Chapter 1
The Hole in the Wall
(A Thriller)
My breathingpicked up. I tried to scream but it was like I had no vocal cords; I tried torun but it was as if my bones were too stiff. It got closer. The thing, themonster, it just crept toward me. I woke up in a cold sweat. I was screaming,but why could I? How could I? It was as though my brain switched my voice offthen realized I needed to scream.
“Zleta!” Myaunt called from downstairs. What? Since when was she here? I thought tomyself, wondering how long I had been asleep. I threw my covers off and bolteddown the stairs. “Zleta?” My aunt called once again, this time sounding unsure.“Right here!” I yelled back, coming to a halt in front of her.
“Good afternoon,Aunt Jamie. I was in the middle of a nap, I’m sorry for not responding.”
“It’s quitealright, dear.” She said, and her voice sounded like it had a sweet bitternessto it. Was she mad? “As I was saying,” She continued, “You are coming to livewith me for the summer. You will have much to do in California. We even havethis little program for kids your age to come and help at the library.”
I stared inshock at my mom. With Aunt Jamie? “This isn’t real, is it?” I asked, thewater in my kettle boiling over.
“It’s forthe best. You’ll meet new people, make more friends, and I heard there’s a lotof fun parks near Aunt Jamie.” I saw RED. “No! No, youcan’t send me away! It’s not fair, I won’t allow it! I like it here; I hadsummer plans with my friends!”
My motherraised her voice. “Zleta, I don’t care! You take no part in this discussion, I mustwork still, your dad will be out of town, there’s no other option!” Aunt Jamiecleared her throat, stopping my mother’s rant. She opened her mouth to speakbut was interrupted by the sound of a car horn. “That’s the taxi, go pack yourbags. It’s time to go.” Great, just great. This is so stupid… Imumbled under my breath as I rushed upstairs to pack. I don’t want to go toCalifornia, especially not with Aunt Jamie! She talks weirdly, her house alwayssmells like diarrhea, and she has giant holes in the walls! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Islammed clothes angrily into my bag, It’s so not fair! My friends don’t haveto go with their aunts because their parents are working! Why should I? Ithrew my bag into the taxi and hopped in. Though I was angry, I was curious tosee the neighbors. Maybe I will make some new friends. Maybe I’ll stay lonely.We’ll never know until we’re there.
“You’re going to love it there,” My auntbegan, “There’s this nice girl named Demi. I think you two will be greatfriends, she likes dogs, just like you!” I didn’t want a new friend. I wantedmy friends. I don’t remember much of the ride, since I fell asleep about2 hours in. All I know is that the drive was about 29 hours and 31 minutes, Ithink, so we definitely took stops for sleep. No hotels, “They’re too expensivewhen we’ve got a perfectly fine car,” aunt said. I nearly fell to the ground,my knees felt like they’d fold under my weight, and my calves were so sore itfelt like they were stone. My feet were asleep, and every step I took sent ajolt of tingles through the sole of my feet, almost like stars switching on andoff. I grabbed my bag and rushed in the ragged house. It was nice on theoutside, the façade of the perfect house working even for me (someone who knowsthe horrible truth of the inside).
