Halloween Issue

QUILL

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V O LU M E 5

ISSUE 2 OCTOBER OCTOBER 2017

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We offer our condolences for the death of our Father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

He will forever remain in our hearts.

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DEA R RE AD E R After a one-week break, some students that enjoyed their holiday are still immersed in their dreams and are incapable of waking up. It may be a nightmare for some of our teachers and parents, but fear not, for this haunting Halloween edition, featuring Jack-o’-lanterns, is going to fetch them back to reality.

Let us indulge ourselves in this celebration by trick-or-treating. Or perhaps, allow us to introduce you to this thrilling custom with the history of Halloween, multiple reviews of thrillers, and a chilling short story.

But if you’re not into Halloween, fear not, because we also bring to you an interview with the Senior Council secretariat regarding Carnival, an advice column on love, and our new episode of the short story!

Before reading this Special Edition of the Quill Magazine, we advise you to switch off all the lights, but leave a lamp on or light up a candle. Don’t forget to look around your room – be aware of uninvited guests!

Spookily yours, PUNPUN & AMY

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TA BLE OF CONTENTS A Recap on Carnival

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History of Halloween

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Haloween Satire

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October Break

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Movie Review of IT

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TV Show Review of Stranger Things

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Advice Column

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Book Report: Dante’s Inferno

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Short Story: Forgotten and Lost

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Under Plain Sight Part II

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Comic

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THE

TEAM Mark Cooprider Advisor

Amy Limtrajiti

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Pawan Wirawarn Art Director

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PunPun Leelamanthep Co-Editor-in-Chief

Allan Rubio Amy Jain Arjav Sanghavi Daniel Shin David Bang Ferdinand Edward Gene Boonpienpol

WRITERS Hayoung You Hyunwoo Koh Isaiah Xumsai na Ayudhaya Joseph Ha Jessica Shah Jedi Kanchanabogin Jooyoung Kim

EDITORS Alex Tam Arjav Sanghavi Erica Kim Karuna Khatri Pumpanchat Suthisamphat LAYOUT DESIGNERS Kantapat Jungpaibul Napatsorn Chadanuntakul Pawan Wirawarn Ruchipat Kumpusiri Yunkyoung Kim

McKenna Sanchez Naran Suvarnpradip Pam Rangchaikul Serumi Yoon Tachpol Posaphiwat Thanapeam Sirisereewattana Vichida Phisitkul

PHOTOGRAPHERS Apichaya Sethaudom Artch Dechpokked Chayut Srirungrojana Joanna Pinsuvana Napassorn Wongakkarakhun Nattee Soorapanthu Nutthun Tulayathun Ouki Nishioka Pawat Wirawan Thaam Limwattananon Thapakorn Yongphiphatwong Werawut Withayarukson Gene Boonpienpol

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A RECAP

ON

CARNIVAL Written by Mckenna Sanchez Photos by Jaja Tetanonsakul

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his year’s Carnival was definitely an unforgettable one - accompanied with food and drinks from every grade, and wonderful booths from the seniors.

A brief conversation with the Senior Council President and Vice President, Cherry and Jaja, further explains the background and overall happenings of the event.

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WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART OF PLANNING FOR CARNIVAL? Jaja: The most difficult part was making sure everyone was happy with their job. Although it was my main goal, it was impossible. Some had to stay in the most boring, tiring booths, while the others had fun the whole day.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE GAME OR BOOTH? J: All of them, of course!

ANY ADVICE FOR THE NEXT YEAR’S SENIOR COUNCIL REGARDING CARNIVAL? J: Start early and have fun! They can always text me to ask for advice.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THE GAMES AND BOOTHS? Cherry: Since our Senior Council is made up of four girls, we came up with the idea of a Disney-themed carnival. Each game was designed to match a Disney movie or character.

That's why our motto was, "To infinity and beyond."

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WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART ABOUT PLANNING FOR CARNIVAL? C: Managing everyone was definitely the most difficult part. We have around 80 seniors, and everyone had to be working in a booth. It was hard to estimate how many people should be working in each one. On the the day of Carnival, there were more booths than we could manage, so some of our seniors had no breaks and some were skipping lunch. So... dear seniors, the council is sorry again!

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WHAT WAS MOST MEMORABLE TO YOU ABOUT CARNIVAL? C: Just seeing how hard our class worked together was really memorable. We worked from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, and there were no complainers!

WHAT ARE THREE WORDS YOU WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE CARNIVAL? C: MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!

W

e appreciate all the hard work the teachers, parents, and especially the students, put into Carnival. Their hard work did not go unnoticed - next year’s seniors certainly have big shoes to fill!

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THE HISTORY OF

HALLOWEEN Written by Amy Jain Designed by Esther Kim

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It is that time of the year again, autumn leaves are supposedly transitioning into colors of fall, pumpkin spice lattes warm people’s hands, and oversized sweaters snuggle people as they sleep. Of course, it is time to celebrate Halloween — but is celebrate the right word? For some, Halloween is a time of celebration, while for others merely a day based off of superstition. Nevertheless, on the 31st of October, every year, eager children adorn their creative costumes to go trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods — why so?

The origins of Halloween date back around 2000 years ago to

the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on November 1st. This was a day dedicated to the end of summer, and the beginning of a cold, dark winter — which the ancient Celts believed was the day the “worlds of the living and the dead became blurred” (History.com).

On the night prior to Samhain, people speculated that the dead returned to wander the Earth.

So on October 31st, other than causing trouble and destroying crops, the Celts thought that the presence of these spirits would aid the Druids, Celtic priests, in foreshadowing the future. These prophecies gave hope and direction to the Celts for the harsh winters to come.

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Not long after, the Christian church renamed Samhain to, ‘All Saints Day’, or ‘All Hallows’ in the 8th century. Thus, the night before this event became ‘All Hallows Eve’, transforming, over the years, into the holiday we know today to be Halloween. However, its name is not the only aspect is not the only modern aspect with historical foundations. As a matter of fact, most of our Halloween traditions today are known to have roots in both European and Celtic history.

As for trick-or-treating. This modern ritual of Halloween has a dubious backstory, yet it most likely originated in England. The All Souls Day parade in England

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entailed paupers begging for food.

Subsequently, families would offer them “soul cakes” and in return these paupers would pray for the family’s late relatives. Children eventually named this activity “going a-souling” and the church promoted the distribution of soul cakes in opposition to leaving food and wine out for wandering spirits.

How about dressing up in a variety of costumes for Halloween?

Hundreds of years ago, during frightening and uncertain winters, people thought that ghosts and spirits would come back to the earthly world. To further prevent any interactions with these ghosts, people would wear masks when

they left their homes at night so ghosts would mistake them for fellow ghosts and not cause any harm. People would even go as far as to keep food and drinks outside of their houses to satisfy ghosts and prevent them from entering their homes.

While Halloween went out of fashion in the 1800s and was seen as a pagan belief, it was not long before it returned and became what we know and celebrate today. In the modern-day, the time of fall which was once known as “dead zone� for retailers, is now largely viewed as a highly profitable income source

making up to $7.5 billion in the United States alone in 2014.

Furthermore, according to the National Confectioners Association, Americans will send $2.6 billion on candy —71% of which claimed they would pass out most of their candy for trick-or-treaters.

With the statistics in mind, there is no question as to how much of an impact a single day has made on the economy and profits for companies around the world alike.

Halloween is a constantly evolving machine, accumulating historical phenomena while still serving as a reflection of the sign of the times.

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HALLOWEEN

SATIRE Written by Serumi Yoon Designed by Esther Kim

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So, everyone, I need your help.

Desperately. For the first time in my life, I want to celebrate Halloween, but there is an issue.

Allow me to explain. There have been moments in my life, maybe when I was seven or eight, in which I wanted to celebrate Halloween. I thought my parents were cruel because they lacked the necessary enthusiasm to make Halloween a reality for me. As a seven-year-old, I thought that I truly understood the value of Halloween as a hallowed time for spiritual preservation, just as it was during old Samhain (what seven-year-old would celebrate Halloween merely for the candy?).

This time, however, I want the real deal. None of that ‘keeping up with the tradition’ of lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits. Now, perched on the cusp of adulthood, I want to celebrate Halloween as it was meant to be.

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Anyways, what I truly need help with is my costume. So much to consider but so little time! With today’s mantra of equality! representation! and respect!, I certainly do not want to offend anyone. I mean, look at Disney©, who created a full-bodied, brown-skinned costume of Maui, a Polynesian demigod in “Moana”. Disney faced a significant backlash on social media for cultural appropriation.

I don’t want to be like Disney.

Well, I do want to be like Disney in that I want to be stinking rich like Disney, who makes over 36 million dollars per day. But, I don’t want to offend a whole lot of people. With social media, that’s hard. There’s a whole lot of people, meaning there’s a whole lot to offend.

I am thinking of dressing up as Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Here are some of my dilemmas: Ariel is an Atlantean, but I am not.

Ariel has a mermaid tail, but I do not.

Ariel has a sweet, bright voice, but I do not.

Ariel is ignorant of terrestrial culture, but I am not.

Now you can see, there is so much to consider but so little time! As an Atlantean, Ariel has pale skin and bright red hair. If I were to color my skin paler with a little costume makeup, would that be disrespectful to her ethnicity?

Would it indicate that her race is merely a costume for me to wear at leisure? What about her red hair?

Will wearing a red wig be derogatory to her hair? I mean, I am sure I have a recessive gene for red hair buried somewhere in my genome, but does that give me the right to embody Ariel’s flaming locks? Am I exploiting her glorious plumage for my trivial joy? And can I wear a mermaid tail? Will wearing a mermaid tail suggest that I no

longer want to acknowledge my connections to humanity? Am I culturally appropriating her tail? If I mimic Ariel’s sweet voice during trick-or-treating, will Ariel take offense? If I pretend not to know the various uses of human objects and act like I genuinely believe a fork is used as a comb, will I be giving offense to my parents’ efforts to raise me as a smart and polite person? Too much to consider in such little time!

I sincerely do not wish to offend Ariel or any other mermaids. I know that cultural appropriation is wrong because social media tells me so. Businesses should not take credit or make money off of long-standing traditions. But what about inspirations, adaptations, fusions, reinterpretations, and modernizing? What are those?

So, am I culturally appropriating the mermaids?

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OCTOBER BREAK Written by Hayoung You

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F

ear not, for October break is here! Although school is great and all, let’s be honest – we’ve all been looking forward to this breather. Whether dealing with the first APs of the year or coming to terms with the massive amount of homework we’ve received, ICS high school students have been working quite a bit these past few weeks. Now that break is finally here, what are our students planning on doing? We have surveyed a select group of ICS high school students about their plans for October break.

The most popular activities that students have scheduled for fall break are listening to music, catching up on sleep, and watching television. All of these top choices involve staying at home and doing relatively ‘normal’ activities, rather than going out and being active. Many students have stated that this school year has been more physically draining than previous years. It appears that most of us will be spending our free time enjoying a much-needed respite from work.

Studying and homework received numerous votes as well (14 and 11, respectively). Although October break is indeed a time of rest, it seems that our hard-working students will be aiming high! Purely social activities like meeting family members, having sleepovers, playing sports, or going to concerts received the least votes.

Hopefully, this October break will prove to be a restful time for all ICS students and provide the chance to rejuvenate and refresh before school resumes.

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MOVIE R

IT

Written by 24

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REVIEW

T

y Allan Rubio OCTOBER 2017

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IT, Stephen King’s horror novel adaptation, is a compelling story that only has the horror tag because the villain is scary.

With that being said, this movie is not aimed for everyone. The plot revolves around a magically appalling creature that dwells in the sewers of Deary and preys upon the fears of little children. If you are going to complain about the unrealistic plot, you have chosen the wrong movie. For pure horror lovers who love the thrill of a psychotic bloodthirsty villain, a perfectly timed jumpscare, or a screen filled from top to bottom with gore, IT will not be the movie for you.

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You see, IT uses Pennywise the Clown as merely a tool to drive the plot. Sure, there are scenes where the fake blood, alone, could have covered our entire soccer field, but those scenes serve only to illustrate how the Losers – the protagonists of the movie – are being overwhelmed by this insanely powerful extraterrestrial force.

Nonetheless, the horror aspect of the movie is still superb, keeping you on the edge of your seat whenever the music turns gloomy or when you realize that a certain clown is just mere seconds away from appearing.

Other than the clown, itself, the film also presents many typical

problems that plague children.

Parental abuse, bullying, and prejudice are all “monsters” that appear as the movie unfolds, allowing us to individually delve into the character’s lives. IT intricately weaves together a plot that not only provides entertainment for the audience, but also sheds light on genuine problems many children are facing in society.

As the story develops, the dangers that haunt the children remain the same, but the audience begins to see a difference in how the Losers respond to Pennywise’s ploys.

This development of the main characters is what sets IT apart from other horror films.

Some may view this development in character as a cliche, but I

disagree. It is a realistic scenario that tells a fascinating story while not distracting the viewers from the gripping excitement of watching a sadistic torture innocent middle-schoolers.

If everything I have written so far has been the opposite of your viewing experience, I am sure all viewers can agree on one point: not everyone can make a sewer-dwelling clown appear horrifying, but Bill Skarsgård and the rest of the IT crew managed to flawlessly pull it off.

Rub of A io Seal ppro val

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TV SHOW R

STRANGE Written by

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REVIEW OF

ER THINGS Jessica Shah

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S

tranger Things is a captivating thriller series that kept me on edge. It may seem like a ‘kiddie‘ series, at first glance but this epic, action-packed series will grab anyone’s attention. If you need a binge this would definitely be in the top ten. This highly addictive drama set in the 1980’s gives the viewer a taste of how things were back then. The atmosphere throughout the whole season will keep you wondering.

Filled with unnerving mysteries and secrets to be revealed.

The idea of an “Upside Down” is truly something unique; it’s the most creative and mind boggling

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concept I have ever come across. It seems as if the people trapped in their are in the real world but it’s more desolate and gives off creepier vibes. Some other great SFs this series had was (one) the monster and (two) Eleven’s super powers. The last two weren’t as unique but they definitely earned a shout out.

The two characters who revealed the identity of the monster are Jonathan and Nancy. Their chemistry on camera seems a bit awkward at first. But through the thick and thin of the crazy mystery and life-threatening incidents they are put through, the two finish quite strongly.

Winona Ryder quite effectively embraces her role of Joyce Byers — the disturbed, unnerved woman in search of her son. Her portrayal of Joyce is so honest and visceral, there were times when her anguish and dismay were palpable in my stomach. The times when she tries to contact Will by stringing up the lights or by knocking a hole into the wall, she is alone, isolated which enables her to character to momentarily abandon reality. This aspect of loneliness truly enhances her motives and actions throughout the episodes.

Now onto the most elusive and mysterious character of them all: Eleven. Throughout the series, very little is revealed about her past, and

that too only through flashbacks. It is left up to the viewer to understand what she was asked to do and what she can do through these brief interludes. Telekinesis is her unusual power, which has helped her friends escape from several serious situations and helps locate Will. Eleven’s lack of fluent speech only makes her persona more riveting and intriguing. She is special and everybody knows it.

Her relationship with Mike was a childhood romance ensemble to be empowered by. I would definitely give this show a 9/10 stars. Eleven and Mike both have played their characters really well and truly taken this series to the heights it was meant to reach.

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ADVICE COLUMN

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IN TODAY'S FIRST EDITION OF TEATIME DISCUSSIONS, WE WILL TACKLE THE ISSUE OF TRUST IN RELATIONSHIPS. I need some help with my love life. I am currently dating this Q: Hey! guy, and things are not going too well. He is not really communicating with me, but he continuously talks to other girls. What should I do?

first thing you should not do is to let this issue get in the way of your A: The life. This is unquestionably a serious problem. However, in the grand scheme of events, this bump represents just a small pebble on the vast road ahead in life.

Also, try not to be jealous, and make sure you are not misinterpreting your partner’s interactions with other girls as flirting. Nothing is more irritating than an overly jealous boyfriend or girlfriend. Definitely, and I repeat definitely, DO NOT seek vengeance in order to get back at your partner. Do not attempt to reciprocate your boyfriend’s actions! This will cripple your reputation, and it will prove to be detrimental in the long run.

Although it may seem sad, but perhaps the spark might not exist anymore.

You no longer share the affection for each other, and that is perfectly fine. Your boyfriend may feel the same way, but his sense of loyalty is making him incapable of breaking off the relationship. Things do not always work out, so you can both move on to pastures new, yet maintain a healthy relationship; but of course, only as friends.

If you have any problems or queries, please feel free to email your problems to problemsics@gmail.com for counseling. Thank you!

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Book Report:

DANTE’S INFERNO Written by Joseph Ha Designed by Esther Kim

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D

ante’s Inferno is an epic poem and the first of three parts of his Divine Comedy. The poet Virgil guides Dante through Hell.

Virgil was sent at the instruction of Beatrice, Dante’s lover, to navigate Dante from Hell to Purgatorio, the second portion of the Divine Comedy, and then on to Paradisio, the final section of the Divine Comedy. Ultimately, the dominant theme in Dante’s Inferno depicts the enforcement of God’s justice, magnificently demonstrated by the vivid, horrifying descriptions of the nine circles of Hell, and thereby motivating people to adopt more virtuous lifestyles.

At the outset of their journey, Virgil and Dante first encounter the Uncommitted, the “caitiff wretches” (Dante, 15), who run and scream in agony as they are chased by gadflies and hornets while worms suck the blood from their limbs. These are the people who have done nothing in their lives – people who were neither rebellious nor faithful to God. Limbo is the first circle of hell where the people who have not sinned but are either unbaptized or lived before the time of Christ dwell. They are lost and without hope, suffering from “sorrow without torment” as they live in desire. Virgil belongs to this circle.

In the second circle of Hell, the wind never ceases, and an infernal

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hurricane whirls the spirits of the sinners around. Here live the lustful, the “carnal malefactors” (Dante 24): adulterers and others who fell victim to the pleasures of the flesh.

Gluttons are tortured by Cerberus, Hades’ three-headed canine, and they are also tormented by an unrelenting rain in the third circle of Hell.

The greedy suffers in the fourth circle of hell. Guarded by Plutus, the Greek god of wealth, these sinners are condemned to push heavy weights; on one side are the misers, and on the other are the spendthrifts. As the two sides shove the weights together, the collision undoes their work, and the process repeats for all eternity.

The wrathful fight each other in the fifth circle of Hell located on the River Styx. Alongside the river, the lazy are hidden from sight, engulfed in mud.

Imprisoned within the sixth circle of Hell are the heretics, those who do not believe in the Pope’s doctrine and the immortality of the soul.

These individuals are trapped in flaming tombs as retribution for their unbelief.

The seventh circle is inhabited by the violent. The circle is separated into three parts: violence to God, violence to the self, and violence to one’s neighbors. People who are violent to God, also known as blasphemers, reside in a desert of burning sand and rain. Those who are violent to themselves, such as those who commit suicide, become part of the Wood of Suicides, where they writhe in pain as gnarled trees.

Lastly, those who are violent towards their neighbors are condemned to a river of boiling blood and fire.

The frauds dwell in the eighth circle of Hell. Like the seventh circle, this precinct is divided into ten bolgias (ditches), each with a different offender such as false prophets, flatterers, and hypocrites, as well as other forms of deception and duplicity.

Finally, the ninth circle of Hell is divided into four rounds according to the gravity of their respective sins. Each stage is named after an individual who personifies the sin in question, such as Caina (named after Cain, who killed his brother Abel) and Judecca (Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus).

They are submerged in a frozen lake at various levels according to the severity of their sin. For example, in the second round, their whole bodies except for their heads are engulfed in the frozen river.

Inferno emphasizes the wages of sin and the significance of adhering to moral values and standards.

By touring the nine circles of Hell, Dante vividly illustrates the judgment God inflicts on every sinner. Although people have different religions and views of Hell or even deny the very existence of God, it is crucial to recognize that societies everywhere condemn wrongdoing and employ legal punishments for perpetrators. Thus, the moral vision presented by Dante transcends purely religious guidelines and has come to shape the very fabric of social justice that began during the early Renaissance.

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FORGOTTEN & LOST Written by Peam Sirisereewattana Designed by Esther Kim

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Has there ever been a moment where you had something important to do, something utterly obvious, but you couldn’t recall it? These are the common symptoms of an infamous phenomenon, the Aluxpotriocious Minimum. These monsters sleep during the month of October in order to conserve their power, which is why most of them aren’t very active during this time of the year. They are classified as trickster ghosts and aren’t as intimidating compared to more outstanding specters, such as the Reminiscence of the Dead.

“Well, that was extremely climatic.

It ends just like that?” Christopher scoffed.

However, despite its usually harmless nature, the contrasting form of this beast is an entirely separate story. Unique from most maturing creatures, the Aluxpotriocious Maximum can only transform into its true form by killing its own kind. There are certain steps to be taken, but these have yet to be verified.

Nonetheless, there is one crucial point to note about these th-

“Okay guys, it’s getting dark. You all should probably leave before your parents begin to worry. It’s 9 P.M.! Remember that time when William got lost?” Thomas said.

“C’mon, keep reading. Don’t just leave us on a cliffhanger!” William grunted with frustration.

“It just ends there. It’s been ripped out or something,” Thomas tried to explain.

“Honestly, that was disappointing.

It’s Halloween, guys! I thought we would do something more… I don’t know... spooky?” The figure shrugged, her tone tinged with skepticism.

Who said that…? Thomas felt like the voice was rather familiar, yet at the same time, it was as if another random thought had simply popped up into his head.

“Yeah, and his mom started lashing out at us like we killed him and threw him over a cliff.”

Christopher giggled.

“My mom is super nosy, like seriously, give me some freedom,” William complained.

“It’s not like my parents care about my wellbeing either way, but since you’re all leaving, I guess I’ll go too.” The figure frowned, but no one seems noticed her. No one was aware that she was there, or at least, not since the incident.

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“We all decided to trade our ‘trick-or-treating’ treats right?”

Christopher chimed in.

Seeing that nobody had any objections, Christopher smiled, “Okay, great! See you all tomorrow at school!” And with that, they skipped out of Thomas’s treehouse.

“I’ll also leave then…” William said as he waddled away from Thomas’s house.

Thomas climbed down from his treehouse and entered his house.

His mother was plopped down on the couch watching some sort of special Halloween soap opera episode. After he quickly muttered his ‘goodnight’ to her, he rushed upstairs and then slowed his pace as he

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walked, turned, and entered his room. He dropped onto his bed, exhausted. He made himself comfortable and started to drift away from reality into the realm of sleep.

Something was bugging Thomas.

He opened his eyes and realized that he was in an area of fog and mist. Thomas felt like he was gradually slipping away. He felt as if he was disappearing from the reality he knew like he wasn’t really himself anymore. Just then, he saw a feminine figure standing in the way.

Noting his puzzled glance, she half mumbled, “You really can’t remember me…?”

He tried to speak, but no words or sound evaded his lips. All he

was capable of doing was gaping in awe. It seemed his conscious was slipping away, or perhaps his energy had been drained dry.

“It’s okay, I would never have changed the world. It’s better to forget everything about me anyway. You’ll never discover what I did.” She tried to force a smile.

Thomas felt an urge to reach out for her, and his hand moved instinctively. Her form started to

fall apart, and the last thing that he saw was her smile being ripped and torn apart.

Wait…? What was he doing again? Who was he talking to? Was he talking to anyone at all? A feeling that he felt was so very important, yet doesn’t exist. Thomas brushed off this idea almost instantly and closed his eyes. Each second made him lose anything he held of this feeling of someone. In the end the only thing that happened to her, was that she’d been forgotten.

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UNDER PLAIN SIGHT PART 2 Written by David Park & Ferdinand Designed by Esther Kim

I spin around, feeling the cold fingers of a migraine wrap around my head. The sunglasses have made my vision darker, but somehow, they have also seemed to clear it up. I turn around, looking off the roof, and notice that I can pick up more details than before. My eyes scan around, testing this new improvement. A dark blur instantly catches my eye, and I whip my head to the left to take a closer look at it. My body starts to lean forward off the short wall edge, peering into the gate of the school. By then, the blur is gone. During that instant when I am caught off guard, something has passed the front gate of the school.

A little excitement starts to bubble up inside me, opening a part of me that was hidden away for the longest of times. I take a single step towards the stairs and stop. What am I doing? Why would I care? I’m not going to be able to do anything about it anyway. But I need to... use the bathroom... yeah. I continue down to the ground floor, and make my journey back into the dreaded school.

Descending the stairs is more painful than ascending them. I’m not sure why, but my heart feels heavier as I take each step. Reaching the ground doesn’t do me any better. Every stride I take drains me of the life I never even had. The large death-machines speed by,

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threatening to run me over. I turn my head to look into the glass of a parked machine, but in place of the empty seat that I am expecting, a shadow — resembling the shadow from before — glares through with hard, corrupt eyes. I instinctively want to run and shelter myself, but I refrain, staring back into the abyss of his pupils.

They say that the longer one stares into the abyss, the longer the abyss stares back at them. In this case, I can assure you that that was most certainly true.

The shadow did stare back, and we held the gaze for a long time. It called me in, a deadly attraction, to the unknown, perhaps? I can’t remember perfectly, but it was intriguing enough to get me to forget about whatever had entered the school, and my attempt at following it. ~~~ Now that I write in retrospect, I don’t know why I followed that shadow around that day. Reminiscing about it, the entire series of events just seems too far-fetched to be true. But, as I might have mentioned before — truth is stranger than fiction, or at least, it was in my case.

I remember following the apparition into the streets. Instantly, two facts became very apparent to me.

1) The shadow could maneuver itself in open space as apparently no one could notice its hovering figure, and

2) It was only through the glasses that I could see it. do you? I don’t blame you for it, all I can do is present the facts as they are and hope that somehow, somewhere, someone will find this meaningful. But I do

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Funny how a simple accessory can alter the real world and cause one to question the definition of reality altogether. You probably don’t believe me either, do you? I don’t blame you for it, all I can do is present the facts as they are and hope that somehow, somewhere, someone will find this meaningful.

But I do know one thing: even though I mentioned that my perception of reality changed that day, I can assure you that all the events that took place then were not figments of my imagination. It was not a delusion, and neither was it a fantasy that I just role-played in. There are crucial moments in one’s life when everything changes. Everyone can recall at least one event that shaped the way they see, and view things as they are today. These are events that you hold dear, and love it or hate it, these are events you can never forget, these are events that you can’t fabricate, and be able to live with yourself afterwards.

And once again, in retrospect, I can say that it was that day that made me who I am today. It was that very day that my world came shattering down, and a new one rose from the ashes of the former. Even as I write now, I can picture every minute detail, every smell, everycolour, every noise that enveloped me.

And that is my proof. I have nothing else to corroborate my story — no people, no evidence, no conversations, nothing to really prove anything that happened took place that day. All I can hope to achieve now, is to jot down a precious memory within the constraints of a few pieces of paper and my own ability, and continue to trust that it will not be all for nought. ~~~

44

THE QUILL

I had been following the shadow for about an hour now. During that time, I had walked past thousands of people who were all indifferent to the shadow’s presence, and it seemed like their presence had no effect on the apparition either. It just hovered around and moved, almost seeming unsure of its destination. But in the end, it always figured out exactly which direction it intended to go in, a direction in which I followed it. Intentionally or unintentionally, I knew I had begun a journey from which I would not be able to turn away easily, and to be honest, I couldn’t think of any reason to turn back either. Guess even through sheer apathy and dull pessimism, there exists a certain sense of adventurous spirit within me. And let’s be honest, it was about time the author of life presented me with something new, that wasn’t as mundane and monotonous as my life had been up until this point. But all this to say, there definitely did lurk, within me, a sense of disquiet.

While I tried to balance this hail storm of thoughts in my head, I found myself following the spirit down a road less travelled by. Somewhere along the way, while I had been too distracted and preoccupied with my own thoughts, we had veered off the main streets and were now headed down a smaller, narrower alleyway. Maybe it was at this point where I clearly knew something was wrong, and maybe, just maybe, if I had paid heed to the warning signs up until this point and had decided to stop, life would have gone on the same as it had before. Perhaps then, I wouldn’t later have had to face that terrible ordeal and brutal decision. Perhaps, just perhaps.

But no amount of wishing can now undo what was to come that day. I had followed the ghastly apparition into an underground parking lot. It’s ever increasing pull on my curiosity, now stronger than ever before, made turning back an impossibility, had I even tried. The shadow had begun to change by now, not physically, but something about the aura surrounding it. The atmosphere around it seemed to grow dark, and it seemed… malicious.

The apparition began to grow stronger in front of my very eyes, as I was stuck there watching it, weary of the fact that this entire situation called for a grave resolution, but ever so intrigued to find out the resolution nonetheless. If only I had had enough sense left in me to turn back that day. But alas, I was already in full control of the shadow. It had become the master of my will, and all I was at that point was a shadow of a shadow, a puppet’s playtoy, the will of the apparition in human form.

OCTOBER 2017

45

Nothing scares ICS students most this Halloween EXCEPT...

Comic by Baifern Rungbanapan

46

THE QUILL

OCTOBER 2017

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48

THE QUILL