Into The Woods

Another Flashback / Back to The Future

       "Wh," I said scared of where I ended up. "I'm not Scared," I spun around to find Sam staring up at me with her hands balled up into fists. Behind her, the ruins loom against a backdrop of twisted trees. "Sam? Sam, we have to leave." I try to reach for her but my body freezes in place. Night creeps over the woods as I struggle against my invisible prison. Sam watches you with huge sad eyes as darkness bleds from the doors and windows of the stone house shadowy tendrils reaching out for her. "Promise you will watch out for me?" Sam said to me just as she did when we were kids. "Sam I, I  didn't know what would happen," I said to her. The darkness finally grabs hold of Sam snatching her back toward the ruins.

        "Isaac," Sam screams as the darkness swallows her and then the shadows explode outward a black hurricane howling toward you. "No please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I scream to Sam as the locker door springs open and you fall face-first onto the floor gasping frantically for air. Slowly I realized that someone was kneeling over me. "Thank you," I told Andrew. "Of course, easy now." As he held his hand out for me to take it. I take Andrew's hand and he pulls me to my feet. "How did you get the door open?" I asked him. "I have been telling the school for years that we need to replace these old lockers. Anyone can open them if they know the trick. Guess it's a good thing they never took my advice, huh?" Andrew told me. "Yea, lucky me," Andrew glanced at his watch and heaved a weary sigh.

        "Late to something?" I asked Andrew. "Just a lot to do as always. Did you want to report this incident? I can take you by the office if you like." Andrew offered but it wouldn't make a difference. "I doubt it would do any good. But there is actually something else I need to talk to you about." I told him in a serious voice. "Oh well, can we walk and talk? I have some things to take care of before I head out," Andrew said as I  nodded and we set off at a brisk pace. "It's about what happened at the pep rally," I started. "Oh, the blackout? Don't worry I have already filed a maintenance report. Can't have the light going out during the basketball game," I  just stared at Andrew. "And the voice?" I asked him as his face looked shocked. "The um, I don't know what you're talking about," Andrew stuttered.

       "But," I said but Andrew interrupted me. "Sorry, one sec," before you can say another word Andrew ducked into the auditorium. Inside Andrew waves to a group of band kids on stage. "Sounds great guys. Just make sure you're done in here by quarter to four. The drama club needs time to set up." Andrew told the band kids that were rehearsing in the auditorium. "Andrew listen to me Antonio is in danger," I yelled at him. "Antonio who? Jones? I haven't talked to that guy in years," Andrew admits to me. "Are you sure about that?" Andrew looked rattled even more so when the phone in his pocket started buzzing. "I uh I have to answer this excuse me." Andrew slips around me and out a side door. By the time I caught up, he was already in the middle of a phone call. "Yea, Mom I know college prep is tonight, but we talked about this. Because I have to meet with the homecoming and yearbook committee after school and I can't be in three places at one time. I know Mom, I know. Yea, love you too bye Mom." Andrew hung up with his mom and I felt sorry for him. You could tell she puts a lot of pressure on him.

     "Damn, you really are busy. You know if you would slow down for a second," I suggested. "Pretty sure the school would literally collapse if it wasn't for me." Andrew’s phone buzzes again. He checks it and sighs. "Great now the school paper says they need an interview tomorrow? How am I supposed to get ready for an interview by tomorrow? I can't handle this right now," Andrew starts to panic. "Whoa, Andrew stop and breathe for a second." I put your hand on Andrew's shoulder meeting his eyes. "Just focus on me alright? Deep breaths in," I take a long slow breath motioning for Andrew to do the same. "Good, now back out nice and slow," I instructed.

    "Aaaaaahhhhhh," Andrew and I take a few more breaths finally he smiles at me. "Better?" I asked confident in myself for helping his Anxiety. Andrew nods which makes me relax. "Good now, about this interview. Maybe it would be less stressful if I helped you prepare. We could grab a coffee down the street and I could throw you some softball questions. I have been meaning to catch up with you anyway. It's a perfect excuse for me to ask all kinds of nosy stuff." I told Andrew which made his mouth drop a little. "Th that would be great, you would do that?"  I nodded and we headed out of the school. "But you have to hear me out afterward," I told Andrew. "Deal," Andrew replied back with a grin.