What did you do, man?

I don’t know.

Did you think you’d be great, Sam?

Leave me alone.

What are you telling yourself?

You think these things that you’re writing aren’t a waste, man?

You think they’ll give you fame and wealth?

It’s not like that, Sam, and you know that.

I’m trying to make myself better

You know better at hoping and praying and working hard—

You mean better at failing, yeah...

Lucy Mae held up her hand

To place upon the glass,

When a big, bright orange fish

Waved and swam on past.

“Oh fishy, fishy, do come back!”

Pleaded little Lucy Mae;

Fish blew bubbles in her face,

When she asked about his day.

“You are my favorite color!”

Cried Lucy with delight.

“Not too yellow, not too red,

But juuuuusssst right.”

“And all your sweet little friends

Must look up to you,

With ...

June squinted her eyes against the harsh sunlight cutting to her skull like tiny daggers. It had been at least an hour since she’d entered the abandoned house in the side of the hill. She’s been out exploring in the mountains near her home of western Virginia while her mother was out for lunch with a friend.

June lowered her blue eyes and notice a red beetle scurrying away from her bare feet. Sh...

Mattias Yorvik held the ring up to the sun and gazed upon the lustrous emerald light it produced. One more day, he thought. One more day until his coronation, and the ring would be his. He closed his eyes and allowed his thoughts to simmer. His arms tingled, as if he already could feel the power it would bring him.

He brought his gaze lower to his mother sitting at the table in the dining hall,...

I see you standing there, Marder chuckled to himself from the stained window on the top floor of his father’s spaceship. Except it wasn’t the Captain’s anymore. A thin smile tugged at the corners of his mouth until it played into a sneer, showing purple-stained teeth.

Everything was his now. He had wrecked the ship, perfect timing. It had killed every Milkai on board, save the Captain. He had p...

When Mommy opened our front door, I reached into my jacket pocket for Squish. I pulled out my empty hand and stared at it. I reached in my other pocket. Not there. I walked into the house after Mommy and tugged at her skirt.

“Yes, baby?”

“Did you take Squish?”

“No, baby.”

I stared at my shoes and noticed the mud on the bottom of them. I plopped down to take them off, struggling until Momm...

I heard her before I saw her.

Heels clicking neatly on the tiled floor. I felt the cold October air swooping in uninvited, and on it wafted the calming scent of rose and amber.

I did my best to look busy, shining the champagne glass until it nearly squeaked. But even I couldn’t ignore the gorgeous silk green dress sitting directly behind me on the other side of the counter.

I took a deep br...

The storm came in, the wind blew strong,

The acorn fell to the earth headlong;

When it fell into the soil,

The rain burst out in song.

The seed sank down in dark despair,

Among the creatures lurking there;

It to protect its shiny coat,

But soon there was a tear.

Tears fell from the acorn’s eyes,

“What is happening?!” It cries;

Roots did spread, tilting the head,

For weeks it dormant lies.

T...

She ran.

As fast as she dared without turning the heads of the guards that were lowered outside the watchtower’s wooden doors. They were discussing the latest attack on Darinsbough, she could tell, and caught a glimpse of the sword flashing in the light of the moon. The guard Ridero was carefully stabbing at the ground, then drew his fist that was clenching the hilt across his throat in a jerki...

My hands grew colder as I turned the glass that held my milkshake. Not from the milkshake, mind you, but from the words I’d just heard disbelievingly come from the lips of the one I thought I trusted.

It had been a great start to a relaxing summer. I finally had my last lone on the house I’d bought paid off, was just starting to feel like a normal person again.

And then he returned.

He en...