December Winners, Cooper: Level II

On May 3rd, 1999, severe storms were rocking the great plains and Oklahoma was getting the worst of it. The outbreak lasted from May 3rd to May 6th. In that period of time about 140 tornadoes touched down one of them being an F5 with a record wind speed of 318 miles per hour. The F5 touched down near Chickasha OK. The thunder during the tornado was intense. It tore across the land like ripples on a pond. The tornado continued its journey and left Moore OK devastated. Then the unimaginable happened: the tornado shifted toward the popular town of Oklahoma City.

Every house, tree and car was destroyed so badly it was as if they had gone through a giant paper shredder. The whole town was in ruins and the tornado was still going.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, the tornado retreated to the pitch black clouds. The tornado had not only destroyed the town, but people's lives. The tornado damage cost over one million dollars. Someday tornado warnings will be better and there will be no more disasters.

"The dark is rising. The Earth's time is almost out. Nobody knows how long we will be able to stay, but the dark is going to come."

"Enjoy the precious time we have. The rocks, mountains, the stars. Forget we're hungry, scared humans with no place to go. The dark is rising, keep this in mind, your life depends on it."

This letter appeared to be the last words of Mark Anthony.

I found this letter in a time capsule. The letter began, "Hello people of the future. We've left these gifts for you, the finest things of our time."

I tried the on the clothes and shoes, they fit me perfectly. I tried to run home but it was hard with these high wedge things at the heel end.

I walked in, mom was making dinner. I knew I was late.

"Anna Arka Luza what on earth are you wearing?" She asked.

"I found these clothes." I said.

"Well, stop that nonsense, go change for dinner." She said.

Mom and Dad told me the story again tonight about my ancestors. I know the story by heart but I still enjoyed it anyway.

School, boring as usual, but I did hear that snotty Sally Suka Tuner had to sit with Fred Finkle Stein, the booger expert, sounds like a good match. I brought the capsule home. I'm still trying to figure out why was darkness rising, what happened?

As I looked through the capsule, I found other stuff like a laptop computer, they were so big. I pressed a button on another device, the atmosphere changed. It was dirty and people were screaming. One guy yelled at me to run for my life.

I realized I was back in 2010. I tried to think of something to say, but who would listen? I yelled at the top of my lungs "Listen, I'm going to help you…"

"Anna Arka Luza, What's gotten into you?" Ms. Elmo, my history teacher said.

"Sorry, Ms. E.", I answered as I blushed.

"It's ok, Anna, just stop daydreaming in class, ok?" She said smiling.