Finding joy

Chapter 1

Alex Morrino is in my nightmares. He's not the monster, instead he's the one who created the monster in his lab, programming it to do one thing; destroy me.
There isn't an exact time when my feud with Alex started, but I know it happened sometime in 3rd grade. I was the new kid, moving from western Georgia to Sheridan Wyoming, and things weren't too bad. The very first day I moved in, the girl next door invited me to a tea party with her. I found out she would be in Mrs johnsons 3rd grade class with me, and I was ecstatic.
Sadly things weren't to bright my first day. The rain was pouring down, which meant all the kids weren't allowed outside, we were stuck inside doing worksheets and painting pictures. Alas the end of the day finally came and I was ready. We were all instructed to bring something meaningful to us for show and tell, what I brought was meaningful all right. So when I stood up in front of the class, holding up a small picture of a man holding a baby, Alex took his chance. He leapt out of his seat, grabbed the picture and tore it in half. Commenting on how the people in it just wanted to make him throw up from the ugliness. I didn't know what to do so I numbly sat back down in my chair, unaware of what I should do next. I did not however, tell Alex that  that was the only picture I had alone with my dad before he died of leukemia two days later.

9 years later

This brings me back to where I am now. Cowering in the corner, hoping Alex wouldn't see me. I had to wait for the perfect moment... I  motioned for my friend to follow me into the senior tables section of the cafeteria where we were planning on dumping a gallon of elmers glue on his head. Childish I know. But after him and his buddies pantsed the entire cheerleading team when we were getting ready for a competition, we knew it was on. We crept toward the table ignoring the weird looks everyone gave us, I glanced at Camryn sighing, "I'm sorry I dragged you into this mess." 
"I'm your best friend Rey! I would've done this even if you begged me not to!" I smiled a little at her, before we made an attempt to lift the jug higher up, inching closer... and closer... I smirked at Camryn. It was now or never.  'One' I mouthed, 'two' "YOU LITTLE-" "I OUGHTA-" shouts rang out, as soon as we poured the sticky goop on a few of their heads. Resulting in the entire student body to look towards us. "Hehe, sorry guys gotta bounce!" I grabbed my best friends hand and booked it out of there as fast as my legs could take me.

"Raven that-" wheeze "was" wheeze" awesome..." Camryn was laughing so hard it looked like she was about to pass out. "Camryn be quiet" I hissed glancing around nervously, "if Principal Morley finds out what we did, we're toast!" She stopped laughing for a minute to stare at my panicked face, "Raven you didn't get in trouble for filling the boys dorm rooms with glitter did you?" Before I could respond, everything went black.

"What's a pretty little girl like you doing here eh?" The smallest of the three men asked me. I glanced behind me, taking a few steps back "I- I don't, know- ugh." The biggest man, Cory was his name, pulled me closer to him. He smelled like alcohol. Not a good sign. "Well, what should we do boys?" He gave a slow chuckle. "You don't look like you don't got no mama, either kid." My eyes widened at the thought of what they could do to me. I spun around in his arms and ducked low, I knew I could out run them, they were drunk and didn't look like they were in the best of shape. I faintly heard them start laughing, hearing footsteps gaining closer and closer...

"Ray. Snap out of it. Are you ok?" I looked at her with terror in my eyes. "Another flashback?" I blinked a few times before responding, "I-Im fine. I guess I'm just tired" I tried to play it off, forcing a laugh. "I'm just going to go home and get some sleep. Text me the homework in lit?" Camryn sighed after agreeing with me. "Ok. But talk to someone ok?" I turned on my heel and walked away. Narrowly avoiding the boys I had just dumped glue on.

"In Orange County there has been yet another robbery. When will these robbers stop? Back to you-" groaning I flopped on my bed. Nothing to watch, nothing to do. I glanced at the clock I had resting on my white bedside table. 2:49, school was out almost 20 minutes ago, 'I really should be at dance practice right now. Maybe if I left now...' the vibration I felt In my right hand brought me away from my thoughts. My eyes widened when I saw who texted me. "He can't have my number. No, no... this has to be a joke. I can't - I-I" No matter how hard I tried, the tears dripped down my face into the phone in my hand.