Scribbles Magazine - Issue 22

Scribbles PUMS Magazine Fall 2020 Issue 22 22

SCRIBBLES 2020 Volume 22 Picture by Analia Porello

Table of Contents Page 3: Freaky Facts!

Page 4: Just Write Scribbles Challenge Page 5,6: “Dogs” by Mark G. Molnar-Somogyvari Page 7: Artists At PUMS! Page 8-10: Photography Page 11: Dear Scribbles Page 12 : Movie Reviews Page 13: TV Shows Reviews Page 14: Book Reviews Page 15: Guess That Book!

Page 16: Guess That Movie!

Page 17: Did you know…???

Page 18: Special Halloween Word Search Page 19: Halloween Comic Page 20: Minecraft Stuff Page 21: “When I No Longer Know” by Tamar Assayag Page 22: Did you know…???

Page 23: Exclusive Interview with Madame Kenah!

Page 24: “The Cursed King” by Ece Ergin Page 25: “The time I tried to get a pet without permission” by Kaira Verma Page 26, 27: “Don’t open the closet door” by Sophie Wang Page 28: Internet Cats Page 29: We are Scribbles!!!!!!!

Page 30: HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SCRIBBLES!!!!

Freaky Facts!

By Eddie Pole, Will Arns, and Sophie Wang

There ’s an A meric Town an with a p opula of 1 pe tion rson.

(Mono Nebra wi, ska.

Water makes different pouring sounds depending on its temperature.

Walmart has a lower acceptance rate than

You can sneeze faster than a cheetah can run.

Harvard.

Fingernails don’t grow after you die.

ts ne pla in. me e So oduc d ra pr mon

Huntin g unico rns is legal in Michiga n.

dia

The total weight of ants on Earth once equaled the total weight of people.

A group of crows is called murder.

The w live ood fro g fo with r 8 mo can n out urin ths atin g.

Creative Writing

By: Shaya and Kian It was November 17, 2017. I was lying in my bed, not ready to wake up.

My parents were out of the house, at work. They were always busy. I was making myself breakfast when suddenly my best friend knocked on my door.

When I opened the door, Elliot, had a fearful expression on his face.

“We have a situation!”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I lost... !” He frantically fumbled his hands around.

“Who?” “A dog that I was looking after,” “Whose dog?”

“Mrs. Walers.”

“Aww man, now we have to go there.”

When we got to Mrs. Walers house we saw her on her porch, and I waved. She didn’t wave back. She just gave us one of those stares that looked deep into your soul.

“You tell her,” Elliot whispered to me.

“No, You tell her! You’re the one that lost her!” I snapped back.

“Fine.” He huffed.

Elliot slowly walked up the steps of her porch, dreading what might come next. “Mrs. Walers?” He asked in a frightened voice, “I lost your dog,” and not surprisingly she hollered, “Go away!”

“Why are you so mad all the time!?” Elliot questioned.

Her face was as cold as Antarctica when she said, “ Let me tell you a story. The day my husband died was not a gloomy day. The sun was actually shining when he woke up, blinding him even through the curtains of his bedroom window. Later, he passed away. I was so mad that I made a promise to never be nice again. That dog was a gift for our last anniversary together.”

Then, her lips curved, and she said, “But, do not fear. The dog is sitting in the basement. First door to your left. Would you get him for me?”

“Sure,” Elliot and I replied in unison. We went inside her house and stepped down the creaky stairs to her basement.

Suddenly, “Wham!” the door shut…...

It's your turn! What shocking spin or twist can you put on the rest of this story? Submit your ending to Señora Porello’s room and we’ll post some endings on our next issue!

D gs

By: Mark G. Molnar-Somogyvari

A review on the best dog breeds

illustrations By: Mila Trkov

Dogs are beautiful animals. I have been researching them for years and my main focus was finding the best pet dog for all people. These are the top 10 dog breeds as a family pet. I hope I don’t offend anyone, but I have looked at almost all purebred dogs, as well as some mixes and compiled the best ones with these criteria: Looks Overall Cost Kindness Size Number 10: Chow Chows: Chow chows match every criteria, but it fails on kindness. Most chow chows can bite and be aggressive sometimes.

Number 9: Vizsla: This is a really good dog, but it’s big and also it’s not that cute. If you need something that likes to run and walk with you, and something that’s really kind, buy a Vizsla.

Number 8: Goldendoodle: Now, this is not a pure breed, but it is a really good dog. It is good in every way, except it’s kind of big. It is a mix between a poodle and a golden retriever.

Number 7: Labrador: Ok, ok this should be in the top 3, but it’s not because it’s big and everyone has one.

Number 6: German Shepherd: This dog is a good dog breed for a lot of reasons, but let’s say why it’s not number one: it’s a big dog, it need serious training to be friendly, and it can accidently hurt a child or an adult with it’s big teeth.

Number 5: Beagle: Beagles are little cute doggos that love activities and have a puppy face their whole lives.

Why is it on number 5? It’s basically perfect, but there are some dogs a bit better than the beagle. But if you want a small dog then the beagle could be perfect.

D gs

By: Mark G. Molnar-Somogyvari

A review on the best dog breeds

illustrations by: Mila Trkov

Number 4: Shiba Inu: Shibas are a Japanese dog breed that are almost perfect. Their size is just perfect, they look unbelievably cute, and they are not aggressive. However, they can be pretty stubborn and they can literally scream.

Number 3: Yorkshire Terrier: Yorkies are adorable, they are perfect lap dogs, fashion show dogs, or any type of dog you want it to be. They are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, and they are almost perfect for any owner. They fall short of Number 1, because you can’t really train them or play with them given their size.

Number 2: Newfoundland: Although it’s massive it still made it to number two.

How? It’s really kind, you can leave it with a baby or a small child; it will never hurt them, but will really protect them. although they are huge, if you have the space they are beautiful, and they have huge hearts. if you buy one of these, it will protect you and love you very much.

NUMBER 1: Golden Retriever: yes, the golden retriever is the absolute perfect dog it’s not huge, really beautiful, does not hurt you, and you can play with it. It will always love you, it’s really smart, and on this, it’s the perfect dog. I know that the lab was only number 7 and these are really similar, but the golden retriever has way more pros.

Do you disagree with our choices? If so let us know! Scan the QR code and give us your opinion.

Artists at PUMS!

Shoot for the Moon

By Stephanie Liao Grade 6

Castle

By Stephanie Liao Grade 6

The house by the Lake By: Tamar Assayag Grade 8 Untitled By: Chloe Zhao Grade 8

Photography

PUMS

By Eddie Pole Umbrella

By AnalĂ­a Porello Grade 6

Red-Tailed Hawk

By Stephanie Liao Grade 6

Iguana By: Aria Shi Grade 6

Great Horned Owl By: Stephanie Liao Grade 6

Butterfly By: Anna Gniewosz Grade 6

Photography cont.

Violins By: Aria Shi Grade 6

Firecracker By: Aria Shi Grade 6

Snowy Joshua Tree By:Stephanie Liao Grade 6

Black Beetle By: Aria Shi Grade 6

Lake View By: Aria Shi Grade 6

Pollination By: Mila Trkov Grade 6

Photography cont. 2

P.S. This is where you can put your awesome photos!!!

Washington Memorial By: Mila Trkov Grade 6

Amor By: Mila Trkov Grade 6

Got a lot of problems?

Want peer advice?

Ask Dear Scribbles Write a letter to Dear Scribbles regarding your problem and we will give you our advice!:

to , ibbles really hard o r c S r Dea ed t it is I try, . I have talk ped h c u her hel ow m tter h ework toget lly haven’t de so a m o N ea m gra they r my ho in 6th get all about it but . Plus, I’m ould I do? p h people d I need hel ool. What s n h a c much, new to the s m I’ ope an’t C C , y l e Sincer

Dear Can’t Cope, It is hard to nish all this schoolwork, especially since you’re a 6th grader. Maybe try taking a deep breath and play some calm music for a bit, and take a rest. You could ask your friends and relatives again, and explain what kind of situation you are in. Also, try going to your teacher’s o ice hours and asking them for help.

School is hard, but you can do this!

Wishing good luck, Scribbles :)

Reviews Movies Enola Holmes

If you enjoy mystery or reading books you will love Enola Holmes. It's one of my favorites. Here's a quick description.: Enola is Sherlock Holmes’s little sister. Early on in the movie Enolas' mother runs away. She leaves clues for Enola, to help find her.

She encounters friends and enemies along the way.

“The game is afoot!”

Rating: - Amyra Shukla

10/10

A Life On Our Planet

From the same man who brought you, Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Plastic Ocean, Frozen Planet, Sir David Attenborough explains how our world is dying and what you can do to help. He tells us how we got to this point, and how much it is hurting our world. If you're a climate change believer, I recommend this 100%.

- Mila Trkov

Rating: 10/10

Onward

A long time ago, New Mushroom was a place of magic and adventure, but over time the magic in the World has faded and people would rather take the easy way out. Two brothers, Ian and Barley, find a magic staff, which is the only way they will ever see their dad again. Join them in a tale of magic, adventure and family.

- Chloe Hunt

Rating: 7/10

Click or type in the link https://forms.gle/gnFpDwTUkga11Ts47

Reviews TV

Fuller House

SHOWS

Stephanie has a baby! The baby’s name is Danielle "Danni" Jo. Steve proposes to DJ. Jimmy proposes to Stephanie. Fernando re-propporses to Kimmy. The she-wolf pack then plan a triple wedding together. Ramona falls in love. Collage is also coming around the corner for Ramona and Jackson.

Chloe Hunt, Mila Trkov, Amyra Shukla

Gravity Falls

Dipper and Mabel Pines go on a summer vacation to Gravity Falls, OR to visit their great uncle Stan, but soon after the twins realize that there is a lot more to Gravity Falls than just an ordinary town‌ Mabel and Dipper discover the many mysteries of this town thanks to a journal that Dipper finds in the woods.Ever since they find the journal and tell their grunkle about it, he starts acting weirder than usual...

-Elizabeth Vornin,

Rating: 9/10

Rating: 9/10

Julie and the Phantoms

Julie and the Phantoms is a series directed by the Famous Kenny Ortega. (His other movies: High School Musical, Hocus Pocus) This series is about a band that died in 1995 and returns in 2020 as ghosts. Surprisingly a lifer (a living human) can see them. And EVERYONE can see them when they play together as a band but a ghost named Caleb Connington has a slight problem with that. What will happen to the guys?

-Amyra Shukla, Lulu dos Barreto

Rating: 10/10

Click on type in the link https://forms.gle/7Z4Ja3A8SNCv3znJ8

Reviews Books

2020

The Tower of Nero

While Lester and Meg must follow the Prophecy issued by Ella the Harpy, everyone else is wondering: Will Lester Papadopoulos ever return to Olympus?

Will Apollo have enough strength to face his old enemy Python? Will Meg Be able to face her stepfather Nero?

Tweet, Cute

Pepper and Jack are friends in school, but on Twitter, their family businesses compete for popularity and customers.

Their friendship continues not knowing how the other is involved, but hits rock bottom when they find out.

Tyrannosaurus Wrecks

Teddy and Summer have cracked cases at Funjungle before. But when Minerva’s skull disappears they go on a wild goose chase to find it. On top of that, when TimJIm call, asking Teddy and Summer to come help with their pet alligator and anaconda questions arise. Did TimJim get The reptiles as part of the illegal pet trade? And, Who stole Mivera?

Click or type in the link https://forms.gle/gnFpDwTUkga11Ts47

A:Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire B: Dog Man and Cat Kid E: Five Feet Apart D: Eat, Pray, Love Challenge: Hunger Games

C:American royals

E. Challenge!!! đ&#x;‘ą5đ&#x;‘Łđ&#x;‘Š đ&#x;˜‹+[đ&#x;§ đ&#x;?•]x đ&#x;ŽŽ

C. đ&#x;?ą+đ&#x;‘ś óž“Ś+đ&#x;‘¸đ&#x;¤´ D. đ&#x;?˝ đ&#x;™? â?¤

A. đ&#x;§™â€?♂⚥+đ&#x;?ˇđ&#x;”Ľ B. đ&#x;?ś+đ&#x;‘ą, By: Mila Trkov, Amyra Shukla and Chloe Hunt

Guess that Book!!!!!

Guess that Movie!!!!!

A.đ&#x;Œ‹

By: Mila Trkov, Amyra Shukla and Chloe Hunt

B. +⛾+đ&#x;?“ đ&#x;Œƒ+đ&#x;?›+đ&#x;”Ś+đ&#x;?’+ đ&#x;—ż C. đ&#x;Œ¨+đ&#x;‘¸đ&#x;?ť+đ&#x;?Ž

D. đ&#x;§?â€?♂+E. đ&#x;Ž…đ&#x;?ť+đ&#x;?­+đ&#x;?Ź

đ&#x;˜ˆ+đ&#x;‘Šđ&#x;‘Šđ&#x;‘Š Challenge!!!

đ&#x;’śđ&#x;•ˇđ&#x;§ł đ&#x;ŽĄđ&#x;‘ą đ&#x;?’ Hint: It’s a marvel movie

A.Moana B. Night in the museum Challenge Spiderman: Far From Home

C. Snow White

D. ELF

E. Mean Girls

Did you know…??? ●

In Switzerland, it’s illegal to own just one guinea pig.

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Peanut Butter can be turned into a Diamond

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Bananas are curved, because they grow to the sun.

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People will produce enough saliva in their lifetime to fill TWO swimming pools.

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Squirrels are behind most power outages in the U.S.

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A woman who lost her wedding ring found it 16 years later on a carrot in her garden.

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The inventor of the Pringles can is now buried in one.

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Children of identical twins are genetically siblings, not cousins.

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A meteor exploded over Earth with the force of 10 atomic bombs and everyone missed it.

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Bumblebees can fly higher than Mount Everest.

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Owls can’t move their eyeballs

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A US dollar can be folded 4,000 times before breaking

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It gets so cold in Siberia that your breath can freeze in mid-breath

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Your eyeball moves 80 times in a second

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Your Vision takes up ⅓ of your brain power

By Mila Trkov and Chloe Hunt.

By: Anna

Special Halloween Word Search!

Click This For The Link

Created by Terence Tien

Halloween Comix!

Created by Terence Tien

By Anna

Minecraft

Submit your minecraft creations and/or minecraft tips to Scribbles!!!!!

Poll: I like to play in _____ mode when I play Minecraft. a. Survival To participate in this Poll b. Creative

How to make a Snow Golem!

The first thing you need to do is get snow blocks. (I am playing in creative so I can get whatever I want.) Second, you need a jack-o’-lantern.

Last, you have to put two snow blocks down one on top of the other then put the jack-o’-lantern. Then the snow golem will come to life!

Shear the jack-o’-lantern to reveal a face

Snow Block

Snow Golem Jack-O’-Lantern

When I No Longer Know A monologue by: Tamar Assayag

Sometimes I feel like I’m dozing off. Not from a lecture by a teacher who is failing to get the class’s attention, not from my mom trying to tell me how I should clean my room more often (not that I ever will). But from life. I doze off from life. From reality. From everything that’s happened and from everything that could. It’s very hard to explain. It’s like, one minute I’m here. I’m grounded. I can see and feel what’s around me. But then the next, I just blank out.

Imagine you’re watching a movie and after all the credits roll, the screen goes black. Everything turns black and you just don’t know where you are or who you are anymore. Are you the hero from the movie, awaiting their next adventure? Are you the person you were before you clicked play on the remote? Or are you some alien from a different universe and you can’t identify with anyone in this strange land? That’s how it feels. You’re split between worlds, and yet somehow you don’t even exist. You’re everywhere and nowhere. Sometimes when that happens, all I see is darkness. Just plain darkness. And then I start to shiver and it suddenly feels like someone just poured ice-cold water down my shirt. Other times I look ahead and I see a green screen. Red dots appear on the screen and as I involuntarily zoom into the red dots, they turn into images.

Videos. Memories. Are they from my life? I don’t know. Maybe they’re from the past. Perhaps an old farmer living in the 1700s, about to be presented with the news that a child of theirs had died in battle. Or maybe it is of the future. I see a scientist combining chemicals, unaware that they’re about to make the biggest discovery of the century. I simply don’t know. It could be anything.

Or it could be nothing. But whatever the reason may be that this happens to me, it does. And I can’t control it.

Scribbles Interviews...

By Ziya Bajaj & Stephanie Liao ZB: What made you teach French?

MK: Good question. Um, it’s my, it’s my second career… I was not a French teacher to start off with.

After I had my children, I decided to try something completely new and different, and speaking French has always been part of my life, because it’s my first language, so I thought it would be kind of fun to teach kids my language. So I decided to go into education and be a teacher. So that’s kind of how it happened.

SL: So, how is hybrid going for you teaching?

MK: Okay, so so far it’s going well. It’s a lot of work on my end, but I think my students are doing okay!

I think they’re thriving, so it’s working.

ZB: Is it easier to teach virtual or in person?

MK: In person. Always. Always in person. Hm. Always.

ZB & SL: Why? MK: Why? Because the students are right in front of me, I can see exactly what they’re doing. When you’re at home, I can’t tell what you’re doing so I don’t know how many tabs you have open, I don’t know, I don’t know what’s going on! So it’s much easier in person. Much easier.

SL: Do you find that students pay attention to lessons when on Zoom?

MK: Um.. half.. a little more than half. I would say, probably 80%. 70 to 80 percent are paying attention, I’d say there’s 20-30 percent that are not paying attention. So it’s kind of in... it’s more than half, that are paying attention. I’m hoping that, you know, it increases.

ZB: Okay, what is the most helpful app or website during online learning?

MK: Oh, the most helpful app or website. We’ve been using so many… um so far, um obviously we’ve been learning Canvas so that’s been number one. Number two Quizlet. Number three Quizizz.

Um, number four EdPuzzle, which we’re gonna start with next week. So far, those are my favorites. Oh, I also like the Wheel of Names. When I have to call on you, that’s really helpful.

ZB: I thought you were gonna say Zoom.

MK: Oh well Zoom… Zoom we can’t do anything without Zoom… so yes, Zoom. Zoom I guess is at the top of the list because we can’t do anything without Zoom.

SL: So.. is there anything easier to do online rather than in person?

MK: Is there anything easier to do online rather than in person… um, that’s a good question. The one good thing about it is…

I don’t have to deal with your handwriting. In person, it’s really hard, some of you have beautiful handwriting and some of you don’t have the nicest handwriting. So… having everything digitally submitted is easier, um, so that definitely helps in terms of grading. And grading is easier too, because everything is submitted online. So that’s, that’s the good part.

That’s the good part for sure. Grading is easier, reading your submissions, seeing where you’re writing and how you’re doing with it is easier, because it is tight, and as opposed to handwritten.

THE CURSED KING

By Anonymous

The Beginning “A long time ago there was a raging war between the people who use dark magic and people who don’t. King Elias the Second led his people into the battle again but this time it was going to be their last because they had a dagger that was forged with magic and only responded to his blood. Tenebrium was the leader of the people who used dark magic. Tenebrium was a terrifying creature made out of dark magic. He was part human, part wolf, and part demon. King Elias rode his horse forward toward Teneperium and with a surprise attack, he stabbed Tenebrium. It was true indeed, the dagger was able to kill the monster but when he was dying he left one thing, a curse. Tenebrium said, “All you cared about shall perish and your legacy shall bring what you hate.”

King Elias didn’t know what this meant but with their leader fallen the people who worshiped darkmagic have been defeated. That night King Elias threw the biggest feast his kingdom ever saw, but the next day the curse came true and an earthquake destroyed his kingdom. The survivors scattered around the world including King Elias who was devastated from seeing his kingdom getting destroyed.” the mother told her two daughters.

“The magic people are just evil. How could they destroy a kingdom?!” said the older daughter who was blond with green bright eyes.

“Why is there a war?” asked the younger one with black hair, and dark blue eyes.

“As its name dark magic is bad. Everyone who used it got consumed by it, that is why the king protected his people.” answered the mother.

“So, the humans started the war?” asked the little sister.

“Come on what is to think about, it's just a story.” pointed out the big sister.

“This is a story that was passed down in my family. It might not be real but it has much to tell.” said the mother.

“Like what?” asked the young sister.

“It's very late,” said the mother looking at her watch, “How about I tell you tomorrow?” “ ‘Kay,” said the young sister. The mother walked her daughters to their beds, and as fast as the kids laid on the bed they fell asleep.

The next day the family went to the park. It was a good day until a group of terrorists attacked their city and hospitalized a lot of people including the family.

In the hospital the half awake little sister heard the doctors talking.

“It’s amazing how she survived,” said a doctor.

“Hope it was the same with her family,” added another doctor.

They didn’t say any names, but it was clear to me that from now on I was on my own.

❖

To keep reading

This is the story of when I tried to get a pet without permission.

But really, this is the story of how I put an animal into the wild.

I scooped up the little chipmunk in my hands. Abandoned, full of fear, and his body shaking. I knew I had to help him. I just had to. I couldn’t just leave him at the overwhelming pet store. I was surprised that a chipmunk was in a pet store instead of the usual hamster. I didn’t think anyone would want a squirmy, small chipmunk, but I didn’t want to steal either. The chipmunk looked up at me with huge, confused eyes, as if deciding if I was going to leave him there or not.

Eventually, my older “friend” (actually my babysitter) came back for my 8-year-old self. Rebecca was addicted to her phone, like most of the teenagers I know. She narrowed her amber eyes at me while pushing her dark brown hair back. Her huge purple phone was resting in her hand and buzzing as if there was an alarm going off. She was leaning against a goldfish tank and scrolling through Instagram, probably checking if any of her pictures got likes.

“Come on, just follow me already! There’s no time to look at any more stupid animals. We have to go HOME! Drop that puny squirrel!” She tugged on my arm until she was sure I would give in, but I never did. This chipmunk needed to be saved, I wouldn’t let go of it until I decided to. I received another yell from her, I sighed, she was going to report this to my parents.

Oh no, I thought, Now I’ll be in trouble for SURE. I looked frantically around the store. I needed to get out of here, IMMEDIATELY! I glanced at the chipmunk again and held him tightly between my sweaty hands. I could hide him in my small backpack, but did I want to steal? Well, it was just for a tiny bit of time. And anyway, who would see me? There was an entire crowd surrounding me, I didn’t think that anyone would notice an 8-year-old slipping a small animal into her backpack. Would they? I could even open the zipper just a bit for an airhole.

Running from Rebecca would be stupid, I would probably get kidnapped by someone if I went anywhere by myself. I had decided to keep the chipmunk in my backpack momentarily; I would decide what to do with him later. Just when we were walking out of the pet store, I heard a loud SQUEAK. I glanced at the lump in my pack and began to soothe and stroke the poor thing. I

Don’t Open the Closet Door

By Sophie Wang 6th grade

I looked around the house. Rainwater trickled down from cracks in the walls. Cobwebs covered the top of the ceiling, and the floorboards creaked as I stepped around the bare corner of the attic that was supposed to be my bedroom. Our new mansion-like home was so creepy, and with each step I felt like it was pulling me in, pulling me in...

“Lila, where are you? We have to get unpacking before it’s too late,” Mom called from the living room. I immediately replied, “Mom, just let me do things myself, okay?”

There was no reply. “Alright, but come downstairs now.” I stomped downstairs. Mom was always so annoying.

“There you are. You’ve spent an hour up there. Why don’t you go to my bedroom and grab the red suitcase? It’s about time we ate.”

“Fine. You always make me do chores around here,” I said as I walked back up the stairs.

Mom had stuffed that suitcase with everything she could before leaving. I had told her not to, as that would only make the car more cramped. She had told me to stop complaining.

I sighed as I thought about what happened. I don’t know why Mom and I weren’t getting along. She always wanted me to do things for her, and was always calling for me like I was a baby. I glanced around the room for the suitcase, but there were no lights.

“W-where is the light switch?” I whispered to myself as I stumbled around the walls, running my hands across to feel for a light switch. “Lila! You alright?” I heard Mom call.

Ignoring her, I opened the closet door. There seemed to be a small light switch in the very back. Breathing a sigh of relief, I walked over.

But all of a sudden...the wall disappeared! I blinked. The light switch appeared to have moved over to a further wall. I ran to it again, but the wall disappeared. Again, and again. What was this? My heart raced as I focused and ran for the light switch one last time…

The world turned dark. It felt like I was falling...through a void of emptiness. Was this all a dream? My feet suddenly touched the ground. I looked around. This wasn’t a closet, it was a dark and murky forest. Trees with bare and lonely-looking branches surrounded the place. Right in front of where I fell, there was a very large tree. It looked like one of those spooky Halloween trees you see in the movies. The air was cold, and the wind blew strong and hard. I took a step. The earth was sodden with rainwater.

I looked up at the sky. It seemed gray and barren, just like the rest of this place, and it was hard to tell what time it was. I thought of what to do. My mind was mostly blank, from the shock of what had just happened.

“Hello.”

I jumped. “What’s talking to me?”

“My name is Gloom. Pleasure to meet you. I heard you just moved into my old home.” The otherworldly voice echoed.

“Your old home?” I asked back. I thought nobody had lived there before. The real estate agent had said that the owner of the house had disappeared years ago, so they decided to sell the house.

“Yes, yes. I used to be there as a human. Lived a nice life. That place was in much better condition. But now that I...well...am a spirit, I no longer inhabit that place.”

“Well then if this is a spirit forest why am I here if I’m still a human?”

“Ah yes, a good question. I’ve been needing a human to come over to complete a quest.”

A quest? “W...what do you want me to do? I have to get back soon,” All of a sudden, it seemed like something drifted out, into the night. I waved my arms around the place. “Gloom? A...are you there?” There was no reply. Did that ghost-spirit person just leave me right then and there? What was I supposed to do?

I glanced around. What kind of quest was there to do in such a dark forest? I didn’t know what to do. All of a sudden, there was a deep growl from behind my back. “Who’s there?” I yelped.

Glinting yellow eyes dashed out from the darkness. A large, wolf-like creature pounced. It was almost as tall as the large tree. I screamed and ran. The wolf followed.

My heart pounded. Forget about Gloom and his quest. I had to run. I was quite a good track runner in school though, so my nimble legs carried me around the forest, making circles after circles.

Lightning flashed, followed by the sound of thunder. What was going to kill me; the wolf chasing me, the distant thunderstorm, Gloom the Ghost, or Mom wondering where I was?

Another hopeless scream escaped from my mouth. I was so tired, and my throat felt like sawdust. I ran, and ran, feeling the large legs of the creature behind me. Everything went black. My whole body went numb. My vision blurred. Is this what it feels like to get eaten by an enormous wolf?

I fell down onto a hard wooden floor. Did I teleport again? Looking around, I realized I was back in the closet! I collapsed. Whatever had just happened had scared the life out of me. I had read books about that, but never dreamed of it happening to me. “Where are you, Lila?” Oh right, Mom. “I...I’m coming!” I flipped the light switch, and found the red suitcase in a corner. Dragging it down the stairs, I was thinking of what to say. “There you are. Let’s eat now,” Mom said.

I looked at her in disbelief. “But...I was away for hours! There was a ghost called Gloom and a wolf almost ate me whole!

“Don’t be silly,” she said as she opened the suitcase. “Here, have a bite of this.” She held up a biscuit I saw her baking right before we left. I was about to complain, but didn’t. I took a bite. It was still warm.

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