IslandGamesbyMaylena
FridayJune29th2018at6:26pm.”Yougotaletter!''Mybrotheryellsuptomyroom. “What?Letmesee.''Irepliedincuriosity.Ihearthetipandtapofmylittlebrother'sfootsteps comingupthestairs.Mydoorcreaksopenandmybrothershovestheletterinmyface.“Who'sit from?Theo!?''Hesays,makingasmoochieface.“No!Youknowit'snotlikethat,andgetoutof myroomMax.Now!”Idemand.Hedragshisfeetthroughthedoorthenstickshistongueoutat me.Irollmyeyesthenproceedtoexaminetheletter.There'snothingonitbutmynamein squigglyredletters''SageVaughn.''Ireadaloud.Ican'thelpbutfeelarushofhappiness.“Whatif thisreallyisfromTheo!''Iwhispertomyself.Ihaven'tseenTheoinforever.Thiswouldbesuch agoodwaytoreunitewithhim.ImetTheothreeyearsagoatastupid“searchforAtlantis''kind ofsummercamp.Myparentsforcedmetogo.Theysaiditwould“flourishmysociallife.”I knewthatreallymeant“Gogetsomefriendsyouloner.”Iwasn'ttoobotheredbyit.Ialwayswas anerdforthingslikeAtlantis.
ImetTheoonthebusthere.WewerebothfromupstateNewYork.Wehadthesameviewpoint ofthecamp.Wekindahatetheideaofgoing,butitwasn'tcompletelyterrible.Thekindaonand off,hotandcoldperspective.Whenitwasthemorningofthetrip,Iwalkedhesitantlytowards thebus.Thecoolsentmearushofemotion.TothisdayIcan'trememberwhatthatdistinct feelingwas.Ijustknowitfeltrevitalizing.Ismoothedmymessyshoulderlengthhairoutofmy faceandslowlysteppedtothebus.IknewwhenIsteppedonthebus,therewasnogoingback. “Nobacksies.”Isayaloud,maybealittletooloud,becausethegroupofgirlsbehindmegave mesideeye.Theyallseemtoknoweachothersowell.Itriedtoblockouttheirgiggles.Iwasat thedoorofthebusnow.Icouldn'tgo.Ijustcouldn't.Icouldn'tquiteputapinonthecausefor myspikingnervesbutsomethingspontaneousjusthappened.Istartedrunningtheother direction.Notrunning,practicallysprinting.Until.CLASH!Iwokeupstaringatthesky.I rememberitwasburntsiena.Thecolorofthesunrising,butnotquiterisen.Icouldn'tshakethe feelingofdrowsiness.“Heyareyouok?”Theosaidwithahintofworry.Hisvoiceatthetime wasmuchhigher.Sincethenhehasdefinitelymatured.Istaredathisnerdyface.”I'mgood,I think.”Ireplied.Idon'tremembermuchafterthat,allIknowisthatwehavebeenbestfriends since.Hehasalwaysbeenkindofquirky,inagoodwaythough.Well,kinda.Ihaven'ttalkedto himmuchsincehismomdiedafewmonthsago.Healmostseemedtocutmeoff.ImeanI understand,butitdoeskindofhurt.Hismomdiedfromanoverdoseondepressionmedication. Ithurtsmetoseehimblamehimselffortheincident.Theowouldneverhurtanyonethough. He'slikeahelplessbabydeer,withachiseledjawline.“Offtopic!”Isayaloud.
Iregainmythoughtsandstareblanklyattheletterthatisslightlycrinkledinfrontofme.Iamso temptedtoopenit…Ibrushmyfingeragainsttheseal.Then..*BUZZ*Myphonerings.“Who couldthatbe?”Ithinktomyself.Iquicklysearchedformyphone.Franticallyrippingthesheets offmybedtofindit.Asthesheetsruffledmyphoneplummetedtothefloor Mybrightneon greenphonereallyshouldn'tbethiseasytoloseallthetime.Iclickmyphone.Thescreen
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displaysatestmessagefrom…Theo!?Iquicklyopenitanditonlysaysoneword,“Go.”Go?
Whatisthatsupposedtomean?Hehasn'ttalkedtomeinovertwomonths,andwhenhefinally doesit'snotevenacompletesentence!Ifeelhotnow.Myadrenalineisspiked.Idon'tknowif it'sfromangerorsuspense.WhateverthismeansIhavetoknownow.Iquicklydialhisnumber intomyphone.IknowIcouldjustpressthecallbutton,butTheoandIhavethisthingwherewe liketocalleachotherasifwehadtodialineachother'snumber.Iguessit'sstrangebutthat's howwedialednumbersatcamp.PlusI'llneverforgethisnumber315-556-266.Itwaskindof easytorememberbecauseitwassorepetitive.Iheartheringseveraltimes.“C’monTheo answerplease…please.”Iwhisperaloud.Hehasn'tcalledmebacksincehismom.Whywould heanswernow?JustasIhadgivenup,Iheardaraspy“Hello?Sage?”Theosoundsmucholder. It'sonlybeentwomonths.Iwonderhowhehaschanged.“Theo!Whatdoyoumean“go”?What the…I..meanuhmhowareyou?”ThewordscomeoutmoreharshthenIintendeditto sound.``Sage!Icannotbelieveoutofallthepeopleintheworld,youandIwerepicked!Isn'tthat justinsane.It'slikefateorsomething.”Theosoundedexasperatedbutstillneverthelessraspy andtired,likeIhadwokenhimupoutofsomesortofhibernation.“WhatisitTheo…clearlyi'm lost”Isaidwithaslightattitude.”Haveyounotgot The letter.”Theosaidoverthephonealittle moreawake.“Whatletter?”Ilied.“Theletterabout The Island.”Theosoundedurgent. “Huh…” IbegantosaybutTheocutmeoffandsaid“The Island!Tellmerightnowyoudon'tknowwhat I'mtalkingabout.C…mon.Sageareyoujoking?”Theosoundedsogenuine.Ifeltapangof butterflieswhenhesaidmynamesometimes,butanywaysIwasn'tjokingthough,Ihadnota singleclueastowhathewasreferringto.“Theoyou'regonnahavetoexpand.”Isaidslightly soundinglikeadebatenerd.“Searchitupthencallmeback.”Theohungup.“Wellthatwasso stupid”Isaidalittletooloud.Whattheheckwasthat?Hecallsmefinally,andthat'swhathehas tosay?AGH…Iopenmyschoollaptopandsearchup‘TheIsland’asdirected.Thefirstthing thatcomesupisapictureofWaikikibeach,whichI'msureisn'twhathewastalkingabout.I keepscrolling.ThenIfoundapictureofashiningisland.“Woahhh…”Mylittlebrother interjectsfrombehindme.“Ahh!Max,whattheheck?Youscaredme!”Iscreeched.“Ohsorry, it'sjustIlovethatisland.I'vereadaboutitandheardaboutitatschool.”Hesaysmorequietly now.“What?Doyouknowaboutit?What'ssospecial,Imeanit'sprettyandallbutwhatmakes itdifferentfromanotherisland?”Iquestioned.Maxproceeds“It'stheislandofallfunthings.At schoolwecallitthefunisland.Ithasn'tbeenopenedyetbutit'sgonnabethebestthingever!” Hecontinues.“Howso?”Isoundedskeptical.“Wellit'slikeathemepark,except,awholeisland offun.Noonehaseverbeenthereuntil now. Theleaderoftheislandwillbepicking five people togototheislandfirst!Iwannagooooo….”Max’swordsdragon.Thewordssinkinmyears.I feelajoltofexcitement.“IsthatwhatTheowastalkingabout?Werewe both reallychosento go?”Ithoughttomyself.Buthowcouldbothofusoutofthe8billionpeopleintheworld both bechosen?“Max?What'sthepossibilitythatIgetchosen?Yaknow…togetchosentogotothis island?”Iask.”Hmmyoumean626?Likeoneineightbillion!Pfft,ifanything,Iwouldget chosen,becauseIamsocool!Right?”Heasks,soundingaslightbitinsecure.“Yeah!”Itriedto reassurehim.IshovedMaxoutofmyroomandthenIsloucheddownintomyyellowfuzzy
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beanbag.Whonamesanislandanumber?Whatwas625?Idon'tevenremember…Ican'tgoto thisplaceanyways.Ihavealife,andhowlongisitanyways.Therealizationwashesoverme. “Theletter!”Myphonebuzzes,it'sTheo.Shoot,Ididn'tcallhimback. I need to open that letter first. IdeclineTheosincomingcallandpulltheletteroutofmydenimjacketpocket.‘Sage Vaughn’IalwayshavelikedmynameitsoundsIdon'tknow…fancy?Iflipthelettertotheside withtheseal.Itrytopeeltheflowerembeddedsealwithmyovergrownnail.Mynailbreaksand ajoltofpainissentdownmyindexfinger.“Ouch!”IsayinaquiettonesothatMaxdoesn't comesnoopingbackin.WhenIfinallygetitopenedwithanoldbobbypinthepaperissowhite andcrispmyeyeshurtfromthebrightnessandcontrastbetweenthewhitepaperandblackink. WhenIlookatthewritingitalmostlooksfamiliar,butIcan'tquiteputapinonwhyexactly.
Dear Sage Terces Vaughn,
You have been thoughtfully selected to attend Island 626. If you consider coming please contact us at 208-515-626 for more information on the trip.
Yours sincerely,
Erodoeht.
Icalledthenumber…
WhenTheoandIboardedtheprivatejetIdon'tremembermuch.Iwassotired.TheoandIsat downinseatsnexttoeachother.Thejetwassocool.Theseatsweretwobytwo.Therewere individualpodswithtwoseats.Itwassoprivate.Ilovedit.Itwassosurreal.Icouldn'thelpbut stareatTheo.Wehaven'tbeenineachother'spresenceinsolong.Ilookedathimnow.Hishair waslongandmessy.Inevernoticedhishairwascurly.Maybeit'sbecauseforaslongasI rememberhehasalwayskeptitshort.HiseyeswerestillthedeepgreenIrememberbut somethingwasdifferentaboutthem.Hisfaceisthesamebutismoremature.Hewasstillthe 5’10guywhotoldpeoplehewassixfeet,withagoofysenseofhumor.Ilovedhimjusttheway hewas.Ourplanetookoff.Iclosedmyeyesandeverythingseemedtofade.
WhenIopenedmyeyesslightlyIsawTheoscribblingonhishandwithmysanriogelpen.Istill rememberwhathewrote6597.Whatastrangescribbleitwas.Maybeitwasaphonenumberor amathproblem…I'mnotquitesure.Thejetlandedshortlyafterthat.Theohadaglowinhis eyes.Itwaslikeoldtimes.Wecaughtupabitduringthetimebeforeexitingtheplane.Ididn't knowhowmuchIhadmissedhimandhiscrookedsmile.Ifeltathome.Everythingintheworld wasright.
AfterwegotoutofthejetIrealizedInevergreetedtheotherpassengerswhowerealso handpickedtocomeonthisonceinalifetimeopportunity.IrusheduptograbTheosarmasthe otherpassengerscameout.Louis,Monica,andJess.Theyalllookedliketheycouldbeonthe coverofvogueorsomethingbecausetheyhadperfect…everything.IfeltasthoughIshouldtake outmyphoneandtakeapicturebecausetheywerefamousorsomething,butIresistedthaturge
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andintroducedmyself.“Hello,I'mSageVau..”Istarted.“OhIknow.Everyoneknowsyour name.AsWellasyouTheodoreEcnatirehni.”Monicasaidwithanoverlypassionatesmile.Her voicewassohighpitched.Shehadshortcurlyblondhair,brightblueeyes,cherryredlipstick andasmilesowhiteitburned.AsforJess,helookedlikeacountryguy.Wellamodelcountry guy.Heworetatteredjeans.Notthekindthatisthroughhardwork.Thekindofpre-distressed tatteredjeans.Healsohadaperfectsmileandimpeccablecheekbones.Hiseyesweredeep brown.Theystartedtomesmerizeme.Wowhewasperfect.LouiswasfromEnglandandhada deepervoicewithastrongbritishaccent.Itriedtoignoreit,becauseitwasaddicting.Wegreeted eachother.Itwaskindofawkwardatfirst,butoverallwebondedoverafewsimilarities.Who knewwealllikeK-dramas,cheeseandsoccer.
Firstglanceattheisland626,itwasquitelargeanditwasoverstimulating.Therewerecolored lights,music,rollercoasters,funhouses.Literallyanychild'sdreamcompactedintoanisland.I was17nowsothisshouldbefun…likecottoncandyandall.Huesofcolorsplashintomyeyes andTheonoticesmythoughtprocessandsays“Italot.”“Yeahforsure.”
WegetescortedtoourhotelbyJeffy,ouroneandonlyassistantonourtriptothismassive island.Justthink,hugeislandandonlysixpeopletotalontheentirething.Thethoughtmakes mystomachturnslightly.IglanceatTheo.Helookstiredaswell.Theothersalsodoaccept Monica,shehasthisstrangegrinonherface.Notthekindofhappygrin.It'sadifferentfeeling. IsharemyroomwithTheo.It'shuge.It'sgivingtheprincesslockedinatowervibe.There'ssilk curtainssurroundedbymarblepillars.It'ssoextravagant.Theoisontheothersideoftheroomin hisbed.IsnuggleupwithmypillowsandwhispertoTheo.“Hey…howhaveyoubeen,we reallyhaven'ttalkedmuchthroughoutthistrip.”“Well,it'sbeenhard.Itrynottothinkabout everything.IreallyneededthistripIguess…”Hewhisperedback.“I'msosorry,didsheleave anythingbehindforyou?”Iwonderedifthatwastoopersonal.“No,wellshedidn'treallyplan onherdeath,butIwasinthewill.”Hesays.“Ohthat'sgood.”Isay,notknowingwhatelseto say.“Itwaslifealtering.Ididsomethinginsanewiththemoney.”Hesaidexcitedly.“Oh. Already.”Iquestioned.“Yep,it'smygreatestinvestment.”
ThenextmorningIawokeandTheowasnotinhisbed.Hissheetswereallmessedupand smelledlikehissignaturecologne.Iopenedthedooroutofoursuiteandlookedaroundthe grandhall.IwasstartledtoseeJessacrossthehallstaringatmefromtheshadowofastatue. “Jess?”Isaid,squintingmyeyestomakesureitwashim.Itwasdefinitelyhim.Iwaved.Heran theotherway
IheardMonicadownthehallyelling“Hey,Sage,right?Wannagogetbreakfast?”Ilookat Monica'sglassyeyes.”Ohuhm…sure.HaveyouseenTheo?”“Yeah,hewasjustwithLouis. Theywereinthegarden.”shereplied.“Ohok!Let'sgogetthem.”Isaidurgently.
WefoundLoiusandTheoplantingstrawberryseedsinthegarden.ThatwassoTheoofthem.I lovedthatsideofTheo.Healwayslovednature.Theosvoicepiercedtheair“Heyguys!Wanna
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helpus.TurnsoutLouisandIbothlovegardening.”Loischuckled.“Notimeforthat!Ourjet comesbacktodayat6:26pmforourdepartureback.”Monicasaidwithafrown.“What!Ididn't knowourtimewassoshortonthisisland!Wehavesomuchtodoandexplore!Notimeto waste!”Idemanded.“OkI'llcallJessandtellhimaboutourbreakfastplans,”saidLouis.“Isaw himthismorning.Somethingseemed…off.”Isaiduneasily.“Huh,voicemail.”Louissaid.“Oh whocares,let'sgo.”Monicasayswithwideeyes.
WeorderedsmoothiesandcrepesforbreakfastfromJeffy Itwassogood.Ithinkweallhadto takeapowernapafterthatfoodcomainducingmeal.Afterthatwealldecideditwastimeto reallygetstartedwithoutadventureonthisislandbeforeourtimewasup.Tik,tik,tik.Thesound echoedinmyhead.Wehadaround4hoursleftonthisisland.Igrabbedmybackpackandwe wereoff.
Wehadn'tseenJessallmorning.“Heyuhm…guyshaveyouseenJessatalltoday?”Iwondered. “What,who?Jess…no,no.”Monicasaid,lookingdown.Wealllookedateachotherwitha strangelook.
Wegottoourfirststop.‘Theinfinitycoaster’Wewatchedasitloopedoverandoverintothis giganticinfinitysign.Ifeltastrongsenseoffearwashoverme.Thiswasonebigrollercoaster WewalkeduptotheentranceandJeffy,ourassistant,walkedustotherollercoastercarts.Me andTheolinkedarmsimplyingwewantedtoridetogether JustthenMonicascreamed.She screamedsolouditfeltasifmyeardrumsplit."Whathappened!!"Louisgrabbedhershoulder ShestartedcryingsohardIstartedcryingtoo. Icameovertoherand...thereJesswasinthe rollercoastercart,lifelessly.Hispaleskin,hisglasseyeswideopen.Bloodwaseverywhere. Therewasasharpknifecenteredrightinhim.AllIrememberwasstandingtherewatchingthe worldfade.
2hoursleft.Ihadtogetoffthatisland.tick,tick,tick.Timewaslikewewereinadifferentworld. Itwasalmostinslowmotion.Ihadtoleavenow!Beforeweallgetkilled.Itdawnedonmeout ofnowherethattherewereonlysixofusonthisislandintotal.Wellnowfive.Sooneofusfive havetobethemurderer.Wellitwasn'tmeIknowforsure.Maybeitwasjeff!Yes,ofcourse.It hadtobe.Hehadn'tbeenwithusthismorning.Whoelsecouldithavebeen.
Backatthehotelthefourofusnowdecidedtosticktogethersothatnothingwouldhappen.We wereallstillhorrified,butwehadtogetourmindsoffitsomehow.Just1andahalfhoursleftI toldmyselfoverandover.Igotoutacardgamefrommybackpack.ThecardgameIhadhand painted,becauseIwasjustkindanerdylikethat.Istartedshuffling.Monicawasbundledintoa ballwithLouis'armswrappedtightaroundher.Theyhavedefinitelygottoknoweachother now.Ihandedeveryonetheirdeckofcards.ItoldthemallaboutmyassumptionofJeffy."You're ontosomething.Ithinkweneedtoallstayawayfromhim."saidLouis.Theogavemeafearful look.IknewthiswasalltoomuchforTheo.Thiswasthetriphethoughtheneeded.Somuchfor arelaxingtrip.Ilookedthroughmycards.ThenIsawashadowinthecornerofmyeye.
"Guys..."Isaidhesitantly."IthinkIsawsomething."Iwhispered.Monicalookedup.``You
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what...thedoorsarelooking.Whatcouldithavebeen?"Mynervescalmedasshewasright.Jeffy wasinspectingJessandhewasn'tnearus.Istartedtorelax.Justalittlelonger.Thejetshouldbe heresoon.Tick,tick,tick.InthecornerIheardasmallrufflingaround.Itriedtoignoreit,it caughtallofourattention.Weallslowlylookedateachotherandapproachedthecornerwhere thelongsilkcurtaindrapedtothefloor.Thecurtainmoved.Wealljumpedback.Itjustcameto myattentionthatMonicawasgone.Sometimebetweencardsandnow,Ididn'tevennoticeshe left.Iwasneververyobservantanyways.ThethreeofusacceptedthefactthatMonicamightbe gone.Weliftedthecurtain.ItwasJeffy.Hewastiedupandcuteverywhere.Iscreamed.Theo shieldedmyeyes.“WhowasitJeffy?”Louissaidhorrified.BeforeJeffycouldanswer.The powerwentoutand IheardMonica'sterriblescreams.
Thelightswereoutforonlyafewminutes,butwhenIrantograbTheosarm,hedidn'tseemto bethere.WhenthelightscamebackonJeffywasalsogone. Ifranticallylookedaround.Ishared alonglookwithLouiswhowasintears.“WheredidTheodorego!?”Iscreamedatthetopofmy lungstoLouis.Icouldn'tbreathe.IfeltlikemylungswerecollapsingonmeasItriedtospeak. Everythinghurtsomuch.Icouldn'tevenprocesswhathadjusthappened.IstaredatLouis.He couldn'tseemtogetawordout.“Theoisgone.”Iwhisper.Thewordsfeellikeaknifeslicing throughme. Theo is gone. Gone. Gone. Thethoughtplaysoverandoverinmymind.Thekiller tookhim.Mymindraced.Ididn'tknowwhattodo.Everythinginmewasgoingtoexplode. Whocouldthekillerbe?IfeveryonehadbeenhurtorkilledortakenexceptforLouisand I…Whocoulditbe. It has to be Louis. Whoelsecoulditbe?Hewasstandingrightinfrontof meputtingonasacredact.“Wehavetogonow.Weneedtofindasafeplacetohide.”Louissaid withanintensetone. I couldn't go with him. Hewasapsychokiller.Ifitwasn'thimthenwho?I slowlysteppedawayfrom him.Ihadtoescapehimsomehowwithoutlettinghimknowthat I knew.
Onehourleft.Tick,tick,tick.Thiswastheworld'slongestdayinhistory Iglaredathimwith myfearfuleyes.Hemusthavecaughtonbecauseheimmediatelysteppedbackandsaid“Sage, doyounottrustme…areyouthinkingIamthekiller?”Itriedtohidemyfearwithasmile,butI couldn'tasIstartedsweating.“It'sok,Sage.Igetit,butIreallyneedtogetoutofhere.Good luck…”Louisranintheotherdirectiontowardsthedoor Heslamsit.ThelastIhearofhimis hissmallfootstepsdownthehall.Idon'tknowwhattodo.Theworldspinsaroundme.Iam completely alone. Alone. Alone. Alone. Iamonakillerislandallalone.Ifeelsonauseous. Surelythejetwouldbeheresoon.Ilookatmywatch.45minutesleft.Ihavetomove.
Islowlymakemywaytothehall.Thisisakillergame.Eachopponentisallontheirown.CanI survivejustalittleLonger?YesterdayIwasinmyroom.Myonlyconcernwasmymismatched sock.Todayit'sagametothedeath.IopenedthedoorthatLouishadjustleftacoupleminutes ago.Regretwashesoverme.Louiswasnotlying.ShouldIhavestayedwithhim? Is he dead? Is Theo dead? Do I want to die? Aswirlofquestionsblurmyvision,untilIhearaloudear shatteringnoise.Iglaredownthehall.Thereisatallshadowyfigureandsomeoneonthe ground.ThefigureturnsmywayandIfreeze.Everynerveinmybodyisactivated.Ifeelso
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cold. Can I just sink into the ground now? Thefiguresprintsaway.“Ijustsawthekiller.”I whisperaloud.Thewordssoundsharp.Iamfrozen.Ican'tmove.Untilahandgrabsmy shoulder.Iscreamsoloud.Iturnedaroundgraspingthehand…itwasjustTheo.“It'sjustme.” Theosayswithsympatheticeyes.“Wherehaveyoubeen,youbigjerk!Ithoughtyouwere dead!”Iscreamatthetopofmylungs.“No.IjustwenttocheckonMonica.Iheardher screamingwhenthelightswentout.”Hereplieslookingexhausted. “Unfortunately,Ifoundher dead.Knifeonher.”“I…justsawafigurestandingabovethatbodyoverthere.”Isaywithworry. “Ohno.Don'tlook,I'llgocheckitout.”Hesaysfeelingalittlemoreconfident.Hewalksover justafewfeetcloser.“It'sJeffy.”Hewhispers.Ishieldmyeyesandbegantocry.“TheoIamso scared.”Iwhimper.“ThiswholetriphasbeentheworsthorrormovieIhaveeverseen!”Isaya littlelouder.“It'sok.I'mherenow.Iwillmakesurenooneelsehurtsyou.”Hesaysashewraps hismusclyarmsaroundme.Ibegintorelax.
TheoandIranintotheforest.“Weneedtofindsomewheretohidethatisstillnearwherethejet willdepartin30minutes.”Hedemands. 30 minutes. Tick, tick, tick. Thesoundof30minutes hauntsme.Theostaresatme.“Hey…didyouhearthat.”IsayasIhearlittleruffles“Sage…”A randomvoicefromafarsays.Thevoicesoundsweakandhelpless.“No,gocheckitout.I'llcatch upinasecond''Theosays.Ihesitantlywalkaway.Myfootstepssoundlikebouldersasthey brushthetwigsontheground.Therelayagirlnexttoatree.It's Monica. “Monica!What happened?Whodidthistoyou?”Iquestionasamillionthoughtsrollthroughmymind.Thereis aknifeinhershoulder.Shewasbleedingslightly.Theknifeisintertwinedwithabranch.We can't takeitout.“I…Idon'trememberwhathappened.Hewasmasked.AllI rememberwashim chantingsomething.‘Foreverbefeig.”Shesaysstrugglingtobreathe.Herlimbsbegintostiffen. She's dead.
Tick, tick, tick. Iheardaloudenginefromafar Ididn'tevenrealizethetime.Thejetwas here. Where was Theo? Theo? IraninthedirectionofwhereTheowasjustat.Hewasstillthere.Now hewaslyingontheground.Hewascurledinaballandshaking.“Theo!Thejetshere.Let'sgo now ”Iurgedhim.Hestandsupandslowlywalkstowardthejetbehindme.Wewalkthrough theremainingforestavoidinglookingatMonica.Wemakeituptothejet.Onthejetthereare threepeople.Twopilotsandonepersonhelpthe two ofusremainonthejet.Wefindourseats andgiveeachotheralongunderstandingstare.Mynervesbegintorelax.Iclosemyeyes.Then astringgripjoltsmebackwards.Athousanddifferentimagescrossmymindatonceasthesky isrevealedaboveme.Iamfalling. Theos face appears above me. Of course it was him. It was him all along. Ithinkbacktotheinvitationtocometotheisland.Itwasfrom erodeoht. Of course.Iamsostupid.That Theodore speltbackwards.Ontheplanehere.Hewaswritingthat onenumberonhishand.Ofcourse.Itwas 6597. Thatconvertedtoalphabeticallettersis Feig. Feig: death ingerman.Ofcourse.Hisphonenumberis626.The island is 626.626isfbf.
“Foreverbefeig.” eternal death. ItwasTheo…Mybodyclashesagainsttheconcretehardocean. ThecoldripsthroughmeandthelastthingIsawwasTheodrowningwithme.
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Artwork by Chloe Tonda
Author’sStatement
InbothofmyvignettesIusedinterjectionandpersonificationtomakethestorymoreinteresting Ithinkbyusinginterjectionsitaddsalittlebitoffuntothestoryaswellasexcitement Ialsothinkthat addingpersonificationmakesthestorymorelifetothestory.IthinkImadethestoriesmoreupbeatwhen Iaddedinterjections WhenIseeinterjectionsinotherstoriesinastoryitmakesmeveryinterested Interjectionreallyaddstoatickingtimebombstoryandalmostpopsoutofthetext.Relatingto“The AstonishingColorofAfter”Itriedtousethesameideaofthetickingtimebomb.TodothisIusedalot ofinterjections Byusingonomatopoeiaeveryonceinawhile Forexample“Tik,tok,tik,tok”Ihopedto spikethereadersadrenalineandhavethemkeepreading.Inthestory“TheAstonishingColorofAfter”I thinkXR Panusesthisstrategyalotwithinthe49days Everyfewpagesshewouldmentionsomething aboutthedaysrunningout ThishadmehookedbecauseIneededtoseeifthegoalwasachievedintime UsingwhatIlearnedfrom“TheAstonishingColorofAfter”Itriedtoalsoincorporate personificationtomakeobjectscomealiveinthestoryandaddevenmorepressuretothetickingtime bomb XR,Panalsodidthisattimes ForexamplewhenLeighsawthingsinherlivingroomatnightas figures.Ithinkthataddstothenervesofthestory.MystorywasheavilybasedonLeighandAxel’s relationship IwasinspiredtowritethisstorybecauseIwantedtocounteractthetickingtimebombso thatthecharacters,insteadofnotwantingthetimetopass,couldn'twaituntilthetimewasup.Ithought thiswouldbeinteresting.Iwasalsoinspiredbyabookseries toaddthemysteryandthenumberclues. Overallwritingthispiecewasfunandagoodlearningexperience IthinkbywritingthispieceIwillbe abletofurtherdevelopmywritinginthefuture.
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TheHiddenTwinbyRuyiLin
Iheardthere’sthisrumoraboutourschoolthatattheendofeachdayoftheendofthe monththebellwillringexactlyat12:01amfornocertainreason.
IrememberjustyesterdayIfoundoutthroughaboxinmybiologicalfathers'atticthatI actuallyhaveabiologicalsister,oratleastitseemslikethat;Ifoundapictureofanothergirlthat looksexactlylikemebutjustafewyearsyounger,withpaleskin,curlyhairandbetterfashion sense.Atthebackofthepictureithadthewords“[Error Street 83]”vaguelywrittenonit,and that'swhereI’mheadingofftotoday
Number6thruleinourschool,ifyouscoretheworstinthewholeschoolforamonthly exam,tostaysafeyoumustimmediatelyruntothefountainnexttothegraveyardataround 11:30pm,pleasedonotarrivelaterthan12:00am,akindwomanwillthenwalkuptoyouand guideyoufromthere,pleasefollowwhatevershesays,ifyoufailtodoso,goodluck.
WhenIgottoErrorStreet83Iwentuptothegateandopenedit,itwasunlocked,I knockedonthedoor.Nooneanswered,Ipeekedthroughthewindowonthesidetotryandseeif anyonewasinthere,Icouldn’tseeanythingbecausetherewerecurtainsblockingtheview,soI knockedthewindow,Iheardsomeonegettingupandwalkingtowardsthewindowslowly,they openedthecurtainsandsawme,itwasagirl,shehaddarkcurlyhair,andpaleskin,justlikeme. Shelookedfrightenedafterseeingme,althoughIhavepaleskin.Herskinwasalotwhiter,there wasprettymuchnocoloronherface,IwouldlooklikeherifIdiedforthreedaysandwokeup again.Itriedtoopenthewindowbutitwaslocked.Shesawmestrugglingsosheunlockedthe windowandopeneditforme.Istaredather,shesaid,inasharpangelicvoice:“whoareyou.”, “Ithink,I’m,yourtwinsister.”Isaid,Iwasn’tscaredofherbutaftersheopenedthewindowand talkedtome,Isuddenlygotsomuchmorenervous.Sherolledhereyes,asifshedidn’tbelieve meeventhoughIlookexactlylikeher,
“Myname’sEli.”
“HiEli,I’myourtwinsister,Bella.”
Shestaredatmeforafewseconds,shepoppedherheadoutofthewindowandhada goodlookatmefromtoptobottom.That’swhenIalsohadagoodlookather,althoughshehas thesamefaceasme,shedoesn’tquitehavethesameclothesasme,shehadalotofaccessories, silverbracelets,goldenearrings,andevenadiamondringonherleftindexfinger,shewasalso wearingblackandwhiteclothes.Sheshovedherheadbackinthewindow
“Yourschoolhasatesteverymonth,right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’llhelpyoucheatonit.”
Shetoldmetostandthereandwaitforafewminutes.Afterhalfanhour,shecameback andgavemeasmallpieceofwrinkledpaper,ithadletterswrittenonit.
“What’sthisfor?”
“Thosearealltheanswerstothemultiple-choicequestions,I’mayearolderthanyousoI tookthetestearlierandIwrotedownalltheanswers.”
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Thenextdaywasthefinalmonthlyexam,Ihadmycheatsheetwithmetoseeifithad theanswerstothequestionsonthetest,ithadthesameamountofanswersastheamountof questions,soIquicklycopieddownthemultiplechoicequestionsandtuckedthesheetintomy pocket,I'mnotakidwhousuallycheatsbutIwantedtogetitoverwith.
Thenextdaywasahalfdayatschool,wedidn'treallyhaveanyclasses,itwasjustto checkinwithourteachersandhaveconferencesandmeetingswiththemifneeded.
WhenIcheckedmygradesonmylaptopforthefinalmonthlyexamIscoreda0/49.
IthinkIknowwhatIhavetodo.Accordingtotherulesitsaysto“staysafe”Ishouldrun tothefountainnexttothegraveyardataround11:30pm,thenIhavetowaitforawomanto appear?Noquestions,I’dratherbesafethansorry,soIgrabbedmylaptopandrantothe fountain.
It'sbeenyearssinceIcamehere.Timewaspassingbyslowly,tick,tock,tick,tock.Itwas soquietIcouldhearmyheartbeatingatthesamebeatoftheclockabovethefountain,tick,tock, tick,tock…
11:56pm,noonehasappeared,Imightaswellgohome.AsIwasgettingup,Ihearda sharpangelicvoice:“Youmightnotunderstandthis,butI’mdoingthisforourschool’ssafety.” shesaidasshetookoutapairofhandcuffs.What!Isshetryingtotrapme?Ilookedup,itwas her,itwasEli,IranasfastasIcould,goingthroughthegraveyardandknockingthegravestones down.ThosegravestoneswerethetrophyoftheschoolbutIhadtomakeitharderforElito catchme,shescreamed:“Stop!Calmdown,I’mtryingtohelpyou!”Suddenlyasharpandear splittingnoiserang,myearshurtsobadly,couldthatbetherumoraboutthebellringingat 12:01am?Everythingwasinstantlyquiet,thefeelingofElichasingmeandthevoicesinmy headsaying“run”alldisappeared,includingthebell.Everythingaroundmewasstartingtofeel moreandmoreunfamiliar.
Whattimeisit?
MynameisBella.
Iheardsomeoneknockingonthewindow,Igotupfromthecouchandwalkedtowardsit, openingthecurtainsIsawagirlwithdarkcurlyhairandpaleskin,shewastryingtoopenthe windowsoIhelpedherandunlockeditforher,thatwasthegirlIhavebeenwaitingforavery longtime.
“Myname'sBella.”
“HiBella,I’myourtwinsister,Annie.”
“Oh,okay,thanks!”
“Nowgetlost.”
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Artwork by Chloe Tonda
13
Artwork by Maylena Gaughan
Englishismyfirstlanguage,it'sthelanguageIwasbornandraisedin,whenmeandmy familylivedinNebraska,peoplewerealwayssosurprisedtofindoutthatIspokeEnglishinan Americanaccent,theywouldalwaysassumethatIwasaforeignerandcouldn'tspeakEnglish fluentlybecauseofmyrace.BothofmyparentsspokeMandarinfluently,andwhilethey communicatedwithmeandmysisterinEnglish,theirnativelanguagewasalwayspresentinour home.
IntheUSIwasknownasthe"Asiankid"andwhenwemovedtoChinaIwasknownas "thekidwhospeaksEnglish"orthe"wannabeAmerican",Ididn'tfeelwelcomedanywhereI movedto,Iwasalwaystheoddoneout.
MyparentsgavemeaprettystraightforwardpathintolearningMandarinbyputtingme inapublicChineseschool.Sometimesmyclassmateswouldmakefunofmefornotgettinga 100%ontheEnglishtestbecauseI'm"basicallycheatingbecauseI'mAmerican."Becauseof this,I'vealwaysforcedmyselftohatethelanguage,becauseithasputmeinsomanybad situations.I'vebeenintroublesomanytimesatschoolbecauseofsomethingasdumbasme mispronouncingsomethinginmandarinanditturningouttobeacurseword.
Butevenafterallthoseyearsofhatredtowardsmandarin,Istilllovethelanguageso much,Ifoundbeautyandmeaninginthewaythateachcharacterseemedtotellastory,andthe waythelanguageflowedsonaturallylikeariver,nottomentionhowbeautifulitsounds,itsasif mandarinhasbecomeapartofmeevenbackwhenIdidn'tfullyunderstandit.
Overtime,IbegantoexpandmyknowledgeofMandarin,fromknowingthebasicsto divingindeeperintopoems,chinesepoemswereahugedealinelementaryschool,everyonecan memorizethematthetopoftheirhead,there'sthisoneverypopularpoemthatalmostevery chinesekidhasengravedintotheirheads.Inenglishthetitleliterallytranslatesto“twosongsof thefarmer”.InChina,kidsfromtheagesaslittleas4-5yearsoldaretaughttheimportanceof finishingallthefoodonyourplateorelseyouwillbeseenasungrateful,whichisalsoareason onwhythispoemissopopular,ittalksaboutwhyyoushouldfinisheverysinglepieceofricein yourbowlbecauseoftheamountofhardworkthefarmershaveputintomakingeachpieceof rice.Thelasttwosentencestranslateto:littledotheyknowthateverysinglepieceoffoodis hoursofhardwork.ThisisahugereasonwhyIlovethelanguage,thepoemjustflowsso naturallyonthetongueandsoundsalmostlikeanurseryrhyme,everysinglecharacterwas thoughtout,andallthecharactersrhymewitheachother.
Inmanyways,myrelationshipwithMandarinhasbecomeapartofmyidentity,asymbol ofmyhardworkandpersonalgrowth.AndasIcontinuetoexplorethisbeautifullanguage,I knowthatIwillalwayscarryitwithmewhereverIgo.Mandarinhastaughtmesomuchabout theworldaroundme,ithastaughtmetoembracemydifferencesandcelebratemyuniqueness insteadoftryingtohideit,andtoalwaysbeopenmindedandwelcomenewexperiencesand perspectives.
AmericanWannabebyRuyiLin
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SomeliterarydevicesIusedincludesuspenseinmyfirstvignette,Icreatedsuspenseby introducingaruleintheschoolwherethestudentwhoscorestheworstonamonthlyexammust runtothefountainnexttothegraveyardataspecifictimetostaysafe,Bella’sdecisiontofollow thisruleandherencounterwithEliatthefountainbuildstensionandsuspense.Aliterarydevice Iusedforvignette#2isimagery,whereIdescribedthebeautyandsignificanceoftheMandarin language,forexample,inparagraphs4-5“Butevenafterallthoseyearsofhatredtowards mandarin,Istilllovethelanguagesomuch,Ifoundbeautyandmeaninginthewaythateach characterseemedtotellastory,andthewaythelanguageflowedsonaturallylikeariver,notto mentionhowbeautifulitsounds,itsasifmandarinhasbecomeapartofmeevenbackwhenI didn'tfullyunderstandit(Lin,AmericanWannabe).”Thewaythecharactersflowlikeariver andhowtheyrhymewitheachotherarevividimagesthatevokethebeautyandmusicalityof Mandarin,creatingasensoryexperienceforthereader.
ForMaylena’sartworkItookaphotowithmycamera,Itookitinmyroomatnight,I feellikeMaylena’svignettereallygivesoffthat“procrastinatingschoolworkuntilitsdue''kind offeeling,sothatwaswhatiwasgoingfor,withnothingbutalight,somehomeworkandacup ofhotchocolate,thephotographshowshowitfeelstonothaveanymotivationtodoanything. ForChloe’sartworkImadecollageofpicturesIfoundonpinterest,Ithinkhervignettecanfeel notonlydarkbutalsolight,soImadeagradientgoingfromdarktolightfromthetoptobottom, andthepicturesusedforthecollegereflecttheJapaneselanguageandculture,Itriedtomakethe collagelesssaturatedtogivethatfeelingofhavinglovefortheculturebutnotbeingabletolearn it.
Pure-bloodbyChloeTonda
IamJapanese.ButIwishthatIwasmoreJapanese.
IwishIknewhowtospeakJapanesefluently,withoutanystutteringorembarrassment.IwishIcould havemybloodfilteredtobefullydistilled.Iamafourth-generationJapanese.Meaning,Iamthefourth generationdownfromwhenmygreat-grandparentsbrokeawayfromJapan Furtherandfurther,doesmy bloodstrayfrombeingJapaneseasgenerationsgoon.Thepurityofmybloodrots.
WhenIwasborn,IwishIunderstoodtheculture AtshrinesinwhichtheJapaneseworshipamyriadof gods,webowdowntothesolesofthedeitiesandlapupthedirtoffoftheirshoes.We'dworshipthe groundtheywalkon ButwhoamIprayingto?I'veoftengonetoshrines,onlywithmymotherastherest ofmyfamilydoesn'tbelieveinthem,andtherewewouldbuyomamorisandomikujitofindsomethingto lookforwardtoandgiveusfalsehope.Thesacredcharmshelpusinmanyways,orsoIbelieve.Iwish thatmygrandparentshaddecidedtocontinuethecultureinsteadofconformingtoAmerica
Author’sStatement
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IwishIwasborninJapan.WhenIgototheplaceofmyancestors,Ifeelforeign.Ifeelunwanted.WhenI waslittle,Ididnotknowhowtofollowsocialrulesatfirst,thoughIslowlylearnedhow.Mymanners strengthenandmybloodtingles Butyet,Istillalwaysask"
"whenIfirstmeeta localbecauseIamnervous.Tooscaredtomessup.IfIchoosetoliveinthatcountry,Imustlearnthe languageandlearnmannersoutofrespectforit Youdonotgotoaforeigncountryandactoutofline In away,I'dliketoreconnectwithmyheritageinadeep,holisticway
AsIgrowup,IfallinlovewithJapan Theromanticizedcountryismyoneandonly ThoughIamafraidthey'llrejectme Idonotwishtohavemyheartbrokenandbecomeacompletealien tohumanity.TobeostracizedinasocietylikeJapanwouldhavemedeadwithinweeks.But,ifIsucceed andJapanacceptsmyconfessionunderneaththenostalgicsakuratrees,Iwillneverfrownagain
OnceIadapt,Iwillwritekanjiwithmeaning.I'llfeelwhattheinkofmybrushpaints.Thephrase"月が 綺麗な"or"Tsukigakireina"willreveal Asimple-soundingsentencethatdirectlytranslatesto"The moonisbeautiful"wouldholdmuchmoremeaning.InJapaneseculture,thestatementisanotherwayof saying"Iloveyou"as"tsuki"soundslike"suki"or"love" Withknowledge,I'llfinallyknowwhythings arethewaytheyareinsuchafantasticalutopiaJapanappearstobe
AndwhenIamanadult,I'mfinallyinmyminimalistTokyoapartment,J-popwillhavemesingingalong withoutlookinguptheromajilyrics.Thetypeofmusicwithlyricsthatwillgivemegoosebumpsevery timeIhearit.I'llunderstandeachword,eachcharacter,andeachsyllable.BecomingJapaneseistrulya journeythataforeignercanneverfullyachieve,asmuchasonecantry IfeelashamedthatIamnot fluentinJapanese.ThatIdonotspeakitathomeorcontinuouslypracticetheculture.Myancestors wouldbedisappointedinme,andtheyare.TheShintoandBuddhistgodslookdownuponme.Thus,to appeaseotherworldlybeingsandmyself,I'lllearn I'llstudy,I'lltrain,I'llexperience,I'llpay Anythingto besatisfiedandtosatisfy.
英語が話せますか？
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4:45ambyChloeTonda
Igotacallthismorning Fromagoodfriendofmine At4:12am Thesunhadn'tevenopenedits eyesyet.Ijerkedawaketoatinnitus-causingsound,breakingthepeacefulsilenceofthequietnight.I groggilypickedmyphoneupoffthebedsideasitbuzzedintomypalm Thebrightbluelightofmyphone madeblackdotsappearinmyvision.Iblinkeditawayandansweredthecallbeforemyeyescouldadjust tothenewfoundbrightness.
"Hello?"Imumbledintothephone
"Yukiko.."Irecognizedthevoice,mybubblyfriendRika.Itsoundedasifshewascrying."Yes?" Iresponded
"You'remybestfriend,youknowthatright?"Rikanasallysaid Imadeahumofaffirmationand shecontinued,"I'mgoingtojump,okay?And…andIwanttoseethesunrisewhileIfall.Anewday,a newme,haha I'msorryforallthetroubleI'vecaused Loveyou,goodbye"Shehungup Tick, tock, tick, tock Thesoundofmywallclockcouldonlybeheard.
Isatthere,indisbelief.Ifthisisaprank,shegotmegood.Likereallygood.Itfeltseriousbut whywasshesocasual?Moreimportantly,whereisshe?Mystomachdroppedinrealizationandan uncertainfeelingswarmedmyamygdala.
Artwork by Ruyi Lin
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IgotupsofastIalmostgavemyselfwhiplashandsprintedtowardstheentranceofmyapartment, grabbingmycarkeyswhileIpassedbyit.Iflewdownthestairsofmyapartmentcomplex,skipping everyotherstep Ihurriedintomycarandstartedmycar IhadnoideawhereIwasgoing,butjust movingfeltright.Iquicklyopenedmyphoneandcheckedmymessages.RikaandIalwaysshared locationswitheachother,eversincehighschool,incaseoneofusgotkidnappedonthewayhome TheblueiconpulsedonmyscreenshowingRika'srelativelocation ShewasatKisaragiTower Arather unpopularandabandonedbuildingthatwasrundownanddeteriorating,asitwashitbyanearthquakein '09 Alltheroomswerevacantbutoccupiedwithlusciousgreenery,slowlytakingovertheconstruction Itstoodat181feet,notevenattowerheight,wayshorterthanalotofpopulartowersinTokyobuttall enoughtokillahuman.
Wewenttheretogetheracoupleoftimes Infact,that'swhereImether Myex-friendshaddared metogoinsideasitwasrumoredtobehauntedbyghosts,butinstead,itwashauntedbyayounggirl's sobs.Ihadofferedherapieceofdorayakitotrytocheerherupanditdid.Hertearsstoppedinstantlylike tighteningtherightboltofaleakyfaucetpipe Awidesmileappearedonherface Itwasnicetolookat Wehadsuchalongconversationafterthat,whenIwentbackoutsideallmyex-friendsweregone. WouldIevenhaveenoughtimetosaveher?Wouldherbodyalreadybeflyingasshedivesintothe concrete?Ithinkbacktowhatshesaidearlier Sunrise That'sit!Sunriseisat4:45aminJapan Meaning, Ihave30minutestogetthere.MyfacefellasIrealizedthedirenessofthesituation.Thedrivewilltake mefiveminutes,maybe,ifIrush
MymindwasonautopilotasIdrovecorner-to-corner,turnedleftandright,borderingthespeed limit.Iwasone-sidedtextingRikaasIsteppedonthepedal,hopingmywrittenwordscouldchangeher mindsomehow Iknewshecouldseeit Recallingthephonecall,hervoicescreamedtobesavedby anyone;byme.
ThemorninggotbrighterandbrighterasIdrove.Themoonslowlyfadedawayandthecolorof theskygraduallychangedfromstarryblacktoadeeppurplehue,andatthehorizon,abrightdangerous shineoforange.Theuneasinessinmycorefesteredandgrew.Themoreintensethefeelinggotwasasif itwastellingmeRikawasgettingcloserandclosertotheedge
Thetatteredbuildingsooncameintoviewandafeelingofmysteriousnostalgiawashedoverme Iquicklyparkedontheside,notcaringifIwasinthewayofothercarsornot,andIlookeduptothe rooftop Ididn't,orcouldn't,seeRikabutIswearIsawaglimpseofhersignatureyellowcardigan blowinginthewindbetweentherooftop'smetalbars.Thesamecardiganwithcutebeesandflowers embroiderythatIgotforher16thbirthday.Theoneshenevertookoffunlessitneededtobewashed.
Idartedthroughtheshatteredglassdoor,whichreallywasjustadoorframenow,steppingon long-agobrokenglassshards.ThelobbywascoveredinrubbleasImademywayovertotheemergency exitstairwell Idashedupthestairs,runningfasterthanmymindcouldcomprehend It'sfunnyhowin highschoolIwouldalwaysfinishlastintrackbutnowIcouldbeanOlympicchampion Ihastilymade mywayupfloortofloorwithonlythesoundofmypanting,rapidfootsteps,andbloodpulsinginmy ears
Igottothelastfewstepswiththedoortotherooftop,thelockwasbrokenandslightlyajar I caughtmybreathandopenedthedoor.TherestoodRikainallherglory.Shefacedawayfromme,her darkauburnlocksflowinginthewind,herworn-downshoesofftotheside,andherfigureplacedright outsideofthesafety-guardrails.Ifthewindblewanyharder,I'mafraidshe'dfall.
Ineededtostaycalmandkeepherfromdoinganythingirrational.Icalledouthername,Icould heartheworryinmyvoicesoundinglikehermom,"STOPRIKA!"Sheturnedaround,startled Hergaze
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lookeddeadbuttheshineinhereyesreassuredmethatshewasalive.Hersoftcheeksandbuttonnose wererawfromcrying.
"Yukiko "Shewhisperedback,soquietIcould'vemistakenitforthewind Islowlybutsurely steppedclosertoher.ShestoodstillasIgotcloseenoughtobeatarm'slengthtoher.Itriedtotake anotherstepbutsheflinchedback,feethalfwayofftheside
"PleaseRika,youdon'twanttodothis,"Isaid Myheartpoundedlikeadruminamarching band.Iwassuddenlyhyper-awareofmysurroundings,likerealizingthecoldsweatracingdownmyface.
Shedidn'tanswer SoIspokeagain,"There'ssomuchtolivefor!Yourfamilylovesyou,Ilove you!Sopleasejustcomehome "Rikalookedeverywherebutmyeyesandfumbledwithherhands "It'stoomuch,"shefinallyuttered,"I-Ican'thandleit.."
"Handlewhat?Wecantalkaboutthistogether,youdon'thavetosufferonyourown!Tellme!"I triednottoyell.
"Y-You'dhatemeifItoldyou.IfItoldyou.."Shebitherlip.
Suddenly,shefirmlyshutshereyesclosed Herhandscomeuptoclutchherhead,nailsdigging intoherscalpasifshe'stryingtokeepherheadfromsplitting.Iwasworriedshewouldpullallherhair out Herpale,skinnybodyshakeslikealeaf,andshufflesherlegstightlytogether Shewasmuttering somethingunderherbreathandIcouldonlymakeoutsomethingthatsoundedlikepleas
Icouldn'ttakeitanymoreandshotoutahandtostopherself-destruction.Hereyesshotopenandshe gasped Rikalostherfootingandstartedtumblingbackward MybodyreactedfasterthanIcould …
NowthatIthinkofit,whendidthisallhappen?
RikaNakamotowasalwaysabright,cheerygirlwhohadherupsanddownslikeanynormal personwould.Shewasabitmoodyandheremotionscouldchangeasfastasapistolshrimpcouldpunch. Butoverall,shewasahappygirl.Maybeeventhehappiest.
Sowhywouldshedosuchathing?Ithoughtshewasokay Sure,shehadafewbaddays,but everyonedoes.IstheresomethingIdon'tknow?
Ithink,andIthinkpainfullyhard Isearchthroughmymemories,tryingtofindthedifference betweenpicturesofmymemoryreel MymindthenfocusesonApril13th Irememberhermomhad calledmeupthatdayaskingifIcouldcheckonRika.Sheapparentlyhadn'tbeenrespondingtohercalls ortexts Ofcourse,Iagreedanddrovetoherapartment
ThesecondIarrivedinfrontofherdoor,Icouldfeelsomethingeerie.Thatsomething'snotright. Herwindowsweredarkandwasseepingsomethingvile.Iknockedafewtimes.Indoingso,bundlesof heruncheckedmailfallfromthedoor'soverflowedmailslot It'salljunkmail
Afternotgettinganyanswer,Ipulledoutthesparekeyshegaveme,afterthatonetimeIcarried herhomedrunk Islowlyopenthecoldmetaldoor
"Rika ?"Icalledout Nothing Iexploredeeperintoherapartment,closingthedoorbehindme I cautiouslywalkedtoherbedroomandslowlyopenedthedoor.Itreeked.Thesmellwasn'tbadbutit wasn'tgood Itwaspungentandoverwhelming
TherelaidRika Shewasinherbedwiththelightsoff,bundledinblanketslikeacaterpillarina chrysalis.Sheturnedherheadtofaceme.Shelookedhorrible.
Hereyesweresullen,hereyebagssoheavythey'dweightonsofpounds,hermascarawasstillon andwasinfectinghereyesslightly.Shehadathickfilmofsweatandoilonherfacethatmadeherlook uncomfortable.TheRikaIknowwouldneverletherselfgetlikethis.Theporesofhercheeksseemedto breathemorethanherlungsdid Thecapillariesinhereyesweresovibrant,itlookedlikevines
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consumingherretina.Hereyelidsblinkedmonotonouslyatme;hereyestoldastoryIwasn'tallowedto hear.Icouldn'tcomprehendwhatIwaslookingat.
Shemouthedmynameatme Ifelltoherbedside Ididn'task,Ididn'tsayanything,butIsatby herside,andcomfortedher.
Ishould'vedonemore Ishould'vegottenhersomehelp ButIneveraskedabouttheincident She seemedfineeversince …
Thatwas6monthsago Anditseemsthepent-upemotionsareallcomingout Ifeltabonyyet softwristinmyhand Mybestfriendishangingoffthesideofthebuildingwithonlymekeepingher fromdeath.Ilookedather,hereyeswerewideandtearsflowedfreelyfromthem.Shelookedlikeshe'd justseenanangelorareaper Istartfallingforwardfeelingherweightpullmedown
Shakingoutofmytrance,Iputbothofmyhandsonherarmandleanbackward.She'slightbut I'mweak.Myfeetcatchundertherailtokeepusfromfalling.Rika'slimpasshe'shanginginmygrip.I canfeelherslowlyslippingoutofmysweatyhands
"RIKA!"Ishout,"HOLDON!"Itrytoedgehertohelpherselfupinsteadofhangingmotionless. Afterapainstakinglylongtenseconds,shegrabsmyarmsbackandusesherlegstoliftherself
Huffingandpuffing,IliftRikaupandtosafety Togetherwecollapseontherooftop,chests breathingdeeplyinrapidmotions.IlookovertocheckonRikaandshe'slaughing.Laughingbutcrying andhiccuping,gaspingforair
Thesunhasfinallyrisen.ThebeautifulsunriselookedlikeaRenaissanceoilpaintingbyDavinci. Thereds,oranges,blues,andpurplesblendinaharmonicombreandsomehowshoweverycolorofthe rainbow Inthecenterliesthebright,risingsun Blindingtolookat,evenwithsunglasses
IslowlycrawlovertoRikaandtakeherintomyarms.Asweembrace,hertearssoakmypajamas andIcanfeelitwetmyshoulder.IhadtotallyforgottenIwasstillinmysleepingclothes,Iguessthe urgencymademeforget Ourheartscalmdownandmyadrenalinestartstowearoff,asIcansuddenly feelthepaininmycalvesandtheheavinessofmyeyelids.
Ibackoutofthehugslightlyandtakeherfaceintomyhands Shestilllooksso her Iwipeher fallentears
"Tellmeeverything…please,"Itoldher.Shemeetsmyeyes,"Okay,"andsmilesslightly.
Imadeitjustintime.
ALTERNATIVEENDING:
Thatwas6monthsago Anditseemsthepent-upemotionsareallcomingout Shefallsoutofmy reach,andit'sliketimesloweddown
Ileanovertheedgeandreachoutmyhandasifitwoulddoanything.Theendofherhandgrazes thetipsofmyfingers Igraspattheair MyscreamsareunheardasIwatchasherpoorbodytumblelikea ragdoll Hertearsfellupwards Shedoesn'tscream,shedoesn'tstruggle Instead,allshedoesiscloseher eyesandleanintothedescent.Ireplayallthememorieswehadtogetherinmyhead.Thedaysinsummer ofgoingtothebeach,watchingsakurablossomsfall,protectingeachotherfrombullies,sharingthatone popularcrepeRikasawonsocialmedia,laterfallingforthefirsttimeice-skating,laughinguntilwe couldn'tbreathe,andforgettingallaboutourworries.
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Shedivesintotheconcretewithasickening splat.Piecesofherarescatteredaroundherhead, likeanetherealhalo.Ohgod,herbodylookedlikeamarionettedollwholostallitsstrings.Mangled, mutilated,broken Herlimbstwistedinallthewaysit'snotsupposedtobe,hereyesslowlyleakingblood, andflushskinturningdeathlywhite.Istareinhorrorasthesidewalkslowlyfillsupwithbrightbloodlike thesunsetthatrisesat4:45am Theyellowcardigan,nowadeepcrimsonred,beeslookinglikemurder hornets Iturntothesideandvomit
Iwastoolate
Artwork by Maylena Gaughan
Author’sStatement
AcoupleofauthorialstrategiesthatIusedarehyper-detailingscenariosandanaphora Justlikein thebookAstonishingColorofAfterbyEmilyX.R.Pan.InoticedinX.R.’swritingthatsheoftenextends asceneordetailtoanalmostunbearableextent.Sheusesallofthe5sensestopaintadetailedpicturefor thereader Forexample,onpage112,“ theroomisbrightasday,theceilingsowhiteit’s glowing exceptfortheinkycracksbranchingoffinalldifferentdirectionsaboveme(X.R.Pan, AstonishingColorofAfter)”Shecould’vejustwrote“thatroomwaswhiteandtheceilinghadcracksin it”butnoshemadeitverydescriptivelikeasceneinamovie Itriedtoemulatethisdescriptiveness,for example,“Thecapillariesinhereyesweresovibrant,itlookedlikevinesconsumingherretina.Her eyelidsblinkedmonotonouslyatme;hereyestoldastoryIwasn'tallowedtohear(Tonda,4:45am)”It seemsabitredundantandexaggeratedbutthat’swhatmakesitsorealistic.X.R.Panalsoincludeslotsof anaphoratoreallyshowwhatthecharacteristhinking.Onpage284,thewords“Forty-fourdays”repeats overandoveragain Thismethodenhancesthedirenessofawordorphrase,likehowthisphrase emphasizesthedirenessofthefactthatLeigh’smomwillbegonein45days.Inmywriting,Ialso includedthatbyhavingtheanaphoraandonomatopoeia“Tick,tock,tick,tock”astogivethereadera
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senseofurgencyofthesituation.Ialsoincludedthemotifofdepressionandsuicidewithnoexactcause ofittokeepitmysteriousbutalsobecauseanybodycanfallvictimtoit.
ForbothofmyartworksImadecollages Iwastryingtogivebothtumblr/pinterestaesthetics For Ruyi’svignette-inspiredart,ittookplaceinaschoolsoIusedmanyacademia-vibedpictures.Themain characterhadtobeatagraveyardbyacertaintimesoIaddedthosemotifs Lastly,thetests/paper representsthebigexamthetwincheatedon ForMaylena’svignette-inspiredart,themultipleholding handsandloverspicturesignifyTheodore’sandSage’srelationship.Theletterrepresentstheletterfrom Theodorethemaincharactergottoinvitehertotheisland Thebloodandknivesrepresentthekiller, Theo,andthedrowningsymbolizesSage’sbetrayal Iwasgettinganobsessedlovercrushvibefromitso Iaddedpictureswithlovesickwords.
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