The Light in the Dark - Amaya/Biromantic Bison

A story I wrote for class in 7th grade.

October of 2020

      Jenny screamed, she knew she had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no safety anywhere, she shivered as she grew colder and colder, her head turning to look at the darkness surrounding her.

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 3:00 PM

     Jenny walked into the school a minute before the doors locked in the evening. She was the last one to arrive but wasn't really concerned. She had bigger things on her mind. Also, she didn't want to go in the first place.

    "Come on Jenny, please go." Jenny's mother had said a few hours ago. "You don't want to miss your Halloween Lock In, do you? You'll have so much fun, and please…. do it for me." She had a coughing fit after her words, and nurses came running into the room, pushing Jenny out.

     Jenny really didn't want to go. She didn't want to see the other students, gawking at her because of her mother. She had heard the whispers behind her back.

     "It's the daughter of the sick lady." One had said. "She looks like she needs a friend, but I wouldn't want to be friends with her, probably wants to tell someone her sob story," many had said. The ones that hurt the most were when they snickered and said, "I bet her mother is about to die. Boo-hoo for her."

     When her mother was diagnosed with cancer three months ago, she did everything to make her happy. She made food, cards, stayed at the hospital, and held her mother's hand when she had her coughing fits. The doctors had said her mother only a few days at most left.

     Jenny had always thought of human lives as a timer. Once that timer ended, their life ended. Her mother was very close to the end of her timer, while Jenny had many more ticks. Jenny wanted to use her mother's last moments by pleasing her in every way. But did Jenny have to do this one plea?

     Jenny touched the walls of the hospital with her fingertips as she walked to the waiting room. It's rough, blue paint touched her fingers. There was coughing and wheezing in every room. The smell of chlorine stung her nose with every breath. The long hallway branched off to numbered rooms. 108, 106, 105, 104. She counted the rooms until she reached the waiting room, near room 84. She sat on her usual chair and started to doze off.

     She had just started to fall asleep, when the sound of footsteps came pounding nearby. The doctor for her mother came in with a somber face. Instantly, Jenny knew. She could see it in his eyes, his face, and his posture. Her mother's timer was up.

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 4:50 PM

     Jenny's eyes hurt from tears streaming down her face. Her legs hurt from running many miles. But her heart hurt the most. She felt dizzy and curled herself into a ball on her mother's bed. She moaned, as she could no longer cry. After half an hour, she felt a new resolve. Her mother's last wish had been for her to go to the Halloween Lock In. And that is what she would do. She would have to deal with the stares and hurtful whispers, but she would go.

     Jenny quickly rushed to the garage and carried the box of old Halloween costumes. Pulling out a doctor costume for her last Halloween when she was 12, she felt her heart hurt even more. She stuffed the costume into the bottom and pulled out a witch costume from her 11th birthday. It was the only one that still fit, so it would have to do. She quickly dressed and raced toward the school.

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 6:00 PM

     "You are just in time Miss Jenny. Now come, hurry to the cafeteria," said Principal Bart. He locked the doors behind Jenny and motioned for her to go on. "Is there something wrong Miss. Jenny?" He frowned, looking at her expression.

     "N-n-nothing sir. Everything is just f-f-fine," Jenny replied, her lip trembling. She walked briskly to the cafeteria.

     Entering the cafeteria, Jenny looked down at her feet, hoping nobody would recognize her in her witch costume. She sat down at a nearby table and put her face in her hands.

     Waiting for the whispers, she realized something. The cafeteria was silent. No whispers, no snickers, and no quiet talking. There was only silence. Jenny looked up slowly.

     The whole cafeteria was full. Jocks at table 6. Nerds at table 9. Geeks at table 10. Every seat was occupied except for the one she had sat down at. And everybody was staring at her. Teachers and students had wide eyes and mouths so open, they almost touched the floor. Jenny looked at the secretary, who had her hand over her mouth.

     Mrs. Pearl was holding the school phone in her hand. She dropped it, the only noise in the whole room. Bits and pieces flew into the air. "Jenny…," she said in a raspy voice. "I am sorry for your… loss. Your m-m-mother was a kind soul."

     Jenny absently nodded her head and looked at the floor. You didn't even know her, she thought. Whispers filled the silence, and people came to talk to her.

     A boy from one of her classes said, "Your mother must have been a great person. My father died of cancer before I was born. I know how you feel." He patted her shoulder awkwardly.

     A shy girl named Violet came and hugged Jenny. The geeks gave her their latest robots, and the nerds were quick to do the same.

     One of the students who were meaner about her mother said, "Hey… look…. I didn't know your mom was gonna… die. I thought she was just… like you know… sick. Sorry I said those rude things earlier." The student shuffled off into the crowd.

     A teacher stood on the stage and tapped her hand on a mic. "Excuse me students, but even though a casualty has happened…. we need to get started with the Lock In. Teachers, grab the students at your assigned table and bring them to their first activity!!

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 7:00 PM

Come along students." Said Mr. Ferron, the eighth-grade science teacher. "Time for bingo in the library."

Jenny started to lag behind the others. She had been put in a group with Violet, Garret, who she had learned that that was the student who was rude to her, and a snob named Jessica, of course. Jessica was checking her mirror every five seconds and commenting on student's costumes. Which meant that she had definitely commented on Jenny's old witch costume.

Jenny wore bright yellow leggings, a black sweater, and shoes most of the time. She didn't bother trying to look good. Most of the time, she didn't even brush her blonde hair. Jenny acted cool and tried not to listen to the whispers in the hall, but she felt terrible inside. She tried not to think about it though and tried to move on.

Violet was shyly talking to Garret but then dropped back to check up on Jenny. "Hey, you okay?" She asked, tentatively, staring at Jenny's expression. "O-kay… I guess you’re not okay."

Jenny didn't respond for a moment. She just walked behind the other students, staring at the floor. Violet was next to her, walking at Jenny's pace. They walked like that for a few seconds, when Jenny suddenly threw her arms around Violet.

     "Thank you, for being here." Jenny said.

     Violet awkwardly supported Jenny and patted her back. "You're having a rough time. And, you still have your father. Don't you?"

     The others in the group stopped and stared at Violet and Jenny. Garret snickered but stopped when Violet gave him a glare.

     "My dad is in the navy. He's currently-"

     "Violet and Jenny. Get over here, BINGO is about to begin." Said Mr. Ferron, sternly. Garret and Jessica were already in the library, and Mr. Ferron looked irritated.

     Violet and Jenny glanced at each other, then they walked to Mr. Ferron at a faster pace than before.

     Jenny leaned in Violet's ear and whispered, "I'm glad you're here. I really appreciate it."

     Violet flashed a brilliant smile, and said, "Any time. That's what friends are for."

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 7:20 PM

     Jenny and Violet sat next to each other during BINGO. Both of them had already won a round of Bingo, and they were neck and neck to winning another game.

     "Ugh…. You guys are, like, so annoying. I can't believe I agreed to come to the lock in tonight," said Jessica, applying her tenth layer of lipstick that evening.

     Garret smirked and watched as Jessica's lips started to puff up. Violet gasped and pointed.

     "What?" Jessica said, pulling out a mirror while frowning. Slowly, Jessica's face went from confusion to surprise and shock.

     "AAAAAAGH!!!!" Jessica screeched. "My beautiful lips! What happened?!?" She turned to look at Garret, who was still smirking. "You little…" Jessica reached out and tried to grab Garret.

Garret scooted out of reach and ran to the exit doors of the library, Jessica close behind.

     "JESSICA, GARRET! Get over here right now!" yelled Mr. Ferron.

     Garret reached the doors and froze. Jessica caught up to him.

     "Got ya! You're gonna p-" Jessica froze mid-sentence. Then the screaming began.

Mr. Ferron, Violet, and Jenny all raced to the doors. And they too, froze when they saw what was happening.

      A cloud of darkness was sweeping through the school. Its darkness cloaked everything. The lockers, the walls, the floors, the roof, and… even the students and teachers. People who weren't fast enough disappeared. Their screams were cut off.

     Jenny felt her heart wanting to go straight through her throat.

     Violet, who was normally shy, said, "We have to help the other students and teachers."

     "Uh…. Bad idea, Violet." Garret said nervously. "Why don't we try and run while we still can.

Suddenly. Mr. Ferron took off. "I don't get paid enough to deal with this! You kids can die, I don't care!"

     "I agree with Mr. Ferron, I'm out of here!" said Jessica, taking off.

     "I'm going to help the others, you guys can come if you have a heart." said Violet determinedly as she raced to help other students.

     Jenny sighed and raced after her. "Might as well try," she whispered.

     Garret hesitated but ran after them too.

     Jenny, Violet, and Garret helped as many people as they could. Telling some where to go, comforting others, and even pulling students out of the darkness.

     "T-t-thank you…" a teacher had said when they pulled him out of the darkness. "I will help other students and teachers get away. That darkness is terrible." He shuddered.

     Soon, the darkness was covering half the school. Sirens could be heard in the distance.

     "We should get out of here while we still can." Garret said.

     Jenny was afraid to get swallowed by the darkness, but she was even more afraid to not help others in need. "You can go, but I'm staying. What about you Violet?"

     "I'm staying here with Jenny."

     Garret saluted and started to run to the exit doors across the school.

     "Just you and me now. Let's d-" Violet started to say when several screams were heard in a nearby classroom.

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 8:45 PM

     "Help!" Multiple voices screamed, as Jenny and Violet entered the classroom. Before them, was another scene of chaos. Mr. Ferron was halfway in the darkness, his head just visible. Students were trying to help him, but they weren't having much luck. The darkness seemed to consume him more than the others they had saved. Jenny and Violet raced over to help.

     "Jenny… Violet…" Mr. Ferron said.

     "Why didn't you leave when you could?" Violet asked, holding on to Mr. Ferron's arm.

     "I wanted a to take the coffee from the teacher's lounge. I could have stocked up for a year, and no teachers would notice because of the chaos. I got the coffee, but the darkness followed me so quickly, I couldn't escape."

     Jenny sighed. Mr. Ferron was definitely not her favorite teacher. Violet and the other students had let go, giving up. They watched as Jenny uselessly pulled on Mr. Ferron.

     "You shouldn't be helping me. I wanted to leave. I'm not the right person to save…" Mr. Ferron whispered. Suddenly, he disappeared into the darkness.

     Violet gasped. "Jenny! Why did you let go of him?"

     Jenny shrugged. "He said I shouldn't be helping him. So, I let him go. Besides, you guys let go of him before me. Also, he is a terrible teacher. Anyway, come on guys, let’s go."

     Violet opened the door and stepped out of the classroom, not looking behind her.

Jenny saw the darkness, creeping up on Violet, completely silent. Things were in slow motion from there. Jenny screamed, "No!" Violet's face turned into fear, and then she was gone.

Saturday, October 31st, 2020 9:00 PM

     "No!" Jenny screamed again. She couldn't lose her mother and her new friend. But she had. Violet was gone, just like Mr. Ferron and many other students and teachers.

     Jenny had no time to grieve for Violet now. The darkness covered the room and the remaining students in a heartbeat. Jenny realized that she couldn't hear anything around her. That could only mean that the others in the school had gotten to safety, or they disappeared into the darkness like Violet and so many others. She refused to think of the latter.

     The darkness swirled around her in a vortex, coldness devoured her warmth, and her heart was shattered.

     Jenny screamed, she knew she had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no safety anywhere, she shivered as she grew colder and colder, her head turning to look at the darkness surrounding her with fear.

     The darkness started to form into shapes and scenes. Her father leaving in his blue uniform. Her mother coughing, blood spattering her hospital gown. Students and teachers that couldn’t be saved. Jenny holding on to Mr. Ferron, Jenny letting go of him. And worst of all, Violet’s face of shock before she disappeared into the darkness.

     Then, the darkness made a smoky humanoid shape. It represented Jenny. Her terror filled eyes staring back at her. The smoky Jenny smiled and rearranged itself to where Jenny had a clear view to the door and Violet.

     Violet was on the ground, her body smoking. She didn't seem to be breathing and her eyes were closed.

     The darkness covered Violet once again, and Jenny felt like she was punched in the gut because now she knew Violet was gone. The darkness moved closer and closer to Jenny, listening to her last breaths before she would be covered in darkness forever.