Through Hell and Into Heaven

Chapter 10

     Israel sat numbly in the front seat of his mom's car as they drove out of the school parking lot, his bike in the back. He had been excused from school, due to his current illness. He knew all to well that his problem was worse than any sickness. His mother gave him a concerned glance as they pulled into their driveway.  "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" she asked. Israel just sighed. "There isn't anything wrong." Nothing that you can help with, anyway. Rachel gave a short nod and exited the car, Israel following. As soon as he entered the large apartment, Israel trudged up to his room and slammed the door shut. The trophies sitting on a shelf in the corner of his room shook from the violent action. The boy dropped his backpack down beside his bed, which he collapsed on. When would the terror end? Why was it happening to him? What a silly question. It was happening to him because he opened the jar and let the creature out. Why was the thing trapped in the jar, though. That is what bugged him.
      Israel took his iPhone out of his backpack and tapped the photos application. He slowly began to slide through the memories he had taken. One picture depicted Taran covered in dirt and grit; he was smiling and, currently, so was Israel. He remembered when he had taken this picture. It had been the beginning of the year and Israel and Tina had dared their friend to jump over a muddy creek that was a few minutes away from the school. He had to use a slab of rock as a ramp and had ride his bike over the gurgling waters. He failed, as obviously told by this photo. Israel swiped again and saw another memory-filled picture. It showed Tina and Israel standing in front of the school baseball field. Where they were, girls were allowed to participate in baseball. Israel and Tina had their baseball outfits on and Tina had her arm slung over Israels shoulder. They were both smiling and laughing. They had won a tense game and were excited to get a victory desert at Israel's apartment when the photo was taken. Israel sighed and shut down his phone. He did not feel like texting. He relaxed and closed his eyes.

     When Israel opened them, it was a little darker in the room. He must have slept. His mom was calling him from down the stairs. "Israel!" she called, "Tina and Taran want to see you! You feel up to it?" Israel scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. "Yeah, let them come in."