The trash from Mars
This is an entry in Junior Dispatch’s alien short story contest. The effort earns the writer a free book from the York Emporium and a chance to win a $50 movie gift card and a $50 gift certificate from The York Emporium. Read the rules to the contest here, and get your story in by August 1.
By Angelica Hunt
Age 11, Shrewsbury
July 11, 20I2
My name is Elizabeth Mackenzie Victoria Autumn Leafy. All my friends call me Elizabeth Mackenzie. My mom’s full name is Evelyn Leafy. Dad’s is Austin Leafy. Eric Leafy is my incredibly sporty older brother. My cute, adorable, 2 year old sister is Lydia Leafy. Dad once told me I had the longest name in the Leafy family tree since 8 Greats Grandma Charity Margaret Anne Priscilla. I guess that’s what makes me special? I have no idea what Mom was thinking when she named me.
“Elizabeth, honey, be a dear and help me feed Lydia her juice,” Mom said gently.
“Anything for my little sister,” I said in a slightly strained voice. I wished my brother, Eric, was here. He has three kids, Lily, Lucy and Aubree.
I fed Lydia and went outside to clean up our trash. I did this everyday. There was always 4 pieces or less. Today, after finishing, I counted 5 pieces.
“It’s never more than four. It must of blown in from somewhere,” I thought aloud.
“ELIZABETH MACKENZIE VICTORIA AUTUMN LEAFY!!! COME IN BEFORE YOU CATCH THE FLU!!!” Mom yelled.
“COMING!!” I yelled back loudly, trying hard to forget about the trash.
“It is time for dinner Elizabeth,” Mom said solemnly.
“Widya hungey!! Huwey up Wizzybet Mackey Wictwohe Otoom!!” Lydia said.
Mom laughed for the first time in weeks. I giggled when I saw Lydia’s puzzled face. Two seconds later, Dad walked in and he saw us laughing. Now he had a puzzled look!
“What did I miss?” Dad asked.
“My new name is Wizzybet Mackey Wictwohe Otoom!!!” I giggled.
“WHAT?” Dad asked me.
“Lydia said it,” Mom said.
We sat down at the table and began to eat. It was lasagna night. I still could not get the trash out of my mind. It was creeping around in my head, twisting me deeper and deeper until …
“Liz! Did you hear me?”
“Sorry Dad. I was daydreaming again. Could you repeat that?”
“I said we are extending our trip to Florida for a few extra days because Eric and Melanie are bringing the girls.”
“Yay!” I said.
Mom gave me a warm smile.
July 13, 2012
This year, in August I’m going to Florida to see my cousins, Isabella and Riley. Since I live in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, my family is going to fly there. The trash I picked up today numbered 11. I actually looked at the wrappers though. There was a weird one that said Alien Juice! Another read Slimy Energy Bars. I’m really starting to wonder …
I was outside enjoying the weather when Mom came up to me. “Elizabeth Mackenzie, Faith called and wanted to talk to you.”
“Thanks Mom,” I said as I ran inside. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed Faith’s number. The voice mail came up, so I texted her. “What are you doing. Why did you call?”
Instantly she texted back. “Meet me at my house ASAP!!!”
“Ok” I texted her. I ran out to Mom and asked for permission to go. She said yes. I jogged the three blocks to Faith’s. She was out in her backyard. Her boyfriend, Luke, was there too.
“Elizabeth Mackenzie! You’re finally here!! Official meeting 12:45 sharp which is right about … NOW!”
We all cleaned up trash around the neighborhood. We all huddled together and Luke started talking.
“I found cans that said Alien Juice on them and some called Slimy Energy Bars.”
“Me too!” I said. Then I heard a faint beeping noise.
“Sorry, I have to take this,” Luke said. He talked a little and then hung up his phone. “I have to go to basketball practice. Is it ok if I leave?”
“Sure!” Faith said.
Luke nodded, gave her a brief hug and ran away.
“Good, now we can talk,” Faith said a little guiltily.
“Inside?” I asked.
“Yes,” Faith said a little bit brighter.
As walked in, Mrs. Lewiston, Faith’s mom, handed us a plate of cookies. We walked up to Faith’s room and sat down on her bed.
“Aliens are real. They are the ones leaving the garbage. Every 30 years, they dump trash all over Shrewsbury. My mom helped fix the problem 30 years ago. She will not tell me how to get rid of them for good. She knows where some of the things you need to find are, but she won’t say,” Faith said very quickly.
“Really?” I said, astonished.
“Yes. Luke would not believe me, so that is why I told you. I knew you’d understand!”
“What do you need to find?” I asked quietly.
“A blue rattle with a pink bell hanging from the middle and a pale purple bottle exactly 2 inches tall with a clear liquid inside will fix the curse,” Faith recited.
“Then what?” I asked uncertainly.
“You will find the way that makes the aliens obey you,” Faith replied in a completely different voice.
“So, how are we going to find the items?” I asked. As much as I wanted the unreal amount of trash to stop, could I really go on a wild goose chase? I mean, the things could be anywhere in the world!
“Wait … are the things all around the world or …”
“Sorry, I forgot to say, everything is in Shrewsbury,” Faith blushed.
“Oh … now it makes SO much more sense!” I laughed.
“Oh my gosh! I have to get to art class!! I definitely will see you soon! Bye!” Faith scrambled out the door.
“Bye,” I said. My stomach gave an uneasy twist. I had a stomachache, so I had to go home.
I walked home as slow as a snail. When I walked in our back door, something picked me up and hugged my waist. It was my brother, Eric! In the background, I saw Melanie, his wife, and Lily, Lucy and Aubree. Melanie handed me a small box. I stared at her. She nodded, so I opened the little box. It was the pale purple bottle?!
“I thought you might need it someday,” Melanie said with a sly grin.
We had all the things. The question is, how to use them.
“Liz!! You got a letter from Melanie!” Dad yelled at me. I wondered why Melanie would send me a letter. She could email me!!
“Ok,” I said. I was handed the letter and I tore it open.
Dear Lizzy and or Elizabeth,
To get the aliens to stop, drink a little bit of the potion and shake the rattle.
You will figure out the rest!
Love you, miss you,
Melanie
“Thanks,” I whispered.
I contacted Faith immediately. We were meeting at my house. I figured to split everything in half. Drink half the potion, and Faith and I both hold the rattle and shake it. I might have been going insane. I heard the doorbell ring, FAITH!!! Finally!
I answered the door and we ran upstairs to my room. We drank the potion and then shook the rattle. Nothing happened. I knew Faith was angry. Now I was mad at Melanie. We started to read a fashion magazine and everything began to spin uncontrollably. I blinked. Faith’s eyes looked like glassy orbs. We were staring at a beautiful castle.
“So this is it?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Faith said without looking at me.
We walked towards the castle. It took about thirty minutes to get there. The guards let us in graciously.
“Come in!” shouted a small alien with a trumpet. He looked exactly like a human.
“What brings two human girls here?” an alien sitting on a throne asked. I thought he was the king.
“The trash sir. It is unbelievable. The earth is getting clogged up!” Faith said.
‘Well … we could stop completely … if you could find a my newborn daughter a present such as a rattle, without going back to earth. She has been crying like crazy! If you do not you will never go back again.” The king chuckled at that. The whole council murmured in agreement.
I could not believe it. I had the rattle.
“Well, scurry off human girls. YOU DON’T HAVE A PRESENT!” Everyone laughed.
“I do,” I said.
“WHAT?” The King yelled.
I was walking towards the King and the guards pointed their spears at me. The King motioned for them to stop. I handed him the rattle. He seemed pleased and greedy.
“I want one more thing. A purple baby bottle. You have one hour to find it. Go,” the King yelled.
I handed the bottle to a guard and he handed it to ‘His Majesty.’
“Very well then,” he flicked his fingers and we were gone.
July, 17, 2012
Well, it has been an odd day. But good things come out of bad things, right? This is the last page of my journal so, bye.
Elizabeth Mackenzie Victoria Autumn Leafy
