Hearing Light: Chapter 1
Moving to Salem and the first attack.
"Naomi, come on! You know that we're moving away today!" a voice from downstairs echoed in my old house. I rolled in my bed tiredly and sighed. The reason I didn't want to get up was the fact that we were moving away. Currently I live in sunny California, but sadly, due to my dad's job, we have to move away to dull Salem Massachusetts. The fact that surprises me the most is that the house is larger than the one we live in now! I closed my eyes, "So...sleepy..."I muttered as I began to drift back to sleep.
"Naomi! Don't make me come up there or you'll be staying with Grandma for the rest of the summer!" my mom shouted annoyed. Grandma's house was the only threat she could think of to get me out of bed? Usually I would despise going to my grandma's house that smelled like oatmeal and mouthwash, but it was still in California and would give me the chance to hang out with my friends for just a bit longer. I sighed sadly and I tossed myself out of bed and dragged myself to my drawers to pick out what to wear for the day. The images of all my friends crossed my mind. I was really going to miss Sereph, Holly, and Selena. They were the dorkiest friends a girl could have, but I think I could learn to live without them. ESPECIALLY that girl Holly. I don't think she was ever a real friend to me. I bundled the sheets off my bed left them in a big pile on the floor with a large huff of air.
Downstairs Mom was already packing up the remains of our house and Dad was loading it onto the truck. My IPod was blaring hoping to ignore whatever pep talk Mom was going to give me on moving, but surprising enough, she stayed quiet. I walked around the house one last time to ensure that not one of MY things was left behind. I noticed a pair of socks or two in my Dads room, but he didn't need them.
* * *
I glanced back at my old home as we drove away; a pool of tears was forming in my eyes slowly as we drove away. Hours went by and we kept on driving, farther away from my friends, from my home. The airport was a busy as ever with the hustle and bustle of people wanting to leave or come from where-ever as fast as they could, while I would want to linger here. At least it's closer to home.
The large sign overhead announced all the arrivals of the planes coming and going. The smell of luggage and cologne lingered in the air along with the sound of engines, the cry of babies, and the rustle of the gossip spreading about some celebrity. Our flight arrived and we slowly boarded. As we sat at our seats I looked out my window and saw what was left of California before we entered the clouds. My mom grabbed my hand softly and smiled at me. "Sweetie, don't worry. I'm sure that Massachusetts will be just like California. You'll be sure to make new friends." So the dreaded pep talk begins. I looked at her with the happiness I wish I truly felt, "Don't worry about me, Mom." I could tell she was calculating my expression to see if I were lying, but I kept a straight face. The hours seemed prolonged before my eye-lids grew heavy and my conscious slowly drifted away.
Our stops were scattered across the U.S. The headlights illuminated the hotel gates in which we were to stay in until our house was refilled with all our old things. Three days passed and once again I was packing up my bags. We drove for another hour until a dimly lit sign; "Massachusetts State Limit" was in view. The cloudy sky gave my sadness a boost. In California it was almost always sunny.
In our newly rented car, the radio boomed with Lady Gaga's "The Fame" album as we listened to "Bad Romance". My mom sang lightly along as we drove on. We continued for seemingly endless hours in forest roads trying to make it to my new home. My mom was constantly nagging my dad to, "Pull over and ask for directions!" While Dad usually replied, "I would if we weren't in a forest with nothing around!" The CD was able to relay all the songs three times before we found the gated area called, "Historic Forest Estates."
We pulled into our new driveway where the movers were putting the last of our things in the house. "See, I told you I could find it." my dad said proudly and Mom gave out a sigh of frustration.
The giant house seemed to tower over me. I walked cautiously into the house, as when I entered it gave me a bad feeling. My mom had told me the house was old, but I never expected this. It was beautiful, its old design seemed to give the house that special flare, but something gave it the same feeling you get when you walk in a cemetery in the middle of the night; creepy beyond all reason and the feeling like someone was watching you. I trailed up the stairs into a room which I found suitable for my needs. The next day everything was unpacked and painted, dusted and cleaned. The inside of the house followed the same old-fashioned look with Maplewood tables and chairs complete with the smell of pine and smoke from the fireplace in the living room.
All day was spent learning about the town and its history, and unpacking everything to our liking. Mom was busy making calls to the school district to enroll me in a high school while dad stood outside and taking in the new scenery. I sat inside just staring out the window. This whole shift in scenery was just too much to take in one week. We went from sunny, sunny California with the mountains, beach, desert, and valley only an hour away to quiet Massachusetts where I was stuck in a very woodsy surrounding.
"Thank you so much! Good-bye." Click. My mom strutted proudly as she walked into the room. "The school district is checking with local schools to see if there are any openings. With any luck, you could get into a really good school!" she smiled. She continued on about a large college preparation school and how expensive it was, "But I think that if you're accepted that you're Dad and I will be working as hard as we can to make it possible."
I grinned, "That's cool, thanks." and murmured under my breath, "Just what I need, a school with a ton of snobby rich kids."
----
During the last weeks of summer, I was adjusting to my new house. It felt strange not seeing my friends every day. Dad was at his new job while Mom got to stay at home and watch me. I still don't understand why she needs to watch me when we live in a gated area, bet she thinks that I'm going to light the house on fire by mistake. She called me in the kitchen from my room and I looked out the door. "Okay, be there in a second." I still remained on my bed spite of what I had told my mom. Everything was quiet and it made me un-easy. It felt like a heavy pressure was in the room.
I flipped my feet off the bed and stood up. "Hold on!" I shouted to her downstairs to avoid her wrath. I went to pick up my IPod and a soft voice said, "Elizabeth?" I turned around. Shakily I looked around the room. The air in the room seemed to grow denser; my breathing was light as I turned around. I was stricken with horror when I saw what was on my wall. In dark stained red was a note that said, "Why did you leave me?" I stood frozen; my mom was going to kill me for that! How would I explain THAT? I took a step back and ran downstairs shakily. My mom greeted me with a smile and sat down with me.
"You received a letter in the mail today. Can you guess who it's from?" she asked. I fidgeted in my seat, worried about the note. I shook my head no and she pushed the large paper envelope in my line of sight. My mind wandered from what happened earlier and just focused on my mom. I hoped it would be from one of my old friends, but my hopes were crushed as I saw the large business type envelope. It was from, "Salem Preparatory School"
I opened it and on the inside read,
"Naomi Skyes, you have been accepted to Salem Preparatory School for your high academic achievement from your previous school. Enclosed is the supply list and uniform order form for the 2010-2011 school years as a Freshman. We look forward to educating you and meeting you!
Sincerely,
Principal Welch"
I made it into one of the greatest high schools in the U.S. but from what I have heard the kids there are brats. My train of thought was interrupted as my mom took in a breath to speak. Silently a sound of running emerged from upstairs, slowly it became louder and louder until it was able to catch my mother's attention. "What is-" I began, but my mom silenced me with a, "Shh..." We listened until the sound faded away. It seemed to linger for quite some time until the last sound remaining was the sound of the wind outside our window. I looked at her frightened and she treads up the stairs. My body slowly followed cautiously. She walked slowly up to all the rooms and looked in each one.
The suspense inside of me was building up and my blood was rushing. She turned the corner and was at my door. When she twisted the bronze knob on my door, I snapped back to reality, Oh no, she'll see the writing! I tried to take a step forward to stop her, but it did no good. She walked in, and surprisingly, there was no large reaction from her as she turned right around and walked out. My eyes narrowed in confusion and I walked in, the writing was no longer there and everything was as it was. Mom walked back in with her hands on her hips, "There's nothing here...weird, huh?"
I nodded slowly, but when she left, I turned around and my eyes widened as something metal was pressed against my neck. And someone's tiny voice giggled evily.
"Naomi! Don't make me come up there or you'll be staying with Grandma for the rest of the summer!" my mom shouted annoyed. Grandma's house was the only threat she could think of to get me out of bed? Usually I would despise going to my grandma's house that smelled like oatmeal and mouthwash, but it was still in California and would give me the chance to hang out with my friends for just a bit longer. I sighed sadly and I tossed myself out of bed and dragged myself to my drawers to pick out what to wear for the day. The images of all my friends crossed my mind. I was really going to miss Sereph, Holly, and Selena. They were the dorkiest friends a girl could have, but I think I could learn to live without them. ESPECIALLY that girl Holly. I don't think she was ever a real friend to me. I bundled the sheets off my bed left them in a big pile on the floor with a large huff of air.
Downstairs Mom was already packing up the remains of our house and Dad was loading it onto the truck. My IPod was blaring hoping to ignore whatever pep talk Mom was going to give me on moving, but surprising enough, she stayed quiet. I walked around the house one last time to ensure that not one of MY things was left behind. I noticed a pair of socks or two in my Dads room, but he didn't need them.
* * *
I glanced back at my old home as we drove away; a pool of tears was forming in my eyes slowly as we drove away. Hours went by and we kept on driving, farther away from my friends, from my home. The airport was a busy as ever with the hustle and bustle of people wanting to leave or come from where-ever as fast as they could, while I would want to linger here. At least it's closer to home.
The large sign overhead announced all the arrivals of the planes coming and going. The smell of luggage and cologne lingered in the air along with the sound of engines, the cry of babies, and the rustle of the gossip spreading about some celebrity. Our flight arrived and we slowly boarded. As we sat at our seats I looked out my window and saw what was left of California before we entered the clouds. My mom grabbed my hand softly and smiled at me. "Sweetie, don't worry. I'm sure that Massachusetts will be just like California. You'll be sure to make new friends." So the dreaded pep talk begins. I looked at her with the happiness I wish I truly felt, "Don't worry about me, Mom." I could tell she was calculating my expression to see if I were lying, but I kept a straight face. The hours seemed prolonged before my eye-lids grew heavy and my conscious slowly drifted away.
Our stops were scattered across the U.S. The headlights illuminated the hotel gates in which we were to stay in until our house was refilled with all our old things. Three days passed and once again I was packing up my bags. We drove for another hour until a dimly lit sign; "Massachusetts State Limit" was in view. The cloudy sky gave my sadness a boost. In California it was almost always sunny.
In our newly rented car, the radio boomed with Lady Gaga's "The Fame" album as we listened to "Bad Romance". My mom sang lightly along as we drove on. We continued for seemingly endless hours in forest roads trying to make it to my new home. My mom was constantly nagging my dad to, "Pull over and ask for directions!" While Dad usually replied, "I would if we weren't in a forest with nothing around!" The CD was able to relay all the songs three times before we found the gated area called, "Historic Forest Estates."
We pulled into our new driveway where the movers were putting the last of our things in the house. "See, I told you I could find it." my dad said proudly and Mom gave out a sigh of frustration.
The giant house seemed to tower over me. I walked cautiously into the house, as when I entered it gave me a bad feeling. My mom had told me the house was old, but I never expected this. It was beautiful, its old design seemed to give the house that special flare, but something gave it the same feeling you get when you walk in a cemetery in the middle of the night; creepy beyond all reason and the feeling like someone was watching you. I trailed up the stairs into a room which I found suitable for my needs. The next day everything was unpacked and painted, dusted and cleaned. The inside of the house followed the same old-fashioned look with Maplewood tables and chairs complete with the smell of pine and smoke from the fireplace in the living room.
All day was spent learning about the town and its history, and unpacking everything to our liking. Mom was busy making calls to the school district to enroll me in a high school while dad stood outside and taking in the new scenery. I sat inside just staring out the window. This whole shift in scenery was just too much to take in one week. We went from sunny, sunny California with the mountains, beach, desert, and valley only an hour away to quiet Massachusetts where I was stuck in a very woodsy surrounding.
"Thank you so much! Good-bye." Click. My mom strutted proudly as she walked into the room. "The school district is checking with local schools to see if there are any openings. With any luck, you could get into a really good school!" she smiled. She continued on about a large college preparation school and how expensive it was, "But I think that if you're accepted that you're Dad and I will be working as hard as we can to make it possible."
I grinned, "That's cool, thanks." and murmured under my breath, "Just what I need, a school with a ton of snobby rich kids."
----
During the last weeks of summer, I was adjusting to my new house. It felt strange not seeing my friends every day. Dad was at his new job while Mom got to stay at home and watch me. I still don't understand why she needs to watch me when we live in a gated area, bet she thinks that I'm going to light the house on fire by mistake. She called me in the kitchen from my room and I looked out the door. "Okay, be there in a second." I still remained on my bed spite of what I had told my mom. Everything was quiet and it made me un-easy. It felt like a heavy pressure was in the room.
I flipped my feet off the bed and stood up. "Hold on!" I shouted to her downstairs to avoid her wrath. I went to pick up my IPod and a soft voice said, "Elizabeth?" I turned around. Shakily I looked around the room. The air in the room seemed to grow denser; my breathing was light as I turned around. I was stricken with horror when I saw what was on my wall. In dark stained red was a note that said, "Why did you leave me?" I stood frozen; my mom was going to kill me for that! How would I explain THAT? I took a step back and ran downstairs shakily. My mom greeted me with a smile and sat down with me.
"You received a letter in the mail today. Can you guess who it's from?" she asked. I fidgeted in my seat, worried about the note. I shook my head no and she pushed the large paper envelope in my line of sight. My mind wandered from what happened earlier and just focused on my mom. I hoped it would be from one of my old friends, but my hopes were crushed as I saw the large business type envelope. It was from, "Salem Preparatory School"
I opened it and on the inside read,
"Naomi Skyes, you have been accepted to Salem Preparatory School for your high academic achievement from your previous school. Enclosed is the supply list and uniform order form for the 2010-2011 school years as a Freshman. We look forward to educating you and meeting you!
Sincerely,
Principal Welch"
I made it into one of the greatest high schools in the U.S. but from what I have heard the kids there are brats. My train of thought was interrupted as my mom took in a breath to speak. Silently a sound of running emerged from upstairs, slowly it became louder and louder until it was able to catch my mother's attention. "What is-" I began, but my mom silenced me with a, "Shh..." We listened until the sound faded away. It seemed to linger for quite some time until the last sound remaining was the sound of the wind outside our window. I looked at her frightened and she treads up the stairs. My body slowly followed cautiously. She walked slowly up to all the rooms and looked in each one.
The suspense inside of me was building up and my blood was rushing. She turned the corner and was at my door. When she twisted the bronze knob on my door, I snapped back to reality, Oh no, she'll see the writing! I tried to take a step forward to stop her, but it did no good. She walked in, and surprisingly, there was no large reaction from her as she turned right around and walked out. My eyes narrowed in confusion and I walked in, the writing was no longer there and everything was as it was. Mom walked back in with her hands on her hips, "There's nothing here...weird, huh?"
I nodded slowly, but when she left, I turned around and my eyes widened as something metal was pressed against my neck. And someone's tiny voice giggled evily.
Post Comment | View Comments
