Try listening to the song Bittersweet while reading the story: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHLIwwlmZa4 (Sorry for any ads that come with it) Shadrach Yale’s stomach was growling, for he had not eaten in two days. His guitar was growing rusty and his days were going by slowly. He sat on a park bench with his guitar, slowly picking the strings, forming a melancholy tune. Beside him, a rotting wicker basket collected a few coins of charity. Tears began to fall from the clouds. Shadrach started to gather his few belongings to trudge off to his rickety old shack. He stopped as he saw a bright red balloon floating quickly about. The balloon paused and came towards him. The balloon looked so happy, even though raindrops trickled off its brightness. Shadrach’s eyes shifted below the balloon, where he saw a little boy with soft grey eyes, slick blond hair, and happy, rosy cheeks. The child approached him, “I’m Thomas Little.” The boy proclaimed. Shadrach was surprised that the boy had the courage to talk to him. Shadrach looked back up at the balloon: still so bright. Shadrach’s hopeless eyes met the bright eyes of Thomas Little. He replied in a gravelly, but soft voice, “I’m Shad. Do your parents know you’re out here, son?” “Yes sir.” The boy pronounced. Shadrach wasn’t used to being respected like that. A small smile crept into his lips. They started talking. They talked about guitar songs, third grade, and more. All the while, it was still raining, but neither of them even noticed, or cared. Eventually a streak of lightening was seen, and thunder boomed. “Well Little Tom, you better be on your way. Im leaving anyway.” “Ah but I like talkin’ to ya, Mr. Shad.” “I know, but your balloon will pop if its out here much longer.” Shadrach replied. “My balloon isn’t as special as talking to you. Mr. Shad, I go to the church across the street, and was wondering if maybe you would want to come on Sunday?” Shadrach was shocked that such a young child could be so mature for his age. Shadrach then replied with, “Church people aren’t always as kind to those who don’t look like them, Thomas. And Iv’e heard their stories before kid, I think they’re too good to be true. Sorry.” “That’s alright, Mr. Shad. Here, you can have this; so you’ll remember me just in case we don’t see each other again.” Thomas handed a red guitar pick with the words THOMAS M. LITTLE carved in it. “What does the M. stand for, Thomas?” “Messenger. Thomas Messenger Little.” “...speaking the Truth in love...” Ephesians 4:15
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Dixie Kate Allen collapsed on her mother’s bed and began to cry. “What’s the matter, Dixie?”
“Some girls at school were making fun of me again today. I hate having freckles.” “Sweetie,” Her mother soothingly replied, “you are so beautiful, and your freckles make you - you. Freckles are just evidence that you are outside a lot. Now perk up. Those girls can only hurt you if you let them. True friends don’t care if you have freckles or not, they look on the inside. Now, why don’t you go play with your siblings?” Dixie, with her re-found confidence, trotted off to play football with her older brothers Layton and Connor, which was one of her favorite things to do. She hopped outside to see them already tossing to each other. “You doing any better, Dix?” Layton inquired, being the most compassionate 16 year old boy Dixie knew. “Yes, thanks for asking.” She replied, “Do y’all want to play jackpot?” “Sure.” Layton said. “Oh by the way, Alton is coming over today.” “Great!” Alton Odell Williamson was one of Dixie’s best friends. He was 14 years old, only 2 months younger than Dixie. He was sporty, like her older brothers, in other words he played (and was good at) football, baseball, and basketball. Alton had dark brown hair like Dixie, but with a slight wave. He also had steel blue eyes. If he looked straight into anyone’s eyes, especially Dixie’s sky blue eyes, it would feel like he saw into your soul. Alton was 5’8’’ and was quite strong. Dixie, on the other hand, was 5’6” and was quite skinny. Alton almost always wore shades of blue, since it was his favorite color. Alton’s family and the Allen’s went to church together, so they saw each other almost every day, at school and church. Dixie loved going to church, especially with her comfortable t-shirt dress on and her favorite high top converse. Dixie lives in Alabama in a smiling town called Summerville. It’s quite a small town, which explains the small school. But, because of the small school, a wide range of friends to choose from was unavailable. Dixie loved her school, but wished there was more people in it. If she didn’t feel like sitting with the girls for some reason, she would sit with Alton, Layton, Connor and their friends. The guys were much more accepting than the girls. The girls would usually make fun of her for sitting with them, then the whole school would find out. But one girl never made fun of her: Nina Anthony. Nina was Dixie’s best friend. They both loved flowers, drawing, painting, pastels, and converse, and they both ran track at their school. A lot of times, the boys would come over after whatever sport’s practice they had and would watch the track team. After school one day, Nina and Dixie scurried off to track practice. Dixie always felt more comfortable and confident with Nina around, and she was able to be the more bubbly person she was. Nina and Dixie arrived at track then practiced with their team and ran their 1/2 mile warm up, stretched, practiced their hurdles, intervals, and lifted weights. This day, Nina had to leave early from practice because it was her brothers birthday. That was another thing the 2 girls had in common: they both loved their siblings. Often times, the girls would make flower crowns with Dixie’s 3 younger sisters, or they would dress up barbie’s with Nina’s younger sister, and they would even dress up and play pirates with Dixie’s 2 younger twin brothers, Evan and Matthew. Normally, Nina and Dixie would stay a little bit after practice to socialize with some of the girls, but, since Nina wasn’t here today, Dixie thought she would just skip that. Dixie slipped off her track shoes, packed her track bag and started to leave when she heard someone call her, “Where ya goin’, Dixie?” Nikki Bryte haughtily asked, or not so bright in Dixie’s opinion. She was the 9th grade bully. “Home.” Dixie simply and softly replied. “Oh with your boyfriend Alton?” “He’s not my boyfriend, Nikki.” Dixie was trying not to lose her cool, but was not happy someone would make fun of her and Alton. “Ya right, I always see y’all sit together. Anyway’s I assume the reason you’re leaving is because you don’t have Nina to help you socialize?” Dixie didn’t reply, for it was really a rhetorical question that Nikki wanted to answer on her own. “Well I won’t keep you any longer, freckles, scurry home.” Dixie’s face was flushed and she totally lost her cool. “Never call me that again, Nikki, understand?” Alton started walking up. He had been watching the track team practice after his baseball practice and wanted to walk Dixie to the bus since Nina wasn’t there. But, Alton was totally oblivious to what a hot conversation was going on between Dixie and Nikki. Andrew, Nikki’s boyfriend, stood a couple feet behind Nikki as he stared down Alton. Andrew was the most popular guy in the school, and he was the football team’s quarterback. Nikki was the blond, flawless cheerleader who also ran track in her extra short shorts. After Dixie said what she did, Nikki immediately jumped on that and replied with, “Do you really want to try me, Dixie?” Dixie was smart enough not to reply to the bait and began to walk away. Andrew shoved Dixie on the field. Nikki jumped on her began punching her, pulling her hair, and cussing at her. Dixie shielded her face, unwilling to fight back. Alton sprinted up to the fight and pulled Nikki off of Dixie. He yelled, “Get off her Nakia! She didn’t do anything to you!” NOBODY called Nikki her real name: Nakia. Andrew immediately tried to throw Alton down but was unable to because Alton was overall stronger. “How dare you call her that!” Andrew growled as he threw a punch. Alton was not as refined as Dixie, and immediately let his boy characteristics take over. He threw his fist in Andrew’s gut and watched him fall on the ground coughing. Nikki, too worried about her boyfriend to bother with Dixie, started screaming hysterically for someone to help her “poor boyfriend.” Andrew stopped coughing, jumped up, and slammed Alton with his fist right on his cheek. Andrew then threw another fist into Alton’s brow and watched with a sick smile, the crimson blood heavily flow down his cheek and trickle onto his neck and shirt. Alton stumbled from the blow, but didn’t care he was bleeding. Andrew had hurt Dixie, and there was nothing he could do to take that back, so Alton was going to make sure Andrew would to pay for it. Alton pounced on Andrew, shoved him to the ground, straddled over him, and swung punches left and right. His right fist on Andrew’s right brow, his left on Andrew’s cheek, a blow to Andrew’s lip, another to his now busted, bloody nose: And so on and so forth, with blood flowing constantly. Alton’s blood poured from his cheek and landed on Andrew. Andrew finally got his hands free and shoved Alton back, screaming “STOP!” Alton stood up, hearing the cry for mercy from Andrew, and looked down at his doings: the bloody QB. By this time, Layton and Connor showed up. Layton, seeing Dixie bloody and busted up, felt his heart stop, and immediately started taking care of her with the tenderest of touch, and soft words. Connor, being 17, who had experienced fights before, knew it was time to get the point across with words. He jumped down, straddled Andrew and pinned him down with his forearm. Andrew’s head was abruptly thrown back by the force, causing more blood to spray out of the cerise colored face. Connor’s face was now close to Andrew’s and he threateningly stared with his serious, grey eyes into the crystal blue eyes of Andrew. He said, “If you ever touch my sister again, you’re a dead man.” He then yanked his arm off and jumped up to comfort Dixie. Andrew was left with his sobbing girlfriend, his injured pride, and his torn up face. Dixie and Alton were intently examining each-others blood stained faces while Layton was bandaging her. When Connor came over to Dixie, Layton knew it was his turn to get the point across. Layton was 6’2” and was intimidated by no-one. When there was a threat regarding his beloved sister, he would always protect her, and it would not be his compassionate side that would show as it would when talking to her. He strutted over to Andrew and said, “Get up, Andrew.” Andrew got up. Layton spit on the ground, grabbed Andrew’s collar and roared, “What did Connor tell you, huh?” Andrew didn’t reply. “That’s what I thought. Now if you ever touch my sister, now I’m talking ever, I’ll fight you like a man. But you don’t know how to do that, so I suggest you don’t touch her, ok?” Andrew threw Layton’s hands off and said, “You got it, baseball wimp.” Andrew only added wimp to comfort himself, and Layton knew that, so he pushed Andrew back down onto the bloody ground with his crying girlfriend, and walked away. Because of the fight, the kids had missed the bus, so Dixie, Alton, Layton, and Connor all walked home. Alton was still bleeding, but he took more concern over Dixie’s wounds. From now on, Alton and the Allen’s were respected at school, nobody wanted to mess with Dixie or any of them. Also because of this instance, Dixie and Nina always sat with Alton, Layton, and Connor, and never with the girls who were friends with Nikki. As the kids walked home, a small trail of blood was left in their footsteps. And even though the kids were respected now, new kids would show up next year, and the newbies would have no clue what they would be getting themselves into by messing with Dixie. Because whoever messed with Dixie, would be messing with Alton, Layton, and Connor also. Marie Elizabeth Goldwyn and Sam Leon Lincoln sat side by side against their Oak tree quietly uncovering a box that was buried beside the Oak. Together they unlocked the box, opened it, and gazed upon the items that would save the earth. Sam closed it, blinking back the tears in his dark brown eyes that matched his wavy brown hair. He stood, and with his strong, tan arms and hands, grasped Marie’s arms and lifted her off the ground. Sam, seeing the tears in her crystal blue eyes, soothingly stroked her curly black hair. Sam knew the reason she was crying, but inquired anyways. “They have to believe us, Sam. What will happen to them if they don’t come along with us?” Marie cried as she sunk back to the ground with worry. “If we reverse the fields fast enough,” Sam reassuringly replied, “they should be ok.” He peered down at the frightened, pale, heart-shaped face. It was 8:30 AM now, each of their parents should be up. They crossed the rolling field. Each split up when they reached their houses, which stood side by side. They wistfully peered at their mailboxes. 7142 and 7143 Barrow Road, Baltimore, Maryland. Would they ever see them again? Will we reverse the magnetic fields fast enough before the earth becomes too hot? Marie hopelessly thought. She entered the cozy home. Her parents sat at the table eating scrambled eggs. She approached them. “Mom, Dad, please hear me out. I know you do not believe me, but you have to. Tomorrow, July 29, 2017, at exactly 7:28 AM, the sun’s core will begin a magnetic pull on the earth. Sam and I have done extensive research to prove this. The pull will cause the earth to come closer and closer to the sun, which will eventually make it too scorching to bear. Sam and I have developed a safe zone. It is in an abandoned car garage. It goes underground providing shelter from the heat. In this safe zone, we have satellite dishes with mega-powered magnets connected to them. At the specific time, we will turn the magnets on, climb to the top of the garage, and place the satellites in the place we have designated for them. If we do not do this at the right time, the magnetic pull from the sun will become too powerful to overcome. All around the world are others doing the same as us. Please come with us. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” “Marie,” her mother obstinately replied, “look out the window. The sky is blue, clouds float happily around, there is a nice breeze, and it is the regular temperature; 73 degrees. I don’t understand how you expect us to believe this childish game. You are a teenager, you need to grow up.” Marie’s father nodded with confirmation. It was hopeless. She desolately walked outside to wait for Sam. Marie nervously tapped her fingers in the pattern she would always do when she was anxious or frightened. Knowing that she was not in control of whatever Sam was saying to his parents made her even more anxious. She thought of his quiet, gravelly voice. He was gentle, reliable, and a notorious jokester, but always knew when it was time to be serious. Sam darted behind Marie. He yelled in her ear and frightened her so much that she fell off the doorsteps. “Sam Lincoln! How dare you! This is not funny!” “Just making sure your energy and adrenaline were pumping for our ride to the garage!” This was typical of Sam; always finding a half-reasonable explanation for doing things that startled people. Sam and Marie hopped on their bikes and began their journey to the garage. On their way, they saw many of their childhood memories. Marie spotted their old Junior High school building, where Sam had “accidentally” thrown the basketball at her face then introduced himself as he lifted her off the ground. She smiled at this priceless memory. Best friends ever since, she thought. Sam peered at his surroundings. Trees were blooming, birds were singing, and children were playing. All of the sudden, a baseball dropped in front of him. Sam had no idea where it came from, but stopped to retrieve it as he pondered over all the seasons he had played baseball. What fun memories they were. Basketball was much more enjoyable in his opinion, though. His height of 5’8” was perfect to steal the ball, then speedily bolt down the court for the layup. Sam placed thebaseball in his pocket and caught up with Marie. Then they arrived. They entered the old car garage and rode down to the room where the cleaning supplies and tools would normally be kept. Marie and Sam strode into the isolated, chilly room. They had insulated the room in which heat would not be able to penetrate through. Sam placed the box from the tree on its designated table. He opened it and unloaded its priceless possessions. 3 yards of wire, pliers, and the mega powered, 30-pound magnet. The fact that he unloaded these certain objects, that were supposed to have already been built, infuriated Marie. “Sam Leon Lincoln!” She roared, “You didn't set up the second magnet to the satellite?!” Sam sauntered to her, placed his strong hands on her shoulders, looked her dead in the eye and spoke soothingly to her, “Marie, you have to learn that you can trust me.” “I do trust you, Sam. It’s just that you wait until last minute to do things, and this time, the world is on our hands, not just grades.” “I understand why you are worried, but we have a full day to spare. Just trust me, I’ll get working on it right now.” His eyes were not playfully dancing with jokes as he spoke this time. They were serious. He knew how important it was. Sam retrieved the satellite dish and placed it on the table. He situated the magnet in the middle, wrapped the wire around the magnet and dish, then around the arm of the satellite. The hours flew by of preparation of Sam’s satellite until finally it was done. It was now dark outside and would normally be time for bed. Sam and Marie had a snack that was made up of granola bars, nuts, and Capri-suns. They then retrieved their sleeping bags and made camp. Sam and Marie lay on opposite sides of the room, both by a door. Marie lay staring at the room around her, she was still able to see because of the candle that was lit in the corner of the room. The grey, concrete walls filled with air holes entertained dancing shadows, which Marie perceived as those who once worked in this room. Marie and Sam were simultaneously, yet suddenly awoken by ----- nothing. A feeling that came so piercingly, it was possible to think death was laying all around. They trudged outside to where their eyes beheld the most stillness ever seen. There was no wind, no clouds and not even a defined temperature. It was just, nothing. All the houses and buildings were still quiet, for it was only 5:00AM. Marie looked up. It looked as if blood had poured over all the sky, staining it crimson. Sam and Marie knew this was because the sun was nearer now. They rushed inside, too frightened to imagine if they would succeed. They had two hours to kill. Sam, trying to perk things up a bit, suggested talking about what they wanted to be when they were older. They had agreed long ago never to talk about this because they wanted to live the life at present, but there was an exception this time; they might never be able to experience the plans they had for their future if they did not succeed. Marie wistfully stated, “I planned to be a Science teacher when I grew up. And I wanted to attend University of Maryland.” “I believe what you meant was, ‘I will be a Science teacher when I grow up, and I will attend UMD.’” Sam responded. Marie gave into having some of the hope that Sam at least pretended to have and agreed with him. Sam then proclaimed, “ I would like to be a helicopter pilot when I grow up and attend Middle River Aviation college.” As they discussed their future plans, and recalled precious memories, the time quickly passed by. Sam and Marie abruptly noticed that they only had ten minutes until 7:28! They gathered the satellite dishes and ran to the top of the car garage. When they reached the top, it was 7:24. Four minutes left! Sam placed the satellites on their stands and hooked the wires to a megavoltage battery. The satellites turned towards the now invisible sun. Marie and Sam rushed to the hut they had made on the roof and pulled on suits over their clothes. These suits would reflect sunlight and heat and keep them from burning if all failed. They pounced back outside to watch the possibly last moments transpire. It was 7:28! Marie flipped the switches on the satellites and the magnets immediately began a constant humming. The temperature of the atmosphere rose and rose until finally, it could not go any higher. Sam and Marie could feel the heat even in the suits. Then, life was still. There was no air to breathe. They couldn't see anything, it was just a white haze. This went on for 7 seconds until the color in the trees was restored, the sky was now blue again, and there was air to breathe. The Magnetic fields had been reversed! Sam and Marie rode home as fast as they possibly could. Sam walked into Marie’s house with her, to comfort her in case what was seen was unbearable. The house looked normal. Not even a piece of dust was out of place. Her mom and dad were hardly injured, just a few boils and burns on their hands. Marie, after humbly receiving their gratification and apologies for not listening, then walked with Sam to his house. The same story awaited them. Sam and Marie yet again humbly received the gratification and apologies, then trudged off to their old oak. Here they recalled about how scared they were that they might not ever see their family again. That was no longer a worry because of what they did. What they did was unforgettable; they made the earth survive. by: Hannah Marie |
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