Compilation of School Assignments that I Put a Pretty Good Amount of Effort In

Ending Dialogue for 'Swallowing Stones' by Joyce McDonald' by gemspark

I recommend reading the book Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald before you read this, because you'll understand it more. If you have already read the book, then enjoy! If you haven't, that's OK c:

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As the bright light of the newly risen sun filtered through the trees, Jenna slowly woke up from her slumber, only to find a figure sitting on a rock a few feet in front of her. Her eyes snapped open, and she stared into the now very familiar face of a tired and weary looking Michael McKenzie.

"Michael?..." She questioned out loud.

"Good morning." He replied, staring down at his shoes.

"How did you know I was here? No, wait. Why are you here?" She bombarded him with more questions.

"I need to confess something to you." He said simply, still examining his shoes.

"Oh. Go on, then."

This feels like a scene from a cliché romance movie where the main character confesses their undying and eternal love for their crush that they've liked since kindergarten, Michael thought suddenly.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he then leaned back a little and pulled something out from behind the rock he was sitting on. Jenna's eyes grew wide as she stared at the gun that was now resting on Michael's lap.

"What...what is that doing here?" She stammered, standing up and slowly backing away. She definitely was not keen on dying in that moment. However, she didn't get too far, because the Ghost Tree was blocking her way, so she started to step around it.

"No, I'm not going to do anything with it!" Michael desperately pleaded, "It's just here so that you understand what I'm going to tell you. Please don't go yet."

Jenna was now a few feet away from the Ghost Tree, and farther from Michael. She scanned his face with her eyes carefully, looking for any signs that he might be lying.

When she didn't say anything, Michael inhaled a deep breath, and said, "Ever since your dad died, I've been feeling very guilty. I didn't know how to live with such a strong feeling dragging me down every day. My friend Joe insisted that I keep quiet, and the police would never find out. So I did. Because I thought I might actually have a chance. But the more seconds, minutes, hours, and days passed, the more the police were getting closer and closer to finding out who really was the murderer. They still haven't found out it was me, but I realized yesterday, that hiding won't do anybody any good. I'm your father's killer, Jenna, and believe me, I'm not proud to have committed this crime at all, but I need to get this off my chest-"

He was suddenly cut off by Jenna, who shrieked, "And you're here to kill me now, aren't you? You're not going to get away with this, Michael! The police will find you!"

She burst into tears, and ran off as fast as she could. She did not want to die today, that was for sure.

Michael's eyes widened, and he muttered under his breath, "This is not how I thought this would go," Then he shouted, "Jenna, wait! I'm not done!" He hastily set the gun down in the grass, and sprinted after Jenna.

Since Michael was taller and had more experience running, he caught up with Jenna easily, and grabbed her arm, making sure not to hurt her, but also making sure that she stopped. Jenna screamed for help and thrashed around, but Michael had a firm grip on her arm, and moved both his hands to her shoulders, holding her still.

"Jenna! You didn't even give me a chance to explain everything," He pleaded desperately, "I promise I won't hurt you."

By now, Jenna had stopped screaming and moving frantically, and was breathing heavily. She looked up at him with her brown, wide, frightened eyes.

"How do I know that I can trust you and believe what you're saying?" She said, her voice hoarse from all the screaming and shouting she did.

"Because after this, I'm going to turn myself in to the police, and I'm going to give them one of the most important piece of evidence they need to confirm that I was the murderer- the gun."

Jenna gaped at what he just told her. She couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Suddenly, to her horror, she started feeling worried and sorry for Michael.

"But you're going to have to face so many consequences! They're going to punish you for hiding for so long, and for involuntary manslaughter-" She babbled on, until Michael interrupted her.

"Jenna, I know. I know that I'm going to be in very big trouble, but I have to do this. I'm never going to feel right if I don't. If I keep hiding any longer, the police will find out it was me eventually, and I'll be in bigger trouble. I should have never listened to Joe in the first place." Michael muttered the last line to himself.

Jenna sighed, "Right. This is partially Joe's fault, too..."

"Yeah, but I don't want to get him in as much trouble as I'm in. He's my friend." Michael reasoned.

Michael let go of Jenna and they slowly started making their way back to the Ghost Tree.

"But Michael, even if he is your friend, you can't afford to lie to the police as much as you have already. It's time to look at Joe and see him as just the average person you pass by in the streets, except this one helped you attempt to escape the consequences of committing a crime. He helped you dig a hole way too deep for you to climb out of. When you tell the police your story, tell them exactly what happened. You need to tell them the story like someone else watched everything happen, whether you like it or not. It's all going to be for the better."

At that point, Michael realized that Jenna had a point. If he was going to turn himself in to the police, he might as well do it right. No more lying, and no more hiding.

He nodded his head, "Yeah, you're right... I think I'm ready to go now."

As they reached the Ghost Tree, Michael leaned down and picked up his gun. He turned to Jenna, and gave her a half-smile.

She returned it, waved, and said, "Thanks for telling me the truth, Michael. It really means a lot to me. I'm going to head home now. Good luck."

Michael waved back, and they both turned around and began to walk their separate ways.

Then, something dawned on Michael, and he turned back around, and shouted, "Wait, Jenna!"

Jenna spun around, startled, "Yeah?"

"Don't tell anyone this happened until the police decide to release the information to the public," He added, "Please."

Jenna nodded her head, "Don't worry, my lips are sealed."

Michael sighed with relief, and bid farewell, "Bye, Jenna."

"Goodbye, Michael."

As they both walked out of the clearing in which the Ghost Tree grew, neither of them paid any attention to the rustling of its leaves, despite the absence of wind in that area. If they had only craned their necks up to peek through the many leaves of the tree, they would have spotted a very surprised and gawking Annie Rico perched on one of the thick, strong, branches.

Alas, they didn't, and Mrs. Rico had once again gotten away with one of her many discreet eavesdropping sessions. And everyone wondered how she could possibly know so much gossip before it could even happen.