Beyond The Gate What happened beyond the gate By Shyanne Vasquez Prologue My name is Jessy Murry and until a few weeks ago, my #life was as normal as it could possibly be. I lived in a boring little town where old men sat around their living rooms talking about politics and the weather and no one did anything. All of this changed in one single day and the thing is, I don't know If there was anything I could have done to stop it. It all started with my best friend, Elisa Mervin and a boy called Frank Harks. Elisa was my best friend and she was like a sister to me. I didn't know Frank very well. He was quiet. He didn't talk to anyone at all. A couple of days ago, I was in the Mervin house. I found a dusty book stuffed in a drawer and I knew I had to tell the world what happened to her... I had to tell you what happened to all of us. Chapter One Dear Diary, June 8, 1998, It's funny how one look can change your #life forever. It's funny because I've never had this happen to me before. It's strange and somehow wonderful to me. It happened today as my dad and I were walking through the park. It was one of the only times I ever got to see him. My dad was the mayor of our little town and he was always busy. Growing up, I never really got to talk to him much and today, I was finally able to speak to him. I'm not saying that's a good thing. "So I had to sign a whole stack of paperwork because this criminal broke in. The family belled him out of course. Said he was innocent." He spit on the sidewalk and stamped on it with his shoe. "The man's no good! I tried to tell them and they won't listen!" "That's horrible! Why won't they?" I asked. "Said the family never did anything wrong before. Well, there's a first time for everything!" My dad continued storming in rage the whole time we were at the park. "Elisa," he told me, "It's your job. Your going to grow up! It's your job to make sure justice is served. Yes?" "Yes." I said but I didn't really know what exactly he meant by that. "Look," my father pointed a finger at a man running with a boy. It looked like they were playing some ball game. "There he is!" my father muttered to me, "Running free! He broke in to the bank, stole two million dollars and everybody's blaming me for it. If they would just search his house they'd find the cash!" "Dad! Calm down!" I tried to calm him but he was too worked up. This is how he always is when he actually talks to me. I noticed the man fall on to the ground and reach for a bottle of water which he downed in a second. The boy ran to get the ball and came back. That's when it happened. That's when our eyes met. I can't explain in words what happened then. The moment dragged by. It felt like we were both frozen in time. His eyes were blue like the sky above my head and they were full of something I couldn't name. I felt like I was falling into a clear crystal pool of warmth and light. We just stood there for a moment, staring at each other. I was rooted to the spot and I couldn't move even If I tried. The ball dropped from his hands and fell on to the grass. That is what interrupted the moment. My dad wasn't paying attention luckily or else I think he would have had a heart attack or something. That whole day all I could think about were blue eyes. Mom said I looked like I was going insane. She said I should do something "Productive," instead of just sitting there, daydreaming. Today, I sat there in school just thinking about blue eyes. I don't know why. I hope I'm not going insane. Dear Diary June 9, 1998, There was a newspaper article today. I'm going to copy it down here because it mentions what my dad was talking about yesterday. Dad is pretty upset. Money Stolen from City Bank. Mayor to blame? On June 1, at precisely 10 Pm the local city bank a criminal broke in and stole some two million dollars from a high security vault. Police officer Phil Jansin says "We have no idea how the suspect broke into the bank since alarms didn't go off..." Sources from inside City Hall have told us that the mayor may have an idea as to who the suspect is but no evidence supports this since the suspect in question was at home at the time and several sources to confirmed this. People are saying the mayor may or may not be keeping information back. Meanwhile, citizens are scared that there is a criminal on the loose and everyone is pointing fingers. Dad was so upset he didn't go to work. I didn't really care as much because I found out who that boy is with the blue eyes. His name is Frank Harks, the son of that guy my Dad says is responsible for that burglary. The way I found out who Frank was was I looked in the paper. Apparently, Mr Harks owns this huge winery where he grows grapes and exports the wine to other countries. This makes me wonder. If what my father said was true, why would a rich man need to rob a bank. Dear Diary, June 10, 1998, Oooooh! I actually talked with Frank Harks today! Here's how it went down. I was in the lunch line and he was in front of me. He has black hair. He's really tall. I was just admiring this when he turned around. I felt like my insides were on fire and I thought I was going to fall over. I'm pretty sure my face went as red as the tomato stew we were getting. For a moment, we just looked at each other. I'm pretty sure he heard what my Dad had said a couple of days ago. I felt awkward but I was determined not to show it. He gave me a half smile and I smiled back. I tried to say that I didn't hate him just because my dad did. "Do you want to go ahead of me?" he asked. "No really," I tried to say but he interrupted me. "Hey it's okay," he put a hand on my arm and looked straight into my eyes. For a second, neither of us moved. I felt the same way I had that day at the park. It was like his eyes were two universes full of twinkling stars. I think we kind of spaced out or something because the girl behind us tapped on my shoulder. "Um can you guys move up?" "Uh! Ooooh! Oh yeah!" I said. If my face had gotten any redder it would have burst into flames. "I'm sorry," Frank said. I nodded. "Well, see you I guess," I said, feeling horrible: The whole line was at a stop. "You want to sit with me at lunch?" he asked. I couldn't speak so I just nodded like a fool. He winked and then moved along the line. I heard people complaining all day that day. After getting my food I went over to where he was sitting by himself. He looked up from his food and smiled at me so I just sat down. "So..." I didn't know exactly what to say so I just went for it. Fortunately, I was interrupted. "I noticed you don't sit with anyone," he said. "Yeah well everyone kind of treats me different." I explained. "You are different," he answered and I was starting to get angry but then he continued, "Your the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my #life." "No I'm not," I was sure he was making fun of me but his eyes were serious. "No really," he said, "I mean it! Your beautiful and smart and..." Then the bell rang, sending me flying back into reality. Chapter Two Dear Diary, JUNE 11, 1998, So much has happened in so little a time. Firstly, Dad went on a rampage today. He keeps on doing things like this. He blames everyone else but himself and he especially blames Mr Harks, Frank's dad for the burglary at the bank. He won't drop it. It's become his new obsession and it doesn't matter what I say. I just keep thinking about what Frank said yesterday. Does he really like me? I think so... I'M not sure though so I don't want to ask in case he doesn't like me and things get... awkward I haven't mentioned that I've actually talked to Frank yesterday and today. I think he would kill me or something. I talked with Frank again today. I was walking home from school and I saw him. I was carrying some books in my hands and I looked up and he was there and I dropped them. He bent down and picked them up for me. "Hey," he said, handing me my books. I smiled at him as I took my books back. "I've been meaning to talk to you anyways," he said. "Oh?" "I want to talk to you somewhere... In private..." he said. "Nothing's private in this town," I said. It is true. Our town is the kind of place where everybody knows everybody and no secrets are ever safe. "I know somewhere," he said. His voice dropped and he leaned closer toward me. He pushed his black hair back out of his sparkling eyes. I could barely move. "You can't tell anyone though. I've never shown anyone this before." "I won't," I promised. I mean to keep that promise too. I just don't know how I'm going to do that with my dad the way he is. "Meet me tonight at the old Willson house gate then," he said. He turned to walk away. "Wait!" I said and he turned to face me again. "What do you want to talk to me about?" I asked. "I can't say here," he motioned at the people who were starting to stare at us, "I'll see you later, okay?" "Okay," I said. I went home and I just about had a freak attack. What am I going to do! My Dad will freak If he catches me. I'm going to go though. I'm going to go meet Frank. Dear Diary, June 12, 1998, Yesterday night, I got ready for bed early. I told Dad I was sick. Of course, I wasn't really going to bed. I put on my best clothes and checked my reflection in the mirror. I was aware of my nose and my hair, which I had never been exactly proud of. About 10 O'clock, I opened my window and climbed the tree that grew beside my house to the driveway. I realized I'd forgotten to lock my door but that didn't matter to me much. All I cared about was getting to finally have a conversation with Frank without people staring over my shoulder. I hurried down the street to an old part of town. Not many people still lived there. The houses were rundown and the rooves were falling in. The Old Willson house is no exception. There was ivy growing on the walls and the glass was cracked. and dirty. The gate Frank told me about was rusted and dirty. Standing beside it was Frank. "Elisa," he said and walked slowly toward me. He was grinning widely at me. His blue eyes twinkled in the moonlight. He took my hand, "Come on," he said, "This way." He led me through the gate which creaked and squeaked as we passed through it. The gate led onto a path that led through a field. "Where are we..." I tried to ask but he interrupted me. "Shh," he said, "We have to be silent while going through this field. It's easy to see us and I want to talk to you." We walked for a little way in silence. I could hear the sound of crickets and insects in the grasses. "Do you see that?" Frank was pointing at the sky. There in the night sky I saw pinpricks of light shining down on us. "The stars," I said. "Haven't you ever wondered what was out there?" he asked me, "Haven't you wondered why we are locked down on this Earth when we could be anywhere else?" Strangely, I had wondered this before. "Yes," I said, "We are stuck on this small rock and there's nothing we can do about it. I always ask myself why though." "So do I. Sometimes I wish I could fly up there and touch the stars and get away from everything here," he said. His eyes were like those of someone much older than he was. I thought he had just brought me out here to show me the stars but we moved on down the path. We turned onto a dirt road and kept going until we came to another bend. Here, Frank stopped and motion for me to go to the right where a cluster of huge trees grew. I did and he followed. It was dark in the forest. A cool wind was blowing and I could tell there would be rain the next day. I tentatively took his hand as we walked side by side in the forest. He didn't let go. I took this as a good sign. We walked for a long time and then the trees opened up into a clearing. There was a small, shallow lake with a grey rock rising over it. The water gleamed silver and the#moonshown down on the world. "Wow..." I muttered. "This way," he said and he climbed up on to a ledge on the rock and sat down. I followed and we sat together for a while. I realized that he hadn't let go of my hand. "I've really wanted to talk to you, Elisa," he said, "I just wanted to say that I really like you. I have liked you for a long time. I just thought that I could tell you later but I don't know whether I will be able to stay here." "I-I like you too," I said. I couldn't figure out why he'd have to leave. "How come you have to leave though?" I asked him. "It's my Dad," he said, "They think it's his fault." "No," I said, "They blamed it on my Dad." "That's what they're saying." he said, "They put that in the newspapers because there's evidence that points to him but he told the police something and now they've been hanging around the winery. My mother is stressed and Dad doesn't know what to do. We didn't take the money but your Dad and everyone else thinks so." "Why?" I asked. "I don't know," he said, "It wasn't my Dad and I don't think it was your Dad that robbed the bank of all that money. I just don't know who could have done it and why they're blaming us." A chill wind blew and Frank put his arm around me. "Let's not worry right now, okay?" he said and then he kissed me. I still can't describe the feeling I got. It was like being swept off your feet by a river. It seemed to last for an eternity although it was probably one minute. I had my eyes closed and in my mind's eye I could see years full of moments just like this one. Perfect. His arms were around me and I couldn't feel the chill wind any more. It was just me and Frank. We sat there for a long time while the#moonslowly sank in the sky. Frank had one arm around me as we stared at the#moontogether. Sometimes we were silent and sometimes we talked. It was peacefully quiet. The only sounds were that of the night creatures as they moved about the forest. "Let's go," Frank said finally. I didn't really want to. I like the little lake and the grass and the trees. Mostly, I just wanted to be here with Frank. We climbed down onto the cool grass. Frank took my hand again and we went back through the shadowy trees, which didn't seem as cold forbidding now, to the road. We walked together down the road and turned back onto the path that led through what used to be the backyard of the Willson family. We came to the metal gate and passed through it. "I wish it didn't have to be like this. I wish I could talk to you and be with you like regular but, well, you know," said Frank. "I know. I wish the same. What should we do now though?" I asked. "Meet me here whenever you get the chance," he said, "I usually spend all my free time here." "I'll meet you here tomorrow night If I can," I said. "I'll be waiting," he said. "I'll see you," I said. I made to leave but he called me back. We kissed on the lips for about thirty seconds before he disappeared into the shadows. The wind blew harder and harder as I made my way home but I was practically skipping all the way. The only thing I could think about was his sparkling blue eyes as they stared down at mine in the moonlight or the way he had kissed me softly before saying good bye. When I finally entered my bedroom, a faint grayish light was filtering through my open window. My door stood open. That was when I knew I was in trouble. I went to my bed and laid down, pretending to be asleep. I knew that Dad wouldn't fall for it. Neither would Mom. They already knew. They saw my open window. Dad came in a few hours later. It was a Saturday, so there was no school. He looked more outraged then I'd ever seen him before. For a second, I thought he was going to hit me. "Where have you been," he screamed at me, "Your window was open! Where have you been!" "Uh," I said. He got in my face, there was spit flying from his mouth, "Where... Have... you... BEEN!" he shook my shoulders until I felt like a rag doll. "I was with my friend, Jessy," I said, saying the first name that popped in my head, "We-We were just hanging out!" "Liar!" Dad screamed and I shrank back. I felt pathetic but there was something in his eyes that I'd never seen before. It was like he'd gone insane. Chapter Three Dear Diary, June 16, 1998, Frank is the only person who I can talk to. He and I have been sneaking off to that lake in the woods a lot. I think I am in love with him. I know it. We usually sit and talk. Sometimes we talk about leaving this town for good and sometimes we just sit together in the grass, arms around each other. Frank says we should leave and I wouldn't mind. Things have gotten really bad for me lately. Dad installed security cameras over my window and motion detectors. I feel like a prisoner. The only way I can sneak out is If someone from the outside disables the alarm system. I guess the alarms are to keep people in, not out. Frank's been disabling the alarms for me. It's dangerous for him. My Dad has taken to carrying around a shotgun. It scares me and it worries Frank. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me. Dad says I am a horrible child and I deserve to be punished. I think hes gone crazy. Last night, Frank disabled the alarm. He and I climbed down to my driveway and then I accidentally knocked over my trash can. My trash can is right beside the tree that grows next to my window. It tipped over and Dad came running out of the house waving a gun around. Frank pulled me into the bushes. "Elisa," he said, "Your father is insane. You have to get out of here before he hurts you or someone else. He needs to be put away." "I'm fine, Frank," I told him even though he and I both knew that it was a lie. "No your not," he argued. "Don't worry about me, okay?" "I can't help worrying about you," he said. I kissed him. "You seriously don't need to. I'm fine, I promise." I knew he didn't agree with me but he let it go and we went to the little lake. Frank didn't mention my father the rest of the night but I could tell that his thoughts were still on the issue of it. He let me talk about other things and we had a pretty good time. It was nice just being alone with him and I dropped all of my worries. When I got home, my Dad was so angry he almost hit me. I could see the anger in his eyes and hear the venom in his voice when he spoke to me. Mom stood there and watched us, a terrified expression on her face. Frank is right. i think I'll run away. I can't live like this any more. Dad needs to be put away in a mental hospital. Frank agrees with me. He said I should report him. He says that a town shouldn't be ran by a sociopath. I'm panicked all the time now. Jessy, my best friend, has been trying to call me but I've turned off my phone and hidden it away. Dad beat our family phone with a hammer. Mom is terrified of him. We all are. Today, Frank and I talked in length about running away. I said I couldn't just leave Mom with Dad like that. He said he didn't know what to do. Everyone has been avoiding me at school. Frank and I usually sit in a corner by ourselves. People stare at us. After all, our dads almost fought in the streets. They're talking about throw my dad out of office which will be good. At least he can't control the whole town. Dear Diary, June 17, 1998, Well, Dad went over the edge today. He bought guard dogs. He found that I was out of my room yesterday night. He believes that I'm plotting against him and that I have outside help. Of course, this is exactly what I'm doing. I want to be free of all of this. Frank told me at school that I need to get out. He said he'd call the police If I didn't do something. I'm terrified. Dear Diary, June 18, 1998, I need to calm down. I need to calm down. Frank says that he's going to get me out of here. He says he can't stand to see me like this. I'm in a state of panic. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have a freak attack. Dear Diary, June 20 1998, Frank managed to get me out of my Dad's house. We're not sure what to do now. The good news is that my dad is being taken away to a mental institute. Mom finally said something to the police and they took him away just after I got out of the house. Mom is trying to recover. She's feeling horrible. She says she doesn't want me in the house and I don't want to see her again either. Meanwhile, Frank's family is in deep trouble. The police are searching his father's property. Frank doesn't like being home either. I guess we both feel like prisoners right now. I asked him why they're doing all this stuff to his family. He said they think he stole the money from the bank. He said his Dad thinks my Dad put false information in the records but he doesn't know why or how. "I swear to you, Elisa, I didn't do anything," he said to me, "You believe me, don't you?" "Of course I believe you," I said. "I don't know what's going on," he said, "I have a feeling that we're in the middle of it." "What do you mean?" I asked him. He put an arm around me. "I don't know. The whole world is going crazy and I don't know why." We were at the lake where he had taken me that first night. It felt like a #life time ago. "I can't believe this has happened to me," I told him. He nodded in agreement. "Neither can I," he said, "Why can't the world be easy? Why can't it be just me and you?" "I don't know," I said, "Guess that's just not how the world works." "Maybe I can change that," he said. "There's nothing you can do," I said. "I guess not," he said, "But I want you to know something." "What?" I asked him. "I love you, no matter what happens." "I love you too," I replied. We sat there in the cool grass, arms around each other. I don't know how long we stayed there. I don't know. It felt like hours and it probably was. It didn't matter because we had no where to go. In fact, neither of us wanted to see our families again. My mother abandoned me. She didn't stand up to my father. She let him rule over us. She left me to cope with him alone in my time of need. Frank's family is being watched like a hawk for a crime they didn't commit and over all, we're feeling miserable. Dear Diary, June 21, 1998, I cried today. I haven't cried at all since the beginning of all this. I've been blinking back tears for the last couple of days now. Mom isn't doing so good. She says she's fine but then she bursts into tears. I can't stand it any more. I cat stand the world. I hate going to school because everyone stares at me and Frank like we're from Mars. Jessy came up to me today and asked me what was going on and If she could do anything and I snapped at her. I told her that she needs to mind her own business. She looked at me with a hurt expression and then she stormed off. I felt guilty after that. Then, just before she vanished out of my sight she turned around and looked at me. There were tears in her eyes. "I guess we're not best friends any more," he said and then she was gone. After that, I was a mess. I left school at three and headed straight for the lake. I found Frank there. He asked me what was wrong and I didn't answer. He tried rather-fort me but I told him to go away. He didn't though. He just sat there, staring at me. Finally, I couldn't take it any more. I let it all out on his shoulder. I probably sat there crying for an hour. Frank didn't seem to mind though. He just put his arm around me and kept telling me things would be alright and not to worry. I told him I couldn't help worrying. I told him #life was too much for me to bare. "Then I'll bare it with you," he said. "Promise?" "Promise." Dear Diary, June 22, 1998, Frank and I have been hearing things around town. I was walking to the store when I heard Jessy's father talking about tearing down the old half of town. That isn't good for us at all. Frank says we should really get out of there. It's a mess of ropes and "No trespassing," signs. I agree but I don't want to see the trees getting torn down. Frank and I have been hanging out more and more. We are practically inseparable. People stare at us as we walk around. We don't like that. We prefer to be alone. Sometimes we just sit there and don't talk at all. Dear Diary, June 23, 1998, Frank and I sat by the lake today. It's really different now. There's all kinds of ropes and things there this side of town now. We pretend we don't notice but we do. Things are changing fast. Today, Frank didn't say much. He was bent over a piece of paper and when I asked him what he was doing he wouldn't tell me. Finally, when I was done sitting there watching him write and took the paper from him and read: Her face is like a star surrounded by the night sky, Her hair as soft as silk, Her cheeks as pink was the roses in bloom. There was really...