Katie OSullivan - Descent

Wicked Whale Publishing

Bourne MA 02532

www.WickedWhalePublishing.com

Published in the United States of America

W hat started as an ordinary Thursday quickly spiraled out of Sheas controland it wasnt even third period .

Tingling sensations coursed through his legs, zinging from his toes to his stomach. It was as if some switch in his body flipped into high gear at the same moment the schools emergency system started its loud electronic beeping. Each beep over the monitors sent another vibration racing through his bloodstream .

Could it be just the stupid tornado drill putting him on edge ?

He sat with his back against the cinderblock wall, at the very top of the gym bleachers, desperately hoping no one would notice the sweat dripping from his forehead. He closed his eyes, as if that would make him invisible .

Logically, he knew tornadoes and tornado drills were brutal facts of life in central Oklahoma. Plainville Highs cavernous gym had more than enough room to hold the entire student body. It wasnt claustrophobia or nerves that had him on edge. It was something else. Something more. Almost as if there was a charge in the air and Sheas body was the magnet attracting it .

Finally, the all-clear bell rang. He heaved a sigh of relief as the tingling slowly subsided .

Okay, people. Mr. Kelley raised his voice to get the attention of the students milling next to the bleachers. The drills over. Line up and head to class .

Shea stood, testing his legs to make sure they would make it down the stairs without an embarrassing fall. When he reached the gym floor, John Hansen spotted him and made his way to Sheas side. Taller than most of the other freshmen, John was built like a brick wall. The other students and teachers cleared out of his way. There you are, MacNamara! Where were you hiding ?

Shea shrugged. He didnt want to admit anything was wrong. Especially when he didnt understand why his body freaked out during the drill .

A wide grin lit Johns face. I was so saved by the bell this morning. No way was I ready for my history presentation. Western Civ has got to be my least favorite class ever .

Just shy of six feet, Shea was considered big for a freshman, but even he felt dwarfed next to John. The pair had been friends forever, and Shea knew even though John towered over their classmates, he was all heart. Yeah, Mr. Kelley can be harsh, he agreed. I never get all those dates right .

What are you talking about? John laughed, a low rumble that caused the girls in front of them to turn and giggle. You ace every quiz .

He scowled. No I dont .

John kept laughing and shook his head. Whatever. Sodid you ask yet about Saturday? Mom said you could spend the night Friday so we can get an early start .

He didnt answer, distracted by another little zing crackling along his spine. Hed never experienced anything like it before, but it almost felt like his body remembered the strange sensations .

Hello, Shea ?

It took a minute before Johns question registered. What? Oh, yeah, the Redhawks game. I forgot to ask .

Oh come on. Its gonna be your birthday .

It depends on whether we get the rest of the fields planted before then. Otherwise, Ill have to stay and help .

Your dad never lets you do anything fun .

With the overhead lights still off, the slatted blinds painted bold stripes of light along the desks closest to the windows, leaving the rest of the room in shadow. Darkness made no difference to Shea. His eyes always adjusted to whatever light was available, which came in handy when it came to early morning chores like feeding chickens or milking the cow .

John dropped his backpack next to his desk. If I didnt know better, MacNamara, Id think your dad was trying to keep you locked away from the world .

Dont be an idiot. Sheas mouth quirked into a half grin. Why would he do that ?

John shrugged. Beats me. Hey, what if there was a tornado, and it sucked away that John Deere of yours ?

Yeah, right. Id never be so lucky. Shea gestured toward the partially opened window next to his desk. Brilliant blue skies peeked through the blinds. Not a storm cloud to be seen. Besides, that would mean Id miss the game for sure, since wed have to buy a new tractor .

The last few students entered the room and flipped on the lights. Two girls leaned against the front row desk of Bobby Joe Peters. Jeannie Sanderson and Maria Garcia, Shea noted. Of course the prettiest girls flirt with the richest boy in school. Shea scowled as Jeannie tossed her long red ponytail and smiled at some silly thing B.J. said .

Jeannie glanced up, catching Sheas stare. She leaned over to whisper in Marias ear. The pair both glanced his way and smiled. Shea felt his cheeks start to burn as John elbowed him in the ribs. Dude, were not in middle school anymore. Theyre cheerleaders now. Way out of our league .

Speak for yourself, dude. Shea smiled at the girls .

Oh, yeah. John snorted. At least I play a sport. Youre not even on their radar .

So what? B.J. doesnt play a sport either .

Hes rich. Youre not. And besides, its not like your dad would let you out on a date when he wont even let you come to Oklahoma City with me for a baseball game .

Up in the front, B.J. noticed Jeannies attention had wandered. He spotted Shea and his eyes narrowed. Suddenly, B.J. pointed his nose toward the ceiling and sniffed loudly. Do you smell something ?

The girls giggled as B.J. flared his nostrils and swiveled his head toward the back of the room. Oh right, the