Swamp Sorrow

2nd Place, 8th Grade

by Inderjeet Sanchez, East Laurens Middle School

Whoooosh! The cool October air whispered in my ear, as I walked home from school. With each step I took I could feel two more being taken behind me. A few minutes ago I realized I was being followed, and if I stopped I knew what would happen. I’m known as the “weird” girl, I can see someone who everyone swears they can’t see. They say I’m crazy and so they bully me. I usually get tormented behind school doors, but they have never tried coming after me outside of it. My fingers grazed the tarnished fence as I tried distracting myself from what was to come. Thung, Thung, Thung, the poles from the fence echoed through while my nails scraped its rusting cast. 

“Look! What a surprise to see a witch when it’s not even Halloween!” Kyle hollered in a mocking tone. 

All of his little minions laughed as they made their way around me. I tried backing away but I was met with a hard front. I knew what they were going to do so I tried thinking quickly. I was guile, but not during dangerous situations. I was one of the smallest in my class, I could fit almost everywhere. I saw an opening between one of the boy’s legs and thought about how to make a sly escape. All of them held a devilish smirk as Kyle walked in front of me and caressed my cheek with his pocket knife. It was now or never. I made a hasty jolt to his mid region and used the time to slide under the kid’s legs. 

“Get her!” Kyle cried in agony as he crouched down and squished one of his minions’ hands for comfort. 

The wind howled past me, the tired pants of the boys behind me slowed down as I made my way to the swamp. By time I got there no traces of them were found. I laughed to myself once I figured what was waiting for me on Monday, at least I had two days to prepare myself. It’s Friday for my sake! Friday the thirteenth to be exact. 

“I knew you were going to come.” Calypso said as she emerged from the bushes. A small smirk vanished from her face as I met her cold orbs. A chill went down my spine, but I brushed it off and smiled at her. She didn’t return the smile, but stared at my arm. Her eyes were fixed on the blood that dripped down my wrist. I guess Kyle did manage to do something. I looked up to see that Calypso was smiling as she cocked her neck for me to follow. 

“Clean your wound up, we don’t want you bleeding just yet.” she said as continued to walk further into the trees. I wrapped my sweater around my arm to stop the bleeding at least for now. I didn’t have to talk, she could somehow always know what I’m thinking. I admit it was weird at first but I eventually got used to it. I’ve known her ever since my grandpa passed away, which was when I was five.The peculiar thing however was that she knew most things in my life without me needing to tell her. She may be the reason I get bullied, but she has always been there for me when no one else has. I do find it weird that she doesn’t like it whenever I wear my grandpa’s cross necklace. Out of all of my necklaces she hates this one with a burning passion. I never asked why, but I still wear it, I just don’t show her. I’m prohibited from coming to the swamp alone because of the incident with my grandpa. He drowned in the Okefenokee swamp. He made the headlines of almost all the newspapers. It was an unexplained case, there was a sign of struggle when they found him. Nobody could explain it, he was always known for being responsible and careful, so his drowning raised suspicions in the area. After months of heavy investigation they did find footprints of a little girl on his kayak. There were multiple theories, but no actual ending statement. The officers were tired and ended up calling the case “unsolved”. 

I felt someone staring and looked up to face Calypso. She had long black hair, her eyes seemed to be as big as planets, her vampire-like skin was not only pale, but smooth. There was no flaw in her other than a huge scar by her collarbone. She wore only white clothes and when I asked her about it she scoffed. I have a weird feeling about her eyes, other than being huge, if death had eyes it would be hers.

“You haven’t said anything, I guess you’re saving your voice for later?” she said as she continued to lead me. 

Later? She says weird things, but this time I got goosebumps all over me. That’s when she stopped in her tracks just to smile at me. I don’t understand why, but I felt something off. There was something telling me to leave, but I ignored it. Calypso would never try to hurt me, right? It was turning dark time and I was hoping to speak to Calypso, heart to heart. 

I always felt at home with her. I know we won’t always be together, and that always brought me to worry. What would I do without her? I never imagined a life that doesn’t include her. It’s been hard growing up as an outcast. The moon shines brightly above us. Crickets were hard all over the place. It is the swamp after all. My shoes were battered in mud, however I looked at Calypso’s and not a stain was on her. We had made it to the dock. The cold air pierced through my skin as I shivered with every gust of wind. She however seemed unfazed with the climate. We both sat down and admired the view. The reflection off the moon glistened on the marshy water. I looked over to Calypso only to see her already looking at me. She smiled, but this time it seemed sinful. I gulped and looked away. I could feel her eyes burning upon my image, I tried not thinking about it. From the corner of my eye, I could see that the nefarious sneer turned to a lunatic grin. 

“When we’re old and have to leave the Earth, I will always remember all I’ve learned from you, Dianee”, Calypso spoke with a grievous resonance, “The sad thing is that I may miss you.” 

I said nothing, but felt everything. I couldn’t move, my mouth felt dry, and my body felt limp. 

“Your grandpa,” she paused, “was a very naive man, but he was nice. I felt bad for doing what I had to do. I hope you forgive me.” 

I had never told her about him, she never mentioned him until now that we were here. The infamous Georgia swamp was usually humid no matter what, but for some strange reason it felt extremely frigid. I couldn’t say anything. It seemed as if I had swallowed all my words. That’s when I felt a cold, osseous hand on my shoulder. She stood above me and began humming a lullaby. Nothing felt right, I felt deserialization. My vision began to blur. An evil cackle formed out of her chantey. Was I alone again? I did what she hated. I took out my phone and snapped a picture of her. She quieted down as I viewed the image. Tears rolled down my eyes, there was nothing but darkness and a few light orbs. I began to shake uncontrollably, as fear overpowered my body. She gripped on my shoulders tighter. I didn’t know what to do. She embraced me, how could I feel her? 

“I’m not sorry”, that’s the last thing she said before she yanked off my necklace. I forgot I had it on. Plop! There goes the last thing I had of him. 

“Who are you?” I managed to stammer. 

She looked at me, her eyes went white. No answer. I tried getting up, but forces of whatever was down there held me down. She crouched down to my level, she turned her neck to examine me. That’s when she pushed me. I managed to scratch her collarbone, just like he did. I saw that the scar reopened. It was like seeing hell for the first time, again. The swamp consumed me. Was this how it ended? I managed to see her for the last time. A heinous expression plastered on her face. My whole body stung as I felt hands drag me from below. Was this all an illusion?