Photo Journalism Assignment #1

 

Footsteps Down the Hall

                              Emily

                                                       Parking Lot Buzz

Stress Can Do What?!

            With the end of the term fast approaching, and finals just around the corner, it’s easy to get stressed out and have a panic attack. What we need to keep in my though, is the fact that too much stress can potentially harm your body.

            Stress Conversion Syndrome can manifest itself in many different ways, ranging from temporary paralysis to blindness, or seizures to numbness in your limbs. Anyone and everyone can be subject to something of this sort, but studies have found that the majority of patients showing signs of this are female, and are most commonly between the ages of 13-22.

            To avoid developing a conversion disorder, be sure to get plenty of exercise, and try and maintain a diet that is high in nutrients that will boost your energy levels. Also, find something that interests you and is relaxing. For some, music is a wonderful thing, almost like a pain reliever. Other though, would insist that painting or reading a book is their prime type of relaxation. There are even those who find solving math problems to help relieve stress.

            Whatever it is you find relaxing, make sure to set aside time to unwind and take a breather. You’re going to need it!

Disney's "High School Musical" at ACT!

Dozens of children, teens, and adults crowded the auditorium of the Albany CivicTheater on Monday, Feb. 28, to audition for Disney’s "High School Musical" Director Diane Allen was absolutely thrilled at the outstanding turn out.

Beaming with delight she greeted those gathered, “As most of you have noticed there are a LOT of you here. At least 75 people in this room are here to audition.”

            One after another, each and every participant took the stage to serenade the directors with a song selection of their choice. After about 30 seconds, one of the directors said “thank you”. The person auditioning would then proceed to do a range test, to see how far both up and down the keyboard their voice could stretch. Then, the participant would then proceed to the lobby to quickly learn a few dance steps to perform for the directors later that night.

            The second night of auditions was held the following day. This time, the actors were asked to read for individual parts.

            Groups consisting of anywhere from three to seven thespians would take the stage and read from the script provided. Those who caught the directors’ interest were called back on Wednesday night to read for a specific character. After callbacks on Wednesday night, the official cast list was posted at 11pm.

            Disney’s “High School Musical” in a nutshell: When basketball star Troy Bolton and smart, shy Gabriella Montez audition for their high school musical, they divide the school. Other students attempt to thwart their dreams, but Troy and Gabriella face the peer pressure and inspire others not to "stick to the status quo." Sharpay Evans, a drama queen and high school diva, will do anything to sabotage the friendship of Troy and Gabriella - and win the lead part in the musical for herself. A timeless, upbeat tale of teen love.     

            Show dates and times, along with ticket information, are available at: albanycivic.org

Rheanna McDaniel: Beyond the Project

Spunky, witty, sweet, kind, amazing, loving, and determined. These are just a few of the words used to describe 11 year old Rheanna McDaniel. Not only was she awarded “Volunteer of the Year” by the city of Scio, she is also widely known throughout Linn County for her massive community service project.

            Underneath all the fanfare is simply your normal 6^th grader who loves to hangout and spend time with her friends and family. Her parents are Warren and Terise McDaniel. Terise is a hairstylist, who works from home. Rheanna has one younger brother, Gary. She attends Scio Baptist Church, with her grandparents Gary and Denise Clevenger, owners of Clevenger Automotive in Scio. Like most children her age, she thinks school is pretty boring.

            “My favorite subject though is math.” Rheanna says with a laugh, “It’s really easy for me.” Her favorite teacher is Mrs. K, simply because she is funny and makes her laugh all the time.

            When she’s not sitting on her couch watching her favorite TV show “The Voice” and eating bananas, or in her room listening to her favorite artist Justin Bieber, Rheanna can be found at AWANA, sewing, or playing her favorite sport volleyball.

            Asked what her favorite memory regarding the sport was, Rheanna gives a huge grin and answers very quickly.

            “Spiking it on the other team for the first time was the best. The girl that I spiked it on was mad. It was great.”

            The first time that Rheanna showed an interest in community service was after Hurricane Katrina had hit. After seeing and hearing on the news about all the pets that had been abandoned, Rheanna and her friend decided to do a dog wash, with the proceeds going to a shelter in the affected area. Her parents decided that they probably wouldn’t make much, and promised the girls that they would match whatever they made. In the end, the two girls raised over $1000, which Rheanna’s parents matched.

            Rheanna’s fellow church members were more than happy to share their thoughts about Rheanna and her project that she just recently completed.

            “It’s amazing that a young girl wants to take on and complete a project of that extent. Realizing she had help, from the church, her parents, and the community, it’s still amazing that she had the vision and the dedication to pull through and finish. I think it’s absolutely amazing. And so is she.” Says Marilee Wilson, one of the Sunday school teachers at the church.

            Her friends also think that Rheanna is a really sweet girl, and that she is always there whenever they need someone to talk to. They were also very supportive of her project.

            “It was awesome that she wanted to do something,” adds Wednesday Sprague, “and instead of just talking about it, she actually did it.”

            Asked if she had any idea as to what her next project might be, Rheanna simply said, “You never know what God has planned. Who knows what the next idea He gives me will be. But I’ll be ready for it.”

Local Middle Schooler Gives Back

Blue-eyed, blonde Rheanna McDaniel is anything, but your average sixth grader at Scio Middle School. At 11 years of age, she wants what any girl her age would, to go to school, hang out with friends, play her favorite sport of volleyball, or sometimes watch “The Voice.” However, unlike fellow 11 year old girls, she also envisioned, undertook, and completed a project of monstrous proportion

After hearing of a school in Buedu, Sierra Leone, Africa, that in order to receive funding from the government, needed matching uniforms for all of its students. McDaniel decided to tackle the task head on. Months of planning, fundraising, and hard work finally ended in success. Making 260 dresses from assorted sizes of pillowcases, buying the needed t-shirts to go under them, only led to a larger project. Not only did the girls at the school need matching uniforms, so did the boys.

      With a dedicated mind set, McDaniel decided to also make navy blue shorts for the boys, pairing them with yellow polo shirts. Several months, dozens of long days sewing away with her friends and family, and finally, the uniforms were ready to be delivered.

          On Jan. 21, with her mother Terise McDaniel and friend Fiona Kyker by her side, McDaniel embarked on the 18-hour flight that would take her to Africa. After landing in Monrovia, Africa, the party first visited the Mt. Barclay School Kyker funded. While they were there, McDaniel saw all the students sitting outside. She asked why and was told that they were sitting outside to take a test, because while they were inside they were sitting too close together, and the teachers didn’t want the ability to cheat.

            While in Monrovia, the group went to their “big” bookstore, about the size of an average bedroom, and purchased many books for the school.

           “At the end of the day, the receipt that McDaniel got was taller than she was,” her mother explained. “The reason for this being that they didn’t simply multiply the price by the number of items you bought. Instead they counted and checked each and every one out of their system. It took forever.” 

            In the store, all the prices were written out both in American dollars and in Liberian dollars. “…When they saw white people the price of things automatically went up,” said McDaniel, “so that’s probably why they had all the prices written out.”

             In the bookstore, there were other books than just textbooks, but they weren’t your average leisure books. These books dealt with subjects, such as how to deal with the death of a person with AIDS, or going to the market place. Once they had spent a few days in Monrovia, they continued their journey to Buedu, Sierra Leone, about an 18 hour drive.
 
            Upon reaching the school, pure chaos erupted when word was quickly spread that they had arrived with the goods. Each child received a uniform, shoes, pencils, a notebook, chalk, and a slate.
“Some of the kids felt like they were too dirty to put on their new clothes, while others simply dropped everything and changed as soon as they got them,” said McDaniel with a laugh.

            One girl in particular remains in McDaniel’s mind. The young girl chose a pair of shoes that were much too small for her, but kept saying repeatedly that they were exactly what she needed. No one could convince her to take a larger pair of shoes. Later on, they found out that the girl had a little sister without shoes, so instead of taking the new shoes for herself, she found a pair that would fit her little sister.
Along with the textbooks, pencils, slates, chalk, uniforms, and shoes, McDaniel also was able to purchase some medical supplies for the school pharmacy.

           
            McDaniel’s friends were also supportive and some even helped with the sewing part of the project. “It was awesome that she wanted to do something and actually did it,” stated one of her friends, Wednesday Sprague.
           
          McDaniel had plenty of laughs on her trip, and hopes to someday go back, maybe with better knowledge of the language they speak there. “I don’t know what they were saying because they were speaking in a weird language and laughing at me.”

 

Audiences say "Wow!" To "The Vow"

            A vow, it’s something that goes beyond just a promise. Something that is meant to be kept forever, even when it is written on an old menu from your favorite restaurant. A masterpiece in and of its own, “The Vow” is sure to wow audiences across the country. Based off the true life events of the Carpenters, tragedy strikes a young married couple in the form of a life altering car accident in which the young wife Paige, played by Rachel McAdams, loses all memory of life with her husband Leo, played by Channing Tatum.

Trying to help her memory return, he recreates her daily routine, only to be disappointed after each wavering attempt. His love for her is never ending and she hopes that “one day I can love the way you love me”. Paige has gone back to her old self, the law school going, family girl that Leo never knew. Long gone is the art sculpting, ticklish, crazy beauty that he fell in love with.

            As Leo tries to win her back, Paige is conflicted as her family fills the holes in her memory. Weaving tapestries into her mind of what her life was before the accident, they leave out one very important piece. The piece of her past that drove a wedge between her family to begin with. Paige strives to find herself in her crazy “new” life, moving back to the city to pursue her career as an artist. Will Paige and Leo ever find their once in a lifetime love again? Or will Paige’s memory loss keep them from each other?

            Bringing in $41.7 million to beat out “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island”, “Star Wars 3D”, and “Safe House”, “The Vow” finished out the weekend at the top of the list. Perfect for a romantic, fun date with your significant other, or for a fun filled girls night out! Make a vow to see “The Vow”, for this movie is sure to be a must see.

Giving My Heart Away: part 2

The next morning I woke up late, so I had very little time and forgot to do my hair, or my makeup. I had yet to make any progress on the Jake issue, so I took the long way to all of my classes, and was sure to sit as far away from him as I could during the classes we had together.

                I was sitting in my seventh period college English writing class when the realization hit me. I wanted Jake to be mine, not some other girls’. To be the one he wants to spend his time with, the one he stays up late texting, the one that steals his sweatshirt, the one with his last name on my back all his games. Yeah, I want to be that girl. I want to be his girl.

                When the bell rang, I jumped from my seat, grabbed all of my stuff, and was out the door before anyone else even moved. I quickly went to the place where we normally met after school, but he wasn’t there. His good friend Kyle walked by, so I ran up to him and asked him if he knew where Jake was.

                “He’s probably getting ready for his game. It starts in half an hour.” He said.

                “Oh!! I completely forgot! Thank you!” I said, giving him a huge hug.

                “ Uhm… you’re welcome?” Kyle laughed as I raced to the football field.

                Upon reaching the field, I scanned the team, trying to locate number ten. I couldn’t find him. I heard cleats walking the pavement behind me, so I turned around to see who it was. Standing there, eyes wide, mouth hanging open, was the varsity quarterback, Jake.

                “Riley…. What are, I mean, what, how…” he stumbled through many words that didn’t make any sense whatsoever, trying to figure out what to say. To keep him from losing all his focus for the game, I walked up, gave him a quick hug, and told him we would talk after the game. He smiled down at me then walked out onto the field.

                There was one last thing I needed to do before the game started. I quickly located my good friend Sarah.

                “Do you have any puff paint or eyeliner?” I asked hurriedly.

                “I have both,” she said with a knowing smile. “Does someone need the number of a certain quarterback on their cheek?” I nodded in response and we darted off to the bathroom together.

                After many “hold still”, and other comments from Sarah, we emerged from the hallway and went to find our seats up in the stands with our friends. During the game, we cheered on our team as they defeated the visiting team.

                With two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the score was 52-0, the Loggers leading. In the last fifty seconds, Jake made a 57 yard touchdown, making the final score 58-0. The undefeated Loggers had added another victory to their list.

                As was always the case, all of the Logger supporters made their way down to the field where the players were gathered together, getting notes from the coaches. Once the coaches were through talking, the players raised their helmets to the sky and did their team chant. The surrounding crowd began to cheer as the players broke apart and each went to greet their special group of people. Normally I would give all of my guy friends hugs, but tonight, one in particular was the object of my attention.

                Making my way through the throng of people, I stood on my tiptoes looking for Jake. My whole body was shivering, but from nerves or the cold I couldn’t tell. Finally, I asked Brady if he could see where Jake was.

                “No,” he responded, “but watch this! JAKE! GET OVER HERE MAN! Your girl is waiting!” Boy do I sure like the sound of that!!

                Finally, I saw Jake, pushing his way through the crowd, all the football players crowding behind him to what was going to happen. Jake dropped his helmet on the ground and I rushed into his open arms, locking my arms around his neck. He spun me in a circle, my feet off the ground, just like you see in all the movies. A subtle hush fell over the crowd as he sat me back on my own feet. We were both grinning like idiots.

                “So Riley…” Jake began, a new sparkle glinting in his eyes, “would you be interested in, oh I don’t know… being my girlfriend?”        

                “Hmmm…. Why Jake Green,” I said teasingly, “I’m not interested. I’ve been yours for a long time.” He lifts me up again as our surrounding friends cheer.

                “Finally!” Someone shouts out as Jake and I begin walking hand in hand towards his locker room.

                “Usual spot?” He asks.

                “Usual time.” I say with a smile.

                “You’ll be waiting.”

                “You better hurry,” as I push him playfully towards the door.

                As I walk out to my car I can’t help but smile. Tonight has got to be one of the best nights of my life so far. Once I reach my vehicle, I unlock the door, climb in, and start my truck. The radio clicks on and to my surprise, “Write You A Letter” begins to play.

                “Write you a letter, let you know what you mean to me. Write you a letter, tell you that I need. To be in your arms there goes a shooting start, I hope my wish comes true. That we’ll be together, maybe forever, like we should be yeah. Oh one of these days I gotta find time. To write you a letter.”

                Driving down the road, singing along with the radio, I felt like I was on top of the world. I pulled into the small store parking lot and went inside to the arcade. Lots of my friends were already there, and the girls all squealed and rushed me as soon as I entered through the door.

Giving My Heart Away: part 1

Everyone around me is screaming, clapping, whooping, and whistling. After all, our JV football team did just score the first touchdown. The score for the second game of the season is 6-0 in the first three minutes of the game. Wait, make that 8-0.

                Ever since school started, I thought I was over the weird feeling I got when he came around. I hadn’t seen him much over the summer as our lives had taken over our schedules. We hardly talked because of the fact he had gotten his phone taken away for getting completely wasted early on in the summer. While drunk, he did stuff with a girl from our school that he shouldn’t have, and of course, he blamed the drinks. If he hadn’t been at the party, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

                “Hey,” says a very familiar voice from behind me. Without even turning around I can tell who it is. The boy I spend all day and every night dreaming about. The one that I snuck my phone to bed for, the one who had me completely won over. It was Jake.

                I turned to look at him. Since it had been a while since I had seen him, I was sort of shocked by how different he looked. Believe me when I say it was a good different… Very good. He’d grown taller, lost his baby cheeks, his hair had grown out a little, but his eyes were the same brown eyes that I had fallen for back in June. Not to mention that heart stopping smile. Oh, and did I mention his killer abs? Yeah, those are a definite plus.

                “What do you want?” Wow… That was a good one! Let’s just scare the boy away! Idiot.

                “Gosh Riley,” he said, “Why do you always have to act so mean to me whenever we’re around other people?”

                “Because if I’m not they’ll think we’re… ya know… Dating.”

                “And that’s bad because…..” he drowned off.

                “I’m a good girl.” I replied.

                “Don’t tell me,” he said with a harsh laugh, “You’re still ticked over the whole party thing.”

                “Psh…. No….”

                “You are the worst liar I think I have ever met.” He chuckled. I started walking away, and just started to realize how cold it really was.  Obviously he didn’t take the hint that I was walking AWAY from him, because he followed me, talking the whole way.

                “You know, it’s just sad that you never like anyone. Seeing as so many guys would love the chance to date such a pretty, sweet, caring girl like you. And even though you act so tough, I know you care about one of them for sure, but what I can’t figure out is why you won’t just give in and let someone care about you for once. I mean, yeah, you dad never really gave you the chance to learn to trust guys, but we aren’t all like him Riley. You need to give me- I mean us guys, a chance to show you that we aren’t all stupid buttheads like your dad was.”

                “Will you please just shut it? First of all, I am not pretty. Secondly, I only know of one guy that likes me in a more than friends way. Thridly….” I paused. I really couldn’t think of another good reason.  “Yeah that’s all I got.”

                “You are blind as a bat!” He laughed. “But you’re right about the first part. You aren’t pretty.”

                Ouch. “Point Pro-“

                “You’re beautiful.”

                “Oh you are hopeless!!” It took all I had not to smile, so I masked it by smacking myself on the forehead with the palm of my hand.

                “Maybe,” he says with a grin, “but I’m right. Anyway, I have to go, but I do have a game tomorrow after school… If you want to come.”

                “Eh, I’ll think about it. I need to check my schedule and make sure I don’t have anything else. Plus I have an English paper due… Soon…” Just tell him you’ll be there!! That paper isn’t due for two weeks, and it would only take you 20 minutes to write.

                “Sure you do. See ya Riley.” Says Jake as he walks away.

                Smooth Riley, smooth.

                That night I laid in my bed, the evening with Jake replaying through my mind. I just can’t bring myself to trust guys after my dad leaving. Maybe I need to just start over. You know, pretend that maybe not all guys are like my dad. They might not all hurt me, and leave me like he did. Sometimes it’s just so hard to understand why I can’t accept the fact that someone might actually care about me. Even crazier is the thought that people actually think I’m pretty, or as Jake says, beautiful. Someone as cool and popular as Jake could do so much better than dorky old me. Aren’t jocks supposed to date cheerleaders? I am most definitely not a cheerleader. So many questions and not enough answers! What am I supposed to do?! 

                Finally, after fighting for what seemed like forever, I fell into a fitful sleep, my dreams pagued by the all too familiar face of Jake Green.

              

Spellbound

                “Spellbound” by Emily Bronte may be a short poem, but is packed full of challenging insight for the reader. It casts a spell upon the reader, making them lust for more. Every other line of the poem rhymes, “round me, bound me, bending, descending, above me, move me.” The rest of the lines end with an “o” sound, “blow, go, snow, below.” The author also repeats her argument of “I cannot go” at the end of each stanza. She repeats herself when she wishes to drive into the readers mind what it is she wishes to convey.

Depending on who is reading it, different meanings can be inferred. As “the night is darkening” around the author, her life is all but consuming her. She can’t run away from it, but as the poem comes to a close, she simply has lost her will to do so. A spell has bound her, and she cannot go. Her plight is fast approaching just like “a storm is fast descending.” The weights of her burdens have taken their toll, and her heart is bare from the aftermath.  The poet is stuck in the middle of a place that she cannot escape, with the “clouds beyond clouds” above her and “wastes beyond wastes” below her. She no longer has the will to leave, and accepts her helpless fate.

The author has reached her place. A place where a spell has bound her, and she cannot, will not go.

Simplicity to Elegance, Diminished to Poverty

                She dreamed of elegance. Of a place where her fantasies of tapestry adorned walls, of silver cutlery, and guilty pleasures were her true reality. Throughout “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, Madame Loisel wishes she had numerous prestigious jewels and clothes for “these were the only things she loved.”  She wanted everything she did not have, and yet when she begged and pleaded for her husband to give her the money to buy a lovely gown for the party, it only made her want the splendid jewels to go with it. This greed was the snare that would lead Mister and Madame Loisel down the path of poverty and deceit, in her grand quest for elegance.

                Looking around, we see things that we lust or long for, as if it were a life or death situation. We want to be desired, wanted, and loved, just like Madame Loisel. With her beautiful gown and her dazzling, barrowed, diamond necklace, she walked into the doors of the party with her head held high, eyes glistening with pure confidence.  Sadly, the night ended in tragedy. Madame Loisel, in her anguish and shame, lied to the friend from which she had borrowed the necklace, and bought a new one to replace the lost.

                This was the first of many life changing lies and deceptions. As time wore on, the pair was forced to become accustomed to the toil and struggle of the poverty stricken people. They worked endlessly until they had repaid every debt. In the end, unfortunately their toils were to no avail. The necklace Madame Loisel had lost was simply an imitation of the true stone.                                                                                                                

                Greed, deceit, and consequence play key parts in giving readers the story that we act out every day of our lives. We want something, we see something, and we lie, or do whatever it takes, in order to achieve what we long for. Sadly for us, most of the time our quests end much like Madame Loisel, in utter defeat and indifference. We are always wanting more than we have; it is simply the human way.  Greed destroys us, and sometimes consumes us. Why can’t we simply be happy with what we are already blessed with? It simply is not the natural way.

                Finding complete satisfaction is a key part in our lives, but do we truly ever achieve such a lofty goal? Whether it be finding a girlfriend or boyfriend, finding a great job, or having the nicest car, we all wish to be the best at something, or have the most fascinating thing out there. But what are we truly longing for? Trust? Love? Longing for something that we can’t achieve? If you want something, deceit is not the answer. Being truthful with others, and staying true to yourself, is the most important thing ever. No matter what we long for, it is guaranteed that someone in the world is wishing on the same shooting star, for the exact same thing.  

Trick Or Treat

The gloomy Rauchester Mansion sat at the end of the long, dreary alley, covered in spider webs, and complete with broken windows. Screams of unsuspecting victims pierced the stillness of the crisp night as the group of high school students made their way through the alley.

                Valerie and Michael led the group, walking hand in hand. The rest of the teens were chattering and laughing excitedly, while the couple spoke in subdued tones.

                “So do you think it’s actually haunted?” asked Valerie.

                “Well,” replied Michael, “I honestly don’t know for sure. Supposedly some kid went in there last year and no one has ever seen him again.”

                “You know what?  I think I’ll stay outside while you guys go through. I really don’t much care for this stuff anyway,” said Valerie in a tight voice. As soon as the words left her mouth, a terrible, ear splitting scream filled the night, followed by a spout of evil laughter. Valerie squealed and wrapped her arms around Michael, burying her head in his sweatshirt.

                “It’ll be okay,” said Michael while stroking her back soothingly. As the group drew closer to the haunted house, Valerie felt as if there were eyes watching her from every corner.

                They had made it to the house.  It was time for Valerie to face her fears and walk into the dimly lit hall. Knights in armor lined the hall, fog swirled around her feet, and as the group progressed through the house, the fog became thicker and thicker. Valerie began to cough, and urged Michael to go on ahead while she caught her breath after a particularly bad cough. She sat in a nearby chair, but as she did this, the fog began to creep nearer. It became so thick that she could no longer see anything. And then it was gone.

                Not only was the fog gone, but so were her friends. Valerie bolted from her chair and raced down the hall in the direction that the group had gone. Panicked, she called out to them.

                “Michael? Michael! Taylor? Trevor? Michael! Where are you?” she called. Lost in despair, and scared beyond compare, she crumpled to the floor and began to rock back and forth. Suddenly, she heard many footsteps coming towards her. She screamed as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

                “Shhhhh. Valerie it’s me! Michal! Are you alright?” asked Michael. Valerie threw her arms around his neck and held on tight.

                “What happened? The fog got so thick and then it was gone and I couldn’t see where you all had gone!” sobbed Valerie.

                “It’s ok. It’s ok. We’re all here now,” said Michael.

                “Um… I hate to ruin the moment guys, but someone is walking this way..” said Taylor. The group turned to find a hooded figure making its way towards them. Trevor grabbed Taylor and pulled her back behind him. Ray did the same with Trish, and all of the teens watched and waited to see who the stranger was, and what he wanted.

                The hooded figure came to a stop right in front of them. He looked at them; then he spoke in a raspy, evil voice. “Tonight, Valerie, your worst nightmare has become a sad reality. One by one your friends will vanish before your very eyes. If you refuse to play my game, they will die.” Then, the figure vanished.

                The group turned towards Valerie, fear written in all of their eyes. Taylor, Ray, Trish, and Trevor all were now huddled in around Valerie and Michael. Questions flew from all of them.

                “What is his game?” asked Taylor.

                “What’s your worst nightmare Val?” asked Trevor.

                “What are we going to do?!?!” panicked Trish.

                “Guys? Where are all the other people?” asked Ray. The group looked around them. No one else was anywhere to be seen.

                “We need to split up and find others. This guy is crazy!” said Michael. “Guys, take your girls and look around. We’ll meet up after about an hour. Call or text us if you find anything.”

                Each couple went their different ways. After about 15 minutes, a scream filled the house, followed by an evil laugh. “Michael! That was Trish! I would know that scream anywhere!” whispered Valerie. Michael simply shook his head in agreement. He opened his mouth to say something when the voice of the hooded figure ran through the house.

                “Valerie, I warned you that if you did not play my game, your friends would die. There were six, and now there are four. Why won’t you play my game?” The voice faded as the evil man laughed. Michael looked at Valerie. He was scared, she could tell.

                Michael grabbed Valerie’s hand and together they ran in the direction that the scream had come from. They reached a side hall and looked down it. There, standing at the end of the dark hall, were two knights. “They must not have gone this way,” said Michael. But Valerie wasn’t paying attention. Her eyes were glued to the knights, who were now making their way toward the pair.

                “Michael!! RUN!!” screamed Valerie. Michael glanced back in time to see the knights, and the couple dashed down the corridor. It seemed Trevor and Taylor had the same idea, as they collided in the hall.

                “Remember those knights that were standing by the doors? They’re following us! They are actually ALIVE!!!” shouted Trevor.

                “We have to find our way out of here!” said Taylor.

                Then, as if the house itself had come alive, the doors down the hall in either direction started to slam, locking as soon as they banged shut.

                “The only way out is to play my game,” said the evil voice, echoing through the hall.

                Lights flashed, the house moved, everything went black. Two more screams bounced off the walls throughout the house, and when the lights came back on, Michael and Valerie were alone. They raced through the hall, trying every door. Then, the hooded figure appeared at the end of the long hall. With each step he took, terror surged through the couple. The fog was back, and it swirled at their feet, climbing it seemed, up their bodies.

                “Val, stay here. I’ll go deal with him,” said Michael. Valerie was too scared to do anything. It was as if her feet were rooted to the carpet beneath her. Michael walked forward, the fog swirled. He disappeared, she screamed.

                “I told you Valerie. Tonight, your worst nightmare has become reality,” the man said. He came closer, and closer, until finally Valerie could see his face. It was the face of- her scream pierced the silence. Then, everything went black.

                Valerie awoke with a start. Glancing around, all of her friends were surrounding her, asking if she was alright. She had passed out from an allergic reaction to the fog. They had called the paramedics, and they were soon to arrive. From the corner of her of her eye she saw a dark figure approaching. Her glass shattering scream pierced the night, as the figure approached, drawing her ever closer to her unforeseen fate.