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  STAYING

  ALIVE

  STAYING

  ALIVE

  A horror Novel

  By

  John Edwards

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. To the extent any real names of individuals, locations, or organizations are included in the book, they are used fictitiously and not intended to be taken otherwise.

  Copyright © 2017 by Author John Edwards ISBN 9781684114856

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher and author constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the copyright holder or publisher. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Chapter 1

  S ometimes life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.

  Sometimes it does. But, it all depends on the person. Well at least that’s what I think.

  But not everyone thinks the same thing. Some may think that one little negative thing that happens in their lives just destroys everything, they become dark and distance from the world and everyone they know and love. And forget about the thought of living. In some cases, there are those who can learn to cope with it. And be able to live on with the negative memory.

  Though this is my opinion, I cannot empathize to those people. But I do understand them a little. But, there are those who live life hap- pily. No matter what happens they always pull through. Almost acting like nothing has happened. Like it never happened to begin with.

  I am kind of in between those two types of people. I don’t exactly think about life that deeply. I do care about mine and those around me. But there are times when the days get heavier and heavier, and you have no idea how to live with it. Some think I’m strange for feeling this way but...that’s how I am.

  You know that feeling when, one day things don’t feel the same. Like the world just changed a little and you felt it. Almost like you’re the only one to notice it. I don’t get it myself but, today of all days the feeling was stronger than usual.

  JOHN EDWARDS

  School wasn’t always my favorite place to be in. sitting for almost a half an hour listening to the teacher rant on about the subject you’re currently in. Most of the time I don’t even pay attention, I usually spend the class time staring out the window and almost most of the time the teacher doesn’t notice me. I’d hate to embarrass myself in the middle of a lecture. Particularly math. It isn’t my strongest subject but I know enough of it to pass me on to the next grade. All I could hear was the soft ticking of the clock that hung right above the door inside the classroom. It was rather small for such a large classroom. You could barely notice it up there besides its ticking. I peered out of the glass window into the barely lit hallway. There was no one walking about, except for those people that monitor them.

  I turned my head to the side and directed my gaze towards Elise. My best friend you could say. She’s not at all like me. She’s the type of person that would actually pay attention in class. No matter how many times I’d try to distract her, it would only piss her off. Which would result to either being ignored or slapped. In any case I’d much rather not liked to be slapped.

  As class went on like normal, my hands began to shake. The feeling had grown stronger. My head began to throb, I had chills running down my spine. That one feeling you get when something bad is about to happen. Though I wish it would never result into something like that.

  But, once that intercom came on, my instincts kicked in. The throbbing in my head had faded, the chills vanished, and the constant trembling of my hands subsided. I was ready for whatever was about to happen.

  The room silenced, but in that stillness the impudent ticking of the clock filled the room. I was ready, but was everyone else?

  The intercom began to make static noises. It pierced our ears.

  The pain wasn’t so bad but for others it might be. It only lasted for a couple of seconds until it stopped. My body was tense. What is it that I should be doing now? Should I ask her to bring “that”

  out now or later? I was waiting for the right time to say it.

  6

  STAYING ALIVE

  “Jade...” Elise turned to me concerned. I gave her a small grin and nodded to her that I was fine. She sighed and looked back at the intercom speaker. Inside the silence I could hear the soft hums of someone, or something speaking into the intercom.

  Class time had stopped. Even the teacher ended his lecture. I sat still, waiting for the right time. I may be wrong but, I could feel it. There just might be something wrong with the intercom or someone hit the ON button by accident and has no idea that it’s on. Right?

  “I’m right...right”? I could spend all day thinking of different possibilities on this matter if I had the time. But right now, it could be either one of my theories. The intercom began to make more noises. It wasn’t the static noise from earlier, but the distinct growl that sounded like a tortured animal. It shrieked in pain. It didn’t sound like something a normal human being could possibly make. I gritted my teeth. I tightened my fist, the nails on my fingers almost piercing my skin. I felt hot, my face flushed. What was I nervous for? I was ready for anything to happen.

  “It’s gonna be fine”. Elise who was sitting beside me noticed the horrified expression I had on my face. She patted my shoulder.

  I knew she was trying to calm me down. I closed my eyes and breathed in and out, trying to relax. It was getting louder and louder. Some of my classmates started to act up from the suspense.

  Whispers began about the room.

  “It’s a prank”

  “Someone must be trying to play a trick on us”.

  “They gonna get in trouble soon, you’ll see”. I wish it were so.

  I could feel Elise’s hand gripping against my shoulder. She was expressionless. Looking up at the intercom speaker. I had no idea of what was going on inside her head. Could she be thinking about the same thing?

  “Hey”. I asked her.

  She turned back to look at me.

  7

  JOHN EDWARDS

  “Funny, you’d think...I’m crazy if I were to say what was on my mind right now”. Her face grew dark.

  “I already know what you’re thinking”. She told me with a grin.

  “Oh”? I whistled.

  “And... If it actually comes out to be true then, we’ll already have a plan”.

  She eased her grip on my shoulder and patted my head this time.

  “We’re smart eh”? I asked her. She nodded back at me. I sighed.

  The intercom came on again, but this time all of us heard someone say “Help”. It sounded no more like a silent whimper. Then it grew louder again with more force in they’re voice.

  “HELP ME”! The voice shook us all. After that yell for help several noises started to come out of the intercom speaker. Sounds that shouldn’t be heard by these people, sounds that shouldn’t exist in this peaceful school.

  “H... HELP ME... HELP ME PLEASE...SOMEONE”!!

  Aside those words, the sound of something crunching on bone.

  Consistently chewing. The cries grew shorter and quieter. Until nothing could be heard from the other side. Everyone settled down. Their stirring calmed.

  “Maybe it was just a pra-”. Then the loud clamoring came back for a second attack.

  “AHHH”!! Intense cries coming from the intercom scared even me, down to my core. Fr
om that, the scream was the only thing that moved me. I got up from my desk. Unbuttoning my shirt, I breathed in and out. I’m prepared.

  “Elise...take “that” out”. She looked at me confused.

  “What”? She asked me. My gaze was hard and stern, she knew what I was talking about, what was making her hesitate to take it out.

  “We have to go now”! I shouted at her. She shook, she looked surprised. Though I can understand her. I’ve never once ever raised my voice at her. I almost feel bad about it but, during a time like this I have to.

  8

  STAYING ALIVE

  She rummaged through her back pack looking for the paper.

  While she did that I tried to stay calm as much as possible. I started to look around the classroom. I took notice that my classmates eyes were on us. Studying our movements. Then one of the guys from our table grasped my hand. He asked me, “What are you doing”? He was a big guy, with spiky hair like any other ordinary young man would have to look “Hip”.

  “What do you mean”? I looked at him straight faced.

  “I mean...you guys look like you’re gonna go somewhere”.

  “Yeah, we are”. I told him. He jerked in his chair.

  “What if...it’s not a prank...it’s too dangerous to go out there”!

  His grasp tightened. I could tell that he was really worried for me and Elise, but I can’t let him worry over someone like me.

  “It’s gonna be fine, I... we know what we’re doing”. I wanted to give him one more smile before we left but, I just couldn’t do it. I released my hand from his and walked over to the door.

  “Okay, I got it. Let’s go”. Elise jogged over to me with my back pack. I looked over at the teacher who seemed reluctant for us to leave.

  “Where are you girls going”!? He walked over to us. One thing I hate about the teachers in this school. Their way too nosy.

  “None of your business”. I said, with my back turned.

  “You know you’re not supposed to leave the classroom...

  when...until the principal allows you to”.

  “But, he hasn’t said anything has he. Besides...if we were to stay here any longer...” I didn’t say anything else. If I were to give away anything surely, they would think I’m crazy or something.

  “I’d hate to stay in a cramped up classroom with a bunch of cowards”. The teacher clicked his tongue. I snickered. It does feel a bit good. One would never get a chance like this.

  “Oh, but I do have one last thing to say”. I turned around to face the students in the class. I’ll give out one more piece of advice, to you all. Hopefully you will understand and follow it.

  “I do wish you all...the best of luck. But for whatever reason you hear anything else from that intercom”. I pointed to the speaker.

  9

  JOHN EDWARDS

  “You cannot...and I repeat, you cannot leave this room”. After I said this some of the students in the room started to giggle, as if I had told them a joke.

  “What makes you think that we’ll listen to you of all people”?

  You’ll listen because I’m smarter than all of you.

  “Um, sorry if this may seem rude but...who are you again”? I scratched my head in confusion.

  Another thing about me, I have the habit of forgetting the people I meet. (More like, the people I don’t care about). It’s only a minor setback in my personality, but I guess that makes me who I am.

  I glanced at the one meter stick on the shelf of the white board and grabbed it. The teacher stepped back. Oh, don’t worry if I was going to hurt a teacher it would have been far more embarrassing than being hit by a meter stick.

  “Then, if you don’t wanna listen to me...do you want to be in charge of this class”? I asked the guy. A jock, this guy was a jock.

  From what I could see in his appearance...he was a top-notch jock.

  A block head at that too. I can’t say for certain that he was dumb.

  (He would occasionally score higher than me in the tests). Besides that, he was just plain stupid.

  “Hey, have you ever watched people in movies fight with swords”? I asked him.

  He nodded.

  “Ever thought about using one”? I asked him. He shook his head.

  “Would you...like to have a duel with me, it’s a quickie though”.

  Elise who was behind me tugged on my shirt. She pulled me to the side.

  “What do you think you’re doing”? She looked pissed. Oh man, I hate getting her pissed.

  “Hmm, having a quickie duel...what about it”? I grinned. She grinned back and punched my arm. It hurt.

  “Make it quick, we don’t have time for you to fool around”. I poked her with glee and turned back to face the guy. I looked at the meter stick. Looked long enough for 2.

  10

  STAYING ALIVE

  “Wanna fight me”? I asked him. He chuckled. So, did his friends. They also got up to pat the guy. Encouragement won’t do anything for ya.

  “Ready to get your butt whooped”! The guy said. (Who uses that line nowadays?)

  “Sure”. I smiled brightly. Holding out the meter stick, the guy looked at me confused.

  “This should be suitable”! Using my knee I threw the stick against it, splitting the meter stick into 2. I looked at the 2 pieces.

  “Looks even enough yeah”? A few people in the classroom gasped in amazement. But I don’t get it, shouldn’t everyone be able to do something like this. I shrugged and handed the other piece to the guy.

  “I wanna ask you something, Bro what’s your name”? He looked angry.

  “It’s Anthony...you jerk”.

  “Whoa, no need to get foul mouth in here”. I stood comfortably still with the other half of the stick in my right hand. He looked fierce. I’m sure that he thinks I’m weak...think again. Then we went into his ready stance. I laughed a bit inside. It seemed that he tried to replicate a samurai’s stance. I’m sure he’s watched a ton of those kinds a movie.

  “Go easy on him Jade, he doesn’t know what he’s doing”. Elise was leaning against the wall. Waiting for me.

  I waved my hand at him, gesturing him over.

  “Anthony, you can go all out but...I won’t guarantee the safety of your arms or legs”. He gave me the middle finger and charged at me. You’re gonna tackle me or. .

  I took a step back, as he plunged for me I moved swiftly to the side dodging him. My back facing him. He took a second swing aiming for my head I blocked him with my hand. He stumbled against the white board. While he kept swinging at me like an idiot I just kept dodging him, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

  “Stop dodging me”! He wailed at me.

  “But I’m worried that you’ll damage my face”! I giggled. His anger grew.

  11

  JOHN EDWARDS

  “K”! I stepped back took a deep breath in and aimed for his legs. I stabbed his legs on several different pressure points. Just the few where it would disable him from any further movement.

  “Gah”! He fell to the ground. He looked so pitiful. Unable to move his legs. I put my hand to my mouth trying to hold back my laugh.

  “Oh, stop bein a cry baby you’ll feel them again...in a couple of minutes”. I bent down and picked up the other half of the meter stick. I tapped him on the head with the stick.

  “Now are you gonna be a good little boy and listen to me”?

  He nodded as he shook.

  “Good, now then”. I let out a big sigh and got up, throwing the sticks to the ground. I knew for sure that these won’t be of any use to us for where we’re going.

  “Let’s go already”.

  “Yeah”. We headed out. I shut the door behind us and walked away.

  “Do ya think they’ll actually listen to you”? Elise asked me.

  “Now, I just wanted to show off a little before we left”. Elise gave me one of “those” looks. I see that she’s still pissed huh.

  “Eventuall
y they’ll wanna found out by themselves. Though it’s unfortunate”.

  “Yeah”. When I think about those people in the classroom. I feel sorry for them. But, it’s their faults. Just the look of them you could tell that they wouldn’t be able to withstand or stay sane for long.

  “You know what I hate most about humanity”. I crossed my arms.

  “What”?

  “We’re so blasted curious about things, no matter how many times someone tries to stop you from finding it out...you’ll want to persevere. It won’t last long. The imaginary barrier that I’ve set up”.

  “Imaginary barrier”? Elise looked at me confused.

  “Yeah, it’s gonna break soon, and once it’s broken...” I looked up at the ceiling.

  “And... Once it breaks”? Elise asked.

  12

  STAYING ALIVE

  “Chaos”. Curiosity, is the deadliest thing on Earth. That’s what I think. You may think I’m silly for thinking this but. There are just some things that...shouldn’t be found out.

  It’s like what mom would say.

  “Don’t open a can full of worms”.

  “Why say that”?

  “It’s easy to open a can full of worms...but it’s rather difficult to close it back up”.

  “That’s a rather odd saying”.

  “Yeah, and my mom’s a rather odd women”. We both laughed at my joke, but in all seriousness, I wish that all this scenario was just a big joke.

  13

  Chapter 2

  A s we walked down the wide darkened hallway. I asked Elise as to where we should go first.

  “Did ya forget already, wow Jade”.

  “What”? I looked at her confused.

  “We planned that we’d first head to the sports dept. to go get the keys. Then get to the sports shed where all the equipment is”.