Jackie

• Daniela Koulikov, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2011

The dark room was making me go ballistic. The worst thing was knowing there was nothing I could do about it. Shadows crept all around me as I heard the murmurs of others, not facing the same dilemma I was facing. The windows tempted me to come closer, to have a look, but the black curtains that aligned them pushed away those thoughts. The ship wobbled dangerously as I was about to take a step, and I heard my younger brothers mutter and try to calm themselves. The tables stayed as they were, which was rather surprising, since IÆd expected them to move and tip over. I started to walk towards the caliginous curtains, wanting to see what lay outside of the dark room weÆd been herded into. The musky smell presented itself to me when I reached it and I recoiled, not liking the foreign smell. I ignored it as looked through the window, my dark blond hair falling into my eyes. With a heavy sigh, I pushed it back and continued to stare. There was the ocean. Under its Cimmerian surface, I could see silhouettes of creatures moving around underneath. I didnÆt want to know what these creatures were, but they looked disgusting. I turned and walked away from the window, not wanting to see any more of the mysterious waters. æJackson?Æ I thought I heard someone whisper my name so I stopped, looking over my shoulder to see who it was. Nobody ever called me by my full name anymore. They always called me Jakie, or Jake. My eyes scanned the area for the owner of the voice, but I saw no one there, other than the curtain, which seemed to rustle a little. I ignored it and looked back, continuing my walk to the tables. Most of the tables were empty, which was good. I preferred to be lonely then to be around people. People always confused me, and I confused them. IÆm pretty sure I scared them, with my dark eyes and dark hair that always fell in front of my eyes. But I didnÆt care. All I wanted was to find way out of this hell. I couldnÆt take another day in here, without my family or friends. No, IÆd find a way out of this dark prison and make my way to my life. How much longer would it take? I wasnÆt sure. Nobody in this room seemed to want to help me. A huff escaped my mouth as I stalked away from the tables, over to another table of males. They looked up at me with confused eyes when I passed yet I took no notice. I continued to walk, knowing that if I searched hard enough, IÆd get out. When I got to the wall, I ran my hands over its musty surface; a smirk flickering onto my features when a bit of wallpaper came away in my hands. I ripped at it, trying to tear it off. Was I free?