Virtual Ink October//November 2013 | Page 14

Wake up, Madison! BY KAYLA STRATHEARN A group of friends were out celebrating their high school graduation. The ceremony, for all its tedious repetition, had been the most exciting moment of their lives. The dinner after with their parents was also exciting because it was their first as high school graduates. Madison went with her friend Michael and Alex to the party while Gillian and Liz went in their car. The house belonged to a rich schoolmate and his parents who were out for the weekend. It was a big three story with gorgeous columns. Currently dressed in a collage of trash littering every surface. was sitting on the patio of a cafe. Michael and Alex were next to her and she had her backpack. Her attire didn't look familiar to her, and nor did her surroundings. Then, all at once she forgot that thought. Everything was normal and fine. She was a college now and this was their normal hangout spot. Gillian and Liz came and joined them. Madison still couldn't shake the feeling that things were not right so she excused herself. They stayed for a few hours and partied with the rest of their graduated class. It was safe to say that by then, they shouldn't have She made it been driving. Michael “She as back to the apartlost the coin toss and the tree rushed to ment, struggling to was driving too fast remember which key. down the country road, catch them from Upstairs, again she the trees blurring tofelt like she was in a their fall.” gether behind the winstrangers' home. dows. Madison saw the Things were not curve first, but by the time she could right. Then again something came and say anything it was too late. They went comforted her, persuading her to forget through the guardrail, sailing down the that feeling. Later that night, her hill. She screamed as the tree rushed to roommates Gillian and Liz, went to go catch them from their fall. That's when clubbing. They invited Michael and darkness fell. Next thing she knew, she Alex. It was a blast. That is, until she screamed was hit with the feeling so hard she passed out. 14