Quick as a ghost by Arjun Taneja

Jerry Nordstrom was a kid who everyone thought hallucinated his life. Even on the things that were closest to him kids would tease him and say “Are you sure you saw that right, Jerry.” This time he knew that this was no hallucination. He had actually saw a ghost. It was white and floating in the air. Jerry was so scared but, he knew no one in the school would believe him. Jerry had decided to just keep quiet unless the ghost came after him, if that happened he would have to tell his parents.

The next day, Jerry went to school and headed to his first class. There! A ghost floating above the ground. Jerry wanted to scream. Several kids were looking right at ghost but saying absolutely nothing. The ghost said “Jerry, beware.” Jerry let loose a silent scream and ran into the classroom. He decided that he would find out who the ghost was once and for all. Jerry knew if he told his parents they would probably not believe him because they also thought he was delusional. Tomorrow, Jerry would start looking for the ghost that haunted him.

The next morning, Jerry got to school early and found a nice spot to hide. He scoped around looking for ghosts. He picked up nothing but strikeouts. “Hey, why are you here so early?” said a voice behind him. Jerry knew that voice, it was Mr. Nichols the school principal.”Just chilling out.” jerry said, instantly knowing that answer wasn’t good enough. “Well, stop chilling and get out of here.” Jerry knew better than to argue. He grabbed his backpack and started towards the exit when BAM! There it was. Jerry ducked behind the water fountain, not the best place to hide. The ghost disappeared around the corner and Jerry followed it until the ghost took a slight look over his shoulder. Jerry flattened himself against the wall. The ghost did not notice him and kept going down the hallway. Jerry followed him as the ghost turned the corner and started leading him towards the principal's office. Jerry had a bad feeling about this but kept following the ghost anyway. Suddenly, the ghost made a sharp right turn into the principal's office. Jerry made the mistake of looking into the principal’s office. Mr. Nichols took off the ghost suit. Jerry could no longer hold back.

“HEY” Jerry screamed as he burst into the principal's office. Jerry almost laughed out of his mind at the look of surprise that oozed from principal Nichols’s face. “Jerry  Nordstrom.” the principal screamed with rage

.

“Why are you the ghost”? Jerry yelled

“To scare the crap out of guys like you.” the principal said.

“Do you enjoy doing that?” jerry said.

“I love making you think that you are delusional.” the principal said.

“I’m not delusional?” jerry asked.

“Not in the least bit.” said the principal.

“How about the other kids?” Jerry said.

“I told them all at an assembly when you were absent.” said the principal

“Why me?” Jerry asked.

“Random selection.” the principal said.

Jerry was truly mystified. He realized that he didn’t hallucinate at all. The other kids still didn’t know that but Jerry was satisfied because he knew.

THE END

All Alone by Arjun Taneja

“You there, Benny. Get over here, this instant.” Benny ran as fast as he could towards the woman but then tripped and did a face plant. Laughter broke out over the orphanage. Calls of Ben-Ben rained down on Benny. He still got up and ran as fast as he could towards Mrs. Dudley, the headmistress of the orphanage. When he got there she still looked at him with distaste and said “Go do your chores Benny.” and I need you for a special assignment, come back here in half hour. Benny nodded and left.

Benny wondered what his special assignment would be. He finished his chores and reported to Mrs. Dudley. “I need you to clean the horse manure.” Mrs. Dudley said. Benny almost argued with her but then remembered the last time he did that. He still had the marks from her whip. Benny did the disgusting work and then went to his room, or you could call it a room. Benny wondered if he would ever get out of the orphanage.

Benny made up his mind to run away. He had found out that in the city of San Antonio, Texas. They picked up kids off the street and gave them a better life. At the exact time of 7:53 p.m he made his great escape. He knew that everyone was having dinner at this time and no one was watching the exit. Benny also knew that San Antonio would take a couple days at least to walk to. Benny opened the gates and shot through it. “HEY” he heard behind him. Alarms blared behind him as he raced past the bushes towards the entryway of the orphanage. “Stop, there.” he heard behind him. Benny kept running even though the pursuer was gaining ground from behind him. Benny suddenly realized that if he kept going straight he would probably get caught. Benny dove into the bushes and hoped that whoever was chasing him would not find him. Benny could hear the person sprint by him, but then stop. “Come out.” a gruff voice said. Benny silently debated in his mind if he should stay hidden or come out. The voice cursed and then ran back in the direction of the orphanage. Benny jumped out of the bushes and sprinted away. Benny was so tired when he finally found the city of San Antonio. He found a spot in the grass and dozed off.

The next day, he made his way into the city and tried to find someone who looked nice and was willing to adopt him. He picked up nothing but strikeouts the whole day. He wondered if he would ever find a loving family. The next day, when he woke. He felt immensely hungry. He tried to look for somewhere where they gave free food. There was nothing available so he would have to steal. He found a restaurant named Cargo’s and tried to find an entryway to get some food. 

“Do you want some food?” a man in a suit asked. Benny knew that he shouldn't be talking to strangers but he just couldn't resist. 

“Yes, please.” Benny said.

“Follow me, the man said. Benny followed the man to a huge house. “Is this yours?” Benny asked, his voice filled with wonder. 

“Yes” the man said. Benny followed the man inside of his house and was glorified by a feast sitting out at the table. Benny didn’t think, he just ate. After he finished, the man sat across from him with a serious look on his face. “Benny, he began I have learned that you escaped from an orphanage and came here.” Benny’s mind raced, does the man want do bring me back. “ You are welcome to stay at my house and get an education.”

“Thank you so much, sir.” Benny said.

“Call me Jack.” the man said. 

Benny worked hard each and everyday at whatever needed doing. Not that Jack asked him to. Jack just insisted that Benny keep up in school. Jack took great care of Benny, and Benny made great friends on his journey through life. Benny went to Stanford University and become a lawyer and grew up and he taught us that it doesn’t matter how you start, it's how you finish.

WORLD UNDERNEATH by Arjun Taneja

Seth Kingsley was a quiet gardener who believed in just doing his job which was to tend to the garden of the Montgomery family. The Montgomery family was the richest family in the town of Springfield, Colorado. Seth had two kids named Stephen, and Sydel. His wife was named Ayesha. After Seth had finished tending to the garden on a fine sunday, He and his family went scuba diving on the magnificent Terry Ocean. Seth’s favorite place in the world was Terry Ocean.

On this fine day, Seth was going to plunge into the world underneath first. Seth plunged into the cold water and scoped around for fishes and other interesting creatures. Seth suddenly saw a big brown barnacle floating towards the sea floor. Seth wanted to explore but decided it wasn’t worth it and he should go back up to the surface and get help.”Down there” Seth sputtered. “A ship, wrecked.” Seth said.

“What?” said the captain who had taken them out to sea to scuba-dive said.

“I’m telling you there's a ship sunk down there.” Seth said.

“Let’s head back to let others know and get help.” the captain said. They made their way back to shore and alerted the police chief, officer Kennedy about the shipwreck. Officer Kennedy asked about what the ship looked like and said that the police officers would get on it right away. Seth wanted to know what happened the next day, when the police officers investigated underwater. Seth then found out that several police officers had been wounded when they went near the ship a gas of some sort had exploded and wounded them. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Seth opened the door and was startled by what he saw. “Are you Seth Kingsley”? The officer asked.

“Yes” Seth said.

“We’re going to need you to come to the station with us right away.” the officer said.

Seth knew what had happened, sweat dripped down his skin as he sat down in the backseat of the police car. Once he entered the police station, he was sat down across what looked like a very important person. “Seth, we have brought you here today on charges of trying to kill officer.”

“That’s not true, I was only trying to bring the ship to safety.” Seth said.

“There was serious radiation coming from that ship that killed one officer and wounded three more that went underwater.” the officer said.

“I just wanted to save that ship.” Seth said.

“We understand, but we need you to stay at the station until we find out more.” the officer said. Seth agreed because he thought his name would probably be cleared. Seth was granted a call to his lawyer and he knew he would be taken to court. On the day of his trial, Seth was very nervous because if he didn’t win his case he might be taken to jail. Seth was very confused at the trial because the two lawyers battled it out using unfamiliar terms and loud voices. Seth heard the final verdict, though as the lawyer determined Seth should have had better knowledge of the situation before getting the cops involved and sentenced him to 80 hours of community service. Seth got home and was still wondering who would sabotage him like that.

When he got inside, he heard screams and shouts from the basement. Seth rushed down to the basement and saw his whole family tied up. After untying them, Seth found a note that said redrum, he did not know what that meant until he flipped the note to the back. Murder spelled backwards is redrum.

Giant Monkey Destroys San Fracisco by Arjun Taneja

A giant monkey has just destroyed the city of San Francisco. This beast was first spotted walking on the golden gate bridge and causing a massive pileup. The monkey then moved on into the city and started ripping up buildings and throwing them, to no avail of the civilians running for cover.

The monkey also has an immense craving for bananas

The monkey was reported to saying “BANANAS” while smashing a grocery store in search for his treasure. Scientists fear that this monkey is just passing through San Francisco to go to Florida which produces the most bananas in the US. Pray for San Francisco.