It’s impossible to describe the sheer terror we felt…we were all eating our October surprise mystery meat lunch when the screaming started. The scream… the scream that made every hair stand on end, it made my gut sink to my knees and my body tremble.
The cafeteria fell silent as everyone was looking at the gym entrance. The door burst open as young girl limped through. I recognized her as Penelope. She was a popular senior in drama club with my brother Kevin. She was wrapped in a white towel that was covered in dark red blotches around her chest and leg.
She was crying out for help but no one moved. The red that ran down her limp leg streaked across the floor. Sobbing and reaching one hand out for help she slipped on the wet bloody floor and fell. Some people let out a gasp but me and the rest stayed silent and stared.
Crawling towards the nearest table with students, she kept repeating “why won’t you help me? Why won’t anyone help me?” That is when we heard it… ting… ting.. ting.. a young man walked through the door wearing his cowboy hat, light blue button up, dark blue jeans with a big silver bull buckle, and those damn cowboy boots. The most noticeable was the large bloodied chefs knife he carried.
Stopping once inside the cafeteria, he bent down and ran his hand through the trail of blood. Looking up at all of us he grinned as he proceeded lick his fingers clean one by one. He started laughing uncontrollable, the mixture of saliva and blood dripping from his chin. “Happy Halloween! Brought to you by our very own drama lead Penelope ” He chuckled.
After a brief pause a few started to giggle. More and more joined in until everyone was laughing. Everyone except the student nearest Penelope. She tried to scream over the crowd “It’s not a joke please help me. He’s trying to kill me.” She was almost to the table where the student sat. Those hazelnut eyes used to be filled with hopes and dreams… right then they were filled with terror and sorrow. She reached out with a final tearful plea for help and all the student had to do was take her hand… but I didn’t…
The man stomped over and grabbed her leg, the dragged her a few feet away from me. She stopped fighting, she stopped crying for help. Her eyes were visibly empty, the color seemed to fade as if all hope and meaning in life vanished. We never took our eyes off each other. Even as he began to straddle her. He plunged his knife into her chest over and over. Her body convulsing under his weight.
She stared at me, her expression never changing. The other students slowly came to the realization this in fact was not a Halloween skit. From the first stab there was panic and screaming as they fled. He saw me sitting there unmoving. Without hesitation he walked over to me. Ting… ting… ting… an intense hot pain seared through my stomach as he sunk the knife into my stomach. Falling over onto the floor the man took off after other students as they clogged up the doorways he began the stabbing again.
I wanted to scream in pain, I wanted to run butI found myself unable to move. Now laying there near Penelope, our gaze never faltered from one another’s. I thought I was gonna die, of all the things to think of in my final moments. I just wondered if my eyes were failing to. If someone is seeing my life slip away. Still enchanted by her gaze I could not help but fee responsible for her death.
All I had to do was grab her hand. My indecisiveness and fear over powered my will. My eyes were feeling heavy now and the screaming was growing faint. All I could whispered was a faint “sorry”. The last image before I fell to the eternal sleep, was seeing Penelope’s eye’s slowly close. She now looked at peace.
To my surprise my eyes were opening again. The pain of movement was almost unbearable. My eyes clearing up, I could see the hospital was busy. There were multiple students in the large room I was in. Confused and dazed I laid my head back to rest but everyone I closed my eyes all I saw - and still see if her face.
Jack whipped his head around as the shots rang through the empty urban streets. The young man, probably early twenties, dropped to the moist dew ridden grass. The faded red sedan sped off past the park and down Bakers street. Ducking behind tree he was about to jog past, Jack waited a minute to see if the shooters were coming back. All the while keeping an eye on the young man. Declaring the attackers were gone, Jack sprinted to the victim’s side to check for vitals.
“Damn… nothing at all.” There was no visible movement from the body since the shots were first fired. While wiping sweat from his forehead, Jack realized he had the warm blood on his hands and now on his face. “Freeze!” Shouted an winded stout armed police officer. Jack’s hands flew into the air without hesitation. “Officer help please, this man has been shot” Jack pleaded.
“Ya, and I’m looking at the prime suspect right now. Mugging gone wrong I’d guess.”
Confused, Jack begs “woah, officer you have the wrong idea here. I heard the shots and came running to help.”
“Keep your hands up and slowly move away from the body and lay on your stomach.” Jack on his knees, slowly scoots away from then lies flat. The officer calls the situation in then moves cautiously towards the body. “I am gonna secure you until we figure this out. Do you have any weapons on you and is there anything in your pockets that can hurt me?”
“Yes officer I have a 9mm pistol on my left side.” Taking the firearm away and finishing the check, the officer detains Jack and proceeds to check out the victim while waiting for backup. “We are gonna sort this out at the station son. Caught you at the scene with blood on your face and a weapon on your persons.”
“Come on, I didn’t do it officer! All I wanted to do was help”
Sirens could be heard rounding the corner fast on their approach. First on the scene was the ambulance followed by police backup. Jack was placed into the back seat and escorted to the police station for further investigation.
“Thousands died because you wanted to go fishing!” Yelled one reporter, who was shoving today’s newspaper up at the podium. “You failed us you super fraud , their blood is on your hands!” Yelled another. Irritatedly I replied to their claims.
“No no no, it is YOU who have failed me. I bust my ass for a city of ungrateful snowflakes who do not want to help themselves. Oh, just have cosmicman do it. When I do save you from intergalactic slug monsters, you have the nerve to complains a few buildings were destroyed. Boo hoo, I saved millions killing those creatures”
Slamming my fist down on the podium. It splinters and collapses into pieces. “So your damn right I wanted to go fishing. I deserve one day off with my son. What happened yesterday could have been prevented if your monopoly man mayor over here reinforced the damn like I suggested months ago!”
The crowd starts to quiet down to a murmur. “I’m tired, I have spent the last 13 years defending this city, this country, and this world from all manner of catastrophic events. All I am asking is be grateful and try helping your self sometimes.”
I step back from the pile of wood and plastic that used to be the podium. The mayor comes back on stage and stammers out “w-well… um… thank you cosmicman for your service. I-I think I speak for everyone here when I say you are much appreciated. Let’s give it up for our hero” The crowd erupts into an applause with everyone rising to their feet.
“Thank you, thank you very much. That wasn’t that hard now was it. Look at us all here, just one big happy family again” looking up into the sky “Well since we kissed and made up. I suppose I should go stop that asteroid from killing half the planets population. Silence fills the air as the crowd stares. Breaking out in laughter “I’m just joking lighten up!”
After a brief pause they start to laugh along side me. “It’s just a rip in the dimension with a demonic void monster coming through.” With a loud BOOM I take flight to fight for humanity once again.
Startled, I gasp and stumble back. My reflection did not move and it’s eyes began to bleed. Almost paralyzed with fear I could not scream. Sitting against the wall as it’s mouth is opening wide. Beginning to elongate and stretch down to her chest. A low groaning echoed through the small bathroom.
I have to run, I have to move or do something. With adrenaline pumping and sweat dripping I manage to move my body. Swinging the door open and starting to run, Something grabs my hair and pulls me backwards then my head slam against the floor. Eyes rolling to the back they see only red and black spots as I slowly roll around. Confused and disoriented I try to make my way to my feet. The groaning is louder now, I hear it right behind me.
Crawling across my floor towards my door. Frantically grasping at the handle I manage to open the door. Warm, wet liquid accompanied by excruciating pain grasps ahold of my leg. Turning to look, I see my reflection now on all four contorted limbs. It’s inhuman mouth swallowing my leg while. Shoes, foot, calf and all now in its slimy sharp maw. Sill unable to scream or speak I feel my throat closing and begin grasping for air.
It starts crawling back towards the bathroom taking me with it. Grasping the door jab to hold on, I kick it in the face repeatedly to no effect. Violently shaking, it’s neck start to stretch to the point of tearing. It’s body is pulling against its self. All I could do was watch as it’s neck rips from it’s body and blood sprays in a gruesome bloody show.
My leg still trapped, it sat there smiling at me as thin fleshy tendrils protrude from the torn sections of the neck and torso. The body, still spewing blood crawls frantically over its own head to make it way up my legs. I’m kicking and trying to scream but my throat is still closing and Im straining to breath.
Crawling over me it pins down my one free foot and starts prying my finger from the door jam. Clinging on with the last bit of my strength it starts peeling my fingernails back one by one. Impossible to hold on, I let go, darting for my wrists it pins me down.
Trapped under its immense weight all I can do is stare at the abomination. Torso now convulsing on top of me. The gushing wound spraying my face with blood starts to separate. Ripping and tearing, the torso spreads in half with sharp honey teeth being exposed. A giant gaping maw of tendon and muscle lays upon me. With one last look at this horror I close my eye and give into my fate.
Leaving can be tough, I don’t mean the physical act of moving but the emotional and psychological reck that can be caused. You would think moving once or twice a year, that you would be getting used to it. Not me, well not the young me anyways. My parents got divorced when I was two years old.
My mother moved across the country and I was forced to fly between them for visitations, my mother had technical custody. She couldn’t keep a house or a job for long so we moved a lot. I would be the shy new kid over and over… and over again. I have met a lot of great and interesting kids who I regret not being able to see grow into amazing adults.
One of the hardest goodbyes I have had to say was during high school. I met another quiet young adult who lived down the county road from me. At first I didn’t like the looks of him to much - seemed stuck up. After awhile we started to talk and we had so much in common. Next thing you know a year has passed and I have spent a substantial large amount of time at his house and with his family.
It was like a second home for me. A total of three years of almost everyday being with him. I loved him, not in a gay way but in the he’s more of a brother then my actually brother way. The best friend who always had my back even during the rare occurrence we actually fought. His family felt like my family.
Then.. of course the inevitable happened. My real family moved again, I was almost out of high school but I did not make enough as a fast food cook to afford to stay. His family did not have the room or money to help support me so I had to go. I was very angry and sad to leave and thought I would never find a friend or family like that again.
It has been 12 years and we kept in touch but we drifted. I still think about him and my second family. I still wonder what he is up to and how is mom and sister are. However, I did manage to find someone to fill the role of best friend in my life.
My new best friend is my wife. Our meeting is for another story but it was pretty amazing. Spoiler, we got married after knowing each other for 3 month and now are married happily for 7 years with three amazing kids.
Leaving can be tough but it paves the way for new people, new places, and new adventures. If you can’t change your circumstances, change your view of it and you might find it leads to something better.
Waiting for the phone to be picked up John fiddles with his pen. "I have been waiting for your call... John" Startled John drops his pencil and springs to his feet. Before he could get any words out, the voice on the phone declares "Go to the corner of 6th and Franklin at 8 pm tonight. Bring red roses and one blue balloon. Tonight you meet your destiny." With a click, the person on the other end hung up the phone. Baffled and confused, John sat down to ponder on if he should listen to the fortune teller or sit alone and heartbroken.
"Screw it" he proclaimed as he jumped to his feet to rush out the door. Checking the black and brown sports watch on his wrist he noticed there was one a little less than two hours till his fated meeting. Making haste he drove to the store to pick up the roses and ballon along with a pack of mints and two bottles of water. Driving up towards 6th he noticed the streets getting crowded.
"Crap!" John hits his steering wheel "I forgot the parade was today. How am I supposed to find my fated mate in this mess". Checking his watch again John realizes he has 15min to get over to Franklin. Pushing past the throng of the parade onlookers he sees the sign for Franklin and upon arriving he begins looking around for any sign of his destiny.
"Hello, I know this is gonna be weird but is your name John my chance?"
"Y-yes it is.." John sees a gorgeous woman who extends her hand waiting for it to be shaken.
With a giggle, she says "Well hello, My name is Destiny and it's nice to meet you. I take it you also called that fortune hotline"
Destiny! he realized it was the name of a person and with joy he shook her hand excitedly. "Yes I did it on a whim and I am sure glad I did. I think these are meant for you" John hands over the roses and ballon
"Why thank you so much" Destiny shouted over the parade "Let's talk over here where it is quieter I can barely hear you"
As they walked down the street the noise was a bit quieter. She grabbed his hand and pulled him down the street "Parking was a pain but my car is around the corner" She continued to yell.
Rounding the corner down an ally she pushed him against the wall and planted a kiss on his cheek. Startled John didn't know what to do but melt in her arms turn to kiss her lips. "Woah tiger" As she turned him around so her back was now again the wall. "I don't think my boyfriend would like you getting too fresh with me."
A little confused, John turns to hear what the squealing was behind him. A white cargo van skids to a stop and the sliding door whips open. Two large men proceed to beat him with baseball bats. His screaming and wailing could not be heard over the parade celebration. Losing consciousness they dragged him into the van. Destiny picked up John's phone and wallet that had fallen out. She jumped in the passenger side and the van drove off.
The last thing I remember before waking up in this open casket was sitting on my couch with a bottle of whiskey. Pulling myself to a sitting position, I am positioned in the middle of a deserted town square that is littered with other open caskets toppled and tipped over. Crawling out of e casket and getting to the steady ground my eyes fixate on a giant bell covered in moss and grime from what looks like decades of neglect. A hooded figure stood just below.
The figure lets out a loud screech as it yanks on the rope. A thunderous ringing was let out that shook the entire town to its foundation. Grasping my ears in torment I can feel the warm blood running down them. Turning to run away from the bells toll, The windows and doors of surrounding buildings begin to burst open. Ghoulish deformed figures rush out to greet me with open arms and maws.
Terrified, I begin sprinting for my life down the street. Not too far off is the giant iron gate at the edge of town. Looking back at the horde in pursuit gives me hope as they are falling behind. Turning my eyes back to the path ahead I am horrified to see the gate is closing and I will not make it. As the gate closes my body slams against it and I claw at it with pleading intent.
With all hope lost I turn towards my pursuers and slide my body down against the gate and wait for the inevitable devouring of the monstrosities. Just as my final moments were approaching a golden ray slammed down on me from the sky above and the creatures recoiled and thrash about trying to retreat. My body becomes weightless as I begin floating off the ground. "My child, Having left the 99 I rejoice to bring you back to me"
Startling awake with the loud sound of white noise emanating from the tv I look around frantically. Next to me sits the bottle of whisky, a bottle of pills, a loaded pistol, and a picture of the ex. Ding, grabbing my phone I see a new notification from my mother reading
"Happy easter honey! are you coming to church with us this year to celebrate the resurrection? Just remember why he died for us. Call me in the morning and let me know, love you -mom "
