Ashley Bailey

I was running through the woods. I could feeling the beating of my heart with every step I took.
“I’m gunna get you!” I heard. He was close. I picked up the pace, running faster, everything a blur. Then I fell into a ravine. “Come out, come out wherever you are,” I heard him say softly. I couldn’t stay here. No tree or river or ravine would keep me safe, I stood up and ran, forgetting about him, the man that had been following me for the past two hours. Birds flew over head, and with two bangs and many cries they were dead. I ran faster and farther. I kept thinking, faster and farther, faster and farther. You’ll be safe just go faster and farther. I heard a dog bark. Since when did he have a dog? Then I realized it wasn’t his dog. Was it even a dog? He will find me. He will kill me. I knew it. I ran even faster. Don’t look back. Just keep going. I kept going, feet barely touching the ground now.

I looked next to me. Old man with no hair and wrinkled features, huge thick rimmed glasses and no posture. I looked to the other side of me. Old woman with fiery red hair and long purple nails with too much glue on her fake eyelashes and bright blue eye shadow with red smudged lips. I looked all around me. I was surrounded by old people. I tried to run, but the door was locked. They wanted me to play bingo and drink prune juice. But I wouldn’t give in. I would not turn to the dark side!
“I DON’T WANT TO BE OLD!’ I screamed loud and clear. Then there was a thud. I opened my eyes. I saw my grandma rushing over to me. She held me close and tried to calm me down.
“You were just dreaming, honey!” Soon I felt better and fell asleep in her arms, going back to the world of old.

Tests

By Ashley Bailey
Hartford Memorial Middle School, Grade 7

I look down. The numbers make no sense. (A = 2.5 so what is the answer to 2.65 x A = ?) What does that mean? I hate tests. Hate them, hate them, hate them. I get nervous and sweaty. My hand is shaking as I write the answer down. Great. I bet it’s wrong. Oh well, I keep going, and going, and going. Everything around me is blurry like a two-year-old came up and smudged the colors. The bell rings. I am almost done. Last question and then I am finished. Now I am relieved. No more to worry about…except the results of my test!

Fishing

By Ashley Bailey
Hartford Memorial Middle School, Grade 7

I never was good
At fishing I mean.
I couldn’t hook the worms
And I’d get tangled in the fishing wire.
I broke the pole. Twice.
I hate the smell of fish.
I guess I’m not cut out to catch fish.
Now I’m off to catch fireflies instead.