2020 Southern California Young Writers Awards

Home , In My Defence, Love School, Scream (cipher), WAKE (cipher)

presents 2020 Southern California

Young Writers Awards

Illustration by Maia Tumbokon age 13

The dA Center for the Arts Pomona , CA Inclusive | Accessible | Equitable ARTS for All

Introduction

We are delighted to announce the results of the 1st Southern California Young Writers' Awards, formally the Mrs. Nelson’s Young Writers’ Awards founded in 1997 by author Q.L. Pearce. We received 23 submissions from students whose ages ranged from 6 to 16.

Their stories range in length, topic, style and focus, some ending joyfully, others tragically, and a good many mysteriously. A few students wrote wittily and with passion about the ups and downs and pleasures of everyday life, two wrote clever poems, but a greater number jumped the fence into science fiction, magic, outer space and Vampire territory— stretching their imaginations and their readers’ as well.

A box in the attic is opened and a magical story line unrolls; a sip of “Shrink water” and a heroine slips into an unknown world and returns with a husband. Princesses are saved, Aliens conquer, matches are made and lovers are lost. And although all the stories were submitted by the February 2020 deadline, it is striking that so many of them touch on the unpredictability of life, and the unforeseen events that can sweep us into new and unfamiliar worlds. “Listen to the children” has always been a wise advisory, and the stories they write, at whatever level of sophistication, merit our attention and encouragement.

Martha Fay is a freelance writer and editor and the author of three works of nonfiction, most recently Out of Line, The Art of Jules Feiffer. She has also written three travel guides, Village Walks, Tuscany (2007); City Walks:Rome (2006), and City Walks:New York (2003).

She lives in Brooklyn, New York

Special Thanks to

Martha Fay for reviewing and delighting in the array of fiction, non-fiction and poetry

Q.L. Pearce, founder the Young Writers’ Awards

Judy Nelson, founder of Mrs. Nelson’s Toy & Book Store and sponsor of the awards

Gina Capaldi, illustrator advisor

Elizabeth Jones, dA support team

CONTENTS

GROUP I: ages 6-9

THE CIPHER SWORD, Anika Shivaram, age 9, Foothill Country Day School Magical Heroism, with prologue and 8 chapters 6

MIDNIGHT AND THE VAMPIRES, Audrey Wong, age 9, United Christian Academy Highly imaginative, coherent and complete/ Vampire fiction 9

THE PICK SIX, Max Scheckter, age 9, The Pegasus School Football Poem/clever and engaging 11

SNOWFLAKES, Sabrina Zheng, age 8 , Country Spring Elementary School at Chino Hills Nature Poem, clever and engaging 12

THE BEST TRIP EVER, Milan Bhargava Desai, age 8, The Pegasus School Reportage/ Diary/ detailed, with a touch of humor 13

WAG AND ME, Sofia Sanchez Enriquez, age 6, The Pegasus School Outer Space Friendship 17

ALIEN INVASION, William Gruen, age 8, Signum Crucis Homeschool Academy A Vivid and Disastrous Event— The Aliens Win 18

THE SHRINK WATER, June Simmons, age 7, Da Vinci Connect (k-8 public charter) Imaginative Science Fiction 19

FANTASY OVER THE WONDERS, Christabel Choi, age 8, Walnut Elementary The End of Christalis City 21

GROUP 2: ages 10-13

CHANGED HEARTS, Silvia Pinto, age 12, Aveson Global Leadership Academy Surviving the Sixth Grade Dance 23 THE DESTINY OF ARILE, Minhkha Dang, age 10, The Pegasus School Chosen to Save the Realm 27 FLAUNT IT-DON’T HIDE IT, Maya Bhargava Desai, age 11, The Pegasus School The Challenge and Satisfaction of Being Small 30 MEMORIES, Catherine Gruen, age 13, Signum Crucis Academy A Tale of Teenage Destiny 32 THE POLAR VILLAGE, Ella Schimmelpfenig, age 10, St. John’s Episcopal School Rancho Santa Margarita CA Fantasy of Valor, Ice, and Polar Bears 36 RACING WITH THE WIND, Finley Shivaram, age 11, Foothill Country Day School The Thrill of the Sail 39 THE DOGS OF DESTINY (Book 1, Ch. 19), Lilah Coeymen, age 11, Foothill Country Day School Ambitious Tale of a Magic Dog World 40 ONCE UPON A ROYAL RESCUE, Kaylee Lu, age 10, Country Springs Elementary School A Princess Learns a Lesson 43 SOMETHING CHANGED, Jazmine Quinones, grade 5, Hollywood Schoolhouse A Very Bad Dream 46 THE GREAT WHITE NORTH, Logan Eide, age 10, The Pegasus School Hope and a Broken Heart 48 THE TOY KINGDOM, Jayden Choi, age 10, Walnut Elementary Toys Come to Life 50

GROUP 3, ages 14-18

FERN FOREST, Jillian Drews, age 18, Independence High School, Escape to Fairyland 52 LAST NIGHT I DREAMED OF YOU, Claire Diepenbrock, age 16 Tender Reminiscence 57

Illustrations : Anika Shivaram, age 9, Leah Oh , age 10 Maia Tumbokon , age 13

GROUP I: ages 6-9

Illustration by Annika Shivaram Age 9

The Cipher Sword By: Annika Shivaram

Prologue I saw the symbols and encryptions on the sword illuminating in the dim, rectangular room. My desperate eyes and eager hands were an inch away from touching the sword when I froze. I stopped dead in my tracks. Right in front of me was a human drenched in blood. Then he breathed. “Run,” he said, “Run for your life!” And that is where my story begins.

Chapter 1: Grandma

I awoke in startled desperation. I was panting loudly and covered in sweat. I emerged out of my comfortable bed; it was exactly as smooth and soft as silk. “Luna!” my mom called as I curiously looked out the window, “Time to go to Grandma’s house!” I loved going to my grandmother’s house because she always told me fascinating stories about our ancestors. I quickly dashed downstairs and into the aromatic kitchen. My mother’s pozole was steaming on the stove in a scalding pot. “Here, Luna,” said my mom calmly, handing me a ceramic bowl of the freshly made soup. A few minutes had slowly passed with silence and then finally my mom sadly whispered, “Grandma is very sick. She has cancer.” I was in shock. Grandma couldn’t have cancer, she was in perfect condition! “She is moving to a hospital so we will have to help her move her things.” A cold, icy feeling blocked my heart and drained all the happiness out.

Chapter 2: The Attic

Before I knew it, I was in my mother’s rusty, old car that had dust even in the smallest places, so I didn’t feel comfortable moving. As we approached my grandmother’s house, I felt sad knowing she wasn’t going to be the same. Out of the tinted window, I saw the bright sun shining above my grandmother’s house, covering her house with blinding sunlight. My mom turned the corner into Grandma’s driveway. Slowly out the shadows, came my grandmother, hobbling with a cane. As she waved, it seemed different, her hand was shaking and I felt miserable. “Maria!” called my grandmother weakly as she kissed the top of my mother’s head. As she slowly walked toward me, she cried, “Luna!” and she hugged me so tightly I felt my ribs bruising. “Can you both help me move my things?” Grandma asked hopefully. “Of course, Mama,” said my mom kindly. My mom and I walked into the house gracefully. “Luna, can you please start in the attic?” my grandmother asked. “Sure, Abuela,” I replied happily. I loved going to the attic because our ancestors’ stories about their adventures were in there. As soon as I stepped into the attic, I felt a happy lurch of my stomach. I silently crouched down and picked up a shiny gold box, as if it had never been touched before. I stared. I was confused. What

was in the shiny box, was it special? I carefully opened the box and there right in front of me was an ancient book with the title, The Cipher Sword.

Chapter 3: The Mission

I was puzzled, what is The Cipher Sword? I cautiously opened the book and turned to a page that had a sword with symbols and encryptions. I curiously started reading about the sword. I learned that several of my ancestors died because they tried to find the ancient sword. I intriguingly read on and learned that there is a hidden key behind a waterfall and if you find the key, it unlocks a room holding The Cipher Sword. The encryptions on the sword are some kind of code, which means the word “cure.” If you try to unlock the code and get it wrong, you meet a deadly fate. If you get it right, a secret door opens that leads to a potion that is labeled Cure for Cancer. I thought about my grandmother. Could I really cure her disease? I thought about my ancestors who had died trying to fulfill this mission. Finally, I came to a decision. Even though this mission was filled with danger, I was determined to succeed.

Chapter 4: The Waterfall

The following Saturday, I headed into the woods. I was navigating from a map I had found in the back of the ancient book. Finally, after what felt like three hours, I saw a sparkling waterfall. I felt a huge wave of relief wash over me, since it looked exactly like the picture in the book. The key must be hiding behind the waterfall. I really didn’t mind about all the water. I didn’t care if I got soaked. As I approached the waterfall, I could hear the loud crashing of the water. Next, a big splash crashed on my body and made me feel cold and refreshed. I walked out of the waterfall and into a rock cave. It looked deserted so I moved several steps inside, then lying there on a gold podium was a glistening key. I looked right and left to make sure I wasn’t being followed. I walked slowly closer and bravely picked up the key. I finally had it. I was ready to face the challenges that were to come.

Chapter 5: The Hike

I tiptoed out of the dark and gloomy cave and I realized that I would have to cross the waterfall once more and face the challenge of getting soaked again. I trudged toward the streaming waterfall and felt icy and frigid water pour down on my body. Once through, I enthusiastically sprinted towards the woods and started hiking up a narrow path. I had brought a backpack with a few books with codes about ciphers, so I could figure out the code on the sword. After four hours of walking, the sun began to set, so I decided I should settle in for the night. My stomach was aching and angrily growling because of hunger. I turned around and saw a berry bush behind me. I checked that they were safe to eat, and they were. I started reading from one of the books, but as soon as I started reading, I instantly fell asleep. 7

Chapter 6: The Building

I awoke to something tapping me. I bolted upright and came face to face with a squirrel nibbling on an acorn that lay on me. I gently picked up the acorn and quietly tossed it to the side. As predicted, the squirrel quickly ran to the side to fetch it. I lifted up my backpack and began hiking again. After five hours of walking, I saw a beautiful structure. It was exactly 200 feet long and one million feet high. It had tinted windows and the whole building was polished and silver. A skyscraper looked strange in the middle of the woods. Was the cure and Cipher Sword hidden in this skyscraper? I nervously pulled open the shiny door. I came into a dim, rectangular room, just like the one in my dream, except there were rows of glass cases filled with incredible gems and magnificent geodes. There was one door. I was confused. I thought there would be more doors! I withdrew the key from my pocket and held it firmly in a tight grip. I placed the key into the door. My hand was drenched in sweat as I heard the click of the key as I unlocked the door. Instantly, I walked into a circular room with The Cipher Sword secured to a stone waiting to be pulled out. I nervously but bravely clutched the sword and pulled with all my strength. To my relief, The Cipher Sword slowly came out of the stone, shining brightly as if I were the rightful owner. I searched in my backpack and took out the ancient book I had found in the attic. The book said the code word was “cure,” so all I had to do was figure out the pattern of the symbols on the sword. I saw that one symbol looked like a letter in “cure.” Maybe it was backwards? I recalled that my grandmother always told me to go with my gut or my first instinct. I did, and I pressed the symbols that looked like they would spell “cure” backwards, e-r-u-c. I held my breath. The symbols illuminated! And that is how I knew I had succeeded.

Chapter 7: The Cure

I lifted the sword up towards the scanner near the next door, so it could scan the code. Suddenly, a neon green check mark appeared on the scanner, then instantly faded away. Next, the door slid open, clearing a way for me to walk inside the next room. I happily skipped into the room and stared at the potion. As the book described, it was labeled Cure for Cancer. I silently and carefully raised the bottle and gently placed it inside my backpack.

Chapter 8: The Return

The next day, I returned to a super worried family and a very sick Grandma. I was so excited to give her the cure. My family drove me to the hospital and I visited my grandmother. I made sure no one was watching as she drank the potion. One by one, her nerves and cells were active again. That familiar sparkle returned to her eyes and she turned to me with an enormous smile. I was elated. I was determined to see if this potion would work for others. When I returned home, I was finished with my mission, I was finished with these challenges, but I still had to face telling my family the whole story. Of course, I knew they wouldn’t believe me 8

Midnight and the Vampires By: Audrey Wong

In the kingdom of Illusions, a special ceremony was taking place. Midnight was holding the legendary sword. Midnight had black hair, blue almond shaped eyes and always wore variations of blue clothing. The sword she was holding had the power to kill vampires. Very few people could wield this particular sword. Some of them could use it to fight others and protect the kingdom; some would get severely burned if they touched it. This was the same sword that had killed more than 1,000,000 vampires. The community was now depending on Midnight to defend them. The sword was made of strong sterling silver with an elaborate yin yang design on the midnight handle that was made out of amethyst and jade. It was the same jade that was on her necklace pendent which was in the shape of a key. On her 10th birthday, she had received the necklace along with the sword. As she was holding the sword for the first time, she felt very worried. “How am I ever going to use this? I don’t want to kill vampires with a blade. “My family is counting on me to protect the village from vampires, even if I don’t want to,” Midnight thought. For decades, the vampires have come out at night in search of fresh blood. Some of her elders became famous and slayed vampires. Now, it was Midnight’s turn.

The sun had set, and Midnight was on guard duty for the first time. She wore her jade pendant and had her sword brandished, she was ready to fight. She had received years of sword training. In fact, she had earned the highest rank in her class. However, that was just practicing with a fake sword so as to not be hurt. She was examining the sword from a far distance away, too afraid to even touch it when she saw the vampires lurking in the shadows. They had pale, white skin and wore black cloaks that were the color of death. In their pockets were vials of blood from all the different famous people they have killed like Abraham Lincoln and Leonardo Da Vince. Midnight knew she was next and she also knew she would have to use the blade, even if she was reluctant to do so. She wanted to make her family proud of her. She unwillingly reached for the handle of the sword. She trudged towards the vampires and heard dogs howling. She was concerned that she might wound a dog accidently in the cloak of darkness that surrounded her and the vampires. She mumbled, “I wish it was brighter.” Immediately, a flash of light radiated from the yin yang symbol on the sword. At the same time, her key pendant faintly glowed. She saw that the vampires were about to creep out and attack her but they retreated back into the shadows when they saw the light.

She realized that her voice command had activated the yin yang symbol on the sword which then produced a beam of light. She decided to test it out. She requested a flashlight light. The pendent glowed again and the sword beamed a stream of light. “Wait a minute. I can request all kinds of light and vampires hate light. This is how I can defeat the vampires,” she thought.

Midnight turned to the group of vampires that were approaching her village. With a confident smile she said, “Looks like there is going to be a possibility of rain! With thunder and lightning, of course.” The sword blazed with a bolt of lightning and her pendant glowed. The vampires squealed in pain and used their cloaks to cover their eyes, but the light was too intense to shield. Feeling courageous, she whirled the sword around and shouted, “Good morning, Sun!” The sword burst into powerful rays of sunlight. The vampires started to weaken and their knees began to quiver.

“Wow! Does this sword have any more abilities? Hmm...I know vampires don’t like garlic... Let’s try this...”she murmured. “GARLIC!” she yelled. Striking the sword up in the air, Midnight said, “Vampires, say hello to my stinky friend... GARLIC!” Chunks of garlic materialized in the air. The vampires fled from the village as fast as their trembling knees could carry them. Midnight felt happy that the vampires had gone. Everyone in the village celebrated for 8 weeks. She was glad that she didn’t actually have to kill them since she didn't want to use the blade. She fought her own way and that was what made her special from all the other monster slayers. From then on, Midnight battled every monster and beast that dared to cross her kingdom’s borders. Of course, she always won. The End. (Or is it?)

The Pick Six By: Max Scheckter

The offense is in the huddle. The offence gets set. The center snaps the ball. I drop back to play the receiver. The other cornerback sticks with the tight end. I see the quarterback look toward me. He throws the ball to the receiver. The receiver speeds up. I chase after him. He plants his foot. I keep on running. The ball comes right at him. It bounces off his hand. The ball flies toward the tight end. The tight end grabs for the ball. The ball goes too high. It tips off the tight end’s fingers. I fly towards the ball.

I reach my arms out and dive for the ball. I see the ball I grab for it.

I hit the ground and see the ball in my hands.

Nobody is near me. I jump up and sprint down the field.

The only person who can catch me is the quarterback.

He comes right at me. I do a spin move. The quarterback dives into the air.

I keep running. I am at the 40, 30, 25,20,15,10. I hold a number one up. I dance my way into the endzone. The crowd cheers for the pick six 11

❄ Snowflakes ❄ By: Sabrina Zheng

Tiny snowflakes drifting down Some were turning all the way around When it was time to hit the ground They mixed and turned forming a little snow mound Falling and falling reaching a foot The snow at the bottom was trying to stay put The snow falls and falls all night But the snowflakes never see anyone in sight The snowflakes thought something was not right The snow was falling down like glitter Then they realized they were in a blizzard When the news was throughout heard They were all so dramatic Most stayed down and panicked A snowflake suddenly called “The coast is clear, the coast is clear!” Everyone thought that was a bit queer Some snowflakes went and checked it out And it was true without a doubt All of the snowflakes gathered And they cuddled altogether So much feet in the snow So white it looked like you were camouflaged While the snowflakes enjoyed their shoe massage

The Best Trip Ever By: Milan Bhargava Desai

I painstakingly watched the clock…tick tock, tick tock. The second hand was moving so slowly, it was unbelievable. I heard my Spanish teacher sing, “Amigos, hasta la vista, hasta manana, adios.” This was the song we always sang at the end of class. I was trying to fast forward the clock in my mind, but it was almost like it was going in reverse. “Adios Amigos!” she said. Finally, class was done! I picked up my notebook and ran out of there. I sprinted to the front office of school where my dad was meeting me. He was coming to pick me up and take me to the Indian Guides overnight trip at Camp Pendleton. This was a big moment for me, my first overnight trip; I had been waiting for this for six months! Camp Pendleton is a military base in San Diego right on the beach. Indian Guides is a father-son program where we take trips and do activities together to bond. I love spending time with my dad because we like playing sports together, he is super funny, and we do adventurous things all the time. My three best friends were joining us with their dads, and we had talked about the activities we were going to do on the beach. I saw my dad standing in the office and I jumped onto his back. He said, “Hi buddy, ready to go?” “Oh yes, Dad, I am super-pumped, let’s go!” I responded. I jumped into the back seat of the car and buckled up. This was going to be a long drive so I was looking forward to eating and playing on my dad’s phone if I could get away with it! I immediately pulled out a bag of goldfish that my mom had packed. My mom helps me get ready for these trips by packing my clothes, food, and toiletries. She also gives me long lectures on how to be safe and to listen to my dad. I love my mom very much, but I tend to tune her out at these times. Crunch, crunch went my goldfish. They were falling all over the place and I was hoping my dad wouldn’t notice. I started to pepper my dad with lots of questions. “Are my friends going to be there before me? How long does it take to get there? Did you bring our surfboards?” Then, I asked for his phone and he fought me for how many minutes I could be on it. Finally, we compromised on ten minutes of playing on the phone. I played this game called Marvel Contest of Champions for five minutes and Drawy Race for another five minutes. I wished I could have had the phone longer so I could look up videos of Camp Pendleton. I didn’t ask him for more time because I already knew he was going to say no. It was time to put the phone away, so I continued to munch on my snacks. Then my dad started in on the lectures about not going into the water when it was dark. I thought, even if my friends say, “Come on in”, I won’t go in because there is no lifeguard and I could drown and die. He also lectured me about not eating too much candy. I thought, I’m going to have as much candy as I want anyway. Sometimes I don’t listen to his lectures because they are so long. Finally, after one and a half hours, we got there. 13

We first had to check in with the Camp Pendleton military guards. They looked so scary because they had guns and were very stern. We told them we were attending the Indian Guides event, so they let us pass by lifting up the gate bar. We had a VIP pass for parking since we were part of the Council (which is basically like the government of the Indian Guides program). We parked up front and walked down to the beach with our luggage. I was carrying two sleeping bags while my dad was carrying three enormous bags. The bags were light so I asked my dad for more luggage, but my dad said I would probably fall over. It was hard to walk on the sand and it kept going into my sandals. It turned out that my friends were there already, so I was excited. Our dads started to put up tents while my friends and I were playing. We started burying cigarette butts by kicking sand over them. It was gross and I heard my mom’s voice in my head, “Please don’t play with that disgusting stuff, go wash your hands!” Oh well, what Mom doesn’t know won’t hurt her, I thought. By now, it was getting late, almost 10:00 pm. I went to my tent, got into my sleeping bag on top of a cot, and fell asleep. In the middle of night, I heard my dad shouting, “Buddy, where are you?” Huh, I thought, is this a dream? “I’m right here Dad,” I replied. “You are on the floor, what happened?!” Dad exclaimed. I looked around and saw that I had fallen off the cot and was lying on the ground. Ha ha, oops, guess I was so tired, I didn’t even notice. I woke up the next morning at 7:00 am to a breakfast of champions; donuts and hot chocolate. I wolfed down eight glazed and chocolate sprinkle donut holes with a large cup of refreshing hot chocolate. The biggest event I was looking forward to today was the obstacle course race that the boys and dads were each going to do. First, all the boys lined up in the sand. The drill sergeant screamed, “Ready. Set. Go!” and off we went. I sprinted through the sand, little grains of sand flying everywhere into my eyes, my hair, and my mouth. I got to the first sand hill and quickly climbed up and down it. I am one of the fastest runners in my grade and I was able to take the lead right away. Then, there was a wooden plank across a large muddy pool of water. I had to carefully balance myself as I walked across it. I barely made it over; when I looked back, I saw one of my friends go down into the water. Gross I thought! A drill sergeant made him do five burpees. There was a two-sided large rope ladder wiggling in the wind that I speedily climbed up without falling. Next, we had to shoot a BB gun and hit a target which I got on the very first time. Then, I had to crawl under a net, and they sprayed me with different colors of water paint. When I came out, I looked like a rainbow! After that, I had to jump over a wooden bar and cross the monkey bars. Boy, did I look like a monkey! I had to jump over a few wooden bars and crawl back underneath a net. I was completely soaked and there was a huge pile of sand that we had to overcome. The goal was to crawl up a very high mountain of sand and then slide down on the other side. It looked easier than it really was. The sand was wet and crumbly and hard to grab on to. With all my speed, I ran up the sand hill and made it 14

to the top! I slid down and ran through the finish line. I won! All my other friends were still struggling through the sand pile. I turned around to cheer them on through the end. My friends and I collapsed on the beach; we were so exhausted!

Now it was the dad’s turn. I really wanted my dad to win; he had told me he was going to try to get first place for me. The dads lined up on the starting line just as we had and bam, off they went! I watched my dad go through the same obstacles as I had: the wooden plank, rope ladder, net, monkey bars, and the pole. He was in first place!

There was one dad close behind him and as my dad started to climb the huge sand pile, the other dad grabbed his foot and pulled him down. My dad slid down and the other dad went ahead of him and won. Everyone was saying he cheated but laughing at the same time. My dad kept on going and got 2nd place. Now, even my dad was laughing. He was a good sport about it and shook hands with the other dad. I couldn’t believe what had just happened! I was pretty annoyed about the cheating, but then my friends asked me to go get a shaved ice and I quickly forgot everything that had just happened and ran off! I heard my mom’s voice in my head saying, “Ewww throw that shaved ice in the garbage right now, it’s full of sugar!!!!” But my mom wasn’t here right now. So, I gulped it down. Next, we played a game that we made up called “Walking the Plank.” Finally, the ice cream and popsicle truck arrived. My friends and I all raced to get first in line. I got a popsicle and my friends got ice cream. We watched as the big screen for the movie was being set up. I knew that we were going to watch “Bumblebee”. Once the screen was set up, we set chairs on the sand, laid back, and enjoyed the movie. When the movie was over, the dads wanted us to go back to the tent; I snuck a few glow sticks into my bed. While my dad and the other dads were playing cards, my friends and I slipped out to trade glowsticks. We spied on the dads and took turns doing bunny ears on them. Unfortunately, they caught us and sent us back to bed. This time I knew it was for good. I closed my eyes and thought about warm showers, homemade food, and a comfortable bed (all of which I wasn’t getting here) and drifted off to sleep. The next morning, I woke up to donuts again for breakfast. This time, I ate one so when my mom asked, I could tell her I only had one. Pretty sneaky I know. The dads packed up and I played football with my friends. At last, it was time to leave and I begged for every minute more I could get. I even pretended to cry, but it didn’t work. We said our final goodbyes. On the car ride home, I didn’t even ask for my dad’s phone because I was exhausted, I fell right asleep. My dad said, “Wake up, we are home!” I opened my eyes and saw my mom’s smiling face and felt her warm embrace. “How was it? Did you have fun? Were you safe?” she inquired. 15

“Yeah mom, everything was great,” I replied as I winked at my dad. I felt good because I had bonded a little more with my dad; I love him so much. I took a shower, ate a hearty lunch, and watched some football. I was exhausted, so my mom put me to bed at 6:00 pm.

The last words I heard were,” Good night, sleep tight” then I heard the door close. I yelled out from my room, “DAD, can we go to Camp Pendleton next weekend?!” Even now, I recognize that this weekend will forever stand out and be memorable for the rest of my life. My dad tells me it is events like these, big or small, that we remember when we look back to childhood. I am glad that I wrote these memories on paper, so that I can reflect back on this day without forgetting any details. Looking forward into the future, I know that I will probably have many great events full of new memories. These weekends may ultimately be even more fun and exciting than the one above; however, this trip will always be remarkable because it was a weekend spent with my dad and my friends.

Wag and Me By: Sofia Sanchez Enriquez

Once upon a time there was an astronaut and her name was Margie, she went into space and then found the moon and crashed on Mars. That astronaut is me and Margie is my astronaut name. After that I found an alien and then we were friends. I had to go back to space and I saw all of the aliens say goodbye.

I crashed back on Earth and my spaceship was damaged. All the aliens came to help me. We fixed it and then the aliens were holding each other making, like, a huge rope out of them. There were so many of them that they made it to Earth.

Wag is my friend alien and he gave me a gift, it was a necklace with a space rock that had a crystal inside and it gave me the power to talk and see the Wag whenever I want. Wag said goodbye with a spaceship that flew to the sky. It was my secret because it was nighttime and there was no noise. My parents and brother were asleep but the aliens made a magical bubble that only us could talk in a normal voice and no one could wake up. Every time I needed Wag or I wanted or I missed Wag I could use the space rock necklace and he will come back.

Alien Invasion By: William Gruen

It was a beautiful afternoon in summer in Austin, Texas near the wood behind my house. I was playing frisbee with Dug, my dog. (He was a golden retriever.) My dad was in the house; Mom was at work. I threw the frisbee and it accidentally went into the wood. Dug ran after it. Then I heard yelping and I shouted, “DAD!” He came with his gun because he had heard there were bear sightings nearby. We ran into the wood. Dug was nowhere to be found. That is when we saw the aliens. There were 3 of them. Dad shouted to me, “Go home I’ll be right behind you”. And then he started shooting. My dad shot one of them and it died. The aliens had guns too so they fired back! They shot my dad in the leg. Then they ran into the bushes. I helped my dad up, picked up the dead alien’s gun, and helped my dad get to the house. I ran through the house, got the telephone, and called 911. The ambulance arrived very quickly. I told them there had been a bad guy in the woods. Then I ran to the garage and got out my bicycle. Pedaling as fast as I could, I flew into the police station. I showed the ray gun to the officer at the front and he asked, “What is that?” I said, “I don’t know there were-” The policeman pulled me into his office. “We got to talk about it in here. If any other people see whatever that is, they will get scared because that thing has never been seen before.” He gestured to the gun. Then the ground shook. We burst through the door of the police station just as the roof fell. The officer led me to his car. “Do you want me to drive you to your house?” “Sure.” As we were driving to my house we heard on the radio that there were weird bombings everywhere. The aliens had started to attack! He dropped me off at my house. I was there by myself because Dad had been taken to the hospital to get treated for the leg wound. And Mom was still at work. I went into the house and turned on the tv. On every single channel there was the bombing. Then I saw that the hospital had been bombed; my parents were dead! I cried and cried and cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, I noticed that I was alone and that the TV was still tuned to the news. On the screen you could see no one. I knew why there were zero people. Everybody was dead. Then I remembered that my parents were dead too. I felt sad. I went outside and into the forest where my dad had been shot. Then, I heard a little bark. “Hello?” I noticed it was coming from under me. I went back to the house and got the shovel. I traveled back to the spot and started digging. As soon as I got a big enough hole I noticed that it was a hollow tunnel. Then a yellow shape jumped out of the tunnel. All of a sudden I knew it was Dug. “Hi!” I exclaimed with relief. We climbed into the hole he had made and waited until the aliens traveled back to their home planet.

The Shrink Water By: June Simmons

Chapter 1: My Secret Diary

Dear, new very secret diary, my name is Senareia and I am 12 years old. I live right next to my BFFs School and home (which is also my school). I live in a mansion-house in Maine. Today I am doing my final experiment about becoming a scientist. Bella is my BFF and she is already working at a lab. “Oh, also Viola is back from her walk by very secret diary.” I whispered.

Chapter 2: The Surprise Experiment

We get into the car and mom drives us to our friends house to go through a shortcut. And we waited and waited to get there. Then we got out of the car, and passed through the shortcut. A few minutes later I saw it. It is called “The study group’s lab.” “I see it mom, I see it.” I said. “I see it too!” Mom said “Come on, come on, my test is at 3:30 and it is already 2:15!” Viola said being startled awake. “Ya, and mine is at 4:00.” Violet Yelled “I’m surprised Viola woke up. She usually sleeps till 3:00 and she woke up 45 minutes early!!” “Shh, Mom said pointing at a sign “that sign says shh.” “OK, okay mom” We said at the same time. We laughed.

“La, la, la, ha, ha, ha.” A Voice said. I recognised the voice so much I almost cried “Bella?” I whisper shouted “I am over here,” Bella the voice said “turn on the lights and you’ll probably see me.” “Why, probably Bella?” I asked “Because I am wearing a ring that makes the wearer invisible but I'll take it off.” So I turn the lights on and she was on the stage. I went to get her but something in the room touched me. I turned, then turned again and saw Bella. “Oh, noo Bella!” I said “What?” Bella asked “My experiment starts in five minutes!” I answered “Oh, nooooooo. But really, come on the stage is this way.” Bella said “Walk, walk phew.” I said “Ya, you are very coooooooorect.” Bella said “Sorry, about your grammar, your majesty.” I said (Bella is the princess) “It is okay and you better go.” Bella said “Bye.” I said “Mom is calling me anyways.” Bella said. I ran up to the stage and followed the scientists to a table with four magical items on it. I would choose one to experiment onstage. “I choose the shrink water.” I said cause I’ve always wanted to shrink. I ran up the stage and took a sip then explained. Here is my speech: “It tastes like apples, it smells like chocolate cake, it feels juicy, and it is orange.” One of the scientists raises his hand. “Yes?” I said “What does it feel like in your mouth?” “It tickles,” I answered “Every three minutes I shrink three inches it feels weird.”

Chapter 3: The Adventure

All the scientists heard was a tiny squeak from the microphone so they left their chairs. And then I climbed down the microphone. Then I ran into a mouse named Squeaky.

Well, Bella wasn’t with her mom anymore. She was drinking the water and shrinking and she met up with me.

Boom! We were in a whole new world but one with fantasy. Like mermaids and Fairies and even real live magic! I also made friends with the fairies, rode the unicorns and became part fairy (wings) part mermaid (Tail), and part Unicorn (horn). I even learned all magic and became the princess of fantasy! I also married and my husband is Gail. I figured out how to bring my husband into the human world!

Hey, Mary and Bella I asked. “Yes?” They answered “Bella bring me the copier and Mary give me the grow machine.” I ordered “Yes your Majesty.” They said curtsying They both flew to my palace bedroom and looked hard and Bella found the copier but Mary could not find the grow machine. “I found the copier.” Bella said proudly “But I could not find the grow machine.” Mary said sadly. “Hmm, I know Gail?” I asked “Yes, Sara.” (They call me Sara) Gail said bowing “Would you come to the human world, get a grow cookie, and come in and tell me?” I asked Gail “Yes.” Gail said bowing. So he ran into the human world and followed my orders. Me and Bella and Gail went out.

Chapter 4: You’re Back!

I whispered a spell here it is: “Crawl, mate to la te da cookie, cookie shrink a straw.” With Bella at 4 feet, 4 inches, Me at 4 feet, 2 inches, and Gail at 4 feet, 3 inchs I whispered a spell to take us home here it is: He home a fe ke la And boom! We were home (Bella was at her Palace)

“Senareia!” we haven’t seen you in twelve years!” Violet exclaimed “Ya, mom sleeps in your bed Viola added “I even learned all magic and married” I said “You are- Violet started “Kidding me! Can you teach me some?” “You cut me off! “Violet said. And they started getting into a fight. “Hey, hey calm down no and yes.” I said “Yay.” Violet and Viola Yelled

“Come Sena.” Mom called (Sena is my nickname) Okay mom I answered I flew over to mom “I heard you married what is your husband’s name?” Mom asked “Gail.” I answered “And please can I see him?” Mom asked “Yes.” I said “Gail come.” So Gail came. “Wow that's a handsome man Sena.” “Sorry got to write this adventure down.” I said So, I wrote it down and we live happily ever after.

Fantasy Over The Wonders By: Christabel Choi

Once upon a time, there lived a wonderful city called Crystalis City. Crystalis City had the most beauty that anyone could ever believe. It had glorious blue skies, with rainbow colored birds soaring everywhere you look. Usually, you could see a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky. There are miles and miles of trimmed green grass and flowers of any kind. Buttercups, daisies, roses; all flowers had beauty. Every inch of Crystalis City was beautiful. But one day, a terrible thing happened. It all happened on a wonderful evening. Everybody was at home either reading stories to their children or having a delicious dinner to enjoy. The skies had a lot of warm colors that anyone could enjoy when they looked out of their window. The sky had the colors of pink, yellow, red, orange, and purple. They all blended in wonderfully. The animals enjoyed this evening by scrambling out to savor every delicious thing nature provided. Just as the sun set, and parents were tucking children into their beds, animals running back to their homes, a huge ship crashed down. The ship was what the people in Crystalis City would call “ Horrendous”. It had the exact colors that Crystalis City NEVER had. A dusty, dark shade of gray, midnight-colored like indigo, and a brick red is the colors they never saw. But that was the exact colors they had on their ship. It was designed like a dragon. They seemed to paint it only one layer, because the paint was slowly chipping off. The people that boarded the ship slowly walked off. They wore iron suits painted dark blue with a dragon on their suits that was designed just like their ship. They wore tough metal helmets that could sense just about anything.“ I wish there were never any stars to shine in the sky. They bother me. What is the point of them anyway? Anyways, everybody ready? We’ve been waiting for this moment.” The boss of the group commanded. “ We are going to destroy Crystalis City!” They shouted, loud and clearly. “Prepare for attack!” They exclaimed. They went out, marching two by two. They held electrical spears, ready for attack. They strolled off, striving for people to capture. During the murky, mysterious witching hour there stood scary, dangerous soldiers, ready to destroy the city Crystalis City.

GROUP 2: ages 10-13

Illustration by Leah Oh age 10

Changed Hearts By: Silvia Pinto

It was a Friday. A Friday! Every middle schooler on this planet loves Fridays! They live for them. So why aren’t I happy? To make it even better, tonight there is a school dance. Who doesn’t love that. Me. See, with our school, people don’t really dance. Sure the 6th graders burst out their “cool” moves with their tik tok dances and memes. But no one really dances. They all just stand at the side eating pizza and talking. No one wants to dance because everyone’s afraid to get laughed at or judged. Except Grace. Grace is the prettiest and nicest girl in school. We’ve been friends since preschool but I’ve never gotten the chance to confess. I realized I liked her when we were in 5th grade. We were having a sleepover when I discovered that I kind of liked her. I was so surprised and scared that I called my mom and asked her to pick me up. Being the coolest friend she was, Grace didn’t ask why I left. I was planning to tell her at the dance tonight. It was simple. I would request a slow dance. I would ask her to dance with me. And then I would tell her. And then...we would kiss. It was a work in progress. “Hey Josh!” I see Grace running up to me. “Do you want to help me decorate the gym after school for tonight’s dance?” “No,” I hear myself say. “Uh...no? You don’t want to hang out. Okay…well, I guess I’ll see you tonight.” I wave as she walks away. Gosh I’m so stupid. I feel bad saying that but I really need to practice my dance moves and figure out how I’m going to tell her.

“Hey Josh. How was school?” Mom greets me. “Kind of boring. I’m excited to show Grace- I mean people, my moves on the dance floor tonight.” Quick cover up. I haven’t told my mom that I liked Grace yet. She’s the type of parent that would immediately tell Grace’s mom. They were as close as Grace and I were. I set down my bag by the door and walk to my room. I didn’t want anyone to see me dancing, especially my sister Abby. I lock the door and grab my phone. I open Spotify and click on pop songs. I bust some moves including some disco, moon walk, a couple Fortnite dances (I admit shamefully). Then a boring song comes on. I walk over to my phone to skip it when I see a little crack in the door. I thought I locked it. Then I see the outline of a phone. “Abby!?” I yell as I swing open the door. Sure enough my 16 year old sister, Abby, is there with her phone in front of me. “Surprise!” she says quietly. Then she quickly sprints away. “Come back here!” I yell. I don’t have time for her right now. I’ve got a dance to get to. 23

There was a knock at our front door. “Hi Grace! How are you?” I heard my mom say. “I’m fine. Is Josh home? I was thinking we could go get ice cream before the dance in case they have really gross desserts.” I rush into the hallway just where I can see my mom. “Oh yeah he’s home-” “MOM!” I whisper yell. She looks over at me.. I mimic being tired and then throwing up. “Uh...he um is home, but he isn't feeling well. He’s also...tired?” my mom says carefully. “Oh...okay well I guess I’ll see him at the dance. Bye.” I could hear the pain in Grace’s voice. I watch her walk away from my bedroom window. My mom opens her mouth then closes it and says, “I’m not even gonna ask.” I head to my room to practice more dancing. When a slow song comes on, I panic. I quietly walk to the shed in my backyard and grab my old crutch from when I broke my leg. Then I sneak it back into my room and dance with it. We swing around, boogie, and I even throw in a dip. It was amazing. Until my alarm went off. I checked my phone. It read 5:21. Crap! The dance started in eight minutes and I wasn’t even dressed. Well...maybe I could be fashionably late. No! Grace was already there probably and I wasn’t going to let her dance with another guy! “Mom!” I yell, bursting open the door and running into the living room. “Do you see the time?” I say looking at my phone. Now it reads 5:24. How did I take three minutes to run into another room? Gosh I’m not in shape. “Go get dressed and I’ll get your tuxedo ready,” she says. How can she be calm right now? “And put on some deodorant,” my mother yells as I run out of the room. I quickly change and deposit my phone into my pocket and walk into the living room. My mom is holding my tie and her phone. As I put it on she casually pulls up her phone. I hear a snapping noise as she takes a picture. “Mom!” She grins. “Sorry hun,” she says. But she doesn’t put the camera down. “I’m gonna go.” “Wait just one more!” my mom says as I shut the door on her. I check my phone. I start on a light jog and I fully sprint the next half block and finally reach the school. Waiting by the entrance is Grace in a sparkly green dress. “Hi...Grace...I…ran...all the...way here,” I manage to say. She smiles and says “We better get in there. But beware, the sixth graders are already on their tic toc dances. As we pass the snack table I snag a cupcake. She takes my hand and pulls me towards the bleachers. She sighs. 24

“We’ve been friends for a long time. What’s up with you? Something’s going on.” I gulp. Come on what’s up,” she says crossing her arms. “I...I...well...um…” I say not making eye contact. This was not what I had planned for tonight. She smirks at me. “Oh...I know what it is. It’s a girl isn’t it. You like someone!” “Uh...actually...yes that is it. This girl...um I want to tell her I like her but I don’t know how.” She scans the floor. “Hmm...is she here tonight?” I pretend to scan the floor. “Yes. Yes, she is.” “Girls love to dance. Ask her to dance!” I smile. “Okay! I’ll do that!” “I’m gonna go get some punch. Wanna come?” “No thanks.” When her back is turned I casually walk over to the DJ and pick up the request sheet. I put my slow song down at the bottom and quickly walk back. Then I look for Grace at the refreshments table. My cupcake falls onto the ground. She is talking to Jack. Jack is by far the handsomest boy at our school and he was a grade older than me! But the worst part was: Grace was flirting. She was giggling and fiddling with her hair. They walked towards me and I hid my face behind a chip. I know that sounds weird...but in my defence it was a really big chip. Grace was about to walk back to me when Jack held out his hand. Grace slowly turned around smiling and took it. Then they waltzed off together onto the dance floor! I sigh as I watch them dancing and laughing together. That was supposed to be us! Then an idea started to form in my head (that was indeed smaller than a chip). Grace will probably get bored by the third song and then I can butt in and go dance the slow song with Grace. I smiled thinking over my plan. But I made a mistake. By the third song, Grace was not bored. Instead she was more happy, which led to more dancing, which led to me being mad! By the fifth song, Grace came over to talk to me. “Hey Josh. Where’s your crush?” “Oh...um...I think she left early.” “Oh. Well that’s too bad.” “Yeah. Hey maybe we could dance-” I was interuppted by stupid handsome stupid Jack. “Hey Grace! Wanna dance some more?” he calls from the bottom of the bleachers. “Sure! Sorry Josh. I’ll be back in a minute.” A minute was more like an hour.

Where is that stupid slow song I requested? I finally couldn’t handle watching them one more minute, so I forced myself to watch the 8th grade boys attempt the worm. When I looked back to the dance floor, Jack was still dancing. But not with Grace! I scanned the dance floor for Grace but I couldn’t find her. Then I spotted her talking to Kendra from the student council. I work up all the courage to actually walk up to her and ask her if we could dance. I climb down the bleachers and am starting to walk towards Grace when I hear my slow song come on. I stop and smile. This was the perfect opportunity. As I’m approaching her, I see Jack coming towards me. Then walking up to Grace. Then holding out his hand. Grace blushes as she takes it and walks onto the dance floor, crossing right in front of me.

I take a shortcut through the middle of the dance floor. As I walk past Grace and Jack I can feel Grace’s eyes on me. I look down and head out the door, the ringing of the music in my ears. But one voice silences it all. “Wait. Josh.” I turn around to see Grace. She walks up to me. “I’m sorry your crush is not here.” “That’s the thing. She is here,” I say, another tear crawling down my face. “It’s you Grace. It’s always been you.” And then she kisses me. “What the hell?” Jack says peeking his head out of the door. “Shut up Jack,” Grace blurts, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the gym. That night I learned something. One: don’t ever be afraid to ask a DJ to play a slow song. They won’t make fun of you, don’t worry. Two: While Jack is handsome, he’s not very smart. And three, the most important thing of all: I think I’m gay.

The Destiny of Arile By: Minhkha Dang

The lightning thundered outside Katerina’s window. She looked through her kaleidoscope to see if anything was different. Aha! There was a small silver mirror in there (why didn’t she notice it before) that reflected her eye. The lightning thundered once more and Katerina heard a bowl shattering. Katerina sighed and went downstairs, carrying a broom. She lived with her uncle because her parents were, well, somewhere. Katerina didn’t know if she even had parents. If they were alive she imagined that her parents had to leave because they were summoned by an evil talisman that entranced them into serving for a king in Russia, but inside Katerina knew that wasn’t true. When she arrived downstairs she was welcomed by her uncle. “Get out of my house!” he screamed. “I’m your niece, Uncle Jon. “ Katerina said. “No! I have no family. Get out or-” he smiled cruelly. “I’ll get you. You will never hear the last of me, Jon Arch-.” She hurried out, not wanting to hear more. He started chasing her, so she curled into a ball, having him trip over her. She heard an oof! Ugh! From her uncle so with the time she had Katerina retrieved her jacket and rushed out of the house.

Uncle Jon had been diagnosed with dementia two months ago, and he was acting up. He’ll remember who I am in a few minutes, she thought. Hopefully. He was very caring when his dementia wasn’t acting up, but he was very fierce with invaders. He thought I had invaded his house! What type of uncle does that? Apparently Katerina Steffan’s does. Katerina shivered in the cold wet weather. She desperately wished she was back in the apartment, cozied up in her room, safe from the thunder. Katerina thought over what Uncle Jon had said. I’ll get you. She knew he would, but hopefully it was because he found out she disappeared. It struck once more. Harder this time. With all her strength left she managed to run as hard as she could to an empty alley, sheltered from the wind. When she arrived in the alley, Katerina surveyed her surroundings. It looked like a dump, almost, except there were flowering blossoms in the cracks, giving a little pinch of happiness. She took one step and fell, down, down, down.

It took a moment to realize what she had done. She pinched herself in the process. A million thoughts traveled through her mind. Am I dead? Where am I? Is this some sort of portal? Her questions were answered when the ground opened up and Katerina fell once more. She landed with a thumpity thump thump boomp and marveled at the beautiful sight. The hill she landed on was filled with red flowers and shrubs with beckoning blackberries on them. Katerina plucked a blackberry and popped it in her mouth. At that moment she noticed black swooping figures moving towards something or someone. Towards whom? Towards her.

Katerina desperately looked for a place to hide when she saw the figures at all ends of her. When they reached six inches from her face one of them took off his hood, his coal black eyes glinting in the sunlight. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Why should I reply?” she asked. “A little twist and pull wouldn’t hurt, right, boys?” Katerina sighed and the man flinched. “I am a girl. My name is Katerina Steffan.” “More than that! Come on now!” “I am 12 years old. I live in Michigan-” Katerina couldn’t finish when she heard the chortling voice. “Michigan! Ha ha! Michi Michi Michigan!” The group started taunting her. “Michigan! Michigan! Michi Michi Michigan!” Katerina clenched her fists. She opened her mouth and screamed. “Stop it! If you want any information from me, be quiet!” The men fell silent. “Oh, darling daisy. She’s a feisty one. Let’s take her to the king. He’ll decide what to do with her.” They lifted up her body and someone opened a sack, stuffing her inside.

Suddenly, a flash of light thrust her out of the starched bag, propelling the cloaked men backwards. Katerina gagged and stared up in awe at a spirit that had risen up. She was beautiful. She wore a long white flowing dress with a wreath of blooming dandelions around her head. Indeed, she was pretty but her piercing green eyes ruined the image. The spirit hissed at the men, causing them to be thrown backwards another seven meters, but she smiled kindly at Katerina who smiled back. Katerina then noticed the men were speechless, some kneeling towards her. The spirit started talking in a voice that pierced the air. “For many years souls everywhere have tried to find the Destiny of Arile but none have found it, some were killed. Now I will say it in front of you, but be careful for it may entice you.” The spirit took a breath and continued. “We have been burdened with souls of pure evil, engulfing our realm with unsuccessful retrievals. The Arile Stone has been missing for years, whether it can be found is unseen. One will arrive one day and they must stay. They will be the answer to all of our prayers returning the Arile Stone to where it will lay.” The spirit suddenly disappeared.

The cloaked men again tried to get Katerina, but in her desperation she clutched onto a low lying branch and scrambled over it, injuring her ankle in the process. While the cloaked men were furrowing their brows in confusion of where Katerina was, she frantically threw her shoe out a good distance away from them. “I know where that girl went.” someone said. “Where?” they questioned. “There! Her shoe must have fallen off! We’ll follow it!” “You’ll follow it to go after your Cinderella.” The men snickered and pushed the man to the ground. “Send him to King Alstine. He’ll know what to do with him.” “No! No! I have a family! My daughter! ” Katerina put her fist in her mouth to shield a scream when she heard the man get sacked into a bag and his muffled screams. Suddenly, she felt breathing on her back and turned around.

It was the spirit! “You’re the one.” she said. “To save our realm. You’re the one!” The spirit became excited, almost too excited. “Miss-spirit? The cloaked men! They’re still here! They’ll surely hear you!” The spirit turned her face into a pout. “Still? All right.” With a wave of her hand Katerina heard muffled screams and feet shifting no more. She cautiously looked over the side and saw they were frozen. Katerina’s face turned grave with horror when she thought about the man who was sacked and frozen as well. “Miss Spirit! There’s-” The spirit held out her hand. “Call me Talia.” “Are you really a spirit?” Talia laughed. “No. Just some magic.” “Talia! Do you see that bag the man’s holding? One of the other cloaked men threw another man in there! May you retrieve him?” She sighed. “All right. But if that man wants to come after you, well, I guess I’ll have to protect you. For the time being.” Talia then flew down from the tree, bringing Katerina with her. “Hide behind the tree,” She ordered. “I’ll say your name when it’s safe.” Katerina peeked out to see Talia rest her hand against the bag, and stopped when the silver color that had followed her hand reached the other cloaked man’s arm. A man scrambled out, looked at Talia and each embraced the other. “Talia, dear!”

“Malcomn! Where have you been?” “Working as one of Alstine’s Crows. The others were suspicious that I would leave far too early than usual, so they told me to come with them for the true inauguration as a Crow. So that night I left, not knowing if I would see you again.” “Oh, Malcomn! Also, I have someone who I think wants to talk to you.” She turned around and motioned at Katerina to come out. Katerina stepped out and looked in fascination at the man who had lush silver eyes. He smiled warmly and so did she. Katerina opened her mouth and said the only question she had. “When you got sacked, you said you had a family. Are you and Talia, um, part of the same family?” Malcomn laughed. “Yes! She is my sister. And I do have my own family. When I was away, my wife gave birth to my child named Idina But as far as I know, my wife traveled to a neighboring realm’s king, King Shacksont. My daughter was kidnapped shortly thereafter. Before I met Idina, she was gone.” Katerina felt a tear trickle down her face. “Oh, that’s so sad! ” “But,” Malcomn continued. “I discovered a letter that she had escaped. Hopefully, one day she and I will be reunited." “Terribly sad, isn’t it?” Talia remarked softly. “Katerina, you are the one, I feel it!” Malcomn then jumped up with joy nearly hurting his leg as he crashed down. “Hey there! Calm down.” They both helped Malcomn up, but he insisted to sit on a stump. “Katerina, you have a choice: to save our realm or go back to Michigan. If you stay, you have a chance to retrieve the Arile Stone. If you go back to Michigan, I can assure you your uncle will be cured of his dementia like it never happened.” Talia and Malcomn exchanged looks, looks of longing. Katerina looked at Malcolm and then at Talia with trepidation. “I think,” she said. “I was meant to be here.”

Flaunt It-Don’t Hide It By: Maya Bhargava Desai

Do you know how it feels to be the only fifth grader who still has to sit in a car seat? Do you know what it is like to be asked to crawl under the bathroom stalls to unlock them when some silly first grader locks them from the inside, just because you can fit? How about having to carry your passport to amusement parks to convince the attendants that you are indeed old enough to sit without an adult?

Hello, I’d like to introduce myself as the smallest kid in my grade. My size has made me into who I am. Through experiences, I have learned that being short can be valuable. This has led to my positive attitude and having a big personality. Some people look negatively on being short; however, my size has helped develop my optimism. This optimistic outlook follows me in and out of the classroom. For example, whenever my teacher calls on students to answer grammar and social studies questions, my whole class groans except me. I just hunker down in my chair, so my teacher can’t see me behind my desk. All kidding aside, I really do love school. Being small and having a big personality truly do go together. These differences make me “me.”

As the littlest in my class, there are disadvantages, but there are ways to make it advantageous, if you have confidence in yourself. I have to figuratively and literally take twice as many steps to get where I need to be than my more vertically inclined classmates. Thank goodness the oxygen supply is better down here. Maybe this is why I have learned to work smarter and not harder. Being small has given rise to my “larger than life” personality (please note, I did not say I was loud). Since I am not always seen in the crowd, it is imperative that I speak up by necessity. For example, due to my higher oxygen supply, my ideas are naturally better than most! However, if these ideas are never heard, no one will know how great they are. Just kidding, or am I?

My short stature (by the way, I hate this term) has made me unique by developing the tools I need to succeed and meet challenges head on. I’ve learned to accept criticism and I try to make the best of what I have. I prove to others that just because I am short does not mean I can’t reach my goals.

Through these differences, I’ve learned to embrace what makes me distinct by having the confidence to be heard. You may be confused when you see me. You may think that I would be quiet and meek. You may think that I would keep my ideas to myself, but you would be wrong. As my teachers say, never judge a book by its cover.

There are many discrete and obvious advantages for my small stature, such as being great at hide-and- go-seek and always standing in the front on class picture day. Even so, there are times when the advantages of being small even surprise me. My parents recently signed me up to play in an all-girls recreational basketball league. Yes, me playing basketball? Well, let’s just say that my coach, teammates, and I were probably pondering the same thing. I anticipated that I would be a substitute for the team. Unfortunately, during our season opener, only five girls, including me, showed up. This meant no substitutes and we had to play the whole game against a team that was older and taller than us. Astonishingly, I was able to dribble around them using my quick speed and keeping the ball low to the ground. Defensively, the opposing girls just chose not to see me, so I was able to cut off passes and knock the ball away. When the ball

was on the ground, I was the first to get it. I shot and scored the only two baskets for our team! This surprised me the most. We eventually lost ten to four, but I had fun doing it. After the game, Coach called me the MVP and my teammates all chimed in. I felt like a hero who had just won the NBA Championship. People underestimate me all the time and this time I underestimated myself. I guess you really don’t have to be tall to play basketball.

The other day at school, I was watching some classmates that had been on the swings for a long time. At my school, if you are on the swings for a while and somebody is waiting, you have to give it up after two minutes. These classmates had taken up all the swings and were talking with each other. They were ignoring a younger kid, in a different grade, who had been counting for over ten minutes!

He told them it was his turn on the swings, but they disregarded him thinking they were so much more powerful because they were older and bigger. He was getting scared, nervous and the little self-confidence he had was quickly ebbing. I, on the other hand, was getting upset with the unfairness of the situation and my confidence was flowing. Finally, I had enough! With vigor and fury, I walked brazenly towards the swings. Dragon fire erupted from within me and steam escaped from my nose and ears. They might be taller and bigger, but my attitude is bold and my personality fearless. I marched up to my fellow classmates, channeled my inner Dickens, and scolded them. “You have been on the swings for a protracted time and this student, who looks up to elders like you, wants to make use of the swings. He has been waiting for ten minutes at the least! You should be ashamed of yourselves for not being respectable role models. You do not deserve all the extol you receive; you are being irreverent.” Although this sounded good in my head, let’s be real, who talks like that? Jane Austen? Instead, I explained to my fellow classmates that they were being unfair and that was not kind. I had to repeat myself a couple of times because, of course, they didn’t see me or chose not to hear me at first (which often happens). With some persuasion, ultimately, these classmates recognized me and realized I was right. They left the swings and the younger kid profoundly thanked me. As you can see, though there may be advantages for being tall, being short is the best advantage of them all. Just think, even my carbon footprint is smaller than my unfortunate, taller classmates. Like my parents say, good things come in small packages. You may read this and think that I have something against tall people. This could be further from the truth. In fact, my best friend happens to be the tallest kid in our grade. When we are together, we are truly an odd pair. However, we have come to realize that we complement each other well. She is able to see those Bar- Headed geese flying high in the sky while I am able to find the rare nine-spotted ladybugs hugging the flowers. At times, I do feel sorry for her because it must really hurt her back to be that tall.

In all seriousness, I realized that being different is a good thing. I’m an active team member, a strong leader, and effective communicator. My size has allowed me to become more compassionate and understanding of others. It has never limited me from accomplishing my aspirations. Although I wouldn’t complain if I happen to grow a few inches overnight, I know we don’t always get to choose our physical features, but we do get to decide who we will become. Above all, I love being me!

Memories By: Catherine Gruen

Three teenage boys walked into the restaurant. The first two looked like twins and talked like they'd known each other for a million years, but it had just been fifteen. The last teenager was a head shorter than the rest. He had close-cut black hair and tan skin, the kind that you had in the autumn after a whole summer at the beach. His dark brown eyes darted around the crowded room. Families were laughing and smiling. Everyone seemed so happy. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Across the room, he noticed a girl. She wore a blue jean dress and was tipping her plastic cup back to eat the ice. A bit of a smile tugged at his lips as all the ice came pouring down, but he forced it down and bit the inside of his cheek aggressively. The teenager didn't breathe until he was back outside. The wind ruffled his messy hair, like it ruffled the palm tree's slender branches and his friends' shirts. Were they his friends? Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. He looked back to the restaurant. "Hey," one of his friends said, waving a hand in front of his face. "We got you some Coke… Something the matter?" He looked up. "What?" He tried to ask, but no sound came out of his lips. "No," he whispered. "Nothing." His head swam. His knees shook. In the backseat of the car, he pulled out his phone. It clicked open. He took a deep breath, touching the Messages icon. His friends' conversation buzzed miles away. He typed something on the phone and looked through the car windows, to the restaurant. If he strained his eyes, he could see the girl's silhouette. She was pushing in her chair; the girl and her family were going to leave. He closed his eyes, leaning his head on the car's cushioned headrest. He pressed send. Sending... it read. Beep. He looked down and saw a green bubble around the words he had written: I found her. After driving for more than six hours, it was nice to stop and get some fast-food, even if you would only be able to stretch your legs for twenty minutes. Kylie Josephs and her family parked their old Toyota in the front of the restaurant. Kylie’s little brother clambered out of the car and did ten jumping jacks, all backwards. Kylie hopped out with as much grace as she could muster. She almost tripped and fell flat on her face. She looked up and admired the palm trees and the afternoon sunlight. The billowing white clouds that framed the sun reminded Kylie of a Renaissance painting. “Ready?” Kylie’s mom asked as she strung her purse on her shoulder. “Yes!” exclaimed her brother. Her dad nodded.

“I’ll be right there,” Kylie promised and rushed to the palm trees. They were crossed to make an x, like an old treasure map. X marks the spot. She leaned between them and looked out as far as she could, to the little town spread out beneath her. Kylie crossed her arms and stared at her untied shoes. To anyone looking at her, she would have appeared angry, but really, she was just thinking. Everyone thought Kylie was a normal girl. But she wasn’t, no matter how hard she tried to believe it. When Kylie was five, she knew that she had to leave by her thirteenth birthday. The way she knew...was like the way that salmon knew to swim upstream when summer came. Kylie didn’t know how or where she would go, but she only had a week until she turned thirteen. Kylie had been adopted ten years ago, and her little brother had been born four years later. She loved her family more than she loved anything else in the world, and she couldn’t imagine leaving them. Kylie unfolded her arms, tied her shoes, and, after giving one more glance to the little city spread out before her, hurried after her family inside the restaurant. They were already seated by the time she got there. “We’re number sixty,” Kylie’s brother informed her, holding up the receipt as proof. “Cool,” Kylie smiled. She slid into the booth and sipped the cold water. “How much farther do we have to drive today?” “Three or so hours,” her dad said, looking at his phone. “It says take state route-” Kylie didn’t hear the rest of the sentence, since the dinner crowds rushed in. At the very end were three teenagers, not exceptionally different from the rest. Except for the last teenager. He locked eyes with her for a moment, then shook his head and looked down to his phone like it was an alien monster from outer space. He’s like me, Kylie thought and that’s when all the ice from her cup decided to fall on her face and all over the booth. “Ah! That's cold!” her brother screeched.

The teenager glanced at his phone. Get Kylie as soon as you can. She turns thirteen next week. Doing great, Jason. Jason looked up from the text. Alright, she’s going to the hotel. Following her, he replied. The familiar beep sounded. Jason combed his hand through his hair. Was he doing the right thing? Sometimes Jason didn’t know if bringing Kylie into the book was what he should do. “She’s going into the book anyway,” Jason told himself. After leaving his friend’s house, Jason drove away as fast as he could, listening to the classical music radio station. “I’m doing the right thing,” he muttered under his breath. The scenery passed by quickly, so fast that Jason didn’t even catch the transition between the cities and the untamed forest. Soon enough, he had arrived at the hotel parking lot.

“It’ll work out,” Jason whispered as he slammed the car door too hard and walked through the double sliding doors.

It was almost eleven o’clock when Kylie’s family pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. It was an old hotel that reminded Kylie of a southern plantation. Tired and red-eyed, Kylie and her parents wheeled their luggage in with her brother draped over the suitcases, sleeping. In the lobby, someone was on his phone, typing something. Kylie was so sleepy; everything felt like a dream. But when she looked at the person, he looked like the teenager from the restaurant. “I’m sleepy,” she whispered to herself. “Yeah, me too,” her dad yawned. The next morning, as Kylie and her family went downstairs for breakfast, they passed by the teenager, leaning against the flowery wallpaper and typing something on his phone. He looked up and he nodded, like Kylie knew what she was “supposed” to do, and it was time to do it. Kylie didn’t even know that she had to do something. “Eat breakfast,” he said. “Then I’ll explain.” Kylie wondered if she had come up those words or if he had actually talked to her. “Jason,” he said, sticking out his hand to shake. Kylie hoped that she wasn’t going to make a fool of herself by shaking hands with the wall, but Jason’s hand was as real as her own. “Come on, Kylie!” her brother called. Kylie hurried after her family, but only after giving one more smile to Jason, who was still absently staring at her. Kylie ate more hotel sausages, waffles, and hash browns than was necessary. But going on road trips and staying at hotels only came once a year. And meeting strange teenagers named Jason only comes once in a lifetime. Kylie excused herself and went to the hallway, where she found Jason waiting for her in the same exact position that she had seen him last. Without missing a beat, Jason held up a book with a blue and gold cover and a girl who looked a little too much like Kylie. On it were the words Someone Remembers You. “This is your book.” “My book?” “Exactly, and you only have to say one word, touch the cover and you’ll be in it. Um... don’t say that word yet.” “I don’t even know what word you’re talking about,” Kylie said. “Okay, good. So, here you go, the summary is on the inside flap if you open it. Right there.” Jason handed Kylie the book. Kylie took it skeptically, but started reading. Kylie Josephs wakes up with no memories, alone in a strange city. Taken under the wing of the city’s runaways and homeless orphans, she learns how to fend for herself, but she still doesn’t remember anything from her past life. One day, the orphans start disappearing, one after another. On a mission to find them, Kylie and her allies discover where all the missing children have gone. And who Kylie really is. 34

Kylie looked up from the book to Jason, pleading in her eyes. “If I go, will I be able to see my family again?” “When your story is over, you’re free to come back. You’ll return right where you left off.” Kylie swallowed the lump in her throat. This was her destiny; Kylie knew it. “The word?” “Memories,” Jason said. His finger grazed the book... and he vanished. “Memories,” Kylie echoed. Her voice was shaking. She touched the blue cover, and the hotel was gone.

The old city was unforgiving. Those who were rich cared nothing for the poor. And those who were poor cared nothing for the orphans. Some were orphans, of course, but others were runaways, their former life so bad, that they had decided living on the streets was better than living without any hope. The alleys were a refuge to some, but a prison to others. As for Kylie Josephs, she hated them. She had woken up in an alley, covered in dirt and sore all over, wearing pants the color of muddy water and a used-to-be white shirt that was now too dirty to be even considered cream. Kylie looked up at the tall buildings and the fire escapes and balconies cross hatching the cloudy sky. She plugged her nose – the stink rising from the dark yellow puddles around Kylie almost made her current situation unbearable. Her current situation being that Kylie had absolutely no recollection of who she was. Kylie stood up on shaky legs and gazed around the alley and down the little narrow pathways leading to the main street, where there were no puddles and only beautiful carriages. It seemed so far away. “Where am I?” she whispered. “Kylie Josephs!” someone called, jumping from a rusty fire escape. He had close-cut black hair and tan skin, the kind you had in the autumn after a whole summer at the beach. His grin was a feisty grin that was almost like a map to all the adventures he just couldn’t wait for. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

The Polar Village By: Ella Schimmelpfenig

Elizabeth ran into the woods. She was looking for Little Duckling Pond.

Little Duckling Pond had a clear, blue pond that Elizabeth liked to visit. It had benches along the sides, kelp and seaweed in the water, lion statues spitting water into the pond, and the little duckling families that lived there. There was a new couple of duckling families being born that day. Elizabeth was hoping to see that happen.

Finally, Elizabeth reached the large pond. She searched its blue waters for a mama duck and newborn ducklings. She only saw the regular ducklings who played during the day. Elizabeth decided that she had missed it. She started her way back home: through the woods, across the bridge, through the small meadow, and into her neighborhood and then her house. But Elizabeth saw something in the meadow that caught her eye. It was glowing, so it was easy to spot in the dark night.

Elizabeth picked it up, and discovered it was a piece of ice. It didn’t make sense, since it didn’t snow where she lived in Texas. The ice glowed even more. Suddenly, she felt like she was being pulled into the ice. Then, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was standing in an ice world.

Elizabeth couldn’t believe it! She was in another world. She was standing in snow. She had been transported into a piece of ice! She saw something moving in the snow toward her, and she put the ice in her pocket. She pulled a stick from beneath the snow...and heard a voice she wasn’t expecting to hear.

“Hello?” grumbled the deep voice. It sounded surprised. Elizabeth turned around. She saw a polar bear. “Is that ice in your pocket...is that how you got here?”

“Yes. Do you know this ice?” Elizabeth asked. She couldn’t believe she was speaking with a polar bear. And it was speaking back. “Yes. We made it. It is able to transport anyone in possession of it to any world,” the polar bear said. “We?” Elizabeth asked.

“I am from a village not far from here – it is the Polar Village. You are safe there. But there are creatures that are half snake, half falcon. They have wings and a slick, feathery tail with a scaly snake head. They are called Snakon, and they are trying to track us polar bears down. They want the

Transportation Ice –that’s the ice in your pocket. If they somehow get it in their pocket, it’s not good at all,” grumbled the polar bear gravely. Elizabeth nodded. “We should head to the village,” it rumbled, and trudged north in the snow. Elizabeth followed. She was alarmed at having something that dangerous things wanted, but grateful for Polar Bear’s kindness.

Soon, they arrived at the Polar Village. There was a frozen lake, but Elizabeth saw polar bears punch parts of it to get water. There were homes and stores built out of solid ice, but there was a tall castle near the back that was made of silver. Polar Bear said that was the King and Queen’s castle. They kept going. Polar Bear led Elizabeth to the back of the village – an old, jagged home. It looked like it was built for prisoners compared to the Silver Tower where the King and Queen lived. But the inside was different. It was warm and cozy. There were rugs on every floor to protect Elizabeth’s feet from the icy floor, there was a fireplace, but around it was silver instead, so the ice wouldn’t melt around the fire. There was an upstairs, and Elizabeth figured that was where her room would be. Was Polar Bear giving her a house to stay in?

Apparently, he was. Polar Bear showed Elizabeth her room, which had a bed made of dried clay in the left corner, a tiny bookshelf, a stuffed animal polar bear, and a basket of twelve fried chickens, two heads of lettuce, and a chunk of ice. In another room upstairs was the bathroom, which Polar Bear said he had made, just for Elizabeth, because polar bears don’t need bathrooms. Elizabeth set her stuff down and put the Transportation Ice under the stuffed animal. It would be safe there.

A few days later, the Snakon came. Elizabeth stayed hidden and sharpened a sword made of clay. When it was finished, she ran and found Polar Bear, and he went inside Elizabeth’s house and protected the Transportation Ice. The battle against the Snakon ceased, and Elizabeth guessed either they had found the Ice, or that their leader was killed.

It turned out that the Snakon had found the Ice and were using it to transport every polar bear in sight to another world, known as the Barren Desert World. It was a place with absolutely no resources in the entire world, and if one is ever trapped inside it, they have to get out, or die.

Elizabeth was found and taken to the dungeon, for she was not a polar bear. She was locked inside a cell but she could see the keys on the other side. She made a plan to escape and save Polar Village from extinction.

Elizabeth reached through the cell bars and grabbed the keys. There were at least ten keys on the chain. She put each in the keyhole until there was one left, a small brass one. It worked! She crept past the sleeping Snake on guard and out of the dungeon. She raced through Polar Village until she reached her house and pushed open the door. Elizabeth ran up the stairs and into her room – there was no need to be quiet anymore. She snatched the clay sword from on top of her bed and dashed out of the house. Elizabeth could clearly see the Snakon in the center of Polar Village, gloating over their victory. But it wasn’t done yet! She sprinted as fast as she could toward the Snakon and leaped on one – the one that looked to be the leader. It had fangs like a cobra, distinctive blue and red stripes, and large folded wings on its back.

The Snakon snorted with surprise and lashed out its axe from its side. Instead of the eerie silence that filled the village, it was now filled with the sounds of weapons clashing. Elizabeth was certainly not used to fighting, but she still had some practice. She felt her sword meet the Snakon leader’s axe with a clang and suddenly her hands had a mind of their own. She swung her sword over her head and, with all her might, slashed it at the Snakon’s scaly tail. It split in half! Blood welled from the large gash and the icy ground turned red.

“The Snakon leader...is dead!” screamed a nearby Snakon, too terrified to fight back. Elizabeth didn’t waste a second. She knew that the dead Snakon leader had the Ice and bent over and cautiously picked it up. She peered into it and saw the barren lands of a desert. That must mean that’s where all the polar bears are!

Elizabeth closed her eyes, just as she had done before. The Ice sucked her inside of it, and when she opened her eyes, she saw the Barren Desert World.

She immediately spotted the distinctive white coats of the polar bears and called across the land. The polar bears turned their heads – and wide smiles spread across their faces. They were saved!

Once all the polar bears were gathered around her excitedly, she closed her eyes and this time, the force of the Ice was strong enough to suck in all the polar bears and Elizabeth.

They were home! All Snakon had disappeared, and the polar bears were happy to be in a world without Snakon. Elizabeth ran over to Polar Bear and gave him a huge hug.

“Thanks!” she exclaimed, and headed home.

Racing with the Wind By: Finley Shivaram My heart was pounding, my legs were trembling, my arms were throbbing. I was working extremely hard to keep my sail from luffing. The wind was so fierce that I could see all the other sails rustling in the wind on this sunny and blustery afternoon. I tacked towards the harbor, then BAM! The boom swung around and crashed into my head. Suddenly, I felt the frigid water all over my body and face. It stung my eyes. I tasted the saltiness in my mouth. I felt paralyzed for a moment, then my head shot up out of the water, thanks to my life preserver, and I gasped for air. I heard my cousin Micah’s voice in the distance, “Finley! Are you okay?” Three weeks before I had capsized my sailboat, Micah and I had walked into the Yacht Club for the very first time to begin sailing classes. I was petrified, but Micah was thrilled and couldn’t wait. “Don’t worry, Finley. Sailing is easy,” Micah said to me. He had more experience than I did because he sailed with his grandfather. Micah and I sat on the firm, unsteady benches in the three-room Yacht Club waiting for the class to begin. The room was wide open and its natural wooden walls and ceiling were filled with written and carved names of past sailors. The room smelled of a mixture of cedar wood and salty air. As I studied the carved names around me, I could feel the history that was in the room and wondered if those past sailors were as nervous as I was. The instructors were welcoming but the minute they started teaching parts of the boat, it was incomprehensible to me. It sounded like a different language. “Starboard, port, bow, stern,” I heard the instructors utter quickly. We had many classes on land where we learned the basics of sailing, and the following week, we ventured out on boats with our instructors. The instructors showed us points of the sail, how to tighten the mainsheet, how to use the dagger board, and how to maneuver the rudder. I kept thinking to myself, “How could I ever sail this boat by myself?” Over the next three weeks, I spent more time with the instructors and in the boat. I gradually became more comfortable with how to sail. On my second solo outing, I was extremely surprised and frightened when I capsized my boat. After my initial shock, I quickly remembered what to do and sprung into action. I lifted the rough, heavy dagger board and flipped over my boat. Then I climbed into the boat, scraping the skin off my knee as I slid over the edge. I saw a trickle of bright red blood from my knee seep into the surrounding clear water. Knowing that sharks are attracted to blood, I knew I had no time to waste. I swiftly bailed out most of the heavy, salty water from my boat. My back and arms were aching as I scooped out the water, but I hardly noticed. I pointed my sail into the wind and I raced with the forceful breeze to rejoin Micah and my class. Learning to sail and figuring out what to do after capsizing my sailboat were important lessons in my life. I realized that it’s okay to feel nervous and scared about learning something new, and with practice and hard work, I’ll get better and be more confident. Learning new things will always help me in life. When I capsized, I realized quickly that I could apply what I had learned and be independent. I was proud of how I handled the terrifying situation. I learned I shouldn’t doubt myself when presented with difficult scenarios. I have come a long way from that first uneasy day of sailing class, and now I love the clean, crisp ocean air, and freedom and independence I feel when sailing.

The Dogs of Destiny (Book 1, Ch. 19) By: Lilah Coeymen

Why? Why? Why? Why?! Why would some dog leave a ratty scrap of newspaper with a message on it over in an alley, when any random, innocent dog could discover it, crack the code, and fall into a weird dimension with weird dogs with weird names with a weird dungeon in it?

Lucky was pacing in front of Miki as he slept. Wendell suddenly came padding over to him with some fresh-kill in his mouth and nudging a leaf with water on it over to him.

“What in Lonetails is that?” Lucky demanded, his nose twitching at the mouth-watering scent of the prey.

“Some outsider—Libby—brought it to us. They didn’t throw her in prison, probably because they trust her or something, and she happens to be kind enough to bring us these things so we don’t starve or die of thirst. So, quit being grumpy and appreciate it.” Wendell said sternly.

“Okay, so-rry,” Lucky grumbled. They began to eat and drink, saving some in case Miki woke up, and saved the herbs for when he awoke as well. And, by the time they finished, Lucky actually felt recharged. “So,” he said with a new smile. “When’s this Libby coming back?” They waited, taking shifts where one of them would stand at the bars of the cell to see when Libby was coming back, while the other sat with Miki in case he woke up and needed anything. Lucky was sitting by the bars, his tail curled neatly around his paws, when he saw her.

She was the most beautiful dog he had ever seen. When she walked up to the bars, Lucky couldn’t help but stare at her beautiful sunny coat. “Hi, me again,” Libby said shyly, looking at her paws awkwardly. “I brought you guys some of this. The Everquests showed me how to get it without being stung.”

Libby nudged something through the bars, and Lucky peered into the glass jar. It was honey. Thick and sticky, almost as golden as Libby’s fur. Lucky could almost taste it. “Wow,” Lucky fumbled for words. “Th-this looks delicious. Thanks.”

Libby nodded to him and padded down the hallway again. Lucky saw a portal open before Libby and close as she stepped into it. But it didn’t look like she had made it herself. She probably had someone helping her. “Hey, Wendell, we got some honey,” Lucky announced.

Wendell’s face lit up. “Ooh, sweet!” he said, delighted. “Get it? Honey puns. Yeah. That was terrible, wasn’t it?” Lucky smiled as he nudged the honey jar over to him for the two of them to share. “It was utterly hilarious, Wendell.” He joked.

After they shared half the honey and left the other half in the jar for Miki, Lucky stretched out on the floor like it was his cardboard box he shared with Yogi. “Oh, I can’t get her out of my mind.” He murmured dreamily, closing his eyes and resting his chin on his paws.

“Who, Libby?” Wendell asked. “She is great.” “I close my eyes, and I still see her.” Lucky sighed happily. Wendell smiled cheekily at Lucky. “Looks like someone has a cruuush!” he teased. Lucky jumped to his feet. “I do NOT!” he protested. “I just—I—I...” Lucky flopped to the ground again. “I do!” he breathed wistfully, and he fell asleep. And that was the first sleep out of all the times he had fallen asleep since he hurt his father that wasn’t uneasy or filled with nightmares. It was just a long, comfortable, dreamless, deep sleep.

“Lucky!” Lucky opened one eye, rolling over onto his side as a paw jabbed him in the side. “What do you want?” Lucky demanded sleepily. “Get up! Miki’s awake!” Wendell ordered. Lucky looked up and saw the little dog standing over him. “Huh?” Lucky squinted at Miki until the blurriness finally left his sleepy eyes. “I fed him the herbs,” Wendell told him. “He seems to be getting better already.” Miki grinned at Lucky as he sat up. “Glad to see you’re okay,” Lucky said, smiling back at Miki. “We left you some food and a little water, in case you’re hungry,” Wendell informed Miki, whose face lit up. “Ooh, where is it? I’m starving!” he cried eagerly. Wendell gestured to the corner where they stashed all the stuff Libby gave them. Miki scampered over and began to eat immediately. “He could’ve died if it wasn’t for Libby,” Wendell said. “Those herbs worked in a heartbeat. I wonder if they’re magic, too.” Lucky laughed, just a bit. “Doubtful.” He said.

Suddenly, there was a sound of barking from down the hall, as they saw a struggling brown dog being dragged down the aisle by two other dogs. “Help!” The brown dog shouted. “Somebody, help me!” She was thrown into the empty cell on their left, and Wendell and Lucky rushed to the bars to see their new neighbor. Miki didn’t care, for he was too busy eating. “I want to go home!” cried the new dog, banging the bars of her cell. “My friends need me! I didn’t do anything wrong!” “Hey! New dog!” cried Wendell as they stood at the bars of their cell and peered over at the new brown dog. She had a yellow bandana around her neck with white polka-dots on it, and her eyes were a soft brown color, and they were now welling up with tears. The new dog sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her paw. “H-huh? Who are you?” “I’m Wendell. This is Lucky.” Wendell gestured to Lucky, who gave the new dog a comforting smile. “Miki is over there in the corner feasting.” “Mmmph!” Miki protested with his mouth full. A few brown feathers from the sparrow he was eating flew out of his mouth as he tried to speak, drifting down to the ground. Wendell burst into laughter. “Why are you so upset?” asked Lucky as the new dog slowly took a few steps closer to the bars to talk to him. “M-my friends,” she whimpered. “Moose. Rocket. Tobie.” “I have no idea who you’re talking about, but, um. What’s your name?” Lucky asked, trying to change the subject before the new dog started crying again. “Maja,” replied the new dog. “I have a question. Where are we?” “I don’t know, honestly. We’re outsiders, too.” Lucky answered. “But I think it’s the realm of this weird pack called Everquest.” Maja’s face lit up immediately. “Everquest?” she cried. “I’ve been looking for them.”

Once Upon a Royal Rescue By: Kaylee Lu

Once upon a time, there was a peaceful little village called the Memorial Village. There was a little boy, and his name was Aiden. While his friends at school had eyes for other girls in the village, he had eyes only for the princess, Princess Brynn. She was beautiful and sang at her window every Friday night. He always heard her melodic singing and wished he would one day see her up close. One fateful day, the princess was taken by an old woman. The old woman wanted to take her away from her family. She thought that if she kidnapped the loved princess, she would make the kingdom miserable without the princess’s presence. She led the princess to her little cottage in the woods. On the way, she thought about how the king had banned her from the kingdom because of the crimes she committed. When they arrived at the cottage, she led Brynn into a room where she would be staying. Brynn ran her perfect fingers through her long hazelnut hair. She smoothed her short white dress as she sat down on her bed. She rubbed on a necklace covered in diamonds. She soon started pacing around her big room frightened and thought to herself why she was here. Meanwhile, back at the village, Aiden was trying to convince his parents to let him go out into the woods to save the princess. “Fine then, you may go. Only if you finish your homework and eat your supper before 7:00.” His mother said. Aiden did a small happy dance knowing he could go save the love of his life. He fantasized about what would happen after his heroic rescue. Soon, he shook off the fantasy moment and dashed over to his pile of homework. He snatched a pencil and speeded on his homework. He was very fast cleaning up and in what seemed like a second, he was gobbling down his dinner and slurping his soup. His mother nodded and he ran out the door. The princess was still pacing around by the time he reached the cottage. He came in through a window. He looked heroic and had many weapons stashed in his belt. “It's about time someone rescued me. The old lady will hear you in here. This place is not soundproof. Wait... you look too young to be my prince” Princess Brynn said. She seemed annoyed and flicked her long hair behind her shoulder. Aiden was appalled at her attitude. He ignored her attitude and continued on with trying to rescue her. “My name is Aiden Smith and I am here to rescue you. The news about you being kidnapped is all around the village!” Aiden exclaimed. Brynn rolled her eyes. The princess seemed to be annoyed and spoiled. She seemed to have everything she wanted and was a princess her entire life. She hated being poor and would not team up with any poor person and would not even touch them. She acted so nice when the royal family was presented or when she was in public because she wanted to make a good scene. She wanted only a perfect reputation in the village. “Listen little boy, I am a 15‐year‐old girl and you are probably 11. How would you rescue me? This lady that took me? I hate her and I have to get out of here. So just this once, I will team up with you or any poor person. I have respect for the village and its people though. Just not huge respect. Also, my name is Princess Brynn Antonia. You might have heard.” The princess said. She seemed sad this was the only way to escape the wretched place. The old woman came in and said, “Darling, your

soup is ready. Come outside to eat. WAIT!! WHO IS THIS YOUNG MAN IN YOUR ROOM? I FORBID EVERYONE FROM ENTERING YOUR ROOM EXCEPT ME!” The old woman shrieked. The old woman retrieved a dagger from her long dress and began swinging it at Aiden. Aiden took out his own dagger and fought back. He tripped her and she hurt her ankle. The two made their way outside to the front gate. Brynn clutched onto her hair as they started going through bushes to arrive at the gate. She wanted nothing more but to go back home. She was almost hit by the gate and screamed. Aiden turned around in a flash and hurried over. “What is wrong?” Aiden asked. Brynn rolled her eyes and once again continued. Once they got out of the woods, they spotted a nice little town with a fountain and many people walking around selling fruit, veggies, and bread. There was a marketplace right next to a workshop. The houses were built sturdy and small. Brown bricks were the first sight to be seen. “Ummm... I am supposed to go in there!? These people are peasants and filthy. Even though I am also princess of this place, I cannot believe this. Your village is bad enough Aidey.” Brynn said to him. She was obviously not happy to be where she currently was. “It’s Aiden not Aidey. And you are the princess of this village. They should honor you and tell you the answers you seek.” Aiden said. He sounded very wise and mature. Brynn sashayed off into the village. People gasped and took pictures. Some people worshiped her. Brynn waved and said thank you. Aiden rolled his eyes once again. He dragged Brynn through the crowd and took out his own compass. They stared at the gadget for a few minutes and decided they were heading North. Soon, the sun set and the two travelers were forced to camp in the woods they had traveled to. “You’re saying I have to lay down in a pile of brittle leaves, put my head on some wood, and sleep?! In the wild? I have never even gone camping! My parents were sure I would hate it. They were right! I am probably going to get splinters in my head because of the wood!” She was horrified and kept walking in her flats. “Yes, now this is our camping spot.” He said pointing to a large open area, “We are sleeping here and now we collect wood, rocks, and leaves. When Brynn was away collecting, he found 4 raw hotdogs in his backpack. He eyed the camping grounds and found 2 big logs they could sit on. He found 2 long sticks as well. When Brynn came back, he snatched the 5 logs out of 11 from her outstretched arms. Brynn collapsed onto the floor. Then she quickly stood up and shook herself. Her long hair had twigs and leaves in it, yet it was still perfectly brushed. Her dress was a little bit torn and her flats were wrinkled. She began cleaning her hair. Aiden began setting up a fire. He arranged the wood and took out a match box. He was down to the last match. He took the match and swiped it. The fire appeared instantly. He dropped the ignited match into the circle of wood he had created earlier. When he turned around, Brynn was still pulling leaves and twigs out of her hair. She gave him a phony smile. He collected the leaves and twigs and created beds. He used the six pieces of leftover wood to make pillows for both of them. He placed the hot dogs on a stick. He set up a wood stand to hold the hot dogs while they were cooking. Brynn was finally done managing her hair and Aiden called Brynn over to eat. Once the hot dogs were done cooking, they both grabbed a stick. 2 hotdogs on each one. When they had their fill, they went to bed. The next day, Brynn and Aiden woke up at dawn. They rinsed their mouth, showered, and ate some wild berries. They were soon continuing the journey. “You are not that bad Aiden. But you are not good either. I still 44

mean all the actions and comments I said earlier yesterday.” She followed Aiden to put out the fire with a pail of spring water. They walked through bushes and trees to find the exit. When they found the exit, they stepped out of the woods and into the fresh air of Zariya Kingdom. They both sighed. It had been a long journey and they were finally home. Brynn could see the castle and Aiden could see the Memorial Village. They stepped into the marketplace and people scrambled around, just like in the other village. People with baskets of bread had gone up to many people advertising. When Brynn stepped into the marketplace, all eyes were on her. They clapped and cheered for her return. Brynn curtsied and she and Aiden made it to the castle gates. Guards moved aside so they could enter. They finally made it to the throne room and the king, queen, and prince were all fiddling with their thrones, stroking the colored velvet. Queen Iris jumped out of her throne and so did Prince Philip and King Isaiah. They ran over to Brynn and wrapped her in a huge hug. “Where have you been Brynn? Your silk minidress is torn, shredded, ripped!” Queen Iris said dramatically. “I would be the one torn into pieces if it weren’t for this little village boy, Aiden. He lives in the Memorial Village right down the stone path! He is a great leader and an even better friend. For rescuing me, I’d say we give his family a million gold coins! He deserves it. And so does his family for raising such an amazing young man.” Brynn said. Her parents thought it over for a while then said yes and gave Aiden a pouch of coins for his family. “I am forever grateful. But I can’t accept this. I don’t deserve it.” Aiden said bowing. “You do deserve it. For all you have done for me and my family.” Brynn said. He knew his family would be very proud of him. Aiden fiddled with the coin pouch in his hands and thought to himself, “What if I never see her again? What if our friendship ends? After all we have been through?” Aiden thought. “Listen Aiden, I changed my ways all because of you. You have shown me what it means to be loyal, brave, and caring. That is what makes you a true friend. You deserve these coins. You should make your family proud.” Brynn grinned at her new friend. “Father, the old woman who kidnapped me, you know her. You banished her for crimes she committed. She committed these crimes because she was poor!” Brynn said. For some reason, she sounded furious. “My sweet Brynn, if it matters all that much, I suppose I could let her back into the kingdom.” King Isiah said. “Thank you” said Brynn. “Hey little sis, when did you start caring about the people over your reputation and popularity?” Phillip asked. Brynn told him her whole story and explained the answer to his question. Aiden stared at Brynn telling the story with graceful hand motions and he knew that after all they had been through; he did not care if there was just a plain friendship. Aiden stared at Brynn again and he could tell their friendship would never end.

Something Changed By Jazmine Quinones

Chapter 1

I was just a little girl when I saw something I had never seen before, something strange and odd. I felt like someone was watching me. “It's been happening for days,” I thought, “and I haven't figured out anything yet.” I wondered where my parents were. “They haven't come home for 3 days, and I haven't seen any cars in the driveway.” I wondered if I was alone, or if someone was coming to my house. I felt a presence. But not of someone dead, someone alive, or someone trying to hurt me, trying to put me in harm’s way. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it. Someone's close, or something, I don't know what it is yet and it's making me wonder. Am I alone?

Chapter 2

I thought I was going crazy at first. I really did. “A few days have passed, and my parents are still not home. I don't know if I should call the cops, or if I should just keep calm.” I called and texted them, but they hadn’t answered. “It’s scaring me. I'm freaking out. I don't know if I should call anyone, but I still feel like something is in the house, or someone. I need to figure it out. My heart is pounding. I'm sweating. I have cuts and bruises that I don't know where they came from. There's blood on my wall, and I see Shadows of something that I've never seen in my life. I haven't been alone for this long, because my mom is always scared to leave me alone. She doesn't know what’s going to happen, and now I understand why. I don't know if this house is haunted. I just feel like something is watching me. I feel the presence of someone or something, but they're not dead. It's the presence of someone alive. I shake every single time I go to sleep. I feel tired every night because I wake up at 46

midnight, and I don't go back to sleep. Is it just me, or am I going crazy? I think I need to call someone.”

Chapter 3

I felt my heart racing and my palms getting sweatier. I could feel someone looking over my shoulder. I turned around and... no one's there. I smelled gasoline and went downstairs to see if the stove was on. It was! So I turned it off but...I hadn't come downstairs. I hadn’t turned on the stove. I checked the security cameras to see if anyone or anything was in my house. I kind of felt safe because I had something there to see if I was going to be harmed. I connected it to my phone, but it wasn’t working. I couldn’t see anything. “Why is it pitch black?” Suddenly, a video popped up! I couldn’t get out of it. I pushed my home button but it didn’t work so I played the video. It was a video of my parents, bruised and bleeding. The only thing I wanted to do was help them but I couldn't. I felt my heart pumping out of my chest. I felt myself fall. I woke up in a room. I was scared but it was just a dream. I woke up crying and my heart was pounding. I texted my best friend and told her everything, and I cried.

The Great White North By: Logan Eide

As I close my eyes and feel the wind around my campsite, I feel the true beauty of the Great White North. It’sJanuary and I'm in my bed at my camp, 647 miles off the settlement of Yellowknife, Northwest Territory, Canada.. We Had Come here from Wisconsin after much painstaking effort by my poor mother. We arrived in Canada after many attempts by my mother and father to find somewhere to live. Their desperate ambition to give us a safe home permitted the wounds they received from their encounters with the world cry out in protest and anguish. As my grandparents tried to hold them back,my parents said,“no” to the dancing fingers of my grandmother navigating her crochet needle; “no” to the throttle of my grandfather's explosives pleas; and “no” to the voice of their own apprehension. They first moved to Wisconsin where my father acquired a job as a coal miner. One day there was a cave-in which killed my father. He had lagged behind saving a 13-year-old, instead of himself. Three days later the boy came to live with us. Shortly after my father’s death, we left with the boy for Yellowknife, Canada. Where we arrived at our current camp. At the camp, my mother told me I was to marry a Romanov prince for money. But over time, I grew fond of the boy, and told my mother that I would never marry anyone other than him. At first, I didn’t even know his name, until one day he randomly said, “My name is Casper.” “My name is Clara,” I replied. Back then, we told each other everything; however, nowadays we don’t talk to each other much and when we do, all he says to me is,” How may I help you?” I never answer. Now all I do with Casper alone is ice fishing and all he says is” Clara, I got one.” Today we are out there on the ice again, when he does something he had never done; he talked to me. At first I didn’t even attempt to listen, I just stared into his eyes which were a deep green like the trees around us. Mine are a pale ice blue like the frozen sea. As we walk home to my cabin, we smell the inexpressible aroma of freshly cooked salmon right off the grill. Casper went over to help mother cook,but I decided to go set the table because I wanted to getas far away from him as possible. I did this because I was a little dazedathimtalkingtomeandstilldidn’t understand why he hadn’t done it sooner. The next morning at breakfast we had one of the biggest arguments of my life. Casper wanted us to leave Canada for his home country Mexico. I didn’t want to go and my mother objected, fearing for my life during the journey. I myself to this day do not know why I didn’t want to go. Casper and my mother argued for about ten more minutes when he got up and left. Before I could stop him, he had gone into the never-ending abyss of the Great White North. I stared out until nightfall thinking of his ravishing eyes but then I heard what I had been dreading: the cry of a boy and the howl of a wolf. I fell into an uneasy sleep. The next day, Iate my moose fat and berries, left the house, and set off to find Casper. It started to snow, and soon there was a great blizzard. I turned around to go, but it was too late; the frozen storm had enveloped everything with its wrath. I ran as fast as I could to get back to

the cabin but the storm was going to get to me first. Out of the white, I saw a light and the next thing I knew I woke up saying,”what happened?” And then my heart skipped. Sitting in front of me was none other than Casper Cabrillo Vizcaino. He was staring at me and I stared back. There was a fire crackling in a pit next to a small tent and an old man. At first, I thought that the old man was dead but then he stirred saying,” Casper you never said anything about a girl.” Casper flushed a warm pink that was visible even in the twinkling snow around us. The next morning, the storm ceased and Casper and I departed. I couldn’t believe that I was headed for Mexico and I was nervous, but with Casper by my side, I felt like I had done this countless times before. It took several months to reach Mexico. We first had to encounter the overwhelming endeavor of crossing the Great lakes. All there was in front of us was a tiny old rowboat. We clambered into the old boat and launched our two day journey carefully. During the first day everything seemed fine,but it was not until the second day that something awful happened. We were rowing in the middle of the afternoon and we had run into some choppy water. I was nervous after I heard the boat creak more than once, and I reached out for Casper. The boat capsized and I fell in. I was two feet away from a colossal eel when Capser pulled me out. Over the next few weeks we hid in the back of trains starting in Chicago, and eventually crossed the Rio Grande on a rowboat to Mexico. We spent the next few weeks looking for Casper’s mother and father. At last,we came to the doorstep of the Cottage Vizcaino. Casper's father was a gruff man who didn't talk much; on the other hand, Mrs.Vizcaino was a peppy woman who loved to talk. She told me that as a welcome back party for casper she would host a fiesta. The next day, I was taking a stroll around the block,took a turn into an alleyway, and saw a sight that made my heart crumble. Casper was entwined in a close embrace with someone I had never seen before; he was kissing her fiercely. After what seemed like hours, they broke apart. Finally seeing me there, Casper looked very shocked. After a few seconds,heran. At dinner he did not return. The next day, however, he came back, explaining to his tearful mother that he had been at his girlfriend's house. A few days later, when I came downstairs to get a glass of water, I saw Casper carrying a box. The box revealed a sterling silver ring with an almond sized Mexican turquoise wrapped in a setting of rose gold. I sank into the nearest chair as a heavy blanket of anguish swept over me. That night, Mrs.Vizcaino heard the news Casper was engaged to his girlfriend, Kesha. The next morning I saw Casper packing his things and moving to his new house with Kesha. Secretly, I followed him there, keeping to the shadows as this way he did not see me. The next morning, I got all of my possessions, stopped for coffee,and met a travel guide. Together we set off for weeks of grueling travel until at last arriving at my old doorstep. And that is where I am to this day- the Great White North.

The Toy Kingdom By: Jayden Choi

I am writing this because my dear friends, Slinky, Rubiks, The Lego Army, and General George has persuaded me to write this adventure from top to bottom. My name is Jason. I’m proud to say I have an adventure that you probably didn’t. If my memory is correct, this whole once-in-a-lifetime experience started on one morning. It was a special morning. My very birthday. When I woke up, I was very excited. Most kids would be really thrilled if it was their birthday. It started as a normal birthday. I opened my presents. I got lots of toys such as a Slinky, Rubiks Cubes, Lego sets, but best of all, the Military Minifigures playset. The Military Minifigures playset has over 50 Soldiers. It was painted in green. It also includes a big military base ,which said in bold words “Area 51”, to put all your minifigures in. It was painted in dark brown. They also include a general to lead all of the Minifigures. General George is that general. He was wearing a green suit. After I opened my presents, I ran as fast as a cheetah back to my room. I played with the Military set all day. I didn’t touch General George for a while. When I realized he was just standing there, saluting, I realized I needed to play with him, too. The second I got my hands on him, the room started spinning. All of a sudden, I was right next to General George. Except he was the size of a grown man! “We’re under attack! Arm the cannons!” He firmly said, while I was recovering from shock. It wasn’t just the soldiers who reacted to the General’s warning. All the toys in my room reacted. All the colorful toys came falling out of their boxes. The blocks stacked up in a sturdy arrangement. General George jumped on the blocks. “Cars, you go and distract the furniture! The Legos will shoot their guns!” After the General gave his instructions, the toys did as told. “Hey! Boy! You go with Slinky!” The General shouted at me,” “General! You’ve got some explaining to do!” I snapped back. “I just got you! The whole time I did have you I was supervising you! Why are all my toys just suddenly following your orders?” I shouted. “I’ll explain! I used to be your favorite toy, Dr. Drake! One day, you were playing with me, and my arm fell off! I got re- re- recycled. I got shredded to pieces. A couple years later, I turned into this whole new guy! I was strapped to this uncomfortable box. Then I was picked up, and before I knew it, I was wrapped up and couldn’t see a thing. Then, a week later, I got unwrapped and I was being of use! Apparently I still remembered the toys and they remembered me,” The General explained. “Yes. I’ll do anything for Dr. Drake,” I replied. I hopped onto the Slinky. He was really fast! Not just colorful, but fast too! Then about five chairs bursted through the door. One of them had paint slowly chipping, so the other chairs called him Chippy. The next one was painted blue, yellow, and red. Blue, yellow, and red are the primary colors so they called him Primy. Two of them had a broken leg taped back on so they called them the Broken Brothers. The last one was painted silver and seemed to lead the other four, so they called him the Iron Boss. “Chippy! Go wreck the Car Racers!” Iron Boss commanded. Chippy smashed the wheels off the cars, and he flipped them over. They were hopeless and couldn’t get back up.

GROUP 3, ages 14-18

Maia Tumbokon age 13 Colorful Faces Under the Same Sky

Fern Forest By: Juillian Beta Drews

Arlo hummed idly as he wandered through Fern Forest, currently avoiding his chores. He was looking for clover patches but it was just as interesting to watch the ferns that the woods were named after sway in the gentle winds. He kicked the rock as he went, not quite paying attention to where he was going; however he quickly halted as the rock bounced off a circle of mushrooms. A faerie circle He thought, panicked. He backed away and fell down in his rush, looking around to discover that he was much deeper in the woods than he previously thought. Faerie circles were dangerous, they were the only places one of the fae could always appear; in the rest of the world they could enter the human realm at special times such as the fall harvest. He was in danger just being in the same woods. His eyes jumped back to the circle and discovered a faerie standing there, unsurprisingly. Surprisingly however it was smaller than he'd been told faeries were. Why was it so small? The faerie looked him over, golden eyes sharp as flint with curly black hair and freckles dotting its skin. It frowned, long pointed ears flicking down, and stated "He,". "What?" His eyes scrunched up in confusion. "I'm a boy, same as you, it's he. Not it," It- he replied. "Faeries can be boys?" He blurted, before he could stop himself; faeries had turned humans to stone for rudeness before and here he was in the middle of the woods insulting one. Anger danced in his eyes before giving way to amusement. He leaned forward, nearly over the edge of the circle, Arlo jumped up, prepared to run. "I'm not small by the way, just young. Most fair folk are ages old," He rolled his eyes and turned to look at the rest of the forest. Arlo felt his ears and face turn red, he hadn't meant to make the comment about him being small outloud. He should've already tried to run, after all it was very difficult for a faerie to leave the faerie circles when it wasn't a special time but he felt something compelling him to stay here and talk to this strange fae boy. The faerie turned back to him and smirked, sharp feline teeth glinting in the light. He stood at the very edge of the circle and all but purred "What's your name?", holding out his hand. Arlo could be stupid but he wasn't that stupid. Everyone, even kids, knew that giving a faerie your name meant literally giving them your name, placing you in their service forever. He desperately tried to remember anything that would help. He blurted "Tell me yours and I will!". Oh god what did he just say?! The faerie's eyes widened for just a second before he resumed his amused expression. "Well," and he looked into his eyes, paralyzing Arlo, "I won't give you my real name but you may call me Cara,".

Arlo's head whipped around as he heard his father calling his name, he'd been out too long. He heard Cara remark that he'd better hurry lest he get in trouble and started to run. He stopped remembering he'd told Cara he'd tell him his name if he reciprocated. Cara had only given a nickname but any words exchanged with a fae were binding. He yelled behind him "You can call me Fern!" and ran towards his dad's voice. ~ Arlo struggled not to groan as Nóirín walked towards him. She was the girl his father and grandmother wanted him to marry, although he couldn't be any less interested in her. She smiled and leaned against the side of his house, watching him cart buckets of crops from the field where they were up to the house and loading them into the horse cart for selling. He took a break after the last one before moving onto his other chores, leaning against the house a bit away from her; he felt sweat soaking his red hair and running down his back. She walked towards him and lightly grazed his arm, looking into his eyes. He remembered how intense it had been when Cara had done the same and noticed how apathetic he felt about Nóirín doing it. "Why don't you take a break and talk to me? You've been working all day and I haven't seen you in ages!" She joked and politely waited for an answer, warm smile on her face. "I actually have to go to Fern Forest and do something-" He stumbled and stood up, suddenly desperate to be anywhere but here. "Do what?" She sounded incredulous, and for good reason considering the woods didn't have anything much of use and was awfully dangerous. He forced a grin and replied "I heard someone say they saw some wolves roaming around the edge, and ever since Mr. Néill's sheep went missing I've been worried something would happen to ours. I wanna make sure they aren't near the farm,". Nóirín looked at him sympathetically and smiled before saying "You always were the adventurous type Arlo, go off and have fun then!". He promised to before running off to the woods, he'd catch hell from his father if he caught him leaving with only half his chores done. He made his way to Fern Forest and started wandering through it again, mind wandering as well. He caught himself thinking about Cara more than he'd like to admit and soon enough he froze as he heard a slightly familiar laugh. He turned and saw Cara standing in the very same faerie circle "Back are you?" He smirked, eyebrow raised "Did you miss me that much 'Fern?'". "I missed you about as much as I'd miss a headache!" Arlo shot back Cara laughed and said "Don't you know insulting a fae is dangerous?" And gave him a fanged open mouth smile. Arlo couldn't help but stare at his long pointed teeth, he felt heat rushing to his face and wasn't sure why. "See something you like?" Cara purred, closing his mouth. Arlo felt even more heat rush to his face and he snorted, "In your dreams!" Cara's ears flicked towards him "Maybe mine, but definitely in yours," and smiled.

Arlo just huffed, still blushing, and leaned against a tree near the faerie circle. What was he doing here? Flirting with a faerie? Why? He had a perfectly good girl to flirt with at home, but the thought of flirting with Nóirín like he had Cara seemed impossible and made his stomach turn. "In all seriousness," Cara began "Why ARE you here? I'm curious?". Arlo searched his face for any hint of mockery, finding only an earnest desire to know. Arlo fidgeted before answering in a low voice, "Avoiding a suitor…". "Ah," Cara said sympathetically, "Not interested in them I assume? It's very saddening to have to turn down potential lovers but it's necessary,". He sat down and crossed his legs, before picking some of the flowers in the circle and beginning to weave them together. Arlo snorted "If I turned her down I wouldn't be let out of the house for a month my dad would be so angry," He paused, sighing "And I've already turned down so many girls, this is the last one in town I could marry,". Cara looked up and cocked an eyebrow, golden eyes sparkling with curiosity "What would happen if you turned her down? Or if she turned you down?", then continued weaving. "I'd have to leave the village and go to the next nearest one over, Balgriffin and marry a girl there. And considering how unlikely it is her parents would let her leave or that mine would want me back after messing up so much, I'd have to stay there instead of here," Arlo replied leaning his head back against the tree and closing his eyes, suddenly exhausted. He wondered how he would feel if he did leave. He'd probably miss the forest, he knows it so well and he wouldn't have nearly enough time after getting married to explore the forests near Balgriffin. He didn't think he'd miss anyone all that much, he wasn't exactly friends with anyone in town. He was surprised as he realized just how much he'd miss Cara though, after only having seen him twice. He opened his eyes when he felt someone staring at him and saw Cara intently gazing at him, causing Cara to blush and clear his throat. "Well," Cara said "I'm very sorry you find yourself in such a situation, perhaps you'll grow to like her-" He set down a finished ring of small flowers, all light yellow and blue, as close to the outside of the circle as he could "-in the meantime maybe this will help, it's a gift by the way, no repayment needed,". He then inched back from the ring to give Arlo space. Arlo cautiously reached in to grab it, wary of any faerie tricks. He retrieved it without incident however and slipped it on, feeling energized. "Thanks," Arlo said "Cara,". Cara immediately grinned and began talking again. They talked for hours, just until the sun was beginning to lower. Cara's ears perked up before he grinned teasingly "Better run home little boy, lest a faerie steal you away,". Arlo huffed, smiling and replied "He can try all he likes!" before bidding Cara goodbye and turning away, heading home. He knew as soon as he stepped in the door he was in for it. 54

He took his time getting back and finally stepped in the door well after sunset. He internally sighed as his dad began to yell at him and stood still, making sure he paid attention, or at least looked like he was. "Not only did you abandon all your chores for today, which I could understand if you went with Nóirín heavens only knows you don't spend any time with the girl, you went off and mucked around in the woods again!" He yelled, eyes filled with anger. "Sorry father," Arlo mumbled, wishing he was still in the woods with Cara. His father huffed and pointed to the door "Finish your chores then go to bed," and before turning away he carefully said “”And I better not catch you in those woods again Arlo”, the threat evident in his voice. Arlo suppressed a shiver and headed outside. ~ Arlo grumbled under his breath as he walked, coin bag and empty basket in hand. He rubbed at the dark circles under his eyes and stopped to rest. His father had been running him ragged ever since that day he had left his chores, making him work until the moon was high in the sky every night and having him do the long trek to the market one town over on foot while their horse was sick. He had just been there, selling a basket of recent crops. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see Cara’s back. He was staring the way Arlo usually entered the Forest, towards his house. He found himself distracted by how Cara’s freckles continued across his neck, he was able to see his shoulders where his leaf green tunic dipped lower than the other shoulder. Arlo grinned and said “Not everyday I get to surprise a faerie!”. Cara jumped up in shock and turned to look at Arlo; his face was bright red and he looked very embarassed to have been caught waiting for Arlo. Arlo grinned and sat down across from him, “”Any news from the faerie world today then?”. They had been meeting at least once a day, usually only for a few minutes’ despite the brevity of their meets however Arlo had felt himself grow closer and closer to Cara, who himself seemed to be growing closer to Arlo. Cara huffed and opened his mouth to speak before he stopped, his bright eyes turned in the direction of town and Arlo looked behind him as he saw the bushes and leaves around the clearing rustle. He stiffened and shot up as Nóirín entered the clearing. Oh no. Nóirín gasped “What are you doing with a faerie?”. “Nóirín it’s not what you think,” He began “Cara isn’t any more dangerous than anyone in the village-” “You’ve gone mad!” Nóirín wailed, “I’ve got to tell your father!” and dashed off. “Nóirín wait!” Arlo said and reached to grab her, but he was too slow, the end of her dress disappearing into the brush. He moaned and sat down, he’d definitely be forced to go to Balgriffin now. The thought of leaving Cara and the Forest pierced his heart. “Nycteris,” “What?” Arlo asked, still reeling. 55

He took a breath and shakily said “My name is Nycteris”. Arlo’s eyes widened and he gaped “Why are you telling me this?”. “I want you to trust me before I tell you something” Nycteris responds, pausing before continuing “I can help you stay here, but you’d have to come to the faerie realm with me,” The faerie realm? But once a human entered there they could never go back, its magic prevented them. Arlo voiced this concern, and Nycteris responded “You can once you have magic! I can give you magic while you’re there and you could come back here, and since anyone with magic can summon a faerie, you could see me where-ever you go!”. Magic? He’d heard all his life that witches were bad but, well, he’d also heard faeries were dangerous and look where he was now. God and the thought of leaving Nycteris was awful. “Okay” He said, “What do we need to do?”. Nycteris grinned and said “I can bring you to the faerie realm with me through the ring at midnight on a full moon, thankfully tonight is one,” He continued “Come here at midnight and I’ll take you away,”. Arlo nodded and took a slow breath, before stepping forward and cupped Nycteris’ face, he sharply inhaled and Arlo leaned forward, gently kissing him. Nycteris stilled before leaning into the kiss; they pulled away shortly after and looked at eachother. Nycteris grinned “Fell for my irresistible faerie charm did you?”. Arlo snorted and told him to shut up and that he’d see Nycteris tonight before turning around. He paused and said, “And by the way, it’s Arlo,” and walked out of the clearing, anticipating midnight.

Last Night I Dreamed of You By: Claire Diepenbrock

Last night I had a dream. You and I walked down the paved driveway, which circled your orchard. An array of oranges, plump and ready to pick whenever the urge arose. The house was beautiful. Red brick with white pillars. Wide in width and decently sized, with the dark side-alley that seemed to have eyes watching us, it was a classic Hollywood home. I was always afraid of that alley. The sky was so purple, I saw its reflection on your face. You were luminescent that night. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the fence, about seven feet tall and covered in ivy. Green, muted ivy. The white home next door peeked over at us, nosily seeking for a glance of anything, everything. At the end of the driveway, the little light post that stood by the red mailbox laughed. Yellow light in comparison to this yellow memory. You smiled, and gave into that light. The edges of your crinkling eyes blurred. You sunk that day, deeper and deeper, drowning in yourself. But still you smiled, looking down, looking away, and not meeting my eyes. Or maybe it was me who was sinking, and you who was drowning me. I guess it depends on the side of the story, doesn’t it? I guess I forget the details. I pleaded you then to look at me. I begged. You weren’t moving. We weren’t moving. We weren’t in our heads that day. I wasn’t in my head. But we walked on, side by side. You tortured me with your eyes. It was as if I was screaming, but my mouth wasn’t moving. I pounded on your back, scraping your flesh, leaving the red marks that would haunt me for years. But no, I wasn’t moving. I wasn’t pounding or yelling or fighting the irresistible urge to shake you to your senses to show you that you had to snap out of it. To show myself I had the power to control you is as if I was trying to control a train rumbling at me, going a million miles faster than I had ever been. I believe, in fact, that I was smiling, and walking alongside you. The apples of my cheeks were rosy, and light was shooting out from my fingertips. I laughed something fake. A musical piece that wasn’t meant to be mine. It wasn’t me. That wasn’t me. The real me was in my head. Trying to get something to you was like being in a box filling with water, spurting through the cracks of the wood. Slowly I was drowning, slowly the water was rising. I can still see it, though. The glow we had, the light we were illuminating. I can see the beautiful place where we were, where I dreamed of what once was. The faded stars behind your mess of brown hair, who were begging to get a better look as the night fell across the hills. The brick behind us glowing, beckoning us with open arms, even though we walked towards the unseen street. Where were we going? Only the leaves that circled each other, gathered in the air with the wind, only they know. Dancing through my hair, swirling up to meet our loved ones in the sky. They know, too. They met with them that night and, laughing, they had a ball in the sky. Champagne was toasted and gloved hands were taken to move as one with the song gushing from an unseen piano, keys swirling together in tandem, the stars and the spirits holding hands in a dance in loving memory of us. The purple surrounding them, they sat on a cloud after the music had finished playing. They looked down on us together, laughing because we knew not of what was coming next, but they did. They had already read our book from cover to cover, epilogue and all. They read the dedicated to, because they knew who would leave and who would stay. They knew who would become

forgotten, who would reach beyond their own self and stupidly fall in love. They watched us and laughed at the mistake we would make, the mistake you would make. They had read through Chapter VII and saw the woods ahead; they were but a yellow ochre and a mystery at that. We were still stuck in the circled driveway, though, with the oranges teasing us and whispering to us thoughts of sweet and tangy melancholy. We were planets apart that night. A foot between us, barely, but planets apart. I remember seeing the outline of my eyes, two cave entrances into a tunnel into my being. It was as if I had sunk into my head and was falling into myself, faster and further than I had intended to. I was still screaming, even as I saw the leaves dance with the stars, the stars sharing the yellow light, the yellow light laughing with the home with the open arms, the oranges whispering to the eyes in the alleyway, who nudged the white house next door with their glances of urgency. They all said the same thing to each other: “Tragic, isn’t it my friends. When they don’t see. Maybe it’s worse for us, because we can see. I wish I wasn’t seeing this one. She hasn’t the slightest hint. She’ll hold the flowers to her heart, and she will continue on, lifting the petals off of the floor which have fallen, offering them back to the dirt to grow again. The lilies in her garden will thank her later, for their love grows from sadness, as hers does too.” If I had heard this sooner, I wouldn’t be here. Sitting with you, laying with you. I feel the grass under my fingertips, the light that once was streaming from them now oozes out black. We are no longer planets away. The distance has been closed to merely six feet! How pleasing. It wasn’t a dream I had when I dreamt of you, it was a nightmare. And it wasn’t when I was sleeping, it was when I was wide awake. Years ago, and I still remember that night. The last time I saw your eyes, how you never told me you loved me but with that smile of yours I could guess, I remember each breath of it. I can remember your chest rising and falling, doing so beautifully as it once did. A rhythm of life underneath the surface. I thought you should know that I remember. But now here I am, and now I have to go. The lilies on your grave are molting, and it’s time to go pick new ones from the garden I grew at our home, that red brick with the white pillars you loved so.

Image by Eddy De Los Rios

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