April 28th, 2023
About The Story
A student in the Creative Writing Club, Elise Pitre’s short story provides readers with a fresh taste for mystery. Recognised for winning third place in The Short Story Contest, Pitre’s short story indulges readers in an ominously imaginative illusion.
The well written prompt begins with an individual, tainted with reminiscent memories of their youthful past. With a task to accomplish and an adamant mindset, this short story places its readers in a world of their own. Descriptive, spy-like, and secretive; three words that set the tone of Pitre’s piece. Although it is cut short, it has the potential of becoming a great book.
Pitre’s story leaves you hungry for more, as it encourages the reader to use their imagination to explore countless possibilities. As descriptive as it is, this piece seems to be quite open ended, allowing for multiple interpretations of the various elements in the story.
The question is how will you decipher the contents of Pitre’s creation? Read it, share it, and consider the ending that fits you. Access Elise Pitre’s story on the Globe and Gaels website.
THE STORY:
The town clock struck 9 as I walked through the mundane streets that I had been familiar with my whole life. The local supermarket that was normally filled with people, the old arcade that echoed noise and laughter but tonight, it was silent, it was dark. Not a single neon sign or street light flickered. The nothingness of the once lively town that I spent most of my life in spooked me more than I thought it would. It was just so weird to be back, to this town, to this life, or at least what was left of it. I never thought that I would’ve stepped foot in this quaint little corner of nowhere again.
I started to pick up my pace, I had to remember why I was here. Get in, place the device, get out. I repeated over and over again in my head, trying to stay focused; get in, place the device, get out; get in, place the device, get out. It was a simple mission but, all I wanted to do was to go see what was left of my family photo album and read the old cards that I had stashed away under my bed.
The moment that I saw the old park I used to visit everyday in elementary school was the moment that my plan changed. New plan; get in, place the device, visit my old house, get out. My heart started to beat with excitement as I started to quicken my strides, picking up my speed into a run. My lungs started to burn but that was the last thing on my mind, this was my chance, this was my one opportunity to save the memories of my old life and I still only had an hour to get it all done.
I was no runner, but that night the adrenaline turned me into one. I had reached the field in half the allotted time, I pulled out the device that I really knew nothing about and set it up the way the tech team at base told me to, which only took a couple minutes. I zipped up my pack and I was off again, beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I passed the houses of old friends and neighbours.
I pushed open the front door that still had a big chip in the paint from a family game of road hockey when I was 8. I ran my fingers along the ridge of the bowl where my mom would leave her keys and little notes when she left for work before I woke up as tears started to form in my eyes. Before I had a chance to head up to my room or grab anything, the temperature dropped, the lights flickered and I knew I was no longer alone…
Categories: School News
