The Series of Ash Cole

Your Turn

Skylar May, Friday October 24th, 2008, 3rd period. I scribble onto my work sheet. I glace out the window and freeze when I see a girl about 13 years old—the same age as me—on the roof a few meters away from the fourth floor school window I'm look out of. I look around the class room, curious if anyone else notices her, but everyone else is staring at the board.

I look back out the window, staring at the girl. She has long blonde hair falling over her shoulders into curls and I think grey eyes. She's stunning, but one thing I notice is her skin, it's pale. Not like sick pale, but Snow White pale. She has light, high waisted shorts and a white lace crop top on with black heals and lots of jewelry. I can't help but feel jealous.

My eyes find her face and I almost jump back. She's looking right at me and I don't know why, but I have this strange feeling that her name is Ash Cole. It was weird, as soon as our eyes met, it popped into my head like she told me, but that's impossible, right? I haven't met her, let alone talked to her.

I watch her slowly take a few steps over to the edge of the roof and look down. My chest tightens as realization spreads through my body. The next thing she does surprises me. She looks at me from across the roof and smiles. She is standing on the ledge of a four story building's roof about to jump, and she smiles at me?! I quickly raise my hand and ask my teacher, Mrs. Martin, if I can go to the bathroom.

I make my way out into the hall and walk quietly around the corner to the small set of narrow stairs leading to the roof. I slowly make my way up the dark, steep steps. When I reach the top, I open the door leading to the roof and step out. The wind blows my hair in front of my face and for a moment, I'm blinded by my dark thick hair. Pushing my hair out of my face, I look around and see the girl, Ash, getting ready to jump. Panicking, I jump down the small platform and yell, "Don't jump!" praying I'm not too late and she won't jump. But, of course she does, looking back with that same crazy smile as before.

I run over to the edge and look over, but there's nothing unusual—no body, blood or guts. My mouth drops open and I'm staring down in disbelief when something cold and bony wraps around my ankle. A scream escapes my lips as my head snaps down to see Ash clinging onto the roof ledge with one hand while the other is gripping my ankle. But she's not really Ash. Her once blonde hair is red and sticking up all over the place. Her skin is grey, like ash... and her eyes are completely black like the night with no white, making her look as if she has no eyes. She's wearing a long, dingy black shirt with rips on the back and black jeans with holes and dirt stains. I can smell an acrid smell like death coming off of her.

"Your turn." She cackles and pulls me down.

***

"Skylar? Skylar! Wake up!" I open my eyes and see my best friend, Eleanor, crouched down beside me. Her red hair is inches from my cheek and her eyes are wide and scared.

"Ellie? What happened? Where am I?" I groan and clutch my head. Each heartbeat in my chest sends a shooting pain throughout my skull. I turn and look at my surroundings. I'm lying on my back in the hall, five feet from the stairs leading to the roof.

"Skye! You were gone for a long time, so I asked Mrs. Martin if I could go find you. When I turned the corner, I saw you laying here passed out." She looks at me, worried and helps me sit up.

What happened...? Where's Ash? Was she real or was I... dreaming?

***

After walking back to class for a few minute, the lunch bell rang and all of the students rushed out of the class room. While Ellie and I walked to our table at the cafeteria, I explained everything that happened. I explained how I saw Ash through the window; how her name popped into my head; the smile she gave me; how when I got there she jumped, but when I looked, there was nothing; and I told her how out of nowhere, the new Ash grabbed my ankle and pulled me down.

Now, I'm sitting at the table surrounded by my friends: Eleanor White, Chase Miller, Jake Scott, Brooke Moore, James Carter, Allison Tomner and Hunter Niall. I told them exactly what I told Ellie. I stare at them one at a time for a few seconds before I clasp my hands together on my lap, picking at the skin around my nail. Ellie is leaning against Chase; who's arm is slung across his girlfriend's shoulders. Both of them look worried and I don't blame them. Jake is talking to Brooke, who is biting her lip while he rubs small circles on his best friend's back. James is running his fingers through his hair staring at the table. Allison and Hunter have their heads on the desk, most likely thinking of a reasonable explanation.

7 days later. Friday October 31st, Halloween Day

It's Friday, meaning that Eleanor and I have to do the recycling around the school. The good thing about it is that we get to miss some class.

I haven't seen Ash since the time on the roof. I'm not sure what to think. Am I crazy? Did it really happen? More than three times I have asked Eleanor to take me to a clinic. I mean, that couldn't have really happened... right? I must be going crazy.

"Hey Skye, are you still coming over tonight? The group is and my mum said we could get whatever we want for the night. Horror movies, candy, pop, pizza, you name it! I nod quickly before heading to the elevator room.

Punching in the pin, the door buzzes and I pull it open. I hold the door open as Ellie drags the recycle bin in. As soon as we step in, we're blasted with a gust of icy air, sending goosebumps across our skin.

"Burrrrr why is it so cold?" Ellie asks and I shrug.

The door shuts with a loud click. I walk over to the elevator with Ellie following behind and I press the down button. As soon as my finger presses the button, the lights flicker for a moment before completely shutting off. Darkness consumes us.

"Skyl..." Eleanor starts to stay before stopping mid-sentence.

I turn to the place where I last saw my best friend and with a pop!, the lights turn on blinding me momentarily.

I look around but Ellie is nowhere to be seen. "Eleanor!" I yell, slightly panicked.

"I'm in the hall! I don't know how I got there..." The door rattles a few times before I hear a groan. "It won't open!"

"Stay there... I'll figure something out." I tell her.

There's a scratching noise to my left and I turn quickly. Two bold words are scratched about two inches deep in the chalkboard: 'YOUR TURN'.

"It's her! It's Ash! Run Ellie!" My heart clenches.

"No! I won't leave you!" I hear her screaming for help.

I run to the elevator and push the button until it opens. I go to step out, when I realize the elevator isn't there. I jump back, breathing heavily. The elevator shaft is pitch dark and slowly, the darkness seeps into the elevator room until I can't see anything. A flash of light comes from below in the elevator shaft, long enough to see Ash with her grey skin, crazy red hair, black eyes, dingy clothes and her fingers curled around my bare ankle. Terror consumes my body and an ear-splitting scream rises from my lungs, escaping my lips. She jerks her hand down. I tumble into darkness.

"Your turn."

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Hey! This is my new story! Be sure to check out my others: I'm Broken and Island Betrayal! I hope you like it! I have the next three and a half parts written out of the seven. I just have to edit them and rewrite some parts. I'm not exactly sure when I'll update next... hopefully soon but I have to update Island Betrayal.

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