Today was a bad day

All day today I was tortured.

I guess I now know where those screams were coming from. I wasn't the only one in that room in the tower today.

Yes, I said tower. THere was a single window to the outside. I saw a loooooong way down. I think there were some decomposing bodies hanging on the outer walls. And there were sort of patchwork birds flying around, kind of like vultures. That description sounds almost like something out of an Oz book, but believe me, if you saw these you would feel nothing but terror.

My--our--torture was part of the training for the soldiers. I'm guessing the others there were previous disobedient "children". Actually, some of them were children.

A few didn't make it to the end of the day.

I'm lucky I survived myself.

The day started out reasonably enough (given the situation), with my whole school (students AND faculty) coming in for training. Mostly against their will. They beat me and the other prisoners to a bloody pulp. For round two, the Witch lent us some strength. Still didn't help much, since she favored the others over me now.

Many of the younger children screamed and cried uncontrollably.

It only made me angrier.

But things started getting insane when us victims stopped being injured by our unwilling oppressors and we started threatening each other.

I'd rather not talk about some of the things said and done during this time, but I had to fight back. It was the only way to stay alive. I did it out of instinct (and maybe her control). I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have.

Oh God what have I done!

It all became chaos and when all the yelling and insults and attempted beatings and successful attacks were over, the place was stained red.

Well, more red than it already was.

We weren't the only ones crying. The teachers and students and others were crying too. They didn't want to be there.

Some of them seemed to start hallucinating and tried to escape. The Witch strung them up to the inner walls. I guess she has no tolerance for even the slightest hesitation now.

The remainder of the soldiers also attacked each other and trash talked. It was a very strange thing to see. She said all of this was for gauging how well they could do in various combative situations.

I did notice that gross gray stuff amongst the mold.

Eventually the Skin-Taker and Horace Horrible came in, stabbing random people, to, as she put it, "test their threshold of pain" so she could know how much extra control to exert on the cowards.

I couldn't bear to watch. It was horrible.

I hate the Witch.

I am now all bruised and bloody with cuts all over. But I fared better than some. My whole right side aches. I think a rib or two could be broken. I don't think she'll let me see a doctor.

"well," she said to those of us who survived being punching bags, "looks like I might just give you another chance."

She smiled and her beauty almost returned to her face for a second. But not quite.

I think she was creating a sort of special team (or, like she says, army) for "the End" and seeing how we would work together and stuff. But it can only be for some evil purpose.

I'm home now, resting. I won't be surprised if I die of internal bleeding or something. I feel horribel.

A Replacement

I guess I should tell you what happened. Even if the only ones who read this are one of the Witch's servants and another horrid body snatcher.

Anyone else who might be reading this who can help?

Yesterday and today I went to school again, like before. Again no one could do anything about it. This time, however, they saw her.

I was getting lunch in the cafeteria, the lunch ladies' arms jerking about like the marionettes that they were, and their eyes widened. The whole room went quiet. She stood there, in the middle, where everyone could see.

But she was no longer beautiful. No, she was a hag. A hideous, shriveled corpse of rotting wood. Her stringy hair and cracked glass eyes made it all the worse to look upon her.

"I will make puppets of you all," she declared. "You will join my army."

I stepped forward. "Stop it."

She smirked. "And how will you stop me, little pissant?"

I was angry. "You've done nothing but lie to me, manipulate me, use me! You've ruined my life! I want answers! NOW!!!"

"All in good time."
"Why me?"

"I said, 'All in good time,' you insolent little wretch!"

"NO!"

I felt myself pulled into the air and thrown backward into a wall.

"You will keep your mouth shut or die!"

I could no longer open my mouth.

"Well, looks like your opportunity has shut and locked the door behind you. You see, Evan here was to be one of the generals, presiding over you. I find that a little leeway free-will-wise allows them to think of things I might not. Unfortunately for him, he broke our agreement. He will be severely punished. Now for a test: which of you will make a good replacement? Evan will be your target practice. I will lend you strength and agility, but you will decide the actions."

Everyone was unceremoniously pulled from their seats to a standing position. They were made to march into neat rows. She instructed each of them to go against me one at a time.

I couldn't do anything on my own. I was at the mercy of the Witch and her skills. I believe she intenionally left me vulnerable several times, as payback.

A few try-outs in, it was Stephen's turn. He looked all too happy to have the chance to pummel me in response to what I'd done to him and his friends.

He punched me in the gut a few times, he missed a few times as I was made to dance out of range.

I looked up at him, tears and desperation in my eyes. "Please. Help me."

He hesitated and drew back a moment.

"Please," I continued, "I'm sorry for what I've done. I've made a mess of things.I just wanted to be able to fight back against all my problems. I only created more."

A moment later, he was back to beating me up again. My lip was bleeding, I had bruises all over, and I felt like throwing up after he was done.

"Well. I think I've found my replacement."

I was hoping she would leave me alone with my injuries and pain once we got home, but she refuses to let go. I think she's going to make me her soldier whether I like it or not.

I guess I'm getting what I deserve.

Today I made my last stand against the Witch.

I gave her my ultimatum: no more. No more of this madness, no more of this killing, no more of ruining my life!!!!

Although I guess it's too late for that last one.

It's too late for anything now.

Today I made my last stand against the Witch.

Today the Witch won.

I Meet Candle Cove

I had to move the object. I think she was beginning to suspect its location.

I wish it was as easy to hide as it would be in that weird city.

Speaking of which, we went back this evening. I went willingly, figuring I didn't have much choice. This time, though, we didn't get on that weird elevator and go to that creepy dirty place where people were imprisoned.

"Sometimes," she said, "I utilize the City's unique properties as a shortcut."

Eventually we came to a door in the road and went through.

We found ourselves in an strange, dimly lit room with walls made of stone. It seemed mold grew in some patches.

The room was largely empty, save for a really strange eyeball-looking camera and some other unsettlingly organic-looking equipment.

"Hmm. They've not arrived yet. We should only have to wait a few minutes, though. They understand the consequences. Far worse than the Dying Man could ever dish out."

Those few moments were unbearable. There was nothing to do and the overwhelming silence was at times punctuated by intermittent screaming coming from somewhere above.

Then several instantly recognizable figures entered: Pirate Percy (with his trademark eyepatch), the Laughingstock, Horace Horrible, and of course, the Skin-Taker. His cape was absurdly long.

"Where's Janice?" I asked, realizing this must be where Candle Cove was filmed.

"The last Janice died. Couldn't cope with the extremely difficult working conditions, apparently."

I didn't say anything else.

"This is our newest recruit," she said, introducing me. "His name is Evan Marsden. Soon, so very soon, you will be showing him the ropes. The upcoming Candle Cove hiatus is for this purpose, the training of new recruits. We will succeed; there is no other option."

I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Does the new blood bruise easy?" asked Horace.

"Oh, no. He's quite my tough little man."

We made introductions (I hope the Skin-Taker noticed my glare). Percy whispered something to me before she and I went back to the house. Something frightening:

"I'm so sorry. I can't help you this time. You have to do this. It's the only way. Or we all perish."

The Return

Today I went back to school and apologized. I think the principal wanted to kick me off the premises, but every time he tried to say something, his mouth wouldn't open and he couldn't move.

I went to classes as I usually would. My teachers were unable to do anything about it. If they tried, their arms and legs went limp and their wide eyes looked ready to release a torrent of tears.

I only went along with it because I wanted things to be like they were before she came. Kinda futile, I guess.

None of the bigger boys or bullies bothered me today. I think they're afraid of me now. But no one else came near or spoke to me either. They're all afraid.

I thought I could make something of myself, be some kind of hero. But I've become the bad guy.

In the middle of P.E. I couldn't take it anymore and I ran out of the school and hid in the nearby trees, crying for awhile. On one of the trees was carved that weird symbol that was an O and X together.

Finally the "Queen" came and picked me up. She got out of the vehicle and helped me put my heavy backpack in the trunk (like I need to worry about homework anymore). Before we climbed in, she embraced me and told me she loves me and only wants the best for me.

All the way home she wouldn't shut up about how she just wanted me to reach my true potential.

"It's why I chose you a year and a half ago," she said. "I saw you would be the perfect son."

Once we got home, she told me again that she was proud of me.

She seems to be trying to coax me back into that cooperative state. I think she genuinely likes something about me. I don't think she wants to force me to be under her sway, but will if she has no other choice.

I am confused.

I Hate My Life!! >:O

Some one found the body in the shop, so the police were knocking at my door.

To my surprise, my dad came downstairs and answered. He told them that he hadn't gone to work for a few days because he had the flu. He said he would cooperate to the fullest extent of the law.

The police tried to get him to come down to the station, but he didn't want to. He walked out the door to talk to them in private. I went to the window to watch and try to listen, but by the time I got there, Dad (or whoever/whatever he was) and one of the officers were gone. The other officer simply walked back to his vehicle and drove away.

My dad disappeared and never returned. Did I see a ghost? Was I hallucinating?

It only serves to remind me that she has killed my parents and has turned me into a murderer. I don't care if my victims are the scum of society! This is wrong! I want to stop being under her control, but I fear that it's too late.

Yesterday I also noticed my blog's address is not what I originally intended it to be. It was the same as the title of the blog: I Am Not Insane. But now it says "she will make puppets of us all." She's been manipulating me from the beginning, luring me into her trap.

I'm sure now that this is all some long game that began with Nicky's death.

I hate her.

Back to School

No one knows my parents are dead.

No one knows how depressed I am. I think this is all my fault. If I hadn't let my guilt and sadness and frustration and low self-esteem get to me so much...maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe I wouldn't have chosen to work for her.

Today Stephen seemed to steer clear of me, like he was afraid to get too close. Good. Maybe this wasn't all bad. But I don't think I want to work for her anymore.

Stephen may have been timid, but at lunch he got several of his buddies to come after me. I know I shouldn't have let her have control again, but I had no choice. I had to defend myself.

This was the last time. I swear.

This group of bullies came after me and harassed me while I sat trying to eat. I told them to leave me alone, but they wouldn't. None of the teachers were paying any attention.

They pulled me out of my seat, dragging me to the floor. I found myself floating inches off the floor, my limbs hanging limply. Then my whole body swung toward them.

Three of them were knocked to the floor. I spun around and my arms stretched out, socking the other two in the face. I descended.

My feet firmly on the floor again, I ran out of the cafeteria, with everyone else staring at me in surprise.

I've been expelled. Ironically enough, for bullying.

The Queen picked me up, driving my mother's vehicle. No one knew the difference.

We're home again. I think she knows that I am beginning to resist. Whenever she speaks to me now, it's in a flat, curt tone, rather than a sweet, motherly one.

A little while ago I felt the pull on the strings tighten a little. She's definitely mad at me. I don't know what she'll do if I tell her I want out of this mess. I don't think she'll let me go.