getting scared but they couldn't go back because they were already half way.in the creepy shortcut it looked like the woods. After they got lost and saw a creepy

dude in a clown costume so francisco and his friends told the creepy clown if he needs help and the clown kept and laughing and didn't answer so francisco and his friends got scared and got on their bike and biked away but the clown was chasing them and they saw more.

And more so the other clowns kept on chasing them after the clowns were throwing rocks and bottles. But Francisco and his friends kept on going forward they saw a cop or a street but they didn't see anything, they even didn't see light, that's how dark it wasl. So they needed to put on the flashlight that they had on the bike.after they saw the park and francisco said hurry i see the park. So after they hurried up they were going fast because they wanted to find a cop.or someone that could help them. So they kept on getting chased by the clown

They found someone and asked him if they could help but the guy that they asked he thought that they were playing with his mind so after the guy walked away but francisco kept on begging the guy to help them but he kept on saying no so after they were gonna give up but they found a cop and they asked him if he could help and the cop said yes the cop got out but the clown was behind the cop and the clown knocked out the cop so francisco said you know what lts fight. So they got sticks and everything that they could get to defend and they were fighting they were trying so hard that they jumped on the clowns body and after they saw one more and they went hard on him that they broke the clown back after they defeated all the clowns and took them to jail.

THe story begins by a girl named Riley Mendoza in her room getting her costume on because she was dressing as a witch.

As she was done putting on some shoes she was talking to her two best friends Jacky Wilm and Luna Ride. she was asking them to grab some red paint or chalk and the wrest Riley had already.

She then started running down the stairs after she saw her friends outside her house and her mom kissed her goodbye and she left.

She went trick or treating for a while then they went to a haunted house where a girl named Kathy Petrick was killed and they say she kills people how they killed her.

They then made it and Riley and Luna were painting the red star thing to summon ghosts and jacky lit up the candles around the star Riley pulled out a book with the

speech to summon Kathy and she also pulled out a ghost box a ghost box is a box that you can talk to ghosts with.

As they sat around the summon star and they swear they heard the front door shut hard that gave them the chills Then they said the speech and the somehow created some fog in the middle of the star and it had som e terrible smell and when they looked up the saw kathy petrick she still looked like a corpse but they didn't scream or run they just stared in shock.

Kathy was quite scared but Riley calmed her down by saying we won hurt you like that bad people did and kathy believed her also since the people who killed her were men she only trusted women and she wanted to destroy all men that lived so she told the girls to bring her a frog and a man any man the girl did as she said because kathy trusted them the girls wanted to be friends with her so they went to a place were they know were frogs are and they got a frog and put it in a jar and then they went and got a creepy man by making him run for them and lead them to kathy

They then led him to the haunted house and ran to the room were kathy was and they gave her the frog so fast the jar almost fell and the man was getting tired but he wanted to scare them for making him mad but Kathy would not let that happen.

Kathy then grabbed the frog and put it in a plate and she had the power to slice stuff so she sliced the man in tiny pieces and put it in the plate and she sliced one of her corpse toe and put it in the plate.

Kathy then created a spell and flew out the girls were quite scared for the men that kathy is probably casting the spell on right now.

Kathy then arrived one hour later with a big smile on her face she said “i finally did it i did it” she yelled making a evil laugh,she thanked Riley and her friends and riley decided to ask kathy to be her friend and jacky and luna agreed and kathy was very

emotional because they were the first people who wanted to be friends with her. Riley had made a new friend on a halloween night that changed forever.

Mothbites

“Oh. My. God. You could be a model, girl.” She went from thirteen walking through the fitting rooms at the mall, her girlfriends miming paparazzi; to walking down the runway, flashes from every direction reflecting on her vibrant skin. Blowing kisses, glittery Barbie pink lips puckered. With a single snap and shutter of a lens, she became the cover of yet another magazine.

Angie tucked a single curl of her pink hairpiece (it was rare for her to perform without the presence of some kind of wig) behind her ear. She exited the stage with a wink at the paparazzi, false lashes opening and closing like a butterfly hesitantly fluttering.

As soon as she was back to the safety of the dressing room, Angie retreated routinely to the phone. Every runway concluded with a call to her childhood best friend. Angie dialed the number. Muscle memory, at this point, like skilled fingers dancing on a piano. She popped a piece of bubble gum in her mouth, retrieved from the side (cargo-pant like) pocket of her designer jeans as she waited for Georgia to pick up. She didn’t even fully chew it before an excited (slightly drunk sounding) scream rang in her ear, causing the phone to jolt off of her shoulder. Angie caught it with her left hand and raised it to her lips.

“Jesus, Gaga, my ears are gonna start bleeding.” (Gaga had been Georgia’s nickname since seventh grade) “I don't care. You rocked the hell out of that show, girl.” “Personally, I think the fashion is lame. Not my taste, to be honest. I wish I could rock the hell out of something better.” Angie heard a loud gulp in the receiver, followed by Georgia smacking her lips. “Well, talk to the managers or whatever you have. You should have a choice in what you wear onstage at least once- I think. I don’t really know how the business or whatever it is works.” Angie laughed. She had a pretty laugh that everyone always compared to the voice of a Disney princess or something like that. “Yeahh, Gaga I’ll ask them. I don’t expect much, they’re just paying me to wear stuff because I’m hot.” Gaga burst into obnoxious laughter. She was one of those people that made everyone laugh just by laughing herself. “Well, I’ll let you know how it goes, babe. Talk to you soon.” “Okayy love you Angie!” “Love you too.” She put the phone back and went to her manager, who was already approaching her with positive comments about her performance, practically visible on the tip of his tongue. “You did amazing, Ange. Listen, we have a show planned for Monday night in Manhattan. We don’t have information yet on what you’ll be wearing, but Crystal already has all the looks planned, so go over those with her. Oh, and-” “Hey, Adam, I’ve been thinking I should maybe wear something more- exciting for the next show? The recent looks have been boring. Everyone knows about Gucci and Vuitton and they expect all the rising, expensive designers. It’s the only thing I’ve been wearing. I want to pick out something original. Paparazzi will go ballistic, trust.” Adam put his hands up to her, signaling it was his time to speak. “Angie, I get your point. You can do this, but- I can’t promise everyone’s gonna be completely satisfied. Press doesn’t pay you, I do, so- that’s all I’m saying. Go ahead though, this could amount to something.” Angie threw her dainty hands up and wrapped her manager in a brief hug. “Thank you. Promise, I’m gonna find something I love, and they love me, so they’re one-hundred percent gonna love it.”

She had four days to pick her show-stopping piece. It was going to be one singular outfit, worn once up and down the stage, so she had a lot of weight on her shoulders. Angie had to pick something so unordinary and anomalous to her routine runway shows and photoshoots. Obviously, Gaga knew about this and she drove immediately to meet Angie at the mall. Just like eighth grade.

They blew through thrift stores and every store at the mall, ranging from impossibly expensive to one dollar apiece, but nothing stood out to her.

Angie groaned. Her seatbelt clicked as Gaga climbed in the driver's seat, with her phone in between her ear and her shoulder. Someone was angrily buzzing on the speaker (Angie was unaware of who). Gaga rolled her eyes, still visible under her rhinestone-framed sunglasses. She hung up and sat, thrusting her keys in the ignition as all her keychains clinked. There was a Bratz doll and a picture of her and Angie in matching Juicy Couture tracksuits (taken on a Polaroid when they were in tenth grade), among assorted house keys. She swore under the rumble of the engine starting. “What’s up?” Angie questioned Gaga’s reflection in the rearview mirror, which had a glittery pink dreamcatcher dangling from it. Gaga pushed her sunglasses up, her dark red curls opening like a curtain from her face. She had a frustrated glint in her brown eyes. “I need to go check on my crazy-ass hoarder aunt. I forgot to because she lives in a random area that I like- don’t wanna drive to? Anyways, do you mind coming with me Ange?” She nodded, flat-ironed brown hair waving back and forth. “Course, babe.” Gaga blew her a kiss and cranked the gas pedal.

“You should see this shithole, honestly. There’s like- so much random stuff. Remember I would always have all those magazines? Hers. She had like a hundred magazine subscriptions, girl. She has a bunch of weird old clothes, too.” Angie raised an eyebrow with intrigue, but said nothing.

They pulled into the driveway, with a jolting stop. (Gaga was kind of a choppy driver, but Angie chose not to bring it up. It made her more fun in a bit of a concerning way.) It was a small brown house with a stucco exterior. There was a large beige door that was looming with splinters, loose staples and nails. Gaga raised her fist to knock, but decided to just turn the knob.

The door opened briskly, with hinges squealing. “Reinaaa!” They surveyed the-living room?- it was very hard to determine the purpose of this room other than housing stacks and stacks of various board games, books, newspapers, magazines and framed pictures. Piles of clothes inhabited the carpet floors and twelve-packs of soda and beer reigned over each table-or islet of junk.

“Auntie Reina?” Gaga didn’t sound concerned; her voice always radiated a- when is this going to be over- kind of attitude. “Ugh. She’s probably passed out somewhere. They expect me to check on her and the bitch is nowhere to be checked on.” They stepped in the small patches of floor enclosed by all her accumulated items like the-floor-is-lava. “Let’s split up to look for her,” Angie suggested. Gaga nodded and they parted paths in the sea of junk.

Angie knew that she truthfully didn’t want to find her best friend’s nuthead aunt. She just wanted to look at her clothes.

She shuffled through piles on the floor, but nothing interesting. She needed to find the beating heart of this place: the closet. Angie navigated through the house, looking for a door that at least looked like a bedroom could be behind it. Turning a corner around a towering stack of boxes, she could see a sliver of rusty-gold doorknob in between piles.

After gently pushing over every obstacle, Angie turned the doorknob and opened, cautiously stepping in. No Auntie Reina. The room looked like a guest bedroom, which seemed unusual for this small, dangerously cluttered house. It was about the cleanest room in the house, at least the rooms Angie toured. And there was a closet.

Angie effortlessly traveled across the room to the closet, as if she could only go one direction. She grabbed the vertical handles on each door and pulled. Nothing except for a plastic bag on a single wooden hanger in the right corner. Angie grabbed the hanger and laid the bag out on the fairly neat bed. The plastic crinkled as she pulled the bag off of the hanger to reveal a wedding dress, of some sort. It almost gleamed like a beacon of light in the middle of the dusky room. It was long-sleeved, with puffy, laced shoulders and an open collar. The lace was embedded with rhinestones, and it adorned every seam. Several holes dotted the dress, undoubtedly from moths. Angie thought the mothbites made it more original, and dismissively tried it on.

It was safe to say she wore the hell out of it.

Angie regretfully shoved the dress back in the plastic bag and then put it away in her Vuitton purse, among tubes of pink lipgloss and Juicy perfume.

Gaga stumbled upon a sleeping Auntie Reina, a can of lukewarm ginger ale on her nightstand. “Eh, she looks fine.” She flicked her sunglasses back on the bridge of her nose and walked back to the car, slamming the door behind her.

Angie decided not to tell her about the dress, and leave it as a mysteriously found jewel; she didn’t want anyone knowing that the true origin was a hoarder’s dusty closet (inhabited by a generation of moths). She was going to walk down the runway like never before, wearing a truly unique piece with a backstory the press would have to wildly guess at.

The next day, Angie was in Manhattan, sitting in an uncomfortable, squeaky wooden chair that was certain to leave her thighs infested with splinters. Her reflection in the vanity mirror looked back at her while Crystal gently applied coarse, sandy glitter on Angie’s eyelids. When she finished gluing on loud, extravagant lashes, Angie blinked a few times and rubbed her lips together, spreading the dark, almost black red lipstick to the very edges of her mouth. She was without a wig, finally walking onstage with her natural brown curls flowing to her shoulders.

“Ouch!” Angie slapped her thigh quickly and without repressing her strength. A large bullseye raised up on her leg, a mothwing adhered to it. She tried to pull it off, but it appeared to be coming from the bite. Angie just brushed it off and put on her thin, rectangular pink sunglasses, resting low on the button of her nose.

She could feel her heart beating. She felt itches everywhere, but repressed the urge to scratch them violently. Sharp stings circulated around her skin, and she could feel a buzzing in her ears. Angie just dismissed it as stage fright, which seemed explicable, on the account she was wearing a short wedding dress ridden with moth holes. She was extremely itchy. Deep breaths, in through the nose out through the mouth. You're going to rock this, Angie.

One last deep breath and she appeared from behind the heavy curtains. A sudden storm of clicks, snaps and flashing lights swept through the venue. Itches behind her ears, itches on her eyebrows, itches on her stomach, on her back, on her ankle. The clicks, snaps and lights blended together and she realized she was just standing awkwardly at the mouth of the runway and began to walk. Not as confidently as usual, but she was trying.

Itches behind her ears, itches on…

She felt another stab at her arm. Angie flinched, but didnt slap it. She kept her eyeline focused towards the crowd, but something crossed her vision. A moth, buzzing in slow motion so she could see it was flying with only one wing. She looked at her arm. A bite as large as an anthill, a mothwing erected in the very center. She gave up repressing the itches and scratched it aggressively, stopping dead in the middle of the runway. She scratched and scratched until her whole arm was red and she could feel her veins pulsing. Angie scratched harder and harder, ignoring the audiences’ commotion at this confusing scene.

Shit. Her arm was bleeding, blood trickling out the center of the bite. Angie began to tug at the mothwing, but it wouldn’t move. She pulled harder and harder until it finally moved-but it didn't come out. It ripped a sliver of skin off of her arm. Angie kept peeling it, but it just went farther and farther up her arm so she squeezed it, closed her eyes and pulled.

A long slab of skin with a mothwing in the middle dropped to the floor, and the whole venue gasped. Their concerned comments blended together, and Angie couldn’t hear. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t feel anything except for the itches all over her body. She gave in and scratched.

TV blaring in the center of the room. Reina’s feet rested at the end of the sofa, a ginger ale at her lips.

“....live at the Pavillion in Manhattan, New York: Angie Mason’s runway show turned into a freak show. This live footage shows her scratching rather violently, and even some of her skin is coming off. Moths seem to be circling around her in a swarm. Our camera staff tells us that it appears to be moths biting her all around. We go back to Ivy discussing Mason’s new look.”

“Yeah, Angie tried something a little too different this time. Maybe for the next show, she’ll find something that’s not centuries old and ridden with a swarm of moths.”

The other reporter laughed, a waxy, judgemental laugh. “Agreed, Ivy.”

Reina looked at the TV as she set the can on the table to her left. They switched to the broadcast of Angie’s show, and Reina jolted. Where did she get that dress? The dress her grandmother died in? The dress her grandmother wore as she scratched at multiple large, bulging and bright red moth bites? The dress stained with blood trickling from the places she tore her skin off of? The dress that her flesh-torn body collapsed in? The dress she wore as she croaked her dying words, rambling freakishly about “the moths”? The dress she was buried in? The dress she said the moths would carry back from her grave, and will always return to that closet?

Reina’s closet?