Anna: 17 years old, shy, reserved, some hidden anger 

Amy: 18 years old, popular, sweet, has a little bit of a wild side 

(Outside.  Anna is sitting on a bench and Amy is walking by.) 

Anna:  (Calling to Amy) Hey, Amy, over here. 

Amy:  Hey, Anna, how are you ? 

Anna:  I’m fine. 

Amy:  What are you doing sitting out here?  It's so cold. 

Anna:  It's nice out here, the snow falling, the beautiful trees. 

Amy:  So . . . um . . . what did you do yesterday? 

Anna:  Not too much.  I had a lot of house work to do.  What did you do? 

Amy:  (Abruptly) Nothing . . . I . . . uh just went to a party. 

Anna:  I see.  Was it fun? 

Amy:  Aren’t Joel’s parties always fun? 

Anna:  Yeah.  So did you get wasted? 

Amy:  Kind of.  I was a little tipsy but not too bad. 

Anna:  So who all was there? 

Amy:  Mostly people from school.  (Nervous face) Anna, I have to tell you something. 

Anna:  What is it? 

Amy: (Sigh) Adam was there. 

Anna:  My Adam? 

Amy:  Yeah. 

Anna:  What about it? 

Amy:  Let me say everything before you react. 

Anna:  (Confused look) Okay. 

Amy:  Well, Adam was one of my only friends at the party.  We were hanging out and drinking together.  After about three hours I went to go lay down in Joel’s mom’s room.  About ten minutes later, Adam comes in.  I figured that he was tired too.  He came over and laid beside me.  We were very close. 

Anna:  What are you trying to tell me? 

Amy:  I just want you to know that I didn’t do it to hurt you. 

Anna:  (Impatiently) Do what?  What did you do? 

Amy:  Let me finish.  Adam started coming on to me and one thing led to another and we . . . 

Anna:  (Interrupting, starting to cry)  No . . . you didn’t. 

Amy:  (Ashamed look) Unfortunately, yes I did. 

Anna:  (Tears in eyes, emotional) You slept with him!  How could you?  (Standing with anger in her eyes) I thought you were my friend!  I told you everything! This is how you repay me? (Starting to walk away) 

Amy:  Wait let me explain. 

Anna:  No! Why should I listen to you? 

Amy:  (Tears in eyes) Damn you!  Just listen to me. 

Anna:  No.  I have heard enough.  All I have to say to you is you should be ashamed of yourself  stooping so low as to sleep with Adam.  My Adam!  My boyfriend! 

Amy: Please . . . 

Anna:  (Interrupting) No! Save it for another fool.  I’m leaving.  Don’t ever talk to me again.  Ever! 

Amy:  Wait! 

Anna:  Leave me alone! 

(Amy puts head in hands.  Anna walks away without looking back) 

"Okay.  What are they?" 

"Denice, can you tell me anything about Garrett Samplen, the man who tried to kill you?" Steve asked. 

"Yes.  Where would you like me to start?" 

"From the beginning.  Start with when you two first met." 

"Okay.  I had been watching this guy for hours, just wanting to go up and talk to him, but I just didn't know what to say.  He was my dream guy--tall, blue eyes, handsome and a great body.  Finally, I decided he was worth going after.  As I slowly walked over to his seat at the bar, I went over what I was going to say to him.  I asked him if I could buy him a drink and he said yes.  I told him my name and he told me his.  After we got our drinks, we talked about things--lots of things--mostly about me.  When it came time for us to part, I gave him my number hoping he might call me and we might get together.  The next day I get a call from him asking me to go out with him.  I accept not knowing he is a murderer and we went out.  We start seeing each othe rmore and more.  About three weeks into our relationship, I asked him over to my place so I could make him dinner.  He was late, so I asked him where he was.  He just said he had an errand to run.  Just before dinner was ready, he turned on the T.V. and the news was on.  It was talking about the newest murder victim.  I told him that only a monster could do something like that.  I could see a little anger in his eyes, but I thought nothing of it.  I asked him into the kitchen to help me with the salad.  He offered to cut the tomatoes.  He went to the butcher block and got out my butcher knife.  When I told him he did not need such a big knife, he said he did for other jobs he had done and he would need it for this one--then he lunged at me.  I moved away quickly enough that he didn't cut me, but as I ran to the door, he managed to cut me.  I got out before he could stab me.  I ran and ran until I got here." 

"Do you know where he would be now?" 

"No and frankly I don't want to know where he is." 

"Do you have a place to stay?" 

"No, I don't." 

"Well, you can stay with me until we find you a place.  Is that okay with you?" 

"Yes.  Thank you." 

Steven and Denice left for Steve's place. 

"You should be safe at my house." 

They arrived at Steve's house and as they walked in, Denice senses something is wrong, but she ignores the feeling and goes on.  They are sitting on his couch when Denice hears a noise. 

"Did you hear that?" Denice asks. 

"No.  What did you hear?" 

"It sounded like footsteps on the porch." 

"Do you want me to go check it out?" 

"Could you?" 

"You stay here and I'll be back." 

Steve walked around outside and found nothing. 

"There was n--"  Steve stopped when he saw Garrett holding a knife to Denice's neck. 

"Stay back or the girl dies," Garrett said. 

Unexpectedly, Denice kicked up and kicked Garrett in the head.  Garrett was mad now and he pursued Denice but not too far behind was Steve with his gun. 

"Stop or I'll shoot!" 

Garrett quickly hid behind a door.  As Steve rounded the corner, Garrett stabbed him in the back.  Steve fell to the ground.  Garrett headed towards Denice. 

"Oh, sweetie?  Where are you?" Garrett asked crazily. 

In trying to find a place to hide, Denice tripped and knocked into the wall, falling into a secret passage.  She ran through the passage, finding a room where she goes in to hide.  Garrett heard the noise and soon finds the passage. 

"Denice!  You can run but you can't hide!" 

He quickly finds the room and Denice in it. 

"Oh, this is going to be sweet killing you." 

"Why?  Why?" Denice yelled with tears streaming down her face. 

All of a sudden, Steve stumbled into the room. 

"I don't think so."  With that, Steve shot him until he was dead. 

Jenny had been sitting on her bed for hours.  She had been thinking about how her life was going and she was not satisfied.  Jenny had all these hopes and dreams that she wanted to achieve but she did not know where to start.  Jenny's dream was to become a singer.  As Jenny sat there, she thought of all kinds of ways to get auditions, but none were realistic enough to work.  Finally after hours of just thinking, she decided to go out and go shopping.  Jenny went into her huge walk-in closet and picked out a beautiful bright blue sun dress.  As she slipped the silky dress over her body, she thought about calling Kat to see if she would go to the mall with her.  Kat was Jenny's best friend.  After Jenny brushed her long blonde hair, she decided it would be more fun if Kat went with her.  Jenny went to the phone and dialed Kat's number. 

"Hello?" Kat said. 

"Hey, Kat!  It's Jenny!" 

"What's up, Jen?" 

"Do you wanna go shopping with me today?" 

"Uh, sure.  It's what?  10:00 now.  Um . . . pick me up in an hour, 'kay?" 

"Sounds good.  See ya later." 

"Bye." 

After Jenny hung up the phone, she got her sandals on and went down to her car.  It'll take me about an hour to get to Kat's house, especially with the traffic of Los Angeles, Jenny thought to herself. 

As Jenny pulled up to Kat's house, she noticed that Kat was already waiting for her.  On their way to the mall, Jen turned on her car radio. 

"I hate commercials," Kat says, "you know wha--" 

"Ssshhh!" Jen interrupted. 

"Today at Lessinger Mall, there will be talent scouts for all areas, whether you are interested in modeling, acting or even singing.  Stop by and check it out!" 

"Oh, Kat!  This could be the break I've been waiting for.  Should I go?" 

"Of course!  I'll even stay with you for support." 

As they arrived at the area in which it would be held, there were masses of people.  After waiting and waiting, a man came up to her and said, "What area are you interested in, Miss?" 

"Uh, singing." 

"Al right.  Your name?" 

"Jenny.  Jenny Hosford." 

"Thank you.  Take a seat in Section A." 

"Wow, Jen!  Here's your chance!  You're going to knock them dead!" 

"I hope so, Kat." 

After waiting some more, an announcer got up on stage.  "Hey, everybody!  My name is Judy and I'm the announcer for this project.  To make sure everybody is in the right place, people who want to sing are in Section A, modeling in Section B and acting in Section C.  Okay, we are now going to start with the singers then the models and then the actors.  How we do this is singers previously select a song and we provide the background music, and you take it away.  Our first up is Melody Travis singing 'Sometimes' by Britney Spears." 

It went on like this for a few hours and then it was Jen's turn.  "Next up is Jenny Hosford singing 'My All' by Mariah Carey." 

Jen sang it beautifully and when she finished, the unsuspected happened.  Every single person who heard her in the mall cheered.  After the whole thing was over, a tall handsome man walked up to her and said, "How would you like to sign with Magnolia Records?" 

"We--well, I would love to!" Jenny stammered out. 

He handed her a card with an address on it.  Within the next few weeks, Jenny had gone to the record company and made a few demo tapes and sent them to major Los Angeles radio stations.  It had been two weeks since then and Jenny thought that none of them liked her song, so she gave up listening for it.  The next day, she turned on the radio just in time to hear him announce, "We have received a demo and we want your feedback.  It's Jenny Hosford with the song 'Angel Girl'."  Jenny was so happy after she heard all of the feedback which was mostly positive that she accidentally hit the radio and it turned the station.  The announcer on that station was introducing her song, too.  Within three hours, all six stations that she had sent it to had played her song.  At that moment, Jenny knew she was going to make it.  In the next few years, Jenny had become famous and all her dreams came true. 

My love is a thing I do express, 
Is it real or just a test? 

Past loves and feelings, too, 
Do you know how much I love you? 

Hugs, kisses and beautiful romantic dates, 
We were brought together by fate. 

I gave you my heart, will you give me yours, too? 
Do you know how much I love you? 

The way I look at you and think, 
The way you say I look good in pink. 

Your eyes like your loves so pure and true. 
Do you know how much I love you? 

I want to kiss your lips, 
I need you all the way to my fingertips. 

Do you know how much I love you? 
My lips are going and my words are true, 
Do you know how much I love you? 

"You'll never know how much I lo--" blared into the morning, cut off abruptly. 

"Oh . . . is it 7:00 already!" Jen said in a groggy morning voice as she turned off her radio. 

"Jen!  Get up!" her mother, Cathlene, yelled from downstairs. 

"Too late!  I've been up for ten minutes," Jen yelled back.  She put on her favorite black crop top and baggy blue jeans.  She put her long hair in a ponytail and twisted two hair sticks around it.  After she put on her black socks and shoes, she walked over to her Adidas coat and blue backpack.  As she walked downstairs, she put her coat and backpack on. 

"Not so fast, young lady!  You need your breakfast.  Here is a blueberry muffin and a juice box.  Eat it on the way."  Her mother handed the items to Jen who took them while rolling her eyes in the air. 

As she walked out the door, her mother gave her $3.00 for lunch.  As Jen walked to school, the sun was shining and birds were singing.  "Jen!  Oh, Jen!  Wait for me!" came from behind her.  She whirled around to see Amy running up to her. 

"Amy, you don't need to run.  I can wait," Jen said. 

"I know, but I am really excited.  Jay asked me to the prom!" 

"He's the one in Bio?" 

"Yep." 

"Man!  He is so fine.  I'm talkin' all that and then some!" 

"Do you want to go bowling on Saturday?" 

"Uh, sure.  Let me check with my Mom first." 

By the time they finished their conversation, they were entering the school. 

"Al right class.  Settle down.  Today is your biology exam.  It will last 65 minutes.  Does everyone have a Number 2 pencil?  Good.  When you get your form, you may begin." 

"Oh, no," Jen said. 

"What?" Amy asked. 

"I didn't study last night." 

"So?  You'll still do good.  You are a whiz at this stuff!" 

The teacher broke in.  "And to remind you, class, no talking!" 

"So, let me get this straight, Jen," Amy said as they talked on the telephone.  "We meet at your house, the limo picks us up, we go to dinner, then to the dance, then to your house, then to the beach where we spend the night at Griffin's beach house.  Do I got it?" 

"Yes, you do." 

"Well, I got to go.  I'll see you tomorrow around 5:00 p.m." 

"Yep.  See ya then!" 

"B-bye." 

"Bye." 

The lights from the box flickered in the shadows of the beach house.  "On the news tonight, a mass murderer is running loose on the beach of L.A.  He has killed four other people.  Please lock your doors and windows." 

"Turn off the T.V.  This is scaring me,", Amy said. 

"Why?  Are you afraid he's coming to get you?" Jay joked. 

"Ha, ha.  Very funny." 

The subject was changed and the scary newscast was forgotten.  Soon the evening melted into night and the only sound heard throughout the beach house was Jen, Amy, Jay and Griffin breathing rhythmically to the beat of their dreams. 

Amy woke up to a weird noise.  She headed over to the door, but she froze.  She could hear someone whisper.  "Jen, Amy, Griffin.  I'm here to kill you." 

Amy's terror dissolved into a mixture of bravado and humility.  She must not let on that it had worked.  Amy said quietly, "Okay, Jay.  You can come out now," adding sarcastically, "I'm scared!" 

"I'm not Jay." 

Amy laughed nervously, playing along with just a hint of her soul still gripped in abject terror.  "If you're not Jay, then I'm the tooth fairy!" 

There was a roaring instance of silence which was quickly broken. 

"Well then, tooth fairy, if you are sure I am Jay, look in the kitchen," the voice invited with a tone of amusement. 

Amy steeled her nerves, assuring herself that she would get even with him for this practical joke.  She uncrossed her arms and entered the kitchen, flipping on the light. 

She was not prepared for what she saw.  Every fiber of her being responded instantaneously by releasing a blood curdling scream from deep inside her.  She stood riveted to that spot for an eternity before she was able to gather the words together.  She stuttered, "Wh-what did you do to Jay?" 

The shadowed figure brandished his steely weapon.  "I am so glad you asked that," he advanced towards her.  She never took her eyes from Jay's quiet form on the floor.  "Allow me to demonstrate."  The steel of the weapon glistened once very quickly in the moonlight coming from the window, a strangled scream escaped Amy's throat, and then her body slid down the kitchen wall by the doorway, meeting the floor with a preremptory thud.  The murderer nudged her with his foot, satisfied that the deed had been a success.  "Two down, two to go."  The murderer allowed a sinister grin to cross his face.  He raised his eyebrows in curiousity and continued out of the kitchen.  "Oh, Jen!  Griffin!" 

Griffin had sensed something going on in the other end of the beach house and had decided to check it out.  When he had awoke, the only thing that remained of Jen's sleeping form was a warm indentation in the ruffled covers.  As he rounded the corner into the recreation room, his eyes caught sight of two figures - Jen and-- 

"You don't touch her!" Griffin demanded.  He stealthily slipped into his desk drawer and drew out a loaded gun, quickly pointing it at the intruder who held up his blade against Jen's milky throat. 

The murderer abandoned his task with Jen and pulled out a gun with his now free hand, pointing it back at Griffin. He growled menacingly, "So!  We're even now!"  The sound of a shot reverberated through the still pre-dawn silence, meetings its final destination in Griffin's left thigh. 

Jen's hands shot to her mouth and she screamed.  "Griffin!" 

The murderer swung sharply around and aimed the gun at Jen. 

Jen ducked down and ran towards the kitchen.  She was abruptly halted by the sight of Amy's ashen face resting against the floor in a pool of dark sticky blood.  "Oh my God!  Amy!  What have you done?  Amy!  Amy!  Please!  Get up!"  Jen shook her uppermost shoulder as if she could magically raise her from the dead.  She had not even noticed the dark figure standing a few inches away from her. 

"Oh, Jen!" he said mockingly, "You are mine now!" 

"I don't think so!" came Griffin's voice from directly behind the intruder.  The gun dropped immediately from his right hand as he arched backwards at the same instant the sound of the bullet struck him through the back and went out through his heart.  The intruder gurgled and released the knife, crumpling to the floor, his mouth foaming in blood and his eyes rolling back in their sockets. 

Jen was frozen in place, her mouth open as if to scream but unable to produce the sound.  Griffin limped closer to the prone body.  "Ya missed me!" and fired five more shots just to be sure. 

Jen jumped over the murderer's now still feet and rushed to Griffin, hugging him intensely.  "Griffin!  Are you okay?" 

"Yes.  Call 911." 

'Whoa, horsey!' Raven said in a sweet voice. 'Good girl!'  

Raven is a nine year old girl with black hair and eyes so brown that they are mysterious. Raven is learning to ride a horse she got from her parents for her fifth birthday. Her parents are not rich but they hid and saved enough money to buy her a horse.  

For the past four years, Raven had acquired excellent riding skills, but she needed to learn more to become a village warrior. Village warriors protect the village from the King of Scotland's men who raid the villages.  

'Well, Raven,' her father said, 'you are old enough now to learn how to use a sword.'  

'Oh, papa, you mean it?' Raven replied.  

'Yes, but you will not get your real sword until two things happen - you learn how to use one and you are 13.'  

'But, papa--'  

'No *buts*!'  

'Okay.'  

For four years Raven learned everything there is to know about how to hold and use a sword, and the moves and ways to use it.  

Today was a glorious day for Raven, for today was her 13th birthday. There were three presents on the table, none of which were shaped like a sword. A brush, a hand woven blanket and a fighting suit were what she received.  

'Oh, papa, you didn't forget,' Raven said.  

'No, I did not. I may be old but I still have my memory.'  

Her father walked over to the long wooden box and said, 'Take care of it--it belonged to me, my father, and my father's father.'  

It was a beautiful sword. It had beautiful stones and engravings on it. Raven was so overwhelmed that she could not speak. After a while, she managed to stutter out a thank you.  

For the remainder of the day, Raven and her father played games, practiced techniques and played at sword fighting.  

The day after her 13th birthday, Raven met a boy named William. The only thing said between them for the next six years was a simple hello. But every time he said it, she cherished it in her heart. Raven was a strong young woman at age 19, but she had a weak spot. That weak spot was William. How she longed for the day that he would whisper in her ear those three sweet words. Those words were *I love you*.  

There was a bang on the door. Raven's father opened it. It was William.  

'Send out your warriors if you have any.'  

Raven overheard and put on her suit, and then got her sword.  

'Raven,' her father called.  

'I'm ready,' Raven yelled back. She ran out the door with William. Raven pulled women and children away from the King's men as William fought. Soon after, she joined William. After the raid was over, she pulled off the hood of her suit.  

William said this with his back to her. 'You are a very good warrior.' When he turned around, all he saw was a girl.  

'Where is Raven?'   

'I am Raven.'  

'No, you can't be! You are a girl and girls are not warriors!'  

'So, I am a girl and I am a warrior!'  

'No! You are a pretender!'  

'Then why did you say I was good?'  

"Oh . . . um . . . I thought you were a man.'  

'Ugh! I hate men!' Raven said as she stormed off.  

Later that night when it was dark, William went to Raven's hut.  

'Hello! Is Raven here?' William asked.  

'Raven!' her father called.  

'Yes?'  

'There is a young man to see you.'  

Raven rushed out to find it was only William.  

'What do you want?' Raven asked.  

'To talk to you,' William replied.  

'Raven,' her mother said.  

'What?'  

'Be nice. At least hear what he has to say.'  

'Okay. Lets go into the other room.'  

They walked into the other room.  

'What did you want to say?'  

'I wanted to say that I was sorry for this afternoon. I was so shocked to see a girl.'  

'Young woman! I am 19!'  

'. . . young woman fighting as good or better than most men including myself. How did you learn to fight like that?'  

'Well, it all started when I was five. My parents bought me a horse. When I was nine I learned how to use a sword. When I turned 13, I got one and have been using it ever since.'  

When Raven got done, William's mouth was open with astonishment.  

'Wow!'  

'Yep! A weird but true story. Why for the past six years have you only said *hello* to me?'  

'I was shy,' he replied. 'I have something to tell you, Raven.'  

'What?'  

'I love you!'   

'Oh, William! I have loved you ever since I saw you when I was 13!'  

'Really?'  

'Yes.'  

'Meet me tomorrow by the tree grove. I have something to ask you.'  

'May tomorrow feel only minutes away.'  

With that, William left.  

'William! William!' Raven said.  

'Over here!'  

'Oh, William!'  

'Now listen. This is hard for me to say. I have loved you for a long time. I cannot offer you much, but . . . will you marry me?'   

'Oh William! I can't! My mama and papa would not let me.'  

'Let it be a secret marriage.'  

'Okay. I will be your wife.'  

'Tomorrow night meet me here. I will have a priest waiting.'  

'Until tomorrow my love!'  

'Until tomorrow.'  

The next night they got married as planned. That night they found an abandoned cottage by the river and made love in the moonlight. The next morning Raven stole quietly from the cottage and returned to her home. She opened and walked through the door, making sure not to wake up her mama and papa.  

'Mama, papa, I have something to tell you.'  

'What?'  

'I have been secretly married for three years.'  

'What? To whom?'  

'William.'  

'You waited three years to tell your mom and I that you were married? Why?'  

'I didn't know what to tell you.'  

After a while, things settled down and her parents were okay. Outside they heard a man shouting, 'Come men! We don't want to disappoint the King! He will have our heads!'  

Raven donned her suit and grabbed her sword, ready to join William who was already out there. After a minute or two, Raven said, 'We should split up.'  

As she trotted off, William said, 'I love y--' When she turned around, she saw a flash of sharp steel rake across her husband's throat right before her eyes.  

'No!!!!! Not my William-----'  

She ran over to him and with his last breath, he said, 'I love you. Remember me forever.'  

At that point, William died.  

Once the fighting had stopped, she carried his body to her home, but when she got there, she sensed something was wrong. She opened the door to find her parents lying on the floor, slain by the King's men. William slid from her grasp as she cried, 'My Lord! Why have you let this happen? I have always loved you but you have taken away everyone I have loved in my life--my husband, my mama and my papa! Why? Why?'  

As a beam of light shone through the window, she saw something shining on William's neck. She pulled it off. It was a cross. *Raven* was engraved in letters downward and *Savior* was engraved in letters across so that the *V* in both names was at the same spot. On the back, it said, 'I love thee and until death do us part.' She wore the cross from that day forward.  

That day there was a fierce battle against the King's soldiers and in that battle, she let loose with all of her fear, anger, revenge and sadness for the final time.  

As Raven fought, she grew weaker. A soldier then rode upon a horse came towards her and with a swipe from his sword, took Raven's life. With her last breath, she said, 'William! Mama! Papa! I will see you soon.'  

With that, Raven stirred no more.  

All that Raven had been was remembered by all of the people in the village. In their hearts, Raven lived on.  

Nearly 100 years later, the town council voted to rename the village 'Ravenwood' in honor of her. To this day, Ravenwood celebrates Raven annually. But there is one thing that remains a mystery. At midnight on the eve of the celebration, the site of the King of Scotland's castle is visited by a mysterious bird. One of the historians who maintains the landmark claims it is a raven with intense brown eyes. 
 

E-Mail me below if your budding young writers have any short stories they would like to submit to Vikki's page.  
 

 

 
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