Death Is Blinding | Teen Ink

Death Is Blinding

March 23, 2009
By bluejay31 SILVER, Scottsdale, Arizona
bluejay31 SILVER, Scottsdale, Arizona
5 articles 0 photos 29 comments

Lights brilliantly shine in front of my eyes. Something thick and sticky suddenly splashes all over me. Dizziness creeps all through my body, and I am holding something. I lie down, and I place that object down…somewhere, and then everything goes dark again.



My head feels extremely heavy, as if someone has bashed my head against a wall. I also feel a cold rush of wind rush pass me. Where am I? My head is leaning against something hard, and something cold is touching my face. I am curled up in a ball, and shivering uncontrollably. I hear the loud rustle of the dry leaves on the ground, and another gust of wind goes by. Suddenly, something stale and metallic wafts up my nostrils, almost making me gag. I try to breath out of my mouth, trying to ignore the disgusting scent, and I discover that everything is in a sideways angle. I am still lying down. The bright, yellow light from the street lamps twinkle in front me, illuminating everything around me, causing me to close my eyes again.



As soon as consciousness returns, I unravel my body and I sit down on the cold, lonely bench. I wrap my arms around my body, and I try to keep warm. I place my cold hands on my temples, and start massaging them. I feel my temples pulsating at a fast pace, and I try to slow it down.



As I slowly rub my temples to ease my headache, I soon realize that I have just had another episode of sleepwalking. It’s ordinary, and it happens at least a couple of times a week. I am accustomed to sleepwalking, and it has brought me to many weird and odd places. In the past, it has brought me to places like my school, my friends’ homes, and even to my girlfriend’s house.


“What are doing here?” she would ask, when she found me on the porch of her house.



“Nothing,” I would respond. “I was just walking my dog,” I remember saying with embarrassment flushing my face.



But I’m not scared anymore, like I was in the past. But still curious to see where my sleepwalking has brought me this time, I quickly scan my surroundings. It is the local park. It is the kind of park that is run down. It looks as if a huge tractor has come and plowed everything down. Hidden behind the beams of bright light, dark figures stand in the shadows, waving back and forth in a rhythmic beat alongside the bone-chilling wind. Underneath the light, I see small patches of yellow and brown, depicting the grass. It looks as if someone has torched all of the grass. Jagged rocks and pebbles create the cracked path that zigzags throughout the whole park. A couple hundred feet to the right is a beat up playground for little kids to play in. It is small. There is nothing special to it.


So, the local park, I think to myself. What can’t my sleep walking do? Where could it not bring me to?


I give a shaky, half-hearted laugh to shake everything off, and I get ready to leave this old, rusty park. I would journey back to the warm comfort of my home.



But just as I am ready to leave my bench, a sudden shimmer of silver catches my eyes. I quickly turn my head over, and I focus my eyes onto the shining object. All I see is a sharp knife with thick, red blood stained on it, with its black handle facing towards me.


I stare at it, not budging, as if I this knife is alienated. Suddenly, it feels as if the air is sucked out of me with a vacuum. Without breathing, blinking or talking, I collapse onto the bench.



“It can’t be,” I whisper to myself, as if I can’t believe what is happening. “No.”



I can faintly remember the last few minutes of my sleepwalking experience. I was holding something…and something splashed onto me…something thick and sticky…? Then without hesitation, I quickly glance down at my clothes and with my hands, I quickly check my face.



“Oh my gosh…what have I done?” I gasp, asking myself with utter disbelief.



I stare into the bloody knife, and the parts where the blood hasn’t stained it, reflects back my shocked green eyes that shows my incredulity. My long brown hair waves in the wind, and my shock almost makes my face look even skinnier. The tough look that I possess makes girls go wild for me, but it wouldn’t right now. The fright in me would take all of the “toughness” away with the wind.



My face is sticky with the blood that had sprayed all over me. It is the first time tonight that I notice that my clothes are crinkled with folds, and that the red blood is clinging onto it.



Hot tears fall out of my eyes, blurring my vision. The droplets of tears dribble down my bloody cheek. The tears fall onto the knife, and it turns pink from the blood.



Through my blurry vision, I stare at my hands, without any movement. I sit there looking at my hands, as if I am a rock in the park. With these hands, I had killed somebody. The blood that was all over me and knife was the blood of somebody. That somebody had a family, probably a loving family. That somebody has also ruined my life. This person caused my own demise, just like I had handed over that person’s death tonight.


I bring my legs up to my body, and I wrap my arms around them with horror and trepidation. The person lost his family, and so would I. There is no way I can go back to my family. The look in their eyes would be a piercing knife and I wouldn’t be able to feel and bear their pain. My parents would have anger towards me, but they would still say that they love me, and that I would be okay. They would put their arms around my shoulders, and they would reassure me that everything would be just fine. But deeper into that hug, would be feelings of worry, hostility and other mixed emotions. They are only memories now.



Suddenly, the flashbacks of my brother crashes down on me. Just yesterday, my older brother and I were playing in this very park. The cool fall atmosphere surrounded us, and laughter blanketed us. We played catch with a football. Just a few hours ago, I was filled with content and I loved my life.



As we tossed the football back and forth, my brother had taught me a valuable life lesson. He was always wise, and his intelligence had landed him a spot in Harvard the following school year.



“Always live day after day, as if it’s your last,” he told me, as he threw the football to me. “You never know when it’s going to be your last day. Hey, tomorrow may be my last day. Who knows?”



“Yeah,” I would simply reply, not knowing what he possibly meant by that at the time.



But now, I clearly understand what my older brother was trying to tell me. I am experiencing his very warning right now. This is my last day. I never saw this coming, just as my brother had told me.



I take a deep breath of the cold air, and I stare at the black sky above me. Thousands of stars twinkle gaily. The one to my right is the brightest of all. The moon is standing there; nice and tall, illuminating it’s mighty power. Tonight, it is a crescent moon.



“Crescent moons symbolize new beginnings and the making of dreams into reality,” my older brother explained to me when I was working on my solar system project back in grade 5.



“Wow, thanks Jordan,” I would reply.



Under this crescent moon, I am experiencing a new beginning that would torment me for the rest of my life. I am also experiencing a dream that is turning into a reality. I would have never dreamt this to happen to me in all of my life, but it is happening.



Under my breath, I curse the moon.



I take a deep sigh, and I stand. With my stained clothes and bloody hands, I gradually make my way out of the park, with the sharp knife in my hand. My legs feel stiff, almost as if they are wood, for I had sat down for too long of a time.



I place my hands in my pockets, and I make my way to the donut shop. Dunkin Donuts is open 24 hours, and maybe a donut would help.



As I make my way towards the bright pink and blue sign, I suddenly hear the loud sirens of a cop. Right ahead of me, I see the blue and red lights flickering on and off, as it comes closer and closer. I run. I run while my face is frosting up, as the wind blasts in front of my face. I run until my legs become numb. I run past the liquor store, the candy shop, and the deli with the disgusting sandwiches. The sounds of the sirens become louder, and louder, until it rushes right past me. Then, it becomes quieter and quieter, and I can finally stop. I put my hands on my knees, and I breathe out heavily. I try to catch my breath, and realize that I am right next to my favorite 24 hour donut shop.



With my heart still racing, I enter through the door, and it makes a loud cling. All of the tables are empty, and the seats occupy no costumers. I look up to the corner of the store, and see that the news is blasted on the TV. With my eyes glued to the news, I slowly make my way up to the counter. Suddenly, breaking news catches my attention…



We have experienced some very shocking news. Just recently tonight, a murder has been committed. We are not sure who has committed it, but police are at the investigation site, figuring things out. The victim was killed in his sleep, right in his very home on 24 Victoria Avenue. The police are told from the parents that the victim’s name is Jordan Korma. His brother is missing at the moment.



The fear circulates through my body again, recharging the disbelief and the sudden shock. My legs buckle, and I think to myself, you were right Jordan. Today was your last day.



“Sir, for the last time, that is $2.50 for your donut,” says the cashier impatiently.



I dig into my pocket, and feel the sharp blade of the knife, with my brother’s blood stained on it. Instead of handing him my money, I retrieve my knife from my pocket, and hand the knife to the cashier.



“Today is my last day. I have lived my life with content and happiness, but it all comes to an end today. Please, take me up to my brother.”

The author's comments:
Enjoy your life. You've only got one. You never know when your everything will come to an end.

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This article has 44 comments.


Richa BRONZE said...
on Jun. 2 2009 at 1:56 am
Richa BRONZE, Brampton, Ontario, Other
2 articles 0 photos 9 comments
hey

well written story. it was filled with suspense. I liked the way you kept the suspense alive throughout. however yes there were a few parts which could have been written more clearly. Such as the part in the donuts shop. More explanation would have helped there to make it realistic. Good choice of words and good work overall!

on May. 6 2009 at 3:39 am
terrible sorry i didn't like very badly written. and confusing

mmfdg623 GOLD said...
on Apr. 28 2009 at 12:23 am
mmfdg623 GOLD, Lyndhurst, New Jersey
15 articles 0 photos 39 comments

Favorite Quote:
Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
Louisa May Alcott

The story was good, but I think that you should clarify on a few things. Like the blood-stained shirt. I think that the storkeeper would notice it. Other than that and a few gramatical errors, it was really good. By the way, if you have time maybe you coulod take a look at mine: TeenInk.com/raw/Fiction/article/97314/Gone/

AnneW SILVER said...
on Apr. 17 2009 at 12:33 am
AnneW SILVER, Santa Clara, California
8 articles 1 photo 20 comments
Nice story. Like others have said there are some things that could use clarification: the blood that is on the character as he walks into the shop. Also, I think it needs some more emotion- your character KILLED his brother! One more thing, try to vary how you start your sentences and the different kinds of sentences you have: simple, compound, complex. It will make your writing flow better than it already does. Keep up the good work!

on Apr. 14 2009 at 5:45 pm
MomoSaysRawrr BRONZE, Kankakee, Illinois
1 article 0 photos 65 comments

Favorite Quote:
"In the end, everyone's going to hurt you. You just have to find the ones worth suffering for."
-Bob Marely

"Don't narrate... Paint! Draw! Build! CREATE!" -Jack London

WOW, i cannot believe somone so young wrote this

millie said...
on Apr. 14 2009 at 10:42 am
omg! awsome story, although if the guy had blood on him, and then went into the shop, he might have to clean it sumhow b4 the sopp owner saw him.

tran n. said...
on Apr. 13 2009 at 11:55 pm
omg, thats really gud. i wish i could write stories like that. i suck @ writing stories. keep it up!

luisarox said...
on Apr. 13 2009 at 2:25 am
Awesome, again.

It makes you feel like you're really there...

PK4evr ELITE said...
on Apr. 12 2009 at 8:35 pm
PK4evr ELITE, Allen, Texas
105 articles 5 photos 107 comments

Favorite Quote:
When life gives you lemons, make grape juice, then watch everyone wonder how you did it!

Okay, I thought I was just going to read paragraph by paragraph, but then I couldn't tear my freaking eyes off the screen! It was good! There was one point where I was a little confused... "What are doing here?" I think it should be "What are you doing here." Otherwise... dang, I can't believe that you're an eighth grader...

on Apr. 12 2009 at 2:24 pm
wow this was a really good story dude

on Apr. 10 2009 at 8:14 pm
Ravneet Kaur BRONZE, Annandale, Virginia
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
Excellent story...I really enjoyed reading it. The imagery is very vivid and clear.

on Apr. 10 2009 at 12:32 am
Woow , goood job jason this is reaaaaly good, very well written!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;D

Miaoru said...
on Apr. 9 2009 at 1:07 am
Miaoru, Sunnyside, New York
0 articles 0 photos 57 comments
OMG, your stories are so exciting and unique! Great job!

on Apr. 8 2009 at 12:37 am
i find this very haunting even though its a life lesson i find it strangely eerie. but other then that very well written

Aaron W. said...
on Apr. 7 2009 at 11:29 pm
WOW! Incredible Job! My Teacher advises me to write a book one day. My Teacher would probably say you're the next ________ _______________ (famous author with extreme talent goes in the blanks)

australia said...
on Apr. 7 2009 at 3:20 am
That was awesome! Is there some special school you go to over there? No one ever at this age would ever write something as good as that in Australia. You're so talented

on Apr. 7 2009 at 2:04 am
Stephenmcreynolds BRONZE, Ottawa, Other
1 article 0 photos 16 comments
Hey, it's Stephen. Your story was amazingly good, but you should fix the shirt part, so that it will make more sense. You have writing talent, and you should write a book or something, like I am trying to do. It was really interesting.



Good Job, and thanks for looking at mine:



TeenInk.com/raw/Fiction/article/96942/Our-Army/

monniefish said...
on Apr. 7 2009 at 1:41 am
monniefish, Ennis, Texas
0 articles 1 photo 13 comments
Thanks for commenting on my work :D

IanSykes said...
on Apr. 7 2009 at 1:33 am
dude,

this is so good

you got talent

don't waste it bro

jeremy auh said...
on Apr. 6 2009 at 12:27 am
jeremy auh, Fonthill, Other
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments
hey monniefish i didnt notice that until i read that part again nice comment!!:D nice