To Kill A Mockingbird: Alternate Ending

Chapter 28

By the start of October, Jem began taking me to his football games. I begged him to take me, so I could see the band perform. I was still hanging onto the dream of being a majorette one day.

The air had just started cooling off but certain places still had a summertime feel to them when you passed through. It reminded me of the Hot Steams that we used to believe in. That feeling never lasted for very long.

We were walking home late one night from a football game when I got an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Like something terrible was going to happen.

I was practicing with my brand-new baton when I heard a rustling noise off in the distance. It sounded like someone was running towards us. A man burst through the woods at the same time Jem shouted at me to run.

I turned around and started sprinting in the direction of Jem's voice but I didn't get very far before someone grabbed hold of my arm. I heard Jem call my name and I was pulled away from our attacker.

Once I was free, I ran until I came upon our house but Jem was not following me. Atticus came out and took me by the shoulders.

"Scout, what's happened? Where's Jem?" He said with urgency and worry laced in his voice.

I pointed in the direction of the school. At this, Atticus took off but stopped short when he met a strange man in the driveway. In his arms, the man held an unconscious Jem with his arm bent at an odd angle.

Atticus took Jem and told Aunt Alexandra to phone Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Heck Tate.