Young Writers Camp

Summer Anthology
2016

Table of Contents
The Mansion

by Edward Meriwether

p. 2

"Stella's Ride"

by Sophia Thornton

p. 21

Fear

by Mariana Villanueva

p. 24

"Untitled"

by Kara Holliday

p. 25

Amanda

by Alex Davis

p. 29

The Canary's Last Song

by Abigail Coffey

p. 30

Andrea

by Sarah Rodriguez

p. 42

Black Eyes

by Rachael Washington

p. 44

Fall

by Sarah Rodriguez

p. 47

Just Be You

by Deesha Das

p. 48

Rosamonde's Da Capo

by Abigail Espinoza

p. 54

The Firewall Prison

by Alex Davis

p. 62

All work included in this anthology is produced by the authors mentioned and
is not to be reproduced/reused/redistributed without appropriate permissions.
For this and more inquires please email boripool@gmail.com

TheMansionbyEdwardMeriwether

Anold,abandoned,mansionloomedinthesettingsunslightonahillcoveredinsnow.Itwas
oncegreatbutallthatremainedwasarottinghuskofitsformermagnificence.
Agroupofthreewaitedoutsidethegatetothemansionsfrontyard.Anoldwoman,ateenage
girl,andamaninhislatetwenties.
IcantbelieveIhavetogotosomerottenmansiontocollectsomedustybook.Ishouldbe
givenmuchbetterjobsthanthisgruntwork,theteenagegirlcomplained,admiringherselfina
handmirrorandmakingunnoticeablecorrectionstoherflawlessmakeup.Shehadlightskinwith
short,blackhairandworeablackjacketoveragraysweateralongwithblackjeansandblack
mountainboots.Shealsohadawhitescarfaroundherneckandasmallwhitepursewiththe
strapoverhershoulder.
Acoldbreezewentbyandthegirlshivered.Itssooooocold.Cantwejustbreakinnowand
getthisstupidjobdonewithsoIcangettosomeplacewarmish?thegirlcomplained.
Silence.WemustwaitforSloth,asyouknow,theoldwomansaid.Shewastallandhad
perfectposturedespitelookingveryold.Herfacewasheavilywrinkledbutithadanextremely
sternexpressionthatshowedshewasanononsensetypeperson.Shehadlong,grayhairthathad
beenputinaponytailandwasflappingaroundinthewindbutshedidntseemtocare.Shewore
alongblackgownthattrailedbehindherinthesnow.Shehadabrowncanethatlookedasold
andwrinkledasshewas.Hermostdefiningfeaturewasherpiercinggreeneyesthatstared
straightahead,atthemansion.
IfwehavetowaitforSloththenwemayaswellgobacktothevillage.Whoknowshowlong
itsgoingtotakehimtogethere,thegirlsaidobnoxiously.
ItoldSlothtobeherebeforethesunset.Heshouldbearrivingsoon.theoldwomansaid.
But,thegirlbeganbutwasinterruptedbytheman.
EnvytoldyoutobequietPride.IwoulddowhatshesaidifIwereyou,hetoldherwitha
raisedfist.
Themanwasextremelymuscular.Itcouldclearlybeseenthroughhisclothes.Hehadblackhair
andpaleskin,liketheothers,andhadaredpiercingonhisrightear.Heworealargeblack
hoodie,graycargopants,andblackmountainboots,alongwithsunglassesandgloves.
Thegirl,Pride,wasclearlyannoyedshehadbeeninterruptedbytheman,but,insteadofsaying
somethingrudeinreturn,shejustshruggedandwentbacktohermakeup.
Themanseemedcontentthatthegirlsreactionandlethisfistdrop.
Therewasalongpausewheretheonlysoundwasthewind.Theoldwoman,Envy,andtheman
staredatthemansioninthedistancewhilePrideignoredthemandmadeslightcorrectionstoher
lipstick.
Finally,Pridesaid,Thesunsalmostset,inaItoldyousotone.
Hestillhastenminutes.Hellbehere,Envysaid.
IdontthinkSlothwouldignoreyourorderbutheiscuttingitclose,themansaid.
Iwouldbesurprisedifhedidntshowupatthelastminute.Helivesuptohisnameverywell,
Envysaid.

Themanshruggedbutsaidnothing.
TherewasalongsilenceasthegroupwaitedforSlothtoarrive.Envystaredatthemansion,the
manlookeddownthehill,andPridecontinuedtoworkonherappearance.
Nottoolonglaterthemansaid,Heshere,andpointedtoasmallshapeslowlymakingitsway
upthehill.
Helphimup,Wrath.Hestoosmalltomakeitupwithoutsomehelp,Envysaidtotheman.
Theman,Wrath,noddedandstartedmakinghiswaydownthehill,towardsthesmallfigure.
Pridehuffedandsaid,Abouttimeheshowedup.
Wrathquicklywentdownthehill,pickedupthesmallfigure,andmadehiswaybackuptothe
mansionsgate.
Hedroppedayoungboywhocouldntbeolderthanteninfrontofthegate.Theboyhaddark
skin,unliketheothers,thatwasthecolorofcoffeewithjetblackhair.Heworeasmall,light
bluehoodie,blackpants,graymittensandanecklacewithagraypearlonit.
Theboyrubbedhiseyessleepilyandyawnedbeforesaying,ThankyouforthehelpWrath.
Again,Wrathshruggedandsaidnothing.
GoodeveningSloth,Envysaid.
Ithoughtitwasthemorning,thelittleboy,Sloth,saidsleepily.
Youneverdidhaveaverygoodsenseoftimewithallyournapping,Envysaid.
Itdoesntmatter,heyawned.Greedcanalwaystellmewhattimeitis.
Canwepleaseskipovertheconversationandgettowork,Pridecutin.
Ohyeah,youneededhelpwithsomething,Slothsaid.
Thismansionisprotectedwithastrongforcefield.Iwantyoutodeactivateit,Envysaid.
Okay,Slothsaid,gettingupandwalkingovertothegate.
Heputhishandsonthegateandsaidsomething,thenpushedthegatesin.
Thegatesopenedupwithoutanyresistanceandthegroupnowhadaccesstothemansion.
Thereyougo,Slothsaid.IthinkImgoingtotakeanapnow.Thenhefelloverandwentto
sleep.
ThankyouSloth,Envysaid,walkingpasthimintothefrontyard.PickhimupWrath.Wecan
puthimdownsomewhereinthemansion.
WrathpickedhimupandfollowedEnvyintothefrontyard.Pridewordlesslyfollowedthem,
withaboredexpressiononherface.
Thegroupwalkedpastthesnowcoveredyardwithoutgivingitasecondlook.Theyreachedthe
rottingfrontdoors.Insteadofopeningthem,Envysimplyraiseduphercaneandbroughtitdown
onthedoors,causingthemtofallapartandallowedthegrouptoenterthemansion.
Theywentinandlookedaround.Themansionwasincompletedisrepair.Thewallpaperwas
peelingoffthewalls.Thefurniturewasrottingandwasmostlyuseless.Mostofthewindows
werebrokenandsnowhadbeguntodriftinside.Thestairsthatledtothesecondstorywere
notablysagging.

Thegrouplookedaroundthehousewithcriticaleyes.Pridescoffedwhenshewalkedinand
said,ThisplacehadbetternotfallapartwhileIminhere.
WrathandEnvyignoredhercomment.
PutSlothdownoverthere,Envysaid,gesturingtothelivingroom.
Thegroupwalkedovercreakingfloorboardsintothelivingroom.WrathputSlothdownonthe
couchthatwasinthebestcondition.
ThebookwerelookingforiscalledTheJourneytoHeavenandBack,Envybegan.Its
hiddensomewhereinthishouseandislikelyprotectedbysomesortofenchantment.Isuggest
wesplitupandeachlookonadifferentfloor.Anyquestionsbeforewebeginoursearch?
Ugh,no,Pridesaidwithdisgust,Ifwedidthenwewouldhaveaskedyouwhilewewere
freezingoutside.
DoyouhaveanyquestionsWrath?Envyasked,ignoringPride.
No,herepliedflatly.
Letsbeginthen,Envysaid.
Thefirstfloorhadakitchen,diningroom,livingroom,gameroom,andafamilyroom.Wrath
beganhissearchinthefamilyroomwheretherewereseveralbookshelvesfullofdustybooks.
Thesecondfloorwasalonghallwayfilledwithdoorsleadingtobedroomsandbathrooms.There
wasamasterbedroom,twoguestbedrooms,twochildrenbedrooms,andastudynexttothe
masterbedroom.Envybeganhersearchinthestudywheretherewereseveralforgottenbooks
lyingaround.
Thethirdfloorwasalargeatticfilledwithcardboardboxes.Theywentfromfloortoceiling,
leavingsmallalleysbetweenthestacks.WhenPridegotupthere,shepickedaboxatrandom
andopenedit.Itwasfullofbooks.Shecursedsilentlyassherealizedthateveryboxinherewas
probablyfilledwithbooks,meaningshehadalongandboringsearchaheadofher.
Thegroupworkedindividuallyforalongtime.Mostofthebooksweredustysotheyhadto
brushitoff,readthetitle,andthenplaceitinanotthebookwerelookingforpile.
Finally,Wrathfinished.Hedidaquicklookaroundthefirstfloortomakesurehehadntmissed
abook,thenwentuptothesecondfloortoseehowEnvyssearchwasgoing.
Hefoundherinoneofthechildrensrooms.Shewaslookingthroughasurprisinglylarge
collectionofbedtimestorybooks.ShedidntlookupwhenWrathenteredtheroombutsaid,I
presumeyoudidntfindit?
No,hereplied.Areyoualmostfinishedwithyoursearch?
Imnearlydone,shereplied.HelpoutPride,itsmostlikelyintheatticbutIwanttomake
sureitsnotonthisfloor.
HenoddedandwentuptotheattictofindPridehuddlingoveranopenbox,examiningthe
booksinside.
LikeEnvy,Pridedidntlookuptoseewhohadentered.Shejustpointedtoastackofboxesnext
toherandsaid,Puttheseonthefirstfloor.Theyregettingintheway.
WrathgavePrideadirtylookbutdidwhatsheasked.

PridecontinuedtolookatbookswhileWrathpickeduplookedthroughboxesandmovedthem
tothefirstfloor.
Ashorttimelater,Envycameuptotheattic.
Shelookedattherowsofboxeswithnoexpression.
Aretheyallfullofbooks?sheaskedPride.
Ivelookedthroughaboutthirtyofthemandtheyallhadbooksinthem,soImguessingso,
shereplied.
Envycontinuedtolookattheboxesexpressionlessly.ItseemswhoeverhidTheJourneyto
HeavenandBackwasthinkingofthephrase,ifyouneedtohideatree,putitinaforest,she
said.
Basedonthenumberofbooksinhereyouredefinitelyright,Pridesaidinanannoyedtone,
ButwhatIwanttoknowis,what'sthepoint?Imean,yeah,thisisgoingtotakeawhileand
yeah,itsextremelyirksome,butweregoingtogetit.Itsnotlikeweregoingtosuddenlygive
uponfindingTheJourneytoHeavenandBackjustbecausewehavetolookthroughatonof
books.Well,Slothmightbutthatstotallydifferent.
ImnotsurewhytheydidthisPride.Envysaid,Ihaveneverreallyunderstoodthehuman
mind.
Thisissostupid,Pridecontinued.IwishIcouldjustsummonthebookbuttheenchantment
onitisblockingme.
EnvysuddenlyfrowneddeeplywhenPridesaidthat.
Whatisit?Prideasked.
Nothingimportant,Envyrepliedafteramoment'shesitation.
Prideclearlydidntbelieveherbutdidntpressthematter.
Wehadbettergetbacktolooking,Envysaid.
Pridenoddedinagreementandwentbacktolookingthroughtheboxes.
ThebookhuntwentonforawhilewithEnvyandPridelookingwhileWrathclearedoutthe
boxestogivethemspace.Slothwokeupfromhisnapandwenttohelpthembutfellasleep
againafterlookingthroughabouthalfabox.
Afterclearingoutmorethanthreefourthsofalltheboxesintheattic,Pridepickedupafaded
bluebook.Itwascoveredwithathicklayerofdustbutafterclearingitoffshesawthetitle,The
JourneytoHeavenandBack.
HeyEnvy,shecalled.Ifoundit.
Envygotupfromleaningoverabox,ontheothersideoftheroom,andcalmlywentoverto
wherePridewas.
PridehandedthebooktoEnvyandsheshookofftheremainingdust.
Thisisit,Envysaid,lookingatthebooktitle.
Theresapowerfulenchantmentonit,Pridesaid.
Indeed,Envyreplied.Somesortofguardianwillappearassoonasweopenit.
Imguessingwehavetokillit,Pridesaid.

Ifwedontthenwecantreadthebook,Envyreplied.
GetWrathandwaitoutsideinthecourtyard,Envysaid,IllwakeupSlothandmeetyou
downthere.
Pridenoddedandwentdownstairs.EnvywentovertowhereSlothwassleepingandshookhim
untilhewokeup.HewasnthappyaboutgettingsucharudeawakeningbutfollowedEnvy
downtothecourtyardwithoutprotest.
WrathandPridewerewaitingforthemoutside.Theybothwieldedweapons.Pridehadalong
rapierineachhandwhileWrathhadalarge,doublehandedaxe.
Envywalkedoutintothemiddleofthecourtyardwiththebook.Theothersfollowedher.
Beonyourguard,Envysaid.Somethingwillcomeoutofthebookwhenitsopened.
PrideandWrathreadiedtheirweapons.Slothsuddenlylostthesleepinessinhiseyes.
Onthecountofthree,Envysaid.
One.
Two.
Three.
Sheopenedthebook.
Immediately,thebookstartedglowingablindingly,brightorange.
Wrath,Pride,andSlothshieldedtheireyeswhileEnvyhurledthebookintoanearbysnowpile.
WhenthebookleftEnvyshands,thelightsuddenlydimmedandthegroupcouldseethatthe
bookhadturnedintoaorangeblobthatwasgrowingrapidly.
Getback,Envytoldtheothers,Itsgoingtobebig.
Thelighthadcompletelyfadedafewsecondsaftertheblobhitthesnowpile.Bythattime,the
blobhadalreadygrowntobethesizeofalargedog.
Thegroupcalmlywatchedthegrowingblob,expectingittoattack
So,shoulditbedoingsomething?Prideaskedafterafewsecondsofsilence.
Nothingmorethatwhatitsalreadydoing,Slothreplied,lookingattheblobwithgreat
interest.
Doesthatmeanyouknowwhatthisthingis?Wrathasked.
ItsaBlarismorph,Slothreplied,Itsanenchantmentthatcanshrinkacreatureinto
minisculesizes.TheBlarismorphgivesnutrientsandoxygentothecreature,meaningitcan
survivefordecadesinsideofit.Thisonemusthavebeentrappedinsidethebookandwas
releasedwhenEnvyopenedit.Nowitsreleasingwhatevercreatureisinsideit.
Shouldweattackit?Wrathasked.
No,Slothresponded,Blarismorphsareimpervioustomostattackswhenitsreleasingits
captive.
Inotherwords,wemustwaituntilwhatevercreatureithasinsideofitisfree,Envysaid.
Yes,Slothresponded.
ThegroupgatheredinfrontoftheBlarismorphandwaitingforthecreatureinsidetoemerge.

Lessthanaminutelater,theblobabruptlystoppedgrowing.Ithadswelledtobethesizeofa
largevan.Thegroupreadiedthemselvesastheysensedthecreaturewasabouttoemerge.
Alarge,hairyarmsuddenlybrokeoutoftheblob.Itwasthesizeofahumansheadandthe
fingersendedinlong,curvedclaws.Itwasquicklyfollowedbyabyasecondarmandthena
pairofhairylegs.
Afterthelegsappeared,thearmsstartedclawingwherethecreaturesheadwaslikelytoappear.
Afterafewseconds,itcameintosight.
It,likethearmsandlegs,wascoveredinfur.Twolarge,red,beadyeyeseyedthegroupasthe
creaturecontinuedtounburyitself.Alongrowayellowingteethsnarledatthemasitgotits
bodyoutoftheBlarismorph.
Itwasabearofmassiveproportions.Itwasasleastfiveyardslongandonallfours,itwas
easilytallerthanWrath.Slothprobablycouldnteventouchthebearsnose.Thebearsfurwasa
darkgraythatmadeitsredeyesstandout.Itlookedasifitcouldcrushthegroupwithouta
problem.
Wecanattackitnow,Slothsaid,completelyunfazedbythebear.
ThebearsuddenlylungedatthemwhenSlothspoke.
Thegroupdodgedtheattackbyjumpingtotheside.EnvyandWrathjumpedtothebearsleft
whileSlothandPridejumpedtothebearsright.
Thebearhadputtoomuchpowerintoitslungeanditwentafewyardspastwherethegroup
hadbeenstanding.Wrathtooktheopportunityandtriedtoslashthebearfrombehindwithhis
axe.
Despitethebearslargesize,itwasextremelyfastandavoidedtheattackbyrollingover.
Assoonasthebeargotbackonitsfeet,itturnedtofacePrideandSlothandchargedatthem.
Pridethrewherrapiersatthebearwhileitchargedather.Onehitthebearsrightarmandthe
othersankintoitslefteye.
Thebeardidntevenslowdownwhentheswordshit,itjustcontinueditschargeatthem.
PridepickedupSlothandacrobaticallyleapedoverthebearasitpassedthespottheywerea
momentearlier.
Whilethebearwastryingtoslowdownfromitscharge,Envywentontheattack.Shehurled
heroldcanelikeajavelinatthebearsside.Itwasadirecthit.Thecanesankdeepintothe
bearsbody.ItroaredinoutrageandturnedtofaceEnvywithitsredeye.
Itchargedather,havingsomedifficultyasthecaneandrapierswerestillinitsbody.
WhilethebearwasattackingEnvy,Slothtookoffhisnecklaceandthrewitatthebear.Thegray
pearlonitstartedglowingandthentherewasaflashoflight.
Suddenly,alarge,blacklionslammedintothebear.Thebearwasknockedoffitsfeetandrolled
severalyardsaway.Whenitcametoastop,thelionleapedontopofit.
Thegroupwatchedthetwoanimalsfight.
Thatbearisstrong,Wrathsaid.Wehadbettercomeupwithaplanwhilewehavethe
chance.

Ihaveone,Envysaid.Theothersturnedtohertoseewhatshehadthoughtof.
Iknowofaspellthatshouldkillthebearbutitwilltakesometimetosetup.Ineedyouthree
todistractitwhileIprepareit.
Howmuchtimedoyouneed?Wrathasked.
Envythoughtforasecondbeforesaying,Aboutfiveminutes.
Hesmiled,Thatllbeeasy.
Youhadbetterhurry,SlothtoldEnvy.LeoncantfighttheTerraBearforlong.
Isthatwhatitis?Prideasked.
Yes,Slothresponded.Itsatypeofmagicalbearthatareknownfortheirlargesizesand
magicalcoatsthatareresilienttomostattacks.
IllstartonsettingthetrapfortheTerraBear.MakesuretokeepitclearofwhereIm
working,Envysaid,makingherwaytotheothersideofthecourtyard.
Theremainingthreebegandiscussingabattleplan.
DoyouhaveanythingwecanusethatcanharmtheTerraBear?SlothaskedPride.
Ihavesomebarbedwire,anotherrapier,eightknifes,arifle,fivegrenades,fourjavelins,a
blowgunwithtendarts,twopistols,acrossbow,andamanikin,Prideanswered.
Wrathfrowned.Youmeanoneofyourpuppets?
Yes,Prideresponded,Butthisonewasmadepurelyforbattlepurposes.
Imnotsurehowusefulitwillbeagainstthatthing,Wrathsaid,pointinghisthumbatthe
TerraBear.
NeverunderestimatemypuppetsWrath.Theyvehelpedmeoutplentyoftimes,Pridesaid
angrily,pokingWrathinthechest.
HewasgoingtosaysomethingbutSlothinterruptedhim.
Wecanusethemanikinandoneofmypetstodistractthebearwhileweattackitfrom
behind,Slothsaid.
Soundslikeaplan,Pridesaid,backingawayfromWrathwhowasgivingherunpleasant
looks.
Verywell,Wrathreplied,stillgivingthegirlthestinkeye.
Suddenly,therewasanearsplittingroar.
Thegrouplookedovertoseethegiantbearoverthelionsmotionlessbody.
Thetworapiershadfallenoutinthefightbutthecanewasstilldeepinthemonstrousbears
side.Severalscratchesandbitemarkscoveredthebearsfaceandarmsbuttheyallseemed
shallowandhadntreallydoneanylastingdamage.
Letsgetthisoverwith,Pridesaidwithasigh.
Thebearchargedatthem.Theyscatteredasitapproachedthem,Pridewenttotheleft,Slothto
theright,andWrathwentbackwards.
ThebearignoredSlothandPrideandwentstraightforWrath.
Hegaveanannoyedhuffbeforehestartedrunningawayfromthechargingbear.
Meanwhile,Pridewasonherknees,rummagingaroundinherpurse.

IneedtocleanthisoutwhenIgetbackhome,shemutteredtoherself,stickingherentirearm
intothepurse.
Afterafewmoresecondsofrummagingaround,Pridegotadelightedexpressiononherfaceas
shetouchedsomethinginthepurse.
Hereyouare,shesaid,pullingahumansized,woodenmanikinoutofthesmallpurse.
Shespreaditoutonthegroundandthenmadealong,hissingnoisefollowedbyasounda
drowningcatmightmake.
Themanikinjumpedupassoonasshemadethesounds.
Thenshepointedatthebear,whichwasstillchasingtheman,andmadeanoiselikeshewas
beingstrangledandthenmadeseveraldeepcoughs.
Themanikinimmediatelyrushedatthebearwithsurprisingspeed.
Ittookthemanikinaboutthreesecondstocollidewiththebear.
Themanikinwasapparentlymuchstrongerthanitlookedbecausethebearwassenttumbling
intothesnowwhenthemanikinhitit.
Thebearattemptedtogetupbutthemanikinsarmsandlegselongatedandwrappedaroundthe
bearsbodyandlimbs,forcingittocrashbackintotheground.
Whilethemanikinandbearfought,Slothwentovertothelionsbody.
Hesaidsomethingunintelligible,andthelionturnedbackintoanecklace.
Slothpickeditup,turnedaround,andthrewitatthebearagain.
Therewasanotherflashoflightbutthistime,insteadofalion,alarge,blacksnakethatlooked
vaguelylikeaboaconstrictorappeared.
Thesnakeimmediatelybeganmakingitswaytothebearafteritlandedontheground.
Thebearfailedtonoticethesnakeapproachasitwasbusytrying,invain,toshakethemanikin
offofit.
Thebear,however,didnoticewhenitsarmsuddenlyhadapowerfulsqueezingsensationonit,
muchstrongerthanthemanikins.
Thebearlookeddowntoseewhatitwasandsawthesnaketightlywrappedarounditsarm.
Beforethebearcouldreallyregisterwhatitwas,thesnakeopeneditsmouthandasicklyshade
ofgreenacidshotout,hittingthebearfrompointblankrange.
Thebearroaredinoutrageandbeganthrashingaround,flingingboththesnakeandmanikinoff
ofit.
WrathandPridehadcircledaroundthefightatthispointsotheywerebehindthebearwhenit
hadbeenhitwithacid.
Theybothsawthisastheirchancetoattackandsprangforward,WrathwithhisaxandPride
withhertworapiersshehadretrieved.
Thebearwastakenbycompletesurprisebythebackattack.
WrathgaveitalonganddeepslashacrossitsbackwhilePridestabbedbothherrapiersintothe
bearsneck.
Thebeardidntletthemlandanothercheapshotasitswiveledaroundwhileclawingatthem.

10

Pridemadeanacrobaticleapoffofthebearsbackandlandedinasnowpile,leavingherrapiers
inthebearsneck.
WrathwasntabletomakesuchaquickgetawayasPridesothebearmanagedtoslashhisleg
withaclaw.
Wrathmadeaclumsyjumpoffofthebearandlandedonhisback.Thesnowunderhisleg
quicklyturnedadarkred.
ThebearwasabouttopounceontoWrathbutbeforehecouldbendhislegsfortheleap,the
manikinslammedintohimagain,makingthebearskidafewyardsawayfromtheman.The
snakequicklyjoinedthefightthebearandmanikinhadrestarted.
PrideandSlothrushedovertoWrath,kneelingnexttohim.
ThisbookhadbetterbegoodasEnvysaysitis,WrathgruntedasPridebegantendingtohis
leg.
SpeakingofEnvy,isshealmostdonewiththethingtofinishthisstupidbear?Prideasked.
Illcheck.Slothvolunteered,gettingupandstartedmakinghiswaytowhereEnvywent.
Shewassittingdownonthefarsideoftheyard,awayfromthefighting.Shehadhereyes
closedandwasquietlyhummingtoherself.Severalfallenbranchesfromtreeswerelevitatingoff
thegroundandweredrawingelaboratelettersinthesnow.Thebranchesweredrawingthemso
theywereslightlycurved,makinglargecirclesofletters.Envywasintheexactcenter.
Slothcalledout,Envy,whenwillyoubedone?
Sheeitherdidnthearhimorignoredhim,continuingtohumtoherself.
Slothlookedaroundatthebranches.Mostoftheelaboratelettershadbeenfinishedandthe
brancheswereworkingonwhatseemedtobethefinalefewintheoutermostcircle.
HewentbacktoPrideandWrath.
WrathslegwasbandagedupandPrideseemedtohavestoppedthebleedingwithamedicine
kitshehadnexttoher.
EnvydidntrespondbutIthinkshesalmostdone,Slothreportedtotheothertwo.
Good,thisbearisnteasytoholddownforlong,Pridesaid,gesturingtoit.
Thebearhadbeenpinneddownbythemanikinagain,butthemanikinhadtakensomeserious
damagetodoso.
Themanikinsheadandleftleghadbeentornoffanditsbackhaddeepgougemarks.Itwas
strugglingkeepingthebeardownwithoneofitslimbsmissing.
Thesnakewasinasnowpileashortwayaway,ithadbeenbitteninhalfanditsbloodstained
thesnowacrimsonred.
Slothscowled,Whatabrute,killingmypets.Ishouldenslaveitandmakeitpay.
Asusefulasitwouldbe,wehavetokillittogetthebook,Pridesaid.
Slothwasabouttorespondbutbeforehecould,thebearmadeasuddenattempttoescapethe
manikinsgrasp.
Themanikinsimplysqueezedtighter,makingthebearcollapsebackintotheground.
Doyouthinkthemanikincankeephimpinneddown?WrathaskedPride.

11

Doubtful,sheresponded.Heslosingpowerfast.Hellprobablybreakapartinaminute.
Suchashameto,Imadehimjustlastweek.
Shouldwetrytofinishhimoffwhileitsstillpinneddown?Slothasked.
Idontthinkwecan,Wrathresponded.Thebearscoatistoostrong.Noneofourattacks
seemtodoanydamage,nomatterhowmuchforceweputintothem.Wehadbetterhope
whateverEnvyhasplannedwilldothejob.
Slothwentovertothedeadsnakeandrepeatedwhathehadsaidearlierwhenhewasoverthe
lion.Again,theanimaldisappearedandthenecklacereappearedinitsplace.
IsupposeIcoulduseoneofmylessearthlypetstohelpthemanikin.Slothsaid,walkingover
totheWrathandPride.
Ithinkyoushould,Wrathresponded.WearentsurehowmuchtimeEnvyneedsandevenif
shesdonesoon,westillhavetogetthebearovertowheresheis.
Slothpouted.Iwouldrathernotrisklosinganotheroneofmypets,butifitmeanswecanget
outofherefaster,Illdoit,hesaid.
Hethrewthenecklaceafewfeetawayandwhenithittheground,alargecreaturesuddenly
tookitsplace.
Itresembledagiantscorpion.Itwasbigasatruckandwasadark,browncolor.Insteadofeight
legs,onetail,andtwopincers,thecreaturehadatleasttwentylegs,threetails,andsixpincers.
Slothmadeseveralclickingnoiseswithhismouthandthegiantscorpionwentovertothebear
andbeganstabbingitwithitstails.
Ferniltvisspoisonshouldneutralizethebearforabitbutbasedonitssize,thebearwill
recoverquickly,Slothsaid.
Weshouldbedonebythen,avoicesaid.
ThethreeturnedtoseeEnvystandingafewfeetaway.
Stealthyasalways,Envy,Wrathsaid.
Shelookedathisbandagedlegwithdisapproval.
IthoughtyouwereabetterfighterthanthatWrathshesaid.
Hedidntreplytothatbutasked,Imguessingyouredonewiththebeartrap?
Yes,Ijustneedthebeartosetitoff.
Slothclickedagainandthegiantscorpionmovedthebearandmanikinontoitsback.Thenit
startedmakingitswaytowhereEnvywas.
EnvyturnedaroundandbeganwalkingtowhereSlothhadfoundherearlier.Theothers
followed.
Thebearlookedlikeithadbeenheavilysedated.Itsundamagedeyehadrolledbackintoits
headandhismouthwasopen,withitstonguehangingout.Themanikinhowever,stillheldon
tightlytothebear.
Alongtheway,Priderealizedherrapierswerestillinthebearandclimbedonthescorpionto
pullthemout.Aftershedidshepulledahandkerchiefoutofherpursetocleanofftheblood.
Thensheputbothrapiersintoherpursealongwiththebloodstainedhandkerchief.

12

HeyEnvy,Prideasked,Doyouwantmetopulloutyourcane?
No,Envyrepliedwithoutlookingback.Itneedstobethereforthespell.
Whateveryousay,Pridereplied,jumpingoffthescorpion.
Thegroupquicklyarrivedintheclearingwiththeelaborateletters.Altogether,therewereseven
circlesofthestrangeletters.ThebranchesEnvyusedtomakethelettershadbeenputinaneat
pile,closetotheoutermostcircle.
Envypointedtothecenterofthecircles,whereshehadbeensittingearlier.
Putthebearthere,shetoldtheSloth.
Hemademoreclickingsoundsandthescorpionmonstermovedacrosstheletterswritteninthe
snow.Oddly,thesnowdidntshiftwhenthescorpionwalkedacrossit.Theystayedexactlythe
sameasbefore.
Thescorpiondroppedthebear,withthemanikin,inthecenterandthenquicklyreturnedtothe
Slothsside.Slothturnedthescorpionbackintoanecklaceandputitbackaroundhisneck.
Youmaywanttocallyourdollback,Pride,Envysaid,Thespellwilldestroyit.
Insteadofcallingthemanikinback,Prideshookherhead.
Itsallscratchedupnow,shesaid,pullingoutherhandmirrortoseeifhermakeuphadbeen
messedupinthefight,Idontreallywantitanymore.Dowhateveryouwantwithit.
Verywell,Envysaidafterashortpause.Shethenpulledagreencubeoutofhergown.The
cubelookedlikeitcouldhavebeenajewelrybox.
Theboxwasaemeraldgreen,withtheedgespaintedabrightgold.Ononeofthefacesofthe
cubewasadetailedpictureofastrangebugthatlookedlikeacrossbetweenaflyanda
mosquito.Thepicturewasalsodrawninthebrightgoldthatwasalongtheedgesofthecube.
WhenSlothsawthepictureofthebugonthecube,hegaveEnvyasurprisedlook.
Donttellmeyouvegotahiveofthosethingsinthatbox,heaskedherquestioningly.
Ido,infact,shetoldhim.
Nowonderyouhadtodrawsomanyrunes,hesaidinwonder,Thosethingsarenotoriously
hardtocontrol.
True,buttheyarequiteuseful,shesaidinreturn.
Hm?DidyougetyourhandsonsomethingrareEnvy?Wrathasked,joiningtheconversation.
IwouldexplainitbutIbelieveseeingtheminactionwouldbemoreenlightening,Slothtold
theWrath.
Soundsinteresting,Wrathsaid,Soletsseeit.
BeforeIdo,Iadviseyounottostepintothecircles,Envysaid,Theygocrazywhenthey
smellbloodandyourlegisstillbandagedup.
Okay,Iwontstepintocircles,Wrathsaidinanannoyedtone,NowreleasethemsoIcansee
whattheycando.
Envysnappedherfingersandthelettersinthesnowbegantoglowabrightgreen.
Suddenly,thecaneinthebearssidebegantoshakeviolently.Then,thecanebegantogrow
rootsthatspreadoutandstartedwrappingthemselvesaroundthebearandthemanikin.Soon,a

13

largeandthicktreehadgrowninthecenterofthecircles,withthebearandmanikinstuckinside
ofit.
Littlecouldactuallybeseenofeither.Themanikinhadbeencompletelyburiedinthetreeand
couldntbeseenatall.Thebearhowever,stillhaditsheadandarmsintheopen.Italmost
lookedlikeitwaswearingalarge,treecostume.
Apparently,thepoisonwasalreadyfadingasthebearhadgroggilyawakened.
Itseemedlikeithadntyetrealizeditwasinatreethough,allitdidwasswingitsheadlazily
andstruggledtokeepitsredeyeopen.
Slothputonapoutyface.
Thatbearsresilienceisunusuallystrong.Ireallywouldliketokeepitasapet.
ImafraidIcantallowyoutodothattoday,Sloth,Envysaid.Thebookisfarmorevaluable
thanthebear.
Ifyousayso,Envy,hesaid,althoughitwasclearhedidntthinkso.
Envythenthrewtheemeraldandgoldboxatthetree.
Ithittheoneofthetreesrootsandthenfellintothesnow.Afteritstoppedrolling,thetopofthe
boxsuddenlypoppedoff.
Immediately,aswarmofsmall,greenbugs,thatlookedlikethebugonthebox,pouredoutof
theopening.
Theinsectsweresmallinsizebuttherewerethousandsofthem.Theycontinuedtopouroutthe
boxlongafteritseemedliketherecouldntpossiblybeanymoreinthere.
Howmanyareinthere,Envy?SlothaskedEnvyaboutaminuteaftertheboxhadbeen
opened.
Imnotsure,sheresponded,Feargotthemforme.HemadetheboxtoosoImnotsurehow
muchspaceithasinsideofiteither.
KnowingFear,heprobablyputfarmoreintherethanyoucouldeverpossiblyuse,Slothsaid.
Imsureyouright,Envysaidinreturn,butIvefoundovertheyearsthatitpaystobeover
prepared.
Slothnoddedatthatcomment,ThatssoundslikesomethingyouandFearwouldsay.
TherewasabriefsilenceasEnvy,Sloth,andWrathwatchedtheinsectswhilePride,whohad
finishedwithhermakeup,waspolishingherrapiersshehadusedonthebear.
Wrathhadoriginallywatchedtheinsectswithinterestbutthathadquicklyturnedtoan
impatientlookastheydidntdoanythingamazingaftertheycameoutofthebox.Theyjust
swarmedtogethertomakesomethingthatlookedlikeagreencloudthatwasafewfeetabovethe
ground.
Finally,WrathturnedtoEnvywithanangrylookonhisface.
Ithoughttheyweresupposedtobedoingsomethinginteresting.
Envydidntturntofacehim.ForgivemeforusingthiswordWrath,butImafraidwehaveto
waitfortherestoftheBrezlickFliestoappear.

14

Wrathscowledwhenshesaid,wait,andreplied,Youknowthatsmysecondmosthated
word.
ImwellawareWrath,shereplied,Buttherearen'tmanyotherwaystorephrasethat
sentencewithoutit,isthere?
Isupposenot,hesaid,clearlyunhappy.
ThegroupwentbacktowatchingtheBrezlickflies.
Nothinghappenedforseveralminutes.Thefliescontinuedtoemergefromthebox.Bynow,the
swarmingcloudwassobig,itwasunlikelyitwouldhavefitinabathtub,letaloneasmallbox.
Suddenly,thesilencewasbrokenwhenavoicesaid,Greetings.
Immediately,Pride,whowasstillpolishingherrapiers,threwoneofthematatreethatwas
severalmetersaway.
However,insteadofslammingintothetree,therapiersuddenlyfrozeinmidflightandhovered
afewfeetofftheground.
Suddenly,ateenageboyappearedoutofnowhere,holdingtherapier.
TheboyseemedtobeaboutthesameageasPride.Hehadbrownhairandlightskin.Heworea
black,buttondownshirtwiththesleevesrolledallthewayupalongwithagraytie.Hehad
blackdresspantswithablackbeltandblackdressshoes.Healsohadasilverwatchonhisright
handandworeablackandpurplemask.
Themaskwasthemostinterestingthinghewore.Itcoveredupmosthisfacebuthismouthwas
stillexposed.Itlookedlikeitwassupposedtobeadragon,withtheeyesabright,redcolor.
Theboywasinaslightlycrouchedpositionashehadduckedtoavoidthesharpbladebuthis
lefthandhadgrabbedtherapierasitwasgoingoverhishead.
TheboyquicklystoodupandgracefullybowedtoPride,withhisrighthandoverhisheartand
hislefthandbehindhisback.HisbowendedwithhisbodybeinginaLshape.
Greetings,YourExcellency,hesaidinapleasanttone.
Pridesuddenlysmiledbrightlywhenhedidthis.HelloFear,shereplied.
Theboy,Fear,gotupfromhisbowandwalkedovertoPride.Thenhegotononekneeand
presentedtherapiertoher.
Pride,stillsmilingbrightly,tooktherapierwithherlefthandandtheheldoutherrighthandfor
him.
Hetookherhandinhisandkissedit.Thenhestoodupandbowedtoheragain.
PridewasclearlyenjoyinghowformalFearwasbeingassheseemedtoberadiatingjoy.
Feargotupfromhissecondbowandsaid,YourExcellency,itsalwaysapleasuretoseeyou.
PridegaveFearherbiggestsmileyetandsaid,Normally,Iwouldkillmostpeopleiftheysaid
that,butwhenitscomingfromyou,Ialwaysfeelflattered.
Isupposethatsbecauseofmylittlecurse?Fearaskedher.
Pridenodded,Yes,acursethatkillsyouifyoulietoanequalorsuperior.Trickytocastbut
youcanquicklygaintrustwithit.However,itisabitofadoublebladedsword.Beingforcedto
tellthetruthallthetimecanhaveseveral,unfortunatedrawbacks.

15

Indeed,Fearreplied,ButIwouldratheralwaystellthetruthratherthanhavemyfamily
suspectmeoflyingallthetime.Thatsoneofmybiggestpetpeeves,runningintohumanswho
cantstoplying.
Pridenoddedagain,Iknowwhatyoumean.ImnotsureaboutmyothersiblingsbutGreed
andIalwaysrunintoweasilybusinessmenwhokeepgivingusfalsecompliments.Why
Victoria!Whatastunningdressyourewearing!Isitnew?,WhyExtrava!IfIdidntknowany
betterIwouldsayyouhadtobeamodel,lookinglikethat.,Ohmymadam!Youreyeslooklike
theycouldbepricelesspiecesofsapphire,Itallgetsverytiringandrepetitiveafterawhile.
Forgivemeforsayingthis,YourExcellency,butsomeofthosecomplimentsmayhavebeen
wellfounded,Fearsaid.
Pridegavealoudandmelodiouslaughatthatstatement.
Ofcourseallthosestatementswerewellfounded,GreedandIarefaraboveallthehuman
scum,wejustfinditannoyingbecauseit'sclearthosebusinessmenwouldsaythatnomatter
whatwelookedlike.
Ofcourse,YourExcellency,howsillyofme,Fearsaid.
Thegirlwavedherhanddismissively.Noneedtoapologize,Fear,yourquestionwasperfectly
valid.
Anyway,Pridecontinued,whyareyouhere?
IcameheretodeliveralettertoMiladyEnvyfromConnor,Fearreplied.
Pridelaughedagain,YoumeanLust?Ialwaysthoughtitwasadorablehowyourefertohimby
hishumanname.
IbelieveyouknowthatIalwaysrefertoyouandyoursiblingsthewayyouwishtobereferred.
YousaidyouwantedtobecalledYourExcellency,ConnorsaidhewantedtobecalledConnor.
Iwonderwhyhedidastrangethinglikethat,Pridesaid,athoughtfullookinhereyes.
Whenshedidntsayanythingforseveralseconds,Fearsaid,Ifthatseverythingyouwishto
talkabout,mayIgoonanddelivertheletter?
Oh,yesofcourse,Pridesaid,comingbacktotheworld.
FearbowedtoPrideagain,Untilwemeetagain,hesaidandwalkedovertoEnvy,Wrath,and
Sloth.Pridereturnedtopolishingherrapiersafterheleft.
WhenFearhadfirstappeared,WrathandSlothhadlookedovertoseehimgivePridebackher
rapierandoverheardthebeginningoftheirconversationbeforeturningbacktotheflies.Envy
actedlikenothinghadhappenedanddidntturnawayfromtheswarm.
Now,withFearapproachingthegroup,WrathandSlothturnedbacktofacehim.Envy
continuedtoactlikenothinghadhappened.
FearignoredSlothandEnvyandmadeabeelineforWrath.
WhenhegotinfrontofWrath,hebowedtohim.
Greetings,Ragralsyolus,FearsaidtoWrath.
Greetings,Torblymer,Wrathsaidinreturn.
Feargotupfromhisbow.

16

MayIhealyourwound?heaskedWrath,gesturingtohisbandagedleg.
Wrathshrugged.Doasyouwish.
FearsteppedforwardsothathewasrightinfrontofWrath.Hewasconsiderablyshorterthan
him,barelyreachinghischin.
FearthenputhishandsonbothofWrathsshouldersandusedthemasaboostupsoheand
Wrathwerefacetoface.ThenhekissedoneoftheWrathscheeksandletgoofhisshoulders,so
hereturnedtonormalheight.
IntheareaFearhadkissed,astrangemarkhadappeared.Themarkwasadarkblue,cursiveF
thatwasaboutthesizeofaquarter.
Suddenly,thecursiveFturnedabrightwhiteandthendisappeared.
FearkneeleddownandthenunwrappedthebandagesfromtheWrathsleg.Theskinunderneath
hadcompletelyhealed,almostlikethebearattackhadneverhappened.
Thewoundhadalreadymostlyhealed,butIthoughtitwouldbebesttofinishthejob,Fear
toldWrath.
Thanksanyway,Wrathsaid.
Ilivetoserve,Ragralsyolus,Illdowhateveryouneed.
Ifthatstrue,canyoumakethoseflieshurryup?Wrathsaid,stickinghisthumbattheswarm,
whichwasstillcomingoutofthebox.
IbelievealltheBrezlickflieswillhaveemergedwithinthreeminutes,Feartoldhim.
Hmm,verywellthen,Wrathsaidandturnedbacktofacetheswarm.
FearthenturnedtofaceSloth,and,likewithPrideandWrath,hebowedtohim.
Greetings,Laztrigal.
HelloNightmare,Slothrespondedsleepily.
Fearstraightenedhimself.
Imnotsureifyouremember,Laztrigal,butlasttimewesaweachother,youaskedmetoget
yousomething.
Slothnodded.ADrimireCat,hesaid.
Indeed,Fearsaid.Aftersomesearching,ImanagedtofindoneinaAsianMountain.
Ashesaidthat,heheldouthishands.Suddenly,therewasaflashoflight,and,whenitfaded,a
sleepingcathadappearedinFearsarms.
Thecatscoatwasadullgray,butithadseveralstreaksofrandomcolors.Red,yellow,green,
blue,purple,pink,orange,white,etc.Itlookedlikeithadbeenattackedbyapainter.
Otherthanthecoat,thecatdidntlooklikeanythingspecial,although,itwasslightlyfatterthan
normal.
Fearsaidsomethingunintelligibletothecat.
ThecatwokeupandgaveFearasurprisinglydirtylook.
Thecatseyesresembleditscoat.Itslefteyesiriswashalfpurple,andhalforangewhileits
righteyewashalfgreenandhalfblue.

17

Fearsaidsomethingelsetothecat.Thecatapparentlydidntseemtolikewhathesaidbecause
itstartedhissingfiercely.
FearturnedtofaceSlothandapologeticallysaid,Forgiveme,Laztrigal,butImafraidthe
Drimirecatdoesn'twanttogowithyou.
Slothattemptedtopetthecatbutitsnarledandswipeditspawathishand.Slothswiftlypulled
hishandbackbeforethecatcoulddoanydamage.
Imsurprisedacatcouldhavesuchadirtymouth,Slothcommented.
PerhapsitwouldbebestifIheldontoit,forthetimebeing,Fearsaid.
Slothnodded.Dothat,hesaid.IdontneedtousetheDrimireCatrightnowanyways.
Fearbowedagainandsuddenlytherewasanotherflashoflight.Afteritfaded,thecathad
disappeared.
Isthereanythingelseyourequire,Laztrigal?Fearasked.
Slothshookhishead.Notatthemoment.
Verywellthen,Fearsaidand,atlast,turnedtofaceEnvy.
Hebowedtoher,likehedidwiththeothers,andsaid,Greetings,MiladyEnvy.
AllEnvysaidinresponsewas,Fear,anddidntturntofacehim.
Fearstraightenedhimselfandpulledawhiteenvelopeoutofapocketinhisshirt.
Foryou,milady,hesaid,offeringtheenvelopetoher.
However,insteadoftakingit,Envysaid,Notnow,theBrezlickflieshavejustfinished
emerging.
Everyone,includingPridewhohadjustfinishedpolishingherrapiersandhadwalkedoverto
thesmallgroup,turnedtoseethattheflieshadindeed,stoppingcomingoutofthebox.
Theswarmhadgrowngreatlyandnowlookedlikeagiant,green,hoveringboulderthatcould
crushacar.
Howmanyareinthere,Fear?Slothasked.
Idontknowtheexactnumber,Fearresponded,puttingtheenvelopebackinhisshirtpocket,
butIbelievethereareseveralthousand.
Youmusthavehadahardtimecollectingthemall,Slothsaid.
Idid,butIwoulddoalmostanythingformysuperiors,Fearsaid.
Youknow,sayingalmosttakesalotofthemeaningoutofthatsentence,Pridesaid.
Perhaps,butitsthetruth,Fearsaidinreturn.
Arewegoingtostandherechattingallday,orarethosefliesgoingtodosomething?Wrath
cutin.
Wrathiscorrect,wedonthavetimetowastetalking,Envysaid.
Aftershesaidthat,shesnappedherfingersagain.
Immediately,theswarmoffliesdescendedonthedefencelessbear.
Eventhoughthebearwasstilldrugged,itletoutseveralenormousroarswhenthefliesstarted
attackingit.

18

Soon,thebearcouldn'tevenbeseenanymore.Ithadbeencompletelycoveredupbythefliesso
nowitwasjustawrithingmassofgreen.
Ialmostforgot,wemaywanttotakecover,Slothsaidtotheothers.
Fromwhatexactly?Prideasked.
Fromtheclaws,teeth,andbones,Slothsaidcalmly.
Asifoncue,ablackobjectwassuddenlyhurledoutoftheswarm.
ItwouldhavehitPrideinthefacebutFearcasuallyreachedouthishandandgrabbeditbefore
youcouldhither.
Theblackobject,aspredictedbySloth,wasactuallyoneofthebearslongclaws.Itstillhad
somered,bearfleshonit.Someblooddrippedofftheclawandstainedthesnowunderneathas
Fearwasholdingit.
Despitebeingalmosthitwithabloodyclaw,Pridedidntseemallthatphasedbyit.Insteadshe
justscoffedandsaid,Howannoying,thosestupidfliescanteatkeratin,enamel,orcollagen?
Thatmakesthemwaylessuseful.
Theyllgetaroundtothoseaftertheyfinisheatingthemeatandorgans,FearsaidtoPride.To
provehisstatement,hethrewtheclawbacktotheswarm.
Theclawlandedafewfeetawayfromthetreeandalmostimmediatelyaftertheclawhitthe
ground,asmallgroupoffliesbrokeofffromtheswarmandconvergedontheclaw.
Thefliesquicklysurroundedtheclawand,likewiththebear,allthatcouldbeseenwerethe
greenflies.
However,afterafewseconds,thefliestookflightagainandrejoinedtheswarm.Theclawhad
completelyvanished.
TheycouldgiveGluttonyarunforhismoney,Wrathcommented,aftertheflieshadeatenthe
claw.
SoIcouldusethemtoeatapersonandnotleaveashredofevidencebehind?Prideasked
Fear.
Yes,YourExcellency.TheBrezlickfliesalsodrinkbloodsoyoudontevenhavetocleanup
anybloodstains,Feartoldher.
Oh,thethingsIcoulddowiththosesmallflies,Pridesaid,adarksmilecreepingontoher
face.
HeyEnvy,Pridesuddenlysaid,Couldyoulendmethosefliesafterthis?
Idontmindlettingyouhavethemforabit,Envysaid,butIexpectyoutogivethemback
immediatelywhenIaskforthem.
Oh,butofcourse,Priderepliedgleefully.
Youmaynotbeabletousethem,Pride,Slothwarned,AsIsaidearlier,Theyarenotoriously
hardtocontrol.
Pridelaughedagainbutthislaughwasn'tliketheoneshehadusedwhenshewasconversing
withFear.Thislaughwasthetypeoflaughpeopleusedwhenayoungchildsaidsomethingvery
stupid.

19

Youunderestimateme,dearbrother,PridesaidtoSloth,Givensometime,ImsureIcan
makethesefliesdoanythingIsay.
Wellsee,Slothmuttered.
Thegroupsteppedbacktoavoidanymorebearpartsandpassivelywatchedthecarnige.
Ashorttimelater,thetreethathadtrappedthebearshuddered,begantotipover,andthen
crashedintotheground.
WrathandPridebothlookedatEnvy.
Dontworry,shesaidcalmly,theTerrabearshouldbedeadbynow.DoyouagreeSloth?
Definitely,Slothresponded.
WrathandPridewerecontentwiththatanswerandturnedbacktofacetheswarm.
Afewminutesofsilencelater,theBrezlickfliesfinishedeatingtheTerraBearandbeganeating
thefallentree.
ShouldntyoucallthembackEnvy?Prideasked.
Thatwouldbeinadvisable,Envysaid,TheBrezlickflieswouldbegreatlyagitatedifthey
werecalledbackbeforetheywerefinishedeating.
Iftheyreeatingthetree,doesthatmeantheyreparttermite?Wrathasked.
Yes,Fearresponded,TheBrezlickfliesareanuniqueinsectthatweremadefromcombining
severaldifferentspecies.Theycaneatvirtuallyanything.However,theyalwaysgoformeat
first.
SoundslikeGluttony,Wrathremarked.
Actually,Glueguvuswastheonethatmadethem,Fearinformedhim.
WhywouldGluttonymakeflies?Prideasked.
IbelievetheBrezlickflieswereoneofhisfailedexperiments,Fearreplied.
Ugh,Ishouldhaveguessed,Pridesaidindisgust.
Anyway,Pridecontinued,Imsurprisedyou'relettingthemeatyourcane,Envy.Iknowits
oneofyourprizedpossessions.
Itdoesn'tmatteriftheyeatitornot,Envysaid,theydonthaveenoughpowertodestroyit.
Still,youvehadthatcanelongerthanIvebeenaround,Pridesaid.
HowlongIvehaditdoesn'tmatter,Envysaid,Ihavenoemotionalattachmenttoit.
Pridesmirked,Youretheonlypersonthatcouldspendseveralmilinawithanobjectandnever
getattachedtoit.
Envydidntrespond.
Thegroupsilentlywaitedforthefliestofinishtheirmeal.
Whentheyfinallydid,thefliesregroupedinthegiantboulderformation.Theonlythingthe
flieshadnteatenwasthegreenandgoldboxtheyhadcomeoutof.
ReturnthemtotheboxFear,Envyordered.
OfcourseMiladyEnvy,Fearsaid.
Hesnappedhisfingersandshouted,Hazliza!

20

Immediately,theBrezlickfliesbeganbeingsuckedintothegreenandgoldboxasiftherewasa
powerfulvacuuminsideofit.Withinseconds,theyhadallbeensuckedinside.
Afterthelastflyreturnedtothebox,thelidsuddenlysnappedbackintoplaceandthebox
lookedcompletelynormalagain.
RetrieveeverythingFear,Envyordered.
OfcourseMiladyEnvy,Fearrepeatedandwalkedintothecircles.
HepickeduptheBrezlickfliessboxand,toSloths,PridesandWrathssurprise,hepulledoff
thelid.
Unexpectedly,nothinghappened.
Irequirethebookandcaneandwouldbegratefulifyougavethemtome,Featsaidintothe
box.Thenheturneditupsidedownsotheopeningwasfacingtheground.
Afewsecondslater,Envyscanefelloutofthebox,intothesnow.Itwasquicklyfollowedby
thefadedbluebook.
Fearturnedtheboxsotheopeningwasfacingupagainandsaid,Thankyou,intoit.Thenhe
returnedtheboxslidtoitsproperplace,pickedupthecaneandbook,andwentbacktothe
group.
HethenpresentedthethreeitemstoEnvy.
MiladyEnvy,hesaid.
Shetookthecaneandbookbutleftthebox.
GivethattoPride,wasallshesaid.
OfcourseMiladyEnvy,Fearsaidagain,andgavetheboxtoPridewhoaccepteditgleefully.

"Stella'sRide"bySophiaThornton

21

Ineverwasoneforadventures."Nasty,uncomfortablethings."BilboBaggins
oncestatedashedescribedadventuresinthestoryof
TheHobbit
.Theyalways
managedtogowrongsomehow.Missingyourflight,losingyourluggage,ornot
equippingyourselfproperlyforthejourneyareallcommonproblemsthatsabotageyour
plansforagreattrip.Iwouldknow.HowwouldIknow,youmaywonder?Well,that'sa
longstory.Thestoryofmyawakeningincuriosityoftheworldiswhatyou'reaboutto
read.Thisisthetaleofhowmylifechangedforever.
InthesmallmarkettownwhereIgrewupin,itwasalmostpreposteroustogo
dashingabout,engaginginadventuresonawhim.Evenmoreabsurdwastoleavethe
entirecountry,becauseonlyGodknowstheconsequencesofthatdangerous
expedition.ThiswastheideathatIhadlearnedtoaccept,seeingthatIhadgrownup
withthisancientthoughtplantedintomyheadsinceIwasveryyoung.Ineverknewof

22

thepossibilitiesofexploringnewplaces.Whattheymightbring,likemeetingnew
people,andexperiencingnewsensations,wasentirelyunknowntome.
IhadgrownupinoneofthemostdrearyplacesimaginableAlnwick,
Northumberland,England.Accordingtothe2011census,therewere8,116peoplethat
haddecidedtoliveinthemostboringplaceonEarth.Why?Ihaveabsolutelynoclue.
Sure,itmightbeapopulartouristlocation,buttome,itwasaprison.Ofcourse,upuntil
my17thbirthday,Iwascompletelyunawareofthatfact.Allmylife,Ihadlivedina
constantloopofrepetition.Wakeup,gotoschool,gohome,dohomework,thenoffto
bed.Thatwasmylife.Nothingchanged.
Summerwasthegetawaythatallteenagersdreamedof,eveniftherewas
absolutelynothingtodo.Everyonceinawhile,whenitwasn'tpouring,Iwouldgotothe
communitypoolwithmyfriends.Ihadasmallgroupoffriends,andthefactthatwe
couldbarelyfitallofusintothepoolruinedallofthefun.Soinanattempttoavoid
swimming,therestofmydayswerespentinthegardenwithmyDadandlittlebrother,
Joey.Wewouldsittherewithourcupsoftea,likeallEnglishmendo,andquietlysipped
aswelistenedtothesoundsofnatureengulfingus.Thosetwomenwerethecenterof
myuniverse.TheyweretheonlyfamilyofmineleftonEarththatcaredaboutme,andI
lovedthemprofusely.
Atthetime,itwastheparadise.TherewasnothingI'dratherdo.NowthatIhave
hadtheadvantagetoreflectonthosesocalledglorioustimes,IrealizethatIhadspent
thefirst17yearsofmylifewallowingawayinthedullsurroundingsofmyhometown.Up
tothatpoint,Ihadneverleftthetown.

23

Asayounggirl,Iwastaughtnottoaskquestions.Myelementaryteacher
basicallymadeitallofthegirls'civicdutytositstill,bequiet,actpoise,andplasterona
smile.Theboys?Well,thatwasadifferentstory.Theireducationwastakenonamuch
moreseriouslevel,andphysicaleducationwasthehighestpriority.Eveninsuchtimes
astheearly2000s,wewerebeingeducatedasifitwereonlythe1940s.These
primevalmethodswereinscribedintomybrainwithoutquestion.IfonlyIhadknownof
thewondersoftheoutsideworld.
Now,Iknowwhatyoumightbethinking.Whatisthis,somekindofprison?No,no,I
mighthaveaddedafewdramaticelementshereandthere,butImustsaythatmylife
wasarelativelyhappyone.IrealizethatIamlikethefamousBilboBagginsinmany
ways.Afterlivingalifeoflittlecomplicationsandhavingaperfectlynormalchildhood,
mystubbornmindwasopenedtoaworldofnewpossibilitiesbecauseofasingle
person.Shewasmymentor,myleader,andmostimportantly,mybestfrienda
Gandalffigure,ifyouwill.Butthatsnottheendofmystory.Therealadventureisyetto
come.

Fear by Mariana Villanueva

24

Tosetthemood,theauthorreccomendsyouplaythefollowing:
http://www.dragontape.com/#!/4804973409861632

Fear
I see it everywhere.
Fear is the feeling of pain.
Fear is the feeling of discomfort.
Fear.
Fear is the world around you closing in faster than you have time to escape.
Fear.
Fear is not knowing where you belong, or maybe fear is knowing exactly where
you belong.
Fear is being judged on how much you know, if you know anything at all, where
you keep your thoughts hidden.
Fear is not knowing the unknown, what happens in your afterlife. If there is an
afterlife.
Fear. Looking you right in the eye. Staring you down.
I try to fight it, but it's powerful pull strains my mind into its evil trap, tangling me
in a spiral of my own stress.
Fear.
It captivates my thoughts pulling me in each and every direction until it is no longer
a feeling of pain. No longer a feeling of discomfort.
I see it everywhere.
Fear.

"Untitled" by Kara Holliday

25

Dazed, distraught, distressed.

Sometimes I wish I was a cliche.
Sometimes I wish things didn't turn out this way.
Cause different doesn't feel so good
when it's the reason people push you away...
They don't appreciate me like they should
and somedays I say I would be normal if I could.
And I ask..
Why am I me?
Why am I different?
Oh lord , oh universe...
Is this a curse?
Cause I'm forever in misery.
When will I find someone who can vibe with me?
They're all zombies.
With dead eyes that only see what society wants them to.
They're all zombies.
Moving slow with brains that were experimented on to convince them that outer
beauty is better than inner beauty.
They think they're living
but they have no idea what life means.
Why am I me?
Why am I different?
Why do I stand in the shadows
of the people who claim they're making a difference?
They're waiting to pounce on me like a feline waiting to catch their prey.
They're stalking me.
Crouching low like a lion waiting to catch a gazelle.
Expecting it to be weak.

26

They just want to tie me down and label me.

Frustrated, frightened, fearful.
I walk around life convinced that you can never be too careful.
But don't you see?
They want you to hide in the corner lurking behind the people who society has
accepted.
They push a stamp on you that says "rejected".
All because one thing is out of place.
Like my complicated twisted brain and how it's more beautiful and captivating than
my face.
You can sit and observe and be disgusted
but it counts for nothing if you aren't trying to make a change.
Theyre stuck on superficial things.
Like how many likes they can get instead of focusing on real dreams.
Their souls are more broken than their phone screens.
Torn, tired, tied up.
Tied up in a tangle of ropes
That say the simple phrase "give up".
But I refuse to lose hope.
Why am I me?
Why am I different?
Why do I let people convince me they know the right
path to my own deliverance?
When I'm the only one who knows myself the best.
I cry about a world that doesn't have any real values
As I succumb to the fakeness of everyone else
Because I'm nothing more than a hypocrite.
When it's not really what I believe but I pretend I'm like them.
Instead of just accepting that I'm me

27

and I couldn't change if I tried.

Because I'll just end up living a lie.
I am a coward and I hide.
Behind society's hand.
Waiting for the bad to pass over and end
and then criticize people who don't make a difference.
I am a hypocrite
But I swear to everyone that I'm so different
How would they know?
I never let my true colors shine through.
Because I know they won't accept me.
But I'm tired of running
I'm tired of pushing my creativity down to fit their molds.
After awhile the same worn out routine gets old.
Why am I me?
Why am I different?
Why do I live in the dark?
And thrive off of my own resistance.
I'm done changing myself to fit in with them.
People who have no real values.
People who are borderline dead.
And my third eyes cries for them as it is fed lies.
But I'm done playing games with my own soul.
And leading my life into mass destruction.
I am me.
I am different.
I won't let my true colors fade into something so transparent.
They will spit on the real me simply
Because they don't understand

28

who I am.
I will no longer change for them.
I refuse to live a lie anymore.
I won't continue to die...
I'll become alive.

Amanda by Alex Davis

29

Amanda
RaindrizzleddownslowlyasAmandaglazedovertheLondonscapebeforeher.Tall
buildingsroseinthedistance,butnearhersmallhouseslinedthecobblestonestreets.
Shesighed.Williteverstopraining,Oliver?
Amandaasked,lookingdownattherubberduck
sittingnexttoher.Oliverwasheronlyfriend.He
haddiedalongtimeagoandhisfatherwasknown
fordabblinginmagic.Let'sjustsayhisattemptat
resurrectiondidn'tgotoplan.Thoughhetechnically
managedtobringhissonback,Oliverssoulgot
stuckinsidearubberduck.AnotheroneofMr.
Appleworthsexperimentshadgonehaywire,this
timeonAmanda.Hehadtriedtoturnherintoa
fish,butshebecameawaterelementistandher
hairturnedaqua.Decidinghewastoodangerous
tokeeparound,shewenttohishouseand
backstabbedhim,literally.Takinghisrubberduck
sonwithher,Amandafledtothestreets.Shehadnoparentstoturnto,thoughshe
guessedtheywouldhaveshunnedhermurderousactions.Theonlythingsshehad
wereabestfriendrubberduck,aquahair,andhydrokinesis.

The Canary's Last Song by Abigail Coffey

CHAPTER ONE

Goodnight,MyAngel.
Goodnight,Vincey.

30

Hekissedherontheforeheadashepushedhimselfoffofthefloor.
Hewasheadingforthelightwhenasmallvoicecalledtohimfrombehind.
Vincey?
VincentturnedaroundtofaceAribel,his6yearoldstepdaughter.
Yes,Angel?Heaskedashemadehiswaybacktoherbed.
Whydoyoutuckmein?Shequestioned.
Well,myJessicausedtotalkabouttuckingourchildreninbeforebed.Shesaiditwouldmake
themhappier.Whatdoyouthink?
Ithinkitsgrand.Itdoesmakemefeelhappy.Didyoueverhaveanychildren,likeme?
No,love.Wedidnt.
WillIevermeetyourwife?Idontlikemymother.MaybeyourJessicacouldbemymother
instead.Shesoundslikesuchfun.
Hesighed.Ifonly.Ithadabout9yearssincehislovehadpassed,andhesaweverybitofher
reflectedinthisgirl.Thatswhyhestayed.Thatstheonlyreasonhestayed.HisAngelneeded
truefatherlyloveinahouseholdwherethewordmotherdidntexist.
Surely,MyAngel,youarentintentonleavingmeforJessica?Evenashesaidthesejoking
words,astinginhisheartmadeVincentacutelyawareofhowhotitwasintheroom.
No!Ofcoursenot,daddy!Shegiggledashetickledhertinyform.
Vincent!
Thelaughterstopped.
Vincent!
Coming,Margaret!Hecalledbacktothedisembodiedvoice.
Helookedbackatthechildwhoseeyeswereemptyofplayfulnessandfullofsadness.
Iwishyouneverhadtogo,shewhispered,almostsoquietlythathecouldn'thear.
Metoo,Angel.Hesaidwithasmileashegentlystrokedhercheek.
Hegotupandwasatthedoorwhensuddenly,Aribelcried,Wait!
Whatisit?
YouhavetosaygoodnighttoCuckoo,shesaidsimply.
Ah,yes.Cuckoo.Ofcourse!HowcouldIhaveforgotten?
Chucklingasthechildsscoldingyeteagereyesfollowedhimtothesmallbirdcageinthe
cornerofherbedroom,Vincentunlatchedthetinymetaldoorandpulledoutabrightyellow
canary.
Cukcukcuk.Thebirdtweeted.
Suchanoddbundleoffeathers,mutteredVincentendearingly.Veryoddindeed.
Aribelclappedashepromptlylaidakissonthebird'sheadandstuffeditbackintoitsenclosure.
Goodnight,myAngel.GoodnightCuckoo.Heblewkissesasheshutthedoorgentlybehind
him.

Vincentpattereddownthestairs,preparedtohearabouthowhiswifesstomachachedorhow
sheneededafootrub.

Margaret?Hecalled.Hepickedupaglassofwhiskeyfromatablebesidetheroaringfireplace,
stretchingalongthelengthofthewalluptothestaircase,andtookafewsips.Hehadneverbeen
aliquorman,butafterhisfirstwifesdeathandhisremarriageintoatrophyhusbandposition,
hedfoundasortofpleasureinthepoison.

31

Margaret?Herepeated,wanderingthroughoutthelavishparlourroomandkitchen.Hefound
herbythepiano,slouchingoverthekeysandstaringintentlyateachofthem.Shewasstill
dressedinhergownandlongscarf,alongwithheelsandhosefromapartytheyhadjust
attended.Margaret.Hesaidashesteppedcloser.

Shejolted,seeminglystartledbyhissuddenappearance.

Ahh,thereyouaare.Sheslurredwhileclickingthecubesinherglass.Noticingitsemptystate,
shestoodandwaltzedthroughtheparlourroomandkitchen,andovertothetablewherethe
whiskeyliebythefireplace.

Wastheresomethingyouwanted,dear?Heaskedthroughslightlygrittedteeth.Margaret
lookedupathimwithglazedeyesandshookherheadasifconfused.No,darling.Simply
lookingforsomecompany.

Vincentglared.Margaretwas42,pregnant,andensuringthathersecondchildwouldcomeout
mostlikelydeadalready.Shedisgustedhim.Shehad,inaway,stolenhimawayfromthelifehe
hadknownandloved,butshehadalsofedhiminhistimeofneed.Shehadmarriedhimatthe
ageoftwentythreeandgivenhimparenthoodofherthentwoyearolddaughterfromher
marriagetoherlatehusband.VincentfeltpityforthechildinMargaretswomb,butalso
loathing.Thatwas
his
child.
His
childinthismonster.Soitreallywasnthischildatall.Itwasa
moredisgustingthoughttocallthebabyMargaretheldhis,thanitwasoddtoloveforachild
whowasentirelynothis.

Margarethowever,didnotagree.Actually,Vincent.TherewassomethingIplannedon
speakingtoyouabout.

Hedaredtolookupatherandwasnotsurprisedtofindthatthecoldnessinhervoiceshowedon
herfaceaswell.

Shedidntwaitforhimtorespond,MustyoualwaysbringupthatdreadfulJessicatomy
daughter?Ireallyfinditquiteappallingthatyoushouldbringbothherashes
and
hermemory
intothishouse.Youwereeighteenandinlove,thenshedied.Fiveyearslater,Irescuedyou
fromthegutter.ShesinyourpastVincent,
I
amyourpresentandyourfuture.Letthewench
go!Shesaid,sneering.

Vincentfeltsomethingcoldspreadthroughhisbody,itwassocolditburnedlikefire.
Excuseme?Hewhispered.
Dontsayexcusemetome,youinsolentboy!Ibroughtyouhereoffofthestreets.Ibought
youtoolsforyourcraft,Iletyoubringher
remains
inhere.Iveshownnothingbutkindnessand
generositytoyouandyourepaymebytellingmydaughterstoriesofyourgoodJessicaandyour
evilMargaret!Hervoicecontinuedgettingshrillerandshriller,andattheendofherrantshe
threwherglassatVincent,narrowlymissing.

32

Heknewtobequiet.Itwasbesttoleaveherbeinthesemoods,butwhenhemovedtowalk
away,shegrabbedhisarm.
You.Youtookmyyouth.Mybeauty.Andyoudontevenhavethedecencytoloveme!Me
whohasgivenyoueverything!Margaret'snailsdugintohisarmandshewasshakingwithsobs.
Daddy?
Vincent'sheadwhippedawayfromMargaretspitifuldisplayanduptotheblackhairedbeauty
standingnearthebottomofthestairs,amixtureofhorrorandcuriositycoveringherface.
Mylove,whatareyoudoing?Herespondedquickly,attemptingtopullhimselfoutofhis
wifesgrasp,butthisonlymadeherholdontighter.
Love?!Yourlove?!No,Vincent.Sheisnotyourlove!Youstillwearyour
love
aroundyour
neck!Asshesaidthis,MargaretclawedatVincentschestandgrabbedholdofthenecklacehe
woreunderhisshirt.IthadbeenJessicas.Hecherishedit.Andnowthiswitchwasyankingwith
allhermightontheonesacredbelonginghehadleft.
No!Hebellowed.Hisvoiceechoedoffthethegranitewallsandmarblefloors.
AndsuddenlyMargaretwasfalling.Downdowndown.Intotheflamesthatburnednexttothe
staircase.ThestaircasewhereAribelnowlaylifeless.Ashiswifestruggledinthefireplace,held
downbysomeinvisibleforce,Vincentwalkedslowlytowardhisstepdaughter.Hergreeneyes
wereopen,unfocused,staringatnothing.Herblackhairnowlookedauburnwithallthescarlet
poolingaroundherhead.Alargegashcoveredhalfofherforeheaddowntohertemple,andher
chestthatusedtoexpandwithlaughterhadceasedtoriseandfall.

VincentstaredinhorrorasthelifedrainedoutofhisAngelseyesbywayoftheblooddraining
outofherskull.Margaretsscreamingdiedout,andhewasleftwithhisownerraticheartbeat
andheavybreathing.

ItwasatsomepointthathewasabletolookawayfromhisfallenAngel.Helookedawayandhe
sawabodyconnectedtowhatwasnotquiteahead.Thescarffromthethegownshehadworn
merehoursbeforewaswrappedaroundwhatwasntquiteaneck.

Ashelookedather,Vincentfelttheoddestinclinationtolaugh.Andhedid.Forhours.Years.
Eternities.Helaughedandcriedandwasinhystericstilldawn.

Thesunrose,andVincentfoundhimselfsprawledoutonthefloorbytwocorpses,andonce
againbeganlaughingandsobbing.Thenheheardsomethingthatwokehimfromhismadness.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Herose.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Heslowlyascendedthestairs.

33

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

HeopenedAribelsdoor.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Hecrawledintoherbedandinhaleddeeply.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Hesmiled.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Howterribly,wonderfullyodd.Hewhispered.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Howveryoddindeed.

____________________________________________________________________________

Thestrangercameatnoon.
Heworeoverallsontopofaflannelshirtwithworkingboots,justlikeallofthe
viejos
intown.
Manuelwasinterestedimmediately.
ThismandidnthavethewrinkledbronzeskinandhoneyeyesthatmostoftheadultsinPuebla
did.Instead,hehadyoungporcelainskin,andstrikingblueeyes.Neitherdidhehavethedark
brown,almostblackhairthatallofthetownspeopledid.Rather,thickblondhairthatfelldown
tohisshouldersandwastiedbackinaponytail.

Heheldabagandsomethinglookinglikeacircleunderneathablanket.

Manuel,transfixedbythenewcomerssureyetharriedstride,trippedonarock,fallingand
scatteringthe
comestibles
hehadjustbought.

Mierda!
Heexclaimed.

Hegruntedasheexaminedthedamage:3
huevos
bleedingtheiryolkout,theclaypotholdinghis
lechedecabrito
wasshattered,andthewhite,creamyliquiditheldwasmakingitsescape
throughthelinesofageetchedintothecrackeddirt.Great,Manuelmuttered,imaginehow
many
pesos
isthisgoingtocostme.

Ashetriedtosalvagetherestofhisproduceandcalculatehowmuchmoremoneyhewould
havetoscrapeup,ashadowcoveredhim.Hishandsstilled.

34

Doyouneedhelp?Avoicequeried.Itwasastrangevoice.Itwasntthickandgrufflike
Manuelwasusedto.Itwasaliltingvoicethatdrewoutsomewordslongerthanothers,almostas
ifitsownerrelishedinhearinghimselfspeak.Itwasdeepandsmooth,andasManuellookedup,
hesawitbelongedtothestrangerwhohadmadehimtrip.

Nogracias,Seor.Manuelmuttered.ThiswasanEnglishman.Theyweredangerous.They
werefightingagainsthispeoplealongwiththeAmericans.Thatswhathis
abuelita
said.

Nobodyintownliked
gringos
,thoughthereweresomehelpingSpainandCubainthewareffort
theydidntbelong.Mexicowasthelastplacethatanyoneexpected
gringos
tocome,yetonewas
here,standingrightoverManuel,makinghisheartbeatviolentlyagainsthisribcages.

Hereitsallright.Itsnotrouble.Themanwithvanillaskinschocolateyvoicesaid.

MuchtoManuelsdismay,thestrangerkneltdownandbeganstackingtheeggshellsand
scrapinguptheclayshards.

WhatdoIcallyou?

Manuellookedup,startledagainthatthismanwasconversingwithhim.

ThemangavehimafriendlysmileandManuelduckedunderhishair.Manuel,hemuttered,
andyou?Heattemptedtoseemmutuallyfriendly,whichthemanseemedtoreceivewell.

Vincent.Imanartist.Hesaidwithasmile.Thenhiseyesturnedup,lookingthoughtful.
Manuel.Hm,IthinkIshallcallyouManny.Isthatalright?

Manuelcringedalittleattheendearingnameoncegiventohimbyhisfather,butshylynodded
hishead.Si,Seor.Itsalright.

Wonderful,Vincentsaidashecontinuedassistingwiththemess.Howoldareyou?

Seven,Seor.

Vincentsmiled.AchillingsmilethatmadeManuelaverthisgaze.

Thenherosewithagrunt,scoopingthecollecteddebrisintohishand.

Manuelalsostood,holdinghissurvivingfoodinhisarms,lookingdownathisbarefeet.

Well,ImgoingtogoseeifIcantfindsomehousingaroundhere.Any
casas
youknowabout
thatarentoccupied?Hesaidcuriously.

ManuelnoddedandslowlyraisedhisfingertopointtoSeoraLuisaslot.Shewasinchargeof
propertybusinessinPuebla.

35

Vincentnoddedgratefully,thendidsomethingthatservedtofurthershockManuel:Heruffled
hishairandwalkedpasthim,onearmfullofeggshellsandbrokenclay,theothercarryinghis
bagandstrangecirclethatnowseemedtotaketheshapeofabirdcageundertheblanket.

Manuelwasjustturningaroundtogohomewhenheheardanoddsound.Asongthatdidnt
belongtoanyofthenativebirdshere.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

ManuelstaredaftertheEnglishmannamedVincent,wonderingwhatsecretheheldinthat
birdcageofhis.

CHAPTER TWO

Vincentfelttheverythreadsofhisbeingcomingundone.

Hewasthere.Backinthatcursedhouse.Backwiththecharredcorpses.Hewasrewatchinghis
Aribelsdeathoverandover,consumedbyflamesjustasJessicahadbeen.Witnessingthe
deathsagaininhissleephadgivenhimclarity.Hewasabletoanalyzethemysteryofhowhe
hadkilledhisAngeltoo.

HehadrippedMargaretsevilpawsawayfromhisnecklace,andaccidentallyshovedherback.
Hard.

Whilefalling,Margarethadflailedaroundforsomethingtoholdonto.Unfortunately,that
somethingwasAribel,standinginnocentlyatthebottomofthestairsbesidetheimmense
fireplace.

Wrenchingherselfawayfromhermothersdesperategrasp,Aribeltrippedonherownfeetand,
whilepullingaway,turnedasherpreciousheadcollidedwiththerailing.Asshetoofell,itwas
notashesshewasmetwith,butcoldmarble.Hertemplecontactedthestairsbehindherwith
suchforcethatshemusthavereceivedseveralcrackstoherskull.Andtheimpactofthesharp,
steepstepswithhertiny,frailbodymusthavebrokenmanybones.Thoughshesustainedmany
painfulinjuries,themostfatalwaslikelytheheadtrauma.Hecouldimaginethecrackofher
skillagainstthefloor,andreplayeditoverandoveragain.Heseemedtohavememorizedthe
wayherplumpredlipshadbreathedoutonelasttime.Thewayhersoft,pinkcheekshadtaken
onaterrifyingpallor.

AsforMargaret,theevilwitch,thatonewassimple.

Shehadfallenbackwardsandturnedmaybeonehundredfortydegreesduringthedescent.Her
scarfhadwounditselfaroundhersaggingnecklikeanoose,anditstransparentendshadcaught
onthewood.Theforcewithwhichshehitthewoodcausedsomepiecestoshift,effectively
trappingher.Asherarmshadsoughtoutthepieceofwoodunderwhichherscarfwastrapped,

36

shereceivedburnsallalongherarmsandeventuallytheflamescrawleddowntoherwaist,
consumingher.ThishadhappenedsometimeduringVincent'sfitsoflaughterandtears.

Thenhehadpackedhismeagerbelongings,Cuckoo,somemoney,burneddownthemansion
thathadbeenhisprisonforfouryears,andplannedtotravelelsewhere.Hehadwantedtofinda
nondescripttown,hecouldjustsayhewasasoldierwhohadabandonedtheAmericanarmyin
favoroftheSpanishstates.

Soheleft.

HeleftbehindConnecticut.Heleftbehindhischainsthattooktheformofchampagnebottles
andoperaglasses.Andmostimportantly,heleftbehindtwocorpsesturnedtoash.Heleftbehind
awholehouseturnedtoash.Ashesthatallofhiscaptorswouldthinkherestedin.

Andyet,Vincentwokeup,sweating,facepinchedinpain.Healwaysawoketothesensationof
burningafterthisrecurringremembrance,thoughhehadneverexperienceditfirsthand.He
thoughtitmustbeGodpunishinghimforhiswickeddeeds.

Vincentsatupandcriedforawhile.Hecrieduntilhisfingerswerewrinkledfromcatchingthe
tears.Thenheroseandwentintotheadjoiningbedroomthathadcomewiththissmall
casa
.He
hadturnedthisextraroomintoanartstudio,andhefoundthewarmnightairsoothingashe
paintedandsculpted.Lately,hehadbeenpainingdarkerscenesandsculptingmoretortured
faces.Hewasnotsureifhewasusingartasanoutlet,orindulgingtheevilhefeltsuffocating
himfromwithin.

Hesatonastoolbesidethewindowthatletinmosquitoesandsandandbegansculptinganew
face.

Hestartedwiththenose,thenworkedontheears,hecarefullyformedthelips,andhadjust
gottendowntotheneckwhenhenoticedapairofeyeswatchinghimfromoutsidehiswindow.

Withonlythemeagerlightofthemoontoseeby,itwasdifficultforVincenttomakeoutwho
exactlyitwas,buthehadafeelingthatitwastheboyfromafewweeksago.Mannyhadbeen
watchingVincentcuriouslyeversincehehadsteppedfootoffofthetrain.Hehadfollowedhim
totown,snuckinthroughthewindowtoadmireVincentsart,andevengonesofarastobring
himfood,asifVincentwereagodwhoneededappeasing.Hewasfascinatedbythischild,with
hisstealthywaysthathethoughtwentunnoticed,andhisshymannerwhichalmostmadehim
forgettable.

Vincenthadthoughtmanytimesofinvitinghimin,ofactuallyspeakingwithhim.

Buthedidnotwanttofrightenthechild,andtheboyseemedterrifiedwheneverhesawVincent.

37

MaybehecouldseeinVincentseyeswhatheddone.MaybehesomehowfoundCuckoostune
ashauntingasVincentdid.Maybetheboysnuckaroundbecausehewasafraidofthefirefound
inVincentstouch.

______________________________________________________________________________

Knock.Knock.Knock.

Vincentstirred.Herolledtohissideandsquintedashiseyesadjustedtothebrightlightfiltering
throughthewindowabovehisbed.Theknockscameagain.

Knock.Knock.Knock.

Whocoulditbe?Hemutteredgroggilyashestood.

Heshuffledovertothefrontdoor,hisbarefeetpricklingagainstthedirtandpebbles,and
openeditacrack.Vincentpeekedhisheadthroughtheopeningandsawtheyoungboy,Manny,
standingtherewithhisfoodofferings.Thiswasodd,sinceManuelusuallysnuckintothehouse
toleavethefoodforVincent,orhewouldsometimessetthewovenbasketholdingitallinfront
ofthedoor.Butonthismorning,Mannywashere,standinginfrontofVincent,seemingtobeg
entrancewithhiseyes.

Vincentgreetedtheboyandusheredhimin.

Hola,Seor.Ijustwantedtobringyousomefood,saidManuelashesetthebasketonthe
table,thenplacedhishandsbehindhisbackandnervouslyshiftedfromfoottofoot.

Vincentsmiled,Yes,Icanseethat.Ivewantedtothankyoufortheweeklysuppliesoffood,
butIcannevercatchyou.Hepaused.Ifyoudon'tmindmyasking,why
do
youbringme
food?Imean,surelyyouknowIcanaffordit.

Manuellookedshockedatthisquestion.Well,I,uh,Iwellyoureanartist.Soyoudonthave
muchfreetime.Iseethose
pinturas
thatyoudo,andthose
esculturas
too.Ididntthinkyoud
haveenoughtimetobuyfood.Heexplainedthishesitantly,notwishingtooffendthetall,
imposingEnglishman.

Vincentwasnotoffended.Hefoundthechildscareendearingandalsorealisedsomethinghe
hadnttakennoticeofbefore.Say,youspeakEnglishratherwell,whotaughtyou?

Manuelfroze.Hedidntlikediscussinghisparentagewithothers.Itusuallyledtoteasingof
somesort.ButthismanwasanEnglishmanlikehisfatherhadbeenmaybehewouldbekinder.
Mimadrewasfromhere,butmipadrewasfromEngland,likeyou.Hehadcomehereasa
cartographerandexplorer.Theymarriedandhadmeandabrother.MyPapataughtusbothto
speakEnglish.

38

Vincent,intrigued,broachedthetopichecouldtellthechildwasavoiding.Andwherearethey
now?

Mannyhesitated,pained.Afirestartedinthekitchenandtheycouldntgetout.Iwasbuying
groceries.

Hewasquietafterthis,withhiseyescastdown.Vincentfeltpityforthisboy,andalsoacertain
twistedempathy.Heknewwhatitwasliketohavefiretakeeverythinghehadeverloved,buthe
alsoknewwhatitwasliketohavefiresavehim.
____________________________________________________________________________

Inthemonthsthatfollowed,ManuelandVincentbonded.MannybroughtfoodandVincentlet
himwatchhimwork.

ManuelwasenjoyinghisdailyvisitstoVincents
casa
andVincentwasenjoyingthecompany
Mannyprovided.HewasespeciallyfondofManuelduetohisproximityinagetoAribel.Buthe
stillsufferedfromhisnightmaresandheknewhisdarkerartwasabitdiscomfortingforManuel.

ManuelhadjustleftforthenightwhenVincentnoticedsomething.Itwassmall,red,andlooked
anawfullotlikeaboxofmatchesthathehadthrownawaylongago.Howdiditresurface?What
spiritwascallingtohim?

Hetookalampfromthewallandbroughtitovertothekitchentable.Forthepastyear,hehad
beenrelyingthelightofthesunormoontodohisart,butnowherewasachanceformore.It
shouldhavebeensimple.Itreallyshouldhave.AndVincentknewthis.Hewasangrywith
himselfforhesitating,forbeingweak.Buthedidnttrusthimself.NotafterAribel.Notafter
Jessica.

Heknewhewasntcrazy.Heknewhewouldntdoanythingrashwiththefire.Buthestillheld
thetraumaofhisnightmaresandtherealitytheywerebasedoffof.

Butheneededthelight.Toworkonhisart,ofcourse.Heneededit.

____________________________________________________________________________

Vincent?Manuelwasatthedoor,andhedbeenknockingonitforthepastfiveminutes.
Vincent?Hesighed,Vincentwasntusuallythisdeepofasleeper.
Finally,impatient,Mannyslowlyopenedthedoor.Hegasped.

Itwasso
bright
.

Lampsallthroughoutthe
casa
werelitandburning.Vincentwasnowhereinsight.

Vincent?Mannycalled.

39

Hewalkedthroughthehouse,findinghimselfintheartstudio.

Vincentwasthere,hunchedoverapainting,smilingeerily.AchillcrawleddownManuels
spine,andhebegantobackaway.

Manny,Vincentsaidquietly,whereareyougoing?Joinme.Dontyouwanttoseemy
work?

Um,ofcourse,Vincent.Hesaidnervously.Hewasafraid,buthecouldntletVincentseethat.
HewouldbedisappointedinManuelforbeingnervousovernothing.Hewouldstayforawhile,
thenleave.Leavethishousethatwasburninglikehisfamilyhad.Thefiremightbecontained,
buthewascertainitwouldntstaythatway.Andifitsomehowgotfree,Vincentcouldtakecare
ofhimself,Manuelwassureofit.

SohesatdownbesideVincent.

Whatisthatsmell
?

Hethoughttohimself.Itwaslikesmokeandrotteneggs.Andthatswhen
ManuelnoticedthestickhangingoutofVincentsmouth.Atrandomintervals,Vincentwould
puffoutacloudofsmoke,thensuckinagain.AndManuelnoticedthattheendofthewhitestick
wasburningorange.

Vincentisisthatacigarette?Heaskedcuriously.Itwasquiteodd.Vincenthadalways
seemedsqueamisharoundfire.HehadeventhrownawaytheboxofmatchesMannyhadbought
forhimonce.Manuelhadfounditweekslaterinthedirt,andbroughtitbackinhopesof
providingVincentwithwarmthforthewinter.Heregrettedthisdecisionpresently.Anddespite
Vincentsapparentfearoffire,hewasnowsuckingonsomethingthatwas
on
fire.

Whyyesitis,Manny.SomegeniusupinRaleigh,NorthCarolinainventedthem.Wouldyou
likeone?HeaskedashepulledapackoutofhisshirtspocketandhelditouttoManuel.

Mannyscootedaway.Nnothankyou,Vincent.

Vincentchuckled,Alright.

Theysatthereforhours.Theyremainedintheirseatsuntilduskfell,andManuelstoodtoleave.

Buenasnoches,Vincent.Ihavetoleavenow.Manuelsaid,slightlyrelievedtoescapeVincent
inhisstrangemood.

Leave?Vincentasked,lookingupatMannywithempty,wildeyes.But,myboy,wevejust
beguntohavefun.Hesaidsmiling.

ManueldidntunderstandwhatVincentmeant,andhewasveryfrightened,buthegaveVincent
ashakysmile,saying,Ihavetogethometomy
abuelita
,sheshellworry.

40

Vincentnoddedandhunghisheadforawhile,butassoonasMannyturnedtoleavethe
madhouse,Vincentsarmshotoutandgrabbedhiswrist.

ManuelcriedoutasVincentpulledhimbackwithsuchforcethathefelthisarmpop,thenit
dangled.Hisbodycrashedintosomepaintpalettesandtheeaselholdingthepaintinghehadnt
paidmuchattentionto.Butwhenhecollidedwiththefloor,paineruptinginhisshoulder,he
foundhimselfstaringstraightintothegreeneyesofabeautifulwoman.Shewasscreaming.She
lookedtortured.Shehadtearsstaininghercheeks.Butherivoryskinandblackhairwas
flawless.Therewereflamessurroundingher,mixingwiththestrandsofhairflyingabouther
face.Inthebackground,everythingwasfire.Itwasnighttimeinaforestandthetreeswere
encasedinflames,whilethestarsintheblackskywereexploding.

HorrorovertookManuelsfeatures.Hewasterrified.

VincentpulledhimtohisfeetbyhisbadarmandMannyhissed.

Nowlookwhatyouvedone.YouveknockedoverJessica.Veryrude.Vincentmuttered.
Veryrude,indeed.

HedraggedMannyovertohisbedandsathimdown,likeachildintimeout.

Youknow,Ineverdidrekindlethatlove.Ofcourse,shewasdeadsothatcomplicatedthings.
ButImalmostcertainshewasrebornasagirlnamedAribel.ShewasanAngel.Youremindme
quitealotofher.Vincentsaid,pattingMannyscheek.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.

Manuelsheadwhippedtothecorner,wherehesawCuckoo,Vincentsunnervingbird.Manny
hadneverlikedit,butVincentseemedveryattachedtothecanary.

Didyouknow,saidVincent,pickinguphisnearlydepletedboxofmatches,thatcanariesare
usedbyminersinsomecountries,towarnthemofpoisonousgases?Thecanary,Vincent
whisperedashelitamatch,willsingfortheminerswhiletheywork,andwhenitstopssinging,
theminersknowitisdead.Sotheyrun,orelsetheytoowillmeettheirend.Hecarriedthe
burningmatchovertothecurtainsofhiswindow,andsetthemaflame.Mannygasped.Ioften
wonder,Vincentcontinued,whatwouldhappenifaminersimplystoodstill,awaitingthe
onslaughtofasphyxiationanddeathbroughtbythecanaryslastsong.Hesaid,turningtoface
thechildagain.Iwouldloveforyoutofindthatoutforme,myboy.

ManuelseyeswidenedasVincentraisedapaintpalettethathehadheldbehindthecoverofhis
back,andbroughtitdownonMannyshead.

____________________________________________________________________________

41

Theworldwasblack.Thenorange.
Hefeltnothing,thentoomuch.
Hewasburningalive.
Hisskinwassweatingandthesweatwasboiling.
Hisentireexistencehadbecomepureagony.
Hecoulddistantlyhearhimselfscreaming.
Itwasalmostasifhismindwaselsewherebuthecouldstillfeelthepain.
Hesensedhiseyesopening.
Flamesconsumedtheentire
casa
.
Andashisgazefocussed,hesawsomethingthatassuredhimofhisfate.
Itwasthelastthinghewouldeversee.
Ashiseyesclosed,tomeeteternityandburntoash,Manuelsawacanarywithabrokenneck.

Cuk.Cuk.Cuk.hewhispered.

Thenhewasonewiththefire.

Andrea by Sarah Rodriguez

42

HimynameisAndrea,andIm17yearsold.YesIamateenager.Mylifeisnever
easy.Ihaveanolderbrotherwhowouldalwaysactcontrolling,wellImeanhehadtobe.
Wewerecompletelyalone.MyparentsdiedwhenIwasreallyyoung,andIneverreally
gottoknowthem.AllIhaveleftisthissmall,yellow,rubberduckytheygaveme.My
brothersaidmyparentslovedduckies.Imissthem,moreonmothersandfathersday,
butmainlyonmybirthday.Allmyfriendstalkabouttheirparentsandhowmuchfun
theyhavetogether.Imeanitsokay,Ihavemybrother,butitsnotreallythesame.But
nowmybrotherisgonnaleavehehasto.Whenheturns21inMarch,heleavestogoto
themilitary.Hekeepssayingitsgonnabeokayandpromisesmehellcomeback.He
saysitwillbegoodcausethenhellbeabletosupportmeandprotectme.Ijustdont
knowwhattodoanymore.Imgonnabeconsideredanadultin5monthsandgonna
havetoreallywork.Iwillhavetochangemybrightishdarkbluehair,mystyle,andmy
perspective,butIdontknowifImreadytoleavemyselfbehind.

*****************1yearsincemybrotherleft.***********************

Thetimefinallycame.Mybrotherwascominghome,andwe'regonnacelebratemy
birthday,Imissedhimsomuch.Whenwesaweachotheroureyesjustfilledwithjoy.
ThatwasthefirsttimeIsawhiminhisuniform.WejustcaughtupandIshowedhim
aroundNewYork.Timeslikethesemakemerealizelifeisntthatbad.Itwasthenightof
mybirthdaydinner,thebiggestnightofmylife,mainlycauseIgottoseemybrother.
Hekepttellingmehowproudheisofmeandhowproudmomanddadwouldbe.This
changewaswortheverythingmyhair,myclothes,myself.Thosedaysflewbycauseby
thetimewerealizeditwastimeforhimtogoback,sayinggoodbyewasthehardest
thingtodo.Hemademethesamepromiseslikeusualandpromisedtosendme
postcards.

*************2yearssincemybirthdaydinnerwithmybrother.******************

Icheckedthemailforapostcardandnothing.aweekwentbyandstillnothing.He
mustveforgotten.Hesometimesdoes.

43

1monthflewby.

Ihadreceivedjustonelettersaying:

September 30,2006
Hey andy things are getting quite crazy. Im not saying anything is
wrong but Im not gonna have as much time to write you any letters or
send you postcards. I just want you to know I love you and Ill see and
talk to you later. I promise Ill be back.
Love,
big bubu.
October5,2006
Theworstdaypossible.Ireceivedacallat5:45am.Itwasa5minutecall,butfeltlikea
lifetime.Mybrothersteamgotambushedthenightbefore,andonlyonesurvivedhe
hadlostbothofhislegs.Themomenttheyannouncedhisdeath,myworldjustbroke
andmyheartjustmelted.Ibegantorealizesomethingwasgoingon.Thatswhyhe
promisedsomuchandthatswhythatwasthehardestgoodbye.

October20,2006
Thefuneral.Ilookupatmyselfinthemirrorandjuststare.Starelikemaybeitcould
takemebackintimetowhenIwasjusta17yearoldgirlinLondonwithherlittle
yellow,smallduckyandherbigbubu.Withherbrightishdarkbluehair,shewouldgoto
thetopofthehotelandjusthangherfeet.Shewouldjustthinkandbefree.

BlackEyesbyRachaelWashington

44

Themanmarchedthroughtheforestunderthethousandglitterystars.Theyalldanced
togetheragainsttheblackveilofnightsky.

Theonlysoundthatcouldbeheardwasthesoundofleavesbeingcrushedunderthemans
boots.

Hebegantogrowimpatientashewalkedforwhatfeltlikehours.Hewastiredofnotbeing
abletoshootanygame.

Eachdovetookoffbeforehecouldevenaimandeveryfoxspedawaybeforeheeventook
noticeofthem.Hefeltdefeated.

Themostfrustratingpartofthisentirenightwasthatdeer.Themanhadseenadeer,thesame
deer,aboutseventimes.Herecognizedhimfromhisantlers;theywereincrediblybroken.

Youcouldjusttellevenfromthegreatdistancebetweenthemthattheywereterriblyruined.

Healsohadthesebeadyblackeyes.Everytimethemanandthedeerwouldcrosspaths,the
twoofthemwouldfreeze.

Astheybothstopped,thetwoofthemwouldmakeeyecontact.Thedeerwouldstaredeeply
intothemanseyesuntilhedecidedtomoveon.

Thestrangestthingwasthatwhiletheireyeswerelocked,themansguncompletelyslippedhis
mind.

Everytimethedeerbegantohopaway,themanwouldthenlifthisguntoaimonlytorealize
thatthedeerhadcompletelyvanished.

Themanbegantothinkofthedeerashepushedthroughthickbushes.Hegrewfrustratedat
howeverysingleeyeshejustcouldn'ttakehiseyesoffthedeerandshootit.

Thethoughtoftheoddcoincidenceofthemmeetingthismanytimesalsolingeredinhismind.
Histhoughtswereinterruptedbythesmellofsmoke.

Thesmokyairattackedhislungsandeyes.Hiseyesbegantowater.Flamesleaptfrombranch
tobranchinanattempttoclaimeverytree.

Soonthemanwasparalyzedinfear.Hewassurroundedbyfieryflame.
HowdidIletthis
happen?
heshouted.

Nooneheardhim.

45

Allhecoulddowasblindlyrunthroughthethicksmoke.Hislungsscreamedashisskinbeganto
boil.Sweatdrippeddownhisneckintohisalreadysweatdrenchedshirt.

Hebegantoscreamuntilhisthroatburnedlikehissurroundings.Thesaltytearsthatstreamed
downhischeekstung.Asthemantriedtoescapethisfieryhell,heonlysawonething.Hesaw
thedeerfortheeighthtimethatnight.

Whyareyoujust
looking
atme?heyelled,
Whatdoyouwant?Everywordinthatsentence
burnedhistheir.Histhroatwascracked.

Thedeerstaredback.Hisshiningblackeyesreflectedtheviolentflames.

Thedeergallopedtowardshim.Thelastthingthemansawwasabeautifulanimalrushing
towardshimbeforehecollapsedontothedirt.

Sir..?Sir!Avoicecried.Thevoiceseemedsofar.Themanweaklypushedhimselfup.

Concrete
hethoughtasheplacedhishandsontheground.I'malive
I'malive!
Theman
chokedoutblissfully.Themanimmediatelyfiguredoutwherethecrycamefrom.

Twokidsintheirtwentiescarefullyapproachedhim.Areyoualright,man?askedthegirlask
shesteppedcloser.

I'mI'mfine,herepliedwithalackofemotion.Allofasudden,thememoriesofthenight
beforefloodedhismind.Themanimmediatelylookedbackatwhatusedtobeaforest.His
mouthdropped.

Beforehiseyeswasaburntwastelandofblacktrees.Intheskywasagiantcloudofgathered
smokethatspreadacrossthewholesky.Thereddishearly,morningskycreatedtheperfect
imageofdestruction.

DeerMydeer
Whereishe?
themanaskedfiercely.Wedon'tknow,dude,thekidsaid
nervously.Hetuggedatthegirlsarmurginghertostepback.

Hesavedme!
heshoutedatthekidsastearsbegantoforminhiseyes.
Howcanhenotbe
here?

Themanletoutalongdrycough.Tearsbegantodripdownhisfaceashefelltohisknees.He
begantobeatthegroundwithraw,burnthands.

I'msosorry,heyelledthroughcoughingfitsandsobs.Thetwoyoungkidstappedhimlightly
ontheback.Theysoundedliketheywereurginghimtogetupbuthedrownedouttheworld
andeverysoundinitthroughsobs.

46

Themanwasn'tsurewhyhewascryinganymore.Hekillsdeerallthetime.Thisjustfelt
different.Thatdeerdiedforhim.Thatdeerrushedthroughaforestfireforhim.

Themanlookeduponelasttimeatthefieryruinandspottedtwobeadyblackeyesstaring
backathim.Heshovedhimselfoffthegroundandwipedhisfacewithhisdeadhands.

Hestaredoutandthemagnificentcreature.Thankyou,hewhispered.

Thedeercontinuedtostare.Themancouldswearhesawthedeerwinkbeforeturningaround
andleapingawaytoaruinedhome.

47

Fall by Sarah Rodriguez

Fall
A beautiful time of the year
The perfect colors
The perfect weather
The rain
The water
The wind
Everything is perfect
Fall
Falling leaves
Falling colors
Fresh starts
New beginnings
Cleaner streets
Cleaner trees
Cleaner souls
Happier people
Fall
Shorter days
Longer nights
Louder music
Brighter lights
Fall

48

JustBeYoubyDeeshaDas

DING!Thetoastpoppedoutofthetoaster.AndrewandAceeachgrabbedasliceand
gotintothecartogotoschool.
Doyouevergetfrustratedthatpeoplekeepmixingusup?askedAndrew.
Sometimes,butwedolookalike.Soitreallyisnttheirfault,repliedAce.
Outofallthejuniors,Acewasthepopularone,andAndrewwasthenerd.Andrew
wishedthathecouldbelikeAceallthetime.Everyonelovedhim.Acewasreallynice,andall
thegirlsinCentralHighwerenutsforhim.AceandAndrewwerebrothers,andtheytrusted
eachotherALOT.Noonedaredtoeventrytobreakthemup.
WhentheygottoCentralHigh,Aceimmediatelyslippedawayintothecrowdofthe
popularpeople.Andrew,ontheotherhand,foundhisbestfriendDerek.
Astheywalkedtoclass,Derekasked,DidyouhearaboutTHEparty!?!Derekalways
hadtheinfo.IfyouwantedtoknowsomethinghappeningaroundCentralHigh,hewasthe
persontogoto.
No,Andrewsaid.
Well,allthepopularpeoplearethrowingapoolparty!Iwouldgo,butitsinvitation
only,Dereksaidsadly.
ItsOK.Wedontevenfitinwiththepopularcrowd,repliedAndrew.
RIIIIIIIIIIING!rangthebell.
Well,Illseeyouafterschool,saidDerek.Then,theywenttheirseparateways.After
school,DerekandAndrewmetupandtalkedabouthowtheycouldgototheparty.
Wehavetogototheparty!Wehavetofindinvitationsandgo!saidDerekexcitedly.
Itoldyoutheresnowaytogetintotheparty,saidAndrew.Inhishead,hewas
thinkingthatDerekwasrightandthatheshouldfindawaytogo,sothatdidit.
Youknowwhat,proclaimedAndrew.Youreright!
NowthatswhatImtalkingabout,saidDerek.
Theywenttotheirhouses,andeachofthemthoughtofideas.Andrewpacedbackand
forth,backandforth,backandforth.Then,hethoughtofareallygoodidea.HecalledDerek.
Hey!IjustthoughtofthebestideaintheWORLD!!!yelledAndrew.
Well,spillit!saidDerek.
Letstrytofitinwiththepopulargroup!saidAndrew.
Thatsagreatideaexcepthowexactlyarewegonnapullthatoff?questioned
Derek.Andrewpacedaroundtheroomalittlemore.
Howaboutthis.LetmegoaskAce.saidAndrew.

49

Greatidea.Callmewhenyouknowwhattodo.saidDerek.Andrewendedthecalland
rushedofftogofindAce.Helookedineveryroomandeverycornerandfinallyfoundhim
sittingonthecouchwatchingafootballgame

onTV.Andrewwalkeduptohim.
Ihaveaquestion.
Shoot,saidAce.
Howareyoupopular?
LetmethinkforaminuteHmmmWell,youcanbenicetoeveryoneanddress
cool,oryoucanbesnobbyandmeananddresscool.Yourchoice,repliedAce.
Illprobablystickwiththewholenicething.Itmightbebetterthatway.CanIborrow
someofyourclothes?askedAndrew.
Sure.Anythingformybro,saidAce.AndrewwalkedtohisroomandcalledDerek.
Canyouspendthenighttonight?
Probably.Holdon.Letmeask,saidDerek.AndrewcouldhearoverthephoneDerek
yellingtohisparentsifhecouldcome.
Hello?OK.Yeah,Icouldcomeovertonight,saidDerek.
Sweet,repliedAndrew.
Betherein20?askedDerek.
Seeyouthen,saidAndrew.
Inthemeantime,Andrewdecidedthatheneededtofigureoutwhatclotheswouldlook
coolonDerekandhim.HetookadiveintoAcescloset.HefoundanUnderArmorhoodie,two
plaidbuttondowns(oneredandonenavyblue),apairofkhakis,andapairofjeans.Andrew
heardthedoorbellring.Hesprinteddownthestairsandopenedthedoor.
Justintime,hesaidbreathlessly.
Whyareyoupanting?askedDerek.
WellIwaslookingthroughAcesclosetandborrowedacoupleofhisclotheswithhis
permissionobviously.Nowifyoulljustcomewithme,thenIwillshowwhatyouhavetotry
on.
Astheywalkedupthestairs,Derekasked,Theclotheswontbesomethingthatwill
makemelookridiculous,right?
Yes,theywillmakeyoulookridiculous,repliedAndrewsarcastically.Imkidding!
Imnotthatbadatchoosingclothesyouknow,Hestartedlaughing.
Justwantedtomakesure.
Youaresogullible!Derekrolledhiseyes.
Theylaughed,triedontheclothes,andwenttobed.Whenevertheygottoschoolthenext
day,insteadofAceandAndrewandDerekgoingtheirseparateways,AndrewandDerek
followedAce.
Areyousureyouwanttodothis?askedDerek.

50

Yeah.Wevealreadybeenthroughsomuchtoactuallydothis.saidAndrew.
Youreright.Let'sdothis.
Theywalkeddownthehallwiththepopularpeopleandtriedtofitin,butinsteadtheygot
foodthrownonthem.Acetriedtostopit.Heranupinfrontofbothofthem,butAndrewand
Derekstillwouldntstop.AndrewandDerekrantotheirhouses.
WhenAcecamehomefromfootballpractice,heyelled,Andrew!Nothing.
ANDREEEEWWWWW!
What?Andrewyelledback.
Look,forgetaboutwhateverhappenedatschooltoday.Andrewstompedoutofhis
roomtoAce.
How?Youtellme.Howareyouevenfriendswiththem?Huh?Ithoughtthepopular
peopleatCentralHighwerentmaliciouslikeotherhighschools!Ithoughttheywerenice
peoplebecauseyouwerefriendswiththem!yelledAndrew.
Hey,Ihadnoideaeither!WhenIwasaround,theyWEREnicepeople!Acescrunched
hiseyesandputhisfingersonthebridgeofhisnose.
Look,allIwantedtodowastotrytobepopularandgetintothepartythateveryonehas
beentalkingabout,saidAndrew.
Whydidntyoutellmethisearlier?Icouldhavegottenyouinthepartywithme.
ButIdontwanttogobecausetheylikeyou.Iwanttogobecausetheylikeme.
Youknowwhat?Dowhatyouwanttodo.Youaredifferentnow.Yourenotthesame
Andrewthatsmytwinormybestfriendinthewholewideworld.
Whatareyoutalkingabout?OfcourseIam.
ThatsnotwhatImeant,repliedAceandwalkedawaysadly.
Andrewwentbacktohisroom.Hetriedtothinkofanotheridea.Hepacedbackand
forth,backandforth,backandforthacrosstheroom.DING!Alightbulbcameoverhishead.
AndrewthoughtaboutAceforaminute.HedecidedthattomorrowheshouldactlikeAce.Walk
likehedid,talklikehedid,andjustdowhathedid.
AndrewmetupwithDerekthenextdayatschool.Hey!saidDerekandthenhesawthe
lookonAndrewsface.HeseemedalittledazedWhatswrong?
Nothing,saidAndrew.AceandIhadafightaboutyesterday.Dontworryaboutit.
Andrewstartedwalking,andDerekstartedwalkingwithhim.Anyways,Ivegotanothergreat
idea.Throughouttheday,IllpretendtoactlikeAce.
Areyousureaboutthis?Imean,likedoyouknowwhattodo?
Yeah.Ithoughtaboutitlastnight,andIthinkIvegotitcovered.WalklikeAce.
AndrewshowedDerekhow.Heputhishandsinhispocketandwalkedforwardleaningalittle
bitsidetoside.Talklikehedoes,saidAndrew,copyingAcesvoice.JustdowhatAce
woulddo.

51

Well,thatseemsprettygood,saidDerek.
Youthink?saidAndrew.
Yeah.Maybethistimeourideawillactuallywork.
Wellseeaboutthat,saidAndrew.HedidthebestimpersonationofAceswalkand
walkedovertothepopularkidswherecoincidentallyAcewas.
Whatupbro?saidAndrew.
Uhhey?Acesaidwithaquestionedlookonhisface.Whatsup?
Notinmuch.Whatboutyou?Alltheotherkidsstartedlaughing,buttheyweretrying
toholditin.Andrewknewthattheotherkidswerelaughingathimbuthetriednottoshowthat
henoticed.
Nothingmucheither.Whyareyoutalkinglikethat?Aceshandwasoverhismouth
becausehewastryingtoholdthelaughterin.Andthenallofasudden,everyoneburstout
laughing.
Andrewsfaceturnedasredasatomato.Herantotheboysbathroomandstayedin
thereuntilschoolwasover.WhenAndrewgotoutofthebathroom,hewasasangryand
frustratedasswattingafly.AndrewwaslookingthroughthecrowdandfoundDerekwalkingon
thesidewalk.Theywerebothgoingtotheparkclosetotheirhouse.
HeDereksawhowmadAndrewwas.Whathappened?
Nothing.Nothinghappened.Why?snappedAndrew,frustrated.
Wellfirstofall,youlooklikeyouregoingtokillsomeone,andsecondofal
Seriously,Derek!IknowthatIlooklikethat!Cantyoubeagoodfriendforjustone
minute!?!Andrewyelledrudely.Derekhadareallyhurtexpressiononhisface.Finally,
Andrewcametohissenses.Ohmygosh.IamREALLYsorry.Ihonestlydidntmeanthat.I
wasalreadysettogooffanywaybecauseofAce.Ijustletitalloutonyou.Imreally,really
sorry!
ItsOK.Seriously.Icouldtellfromthelookonyourfacethatsomeonepissedyouoff,
saidDerek.
Yeah.Itsjustmybrother!UGHHHH!Ijustcantbelievehewoulddothattome.
OK.Tellmeallaboutit.Andrewdescribedthewholeembarrassingsceneinfulldetail.
Youknowwhat?Andrewyelled.Bythattimetheyhadgottentothepark.Ithought
wehadawholetrustthinggoingonbetweenmeandAce,butnowImnotsosure.
Youreright.Ivegotagreatideaforustogetintotheparty,Dereksaid
mischievously.YoushouldbeAce.
What?
YouandAcearetwins.Twinslookalike.JustbeAce.YouseewhereImgoing?
Yeah.
So?Areyouin?Andrewputhishandonhischinandthoughtaboutit.

52

Yeah.Imin.Letsdothis.TheywenttoAndrewshouseandrummagedthrough
Acesclosetwhilehewasstillatfootballpractice.
AceliterallyhaseverythingofAmericanEagle,Andrewsaidwhilehewaslooking
throughthingsinthecloset.
Nojoke.Howobsessedishewithit?askedDerek.
Verymuch.Hey,wecouldbothweartheseflannelplaidshirts.Onesredandblackand
onesblackandwhite.
Illtaketheblackandwhite.Youcantaketheredandblacksincethatsprobablywhat
Acewouldwear.Iprobablyshouldheadhomenow.Derekwentouttheroomandtowardsthe
frontdoor.
Makesureyouwearjeansanddonttucktheshirtin,yelledAndrew.
Bye!yelledDerek.
Tomorrowsabigday.Andrewsaidtohimself.Goodlucktome.
Afteragoodnightssleep,AndrewandDerekmetupatthepark.Andrewwaswearing
theredandblackflannelplaidshirtnottuckedintohisjeans.DerekdidexactlywhatAndrew
hadsaidtodo.
Youreadyforthis?askedAndrewnervously.Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis.
Well,ImnottheonepretendingtobeAce,remember?Dontworry.Everythingwillbe
allright,saidDerekwithasmile.
Thanks,repliedAcesarcastically,rollinghiseyeswithagrin.Canwegonow?
Yeah.Wedontwanttobelate.
Theyrantothepartyandcouldheartheloudmusicaboutablockaway.Andrewrangthe
doorbell.TheydidntneedainvitationbecauseAcewasAce.
Abouttwohourslater,Andrewsaid,ThisisgoingbetterthanIthoughtitwould!
Dereksmiledandsaid,WhatdidIsay!
Ineedsomeair.Youwannacome?
Sure.Icouldusesomeairtoo.TheybothwalkedoutsideandAndrewturnedandsaw
Acesface.
Ohhey.whasaidAndrewandthen
SMACK
!AcepunchedAndrewintheface.
Howcouldyoudothattome!?!yelledAce.
Youstartedit!Whydidyoustartlaughingthatdayatschool?Andrewyelledback.He
shovedAcebackandpunchedhimintheface.
Andrew,whatisyourproblem!?!HeheldAndrewinachokehold.Ithoughtyou
wereplayingaprankonus,butIguessnot.IdidntrealizethatIhurtyou.Acesteppedaway.
Wellguesswhat.Youdid.saidAndrewwhilerubbinghisneck.ItsjustthatIhave
alwaysenviedyou.
What?Why?

53

Youvealwaysbeensosolikedbyeveryone,andImjustknownasAcesdorky
brother.
AcewalkedoverclosertoAndrew.
Sincewhendoyoucareaboutwhatotherpeoplethinkofyou?Andrewlookedaway.
Idontknow.ButImtrulyreallyverysorryaboutbeingyou.Idontknowwhatcame
overme.Themostimportantpolicythattwinshaveisnotbeingeachotherwithoutpermission.
Thatisright.AcegaveAndrewabigbrotherlyhug.Youwannaheadbackinside
now?
Derek,Andrew,andAceheadbackinsideandstarteddancingtogether.Whiletheywere
dancing,Andrewrealizedoneveryimportantthing.JUSTBEYOU.

54

Rosamonde's Da Capo by Abigail Espinoza

Rosamondesnimblefingersdancedacrossthekeys.
Timestoodstillwhileshetherapeuticallyspokethroughthebeautifulinstrument.
Shelostherselfinthesoft,yetdistinctmelodies.
Shedrownedinthesweetsingingofthecontrastingivoryandinkycolorsofthepiano.

Herpianoteacherhadlongsinceleft.
Andherpeers,
(mostofthemforcedintothelessonsbytheirmothers)
didntevennoticethatshewasstillthereastheytooktheirleave.
Theyneverseemedtonoticeheratall.
Butshewascontentwiththesilence.
Itwasthelonelinessshealmostcouldntbear.

SoRosamondepassionatelybrokethetauntingsilencewithherlovelychords
untiltheoppressingdarknessofnightbegantotakeoverthesky.
Shethrewherschoolbagoverhershoulderandbeganhershortwalkhome.
Rosamondealwaysfollowedthesameroutine
dayafterdayafterweekaftermonth

Thenitchanged.

Thestreetsofhersmalltownwereemptyandeerilyquiet,
Theonlynoiseshecouldhearbesidetheblowingoftheuncaringfallwind,
wasmarchingoffinthedistance.

55

Whetherthecrowdofpeoplewerecomingtoorfromhervillage,shecouldnottell.
Butthesynchronizedviolenceofthestepsmadeherhopetheywereheadingaway.

Herheartwaspoundingintoherears,
weteyesblurringherusuallyperfectvision,
asshesprintedhome.

Thedoorofherhomewascompletelyopen,somethingherparentshaveneverdone.
Rosamondetriedtoswallowthegiantlumpinherthroat,
asshecarefullywalkedinside.

Therewasnobloodorbrokenitemslikeshethoughttherewouldbe.
Onlysmallsignsofunusualness.
Cabinetsleftopen,
curtainspulledshut,
watersplatteredacrossthecarpet.
Shesprintedintoherparentsroom.
Asmall,stranglednoiseescapedherthroat.
Theroomwasempty.
Shemadeherwaytoherroom,
decidingtohidethereuntillifemadesenseagain.
Maybethiswasjustonemessednightmare.
Maybehertownwasplayingaprankonher.
Sheusedthesehopefulthoughtsasasafetyblanket.

56

But,whensheenteredherroom,shesawherparentssittingonherbed.
Asuitcaserestednexttothem.
Rosamonderanintotheirarms,askingthemwhatwashappening.
Therewasamournfullookinherparentseyesastheyhurriedlyexplained.
Enemysoldiersweremakingtheirwaytothetown.
Thechildrenhadverylittletimetoescapebeforetheinvasion.
Theyhandedherasuitcasefilledwithonlynecessities.
Rosamondehadsomanyquestions.
Isntwaronlyonthebattleground?
Whatwouldtheygainfromhurtinganinnocentfamily?
Whycouldnttheycomewithher?
Insteadsheembracedthem,sobbing.

Thesoldiersweregettingcloser.

Shegavethemherhomemadebracelets,
thegiftsshewassavingfortheirbirthdays.
Shegothermomsearrings
andherdadsnecklace.

Thesoldiersweregettingcloser.

Theypromisedtoreturnthejewelrywhentheysaweachotheragain.
Rosamondespromiserangwithtruth,
whilethepromiseechoedemptilyfromherparentslips.

57

Rosamondewasashelteredsixteenyearold,
toooptimistictoknowtheseverityofthesituation.
Theyhuggedonelasttime.

Thesoldierswerethere.

Rosamondeclimbedthroughthewindow.
Shegotonelastlookatherparentsastheyhidunderherbed.
Assheranshecouldnthelpbutweep.
Whydidherlastlookatherparentshavetobewithalookofpurehorrortaintingtheir
kindfaces?

Afterwhatseemedlikehours,
Rosamondearrivedatthetrainstationalongwitheveryotherteenandkidinhertown,
andthesurroundingones.
Theywereallloadedontothetrain,
criesofsmallchildrenfilledamajorityofthenoise.
Alongwiththesoftsnifflesofteenstoooldtocryfillingtherest.
But,itwasntuntilthetownfadedoutofsightthattheyallbegantothink,
Whatnow?

Theyoungerkidswouldhavenochoicebuttogotoanorphanage.
Theolderkidswouldhavetowork.
Assoonasthetrainmadeittothenextcountryover,
(notasfarasyoudimagine,butfarenough)

58

itwaseverypersonforthemselves.

Rosamondehadtothink.
Whatwasshegoodat?
Whatcouldshemakealivingoutof?
Theonlyskillshehadwasplayingthepiano.
Butshedidntbringapiano,
itwasntlikeshecouldplayitinthestreetsanyhow.
Itwastoobig.

Wherewasaplacethatneededapianistandwasntclassyorrich.
Aplacewheresomeonewouldhirepeoplelikeher.
Suddenly,ithither,
bars,diners,andcomedyclubs
Finally,beinganintrovertednerdhaspayedoff!

So,Rosamondespentherdaysincheapmotelsusingthesmallamountofmoneyin
hernecessitybagfor,wellNecessities.
Aswellashernightsatmultipledifferentgigs.
Apparently,puttingprodigyinfrontofhernamemadehermoreinteresting.
Unlikeinschool,whereitmadeheratarget.
And,secretly,maybeevenunknowingly,Rosamondebegantopreferhernewlifemuch
more.

Aslongasshedidntthinktoomuchintothatwhole

59

warincident,lifewasalmostfun.
Aslongasthe(albeitdrunk)crowdcheeredheron,
shecouldalmostforgetthesweetsmellofhermothersperfume.
Aslongasshespentherdaysplayingthepiano,
shecouldalmostforgetthelovingsmileherdadalwayswore.
Aslongasshekeptpretendinglifewasgood,
shecouldalmostforget.

Almost.

Butthen,monthslater,amancameburstingthroughthebarsdoors.
Rosamondecouldnthelpbutwonderwhatsoimportantthatshehadtostopmidsong.

Thesoldiersweregettingcloser.

But,thiscountryhasnowarwithanyone,whywouldthebother?
Amanwiththesamethoughtsaidthisaloud.
ToomanyrefugeesofRosamondescountrywerehere.
Theywantedfinishwhattheybegan.
Theywantedtofinishoffhersmall,beautifulcountry.

Peoplescatteredtotheexits,
exceptforRosamonde,whostayed.

Thesoldiersweregettingcloser.

60

Rosamondesnimblefingersdancedacrossthekeys.

Shewastryingtostaycalm,tonotcry.
But
Thesoldiersweregettingcloser.

Timestoodstillwhileshetherapeuticallyspokethroughthebeautifulinstrument.

Andwhatwasshesaying?
Shewassaying
OhpleaseGod,fortheloveofallthatisgood,dontletmedie!
So,yeah,Rosamondewastryingtostaycalm.
Tryingtofindsometypeofpeaceinherfinalmoments.
Shewastiredofrunning.
Shewassickofhiding.
She
wanted
tobestrong,but..!

Thesoldiersweregettingcloser.

Shegrabbedherfathersnecklacethathungproudlyfromherneck
andshepusheditagainstherheart.
Shesoftlystrokedtheearringthatbeautifullydecoratedherface,
memorizingthetexture.

61

Herparentswereafraidtoo.
Buttheywerealsobrave.
Theyknewwhatwouldhappentothem,andtheywerefrightened.
Buttheychosetostayanyway.
Rosamonddecidedshewillstaytoo.
Shewillbebrave,likeherparents.

Thesoldierswerethere.

Shelostherself
intheloud,yetprecisebangoftheguns.
Shedrowned
inthethick,copperytasteofthecontrastingcrimsonbloodontheblack
andwhitepiano.

Herparentshadlongsinceleft.
Andherpeople,
(mostofthemmurderedbythesoldiers)
didntevennoticethatshewasstillaliveastheytooktheirleave.
Theynevernoticedheratall.
But,shewascontentdyinginsilence.
Itstheloneliness,
Rosamondethought,
hereyesdroopingwitheverydropofbloodthatlefther.
ItsthelonelinessthatIalmostcantbear.

62

TheFirewallPrisonbyAlexDavis

J.S.Fortnightsatonabarstool,hiselbowsproppeduponthegranitetable.Hewas
only14butorderedanddrankamargaritawithoutissue.Therewasnosuchthingasa
legaldrinkingageorlegalanythingforthatmatter.Thiswasprison,afterall.
J.lookedup,hiseyestracingthecircularframeworkoftheroofofthebar.Acrossthe
longfieldofconcretebakinginthesun,therewasalargewhitebuildingwithsmall
windowsfacinghim.Thatwaswhereeveryonelived.J.S.turnedhisattentiontothe
soccergameontheconcretespanningninetypercentoftheprison.Justasoneofthe
playersmadeagoal,J.'sviewwasblockedbyablacksilhouette.
J.tensed,slidingahandovertothenapkinnexttohisdrinkandpullingitunderthe
table."I'mtryingtoseethegame."hewhispered,clenchinghisjaw.Hequicklyscribbled
awordonthepaperwhichimmediatelymorphedintoashiningblackknife.Oneofthe
perksofbeingavirusthatsendsmaliciousemailsishecouldmakeweaponsoutof
printedwords.
"What'dyousay?Andwhyyoudrinkin'thatfrillydrink?"thelargesilhouetteasked.
"I'mtryingtoseethegame."herepeatedthroughgrittedteeth,tighteninghisgripon
theknife.

63

ThefiguresteppedcloserandJ.S.Fortnightsawhimclearly.Spiral,wavelikedesigns
rippledthroughhisshort,darkhair.Hisblackeyesglaredangrilyattheteenagerashis
musclesleanedintothetable.
"Name'sTroy,"hesaidinadeepvoice."andIain'tlookin'fortrouble."
J.S.returnedtheglare."Oh,sure!SincewhenisaTrojanHorsenotlookingfor
trouble?"
"Comeon,man.That'sjuststereotyping!"Troycountered.Acheerroseuparoundthe
two.
"Youmadememissthatshot!Youmadememisshalfthegame!"J.S.Fortnight
complained.
Heshotup,andwithadarkflashoftheblade,triedtostabTroy.TheTrojancaughtthe
knife,cuttinghishandintheprocess.
"Woahdude!Chill!"hepaused,staringattheknifeandthebloodrunningthroughhis
fingers."Look,"Troysaidfinally."I'llbuyyouadrink,arealone,andgetouttayourway.
Wewecanwatchthegametogether.Onlyifyouwantto,ofcourse."Troyadded
quickly,eyeingtheknifeagain.
Takenabackbytheoffer,J.S.considereditforafewseconds."Fine."hesaidatlast.
"sorryIstabbedyou."
"Triedto."Troycorrected.Hecalledthebartenderoverandtheydranktofriendshipand
soccer.