"Discovery in the Dark" by Brianna B

It was a bright morning. The air smelt like cherry blossoms and amber wood. A young
man, about the age of 22, went on a boat ride. Jorge was a member of a hiking club and
traveled the world. As Jorge climbed, he would write in his journal his experience of each step of
the way. Jorge loved to climb until one day a tragedy occurred.
His club left and forgot to tie up the boat. He tied off the club’s boat and headed towards
the cliffs and a very vast mountain. He read articles about what happens when climbing this
mountain and wanted to see for himself. Jorge knew that no one live to tell what was behind the
cloud, but him being a daredevil, he decided he would climb. As he climbed higher, it began to
darken. Jorge was in no fear. He slowly climbed higher but his stomach turned like a screw
being screwed into a wall as he noticed it started to go pitch black. When he looked down he
saw light and complete fog. Jorge questioned himself, “What could this horrid darkness be
from?” He heard crackling and got nervous. He reached for his bright light that miners would
use and placed the light on his head. He continued on climbing but was petrified from what he
had heard. What was it that he heard?
About 10 minutes passed. It was pitch black and below was bright almost like a diamond
ring having light shined on it. Jorge stopped and asked himself, “Do I give up and climb down or
climb a little further?” Jorge made the senseless decision of continuing on to climb. He feels a
warm sensation at his shoulder and turns around to see a another male because there was a
cabin on the mountain and Jorge is confused. The male looks at Jorge, smiles with blood
dripping along with sharp teeth, pushes Jorge and says, “Goodbye.” Jorge falls into the fog and
smacks the floor at instant death. Who took Jorge on a joy ride? A man or creature?

"Me." By Lilibeth M

            Ever heard of that phrase that says “don’t judge a book by its cover?” Now, I’ve got a question for you. Do you ever truly abide by that philosophy? Well, nowadays most people do not. Most people say that they are firm believers of this concept yet never show this to be true with their actions. Fittingly, I have a story of my own. Growing up I was always the punching bag for the school bullies and for those whom could never seem to “fit in” with the cliques they wanted to be a part of. I was the target for those people who never knew what they truly wanted but always wanted to prove themselves to the wrong people. I was a laughing stock to the people who thought overweight wasn’t beautiful and to the people that were so dissatisfied with the way they looked themselves that they thought it would just be easier to make fun of someone that looks just like them. In all honesty, I was an overweight, vulnerable, super sensitive kid. I ended up growing quite a lot of thick skin, brushing all insulting remarks and laughs of my shoulder, but eventually it just became harder and harder to suppress that actual hurt that I was feeling. So instead of crying it out or talking to anyone about it (keep in mind I had no one to talk to), I became the bully myself. I bullied people so they could feel exactly what I felt. I bullied people so that I can no longer feel weak. Anyway, all these experiences have helped me identify myself with who I am today. I learned that you shouldn’t forget your past, whether it is good or bad, because it helps you evolve as a person. In conclusion, I am definitely not looking for pity because I want people to look at me for the person I have become rather than the person I used to be. And as I said before, one should never “judge a book by its cover” because you never truly know what is written in the pages and in modern society it can be extremely easy to want to distinguish a person simply by the way they look. All in all, you yourself have a story and don’t be ashamed of it nor become naïve if it was a really good one. Just keep in mind that you would not want people to simply look at you and assume the worst when only you understand what you have gone through. Use it as a backbone and be the great person you were destined to become.

"Always Whole Never Half" by Danielle G.

Love. The word alone has thousands of individually interpreted meanings, most however, have
an artificial sweetness to them that seem like candy to infants but cavities to an adult. Now, I'm
not an expert on love and quite frankly have never experienced it, (if being in love with various
foods and sweets count then sure let's go with that) but as far as being with another person and
knowing the feeling I can't say I have. However, there's this unspoken rule you learn as a child
about love and that is that your other half is out there somewhere. Possibly half way around the
world or even a few blocks away.

We have it ingrained throughout our beautifully innocent and imaginative minds as
adolescents that yes, one day I will find my other half. But, we aren't walking around with one
eye or one ear or even half a heart. We are whole. We have always been whole and we will
continue out the rest of our lives as whole. If this is true and Santa really doesn't exist (I know I
was shocked too), then what are we searching for? The answer to that is probably a shoo in for
a million and one reasons, so, who am I to pick just one? On the contrary, I feel as though
whenever we somehow discover whatever this meaning is it’ll go something along the lines of
not having any imaginary checklists in our minds of half empty boxes with red ink almost making
the check. Every attractive individual that we come in contact with won't be judged off of our
standards and views set from a young age or broken heart. All the names of people we are
hoping to settle down with in our growth as an individual will seemingly fade away.

There will be a washing over of content and realization will hit that the person you are
inevitably meant to be with not complete you but allow you to grow and learn right alongside
them. Someone that laughs at your corny jokes delivering an even cornier joke right back.
Someone that will go on a McDonald's run at three am with you in the pouring rain because you
decided you wanted mcnuggets (no questions asked.) You'll find yourself keen on learning the
ins and outs of this individual and with each random memory shared between you two, you'll
begin to feel the apples of your cheeks tender and sore from the medicine of laughter.You'll take
on their niches clumsily catching yourself in the midst of it thinking of them. Skies may be
gloomy and grey but you'll find the sun peeking through a cloud just across the horizon because
they taught you where to find it. You now notice the beauties in life even more now because of
this individual craving the fresh air and starts of new seasons. You'll want to inhale the new
memories made together, desperately enjoying each second. Minute. Hour. There will be a
sense of relief and a peace brewing within yourself because you will realize you aren't looking
for another half anymore. They as well don't find themselves searching for another half.
Because you both are whole.
                                                         You'll forever be whole.
                                                                    But now you remain whole.
                                                                              Together.

" I Missed You" by Samar E

      All I have to my name is a box of tissues, a headdress passed down from mother to daughter starting all the way since before my grandmother was born, torn and filthy gloves, and slippers made of wood. It’s Christmas time this year, the snow is fighting me, the wind is rushing through every pore in my body and the temperature is lower than the number of toes on one foot. Every day I ask the same question, “Would you like to buy a tissue?” “Do you have any change, any at all?” Every person I encounter I ask the same question.

      I’ve fallen asleep. It’s probably the middle of the night and the only thing outside in this inhumane weather, is me, my tissues, and a dead cat. I wonder if that will ever happen to me yet. I wonder how happy and warm this cat is, knowing it doesn’t have to survive like this anymore. Who will I meet? Will I see her again? Will I be able to touch her and have her cradle me, say my name to soothe my bad dreams, to hear her say, “I will love you forever and always my love.”

     It’s getting colder now, and the only thing I can hear is my ears pounding, my chest beating, and my breath getting colder each time I exhale. How did this happen? Baba was suppose to take care of me; he wasn’t suppose to leave; he was suppose to keep his promise, but I guess he wanted something better than what he got. But it was worth it, I was her only priority, her treasure that she said she would never leave behind no matter what would happen; but then she did. God wanted another friend to have up there, so he made her ill. She would lie in bed, and each day, minute, second, she got closer to seeing Him, and each second she got closer to leaving me. How could she do this? How could she let her treasure fend for herself, not even old enough to pay taxes, have children, drive or get married?! I thought she wouldn’t leave me no matter what. But I guess things don’t always go the way you want it to.

      It’s snowing harder now, and it is getting colder, and harder to breathe. All I hear is time ticking; ticking for whatever reason, maybe my death, maybe my happiness, my life, anything. However, I would give any chance just to touch her again, and to have her tell me to be strong, fight through these challenges and know that there is something better for you down the road. But I can’t wait that long! She makes me so angry, so emotional, so happy, I just want my Mommy back. I want her to kiss my forehead and tell me that life isn’t worth living if she doesn’t have me.

      Now I’m getting sleepy, and I am so numb that I haven’t realized my nose is bleeding, and my eyes are wet. I use whatever strength left and wipe them away, but when I reach for them, it’s already in some else’s hands. The figure is so bright, but so beautiful. She touches my face and it instantly warms. She wipes my mess and kisses my cheek, and gives me her hand. Knowing I can’t resist her I grab it, and I instantly feel lighter, happier, and warm. But before I go with her, I want to bring my box of tissues, but it’s stuck in the hands of a girl, whose face is pale, her eyes are closed, and her body is cold. Carefully I take the box of tissues from this familiar figure, and catch up to meet this angel. As we near the path she says, “I will love you always and forever, my love.”

"The People You’ll Meet" by Fiona C

Spring comes into your life when you least expect her to. In fact, she charges into it, head first, and completely knocks you off your feet. She is different. She is refreshing. And somehow, she is everything you need at that moment. Spring is passionate and makes it her main priority to never do anything half-heartedly. She is the classic definition of an idealist and a romantic. Her optimism energizes her and pushes her to keep going, regardless of what’s trying to stop her. No matter how many times people seem to disappoint her, she refuses to give up on them. She doesn't seem to run out of “second chances” and isn’t hesitant to give them out.

Summer constantly makes promises he can’t keep. He laughs too hard at your jokes and tries too hard to impress the people he loves. He is spontaneous, and he is adventurous. He keeps a small bucket list in his jacket pocket and promises you that he will accomplish everything on it, even though it is highly unrealistic. Summer is as stubborn as he is unpredictable. He rarely spends his days in his home and makes sure that your’s is as active as his. Though he is very independent, he seems to always include you in his getaway plans and relies on you to keep him in check. However, he often leaves without a warning.

Autumn likes to make sure that her life is always predictable. She is punctual with her time and detailed with her work. She specifically makes sure that she doesn’t act on the whim and that she structures everything correctly. Her shabby desk drawers are filled with used planners and old calendars that ordinary people don’t usually keep. Despite her untroubled demeanor, she doesn’t handle stress well and becomes neurotic when it all accumulates together. Usually, during those times, she isolates herself from you and pretends that everything is under control. She is also intelligent and curious about the world around her. She makes it her duty to educate herself so that she could form her own belief and opinions.

Winter listens more than he speaks. He is usually cold and unwelcoming at first glance. However, he becomes friendlier when he is comfortable with the people around him. He subconsciously pretends to be detached to hide his emotional vulnerability from other people. Though he tries to remain neutral, his eyes are extremely expressive and are usually the first to sell him out.  He is also very family-oriented and considerate of his friends. His observant behavior allows him to notice things about the people he cares about most. He is also defensive of his closest friends and tries his best to protect them the best he can. He is essentially the most complex person you know.

"Money Can’t Buy Happiness" By: JC B.

     There once was a young boy who’d always dreamed of being very wealthy when he grew up. This motivated him to do well in school so he can have a good education to ensure a good future. He said he was going to work as hard as he can to become like those wealthy people that everyone always sees on the news. His goal was to live the bachelor life in a big house and own lots of expensive cars for the rest of his life. As the boy grew up his dream came true and he got what he wanted. He worked very hard and earned a lot of money. He was a bachelor so he had no wife or kids and he had no family left, he only has money and friends he knew back in school. He and his friends always had parties; they always had the time of their lives when they were partying. He was happy with his life at the moment he thought that he has everything he’s ever wanted until he realized he didn’t. Eventually all his friend grew up went to school and got separate jobs. All his friends grew up and had a family he on the other hand was still alone. Every time he would go to a get together everyone had a family and he was the only one without a wife and a kid. Everyone had gotten old at this age, he can’t help but see everyone was joyful with family and he was rich and alone. He tried to buy many items to try and get his mind off of his unhappiness but it wasn’t working. One day he met a very beautiful girl the same age as him they fall in love instantly with each other. He is finally happy until a few months later he gets sick and is lying on his deathbed dying. He realizes now that his dream of becoming wealthy wasn’t as great as he thought and he realized he should’ve had a family while he was still young and strong, he lays there holding his love realizing it was too late.

"THE CHILD" BY M. ORTEGA

Chapter 1

It was a cold winter day. There was frost covering the window where the boy was sitting, which  blurred everything  that was outside. The fireplace was lit, but all that seemed to light the room was the blaze from the window. The child's breaths were slow, almost unnoticeable as if he wasn't alive. Although the fire was burning his breath was visible enough that a blind person could see it. Everything was silent other than the crackling of the firewood that his parents left for the boy before their disappearance. The boy looked at the couch and observed it with a keen eye. He looked at the stitches of the couch. The fabric looked rough but felt silky. The boy from lack of interest placed his arms in front of him and rest his head.

"Why am I alone? Where did my parents go? I'm only six years old, I don't think I should be by myself. What do you think, Teddy?"

The boy sat there as if he listened to his teddy bear speak to him.

"I know, Teddy. They haven't been home for a few days. What do you think we should do?" He sat silently then replies, "You know Teddy, I think we should go and search for them, maybe I can find them."

The boy gets up and packs a luggage of clothes and doubles up on jackets before he leaves with his teddy bear. The boy walks up to the door and places his hand on the knob.

He stops.

He was unsure, but then looks at his teddy bear and opens the door, leaving it open, and marches outside with his head held high.

An hour has passed since the child started his search for his parents. There was a heavy fog, wind picked up and thick snow-flakes go airborne covering everything from view. The child stood there and looked around. A tear started to come down his cheek. He couldn't see anything around him and in terror he starts yelling, "Teddy, do you know where we are?" There was silence, "Where should we go, Teddy?" The child begins to sob in fear.

"Where should we go, Teddy?' His voice was shaky and filled with worry. He looks around trembling, standing there as a booger starts to hang from his nose. He wipes his face only to smear his boogers all over his face. "Teddy, where should we go?" More tears rolled down his face. He misses home. He walks and fumbles, falling face first. Awkwardly, he gets back up almost as if he wasn't sure to go on or to stay. He continues to walk and yells hysterically, "Where should we go?... Teddy, where should we go?... Teddy..." The child's voice fades as he goes further into the white. The wind picks up making more snow to rise causing everything to be less visible. As the conditions worsen the child couldn't be seen or heard. 

Chapter 2

Sirens are heard outside around the neighborhood. It was a clear day with snow on every lawn. The air was cold and smelt like fresh rainfall. Outside, the sun's rays pass through the trees into the window of the house letting a warm dim light in. Children can be heard playing, their parents warning them to be careful. Inside a woman was reading. She was enjoying her day by resting on her couch, then heavy knocks interrupted her peace. She sets her copy of Hatchet on her coffee table and walks towards the door. She places her hand on the knob- it felt as cold as an ice cube- and opens it to see two officers. One was short with fair hair and the other was hunky with acne.

"Hello, am I speaking to Anne Burkley?" asked the short officer.

"Why, yes. What is the matter, officer?" She was confused why the police were at her house.

"May we come in? as this is a serious matter to talk about," Anne moves to the side letting them pass in. She closes the door and leads them to her living room where she was prior to their arrival. The warm light seemed to have darkened to a gray shade; the delightful room felt heavy.

"So what's wrong, officers?" She hesitated to ask.

"Well... do you remember your sister Marie?" Anne nods her head, "Well... this isn't easy for us to share, but... two days ago we found your sister's son, Jim, out in the woods..." says the hunky cop.

Anne gasped, placing her hands over her mouth. "Is he doing okay?" Her eyes began to tear up.

The cops looked at each other with grief on their faces. She knew then something happened and her feelings began to fluster as her vision begins to blur from tears. Slowly, the shorter cop straightened up. Though he still felt remorseful and hesitant to speak, he explained. "We're sorry, but..."

Anne started to burst into tears. The cop hesitated to continue, but painfully spoke the rest, "We couldn’t do anything to save him. When we found him we believed him to have died after two hours of leaving his home." Anne started to sob hysterically. "I'm also sorry to say that we haven't receive any contact from your sister or her husband, James."

"WHY! Why... why..." Anne burst out loudly swinging her hands in the air, every word spoken softer than the last. "Oh... why..." Anne was too overwhelmed; she became hysteric. She let her hands and head fall down, then placed her hands in her hair. Silence. Her face was covered in tears and her hands teased her hair. The cops without any saying left mournfully for Anne to have time.

"The Coma" by Caroline F

            “Cat? Cat?! Catalina! Wake Up! Catalina!” Heat was radiating off the ground like a pit from Hell. Ears buzzing, head pounding, body numb. Opening my eyes only to see a blurred face. “Cat! Can you hear me?! Cat! Ca…”

As the buzz noise increased a blanket of darkness crept over my subconscious to nothingness. A dark room filled with no noise, screaming with no sound. “Hello? Can anyone hear me?” Nobody would answer, not a single soul in sight. Where am I? Why isn’t anyone here? Oh no! Mason, he was there! “Mason!”

“Hey Cat. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I still believe you are in there. No matter how many times the doctors will try to convince me you’re no hope… I am not going to let them take you away from me. I almost lost you once, I’m never going to lose you again. Babe, please wake up.” Wake up? I’m sleeping? How is that possible? Why can’t I wake up? Suddenly, the deafening sound returned, but it wasn’t buzzing, it was beeping, in a rhythmically pattern almost like a drum. Damn it Catalina wake up!

I opened my eyes in a bright room and it smelled like hand sanitizer. I look to my right and there is a strange man staring at me, as if he seen a ghost. He had curly dark brown hair, creamy brown eyes complimented by slightly thick eyebrows, firm jawline, with beautiful toasted tan skin, broad shoulders with muscular arms designed to carry the heaviest of weights but not to over barbarian on top of a long torso, he was wearing a uniform. Truth to be told, he was handsome.

“Who are you?” I said in utter confusion.

“Catalina! You’re awake! I can’t believe it! I’m going to get the doctor; Doctor Phillips!” he said as he ran out the room.   “Doctor Phillips I told you she would wake up...”

“Let’s have a look here,” the doctor turned on his flashlight and faced it toward my pupils. “Now Ms. Jimenez how are you feeling? When you first arrived here we didn’t believe that you would survive, it’s a miracle you did.”

“What?” I asked.

“Umm… you came in here almost dead. You were in an accident that hap…” the doctor was interrupted by the rude man that was here earlier.

“Excuse me? That was so rude! Doctor can you get this man out of my room please?! I don’t know him.”

“You don’t remember me?” the confused man said.

“Ms. Jimenez, does this mean you don’t know who this man is?”

“No I don’t, now can you please get him out of my room,” I said annoyed. I didn’t understand why this guy is still in here and why he wouldn’t leave.

“May I talk to you outside for a minute,” Doctor Phillips said with a slight concerned tone.

“Um... yeah sure thing doc.” The two men finally left the room. I was in an accident? What could I have been doing that got me into a hospital? I was probably with Katy, I remember the first time we started to become cynical. Back in 2009, freshman year of high school, we snuck into the football stadium and lit the turf on fire! We didn’t get caught, although a senior got blamed for it, and sadly that senior didn’t walk at graduation, oh well. We were so mean! Speaking of Katy, shouldn’t she be here instead of that man.

“Cat?” the guy returned. “Do you really not remember me?”  I could see the hurt in his eyes, almost like he wanted to cry.

“No I don’t, can someone please tell me what is going on here?” I said.

“Cat… I’m your fiancé, Mason Lopez. We were supposed to get married this summer.” he said. Fiancé?! I looked at my left hand there it was, a twisted halo diamond ring with a gold band decorated with more diamonds, it was striking.

“How did I get here?” I asked

“You were in an accident babe.”

“Don’t call me that, please.” As I said that he looked as if struck in the heart by the devil himself. “What kind of accident? Where is Katy?”

“I’m sorry ba… Um…There was a bombing at the bank you worked at. The bomb exploded right next to you, it’s unbelievable that you’re alive. I found you under all the debris. And for Katy, your friendship crumbled after she became destructive, I’m sorry but she was the one who put the bomb in the bank that almost killed you. She is in jail as we speak.”

How the hell is that possible! Katy and I are not friends anymore?! I am engaged to this man who looks like he could be the sheriff. I’m engaged to the sheriff. What happened in my life?

“The reason you can’t remember me,” he continued, “you hit your head pretty hard during the explosion. The doctors couldn’t be sure if you were to lose your memory, but you fell into a coma and have been asleep for about five months.”

“Where are my parents?” I say.

“They are back in California they come every now and then to visit.”

“So let me get this straight. Katy and I are not friends anymore and she was the one who put the bomb in the bank that could have killed me and you’re my fiancé that I’m supposed to get married in the summer?”

“Exactly.” He said. For days he would come to visit, until I was released. He updated me with what has happened over the past couple of months. He seemed so sincere and genuine, and he got me to laugh. Although I lost five months of my life, I have a chance to start my life all over again. I am going to find out what really happened between me and Katy. But for now, I will be here falling madly in love with Mason, again.