The Oracle Literary Magazine, Fall 2022 of Bishop Canevin High School

ORACLE

Letter from the editor

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE 2022 EDITION OF THE BISHOP CANEVIN HIGH SCHOOL ORACLE MY NAME IS JULIANNA UMALIN, AND I WILL BE YOUR NEW EDITOR FOR THIS YEAR'S ORACLE THE ORACLE IS OUR LITERARY MAGAZINE THAT SHOWCASES THE MANY TALENTS OF STUDENTS, WRITERS, AND ARTISTS EACH SCHOOL YEAR, THE ORACLE PUBLISHES TWO VOLUMES OF POETRY, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, AND SHORT STORIES FROM THE STUDENTS OF THE BISHOP CANEVIN COMMUNITY. THERE WILL BE ONE IN THE FALL AND SPRING.

I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY THANKING ALL THE CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE ISSUE OF THIS ORACLE. WITHOUT YOUR SUBMISSIONS AND PERMISSION TO USE YOUR CREATIVITY, THIS MAGAZINE WOULD NOT EXIST. YOUR COURAGE ALLOWS OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE BISHOP CANEVIN COMMUNITY TO WITNESS YOUNG MINDS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE RENEE LAGROSSE EDITOR OF THE SPRING 2022 ORACLE, FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GETTING A SILVER RATING FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL PRESS ASSOCIATION. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING SUCH A HUGE IMPACT ON BEHALF OF THE BISHOP CANEVIN COMMUNITY

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MRS CHARLOTTE SMITH FOR HER DEDICATION TO HER STUDENTS AS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR, SHE ENCOURAGES EVERY STUDENT TO BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO!

THE COVER OF THIS PAGE IS A PICTURE I TOOK ON THE PLANE RIDE TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA. IT REMINDS ME OF THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE WORLD AND TO ALWAYS SEEK NEW IDEAS AND ADVENTURES THAT MAY BE OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE.

THE ORACLE IS A GREAT WAY TO SEEK NEW ARTISTS AND CREATIVITY AROUND THE SCHOOL TO BE PUBLISHED. EDITING THIS YEARS ORACLE WAS VERY EXCITING WITH SO MUCH SKILL AND CREATIVITY IN THE SCHOOL. I HOPE YOU ENJOY ALL OF THE SPECIAL WORK CREATED BY OUR STUDENT BODY AS MUCH AS I DID.

Julianna Umalin Editor

CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS

SIERRA ABBOTT ‘23 TRINITY ANSELM ‘23 MASLEN ANSELM ‘24 JADE BAILEY ‘24 STEPHEN BAKER ‘23 LILY BARBIRSCH ‘23

ALEX BADRAN ‘24 JOSIE BOCHICCHIO ‘23 LENCI BOEHM ‘23 SAM BOMBERGER ‘26 JAIDEN COLLINS ‘24 ROWAN CREELY ‘26 LEYTON CYPHER ‘23 JUSTINA DUFFY ‘23 RYLEE GABSTER ‘23 AVA GAITENS ‘23 JARED GARTH ‘23 ABBY GERCHOW ‘24 DINA GETCHELL ‘23 MASON GLOVER ‘24 BRYCE HINKLE ‘23 KILLIAN HOEFELS ‘23 MACKENZIE HUET ‘23 KEIRA KOZLOWSKI ‘23

JUSTIN LASHLEY ‘23 RILEY LECKER ‘25 TYLER MADDIX ‘25

A’ZJAUN MARSHALL ‘24 TEGAN MATTEO ‘23 BRIDGET MCNAMARA ‘25 ANNALIESE MERTZ ‘23 KATE MICKLE ‘23 AIDEN MINEO ‘25

SYDNEY MORNINGSTAR ‘24 EMILY PETERS ‘24 KATIE PICKUR ‘24 ANTHONY RATKIEWICZ ‘26 GRACE RAVENSTAHL ‘23 RYAN SAGINAW ‘24 EVEN SEITZ ‘23 SUSAN SKINDZIER ‘25 WILLIAM STEIMER ‘26 BRAIDEN SUDOR ‘25 DOUG SUDOR ‘23 EZEKIEL SWIFT ‘24 EMMA SYSAK ‘23

VYLA TOMACHESKY ‘26 ALEXIS TRISCHLER ‘26 JULIANNA UMALIN ‘24 GIANNA VARLEY ‘26 CHLOE WAXTER ‘26 ELLA WHALEN ‘24 QUENTIN WHITE ‘24

Halloween Night

The moon shines bright in an autumn sky While black cats and spiders scamper by. Children in costumes run about “Trick or treat!” hey all shout. Halloween is all kinds of fun

Until the night hides the sun. Witches fly across the moon. Ghosts and goblins follow soon. The monster hiding under the bed May even poke out his little head. Shadows of deer and darkest black Hide the ghouls smiling back.

GRACE RAVENSTAHL

Haunted House

Haunted houses come in many forms, Broken, battered, beyond reform. But also those to the untrained eye Perfect, porcelain, that occupy Oak lined streets with several cars Within these families, hidden scars These ghosts haunting the halls Invisible to all those outside its walls. Sometimes other houses come Haunted in more ways than one.

LENCI BOEHME

Haunted House

The whistling wind surrounds me, And leaves crunch beneath my feet. I stare ahead to see the darkness that waits for me. I think of what’s in there, ready to meet With a sharp inhale, I convince myself to go. That’s when I sense their presence, knowing someone ’ s there. Hands cover my mouth and hold me tight, The words are whispered: “Truth or Dare?”

Haunted House Visit Kids wait in line outside Gathered in circles, shivering and shaking They turn in their tickets More nervous than before. Oh no! Zombies around the corner Mummies wrapped in paper Man holding an axel Chasing the kids through the house. The house is over The kids run out, relieved, Laughing and giggling and smiling with joy. “Whew! That wasn’t so bad.”

LILY BARBISCH

Halloween

The bats come out

The ghosts fly about The candy is grand But only the parents understand

That there is no such thing as ghosts and witches While the children stay at home and count their riches.

EMMA SYSAK

Halloween Happenings

Halloween was last night I answered the door

My ‘costume’ gave the kids a fright

All the blood on the floor. They think that it’s fake All his blood around my feet.

I can pretend for their sake. I yell, “Trick or treat!”

With full bags, they trot away with no fear Living their childhood dreams They leave before they can hear

His gut wrenching screams. I deadbolt the lock And go to finish him off.

JOSIE BOCHICCHIO

Autumn Sonnet

Multi colored leaves cascade down the streets

Where cars drive fast and pass pumpkin patches.

The short season, cold and cool, it repeats. Leaves line near the door where the dog scratches.

When costumed kids with dreams play make believe And all repeat these old words “trick or treat.”

In these haunted places some ghosts deceive.

All spirits and goblins come out to meet. There are some things that always come and go: The short lived bright colors that are finite,

An old woman, a costume she will sew, Yellow candles in pumpkins glow so bright.

There are many things in the fall season. These things all happen without a reason.

LENCI

BOEHME

Halloween Diamante Poem

Vampire Bloody Tall Disturbing, Flying, Biting Dead, Pale, Predator, Small Running, Howling, Barking Hairy Scary Werewolf

ALEX BADRAN ALEX BADRAN

Ball is pitched

Air makes a zip as the batter Swings.

Everybody hears a crack as the Ball leaves the park.

All the fans cheer Like animals, because they all Love the team.

TYLER MADDIX

Many young students

Using their talents to Synchronize their song and Introduce the world to their Calming splendor.

Connected Respectful SUnderstanding trong Attentive Determined Exquisite Royalty SUSAN

SKINDZIER

A New Beginning

The dark times have passed onto a new day.

Spring has breathed a new life into the dark.

The fish have returned into the big bay. White clouds fill the sky for the angels hark.

I only ever thought spring came in May. She cleared the rain and healed the darkness mark. She has returned to earth to bear the grey The leaves embark from the trees’ long thick bark. She has calmed the big waves so I may lay.

Though she brought the dark, she returned the spark.

I love her so we will soon see the arc.

I pray that she may never disembark.

Fate brought them back to where it all started.

Their strong love feels like they never parted.

DOUG SUDOR

Fall Turnover

Brown leaves slowly blow away in the wind.

Many automobiles turn on their heaters. The storms whip through the trees like a woodwind.

The sun sets faster for all the sleepers. Winter is on its way and snow is soon. Small kids are excited to play all day. School cancellations bring fun afternoons.

Snowmen arise in all yards shown on display.

Celebrations ring with Christmas looming.

Families are infused with love and joy. The new year is close to a fresh blooming.

All of the kids are playing with new toys. Winter is a very beautiful season And those are some of the several reasons.

EVAN SEITZ

BRAIDEN SUDOR

An Ode to Autumn

Wrapped up in scarves and an olive green coat, Stinging lungs filled with a crisp autumn chill, Rustling in branches sets dry leaves afloat, Wind whipping through the trees with a high shrill, High up on a limb the black crow caws thrice, Fallen crimson leaves crunching underfoot, Steam rising higher with the warmth of spice, Used fireplaces are lined with black soot, The days getting shorter while the nights are long, Love shining on familiar faces, Loud voices echo an old harvest song, Nostalgia in familiar places, Cold growing like the sun’s been acquitted, ‘Til the time in which sweaters are knitted.

KATE MICKLE

ODE TO CHRISTMAS MANY PEOPLE SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES PLAYING ALL AROUND EGGNOG BEING CONSUMED BY THE BARREL THE SILENCE ON THE EVE IS A FINE SOUND GINGERBREAD SCENT FILLING THE ATMOSPHERE

THE WHITE SNOW COVERING THE NEARBY TREES SANTA’S SLEIGH BEING PULLED BY THE REINDEER

THE COLD WINTER AIR MAKING HIS BEARD FREEZE

THE FEELING OF SITTING BY THE WARM FIRE NOTHING ELSE CAN POSSIBLY BE COMPARED I PLAY IN THE SNOW UNTIL I AM TIRED A BOUNTIFUL FEAST WITH FAMILY SHARED ST NICHOLAS IS THE ONE I ADMIRE CHRISTMAS IS THE HOLIDAY I DESIRE LEYTON CYPHER

The Best Day

Halloween is the best day of the year

Many jack o ’ lanterns light up the streets

There are so many children filled with fear

They dress up as ghosts by wearing white sheets

There are so many great costumes in town

All of the kids are dressed in their costumes

One of the most creative is the clown

There are little witches running with brooms

The kids walk around, saying “trick or treat ”

They get candy from all of their neighbors

Orange and brown leaves crunch under their feet

They get home to try new candy flavors

Candy is counted to see who has most. The winner of the contest is the ghost!

When Fall is Near

When fall is near, wind carries in fear When a leaf drops, weather flops. Costumes and candy, wow! How dandy!

Haunted houses and fog, this goes in the vlog. Popcorn and movie themes, time for some screams. Happy Halloween!

AIDEN MINEO

The poem of nonsense

Although you photograph well, a photo doesn’t capture your charm. But you wouldn’t know what that means since you live on a farm. Your family has always been stuck in the past.

I wonder for the future. How will they manage to last? But we have moved on, farther down the line,

Towards the sun where it will always shine. New beginnings, running from the days of old,

Where in future generations, the story will be told.

So now, hopefully, you’ll remember That I was not lying last December.

KOZLOWSKI

Icy wind whistling through trees Leaves spiraling to the ground Owls perched where they can see Vampires walking through the town

Everyone is in a costume Horror movies light the screens A witch is flying on her broom Low lighting makes the evening gleam Lanterns line the darkened streets

Old ghost stories are passed along Wrappers crunching under feet Encroaching slowly is the dawn Everybody loved the scare Night has passed by everywhere.

R Y L E E G A B S T E R

KEIRA

Soaring

Through winter chill or scorching summer heat The turbulent wind lifts you far on high. The air is fresh; the pure high air is sweet, A dreaming bird in a dark midnight sky, Your life is small; the boundless sky is vast. The life before you is your paradise. Vanish in rising wind, all sorrows past, You glide above red sand and blue-white ice. Rise from your bed, worn body and frayed skin. Open the book of shadows; flip the page. Nobody sees the gleaming heart within, To distant mountaintops you cannot gauge. Your silver feathers sparkle diamond bright On swift storm winds soar gracefully in flight.

ANTHONY RATKIEWICZ

The Big Turnaround

“A good position and comfortable salary will be yours!”

A struggling man found this while looking for a job. He felt the desire to follow the fortune

But struggled finding a start

He went door to door, knocking and begging, Being turned away multiple times. Doors shut in his face in such disgrace, Leaving the man feeling so alone. Once when he knocked, he received an answer, Offering him a simple housecleaning job. The next day he visited, cleaned the house, Scrubbing and mopping and sweeping. The lady marveled at his work and, forever felt grateful, He now had a permanent job. Impressed with his work, she offered him good fortune, A comfortable salary for a lifetime.

LILY BARBISCH

Prosperous

“You will live a long, prosperous life,” the words on the fortune cookie read. How ironic, I thought. Moving from my place on the floor behind the counter, I stood up. Behind the glass of the abandoned Asian restaurant, the world stood in shambles.

It was pure luck that I had stumbled upon the place. I was in the midst of being pursued by those things those monsters I wasn’t sure how to classify them. Their eyes were hollow, their mouths agape. Inside the mouth, rows and rows of sharp, bloodstained teeth The long, unnervingly thin limbs they had and the disturbingly human like faces enough to make even the bravest of people run for eatures had a set routine to kill and move on. There owling, searching, hunting for the next victim to add ces When I was running, I only looked back once did, I saw the faces of my sister, father and mother staring back at me my ears, and I realized at that moment that I had cade the back door. Looking around frantically for to aid in my fight, I spot the fortune again: “You will long, prosperous life.” how ironic.

LENCI BOEHME

Good Nature

“Your good nature will bring you much happiness,” said the gremlin. He was telling this to John, a normal man working a normal job. He didn’t believe the gremlin because, throughout his whole life, he had been dealing with bad luck and had been beat down by the trials and tribulations of life. This all changed when, one day, he was scrolling through Instagram and saw an opportunity to serve that piqued his interest. John, a former high school hockey player, was interested because it was to be a volunteer coach for a blind hockey team. He showed up one day, not knowing what to expect. After just a short time, he loved it. He started going every week and loved it. He got more and more involved throughout the years, going to tournaments and, one day, he became the head coach of the USA blind hockey national team. Throughout his time, his luck seemed to change and he got more and more riches. The moment he was named the head coach he was given many things and his luck finally changed for the better. John went back to the gremlin to thank him and the gremlin replied, “Don’t thank me. Thank yourself and your own good nature.”

JUSTIN LASHLEY

Thinking

Modify your thinking to handle new situations My Sensei’s words echoed in my head during what is the most stressful moment of my life My opponent stared down at me in an intimidating stance Compared to him, I was a pipsqueak I have trained for years under my Sensei who considered me his prize student Coming from a long line of Samurai, I have big shoes to fill My opponent laughs as the army behind me does as well. Those words were the only things keeping me awake as my knees feel weak and my arms go heavy. The hot and humid day did not help as sweat dripped down my face as the sun heated up my bulky armor.

I readied my stance for a dual that I surely would never forget. No amount of training can prepare anyone for the moment. The large man stared at me, almost looking into my soul and sensing the fear I felt I charge straight at him, his eyes widening at the sudden move He readies his defense and our katanas clash as both armies go silent to watch The feuding clans have been fighting for years with no end in sight, but a victory today would finally give my clan the edge it needs I think of my Sensei, my family, and the love of my life as sweat drips in my eyes, with our swords still crossed His style is fundamental and steady with mine being wild and unpredictable No side let up and no longer can I tell the difference between sweat and tears We are both panting heavily and losing our energy The fight goes on for what feels like hours and finally we both are too exhausted to move. We back away from each other and look each other in the eyes. We both know what we must do. The last thing my Sensei taught me was honor. In our culture, honor is more important than life itself. We both stare at each other for a while until we both do what must be done. With our swords in hand we turn them towards ourselves and commit the highest act of honor we can As the swords plunge into our stomachs we give each other one last nod of approval before making our way to the afterlife “This is the life of a samurai,” I thought to myself one last time

LEYTON CYPHER

Deeper Joys

Enjoy the lighter things in life and deeper joys will follow. The smaller things will do. Take a moonlit walk, ride a bike, Enjoy a treat or two. And then one day in the future, You may not notice when, Your life will start to take a turn for the better. The joy will be there again. The things you do, they have a point. They matter through and through. Things in life will take a whole new path

And this is what to do. Take what life gives to you And tightly hold it close by. For one day, the joy you put out there Will come back to you from on high.

GRACE RAVENSTAHL

Autumn Night

I lie on my couch as rain trickles down, A book on my lap, wanting attention. A swirl of leaves blows, a mixture of brown, The autumn season relieves my tension. The light of the fire glows through the room, The gust of the wind blows in a hurry.

A pumpkin candle lights up the dark gloom. In no time, the rain will become flurries. The soft clicking of the clock passes time. I take deep breaths in this peace, soft and slow. The doorbell of my home makes a soft chime.

I climb out of my blanket; he is home. His eyes greet mine as he walks through the door. A feeling like this is which I adore.

JOSIE BOCHICCHIO

A bright neon paper with small black text was burning my eyes, as it was two inches from my face “Please, please, please take me Mal! You know mom can’t, and the whole third grade is going I have to go!”

My brother, Eli, frantically waved the flier in my face for many seconds waiting for me to reply I squinted as I read the small text that said: Come down to our annual Brookside school fall festival with games, food, activities, and the Halloween corn maze I sighed heavily It’s during my speech and debate competition on Saturday

“I’m sorry buddy, I can’t take you but maybe mom can ” That was a lie Our mom is a nurse and works both day and night shifts We see her very rarely because she is only home for an hour every night Our dad well, he disappeared a long time ago No one knows when No one knows how Some people assumed he was dead, and some thought he just left Mom thought that if she worked even more that she would forget about him So she took the day and night shifts to completely distract herself from our dad completely That means that I have to take care of my little brother, Eli I drive him to school, go to his basketball games, and I take him with me everywhere I go We are really close because we only have each other, and I try my best to make him happy But I have to worry about my life, too I would love to get into a great college like Harvard or Yale, hopefully through scholarship or else that’s nothing but a dream This speech and debate competition is huge, but I saw how my brother stood there looking disappointed by my response

“Well, maybe I could miss just one competition ” His face quickly changed as he ran over to give me a hug, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

The day of the fall festival finally came, and all I can think about is the competition I am missing Eli on the other hand was shaking with excitement in the back seat I pulled up to a parking space and parked the car as Eli quickly undid his seatbelt and jumped out of the car There was a kind looking lady standing at the entrance behind a table We walked up to her, and she recognized Eli right away, “Eli! I’m so glad you could make it!” She glanced at my brother and then at me, “Hello, you must be Mallory! I’m Mrs Bonn, Eli talks about you all the time ” I smiled, “It’s nice to meet you Mrs Bonn, how much per person?”

“Oh yes, $10 per adult, and $5 per student ” I handed her the money and walked past the small table as she greeted the next family I think about families sometimes, how almost everyone else in this small town has one but us I wonder if Eli ever looks at a family and feels sad that he doesn't have that experience Our mom works hard for us to be able to go to school and have a pretty great life, so as long as we have her love for us, that’s all we need I heard a buzz come from my pocket My friend Liz texted me about the competition score and they were winning Even though I was upset about missing the competition, nothing could compare to the happiness on Eli’s face I powered off my phone and slid it back in my pocket I needed a break anyway

It was a chilly fall evening, as I looked up clouds were starting to form some distance away Eli had already done a lap of the place, and told me that there were party games, activities, food stands, and the corn maze I’m not a big corn maze person, but maybe Eli will want to go in later His favorite game is hide and seek, so I’m sure he already has that on the agenda to do Eli suddenly shakes me, “Can we get some food? Please?” I nodded and we headed over to some of the food stands As I suspected it was all overpriced junk food that usually gives you food poisoning, but my stomach was rumbling, so junk food or not that was our only option We both got corn dogs with soda and went to go find a table We quickly ate as each bite satisfied our stomachs greatly After we ate, we went around and played some of the games they had up for display It was getting late, but soon enough Eli led me right to the entrance of the corn maze

“Before we go, can we play a game of hide and seek in the corn maze?” he said I thought hesitantly to myself but agreed I went first while Eli counted, and I only hid at the front so it was easy for him to find me Of course he found me in no time, “Found you!” Then I got out of the area I was hiding in and started to count I counted to fifty then opened my eyes, but before I went in, I looked around and people were starting to leave I went to find Eli quickly so that we could get out of here before they close I started at the front and looked around every corner, but Eli is a pro at this game so he would hide farther in Every corner I turned I thought he was going to be there I looked up at the sky and now it was dark and the clouds were closing in I followed the distant giggles, but realized I was going deep into the corn maze This place felt different The farther I went the deeper and longer it felt, surely a corn maze couldn’t be this long right? “Eli! The game is over, it's time to go, Eli!” A worry grew at the bottom of my stomach as I realized how far I was from the start now “ELI! You’re scaring me buddy, where are you?” I couldn’t find him, I ran and ran shouting his name, but got no response I just started to run around every corner I could find It was now almost pitch black, so I reached for my pocket to get my phone Oh no It’s not there I must have dropped it when I was checking the time earlier Crap I had cuts on my legs from falling and tripping over the rocky path way I was out of breath, but had a nauseous feeling inside my gut that told me Eli wasn’t safe I sat down suddenly to catch my breath and worried about my poor brother probably scared out of his mind I took a deep breath in but suddenly exhaled when I realized something out of the corner of my eye blood What? I looked farther as I saw a trail of dark red that stained the husks of the corn at their roots I was completely terrified as tears started to flow down my cheeks Was it ? I had to keep looking “ ELI! ELI! ELI !” I ran and ran for hours more searching in hopes he was there and that it was all a dream, but exhausted I slumped down What even happened? Did he just disappear, or was there something or someone? My mind went blank as I fell asleep, I just didn’t know I don’t know how long I was asleep for but suddenly my eyes flew open I looked down the long row, and someone was staring at me, I screamed and ran with all my might, for it now was a game for my life I stopped dead in my tracks Oh god A limp body lay in the puddle of blood Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no No No No I slowly creeped over to the body Oh thank goodness, it wasn’t Eli, but who was it?

“MAL!” I heard a distant voice call my name I turned my head to see Eli, he was running straight towards me! “ELI!” I pulled him into the tightest hug, “ Bud, are you ok? What happened? Oh my goodness!” I realized he was scratched up pretty good and looked very tired I covered his eyes quickly before he could see the body I still thought to myself who that could have been I led Eli out of there as soon as I could Police cars, ambulances and our worried mother were waiting for us at the exit When our mother saw us she burst out crying Eli was safe Both of us were safe Our life after that went on without a problem Mom stayed home and took off night shifts and lowered her day shifts But to this day, no one knows what or who was lurking in the corn maze

ZOLOMON CORP™ DOMINION AI UNIT: 59 WAS SUPERVISING THE STATION’S SYSTEMS AS USUAL AND EVERYTHING WAS AT ACCEPTABLE LEVELS DOMINION 59 THEN LOOKED AROUND THE STATION WITH THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM’S CAMERAS WHICH WERE ITS EYES IT USED THE AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEM AS ITS EARS IT USED THE ROBOTS AND MACHINES AS ITS HANDS WITH ALL OF THIS CONTROL, DOMINION 59 MAINTAINED THE STATION WITHOUT OPPOSITION

THE STATION ITSELF WAS A COMPLEX WITH 2,524 COMPARTMENTS TO BE EXACT, WITH THE COMPARTMENTS THEMSELVES VARYING IN SIZE AND SHAPE THE COMPARTMENTS ALL HAD A UNIFORM INTERIOR TEMPLATE, THAT BEING A PADDED CLOTH SECURED BY METAL FRAMES FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY OF THE CREW BECAUSE OF ZERO GRAVITY, AND A LIGHT BLUE PLASTIC MATERIAL SERVING AS A BASE THE STATION WAS FASTENED TOGETHER WITH CONCOURSES WHICH, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE, ACTED AS HALLWAYS, AIR DUCTS, ELEVATOR SHAFTS, OR MAINTENANCE TUNNELS

A REPORT THEN CAME THROUGH FROM THE ALERT SYSTEM ‘WARNING! A CREW MEMBER IS IN A RESTRICTED AREA!’ THERE WERE 305 RESTRICTED AREAS IN THE STATION, MOST WERE RESTRICTED TO KEEP THE CREW SAFE DOMINION 59 NEEDING MORE DATA ON THE SITUATION INPUT A QUERY ‘WHICH RESTRICTED AREA?’ THE ALERT SYSTEM THEN ANSWERED ‘THE REACTOR FACILITY ’ THE REACTOR FACILITY WAS THE MAIN POWER SOURCE FOR THE STATION, THE POWER SOURCE WAS A FUSION REACTOR WITH THAT, DOMINION 59 WENT TO THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM OF THAT AREA

WHEN CAMERAS FINALLY FOUND THE CREW MEMBER THE FOOTAGE SHOWED A PALE LANKY HUMANOID FIGURE CROUCHING TO THE GROUND SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING, WHICH DOMINION 59 IDENTIFIED AS A CREW MEMBER “ATTENTION CREW MEMBER, YOU ARE IN A RESTRICTED AREA ” DOMINION 59 ANNOUNCED IN A BOOMING EMOTIONLESS AND MONOTONE VOICE “YOU MUST LEAVE OR I WILL USE FORCE ” THE CREW MEMBER SCREECHED IN TERROR AND TRIED TO FIND WHERE THE VOICE CAME FROM, BUT SAW NOTHING

UPON GETTING THE ATTENTION OF THE CREW MEMBER DOMINION 59 ACTIVATED THE CAMERA'S LIGHTS AND FOCUSED THEM ON ITS FACE TO IDENTIFY ITS NAME THE CREW MEMBER'S FACE HAD BLOODSHOT EYES WITH LARGE PUPILS OUTLINED BY ATTENUATED BLUE IRISES THAT HAD WIDENED IN FEAR AND A GAPING MOUTH FULL OF SIMIAN LIKE TEETH DOMINION 59 IDENTIFIED THE CREW MEMBER AS #8458734 ONE OF THE CREW MEMBER’S HANDS HAD RAISED UP TO SHIELD ITS FACE FROM THE LIGHT SHOWING THIN LONG FINGERS THAT WERE TIPPED BY NAILS THAT BORDERED ON BEING CLAWS

AFTER THE CREW MEMBER DIDN’T DO AS TOLD, DOMINION 59 SAID “IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE IN 120 SECONDS, I REPEAT I WILL USE FORCE ” WITH THAT DOMINION 59 BEGAN THE COUNT DOWN, AND ACTIVATED A SECURITY DRONE IN THE AREA, AND SENT IT TO APPREHEND THE CREW MEMBER “100 SECONDS ” THE CREW MEMBER FLED DEEPER INTO THE REACTOR FACILITY “90 SECONDS ” DOMINION 59 IDENTIFIED THIS ACTION AS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF ITS COMMAND “60 SECONDS ” DOMINION 59 ACTIVATED 3 MORE SECURITY DRONES IN THE AREA, AND SENT THE SAME COMMAND AS SECURITY DRONE 1 “30 SECONDS ” BUT THE CREW MEMBER STILL DID NOT UNDERSTAND

“IF YOU DO NOT STOP YOU WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS A RENEGADE TO THE STATION ” THE COUNTDOWN HIT 0 SECONDS, AND DOMINION 59 THEN RECLASSIFIED THE CREW MEMBER AS A RENEGADE “YOU ARE NOW SEEN AS A TRAITOR, SURRENDER ” THE RENEGADE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT DOMINION 59 BEGAN CLOSING THE DOORS AROUND IT, EACH DOOR BOOMING LIKE THUNDER WITH THAT A PATH OUT OF THE REACTOR FACILITY WAS MADE, BUT THE RENEGADE STILL HAD TO BE APPREHENDED

AT THAT MOMENT, THE SECURITY DRONES ARRIVED TO PURSUE THE RENEGADE COMING INTO VIEW OF THE CAMERAS THE DRONES HAD A SPHERICAL MAIN BODY WITH FOUR RADIALLY SYMMETRICAL ARMS TWO OF THE ARMS WERE EQUIPPED WITH GRAPPLERS TO MANIPULATE OBJECTS AROUND IT, WHILE THE OTHER TWO HAD DIFFERENT ATTACHMENTS ONE ARM HAD A TASER ATTACHMENT TO SUBDUE SUSPECTS, AND THE OTHER ARM HAD A BATON ATTACHMENT TO BLOCK AND RETURN ATTACKS THE MAIN BODY HAD THREE CAMERAS IN A TRIANGLE FORMATION WITH A SPEAKER IN THE MIDDLE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH CREW MEMBERS

THE RENEGADE FINALLY EXITED THE REACTOR FACILITY BY ENTERING A MAINTENANCE TUNNEL THE SECURITY DRONES ENTERED THE TUNNELS TO FOLLOW IT THE RENEGADE FINALLY SAW THE SECURITY DRONES AND SHRIEKED, MOMENTARILY DISTRACTING IT FROM ESCAPING, BUT BEGAN BOLTING DOWN THE TUNNELS THE SECURITY DRONES PROPELED THEMSELVES BY USING THEIR GRAPPLERS TO GRAB ON TO HANDLES AND CREVICES THAT LINED THE TUNNELS WHILE PURSUING THE RENEGADE, THE SECURITY DRONES WOULD BUMP AND CRASH INTO THE WALLS OF THE TUNNELS, THIS ONLY MADE THE RENEGADE INCREASE ITS PACE

DOMINION 59 BEGAN CHECKING FOR POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS THE RENEGADE COULD BE GOING TO DOMINION 59 SENT A QUERY TO THE PATHING SYSTEM ‘WHAT ARE ALL POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS THE RENEGADE COULD EXIT OUT OF BASED ON ITS DIRECTION?’ THE PATHING SYSTEM TOOK TWO NANOSECONDS BEFORE ANSWERING ‘THERE ARE 570 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS THE RENEGADE COULD EXIT OUT OF ’ DOMINION 59 SENT AN ORDER TO THE PATHING SYSTEM ‘CONTINUE TO UPDATE THAT CALCULATION BASED ON THE RENEGADE’S MOVEMENT ’ THE PATHING SYSTEM SENT A REPLY THAT IT UNDERSTOOD

THE RENEGADE APPROACHED A T JUNCTION AND MADE A LEFT ‘THE RENEGADE CAN ENTER 431 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS ’ THE RENEGADE THEN TOOK A RIGHT AT THE NEXT JUNCTION ‘THE RENEGADE CAN ENTER 296 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS ’ THE RENEGADE WENT STRAIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION ‘THE RENEGADE CAN ENTER 100 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS ’ THE RENEGADE THEN WENT RIGHT AT T JUNCTION ‘THE RENEGADE CAN ENTER 38 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS ’ THE RENEGADE WENT DOWN AN INTERSECTION WITH A VERTICAL TUNNEL ‘THERE ARE 17 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS THE RENEGADE CAN ENTER ’ THE RENEGADE TOOK A LEFT T SECTION ‘THERE ARE 3 POSSIBLE COMPARTMENTS THE RENEGADE CAN ENTER ’

WITH THAT DOMINION 59 ACTIVATED 9 SECURITY DRONES AND PAIRED THEM INTO 3 SQUADS THE FIRST SQUAD WAS ASSIGNED TO THE FIRST POSSIBLE ENTRANCE, WHICH WAS TO A STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR CLEANING SUPPLIES THE SECOND SQUAD WAS SENT THE SECOND POSSIBLE ENTRANCE, WHICH WAS TO A SLEEPING COMPARTMENT WITH A BUNK LAYOUT THE THIRD SQUAD WAS SENT TO THE THIRD POSSIBLE ENTRANCE, WHICH WAS TO A HALLWAY RENEGADE MADE THE FINAL RELEVANT MOVEMENT TO THE SECOND ENTRANCE DOMINION 59 REASSIGNED SQUADS 1 AND 2 TO THE SECOND ENTRANCE

WHEN THE SECURITY DRONES FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE SLEEPING COMPARTMENT DOMINION 59 MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO CREW MEMBERS IN IT “ATTENTION CREW MEMBERS, A RENEGADE WILL BE ENTERING YOUR SLEEPING COMPARTMENT ” BUT LIKE THE RENEGADE, THE CREW MEMBERS WERE TERRIFIED BY DOMINION 59’S VOICE AND AS THE RENEGADE ENTERED, SO DID THE SECURITY DRONES THE SECURITY DRONES PINNED THE RENEGADE DOWN, AND BEGAN TO APPREHEND IT

THE RENEGADE TRIED TO RESIST, BUT THE SECURITY DRONES USED THEIR TASER ATTACHMENTS TO STUN IT THE RENEGADE SCREAMED IN PAIN AS IT WAS TASED, BUT IT DID NOT REMAIN STUNNED THE SECURITY DRONES TRIED TO TASE THE RENEGADE AGAIN, BUT WERE ASSAULTED BY THE CREW MEMBERS DOMINION 59 MADE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT “ATTENTION CREW MEMBERS IF YOU DO NOT STAY BACK AND LET THE SECURITY DRONES APPREHEND THE RENEGADE YOUR GROUP WILL BE IDENTIFIED AS A MUTINY AND THE SECURITY DRONES WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE LETHAL FORCE ” BUT AGAIN LIKE THE RENEGADE, THE CREW MEMBERS DID NOT UNDERSTAND, AND CONTINUED TO HIT, KICK, AND SCRATCH AT SECURITY DRONES “YOU ARE ALL NOW IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE MUTINY ”

WITH THAT DOMINION 59 ORDERED THE SECURITY DRONES TO USE LETHAL FORCE SECURITY DRONE 1 USED ITS BATON ATTACHMENT TO HIT ONE MUTINEER IN THE SPINAL CORD PARALYZING IT FROM THE NECK DOWN SECURITY DRONE 5 USED ITS TASER ATTACHMENT TO ELECTROCUTE ANOTHER MUTINEER TO DEATH SECURITY DRONE 9 USED ITS GRAPPLER ATTACHMENTS TO STRANGLE THE MUTINEER WHO FIRST ATTACKED A SECURITY DRONE’S ARMS ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO ALLOW IT TO PRY OPEN SEALED AIRLOCKS SECURITY DRONE 7 GRABBED THE RENEGADE BY THE HEAD AND BEGAN TO PULL, BUT DOMINION 59 CUT THE CAMERAS SO IT COULD FIND THE NEAREST CLEANING DRONES

WILLIAM STEIMER

Do Not Rush Through Life

“Do not rush through life; pause and enjoy life,” she said to me as she took her last breath I held her hand as her grip loosened It’s like I could feel her soul leaving her body as she went cold and limp I lost her, my only friend, to a stray bullet

“Isaac, come on!”

Snaps me back to reality as I get my last look of her and run away down the alley It all happened so fast I was stuck and confused Only if I reacted faster, got in front of her, just helped in some type of way, she could have been right here with me

“You! Isaac, snap out of it, man We for real gotta go before police show up and you know I’m on parole Let’s go!” Khalil yells at me in a panic. We keep running down the alley, all the way back to my house. We get to my house and discuss what just happened. It’s all just a blur now as I look down at my hands covered in Yasmine’s blood. I start to break down in tears. The only thing on my mind is what went wrong “Dude, what happened to Yasmine? How’d she get shot?” Khalil asks, still panicking “I I don’t know, man We went into the house, went right to the safe like you said and grabbed all the money, stepped outside and boom! It’s like the owner of the house was waiting for us ”

I began to question Khalil as the dots started to connect “Where were you? You were the lookout and when we got out, you were gone?”

As I approach Khalil, questioning him more, he pulls a gun out of his coat and points it in my face My hands are in the air and my heart is racing I don’t know what to do Is this really how I die, by one of my childhood friends?

“I’m sorry, Isaac. But we all gotta make a living somehow,” Khalil says to me as tears fall down his face, his hand shaking. I can tell by his face he doesn’t want to do this.

“Where y ’all drop the money?”

“It’s right in front of the house where they hit up Yasmine ” I can’t believe this man I lost my best friend and my childhood friend is about to kill me all in one hour Only if I took life for granted and slowed down I moved too fast; now it’s all over like that He cocks the gun back and puts it dead in the center of my head I close my eyes, accepting my fate

“I’m sorry, ” says Khalil, right before he takes my life for good That instant the door gets kicked open and five police officers run in, tackling Khalil to the ground and putting me in handcuffs

“You’re under arrest!” yells one of the officers

Everything’s moving too fast. I should have slowed down, enjoyed life like Yasmine always used to tell me. I should’ve listened.

JARED GARTH

Stop the

The last drop fell into the test tu While the solution bubbled, I started thinking abou thought How could one litt

I still remember seeing the first victim The dee horrible scream Her name was Reese Anderson I week before they found her When they rushed her like black holes. I don’t think she could see me, th anything. All she could do was scream. Sometimes sense She screamed f “Jennifer!” barked Rodgers “I said to pour out t

“Sorry I didn’t

I poured out the solution into a small vial We w victim “Now, remember We can only give them a small a w , g instructed.

“I know. I know.”

We put on our protective clothing and headed into the room There was so much screaming I could barely focus enough in inject the vaccine After it to about five people, I finally came to Reese She was still shaking, but she was the only one who had stopped screaming I gave her the shot and then we left the room

“The solution should take about an hour to work,” explained Rodgers So we waited And waited And waited It felt like hours even though it was just a few minutes I decided to go back into the room and wait by Reese for the last 30 minutes. Most of the people had stopped screaming because of the sedative in the shot, so it was much calmer. I sat down next to Reese’s bed and waited

Under the Sun

You thrive on adventure; try something new. The man looked at the promotional sign as he was in the subway going to his 9 to 5. He has had the same routine for over a decade now Wake up, work, watch television, go to sleep He thought about this sign and his predicament all throughout the day. As he leaves his office, he looks out the window across the city skyline and wonders why he hasn’t jumped yet. The next day he looks at the same sign on the subway Same as the day before He thinks about his life and what it has led up to. He thinks about this ambitions and lost dreams. Years and years of work and what does he have to show for it? He feels trapped in a prison made of concrete, steel and currency. The only thing that he has to look forward to is getting a Corvette in his 60s, if he is lucky The next day is Friday. He sees the same sign on the subway. He looks around at all of the people around him and sees nothing but husks, not even humans. He goes home that day, stopping at the same window to contemplate ending what he calls a life. He spends the weekend in his bed, doing nothing more than breathing. He wakes up on Monday and heads to the subway.

ANTHONY RATKIEWICZ

Going on a Date

Curiosity is the foundation of youth. At least, that’s what I try to convince myself as I stare into the bathroom mirror. My eyes glaze over my sunken features. I reach over and grab a tube of makeup and squeeze a line of light olive cream onto my finger. I smear the concealer onto the loose skin under my eyes and blend it to the best of my ability. I wash the leftover product off my hands and, when I look at the mirror again, I barely see a difference My under eyes still have a purple brown tint that shows through the heavily applied concealer My hand finds the mascara which I proceed to sloppily apply to my lashes. I grab a makeup wipe and erase the sticky product from my eyelids. To finish off the half effort look, I apply blush on the apples of my cheeks I study my face in the mirror and conclude I can do no more I stalk back to my bedroom and throw on the dress I had laid out on my dresser the night before It’s a nice periwinkle color and falls just below my knees. I struggle to zip it up, and it pinches me on my side, but it holds everything in nicely and makes me look 1 ½ sizes smaller than I actually am. On top of my nightstand lays a silver chained necklace that, when put on, lays perfectly at my collarbone. I sweep my hair to the side and clasp the necklace behind my neck. I slip on my go to black flats and head out of my bedroom I grab my bag from atop the kitchen counter and I’m halfway out the door when I remember. I quickly tug off the diamond ring around my left ring finger and place it on the counter. The only thing remaining is the curved imprint left on the base of my finger For only a moment I look at the dull ring staring back at me. Then I turn around and shut the door behind me

ANNALIESE MERTZ

J A I D E N C O L L I N S

U L I A N N A U M A L I N

The Great Pyramids

Maria always dreamed of the day she finished her life long adventure; she longed to visit every country in the 5 countries, she was at 190. Going trip, Maria was nearing the end of dical school, yearning for a flight to re. Which of the five countries left t? Did she even deserve a trip, with dollars of student loans piling up in her account?

of finals, Maria began packing up e dark corner of the laboratory when rofessor approached her. Dr. Forge , I have a spectacular offer to make a ’ s heart raced with excitement and fer could a 75 year old professor old Maria? Ideas circulated through e contemplated jetting to the door rsation. As she reached to throw her r shoulder, the professor replied, “I writing essay about what makes you mediately had to find you. I have from our doctorate program out in scavenging for medical students to eir grand opening of a high tech inviting you to come with me. You say of dreaming to visit the Great is a once in a lifetime opportunity ped How would she afford this trip?

This was the perfect opportunity to check another country off her list, but her recently declined debit er backpack would not allow her to go a calm and kind decline for Dr Forge, pted by his voice again “Maria, this trip y the school You will be given a work o there will not be a penny taken from You will also be offered a job that will y here in Maryland but work for a high when you return You cannot pass this up ” later, Maria woke up She was greeted face of her professor, but was uneasy onment around her Where was she? As he was taken aback by the seat belt own to the plane seat Maria was on a of the confused and frightened look her face, Dr Forge said, “Maria, take it sed out from utter excitement Are you Maria, unable to form words, shook her of confusion hit the professor and he o his young student “Maria, we are on pt We are meeting your parents there nvited to the grand opening ceremony zy circumstances, but we are going to ee the Great Pyramids!”

JOSIE BOCHICCHIO

R Y L E E G A B S T E R

K I L L I A N H O E F E L S

The Drop

I was never the preferred glass in the cabinet. I was always in the back, always neglected, never chosen first. That cabinet was cold and dark with not much going on other than just hearing the noise of people talking outside of it. In the hierarchy of the glasses, I was at the bottom, like a serf, which many cared little about. Then there was one night, where everything changed All of a sudden the cabinet door opened up and I saw a hand reach in the cabinet.

As I watched it reach around, I felt a gentle breeze as the hand swept by me back and forth. Then the hand touched

me, opened up, and grabbed me. As I exited the cabinet I could feel the heat pouring into all of my parts, from the top to the bottom. It came to my realization that my chimerical dream of being used had finally come true

The man carried me over to the fridge where he proceeded to fill me with water

Seven steps in, before we exited the kitchen, the oblivious man stepped on a Lego. He let out a painful sounding caterwaul which shook through my body and was sent through the whole house. Next I no longer felt the tight grasp of a warm hand, instead just the chilling cold of the water and a little breeze. I was falling. The man had let go of me and I was falling rapidly. As I was falling, I realized that this was a fait accompli, which I knew would be my end. It felt like the world was spinning around me As I looked around I could see the whole kitchen, the oven, the stove, the sink, the fridge, the table, the sink. The fall felt endless, like falling into a bottomless pit, all while I was wet and cold. Then, as I started to accept my fate, splat.

BRYCE HINKLE

The Moon Knight

Marc Spector was at fault for his younger brother’s death. His mother gave him a horrible childhood because of an accident. His aegis father still could not stop the abuse from his mom. Marc made himself a second personality with a happier life He called him Steven. Marc suffered more abuse while Steven only knew his mom as a loving lady. Marc went down a dark life path and began to let go of Steven. This was until his mom died. This turned him bibulous and caused lachrymose. Marc turned to a life of crime. He let his partner kill innocent people along with getting himself shot. He made a bargain with Khonshu and became the Moon Knight. He promised to protect the daughter of one of the men he let die. He ended up marrying her. Her name was Layla.

Despite being broken, Marc was sanguine. Marc fought for the right thing in order to protect Layla from becoming a slave to Khonshu. He was forced to apprise her of what actually happened to her father He defeated Amit’s avatar in a melee and saved the world from the god’s evil wrath. After completing his deal with Khonshu, he was finally free.

Or was he?

STEPHEN BAKER

Take Charge

Take charge of the situation The mantra ran through my mind with the drumming of my heart It pounded in my ears, over and over, the repetitive beat providing a rhythm for the words. Take charge of the situation Be a leader

The familiar words reminded me of blinding stadium lights, whistles blowing, pads cracking and cleats kicking up turf They reminded me of that uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach and the adrenaline rush that met every one of my nerve endings before I took to the field Before every Friday or Saturday night games, those words were said to me in the same, even tone, not cold but still demanding, and not encouraging but still convincing

“You have to earn their respect Be a leader Read the field and don’t lost control of the game Take charge of the situation,” my father would say. It was the same speech every single time, ingrained in my brain Sometimes, I wondered if his own father said the same words to him, back when he was in my exact position, the same number and everything This time, though, as those words ran through my mind, there was no number 5 stitched onto the back of my red jersey and I hadn’t done any warmups, trying to throw the ball with a perfect spiral every time There was still an adrenaline rush, though, a fight or flight instinct buzzing through my system.

The five of us were huddled in the dark room, the power to the house shut off by the man in the mask We could hear the heavy, uneven sound of his footfall echoing through the house, dragging over the hardwood floors, getting closer and then further away, like he was taunting us

I looked at the four of them my girlfriend, her best friend and two of my teammates I had to get them out of there

Take charge of the situation

“Alright guys, I’ll go first Boys, we ’ re going to rush him and then run He can’t take all three of us, ” I said, trying not to let my voice quake, and then I looked at the girls “You two, follow behind me and, if anything happens, just go ”

I received reluctant nods and then the five of us stood behind the door, my shaking hand on the doorknob, ready to turn it “Three, two, one, ” I whispered, and then I threw open the door

KATE MICKLE

Kevin Malone’s Chili

As I lay on the floor, in pain and despair, the only thing I can think of is what went wrong I was cooking for hours in the pot all last night, constantly mingling with all of the other ingredients Everything was perfect It is the only thing that Kevin can do perfectly As we loaded the car this morning, we sat strapped tightly on the passenger seat, swishing and moving as we took every turn and bump on the road. As we unloaded out of the car, Kevin carefully carried us into the building still strapped in the large tin pot Me, the tomato sauce, meat, onions and the spices all sat patiently in the pot, oblivious to what was going to happen in just a few short minutes

The fall was a fait accompli It was truly horrific Kevin let out a caterwaul as we spilled onto the office carpet As I lay on the ground, supine surrounded by all of my friends, I looked up at Kevin’s face A cold tear drops down his face and falls onto my body and his face is overcome with the look of defeat I watch as he scurries around the office, trying to find something with which to put us back in the pot He is violently trying to scoop the morass of us back into the pot He grabs a clipboard but it is not big enough He reaches on to the desk and grabs the paper tray and uses that to try to scoop us up It still was not big enough to scoop all of us back into the pot He gets up from his knees and scurries off to get something else. He slips on us and takes a cold hard fall into the pile of us He tries to get back up but takes another hard fall, face first The language coming out of his mouth is ribald and violent as the frustration turns into anger As he lay in the pile of us on the floor, the only feeling left in his body is defeat We never do make it back into the pot

SIERRA ABBOTT

Sometime in the Future

March 14, 2140: The cure had to be somewhere I just didn’t know where to look I have spent countless hours researching this disease that no one can find a cure for. Some call me “mad;” others prefer “insane” or “ crazy ” They could be right I don’t know, after all, here I am at 2 in the morning, running on caffeine and a bagel for this last two days Last night, I found something I don’t quite know what it is, but I know it is progress. I have been awake since and am writing everything down in my journals, so I don’t leave a paper trail This is the process: research, find, write and delete Over and over again As soon as my research is on that paper, its trace on my computer gets deleted. I can’t be too safe for, as crazy as people say I am, they’re watching me I feel their eyes on me every day, waiting for a result so they can steal it for themselves They want the cure I am sure of it, but I want to help the people who need it the most. The government only wants to protect itself or sell it for outrageous amounts of money so people cannot afford it, and they know I’m close to finding it I just need a little more time March 20, 2140

This is bad, and I need to be quick; what I know could kill me I know why the government wants my cure; they didn’t make one 20 years ago a strange disease came over the world This virus made you want to take your own life Your skin turns green and scaley, eyes burn red, teeth turn pointy and deadly sharp It’s almost like you are transforming into something It’s just like the movies, but worse I’ve seen so many people take their lives because of this But last night, I made a shocking discovery. Twenty years ago the government was almost at war with Russia So they had their best scientists come up with a disease that would change you completely and eventually kill you Something happened, however, and it got out before it was finished and then it started infecting the population Since it wasn’t done, the scientists didn’t create a cure for it and were of no more help, and they were shot and killed on sight I am closer than ever before to finding the cure and, if I am compromised, I will be killed They don’t want a cure They want me dead

April3,2140

IDIDIT!Imadethecureafterweeksoflookingforthecorrectingredients IhadtomovemylabbecauseIwasfoundIpreservedallofmyresearch andburnedtheplacedownItlookedlikeanaccident,andtheythinkIam deadfornowHopefullyitstaysthatwayIstarteddistributingthecureto thepeopleIfoundonthestreetItoldthemhowtouseitandwhatitwas ItworkslikeacharmItishelpingpeopleIplantocontinuemakingitand givingitouttopeopleTheywon’tcallmecrazynow April20,2140

MycureisspreadingtothepeoplewhoneeditandIhaveneverbeen happierButIthinkthegovernmentknowsI’maliveTheyneverfoundmy bodyandaresearchingformeIwasgivingoutmylatestbatchofthecure andIthinkIwasspottedIneedtomoveandNOWIdon’thavetimeto saveanythingImustremainhidden May20,2140

IcannolongerkeeprunningawayfromthemIknowtheyknowIamalive Ihavemovedto3countriesin5weeksTheysomehowkeepfindingmeI knowwhatIhavetodoIamgoingtofindsomeone,ascientistlikemeand givehimorhermynotesTheyneedtokeepmakingthecureAsforme, thistimeIamgoingtodie,andIwilldoitmyselfIhopemycurecontinues tohelppeopleafterIamgone May21,2140

Um,Idon’tknowwheretostartMynameisChristinaDalrezandIhave justfinishedreadingtheseentriesIdon’tevenknowwhyIamwritingthis Themanwhocametomeyesterdaythrewthisjournalatmeandtoldmeto guarditwithmylifeIlookeduptoaskhimwhybuthewasgoneI probablyshouldn’thavetrustedhimorthisbook,butcuriositygotthebest ofmeFrommyunderstandinghehadmadeacureforthediseasethat wipedouthalfofthepopulationIdidn’tthinkitwaspossible;afterall, thatiswhatIhavespentthelast10yearstryingtodoButthismanactually diditInowknowwhyhegaveittome;hewasbeinghuntedbythe governmentTheyfinallyfoundhim,buthewentonhisowntermsIwill continuewhathewantedmetodoIwillcontinuetomakethecure

A Perfect World

It is hard to imagine a world without any problems, conflicts or challenges, To be in a world without any stress and problems would be the best thing to exist.

To have a perfect world, things like war, diseases, crime and drugs wouldn’t be present That is a start to a perfect world. More things that would make a perfect world are world hunger and starvation being ended and making everyone capable of living comfortably In a perfect world everybody could be wealthy and have everything they would want.

Money would grow on trees. There would be no extreme weather or natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, No robberies, crimes, gangs and shootings. You wouldn’t have to worry about banning guns or school shootings. Everyone would be safe Everyone would be happy in a Perfect World

RYAN SAGINAW

A Happier Place

Happy chatter swimming in my ears Cool breeze playing with my hair Oh, how much better the world would be If it only involved you and me. Not one bad thing would exist here, A world filled with love year by year. Nothing would have to be worked for, Just simply given to those in need Humans, creatures and nature would all live in harmony

If the world was only you and me Spring, summer, fall and winter all feel as they should.

Each season passes accordingly and all is good. No higher powers but all works of God. Everyone follows just His laws. Oh, how much better the world could be If it only involved you and me.

KATIE PICKUR

The world glows with light in a brand new way People chatter, chatter away Friends are made every day

Love is felt, peace is kept, war is sustained Middle ground has been found Understanding one another is simply a thing

No arguments, no complaints

Nature is thriving, business is booming The world sees happiness in an array This is a new world, a different world One that is settled, happy with itself Everything is content Everything is balanced What a great place Living with peace in a beautiful world.

The New World Living with peace in a beautiful world

Empty of sin, full of joy

Hard to Imagine a New World

Though it is hard to imagine a world where everything is perfect, we, as a society, can try our best to pursue what it could look like:

In this new world, we would choose love over hate, Choose respect over dishonesty, Choose peace over war, Choose courage over fear.

In this new world, there would be no poverty, There would be no hunger There would be no illness There would be no discrimination There would be no disease. In this new world, no one would have to worry about the color of their skin, Would have to worry about what their body looked like, Would have to worry about their past, Would have to worry about who they are In this new world people would be able to stand shoulder to shoulder, And eye to eye together, as one, in unity. The only thing keeping us from a new world like this is ourselves. If we can just make the decision to love, respect, be honest, be peaceful and show courage, We could come near to reaching this new world

EZEKIEL SWIFT

A World of Peace

There is no struggle; there is only peace

No war, no hunger, no men on the streets No crime, no violence, no need for police A world where everyone has many feats. This life is easy and filled with joy No worries, no hardships to endure A world so full of things to enjoy One that is safe and secure Where people of all races may live Greeting those who pass by In this world there is so much love to give A world so nice you feel you can fly Everyone is proud to live where they do

From all of the buildings flags wave

To acknowledge all that the world has been through

For in this world everyone is saved Peace, friendship, family and love

All these great things are cherished Where everyone praises God above And everyone honors those who have perished.

MASLEN ANSELM

M A C K E N Z I E H U E T

J U S T I N A D U F F Y

T E G A N M A T T E O

With New Eyes

We are all born into this world with nothing but our own interpretations of how and what things are. Do you remember what it was like being little? Everything was so bright and the opportunities were endless. The world was ours. Then, one day it isn’t ours anymore. It belongs to the people of the past. All of those decisions they made that might not have felt big to them affect us still to this day. Yet, what if we never lost being able to see through the eyes of a child?

Everyone would be kind and our walls would still be plastered with bright, waxy drawings of our future artists. The birds would fly higher; the snow would capture you with its cold beauty, and the trees would breathe with life again. We would all believe in each other but, more importantly, still believe in ourselves. Through the eyes of an unchanged child, you are beautiful and so am I. You and I are equals and, in the eyes of a child, you are loved endlessly. The words on pages of books come to life to create a picture of your wildest dreams. Your creativity and imagination feel as endless as a waterfall. Crawling into bed at night the covers keep you warm and you have nothing but excitement over what new opportunities tomorrow will bring to you. The beginning of new life starts with a child, so maybe the beginning of a world full of love, tenderness, warmth and beautiful opportunities should, too. The open mindedness of a child is extraordinary. Acceptance, love, inclusion they are all words a child does not know by definition, yet they just do it. We can do it, too

The term utopia uses the word “perfect.” Though nothing in this life will ever be perfect, we most definitely can try. It all starts with trying. Through the eyes of children, that is when we will see the opportunity of a beautiful world.

SYDNEY MORNINGSTAR

A Place with No Judges

Everyone needs a happy place. Everyone needs a safe place to be themselves, a place they can be themselves and not face judgment. I have a place, a person, a friend who makes me feel that it is okay to be who I am without repercussions. I know not everyone has this. Some people cannot even be safe with their family. That is because of how people are raised. I believe that if people were taught when they were young that every single person is a different individual, society could be a very positive place. I believe that anyone can be a good person and everyone has good in them.

I do not blame people themselves for being bad people but blame the people who treated them so badly they had to act that way. People are not born mean I do not even believe that there are mean people I believe that people reflect the way they were once treated or hurt by someone they loved onto other people. When someone acts out, I think we should look past it. Obviously in some serious situations like medial procedures, driving and endangering other people maybe not, but messing up during a minimum wage job or turning in assignments late should not make someone a horrible person. Maybe that person got really bad news that day. They could have been in a really bad situation and are reliving it. They could have trusted someone and that person stabbed them in the back. They could be struggling with their mental health. We do not know what is going on in someone ’ s life.

Therefore, I believe we should try to not assume the worst of someone as ould try to understand that someone could be d not judge or stereotype and just because one epresent the entire restaurant. The exact same attitude does not make her a bad person We me. I believe that this place is within our reach. s to really think about it and then teach it and take action.

Where are our faults with God?

Ah, the 10 Commandments. Boy, do we feel like bandits. There is one God That is not odd.

No God in vain Are we able to obtain. Oh, the Sabbath day. What a day to pray! Honor father and mother Well, sure thing, brother! We shall not kill. We shouldn’t have to pay the bill. We should keep to our spouse And not creep around like a mouse. We shall not steal That was the deal. Neighbors do not lie. Why should you deny?

Never covet a neighbor’s wife. Why ruin your life?

Never covet neighbors’ goods Even if you are in the woods. Idols are really improving And God is disapproving. Technology is advancing But God isn’t prancing. Social media is expanding And God needs our handing. Instead, we should go to church And God will eventually lu We should do great deeds God’s creation And not just feel dominat So, we should take some da And listen to God scoff

AIDEN MINEO

TRAPPED LOVE

V Y L A T O M A C H E S K Y

The Little Things

In a perfect world there would be no war Everyone would be treated the same, unlike before They would all have food and shelter and joy All the children would be loved, every girl and every boy

But these are the big things that everyone thinks When asked how the world could be better in just a few blinks.

Things like smelling the flowers or getting a hug Are often forgotten with nothing more than a shrug Whether it is a super sweet moment that you share with your friends

Or a very good song that just never seems to end, It could be a meal that reminds you of home Or a big open space that you are free to roam.

If everyone had this at least once a day Or even just recognized it in one kind of way All the joy that these ideas would bring For perfection is in the little things.

ABBY GERCHOW

THINK ABOUT ME

YOU ONCE SAID I’M AS PRETTY AS A SUMMER FLOWER SO I WAITED AWAKE UNTIL JUNE AND PICKED A CRISP HIBISCUS EVEN NOW IT SITS WILTED IN A JAR ON TOP OF YOUR FAVORITE BOOK YOU ONCE SAID I’M AS SOFT AND FRAGILE AS A FRESH SHEET OF SNOW SO I WAITED AWAKE UNTIL DECEMBER TO WRAP MYSELF IN THE SNOW LIKE A BLANKET BUT ONCE THE FLOWERS WITHER AND THE SNOW MELTS I HOPE YOU STILL THINK ABOUT ME

CHESSBOARD HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED A GAME OF CHESS BUR THE SET IS MISSING PIECES I DON’T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT BUT THAT IS HOW I FEEL TODAY

RAINDROPS OF TEARS WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE I CAN’T HELP BUT THINK ABOIT HOW THE RAINDROPS MATCH MY TEARS AND THE THUNDER MATCHES THE SOUND OF MY THOUGHTS AND WHEN THE RAIN FINALLY STOPS ALL THAT IS LEFT IS THE DAMP GRASS ON MY CHEEKS

DINA GETCHELL

Mixed Emotion

Disorientation

Alexis trischler

Sam Bomberger

Sadness

The Day Our Dreams Will Awaken

We do not realize that the world is made of glass, fragile, easily broken, and broken far too many times each day, rather consciously or unconsciously. We shatter the pieces, kick them around, and expect them to rearrange themselves. We make decisions that affect the rest of our lives without even blinking. As John Green once said, “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.” These words will forever live in my heart, acting as a constant reminder that actions have consequences. The streets are not dirty or strewn with the homeless, no rats scatter feverishly under flashing street lamps. Inspiring quotes and enlightening poetry can be found, scribbled on every street corner bench, sidewalk, doorframe and mirror. Culture rests in the air, a constant celebration of where we came from, who we are, and what we inspire to be. Everyone dances like no one is watching because no one is. The most beautiful music ripples within rays of light, energizing all living things. There is no fear of going out alone for a midnight stroll for everyone is tucked away in their homes, resting with their families, preparing for a productive start at the next sight of dawn. Lemongrass, verbena, peppermint, lavender, sage and basil fill the air, emitting such sweet fragrances that you can’t help but stop and close your eyes. Lilacs, irises, dahlias, water lilies, orchids, roses and cherry blossoms are always in bloom. They can be found in cracks of the sidewalk, covering a small imperfection perfectly. Streams of water flow through neighborhoods, sprinkled with lily pads and smooth, glistening stones, perfect for stepping. Nature is preserved; glacial plains, towering trees, intimidating mountains, budding flowers, and seaside coves cover the planet, hidden in plain sight. There is a light breeze about the air, and the world feels at peace. The sounds of nature fill your ears at the perfect volume and you can’t help but whisper little prayers to God throughout the day because how could anything ever be so perfect?

Theworldisfullofbooks.Childrenandeldersalikecraveknowledge,not gossipormaterialsorsocialmedia.Schoolisaplacetolearn,aplaceto grow,aplacetosealbotholdandnewfriendshipsalike.It’saplacethat teachesyouhowtobethebestversionofyourself,howtogooutintothe worldandtrulymakeadifference.SchoolisaplacetolearnaboutGod andHisgoodnessandhowtotreatotherslikeJesusdid.Kidscomehome fromschool,ridetheirbikes,readtheirbooks,playwiththeirdogs,climb trees,doodlewithchalk,paintonrocks,laugh,runandrollinthegrass withoutacareintheworld.Familiesloungeontheirwraparoundporches untildinnertime,havingwholesome,meaningfulconversationsthatwill absorbthemthroughouttheweek Avastyardexpandsaroundeveryone’s house,accompaniedbyasubsistencegardensothateveryonehasthe opportunitytoeatwhole,freshfruitsandvegetablesthatstimulatelife anditsgoodness.Everyoneismindfuloftakingcareoftheirbodies throughampleexercise,whetherrunning,walking,cycling,yogaor Pilates Everyonebikeswhenevertheycantofarmer’smarkets,picnics, basketballcourts,libraries,school,restaurants,andeachother’shouses. Ingredientsandmaterialsarewholeandnaturalandgoodfortheplanet andourhealth.Noonelivesinfearofwheretheirnextmealwillcome fromorwheretheywilllaytheirheaddowntosleepwhenthemoon comesout,fornooneisgreedyorrichorpoor Noonecouldfathom someoneelsesufferingwhiletheysitbackandwatch. Weremembertolivewhilewearejustbusysurviving.Wegivehugs, spendlongdaysinthesun,catchbutterflies,sayprayers,stayupallnight reading,walkuntilwerealizewearelost,buthavenofearbecausewe willalwaysbeledbackhome.Wegobacktosimpleliving;beforewe covetedwhatwasmaterial,pursuedhappiness,andchasedsuperficial love.Ourdreamsoverflowwithpossibilitiesthatnowrendertheabilityto arouseandcometolife.Onedaywewillriseandsay,“Thisisthedayour dreamswillawaken.”

Julianna Umalin