Fiction: Group 3
The Pearl River Delta
Elsa High School, Effron, Louis - 13, Fiction: Group 3
stared out the window. Looking out at the vast variety of sailboats on the dock, wishing I would one
day get the chance to sail out on one myself. Simply the idea of getting out of Maine and exploring the
world was a mere dream, and in that dream I had one partner, Lorraine Garnet Ryer. God was she
beautiful; she would appear too most as pure as the clear, ocean water under the freshly polished docks
down by the bay. I had always loved her, the girl next-door, knowing she would never love me as more
than a friend. Lorraine had always had a craving for adventure, knowing it would only lead to danger and
sacrifice. We shared a tale, her and I, a tale of great meaning, a tale with no ending. It sounds impossible, but
I can assure you it’s not.
It all started on January 15
th
2010. It was musky, with a few light beams gleaming through the thick clouds,
empowering the sky and causing a tint of grey to cast over Stantonville. Lorraine came over that morning at
precisely a quarter to six, while I was waiting until my shift at the grocery store would start.
“Oliver Sahlman, might I say good morning to you and to all other 17 year old people who feel the need to
force themselves up on a Sunday morning for meagre college credit.” There was an awkward pause. I slowly
looked up at her after being disturbed from my reading. I said, “Wow, nice to know you’re supportive
when it comes to others tackling new experiences. You should consider ‘doing’ sometime, rather than
criticizing others who do.” I paused. “Regardless, I would like to ask you to accompany me to work.”
Lorraine looked at me, raising one eyebrow. “Sure. Why not.” I deadpanned her for what seemed like little
to no time before we both ended up bursting out with laughter.
We arrived at the only grocery store in Stantonville, which was conveniently down south 2 kilometres from
my house. We walked into the store, mockingly pushing each other while mumbling nicknames. “Olive
oil.” She blurted. I answered saying. “Ponytail.” I started walking backwards while talking to Lorraine when
I abruptly bumped into my manager. “Good morning boss.” I uttered, only to have him reply with,
“Morning kid. Do me a favour and pick up some supplies down by the docks at around 7 tonight? It’ll go
on your college application.” He winked and completed the gesture with a slight nudge to the shoulder. I
nodded then turned around towards Lorraine, looking for justification as to whether or not she would
come, only to find her fiddling with a packet of 2-ply toilet paper. I waited, just staring at her, and when
she finally noticed, she quickly answered, “Sounds great!”
That night, which ended up being a particularly cold, depressing night, we arrived at the bay at exactly a
quarter past seven. The area was quiet and dark, like an abandoned ally in Lorraine and my favourite movie:
Batman. We walked down an alley with chains forged into the brick walls on both sides of us and stains of
what my over active imagination assumed to be blood covering several segments of the floor. Lorraine
sprinted to one of the damaged doors and gently opened it. I whispered, “Lorraine, get back here. We don’t
know if there are any people around.” “Oh come on, this is the only fascinating place in all of Stantonville
and you’re telling me you’re not even slightly intrigued?” She continued, disregarding what I had said
completely. The door creaked slightly and some chips of woods fell as Lorraine pushed the door open. I
jumped ahead and walked in first with Lorraine behind me. It was empty. Not a single window or piece of
furniture in the room. We stepped into the center, cautiously, and the second we did so, the door slammed
shut. After that an even odder moment followed… Or at least I thought it had. In the corner of the room
there was a silhouette of what seemed to be a man, moving cautiously but gracefully all at once. I watched it
for a split second before it vanished into the empowering darkness of the room. I turned towards Lorraine
and by the expression of fear on her face I had guessed she saw the man as well. I stuttered, “Lorraine, don’t
panic.” Suddenly the ground started shaking. Fragments of paint from the ceiling started to fall. The next
thing I knew, I had tripped.
My eyes opened, adjusting to the light around me. My first thought was of Lorraine. “Lorraine!” I yelped.
She replied, “Over here, Ollie.” from the other end of the room. I sighed with great relief. “Look Ollie.”
She pointed to a window that hadn’t been there when we first entered the room. The most peculiar part
I
