The Shadows

By Annika Doeppers

I run through the filthy streets trying to get away. I feel like Im running as fast as the

Flash, but Im still not fast enough. I keep running and running until I reach my old brick,

apartment building. I fly up all thirteen flights of stairs and reach my tiny apartment. I quickly

open my old wooden door leading to my home and dash inside. I lock the door and walk slowly

into my living room, sliding down onto the my rock hard couch.

I stare at my living room, the chipped wallpaper with birds on it, the cracked hardwood

floor, and the small tv in the corner of the room. This is the sad life I live. Im scared of the

shadows cast through each room and the creatures that lurk behind the corners. I can barely

walk a block without having a panic attack and running back, to this desolate place I call home.

Some people call me paranoid, but I have my reasons. You see, Ive been an orphan since I

was six. My parents were murdered in front of me, so yes, I have issues. My only friend since

then has been my brother Callum, he works at the coal factory most days and doesnt come

home until six every night, so I barely see him.

Calla, please open the door its just Callum, I hear a small voice say through my door.

Calla, unlock the door please.

I unlock the door to see my brother gazing down at me, with his caring brown eyes

swooping over me, looking to see if Im hurt.

Hey baby girl, you look upset, what happened? he asks.

I tried to go outside again today, I reply, in a voice barely more than a whisper.

I thought we went through this, you shouldnt try to go outside without me. I know you

want to conquer this fear you have, but I cant lose you like I lost Mom and Dad.
 I nod silently as Callum wraps strong arms around me, giving me a hug.

I have to go out to the store and get some food, Ill be back soon.

I watch him walk out the door and hear his footsteps hitting each creaky stair. I run to the

window to see him walk down the sidewalk. Then, out of nowhere, a mugger runs out of the

alleyway and grabs my brother, dragging him into the alley he came out of. I dash to the door

and put my hand on the doorknob, about to open the door, and I remember that my brother told

me to stay inside. Screw it, this is my last family member, I have to save him. I fly out the door

and down the many flights of stairs.

I get to the alley where he was dragged and see my brother, on the ground,

unconscious. I run to his side, he is breathing, ever so slightly, hes really hurt. The old wooden

baseball bat is lying next to him. I look up at the person who did this to him.

Go home and dont tell anyone about this or youll end up like him. Do you understand

little girl. the mugger asks. He grabs a fistful of my hair and picks me up off the ground, only to

slam me back down.

Go die in a hole, Im not going anywhere, you mess with my brother, you mess with

me, I reply, trying to sound brave.

Oh, youre Cals sister. You see, we used to work together. We were the best of friends.

I would always try to get him to come out with us, but he always had to go home to you, his

sister who was afraid of the shadows, afraid that her only family member never coming home,

he taunts. While he was talking he was slowly backing me into the alley wall. We stand as face

to face we could, me being so short, and I can see the rage and fire in his eyes. Cal was

always so faithful to you. One day, at the factory, I made a terrible mistake, and someone ended

up very hurt because of it. Your brother was there, and he told the boss about it. I asked him

why, we were best friends and he snitched, and he said that he could've lost his job if he didnt
tell. He needed the money to take care of his baby sister. So, I lost my job, I havent been able

to get one because of him. Ive been plotting my revenge ever since. If I hurt him really bad, and

kill you, then I will have taken everything from him, like he did to me.

Please, dont do this. He was just trying to protect me.

You know what I didnt expect, for you to come out of your little hole that you call home.

I mean, youre afraid of shadows. I was going to have to come to your house to kill you, but you

just made my dirty work ten times easier.

He takes a gleaming butter knife out of his back pocket and grabs me by the hair again.

He pushes me down onto the ground next to my still unconscious brother. My brother stirs a

little and his eyes flutter open.

Calla, what are you doing outside? my brother asks.

This is where your sister dies Callum, the man snarls.

Josh, please dont do this, he pleads.

The mugger, apparently Josh, grabs me and thrusts the knife towards my chest. I rip out

of his hold and run to the forgotten baseball bat. I swing the bat with all my might and watch as

Josh falls unconscious.

Callum, are you alright? I ask my brother.

I am now. You were so brave, you faced your fear you know. You came into the

shadows to save me. I love you so much.

I love you too Cal.

I help him up and we take Josh to the Police Department and my brother goes to the

E.R. I realize that, for the first time since I was six, I am not afraid.
 Peer Editing Newspaper Checklist

Editors Name: Angela Author of article: Anni

Directions: Read your partners paper from beginning to end. Then go back through the paper
and place a check in the blank next to each item listed below if you find that it needs no improvement. If
the item on this list is not present or needs work, place an X in the blank and offer constructive comments
to help your partner correct this item. Avoid negative criticism. Show respect for your partners ideas.

Body
Each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence? Yes/ No
Comments: Its fiction, they dont always

The paragraphs give detailed information to support the thesis statement? Yes/ No

Comments:

The paragraphs include relevant quotes to support ideas? Yes/ No

Comments: N/A

Conclusion
The paragraph adequately restates the ideas from the thesis statement? Yes/ No
Comments:

The paragraph wraps up/summarizes main points from the body of paper? Yes/ No
Comments:

Research
All sources are appropriately documented and cited. Parenthetical documentation,
works cited page, and quoted material in correct MLA or APA format?Yes/ No
Comments:

Style, Grammar, Format, and Conventions

Yes/ No The paper is free of run-ons, comma splices, and sentence fragments.
Yes/ No The paper is free of comma splices.
 Yes/ No The paper is free of sentence fragments.

Yes/ No The format of the paper follows the formatting guidelines (double-spacing, header, title,
font size, etc.)

Yes/ No The paper contains no spelling errors.

Yes/ No The paper contains no capitalization errors
Yes/ No The paper contains no punctuation errors.

Other suggestions for improvement

Peer Editing Newspaper Checklist
Editors Name: Kennedy Author of article: Annika
Directions: Read your partners paper from beginning to end. Then go back through the paper
and place a check in the blank next to each item listed below if you find that it needs no improvement. If
the item on this list is not present or needs work, place an X in the blank and offer constructive comments
to help your partner correct this item. Avoid negative criticism. Show respect for your partners ideas.
Body
Each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence? Yes/ No
Comments:
The paragraphs give detailed information to support the thesis statement? Yes/ No

Comments:
The paragraphs include relevant quotes to support ideas? Yes/ No
Comments:
Conclusion
The paragraph adequately restates the ideas from the thesis statement? Yes/ No
Comments:
The paragraph wraps up/summarizes main points from the body of paper? Yes/ No
Comments:
Research
All sources are appropriately documented and cited. Parenthetical documentation,
works cited page, and quoted material in correct MLA or APA format? Yes/ No
Comments:not needed
Style, Grammar, Format, and Conventions
Yes/ No The paper is free of run-ons, comma splices, and sentence fragments.
Yes/ No The paper is free of comma splices.
Yes/ No The paper is free of sentence fragments.
Yes/ No The format of the paper follows the formatting guidelines (double-spacing, header, title,
font size, etc.)
Yes/ No The paper contains no spelling errors.
Yes/ No The paper contains no capitalization errors
Yes/ No The paper contains no punctuation errors.
Other suggestions for improvement: