She sat on the swing, pumping her legs back and forth. She was on the edge of the cavern, red rock creating the opening for her safe place.

The sky was full of swirling dust, the aftermath of the storm. Huge balloons drifted along in the wind, carrying the few lucky passengers who would see the city at this height.

The girl sat on her swing, imagining the lives of those in the balloons. What d...

“Listen.” I said, looking at the almost-empty road. I kept my back pressed against the cold brick, briefly letting part of my face out of the alley. I couldn’t risk getting caught. “We have to run.”

“Why?” Logan asked. He sat on the pavement, unfazed by my clear distress.

“I can’t tell you.”

“You can never tell me anything, B.”

“I can tell you that’s for your own good.”

“What are you, a cri...

She stood up on the stage, taking deep breaths. They were almost unnoticeable, but a mother’s eye is trained to notice everything about her children. She grinned for the crowds, but there was a small flicker of worry in her eyes.

She scanned the crowd, no doubt looking for me and her father.

“I’m over here!” I wanted to call out from the left side of the crowd. I took my husband’s hand. Melanie...

“Miss Stewart?” My assistant addressed.

I nodded.

“Is something wrong?” I asked her. Although I didn’t know her name, I knew that she wasn’t a naturally inquisitive person.

“No, Miss. I’m so sorry.” She turned around for a second, then looked back at me. “I just passed you at your desk.”

“I’m just coming back from lunch.” I frowned. “I’ve barely been at my desk all day.”

“I’m so sorry, Mis...

“It’s not happening.” I crossed my arms over my chest, giving Max a pointed look.

“Come on, Elle.” He retorted. He raised an eyebrow at me. “You know you want to.”

“Of course I want to! I can’t risk getting caught though.” I stared at the floor.

“We won’t get caught!” Reid interjected. He and Max exchanged a look.

“For me?” Max pleaded, kissing my cheek. He moved to my ear, offering all sort...

“Ali, you got mail!” Mom shouted.

I looked up from my math homework. Mail? From who? Nobody ever got physical mail anymore.

I put down my tablet and walked downstairs. Mom noticed my furrowed brow, and I took note of hers.

“Who’s it from?” I asked as she handed it to me.

“See for yourself.” Mom answered. “There’s no return address.”

I tore open the seal.

𝒜𝓁𝒾.

𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝑔𝑜𝒾�...

“Stop!” I laughed, throwing my head back. The sound of my laughter was quickly cut off when I got a mouthful of snow.

“Daniel!” I shrieked. The inside of my cheeks were cold. I reached down and felt my fingers freeze as they grasped the frozen crystals.

Daniel grinned. He was getting cocky. A mischievous smile made its way onto my face, and I quickly pulled the snowball out from behind me.

“...

The pieces clatter to the floor. Some shards land by my feet. I stomp on them, feeling content as the glass crunches and breaks into tiny grains.

I don’t care that I’ve destroyed my only way out. I just can’t look at myself anymore.

My feet are bloody, a small price to pay for my satisfaction. Only I’m not satisfied.

It wasn’t enough.

For what I think was a year, I was trapped in this small ...

“Grace, are you excited?” Lia asked for the tenth time this morning.

“Yes!” I exclaimed. We were heading to the aquarium today. Lia and I were so excited to finally see the fish! Both of us loved the water and everything inside.

Lia clapped her hands, and a wide grin spread on her face. “Are we there yet?” She asked.

Mom turned around and gave us one of her widest smiles. “Almost!” she said.

“...

“Amy, look!” the little girl shouts. I stare down, eyeing my sister and her friend. They were going back and forth on the swings when I first saw them. Now the metal seats are stopping, as their mouths drop open. The girls’ eyes are trained on me.

I vividly remember a time when I was their age, maybe six or seven years old. My best friend and I would play on the swing set, hogging our favourite p...