(Steiner was out jogging in the Fife Costal Path near the big old house in Inverkeithing. Hearing a strange noise emitting from the house; he clambered over the wall and through a hole in the fence, to investigate. Turning the big old rusty door handle slowly, the door creaked open and Steiner popped his head in and quickly looked around. It was pitch black and smelt damp and dank. Suddenly, the loose rubble gave way under his foot and he tumbled inside the house.
The door banged shut behind him.)
Steiner: (leaping up and trying to turn the handle) What the …? C’mon open! Egghhgh!
(The door wouldn’t budge. Realising he was trapped he screamed.)
Steiner: Help! Help! Is there anyone there? Help! Help! Is anyone there?
(Steiner was no architect but even he knew the walls were too thick to be heard outside. He reached for his phone. He dialled the school number but just as there was an answer the power died.)
Steiner: Oh no! Please don’t go! Please don’t go! Don’t go away! I beg you to stay!
(Steiner started to breathe heavily as panic set in. He fell to his knees and started to pray to God.)
Steiner: Please God, get me out of here. I will be on my best behaviour. Honestly! I mean it this time.
(Suddenly there was a bright light and an Angel appeared in the corner.)
Steiner: Who … who are you?
Angel: I am an angel.
Steiner: But … I prayed to God … are you here to rescue me?
Angel: You mean you prayed to the God that you don’t believe in?
Steiner: Huh?
Angel: God sent me here, because he’s fed up with people who don’t believe in him asking for help—people like you.
Steiner: I believe in God.
Angel: Only when you’re in trouble. The rest of the time you use God’s name as a swear.
Steiner: But … but ...
Angel: And all those times in class you agreed with others when they said, “God does not exist.”
Steiner: But … but ...
Angel: So why should God save you now?
Steiner: But I mean it this time. I promise I will be good forever.
Angel: Steiner, do you know how many times you have promised to be good?
Steiner: Eh ... Well ... hmm ... Huhh?
Angel: 156 times. How many times have you used God’s name as a swear?
Steiner: None!
Angel: 3,435 times Steiner.
Steiner: Oh…
Angel: And you don’t even believe in God, do you Steiner?
Steiner: Well …
Angel: So why should God save you now?
Steiner: But this is all Scott’s fault … he didn’t charge my phone for me.
Angel: Ah, always changing the subject … why didn’t you charge it yourself.
Steiner: Well, it’s his job. But … but … Anyway, God needs to save me that’s his job.
Angel: No one pays God’s wages … He can do what he likes. He doesn’t
have to save you at all.
Steiner: I’m in trouble … God’s got to help me. What’s the point of Church people saying, “God is Love,” if he lets people suffer?
Angel: Ah that old chestnut: ‘The Problem of Evil’ argument. God doesn’t behave the way someone wants him to; so, he doesn’t exist. Meanwhile, those same people won’t do a single thing God asks of them.
Steiner: Yes, but I don’t do anything wrong … and it’s not my fault I’m trapped here.
Angel: Did God make you come into this house?
Steiner: Well, I heard a noise.
Angel: Did you see the warning sign? The fence gave you no clue that you should stay away?
Steiner: Well I …
Angel: Doesn’t this old house look dangerous? Did you not bring this on yourself?
Steiner; Maybe a little bit …
Angel: It’s all your fault, Steiner. You should be running, not poking your nose around derelict properties.
Steiner: Listen! If you get me out of here, I promise never to come here again. Honestly! I will go to Church and tell everyone I believe in God. I mean it this time; I promise.
Angel: I don’t believe you. You never keep your promises.
Steiner: You must … Ok, I admit it; it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come here. It’s not fair to blame Scott, nor anyone. I …
(As he was talking, there was a blinding flash of light and the Angel was gone, leaving Steiner alone. When his eyes recovered from the flash, he noticed that a little light remained. Crossing the dark, damp room to explore, he noticed that there was a tiny gap in the rocks and cement used to block the old window. Grabbing at it, it fell away in his hand. Steiner clawed and clawed in a feverish frenzy, until there was a gap large enough for his skinny frame. He climbed through, cutting and scuffing himself on the rocks, into the bright sunlight outside.)
Steiner Sanderson
(Helped by Brandon Wilson, Robert O'Neill, Marie laing)
YOU ARE READING
Hillside Anthology
ParanormalA compilation of wrtitings gleaned from two Published Anthologies at Hillside Residential School. The stories published here are dualistic, light and dark and represents the students' writing at its best.
