Backstage Cues

Chapter Three

by (so far) Wayne Sung and Kelson Vibber

(Wayne)

The blood.

The blood was everywhere, crying out its messages to my eyes. The ancient scrawls merged, began to concentrate on the two blotches halfway up the wall.

I was in the wiring closet again. The space seemed smaller than before, compressed by a huge clamp against my frail body.

The streams of script flowed into the bleeding couple, molding the blood seepage into more defined forms.

More familiar forms.

And then I was running, out onto the stage. From behind me came a roar and it took me a moment before I realized its source. Blood crashed through the stage left curtains, a tidal wave of anguished screams.

I ran for the back exit next to the dressing rooms. Halfway there, I looked back and saw the wave -- now colored darkish purple under the weak fluorescent tubes -- crash and turn against the wall.

Bodies were surfacing from the crest of the wave. Amazingly pristine, but unusually stiff. Logs bobbing on the rushing river.

And as the wave rose to pound me into the unrelenting floor, all I could do was gape, exit forgotten.

The bodies. . .

Mine. . .

And Talia's. . .

*    *    *    *

CRASH!!!

I started up with a yell, cold sweat drenching my clothes.

Laughter.

"Mr. Summers. Can you tell me more about the Spanish Inquisition?"

I straightened my glasses and looked up. No blood. I patted myself. No blood. No bruises.

Just stranded in European History with no answers.

One thing Mr. Krumsden hates more than chatters are dozers.

Guess which category I fell under?

One more period.

One more period to freedom and possible death.

(Kelson)

"Hey, Willmeister!"

"Huh?"

I turned to my right to see Alberto Chang prodding me. "The Spanish Inquisition?"

"Oh, yeah." I turned to Mr. Krumsden and tried to worm my way out of detention. "I'm sorry, sir, it's just that no one expects the Spanish Inquisition."

"Very funny, Mr. Summers. If you have nothing further to add?"

I shrugged.

"Thirty minutes detention tomorrow afternoon."

Assuming I lived that long.

To be continued...

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