Sometimes, I open the doors—the closet has two white doors with cold and unfeeling handles—and dream of wearing my clothes. I have many clothes and most of them are hand-me-downs.

On the far left, shoes hang on an organizer that’s falling apart, the seams popping under the weight of large shoes and the curse of time. I don’t think it smells but, perhaps, I’ve ignored the sent over the many, many...

“What’s that?” The civilian had said. It was a plucky kid who couldn’t be more than 14 years old that had been seated next to Salvatore. He had black hair, blue eyes and was wearing a bright red sweater that stuck out like a broken arm.

Sal calmly closed the computer shut. There was no need to cause a scene. “Just work,” he said. “Is school over already?” he asked, diverting the conversation.

“Y...

Take one step forward

And two steps back

I fell on my sword

Since humility I lack...

There was something special about flying, something Rebecca held in reverence. She added some gas to the hot air balloon, and she found herself flying higher. She refused the last customers of the night for this. The chilly air nipped at her nose, and she centered herself in the basket, looking out to the darkened sky.

It was a clear night, with stars finally beginning to show and people began tu...

As hazy light filtered through the trees, a small cry echoed on the water. And, after the cry had penetrated the silence, breaking Sai’s peace, something hit his small boat with a strange clanging sound. Supposing that he may as well observe the strange interruption of his thoughts, he looked around, setting his fishing rod to the side. There, next to his boat was a small child floating in a tub o...

Forcing the smile onto her face wasn’t easy as she dug her nails into her palms. She had to breathe, they were in the office right now and she’d get fired if she punched the snobs face. Having Conner Richardson as a partner would make it impossible to focus on the new advertisement and he knew it. He had that smug look on his aged face that just spoke maliciousness, not that Harper had bothered to...

Courtney gripped Jayden’s hand while speaking with gritted teeth, “We aren’t lying. My brother was kidnapped.”

“You also said that he was in the hospital, but he wasn’t admitted.” The officer or detective or secretary, or whatever position the man behind the desk held, wasn’t being cruel about it, but they were wasting Courtney’s time. “Are you sure he wasn’t lying to you about it?”

“No, he wasn...

Dreya pulled the blanket tight around her shoulders, watching the campers dance around the fire like they were performing a rain dance. At least the kids were having fun. Her co-counselor looked exhausted. Cameron looked like he would fall over if he wasn’t sitting next to her. Well, it had been him who had spent hours purifying the water.

Miles, one of Cameron’s boys, was coming over, “Mr. Camer...

Hernán chose the meat pizza out of habit, still distracted by the issue. It wasn’t like he could afford to take her on a fancy date or anything.

“Ask Katie to come to the party, dude. It’s gonna be the best this year,” Madhur, his best friend, said, picking up the fruit thing that pretended to be pizza.

“With all that noise?” Hernán scoffed. “She hates crowds.” They slid their trays down to the ...

Jacobs kept firing. Even through the thick gloves, the gun was burning their hands. Gripping the gun tighter didn’t change that. Mingled sounds of retreat came over the comms. They tightened their jaw. This was it; they were going to die.

“Come on El!” their companion said, shouting over her shoulder golden hair hidden by the helmet. “We gotta go.”

“We aren’t going anywhere.” Jacobs said, firing...