Remembering Kaylee Cooper by Christopher Francis

Author:Christopher Francis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Christopher Francis
Published: 2019-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Struggle

Alex couldn’t move. As his body lifted up over the ground, he tried to shake himself free, but it was no use. His head grew heavy as the blood rushed into his face. Like a fly caught in a web, the more he forced himself out, the more constricted he became. Alex’s ribs pressed tightly against the large figure’s body making it difficult to breathe. Through the muffled sounds of footsteps ploughing through the leaves and twigs on the forested floor, Alex heard Daisy’s distant voice, crying, shouting, screaming.

“What’s going on? Hello?” Alex called out between breaths, hoping to gain control of the situation somehow. “Can you... let me... go? What are... you doing?” Alex squirmed about trying to find a way to release himself from the impossible hold. “What do you... want? Can you please let go of me?”

In a matter of seconds, the overwhelming need to scream, to shake himself free had disappeared. The energy drained rapidly from his body. It wasn’t long before Alex found himself coming to terms with his reality. He waited for the inexplicable episode to end. In his mind, he was experiencing the bitter demise of his short life. In his mind, he accepted that an extraordinary power was about to have its way with him. As the chaos around him continued, Alex once again found himself slipping into a state of calm.

It was the same peaceful calm he’d felt in the creek.

As Alex allowed his body to relax and his mind to let go, Kaylee’s voice faintly returned. At first it was difficult to hear over the footsteps, but as he was carried further into the woods, her voice became clearer.

You shouldn’t be here.

Alex closed his eyes. He tried to respond.

You shouldn’t be here, repeated Kaylee’s voice.

Alex’s mind pulled away, deflecting all the confusion that encompassed him. As Kaylee’s voice repeated the same words over and over, Alex found himself slipping back to a familiar place.

There were children all around him, and his new best friend was walking by his side. It was Henry. Alex had just ordered a hot spicy bowl of beef curry from a woman wearing an apron and a hairnet.

Alex remembered that moment clearly. It was the first and last time he had ever ordered beef curry.

He realized where he was. He was back in the cafeteria at school. It was early November, the day of Cafeteriageddon.

He recalled the conversation he’d been having with Henry as they walked back to their table. It was about getting together for the weekend, and Henry had suggested they invite Daisy along as well. However, what he remembered the most, was what happened just seconds later.

Kaylee Cooper. Alex had tripped over Kaylee Cooper, causing an uncontrollable series of events leading to the worst food fight in Timpleville’s history.

However, in Alex’s new thoughts, that didn’t happen. Alex never tripped over Kaylee Cooper. In fact, she wasn’t even there in the cafeteria. There was no wipe-out, no food fight, and Alex wasn’t blamed for anything.

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