Gisana Costa
Allyson Galvão
Silvino Gustavo de Medeiros
Jane and Smith were a couple who got married in 1984 in Los Angeles, they have a son named Jason, 19 years old. Jason was living in New York because he was at university, and he usually used to visit his parents 5 or 6 times a year, thus he was going to be at his parent's party that year. As Jane had never entered an occupation she used to take care of the house all day long. She wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but her husband, who was a doctor, asked her to be at home to take care of their son while he was working in the hospital. Smith went to Washington on a business trip on a Saturday night, but he promised his wife Jane to be home on Monday for their 25th wedding anniversary.
Smith's wife was in the living room on a phone call preparing the buffet when she suddenly felt her heart beats faster. She foreshadowed something was happening with her son. Immediately, she hung up the telephone and called her son. He didn't answer her calls then she called her husband to tell him that she was feeling strange. He answered the phone and told her to be calm and take a breath, because it was probably nothing and maybe she was just worried and nervous about the party they were going to give. During the day she could not think about anything else than what she was feeling and that it could come true. Actually, she had a nightmare with her son in which he suffered an accident and this would be terrible. Her only son that she was already missing so much because he was living in another place and now she was scared about these thoughts. Jane knew that she had just dreamed something bad but how could she know that it was not an announcement, or something like that? The problem was that nobody would believe in an announcement, everybody would say that it was nothing but a nightmare and that she should forget it and think about the anniversary, because she still had lots of things to do and prepare. She tried to call Jason again, but nothing happened. The thoughts were growing. She called him again and at this time he answered it. She told him everything and asked him not to come to avoid that something bad happened. He did not understand anything. Why did she believe that so much ? But Damn. He did not want to be there, because he had lots of homework from college, so he accepted and said that he was going to cancel the trip. In the afternoon somebody called Jane from a hospital to say that her son had had an accident driving to cancel a trip.
Deborah Tavares
Kah Inácio
It was the third time that week and his family had already suggested he should see a doctor. Why? He was not sick and wasn’t feeling sick… Actually, he had never felt so good. He would daily work out; he had joined a more than perfect diet; he was being praised at work; he was dating someone. That’s what most people would call a divine manifestation of happiness.
Despite his apparently well-adjusted life, there was a tragic secret which everybody in the family was dying to keep: Rudolph was a sleepwalker. And again, most people would say it is not a problem at all. Except for one of those little creepy details: he used to kill someone every time he sleepwalked. And worse: someone very close to him.
Mr. Kyle, Rudolph’s father discovered the body of the grandma in the backyard a few months before. It took him ages to finally understand that Rudolph wasn’t a psychopath (although, deep down, he was afraid of his son, and since everything turned into a nightmare, he started to sleep uneasy and with a gun under the pillow). Rudolph suffered without suffering - he never had a clue about all the events that took place during his sleepwalking. He was a killer – a good kind; very polite, by the way. The curse was in the fact that no one knew when there would be another death or who would be the victim. Rudolph was the silent embodiment of Pandora's Box...
Here we find the extremes of this funny and fantastic story: Rudolph did not know what was happening and his father had no idea how to explain it to him. After too much persuasion, Rudolph went to the doctor (even misunderstanding all that fuss) and got the expected result: sleepwalking. The doctor prescribed some medicine, which had a great effect in the first few weeks; even Mr. Kyle was sleeping quieter, but still he hesitated to tell the truth to Rudolph.
After a regular day, Rudolph took his medicine and did go to sleep. However, that night he had a weird dream - he dreamed of killing his aunt. He woke up confused and did not say anything to anyone. Some time ago, he had already dreamed of killing his grandmother and burying her in the backyard. And he had no idea it was his subconscious coming out. Damn, he SO did not want to be there. The nightmares went on until he couldn't stand anymore and decided to tell his father what was happening. Mr. Kyle heard all the facts and finally told the whole truth about who was the real culprit of some murders within the family.
Rudolph was inconsolable, took his car and drove around town all day. He returned home at night, ate something and decided to sleep without taking his medication. Little did he know that his own death was decreed. He fell asleep quickly, as a baby, and in the next morning, Mr. Kyle found his son strangled by the window. Rudolph was his own victim... The Pandora's Box was closed then.
After a regular day, Rudolph took his medicine and did go to sleep. However, that night he had a weird dream - he dreamed of killing his aunt. He woke up confused and did not say anything to anyone. Some time ago, he had already dreamed of killing his grandmother and burying her in the backyard. And he had no idea it was his subconscious coming out. Damn, he SO did not want to be there. The nightmares went on until he couldn't stand anymore and decided to tell his father what was happening. Mr. Kyle heard all the facts and finally told the whole truth about who was the real culprit of some murders within the family.
Rudolph was inconsolable, took his car and drove around town all day. He returned home at night, ate something and decided to sleep without taking his medication. Little did he know that his own death was decreed. He fell asleep quickly, as a baby, and in the next morning, Mr. Kyle found his son strangled by the window. Rudolph was his own victim... The Pandora's Box was closed then.
Maria Luiza de Oliveira
Alexandro Lino da Costa
Everyday Ivan wakes up at 5 AM. He has to be in the gas station at 6 AM. He does not even have breakfast, only has time to take a shower, to drink some coffee, and then gets out by bicycle. He goes down the street taking care of the holes and little stones, and smelling the shit smell while passes over the bridge, and then goes up the street to finally get the road. Like always, it is early in the morning and there is no traffic. He can ride barely free. And that's the best part of the day. The air still seeming clean, the silence with a rare sound of a car running fast, the faint sun touching his skin, he doesn't feel cold, but he doesn't feel hot, either. It's the perfect sensation. And then, when he finally feels the total pleasure, when all his body is relaxed, he gets there.
The gas station is not old, it's not new, but needs some repairs. His salary is not so good, but the owner is a good man, and leaves coffee with some cookies in a kind of kitchen, sometimes there's even bread.He arrives ten minutes before his due time, says "hello" to his fellows, drinks some coffee, puts on his uniform, and goes take his place five minutes before his time. And then, Alvin arrives five minutes before his time, says "hello" to the same fellows, drinks the same coffee, wears his similar uniform and goes take his place exactly at his time. The work begins.
The place is just ginormous. Alvin is a blue man. Since they first met two years ago, Alvin has been really sad. Ivan always tries to ask him the reason of his sadness, but Alvin never answers. Ivan has even asked other people about it, and everybody who knows Alvin says "he was born gloomy". Nobody knows why. Maybe it's his nature. The more Ivan tries to cheer Alvin up, the more he just cannot do it.
While Ivan manipulates the controls to the passage of the gas, he suddenly starts to think of his dearest people. He sees his gentle father, his sweet mother, his annoying two older sisters, his annoying two younger brothers, his three needy dogs, his egocentric orange cat, his so beautiful and hot girlfriend, some dear classmates. Damn. He so did not want to be there.
What a fool regard! He told me all this. He didn't want to be there. I could read his thoughts. And I wanted to die and to take anyone with me. I knew exactly what to do. I'm not blue. I'm bad. Essentially. I took my matchbox from my pocket (I used to smoke), and just fired one. Everything exploded. I do like fire. It was funny. I hadn't known this word before. Funny. And I laughed. The only time in all my life. I laughed while I was burning, and burning, and burning. It hurt a lot, but I did not care; after all, I was dying. I don't know about him anymore. Maybe he is in heaven or in hell. But I stand here. Strong. He was a simple victim. I just wanted to laught and to kill somebody. To feel powerful like a deity, and the fire really helped me. I always laugh when I remember the explosion. I'm not a killer: I'm just a person who had an unusual kind of happiness. You realized I am Alvin's spirit, didn't you? Yes. And I will live in this dark and burnt piece of land forever. I'd like to see someone try to build anything there. I'll be there when you want to see me. I mean, to feel me. Yes. This place is mine and was cursed by myself. Amen.
Ariana Salisa
First I'd supposed it was a joke but, after that, I didn't know what to think about. I couldn't believe that it was possible for a person to be so different in his actions as he was with me after everything that had happened between us. I was so angry because he made me feel totally foolish.
Deborah Tavares
Erika Inácio
Ewerton Mendonça de Oliveira
I only could remember and feel the pain that moment. After all the things I had done; after all the doubts I had faced; after hurting myself for playing games with my heart. My past was trying to drag me back into darkness and I was trying my best not to let it be. I had to kill the questions and I had to make the answers disappear... because no longer I wanted to belong to something only able to exist in dreams and thoughts. I am human. I need protection. I need to feel warmed. I need to free myself from this curse although I know it demands another spell just to happen.
MY HAND TREMBLED AS I PUNCHED THE NUMBER INTO THE PHONE. I guess it had to be that moment or I would never do it. I could hear voices by my side, telling me not to follow the reasonable path. I have always been touched by emotion. It happens that... lately, I've been going through the motions... Losing every sense of direction. Something that is supposed to be good must be good under all circumstances. And when all the lights turn out and no matter how hard you try it's quite impossible to look clear any little ahead - it means that something is really wrong. I had lost myself in the mirror. I had done things I never thought I would do. I was ashamed of me, of her, of them... That's when I decided to turn the table and kill it. And for the first time in our story, I myself would say such words: stay away from me.
She took it hard. Suddenly I was the one walking away and turning my back on everything I thought I knew. I figured out we would be a waste of time. A waste of pride. A waste of soul. I heard she was crying on the other side. Incredibly I felt like she was the other side of the world to me. I didn't realize I was screaming within - "You're a killer! A fucking heartbreaker, bitch!" - until my head asked for silence. I kept thinking to myself: "Relax, dude. You've made it right! Imagine the things you'll be able to do now... Accept your freedom". And if I had to suffer to forget - I would; if I had to hurt - I would. I was supposed to. Time fixes the rest and tomorrow I am going to rebuild my identity.
It's amazing how fragile we become when it concerns love. Sometimes you have found the right person, but you're not satisfied yet. So you go after the wrong one. And you become wrong. And suddenly it's too late and the damage is scattering. Opportunities pass you by. You cry. You go through hard times until one day you wake up and make up your mind. You stop believing. You start taking for granted every little word that once would make you smile. You give up on the future, since the Future is nothing more than living the present. In a materialistic world, you're one of the few looking for a certain feeling. Nevertheless, there's no space for self-pity. Nobody can save you from yourself. In the end, everything keeps on moving and the first step you must take is to feel the rhythm. The hardest thing in this life is to live it. But maybe, just maybe, it's not that hard. It's just... living.
MY HAND TREMBLED AS I PUNCHED THE NUMBER INTO THE PHONE. I guess it had to be that moment or I would never do it. I could hear voices by my side, telling me not to follow the reasonable path. I have always been touched by emotion. It happens that... lately, I've been going through the motions... Losing every sense of direction. Something that is supposed to be good must be good under all circumstances. And when all the lights turn out and no matter how hard you try it's quite impossible to look clear any little ahead - it means that something is really wrong. I had lost myself in the mirror. I had done things I never thought I would do. I was ashamed of me, of her, of them... That's when I decided to turn the table and kill it. And for the first time in our story, I myself would say such words: stay away from me.
She took it hard. Suddenly I was the one walking away and turning my back on everything I thought I knew. I figured out we would be a waste of time. A waste of pride. A waste of soul. I heard she was crying on the other side. Incredibly I felt like she was the other side of the world to me. I didn't realize I was screaming within - "You're a killer! A fucking heartbreaker, bitch!" - until my head asked for silence. I kept thinking to myself: "Relax, dude. You've made it right! Imagine the things you'll be able to do now... Accept your freedom". And if I had to suffer to forget - I would; if I had to hurt - I would. I was supposed to. Time fixes the rest and tomorrow I am going to rebuild my identity.
It's amazing how fragile we become when it concerns love. Sometimes you have found the right person, but you're not satisfied yet. So you go after the wrong one. And you become wrong. And suddenly it's too late and the damage is scattering. Opportunities pass you by. You cry. You go through hard times until one day you wake up and make up your mind. You stop believing. You start taking for granted every little word that once would make you smile. You give up on the future, since the Future is nothing more than living the present. In a materialistic world, you're one of the few looking for a certain feeling. Nevertheless, there's no space for self-pity. Nobody can save you from yourself. In the end, everything keeps on moving and the first step you must take is to feel the rhythm. The hardest thing in this life is to live it. But maybe, just maybe, it's not that hard. It's just... living.
Alexsandro Lino da Costa
My hand trembled as I punched the number into the phone. I had to speak, but I just couldn't speak loud. It was in the room on my left side; and It was next to me enough to hear my voice. My breath was loud and rhythmic, I could hear it as I could hear the steps getting close to the door. A lady answers the call with a feline voice, slow and hoarse: “Hello… Who is it…?” I tried to speak only to discover that I could not. My voice was over. I could hear Its steps getting closer and closer. Suddenly the door began to open slowly. An outside light, maybe on the street entered shy in the room, creating a shadow of It. It because I cannot call it another way. Much terrible to be something known, with a smell that burnt all the path to my lungs, a sound noise and so quiet that hurt inner ear. It was coming nearer me... I wanted to scream, but I was not able to. I looked for a weapon, something to defend me, protect me, but there was nothing there. I thought I would die... And the steps were coming. What the hell could It be? An E.T.? A ghost? A thief? A killer? I just had a cellphone on my hand, what could I do? If I were stronger, I could hit It. Yes... I was really angry, because every time I was afraid of anything, I become angry; almost berserk. It's the animal instinct on me. I wished to hit It, punch It, kick It, stomp It, make It bleed! I went to the backdoor, hoping to see It while I was waiting It came to the front of me...
Then... I recognized the sheet: it was mine! I knew those clothes... And I saw those damn expensive sneakears appearing through the sheet. Yes, It was human, a jerk teenage boy: my own brother! He almost made my heart stop! He was kidding and I was dying! Son of a... No, I just cannot say this at all. My mum forgive me, but I DO HATE her younger son!
He recorded a lot of awkward noises from horror movies, and wore filthy clothes, and painted himself with red ink, and made everybody leave home... just to frighten me! I do not want revenge... I really hope that cursed boy to grow up and get more mature. And I will call him IT forever.
Maria Luiza de Oliveira
My hand trembled as I punched the number into the phone. I had to speak, but I just couldn't speak loud. It was in the room on my left side; and It was next to me enough to hear my voice. My breath was loud and rhythmic, I could hear it as I could hear the steps getting close to the door. A lady answers the call with a feline voice, slow and hoarse: “Hello… Who is it…?” I tried to speak only to discover that I could not. My voice was over. I could hear Its steps getting closer and closer. Suddenly the door began to open slowly. An outside light, maybe on the street entered shy in the room, creating a shadow of It. It because I cannot call it another way. Much terrible to be something known, with a smell that burnt all the path to my lungs, a sound noise and so quiet that hurt inner ear. It was coming nearer me... I wanted to scream, but I was not able to. I looked for a weapon, something to defend me, protect me, but there was nothing there. I thought I would die... And the steps were coming. What the hell could It be? An E.T.? A ghost? A thief? A killer? I just had a cellphone on my hand, what could I do? If I were stronger, I could hit It. Yes... I was really angry, because every time I was afraid of anything, I become angry; almost berserk. It's the animal instinct on me. I wished to hit It, punch It, kick It, stomp It, make It bleed! I went to the backdoor, hoping to see It while I was waiting It came to the front of me...
Then... I recognized the sheet: it was mine! I knew those clothes... And I saw those damn expensive sneakears appearing through the sheet. Yes, It was human, a jerk teenage boy: my own brother! He almost made my heart stop! He was kidding and I was dying! Son of a... No, I just cannot say this at all. My mum forgive me, but I DO HATE her younger son!
He recorded a lot of awkward noises from horror movies, and wore filthy clothes, and painted himself with red ink, and made everybody leave home... just to frighten me! I do not want revenge... I really hope that cursed boy to grow up and get more mature. And I will call him IT forever.
André Marinho
Andrew Yan
Frederico Bragança
Rejane Medeiros
There are those four classmates, three boys and a girl. They had just started their studies of science in the University of Macaible. The younger one, AA Andrew is a tiny boy, tanned from the sun, because he does really appreciate waking up early to go surfing. F Frenzy is an intersting boy, with short black hair and deep blue eyes. He likes countryside music and goes out frequently and have a particular passion for an old woman. A Marinho is very tall, light skinned and he is a strong and brilliant student, who really loves maths . The girl, she is very different, likes hard rock but is very introspective. When they started to get used to the new ambience, AA Andrew, A Marinho and the girl decided to come late in the night to visit the Anatomy's Lab. Can you imagine what kind of things were coming into their imagination? They were a bit nervous, cause they knew it was forbbiden what they were doing, but curiosity was bigger. Suddenly, when they were in the middle of the research with a corpse, they heard a noise coming from the door. It sounded like someone was pulling a chain. Jesus, thought AA Andrew, I did not want to be here... But they also remembered that another classmate has heard their conversation. And guess, he has a funny nickname, F Frenzy. That guy, he is a strange type. He has an accurate mind, but I don't know where his ideas are going to bring him. But why are we talking about him? Ah, the noise coming from the next door! Maybe he is planning something to scare us. The girl was having chills and couldn't stop shivering. AA Andrew had his hand over his chest. A Marinho got his pocket flashlight and turned it on, pointing it to the next door. He kept quiet and inquiring countenance in his face. The tinkling sound continued even louder. A Marinho smiled somewhat sardonically. What was he thinking, no one could tell. "What's with that face?", asked AA Andrew. Marinho shrivelled his smile and muttered to his classmates "I smell something, and it's not formaldehyde, it's mockery. There's someone trying to make fun of us here. Something unusual is going to happen today, for sure. We'll find something interesting here. It's a pity F Frenzy didn't come, he would enjoy it". Afterwards, he started walking unhesitatingly towards the door. "What's the matter?", he asked his friends. "Come on, there's nothing to worry about. It is just someone trying to make fun of us. Probably F Frenzy. He heard us talking about coming here. I'm sure he said he wouldn't come just so he could hoax on us. Come on". Silence remained in the air for some seconds, and then the chain-dragging sound started again. The others were a little afraid, but they followed him. The other room was dark and smelling of mould, formaldehyde and cardice. They had a strange feeling that they were not alone, that someone was lurking in the darkness just waiting for them... A Marinho tried to turn on the light switch, but it seemed to be broken. The power wasn't off, the refrigerators were working. When the lights turned on for unknown reasons, we could see something awkward: an old woman with shining eyes! She was laughing. Suddenly, A Marinho pulled his sarcastic hammer from his pocket and tried to strike the woman, but F Frenzy mysteriously appeared and kidnapped her.
"I'm always starring in the shadows, baby, says the Alice Cooper's song, and so do I", said F Frenzy. "Have you noticed that what you said was non-sense, weirdo?" replied AA Andrew. "You can't kill this lady, freaks! Not only is she really sexy, but she's also a genius! Come with me and I'll show you!" In this room, there were some odd machines... Sort of capsules. Each one of those could bear a man! F Frenzy and the old lady explained to the students how these four capsules would work... but the goal of this experiment wasn't very clear for anyone. "Any doubts?", asked the old japanese, black-haired lady. "Yes", said the girl. "What's your name?". "Dr. Wolksvagen", replied the woman.
Than the four students entered each one a weird capsule of those (excpet for F Frenzy who dragged Dr. Wolksvagen into his own), and after Dr. Wolksvagen pressed some buttons in the remote control she had in hand, lots os smoke and light filled the room. Everything all around started shaking like in an earthquake. Soon afterwards the same room was a complete mess. And lots of papers describing Dr. Wolksvagen's plans were covering all the ground. There were a great amount of studies and mathematics formulas that were showing how to travel through alternative reallities. And there was a special one... The most recent... Pointing out that in one of these alternative reallities, they would be all in a city called Natal, in a University called UFRN... but that's just science fiction.
"I'm always starring in the shadows, baby, says the Alice Cooper's song, and so do I", said F Frenzy. "Have you noticed that what you said was non-sense, weirdo?" replied AA Andrew. "You can't kill this lady, freaks! Not only is she really sexy, but she's also a genius! Come with me and I'll show you!" In this room, there were some odd machines... Sort of capsules. Each one of those could bear a man! F Frenzy and the old lady explained to the students how these four capsules would work... but the goal of this experiment wasn't very clear for anyone. "Any doubts?", asked the old japanese, black-haired lady. "Yes", said the girl. "What's your name?". "Dr. Wolksvagen", replied the woman.
Than the four students entered each one a weird capsule of those (excpet for F Frenzy who dragged Dr. Wolksvagen into his own), and after Dr. Wolksvagen pressed some buttons in the remote control she had in hand, lots os smoke and light filled the room. Everything all around started shaking like in an earthquake. Soon afterwards the same room was a complete mess. And lots of papers describing Dr. Wolksvagen's plans were covering all the ground. There were a great amount of studies and mathematics formulas that were showing how to travel through alternative reallities. And there was a special one... The most recent... Pointing out that in one of these alternative reallities, they would be all in a city called Natal, in a University called UFRN... but that's just science fiction.
Ariana Salisa
Allyrio de Sousa
Kleison Açucena
Maria de Fátima de Araujo
My bare feet slipped on the floor. It seemed I was walking on thin ice. I should be careful looking out my back because I had no idea what would happen if that bag released. It would be such a horrible sensation having those small pieces scattered all over place. I heard a cricket noise, however it was my alarm clock ringing. I took it out from my pocket fast and turned off the alarm. Otherwise, I would get in trouble. Suddenly, I could see the phone through that blur and black room . For somehow my hand trembled as I punched the number into the phone because a male voice that had disturbed my sleep became pretty clear in my mind. In that moment I figured out that my uncle and I were not alone anymore as it was supposed to be, once my family had been out of town. All of a sudden, the kitchen lamp turned on. By that time, I indeed wished to be dreamming or even having a nightmare.
But unfortunately I was not, and while I was thinking what I should do, I heard noisy steps coming from the corridor. My heart did beat up. A shade crossed the hallway. The thoughts messed up my mind. I should do something in that moment, or I would be found unexpectedly. On the other hand, it could be my unique chance to scape in scot free way. I had no time to keep thinking of anything. I just ran away without looking behind. In my confused mind many hyphoteses came out, such as "if the invader killed my uncle? Should I stay and fight against him? Maybe, if somebody else could help us out, calling 911!" OMG, what should I do?" I ran outside in order to look for help. Then I paid attention to a little green door next to the gateway. I just touched it. It opened without any effort. I saw a guy lying on the floor. His eyes were closed and there was a letter in his hand. Carefully, I took it from his hand, opened it up and read the following note. "Hey, it's time to wake up! Hurry up because there is a bomb in your backpack. In few minutes it will b..... BUMMMM."
Allyrio de Sousa
Kleison Açucena
Maria de Fátima de Araujo
My bare feet slipped on the floor. It seemed I was walking on thin ice. I should be careful looking out my back because I had no idea what would happen if that bag released. It would be such a horrible sensation having those small pieces scattered all over place. I heard a cricket noise, however it was my alarm clock ringing. I took it out from my pocket fast and turned off the alarm. Otherwise, I would get in trouble. Suddenly, I could see the phone through that blur and black room . For somehow my hand trembled as I punched the number into the phone because a male voice that had disturbed my sleep became pretty clear in my mind. In that moment I figured out that my uncle and I were not alone anymore as it was supposed to be, once my family had been out of town. All of a sudden, the kitchen lamp turned on. By that time, I indeed wished to be dreamming or even having a nightmare.
But unfortunately I was not, and while I was thinking what I should do, I heard noisy steps coming from the corridor. My heart did beat up. A shade crossed the hallway. The thoughts messed up my mind. I should do something in that moment, or I would be found unexpectedly. On the other hand, it could be my unique chance to scape in scot free way. I had no time to keep thinking of anything. I just ran away without looking behind. In my confused mind many hyphoteses came out, such as "if the invader killed my uncle? Should I stay and fight against him? Maybe, if somebody else could help us out, calling 911!" OMG, what should I do?" I ran outside in order to look for help. Then I paid attention to a little green door next to the gateway. I just touched it. It opened without any effort. I saw a guy lying on the floor. His eyes were closed and there was a letter in his hand. Carefully, I took it from his hand, opened it up and read the following note. "Hey, it's time to wake up! Hurry up because there is a bomb in your backpack. In few minutes it will b..... BUMMMM."
The call of my memories
Douglas Soares
Fanny Blaquiere
Roseane Tiburcio
I was so anxious that I couldn't sleep during all night. So finally the sun came up in the east and I could get out of my bed. I chose to wear my best clothes and then I started to wait by the phone. My family was not at home and they didn't know anything about the reason of my inquietude. I felt nervous when I picked up the phone. I almost could not believe what I had just listened to. It was a moment that people wait all their lives, though there's no reaction to perform. I had figured out my prophecy. Supposed to be my second life in this world I had had a whole week of what people call deja vu's. Doctors weren't able to grasp the matter. However, my last dream showed me more than I was ready to face. Finally, I heard a woman's voice when I picked up the phone. At first impression, I didn't recognize her. She was babbling, and I couldn't understand clearly what she was saying. After some time I became aware of the situation. I couldn't believe it was her voice...the last time I had heard her, she was sitting at my side on the blue engine that my friend had lent to me to go to the cottage for the weekend. I remember the smell of her perfume, something sweet that her mum had offered her for her birthday. I was driving inside the forest during a wonderful summer day. Carrie seemed to be happy to go away with me, we were both 20, and we were the two figures of what we call " The free Youth". It is true, Carrie and I, were free...we had grown together in the same village, we had gone to the same elementary school and after to the same high school. Our parents let us experiment both the good and bad moments of our lifes. Carrie was the good friend, the one that I could trust, the one, the perfect one who could come with me on the way of our existences. She has always pretending that she was not in love with me, but I know that sometimes, we both enjoyed our time together.
Carrie, was always with me, and this weekend we had decided to leave the town to go sailing on the lake. Few years before, my parents had bought a little boat to sail. When we arrived we took our luggage off the car, and started to get ready. It was 3 p.m.in the afternoon and the sun shone quiet a lot. We got ready in a few moment and went away with the sailboat in the lake. A little bit later, we arrived on a little island. Everything was very quiet, we could just see the trees and the beach apparently made up of rocks. Nobody else was there. We decided to camp there, and started the barbecue. The night was already coming, and after a brief dinner, we decided to go to sleep. Carrie was lying down at my side, and quickly we felt asleep.
At 6:00 am, I woke up because of the cold of the night. I turned my head to my right side, and...couldn't see Carrie anymore. I went out of the camp and started to search her....I screamed all night long, bur Carrie never appeared. I knew at that moment that I wouldn't see her again, during a long moment, or just maybe, never again. How I wanted to keep seeing her. Maybe exchange letters with her! But time came cruel over my life and I kept walking with tough steps in the dead grass. My feeling of freedom was gone of my mind so I decided to leave to city I was living until then. As years passed I played the song as the choir did. Followed the flow as my last alternative.
Though I wasn't prepared to what happened, it wasn't completely out of the blue that I started to feel a bit different. My dreams were in a antic way changing. For a better or worse was my standing question. As soon as I could recognize Carrie's voice I got sick of my soul. How deep she had dug into my life. I had been taught to suffer by very practical terms. However the moment was of forgotten sores. The most important thing was that she was alive again. Not only in my memories but in me. A heavy cost is this one life charges us. I came to requite her unconditional, gifted love too late.
These memories came to my mind in seconds, and when I turned my attention to what she was saying I realized that the line was disconnected.
Carrie, was always with me, and this weekend we had decided to leave the town to go sailing on the lake. Few years before, my parents had bought a little boat to sail. When we arrived we took our luggage off the car, and started to get ready. It was 3 p.m.in the afternoon and the sun shone quiet a lot. We got ready in a few moment and went away with the sailboat in the lake. A little bit later, we arrived on a little island. Everything was very quiet, we could just see the trees and the beach apparently made up of rocks. Nobody else was there. We decided to camp there, and started the barbecue. The night was already coming, and after a brief dinner, we decided to go to sleep. Carrie was lying down at my side, and quickly we felt asleep.
At 6:00 am, I woke up because of the cold of the night. I turned my head to my right side, and...couldn't see Carrie anymore. I went out of the camp and started to search her....I screamed all night long, bur Carrie never appeared. I knew at that moment that I wouldn't see her again, during a long moment, or just maybe, never again. How I wanted to keep seeing her. Maybe exchange letters with her! But time came cruel over my life and I kept walking with tough steps in the dead grass. My feeling of freedom was gone of my mind so I decided to leave to city I was living until then. As years passed I played the song as the choir did. Followed the flow as my last alternative.
Though I wasn't prepared to what happened, it wasn't completely out of the blue that I started to feel a bit different. My dreams were in a antic way changing. For a better or worse was my standing question. As soon as I could recognize Carrie's voice I got sick of my soul. How deep she had dug into my life. I had been taught to suffer by very practical terms. However the moment was of forgotten sores. The most important thing was that she was alive again. Not only in my memories but in me. A heavy cost is this one life charges us. I came to requite her unconditional, gifted love too late.
These memories came to my mind in seconds, and when I turned my attention to what she was saying I realized that the line was disconnected.
Was it enough?
Jurandir Oliveira
Robson Teotônio da Silva
Deyse Nunes da Silva
I felt nervous when I picked up the phone. It was late at night and I was already asleep, when the phone rang. It was so loud I thought it was under my pillow, the darkness of my bedroom didn't help me to realize where I had dropped it. Then I looked around me, but I couldn´t see anything, everything was so dark! And the phone continued ringing, I jumped from my bed and tried to turn the light on, I was so angry and nervous with that annoying sound that kept ringing and when I said 'hello', the call was disconnected. And I couldn´t sleep anymore, this fact made me so angry, how can someone call you and not say anything? I thought that was a joke.
I couldn´t believe anything like this, just on a day when I was so tired, this happened to me. I would be very glad if it stopped ringing then. But my phone rang again. Should I answer it? Or should I fake I was not at home. I had tried to answer it a few minutes ago, then if the caller was the same, he or she would know I was at home. So I felt nervous when I picked up the phone and I glanced at my watch on the book I had bought two days ago, it was almost midnight. I didn`t listen to anything exactly because the caller's voice was very distant and I had a lot of difficulties to understand who was talking to me. After some minutes I could perceive that it was my lover on the other side... . "My dear ..." I could hear, "... It's me ...". What could I do? Was my lover sick, was my lover drunk? A lot of confusing ideas appeared quickly in my mind.
Then the call was disconnected again and I couldn't listen to any word clearly, after that I lost my sleep completely, and I was anxious about what my lover had to say to me at that time. Thus, I decided to go to the kitchen, I remembered that my grandmother had told me that a cup of milk was good when we have insomnia and I really needed to drink something so that I could be more relaxed to know what I should do in a moment.
Letter from a desperate one
Angélica Fonsêca
Gabriela Santos
Ynêssa de Farias
Every day I wake up at 5 a.m. I am not adapted to this new life. I am thinking about escaping from this house. Although there are many people living this same situation I feel as if it was impossible to keep on. I cannot stand the same voices, the same faces, the same room. The brightness of the mold eyes disturbs me and I cannot breathe the identical chorus. I want to walk on the asphalt feeling the heat of the busy life. I want to claim against the cold coffee. What I really want is a challenge in my life; I want to change the way things are going. Day by day I think about what I can do to change my boring life. I feel good when I am dreaming but I know my dreams are really far from my reality. In spite of this is my only fun. I am still waiting for something, something to fulfill my emptiness. I know I am being weak transferring my happiness to something outside, but I admit I can not change my life for myself. Every night I lie down waiting for something special that can transform my life.
Last night I thought about this situation from another point of view. I was sitting on a chair in the veranda when I noticed how affected with that idea I am. My behavior is totally different from my original one and I face things absolutely differently now. All those thoughts of changing things are not being healthy to me and they are making my disgust concerning my life style get bigger and bigger.
My mind is being so stressed with the idea of being better that even simple things of my daily life are disturbing me. Last night something happened while I was thinking about all that. The telephone rang and it was before dawn. In any moment I imagined it could be bad news; on the contrary. I was so involved in my thoughts that I did not realize the phone was ringing in the middle of the night. I answered it with a calm “hello?” and then I noticed I felt nervous when I picked up the phone. On the other side of the line the voice recognized me and sounded glad to speak with me. I could not say a word but I could understand I was feeling like that because of how neglected my emotions are. The other person noticed my silence and, worried, asked me about what was happening. I tried to say I was fine but I was too afraid to do so. Then, I hang up the phone, got off the chair and felt angry at me and my terrible behavior.
I've been so attracted to changing everything in me that I am not living my life well. I am missing the opportunity of living the “now”, the opportunity of enjoying the pleasing aspects of my days, and I do not know how I can do it. However, I am excited about starting this change of thoughts and life. I will be more sympathetic and patient, but...
I do need help!
Last night I thought about this situation from another point of view. I was sitting on a chair in the veranda when I noticed how affected with that idea I am. My behavior is totally different from my original one and I face things absolutely differently now. All those thoughts of changing things are not being healthy to me and they are making my disgust concerning my life style get bigger and bigger.
My mind is being so stressed with the idea of being better that even simple things of my daily life are disturbing me. Last night something happened while I was thinking about all that. The telephone rang and it was before dawn. In any moment I imagined it could be bad news; on the contrary. I was so involved in my thoughts that I did not realize the phone was ringing in the middle of the night. I answered it with a calm “hello?” and then I noticed I felt nervous when I picked up the phone. On the other side of the line the voice recognized me and sounded glad to speak with me. I could not say a word but I could understand I was feeling like that because of how neglected my emotions are. The other person noticed my silence and, worried, asked me about what was happening. I tried to say I was fine but I was too afraid to do so. Then, I hang up the phone, got off the chair and felt angry at me and my terrible behavior.
I've been so attracted to changing everything in me that I am not living my life well. I am missing the opportunity of living the “now”, the opportunity of enjoying the pleasing aspects of my days, and I do not know how I can do it. However, I am excited about starting this change of thoughts and life. I will be more sympathetic and patient, but...
I do need help!
The previous evening
Sara Freitas
Denise Maia
Gustavo Matos
Ana Catarina Popowicz de Paula
What a nightmare that night was! She could not believe it. It was full of mysterious things. And now, she is trying to remember exactly what happened. As she tried to put the key in the ignition, the memories started to come back, but not sufficiently clear. She could only see blurs and started to ask herself if she was well enough to drive. Anny decided to walk home, hoping that the fresh air would make memories clearer. When she finally saw the blood stains in her high heels, the dreadful image came to her mind as clear as if it were happening at that very second. Her memories could answer the excruciating question, 'where was Kevin?'; Under those red tree leaves on the backyard, the tormenting image she had in her mind was so distant. Facing that frightful attainment she ran for help. As she was running, Anny started crying desperately and shouting at everyone in the street: "I'm not guilty!". Suddenly she stopped and closed her eyes for a while. In that moment, she decided to go back and give her an opportunity to change her sense of guilt. The image of the place where she last saw Kevin suddenly came to her mind. Anny ran to the store where he works, however when she got there all she could see was police cars and ambulances. She started to cry even more, her heart was beating faster. She knew she would have to go inside to make things clear. When she was about to get in, she felt a hand on her shoulder, though. It was him, Kevin, acting as if nothing had happened in the previous evening. He was cold, shocked and stood canny, serious, regardless. "What a great actor he's playing!", said Anny. He took some seconds until his first words were said to her. He said she should not cry. Her tears could give her away. In the midst of a tragic event which they had provoked, he wisely knew how to be around, getting to know everything and not to be exposed. Was he a psychopath or just a scared 17-year-old boy? Anny could barely walk without having the feeling of being unmasked or the sensation of someone suspecting her. She was sort of in a inner fight with herself. She meant to put it out of her chest. But Kevin was there to comfort and give her strength to handle such mental massacre. Whenever he felt her trembling and willing to express something, he directed her the same convincing and sedative phrases, "Don't cry, dear! Tears may give you away." As they talked, Kevin was leading Anny to a further and calmer place where the red leaves would soon get even reder, silence would prevail and their secret would remain untold.
What a nightmare that night was! She could not believe it. It was full of mysterious things. And now, she is trying to remember exactly what happened. As she tried to put the key in the ignition, the memories started to come back, but not sufficiently clear. She could only see blurs and started to ask herself if she was well enough to drive. Anny decided to walk home, hoping that the fresh air would make memories clearer. When she finally saw the blood stains in her high heels, the dreadful image came to her mind as clear as if it were happening at that very second. Her memories could answer the excruciating question, 'where was Kevin?'; Under those red tree leaves on the backyard, the tormenting image she had in her mind was so distant. Facing that frightful attainment she ran for help. As she was running, Anny started crying desperately and shouting at everyone in the street: "I'm not guilty!". Suddenly she stopped and closed her eyes for a while. In that moment, she decided to go back and give her an opportunity to change her sense of guilt. The image of the place where she last saw Kevin suddenly came to her mind. Anny ran to the store where he works, however when she got there all she could see was police cars and ambulances. She started to cry even more, her heart was beating faster. She knew she would have to go inside to make things clear. When she was about to get in, she felt a hand on her shoulder, though. It was him, Kevin, acting as if nothing had happened in the previous evening. He was cold, shocked and stood canny, serious, regardless. "What a great actor he's playing!", said Anny. He took some seconds until his first words were said to her. He said she should not cry. Her tears could give her away. In the midst of a tragic event which they had provoked, he wisely knew how to be around, getting to know everything and not to be exposed. Was he a psychopath or just a scared 17-year-old boy? Anny could barely walk without having the feeling of being unmasked or the sensation of someone suspecting her. She was sort of in a inner fight with herself. She meant to put it out of her chest. But Kevin was there to comfort and give her strength to handle such mental massacre. Whenever he felt her trembling and willing to express something, he directed her the same convincing and sedative phrases, "Don't cry, dear! Tears may give you away." As they talked, Kevin was leading Anny to a further and calmer place where the red leaves would soon get even reder, silence would prevail and their secret would remain untold.
A Difficult Choice
Herbert Silva
Sofia Guz
Abrão Neto
Herbert Silva
Sofia Guz
Abrão Neto
I was taking a rest at home when suddenly the telephone rang. It rang in a different way, somehow I knew. Bad news? Good news? Who is phoning me, I thought. I felt nervous when I picked up the phone.
This story started some months ago when I met three different girls at the same night in a party. From this time on I realized that my life will be changed forever. One of them was a lady, elegant, well dressed and rich woman but she was not a beautiful woman, actually, she was a middle aged woman. There is not problem for me but what the others would think about me, probably that I am only interested in her money, what could be true. The other girl was pretty. She had a dark long hair, green eyes and a large smile, the most beautiful brunette that I have ever seen. She was not inside the club because it was not allowed to enter without an invitation. Although she knew some people there, she couldn't take part in the party because she was poor, and the hostess, that elegant middle aged woman, definitely didn't like people from a lower social class. The last one was a married woman who was in a process of divorce but her husband did not want to accept it. I have to say she was the most interesting of them. Maybe because she was married, she "belongs" to other, the challenger...I don't know. I had to take a risk. I got involved with the three women simultaneously. It was the most dangerous adventure that I've ever lived. I should have stopped that kidding when I had time to do but things became more and more difficult throughout those months. It was a hard choice.
To make this story easy to understand I am going to describe the intentions of the three women. Mrs. Helen was 55 when I met her. She was known as the dark widow because her last two husbands had passed away in an unknown circumstance. She usually chose her futures lovers in these parties where she invited lots of people to have fun. Then in the end of the party, she picked someone up to make an "indecent" proposal. That day she chose a young guy who kept still in front of her. I couldn't imagine that situation. The guy was me. For some minutes I wondered what to do. The last one that had refused her invitation disappeared mysteriously. I was scared.
In the beginning of that night I had met Michelle, that brunette I mentioned before. She was in front of the club where the party would be. Her sweet voice hypnotized me at the same time she talked to me. It was love at the first sight. Unfortunately, there was a problem. I was looking for someone who had money, only for my own ends. I was a mercenary man who didn't deserve her. That night was longer than I had imagined.
Then, in the end of the night, some minutes after I had been chosen by Mrs. Helen, more precisely when I slipped out of her hands, I met Julia who was arguing seriously with her husband. She asked me for help and I couldn't refuse her request. The problem was that the violent man accused me of being her lover and gave me a black eye. After punching him too, I escaped with Julia to my home. On that night we really became lovers...What a night!! Julia was the woman of my life. Soft, sensual, touchy, intelligent...Why should she be married and financially embarrassed?
Before that night, I was sure about my targets but now...Anyway, at dawn she left me and I was lost. But not for a long time. At night I met Michelle and forgot all my troubles hypnotized with her sweet voice and magic green eyes. A few days after I realized my situation: Mrs. Helen chose me (and that was what I wanted, although all my fears), Julia chose me (that was what I wanted too) and Michelle, oh!, sweet Michelle, the only one that didn't flirt me. In fact, she ignored me. Next week Mrs. Helen called me and said I should be at her house on Saturday night. Just Saturday! I have already invited Julia to a date (at my house, of course). I didn't know what to do. How could I deal with that mess? Suddenly, I had an insight: what if I just disappear in a puff of smoke? Nobody finding me, I would be safe. I couldn't think in nothing else as coward as I am, so I went to a hotel and spend the next three days hidden from the world. After that I returned home. Now we are at the beginning of my misfortune. I was taking a rest at home when suddenly the telephone rang. I wondered: Who is there? Nobody knows I am here! There was no voice, I only could hear a huge laugh. I forgot it immediately and opened my newspaper. Then, something surprised me. I was really in shock. The headline: DOUBLE HOMICIDE. Having read the entire news I realized that who were killed was nobody less than Mrs. Helen and Julia!! And I was the main suspect!! I thought that could have been the betrayed Julia's husband but Mrs. Helen! he hadn't anything against her. Actually, he didn't know her.
Suddenly, Michelle arrived at my house and laughed at me. I immediately recognized that one. Now the penny drops!! Michelle...my brunette...That's why she was so strange and avoiding me. She loved me in secret. However, she was jealous and crazy!!! She had arrived to kill me, and almost achieved her objective. She shot me but to my luck she only hit my leg. So, I had to choose between my life and her life. I think you already know which was my choice. On the contrary, I wouldn't be here to tell you this story.
This story started some months ago when I met three different girls at the same night in a party. From this time on I realized that my life will be changed forever. One of them was a lady, elegant, well dressed and rich woman but she was not a beautiful woman, actually, she was a middle aged woman. There is not problem for me but what the others would think about me, probably that I am only interested in her money, what could be true. The other girl was pretty. She had a dark long hair, green eyes and a large smile, the most beautiful brunette that I have ever seen. She was not inside the club because it was not allowed to enter without an invitation. Although she knew some people there, she couldn't take part in the party because she was poor, and the hostess, that elegant middle aged woman, definitely didn't like people from a lower social class. The last one was a married woman who was in a process of divorce but her husband did not want to accept it. I have to say she was the most interesting of them. Maybe because she was married, she "belongs" to other, the challenger...I don't know. I had to take a risk. I got involved with the three women simultaneously. It was the most dangerous adventure that I've ever lived. I should have stopped that kidding when I had time to do but things became more and more difficult throughout those months. It was a hard choice.
To make this story easy to understand I am going to describe the intentions of the three women. Mrs. Helen was 55 when I met her. She was known as the dark widow because her last two husbands had passed away in an unknown circumstance. She usually chose her futures lovers in these parties where she invited lots of people to have fun. Then in the end of the party, she picked someone up to make an "indecent" proposal. That day she chose a young guy who kept still in front of her. I couldn't imagine that situation. The guy was me. For some minutes I wondered what to do. The last one that had refused her invitation disappeared mysteriously. I was scared.
In the beginning of that night I had met Michelle, that brunette I mentioned before. She was in front of the club where the party would be. Her sweet voice hypnotized me at the same time she talked to me. It was love at the first sight. Unfortunately, there was a problem. I was looking for someone who had money, only for my own ends. I was a mercenary man who didn't deserve her. That night was longer than I had imagined.
Then, in the end of the night, some minutes after I had been chosen by Mrs. Helen, more precisely when I slipped out of her hands, I met Julia who was arguing seriously with her husband. She asked me for help and I couldn't refuse her request. The problem was that the violent man accused me of being her lover and gave me a black eye. After punching him too, I escaped with Julia to my home. On that night we really became lovers...What a night!! Julia was the woman of my life. Soft, sensual, touchy, intelligent...Why should she be married and financially embarrassed?
Before that night, I was sure about my targets but now...Anyway, at dawn she left me and I was lost. But not for a long time. At night I met Michelle and forgot all my troubles hypnotized with her sweet voice and magic green eyes. A few days after I realized my situation: Mrs. Helen chose me (and that was what I wanted, although all my fears), Julia chose me (that was what I wanted too) and Michelle, oh!, sweet Michelle, the only one that didn't flirt me. In fact, she ignored me. Next week Mrs. Helen called me and said I should be at her house on Saturday night. Just Saturday! I have already invited Julia to a date (at my house, of course). I didn't know what to do. How could I deal with that mess? Suddenly, I had an insight: what if I just disappear in a puff of smoke? Nobody finding me, I would be safe. I couldn't think in nothing else as coward as I am, so I went to a hotel and spend the next three days hidden from the world. After that I returned home. Now we are at the beginning of my misfortune. I was taking a rest at home when suddenly the telephone rang. I wondered: Who is there? Nobody knows I am here! There was no voice, I only could hear a huge laugh. I forgot it immediately and opened my newspaper. Then, something surprised me. I was really in shock. The headline: DOUBLE HOMICIDE. Having read the entire news I realized that who were killed was nobody less than Mrs. Helen and Julia!! And I was the main suspect!! I thought that could have been the betrayed Julia's husband but Mrs. Helen! he hadn't anything against her. Actually, he didn't know her.
Suddenly, Michelle arrived at my house and laughed at me. I immediately recognized that one. Now the penny drops!! Michelle...my brunette...That's why she was so strange and avoiding me. She loved me in secret. However, she was jealous and crazy!!! She had arrived to kill me, and almost achieved her objective. She shot me but to my luck she only hit my leg. So, I had to choose between my life and her life. I think you already know which was my choice. On the contrary, I wouldn't be here to tell you this story.
It all started last June at the ABRAPUI convention in São Paulo, when I attended a very interesting workshop on how to use google docs in English writing classes. I then decided to experiment google docs with my Reading and Writing students at UFRN this semester, and I've been really impressed with the outcomes !
With google docs, the teacher can have several students writing a story together from different computers at the same time, usually extra-class. When it comes to writing stories with google docs, students can interact and negotiate on line what the most appropriate lexico-grammatical choices are, for instance. Another advantage of co-writing stories is that if you suddently run out of ideas or get stuck with your story (which students commonly report to happen) , there are other people who may make up for that and continue the story just as beautifully.
Here are some stories my students co-wrote using google docs, departing from a common prompt (a sentence to be fit at some point in the story). Hope you enjoy reading them !
Prof. Janaina Weissheimer
Hello, my dear classmates. Here's our new place for sharing knowledge, material and whatever you consider relevant to our learning. Do please write on this blog, we really need your help to turn this simple tool into a well of crucial information to those who wish to embark upon a linguistic and literary quest.
Best Regards,
James
Best Regards,
James
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