By: Jeannie Chiasson
The Short Story Version

      "Ouch! That hurt!" I yelped as I stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk, biting my tongue in the prosses.
      "What did you do this time?" asked Ian.
     "I just bit my tongue really hard, and it's bleeding," I answered as the blood trickled down my throat.
     "Lemme see," he said.
      I opened my mouth obligingly.
      "Yikes! That looks like you took a knife to it or something!" he observed.
      "It feels like it too," I said between clenched teeth.
     "Hey, where were you last night? I called and you weren't home," asked Ian suddenly.
     "Who are you, my keeper? Not that it's any of your business, but I was out walking," I answered curtly.
     "Just a question. You don't have to bite my head off or anything. I just thought that we were going to go out together last night, but you never showed, and then you weren't home..." he gave me a hurt look, "You aren't mad at me for anything, are you?"
     "Of course not. I just didn't remember we were supposed to go out, that's all. Now let's get to school before we're late."
     I rushed ahead and he ran to catch up with me.
     When we reached the school, it was in a state of total chaos. People were running around, some screaming, most crying, and all looking like chickens with their heads chopped off.
     "What's going on here?" Ian asked the nearest girl.
     "You haven't heard?" she gasped, "Oh my god it was so awful and disgusting and I can't believe you haven't heard cuz it was all over and I just can't believe it actually happened..."
     Ian cut her off, "Just get to the point and tell us what happened."
     "Oh right, sorry," she said, "There was this guy found on the basketball courts. He had this thing on his neck, like an animal had bit him ore something, and he's dead!" she finished in a rush of air.
     "Wow! That's awful!" Ian exclaimed.
     "Terrible," I muttered softly, almost to myself, "Who was it?"
     I thought about how Galvin normally goes out to play basketball on Sunday nights.
     "Some guy named Alvin or Gandin," she said, trying to figure out the name I already knew.
     "Galvin," I said, sure that I was right.
     "Yeah! That was it, Galvin," she looked about as happy as if she had thought of the name herself.
     "Hey, wasn't that the name of your boyfriend, or something?" Ian asked, turning to me.
     "EX-boyfriend," I replied coldly.
     "Hey, no need to be bitter, I mean, come one, the guy's dead," he exclaimed, looking surprised at my lack of emotion.
      There was no need for him to be surprised though. Death doesn't really faze me all that much. I've had to deal with it a lot during ym life.
     "Do they have any suspects?" I asked.
     "No, not really. I mean, I don't think they do. That is, they could, but I just don't know. I haven't heard," she looked as confused by what she had said as I was.
     I was really tired of listening to her, so I pulled Ian towards the school mumbling, "Uh, thanks for the information."
     "What's wrong? Aren't you going to cry or anything? I mean, you two were kinda close, weren't you? Before us, I mean," he asked, brushing a stray lock of my ebony hair out of my eyes.
     "We weren't that close," I said coldly, waving hime aside, "Besides, if I was that close to him, why do you think I was cheating on him for a while? Besides, what's the use of crying? It's not as if it's going to do anything for him."
      Oh, I get it. You're one of those girls who thinks crying is for wimps and stuff, right?"
      I shook my head at him, "You think you know me so well, don't you. I just don't think it's worth the energy. I've gotta get to class. See you at lunch."
     I walked off leaving him to stand there with a perplexed look on his face.
      I reached my classroom and peeked around the doorway. My teacher, Mrs. Stokel, was sitting at her desk with her head buried in her hands. The rest of the room was empty. Galvin had been one of her favorite students.
     "Where is everyone?" I asked as I entered the room.
     "You haven't heard, have you," she sobbed, looking up at me with tears streaming down her face. She was a mess.
     "Yes, I've heard," I said soberly.
     "Oh honey, I'm so sorry," she stood up and gave me a hug which I did not return.
     "Mrs. Stokel I'm fine. But I still want to know where everyone is," I said, slightly annoyed that it seemed everyone in the his school had gone crazy except me.
     "School's been cancelled in view of the... circumstances," she replied as she blew her nose and tried to get a grip on her emotions.
     "Oh, okay great. See you later."
      I left the room and walked out into the deserted hallway.
     As I walked, the song "I Swear" played over and over in my mind. I sighed, remembering the first tim I had heard it. It was the first time Galvin and I had ever danced together back in grade 9. It had been dubbed "our song". It had been during that song, when he had held me so closely, that I had felt even slightly happy for the first tiime. Of course, that was before we had really known each other and before we realized that we just couldn't be together. I'm more of a dark, secretive person, whereas with Galvin, everything was out in the open. He wanted to know as much about me as he shared about himself and I just wasn't ready to do that. And now, he's gone.
      For the first time since his death, I nearly felt like crying, but stopped myself, thinking "What good whoudl crying do? None."
      That night, while I was out walking, I passed by Ian's house, so I decided to drop in.
      "Come out for a walk with me," I said when he finally came to the door.
      He was only half dressed and he had most likely been asleep when I rang the doorbell.
      "Don't you ever sleep?" he demanded.
     "No," I replied simply, "Come on. This is the best time of night for a walk."
     "11:30 is the best time of night?" he questioned, raising one eyebrow.
     "Yes," I stated, "Now let's get going."
     He objectingly got dressed and followed me out the door and down the street.
      It was a beautiful night. The stars were shining and the waining moon was coming up over the horizon. We came to a 24 hour convenience store and I realized that my stomach was growling. In the alley beside the store, I caught a fleeting glimpse of movement and was intrigued by it.
     "Go buy a candy bar for me, please," I asked sweetly.
     "Sure. What kind?" he asked, glad to do anything for me when I asked nicely.
     "Oh, you pick. Something not to filling though, okay?" I looked at him with my best and sweetest expression that gets me anything I want.
     "Sure," he disappeared into the store, and I slipped into the alley.
     A few moments later, I heard him come out of the store and back onto the street. He called out to me.
     "Hecate!"
     "I'm back here in the alley," I called back.
     "Why are you..." he broke off as he saw the body of a man lying at my feet, "Oh my god! What happened?"
      He reached down to check the man's pulse and saw the two marks, like an animal bite, on his neck.
     "He's dead!" he exclaimed hysterically.
     "I know," I said calmly.
     I smiled and licked the blood off my teeth and lips, savouring the taste as it ran down my throat, keeping my eyes locked on Ians, making him powerless to run. I laughed softly as I saw the terror in his eyes as he realized his fate was going to be similar to that of the man at my feet, and of Galvin's.
     "You... you killed him," he whispered.
     "Yes. And Galvin too. It was really too bad. I was just beginning to think it could work between us. That would be imposible though," I sighed, thinking of the good times.
     He shook, wanting desperately to run away, but powerless to do so. He burst into tears as I walkd towards him.
     "Oh come now, don't cry over spilt blood."

Don't Cry Over Spilt Blood
The Film Version

Characters:
Hecate - a dark, emotionless girl
Ian - Hecate's new boyfriend
Ms. Stoke - a teacher
Galvin - Hecate's ex-boyfriend
Student

Scene 1:
(The scene opens on a street outside, during late spring or early winter. There is ice on the street, but little snow. It is early morning and there is not very much light. Hecate and Ian are walking down the street on the way to school. Hecate is dressed almost completely in black and is extremely solemn. Ian is dressed partially in black, but looks happier. Hecate slips on a small patch of ice and grabs Ian's jacket sleeve and bites her tongue in the process.)
Hecate: Ouch that hurt!
Ian: (helping Hecate to her feet) What did you do this time?
Hecate: I just bit my tongue really hard, and it's bleeding.
Ian: Lemme see. (Hecate opens her mouth and shows a wound on her tongue) Yikes! It looks like you took a knife to it or something.
Hecate: Feels like it too.
(Pause)
Ian: Hey, where were you last night? I called but you weren't home.
Hecate: Who do you think you are, my keeper? Not that it's any of your business, but I was out walking.
Ian: Just a question! You don't have to bite my head off or anything. I just thought we were going to go out last night but you never called me to tell me what time to pick you up. You aren't mad at me or anything, are you?
Hecate: Of course not. I just forgot, okay? Anyway, we should get to school before we're late.
(Hecate starts off quickly and Ian runs to catch up with her.)
Blackout

Scene 2:
(Same day, approximately the same time, in a school parking lot. We see the school parking lot in total chaos. There are people running every which way, and most are crying. The camera switches to Ian and Hecate who are just coming into the parking lot. They have no idea what is going on.)
Ian: (calling to Student who passes by) Hey! What's going on here?
Student: You mean you haven't heard?
(Hecate and Ian look at each other then at her questioningly)
Student: (at top speed) Oh my gosh it was so awful and disgusting and I can't believe you haven't heard 'cause it was all over and I can't believe it actually happened...
Ian: (cutting her off) Just get to the point and tell us what happened please.
Student: (slightly slower) Oh yeah right, sorry. There was this guy found on the basketball courts. I heard he had this slice on his neck, like a knife cut or something, and he's dead!
Ian: Wow! That's awful!
Hecate: (mumbling) Terrible. Who was it?
Student: Some guy named Gandid, or Alvin.
(while Student ramble off names, the camera is focused on Hecate thinking about something, then a look of realization pass over Hecate's features.)
Hecate: Galvin.
Student: (looking pleased) Yeah! That was it, Galvin. Weird name, huh?
Ian: (to Hecate) Wasn't he your boyfriend or something?
Hecate: EX-boyfriend.
Ian: Hey, no need to be bitter! I mean, the guy's dead.
Hecate: (to Student) Do they have any suspects?
Student: No, not really. At least, I don't think they do. That is, they could, but I just don't know. Actually, I haven't heard.
Hecate: Thanks for the information.
(Hecate grabs Ian's sleeve and pulls him towards the front door of the school. A lock of hair falls into Hecate's eyes, but she ignores it.)
Ian: What's wrong? Aren't you going to cry, or something? (Ian brushes the lock of hair out of Hecate's eyes) I mean, you two were really close, weren't you? Before us, of course.
Hecate: (brushing him aside coldly) We weren't all that close really. I mean, if we had been close, would I have been cheating on him with you? Besides, what's the point in crying? It's not going to make any difference.
Ian: Oh, I get it. You're one of those girls who thinks crying is for wimps, right?
Hecate: You think you know me so well, don't you. I've gotta get to class. See you at lunch.
(Hecate runs of leaving Ian with a stunned look on his face)
Blackout

Scene 3:
(Hecate is walking down the deserted hall of the school. She comes to a classroom and peeks her head in. We see a deserted classroom with Ms. Stoke, a teacher, sitting at her desk with her head in her hands, sobbing quite loudly. We see that Hecate is confused by this behaviour, and by the fact that the classroom is otherwise empty)
Hecate: Where is everyone?
Ms. Stoke: (looking up with makeup running down her face) You haven't heard, have you?
Hecate: Yes, I've heard.
Ms. Stoke: (Getting up and giving Hecate a hug, which is not returned) Oh honey, I'm so sorry.
Hecate: I'm fine Ms. Stoke, but I still want to know where everyone is.
Ms. Stoke: School's been canceled of course. In view of the.. circumstances.
Hecate: Okay great. See you later.
Blackout

Scene 4:
(Hecate leaves the classroom, closes the door, and starts to walk back down the deserted hallway. As she walks, the song "I Swear" plays softly in the background. Hecate leans up against the wall and sighs, listening to the music play in her mind. The scene fades to Hecate leaning in the same position, and from the same angle, but she is wearing different clothes and it takes place in the school gym. There is a dance going on. Other people are dancing but Hecate just looks very out of place. The song continues to play. Galvin sees her and walks over)
Galvin: Would you like to dance?
Hecate: (surprised) Okay. It's Galvin right?
Galvin: (taking her hand and leads her to the dance floor) Right.
(Galvin and Hecate begin to dance. They talk, but we cannot hear what they are saying. Galvin says something funny, and for the first time, we see Hecate laugh and smile. She relaxes into his arms and looks happy. The scene fades to Hecate standing against the wall in the hallway. She is smiling, but more wistfully, and a single tear runs down her face. The song ends suddenly, and Hecate realizes where she is. She brushes the tear away angrily)
Hecate: What good will crying do.
(She walks quickly down the hall and opens the door angrily. She leaves and slams the door behind her)
Blackout

Scene 5:
(A residential street at night. There can be stars and there is a waining moon. We see Hecate walking alone along the street. She has her hands in her pockets and is looking down. She comes to a house and goes up the driveway. She rings the doorbell and waits for quite a while. Eventually Ian comes to the door wearing pyjamas and a robe)
Ian: (mumbling with his eyes still half closed) Don't you ever sleep?
Hecate: No. Come for a walk with me please.
Ian: Are you crazy?
Hecate: Yes, now come on. It's the best time of night for a walk.
Ian: 11:30 at night is the best time?
Hecate: Of course it is. Go get dressed and come on.
(Ian sighs and goes back inside. Hecate waits a bit longer and eventually Ian comes back out fully dressed. They start down the road together. Hecate grabs Ian's hand and he lets her take it. Hecate looks up at the sky and through her eyes, we see that the night sky is full of stars, and there is a waning crescent moon and a few clouds. The two come to a 24 hour convenience store. In an alley next to the store, there is a flicker of movement. Hecate's sight flickers towards the alley. She licks her lips)
Hecate: Go buy me a candy bar, would you please?
Ian: Sure, what kind?
Hecate: Oh, I don't know. You pick for me. Something not too filling though, okay?
Ian: Sure.
(Ian goes into the store and Hecate slips into the alley)
Blackout

Scene 6:
(This last scene takes place in the alley beside the convenience store. It is still night, a few minutes later. From around the corner of the alley, we see Ian come out of the convenience store carrying a chocolate bar. He looks around, but the street and surrounding area is deserted)
Ian: Hecate! Where are you!
Hecate: (from somewhere behind the camera) I'm back here in the alley.
(Ian comes around the corner of the building)
Ian: Why are you back... (he catches sight of the body lying at Hecate's feet) Oh my God, what happened?
(Ian reaches down to check for a pulse, but finds none. There is a knife slash on his throat. Ian's breath catches in his throat)
Ian: He's dead!
Hecate: (calmly) I know.
(Hecate smiles for the second time, but it isn't pretty this time. She now has glowing yellow eyes. She has an insanely calm look about her. She licks the blood off the knife. She keeps her eyes locked with Ian's the entire time. Ian looks as though he wants very badly to run away, but is powerless, locked in Hecate's spell. Hecate laughs softly at his distress)
Ian: You killed him, didn't you.
Hecate: Of course, and Galvin too. It was too bad really. It almost could have worked between us. That would have been impossible though. As for you, well, you were too weak. There's nothing I can't stand more than weakness in a man. It's very unbecoming.
(Ian starts to shake and begins to cry)
Ian: Please don't kill me.
Hecate: Oh come now, don't cry over spilt blood.
(Hecate's smile widens and she laughs evilly The camera turns towards the brick wall of the alley. There is a small whimper)
Final blackout

Any comments on these stories? Please e-mail me. [email protected]

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