Journal # 3: Chapters 8 & 9 [Perspective: Atticus]

Journal # 3: Chapters 8 & 9 [Perspective: Atticus]

Hot and cold were the only two words I could think of. They played over and over again in my head. The words gave me so much perplexity; they haunted and made me shudder.

The cool breeze swept upon me. That was the only thing I could feel. My entire body went numb. Snow. Scout had never been acquainted with the snow. It made me smile the way she said the world was going to end. I wonder what she thought the snow was, since she got that ugly thought in her head. As I went outside, I froze. I couldn’t believe how froze I felt. My legs started pouring with pain once I took my small steps. I began to isolate my thoughts. Something inside of my thoughts was missing. It must have to do with Scout since whenever I thought of her, I felt incomplete. After a few more icy steps of pain, I hit me. I was worried how Scout was going to handle the snow for the first time. I must have been so cold, that I didn’t remember the small thought that spooked me. Of course, I entrusted her. I should have cheeked if I could entrust her. The haunt still hurt me.

After the cold breezy day, nightfall came. Midnight crept by. The smoky smell of burns woke me up. I sprung out of my bed and ran to the window. Fire was everywhere. Miss Maudie’s home was in flames. My heart was raising. Who could have done this horrible thing? How could they? Those were the only thoughts that ran through my mind. Before I was debating anything with myself, I speeded over to Jem and Scout.
As soon as Jem woke up, he sped to the window and gasped. I shook Scout awake. Her eyes looked weary. She rubbed her eyes and did what I told her to do. She looked confused, I felt bad for her. Jem, Scout, and I ran outside. The heat made my face burst. I felt a hot wave over my face. My hands shook.

I told my children to stand near the Radley yard. They looked hesitant, but they took a deep breath and went. I watched the rest of the remains of Miss Maudie’s home burn to the ground. She couldn’t stop shrieking. The women looked like she was givin’ birth, her face was all red and she was screaming like crazy. I was trying to comfort her, but she was still going insane. She ran around like a crazy person too.
More screams filled the air. My head started to spin. I tried to stop my head from truing in different directions, but my head just couldn’t stop. The heat started burning my temples. I almost tripped because of the burn. Everyone started at Mr. Radley. He was just standing there, almost chuckling. Whispers spread around. Most of them saying: “I bet Mr. Radley burnt down that house.” I gasped. I sprinted over to the Radley’s yard. Jem and Scout were gone. My heart boomed. Where could they be? I told them stay put…

More heat disturbed my temples. I ran all over the street searching for Jem and Scout. I didn’t want to yell their names; you couldn’t hear anything because of Miss Maudie’s yells.

I finally found them. I saw a blanket over Scout. Once I told her Boo Radley probably put that blanket on her, she almost died. So did I. I couldn’t believe I said that thought out loud. Scout’s eyes got big. She looked like she was going to burst. What did I just do? I thought.