Short Horror Stories

In Stitches

I sat in the back of the classroom, fiddling with my pen impatiently, waiting for the bell to ring and send us to the cafeteria where I would be able to prove myself to my class finally. My stomach kept on reminding me how empty it was which sent my friend into fits of laughter until she was finally moved to the other side of the classroom. Now I was alone with my pen and a blank piece of paper. The teacher was going on about earth, a typical, boring Geography class. I closed my eyes for a moment to shut out the drawl of my teacher and an abyss greeted me.

The bell sounded and I jumped out of my chair not having realised I had fallen asleep. I gathered my belongings and stuffed them into my already overcrowded bag and made my way along a winding route through the various desks and plastic chairs. I could not wait for lunch. I knew I was about to get my chance to shine in the eyes of my class. I waved at my friend across the white painted hall as he emerged from his History lesson.

"Arthur! See you in the cafeteria in a few minutes?" I yelled jumping so he could see me over the stampede of students heading towards the cafeteria.

"Yeah Kate see you there in five," he yelled back as he walked into a tidal wave of students from first to sixth year.

Ùna came up beside me at that moment and tapped me on the shoulder.

"Kate are you ready? Have you been practicing? You are going to wallop him I swear," Ùna yelled happily not realising she was yelling.

"I have a bad feeling it's all going to go pear shaped," I muttered in reply as we were buffeted by the crowd.

My feet dragged me towards the cafeteria as Ùna shared all the gossip with me. Nobody really knew how she found it all out. It was as mysterious as when the cleaner had gone missing then been found dead in the lift with a stake driven through her stitched throat and no evidence whatsoever, not even on the footage recorded by the cameras.

Upon reaching the cafeteria, a huge cheer arose from a crowd gathered around two long tables. I groaned inwardly feeling my legs turn to jelly as my entire class and three quarters of my year filed out to the back of the yard. I grinned at Arthur as he ran over and joined us.

"Hi Ùna and Kate. You ready Kate? I tell you you're going to massacre Eoin," Arthur said patting my head and looking down at me with his bright blue eyes.

Arthur was not the tallest but he was taller then me slightly because of the way his black hair stuck up. He was sort of popular in my year though far away from being the most. He was in a different class to Ùna and I but always hung around with us anyway as he had next to no friends in his class. I gave him a look when he patted my head that was rather threatening.

I noticed Ùna arranging her blonde hair behind me.

"Ùna? Do you fancy Arthur here now?" I whispered loud enough for Arthur to hear and Ùna turned a shade that a tomato would have been envious of. Arthur snorted and had to lean against the table while clutching his shaking sides.

****

I looked at Eoin with his blonde hair that was styled in the way that was fashionable now. His blue eyes were mocking me already and his muscles seemed to be larger just to intimidate me. He was dressed in the turquoise jumper, white shirt, multicoloured tie and grey trousers of my schools uniform. I gulped, knowing full well I had brought this fate onto myself. My year had formed a huge circle around us at the back of the yard and I knew a teacher would come and investigate soon. That is why I cheated.

Eoin had his back turned to make a remark to one of his many popular friends and that was when I leaped at him.

He turned just in time for my fist to collide with his perfectly straight nose causing it to crunch and move to the side. My second fist ended up lodged in his mouth until he bit down on it and punched me in the temple which sent me flying backwards. Everyone was cheering and calling names. Blood was running down from Eoin's nose and he spat blood from his mouth. I felt a bruise growing on my temple and the world was spinning. I vaguely saw his fist knock all the wind out of my stomach before I heard a familiar voice bellowing. I groaned as I lay on the cold tarmac knowing I was in serious trouble.