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Volume 1

February, March, and April

February

Love

Just Me

Bree Vanderland

Every time I see him, my heart jumps through my chest, beating like a horse's hoof against a dirt terrain, clouding my eyes and judgement. I can't think straight. I can't speak straight. My tongue gets tied and twisted in knots as I stumble over a simple hello.

I wonder if he sees. I wonder if he knows. I wonder if he even cares. I want him to care, but I feel like a fool with my stuttering and pulling at my clothes, wondering if I look okay. I want nothing more than him to wrap his strong arms around me, keeping me safe and warm. I want nothing than to feel his soft touch of his lips against mine.

But I am just me. I'm not pretty enough. I'm not smart enough. I'm not rich or popular, but here I am. I could offer him my heart, but that's all I have. That is all I can offer and I wish it was good enough.

He passes me today and said hello with a smile on his face. His bright brown eyes shine even under the fluorescent lighting. He immediately draws my eyes. I look up at him with my green eyes, twirling a strand of my black hair, waiting for him to notice my emotions - waiting for him to notice my feelings for him, but I cannot wait for that day to come.

I love him.

Love Defined

Kate Marie Robbins

It's like adrenaline coursing through my veins. The thought of your kiss, the thought of your touch, makes my skin tingle, my body quiver. My heart races so hard that it feels like it is going to explode from within my chest. Breathing speeds up to the point of hyperventilation. My hands shake like an addict going through withdrawal. My stomach is filled with a million butterflies that are trying to escape. It feels like someone has turned up the heat by one hundred degrees. I feel like I'm floating on air, that if I spread my arms out that I could fly. Words form on my lips, but are not uttered. For if I tried, it wouldn't reach an audible whisper.

The Final Question

C. N. Christensen

She sat beside him quietly as the sunshine illuminated above them. Her lips remained still as she studied him, her pale blue eyes glimmering like frost. She knew what he was about to ask and it honestly made her smile. However, it wasn't the lovey grin that comes from jewels or chocolates, but a more content expression of relief. It had been nearly three years, and in the last few months, she had desperately begun to count down the days. He had promised her ages ago this moment would arrive when they were both ready. She had been /ready/ for a solid year and a half, 547 days and five hours. Her grinning expression curved from ear to ear as he stared ahead.

He was ready for this day also and already knew her answer. They had a nice savings nestled away and had even talked about expanding their current family of two.

He yanked on the neck of his gray shirt nervously. Why now was he so afraid to speak? Realistically, he had nothing more to fear. Everyone already assured them they played the roles well. His hazel eyes shifted to her. She was still watching him intensely. There was no doubt in either of their minds, just four simple words waiting to be spilled. He slammed his hands against the timber bench and took a deep breath, regaining composure. At long last, he acknowledged her lingering stare...

"Will you marry me?"

I Live to Let You Shine

Tj Blalock Banks

I yearn for you to feel the way I feel.   
You are like a shining angel that lifts me up   
From the dark abyss.

My feelings for you can not be said in rhyme   
or in a book series,   
But only expressed through years of blind devotion   
and yet...   
it still would not be enough.

My heart aches for your's.   
The one that whispers in a soothing tone,   
a tone I wish to fall asleep to.   
This is my devotion.   
But should I be jealous of others?   
Should I cry every night at the thought of losing you,   
in my life?   
I do not know the answers,   
but I do know I live to let you shine.

For all I ask from this devotion,   
is that you keep me in your memories,   
as I do you.

Even if my love is unrequited,   
my heart,   
My devotion is true, to my ever dying soul.

For I live to let you shine.

All About Love

Yvonne K. Anderson

Love blooms  
as hearts flutter  
like the wings of a butterfly.  
Love is weightless  
feather light  
like a bird in flight.  
Sweet love  
sweet love  
how does one find you?  
Your heart lights the way  
if you will follow.  
Love flies  
through the window  
calling to you.  
Do you dare to answer?

Simple Love

Emma Lynn

I smooth the light pink dress over my legs and nervously look around. Tate told me to meet him at the park, claiming he had to ask me something. I can't help but wonder if he wants to break up with me.

He's been distant for the past month, telling me he has had late work nights. When he did come over, he wasn't focused. When I talked to him, he would just nod and say 'uh huh' over and over again.

I twist my fingers together and jump when a hand touches my shoulder. I look up and see him, smiling. That's a good sign. Tate is tall, around six feet. His black hair is cut short and a six o'clock shadow covers his cheeks and chin. His bright blue eyes stare down at me, mesmerizingly.

I stand up though, wanting answers. "Are you breaking up with me?"

He looks at me incredulously before laughing.

"No! Why would you think that? Never mind. I told you I wanted to ask you something. Though, this isn't the way I wanted to do it," he grumbles.

I watch curiously as he takes something out of his pocket before bending down on one knee. My hands shoot up to my mouth, shocked. Tears spring up in my eyes and I blink as I look down at his smiling face and shiny blue eyes.

"I had dinner and dessert planned. I was going to make this big and amazing, but I know you," he takes my hand. "Rowan, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"   
I lunge at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Yes! Of course I will!"

He laughs and picks me up, swinging me around in a circle. "Gah, I love you Rowan."

"I love you too Tate."

Beyond the Becoming

J. L. Mitchell

The following has a small excerpt from my book, "Beyond the Becoming" with a back story for the remainder.

"He use to take me on moonlight boat rides and moonlight picnic. He was the kind of man who bought me fresh flowers every week, he was everything every woman wanted in a guy. And he was mine..."

"Mom I'm going for a walk, I'll be back later" called Kyndzee as she headed toward the front door dressed in an Elven sundress with a small lavender head trinket.

"Alright dear, be back before sunset" came the reply. Kyndzee walked out into the beautiful spring sun, stopping she took in a deep breath of the Lavender that was planted along the walkway leading out to the road. Today was an off day, the day she could do whatever she pleased and she chose to spend it reading under the sun in the apple orchard.

Upon entering the apple orchard she spotted a few faery men tossing around a wooden ball, no doubt playing block bal, she couldn't help but glance over at the tall, pale ginger-haired faery. Upon closer look she couldn't help but admire his slender build, muscular but not overly muscular, and his wings, they were a gorgeous blue with a sort of tie-dye swirl to them.

'I wonder what it would feel like to run my hands through that hair and to trace the patterns on his wings... No what are you thinking Kyndzee, you fool, you're not allowed to mingle, interact, or date a faery man, it's forbidden... But I can't help that he looks attractive, I have to keep walking before they notice me staring' she thought to herself as she briskly walked on towards the apple orchard. Unknowing that the guy she was just admiring was admiring her back as she walked away.

Time passed and as Kyndzee sat under the tree reading a book about distant lovers the faerie man peeked out from the tree

"Hi, I'm Dorodir, what's your name?" He asked startling Kyndzee.

"Don't you know not to sneak up on someone when they are reading?" She countered back looking up at him; Dorodir jumped down out of the tree to sit next to her.

"No, no one never told me that, I'll remember that for next time. So what is your name?"

"Kyndzee,"

"Hello Kyndzee, what brings you out here on this fine day?"

"I have the day off and I thought that I would come to the park to read for a bit, get away from home."

"Cool, anyone tell you, you are really beautiful?"

"If you're trying to flirt with me it's not working 'Lies it's totally working, he is absolutely gorgeous'

"Worth a shot"

Two months have passed Kyndzee was dressing to go out to the usual meeting spot to meet Dorodir, his message said it was important.

"Mom, I'm going to go meet a friend for lunch, be back in an hour."

"Alright, dear, have fun," came the usual reply. Kyndzee didn't know whether her mom knew she has been secretly meeting a faery man for the last two months or if her mom had pure faith in her youngest daughter.

She ran through the forest to take the short cut to the little spot where they agreed to meet up. Upon arriving she spotted him with his back towards her.

"Dorodir what's wrong? Is everything alright?"

Turning he smiled that charming smile of his

"Yes, everything is perfectly alright; I just wanted to ask you something in person."

She walked up to him and looked him straight in the eyes looking for any sign of bad news

"Kyndzee... I'm not use to this and forgive me if it sounds cheesy, but will you please be my girlfriend. I know our races don't allow cross-racial relationships, but this goes beyond that law. So will you?"

"Dorodir, I have been waiting for you to ask me that question for quite a while..."

"Mom, what happened next?" came Thanguriel's voice snapping Kyndzee out of her memory.

"Huh? Oh yeah, well, once we found out that the Child of Prophecy would unite all the races your father and I decided to wed five months after he asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Wow, that is so romantic mom, dad sounded like a really nice guy."

"Hun, your father was the best, bravest, brightest, sweetest and kindest man you would have ever met."

In Dreams

Mark Mackey

Those ever so pleasant dreams  
He had diving into sleep  
Of grassy fields   
Under blue sky   
and bright crisp sunshine  
His heart filled with an overabundance of love  
As she glided with grace toward him  
It was as if she was floating on air   
A statue of beauty  
Whose love matched his.

Dream Love

Renee Jean

My heart beats, my breath shudders

At this expressive moment passes

My body tingles, my eyelids flutter

I know this dream will never last

As down I lay, and dreams may come

To fill my sleeping mind

Alone I drift, through the unconscious sea

Until home again, I find

My moment is now, as it always is

To prove my life so true

For tomorrow may never come

And this my last moment with you

Then let us lay arm in arm

And hold each other tight

Letting passion over take us

We shall make love all through the night

I feel your tender touch

Your lips upon mine

We shall live forever in this moment

We will exist only in this time

Whispered words, a gentle caress

And impassioned thoughts abound

Raising us up in this mystical world

We are soaring high above the ground

But suddenly our moment is over

I feel myself slip away

Morning has come and again I awake

To the light of a new dawning day

But my body does remember

It's a feeling I cannot deny

Remember me for now my love

Soon again we will try

I will return to bed and dream of you

Again in the fading light

May this new dream last forever

And we stay together always in the night

London Love

Gwen Selix

My family is getting ready to leave for vacation. My father owns his own company and has decided that it is time for us to get out as a family again. He reached his millions back when all those .com's started as he is one of the few who made it. He always goes on about how he wants me to have a better life than he did. I usually just nod my head. I knew I would never have the life he does, at least, not the life with someone like mom. They are so in love with the way she looks at him. I will never have that.

"Val, honey, they called out flight," I hear Dad calling my name. I apparently got lost in the book I was reading again. I was lost in my old copy of Pride and Prejudice. I love Mr. Darcy and he is perfect. I live vicariously through the character. I am way to plain, my waist length black hair and emerald eyes don't really stand out against the crowd. I close my book and grab my carry on bad.

We are headed to London for the next three weeks, which I am actually excited about. This might be one of the few trips we have been on that I may actually have fun on. We stand in line waiting for the person at the counter to scan our ticket. Once on the plane, I start to look for my seat. I don't get to sit next to my parents this flight because all the seats were taken. I find mine and it is a window seat, so at least I can see London as we fly in. My bag goes up into the overhead and I make sure to grab my headphones before I toss it up there. The seat is kind of squishy, which is good because my butt won't fall asleep on this long flight. I lean back into the seat and put in my head phones. I just close my eyes and take in the music. I have been listening to musicals a lot lately so I have Wicked playing in my ears. It is one of my favorites. I feel the seat next to mine bounce as someone has sat down next to me, but I am too comfy to care right now.

The trip was long. I think I slept most of it. I never opened my eyes and I kinda wonder who sat next to me. Oh well, I will never know now.

"Val, darling, I am surprised you are still standing. You had a really cute guy next to you that whole flight." My mother pulls me into one of her hugs. She always does this when she feels like I have missed out on something. She is a strange woman, but she is my mom, so I love her. She always thinks guys are cute for me and most of the time she is right. I mentally kick myself for not looking over when I felt someone sit down.

We make it to our hotel and it is magical. My room is huge and I flop onto the bed, thankful my parents are letting me have freedom on this trip. I am only required to have my cell phone with me so they can get a hold of me when they need to. I stretch out on the bed just letting myself enjoy the softness of the bed. I could sleep, but I did so the whole flight here may as well start my London tours now.

The city smells like fresh falling rain as I pull my jacket close around me. It is cool outside since the sun has set and I love it. The London eye is all lit up if magic really existed this would be where it was centered from. It was one of the big things I had to see while I was in London. My legs moved quickly. It got bigger the closer I got. It was bigger than I could have possibly imagined and there was no line since it was late in the evening.

"Good evening! I would like one ticket please." I asked the ticket holder.

"There are not many people and there is only one other person ahead. Do you mind sharing their cart?"

"No, sir, I would not." I was excited to share it with another Londoner or a tourist. It was going to be exciting either way.

I grabbed my ticket and hurried towards the cart that would be taking me up and giving me a view of London. The place is so roomy since there is only one other person in here with me. He is looking out the window he has ginger curly hair and a back pack on the seat next to him. I take the empty seat next to the window facing the water and I take in a long breath, waiting for the eye to start moving. It lurches forward as it starts up. The breath escapes my lips and I look out over the city. It is lit up like a Christmas tree, but just a thousand times better.

"Hey," his voice brought me back to reality. Oh yeah, there was someone else with me, so I better no wander too much. Wow, was all I could think when I saw his face I notice he has the most amazing smile I have ever seen. His brown eyes were soft and warm and the curly red hair fit well with the freckles that danced across his face.

"Aren't you the girl who sat next to me on the plane?"

Oh my god. Was this the guy my mother had said sat next me? She had been right on the fact that he was cute.

"The one over here?" Wow I sound stupid when I talk and I never noticed.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's you. You looked so cute while you slept I wanted to wake you up to talk to you, but I was a gentleman and now I am really glad I was. I was hoping I would run into you again."

I could feel the red rising in my cheeks he thought I was cute. Clearly I was dreaming and that is all there was to it.

"Thanks for not waking me up. I can be cranky when I don't get my sleep."

God, I sound so stupid!

He smiled at me again and oh God, that smile. What was I supposed to do with that.

I felt the cart shake and it stopped moving. Jumping up, I look out the window the entire city has gone dark.

"Uh, what just happened?"

I feel him next to me as he is looking out the window with me my heart starts to race at his closeness. I have the urge to wrap my arms around him and ask him to hold me for protection, but I am not that kind of girl, so instead I burry my hands in my pocket.

"Looks like some sort of surge." He opens on of the little windows on the cart it is silent outside nothing is moving. It's almost like we are the only two left in the world.

"My name is Logan by the way."

"Mine is Valerie, wellm=, Val for short."

"Val is a very pretty name."

What do I say to that? I just grin like an idiot. Yeah, that will make this situation better. I feel the seat next to me move he got up. Great, I screwed that up!

"I know I have it in here somewhere. Aha!"

The light is blinding as he dug a flash light out of his bag. Boy, was he prepared. He sits back down next to me and smile.

"I hope you don't think I am forward, but it is chilly and you are only wearing a sweater."

He wraps his arm around my shoulder. I breathe in his smell of Axe body spray. I hate that I know the smell because being the idiot I am after I broke up with my last boyfriend I would go and smell the fragrance's in the store all the time. His smell is intoxicating. He rests his head against mine I can feel the butterflies forming in my stomach again.

His fingers rub my shoulder a bit and I feel the shiver race through my body. Looking up at him, I see just how beautiful his eyes are as the light of the flashlight dances in them. It is taking every part of me to not kiss him right now even though I want to. He presses his lips to my forehead and the touch tingles throughout me. I want to kiss this boy I just met so badly and it feels so right being with.

His lips trail down towards my cheek and kiss me. Then, he moves on to my nose and kisses the end of it. I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. London really is a magical city. He pulls his head back and looks at me. A hand brushes my cheek as I close my eyes and just let it happen. His lips meet mine and the world melted away from us as London was but a distant memory. I lace my fingers through his curls that are so soft. I pull him closer to me. The need to kiss him is stronger than anything I have ever felt before. His arms go around my waist and he pulls me up on to his lap and I kiss him deeper. I dare not break this trance between us. My arms go around his neck his find my face and pull me closer to him if that is at all possible. I want to never stop kissing this boy that I just met. I have never done something so spontaneous. His tongue licks my lips and I opened my mouth to let him in his taste was sweet, which just killed me even more.

I pulled away slightly. I hated it, but I needed some air. I smiled at him still curled up in his lap.

"Val I, have been wanting to do that for ages."

"You only just met me, silly."

Now if I wasn't mistaken he was blushing.

"It took London for you to notice me. You always have your nose buried in a book that you don't see the world around you, Val. You don't see the boy that is head over heels in love with you."

Wait in love he just said in love who is this guy? Something tells me I should get off his lap and sit on the other side of this cart, but I can't.

"What do you mean?"

"I play on the soccer team at school, silly."

"Logan? Not the star of the soccer team Logan!"

"One in the same." That boyish smile again it just killed me

"But you have a girlfriend!"

"I haven't had one in over a year. You can't believe everything you hear in school."

I can't help myself. I grab his face and kiss him again. This time, I pull him as close to my body as possible. He eagerly kisses me back. I feel like everything is gone and the world has become perfect.

I was right. The London Eye really is the center of magic, at least for me and Logan.

New Hope

Megan Humphrey

Heather, a slim brunette, ran out of school eagerly. Her boyfriend Rob had planned an afternoon date to celebrate their 3 year anniversary. As Heather got closer to his car, she could see movement inside. She frowned. Rob wasn't usually in his car by the time she was there. She looked in the window and gasped in shock.

"Rob! What are you doing?!" She asked furiously. Her boyfriend was entangled with Serena Harrison, known around school for luring boyfriends away from their girls. Heather had always thought Rob was immune to Serena's so-called charms, but judging by the evidence, she had thought wrong. The reality of the situation hit her and she broke down crying in front of Rob's car.

Rob panicked and stumbled out of the car, pulling his shirt back on as he went. He put his hand on Heather's shoulder and tried to explain, but Heather shoved him off.

"No. Don't touch me. Don't speak to me. What you did is unforgiveable. I don't want to see you ever again!" She ran off sobbing, ending up on the curb at the edge of the parking lot.

Heather sobbed for several minutes when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see a gorgeous boy with chestnut hair and concerned blue eyes.

"Who are you?" Heather shudderingly asked.

"I'm Jeremy. I'm new here. I moved from England. But let's worry about you. Are you alright? You looked like you needed help," he replied concernedly, in a charming British accent.

Heather just shook her head, still crying, unable to summon the words to voice what Rob did.

Jeremy lowered himself down beside Heather and rubbed her back. "It's okay," he murmured. "Whenever you're ready. I've got time."

After several minutes of quiet weeping, Heather finally managed to say it. "My boyfriend, he was making out with the school slut!" Her sobbing returned in full force.

Jeremy used no words, just grabbed Heather and pulled her in for a massive hug. Heather bawled freely into his shoulder for a moment, then composed herself and pulled away.

"Thanks. It was just so sudden. Caught me off guard. But I'm fine now. You can leave," she said unconvincingly.

"No, I can't. I'm not leaving until you're okay," Jeremy informed her kindly. "You won't get rid of me that easily."

Heather smiled slightly, face still damp. "Really, I'm fine."

Jeremy offered her a handkerchief before continuing, "Well, at least let me walk you home. It seems like you usually ride home with your boyfriend."

Heather wiped her face and eyes and blew her nose with the handkerchief before giving it back to Jeremy, smiling gratefully at his thoughtfulness. "Okay. If you insist."

"And I do," he replied, taking the handkerchief back and stuffing it into his backpack. He stood up and offered his hand to Heather. She grabbed it and pulled herself up off the ground.

"By the way, I don't think you told me your name," Jeremy remarked.

"Oh, right. It's Heather," Heather supplied softly.

"Heather," Jeremy repeated. "I like that name." He smiled gently.

"Thanks." They walked in silence for a few minutes, Heather composing herself.

Once Heather felt better, she started making small talk to Jeremy. "So where in England are you from, Jeremy?"

"I'm actually from London," Jeremy told her, glad she was beginning to get the incident with her boyfriend out of her mind.

"Why would you move from London?" Heather asked, astonished. "I mean, the accents are so sexy!"

"So you think my accent's sexy?" Jeremy grinned, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Oh, I, um..." Heather blushed a deep scarlet. She did, in fact, think Jeremy's accent was quite sexy, but she had just been traumatized by her now ex-boyfriend. She didn't dare admit even just talking with a boy so soon, for fear the rumor mill would call her the new Serena.

The rest of the walk passed without incident, although several minutes was occupied with Heather calming her scarlet cheeks. All too quickly, they reached Heather's house. She turned to Jeremy and thanked him.

"It was my pleasure," Jeremy replied graciously.

"Either way. I needed that." Heather turned to walk into her house, but instead spun back to face Jeremy and kissed him full on the lips, surprising even herself with her boldness and disregard for the rumor mill. As soon as she realized what she had done, she turned and franticly ran inside. As she leaned against the inside of her wooden front door, she thought that maybe, just maybe, getting over Rob wouldn't take as long as expected.

How Love Feels Like

David Gomez-Fandino

Well, loving someone is like when you feel that you should be with them because it feels right, you know? Like, it's as if you have lost a piece of your heart and then you find it in someone else. You decide to stay with that part. You learn to live without it when things get tough, and you really admire the time you have with it. That part becomes attached to you too, because they feel that they should belong with you, too. And when you two finally are together, you feel . . . complete. Like you feel that it is impossible to live without that part. Sometimes, from there, two

things may happen. Either it turns out that your part is not yours and truly someone else's, and so you give up the part to that other person. And then you spend the rest of your time finding the part that is yours. And sometimes, the transition is too tough for people, and

they might give up. But, the other way is that you and your piece of your heart are really true and connected, and you are bonded with that piece. Forever. Forever together. Every day.

Dear Love

Kayla Dempster

Where are you?

I've been searching

And searching...

But to no avail

I know you are somewhere

Maybe somewhere I can't see

Hiding in the shadows

Just out my reach

I sit and watch

While everyone around me

Finds you

And you give them a warm embrace

I feel like and outsider

Not invited to the party

Looking in from a window

Only observing what you are

It feels like your avoiding me

Like I'm some sort of disease

Denying me your warmth

You're just cold as ice

They talk endlessly

About what he got for her

A necklace, a ticket to prom

Or even just passionate words

Is that so much to ask for?

For someone to notice

Just for someone to care

If only just for a day

But then their world shatters

Throwing sharp words back and forth

Crying endlessly all alone

Forgiving but never forgetting

They don't really know you

They are just blindly searching

To fill an empty void

Even if it's with something fake

They wander in darkness

Like a lost defenseless child

And you take advantage of them

Manipulating their heart and mind

That's when I realize

Is that what I want?

For something so important

To be broken by a few words

No, I don't want that

And that's why I'm waiting

Because when I do find you

I know it will be true

But here's the other thing

I have already found you

It's not the way most people think

But it is you nonetheless

The rest of the world tells us

You are found in a partner

Whose only duty is to share intimacy

Whispers under covers in the dark

But that's not really the case

Because in a world where

That's the only place you exist

We would be nothing but hatred itself

I found you in my parents

Who raised me from birth

Making sure I was always ok

Putting me before themselves

I found you in my friends

Who know me better than anyone

We laugh and cry together

When one of us falls, the rest follow

I found you in the soldiers

Who go marching off to war

Who leave their lives behind

To protect what we hold dear

I found you in the person

I passed briefly on the street

When I dropped by bag of books

Who helped pick up my things

But you aren't a person are you?

No, your simply an idea

Which means that I have found you

In almost everyone I've met

But I haven't just simply found you

Because what's the point in that?

No, what I have is so much more

Because I have you in my heart

Him

Beth Valentine

He looked at me like he loved me with a love so pure and amazing. But that was all months ago, I was sure he didn't even feel that way anymore. I look at him across the hall and I expect his dazzling smile, but instead I get a frown and a gentle look away. How could his face be so innocent but yet so... uncaring? We never dated, or got the chance to know each other as more than friends, but I thought he felt the way I feel when he's around. I catch him looking at me during break or lunch, or sometimes even in the classroom. That's when he looks away as if I'm infected with some disease and he broke my heart. My heart aches completely whenever he does a simple denying gesture.

I wish, with every single atom of my being, that I could bring up the courage to tell him how I feel but I know, I can't. There is too much at risk for both of us, I'm already bullied and made fun of, I couldn't put him through that too. I've made that mistake too many times with other boys who I've admired many years ago. But it's taken them this long for everyone to forget about those boys. My last relationship crashed and burned from overseas, on a holiday. He couldn't even face me.

I went through a stage of 'Am I worth nothing?' and I just felt empty inside. Like there was nothing left for me to love. But eventually I found the one thing that made me love again. Him. He gave me hope that I wasn't going to be alone and that something productive was going to happen in my life. I've already made so many bad decisions, so many lies told to me, still not knowing if these are the truth or just made up non-sense.

Whenever I hear his voice, a shiver is sent down my spine and my heart pounds at a million miles an hour, there wasn't anything that I wouldn't do for him. There isn't even 5 people that I can say I'd do that for. His personality is perfect, his face isn't perfect to others but he's perfect to me. There's people who like him because he's an amazing performer but I'm probably one of the only people who look past that into who he really is. Caring, kind and amazing. We do a club together and he's amazing at helping children with disabilities with their work, he's so friendly with them. It's just some of those girls who like him for the purpose of he's who he is.

He sung to me, well he used to. A long time ago now. I told him I was upset and he'd sing to me and it'd brighten up my day. Even the darkest of holes seemed to be light with fire that his lyrics brought and his sweet melody. I will always think to our conversations where he was trying to cheer me up, in fact, just messaging him on a social networking site cheers me up. When he replies and that grey and green box turns blue and red.

So that's him. That's the boy I love now, and these are the words I'm too afraid to say.

March

Luck

The Unlucky

Kate Marie Robbins

I have never been a lucky person. Everything that can go wrong usually does. I wouldn't say that I'm cursed, just extremely unlucky. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. But one fateful day in March, my luck miraculously changed. This is my story.

After my sixth failed job interview this month, discouraged and down, I take the long way home from work through the city park. I hope that it would lift my spirits, if only for the moment. Happiness didn't seem to linger very long for me. Fearing that I'd be working my dead end job at the café the rest of my life, the tears start to fall. It isn't fair. I have all the qualifications to do more with my life, but no one will give me the chance.

Trudging through what should have been a beautiful afternoon stroll in the park, I am sent sprawling to the ground, and face plant on the sidewalk.

"What the hell!" I yell out, to no one at all. At least there's no one to see my less than graceful fall. I pick myself up off the ground, to assess the damage. My clothes are dirty, but they aren't torn. That's something. My head hurts though. I lift my fingers to my temple. When I pull them away, my hand is sticky with blood. A groan escapes my lips.

I turn back the way I had come from, knowing with my bad luck, that I'll need stitches. I'd need to get myself checked out, right away. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch something silver, glimmering in the sunlight. "Now what is that?" I ponder as I reach down to pick it up.

I find in my hands a stunning pendant necklace. The pendant is something that I have never seen before. It's a circle, with what look like spokes, like a wheel. I count them one by one, twenty-four spokes in all. Each spoke has a gem at the end, and there is another gem in the center. It's stunning, but I know that I cannot keep it.

I place it in my purse for safe keeping, deciding to take it to the police station after I've been to the hospital.

At the corner, I hail a cab and tell the driver to take me to the hospital. He eyes me, and the cut on my forehead, but he says nothing, putting the car in gear, and pulls out into traffic. The ride is uneventful, and we arrive in no time at all, hitting every possible green light.

I wait my turn to see a doctor, which turns out I don't actually need to see a doctor. I explain what happened to the nurse, and she takes a look at the cut. "You'll be fine. You certainly don't need stitches, but I'm glad that you came in to check. Most people wouldn't have." She smiles at me.

That's two things that have gone right for me so far. I can't believe it.

"Thank you," I mumble, as I collect my things to leave.

I decide to take the bus back home, it may take me longer, but it's cheaper, and I need to conserve money. The bus pulls up; I climb aboard, and put my money in the slot. It's pretty full, considering it's the time most people are getting off work for the evening. I slide into the only available seat.

There is a young man sitting in the seat next to me. He looks up at me and smiles. I do my best to smile back, but say nothing. Before I know it, it's my stop and I quickly exit, not giving the man next to me another glance or thought.

All I want when I get to my apartment, is a shower, something to eat, and bed, knowing I'll have to be up at the crack of dawn for my morning shift at work.

After a quick shower, I throw some leftovers in the microwave, and settle down in front of the television to eat and relax, completely forgetting about the necklace I'd found only hours ago.

  

My alarm goes off way too early. I think about hitting the snooze button, but don't. I don't want to oversleep and end up getting fired. That's the last thing I need right now. Crawling out from under the warmth of my bed I quickly dress and walk to work.

The day goes by fast, almost a blur. Mornings are always busy though. For that I am thankful for, even though I'll be exhausted by the end of my shift.

I glance at my wristwatch. Only thirty minutes left of my shift. I hope that no more customers come in, so I can take my time with the ones I already have, but no such luck, a customer walks in. I head toward the front, so I can show him to a table. When I reach him, I realize he is the cute guy from the bus last night.

"Hey, I remember you!" he comments. "You sat next to me on the bus last night, didn't you?"

I nod, not knowing how to respond, without sounding pathetic. "Yeah, that was me." The words sound forced, and awkward, but he doesn't seem to notice.

He smiles. "I was hoping I would see you again."

A smile slowly creeps across my face as I lead him to his table and hand him a menu.

"I'll give you a few minutes to look over the menu and I'll be back to take your order."

"Thank you," he calls after me. I can feel the blush rising in my cheeks.

Taking a few deep breaths, I try to compose myself, before heading back to his table to take his order.

I'm polite to him, and try not to show my nervousness. I know that I'm not doing a very good job, but at least I don't drop his food when I bring it to him.

After he's gone, I go to collect my tip, before leaving for the day. I find a note tucked in-between the few dollar bills he left. Upon the note he has written his name and his phone number. I smile to myself and hope I have the courage to actually give him a call.

As I'm walking back to my apartment for a much needed nap, my cell phone rings. I dig through my purse to fish it out, and pick up on the last ring.

"Hello," I say hesitantly, because I didn't recognize the number.

"Is this Miss Williamson?" the female voice asks.

"Yes, it is."

"This is Mrs. Fern from Scarlet Press, calling to set up an interview."

I nearly drop the phone. This is the job I have always wanted. I never thought I would even get an interview. I would probably blow it, but I would try anyway. It seemed like everything was going my way the past twenty-four hours.

I set up the interview and hang up, filled with giddiness.

  

Dressing my best, I am prepared for this interview. I know I can do this. Once I meet Mrs. Fern, I feel at ease. For the first time, the interview goes smoothly, and she offers me the job on the spot.

Tears are streaming down my face in joy. I rummage through my purse to find a tissue to wipe my eyes. In the process, I pull out the necklace that I was supposed to take to the police and decide that I should keep it. Everything has turned around for me since I found it, and I don't think I can bear to let it go, no matter how silly and superstitious that seems.

I Deal in Luck

Renee Jean

He walked up to roulette

And laid the money down

The crowd looked on in interest

Watching without a sound

The dealer made the change

And handed it back

He took a chance

To put it all on black

The ball spun quickly

Shortly after began to drop

Everyone held their breath

Until it came to a stop

Seventeen caught it

And there it stayed

The audience cheered

As his bet was paid

He gathered his chips

It was now quite a stack

Then made his way over

To play some blackjack

He went all in on one hand

As up came an ace

Those rooting him on applauded

When the next was a face

Finally, he made his way to my table

Prepared to wager it all

He smiled at the man rolling

He was having a ball

The dice rolled across the layout

Bounced back and fell

The stickman called the number

And from his grin you could tell

He had come for the chance

Now the cashier called his name

He had the time of his life

Every game was his game

He winked as he tipped the dealers

Gave a high five while he colored up

I knew my job had a happy ending that night

Every day I deal in Luck

Dealing with Luck

Bree Vanderland

I don't know what happened. I was never the lucky one. I was always the one that sat in the back, the one who dropped her books in the hallway, ran into people or even walls due to not paying attention, the person who couldn't keep a guy around to save my life, but maybe that has all changed.

I have a good job. I have amazing friends. I am who I am today, because of him. He makes me smile and laugh. He makes my heart soar. Maybe my luck is changing because I met him against all odds. Maybe I'm the lucky one even though he claims it's him the entire time. I'm not dropping things (except when he's around) and things are turning around, thankfully. I believe I hit the jackpot with him.

Stolen Luck

Serenity Granger

Her eyes were vacant as she slumped to the ground, chilling raindrops beating her exposed skin and washing the curls from her auburn hair. Hands curled in her lap, back against one of the grimy walls of the alley behind O'Riley's Pub, cherry red dress soaking up the filth around her, she wonders if the world would be better off without her. Or, perhaps it was she who would be better off without the world.

The cold, mocking, hateful world. And none more cold and mocking than Sean O'Malley. His steely gaze that cut straight through her, his thin lips turning up in cruel angles as he had thrown her out the back door of the pub minutes before. How had she ever thought him handsome and charming? Why had she thought he would be understanding and supportive of her dream to become a professional dancer?

"Oh, my dear Maureen," he'd said when she'd timidly brought up her hidden desire. "Did someone tell you how graceful you are? That you'd be suited to the stage?" He blew smoke rings into her face from across the pool table at the back of O'Riley's. "Well, they're wrong. A woman of your age, suddenly achieving professional status? Really? Sorry to burst your bubble, silly girl, but you'll never be anything more than you are right now. . . a semi attractive woman with the good fortune of belonging to me."

She'd gotten angry. Shouted at him. Said some things she probably shouldn't have about his anatomy and bedroom skills. He'd turned red and thrown her out, telling her to never let him see her face again. And now she was here, alone, with no place to go. She had no home. Sean owned their Manhattan apartment, paid for her clothes. Even the car she drove was in his name. He'd insisted she didn't need a job, that she devote her time to being his lover and housekeeper, so she didn't even have the money to go to a hotel.

Maybe she should just give up. No doubt Sean was right about her, anyway. She'd been dancing since she was a child, but only her teacher had ever told her she was anything special. She looked dully at the cigarette butts and bottle caps strewn around her, and the bright metallic glint of gold caught her eye. Brushing aside some trash and dirt, Maureen's face lit up as she plucked a large, beautiful four leaf clover pendant on a heavy gold link chain from the ground. There were emeralds, each at least a half karat, covering the front of the pendant, and on the back the words "Good Luck!" were engraved.

Maureen ran a fingertip over the words, marveling at her good fortune. To suddenly find something so valuable! If she sold this, she could buy new clothes and get a place to stay until she could find a job, maybe even have enough left to save. But what about the owner? Her conscience whispered. Such a treasure would definitely have been missed. If you sell it, and they find out, they may think you stole it.

"But I really need the money," she murmured. "And if they own something like this, they must be well off." Sighing, Maureen decided to tuck it into her little purse and figure it out after she found shelter from the rain. Making her way to the street, she soon found a bench beneath a shop awning and sat down, grateful to be out of the rain. Just as she was reaching to open her purse, a deep voice called out, "Excuse me, miss? Are you alright?"

She looked up to see a the dark shadow of a man approaching her, and she quickly pushed her purse behind her and smiled nervously. "Oh, yes, I'm fine," she replied as he came to a stop in front of her. He was tall, with thick red curls, a chiseled jaw, and eyes so shockingly green she couldn't believe they were real. Quirking an eyebrow, he looked at her a bit doubtful, but only said, "I see. Well, then, I don't suppose you might help me? You see, I've lost a very important item of my wife's. A gold necklace with a large clover pendant her mother left to her. Have you by any chance seen it?"

He had a lilting Irish accent, and he looked so concerned, Maureen just couldn't keep the truth from him. "It so happens I just found it in the alley," she said, withdrawing it a bit regretfully from her purse and handing it over. The man's face brightened, and he thanked her profusely as he put it safely in an inner coat pocket. "You have just saved my life young lady! Is there any way I can repay you?"

Maureen looked down, and twisted her dirty dress around her finger. "What I really need is a little good luck for once in my life," she said. "But if you could spare a couple bucks for a cab, I'd appreciate it." She blushed red. "I hate asking, but I'm kind of stranded here. You can say no, of course. I just . . ."

"Why would I say no to such a simple request from my savior?" the man said cheerfully. Offering his hand, he added, "I'm Neil, by the way. And you are?"  
"Maureen," she answered, taking the outstretched hand and standing up. "Thank you so much. I appreciate it."

"Not at all!" Neil said, waving his hand at an approaching cab. Opening the door and helping her in, he asked, "Would you mind if I come along? I'd rather not wait for another one in the rain, if you don't mind!" Of course Maureen didn't mind, and when the driver asked where to, she gave him the address of an expensive hotel near Sean's apartment. When they pulled up in front of the tall building, Neil helped her out of the cab and handed her a roll of cash. "I can tell you need it, and because you weren't greedy and didn't try to keep the necklace, I'd like you to take this as a token of my gratitude. And," he leaned in close. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have more good luck than you'll know what to do with quite soon."

With a wave and a final thank you, Neil and the cab disappeared into the night. Maureen stared at the money in her hand a moment before hurriedly counting out the crisp bills. It totaled one thousand dollars. She had never held that much money before in her life, and she immediately felt her spirits lift. Walking into the hotel, she paid for the most modest room available, which still took a good chunk out of the cash, and asked for someone to come and take her dress to be cleaned. Going up to her room, she immediately ran a hot bath and soaked in the scented suds until the warmth left the water. Toweling off and wrapping up in a puffy bathrobe, she sat and watched T.V. while she waited for her dress to be returned.

When a knock sounded and she found her dress was as good as new, she tipped the bellhop, did her hair and makeup, and headed downstairs to the cafe to get something to eat. Settling at a linen covered table, Maureen ordered the chef's special of roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes and a tall glass of wine. As she waited, a tall, matronly woman entered the room and looked about as if searching for someone before smiling and hurrying over to seat herself across from a very surprised Maureen.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late, my dear!" the woman said with a thick French accent, raising her hand to signal the waiter. "I was caught in the most dreadful meeting, and I was only just now able to get away! I hope you haven't been waiting long?"

"I'm sorry," Maureen answered in confusion. "I think you may have mistaken me for someone else." The woman laughed. "Oh, you'd tease an old woman so? Neil said you were interesting, and he seems to have been right, as usual. I'm Madame Anatole, founder of the Anatole Ballet Troupe. Neil McHale told me to meet you here, said you were a rare gem." She chuckled again at Maureen's shocked face. "Well, let's talk about you, shall we? When did you begin to dance ballet?"

Maureen obliged, telling Madame Anatole in detail about her training and accidentally let it slip she had dreamed of becoming a professional dancer. "I insist you come to my studio tomorrow and audition!" Madame Anatole said, handing her a business card. "Here is my address and number. Come around three, alright? We will see what you can do! Now, you must try the chocolate mousse here, it's divine. My treat!" After she paid for their meal, Madame Anatole was gone with a wave and a smile. Maureen sat at the table a bit longer, still stunned, before finally heading upstairs to her room where she slept more soundly than she could remember having done in ages.

The morning dawned bright, and after breakfast, Maureen decided to try and sneak into Sean's apartment and retrieve her ballet shoes, along with a few other things. As luck would have it, he was still out and had left the apartment unlocked. Feeling ambitious, she packed everything she owned into several suitcases and piled them into the taxi outside, leaving only an old razor and half a bottle of shampoo. Pawning all the jewelry Sean had given her, she came up with enough to last her several weeks stay in a modest hotel in a less desirable area of town, and at 2:45, she was already waiting patiently in Madame Anatole's office.

As it turned out, Madame had brought several of the troupe board members to watch Maureen dance, but nothing seemed to faze her today. She danced perfectly, not a single step out of place, and after watching her perform several different styles and short pieces, the board members and Madame Anatole excitedly conversed in her office for a few minutes before coming back out and offering Maureen a contract with them. Maureen wasted no time saying yes, and a few days later, she moved into a small, tidy apartment owned by Madame Anatole's husband.

Life only seemed to get better from there. Maureen danced on the stage, soon becoming hugely popular, and even began teaching some classes at Madame Anatole's studio when the troupe was not touring. After a few months, she began to date a fellow troupe member named Michael, who was as kind and handsome as any girl could wish. She was, finally, really truly happy.

Then, one day, Maureen found a note taped to her door.

So this is where you've been hiding, it said. I won't be stolen from. Trust me, you will pay for taking what was mine. ~S

Terrified, Maureen had several extra locks installed and began to feel nervous about going out in public. She made excuses to get out of teaching classes, but when Madame and Michael asked what was the matter she insisted that she was fine. If they thought she was a thief, she reasoned, no doubt they would not stand to have her continue with the troupe. So she lived in fear, until one day, there was a knock at her door, and looking through the peephole, she saw it was none other than Neil McHale, his green eyes still as unearthly and his smile still as charming.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by and see how the girl who saved my hide was doing," he said, taking off his hat and running a hand through his fiery curls. "I hear you have been missing classes and even rehearsal lately. Anything the matter?" And Maureen found herself telling him about the note and the threat, and how awful Sean had treated her, before begging him not to tell anyone. "I'm not a thief, you know I'm not! Would a thief have returned your wife's necklace?" She sobbed, embarrassed but unable to hold back her tears. "Of course you're no thief," Neil said soothingly. "And I'm sorry this bastard has been bothering you. But don't worry, with your good luck, I'm sure something will happen and he'll stop. Maybe you just need to stand up to him."

After making her a strong cup of tea and settling her on the couch, Neil told her not to worry and just go about her life as usual. Maybe he's right, Maureen thought to herself. Maybe I just need to stand up to him. I'll go see him tonight, and I'll tell him to leave me alone.

So, that night, she put on her nicest dress, fixed her hair, and headed into Manhattan. Waiting in the elevator, she bit her lip, a knot in her stomach. "I have to do this so I can move on with my life!" She told herself aloud. "It's the only way."  
Stepping off the elevator, she walked towards Sean's apartment door, and found it slightly ajar. Pausing, she listened quietly and heard the sound of muffled sobs and footsteps.

"So," a deep voice said. "You like to abuse women, do you? Does it make you feel powerful? Hm?" A sound like a slap rang out. "Well, sadly for you, it actually means you are weak. A weak, spineless creature not worthy of calling himself a man. I know who you are. I know what you've done. And tonight . . . well, laddie, your luck has completely run out."

There was a sharp cry and a gurgling sound, then something heavy hit the floor. Maureen took a deep breath and dared to peer through the semi open door. There was a tall figure standing over what looked like Sean's prostrate form on the floor, throat slit from ear to ear spilling dark red blood in a pool across the floor. Maureen gasped, and clapped her hand over her mouth in horror. Hearing her, the figure turned.

It was Neil, but he looked different. His whole face was glowing with a golden light, his green eyes wide and cat like, a snarl etched into his face revealing pointed teeth. Maureen screamed, and turned to run, but suddenly he was in front of her, looking as he always did, seeming concerned. "I'm so sorry you had to see that," he said gently. "It's alright, he can't hurt you anymore. He can't hurt anyone. He had a far too much good luck for such an awful person, so I took it." He held up a vial of bright green liquid that sparkled in the moonlight.

Maureen shook and backed up against the wall. "What are you?" she whispered. Neil sighed. "Haven't you heard of the luck of the Irish?" he asked. "Well, my kind. . . we make sure it goes to the right people. People who deserve it. But there are very few of us these days, so more and more good people no longer have the good luck they need. Sean didn't deserve his luck. I've been watching him for a while now. He beat his last girlfriend, did you know? He also killed an innocent man back in Ireland. His real name was Sean McAllister, he was a horrid person without a shred of remorse, and he had all the luck he could ever want. So I have dealt out justice and taken his luck. It's yours, now."

Maureen stared at Neil. "M-mine?" She whispered. "You. . . it was you who made me lucky? You're why I got to where I am? Why I danced so well, why Michael fell in love with me? It was all you?" Tears rolled down her cheeks. "It wasn't me at all? Just luck?"

Neil looked confused. "I'm not sure what you mean," he said. "I knew you were a dancer . . . I'd overheard you talk about it with Sean when I was watching him. You never saw me, since I kept my distance, but I did some research and found out from your old teacher you were quite good when you were young. I thought you deserved some good luck, and I did contact Madame Anatole, but the rest was all you. I was going to give you Sean's luck, but as you can see, I still have it here. I had no other luck to give you, just a chance to try on your own, until I could give you this."

Maureen had stopped crying and looked at Neil carefully. "So I had no special help from you, aside from that?" She drew herself up, and met his unnatural eyes. "Then thank you, but I'd prefer you give that luck to someone who really needs it. Thank you for everything, and. . . well, Sean was a terrible person, so I won't turn you in. I doubt anyone would believe me anyway, would they?" Neil shrugged. "Unlikely. My kind has never been caught or held before. But I will leave evidence that will tell the police it wasn't you, and exactly who Sean was. They'll be more than happy to chase someone else."

Maureen nodded. "I see. Well, then, thank you for all your kindness, and I wish you the best." With that, she turned and left, content with knowing she had achieved her dreams because she deserved to. She never saw Neil again, and lived her life happily with Michael, dancing and never doubting that if she worked hard and stayed true to herself, there was little she could not accomplish.

The End

Confessions of a Collector

C. N. Christensen

The title "brony" has many reactions. For some it's a passion related to fandom or collecting. Others may see it as a sign of immaturity or a surreal concept. It's a word that can start a conversation or make someone back away slowly. For being a simple one five-lettered word, it has managed to create its own controversy and obtain intense attention. Not only has it caught the sights of news shows on television, but also the popularity of the internet.

I am a brony, though some may argue rather a pegasister. For those of you who are new to the lingo, I am an adult female who loves My Little Pony. It may seem weird, but I'm not offended by judgment anymore. I know some of you may choose to put skip over this story right away, but allow me to at least attempt to gather your interest. I desire to simply intrigue you by a short story. I am not prideful, nor do I intend to recruit you. I merely wish to engage you. Let me begin...

My true tale begins at an age before I can remember. I was more than just the target audience for the toys, but also born during the glory days for the early franchise. There were clothes, stuffed animals, purses, play sets, and even a television show. I am referring to the early nineties. I was a toddler at the time, thus my oldest pony is covered in marker, paint, and has a nasty hair cut. Despite her horrible condition, I treasure this toy because it's the root of my childhood memories. I know many adults who hold on to a toy they cherish. For my father, it was a stuffed panda bear with copper colored eyes. He passed his stuffed animal down to us, as I intend to give my ponies to my children.

My Grandma Jones soon noticed this particular show caught my interest every day and would record each episode while I went to preschool. She would also take the opportunity to buy any little ponies she found at garage sales, flea markets, or antique malls. Is wasn't long before my collection grew to over one-hundred and fifty unique ponies. However, this passion would not last much longer when I hit middle school.

My grandmother died on my thirteenth birthday, which I considered horrible luck and shortly after, I lost what I assumed was my entire collection. My Dad tried his best to get them back along with my grandfather, however nothing worked. Feeling rotten, I stopped collecting and gave up on anything My Little Pony related. I didn't even own any of my childhood favorites at the time. To me, there was no point to attempt recollecting.

Every so often, I would venture on to eBay curiously, only to feel distraught by the sky rocketing prices of the first generation of ponies. Hasbro had reissued the toy line, making the originals worth insane prices. Unfortunately, many of my childhood favorites were in the rare category and thus, the minimum rate was over twenty-five dollars for the single toy pony. Being a broke college student at the time, made me sigh defeated and close out of the browser. Then everything changed when I met someone special. I was new to dating and so was he, however he always saw the spark in my eyes when we would pass a My Little Pony.

One day, we journeyed to a local antique mall where a particular box caught both of our attention. It was lying under a table in a booth filled with classic toys. The large cardboard box was taped over with saran wrap and a tag that read _Vintage My Little Ponies $50_. We stared at each other for a moment as he began to grin.

"You have the money on you," he urged.

"Yea, but it's fifty dollars, and I told you that I don't collect anymore," I replied.

"You're going to regret it if you pass this by. I know you," he said, arching an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes while shaking my head. My eyes shifted back down to the box nestled in the booth corner, hidden behind stuffed animals and vintage Star Trek figures. I crossed my arms as I bent down and examined the ponies laying on top. The box was obviously full of them, and a few sparked my childhood memories. He nudged me once more, encouraging me to buy them. At last, I let out a chuckle and lifted up the box. He leaned in close examining the merchandise.

"Do you recognize any of them?" he asked. I nodded as I pointed to a few.

That day started it all!

I mentioned the idea of recollecting my old figures to my father, who said something that stunned me. He had recently decided to move in with his fiance and sell my childhood home. A while back he stumbled on some of my old ponies. He forgot to mention them to me. Suddenly, I felt the tides shift as luck ventured to my side. It wasn't long before he brought the box to my apartment. Within a huge red bin, were most of my childhood favorites. He had managed to save a few special ones. However, the world stopped turning the moment I picked up the most precious pony I ever owned.

My Grandma Jones died on the thirteenth birthday. My gift from her was a small toy pony only available in the United Kingdom that was near impossible to find. They had ordered her off the internet and I cherished her. She was the last thing my Grandma ever gave me. I was certain she was lost forever, except now I was holding her in my hands again. Her name was Baby Applejack. As I dug through the box deeper, another pony surfaced that bewildered me.

One of the rarest ponies in my collection was named Mimic. She was a highlighter yellow unicorn with jewel eyes and rainbow hair. Her symbol, or cutie mark, was a parrot. This was one of the ponies that always made me feel horrible when I would venture to online sales and auction websites. Usually, she was priced between seventy-five to one-hundred dollars. I was now also holding her in my hands. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I may have been starting my collection anew, but I had quite a few to inspire me.

As of today, I have recollected over ninety of my original ponies. My fiance also helps me search out ones that I used to own, though I will gladly also purchase those that are entirely new to me as well. I keep them on display in my personal art studio. I have also started buying the newer generations released by Hasbro. Whenever the world gets the best of me and I need a moment to relax, I will venture into that room and look at them. Each small toy pony is a separate happy remembrance, and I realize how lucky I am to be able to hold such memories in my hands.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Yvonne K. Anderson

The call of the Irish is strong in me

bursting forth on Saint Patrick's day.

Dressed all in green

down on my knees

I'm a Leprechaun today!

I'll dance a hornpipe merrily

then I'll take a break

and eat my Lucky Charms.

Oh look at that

I've got a lot of luck now!

As I looked at a clover patch

I found a four leaf clover

oh lucky me!

I'm full of spirit now

and I'll end with a resounding

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Audition Luck

Beth Valentine

Luck is something that you feel one day. You could wake up and feel like a million bucks or you could wake up feeling like you're not worth a cent of anyone's day. I walked into this audition unsure of what it held. I breathed in through my nose and out of my mouth. I smiled as I walked into the hall room. We'd been in this building for the whole day. 10am – 4pm.

The first round of the people who failed to make it to the second round already went home at 1. My heart was pounding but I was smiling as I smiled down at my paper number, 73, it'd got me this far and the only thing I can do is hope... and want a little luck.

"Good luck!" I smiled at all the people who passed. I hardly knew anyone by name, but I thought to myself, 'This is my ninth audition. I've never got into anything before, but why do I feel different about this one?' I sat down next to the two girls I met previous in the day and they both looked calm and collected.

As we sat on the cold oak floor we all stared up at the stage, nervous at the results. The black curtains were closed and as I looked round at the auditionees none of them looked as nervous as I felt. I bit my lip and looked over at one of the male auditionees who was a shoo-in to becoming one of the main roles. I sighed a heavy and sudden sigh, I'd be happy with a main role or a minor or even just a person standing at the back swaying. I'd been praying for weeks leading up to this moment.

All of a sudden, a small grey-haired man walks onto the stage holding a list of the successful people who had auditioned and their roles. Everyone looked eagerly up to him and as he adjusted his glasses on the edge of his nose, he looked at all the people who have auditioned. He took a deep breath before announcing.

"First off, well done for making it through the first round and onto the second!" He smiled as we all clapped and congratulated each other. We smiled at each other then looked back up to him. "Okay, now back onto the thing people really want to know. Everyone whose name is said please stand up."

As he read through the list, my heart sunk more. The boy who everyone expected to get through made it, as well as other people who had auditioned for previous shows. I looked down at my paper number and as I thought it was over he called my name.

My heart stopped for a second as I looked up at him and stood up at my name being said. At the moment a solitary tear slid down my cheek and hit my paper number. In my head I thanked God for this turn of events and I felt like breaking down, but right now, I'm going to do my damn best to make this show amazing and to make myself and my family proud.

April

Fantasy

Excerpt of

"Heroes of Atlantis"

G. S. Michael

So the reason I was tired in the morning is easy to explain. I was taking Jess to the stable so she could sleep with her pet. For some reason, she liked to sleep with her pet more than sleeping in an actual room. Anyway, we were walking down the road to the stables and I caught sight of Val talking with Kyle walking in the same direction. I took Jess to the stable and helped her get some hay for her and her Lupus-Draco. The dragon puppy flew down from the rafters and landed on the hay. He snuggled up and Jess climbed on and fell asleep.

"Thank you," came a voice.

"You're welcome, Jess."

"Try again," it came again.

Just to tell you I lost my power to communicate with animals about the time I turned seventeen years old.

"Is that you, Lupus-Draco?"

"Yes, idiot, your sister saved me and you took care of me. Everyone I met before I got captured talked about a hero who fought against the government, a person who controlled the form of animals, a hero who cared more about the people he was with than he did his own self. I met you and knew it was you. You are not as strong as they say, but you still have the kindest heart I have ever seen, Thank you for raising your sister to respect life everywhere and in any form, good night,"

And at that, he fell asleep. I stood there wondering what just happened. Did I get my power back? That's impossible. I lost it when my life turned for the worst, but to be exact, the night my parents died. That night started the same as all that I can remember. I was in my room having a conversation with my pet fish.

Blub, "How was your day, George?" Blub.

"Oh, not so good. Sklenicka has been gone and I do not understand science with the sub. My job though was fun today. I had a pulling contest with the clydesdale we got from a farm, who said he was losing his edge. It is funny how a little competition can put a little spark back into anything. I won, but the boss man saw me helping Bill, the clydesdale, pull the wagon we had, the boss man came running out and asked me how I did it, all i said is that i know animals and all this one needed was some encouragement, The boss then took the horse back to its farm and before he left the horse said thanks, That was the highlight of my day, How was your day?"

Blub. "Good, but not as interesting as yours," Blub.

I then heard a crash and some gunshots i jumped from my chair to the hallway. I saw three men wearing all black with guns leaving out the front door. Jess walked out and i pushed her in her room and locked her door. I ran down stairs and my dad was laying on the ground bleeding out. I grabbed some towels and tried to stop the bleeding.

He grabbed my hand and said, "George, know that I love you, but it is no use. They hit one of my main arteries, but promise me that you'll protect your sister,"

"Yes, dad."

"Promise me."

He then closed his eyes and died in my own hands.

"I promise you, dad, nothing will hurt my sister, nothing."

I wiped the tears from my face and barreled out the door. I saw my mom and she ended with the same fate as my dad. She was dead before i could reach her. The men were still standing over her body. They hadn't seen me yet. I ran at them and slid to a stop. It had just rained and the ground was still slippery. They turned and locked their guns on me. I had a second between this until they shoot. I thought quickly and the first animal that i thought of was Bill.

"Clydesdale."

My arms became heavy and i fell to the ground. The men shot and missed. My hands and feet turned into hooves. My nose and mouth became longer and my ears became more pointed. They move to the top of my head. My body built muscle and and I grew to the size of a full grown male clydesdale. A tail sprouted and my hair on the top of my head moved to make a mane.

"What happened to the boy?" asked one of the men, "He was here two seconds ago and now there's a big black horse in his place."

I tuned and kicked this man in the head. He went flying into a tree. He landed on the tree in such a way that a branch skewered him and he died instantly. The other two looked at each other and they started to run. I changed back and looked at the man in the tree. It was my uncle, his bald head and red beard gave it away. I took him and my parents and buried them. I made tombstones out of some old wood we had in the barn. Each had the name and their last words. I looked down the road and wondered what to do next. I remembered that I left Jess up in her room. I ran up the steps and got her out. I told her that mom and dad had to leave for a while. I called my grandparents and we stayed there till school was up. Till that day I hadn't been in contact with any animals. The first time I went home, I ran to the barn. Some of our neighbors had taken care of the farm while we were gone. The cows looked up as I walked in. I walked up to one of the calves that was born while we were gone.

"Hi there little one. My name's George and I own this farm now and we will be good friends."

"Moo," she replied back.

"Don't pretend, I can hear you talk so just talk to me,"

"Moooo," she said again

I didn't think anything about it normally since baby animals can't talk. I walked into the parlor where the cows were already milked and they were standing in there chewing their cud.

"Hey, girls, I am home. Did y'all miss me?"

They all started mooing and that was all I could hear. No talking, no welcome home, George, not even what's for dinner. I lost my ability to talk to animals. I guessed this was because I grew out of it, like when one grows out of clothes and toys. That is what happened, I thought until today. I walked down the street, trying to figure out how it came back and I saw Val's cloak turn a corner. Like all normal humans, I followed it, but I changed shape so it would be easier to follow her.

"Rat."

The first thing I started to shrink and my hands turned into little paws. A tail sprouted and my ears shrank. Black and white fur sprouted on my body and my nose became sensitive to different smells. The smells of food, other animals, which I found weird because I didn't see any animals on the streets today, only people, which is the other weird thing. I didn't smell any people and, of course, the smell of water. I followed Val as close as I could. She turned and disappeared behind a corner. I rounded the corner and found myself in a field of green. It was different from the field, we landed on yesterday. It had swords, shields, and a floating rock. I turned into a human and walked around the field. I saw Val and dived under some shields.

"I hope these are the ones and not some fakers," said Val.

"Don't worry," came a familiar voice. "They are. Wait, do you smell something out of place,"

"No, I don't have a sensitive nose like you, but do sense someone."

Their footsteps came closer and closer and closer, but then they stopped and everything was silent. Their breathing was the only thing I heard from them. Then one cleared their throats.

"Hello, George. Nice night, huh,"

I peeked over the shields and raised myself up.

"Hi, Kyle. Hi, Val. Sorry for snooping,"

"That's okay, besides, we have something to tell you," said Val.

"Yes we do," said Kyle, "Well, actually show you,"

He looked at Val and she nodded. They both took of their cloaks and all of a sudden, they started to glow. Kyle started growing fur and his face changed into a wolf's head. His fingernails grew to razor sharp claws. Finally, a tail sprouted. At the same time Val grew a pair of wings. Not bird wings but more like light, delicate butterfly wings. Right in front of me where Val and Kyle stood a fairy that was the same size of Val and a white werewolf with red lines over it in a pattern.

"Val, Kyle, is that you?"

Kyle came and slapped me on the back of my head.

"Nooooooooo shit, Sherlock. We are just showing our true form. I am the only white werewolf left in the world, the only one in history too. This happens when a werewolf mates with a mortal," explained Kyle.

I looked more closely at the markings on his body. There were red circles on his knees, his elbows, and his shoulders. Two lines connected the circles on his arms. Four lines went down his chest. Two lines went down each leg and connected to the circle and down to his feet. His back was the same. Though his face was all white with no lies he did not look like someone i wanted to make mad.

"And I am a halfling, Half fairy and half elf, That is why i am not the size of a fairy and why i have the pointed ears, I am a good fighter and posses a little magic,"she explained, "Everyone here has some sort of ancestor in ancient myths and stories, we all found our way here, this place offers shelter and a place to raise young ones, the humanoid ones have cloaks which cancel out our powers and make us look normal,"

They put their cloaks back on and changed back to human. We talked a while and they were about to send me home when Kyle stopped. He handed me a black box.

"George, take this and go to bed," he said, "Don't open this till tomorrow,"

I then left and went to bed. I got a total of three hours of sleep before I was woken up by Gege.

"Morning George," she said as licking my face off

"Morning Gege, How did you sleep?"

"Good, but i guess you won't hear that since you lost that power,"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that,"

"Of course I am sure, wait a minute, how did you....,"

"Yep, I got my powers back,"

Well, I went down for breakfast and almost fell asleep in my eggs. Then Andrew came down gave us instructions and I went back to my room. I put on my kepesh and opened that box I got from Kyle last night. It was a watch and a piece of paper.

Written on it was:

George this is a shield

All you have to do is press

the button on the top and a

diamond shaped shield appears.

Signed,

Kyle

Cool, I thought. I put it on my wrist and met everyone in the hallway.

"What's with the watch, animal boy?" asked David in a snarky tone.

"Just a gift," I replied. "Now, does anyone know how to get to the training field?"

None of us did until we saw the note on the door, but then we all took off running and our training started.

Excerpt from Chapter Two of

"Worlds Apart"

Morgan Middleton & Bree Vanderland

Stars curled around my vision, making strange shapes. Shadows lurked behind them as if the stars were tiny lights on the walls of a room. Twisting into an elephant, a knife, a box of tissues, and other normal, everyday objects, they surrounded me. Faster and faster they went, spinning and twirling in front of my sight, making me dizzy. They got bigger and bigger until I thought they would overtake me and I would be lost among the objects, never to be found again.

One minute later, I was sitting on a beach with golden sand spread in front of me and water lapping quietly, extending as far as the eye could see. The water was dark with one black shadow in the middle as if under a night sky looking a bit like an eye. It was an eye; Orla's eye. My image distorted and I was peering into her carefree gaze. Reflected into her eyes was a room. It was pretty much empty aside from a lone table. I turned away from Orla to look at the table. Upon it stood a rusted candle holder, its fake, golden color turned brown from neglect. It was dented all over, like somebody had tried their utmost hardest to destroy it. That was when I noticed the holograms surrounding the tip of the candle stand; five planets all connected by bridges; four rope bridges, pathetic little things with no stability at all in them.

As I leaned into the bridges for a closer look, I was tugged towards them; a force stronger than anybody could break free from sucked me towards it. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, counted to ten, and then slowly opened my eyes. Nothing was there. I couldn't describe it because there wasn't anything to describe. I was standing on solid ground, meaning something must be there. Lowering my head, preparing to see whatever rested below me, whatever kept me up in the nothingness, I saw a bridge. It was a rope bridge with wooden platforms and frayed knots tied every meter or so. I lifted one foot, reached forward, and landed my step. Another step, and another, another, one more, maybe two more steps and then, was there something over there?

I sped into a run, sprinting down the bridge. My hand burned as it rubbed along the rough rope. The pain etched through me, but it kept me going. It made me want to get to the end, to win the race against the rope. All of a sudden, a searing agony washed over my lower leg. I can't take another step as my leg wouldn't let me. A crack, ripping of wood echoed through the night sky. The bridge couldn't hold me for much longer, but I couldn't move. I didn't want to fall into the nothingness. The wood heaved its final breath and gives up on me; falling.

I woke up with a start. Little piles of grass and dirt surrounded me. My palms were clammy with sweat and covered in mud from where I had pulled up the ground. It was only a dream. I'm still where I was before, but it's different now. The moon shone high in the sky, merciless as always. I let out a deep sigh of relief because it is over now. The nightmares always built up before she came. It was like she was preparing me for the worst actions imaginable. I thought I was stronger than she thought. She seemed only young after all, maybe just a few years older than I am. I didn't want to trust her, but I couldn't help myself. She was always there, making sure I did everything right and then, on that same date each year, it was as if she is telling me that I was doing well and she would come to me, but I would always question when it would be.

Excerpt from Chapter One of

"Beyond the Becoming"

J. L. Mitchell

"Well, what do you think, Lilith? Do you like it?" asked a tall woman with elfish facial features and who also happened to be the mother.

"Mom really? I look like a pixie fighter mixed with an ungraceful elf."

"Well darling, with your..." She paused, thinking of the appropriate word. "Condition?" offered Lilith.

"No, not condition, but your um, uniqueness. There isn't much we can do that won't offend one race or the other. We're trying to represent each part of you at your becoming tonight."

"Still, making me look like... this!" gestured Lilith to herself in the mirror "doesn't represent all of me."

"Ok, then what do you suggest?" asked the woman.

"Like I would know! Give me two hours to figure something out."

"Lilith, darling, your becoming is in is in five hours. What if you don't come up with something?"

"Then I will wear your outfit," exclaimed Lilith.

"Fine, you have two hours to come up with an outfit better than my creation, remember it can't be one race it has to be..."

"All races, alright, mom. I got it already; now good bye." Said Lilith as her mom exited the room.

"This is going to very hard how on earth am I going to come up with an outfit in two hours?"

"Easy, Lilith, just wear what's nat... Holy crap, what are you wearing?!?" Asked a girl flying through the window.

"An outfit my mom made, I'm supposed to represent all of me at my becoming. Which reminds me, you are coming tonight, right Sakura?" Asked Lilith turning to face the demon-angel.

"Uh, Hello!!! Of course I would be there, wouldn't miss it for the world, and now let's see what we can do about an outfit for your special day!" Sakura said as her tail accidentally touched the window sill.

"Oops, sorry, Lilith. I keep forgetting my tail burns stuff ha-ha"

"It's ok, I'm accustomed to it, plus you didn't do any damage, check it out." Sakura turned and stared shocked at the wooden window sill

"But how did you? I thought your mom hated you using magic."

"She does but she can't stop me, I'm about to be a full-fledged vampire-faerie-elf-witch she can't do anything about it."

"Oh I see well cool, we still sharing a flat together right?" Sakura walked over to Lilith's closet.

"You can guarantee it! That's one thing I couldn't wait for on my day of becoming, finally moving out and with my best friend in the whole world." Exclaimed Lilith as she was changing out of the dress,

"Oh, here try this on" Sakura threw her a light rainbow colored dress.

"I do hope your joking right? This dress is an Elven dress, I need to represent vampires, faeries, elves, and witches."

"I know and this will be the elf portion, just relax I know what I'm doing. Now stand still while I fix you up for tonight." Sakura said coming over with a needle and threads. After an hour and a half, Sakura put the needle and thread aside as Lilith looked in the mirror.

"Oh my goddess sakura you have to be a genius!! This looks absolutely gorgeous!" Lilith practically yelled "you're the best demon-angel I know!

"I'm the only demon-angel you know! It's my pleasure, so when do your fangs and wings grow in?" "Just before the party. My wand is also arriving today I'm so excited I can't wait to see it."

"Wait, you don't get to see your wand before you get it? Well that's bogus, what if it doesn't like you or you don't like it?" complained Sakura

"My faerie and witch teacher won't let me see my wand, they will argue every time they come over; so the thought of them working together is kind of scary." Said Lilith.

"So how exactly does your becoming work? I mean they are certainly different then both of mine were, but you have four becoming's; so how does it work for you"

"I'm not really sure I just know each has their own ritual and ceremony, I know for the vampire ceremony I can choose a consort to stay with me for all eternity or in my case as long as I live because as an elf, I am susceptible to emotions and can die if I'm not happy, so I'd have to be very careful when choosing my consort" replied Lilith.

"But doesn't being a faerie counter that? I mean faeries aren't susceptible to emotions as elves are and with faeries they have natural inner things that counter unhappy thoughts don't they" Sakura shoved Lilith down into a chair to work on hair.

"Some of them yes; being a faerie does counter act being an elf, but it doesn't mean I have eternal life, same as being a vampire and witch, grant it, yes I'm more vampire then I am faerie/elf but that's heritage I'm technically a witch, but that's practically human, cause my father is pure-blood vampire I'm 50 percent so eternal life is 25-50 percent inherited, since I'm only 25 percent elf and faerie that, for the most part, also have eternal life with loop holes, it's conflicting, so I have to be extremely careful when picking out a consort, ouch easy with the hair!"

"Oops sorry but your hair is a mess, and what are the requirements for a consort?"

"No requirements except the consort can't really leave the vampire unless the vampire has another consort. And the consort is basically the vampires slave partner, a vampire needs to feed right, well that's the consort's job, to be a vampire consort is to feed and, or, "please" the vampire, its why most choose a loved one or soul mate, since I don't have either a consort will be hard." Lilith winced as Sakura combed out another tangle.

"What if I was your consort? I mean, hello, we will be roommates, were best friends, and if it means making sure you're fed on a vampire diet, I'm your gal, but I've never seen you drink animal or human blood before Lilith."

"It's because I don't need to rely on human blood, but when I become of age I'll need to feed three days a week, other four days I can split between faerie-elf and human food as long as I get three days of vampire food, two days of elf food, the other two days are mainly mine to choose between faerie and human food. Are you sure you're up for it sakura, cause your my friend I don't want to do that to you." Lilith said.

"Please that sounds like fun and as long as it's not every day I'm sure I can help keep you healthy. After all we've been friends practically forever, now enough talking and let me finish your hair before your mom comes up." Sakura brushed out more tangles until Lilith's hair was smooth and straight.

"There we go, you'll be the hottest vampire-faerie-elf-witch at the party tonight, center of attention."

"I already was the center of attention, it's my party remember, but thank you, love the outfit you put together this definitely represents all of me especially the shoes and hat, love it!" Sakura stood back to admire her work. A few minutes later Lilith's mom came in.

"Oh my goodness you look amazing darling." She exclaimed.

"Thanks, mom, Sakura helped me."

"Hi, Mrs. GreyHaven, how are you this fine afternoon?"

"Hello Sakura, I'm fine, thank you. Thank you for helping Lilith put together an outfit, it looks absolutely remarkable"

"My pleasure Mrs. GreyHaven, glad I could be of help" replied Sakura.

"Have your fangs grown in yet Lilith?"

"No mom not yet, they won't come in until an hour before my becoming, same with the wings, they will also come in an hour before my becoming; although my wand should be coming soon, I can't wait to see it." Said Lilith standing up.

"I'm assuming you're staying the night, tonight, Sakura?" Asked Mrs. GreyHaven.

"May I, ma'am? If it's ok"

"Sure, that's fine, Sakura, but you will have to have permission from Mr. GreyHaven as well."

"Really, mom? Why do I have to ask dad?" Lilith complained just as a tall ,pale muscular man knocked on the door.

"Because, Lilith, you are about to become a full-fledged vampire, you don't know if your hunger will increase or become different, and you will have to be monitored overnight." Replied the man.

"Dad!" Lilith hugged the man

"Nice to see you too Lilith dear;"

"Can Sakura please spend the night, please?

"I can monitor her overnight, Mr. GreyHaven" added Sakura.

"Ok, but only for the night and if I remember correctly, you are moving out tomorrow, right?"

"Yep, tomorrow Sakura and I are moving into our own place, so I will need help packing. Thank you dad" said Lilith smiling

"Just be careful Lilith, if you have any unknown urges of hunger ring the bell, oh and beautiful dress Lilith" complimented Mr. GreyHaven leaving the room as servants came up to him.

"So when do we leave for the party?" Sakura asked, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Here shortly just getting everything ready, and then maybe your fangs and wings will grow in." As the girls started talking Mrs. GreyHaven left the room, the sky got increasingly darker. When it was completely dark Mr. and Mrs. GreyHaven came in.

"Mom! Look, my fangs came in!!!" Lilith exclaimed excitedly.

"But no wings yet?" Mrs. GreyHaven questioned

"No but soon mom, soon they will grow in completely; maybe they will grow in during the party."

"Let us hope, even so I will have faeries and elves keeping an eye on you" Mrs. GreyHaven replied.

"Well, let us get going shall we I want to get to the party early so we can make sure everything is set up and ready for tonight, better to get there early rather than late don't you agree dear?" questioned Mr. GreyHaven.

"Very much so, darling. Plus, if we get there an hour early, your wings may grow in and it is far better to get your wings in an empty room than it is to get them in a full room.

5 minutes later, four people walked into a room that was decorated like the night sky with cats, plants and presents. "Whoa, this... looks... AMAZING!" Lilith exclaimed looking around

"Glad you like it darling"

"Is anyone here yet?"

"No, dear, we came an hour early, remember?" "Oh ok, mom?"

"Yes darling"

"What if I don't get my wings? What will happen?"

"Well darling; I honestly don't know I would imagine in your situation, it would not make much of a difference, then again, it may make a huge difference, you will have to talk to the council about that darling; but know this I will still love you no matter what, even if you don't grow wings, you are my daughter and will always remain my special unique daughter."

As if by magic Lilith started growing big glittery faerie wings with forest green spirals embedded into the design. "Oh my word! Lilith look your wings, they grew in! They look so pretty!!!!!" Exclaimed Sakura coming into the room with an arm load of presents.

"Really, they grew in finally? Yay!" Lilith smiled as she looked in the mirror behind her. What she saw astonished her.

"Whoa, look how pretty they are, that's amazing; mom do you see them, they grew in!"

"Yes, darling, they look amazing, congratulation I'm so proud of you." Said Mrs. GreyHaven just as four people walked in.

"I thought so. Congrats on the wings Ms. Lilith, you are now a full-fledged faerie." The shortest of the four said as she smiled.

"Yes so it seems you have grown well into your lineage; even if it is not the ideal breed, I assume your fangs grew in? Do you have a consort? Or someone who can make sure of your various dietary needs?" The tall pale Grinch asked.

"Yes Valdimir I have someone who will make sure my various dietary needs are met. And thank you Ms. Amity I'm happy to finally have my wings. Do I still have to take classes?" Lilith asked.

"Yes, your training is far from over, little one you still have many more lessons before you're done. You may be full-fledged, but doesn't mean you can slack on lessons." Said Amity.

"Ah darn it. Will the lessons be harder or easier?" asked Lilith, looking at the floor.

"It is what you make it to be, but should hopefully be easier. Now onto more important matters." Vladimir said.

"Who is your consort? Is it willing or forced?"

"She is a willing consort, Vladimir, she offered to be my consort" Lilith replied as a woman dressed in black came up and hugged her.

"Oh my, blessed be Lilith. Today's the day of the beginning of your life, do you feel any different?" The woman asked.

"Am I supposed to feel different Ms. Ramona? Because I don't feel any different than I normally feel."

"No, dear child, it's nothing to worry about, just minor changes that's all; any who we have a party to set up for. Now stop worrying and smile, enjoy the night. After all, it's only once you come of age." Ramona replied walking off.

As the other three instructors walked off in different directions Mr. GreyHaven came up to her.

"So I see your instructors showed up without killing each other, this is a good thing; he said chuckling.

"Ha-ha dad, they wouldn't kill each other; it's in the contract, but that is a good thing they haven't." Lilith replied as Sakura came up to them.

"Who's killing who? And where?"

"Sakura, no one is killing anyone or anything, my dad was saying my instructors haven't killed each other yet."

"Ah darn, I haven't seen a good brawl in a while, oh well, would have been nice; anyway, your wings are pretty, Lilith."

"Thanks, I'm happy I got them; can I fly now? I want to fly, can I dad please?" Lilith begged.

"Later, you are not trained. When you have a flight lesson under your belt ,then you can fly." Mr. GreyHaven replied as guests started to arrive "fine I'll wait."

"Now smile darling, all these people are here to see you remember? Be happy and enjoy the party," said Mr. GreyHaven hugging Lilith.

Excerpt of Chapter Two of

"Lost in Wonderland"

Mags Knoll & Bree Vanderland

There were no bright colors. In fact, it appeared as if someone had taken all the colors away. There was no green grass, or the tall trees with multicolored leaves that I was accustomed to seeing in the fall. It was bleak and cold. A chill blew through the air when I came to, making me shiver. I was wearing little other than a black dress with simple black heels.

Today was supposed to be Mary's funeral. She had passed away about a week ago, taking her life right in front of mine and my mother's eyes. I really didn't know what to think. I missed her already especially with her being my twin sister. It was as if a part of me was missing, cut out, exactly like her throat.

Tall trees that extended past the point where my eyes could see began to blow in the breeze, scaring me into thinking one would collapse on me, squishing me to oblivion, but this was a dream. This had to be a dream.

I sat up, sitting on what appeared to be dead grass. I was easily able to break off a strand, but it immediately crumbled in my hand, turning into what appeared to be ashes. Standing up, I saw a path directly ahead of me. As I began to step towards it something stopped me.

"Who are you?" a mysterious voice asked from behind me.

I turned around, but there was no one there, adding to my confusion.

"Who are you?" I asked in reply, hoping the stranger would present himself.

"Do you not know that it is rude to answer a question with a question?"

"Do you know that it is rude not to show yourself to someone you're speaking to?" I retorted.

By this time, I was turning in circles, attempting to see the strange being, but no one appeared.

"You are challenging," the voice said as a white vapor seemed to cloud the area. The vapor wasn't anything natural though. Instead of just floating away like it usually would, it formed the image of a caterpillar. "This is me. Now. Who. Are. You?"

The question rang through my head as I tried to comprehend what I was seeing. Fear and adrenaline flowed through my veins and I wanted to run away, but something kept me rooted in place spot.

"I-I'm Alice," I stumbled through my own introduction, holding my hand out to shake as I was taught when I was younger. I put my hand down after I realized the caterpillar didn't have a corporal form to actually grasp my hand. "What are you?"

"Dear child," the image spoke again. "Did your parents not teach you any manners? Asking someone that is rude and you should know better. I would like to meet these insolent people you call parents and give them a piece of my mind."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I can't help you there. You see, I'm lost and don't know where I am myself. How can I help you find them when I don't even know where I am?"

"Alice," the caterpillar form began to speak again. "May I ask where you're from?"

"Why of course. I'm from Middlebrough," I responded quickly but quietly. "Now may I ask where I am?"

"Ah, dear child; you are in what remains of my home, Wonderland," the caterpillar sighed as the vapor around him stopped moving.

I looked closer, but everything seemed to be faded. It didn't look wonderful, more dreadful than anything.

"It looks anything but wonderful to me," I muttered under my breath, hoping the caterpillar didn't hear me.

"I know you don't see it now, but it was once a beautiful place. The sun shone and the area around us was full of color. Here, let me show you."

With that, the caterpillar closed his eyes as the vapor began to swirl, forming a circle in front of me. It looked like a mirror as color appeared shining through. Bright colored flowers with happy faces and voices like angels appeared in the swirl of what use to be the caterpillar. There was a party. Colorful lights were dimmed during the coming sunrise as people and animals gathered in an empty field. One woman, dressed in a bright red dress with deep red lipstick, pitch black hair and light eye shadow stood before the rest.

"Who is she?" I asked, not even trying to contain my curiosity.

"That, dear Alice, is Scarlett. She is also known as The Red Queen. The woman who is walking to her is her sister, Cecily. She is The White Queen."

The two sisters sure lived up to their names. Cecily was wearing a dress that was styled exactly like her sister's, except it was pure white, Light reflected off of it in such a way that she appeared to be glowing. Her lips were white and she had deep blue eyes.

"Is her hair dyed white?" I asked another question.

"No. Surprisingly, she was actually born with white hair. Everyone swore that she was going to die at a young age, but the woman is a fighter. After two hundred years of war between the sisters, she's still standing, trying to reclaim her throne."

"Two hundred years?"

"Is that not what I just said?"

"I'm sorry," I muttered looking away as the vapor began to shift again, back to the image of the caterpillar. "I just... People don't live that long where I'm from."

"They don't?"

I shook my head. "They don't. My great grandmother lived to be about ninety-seven before she died."

"How did she die?" the caterpillar said, finally curious about something Alice had said.

"She died because she was old and her body wasn't cooperating. Her organs were shutting down," I replied, trying not to think too much of it. I didn't want to remember another death on this day.

"Such a pity," replied the caterpillar. "Here people live to be as old as they want and then some. I mean, look at me. I'm alive even after I chose death, but that isn't a bad thing. I can watch over things this way and give advice to people, whether they want to hear it or not."

I nodded in agreement. It must be nice to give advice to people with no repercussions.

"So, there is a choice whether to live or not?" I questioned. "Here you can choose when you want to die?"

The caterpillar nodded as he floated around me. It felt as if he was invading my personal space. I looked around my surroundings, noticing the dead flowers, trees and grass which crumbled under my feet, turning into the same ash from earlier. I couldn't bear the thought that this was wonderland. The sky remained cloudy, no sign of the sun coming out anytime soon. I let out a sigh, thinking it was quite dull.

"What about the plants?" I asked.

"Whatever do you mean?"

I sighed again. I was never going to get anywhere with this caterpillar.

"The plants you showed me in the vision were alive. They were kind of dancing, smiling and singing. Did they choose to die?"

"Insolent girl," was the reply I received. "There was a war. Of course the plants and trees didn't have a choice. The Red Queen set fires that uprooted them, giving them no hopes to return, but not everything in Wonderland is ruined. There are still the waters the mermaids live in and some retreats that The White Queen keeps safe, but a lot of it is gone, never to return."

"How do I get there?" Curiosity got the better of me, but as soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I was in for it.

The vapor eyes rolled into the back of the caterpillar's eye sockets.

"If you want to get somewhere, you'll have to be specific. Here you are, wasting time with someone who isn't technically even real."

"How do I get to one of the retreats?"

"Which retreat?"

"How am I supposed to know which retreat?" I demanded an answer. "You didn't tell me how many there were or their names, so how am I supposed to know?"

"You're not and you don't go there," the caterpillar spoke quietly. "The quickest way to any of the retreats requires crossing through the Red Queen's territory, and that is suicide."

I thought for a moment before speaking this time. "Is there anywhere I could go that is safe and close?"

"There is not. You have to go through Scarlett's lands and no one is brave enough to do that."

"Who is Scarlett?"

"There is much that you have to learn about Wonderland," the caterpillar spoke to me. "I know someone that could teach you better than I, and that is the Mad Hatter."

With that, the caterpillar began to drift away from me towards the path I'd noticed earlier, but I didn't know if it was safe after everything the caterpillar had said. Despite my doubts, I followed.

The path was made out of gray stone and my heels made light clicking sounds every time the two met. The passing grass was still the same; dead. Everything was dead. The trees, the grass and no animals resided in the forest as they did back home.

"Did you say the 'Mad Hatter'?" I questioned, not really sure I wanted to meet someone who was mad.

"Why, yes," the being confirmed. "Other than me, he's the oldest living person in Wonderland. He knows a lot of the history surrounding this. He was also... erm... involved in a way, with the Red Queen."

"Involved?"

"Yes," he responded. "Involved."

I shuddered, expecting some crazy old man whose ramblings wouldn't explain much. I was expecting to see someone who was likely to get me lost in the woods, but this Mad Hatter was quite the opposite.

It took about twenty minutes of walking down the path, shaded by the looming dead branches of trees before we came to a small clearing. In the clearing, there was a long table with twenty-two chairs, however only two were filled.

"You, caterpillar, are late."

Enya and the Dragon

of Time

Bree Vanderland

This short story is dedicated to Kieran and his younger sister, Enya Bolton :)

Enya took a deep breath and held the bow and arrow up again.

"Concentrate," she whispered to herself. Here she was, disobeying all laws, but she didn't care. She wanted to be like her brothers. She wanted to be able to sword fight and shoot arrows and even hunt dragons.

"It's too dangerous for a woman to do," she could hear her father's voice echo through her ears, but it only made her want to prove him wrong.

When she released the arrow from its nock, it went whooshing past her ear and landed dead on her target, nothing more than a sack full of hay with ink spread over it in different sized circles.

"WOOO!" she yelled, throwing her hands up in success, forgetting that she was supposed to be quiet. She forgot that there were actually guards patrolling the area and she knew that she was caught as soon as a twig snapped behind her.

"HALT!" one of the guards yelled out, raising an arrow. "State your business!"

"Don't shoot!" she yelled as she threw down her own bow and threw her hands up.

"Princess Enya!" the guard exclaimed as soon as the girl turned around and he noticed who she was. "What are you doing out here? You should be in the palace! The forest is a dangerous place for you! Let's go."

He grabbed her arm and forcefully took her back to the castle after picking up her bow and leaving the arrows in the tree and the sack of hay. He knew the Queen of Ralin wouldn't appreciate him giving her daughter something so dangerous.

When they arrived at the palace, Queen Callista ordered the guard to bring her eighteen year old daughter to her chambers to speak to. Enya was nervous. She hated being around her mother who was so regal and strict. It was as if she never cut loose and had fun. Maybe fun wasn't in her vocabulary.

"Come in," Callista spoke as soon as the guard knocked on the door. He pushed it open and just about pushed Enya in, closing the door behind her. Enya didn't like having these conversations with her mother as they always ended up the same way. She would have a guard placed by her side every second of the day for a few months, but then Callista would get tired of seeing her mope around the palace and would lift it just for it to happen all over again.

"What were you thinking?" Callista asked her daughter. Enya just stood and look at her mother. Her mother was dressed in a blue silk dress with gold embroidery that showed off her hourglass figure well with her crown on her head that signified her royal status. "Enya, you can't just walk around the grounds like that. Haven't you heard of the thieves and murderers out there? People are insane and here you are just begging them to take you!"

"Yes!" Enya shouted. "I want them to take me somewhere far away from here! I don't want to be a princess. I want nothing other than..."

"Than what?" her mother challenged as she raised an eyebrow in her daughter's direction. At that moment, Enya swallowed her courage. There was no way she would win with her mother. "Well? What is it that you want, Enya? I can't do anything about it unless you tell me."

Enya let out a sigh and then meekly replied.

"I want to fight dragons."

Her shy reply was greeted with her mother laughing at her.

"Fight dragons?" Callista questioned in between her fits of laughter. "Women don't fight dragons. You would be better suited as a princess, even if you hate it. Enya, out there, people can only protect you but so far."

"I know that, mother, but that doesn't change what I want to do."

"It's out of the question," Callista gave the final command. "The guard outside the door will escort you to your room. Leave me."

Callista waved her hand and Enya felt dread coming on. The good news was that there wasn't a guard placed on her at all times for a few months, which pleased her. She liked her freedom, although most women in the country of Tenya didn't have freedom.

The guard escorted her to the east wing of the palace and opened her door.

"I'm sorry," he spoke quietly. "I know how you must feel about me turning you in, but it's for your own good. My cousin went off dragon fighting and he never came back. It's dangerous."

Enya scoffed, rolled her eyes, and then shut the door in the guard's face. She didn't care about danger. She just wanted to be free and to let people see that she could do more than sit and look pretty. What was so difficult to understand about that? She was a good shooter when it came to the bow and arrow, she could ride her horse, Lilith, without a problem. She was skilled at most things her brothers could do just by watching them, especially sword fighting, although it was extremely hard for Enya to get her hands on a sword. Everyone kept telling her she couldn't.

That's when she made up her mind. She was going to run away. She would have her wish and she would fight the dragons.

****

The cold night air brushed against her cheeks as she pulled her cloak around her. She had left with hardly anything except extra clothes and the food that had been given to her in her room meant for supper. She thought she would at least save the food until the morning as she snuck past the guards, who were too busy drinking to notice her.

"Why did I think of this?" she asked herself out loud as she was a few miles away from the palace, trying her best not to turn back. She didn't want to prove her mother wrong. She just wanted to find a dragon. "I should have stayed at home. It's too cold out here."

"It is cold," Enya heard a voice behind her. When she turned, she saw a man dressed all in black with black hair and light blue eyes that made her even colder.

"W-who are you?" she asked,taking a step backwards. Callista had always taught her daughter to avoid strangers in fear of them hurting or kidnapping her since she was the princess, but Enya didn't think about crossing strangers when she left the palace.

"Well, princess, I would imagine you wouldn't know me. I'm Hunter and ironically I am a hunter as well."

"Princess?" Enya exclaimed while asking at the same time. "How do you know who I am when I know nothing about you? Were you following me?"

"What?" Hunter looked startled. "What do you mean?"

It took a minute, but then he understood and fell to his knees.

"Forgive me, my lady, for I call every woman I meet princess. I didn't know you were really the princess. What are you doing out here anyway?"

Enya hesitated on telling him since he was a stranger, but he was a hunter. Maybe he could be trusted. Maybe he could even help.

"I'm looking for a dragon," she admitted. He looked shocked as he took a step backwards.

"And what are you looking a dragon for?"

"I want to kill a dragon," she whispered as she dug her toes of her right foot into the dirt. "That's all."

"That's all?" he questioned. "How can that be all? You're talking about killing one of the worlds most terrified creature and that's all you want? Well then, let's go!"

The man started to walk in the direction that she was headed in, towards another small village. There, she planned on getting some supplies with some money that she had saved up. Mother always allowed her an allowance to buy new things with, and she saved it as she didn't want new dresses, she just wanted weapons that her mother wouldn't allow her to have.

"Where are we going?" she questioned him. He informed her that they were just going to the next village for supplies. Already, she liked this man, even though she knew nothing about them.

It wasn't a long walk to the village that was made of little houses with straw roofs and pens full of animals.Enya didn't realize that people lived this way when she was safe inside the stone walls of the palace. They found a small inn to sleep in and decided to stay there the night and leave first thing in the morning.

"They'll be looking for me," Enya explained. "I'm the princess and they'll be looking for me. They'll think I've been kidnapped!"

"Were there any signs of you being kidnapped?"

Enya shook her head no as she didn't think she left much of a trace of even being in her room that day, but she couldn't be sure what evidence her mother would fabricate to get her back.

"We'll just keep going," the man said. "At least until they catch us and I'm arrested. I'm Kieran, by the way."

That night, Enya got the best sleep in years.

When the light broke through the window, Kieran was already awake. He threw off his covers, quickly washed with the water in the wash bin, got dressed, replaced the water, and then woke Enya to do the same. He left her alone as he went to get breakfast.

By the time he returned, Enya was finished and Kieran was carrying a tray with eggs, bread, sausage, and bacon. After scarfing it all down, Kieran gathered some supplies from the townspeople, paying for weapons and food, although they didn't have much for either. After seeing all of this, Enya vowed to give her monthly earnings to help towns like this. Surely it would be more use to them than to her.

Enya gathered all the supplies with Kieran's help and she thought she might fall over.

"There is no way we can carry these each day, all day," she exclaimed. Instead of carrying them, she paid someone a handsome price for two horses and then they were on their way.

"Well, where are we going now?" she questioned since Kieran hadn't told her anything.

"We'll be heading for the mountains!" he exclaimed, pointing into the distance. "By nightfall, we'll be at the base of the mountains and we can climb to one of the caves so you and I can take on a dragon together!"

"That soon? I didn't know there were dragons so close to the palace."

"There are dangerous things all around, Princess, but I don't think dragons are what you think they are," he told her as he pushed his horse in front of hers and smiled up as the sun hit his face, warming him to the bone.

"What do you mean? My mother always said that dragons were dangerous and that there were brave knights who use to kill them, but not many knights came around too often anymore."

"Queen Callista was right one thing. There were knights that killed them and I'm assuming you want to be a fighter too since you want me to help you kill one."

"What are you talking about?" Enya laughed so much as soon as the words came out of his mouth that she could hardly say her own. "I never asked you to help me fight a dragon, you just came along and assumed. I thank you for your help, but I am sure I can do it on my own. "

"Well," he began. "Maybe you can and maybe you can't. I guess we will see and I will wait by for you to beg for my help."

He laughed at his own joke as he carried on. Silence befell the duet as the continued onwards. They stopped when the sun was high overhead for lunch and made small talk about the weather and the area around them. They were in a forest with trees nearly a hundred feet tall as they loomed overhead as if swallowing them whole. Their roots popped out of the ground, extending over and under each other. The two had to scour the land for an area to sit.

After they were finished, they packed everything up and carried on their way, the horses had trouble getting over the roost, but they managed to get out of the forest and crossed the river. By nightfall, they were definitely at the base of the mountains.

At this time, Enya was nervous. She didn't know what to do. Should she really climb up the mountain with Kieran and head to kill one of the world's most dangerous creatures?

She did. Climbing off her horse, Kieran tied them to a nearby tree, hoping that they would actually come back alive. He gripped the sword at his side, waiting for something to jump out at them, but nothing did. Instead, he stopped at Enya's side and waited. She was staring up at the mountain like it was going to fall over on her.

"What are you waiting for?" he questioned as he raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know," she replied, but she never took her eyes off of the mountain.

"We should get going. It's a long walk."

Enya nodded and they started up the mountain.

"I should ask you something first," he spoke as they were in mid climb. "Do you even know how to use that thing?"

Enya watched as he nodded towards the sword strapped at her waist and laughed.

"How could I not? I use to watch my brothers practice all the time. Thye're all in line for the throne before I am, so of course they need to know how to fight. My mom says it's too dangerous for a woman, though, and would never let me learn with them."

"She's right, you know," but Enya scoffed at him. She didn't believe it, but she would show Kieran just how good she was with the sword when the time came. She would pierce through the dragon's tough hide effortlessly and kill it. Then she would show Queen Callista that she was able to be a warrior too.

The pair sat on the cold ground to take a break. They were sore, tired, and most of all, hungry. Pulling out some more of the snacks that they had bought from the villagers, they ate in silence. When they were done, each got about an hours sleep before they departed on their way again.

The sun was just about to come out when they reached yet another cave. They were searching the cave on the side of the mountain quietly, looking for what they came for.

Entering this particular cave was different though. As they entered this particular cave, the floor was littered with white bones of animals, picked clean. The room was quiet except for Enya tripping over the bones as she wasn't paying attention. She got multiple "Shhh!" from Kieran, who was trying not to laugh himself at the Princess's clumsiness, but then he stopped in his tracks. Enya managed to run right into him, landing them both on the ground in a fit of laughter.

"Shhh!" Kieran got out,rather loudly, but he didn't listen to himself after another burst of laughs, but then they froze as another unrecognized voice broke through.

"Who disturbs my slumber?" the voice echoed through the dark cave as the ground shook. Enya and Kieran couldn't see anything and wished at that time that they had brought tourches. Kieran was quick thinking and grabbed one of the bones on the floor, took off his scarf, and wrapped it around the bone. Afterwards, he grabbed two stones from the ground and used them both to spark a flame on the cloth. Lifting it up, both Enya and Kieran were wishing that they hadn't come.

Standing in front of them, but more like towering over them, was a dragon with blue, green, and brown scales. Its teeth were razor sharp and its eyes were pitch black, searing into Enya's. The pair froze, neither wanted to move for their swords in fear of being eaten.

"Well?" The dragon spoke again, questioning the two. "Who are you?"

"I am Kieran," the male spoke up. Enya looked at him like he was crazy. "I have escorted the Princess, Enya here. She wanted..."

"I know what she wants," Kieran was interrupted. The dragon then turned to Enya "Well? What are you waiting for? I have lived a long life, as you can tell. However, death would not be welcome. I sort of like my life."

Enya couldn't speak.

"You are going to kill me, aren't you?"

"Enya?" Kieran nudged the princess who couldn't speak. She was in awe of the magnificent creature in front of her. He was a beauty, magnitude, elegance, and so much more.

"Can I ask one question and one question only?" she finally spoke with a shaky voice.

"You can ask anythiiiing you want, princess."

She took a deep breath before finally speaking, "Have you ever harmed a person?"

"Never. I only ever hurt animals and only then for food. Even then, I only need nearly one animal every other month to continue to live. I wouldn't hurt a person. I do nothing but travel through the years, surviving a pathetic life, hiding from people."

"Why do you hide from people? You're amagnificent creature!"

"I hide because of what they would do to me," he explained. "It would be the same thing you came here to do."

Not knowing what to say,Enya looked at the ground, removing her hand from her sword.

"Poor princess. Do not fret. I have lived thousands of years. I have watched many kings and queens pass. Many princes have come to defeat me and have gone home after talking to me, leaving me be. I live a lonely life, alone and away from everyone and everything. I am the last dragon, doomed to live a lonely life, forever alone."

Enya stopped and thought about it. She took a look at Kieran with sorrow in her eyes before she replied to the dragon.

"You won't have to be alone," she told him. "I will come with you and be by your side until I have passed away."

Then she turned to Kieran.

"I am sorry that I won't be returning with you. I can't ask you to do the same. I am sorry."

Kieran stood for a moment, gathering himself before he replied, "I will come with you as well. Besides, you both might want company besides each other."

A smile played across the dragon's lips, but then it disappeared.

"I cannot ask you to do that for me, for it is a lonely life indeed," he told them. "For those who travel with a dragon will never get older or sick, although they can die if their injuries are substantial. You shouldn't give up your life for me."

"You don't understand," Kieran said. "I have no home. I would rather have a home with you than anywhere else."

"Me too," Enya stated.

"But you have a home, princess."

"I do," she admitted. "But I am sure that my mother will be happy to know that I have finally found my place among friends. We can leave in the morning and travel the world together."

The dragon and Kieran nodded in agreement.

"My name is Meus, by the way," the dragon informed the pair.

After they were all acquainted, they all grabbed a few hours sleep before heading off to see the world together. It turned out dragons weren't as bad as their reputation. The were knowledgeable and kind creatures and Enya came to love Meus. It turned out she found her place with Kieran, Meus, and a sword at her side.

April Theme

Eleanor Stoddard

Deeply, I breathe. Shuddering, I feel the gashes across my sides sting violently. Tears pour down my face as the metal cuffs grating my skin, warm thin blood trickles down my arms.

As if a bolt of lightning shot through me, the man kicks the small of my back. I don't want to cry out but it escapes me. I pull away from him, well I try to. The chains stop me cutting further into my ankles. He kicks me, spitting he whispers "mutt". He bends down and grabs my face his dirty nails clawing into me. He comes closer; his sour breath felt wretched across my neck and slammed my head on the concrete floor. I scream.

Standing above me he chuckles and I hear his heavy boots drag across the floor. The door opens, light tending to my wounds. Then it slams shut leaving me alone; again the

darkness swallows me. The only light screams at me from the crack below the door. Wincing, I move trying to get into a more lifelike position, not comfortable; with this pain you are never comfortable. Exhausted, I try to sleep. When I drift off, I won't be having a nightmare. I am living the nightmare.

Excerpt of Chapter Two

"Black Vengence"

Varun Prabhu

The day was coming to an end. The afternoon sun had climbed down, faster than he would have wished, and was almost on the horizon. He hated the dark. The nights scared him.

He walked down the busy streets of Alkameth, a small town by the coasts, surrounded by lush green lands in all the directions except for the west. People brushed him around, not even bothering to apologize. He hated this city; hated the lack of discipline in it. He wished he could escape it but outside, his father's men were searching. The woods around were not safe. Thinking of this town as a safety net, he had rushed into it, unaware of the fact that the city took unkindly to strangers. It was not that this city entirely hated strangers but they did not do sweet talk with them, unlike the cities he had been, which were mostly inland. The problem lay with the city itself and not him. It had been attacked by pirates and unscrupulous people in the past years and it distrusted most strangers. This distrust was the cause the travelers were mostly unwelcome.

As a stranger, he had certainly felt like being asked to leave; but he had persisted. He had stayed here for two months despite all the arrogance of its citizens. He sometimes asked himself how he had survived for too long and also, surprised that his father's men had not taken upon themselves to search this town once they had failed to find him in the woods. He had to escape now. The town was weighing on him.

His robes were dripping with sweat. His chest heaving, his body weary, he wanted to retire to his quarters before the sun dipped below the horizon. But the crowd on the street hampered his quick movements. He cursed again.

People were busy humming through the market. Vendors called out to them, offering them reduced prices to get their sales up, but each one of them looked at him like he was a thief about to steal from them. Even when he had gone farther from their stalls, he felt their eyes boring into him.

His steps quickened careful however not to brush anybody. He was slim and athletic and was clad in light robes. He did not think it was difficult to slide through the rushing crowd.

He wanted to be away from the roaring voices. But how? The only way was to get off the market street. His eyes searched for a way out. To the right loomed a huge gray wall built of formidable stone which protected the city and to his left were the stalls housing those who he was trying to escape. There was no other street leading away from where he was. Why did he ever take this route? It was the shortest but the most crowded.

"Lord Silas," called out a voice. He turned around to see a middle aged man wearing a red turban on his head approach him, walking as fast he could. He did not know him although his face seemed vaguely familiar. He tried to remember where he had seen him before but his memory failed to respond.

"Er...who?" asked he, his tone warily curious.

"Don't you remember me? I used to serve your father, Lord Silas. And then he sent me into exile for telling the truth and standing upto him. You were there in the court but younger, standing beside the Lord Si.".

"I am extremely sorry but I do not recall your name. Would you kind as to divulge?" he asked.

The man shook his head. "I expected more from a descendant of your grandfathers who come verily from the line of Lord Beltharion. That line is said to have been blessed with good memory yet I see that it is not so. However, I am Kahn the Wanderer, previously a lord of the Throndings."

"Previously?"

"Yes. Your father exiled me and I then became a wanderer."

"And why do you seek me now?" asked Silas.

"In good faith, my lord. We have matters to discuss. Little birds tell me that you are seeking to escape your father's huntsmen. I also know they have followed you far."

"How do you...?"

Kahn did not allow him to continue his question. With a smile on his face, he said, "Where I found the answers is not any of our concern at the moment. If you will accept my invitation, would you accompany me to The Baskets?"

He was still doubtful of this man. Questions raged in his mind. Should he trust him? What if he gave him over to his father's men? How did he know so much about him? But he could not find his answers. Seeing no other choice but to follow him, he nodded.

Kahn smiled. "Good! You are as I hoped for. Now to business!"

He heard Kahn give a hoot. It sounded like a night-owl but Silas was not wary of it. The people in this town used such a cry to hail a plying horse-carriage. Like he expected, a carriage drawn by two brawny mares stopped by them, the driver raising his whip and lashing at the stony ground.

"Where to, my lords?" asked the driver, looking at him with furrowed brows.

Kahn smiled. "Take us to The Baskets if you will. And faster!"

The driver nodded his head and motioned to the back of the cart. "To The Baskets it is. And faster I will take you, for none is there in this city who can take you to any place herein quicker than old Murdoch."

Kahn led him to the seats which were inside a wooden cabin. The cabin was painted leathery black on the outside but as he jumped into it, he found himself sitting upon a lush green, beautiful but narrow couch bordered by the posh red walls. A single square-shaped window was left open on the wall opposite the couch if the passengers wanted to commune with the driver. However, there were two oval windows on either side of them, one just above the handle of the door to the left of him. These windows could be covered however by golden yellow curtains which could be moved across a steel rod.

Silas had never sat in such a rich carriage. Even his carriage back home lacked such lustre and beauty.

Kahn seemed to have read his mind. "This carriage does not belong to old Murdoch, Lord Silas. If he was indeed the owner, why would he want to ply people to and fro across the city? Nay, all these carriages belong to Lady Theresa who people call the Silver Lady."

"The Silver Lady? Why do they call her that?" he asked, clearly ignorant about this rich woman.

"Ah, that is because of her apparent liking for everything silver. Even most of her dresses and robes are silver. It is said that during her marriage, she wore a beautiful silver gown instead of white as is the custom and upon her neck was a necklace of silver gems. Why does she like silver? That I cannot tell. Let us just say she has an intriguing affinity towards it."

"Strange!" said he. He had heard about people with fetishes but he could not understand how people could be so drawn towards a thing and be so addicted towards it. He found it a little weird. He thanked his fate for not having such obsessions.

As the carriage drove towards the inner parts of the city, he could see the landscape change. What was once a sprawled marketplace turned into a quiet zone where stone houses lay next to each other, its perimeters indistinguishable as though joined. Most houses boasted the same color: gray with a tint of green; although some had the lilac with a tinge of pink. All the houses were in a row which suggested an efficient planning. He had heard about this architect who had gone by the name of Lord Achaia. It was said that he had built this city out of the stones which were washed up on the shores some way northward when the seas had first risen up as an act of nature. The architect had not known how such boulders had been thrown up by the sea. Many had even termed it as a miracle, as an act of their gods. Miracle or not, Lord Achaia, of course he was not a lord then - being just a talented son of a fallen nobleman - had enlisted the services of a few of the fishermen from the lands of Rye up north by the Long Isles. He had crafted this city from the stones. This achievement had brought him great accolades and then on, he was consulted upon by many lords and kings to build their mighty citadels.

Silas had heard of his works; of great arches, of long, mighty bridges, of archaic citadels, of fortress with little flaw; and he had admired them. Seeing now his work for the first time with his very own eyes, he almost felt his life purpose was satiated.

A pothole in the road, one amongst few in the city, brought him back to his senses. He was aboard a carriage with a strange man who seemed to know him very well. Kahn, he called himself; and he was sitting beside him, silent and thoughtful, looking out of the window beside him.

Not a few moments later the carriage came to a halt. The driver lashed the whip again. It was time to get out.

Turning the handle right, he leaped out first, followed by Kahn the Wanderer. Upon getting out, Kahn rummaged in his pouch and handed over a couple of gold coins to the driver who bowed his head in grace.

The carriage moved along the road leaving them standing idly in front of the inn at whose front was the sign 'The Baskets'.

The inn was not large enough but it was ample for a few tourists who wanted a decent inn at affordable rates. All the other inns were a crowded bunch and normally charged heavily for rooms half the size. The Baskets, however, was one of the premier ones but fit for everyone's purse. It did not distinguish between the rich and the poor.

The door that led the way inside had a golden yellow handle to it but Silas could tell it was not real gold. It was clearly polished to look good against a teak background, the hue which the door boasted of.

Kahn pushed it open, the door sliding inside, stopping at a wall. Nodding his head towards Silas in clear beckoning, he stepped inside, turning to the left as he did.

Silas waited for a moment, clearly deciding whether to go inside or no, but then thought better of getting cold feet and went after the wanderer.

The common room was not as crowded as the inn he stayed in. He wished he had chosen this inn for his stay but he had not that pleasure. In a crowded place, he could hide well from his pursuers. Here he might have been found quickly and he had no intention to be found. Escape he wanted to, if he could, but even that seemed far away with the men close behind. But here might be his chance, if any faith could be put into this Kahn the Wanderer, he thought, if the exiled lord could guide him towards the escape. He hoped he could otherwise the ride here would be fruitless and he would have another long trip back to his inn.

As they passed through the common room, a young dwarf stood upon a desk. Kahn stopped and turned towards him and Silas looked at him, amused. A dwarf here! In the midst of everything! What bliss!

"He sings beautifully. We have time enough to listen to his wonders," said Kahn.

Silas nodded his head. He wanted to hear songs. It was too long a time since he had listened to one.

And then the dwarf began to sing:

Fires grow along the coasts

When will they douse, O lord of Waters?

Darkness comes

With sword and flame,

What should we do, O Lord of Wars?

Arrows fly, shielding the sky,

Blood sheds the ground

Shields are up,

But they are to no avail

Why has this fallen upon us?

We pray to the Gods,

We help the poor,

We do everything we can,

Yet here we are

Amidst turmoil and sin,

To see with our own eyes,

The darkness getting stronger.

Why don't you brighten us, O Lord of Light?

For sure we could

Do with some hope

And strength in our hearts,

To heal the world of its hurt.

Why don't you hear our prayers, O Lord of Love?

Spread we want to

Those poor victims

Of carnage and death;

Come to us,

We sing and dance beneath the darkening shadows.

Our armies are naught, we are alone,

Yet here you may find succor.

For seas are near

To wash the filth and our sins

To carry us to our dooms.

Will you though atleast heed our words now, O Lord of Seas?

Will you, will you?

Answer us, for in them

Lies our only hope

Will you come to our aid?

For we are beset on all the sides

Except for the Sea.

Come to us, O Lord of Lords,

For count we do on you,

Answer us, our prayers

We wish they come to you.

Why would this come to us?

Tell us, why would it?

We are good, we are humble,

Why would you punish us, O Lord of Death?

What have we done,

To risk your wrath,

Save us, O Lord of Fires!

Thunder strikes, the trees ablaze,

Why would you send them to us?

Answer, O Lord of Thunder and Winds!

Save us from ruin.

And There it comes,

A figure so dark,

Those men lay down and women cry,

In front of the shadows,

Come to death, O farmerlings,

Come to us, We shall take you far away,

O Come to us, like the wind,

Let us ride to the brink

And give ourselves to the seas.

Come to us, flailing in the storms,

Let us jump

From the rocks so high

To Death! To Death! To Death, we shall fly!

"Very grim!" remarked Silas.

"What chance is it? Usually, he sings merry ones, but tonight, he sang otherwise. Come let us go!"

Saying, Kahn stood up from where he had sat - a cushioned chair in front of a round brown table which smelled of sandalwood grown in the faraway forests in the east. He wondered what they were doing here. The landlord must have paid heavily for them.

They were soon in a small room; however, it was not clingy unlike his. Again, he wished he had stayed here. This inn was so much better.

"So what have you got to tell me, Kahn?" asked Silas, not wanting to waste any more time.

"Straight to business then? I wanted to first ask you to make yourselves comfortable."

"It's not like we are here to acquaint ourselves, Kahn. You said you had something of import to me and here I want to know what it is. I hope the information is useful otherwise all this journey would be proved futile."

Kahn glared at him which made Silas feel a little uncomfortable, causing him to turn away to face a small but beautiful chandelier which was hung on the ceiling.

"Well, atleast sit down, my friend!" said Kahn, his tone warm.

Silas stared for a while and then sat down upon a chair, red-cushioned and comfortable.

Kahn smiled. "Well, as you know, your father's men are hot on your trail." Silas nodded. This information seemed nothing new to him. He had been running from his father for like a year. "But what you do not know is your father's men are desperate and wanting to capture you at the earliest. I was sitting in the common room listening to the sweet songs of the dwarf whom we just heard downstairs. It was two days ago, I think. A couple of men barged in through the door, confound them for pushing my favorite man who is known for his prompt service here, and went direct to the landlord, asking him about a certain young man whose description rightly fits you. They were certainly rude for the landlord showed them off his property, yelling at them never to come back."

"And what were you doing? Spying on the landlord?" asked Silas.

"Yes but not because I like to. Those men who had come here, I recognized from my days at your father's service. Belathan and Koz, I think they are called. Loyal and funny men, they once were, but now they seemed grim and afraid, like the very whips of their master were behind them. Pitied them I did. But you caught my interest. I thought something big was going on. Normally, your father's men wouldn't venture into this city. But they did which struck me as desperate and strange. So I followed them as far as I would. Their camp is not far away from the walls but is well hidden from prying eyes. Also, they have scouts everywhere, looking out for something or somebody."

Silas fidgeted in his chair. "I thought I had eluded them."

"That you have not. Once you leave this city, they will pounce on you like hungry wolves. But they have dared venture into the city. You are not safe here either. You need to leave and quick."

"I have run enough. And I don't know where next. If I leave, I will directly be in their crosshairs. If I stay, they will find me, sooner or later." He put his hands to his forehead. "I have no idea what to do. I am tired."

Kahn smiled. "Then you might need my help."

"Why are you willing to help me?" asked Silas.

"Anything to spite your father, dear boy. For all my loyalty, he chose to exile me, and what for? Speaking the truth? Was that a crime, I ask you?" His eyebrows twitched. "So, yes, I am willing to help you escape your pursuers?"

"And what may your price be?"

"No gold, no money of any sort. I am wealthy enough for a wanderer. I desire only to be your friend and companion. I can take you places where your father's men won't even find you."

"And why should I trust you?" he asked.

"That is entirely upto you. But let me say this to influence your decision: I know who your mother is and I can help you find her."

Excerpt of "Indigo"

Kate Marie Robbins

# Prologue

Ava

My name is Ava, and I'm just your typical teenage girl. I give my parents an attitude. I listen to my music loud. I have blue-purple hair. I guess you'd call it indigo or something. Whatever the color is called, I love it! That's what matters, right? I have quite a few tattoos. I've been working on full arm sleeves, but we will see if I can ever get enough money to finish that.

I'm pretty much in love with this guy I go to school with. His name is Evan. I have a best friend, Sera. Who is weird, but I love her anyway. We get into all kinds of trouble together. Not this summer though. For some unknown reason, Sera wanted to learn how to fly her Uncle Mat's hot air balloon. Being the good friend that I am, I said I would learn with her. How hard can it possibly be?

"You know Sera, learning how to fly your uncle's hot air balloon isn't my idea of an enjoyable way to spend my summer vacation. I can think of, seriously, like a million other things that would be more entertaining than this," I complain.

"Like what?" Sera retorts.

"Oh, I don't know, slamming my head against a brick wall sounds pretty good right about now."

"Ha, shut up Ava! You're enjoying this and you know it." Sera throws her empty can of soda at me.

"Ladies, ladies, are you done quarrelling? We still have a lot of information to go over if you want to take the balloon out on your own," Mat cuts in.

Sera and I both plop down on the grass and pretend to listen to the same speech we have been getting every day for the last two weeks. We can repeat it back by heart now, but we know better and keep our mouths shut. Thirty minutes later, we're in the basket, going up for what we hope is our last supervised flight.

"You girls are doing great! I think you're ready to fly solo. Tomorrow, if you want, you can take it out on your own. How does that sound?"

"That sounds amazing Uncle Mat! Thank you so much for teaching us." Sera turns to me. "Isn't this great?"

"Yeah, sure. Remember, this was all your idea. I just went along with it, because I didn't want you to have to do it alone."

"I do love you for that. You're such a good friend."

I look at my watch, "Uhhh, Sera, it's getting kinda late. We should be heading back."

"Gosh, you're right."

"Alright Ava, Sera, I'll see you both tomorrow morning." Mat hugs us both. We load up our gear, climb into my red Saturn and head back towards town.

"Where do you want to grab dinner at Sera?" I ask.

She contemplates the question. "Hmm, Subway sounds good."

"Subway it is then." I confirm, nodding my head.

Later, sitting on my bedroom floor while eating our dinner, I ask Sera, "If we do this hot air balloon thing tomorrow, can we please go see Evan's band play afterwards? Please! I haven't seen him in ages. Plus, I kind of already promised him we'd go."

"Of course we can go. I know how much you like Evan. Besides, I know this whole hot air balloon thing isn't your idea of a good time." She then quickly changes the subject. "You know, you should probably do something with your hair. Your roots are kind of starting to show."

"Oh, gosh, are they really!?" Getting up, I look in the mirror and frown. "You're right, they are. Good thing I bought some hair dye the last time we went to the mall. Help me fix this mess of my hair tonight? I need to look smashing for Evan!"

#

# Chapter 1

Sometimes, I swear that morning comes way too fast. I lay in bed, and contemplate whether or not I should actually get up. Maybe if I just lay here, I can prolong the inevitably boring day I'm about to spend with Sera. How much fun is this actually going to be? Just get through the day, that's the goal. If I can do that, then I get to see Evan. That makes everything okay. My trail of thought is then interrupted by my cell phone ringing.

"Hello," I say groggily.

"Ava, get your butt out of bed and pick me up," Sera demands.

"How do you know I'm still in bed?"

"Hmm, I've known you since kindergarten. Most days you need a good kick in the butt to get you up and going."

"Alright, alright. I'll be on my way shortly."

Geez, sometimes I wonder if she knows me better than I know myself. I force myself out of bed and try to hurry to get ready. I put on my favorite skinny jeans, a band tee shirt, my Vans sneakers, and a hoodie sweater, just in case it gets cold up there. Hmm, should I bring my outfit for tonight with? Then I can just change at Sera's. It'll save some time. That way, maybe we can actually make it there before Evan's band goes on stage. But what am I going to wear!? Probably should have thought of that last night. I rummage through my closet, and finally decide on my blue plaid skirt that I got from Hot Topic and a black tank top. What can I say, I really like blue!

I am surprised Sera hasn't called me back yet, demanding to know what's taking me so long. She does know what a task it is for me to get myself ready to go, no matter where we're going. I debate whether or not to eat something before I leave, but decide against it. We can stop for donuts and coffee on our way out to her uncle Mat's farm. Mmmm, donuts! Hush stomach, we'll eat soon.

I pull into Sera's driveway, hop out of the car, and walk up to the front door. I don't even have time to put my hand on the doorknob before Sera flings the door open, and looks at me. Clearly she was getting impatient.

"Get in here now and help me load this stuff up into your car."

"Stuff, what stuff?" I ask.

"I packed us a lunch. I thought we could find somewhere to have a nice picnic. It's going to be such a beautiful day, so I figured why not?"

There is a cooler, with enough food to feed a small army, a few blankets, a basket with paper plates, plastic silverware, cups, napkins, plus she has her backpack filled with who knows what else.

I swear, that girl over does everything. At least she's always prepared, but what does she expect is going to happen?

I pick up the backpack and blankets, turn to her and say, "Geez woman, what do you have in here, bricks?"

"Haha, no! A first aid kit, camera, extra batteries, iPod and speakers, sunscreen. You know-the basics."

We finally get the car loaded up and are ready to head out. Almost forgot about breakfast! "Sera, I didn't eat anything before I came to get you. I didn't have time. Can we stop somewhere and grab some donuts or whatever on the way out of town?" I ask, hoping she doesn't mind.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I figured you wouldn't have time to eat, so I didn't eat anything either. I knew your stomach wouldn't let you wait until lunch time. I wish I knew how you stayed so skinny, considering you eat constantly."

"I do not!" I exclaim, rolling my eyes.

"Ava, shut your mouth and get us to the bakery, stat! I'm starving!"

"Yes, ma'am. You don't have to tell me twice," I say as I slide into the driver's seat.

We pull into a parking spot right in front of the bakery and head inside. It isn't very busy at this hour, so we get our breakfast and are out at the farm in no time.

Sera's right. It is beautiful outside today. Perfect picnic weather. We haven't done that in such a long time. Almost makes me feel like a kid again. With no worries and no stress. I miss those days.

Mat has the balloon out in the field, all ready for us to go.

Thank goodness for that! I don't want to have to do all that work. Sweaty isn't something I want to get today, since I'm seeing Evan later. Gross! Not that he'd care, but I do.

"Are you girls excited to finally be going out on your own?" Mat asks, almost a little too enthusiastically.

"Oh yes, we are! Aren't we Ava?" Sera says, beaming.

I give her a dirty look, but nod, just so we can get this over with.

"You're pretty fast learners. I'm proud of you for that. You enjoy yourselves today. You deserve it! You do have your cell phones with you, right? Just in case something happens?"

"Yes," we say in unison.

Like we'd really go anywhere without them.

"Thanks again, Uncle Mat, for teaching us. We really appreciate it. Come on Ava, let's get our gear in the basket, so we can get out and enjoy ourselves." She is already heading over to the car.

I better get over there and help her, before she throws a fit.

#

# Chapter 2

Soon, we are up in the air. Sera is chattering about nothing in particular. I really don't know, since I haven't been paying attention. My mind is elsewhere... Evan-land. Man, I can't wait for tonight. The music, the atmosphere, just everything. It's how I should be spending my summer. Concerts, skateboarding, shopping, just hanging out and being a teenager. Not spending all my time out on a farm. A farm! Me and farms, we don't get along very well. Me and nature in general don't get along. I'm a city girl through and through.

"Ava? Ava, are you listening to anything I'm saying?" Sera inquires.

I'm snapped back to reality then. "Huh? What were you saying?" I ask, trying to save face.

"You haven't heard a word I've said since we left! I was thinking that field over there would be a nice place to have our lunch." She points over the side of the basket. I get up and peer down over the edge.

She's right. It does look pretty. The grass is so green. And the wild flowers. Just, wow! And that stream. Too bad I didn't bring my bathing suit with. It's nice enough for a swim. Maybe another day.

"That looks perfect," I conclude, then look at my watch and realize we have been flying for quite some time. "I'm sorry I haven't been paying much attention to you today. I've got a lot of stuff on my mind."

"Evan?" Sera guesses.

"Yes.. I'm so nervous about tonight," I admit.

"Aww, Ava! It'll be just fine. Remember, he's the one who invited us to the show," Sera says, reassuringly.

"Yeah, true, but why hasn't he asked me out already then?" I ask, puzzled.

"Well... Umm, I don't know. You know how boys are. They're..."

"Weird!" I interrupt.

"Haha, yes. Weird, indeed. You ready to land and have some lunch?"

Yes, please!"

We land safely in the field. Sera climbs out of the basket and lays the blankets down on the grass. I hand her all of our lunch gear, and climb out after. We then get everything situated on the blankets.

"How about we look around a bit first and stretch our legs? I want to take some pictures, since it's so pretty here." Sera is standing there, holding her camera up.

"Sounds good to me." This is her day, might as well let her enjoy it. Because the rest of the summer, it's all about what Ava wants to do.

After what seems like hours, we sit down on the blanket and have a nice lunch. Sandwiches, chips, and my favorite, Mountain Dew.

"Thanks for making our lunch. I wouldn't have even thought of it," I tell Sera, sincerely thankful for her over preparedness.

"No problem. I've had this day planned out for weeks." I don't doubt that for one second.

"You have entirely too much time on your hands. We need to find you a boyfriend," I say, with a laugh.

"Maybe Evan has a cute friend for me?" Sera suggests, hopefully.

"We'll ask him tonight!" I grin at her. Maybe we'll both get boyfriends tonight. If Evan doesn't ask me out soon, I'm just going to do it myself. I'm so sick of waiting on him. "I think I'm going to ask Evan out tonight. I can't stand waiting on him any longer. He likes me, I just know it. So, why not?"

"Ooh, that takes guts! I don't think I could do it. You're a lot braver than I am. Have you decided what you're going to wear tonight?" She is clearly baffled by my bravery.

"Sure did. It's in the trunk of my car. I figured I could just change at your house, then we could leave right away, instead of me wasting time dropping you off, going home, and then coming back to pick you up again. I want as much time with Evan tonight as I can."

"Always thinking, you are. I'll call my mom when we get back to the farm and let her know you're having dinner with us. She won't mind. Then we don't have to stop and eat o the way to the show."

"I love you Sera!" I exclaim.

"I love you to Ava. You are having fun aren't you?"

"You know what? I actually am. I didn't think that I would, but it's not as bad as I thought." And it's true. The fresh air, all the sights, and best of all-I get to spend the day with my best friend. We don't have adventures anymore. We never have the time. It's always about school, or boys, or family or work. We needed this.

Sera looks at her watch, "We should probably get packed up and head back. It took us a few hours to get here. With all we have to do before we go to the concert tonight, it's best we get going."

"Right you are. You know how long it will take me to make myself look presentable for Evan. I need perfection!" I start putting all the food and utensils back in the cooler and the basket. Sera folds up the blankets and we put everything back in the balloon basket. Before long, we are up in the sky again. This time, I try really hard to check out the sights, but my mind wanders again. The time is drawing near for me to see Evan, and I lose all sense of everything that is going on around me. I am off in my own little fantasy world, playing out in my head how I want the night to unfold after I ask Evan out, but Sera's shrieking snaps me back to reality.

"What are you screaming about? Is there a spider in here or what?" I ask, trying not to sound annoyed.

"Ava! Look around you, there's fog everywhere. I have no idea where we are or where it came from. I can't see anything! How are we going to find the farm? How are we going to land this thing? We can't keep flying like this, and we can't just hover and wait for it to clear up. We don't know how long it'll be here. It could be all night. I'm completely freaking out. Uncle Mat never told us what to do if this happened. What are we going to do Ava, what are we going to do?" Sera says, panicking.

"Sera, relax. We'll think of something. Calm down." I reach for my cell phone in my pocket. "We'll call your uncle and he can tell us what to do." I hand her my phone.

"You're right. That's the best thing to do." She tries to dial the number, but it doesn't work. "Shit! We don't have any reception up here. Any other bright ideas?"

"Maybe if we go a bit lower we can see better and find some place to land? At least then we're safe on the ground. Then we can try calling again or find a house and use their phone," I suggest.

In retrospect, maybe I should have been paying more attention to what was going on. Oh, please don't let us die. Here's to hoping we can find somewhere safe to land.

#

# Chapter 3

Sera slowly lowers the hot air balloon, little by little, in case we are somewhere we won't be able to actually land. I keep my fingers crossed and anxiously bite my nails, waiting and hoping that we can find somewhere safe to set the basket down. Then, all of a sudden the fog dissipates.

Oh my goodness. How much time has passed? The sky, it's all pink. It looks like the color of the sky when the sun is setting. But the sun is still high in the sky. Maybe it's just beginning to set. It can't be that late though, can it?

I look at my watch. It is only 4 p.m. Now that's just weird.

"What's with the sky Sera? It's kind of freaking me out."

"I have no idea, but that's not the only weird thing going on here."

"What do you mean?" I lean over the side of the basket and gasp. "What the hell!? The grass, the trees, they're not right!"

"I know, I know. It's, well, creepy, but we need to land this balloon now. Then we can figure out what is going on. It looks like there's a good spot over there," she says, pointing towards a field of open grass.

"Good, get us on the ground, now! Then we can try calling your uncle again." I cross my fingers, hoping that we'll have reception once we were down on the ground, but I'm not holding my breath. We are in the middle of nowhere. I doubt we'll have reception.

It seems to be taking us forever to get over to the field. I can't wait to be on the ground again. Even if the grass is blue. Yes, blue. The leaves on the trees too, all blue. It was awfully pretty though. Weird, but pretty.

Sera finally sets the basket gently on the ground. Nervously, we both climb out and step onto the blue grass. "You know, the grass is almost the same color as your hair," Sera comments. "How weird is that?"

I stare down at the grass. She is right. It is the same color. I laugh, and reply, "Goodness, it is, isn't it?"

I pull my cell phone out of my pocket again. Please let there be reception.

"Any luck?" Sera is looking anxiously at me.

"Sadly, no. Go figure." We both know it was a long shot. "Now what are we going to do? 'Cause I'm all

out of ideas."

"Umm... I don't know. There has to be a house somewhere, right? We can try to find one and use their phone, like you said. What else can we really do?"

She is right. There isn't much else we can do. Not that I want to spend hours trying to find a house out here. But what choice do we really have? We are lost.

Sera decides that it is best if we don't leave our stuff in the balloon basket. Just in case someone were to happen upon it while we are gone, she doesn't want our stuff to get stolen. I agree that it is a good idea. We take everything that we can carry and leave the things we can live without. In less than ten minutes we have the blankets and leftover food shoved into Sera's backpack.

"Which direction should we go?" I wonder aloud.

"Does it really matter Ava?" Sera quips.

"Well, no, but we should try heading back towards town. It would help if we knew where we are, so we'd know which way to go." Truth was, we don't know where we are anymore. We had gotten so turned around in that fog, who knows where we have drifted to? It isn't turning out to be such a great day. There is no way that we are going to make it home in time to go to Evan's concert now.

He's going to think I ditched him. This isn't going to look good for me. I'm so screwed. He'll never want to date me now. He'll think I don't care. But I do, I really do. Oh Evan, please don't hate me.

We decide to keep heading in the direction we had taken the balloon to get to the field, just for the sake of picking a direction. We also decide that if we haven't found anything within an hour, we'll turn around and head back. So we take off, ambling over the indigo grass.

Wherever it is that we are, it is a remarkable place. Unlike anything I've ever seen before. The sky is a beautiful shade of bubble gum pink. The clouds, though there are very few of them are pastel yellow. The sun, which isn't even close to setting yet, looks a strange shade of orange-ish yellow. Wherever we are, everything sure looks different.

Even the trees, flowers, and soil are weird. There are indigo leaves on all of the trees, which have silver trunks. Oh, how they shine in the sunlight! It is beautiful. The flowers look like gems. The soil, as near as I can tell, looks like gold, though I'm not getting down on the ground to inspect further. There is still no way I am going to get dirty.

I start to wonder where it is that we are, because this just can't be home.

A science experiment gone horribly wrong? A hallucination? But both of us hallucinating the same thing? That just doesn't make sense.. It could be that we're... Naw, that's impossible.

We continue to walk along in silence for quite some time, mostly just taking everything in. Just when I think it is hopeless and am about to tell Sera that maybe we should head back to the balloon, we happen upon a sign.

Well, it is a bit crude, but a sign nonetheless. It is obviously a stripped tree branch because it is silver, stuck in the golden dirt. There is another piece of wood formed into a wooden plank hanging from the top of the tree branch. Carved into the plank are the words 'Indigo Palace,' with an arrow pointing in the direction we are already headed.

"Indigo Palace," we say in unison, somewhere between a statement and a question. Neither one of us knows what it means, but we both know that there is no such thing as the Indigo Palace where we are from.

"I wish we knew how far away this palace is. It's starting to get dark. I'm getting tired, and hungry. Not that we have any shelter or much food left," Sera says, being the worry wart that she is.

I have to agree with her. I am getting worn out and hungry too. I sure hope it isn't much further, but we can't see anything up ahead. Certainly not a palace. You would think you'd be able to see that from some distance away, right? So we have to assume that it is still a long way off. It is now getting dark. I start to worry.

What are we going to do? Sleep outside? In the wilderness? There could be wild animals, wolves or bears or something. They'll eat us alive.

"Maybe we should find some sort of shelter. What do you think, Sera?" I ask, in hopes that we can find somewhere safe to sleep.

"Where are we going to find shelter out here? All we've seen is trees. No caves or anything. And it's not like we have a tent we can pitch. I'm not too keen on sleeping out in the open. Lord knows what's out here." She's right.

"Well, we can take turns sleeping. You know, like in shifts or something. I know we won't get as much sleep that way, but it's safer than if both of us sleep and end up getting attacked or killed or who knows what else," I suggest.

I shudder at the thought of being attacked by a wild animal.

We decide that's what we'll do, sleep in shifts. We find a spot that we think will keep us well hidden, on the off chance people might stumble upon us. We lay one of the blankets on the ground. We sit down and eat just a little, since we don't have much food left. The chances of finding anything edible out here are slim to none, which sucks, because my stomach is growling like crazy. Rationing isn't something I think my body is capable of, but it will be better than starving to death somewhere down the road. I don't want to even think about that at the moment. I contemplate asking Sera if she has any matches or a lighter, so we can have a fire, but do I really want to burn that gorgeous silver wood? It almost seems wrong, you know? I opt against it, at least for tonight. A fire might attract unwanted attention. We don't need that.

Being the good friend that I am, I let Sera sleep first and take the first shift standing guard. I tell Sera I will wake her in a few hours to trade. It is full dark now, so I pull my cell phone out for light. I don't have anything else to do, so I mess around with it for a while, but it doesn't really hold my attention. I anxiously scan the area, looking and listening, in case something has found us. A breeze blows through, causing me to shiver, so I pull the hood up on my hoodie and tie it tight, trying to find even just a little bit of warmth.

I really hope nothing finds us. I'm not nearly as brave as I pretend to be. Sera is so much better at that than I am. She's the strong one, the outdoorsy type. And me? I'm the city girl. I don't do camping. I don't do hiking. And now, I have to do both, all in one day. Why me? Oh, shit! What was that? Maybe I'm hearing things? Please, oh, please let it just be my imagination.

No such luck though. First, it is the sound of a tree branch snapping. Then the sound of hooves, and then voices. Yes, voices.

I better wake Sera up, before they find

In a Fantasy World

Yvonne K. Anderson

In a fantasy world

everything is twisted.

Everything is magical

adventurous and wonderous.

You never know who you'll meet

what creatures you'll see.

In a fantasy world

your wildest dreams

become reality.

In a fantasy world

nightmares follow you

stalk you in the shadows.

In a fantasy world

you will have many adventures

winding paths

and dangerous foes.

A fantasy world though

only exists in your mind

and in books.

Acknoledgements

By Bree Vanderland

First, there are so many people to thank, but in this edition, I would like to thank everyone from the Facebook group "Writers Aroundthe World" for participating and helping this anthology possible. We hope to continue with the monthly themes for your enjoyment!

Thank you!

