Voices In My Head

• Ruby Nevin, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2018

The voices in my head haunt me, it’s scary.

“Hurry up Ylva!” Mum calls from the kitchen. I shove on my old pink trainers and speed down the stairs, my feet banging on the hardwood. The cold air puts goosebumps on my skin as it hits me. Not a word was said in the car, but my mind wouldn’t stay quiet.
Stepping out of the car was like a fish in a tree, almost impossible. Mum waved goodbye, sobbing. I ignored her, I had something else on my mind. ‘Winchester Private Boarding School For Proper Young Ladies’ How pathetic. Even the name sounds fancy. As soon as mum was out of sight, I bolted.

This was a bad idea. The words echoed in my head. Lying on the ground I had no energy left. I felt light-headed, my hands were shaky. I couldn’t even move a finger. Then everything went an inky black. As I woke up, I was bewildered. The old crochet hammock underneath me wasn’t trustworthy. Like I could fall and it wouldn't catch me. I began to think this was a fantasy. Now it is a wish. “ She’s up, she’s up” a soft voice said. I curiously scanned the area, but I was all alone. At least I thought. I stood up slower than a turtle, but I couldn’t have left this place any faster.

Everywhere I look, there are tall, thick trees with bright, green leaves But one was different. It was small, thin and ugly. Like me. It stood out from all the rest, but in a bad way. My fatigued mind puts images in the world that aren’t really there. Like a tiny door on the tree. As I cautiously approach it, I’m terrified. But as I get closer, it doesn’t seem so small anymore. I can’t, I really can’t. I feel like I am shrinking. I suddenly feel an excruciating pain shot through my body. I can’t be here anymore.

“Go in the tiny door” says a spine-chilling voice.
“Go back” says a blood-curdling sound.