VKZ Writer Digest Vol. 2

Vegas Kids Zone

OurStaff.

Editor in Chief Angelina Agasi

Editorial Designer Angelina Agasi

Publisher Kimberley McGee

Contributors

Kari Walter

Rhonda-Kay Gatlin

Alba Arango

Tammy Brant

CJ Cummings

Vicki-Ann Bush

Aria Goodson

Ishaal Rabbani

Kaylee Danzis

Miller E.

Brielle Mia Canoy

Viktor H.

E.G. Layton

Liam Hagy

Vihaas Makam

Emily Simpson

Mia R.

Gricelle Gan

Harley C.

Jasmine De Jesus

Josephine Kress

Rosalie C.

Emily A.

Jaelyn B.

Alaina Sanchez

Akayla Flores

Cole R.

Nathan O.

Vegas Kids Zone Digest

Table of Contents

The Purple Affinity

Emily’s Passion for Animals

The Magic Fish

Pawned

Was it a Dream?

the

Demon

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

CJ CUMMINGS

DEBBIE WITMER

KARI WALTER RHONDA-KAY GATLIN

TAMMY BRANT

RD TALLEY

ALBA ARANGO

A d v i c e f r o m

t h e J u d g e s

You may think punctuation isn't really important, especially in this time when people communicate most frequently by text messages, which are often full of acronyms, abbreviations and emojis.

Poor punctuation in a short story or book, however, is distracting to the reader and detracts from the your message as an author. Always proofread your work and enlist the help of an editing tool. It is time well spent.

―Kari Walter

Choose your audience before you start to write. Know your subject and research any unknown.

Rhonda-Kay Gatlin

Remember when writing dialogue, people talk differently. Think about the way you and your friends talk to each other, and then the way you talk to your parents and other adults (probably pretty different). And, along those lines, when writing dialogue for adults in your stories, remember that many adults speak differently to each other than they do to kids (sometimes annoyingly so). Pay attention to how people talk around you. Having your characters talk differently is a great way to make the story, and your characters, feel more believable and relatable.

Alba Arango

Set aside a little time regularly to write, practice makes perfect.

―Tammy Brant

Never fear failure. Fear giving up. Never give up. Never ever.

CJ Cummings

If you decide to seek out a publisher and submit your work, make sure you know the difference between a vanity press, a hybrid, and traditional. A true traditional publisher will not ask you for money to create your books. You will enter into a contract and get royalties off your book sales and they will get a percentage.

Vicki-Ann Bush

o n o r a b l e Q u o t e s

"As you go through life, let this be your goal: keep your eye on the donut, and not on the hole."

CJ Cummings

"Successful writing is one part inspiration and two parts sheer stubbornness"

—Gillian Flynn

"If a story is in you, it has to come out."

“If you think you are beaten, you are If you think you dare not, you don't, If you like to win, but you think you can't It is almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost For out of the world we find, Success begins with a fellow's will It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are You've got to think high to rise, You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man, But soon or late the man who wins Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”

― Walter D. Wintle

William Faulkner

Do you have a funny story, original poem, drawing or essay about your pet or family?! Send us your creative work and get published in the VKZ Magazine! Every entry is entered for a chance to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards! Every published entry receives a certificate of publication. Send your original creative work to Kim@VegasKidsZone.com for consideration! Get featured in VKZ Magazine!

Elementary Division

The Purple Affinity

Aria Goodson Age 11, Grade 8

Prologue

“4:00 AM. How fun!” I whispered to myself sarcastically as I hit snooze on my alarm clock. However, my excitement caught up to me quickly, and I didn’t even fall back asleep. I hopped out of bed joyously because today was supposed to be the greatest day of my life. I had to catch my flight to Los Angeles to get to the “International Academy of the Arts'' aka IAA. I had been dreaming about attending IAA ever since the brochures miraculously appeared in our mailbox. Even my adoptive parents were slightly confused but seemed intrigued by all that IAA had to offer.

After one last glance in the mirror, I headed to the airport where my dad dropped me off with $20 for airport snacks. Score! Three hours later, I breezed through the doors of IAA, but I accidentally bumped into the stereotypical mean girl who was stunning in every way except her ability to be kind.

“Sorry.” I quickly muttered.

“It’s ok. But next time try to watch where you ’ re going.” snarled Ms. Perfect. Ugh. I shrugged off her malice as I headed up to my dorm room and noticed two suitcases and some decor had already arrived.

“Anybody here?” I said, shouting a bit. A girl with light blue hair poked her head out of the door. Phew…not the mean girl at least.

“Hey there; I’m Rose Tambii. You must be Astro Mae?” asked Rose. “Nice to meet you. ” I mumbled as I shyly walked into my section of the dorm. I unpacked my bags and then stood there awkwardly since my social skills are certainly not the best. Rose walked over to me. “I can show you around if you want. Follow me. ”

I stood up and started following her. While I am not the most communicative person, I do suffer from wanderlust and couldn’t wait to check out the campus. After a brief tour of IAA, Rose walked me into a salon. Yes, a salon on campus. How cool is that? However, as she sat down, her chair slowly turned a milky blue color that almost perfectly matched her hair.

“Woah, that’s cool.” I gasped. “I know, right? Each color represents your specialties in the arts. Light blue means you have a talent in painting, literature, and sculpting. Go ahead, take a seat.” Rose gestured her hand toward the seat. As I sat, the color started as a swirl of white and silver, but then it flashed bright purple.

The Purple Affinity

She smiled. “Impressive. Purple means you have a specialty in performing arts, baking, and music.” I looked at her and smiled as well.

“Cool.” I looked down at my watch. “Oh shoot, I should be getting ready for the welcome party.” I rushed out.

“Oh ok. See you later!” yelled Rose. As I pondered what to wear, I decided on a sparkly purple dress after learning my affinity. I was super eager to arrive at the welcome party in great spirits, so I ended up being one of the first people to the party.

Luckily, Rose showed up super soon, and I just knew we were destined to be forever best friends after already having a great day and now sharing gossip and cupcakes.

I met numerous new students, but the one that stood out the most was a curly haired adorable new boy named Walker. I awkwardly giggled at everything he said and tried to focus on the conversation and not just on his perfect face.

However, mid-conversation, I had an extremely nauseating pain shoot through my body, and I fell to the ground and blacked out.

“She should be fine to go back to her dorm. She just needs rest, “said the nurse as I slowly came back to reality extremely embarrassed, confused, and in the medical wing. This wing wasn’t included on the original tour, so I guess I at least know where it is if I ever end up in this situation again. Gosh, I seriously hope not. What on Earth had happened?

“And food.” I muttered back. “I need food.” Rose jumped up from the chair next to me. “Oh, you scared me. Thank goodness you ’ re up!” She said, in relief. She slowly walked me back to our dorm room. I smelled the nice big slice of pizza sitting on the dining table before I even saw it. Yum! How did it get here so quickly?

“Take whatever you want. I’ll eat the leftovers.” Rose said. “You can eat as well. I’m not THAT hungry.” I let my bestie know. “Do you know why you were unconscious?” She asked nervously. I shook my head.

“I-It’s my fault. I have a gift and I just didn’t tell you. ” she admitted, and my eyes widened.

The Purple Affinity

She continued, “When I get jealous about something or someone my powers activate, and I guess they just kind of….knocked you out. But I didn’t mean to. It was just an accident. I’m here to learn how to control my emotions…and gift/power,” she whispered while stuttering through her tears. She clenched back as if she was scared.

I was speechless, and I tried to wrap my brain around what she was confessing…powers, jealousy, pain. She hurt me. Accident or not, that’s extremely dangerous and uncalled for and with what? Powers??? I must really have a concussion.

I thought she was my best friend. I needed answers quickly. I slammed the door as I exited the room. However, I realized I left the pizza. So of course I walked back in, grabbed it, and walked back to slam my door again, but I made sure it was louder this time. I may not have powers, but I have petty down pretty darn well.

I didn’t have the slightest idea on how to find Walker, and I didn’t really know anyone else. Heck, I didn’t even know him, just the full layout of his face.Well, I guess the only other person I have chatted with has been mean girl or the nurse, and I knew where to find the medical wing. As I backtracked my steps to see the nurse, I only hoped she knew what was going on with Rose.

Wait, is it only Rose?

Nurse Cecil informed me that all students have been specifically selected to attend IAA. It’s such a rigorous process to get into the school, but I just assumed I had the best essay and test scores. Now I'm learning there is so much more than that. I mean, having an affinity for performing arts, baking, and music makes sense. I have excelled at those for as long as I can remember. I just assumed my gifts came from my biological parents who died before I was born. But now I have so many more questions about my parents, my life, my future, and possibly even my powers?!?

Luckily, Nurse Cecil, gave me some meds for my now pounding headache and a cot to stay in for the night while I tried to calm myself down. This will all have to be a problem for tomorrow. Right now, I just need to peacefully process the day. ‘Til tomorrow. Zzzz!

The End

Emily’s Passion for Animals

Ishaal Rabbani

Age 8, Grade 4

One day, Emily, a smart young girl with a passion for animals, came to the pet store and asked, "Are you hiring?" The worker nodded. After the interview, she got hired and started her job of taking care of the animals. Her first day was amazing; she fed the cats, dogs, and turtles.

The second day of work was a bit of a handful. The animals went out of control. The dogs were barking, the cats were hissing, and the turtles wobbled away from the chaos. She tried to stop them, but they never listened. Then she saw something in the distance a flock of birds heading straight for the glass door! Thankfully, she knew what to do. She put a piece of paper on the door, and the birds realized it wasn't safe to crash into it. After a month of working there, most of the animals were nice to her instead of being rowdy.

Emily lived in a small town, and the pets were very expensive, so not many people came to the pet store. Mark, the owner, wanted to retire and shut down the shop as he had been working constantly for 30 years. There were still so many pets to sell, and he didn’t know how to best handle this situation.

One Tuesday morning, while Emily was getting ready to go to work, an idea came to her mind. Perhaps Mark could introduce a 'buy one, get one free' deal and this would help sell the pets faster. When she arrived at the pet store, she told her boss about the idea, and he excitedly agreed. Mark put up the poster and hoped someone would come. For the first few hours, everyone seemed to ignore it. But after six hours, a lady finally came in and said something in a totally different language! Mark had no idea what she said, but Emily rushed to get two turtles. Mark thought maybe she wanted a cat. The lady replied, "Bu." Emily corrected Mark, explaining that the lady was speaking Chinese and saying no to cats she wanted turtles.

Over time, ‘The buy one, get one free’ deal turned out to be a success. Many people came to buy pets in the following month. All that remained was a small, energetic puppy. Emily started to adore the little one and decided to adopt it herself. Mark was grateful to Emily for her idea. Eventually, the day came when Mark was ready to retire and closed the doors for the last time.

When Emily went outside the shop, she saw so many pets, as if the whole town was a sanctuary. This made her very happy, and with her new puppy trotting beside her, she felt so proud. Filled with even more passion for pets Emily thought of working in the zoo, helping even more animals in the process, and this is how her new adventure began.

The Magic Fish

Kaylee Danzis

Age 11, Grade 6

Emily lived in a small house with her mom, her dad, and her older brother. The houses were few and far away from each other, with thick woods surrounding each house. Emily was young, seven years old, so she liked to play in these woods often. She would build little houses out of sticks and leaves, and she would climb all the way up the trees to look down at her house.

One day, Emily went out into the woods to build a little house out of sticks. She usually stayed close to the house, but she couldn’t find any sticks, so she ventured a little farther. Deeper and deeper into the woods she went, with still no sign of sticks. She couldn’t see the house anymore, but she didn’t think that was a problem. She was coming right back out of the forest once she found sticks. But she didn’t find sticks. Instead, she found something so much better.

While searching for sticks, Emily saw a shimmer of light through the trees She followed the light deeper and deeper into the forest until she found where it was coming from The light was a reflection of a beautiful waterfall coming into a small pond surrounded by large stones. Beautiful, bright flowers stood scattered around the little area. Emily was amazed. It was so pretty! Emily kneeled down onto a stone to look into the water. Frogs hopped around, butterflies fluttered, and fish splashed in the pond. But one fish stood out from the others. A beautiful, shiny, purple fish swam elegantly towards Emily. It propped itself up on the stones so its head was out of the water.

“Hello, little girl,” said the fish. Emily couldn’t believe it!

“You must be confused,” said the fish. “I am a magic fish. I can speak and grant wishes. Emily was still shocked. “Oh my goodness! I am going crazy!”

“No you are not, young child.” The fish assured Emily. “I am perfectly real. Now, I don’t have all day. I’m a busy fish, you know. Make a wish.”

“Oh! Ok, um... ” Emily thought and thought. Then she said, “I wish for some sticks to build my little house!”

The fish stared at her. Like he was annoyed. “Really?”

“What? I want some sticks!” Emily said

The fish sighed “You don’t want something like world peace?”

“That was my second option ” Emily said “Ok. Let’s do that. World peace. ” Said the fish. “There are a bunch of sticks over there if you really want some. ” The fish pointed behind Emily to a pile of sticks. “Also your wish is granted. Goodbye, young child.”

Emily thanked the fish and grabbed the sticks. She ran back to her house with them, she knew her parents would be worried she was so far into the woods. She built her little house and happily skipped back into the house.

The next day, Emily woke up to her parents watching the news. It said world peace has been achieved. Her parents sat on the couch shocked while Emily grinned knowing she wished for the right thing.

End

Sunny

Miller E.

Age 8, Grade 3

Once upon a time there was a sunflower. His name was Sunny. He had no friends, even though there were many other sunflowers that lived in the field with him. Sunny was smaller than the rest of the sunflowers. They looked down on him and made him feel alone. One day, Sunny noticed that he was losing his seeds. He started to worry that eventually he would lose them all. “This is the end”, he said to himself. Over the next couple of days, he was feeling very anxious but, tried to stay positive. Sunny was looking down and noticed some sprouts growing next to him. Each day he checked on the sprouts and made sure that they were growing properly. Sunny felt like it was his job to keep the sprouts safe. Taking care of the sprouts made him feel better and not worry about being sad as much as he was before. The sprouts started to grow into sunflowers. Even though the new sunflowers grew taller than Sunny, they didn’t look down on him like the other ones did. Because they knew that he took care of them. Even though Sunny lost most of his seeds, he finally found friends.

The Lucky Dog

Brielle Mia Canoy Age 9, Grade 4

Once upon a time, there was a street dog name Ziggy. Everyone didn’t like Ziggy because he was very dirty and smelly.

But one day, Ziggy was walking and found a magical forest. He walked into the magical forest with tall trees and rainbow flowers. While he was walking into the forest he heard many sounds. He was so happy, that he kept walking and the forest lead him to a Portal. Ziggy got so curious he ran into the portal and jumped in.

He was falling and spinning left to right but then he landed on a big fluffy rainbow marshmallow. The marshmallow smelled very good so he bit a piece of it. Then he looked behind him and thought this is going to be a long journey ahead. So he walked and walked until he seen a big Castle.

He then knocked on the door with his dirty paw and suddenly princesses opened the door. There he stared at the 3 princesses with his big eyes. Their names was Scarlet, Lila and Ari. They picked up Ziggy and took him inside. They washed him up, fed him and made him the comfiest place to sleep. Ziggy felt like the luckiest dog in the world because someone finally loves him.

The 3 Little Pigs

Viktor H. Age 9, Grade 4

“Can I have a bedtime story?” my brother asked.

I said, “Okay, so… ”

“Once upon the future, there were 3 little pigs that were called Alvin, Pete, and Bob. Bob was 20 years old and he was working to pay for college, so we’ll see him around the middle through the end of the story. There was no big bad wolf, he got put in jail 99,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 years ago. Instead there was the big bad rhinoceros who’s also a wizard.”

“So, the big bad rhinoceros knocked on Alvin’s door and said, “Little pig, little pig can I come in?”

“But Alvin said, “Nah. I’m making food for a buffet.”

“So the big bad rhinoceros said, “I just wanna check for food poisoning.”

Alvin almost let him in when he remembered, “I’ve got a food poisoning checking robot. Scram!”

So the big bad rhinoceros teleported himself to the other side of Alvin’s house and sprinted around the world and rammed into Alvin’s house, destroying it! Then Alvin called the FBI and in a millionth of a trillisecond they came with the PRESIDENT!!! And Alvin was laughing, filming a video and posting it on the multinet.

The big bad rhinoceros kept saying “I didn't do nothin’!”

But the President and the leader of the FBI said, “Double negatives (didn’t and nothing) make a positive so you're basically saying you did something, so tell it to the judge, buddy!” They took the big bad rhinoceros to jail.

Meanwhile, Pete helped Alvin rebuild his house and they built an obstacle course made entirely out of chocolate!

At the same time, the big bad rhinoceros scored a not very bright judge and got out, though the judge told him to say sorry to the pigs. So the big bad rhinoceros went to say sorry to the pigs.

They tried to make friends but the big bad rhinoceros kept pooping on the obstacle course! So the pigs were like, “Stop pooping on our obstacle course. It's chocolate and we're trying to eat it!”

So the next day they covered the chocolate with the chemical qwerty, which makes chocolate turn into 9 trillion scrambled Rubix Cubes if you poop on it.

The next day the big bad rhinoceros was doing the obstacle course. When he finished it, he went all quiet and then all the obstacles became 9 trillion scrambled Rubik's Cubes and then the pigs were all like, “See? You were lying!” Then the big bad rhinoceros conjured the strongest and evilest rhino mech on the planet and wrecked the house, AGAIN!!!

The 3 Little Pigs

Then, thankfully Bob came with 6 toy vehicles which were a police helicopter, fireboat, ambulance, submarine, jet, and car carrier. The rhino mech laughed, then tried to smash the police helicopter, fireboat, and ambulance. Then they grew and 12 things happened in this order:

1. the helicopter’s tail rotor split in half,

2. the helicopter’s bottom, landing gear, and rotor popped off, 3. the ambulance split in half,

4. the front of the ambulance went to the top of the roof,

5. the ambulance went onto the helicopter’s tail rotor,

6. the deck of the fireboat popped off,

7. the rest of the fireboat split in half,

8. the fireboat halves attached to the sides of the helicopter and hands popped out,

9. the deck attached to the flat side of the helicopter, 10. the bottom of the helicopter (from step 2) split in half and went on the deck,

11. a head popped out

12. the landing gear turned into a sword, and the rotor, a shield, and one went on each arm;

making… Mega V!

(Did I not mention Bob worked at a tech company and was the lead alterbot designer?)

The rhino mech was very surprised and magiced back Mega V to the toy form, to the surprise of Bob. Bob tossed up the sub and:

1. the front hatch opened,

2. the front split in half and went forward,

3. hands popped out of the flotation devices on the sides, 4. the hatch went on the bit of the front that used to touch the other half,

5. a head popped out; making Deep V, but the same thing that happened to Mega V happened to Deep V.

Bob tossed up the jet and:

1. the nose turned into feet, 2. the wings went up,

3. the rear turned into arms,

4. then a head popped out; making Spy V! Same thing happened to him as the two before. Bob tossed up the car carrier and:

1. the front half of the trailer became arms and hands, 2. the top back bit of the other half became feet,

3. a head popped out; Making Luggage V, same thing as the three before! Bob said “I have no choice.”

The 3 Little Pigs

Then he tossed all the toy vehicles into the air and:

1. they all grew,

2. Mega V’s chest popped off,

3. the bottom of the sub disappeared,

4. Mega V’s legs went together and became longer,

5. Mega V’s back bit disappeared,

6. Mega V’s arms made one arm and hand,

7. the jet did step 2 for Spy V’s transformation and then became another arm and hand and 8.went on the top of the sub,

9. the car carrier turned into a leg and went on the back of the sub, Mega V and the others combined,

10. a head popped out. Making Last combo V!

Last combo V destroyed the rhino mech because the alterbots are the strongest in the universe. The big bad rhinoceros was so embarrassed he ran all the way to Neptune and that was the last anyone ever saw or heard of him.

The pigs threw a party that lasted 2 years.

“THE END.” I said.

“Again!” my brother yelled.

“NO!!” I shouted!

THE END (for real this time)

Cassie in the Outback

E.G. Layton Age 9, Grade 4

Cassie Wilkins walked down the staircase into the living room.

“Morning, mum, ” greeted Cassie.

“Morning sweetie, now hurry up to the breakfast table or you’ll be late for school!”

Cassandra quickly gobbled up some muffins on the table.

“Bye mum, see you after school,” called Cassandra.

Cassandra walked out her apartment door, down her elevator, and out the double door and then to the bus station. As she hopped onto the bus Cassandra found her friend Lacy and sat down with her.

“Hey,” Cassandra said.

“Hey,” Lacy replied, “How was your weekend?”

“Great--I went to the pool,” replied Cassie.

Cassandra and Lacy arrived at their school. They opened the doors to Westfield Middle School and entered their classroom. Cassie and Lacy saw their teacher Mrs. Peters at her desk. Once everyone sat down Mrs. Peters began to talk.

“Hello, everyone, I hope you had a good weekend!”

“Yes, Mrs. Peters,” they all said in unison.

While Mrs. Peters talked about the big exams next week, Cassie listened diligently and took notes. Lacy twiddled her thumbs. Cassie and Lacy are best friends though they have differences. For example, school is not that important to Lacy, and Cassie lives for it. Lacy is turning 12 and Cassie is still eleven and a half. But, they get along great. As you can see Cassie’s life is normal--except for the fact that Cassie’s dad is an alligator wrestler in Australia.

Today might not seem so interesting, but today is special to Cassie because Cassie’s dad was going to take her to his work and his work involves wild animals.

Cassie got home from school and hopped in the elevator and rode it up to her apartment. Her German Shepherd was there, wagging her tail to greet her. Cassie patted her on the head and went into the kitchen, her mum and dad were there.

“Dad!” Cassie exclaimed.

“Eh, there’s my Cassie, are you ready to go?” Her dad Jim was grinning ear to ear in his khakis.

“Yeah, just go let me change!”

Cassandra ran up the staircase into her room, changed into her favorite pink tshirt with a wallaby on it and some khaki shorts. Then she jetted back downstairs and was at the kitchen once more her long blonde curls flying behind her.

“Ready!” said Cassandra.

“Well let’s get a move on, ” replied her dad.

“By sweetie see you later,” said mom.

Cassie in the Outback

So, Cassie (as her dad calls her) stepped out the door and into the elevator. Some kids think elevators are cool, but it’s rather tedious really to have to wait around for one in your home. They walked out the double doors, and hopped into Cassie’s dad’s Jeep. When Cassie’s mom wasn’t in the Jeep, she got to ride in the front seat which was very exciting for her.

“Dad?” Cassie asked her father.

“That’s me, ” her dad Jim replied chuckling.

“Did you have a pet when you were younger?”

“I had a Bengal named Aussie,” Jim replied.

But before she could respond, they had arrived. Her father worked at Reptile World a type of animal rehabilitation center and theme park, where he did shows with animals including alligators!

“Ok sweetie, remember the alligators are dangerous so don’t mess around,” warned Jim. “I got it dad,” said Cassie cheekily.

They went off into the arch-like entrance and immediately spotted her dad’s boss the owner of Reptile World. He was a plump man with a mustache and square glasses wearing a Hawaiian t-shirt. His name was Mr. Tipple (however since Cassie was a baby she had called him Tipple) and he always seemed to have all kinds of treats like candy and chocolate.

“Eh there Jim ‘ ow, are ya?” asked Tipple.

“I’m good, thanks Mate” replied Jim.

“And I see you brought along Cassie,” Tipple said, while pulling a wrapped taffy piece out of his pocket, handing it to Cassie.

“Yep,” replied Jim, winking at Tipple.

“Are we sticking with the plan mate?” said Tipple mischievously.

“Not now, ” Jim said through gritted teeth and wide eyes.

Cassie wondered why her dad said that while they walked along the pathway and saw the various exhibits of the reptiles. Cassie grew up with them, and once she even wrestled a baby alligator. Cassie’s blue eyes drifted along the different cacti they had there. Then Tipple broke off to his office, and her and her dad explored a bit, it was fun. They looked at some lizards and some snakes and finally arrived at her dad’s office.

Jim’s office had kind of an old cabin type of look except for the fact that it had a stuffed alligator hung up on the wall.

“So, Cassie there’s something I need to talk to you about,” said Jim.

“Ok,” replied Cassie, “What is it?”

“You’ re eleven years old now and I know you have wanted to help me at work ever since you were little, so today you will!”

Cassie in the Outback

It was true, Cassie had a deep love for animals.

“Yeah!” exclaimed Cassie

“You’re going to help me with the show!” said her father, Jim.

“Are you serious?! I’d never been able to help you with your work,” Cassie said eagerly, jumping up and down with excitement.

“Glad you ’ re excited,” said her dad.

“But what will I be doing?” asked Cassie

“You’re going to help me showcase the animals” replied Jim.

Cassie and her dad walked out the door and into a circle where the pathway was split into individual paths. They took the pathway to the left which had wallaby footprints on it, leading to a building that looked like a greenhouse.

“What is this place, Dad?” asked Cassie

“This is where we keep the koalas.” replied Jim.

“Oh, okay,” replied Cassie.

Cassie was feeling relaxed until she arrived at the rather large green house and saw a crowd looking expectingly at Jim and Cassie.

“You ready?” asked Cassie’s dad.

“For what?” she replied unsteadily.

“To put on a show!” he said.

Cassie had been caring for animals since was five but never in front of a crowd. Cassie always had problems with stage fright ever since her grade two school play. So she did the only thing she could do, muster all the strength she had as she slowly walked into the greenhouse, and looked the crowd in the eye as they stared at her.

“Hello everyone, I’m Jim and this is my daughter Cassie.” Jim started.

“Hello,” she said meekly to the audience.

“Today we are going to give you a koala show, Cassie open the crate for me, will you?” asked Jim.

“Sure dad,” she replied.

So, she opened the crate and stuck her hand in gently. She could feel two furry paws wrap warmly around her arm, as she slowly removed her arm from the crate, it now revealed a koala. The crowd clapped and cheered. Cassie’s dad winked at her--a way of saying I knew you could do it. She could feel herself blush under her hat and felt accomplished. The eleven years she lived she built an amazing connection with animals, and she also had faced her fears-- quite the outback adventure.

Laugh

Liam Hagy

Age 10, Grade 5

It was a late night and I was walking home from work. My house was only 2 blocks away from my job so I thought nothing of it. I was only a block away from my house when I saw something weird: a person staring at me from across the street behind the light post. It was too dark to see its face but just looking at its dark shadowed body, I could see it had big shoes and big hair. A clown, I thought to myself. Why is a clown out here right now? “Sir, are you ok?” I asked. No response. “Sir?” I said again. A laugh rang out, one that was so loud and echoing it gave me goosebumps. At this point, I was terrified. “Have a good night, sir,” I said. I walked a few feet and I turned around one more time. Just as I turned around, the clown emerged out of the darkness. The first thing I looked at was its face. Its face was white, wrinkly and had blood all over it. One more time I said, “Sir, are you ok?” He started laughing and then started walking towards me while laughing. By now I was running but after running for a few minutes, the laughing stopped and when I looked behind me, he was gone. I have been haunted by laughter ever since.

How Goju Got Goldy

Vihaas Makam

Age 10, Grade 5

On one pleasant day a boy named Goju had a brilliant idea. His idea was to get a dog. Goju always loved animals, mostly dogs, but his mom was scared of dogs. In Goju's mins he was thinking how should I convince my mom. He spent hours thinking how and then he found the perfect one. Goju and his dad asked his mom but it did not work. He kept begging but it did not work. He had to find a way. 10 days later summer break just started and Goju still wanted to get a dog. One day he promised that he would take care of the dog all by himself. This gave his mom an idea. Her idea was to send him to a camp which makes you take care of dogs for one day. Goju agreed and set off in his flying cyber truck to the camp. Once he arrived at the camp he started taking care of a dog named Goldy. Goju and Goldy bonded so much that they could not stay apart, plus they got a good report! Goju's mom said he did a good job. When they were about to leave Goldy started crying and so did Goju. Goju said to his mom that he wanted Goldy and that the only way she could overcome her fear was to face it. His mom said she was going to try to overcome her fear and so, they brought Goldy home. Goju was so happy that he jumped and embraced his mom. Goldy was a sweet little puppy who loved to be hugged and licked Goldy's mom until she felt comfortable. Then they lived as a happy family of four forever.

Good Memories

Emily Simpson

Age 11, Grade 6

I was once told that memories are the most important thing you can own, a memory gives you a sense of who you are and helps you make decisions. Let me tell you how it all started.

My room door opened and I heard my big sister. “Hey Viv, I was wondering if you wanna fill a canvas before bed.” I turned around to see her face and simply replied, “Definitely, what do you wanna paint?”

She laughed, “How does hand painting sound?” She drenched her hand with paint and reached for the clean canvas leaning against the wall. She immediately stamped her handprint right in the middle. I groaned, “We could’ve planned that a little better don’t you think?” She shushed me and put her wet, green finger on my lip. “Just trust the process. Now you give it a try.” I pressed my violet hand across Autumn’s creation. After laughing and wiping the green paint off my lip, we captioned our creation, ‘Good memories’.

The next morning, I woke to the smell of pancakes. The aroma was so amazing I never noticed how my half-awake body made it to the kitchen. After coming alive, my morning routine was normal. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, brushed my hair, changed my clothes, gathered my things and began walking to school. Along the way, I met up with my best friend, Trixie. We began gossiping about Mr. Becker's new haircut because it made him look like a totally new person.

We split up when we got to school because of our difference in first periods. After standing for a good while, I began walking to my first teacher, Mrs. Hendrix. Halfway to her class, I spotted Trixie again; she should have been settled in class. I tap her shoulder. “Are you okay cause you should be in class by now?” She slowly turned revealing her face and a large, light pink bruise below her eye. She stuttered,

“I'll be fine,”. I smiled sympathetically. “Is there anything I can help you with?” She frowned, “Your different, last time I got hurt, you started laughing.” I rolled my eyes but I’m sure I would never laugh at someone for getting hurt. I took her hand and murmured, “C’mon, let's get you to the nurse, and you can tell me who did it.” She took a step. “You see, I was getting to class but then I saw Tyler and his friends and decided to say hi. When I walked up to them, I heard James say ‘It’s her again, how does she know when we ’ re talk about her?’ Tyler then looked at me weirdly. Tristan then pushed me against the wall and Tyler punched me. After that they just ran off, laughing.”

I smiled, “It’ll be fine.” We hurried to Nurse Tina’s office. Nurse Tina perked up and gasped, “What happened to you dear?" Trixie slumped onto the exam table and murmured “Just fell.” Nurse Tina paused then nodded. She handed me a hall pass as I rushed back to class. When I entered class, Mrs. Hendrix scowled “Why are you late?” I gently slipped the late pass onto her desk, trying to avoid eye contact and an awkward conversation.

Good Memories

She grunted, “All right.” I creeped to my desk trying to avoid the crowd of eyes now following me. Mrs. Hendrix turned to the class and said "where were we" and immediate started droning on about something sciencey. Her voice faded into the background as I began thinking about what Trixie said. Was I different or am I just forgetting? I don’t remember laughing and I don’t think I react that way in those situations. This is the type of thing that Tyler and his ‘bully friends’ would do, not me. Am I experiencing other’s memories? Like thunder, I heard and felt Ms. Hendrix roar “Viviana, this is your second strike! I’m going to call your parents.” I looked down to ignore what just happened and heard a group of kids laugh. I listened as she picked up her phone and dialed my mom ’ s number. She began pointing out the mistakes I’ve made today. Some excuses I've used before came to me as I loudly blurted, “I promise you that I wasn’t trying to daydream! The unicorns told me to follow them!” I gasped, that was the dumbest thing I ever said. Mrs. Hendrix chuckled “Oh my! That isn’t the first time I heard that that tall tale, right Harley?” Harley, the girl who sat to my left, groaned and covered her face. I silently mouthed “Sorry Harley.” She gave me a slight nod and then paused. Mrs. Hendrix’s laugh echoed and then ended with, “I’m wondering how you know about this already used excuse? As I recall, that happened on a day you were absent, unless-'' she grinned “Harley did it in another class!” Harley looked me in the eyes and mouthed ‘How did you know?’ I gasped and thought to myself, what if I am having other people's memories? I mouthed back at her ‘Tell you later!” and turned my head away. My mind buzzed with thoughts about what just happened. Mrs. Hendrix rolled her eyes and walked to my desk. Suddenly my sister appeared in the doorway. Autumn announced “I’m here for my sister.” I perked up as Mrs. Hendrix turned and walked back to her desk. When we arrived home the atmosphere was tense. My mom ’ s eyes were searching the room but she didn’t seem to see anything. My father just sat there chewing his lip. I squeaked “So?” My mom looked at me for a few seconds, “Yes, something important.” My dad cleared his throat and said slowly “Have you had any unusual things happen recently?” I uttered in relief, “I think I have superpower that gives me others' memories!” I quickly covered my mouth and looked down. The room went silent. After a long pause, my mom murmured “So- a power that allows you to see others' memories? Well Henry, since you're the neurologist can you explain this to our daughter?” My dad groaned “There’s no explanation, it seems like the Gods are picking on her too.” I repeated “Gods?” My mom nodded, “Yes! We also have this problem.” “What problem?” “Years ago, both me and your mother received a memory of a Goddess telling us our bloodline was cursed with the memory of others. To remove this curse, we have been forced to tasks for her.” “If we do her bidding, she said she would remove the curse from our bloodline. Trying to be positive I put my hand on top of Autumn’s. “Well, for starters, who is she and what’s her name?”

Good Memories

“Well that’s another problem. We don't know her name. ” I replied, “So we don’t know her name? Is this a joke, cause it’s not funny!” My mom said in a soothing tone “I promise, it’s not a joke. If you want more information I’ll provide it. From what we remember, she is some sort of Goddess of robbery.” My mom wearily smiled and said, “I know you’ll tell people so I recommend telling only a few very trustworthy people who won’t tell others about it.” I nodded and retired to my room. I immediately scanned my bookshelf for any books about gods. I pulled out about 4 books and went through all the indexes. Ran was the Norse goddess of robbery, and Laverna and Fraus were both Roman goddesses of robbery and thievery. I grabbed my science journal because I doubt, I’ll ever use it in the school year and started jotting down random notes about the 3 goddesses.

- Ran is the goddess of the sea and robbery.

- Laverna was the goddess of thieves, cheaters, and the underworld.

- Fraus is the goddess of deceit and fraud.

For some odd reason, the rest of the day went by smoothly, even falling asleep was easy. In my dream, I found myself in a pitch-black room. A female voice echoed through the room “Find me and do a task. Simple!”

I yelp “Who- Where are you?” The voice echoed back “You know me- but you know everyone, right?” I croaked “Well, depends, are you the one whose giving me other people’s memories The voice crackled “Ha- Do you think it’s a gift or a curse?” I hesitated to say anything, worried. “Cat got your tongue? How about I help you figure me out? I’m a proud Roman!” she yipped happily. “So are you Fraus or Laverna I replied. Suddenly, she stepped forward and her eyes glowed sea green light. I suddenly opened my eyes and welcomed the morning light. I slipped into my morning routine and started walking to school. Along the way I saw Harley, I ran up to her and began trying to explain yesterday. I started, “Hey Harley, sorry about yesterday.” She smiled “Yeah, but how’d you know about unicorn story, I haven’t even told my parents about that.” I blurted “Well, my family is being cursed by some goddess that gives me other people's memories from simply touching them.” I paused and her eyes were wide open. “Please don’t tell anyone. ” She nodded and looked away “Oh my- that’s a lot to take in. How do you get rid of the curse?” I shrugged, “Find her and do a task.” She stopped and looked back at me, “Are you worried about the tasks? I would be if I were you! I bet she’ll make you steal something really important, like the Rosetta stone!” I groaned; another thing that seemed horrible. Harley seemed like she understood this stuff a lot more than I did. As I looked at her eyes, I realized hers were brown, she couldn’t be the goddess. Harley offered to help find out who the goddess was. I was thankful for the offer because I needed the help. After talking to Harley, I searched for Trixie and told her about the situation. Trixie seemed much more surprised than Harley. “That’s a lot. Well- if you need some help, holler.” Then disappeared to her class.

Good Memories

As I walked in class, I noticed a sea green glimmer in Mrs. Hendrix's eyes. If she was the goddess then I already had a bad start with her. After class, I walked up to her desk. Mrs. Hendrix grinned “Here to apologize about yesterday?” “No, but I just want to ask why you've been tormenting my family.” Her face went pale “Are you okay? I understand that students act differently when their stressed but I don’t understand what you asked me. ” I hissed “You know what you did!” her face softened. “I’m sorry for whatever-” I interrupted her “You know what you did, goddess!” Her eyes widened “What?” She picked up her phone and called my dad. She began telling him about how she was worried about my mental health and that I should stay home for a few days. After the phone call she smiled “Hope you get better soon. ”

When I got picked up by my dad, I realized my mistake, Mrs. Hendrix wasn’t the goddess, she just had green eyes. I should be more mysterious next time. A few hours later Harley came, we started looking through books about the two goddesses. After a while Harley yipped “Look, inside of this one it says that Fraus has a deep blue eye compared to Laverna who has sea green!” After that she left and I began trying to sleep. I had a dream like yesterday but the voice sounded much closer.

“Hello, you ’ re so close to figuring out who I am! Do you want some more hints?” I yipped “Yes please!”

“Well, you had quite a long discussion with me today.” I knit my eyebrows, maybe it is Harley, she could just be wearing contacts. “Wake up Viviana!” she groaned and I was conscious again. My dad walked into my room and groaned “Good morning, your friends are here for you. ” He left and I saw Harley and Trixie. We started a conversation about colors and halfway through the conversation I asked Harley if she wore contacts. She immediately denied it, making her more suspicious. I told them about the dream and Harley began yelling. " So, you thought I was that goddess? I thought I could trust you!" A nd stormed out. I felt horrible about what I just accused her of but Trixie was comforting me. After a few minutes she blurted " Viviana, I want you to look me in the eyes, okay?" I looked up at her and gasped. Her eyes were sea green. "No, you can't be." She chuckled, "That's why it took so long for you to find me, you think that I’ll always be on your side." Tears rolled down my cheek and she uttered " I'll tell you your task right now." She wiped my tears and continued " Get me one of Charon’s' coins. When you're done, give them to me and then I'll give the memories back to their owners, and your curse is gone." I repeated " Charon?" " Not important- steal all the coins of one person, the last coin is gold. Take that one and leave the rest." She waved and I found myself in someone else's room. I looked around the room but them my eyes locked on a jar of coins. I went to the jar and scanned the room. The person who lived here wasn't here, thankfully. I dropped the jar so all the coins would fall helping me find the gold coin.

Good Memories

I pushed through half of the coins when I heard someone start walking to the door. A flood of excuses came but I ignored them, I needed to be faster! The second I saw the door knob move I found the gold coin and stuffed it into my pocket. I went pale when I saw the door open and a head look into the room. I used one of the excuses my mind told me worked before " I'm sorry sir! My pet dog ran in here and I now can't find him!" He grunted, " Okay, just please leave." I walked out feeling guilty, I just took away his pass to death. I found Trixie walking at my side holding her hand out. I plopped the coin into her hand she cackled and snapped. She disappeared and I no longer had as many memories. I ran back home ready for school. When I walked, I didn't see Trixie, and Harley had forgotten everything.

Mrs. Hendrix was back to normal and my science notebook was clean. Something still felt wrong though, maybe it was the fact I stole someone ’ s pass to death or that my best friend was the goddess of robbery. The experience and the memories changed me and I now felt empty. Or, am I feeling someone ’ s else’s memory.

The End

Middle School Division

Pawned Memories

Mia R.

Age 13, Grade 8

How much will her past cost her? Rain splattered the stone street as Kira walked towards a dark and looming building. The sky split with lightning, illuminating the warehouse in front of her. A pale glow emanated from a sign hanging off the doorframe of the warehouse. the words, memory pawn

What memories would she have to give up, she had so little to begin with... Raising her weirdly-vivid, violet eyes to the heavens, Kira looked up into the sky wondering this question. Lightning flashed again, and the distant boom of thunder caused the hair on the back of her neck to rise. She shouldn’t be out here. She knew she wasn’t allowed out of the orphanage without a warden. If she got caught, what would they do to her? Would they make her a Memoryward? No, they couldn’t, she would have her memories back by then. If she could get them. If not, tomorrow, her only birthday present would be a new master and a head of memories that weren’t her own.

Kira pulled her leather hood further down and walked forward, past a building that had a poster with chancellor Lysander’s face pasted under bright-red text that read ‘VOTE LYSANDER.’ His indigo eyes stared down at her and the scar on his jaw was barely noticeable in the soggy picture. He was the youngest chancellor in a millennium, only 4 years older than her. Somehow, he was also the worst chancellor by far. The first thing he did as soon as he had been elected by the court was legalize the use of Memorywards, humans from the lowest social status, who had no memories of their own. Memorywards , became piggybanks, holding memories that their masters had bought or made, until the memories were extracted and put into anamnesis sachets, the value depending on the level of emotion that the memory inside the sachet held, determined on a scale of 1 to 10. Whomever held the sachet could trade the memories for supplies. That was what her future would look like if she didn’t get her past back. Kira, like all orphans, had her memory wiped blank when she was left at the orphanage. Shivering as the shadow of the warehouse loomed over her, Kira shook off her hood and knocked.The door immediately swung open, and Kira stepped through the door. Cold swept over her as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. The walls were bare metal with cords and tubes running in messy bunches up and down the walls. Tall bookshelves rose up, scraping just below the ceiling.Strange, otherworldly sounds emanated from crates that lined the shelves, their eldritch glow casting an unsettling aura. On a ledge by her head, a jar cradled a tiny, foxeared creature that shimmered a light aqua. On a ledge by her head, a jar cradled a tiny, fox-eared creature that shimmered a light aqua color. The building smelt musty and damp with rot. The floor creaked sadly as Kira stepped across it to the back of the room. As she neared the square walls, the clicking sound of a keyboard caught her attention. Kira looked around a large cabinet and saw a wrinkled, short, man typing away madly on a large boxlike computer. His nose twitched and he looked up at her through tiny mousey eyes.

Pawned Memories

“Customer?” His nose twitched again, “It’s a customer.” He stood up, shorter then she expected, only coming to her shoulders in height. “Olgof hasn’t seen one of those in years. ” Looking up at her, the man twitched his nose, grinning, and snatched a white jacket from the back of his chair. As he shook it out, clouds of dust billowed up into her face making Kira choke on the smell of the moth-eaten cloth. He swung it around his back and stuffing his stubby arms through, the man looked at her again, quizzical. “But Olgof wonders what customer wants and how she is going to pay?” She looked back over her shoulder nervously as a draft of frigid air blew toward her. Turning back to the old man she whispered, “Memories.” After looking at her inquisitively for a long while, the man ’ s eyebrows shot up into his wispy, white hair. Nodding slowly, he turned and without saying a word started walking down the hallway. The man paused and looking back at her, he beckoned. Kira swallowed, and jogged to where he was. Pushing aside a curtain that let off another cloud of dust, he stepped back to show her a dimly lit room. More tubes and wires covered the walls. The room was almost empty except for a lone chair in the middle of the room, it was attached to tube and the wires that covered the walls. Twitching his nose, the man grinned, “Sit.” Kira slowly lowered herself into the chair and watched nervously as he pulled down a mask that hung from the ceiling. “Olgof wants to know if customer how many memories to exchange?” Swallowing she nodded thinking back to her last few years at the orphanage and said “As many as it takes”. Kira let the man put the mask over her face. Immediately, the world seemed to slow down as a purple fog drifted up through a tube and into her mask. It smelled overly sweet, like cotton candy, but tasted bitter as she breathed it in. A humming grew in her ears and the man ’ s face, who was peering down at her, grew more blurred and darker until all she could see was the purple smog. Her eyelashes fluttered and grew heavier until they closed. At first, she only noticed darkness around her, realizing she was staring at a blank wall of black. Then her world started to spin. Fragments of light broke through the darkness and became blobs of color as she spun faster and faster. The colors morphed into pictures, no, into memories. Her memories, memories that she had never seen but had lived. Her first day at school, not the orphanage’s school but a real one, one with a vague familiarity. She watched a mini version of herself, trading a bracelet with a friend. The memories seemed to go by faster and faster filling up her brain. She wanted to slow them down and watch her life go by!

Flashes of a woman with silky hair and velvety olive eyes and a man with dark hair and violet eyes looked down at her then disappeared in a flash. Her parents. Suddenly everything slowed like her brain had instantly filled with mud. Everything grew colder and a memory started as if an invisible hand had pressed play. A child’s laughter rang though a blurry hallway like someone had smudged it with their thumb. She started running forward away from the sound... but something was off. It wasn’t how she ran. These feet were too heavy to be hers. This hall though, felt nostalgic like she had lived here once. A laugh sprung from her lips, and she turned her head to look backwards. A curly haired child was chasing her, the kid’s linen shirt flapped as the little girl, tried to keep up with her.

Pawned Memories

Another laugh sounded from Kira’s mouth. Suddenly a door behind the little girl swung open, knocking the girl over. Kira found herself running over to the little girl, whose eyes filled with tears. She sat down and hugged her, close.

Suddenly men burst through the door and ran into the house. Kira felt her eyes widen as they started yelling, taking no notice of her or the child. She didn’t know these men; they were strange and smelled of dirt and sweat. The little girl shivered in her arms and Kira held her closer. The men pounded up the stairs and threw open doors shouting in loud voices. She looked around and pushed the girl under a table that was covered in a blue cloth, she followed quickly, crawling under. The men ’ s voices grew louder, and a yell sounded from right above the table. Her heart pounded in her chest as she hugged the girl close. Seconds passed and footsteps pounded out of the room. The little girl looked at her, Kira froze. The girl had vivid violet eyes and a very familiar face. It was her.

The cold washed over Kira, but then how could she have this memory? In an instant she realized what had happened. This wasn’t her memory. But then who was she now? Whose memory was she watching?

Light flooded under the table as the cloth was lifted up, and a man ’ s face looked at her. He also had violet eyes. The violet-eyed man jerked the little girl out from under the table, Kira crawled out after her and looked around. A man in rich-red robes stood by a woman with silky black hair. She was holding the girl on her hip and looking at Kira. It was her mother. The woman ’ s eyes were scared and angry as the violet eyed man fished for something in his pocket. He pulled out a stack of black iridescent cubes, anamnesis sachets, and passed them to the man with red robes. The red robe man took thee cubes, tugged on the woman ’ s arm and pushed them out the door. He nodded once to the violeteyed man then shut the door with a bang.

Kira felt herself looking at the violet-eyed man, not understanding what had just happened. The man didn’t do anything, he just leaned against the wall, his eyes dead and empty. His vivid violet eyes. Then did he just... but why would her do that? One word pounded in her brain. Debts. It had happened to thousands of girls at the orphanage... Apparently, it happened to her too.

Turning, she looked back at the table. On top of it sat a mirror and a jar of flowers. Kira looked at the mirror, and a boy stared back at her. He was young, small, and pale, his hair was black, and his eyes were a dark indigo. But his eyes weren’t what had drawn her, she was staring at a scar that he had across the edge of his jaw. Kiras eyes snapped open. Purple smog stung her eyes as she choked on the fumes. She reached up and yanked the mask off. The room was no longer dark, but the wires buzzed neon blue, and bolts of electricity jumped across the room. With out warning a man stepped out of a corner. Not a man, a boy around nineteen in an expensive, tailored suit and billowing overcoat. The guy smiled, a flash of light reveling his intense indigo eyes. “Ah hello, Kira! Finally, you get to bask in the glory of your stunning brother. Try not to faint from excitement, dear.”

End

The Cursed Princess of Argentrose: The Hourglass

Gricelle Gan

Age 13, Grade 8

Most fairytales follow a certain pattern. The protagonist gets into a situation which causes the antagonist to bully her, but soon the protagonist triumphs.

This is not that kind of story. That kind of story is about heroes. They are destined to get a happily-ever-after, no matter what they do.

This is about a supposed ‘villainess,’ a miserable young girl named Isolabella. At first glance, she seemed to live a perfect life. She was a princess after all. A beautiful princess – of a powerful empire. However, it was all merely a facade; she was always miserable. Even her name was tragic, it meant ‘beautiful, lonely one. ’

She was always lonely.

She was hated from birth, whispered about how her birth stole her mother’s life, that of the beloved Empress Elinicia.

And it didn’t help that she had eerie blood-red eyes that always seemed to see right through everyone. The blood-colored irises were even more striking against her deathly pale skin and shimmering platinum curls.

While Isolabella was a living embodiment of misfortune, her twin sister Arabella, born just two minutes before dear Isla, was the opposite.

Arabella looked just like their late mother, with long, straight golden hair, big golden eyes, rosy skin, and an angelic smile. She was showered with as much love as her sister was showered with hate.

Even though Arabella was seen as an angel, in reality she was not. She was a spoilt brat who was used to being pampered. Oh, and she was an expert actress. And on this bright, sunny day, a maid had just slapped our poor Princess Iso.

“How dare you! Scaring Her Highness Princess Arabella with those filthy eyes of yours. You should be ashamed!” the maid screamed.

The eight-year-old girl rubbed her throbbing cheek. “I didn’t mean to! I was just going to the library!”

“Enough with all the lies! Apologize right now!”

‘Fair’ was a word that never existed in Iso’s world. She always had to apologize and beg though she was never at fault.

However, on this particular day, Iso had enough.

“I didn’t scare her! Arabella, tell her I didn’t!” the misjudged princess screamed.

Arabella was hidden behind the maid, her golden eyes filled with fake, crocodile tears.

“Oh sister! Your eyes were s-so scary! Bella is s-so scared!” she wailed. “I really didn’t!” Isolabella burst into tears.

“Be quiet! I hate children who cry all the time!” the maid slapped Iso once again.

“I’m sorry, ” Isolabella ran back to her dingy room and cried herself to sleep.

The Cursed Princess of Argentrose: The Hourglass

But her already miserable world shattered completely when Arabella’s deceitful tears led their father, the emperor, to imprison Isolabella in the North Tower, a grim, isolated prison where the cold seeped through the cracks, and the only companions were dark shadows dancing on damp stone walls.

She endured it all bravely, even though she was clothed in rags, fed moldy bread and leftover dishwater, and slept on the cold stone floor.

On her tenth birthday, in the middle of the night, there was a big celebration for Arabella, while Isolabella slept miserably.

Suddenly, she was nudged awake.

She braced herself for a slap or two, but instead she found herself staring at a small hooded figure.

The figure bowed. “Happy birthday, Your Highness. I have a gift for you. I apologize for not coming sooner. ”

The voice seemed to belong to a young boy, who was holding out a necklace with an hourglass pendant.

Isolabella was surprised. She was almost never addressed ‘Your Highness,’ nor given a gift. Still, she was wary.

“What…is it?” she asked cautiously.

“You’ll need it in the future. Make sure no one ever takes it from you, ” he placed it on Iso’s hand.

“Oh…thank you, ” she shivered at the stranger’s gaze. “Who are you?”

“We’ll meet again,” the hooded boy gave a mysterious smile and faded into the shadows of the night.

After a moment’s hesitation, Iso put it on, tucked it in her shirt, and fell asleep. For the first time in her tragic life, she had a peaceful sleep, one without nightmares. And she would never have another one again. …

“Happy birthday to me, ” Isolabella whispered softly, looking out the window at the excited guests who were here for Arabella’s birthday banquet. It was her 18th birthday, and as usual it was lonely.

Iso was just contemplating if she should go sneak a slice of cake as she did the last year when the door’s lock rattled often, and in came her sister Arabella, looking as radiant as ever.

Isolabella instinctively tucked the hourglass into her shirt.

“How filthy,” Arabella muttered.

“What?”

Isolabella blinked in surprise. Arabella offering her a gift? That was…unexpected. And strange. Arabella slid a beautifully wrapped box to her. Isolabella warily unwrapped it.

Inside was a beautifully crafted dagger with an ornate handle and a shiny blade.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Arabella beamed, as if she hadn’t locked her sister up for ten years. “It has a beautiful red handle – just like your eyes. ”

Isolabella eyed the dagger suspiciously. “What do you want, Arabella?”

The Cursed Princess of Argentrose: The Hourglass

Isolabella eyed the dagger suspiciously. “What do you want, Arabella?”

Arabella’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Oh, just sisterly affection, of course. You know I’ve always wanted us to get along.”

Inside, Isolabella scoffed. Sisterly affection? Getting along? What a ridiculous lie. “Take it, Iso,” Arabella urged sweetly. Against her better judgement, Isolabella picked it up.

“Thank you, ” Isolabella said evenly, though her eyes betrayed her suspicion.

Arabella nodded, satisfied. “See you later, dear sister. Enjoy your birthday.” Her eyes flickered mysteriously as she left the room.

Isolabella couldn’t understand what her sister’s motives were. Over the years, Arabella had mastered deceit while maintaining her innocent, angelic facade. She warily placed the dagger at the other end of the room and attempted to sleep.

(She did consider flinging it out the window but (a) she might hurt someone and (b) Arabella would fake-cry about the whole thing and then Isla would get beaten.)

Suddenly, the next thing she knew, Isla was being jerked awake. Arabella stood at the edge of the bed, giving her an ominous smile. Shudders ran down Iso at her sister’s icy gaze.

“Your purpose has been served, sister,” Arabella whispered. “What?” “There can only be one of us. See you, dear Iso,” Arabella smiled eerily. The red dagger flung straight into Isolabella’s heart before she could even scream.

The last thing she saw was Arabella’s eyes. The usual golden shimmer was turning a darker color, like mud. Or maybe Iso just had really bad vision.

Her focus became blurry and she could feel her life slipping away.

No, she couldn’t die here! Not like this! But getting back her consciousness was like grabbing air.

It was hopeless.

“It’s not time yet,” a familiar, calm voice whispered in her ear. She immediately recognized the hooded boy’s voice, the only one who had shown her kindness. She shot her eyes open. Everything was blurry.

“Hang in there, Princess,” the hooded boy flipped the hourglass upside down. The dizziness in her head became unbearable, so she squeezed her eyes shut. Everything was spinning faster and faster…

Then suddenly, all was still.

Isolabella’s vision cleared, and she was a little confused. Her bed felt soft, and her face felt warm. But she eventually recognized her old room in the palace, a simple, neat room, not at all grand enough for a princess.

She rubbed her throbbing head and turned to the mirror and gasped. She looked young. Very young. About six or seven. Did she return back in time?

Memories of Arabella flooded back. She trembled with fury. She knew Arabella hated her, but to kill her own twin? She couldn’t believe why Arabella would do that, especially when she had everything Isolabella craved.

The Cursed Princess of Argentrose: The Hourglass

A strong resolve stirred within her.

She was determined to get revenge. She would not let Arabella win. Suddenly, footsteps sounded faintly outside. Isolabella hurriedly lay down and feigned sleep.

The door creaked open.

“She’s still sleeping,” a voice Isolabella recognized as Arabella’s maid, who often slapped her as a child.

“Good. We should put the plan into action,” a deeper, syrupy familiar voice sounded, sending shivers down Isolabella’s spine.

She waited for the footsteps to fade away, and then quickly got dressed and wandered out into the tapestry-lined corridors.

The maids were slacking off, gossiping and snickering, but fell silent at the sight of Isolabella, which she was used to.

As she slid her bloodred eyes from one person to another, she could feel an aura coming from them. She always knew her eyes were special. She felt a hidden fear here, an unspoken secret here.

The maids glared at her the way you would look at a dirty dishrag. In the past, Isolabella would’ve averted her eyes in shame. But this time, she stared right at them. She would not be afraid anymore.

The maids trembled and averted their gaze.

Isolabella scoffed. The maids who once scorned her trembled in fear at a mere child’s gaze. Her mind turned back to the hourglass. She needed to find answers. Was it a magic artifact? A precious heirloom? Also, what were those people planning? She decided the library must have answers.

Little Isla shivered, remembering how she was sent to the North Tower.

Isolabella pondered this for a moment. “A mystery indeed,” she murmered, walking away, not noticing a dark shadow looming over her.

Isla bent to pick up a red rose, its petals as red as her eyes, when she noticed a figure behind a statue.

Cautiously, she peeked ‘round the statue.

The figure belonged to the maid who Arabella had previously scolded. And she was sobbing. The maid noticed Isla and leaped to her feet.

“Pardon my insolence, Your Highness!” the maid bowed, trembling slightly.

“It’s okay,” Isolabella said kindly. As she met the maid’s gaze, she gasped. She now knew why this maid looked familiar.

This maid’s name was Tessie, the only other person to address her formally. When Isla was locked up in her first life, Tessie sneaked her food from banquets and balls, and told her all that was going on outside. But right now, Tessie was just a young, scared maid about 13 or 14 of age.

Isla was forever grateful to her. She suddenly had an idea. She needed an ally, and Tessie needed protection.

“Tessie, how would you like to be my personal maid?” she asked.

The Cursed Princess of Argentrose: The Hourglass

The young maid gasped. “Oh, that’ll be an honor, but a slave like me would not dare serve the princess!”

Isla felt heartbroken at the maid’s low self-esteem. “I don’t care if you ’ re a slave. I want you to serve me, ” she smiled.

“Thank you for your kindness, Princess!” Tessie bowed, grateful. “I was worried how I would feed my siblings, and…um, pardon me, how did you know my name?” she asked curiously.

Isla smiled mysteriously, the way people with secrets do.

One ally at a time, one triumph at a time, Isolabella would surely get back at those who hurt her. Yes, there were still mysteries to uncover, but she had plenty of time.

Because her story hadn’t ended; it had only just begun.

The End

Lover

Harley C.

Age 14, Grade 9

Running.It was all I could do now. My sister was gone, and it was all my fault. Why had I fallen in love with a human? Maybe, just maybe, if I had just told her before she found out herself, then my little sister would still be here. Maybe I wouldn’t be running then. Something on the ground tripped me, and I went crashing down. A searing pain shot up my nose. I groaned and looked behind me to see what was there. Screams filled the air. It took me a second to realize it was coming from me.

There on the ground was Vicky’s body. My lover, slaughtered. Sticks protruded from her eyes and intestines hung out of a gaping hole in her stomach. Tears spilled from my own eyes. I couldn’t move. It felt like the world had stopped. A twig snapped from somewhere behind me.

“Juno.”

I froze. Only my ex knew me by that. I slowly turned my head to see her. Scarlett. Blood covered her from head to toe. The next thing I knew I was on the ground, a knife hovering above my chest. Scarlett was smiling.

“I missed you…and I know you missed me, too.” I struggled to get out of Scarlett’s grasp. It only made her frown. The knife came closer, making me panic. She was crazy if she thought I missed her. The only thing I missed was being away from her. Scarlett sighed.

“If you promise to stay by my side, you won’t have to end up like your precious little human over there.”

I spit at her. I’d rather die than go through the hell of being with her again. There’s something seriously wrong with her in the head if she thought I’d ever consider that. There was a reason I left Scarlett.

“I’d rather die!”

I spat. This made Scarlett narrow her eyes. Her grip on the knife tightened as she smiled. This was where I was gonna die, wasn’t it? Out in the middle of the woods where nobody could hear my screams. Scarlett raised the knife above her head.

“Fine. You chose this.”

Scarlett muttered before plunging the knife into my chest. Over and over again. Blood splattered onto her face. I choked. Everything was beginning to go dark. I’d finally be with my sister again. Maybe in the afterlife we could all live happily together. Anastasia, Vicky, and I. I heard my sister’s voice calling me. Then Vicky’s. I smiled. Finally, I could rest…

The End

Warping Into Time

Jasmine De Jesus Age 12, Grade 7

I was standing in the attic staring at the long oval rustic mirror looking at my reflection. Next thing I know my mom comes barging in “Jo, what are you doing in here? It is time for dinner.” (A little information on who I am, I am Jo Walt and I have blond hair just like the rest of my family. And I have a crazy story to tell.) But anyways. I ran downstairs to find dinner on the table. Spaghetti... Again, (we have had spaghetti for the past three days) But along with seeing dinner on the table, I saw my mom was going to get plates for dinner and my sister and my baby brother were at the table. My mom spoke saying “Sit at the table Jo” I sat down and here pops in my self-centered sister Sophia “Mom, can I please go to Ems pool party tomorrow?” (My sister was sixteen and wanted to go to her best friend's pool party.) But I already knew what my mom was going to say... ”

Yes, you can go, ” said my mom. My mind exploded, she actually said yes, Was the world about to end and then Sophia interrupted my thoughts with her screams of pure joy and jumping off her chair. “On one condition.” said my mom. Sophia sank into her seat and whispered, “So close.” My mom continued “You must take Jo to the museum to get her school paper done. And take the mirror that is in the attic to the donation center on Pine street.”

My mom seemed pleased with herself, so then Sophia begged and begged my mom to just let her go. But news flash... it didn’t work.“ Please mom, I don't want to take that old dusty mirror to the donation center. And a brat.” Sophia gave her evil eye to me, I gave one back to her. I had forgotten about my paper, it was about if people could time warp, some boring title. Just then I remembered I left my phone in the attic.

So I finished my dinner and ran up the two flights of stairs and opened the attic door where my mom startled me earlier, to find my phone on a dusty old round table. I turned my back to see the mirror we were talking about earlier. I had never really thought much about this mirror, just that it was a long black oval mirror. It came with the house and my mom wanted to get rid of it, because she thought that it was ugly. To be honest it was really pretty. It had little white flowers painted on it. And just when I was about to leave, I saw something black on the mirror from the corner of my eye and then I turned around to find nothing on the mirror other than a few scuff marks. It had vanished when I gave it my full attention. “That was odd.”

The next day, Sophia yelled saying “Jo help me get the mirror out of the attic!” Then I got flashbacks of last night when I was in the attic, I shivered and then yelled back saying “I’ll be right there!” I helped her bring the mirror to the car. And we were on our way. Sophia took a left on pines then stopped the car at the light. (My sister was a reckless driver, So I always took a helmet with me every time she drove.) “Listen I am going to leave you at the museum and I will drop off the mirror at the donation center and I will pick you up in two or three hours, don't know when.” I gave her the most shocked expression and said, “You can't leave me there by myself. ”

Warping Into Time

Sophia replied “I can and I will.” Then I told her, “If you leave me I will call mom and tell her.” Sophia replied, “Bet, I will give you ten dollars' not to tell.” I said, “Twenty and we have a deal.” After a while she said “Fine, deal.”

We were pulling into the parking lot of the donation center and got out of the car and carried the mirror into the building. We asked the lady at the front desk where the donation drop off was located, and she told us to take a right and the donation drop off would be right there. So, we followed the directions and placed the mirror in the basket. And I saw the same black figure I saw last night.

I was getting closer and closer to the mirror before I knew it started to suck me in! I saw mixed colors forming together. It was like I was going down a long colorful tunnel slide. I felt I had to scream for my life, but oddly I was not but then it hit me. Sophia! I screamed her name, but no words came out. I felt sick and then I passed out.

The last thing I remembered was seeing a woman staring right at me, and then I heard her say, “Hello!”

The End

War of the Elements

Josephine Kress

Age 13, Grade 8

I“The Fire Kingdom has fallen,” said the soldier who bowed before my parents. He wore blue leather pants paired with a jacket. His hair was sticking out in all directions and a sword was strung across his back. His face was grim. I gasped and sat upright on my throne. “The Fire Kingdom has fallen? But they were the most powerful!”

“Rhea, go to your room. We need to discuss this matter privately with the soldier,” my father said sternly. He sat on his throne, wearing a cape that was the color of the ocean and a crown of sapphires.

“Hmf!” I slid off my throne and started to walk briskly to my room. Halfway there, I decided to turn back and listen in secret to the conversation my parents were having with the soldier.

“How did this happen?” I heard my mother ask. I was standing outside the throne room, my ear against the door. I could hear the tap tap tap of her fingers against the armrest of her throne.

“According to the Soldiers of Fire, the rulers of the Forest of Earth and the Realm of Air have made an alliance to take down the other Kingdoms and take their power source. ” answered the soldier.

Power source? Our Empire doesn’t have a power source. I thought.

“The Land of Ice and Snow is being taken over as we speak.” continued the soldier. ‘That means”

“We are next.” my father finished darkly.

“What are we going to do?” asked the soldier. His voice was coated in worry and uncertainty.

“We are going to use Rhea to protect our Empire.” my mother said, deafening. Use me? I thought, confused.

“Are you sure dear?” my father said. “Is she ready?”

“If she is not ready now, she never will be.” my mother said. “Plus, you know firsthand how useful it is.”

“I do.” my father said. He sounded unsure. “Summon her.”

I bolted to my room. My parents couldn't know that I have been eavesdropping on their conversation. I made it to my room just before I heard the soldier's booming footsteps rounding the corner of the hall lined with the photos of my ancestors and knocking on my door.

“Rhea, meet your parents in the throne room as soon as possible.” He then stomped away. I exited after the soldier and ran back to the throne room.

“Rhea, good you're here.” my father said. He looked stressed and his crown was no longer on his head.

“Why am I here?” I asked. I stood before them.

War of the Elements

“Because of the war between the elements.” my mother said. Her voice was no longer loud and brave, but tired and scared. “We need your help.”

“How?” I asked.

“You, my daughter, possess the power of our empire. That is the real reason the Air and Earth rulers are raging war. They are looking for the power source of each kingdom so that they can possess all the elements.” said my father. He sat up straighter in his chair and looked at me intently.

“Each kingdom has an item that holds the power of their element. Without it, that element is forever gone. ” said mother.

“For our kingdom, it is you who holds the power of our kingdom.” father said. I took a step back as if I had been punched.

“You must use this power if we want to keep our people safe.” my father said, looking at me steadily.

“Okay, but how do I wield this power?” I said, staring at my hands, then at my parents.

“We cannot help you with that Rhea.” my mother said sadly. “Each wielder of the magic learns how to control it differently. But remember this, water has its own emotions.”

“How did I get this power?” I asked them. In my mind, understanding the power might help me control it.

“The power of our element used to be inside a ring on my finger,” said my father. “But when you were a baby, you grabbed it off my finger. I let you play with it, but that was a mistake, as well as a blessing. You threw it on the ground and it broke. The blue mist, the power inside it, escaped and chose you as its next hostess.”

I stared at my hands, turning them over, inspecting them. “You must have been mad.”

“On the contrary. We thought it would be safer. The other kingdoms have the hostess of the power, usually an item. With a person, it is safer and less predictable.” my mother said.

“Okay. When do you think the air and earth kingdoms are going to rage war?” I asked. “A week. We are at the bottom of the ocean and the Land of Ice is the farthest kingdom away from us. ” father said.

“Okay, I think that will be enough time to learn how to control my power. ” I nodded.

“Good luck, we believe in you Rhea.” said my mother.

I bowed and walked out of the throne room and into the courtyard. The inside of our palace is dry, but outside is in the water. As being the people of water, all of our people are blessed with being able to breathe underwater.

I swam to the back of the palace and floated around.

“Step one, figure out how to summon my power. ” I said to myself.

War of the Elements

I thrusted my hands in front of me, hoping something would happen. Nothing did. I tried again. And again. And again. After a few minutes of trying repeatedly, I gave up. I groaned and threw my hands out in anger. I started to swim around in a blind rage for a few minutes before realizing something.

“My mother said that water has its own emotions. What were they?” I racked my brain for the emotions of water. “Depth. Mystery. And one more thing, what was it?” I said slowly. After ten more minutes of getting nowhere, I was longing for a break.

I floated to the ocean floor and looked at my hands. Then, it happened. My hands started to glow with pale blue light.

“Whoa.” I brought my hands in front of my face and moved them around. I then thrusted them to my right and a gust of water cut through the calm liquid. Then I thrusted my hands to the left. Another current of water was formed. I continued to play around with this new ability of mine. After a while, I spoke quietly to myself. “The last emotion was longing. It must have triggered my power. ”

I whooped with joy and did a quick lap around the courtyard, before swimming back into the palace.

“I did it! I figured it out!” I ran into the throne room and skidded to a halt in front of my parents, still dripping wet from being outside. “You did?” my father straightened in his seat and leaned forward. A big smile broke through on his face.

“Yeah, look.” my hands once again glowed with pale blue light and bubbles appeared around me.

My parents stared in wonder at the beauty I conjured.

“I’m so proud of you dear.” my mom said, staring lovingly at me.

“Now, getting down to business. We have decided that you will lead the army. ” my father said.

“What?! Why?!” I asked. Once again, I was taken aback by this.

“Your father and I trust you. You will lead us into battle against the Earth and Air armies.” my mother said proudly.

A question popped into my head. “Do you know if the Earth and Air Army took possession of the other power sources from the kingdoms?”

My mother winced. “We don’t know. That is another reason you will be leading the army. I will be traveling to the Fire Kingdom to help, and see if they got the item. Your father is going to travel to the Ice Land to see if they still have their item.”

“When are you leaving?” I asked softly.

“Tonight. If we want to have a fighting chance, we need all the information about the whereabouts of the items.” my father said solemnly.

War of the Elements

“Also, we received word from scouts saying that the army of Air and Earth is moving quickly across our sea. Soon, they will dive. You only have a matter of time before they arrive.” my mother said.

“This is why we need to leave tonight. The sooner we are done with our mission-” my father said.

“The sooner you can come back and help me fight.” I finished sadly. “I understand. I hope your journey is safe.”

“Rhea, you understand that it is going to be a dangerous journey to get to two destroyed lands. We might not make it. You have to be prepared for the worst.” my father said. His expression was sad.

“Then why are you going?” I ask.

“Because, if this is successful, we will know more about the enemy and the powers they wield.” mother said.

“Fine. But, you have to promise that you will be careful and realize that this isn’t worth losing your lives.” I cried.

“This is possibly worth our lives.” mother said gently.

“I disagree, it’s not. But I do agree that it is important.” I said softly. I really didn’t want to fight right now. It was best to concede the issue.

Mother smiled sadly. “We love you so much Rhea. The kingdom is yours to command during the time we are gone. ”

I bowed. “Thanks. I love you more. ”

My parents smiled at me and left the room. I didn’t follow. I didn't want to see them off. Twenty minutes later, the same soldier from earlier came into the room. I realized he was the general and that he was awaiting my command.

“Um, I want your army to prepare for the upcoming battle. Ready the sharks and other sea creatures. Alert the people.” I said uneasily.

“Of course my princess. If you need me, call for me. ” “I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name. ”

“General Dylan.” he then bowed and left the room.

The next four days were chaotic. I had to meet with so many people, discuss the war, train with my powers, and prepare with General Dylan and his troops. But, on my fourth day of ruling, a surprise came.

General Dylan came running into the room, a smile on his face. “Your parents have returned! And they brought friends!”

War of the Elements

I didn’t say a word. I ran out of the throne room, out of the palace, and dove into the water. “Mother! Father! You’re home! And with friends.” I swam to a halt, seeing the extra people, bubbles around their heads so that they could breathe. Another gift our people possess.

“Hello Rhea. The fire and ice kingdoms want to help. We have made an alliance.” father said. He was grinning from ear to ear.

Four adults took a few steps forward and stood in front of me.

“Are you Rhea, the power holder of the water empire?” said a man who was wearing a blazing red suit. My guess was that he was king of the fire kingdom. Next to him stood a woman in a dress that gave the illusion of wearing actual flames.

“Yes. It is my pleasure to meet you. ” I bowed.

“No need for all of that.” he said, a smile tugging at his face. I quickly straightened. “I want to give you something.” He slipped something from around his neck. It was a gold chain with a ruby stone. “This is our power source. And I want you to have it.” He held it out for me. I hesitated for a moment before taking it and slipping it around my neck.

“Thank you. ” I said. I was speechless. Why was the fire kingdom giving me their power source? He bowed to me and him and his wife took a step back, leaving a woman with long white hair and a man with pale skin standing in front of me.

“Hello Rhea. We would also like to give you our power source. ” said the woman. She took a silver bracelet off her wrist and handed it to me. I took it and put it on my wrist.

“Thank you. ”

She nodded and they took a step backwards.

“Rhea, they are giving you their power sources and their armies. You are in command of this war. ” said my father.

I swayed. “You're trusting me? A twelve year old with three magic items and three armies. To lead us off into war?”

“Yeah, simple.” said my mother, laughing at my face of confusion.

“We trust you. ” said the king of the Ice Land.

“As do we. ” said the queen of the Fire Kingdom.

All six adults bowed to me, the armies following. “All hail our savior, Rhea, Princess of the Water Empire.”

General Dylan and two of his soldiers escorted me to my room after a scout told us that the Air and Earth kingdoms just dived and would arrive at the palace by the morning. I didn’t sleep. It was impossible with my racing heart and sweaty palms.

War of the Elements

I got up once the water started to become brighter. I threw aside my covers on my bed and got dressed in the special outfit the soldiers brought me the night before. I made sure that I had on the necklace and bracelet, gifts from the other rulers. I stopped in the kitchens before heading to the throne room. I wolfed down a piece of bread and ran into the throne room.

“Good morning Rhea, are you ready for battle?” my mother asked, sounding tired. My mind said I wasn’t but my gut told the truth. “I am. ”

My father smiled proudly. “We believe in you Rhea. The rulers of the Fire and Ice Kingdom will be in the secret room only people of royal oceanic blood can open. ”

“Why? Don’t you want to help?” I said, hurt.

“We really do Rhea, but according to the queen of the Ice Land, they target the rulers. They pay no mind to the children of the rulers.” my mother said sadly.

“Do the other rulers have children?” I asked, curious.

“Yes, they will be staying with us as well.” father said. “They are too young to fight.” I nodded. “Okay.”

The next hour was chaos. I sat on my throne, watching as all three armies came in and out of the throne room, asking about weapons and when the Air and Earth Kingdoms would arrive.

Finally, it was time. As I walked out of the palace and onto the battlefield where I faced the rulers of Earth and Air, one thought raced through my mind.

We will win. And with this thought, my hands glowed pale blue, and I charged into battle with the armies of Fire, Ice, and Water behind me.

The End

Was it a Dream?

Rosalie C.

Age 13, Grade 8

It was dark, I couldn’t see much, I looked up and heard a mimic of my thoughts. What do they want from me? I heard a whisper coming from behind me, I quickly shut my eyes and my heart raced, how did I get myself into this? The whisper got louder, and louder until It suddenly stopped. I opened my eyes, slowly, the light was on, a single light bulb behind me. I was sitting on a chair in an empty room. A moment later, something fell over in what sounded like the next room, it sounded like shattered glass, the door in front of me started shaking, it was only a few feet away from where I was sitting. I was struggling to breathe, my lungs felt like they were imploding in my chest.

“Mom..” I whispered underneath my breath. “ ..someone.. help me. ” Not long after saying that the lights shut off again and I heard an echo of my mom yelling my name from behind me, “Mom?” I attempted to look back, my head was frozen in place, I felt paralyzed, I was paralyzed. The light turned on again. My mouth remained shut while I was trying to scream. I saw a finger gently pressing on my lips. The nail polish was exactly like my mom ’ s nails. I could only see a finger, it was all that showed in the light. The other hand pulled out a small mirror the size of my face, it was cracked. I looked at myself, I had a scratch on my forehead and cheek.

My supposed mom ’ s hands slowly let down the mirror and pushed my chair back a few inches until I was sitting on the edge of the light. It stepped forward and it revealed itself. It was my mom.

“Mom..” I could open my mouth now, “What.. are you doing?” No response.

“Mom?” I started crying, “Why are you doing this to me?”

“I..” My mom began to say, “am..not..your..Mother.” It looked like she was being pulled backwards, back into the darkness. I couldn’t stop myself from crying. My mouth sealed shut again.

I murmured behind my closed mouth, the bones felt squeezed from the metal wire tying my arms, legs, and torso to the metal chair. The room suddenly felt cold, I tried to look down but only my eyes could move. From what I could see, I was wearing my mom ’ s shirt and her shorts. Exactly what she was wearing this morning, before I got into this mess. I was just walking to school.

My nose was twitching, there was an interesting smell in the air, it smelt like gasoline. Not long after, I passed out.

<-------------->

I woke up and noticed that I wasn’t in the room anymore, I was on the ground on the side of the road. Not any road, but the road I was taking to school… before somebody knocked me out. I don’t know who it was, but I’m hoping that everything was just a dream.

The End

High School Division

Video Games

Emily A.

Age 16, Grade 11

It was another day. Rachel was sitting in her room, her fingers tapping on the controller quickly. She was playing a fighting game and was losing.

"Why can't you just die already," Rachel yelled. She was one second away from tossing her controller to a nearby wall, but it was brand new and Rachel didn't want to ruin it. There was then a knock on the door.

"Give me a second," Rachel said.

"It's me," A young voice said. Distinctly annoying. Rachel's little sister Hannah.

"What do you want," Rachel groaned. Hannah let herself in, her sparkly Disney princess dress standing out against the black room.

"I need help with something," Hannah said.

"Can you just give me a minute," Rachel said, her eyes glued to her video game.

"Here, I'll help," Hannah invited herself onto Rachel's bed and grabbed her controller.

"Wait what are you doing," Rachel tried grabbing the controller back but it was too late. Hannah had made Rachel lose her battle; the "game over" sign taunting her. "What was that for?"

"Now you can help me," Hannah grinned.

"You are so dead," Rachel seethed. Hannah tugged on her arm and led her out. Hannah hadn't asked what she needed help with but Rachel could already guess that she needed help with going to the right channel or something with princesses but instead she was plopped in front of a computer; the screen displaying "enter your email".

"I don't know what your email is, can you type it for me," Hannah said innocently.

"What is this really about," Rachel asked. Hannah shrugged. She rolled her eyes and entered an email: AnnoyingSister8centuries@gmail.com

"I can still read," Hannah said. Rachel felt bad and entered her real email: JaySlays958@gmail.com. With that the website opened up. Rachel stood up and tried to leave.

"Wait I wanna show you this," Hannah said.

"I did what you wanted," Rachel said. "Can I please have some peace?"

"If I didn't want to show you it I would've waited until our parents got back," She pouted. Rachel walked back. The screen displayed the color pink, and what seemed to be a bunch of mini video games.

"What is this," Rachel asked.

"They're games," Hannah replied. "It's a website I found when watching TV. You can play dress up, host a diner, even play with makeup here!"

"Can't you do that without a computer," Rachel asked.

"Yeah but," Hannah said, averting eye contact. "I want to play it on the internet, just like you do!"

Rachel was surprised by the comment, but it made her feel warm inside. "Oh, thank you."

Video Games

Hannah listened and smiled. "You know what, my video games can wait. Let's check out yours."

With that Hannah picked a dress up game, turning to Rachel for any advice on how the girl should look. Rachel pulled up a nearby chair to sit on and simply watched. She nodded her head; this was right.

The

End

Teenage Heartbreak

Jaelyn B. Age 15, Grade 10

I loved her knowing she would never love me back. I lived for her approval, for her acceptance. She had the friends and the popularity but it was all ok because I was her friend. She had midnight hair that you could get lost in for hours and eyes that reminded you of morning coffee. I fought for every moment she spent with me and held our memories like trophies, displaying them to anyone who would listen. I followed her through every obstacle and defended her honor without thinking twice about it. I would have done anything for her to just look at me the same, to yearn for me the way I yearned for her. It was never enough. She was a glistening star and I was a rusted piece of metal. As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I realized she took every part of me and made it her own. I couldn't live watching her be so in love with someone else. I just stopped. My trophies that were once my prized possessions turned into haunted memories that no one could pry out. Nothing could ever replicate the cruel enchantment that she had on me. I deleted every part of her left in my life, desperately hoping to forget the heartache she caused. I don't think of her much anymore but she left an imprint on me that can never be erased. I will forever have an altered view of loving someone, maybe that's a good thing. It might just be a part of growing. In 10 years I’ll be laughing at my teenage bitterness, but for now I'll just let the woe consume me.

The End

The Games We Play

Alaina Sanchez Age 15, Grade 10

As twenty-four-year-old Renata Valentine styled her hair for the day at Global Alliances, she dreaded walking into the office. She knew she’d have to deal with Victor Radcliffe, her old flame whom she now hated. She trudged down the stairs of her two-story house, locking the front door and sauntering to her car.

“Alright, just ignore him, and you’ll be fine.” she sighed, starting her Porsche and listening to the engine purr as she pulled out of the driveway. Riding over the freeways and main streets, she finally arrived at the office. Renata was slightly excited today because Global Alliances would be choosing two employees to fly to Paris to represent America for the annual United Gathering, held within the French Parliament. Renata had always dreamed of attending, seeing as the company paid for the entire trip.

Renata took her seat at the table in the conference room, adjusting her skirt while fighting her growing anxiety. She soon heard the sound of obnoxious laughter; she turned her head to see Victor Radcliffe joking with his friends. Renata rolled her eyes, silently wishing the lighting fixture above would fall and crush him.

“Good morning!” Derrick Montez, her boss, beamed happily. “I hope you all remember what today is!”

“No duh, Derrick!” Victor shouted, his posse roaring with laughter. They slammed their hands on the table, leaving Renata wondering why they were there and not in some zoo.

“As I was saying, today, two employees will be sent to Paris. They are expected to represent America with dignity,” Derrick turned to the fishbowl full of paper slips beside him.

“Let’s see, ” he pulled out two slips. “The representatives this year will be… Renata Valentine and Victor Radcliffe!”

“NO WAY AM I FLYING TO FRANCE WITH HER!” Victor screeched defiantly. The room fell silent as Renata stared at him coldly.

“Don’t act like being stuck with YOU for two weeks will be all that great, monkey boy! Derrick, please pull another name! I’m BEGGING you!” Renata clasped her hands together pleadingly. Derrick, unmoved by her plea, remained adamant.

“Look,” warned Derrick. “I don't know what happened between you two, but this is an ultimatum. Either you both go on this trip and represent us with professionalism, or you ’ re both FIRED! Maybe some good will come of this; I won’t have to hear your bickering for two weeks!”

Murmurs erupted from other employees while Derrick cleared his throat loudly. “God, you two have no idea that you're the reason why my therapist quit.”

The Games We Play

“So, I have to go to France with, get this, Victor! Crazy, right?” Renata vented to her best friend, Katherine, as she paced around her bedroom.

“That’s horrible, but maybe not entirely bad,” Katherine suggested as Renata’s jaw dropped.

“What do you mean ‘not entirely bad?’ My whole life’s falling apart because of that jerk!” Renata kicked off her shoes angrily and plopped down on her bed with crossed arms.

“Well, you two need this. You guys do need a chance to talk.” Katherine stated matter-offactly.

“What’s there to talk about? His childish attitude proved to me that he wasn't ready for an actual relationship. His level of immaturity and dishonesty was disgusting.” Renata huffed in annoyance. “Could YOU excuse that?”

“You two met when you were teenagers! It was so long ago, Ren. Maybe he's finally grown up a bit.” Katherine sighed, tucking a strand of her dirty blonde hair behind her ear. I'll believe it when I see it,” Renata stated bleakly.

Two nights later, Renata stood outside of the airport, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Victor to arrive.

“Where is that idiot? He said he'd be here. Ugh, I should've known everything that comes out of his mouth is a dirty lie.” Renata scoffed with disgust, checking her watch as she began to pace. Finally, Victor arrived, throwing open the taxi door and racing to the back. Struggling to open it, he muttered some choice profanities as he wrestled to free his suitcase from the trunk. Victor soon succeeded, only to have the suitcase fall on him. Renata cackled as she turned to enter the airport, with Victor trailing close behind her. “This trip has already gotten off to a great start, eh, monkey boy?” Renata smirked rudely as they approached the baggage check. They sent their luggage away quickly and headed off to security.

“Alright, we get in, we get out, then head for our flight,” Victor stated bluntly as Renata pushed him aside, removed everything from her pockets, and slipped off her flats. She glided through gracefully, without a problem. Victor was not as fortunate. The tall, twentyfive-year-old was stopped as soon as he entered, and the security guard eyed him with suspicion.

The Games We Play

“Sir, would you mind emptying your pockets?” the security guard asked politely. Victor nodded, doing as asked, and attempted to walk through again. Once again, he was denied entry.

“What is the meaning of this? I’m not bringing in a bomb, for God’s sake! I think you’d be able to tell if I was, ” Victor growled, frustrated with the airport personnel. The security guard looked at the screen again, furrowed his eyebrows, and looked back at Victor.

“Sir… I know this sounds strange, but do you happen to have some sort of metal in your clothing?” the guard questioned in confusion.

Victor nodded. “There’s metal embedded in these designer pants. Why?”

Renata slapped her forehead, knowing what was going to happen. “Why would you ever wear metal pants to an airport?! God, you really ARE dumber than you look!” Victor stuck his tongue out at Renata childishly while she rolled her eyes in irritation.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to remove your pants,” Victor’s eyes widened in horror as the guard’s words reached his ears, and Renata began to laugh loudly. Victor undid his belt, dropped his pants, and ambled through the gate with shame. He pulled his pants up quickly, speeding away while the sounds of the growing crowd’s laughter rang in his ears.

After the scandal at security, Renata and Victor had safely made it onto the plane. Renata, feeling somewhat entitled, raced Victor to the window seat, beating him to it.

“Excuse me, but that’s MY seat,” Victor hissed with rage. Renata looked up at him and grinned, clearly enjoying herself.

“And what are you going to do about it?” she laughed with obvious glee. Victor stomped his foot down and leaned into Renata’s face.

“Look here, Ms. Sad and Single, I had the taxi driver yell at me, my heavy suitcase fall on me, and to top it all off, I had to drop my pants in front of a hundred strangers! So if ANYONE deserves the window seat, I think it should be me. ” Victor snarled at Renata, practically foaming at the mouth.

“Victor, if you deserved anything, it would be a nice, big kick in the pants! I got here first, and if you were a true gentleman, you would let ME have it.” Renata growled, crossing her arms and adjusting herself in her seat. She turned away from him without another word. Victor angrily took his seat and buckled up as the plane began to take off.

As the hours passed, Renata stared out the plane window with worry. What’s to say that something terrible wouldn’t happen with Victor once they landed in France? Similar ideas raced through her mind at a hundred miles per hour, showing no signs of slowing down.

The Games We Play

Renata decided to plug in her headphones and listen to some music, hoping the voice of the singer would drown out the voice of her thoughts. Her eyelids grew heavy with fatigue, and she sighed in contentment as she began to relax. Suddenly, Renata was awakened by the feeling of something heavy landing on her shoulder. She opened her eyes, only to find Victor fast asleep on her.

“Get off me!” Renata demanded, shoving Victor awake. Victor, startled by this, scrunched up his nose. Renata flinched at him threateningly, making him jump in surprise.

“Aggressive much? No wonder you ’ re still single.” Victor snapped, rotating himself to face the aisle. Renata sighed, pondering if she was being a little too rude. She was, after all, still very angry with Victor for all the things he’d done during their ten-month relationship. He’d sided with his toxic friends over her too many times to count, and he always had a knack for making her feel like his second choice. Adding insult to injury, Victor had also helped facilitate ugly rumors against Renata. However, according to Katherine, Renata needed to leave the past behind. Victor had broken her trust, yet Renata knew she needed to let it go. How could Renata learn to forgive Victor after all the horrible things he’d done?

Hours later, Renata and Victor finally arrived in Paris. The duo checked into their hotel for the night, only to find that the concierge had messed up the reservations. Instead of two separate rooms, they were given only one. This was made worse by the fact that the room had one large bed.

“You messed up the reservation! You idiot!” Renata scolded Victor, fuming with annoyance. “ME?! I didn’t do anything! It’s the stupid hotel’s fault!” Victor cried, turning to the bellhop. “Can’t you do anything?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I have no authority over reservations. I can, however, fetch you a cot to sleep on. ” the bellhop spoke with a thick French accent as he brushed back his shiny blonde hair. He then left the room, leaving them alone.

“I hope you know that YOU are sleeping on the cot.” Renata huffed, flipping her dark red hair in Victor’s face. He had to admit her hair had an alluring scent, but that wasn’t his focus at the moment.

“No way! You already got the window seat on the plane. It’s my turn for special treatment!” Victor exclaimed, clenching both his jaw and his fists.

“You don't get special treatment, dummy! You have to earn it!” she barked back as a knock came at the door. Knowing it could only be the bellhop with the cot, Victor opened it.

The Games We Play

“Here you are, one luxurious cot! Please enjoy your stay!” The bellhop took a polite bow, leaving the room again.

“You know what? I don’t feel like fighting right now. Just take the bed, Ren.” Victor sighed, beginning to unfold the cot. Renata sat on the bed, replaying that sentence in her head.

“Don’t call me ‘Ren.’ It makes it sound like we ’ re familiar.” Renata glowered at Victor, who smirked at her smugly.

“But we ARE familiar, Ren,” he smiled devilishly.

“Ugh, don’t remind me, ” she replied with a shudder, laying on the bed while lying to herself.

The next morning, as Renata dozed a little too close to being awake, she opened her eyes slightly and began to stir. She sat up in her large bed, stretching silently. Peeking over the foot of the bed, she sighed irritably as her eyes fell on Victor, whose sleeping position may have been comfortable now but would be very painful once he woke up. Renata grinned, a devilish idea popping into her head. She tiptoed to the kitchen, grabbed a small silver pot and a thick wooden spoon, and approached the bed area again. She snuck over, stood next to Victor’s sleeping form, and prepared to be the most obnoxious woman ever.

“WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP!” she yelled, banging the spoon against the pot loudly. Victor woke with a start, screaming bloody murder as he leaped up and dashed to the door. He yanked it open and sprinted down the hall. Renata, laughing uncontrollably, stumbled to her feet as she followed Victor. She found him standing next to an ice machine, his face red with anger.

“HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME?!” he spat with rage. He grabbed Renata’s shoulders, pinning her against the wall. Her joyful expression became panicked, but Victor’s avarice subsided as he stared into Renata’s apple-green eyes. The two of them were frozen in their positions, breathing sharp, shallow breaths. Renata swallowed hard, even though her throat was dry. Victor inhaled deeply, taking a step back.

“Sorry… I wasn’t expecting you to do that, Ren.” Victor bit his lip, trying to distract himself from all the intrusive thoughts going through his head.

“I apologize, Vic. It was a bad idea.” Renata sighed, looking down and breaking eye contact with him. The two of them walked silently back to their room, suddenly not knowing what to make of this turn of events.

The Games We Play

As Victor and Renata waited for their taxi to arrive, both of their minds ran wild with meddlesome thoughts. Renata played with her hair anxiously, growing impatient. The taxi was supposed to have arrived already, but it had been delayed due to rain.

“Hey, are you cold?” Victor began, turning to Renata. “You can have my jacket if you want.”

“I’m fine, thanks,” she replied, looking down.

“Well, can you at least stand under my umbrella then?” Victor offered. Renata obliged. The two of them stood under the umbrella as their taxi finally arrived.

“Taxi for Victor and Renata Radcliffe?” the driver asked. Renata rolled her eyes at his assumption.

“It’s Renata Valentine, not Renata Radcliffe, if you don’t mind. I could’ve been Mrs. Renata Radcliffe, but he messed that up. ” Renata huffed, sliding into the yellow car. Victor entered next, glaring at her as he did.

“I apologize, ma ’ am. ” the driver said with slight guilt.

“What do you mean I messed it up? You’re at fault here, too!” Victor exclaimed. Raphael, the driver, turned his head to listen.

“What did he do?” Raphael piped up after being silent for a while. Renata huffed as she began to explain.

“He was an immature tool who decided to stab me in the back,” she stated.

“HEY! I’m NOT a tool!” Victor scoffed.

“Then why’d you let Maddox dictate your life? Can’t you think for yourself?” Renata hissed, while Raphael giggled with glee. “Then what happened?” Raphael pressed.

“She started hanging out with other guys, that’s what!” Victor exclaimed.

“AFTER you started flirting with Marissa just for revenge!” Renata barked back.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Raphael began. “But it sounds like you let other people in, and they messed everything up for you two.” He then made a sharp turn. Renata paused in realization.

“He’s right, Vic,” Renata sighed. “We broke this. It’s not my fault, or yours. It’s ours. ”

“Yeah…you’re right. I’m so sorry, Ren. I never meant to hurt you. ” Victor admitted, reaching for Renata’s hand. She took it and smiled.

“I’m sorry, too. We should’ve had this conversation a long time ago. ” she grinned as Raphael pulled into the French Parliament.

As the two left the car with a newfound understanding, they knew they would be able to rebuild what was once lost.

The

End

I Am the Weapon

Akayla Flores

Age 17, Grade 10

Three years. That’s how long Cerhime has been on the run. Three years of figuring out how to control his new body, how to survive in different settings, and how to stay alive. Three years since he found out his idol was a sadistic, bas “Crack!”

Cerhime looks down at his claws to see the branch he was holding has snapped in an uneven crack. He sighs and throws it into his small fire. He has made himself a small room under a large dead tree, with insulating walls to keep him warm and an exhaust pipe through a hole in the roots to prevent suffocation and bugs. He looks down at his ragged lab coat, plain black pants, and long sleeves. His hair is a ragged dark brown that holds bits of leaves and grime. His body is covered in scars, both tiny and large, from the glass cage he was once contained in. The cuts are mostly healed, and his hands are covered in a black, hard substance shaped like claws.

Currently, his claws start to drip and evaporate away, revealing his now soft hands underneath. His tail gently flaps against the ground, a long, thin, black, stringy-looking thing with short fur on its base and a feathery end at the tip. Cerhime’s face twists in disgust. “I could’ve been something… and now? Now, I’m hiding in a tree…” His voice rises with disgusted anger. “ONE BUTTON AND NOW I’M SOME SORT OF CRIME TO HUMANITY!” His fists slam down on the ground, and he snarls with animalistic anger, then he cries. His wet, hot tears drip to the ground as he lays his head back, defeated. He has been through a lot. He got an internship at his dream job, his idol turned out to be a crazed mad scientist, his curiosity was almost killed, he was experimented on and manipulated, all of it happened without consent. He technically killed people, and don’t even get him started on the fact he ended up picking up a terrifying hitchhiker virus on the way out of that place. As if hearing its mention in his thoughts, smoke seems to rise from his form, and he hears the raspy breaths of the wendigo next to him. Its skull and bright golden pinpricks are the only things actually visible as its dark, wispy body covers the hole in which Cerhime hides.

“Let’s… not forget… who kept you… alive. Cerhime.” Its voice echoes in Cerhime’s mind like a dark thought, and he shivers. The creature just says his name, and he can feel the threat in it. Cerhime’s breath hitches, and he doesn’t move or speak. The wendigo seems to make an invisible smile, its loose jaw unable to form one, but the control it relishes is palpable. The forest animals make no sound, as if holding their collective breaths, and even the fire seems to try to crackle quieter. Finally, the beast wrapped around him like smoke releases a cackle that echoes in Cerhime’s brain, its lower jaw bobbing like a dead thing, and Cerhime shivers.

The sound of men and women ’ s screams rattle like snakes, and Cerhime finds himself back in the lab, watching the wendigo’s maw covered in blood. The creature watches him and then rushes to meet his eyes. “You know… EXACTLY… who… did… that.”

I Am The Weapon

Tears stream down Cerhime’s face, and he stutters, trying to shake his head, but the wendigo snatches his face with a long, spindly clawed hand. Its cold touch forces a yelp out of the young man.

“I-I… I d-didn’t ”

The wendigo tightens its grip and snarls, forcing him to look deep into its golden dots, showing the truth, showing every fear he ever had and how it can tear him apart.

“Say. It.”

Cerhime can’t breathe, his lungs straining and begging for air, and his hands claw at the wendigo’s massive, furless claw. His tears turn into harder sobs, and he begs to be let go.

“SAY IT.”

Cerhime sputters out, “I-I did it!”

The wendigo’s dark black pits look at him as if showing a dark smile. Its jaw moves to tighten, all of its teeth close together in a terrifying display of power.

“And what… are you?”

Cerhime breaks, his whole reality crashing down, the picture of his claws covered in hot, red gore and carnage.

“I-I… am the monster.” He clarifies, the image of staring down at those lifeless bodies that once shocked him with batons and forced him back into his glass cage when he talked back. “I… am the weapon. ” His face morphs into a blank stare, and the wendigo’s laugh echoes again like a hive of wasps attacking Cerhime’s mind. It disappears back into a wisp of smoke and back into Cerhime’s mind to sleep and watch and wait.

The

End

Demon Hunters

Cole R.

Age 16, Grade 11

A Child of Fate

I’ve read three books on demon hunting and reread two of them. I’ve texted all my friends twice, but they’re all at the same party. I’ve finished all my chores and then some extra ones. It still doesn’t change the fact that I’m alone, stuck in a creepy house. My parents are at their New Year’s party celebrating the coming of the new year (like normal humans do) and the end of the Iron Lace War. A war waged by humanity and the shadow touched realm of vampires, werewolves, and demi-mortals, also known as Nephilim, against the countless legions of demons and monstrosities from the Nine Hells. I’m stuck at home and not allowed to go to said party because of my blood line which makes me an outcast. As the child of my vampire mother and my demi mortal father, I was a “child of fate” because children with this lineage were destined to be either great forces for good or evil, famous demon hunters or infamous madmen. The risk of having me be another Hitler or another Odysseus was somehow too great a risk for my parents to let me go to a stinking gala. They left their child of fate without even a “Will you be, okay?” or a “I love you!”. Instead, all my mom said to my father as she stared into her phone will deftly applying her blood red lipstick was,

“I’d hate to leave him here all alo…” Her thought trailing off as she was sucked into the phone’s screen. At home, away from the public eye, she was barely aware of her surroundings. Her phone was the undisputed owner of her attention. In public, the crowds that adored her made her feel alive but also fake, like a dead corpse reanimated to garner more attention.

“You can and you will leave him here”, my dad said as he stepped down the stairs. His cold and stony expression accentuating his candescent gaze and rigid gold eyes. The same eyes that I had inherited, though mine were much less cold because they carried the simmering flame seen in most vampires’ eyes. His fixed gaze daring me to interrupt his long planned gala entrance. Knowing that this was a battle I would not win, I quietly assured my mom that I would be fine. and instead, silently pondered the irony of how she had detachedly left me alone when I was just six years old so she could attend the same gala. This memory raced through my head as they slammed the door on their way out followed closely by their guards. I was rudely thrust back into the present by a loud clap of thunder. I thought about going for a run, but it’s raining outside, a cutting rain that feels like daggers jabbing at your skin. It's also past curfew and there are hundreds of Damone Jagers (demon hunters) stationed around the house supposedly to prevent anyone from getting in, but mainly to keep me from going out.

As I look around the now empty room, my brain screams that it is cold, bland and boring. The TV was giving me a headache and my phone was dying so I got up off the dusty drop cloth covered couch and I walked down the drafty damp hallway to our kitchen.

Demon Hunters

I searched around for the charger I had bought in the run-down gas station we fueled up at on our trip here. Where’s here, you ask? An old mansion that was available for rent. My parents thought it would be a thrilling experience for them to stay at a house built in the 1800s, especially one that was built beside an ancient tree rumored to be holding a horde of demons locked up. My father had poetically sold the idea to my mother by saying “Let’s spend the start of something new in something ancient.” Unfortunately, the elegant photos on the Airbnb listing did not match the dilapidated and quite literally haunted dump we had driven up to earlier in the day. As I continued my search for a source of power, I pulled my sweatshirt, covered in glyphs of protection, tighter to my body, trying to ignore the icy fingers of a draft. I finally found an extension cord that must have been used by the contractors that had been fixing the house prior to our stay. I plugged in my charger, my phone giving a small chirp as it started to charge. Sitting in a rickety chair, I watched as lightning lit up the rainy night, leaving a glowing image in my vision. My headache continued to throb, and I closed my eyes restlessly as I leaned back carefully into the chair. I thought this new year could not get any worse, but then it did. As the old grandfather clock chimed, ringing the new year in with its hollow bongs booming through the house, the lights flickered. The lightning crashed and a cacophony of pops and sizzling rattled through the house. My eyes opened with a jolt and I saw the lamp’s lightbulb pop. The lightning must have struck the power lines. I searched around for the charger I had bought in the run-down gas station we fueled up at on our trip here. Where’s here, you ask? An old mansion that was available for rent. My parents thought it would be a thrilling experience for them to stay at a house built in the 1800s, especially one that was built beside an ancient tree rumored to be holding a horde of demons locked up. My father had poetically sold the idea to my mother by saying “Let’s spend the start of something new in something ancient.” Unfortunately, the elegant photos on the Airbnb listing did not match the dilapidated and quite literally haunted dump we had driven up to earlier in the day. As I continued my search for a source of power, I pulled my sweatshirt, covered in glyphs of protection, tighter to my body, trying to ignore the icy fingers of a draft. I finally found an extension cord that must have been used by the contractors that had been fixing the house prior to our stay. I plugged in my charger, my phone giving a small chirp as it started to charge. Sitting in a rickety chair, I watched as lightning lit up the rainy night, leaving a glowing image in my vision. My headache continued to throb, and I closed my eyes restlessly as I leaned back carefully into the chair. I thought this new year could not get any worse, but then it did. As the old grandfather clock chimed, ringing the new year in with its hollow bongs booming through the house, the lights flickered. The lightning crashed and a cacophony of pops and sizzling rattled through the house.

Demon Hunters

My eyes opened wit h a jolt and I saw the lamp’s lightbulb pop. The lightning must have struck the po wer l ines . Wit h trep idation, I glanced over at the kitchen counter and saw the smoking goo that was once my phone. Uggh ! The burnt smell took me back to the not so fond memories of my accidental fight wit h a fire demon a few years ago. Nauseated, I made my way up the creaky stairs to my room. As I passed the once ornate hallways. I finally reached the attic. The one place that I was allowed to stay in due to the fear of me damaging the other “priceless” rooms wit h another accident. I sat on a trunk that served as a chair and slumped against the wall only to sit up with a start a moment later. It felt like something had shocked me. I turned around, my hand swiping a dull metal object off the corner of the trunk. I looked at the floor and saw an old brass ring. I slowly grabbed my dully glowing Karambit , a wickedly curved demon fighting silver knife from my nightstand while simultaneously picking up the ring. Looking carefully, I noticed that it was similar in appearance to a signet ring, but it had a strange symbol on the top of a cross surrounded by letters. A sense of déjà vu washed over me as I recalled having seen this same design in a book that identified it as an old Italian devil chasing symbol. The storm continued to rage outside, and the house swayed in the gales of wind like a willow in a breeze. Soon a strange clattering noise came from the roof. It sounded like someone, or something was scaling the side of the tiled roof. I slipped the ring into my pocket of my hoodie not daring to contact it for fear of becoming invisible for the rest of my life or turned into a ghost forever cursed to haunt this mansion with its creaking stairs and leaky roofs. After a few clinks, the rain somehow found a way into my room, the drips making a few small puddles on the floor and a wet spot on my bed. I jumped as a huge explosion of thunder shook through the house with a creaking scream. I dashed across the room and opened the door to the hall just as the ancient tree crashed onto the house. The hall connecting me to the stairs had been demolished and I was stuck in the attic which was now leaking profusely. Retreating to my bed, I grabbed the ruck sack full of some rations and weapons I had been training with since a young age. Trying to evade the sleeting rain, I pulled out a poncho from the pack sliding my arms through the straps and slipped the poncho over my head. As I did so, I felt a strange vibrating in my pocket and surmised it to be my phone. As I reached in it to answer the call, I suddenly remembered that my phone was a charred piece of plastic and before I could reflexively whip out my hand, the ring had already slid itself onto my index finger. The world around me darkened and lightened at the same time, making everything clearer. I could hear the murmuring of the Damone Jager over the pounding rain. The smell of ozone permeated the air from the lighting and the sap scent of the oak flooded my nose. As the world came into focus, so too did my mind finally break free of the think cloud that had been dulling my sense of reality my entire life. The veil that had been obscuring my reflexes and senses instantly dissipated!

Demon Hunters

Before I had a chance to fully process what was happening, my sense of euphoria was halted as I heard thoughts coming steadily rushing up from below the tree to its broken trunk pouring out not sap but ichor. Not the golden, sweet-smelling ichor of Nephilim or demi mortals, but the black musty and tangy smell of demon blood. The legends were not myths, the tree truly was a gateway to a hell from which the voices grew louder and merged into one voice of a hundred thoughts collectively chanting, “We are legion, and we are free!”

The

End

THE BLACK LEVIATHAN

Nathan O. Age 16, Grade 11

Chapter 1: A Tale of 3 Mateys

In a throne room, decorated in a brown, 1700s style with a purple wall behind the throne, a queen, adorned in a gold crown and a yellow dress, sits on her throne with guards standing by her side. A sea captain, wearing a blue and white hat and coat with gold accents, kneels before the queen, as she says, ”There is an ally country struggling to defeat their enemies in a devastating war . They have requested a map that will lead to treasures unknown to man, no matter how difficult the journey. I want you to deliver this map to our allies, and bring back the chest I had asked for.” A guard walks over to him, and gives him a glowing map. “It would be my honor, my liege.” The captain says.

A couple of days later, at the town docks, a crew of empire sailors were running around frantically, trying to load their ship with supplies. One of the crew members is talking to a friend of theirs, a pirate wearing an eyepatch and commoner clothes. The adjutant speaks quietly, as if trying not to be heard by his peers on the pier, “Look, I can't work for this ship any longer, but if I quit, the queen might have my head on a platter. I don't want to waste my life in misery when I have a family to raise. Might you ask your captain to take us down, but with mercy?” The pirate responds in a confused tone, “ I don't know, me mate. While I'm sure the cap’in would sympathize with yer plight, he might need a more profitable incentive, than a simple favor.” The crewman thinks for a second, and then offers, “Well, I happen to know that we'll be shipping off something priceless, which would lead to more riches in a distant land.” The pirate confidently assures, “That should convince him. I'll be off to tell da captain the news. ” “Thanks, friend.” The buccaneer runs off to convince his captain of this rare opportunity. In a rickety bar, filled to the brim with drunk and smelly patrons drinking soup and rum, there are two men in the middle of the room. One of them is large and bulky with a fierce beard, while the other is of a more agile frame, bearing a mustache and a scar on his right cheek. As they laugh, the pirate runs in and tells the smaller man, “Captain Illeo, the empire is sendin’ a priceless artifact overseas which I heard leads to more treasure faraway.” He realizes he made a significant blunder and apologizes, “Oh, I didn't realize yer brother was ere. Greetings captain Eduardo Martiz.” The drunk captains are shocked by this news and immediately began drinking vinegar to sober up. The two captains panic and immediately gather their crews for the journey ahead. After all of the Illeo's crew get on their vessel, the quartermaster, Shelby Ikawai, gets everyone to agree to a contract, hurriedly gather rations, inspect the boat, and head to the deck. The captain stands next to the steering wheel and announces, “Crew of the Black Leviathan, today we set sail to catch up to an empire ship, which reportedly contains boundless booty! Unfortunately, me brother's ship, the O.K. Annie, has already set off to intercept em ’ . Our navigator, Mr. Phi Ted, has a dangerous shortcut picked out, so get yer sea legs ready. Are ya ready, crew?!!”

The Black Leviathan

The crew yells, ”Aye Aye, Captain!” “I can't hear you!” They take a deep breath and repeat, “AYE AYE, CAPTAIN!!!”

Chapter 2: Ship Shape

In the middle of the sea, as seagulls fly; false empire flags flap; and the salty sea breeze blows, the crew is sparing by swinging rounded off sticks. The battle master, Ken Stragee, concludes his class by saying, “Remember, though we may be ruthless pirates, when we fight, we must remain calm. If ye think through your problems, victory shall be yers! Let us conclude by singing a shanty ‘bout our mighty captain!” Some of the crew start banging on barrels like drums, and the rest begin to sing in harmony.

“Back in the land from which we be, Two brothers trained twixt each other, ye see. As the older one grew bulky and stronger, The other learned to dodge smarter. Wielding our scimitars, we plunder the sea with intimidation. Wielding our scimitars, we'll fight when the worst has come. Suddenly, their mighty father died. Forcing good ol’ Ed. to take the charge. We set sail, and so far we tried To surpass his legacy with our barge.”

They continue on for a little while longer. After the song, Shelby tells everyone to head to the dining room. As the crew heads inside the ship, Shelby approaches Illeo and asks somewhat nervously, “Pardon Captain, after we gather the loot from the scallywags, shall we go on a search for me exiled brother?” Illeo answers, “Of course, Lassie. As long as there be no issues, we go!” “Thanks, Sir.” They join the rest of the crew at a long, wooden table as the cook hands them some soup. The captain takes a sip and remarks, “ Yarg! This is very similar to da stuff at the bar. Great work, Barry!”

Barry replies with a proud smile, “ Thanks sir. I was watchin’ em make the soup there. I wanna make sure my kids can enjoy a slew of food from all over da world.”

Phi joins in, “Such a noble cause!” Barry laughs heartily, “Aye. Say Phi, what made you want to join the Black Leviathan?”

“Well, I wish to chart a map of somewhere unexplored.” Phi pauses for a moment and asks, “Hmm. Where are Mandy and Delilah?”

The Black Leviathan

In another room, the doctor applies an ointment and wraps up the carpenter's leg. The carpenter says, “Thanks fer patchin’ me up, Delilah. What's dat slimy stuff yer puttin’ on me?” “Not a problem, Ms. Practica. It's a remedy I learned in town. Now hold on to this log. This is going to hurt.” Delilah nails a metal bowl with a wooden peg to Mandy's leg. “Yow! Dis'll take some gettin’ use ta.” “Let's go get some food.” “Aye.” Heading out of the dining room, Illeo and Phi go to the front of the ship and discover two great disasters a short distance from them. There are two available routes, a path littered with jagged stones and a vast patch of ocean covered in whirlpools. “Uh oh!” Phi yells, “Captain, which path do ye think we should take?” The Captain makes a split second decision and decides on…

Chapter 3: Rock the Boat

… the rocks! “Phi! Tell everyone to hold on tight! If I be too clumsy, get me trusty crew to patch any hole there may be!” He rushes down and alerts everyone. Illeo manages to maneuver around the stone pillars at first, but a flock of seagulls attempt to swarm him. Then… CRASH! A small hole breaks through the bottom of the ship. Shelby, Phi, and half of the crew decide to head up to help the captain navigate, while the other half repair the cracks. The first half shoo away the birds, and report any damages to the ship. Phi points out any dangerous rocks that Illeo might not notice. When they're almost out of the field, a colossal stone appears out of nowhere, and there isn't enough time to avoid it. Shelby pulls out a grappling hook wrapped around her hip and latches onto a smaller rock. Then the crew pull on the rope with all their might, giving barely enough room to avoid their certain doom.

Chapter 4: Plunder Asunder

On the empire ship, the captain of the vessel notices an ally ship approaching. He mentions, “Huh. Either they thought we didn't bring enough supplies or they're reinforcements.” As the boats get closer, the ally ship’s poorly drawn flag falls, revealing a pirate flag of a skull wearing a fedora, and it magically gains twice as many cannons than before. The pirate ship fires it's cannons, and the captain tells his crew to return fire. Unfortunately, a majority of the boat's cannons are fake, causing the pirate ship to take very little damage. Once the O.K. Annie docks next to the damaged vessel, Captain Eduardo walks across a plank and yells, “Where is the landlubber ye call a leader?!!” The empire captain confidently announces, “Over here!” “Hah! I see. Ye know what we be here fer! Hand over yer coveted booty or perish on the spot!” Eduardo demands.

The Black Leviathan

The captain answers carefully, “I'm afraid we must refu-” “You heard him! CREW, ATTACK!!!” The pirate crew rushes onto the empire ship, swinging and slashing away at the poor crewmen. The quartermaster of Eduardo's ship, Marcus Write, runs inside of the ship and steals their maps and documents. By the time Marcus leaves, the empire captain was slain along with most of the his crew. The pirates head back to their ship and as they leave, they fire a cannon at a critical spot on the heavily damaged vessel, causing it to begin sinking.

Chapter 5: Surrender is for Scallywags

As the Black Leviathan crew are fixing their boat, they come across a sinking ship and Illeo decides to check for survivors. Upon reaching the capsizing vessel, they notice around ten empire crewmen cowering at the mast and swimming frantically in the ocean. Ken sends down a lifeboat to rescue the sinking crew, and Shelby uses her grappling hook to catch those swimming. The saved survivors thank the crew, and Illeo reveals they are pirates. One of the remaining ten, the one who told his friend of the treasure, gets everyone to agree to join them in order to get revenge.

A few hours later, the pirates catch up with another empire ship, however the new crew members recognize how poorly drawn the flag is. They tell Illeo and Phi that the ship is the O.K. Annie, and their barge begins to approach the identified ship. The crew unfurl their false flag early, in order to decrease the chance of getting shot at.

After they dock side by side, the Martiz brothers face each other. Illeo begins, “Yo ho, me brother. I heard ye got the famed booty already.” Eduardo glances around his brother's crew and notices the new recruits. “Arrg. Loose ends…” he grumbles. “So, I s ’ pose ye know what hap’ns next, Illeo? Actually, Ye know what, I'm feeling generous right now. Surrender, and only half yer crew dies.” Illeo replies, “Wait, I didn't come here to fight.” “Well you'll be getting one all the same!” He swings his scimitar overhead, but it was too slow. Illeo sees it coming and avoids it easily. Eduardo keeps attacking, but Illeo dodges, blocks, and strikes his weak spots at every opportunity. The large, angry captain yells for his crew to join him in the fight, and Illeo's team defends themselves.

Shelby and Mandy end up facing Marcus. Marcus chases them into Illeo's ship while dealing considerable damage. Mandy barely manages to knock him into the cannon room and Shelby runs in after him. She throws her hook to a wooden pillar wrapped in ropes, shifts her body around the support, kicks off it, and stabs Marcus with her sword. Mandy follows in, loads the cannons, and fires them at Eduardo's ship. “Wait, No!” Shelby yells.

The Black Leviathan

Back to the captain's fight, Illeo lands a critical blow, however he lets his guard down for a second. One of Eduardo's crew lands a sneak attack and cuts off the agile captain's hand. He reacts by kicking the ambusher off the ship, wraps his weakened brother up in some loose rope, and forces him off the plank. Showing empathy for his brother, Illeo sends down a lifeboat and lets the fiend get away. Eduardo’s crew notices him flee, and immediately surrender.

The O.K. Annie begins sinking from the multitude of impacts of Mandy firing cannonballs at it. Shelby races towards the inside of the defeated captain's vessel, finds and grabs the map and some documents, runs back out, grabs onto the mast of the Black Leviathan with her grappling hook, and pulls herself to safety.

Epilogue: As the Voyage Continues

The defeated enemies beg for mercy, and Illeo decides to offer them a chance to join him. The members originally from the empire try to interject, but Illeo assures them, “You saw how they fought and begged, didn't ya? It's clear they were just followin’ orders.” Eventually, all parties agree and the crew increases once again. On their way back, Shelby, Mandy, and Phi look through the loot from Eduardo's ship. While Phi studies the legendary map, Shelby finds a document stating her brother's whereabouts. She runs to the captain's quarters and excitedly informs Illeo, “We found him! This paperwork says me brother is in a country called Laloa!” Phi walks in and tells both of them, “Captain, Quartermaster, the map shows that the treasure is northeast of the town we set off from. Apparently they are on a set of islands called the Archipelago of Mana.” “That be the direction of the country my brother is in!” Shelby adds. Illeo walks around his desk, grabs them on the shoulder, and says, “Alright me mates, here's the plan. We return to the port fer repairs, sail to Laloa to find yer siblin’, and then we set sail for the Archipelago of Mana!” Phi and Shelby chant, “Aye Aye, Captain!”

The End

Photos from the Announcement Ceremony for the VKZ Fiction Writing Contest

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