Teen division winner: "Halloween Story"

I wake up in the dead of night. There is sweat beaded along my forehead, my heart feels as if it will burst from my chest. My breathing is quick and heavy. I think about my dream, or as I should put it, my nightmare. I remember his cries for help, his face twisted in pain and terror. I realize I have to go to him, to go where I never wanted to ever go again. To his prison.

The prison is dark and cold. Even from the outside I could hear his twisted cries and screams of agony. As I walk down the halls, his screams filling the vacant void, filling me with pain too. I finally reach the center where he is held. Where he was cast.


 His room is a big, stone square, with only a single window for light. I can't take any more of this. I run to his side. His bonds are chained to the floor. I can tell my father has been here, for the poison is freshly coursing through the chains. Also the cuts and bruises are new and swollen. I speak the chant to release his bonds. I hear them clatter on the hard, cold stone floor.

He turns and looks at me, he smiles. His eyes suddenly roll back and he collapses. I quickly place his head in my lap. My tears run and drop onto his face. He wipes tears off my face and looks into the starry sky. I hear him take his final breath, and he is gone.

"I'm sorry!" I cry, "So sorry! Can you ever forgive me?"

Then at that moment his spirit came down, and wiped away all of my tears. He lifts my chin and looks into my eyes and smiles.

"I do forgive you, you gave me freedom."

Then he gives me his good-bye, a kiss, and with that he rises into the Heavens. All the guilt, anger and sadness fade away, he is finally at rest, and I am at peace.