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BEYOND THE G|A|T|E
CHAPTER ONE: GATE OPEN
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“Go…John.” The words barely left her quivering lips. There was nothing else she could do. John. John was her only son, her only child; she would move heaven and Earth if it meant that she could keep him safe. But…of course, some things are out of your control. Roseanne despised that fact in this moment. No child should have to witness this. “P—Please John, get up. You’re strong,” she desperately tried to console her son. But it was too loud. Everything was so loud. Still, she carried on, yelling at the top of her lungs. “GET UP!” It was that phrase that echoed in his mind. Through the fire and the pain, dragging himself across the asphalt. Get up. Get up…that’s all he could do. That’s all he could hear in that situation—
“Get up,” the girl took a deep breath. “John. Wake up, we have school today,” She beckoned for a final time, arms folded. Eventually, the slumbering teen finally roused. With a big stretch and an even bigger yawn, reality began to set in.
“Dammit, the bus!” John practically leapt out of bed, prompting a face palm and a signature look of disapproval from his foster sister, Sarah. John is many things, but quick he is not. He fumbled through his morning routine, much to Sarah’s amusement. Of course, she had already been ready to go much earlier. If anything, Sarah was always the first one in the house to get out of bed. Even before their caretaker Mia, and her fiancé Patrick. Eventually the pair leave the house and start the trek to Newport High. “You know you don’t have to keep waiting on me all the time,” John informed Sarah. “You’re gonna screw up your punctuality.”
“Don’t worry about that—besides…I like walking to school.” Sarah threw her hands into the air, earning a puzzled look from John. “Just look around us!” Sarah exclaimed with a wide smile. This area of the city was well kept. Pristine sidewalks with loads of natural floral scenery. The neighborhood alone could inspire multiple paintings. The variety of flowers was truly a sight to behold. Ruby red roses, hibiscus flowers in all varieties; it could put a gardener out of business. The whole neighborhood smelt like heaven in the spring, Sarah honestly couldn’t believe they got to live here. Though, a thought did linger in the back of her mind. This place is probably a nightmare for anyone with allergies.
Roughly fifteen minutes later the familiar silhouette of Newport High appeared in view. The front gate was clear. Not a student in sight. “We’re late—”
“And whose fault is that?” Sarah quickly retorted, with a playful smirk. Without warning John suddenly takes off, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust in his wake. “Ugh—wait up!”
A gale force followed John as his freshly pressed white shirt billowed in the wind. He made it to class. Not on time, but there, nonetheless. Panting like a rabid dog, he knocked on the classroom door. Meeting the stern look of disapproval from his math teacher, he froze. Mrs. Smith. A teacher known for her strict class rules and no-nonsense attitude, her style did not match her personality. Bright orange hair and pastel-colored pants and blouses. She took one look at John's disheveled appearance and started laughing. "Trying a new style, I presume?"
John was bewildered. There's no way Mrs. Smith of all people would be making a joke. This had to be a prank. But then he saw his reflection in the mirror at the front of the class. His jet-black hair was swept across his face like he got electrocuted. His shirt was all twisted up and full of wrinkles. A small chuckle escaped his lips. Shaking her head in disbelief, she allowed him into the classroom. "Only fifteen minutes late. That's a new record for you John," Mrs. Smith teased, prompting a few snickers and chuckles from the back of the class. "Alright everyone, let's get back on track." She said clasping her hands. John finally made it to his seat. Despite her unusually cheerful disposition, if he was any later, she probably would have kicked him out. Hopefully Sarah made it to class on time, he thought. She can't afford to have as many late days as I do. Newport High may be a public school now, but it used to be private. That might explain all the fancy fixtures in the school building. They kept a lot of that stuff around. From the uniforms to the mascot, it's practically the same school except it's public. Because of that, they keep the grading standards high and have a whole bunch of policies that most other schools wouldn't. Despite all this Sarah's still a star student. She's book smart, and a bit athletic. She's also pretty with greenish blue eyes, freckles and wavy two-toned blonde hair that she wears out. She's essentially the poster child for the school itself. John always told her to stay away from him at school. His reputation wasn't exactly...favorable. Most people just think he's lazy.
School is just so boring. John thought to himself with a sigh. It's not that he wasn't a good worker; he got mostly A's and B's. But something about school just seemed so monotonous. School just seemed to force everyone into these boxes that aren't even suited for them in the first place. "Psst. Johnny," Alyssa whispered. She sat across from John in most of their classes together. She had smooth brown skin and dark, full eyes. She also had thick curly hair that was often pulled up into a bun. The tan sweater vest that she wears compliments her royal blue uniform. Though they didn't hang out much outside of school, Alyssa's one of the few people that John would consider a friend.
John suddenly shot back up in his seat. "Huh?"
Alyssa raised her brow, "You excited for tonight?" She posed the question with audible excitement. There hadn't been any school events for the semester yet and everyone was ready to let loose and have some fun for once. Especially with all the pressure they put on students with the constant tests and assessments. Everyone needs a break sometimes.
"What's tonight?!" John practically screamed.
"Okay I'll tell you," Alyssa responded. "Just keep your voice down...yelling quietly doesn't suddenly make it a whisper, Johnny." With that she began explaining the night's events. At this point class was pretty much over so it was all John could focus on afterward even well into lunch.
"There having a what?" the auburn-haired boy asked inquisitively.
"A festival, Connor," John said for the umpteenth time. "I know I couldn't believe it either--" "Lyssa told me."
Alyssa nodded in agreement as she ate her lunch. She took a moment to dab her mouth with a napkin, "I can't believe you guys didn't know sooner."
"...I came late today," Connor admitted, scratching the back of his head.
Alyssa was taken aback, "I didn't think you had it in you, Connor"
"Huh? What do you mean--"
John interjected, followed by uproarious laughter from the whole table "Bro, you're at school before the guard lights turn off!"
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And just as quickly as it started, the school day was over. Sarah decided to stay behind and help the other seniors prep for the festival. It was a new year's festival. John vaguely remembered Sarah telling him...something about it. The walk home was always more grueling than the walk to school. The sun nearly blinded John. Why is it so hot? It's the middle of January. He eventually made it back home to the apartment. It was a nice place, certainly better than the last place they lived. There it sat, a quaint five-story condo with a distant view of the port. Mia bought the place after she was promoted. Being the head of a major corporation’s marketing department sure has its perks. Mia is a real businesswoman, always well dressed, matching coat suit, briefcase, the whole nine yards. That’s one thing John and Sarah admired most about her. Mia seemed so… well put together and organized. That’s probably the reason why she and Patrick got engaged in the first place. Despite them both being busy, they still made the effort to spend time with and care for John and Sarah.
One of the few good memories from his childhood was from around the time when Mia first adopted him. She was in the process of redecorating her apartment. And she let John choose a painting to hang up. At the time, John really…really wasn’t up for that sort of thing. At all. His mom had died less than three years ago. He felt so alone—so cold, without her. She was the only family he had. His dad wanted nothing to do with him and was barely around to begin with. But something about the short, brown-haired woman that stood in front of him made him want to try. So, he carefully scanned the collection of artworks that Mia had at her disposal, constantly glancing back at her like a timid puppy. He picked one… eventually. Mia calmly shook her head. Then she revealed a wooden frame. Upon closer inspection, it was one of his drawings. So neatly framed, as if it were a Picasso original. It was a crappy crayon drawing of a green dinosaur. John always looked back on that memory with fondness.
He turned the key to the apartment, threw his bag down in the entryway and headed straight towards the fridge and grabbed a snack. Eventually getting settled into his afterschool routine of chilling in front of the TV. Some would say sixteen is too old to be watching cartoons. He would tell those people to shut up and mind their business. Besides, cartoons can teach amazing life lessons. Interrupting his thoughts, his phone chimed on the table beside him. He picked up the sleek, black flip phone off the table and navigated the menus. The keypad was a shiny chrome color and electroluminescent. He opened a text from Connor.
> “Rdy 4 2nite?” It read.
>
>
>
> “Yh, totally, can’t wait!” He replied.
>
>
>
> Connor started typing again, “I heard from ‘Lyssa tht it’d be formal.”
>
>
The school had a protocol for formal events like this. All students are required to wear their full uniform, that means wearing a white dress shirt, orange plaid tie along with a royal blue jacket and tan pants. The girls typically wore either a tan skirt or a royal blue skirt. The jacket was fashionable. It had an orange lining on the inside that contrasted well with the exterior. The jacket also had a white trim starting at the shoulders that ended at the chest area with an embroidered version of the school’s crest on the left side. The crest features a tall pine tree with some waves flowing underneath. John barely wore it regardless. But tonight…he made an exception. Mostly because it gets ice cold at night. A while later, Sarah, Mia and Patrick all got home. And after Sarah got ready, they all headed back to the schoolyard. The festival was in full swing. With decorations all around and live music courtesy of the school band. The atmosphere was very regal. All the decorations matched this theme as well. With large baskets of fresh fruit and gold and purple drapes and curtains hanging from the walls and ceiling. Within the auditorium itself there was even more food and drinks. John was so impressed by it all. His jaw was practically on the floor. “Hey…Sarah, how did you guys do all this in one afternoon?!” John posed this question to Sarah with immense disbelief. “Sarah—” She was nowhere to be found. She was already on the floor chatting with her classmates and other guests. That’s right—she’s a part of the student council. It’s honestly scary how quickly Sarah could get people to organize and work together. They’ll have a hard time finding a candidate to replace her as president once she graduates this year.
“You gonna come inside...or are you gonna keep standing there like an idiot?” The girl inquired, laughing.
“Nice to see you too, Bethany,” John remarked with obvious sarcasm.
Red with anger the girl scoffs and storms off, “That’s not even my name, you dumbass!”
John chuckled to himself. The girl’s name was Emily but pretending like she was some random whose name wasn’t even worth remembering is something that John always got a kick out of. He and Emily are always at each other's necks for one reason or another.
Listening closely, he could just barely hear Connor calling out to him over the music and chatter. Connor O’Riley...it’s funny, he and John sort of bumped into each other by accident. But now they’re best friends. Connor’s demeanor is exactly the opposite of John’s. Connor was pouring himself some punch and chatting with the people that passed by. There were several stalls set up to show off some of the best projects and works made by students from the previous semester.
“--Oh, hey Johnny,” the brunette waved, with a smile. “Glad you finally made it.”
“Yeah, it’s so crazy how they had all this ready and we didn’t even know,” John remarked.
“They had this planned for months--”
“Huh,” the pair audibly gasped at the unexpected interruption.
“Bethany?!” John exclaimed, barely holding back his laughter, prompting the meanest side-eye from Emily.
“Ahem,” Emily clears her throat before starting again, “As I was saying...the student council had this planned out since the middle of last semester,”
“If you’d actually...I don’t know, pay attention in class for once you would have known.”
“--I didn’t know either,” Connor interjects. John just sighs and rolls his eyes.
“Anyway, your future student council president has some business to attend to,” putting emphasis on her self-appointed presidential status she walks off. “See you around Connor.”
After a while Connor and John met up with Alyssa. By this time the festival was nearing its climax. Everyone was gathered in the center of the auditorium. Teachers, Parents, everyone was in place and slowly…the lights were dimmed. With lots of whispers and idle chatter, the crowd was growing more and more restless with each passing moment. Suddenly, with a blip—a spotlight directs attention to the stage. And lo and behold its…Mrs. Smith? Huh? John was both dumbfounded and awestruck. The crowd was dead quiet. And then she sang. Her voice was light and airy, almost angelic. Simply beautiful. She didn’t put on a full performance, she only did it to introduce the next section of the festival. John looked over to see if his friends were as perplexed as he was by Mrs. Smith’s singing ability. Both Connor and Alyssa were taken aback.
The show was underway, next up was a short introduction from the beloved student council president, Sarah. She offered a smile and proceeded with her speech and the rest is history. That’s just wishful thinking, isn’t it? John could barely breathe with a mouth full of blood. Each draw of the cool night air burnt with fury. Amidst the dust and rubble, the commotion was deafening. The sound of death. The smell. Everything. So loud... John tried his best to get up, his arms trembling under the weight of his battered body. Each time the wounds grew deeper. There wasn’t even enough time to process what happened. I have to go. Broken and battered, John dragged himself across the gravel. I have to. There was blood in his eyes but, in his mind, everything was crystal clear. A girl? He screamed as loud as he could, fluid crackling in his lungs. Inching forward, he tried to stand, balancing on a piece of rubble. This was from the stage. His eyes widened. Sarah!
“AUGH!” He screeched, limping forward with renewed vigor. …Shit. Mia, Patrick, Alyssa, Connor. Everyone. He grits his teeth. Tears start to fall from his eyes, the droplets joining the blood and dust as the medium for this twisted mural.
He rushed over to the girl he saw, reaching out with his limp arms. The girl was lying on her side, her royal blue coat in tatters. John slowly shook her. His eyes span in their sockets. Pulse. I need to check for a pulse. He stopped. It was hanging by a thread. Her head was barely attached to her body, her fearful expression frozen in time. Forever. John fell to his knees. “Emily,” He could barely say her name. He cried, he threw his head back and bawled his eyes out. Dammit all.
“Why?”
The cold wind started to howl. It was like a freight train decided to roll through. The wind battered his body. A faint glow illuminated the landscape. The sound that followed was so painfully loud that John felt it throughout his body. A long screech of grinding metal. Reeling in pain, he spins around. What loomed above him was something he didn’t quite understand. A giant, wrought-iron gate.