 
Home: 2017

Group Two

## Heaton Extension Writers Anthology

Edited by Beaulah Pragg and Fran Atkinson
Smashwords Edition (2018)

Copyright © respective authors (Aliana Miller, Leah White, Iris Mason, Hadley Van Rij, Ashleigh Fleming, Emily Irvine, Issy Hinton-Russell, Emily Howden, Gabby Eastgate, Isobel Kenny, Lucy Bates, Natalie Hetherington, Jake Goddard) 2017

Cover image from pxhere (https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1382917), used under Creative Commons License CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/).

Thank you for downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to your favorite ebook retailer to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

www.beaulahpragg.com
Table of Contents

The Finding - Aliana Miller

Through the Trapdoor - Ashleigh Fleming

Everyone Has A Hero \- Leah White

Dali and the Drought - Iris Mason

Deceived - Hadley van Rij

The School That Couldn't Afford A Ball - Emily Irvine

[in between] - Issy Hinton-Russell

Inevitable - Emily Howden

Jenna - Gabby Eastgate

Flight To Freedom - Isobel Kenny

Cia - Lucy Bates

Amala - Natalie Hetherington

Zac - Jake Goddard

About the Editors

Other Titles

#  The Finding

## by Aliana Miller

The sun shines through the kitchen window. I look out at the tree tops and silently thank my parents for building our treehouse away from the SG Headquarters, where most of the other SG's chose to build their homes. The kitchen door bangs open as my brother John enters, puffing from racing up the many stairs to our treehouse. Bending over to catch his breath, he slams something onto the dining table.

"This... is... for you... from... SG... headquarters," he puffs. My eyes widen and literally as quick as lightning, I rip open the letter. Fizzing from using my SG powers, I skim the page.

Star GARM (Genetically Altered Recessive Malignant) Melody Sharp.

You are required for a scouting mission on Earth. Please report to Star GARM Headquarters for briefing in two weeks. Please send a letter on your current Star Powers to Headquarters before you arrive.

Thank you.

I skim the letter again, until it's abruptly ripped out of my hands.

"Hey!" I yell at John, but back away anticipating John's meltdown. I watch his eyes take in each letter. I chew my lip nervously.

"What?!" John explodes. "I will not let them take my baby sister to Earth of all the places. I can't believe—"

"John," I say interrupting his rant. "Calm down. You know, deep down that I'll be alright. They wouldn't send me if they didn't think I'm ready. You can't stop me, so just side with me." I plead. He frowns but nods his head once, short and sharp.

Two weeks later, I find myself, along with three boys younger than me, in Captain Barry's office. Looking around, I notice how dusty his office is, I guess since he's stationed on Earth. Barry's voice rings through the room and I snap my attention back to him.

"You four have been chosen to recruit SG's from Earth and bring them to Eirini." Captain Barry bellows.

"There are Four stages to your mission. Stage one: Observe from a distance, watch for people to accidentally reveal themselves. Stage two: Become part of their lives, get close to them. Stage three: Tell them of Eirini, how safe it is." Captain Barry stops, and says something to me that I nod to. I breath deeply. I try to ignore that he won't trust me with dirty work, don't let the young female do it. Rude, and typical.

* * *

I jerk awake from my dream of the green jungle that is Eirini, to see the grimy, cramped, alleyway in England that I've claimed as my territory, where I hide at the end of a day. The horrible dream, the dread of not fitting in, not having a home. I snap my attention back to my mission, of which I'm currently on Stage Two, about to go onto Stage Three. This is my fifth person I am tracking. This is impressive, most get caught by the government spies—the Black Cobra—who work out what they are and have to split. I'm currently tracking Cameron, who has Mind Read, same as my brother, which is why Cameron hasn't recognised me for what I am. At eighteen he is two years older than me. He has a girlfriend Harpy, eighteen, and a brother Michael, sixteen.

Cameron attends Hill Dew College where training to defend Earth is a high priority. I don't know why they think we want filthy Earth when we have Eirini, but they do. Hacking the school wasn't easy, but I made it so that my true identity hidden and I would get more chance to get to know Cameron. It's been surprisingly easy since he's so friendly.

I stand, stretch out my arms, and start walking out of the alley way. Today, I'm gonna tell Cameron of Eirini. He invited me to play virus at Cobra Valley with his girlfriend and brother, and that's when I'm telling him. Exiting my alley and striding across the road to Eddie's Clothing Shop, I go back to when he'd invited me to the Valley. They must've known that they train to kill SG's there, but only Cameron looked at all worried about it. The jingle of shop bells drop me back to present day. I smile at Barry who is at the desk, posing as a salesman.

"I'm gonna need some clothes for Cobra Valley. I love your three rings." I casually comment, the three rings being the code that I'm up to Stage Three."

"Thanks," he nods in reply. "I've got what you need."

I strut out of the shop with my new clothes and check my watch.

"Shoot, I'm going to be so late!" I yelp, pulling my hair up into a ponytail, and sprint off to reach the Valley by 1:00, super speeding through alley ways and backstreets, being careful to avoid detection. I slow to a run as I approach the carpark at the beginning of the valley. I immediately spot Cameron and Michael's motorbikes and jog over.

"Are you guys ready?" I ask jumping up and down, a big smile taking over my face.

"Of course we are. Put your foot in for blue shoe." replies Cameron.

"What are we, five-year-olds?" I snort jokingly. Cameron shoots me a glare.

"Stop bickering. Just so you know my mum and lily are going to bring lunch at 12:00 so meet at the I look at her, a little surprised that she spoke. I hadn't heard her much, but I did know that she was very shy at school, so that's probably why she's more talkative today.

"Cool" I say. "Pegs not in!" I shout and cross my fingers as I spin around and duck down to touch the ground.

"Don't worry, I'll be in," declares Michael, saving us all the trouble.

"Bye!" I yell and sprint into the trees, not hesitating to let Michael start counting, which would leave me less time to hide.

The next hour was spent hiding in bushes and trees, ducking shots so we wouldn't get out, and hunting other people. I never realised that chasing your friends could be so much fun. The low rumble of a car alerts my attention and I skip over to the sound, glancing around in every direction, my nerves on high alert because they could hit me before I got to the safe spot. I comando roll to the car, then pop up and peer through the window. My gaze settles on Lily and I giggle at the look on the one-year-old's face. 'Yes,' I think to myself, 'I am still soft, even after all I have been through.' I reach for the door handle and hop into the passenger seat.

"How are you doing, Margaret?" I ask politely.

"Oh, I'm doing good. Would you mind helping me unpack the picnic gear?" Margaret asks.

"Of course," I reply because I had been about to offer anyway. I open up the car door and step out just as Michael jogs up to the car.

"Aww, you got here before I could," Michael pouts jokingly.

"Sorry, Michael. Where are we having the picnic again?" I question as I pull the the huge picnic basket out of the boot and drop the heavy thing into Michael's waiting arms.

"Just follow me," is his reply. I shrug and follow him. I have walked only a few metres when I see Cameron come jogging out of the trees, his girlfriend Harpy right behind him.

"Sorry we're so late guys," he says apologetically.

"It was all Cameron's fault. We had a deal that he would tell me if the car came and he didn't hear it." Harpy said in a light joking voice punching Cameron in the arm.

"Okay, calm the farm everyone," I say and everyone bursts out laughing.

"What? Is it not cool to say 'calm the farm' any more?" I say scrunching my eyebrows up in confusion, wondering why they were all laughing. They kept on laughing until we had set up the picnic and placed all the food on the blanket, which took a long time because I wouldn't let them do it in fear that they would throw it on the ground while laughing.

"Come on guys, it's not funny anymore," I say flopping to the ground. The way everyone kept laughing at what I have no idea what was getting annoying.

"Sorry Melody, it's just that this old teacher we knew used to say 'calm the farm' all the time and it just brings back memories," Cameron says.

"Really funny memories," Harpy adds. I smile to myself, knowing that Harpy was starting to warm up to me, was starting to talk more. I suddenly remember what I am here to do. It's like a light switch has been turned on in my brain. I need to convince Cameron to come with me to Eirini. I think back to my plan for convincing Cameron to come with me. 'Accidentally' show my Star Powers and have a cry, then break it to him when we're alone.

"Let's eat, everyone!" Margaret announces as she sits down with Lily on her lap.

"Yes!" Michael yells and darts forward to grab the food he wants. I follow his lead, not wanting to miss out on any of the yummy food Margaret has bought for the picnic. I am reaching for a donut when Barry's voice comes in my head via his SG ability. I freeze, then force myself to move, not wanting to look suspicious.

"Melody, the Black Cobra know where you are and what you are, repeat, the cops know where you are and what you are," he says. I drop my plate with a clatter as my hands go up to my mouth. Barry starts to say more, but I can't hear him because the boys are shouting at me. I cover my ears and curl up in a ball to try get some privacy and hear what he is saying.

"Sorry, can you say that again?" I ask in my mind.

"Get out of there. You need to continue down the valley and we will pick you up past the fence. It won't be hard to pass as a person, but the ship can't pass. The government is coming up behind you, so hurry. They are about three minutes from the valley and when they arrive it would take them about two more minutes to catch you from where you are. It will take you about two minutes to super speed here so hurry," Barry says, becoming a bit urgent.

"But I haven't told the family yet!" I exclaim in my head, wondering if I would have time to tell them.

"I'm so sorry, Melody, but for your safety, I advise that you leave the family behind. It would take too long for them to reach the ship since you can't super speed them all over here. If you do decide to bring them, it's at your own price. That's all," Barry finishes.

"Barry!" I exclaim accidentally outloud. It's then that I realise that Michael has been shaking me and that I probably look really bad rolled up in a ball talking to myself. I slowly unroll, taking in huge breaths of air. I knew from the moment that Barry warned me about the family what I was going to do, and I knew that it would have some bad consequences.

"Melody, what's wrong? Why did you roll into a ball? Is everything alright?" Michael asks so quickly that I shake my head.

"Michael, slow down. I need to concentrate if we want to get out of this alive," I state, then realise my mistake.

"Make it out alive!" Margaret yells. "What?"

"I'm sorry. I should probably explain first." I say taking in a deep breath and closing my eyes so it would be easier. "I'm guessing you all know what an SG is. I am one of them," I say then open my eyes to check noone is going to attack me. I notice that Cameron has gone pale.

"I know that Cameron is an SG, and I also know that the government will know that very soon, if they don't know it already. You see, I was sent here to collect SG families and bring them to our own planet, Eirini, which is where we take refugees. You may be wondering why I was curled up in a ball," I say when I notice Cameron is about to say something. "My command team leader's SG is to speak into others minds. He told me the government is five minutes from here. It would take us eight minutes to get to the ship, running the whole way, and it would take me two minutes if I use my SG Power which is super speed."

"Wait a second," Michael interrupts. "If you can get there in two minutes, then why are you telling us all this. Why didn't you just go and leave us behind?" he questions, a judgemental look on his face.

"I didn't want to leave you all here to face the wrath of the government," I say honestly. "I was in slavery for a few years and it is not something that I want anyone to experience. Also I would consider you all friends."

"How will we get away from the government?" Harpy asks worriedly, a quiver in her voice.

"Everyone up. Margaret, pass Lily to me for now. Time to start jogging."

We jog forward, then break into a run for what feels like years, but in reality is only four and a half minutes.

"Hey Cameron, can you tell me how close they are too us?" I ask. Cameron looks surprised that I know about his SG Power, which is the ability to read minds.

"Sure thing," he replies. His brows scrunch in concentration for a few seconds before they pop open. "They're about a minute behind us," he says, confirming my fears. I grunt.

"Great. Here, Michael, hold Lily." I run up beside Michael and hand him the kid. "You guys need to start running faster. Don't worry about me, I'll catch up. Try keep my command leader from taking off for as long as possible. If you need, leave without me." I end. Michael looks at me alarmed, and I speed away, toward the oncoming battle. 'Cameron,' I think, knowing that he would be reading my thoughts and wondering what in the world I was thinking. 'I also have a SG which helps me fight phenomenally, so don't worry about me. Just make sure no-one slows.' I think, hoping that Cameron got that and that he didn't come in late.

I hear the government army before I see them. The stamping of feet on the ground echoes around the valley and I can soon see the blue and red of their uniform. I pick up my speed even more and aim for the leading man, with a flying kick to the face, knocking the man out cold. I've always loved starting a fight with a fancy move. My knees bend as I land on the solid earth, the man's hair under my feet, and I am bombarded with swords, bullets, sticks, spears, kicks and punches. I let my instinct and skill take over; the familiarity of fighting making me feel like I'm back home, when home was on Earth. I let my mind wander so that I don't feel sorry for the people I'm hurting or possibly even killing. I haven't felt at home for years, not since when we were here on Earth. Not even at Eirini did I feel at home. A few people land a hit on me, and I decide to change tactics. I start to run around and around the troup, dizzying them and stopping them from actually moving forward. I let my mind drift, to distract me from the pain of people who manage to cut me from putting their swords out this time. At Eirini, I always felt left out. I was a girl, I was young, and I only had two SG's, which made me pretty insignificant. I didn't feel close to anyone in my family anymore, ever since we went with all the power and leadership that comes with having many Star Powers, Mum and Dad are never around, and now John is just too protective to understand anything.

"Melody," Barry's voice explodes in my head. "They are at the ship. Hurry up and super speed here," he commands. I pretend I can't hear the panic in his voice leaking through.

"Got it," I reply and change my direction. Pain blares through me, and I realise dully that I am starting to slow down. I go back to what I was thinking about and realise with a start that I had started to feel at home again. I approach the ship and I'm only a few metres away, when my speed fails me. 'No!' I think 'I can't overuse my SG powers now!' I stand and sway a little. As the world turns black, I think that at least I found a home with Cameron, Michael, Harpy, Margaret and little Lily. My head hits the ground and I black out.

### Epilogue

The noises hit me way before the rest of my body can catch up. At first they're just beeps and bops, or scratches of words, harsh sounds. Then, with a slither of strength, I focus on their words and deciphering them.

"Will she be alright?" A worried voice asks, a tremble in it. My memory is foggy, but I feel like this man's voice is important.

"She will be fine, after a while. Melody's very lucky to have a friend like you to run out and grab her. She suffered blood loss, and had drained her SG powers," a voice I don't recognise explains, and everything comes back to me, even though I hadn't realised I had forgotten anything. How I was sent on a mission and how Cameron, Michael and Harpy had become so close to me. I remember my realisation before I had blacked out and force my mouth to form the words.

"I have finally found you. A home. Friends." I can hear the exclamations after my words, but my slither of energy was used with the effort of opening my mouth and forming words, so the world grows fuzzy again and I fall asleep.

## Author Bio

Aliana Miller is thirteen years old and goes to Heaton Intermediate. She loves reading books and would love to share her own imaginative stories with the world. She wants to share her own adventures she's made up for kids her age. Her favourite books are all books that are about adventure and involve feelings like hurt, betrayal, love. When she is not reading, she is learning Spanish or surrounding herself with her friends.

# Through the Trapdoor

##  by Ashleigh Fleming

Jared shuffled into the kitchen, closely followed by Mackenzie.

"Why do they need to know? We could just say the landlord kicked us out or something," suggested Jared, hopping up on the table, grabbing the leftover rabbit and sucking out it's blood.

"How dumb do you think they are. Penny knows you're up to something, she asked me about it last night. Sooner or later they will figure it out," shouted Mackenzie. "Are we in any danger?"

"No!" stated Jared. "Well, not yet. Anyway, if we are, it will take months before they will come after us and we will be ready by then. We will just have to postpone people from coming to our haunted house."

"How do you think they found out, I mean, the authorities? Do you think 'they' sold us out. After all, they are the only ones who know."

"No, they might be competing against us, but they wouldn't do that—and I don't want you going around there accusing them, especially if you are leaving the house. No one is to leave, we are safe here and I don't want to lose you."

"Me? You don't want to lose me?" asked Mackenzie, implying that Jared liked her.

"I mean everyone here. Argh," grunted Jared before storming out of the kitchen and back into the living room.

* * *

That night flashing light and loud sirens pierced Jared's ears. He awoke with a start.

"Mackenzie, Mackenzie we need to get out of here. Now," yelled Jared as he ran to the other side of the room to pull a lever, locking down the house.

"Jared, what are you doing?"

"I had a dream..."

"Jared you are not Martin Luther King, go back to bed."

"No listen, they are coming, I saw them coming, we need to move now."

"What are you talking about? Who's coming?"

"The police, someone told them and they are coming in three hours. We need to get moving now."

"How do you know this?"

"I can see the future, but not by choice. I have ever since I can remember, but I will tell you about it later. We've got two hours and fifty nine minutes. We have to get going, NOW!" said Jared, pulling on a weird looking shirt.

"What are you wearing?" said Mackenzie, hopping out of bed and stumbling over to Jared.

"We can't look apart from the humans. There are some clothes for you over there in the cupboard, and underneath that there are some for everyone else. Hurry up and put your clothes on. You know where the bathroom is," said Jared, picking up his pants and waiting for Mackenzie to leave the room.

* * *

Mackenzie headed down the hall toward the curtains in the living room to find Penny (the ghost) asleep within them.

"Penny, Penny, PENNY."

"Shut your mouth. I am trying to sleep here," replied Penny in her very strong Scottish accent.

"No, no Penny we need to get up and move. We are in trouble and the police and swat teams are coming."

"Shoot! Are you for real? Wait, nah you're just trying to prank me?"

"No, Penny, this is for real. We need to move. Chuck these on, okay?" said Mackenzie handing her the clothes she got from Jared. Meanwhile, Jared hustled up Simon the headless horseman and Jackie the voodoo doll, the youngest member of the group. They all met down in the kitchen to sort out the 'game plan'. Jared and Simon went and secured the perimeter whilst the girls moved down into to the safe room and set up the cameras so they would be able to see the authorities and their whereabouts in the house. Jared and Simon arrived in the safe room about thirty minutes later and they locked down the room.

"So what do we do now?" asked Jackie.

"We wait," replied Jared.

* * *

The siren could be heard in the distance and then they could hear the door of a car slam. BANG, BANG, BANG. Someone was at the door.

"HELLO, THIS IS THE POLICE. CAN YOU LET US IN?" shouted an unfamiliar voice. "HELLO? Okay, come on guys. WE ARE COMING IN!"

BANG, BANG, CRACK, SMASH. The door hit the ground with a huge crash.

"WHERE ARE YOU?" Shouted the officer. "WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY HARM."

The authorities wandered around the house in search of Jared, Penny, Mackenzie, Simon, and Jackie but could not find them.

"Is there anyway of them knowing we were coming?" the officer asked.

"No, I don't think so," came the reply which sounded very familiar.

"SEE, I TOLD YOU IT WAS THE NEIGHBOURS. HA!" shouted Mackenzie.

"MACKENZIE, they could have heard us."

"Oi, they are down there. I just heard them, come on." The authorities set off down into the maze.

"Ok, umm, time for Plan B," said Jared, hovering around the screen showing the police walking through the maze. Jared rushed over to a button with a sign above it saying emergency.

"What are we going to do now Jared? They are right on top of us, literally. Sooner or later, they will figure out how to get down here!" said Mackenzie.

"Shush, they wouldn't know we were down here if it wasn't for you!" accused Jared.

"Because of me?! Are you serious, you're blaming me for all of this?"

"No, of course not. Arrgh, let's just do this," said Jared, pushing the button that flipped the wall, showing a wall of weapons, masks, and makeup.

"What's all this for?" asked Simon.

"These are our disguises," said Jared, pulling a spare head from the wall and throwing it at Simon. "Put this on."

Simon put on the head and Jared screwed it onto his neck.

"Wow, this feels weird."

"Oh no, we can't call him the headless and horseless man now," said Jackie.

"Ok, your turn now, Jackie."

"Wait, what?"

"It's your turn."

"Okay, yay. I kinda want a light curl, maybe a touch of lipstick..."

"Quiet." Jared then went and put a mask on her.

"Ew, what is that?" she said, looking in the mirror.

"That's what the humans look like at your age."

"Wow, they are so ugly," said Mackenzie.

"Who's next?"

"How about you," suggest Mackenzie.

"Well, okay then," said Jared as he dragged over a make-up kit. "Mackenzie, I need you to fix up my bite; there is some foundation in there and I will chuck on my false teeth."

"Is this it," asked Mackenzie pointing towards a circular container containing a weird looking powder.

"Yeah, that's the one," said Jared. Mackenzie applied the powder to the vampire bite he got when he was a baby.

"It's disappearing," said Mackenzie in a very surprised tone.

"That's kinda what it is meant to do," Jared said sarcastically. Everyone had gotten all prepared. They looked like humans.

"We look sooo weird," said Jackie, twirling around in the mirror on the wall. "Wait, why isn't Penny any different."

"That's cause I can turn invisible, duh," said Penny turning invisible and then reappearing on the other side of the room.

"Cool, why can't I turn invisible?" said Jackie, scrunching up her face, making her look constipated.

"You can't turn invisible because you're not a ghost, you're a voodoo doll. You are a solid being..."

"Okay, guys, let's try stay on task here or we will all turn out like Penny, except we will have a headless ghost, a clown ghost, a vampire ghost, and a voodoo doll ghost."

"That is if you come back after the dead..."

"Once again, off topic," said Jared whose patience was wearing out. "Now we need to work on the Plan B. We need to somehow escape the house, but the police are closing us down so we need to move quickly and quietly."

"If they are closing us down, how are we going to get out of here?" asked Simon.

"That's the problem, any ideas anyone?" said Jared.

"We could dig our way out?" said Jackie

"No!"

"We should stick together, because whenever the people in the movies split apart they always die."

"Ok, so the best we have got is stick together," said Penny.

"Hold on, why don't you go and distract them while we leave," said Jackie.

"Brilliant, Jackie. Penny, you can't die or be shot, so you go one way whilst we go the other," said Jared enthusiastically. "Penny, meet us out the front near the forest, but make sure you are invisible when you come over. Make sure they can't follow you."

"Okay, got it. I will go left and you guys go right."

"We will leave in roughly three minutes, which will give you time to take them as far away from us as possible."

"Bye, guys, wish me luck," said Penny, before floating through the wall and into the maze. She floated around for a bit, before spotting one of the officers. She slowly approached him before he realised, sounding an alarm and running after her. He chased her through the maze, then suddenly she disappeared.

"Wait, where did she go?" Said the officer before a huge gust of wind blew through him. He turned around only to find Penny standing there filing her nails.

"Took you long enough," she said in an impatient tone, before jumping through another wall. The officers arrive in a hurry. "Okay guys, I have found the ghost. She keeps moving through walls so we need to corner her. Also leave one person waiting around the exit, just in case the rest get out," said the sergeant.

"Got it, Sarge," everyone replied in unison before running off around the maze.

* * *

"Guys, this is our only shot left. We have to move quickly and quietly. We will go down this route, it will be the quickest," said Jared, pointing down a small walkway on the map. "It will take us directly to the forest, but we need to stick close, unless you would rather die."

They all silently grabbed what they could and left without a trace of ever being there. Jared cautiously led, along with Simon, while Mackenzie followed behind Jackie. Every now and then, they would hear the occasional shout, but nothing too close.

"Are we there yet," said Jackie for the 1278th time.

"No!" everyone replied. Jared looked silently around the corner that would lead them out of the maze but it was blocked by many officers.

"Damn, there are about twenty officers by the door. We will have to go around the back," grunted Jared, who was trying to think of another way to get out without being caught.

"Or we could take them on," said Mackenzie, who had just thrown Jackie off her shoulders.

"Now way, there is like twenty of them."

"So?"

"So we will get killed. We haven't been so far and I don't intend us to get killed now."

"Come on, they're only humans. Anyway, if they see us they will kill us, so if we see them it is only fair if we kill them," suggested Simon.

"No guys, they will kill you," said Jared.

"We will be fine," said Mackenzie as she and Simon sprinted around the corner.

"NO!" yelled Jared, running after them, but it was too late. The officers had grabbed Mackenzie and Simon, holding guns towards their heads.

"Don't move or I will shoot," said the officer.

"What does shoot mean?" asked Jackie as she walked around the corner.

"Shoot," shouted the officer holding Mackenzie, before pulling the trigger on his gun.

"NO, no, no, no, no, no, NO!" screamed Jared, shuffling over to Mackenzie's dead body, which lay lifeless on the floor.

"NO!" wailed Jackie.

"Ow," said the officer next to Mackenzie's killer. Simon had kicked the gun out of his hands and flipped the officer over his shoulder and onto the ground. Then he ran over to the group of officers behind him. Three of the officers jumped on his back before Jared and Jackie came to his rescue. Together they fought off the officers using all the anger brought up from their friend's tragic death. The twenty or so officers they just took out lay lying on the ground moaning and groaning. The remaining officer took off in a hurry, shouting into his radio, calling for backup.

"Jared, we need to go now. The reinforcements will be here soon and we will all get locked up if we don't move now," said Simon, trying to pick Jared off the ground.

"What's the point anymore? Mackenzie is gone and we will just be on the run for the rest of our lives. We should just give up now and go to prison, at least there you will all be safe. It was my fault Mackenzie died and... I just don't want the rest of you to die," said Jared before bursting into tears.

"No, Jared, we can do this. It was not your fault Mackenzie died. But if we hand ourselves in we would not go to jail. They will kill us. We are mutants and they think we are dangerous. They will kill us and wouldn't give it another thought."

"Simon's right," said Jackie. "We need to move now if we want to keep our heads, or in Simon's case bodies." There was a long silence

"Fine," said Jared, walking away with his head swaying with each step he took. They left the house only to find Penny flying mad around the yard avoiding the officers at every turn.

"RUN!" she yelled just before an officer made a run at Jared, Simon and Jackie. They headed for the woods to the left of the haunted house, closely followed by Penny.

"Penny, go right and meet us at the emergency house," said Simon.

"Okay, fine," she said, leaving the group and wandering off to the other side of the forest.

Jared and the other continued into the forest, but there were no officers on their trail as they had all followed Penny. After about twenty minutes they came to a small hole in the ground.

"Okay, so this is where we will be staying for the next few nights. After that we will have to keep moving or else the police will find us. It is going to be like this for a while, and please don't complain."

"Fine by me," said Simon, jumping down the hole. Penny showed up a couple of hours later.

"Why did it take you so long?" asked Simon.

"Umm, well I took them all the way to the costume shop in town and then disappeared. I heard them question the shop owner so they won't find us for a good couple of months." Penny sounded very pleased with herself.

"Okay, good job, Penny," said Simon.

"Thanks. Hey, where's Mac?" asked Penny.

"The stupid police killed her," said Jared, still very angry.

"Wait, what?" Penny said, before bursting into tears.

"Look, we will get through this, together," said Simon, bringing everyone in for a big group hug.

"Ok, so what are we going to do now?" said Penny, trying to change the subject but Jared could hear her voice crack. "Where are we going to live? Our home is destroyed."

"Our home isn't destroyed," said Jared.

"What do you mean? The police are going to blow it up. I heard them talking about blowing it up to make sure we don't come back," said Simon.

"Home isn't a house or a building. Home is all of us together, wherever we go together is our home."

"Yeah, okay, but we still have to stay somewhere safe."

"I know of a place in Arizona where monsters and ghosts are welcome."

"Where's Arizona?"

"It is just on the other side of California."

"So are we going to walk there or fly."

"No we will take a bus," said Penny in her usual sarcastic tone. "Wait hold on, did Mackenzie believe in an afterlife?"

"Yeah, why."

"Because if you believe there is another life after this, you get the opportunity to come back as a ghost. I just remembered from when I made my decision."

"How long did it take?" asked Jared, getting very excited. He might see Mackenzie again.

"A couple of months. I can't remember."

So they headed off to Arizona in search of a new haunted house. Mackenzie (as a ghost) showed up about five months after her tragic death and read the note they left her. She, too, left for Arizona to find Jared. Mackenzie and Jared live happily ever after, for about three years, until the police were tipped off as to where they had gone.

## Ash's Bio

Ash was born at a very young age and she is easily distract—ow, paper cut. She like to read the first three pages of a book and the last one; she doesn't see how people spend months reading them—it only takes her like five days. Ash loves deadlines, they make an amazing whooshing sound as they go by. The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources, quoted by the 983 other people who found that website along with Ash.

#  Everyone Has A Hero

## by Leah White

Beneath the ground, under the village of Nakuru, lay many crystals and gemstones just waiting to be harvested. This was soon discovered, as the leader of the land was being laid to rest. Now his legend lives on as even to this day, seventy eight years later, villagers still mine for the exquisite stones.

This happened to be Nakuru's biggest, most shiny secret, that they protected with all they could. The unforeseen wealth was masked by a hut, covering the entry and exit to the mine. Everything was normal. Nothing looked out of place. Or so they thought.

The extreme wealth brought to the village by the precious ornaments was unthinkable. The land, which they used to live off, had been discarded as a memory of the past as, instead, the leaders traded gems and crystals for their supplies of survival, filling their huts immensely.

Walking back to their family hut was the Bello family. They had just come back from exploring the new route to Nakuru's waterhole. Living in Kenya, water was scarce and extremely hard to trade for. Barely any of the neighbouring villages would want to trade the number one resource for survival, leaving Nakuru's villagers with the hard task of traipsing back and forth, balancing ceramics on their head containing gallons of valuable water. However, this did not bother the six-year-old Adisa. She loved to explore. Wandering around with her best friend Baldrick was one of her favourite things to do, as she got to explore the dried plains of Africa leading onto the luscious forestry of their nearest jungle. But right now she was heading back to the place where she loved most. Home.

As the Family traipsed back to their hut, Adisa pushed her index finger towards the mining huts. "What is that noise?" asked Adisa, very eager to find out.

"The village recently got carts to make it easier for our people to mine," replied her mother.

"Wow, they're really noisy," commented Adisa.

"Aren't they just," her mother said, blocking her ears from the awful sound.

The village of Nakuru had been finding it harder and harder to cart back the stones carefully from the underground track for some time, so finally Shacka, leader of the village, jumped the gun and decided that it was time to make things easier.

Living in a village situated in the middle of nowhere, he figured that no-one would hear the electric carts bumping around, and his village would stay forever wealthy. However, he realised he had got it extremely wrong when small children had noticed a black object moving. Running to their parents, it was confirmed by them that it was what they knew as a 'car', barrelling down their dried land. Everybody scattered left and right forming a clear path for the rapidly approaching vehicle.

Living in a village where most people had never seen the amazing technology of the outside world had meant that there was to be a shock at the first sight. Wide eyed children stared astonished, while their parents stood, holding them back to keep them out of danger's way.

The Bello family had been known for their quirky ways of parenting and embraced their little daughter's curiosity for the oncoming traffic. Abdu was gripping onto Adisa's dinky legs while she got the best seat in the house: on top of her dad's muscular back. The bird's eye view was just another add-on to the adrenaline rush that the six-year-old regularly felt.

Standing at the end of the line were the teens of the masai and the strongest men of the village, the warriors. With spears hoisted on their shoulders, the people felt safe. And with no clue what the car was doing here, the villagers anticipation rose. The jeep was just mere metres away from driving along the road marked by people when it suddenly swerved right, taking out people and huts. The screams of the injured only lasted seconds until they were silent and non responsive. Distraught families ran over to their loved ones, while the men of the village stood guard, ready to attack the opposition.

The car screeched to a halt after taking out the village's left wing of huts. Two masked men jumped out. A rifle was pointed at a group of onlooking civilians while a pistol shot up into the sky. Baffled villagers jumped back in pure shock. Adisa, being the curious child that she was, made it to the front of the mystified crowd, yet again with no questioning from her parents who could not have predicted the events to come.

"Give us the treasured jewels," came the muffled noise talking behind a cowardly mask.

"We don't have what you're looking for. You must have us confused with someone else," responded Shaka, keeping his cool.

"Give it now, we know that you mine underneath your village." The mask was beginning to peel off, revealing pure white skin with golden brown tufts of hair poking out the edges.

"I'm sorry, but we really don't have what you're looking for," replied Shacka.

"Oh, really?" came the angry voice hidden behind a grey wolf mask, instantly taking a tight hold on Adisa's dainty arms.

Blood rushed around her body as she screamed at the top of her lungs: "Ahhhhhh. Mother, Father, help!"

"Give her back now!" Her fretful parents screamed.

"Not unless you give us what we want," the blonde, masked man shouted, running towards his car.

"We know you have them," the other added, following after.

Her parents charged after the kidnapper, who was bolting to the jeep, but not fast enough. The door of the boot had been closed, with a wailing girl inside. And the two beeps that came from the jeep seemed to satisfy the villains knowing that Adisa had no chance of escaping.

Her anxious parents and the worried villagers ran to the truck. Hands pounded and smacked against the window, with no success. A few fast-thinking villagers ran to get the spare weapons, running past the enemies who were still after one of the villager's most cared for gems. Coming back as fast as they could the weapons were distrIbuted.

Spears and knifes began clashing at the window, only to panic poor Adisa even more. A few spears managed to crack the surface glass of the long-wearing jeep before the masked lowlifes started the car up. The worried villagers, who were hopelessly trying to free Adisa, interlocked their sweaty palms forming a human barrier around the car with no space for the scoundrels to drive through.

"Move," one shouted, while the other bellowed, "Out of my way!"

The villagers of Nakuru continued not to budge, until the white-masked man lowered the window and pulled out a pistol, taking a pot shot at Abdu's foot. Howling in pain, Abdu collapsed to the the ground. Blood was gushing out of the bullet hole and turning the ground into its pool. His petrified daughter would never be able to un-see the traumatic gunfire she watched while locked in the car.

Scared villagers scrammed from the car, while the masked men stomped down on the accelerator. Roaring, the wheels began to spin, travelling fast over the bare land. Warriors and Masai chased after, pumping their arms as fast as they could.

Inside the rattling car, Adisa face had turned a yellowish color as she felt queasy and fearful of her first car ride. The two men sat at the front, each yelling at each other with ideas of what to do with the little girl. Luckily for Adisa, they had begun speaking in a foreign language which she thankfully could not understand. Continuing to stamp down on the gas pedal, the jeep started slowing. Furious screams came from the men at the front, as they realised that the car was out of gas.

The Masai and warriors continued to chase after the vehicle. Feet were hammering against the ground with warriors running at the front and Masai following after. Fists continually moved never slowing for a break. The car that had been burning up gas traveling at top speed had driven out of their sight and for a while stayed that way. Not knowing that the jeep was motionless was a great surprise for the men trying to retrieve their fellow citizen. They followed on catching sight of the truck.

A queer sound was heard in the distance. A few men turned around, looking at a small creature on a mission.

"Turn around there is a goat," shouted a member of the Masai. As the men momentarily stopped, Raakel recognised him. Their family goat, Baldrick. Baldrick, however, had other ideas, cantering on, outrunning the men on a rescue mission. He was clearly worried about his best friend and was first to make it to the dark coloured jeep.

The masked men jumped out of their getaway car with a different prize than what they were looking for. One grabbed Adisa's legs while the second grabbed her arms and heaved her out. Looking around she saw just bare land, until she spotted a white fluffy creature working his way towards her. Her goat, Baldrick, whom she loved with all her heart had come to save the day.

Stride by stride he inched his way closer to the dangerous men, opening his jaw and clamping shut on the white masked man's ankle. Wincing in pain, he reached inside the jeep for the nearest object: a cricket bat.

Bam! Everything fell silent as the heroic goat fell to the ground. Adidas eyes started to water.

"Aghhhh! You better run while you still can!" The ferocious girl screamed as she looked at her best friend spread out on the ground. Her watery eyes burst into tears as she stared through her blurred vision at men running towards the crime scene.

Sprinting the last leg of the run, men of the village propped their weapons into position. "Surround them!" Shouted the head warrior. Raakel was too distracted to focus on the task. He was mortified and was running ahead to his beloved family pet, who lay motionless on the ground. Anger fired up inside of him, moving his feet faster and pumping his fists harder. These low-life scums were going to get what they deserved.

Fast approaching the jeep were the men of Masai and warriors. The masked men had no clue of what to do. They had no chance of outrunning the angry villagers, so instead just stood guard, finding their guns to defend themselves. Hearts started to beat faster as the battle was about to start. The trigger was pulled on the rifle taking out a warrior. The villagers continued running, while the injured man dropped to the ground.

Again and again the trigger was pulled, making the brave men drop like flies. However, they continued striving on with one goal: to save Adisa. Carrying on with the sprint, warriors and Masai reached the villains and released their spears. Blades pierced through the scumbag's skin, while knives slashed through two bodies, the wielders filled with hatred. Blood gushed out of the oozing wounds while poor Adisa was curled up with her heroic goat.

Raakel raced over to Adisa, ready to comfort the cheerless six-year-old. Raising her head to see who had come to her side she started to cry a little more. Raakel leaned in wanting to hug his sister, who coldly pushed him away with no willpower to live. Her wobbly legs pushed her up, she regained her balance then picked up the motionless goat. Her tired body ran. And with no care where she was going, continued to run.

After a while of running she started walking. The goat, which she loved with all her heart, had started tiring her arms. Adisa lay Baldrick's sprawled out body on the ground and picked up his two back legs, dragging him on for what felt like an eternity. The white wiry hair left a textured trail on the red ground leading south-east towards the border of lively sprouting trees.

As the tears dried on Adisa's frowning face, she felt a wiggle that moved through her upper body. No notice was taken as the poor girl was still in shock that her darling goat had been murdered. For her, life was not worth living. Continuing to wander over to the group of trees she felt another wiggle, then another one. The movements were beginning to become continually, becoming stronger and stronger. With no clue what else it could be, Adisa again laid down the goat and gave him a good prod.

Baldrick jumped to his feet, rising from the dead. Surprised tears of happiness poured from her eyes. Her cheeks widened into a grin grasping her dear friend tightly.

"I will never let you go," Adisa joyfully sang, and she turned west, starting the trek home. Baldrick gleefully bounced at Adisa's side while she giggled at her cute family goat. It seemed to only take a mere few minutes for the Adisa and Baldrick to arrive home, but or their worried family members it felt like eternity.

Walking into the first line of huts, hands surrounded them. Cheerful voices sounded out as Adisa's parents and brother ran towards them, beyond happy to see their beautiful daughter and miracle goat.

"We were so worried," exclaimed Adisa's mum.

"I know, I missed you too, but Baldrick was hit and I thought he was dead because he stopped moving. I was so distressed," replied Adisa.

"Aww, Honey, Baldrick must of hit his head hard on his fall to the ground. He looks fine now, though."

Adisa threw her arms around her mother, and was hoisted into the air, meeting the height of her mum's head. As her eyes took in her surroundings, it finally clicked. The evil crooks that had raided their village had inflicted a lot of pain on the villagers, and had left many huts destroyed.

The bodies of the dead had recently been buried, taking out a large chunk of the recreational land. The different shade of soil really highlighted the place that the village had just suffered a tremendous loss. Families and friends were surrounding their loved ones, mourning the deaths. A few figures layed sprawled over the shaded soil trying to get closer to their loved ones, while others worked through their pain by beginning to repair the broken village.

Clay was being carted to and fro, while villagers moulded the huts back into shape. Vegetation covered the leaky holes in roofs and took the worker's minds off the tragic events that had recently occurred. Adisa felt deep sadness for the loved ones that the village had lost, while feeling immensely happy that her hero could now stand at her feet.

## Author Bio

Leah White is a thirteen-year-old true dabbler born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. She enjoys passionately expressing feelings through her meaningful stories and when she is not writing she can be found tending to her beloved horse.

# Dali and the Drought

##  by Iris Mason

"Maisie, come here," someone yelled over the sound of my parents and their friends chatting.

"I'm coming," I replied, as I ran over to see Dali, my best friend playing with a flat soccer ball. We have been friends for ages, and we would play together most days. We played with anything we could find, but our favourite thing to do was go on adventures together.

"I have to go home now, my mum is calling me," Dali announced.

"Oh, I guess I will see you tomorrow." My shoulders dropped.

I turned around and headed inside. My mum was sitting there with a sour look on her face. She doesn't like me playing with Dali. Mum wants me to play with my brother or school friends. But Dali is my best friend, we have been friends since we were only three. Our dads both worked in political roles. Her family used to be very rich, but her father got cut from the political world and couldn't pay off their house or car anymore. Her family then started to really struggle. They were struggling so much now that they couldn't even source food and clean water.

It came to my mind one day, when the severe drought was in full swing, that Dali couldn't cope any longer in this severe heat. Every day she was getting skinnier and some days she was so hungry and hot that she couldn't even play with me. I knew that I had to do something, or Dali and her family was going to really suffer. The only problem was that to help I had to get past my mum. She didn't want me to help Dali at all and she didn't think that they deserved the help that they might get.

The next day was the hottest day since January. Everyone was inside with their air conditioners going, except for Dali. She was slumped down on the dusty floor of her small hut struggling to find any way to escape the heat. I went back inside and asked my mother if I could go and play with Dali.

"Fine. Only because it makes you happy," she reluctantly told me.

I headed out the gate and over the road to find Dali.

"Dali, come here. I need to tell you something," I shouted to make sure she heard me.

"I'm coming," she replied.

"I know that you need help. You need a good shelter, so I'm going to help you build one. I have been doing a lot of design work and I can design a great shelter. With my help and the help of your family we should be able to do it," I told Dali.

"Really?" A smile on her face appeared as she ran over to tell her family.

"Dali, I've got to go to source some materials," I yelled over the racket of people talking.

"Oh, I guess I will see you tomorrow," Dali's shoulders dropped.

While walking home I was thinking about how I will actually be able to buy the materials, considering my mum won't help. My brother won't help, however my step-dad might.

"Dad, come here. I need to ask you something," I said in the hope that he would come.

"Alright, I'm coming," he replied.

"I was thinking I really need to help Dali build a shelter. To do this, I need materials, but I can't buy them so I was wondering, can you?" I asked, hoping he would say yes.

"Your mother doesn't want you doing this, does she?" he replied.

"No, she doesn't. We can keep between us to though."

"Fine, I will help. But don't get me in trouble for what you're doing," he told me.

"Thanks Dad. I promise, I won't get you in trouble on the condition that you don't tell Mum anything. If she asks what I was talking to you about, say that I was asking you to buy me a pack of popsicle sticks for a school project," I ask as I walk back towards the house.

"OK, on that condition," he agreed.

"What was she talking to you about?" Mum asked Dad.

"Oh, just a school project," Dad convincingly lied.

Later on that day I was in my room, drawing sketches of what I could build, when Dad came in.

"Do you want to get the materials now?" Dad said, and he walked back down the stairs.

"Sure, I´m coming," I yell out to make sure that he can hear me over the noise of Mum chopping veggies for dinner.

A while later, after we got all of the supplies, we came across another problem. Where are we going to store all of these without Mum seeing?

"We can store them in the garage, the attic, under my bed or in Dad's car. I reckon we should store them in the attic because Mum never goes up there at all and I can get them without her seeing,'' I mentioned, hoping that Dad would agree.

"Sure," Dad confirmed.

The next day was a little cooler, but it was still extremely hot. The sun was beating down and all the ponds and lakes were still dry. Around ten AM, I told Mum I was going outside to play, even though I was really gathering my supplies and heading over to Dali´s. Once again, Dali and her family were sitting in the small patch of shade under their small hut.

"I´m here to help. I brought all the supplies and I have a plan. We can use this space to make a small hut with a roof and walls," I said while I began to put down my wood.

"Wait don't start yet, you need to get permit from the government to be able to build this here. They own this land and whatever they say goes. A young family found this out last year when they got a hut built and then the government came over and the next day it was gone." Dali's mother, Anesu, told me.

"Oh," my shoulders dropped. "I guess I have a lot of work to do today."

At home, I talked to Dad about how you can get permit for your building. He said he would work on it, but it should only take a few days.

A few days later, Dad came home after work with another person. Someone from the government.

"He is here to check that your plan is correct and that your building materials are up to code," Dad said as he walked over to show the man around.

"I will go get the plan now," I shouted, turning to head up to my bedroom to get the blueprint.

I was very nervous that it will be to tall, too wide or the materials will be wrong. The man from the government inspected the plan, the wood and the steel very closely, making sure nothing was wrong.

"The plan and wood looks fine," he replied, still inspecting for any other problems.

"Oh, thank you," I said, completely relieved. "Thanks for coming."

Straight after he left, I ran over to see Dali and her family.

"A man from the government came."

"What did he say?" Anesu questioned.

"He said that the plan is fine but it can't be made any bigger, and the materials are all up to code," I replied, while showing the family the blue print.

"Oh, perfect, when do you want to start?" Anesu asked, hoping for me to start today.

"Whenever you are ready. However, you won't have a proper home for a few days so you will need to be fully prepared," I said, turning around to see my dad bringing over the wood and steel.

"If you can start now that would be good," Anesu replied from over in the small patch of shade.

One day passed and all we had done was measure out all the wood and demolish their old cramped hut. We still had a lot of work to do to get this house to a condition where they could comfortably live together.

But where will they sleep tonight? Dusk came around and we still didn't have a safe place for them to sleep.

"I know. Dali you can come over to my house and you can sleep in the spare room. However, if someone comes in, which they shouldn't, hide on the far side of the bed," I said, while still thinking of more ideas.

"Only if it is fine with your parents," Anesu said.

"Oh, it will be fine, don't worry," I lied, trying to cover up the fact that my mum wouldn't let them come.

Night came around fast and the big challenge began. How to sneak her family into the spare room? I went over and got Dali and her Mum and we crept over the road to my house.

"Dali, you and your Mum can sleep in the spare room," I said, showing them where they would sleep.

I couldn't sleep all night, I was worrying about Dali and Anesu. Around six AM, I heard quiet footsteps coming from downstairs. I went stiff and all these thoughts came into my head. Who is that? What are they doing? Will they get caught?

I crept down the stairs and stood at the bottom to see what was my mum carrying a pile of sheets through to the linen cupboard. She carried on walking and I continued to follow her until I suddenly stood on the wrong floor board. CREAK!!!

A rookie mistake that I couldn't afford to make, and unfortunately Mum caught me red-handed.

"What on earth are you doing down here?" Mum yelled, furiously stomping her foot.

"Umm, I am just getting up early—I've good lots of homework to do," I replied, hoping that it was convincing enough.

"Ok, get on with it then," she unconvincingly said.

But I was hanging around to make sure that she didn't see Dali. I needed to come up with a way to distract her, and fast.

"Mum, do you think I could use those old sheets for a school project," I asked blocking the doorway.

"No, sorry. Not these ones, Honey. However I can get you some old ones," she said, holding the door knob.

"Ah, don't worry, Mum, I don't really need them," I said.

"I will look anyway when I put them away," she replied, slightly opening the door.

It was too late, she entered the room and to my surprise they weren't in there. After my mother was gone, I checked all through the room but they were nowhere to be seen.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

What was that?

I pulled the curtains to see Dali and her Mum outside.

"We heard a floorboard creak so we got out the window to make sure we weren't caught," Anesu said, out of breath.

"That was me, I made the floorboards creak, it was a mistake. I didn't mean to make it creak. It saved us though."

Later on, we continued with our work. All four walls were up and stable and the roof was nearly finished. However the day was roasting and we felt like shriveled prunes that had been in the sun for days. We had been through lots of water and the work was hard. Dali and Anesu were friends with many people in the village, and these people would do anything to help someone out. Dali and her Mum went over to ask some friends to help and ten minutes later they were back with twenty odd people. We all worked hard and got the roof finished in less than an hour. All that was left to do was finish off the final touches.

"Wow," Anesu beamed. "You have done such a great job. What can we repay you with?" she said still looking around.

"Nothing. You deserve it. You have lived without a proper home for years," I replied while cleaning up the last spare scraps of wood.

I returned home and told Mum to come over.

"Look what I have made, Mum," I announced. "It took a long time, but it was worth it though."

"Wow, this is amazing. Who is it for?" Mum asked curiously.

"It is for Dali and her mum. They haven't had a proper house for years and the heat was really getting to them."

"Ahh, I see what you were doing now. Well done." Mum articulated.

"Wow, really? I didn't want to tell you about what I was doing because I thought you wouldn't let me," I said in shock.

"What you did was good because it was for a good cause and you were helping someone out," said Mum.

"Maisie, come over here," someone yelled.

"Coming!" I turn around to see Dali waving at me out of her new window.

## Author Bio

Iris Mason is thirteen years old and goes to Heaton Normal Intermediate School. Her favourite books are in the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. In her spare time she loves playing hockey and tennis. During the school day, she enjoys science and extension maths. Iris has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to write her own story to go in the book.

#  Deceived

## by Hadley van Rij

"ST-4555, please report to the observation deck for analysis," boomed the speaker.

Fives jumped up from his seat and started to jog through the halls. He was on his way when, all of a sudden, he bumped into General Cragen. He glanced nervously up with his hand in a salute position as the General sauntered past.

"At ease."

Fives relaxed with sweat on his brow and a puzzled expression on his face.

When ST-4555 (Fives) was little, his tube experienced a malfunction, but after a while the Narlmas that were producing the clones said that it was all clear. That's what most people thought, until Fives started to have little zaps. The zaps were of things that had never happened to him—only of things that have happened to people he knows.

"I'm puzzled. The general was acting really strange and he was heading for the control room. When has a general ever had to go to the control room?" Fives expressed, leaning against his bed after coming from the observation deck.

"Why? He was probably in a mood and checking on the engineers progress," replied Steve (ST-4648).

"No, I think he is doing something far more extravagant than what we know," Fives commented back. "Maybe he's even something like an imposter," he said, shrugging.

"Let's keep low for now, until we have real evidence," Steve suggested, lying down on his bed.

That night, Fives was tossing and turning as he slept. He couldn't wake up from this nightmare. It was like he was there. There, in the distance, were rows and rows of enemy droids, and right in front of him was General Cragen!

All of a sudden, he was up gasping for air. Everyone in his bunk room was up and staring at him.

"I don't know what just happened," he said softly.

"What's wrong?" asked Steve.

"I had like, a vision," Fives replied.

"What about?" said Steve.

"Never mind," replied Fives.

The next morning, all the men were awoken by a sonic boom.

"What was that?" yelled one of the troopers.

"Sounded like it came from the airlock," said another.

"All personnel to airlock number one," boomed the speaker.

"That faintly sounded like General Cragen's voice," said Fives as everyone grabbed their gear and started to run towards the airlock.

"He shouldn't be on the intercom," said Steve.

"That's it," yelled Fives, immediately changing his tone to a quieter sound.

"What's what?" exclaimed Steve.

"My vision I had was about General Cragen being some how connected to the droid garrison. He must be trying to... well—... kill off our men by sucking them out of the airlock."

"Everyone, don't go to the airlock. It's a trap! General Cragen wants to suck you out of it."

"Are you sure?" asked a trooper.

"Yes, General Cragen is part of the droid empire and is planning to destroy us. At least that is my guess. It matched my vision."

"FIVES, THERE ARE DROIDS AT THE DOOR!" yelled one of the lieutenants.

"Everyone, grab your gear and prepare to repel the enemy. I'm going to go and see what that general is up to," yelled Fives.

Faint booms and crashes could be heard down the hall from where Fives was walking. He slowly approached the bridge then ran in. The general wasn't there, and everyone was in chaos.

"Sir, what are you doing here?" said the commander.

"Where is the General?" said Fives, just ignoring the last comment.

"I have no idea. He just left and headed to the observation deck," replied the commander.

"Ok," answered Fives and he rushed out.

He approached the door to the observation deck and heard faint voices. One sounded slightly robotic. He listened some more, then realized what they were talking about.

"Sir, none of the men have gone to the airlock like expected," said a droid.

"So one of the men in this army has found out about our plan," replied General Cragen.

"Who?" answered the droid.

"I have a slight suspicion of who it might be."

Fives jumped at this last comment and darted back to the barracks.

Meanwhile, in the barracks, the men had been cleaning up the rest of the droids.

"Sir, that's the last of them," said the lieutenant to the now gasping Fives, who had run all the way to the barracks after what he had just heard.

"Nice work. Now we need to somehow..."

"ST-4555, please report to the bridge immediately," boomed the speaker.

Fives stood up. "I'd better go. I wonder what this might be about." He started to jog to the bridge. He wondered why at this time he was called to the bridge.

Fives slowly walked into a near-deserted bridge, empty except for the two battle droids and General Cragen chattering quietly away to each other. The general looked up as Fives entered the room. Fives gasped at what he saw.

"Ah, so you have found out," said General Cragen calmly.

Fives gulped.

"How did you know?" said Fives confused.

"I have cameras everywhere, watching every one of you," replied the General.

"Guards, please escort ST-4555 to my ship," said General Cragen.

"How could you? We were loyal to you," said Fives exasperatedly, gently pressing a button on his comlink.

"It is just how things have turned out," replied General Cragen, ushering them out.

Back in the barracks, the men were silently sitting there waiting for a call.

"Lieutenant, Fives' comlink alarm has gone off, he's heading to the... emergency docking bay," said Steve.

Back on the General's ship, the droids were standing and guarding Fives, but Fives had fought droids for many years and knew their weakness: fast attacks. He suddenly jumped up and kicked one in the head, then jumped on the other, ripping one of his arms off. He then grabbed one of their blasters and ran back out of the docking bay towards the barracks to find the lieutenant.

He was running for a while when all of a sudden there was a large explosion in front of him, he could feel himself being sucked out slowly but magnetised his boots and ran towards the explosion. He could see some kind of spaceship. Then all of a sudden, a red light shot out of it and out came eight destroyer type battle droids that immediately aimed their guns at Fives. He slowly raised his arms. Then out of the mist came a group of troopers that started to fire at the destroyers. In a couple of seconds all the droids were piles of rubble.

The lieutenant came rushing up to him and asked if he was okay.

"I'm fine, but we can't stop. We have to catch the general before he can reach his ship, and luckily I know where it is. Follow me."

They approached the docking bay, but it was closed and the control panel wouldn't open as there being no ship attached.

"This is ST-4555. All fighters prepare to repel the enemy. There is a rogue ship trying to leave the sector. All fighters shoot to kill, I repeat shoot to kill," said Fives through the closest emergency intercom.

"Let's get back to the bridge and find the commander," said Fives and the squad ran out.

Meanwhile, the whole bridge was in chaos.

"It's all okay, Commander," said Fives, running in. "The general is trying to escape, are all fighters launched?"

"Yes," replied the commander.

"Sir, we have spotted the rogue ship. Should we shoot it down, or pull it into our tractor beam?" said one of the officers.

"Yes, pull it into the tractor beam. I want a squad down there now. Bring General Cragen up here to us," commanded Fives.

"Yes, Sir," replied the lieutenant.

As soon as the general was up on the bridge, Fives shoved him down onto his knees.

"WHY? How could you betray all the men aboard this ship and put all their lives in danger?" yelled Fives.

"You don't understand, you're only a trooper, you'll never understand why I joined them."

Then all of a sudden he jumped up, grabbed a gun and tried to shoot Fives, but was immediately picked off by Steve.

"Well that's the end of him. I still don't understand why he would deceive us. We need everyone back at work, and continue course. We can't let him distract us. Everyone needs to go back to the barracks," commanded Fives.

"I'll see what I can do about the damage," replied the commander.

After that the men continued their course to their home planet to fight off another bunch of the droids. All the men headed back to the barracks to get a nice good sleep and get ready for the next few days ahead of them.

## Author Bio

Hadley van Rij is twelve-years-old and attends Heaton Normal Intermediate. He enjoys music, art, sport and anything Star Wars. Some of his favourite books are Star Wars books, and he also loves graphic novels like Tintin.

#  The School That Couldn't Afford A Ball

## by Emily Irvine

"I'm going to get you," Alia screamed as she ran across the Shavack school playground.

"Not if I run too fast for you," replied Julia.

Alia and Julia loved their intermediate public school. They had been best friends since they started at Shavack and had grown to love the school facilities. Alia, in particular, liked the computer side of things and joined many of the computer clubs.

Alia sprinted as fast as she could and bumped into Julia. They crashed on the ground. Rolling about in the mud, crying with laughter, they were about to stand up and brush themselves off when they heard a rather annoying voice.

"Hahaha." It was a girl from over the fence. She had long blonde hair and was holding a Louis Vuitton bag. She yelled, "Two little poor kids rolling about in the mud because they don't own any other toys." This girl was from St. Beverly's the private school over the fence from Shavack.

"Just ignore her," Julia said, while standing up to dust herself off, "She's just being annoying. Don't let her ruin our fun."

"Okay," Alia sighed. The bell rang and the girls ran to class.

The next day their teacher, Mr. Pocial, looked grim. "I have some rather unfortunate news for the class," he began as they sat down before doing the roll. "As most of you know St. Beverly's own our land and charge quite a lot of rent. This rent comes out of our government funding. Recently, however, St. Beverly's has appointed a new Headmistress, and she is nearly doubling the rent." Alia's face dropped, she knew this could not be good. Mr. Pocial continued: "Which means at the moment our school does not have enough money for the Robotics Club, Environment Club or the Fashion Club. So I am sorry to all who were involved with them."

Alia gasped, "they can't just do that. It is so mean!"

"Unfortunately, they can," the teacher replied. He looked as annoyed as the kids with gawping mouths infront of him. "Lets just continue with our math, okay?"

"What can we do?" Alia was so frustrated. She was sitting on the grass picking and throwing it constantly.

"I don't know," Julia replied. She was angry as well. "Why don't we just blow them up. If there is nothing there, then no worries." She laughed at her suggestion. Alia stopped picking the grass and looked up.

"That is such a good idea," Alia commented.

"I was kidding," Julia shouted. "You're mental!" Then the bell went.

"Just meet me at my house after school, at about four." Alia said, then she ran away to her next class.

"What? ALIA," Julia screamed. Julia knew she needed to get to class as well so she left. Alia has a lot of crazy ideas, Julia thought, she just can't persuade me to join this one.

It was four o'clock on the dot and Julia had just rung the doorbell to Alia's Lockwood house. It was quickly answered by an old-looking woman in an oversized dress and big earrings. "Hello, Oma," said Julia. This was Alia's grandma. "Is Alia around?" she asked.

"Yesss," Oma replied. Alia's Oma hissed her S sounds. "She went up to her room after school and hasn't been down since."

Julia entered the house. She went down the large corridor and up the stairs to Alia's room. Most people would knock but Julia usually swung right in.

"Okay, so here's the plan," whispered Alia. A whiteboard took up nearly her whole wall and below the whiteboard was her bed. Alia sat on her bed while explaining the plan. "It actually seems quite simple," she began. Not off to a great start in Julia's books. Alia pointed to a picture in the top left corner. "Step one: we ring the school and tell them that I have the stomach bug and you caught it off me yesterday."

"Okay," said Julia, sounding unsure.

The rest of the afternoon was planning and buying. Buying uniforms and bombs. Bombs as you probably know are not easy to get hold of, but Alia had done her research and had managed to get hold of two people that could get her a small bomb that could blow up some of a school.

"Okay, so who is going to call in to say we are sick?" Julia asked.

"You are," Alia said firmly.

"What? Me? Why me?"

"Because you sound more grown up, and you are a good liar."

"I suppose," Julia said, defeated.

"Meet tomorrow, six am!" Alia smiled. She knew she may get in trouble, but Alia didn't care. Julia, on the other hand, couldn't believe she had been persuaded to do this. It was insane!

The girls met in the morning and tried on their St. Beverly's uniforms. They didn't really fit. The dresses were too big and the tights were two small. The brown shoes hurt. The uniform was ugly and didn't suit either of them, but the dark grey hats fitted perfectly over Gulia's brown plaits and over Alia's thick pony tail. Their school satchels had everything they needed to complete this irregular task. Both Julia and Alia had a map in their matching bags.

Alia's parents died in a car crash when she was younger. Alia wasn't sad about it because she didn't even know them. So when people ask if she misses her parents she says she doesn't know what to miss. Oma wouldn't notice the different uniform or the different way they were going. They set off. Julia more terrified than ever.

As soon as they got to the school they had to hide in the P.E. shed, according to the very detailed map, and turn off the security system. Alia, who loved computers and technology, took on this job and managed to turn it off in under thirty minutes. They snuck out of the sporting room. "Step four: get to the science block, without being noticed," Julia recalled this as the next step. Easier said than done, however.

"Hello would you like to join the Equestrian Club?" a girl asked. "It is for all ages and levels of experience. It is fully funded by our new headmistress." Innocence lept out of the girls emerald green eyes. She was obviously oblivious to the harm it was doing to Shavack Intermediate. "I am sorry, would you like to take a flyer? All the info is in the flyer."

"Sure," Julia replied quickly. She took it and moved on. The girl wouldn't stop.

"Do I know you," she said, inquisitively. "It is just that I know most people here and I don't think I know you."

Alia head dropped. "Oh, look at the time. I am so sorry," she continued walking, "We have a meeting with... ah... the... ah... science teacher, so please excuse us." They both quickly rushed away. "That was too close, Julia." Alia whispered quickly.

"Lets just keep going," Julia whispered back.

They made it to the science block and travelled up the stairs to the headmistress's office. Once they were on the top floor Alia peered around the corner and looked to see if anyone was in the office. She saw a massive mongrel dog drooling onto the floor. It saw Alia and started barking. This dog looked ready to attack at any second.

"How are we going to get past that dog without alerting the whole school?" asked Alia.

"Think," said Julia, "What do we have in our bags that could stop that dog?"

"Twenty minutes till the bell rings to start school," whispered Alia.

Julia looked back at the science lab. "We're wasting our time lets just go," she said.

Alia reluctantly agreed and they both travelled back down the stairs. The poison and chemicals stared at them on the tables as if they knew what Julia and Alia where going to do.

"Chemicals. Poison!" Alia shouted, perhaps a little too loudly. "Let's poison the dog," She said a little quieter. Alia quickly grabbed a poison called geminite. She knew that this would only knock the dog out for about fifteen minutes.

They both crept back up the stairs and threw the poison into the office. The glass bottle broke and spilled everywhere. The dog then licked it to see what it was. As soon as the dog's tongue touched the geminite. He could tell it was bad and he ran around trying to get it off his tongue. Too late though, because he eventually slowed down and lay on the floor.

They then quickly ran into the office and taped the bomb under the desk. It was a remote-control bomb. Then Julia flicked the fire drill switch and they ran out of the building remote-control in hand. Once they were out of the science block, Julia noticed there were people everywhere. They would have to get out of the school fast.

Once they were out and away from anyones sight Julia and Alia were ready. "Together," Alia said. the big red button hovered in front of them. "3, 2, 1," They spoke together.

Boom! The top floor of the school building shattered in the distance.

"Maybe now we will get our Robotics Club back!"

## Author Bio

Emily Irvine is a true Dabbler from Christchurch, New Zealand. She indicates her current feelings through the fascinating world of writing. She enjoys being a dabbler and exploring new challenges. The writing of this short novel has been an amazing experience for Emily.

#  [in between]

## by Issy Hinton-Russell

10:24:53 – 13/06/14

I rub my eyes in an attempt to get used to the light, but decide the better option is to just pull my covers over my face again and drift back to sleep. Afterall, it's only 10 AM, and I never had any intention of going to school today. My calm thoughts are disrupted though when I hear a screech from the kitchen, followed by Mum calling out, "Don't worry, Alex, I just burnt myself!"

I don't bother to reply—Mum never cooks, and when she does something always ends up going wrong. Instead, I whisper to Brady that he can come out from under my bed. Another thing Mum rarely does is let Brady in the house, but little does she know I sneak him in every night.

He quietly whimpers, but I am quick to calm him as any evidence of him being inside would result in some ghastly punishment. My thoughts of consequences are abruptly forgotten as soft fur rubs across my face. I open my eyes to see a golden tail of fur right over my mouth, but with a splutter the golden retriever promptly moves off my face and I get the feeling it is time to let him out. I stagger over to my wardrobe and pull out a crimson gown and matching slippers to put on. I then make my way down the creaky ladder to the main level of the tree house, and Brady jumps down the two metres.

* * *

13:03:27 – 13/06/14

"Mum, I'm going out in the forest for a while. I will only be an hour or so," I yell as I walk out the front door and make sure it clicks shut behind me.

An endless maze of fir trees lies before Brady and I, offering many opportunities to get lost in an adventure. I point north-east, as we have not yet explored this area, and begin a light jog along a narrow row of trees.

"Come on!" I shout to Brady, who is only just behind. "We only have half an hour."

I only get a bark in reply, but soon enough he has snuck in front of me and leads the way.

My feet thud loudly on the damp soil underfoot. I feel my chest puffing in and out as my lungs struggle to grasp enough air. The scenery surrounding me is no different—tall trees and prickly shrub bushes- – but I can see an open clearing about a hundred metres away. I decide this will be a suitable place to catch my breath, so I jog the last bit.

As soon as I reach the clearing I notice a peculiar detail; the forest looks oddly neat and trimmed here. Thoughts run around in my mind as to what this could mean, but Brady's incessant bark pulls me out of my thought bubble. He leads me to a row of gorse bushes that lies along the far border of the forest. It does not take Brady long to squeeze under and over the other side of the bush, but as I am too tall I leave him to briefly explore the area on the other side.

Brady begins to incessantly bark from behind the bush—a sign that something is not quite right. My eye catches a narrow clearing in the gorse, and I decide that perhaps squeezing through could be a good idea. I hold my arms over my head and pull my stomach in as much as I can, and soon I start to regret wearing a woollen jumper as it is getting caught on the prickles. With much difficulty I make it through the thick gorse, and I am happy to see Brady safely on this side too.

But that is not all that I see; a one-man tent has been set up behind a thick tree trunk. This immediately makes me curious, and adrenaline starts pumping around my body. I signal to Brady that he needs to stay back, but anyone would know he would do the opposite. As keen as can be he runs up to the entrance and pokes his head into the hut. A faint bark acknowledges there is noone inside, so I apprehensively sneak up behind him and peek inside. A short camp mattress lies on the tarpaulin—nothing too flash, but good enough to sleep on—and a thick cover is roughly placed on top. Some tins of food and a battery-operated torch sits at the end of the bed, still glowing from the night before. This convinces me that the visitor must have made a rushed exit when they heard Brady and I approach. But why? And who is there?

I look down at my watch and realise we only have ten minutes to get home. I shuffle out backwards taking care not to knock anything, and then call to Brady. After squeezing through the prickly gorse again I start to run at a reasonable pace in the direction of home.

* * *

23:58:32 – 14/06/14

Under the shelter of the tall fir trees, and the blanket of stars above, I begin my journey to the clearing I found yesterday. Brady tramples on the damp soil next to me. This time we are in no rush so I make the executive decision to walk and save energy, in case we come across a prowling pack of wolves.

The dark doesn't spook me anymore, although it did when I was younger. Mum and my father would only ever argue once they thought I was asleep, and often I found them launching all manner of objects at each other on the tiled patio outside of the home. This was always at night, when the sun had hidden and been replaced by twinkling stars. I always related darkness with fear and my parents fighting as a young child. The phobia only started to disappear almost four years after Mum divorced my father.

I shine my torch on the lower part of the gorse bush in attempt to find the same narrow gap I crammed through yesterday. Once I have made it through, I don't dare to shine my torch again as this will alert the camper that I am here. As quietly as possible I make my way through the small labyrinth of trees, and locate the tent in the same area as before. Upon a brief inspection it appears as though the camper is there, as a small flicker of light glows through the thin material of the tent.

I poke my head around the corner where the entrance to the tent is, and notice that it is unzipped and wide open. A quiet shuffling sound echoes around, but I assume its Brady. I strategically peer around so that no one inside will be able to see me, but I can see inside. Covers are sprawled over the mattress and a small candle sits silently flickering in the corner. But no human is in sight. I use this to my advantage and decide to go right inside the tent to look for some clues or giveaways as to who is staying in the tent—though I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for. After snooping around for fifteen minutes, I make the call that I will not find anything else other than cans of food, utensils and light sources. Brady and I sneakily make our way back out to the clearing and return home.

* * *

09:18:53 – 15/06/14

"Alex, come here please," I faintly hear Mum call, although I just assume it is part of my dream and doze off again.

"Alex, you need to come here!" This wakes me up but still I don't bother to go down stairs—she probably needs me for some silly job.

"ALEXANDRA, COME HERE IMMEDIATELY!" This certainly wakes me up: Mum never calls me by my full name.

I jump out of bed and start my way down the ladder. "Coming, Mum!"

I find Mum sitting at the dining table—a rare occurrence for either of us—and she politely asks me to take a seat opposite her.

"So, Alex, I've been thinking...." I decide it best not to say anything.

"Well, the purpose of us moving to the Austrian forest was so that I could write the book, which I have done."

"Yes," is all I reply. I know this is going somewhere bad.

"And now I have finished that book and it is published and being sold. So I think... I think that, ummm..."

"Um what, Mum?" What is she going to say now?

"I think that, ummm, well, we should move back."

"Back to where?" I ask, although I already know the answer.

"Back to Budapest, where we were before Dad and I broke up."

"What? No, Mum we can't!" I cry in despair. "And don't call my father 'Dad'. It makes him sound nice!"

"Honey, don't say that! Your dad is nice. Just, perhaps, not to me."

"Whatever. But we can't move to Hungary!"

"Well, Darling, there is another thing I would like to tell you."

"What now? It can't get any worse."

"I was thinking that it would be good for you to go to university. So I have handed in some applications and they—"

"Mum, I have already passed my grade twelve exams, at the age of twelve! That was three whole years ago, Mum. And what is university going to do for me anyway?"

"Oh, Honey, just listen to me for a second, would you? I have sent in applications on your behalf to four universities. And, well, they would all love to have you go. Just imagine, you could become a lawyer and retire at thirty seven like me! How fabulous would that be?"

"Fabulous? I can certainly think of other words! Maybe dreadful? Horrendous? Mum, all you ever did as a lawyer was stress about all the work you had to do. And why would you complete applications without me knowing?"

"Okay, Alex, I might have done something wrong. But can you just think about it? I am going to start looking at flights and what-not."

With that I decide that I need to storm out of the room and up to my bed. I don't know why, but for some reason it seems dignifying.

For the rest of the day, all I can bother to do is mope around in my pyjamas. I don't actually care about going to university. The idea does appeal to me. But not just yet. Maybe in a year? And I can't leave the forest, not when there is some secret camper hiding out, and not when we have only been here for two and a half years. To go to university I would need to stop skipping school so much, and get my brain refreshed. I know I'm smart, but I'd need to remember the basics again, especially if I am going to do something as pressuring and particular as law.

These thoughts make me tired and I decide to go to sleep, even though it is only four pm. Last night's exploration was tiring, I will admit, and I will not be able to focus tomorrow if I don't get enough sleep again.

* * *

00:01:57 – 17/06/14

"Brady," I whisper. "Come here."

He scrambles across the floor and over to the window where I stand in the illuminating glow of the moon. I can't sleep so I decide to go back to the tent like last night. I don't expect to find anything much different to last night, but it's worth a shot. I've come to the conclusion that this person does not want to be found, and is very good at hiding.

I arrive home about thirty minutes after I left. There was nothing noticeably different from yesterday. Yet again the camper was unseen, although I did hear a scuffling in the bushes. More food tins had arrived, so they must have some source of travel to get to the local town. It takes us an hour to get there by car, and I can't imagine they would want to take the five hour hike. I now feel more desperate to uncover this mysterious visitor, and I need to do it soon, as Mum seems pretty convinced about moving. Sleep comes creeping up on me again and soon enough I am fast asleep.

* * *

14:53:49 – 20/06/14

"Alex, Honey, come here please, I have some exciting news!" Mum calls to me, not realising I am three metres away.

"Yes?"

"Alex, I have booked our flights to go back to Budapest!" Mum says joyously.

"What? Mum! You can't do that! That's it. I'm not going. I'm old enough to live by myself and that's what I'll–-"

"Alex! Stop this nonsense right now. I have good reason for moving."

"—I'm going to stay here by myself and you can go do whatever you want to in Hungary. But I'm staying here!" With that I, again, march firmly to the ladder and go back to my room.

How could Mum do this? I told her not to, and she knows we can't go! There has to be some other reason she wants to go, and she is just using university as an excuse!

* * *

19:02:04 – 20/06/14

"Mum, we can't go," I manage to say through big breaths to calm down.

"Oh, Alex, I know you don't want to. This place is fabulous, I agree! But you want to go to university, and I want you to as well."

More tears stream down my pale cheeks. "I know what you're doing, Mum. But I can't go, I've found-–" I stop myself. What am I doing telling Mum about the hut?

"You've found what?" Mum asks, her eyes staring into mine. She wants the truth. There is one thing about my mother, and that is that once she wants something, she will get it at any cost.

"Nothing, Mum, it was a, uh, dream." I try to lie—though I've never been good at it.

A stern look forms on Mum's face. Her jaw clenches and her eyebrows go halfway up her wrinkly forehead. She doesn't need to say anything.

"I, um, I... I found a tent in the forest," I blurt.

"A tent?" Mum is trying to act surprised, I can see it in her face. But whenever Mum is truly surprised, she opens her mouth wide, no matter the situation. But this time she doesn't.

"Yeah, but it's nothing much," I try to assure her.

"Hey, Alex, would you mind showing me this tent?"

"Um, okay." I realise there is no point arguing, after all, this could be a distraction for her.

* * *

19:28:34 – 20/06/14

It feels strange walking down the rows of fir trees with mum, through this forest that I've regarded mine for almost three years. It feels uncomfortable, yet at the same time like it happens everyday. There is no conversation between us, but it sits right.

As we round a small corner Mum reaches and grabs my arm. I don't question it, and she doesn't say why. I wonder if she is trying to hold me in case she gets lost, but then realise that it is very hard to lose people in the clearing we are approaching.

I lead Mum over to the gorse bush and explain how to get through. Just as I am about to demonstrate she claws into my arm with her sharp, manicured nails and drags me across the clearing to the biggest bush she can see to hide behind.

"Don't say a word," Mum says in a forceful whisper through gritted teeth. She is serious so I decide to obey.

From behind us I hear something crunch on the fallen leaves. Footsteps, perhaps? The noise becomes louder, and Mum tightens her grip around my arm. She stares me dead in the face.

"I'm sorry," she whispers in the quietest of tones.

I don't have time to think about what she has said. The source of the noise has reached us and I spin my head around to see what is there. And I scream. With horror, with delight, with every emotion in the universe.

Standing in front of me is someone I never thought I would see again, never thought I would have to see again. My father.

* * *

20:14:03 – 20/06/14

I can faintly hear Mum and my father talking downstairs. There is no shouting, just the occasional raised voice, which is rather surprising.

"Honey, Alex, come down here to talk with your dad," Mum calls to me, though I am surprised she is letting me.

"Uh, okay, I'll be there in a sec," I shout out in reply. As I walk over to the ladder to go down I run through my mind what I will say.

"Uh, hi, Alexandra," my father offers.

"I'll just go and make a coffee if that's alright, Alex?" Mum says to me.

"Yep, sure," I reply.

She briskly walks out of the room and closes the door behind her.

I decide to cut straight to the chase. "Why are you here?" I question him.

"Well, don't take this the wrong way, but I, uh, wanted to see you," he replies.

"Me? But why? You never cared about me, ever!" My temper picks up and I can feel red blushing my cheeks.

"I did care about you, Honey. I just didn't really know how to show it, if you can see where I'm coming from."

"Don't say that nonsense, Dad. You were always busy at work and never had time for me," I don't know why I am saying this. He does love me, why else would he be here?

"I just, I got carried away and I completely forgot about my family. That's why I'm here, I need to apologise. I just, you know, didn't quite know how to come. That's why I was in the forest. I was, quite honestly, doubtful that you wouldn't find me. When you and the dog came that first day I was running my hello speech through my mind. But I just need to say that I am sorry, very much so. To both you and your mother."

Tears begin to prickle in my eyes. Tears of joy, sadness, and every other emotion I have ever felt. "I love you, Dad, and I'm sorry too," I weep as I embrace Dad in a hug.

### LATER

17:14:03 – 12/08/14

I push the key into the lock of my very own dorm, and twist it around. The door unlocks and inside lies a plain bed frame and a closet—not much, but good to work with. Behind me, Mum and Dad stand with containers full of clothes, furniture and memoirs. Brady is patiently waiting, his tail wildly waving from side to side and his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

I went and stayed with Dad in Budapest for two weeks (with Mum's approval, of course), and I had a brilliant time. As well as looking at the many touristy things, we went on some university campus tours and decided on one, the one I am at right now. Opening this plain wood door has started a new chapter in my life, though closes another. Closes a good chapter, but opens an even better one!

## Author Bio

Issy (Isabelle) Hinton-Russell is thirteen years young and is in Room Fifteen at Heaton Normal Intermediate School. She has grown up in both Christchurch and Germany, but has travelled to many countries including Austria and Hungary. Issy enjoys swimming and Hockey, as well as being with her friends. Her favourite book is Divergent.

#  Inevitable

## by Emily Howden

### HAJIME

Hajime stands in front of Akira's hotel room door, tossing around in his mind if this is the right thing to do. All of a sudden, the door opens, and Akira turns to face him.

"Gee, you gave me a fright. I was just about to go down to the lobby, you know, maybe grab a couple snacks. But what do you know, you come knocking on my hotel door, again..." Akira remarks sarcastically.

"Haha.... Hey, Akira, what a surprise. I didn't think you'd be here around this time of night. How's it been?" Hajime exclaims with a nervous smile.

Akira takes a few steps back as he places his room keys back into his pocket.

"'What a surprise?' Hajime, you were standing right in front of MY door.... I'll be the one asking what you're doing around my hotel at this time of night. Have you repaid the money? All of it?" he asks in quick succession.

"Oh, ah... well, um, actually... I was wondering... if, Akira, ah, um, if you could possibly lend me a couple thousand dollars more. That's all I need for now. I promise it's all gonna work out, just give me a couple more weeks."

"This is getting ridiculous. What do you think I am, some kind of bank account?" Akira retorts with a frown. Hajime's shoulders drop.

Irritated, Akira takes a confident step forward. Ignoring the fact that Hajime has much more body strength than he does, and he could push him over with a finger, he thrusts Hajime backwards. Hajime staggers and a look of utter disbelief appears across his face, soon replaced by pure anger. He advances towards him while he shouts and waves around his hands, using dramatic gestures.

"Hey, you own a luxurious, expensive, beautiful hotel, and I have nothing. I've had it much harder than you. Watching your filthy money pile up. You... YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

"I've had enough as well. You need to pay back that money, and if I don't see that 43,000 dollar payment in my bank account by midnight Friday then I'm going to court. I'll be calling my lawyer and suing you!" Akira says, as he leaves the doorway and walks along the corridor.

"Un-der-stood," Hajime mocks and leans against the cold, hard wall, and lets out a long, depressed sigh.

He stands there for a while, staring at the long corridor, wishing with all his heart that somehow Akira would come back with a few thousand dollars in his hand. However, he knows this isn't going to happen. He is in debt, unemployed, and his best friend has everything he could possibly want! His own life was a complete and utter mess. Hajime thumps his fist against the door, leaving a noticeable dent in the metal. He kicks the ground, and then punches the wall again, driven by pure jealousy.

Then, he hears the soft but brisk footsteps of Akira approaching. His figure saunters past, but then he notices Hajime and walks back.

"Oh, for goodness sake what are you doing here? What in the world did you do to my door? You're paying for that!" Akira barks with a look of irritation painted across his face.

"Does it matter about the door right now? The money matters. I need more money, and you're refusing to give a helping hand to your best friend! It's just a couple, this is ridiculous! You selfish bastard!" Hajime cries.

"For the last time, NO! I need that money for Kaira, she's going to become a great doctor one day and I'm not letting you take that away from her," Akira harshly whispers, as he swiftly sidesteps him, and begins to open the door. "Oh, and you better keep your voice down, 'cause she's sleeping."

"Ahh! I've had enough of this... this... this NONSENSE!" Hajime screams.

He grabs Akira's left shoulder and thrusts him down onto the ground.

Recovering from the surprise, Akira desperately kicks at Hajime, and sends them both tumbling and rolling across the corridor floor. They reach the pristine, black marble staircase that spirals directly down to the lobby. Akira glances below, and Hajime sees his chance. He grasps the stairwell rail in his left hand and uses the other to smash Akira's head against the rails. Akira's eyes begin to flutter, his head falling backwards.

Hajime holds Akira's limp body in his hand, briefly hesitates, then throws him over the railing. His body plummets to the ground, soon followed by a defining thump.

An ear-splitting cry rings out from down below.

"Someone help! He just fell from the stairwell! His head's bleeding from hitting the marble floor! Help!" a woman shouts in a shaky voice.

People nearby rush to aid, but they soon realise there's no use. Akira is dead.

Hajime recedes up the stairwell, and jogs back to Akira's corridor. Akira's last words ring inside his head: "Oh, and you better keep your voice down, 'cause Kaira is sleeping."

He wonders if she heard the argument, the deafening thumping and bumping of Akira rolling around on the floor, and the noises from earlier. Fear begins to creep in, as doubts and worries crowd his mind. What happens if I get caught? Then I would've killed someone, and end up in the same place as before.... He begins begin to worry: Kaira, she's intelligent and she must've figured out that we were fighting.... If she tells the police, I'm done for.

He carefully turns the doorknob to Akira's hotel room, and it opens with a satisfying click. It is pitch black, but Hajime can make out a soft glow of light protruding from a room. He manoeuvres around the furniture, making sure that his footsteps make only a subtle noise. Walking past the kitchen, he decides it will be a better idea if he has a weapon, so he opens a top drawer. To his surprise there is a whole set of knives in there. Akira did like cooking in high school, he remembers. He pushes the bedroom door open slowly, and strolls past Kaira's desk to her bed. He cautiously peels the bed covers off. Nothing is there except a pillow. Kaira is gone.

### KAIRA

I wake to the sound of banging noises on my door. I hear the voice of Dad, and another male voice, supposedly arguing outside.

"For the last time NO!" shouts the voice from outside the door. I shuffle under my bed covers as fear surrounds me.

Despite having soundproof walls, I can hear their voices, but the words are muffled, and I can't make out anything that makes sense. But I know for sure that there's a fight going on outside, and Dad is involved. A few moments pass, and soon the shouting and the noises against the walls fade, becoming distant and harder to hear. The light from my alarm clock shows that it's almost midnight, and my eyes are creeping closed. But, I have to stay awake, I'm worried for Dad. I shove my pillow inside my bed and I creep into my closet.

I hear the front door open—the swish of it against the thick carpet. I pick up on unusual heavy footsteps. That's not Dad. Somebody's approaching my room. A heavy metal object falls onto my toe, and I hurriedly shove my fist inside my mouth to stifle a scream. I peer down and see the shape of a metal dummy head—a present I received from dad to help me understand how heavy a human head is, which is four and a half to five kg; it came along with a neck, so I can understand how muscles and joints work. I carefully shift the head against the wall and the pain in my foot subsides.

Suddenly, my door opens bit by bit, and a tall figure walks in. It's not Dad. He has a knife in his right hand and begins lifting up my bed covers. I am in such shock that I feel no emotion. I don't feel fear, anger or even curiosity. I think, after he realises that I'm not in that bed, it'll be an easy job for him to find me for whatever he plans to do to me. I glance down at the metal head. This is my only chance to survive.

I lift it up carefully, and creep up behind him. He's bending down, which makes what I'm about to do more simple. I lift the head up as high as I can reach and let go. A short cry rings out. He collapses in a heap on the floor. I'm hoping that'll only knock him out, not kill him. But before I find out, I'm already rushing out my room, and running like mad. After all, it's my life that hangs in the balance, not his.

I throw my body outside, and enter the cool, refreshing air of the hallway. I don't stop, my body automatically taking me into the elevator and I jam the buttons as if my life depends on it, because it might. It seems like an eternity before I reach the ground floor.

I tumble out of the elevator, and scramble into the Lobby. "Akira! Akira! Where are you?" I shout.

No answer.

A maid with a trolley full of bed sheets and cleaning products briskly walks past and I seize my chance.

"Excuse me, um... do you know where Akira, the owner, my dad, is?" I stammer, half running to catch up to her.

"No, sorry," she replies wistfully, as she begins walking away.

I'd been so busy asking the poor maid about Akira, that I hadn't take any time to observe my surroundings. I finally notice ambulances and police cars are parked outside the automatic doors, and policemen are scattered throughout the lobby. A team of medical officers are lifting a person into a stretcher, and the room is alive with people.

Catching a glimpse of the red blood spilled across the lobby's pristine marble floor, I gasp in surprise. I glance back to the figure getting lifted up, but what he's wearing makes me hesitate. Where have I seen that blue jersey? I wonder.... Dad? Dad's blue jersey.

My first instinct is to rush over and check if he's okay, but what I see makes my heart stop. A man is pulling a white sheet over Dad's body, as another one covers his face. I'd never felt so bad to know what that meant. Dad is dead. Nobody was in a rush to get to the hospital, and their faces are grave. I hurriedly push past some bystanders and approach a policeman.

Tears spill down my cheeks, as I think about what my life has become. Going back to the orphanage, leaving home, moving away, but most importantly, Dad. Nobody can replace him. He was truly the light in my darkness. He filled my empty life into something more desirable, and without him I will be living a horrible, terrible nightmare.

The policeman is staring at the body being carried away. I can see the pain in his eyes, but it's nowhere near as strong as mine. He spots me looking and we both start walking towards each other, I reach him and blurt out everything.

"I'm Kaira, Akira's foster daughter. How did this happen? What's going on?" My voice quavers.

The policeman briefly hesitates.

"I'm sorry to inform you that, your father, Akira, has died. According to witnesses, he fell over the railing of the stairwell, and the impact on his head.... Unfortunately took his life. I'm so, so sorry," he consoles with a grave look on his face.

"But... Akira, he would never make a foolish mistake like that, and he doesn't take the stairs when he comes down, he always takes the elevator. This can't be! Please, you have to look into this," I implore, then I continue to explain what happened, "Before, I heard shouting outside my room, and I heard Dad's voice as well. There was a lot of thumping, kind of crashing and banging noises... I think he was having a fight or an argument with someone. It was a male voice. And after a while, the noises became distant. A few minutes after, a man came into my room. I hit him with a metal dummy head that I happened to have near me. He had a knife, and was peeling back the covers of my bed, it was a defensive move. I think it knocked him out. But... don't you think that... that perhaps the person outside arguing with my dad could be that same person that came into my room? And when the voices became distant, that could've been when... when..." I trail off and glance at Akira's body being taken away.

The policeman nods, showing that he understands.

"Is he still in your room?"

I nod slowly, and his eyes bulge in surprise.

"Then that's our priority. GO!" he shouts across the lobby.

A group of policemen, armed with guns, rush out of sight, and I'm left alone in the lobby.

I feel as though whoever did this to Dad has not only taken my dad's life, but taken the meaning out of mine. My head is completely empty, and my surroundings are unreal. My real parents were taken by cancer, and when I became an orphan I thought that that was it, it's just uphill from now. That I would have to live through that again. Now I've lost three people who loved me, and I loved them back.

"Kaira," a voice says.

"Kaira."

"Kaira!" I snap out of my daydreaming as I swivel around and see the policeman from earlier.

"Kaira, we've found the suspect in your room that you were describing earlier. You did knock him out, but it's okay because that was a defensive move, right? Once he's stable, we'll find out the truth. I'm sorry." The policeman sighs. "I'll find you another room to sleep in, get some rest, it's been a rough night"

"Thank you, thank you for everything," I mumble.

After a brief chat with the reception lady, he says that I can take room 398. I take the elevator, and before long I'm in bed. It is only when I'm thinking about turning my lights off that I come to terms of what just happened. Someone came into my room, Akira just died. What am I doing here? Thinking it's okay to just go to sleep?

But I knew it was best to get some rest, and sort out the challenges of tomorrow when they arrive.

The next day, I gather up my belongings and go through some paperwork. I'll get taken back to the orphanage. Though I will inherit the hotel, until I reach sixteen I won't be able to have control over it. Till then, someone else will take care of it for me. The policeman explains that the court and the trials will take a while, and a letter will be sent to me when the results are released.

"Kaira, I know I'm just another policeman, and I don't know what you're going through right now, but I wish you the best of luck for your future. You're a brave child. Be strong."

I stride out of the hotel for the last time, and glance back towards the staircase. Home can take people away, and bring people together; in my case, I've been through both. The police car is waiting outside. I hop in and they slowly begin to drive away.

### Two years later

I wake up and get dressed. I've gotten used to the life of being an orphan again. I go to the hall and eat breakfast. I notice that Mrs. Nakamoto has a letter in her hand, and she's heading straight for me. The letter has finally come. The moment I've been waiting for.

"This is for you, Kaira," she says.

"Thank you," I splutter, hardly containing the exhilaration and curiosity whizzing through my brain.

I run back to my dorm room, and sit on my bed. I rip it open. At the top it reads: Hajime Nakayama – Guilty of murder.

I knew it. I knew that it wasn't just a coincidence!

The letter reads:

Hajime Nakayama – Guilty of murder.

Dear Kaira, Hajime Nakayama was proven guilty of murder. He admitted that he fought with Akira and pushed him off the stairwell. After going through Akira's bank account details, we have found that Hajime Nakayama owed $43,000 to Akira and that this debt was the driving force behind his actions.

So much makes sense now. And I feel happy for Akira, that the truth is out and he can finally rest in peace. I only have a month until I can move back to the hotel, somewhere I still call home, and maybe then I can work towards my dream of becoming a doctor.

Ten years later

"Kaira take care of this patient, he's had a serious burn on his left rib," another doctor blurts.

"Yes. Bring me the oxygen mask," I respond.

"CODE BLACK, CODE BLACK!" someone yells over the top of the bleeping machines and commotion inside the hospital.

I carefully peel back the fabric that's now stuck to his burnt pink flesh.

"Ahh, no!" he squeals.

I note that he's in panic, and begin the calming down procedure.

"Sir, please stay still now. What's your name?"

"Hajime Nakayama," he murmurs under his breath.

I try to recover from the shock, but I can't help it.

"Do you know who I am?" I ask, taking a risk.

"No."

"I'm Kaira, Akira's daughter," I tell him.

His eyes fill with recognition, then tears.

"I'm, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you. Akira was a good friend, never boasted, never teased, I was too desperate, foolish and jealous of his success." He sobs.

I hesitate then carefully proceed with cleaning up the burn wound, while Hajime's chest goes up and down from his deep breaths. His eyes close for few minutes, probably resting, I think, but now his eyes are fluttering open.

"This is best for me and your d—" His hoarse voice whispers.

"What do you mean?" I whisper back harshly.

Suddenly, his shaking hand reaches forward, grabbing the oxygen bag, and tugs at it. He's desperately trying to roll onto the floor, trying to rip out the other cords protruding from his skin.

"No! Don't!"

"It's better, for you, Kaira. This is my punishment. Don't try to stop me. Aren't you angry with me for murdering your father?" He whimpers.

The machine starts beeping and some doctors glance around at the noise. He is holding his chest and wheezing sounds are escaping from his mouth.

I haul him off the floor onto the bed, but it is too late. I have to begin CPR. Another doctor joins me, helping me with the procedure.

"He isn't going to make it," the other doctor utters, nervously checking the heart monitor every few seconds.

"No, we have to try!" I object, as I pushed down hard.

Beep. Beep BLEEP. The monitor shows negative results, but I'm not going to give up.

I remember Akira telling me once when I was little: "Remember Kaira, don't think about the patient's identity. Save them no matter what."

Tears start rolling down my cheek at the memory of him. I push harder, keeping a consistent pace.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

He's alive! I check the monitors and he's stable.

He begins to come to his sense again. Hajime takes a deep breath, and we rush to attach the cords back to him.

"Why? Why, did you do that Kaira, you should've let me go. Thank you—..."

"No. You shouldn't thank me. Thank Akira. Akira told me once that it isn't about the patient's identity, that if they're in need save them no matter what. Don't thank me, thank Akira." I say.

"Thank you. Thank you, Akira," Hajime says.

I know that for me, being a doctor opens a whole 'nother door of possibilities. Even though losing three lives that mattered to me was hard, I know that by making my dream come true I can save lives, not lose them. Despite being already minus three on the saving people list, I know that one day, the number will be much greater. Even Akira, who will be watching from the heavens, will know that in saving Hajime, he would've done the exact same thing. Although I know that years ago in Akira's hotel there was a murder, my heart longs to go back. Go back to the memories that make that hotel what I still call my home.

## Author Bio

Emily is a twelve-year-old student that attends Heaton Normal Intermediate School. She also goes to a Japanese supplementary school on Saturday, and juggling these two languages takes up most of her time. She loves to play with slime, and her favourite food is anything to do with fruit. Her goal in life is to not work for people, but for people to work for her, and to learn yet another language and become trilingual.

#  Jenna

## by Gabby Eastgate

Jenna jumped off the rusty grey bus and waved goodbye to her friends.

"See you tomorrow!" she yelled as the doors snapped shut and the bus began to drive away. She saw her four best friend's faces flash by in the windows—Britney, Calista, Renée and Melissa.

She smiled to herself and turned around, walking alongside the giant hedges that surrounded her house. As she reached the mailbox her hand quickly darted in and grabbed the usual assortment of junk mail. She wandered down the long gravel driveway, glancing at the apple trees on the way down. In a couple of days, they'd be ripe.

When she reached the house, she slid her shoes off and tested the door handle. Unlocked, which meant her mum was home and most likely talking to a client. Jenna went down the hallway and took the first door to the right, where the kitchen was. On the bench was the usual tray of cookies, designed to give her mum's clients a home-ish feeling. She grabbed four, placed the mail on the counter and walked out of the kitchen, up the stairs, and into her room.

The familiarity of the normal after school routine was comfortable for Jenna. She'd get home, grab a snack, do her homework and come downstairs to socialise after it was done. At some point her mum would wonder where the cookies had gone, and Jenna would come up with some excuse. Normal.

Jenna grabbed her books from her bag, placed them on a desk and opened the first one. She smiled as she saw the cover—maths—and pulled a sharp pencil from a container to set to work.

* * *

Two hours later, Jenna was sitting on the couch, homework completed.

"Jen?" her mum called from the kitchen. "Could you come in here for a moment?"

Jenna sighed and pulled herself off the couch. "Coming!" she said.

In the kitchen, her mum was leaning on a counter, holding the pile of mail. "Jenna, do you know what this is?"

She was holding up a plain envelope.

"A letter." Jenna rolled her eyes. Was she seriously brought into the kitchen to read some mail?

"Yes, but this isn't a normal letter." Her mum stiffened up, and pushed away from the counter. "Look, Jenna, this will come as a shock, and I know you won't like it, but your dad—"

"Are you getting divorced?" Jenna blurted out. She looked scared.

Jenna's mum laughed. "No, Jen. Kind of the opposite. Your dad got a promotion. If he accepts it, we'll get a lot more money and I might be able to grow my psychology business. But... he'll have to work in Auckland. Which means we have to move."

Jenna suddenly felt cold, as if someone had dropped ice water on her head. Goosebumps crept up her arms and her good mood vanished. "Move," she repeated. "To Auckland."

"Yes. This letter is from your dad's boss. Dad knows already, but this is a confirmation. We've still got another month here, and I know it's sudden, but we didn't want—"

Jenna's mum kept talking, but Jenna could only hear buzzing in her ears. She couldn't move all the way to Auckland! What about all her friends? They'd be on a completely different side of the country, and it was the middle of the school year! She'd have to do her first year of high school again, at a different school. She'd have to leave the old tree-house behind, and the organisation of the house. And what about Gertrude, her goat? They couldn't bring her into the city. She looked up her mum, and a tear trickled down her cheek.

"No," she croaked. "Mum, no. You can't—"

"I'm ho-ome!" shouted her dad. He bounced into the kitchen, but froze at the sight of his daughter with silent tears running down her face.

"Jenna," he said. "Are you—have you done your homework?"

It was his standard greeting for her, the first thing he asked before greeting her. Jenna looked at him and nodded numbly.

"Hey, look, uhh.... I figure you know about the promotion?" he looked helplessly at her mum.

Jenna nodded again.

"Why don't you go feed Gerty, okay? There are some carrots in the food bin, and I got some alfalfa on the way home. She loves that stuff—the bag's by the front door, okay?"

Jenna walked out of the kitchen, feeling like a zombie. She reached down and grabbed the alfalfa he'd brought. She slipped her shoes on and as soon as she got outside, started sprinting down the path by the side of her house.

This is all just a dream, she thought. A terrible dream, but it's okay because you're not moving. Just a nightmare. Why would you be moving when you're halfway into your first year of high school? Your parents wouldn't make you do that. They'd have to be completely insane, and they're not, so you can't be moving, and this has gotta be a dream, of course. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.

She almost crashed into Gertrude's paddock fence, she was so stuck in thought. She stopped right before she collided and her shoes skidded in the mud as her hands pushed against the fence. She winced as her hands went red. It's not a dream, she told herself, and sniffed. Gertrude looked up at the sound and snorted.

"Gertrude! Here baby!" Gertrude wasn't really a baby—she was about ten—but Jenna always thought of her as young. She held out the alfalfa and Gertrude trotted over. "Hey darling! How are you?"

Gertrude snuffled the alfalfa out of Jenna's hand and Jenna smiled sadly. She clambered over the fence and gave her goat a hug. "Gerty, we're moving, but I'm gonna bring you with me, okay? We're gonna get a place with a big backyard just for you, and we aren't gonna move into some tiny little flat where there isn't enough space for you. I promise."

Jenna closed her eyes and pressed her face into the chubby little goat she'd owned ever since she was four. Her tears seeped into Gertrude's fur as the goat turned its head and gently nuzzled her back. "It's okay, Gertrude," she said even though Gertrude didn't even look a tiny bit upset. Then she thought of something else.

"My friends!" she gasped, bringing her head out of Gertrude's fur. Gertrude looked at her. "Gerty, I have to leave them as well." She began to cry again. "And I'll have to start at a new school and pack up all my stuff and put it somewhere else and I won't know where anything is and there'll be too many people and, ugh, I don't wanna move!"

She stayed hugging Gertrude for a long time until she heard footsteps behind her. She snapped up straight and spun around. It was her dad, looking ashamed.

"Jenna, I'm sorry." He kicked at a pile of dirt, not meeting her eyes.

Jenna pressed against Gertrude and hugged her head, careful to avoid her horns.

"We can't bring her, you know. We're moving into an apartment and they have a no-pet rule; not that we could keep a goat in an apartment anyway."

"We're keeping Gertrude." Jenna was surprised by how strong her voice was. She straightened up and looked at her dad.

"Look, Jenna, I know you love her but I can't turn down my promotion. I need the money—we need the money. We have too much land out here, and I don't expect you to understand but this is a good choice for us and our future. Your mum will have more success with her psychology business if we live in a more populated area, and we'll be able to send you to a better school. We'll have better lives, Jen, and I know you'll miss Gertrude but she is quite old and she's likely to die soon anyway."

"What?" Jenna exploded. "I'm not just going to miss Gerty, Dad, I'll miss Renée and Calista and Britney and Melissa and our home and my room and the tree-house and the river and my ENTIRE LIFE! I don't want to move. I'll NEVER want to move. I love it here, okay?"

"Jen—"

"And you can't say Gertrude's just gonna die, that it's okay if we leave, because I have lived with her ever since she was one and I was four and I need to be with her. And I'm gonna have to move to a new school IN THE MIDDLE OF A SCHOOL YEAR and make new friends and I can't make new friends, I love MY friends. You can't make us move!" Jenna stopped, and took a deep, sobbing breath. "You can't make us move," she repeated quietly.

"Jenna, I'm sorry. Your mum and I have discussed this for over a month and we feel it's the best thing for our family to do. So, when you're ready, I need you to head to your room and start packing, alright?" Her dad looked at her and sighed, then leaned forward to scratch Gertrude's head before turning around and walking back to the house.

Jenna sat down next to Gertrude, and Gertrude turned her head to her. "We can't move," Jenna muttered numbly as she patted Gertrude's back.

* * *

The next day Jenna sat next to her friends on the bus to school, not wanting to tell them the bad news.

"Jen, we have art today," said Calista excitedly. "I've nearly finished my project!"

"I'm not gonna finish mine," Jenna sighed.

"Why not? Do you mean like, today, or ever? Are you going on holiday? Can I come?" Calista asked, trying to look around at Jenna's face, which was turned towards the window. "Jenna?"

Jenna turned to her. "I'm moving," she whispered. "To Auckland, in a month's time."

"What?" Rather than upset, Calista looked merely confused. "That's short notice! You're kidding, right?"

Jenna shook her head and sniffed.

I will not cry.

Britney and Melissa popped up from behind them. "Hey, Jen!" Melissa smiled. "Are you alright?"

"She says she's moving," Calista said, an arm around Jenna's back. "I don't entirely believe her though."

"Why?" Jenna asked helplessly. "I'm moving because Dad got a promotion and I have to leave you guys behind and Gerty and everything, and I can't move, I can't."

I will not cry. Hopefully.

Renée looked over from the seat across the aisle, having heard Jenna. "You're moving? No, you can't! Jen, you've gotta be joking, you can't... just, like... do that!"

Calista looked more believing now, especially since Jenna was on the verge of tears.

I will not cry.

Too late.

Jenna began to cry again, and Calista hugged her. Renée, Britney and Melissa reached over and tried to comfort her, and the rest of the students on the bus wondered what was going on.

* * *

Surrounded by her homework, Jenna realised she couldn't concentrate. She had closed herself in her room as soon as she got home and had been determined to finish her homework as quickly as possible. Just like she usually did. Stick with the routine.

But she kept losing her place in the book she was reading and getting stuck on the most basic comprehension questions. The only thing Jenna could actually focus on was the stack of boxes at the end of her bed, waiting to be packed. She looked around the room at all the knick-knacks and decorations she had—her clothes would go in that box there, with a backpack of extra clothes in case it took a while to unpack. The cactus and the mini flower would have to travel with her, otherwise the plants could spill dirt or come out of the pot. The trunk of old possessions underneath her desk would need to be emptied and sorted into separate piles—junk and keeping. Her wall decorations—posters, certificates, medals and some lights above the window would go at the bottom of the box so that they were flat.

Without realising it, Jenna closed her reading book at stood up. She walked over to the box pile and picked up a box, then walked to her cupboard and opened it. She began to empty her clothes in, folding them neatly, and set aside clothes for their final week. The orderliness helped her focus on the packing rather than the moving itself, and the routine of grab an item of clothing, fold it, and put it away became comforting. Jenna continued to pack everything she possibly could, bending all her concentration on stacking things the right way and ensuring things were in the right box.

At five o'clock, her dad walked into the house, calling, "I'm home!" Jenna was still upstairs and packing away her book collection, so she placed just one more book in the box before opening the door and walking to the top of the stairs.

"I've found someone to take Gertrude," her dad said to her mum.

Jenna froze at the top of the stairs.

"They're picking her up either tomorrow or on Friday. We'll need to tell Jenna before then so that she can say goodbye, but I'm honestly kind of nervous to break it to her. This whole thing is my fault and I don't want to bear any more bad news."

"I can tell her, don't worry. She'll be—"

Creeeak. Jenna's foot fell on the stairs. Her parent's heads snapped up, looking at her.

"Oh, Jenna! Hi, Honey! Have you done your homework?"

"No," Jenna replied. It was the first time she'd replied no in about eight years, so her dad was shocked.

"Go do it, then."

"But what about—"

"Do your homework, young lady!"

"Derek! Jenna's upset, so leave her alone. How much did you hear, Hon? Are you alright?"

"I heard enough," spat Jenna, and she raced back into her room, trying desperately to focus on her homework.

* * *

The man picking Gertrude up came on Friday, armed with a truck. Jenna was with Gertrude when he arrived, and immediately tightened her grip around Gertrude. She'd spent every last second with her goat and still didn't want to leave her.

Her dad escorted the man over. "Nick, this is the goat, Gertrude. Oh, and my daughter Jenna. Jenna, could you let go of that goat? Nick needs to get her on the truck."

"Dad, please," Jenna begged. "Five more minutes. Please."

"I've gotta go soon, so I need the goat," Nick said. "Sorry, kid." He looked genuinely upset.

He opened the gate and walked in, attaching a rope around Gertrude's neck. "C'mon, goat."

Jenna straightened up and watched as Nick lead Gertrude away. Gertrude looked back at Jenna, confused, and Jenna had to wipe away a tear as a wave of helplessness overwhelmed her. Gertrude pulled towards Jenna, and as Jenna ran forwards to hug her friend goodbye her dad gripped her by the shoulder. Gertrude was led, bleating, onto the truck and Jenna had to stand there and watch as the animal who was a part of her life for as long as she could remember was ripped away.

* * *

The next few days passed in a blur. Their furniture was packed away and boxes were loaded into the car. The move felt real now, inescapable. Jenna couldn't prevent it—how could she stop her dad from getting a promotion?

Sunday morning: it was time to leave. A truck had arrived for the beds and couches, and the family car sat next to it, loaded with all their possessions. A group of people had come to send them off—Jenna's friends. They hugged her, one by one, and promised to email and text, and gave her little presents, but Jenna felt nothing but sadness. She knew they'd fall out of touch, forget each other. They'd become a group of four best friends, and she'd be stuck in Auckland as the weird friendless kid. When her parents announced it was time to leave, she felt nothing except cold. When they drove away, she captured a picture with her mind—the grey, cloudy day with her friends waving goodbye in front of her house, her life, and the only place she would ever feel at home.

* * *

When they arrived in Auckland, the first thing Jenna noticed was how small everything was. Her bedroom was the size of the bathroom back home—space for a bed but almost nothing else. She sat in the car as boxes were unloaded and furniture was brought in.

This isn't real, she tried to convince herself. I still have Gertie and my friends and my house and- – Jenna began to cry, and the coldness wrapped even tighter around her.

* * *

Monday was the first day of the new school. She brought her stuff in and the office lady explained everything, and gave Jenna a map. The city school, in comparison to the rural one, was huge, but there were more subjects as well. Maybe not everything in this new place would be terrible.

Jenna changed her mind as soon as she walked into her first classroom: science. The entire class looked at her as she came in. She stepped back and pressed against the wall, mentally screaming at them to stop staring at her. The teacher glanced at her, then continued to explain something as the class scribbled down notes. Jenna stood by the door until the teacher stopped talking and walked over to her.

"You must be Jenna," he said.

Jenna nodded and looked at the ground.

"Come and take this desk here, next to Sammi. She can give a summary of what we've done this year, okay? You're excused from homework this week so you can catch up and adjust to our class, but after that I expect you to keep up."

Jenna sat down. "Hi," she mumbled.

"Hi, I'm Sammi. You're Jenna, right? I heard you came from the country. Is that true? What's it like out there? Did you have any cool pets?"

Jenna nodded. "I had a goat."

"Cool!" Sammi beamed at her, and Jenna smiled back.

Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

## Author Bio

Gabby (Gabriella) Eastgate is twelve-years-old (nearly thirteen, kind of) and goes to Heaton Normal Intermediate School, Room 15. She doesn't have a favourite book, as she enjoys reading everything, but her favourite series is Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan. She spends her afternoons on YouTube and Netflix with her cat and a bowl of Crunchy Nut. Gabby is a proud member of the Pataki Tribe.

#  Flight To Freedom

## by Isobel Kenny

PROLOGUE:

I sit on the ledge of my windowsill, dangling my legs over the side. I could leave. Run away. And I will leave, but not tonight. Not yet. Not when I know they're still watching me. I've sat here and watched the sunset every night since my parents started fighting. I've sat here every night for the past three years.

I like the way the sky can change like that. The colours. The Society has succeeded in taking most of the colour out of our life, but this is the one thing I know they could never change; they can take away the colour of our clothes, the colour of our food, but they can't change the colours of the sky when the sun sets. The pink, blue, orange, yellow and the dark inky black that currently coats the hills of Kaixo Province.

All the electricity shuts off at ten pm, and now the only lights visible are those of the guard's torches as they patrol the grounds of Sterling Manor. Patrolling me, now that they know I want to escape. There is no way they're letting me out again. It all started yesterday, when my parents sat us down at the kitchen table before breakfast....

I'd woken up that morning still uncomfortably slouched on my windowsill from the night before, a light summer breeze coming in from the window. Below me, the grounds of the manor spread as far as I could see, littered with guards.

I climbed off my cramped window bench with a yawn, stretching out my tired muscles. My feet slid into plain white slippers, and my plain white pyjamas I covered with a thin black dressing gown. I traipsed down the stairs slowly, feet dragging on the marble staircase. The kitchen on the ground floor seemed forever away from my room this early in the morning.

But something was wrong.

The never-ending soundtrack to my house—my parents arguing—was gone. The house was silent, minus the sound of plates clattering in the kitchen below. I knew something was up from the minute I stepped my slippered foot through the kitchen door.

My little brother Archie sat curled up in his chair at the table, sipping his grey porridge slowly from the foil container provided by the Society. But the weird thing was my parents. They sat opposite each other, my father reading a newspaper, my mother typing on her datapod. Not fighting, not yelling. Eerily quiet. Almost civilised.

"Good morning, Matilda," my mother said quietly, eyes still glued to her screen. "Will you please sit down? We have something to tell you."

Oh, here we go. I was in for it now. But I couldn't remember doing anything outside of Society boundaries—lately, anyway.

"Archie? You too. Your mother and I have been waiting to tell you this for a long time," my father's voice was oddly calm. "We have decided to revise our Marriage Contract, children."

My mouth dropped open in surprise, and I sat there stunned for a long time before anything really registered in my brain. My parents were getting divorced.

"What does that mean, Tilly?" Archie tugged on my hand and whispered in my ear. I shook my head, turning away from him. I hurriedly got up and shoved my chair in, running from the room before my parents could see the tears forming in my eyes.

I'd always hated my parents, and my life, to be honest. But I'd never thought they could ruin it so fast, just with a couple simple words. My parent's doctor-speak for 'divorce'. Not that I didn't suspect it, of course. They were always screaming at each other, and at me and Archie. All of the other children whose parents were divorced were always treated as the outcasts, the misfits. And although the fighting wasn't ideal, a divorce would be even worse.

I'd always thought of running away. Since I was young, even before my parents started fighting. When the Society took over from the government, after the Great War of 3021, they changed the way we lived drastically in an attempt to create an atmosphere where perfect little children could grow up in a perfect little world and there would be no war, and everything would turn out fine. But the world doesn't work like that. It never has, and it never will. There are always those rebels, the ones who don't fit into the slot the Society has carved for them.

When I first decided to run away from my house, a few years ago, I was stupid. I wasn't prepared. My parents had just begun fighting, yelling at each other for hours on end. I packed up a few of my things, and headed out the door in a careless hurry. I made it just as far as the front gates before I was spotted by the guards and towed back into the house to face my parents. Not such a big deal, right? Right, but that was just enough for them to start watching me. For three years, I've had an extra glance my way on my way to school. Just a hurried peek out of the corner of a guard's eye. I was a danger to their perfect world, and they were standing in the way of mine.

Quite a few months later, as my father began to pack up his things to move away from our home, I started to become aware of the people living in the forest right behind our estate. Of course, I knew of those people in other cities and other forests; back in the day when the Society first formed, about two hundred people managed to escape before anyone could stop them going, and my plan was always to join them... somehow—... but I didn't realise they lived so close, in MY forest, in MY city.

It started with noticing the small things, a wisp of smoke above the forest as the sun rose, a glowing light able to be seen at night. Then I started seeing them. Children would play at the very edge of the forest at night, wearing ragged t-shirts that hung loose on their shoulders. Not the black plain clothes that we wore in the Society. Bright pinks and greens splattered with mud and dirt, fiery reds and royal blues. I'd often creep down to the west wing of the manor and stare out the window for hours, longing to have the freedom that they had. So one day, I decided to visit them.

It was an early evening in the spring, the sun just starting to set on the horizon. Of course, there were the guards to get past, but I'd been studying how they moved for the past month, and I knew exactly where they would be, down to the second. If I climbed out the window at the end of the west wing at exactly 5:23 PM, I would have precisely thirty seconds to duck around the first row of oak trees directly in front of me before guard number six would come straight around from the south. From there, into the forest, to meet whoever was living there.

I climbed out the window via the fire escape, and jumped down straight onto the grass from the second storey. Not my smartest idea, but my only choice. The very second I saw guard number seven turn his back on the west wing, I sprinted across the lawn as fast as I could go, and dived right behind the first tree. Fourteen seconds to spare. There I could see them. Three kids stood a few metres away, sitting cross-legged in a circle. I stood dead still, peering at the children around the tree I was kneeling behind. Their hair looked unruly and messy, dirt and mud streaked over their clothes and skin. They wore no shoes, and had scabs and grazes plastered all over their legs. But they looked happy. Their eyes were wild and full of a kind of life and happiness that I'd never seen before.

"Hey," a voice behind me whispered, scaring me half to death. A girl with the most striking green eyes I'd ever seen sat crouched behind a trimmed rose bush behind me. I sat stunned for a minute, eyes wide in shock.

"H-h-hi," I stammered, not quite able to get the words out. I was staring at a real life person that lived rough in the forest. Without the Society watching their every move.

"I'm Astrid. I live in the forest just a couple miles back there," she points towards the start of the dense bush. "And your Matilda, right? The girl who lives at the manor?"

My brow creased in confusion, and I inched a few metres away from her. "How do you know who I am?" I queried, staring at her in utter disbelief.

"We can hear your parents yelling from all the way over here. And, of course, I was just assuming your name wasn't Archie. A brother, I'm guessing?" she talked at a rapid pace, and I struggled to keep up, "Gosh, they do yell a lot, your parents. I'm surprised they haven't got a divorce or something yet! You must be itching to get away from them! I mean the very thought of having parents like that—"

"They only recently told us about the divorce," my words were quiet, almost whispered, head lowered down onto my chest. I was now even more of an outcast to society, thanks to my parents.

"Oh no. Matilda, I'm sorry," she looked genuinely upset with herself, "I just get carried away sometimes and—"

"Don't worry," I interrupted, with a wave of my hand. "It's fine. Really, it is. But, I came here to—" I glanced around over my shoulder, checking for surveillance cameras and guards.

"It's all right, Matilda. Nobody ever bothers to check out here. But come with me and we'll go further in there to talk," Astrid reassured me, pulling me onto my feet.

She led me deep into the heart of the forest, where the foliage grew thick, and the vines appeared intent on halting your progress. I began to hear the faint sounds of singing and music, and smell roasting meat and burning firewood.

"The camp is right through those trees," Astrid gestured towards the sounds, "but I better not take you through just yet. My people don't react kindly to you Society folk." My heart dropped. These people might not be able to help me after all.

"Look, I have to be quick. My parents don't know where I am, and I have a tracking device. They can look where I've been if I'm acting suspicious," I pointed to the lump in the middle of my forearm. The Society implants a small tracking device in every baby when they are born, just under the skin, to keep tabs on our every move.

"Anyway. Take me with you. Please. I need to get away. And my brother too, Archie. He's five, but he's really not that much of a handful and I'd take him with me and—"

Astrid stared at me, her mouth wide open in utter disbelief.

"Wow. Okay, um... I can ask the leaders but you have to know there are no guarantees. And you'd have to ditch the tracking devices. Stay here, I'll go," she disappeared through the trees and I waited, nervously chewing on the nail of my thumb. It seemed to take years before she finally reappeared, smacking a vine out of the way.

"Meet me by the first line of oak trees at the same time tomorrow. Take only the essentials. Tell nobody where you're going, and sneak out quickly and quietly. You're in," Astrid says, "but DON'T bring the boy."

"But why not? I have to take him with me!" I panic, shaking me head.

"No. He'd be too much of a liability," she says firmly "I'm sorry, Matilda. It's just not possible."

The next afternoon it was time to put my plan into action. The plan for my escape. But I'd have to say goodbye to the only person I'd ever loved in my family: Archie. I wrapped a few of my things up in a towel from the bathroom and hid it in the very back of my wardrobe, buried in a pile of shoes. I had at least a few hours before it was time to leave—forever. I wouldn't have time to explain to him that I was leaving him behind. No time to fluff around, say goodbye. I had to leave him behind. I knew he would be taken care of. He would hardly remember who I was in a few years. But that didn't make it much easier.

At exactly 5.23 PM, I was strategically positioned at the window to the west wing, ready to run for the second time in two days. The moment I saw the guard turn his back on our little window giving me my thirty second gap, I jumped.

30... 29... 28... 27... 26...

With not a moment of regret, I sprinted straight toward the trees, heart hammering in my chest. This was my time, my moment to run.

25... 24... 23... 22... 21... 20...

And with a final, defiant look straight towards the house that was once mine, I scrambled back onto the ground behind the first tree, just as the guard turned the corner into the west wing.

And there, waiting in behind a mulberry bush in the corner of my eye, was Astrid. Her eyes lit up in surprise as she recognized me, and she held a finger to her lips. And then I saw it. Next to her lay a large, and very sharp, knife and a pair of tweezers, gleaming in the sunlight. She saw me glancing at it, and chewed her lip nervously.

"For the tracking device," she whispered, "I need to cut it out. They're just under the skin, so it shouldn't hurt much. Hopefully."

My eyes widened in alarm. Hopefully? Had she ever done this before?

"Close your eyes and just look the other way. It'll only take a minute. I think."

I sat dead still, not able to take my eyes off the knife, with my teeth gritted and fists clenched in tight balls by my side. Astrid wiped the knife on her shirt quickly and turned toward me. I shut my eyes tightly, and turned the other way, wincing at the thought of the process. At first impact the knife sent a searing pain down my lower arm, then as Astrid pulled out the tiny seed-like object, the pain lessened to a dull aching throb. She wrapped a pink strip of cloth around my arm and tied it tight.

"Thank you," my voice sounded strangled, but the worst was over. "But where do we leave it? The tracker, I mean."

If we left it here in the forest, the guards that would eventually find out I'm missing would have a clue on where to start looking.

"I need to take it back to the house," Astrid said quietly. "It's no use being left here. Where is your brother?"

"Him and Nanny were by the pool ten minutes ago. My bet is that they're still there."

"I'll sneak around the back of the pool and put it in one of their bags. I'm sure they'll be back at the house by the time we're gone. Wait here, and don't move a muscle." She commanded me, and then disappeared.

And gosh, that girl could run like the wind. Astrid wore her long black hair loose around her shoulders, and it almost seemed to dance behind her as she sprinted through the trees as fast and agile as a fox. It had only been a day since I met the girl in the forest, and she now seemed like the only person I could trust in this entire world.

And then, in what seemed like only a few seconds, she arrived back next to me, panting and breathless.

"Did you do it?" I asked eagerly, staring her down with anxious eyes.

"Done." She confirmed, and I wrapped my arms around her tightly in delight, tears leaking from my eyes. I was free. After all those years trapped in the Society's world, in my parents world, I had made it. That's when I saw him. A guard stood directly left to where we were sitting, only a few metres away. My eyes widened in shock and a panic seemed to cloud over my brain. With a gasp of horror, I realised that Astrid hadn't seen him.

"Come on," she said, loud enough for the guard to hear, "we need to get out of here."

I clamped my hand over her mouth and pressed us back against the bark of the tree. She'd seen him now, too. He stood rigidly still, his back perfectly straight, eyes searching for the owner of the voice. Then he looked directly into my eyes and reached for the walkie-talkie on his belt.

"We've found her," he whispered into it, eyes locked on me and Astrid. "All units to the west wing. Immediately."

I needed to run, get out of there now. But something stopped me. A little voice to my right, calling out my name.

"Tilly?"

The voice made my stomach sink. Archie. He must've followed Astrid back from the pool. The guard stood stock still, just quietly listening in.

"Archie? Go back to Nanny. Now," I commanded, attempting to keep my voice firm, one eye fixed on the guard.

"Miss and Master Sterling? I'm gonna need you to come back with us," the guard stepped forward holding two pairs of silver handcuffs. He ignores Astrid, who crouches down by the bushes a few metres away. Then, I realised I had to choose. My brother, or my freedom. I reached for Archie's hand, pulling him close to me.

"Archie," I whispered, tears threatening to fall down my cheeks any moment, "I need you to go with the guard. He's going to take you back to Nanny. And I'll be right back there tucking you in bed tonight, okay? I promise."

"Promise?" he asked me, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Promise," I replied, closing my eyes as the tears trickled down my face. "Go."

Little did he know that I'd never be back. Then the backup guards arrived.

And we ran. We ran as if our life depended on it, as for all we knew, it did. I could hear the crashing of foliage behind us and for a moment I thought it was over. Our breath came out in desperate wheezes, legs pumping so hard I thought they might just fall off. They followed us for what seemed like hours, but gradually, the noises started to fade as we ran deeper into the heart of the forest. Crashing trees and stomping boots replaced by chirping birds and rustling leaves. We collapsed on the forest floor, exhausted. But they'd given up. I was gone, erased from the Society's database, wiped from the system. But I knew where I belonged. Here in the forest was my true home, where I could live a life without a tracking device implanted in my body, and have the freedom to do what I wished. I was finally—after sixteen years—home. The colours were like nothing I'd ever seen before. The greens were more vibrant, the pink of the blooming flowers more beautiful than I'd ever seen. Every shade of green and brown that existed seemed to be all around me, my eyes hungry to take it all in. It looked like freedom.

"I made it," I panted, smiling at Astrid. "I really made it."

"You did. You really did." She grins and holds her hand out, pulling me to my feet. "Matilda, welcome to the forest."

## Author Bio

Isobel Kenny is thirteen-years-young and goes to Heaton Intermediate School. She enjoys reading, writing and wasting her life on binge watching YouTube and Netflix. While she is not wasting her life on the internet and watching Logan Paul, she likes to travel and read books such as The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

# Cia

## by Lucy Bates

I wake up to the familiar sight of mosquitoes swarming around our small home and my Ayah and older brother leaving our home in the early hours of the morning to search for work. I wriggle out from under my grandparents bed, where I have to sleep because our home is so tiny. I give my Ayah a hug. "Don't go far from our home and do what your Ibu asks you to, Cia," he reminds me. I nod and walk outside to watch the sunrise.

The sky is like a painting with swirls of pink, orange, red and purple enveloping the sky. I sit down on the dirt ground and pull the small dirty rag doll out of my pocket. I found her when I was five and I was helping to search for things to sell. It had been thrown out by some other little girl, the type of child who was spoilt and refused to eat anything she didn't like. The type of girl who threw out her dinner when her parents weren't looking while my family starved. I close my eyes and imagine what my life would be like if I was that girl.

"Hey, Cia," someone shouts from across the train tracks. I open my eyes and watch Ahmad run over and sit down next to me.

"Hello," I reply.

"Do you want to go and play a game?" he asks.

"Sorry, I have to go and get water for our family."

His shoulders drop and a frown appears across his face. "That's okay, I'll come with you, then we can go and try to get a turn on the old video games."

I nod eagerly and together we go into my house to grab the old bucket we use to collect water from the well every day. We're careful not to disturb my sleeping younger siblings as we grab some rice porridge for breakfast and say good morning to Ibu.

"Race you to the well," Ahmad whispers, and he disappears out of the house before I can even reply. I sprint after him. The wind catches my hair and I grip onto the handle of my bucket. My bare feet eat up the ground and soon I've caught up to Ahmad. I pass him with a triumphant grin. After running for what feels like an eternity we both collapse onto the ground, gasping for breath and wiping the sweat off our foreheads. The hot Indonesian sun is slowly rising and everyone in the slum is hurrying to get chores done before it gets too hot to work.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Ahmad looking wistfully at the game of football a group of boys have started up. He knows I'm not supposed to play soccer because I'm a girl and my parents expect me to do work all day and never go far from our home. I shouldn't even be this far away from my house. I should really hurry up, get water and go home because Ibu will be worried.

"It's alright Ahmad, you can go and play football with them, I should probably get home anyway. If my Ibu knew I was doing anything other than getting the water she would lecture me for hours."

"No, it's okay, I'll come with you," he says and I silently thank him for being such a great friend.

We hurriedly collect water from the well and walk back to my house. As I walk inside the small hut we call home a feeling of dread washes over me. I prepare myself to be yelled at for taking so long.

"Cia! Ahmad! Where have you been! Oh, I've been so worried. There's a fire just down the train tracks and it's spreading quickly. We have to get out of the house. Hurry!" Ahmad and I stand still in shock for a moment, taking it in. The whole slum knows how dangerous fires can be. With barely any water in sight and scorching hot conditions, there's barely any chance of saving your home after it's started to spread. Ahmad rushes out of the house to join his family.

"Quick Cia, help me get all the children out of the house!" Ibu says, passing me my younger sister and I balance her on my hip. With my other hand I hold Cahya's hand. His little fingers are sweaty and I can tell he's been crying.

"Where are Kakek and Nenek?" I ask, suddenly realising how empty our house feels without them.

"They've gone to help put out the fire," she tells me.

"Well, then we need to go and help too!"

"No, Cia. It's too dangerous!"

"Ibu, if we don't go and help we may lose the home we spent months building and the one place I feel safe."

Ibu eventually gives in and we rush over to help. I pass my baby sister to Ibu and I hold tight to Cahya's hand.

Our neighbours have all made a chain of people passing buckets of water down a line to be thrown on the fire. Sweat runs down my face as I get closer, counting the houses between my home and the fire. Thirty two. I push my hand into my pocket and give my rag doll a small squeeze before running back to my house for the bucket of water I filled up for us this morning. I pass it down the line of women and children to be tipped on the fire. Everywhere people from the age of four are running around, getting water or passing the buckets down the line. I try to send a mind message do my father and my three older siblings, please get home soon, we need your help!

We pass bucket after bucket of water down the line. Cries and screams fill the air. Houses are being lost every minute and the whole neighbourhood is full of commotion. I notice young boys running to the well and back to the chain of people over and over. They aren't going fast enough, soon we will run out of water. Ahmad is with them. I tell myself to stay and pass down buckets like all the other women but I know I can run faster than all of them, that without me, we are sure to run out of water and we won't be able to save any of our homes. I have to save my home.

I tuck my hair down my shirt and try to make my old skirt look like shorts. Then I ask a kind looking old lady to look after Cahya while I begin to sprint faster than I've ever sprinted before. Twenty one houses left. I'm passing all the other boys as I run ignoring their shouts when they notice who I am. I squeeze my rag doll as I run. Down the train tracks. Past my house. Past Ahmad's house. Past where the boys play football and finally I'm at the well. I fill up a bucket and wipe the sweat off my forehead before starting the run back. I barely feel my muscles as they begin to hurt, I barely even feel the scorching afternoon sun beating down on my back. I focus on running. Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. Four houses. I pump my arms faster and put all my energy into not spilling the bucket of cool water I'm carrying.

"Cia! Run! Quick, you have the last bucket of water, the well has run dry. Hurry!" I'm shocked to hear my Ibu telling me to run but I obey her, a smile sneaking onto my face. My neighbours have given up, standing around, crying and watching the fire as it swallows house after house. Without the well they know there's no hope. I throw my water onto the fire and it shrinks slightly. It wasn't enough.

The fire rages onwards and I have to leap away from it as the place I was standing thirty seconds ago erupts into flames. It was all for nothing, my home will be burnt to ashes and there's nothing I can do about it. I shrink to the ground hugging my knees. Before I know what's happening I'm crying, big fat tears rolling down my face. Somebody has probably called the fire department but they won't be here for hours because of the terrible Indonesian traffic. Plus our slum isn't exactly prioritised over the rich families. The only home I've ever known is about to be destroyed right in front of me. One house left. My mind fills with memories of the months we spent living on the streets scavenging for food all day in the blistering heat and freezing at the side of the road every night. It took ages to build our home and I don't want to let all that hard work go to waste. I have to do something. How can I save my home? Then I notice an old towel lying on the street.

I grab the towel and start beating the fire, sweat running down my body, I continue to beat the fire. I'm full of new energy: I need to save my home. It's not moving forwards any more but it's not getting any smaller either. I shout at people to help me and slowly people begin to slowly stand up, grabbing any thick piece of material and joining me. It's working! The fire is slowly getting smaller and smaller and now it only occupies seven houses and it continues to diminish constantly. Now all my neighbours are helping, everybody putting all their strength into fighting the fire. Relief floods over me when I notice that my house is no longer in danger but I need to help my neighbours save their homes. "Ahmad!" I shout when I see him nearby.

"Cia! Are you okay?"

"I am now that my house is safe, is your house burnt?"

"Only a little bit at the edges but it would have been much worse without you! You saved most of the neighbourhood! Everyone had given up until you started beating it with a towel!" He exclaims. I tell him that it was nothing and that I could never have done it alone and then he smiles at me and says, "Cia, you're one of the bravest people I know!"

We're just beating away the final remains of the fire when I notice a lady is sitting on the train tracks, surrounded by small children, crying.

"Please, somebody help! My baby is inside that house!" she screams, pointing at a house full of smoke and burning hot ashes. There are still flames seeping into the house but I have to help the lady. Ahmad realises what I'm doing as I start to sprint towards the house yelling at me to stop and that it's too dangerous. I keep running. I push through the ashes in the doorway as quickly as I can. Smoke fills my lungs. Waving my hand in front of my face to clear the smoke I see the baby lying on a small bed, flames creeping up around her. The heat is unbearably hot. I have to get out. I pick her up, holding her under my shirt to protect her. Panic begins to enter my head as I notice the doorway is now caving in with ash and I can't even think it's so hot. I have to get out. I try to kick at one of the crumbling walls but it stays solid. I have to get out. I give up and sprint straight the charred doorway and somehow I come out unharmed.

I hand the lady her baby and she hugs me over and over telling me I'm a hero. Ibu is running over to me.

"Ibu! Our house is safe!" I shout with joy as I realise the fire has now completely burned out.

"Cia! Yes! Our home is safe and I can't believe how fast you are at running!" she exclaims as she hugs me and I smile realising that for once she's proud of me running.

"Can we go and have dinner?" I ask when I realise how hungry I am. Ibu laughs at the sound of such a normal question after what's just happened and I smile back.

My brothers and Ayah return just as we're preparing a small dinner of rice and vegetables. They are told about how I saved a woman's baby and inspired everybody to continue fighting the fire even when the well run out of water, and I receive many more hugs. Then my Ayah says something I never thought I'd hear him say.

"Cia, you have shown us that you really do have a great talent in running and so after your heroic actions today you have our permission to play football with the boys, occasionally."

I jump up and down with joy before Ibu stops me pointing out that it's shaking our whole tiny hut.

Later when we're eating dinner outside—our house is too small to eat in—Ahmad comes over and eats with us. When I tell him that tomorrow we can play football together he's ecstatic. Even Kakek and Nenek, who believe strongly about the rule that girls stay close to home, are proud of me.

The next day Ahmad and I play football with all the boys. At first they say I can't play because I'm a girl, but after they realise what I did yesterday I'm welcomed. I score my first ever goal and after hours of playing it's decided that my team won by far. We all high-five each other and head back to our houses.

When I get home I tell Cahya about what just happened. He doesn't understand but he grins at me anyway and I laugh. Now every time I look at our house instead of thinking about the huge two story houses rich people own I feel grateful for our home and how lucky I am to have it.

## Glossary

_Ayah_ = Father

_Ibu_ = Mother

_Kakek_ = Grandfather

_Nenek_ = Grandmother

## Author Bio

Lucy Bates is a twelve-year-old who goes to Heaton Intermediate School. She enjoys reading and writing. She also likes watching Netflix and YouTube. When she isn't watching Logan Paul she plays netball, volleyball and tennis. Her favourite book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

#  Amala

## by Natalie Hetherington

I sit at my desk, my pen scribbling on my page, slowly filling every inch of paper. All around me my classmate's heads are bent over their work, focusing. I glance up at the clock. Ten minutes to go. Ten minutes until I can do what I want. All too soon the bell rings. "Time's up," my teacher calls from her perch at her desk.

Everyone drops their pens in sync and files out the door. I run to catch up with my best friend, Najima.

"Want to play hopscotch?" I ask.

"Sure, race you there. Winner starts," she replies. Suddenly she is off—as fast as a rocket.

"Wait up," I call.

She turns around and pokes her tongue out at me. "See you later, slow poke."

I turn the bend into the next street. Ahead of me, I see Najima already waiting where we play hopscotch, a huge smile spread across her face. I run to catch up, panting.

"Just because you're the fastest runner at school," I say.

She beams, triumphant, and rolls the stone landing on five. She jumps and falls over. I roll my eyes, nothing other than usual.

"Your turn," she hands me the stone.

I roll and land on ten. Picking up the stone, I turn around, grinning. The only game I ever beat Najima in—hopscotch.

"Better get home soon, otherwise our Ummahs will be worrying," she grumbles.

We turn around and jog home, the frown still evident on Najima's face as she turns into her house.

"See you tomorrow," she mutters.

"See ya," I reply, turning into my own street. I suddenly notice how quiet the streets are. I race back to Najima's house to ask her if she knows anything, but she is already gone.

I round the corner and turn into my house.

"Hello?" I call.

Nobody answers. Umma isn't in the kitchen making baklava for my brothers and I, like she usually is. I enter the sitting room and find my Umma and my Abee talking in hushed voices. Worry fills my tummy.

"Hello, Amala," my Abee says looking up.

"Hi Umma and Abee," I say. "What's wrong? Why are you home now Abee?"

"Sit down. We need to tell you something," Umma calls.

I walk over and sit on the floor.

"What?" I demand.

"President Bashar Al-Assad has declared war on Syria. No one is safe any more. We are leaving tonight. Go upstairs and pack your bags. Be quick. We are meeting the people smugglers at the edge of the city in three hours. It will take us two hours to get there," she demands.

My feet drag me up the stairs but my mind is another place. What is happening? Will I ever see Najima again?

I find the biggest bag I can in my room and sit there registering what I have just been told. I only barely hear my brothers coming home from school. After what feels like ten seconds my Ummah calls from downstairs telling us that we are leaving in two minutes. I quickly grab my favourite toy—Ocean—and some clothes and rush downstairs.

"Ready, Ummah," I call.

"We're just waiting for your Abee and your brothers," she replies.

"Hurry up Laith and Nour. You're always so slow," I bellow.

"We're coming," Laith replies.

Soon they come bouncing down the stairs, followed by my Abee, a serious look etched onto his face. How could my brothers be so happy in such a dismal time? I think to myself.

"Amala, start walking towards the mosque," Abee tells me.

As I leave I glance around, taking in the home that I have lived in my whole life, just in case I never come back.

Outside there is worry in the air. No children are playing in the streets. No adults are standing on their porches talking to their neighbours. Even the birds aren't singing. As soon as I realise this, a bomb whistles past, hitting a house a block away. Shards of house are flung up into the air. I am knocked off my feet, landing on the grass outside our house.

"AAAGGGGHHH," I scream.

I am terrified as I realise that the bomb hit the house beside Najima's. Abee comes out of our house and gestures for me to come—we will all keep going together.

* * *

By the time we reach the edge of the city my feet are aching. Blisters have begun to cover the soles of my feet. Every step that I take causes more pain.

"We need to go over to the dustbins by the hotel on Ring Road. Stay together and don't let anyone see you," Abee tells us. "There, the people smugglers will meet us and we will soon have left Homs."

Behind the dustbins I peek out from where I am perched. I see soldiers with guns patrolling the edge of the city. I see huge tanks ready to fire. I see soldiers shooting desperate people trying to escape.

* * *

"Where are the people smugglers? I'm hungry," Nour questions.

"I don't know. Just keep quiet," Umma whispers.

"They should have been here an hour ago," Abee announces, anxiously checking his watch.

I suddenly notice that the sky has begun to darken, warning us that night is coming. I had been so absorbed with watching the soldiers and the other refugees coming and going that I hadn't noticed the time pass. I notice a face that looks like Najima's in the crowd of refugees leaving, when a door we hadn't noticed before opens from the hotel and a lady emerges, carrying dustbins overflowing with rubbish.

"As salamu alaykum," she greets us.

"Waleiykum assalam," Abee replies.

"What are you doing here?" she asks.

"We are trying to flee Homs, but our people smugglers haven't turned up," Abee replies.

"Come in here, quickly," she orders as she ushers us into a small room. "My name is Bana and I own this hotel. If you like, I can give you a room to sleep in for the night and my brother can take you into the countryside. You can trust me. I was once in your situation," she adds, noticing Umma and Abee's worried looks.

"Jazak Allahu khair," Umma replies, bowing her head in thanks.

* * *

A sharp rapping at the door wakes me from a deep sleep. I sit up, alert. Will it be soldiers trying to kill us? I think to myself.

"Don't worry, it's me Bana," she whispers, soothing all of my worries.

Abee rushes to open the door for her.

"Hello, Bana," he says.

"Hello. I hope you all had a good sleep. I have talked with my brother and he said that he will take you to the countryside," Bana says.

But my mind isn't on what she's saying—it is focused entirely on the tray of food in her hands.

Bana stops talking, noticing my eyes focused on the food.

"Oh this food is for all of you, I almost forgot," she laughs.

"Thank you very much," I reply taking the food for my whole family.

"My brother will meet you behind the dustbins where I found you last night at ten tomorrow night," Bana continues.

"Okay. Jazak Allahu khair," Abee praises her.

"Jazak Allahu khai," Bana replies. "Fi Amanullah."

As soon as Bana closes the door behind her, I bless Allah for the food and we all start greedily eating.

* * *

At ten pm, we are all waiting for Bana's brother, but he is nowhere to be seen. Suddenly a voice comes from the group of trees over the road.

"Psst. Over here."

I turn around and I see a face peeking out from the trees.

"It would be way too risky to run across there without being seen," I think to myself.

"Let me go first and check that it is him," Abee orders us.

"Wait Abee. Don't go," I plead.

But he is already running across the road, ducking to avoid being seen. Suddenly he is across the road and I find that I can breathe again. He gives us the all-clear signal and Laith and Nour both run across the road. They make it. Next it is my turn. My heart is hammering in my chest as I check that no soldiers are looking in my direction. All clear.

"This is it," I think to myself.

I sprint across trying to duck as low as I can. It would be good to have some of Najima's speed now. All too soon I am across in the pile of trees and the person I saw before gestures for me to climb into the hole at his feet. I climb down the rungs low enough so that I can just see Umma run across the road. Suddenly Umma trips over and the soldiers are aware of her there.

"Stop right there and put your hands up," one of the soldiers demands.

Umma disobeys and continues sprinting across the road towards us. Shots begin to fire. Luckily, the soldiers can't see her because of the darkness. I clamber back down the hole and join the rest of my family at the bottom. A few seconds later Umma and the guy joins us as he slams the trapdoor shut and locks it.

"Just so the soldiers don't catch us," he says, catching my raised eyes.

"Are you alright?" Abee asks Umma.

"Yes I'm fine," she replies.

"Everyone, this is Abood. Do whatever he tells you as he is helping us," Abee tells us.

"Hello. We must hurry before the soldiers find us. This tunnel that we are in will lead us to Ter Maela, fifty two kilometers away. I found these tunnels when I was playing round here as a boy. They used to be used for transporting things out of the city but stopped being used and were forgotten about," Abood tells us. "Just follow me."

He lights a candle that illuminates the tunnel and begins to run away.

"We must hurry," Abood tells us. "It won't be long until the soldiers can get through the trapdoor."

* * *

After what feels like I have run a marathon, we come to the end of the tunnel.

"This is where I will leave you. After you have climbed the ladder you will be at the back of the railway station in Ter Maela. Good luck for the rest of your journey," Abood informs us.

"Thank you very much for all of your help," Abee says.

I try to get out of the tunnel but the light from the moon and street lamps forces me to cover them immediately.

"Amala, we're going to stay with your cousins. Could you please go and order tickets for the next train to Al Ghantu? We will walk the rest of the way to your cousin's house," Abee asks me.

"Sure," I reply taking the money Abee hands me.

As soon as I have bought the tickets, I start to walk over to the train stop where my family is waiting for me.

"Our train leaves in fifteen minutes," I tell them.

"Okay. We'll just wait for it here," Abee replies.

When the train arrives, we all jump onto it and grab our seats. The train is packed with refugees all trying to flee Homs just like us.

* * *

Our train pulls into the station at Al-Ghantu and we grab our bags and begin our long journey to our cousin's house in the country. We walk past many fields growing crops. My feet ache as I walk further and further.

"This is real," I think to myself, "I have to keep going."

Three long hours later we arrive at our cousin's house. I stumble up to the door barely able to move my feet because I am so tired and pull back the brass door knocker. Knock. Knock. Knock. There is silence for a few seconds and then footsteps come scurrying from somewhere in the house.

"Hello," my aunty exclaims. "Are you OK?"

"Yes, we are fine. Would we be able to stay here for a while until the war has stopped?"Abee asks.

"Yes, you can. Thank Allah that you are all alright," Aunty says. "Come inside and get warm and I'll go and wake everyone else up and then make you some food."

"Hi Aunty, Uncle, Amala, Laith and Nour," my older cousin Adnan greets us as he rubs his eyes.

"Hi," we all reply in sync.

Just then my other cousin, Lely, arrives at the same time as Aunty brings us some hot food.

As soon as we are finished eating we go to bed—ready for a rest. I walk down the hallway into Lely's room where I have stayed in so many times when I have come for sleepovers. I fish around in my bag for my phone and text Najima, my last hope of knowing if she is fine. There isn't any reception here, but I try anyway.

ARE YOU OK?

I climb into her spare bed and listen as the parents make plans for tomorrow. I wonder if Najima is all right and if she managed to escape the city. I don't know what will happen to my future but I know that I will never see my home again. Just as I begin to fall asleep my phone dings from my bag.

YES I AM FINE. ARE YOU?

"How did that text get through?" I wonder. I fall asleep, my mind at peace knowing that everything will be fine.

## Glossary

_Salamu alaykum_ – Peace be upon you

_Waleiykum assalam_ – And peace be upon you

_Jazak Allahu khair_ – May Allah reward you for the good

_Jazak Allahu khai_ – May Allah bless you

_Fi Amanullah_ – May Allah protect you

_Umma_ – Mum

_Abee_ – Dad

# Zac

## by Jake Goddard

Zac is descending the extremely long elevator tube to the underwater house in the depths of the dark ocean when Jenna looks up and begins to talk, "Did you remember the cheese while we were at the grocery store?"

Zac rushes through his past thoughts to try and remember grabbing the cheese, but there is no recollection of the thought.

"Dammit," he replies.

The two finally reach the massive research facility, the sound of rushing water can be heard faintly in the background, but Zac chooses to ignore it.

"I still can't believe you forgot the cheese," Jenna says.

"Really you're still going on about that?" Zac replies.

Marcus comes sprinting in with his dark hair drenched in water. "FLOOD!" he screams at Zac and Jenna.

"What where?" Jenna says.

"Do-do-down i-in th-the control room," Marcus replies.

"First of all, calm down, then explain what happened," Zac says.

Marcus takes a few breaths and then begins to speak, "I was sorting out the airlock down in the submarine leeway when something kept smashing into the glass and th-then the glass broke and water started to rush in. I barely made it out, it's probably up the stairs by now."

"What should we do Zac?" asks Jenna.

"Someone has to go down there, because if there are any loose cords and the power goes out we're stuck down here," replies Zac. "Where is Emma?"

"She left about an hour ago to get lunch," answers Marcus.

"I'll go down and see what I can do until she gets back, okay?" says Zac.

Zac runs down the stairs spiralling down the middle of the facility where the sound of rushing water that was once faint in the background becomes louder with every step. Zac finally catches sight of the almost black water. It looks as if it has a soul—as if it is alive. The way it pulses up and down frightens him. How do I know what's down there? he thinks. Zac takes a few deep breaths, then dives under. He can't see anything at all, but he keeps going deeper. Something big brushes against his back, sending him into a panic. He starts to kick and thrash his arms wildly, not knowing what way is up or down. In all this confusion, something bites into his ankle, sinking its teeth into bone and flesh. Zac doesn't know what it is, but he knows to get out of there. He kicks at it as hard as he can—BANG BANG BANG—until on the fourth kick, his leg finally comes free. He struggles to swim to the staircase and hobbles up to a safe distance away from the water.

"HE-HEL-HELP ME!" he screams. Jenna and Marcus come rushing down, their faces dropping after seeing the bloody mess Zac's leg is in.

"What happened!?" asks Jenna, with tears welling in her eyes.

"Sha – shar—" Just before Zac can finish his sentence, he passes out...

Zac sees Jenna in his dreams, memorizing her face as if it is the last thing he will see. Her luscious bouncy brown hair and deep hazel eyes shimmering, her rosy red cheeks and little button nose. He imagines her laughing, showing off her bright white teeth with a massive smile.

"Zac," she begins to say, "wake up, Zac! WAKE UP!"

Zac jumps up and then topples back to the ground as his leg hurts to much to stand.

"What was down there? Can you remember? What's gonna happen? Are you alright? We need to go to hospital!" says Emma, who must've arrived while Zac was unconscious.

"Good idea. Let's get to hospital," replies Jenna.

Zac notices his bandaged leg which reminds him about the dive. "I didn't have any time to s-see what was do-down there so the p-p-power might b-be out."

"Yeah, we noticed," Emma says glancing up to light bulbs filled with darkness. "But it's worth a try."

Marcus and Jenna hold Zac while he starts to hobble up stairs towards the surface elevator. After what felt like hours of walking up stairs, they reach the elevator, only to find the emergency lock-down feature has been activated, meaning that they aren't able to open the door at all.

"What can we do? There's no way out except the submarine leeway, which is underwater with something dangerous in it," Marcus says with shakes in his voice.

"Think, think, think, umm. There's no other option we are gonna have to swim down to the submarine leeway," Jenna answers.

"S-so how do yo-you think I can sw-swim?" asks Zac, still in shock from his leg's blood loss.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, okay? But we need to move quickly before the water level rises and it gets too deep to dive down," answers Emma.

The group begin the slow walk down to the lower levels of the facility, at this point almost dragging Zac behind them. Once they reach the submarine leeways, they see that the water level has risen even higher—almost up to the second level of the underwater house.

"Who is going first?" asks Emma, whilst staring at Marcus almost as if she is challenging him.

"Fine, I'll go," Marcus says, answering Emma's glare.

Marcus takes a deep breath, crosses his heart and jumps in with a torch clenched tight in his hands, scanning the dark water nervously in search of any exit or any predator. Marcus comes back up to the surface, realising they have no way to tell if he has made it out.

"How will you guys know I made it out safely?" Marcus questions.

"He's right, we need to make a plan," says Jenna.

"Umm," says Emma catching sight of a flare case resting on a table by the staircase. "Here, use these. If you make it out, drop it down into the water and we will see it and know its safe."

"Okay," replies Marcus and dives back into the abyss.

He begins to swim deeper in search of the crack in the wall to use as an exit. As Marcus spots the hole, he starts to run out of breath and frantically swims to the top of the fully-submerged room hunting for any air possible. His body starts to panic and he begins to kick and smack at the water. "AGHGHHH," he tries to scream, filling his mouth and lungs with salt water. Marcus dives down and then back up to recompose himself and finds a tiny air bubble, he opens his mouth and vomits up the saltwater he swallowed. Then he catches his breath and dives back down to where he saw the hole in the wall earlier, he swims through the large hole and heads for the surface.

Just as he thinks he has made it out of the danger, he begins to light the flare and drops it down. Just after the flare has left his hand, he spots a massive great white shark out of the corner of his eye. Stay calm, just stay calm. Don't attract it, he thinks. But it is no use; the king of the ocean lunges towards him and bites down into his left arm, ripping it off completely. It swims away, leaving Marcus to try to survive. Marcus looks down at his torn arm stump and gives up, letting the water consume him as he falls down into the depths of the ocean.

Seeing the bright red spark of the flare, Emma and Jenna jump into the water-filled room with Zac between their arms. They take their final breaths and dive underwater, heading for the cracked wall. They make it through the gap and start to swim as quickly as possible with Zac between them, kicking with his one good leg. The three begin to see daylight streaming through the dark ocean just when Jenna feels something brush against the bottom of her feet, making her kick and throw her arms even harder. The other two people spot this and know something is happening. They chose to do the same. The group reach the surface and jump onto the dock at the top of the facility.

"Where is Marcus?" Jenna asks.

"Uh, he dropped the flare. He must be here somewhere," answers Emma.

Emma and Jenna start to look around the floating dock for any signs of Marcus, leaving Zac to rest. After twenty minutes of searching, they have found nothing, but Zac has noticed something floating to the surface of the dark water.

"AHHH, COME HERE QUICK!" he screams at the two girls.

"What? What is it Zac?" asks Jenna.

Jenna and Emma rush over and see what has terrified Zac.

"No, n-no. Th-that c-can't be his?" The three are staring down at a severed hand, still clenching the very same torch Marcus had left with.

After hours of agony, the rescue helicopter finally arrives.

"NOOOO," screams Jenna as the rescue helicopter touches down on the dock. "We can't leave without Marcus," she says with a mixture of anger and sadness shaking her voice.

"We need to go now Jenna," says Zac. "They're going to send a rescue team out to find him, okay?"

###

Thank you for reading this anthology. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave a review at your favourite retailer.

Thanks!

Beaulah Pragg & Fran Atkinson- Editors

# About the Editors:

### Beaulah Pragg

Beaulah works for the library learning centre, as well as teaching creative writing and independent publishing. She is a founding member of the Christchurch Writers' Guild, a free and accessible space for new writers to find encouragement and support.

You can find out more or contact her through her website: www.beaulahpragg.com

* * *

### Fran Atkinson

Fran is an author and counsellor-in-training. She is a founding member of the Christchurch Writers' Guild and enjoys working to support young authors in the community. You can read one of her stories, "Evacuation", in the anthology _Regeneration_ , edited by Anna Caro and Juliet Buchanan.

# Other titles by the editors:

Chronicles of Tyria: The Silver Hawk

* * *

Home: 2017 - Group One - Heaton Extension Writers Anthology

Courage: 2015 - Year Eight - Heaton Extension Writers Anthology

Courage: 2015 - Year Seven - Heaton Extension Writers Anthology

Change: 2014 - Heaton Extension Writers Anthology

Chatham Islands War

2013 - Home School Writers Anthology

2012 - Home School Writers Anthology
