“Wonder” by Palacio: My Next Chapter after the “Bleeding Scream” Moment

The Abofour Readers’ Club were given a challenge of writing the next chapter after the ‘Bleeding Scream’ in Auggie’s voice, in just 200 words. Remember this is their second language – their first language is called ‘Twi’. They are from years 7-9 (JHS), and aged 11-14. They were given 25 minutes to complete the task. The teacher I/C the Readers’ Club picked just 6 for you to read! 

To understand the context, you must read up to page 78 in Palacio’s “Wonder” – the Bleeding Scream is a particularly important chapter, as something upsetting happens!  

At the Last Moment

When I overheard what Julian and Jack Will had said, I felt like I was in a world of darkness and pain. I felt that I was nobody but a monster that people felt afraid of. I ran as fast as I could to a very silent place; the names they called me were haunting me in the very back of my mind.

I ran home feeling very sad and I locked myself in the bedroom and cried until my eyes could not bring any more tears. I felt so bad after hearing what Jack Will had said about me. I thought everything had fallen apart till I heard a knock on the door. I thought it was Mr Tushman, because I’ve been absent from school since that day, but I was wrong, it was Summer.

After I let her in she asked me what was wrong with me. At first, I didn’t want to tell her. She insisted. She couldn’t believe what I said I had heard. She said: ‘Disability is not an inability so focus on what you want to achieve in the future. Don’t mind what people are saying at your back.”

These sweet words made me feel love and I decided to go back to school. My Jack’s words hung in my mind and my heart, the tears fell again.

By Najet Sarfowaa

Why I didn’t go to school

After hearing the discussion between Jack Will and Julian, I became very nervous. It had made me feel like I was nobody to them. I walked so slowly like a snail all the way home. On the way, I fell to the ground near a tree, and tears flowed into the grass like a lake. I left my scream costume right there – it had not protected me.

I reached home and locked myself in my room. Mummy called out “Auggie, Auggie!”, but I didn’t mind her. I was alone, crying. I wouldn’t come out.

That evening mum and dad tried to open the door but they couldn’t. I slept with hunger.

A day later, I heard Summer’s voice. I quickly went down and told her about everything. She spoke to Jack and Julian and warned them never to say anything about me again. But I became angry with mum and dad for sending me to school – I told them that this was all the consequence of their decision.

By Joshua Frimpong  

Life is a Battle

 After I overheard the conversation, and went and informed the Principal, Mr Tushman. But on the way, I stopped on the stairs, as I saw Summer at the cafeteria. I explained what happened in the homeroom and she started crying. She went with me to the Principal’s office. We were both nervous because we thought Jack Will would be punished, and would have to leave Beecher’s Prep. I was wondered about the problems this might cause for me. Mr Tushman asked us what our mission was and Summer exclaimed: “If he was Auggie he would have killed himself!” We told him everything.

Mr Tushman asked Summer to leave the room. He advised me that life is full of adversities and tragedy, and that I should focus on my own goals. All day I sat and thought about what the Principal had said.

When I went home I just told my mum I was tired, and went to bed. I return to school the next day, and went to to thank Mr Tushman for his advice. I continued my conversations with Jack as if nothing had happened.

By Mercy Tiawah

Forgiveness

I was very angry when I heard Jack Will and Julian gossiping about me – like Jack saying that he would kill himself if he was like me. I will make sure I stop hanging out with him. Because he is not the kind of person that I thought he was. He is very rude. Because I heard them saying that I went out crying, rushing to a corner. When I raised my head, I saw Jack standing in front of me. I wiped my tears. I pretended that I had never heard him, and that everything was as ordinary.

Jack said: “Wassup friend, how are you doing?” He had recognised me because I had thrown away the mask. I said “I’m good. Just have a headache.”

I ran all the way home and buried myself in my sheets until I heard the gentle voice of my mum “sweetie, what’s up?” I told her everything. They told me not to worry and to forgive Jack as everybody can sometimes say things that they don’t mean. And so, in my mind I forgave him, and returned to school. Everything was as normal.

By Vincentcia Zubaviel  

Forgiveness Wins Against Revenge

My heart was broken when I heard Jack Will’s words. I became so panicked; I was speechless. So I ran away so fast towards my home without noticing my dog Daisy. However, when I ran my mask had slipped, and Jack has seen me. He was so ashamed of himself he found it difficult to utter a single word.

Eventually he shouted: “August! Please, I am so sorry and it wasn’t my intention to do it.” I didn’t talk to him. Jack said that I shouldn’t blame him, as his best friends had all started to say mean things about him. He left. I Iooked down at the floor. There were knocks at the door. I didn’t open it. I sat down on the floor. I wanted to kill myself.

Suddenly I had Summer shouting “Don’t do anything stupid to yourself!” The moment I heard her I opened the door. Together we discussed everything. She told me that everyone missed me back at school, but I would not go.

Eventually my parents found out and informed Mr Tushman. When Via heard she shouted so angrily at the top of her voice.

A lot of words came into my mouth when I saw Jack again, but I did not utter them. Mr Tushman advised me that forgiveness wins over revenge.

By Augustina Adwebeng 

Happiness and Sadness

I became confused when I heard that they were gossiping about me, oh sad, I thought to myself and left there to be in my room at home and locked the door. Mum knocked and the door and said: “sweetie come out and let’s talk!”. “No!” I said. From there Summer came and knocked the door and said “Auggie we have missed you so come out”.

When Auggie heard that, he became excited because none of his friends had done a thing like that before, and so this made him very happy. So he opened the door and found his mum.

“Mum please I’m sorry for what I did when you knocked on the door”, I said. She replied, “No don’t be sorry.” From Auggie chatted away with Summer, and he knew that nothing too bad could happen to him.

By Joseph Edward Addae