The Running Red Book

The Running Red Book

A long, long, long, time ago, in early summer. A guy named Ralph walked into a giant library. He was fifteen years old with copper colored hair, and green eyes. He wore gray shorts, with a blue and orange striped shirt. His face remind people of a trophy that was possessed. He was an unusual person to walk in because he couldn’t read. In fact, he was kind of a big bully.

All throughout elementary, he got picked on because he couldn’t read. He would always sit in the back of the room and try to read. He could never figure out how to though. He was very shy and quite ignored all the time. He was the only kid in his grade that could not read. It did stop him from pursuing his dream of writing books. He always had a passion of listening to books. And adding more description to them. His fluency of just saying words, was way above average. He could use very descriptive words in all of his sentences and speak without any problems.

In middle school, he finally came out of his shell. A little too much though. He still couldn’t read. But he made up the biggest comebacks when people picked on him. So he decided to return the favor to everyone who bullied on him in his lifetime. He would never go to classes on time or show up for school until twelve o’ clock. Ralph thought he was the coolest, but actually he was still ignored by everyone. He felt very alone all the time and wanted attention. So he became the biggest bully ever.

So when he walked into the library everyone was shocked. The librarian was even in shock and a little scared at first too. Then Ralph went up to the counter and said, “Hello ma’am, can you please direct me to the Dr. Suess books?” And she did. Ralph then picked up every Dr. Suess book there was and sat at a table. Ralph was there all day trying to read. He finally got up, put all the books away, and started to walk out when he turned around and said, “Thank you, I’ll be back tomorrow”, and just left.

Every day for the next three weeks he would go to school on time, do his work, then go to the library. He would always be greeted by the librarian. He then, like usual, would pick up Dr. Suess books and try to read. Until one day he didn’t, he was wandering around the big majestic library. Then in the blink of an eye he saw the book he needed. The book was big, red, shiny, silky, smooth, hard and just plain beautiful. It was called the Beginner Book; Ralph knew it was the one for him. Then he checked out the book and brought it home with him.

That night he opened it up and all the pages were blank. Ralph couldn’t figure out why. So he decided to go to bed and maybe he would find out why. In the middle of the night, the book came to life. It whispered in his ear, and said, “In the morning you will be able to read”. Then the book kept saying it over and over. Ralph woke up and had the urge to read. He picked up his new red book; opened it up and all the pages weren’t blank! He was stunned. All of them just had a title of a childrens book and a button. He clicked on the button and it started to read the book out loud. Then the title changed into the words of the book.

Ralph stayed awake all night listening and following along to what the book was saying. Then unexpectedly the book started to run. Ralphed chased to the book and tackled it to the ground. The book was shocked, he had never been tackled before.

“Where are you going”, asked Ralph

The book answered, “I have to go scan another book for tomorrow night.”

“Ah”, screamed Ralph,” You can talk!”

“Well duh”, responded the red book.

“Oh” ralph replied, “But how do you talk, run, jump, scan other books, or even live?”

“Everyone in life has to have a chance to pursue their dream” said the book, “so everybody needs their own magic to believe in.”

“So I’m your future and you are my present”, the book said with authority.

“So do I get to keep you forever”, Ralph replied eagerly?

The book sighed and answered, “Only until you pursue your dream.”

“Oh”, Ralph said quietly.

The book then hopped away, all the way downtown to the library, for a new book.

He finally found the one he wanted. So he hopped all the way back to Ralph’s house. Ralph took the book into his old treehouse and started to listen and follow along. It was the weekend so he could stay there all day and night. He kept reading and saying the words with him. Then at the end of the weekend Ralph could read an entire Dr. Suess book with just a little bit of trouble.

The next weekend came and Ralph started to read “ Magic Treehouse” books. These ones were harder because there were lots of new words and even more words to read. He listened and listened all day. But then Monday came and it was off to school for him. He decided not to take his new book along with him. Thinking it might get stolen or lost somewhere. And he didn’t want that to happen.

At school Ralph wasn’t the same. He spoke to people, was polite, went to school on time, participated in his classes, and didn’t cause any trouble. All the teachers had a theory that Ralph had a twin brother; so it actually wasn’t Ralph at school, but it truly was. Ralph has a spark in his eye whenever he would speak politely to others. He changed so much, and everyone was shocked.

Later that day, he ran home. Wanting to try and finish a new book. To find out how to read more. He was determined to read.

When he got home, his book was right there on the front porch. Ralph became very ecstatic. He jumped up, and down in a rapid fashion. He had so much courage to finish a chapter book today. He told the book, “Can I read a chapter book today?” The book said, “Yes, I’ve been waiting for you to read chapter books. And now let’s go and start.” They went inside his treehouse with cake and cookies. They were in there for the rest of the night reading. Ralph could read a chapter book all by himself now. He was so happy.

The next day at school, Ralph volunteered to read. Everyone was shocked and didn’t say a word. His reading fluency was higher than any other person in his whole entire grade. He felt the sudden urge to read, and read all day at school. Ralph was now the best reader in all his grade. He became the number one volunteer for his teachers. No one else would even raise their hand because they knew Ralph would do it, and respected him for it.

Ten years later….

Ralph became the number seven best author of all time. His books hit the top chart in only a week. He had tons of book signings and book release parties. He didn’t need his red book anymore; he got his dream. But the Committee of Future let Ralph get to decide. He got to decide if he wanted to keep his best pal or not. At first he was screaming yes inside his head. Then he remember how the book told him that he was a present, so maybe someone else would need him later in life. So he walked up to the book with a giant grin on his face, and said, “My dearest book pal would you like to stay with me or grant a new future with someone else?” The book looked at him and whispered, “I would love to stay with you, as I am your present, and you will always be my future.”  Ralph and the book lived happily ever after, and he became the best author in the world for the next 250 years to go. His happily ever after finally came.

Secret's Shall Be Kept

My name is Drew. This is the story how I found out I was gay. I know your guys are gonna laugh or call me names, but I don't care. I block you guys out. I’m stronger than you think I am.

Let’s just start the story and get on with this. One day I was in my room listening to Suicide Silence. I thought I was straight cause I was dating this girl name Ami. She get meaner and meaner every year. Ami and I been dating for a couple of years.

She a cheerleader and I’m well punk. She want me to join the football team and track. She knows I don't like sports. I keep telling her I rather jump off a cliff then be a jock.  My song stop and I heard my mom screaming my name.

I put my phone down and walk down stairs. She ask “Where your phone Andrew?” with very mad face. I act normal and replied “I don't know cause I can never have it”.  She put her hands in the air as a sign of give up and walk away. I ran upstairs and grab my phone.

I jump on  my bed laying there and have Fifty messages from Ami. ‘Oh god, She annoying. Why can't she just go away and find another man’,I thought to myself.  I messaged her back as fast as I can. I just wanted to get out of this relationship.

I heard my phone go off and it was my best friend Richard.  ‘Got the smarty’s  today, wanna come over and eat some with me?’ I read his message to myself. I text back ‘Yea..’ and I got up and put my shoes on. I walk down stairs and grab my car key’s. My mom didn't look at me just watch TV.

I walk to my sports car. I got in the car and look at my phone for the last time and aami was calling. I decline the call and drove to Richard house. I walk through the door and his mom greet me with a cookie and said “Drew, long time no see. How your mom?”. I simply waved at Drew mother and replied “She doing fine, I guess, She hasn’t the same since dad left her for a model”.

Drew mom had a worry face on, but I couldn’t tell why. I walk down to the basement to see Ricky. “Aye man, What took you so long?” Richard said while punching my arm. I laughed and said “Your mom acting weird. Sh-”. He cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

He handed me the a smarty. I ate 21 of smarty’s and I was relax. After five hours of smoking smarty’s with Richard. I gave him a high five  and went out his back door. I jump over the fence.

I walk to my car still Sugar high, trying to walk straight. I was trying to walk to my car, but since I ate so much smarty’s. I couldn’t see anything,but I just try my best to get in my car and I did successfully. I sighed in relief and lay in the back seat of my car.  I heard my phone was ringing , but I decline and slowly drift off.

I woke up it was 5am. I groaned in pain of my headache and I got up start my car and head home. When I park in my driveway. It felt weird cause my mom car wasn’t there. I walk inside slowly wondering what going on.and I walk in slowly and there was a letter.

 I open it,but with all my heart it filled with anger. ‘My mother has given me up!, How could she do this to me, Aggggghhhhhhhhh.’ I thought. I throw the letter on the ground and run to her room and trashed it. I walk back to the letter and light it on fire. I left it there and I walk out.

I walk to the airport to see my sweet mother. I knew she would be in the airport like she always is when she give up on people. I enter the airport , quickly walking towards my mom. I grabbed her arm and her eye;s widen when she saw me. I ask “why do you give everyone up? Are you worthless to finish your own fight?”.

She stared at me with great angry. She push me away and left. So what now be homeless, No. I walk past my house and went inside the letter didn't catch anything on fire. I just walk to my room and sat on the bed, but then Ami called me.

I answered “Hello?”,but  She cut me off screaming “Hey! why did you make your mom leave? She was a good mother to you and you treated her like she worthless”.  I got filled with mad and hatred. I screamed back “ YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU WERE NEVER OVER HERE AND YOU ALWAYS BRAG AND MAKE EVERYONE FEEL WORTHLESS! YOUR WORTHLESS OKAY! YOU JUST HAD TO BRAG ABOUT ME BEING YOUR BOYFRIEND!? WE OVER!” I hang up and throw my phone.

                   To be Continued...

December PPOW

Basketball

Basketball is fun,

but you have to run.

It is one of my favorite sports,

and I just got new basketball shorts.

You have to be tense

to be good on defense.

Good basketball sense

will help you on offense.

If you have a good shot;

you could get a spot.

Basketball is an aggressive sport,

and you can play, even if you are short.

You have to do a lot of dribbling,

so it might help if you practice with a sibling.

Conditioning isn’t the best,

but it can help if you are getting pressed.

You might have to dive,

but you will survive.

Driving is key,

but you might hit someone that seems like a tree.

You have to jump to rebound,

and you have to stay inbounds.

You might get a fast break,

so hopefully you haven’t eaten too many milkshakes.

In a game you might feel a little rusty in the beginning,

but you will warm up after the first inning.

Games can get exciting,

and hopefully there is no fighting.

Softball

Softball is a blast,

and it’s summer at last.

Going out for softball is no doubt,

but hopefully there isn’t a drought.

You practice for weeks,

and at the end of every practice you have red cheeks.

Then games start,

and you’ve got to play smart.

You might be first at bat,

so put on your hard hat.

Then you will go to the field

and use your glove like a shield.

When at bat you might get walked,

or get hit by the ball and be shocked.

You might strike out,

or hit the ball far out.

When you are up at bat

don’t act like a brat.

When you run to first base

act like you are getting chased.

Watch for the double play,

so you can get away.

Also watch for the fly balls,

so it won’t be a close call.

When you go into the dugout

be prepared to shout.

You better have your glove broken in,

so it doesn’t feel like tin.

To catch a ground ball

you might have to fall.

Being an infielder

is just as important as being an outfielder.

Volleyball

Volleyball games always start with a serve,

so be ready for the curve.

You might start on offense,

or maybe on defense.

Either way it starts, you got to be ready,

and always be steady.

You have to be aggressive

to be impressive.

If you get a dig

it can be big.

If you get an ace

you can still keep a straight face.

Having a good approach

can make a happy coach.

If you need pay back

just have a good attack.

Having a good back set

can be a threat.

Having a good block

doesn’t mean you are a jock.

You can’t get a good bump

if you are being a slump.

You might have to strive

to have a good dive.

You don’t need to blame

if you don’t have a good game.

Just work hard,

and be on guard.

Secrets...Everybody has them.

Secrets

Everybody has them…

I needed to get out. I needed to escape for here. But, how? Where was I going to go? There was no one around. There was nothing around. It was just an abandoned house, boarded windows and doors. There was no way out of here, and if there was, there was no where to go.

~3 Days Earlier~

The sun leaked under my curtains. The light dripping across my face. My eyes fluttered open. I looked up and saw my dad standing next to my bed.

“Good morning,” he said sweetly.

“Good morning.” I yawned, stretching out my arms.

“Breakfast is on the table. I have to go to work. See you when I get home, Charlie.”

“Bye, Dad.” I smiled. Once he had left the room, I willed myself to sit up. The sun out shined the string of tiny bulbs stretched across the border of my ceiling. I looked into my closet. No. I told myself before falling back onto my pillow.

*Ding*

My phone vibrated beside me. I opened the opened the missed calls I had received. They were from my, Lucy, my best friend. She had called me twice. I don’t know why my phone waited for this long to tell me. I tried to call her back but, she didn’t answer. I called her again. Nothing.

I shrugged and set my phone back down. I peeled my blankets back and sank my feet into the plush carpet. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw red and blue lights. They were flashing into my window from the house across the street. I opened the curtain and saw someone being taken out of the house. I closed my window and made my way down the crooked, creaky steps. I passed the food waiting for me on the table and, instead, went outside.  

The entire neighborhood was standing on their porches. Everyone watched in awe, as they drove off. The flashing lights faded into the distance, along with the loud sirens. After they were gone, everyone went back into their homes. The street fell silent. Not like it had before. Today was different. There was an eerie feeling following the soundless streets. A chill crawled up my spine. I slowly stepped back inside and closed the door.

The thought ran through my mind. It swirled into confusion. Who just got arrested? No one had ever lived in the house next to ours. Why was everybody so secluded? I skipped breakfast and walked back up to me room. I saw that I had missed another call from Lucy. I called her back one last time and, finally, got an answer.

“Hello?” I said. Silence. “Hello?” all I heard was heavy breathing and some shuffling in the background. I slowly put down the phone ending the call. For a second I thought it was just Lucy playing a prank on me, but, wait, Lucy doesn’t sound like a guy when she breathes.

I brushed the thoughts out of my head and turned on the T.V. A news alert flashed on the screen.

“34-year-old, Eric Tarnwintz, was arrested this morning. He was charged with, kidnap and attempt at murder. Tarnwintz is faced with 27-35 years behind bars.”  A picture of the house he was arrested from appeared on the screen. I was shocked to see that it was the house next to mine.

He was using the abandoned house next to mine to kill people?! I thought to myself.

“Tarnwintz had an apprentice who has yet to be located. The police department says when he is found he will be arrested without trial. During interrogation, Tarnwintz admitted to his companion's possession of sixteen-year-old, Lucy Jomeston.”

A picture of Lucy was shown on the screen. A tear formed in my eye, but I quickly wiped it away. Replacing the sadness with anger. I grabbed my backpack off the floor and filled it with the proper, friend hunting, supplies: food, something to drink, an extra pair of clothes, and my charger (not that I would use it).

I mentally prepared myself for what I was about to do. Find my friend and the person who took her. Acknowledging the dangers.

I took a deep breath before stepping out the front door. People peaked out their curtains. I turned for a second, to look back, when I noticed someone walking behind me. Everyone vanished back behind their blinds. I quickly turned back around. I glanced back one more time and saw the person had gotten closer. He was wearing a dark jacket, and he had his hood hanging over his face.

I began to walk faster. Scared that he was coming after me. I took one more look back and he was gone. I stopped for a second and looked around. Nothing. I slowly started to turn back my head.

“Hi.” I almost jumped out of my skin. It was the person from behind me. I took a step back. “Sorry if I scared ya’. I just moved here and was lookin’ for someone to show me around. My name’s Kevin, and yours?” Held out his hand.

“Charlie.” I replied hesitantly. Shaking his hand.

“So, where ya’ goin’?”

“To my friends house.” I lied. I tried to avoid him by walking faster, but he only caught back up to me.

“What’s your friend’s name?” I paused before answering.

“Lacey.” I lied again. I looked around to see if anybody else was around. Of course, like it had been all day, it was silent.

“That’s a pretty name. You know, it almost sounds just like,” he paused, “Lucy.” My eyes widened as I looked at the ground.

“Yep.” My voice got shaky.

“Hmmmm, Lucy. That sounds like the name of that girl who was kidnapped.” I walked a little faster.

“You watch the news a lot?”

“Nope. I never watch the news. I’m never in one place long enough to get a T.V.”  I looked up for a second to see a smirk stretch across his face.

“How do you know about Lucy, if you don’t have a T.V. ?” I avoided eye contact with him.

“Let’s just say word gets around in a quiet neighborhood.” He let out a slight chuckle. My heart began to race. “So, where is your friend’s house?” I took a sharp turn left, trying to lose him.

“Her parents don’t like strangers. You should go.” I tried to shake him best I could. Nothing I did to get him away worked.

“Oh, comman, it’s impolite to let new friends walk alone in a new town.”

“Really, I have to go.” I started to walk faster.

The Secret Agent

The Secret Agent

Most people knew Zhao Rong as a small town karate instructor for Karate’s Finest in Wisconsin but what they didn’t know was that he was actually an undercover secret agent. He was sent to Wisconsin, US to look for Erik Duggman. Erik Duggman was the leader for one of the most dangerous gangs in the United States. If they got to Erik, they could shut down the gang altogether.

Zhao had been working on this case for about four months all he has so far is where he lives and what he does when he is not with the gang. He lives in the Adell, Wisconsin with his wife Janet and his only kid Marko. His kid, Marko, goes to Karate’s finest for lessons. He is a very well mannered kid, which was hard to believe because his dad was not a nice or kind person. Marko was only seven years old and didn’t know his dad was in a gang.

I have talked to Marko’s mom and Erik’s wife Janet and she is a very nice lady, which leads me to think she doesn’t have any idea that her husband is in a gang. She worked at Restoration Health in Adell. She is the breadwinner of the family. She makes 100,000 dollars to 150,000 dollars a year. Erik only makes 50,000 dollars to 60,000 a year. He works as a mechanic for a Bob’s Mechanic Shop.

What we don’t know is what he is doing with the money he has earned from the gang. He has definitely not informing his wife of the money. When I went to the agency we talked about what he may be doing with the money. We went through most of his and his wife’s records on their credit cards and there was nothing there. All there was, was grocery trips, fast food places, and clothes shopping.

The next thing they chose to look at was how many hours he worked a day. What they found was he only worked 5 hours a day, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. That would mean he would have around seven hours before he would return home. The secret agents tried to think where they would go if they had the money.

“Would he go to a club or their hiding place?” asked Joan one of the secret agents. Tyson said,

“I don’t think he would spend that much time at the hideout unless they had something big planned.”

“Lets talk to his boss to see if he has been getting off early,” Said Zhao. The chief, Jason Elliot, liked the idea and sent Zhao and Kelly, another secret agent, to Bob’s Mechanic Shop to talk to the owner. When they got to the shop, Kelly and Zhao went strait to the head office.

When they got to the office Erik was sitting in the office with the owner. Erik was yelling,

“You can’t fire me I have a wife and kid to take care of!” The owner just said,

“I can’t keep you here if you take off more work than you work. I have given you more chances than I should have.” Erik just yanked opened the door and yelled back,

“And to think of all the things I have done for you!”

“That is why I gave you all those chances but you just kept blowing off work,” The owner tried to tell Erik but he was out of the building. The owner didn’t notice us until Zhao said,

“Sir, could we ask you a few questions?” The owner didn’t look at us just said,

“Yeah, come on in,” The owner went strait to his desk.   Kelly and Zhao went to the two chairs right in front of the desk. The owner finally looked up and said,

“ My name is Bob. How may I help you?” Zhao said,

“This is Kelly and I’m Zhao. We are from the secret service and need to ask you a few questions about Erik Duggman.” Bob asked,

“What would you like to know about him?” Kelly said,

“We would just like to know when he started to work with you and how many breaks or days he took off. Did he ever do something and was caught for it?” Bob just looked at them for a while then said,

“Erik started about eight years ago. When he just started he would only take one day off in maybe two months but as the years went on he took more and more days off. Just in the last week he took four out of the five days. He never did anything bad here that I know of.” Kelly and Zhao just looked at each other and Zhao said,

“Thank you, that is all the questions we need to know.” All Bob could say was,

“Okay.” Kelly and Zhao just walked out of Bob’s office and Kelly said,

“He must be planning something big if he took four out of five days off.” Zhao just said,

“I just think he needed to spend more time with his gang since he is the leader.” All Kelly said was,
            “That could be true but we talk to the rest of the agents about what we just found out.” Once they got in the car, they headed back to their office to talk to the other agents. When they got there, they told the agents everything and decided to talk to Erik’s wife Janet tomorrow. The next day Jason sent Kelly and Zhao again to talk to Erik’s wife. When they got there they introduced themselves and Zhao said,

“Ma’am, we have been keeping tabs on your husband and think he might be the King’s leader.” She just stared at us in shock and yelled,

“What! No! My husband wouldn’t do that! He is a good dad. How could he be a gang leader?” Kelly said,

“This has nothing to do with your husband being a bad father. Has he been home late often or lost his job lately?” Janet let out a sigh and said to them,

“He has been home late and it started maybe a month ago. He would come home late and intoxicated, we would get into fights about where he had been. That is why Marko and I are living in a different apartment right now. Yes, he just got fired yesterday and when he came home he was intoxicated. That is why we moved to the apartment.” Zhao then answered,

“Has he contacted you or tried to contact you in the last twenty-four hours?” Janet answered,

“Yes, he has. He called me about seven times last night and text me about twenty times. All the messages were about coming home and how much he missed Marko and I.” Kelly asked,

“Are you getting a divorce?” Janet answered,

“Actually the papers are right here. I was just about to fill them out, but you guys came in.” Zhao then asked,

“Do you know where we could find your husband?” Janet said,

“Yes, he is either at our house or at the Shark Bar.” Kelly and Zhao thanked Janet and went to check the house and the bar for Erik. They checked the house and he was there intoxicated throwing stuff at the wall. Zhao then said,

“Put your hands up. You are under arrest for leading a gang through murders and fights. You have the right to remain silent. If you say anything, it can be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to a lawyer present during any questioning. If you can not afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you desire.”

They took him to prison after he confessed and gave up his gang’s hiding place. Over seventy-five people were found in the gang house and were brought into custody for questioning. Janet filed the divorce and got her house back. She also got a restraining order against him. Zhao returned back home and everything returned normal for now.