2017

An online literary magazine featuring selected student short stories, plays, poems, and artwork

The Current 1 2017

Table of contents The Current is Eastern Shore Commu- nity College’s literary magazine featur- 3 FICTION: Ghost Stories ing original student writing and art- work. This inaugural edition includes FICTION: Sci-Fi & Fantasy 15 work created during the 2016-2017 37 FICTION: Microfiction academic year. The writing largely consists of work done by creative writ- DRAMA 39 ing students, but students throughout POETRY 51 the college were invited to submit work for consideration. If you are a Featured Writer 58 student interested in having your work Artwork 62 featured in the next edition, email sub- Writing Contests 70 missions to [email protected].

Compiled by: William LeCato, Emily Moore, Liz Walraven, & Christina Duffman. Cover Photos by: Anthony Giannini & William McCarter

William McCarter The Current 2 2017

Fiction GHOST STORIES

The Blood Stone fern arrange the deathbed of a day, as the mea- by Scott Snead ger ashen light tip-toes down into the bay. Somewhere near Quinby, down a winding dirt Cicada choirs echo into the darkness as the road, there stands a dimly-lit house which is home faint scent of honeysuckle leads Abel to the to many secrets. A fuzzy ball of light dances like a wood pile passed the outhouse, beside the barn. marionette in the window, a candlelight shrouded Grabbing a few moldy logs with his right hand, he in fog lurking from the marsh. Wrapped in ivy, tall tucks them underneath his arm grabbing his oil pines craft a verdant forest cast against the dismal lamp in his left. The amber leaves crunch be- sky. An eight-hundred yard lane leads off this neath his feet scattering dust from either side of backroad, outstretched like a spine sprinkled with his boot. Squinting his eyes, he lifts the oil lamp crimson and golden-brown, from the fallen au- parallel to his chest as he follows the sand-soil tumn leaves. Amongst the trees there is a clear- trail that marks the pathway back to the house. ing, a two-story brick house tucked away and well Behind him he hears a brief wind howl and the hidden from passers-by. Beyond a grassy knoll, snap of a branch. A rustle of feather mixed with between the pines, thick holly and fallen cone, squawks from the direction of his fowl. Abel there raised an isolated memoir written on quickly spins around on one foot, and examines cracked and broken headstone. The ivy and thick the tree line as best he can.

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“Hello? Is someone there?” His foolish inquiry nearing midnight. His still-lit lantern flickers as stirs the quiet. Silence broken by a screeching Abel shakes it to test how much oil is left. “I should sound, the flutter of wings and then nothing again. like to know Rachel sleeps soundly.” Lending a “My name is Abel Upshur and this is my home… sharp glance towards the dark stairwell, he heads if someone is there, I should wish they make them- upstairs. selves known!” His declarations riddled with fear, Abel tries not to wake her but the wooden like a child shouting into a closet or under the bed. stairs wail and moan, each laden step croons a The darkness swallows his sound as his heart begins boot-strap jingle. Cautiously, he slips inside the to race sending sweat to his palms. He slowly turns bedroom, not to have her stir. Draped in apricot and briskly walks back into the house. shades of cotton reflecting the lantern light, there The Iron hinges screech as Abel slams the heavy lay his wife Rachel, resting like an angel. A precious door behind him. He drops the logs with a hollow pearl visage, her peaceful grace deserves a temple “thud” and quickly latches the bar lock. To further kiss. His lips graze her skin as he places the oil support the door, he braces his back against it as his lamp beside her, atop the night stand. chest raises and lowers with each exasperated “We shall soon be rid of this place, don’t fret breath… yet, the silence is steadfast. Bracing for a my love.” Whispering into her sleepy ear, Abel slow collapse his fingers jet outward and his palms knows she dreams of a family and a life outside of face the floor—giving into exhaustion, he slumps to the farm. She would fancy children, a big lot, mak- the ground. Might that have been her? he thought, ing up for siblings she never had. Shifting the cur- could it have been the witch? tain to snatch a glance at the remanence of the wood-pile, spider-webs draw pin prick dew drops Chuckling, he mutters aloud,“ Hardly… the wind, that steal the moonlight. I’m certain.” Whatever he heard, it vanished quickly into the night just as it came. Planted against the A few pieces lay scattered and stranded beside door, he shuts his eyes for a brief moment of rest. the scythe leaning against the tattered shed. After Abel springs up from the floor with his eyes wide grabbing his lantern from the nightstand, he paus- open. “How long have I slept?” es in the doorway on his way out. Peering over his shoulder he turns his head towards her, “A mo- He quickly surveys the room as making his way ments time is all I need, I can fix this… you’ over to the hearth. Black soot leads a danse maca- ll see.” bre as shadows mimic flame, Abel stabs and Reluctant whispers leave an uneasy feeling in his shuffles pieces of red oak under an iron hooked wake. kettle. The subtle sweet perfume of dandelion mix- Rachel is awoken by a loud crash, shattered es just o’er cedar, clove and cinnamon. Sipping the glass, and nails scraping against steel. Panicked, freshly brewed tea, like a fever test he gently rests she sits up on the side of the bed and quickly pulls four knuckles against the brick as the cool air slith- back the curtains. Looking down on the barn below ers through each crack. Enchanted by the flickering she can see the gate to the hen house is open, all light, he lobs the last piece of deadwood into the the fowl are running loose—bouncing around like hearth—the crackle-pop of dried leaf and snaps of rabbits in all directions, fluttering their wings. The bark break his fire-trance. doors to the barn swing open and slam shut, back If he is to get more wood, it must be soon as its and forth without pattern in the howling wind—no

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sign of Abel anywhere. Her heaving breath creates white-mountains at the corners of its mouth—this circular condensation obscuring her view, more rabid fox knows nothing of fear. Sand-soil flies than the imperfections in the distorted glass. She from the bottom of her left food as she reaches runs for the doorway as her pace quickens down the first step. The sharp pain catches her Achilles the creaky steps. Flying out of the door, her night as she flops down her night gown drapes over the gown whips behind her, she stops dead in her stairs—the deathbed of a day. A wince and the tracks just outside the heavy door. No sign of Abel fox flies through the air behind her as Abel’s fig- anywhere, her fear begins to set in. She is alone, ure towers over her. Lifting her into his arms to with a sense of someone watching, the night-chill carry her back inside… drops of blood leave a trail accentuates her panting. The full moon reveals an coming from Rachel’s ankle that leave her mark empty nothingness, slamming doors and clucking on the stepping stone below. Her body draped fowl. over his arms as he heads upstairs to place her “Abel? Answer me!” casting out demands into back in bed. He dresses her wounds, Abel softly the shadows. She swallows hard before holding her praying between whimpers, restless, as the calm breath awaiting an answer as the night absorbs her of sleep slowly overtakes. plea. From the back side of the barn comes a deep The next morning, Abel fetches a pale and grow and the yelp of a chicken. Hurried faint foot- some water to soothe the oncoming fever steps crunching leaves comes from beyond the line afflicting Rachel. “Stay away from me you foul of tall pines. beast. You consort with demons and witch—you “Rachel? Who goes there?!” Cupped hands wish to harvest my soul!” Rachel spits at Abel who sound a distant yell from inside the forest. Abel’s kneels at the bedside. “You will NOT take me you figure emerges from the line of trees, outlined in wretched fiend!” She growls. black, with axe in hand. Inconsolable, Abel begins to uncontrollably In the moonlight he looks a ghostly pale. “Abel, sob, he wipes his brow clearing her saliva. “P- please Rachel, I don’t intend to harm you, I simply you’re alright! Please make haste, I heard a rustle want to help.” He reaches out his hand with a of fowl from behind the barn!” she shouts back. washcloth for her forehead. “Hear me, you must retreat indoors… there is no time to lose!” At that moment the snarling sound “STAY BACK VILE FILTH!” Her teeth crack and returns and a loud squawk followed by a rustle that snap, biting at him she jostles around the bed try- comes from in-between them. ing to break free of her restraints. Kicking dirt up behind its paws, from inside the “R-Rachel…you, you m-must listen. It is I, Abel barn appears a rust colored fox, with a white and I only want to help you…” she snarls and con- tipped tail. This fox is not like other foxes, Rachel tinues to growl at his outstretched hand. His sen- freezes in horror as the fox darts directly towards tences become more broken as despair begins to her. Its ivory fang smile shows feathers flying from sink in, “I… I understand Rachel.” Abel’s frown its mouth while leeching foamy white bubbles. She then straightens, he takes a deep breath to regain turns and everything moves in slow motion— composure as an emotionless expression sweeps Rachel lets out an ear piercing shriek, loud enough over his face. to startle the fox. The bubbles grow like cascading He dips the washcloth into the bucket one last

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time, wipes away his tears and holds it over her round-the-rosy melancholy chime—snake hiss be- face. Her curses and screams become muffled hind holly, luring you deeper into the woods. Each down the eight-hundred yard lane, beyond the ivy gnarled branch outstretched, reminiscent of na- wrapped pine and fallen cones, over the grassy ked skeletal hands, pleading respite underneath knoll and molding stone, where lines now blur be- full moon; the soft bleached light brings no solace tween demons, witch, and man. The darkness ab- as it shone… upon her lurid bleak and pale blood- sorbs the light—silence and nothingness. stone. The secret of her murder is buried alongside her bones—just a few meters beyond the old cott Snead was a student in Creative slave quarters. Expelled from this world, her Writing I and II at ESCC during the headstone a sullen reminder of her fate—cracked, S 2016-2017. He is pictured here with broken and forgotten. Creeping lichen moss and his buddy Sam. honeysuckle, now her only friends. No one knows what became of Abel Upshur, but if you should listen, dear reader, closely to the trees, Rachel may lend her tale to an eager ear. Listen for her

Ray Gefken The Current 6 2017

She Remembers She really was listening! “You're right,” I smile as I lean in tightly, by Cory Mason “Besides, I'll protect you”. My voice is full and clear “Have you heard of the Marino House?” I ask. and she feels it. This girl has no real interest in the Marino House, “I have no doubt”, she replies strongly. but her interest in me is obvious as she pulls in clos- Immediately we get into my truck and make for er with her excited blue eyes. Greenbush. It was unusually cloudy for so early in “No, what about it?” she replies eagerly. I have the day. The marble clouds swirled above us, gradu- her full attention now, how fortunate for me. It had ally gaining mass with every mile. Nervous electrici- been three weeks since I met her, and slowly our ty fills the cab as music plays softly. She reaches out relationship had progressed from flirting to smiling, and takes my hand. and even a single, but passionate kiss. With Hallow- “You know I don't believe you right?” She says een upon us I devised a master plan, to get her this playfully...I think. alone, impress her with my masculinity and courage, “I never finished...” and after tonight assume my rightful place as the “Oh, well please go on”, she answers, waving man of her dreams. her hands sarcastically. “The Marino House is an old farm house built in “After all the talking about The Lady in Black the the late 1700s, some referred to it as the Peach father decided to stop all the nonsense and see for Brandy Farm back then.” She's impressed by my himself. Just like you want to do.” high level of intelligence in the fields of both history “And?-” and psychology. “And, he left work early one day and hid out “It was about 100 years later, 1880s or so, that until 4 o'clock came. He was ready to give up until, the family living there began to see her…” right on schedule, a woman dressed in black ap- “See who?” peared walking down the dirt lane. As she ap- “The Lady in Black.” proached the front porch he attempted to stand up “You're so cheesy!” she says doubtfully, but her and speak, but before he could, she vanished.” face brightens with a smile all her own. She doesn't reply. She's enjoying this, we're en- “The family had five kids living there and over joying this. dinner they would bring up the Lady in Black. When “He packed the family up that night and the parents asked about this woman the children moved.” said that every day they would see her around 4 We pass through Parksley and turn down to- o'clock walking down the dirt road to the house.” wards Lee Mont into the forgotten terrain of the “Uh-huh,” she replies pretending to be unen- rural Eastern Shore. I did not know the true location thused. of the house, and though it had burned down in ’82 “Look, this has all been documented,” I say con- from arson, a theme which the Shore has seen in fidently. both past and present years, the property itself was “When the mother asked why they've never met unknown to me. I planned to simply find a forgotten this Lady in Black, the children replied, 'Everyday migrant house, or spacious farm land for us to ex- when she reaches the top of the steps to the front plore, and let nature and hormones do the rest. porch, she disappears'“. “Do you know where you're going?” she asked “You're so full of it!” she shouts as she grabs my accusingly. arm and squeezes tightly. This is a good sign. “Almost there.” I sound confident, but soon I’ll “It's true,” I say laughing as I watch my plan fall be lost, for every backroad on the shore looks the together nicely. same. As I turn onto another unmarked road, we're Suddenly a thought floods her mind and as she surrounded by fields full of rooted grasses planted pulls me closer she demands, “You should take us to keep the lands structure through the cold winter out there so I can see her for myself!” months ahead. On this road I see a dirt lane leading I must be a genius! undoubtedly to an abandoned barn, or old farm “I don't know,” I play. “It's pretty scary stuff.” house. Perfect. “Well it's not 4 o'clock yet is it?” I pull to the side at its entrance and kill the en- The Current 7 2017

gine. She's shaken now, and this is the part where I “Well, we're here,” I say as I stare at her with my play hero. But I'm asking myself the same questions ultimatum. I see her perfectly round cheeks glisten that she is. from the sun’s dying light as she smiles and then “I warned you,” I laugh, but it's oh so fake! I jumps out. stand and strain my eyes to see anything. Anything, The thick October air is chilling, but crisp and please! I turn and she gets up to follow, closely, provides us with a great sense of privacy. As we reaching for me, her hero, her courageous man. walk down the dirt lane she wraps her arm around CRUNCH! Why is it so loud now? me and curls up against my body as we march I look down the dirt lane and see the cold glow steadily into the mysterious landscape. The ominous of the forgotten sun reflecting off my truck in the clouds create a romantic setting as our minds grow distance. With a new sense of depth my vision fo- silent and we send signals through our bodies, cuses and about 50ft away I see a figure walking hearts beating into every nerve ending until our vi- calmly towards us. Please be some redneck coming brations become in sync. To our right there is a to tell us to get lost! slight clearing and I have an epiphany. I turn into it It's not a redneck - it's a woman. Slender and and she follows graciously. After a few steps I mut- tall, her black hair shines in in the haze and the light ter, “This is nice”, and proceed to lay in the soft, dances across her skull elegantly. Her legs and feet dead grass. Risky move. are hidden under a black gown, and her arms and Before I can speak she lays next to me and to- long fingers stretch from her shoulders straight gether we share a gaze of the now excited clouds. down, unmoving. The crunch of her steps echoes, How romantic, lying together in silence, exhaling but she moves as a ship on smooth seas, pressing plumes of our breath in the frosted air, embracing ahead. I want to yell out, only to get a response, but each other. The lack of sound becomes deafening my voice is stunted. My date joins in my gaze and is and I can feel her heart, and spirit speaking clearly. frozen as well. Namaste. My plan had worked flawlessly. The si- I’m defeated. lence would only lead to one thing. The silence had- “Happy?” Crunch. With my whisper the Woman in Black perks her A second Crunch, reverberated around us. I feel head up just as a mother snaps her head at words of her body adjust. She's heard it too. It was soft, but disrespect. Her eyes are hollow and dark, as her in the crisp Halloween air it echoed. black hair lays stiffly across her bosom. She’s spot- Crunch. ted us. “What is that?” she asks unsure. “Come'on!” I say loudly as I grab her hand and “Oh, nothing, a deer, a raccoon, the lost spirit of turn away. We want to run but our feet become the Lady in Black searching for her forgotten loved heavy and our legs suddenly stiffen. Like rusted ones”. I embellish jokingly, but not just for her sake. gears our bodies are compromised, and we struggle Again, CRUNCH, CRUNCH. It's rhythmic, I fear to to gain any speed. A gust of damp pungent wind say it has the cadence of marching footsteps. She is reaches from behind and we feel it on our necks. A tightening her muscles and though she tries to hide wet kiss of mystery and age. Now we run. her fear, it’s very apparent. The dark clouds begin to I squeeze her hand tighter, aware that I might churn as the wind picks up, and the suns faint gold- drag her if she does not keep pace with me. As we en light shifts into a pale blue as it’s filtered through begin our escape I turn my head towards the Lady the shrouded canopy above us. Our hearts are beat- but before I can make her out, I hit something. ing harder now, and I can no longer shield her from Something that does not give. my increasing panic. I crash abruptly and topple over stone about 2ft CRUNCH, CRUNCH. Something is coming. high. As my arms reach out to break my fall I slam An animal, a land owner to the property coming my hands against more stone. A graveyard. As I look to bust us, a...spirit? up, the name is etched into the stone – She jumps up, and I follow to comfort her, and Annie F. Willett Melson gain my bearings. 1798-1872 “Seriously!” “It's her!” I gasp.

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In this moment my date is the hero. She stops would have been our final resting place was a foun- and pulls me up to my feet with grace and purpose. dation to a home no longer present. A house that My right leg throbs and it feels cold against the hal- was once alive before it burned. Once again the lowed air surrounding us. silence swallowed up everything surrounding us as What a terrible plan! we sat, breathing heavily. Finally, I rise to my feet, We run a few more paces until my foot is again quickly reminded of my swollen knee, and reach for caught and I fall on hard ground. A cold, flat surface her hand. She's still shaking and her touch is damp. scratches my palms. Concrete? Where are we now? I pull her into me tightly, suddenly aware of the op- She topples down alongside of me and once again portunity afforded to us both, and kiss her. It’s a we are laying together, in silence, except now we full kiss, and her body falls limp in my arms. She can hear each other's hearts pounding against our exhales strongly and her heart begins to pound ribs. We both sit up and look toward the dirt lane again. that held the Woman in Black. As we walk back to the truck, I wrap my arm She is right at our feet, her dark presence beat- around her waist and keep her close. The black ing down on us. She stares straight ahead and stops clouds above us are all but gone, and the moon be- only inches away. I don't have the strength to look gins to rise, unaware of our cursed date. The dirt away from her empty face, but I don't see any feet. lane ahead of us exposed the fateful path of the Just a black gown wrapped around her proper body, Woman in Black, but we continued home. The gently waving in the cool October air. She slowly Crunch from our footsteps still tilts her head down and looks at me, her eyes hol- echoing in the dark Halloween low and never-ending. With one hand, I reach over night. to shield my companion and I can feel her shaking violently in horror. The wind is circling us, forcing the surrounding grasses to dance wildly in the dark. ory Mason returned to As the Lady in Black begins to lean down stiffly, I pull my bloody palm from the ground and raise it ESCC at 27 to finish his high against her force. She counters my attempt by C pursuit of a degree. After- slowly edging out her rotten hand towards mine. ward, Creative Writing was offered My sore palm throbs from the heat pulsating off her and he enrolled to increase his talents as a fingertips. Through my outstretched fingers, I see screenwriter. Cory is a filmmaker and pho- her deceased face spread into a grin. Now we wait tographer who will be transferring in the fall for her invitation into death. At least I will die heroi- cally, with a beautiful woman by my side. At least to study the art of Cinema full time. He says we have- that creative writing and its professor “not She disappears. We stay locked, motionless, for only equipped me with the tools to write some time after, unaware that the apparition had great stories, but also gave me the courage left. It's only then that I realize the hard ground that and technique to succeed in doing so.”

Creative Commons The Current 9 2017

Lost Boy knew I could hear him, why he decided to speak when no ghost ever had, but I didn’t dare. Around by Maria Burns me the air felt too silent; I couldn’t feel the wind. It Autumn is the most beautiful of all the seasons. It should be colder. His voice called me back. flashes red and waves soft yellow; it carelessly blows “Private Henry George Bates at your service soothing kisses of brown—all twisted up into one joy- miss.” He bowed and his bayonet slid off of his shoul- ous display of almost exhibitionist proportions. I al- der. He had an accent that can only be acquired ways thought it ironic that the season’s chief beauty through living in the South; smooth and drawling as is in the peculiar charm of its decay, that the prelude melting ice cream. to winter’s barren branches should be such a crack- “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Catherine.” I reached ling symphony. From the time I was a little girl I rev- out to shake his hand, thought better of it and pulled eled in it. The dying light of dusk dapples the pine- back, attempting to disguise the motion by swatting needled path with points of light and shades of gray at an imaginary bug. “Mosquitoes.” I said weakly. I and brown. The air is motionless and sharp. looked down at my feet, then over at his. He was Across the road I can see Mrs. Lanson getting into wearing well-worn boots that hovered slightly above her car. We make eye contact, and I wave. She turns the ground. her head and closes the door of her blue sedan, back- “Ah, Miss Catherine… A lovely lady such as your- ing through the ghost of a small child. Mamma’s in- self shouldn’t be walking alone at dusk, please allow heritance to me was the ability to see them. To look me the pleasure of accompanying you home. We are beyond the veil as it were. I’ve never been a stranger at war, there may yet be soldiers about.” to ghosts. Still, it still gave me pause to see Mrs. Lan- I realized that he did not know he was dead, that son drive her car through the fragile ghost-child with his war had ended long ago, and that his side had lost confusion in her eyes. lost. I suddenly couldn’t bear the thought of him pa- I continued walking across the patchy uneven trolling through the night, up and down the dirt road ground, back towards my house, away from the tree lined with apple trees, looking for soldiers that would where I filled my basket with apples red as the soft never come. feathers of a robin’s breast and white-yellow as the “I would be delighted if you would join me porcelain face of a doll. I noted with absent- for…supper? It gets cold at night. May I offer a warm mindedness a ghost approaching to my left. A ghost bed and a kind ear to a weary soldier?” I curtsied my in blue and grey. finest, unwilling to break his illusion. He nodded, and “Hello miss,” The ghost said cheerily. Though I I gathered up my apples, and side by side, we walked used to point to ghosts when I was in my cradle, I had into the setting sun. He offered to help me with my never spoken to one until today. Honestly, since basket, but I declined, skillfully weaving a lie that he Mamma died I hadn’t spoken to much of anyone. carried enough: his pack and his weapons. I dropped the basket of apples. The beautiful fruit The setting sun cast shadows across his face; hit the uneven path with hollow thuds, bruising and horses nickered in their pastures as we walked by, bouncing before rolling across the forest floor and filling the crisp air with the gentle sounds of frolic- through his ankles. I stared. He was handsome in the some delight. They cantered back and forth along the way only daguerreotypes of old soldiers can be, with line of the wooden fence and they tossed their proud bright hazel eyes and a boyish chin. His smile was heads. And their manes flew in the air like paint be- wide, but there was a grimness to it, the grimness of ing flicked from a brush. one who’s known too much. His lips were full and his As we walked on, I noticed that Henry was hair was dark. In his Confederate uniform he seemed younger than he had first appeared, about my age: out of place against the crisp backdrop of the autumn nineteen or twenty, more boy than man. leaves. “I am nearly twenty winters,” He said in reply to “Hello…?” I replied carefully, smoothing my hair, my unasked question, as if he could read my mind. which I had a terrible habit of toying with. My mother Surprisingly, when we reached the gate, he opened it used to call my pale hair “Winter,” and always teased for me; I had never seen a ghost move objects in the that it held the color and the temperament of pellu- physical world before. It shocked me, and for a mo- cid Victorian curtains being blown by contrary winds. ment I pondered why he could navigate the world of My mind wandered. I wanted to ask him how he the living with such ease, but my shock and my con- The Current 10 2017

templations gave way to admiration. Henry was a one but he would know the difference. I wondered true gentleman, even if he was dead. whether or not I would stay, as he had. I couldn’t We laughed often in the cramped kitchen of my bear the thought of aging past him, or leaving him old farmhouse. I’m sure he felt very much at home; alone, betraying the secret which I tried so hard to mine was a house cobbled from different eras: the conceal. kitchen belonged to his century, with small windows One day he returned home quiet and withdrawn. and gingham curtains. The preserves and pickles my “What’s wrong?” I asked, taking the wildflowers mamma used to make lined the shelves. Jam jars full he handed me. of fruit and herbs sparkled in the candlelight; vases of “Catherine, I saw something today that does not flowers peppered every free surface. Electric light belong in this world.” He sank into a chair and kicked would upset him, but it was no trial; my mother had off his boots. “A beast of iron barreling down the loved candles. The sound of geese splashing in the road faster than a horse can run. It went through me. pond filtered in through the windows with the breeze Catherine, are you a witch? Why am I not dead? It as I made coffee and apple pie, then watched in went through me.” astonishment as he consumed both with much excla- A car. Tourist season again; they came for the mation as to their perfections. Another trick that ocean and the ponies. I swallowed. “Oh Henry!” And I eluded all the ghosts I’d seen before. started to cry. He would have to know now. “How long have you been a soldier?” I asked at “Witch or not, Catherine I love you!” And for the last while we cleared the remnants of our meal. first time ever he touched me, and his hands on my “Since the beginning. I’ve always looked older shoulders were warm and solid as he drew me to his than my age, and I had no parents to caution me chest. “Marry me.” against it. It is a hard life for one so young, but I’ve But inside myself I felt suddenly sick. I drew back grown accustomed to its trials.” He boasted like Peter with a gasp, trying to catch myself on the table, and Pan, and I couldn’t help but smile. my hand went through it. Henry’s voice calling my “You’re very brave I’m sure.” I took the plate he name faded as I fainted to the floor. Because I had finished drying and put it in the cupboard. remembered everything. There was a reason that I “I was shot once, but I lived.” He crowed. “I’m had spoken to no one since mother died, there was a invincible.” reason I could see ghosts. It went through me… He likely hadn’t lived, but perhaps it was only his through me. The white truck went through me. belief in his own invincibility that kept him here, Mamma could see ghosts. I thought I’d inherited trapped like this. I was growing to enjoy his company; her gifts. But I could see ghosts, because I was one. I didn’t want him sad or to leave this world. I could That’s why I could talk to Henry, that’s why he could never tell him. talk to me. That was why my waves to the neighbors As the nights and weeks passed, I kept encourag- had gone unacknowledged. Because no one could see ing him to stay. Eventually the house became as me. much his as mine; it was a quiet change, slowly, then Because I wasn’t there. at once: like the rise of the moon and the shifting of *Inspired by events just off Chincoteague. constellations. Like the setting of the sun. By day he aria Burns was born in Delaware but has always patrolled the lonely road, and by night we laughed by had a gypsy spirit. She is an actress who has told the fire. I knew his likes and dislikes, the stories of his family, and he knew everything about me. He told me M herself stories in her once that my eyes were the color of green sea-glass head for as long as she can re- formed by fire, that’s when I knew. It was hopeless, member. At least 60% of the time because the more I knew of him the more I grew to she prefers the company of books love him, and sometimes I would look over and see to people. She is currently residing him watching me like I was something he couldn’t in Virginia with her family and her bear to lose, but knew he couldn’t keep. Autumn multitude of pets, especially her cat turned to winter, then spring. Sir Lancelot. Maria will be pursuing In the solitary hours of the morning as I watched a double-major in Theatrical Per- him don his boots and coat before leaving I contem- formance and English Literature at plated the ramifications of ending my own life. No The College of William and Mary.

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The Hunted: luggage consisted of some food, medical supplies,

A Severely Embellished Myth camping supplies, a knife, my phone, a sketch pad, and my trusty rifle, I never went anywhere unpre- by Anthony Giannini pared. However, I didn’t call anybody that morning to notify them of my whereabouts, I just put the kayak I didn’t believe any of the rumors, or local hear- in the bed of my truck, and started down toward the say from the Cape Charles townsfolk, I wish I had… docks. but I didn’t. Now, you might be wondering what it is There was an uncanny feeling in the dense air that I just can’t believe, you know good and well surrounding the docks, it was hard to breathe. I could how the people of Cape Charles like to gossip… and taste the bitterness of the air on my tongue, my embellish upon their old wives’ tales; if only this throat became so hoarse that even swallowing my were just a wives’ tale… God how I wish it were. But own saliva didn’t help. Staring down the creek with alas, I’m writing this letter, a letter…since the second thoughts, still, I decided to unload everything phone’s jammed, to inform you that you were right, from the truck. it’s real, and that for me, it might be too late. He, As I dragged the kayak down to the launching ar- she… it? Whatever it is, it always finds me, I can’t ea, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to have the seem to get away…and soon, it’ll find me again, it’s figure of a person, it had the posture of a corpse. only a matter of time. I wasn’t actually supposed to Much to my surprise, it was an elderly man parked on find what I was looking for, a nice day out of the a bench at the usually abandoned end of the dock house, that’s all; but here I am, in the middle of the area. Curious as to why he was there, I casually ap- woods, being stalked by the Yahoo, something that proached him to make conversation; however, upon wasn’t supposed to exist. closer inspection, he looked distressed, and acted as If only I could have left a letter like this for those if he’d seen a ghost. His eyes had descended deep that came after me. into his skull, and continued to burrow deeper. His The Craddock Creek Bogey is what they also veins were clearly visible through his abnormally pale called it— “they” being the drunken “sailors” that skin. But, something wasn’t quite right about him. His we call watermen. They say that it scours the coast- clothes were tattered and torn, the soles of his shoes lines of every creek from King’s Creek all the way up had long departed the feet they were once attached to Craddock Creek. Witness descriptions made it out to. Under the tears in his clothes, you could see scabs to be some kind of “bigfoot”, but I wasn’t the least that matched the lacerations in his clothing. His man- bit convinced. I just had to go. I had to see if I could nerisms were abnormal, as his head looked as if it verify this myth for myself. I lived on King’s Creek, was dancing. His boat was still in the water, and it and I hadn’t ever seen anything of the ominous sort looked to be as disheveled as he was. Upon second before. glance, I noticed the remains of what used to be a It was winter, fresh snow had just fallen, and the shotgun, shells rested on the cold aluminum floor of shallowest segments of the creek were frozen solid; the boat, all of which had been spent. An eerie feel- all trees were bare but the evergreen. Nights were ing of foreboding drowned my heart with woe. I accompanied by an unbearable chill. The night prior fought the urge to scream and run. Instead, with ex- to my departure felt the coldest. I sat up in my bed, treme caution, I decided to approach the man. contemplating whether I should go, or not. It all “Sir, are you all right?” I muttered. sounded so crazy, but I too, was crazy. I figured that He said nothing, and suddenly, he burst into nothing would come of my wannabe adventure, but tears, and began to make unintelligible noises. I reassured myself that I’d go anyway. It was getting couldn’t make sense of any of it. I reiterated, and late, so I decided to call it a night, and dozed off with again asked him if he was all right. In a split second, ease. Hours had passed, rays of sunlight began to he regained enough of his composure to form a re- infiltrate the curtains that shrouded my window in sponse. darkness, morning drew near. At the sight of an ob- “He… he’s watchin’ me,” he said with a stutter. vious sunrise, I rose to my feet, and began to make “He’s always watchin’ me, and now that yer here, preparations for the journey ahead. I packed up he’s watchin’ ya too… I-I ne’er shoulda set foot on some supplies, and loaded them into my kayak. My this wretched land!”

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Unsure of what he was alluding to, I asked, “Who ak that rendered me powerless, the landing was suc- is he? Who, is watching us?” cessful. I slowly maneuvered my way off of the kayak, Meeting me with his retired gaze, he convincingly and tied it off to one of the protruding branches, the responded, “Ya wouldn’t believe me if I told ya, I did- water that kissed my feet was abnormally frigid. This n’t believe ‘em when they told me.” entire atmosphere was peculiar; for it made absolute- At this point, I didn’t think it wise to try and press ly no sense for it to be uncomfortably hot in the mid- him any further, so I simply asked, “What’s your dle of winter with ice water and snow on the ground. name?” As I gathered my gear and ascended from the “Dennis,” he said reluctantly. shore and into the forest, I could hear the echo of “Nice to meet you Dennis, I’m Jack,” and with a footsteps trudging through the snow. The sound they slight pause, I looked back at the old man, “I have to made resonated in such a way where I felt surrounded get going before the day comes of age, take care Den- by whatever it was, the fog made it worse. Standing nis.” completely still, the cause of the noise gradually be- As I began to walk away, he abruptly grabbed hold gan to materialize, it was just a deer. I was safe, or so I of my hand with an unrelenting firmness and said, thought. Suddenly, the deer broke off into a sprint as “Whate’er it is yer lookin’ for boy, stay outta those if it were in immediate danger. I know it didn’t see woods, ya hear? There’s somethin’ in there that bul- me, it couldn’t have. Before I could catch a breather, a lets can’t touch.” blue light emanated from the fog. Generally confused, Saying all that I’d wanted, I responded with a semi I called out to it. “HELLO!” In the direction of the light, -sarcastic “I’ll keep my eyes open”, and launched my an ear-splitting shriek resounded. It rattled the entire kayak into the below freezing waters of the creek, framework of my skeleton, each bone quivering in leaving Dennis, and his warning on the docks. unity. With a sense of immediacy, I reached for my I was well away from the docks now, surely there rifle and attempted to load as many cartridges as I was no going back. But I couldn’t stop thinking about could. Without much thought, I fired six rounds direct- Dennis, and wondering just what on God’s green ly at the fog-coated light. That did not freeze its ad- Earth had happened to him; I wondered what his vance. It shrieked again, and rushed directly toward warnings were about. He didn’t see what I think he me at light speed, knocking me off of my feet. saw…did he? Now was not the time for such ques- As I battled to get up, I found myself staring up tions and concerns. Quickly I restored my state of the barrel of my own rifle, nothing was holding it, it mind from the brink of instability, and took special just seemed to hover in place. My heart sank into my care to observe my surroundings. chest, and tears of regret slithered down my face as I I think of Dennis Custis. foresaw my own death. I cried to the heavens in pure I closely examined several choice pieces of coast- repentance as I heard the click of the trigger being line, looking for a place where it would be most suita- engaged. CLICK! Out of pure reflex, my body slammed ble to strand the kayak. Being that all of the land was backward into the snow with a macabre crunching connected somehow, I assumed that it didn’t matter sound. But I was not dead, no shots were fired, the where I landed. As I started to paddle toward the gun was empty. I screeched again as several more shore, the density and general temperature of the air trigger pulls were engaged. Mystified, and seeing an began to change dramatically. It was getting hotter, opportunity to run, I took it. As I looked back, I heard and the air became unbearably humid. When it a loud clang and witnessed my rifle’s segregation. Af- clashed with the cold, dense winter air, it generated terwards, all I could do was run. I didn’t know which fog, and lots of it. I didn’t understand the anomaly, way it was back to the kayak, but I had no time to try but before I knew it, I was sweating in my winter coat, and figure it out. I ran until my body surrendered to and surrounded by blinding fog. I couldn’t see a thing, the unrelenting flurry of fire and ice. Collapsed in the and could only think about my orientation to the snow, anticipating the worst, I struggled for my cell- shore. I paddled, and paddled, summoning short phone and dialed 911. I had no signal, nothing, the call bursts of reserved stamina to advance toward land. I failed to go through. Using my last bit of energy, I knew I was getting closer, as I could make out the fought to my feet and sprinted toward the silhouette skeletal branches that protruded from the shallow of what resembled a building. It was a run-down hunt- tide. At long last, I felt a bump from beneath the kay- ing shack. The roof was caving in, and one of the walls

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had imploded; I decided to take up refuge there, as it finds you again. It doesn’t like trespassers, and nightfall was on the horizon. you’re on its land. It’s impossible to harm it, all you The weather conditions made it impossible to can do is run. If you’re still reading this, I didn’t make fall asleep; besides, I was still in danger. It was dark, it, please tell my family of my whereabouts when and I couldn’t see a thing. I reached in my supply you escape, my name is--- sack for my matches. I struck a match against the Suddenly, I heard the horrifyingly recognizable coarse concrete wall and illuminated the entire cab- shriek of the blue ghoul. I rushed up the ladder as in. fast as I could. As I reached the top step, it dissolved It had long been abandoned, there was nothing under the pressure of my foot; I tumbled down the useful inside. With the light at my side, I detected a ladder with tremendous momentum. CRUNCH! That hole in the floor, and a wooden ladder, there was a was the sound my body made upon contact with the basement. I desperately carried myself down the solid concrete floor. My ankle was broken. Immobi- ladder, unlike the room above me, the basement lized, and in agonizing pain, I watched as the ghost was not empty. The floor was riddled with stone trickled down the rotten ladder. I reached for my arrowheads, and shattered fragments of clay. I knife in a desperate attempt to stave it off. After picked up one of the larger pieces, and for a second, taking one swing at it, my body froze up. Against my everything began to make sense. The clay fragment will, I sank my own knife deep into the upper portion had Native American engravings on it, several of of my leg. My shrill scream was deafened by the them did. Unsure of what to do next, I lit another confines of the basement. Within a moment’s no- match, and yanked my sketch pad and a pencil from tice, the ghost appeared directly before me. my supply sack. I began to write: “You are mine,” it insisted in a language I could I didn’t believe any of the rumors, or local hear- not understand. say from the Cape Charles townsfolk, I wish I had. If My arm reached out in opposition to my volition you’re reading this, listen to me, leave now, before and clutched the blue orb firmly. It was so hot to the touch that my skin was singed instantly. The last thing that my eyes ever witnessed was my arm forc- ing the blue sphere into my chest. The pain was in- comparable to anything I’d ever felt before. It was the last thing I ever felt… Nobody ever found Jack Moreau. His name had been all over the news. Missing posters had been made, but all efforts to find him were fruitless. His empty kayak was the only thing to ever be recov- ered. Dennis Woodward was found dead in his home the day prior to Jack’s disappearance. It was a sui- cide. The walls of his home were covered with knife carvings that depicted ball-shaped ghosts, and the word “Màdjà,” which was Algonquian for “leave.” Nobody ever did find Jack Moreau… Inspired by “Cape Charles Ghost Tours—‘The Ya- hoo,’" Michele and Stephen Scott Whitaker. Cape Charles Historic Tours, LLC, 2003. nthony Giannini is a twenty-two-year-old teenager who didn’t have any aspirations A to write literature before taking college- level English courses. His is a construction worker during the summer and a musician whenever he has the time. Anthony Giannini Anthony The Current 14 2017

SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY The Flight of the Moth threatens all manner of self control. It’s too late. I have no way of stopping the dry heaves. Hands tan- by Jasmine Brown gle into my hair. I slouch forward in my seat unable Day 8,786 of Observation to stop my forward motion and fall into a quivering “I need a baby,” I glare at the Doctor, fighting heap upon the pristine white-ash flooring. The tiles my oscillating heart rate. Doctor is utterly void of feel cool against my scorching skin. My lungs ex- human emotion. Tears swell but I refuse to let the pand and contract; completely uncontrollable. A shock courses through me, helping me calm AI see me cry. I need to be vigilant. Everyone’s emo- tions are recorded and filed in a Government data- down a bit. It’s a good ten minutes before I am able base. Everyone has one implanted at the base of to pull myself up off the floor and another five be- their brain stem. If things get out of hand for some- fore I can stand straight enough to walk to my home one in particular, they’ll send an electrical impulse on Luna Lane, a few blocks from the hospital. through their central nervous system to eliminate 〜 the threat. It’s for the best. The neverending Seattle I can’t even get my foot in my door before my AI rain beats down on the artificial window, silencing thrusts a needle into my arm, as all AIs are pro- my hyperactive thought process. grammed to do. “Barbara, what’s for dinner to- The AI crosses its hands and places them pre- night?” Barbara removes the syringe and disposes of cisely on the desk, just like the Programmers taught it immediately. Her donated human skin makes her it. “I’m sure as you know, the inability to bear chil- appear like us but behind her eyes I can see the dren is not uncommon in today's era. Twenty years blinking of her master control board. Barbara was ago, over half of the female population could ma- fashioned after my mother, with her olive skin tone, ture an embryo in their womb . When Yiragrey con- ink black hair and avocado eyes. That’s what it said taminated the water systems, it essentially caused on her label, anyway. most women the inability to produce eggs. Mature “Hello Gemma, tonight the Government as- eggs simply rotted. signed Kale and Delicata Squash Salad with Citrus- “Your body is dissolving its own eggs. I am re- Maple Vinaigrette.” Typical, maybe one night I’ll de- quired to tell you your Government still values you activate her and cook something not recommended and the work you do for your community. Thank by the government. you for your service. I will leave you to check your- 〜 self out.” Samuel ponders my silence over dinner, staring Alone, grief for my idealist future consumes me. at me across the kitchen table. The dark look on his Depressive emotions, my foreboding usurper, face tells me he already knows. “Why don’t you just

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get it over with, Gemma. I know you. You wouldn’t just makes my arm sore. Samuel peers up at me be so gloomy if it was good news.” over the stovetop. I take a deep breath, weary of discussion “It gave me extra injections before breakfast over my shortcomings. “I’m going to bed Samuel. I too. It’s normal for mourning couples. Come eat.” value you and the work you do for your community. Samuel doesn’t appear to be very hungry this morn- Barb, please draw me a bath.” I stretch over the ta- ing either as we both nudge our food on our plates. ble to peck his cheek as he states the mandatory We know better than to leave the table without fin- response. ishing our meal, but this morning we simply stare at “I value you and your work you do for your it. Samuel taps his foot nervously and doesn’t lift his community. Good night, Gemma. ” fork to his mouth. After half an hour of this non- 〜 sense, his hand begins to slowly crawl across the Day 8,787 of Observation table towards mine, smearing a pepper across the Today isn’t any better. I paint on a smile along table in the process, and I feel a heavy sting in my with the rest of my Government required makeup. I chest as I begin to pull mine back. We have to be can’t afford to be called in today by the Emotion careful. We need to be in control of our emotions. Control Unit. The smell of white egg omelette with Or else. grilled peppers and onion drifts into my bedroom Baraba is there within seconds, cleaning up the and I can’t help but close my eyes and smile. It’s the mangled pepper and scrubbing away the grease, her only breakfast Samuel knows how to cook. It’s how arm acting as a divider across the table. he tells me he loves me without saying those three “Gemma. Samuel. You are required to finish savory words. We have to be careful with our ex- three meals a day. Refusal to do so will result in a pression of emotions. misdemeanor and will go on your records resulting I walk to the kitchen holding out my arm for my in a pay cut. Samuel, you have ten minutes before morning shot. It only takes a couple of seconds and I you need to be ready for work. I value you and the almost embrace Barbara into a hug. I suppose once work you do for your community.” Samuel begins you give something a name you grow attached. shoveling food into his mouth. He and I both know “Good morning Gemma. I am required to take we can’t afford another misdemeanor on his record. your blood pressure along with a blood sample to He’s going to be ill. Damn you, Barb. measure your metabolic panel. Thank you for your As soon as the thought runs through my brain I cooperation. I value you and the work you do for know I’m in trouble. I pick up my own fork and begin your community.” Barb stabs her needle into my to pile my omelet into my own mouth. I think I’m arm and takes her sample. AI’s sometimes are re- going to be sick. The food feels like a brick. My quired to act more like Home Doctors than Unit stomach is churning, but whether from the food or Helpers. I suppose today and the next few days will fear, I can’t tell. Samuel rises from the table and be like this. Breakfast suddenly seems more runs to the bathroom. He's puking but there’s noth- daunting than necessary and the smell of bleach is ing I can do. I have to finish my own meal or face the overpowering this morning. consequences. Rage builds up inside of me but I re- “Gemma, due to your chemical emotional state, fuse to act on it. I can’t. Instead I get dressed for my I am required to give you an extra injection. Your day of being a beautiful little housewife with no dopamine and oxytocin levels are low. Please hold troublesome worries. A beautiful ,cold ,little barren out your arm. Thank you for your cooperation.” The housewife. additional injection does little to help. If anything, it The fire I light in the furnace attracts the atten-

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tion of a fragile little moth who has no idea he isn’t you do for your community.” Samuel’s face remains where he belongs. His delicate little wings caress the nonmoving as I watch him hold out his arm. fire’s threatening flame, but he doesn’t seem to no- “I love, you Sammy,” I whisper as I watch his tice any pain. He twirls and flirts, as much as he fan- broad back move further away . cies, dancing with the possibility of death. Mesmer- 〜 ized, I watch as the fire glows through his fragile Day 8,788 of Observation translucent little wings. Twirling, spinning, diving, “Wake up Samuel! Wake up! No! Sammy wake and flying, barely escaping the temptation of a quick up! Please wake up! Oh God please no! Barbara, finish. It isn’t until it’s too late that I realize Barb has help me! Samuel won’t wake up! Barb!” I hear my seen the moth. I cry out as she sucks him into her heart pounding in my ears as tears obscure my vi- vacuum system. “There are you Gemma. No more sion. I hold him close. I can’t move. Tears run onto little disturbances.” his still face. My tears. My Sammy. 〜 Barbara enters the room, completely com- I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up. posed, as if it were any other day. “Gemma, you I play nice. Pilot Mode switches on. It’s only a couple need your morning injection.” of hours before Barb realizes it. “Gemma, please Rage devours my soul. ”You killed him, you idi- hold out your arm so I can take a blood sample.” ot! You overdosed his medication you bitch!” I Another injection. I know it before she tells me. It’s swing my legs over the edge of the bed and begin going to be like this for a while. She thanks me for walking towards her. my cooperation. I don’t feel any better, and I do “You are suppose to be flawless, and the one meaningless things till my husband comes home and time you mess up, you kill someone! You killed my pretends we’re in complete control of our emotion; husband and you’re worried about my injection? not in mourning. You honestly think that’s important right now? You Samuel gets two shots. One for the daily germs, murdering bitch!” and another for his chemical imbalance. His face My hands drift upwards, fingers curling until my remains blank, eyes dark and hair dissolved, as he nails bite into my naked palms. A knife glitters, sits at the dinner table opposite me, struggling yet found in thin air, diving straight towards Barbara. again to eat all of his food. I numbly lift my fork to “You killed him!” With each syllable the knife racks my mouth over and over but can’t taste the crisp through the air, up and down and up again, taking asparagus or enjoy the tender carrots. He never pieces of Barb’s skin with it until she falls against reaches for my hand or meets my eye. I can’t bring the kitchen counter, completely emotionless. myself to be angry. It’s not until I’ve managed to get “Gemma. Stop. Gemma, you are required by all of my food down despite the huge lump in my your…” The knife clatters to the ground. My hands throat that I realize Samuel hasn’t even taken a bite. rake through her hair, gripping at anything. “Sammy, you have to eat, honey.” “I don’t give a shit what my government re- “I can’t.” He pushes away from our white-ash quires of me! They killed him! You killed him! Don’t table, as Barb makes her way towards him, a needle you understand? Don’t you feel anything?” Wires in her hand. come out of Barbs head and sparks begin to fly, “Samuel, I have been instructed to give you an burning my skin wherever they land. I grab her by injection to help you sleep. A mark will be made her hair and smash her head on the white-ash tile against you due to the incompletion of your meal. floor. Once, twice, three times until her face splits Please hold out your arm. I value you and the work down the middle.

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“Gemma, Ge...Ge...G.” Barb’s eyes close but it “Yes. I understand.” Death or imprisonment. makes no difference. I rip at her, tearing out her in- Those are my choices. nards, ripping out sparking cords and circuitry “Good, you’ll be given a few minutes to decide.” boards until my skin shreds from bone. ZAP. My But I’ve already made my choice. Maybe it’s a bless- emotion chip sends a shock through my nervous ing I can’t have children. No child should live system and I collapse like a dead weight onto my through this. pristine white-ash floor, everything shiny, every- It takes forty minutes for them to suit me up thing perfect. Then, nothing. and prep me for my journey. Don’t look down. 〜 Don’t look down. The wind pushes against me as I Day 8,789 of Observation cross the ledge to get to the rocket’s open door. If it Dimmed light and soft buzzing noises brings me blew any harder I could just fly away. A whole new to my senses. “Mrs. Rydell, do you know how you world waits for me, a more restrained one perhaps, got here?” but at least I won't have all of my emotions moni- Dread fills me up, but won’t burst out of me. tored and sucked out of me. The metal stings my Beads of sweat drip down my face and a sickening skin but it makes no difference. I glance over my cold seeps through my clothes. ”Yes. Yes, I remem- shoulder one last time. Even the thought my per- ber. I remember everything.” sonal Hell is better than a meaningless death. “Do you know your options, Mrs. Rydell? Let me asmine Brown was born in Kansas City and raised on be frank. Normally, in cases such as these, your vio- J the Eastern Shore. She loves Sci-fi, anything from Fire- lent actions would result in death. However, you are fly to Doctor Who. She’s always been a fan of Spock grieving. In these cases we offer a second chance, of and his "colorful metaphors". Writing for her has always sorts. Human emotions can be very overwhelming. been outlet, whether she is writing to let out emotions or Therefore, you have the option to be sent away to a for mere entertainment. She plans on using the art of com- facility on the Moon. If you prove you can regain munication to speak out for control of your emotional problems, you could come those battling depression, sui- back to resume your normal life. Do you under- cidal thoughts, or poor self- stand, Mrs. Rydell?” image. Jasmine says, “If I pour The voice echoes all around me, bouncing off of my emotions into these the white-ash walls, shimmering through me, rever- 'horcruxes' of mine, then may- berating in my head. be people won't feel so alone.”

Mystic Falls depths of the forest, where no source of help was near. Through close observation of these mutilated by Gladis Morales Gonzalez bodies, it was concluded that whatever creatures roamed these woods would begin their attack on Through many generations it was believed mys- the neck of its victims, draining the body of blood terious creatures haunt the streets of Mystic Falls, and viciously finishing off with the breakdown of feasting upon individuals who wander through the flesh and bone. After many years of struggle, a cult late hours of the night. Townspeople would gather of the town's strongest and bravest individuals rise to form a search party when a loved one disap- with determination to seek and destroy these crea- peared for several days. It was said that corpses tures of the night and protect the town's gates from were to be found in a state of mutilation within the all evil. Once the attacks seemed to decrease, with The Current 18 2017

relief, the town was able to see peace once more. all the joy in life, as my friends believe it does. All I These creatures appeared once again, nearly elimi- crave for is the sense of belonging. nation Mystic Falls existence, having assumed all evil After having attended the town's square party was entirely driven out. club, we decided to take a longer route home in or- Blissful wind blows through the empty streets of der to spend a bit more time together. We all start Mystic Falls. Night has fallen, and not a single per- to jokingly imitate the monstrous beasts of the son is in sight. The town's colorful lights shine night, or Hybrids, as the Hellsing cult calls them. brightly in the night sky, tempting the townspeople Making our way down the street that leads to our to find the courage to take a stroll along the town homes, we give our farewells and decide that to- square. Once the sun begins to set, it is the given morrow night will be another night of freedom. As I signal that the time has come for everyone to close slowly walk down my end of the street, I begin to their doors and stay indoors until the next morning. have sudden flashbacks of the great times I've had Although in the past five years no invasions were when not being closed indoors for the entire night. reported, most residents bravely continued about A smile forms on my face, and I quickly pick up the their day and enjoyed their evenings as well. pace. As my two-story home come into view, the Staying indoors during the evening hours of the smile that was once plastered on my face slowly day has always felt unbearable. The majority of fades away. I became breathless as I take in the townspeople, including myself as well, have lost the view before me. The front door was broken into importance of taking precautions. It has become pieces with great strength. Puddles of red, which clearly obvious to us that there is no longer the seems to be blood, are formed on the steps of the need to continue in hiding when no sight of attack front door which creates a trail that leads inside. has been known for the past couple of years. The Step by step, I make my way through the front door remaining few survivors that were left since the last but come to a sudden stop as our family room was time Mystic Falls battled against the creatures, torn to pieces. Books are thrown everywhere, furni- strictly advised us to not let our guard down, but be ture is torn apart, and shattered glass from the win- wise and prepared when the day comes to strike dows is spread all over the floor. I shout for my back. mother and father but hear no response. Racing up With great desire and no hesitation to escape the stairs with belief that my parents are alive, I em- the four wall of my home, I quietly creep out of the brace myself for what I will see before me. Throwing front door, hoping no one heard a sound of my es- my parents' bedroom door wide open, there lies cape. Quickly tumbling down the rocky steps, I begin what is left of their bodies: blood smeared on every to speed walk and break into a run with joy of inch of the room, their corpses lie limped on the bed meeting my friends. Tonight is the another night in with their half-eaten intestines hanging out, the which we party with no worry of what might step paleness of their skin as all of their blood was out of the dark. I easily spotted them once I entered drained and chunks of flesh bitten off. Every nerve in the town square; they are beyond average teenag- my body froze, making it uncooperative, but I man- ers most people hoped they would one day become. age to call for help. Their bright colors of dyed hair, body piercings, and Several weeks later after my parents were mas- gothic-style clothing makes them stand out from sacred, I had decided to avenge their deaths by join- everyone else in Mystic Falls. I have always envied ing forces with the Hellsing Association. Nothing their way of style, but I don't show my disappoint- else will satisfy me greatly but to kill what lurks in ment. Coming from a wealthy family does not bring the shadow that has once again brought destruction

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to this town. Standing on the balcony of what is left the ocean breeze. I turn to head back to the associa- of my home, my eyes scan, for the last time, the tion as they wait for me to depart and begin my beautiful view that has always given me the hope of training outside the gates of Mystic Falls. Generation freedom and peace but now gives me strength and after generation, the struggle for peace in this town determination. I breath in the piney fresh air as was never greatly achieved, but now that the Hells- wind blows my soft brown curls into my face. The ing Association is thriving with new combatants and sound of birds chirping as they soar into the evening better weaponry, this generation will bring an end to sky brings joy to my heart as well as the colorful such evil once and for all and peace will be restored. dandelions that remind me of my mother's natural beauty. The soft echo of waves splashing against the mountains gives me a sense of release as it creates

Revolution room number is room 221B and my name is…Diana Prince.” by Eugene Spady The man stares at Catherine for ten seconds be- fore writing everything down. “Everything is all As the winter air blew around her, Catherine straight Ms. Prince please, enjoy your visit.” he said walked through the crowded streets of Tribeca. in a creepy and awkward way. Pacing herself, she pulled her scarf up across her Catherine walking swiftly toward the tele beam face and pulled her hood over her head, avoiding thinking heavily about what she had just experi- eye contact with anyone who looked her way. Feel- enced. “Damn that was the longest fifteen minutes ing like she had been walking forever, Catherine of my life”, she thought as walked onto the platform suddenly came to a stop. Looking around, Cathe- and began to materialize to Floor 2. rine sees a sign that reads Haven Garden Condos After her body finishes rematerializing, Catherine and walks toward the entrance and enters. Making makes her way to room 221B and knocked. She her way through the front door, Catherine notices spoke softly, “Lex, are you there?” and before Cathe- 10 people covered from head to two in black cloth- rine could finish knocking her love, Lexa, swung open ing just sitting around in the lobby. “That’s odd,” the door. “Sorry I’m late babe I-”. Before Catherine thought Catherine. “What are clean cut people like could finish her sentence, Lexa pulled her in for a that doing in a dump like this.” Catherine then dis- long kiss. After they separated, Catherine considers regards her suspicion and walks to the front desk. Lexa’s vine green eyes and holds her hands tightly. The deskman looks at Catherine with a wide grin as “If I had known I would get a welcome like that I she approaches the desk and greets her. would have been early,” she giggled “Hello Ma’am, how may I assist you today?” the Lexa smiled, “Catherine, you are silly.” deskman uttered, sounding remarkably like a robot. “I know,” replied Catherine as she smiled. Catherine looks at the man and responds slow- Lexa then looks at Catherine, “Well we have a ly, “Um, I’m fine sir, I’m just on my way to visit a whole 6 hours together, what you want to do with friend." what little time we have?” “I’m terribly sorry mam, I truly am but, it is our Catherine gives Lexa a look, a sensual look and policy to log all guest visits. I’m going to need your responds, “You know what I want to do.” name and the room number of whom you are vis- Lexa moves in toward Catherine and kisses her iting.” passionately, slowly removing her top and laying her “Damn it,” thought Catherine. “I have to think down on the bed. of something quick.” Catherine remembered a Catherine looks at Lexa admiring her beautiful comic book her mother used to read to her when face, her short hair, her sinewy arms and shoulders, she was a child and choose a name out of the book. then smiled. “I love you Lexa” “Yeah this’ll work,” she thought. Catherine came Lexa stared into Catherine’s eyes. “I love you t-” back at the desk man with a quick response, “The In that moment, men in all black kicked through

The Current 20 2017 the windows and the door was forced open. As the huh.” men surrounded her, Catherine then realizes that Lexa sits up laughing. “You think, you know that these men where the same 10 from the lobby. Terri- stuff messes with your head and one more thing, fied and confused, Catherine holds on to Lexa for since when do you call me Lexi bear?” comfort. The girls began to hear footsteps ap- Catherine, trying to force a smile reached her proaching. Walking in the room was a man known arms to the sky. “Do you like?” as the country as the “Exterminator,” who is respon- “I love it, a lot better than sexy Lexi”. Lexa sible for the disappearances of girls around the yawned and stretched her arms out, “Cath what country, girls like us, lesbians. The man had pale time is it?” skin, no hair, no eyebrows and pale colored lips. He Catherine looked at the glossy silver pad on the stands at the foot of the bed and flashes a wide grin. nightstand and tapped it. The pad made a beep as a “It’s so nice to see you Captain Mason,” he small beam of light shot up, turning into a two- grinned. “Never thought I would be visiting such a dimensional hologram set of numerals organized model soldier.” like a digital clock. Catherine looked at the hologram Lexa said nothing. Catherine turned to see Lexa and then looks at Lexa, “0630.” with a distraught look on her face. Catherine won- Lexa quickly got of the bed. “Shit, I got to get dered why was Lexa looking this way, what is about ready.” this man that has her so afraid. Catherine watches as Lexa starts to suit up in The man then turned to Catherine “Ms. Prince, her field uniform. She loved the way Lexa looked in is it?” The man walked toward Catherine. When he it. The way her padded armor fitted her, the way the arrived at her side he began smelling her, he went emblem of the Seona Marines on the chest plate through her hair, and he ran his finger down her shined, and how the Black and red National flag of arm. “Oh, were going to have fun with this one.” Seona stuck out on her Arm. “You know, every time Agitated Lexa screamed at the man “Get the hell I see you in uniform I makes me somewhat, patri- away from her.” otic.” The man jumped back. “Feisty aren’t we, don’t Pulling up her uniform pants, Lexa looks up at worry we can fix that… Take the girl.” Catherine in complete utter confusion, “You’re a The men grabbed Catherine and threw her on rebel, how can you be patriotic when you’re fighting the floor. Catherine cried, “Let me go.” Lexa went to against your country?” fight, but the men had rifles and didn’t want to risk Catherine’s face went sour, “It’s not like all of us Catherine getting hurt. are born and taught that entire country is bad. We “You can kill her she will be no fun,” smiled the are taught to love our Seona, for it is our home, we man. fight to make it a better place, we fight so that one One of the guards then held Lexa down over the day people like me and you can openly get married bed. Suddenly Lexa felt something cold touch her and have a family.” head. At first, she thought it was a mind-zapper, but Lexa’s eyes widened. “I never thought of it in she then realized, “That’s no zapper it’s a gun.” She that manner, why haven’t you told me.” thought to herself. The nose of the Desert Eagle was Catherine grinned, “One: Cause you never asked pointed at point blank range to her head. Catherine about my reasons for being a rebel and two: When began crying a river of tears. Lexa look at Catherine, I’m with you I don’t think nor do I want to talk about ‘Catherine baby don’t look. that kind of stuff. ” The man cocked the gun back. Lexa looked at Lexa takes off her -t shirt and to put on her cam- Catherine crying, “Cath I-” ouflage jacket top. “LEXA NO!” Catherine awoke in terror. Cathe- Catherine’s eyes wondered until they stopped at rine looked to up and checked. She saw Lexa, still Lexa’s back, “Lexa what are those?” sound asleep. Catherine started shoving Lexa until Lexa turned her head. “What are you talking she rolled off her side. “Lexi wake up!” said about there are 100 things in this room that can be Lexa quickly sits up, “Cath are you alright, was it labeled ‘that’ Cath.” another nightmare.” “The scars on your back, I saw them after you Catherine hesitates but answers, “Yeah, I’m fi- took off your shirt.” ne… maybe I shouldn’t eat squirrel jerky before bed Lexa Laughed while strapping on her side arm, The Current 21 2017

“If I told you I’d have to kill you.” the woods, “Hate to say it, but it kind of feels good Catherine gives Lexa a stern look. “Come on to be back in this god forsaken hell hole.” Lexa Lexa.” makes her way through smog filled streets to get to Lexa puts her hand on Catherine’s shoulder, the hexagon shaped building located right in the “Babe I promise, it’s nothing.” heart of the 3rd world looking city. The pollution is so “Lexa don’t give me that crap, I want you to be thick that she had to wear a filtration mask so she honest with me.” wouldn’t get sick. The building stood like a giant in “Catherine the cuts and bruises are from a cou- front of her. Lexa looks straight ahead and walks ple sparring matches and old missions that’s all.” toward the entrance. Catherine yelled, “Bullshit Lexa. Why can’t you “Hold on mam, I’m going to need to see some just tell me?” Catherine noticed the look on Lexa’s identification before I can let you in,” said a Guard face, “They tortured you…Didn’t they?” Lexa rolled up her sleeve revealing a tattoo on Lexa went silent. her wrist. The guard then grabbed her wrist and Tears begin to form in Catherine’s eyes. “Why” held it under a scanner. An Image of Lexa popped up Lexa sighs, “They do it to all the female Marines. on the screen along with text that read Alexa Octa- The higher ups say it’s to prepare us for the possibil- via Mason, Age:27, CPT, Seona Marine Corps. ity of being captured by the enemy, but I know the The guard looked at Lexa, “All clear, mam.” real reason. It’s to root out lesbians or as they say Lexa nodded at the guard and made her way to “Abominations" the egg-shaped transportation pod. Arriving to the Catherine, looking down at the ground, folds her officer barracks Lexa stepped out of the pod and arms. “How can torture root out lesbians?” stretched her body and started walking to her living Putting her top armor on, Lexa looks over to quarters. A voice began to speak as Lexa ap- Catherine. “They don’t just torture you, they try to proached her room. “Human presence detected, get inside your head and they try to taunt you. retinal scan required.” “What the hell,” she thought That’s why this, us, is a dangerous thing in this day to herself. Lexa shrugged it off and crouched down in time so I can’t tell everything I go through. Dis- so that her eye aligned with the scanner. The door cussing certain details about our training with peo- spoke out again, “Retinal scan approved, welcome ple outside the military, especially a rebel, is consid- Captain Mason”, and then the door unlocked. As ered treason.” Lexa began to enter her room, she heard footsteps Catherine walks over to Lexa and caresses her approaching. Lexa turned to her left to see her best hand, “I know, I just worry about you all the time. I friend, Max Collins standing next to her smiling. worry that somehow, they will find out about us and “Is that a smile I see on your face Captain,” they would take you away. I just wish we could go teased Max. somewhere, far away from this damn place, but I Lexa put her hand in front of her mouth as she know we can’t.” smiled, “Max, shut up.” Lexa took Catherine’s hand “Maybe we will Max leaned against Lexa’s door, “So are you someday babe, but until then an underground cabin going to tell me what happened or am I going to in the middle of the woods is the best we got. Look I have to beat it out of you.” have to go, but promise me you’ll stay safe love and Lexa rolled her eyes, “Nothing Max, it was just a promise me you won’t do anything stupid.” little getaway, you know to get my mind straight.” Catherine nods, “I promise.” Max stood straight slicked his hand through his Lexa and Catherine shared one last kiss and then medium length hair, “Come on Lex I’ve known you parted ways. for years, I know when you’re not telling everything, As Lexa walks up the stairs and outside she so spill the deets.” stops. “It’s going to be a long trip back.” Lexa then pulled Max into her room and closed ***** the door. She locked it and proceeded with the con- City of Tribeca, Seona versation, “We slept together.” Seona Marine Corps Base Tripoint The smile on Max’s face couldn’t get any wider, LEXA “Bout Time. So, how was it, give me details.” After three long days, Lexa finally made it Lexa laughed at Max, “Ha, yeah right like I’m back to Tribeca. She looks down onto the city from telling you, you freckle face ginger.” The Current 22 2017

Max looked at Lexa and stuck his tongue out at talking about. As Lexa walked away walked away her Lexa “You’re no fun you know that?” mind began to wonder, “One wrong decision and Lexa disregarded Max’s tongue lick, “On a seri- that could be me or Cath.” ous note, Max, this whole thing is stressing me “Excuse me Captain”, Lexa looks to down to see out.” a frail skinny messenger soldier holding a card. Max looked at Lexa with intrigued look, “Your father, Colonel Mason would like to see you “Really? How so?” as soon as possible.” Lexa took her padded armor off which left her Lexa takes the card from the soldier and stuffs it in her dark green camouflage uniform and sat on into her pocket, “Thank you.” her crisply made bed. “Well for one getting caught, Lexa turns to walk away but the solider grabs two having to go to the middle of nowhere to be her arm “Wait, he’s speaking at a seminar right now with her, three she’s always having nightmares that in Grant hall captain:” I can’t help to rid of because she won’t tell me what Lexa snatches her arm back and begins walking they are about and four I get this constant feeling toward the Grant hall. that I’m being followed every time eye leave ****** Tribeca to go see her.” Rebel camp near, Xandria Max leaned back in his chair, “Knowing the gov- Catherine ernment, you probably are.” “If we move in troops here and here, we’ll be at Lexa stood up and began pacing franticly, “I feel an advantage.” explained Shepard guilty every time I kiss her, touch her, hold her and Since start of the war in 2059, the resistance has I especially felt guilty when we…you know.” never known a leader like Shepard. Shepard was Max leaned forward, “It was four years ago, quite in shape for his age. Little is known about his Lexa, she would want you to move on.” back story but, he had dark grey colored hair with a Lexa stopped pacing, “How would you know, medium to long beard and he always wore a black it’s not like you can just go and ask her, last time I fitted t shirt with black military cargo pants and checked Krista is dead and it’s because of me and combat boots. I’m praying that Catherine won’t share the same Catherine shouted, “Dad!” fate.” Shepard turned around. “Catherine!” he shout- As Lexa and Max continued talking they heard a ed with joy. noise coming from the hall. Catherine ran up and hugged her dad, “Oh Dad, “Come on, move faster, we don’t have all day,” it’s been so long.” said a solider. Shepard held his daughter tight, “I’m so glad Lexa and Max quickly opened the door then you’re ok baby girl, you were supposed to be back turned to see a couple of soldiers escorting two weeks ago, what happened?” female Marines towards the stairway. Curious, she Catherine face turned red and she giggled, and Max exited the room and went to see what “Yeah, well I kind of went exploring through the was going on. eastern villages and lost track of time.” Lexa approached the soldiers, “Excuse me Cor- Shepard laughed, “Oh really.” poral, where are you taking these young ladies?” Catherine looked down and smiled. “So where is Before the soldier could answer, an army Lieu- Jeremy, I want to give my big brother a big hug.” tenant colonel appeared from behind them and Shepard frowned, “Uh Jeremy’s not here, he still interrupted, “They are being arrested for a break- training with the other recruits, but he’ll be alright ing the law.” we raised him tough.” Lexa looks at the officer, “What for if I may Catharine sighed, “I sure hope so.” Catherine ask.” began to worry, even though her brother was 23, he The officer gave Lexa a mean look, “That’s was sent to do some very dangerous training. above your pay grade Captain, now I suggest you Shepard looked down at his watch, “Listen Cath- mind your own businesses and leave us to ours.” erine I’ve got a meeting why don’t you come with He then looks at the soldiers, “Get moving! the Ex- me I could use you input.” terminator doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Catherine nodded and preceded on with her fa- Lexa gasps as she knew exactly who he was ther. The Current 23 2017

As Shepard and Catherine arrived at the meeting Jeremy smiled and walked inside the Catherine’s grounds they were met with a huge crowd that was tent, "In the flesh." waiting. Shepard took the stand, “Settle down every Catherine was so thrilled to see her brother one, now the reason I’ve called you all here is that I since she had not him for nearly a year because he need 6 volunteers to go on a recon mission tonight. was away for rebel basic training. Catherine "Where Now the enemy has their guard up but we can still did you go for training?" do the job. So are there any volunteers.” Jeremy didn’t hesitate to answer as he went to Immediately after Shepard speech a rebel sit beside his sister. "The United Republic's southern named Torc stood up. “I’m up for the challenge coast." commander. Torc was a large and muscular guy of Catherine gasped. "The URN is working with the Native American descent. He had long black hair Seona Liberation Front?" The Seona Liberation Front with a red headband. was the proper name of the rebellion. Shepard nodded at Torc, “Are there any others "Yes," said Jeremy, "but that’s not what I came out there who will stand with this young man?” here to talk about, I came to talk about your danger- Shepard looks to the back and 4 young men stood ous romance." up and came to the front. He had never seen these Catherine froze, " You know...about Lexa?" young men before so he guessed that they were Jeremy put his hand on his sister’s shoulder, new fighters who had just finished their recruit "Yeah Cath and so does Dad, it’s part of the reason training. “Now who will lead these brave fighters in he won’t let you lead the recon team." the shadows?” asked Sheppard. “Is there any brave Catherine head began throbbing, "I didn’t want enough?” No one stood up. “No one, really?” Then dad to find out about me being gay this way, this is suddenly Catherine stood up. “I’ll gladly lead this just too much to handle." squad.” Jeremy tilted his sister’s face up and brushed her Shepard’s face and tone instantly changed, “No, hair back, "Cath, dad could not care less about your absolutely not, no way.” sexuality as far as he's concerned it’s the best news Catherine went to stand beside her father. “Dad he's herd all year, he doesn’t have to chase any guys I can do this, you’ve taught me almost everything away or worry about unexpected grandchildren. But you know and not to mention I’ve been trained by the thing that bothers him is who you're involved some the best martial artists the resistance has to with, I mean seriously Catherine a Captain in the offer.” It was true, Catherine is a black belt in karate, Seona Marines you couldn’t have found a nice rebel Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Wushu, Wing Chung style kung Fu girl to date, you had to go and grab the fire breath- and is very proficient with dual swords. ing dragon instead.” Shepard frowns and turns to the crowd, Catherine looked at Jeremy with an indescriba- “This meeting is over, everybody is dismissed.” He ble look, "I didn’t plan this you jerk, you can't con- then turns his head to Catherine, “You’re not going, trol who you fall in love with." and that’s it.” Shepard then walks away. Jeremy gave a small smile, "I know sis, but you Catherine went to follow him but, Torc pulled really need talk to dad and explain this to him, ok?" her back, "Let him cool down." Catherine nodded at Catherine sighed, "Yeah, I know." Torc then walked away to go her tent and get some Jeremy gave his sister a tight hug, " I'll be all rest. right Cath." Hours later Catherine emerges from slumber Catherine put on her leather jacket and made well rested yet still upset at her father’s positon on her way out of her tent, " Well here we go." Cathe- her leading the recon team. Catherine began pacing rine found herself outside her father’s tent." Dad, back and forth in her very spacious tent. "I can't be- um can we talk." lieve him uhh, I'm 21 years old I can take care of my- Shepard looked up, "Yes, come in Catherine." self," Catherine said out loud to herself, "Why does Catherine didn’t waste any time, " Look dad I he have to treat me like a child ugh?". As Catherine know you know about my girlfriend and that she's in continued ranting at voice called out from right out- the government forces, but that shouldn’t be the side the tent. reason why I can’t lead the recon team." "I see you still talk to yourself." Shepard stood up and lean over a small table in Catherine turned around, "Jeremy!" his humungous tent, "Catherine you’ve been lying to The Current 24 2017

me for months and you expect me to trust you? Catherine departed from the camp with her team, You've been seeing a Marine, for all I know you "Diane, please watch over our daughter." could've been giving her our secrets. You could’ve ******* sabotaged the whole rebellion, an 80-year war and LEXA for some girl?” Catherine shouted back her father, Lexa approaches the grand hall and hears her "She's not just some girl, her name Is Lexa and I love father talking, “One hundred and 23 years ago, on her. Lexa is not like the rest of the soldiers in the the date of July 6th, 2016 the bright night event took Seona Armed Forces, she's different. She's smart, place. Who can tell me what the bright night event ambitious, understanding, and most important she is?” loves me, the only reason she's apart she's in the Lexa walks in to the grand hall and raises her Marines is because her father is war hero and every- hand. Col. Mason smiles, “Please young lady, explain one expects her to live up to his reputation." the events of the Bright Night to the hall.” Lexa was Shepard paused and looked at his daughter. By handed a microphone and she spoke. “The bright the look on her face and the passion with which she night event is when a group of unknown interna- spoke with he began to give in. “You really care tional hackers hacked NATO’s 97 massive EMP about this girl huh?" bombs and set them off in top country’s such as the Catherine nodded, "Yes daddy." United States, Canada, the U.K, Russia, China, South Shepard sat down on his cot and singled to Cath- Korea, Japan all the middle east, France, and Germa- erine to sit beside him, "Well, to be honest that was ny. The blast radius was so strong 91.2% of the not the reason I held you back. The real reason is worlds power was knocked out and wasn’t restored that. Well you’re my only daughter, my baby girl, until 2035 by the United Republic of Nassonia, King- and after losing your mother I couldn’t bear to lose dom of New England, the Ohio Conglomerate, and you too. You were right you can handle yourself and Seona.” you’re not the little girl I remember running around Col. Mason had a very pleased and boastful look the training grounds anymore, you’re a young wom- on his face, “That is very correct.” Col. Mason stood an now.” Shepard sighed and grinned, "Catherine, up, “That is all for today we shall continue the rest you can lead the recon team." of this seminar tomorrow at 0900 please be here Catherine let out a huge joyous scream on the bright and early, thank you and have wonderful day. inside, "Oh, Thank you daddy." Lexa watched as her dad mad his way to her. As Shepard hugged Catherine, " Just know I won't he got closer he gave a weird smile, “Lexa my girl, be hear when you get back." you look great! We haven’t a lot of time to talk, let’s Catherine Pulled back from the hug, "Why, get moving we have a great deal of things to talk where are you going?" about.” Shepard smiled, "As leader of the rebellion I Grinning Lexa shakes her dads hand, “It’s good can't be in one place to for too long. Don’t worry I'll to see you too dad, and um ok, we can go to my be fine." office. Catherine smiled at father, "I love you dad." As they arrive at Lexa’s office the door opened Then she got up and walked away. where Max was coming out. “Um hello their Col. Catherine began suiting up. She zipped up her Mason sir I was uh just dropping off some things for leather jacket, strapped on to two Sai knives, pulled Captain Mason here.” up her lower face mask with eyes still showing. Col Mason laughed, “I see son, carry on.” Catherine then walked to a table where two identi- Max then sped off and Lexa along with her fa- cal single hand swords sat side by side. "Finally, I get ther entered the office. “Dad you can sit in my chair to use you guys." Catherine took the swords and and I’ll sit in the guest chair.” strapped them to her back. She then made her way The Col. nodded, “I had my assistant provide us to Torc, "Is the team ready Torc?" with your favorited drink, hot white chocolate with Torc stood straight and saluted, "Recon team a small hint of caramel.” ready mam." “Thanks,” said Lexa as her dad’s assistant put Catherine saluted back at Torc, "Alright then her drink on the desk. Lexa takes a small sip and sat let’s move out." back to listen to her father. Shepard stood with Jeremy and watched as Col. his hands on the desk and put them togeth- The Current 25 2017

er, “So, I’m not here to talk about military business she had just heard. “How is that possible?” this visit is personal.” Col. Mason sighed, “Another story for another Lexa looked at her father, “O…k.” day.” Col Mason gave a stern look, “Lexa what’s going Lexa took a big sip of her now cool chocolate on with you?” beverage, “Bullshit, tell me, now!” “What do you mean, dad, I’m fine.” Col. Mason sat back down, “Lexa I will not, that’s Col Mason laid his hands down flat on the desk. something you don’t need to know about right now “You’re lying to me, I’m about to ask you an im- in fact I’m sorry I even blurted It out, besides you portant question, I need you to tell me the truth. have bigger problems to worry about.” Are you gay Lexa?” Lexa sat down in her chair, “What are you t- Lexa gave fake insulted look, “What?!, where talking abo…ut.” Lexa began to feel woozy and fell the hell would you get an idea like that?” out her chair onto the floor. “Wha..t..the hell, Col. Mason calmly responded, “One, I’ve never wha..whats happening?” seen you with a man romantically since you broke Col. Mason got up out of the chair and walked up with General Wallace’s son Asher after you two around to where Lexa was and looked down at her. graduated high school. Two, I’ve heard rumors Lexa looked up at her father as her eyesight began about a relationship between you and the late staff to blur. sergeant Krista Vanhart while you were at the Seona “Lexa…I’m truly sorry.” Institute of Military Science and after your commis- Tanwneeh the Forrest near Tribeca sion.” Catherine Lexa loved and trusted her father, she trusted Catherine looked at her map, “Torc are you sure him enough to tell him the truth, she didn’t want to we are going the right way?” lie anymore. “Yes, Dad… I was in a relationship with Torc walked over the where Catherine was Krista at SIMS and after. I loved her.” standing, “As sure as I’ll ever be.” Col Mason smile, “Lexa you’re my daughter and Catherine tried to explain the map to Torc, lesbian or not I will always love you and accept you.” “Torc, it clearly states that there is supposed to be a Relieved Lex gets up to hug her father, “Really small factory where the Seona military makes its dad?” chemical weapons 100 clicks from where we are “Yes sweetheart?” standing, and if that were that case we be able to Lexa smiles, “You’re an awesome dad.” see it from here.” Col. Mason Laughs, “I know I am Lex. So, are you Torc was clueless, “You know what I really don’t involved with anyone now?” know boss.” Lexa hesitated but answered, “Yes, her name is In that moment, the whole recon team began to Catherine and she’s a rebel.” hear noises in the bushes. Catherine looked around, As Col Mason was sipping his chocolate he spits “Did you hear that?” Torc and the rest of the team It out, “A rebel? You’re involved with a damn rebel. nodded. Catherine drew her twin swords and move Honestly Lexa are your trying to ruin this family?” forward. “Follow me and keep quiet.” Lexa couldn’t control her tongue, “Family? What The group moved out and kept their guard up. family, we haven’t been a family since Anyssa left. *Crack*. Catherine looked up and about 80 Seona You were always hard on her, harder than you were troops jumped from the tall trees above her and on me. All she wanted was for you to love her and took offensive positions around her and her recon be proud of her, she tried so hard to be the perfect team. daughter and please you and you chased her away.” Catherine looked her team, “Well, looks like we The Col. stood up sternly, “Oh please that brat fell for a trap, but I do know one thing we’re not go- couldn’t amount to anything and she never will, she ing down without a fight, you guys with me?” The could never be anything like you.” team shouted, “Aye, mam!” Everyone took off. Torc Lexa was appalled, “How can you talk about took the giant machine gun from behind his back, your own daughter that way?” and began firing instantly taking out about 20 sol- Col. Mason shouted, “Because she’s not my diers. The other 4 team members took defensive daughter!” positions and began firing their rifles. Catherine with Lexa was speechless, she could not believe what her twin swords started running toward the swarm The Current 26 2017 of government swing her blades elegantly but fast, Suddenly a voice cried out with a sinister laugh, killing every soldier in her path until there were no “I’m afraid you two won’t be going anywhere.” more left. The remaining soldiers ran off in the Catherine looked to where voice was and went woods so Catherine and her team put their weapons in shock. Tears instantly ran down her face. It was away. him, the man from her dreams, the man responsible Catherine, with blood all over hear smiled, “Well for the; rape, torture and murder of over hundreds that was eventful and fun.” The rest of team were of Seona’s gay and lesbian population, the Extermi- too tired to even acknowledge what she had just nator.” said. The Exterminator laughed, “Captain you honest- As the team began to move out back to camp ly thought that you could get away with it didn’t Torc notice something in the trees about them, you, you really thought you could be a lesbian…In “Wait a minute, sniper in the trees boss lookout!” the military. We were always watching even when It was too late Catherine was already hit but you thought that there was no way we could. Haha- with a tranquillizer dart. Instantly about 12 hovercy- haha, no worries I’ll take gooooood care of you and cles appeared out of nowhere. Getting of one of the your little pup.” motorcycles was a bald guy with round black Catherine spoke up, “What are you going to shades, pale skin, and no eye browns. He made his do with us?” way over to Catherine and pick her up and put her The Exterminator laughed, “Excellent ques- in to cage attached to one of the bikes. “Tranquilize tion my pet, well let’s see I’ll probably torture you, the rest.” The soldiers followed orders and shot then I would oooh let’s see um I would starve you. down the rest of team. It took about 12 darts to Yes, I would starve you two for quite a while, and bring down Torc but he eventually passed out. last but no least I would have a very very very good The mysterious bald man hopped on to the back time with you my fairy princess. Sorry captain you’re of the bike and hit the back of the soldier, “Let’s a little to manly for my taste I’ll hand you off to one move out boys,” and seconds later they were gone. of my men they take what little action they can get.” ****** Lexa fumed with anger, “I swear If you touch Unknown location her I’ll rip your got damn esophagus out with my Lexa began to come to. “Wha-where am I?” Lexa bare hands.” looks up across the room and there was a woman The Exterminator laughed, “You mean like strapped to a table in nothing but her undergar- this.” The Exterminator then licked Catherine’s face. ments. Lexa then realizes that the woman on the “I would love to stay and chat about the wonderful table was Catherine. “Catherine, Catherine wake good times we’ll have but I have to go and It’s time up!” for your nap-nap.” Catherine starts to wake up, “Huh, what, what’s A man with a lab coat entered the room with going on?” two needles on a plate. The man pulled a cord from Lexa speaks up, “Cath, it’s me Lex.” the ceiling and Lexa’s chains suddenly tightened up. Catherine was overwhelmed with joy, “Lex is it The man injected Catherine first and walked over to really you?” Lexa and injected her. The Exterminator walked out Lexa smiles, “Yeah babe its really me.” the room and laughed hysterically, “Nighty night.” Relived, Catherine started to struggle, “Where the hell are we and why am I strapped up.” Lexa and Catherine stayed in the mysterious Lexa looked to where Catherine was tied up. “I room for 7 more weeks with no food or water. The don’t know babe, but I’m pretty sure my rotten fa- two have gone weeks without seeing the Extermina- ther and the damn Seona gov’t has something to do tor until one faithful day. with it.” Catherine look over at Lexa. Lexa did not look Catherine gave up trying to wiggle out of her good she lost almost all her muscle, she had bags restraints, “Makes sense.” under her eyes and had marks from where she had Lexa yelled with anger, “Uggghhh, I am so done been tortured. “You think he’s coming back Lex?” with the Marines, so done with my father, I’m just Lexa coughs, “I hope he’s dead.” done with Seona in general. I swear Catherine we The Exterminator bust into room, “Well sport are getting out of here, wherever here is.” we all don’t get what we wish for. Guess you’re The Current 27 2017 wondering why I’m back after all this time huh. Well have every gun trained on us.” I’ve decided it’s time to have a goodtime your girl- Anyssa shouted at Jeremy, “What are we going friend over there. to do, if she doesn’t get help soon she is going to Lexa gave a weak scream, “No!” die.” The Exterminator walked to the already nude At that moment starship fighters begin flying Catherine and began stripping down, “this is going over their location, shooting down most of the to be fun.” Seona choppers and killing hundreds of soldiers. Right when he was about to rape Catherine, Jeremy jumps with joy, “Alright reinforce- there was machine gun fire coming from the area ments!” right outside the room. Dozens of armored vehicles pulled up the scene The Exterminator stopped, “What the he-.” forcing the remaining Seona troops to either retreat In that moment, the door busts opened and 6 or surrender. One of the vehicles that pulled up was commandoes in all black entered the room. The ex- a Medical hover and two medical specialists got out. terminator One of the commandoes went to Lexa, Anyssa waves her hands in the air, “Over here”, “Lexa are you ok, Said a female voice. The two specialists then grab Lexa and started Lexa looked up at the commando and the com- giving her instant treatment.” mando removed her face mask, “I can’t believe it.” Jeremy sat with Catherine until she could get It was her sister, Anyssa. treated. After about 7 minutes they could stabilize Lexa gave a very weak smile, “I’m glad you’re Lexa and get Catherine situated. here, but how sis?” Anyssa and Jeremy both stood up. “We did good Anyssa smiled back, “Short version, after I huh Jeremy.” dropped out of SIMS I left and went to the United Jeremy looks at Ayssa and nodded. “We sure Republic of Nassonia,. Now I work for their govern- did, now they can be together without the worries ment and we are officially partnered with the rebels of the Seona Gov’t.” of Seona.” As the two began to walk to the Med truck a As Anyssa was helping Lexa another commando man in a United Republic of Nassoina Army uniform went to help Catherine. “Cath it’s me Jeremy, I’m got out of the truck. “You two come with me, a very here little sis.” important person wants to see you concerning Catherine looks at Jeremy and smiles. Still affect- Alexa Mason and Catherine Shepard.” ed by all the drugs Catherine tried to talk to her Jeremy looks at Anyssa and back at the man, brother, “Jeremy! Is it really you Jeremy.” “May I ask who wants to see us?” Jeremy and Anyssa freed Catherine and Lexa. Anyssa adds, “And may I who you are?” After making it through all the dead bodies in the The man looked at them both, “My name is Lieu- compound they finally found their way out. tenant Colonel Nate Rogers great grandson of the “Just over that hill!” yelled Jeremy. great Nicholas Rogers and I’m with the United Re- As they were going for the hill and Seona chop- public Army’s 5th infantry division, and the woman pers and soldiers came out of hiding and began fir- who wants to see you is the President of the United ing. “There’s no cover.” yelled Anyssa. Republic, Rain Elizabeth Blake. “Over there, to that ditch”, Jeremy told Anyssa. Jeremy and Anyssa made it to the ditch with the ugene Spady is other commandoes right behind providing cover 20 years old and fire. has been writ- One the commandoes popped down into the E ing stories for ditch. “Is everyone ok?” He asked. Jeremy nods. Then Lexa began to moan. Anyssa three years. He plans to looked down at her sister and saw that she was be a filmmaker, actor, wounded. Anyssa looked over at Jeremy. “Shit, Jere- and screenwriter. my she’s wounded we have to move.” Jeremy slow- ly peeped to see if there were any escape routes and was shoot at by one of the choppers. “No Anyssa, we are completely surrounded and had they The Current 28 2017

Fairy Tales Revisited for English 212: Creative Writing I, Fall 2016 What if Cinderella never made it to the Grand Ball and upon her way to this spectacular event, she stumbled into another world, namely into King Arthur’s Court? Or what if Goldi- locks was not really the lovely little innocent—but a serial robber? These were some of the ways I had the students look at fairy tales written by Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen; they had to take a familiar one and make it their own--or they could simply make up a fairy tale all their own.

chopping down the trees across the river. This an- Consequences: gered John very much, because the men were de- A Human Recreation of stroying something that didn't belong to them and the Three Bears Story was very precious to him. He said to his wife in an by Jason Bennett angry voice, "I can't take this anymore. Those city folks have Once upon a time, deep in the forest, there crossed the line for the very last time. They have stood a log cabin where a human family called the taken everything that we take for granted. They our Wood family lived. There was Peter Wood, who foods, their trees, and they kill animals for nothing. I stood six-and-a half feet tall, when he stood up am so sick of it. I'm tired of this thievery. Now, they straight. He had a long beard and wore glasses. must pay for what they are doing to us here in the When he yelled, loggers, hunters, and distant villag- forest. Not to mention, they have also stolen from ers could hear him from a mile away. He was gentle us personally. They have gone through are house, man, until someone or something got him angry. when we were not there in the past too. It makes Then, there was Mandy Wood, who stood five-and- me want to kill them right now!" a half feet tall. She was the kindest of the three, "John, don't do something that you will regret. until she got angry. However, she rarely got that Just leave them alone for now. I'm just as upset as way. She hated messes, so she would clean the cab- you are, but I think we should wait for now." in daily. Also, she was a fine cook, and her cooking Jimmy stood there as his parents were talking was talked about all through the forest by all the with each other, when he saw a girl across the river animals. Then finally, there was Jimmy Wood who skipping across the river. He did really did not pay stood about three-and-a half feet tall. He had tem- much attention to her at all, because she was not per on him just like his father, but his mother al- bothering anything. Her name was Glenda. She had ways knew what would calm him down. blonde hair with pigtails and loved to get into trou- One autumn day, they decided they were going ble. She skipped right pass the woodsmen, when to walk down to the river and have a picnic. They they were not looking and proceeded to go into the packed up a blanket, food, and three glasses. When forest Jimmy turned to see if the girl was still they made it to the river, they sat down on the around, but she was gone and was nowhere in blanket and started to eat some sandwiches that sight. Mama had made the night before. While they were While skipping farther into the forest, she no- eating, the family heard someone yell, "Timber" ticed a bridge that crossed the river. Glenda went from out of nowhere and they heard a loud boom. over the bridge and then started to skip down a trail The Wood's started looking around to see where along the other side. While the Woods' were still at the sound had come from. Their eyes searched the river, she noticed a small cabin through the from minutes, when Jimmy hollered as he pointed trees. Glenda went up to the door and knocked on it across the river, and said, "Hello! Is anyone here?" No one answered "Look over there!" her call. The door was unlocked, and she turned the His parents turned to see three woodsmen knob and went inside. It was dark in the cabin, so

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she fumbled around for a light until she found one. sun was setting in the sky. The Wood family was just Her then stomach began to growl. She looked up about home, when they noticed the lights were on in the cabinets for food, but there was none. Glenda in their house. They turned to each other, because glanced around the room and saw three bowls of they knew that they had turned off the lights before soup sitting on a big table. She was hungry but, she they left. This angered John, for he knew someone couldn't decide which one to eat. When she tried was inside. He then went around the back of the the first bowl, it almost burnt her tongue, because it cabin and grabbed an axe for his family's protection. was too hot. She tried the second, but it nearly The Wood's walked up to the front door and opened caused her tongue to freeze because it was too cold. it. They walked inside to see their kitchen was a She tried the small bowl and stated, "This one is mess. This angered all three of them, especially just right! Mandy because she was going to have to clean up Glenda ate all of the small bowl of soup, but she this mess. They turned towards the table and no- left a big mess on the table. She then proceeded ticed their soup had been tampered with. towards their living room. The light from the kitchen "Someone has been eating our soup," John and shined in the room, so she didn't need to find a Mandy stated together. light. Her legs were tired and the girl wanted to sit "Well, someone's ate all of my soup because my down. She saw three chairs in the room and decided bowl is empty," replied Jimmy. to sit into each one. The first chair was too hard for They left the kitchen and headed towards the her, which caused her back to ache. The second was living room, after Mandy grabbed a knife out of the too soft and low, which caused her to stink into it. sink. They noticed that their chairs had been tam- She then got up and sat in the smallest chair. pered with in their living room. "This one's just right!" she said as she sat down. "Someone has been sitting in our chairs" John She started to rock back and forth in the chair. and Mandy said. The chair then began to make a sound as though it Jimmy noticed that his chair was broking and was breaking. The sound grew louder and louder, said, "Someone was sitting in my chair and broke it." until the chair snapped causing her to fall to the This angered the Woods' even more. They noticed ground. As Glenda got up, she began to yawn and that the door to their bedroom was open and the started looking for a place to sleep. light was on. She then noticed a door off to the right, which Before they entered the room, they smelled she assumed was to the bedrooms. Glenda headed something terrible coming for their bedroom. The towards the door and opened it. The room was dark family noticed that the bathroom door was opened so, she felt for a light and turned one on. In the and the smell was coming from there. They quickly room, there were three beds. She climbed in the closed the door, when John noticed something out first bed two beds. The first one she got in was too the corner of his eye. It was Glenda sleeping in Jim- big. The second one was almost to her liking, until my's bed. John said to Mandy quietly, she saw the smaller bed. She got out the second one "You see what I was talking about, down by the and climbed in the smallest bed. river. The city folks think they can do whatever they "This one's just right," she stated as her eyes want, whenever they want. Now, I am over the top started to close. angry. I do not know how much more you can take, Minutes later after lying down, her stomach but I enough with these people taking everything. then began to cramp up from eating too much soup. Now, we must kill her." As she awoke, she started searching for the bath- Mandy nodded her head and said, "Let's do it room. She saw two doors in the bedroom and went together, because now is the time" to open both of them. One of them was the Woods' Jimmy agreed with both of his parents. family closet and the other one was the bathroom. John let out a loud yell, which awoke Glenda She went in the bathroom and stayed for about five from a deep sleep. She jumped up out of Jimmy's minutes. Time went by and she came out with the bed and started running towards one of the win- bathroom with it smelling badly. She then opened a dows. As she reached the window, John hollered, window to let the smell out and proceeded to go "You won't get away that easy. We will get you and back to sleep. kill you." Darkness began to descend in the forest, as the They ran towards the front door with the sharp The Current 30 2017 objects in hand, just as Glenda jumped out of the morning. They then headed north out of the forest, window and started running back in the forest. The and all you could see was their taillights fading in the front door to the cabin slammed open and the dark. Woods' started their chase after her. She screamed The morning sun arose in the sky and Jimmy was at the top of her lungs for help, but there was no going to retrieve his parents' bodies from the field in one in sight at the time. the forest. He got up and ate some of the soup that About a half mile away, two huntsmen were was still in the pot from the night before. He went hunting for deer in a field in the middle of the for- outside and went to the back of the house to get his est. One of them said to the other, little wagon, that he would load his parents' bodies "I think I hear someone hollering for help, and it in and made his way towards the field. Jimmy stum- sounds like they are coming this way." bled along tree roots and sometimes the wheels on "I don't hear anything. Wait, I hear it too!" said his wagon would get stuck on them too. All he could the other huntsmen. think about was the night before, as he traveled They pulled out their flashlights and shined their along the path towards the field. The field was now lights to the left and then to the right of them. Sud- clearly in site, but no humans or animals were denly, Goldilocks appeared from out of the left tree around the area. line. They could see the Woods' were right behind When he arrived at the field, he didn't see the her. John was closing in on her with his axe, while bodies anywhere. He saw the blood of his parents' Mandy was right behind him with her knife at hand. and their imprints, where they hit the ground along Jimmy was about thirty feet from his parents do to with their weapons. His eyes filled with tears, and he his small legs. began to lower his head. Only the happy thoughts of The huntsmen grabbed their gun and hollered to his parents being alive would bring him joy. He rose Goldilocks, "Run little girl, we will save you!" his head up and began to walk back home with his She didn't hear them yell, but she heard a loud wagon, but something caught his eyes across the bang which startled her as she ran back into the for- field. est. Then, other loud bang sounded. Jimmy watched At the same time when he was staring across the as both of his parents had been shot and their bod- field, Glenda was watching him from a distance in ies hit the forest floor. He stopped and hollered, the forest. She didn't know how he would react "No! Mom! Dad! Please get up! Don't leave me when he saw his parents' bodies in the sunlight, so here by myself!" she stayed away. As he walked closer and closer to- He didn't know what to do. If he continued after wards the trees, he could see the bodies leaning the girl, he might have been dealt with same fate. against a tree. It was two humans, then it hit him for On the other hand, he wanted to make Glenda suf- he knew who it was. His eyes fill with tears of joy as fer for breaking into his house and causing his par- he screamed, ents to get killed. The huntsmen heard Jimmy crying "Mom! Dad! You are alive, but I thought they out, but they did not know where he was. They killed you last night!" shined their lights, where they thought the sound When he finally made it to the back of the tree, was coming from. Jimmy was at the edge of the the once tears of joy turned to tears of anger. Jimmy trees. He saw the lights and men's faces in the trees, saw only their dead bodies lying there and darkness so he turned around to run back into the woods. suddenly filled his heart. He said to himself in an an- The huntsman did not chase after him, because they gry voice, were scared he would turn them in for murder. He "Those huntsmen will pay for the harm they made his way back home and waited for trie morn- have caused my family this day. Nothing will bring ing sun to go and retrieve his parents' bodies. my parents back from the dead, but killing the peo- The huntsmen took the two bodies and placed ple that did this to my family will bring peace to me." them for the behind a tree facing west. They then With tears still in his eyes, he let out three big packed up their gear in their jeep and took off with screams. The sound could be heard from about a deer meat in their coolers. Glenda watched all of quarter of a mile away, and it startled Glenda. She this taking place, but did not bother the huntsmen. ran back in the forest, as if she was being chased So, she turned around walked back in the forest to- again by something. Jimmy then picked up the re- wards a cave where she would find shelter till the mains of his parents and place them into his little The Current 31 2017 wagon along with the,axe and the knife. He turned they get older. Glenda still lived on her own every to go back home to the cabin and bury the remains day in the same cave, where she found shelter many of the parents who once were alive. years ago. Not a night in her mind passed by that As the sun was high in the sky, he took the re- she did not remember why she was in that cave in mains around the back of the cabin which were still the first place. The thought of the gunshots and Jim- in his wagon. Jimmy started to dig two hollow my's scream terrorized her for years, but soon her graves with a shovel, where he would place his par- past would repeat itself. ents in. He dug about six feet down in the ground The season was autumn and the leaves were and hopped out of the graves. Next, he rolled his turning brown and red. They were falling off the mother into the grave and he did the same thing to trees as they usually would. The weather that day his father. He then covered them up with dirt and was cold outside, as there was a chill in the wind. marked their graves with two stones he gathered The sun was also peaking in and out of the clouds. from the river. He then picked up the axe and knife Inside the Woods' cabin, Melissa was cooking up and threw them in woods. some stew with deer meat in it for her family. The After he did this, he stared down at his parents' family didn't like to kill other animals, but some- graves and said, times hunger makes you do things that you would "Mom! You have taught me well. You have told not usually do. me to always be kind to others, but now I have no When the stew was done, she reached into the kindness in my heart for anyone at this time. I will kitchen cabinet and pulled out four bowls. She then try to carry on your teachings. Dad! You have also pulled out four spoons from drawer and set all eight taught me many things, but now darkness fills my items on the table. She grabbed the ladle that was heart. I will carry on your promise that the city folks in the stew to fill up the bowls and poured stew into will pay for what they have done to our family. You them. will always be in my heart, for now I must leave you She hollered to her family who were in the living two in peace." room, "Lunch is ready!" Twenty-five years went by and everything As they made their way to the kitchen, the two changed after that. During the years, Jimmy grew boys started fighting when their father bear hol- about six feet tall and still lived in his old family cab- lered, in. He would find a girl that once got lost in in the "Knock it off you two. I'm not in the mood today woods, and she also hated city folks. They would for you to be fighting with each other." marry and have two boys. Jimmy changed his name "What's wrong, Dad?" The boys and Melissa to John and his mate's name was Melissa. The two asked him. boys were named Bobby and Billy. John, instead of John stated with tears in his eyes, "Today is the having a temper like his father had, became some- day that I last saw my mom and dad alive. Tonight, it what of a gentle bear. He would tell his boys stories will be twenty-five years that I saw my parents and about their grandparents, but he could hide his your grandparent killed with a single gunshot. It has tears. After he told them stories and they went to been hard from me to keep it locked up all these bed, he would go outside and release his anger. The years. I swear if I ever see any other humans again, I memories of his parents brought him a great deal of will kill them. Will you help me if that day comes?" pain. His family nodded yes and they tried to eat the Melissa had somewhat of a temper as well, but stew, but it was too hot. never showed it in front of her family. She could The family wanted the stew to be cool so they cook like John's mother did once for him, and she could eat it. Mother suggested, also hated messes. Bobby and Billy bear were just "John! I know it's hard for you today, but let's all like their father. They were gentle, but they would go for a nice walk through the forest so that our fight just like brothers do with each other. Eventual- stew can cool down before we eat it." ly, they would make up with each other, because So, the bears packed up a lite snack and made that's what their mother made them do. their way out the door. John turned off all the lights Glenda also changed over the years, but she and left the stew on the stove, but didn't lock the never changed her name. She still had blonde hair front door. The family headed off towards the north and she grew taller just as many people do when in the direction of the field. When they reached the The Current 32 2017 field, John bear whispered to Melissa, the men hollered, "I don't want to go through this way." "Donna, don't you go into the forest without my "Why John?" permission." While the two children were busy looking off in His daughter loved to get into trouble. She asked another direction, John bear pointed towards a clear her father, opening in the field. Melissa bear hollered to the "Can I go into the forest and explore, please?" boys to come towards them. Their father bear be- He replied, "Yes, you can but only in an area gan to tell them a story about the spot. where I can keep an eye on you." "Pay very close attention to what I'm about to "Okay," she replied and she skipped off towards say. You remember what I told you back in the cabin the North. about the death of my parents. Well, this is where it When the men went back to the vehicle to un- happened. I was running with my parents after a load it for the night, she went turned and went to- little girl who broke into our house. The girl was run- wards the southern part of the forest. As the men ning through this field, when I heard two humans returned to the field, Donnas' father hollered for her yell. Then, I heard two loud bangs and I watched my three times to come out from where she was, but parents hit the forest ground. I looked around as she decided to hid behind a tree. He told the other two humans were watching me in the trees as I man, who was a close friend, cried. They spotted me with their flashlights, and I "We have to go and search for my daughter. took off running back towards our house for the When I find her, she is going to get a punishment night. I came back to find their dead bodies the next that she will never forget." morning." "Okay, let's go," said to other huntsmen and "That's enough Poppy bear. Don't tell us any- they both took off towards the north with their more, because you're scaring the children. We can guns. turn around and go the other way," stated Melissa. When her father's voice faded out, she skipped The bears turned around and headed south through the forest. She passed many trees, until she through the forest. They made it to the river and noticed something behind some of them. It was the started to walk towards the bridge that went over to bear's cabin with the smell of the stew lingering the other side. By this time, the sun was shining in through the forest. The little girl was hungry, so she the sky and the wind stopped blowing. Glenda was decided to follow her nose towards the smell. She just waking up that day from her sleep. She won- was about halfway there, when she heard the voice dered through the forest and into the open field. As of a woman saying, she was almost across the field, the sound of a vehi- "Don't go near there." Donna turned to see if cle could be heard in the distance. She ran across anyone was around, but she didn't see anyone. The the rest of the field and halfway to the Woods' cab- voice said again, but it was louder this time, "Little in, before the vehicle came to a stop in the field. girl, you shouldn't go near there." Two people got out of it. One was a man carry a She was frightened and yelled, "Who there? gun and a little girl with blonde hair. The vehicle Show yourself to me, because now I'm afraid for my took off to the right and within a few seconds an- life. I'm going to scream at the count of three." other man with a gun appeared from out of the 4tNo, don't do that. I will show myself to you," woods and into the field. One of the men said to the said the voice and out from behind the trees came a other, "Do you remember this place, my friend? It woman with blonde hair. was twenty-five years ago that we were sitting in "Why are you trying to stop me from entering the trees and shot those two humans by mistake." that cabin? Who are you anyways?" "Oh yes, I remember it like it was yesterday. I "My name is Glenda and I know much about this can still see the little girl running for her life with cabin. The smell of the food is a trap to get you to go those human chasing after her," said the other. inside." "What do you think happened to that boy that "Well, I'm hungry!" The little girl then said, "I ran away?" want the food that's in there. You can't stop me "I don't know, but I bet he's big and tall now." from having it." The little girl then began to skip around the field Donna proceeded past Glenda and went up to and was just about to enter the forest, when one of the cabin door. It was unlocked, so she let herself in. The Current 33 2017

Glenda didn't know what to do. If she left the cabin first." with the little girl in it, she would feel sorry for her- She then threw the bowls on the floor and they self if the girl got killed. However, when the little girl shatter to pieces and said, "Now you have to get a opened the door, the smell of the stew caught broom and clean up the mess." Glenda's nose and she became hungry herself. This She ran out of the kitchen and into the living drew her in the cabin for she could not resist the room. Glenda wasn't going to clean up the mess smell. alone, so she followed Donna into the living room. The sun was still out and the stew was still cool- When they entered the room, both of them looked ing on the stove, when Glenda stepped foot in the around. It was at that time, Glenda another flash- cabin. The little girl fumbled around for a light back in her mind. She went over to one of the small switch, until she found one. The light brightened the chair and noticed someone had repaired it over a room and the smell of the stew was still strong. time period. They both turned around and saw four bowls sitting "We really need to get out of this cabin and don't on a table. When Glenda saw the bowls, she had a sit in that small chair over there by the fire place." flashback in her mind. This scene had come back to "Why?" Donna asked "Why can't I sit in that par- her mind. Donna sat down at the table and began to ticular chair? Is there something special about that eat. Before she couldn't get the spoon up to her you don't want me to sit in it? Is it you chair? No! So, mouth, Glenda slapped it out of her hand. I'm going to sit in it, whether you like it or not." "What's the matter with you? I'm trying to eat When she tried to sit down, Glenda ripped the some of this delicious stew," the little girl yelled. chair out from under her. She tried showed her the "It's a trap. Once you eat the stew, the bears will damage she did to the chair years again, but the lit- know someone has been in here," said Glenda. tle girl didn't want to look. They wrestled back and "Who are the bears?" forward trying to get the chair out of each other's "They are the family that lives in this cabin and grasp. Then, the repaired leg on the chair snapped. they hate humans. They tried to kill me, when I was Glenda yelled, "Look what you did to their chair." your age. If they catch us in here, they will not hesi- "I didn't do it. You broke it. Now, I'm going to sit tate to kill both of us. You better listen to my warn- in this other little one." She leaned back in the chair, ing, and we better get out of here," Glenda ex- and that one snapped as well. "I guess you caused plained to her. this one to break too," said Donna. She didn't listen to her, because she didn't listen Glenda looked at her and asked her to help clean to anyone. So she picked up the spoon and started up the mess in the room, but she wasn't going to to eat the stew. Glenda looked at the little girl, while help. Instead, she picked up two pieces of the bro- she continued to eat spoonful after spoonful of the ken chair. One piece hit Glenda in the chest, while stew. the other piece went through the living room win- "You should try to this. You don't know what dow causing it to shatter to pieces. As they contin- you're missing." ued their war of words with each other, both of She even took a spoonful and passed it by them started to yawn. Both of them walked towards Glenda's nose. She couldn't resist the temptation a door on the other side of the living room and any longer, because all she had to eat over the years opened it. They both fumbled for a light switch and was some berries and wild mushrooms that she found one. When the lights came on, yet another found. She started eating the stew and loved every flashback occurred to Glenda, but Donna said, "I've bit of it. They both finished both of the big bowls had enough with this flashbacks of yours. I tired and and moved onto the smaller bowls. After finishing I'm going to sleep," she went to sleep in one of the the stew small beds and Glenda followed her. "My stomach is full and I need to sit down in a By this time, the bears were on their way back more comfortable chair." home and the two huntsman were several yards "I agree, but we need to fill these bowls back up from the field, where they would stay the night. The before the bears get back home. We really need to family got closer and closer to their cabin when Bob- leave too!" by notice a light on in the kitchen. He turned to his "You want me to fill these up," she said, "well Mom and asked, here, you fill them up but you have to pick them up "Didn't Dad turn off all the lights before we left?" The Current 34 2017

"Yes, he did Bobby. Why do you ask?" She con- reoccurred to her why she was having some many tinued in conversation with John. flashbacks all that day. She had a final vision and it "Because our kitchen and bedroom lights are involved the family from twenty-five years ago. It on." finally hit her that John was the little boy that tried The two parents looked at the cabin to find that to kill her long ago. She remembered how he react- Bobby was telling the truth. Billy also stated, "The ed the morning after the huntsmen killed his mother front door is open too!" and father. This angered John and he started to go off. As she stared constantly at him, John stopped "It's happening again. Just like twenty-five years looking at the little girl and focused more on Glenda. ago, it's happening again. I hope that little girl isn't He looked at her like he was seeing into her soul, inside asleep in our beds. If she is, she won't get and then it hit him. He knew who was she was. He away this time. She will be dead by the morning sun. turned Melissa and said, I promise you that. Are you guys with me or not for "I know her. That's the woman who was a little killing her?" girl at that time that caused my parents to get killed. They family nodded their heads. John then ran She is going to be the first to die, and I'm going to around the house to grab the rusty axe and rusty do it proudly in my parents' honor." knife to protect his family, and they all proceed to While the two men got closer to the cabin, Don- enter the house. At the same time, the two hunts- na continued to scream louder and louder for help. man had made their way back to field. Donna's fa- A few second later, she stopped and shouted to the ther said, bears, "We need to find her, but we will need our "My father's on his way and he's going to kill all flashlights to see in the dark." of you." So, they proceeded towards the South in search Melissa said angrily, "What did you say little of his daughter. The family opened up the front girl?" door and entered into the kitchen. When they saw She got smart with Melissa and started to repeat the mess in the floor, Bobby and Billy's mouths herself, but the words never came out of her mouth. dropped. Their mom's rage began to grow inside of Melissa sliced her with the rusty knife and the little her and their father was the same way. They noticed girl's body fell instantly to the ground after being the shattered bowls and they were special bowls to hit. Bobby and Billy's eyes widened, because they their Mom. never saw their mother act the way she did that The family's rage grew even stronger, as they all day. Glenda attempted to make a run in the direc- entered the living room. They saw that Bobby and tion where Melissa was originally guarding, but was Billy's chairs where broken on the ground. John felt quickly grabbed by John. a cold chill on his left side. He turned to see that the "Where do you think you're going?" He said. "I window in the room had been broken. He charged told you that you weren't going anywhere. Now it's for the bedroom and his family followed him. When time for you to suffer, just as I did twenty-five years they entered the bedroom, John looked down at his ago." boy's beds and noticed there was a little girl with He threw her to the ground and hollered, "This blonde hair and a lady with blonde hair asleep in is for you Mama and Papa" as he lifted the rusty axe them. in the air. "You see," he said, "We need to kill these hu- The rest of the family watched as the rusty axe mans before they try to escape, but which one ascended down and cut into Glenda's body. Her should we kill first." body hit the floor and he began to cry. As the hunts- John let out a big yell which caused Glenda and man made their way through the cabin, they could Donna to jump out of bed. The two ran towards the sense that something was wrong because it was si- wall, for the bears blocked all of their exits. They lent. They made their way to the Woods' bedroom screamed for help and the two huntsman heard and saw the two dead bodies on the floor. Donna's their cries. While the little girl continued to scream father looked at the two bodies and noticed that for help, Glenda stopped to think for a minute. She one of them was his daughter. The other man looked at the four humans closely, but mostly kept tapped Donna's father on the shoulder and nervous- her eyes on John. She stood silently still, but then it ly pointed towards the corner. The family was stand- The Current 35 2017

ing ready to attack the huntsmen. the house and buried them right next to his mother John looked at the two huntsmen with the guns and father. With tears in his eyes he cried, and flashlights in their hands. He stared at them and "Melissa, I will miss you and the boys and you his eyes widened. These two huntsmen were the will always be in my heart. Know that I will always people that killed his parents and left their bodies love my parents more, but not a day will go by that against the trees. As they raised their guns towards you guys won't cross my mind." the humans, the family started to attack them. All He then went back into the house and started a four of them made their ways toward the men run- small fire with the other four bodies still inside. As ning with their weapons. the fire started to grow bigger, John ran outside off Bobby and Billy went after one of the huntsmen towards the river. When he made there, he turned when their shanks, while Melissa and John went af- around one last time as the cabin burned to the ter Donna's father. As the two boys got closer to the ground. He never returned to that part of the forest other huntsman, he shot Bobby but was struck in ever and the burnt down cabin nor the charred bod- the side by Billy. The huntsman was hurting but, he ies were ever discovered. John went on to live his fired his gun and killed Bobby. When Melissa saw life and never married or had children again. He died her sons lying on the ground, she turned towards on his parents* death anniversary ten years later, the other huntsman and killed him with the knife. after accidently being shot by a nearby huntsman. Within seconds, she was killed by the Donna's fa- ther. ason Bennett is origi- While he was cocking his gun, he turned it to- nally from Louisiana wards John. John closed in on him and knocked the but has lived on the gun out of his grasp. Donna's father then ran through the house and reached the kitchen. John J Shore for the past 15 was right on his tail every step of the way with the years. He enjoys exploring his axe in his hand. Donna's father then realized he had creative side through writing. If knife on him, but it was too late. John's axe struck he had to choose his favorite him in the stomach and killed him. type of literary works, it would He then cried out, "Mom! Dad! It is finished! The be fairy tales. Fairy tales tell of people that caused your death are dead and now happy endings, but what would happen if every fairy you two and I can live in peace." When John was done, he threw the axe in the tale took a dark turn? His work sometimes reflect his corner of the kitchen and picked up the bodies of his feelings at the time, but he likes what he writes and family one by one. He took them around the back of hopes others will enjoy it too! Ray Gefken Ray Gefken The Current 36 2017

Ray Gefken Ray Gefken MICROFICTION TWITTERATURE for ENG 242:252: Survey of American Literature II Twitterature is a form of microfiction based on the social media platform Twitter. The challenge is the 280-character limit of a tweet, forcing writing to select words carefully to capture as much mean- ing as possible in a short space. It includes genres poetry, fiction, and aphorisms (short expressions).

Heart of the sea - they call me! Unbreaka- ble is my spirit, for no one can control me. I always wanted to be something. I never Keeper of those that surround me. Killing thought I was. Recently I found out all the nearby evil. Carol Shultz nothings I thought I was made me every- thing that I am. Emily Coll

Just when I thought my phone was going to stay silent! That's contagious ... Them cheesy scenes. King of the galaxy, ruler in space, owner of It was fun for the first hour. Pedro Francisco my core without you only dark, around you warmth and shine. Karla Alvarado

A bumble bee overloaded with pollen to feed his hive. Similar to me carrying grocer- Ours souls are like raindrops. ies. The burden we endure to save ourselves Falling gracefully from heavy clouds to freedom. extra steps. Jennifer Tyler Enjoy the fall before you splat! Splatting can be good. Kimberly Perry

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Six-word stories for ENG 252: Survey of American Literature II Six-word stories are a form of microfiction in which the writer attempts to tell a complete story in a mere six words. Although the goal is to convey a full narrative, like Twitterature, six-word fiction can take the form of poetry, expression, and even memoir.

People? Debates, Money, War, and Repeat?! She told you the same thing? -Pedro Francisco

Born a he. Always a she. Love, four letters, one infinite meaning. My moms met at Christian college It's okay, but I am not. War, you say? Madness, I think. She sold herself to obtain freedom. -Karla Alvarado -Emily Coll

Woman Grabs Boyfriend's Phone, Who's Melissa. Man Texts Dead Wife, She Responds. -Eric Brown

Love is easy, said no one Monopoly is just a game, right? I used to have a sister -Carol Shultz

Why try when failure imitates honor? -Kimberly Perry

How Can Emptiness Be So Heavy Like Rain, I Fell for You -Danielle Duffy Ray Gefken Ray Gefken

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Drama Fidelitas by ArCana Characters Artemis M, (Appears Captain of the Fidelitas Brigade. Strong-willed, reserved, and often strict. His lack of 21) human understanding makes him seem rather cold at times. Cares for others. A uni- corn in human disguise. Serenity Dragmire F, A young woman who is half terran. Hot– tempered and often crude. Hopes that the 19 two races can coexist peacefully someday. Member of the Fidelitas Brigade. Alf (Alfus Pendrag- A skilled marksman. The jokester of the group and somewhat of a womanizer. on): M, 17 Member of the Fidelitas Brigade. Noel Sinclair F, 16 Soft spoken— always polite and understanding. Incredibly book smart, but can be naïve. Will fight fiercely if lives are in danger. Member of the Fidelitas Brigade. Tristan Atlas M, 18 A Strategist. Highly intelligent and never stops planning ahead. Easily annoyed by Alfus. Often very serious. Member of the Fidelitas Brigade. Soleil (Amarantha Daughter of Count Rozengarde. Beautiful, kind, and selfless. Believes her father’s Rozengarde) F, 19 actions are misguided. In love with the enigmatic Artemis, who is equally devoted. Armin (Amaranth Count of the House of Rozengarde. A man of iron-will and great wisdom. Rules over Rozengarde) M, 42 his city with a firm, yet benevolent hand. Loves his daughter dearly, but is often frustrated by her. Desmon (Elegantis Cold, cruel, and calculating. Betrothed to Soleil, to unite the two houses. Conspires Blackhorne) M, 24 with the terrans. Later intends to betray both sides. Galena F, (She refus- Queen of the terran race. Strong, elegant, and can be impulsive. Caresfor her peo- es to say) ple. Perceives the humans as a threat to the terran’s existence. Rhodo, M, 4 An Eox— an ox-like beast with an armored rock shell on his back, like a tortoise. Usually calm and gentle, but can be fierce if threatened. Extremely protective of No- el. Very intelligent. Member of the Fidelitas Brigade. setting In the world of Geode, there are two neighboring continents, Carnelian and Spinel. Carnelian is close to the sea, making fishing its primary industry. The consistently good weather also makes it ideal for growing crops. Spinel is covered with thick, verdant forests and high mountains— full of precious minerals. It rains there of- ten. A violent war wages on between the two, with the humans fighting for control over Spinel. To gain its rich metals needed to power their airships, forge stronger weapons and armor, etc. While the terrans— a troll -like race, aim to exterminate the other. Several terrans have defected from Spinel— wanting no part in the war, and have escaped to Carnelian. But life remains hard for them still, as terrans are regarded as second- class citizens in the eyes of the monarchy. A modest brigade of young knights and the selfless acts of one young girl, is the only beacon of hope that Geode has left, before it falls to eternal ruin. The Current 39 2017

ACT I into the folds of his homemade map with an agitated jerk. SCENE I Artemis intervenes before things can get out of hand be- tween them. The Fidelitas Brigade are on an important mission to Spinel by order of the Count— to Pyrite Passage; a dangerous ARTEMIS (sternly): That is enough. Both of you. mountain trail used by the terrans to transport their supplies ALFUS (somewhat disappointed): Just having a little fun. and soldiers for the war. Artemis, captain of the Fidelitas You’re such a killjoy. Brigade, enters center stage along with the rest of the ARTEMIS (clearly missing the point): It was never my inten- group. tion to murder your happiness. It’s a sunny day outside, as is usual in Carnelian. White and ALFUS (sighing at his captain’s lack of understanding com- puffy clouds glide playfully across the cerulean sky, soft as mon expressions): Not exactly what I meant… but let’s go dandelion fluff. Serenity lingers further behind the others, with it anyway. still feeling footsore from their previous assignment— just a mere two days before. NOEL (to Artemis respectfully, after a long moment of si- lence passes): How much farther is it, Captain? SERENITY (grouchy): Bloody hell. I can’t believe we’re going on another mission so soon. I’m still feeling knackered from ARTEMIS (looking straight ahead): It will be some time yet. the last one! This is our first mission outside of Carnelian.

Everyone, excluding Artemis, shakes their head in amuse- Noel looks strangely relieved to hear that. She stares down ment. at the ground absently, as if lost in thought; her hands clasped together tightly. Something troubles her. ALFUS: Aww. Do you need me to carry you? (Suddenly hopeful at the prospect of carrying a pretty lady) Cause, I ALFUS (concerned): Something wrong, Noel? could. No problem. NOEL (with hesitation): I’ve… never been to Spinel before. SERENITY (bluntly): I think I would rather cut my own legs To be honest… I guess. I’m a little… scared. off. Her hands begin to tremble.

Noel giggles at that. SERENITY: Are you worried about the terrans? Do you NOEL (to Alfus, sincerely): It was very thoughtful of you to think we’d let those bastards hurt you? Think again. (Her offer, though. beast-like tail swishes angrily— an unwanted trait from her terran side). Tristan is walking quietly beside Noel, his face currently bur- ied behind a highly detailed map of Geode. ALFUS (half-joking): You’re half terran aren’t you, Serenity? Maybe they would let us pass through their territory if you TRISTAN: Fantastic moves, Alfus. As usual… asked nicely. Tristan adjusts his glasses in a know-it-all manner. Alfus re- Serenity isn’t amused. In fact, Alfus seems to have struck a mains casual with his arms raised behind his head, despite raw nerve. Tristan’s little jab. SERENITY (snappy): Like hell they would! (She tries to col- ALFUS: Blow it out your butt, map boy. lect herself) Besides, I didn’t ask to be born half terran. TRISTAN: Hmph. An uncomfortable wave of silence takes over. Noel is the Alfus points to the map that Tristan is holding. one to break the overwhelming sensation.

ALFUS: Can you even read that thing? NOEL (feeling guilty): I’m sorry, Serenity. I shouldn’t have TRISTAN (growing annoyed): Of course, I can! I’m the one said anything. (Mumbles quietly) I should just keep my who drew it up. thoughts to myself next time.

ALFUS (chuckles): I rest my case. ARTEMIS (kindly): You have every right to voice your con- cerns, Noel. A cheeky grin lights up Alfus’ face, as he watches Tristan grumble something to himself, then avert his attention back SERENITY: Captain’s right. You’re too nice to piss me off,

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anyway. If anyone’s to blame here, it’s Alf. SERENITY (walking away): I should help Alf before he hurts himself again. You’d think I was his babysitter, or some- ALFUS (playfully): Come on, Serenity. Y’know I love you. thing. SERENITY (sarcastically): Don’t you say that to every woman The Eox, alarmed by Alfus’ unwanted presence, attacks. you meet? Serenity hastens to assist her friend. She manages to block ALFUS (looking smug): What can I say? I’m a charming guy. I a tail-swipe from the beast with her broadsword before it can’t help it if women find me, irresistible. can strike Alfus with a crushing blow.

TRISTAN (rolling his eyes): I think I’m going to be sick. If it SERENITY (through clenched teeth): Bloody hell; this bas- gets all over my map, I know who to blame. tard’s strong!

ALFUS (offended): Hey! Her half-terran strength is being evenly outmatched by the (Blackout). Eox, and Serenity finds herself tiring out from the struggle.

SCENE II ARTEMIS: Noel, look alive! Our friends need us!

After walking for some time, the party finally reaches the NOEL: R- right! (Noel rushes over to assist her comrades edge of the Carnelian continent. Pyrite Passage is just up along with Artemis). ahead— the only way into Spinel. By now, dusk has fallen Alfus fires a few crossbow bolts, but they are easily deflect- and the sky is a tranquil medley of blushing pink and purple ed by the creature’s armored shell. hues. The Fidelitas Brigade enters center stage again. They ALFUS: This sucker is huge! After this, I’m thinking steak. see something up ahead, stopping suddenly. SERENITY: Just shut your yap and keep firing! TRISTAN (quietly to the rest of the party): Wait. Using her broadsword, Serenity manages to knock the NOEL: What? (Suddenly timid) Is it… terrans? beast over with a precise strike to the foreleg. Too exhaust- TRISTAN: No. One of their beasts. ed, the creature no longer resists and waits for death.

A large creature enters from stage left. It’s covered in thick, SERENITY (raising her sword): Oversized bugger! shaggy fur and has a strong coating of rock armor on its Noel quickly intervenes before Serenity can inflict the killing back— like a tortoise shell. It resembles an ox in appear- blow. ance, sporting two large horns atop its dragonish head. NOEL: Wait! We don’t have to kill him! ARTEMIS (with certainty): That is an Eox. Her friends all look at her strangely. TRISTAN (adjusts his glasses before he initiates know-it-all mode): They are powerful beasts of burden. Domesticated SERENITY: Noel, you can’t be serious… by the terrans centuries ago. The rock-hard shell on their TRISTAN: This creature is dangerous. It would be best for back is supposed to be stronger than diamonds. As they age, everyone if we just put it down. colored geodes grow out from these shells. And the number of years are indicated from said geodes. I also know— NOEL (defensively): Well… so are we! We’re dangerous, too! He was probably just scared… That’s why he attacked Alfus draws his crossbow, obviously ready for a fight. us. To protect himself. ALFUS (no longer listening): Who cares about all that stuff. The Eox regards Noel through intelligent green eyes, al- Let’s just take it down! most as if he understands. Noel sees that he has a small TRISTAN: Alfus, you can’t just barrel ahead like— bleeding cut on the end of his foreleg.

Too late— Alfus is already rushing ahead. NOEL: Poor thing.

TRISTAN (exasperated): Why does he always do that!? Kneeling, she tears off a piece of silky white cloth from her armor and gently wraps the fabric around the creature’s SERENITY: Idiot… wound. ARTEMIS (facepalming): As captain, I take full responsibility NOEL: There. That’s better, isn’t it? for his rash behavior. And… everything else.

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In gratitude, the Eox extends his big blue tongue and licks Rhodo, meanwhile, grunts in agreement. He obviously likes her hand, covering it in slobber. And instead of wincing, Noel his new name, too. smiles, giggling gently. Noel (assuredly): He won’t let us down, I promise! ARTEMIS (surprisingly cheerful): I think that means, yes. TRISTAN: Sounds adequate enough, I suppose. (Obviously NOEL: (agreeable): Me too. rhetorical) Named after a type of mineral, correct? Rhodo- lite, I believe. A member of the garnet family. A pinkish-red The Eox gets up slowly, making everyone but Noel and Arte- stone composed of pyrope and almandine, and derived mis, very tense. from the Greek word meaning— NOEL (pondering): Now he needs a name... SERENITY: We get it, Brainiac. It’s a fancy rock. ALFUS: (thinking it’s a joke): You can’t be serious. Are you TRISTAN (offended): To you, it’s just a fancy rock. But to guys actually serious? me, it holds a great significance. A scientific interest if you ARTEMIS (approvingly): Another member for the Fidelitas will. Brigade sounds like a good idea to me. SERENITY: Please. You could find dirt fascinating. ALFUS (looking like he’s about to fall over in shock): Arte- TRISTAN: Well, Serenity. It just so happens that dirt is fasci- mis? You too!? nating. Thank you very much. SERENITY: Looks like it’s decided then. ALFUS (kind of sympathetic): Just let the guy play with his TRISTAN: It seems so. If Noel and the captain trust this crea- rocks, Serenity. He’s not hurting anyone. ture, then I suppose I have no further objections. TRISTAN (petty): I’m not talking to you two anymore… Tristan nudges Alfus in the gut, who quickly gets the mes- NOEL: Come on guys, no fighting. Tristan has a very inter- sage. esting hobby. ALFUS (in pain): Y— yeah… Right. Noel tries to dissolve the argument, but her words seem to NOEL (to everyone): Thank you! have made it even worse.

SERENITY: So… what’s his name? Can’t have a nameless TRISTAN (affronted): Excuse me? A hobby? Scientific pur- member. Unless you were planning to just call him, ‘Eox’ the suits are my life! entire time. NOEL (trying to stay calm): Oh! You know what I mean. I ALFUS (cheeky): Ooh, oh. I’ve got one. Rocky the uncrusha- was trying to be supportive. ble, indestructible, turtle-ox thing! (He prods the group for a ALFUS: Yeah, Tristan! reaction) Huh? Huh? (Notices that everyone is speechless) I know, right? My brand of genius comes in waves. No need TRISTAN: Shut up, Alfus. to thank me, Noel. SERENITY: You’re all acting like a bunch of assess! Serenity conks him hard on the head, leaving poor Alfus to TRISTAN: You started it… wonder what he did wrong. As the group continue to argue, Artemis and Rhodo watch SERENITY (groaning): Jackass… from a distance. Both exchange puzzling glances. TRISTAN: (agrees with Serenity): Typical. (Looks over at ARTEMIS: All of this reckless banter... Because of a rock. Alfus) I swear, you’re five years old. Rhodo bellows softly. He completely agrees. NOEL (apologetically): Actually, I was thinking of something like… Rhodo. No offence, Alfus. In the background, unbeknownst to the Fidelitas Brigade, a terran watches them through curious and somewhat per- ALFUS (still rubbing at the goose egg on his head): None plexed eyes— dark blue and shimmering with a biolumines- taken. cent aura. Blinking twice, the luminous set disappears back ARTEMIS: Rhodo. Hmm. I like it. into the dark, emerald foliage from which it appeared.

SERENITY: Yeah. Not bad. Night has fallen, and the Fidelitas Brigade have decided to

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make camp for the night. Tristan prepares a warm fire to SERENITY: You’re the reason this brigade exists in the first chase away the nightly chill. As it crackles faintly, Artemis place. We were all just lazing about without a purpose looks on, watching the energetic flames in silence. Though before you came along. mesmerizing to behold, it starts to bring back awful memo- ALFUS: Yeah. We all share the same goal. To put an end to ries. His violet eyes look troubled and Noel, naturally, is the this unnecessary war. first to notice. NOEL: We’re like a family, if you think about it. But we’re NOEL (with evident concern): Is everything alright, Captain? also a team, too. And we need to look out for each other. Artemis doesn’t reply; still eying the flames. That’s the only we’re going to make it.

ALFUS (prodding): Come on. We’re your friends. You can tell Rhodo attests with a low rumble of agreement. It almost us anything. sounds like he’s purring. Noel smiles, stroking his large muzzle gently. After another wave of silence, Alfus pro- ARTEMIS (dismissive): It is nothing. I was just… thinking of cures some mysterious cooked meat from his satchel. home. ALFUS: Alright, guys. Prepare yourselves for the greatest He remembers Agate Forest vividly. His forest. It was so thing in all of existence. Squirrel flesh! beautiful. A sacred place nestled in the heart of Spinel where humans never treaded. The terrans had worshipped him as a SERENITY (confused): I don’t remember us packing any of deity there for centuries, though he never understood why. that. Where the hell did you find those? Unicorns were not gods in any sense. But they were immor- ALFUS: I sniped these bad boys out of a tree just an hour tal. Even so, they could still be killed. Serenity speaks, knock- before we left. I’m like a stealth master. ing Artemis out of his thoughts. TRISTAN (in utter disbelief): Right. SERENITY (curiously): Where is your home exactly? (Artemis closes his eyes as more memories return). NOEL: How did you find the time to skin and cook them?

It had been… destroyed. Reduced to ash and ruin by the ALFUS: I did it while Tristan and Serenity were arguing over flames of war. He had to flee for his life, forced to endure map directions like an old married couple. the dying echoes of the forest— the animals crying out in TRISTAN (embarrassed): Is that really how it looked? pain and agony as their flesh was seared to the bone— while SERENITY: (blushing): Alf, shut up! he escaped like a coward. ALFUS: Relax. I’m only kidding. I bet you guys will miss me He still couldn’t get that wretched smell out of his nostrils, when I’m not around. nor shake those awful sounds from his mind. And some- times, in his sleep, he could still hear the forest pleading TRISTAN: Perhaps. But at least things would be a lot quiet- madly for his help. But there was nothing he could do. And er. then he would wake, crying out in vain for what he had lost. Alfus ignores the comment. Agate Forest was a distant memory now, and he was just a vagabond with nowhere to go. No place to call home. And ALFUS: Here. Eat up. We need to regain our energy. he was so lonely… He hands everyone a generous portion of the baked squir- ARTEMIS (quietly): It does not matter now. It is… gone. rels. Artemis just looks at his awkwardly. He has never eat- en meat before. An eerie silence pervades over the party. It’s so quiet, only the crackling sound of the fire can be heard. ARTEMIS (very softly): I wonder if I should…? Well, if this is what humans eat… NOEL (suddenly): The Fidelitas Brigade could be your home. If you want. After taking a few tentative bites of the squirrel, Artemis decides that he likes it, much to his utter shame. What Artemis is touched by her kindness. would the rest of his kind say? ARTEMIS: Thank you. NOEL (to Alfus): I’ve never had baked squirrel before. TRISTAN (pointedly): On the contrary. We should be thank- What does is it taste like? ing you.

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ALFUS (obnoxiously): Great question, Noel. And it just so CORO (urgently): A small group of humans have been happens that I know the answer. Lucky you! spotted near Pyrite Passage. They captured one of our Eox’s. A collective groan is heard from Tristan and Serenity. GALENA: Did they kill it? ALFUS: Basically, it tastes like a meaty fart. CORO (shakes his head): That’s the strange part. Soon after SERENITY (fiercely annoyed by her teammate’s immaturity). the Eox was defeated they … spared its life. YOU ARE SUCH AN ASS! GALENA: (sharply): Nonsense! Humans are inherently cruel With one punch, Serenity knocks Alfus onto his back. to things they don’t understand. It’s a part of their nature. ALFUS (slightly dazed): At least… At least I was being honest. Are you sure? Hey Tristan, pal. Help me out. CORO (insistent): I witnessed it with my own eyes, your TRISTAN: You brought this nonsense upon yourself. So, no. majesty. One of the humans in particular seems to have ALFUS (annoyed): And you call yourself a member of this bonded with it. brigade… GALENA (thoughtfully): I see. Anything else?

NOEL (amused): Here, Alfus, let me help you. (She lifts him CORO: I saw a woman with a tail, just like ours. And anoth- to his feet again). er with unusual white hair, like snowfall. He had pale skin ALFUS (dusting himself off): At least someone has some de- and dark violet eyes. Unlike any human that I have encoun- corum around here. tered.

TRISTAN: (haughtily): Please. I have plenty. GALENA (absently): Why does that sound so familiar to me? Artemis regards his team fondly. All of them are unique and possess their own goals and ideals. Humans were certainly CORO: Majesty? interesting, not to mention complicated. He had a lot to The queen sits in silence, pondering through the many learn. questions that have suddenly overtaken her mind. At last, ARTEMIS (shaking his head): What in the world am I going to she comes to a decision. do with you all? GALENA: Assemble a small brigade to keep a close eye on (Blackout.) them. Especially the pure one. (suddenly firm) And no, you are not to attack. Just observe. Is that understood? Meanwhile, in Lazuli, the capital city of Spinel… Commander Coro bows low and subserviently. He is deter- The ancient home of the terrans that harkens back to the mined to see his queen’s orders carried out to the fullest. lost memories of mother earth with its weathered, yet beau- tiful appearance. Stunning crystal spires groped by untamed CORO: Yes, your Majesty. emerald fractals tower high above, controlling the silver As the queen watches his departure, something still lingers skies with a commanding beauty. Nearby bioluminescent in the back of her skull. It fills her mind with much confu- lakes ripple faintly like melting sapphires swathed in star- sion as the foreign memories, long thought forgotten, re- light, whenever the water meets disturbance. surface.

We see a lone, male terran of obvious high status enter GALENA (to herself): Why? Why didn’t they kill it? I don’t from stage left; approaching the figure on center stage with understand. Humans are incapable of mercy. Aren’t they? great urgency. It is Galena, queen of the terrans. She is a Yes. They’re monsters! All of them! majestic creature, beautiful and powerful all at once. Her The queen continues to battle with herself. pale golden eyes, like condensed drops of sunlight, regard her subject attentively as she sits in elegant repose upon her GALENA: And yet, those humans spared a foreign life— earthen throne. Her large, deer-like ears flick with interest. that Eox was not a part of their own. And the pure one— Two curved horns, black like obsidian, adorn her noble head. Could he be…?

GALENA (calmly): Speak, Commander Coro. Her words trail off into silence as the scene ends.

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(Blackout). and a frequent hangout for their brigade— and not just a place where he could ogle pretty girls. They also had some SCENE III of the best homecooked food around. His stomach growls With their mission, finally at an end, the Fidelitas Brigade loudly just thinking about it. return to Nepheline, the capital city of Carnelian. Fortified ALFUS: Hey, Serenity. You up for a challenge? with strong walls, this vast city is almost impenetrable. An impressive airship dock can be seen looming in the distance, SERENITY: I’m listening. where the grand airship, Majesty, sits in port waiting for ALFUS: An eating contest. Whoever can eat the most sau- another venture. sage dumplings within five minutes and without vomiting, It is mostly used as a method of public transportation, in wins. order to access the higher districts of the city. Rarely, does it SERENITY (competitive): You’re on, Alf. I’m gonna kick your ever leave the safety of Nepheline these days, thanks to the ass. war. Then there’s the shrine of Larimar— the name of the goddess of creation— which stands as a beacon of hope and ALFUS: Ha! No way! It is I who shall do the ass kicking. tranquility near the city square. Beautiful stained glass win- (Looks over at Tristan) You can keep score. dows, cut into shards, catch the bars of sunlight and trans- TRISTAN (adjusting his glasses): I refuse to play a part in form it into dazzling rainbows. They cross each other, form- your childish games. ing a flower-like effect. ALFUS (persuasive): Come on, don’t be such a stick in the A few terrans also make their home here and provide small mud. I’ll buy you a drink. businesses to keep themselves afloat. Namely smithing, crafting magical trinkets, and potions. They are friendly and TRISTAN (convinced, but still agitated): Fine. always eager to assist others. Unfortunately, they are still ALFUS (excited): Alright! That’s the spirit! treated unfairly by most of the citizens in the city. But there NOEL: I’ll catch up with you guys later. Rhodo needs some are plenty of open minded individuals as well, that have not time to adjust to the stables. Plus, I think he’s still a little been blinded by the fog of war. tired from carrying all our belongings. The Fidelitas Brigade look around at the familiar bustle go- SERENITY (she scratches the Eox appreciatively): Yeah. ing on around them. Despite the troubled times, everything Thanks for the help back there, big guy. appears to be normal. Noel smiles at some children playing on the cobblestone streets nearby. Typical games such as Rhodo rumbles affectionately. Noel waves goodbye and tag and hop-scotch; the essentials. A few brave ones ap- leaves the party, with Rhodo trailing behind her as they proach Rhodo tentatively to give him a pat. The Eox, though head off toward the stables. Meanwhile, Alfus notices that intimidating in size, remains gentle with the children. He Artemis has been rather quiet since their return to Nephe- enjoys the feeling of their tiny hands exploring across his line. Then again, he always thought the captain was a ra- shaggy, silver-grey fur, and elicits a purr of delight when ther mysterious guy. they scratch him under his chin. The children in turn, giggle ALFUS: How about it, Captain? Care to join us? enthusiastically before running off again. ARTEMIS: No thank you. There is something at the castle Meanwhile, Serenity receives a few curious stares from pass- that I must see to. ers-by. Some of these stares even show deep-seeded malice. It is obvious that her half-terran heritage isn’t exactly fa- ALFUS (knowingly): Something. Or, someone? vored among most. She tries to act like it doesn’t bother her, Alfus knows that Artemis is referring to Lady Soleil, Count but Serenity’s friends can still see the hurt lurking deep with- Rozengarde’s beautiful daughter. And the captain seems to in her jade-green eyes. visit her often. One might assume he had feelings for her.

SERENITY (stretching): It feels so good to back in the city SERENITY (scolds gently): Alf. again! ALFUS: What? Everyone’s thinking it... ALFUS: Yeah. I could use a drink. SERENITY: Don’t be such a nosy git about it. The captain’s He suddenly thinks of Sardonyx, the best tavern in the city— love life is none of our business.

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ALFUS (insistent): But they are so obviously an item. Come she’s hearing. on!

ARTEMIS: I can hear you, you know. SOLEIL (pleading): The refugees have nothing to do with ALFUS: But— the war. What you’re doing is wrong, father! Unjust!

SERENITY (threatening): Alf, either shut your big mouth, or COUNT ROZENGARDE: Enough! I’m doing this to take care eat the cobblestones. Your choice. of our people. I may have allowed those… things, into my city, but they are not our subjects. ALFUS: Harsh. (Sarcastic) Has anyone ever said you have a great personality? SOLEIL: But they came here seeking your protection.

Serenity gives him a trying look. And Alfus, stupidly contin- COUNT ROZENGARDE: I won’t argue with you, Soleil. You ues. must sever the infected half in order to save the whole. Someday, you will understand this. ALFUS: Kind of like that harpy I met once. Pretty feisty, but man was she se— SOLEIL (frustrated): No, you’re the one who doesn’t under- stand! And your hatred for the terrans will destroy this Serenity strikes him again. This is becoming quite routine as city, and its people right along with it! of late. COUNT ROZENGARDE (angered): Soleil! SERENITY (admonishing): Perv. You act like a dirty old man. But the girl continues, despite her father’s warning voice. TRISTAN: I attest to that. A complete lecher. SOLEIL: Your stubborn pride has blinded you from the ALFUS: Ow! What do I look like? Your punching bag!? truth, father! TRISTAN (dryly): Perhaps you were one in a past life? That COUNT ROZENGARDE: You’re out of line, young lady! It’s would explain why everyone is so eager to hit you. time to put aside these foolish thoughts and perform the ALFUS (deadpan): Hilarious. role you were assigned. You are the lady of this castle. This ARTEMIS: I need to go now. Stay out of trouble, you three. city. Your presence gives the people hope. That is your purpose. ALFUS: Of course, Captain. Good as gold! SOLEIL: So, I’m supposed to do nothing? Just stand there With that, the knights go to their appointed destinations as and look presentable while the rest of the world suffers all the scene fades out. around me!? (Blackout). COUNT ROZENGARDE (strict): Not another word. I’m Meanwhile, at the castle… through arguing with you about this nonsense.

The scene fades in with two figures— a middle-aged man on Soleil’s lips quiver and she runs out the room in a hurry. stage left, the other, a young woman, to the right. There is a COUNT ROZENGARDE: Soleil! Come back here, at once! lot of tension in the room as the man paces around, looking frustrated. Count Rozengarde has a lot to deal with, having But the Count’s order falls on deaf ears. an entire city to protect and a war to oversee. His daughter, COUNT ROZENGARDE (distressed): What am I going to do Soleil, is also a trifle. This particular room of the castle— the with her? Just as stubborn and free spirited as her mother state room— towers up high, and gives observers a good was. Such an infuriating child. And yet, I still love her dear- look at the city down below; making it appear smaller than ly. it actually is. The Count puts a hand to the glass, arched window— look- COUNT ROZENGARDE (musing): Those damned terrans. ing over his beloved city in silence as the scene fades. Then there’s the ones living here in the city. I should raise (Blackout). their taxes again. It’s their fault we’re wasting so much gold on this war. Wretched beasts. The scene fades in, and we see Artemis enter from stage left. He’s on his way to the castle gardens, in hopes of find- Soleil is standing nearby, and almost cannot believe what ing Lady Soleil there. Lord Desmon, Lady Soleil’s fiancé,

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enters from stage right. Clad in his evening blue petticoat, he LORD DESMON: Oh. I see what’s going on. You’re in love looks quite regal. His mocking blue eyes meet Artemis, and with her, aren’t you? How amusing. he approaches the knight as if looking for trouble. Did he love her? Artemis didn’t fully understand the human LORD DESMON (haughtily): Well, look who it is. Come to concept of love. But just thinking of Soleil seemed to give grace these halls with your presence, have you? him a warm, lighthearted feeling. Almost euphoric.

Lord Desmon has never liked Artemis, and he knows this. ARTEMIS (unsure): I- I cannot say.

ARTEMIS: Why do you dislike me so much? LORD DESMON: Hmph. You’d best stick to your dreams then, fool. One such as you could never hope to marry her LORD DESMON: Everyone reveres you. There is not a single anyway. Don’t have the blood for it I’m afraid. place in Carnelian I can go without hearing your name, and those of your wretched comrades being uttered in admira- ARTEMIS (confused): So, blood qualifies your worth as a tion. person? I have never heard of anything more ridiculous.

ARTEMIS: I did not ask to be admired. As a knight, I am LORD DESMON (insulted): How dare you! Of all the imper- simply doing what is right. tinence— I should kill you right where you stand, worm!

LORD DESMON (under his breath with clear disdain): Yes. Sir ARTEMIS (calm, but serious): Do that, and the two houses Artemis, captain of the Fidelitas Brigade, and those will never be yours. Now, if you will excuse me… wretched little peons… Artemis bows respectfully before taking his leave. But to ARTEMIS (intimidating): Do not speak ill of my comrades. I Lord Desmon, it seems half-hearted. would give my life for them, and they would do the same for ARTEMIS: Good day, my lord. me. You should mind that venomous tongue of yours. Lord Desmon looks on as the white-clad knight departs, Lord Desmon sneers, taking great pleasure from Artemis' anger welling up in his dark eyes. rising anger. LORD DESMON (seething): Oh, how I hate that man. Soon LORD DESMON: I have the right. You’re trying to steal Lady enough, Artemis, you shall get what is yours. And your Soleil right out from under me. Don’t think I haven’t seen precious brigade won’t be there to save you… you taking walks together, and talking to her. She’s mine, not yours! (Blackout).

ARTEMIS (angry): Lady Soleil is not your property. You have SCENE IV no right to control her! Sardonyx has all the comforts of a family owned, local tav- LORD DESMON: She is my property— my betrothed! There- ern. The warm and inviting atmosphere exudes a sense of fore, she belongs to me! familiarity. We see an occupied table in center stage, where Serenity and Alfus have already begun their silly Artemis was just a hair's breadth away from pummeling this eating contest. Tristan is sitting at the far end of the table, pompous, palace rat onto the polished marble flooring. He keeping track of the time and the number of dumplings didn’t understand these new emotions surging through him; eaten. With just five seconds remaining, Alfus shoves two It nearly frightened him. sausage dumplings into his mouth in an act of desperation. ARTEMIS: You clearly care nothing for her! Even though his stomach feels like it’s going to burst, Alfus manages to swallow them. LORD DESMON (sneering): Hmm. Perhaps not. But she really is a fine specimen of a woman, don’t you think? And my TRISTAN: Time! marriage to her will unite the two houses forever. Just imag- ALFUS (feeling bloated): I… I did it! Best… two out of... ine all the gold and glory that will bring. three? ARTEMIS (threatening): Soleil is not an object. She is an in- SERENITY: Alright. Alright. You won fair and square, Alf. telligent, compassionate person, and deserves to be treated with respect. I will not allow you to speak of her that way. TRISTAN (pointedly): Only by two dumplings. Keep at it, and you will have me to deal with. SERENITY: Just let him gloat, Tristan. It really was a close

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competition. understand what I’m saying, huh?

ALFUS (still bloated): Yeah! I- I’m a dumpling… devourer! The Eox nods slowly, confirming her question.

SERENITY: I’m impressed. For such a shrimp, you can pack NOEL: Thought so. Too bad you can’t answer me back, away some grub. Good going, Alf! though. Oh, well. But at least you’re a great listener.

Serenity gives her friend an affectionate slap to the back. But Rhodo grunts again, licking her face with his great tongue. because of her half-terran strength, she accidentally hits him NOEL (laughing): Hey! Cut it out. I’m getting covered in Eox just a little too hard; making Alfus vomit his contents all over slobber. the tavern floor. Rhodo stops suddenly, his ears perking. A low growl issues SERENITY: Oops. from the depths of his throat. There is obviously something TRISTAN (sighing): Perhaps that will teach him not to play amiss as Noel looks at her friend worriedly. with his food. NOEL: Rhodo. What is it, boy? (Blackout). The Eox points his muzzle toward the direction of the city The scene fades in— to the city stables. Noel and Rhodo en- gates. Noel’s heart sinks into her chest as the realization ter from stage right. They approach a young man with tou- strikes hard. sled blonde hair on stage left, who is in the process of gath- NOEL (panicked): No. Not the terrans. Not here. We need ering hay for bedding— most likely the stable hand. His ha- to warn the captain! Come on, Rhodo. zel eyes widen when he sees Rhodo. Noel hurries away to the castle, with Rhodo not too far NOEL: Hello. Are there any spaces available for my friend behind. here? He’s very tired. (Blackout). YOUNG MAN (curious): An Eox. Don’t see many of those around here. Which terran did you strong arm to get it? Castle Rozengarde has a splendid private garden. Various flowers imported from distant provinces grow wild in care- NOEL (trying to be polite): I didn’t strong arm anyone. I fully tended beds. There are several green hedges expertly found him. And his name is Rhodo. cut into whimsical shapes placed throughout the property. YOUNG MAN: My apologies, miss. Speaking of room, I be- The striking blue roses growing in the background have lieve we do have enough space to accommodate your friend been procured from Spinel. However, these were grown there. Just follow me. with some difficulty, as the damp weather of Spinel differs greatly compared to the often-sunny Carnelian weather. NOEL: Thank you. But perseverance has obviously paid off, judging from the The young man leads the pair to a spacious stall towards the rich, healthy color of the petals. back. The scent of fresh hay is comforting, and there is a From center stage, on the stone terrace, Lady Soleil sits on great view of the outside with plenty of fresh air coming an elegantly carved bench— one of the exotic blue roses through. Noel, feeling exhausted herself, plops down on the cradled between her fingers. She appears rather forlorn as bed of hay. Rhodo joins her. she twirls the flower’s dark green stem thoughtfully. Arte- NOEL: (to Rhodo): I’m glad to be home. I was almost afraid mis approaches her, entering from stage left. He takes no- we wouldn’t make it back. tice of her sadness right away.

Noel stares ahead, the gears in her head silently turning, ARTEMIS (bows respectfully): Pardon the intrusion, my while Rhodo regards her closely with his perceptive eyes. lady.

NOEL: A lot of people depend on us. I wonder if I’m pulling Soleil’s eyes brighten instantly at his presence. But then, my weight? Does the Fidelitas Brigade even need me? I she’s always happy to see him. think about that a lot. SOLEIL: Not at all; I enjoy the company. Please, sit. Rhodo grunts, as if to say, “yes, they do.” Artemis, obliging, sits on the marbled bench beside her. NOEL: You’re an intelligent creature, Rhodo. I bet you can

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ARTEMIS (concerned): You seemed so troubled. What is it? SOLEIL: Don’t look so frightened. I won’t tell anyone your secret. SOLEIL: It’s my father. ARTEMIS: I did not think anyone would notice. ARTEMIS (to the point): You spoke your mind and he did not like it. SOLEIL: Well, I’m not sure exactly what you are. But I do know that you’re far from ordinary. SOLEIL (amazed): Yes. How did you know? ARTEMIS: Is that a compliment or… ARTEMIS (smiling): I think I have known you long enough. SOLEIL (smiling): Maybe it’s both. SOLEIL: And you? I can tell that something is bothering you, too. ARTEMIS: I am not from around here. Everything is all so strange and new to me. Oftentimes, I feel so lost. I wonder Artemis’ smile falters and he turns away from her. if I will ever overcome this? SOLEIL: I wish you wouldn’t brood so much. Anger, sadness, SOLEIL: I can teach you. I’m sure your friends will help too, doubt. It’s dangerous to keep those kinds of feelings locked if you ask them. up inside. It destroys people after a while. Especially the ones they love. I should know. ARTEMIS: I do not deserve your kindness, my lady.

ARTEMIS (ashamed): Forgive me. SOLEIL (playful): You are equally just as kind. My brave, Sir Knight. SOLEIL (amused): Please, Artemis. You’re always being so serious. Try laughing for once. After a bout of silence, Soleil embraces him suddenly. Arte- mis, though confused at first, reciprocates the gesture. He ARTEMIS: Laughing? somehow feels inclined to do so, as his warm feelings re- SOLEIL: Everyone laughs. turn.

ARTEMIS: I- I am not so sure… SOLEIL: It frightens me whenever you leave. I’m always SOLEIL: Just think of something— a good memory, or a fun- worried that you won’t come back. ny one. Anything. Artemis holds her a little bit closer.

ARTEMIS: I fail to see how this will help. ARTEMIS: Thinking of you is what keeps me alive.

SOLEIL: Trust me, it will. Try it. SOLEIL: I know I’m being selfish. The people need you Artemis attempts a laugh. It sounds very awkward and com- more than I do. pletely unnatural, but it makes Soleil laugh too; soft and Artemis gazes ardently into her eyes. resonate, like the delicate tinkling of a bell. ARTEMIS: You are just as important, Soleil. I am here to ARTEMIS: I think I prefer yours much better. protect you, too.

SOLEIL: At least you tried. Give it some time. I’m sure you The frantic sound of footsteps can be heard coming down will get the hang of it. the hall near the garden. Artemis and Soleil spring apart as Artemis suddenly changes the subject. Noel enters with Rhodo. The girl’s face is red, like the roses found in the garden, and she is panting quite heavily. ARTEMIS: Lord Desmon. What do you think of him? ARTEMIS (alarmed): Noel, what has happened? SOLEIL: That’s just another thing to worry about, isn’t it? I don’t love him, if that’s what you’re wondering. When he NOEL (between breaths): Terrans… trying… to breach… the looks at me, all I see in his eyes is greed. Greed and one walls! man’s selfish, lustful desires. There is no love for me there. SOLEIL: The city is in danger! If they breach those walls—

ARTEMIS: I do not understand love very well. ARTEMIS: We won’t let that happen.

SOLEIL: I suppose you wouldn’t. Considering what you are. NOEL: We need to hurry. I have already informed the Amazed, yet also startled, Artemis is left speechless for a count; the city is on high alert. time. Soleil notices the look of worry on his face. The Current 49 2017

ARTEMIS (gentle, but firm): Soleil, stay here. mily Giannia is an aspiring author with an insatiable

SOLEIL (worried): I will. Just promise me… you’ll be careful. hunger for reading. Fantasy is her go-to genre, and Won’t you? E what she personally dabbles in. Rarely will she break away from this. Dragons are her lifelong obsession— ARTEMIS: I promise. such fascinating creatures! Whenever she is not reading or Artemis embraces her again before he leaves with Noel. It writing, she enjoys playing video games and watching ani- was something he did on an impulse, and he didn’t have the mated films and cartoons— a certain group of colorful time to understand why. Soleil looks on with evident concern ponies in particular come to mind. These are a great source in her eyes as a confession escapes from her lips. Words that of her inspiration and often get her creative juices flowing, she lacked the courage to say. especially whenever she becomes afflicted with a dreaded SOLEIL: I love you… case of writer’s block. She also creates artwork as a side hobby. Whether or not it’s any good, well, that’s up to the END OF ACT I beholder, isn’t it? Emily Giannini The Current 50 2017

poetry

A Quartet of Haikus about Time By Daniel Elliott

Time is ticking by Every day is rushing by Soon the alarm rings

So much to finish, How will I get it all done? Ray Gefken Time stops for no one

Deadlines rushing past The whooshing sound as they fly Can I wait a day?

Did I waste my time? Has my life just passed me by? Or did I live well?

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aniel Elliott, age 20, is a second-year student at ESCC, where D he is studying to earn a Liberal Arts degree with plans to transfer to a four-year institution. An avid reader, he also enjoys cre- ating with both the written word and a camera. Willing to help in whatever situation he finds himself in, a pool of knowledge for oth- ers to draw from, and a desire to get people to think, Daniel is a serv- ant leader-in-training hoping to help people however he can. The Current 52 2017

The Storm by Anthony Giannini

Anthony Giannini

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avid Mamahit is a barista at Book Bin and D plans on pursuing a de- gree in English and Gender Studies once he transfers from ESCC.

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tephanie Colona transferred to Radford Uni- versity in the fall as a junior. She has written S a play, a science- fiction piece, and a couple poems, all of which she enjoyed doing in her Crea- tive Writing class.

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The Theory of Everything

By Tianna Tatum-Fisher

Are we not the tale of the stories passed?

Lives lost in the bitter folds of untruth

Much injustice and scams, pains and lives vast

Great plots to destroy and demand the youth. Mother nature

Foreseen and foregone we sing a sad song By Jamaal Tankard

However entwined, we cling to the same I can’t understand We wail for patrons at sea gone so long Why such a world like this dies Then lament the anthem and soon point blame.

Because I love her We’re lost in the theory of everything

Nothing knew, nothing gained, a thesis writ The grass is not blue

Our world of spite and vengeance held by string Imagination says else

Do we not learn…or kick up heels and spit? The grass is quite blue

Alas born anew, we rise to bring peace Look beyond the stars And shall all the evils forever cease. In order to find greatness

Then return back home

I like the rain drops

They always soothe my anger

Bringing back my smile

I love her so much

Her name is Mother Nature

And she loves me back

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Featured Writer Amanda Hemphill

manda Hemphill is a college student working towards becoming a novelist A and screenwriter. She enjoys most forms of literature and is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and short horror stories. Her favorite writers are Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and John Stein- beck. Other than writing, she enjoys music and classic movies and hopes to someday travel the world. She lives with her parents and her small devilish Chihuahua.

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Haikus by Amanda Hemphill

You can write to me Sick with something, she When you feel the way I feel Tumbled down the steps of love Then and only then Straight into my arms

Ray Gefken

You preach forgiveness Deliverance waits But I don’t know the language Patients as a flower might Blood still stains your hands For the air to warm

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William McCarter by Amanda Hemphill

William McCarter

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I often wonder if you ever think of the night we hid in the basement Clutched your grandmother’s rusty shotgun between us like a magic wand We were shaking so bad we dropped it and it went off Fired into the opposite wall. (Do you remember how we laughed the next morning, Taking turns wiggling our pinky fingers into the hole the bullet made?) We found each other in the dark, Blunt fingernails digging in to make yellow and green bruises Unripe fruit on our goosepimpled Skin Panicked whimpers scrambling out of our mouths like children by Escaping a dark forest. Amanda I started to stand but fell over. I dragged you down with me Hemphill Your elbow in my gut My knee between your thighs. I’d never been that close to a person. I’ve been married for twenty years and I can still feel your hands cupping the back of my neck. They caught the murderer that night. Halfway across the state Blood soaking through his (teeth) clothes (fingernails) skin (SKIN) Skin They shoved him into the back of a cruiser The crying deputy Shot him on a backroad on the way to the station When he described the way the children screamed And called for their mothers They threw his body into the street that night When I kissed you for the first time.

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artwork Featured Artist:

Kimberly Perry

imberly Perry has two passions: numbers K and colors. Her love for numbers lead her to pursue an associate's degree in Business Admin- istration. Her love for colors helped cement her first career as Graphic Designer for the locally owned Eastern Shore Post. She plans to continue her ed- ucation with a degree in Graphic Design and combine her passions by starting a graphic design firm after col- lege.

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Kimberly Perry– Blue and Green Acrylic

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Kimberly Perry– Bad Body Charcoal

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Kimberly Perry– Peach Drink Graphite

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Kimberly Perry– Flashback Charcoal

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Kimberly Perry– Glass Jars Colored Pencil

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Kimberly Perry– Overdose Pink and Ink

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Kimberly Perry– Peach Drink Graphite

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Writing Contests Ghost Story Short Story: for English 211 Creative Writing I Science Fiction/Fantasy Fall 2016 for English 211: Creative Writing I

Students were tasked with creating a Fall 2016 ghost story based on a local legend or Each student had the choice to write a sci- ghost story; they could take special liber- ence-fiction or a fantasy (short story); Dr. ties with the original ghost story (usually Frannie Williams, local doctor and author perpetuated through oral storytelling). of fantasy literature, served as a judge of Some Creative Writing students began this writing contest. Each winner earned their research by asking their parents or not only recognition for their stories, but grandparents if they recalled mysterious they also earned $50, courtesy of the ESCC tales from their own childhoods, and some Foundation: students decided to use research found in 1st: Jasmine Brown local libraries. 2nd: Maria Burns Scott Whitaker, local author; Barry Ne- 3rd: Amanda Hemplin & ville, History Professor (ESCC); and Emily Emily Giannini Moore, English Professor (ESCC) served as judges. Each winner received a gift card to The Book Bin, and the first place winner had his or her story featured in the Eastern Shore News—right before Halloween.

1st: Scott Snead

2nd: Anthony Giannini

3rd: Cory Mason

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Playwriting for English 212: Creative Writing II, Spring 2017

Henrik Ibsen. Anton Chekhov. Eugene O’Neill. Who are these men? Playwrights. Each student had the chance to pen a play; notable playwright Greg Jones Ellis—whose play, Divinity Place, we had read in class, and some students who had been lucky enough to perform at the North Street Playhouse—served as a judge of this playwriting contest. Each winner earned not only recognition for their plays, but they also earned $50, courtesy of the ESCC Foundation: 1st: Emily Giannini, “Fidelitas” 2nd: Cory Mason, “Thick Waters” 3rd: Amanda Hemphill, “Destiny Takes a Hand”

Poetry Contest: Sonnets, Haikus, or Free Verse for English 212: Creative Writing II, Spring 2017 For the final contest of the creative writing course sequence, students were given the op- tion to create sonnets, free verse poems, and/or haikus. A sonnet is a 14-line poem that came into existence with the help of Petrarch, a 14th-century Italian poet. Free verse po- etry, epitomized by the work of 19th-century poet Walt Whitman, highlights the organic form. The haiku was made popular by the 17th-century Japanese poet Basho and con- sists of an unrhymed stanza whose only restraint is a 5-7-5 syllable format. Dr. Frannie Williams and Professor Emily Moore served as judges. Each winner earned not only recognition for their plays, but they also earned $50, courtesy of the ESCC Foundation: 1st: Amanda Hemphill 2nd: Daniel Elliott 3rd: Jamaal Tankard

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