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Our third place middle school entry was written by eighth grader Samantha Yowell, a student who attends Harding High in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. |
The loud ringing of my alarm startled me awake. Five hours of sleep really isn’t doing it for me anymore. My dad opened my door and the light from the hallway crept along my walls and right into my eyes.
“Dad! What are you doing?!” I said with a hoarse voice.
“Just seeing if you’re awake, sweety, we gotta get moving,” he smiled. I smiled back with my eyes still closed. My mom was out on a work trip but I don’t know where. They’re really good parents, maybe even the best in the world. Sure it’s cliche, but it’s true. I reached an arm over to my nightstand and turned on my lamp. I looked at my coat hanging in the corner and laughed to myself. The darkness twisted my vision and tricked me into thinking that it was a person. I’m not superstitious and I don’t believe in ghosts or anything like that so I really don’t know what I was afraid of. I threw on my clothes and struggled to brush the snarls out of my dirty blonde hair. I put it up in a messy bun and brushed my teeth. I looked at myself in the mirror and picked out everything I didn’t like and did like.
“Ready, pumpkin?” my dad startled me out of my self criticism.
“Yup, is mom coming home today?” I asked sounding hopeful.
“She’s leaving at noon and when she gets back we are going out to eat!” My smile was big and it didn’t leave until I got in the car. I know it seems strange to be so excited about something so small but if I’m being honest, my parents are the most important people in my life. I mean friends come and go, but your family is with you forever. The little friends I do have think I am strange for believing that, but I can’t imagine a life without my parents.
I hugged my dad goodbye and repeated what I say everytime I take my leave of one of them:
“I love you so much, stay safe, I’ll see you after school.” He blew a kiss out of the window and I did the same back. I looked for my usual group of friends I hang out with and walked towards them.
“Yeah I know it’s stup- oh hey Angel, did you finish the science paper?” Kristen, my best friend, asked. Oh my name isn’t Angel, it’s Evangeline. Yeah, I know it’s kind of strange, but I like it.
“Uh, yeah but I don’t know if I got it right,” I said looking away knowing she was going to yell at me for doubting myself.
“Oh shut up Angel, you’re like the smartest girl in our grade,” she groaned. She gets more annoying everytime she says that.
“Yeah, whatever you say Kris,” I smiled and and shook my head.
“Hey, look a new kid,” said Claire, a short and pale girl with dark, straight hair. A boy with tanish skin, toasted almond hair, a freckled nose, and green eyes walked down the sidewalk with his head looking in every direction like he was paranoid. Something was strange about him. I shook the thought out of my mind and we all walked towards the school entrance and went to our lockers. I twisted my hands around to get to each number and when I pulled on the handle, it didn’t open. I sighed and looked around to see if there was a teacher or janitor anywhere around.
I checked the nearest classroom for any adult that could help me. No one. I was going to have to go in the basement to look for the janitor. I looked at all of the art and awards hanging on the school walls.
I started to feel as though someone was watching me. I really just wanted this day to be over. I quickly hurried to the basement because the paranoia wasn’t going away. When I finally found the janitor I felt safer and as soon as she opened my locker, I grabbed my things and headed straight for class. All day it was the same as any other except for lunch. The boy who we saw this morning kept staring at us, but he didn’t even try to hide it. Instead he stared wide-eyed and attentive. All of the other girls made jokes about it, but something was unsettling about him. When I got home my mom was working and my dad was watching TV.
“Mom!” I yelled and ran over to her.
“Hi sweetie, how was school?” she said and squeezed me.
“Oh you know, same as always,” I smiled.
“Well, tomorrow is a new day and you never know what can happen. You ready to go eat?” She winked at me knowing that her words made me wonder about the possibilities of tomorrow.
“Yup, I’m starving,” I said dropping my bag on the floor. We left for the restaurant and for the first time since before leaving the house this morning, I felt normal. That feeling lasted all the way until I went to bed. The boy’s bright green eyes were the only thing I could think about. Each time I tried to sleep, they came back into my head. That’s when I remembered what my mom said and I could start thinking about the “adventures” I could have the next day.
To no one's surprise, the next morning started off the same as the last as I got ready for school. I met up with my friends again and it all felt like deja vu. Luckily, today my locker wasn’t jammed and I could head straight to class, but then I noticed something. The boy was in my class, but yesterday I had no classes with him. Also, there was only one seat open that was next to him. If I was being completely honest, he scared me. There was nothing I could do about it though and maybe if I just talked to him then it won’t be so weird.
“Hello, I’m Evangeline,” I smiled and said. He slowly turned in my direction and looked me up and down. Then he turned his head back and said nothing. So much for social interaction. I don’t even know if I was breathing that whole class. I was afraid that if I did then he would look at me or maybe even hurt me.
Before heading to my next class I went to go get a drink. The hallway was empty but it didn’t feel like it. I took a sip of water and looked up to see if anyone was there. I took one more sip, wiped my mouth and turned around. Still nothing. I sighed and headed to class.
Then, when I was about to turn the corner someone grabbed my hand and placed another one over my mouth. I tried to scream, but it was muffled and I tried to get a good look at the person holding me. It was him, the boy. Where did he come from and what is he doing?! While still pinning me against the wall, he shushed me and told me to follow him. I really didn’t have a choice, he gripped my arms so tight it burned. He hurried me into the janitors closet, locked the door and turned the light on.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I yelled. He turned and looked at the door like he was panicking.
“Listen I am not going to hurt you, in fact, I’m doing the exact opposite,” he stared me dead in the eyes. His voice was deep and low, but calm despite the way he was acting.
“Okay I don’t know if this is a joke, but guess what, it isn’t funny.” I crossed my arms to try and show my anger.
“I get you’re scared and angry, but just let me talk and please don’t call me crazy,” he pleaded.
“Fine, go ahead, but if I get in trouble I’m telling them the truth,” I said trying to sound intimidating but this only made my threat sound like whining.
“Sure, sweetheart, just pay attention,” he said. I was taken back by his name calling. Okay, so maybe little shy kid isn’t very shy after all. “My name is Matthew and you.... Well basically you’re being hunted down by demons. And I am kind of your protector. Oh and you’re the child of an angel.” My mouth hung wide open and I started to laugh. I almost called him crazy, but then I remembered him asking me not to. I looked up to see a straight and frustrated face looking down at me. He is very tall.
“Okay, Matt, this has been really fun, but I kind of have to go now. I won’t even tell on you,” I said trying to hold back a smirk. Then he grabbed my arms again and whispered to me.
“You can laugh all you want right now because soon the only thing you’re going to feel is fear.” My smile was gone and when he walked out of the door I felt something in my hand. It was a note that read:
If you’re home alone or you feel like someone is watching you, call me 360- 471-9385
-Matt
Okay, he is definitely insane. I will admit that the adrenaline of fear was the most fun I have ever had here. Also, I noticed that Matthew had switched every single class to the same ones as mine. I guess I wasn’t as creeped out now considering the fact that he is a psychopath. In all of my classes he didn’t take an eye off of me and I was thinking about going to the office, but I decided I would give him a week until I said something.
After school I got home and found a note on my door. I peeled it off my door and each word I read made me feel more and more annoyed.
Hey sweetie, your dad and I had to go in for work a little late and I don’t know when we will be home, but there is dinner in the fridge and we love you!
- Mom ‘N Dad
You’re kidding me, right? Okay, it’s fine because I am just going to eat, do my homework, and go to bed. That was probably going to be hard because I was already starting to feel scared. I walked inside and started to heat up my dinner. I just need to calm down because I was starting to sound like Matt. Math is probably my hardest subject, so if I struggled with that then it would take my mind off of everything else.
30x + 50y . 17...... I don’t feel very good maybe I should call Mat-
“No!” I yelled out. I really need to stop, but I actually don’t feel good. I feel... unsafe or something. It got really silent and I couldn’t even hear my fan. My heart started beating faster and louder.
Come on baby don't fear the reaper!
Baby take my hand, don’t fear the reaper!
“Gah,” I screamed and scrambled out my blankets and shut it off. Okay, I’m calling Matt.
“Hey, can you come over?” I asked quietly. Before I even told him where I lived, he hung up. It was probably not even two minutes when I heard the doorbell ring. I was cautious to head to the door. He couldn’t already be here already, could he? Maybe he lives close by. I quietly walked through the hallway and looked through the window to see who it was. Matt was slouched at the door and and he was wearing a bloody patch on his arm. I ran to the door and swung it open as fast as I could.
“Are you okay, what happened!?” I asked as I pulled him inside.
“Would you believe me if I said I tripped?” he smirked back.
“Matt, I’m serious, something is happening,” I put my hand on his shoulder and led him through the house into the living room. He groaned when he sat down and I took off his bandage. His wound was very big and very bloody. It looked like a knife had cut him.
“Oh my gosh. Hold on I’m going to get some peroxide,” I said with horror on my face. “Okay, this going to sting like a lot, so please stay calm,” I warned. He calmly nodded and I held his arm down. I wiped the blood and and put the peroxide on his arm. At first, I flinched because I thought he was going to yell, but he barely flinched. I grabbed a needle and thread because the wound was too deep to leave open. I didn’t really know how to sew up a wound, but it seemed pretty simple.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” he asked.
“Of course I do. Don’t worry,” I lied and made it obvious. He knew I was lying, but for some reason he didn’t care. I stuck the needle in and I thought for sure that he was going to do something, but he only winced a little bit. I was very proud of the end result and he looked good as new.
“Why did you call, are you hurt, was someone here,” he asked in a panicking voice.
“No, you’re going to tell me everything before I tell you anything. Question one. Who are you really?” I sat down next to him.
“Alright, I am Matthew Conaghan and I, well, I’m a hunter of a sort.”
“Of a sort?” I rose an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Well yeah, I don’t hunt deer or anything like that. Instead I hunt....demons,” he looked at me to see my reaction.
“So you really are insane, huh,” I said with a straight face. I guess that wasn’t the nicest thing to say because he turned away after I said it.
“I already know you won’t believe me, but it doesn't matter. Okay now I get one,” he smiled. “Why did you call me over?”
The question bugged me because, at first, I thought he was going to make fun of me, but
then I reminded myself that he “hunts demons”.
“Well, I was doing homework because lately I have been feeling a little paranoid and I thought it could take my mind off of everything. Then it got very silent until my radio blasted Don’t Fear.” I looked at him with worry painted all over my face.
“I mean, at least demons have good taste in music. They like to mess with their victims before they kill, posses, or torture them.” He was talking in a calm voice, like he was trying not to freak me out.
“But what do they want with me?” I felt fear wash over me, they could want to kill me.
“Like I said before, you’re the child of an angel but I neglected to mention which kind,”
“Wait there are different kinds of angels?” I said scooting closer to listen to the intriguing words whether they were lies or not. He looked up as if he was listening to someone else and nodded.
“Evangeline, you are the daughter of one of the most important angel’s there is. You’re the daughter of Archangel Michael and I am....” he stopped and closed his eyes and started whispering something. What is an Archangel and how could I possibly be it’s child.
“You are what?” I said eagerly.
“I am your.....guardian, your father tasked me with protecting you,” he said hesitantly. This time I wasn’t laughing. I had no reason to believe him but I did.
“Okay, I believe you Matt, but then who are my...earth parents?” I said confused.
“Your mother did give birth to you but she became pregnant after Michael used your father to walk on earth,” he explained
“Oh but they failed to mention this to me?” I asked.
“They don’t necessarily know,” he laughed.
“Just how much do you know about me Matt? How does Michael talk to you?” I had
been waiting to ask this in case I didn’t want to know.
“Umm I’d have to say almost everything,” he grinned. I laughed nervously and sat back pondering all of the information I just took in. Then something hit me hard. If I am being hunted down, then what happens when they get me and my parents are also in danger?
“Matt, what about my parents?” I blurted.
“Yes they will be hurt if you stay near them but I already thought of a solution. By the way you’re not gonna like it.”
“Okay well I’ll do anything to keep them safe”, I replied.
“Even if it means you won’t see them for a while?”, he asked.
“Yes but I am going to say goodbye first” I commanded.
“That’s fine, as lo-”, he was interrupted by flickering lights. “ Leave a note, the demons are here.” I quickly grabbed a paper and wrote a not
Mom and dad, I am no going to be home tonight but I am safe. Stay safe, I love you both so much, and I’ll see you before you know it.
-Your little Angel
As soon as I finished, Matt grabbed my hand and took me out of the house. I looked back and saw a tall man looking at me through the window. I swear that when I looked into his blood red eyes, he was sucking the life right out of my body.
We arrived at Matt’s house and I don’t even remember walking here. His dad seemed to be the only one who was home.
“Matthew, what do you think you’re doing?” his dad sounded angry. Matt walked over to the lanky man and started whispering to him. His dad looked over at me with a surprised expression on his face.
“Hello Evangeline, I’m Lyle. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he forced a smile that made him look like he was in pain. I shook his hand and smiled back.
“Uh hi, do you know how long I have to stay here?” I sounded hopeless and worried like a lost puppy. I guess that really is what I was at the moment because I didn’t know where I was or how I got here. I don’t remember anything from our walk over here and I just found out that I am an angel baby, I’m being hunted down, and I don’t know when I can see my parents. I started hyperventilating and then everything went black.
My head was pounding when I woke up and I could barely open my eyes.
“Dad stop shining the light in her eyes,” I heard Matt’s voice but I couldn’t see him. I tried to call his name but my throat was so dry like someone had dumped salt down it.
“Go get her some water ,boy” his dad nagged him. He poured the water in my mouth and I finally got the strength to sit up.
“Wha- what happened?” I was finally able to choke out.
“When did you see him?” Lyle asked ignoring my question.
“Who?” I asked confused.
“You saw Lucifer Evangeline and we need to know where,” he sounded like he was in a hurry.
“I didn’t see him at all,” I said raising an eyebrow.
“Well that wasn’t a normal panic attack, it was Lucifer crawling in your head making you freak out. It happens when you look in his eyes.” He sounded angry as if he didn’t want to talk about it. I thought for a moment and then I pictured blood in my mind and remembered looking back into my window.
“My house! Lucifer is in my house! My parents, they could be home!” I started panicking again.
“Whoa take it easy, I am going to find your parents and Matthew is goin’ to keep you safe here until I get back,” he assured me. I tried to calm down but I was still worried sick.
“Please,” I felt hot tears prick the back of my eyes. “Please they mean the world to me.” He patted my shoulder and told Matt to look after me. He grabbed some strange materials like salt, shotguns, paint, and three little bags with some sort of powder in them.
“Dad,” Matt sounded like he was going to say something more meaningful but just ended up saying “Don’t forget the book,” instead. I could tell he was worried and I wanted to know why he didn’t say what he really wanted to. His dad nodded back to him and walked out of the door. Matt exhaled heavily and helped me walk over to the couch. We both plopped down and were silent for what felt like forever.
“Why didn’t you say what you really wanted to say?” I asked him out of the blue.
“What do you mean?” He looked at me.
“You said something about a book but I could tell you wanted to say something more.”
“You wouldn’t understand.” he said, his voice sounding was full of dread. I took his hand in mine and smiled
“Then help me understand,” I said. He explained how in is business, you can’t let yourself sink into your feeling or else you could die in an instant. But then he said something that sounded familiar.
“Although we don’t show our love for eachother, we are all we have and all we need. Family is the most important thing in the world. It’s something people realise too late,” he said with and his eyes lit up with something I’ve never seen before. I thought for a moment and understood what we had to do.
“Well what are we doing sitting around Matt? Our parents are in danger and we are just sitting back like nothing is happening. If I mean so much to Michael to the point where I need a bodyguard then he is gonna to have to do something to Lucifer if he even tries to touch me. We can use me as bait and then he will come for sure.” I jumped up with confidence after thinking over my plan. Matt didn’t seem to feel the same way.
“Uh listen sweetheart, if I don’t get slaughtered by the devil then I’m gonna get it ten times worse from my dad. Also, I will not ever let you get hurt whether it’s my job or not. You’re a great person and you might as well keep what innocence you have left before it’s too late,” he said staring out of the window like he was remembering something. I always found it strange that he was only a year older than me but seemed to be in the body of a twenty year-old man. Not only that but he acted much older too, like he hasn’t laughed in forever.
“I understand how much your dad means to you because my parents mean the same amount to me. I love them with all of my heart and if their lives are in danger then I would give more than just my innocence to keep them safe.” I was now looking him dead in the eye and didn’t look away until what felt like eternity.
“Okay, you’re right but I swear I will not let you get hurt,” he gave me a hug and I stood surprised for a moment but then I hugged him back. I almost felt like crying but then I remembered I had to stay strong for my parents. Matt took me into a room that was filled with weird symbols, guns, knives, salt, and a lot more.
“What is all of this for?” I asked curiously.
“We fill the guns with silver bullets in case of a werewolf attack, the symbols are for protection, and there are knives made of iron and silver for ghosts and well, more werewolves.”
“Werewolves? Ghosts? Anything else I need to know exists?” I said sounding shocked.
“Of course you also have your occasional vampire, reaper, spirits. Ah and fairies,” he smiled.
“Fairies?” I was even more shocked but after everything so far, I just believed him.
“Oh sure Tinkerbell is all nice but she is nothing compared to real life.” Then we both started laughing and for the first time in a while I felt a little bit better.
He handed me a necklace with the same protection symbol on it as the ones that covered the room. After a few moments of checking ammo in guns we walked out of the door with determination. For some reason I didn’t worry about death, all I worried about was making sure that my parents were alive and well. If someone would have told me that I was going to fight Lucifer less than twenty four hours ago then I would have called them insane. I can't believe I’m doing this.
Again I had no memory of the walk to my house but I did know one thing and was that Lucifer was near. I could feel him close by but not close enough to know exactly where. We stopped at the door and my heart started to beat so fast I thought it was going to fall out of my chest.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I could sense some sort of pain in his voice. I wonder why. We went over the plan one more time and I braced myself to walk into the dark house. I tried to use the counters and tables to show my to my parents bedroom. It took a lot of courage to call out for my parents but I finally did.
“Mom! Dad! I’m home!” I said with the fear in my voice very apparent. I almost turned around to head back outside when I heard a faint voice.
“Evangeline? Is that you?!” the voice grew louder and I could clearly hear that it was my mom’s.
“Mom! Where are you?!” I called out.
“Come in the living room, someone is here.” she said sounding suspiciously calm. I tiptoed my way into the living room until I saw the silhouette of a woman standing in front of the TV.
“Oh darling we have been so worried,” she said in a soothing but somehow unsettling voice. I inched closer and closer to her until we were about three feet apart.
“I was worried about you too. Well I was worried about my real parents,” I said trying to prepare for whatever would happen next. The she started laughing and then her laugh turned into a growl. Lucifer melted away his costume and started to get closer and closer
“Worry not child your guardian is here to help you,” he cackled and turned the lights on to reveal Matt and Lyle tied up and beaten on the floor. I gasped and fought the fear that was trying to crawl it’s way inside my head.
“What do you want with me?” I yelled
“You’re powerful and strong in the mind. Useful to put it plainly,” He grinned showing his yellow teeth.
“Why would I ever be dumb enough to accept this offer,” I kept my head strong and my arms ready.
“Dear, I wasn’t asking,” and before I knew it, he launched at me and pinned me to the floor. I grabbed a knife that Matt gave me and cut him in the stomach. He groaned and that gave me a chance to get up. I ran into the kitchen and got read to fight again but he was fast. I didn’t even have time to blink before he slapped the blade out of my hand. He grabbed my wrists so tight that the circulation was already getting cut off. This was it, I died fighting and that’s the best way to go in my opinion.
Just before Lucifer’s fangs reached my neck, a bright beam of light flashed through the ceiling. It struck Matt’s body and his bonds came untied. He softly floated to the ground and when he looked up, his wounds were healed and his eyes were glowing with light. He walked his way over to where Lucifer and I were standing and he smiled at me. Then he turned to Lucifer and touched his forehead with two fingers, then a blinding light flashed and Lucifer was gone. Matt walked over to me but it wasn’t Matt who was in him. It was Michael.
“I love you child, do not ever let evil get the better of you. I will see you one day soon enough”. Then the beam flashed out of Matt and beamed into the sky. Matt went limp and I caught him before he fell. I brought him over to the couch and untied his dad. A few minutes passed Lyle slowly woke up.
“Lyle are you okay?” I hurried to his side and started cleaning his wounds “Wha- where is Matthew. Matthew!” he started to yell
“Lyle! He’s fine I promise.” I gave him some water but he refused. “Where on earth is Lucifer kid,” he demanded.
“Michael came down and I don’t know where he took him.” I explained
“Michael? The Archangel?! Well who did he posses?” he started getting loud again. “Matthew”, I pointed over to him where he lay peacefully sleeping. Lyle looked over at his son and once he saw that he barely had a scratch on him, he fell back asleep. Matthew woke up just seconds after that. Then I rushed over to him and gave him a big hug.
“Before you ask, yes your dad is okay and yes you were possessed by Michael,” I smiled.
“Sounds normal enough, but how are you,” he asked. I just smiled and gave him some water. I had no clue what I was going to tell my parents but it definitely wasn’t going to be the truth. Matthew fell back asleep and I sighed heavily. I kissed him on the cheek and thanked my guardian.
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