Short stories

Kent's story; part one

Kent sat criss cross on his floor, a video game controller in his hands. His thumb flicked the knob and his other thumb pressed a button as he stared at his TV screen watching his character move. He was playing super Mario Brothers on his Xbox.

Suddenly, his door slammed open, and his little brother came barreling in. He dashed across the room, then tripped on the carpet, falling onto Kent. They fell in a heap, Kent losing grip of his controller.

"Dude!" Kent said, sitting up, his brother sprawled in his lap, and looking at the screen that announced he had lost. Kent didn't get angry very easily, so this, even though it frustrated him, didn't get him mad.

"You need to watch where your going and slow down," Kent told his little brother, grabbing him by the waist and lifting him to his feet. Kent stood up next to him. His little brother was 4, and compared to Kent who was 15, was significantly shorter. His little brother looked up at him, a sad look on his face.

"I'm sowy," he said, his little eyes sad. Kent couldn't help but smile at him, and patted his head. "Now get what you need and get out," he said teasingly.

After a while of playing, Kent's phone buzzed. He paused his game, picking up his phone. He saw a text from his friend, who was asking him if he wanted to come and hang out. He replied sure, then got up, turned off his game, and excitedly walked out to the kitchen.

"Hey mom, is it alright if I go to a friend's house?" he asked her.

"Yes, just be home before dark," she responded. Kent nodded quickly, pulling on his shoes, grabbing a jacket, then going out the front door. It was autumn, and just about nearing noon. The wind blew a few bright leaves across the sidewalk as Kent walked along in the direction of his friends house. His friends house was around a 20 minute walk, since he lived at the edge of town. Kent hummed a catchy tune as he walked in a springing stride, swinging his arms at his sides.

Finally, as Kent reached his friends house, and saw his friend in the front lawn, apparently waiting for him. He had a small backpack slung on his shoulder, and was lazily crushing a leaf between his fingers when Kent walked up to him.

"Hey!" Kent said excitedly.

"Hi!" His friend, Aaron said, back.

"What's the backpack for?" Kent inquired.

"Well," his friend started, "you know that abandoned house just outside of town?"

Kent nodded, a small grin starting on his face, already knowing where this was going.

"I thought that you and I, we could explore it. So, I have gathered some supplies in this bag." He patter the front of the backpack.

"Yea!" Kent said. He was very adventurous himself, and this seemed like a fun adventure.

Kent and Aaron walked away from Aaron's house, down the street leading to the edge of town, reaching the abandoned one. It wasn't very special, just a run down house. It sat back from the road, a few large overgrown trees in front of it, casting a shadow and making the entire property appear dark. The front window was broken, the door busted slightly in, some trim and siding falling off that lay in the grass below. Ivy crept up all the walls, the chimney had crumbled down, and the entire lawn overrun was overgrown with grass and weeds.

They slowly went up to it, cautiously stepping onto the porch. The door was swelled, and was wedged, but Kent shoved it in more so they could slip inside. It was very dusty, dirty, and just dingy. It was mostly empty, so nothing exciting. An odd old, yet sharp smell met their noses.

They moved to the living room, but that was just empty as well. Kent's nose tickled from the lingering dust in the air. Then Kent spied a door. He went over to it, opening it. A set of stairs led down into inky blackness.