Teen Zine Spring 2014

Honk! Honk! Honk!

Table of Contents

Cover – Dessa Leonard

Nightmare on Realm Street – Taylor Bradley

Doodle – Dessa Leonard

Beat of Angel’s Wings (Part 3) – Dessa Leonard

Piggy – Dessa Leonard

We Love Invader Zim – Dessa Leonard

Breakfast Face – Taylor Bradley

Nightmare on Realm Street (Imaginary Frenemies #5) – by Taylor Bradley

The three friends watched in horror as the monster called The Stepmom rode down the street on Andrew’s obnoxious Harley Davidson. Andrew was across the street screaming, “Granny! What did you do with my ride?!?” “What is he talking about?” Molly asked. “Can’t he see it’s been stolen?” “Nope.” Polly said. “Nightmares only come out at night. She’s invisible to everyone but us, because we’ve been in the Realm. So because the Stepmom is on the motorcycle, it’s invisible too.” “So we have until nightfall to prepare ourselves.” Ace said. “For what?” Molly asked. “The Stepmom.” Polly told her. “Once it gets dark, she’ll be on the prowl.” “Prowl for what?!?” Molly said, getting agitated. “What is she gonna do?” “Nightmares hunt at night.” Ace said grimly. “And once the sun goes down, every imaginary friend in town will be on her menu.” “Nightmares feed on imaginary friends.” Polly said darkly. “We need to get ready. It’s already noon.” “What happens when she runs out of imaginary friends?” Molly said. “Not that she’s going to.” She added quickly. “But…if she did.” “She’d start feeding on the next closest thing,” Ace said. “Humans.” “So…once it gets dark, she’ll attack us?” “Yes.” Ace clapped his hands. “So, if anyone needs me, I’ll be hiding in the nearest closet.” He started walking away. Polly stepped in front of him. “Oh, no you don’t. If we fight Stepmom, then so do you.” Ace gently moved her out of the way. “Polly, I love you to pieces, but right now, I’m way too scared to fight. So good luck, and I hope you don’t get eaten.” He walked into the hall. “Okay,” Polly said in a sneaky way. “If you want to be a chicken and hide like a baby, that’s fine. I’ll just call Domino then. Maxine’s imaginary friend. Her male imaginary friend.” Maxine Jenkins was Molly’s best human friend. She also had an imaginary friend named Domino, who was black like a shadow and covered in white spots. Ace stopped walking away but didn’t turn around. “I’m sure Domino would protect me.” Polly continued. “He’ll take that Stepmom down easy-cheesy. He’s so brave and strong and manly. Unlike people hiding in closets.” Ace still didn’t turn. “If he knew Stepmom was loose, he’d be hiding too.” Polly sighed, but still had a sneaky tone in her voice. “You’re right. We’re doomed. Stepmom will come and kill us all. Except the gray boy in the closet, I’m sure he’ll be safe. But Molly and I are sure to lose the fight. You’ll be all alone again.” That got Ace to look over his shoulder. Polly was making this extra dramatic. “If only we had a brave, strong, imaginary friend to save us! Someone who was brave enough to stop the Mummy, Boogieman, Dust bunny, and Hairball. But alas, he’s too scared to fight for his girl.” Polly sighed heavily. Mummy, Dust bunny, Hairball, and Boogieman were the other monsters besides Stepmom that were in Nightmare Realm Thirteen. They’d stopped them using a flashlight and dream catcher. Ace was about to take the bait, now all Polly had to do was reel him back in. “But, hey, if you’re too scared to help us, well then, maybe you should just go back to Andrew.” Polly winked at Molly; knowing that her plan would work. “Now hold on a second!” Ace yelled, marching back into Molly’s room. He walked up to Polly and scolded, “I may not be the bravest guy imagined, but I’m no chicken! I had to deal with Andrew Wolf for years, and that says something! I beat four monsters with only a stupid flashlight! I can take the Stepmom down better than Domino with one gray hand tied behind my back! I’m not scared of her! And we’re not doomed because I have a plan! So there!” He grinned proudly, until he realized that Polly had tricked him. “You used my own ego against me.” Polly nodded. “So, let’s hear about this plan of yours.” Ace groaned. “Fine. We’re not going to be able to stop Stepmom with just the three of us.” Within half an hour, Maxine and Domino had arrived. “So let me get this straight,” Maxine said. “We have to fight an evil nightmare called Stepmom, or were all doomed?” “That about sums it up.” Molly told her. She turned and looked at Ace. “What’s next?”

“There’s still one person we need.” He said. “Who?” Polly asked. “Molly’s mom?” “No. Someone else.” Ace’s voice sounded far away. Molly looked at him and understood. “Do you mean…?” “Yes.” Ace said. “We need muscle, but without the brains to go along. We need someone ruthless. Who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. Who never backs out of a brawl. We need…Andrew.” “What?” Polly shrieked. “He’s the one who got us in this mess! If he hadn’t put us in Nightmare Realm Thirteen, this wouldn’t be happening!” “Look,” Ace admitted. “I don’t like Andrew any more than you do. In fact, I probably hate him more. But right now, we need someone with the strength that we lack. You and Molly have the brains. Maxine has the smart- aleckyness, and so do I. And Domino…?” “I have the awesomeness.” Domino said. “Uh…sure. Let’s go with that.” Ace continued. “All that’s left is the muscle. And, unfortunately, that means Andrew.” “But,” Polly started, but by the look on Ace’s face, she knew there was no use arguing. “Okay.” “I’ll agree on one condition.” Molly told him. “If he hits on me, I can slap him, right?” “If you don’t, I will.” Ace vowed. Molly, Ace, and Polly walked across the street to Andrew’s front door. He lived with his grandmother. Ace and Polly were invisible to everyone but Molly, Domino, and Maxine. Molly knocked. A short, wrinkled, kind old woman opened the door. “Hello, Monica. How nice to see you again. I noticed you haven’t come over as much since my grandson moved in. Is something the matter?” “Hi, Miss Wolf.” Molly said, not bothering to correct her about her name. “No, nothing’s wrong. In fact, I actually need to see Andrew, if that’s okay.” “Of course! Come in, come in child.” Miss Wolf smiled. “He’s in the basement, probably lifting weights again.” “Thanks Miss Wolf.” Molly walked down the stairs to the basement. Just as she’d said, Andrew was lying on a bench lifting a large weight. To her horror, he was shirtless. Andrew was counting how many times he’d lifted the weight. “Sixty-five…Sixty-six…Sixty-seven….uhh…what comes next?” Molly started to walk up to him, but Ace grabbed her shoulder. “I got this.” He insisted. “Are you sure?” Molly whispered. Ace nodded. “Okay, just be careful.” “Relax,” he said. “To him, I’m invisible. I’m like a ghost. Or a ninja.” He made a karate pose, then lost his footing and almost fell backwards. Not his best move. Ace approached Andrew, who still hadn’t figured out his next number was sixty-eight. He picked up a large twenty pound weight and added it to the other weights on the left side. Andrew couldn’t handle it and it pinned his left arm down. Then, Ace did the same to the other side. Andrew was immobilized. “Hey!” Andrew yelled. “What’s going on?” Ace looked down at Andrew and snapped his fingers, making him visible. “HOW DID YOU GET OUT OF THE REALM?!?” Andrew growled. “There’s one thing you need to learn, Andrew: In the poker game of life, nothing beats the Ace. Not even the king.” Ace smirked. “Why you little fool! You survive the Realm, and you still think you can stop me? That’s a death sentence!” Andrew yelled. “Clearly you need to be reminded of a few things: 1: I can only die if I get on the wrong side of a nightmare, so your threat means nothing to me. And 2: This little fool came from your little mind.” Ace grinned. Andrew struggled to get the weight off of him. “Why you little…Well, don’t just stand there!” Andrew barked. “Help me up!” “Why? You haven’t been very nice to me lately.” Ace said. Andrew growled. “When I get this hunk of metal off of me, you’re in for it!” “You mean if you get it off of you.” Ace teased. “Face it, Drew. You need my help. Say it.” “Oh, sure, Ace. I’ll say it.” Andrew said sarcastically. “When pigs fly!”

Ace started to walk away. “Okay. I hope that old lady gets that off you in the next few years.” Andrew sighed with anger. “Fine.” He clenched his teeth, and out of the side of his mouth mumbled. “I need your help.” But it sounded more like “My meed yer melp.” Ace turned around and put his hand to his ear. “Sorry. I didn’t quite catch that.” “I need your help.” Andrew said a little more understandable. Ace took the extra weights off. “Now was that so painful?” Ace mocked. “Excruciating.” Andrew hissed. He got up and cracked his knuckles. “But, at least I can bust your nose.” Ace calmly put his hand up in front of him. “And you’ll probably do whatever it takes to do that someday. But, I helped you, so now you have to help me.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Andrew seethed. Molly walked up to Ace and stared straight at Andrew. “A monster called Stepmom is on the loose. If we don’t stop her, she’ll destroy every imaginary friend, and human. We need your help to stop her.” Andrew laughed. “So you two think that just because you trapped me under a few weights that I’m gonna help you save the day?” Polly snapped her fingers and joined Ace and Molly. “Actually, there are three of us.” “Not on your life.” Andrew started to walk up the stairs, but Molly had anticipated this. She turned the corner and called over to Andrew, “She stole your bike.” “WHAT???” Andrew marched back down the stairs. “For the record, it’s not a bike, it’s a Harley Davidson. There’s a difference.” He grumbled. “So you’re in?” Ace asked. Andrew walked up to him. “This is a one-time thing. This is strictly about getting my Harley. I don’t care if you die. I don’t care if you get eaten. And even if you survive, one day, somehow, I will destroy you.” Ace stuck out his hand. “Truce?” “’Til we get my bike back.” “I thought you said it wasn’t a bike.” Molly chimed. Andrew ignored her and spat on his hand. Ace did the same and they shook hands. “Ew!” Polly shrieked. “Why would you do that?” “It’s a thing we used to do.” Ace explained. “My mom always thought I was crazy when I shook hands with nothing.” Andrew added. “Great.” Molly said. “So, now that we’ve taken a stroll down memory lane, I believe we have a crisis on our hands.” “Yeah,” Polly said. “In the form of a cannibalistic stepmom.” “Right.” Ace said, staring at Andrew. “We should probably stop her. As a…team.” Andrew’s eyes were also glued to Ace. It was almost as if they were having a battle to see who the bigger man was. By…staring at each other. “Guys,” Polly clapped her hands. “Seriously, it’s almost 2:30. The Stepmom will come at nightfall. We need to get ready.” “Right.” Said both boys. So, that’s how a miracle happened. Andrew and Ace were in the same room and weren’t trying to strangle one another. After Andrew put a shirt on, the four of them awkwardly walked over to Molly’s house. Maxine walked up to Molly and whispered. “Wow, I didn’t think Ace would make it out of there with all four limbs attached. How did it happen?” “There were weights, bikes, and boy spit.” Molly explained. “What?” Maxine said. “Boys are weird.” Molly concluded. “So,” Polly asked, “what’s the next step of your plan, Ace?” Ace looked at Andrew. “Remember the time when Old Lady Bergenson went on that cruise, and we loaded her house with a bunch of booby traps?” “Yeah,” Andrew snickered. “She came running out of that house screaming, covered in mud and feathers. That’s an image you don’t forget.”

“Well today,” Ace picked up a large bag of unused water balloons, “we’re going to pretend that Stepmom is Old Lady Bergenson.” “Let me get this straight.” Molly said. “You want to rig my house with a bunch of traps and pranks?” “Exactly.” Molly thought about this. Her mom was on a business trip and wouldn’t be back until dinnertime tomorrow, so that wasn’t a problem. Andrew and Ace didn’t appear to want to murder each other, also a good thing. Nothing was stopping them. “I’m in.” “Great.” Ace said. “Now we can start finding a bunch of smelly, slimy things.” “Why?” “If there one thing that ticks off a woman more than children, it’s gross, slimy things.” Ace rubbed his hands together with pleasure. “I’m not sure if I should be proud because I taught him how to prank on this level, or terrified.” Andrew said. “Both.” Ace said. “You should be both.” … “Go left, Polly.” Ace ordered. Polly was trying to put a large net on the ceiling, over a large red X on the floor. “Your other left.” “Well, excuse me if I’ve never done this before!” she snapped. “Dude, if you’re gonna date this chick, you have to teach her how to prank.” Andrew told Ace. “It’s on my to-do list.” Ace responded, not taking his eyes off Polly. “Polly, I said left.” “Your left, or mine?” Polly asked. “Mine.” Molly entered the room with an armful of ping pong paddles. “Why did you need these again?” “Because a spanking machine is nothing without paddles.” Ace advised. “A what machine?” Molly asked. “You’ll see.” Ace grinned. “You’ll see.” Maxine came into the room dripping wet. Ace forgot about Polly’s lack of direction and turned his attention to her. “Did you get those water balloons full yet?” “I would have had it done,” she croaked, “but every time I get one filled, Domino throws it at me.” “It’s not my fault you can’t catch!” Domino called from the other room. Ace groaned. “I’m surrounded by amateurs.” “Guys,” Polly said, “I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news…but it’s 4:30.” “What?” Ace crowed. “The sun will set in an hour! Stepmom’s on her way and we’re not ready!” Ace started to hyperventilate. Andrew slapped him across the face. “Knock it off!” he ordered. He turned to Molly. “Cut open every feather pillow you have and put all the feathers into a large bag. But don’t tie up the bag.” He then pointed to Maxine. “Get some mud. Lots of it. Then pour that into the feather bag, and have someone tie it up over the stair case.” He looked at Polly. “You need to make disguises. For you, Ace, and the other imaginary friend whose name escapes me right now. Make it look like you’re human. If she sees you’re imaginary, you’ll be her first targets.” “Yeah! Dress up time!” Polly cheered. She grabbed Ace and Domino and bolted up the stairs. Andrew looked at Molly. “What the heck does my imaginary friend see in your imaginary friend?” “I don’t know.” Molly replied. “You’re being oddly helpful.” “I want my motorcycle,” he said. “Right.” Molly glanced over at the ceiling, trying her best not to look at Andrew. She tried to look occupied to cut the conversation short before it got weird. Andrew started to put his arm around Molly. She quickly spun around and slapped him. “I knew it! You’re still the pig I thought you were. You don’t care about Ace! You just want your dumb bike back!” “We’ve been through this!” Andrew barked, rubbing his face where Molly hit him. “It’s not a bike! It’s a Harley Davidson! There’s a difference.” “I don’t care!” she yelled. “I don’t care about your bike! I don’t care about your pranking-strategies! And I don’t even care if we all get eaten right now! The only thing I care about is my friends! And, last time I checked, that didn’t include you! Get out of my house!”

“You know what?” he said. “I’ll just do that! But when your plans go wrong because I’m not here, you’ll be sorry. Because all of your ‘friends’ will be in the stomach of a Stepmom, and it’ll be all your fault.” He walked away and slammed the door. Molly’s fury melted away. She realized that, for once in his life, Andrew had a point. Sure, he was a total jerky pig, but he probably the only thing keeping Ace from being digested by a Nightmare. And he just walked out the door. Maybe she was a little out of control. All he did was put his arm around her. All she probably had to do was tell him to stop. She didn’t have to blow up on him. Slap, yes, blow up, no. Suddenly, she remembered the first time she met Ace. She remembered how lonely he was. Maybe, she thought, Andrew’s lonely too. All he really has is Miss Wolf, and she probably sleeps half the day. Plus, he doesn’t have friends at school. And now Ace is gone, too. Although, he probably wasn’t going to do anything with him anyway. But, maybe tormenting Ace is just his way of hanging out with him. That would also explain why he started helping us. He doesn’t want to be friends with us, but he doesn’t want to be alone either. He’s confused. Maxine came in with a large bucket of mud. “Hey, Andrew, I got the mud. What should I…Andrew?” Maxine looked at Molly. “Where’s Andrew?” “Well….” Molly explained the whole situation. “YOU KICKED HIM OUT?!?” Maxine shrieked. “It was an accident!” Molly confessed. “Well, I told him to leave, but I didn’t really mean it. I got mad.” “Dude,” Maxine yelled, “granted, he’s a jerk, but we need him.” “I know that now!” Molly retorted. “Well, then do something about it!” Maxine yelled. “What am I supposed to do?” Molly asked. “APOLOGIZE!!!” Maxine shot. Apologize? Molly thought. To Andrew? My jerky, arrogant, ex-boyfriend? Yesterday, I would have thought, ‘No way! He doesn’t deserve it.’ But now…there are lives at stake and my selfishness could doom us all. So, yes, he’s a jerk. Yes, he’s sexist. Yes, he’s the most conceited, idiotic boy I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. But, I did something wrong, and now I have to make it right. “Maxine, let’s go convince Andrew to come back.” The two walked across the street. Again, Miss Wolf opened the door. “Megan! How nice to see you. I suppose you came to see Andrew again? He’s up in his room. Second door on the right.” “Thanks Miss Wolf.” Molly and Maxine rushed up the stairs until they found a door covered with posters of monster trucks and zombies. “I’m highly disturbed.” Maxine said. Molly knocked on the door. “Go away!” Andrew yelled from inside his room. “We just wanna talk, Andrew.” Molly said to the door. “I think you’ve said enough!” Molly kicked the door. “You’re always so stubborn!” “You’re always a princess who has to get her way!” Andrew shot back. Molly growled and turned to Maxine. “This isn’t gonna work.” “Not the way you’re doing it,” she said. “What?” “Just sit back, Molly.” Maxine assured her. “I got this.” Maxine cracked the bedroom door and when inside, closing it behind her. Molly was left in the hallway. She curiously put her ear to the door. She didn’t hear the whole conversation, but she got a few pieces. “Pain in my side,” said Andrew. Molly guessed he meant her. “Under a lot of stress lately.” Maxine assured him. “Molly’s only trying to look out for Ace.” “Other pain in my side.” Andrew grumbled. “If he was a pain, then why’d you make him?” Maxine had Andrew right where she wanted him. “Got bored.” “We really could use your help.” Maxine told him. “Fine without me.” Andrew shot. The rest of the conversation was followed by whispers and murmurs. Molly moved her ear away as Maxine came out. “He’ll come back on one condition,” she said.

“What is it?” Molly asked. “I’ll do anything.” Andrew stood next to Maxine with his arms across his chest. “Say it.” “Say what?” Maxine leaned in and whispered. “He wants you to say you need his help.” “I’ll do anything except that.” Molly said. Andrew turned to Maxine. “You see what I’m talking about?” “Relax,” she told him. Andrew obeyed. Maxine looked at Molly. “He’s not asking that much. All you have to do is say ‘Andrew, I need your help.’ That’s not hard.” “Fine,” Molly grumbled. “Andrew, I need your help.” Andrew put his hand to his ear. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.” Molly sighed, and repeated more clearly this time, “Andrew, I need your help.” Andrew grinned. “I’m not saying it again.” Molly told him. “You don’t need to.” Andrew revealed a tape recorder that he’d been hiding behind his back. He pushed the play button. “Andrew, I need your help,” it repeated. Molly wanted to get mad, but she held her tongue and simply said, “You really are Ace’s creator, aren’t you?” “Well, as much as I’d like to deny it…” Maxine looked at her watch. “We have half an hour ‘til sunset. So, as much as I hate breaking up this little love fest…” “Love fest?!?” Molly and Andrew chorused. They looked at each other. “Gross!” They shrieked. “Never again.” Molly put in. “Agreed.” Andrew said. “I’m so glad I broke up with you.” “I broke up with you.” Molly corrected. “Whatever.” Part 2: Prank Party

Andrew, Molly, and Maxine were back in Molly’s house. Domino had made progress while they were gone. Four large trash cans were now filled to the brim with fat, squishy water balloons. Domino walked up to Maxine. “Glad you’re back, Maxi-Pad.” “Don’t call me that.” Maxine ordered. “Whatever you say,” he shrugged. He squished a water balloon on her head before running out of the room. Maxine looked at Andrew as her hair dripped. “Your imaginary friend is a bad influence.” “You have no idea.” Just then, Polly walked down the stairs. She had on one of Molly’s dresses, a pair of glittery heels, and for once, her hair was not braided. With her was a taller girl. She had one a red dress, pink heels, and her hair was curled at the ends. Both girls had on a lot of makeup. So much that they almost looked like circus clowns. “It was the only thing I could do so that our gray skin wouldn’t show.” Polly said. “But at least I look pretty in this dress.” “You really pull it off.” Molly agreed. Andrew walked up to the tall girl. “Hey, babe. Did it just get hot in here, or is it just you?” The tall girl swiftly kicked Andrew in the shin. “It’s me, Drew!” Drew? Molly thought. That’s weird. The only person who ever called Andrew ‘Drew’ was… Molly’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “Ace???” “Unfortunately.” Ace grumbled. Andrew went pale. He looked at Polly. “When I said disguise him, I meant as a guy.” “Molly didn’t have any guy clothes for him to change into, and I thought our all-black clothes would be a dead giveaway to Stepmom. Plus, makeup covers up our grayness.” Andrew looked at Ace again, ran out the door, and threw up. Repeatedly. “Is it that bad?” Ace asked Polly. “I think you look pretty,” she said. “Thanks.” Ace said sarcastically. “That makes it so much better.”

Domino walked up to Ace, and laughed uncontrollable. “Dude,” he said. “I feel so sorry for you.” Polly tapped him on the shoulder and grinned. “You’re next.” Domino’s face flushed. “Uh…sorry, Pol. But…uh…you’ll have to get Maxine’s approval before you…” Maxine interrupted him. “You can do whatever you want as long as I can help.” “In that case,” Polly smirked. “You may want to bring a camera.” “I am not turning into that.” Domino said, pointing to Ace. Maxine put her arm around him. “Do you want to be eaten by Stepmom?” “No.” “Then prepare to be feminized.” Maxine smirked. Maxine and Polly rushed him up the stairs. Andrew came back in, still looking pale. He walked up to Ace. “Never talk about that again.” “You mean the fact that you flirted with me?” Ace asked. “Yes.” “Well…I don’t know…” Ace grinned. “It might be a funny story to tell when you run for president, Drew.” “I’m serious, man!” Andrew said. “On one condition.” Ace whispered something in Andrew’s ear. Andrew sighed. “Fine.” Ace walked over to the trash cans of water balloons, picked up the biggest one, walked back over to Andrew, and crushed it on his head. Molly cracked up. Andrew ignored the fact that his hair was messed up and dripping. “Your secret is safe with me.” Ace grinned. “It better be.” Andrew grumbled. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go re-style my hair.” “Do it quick.” Molly said, still giggling. “Stepmom will be here in ten minutes, when the sun goes down.” “Ten Minutes?” Ace repeated. “I gotta glue the floor!” He ran into the kitchen, after tripping in his high heels. “Why do you need to glue the floor?” Molly asked. “You’ll see!” he yelled back. “Wait!” she said. Ace turned around on his heels. “What?” “Is that my dress?” she asked. “Yes.” “Do me a favor,” she told him, “burn it when you take it off.”

Ten minutes later: Ace, Polly, Maxine, Molly, Domino, and Andrew were all hiding in Molly’s bedroom. All of them had one ear pressed to the door, listening for any sign of Stepmom. Maxine glanced at her watch. “Three…Two…One…It’s time.” Polly looked out the window. “The sun has officially set.” “So why don’t we hear her yet?” Ace asked. “She’ll come.” Polly said grimly. “She can smell the imagination that’s reeking from us.” Suddenly, they heard a terrifying crash and the sound of a roaring engine. “What was that?” Ace said nervously. “Let’s see.” Domino said. With the help of Maxine, they’d successfully set up a camera in every room. They had a hand-held monitor so they could see where Stepmom was at every moment. Domino turned the monitor on. Stepmom had just broken down Molly’s front door with Andrew’s motorcycle. “She broke my door!” Molly exclaimed. “Mom’s gonna kill me!” “She dented my ride!” Andrew roared. “I’m gonna kill her!” Maxine shushed them both. The Stepmom had dismounted from the bike, and was now looking around. “Come out little children,” she said in a maniacal way. “I know you’re here. I can smell you.” Molly looked around and grabbed a bottle full of a thin, golden liquid. She held it out to Ace. “You, Domino, and Polly need to spray yourselves with this. Now.” She ordered. Ace took the bottle. “This is perfume.” “This stuff is for chicks.” Domino added, although he too was now wearing a pink dress, makeup, and high heels.

“You need to mask your scent.” Molly told them. “If she smells you three, we’re all doomed.” “But it’s Japanese Cherry Blossom scented.” Ace whined. “Awesome!” Polly snatched the bottle and sprayed herself about twenty times. Then she passed it back to Ace. “That’s strange.” They heard Stepmom say. “I thought I smelled three imaginary friends in this house. Now I only smell two. Oh well, two will be plenty.” Domino gulped. Ace quickly sprayed himself with the perfume. Domino did too. When the three were finished, the bottle was completely empty. “You guys owe me a new perfume bottle.” Molly whispered. “Now I don’t smell anything.” Stepmom said. “My nose is playing tricks on me again.” They watched as Stepmom walked into the kitchen. She stopped in the center. Her dagger-like heels seemed to be…stuck to the floor. “That’s why I glued the floor.” Ace explained. But it didn’t detain Stepmom for long. She simply slipped her feet out of her shoes and continued. Andrew whacked Ace in the back of the head. “That stopped her for, like, five seconds.” “Quit hitting me.” Ace said. “This is all part of the plan.” “A plan that’s gonna get us killed.” Andrew told him. “Shut up and watch the monitor.” Maxine commanded. Stepmom began to walk up the stairs. “Zoom in on her foot.” Ace told Maxine. Maxine obeyed. They watched as Stepmom’s foot loomed over a sharp dart. “I glued the floor so she would take her shoes off.” Ace explained. They heard the Stepmom scream. She was so loud Molly could have sworn she’d broken at least one window and probably all the glass cups. “The old ‘dart to the foot’ prank.” Andrew nodded. “Did that to Old Lady Bergenson, too. It got stuck in one of her bunions.” “That’s an image I didn’t need to see again.” Ace said. “I don’t know why you’re whining.” Andrew snapped. “You weren’t the one who had to get it out. Man, that old lady had some smelly feet.” “Shut up!” Maxine growled. “She’s tripped the first two traps. The rest operate manually. Everyone, get to your stations.” They all slowly crept out of Molly’s room. Polly went first because she had to release the first trap. She sneaked over to the top of the stairs. A rope was tied to the stair railing. Stepmom was mid-way up the stairs. Polly quickly took out the small pocketknife that Andrew had lent her. The other part of the rope was tied to a bag full of feathers and mud. Stepmom was directly under it. Polly quickly sliced the rope, and Glop! Stepmom shrieked, “Why you rotten child!” She wiped the mud away from her eyes, but the rest of her now looked like a muddy chicken. Polly giggled while she ran to find Ace. Next up was Molly, who was hidden in the shadows, clutching large bag of marbles. Stepmom was chasing Polly. It was Molly’s job to draw Stepmom’s attention. Polly had just run past her. Molly opened the marble bag and got ready. Stepmom was getting closer. Molly quickly tossed the sea of marbles onto the floor. Stepmom was gaining, but, “Whoa, whoa…ahhhh!” Stepmom’s feet danced and glided across the marbles for about a minute or so, before she fell. Molly ran to join Polly, trying to contain her laughter. Molly caught up to Polly. Both were still laughing. “Why are we laughing?” Molly giggled. “If this goes wrong, we all die.” “I don’t know.” Polly said. “But if I’m gonna die, I’m doing it laughing.” “I’m with ya there, sister.” Molly took Polly’s hand. The two girls ran to Ace, who was hiding behind the sofa. “I didn’t think that would work,” he admitted. “Never underestimate the power of girls.” Molly smirked. “I’ll try to remember that now that I’m in a dress.” Ace said. Stepmom lifted herself off the ground. “I’m starting to pick up your scent again, little friends,” she grinned evilly. Ace grabbed a stink bomb from his pocket and looked over the couch at Stepmom. “Smell this, witch!” He pulled the pin with his teeth and chucked it over at Stepmom’s feet. She looked at it curiously.

“Run!” Ace told Polly and Molly. They ran into Molly’s mother’s bedroom. Maxine and Domino - ready for an attack – were armed with trash cans full of water balloons. Andrew was around the corner, ready to release the spanking machine. The Stepmom charged toward them, coughing, looking green in the face, holding her nose, and smelling like a mixture of rotten eggs and cow manure. “You’ll pay for that!” “FIRE!” Maxine shouted. Both she and Domino started pelting Stepmom with water balloons faster than Speedy Gonzales. Stepmom shielded herself and backed away from the wet balloons. She made the mistake of backing up right into the spanking machine. Andrew plugged it in. The paddles began to rotate and spin, never once missing Stepmom’s behind. “Ow! Ow! Ow! OWWW!” she wailed. Andrew grinned behind her, proud of his work. Suddenly, it short- circuited and one of the paddles caught on fire. It burned the back of Stepmom’s Kiss me or Die apron. She ran around the house, her rear end blazing. Molly grabbed a bucket of water. “What are you doing?” Ace asked, enjoying the sound of Stepmom’s screams. “I saw this in a movie once.” She ran over to Stepmom and splashed the water on her. “Die, evil witch!” Stepmom fell to the ground. “Ahhh! You wicked girl! I’m melting! Melting!!!” Molly watched her in horror. Suddenly, Stepmom looked at her and smiled, perfectly fine. “Just kidding.” Stepmom got up and tried to grab Molly. Molly moved aside and she missed. Then Molly saw something on the ceiling, directly over Stepmom. She looked over her shoulder. “Polly, now!” she screamed. Polly realized what she had to do, and threw the pocketknife. It almost hit Stepmom, but she moved away just in time. The knife hit the wall…and a rope. “Ha! You missed.” Stepmom mocked her. “Who said I was aiming for you?” Polly smirked in a devilish way. Stepmom turned around and saw the knife had sliced a rope. She looked up just in time to see a giant net fall on her. It scooped her up, catching her in its deadly ropes. She kicked and screamed. “You wretched children! Mark my words! I will have my revenge!” Ace walked over to Molly, triumphantly. “Blah, blah, blah. You don’t scare us.” “What should we do with her?” Molly asked. “We could put her back in Realm Thirteen.” Polly suggested. “Or lock her in someone’s head.” Andrew said. Ace gave him a look. “What if we put her in a different Realm?” Domino asked. “There are other Realms?” Molly was puzzled. “Duh!” Domino told her. “Numbers don’t start at thirteen. They start at one. I say we put her in Realm One.” “Isn’t that the Realm with all the bunnies and clouds?” Polly asked him. Domino nodded. “Perfect for someone as evil as Stepmom.” Polly told Ace. “Find the spell to do it in the Book of Brains.” Ace told her. Polly reached into her green purse and pulled out a large, leather covered, probably over a thousand page book. “The book of what?” Molly asked again. She didn’t seem to know anything at the moment. “The Book of Brains.” Ace repeated, as Polly began to flip pages. “It’s like a manual to imagination.” “Every imaginary friend has one.” Polly added. “I still have Ace’s.” Andrew said. “That’s how I put you in Realm Thirteen.” “That reminds me…” Ace pulled out a water balloon and cracked it on Andrew’s head. “That’s for putting me there.” Andrew rolled his eyes. “Okay, I guess I deserved that.” Ace grinned and did it again with a second balloon. “Okay, don’t push your luck.” Andrew said in a warning tone. “Found it.” Polly said. She read the spell aloud. “‘We’ve beaten this monster, and it was fun. But now that it’s over, please place it in Realm One.’” Stepmom vanished, but the net remained behind. “I hope she likes bunnies.” Molly said. “I hope she hates them.” Ace smirked. … Andrew was inspecting his Harley, which left skid marks on Molly’s carpet, thanks to Stepmom’s reckless driving. “I have to admit,” he started, not turning around, “that was kinda fun. I’m slightly glad I was part of it.”

“I’m sorta glad you were here, too.” Ace told him. To Molly’s surprise, Andrew held out his hand to Ace, and didn’t even spit on it first. Ace grinned and shook it. Could it be possible? Molly wondered. Are these two actually calling a truce?!? ZAP! Andrew retracted his hand. Ace looked at the joy buzzer on his hand, and then looked at Andrew. “I swear, I totally forgot I had this on.” Andrew’s green eyes looked like they were about to shoot lasers. “Run,” he grunted. “What?” Ace said. “Run.” Andrew repeated. Ace turned in a frantic sprint. Andrew chased him, his large boots stampeding after. He called after Ace, “I’m gonna kill you, Ace!” The two bolted out the back door and into the yard. “Oh, well,” Molly shrugged, turning to Maxine. “It was nice while it lasted.” “Yup.” Maxine nodded. They could hear snippets of Andrew’s threats from outside. “Rip your head right off your shoulders….Make boots from your skin…!” “We should probably stop him.” Maxine told Domino. The two ran outside. “Wait!” Molly called after them. “Who’s gonna help me clean up this mess?” No answer. Molly sighed and picked up a broom. Story of my life.

To be continued in the 6th story, 18 Candles in the Window…

Doodle – by Dessa Leonard

Beat of Angel’s Wings (AKA, That Horse Story, Part 3) – by Dessa Leonard

“Well, the sign said left to downtown!” I said, frantically digging through our rental car's glove compartment for a map. “It's not my fault he can't drive!” I snapped, looking back at Jey, who smirked and rolled his eyes.

“Don't pretend you hate me Little Rebel.”

“Who's pretending?” I smirked and smacked his arm.

“If you two love birds could concentrate, that would be fantastic,” Lucifer said, leaning forward from the backseat.

“Sorry. She's a terrible navigator,” Jey said, quickly jerking the car onto the off ramp once he saw the exit for Amarillo.

“Well it isn't my fault you don't know right from left,” I retorted.

“We're looking for the Amarillo Terminal Reservoir. If you might find the time to remember why we're going here, you may find time to behave.” My father sighed. I looked back at him. No doubt he had grown tired of my newly found emotions. Sarcasm was one of my new favorite things, but I wholeheartedly blamed him for that trait.

“Alright Jey exit at... Mayfield Road. About 2 miles. Then take South Line Street until you see the reservoir.”

Jey nodded, flicking on the blinker and tearing into the other lane and down the highway. I looked outside at the cars going by. School would be starting soon, would I miss it? Never mind if I did, there were more important things to do, like help Jey get his wings back so he could go home. And not to mention the longer I avoided home, the longer I avoided telling my family that I was, quite literally, the spawn of Lucifer. I wondered if my mother knew all along, and was just keeping me from finding out.

I snapped out of it when I felt the car stop.

“I'll do this. You two should head into town and grab us a hotel,” Lucifer said. Jey nodded.

“Sounds good.”

“Be careful. Evral and Iasef can't be far behind us,” Lucifer warned, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Chill out, Lucifer. You sound like my father...” I smiled. There was a slight silence, before they both laughed.

“Okay, let's go before she finds more of her sense of humor,” Jey smiled, taking my hand.

Lucifer nodded. “Alright.” Though, he was grinning proudly, seeing his child take on his personality was thrilling.

Jey and I headed off, walking into Amarillo.

“This time, can we get a hotel with food? I think you two forget that one of us is partially human and needs to eat at least three times a day,” I asked, glancing over at him.

“If you insist, Little Rebel,” Jey nodded, glancing for cars before he walked out into the street. “But we can stop and get something to eat now, if you need it.” “Yes please!” I smiled, and nudged his arm. “Plus I need to make a call,” I added, pulling him into the nearest McDonald’s. He went over to the counter to ponder food choices, while I dropped some change into a pay phone. You'd be surprised how many of those there are still.

My heart dropped a little when my mother answered.

“Hello?”

“Hi...mom,” I mumbled.

“Where are you? How are you?? What's going on?!?!”

“Not telling, fine, getting ready to eat lunch.”

“Alyssa, you want a cheeseburger or chicken nuggets?” Jey yelled over to me.

I gave him a look and covered up the mouth piece before replying,“Burger!”

“Alyssa, who was that?”

“That was Jey, mom, who else would it be?” I sighed. She asked every time, like she was hoping I left him in the gutter and ran off with someone else.

“Oh. When are you coming home?”

“Mom, I've told you I don't know, okay? There's a lot I have to do first.”

“I just miss you.”

“How are David and...dad?” I asked, my voice catching when I said dad.

“They're good, but they miss you, too. Your father said he can't wait until you come home,” she replied. I could almost hear her smile through the phone. I missed them too, it was just...my relationship with Lucifer was just more natural. I knew he understood me, and my angelic half better than they did. My mom and dad never really noticed me, only put me as second fiddle under David's brilliance. Figures, they didn't miss me until I was gone.

“Yeah...I-I miss them too,” I mumbled. I saw Lucifer walk in and sit down at the table next to me. “I have to go mom. Love you,” I said, and hung up before she could protest. I walked over and sat next to my dad.

“You know I left you with her in hope of protecting you from the other angels,” Lucifer said, flicking a finger at the door, causing a man to trip and fall face first in a pile of ketchup cups he was about to carry back to his table for some friends.

“Really?” I asked, tilting my head, and watching the man fall.

He nodded. “Nephilim are a...tender topic. Especially one with your heritage. I know you're not related to him, but he raised you, and he's still a father to you,” he snapped his fingers and the ketchup machine exploded, layering everyone around it in the red goop. “You can probably see why I'm a problem,” he smirked.

“I know, I know.” I smiled a little. “It's just...you understand me better. And... I don't have to fight with David for attention with you and Jey. I mean, he's my brother and I love him, but do you know how annoying it is to go the school every single year and hear, 'Oh you're David's sister? He was such a perfect student! I can't wait have another wonderful student in this class!!'?” I asked, feeling a bit of anger and frustration rise to the surface. “It's so stupid. I'm not my brother! I always have to remind everyone of that!” I looked outside. “But not you, and not Jey,” I sighed, laying my head on my arms.

Lucifer put a hand on my shoulder. “David is not my son. I, for one, would not raise such an ignorant child. He may be intelligent in math and reading, but he has yet to see a world full of angels and demons with his own eyes,” he said, with a smile. “And I understand, of all people, the trouble with elder brothers.”

I sat up again, smiling. “Thanks.”

“You. Are. Welcome!” Jey smiled, plopping down a tray full of food, then frowning at the looks on our faces. “Did I interrupt something?”

“I do believe Alyssa and I were having a 'moment,’” Lucifer chuckled, still eying the ketchup mayhem with delight.

“Should I leave...?” Jey asked, oblivious to Lucifer’s little trick on the side.

“No, let's just eat,” I said, rolling my eyes and unwrapping a cheeseburger.

Jey shrugged and started to dig into the pile of hamburgers, too. “So, did you get the thing you were looking for?” He asked Lucifer.

“I did,” Lucifer replied, setting his hamburger down. He was about to continue when the payphone rang again.

“It's probably my mom. I'll answer it,” I mumbled, walking over. I sat down as I picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Alyssa?”

“Mom? Can it wait? I'm eating. Jey and I were just listening to Dad-” I stopped. Had I just...called the Lucifer my father? IN FRONT OF MY MOTHER?!

“What- Alyssa, your father is here, remember?” She asked, confused.

“Mom...I know. He's not my real dad. My real dad is here right now. He's been with us for a few days.”

“I...I didn't...I thought it was best for everyone,” she whispered. “I love your father...your step- father. I really do. And he loves you a lot...he doesn't even know...”

“I know. But at least you know I'm safe,” I whispered, hanging up. - - “Dad?” I asked, walking outside onto the balcony of our hotel room.

“Hm?” He looked down at me, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“I...Can I ask you something kind of personal?” I inquired, looking up.

He nodded. “I suppose.”

“I thought you didn't like humans. Isn't that the reason you got kicked you out of Heaven, because you refused to respect humans the way God asked, and after the Garden incident? Because you loved your Father and the other angels too much to make room in your heart for humans?”

“Yes. That is the reason.”

“Then...why did you fall in love with my mother? And...why do you love me?”

“Because you are my child, part angel, and as you have been gifted part of my soul, I could never hate you. You're my creation, and nothing would ever make me stop loving you,” he said with fondness in his eyes. “But your mother...She was beautiful – still is, no doubt – and I thought she understood my heart, but I was wrong.”

I was quiet for a minute. “Are there others? Do you have other children?”

He shook his head, his slightly longer than cropped hair swaying along. “No. Just one. Just you,” he said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You are the only child I have or will ever create.”

“I'm glad,” I nodded in reply, holding back a yawn.

“It is time you slept,” the fallen archangel said, nudging me back inside.

“No arguments here. But...Lucifer?”

“Yes, child?” He asked, snapping his fingers, causing a dog to break loose and tackle three vendors and finally a hotdog cart. He smiled faintly as the dog got its reward.

“How long will you be here?”

“As long as the others will let me stay,” he replied. “Now to bed with you,” he said, opening the door with a push of his hand. - - “So...what are we doing here?” I asked, stuffing my hands in my pockets and looking at the park around us.

“Jey thought it would be a good idea for us to...bond? As he put it.”

I face palmed. “Great.”

Lucifer chuckled. “I think we will find enough to keep us busy for a few hours,” he waved a hand towards a party in the picnic area, causing a birthday cake to explode over the guests.

“You really enjoy causing trouble, don't you?”

“I suppose I simply can't help myself,” he said, watching the fallout from his cake-sposion, with a smile. “I made an unknown compromise with these humans. If they will contend with me wreaking minor havoc among them, I will contend with their existence.”

I nodded.

“We have an hour left, what would you like to do, child?” He asked, stuffing his hands back in his pockets.

“Umm...Can we go visit my horse? I'm sure she misses me. Please?” I asked, looking up at him excitedly.

“If you stay in the barn,” he nodded.

“Thank you!” I smiled, and right then and there, in the middle of a suburban park I hugged Lucifer, my father, the Prince of Darkness. He gave a small chuckle, and let me hug for a second before gently prying my arms off. “None of that now, child,” he said, taking my wrists gently in his cool hands. “Close your eyes,” he commanded, and I did.

“Open.” I opened my eyes, and Buttercream nickered at us.

“Hey there, lovely,” I smiled, patting her nose. She whinnied excitedly as Lucifer walked over and held out a honeycomb for her. She bit it up happily.

“I hope everything's okay for you girl,” I smiled, as she whinnied excitedly again.

“I said I was coming!” David grumbled, bursting open the barn door and freezing. “Freaking horse.”

He started when he saw me. “A-Alyssa? You're back?!”

Lucifer sighed and shut the door with a wave of his hand.

“No. I just came to visit Buttercream for a minute,” I said.

“And who's this?” He turned to Lucifer, ready to confront him, “Who do you think you are, just waltzing in here like-”

“DAVID! STOP!” I snapped. “That's my father you're talking to!”

“Your father is inside the house! Where you should be!!” David growled.

“No, he's right here! This is my dad, too, and he's done more than enough to prove that!” I said. “He loves me a lot!”

“Maybe you should stay with your freak friend and amazing dad then! No wonder you never fit in in this family!!”

“Maybe I should!” I retorted, turning away, and Lucifer grabbed my forearm, and we were back in the hotel.

“Insolent child...talking to my offspring in such a manner,” Lucifer growled, waving a hand and causing all the windows to snap shut, so hard the glass shook. I, on the other hand, was crying. David...had told me to leave. Told me I shouldn't come back...

“Hush, now, child of mine,” he said softly, pulling me close to him. “Regardless of whether or not you return to that household, I will always be here for you.”

“Thank you,” I smiled softly, letting him hug me close to him.

“Now dry your eyes. It's undignified for a lady to walk around in such a manner,” he snapped his fingers and my face was dry again. He smiled as Jey walked in.

“So, how was it?” He asked, closing the door.

“I think it went well,” Lucifer smirked. “We 'bonded' quite efficiently.”

Jey blinked slowly. “Okay... Great... I guess.”

“It was good,” I nodded, looking up at Lucifer with a grin.

Lucifer took a deep breath. “It is time, I suppose?” He asked.

Jey nodded. “The trial's just about to start.”

“Wait...trial? What trial?” I asked, stepping closer to him, my anger suddenly replaced with panic.

“A joint trial. One for me to get my wings back, one for the decision whether or not Lucifer is banished back to Hell.”

I swallowed. So that's what he meant when he told me he would stay as long as they would let him. J ey nodded, pointing out the window to a sleek black limo pulled up to the hotel. Lucifer put hands on both mine and Jey's shoulders, and we appeared outside.

“Hm, subtle,” I commented, sliding into the limo, Jey sitting close and Lucifer sitting across from us. We rode for what seemed like forever, but was really only a few blocks. We were ushered into an old looking building, a courtroom.

“I need water,” Jey said shakily, heading for a water cooler.

Lucifer put a hand on my shoulder. “Alyssa. No matter what the outcome is, please remember Jey is your friend, and I love you. You are my child, and I will always love you.”

“I’ve just got you and Jey. I can't lose you...” I whispered, hugging him.

“I thought I made it clear there would be no fondling, my child?” Lucifer frowned, but he wrapped his arms around me anyway. “Things will work themselves out, child. I swear it.”

Another angel stopped behind me. “Morningstar? It is time,” he said, unsure if he should interrupt. Lucifer's broke his embrace and put his hand on my shoulder for a moment before heading inside.

Jey ran over and hugged me. “We'll see you at the break. And...thank you for everything.”

I watched my father and Jey walk into a courtroom full of angels, slowly sitting down. About thirty minutes later, an angel poked out her head of the courtroom, “They're ready for you.”

I nodded nervously, and walked in, feeling eyes on me as I sat in the witness stand and promised to tell the truth, nothing but the truth...

“Alyssa. How did you find out the Morningstar was your father?”

“Jey told me. After Lucifer saved us from Evral and Iasef.”

“He saved you?”

I nodded. “Yes. The two angels were ready to fight us when Lucifer stopped them.”

“And has Jey helped you in any way?”

“He protected me from Evral and Iasef, he bought me food, made sure I had a place to sleep, everything I needed.”

“And the Morningstar?”

“I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but, he loves me for who I am. He comforts me when I cries, he explains things to me when I'm confused. I love him, and he loves me.”

Suddenly, the entire courtroom of angels became abuzz with frowns and complaints.

“How dare you bring the Nephilim of Lucifer in here?!” One yelled, standing up.

“Of course, she would take his side!! He spawned her!” Another shouted, clearly angry and ready to lunge as she nearly bolted towards me.

“Lucifer is incapable of love since the fall!”

An angel near me put a hand on my shoulder while the judge called for order. “Come on, I'll take you out. It's getting a little frantic in here,” he said kindly and I gratefully followed him out into the hall.

“I can see you've changed the Morningstar greatly,” he said, not going inside the courtroom just yet.

“What do you mean?” I asked, taking a bottle of water he handed me with a small smile.

“I've known Lucifer since I was your age. He's very different with you around. He's more like the kinder, gentler angel he used to be,” he smiled.

“I love him. He's my dad. I just wish everyone could see that,” I sighed, cracking open the water and sipping it.

I sat, pressing my back against the bench, bouncing my leg impatiently. After the blow up inside the courtroom, I hadn’t been let back in. I heard shouts every once and a while, but other than that, it was quiet for the most part.

After what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened, and Jey and Lucifer emerged. - - Epilogue “I am NOT flying you there, my child, so please hurry up. I did not buy you that vehicle for you to be late to your summer internship,” Lucifer said, calling across the room.

“Coming! I couldn't find my bag!” I replied, skidding into the kitchen and for the door.

“Bring your toasted bread. I do not want to hear you complain about hunger when you arrive home.”

“Alright, alright,” I smiled and shook my head as I grabbed the toast Lucifer had made for me from the counter next to the door. Summer was now my favorite season. The trial had gone well. Jey had got his wings back, and was free to go home to Heaven as he pleased. But for now my cousin and I lived together in a house outside Austin. Lucifer was granted summer out of Hell, but the rest of the year he had to stay there. The archangels had also granted me the power to enter Hell whenever I wanted, but Lucifer insisted this was no place for his child. And honestly, I was scared to go. It was Hell after all.

“Do well,” Lucifer nodded with a small smile, “Do tell Jey to stop looking for sweets among your things and misplacing them,” he added.

“Thanks, Dad,” I chuckled, hopping into the car. “Oh, and Buttercream shouldn't need anything, but if she starts delivering her foal, call her vet before you call me!” I yelled to him.

Lucifer nodded. “As you have told me many times,” he laughed. “You sound like a worried mother.”

“And make sure your horse doesn't hop the fence!!” I smirked, before taking off.

Jey walked outside. “I guess the veterinary internship goes well?”

“She enjoys it, yes. And your horse needs his hooves cleaned,” Lucifer said.

“Again?”

“If you'd bring him inside when you're supposed to, you would not have this problem, nephew.”

“Don't call me that.”

“As you wish, son of my brother,” Lucifer said, snapping a large spot of mud at a salesperson as he tried to come down the driveway. He fell face first, eliciting a laugh from Lucifer.

Jey glared.

“No harm came to him, son of my brother.”

“I changed my mind, you can just call me nephew,” Jey sighed.

Lucifer smirked. He could still get what he wanted. Around noon, he noticed Buttercream whinnying and calling out quite loudly.

“I'm coming, little equine,” Lucifer said softly, walking outside and wandering into the corral. “Your foal shouldn't be due for another day or so, so please tell me what is wrong?” He frowned, gently rubbing her nose.

Jey ran over from the barn.

“Is she about to have her foal?”

“I do not know what is wrong with her, son of Gabriel,” Lucifer admitted. Then, suddenly peering over the horse,“I see now, though.”

Coming over the hill, towards their house, were two very familiar forms.

“Jey, go inside and call Alyssa. It seems we have guests in the form of Evral and Iasef.” he frowned and walked over to the two approaching angels.

Back inside, Jey quickly dialed the phone.

“Alyssa?”

“Jey? Is everything alright?”

“No. Alyssa...they're back.”

Piggy – by Dessa Leonard

We love Invader Zim – by Dessa Leonard

Breakfast Face – by Taylor Bradley

teen zine is: Taylor Bradley, Dessa Leonard, Karin Thogersen

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Teen Zine is a publication of the Huntley Area Public Library’s teen writers’ club and includes members’ work as well as submissions from area teens in grades 6 – 12. If you would like to submit your work for review and possible inclusion in a future issue of the zine, please fill out a submission form (available at the library’s Information Desk), or use our online form: http://ya.huntleylibrary.info/tzonlineform.