Dark's Descent

by Basil Bacorn

  The brass cut out. Percussion stopped playing. It was almost time for Cassie's solo! Stella took a break and whispered, “Don't mess up!”

  The rest of the instruments cut out and there was silence. Appleyard mouthed the word 'NOW'. “Oh no!” Stella teased. Cassie felt it, that feeling you have when everyone is looking at you, and no one else. Thousands of eyes stared at her, the spotlight making her sweat.

  In an instant, Cassie dashed off the stage, dropping her flute with a clang. Charlie ran off after her, and Sky followed behind. “Cassie!” they shouted.

  Cassie ran outside and stepped out of her heels. They only slowed her down. Cassie ran and ran, leaving a trail of tears behind her.

  When Mr. and Mrs. Smith heard the door slam, they speed-walked out of the auditorium, and found one of Cassie's friends with Cassie's heels. She looked at them and said, “Charlie told me to wait with the shoes until you came out.”

  “They went that way.” Sky said pointing down the block. “Cassie's running to the boatyard!” Sue yelled.

  Whenever Cassie was upset, she would go to Harrison's Boatyard to be alone. It closed down years ago because it wasn't sturdy enough for the city's regulations. No matter how many times Susan told her not to, she still did.

  About a block away, Cassie ran past Mr. Braddock and the Superintendent heading in the same direction. She made it to the gateway, and she ducked under the wooden board that blocked the entrance. She went to her favorite dock, Dock 6. There, she sat down and cried.

  Charlie quickly hopped over the board and ran to Cassie. He sat down next to her and held her until she stopped crying.

  A Dragon's End

  Before the concert started, Superintendent S. bumped into Mr. Braddock. “I think we need to have a chat, Jason.” Mr. Braddock sneered, “To the boatyard?”

  The superintendent hadn't eaten in a while, so he figured it couldn't hurt. “Sure, let's go” he ordered.

  The two left the school and started walking to Harrison's Boatyard. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Jason inquired. Mr. Braddock sneered, “Wait until we get to the docks.”

  Just then, a girl in a lavender dress ran past, sobbing. One of her tears hit the superintendent, and fizzled on contact. Jason winced in pain.

  A kid in a suit shot past next, seemingly chasing the girl.

  “Kids these days,” Jason sighed, “always in a rush.”

  A few minutes later, the duo found themselves on Dock 8. “I know who you are.” Mr. Braddock shrieked, “Dragon.”

  “It was going to end like this anyway.” The Dragon hissed, blowing out smoke. “Your right!” Braddock yelped, leaping forwards. The Dragon tumbled backwards into the bay.

  Steam rolled up in clouds as the man-dragon howled, and water surrounded him. Hissing, The Dragon fizzled and dissolved until nothing was left but the echo of a cry of pain.

  Stella

  “Are you okay?” Charlie asked, still holding Cassie. Cassie sniffed and nodded. “I'm better now” Cassie smiled as she looked into Charlie's big, bright blue eyes. A fog began to set in, even though it wasn't in the forecast. Charlie started to remove his arm, but Cassie let out a whimper, and he put it back.

  Five minutes later, Cassie heard her mom call her name. “I'm here!” Cassie shouted. Cassie gave Charlie a quick 'Thank-You' kiss on the cheek, and stood up, leaving Charlie dumbfounded.

  “Are you okay?” Susan asked, giving her daughter a hug. “I am now.” she answered with a smile. Susan glanced at Charlie and smiled.

  Cassie remembered something. 'Stella'.

  Stella walked out of the school as happy as she could be. Then, she saw an angry Cassie, being held back by that beefcake Charlie, marching towards her. Charlie calmed Cassie down just in time.

  “What is wrong with you?!” Sky screamed at Stella, “You are the lowest, most awful, and pathetic, stupid rich girl I've ever met!” Sky was furious. “Why I outta-” Charlie swooped up in front of her and gave her a kiss to shut her up.

  Susan looked at Cassie. “Is she the reason you ran off?!” Susan exclaimed. Cassie looked at her mom. “Don't worry about it, mom,” Cassie requested, “It's all water under the bridge now, right Stella?” Stella smirked, “Sure...”

  Stella turned with a hair-whip and got in her limo to go home. Best night ever. That cow couldn't have been more embarrassed if she was pantsed! Stella cackled. It was great! Now it was time to go further.

  Cassie probably only came back because of Char-Char, so if Stella got him, she could ruin her! And Stella decided then, that one day, Charlie would be hers and Cassie would be out of her life forever!

  Stella's limo pulled into her Daddy's skyscraper's parking garage, and Stella hopped into her Riding-Chair and grabbed the handles. “Take me to my room!” she ordered. Four butlers came running over and lifted her chair up. Into the elevator, and all the way up she went. She was set down next to her bed and she rolled out of one thing and into the other.

  Stella rolled over and looked at her Magic Mirror. Her dad's company invented a mirror that was just like the one from the fairy tales! The only thing is in order for it to work, you have to rhyme.

  Mirror on my wall over there,

  Where is my lovely Char-bear?

  The mirror snapped to life and said,

  Little one so young and dumb

  Just go back to sucking your thumb!

  The one you seek doesn't favor,

  When you're nasty to the ones he savors!

  The mirror then showed a picture of Charlie holding Cassie on Dock 6, holding hands with Sky, and hypnotized by Stella's hair.

  Stella gasped, “Maybe I should use this thing more often!”

  Stella fumbled and got out of her bed and sat in front of the mirror.

  Mirror, up there on the wall,

  Who's my biggest enemy of all?

  The mirror showed a picture of Cassie. The only thing different about her was that she was really angry.

  Out With The Old And In With The New

  The next day, everyone went to school as normally. The only thing different was that they had an assembly first period.

  Okay, maybe it wasn't completely normal. Susan was called at 3 in the morning for an emergency board meeting. Neither Susan, nor Cassie knew what it was about.

  After they were informed of the assembly, Cassie asked Charlie what he thought it was about. “I don't know,” he shrugged, “I guess we'll have to wait to find out.” Charlie swished his hair to the side.

  When the bell rang, they all got up to go to the auditorium. “Charlie!” Sky yelled, “Wait for me!” Cassie and Charlie stopped. Skyler gave Charlie a quick kiss.

  What was it with all these girls kissing him? Not that Charlie was complaining.

  They all sat together. To their surprise, Cassie's mom walked on stage.

  “Good morning everyone, I am Mrs. Smith, the head of the school board.” she began, “There has been a sudden change in employment. Mr. Jason Sfenden-whatever just quit. So the board met, and decided that your principal Mrs. Spencer, in now the superintendent also.”

  Cassie looked at Mrs. Spencer whose mouth gaped open. Since no one else reacted, Cassie started clapping and cheering. Then Charlie got up and yelled, “Yay Miss Teacher!”

  Mrs. Spencer dropped her head and smiled. She once again was put on the spot, and was promoted.

  Soon, everyone clapped and cheered, and Miss Teacher walked on stage and waved. “I accept.” she announced.

  Charlie held Sky's hand. Charlie had so many mixed feelings. Cassie, Stella, and Sky. Ugh.

  Soon enough, the assembly was over, and the trio went to English.

  Alice Harper was a cool English teacher. She really got into the books. Like her family, she was great at literature and loved it. She had chestnut colored hair, and green eyes. Her own sense of style usually consisted of patterns and colors like pink and white polka-dots. On occasion, Alice would tell the class one of her crazy adventures she claims to be true.
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  “The other day, Mr. Angla came back!” she would say, ending every story with, “It's true!”

  Cassie loved her way better than the guy they had on the first day.

  They went inside and sat down. Today, Alice was dressed in a snug horizontal rainbow striped dress, and splatter painted heels.

  “Ello, everybody!” Alice yipped, “Today, we will be learning more about parts of speech.”

  “Miss Alice?” someone called out. “Yes, Skyler?” Alice answered. “Do we have to?”

  Everyone went completely quiet. Sky just asked a teacher if we had to do what she said.

  “What do you suggest we do, Miss Gledhill?” Uh oh. You know there is going to be trouble when Alice refers to your last name.

  “Well,” she began, “You always say how we know this already, so can we just talk today?”

  Nobody moved as Alice Harper paced around the room. Suddenly, she broke into laughter! “Yeah, sure! I didn't want to teach today anyway.” Though everyone was curious, no one questioned it, for fear of losing the gift.

  Cassie looked around. Garrett wasn't here today. In all honesty, she was kind of losing interest in him. Ever since she started wondering about Charlie, her eyes were opened to new possibilities. Last night, when she kissed Charlie. She KISSED CHARLIE!!! She did something that other girls dreamed of doing! With his arm around her, she felt something that she never felt before. So she kissed him. And at that instant, she was the happiest girl in the world. It was like a spark. Like a really good spark. Whoa. That was her first thought. Her second was “SKYLER!'. She would have to be evil to introduce a girl to a boy, and then steal that boy away!

  She kissed him. Cassie really kissed Charlie. He was ecstatic! There was that single moment, as he felt her lips touch his cheek, that Charlie felt like he could do anything! It was so, so, so magical!!! Right afterwards, he thought one word, 'Whoa.' Once he got his bearings straight, he remembered he had a girlfriend. A girlfriend that Cassie set him up with! He was so confused.

  Sky was so happy Charlie was her boyfriend. Cassie was the nicest girl in school by far!

  Meanwhile, in Mr. Bulnk's English class, Stella scribbled spasmodically on a piece of paper. So Charlie likes Cassie, Stella, and Skyler. Skyler and Charlie are dating, after Cassie introduced them in order to keep Stellar Stella from getting Charlie. Cassie now likes Charlie, but is confused. Just like Stella. Enraged, Stella snapped the pencil and threw it across the room. Cassie is by far, the worst person on Earth!

  Charlie is so hot! Sky was so lucky that Cassie introduced them.

  Cassie wished she never introduced Sky to Charlie! The more she thought the more she wanted to smack a kiss right on Charlie's lips. So she stopped thinking about it.

  Imagining the kiss on the cheek, Charlie dreamed about one on the lips. Just like the long, romantic ones on the soaps his grandma watches. Charlie sighed.

  “Okay class,” Alice announced, “I need to go to the copier, I'll be back in ten minutes!”

  As soon as the door shut, Sky jumped out of her seat. She scooted over to Charlie and sat on his lap. Charlie didn't mind, it was his girlfriend after all. Secretly, Charlie wished Cassie was sitting on his lap instead.

  Sky had the sudden urge to kiss her boo, so she did. She held his head in one place and kissed him with enough passion for the both of them.

  Cassie wished she was in her position. NO! Charlie was her friend and no more!

  Still kissing, Charlie thought about how much better this would be if he was doing it with Cassie. Ah, Cassie. Or even Stella. Stella would lean forward and drape her luscious hair over Charlie as they made-out.

  Finally stopping, Sky put her hand on Charlie's cheek before returning to her seat.

  When Alice came back in the room, she returned to complete and utter silence. “What happened here?” she interrogated, receiving no answers. The class was acting suspicious, but she gave up. After all, everybody was still alive, and everything was still intact.

  She went into her 'magic closet' for the rest of the class period. Alice Harper claimed that whenever she went inside, she was transported to a different time and place. She even had props in there. One time, she claimed that she went to a beach, and then poured sand out of her shoes. Though Cassie thought it was funny, she no longer believed in that kind of stuff. In regards to the teacher's craziness, the students nicknamed her 'Mad Alice', though no one said that to her face.

  Alice Harper's Closet

  Whenever Alice found herself in a situation where she didn't feel like being in class anymore, she would go in her closet. She was not mad as everyone said. It was true, she was no longer in her closet when the door shut. Every time she closed the door, she found herself in a strange and unusual place, just like magic.

  Today, when she felt like the class wasn't telling her everything, she decided to take a trip. Closing the door, she found herself standing in a huge library. She was excited. As an English teacher should, she loved to read. So she grabbed a book off the shelf. The title was 'The Bug World'.

  Alice decided to take a peek. Opening the book a crack, a bug flew out. “Why not!” she yipped as she opened the book all of the way, releasing thousands, no, millions of insects all shapes and sizes! Freaking out, she threw the book at a table, and it fell in a closed manner. Alice sighed, she hated bugs, but she still loved this place.

  “Who is in the king's library?!” a voice thundered. Seeing no exit, Alice picked a random book up. It was called 'Bigger on the Inside'. She took her chances, put the book on the ground, and jumped in, pulling the book shut.

  King Albert rushed in when he heard of an intruder. He was on high alert with the threats of Evangeline. Running in, he saw the book on the floor. An intruder! In his own magic library! He picked the book up and put it back on the shelf. “There,” he sighed, “All fixed!”

  Inside the book, Alice tumbled down a spiral of words and numbers. “Ouch!” she shrieked as a 'v' flew in her face, “Oh dear!” The floor came too fast, and Harper slammed on the ground. She was always known for having her nose in a book, but this was ridiculous!

  “Who are you?” a man demanded, helping Alice up. “I am Alice Harper, of Earth.” The man acknowledged her existence and introduced himself. “I am the author of this book, continuing my research on pocket universes, and the term, 'Bigger on the Inside'. We are in a pocket universe right now that I created with a friend's magical powers. It was stupid, but I was so amazed that I wanted to get a closer look, so I leaned forward, and fell in. My friend didn't help me, he just put the book on a shelf.” the man sighed, “My name is Dr. Stephen Chanington, by the way.”

  “Okay, whatever, Mr. Author Dude,” Alice bickered, “I need to find a door.”

  Whenever Alice found herself in a closet situation, she looked for a door, because the next door she opened, was always the door to leave her closet.

  “Um,” gulped the author, “There are no doors in here.”

  “WHAT!?” she wailed. The author put down his head and walked away. “Oh no you don't!' Alice retaliated, tackling the man. The two rolled down a tear in the page and landed in a garden illustration.

  “Look what you've done!” the author moaned, letting out a sneeze, “I'm allergic!” Alice gawked, “It's just ink!” Dr. Chanington looked at Alice. “Magic ink,” he explained, “as in ink that you can interact with.”

  “Wait,” Harper paced, “If you can interact with this ink, why can't you just draw a door?” Stephen thought for a moment before shouting, “Hallelujah! You're right!” Dr. Stephen Chanington skipped around the garden picking flowers. He gave the flowers to Alice and said, “Squeeze the ink out of these flowers, we have some finger painting to do!”

  When they had enough ink, they started drawing a door. The two worked for twenty minutes or so, and soon enough, finished their project.

  As they removed their hands, the door took form, and a handle popped out.

  Alice hugged the inky man. “Do
you want to come?” she offered.

  Dr. Stephen Chanington thought about it. He had been trapped in here for nearly ten years. “Yes!” the author accepted, “I would love to!”

  Alice grabbed his hand, and opened the door. Stepping through, she yanked Stephen through.

  Back in her classroom, two people tumbled out of the closet. Alice and Dr. Chanington. “I'm free!” he yelled, “Thank you!”

  Alice had an idea. She took the remaining ink from their hands and wrote a slip stating that Dr. Stephen Chanington is now the new science teacher. She figured that the slip would allow the author to easily slide into a new life here. The paper sparkled brightly, and then Mrs. Spencer walked in the room.

  Smiling, she shook Dr. Chanington's hand. “Welcome to your first day as our new science head. I hope you fit in nicely.”

  Dr. Chanington smiled, “I hope I will.”

  Field Trip To Ithaca

  Today was the day. Cassie's class was going to the Ithaca Space Place to study the mysteries of the universe. Cassie had left NYC many times before, but never for more than one day! The trip was going to be about four hours long one way, so the school had them staying for two days at the local Shady Tree Hotel.

  Technically it was a three-day trip. They would leave today, after lunch, to get to the hotel by five for dinner. They would then spend the next day at the Ithaca Space Place, and be back at the hotel by seven. The next morning, they would load the busses and return to school.

  Susan was a nervous wreck. Her baby never stayed away from home before, and if anything were to happen, she'd be hours away! They took as many chaperones as they could, but sadly, Susan wasn't one of them.