Reckoning: A Novella

By Jalen Tellis

In The lasted story from author Jalen Tellis, he tells a jaw-dropping thriller about a 17-year-old boy, William Townley–who must go back to the frightening place called Bluff Creek to search for and defeat a mythical creature.

 

The worst thing about Bluff Creek occurred during William's family vacation. During the time they spend on the vacation, a tragedy happens where William becomes numbed by the pain, causing him to build up fear, guilt, and anger. 

 

Before Senior year starts again, William must face his demons and return to Bluff Creek to search for the creature that caused his trauma. To help him search for this certain creature, he must reunite with a familiar face, determined for them to put an end to this nightmare. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jalen Tellis
• Release date: Mar 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224340026

Book preview

One

I’m not sure how to tell this story. I’m not a marvelous writer, but I am a man with experience and a story to tell. We all heard of bigfoot, the mythical creature living in Bluff Creek’s forests. Well—what if I told you that this tale is very accurate—but you may think the truth isn’t. I want to start by telling you about when I arrived at Bluff Creek for summer vacation, but It’s only fitting if I bring you to the beginning—of when my life changed forever.

The summer of 2024, June 3rd, is a day that I will never forget. I was Seventeen, just getting off the last day of junior year for summer vacation. I remembered that last day being one of the worst days—with me being late in the morning and having my backpack stolen. What annoyed me the most was my father calling me to walk and pick up my Ten-year-old brother James from school. He mentioned he had an announcement and wanted us to come home together for it.

Picking up my brother from school was new for me as I’d never had to do it before—I would always go straight home from school while one of my parents did the picking up. I entered the main entrance at the front of his elementary school, waiting for the kids and him to come right out. The wait was killing me; it took at least five minutes for the final bell to ring so the teachers could dismiss the children.

The bell finally rang, loud as it could be, playing around the entire school as if this was a prison, signaling the inmates to come out for lunch. A few hundred kids began to fill up the hallways, happy and excited to come out from those doors, smiling as summer began to start. I see James coming out of the classroom with his small Spiderman backpack, light-up Sketchers, and bright blue cap hat. James sees me waiting for him at the front entrance, expecting it to be one of our parents. His smile began to show, showing off his bright white teeth; his excitement changed the entire mood of the environment. James comes running toward me, screaming my name at the top of his lungs. The slight grin on his face showed that seeing him happy to see me was something I would never forget. We hugged, but James hugged me tighter, feeling my lower body being squeezed to death by James’s great little strength. I’m happy to see you, Willy, James said. Willy was a nickname he called me a lot. At first, I found it random—now I’m just used to it. I thought mommy was going to pick me up.

I thought so too, but Dad wanted me to pick you up. He said he has an announcement for us and wants us both to be home.

Oh, okay. No more conversations occurred after that; James and I began to walk out of the school and walk home.

The walk was quiet; James and I never had any one-on-one conversations. I loved my brother so much—even though he annoys the fuck out of me sometimes, I can’t stay mad at him; he’s a good kid. We were close to home, just a few blocks away.

How was your last day? I asked.

It was good; we watched a movie all day and had pizza. The enthusiasm in his voice says it all; I missed those times when I was Ten. I barely remember anything from Ten years old, but it was enjoyable.

That’s great, man. I’m glad you enjoyed your last day. What grade you’re going to be in now?

Fifth.

Wow, look at you. You're getting up there, man. A smile from James begins to occur as he holds my hand when we walk next to each other.

How about you, Willy?

Oh, um, my last day was alright, nothing too special. This was true; my junior year wasn’t too meaningful, only stressful.

We finally arrive home, walking toward the house’s front porch. The Townley home was your ordinary household. A modern, blue house, with our front porch wide enough for five people to come, sit, and relax. James and I enter the home, seeing our dad sitting in the kitchen to our left, scrolling through his phone. Oh hey, you boys made it home, Our dad told me and James. My mom came downstairs to greet us both, giving us hugs and kisses.

How was you boys’ last day of school? My mother asks us. My father got up from his seat and walked into the main hallway with us three. James talks about his time in school; his enthusiasm brightens our mood. I’m now used to it since we already had the conversation before we came in.

My mother turns to me, seeing that my backpack isn’t on me as it always is. William, where’s your backpack? I take a moment to respond, looking down on the floor, not saying anything.

Where’s your backpack, William? My dad added.

It got stolen… I said as I looked back up at them. My mother’s eyes began to squint down, not the level of anger, just confused about why or how my backpack would get stolen.

How did that happen? My mother asks me.

I don’t know. I left my backpack on the table at lunch to go to the bathroom, and when I returned, it was gone.

My mom and dad closed their eyes in disbelief; they turned away from that upcoming conversation and quickly changed the subject. No, what? We deal with that later, My dad said. But, since we’re all here, it’s time to tell you guys the announcement.

What’s the announcement, Daddy? James asks.

Well, James, as you know, I have been teasing this little project I’ve been working on. So, now it’s finally completed, My father was always good at keeping secrets. He told us that he was developing something months ago since his job was in architecture. Did you build a house? I asked him.

Yes, but not just any house—My team and I have designed a cabin in Bluff Creek. I would be lying if I said that the announcement made me feel excited because it didn’t. And what caught my attention was it was in Bluff Creek. Why a cabin in Bluff Creek? I asked. His response told me he wasn’t expecting my reaction.

Because this was something I always wanted to do for a while, and now it’s built, I decided for us to go visit the cabin and stay there for the whole summer. My dad replied to me.

The whole summer!? I yelled, confused. Why the whole summer? Can we stay there for the weekend?

I think this is perfect for us to get away and have a peaceful time, my mother replied.

Your mother is right. And this is a great way for you two to experience and get close to nature. I wasn’t happy with this news. I had plans to hang out with my friend Andre for the whole summer, and he’d invited me to go with him and his family to Universal. I tried begging my parents for us to stay only for the weekend—but of course, they disapproved.

We’re staying for the whole summer, and that’s final, mister. Also, we would need your phone, My mother demanded.

My phone! Why?

So, you can stay off your phone and be with reality. But Mom, I⁠—

My mother interrupted me, No buts, now we’re leaving tomorrow morning, so enjoy it while you still can, I quickly walked off — heading to my room and slamming my door. There wasn’t any room to move around in. My room was tiny, smaller than my brothers. In my head, I’m thinking this day couldn’t get any worse. I sat in my room, lying on my bed in pure anger. I wasn’t the type of kid to like nature stuff, and not only that, but I hated that I couldn’t use my phone for the whole summer.

That painful night, I lay on my bed playing video games, getting my mind off everything. I got a call from my friend, Andre, who most likely called me that night since he was always busy with family stuff during the day after school and had little free time before bed.

That’s what happens when you live with strict parents. Hey William, how are you, man? Hey, Andre. Nothing much; I'm just playing my game right now.

That’s cool; I only have a few minutes to talk, but I was wondering if you were still interested in going with me and my family to Universal?

I closed my eyes and began to sigh. Knowing that I was looking forward to that day was the only thing that upset me more. Yeah, bro, unfortunately, I won’t be able to go, man. My parents are taking all of us to Bluff Creek for the whole summer, and I can’t use my phone.

Oh, okay, that sucks; I was looking forward to you coming with me.

Yeah, me too…

But look at the bright side, man, at least you can be away and try something new.

"I guess so; I just hate how I can’t use my phone.