Volume 1 Winter 2016

Editorial and Production Team Contributing Writers and Poets

Here follows a list of the editors and producers who Grade 9: worked on the production of this magazine. These Teebh Al-Freihy Jennie Caraballo people have put in hours of their time to be a part Keddy Duato of creating this magazine. Without them, this dream Anny Perez Sanchez wouldn’t have become a reality. Diana Le Anny Perez Sanchez Kat Swenson Layout Design: Natalie Sullivan Domenic LoGiudice (Grade 12) Jasmine Tuell

Grade 10: Cover Design: Cassandra Kuechler Maggie Valvano (Grade 9) Kenny Latulippe Sylvia Officer Meaghan Paine Alina Parsons Title: Alina Parsons (Grade 10) Grade 11: Amanda Clarke Narrative Editors: LS Darcy Teebh Al-Freihy (Grade 9) Skylar DiPietro Kat Swenson (Grade 9) Ryan Duggan Maggie Valvano (Grade 9) Rebecca Gosiewski Kenny Latulippe (Grade 10) Phoebe Johnson Elizabet Kanegis Sylvia Officer (Grade 10) Jack Kelly Alina Parsons (Grade 10) Allison Richardson Hannah Valvano (Grade 11)

Poetry Editors: Mr. Reickert’s Surrealism Collective (11 & 12) Jennie Caraballo (Grade 9) Hallie Gagnon (Grade 9) Photography: Jessica Gagnon (Grade 9) Teebh Al-Freihy (9) Diana Le (Grade 9) Diana Le (9) Jose Bernardez (Grade 10) Meaghan Paine (Grade 11)

Advisor: Nancy Dashcund A Message from The Quill of the Mind’s Advisor

In September, when the literary magazine club had its first meeting, there was standing room only in my classroom. Astounded, I listened to what this mass of high school students wanted to create, what they thought would be appropriate for a new literary publication and how often they would meet to work. By mid-October, the team was more manageable--a steady group of 15 or so students who wrote, who edited and who planned. What a delight to have such a team of willing and creative geniuses.

I am thankful that this team and the students in the grade 11 creative writing class were so productive and that we had contributions from students across the school. I am thankful for the new design and title for the magazine, both of which came from students on the production team who also contributed poetry or prose. I am thankful for Domenic LoGiudice, whose design talent and experience from last year has taught the team much, and for the Graphic Arts support we had in the final days of production. And, most of all, I am thankful for the smiles and laughter that comes from the classroom on Thursdays and the zealous attitudes all participants share.

Orion’s Belt is the first volume of The Quill of the Mind, the new version of Essex Tech’s first creative journal which was published in 2015 and 2016. I am indebted to the students and advisor who began this when the school opened, and I hope our team will continue to write, edit and publish the work our students create. Our goal is to have a Spring issue this year, as well as the issue you now are reading. I hope you enjoy the experience The Quill of the Mind provides.

Nancy Dashcund Literary Magazine Advisor

2. 43. Jasmine Tuell Father be with her to spare us the pain. I’m sorry.” The look on Coal Miner’s Daughter Peter’s face was enough for me to break. All the pain, sorrow, and emotions came out as I cried on Peter’s shoulder. Peter put on a The miners were coming home from their long, thirteen-hour brave face, but you could see in his eyes he was grieving. Same shift. I would normally run and greet my father and older brother, with Father. “What’s going on? Why is everybody so sad?” This but lately, I’ve been aiding mother and keeping a watchful eye on made me cry harder. He was too young to understand what was my younger brother. going on.

“Londyn?” a small voice called. Weeks later, Father was becoming ill with a cough. Peter was no different. Merlin had gone to school with the local miners’ chil- “Yes, Mer?” I respond, turning to face him. “Can I go greet Fa- dren. Word has it that the mine was going to start cutting workers ther and Peter?” due the dust bowl. Peter said it was causing trouble for the mine, making working conditions even more dangerous than they The voice came from the hopeful face of a seven-year-old boy. “I already were. I fear father and Peter may be let go from the mine, want to let you go, but you know I can’t let you go by yourself. leaving us to survive with the very little money we have. “Father When Mother gets well, we’ll go out and meet them together. what went wrong? A decade ago we never had to deal with the Okay?” I didn’t want to take the little one’s hope away, but times fear of losing jobs and when our next meal would be,” I reflected were tough and anything could happen. People were starving with Father one night. “Well Londyn, word has it that Herbert and in need of money. I heard from my brother that someone got Hoover messed up the economy when he was elected into office. mugged while walking back from the local store. I shiver at the The current president, Franklin Roosevelt, is trying to fix things, thought of the little seven-year-old being in that situation. but so far is having little luck. And there’s one thing I have to say before we turn it in.” Peter, Merlin, and I leaned toward to catch “Let him go dear. And go yourself, too. I don’t want to intrude father’s every word. on any more traditions.” Mother’s voice was nothing more than a whisper. “Welcome to the Great Depression.”

“Are you sure mother? Father wouldn’t forgive me if something happened to you.”

She gave a grin with the little strength she had. “I’ll be fine. Just please go. I’m not going to last much longer. I don’t want anyone to live on with the burden of watching. I do wish that you hurry your father back here. Keep Peter and Merlin out.” Nodding for her request, my voice caught in my throat. “Don’t talk like that. You’ll get better.”

The look in her eyes told me she knew the truth, and I did as well. I stood up quickly, grabbing Merlin’s hand. “We’ll be back soon. Hang on for a little longer.” My voice cracking, tears bursting over the wall. “Please,” I pleaded, and with that Merlin and I fled the tent we call home. The mine was on the verge of shutting down, something that could be fatal to many families, including mine. We could barely get by with the income Father and Peter made. Between food, necessities, and medical fees, we didn’t have much. I tried to find work somewhere in town to help, but without luck. I guess the townsfolk were right. The unemploy- ment rate was over twenty-five percent. At the top of my street, Father and Peter could be seen, along with other miners. Merlin tore himself away from my firm grasp, hurling forward to greet them. I follow suite, but slower.

“How was school, Mer?” Father asked right as I was approach- ing. “Father, I don’t mean to intrude but it’s urgent. It’s mother. She wants you to hurry back. It’s not good.” The color drained from Father and Peter’s faces. The walk back was rushed. When we approached our home, I pulled Peter and Merlin back. “Lon- dyn let me go,” Peter demanded. “No. Mother requested that only

42. 3. Allison Richardson clench thinking about the bloodied corpses, left behind as their it. I need to get out. White Fire .2 chicks were stolen. Maybe some were even still alive when it But it couldn’t have been so long, right? It had felt like forever Reaching the edge of the woods on the border of her town, she happened. One of the hatchlings whimpered. since she’d seen another person, but certainly not two or three suddenly remembered something. Water dripped rhythmically from the ceiling like a familiar lulla- months… Her chip. by. It lured Brand into a troubled sleep. He dreamed of flying free “Shhh. I won’t let them hurt you.” Lie. No matter how hard he The most that she had to protect herself from the cold was an old, They’re going to FIND her. over the arctic as a bird. The wind ruffled his ice blue feathers fought, he could do nothing as they dragged one of the brood off. torn-up sweatshirt she’d grabbed from her closet on the way out She could only think of one way to get it out. and lifted him higher, but he didn’t feel the cold. The Fire within But still, they desperately grasped the promise that logically they of her house. She would’ve grabbed something nicer, but she had She dug out her knife. him roared like a furnace keeping the cold at bay. He was lifted knew he couldn’t keep. He had broken it again and again, but been in labor. She wasn’t in her right state of mind. ever higher, till he left earth and soared among the stars. He was they pushed logic away because they needed some comfort in an Just thinking about that night made her sick to her stomach. free! Bang! He jerked. The dream shattered like dropped glass, otherwise cruel place. The pain. The pain. She held on to consciousness. Never one to be religious but and he was again trapped in a freezing cell with his wings pinned She slipped the sweatshirt over her body and winced at the smell suddenly realizing that she had more belief than she thought, she to his side. His restraints dug into him, and he hissed a curse. “ Promise?” A fledgling with her wings picked down to a few of dried blood that suddenly enveloped her. thanked God for giving her the strength to do this. patches of red, orange fluffy down asked. Poor thing. If things Lots of water and soap had gotten the bright red color out, but the Her chip laid on the ground, smashed under the newly coated The brood didn’t even say anything at this point, before they didn’t change, she’d never learn to fly smell had never faded. Her memory couldn’t be washed away. blade. would call him out on his language in the gleeful way kids The scent taunted her. It was a constant reminder of fear and She pressed hard on the empty gap in her neck trying to stop the did when an adult messed up in their presence. Now they just “Promise.” He made a show of smiling at her. He’d even pinkie terror. endless flood that was dripping through her fingers. huddled closer. Even the older fledglings who tried to act tough promise with her if his hands weren’t chained. Stark light flooded It was better than nothing, she supposed. Now… Her baby… inched towards him while pretending they weren’t. The hatch- the room. They all groaned and attempted to shield their eyes. She just wished that she had something better than a small blan- lings went as far as to huddle under his forcefully clamped wings. They had, up untill this point, been in darkness for days. The ket to shield her baby. The snow was falling harder now. They didn’t have the same hang-ups the fledglings did. Bang, lackey that had snuck up on the cage snickered. A small flake landed on his forehead. He cried out at the sudden She snapped back to reality again. Perhaps her brain had put her bang, bang! cold. wall back together. Perhaps it was shutting out this particular “Aww. How cute.” He made a show of cooing in fake delight as She had tried so hard to keep that night out of her thoughts, but at memory. Someone screamed. The brood jumped. Even the fledglings gave he unlocked the door and swaggered in. He hadn’t even noticed that moment, with the sound of her helpless child and the smell Maybe that was a good thing. up on pretense and huddled around him. Someone was fighting in the mechanical whirl. “Time to move, feather brains.” The lackey of the sweatshirt and all of her stress and worry balled up inside Some pain was better off forgotten. this hellhole. Looking down the dim dank halls, he couldn’t see was greasy and vaguely resembled a pig. In the early days of her, it found a weak spot in the emotional wall she had built and Either way, all that mattered was that her baby was safe, and she anything. Not that it was possible, anyways. Even to his enhanced his captivity Brand took pleasure in insulting him and making shattered it. was safe for now, and they were going to escape and live a better eyes, it was almost too dark to see. All he could do was listen, inferences of his mother’s partners. The older fledglings lined up life out here in the middle of the woods. Maybe they’d even find and that wasn’t too difficult. in front of him, protecting the hatchlings. A brave fledgling that another person. Maybe they’d find a whole colony. A new colony. tried to take him on was knocked away. The others broke apart It had been beautiful outside on the day that her world ended. A new world. The sounds echoed almost too loudly down to his prison. In the when his hand touched the whip at his side. Even the barest touch She was just taking a stroll when her water broke. She could only It was a doubtful thought, but what else did she have at this giant bird cage, his captors thought it was amusing to keep him drew electricity along its length. stare at the sudden liquid that had fallen on the ground below her, point? Without hope, she’d lose her grip on the world around her. and the brood. In the beginning, when he had just gotten there, it and at that moment, she realized the reality of her situation. She She instinctively pressed her hand on the scar over her neck. It rankled him, but now he barely had the energy to pick his head The hatchlings flinched. The lackey snickered at their fear. Just made a subconscious choice. felt rigid under her cold, dry hands. The rough surface of it made up, never mind get upset. Lank, brown, greasy hair fell in his face to be cruel he cracked the electric whip at a hatchling to clear the Instead of calling for an ambulance, she started to run for her her think of nothing but misery. Sometimes she wished she’d as he cooed to the brood, hoping to block out the noise of gunfire. way of the chain connected to his collar. The chain that dampened home. done things differently. Without them he had no idea how he would have stayed sane this Brand’s fire and left him as helpless as a lamb. As he undid it, the She NEEDED to protect her baby. But this was the price you had to pay for freedom. long. Well, relatively sane. He payed no mind to the noise. He fight woke the Hydra. It roared its displeasure at being woken. Nearly falling a few times, she reached her home, swept a large And she was free. had no clue who was fighting, and no interest in it either. Even though the bird cage was in its own room, separated from backpack off her floor, and ran over to her kitchen. She started the others, it sounded like it was right there. The lackey fumbled grabbing important things off her shelf. Soup, beans, water… If it were another apothecary, he would be in a cage, either way. the line and smudged a few constantly shifting ruins running over She needed clothes too. Just the word made him shudder in disgust. The first thing parents the metal. Her actions started to become less motivated by logic and choice told their young of any race was to stay away from witches. They and more by pure, erratic instinct. She practically swept all the would stick you in a cage and steal your feathers, your fur, your The lackey didn’t notice the damage, but Brand did. For the first clothes she could find into her bag. blood, your claws, whatever you had to give to sell for profit. You time in what felt like forever he felt his inner fire flare from more The contractions were starting. would never make it out alive. than just dying embers. The light returned to his previous dull Trying to put aside the sudden pains, she opened up her closet light blue eyes. The Fire built and built til he couldn’t keep a hold and grabbed whatever was sitting on top. She wasn’t really think- And they were right. Nobody had ever seen the ones that went on it anymore. The backlash traveled up the chain, to the lackey’s ing at this point: she was just trying to get OUT. missing ever again. Except maybe as a corpse, if you were hand. He screamed and dropped the melting metal. The collar Running back down the stairs again, she quickly went back to lucky. Or unlucky, rather and if it were humans… He shuddered and cuffs didn’t far much better. Red hot metal fell to the floor her kitchen. Her eyes met the small knife holder that she always again. He might look like one of their angels in this form, but with a clang. Brand grinned, a dark, satisfied expression. Slowly, stored on her counter top. She scanned the shining surfaces of the there would be no mercy from them either. He imagined himself with the deliberate movement of a hunter in control, he rose and blades. strapped to a table in some lab, a dozen scientists leaning over turned. Pain became an afterthought. He wanted revenge. She stepped over and grabbed the biggest one. Deep down, she him, ready to cut him open to see what made him tick. realized she might really need it. The smile turned predatory. The lackey started shaking and scur- The next few minutes were like a dream to her. She stumbled all What would happen to the hatchlings, bore no reason to think ried back till his back hit the bars. Brand made a sound of disgust. the way down the road. Her head was a mess. It felt like she was about. And he doubted it was the brood’s parents. They would He was at the mercy of a coward all this time! Then the thought watching through the eyes of a drunk. have died defending their chicks. It made his empty stomach was pushed away. Power coursed through his body, making Only one thought was swimming around within her at this point.

4. 41. Kate Swenson She only recognized it because she’d seen the same one on that him feel almost drunk on the rush. He laughed. The lackey Anny Perez Sanchez Free child’s head. screamed. White fire reflected off the metal walls. While it Mistake Within a few days, she had noticed many other people with burned, he led the brood out of the cage. At least the lackey It was cold. bumps on their neck. They were always in the same spot: the left left the ramp in place. He was the only one who could fly and I was told at a young age that there are bad things in the As she stumbled along through the brush, she clung tight to her side of their neck right behind their carotid artery. And looking it was a long way down. Down the hall he could still hear the world, they said it was a mistake they made in the past. What newborn son, as if he was going to fall away from her at any closer at children, especially those with shorter hair that tended fighting. Good. Nobody had been tipped off something was exactly was that mistake? That mistake was ruining our moment. Where should she be then? After all, he was her entire to blow in the wind… She noticed bumps on the sides of their wrong. The violations of building codes had been on his side. atmosphere, killing this planet, and hurting animals. There’s motivation for traveling this way. necks, too. water pollution, air pollution, and animal abuse. Humanity A thin sheet of white snow lined the branches of the pines and But she hadn’t realized what these bumps were until a few “Go. Open the doors to the cages, but don’t get bitten or is killing itself slowly with murder and abuse. We do drugs, the ground below her. It was pure and untouched in the line of months after she’d gotten pregnant. scratched, and wait for me outside.” He couldn’t leave the we hurt others, we break things. How do the children fix the her vision, splitting apart to make way for her boots hitting the Her husband was walking down the stairs of her house to get others here, not with good conscience. There was a bit of mistakes the adults did in the past? How do we recover from forest floor. Despite how far she had walked, her trusty shoes still breakfast in the morning when he slipped and fell down the stairs. unrest. The brood shifted and muttered and nudged each the hole in our chest made by loved ones? How do we stop remained intact, unlike the rest of her. He went head-first and happened to land in such a way that his other. Finally, the oldest fledgling, an arctic Phoenix just over our mistakes? Why can’t we just stop making mistakes and Continuing her trek through the woods, thoughts of regret kept neck came directly in contact with a piece of metal sticking out 15 stepped up. start fixing them instead of make them worse? Humanity can popping up in her mind. What if she hadn’t left? Everything from the floorboard. sometimes be kind, but not always. When will we learn to would’ve been so much easier. A painless, simple life for her and He didn’t make it. “No. Not without you.” His eyes softened. What was her care for our health, our future, our lives, and this planet we her child. Was this really worth it? Was all this pain and suffering But she made a choice that day, staring at her husband’s lifeless name? call home, this universe we call our own? really better than what she would’ve went through back home? corpse on the floor; Either way, those thoughts were just wishful thinking. She staring at the small blinking chip embedded in his neck. “Aithne, I’ll be out soon. I just have some unfinished busi- couldn’t go back now. It was far too late for that. She’d had her Maybe he was a robot. ness I have to take care of. And it’ll be easier if I don’t have chance to stay, and she had refused. Now she had to live with She didn’t want to know. But she inferred from the chip in his to worry about you.” She and the others were wavering. No Sylvia Officer that. neck that there must’ve been one in hers, as well. This freaked one actually wanted to stay in the warehouse. It was only As We Softly Fall For the first time in what seemed like hours, but what was prob- her out. their loyalty to him that made them say that. ably ten minutes or so, she came across a fallen tree and decided She didn’t want it. The world around them stopped, but rotated at the same to sit down on it. Clutching her baby in one hand and resorting She was going to find out why. “You wouldn’t want me getting hurt, would you?” She shook time. The air was thick with a pink haze making everything to sweeping off the snow with her other, she made herself a little Over time, she did. As her baby grew, so did her knowledge. So her head. He smiled and gently pushed her.” Go.” They glow as if under moonlight. The tall and crumbling buildings bench-esque seat where she could sit and get her thoughts togeth- did her motherly instincts, and so did the desire to prevent her didn’t need anymore prompting. He watched as the kids shattered as every explosion sounded. The burning colors er. She plopped down and took off her backpack, still holding her child from experiencing the same fate as everyone else. scampered off before standing. The smile slid off his face. It caused the beauty of a sunset and the fear of death. Ashley child close. Because it wasn’t just her husband that was a robot. went carefully blank. Stalking the hall, like a large cat intent and Natalie looked up at the dusk sky from the middle of the Subconsciously, she began to take her supplies out of her bag in They were ALL robots. on its prey, he found the fighting. It was two apothecaries. intersection surrounded by once tall standing skyscrapers. order to figure out what exactly she had left. Some crackers and From birth, all their actions were tracked and determined. No- Brand made a sound of disgust. Of course it was another beans, a hunting knife, a bunch of cans of Campbell’s Chicken body had any idea. apothecary. Witches were deplorable beings. “How did this happen... When did this start?” Natalie whis- Noodle Soup, matches… How had she become self-aware? Was it the trauma from losing pered with a melancholy tone. A broken electronic chip. the love of her life combined with the shock of finding out he They weren’t thinking the creatures they were fighting over Ashley looked over at her, their school outfits were covered The second she picked it up, thoughts began to race in her mind. wasn’t even himself…? Was she even in control right now? Was as living, breathing sentient beings. All they saw was new in rubble and dirt, but still radiated brightly from the illu- Pain. Blood everywhere. Brutally ripping the chip out of her this just pre-determined just like everything else? stock. A dollar sign was on every feather on their body, every minating smoke around them. She looked back at the sky as neck. Running. She didn’t know herself. She could only guess. liter of their blood in their veins, every fang in their mouth. the sound of planes passed overhead. They were dropping Who was she kidding? How could she go back to a life like that? But she did make some observations during her final months in At first, nobody noticed him. But then fire began to engulf more and more of that beautiful and suffocating pink smoke. They were going to chip her poor, precious baby. They were her hometown. his raised wings, and even malnourished, dirty, and badly Clumps of the lightweight substance floated around them as going to have complete control over his thoughts, his actions, Upon witnessing a childbirth in a hospital while visiting a family wounded, Brand still looked like an avenging angel. Some- if they were fallen stars. everything he would ever say or do… member, she noticed that the baby was taken out of the room only one screamed. Half attacked him, the rest fled. Or at least They were going to take him away from her in the worst way minutes after and taken to the nursery. tried to. Nobody got out alive. When human aide showed up, “Didn’t it start with....” there was a pause as Natalie held her possible, just like they’d done with everyone else. She followed the nurse. all they found was a hunk of melted and twisted metal and head in frustration grabbing at her dark curly hair. How could she even let that kind of thought dance around in her Sadly, he went into a locked room with the child, so she wasn’t the remains of burnt bones. They had caged a Phoenix, and head? able to figure out what he was doing. But judging by the bruise they payed the price. He had burned and been reborn, and Ashly put on a mischievously smug face and sarcastically beginning to form on the side of the baby’s neck once she was they were stupid enough to get caught in it. said, “The clown attacks.” She hadn’t even been aware of the chips until a small child had taken back to the nursery, she assumed that this was when they made a remark to her about them one day. were chipped. And what should you take away from this story? Don’t mess Natalie stood there with complete silence. Being scared of Probably three or four years old, she had casually mentioned that So even from the beginning, the children were slaves to whatever with a Phoenix, or you might just be in their place. the awkward atmosphere produced, Ashley gave a small she had a bump on the side of her neck that she didn’t like very was controlling them. They really had no chance. half hearted laugh. Suddenly, Natalie started giving short much. She said that her mother covered it up with her hair, and whole-hearted laughs with small snorts in the middle of each then brushed it away in order to show her. It was red with notice- A quiet snowflake plopped itself on her nose. breath, trying to cover her mouth with her hands. Ashley able bruising around the side. Suddenly reminded of the present situation, she shivered at the gazed at her girlfriend with amazement at how her laugh She didn’t think much of that child’s comment until she was sudden cold that had settled in the woods around her. It was could still sound as wonderful as it did the first day they met, observing her neck one day and discovered a similar bump snowing? She hadn’t packed for this. She had left around Sep- even when they were now faced with the inevitability of protruding out of the left side. It wasn’t very noticeable, and one tember without even thinking about what would lay in the future death. couldn’t really see it without looking and feeling very closely. ahead. Deep down, maybe she’d thought that she wouldn’t make

40. 5. The screaming sound of the plane engines slowly faded as Anny Perez Sanchez Ryan Duggan monitoring her looks would work well enough for her. Espe- more glowing dust rained down. This was going to be the Jazzy Tuell The Girl Who Didn’t Know She Was Fighting Herself cially the times right after she’d exercise, those were when she end. The Legend of the Monster always felt the best. All the push-ups and leg routines that she She didn’t want any ice cream. Why would she? Ice cream was found online, all the running she would try to get in. Even doing Ashley looked at the girl next to her. She had pastel blue There once was a musician who held a dark secret. Before unhealthy, ice cream made you fat. So what if it was cookie small workouts after every time she ate, or doing mock push-ups dyed hair and beep brown eyes, which were filled with worry a gig the musician and her band were offered a drink that dough? She could always get some once she was done with her against the bathroom sink after she washed her hands. Sneaking and hope at the same time, as she stared at the sky. It wasn’t would keep them stimulated for three days straight. They diet. At least if she ever finished with her diet. Why stop being in more ways to burn calories, keeping her feet moving while until Natalie started talking that she caught herself staring. took the mysterious beverage before their concert. Little did healthy? Why go back to being like so many other people? Eating sitting, swinging her arms as she walked. “Hey, Ashley.” they know, it was disastrous. that sugary stuff and all those fats. How could they not see it? If She did eat after her workouts, because protein was what “Yes, Natalie?” only she was like them. If only she had a fast metabolism, then you needed to build muscle. Low calorie protein bars, a little bit Natalie looked at her with sorrow as for the words she The musician thought she slept through all three days, but she could eat all she wanted and she wouldn’t have to worry of yogurt. Maybe some peanut butter if she was treating herself. wanted to say wouldn’t come out. She then started to speak what she didn’t know, didn’t harm her. She awoke to an ee- about it. Other people didn’t have her issue. Reading up on all But just as she ate a little more when she worked out, she also slowly and carefully as if each word would shatter if said too rie, unusual silence. Everywhere she looked, it was empty. In of those metabolism boosting foods and methods really must’ve worked out more when she ate more. That was the right thing to fast. the distance she could smell what she thought to be the odor helped, she was feeling thinner already. But she couldn’t just do, wasn’t it? A whoopie pie meant six laps around the neighbor- of something rotting. Taking on the role of a detective, she raise her metabolism, she knew she had to work for it, she knew hood on her bike in addition to her regular routine, the one that “Will you spend the rest of your days with me, no matter follows the scent backstage to find a scarring sight. The sight she had to avoid the junk and limit how much she put in. If she she tried to follow everyday. It varied from working her torso and how long or how short that may be?” before her caused her eyes to water at the brim. Everyone didn’t, how else would she get the body she wanted? arms some days and her legs and thighs others, but she was a girl Ashley was astounded and could not form words as a stream who was her family and friends were corpses now. The walls The old her had an unhealthy lifestyle, the new her would with a plan. The more food she ate, the more guilt and weight she of tears fell down her face. She slowly held out her hand with started closing in, as she saw spots. Behind these spots, there look and feel beautiful, inside and out. After all, a healthy body would gain. So to keep those things away, and to keep her diet her pinky out and choked on the last words she would say. were bright lights calling to her. The memories she lost. She makes for a healthy mind. The serving sizes on containers would more on track, exercise was what she did. “Yes, and I love you.” watched from afar as she slaughtered her loved ones, ripping be followed, and no more calories would go in than needed. If the She would never go back to the way she was before. It Natalie put her hand out and entwined their pinkies together out their insides and devouring them. The gut wrenching typical body needs about 2,000 calories a day, and taking in less doesn’t matter what other people think, and she knew that long as she leaned in for a soft kiss. But though this was their first memories made her feel sick to her stomach. What she has than that would bring off weight, than that’s how she would do it. ago, but she still cared about what she thought of herself. That’s kiss, it was also their last breaths. One final sunset explosion done could never be forgiven. Limiting meals and not eating more than she should. Oreos would who she was doing it for, herself. Soon she would have enough went off not too far from them as their bodies slowly and just have to wait, apples tasted much better anyway. The days she confidence to put on her bathing suit and slip into the water. softly fell to the glowing pink concrete ground. Police sirens could be heard in the distance, closing in on ate less overall and ate more “better for you” food were the days Enough confidence to look at her legs without thinking “thunder her location by the second. Scared and confused, she flees she felt good, the days she felt thin. And the mirror didn’t lie, did thighs.” She would finally be happy with herself, with her life, to a cabin in the mountains. She was going insane from the it? All the times she looked in and saw the bone in her hips and and she would finally achieve what she’s wanted for so long. voices. Killer… Murder... Demon… Monster ran through her smiled, and all the times she saw the curve on her stomach from Being the best possible her she could be. head on a daily basis. She lived in isolation for the rest of her too much food she felt disgusted. The scale got ditched, she knew days, until somebody intruded her home. it was the best thing for herself to not focus on a number. Just

The night someone intruded, changed the unsolved case forever. The intruder is believed to be the mysterious person Life. Meaghan Paine who offered the musician the beverage. Police say the mu- sician was found dead the next day in her cabin of isolation. It has its secrets, soul comfortably nestled within Some believe the mysterious person murdered the musician its rules, i collapse, buzzing mind hushed to sleep the same way her family was killed, while others believe that its mysteries. jubilant sunbeams observe the years of voices cause her to commit suicide. To this day, impressed by my emergence police have had no choice but to leave the case unsolved. So really, what is life? for now the universe sees me entirely atoms scattered over the sea and treetop green Decades later, the local townsfolk tell her soul lives upon It’s a time where we spread our mark on the world, i then realize that there is no “i” the living, looking and torturing those who have ancestors for we will only be here once. everything in existence is “we” related to the case. Some even say that if you enter her cabin, elation dissipated you can hear her terrorizing screams. It’s a time to spread our joy, eyes flickering, awakened… for it will shape the way people of the future view the world. we wonder whether or not there is nothingness when rebirth occurs repeatedly in our lives Life is a time for many things, but the only clear thing that comes to mind is a puzzle. -m.m.p

The only people who know what life truly is, are the people who have walked the Earth before us.

Until our time on Earth comes to an end, we shall always wonder what life truly is.

6. 39. Alina Parsons “It’s Marcus”, he whimpered. “I came home after work a week Photography on this page by: The Break of Dawn ago and found him cheating. He was coming on to our painter! Of all people why the painter? He ain’t got what I got goin’ on back Diana Le The sun began to rise; the beginning of a brand new day. The here, or even a decent personality. I saw him advance on the guy, Grade 9 larks were chirping, dew dotted on the blades of grass whispering like a lion crawling up onto it’s kill. I can’t say anything else but I in the wind. A house sat in the distance; inhabited by an older can assure you it wasn’t pretty.” couple. The woman came to the window, with glimmering eyes Sandy frowned. She always thought Marcus was a good man; taking in the beauty of the landscape. She was once a true south- wrongfully prejudged and a little on the weird side but a ern belle; with beauty as well as brains. When she moved, her good-hearted man nonetheless. No one had ever guessed he was clothes always moved in a light unison with her. But today, the the one that would showcase infidelity; the more likely candidate nightgown she wore was weighed down by the blood. She looked for that vice would be Dexter. The man didn’t have a mean bone down at the knife in her hand, with tiny red pearls dotted along in his body, but he was rather flamboyant and outlandish. That the serrated edge of the blade. She turned away from the pictur- was just him though; his extroverted nature. They talked for a esque landscape and faced the two bloodied bodies on her bed, few minutes but then Sandy had to be on her way. with a certain look in her eyes that illuminated malevolence. The next stop was the grocery store. She had to buy a couple things she had forgotten the day before. She had bought a fancy THE PREVIOUS DAY dinner and a couple “fun things” for her and her husband to try, but she forgot a couple of things yesterday. But she had an Sandy Walkerman strutted into her office building, coffee in hand off feeling again. The store was usually packed and loud; filled and hair flying in the breeze. Her co workers greeted her as she with the sound of carts and people blabbing to themselves or a walked past them, with warmth and kindness in their voices. She neighbor they ran into. Today there was an eerie silence; as if the went to work; back to the old grind, the usual stuff she did daily. people were in the same room as an open casket. She ignored it, She tried to make time fly; today was her anniversary and she had went around getting everything she needed and then left. something special in mind for her husband of 25 years. But alas, She turned around the corner just down the street from their the day simply dragged on. house when she saw the figure. The tall, svelte womanly figure After her work she decided to walk home; it was only a couple was walking up to the stoop, with a luxurious gown that shim- blocks away from her work. She had to get everything she needed mered in the porch light. Sandy sprinted down the street, current- for tonight, which means she would have to zigzag all up and ly in a state of blistering fury. down the street. “Why the hell are you here at this time of night, you filthy “Oh well, at least I’ll get all my exercise for today”, she said as harlot!”, she screamed as the woman dashed to the front door; her heels clicked down the sidewalk. pounding on it with her slender fingers curled into a fist. Sandy’s The florist was her first stop, but there was something off about husband came to the door; he had a full head of salt and pepper him. Dexter was a kind and jolly man, with his passion for botany hair, a cleanly shaved face, and dressed in some of his nicest clearly incorporated into his creations. They had even been pajamas. His name was Pablo; and with that name he carried friends in high school. She had bought some amazing ones in the a reputation around the community. The Walkermans’ weren’t past, for a funeral or a friend in the hospital, and they never dis- among the highest on the social scale, but they certainly made appointed her. His shop was usually bursting with life and love; enough to live comfortably on Sandy’s executive position and as if it was radiating straight from his soul. But today, something Pablo’s career as a DEA agent. When compared to their lower seemed off about him. There was a form of depression projecting class neighbors, the two were almost the dictionary’s definition of from him, which tugged at Sandy’s own emotions. success. When he saw the two women on the porch, his eyes wid- “Dexter, what’s up with you? Something isn’t right here, and I ened and mouth dropped open in horror. The young woman was must say it’s depressing me. Is everything okay?”, Sandy asked screaming at him asking who the older woman was, and Sandy sincerely. doing the same about the young model. It didn’t take long for her to notice it. The ring on his slim finger “Mi amor, who the hell is this old puta that’s coming onto our was missing; a platinum band glimmering and shining into her front steps tonight?”, she demanded of him. eyes when she walked in. Dexter had been in a domestic part- This sent Sandy into an inferno of rage. She screeched: nership with Marcus for about 13 years, and they were one of “ME? Who the hell are you; and why are you deluding yourself the most picturesque couples one could ever dream of. Everyone into thinking this is your house?’ wished to have such a perfect relationship; a power couple who Both women turned on the timid man standing at the threshold. fed off of their opposition, and there was plenty in supply. The The younger woman lunged at him as he quickly sidestepped her. city they lived in wasn’t up to date with modern principles, so The temptress then left; storming off into the night, leaving Pablo everyone gave the two men dirty looks whenever they went out with his seething mess of a wife. He saw the look in her eyes, and for a walk or a “night on the town”. Sandy didn’t mind them, it all came right out. she and her husband had actually gone out on a double date with “Sandy, I can’t do this anymore. You have been a completely them. He looked up at her with a sadness that she couldn’t stand different person recently. You aren’t the girl I married so many to see on anybody. years ago”, he said to her. She barged past him and stormed into the kitchen, where the table

38. 7. was all set up for two and showered in rose petals and candlelight. Ryan Duggan Death. Anny Perez Sanchez “Get the hell out of my sight”, she said as she calmly went up Put the Title That Makes You Happy Here Sunset the stairs to their room. Is it something to be afraid of? When she opened the door, she changed and went to bed, now suf- We need to take a minute What a lovely time fering from a massive heartbreak and a pounding migraine. While to appreciate our use. It’s a part of the I wish it could stay she slept, he came into the room and slipped under the covers with We all can’t make the firework, never ending cycle Forever, but I know her, like a puppy who disobeyed it’s master. But we all can light the fuse called life. The beautiful light Around midnight, the small click of heels came slowly came into Called sun will soon the house. The unlatched door was opened slowly, with the dull What makes you feel like hot chocolate? You can never escape it, Be setting and going and slow drumming of nails echoing throughout the kitchen. The warm and sweet inside? as it’s the overall fate of the Away. mistress grabbed the knife and went up the stairs and towards the And what makes you feel lonely? world. master bedroom. She opened the door; expecting to see a couple separate and wanting to hide? I want to capture its sleeping, but only finding one. As she turned to the right, her vision When and how are questions Image and forever went blurry with the punch, and finally faded to black with the They all feel it, that are only answered in time. Hold on to it, like final sight of blood spilling from the knife wound. Sandy removed just like me, like you. A faded memory. the stolen blade from the young beauty, with dark ooze splattered We all know they feel things, So live the life controlled by all over her and pooling on the floor. She then turned to her infidel But do we act as if they do? love and leave the fear behind. How time flies by spouse, and ended his life with a knife in the heart; just like how When you’re lost she felt. She dragged the woman from the floor and onto the bed, One move will make a difference, In the beauty of right alongside her lover. She then turned to watch the break of will make or break a day. Nature. dawn; a brilliant hopeful orb rising over the horizon and took in Once you give that feeling, the beauty of the landscape. After the orb was surrounded by the it’s there, and there to stay. Anny Perez Sanchez The sunset is a blueish background of the perfect sky, she turned, walked towards The Silver Car Sight to behold. the bodies and went to work on them. She was Sandy Walkerman A smile is worth your weight in gold, Something that after all; nobody could picture her as being capable of murder. A scowl is naught but cruel and cold. There’s this Silver Car, Feels like a Especially without any evidence... With all this power of choice, It always passes by my house. Fairytale why not choose to add your voice? I feel as if it’s trying to Every time I Communicate with me, Look at it. The End. Why not- But I am much too afraid wish a good day as you go on your way To ask the car’s name. One day I hold an embrace with a smiling face Will capture let them be praised and spirits be raised Maybe the Car is being Its beauty, Controlled by someone. But right The difference you make Now I will to ruin a day, I dash out of my bed and Hold on to can always be different, Look out the window. The memory can go the right way. I patiently wait for the Of the beautiful Silver Car to appear. Sunset As the time passes, I think quietly to myself “Maybe the car got tired? Or maybe it’s been in a Horrible accident? Anonymous What will I do now?” Snow glows. As it reaches sunset Snow gleams. My hope of seeing the Each piece of snow is unique. Silver Car diminishes. To this day I haven’t What I’m trying to say is, Seen it you are a piece of snow. Exclusive, Photo by: Different, and most of all, Diana Le One of a kind. Grade 9 Photography on this page by: Teebh Al-freihy 8. Grade 9 37. Rebecca Woodson Her tears spill down. Meaghan Paine The Monster in Her Eyes There’s a monster in her glare, questioning why, The Place That Wasn’t There stealing every glance. Why is no one here to help? The monster in her eyes that sparkles with So no one sees the girl, Why can’t someone get it out? While life goes on with its casual sway the rain, behind her sorrowful stare. I feel something arising deep within me devouring the world, The monster in the girl was never really Sitting here and watching time fly away absorbing all the pain. With the beast that lies within, there. Is no longer the sight that I’d settle to see no one will come near. There never was a beast stealing all the My soul thrashed and fought against its bone containment The monster in her eyes paints the sunlight She’s dying to be seen, stares. Something that I once was able to ignore black. she’s drowning in her tears. It’s passionate fire fell to an ashy lament Moving through her thoughts, She imagined a monster, Leaving my being battered and sore ready to attack. She can not see the monster, that brings her only pain. On that Monday I had taken one too many blows A deliverer of darkness, that controls her thoughts. When the true beast, So I spent the day enveloped in a world of thoughts that ends the endless sky, She can’t tell why, Is the girl’s own head. This place was a paradise that I wanted to know darkening the doomed destiny of this the world became so black. And I realized why my eager soul always fought dying world. With a child’s enthusiasm and an elder’s wisdom It yearned to explore and experience new things It wanted to show me nature’s kingdom But I didn’t even consider the place that treated me like a king All my life I had spent entwined in manipulation Diana Le The ones with big guns said that dreams were unrealistic Believing them, I sided with the distorted nation All I can say Humanity’s one love was materialistic All that will be heard My soul called out once again In the midst of confusion and clarity “I’m sorry” is all I can ever really say, I cried after realizing how stupid I’d been But the knife is still buried deep within your back. But after the tears came serenity Photo by: Diana Le The ties that were cut and snapped, Now out of reach, never to be knotted back together again. -m.m.p. Grade 9

Even with all my strength, I can’t possibly knock down those cold stone walls you’ve built around yourself.

The blood that was spilt, Cassandra Kuechler Now stains the path we walked, forever as a reminder. Vinyl Thoughts Please let me help you pick up those pieces I scattered. my past comes crawling back to me though it isn’t far behind Perhaps then, you’ll be whole again. the only thing keeping me warm is you keeping me in line But in the end, watch the record as it spins and sways “I’m sorry” is all that I can let myself say. how I hate the past still yells at me I just want you to cure my ways and rid me of my existence -D.L

Photo by: Diana Le 36. Grade 9 9. The Essex Tech Surrealist Poets’ Collective An arrogant puppy swims in slimy toast, Rebecca Woodson Amalgamation (A Surreal Poem) yet the pretty flag runs a lurking family. Insomnia Colorful bubbles display a jagged baby, Thoughtless scissors overshadow a luminous man, so the exquisite leopard dreams a hungry pickle. I catch my eyes slowly closing but the colorful song fought the slippery sun. Thomas the black Ferrari explodes a peaceful cow. But then my eyes start to open Green foxes climb under a pastel horse I fall into the suffering sorrows because America hungers violently. Of the upcoming tomorrow Flowing cars swoop below the sample hawk. Pink busses skip beside fragile narwhals, and a beautiful dog badgers an angry bull. I want to fall asleep Overgrown A jacked Rolex ran the platinum calf After the cat walks softly, spaceships run brightly. I want to peacefully dream while shiny pizzas climb from colorful ants. Stubborn Hannah bedazzles beneath the quizzical traffic light I want out of misery The garden we nurtured and grew The purple mirror became a blissful tree while the sky scrapes slowly. And into fantasy The beauty I saw in its core, before a duck smiles amazingly. Cheez-its run a beach at dark, I foolishly believed that you could see it too. Delightful pieces flew behind the wild dancer. for the gross gas throwing garbage tiger. I try to close my memories A sad antelope snorts the happy dust, by shutting my exhausted eyes A curious color scared a sweet bird, as the dark sun flowers brightly. Still that doesn’t suppress my endless worries As I napped under the willow with a crown of but the orange German materialized a sharp hammer. Annoying moose roar under a fierce bed. And heal my weary mind dandelions resting upon my head, The fuzzy house flaunts a sexy cucumber; the vines took hold of you, and made a home Therefore, a frog babbles quickly. My eyes are growing heavy around your neck. The loud geese crying and the white tree. Hope dogs communicate from a thoughtless goal. With the weight of life Languid hawks fight the flowing water. Into the darkness I am ready Not enough to kill you but barely keeping you Folk tales exist energetically Miniscule waterfalls become green as Rome. But I am sleep deprived alive. where chickens ice-hop outrageously. Money rains quickly and beautiful When bitter bridges bite between painful phones, while love sleeps endlessly. No matter how much I try The roses joined the fun as they bloomed in your boats hunt after a cold Harambe. I can’t get to sleep fragile beating heart. Across the water, flying quickly, I stay awake asking why Piercing it with their miniature swords filled Why can’t I have some peace? numbing poison.

My eyes hurt with the truth That I will never dream Not enough to make you cry but hardly sheltering I am wasting all my youth you from the torture. By getting no sleep. Suffering silently, without a single peep, you allow me to rest on in ignorance. Anny Perez Sanchez Cassandra Kuechler Moon Dust The last leaf then fell. I get on the bus and sit with my friend. Roots that were once deep, I look out the window and watch the people i was the sun, now rotting themselves away. And the buildings that I pass. i was the moon. Cassandra Kuechler Ultimately ripping apart our creation, you ripped I wait for my stop. now i’m nothing but ash and dust, The Water Girl out a piece of yourself along with it. People get off and walk to their house, waiting to be recollected The daisies screamed for you to stop while Or to a friends house. and put back together again down she goes they were crushed beneath your feet. As I look out the window I catch by your gentle hands spinning out of control As you took another step away from me Myself slowly being whisked like water down a drain Away from our overgrown garden Away by sleep. drip drip drip where I stay. As the dark surrounds me her eyes are leaving the faucet on just slightly I am soon tapped on the she wants to turn it off -D.L Shoulder and I get off but she doesn’t haven’t the power The bus. drip drip drip the rain outside is soothing her tears will match the sky now she thanks the storm for accompanying her mind someone who feels the same makes her feel less broken but it doesn’t make the storm any better

10. 35. They met my eyes for a second before turning away again. “It’s Jack Kelly against the wall next to the front door. Grant held the door open “You want more? Go conquer it. Use your power, get it. Take you who isn’t living, my friend,” I finished. Sportsman for Alicia, who slowly made her way inside. what’s yours. That’s what you want, yeah? You had your empires, “You’re lookin’ tired there, kiddo. Your bedroom’s the second what held you back?” “Shut up.” From the Desk of Professor Jonathan Brooks, room on the left, just down the hall there,” Grant waved towards his left. Oh, my dear friend, you lost touch along the way. Your under- “That’s all you’ll ever say to me, huh?” Sportsman is the only non-superhuman we have encountered that “Thanks, Sportsman,” Alicia hummed, then walked towards the standing runs thin. I was expecting that, though- No one can is of any note. He displays above-average strength and stamina, hallway. memorize a human soul. “We’re... done here.” They looked at me. “I’m going now. I but beyond that, nothing about him truly stands out. I’ve filed Grant shut the door and rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t sure when expect you won’t contact me again.” There was a hint of a threat multiple requests for him to be detained and interrogated, so that Alicia had started to use her mother’s pet name for him, but it I released the rail and turned on my heels to face them, leaning gripping their tone. I didn’t respond, I only stared at them, my we may better understand how he operates. As usual, I have been was cute, so he hadn’t stopped her. Hopefully it would help her forward with my arms behind my back. cat-like green eyes burning into their gray ones. Were they really denied at every opportunity. cope with the loss. Grant huffed out a breath and looked around approaching their limit that fast? I didn’t think my answers were the living room. It had been a long ride, but they were finally “Well, the empires I raised, of course.” so surprising... The buzzing of his phone made Grant Michaels notice the green here. Home. light. Eyes half-closed, he pressed down on the gas pedal. The Grant wandered into the kitchen and started searching through They looked almost surprised, before they turned away from me I watched as they turned and strode down the cobblestones, away old truck lurched forwards, down the long, chipped road. Grant the cabinets. There wasn’t any food, but all the dishes and glasses and returned their attention to the water. from me, away from the situation, for the last time. My gloved looked out at the worn buildings around him. He hadn’t been were well stocked. He went back to the living room and nodded hand stroked the metal of the rail as the soft wind blew past me to East Glasglow since he’d married Julia, but it looked like a to himself. “There’s people who would’ve killed to be in the position you again. A new promise was woven into it, and more unspoken different city. “Daddy!” Grant heard Alicia shout from her room. He stepped were in,” they said quite stiffly. words were swept away on its wings with this encounter. The I have changed since then, he considered. Makes sense the city into the hall, then to her room. new additions made the air of the wind heavier. They were out of would too. The truck paused at another red light. Grant glanced “Yeah, kiddo?” Grant walked in, and took a seat at the foot of “And I, them. You see how it works? Hmhm, we should just kill sight now, and I was alone. I smiled a genuine smile now, quite behind him, and smiled halfheartedly. Alicia was asleep, with Alicia’s bed. each other, then, me and those people.” nearly a sad one, as I looked out into the dark distance they had her small hands clenching a cotton blanket. Another buzz came “What can you tell me about Mama?” Alicia squeaked. walked off into. A promise to forever, unspoken; I’d never see from the man’s pocket, diverting his attention. He reached to his Grant chuckled, and started rubbing Alicia’s hair back. “You I saw them clench their fist at my response. My grin grew slight- them again. back pocket and pulled out the old phone. It was a couple models forget about her already?” He offered a look of sympathy. ly. They’re holding back less. behind, but it got the job done. A glance back at the light revealed I nodded my head, a send-off to my old friend. a flash of red. “I don’t want to forget.” “No one’s known where you’ve been for years, now. Aren’t you “Mmm,” Grant hummed in agreement. With a far off jeopardizing yourself by being here?” “It’s not too late to stay with me,” the text read. Annoyed, Grant look, he started to talk. “Your mom, she was… she was somethin’ shook his head. Miranda was the sweetest woman he’d ever met, else. You’re a lot like her, you know. Smart, pretty, always getting “Very few people knew what I looked like, and those who did can but she couldn’t stop pushing. He’d told her a thousand times herself into trouble,” Grant poked Alicia’s ribs with each enunci- fuck themselves. already, he couldn’t stay with her. She was Julia’s sister, and ated adjective. She giggled, and began wiggling underneath the ...I doubt nowadays I’m recognizable.” that… that was still too much to deal with. Going back to the old covers. neighborhood would fix things, Grant was certain. Get away from “How did you meet?” she asked after her father had ended “Interesting.” the suburbs, reconnect with his past, go back to being himself. his attack. It’s not like he had enough money to do anything else. A honk “I met her when I, uh,” Grant rubbed the back of his neck in “Is it?” from behind pressed Grant to drive. The house wouldn’t be far embarrassment. “When I crashed into her car.” now. He had gotten the deed after his mother passed. He wasn’t “...... ” able to bring himself to go to the house until now, and still he Alicia burst out laughing. Grant smiled and shook his head. wasn’t sure how he felt about it. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, kiddo.” The girl settled down, and Grant They went quiet again, but not for too long. “What did you mean, He’d have to make his peace sooner rather than later. Grant continued the story. “I was around 23, thought I was invincible. you want more, but your empires held you back?” The question pulled the truck into the brick driveway. Next to it stood Grant’s Wasn’t looking where I was going, and bam! I ran headfirst into almost made me antsy. I found the answer obvious, why explain? childhood home. A bittersweet smile crossed Grant’s face. It was the rest of my life,” Grant released a dark chuckle at the irony. “I good to be back, it was just a shame what had to happen to get offered to pay for the repairs but I didn’t have anywhere near that “I want to experience all facets of life. I want to live many differ- him here. Grant unbuckled his seat belt, and turned to look into much money. She settled for me buyin’ her a drink,” Grant’s eyes ent roles, in many different towns, with many different people. I the back of the truck. He reached out, and nudged Alicia awake. wandered to a clock on his daughter’s nightstand. “Oh man,” want to live. Keeping what I had was gripping my own imprison- “Huh?” she moaned. “Where are we?” Grant got up from the bed. “Were you trying to stay up late, ment. I told you, I don’t want to settle.” “We’re home, kiddo,” Grant shot his daughter a smile. “You need Missy?” me to carry you in?” They frowned deeply, looking somehow unsatisfied with my “No, I’m just…” Alicia released a yawn. She pawed at the truck’s “Maybe,” Alicia put on a deceptively innocent smile. answer. “You... you’re an idiot. Photo by: door until she found the handle to push it open. The young girl “Cute. Now, it’s bedtime. That means bed, got it?” ...After all, when it’s all said and done, you’ll just fit one role, dropped out of the truck, and started moving towards the house. “Love you, Sportsman,” Alicia giggled as she curled up in the won’t you? The wandering fool. Your playing out many will only Diana Le Grant, meanwhile, was pulling out a pair of suitcases from the covers. contribute to your filling a singular slot like the rest of us. How Grade 9 truck bed. Carrying one in each hand, he, too, walked towards the “Love you too, kiddo,” Grant flicked the light off, and let his are you living?” front door. daughter sleep. Grant didn’t know how much East Glasglow had changed, but at “...Fufufufufu.” I snickered, turning my head fully towards my least his mother’s house had stayed the same. Even after twen- Grant sank into the couch. He stared at the wall, and thought. companion, seeking eye contact. “That’s an interesting notion.” ty years, nothing was out of place. Even his old bat still leaned Insurance could pay for their needs for around a year and a half,

34. 11. but Grant needed to find a job, and soon. He hadn’t had one since that would make sure he won the game. But this was not that Kenny Latulippe “Stop that.” before Alicia was born; Julia had made enough to support the kind of sweat. This sweat was cold and miserable. Grant couldn’t It Was Just A Passing Thought whole family, and Grant preferred to spend his days with their even bring himself to wipe his forehead clean. He’d handled the I smiled again. So... interesting. I clapped my hands against the little girl anyways. He’d have to find a babysitter, sign her up for situation well in the moment, but now that it was over, now that It was a very quiet night. I stood silently next to my old friend, rail and gripped it, full grin replacing smile, now. “Lets cut to the the bus to school, maybe even buy her a phone… Grant decided his adrenaline had gone down, Grant was terrified. The Playa not speaking a word. The only disturbance was the light breeze, chase.” not to worry about that just yet. They’d only arrived a few short had a gun. He could’ve been shot. Alicia could have been- No. causing ripples in the water, brushing past my cheeks, nipping hours ago, he could give himself time to settle down. Grant didn’t let himself follow that train of thought. Alicia was at my collarbone and dragging my hair behind me, as if it were “What would that be?” A quick rapping on the front door interrupted Grant’s attempt at fine. Alicia was fine, and she’d continue to be. Grant’s memory trying taking it with it. The wind was chilly, but familiar, laced relaxation. He placed his hands on his lap, and began pushing searched through the last five minutes. with old forgotten promises and unspoken words across the many “You have something on your mind. Spill it, yeah?” I responded himself up. The rapping came again, quicker this time. “No one gets off that easy,” Grant muttered. More Playas would years that people like me stood at this spot, in similar silence. The thusly, expression much too intense and hungry for the scenery I “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Grant said wearily. He rubbed his be coming. More than Grant could scare off with a few swings. sky was dark, with a few stars sparsely scattered across it. The was surveying. eyes, before opening the door. Outside, a young Latino man in There was only one way to keep Alicia safe, Grant decided. He warm, golden lights of maze-like buildings behind us blocked out shades and a bright green bandanna stood with his arms crossed. had to bring the fight to the Playas. the few stars’ reflection on the water ahead, replacing it with the There was a pause. They knew I was right, and I knew they His pants sagged far enough to reveal a pistol slipping out of the almost magical twinkle of its own glow. It brought back mem- wouldn’t question how I knew. Saying we have an ‘easy chemis- back pocket. “What do you want?” Grant sneered. Grant rummaged through the closet of his old room. Everything ories of fairy dust, from the fairy tale books I used to read. Speak- try’ would water down the actual situation much more than would “You gotta ask, old man?” the kid spat. “Chino heard ‘bout some else in the house was just as he left it, hopefully this was too. ing of memories... be required to view it in a true light. However, we do have some guy movin’ in here.” Grant’s eyes lit up as he spied a cardboard box labeled “EQUIP- form of mutual understanding. When it comes to each other, we MENT”. He pulled the box out of the closet, and opened it up. I looked at my friend from the corner of my eye, feeling a very just *know*. I wouldn’t say we’re close friends, in fact, seeing “Answer my question.” Inside was a football helmet, a couple of baseball bats, football slight change of energy in them. I felt no personal need to break them now, saying we’re friends might even be stretching the “Nah man, I don’t think you understand. You gonna do what I, or pads, and a worn jersey. Grant held the jersey up to his chest. It the silence myself, but my companion. On the other hand,.... truth. I know they feel a strong emotion for me underneath their any other Playa says, kay? Chino says you get yourself a day off, would still fit him, but any personal touches, like his name and They gave nothing away in terms of physical hints, as expected, blank, blunt, spiteful attitude towards me, but I’m not sure what it but this time tomorrow, I’m back here, and you got five hundred number had flaked off long ago. Grant grabbed the football pads but I’ve all but memorized them. I felt a shift in their intentions, is. It’s complicated, definitely. bucks waitin’ for me,” the thug barked. Grant’s gaze pierced the and threw them over his shoulders. He put on the jersey next. It they’ve made a decision. Soon enough, they opened their mouths. young man. His eyes flicked down for a moment, to the old bat hugged his frame, especially emphasizing the shoulder pads. Just as I thought. Ah, they intend to respond now. by the door frame. “An extortion racket? This is what this town’s come to?” Finally, Grant grabbed the football helmet. He stared at the object “Why did you call me here?” they asked, not turning their gaze “Why’d you give it up?” “Extortion? No way man,” the Playa pressed his hand onto in his hands. He hadn’t worn it since high school. He turned from the water ahead. They remained standing with one hand Grant’s shoulder. The older man shoved the punk back. “This it over, and lowered it over his head. It still fit. Grant grabbed resting lightly on the rail in front of us. It almost seemed like “What?” ain’t an extortion,” he continued. “It’s more like... protection.” a baseball bat from the box, then stood up. He strode out of they were talking to a specter on the water, like I wasn’t here. I Grant stayed silent for a moment. “What if I don’t pay?” the room, towards the front door. He wrapped his hand around restrained a creeping smile. What an interesting person... but I’d “You know.” “If you don’t pay? Nah, you don’t ‘not pay’ Chino.” the doorknob, then stopped. Alicia would be alone here. Grant expect nothing less. “What if I don’t pay?” Grant repeated, annoyed. grimaced, and remembered the thug’s words. Either he stayed “Do I?” “Well,” the gangster leaned to peer into the house. “I heard you here and waited for the gang to kill them both, or he went out “It’s been years.” They finished their thought after a moment’s talkin’ to your kid jus’ then. Would be a shame for some ‘a the and stopped the Playas before that could happen. With newfound pause. “Shut up.” Playas to-” determination, Grant swung the front door open, and went out Grant’s hand latched itself onto the baseball bat. With one deft into the night. It’s my turn to respond now, revealing nothing in the process, “Well...” I drummed my fingers on the railing. “To you, wouldn’t movement, he had brought the bat into his hand, and broke it yes? it be obvious?” across the thug’s face. The kid rolled onto the ground, to the side- A pale man in a green sweatshirt paced about an alleyway. The “It was just a passing thought,” I said, tone almost seeming gen- walk. Grant followed him outside. The kid reached for his gun shipment was five minutes late, which worried him. Chino was tle, had it come from anyone’s mouth but my own. “Would it?” as he got off the ground, but it slipped out of his pocket before rigid in the Playa’s punctuality, and this package was going he could reach it. The weapon hit the concrete, and discharged. straight to his personal stash. The greasy man palmed the stump “Ah.” A short response met my ears. I studied them again from “Don’t regurgitate my words back at me.” Again, a thin smile A bullet flew through the thug’s shoulder, crippling him. He once where his ear had been. He’d already been given a warning. Be- my peripheral vision. Blank. What are we trying to hide from resurfaced, then faded. “Well, you want to know?” again dropped onto the ground. Grant walked up to the kid, and ing late again would mean death. each other, I wonder? I didn’t force down the small, almost kicked him over, so that his body was facing upwards. He placed threatening smile rising on my lips this time. “Wouldn’t’ve asked otherwise.” his foot firmly on the gangster’s chest. A delivery truck rolled in front of the alleyway, and honked. The “If I ever see you near me, my house, or my daughter, you’ll get a man’s head shot up from his feet, which were already guiding “What are you smiling for?” I let out a breath. “There are ones who’ve built much larger em- lot worse than this,” Grant spat out every word like poison. him towards the vehicle. A heavyset delivery man waved over the pires than I. And they’ve settled, I’m telling you, they’ve settled. “Chino ain’t gonna like this, man. Maybe it won’t be me comin’ Playa. He crept out of the alley, and saw the flash of a baseball Ah, so they were watching me, too. I shut my eyes and let out a Yes, they’ve built larger empires than I, but I want more. You’d back, but some Playa will. No one gets off that easy,” the thug bat. Grant kicked the thug, making sure he wouldn’t get up. soft chuckle before continuing. “Is it wrong for me to feel happy know that as well as anyone, I want more... I can’t settle. I never laughed weakly. He scrambled to his feet, and ran far from the He dropped his bat, then made his way to the front of the truck around one of my oldest friends?” will. That’s why.” house. before it could escape. He threw the truck door open, and dragged “We’ll see,” Grant growled to himself. The man turned, and the driver out. “Hmm.. that wasn’t your happy smile, though.” My friend broke their vigil-like stance, now turning to face me returned to his home. with a new energy ablaze in their eyes. “What should that mat- “What were you delivering!?” Grant questioned as he dragged the There it is. They’ve memorized me, too. To some extent, at least. ter?” Keeping somewhat calm... how noble of them. As a kid, Grant Michaels had become used to sweating. Baseball man into the alley. How flattered I am, that they haven’t forgotten me. was tiring to a seven year old, apparently. In high school, sweat “Who the hell are you!?” the driver shouted. “You think you can “Mmmm, hmmmm...” “Hmm?” I pretended to be surprised, a half-assed act for show had become comforting. Every drop was a surge of adrenaline get away with this!? Chino’ll-” that I’m certain they saw through immediately.

12. 33. Juliet’s jaw tightened, “Then why are they looking at me like “Yea…” he paused, staring at the woman’s broken shoes and then Grant threw his prisoner against a wall. He pressed him further us for this.” that?” she croaked, the world around her was spinning. It was a up at her face. “Are you hungry?” against the bricks before striking him across his fat face. “What As the thugs were worrying, Grant had risen up from under the ball, a charity event, she didn’t know why she felt weak in the were you delivering!?” the vigilante repeated. truck. knees when she caught anyone’s gaze; she cursed her blazing hair The man in the suit’s voice wavered, Juliet knew he wasn’t “Drugs! Nothin’ serious, just coke, some meth, the usual stuff!” He snuck around to the back of the truck to take out the two and bright eyes. himself. She didn’t want to let her guard down, but she had him “Where do you get them?” thugs. One was inside the truck, the other had his back turned. overpowered if he tried to attack her while high. Plus, she knew “I-I don’t-” the driver stuttered. Grant slammed his bat against the outside thug’s arm, forcing him “Nobody’s looking at you.” A pause. “You’re safe, I won’t let his conscious was working in overdrive due to the drugs, that if “Where do you get them!?” Grant grabbed the man by the collar. to drop his gun. The shotgun discharged, blasting the truck’s back anything happen to you.” he had seen her while sober, he’d just have stared and said noth- He turned him around, and shoved him against a dumpster. door off its hinges. Grant kicked the thug’s head, knocking him ing. “Yea…” “I cook ‘em myself! Chino gets me the supplies and I trade them out. As the other thug came out from the truck, Grant threw his It was a vow, and Juliet’s eyes glistened, her response lingering off with his men! I’m sorry, man!” the driver begged. “I’ll stop, bat at him. He climbed into the back of the truck, and grabbed the on her tongue, in the sip of wine she took, in the way her knees Juliet stepped into his hotel room carefully, careful to scan the just let me go!” thug’s shoulders. He slammed him into the floor once, then twice, felt sturdy and strong. room for anything that could be used as a weapon. It was clean, “Where do the drugs go?” then a third time. A sickening crunch signaled the thug’s defeat. bed sheets shined and counter polished; it reminded me of the “To some garage on the edge of town, that’s all I know!” Grant picked up his bat, and turned around to see the remaining Juliet shook, her gaze returning to the glistening light above the places she used to stay in. Grant’s knuckles collided with the driver’s nose. A sickening two thugs pointing their guns at him. elevator doors. Beside her was a man in a suede suit, unbuttoned crack echoed through the alley. Tears were streaming down his slightly, hair ruffled, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Juliet hadn’t The places she didn’t stay in anymore. cheeks now, with no sign of stopping. “Where do they go!?” “We got you now you son of a-” noticed him before, and she let her eyes linger on his jaw line, Grant raised his fist. “Yo, hold up! I know this guy!” the second thug intervened. it was clenched and rigid. He didn’t seem to notice her either, He was high and she was tired; he collapsed on an arm chair and “Roland’s Garage! It’s on Wire Avenue, I swear!” the driver “He-” his fingers tapping vigorously on the metal railing beside him, a she took his food, shoving it into her mouth as fast as she could, palmed his face, trying desperately to stop his sobbing. Grant “Hey! Hey!” a commanding voice rang through the garage. painted a false gold. before collapsing on a couch near the window and drifting off. threw the man behind him. The driver crashed into a wall, and “What the hell’s goin’ on?” A short, Hispanic man who appeared slowly slid onto the ground. Grant picked up his bat, and got into to be in his late twenties, stepped into the shop. The Playas turned Then he did, and his eyes touched her own. Juliet froze, knowing It wasn’t smart or thought out, and yet the two lost souls slept in the delivery truck. The key was still in the ignition. He pressed their heads to look at the man, but kept their guns trained on he was going to say something, call her out for staring. Instead the eerie room, momentarily at peace. his cleat to the gas, and drove towards Wire Avenue. Grant. he didn’t look present, even when his gaze was clashing violently “Sorry, Chino,” one of the gang bangers stuttered. “We caught with her own; he looked lost. Grant hummed to himself at the door to Roland’s Garage. He this fool takin’ on Johnny D and the boys.” honked the horn, trying to get someone to let him in. He had no Grant bowed his head to look at Chino. The vigilante couldn’t “Hi,” he said stupidly, confusion lacing his gaze. He was high, idea what was going to be inside, but hopefully it would be an an- help but smile. If he got this guy alone, he’d be no trouble taking she figured then, that’s something she got from the TV shows she swer to his problems. The rusted garage door began struggling to out. used to watch; businessmen, especially the ones in nice suites, open. The door slid up to the roof, letting Grant enter the garage. “‘Sorry’ don’t cut it, dummy,” the gangster scowled. “Who does usually did drugs and got in fights about things like paperwork A group of five gangsters, armed with rifles and shotguns, waved this guy think he is, dressin’ up like that?” and business cards. But maybe that was just in the shows. the truck in. Grant parked the truck, and waited for one of the Grant knew it was sarcasm, but he did need a name. It wasn’t like gangsters to walk over to him. he could go around calling himself ‘Grant’. He looked down at “I wasn’t staring at you…” she began as the elevator made the his bat, and thought about Alicia. sound of a dying machine, sputtering to a slow halt. She was “Hey, you ain’t Maurice,” a lanky thug said, confused. “Who the “Sportsman,” the vigilante stared down Chino as the growl lying, her eyes had traced the sharp ridges in his jaw and the way hell-” escaped his hair tumbled in front of his eyes. Her eyes had even made it Grant swung the truck door open with all his might. The door him. Chino broke his gaze to laugh at his enemy. down to his hands, the awful cuts and bruises on his knuckles. collided with the gangster, knocking him down. Grant dove out of “Sportsman!?” the name escaped from Chino’s fit. “Seriously, the truck as the other thugs opened fire. The windshield shattered Mikey, who is this guy?” “Oh okay.” as bullets flew into the front seats. Grant ran around the back of “I dunno,” the thug sheepishly admitted. “Franklin says he knows the truck, and paused. He would be shot if he took them head-on. the guy.” There was a pause, a brief moment of condensed silence, it He’d have to stay out of sight. Sportsman finally realized where he’d seen the gangster, Frank- almost echoed through the entire elevator; loud and eerie. “I think “Hey, I see ‘im!” a Playa shouted. “He’s in back!” lin, before. He’d been the one who’d come to his house; who’d we’re stuck.” said Juliet, her hands tucked deep in her pockets, Grant kicked the truck in frustration. He had to think fast, find threatened Alicia. Grant’s sneer deepened under his helmet. then. a place to hide. He dropped to the ground, and started to crawl “That right, Frank?” Chino frowned. The man in the suit met her eyes again, he was dazed, he noticed under the truck. Two thugs ran to the back, the other two stayed “Yeah man, I stopped by this guy’s crib earlier,” Franklin con- how she stared at his knuckles, constantly, even when she hadn’t behind to keep Grant from reaching the front. By the time they firmed. meant to. “I got in a fight...” he trailed off, distant from her. reached the truck’s rear, Grant was gone. “Same build, same bat, same everything, man!” “You’re high.” She deadpanned. “Ah, crap!” one of them shouted. “Yo! You two see him up “Hm. So how in God’s name did he get in?” there!?” called to the other two gangsters. “We, uh, we thought he was makin’ the drop-off,” the thug from His face contorted into a half grin, “I must be, there’s a homeless “Nah, man!” earlier shrugged pitifully. woman at a five-star hotel.” The second thug had opened up the back of the truck, and “You thought-? You dumb piece of…” Chino trailed off as he climbed in. shook his head in disappointment. She stared up at him, her eyes clashing violently into his, even He looked around, but didn’t see any drugs. “Sorr-” while she was so small and he was so tall. “You’re really high, “Guys, we got a problem here! Our delivery boy don’t got any Chino pulled a gun out of his back pocket, and blew his boy’s I’m wearing silk and silver.” delivery!” brains out. The thug dropped to the ground, his gun discharging “The drugs are gone?” a thug up front called. “Chino’s gonna kill when it hit the concrete next to him. Franklin jumped back in fear

32. 13. and disgust. Chino and Sportsman stayed still. Before the dust “Alicia?” he whispered. His eyes widened in terror. LS Darcy “Your hair is pretty…” Juliet choked, raising her voice just loud could settle, Sportsman had lunged forward. He grabbed Chino’s She wasn’t in her bed. Those Whose Hands Drip Blood enough to be heard. arm, and twisted it behind his back. The gangster screamed and “Alicia?” Grant called out. He backed out of Alicia’s room, and released his pistol. Franklin pulled his gun up. Sportsman yanked headed back to the living room. “Alicia!?” Grant instinctive- The street lights cast shadows on Juliet’s head; they danced and The clerk did a double take, completely stopping typing. She did his hostage close to him, and began backing towards the door. ly grabbed his bat when he heard a deep laugh come from the fought among themselves. Carelessly, she draped her arms over a once over of the woman in front of her, noticing the bone white Franklin fired, but hit the wall behind the two. kitchen. her chest, shielding herself from everything, even noise. As she pale of her cheeks, the sunken look in her eyes. “Excuse me…?” “Don’t shoot, you idiot!” Chino screamed. He scratched desper- “The girl ain’t here, homie,” Franklin stepped into the living watched her reflection in the icy glass, she wondered if it stared ately at his captor’s arm, to no avail. Sportsman kicked open the room. Sportsman whipped around to face the Playa. He pointed back at her with the same apathy. A few people in the lobby turned to look at the pair; the tall clerk door leading outside. his bat at Franklin. with the pretty hair and the small woman with the dirty jeans. “My daughter, where is she!?” “No one’s looking at you.” A voice soothed, it was distant to her, Juliet suddenly felt very warm. She could hear the blush in her “You follow me, I snap his neck! You understand!?” “She screamed real good when we took her,” the thug’s crook- somewhere lost in translation. “You’re safe, I promise, no body’s cheeks, almost like it was a sound rather than a feeling in her Franklin kept his gun raised. His finger twitched towards the ed teeth slipped into a smile. “Shame we had to shut her up, I looking at you.” bones. Despite that, she had a feeling the warmth was coming trigger. could’ve listened to that all-” from inside her stomach rather than from the expensive ventila- But they were. Soon apathy turned to nightmarish distaste and tion in the expensive hotel. “Just do what he says!” Chino barked, waving for the Playa to The baseball bat cracked against Franklin’s jaw. Sportsman Juliet forced herself off the bench and towards the chaotic streets lower his gun. Finally, Franklin lowered his weapon. Sportsman grabbed the back of his shirt before he could hit the ground, and of the inner city. It was cold, the leaves that had fallen from the “I’d like a room.” Juliet amended, voice finally becoming steady. exited the garage, and dragged Chino into a nearby alleyway. He pulled him up. “Where is my daughter!?” he barked at the Playa. trees mid-fall became crunchy and frozen under her boots. She slowly rummaged through her satchel, pulling out a battered threw the gangster on the ground. Chino crashed into the con- card. Barely making eye contact with the clerk, she slid it across crete, his face scraping against the ground. Sportsman stumbled “She fought back too,” Franklin laughed, blood shooting from his Juliet realized bitterly that her jacket, battered and ripped as it the counter. over to a wall. He leaned against the brick, trying to catch his mouth. was, wasn’t going to be warm enough for her to survive a winter breath. Chino pushed himself over, onto his back. His ears perked “Took out a Playa’s eye. Guess she takes afta’ her old man, huh?” in New York. She pulled the fabric in on herself, her limbs loose- The clerk didn’t take the time to inspect the card, pity rolled in at the sound of nearby gunfire. The thug felt spikes dig into his chest, before flying across the ly hanging out of the thin sleeves. She slipped under the street the pit of her stomach like butterflies. She considered herself “My boys’ll be comin’ after y-” Sportsman stomped on the crim- room. His back slammed against a door, he was facing Sports- lights like a chameleon. After a while, even the shadows couldn’t generous to a fault, knowing the woman would probably freeze to inal’s throat. Chino gasped, and started choking on air. His voice man. The vigilante kicked the man again, and knocked the door touch her. She was invisible, practically smoke in thin air. death in the blistering late November cold. was a mere rasp. Grant looked at the struggling man, then out of off its hinges. Both Franklin and the door fell onto the ground. the alley. He’d be too heavy to carry, the Playas would catch up As his vision recovered from the blow, a baseball bat came into “No one’s looking at you.” “You’re Jane Anderson?” she asked passively. That was the name to him. With the weapons they were carrying, Sportsman didn’t focus. Sportsman stood above the thug, one cleat digging into his on the card. want to have to deal with them yet. The vigilante kicked the already scarred chest. He held a baseball bat just above the thug’s Juliet was suddenly immersed in the chaotic streets of Manhattan. choking Chino, and left him for his gang. head as a looming threat. She forgot how long she had walked or what her purpose was, Juliet sported indifference, “Yeah.” “Tell me,” Sportsman growled. “I’m not asking again.” but she was there, shivering in her sheet thin jacket and staring Franklin rushed into the alley, frantically waving his gun around. The thug spit on his foe’s shoe. “What’s the difference? You’re and wide-eyed at tall buildings. It was nice, she supposed, to be The clerk weakly handed her a room key. “You’re lucky I have He spotted Chino on the ground, and hurried to his side. just gonna kill me anyways.” somewhere where there was so much light. The light itself was pretty hair.” “S’alright boss, I gotchu,” Franklin said as he pulled Chino off “The difference,” Sportsman pressed further on the Playa’s chest, alive, unlike the damp condescending blaze of an interrogation the ground. Chino coughed to clear his throat, then talked. “You forcing a scream from him, “is between going to the morgue, room. The eyes that judged her drifted in different directions. They were said you know this guy?” or the garbage disposal!” The bat came swinging down, hard. more worried about their own issues, the issues rich people had, Franklin’s front teeth shattered. Gurgled screams and coughed up She stopped, pushing herself into a hotel on the corner, the fancy things Juliet never could understood. Slowly, she wandered from “Yeah, he lives on Mateo Drive, ‘round our spot on Douglas,” a blood were all that escaped from him, but no answers. Sportsman kind with the flowers on every wall and the golden carts for the clerk’s gaze and into an overly extravagant hall. She walked smile slowly crept over Franklin’s face. “He’s got a daughter.” swung the bat again, no feeling behind it, just pure strength. More luggage. She was an anomaly in such a place; little Juliet with against the wall, dragging her fingers over the silver plating that teeth fell out of the goon’s mouth. the blazing ginger hair and freckles, carrying a satchel covered in lined murals, and entered an elevator that was already on the patches and wearing shoes stuffed with newspaper. bottom floor. “Alright,” Chino dusted himself off. “Alright, I want you to get “Alright!” was his muffled cry. Tears streamed down the young there before he does. Take the girl, bring her to Douglas. I’ll take man’s cheeks, mixing with blood when they reached his jaw. Head tilted down, she made her way through the barrage of judg- It rumbled to life, carrying her upwards, from floor zero to floor it from there.” “She’s with Chino, please just let me go!” mental looks, people stepping out of the way for her, purposefully fifty-two. “Where’s Chino!?” avoiding the small woman; she felt like Moses when he parted Franklin nodded. “Will do, boss.” “24 Douglas Street! It’s the ol’ rec center! Please,” the thug start- the Red Sea. Halfway to the top, Juliet was lost in her own thoughts. She could Chino watched Franklin leave the alley. He brought his hand up ed muttering. “Please, I’m sorry!” feel the darkness between her fingers, the silence in her throat, to a cut on his cheek, where he’d started to bleed. He wiped the Sportsman’s grip tightened on his bat. “Sorry doesn’t save my “What can I do for you Miss?” the woman at the desk asked, she felt like she was back outside of the city watching her reflec- blood with a growl. Sportsman was going to pay. little girl.” He brought the slugger up, and slammed it down. barely meeting eyes with the small figure in front of her. tion in a shard of glass taped to a bus stand. Franklin didn’t scream this time. Grant’s foot still felt the faint Grant moaned in pain as he stepped into his house. He hadn’t rise and fall of the kid’s chest. He’d gotten off easy. Juliet blinked, the word ‘Miss’ foreign to her. She repeated it “I’m a stained marble, stained red, and all these people are look- been given a chance to relax all night, but at least that had kept under her breath, her voice barely audible. The clerk was typing ing at me. They know that I’m the woman on the news, the one the pain away. Now that his body could rest, the abuse it had been Sitting in traffic on the corner of Plane Street and Girard Avenue, viciously at a computer, her fingers playing the computer like a who -” Juliet rambled, she pressed herself into the wall furthest put through was starting to catch up to it. Grant trudged towards bile threatened to rise in Grant’s throat. He had nearly killed a piano. What Juliet immediately noticed about the other woman from the commotion, her fingers tapping nervously against the Alicia’s room. Hopefully, she was still asleep. Grant wrapped one man. No, he had nearly killed a criminal. A criminal who had was her hair, brown and curly. The clerk looked up, her green ends of her dress. arm around his side in comfort, as the other pushed open the door taken his daughter, and had tried to kill him. But he was alive, at eyes locking onto Juliet’s hazels. to Alicia’s room. Grant peered into the room. least. Grant moved the truck up a foot or two. He hadn’t bothered “The woman who didn’t do anything - you didn’t do anything.” to change out of his gear. He had to get to Chino before anyone

14. 31. saw him. A cop car pulled up next to the truck. Grant ducked his and saw her father approach the man who had kidnapped her. head, not wanting to risk being caught. The light ahead of him Chino stumbled around the room, searching for his gun. It had turned green. The line of cars lurched to life, leading Grant to his flown out of his hand when the helmet hit him. Sportsman slowly goal. He pulled onto Girard Avenue. The next turn would take stepped towards the pistol, and kicked it away as Chino reached him to Douglas Street, and to Chino. He had to die. Sportsman for it. The vigilante grabbed the collar of Chino’s shirt, and threw told himself that it was something he had to do, an unfortunate re- him on the floor. With an “Oomph!” the gangster hit the freezing ality. Grant wasn’t sure he believed himself. The truck ran to the concrete. Chino scrambled to his feet, only to see that Sportsman right, onto Douglas Street. It slowed to a stop beside an alleyway. had recovered his bat. He held the weapon in one hand, and Chi- Grant opened the door, and stepped out. He swung open the back no’s gun in the other. door, and grabbed his helmet and bat. Chino was going to pay. “Hey, come on man,” Chino put his hands up as a surrender. “Listen, just let me go,” the man started to back away from Sportsman kicked open the door to the old rec center. A pair of Sportsman, who kept walking towards him. “Come on, I’ll get Playas greeted him by raising their pistols without hesitation. outta town, I swear, just let me go!” Chino’s back hit a wall. Grant swung his bat at the closest gangster, and grabbed their arm “Please, man,” he squeaked in a final plea. Sportsman responded before they fell. Grant pulled the Playa close to him, keeping the by shooting Chino’s kneecap. The man screamed as he collapsed. other from shooting. Grant pried the gun from his hostage’s grip, He gripped his knee, blood leaked out between his fingers. and took it into his own. He shot at the other Playa, eventually “Mother forgive me,” Chino whispered, tears streaming down his hitting his kneecap. The gangster fell down in agony, clutching cheeks. His eyes darted frantically around the room, and locked his wound. Sportsman turned his prisoner around, then shoved on Alicia. Sportsman brought up his bat. “Come on man, you’re him onto the ground. Before he could get up, Sportsman stomped gonna do this in front of your kid?” Photo by: his cleat on the Playa’s arm, making him scream in agony. Grant paused. He looked at the sobbing heap on the ground. He Diana Le turned his head to look at Alicia. She stood at the opposite end of Grade 9 “Where’s Chino!?” the basement, crying. Her hands were pressed against her ears in “He’s in the basement! He’s got your girl, man, I’m sorry!” a vain attempt to block out any more screams. Sportsman looked Sportsman brought his foot up from the man’s arm, and down back at Chino. His grip tightened. “Yes,” he growled. again on his face, knocking him out. The vigilante scowled, and headed towards the stairwell. The bat came down hard on Chino’s skull. His scream could be heard for miles on end. Sportsman lifted the bloodied bat, and Sportsman stepped into the dark basement. It would take a minute brought it down again. This swing nearly split his head. Blood for his eyes to adjust. Sportsman tightened and relaxed his grip began to leak in a steady stream from Chino’s scalp. Sportsman Elisabet Kanegis reflexively. When he found Chino- lifted the splintered bat a third time, and brought it down harder than he ever had. The bat broke apart upon smashing the gang- The moon hung like a seductive cliché Grant stopped when he head a click from behind him. ster’s skull. Chino’s head was nothing more than a stain against My room filled with the absence of you “Turn around,” a voice demanded from the dark. Grant complied, the concrete. Grant screamed in rage, and threw the bat’s handle I could feel the air surround me slowly moving to see whomever was threatening him. As his eyes across the room. He pressed his hands against the wall, leaning I was engulfed by the heartache that you had bestowed upon me got used to the darkness, he saw Chino holding a gun to Alicia’s on it from arm’s length. His heavy breathing slowed to almost. So kind was your touch head. “Daddy?” Alicia’s small voice sounded like a bomb going off in And so gentle your embrace “Drop the bat, or she dies,” Chino threatened. Alicia struggled Grant’s Yet each moment was that of a cruel game against his grip. “Now.” Grant relented. The bat hit the ground. ear. “Is he…?” Each move picked carefully like a delicate flower The sound echoed around the room. “Good,” Chino smiled. He And so you have given me a gift pressed the gun further against Alicia’s head. “Now the helmet.” “Don’t look,” Grant stumbled towards his daughter. He dropped Learned in the ways of a queen Sportsman raised his hands, then paused. After this, there would to his knees, and embraced her. He began stroking her hair to I make dessert for only my true love be no going back. “Take off the helmet!” comfort her. “Don’t look, sweetie. Just don’t look.” Grant held Sportsman placed his hands on his helmet, and took it off. He onto Alicia as tightly as he could. Having her in his arms again, lowered his arms, making sure to keep the helmet in his grip. Grant never wanted to let go. “Good,” Chino laughed, his grip on Alicia tightening. “Good, I “Daddy?” Alicia cried into his shoulder. seen your face now. Now, there ain’t no way for you to hide. You “Yeah?” try screwin’ around in my town again, I won’t need to use the girl “Can we go home?” Photo by: to find you.” “Yeah,” Grant sighed into a smile. “Yeah, we can go home.” Diana Le “You won’t get the chance,” Sportsman looked away from Chino, Grant stood up, and took his daughter’s hand. The man led her to- and instead focused on his daughter. “I promise.” wards the stairs leading to the entrance. Alicia stopped just before Grade 9 “Ha! Big man talkin’ tough now, huh? ‘Cause I remember me entering the stairwell. Her hand slipped out of her father’s, who bein’ the guy with the gun, an’ you bein’ the dumb-” Chino never continued a step or two before seeing his daughter had been left got to finish his sentence. Sportsman threw his helmet, hitting behind. “You need a second?” Grant shot her a look of sympathy. Chino square on the nose. The gangster reflexively let go of Ali- cia to bring his hand up to his nose. The young girl ran across the Despite her father’s earlier warnings, despite every bone in her room, past her father, until she reached a wall. She looked back, body telling her not to, Alicia looked back. It was only for a mo-

30. 15. ment. Quick enough for her father not to notice, but long enough his feet in shame. “Take care of yourselves, okay? I love you Ali- found her big, magenta eyes watching him from the second floor. to drink in every detail. Her expression unflinching, Alicia looked cia. You too ‘Randa.” Grant put the gear into reverse, and pressed The girl swayed past the logs and ever so lightly slid her finger So he began his ascend up the neglected staircase and brushed up at her father. “Let’s go,” was her cool answer. his foot to the gas. across the sharp blade of the malicious axe. She peered back away cobwebs resting on the railing without ever disrupting the at him as she did so. He watched and followed slowly with his eye contact between him and the girl. Alicia raised her hand for Grant to take. She soon sped to a quick “You sure you don’t want to stay here? You can have the base- cautious grey eyes. pace, able to keep up with her father’s long strides. ment all to yourself,” Miranda put her hand on the truck’s win- Her uneven ponytail led him down an almost narrow hallway. As dowsill to keep Grant from backing out of the driveway. “I could She continued on in a straight line towards the other side of the he passed the open doors of abandoned rooms, he could not help After dealing with the constant speed bumps and potholes found pull some strings at the office, set you up with a cushy job there.” lawn. And as he passed the axe our blue boy felt his body stiffen, but look in. The first room was a lonely living room. A piano that all over East Glassglow, Grant wasn’t used to the feeling of a “Thanks, but I’m not the cushy type,” Grant rested his forehead for the axe seemed as though if he were to grip it’s venomous once played Fur Elise, the ivory keys now chipped and unmain- freshly paved road. Before the trip, he had thought returning on the steering wheel. He turned slightly, to look at his sister-in- handle he would feel warmth. tained. A dusty vase atop the lonesome instrument, that perhaps to the suburbs, no matter how short the visit, would feel like a law. “Maybe I will, someday. I got business in Glassglow that I once held a bouquet of the most lovely tulips but now holds the second homecoming. Now, the bright houses and clean sidewalks gotta take care of first.” When the magenta girl reached the far fence, she confidently ash corpse of a single rose. Nothing to take from this room but felt alien. Grant paused at a stop sign, to look back at Alicia. Her Miranda slid her hand into Alicia’s, steadying the tired girl. She pushed up a loose board and drifted through to the other side. sorrow - this was not what the magenta girl was leading our boy eyes were only half open. He could tell she wanted to sleep, but glanced from her niece to Grant. “What kind of business we to. she hadn’t been able to since being kidnapped. That was why talkin’ about?” she whispered, unsure of whether or not she want- It is almost as though, our blue boy thought as he crawled under Grant was coming here. ed the answer. the board, she had been here and done this many a times before. He continued to follow her. The next room he peered inside It was selfish, he knew that, but Miranda had offered them a place “The kind you don’t mention in polite company. It’s just some- appeared to be a master bedroom. With tears in it’s wallpaper and to stay. He hadn’t accepted when she first extended her help. thin’ I gotta do.” Worry crossed Miranda’s face. “Grant, what the The girl led our boy onward for a half a mile through the grey the smell of mold growing in it’s floorboards. The bed, though Grant hoped the offer still stood. He’d tried calling his sister-in- hell are you doin’?” town. He followed her through a side of his town very unfamiliar unbelievably ancient, was still neatly made, as though its sleeper law a few times the day before, but she’d never picked up. Grant “Like I said: polite company,” Grant said as he put the gear into to him. He watched more grey houses pass him as the blue boy were to come back that night for a well-deserved rest. On the had left messages for her, and even then she never called back. drive. walked on and he wondered what kind of people live in those edge of the windowsill were the bloody claw marks of a woman Hopefully she’d heard it, or else she’d be in for one hell of a “Take care of Alicia for me.” developed grey houses. But as he curiously watched the grey in vain. Perhaps she opened the window for a deathly breeze on surprise. With those words, Grant brought the truck out of the driveway. houses, he also watched her. He felt that if he ever, even just for a cool autumn night, but fell into the deepest kind of sleep before Alicia waved at her father, who smiled, and waved back. He a second, stopped watching the girl with galaxy eyes, she may she could shut it. Grant drove the truck into a large cul de sac. He was surrounded would visit as often as he could, he still wanted to be in Alicia’s never come back. on all life. But he had changed, or perhaps some hidden part of him had He continued to follow the girl. She drifted into a room on the sides by miniature mansions. He circled the road, and pulled into surfaced. But Grant didn’t have time to ponder his identity. There They eventually reached an old, and very large grey house at the right and as he dutifully followed the boy snuck a quick glance the driveway of a large, baby blue house. Miranda’s car was in was work to do. He was going home. end of a long grey street. The magenta girl stopped and stood towards the left to notice a small room with faded fuschia walls. the driveway as well, but it’s owner was nowhere in sight. Grant with the boy as she stared at him. But this time he stared at it. The room he now entered obviously had belonged to a boy. A looked back at his daughter, who had gotten some of her energy Then she too turned her gaze to the enormous grey house. And rusty toy robot that was halted mid-step on the floor next to a back. she easily climbed the steps, crossed the porch, and without ring- bed with a rocket ship pattern were residing in the old room. The “How long will you be gone?” Alicia asked with wide eyes. ing or knocking pulled open the front door. girl stood and watched the blue boy, allowing him to observe the “I don’t know, kiddo. But I’ll be sure to visit you as often as I room. He glanced around it and noticed a suspicious blood stain can, okay?” It was much more difficult for our blue boy to follow her this near the closed door of the closet, but all he really cared about Grant replied. He meant it, too. Alicia didn’t respond, choosing time. Because in this very unfamiliar part of his grey town, one was the magenta girl. He turned to her and again stared into those instead to keep her eyes on her feet. thing was familiar. The big grey house was quite familiar to our beautiful galaxies. Looking out, Grant saw a frantic, leggy woman emerge from the dear boy. And though he had never been in its presence before, house. Miranda made her way down the staircase leading from he had heard stories of this big, grey house from other children’s She stared back at him then progressed to tug at a small slice in the front door to the driveway, then to Grant’s car. Grant leaned conversations in the schoolyard. He had heard the dreadful tales the wall. She quickly tugged the wall back to reveal a hidden out of the window to talk to Miranda more personally. of this particular grey house. He had heard the stories of a mother doorway with a staircase leading up another flight. She leisurely “What the hell are you doin’?” her eyes nearly popped out of her inside who had taken her own last, grey breathe. And a murder- wisped up the stairs in her gentle, uneven ways. And the grey- head. ous father who had taken the grey breaths of his own offspring. blue boy was left alone, drenched in a grey-blue shade of lonely. “Look,” Grant lowered his voice to calm his sister-in-law down, But as our blue boy gazed upon this dreadful, big, grey house, it His only option, it seemed, was to follow the magenta girl up the “I’m sorry about how short-term this is. I left you a few messag- did not seem grey at all. In fact it seemed quite darker than grey. mysterious staircase. So he did. es, but I’m guessing you didn’t get them.” “Yeah, good guess,” Miranda snorted. “Anyways, if you two Though it has to be grey, he thought, because everything in this The grey-blue boy crouched down and stuck his head into the un- need a place to stay, I’m more than happy to help.” town is grey. This dreadful house, he decided, is a much darker known darkness. He inched his way up the dark stairs, careful not “I don’t need a place to stay,” Grant nodded towards the back of shade of grey. Perhaps the darkest shade of grey. to step on the skinny tails of peacefully sleeping rats. He reached the truck. “Just her.” the peak of the attic; the peak of the dreadful, black house. And “Just her? What’s that mean?” Our innocently blue boy could not find a word to describe the he stared at the magenta girl, who stared behind a box of stored “It means that Alicia needs a place to stay, not me.” atrocious, dark grey house. But the word he was searching for, items that had lost their purpose. Then she stared at him with the “I know what it means, dummy,” Miranda rolled her eyes. “I was none other than black. same blank expression she always had, except this time there was mean, why just her?” Miranda gestured towards Alicia, who had a hint of something more. A hint of despair. He stared into her gotten out of the truck. He crept up the steps, a squeak in the wood with each step, and desperately beautiful, magenta pigmented, galaxy-holding eyes. carefully made his way past the elderly door that was left wide Then he turned his gaze to behind the boxes. And he glanced “It’s personal. Someone decided to bring Alicia into it, and I want open just for him. The grey-blue boy walked into the black house upon the body of a magenta girl. to keep her safe. That’s all I can tell you,” Grant looked down at and viewed its neglected interior. He searched for the girl and

16. 29. Keddy D. Maggie Valvano Grey The magenta girl then climbs, lightly floating, up the side of the Out of the Shadows swings. He watches her in awe. She stops above the swings and A short story, written in the style of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s stands perfectly balanced on the single grey pole. The chains I slowly open the door, doing my best to prevent it from squeaking. My efforts are in vain; I hear him stirring in the room. I almost “The Yellow Wallpaper,” inspired by the animated short movie holding the swing’s seat do not dare to sway in the wind at this change my mind and leave, but this time I’ve seen it. The thing that will safely get me to my bedroom. My thoughts start to wander “Missing Halloween,” the motion pictures “The Babadook,” “Al- time. Everything watches her in awe. back to my room... ice In Wonderland,” “Monster House,” “American Horror Story; Murder House,” and works from director, Tim Burton. The girl stares at our grey-blue boy with those deep magenta I snap my mind back to the task at hand. I creep further into the room. There’s a full moon out tonight, just like every other night. It eyes. Her body perfectly still. She stares for a minute longer provides just enough light for me to spot my target. I slowly make my way to the other side of the room, grab my prize, and quietly Once, in a town as gloomy as rainfall on a cold February dawn, then abruptly drops her head. She lets it lifelessly dangle off her rush out of the room again. I take care to close the door back to where it was before, about an inch open. Now comes the hard part. there was a boy. The boy walked through the partially busy shoulders to the left. streets of his grey town. The town was grey, the people were The mad dash to my room is torturous. The shadows elongate, the nightlight in my room appears dimmer by the second, and I can feel grey, the houses were grey, and he was grey. Though he was also Our blue boy does not react. He watches in astonishment. the crippling headache setting in. The shadows roar closer in huge cold waves, egging he migraine on. I sense the frigid, snaky tendrils blue. Our boy was a disgusting grey-blue shade of lonely. The reaching out to grab me just as I make it through the door. I slam the door shut and flip on the light as fast as I can. mist from a windy rain was light in the sky. And as his lonely self With her head drooped, her body remains still. She lifts her arms mosied to his grey home, he watched the droplets of grey rain tap from her side and ever so slowly places them at an 180 degree The blinding light washes away the migraine. I sigh in relief, sinking down to the floor. I hug my knees to my chest and focus on his nose. angle from her shoulders. Then she swiftly falls. She drops softly breathing normally. This takes a long time because the smoky black tentacles were closer to catching me than they’ve ever been be- And the grey-blue boy walked alone through his dim town where from the top of the swing, her back slowly plummeting towards fore. nothing was anything but grey. the mulch. Our boy, still with no reaction except the slightest pinch of befud- I look down at my prize, laying face-down on the wood floor beside me.This old monster is the only thing, besides light, that keeps Our boy walked on and on. Past the grey trees and past the dlement, watches carefully. the shadows at bay. The shadows have been terrorizing me for a long time, too long for me to remember when this started. I think it depressed buildings. Through the gloomy streets and up the may have started when my mother- miserable hill. She lightly pats the ground and seems instantly to be back on her He walked fast, but thought slowly. feet with no sign of pain or discomfort. She stares at him and he Footsteps. I hear footsteps in the hallway. It’s either the shadow demons trying to trick me, or I accidentally woke my father up. The He blinked slow. Closing his eyes for a second and opening them stares back. Then he glances downward to find himself standing former is more likely, but I scramble to shut the light off and leap into bed anyway. I tuck the monster under my covers, hidden, and to the sight of a girl. She was much too close to him, blankly on the mulch, directly in front of her. Our grey-blue boy feels close my eyes and pretend to sleep. staring at him less than a foot away. Startled, he stepped with one drawn to this magenta girl like a moth to a ray of beautiful light. foot back to brace himself. Though he is not afraid. Her eyes search through his as though they are somehow waiting for a response, though he has none. He watched her. And she watched him with big, magenta eyes that seemed to hold The magenta girl turns and obscurely walks into the nearby galaxies in their pupils. The fuchsia in her iris blended with the woods. Before entering the treeline she glances back at him out color of the town. of the corner of her eye. He examined her features. Her blonde ponytail was unevenly He almost has no choice but to follow her magenta aurora. placed at the top of her head. Her cheeks were rosy and pale. He enters the treeline, following her through the branches and brushes at a distance, like a puppy to it’s master. He brushes aside Jennelia Caraballo But those eyes. the grey leaves and grey branches to get better sight of where she “You Don’t Ask For Love, You Beg” They stared into his. They stared past his. Those eyes that should is going. Wherever she was going... he was going, too. be brown, but are magenta. She stared at him as though she was You could say life itself is just a fleeting moment closely focusing on the cement details of a brick wall. She translucently exited the short forest. And the boy peeled A rush of emotions left unexplored And through all this time, he realized, neither had spoken a word. back the leafy branches to loyally follow. She led him to a row An impulse left unexplained of developed houses. The grey houses were not very large, but And a love that’s usually left implored And then she ran. they were not very small either. The girl lifted herself over a Where people sell their souls for a knock on their door She ran to the right, across the street, and left him standing in his well-maintained fence. The fence was only waist-high and she For a second chance own blue confusion. made it look so easy, but when the grey boy attempted to hoist Or a first glance He watched and waited. Our grey-blue boy was puzzled. He himself over it he nicked the wood with his grey-blue boot The heart is always begging for more glared as her beautifully uneven ponytail grew further and further and chipped a small chunk off. Clumsily he looked back at his away. His curiosity beckoned him, whispering, “Follow Her.” mistake, but he soon remembered the girl and his attention was His curiosity yelled at him, “Follow Her.” drawn back. And then our grey-blue boy does something very unexpected; He submits to his lonely, blue curiousity. She was walking forward at a constant, wispy pace with her back towards him. As the boy looked around he realized they were in He followed and followed. Lightly drifting down the path the someone’s backyard, but the fear of trespassing did not envelope magenta girl made. Time seems to dissolve as he floats to her. him. All he watched was the girl. There were chopped logs on She stops on the mulch of an abandoned playground. She stares the ground, and one standing vertically with a red rimmed axe at him with those magenta eyes. He stops along the perimeter of nestled in it’s wood. It looked as though whoever resided within the mulch. He dare not step closer to her eerie essence. that house was preparing for a cold winter ahead of them.

28. 17. Maggie Valvano Natalie Sullivan beneath her feet and the loud roar of her still hungry stomach. Left Arm Shoes are Sold in Pairs She’s just made it back into the protective cover of the trees when The world disappears tree by tree, leaving her in an empty world Martha pops back into the clearing, scooping up her crying child save for Adam, the nameless man, and the deer. Her eyes are la- My left arm is gone, and that wrist itches. Their stomachs are empty, acid burning away at the lining, and departing once more. ser-focused on the animal’s quivering body, the way its eyes flick and memories of the pain screaming across the expanse of uneasily around and its tail sweeps back and forth at an anxious The glass burst all over me. The shards ripped my skin, and the child’s mind. They say that children see the wonder in ev- Ritter slumps back against an old oak tree, drawing her knees to pace. For a moment she wonders if the dear feels the same fear the red life flooded out of me. Simultaneously, the strong erything; these children could only see the darkness that en- her chest and placing her head between them in a weak attempt to she does, but then a ripple of unexplained need explodes in her metal door at my side was crumpled like paper. It crushed my veloped everything and everyone. Right now, in this moment, ward of the nausea that’s rolling through her. For a second it’s all chest and her mind flickers off. arm beyond any repair. I blacked out from the intense pain. things could not get worse for the brothers, and yet somehow, she can think about, the numb’s pooled in her chest and the bile the universe proved them wrong. They had barely enough that’s crawling its way up her throat. For a moment she forgets The feeling is so powerful it sends her pitching forwards, crash- This is what the doctors tell me. I don’t know if they are money, but they decided they needed new shoes. The elder who she is, where she is, what she is. ing into the frozen forest floor with a dull thud that reverberates lying or not. I can’t remember a single thing. The only proof brother woke up to find his brothers shoe was soggy and red. throughout her aching limbs. Exhaustion presses her into the that what they are saying is true is my missing arm and Toes bleeding and feet aching they walked with great trepida- She slips into unconsciousness without an identity. dirt, eyes slipping shut, but as much as she wishes to never move scarred skin. That, and the fact that I’m in a hospital. I hate tion into the shoe store, the eldest helping his little brother again her body has other ideas and she’s already being pushed the smells of hospitals. They smell like dying people, expen- along. The counter was a large hill and the man behind it was Ritter wakes up as the earth does, pulled from her sleepless back up onto her feet. sive medicine, and false hope. As you can probably tell, I a mountain. “We would like to buy shoes, sir,” spoke the old- slumber by the twittering of birds and the soft whoosh of wind don’t have good experience with hospitals. est. The younger was mute, with fear in his eyes. The gruff blowing through the forests leaves. She allows herself to bask in She’s only half aware of the world around her as she pushes man looked over the eldest, then the younger brother with a the morning glow for a moment, reveling in the way the cool air through the last of the trees that concealed her presence, her mind The only thing I do remember is the pain. I had never felt steely gaze and spoke in a low raspy voice, “What size?” The nips at her skin and the dew that collected overnight rolls down still fixated on that doe with warm flesh and a still beating heart. anything like this before. I have had broken limbs and con- eldest put on the bravest face he could muster, but ultimately her arms. She breathes in deep, content to just exist. Her foot catches on a root and she goes tumbling down once cussions, sprained wrists and the like. The time that I fell off looked down at his feet with great interest and squeaked, more, unsure whether the strangled cry that sears through the the roof of my house and broke a leg and fractured an arm, “We don’t know.” When he came around the counter to get The sound of laughter, short and pure, has her rising some time once still air is her own or someone else’s. Like before, she’s up felt nothing like this. This was unimaginable pain. My brain a better look at the brothers, his eyes conveyed the change later. Ritter treks down to a small clearing in the trees, peering on her feet again before she has even time to process dropping. couldn’t process it after a bit, and so I fainted. At least, they in his emotions, from confusion, to sadness and sympathy, out from behind the decaying foliage to see what’s happening. tell me I fainted. I’m not so sure... before his gaze of steel returned. He then gave the younger Before her the other man is frozen, it’s face contorting with sheer brother look that made them seep further into despair and Adam and the other man are talking in low voices that carry horror as it’s eyes fall onto her. She jerks towards it now, the deer The only thing I’m thing I’m thinking about right now, in this said, “Sorry kids, shoes are sold in pairs.” through the wind, barely audible over the sounds of the forest. abandoned at the prospect of closer prey. The distance that sepa- uncomfortable bed with tubes growing out of me like some- Ritter cups a shaky hand to her ear, straining to hear what they’re rates them begins to shrink foot by foot as she staggers forward. thing from Doctor who, is the fact that my left arm is gone, saying. and that wrist itches. The doctor talked about this, and they She can only make out bits and pieces, something about ammo Seconds pass, she draws closer; behind the prey, Adam lets out a were called-what was it?- phantom pains. Something about and deer and timing. It’s enough to gather that they’re leaving, off scream of pure anguish. Ritter freezes. nerves... I hadn’t been paying any attention. I still can’t wrap to hunt and scavenge for food. my mind around the fact that I had just been in a car crash, He had fallen down onto his knees, his aura pouring out mis- and I’m still alive. That might change soon, though. The Ritter decides to follow before she can think twice. ery so strong it was almost palpable. With shaking limbs and a doctors say they have to scan my body to see if any debris An hour later she finds herself slipping from tree to tree, 100 haunted look he drew himself to his feet, treading forward at the got embedded in my body during the crash. careful feet between her and them. tentative pace of a wounded animal. Yesterday’s nothingness has faded into a permanent stiffness that This is crazy. I was just in a car crash. This happens to Anny Perez Sanchez doesn’t leave her bones no matter how much she moves around. Ritter remained rooted to the spot where she stood, held captive people every day. My left arm is gone, and that wrist itches. THE END She’s lost count of how many times she’s nearly toppled over. An by Adam and his eyes that held something so familiar. World If someone told me right at this moment that my father was odd feeling burns deep within her chest, swelling with every step danced on the tip of her tongue yet she couldn’t force them out, a back from the dead, I would have believed them. But no such We all know that moment where we take our final breath. she takes, yet no matter how hard she tries she can’t put her finger strange growl the only thing that left her parted lips. thing happened. That moment of truth where you realize it’s death. on what causes it, or why it’s so familiar. Adam was so close now, one hand outstretched, the other latched My left arm is gone, and that wrist itches. You patiently wait for it to take you away. Up ahead, the two men stop. onto the gun in his hand. Ritter’s knees buckled and he lunged At the last moment you say, Adam motions for the other man to be silent, jerking his head forwards, catching her before she hit the ground with a gentle “I love you all. Don’t worry, I’ll see you very soon.” towards the clearing up ahead. Ritter, pressed between the limbs touch. The feeling of his arms around her set something ablaze of a bark tree just shy of their line of sight, follows his gaze with with in her, the trapped words from before dangerously close to They all cry and say their goodbyes curious eyes. slipping out now, but Adam spoke before they could. The darkness has taken over. A deer sits in the middle of the clearing, head bent as it snacks “I’m sorry, Marilyn, you deserved better.” He whispered, lips on the overgrown sea of grass. Its golden fur gleams in the early pressed next to her ear as he held the gun above her temple. light of the day, its innocent aura a stark contrast to the dying world it lives in now. The warmth of the blood that pumps The last thing Marilyn Ritter saw before her husband pulled the through its veins is aloft in the wind, curling around Ritter and trigger was herself reflected in the metal of the gun. easing her stiff joints. A shudder tears through her as the hunger she felt yesterday returns, the burning feeling from before searing She was one of the infected. into her skin.

18. 27. Amanda Clarke group of people, alive people, a person. Phoebe Johnson “I need you to bring a car to me now, just caught another one.” Shattered Memories The Girl With The Black Cloak Olivia then tied the boy to the tree and got her heavy artillery, There were four of them in total, two males and two females, one that she could’ve used. The girl opens her eyes to a once warm sun turned cold and a of them a young child. They were nothing special in reality, just Cold. That’s all processing in his mind. Cold, and darkness. He “What’s your name?” he asked her as she climbed back down. desolate street. The world seems hazy. The sky hanging above another group of the unlucky lucky ones who managed to survive didn’t intend on dying at 19, he didn’t know why he was killed. A “Olivia. But you won’t be in my presence for long, so don’t get her is blurred around the edges, the brilliant blue it once was is somehow. Ratty clothes and dirt covered faces showed they had drunk driver. He remembered as it all registered through his mind used to it. What’s your name?” She asked him while taking out now diluted. She feels dazed and exhausted, but still somehow been traveling a long time. quickly. He was a new arrival all right, and that meant he was her paperwork that she was required to do, and pushing her hood compelled to stand. open for anyone. One girl sat in the dark closeted brush of the back. She wasn’t drawn to them because they were human--humanity Purgatory, she blended in with the surroundings. She was a Soul “Matthew,” he answered quickly. She expects some kind of pain once she rises, some indication of didn’t account for much anymore, and they were nothing special. Trader, and she was vicious and proper. She was sitting with her “Last name?” She asked him while she scribbled down a few the injury that left her half-dead on the dry bed of grass, but she is It was he that had her trailing the careful path they left behind. rifle on her shoulder. Most of the Traders had backed off when notes. met with nothing. Her movements feel awkward, almost jagged, One of the men. Adam. they saw her. She was going to get him and take him in. “Simmons,” he said trying to move. The rope tightened. as though her body isn’t fully in her control. The first few steps She smiled to herself. She wasn’t all that scary, just a reputation. “I wouldn’t if I were you. Those will only hurt you more.” She are agonizing and impossibly slow. Her destination is an oak tree There was nothing overly special about him either. He was She saw another soul drift over to him. This was the Register. said. A car drove up and stopped in front. Her partner got out of across the street. beautiful yes, all lean muscle and well-tanned skin, but it wasn’t She, at the moment, was floating to him with a warm smile. This the car. his features that drew her to him. Whether it was his aura or some place is anything but warm, but they didn’t need to know that. “Well, you have brought in significant special ones, but do you She pauses beneath it’s curling branches to compose herself, outside force that embedded a connection to him inside her brain. She held up her rifle and pointed it at a tree, she shot. It rang think this one will work,” He asked right away uniting the rope. drawing in sharp breaths that don’t seem to catch any oxygen. She was unsure, and she had no intentions over trying to figure it through the meadow like world like a bell. The Register quickly “I hope so, Peter. Listen if this happens, then I will get part of Timidly, she glances down at her body, needing to check and out. finished her work and then disappeared. his salary each month. Right now we’re biting the nail.” Olivia make sure it hasn’t left her. Blood is painted across her chest, her handed him the papers. He gave one look at them and threw Matt once pearly-white summer dress now a sickening shade of red. A The group continued their trek through the winding forest, “Fletcher, status report, now.” He partner’s voice blared through in the back of the car. spasm of fear shoots through her as she realizes most of it isn’t pausing now and then to cater to the needs of the small child the the small earpiece. She jumped at the sound of her last name, she “Ready?” he asked, she nodded and go in the backseat. It was her own, another one follows when she realizes she doesn’t know woman, Martha, carried in a scarf tied across her chest. Ritter rearranged her hood and pressed her index finger to the button on closer to the soul so she could bring him down if needed. whose it could be. had become fond of her as the afternoon passed on. Her mind the side. was still hazy and her thoughts uneven but she clung to the sweet They pulled up to the black and green mansion. The large steps The panic sets her in motion again, driving her down the street in smell that trailed behind Martha and the warmth that followed “Just about ready. I thought I asked you not to use my name brought them to a big front door with vine like patterns all over search of better shelter, body lurching this way and that as she re- suit. The other man’s name remained unknown, but Ritter while I am on a mission,” she said while hiding her rifle and other it. The balconies overlooked the vast gardens that seem to thrive learns how to walk. Her mind is a mile ahead of her by this point, couldn’t bring herself to care. big weapons in a tree. without the sun. It was difficult for Matt to take it in. Olivia had trying to piece together the frayed memories that bounce back him by the wrist and went to open the door when it swung open. and forth across her skull. By the time she’s caught up she’s only As the night crept closer and the sky prepared for the sun to fall “Come on, we both know that I wouldn’t listen to that Olivia.” “You said you’d be gone half of a week. It’s been a month.” A remembered one thing, her name--Ritter. It feels incomplete, only the group stopped, taking shelter in an alcove they’d come across Olivia clenched her teeth and pulled her hood on. She packed her girl with a flowing dress decorated with different floral patterns a fraction of the puzzle that hides identity, but it’s enough for her. deep within the forest. Martha set the baby, whose name Ritter small hand gun and a dagger on her hip. and colors. She was at least a few inches smaller than Olivia. had learned to be Louise, on a patch of dry moss. The young Up ahead a group of the infected sways into view, their jagged child cooed, reaching for it’s mother’s arms once more, unhappy “Too bad, I am going in and use my actual name please,” she “Time got away. This one was good at dodging each time Death movements matching her own. She can feel their hunger for her, about the sudden lack of contact. She expected Martha to turn said, and ran off to catch her prey. He stood there confused. paid a visit,” she said pushing past her. The hallway seemed to be smell the desire they have for her flesh. Ritter knows she must once more and scoop little Louise back up into her arms but He was walking towards her. He saw her black clothing and ten feet tall with paintings of answers and other scenarios. Matt choose between fight or flight, but her body is still in control and instead she kept walking, leaving the baby unprotected and alone. cloak flapping around her. She was intimidating, he tried to run. was taken aback. If he wasn’t in his situation then he would’ve it’s choosing the other option: stay put. Ritter scowled, edging closer to the baby as she contemplated Everything was a blur for him. She jumped into the light and he wanted to stay forever. Olivia broke him out of his trance and consoling it herself. It seemed so warm, all soft flesh and chubby turned to see beautiful green eyes looking straight through him, pushed him down the hall roughly. He was sure this wasn’t her, Fear grips her once more as the pack of the zombies draw closer cheeks- delicious. her hair was pulled back but strands had fallen out. She landed on she seemed nicer and softer but walls were build around her emo- and closer. Her heart is pounding rapidly in her chest--or at least top of him, she was heavier than she looked and she knew it. She tions. No doubt a traumatic experience. He kept to himself. she thinks it is--as the decaying bodies swarm around her. Ritter Ritter jerked backwards, haunted by the word that had entered her flipped him and got up and pointed the gun at his face. She pushed him through a door where he saw cells. Some had squeezes her eyes shut, waiting for the first zombies to lock onto mind uninvited, yet as she gazed at the child it was all she could others inside, the glowed like he did and gave off a sense of her frail body and eat her whole--but it never happens. Her flesh think. Ritter crept closer without thought, hand outstretched and “I wouldn’t get up unless you want to be shot,” She said to him fear and obedience. One cell read: Ready For Sale. He hoped he remains. eyes wide. Warning bells went off in her head, the sane half of with a fake smile. didn’t end up there. her brain crying out in protest. This was a child, not food, yet her “What does that mean?” he asked her. Ritter’s eyes stay closed until the lingering smell of rotting lives stomach continued to rumble and her feet continued to move and “What does it matter, I am already dead,” he said trying to sit up. “Nothing.” She hissed and pushed him into a cell with a simple has faded away, opening them with wonder and welcoming the she was powerless in her own body. She pushed him back down. He didn’t believe her and she needed bed, sink, books, and a toilet in the far corner. sight of the once more empty street with a confused delight. She the money from him. “Where’s the video games? Like X-Box and stuff?” She locked isn’t sure why the zombies payed no attention to her, nor is she The child cried out, its head jerking back and forth until its eyes the door that had bars on it and gave him a puzzled look. sure if she cares to find out. All she knows is she is alive, and she somehow locked onto Ritter’s, overbearingly human and help- “Sure you’re not in the physical plane anymore, but you are now “What?” she asked and left the hall. He slumped against the wall. is safer than anyone else left on the earth. less. Ritter freezes, vision starting to clear of the blackness that here and you can be injured. Depending where I shot you could “Don’t be discouraged, they are still stuck in the year 2003,” a had curled around the edges of her sight. Fear thrums through her be sent to the next world, but let’s just say I rather get laid before voice said. This time, it’s curiosity that sets her in motion. as she struggles to remember why she’s suddenly so close to little I kill anything.” He didn’t know what she was talking about. She “But it’s 2016!” Matt exclaimed, moving closer. Louise, but all she’s met with is nothing. pulled him up and tied his feet. She pressed her finger back to her “That was the last time that the worlds were close and almost Ritter isn’t sure how long she has traveled, nor how far, all she ear. collided. Has it been that long?” The voice sounded male and had knows is she has found something worth walking miles for, a She staggers backwards, wincing at the loud crunch of a twig a sense of awe to his voice.

26. 19. “What happens to those that are to be sold?” towards her, she seemed to have lost her breath. Teebh Al-Freihy “They will either turn rogue or will stay this way forever. A Kristallnacht Just as I’m about to go to check on my brother something catch- servant to those saved. The Gate Keeper up there was lucky to be “It’s lovely to see you again, Olivia.” He put the emphasis on her es my eye. She moved! She really moved! I quickly grab my coat born into this society. Saved from birth.” name and it spread warmth through her chest. I wake up to the sound of shattering glass. My mother’s soft off my dresser, and quietly make my way outside. As I approach voice mixed with my younger sister’s sobs could be heard from her body I spot her teddy left untouched on the street. I picked Matt counted to the seconds that they talked to keep himself sane. “It’s been awhile. How are you doing Matthew?” she asked po- across the hall. I scramble out of bed and to my window, which it up and stuffed it up my coat. As I was about to bend down They talked during the night and about their day. For Matt, it was litely. She tried to hide her feelings from him, but she wasn’t sure had a perfect view of the street below. There is blood splattered and scoop the little girl into my arms, someone seized me from proper training and etiquette with a few beatings every now and if his eyes went right through him. It’s been said that night, those all over the street. Shards of glass littered the floor. People were behind. Whoever it was pressed a cool blade against my throat. again. For the Voice, it was sitting reading and thinking about two became lovers. being pushed out of their homes. An old man was too slow. when he would be sold. He finally learned what this pace was, it “What are you doing?” a deep husky voice whispered into my was purgatory but it didn’t run like it was thought to have. This The two had multiple interactions, but he left her soon after. He I watch as a Nazi soldier nearly beats him to death before ear. seems more cruel and more rewarding. He thought if he could claimed to have found work elsewhere but it was long to drive. throwing him onto the truck with others. A little girl dropped her ever live like this. One day, Matt wasn’t taken back to his cell. She only felt rage and sadness after that. She used her skills to teddy and ignored the officer who yelled for her to come back. “N-nothing,” I stuttered, trying to pull his arm away. He was given a small room. Every question he asked the room’s find him. She found him and his new mistress and went off to He shoots her without a second thought. A woman I assume is her walls got smaller. By midnight he stopped talking and he felt find them the action and to stop them. She didn’t see herself as mother falls to the ground and lets out a horrible sound that didn’t “Clearly you are doing something. You are never doing nothing; empty. such, but we all know she went crazy. She stalked the girl and sound at all like a human. He shoots her too. I couldn’t help but it is just impossible.” He paused. “You know what I’m supposed Olivia looked at the records that she was keeping that recorded shot her down from the tree behind their window. Her signature wonder if my friend Alina would’ve been among the dead or on to do to you now that you’ve been caught, ja?” My heart felt like every thought, conversation, and memory he had attained, she black cloak hid her as she entered the room where the dead girl her way to some dreadful place with the living, that is if she was it was going to beat out of my chest. “I should have you killed thought she would have felt better and happy but she didn’t. lay and Matthew, he wasn’t Matt anymore, was just arriving, she still living here. Thank goodness she left for America two months right here.” He pressed the blade into my throat and a warm trick- She felt remorse towards the poor boy, she did this and she was hid in the shadows and waited. He came upstairs and screamed. ago. Life here for her and her family after Hitler came to power le of blood dripped down my throat. Suddenly he pushed me, so responsible for his depression. She came behind her love and covered his mouth. She told him was terrible. that I was lying on top the mother’s body. to shush. She kicked his kneecap out, he crumpled down to the “We had to break him to get him to understand our ways, Livia.” ground. She then kicked him in the head. She wanted him to feel It didn’t help that Alina had what the Nazis call the “Aryan” “But I’ll let you go this time.” I quickly pushed myself off the Her sister stood at her side and she tried to bring herself to be- her pain that she felt when he left her to rot. That’s how she saw it look. She didn’t ask for three Jewish Grandparents. She didn’t woman and scooped up the small girl. “Go schmutzigen weibli- lieve it but she couldn’t. They had invested so much time in this and didn’t see it any other way except. She led him to his knees. asks for the Jewish blood. She didn’t ask for a homo uncle. She che Schweine!” I ran back to the entrance of my home. I snuck one soul that she wasn’t able to train the newcomers to help Peter was my best friend. We weren’t allowed to have our friendship a look back at my attacker. He looked to be around my age, out. “Who are you? And why would you kill her?” Matthew asked. because of some dummkopf who deemed that Jewish people eighteen maybe older. Before I shut the door behind me I heard She laughed softly. were behind all of Germany’s problems. I lie in my bed unable to him shout after me. “Sure, that’s why he is on the ground thinking nothing of this “You burned her, and she felt like you betrayed her.” Olivia start- fall asleep for two straight hours. The image of the girl’s body is place,” she said and went to get him out and tried to train him so ed to laugh. stitched into my brain. Her mother’s cry ringing in my ears. “Oh and it was such a pleasure to meet you Annalisa.” he could get back to remnant of his old self. She tried the sweet “Who is her?” approach she saw her mother use before. It seemed to work. “Me.” Olivia took off her hood to reveal her face to her ex-lover. She didn’t want him as she before, she desired him dead. Mat- The next week she took him to the fair with the others who were thew saw the green eyes that had dulled now gone crazy. ready to as well. She needed him out of the cells and out of her “I never meant for this to happen. I didn’t know this meant all life. So she sold him away. She was sitting at the fire when she that much to you.” He tried to coax her out of her crazed state. went to go get Matt, out of habit. Then she remembered she “It doesn’t matter what I wanted, it was all you. I just needed you didn’t need to and stood there looking down. She sat down on by my side as I hunted. You were someone who I could lay back the floor and threw her gun on the floor. She started to think if on. But you threw that away just as you threw me away. Now this was the right decision. Stupid question, of course it is. pay.” She held up her loaded gun to his forehead. “No…” He begged. He remembered her shot and how perfect it As quickly as she got used to him, Matt disappeared from her was when he first arrived. She didn’t care or hear him. mind. But all her family and friends could tell was that she wasn’t “Too bad.” She whispered. the same. She seemed even more ruthless to the captured souls “Please, don’t.” BANG! It rung through the house and her ears. and the rogues. She killed them by hand, instead of gun. She soon She laughed as the body sulked over and bounced back far from had a flow of cash that started coming in. Where it came from she the girl. It wasn’t long before her laughed turned into sobs as she didn’t know, probably just another soul transferred. She didn’t realized what she had done. She sat on her knees in the pool of care who, but hoped it was Matthew Simmons with his ocean his blood as she cried. There were sirens. She acted quickly and blue eyes and dark brown eyes. She got an invitation to a party took the gold chain off his neck that symbolized his past religion. she could go to now. She simply smiled and went. She ran to the window, jumped onto the branch of the tree and Olivia held her skirt and walked up the stairs to the hall, her heels started down. Her blood-soaked cloak was heavy, the chain cold snapped against the tile floor. The party was in full swing when in her hand and she ran to the meadow where they met for the she entered. Her hair was in a neat braid and she actually let her first time. sister put makeup on her. Her corset was tight and she wasn’t used to it. But the dress was appropriate for her eyes. They stood No one has said to have seen her again, but it’s rumored she made out and sparkled like seawater. She found her friends and stayed it out of the Purgatory, they are calling it now after the man and Photo by: with them, when she saw the familiar head of brown hair walking woman who had been found dead without a murderer. Since she Diana Le Grade 9 20. 25. and the air was full of the sweet perfumes of colorful plant Jennelia Caraballo got out, she is said to roam around in the night, hunting for her and then history”, she recited her schedule in a soft voice. life. At the center of the garden sat the prince, seated at a Play Pretend lost love and her house. She hunts for anyone who could close decorated table in a cushioned chair. The sight of him made the hole in her heart. If you want to live then never go out on the Before she knew it, the day was minutes away from ending. Adelaide’s blood boil; how dare he look so happy when she, The puppet unfolds as the thread is pulled night of January 25 at 12:45am. At that time, in different places “Have a great Halloween kids, stay safe, no homework.” The the love of his life, was supposed to be sitting in jail? Closer It’s stripped to nothing people go missing and end up dead. One survived and told about bell rang. Ginny rushed home, but something was missing. She and closer Adelaide crept, until only a few bushes sat be- A bare fabric, not even a shred of cotton a young girl with crazed, dull green eyes attacking them. The thought about her friend Kelly’s Halloween party but was stopped tween her and her love. A bird sang off in a tree, and a gentle Nothing remains but a smile next day, they were dead and there was a piece of black cloth. in her tracks. breeze swept over the garden. The police reports say it was part of a cloak. They named her The Violated Girl with the Black Cloak. “You filthy little animal, where is my coat?” The prince never suspected anything. Peacefully he sipped Torn from his chalice, enjoying the outdoors. Then suddenly, a And naked “Oh no. I must have left it in Ms. Andrews class” lady in armor sprang from the bushes. A heavy sword shone “You are a very irresponsible young lady. I have had enough of Skylar DiPietro in her gloved hand, and the sun winked off her helmet. She It smiles at it’s oblivious owner you.” I Warned Them She Was Special was upon him before he could shout, grabbing his neck and Waiting once more to be put back together hoisting him from the seat, smashing him down on the table. “Get over here Jack.” Thirteen-year-old Ginny was in a hurry to get out the door; it was The sword clattered to the floor, and Adelaide reached up, To be clothed, loved, cared, and caressed a day like any other. Her dad drinking and her mom yelling. removing her helmet and gently placing it on the chair. Her “What now, Sara?” raven-black hair floated around her face, and she leaned over One day, one miracle, one false hope “Mom! I am going to borrow your coat.” her prince, fingers clasped at his throat. “Remember me to It lies on the splintered wood floors “This juvenile delinquent lost my coat” Hell,” her silky sweet voice murmured, and as he tried to get And no one comes “Oh Ginny get a job, and get your own coat, that coat cost me away, she took her dagger and sank it with such force into his Ginny’s dad dragged her down the porch. “You stay in here you five hundred dollars, I don’t need your grubby paws all over neck that when she pulled back, his body stayed stuck to the No one puts the puppet back together hear me? You little brat.” it. That coat better come back to me in one piece, if not you’re table. No one washes its aging skin going to get it.” Ginny heard the key turn, the shed was now locked. There was A sweet smelling breeze floated through the garden, stirring It’s lies on the degrading floor something in the air that night and Ginny began to hear voices. Ginny was already out the door. Ginny’s favorite thing to do was the grass and rustling the tree branches. The sunlight caught With nothing but an aching soul “Ginny, Ginny, come here darling,” they were saying. to walk through the graveyard and read all of the names and dates the lady in armor’s pale blue eyes, and her red lips curved Unable to pick up its pieces on the gravestones. An odd fascination it was, but it brought her upwards as replaced her helmet. She burst into flames, yet she was not burnt. She was covered in comfort. You see, her parents were not really her parents. Her Love was a fading memory blood, and her head spinning around and around. She could hear birth parents died when she was six months old on an odd, snowy And as the seasons changed it grew cold the devil and became insane. Her spirit passed through walls; she Halloween. She was exceptionally young, but for some reason saw her so-called parents eating an array of fancy foods that in- she has vivid memories about the day her parents died and when And the threads of its smile cluded caviar. She shook the house and shattered every window. she was taken to the Andersons. Elisabet Kanegis Became cruel reminders of how truly broken The Andersons looked around in horror, but nobody was there. This beautiful puppet became Stone “She seems strange,” Mrs. Anderson said, as Ginny was being Then the chi-chi-zing sound from the chainsaw came from the carried in by a hunched over elderly woman. The rock was bare shed. Ginny built a wall to block the Anderson’s path. Ginny chased them and then killed them with the chainsaw. When the No flowers grew “She is a strong baby and is very very special.” The woman police arrived, the hunched over woman appeared. “I told them The beast played God and threw spoke the words in a soft, calm, manner. The gentle thing that she was special, but no one believed me.” Ginny’s clothes were found in the shed, tattered and torn. It was discovered that Had broke its wing The first four years of her life were ordinary and filled with bliss. Ginny was now in hell with the devil who took her soul. A good And asked me what to do The Andersons loved her unconditionally. Every day that laughed Jennelia Caraballo lady with magic came in and made the town safe again. The story I sighed, for I could do no else at her hilarious childish, antics. Then Mr. Anderson began to Oblivion of Ginny is long forgotten, but some say on a snowy Halloween Nor help in any a way drink and date multiple women. The only reason Mrs. Anderson night (which is rare), you can still hear the sound of the chainsaw. I said “stay strong” stayed was because of her husband’s wealth. The abuse started And It’s dead The bird fell to the ground first between the spouses, then towards sweet, innocent, little “Do no wrong” Ginny. For that was my advice The snow stained by the blood “Just be true Envelopes the creature, Thickening with time As Ginny made her way to school reading the gravestones as she And you will do went, she felt a sense of beauty in her so-called mother’s, blush, The right thing by and by” It disappears A blip in history mink coat. The thing went on “First, I have math, then I have science, then English, then lunch And said “move along” It was nothing. And has not been bothered since

24. 21. Rebecca Gosiewski peared, and her white skin was dulled by her black scowl. The A dark helmet lay at the end of the crate, its dark exterior like a a cell and attempt to hold her accountable for his mother’s mur- Lady In Armor only time the look lifted was when she was with her prince. A solid shadow in the light, fluffy straw. She set aside the skirt and der, done by his own hand? A small voice in a far corner of her nobleman far more regal than she-an undeserving wench-should corset, picking up the helmet and traced the visor with her finger, mind wondered if he had a reason to do all this, but she squashed Dust rose up from the heavy wagon wheels grinding over the dirt have ever hoped to attract. Still, she did not doubt his love, not then the wolves etched into the sides. The armor was lightweight, it flat, her eyes falling on her lovely armor. It was such a waste; road, mixing into the air with the sounds of the day; shouting when he faced his mother’s temper to be with her. It was for this so that a lady could wear it without feeling as though she were the blacksmiths time, her planning, her money-which would marketers promising the quality of goods, the noise of voices and reason the queen hated her so-she knew that when she passed, her lugging about sacks of grain like a common peasant. She slipped never reach the man if she were executed-the craftsmanship, the walking feet, the dull underlying clip-clip of horse hooves. The rule would be taken over by an inferior peasant whose beauty and the armor on and rushed out to the stables, slippers replaced excitement she had felt. She had been so close to ruling. midday sun broke through the clouds, beating down on the vil- grace far surpassed her own. Adelaide smiled again, gloating in with heavy clanking boots that thudded on the cobblestones. Her lagers who filled the marketplace square. On the western corner an unladylike way at her glorious future. horse, which she had left tacked for this very instant, threw up I will not go down this way. The thought blazed in her head as of the square sat a worn, sturdy building; once a small stable, the its head at the clatter, and as soon as she settled in the saddle and if God himself had whispered encouragement in her ear, and she walls-save for the corner posts and crossbeams-had been torn out “My lady, it is finished.” The blacksmiths rough voice once again spurred him onward, he leaped into the night. stepped back from the cell bars. She would not be trapped like a to allow the outside air to pass under the roof, clearing away the snapped her from her daydreams, and she stilled her curving lips. common criminal. boiling heat. Throughout the day, the sound of hammer on metal The moon had barely moved when she arrived at the palace, vibrated through the hot, shimmering air. The furious pounding “Excellent.” She tugged the hem of her hood closer, and stepped heart thudding like a drum. She tethered her horse in the shadows “Guard!” Adelaide’s voice rang out clearly, and a moment later, sounded in heavy, timed, stroked, gradually shaping red-hot metal closer to study the newly finished gauntlet. Another smile, one and slipped in the back door that she had paid the maid to leave a man shuffled forth, eyes lowered, as if looking upon such a into magnificent swords, smooth shields, and an array of other pushed by the rush of exuberant success, threatened her red lips, unlocked. The maid had fled, in fear of being found out by her treasonous person would bring trouble to himself. “Fetch me intricate works. but she clenched her jaw and the urge was quelled. “Have it sent mistress, and Adalaide snorted at her foolish fear. Climbing the some water,” she pleaded, voice suddenly gentle and soft, “I beg to my home,” she instructed. “I shall pay you on the morrow.” stairs to the queen’s tower, she wrapped her hand around the hilt you, good sir, and some bread and honey. I should like a last meal Today was no different; the blacksmith was hard at work, fin- of her new sword. Her gloved hand turned the doorknob slowly before I meet my well-deserved fate.” ishing a request that had taken months to create. The last piece The blacksmith opened his mouth to object, no doubt, but so as not to make any noise, and she stepped into her Majesty’s was set to be finished before sundown, and the customer had Adelaide skewered him with an icy look, and he nodded. “O-of room. The man’s face softened, and she removed her helmet as he come to see the last of the masterpiece finished. She was there course,” the old fool stammered, and Adelaide stepped back. finally lifted his gaze to her face. A sad smile touched her lips, now, standing on the far post, in the shadows and smoke, where The grand room was filled with useless gems and silly baubles, drawing womanly emotion into her features, and the man bowed. she could watch, but remained unseen. She was young, her pale “Very good.” With that, she swept away to the back of the forge and Adalaide almost scoffed at the mess. Such finery, heaped “Yes, milady.” He hurried away, and Adelaide’s eyes followed skin contrasting sharply with the dirt and dark of the forge. Her where her steed stood waiting, away from the crowds. She carelessly, showed disorganization, a trait Adalaide associated the him coldly. long black hair was worn loosely, hiding sharp cheekbones and climbed on board and arranged her skirts before whisking away queen’s rule. As she neared the great bed, blanketed with a dark delicate elfin ears. Her pale blue eyes were trained on the crowd with a clatter of hooves on stone. red sheet, a shadow in the corner moved. “Do not touch her,” Ad- By the time he returned, Adelaide’s remorseful look was back in outside, darting this way and that, lips pursed as she watched elaide’s prince ordered, and stepped into the sapphire moonlight. place. “Thank you, good sir.” them. She seemed not to hear the and banging of the blacksmith It was past nightfall when the wagon arrived at the manor at the and his work. A heavy black cloak draped over her shoulders, edge of the woods, and Adelaide stood waiting by a fire lit win- “Stand aside,” she growled, in a very unladylike way. The prince The man passed the plate through the bar, and she grabbed his framing her lace-trimmed dress elegantly. She would never have dow. Shadows lept and danced over her pale face, the long, lacy waved his hand, and guards swept forwards from behind dressers collar, hauling him close. Her other hand found her dagger and been able to afford such items in her youth, but ever since Prince sleeves of her gown trailing past her waist. and out of closets. Adelaides hand twitched, spasmed, and her as he opened his mouth to shout, she shoved the blade through Gabriel had taken interest in her, such finery had become normal. sword fell. Her plan. Her lovely plan. How had he known? The his throat. There was a wet gurgle, and she released him. He hit He, of course, didn’t know of her dealings with the smith. For a Her face was nearly expressionless as she swept open the heavy maid. Her mind seized the possibility and she bared her teeth. the dirt floor with a thud, and she crouched beside him, pulling lady to come to a blacksmith and request such work was unseem- oak door of her home, but if one were to look closely, they would the keys from his belt. Picking her helmet up off the ground, she ly at best. Today it would be done, though. Today she would get have seen an uncharacteristic gleam in her eye. The men set the “Her reign has gone on too long,” Adalaide spat. “It is time for reached around and unlocked the door. It creaked open, and she her revenge. Her eyes flashed with excitement as she briefly lost large trunk down with a thud in the room to which she direct- new blood, far more deserving, to take over.” settled her helmet on her head. Who knew how many guards lay her grip on her emotions. To finally pay what was deserved…yes, ed them to, and just as quickly as they came, they were gone. beyond the wooden door before her. today was a good day. Alone once more, Adelaide knelt beside the crate and deftly pried Her prince shook his head, looking lovingly at his mother, off the lid. The light of the candle she held aloft gleamed and sheathing a dagger she had not noticed in his hand before, and The midday sun flashed through the air into the musty dungeon “Nearly done, miss,” the blacksmiths voice cut through her jubi- skipped over the metal and leather that lay nestled in the straw, addressed the guards. “Throw her in the dungeon. She will be as Adelaide shoved the door open. The guards outside-caught lation, and her eyes snapped back to their cold, distant way. and she stood, swiftly lighting the candles on the dresser. The hanged on the morrow for treason.” He bowed slightly at the napping, Adelaide was sure-gave a shout and fumbled about for light glowed warmly, casting eerie shadows about the room as waist. “My love.” The guards seized her, and she shrieked like their weapons. “Excellent.” She pulled the hood of her cloak up over her head, she went back to the crate, lifting from it a supple black leath- a demon, clawing at them with gloved hands, kicking with her obscuring her face to keep anyone from recognizing her. She was er corset, to which had been attached gleaming spaulders, the heavy boots, but to no avail. She was dragged away, thrown in Out of the door burst a fully armored warrior, metal and leather well known in these parts. Very well known. Since her seventh four layers overlapping each other like dragon scales. Under the the cell at the bottom on the castle. All through the night she gleaming and flashing like it had been lit with a torch. Fierce blue year, when word had gotten out about her encounter with the wolf corset lay a wide leather belt which had been modified to carry an raged and screamed, until a thought struck her and she fell silent. eyes peered out from behind the helmet, and the dagger soared in the woods, people had pointed behind her back and whispered. armored over-skirt of rippling panels. During the great uproar in her room; the shrieking, clanking, through the air, meeting its mark in the first poorly armored She did not care. She held her head higher, enjoying the attention. screaming, and yelling, the queen had not once moved in her bed. guard. The woman seized the fallen sword and gave the weapon Her beauty, too, had made women throughout the kingdom nar- An under-skirt came with the over skirt, despite the blacksmiths In fact, she had barely breathed. an experimental whirl before turning on the other men. One by row their eyes in jealousy. They had all sat back and smiled when blushing and insisting he would not make the underthings of a one, they fell, like pawns on a chessboard. the queen had sent the huntsman after her. When she had come lady in public-or ever-but an extra bag of money had shut him up, This realization set the horses in Adelaide’s mind into a stum- back alive, the queen was beside herself with fury, and the wom- though he still did not look overly pleased with the job. The fool. bling gallop, and she leaned on the forged bars of her cell. Why? Now, Adelaide thought, to go for the King. She took off towards en shrank back from her, fearful that only a witch could survive Did he want the same power she sought? Had he been willing to the garden, where she knew her beloved prince would be taking the queen’s rage. Still, Adelaide had carried her head high. When She needed an underskirt, to protect her lower half from any kill his beloved mother for it? Another feeling was growing in her his midday meal in the warm sunlight. her grandmother died, though, the joy had left her, and those sword that should come her way-any blade that was properly chest, cold and shocked. He had betrayed her. He had betrayed high, sparkling eyes had grown cold. Her beautiful smile disap- looked after would slice cleanly three ordinary layers of skirts. her love; how dare he act so infatuated with her, then throw her in The garden was filled with a variety of bushes, trees, and flowers,

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