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Month: April 2024

Journal Entry 20

Journal Entry 20

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I have such a headache. Probably stress. The preparation for
the naming ceremony is going well. Casey is getting so excited and the
baby seems to be thriving. Casey is also doing well. Plans for the
festival also continues. We have had several responses from several of
the local gangs who wish to participate. The same gangs come year
after year. I can’t wait; we need some diversion, some fun. My brain is
tired. What else can I tell you? Oh, I know, Jonas is climbing the
walls. We still have not heard from Matt since he defected over to the
Central Bobcats. I hope he is safe and not taking any unnecessary
chances.

Journal Entry 21

Journal Entry 21

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A message was sent to me from Matt sent a message to me. He is inside the Central campus, and it sounds as if he is doing fine. His letter read,

Madie,

Just checking in to see how everyone’s holding up, especially Jonas. Please let him know I feel bad about his eye—I lost my balance during that last scuffle. And my chin should be back to normal in a day or two.

I’ve managed to explore most of Central campus, but some areas are seriously guarded. On the bright side, tell Tony I’ve spotted the Runt; saw him earlier today. It’s rough, though—he’s enslaved. Haven’t had a chance to chat with him yet. They keep those guys under lock and key, only letting them out for work.

Pretty sure the other lost boys are around too. Wrestling’s a huge deal here; people are constantly throwing down challenges. I’ve been flying under the radar so far ’cause I’m not gunning for rank. The higher-ups get all the perks—better food, more privileges. Not my scene.

Hopefully, I’ll be back home soon.

Catch you later, Matt

So that was his letter.

Madie

Sneaking into Central

Sneaking into Central

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Sheriff Pete and Tony crept through the shadows of the Central Campus, their steps muffled by the thick layer of dust that coated the ground. They exchanged wary glances as they approached the designated note drop, a dimly lit alley behind one of the crumbling buildings.

Tony reached out a hand, snagging a crumpled piece of paper from beneath a loose brick. “Another note from Matt,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sheriff Pete unfolded the note, his eyes scanning the hastily scrawled words. “Seems like our boy’s been busy,” he remarked, a frown creasing his brow.

“Not everyone is happy with the way the Hulk runs the Central Campus,” Tony read aloud, his voice tinged with apprehension. “This is a good thing.”

Sheriff Pete nodded in agreement. “Sounds like Matt’s stirring up some trouble.”

The note continued, detailing Matt’s encounter with a breakfast-stealing bully that very morning. Tony’s eyes widened as he read about the knock-down fight that ensued, his admiration for Matt growing with each word.

“Looks like our boy knows how to hold his own,” Tony said, a proud smile playing at his lips.

Sheriff Pete grunted in approval. “That he does.”

But it wasn’t just Matt’s fighting skills that were making waves. He had made some unexpected allies, including a girl named Hemy who shared a similar disdain for the Hulk and his cronies.

“Hemy says there are people at Central who do not like the Hulk or his goons,” Tony relayed, his voice tinged with excitement. “Seems like Matt’s finding himself a little rebellion.”

Sheriff Pete nodded thoughtfully. “The Hulk and his inner circle may have most of the people here afraid, but there’s strength in numbers.”

The note painted a grim picture of life at Central, where fear and survival were the driving forces keeping its inhabitants in line. But amidst the oppression, there were those who found solace in the wrestling tournaments and the camaraderie they provided.

“Central reminds me of the stories I heard when I was young about the gladiators,” Tony mused, his mind drifting to tales of ancient battles and valiant warriors. “The guards force people to fight as the Hulk and his goons watch.”

Sheriff Pete’s jaw clenched at the thought of innocent lives being manipulated for the entertainment of others. “We need to put an end to this,” he declared, his resolve firm.

Tony nodded in agreement. “And we will. But first, we finish the takeover plan.”

As they folded the note and tucked it safely into their pockets, they made a silent vow to bring an end to the tyranny of the Hulk and his inner circle, no matter the cost.

Journal Entry 22

Journal Entry 22

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I am having trouble sleeping. I seem to constantly worry about everything.
Last night was horrible; I couldn’t shut my mind off from thinking
about the day. I don’t like that Matt is inside the Central campus. I
don’t want him taking any unnecessary chances.

I am sure he will only do what is necessary, but I still worry about him. Tony is feeling a little happier. He is anxious about the Runt. It was difficult to convince him that he can’t just run over to the Central campus and get the Runt back. We
have a workable plan to get all the missing boys back. I think he
understands that if he ran over there and tried to take Runt back right
now the other missing boys could be in trouble. One-step at a time and we will get our friends back. Sheriff Pete is currently training his deputies. I think he is enjoying his new role as Sheriff. He walks differently, taller, I think.

Madie

Journal Entry 23

Journal Entry 23

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Sheriff Pete and Tony retrieved another note from Matt.
Not everyone is happy with the way the Hulk runs the Central
Campus. This is a good thing. Matt got in an argument this morning
with someone trying to take his breakfast. The bully was trying to
prove to his pals that he was big and tough. Matt won the argument
after a knock down fight.
Matt made some friends. One in particular, a girl named Hemy.
She said that there are people at Central that do not like the Hulk or his
goons. The Hulk and his inner circle have most of the people who live
at Central afraid. Food and a place to sleep seem to be the strongest
reasons why people stay. Others stay because they enjoy the wrestling
tournaments and that way of life. Central reminds me of the stories I
heard when I was young about the gladiators. The guards force people
to fight as the Hulk and his goons watch. Matt said there are 10 goons
in the Hulks inter circle.

Journal Entry 24

Journal Entry 24

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Met with the gang leaders and shared the notes from Matt. The
atmosphere in this meeting was calmer than the previous one. The
gang leaders shared their thoughts on how to proceed toward getting
rid of the Hulk and his goons. Everyone agreed that the Hulk was a
nuisance. The longer he stayed in town the stronger he was going to
get. We have all decided to band together in a show of force. A lot of
violence is expected. I gave the gang leaders the opportunity to back
out of the conflict if they found the risk was to great. No one withdrew his
or her gang. I will send a courier to inform Matt on how we plan to
proceed.

Journal Entry 25

Journal Entry 25

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Matt has sent word that he has received our plans. He had a
few suggestions that might make the take-over a little easier. The Hulk
has scheduled a wrestling match for tomorrow morning. The Hulk and
most of his goons will be present in the gym for the event. Having
everyone at the Central campus in the same location of the school will
make our attack easier. I am holding a final strategy meeting this
evening with the allied gang leaders.
Matt has made allies inside the Central campus among several
of the current residence that do not like the Hulk’s style of leadership.
This is good news. Allies inside will make the battle a little easier. I
am keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and that
any injuries acquired will be minor.

Journal Entry 26

Journal Entry 26

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It’s early and I have butterflies in my stomach. I want today to
go well. All the gangs have designated places to be around the Central
campus. Our attack will occur soon after the start of the wrestling
tournament. The gang leaders have agreed that we will only use the
force necessary to get the Hulk and his goons to leave Central. I am
keeping my fingers crossed that the violence doesn’t escalate into
something ugly. I don’t want to see anyone seriously injured,
especially those that are on our side.

Journal Entry 27

Journal Entry 27

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Everyone that was going to participate in the take over at
the Central campus gathered in the admin hallway. No one said
anything at first. We just stood there looking at each other. Casey
asked me to deliver a note to a friend she once new at the Central
campus. I said I would do my best to deliver the note. With everyone
gathered, I gave everyone one more chance to back out.
The walk to Central was a quiet one, a few people chatted back
and forth trying to keep the mood a little less serious. I was so nervous
and afraid but I tried to look confident. I didn’t want the others to
know that I was scared.
I don’t know if the Hulk was expecting guest but he didn’t look
surprised when we entered the gym. He had a sort of welcome to the
festivities grin on his face. It was a little unnerving. There was a sharp
pain in the pit of my stomach as I announce to the Hulk that we were
demanding that he leave Central and the local area with his goons. The
room went silent. I felt as if I was beet red in the face. The Hulk stood
up from his chair. He said something sarcastic like “I’m sorry, have we met?”
Trying to sound confident, I told him who I was.
He said, “Look little lady I’m going to pretend that you and
your friends here haven’t disturbed my festivities. Just turn around and
walk away and I won’t have my goons beat you to a pulp.”
I took a deep breath and said, “We’re not leaving but you and
your goons can leave quietly or with a fight.”
The Hulk and his goons began to laugh. “You are no challenge
for us; you don’t have a chance…Prepare to Die!”
I puffed up my chest in a display of courage. “I didn’t come
alone; I brought a bunch of friends with me.” The gym filled with gang
members from around the community.