"The Sound"

The story "The Sound," was the first place winner of the Wesgreen Book contest judged by an American author married to someone in the U.A.E. Her name is Ms. D. Stevenson. This story along with "Excelo Knights," both won awards in the ceremony. Here is a preview of the prologue and first chapter of the 1st place story for the Wesgreen International School Literary Club Writing Competition:


“The Sound”

By: Arief Zulkifli

Curse (Prologue)
“The house of the curse,” mumbled the shadowy stranger behind the dead shrub. He frowned, “No one’s ever stayed in that creepy house,” the stranger said as if he was talking to someone. But there was no one to talk to, at least not here in what people called the “Street of the Curse.” This street had a bad reputation for haunting even though no one had ever seen a ghost. But it wasn’t a ghost, at least not just a ghost. It was something scarier. “As I said, no one shall ever come to this house!”
But the creepy stranger didn’t know that Jimmy, his older brother John, and his family were moving in tomorrow night!

Anger
“AHHHHHHH, it’s so hot outside!” mumbled Jimmy who was a moderate sized, fair skinned, 12 year old boy.
“Quit mumbling, will ya!” Dad grumbled back to Jimmy.
John was running around the outside of the wide house. The house was pretty nice, John thought to himself. It looks so nice and in well condition, not too run down. John was a tall kid who was accustomed to running as he was a track star in his old school. He wore a cap all the times even though his brown hair was nicely kept. He was 14 years old and was very mature according to his dad. They moved in the house three days ago and right now the family sat having a grill-out.
“Oh man,” Dad said “We left the ketchup in the fridge, can you get it Jimmy?”
Jimmy was gobbling a hotdog and said “Nah, too tired, ask John.” Mom gave John a hard stare then he gave in “Okay mom, Jimmy you lazy couch potato.” He said glaring at him. Jimmy gave a teasing smile to him. John went inside the house and the temperature changed drastically. Whoa its cold in here he thought. He went straight to the fridge in which was at the end of the house. He could clearly see a terrible view of “Wolf Woods.” It was dark but he couldn’t stop looking there. Stop looking there he thought, just stop! But his eyes just concentrated on the dark woods. Quickly he grabbed the ketchup then all of a sudden the lights went out.
“AHHHHHHHHHHH” he screamed and saw in the window two white cold eyes staring at him filled with hatred.
It made the hairs on his back stand. Immediately he ran out screaming but he had a strong urge to look back. He could faintly see the word “you!” inscribed on the window. As he sprinted outside his mother stood looking worried.
“What happened? You screamed,” Mother said nervously. Jimmy smiled and gave him the “you are crazy” look.
“Well, nothing happened mom, really.”
John replied calmly but he couldn’t forget the look of those two eyes. They seemed so angry but why, what have I done? That night John couldn’t sleep, Jimmy who slept on the bed right across the room was snoring loudly. He almost had some sleep but then he heard it. He heard a sound that screeched across the room. Immediately he rose up from his bed and looked at Jimmy who was still sleeping. He heard the screech again, this time it came from the bathroom. He ran there then on the floor was a shell. Not just a shell, but a shell with blood. He turned back but his Moms scissors fell from the cabinet and quickly John moved aside but the scissors fell down so fast straight to his neck! That could’ve killed me if I didn’t dodge it he thought.

Well that was the preview and hopefully the story will get published with a few modifications! Thanks for reading.