The Mechanics of a Crow Siena Solis

My day began with seeing a crow perched on top of my shed. Nothing was special about this crow. It was just the first thing I noticed. Its eyes were focused on me. I guess that makes this crow a bit special. Little did I know, this was a cursed crow. A malicious thing to make the most ordinary day, the worst day of my life. What could a crow possibly do to make anyone’s day so horrible? All they do is make noise in parking lots. They’re just a bit of a nuisance typically. My experience with my crow was different. The stupid thing kept staring me down. And I stared back. A staring contest between a sky roamer and a land walker. It was just stupid. But this crow’s eyes made me think of someone, a person that I should pay a visit. My very platonic female best friend; Whom I hadn’t talked to in ages because I’ve been working on this special project in my shed. I kinda live in that thing. It’s secluded, a safe haven. She always told me I needed to hang out with the guys at school but, I don’t give a crap about sports, my hobbies are far superior.

The early morning sun peered through the wooden planks with a glow that wasn’t too harsh, nor too dim. Just perfect. The wet moss from last night’s rain clung on tight to the roof of the shed. This shed never wanted to stay clean. Maybe because I’m not very clean myself. My hands are caked with dirt at the moment. I guess I should shower more too. This shed is a reflection of me.

Finally after all my cryptic thinking (well to me it’s cryptic. My thoughts only get deep sometimes), I headed into my shed. My undisturbed happy shed, or so I thought. My shed was both disturbed and unhappy. I was like a kid that had been peacefully playing outside until a swarm of bees came to invade and attack. I stood in shock, glazing over the massacre that appeared before me. My pigeons that I’d worked so hard to train were now dead, sprawled all across my table with my maps and blueprints. Not only were they dead, they were headless. The feathers were just all over the place.

“Aw man, that’s gross, can’t wait to clean this crap shoot up.” I said, as if I was trying to make myself less afraid and shocked. I didn’t want to lose my calm collected state of mind that I’ve always adopted. But within seconds, that state of mind disappeared and replaced itself with frustration. I let out a real honest groan of defeat.

literally a cop. He probably thought of the idea himself to destroy my project. He used her as a pawn in his little chess game. Defending only himself. I knew I should’ve installed some security measures in my shed. But why the hell would anyone install security measures…in a shed? Because they’re illegally training pigeons? Fair enough.

Then another thought hit me. A cold chill ran down my spine. I took one last look at my surroundings. The tiny grey headless bodies. I made sure to not step on a pigeon that lay dead at my feet as I ran out of the shed. It was still there, staring only at me. That god-awful ugly crow. It was pretty obvious what I needed to do. My shed was fairly small and climbable. With zero hesitation I heaved myself on the roof of the shed by stepping on this old stool that came from somewhere in my garbage pit of a house. I wildly grabbed at the crow that was making strange mechanical noises. It didn’t have much strength, as I suspected. After all, it wasn’t like my pigeons. Well, what my pigeons were going to be. My pigeons were going to be fighters. These crows are for something even more frightful. They take up the tiniest spaces. They focus on things that are seemingly arbitrary. They’re unforgivable spies. The spy crow only slightly resisted and made the tiniest of noises. Soon it whirred and then died. And then I did my revenge.

I threw it off my roof with the strength of a boy with a hunger for power. I knew what would happen. The head detached itself from its body. Tiny pieces of metal and all different kinds of wiring exploded out of the feathered mass. I looked down at it with zero guilt as I’m sure that cop did with my pigeons. I jumped off of my roof and landed on my bare feet. I’m a barefoot kinda guy. I took the crow’s head in my hands, looked into its stupid little eyes, and grinned. I was prepared for this event. I ran into my shed to grab my dark green string bag. Something that wouldn’t stand out too much. It had some essential resources and I shoved the crow head in it. Some metal bits fell out as I did so.

“I’m an idiot!” I exclaimed plainly.

I should’ve known staying away from her would make her suspicious. Her dad’s

Then I prepared to inconspicuously head through my woods to her house. I didn’t know what I intended to do. I could do nothing though. Before I could even make headway, I saw her. But she was different this time. She walked towards me. This wasn’t the way she walked. She walks with attitude, not a robotic uniform. And her eyes, they weren’t the beady little judgemental eyes I’m so used to seeing. They were wide open, ready for what would happen next. I didn’t even know what would happen next. But I did know that she was one of them. She was programmed. That dumb crow marked the end of our days.

What should I say?

Khoa (Peter) Tran

Think of life as a set of stairs, let’s just start off slow. The first few steps are only millimeters in height, crawling would do the job. But would it be as simple the further up you get? Imagine one good thing that you did was “good” like being able to recognize a familiar face after some time, that would have been an achievement, you would then move up one step. The heights of the steps would indeed increase over time. Two millimeters would switch to three, to six, to twelve and so on… how would it end? Before that, how would one proceed one step at a time? Steps length increases at random, sometimes fast, at times slower, or remaining stagnant, there are times when you might slip backward a few steps, or there are even times when it remains the same but extends in length seemingly forever, waiting for something, waiting for something to be finished or resolved. And after that, what happens?

The steps then proceed to rise, it is not entirely a soothing experience, pebbles, rocks or boulders could be in the way, as obstacles, what would one do, bite the bullet and accept them or try one’s best to solve them or let someone else take care of it? What would you do? Then what about the other obstacles, a hole, a fallen tree or someone obstructing your path, what would you do?

Eventually, the steps would get so high that you would not be able to climb them. The need for help is nothing to deny, having someone to lift you up, having them standing on your shoulders just to climb a step at a time, a day at a time, a month at a time, a year at a time, a decade at a time.

Do you really need to know the person that aided your life every minute, even if they are behind curtains? No, you do not, do you really need to see them? No, do you want to see them even if nothing goes to plan and you missed the chance? I would. Why? To say thank you? That’s it?

Yes…

That is it? What is it that is so special about you that you wanted to see this person?

No, nothing…

Then why do you insist that this person would need you?

I have nothing but I want to help.

To help? How?

I don’t know, and I can’t have someone pay for a meal and leave without paying them back, let alone supporting my entire life.

But how would you help this person?

I don’t know. A simple ‘thank you’ is just not enough. Is it? Is it money that is the answer, or is it gifts, or is it love and appreciation, or something else.

How long has it been?

Years… We could not talk much, I was occupied with my studies, he was drowned in mountains of work, tests, and math. Somehow, nothing makes sense, events and obstacles kept us apart… I, I don’t want to be a stranger. I don’t want to be a stranger. I don’t want us to be strangers… I just want a conversation again, a normal one. We could talk about life, work, culinary experiences, pictures, or future plans… It has been on my mind, the longer it is I’m afraid the worst might happen, what if we don’t know how to act around each other anymore? I just don’t want us to be strangers.

Then how do you feel right now?

I don’t know… But I just want to know, how is life on the other side? I am sort of worried, not knowing what has happened, or what is going on but I can only hope for the best. Years passed and I had not once said anything. It has been years since…

Well what now?

I just hope. Hope that our relationship still stands the test of time… Old Friend.

Time is a man-made construction created by humans to establish normalcy and structure for society. From time to time this thought crosses my mind but goes as fast as it came. In my mind, time is a constant that will never change and is as much a part of us as our fingers. I find myself running away from it, and never knowing when to relax at the moment as I let time dictate my day. However, last Friday I was given the gift of what I shall refer to it as a “time freeze.” The bus left without me and I was left stranded at Oakwood for an hour while I waited for my mother to pick me up. Lucky for me it was a beautiful sunny day outside and the breeze was soft yet apparent. The door to the main building was locked so I sat on the old wooden bench that faced the mountains. At first, I decided to spend my time doing homework on my computer. As I was typing I heard the birds chirping and singing their tunes. My hands playfully hit the button in sync with their beats. I became distracted and felt a sense of relaxation roll over me. Closing my eyes, I felt the breeze behind my neck and felt alive. Time stopped and I was transported to a forest setting. The night before it had rained so the lingering scent of damp grass filled the air. I had no control over the bus situation, yet I had control over my life and how I could spend it. For an hour I sat on the bench which was no longer a bench, but a safe haven. A place where I was given shelter from time and distraction. For the first time in a while, I felt that everything was going to be okay and I recognized my existence. Perhaps I don’t know my exact place in the universe, but I do know that I live for moments like those, when I can be free in nature, free from responsibilities, and free from worry.

Anonymous

The eight dwarves weren’t related, some of them were. All of them had been together for most of their lives. At first, there was only one, he got put in the orphanage when he was just born and grew to the age of seven. His name was Dover. In his seventh year there, two more dwarves got put in. One had just been born, the other was two. They were brothers, the older one is called Givin, and the younger one was, Ramin. Two more joined the following year when they were three, also brothers but twins. They were called Bathor, and Bothan. At this point, the first two were three and one. In the next four years, three more dwarves joined, Ralan, Bovir, and Rathion. They grew up together but eventually, they came to the age where they could leave the orphanage. Dovor was the first to leave, he stayed close to the rest of them. So that when they all got out they could build themselves a house in the woods. After seven years of waiting, three more of them could be released. A year later two more of them could leave. In the next six months, they decided to adopt the last two, so they did. The season was summer, and they started their month-long journey to find the perfect place to build their ideal house. All of them had a rough childhood but always had each other. All the rest of the summer and fall they worked on the house. Right before the winter came their work was done. During the building, they would make trips to the nearest town which was two days’ travel away. They would get stuff, like pots and pans. They would never pay for it, they had no money. They had gotten a little money each when they left the orphanage, but they had pooled it and bought tents to sleep in during the building of the house. They waited until night and took what they needed. They didn’t start doing this until they had somewhere to store it. They had first constructed a shed that they would eventually connect to the house. After a few weeks and a few unfortunate run-ins, they perfected their way of not getting caught. They would bring the little cart they had made and would bring the stuff they had gotten back to the cabin. When they finished construction on the house, it was fully furnished with the stuff they had taken and they were ready to go. They had a big feast with meat they had stolen from the market, pies with berries they had picked, and many other things.

After moving they lived in peace for many years. One day Dovor decided to go into a cave he had found a week before. He brought a headlamp and some mining tools, and he planned on mining for some gems. He walked into the cave for about ten minutes, suddenly he came to a stop. He was so surprised with his luck because a marvelous red gem was embedded on the top of some rock. After about fifteen minutes of hacking and swinging his tools, Dovor got the gem out. when he picked the gem up he immediately felt more powerful. There was a draw to this gem. It was amazing, simply amazing. He walked in a trance back to the mouth of the cave. Once he reached the sunlight the stone started to dazzle almost glowing. Once he got back to the cabin he had the urge to conceal the stone. Dinner was ready but he stumbled to his bed and lay down. One of the others came over to see if he was alright, but Dovor snapped “I’m fine!” in a harsh tone. He ate no dinner that night and had no sleep. He had only been with the stone for hours but was becoming obsessed. When the sun was still down he slipped out of his bed and slipped on his shoes. He went outside, it felt like the stone was pulling him to a certain spot. Little did he know that he was being folwed. Given had been awake when Dovor had gotten up and decided to follow him. Everyone had talked about his strange behavior the night before and decided to see if they noticed anything else strange. Dovor walked for twenty minutes when he finally stopped. Given looked around he had never been here before, even though it was pretty close to the cabin. When he looked closer and the ground he saw a little hole like an opening to an underground cave. Before he knew what was happening Dovor had jumped down the hole. Given ran to the hole to make sure he was ok. But when he looked down Dovor was engulfed in a scarlet glow. He was floating slowly down to the bottom of the cave which was about ten feet down. When Dovor’s foot touched the ground the whole cave lit up. There were hundreds of little rocks all glowing all different colors. Given stumbled back in surprise, and when he looked up again Dovor was hovering over the mouth of the cave. His whole body was lit up his eyes were ablaze. Given started to run, he ran faster than he had in a long time. Within ten minutes he had reached the cabin. As soon as he got through the door he screamed “Get up get up.” some of them were already up and making breakfast but the others were still in bed. He shouted again “Get up! Dovor’s body and mind has been taken over by something.” Hearing those words, everyone jumped into action. All of them grabbed their tools and ran outside. The first thing they realized when they burst out of the house was that the sky had gone completely dark and there seemed to be fog thinking fast. Given lead up front. All of them ran but not even a minute went by before they saw a red glow. They didn’t truly have a plan but all of them just knew they had to kill him. They had been together for most of their lives but there was no way to save him. They headed toward him, not knowing how to win at all but after an hour of fighting the seven dwarves came out victorious. When it had all settled they walked back in silence to the cabin. They were sad for many years, but over time they got back to normal. Many years later a young girl found them. Her name was Snow White.

Wishing for something to happen -

Lila Sawyer

When I was four I wanted to be six I wanted to be in the big kid school I got told “Don’t wish your time away”

- But I didn’t listen

When I was eight I couldn’t wait to be ten I would be double digits

But again, I got told “Don’t wish time away” - I still didn’t listen

When I was eleven I wanted to be thirteen so badly To be an official teenager

To no longer be considered a kid

Oh how exciting

“Don’t wish your time away”

- I should have listened

Now I’m fourteen

Wishing I was eleven

Wishing I was eight

Wishing I was four

Realizing time is going to keep moving

- Wishing I didn’t wish time away

- Wishing I had listened

Once upon a time, There was a mere farmer’s child She ran around the fields all day, For she was wild.

Nora Marshall

There was once a world overrun by zombies but that has long since been destroyed by the great vaccine. There now exist only 103 zombies in both the Americas. Our story focuses on only two zombies. Zarg and Emile are their names and they are best friends. They have been zombies together since they were turned. They were bit together and since then they have had a, strange to most but endearing to few, love blossoming between them. They do everything together. It started when they would engorge themselves on living flesh but they soon realized there was something more to be had. They have existed in undead friendship for 50 years. Together they watched sci-fi movies and feasted on bowls full of fingers. They went on walks together and terrified the few living who yet existed… but that is all over now. They exist in a world where they are something that needs to be eradicated. They know that their existence is wrong but they refuse to believe it. They have found a way to be strangely happy together and they aren’t ready to be gone. For you see, zombies are entirely separate from their hosts. They are mere parasites and once they are taken from the body they inhabit they will cease to exist, but Zarg and Emile love each other. Doesn’t that make them just as human as you or me? Doesn’t that give them the right to exist in loving harmony together? Either way, it matters not for they will be slaughtered where they stand if they are ever found, and they will be if the military doesn’t stop. Patrols move from California to New York sweeping the nation for any remaining creatures. Emile and Zarg are currently hiding in a basement in Tennessee. They held each other shaking in fear as they heard boots stomp through the houses above them, the basement door creaked open as they looked deep into each other’s eyes, which was difficult as Zarg’s eye was hanging from one thin nerve, and they cried. They cried real human tears and felt a real deep human sadness. Two men in hazmat suits stomped up to the grotesque and beautiful scene and one of them threw up violently into their helmet. Zarg and Emile, realizing the finality of the moment, grip each other and kiss. It’s disgusting but they don’t care because they love each other. They don’t care if the whole world thinks they are some malicious anomaly for they truly care about eachother. They share this beautiful moment and kiss. The men in their suits spray first Emile, then Zarg. The parasites are coughed up and Zarg and Emile cease to be. Henry and Chris returned to the world. They both took a deep breath and screamed, for you see, Henry and Chris were incredibly intolerant of queer people, this is their worst nightmare, they both retch horribly and return to their mostly normal lives, other than Chris returning to his serial killings.

Elijah Rashid

In a small village, deep in the forests, there lived a young girl named Milan. She was an adventurous soul, always seeking out new experiences and sights. One day, while wandering through the woods, she stumbled upon a wondrous sight: a glowing orb suspended in mid-air, emitting a soft, pulsing light. Milan approached it with caution, unsure of what to make of this strange object. As she drew nearer, she could feel a tingling sensation in her fingertips and a warmth spreading throughout her body. As she reached out to touch the orb, it suddenly pulsed brighter and shot upwards, leaving behind a trail of sparkling light. Milan stumbled backward, awestruck by the experience. She had never seen anything like it before. As she pondered what she had just witnessed, she felt a strange energy coursing through her veins. She felt alive in a way that she never had before.

From that day on, Milan was different. She began to notice things that others didn’t, and her senses were heightened to an extraordinary degree. The birds seemed to sing more sweetly, the flowers bloomed with more vivid colors, and the trees rustled with a newfound energy. She could see things that were normally hidden from view and hear whispers on the wind that others could not.

As the days passed, Milan became more attuned to the world around her, and she began to understand that the orb had gifted her with a special kind of sight. It was as if she had been granted access to a magical realm, where the impossible became possible and the improbable became real. She reveled in this newfound power, exploring every inch of the forest and discovering hidden treasures and secrets. She became richer by the day.

With great power comes great responsibility, and Milan soon realized that she had a duty to protect the forest and its inhabitants. She became a guardian of the woods, using her gifts to watch over the animals and protect them from harm. She became a part of the forest, a living embodiment of its magic and beauty.

One day while she was watching over the forest, the ground shook throughout the whole forest. Milan walked toward the center of the forest until she found something unbelievable. It was a giant fox, about 30 feet tall and 45 feet wide. With every step the fox took the ground shook and anything in the fox’s way would be dead. Milan walked up to the fox quietly and touched its leg. Once she touched the giant fox, it disappeared into thin air. The orb gave her the power to make giant monsters disappear, the only problem was all of the damage the fox had already done. That’s when she touched the ground and all of the forest was replenished.

About a week later the ground shook again. This time it was different to Milan, she knew it was something much bigger and worse. She walked to the center of the forest once again and this time it was an enormous bear! Milan tried to walk quietly towards it but the bear heard her and slashed her. She was knocked on the ground unconscious, pretty much dead. The orb in her body started flowing out and formed a ball. The orb started levitating and went right back into her body. The massive bear was watching in amazement. She started to come alive again and she eventually woke up. The bear was still in front of her but this time Milan acted differently. She tamed the bear and they became great friends.

Milan wasn’t surprised that she had been revived by the mystical orb but everything around her was. After months of being away from her home, she finally went back and told her family what had happened. Her family didn’t care so she ran away into the forest again. Ever since she was revived by the orb, her hands would light up gold and purple whenever something was wrong in the forest. Milan would find caterpillars with the head of a chicken, cats with the nose of a woodpecker, and even flies without their wings. This was normal for Milan as she continued to fix her forest up.

Years passed, and Milan remained in the forest, watching over it with a keen eye and a fierce determination. And though she was no longer a young girl, she retained the same sense of wonder and awe that she had felt when she first discovered the glowing orb. For her, the magic of the forest had never faded, and she knew that it never would. It was a part of her now, and she was a part of it.