Hiding In The Trees

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Title: Hiding in the trees
Author: C.M. Smyth
Genre: Angst, teenage, mystery, thriller
Rating: TEEN
Summery: Kerry Manning is a fourteen-year-old girl who isn’t exactly popular, in fact she is an outcast in her year, her ambition is to stay as far away from people like Ashley, but gain a friend who won’t ditch her at the opportunity of having Ashley as their friend. But now she is having her world turned upside-down. She meets a new guy who falls for her and then Miss Popularity, Ashley Ryder, falls for him. Kerry gives up on the new guy and then meets Will and the future begins to not look so bright. Will is a maniac, he wants to get rid of Ashley and he will do anything to achieve that goal. Even kill her…

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter One

The sound of occasional coughing, sniffing, whispered conversations and uncomfortable shifting were the only things I could hear just before the first assembly of the year began. The headmaster, Mr Rickshaw, finally walked out onto the stage and glared at every student who was whispering, an immediate hush fell and the school stood in suspense as Mr Rickshaw made his way across the stage, to the microphone, after what seemed an age he murmured,
“Please be seated.” Into the microphone, we all obeyed and there was a moment of clattering bags and shuffling bodies and then another uncomfortable silence.
“Welcome, to another year at Rickshaw Academy.” Said Mr Rickshaw, with a scary unnatural smile on his wide, pale face, his greying hair was a mess on the top of his head and his glasses were perched on the bottom of his nose.
“Thank-you.” We muttered in reply. The smile stopped and Mr Rickshaw started on about safety and how to behave and respect for the teachers. I stopped listening to him and glanced around the hall to look for the firsties, I saw some, they were huddled together, looking scared out of their wits and ready to leg it. I smiled at them but they didn’t notice, I turned my attention to a boy sitting further down the row from me. (The hall is set out in 50 rows with about 25 seats in each.) I frowned, I didn’t recognise him; he was too old to be a firstie, he looked my age, fourteen and he was handsome, oh yes very handsome, he had shoulder length, jet black hair, very pale skin, dark blue eyes and he looked about 5ft5, I can’t be exact of course, but wow. I felt my heart flutter, so I turned my gaze back to the stage and refocused.

“That was so incredibly boring!” came Ashley Ryder’s unmistakeable voice. I cringed, why now? On the first day back to school? Could it get much worse? It could, I soon realised, as I saw Carla and Maria, Ashley’s followers, walking behind her.
“Yeah, Ashley, it was such a snooze fest!” Carla said pathetically. Ashley stopped dead and stared at her,
“Snooze fest?” she asked incredulously, “They used that sort of saying in the stone age!” Carla blushed and Maria sneered at her. I kept my head down and began to walk away from my locker.
“Kerry!” I heard Ashley say. Uh oh, I thought. I turned around and gave her a painful smile.
“Ashley!” I said still smiling in a painful way; I was ready to run for it as soon as I had the chance.
“I haven’t seen you since, the start of the summer, you know just before I went to Ibiza.” She said in her show off voice.
“It was nice then?” I asked.
“Oh no, it was sunny, you’d have hated it!” she joked, Carla and Maria instantly started into hysterical laughter. I frowned in a creeped out way and studied Ashley’s blue eyes for something to show me that this didn’t amuse her. She was amused.
“Kerry, what with the new hair? Not happy with black? Had to be a freak and have blue put into it?” Ashley taunted.
“No I was very happy with black,” I started.
“Then why the blue?”
“I just wanted to see the look on your face!” I said and then I turned and ran, I didn’t want to know how she reacted, she’d kill me! I felt myself collide with something and then I found myself on the floor. I looked up to see what it was; it was a boy, the boy who I had seen during assembly.
“Can I help you?” he said crouching down beside me and picking up my books and putting them into my bag. I sat completely lost for words, no one would help me; Ashley would kick their knees in! He obviously didn’t know who I was.
“Thanks” I said slowly as he pulled me up, I was close to him, I was right he was about 5ft5, 3 inches taller than me. I stared up into his dark blue eyes and he smiled.
“Em, what class are you in?” he asked as we began to walk down the corridor.
“10G.” I replied.
“Aw man, I’m 10F.” he smiled.
“Ooo!” I said painfully. “Ashley’s class.”
“Ashley?” he asked raising one eyebrow.
“Ashley Ryder.” I replied, when he still looked confused I explained, “You’ll know her by the end of the day, everyone does, everyone thinks she’s really great. If you want to get along with her I’d suggest you don’t let her see you with me.”
“Why not?” he demanded.
“She hates me.” I said embarrassed.
“Well then I hate her. You’re a down-to-earth person, why can’t I like you if I want to? I already don’t like the sound of this ‘Ashley Ryder’ she sounds really up herself.” He ranted.
“Sorry, what’s your name?” I asked quickly changing the subject and looking away from him then back again.
“Patrick,” he replied. “You?”
“Kerry.” I smiled shaking hands with him, I laughed.
“Well Kerry, where does 10F meet for form class?” he asked.
“U37, the sign posts will direct you there.” I smiled.
“Kerry, I’ll see you later, yeah?”
“Yeah.” I agreed.
“Where?”
“My locker?”
“Where’s that?” he asked.
“Locker number 364. Ok?” I smiled
“Yes that’s fine.” He said then lowering his head he kissed me quickly then drew back and walked off down the corridor. I stared after him, totally startled, I had only met him and he kissed me? That didn’t happen to me. Wow!

I stood at my locker at break time putting books away and getting the others I needed, I lifted my leaver-arch file out and closed my locker. I started and then smiled when I turned around, Patrick was standing beside me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He smiled taking my hand, “you’re right Ashley is really, really up herself.”
“You said that.” I mumbled, hoping that she wasn’t near me.
“Oh, right, well she is really, really up herself. She started flirting with me! I mean what? Me? No one liked me in my old school I wasn’t interesting for girls. Sorry, I’m just, well, em, I’ll shut up now.” he said looking at the floor.
“They didn’t find you interesting?” I asked he nodded. “Were they mad?” he smiled at me.
“You like me?” he asked. I nodded. “That’s good cause after I kissed you I was a bit worried you didn’t like me in that way.” I didn’t know how to react to this so I continued walking with him, hand in hand. I realised Ashley would completely kill him and give him so much grief and get other guys to beat him up. I couldn’t let that happen. I let go of his hand.
“Look Patrick, you’re gonna have to completely ignore me in school, cause if you don’t Ashley will freak, ok? Here’s my number, call me if you want to continue this.” I said scribbling my mobile number on a piece of paper, I handed it to him and walked away quickly.

“Kerry!” I once again heard Ashley’s annoying voice. I turned around, “See, I told you she was a complete mess!” she said cackling with a crowd of girls behind her. I felt tears sting my eyes and I ran towards the bathroom.
I leant against the sink and cried, I looked at myself in the mirror; I was a mess. My hair was black with little blue streaks through it, but it was messy the bits at the back were sticking up and some of the hair was plastered to the sides of my head. Then my face, it was pale, very pale and now it was covered in eyeliner and mascara that was half way down my face. I glared at myself and, dried my eyes and face and then I left the bathroom. Ashley was waiting outside; she pushed off the wall and walked over to me.
“I know that you and Patrick Gradey were an item at break time. He’s mine, stay away from him.” She snarled slapping me across the face, I stared at her wide-eyed and then went to class without a word, I was stunned; Ashley had never used physical violence with me, it was always insults, or the occasional public humiliation but never physical. She must really like him.

At lunch time I went to my locker and opened it the first thing I saw was a very obvious piece of file paper, I pulled it out and read:

To Kerry:
Keep running and maybe they won’t catch you,
Keep your head down and maybe they won’t laugh at you,
Keep fighting the tears and maybe everything will be okay.
Keep ignoring them and maybe they won’t care,
Keep up the sarcasm and maybe they’ll understand,
Keep asking and maybe someone will help you.
Keep wishing and maybe it’ll come true,
Keep believing and maybe someone will rescue you,
Keep thinking and maybe they’ll see,
Keep talking and maybe there’s someone who will listen.

It was unsigned. I stared at it and looked around who would send me a note like this? Patrick? Or someone else? I didn’t know. I spent the rest of the day wondering. Who in this school would write to me?

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter two

How could I find out who sent me the letter? I didn’t recognise the handwriting and I definitely didn’t know anyone who could get into the school, my brothers went there; they could just talk to me at home, so it wasn’t them. I trudged on towards the classroom and sighed I was never going to find out.
“Hey,” said a voice behind me. I turned to see Patrick.
“You shouldn’t be talking to me.” I mumbled.
“Screw her, I want you.” He smiled.
“It’s not that easy.” I sighed.
“Why?”
“She really wants you, Patrick, she’ll do whatever it takes to get you.” I snapped.
“Why me? Why can I not go out with you?” he questioned
“Oh for crying out loud! She threatened me, she hates the idea of anyone liking me she wants you to hate me, you just can’t understand how it feels to have a whole school hate you because one girl who is up herself decided that I was her enemy she has to bully.” I screeched.
“Wow! Calm yourself!” said Patrick defensively grabbing my arms, just then Ashley came around the corner, she stopped dead, I looked at the way we were standing him holding my hands close to his chest and me looking fired up about something. She began to shake with anger then she strode towards us at top speed. My heart pounded in time with her heavy steps.
“Did I not explain clearly enough to you Kerry?” she demanded.
“No, you explained very clearly.” I mumbled, I glanced behind her and saw a boy only about 2 inches taller than me standing there. Ashley went on raging at me. But the boy was wearing glasses and his hazel eyes looked full of anger. He had normal coloured skin and he looked slightly flushed when he noticed I was looking at him. I blushed and looked at the ground.
“Are you listening to me?” I heard Ashley practically scream at me.
“Yes.” I mumbled, striding past her and following the boy up the corridor. I heard Ashley scream but I continued walking.

The boy looked over his shoulder and noticed I was following him, he started walking faster and I ran to catch up with him.
“Hey!” I called to him, “Wait up!” he stopped and turned to look at me.
“I won’t tutor you.” He said, “I’m not smart.”
“That’s not what I want.” I snapped.
“Oh, what is it then?” he asked in a softer tone.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“William, call me Will, please, only my mother calls me William.” He said in a rushed, hurried, confused kind of voice. I smiled.
“Ok Will. I’m Kerry.”
“I know,” he said, I raised an eyebrow at him, “Everyone does, Ashley yells your name down the corridor so often it’s a bit hard not to.” I nodded slowly.
“What do you think of Ashley?” I asked.
“She’s evil, she’s a user, guys just like the way she looks, they sleep with her and whatever else they may do and leave her. No one cares for her, most of the girls are scared of her, that’s the only reason they are nice to her, it’s one of the reasons so many guys respect you, cause you dare to go against her.” he replied thoughtfully. I stared at him.
“They respect me?” I asked disbelievingly, blinking hard.
“Yeah, they don’t talk to you in school, but they would outside of school, if they saw you that is, but no one ever does.” He said casually tossing ear-lobe length hair out of his face.
“Wow, I never knew.” I muttered.
“Look, do you want to get rid of Ashley? For good I mean.” Asked Will studying my face with his beautiful hazel eyes.
“Yes, how?” I asked taking a deep breath.
“Come in here.” He said taking me into an empty classroom.
“Lucky it’s my study period, isn’t? I get the feeling this will take a long time to explain.” I smiled. Will looked deadly serious; I swallowed and looked at him enquiringly.
“There is a group of guys, and some girls, who also want rid of Ashley,” he started. “We believe there isn’t many way to get rid of her, there are loads that can get rid of her, but not permanently.
“We decided that murder was a good option.” He continued. I gasped. “Do you not think so? We have the school geniuses on our side, they can tell us exactly how to get away with it. No one will suspect a thing and we will make it look like suicide that is pretty easy to do if we give her an overdose.
“You see Kerry? We can get rid of her using either trust or clever planning or by both. Are you in?” He finished smiling.
“So, you want to, to kill her?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes, pretty much, you make it sound so awful though, we are going to permanently get rid of her.” he reasoned.
“You’re mad.” I said, standing up and backing away from him.
“I’m not mad, and you’ve got no where to go, I know exactly where you live, what classes you are in on what day and when you go to sleep. Choose carefully Kerry, if all goes well you could be next.” He said, a light danced in his eyes, a crazy sparkle that sent chills down my spine, but I was afraid, the words ‘Choose carefully Kerry, if all goes well you could be next.’ Floated through my head, I nearly screamed.
“What would I have to do if I joined you?” I asked tearfully.
“Whatever we tell you.” He answered; the craziness was gone from his eyes and voice.
“I don’t know, exactly what I’m getting myself into.” I shrieked I was so frustrated.
“We are going to permanently get rid of Ashley Ryder, do you want in?” he said sounding slightly annoyed. “Heh, I thought you were smart!”
“I don’t know if I should do it or not!” I snapped feeling annoyed.
“Why not? You want rid of her, right?” he demanded.
“Yes, I do, but-”
“Then join us and help us get rid of her, no one needs her, I don’t even think her family will miss her!” he said, talking over me.
“But, what if we get caught, I don’t want to go to jail!” I screeched.
“Think, even if we did go have to go to jail, we would have liberated the school! The teachers, the pupils and non-teaching staff, her future co-workers, bosses, her family even! We would be saviours!” he reasoned. I stared at him. This couldn’t be true! I felt tempted! I wanted to be a school legend, but not for sport or good grades or being head girl. This was exactly the opportunity I had been waiting for! Listen to yourself Kerry! I thought. You can’t do it its murder! You’ll get caught! You’ll spend the rest of your life in prison!
“I don’t know!” I screamed. Calming down I stared at Will. “We can’t do it, we’ll get caught, and we’ll spend the rest of our lives in prison!”
“We can do it, Kerry! Believe me!” said Will taking my hands and sitting me down again.
“I don’t know.” I whispered feeling hot tears of frustration run down my cheeks. “I just don’t know.” I looked at him, he looked sad, upset, tearful even. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I could live with someone’s murder hanging over my head.” He nodded sorrowfully.
“I can understand. But Kerry we could do this, we can do this, please, can we plan it, if you don’t agree with the plans you can call it all off. I swear to you. Please lets try.” He pleaded.
“Alright! I can’t believe I’m doing this!” I said, raising my hands to my shoulders to show my surrender. The next second Will’s lips were on mine and we were locked in a warm, passionate kiss, not something you would expect off someone who you had only met an hour ago. All too soon, it was over and we sat staring at each other. He held me close to him and smiled. He kissed my hair and said,
“I’m so glad you’re helping, you know her best.”
“No I don’t, her friends do.” I replied.
“Yeah but they won’t go against her, they’re too scared.” He said as I rested my head on his shoulder. I smiled at him.
“I can believe that.” I smiled. Then we sat in silence for a moment. “Did you write to me?”
“No, why? Someone wrote to you?” he asked.
“Yes, someone did. I was confused to, why would anyone write to me? I don’t really know.” I said thoughtfully, I looked up at him and smiled, not happily but not sadly either. “Look, I’ve got to go, I’ll see you around.” I said getting up to leave.
“Wait a second.” Said Will jumping up, he reached into his school bag and ripped a piece of file paper out of his file block and scribbled his number on it. “So you can contact me.” He said when I smiled and raised an eyebrow at him.

At lunch I went to my locker, as I did every lunchtime, and again I saw a very obvious piece of file paper. I lifted it out and read:

To Kerry:
You didn’t listen to my last warnings
You didn’t keep on running
You didn’t keep your head down
You didn’t keep fighting the tears
You didn’t keep ignoring
You didn’t keep up the sarcasm
You didn’t keep asking
You didn’t keep wishing
You didn’t keep believing
You didn’t keep thinking
You didn’t keep talking

I will wait for your sense to return
I will make sure it does
I will make sure they don’t pressurize you
I am not William or Patrick as you previously thought
I am in love with you and
I can see your thoughts

I stared at it and almost screamed, someone was stalking me and writing to me. I was very scared and the fact that they wrote ‘I can see your thoughts’ worried me a lot. They knew that I had thought both Patrick and Will had written the letter and now they were telling me that it wasn’t either of them. This was not normal. I had a stalker. I looked around as if I was expecting to see the person beside me. I saw three guys standing at lockers quite close to me and I wondered about them for a moment. No they didn’t notice me at all. This person was a mystery. A mystery I desperately wanted solved and fast.

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter three

I started walking home at about 4 o’clock; I had sat in the park thinking over the events of the day over and over again in my head. This was so annoying, I had let myself join a ‘Let’s kill Ashley Ryder And Get Away With It’ group and again I had missed the person who had left me the letter. I had decided to wait near my locker and watch it for the whole school day. I would get into a lot of trouble for missing classes but if I found out who sent me those letters it would be worth it. No this was definitely not a good idea, I had to get out of that, but Will, oh yes, Will was lovely, he was such a honey when he wasn’t acting mad and plotting to kill Ashley. Patrick on the other hand, he was a problem. I couldn’t just yell in his face that I hated him, because I didn’t I quite liked him, I was happy enough being his friend, outside school though. I’d have to tell him that. Some how. Why was life so confusing and frustrating? I had so many problems and it was still the first week of term! My life sucks.

“I’m home!” I yelled as I came into the house, I threw my bag onto the floor and went upstairs, I looked out my bedroom window at the forest behind our house, I smiled, as a child I had been told that it was home to fairies and other magical creatures, I had believed it until my brothers, Justin and Mark, came back with a frog with cardboard wings stuck on with sellotape, claiming it was a fairy. That memory always made me laugh. There was a knock at the door and Justin came in.
“What are you doing?” he asked in his ‘I’m your big brother, I can help’ voice.
“Not much, I’m remembering the Frog Fairy though.” I smiled. Justin laughed,
“You still remember that?” he asked.
“Of course.” I grinned he hugged me.
“Wow, how long ago was that?” he asked.
“I was about six, so that was eight years ago.” I replied doing quick maths.
“It’s nice you remember that.” He said lying back on my bed. “How’s school going?”
“It’s,” I paused looking for a word to describe it, “weird.” I said eventually.
“Oh really? What’s making it so weird?” he asked.
“Swear you won’t tell anyone?” I asked cautiously.
“I swear…can I tell Mark?” Justin smiled.
“Yes, but neither of you can tell anyone else.” I started. I told him every thing. I ended with the letters, handing both of them to Justin to read. He looked at me and handed the letters back.
“Wow, you have a stalker! Do you have any idea who?”
“Not a clue. I’m hoping it’s a boy since they love me. I wouldn’t fancy having a girl being in love with me.” Justin laughed at this comment.
“So what do you plan to do?” he asked.
“I might stand and watch my locker all day. What do you think of that idea?” I said slowly.
“Em, I don’t know. You decide it’s your stalker and your locker. Hey! They rhyme!” he laughed.
“You are so childish!” I laughed. He pushed me and I smiled, that evening was going to be fine, tomorrow held the challenge.

At school the next day, I stood, from first morning bell, near my locker and watched it. It was a long, boring, tiring wait, it was a cold day and the school was freezing in the corridors and ironically nothing happened, no one went near my locker, at one point I had to get into my locker to avoid being found and sent to class by teachers. I was glad I hadn’t gone to registration. Hiding in my locker had sounded like a good idea in my head but then I realised that the person doesn’t open my locker and I would just see the note come through the vents, so that plan went out the window. I suddenly needed to go to the toilet just after the break time rush, I nearly died I hadn’t thought of that. Should I go to the toilet and maybe miss the stalker? Or stay and wet myself and not see anyone? And the same applied to food, when was I going to eat? Why did standing in one place and watching a locker have to be so difficult to achieve without wetting yourself or starving to death? I groaned and slid down the wall. After half an hour of ignoring the fact I desperately needed to pee, I gave in and went. I came back totally refreshed and opened my locker to my relief there wasn’t a letter. I went back to my hiding place and continued to watch. The letter was always there at lunchtime, so that meant they delivered it sometime between break and the start of lunch, this period of time was crucial. If it wasn’t there by the end of lunch I was going home, I promised myself that.

Lunch arrived, my eyes were glued to my locker the whole time no one came and no one put anything in it. I groaned, had today been a waste of time? I turned to leave at the end of lunch and walked straight into Ashley.
“I hate you!” she screamed. “First you steal my boyfriend, then you stop listening to me and run off and now you are pretending you are off school when actually you are in and not doing anything important!”
“I don’t care.” I said simply walking past her. I saw three girls gasp and two boys smile at me. I kept walking, I heard her scream in frustration and confusion, no one had done that to her before. I felt so satisfied, even though I didn’t find out who sent me the letters. I went home happy.

The next day I arrived at my locker and found another letter, I almost screamed with frustration, maybe if I had stayed a bit longer I would have seen this person. I unfolded the file page and read:

To Kerry:
I saw what you did and indeed it was great.
I saw you were watching obviously trying to catch me
I know you will be frustrated about missing me
I know you should keep up the good work with Ashley Ryder
I advise you to go with William’s plan
I would suggest you stay as close to him as you can
For those who have crossed him
Have regretted it
I don’t want you to be next.

I see your pain in wondering who I am
I will meet you next week at lunch I will call your name
I will be near your locker the code word is coal
Ask me about fire
If I answer “coal is best” you know it’s me
Look out for me

I stared at it for a moment longer and then almost jumped with joy. This was wonderful, sometime next week I was going to meet my letter writer.

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter Four

I was so glad that I was going to meet this mysterious letter writer that I spent the next few days wonder what he would look like. I was convinced it was a guy because all the other girls dot there ‘i’s with a heart, of course I didn’t but nearly everyone else did. I was wondering down the corridor, on the Monday, and I heard my name being called, my heart leapt. I turned around slowly hardly daring to breath. This could be my letter writer. But it wasn’t, it was Will.
“Hey Will.” I said. He smiled and caught up with me.
“So, are coming to the meeting?” he asked when he was walking beside me. He smiled and his hazel eyes danced.
“When and where is it?” I asked stupidly.
“You haven’t heard? Oh, yeah you aren’t on our mailing list yet, you’ll have to give me your email. Anyway it is today at my house, straight after school.” He rushed.
“Right…where’s your house?” I asked. He stopped and turned to face me, he smiled more broadly than before.
“I’ll take you there, don’t worry, meet me at the school gates after school.” He replied. I nodded remembering the note I walk with him until I would be too far away from my classroom to get in on time. He kissed me before I left I smiled at him,
“I needed that.” I whispered, turning and walking away I thought about how miserable I’d be without him.

Classes were boring and slowly the end of the day edged nearer. I sat during maths and stared out of the window, the guy sitting beside me kept looking at me, but I was in a world of my own, I was thinking about Will, his eyes I love them so much, his kisses they were incredible and how down to earth was he? Very. But his obsession with killing Ashley Ryder is rather disturbing. My eyes drifted once more to the clock it read 3:28 I watched the second hand slowly tick its way around the clock. Hurry up, I thought desperately, please hurry up I want to go and see Will, really badly! The teacher finally told us to leave as the final bell of the day rang. I got up and practically ran to the door. I was excited and desperate to see Will.

I stood at the school gate, waiting for Will at exactly 3.30pm. I was still standing there at 3.45pm. I groaned, I was bored and Will seemed to have forgotten about me. I groaned louder when Patrick came out and walked straight over to me.
“Hey.” He smiled.
“You shouldn’t be talking to me.” I muttered.
“Yeah in school but we are outside of school.” He reasoned smiling. I suddenly realised how stupid and childish he was.
“Grow up. I just can’t be with you, go out with Ashley Ryder, do whatever you want. As long as you stay away from me, especially when she is around.” I snarled.
“But we aren’t scared of her.” he said confidently.
“Correction, you aren’t scared of her.” I snapped I hated giving in to the fact I was scared of Ashley Ryder.
“Oh…so why can’t I go out with you?” he asked.
“Oh my word you are so stupid!” I screeched, “Just go home, Patrick. It has to be late-Friday-afternoon-fever that is making you such an idiot.” He glared at me and stalked off.
“Nicely handled.” Said a guy with chin-length black hair and brown eyes jumping off the wall, landing beside me and walking off. I stared after him, confused but then Will finally arrived.
“Hey.” He said smiling; he put his arm around me. I shrugged it off. He narrowed his eyes.
“What have I done?” he demanded.
“You turned up half an hour late!” I accused.
“Oh, come on, you aren’t my mum!” he snapped.
“Yeah, but it would mean something to me for you to at least apologise for being late, I was standing outside in the freezing cold for half an hour!” I said turning my head away from him grumpily and glaring at the wall.
“Grow up. I was late, you can handle a bit of cold!” he snarled.
“No, not really, I haven’t been standing outside for long periods of time since I was about ten years old.” I spat glaring at him.
“Why not?” he demanded.
“Ashley started picking on me then!” I replied, tears stinging my eyes slightly. “I can’t do this, I can’t kill Ashley Ryder, I just can not do this, I can’t help you do this either!”
“Look at me, Kerry. I know you are upset but there is no need to back out of this operation. You can help us do this, you can. I know you can.” Will reasoned softening.
“No, I can’t and I won’t.” I said turning and walking away from him, he grabbed my arm and turned me roughly to face him.
“Too bad Kerry. The plan has already been formed, you don’t have a choice anymore, you have to help me, us, or else I will have no choice but to make you.” He said, the mad glitter was in his eyes; he was smiling as if the idea of killing, hurting and pain gave him a lot of pleasure.
“Get away from me.” I said desperately trying to yank my arm out of his grip. He squeezed my arm tighter.
“You are going to help, aren’t you?” he threatened coming close to me, I could feel his breath on my face, he wasn’t smiling anymore, he was looking very, very annoyed with me. I gulped and was close to tears.
“Please Will, leave me alone, I can’t help you!” I cried.
“You can. You see you are the plan.” He replied, I tried harder to pull away from him but his grip on my arm remained firm.
“You are insane!” I cried pulling and pulling against his grip on my arm.
“Help me and I will not bother you ever again as soon as it is done.” He breathed his eyes were sparkling insanely, his breathing was uneven, I felt panic overtake my body, my brain was screaming run but I couldn’t, I couldn’t get away from Will’s grip, it was impossible.
“Ok!” I cried, “What do I do?” his grip relaxed and he smiled a more natural smile.
“Come with me.” He whispered.

After walking for about half an hour we arrived at a Hair Salon on Main Street. I stared at everyone in it as Will led me inside; he took me over to the glamorous looking receptionist and said something about an appointment. She smiled and said,
“Right this way, Miss Manning.” The receptionist led me over to a hairdresser. I stared wide-eyed and scared at the hairdresser, who smiled and said,
“What shade of blond does you want done?”
“WHAT!” I screeched raising my eyebrows at Will and staring at him.
“You have to fit in with her.” he murmured, “She wants a natural honey sort of shade.” He added smiling at the hairdresser.
“Ok.” She said sitting me down on the hair dressing chair.

“I hate you, Will.” I snarled about half an hour later when my hair was finished, blow-dried and straightened. I glared at myself in the mirror, my hair was now golden blond, my blue eyes sparkled, my skin was as pale as ever and my eyes were still heavily eye-lined.
“Thank you.” Will said to the hairdresser, taking me by the hand and leading me out of the hair salon. He next brought me to the beauty and tanning salon. I protested greatly about this but still managed to come out with light brown skin, my eyes with mascara on them, pale pink eye shadow, dark pink lipstick and my eyebrows waxed into a proper shape, I was also given loads of foundations, mascaras, eye shadows and lipsticks, as well as a pair of straighteners.
“Will, I hate you, I look like Ashley!” I snarled at him.
“That is the idea, you are supposed to make friends with her, gain her full trust and whatever else you will have to do.” Will smiled.
“This is stupid! She will never except me!” I screeched.
“Wait and see.” He replied. “Hang on, one more stop before you can go home.” He steered me into a clothes shop.
“NO WAY!” I screamed, trying to walk out again, he stopped me, pulled me roughly back into the shop using the hood on my hoody and glared at me.
“You have to.” He said in a dangerous voice. I nodded sheepishly and stayed quiet as he picked out clothes.

I went home that night wearing a pink mini skirt, pink sandals and a baby blue strapless t-shirt; I was freezing to say the least. I walked inside and threw myself onto the sofa.
“What the-?” said Mark coming into the living room and dropping his sandwich. “What happened to you?”
“Em, I have to change you see, I’ve decided I don’t want to fight with Ashley any more I want to be friends with her.” I lied quickly.
“You look like weirdo. Kerry, I thought you knew who the true you was!” he replied stalking out on me and stamping upstairs.

I went up to my room to see a piece of file paper on my bed. I nearly screamed, it must be Justin or Mark, Mark more likely because Justin seemed confused about the letter writing. I unfolded it and read:

To Kerry:
I have seen you
I have become worried
I have seen your weaknesses
I have seen your strengths
I have seen your limits
I have seen you new image
I have come to the conclusion you have gone with William
I have decided you will not meet me
Until the plan is done
Until you go back to who you were
Until you come to your senses again

I stared at it, I reread it and then realised what exactly it meant. I worried, I cried, I began to hate myself and I went to sleep, it was the only cure I had for my new self-hatred. I loathed myself and it was all because of Ashley Ryder, Will and the Letter-Writer who I guessed I would never meet since this plan was never going to work. I now, officially, hated Will.

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter Five

I glared at myself in the early hours of Saturday morning. I was tanned. I was blond. I looked like Ashley. The only part of me left was my pyjamas. I cursed Will, how could he do this to me? And for what? For a stupid plan that wasn’t going to work out anyway! And even if it did we would get arrested! I’m not too keen on the idea of doing 25 to life! I don’t think they properly thought about the risks involved here! Argh look at me! I look like a freak! I look like an Ashley wanna-be! I look like an idiot! I’ll never pull this off! I’ll look so stupid it will be unbelievable and Ashley will just bully me more because I tried to ‘be like her’. Will deserves to die. I hate, hate, hate him for making me into something I never wanted to be.

I sat there insulting myself for the next five hours. Then at about 9 o’clock, Justin came in and sat down on my dressing table stool that I was sitting on, I was crying, Justin said nothing and simply sat down and wrapped his arms around me. I buried my face in his jumper and cried my heart out. When I calmed slightly he started whispering to me.
“It’s ok. What’s going on? I know you are stronger than this. You can get through anything. Why do you look like this?” I shook my head. “Why can’t you tell me? I’m your brother, I won’t tell anyone!” Again I shook my head. I couldn’t tell him, I couldn’t tell anyone. I was too upset. I wanted to tell Justin really badly. His eyes searched my face as if for a clue to what was going through my mind.
“Remember the frog-fairy?” he asked. I smiled weakly.
“How could I forget?” I replied.

It was dark the air was cold, what was that? That dripping noise? Listen! There is it again! I groped around in the darkness looking for something to help me up, I was on the ground, I felt heavy, I felt weird. Something isn’t right here I thought. I found a stable something to hold onto and used it to help myself up. I was heavy, fat, no…not fat…PREGNANT! What? Oh my word, why was this happening!? Why am I pregnant!? What is going on!? I panicked, I glanced at the sky, there was an ever so pale moon shining above me. I sighed what was going on? I was in my room a minute ago and now I am in the middle of a forest somewhere, a strand of black and blue hair fell into my face, I smiled at it a moment the familiarity was comforting then remembered I had dyed my hair only the night before. What! I saw the moon shining on something golden beside a tree, I went towards it, the moonlight was clearer there. It was hair, beautiful, golden, thick, full hair. But what, what was that? Blood? I knelt down beside it and stroked the hair, it was blood, this was a human head, there was a body attached to my relief. I smiled, but the smile was soon wiped off my face as I saw the clothes it was wearing. Was it? No…it couldn’t be…could it? I reached out to turn over the body and saw it was…

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I sat up, screaming, my newly dyed golden hair matted to the sides of my wet cheeks. I realised I was crying. I pulled myself together and sat on the side of my bed, trying to calm myself by breathing…I was in the first stage of panic…I knew that. Am I going insane? I hope not. Breathing deeply I looked down at my stomach. Good. I wasn’t pregnant. I laughed, how often do you think that to yourself? I stood up and walked around my bedroom. This wasn’t normal having dreams like that…was it? Did I eat cheese before I went to bed? No…I don’t think so…hmmm.

On Monday I went into school, everyone stared at me, I was wearing a pale yellow dress that was about knee length, with a pink cardigan over the top. I was so embarrassed. I stared at the ground and kept walking as I heard comments on the changes made follow me.
“Who’s that?” I heard Ashley Ryder’s unmistakeable voice say.
“Em, excuse me.” Said Carla tapping me on the shoulder, I turned around. Carla gasped; I saw Ashley and Maria standing behind her. Maria dropped her books and Ashley gaped at me.
“Yes?” I asked sweetly. Maria bent down and started picking up her books again.
“Oh my word! Kerry?” Ashley said incredulously.
“Yep.” I replied, I felt satisfaction with the look of pure confusion and bewilderment on Ashley’s blue eyes and tanned face.
“Wow! Who would have known you could clean up so good?” she smiled; she walked over to me and signalled to keep walking. I did so.
“What made you decided to change?” Maria drawled.
“I don’t really know.” I replied.
“Oh, great reason!” said Carla sarcastically.
“Well the only thing that matters is she’s one of us now.” Ashley snapped, “Do you want to go to mine after school?” she asked me sweetly.
“Em, yeah, ok, sounds fun…” I smiled. I saw Will standing not far from my locker.
“What are you staring at?” Ashley asked.
“My locker.” I replied distantly.
“Why?” Ashley demanded.
“I dunno…for the craic of it.” I said shaking my head and coming back to Earth.
“Oh…ok…anyway, I’m going to Maths, where are you going?” Ashley asked.
“English.” I replied.
“Ok, just so you know you are my friend on trial. Ever try to steal the guy I like again and I will hate your guts forever. Just so you know I don’t usually give second chances. This is the first second chance I have ever given.” Ashley said smiling. I knew that the whole being nice to me thing wasn’t going to last all that long. I felt suddenly uncomfortable with how easy it had been to make friends with Ashley. I studied her uncomfortably.
“Bye!” she said. “See you at break, go to the third bench from the left outside the double doors.”

I met Ashley at break time, the chatted about bands I didn’t know and laughed at the music I liked. It was now lunchtime; I was walking to my locker with Ashley. She was being very nice to me. I went to my locker and opened it. I gasped as I again saw a folded file page,
“What is it?” asked Ashley.
“Em, nothing, just a letter from my brother, he’s always leaving them.” I lied quickly laughing.
“Ok…” Ashley smiling.

To Kerry:
You are doing your task
You are lying all around you
You are thinking I am Justin
You are thinking I am Mark
I am neither
You are wondering how I know this
You are scared ‘cause I read your thoughts
You do not keep a diary
You do not always keep promises
You do not always need to know me…
You had a dream
And now you’re confused
Continue down your path
And that will be you

I read it over and over. Then I just stared at it. This was weird. I wished Ashley wasn’t reading it. I gulped.
“What does that mean? Why did your brother write this to you? What was your dream? What path? Come on tell me!” Ashley questioned.
“Its done in riddles, he just does it for fun, I don’t remember my dream and I don’t know what he means by path.” I lied continuously.

The whole day Ashley questioned and questioned, she didn’t seem to buy my answers. But I stuck with them and eventually she gave up.

“How was your first day?” I heard Will say when I closed my locker at the end of the day.
“I’m not talking to you.” I replied shortly
“You have to, how was it? Does she trust you?” Will snapped.
“It was fine. And I’m not sure.” I said walking over to Ashley and leaving Will behind. This wasn’t how I felt it was meant to be. But I knew that it had to be this way. Every time I thought of backing out the time Will said ‘Choose carefully Kerry, if all goes well you could be next.’ Would go through my head and I would change my mind. It was because of Will I was doing this and it was because of Ashley he was making me do this. It was all a circle of hate. A horrible circle of hate…

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter Six

I small breeze blew my golden hair as I stood outside the school gates waiting for Ashley to arrive, she had demanded that I was to wait for her every morning before school and that if she wasn’t coming she would text me beforehand. So here I am, standing here, freezing my butt off for a girl I don’t even like. She has been going out with Patrick for weeks now, they seem happy together, he occasionally shoots me flirty looks but I ignore them. We are one month into the operation and Will barely every comes near me. Sometimes I wonder if he’s forgotten but then he would see me and give me a meaningful look in the corridor. Ashley finally arrived, her nose was pink and she was slightly flushed,
“Hi babe!” she smiled giving me a hug.
“Hey.” I replied with a great lack of enthusiasm.
“Great news, I’m having a sleep over on Friday and you and Carla and Maria are invited!” Ashley said excitedly.
“Friday? You mean, like, tomorrow?” I asked stupidly.
“Yes tomorrow silly!” Ashley smiled.
“Isn’t that a bit short notice?” I asked, desperate for an excuse.
“Oh, are you’re parents all picky about forward planning and stuff?” Ashley said crest fallen.
“Well…em…sort of.” I replied pathetically.
“Text them now and we’ll know by the end of the day.” Ashley smiled with renewed confidence.
“Em…ok.” I stammered, quickly texting my mum the following message: hey mum, is it ok if I stay at Ashley’s tomorrow? I’ll go to her house after school and we’ll go into town on Saturday and I’ll get the normal bus home. Wb xo
Ashley, seeming satisfied with that, signalled to start walking towards school. Will will want to know about this. I thought. I sighed, he would see it as a perfect opportunity to get rid of her. No, I told myself, he will take into account that there would be witnesses. Wouldn’t he?
“What are you frowning about!” Ashley asked smiling.
“Thinking.” I replied shortly.
“About what?” she pressed.
“Stuff.”
“Stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Stuff being what exactly?”
“You know stuff.” I shrugged, this seemed to enrage Ashley.
“No I don’t! Tell me! You are getting me all frustrated!” she practically screamed at me. I put my hands up as a pathetic comforting mock protection as I cowered away from her.
“Just like, what my mum might say and stuff.” I lied.
“There you go again! ‘And stuff’ what is stuff?” Ashley yelled, then she stopped dead, staring. I followed her gaze to see Patrick kissing Carla. “Oh my word, I am going to kill her!” I stared helplessly after Ashley and felt sorry for Carla who was oblivious that she was about to have her eyes scratched out by a furious Ashley. Carla was pushed to the ground and Ashley began scratching her and slapping her and generally hurting her. Carla screamed at Patrick to help but all he did was stand beside the two fighting girls nervously edging towards the doors. Finally I pulled myself together and ran over to Ashley and Carla, pulling them apart shouting,
“Look what he has done to you! Look what he has reduced you to! Look at what you have lowered yourselves to! Pull yourselves together, get a grip, hello! Wake up!” Ashley aimed a slap at Carla but I grabbed her by the wrists and made her stay still,
“Ashley!” I yelled at her. Her head snapped around, her attention turned to me and the rage in her eyes slowly began to fade into hurt and betrayal, she began to sob and starting crying on my shoulder.
“Patrick, leave Ashley alone. Carla, do what you want with him, but remember this, he will hurt and betray you.” I said wisely having to talk loudly over Ashley’s continuous hysterical sobs. I was putting forth my authority, showing them I was no longer the girl they had picked on for the past three years. Carla nodded silently, understanding, Patrick glared at me, Ashley continued wailing and I sat her down. Ashley acted like she was an adult when really she was only a confused, scared, head strong little teenage girl. I hugged her, feeling awkward.
“Th-thank y-you.” Ashley spluttered between sobs and gasps for air. “I o-only w-want you to c-come to m-my h-house tom-morrow.”
“It’s ok.” I said pretending I didn’t hear her.
“N-no C-Carla or Maria, juz y-you an me.” She said tucking hair behind her ear numerous times.
“Ok, I understand, just you and me.” I replied feeling sorry for her.
“Thanks.” Ashley sniffed drying her eyes and getting up, “We better get to class. See you at break time.”
“See ya.” I nodded walking off in the other direction. Will walked over to me,
“What was that?” he asked.
“What was what?” I replied simply.
“Why was she crying?”
“She just had a rather nasty encounter with her boy friend and best friend.” I said shortly.
“Oh, anything interesting going on?” Will asked me, I turned to face him, he knew something was happening so I didn’t bother lying,
“Yeah, I’m going to her house tomorrow to sleep over.”
“Do you know what I am thinking?” he asked.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea-” I started,
“You need some girly pyjamas.” He smiled. I glared at him,
“No way, I don’t even get to sleep in my own clothes?” I said disbelievingly.
“Meet me at lunch, I will be on time today!” he grinned walking off. I glared after him. This sucks.

At lunch Will actually came on time, I gave him an icy stare when he bought the girly pink pyjamas but allowed myself to follow his orders. Mum had said I could go and Ashley was overjoyed.
“I want you not let yourself get to like Ashley too much.” Will said as we walked forward, he didn’t look at me as he said this.
“Why not?” I demanded.
“Because if you get attached to her you won’t be able to live with the rest of the plan.” He snapped.
“But I won’t be able to anyway.” I said staring at the ground.
“You know, you should be thanking me! I’ve made you into a goddess, Ashley doesn’t tease you, you can walk around school without being afraid of what she will say about what you are wearing! You can be totally confident with yourself!” Will suddenly said as if it had been on his mind for days.
“Thanking you? I don’t want to thank you! You have ruined me! You have made me totally insecure with myself! You have totally destroyed my confidence.” I spat then something occurred to me, “who else wants Ashley dead?”
“Em...I can’t tell you...confidentiality matters to these people.” Will said while fidgeting with his fingers.
“There is no group is there?” I asked with a cold realisation.
“Not exactly...but people have said they want her dead!” he spluttered in his defence.
“You tricked me, you lied to me, you ruined me and you killed my confidence. How much more will you make me hate you? I quit!” I snarled.
“Excuse me!” Will said obviously outraged. “You will go along with the plan whether you like it or not because if you don’t I will kill her and tell the Police it was you!”
“What?” I almost screamed at him, “You wouldn’t!”
“Don’t underestimate me Kerry Manning. Don’t get close to her, we will snuff her out soon.” Will said in a dangerous voice walking back to school. I followed slowly not wanting to be near him. He threatened me! How could he? He was so nice and- no wait, he’d been threatening me since the start. I can’t believe this.

“Hey honey, what you doing?” Ashley said coming over to me at my locker.
“Going to my locker. How are you?” I asked opening my locker.
“Bad.” She answered smiling weakly. There it was. My daily letter, I lifted it out and unfolded it:

To Kerry:
Ignore Williams’s orders,
Have a good time
Don’t hurt her
Show her you care
She has something to tell you that will
Change your perspective of her
Forever.

“Whats that about?” asked Ashley nodding at the letter.
“This, I- I’m not sure.” I replied. “Really” I added when I saw her looking doubtful. I was telling the truth, I decided to work it out later.
“Who is ‘she’?” asked Ashley.
“I honestly don’t know.” I replied, but I had a pretty sure idea.
“Ok then.” Ashley said flicking her hair and smiling, “You seem to get a letter that doesn’t make any sense everyday.”
“Yeah, I’ll tell you all I know about it tomorrow night.” I promised it was a promise I intended to keep.
“Are you excited?” she asked grinning showing her perfect white teeth.
“Very.” I replied smiling back at her.
“I’m so happy, I had the feeling you didn’t want to come, if you don’t want to you can just tell me, I might get offended but I will forgive you.” Ashley said, she was dead serious, no longer smiling.
“I didn’t want to go at first but now I definitely want to, I swear I have told you the truth.” I answered seriously. Ashley smiled.
“Since you made me a promise about the letter, I’ll make you a promise, I’ll tell you why I was evil to you all those years tomorrow night.”
“Really?” I asked suddenly even more interested. Ashley nodded, “cool.”

The next day flew by, I got no letter from the letter writer but I didn’t care, I was very excited that Ashley was going to explain to me why she hated me and I was excited that I was finally going to get to know her properly. She met up with me at 3.30 on the dot, she was excited too, she had told me to only bring pyjamas, clothes for Saturday and toiletries.
“Hey!” she grinned when she saw me.
“Hiya,” I smiled while she gave me a hug.
“Come with me.” She said linking her arm through mine and leading me over to a large four by four and opened the back door getting in and shuffling down to the other side, I got in after her and sat down.
“Daddy, this is Kerry Manning, my new best friend.” Ashley said smiling sweetly.
“Hello Kerry, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Said Ashley’s dad.
“Um, hi?” I smiled uncertainly. Ashley laughed.
“Don’t worry Kerry, he won’t be hanging out with us.” She said comfortingly. I laughed uneasily but gave her a reassuring smile. This was it; I was now on my way to Ashley Ryder’s house, I was going to stay the night with the girl who had once made my life impossibly hard.

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter seven

Her house was set in the countryside it was a beautiful huge mansion farmhouse. We made our way in and walked up two flights of stairs to her huge room on the third floor, we dumped my stuff and sat on the sofa. Her room was a pale pink and there was a king side bed with baby blue duvets, a black velvety sofa, wide screen TV with DVD player, a large sound system and a huge built in wardrobe that had mirror doors. Ashley noticed me looking at the wardrobe.
“If you want we can try on my clothes later.” She smiled.
“Ok, thanks for inviting me here, it’s really cool.” I replied.
“Thanks for coming.” She said, “it gets lonely here and Carla and Maria can be really boring,” she said shrugging, “And Carla can be really evil.” She added as if it was an afterthought, her face darkened, “I dumped Patrick, I was half worried that he would get angry but he just nodded and went off to snog the face off Carla.” Her lip trembled slightly during the last sentence but she kept her voice neutral.
“I’m glad you dumped him, he deserved it, you have a right to be upset you know, Carla could have told him to back off, I know I would have and I have a fair few times during the last month.” I added wisely.
“Wow, so Carla wasn’t the first he chatted up while he was dating me?” Ashley asked. I nodded. “I’m so glad a dumped him.”

We had take out Chinese for dinner and Ashley was amazed I could use chopsticks I tried to teach her. She was hopeless but I encouraged her every time she thought about giving up or complained about how bad she was at it.
“This is hopeless, I’m so awful at this I might as well not bother.” Ashley said slamming the chopsticks on the table in frustration. I looked at her.
“It takes ages to learn,” I said comfortingly, “It took me months and months, my brothers had to work together to teach me I was so hopeless. I’ve been using chopsticks since I was 6, I am sure I can teach you.”
“Really?” asked Ashley the frustration fading away from her voice.
“Yep. I could probably teach a monkey.” I smiled.
“You have enough patience to.” Ashley grinned picking up her chopsticks and managing to pick up a piece of chicken and put it into her mouth without dropping it on the table and making a mess of the perfectly white table cloth again. When we had finished the meal we went up to Ashley’s room again,
“You are really good at chopsticks, I couldn’t use them that well on my first go.” I smiled encouragingly at Ashley as we walked up the second flight of stairs.
“But you were 6 when you started.” Ashley reasoned.
“So? I was still as intelligent as I am now.” I laughed. Ashley laughed too and we went into her room. At about 9 o’clock we had finished watching Mean Girls and Ashley wanted to rant on about it.
“I know Regina was evil but they didn’t have to try and ruin her life! That was so mean!” Ashley shouted throwing popcorn at the TV that was switched off, then she laughed, “I’m crazy” she smiled, I laughed too. “Do you want to play truth?” she asked.
“OK.” I answered, “You go first.”
“Why did you decide to change the way you looked to be like me?” Ashley asked. I stared at her, deep in thought, I couldn’t tell her the truth.
“I wanted to be friends with you.” I lied. Ashley nodded seeming satisfied with that answer, “Why were you mean to me all these years?”
“I wanted to be friends with you.” Replied Ashley.
“What?” I asked blinking hard.
“Ever since the first day of first year I wanted to be your friend, you were so different and cool and pretty. You seemed so perfect and happy. I wanted you to be my friend because you were everything I wanted to be. You weren’t afraid to stand out.” Ashley explained tearfully. I stared at her. “Look,” she added getting up and lifting out a spiral bound A4 notebook she handed it to me. The first page read:

1st September 2002
I have seen the girl I want to be friends with, her name is Kerry Manning, unfortunately she isn’t in my class but I think she is really cool, she is really different, her hair is red I mean dyed red not ginger. It is really cool! I hope she will like me.

7th September 2002
She doesn’t seem to like me very much; she doesn’t talk to me when I say something to her. Mum says she’s probably just shy. I’m not so sure. I just want Kerry to like me.

Ashley took the journal off me and flicked until she found the page she wanted and gave it back to me.

18th October 2003
I have just realized what I have tried to do to get Kerry to like me, I am bullying her, I am making her hate herself, I am making her life hell. I hate myself for it. But the more she ignores me the more I try to bully her into liking me. She pays attention to me when I am mean to her, that’s why I do it.

Ashley again took the journal off me and flicked nearer to the blank pages.

4th November 2005
I have just had the shock of my life, Kerry came in today and her hair was blond and she was tanned and she looked like me, I pretended to be happy that she changed the way she looked but really I was upset. I am half happy that she is trying to be my friend but upset that she felt she had to change in order for me to like her. I feel awful.

I looked up at Ashley who looked like she was on the verge of tears.
“I never knew.” I whispered. Ashley burst into tears, I moved closer to her and gave her a hug, “I forgive you, if you like I’ll change back to the way I used to dress, I didn’t really want to change my clothes and hair and skin colour that was all-” I nearly let it slip, I nearly said ‘that was all Will’s idea.’ I was so glad I hadn’t said that, “because I thought, no because I was convinced that you would like me more if I looked like that.”
“I don’t care what way you look, it’s you inside, you were the only person in the school I ever wanted as a friend. I made friends with Maria and Carla because I was a loner. At one point I even thought I was in love with you!” Ashley cried hugging me again. I rubbed her arms comfortingly, trying to calm her down,
“It’s ok, you are going to be fine, I think you are great. And just so you know for future reference, bullying someone into being your friend doesn’t work.” I said as she cried into my hair.
“I know that now.” she sobbed. After about fifteen she calmed down and we began to play truth again. “What’s the deal with the letters?”
“Ok someone, I don’t know who, has been putting messages inside my locker since the start of this year, they are usually advice, future outcomes and warnings.” I said.
“Like how are the written?” asked Ashley.
“In riddles, metaphors and similes.” I replied.
“How confusing. Who do you think writes them?”
“I’m not sure, they have eliminated all my suspects.”
“How did they do that?”
“By telling me it wasn’t them, they say stuff like I am not William, Patrick, Justin or Mark as you previously thought. It’s scary they claim to be able to see my thoughts.”
“Wow, creepy.”
“I know.” I said smiling weakly.
“Ok, do you want to do something else now?” asked Ashley who had clearly had enough of this game.
“Yeah. What?” I replied.
“How about Hunt?” Ashley smiled.
“But there is only two of us.” I said stupidly.
“Thank you Captain Obvious, you have saved the day yet again! Of course there is two of us. We can play it in the woods in the back.” Ashley said smiling.
“Em, ok, I’ll put my DM’s on.” I said jumping up off the sofa and walking over to my bag and then I saw it, the only too familiar piece of folded file paper. Ok this has gone way too far! I picked it up and read:

To Kerry:
Keep out of the woods
Stay in the open
Don’t let her go into the woods
For Hiding In The Trees
Is something horrible
Waiting for her.

“Em, Ashley,” I started nervously, “Can we maybe not go out? Its really cold.” I said pathetically.
“Awk don’t be such a wimp Kerry!” Ashley said impatiently dragging me out of the room. “Come on, we won’t stay out to long, besides once we start running around we’ll warm up.”
“But-” I started, I didn’t finish I was too worried. Worried that my new best friend in the whole world was going to die because we went outside. I felt I knot form in my stomach it was sickening. I was so afraid.

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter eight

“Dad, we are going into the forest, we’ll be back in about an hour.” Ashley said to her dad as we walked out of the house. We went out into the garden, I was right; it was really cold, freezing even. I had to walk quickly to keep up with Ashley,
“Slow down a bit!” I called after her. Ashley paused and waited for me. We walked on a bit into the eerie forest; the trees were black looming figures that had outstretched branches, the moon was the only light and it was practically pitch black where we were standing, and that was near the edge. I was really creeped out.
“Ok here is how it goes, one of us will be running about hiding and then the other one will be counting to 50, when you are done counting you go to find the other one, when you find them you swap. It’s hide and seek really.” Ashley smiled.
“Ok...” I said slowly, “Can we please go inside I am freezing!”
“Oh come on! Just one round!” pleaded Ashley.
“Ok! Ok!” I surrendered, “I’ll hide first.”
“You have to stay in the woods!” warned Ashley before turning around to face a tree, “One...two...Three...”
I started running into the depths of the forest, the whole time I looked around warily, but because I couldn’t see anything at all in the dark it didn’t really matter if I was looking or not. After about five minutes of running around I began to relax, everything was the same, it was all dark and had loads of trees everywhere. I found a tree in a spot of silver moonlight and stood there. All of a sudden I was grabbed from behind, I screamed at the top of my voice for help. But the hooded person threw me to the ground and sat on me, I was winded, then the person took out a knife, I got my breath back and screamed as loud as I could,
“Help me! Help me please! Please come here! I’m in the moonlight about north east from where we were.” The person punched me in the stomach and stabbed me in the arm; I let out a blood-curdling scream and writhed in pain. The person once again stabbed me but this time in my stomach, I screamed again, this time I heard,
“I’m coming Kerry don’t worry!” yelled back to my scream.
“Kerry?” the hooded person said sounding confused his voice was definitely male, I didn’t recognise it though. He got up, obviously panicked and climbed into the tree, leaving me lying on the mossy ground bleeding. I saw Ashley come from one end of the clearing.
“Oh my word, Kerry!” she spluttered when she saw me.
“Don’t! He’s hiding in the trees!” I screamed, hoping to scare the hooded man off.
“Kerry, you are bleeding! I’m not going to leave you here!” Ashley moaned. As she said that I felt searing pains in my open wounds.
“No!” I screamed I could hear that my voice was full of pain. “Please! Go back, I don’t want you to get stabbed too!” I shouted starting to cry.
“I won’t!” Ashley said and ignoring all my protests she moved forward and knelt down beside me. I saw the hooded man swing down from the tree, holding onto one of the branches and aiming his feet at Ashley’s head.
“Ashley! Look out!” I shrieked but it was too late, the hooded man hit her on the head with his feet, he was wearing what looked like golf shoes. The studs chipped into Ashley’s skull when they collided with her head. She seemed to fall in slow motion. It was horrible; I was lying there totally useless as Ashley fell to the forest floor with a sickening crunch. Blood started to trickle from under her thick full golden blond hair. I cried out to the man to stop as he went to stab her in the back but he merely laughed told me the damage was done and stabbed her hard in the back, Ashley let out a little scream. Then he took off, running across the forest to a land rover, climbing in, revving up the engine and driving off at top speed, I tried to turn over so that I could try to prop myself up with my elbows and look at Ashley but I cried out in pain as I tried to turn over and gave up,
“Ashley? Are you ok? Can you hear me?” I asked as I lay on my back hoping and praying she would answer.
“Mmm” Ashley moaned.
“Good, that’s good. Ashley if you can take my hand.” I said reaching over my head and putting my hand near hers, she feebly reached up slightly and caught hold of my fingertips; I slid my hand into hers.
“Ashley, ok, you need to try your hardest to stay awake, ok?” I said, I felt like I was talking to myself but I didn’t care. Ashley squeezed my hand as if to say she understood and I squeezed her hand back.
“We’ll be fine, your dad will come and look for us soon.” I said praying I was right. I felt Ashley’s grip get slightly weaker,
“Please Ashley, hang on, you’ll be fine soon.” I said trying to be encouraging while choking back the tears. Her grip got weaker still, “Please Ashley, you are my best friend, my only friend, in the whole world, please, please don’t die on me!” I cried.
“Your best friend?” Ashley whispered weakly.
“The best friend in the whole world.” I replied, tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Kerry.” She whispered
“Yeah?” I asked tearfully.
“So are you.” She whispered, gripping my hand tighter. My heart broke; this was such a beautiful moment in such terrible circumstances. “Can you reach my mobile?”
“Yeah.” I replied
“Get it out and text my dad to come and get us.” Ashley whispered with a renewed strength in her voice though her pain was obvious, I reached out with my other hand and got her phone and text her dad: URGENT we are in the forest, we were both stabbed, we are northeast from the back garden. Hurry.
When it was sent, I whispered to Ashley,
“It’s sent.”
“Good.” She whispered back. “When all this is over and we’re both better, I want you to go back to the way you used to dress and I want you to help me dress like you too. If you want that is.”
“I do want.” I replied tearfully. About ten minutes later we heard her dad yell out,
“Ashley? Kerry? Where are you? Yell to me so I can hear where you are!”
“We are hear.” I screamed repeating it over and over again until I saw him run towards us.
“Oh my word! What happened?” he asked, “On second thoughts it doesn’t matter, we’ll get you back to the house first and then we’ll ring the police.” Ashley’s dad helped me up and lifted Ashley and put her over his shoulder and carried her towards the house with his arm supporting me.

When we got back to the house, he as promised rang the police and then the ambulance. Ashley and I lay on sofas next to each other and talked. We were still bleeding but not very badly. The paramedics came and checked us both over, they determined we would both live but Ashley may need an x-ray and possibly physiotherapy for her back. At least we would be all right. I managed to get up by myself and help Ashley and myself up the stairs. When I got into her room I saw another note. So once I had sat Ashley down on the bed I went over, picked it up and read:

To Kerry:
You didn’t heed my warning
You paid no attention to the urgency
You got hurt
And so did she
So remember to always
Trust me.

I reread it and understood I would never underestimate my letter writer ever again. He was physic or something because he always knew what the results of my actions would end up as. He was my guide to the future; he was my only sight to what was really going on. He was my guidance and now I know it. I love him

[TeeN sPIRIt]

Chapter nine

Ashley had lost a lot of blood, her mum and dad donated blood and she is now back on her feet now. That night was probably the scariest night of my life. I keep looking over my shoulder, I can’t sleep for longer than an hour at a time, I am in some state of paranoia; I think...it is so weird. I feel scared of night time when I used to I loved the night; it was a time when I could lie back and be in my own world, lost in my thoughts and memories. Now it is scary, I hide under the covers crying and being afraid that the man who attacked us could be just outside my window, looking up at my house, laughing at my fear. It scares me to think that he’s still out there somewhere. He could be anywhere...

“Kerry!” Ashley smiled on Monday morning about two weeks after the attack.
“Hi you.” I grinned. I had dyed my hair back; it was again black but this time with red streaks. I was wearing a navy jumper and baggy black jeans. My eyes were once again heavily eyelined and I was once more pale. I was so much happier now. Ashley had made an effort to dress more my style but she was her own person and turned out different. She was wearing a black and pink raggedy skirt, a black t-shirt with Perfect By Nature written on it with sparkly pink lettering, she was wearing a lot of black eyeliner and pink eye shadow and she had gone as far to dye her hair black and pink with layers. She looked stunning.
“How are you?” I asked.
“Much better thanks. You?” she smiled.
“I am fine but scared that he is still out there.” I replied truthfully.
“I know exactly what you mean.” Ashley nodded walking towards the local punk shop I followed her. It was amazing, the fact that Ashley had given up her reputation, friends and style to be my friend. Best friend. She had great posture, her back was always straight and her hair was always a pretty sheet of hair resting gently on her back, my hair hung straight down, no exceptions. She turned to look at me,
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.” I smiled. Ashley smiled back and we walked on.

About three hours later we were sitting in a café and Ashley said,
“You’ve been so quiet all day! Whats up?”
“Nervous.” I replied quietly. Ashley nodded,
“I know how you feel.” She said smiling weakly sipping her coffee. I sat still staring at the window.
“I think I have developed an irrational phobia of trees.” I said spotting one and looking away quickly. Ashley laughed, thinking I was joking,
“Same here, only I am also terrified of grass.” She smiled, and then glancing at me she realized I wasn’t joking, “Are you serious?”
“Yes, its weird...and creepy...” I said looking at the ground, avoiding eye contact. I could feel her piercing gaze on my hair, I could tell she was raising an eyebrow. I didn’t look up.
“I don’t believe you.” She started. I glanced up at her, nearly in tears,
“Oh yes, because I am joking!” I snarled sarcastically getting up and storming off.
“Kerry!” Ashley called after me, moaning slightly “Come back, I didn’t realize.” I kept walking at a fast pace, she had laughed at my fear. I couldn’t help it; I have an extremely active imagination! Anything could trigger it, including being attacked near a tree! Why couldn’t she understand? As I stormed down high street not looking where I was going I walked straight into a guy with chin-length black hair and brown eyes, where had I seen him before?
“Watch it Kerry!” he smiled walking past. I smiled,
“Ok.” I said before realising that he couldn’t possibly know my name. “Excuse me!” I raced after him.
“Yeah?” he asked turning around and stopping.
“How did you know my name?” I demanded.
“Well, em, you see, I.” He stuttered. I just looked at him, “I, well, you see I, you know...” he shrugged, “I’m not sure. Lucky guess?” he offered hopefully. I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah right.” I spat. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and fiddled with his collar. A bus drove by; he seemed to relax and said,
“I have to go and get that bus.”
“No, you are not going anywhere until you tell me!” I almost screamed, the boy turned and walked over to the bus, I was tempted to throw myself at him but I knew he would definitely have an advantage, the advantage being he was way taller and heavier than me. When he gave his money to the bus driver I stepped on as well,
“Half.” I smiled. The bus driver gave me a ticket and I walked over and sat beside the boy. “You aren’t getting rid of me that easily.” I said silkily.
“Oh come on!” he groaned.
“No.” I snapped. “How did you know my name? Huh? Tell me? If you have nothing to hide you could tell me.”
“It’s complicated.” The boy said.
“So? I’m not leaving you alone until you tell me.” I said folding my arms.
“Ok, I first saw you when it was the second day of term last year. Ashley, Carla and Maria were bullying you. I thought it was just a one-time thing so I let it pass. But it happened almost everyday that year, then on the first day of this term I kinda, wrote you a note and put it in your locker.” I cold realization flooded through me, I gaped at him, lost for words, he continued,
“I sorta kept doing it everytime I saw you get bullied. Then I noticed it was freaking you out but for some reason I kept writing them, when I consulted my sister, she’s a psychic, she told me to keep going, these letters were really helping. She could help me tap into your thoughts so I had something helpful to write.” I gasped, this was totally unreal, no he was lying. Wasn’t he?
“I’m not lying!” he insisted.
“Don’t do that! Its weird and creepy!” I shrieked. “Who are you?”
“Darren, Darren Natzich.” He replied, looking at the ground. “I only wanted to help. You know?”
“I suppose. But seriously, enough with the mind reading.”
“Do you want to know anything else?” he asked looking up.
“In one of my letters you said ‘I am in love with you’ did you mean it?” I asked hardly daring to think to optimistically.
“Yeah.” He whispered blushing furiously and looking at the ground.
“That is really cute.” I said sympathetically. I leant over and kissed him gently on the cheek, he looked up and smiled. I took his hand, hooking my fingers through his.
“Another question.” I started as it occurred to me, “How did you get the letters to my house and Ashley’s house? And how did you find out about Will’s plan?”
“My sister drove me, I could see your thoughts, you thought about the plan a lot you know.” he replied thoughtfully.
“How did you find out where our houses where?” I asked.
“That was again thanks to being able to read you mind, you have a photographic memory, I could see everything that you saw.” He smiled.
“That is sick!” I exclaimed.
“Sorry.” He replied. The bus stopped and he got up, “I get off here.”
“Ok, your sister is driving me home.” I insisted.
“Ok then.” He said leading the way off the bus.
“Thanks.” I muttered to the bus driver.

When we arrived at Darrens house I could tell it had a psychic living in it. There were symbols carved into the walls and ceilings, there were dream catchers hanging everywhere, candles and incense was burning everywhere. It was an overwhelming atmosphere; I couldn’t understand how Darren could bear the heat. He led me on, into a room at the back it was smoky; incense candles were burning everywhere, and a girl no more than eighteen sat at a table placing tarot cards in front of her and predicting the future, then even though we hadn’t made a sound, she lifted a card and said,
“So this is Kerry Manning.” I stood stunned, she turned to look at me and smiled, “I’ve heard and seen ever so much about you, you are quite a girl, getting into all kinds sticky of situations.” I gaped at her, not knowing what to say, “My name is Roxanna, Roxanna Louisa Natzich, I happen to be able to tap into all your thoughts and memories, you could say it is a gift or possibly a horrible curse.” Roxanna half smiled and shook her head. “It is in fact a pleasure to finally meet you.” Roxanna spoke slowly in a mystifying way; I found it very hard to follow what she was saying. “Do you want me to talk slower?” she asked.
“Don’t read my thoughts!” I snapped.
“Sorry.” She said, “You think very loud.” I looked alarmed,
“No I don’t.” I said defensively.
“Sorry to be the one to break it to you but yeah you do.” Roxanna said dropping her mystical voice. I stared at her.
“I want to go home.” I announced I’d had enough. Definitely, there was no chance I was sticking around here.
“Ok then.” Smiled Roxanna getting up and grabbing car keys off the coffee table in the living room.

We went out the back door and Darren came with us. The garden was a mass of weird herbs and plants growing against walls, fences and trees. There was a strong smell of lavender coming from the corner of the garden closest to the car. I breathed in the beautiful scent and climbed into the back of the car and sat behind the drivers seat. I didn’t need to give Roxanna directions to my house, she could see the way from looking at my thoughts. I wished she could have just asked me instead of just driving me home as if she did it everyday. She seemed to take note of this and asked me which way to turn at the next fork in the road.

When I was finally home, finally safe, finally calm sitting comfortably on the sofa, I heard it, the noise that would haunt me for years to come an ear splitting scream.

[TeeN sPIRIt]

To Be Continued