My Own Story

● Part 10 ●

Hester: What happened?!

Evelynn: It … it HURTS

Evelynn closes her eyes and next to them the stage catches fire.

Justin: Oh my GOD!

Hester comes from backstage and tosses a bucket of water over it

Hester: Where did that fire come from??

Justin: I have no idea … 

The teacher walks on stage

Teacher: I’m back from my break! Did something happen? You all look so shocked.

Justin: Yeah, the stage-

Evelynn: It’s perfectly fine! I think we should take a break though. The bright lights are hurting my eyes … 

Teacher: Of course! Shall we continue in 10 minutes?

Evelynn: Yes, thank you.

They are on a hallway now

Justin: Why did you lie to her?

Laurel: The stage was literally on fire. You can’t just keep that a secret.

Evelynn: She’s a teacher. If she knew something like that happened, she’d cancel the play in less than a minute.

Justin: But what if it happens again? It’s dangerous

Hester: I don’t think it will … 

Laurel: Well, how do you know?

Hester: I just don’t feel like it will

Evelynn: I think Hester’s right. We should continue now, Laurel still can’t say a single line correctly.

Laurel: I’m a slow learner.

Everyone: We know

Alexa looks annoyed

They are backstage

Teacher: You have ten minutes, Evelynn. Then you have to be on the stage. This is the last scene we’re rehearsing before the play, isn’t it exciting??

Evelynn: Yes, really exciting

The teacher goes off screen and Evelynn goes in a corner

Evelynn: That fire … did I write it wrong?? I was supposed to write that the fire appeared in the play - not on the stage. I really messed up … What if it happens again during the play? I need to find Clarissa and Alvard.

Alexa enters the screen

Alexa: Come on, you have to get on the stage. Don’t be a Laurel!

Evelynn gets up and goes up on the stage. We’re left with Alexa looking suspicious.

Evelynn: You did this? Hester, how could you?

Justin: I thought we were friends …

Hester: You don’t understand! Those … creatures are the only people that understand me …

Evelynn: We are your friends, Hester. They just use you to get what they want.

Hester: Why is it so unbelievable that people could actually like me?!

Justin: It’s not, Hester. Just give us the crystal and everything will be fine

Hester: Who is using me now?

Evelynn is running up to Clarissa and Alvard in a hallway. They are waiting for her

Clarissa: Hiii, how’s our little school kid doing?

Evelynn: I don’t have time for joking around. I need your help. Now.

Evelynn turns around and looks if anyone is around.

Evelynn: I messed the book up. During practice the stage caught on fire.

Clarissa: Is everything alright? Did you get hurt?

Evelynn: Yes, I’m fine. I’m just afraid I made the mistake twice. What if the same thing happens during the play?

Alvard: We’ll sit in the first row with a bucket of water.

Clarissa: Yeah, if the stage catches on fire, we’ll be the strange dudes to take it out.

Evelynn: But I can’t just leave it like that, can I? What if it goes wrong?

Alvard: Then nobody will have the slightest hint it was you. Don’t worry about it, Eve.

Evelynn: But what if-

Clarissa: Go and do your thing! Now hurry, you’re going to miss the first scene!

Evelynn and Hester are backstage

Evelynn: Oh my goodness, this is really happening

Hester: Yes it is ….

Evelynn: How do you emotionally prepare yourself for something like this?

Hester: I don’t. Theater is just nerve racking at times.

The scene starts with Evelynn, Justin and Hester on the screen

Evelynn: What is going on out there?!

Justin: Is it a storm?

Hester: It seems dangerous

Evelynn: Should we leave the house?

Justin: Haven’t you heard the news? Everyone out there is dying … it’s like an apocalypse.

Evelynn: There has to be a way to stop it

Hester: There always is … But shouldn’t we leave it to the authorities? They know how to deal with this.

Justin: Are you sure they do? There have been many deaths and … I don’t think they can stop this.

Evelynn: I might be dying, but the world goes on

Justin: No, please don’t leave me … I don’t want the world to go on without you

Evelynn: It was naive to believe we could make it out of this without sacrifices. You have to move on

Justin: I won’t let you go. I’ll find a way, I promise.

Evelynn: Justin?

Justin: Yes?

Evelynn: Promise me to find love again … 

People applaud. The screen fades to black again and the play is over.

Evelynn is backstage, when Clarissa and Alvard come in.

Clarissa: You were amazing!

Alvard: That was the best play I have seen so far

Evelynn: Thanks, but that was the only play you’ve seen.

Alvard: I’m planning on seeing more of them …

Evelynn: Of course you do

Clarissa: So where’s the book?

Evelynn: It’s hidden in the corner. Wait let me get it

Evelynn goes there and looks for her books but can’t find it. After a while she gets up

Evelynn: The book is gone … Someone stole my story.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●