Writing Dump | The Dorm Wars: A Short Story

Instructions

Writing Dump | The Dorm Wars: A Short Story The elevator dings and the cold metal doors slide open to reveal a horrid scene: the normally bright yellow couch had been ripped apart and the friendly houseplants had been tipped over, spreading dirt all over the white fluff carpet and glass coffee table. Someone had been looking for something. "Oh, my goodness! What a scene! What are we going to do?" Rachel frets, snapping the hair tie that encircled her wrist over and over nervously. She did that when something made her anxious, which was almost everything. You couldn't stand to hear that popping day after day. "Calm down, Rachel! We just need to think for a second about who would do this." You put your hands over the hair tie before she can grip it again. "Of course. You're right," Rachel sighs. She lets go of the hair tie. Finally. You think for a second. Who would demolish the lounge room on the second floor of student housing? Then you realize: James Taphmier. "We need to go," you say, seizing Rachel and dragging her down the hall of dorm rooms. "Do you know who did it?" Rachel asks you. "What do you think?" you throw back as you run down the corridors, searching for someone to interrogate. Soon enough, you and Rachel run into a classmate of yours: Yasmina Wilson. She's one of your friends, as well as James' girlfriend. Obviously you question her first. "Yasmina," you say, approaching her as she waits outside her dorm. "Yes?" she says innocently. "Do you know where James is, by any chance?" you question her. "Yes, I do, in fact. Why?" Yasmina asks. "Rachel and I walked into the lounge to find it completely destroyed," you explain. "It was terrible!" Rachel cries. "Hold on now—do you think James did that?" Yasmina furrows her brow. "Yes, I do," you say importantly. "Wh-" Yasmina starts, but you cut her off. "In the past, James has committed multiple acts of destruction to the campus, therefore he is the first suspect I choose to pursue," you debate, crossing your arms and cocking out your hip. "But what if it's not him? If you're pursuing the wrong person, then the real suspect will get away!" Yasmina yells. "But if he is the real culprit, then we'll be able to catch him as soon as possible," you counter. Yasmina sighs. "Fine." She points down the hallway. "He went that way." "Thank you, Yas! I'll see you in German History," Rachel chirps as you run down the hall, in search of the destroyer. — "James?" Rachel calls. "James, where are you?" "Rachel, you can't just speak to him like that. He's your equal, in the same grade as you. He's not a dog," you advise as you sprint. "Yes, well…I'm still a year older than him." "That's not an excuse." Rachel sighs and rolls her eyes, but you stop her in her tracks. "Rachel! Don't act like that. We'll find the suspect, don't worry." "I'm not worried; in fact, you sound a bit anxious," Rachel points out. "Hey! I'm not anxious. I'm just...eager to find the culprit," you argue. "Yeah, right! You want to find the culprit just so you can become dorm adviser!" Rachel growls. "I rightfully deserve it," you reply calmly. "Who's been telling people off for blaring their music at one in the morning and who hasn't?" You don't wait for Rachel to answer. "That's right, I have. Meanwhile, you do the bare minimum and still get by. It isn't fair." "Well, life isn't fair!" Rachel stops running. "You know what? I'm done with this stupid charade! James is a good person, even if he does misbehave sometimes. I'm going to find the suspect by myself; personally, I think I also deserve the position for dorm adviser!" Rachel jogs back down the corridor. "Wait, Rachel!" you call, regretting the fight you had with her. "Come back!" "No! I'm done with you pushing me around any longer!" Rachel throws over her shoulder. You sigh and throw your hands up in the air. "Well, your loss!" You don't stop for even a second to rest. You keep running, even more desperate to find James now. — It seems like you've been running for at least an hour, if not, more. You still haven't found James. Everyone you've talked to either hasn't seen him or has no idea who he is (which surprised you; surely all the destruction he caused would lead him to get expelled). You're exhausted from running endlessly, so you allow yourself a small break. That's when you see him: James Taphmier, a tall figure with dark brown hair and nearly black eyes, duck into a doorway. "Hey! You! Get back here!" you shout. James glances back briefly, but doesn't stop. Looks like you have to do this the hard way. You stomp down the hall and follow the shadowy figure you know as James. You know the halls of the dorms very well, so you know this corridor is a dead end. You hear James groan, knowing he's stopped at the wall that ends the halls. "James..." you call. "You can run, but you can't hide..." "What are you talking about?" James stammers.