“Stuffy Summer”
The stuffy summer air fled at the disappearing sight of the sun over the horizon. The air had the sharp scent of freshly mowed grass
The sky turned to hues of mixed pink and purple as the world beyond my window darkened. Trees adorned with emerald green and pure white fences faded together as night came
I relaxed in my desk chair as I gazed through the glass, ignoring the calculations and problems in paper set before me
Through the barely cracked open window the sound of an almost mournful cry leaked in, bittersweet and soft at the same time.
I spotted the small brown birds calling out to each other, relying on sound in the lack of light.
The sound was interrupted by my mother calling me down for dinner and the thud of my sister’s sneakers rushing inside.
By Lea LaRotonda
By Mia Berasti
12
“Koi Story”
“Pink”
ByAlonzoMiller
“Skydrop”
13
“Pond” ByLeaLarotonda
ByAngelinaDaniel
ByHadasahRoa
ByEmilyLenahan
“Peacock”
“Pig” ByBriannaLenihan “Gira e”
“Ostrich” ByReeseAguilar
“Parrot”
“Koi”
“Zebra” ByBayleeGomes
ByJuliaRubim
“Hummingbird”
ByAnonymous By“Dragon”BryanRuiz
ByAnonymous
“Wolf”
“A Wall of Youth”
By Anonymous
In solitude I stand, a wall of youth, Bound by bricks and dreams, a testament to truth. Each stone a story, etched with vibrant hues, As I navigate this labyrinth, where shadows and light fuse.
These walls confine, but also shield my soul, From judgment's gaze, as I strive for self-control. I paint them with rebellion, with secrets I confide, Expressions of my spirit, where individuality resides.
Within these walls, my dreams take flight, A canvas of possibilities, embracing the night. They witness my laughter, my tears, my cries, Unyielding barriers, where my essence never dies.
“Chipping Away”
By Anonymous
Yet they can crumble too, With fractures shining through. Through the cracks, I seek connection's call, To bridge the gaps, unite us all.
Amidst the echoes of time's swift grip, A soul awakens, from slumber to trip, Through life's vast canvas, with purpose ripping, Carving a destiny, through moments of chipping.
With chisel in hand, they carve and they mold, Unveiling the tales that their heart holds, Each stroke a whisper, a step to unveil, The masterpiece within, where dreams set sail.
For in the act of chipping, they find, Strength to endure, leave no dream behind, With every chip, the spirit takes flight, Creating a symphony, harmonizing might.
So let us embrace this artful pursuit, Emboldened by dreams, relentless and acute, With faith in our hearts and purpose gripping, We'll shape our existence through life's constant chipping.
For as I learn to rise and fall, I’m breaking barriers, And tearing down walls.
“Brick”
By Sanjana Soni “Chipped”
By Fortunato Barillla
16
17
ByChristian
“Patrick” ByAnonymous “MarioCollage” ByJazminMartinez “DannyPhantom” ByMayraReyes
BySehajSingh “Henrietta” ByGiadaViscusi “SpongebobCollage” ByNickMonteforte
Collage”
“MasterSword”
“MinecraftPig
S&PShakers” ByAlejandro V-Bermudez 18
Berasti “SpongebobandGary
“Last Summer”
By Anonymous
In the golden realm of endless days, Where laughter dances in the sun's warm rays, Summer sings its sweet, enchanting tune, A season of dreams, beneath the vibrant moon.
With eager steps, we embrace the morn,
As nature's canvas, a world reborn, Whispers of freedom in the gentle breeze, As we chase the promise of newfound ease.
The sky above, a sapphire dome, Inviting us to wander and roam, Through meadows ablaze in wildflower hues, Where daisies sway and secrets infuse.
Beneath the shade of ancient trees, We find solace, our minds at ease, Unburdened by time, worries untold, In this realm of youth, forever bold.
We gather by the sparkling shore, Where waves kiss the sand with a gentle roar, Salty air fills our lungs with delight, As we surrender to summer's eternal light.
Days unfold like chapters, vivid and bright, Filled with laughter, adventure, and delight, Camping beneath a sky studded with stars, Weaving stories around the flickering fire's bars. With friends by our side, forever true, We seek the thrills that only summer can brew, From cliffside dives to daring escapades, Embracing life's wonders, the memories cascade.
As twilight paints the world in hues of gold, We gather, stories and dreams to behold, With hearts ablaze, we bid the season adieu, Knowing that in our hearts, summer will always renew.
For in the tapestry of youthful days, Summer's magic forever stays, A treasure trove of sun-kissed bliss, A cherished chapter, forever amiss.
By Aryanna Perea
19
“Sandswept”
“Gummy Bear Parachuting”
By Julia Rubim
“Beach Scene”
By Alessandra J. Canzoneri
20
“A+B”
ByAnonymous
In a small village nestled between a great expanse of rolling hills, two teenagers lived the quiet and lonely lives expected of those youth who grew up in unforgiving towns. For both young men were in the process of discovering their true selves, harboring a shared secret they dared not share with the rest of the world. While the secret was shared, neither knew of the other’s presence let alone his hidden burden.
Alexander was a creative and passionate adolescent of 18
years with a strong affinity for painting. He found solace in his artwork, often pouring his emotions onto the previously vacant canvas, spilling dark colors with the intricate brushstrokes of youthful passion. Yet despite his prowess in the artistic world, he felt a deep emptiness, a constant yearning for connection —for a love that would accept him, as he was, both completely and effortlessly. His extroverted nature lent itself to his being constantly surrounded
by Mikayla Marrera
“Fireworks”
“...let alone his hidden burden…
mankind except in the hidden recesses of their dreams.Yet, no amount of escape was enough to help him forget about his deep need for understanding- not to understand, but rather to be understood. His longing for a kindred spirit to share his innermost thoughts and dreams surpassed want and bordered on a primal need, like that of food or drink or air.
Fortunately, fate intervened for the two youths one overcast afternoon when their paths crossed at a
quaint local book store. Ben had wandered for a long while, nearly aimlessly meandering amid the vast collection of colorful tombs, in search of a quiet corner to lose himself in his growing stack of books.Alex, meanwhile, stepped inside with the air of belonging he always exhibited, radiantly displaying the warming aura of friendliness that announced his very presence. He was seeking an inanimate muse for his next painting.Turning a
corner,Alex nearly collided with Ben who had seen an overstuffed chair in the corner and was rushing over to sit down before another interesting title caught his interest and added itself to his heavy collection. As their eyes fell upon each other, an unspoken recognition sparked between their very souls—a shared understanding of kindred spirits that
“Frozen Skies”
by Sanjana Soni
“...in the hidden recesses of their dreams..”
“...an unspoken recognition sparked between…”
Their friendship blossomed, bloomed, and still grew more. Weeks became months and their meetings occurred more frequently.They spent hours getting lost in discussions that never ebbed, flowing effortlessly. Some of it was merely jokes and interests, but mostly they shared the thoughts that came from the cores of their being. Hopes, regrets, fears, reservations, and their deepest aspirationsnothing was off the table… except the one secret hidden in the recesses of their periphery, constantly fluttering around like a fly trying to find an open window, that neither was ready to
admit to himself let alone say out loud and to another. Each revelation drew them even closer together, like two heavenly bodies aligning in the evening sky. One wonderful Finally descended below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the town and leaving shadows in the wake of every building, Ben mustered the courage to share his deep truth withAlex.They sat under an ancient
“Iced Cube”
oak tree, its leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze as meaning to tell you. I just haven’t figured out how yet."
Alex looked at him, his face a canvas of anticipation and
“...his face a canvas of anticipation …”
“...Blossomed, bloomed, and still grew…”
23
by Lea LaRotonda
“Prayer Hands”
understanding, unwavering support etched into each line of his visage.
The next two words were a whispered vulnerability that cut Alex to the core. A tear welled up and cascaded down his cheek, not out of sadness but in relief. He, too, carried the same truth within him, and despite his gregarious nature, he was equally afraid to voice it aloud.
the sweetest honey. With a smile he confided that Ben was not alone. In that moment, their worlds- their very hearts- collided, ripped apart at the seams, and were stitched back together larger and stronger than ever before. For, as the Greeks know,
by
Ben’s bravery was not lost on him, andAlex’s response began with that very fact, the sincerity in his voice dripping like
once a soulmate is found the soul becomes whole once more with four arms, four legs, and two heads. The burden they had carried for so long dissolved into the vast abyss that now existed everywhere else in
the world except the space between them. They saw nothing else in the universe except each other, the heavy weight relieved of them filling them with such renewed vigor that it was like the shackles they had been bound to all of their lives were finally released, and Plato’s cave was far behind them. They held each other's hands, for the first time not afraid of what the other would
“...unwavering support etched into each line…”
24
“...soul becomes whole once more…”
Gianlucas Rivera- Oliveira
think, feeling an electric connection that transcended any words they could utter or any visions they could garner.
the deep strength they found in each other.
He wanted it
by Sanjana Soni
surpassed societal norms and leaving the ashes of conformity, which they had been imprisoned by for so long, in their wake. They faced adversity with unwavering conviction, buoyed by
They became each other's rocks, supporting, writings painted a tapestry of their experiences. His previous works in the genre of fantasy with elements of romance separated into tales distinctly romantic and distinctly fantastical.
clear to any potential readers that love was not something reserved for fiction. Stories of resilience
others who were searching for their own truths.
With every stroke ofAlex's brush and
“...love was not something reserved for fiction.”
25
“Perchance to Dream”
every word that flowed from Ben's pen, their passionate story solidified into something extraordinary—a testament to the power of love in any form. Together, they created their own masterpiece—one that celebrated their journey and inspired others to embrace their own authentic selves.
And so, the two youths, once lost in a world that didn't fully understand them, found solace and love in each other's arms, forever etching their names in the
“I Don’t Know-You Come Up WithAName”
by ReeseAguilar
“Droplets”
by Kyra Henriquez
By Fortunato Barilla
“Marble”
“An Ode to My Books” 27
“Ode to Jewelry”
By Abigail Agostinho
You mi ht look best with a But I’d still pre er you without Oh, how you make me shine as bri ht as the stars
You are as shiny as the litter in the sun
Everyday I wear you, I eel on o the world
Oh, how expensive you can be, I just wish you were ree But I’ll save my money to buy you
O course, you were nothin but revolutionary to me My outfits aren’t complete without the wonder ul help o jewelry
“Lights”
By Laura Fowler
By Sanjana
By Erin Morgan
Every day I wake up seeing you hanging on my lamp
Ready for you to come spend the day with me
You twist around my neck like swing at the park
You watch as I ride to school everyday
You watch me run up and down the turf at practice
You listen to all the loud boys talk around me
You watch me fall asleep each night
You are my good luck charm that I will never leave behind,
If I lose you again I lose apart of myself
Never in my life will I lose you again I can promise you that
“Captured Light”
Soni 28
“Imagination”ByAlessandra
ByLuke
Canzoneri “Command”
Bergin
“Home” BySparshaw Gomes
“Leaf”
By Sanjana Soni
“Ode to Watercolors”
By Elizabeth Hobbie
I sit down at my desk
I line the paintbrushes next to me in a neat row I carefully place my palette of colorful watercolors beside me
My weapon for my imagination
Finally I set down the paper
Ablank canvas, ready to be lit up with stories of the past and present
Away to release my emotions, to peek inside my soul
I dip my brush into the water,then onto the dried watercolor brick
Reactivating it and freeing it’s beautiful pigment once more
Ready to be used
I let my imagination take over
The colors flying across the page
The beautiful oranges and reds and greens and blues seeping through the paper
Mixing into river of rainbows
Sometimes I pour my heart and soul into a painting, making sure every detail is perfect
Other times I enjoy the feeling of letting go and allowing my paintbrush fly across the canvas in wild, free strokes
Once I feel satisfied
I get up and return my tools to their rightful places
But still on my desk, the paint sits dried and cracked
Waiting to be brought to life once again.
“Ode to the Girl in the Tutu”
By Erin Dunn
The girl in the tutu. She cannot turn, she cannot leap. But I see her smiling, oh so proud. She loves it. Pointing her feet. laughing with the dancers. the French terminology.
The girl in the tutu. She looks at me, as I look at her. We stare at each other but we are split up by a reflecting glass. She cannot turn, she cannot leap. But she loves it. She loves being on stage, just like me. She mirrors my moves. She follows me around.
I ask why she loves dance and she says the same. She cannot turn and she cannot leap. But she tries.
But when I step away from the glass she is gone and it’s just me.
I am the girl who cannot turn and cannot leap. But that reflecting glass shows so much more. It shows how I try, I love, I smile. All from dance.
By Lea
By Sanjana
“Pink Macabre”
Soni
“Skull Light”
LaRotonda
“RuleofThirds”
ByJamesBirong
“Ode to Jamaica”
By Zoey Gaiser
“Ode to My Mom”
By Emily Cunha
My mom means the world to me
But the world is not big enough to be filled with the amount of love I have for her She's perfect in my eyes
If only she could see the way I see
She’s the sunshine to my darkness
She lights the way for me
She's the best mom that there ever could be
Her beauty radiates inside and out
Even through tough times
She's the strongest there can be
Knowing that she's always there for me is all that I need
People saying that I remind them of her
It is the biggest compliment I could ever get.
Her hugs are the best part of my day
Seeing her is what makes everything okay
She's like fresh flowers, She will always make your day
She might not have diamonds
But she will always have me.
I went on vacation to Jamaica. It felt like a paradise, like an escape from the real world. The smell of sunscreen filled the ocean air. I couldn't imagine a better place, bright blue ocean, spotted fish of every color, not a cloud in the sky. I found a new love for Bob Marley and everything was pineapple flavored. The way my hair lightened, the color of my pina colada. My freckles and skin darken and my pink bikini revealed Adramatic tan line that I hadn’t seen sinceAugust. I hated the idea of going home, to come home to un-made beds, dirty snow that covered my feet, and a gray and gloomy sky. So I closed my eyes and savored the feeling of sun kissing my skin, I loved my vacation to Jamaica.
“An Ode to Music”
By Sam Wysocki
Music is what keeps me alive
Music is my escape throu h my everyday li e
It ives me hope that I’ll do somethin amazin
It ives me somethin to believe in
Music could be anythin
Anythin amazin that makes sound
Like the melody o sweet birds at day
Or as crickets chirpin at ni ht
Music can bri hten your smile
But it can also allow you to break ree
And it will wipe the tears rom your eyes
And tell you all will be okay
Music inspires many
And I am just one that it inspires
The wonder ul melodies o son s speak to me
Givin me all the answers
Whether music comes rom the piano,
So t hands pressin keys
Elicitin wonder ul sounds
As notes dance upon lines, tryin to keep up with time
Or maybe the music comes rom a fiddle
A fiddle played by someone with Hands o Midas
Each note played atherin attention o all
As each note seemin ly turned old
Music dives down deep into the soul
Li htly touchin all insecurities
Music is somethin that everyone can have
No matter how bad li e could be
A simple tap o a pen onto the floor
Is almost equivalent to the ban o drumsticks onto a drum
Or maybe the hummin o a mother to her baby
Sounds as so t as a wool blanket in the bleak midwinter
The moral o my ode is that no matter where you are
The sounds o cities at ni ht
The moans o rosty winds in december
Or the sound o allin raindrops
Music will always be there, to mend the world’s soul
By Michael Di Salvo
32
“Reflections: Water & Flowers”
“ODE TO BASEBALL”
By Logan Fraine
There once was a day, In which I stumbled upon baseball. After that day, Baseball became my life.
Oh baseball, you make my heart spin. You have so many qualities, I can't even count them.
Oh baseball, you’re a sweet sweet game, Without you I would never be the same.
Oh baseball, you have been here since early times, And will stay here until the last man dies. You have seen legends like Babe Ruth, And stars likeAaron Judge. And far more will come.
Oh baseball, your bats and gloves are neat, In my eyes they are like a currency. Whenever I get a glove or a bat, I use it until it's all worn out.
Oh baseball, to play it you need a good eye, If you don't have one, you're not going to be fine.
Oh baseball, how you need good hands, For you use them to command.
Baseball is mostly mental, You need to be smart to remember your fundamentals.
Baseball is the best, But after you play it, make sure to get some rest.
of Light”
by Mayra Reyes
33
“Ball
33
by Sanjana Soni
“Ode To Jazz”
By Bora Lazri
Jazz, translator of feeling, The echoes that bounce across my walls
Like a deer in headlights, like a cat on alert
My eyes widen and my ears perk at the sound of your name
I travel on the rollercoaster of a story that is spun by the saxophone, The vocalist, The trumpet
The bittersweet feeling of your voice in my ears, Swells my heart and brings tears to my eyes
You bring people together and you split them apart with a snap of a guitar string
It is amazing how you are so many things, but man has only one name for you
You are heartbreak, the waves of suffering
You are love, the flutter of a heart
You are joy, the taste of sugar on the tongue
You are the love of a sister and the hatred of an enemy
You are waves of the ocean and the wind in the air
Jazz, J-A-Z-Z
One word encompasses a myriad of meanings, Enough emotions for a lifetime
Your meaning transcends language but never the heart
“Grate”
“Ode to my Mother”
By Francis Mastromauro
Even when you are feeling down You still always put me first instead of yourself, You sacrifice your time and effort Just so I can have a better future.
Your catering and caring is infinite, As such my love is for you. Although it may not seems obvious I shall always love and respect you.
Every second you exist, You spend thinking about me And for that dedication I promise to love you until I die.
Your admirable patience is infinite As you always give more then a second chance Even for when i may not listen to you You always are forgiving.
I know it may seem like I don't value your sacrifices, But there is not a day i do not think about you, So know that even when you believe i think “i hate you” I will always value and think about you.
Every day when I see you, it brings me joy
Knowing I have someone in my life who will always be by my side Whether it be as little as dropping me off for school Or being there for my graduation day.
I also notice the things you do in the background And although you think I don’t care, I always treasure everything you do for me
Because I love you the most in the world.
And even though you certainly aren't perfect, You are very far from being horrible
In my eyes, how you are doing right now Is just fine with me.
So for this, I thank you mom. For all the knowledge you’ve taught me, And the confidence you’ve given me, And for this you will always have a special place in my heart
By Giulia Scibilia
35
“Focus”
Sneakers. They're more than just shoes. They're an extension of who I am, a reflection of my style and personality. When I slip them on, I feel a surge of confidence, a readiness to take on the world. Each pair tells a story. The scuffs and creases, they're badges of the adventures I've had. From skateboarding at the park to late-night escapades with friends, my sneakers have been with me every step of the way.
They're my companions on this journey of self-discovery. With every stride, they carry me closer to my dreams. And it's not just about the style. Sneakers have a language of their own. They connect me with others who share the same passion. I can strike up a conversation with a stranger simply by complimenting their kicks. It's a universal code that breaks down barriers and brings people together.
In a world that's constantly changing, sneakers are my constant. They're a reminder of who I am and where I come from. They're a symbol of my youth, my energy, my individuality.So, here's to sneakers, those timeless companions that keep me grounded as I navigate the ever-changing landscape of adolescence. With them on my feet, I'm ready to step into the future, one stylish stride at a time.
36
“ClassicConverse” ByNoorOmr
“Converse” ByAngieNelson
“Nike”
BySamanthaMaass “Vans” ByLukeBergin
By Grace Choi
“AlbumCoverMosaic”
BySehajSingh
“WithaCherryon Top” ByBayleeGomes
“Sensory
Poem”
“Citrus” ByHudsonHsieh
By“Berries”NoorOmr “AllScream” ByAngelRen “TeaLight” BySanjanaSoni
“Bloom” BySanjanaSingh “Blossom” ByLeaLaRotonda By“BreakingDay” MasonBloss “BusySky” ByAlonzoMiller “ChainLinkPuddle” ByLeaLaRonda “Crocus” BySamanthaSeidl “Dawn” ByMasonBloss “Drink” ByGiuliaScibilia “Koi Pond”
By“LakeofWood” SanjanaSingh Background“MiniForest” ByMiaBerasti “OuttaMyShell” BySanjanaSingh “RockyRoad” ByMasonBloss “Rolling Clouds” By Mason Bloss “Turtle” BySamanthaSeidl
By James Birong
Stars ignite the night, A vast universe above, Children dream on.
Birdsong in the air, Melodies of pure freedom, Lovers’ hearts take flight.
In nature's embrace, A person finds solace, Beauty, pure and wild.
Mountains stand so tall, Challenging me to climb high, Human strength prevails.
By Mia Berasti
The car slowly pulls up to the driveway and suddenly stops at the end. The long, dark, driveway is covered in 2 feet of snow and it’s clear that there is no way they can drive up.
“There's a shovel by the shed halfway up the driveway,” says Julie’s aunt, Carol, as she sets off on foot to find a way to clear the path.
“Be careful, I read on the way up that there are wolves up here” Julie says, starting to get nervous and impatient.After the 5-hour ride, all she wants to do is lie down and get a good night's sleep. She knows that clearing this driveway can take at least an hour, and with the sounds of the wolves in the distance, she is beginning to become very frightened, along with her younger brothers who will not stop crying. Julie knows there is a long, grueling wait ahead.
After another 35 minutes of waiting, Julie's aunt appears in the distance with two shovels in hand.
scream…
“But their cries of joy were interrupted by a scream.”
“EW! Oh my god, there’s a dead bird on our doorstep!!! It must have crashed into the window and died!!” Julie said.
“That is so weird… I saw a few dead squirrels on my way up when I was looking for the shovel, it’s probably the wolves.”
Julie’s aunt said.
“Hmmm yea that must be it, that's just so strange,” Julie said as she turned to walk into the house.
up the house. Looking out the large windows, she can see nothing but darkness outside. She turns to go into the kitchen and join the rest of her family.
Exhausted, they all sit down around the kitchen table to play monopoly and relax after the stressful trip here.
“I honestly thought we would never make it up here with all that snow”, says Julie’s mom, relieved that they can finally relax.
“Me too!” says Julie, before they are suddenly interrupted by the doorbell ringing.
“Who could that possibly be? In the 15 years that I’ve been coming up to this house, I have never once heard the
“Untitled”
40
doorbell ring,” says Julie’s aunt, concerned.
When the doorbell rings once again, Julie finally gets up to open it. First, she peers through the window to see who it is.
“It’s that old farmer who lives down the hill, the one with those sheepdogs,” Julie says, confused as to why he’s at their door.
“What could he possibly need at this hour? '' says Julie's aunt, reaching out to open the door, not knowing what to expect.
“Open it! Open it!” Julie’s brothers call out, excited about a new visitor. But Julie was not excited, as she saw the look in the farmer’s eyes and she knew that he was not there for good reason.
When Julie’s aunt opened the door, the farmer just stood there and stared without saying anything. Standing 6’5, the farmer towered over all of them. With long gray hair and dark eyes that seemed to stare right through her, he sent a chill down Julie’s spine.
Julie’s mother exclaimed, positioning herself in front of Julie and her brothers. The farmer took a step back as if he wasn’t expecting so many people to be greeting him at the door.
“I just came to see her,” the farmer says creepily, pointing at Julie. Julie, shocked and creeped out, runs back to her room to get away from the farmer.
“Why in the world are you here to see my 15-year-old daughter?You don’t even know her!”
Julie’s mother frantically yelled.
is no one around for miles besides that farmer, they don’t want to take their chances.
“That was terrifying, why did he come to see me? I’ve never spoken to him in all these years!”
“Yes, that was very weird, but don’t worry about it, just try to get a good night's sleep and relax. It’s been a long day” Julie’s mom says, feeling tired.
“I’m sure it will be fine.All the doors and windows are locked anyway. I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” Julie says before making her way to her room.
“Get out of here you old creep,” Julie’s aunt said, desperately trying to calm down the young kids and get the farmer away.
“I’ll be back whether you want me to or not,” the farmer says under his breath before turning to leave.
After Julie’s aunt slams and locks the door, Julie and her mother run around, making sure all the doors and windows are locked. Knowing that there
Wow what a long day, I really can’t believe that happened, Julie thinks to herself, before getting ready for bed. Laying down in bed, just finally happy to go to sleep, Julie begins to drift off until…
Something thuds against the window, startling her awake. What
by James Birong
“Hello…what is it that you need at this hour?”
“That was terrifying, why did he come to see me?”
41
“What could he possibly want at this hour?”
window. Standing below is the farmer, who’s just staring up at her with his rifle in one hand, and rocks in the other, as he was throwing them at her window.
Julie takes a step back and gasps “What the heck!!” She runs downstairs to get the rest of her family. “Mom!!!Aunt Carol!!! He is standing outside my window with a gun!!!!”
her screams, runs to the kitchen with a hunting knife, prepared to protect her kids. does he have a gun?” She says while peering out the window, looking to see who Julie is talking about.
back to kill me!” Julie said, terrified.
continued to look out the window and search for the farmer. “I don’t see anyone out here,” said Julie’s aunt.
“Julie, are you sure you haven’t just been reading too many murder stories, he might’ve been crazy, but I don’t think he wants to kill you,” her mom said.
“Noo!! I know for a fact I saw him out there. I’m not lying” Julie yelled while swinging open the door to
see if he is still there. She looked around desperately, but the farmer was nowhere in sight.
“I swear I saw him… He was looking right at me through the window.” Julie said, feeling defeated.
“Julie, it's been a long day and we have an early hike tomorrow morning, all paranoia from when he showed up at our door. Get some sleep.”
“Okay fine but I know he was out there whether you believe it or not!!” Julie yelled before storming off to her room.
Checking the windows one more time to make sure they’re locked, Julie begins to calm down after the crazy day and she finally lays down to go to
bed.
Time for our hike.” her mom says as she opens up the blinds, letting the light into groaned as she pulled the exhausted from tossing and turning all night.The last thing she wants to do is go on a hike while the farmer
Julie goes downstairs and meets her family for breakfast before the early much snow came down during the night.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea for us to go out there in this weather?Also, the farmer might see us. I don’t want to go,” Julie said reluctantly.
“Come on Julie, are you seriously going to ruin our family trip just because
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to go out there…?”
42
“...I’m sure this is just stress and paranoia…”
of your paranoia?This hike is one of our traditions. I know the farmer creeped you out but I’m sure he’s just messed up from being up here alone all the time. He probably just wanted some company and saw us settling in,” Julie’s mom says, desperate to calm her nerves. Julie sighed and went to get bundled up for the hike in the cold. She knew she couldn’t get out of this one.
Ten minutes later, her mom calls up to her room. “Julie come on, it's time to get going, we’re already off to a late start,” she says. Julie runs down the stairs to meet her family so they can begin the hike.
Snow continues to fall, covering their footsteps as they set off into the woods. Looking around at the trees and beautiful sights, Julie begins to calm down and remember why they are all here in the first place.
“Wow, it is really beautiful,” Julie begins to say, before being cut off by her brother who pulls out a hunting knife and begins to mock her.
“Ha ha ha don’t worry Julie I’ll protect you from that farmer when he comes to get you,” he says.This sets her off, after agreeing to come on this dumb walk she is still being mocked. She knows what she saw out the window last night and even if none of them believe her, she knows the truth.
She grabs the knife, runs off the path, and is gone from their sight within seconds. She thought she knew how to get back to the cabin, but they had gone out further than she thought. Looking around
she begins to panic as she realized that she could not find any of the typical path markers. Back on the path, Julie’s family is freaking out because they can’t find her.
“Where did she just run off to? Why would she leave the path in the middle of the woods where she might not be able to get back? What did you say to her!” Julie’s mother screams.
“All I did was make a joke about the farmer! I
something like this up and keep it going for so long. Maybe the farmer did come back in the middle of the night,” Julie’s aunt says, stating what everyone else is thinking.
“You’re right! I don’t know why we didn’t listen to her… he did say he came to see her when he was at the door, which was very strange…, Julie’s mom said.
They all ran off, looking everywhere for Julie, but she had just run further into the forest and was getting more lost by the second. “Mom!Aunt Carol! Can anyone hear me???” Julie cried out. Aleaf crunched
“Snow continues to fall, covering their footsteps…”
43
“Looking around she begins to panic…”
behind her, causing her to abruptly turn around.A familiar, yet chilling voice came from behind a tree.
“Oh I can hear you…but no one else can,” while chasing her.This sent a chill down Julie’s spine but she knew she had to keep running as she saw that the farmer had his rifle. After running for five minutes she took shelter behind a large rock and she couldn’t see or hear the farmer until…
“BOOM” a gunshot rings out through the forest, loud enough for Julie’s family to hear in the
distance. Her mom begins running in the direction of the noise.
“Oh my god he’s going to shoot me,” Julie thinks as she ducks down lower, trying to get
in the head, knocking him to the floor. She runs over and kicks the gun away from him before he regains consciousness. In the distance, she hears her mom.
“JULIE!Are you out there?” Her mom cries out, assuming the worst after hearing the gunshot.
“MOM! MOM! I’m over here!!!!” Julie yells, right before the farmer wakes up and plunges at her. She jumps back and grabs the knife from the floor before stabbing him in the leg so that he can’t move anymore. He falls unconscious once again. Finally, her family was able to find her. “Oh my god, Julie what happened! We thought you were dead,” her mom says as she quickly dials 911.
large rock off the ground. She knows she only has one chance to get this right, and if she doesn’t, she will never see her family again. Glancing out of her hiding spot, she looks for the farmer. Just as her eyes lay on him, he sees her and begins running towards her, raising his gun. Without a second thought, Julie threw a rock at the farmer and it hit him
“I thought I knew where we were but I got lost! When I was yelling out for you guys the farmer must’ve heard me and he started chasing me! I thought he was going to shoot me. I told you there was something wrong with him!” Julie frantically yelled.
“I told you I would be back!”
44
“I’m so sorry we should’ve trusted you.The cops said they won’t be able to get to us for hours. We can’t just leave him, he might wake up,” Julie’s mom said as she took some rope out of her backpack to tie up the farmer until the cops came.
They find a wheelbarrow and put the unconscious farmer in it and begin to wheel him back towards the house until the cops arrive, which could take hours. Julie still can’t believe what just happened.
“Mom… he said ‘did you like the present I left by your door’as he was chasing me! He’s the one who killed those birds and squirrels, there is something seriously wrong with him!” Julie said.
“Julie I am so sorry I didn’t believe you, I should have listened when you said the farmer was trying to kill you but I thought you were just seeing things! I’m so happy you are safe and everything will be okay when the police get here.” Julie’s mother said as they wheeled him back to the house.
The cops arrive hours later with a warrant to search the farmer’s property for any possible motive or explanation.As one cop takes the farmer to the station for questioning, the others take a look around.
“You’re going to want to see this…” the cop said to Julie and her mom, as he led them into a shed in the farmer's backyard.
Julie gasps as she enters the shed. Floor to ceiling, covered in pictures of her, notes she had written and never sent to anyone, books she read but had lost, and a bucket of dead birds.
“How does he have all of this stuff?? I thought I lost most of this. Why does he have pictures of me? I’ve never even spoken to him.”The questions were endless. Julie was shocked and terrified.
“From what these pictures show, this creep’s obsessed with you and has been stalking you ever since he first started taking care of the land”, one of the cops said as he took pictures of the room for proof. While looking through the room, Julie saw something on the ground below the carpet.Afolder, with a picture of a young girl who almost exactly resembled Julie, was on the floor.
“Who is this?” Julie asked, shocked by the resemblance, handing the photo to a cop who goes to run it through a database.
After looking up the picture, the cop gasped.This girl was the farmer's daughter who died the year Julie and her family first started going up to the house.Ten years later, Julie looks exactly like the girl and the pieces started to come together.
“Found our motive.You have an uncanny resemblance to this guy's daughter. He’s crazy and he probably thought you were the ghost of her or something. he did. “Why would he want to kill me because I look like his daughter though?That doesn’t make any sense.” Julie said.
by
“Iced Gazebo”
James Birong
“Okay we’ll call you if we find anything out. Get some rest, it was a long day,” the officer said before getting back into his car.
Wow, that was crazy… Julie thought to herself while laying down to try to go to sleep. RING RING her phone rang out through the house, waking up her mother who came running into her room.
“Is that the cops? Did they question him?” Julie’s mom said as she entered the room.
“Let me answer now. Hello, who is this?” Julie said into the phone.
“Hello it’s Officer Stevens we want you to come down to the station and explain exactly what happened while the farmer was chasing you. We are trying to determine if he should be put behind bars or in a mental hospital to get help,” the officer said on the phone.
Julie’s mother took the phone out of her hand suddenly. “Hello Officer!As you know it is very hard to get out of here with all the snow but we will leave first thing tomorrow morning and make our way to the station,” she said.
“What the heck mom! I don’t want to see the farmer again,” Julie said.
“Julie this is important we have to tell the cops exactly what happened. Go to bed and tomorrow morning we are going to the station.”
“Fine. Goodnight,” Julie said before turning off the lights and getting ready to go to sleep.The next morning she began to pack her bags and prepare to leave the house. She went downstairs to the kitchen and helped her family finish packing.Then they set off to go to the station.
“Julie, do you remember everything that happened? Do you know what you’re going to say to the officer?” Her mom said.
“Yes. Let's just get this over with,” Julie said as she got into the car.
When they arrive at the station, Julie has a bad feeling in her stomach but she is happy that the farmer will get help. She walked into the station and spotted the head officer who was at the scene yesterday.
46
“Eclipse” By Sanjana Soni
“Hello Officer. I am Julie and I was called down to the station to describe what happened with the farmer.”
“Thanks for coming down Julie, can you please just explain exactly what happened yesterday?” he said.
“Yes so it wasn’t just yesterday it started when we got here…” Julie proceeds to explain the entire ordeal to the officer.
“We think that if we brought this to trial, the farmer would just be found insane and end up in a mental hospital for the rest of his life. Maybe if you talk to him and convince him to voluntarily go and get help, we could save a lot of time and headache,” the officer said.
“I really don’t want to see him but… I also think he should get help. Fine i'll do it, but you need to be right outside the door ready to come in if he does anything” Julie said.
The officer led Julie to the questioning room and when she entered the farmer was there, chained to the chair so that he couldn’t move.This calmed Julie’s nerves slightly.
“Hello, the cops said that they think it’s best if you voluntarily go to the hospital and get help. We found the picture of your daughter-”
“My daughter?” the farmer asked, interrupting Julie.
“Yes we found your creepy shed… and the photo of your daughter in the folder. We looked up the picture and we figured it all out. But I don’t understand why you would try to kill me because I look like your daughter. It doesn’t make sense, you clearly need help!” Julie yelled.
The officer heard Julie yell and ran back into the room, along with Julie’s mother who was very concerned.
“Is everything okay here? Listen sir, you tried to kill a 15 year old girl yesterday. If I were you I would take the option to go get help, clearly living alone on a farm is making you crazy,” the officer said.
“Fine.You’re right.” the farmer started crying. “I have been living here alone for 10 years and I can’t handle it. I’ll voluntarily go to the hospital, if that's my only option over prison” the farmer cries out.
The officer led Julie and her mother out of the room.
“Thanks for the help, I don’t think he would’ve said yes without you going in there and talking to him.You don’t have to worry about the farmer anymore, he'll get help, but he also won’t be able to leave,” he said.
Julie walks outside of the station and takes a deep breath. Her mother runs out behind her and gives her a hug.
“Are you alright Julie, that was a lot” she asks while hugging her daughter.
“Yes I am just so happy that we can finally go home and relax and that the farmer won’t bother us anymore” Julie said.
“Me too, let's go home” her mother says as they all walk to the car.
Relieved, the family turns and walks towards the car, happy that the nightmare is over.
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