Finally, I have it in my possession.

I stare at it, caressing its smooth surface, my dark eyes reflecting in its crimson surface. It’s mine, all mine… the Gem of Eternity.

Truth be told, I had my doubts. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get my hands on it. I sent Norris, my goblin servant, to go speak with the Agency, see if they’d be willing to work with me… and they were. But that didn’t mean I ful...

“I bet it was the goblins.”

Bristol rolled her eyes. “You bet everything was the goblins.”

“Because goblins are nasty little creatures that don’t know how to keep themselves out of trouble,” Amber said with a huff. She crossed her arms and stamped her hoof on the ground for emphasis.

Bristol looked back at up the baby blue house, teetering on the edge of a concrete industrial building. Despi...

Celia pedals faster. Her bike tires grind over the gravel, and her choppy brown hair whips all in her face.

She wipes away a beat of sweat dripping down her forehead. It’s hot, even for a summer day. She’s wearing her denim shortalls, a striped green shirt, and her red Converse— not the most practical outfit for a bike ride, but she knows it looks good on her.

Celia stops just before a cottage-...

I never should have gone to see that goddamn Oracle.

“Know your truest fate!” the signs outside the shop had advertised in swirling, inky letters. “Find your purpose! Destiny awaits!”

“Destiny my ass,” I muttered as I rounded the corner of Bridget and Strauss. I hadn’t even wanted to see the Oracle, really, but it was because of my sister Luna that I had.

Luna was all about stuff like that. ...

They called her a white rose.

She was the most beautiful princess the kingdom had ever seen. She had hazel eyes that shined like stars, wavy dark hair, and a heart of gold. And it was said that her smile was like a magic spell, enchanting to all those who had the privilege of seeing it.

The princess herself was a miracle. The queen had been declared infertile from a young age, and was overjoye...

Memory breathes

And its breath feels like a fire

Roaring to life in my soul.

Memory whispers

And its voice tickles softly

Like a summer breeze on the back of my neck.

Memory struggles

And it screams, demands to be heard

Rattling the bars of its cage.

Memory smiles

And it melts my sorrowed heart

As I swoon into its waiting arms.

Memory creeps

And its footsteps are silent

Tiptoeing acro...

Zanny pulled up her spaceship to the landing pad.

It was modest— as an N3 model, it only had 770 Explikiwatts of power, and was about the size of a 21st century SUV — but it was a pretty lavender color. And it could fit three people, which was enough for her.

“Hey, Z,” said the groundman when she rolled down her window. “Always a pleasure. I take it you’re off to work this mornin’?”

“Yep,” Z...

What is decaying?

You tell me

When I look at the pieces of a broken country

Singing their anthem sarcastically

Waving their flag like a mockery

Flinging their history books from the shelf

A populace that seems to hate itself.

The key to healing is communication

But the media’s preaching self-deprivation

So instead of wielding the tools of fixation

The nation succumbs to persistent damnat...

“There is a ghost among us,” the headmistress announced a few days ago. It was the first day of school, and this was the first thing she said. “Be on the lookout. Watch for the chills. The sounds. Remember, the dead can only hide among the living so long as we let them.”

The rumors started to fly almost immediately. Expected, when one suddenly tells about a thousand teenagers that one of their o...

Dear Emilia,

You should know I closed your bedroom door

I don't go in there anymore.

Lockets and trinkets all gathering dust

A chime on the window beginning to rust.

I clicked off your radio, bright tunes turned to static

Boxed all our memories up in the attic.

I donated the dresses that you used to wear

Tossed all the pins that you put in your hair.

I shredded your love notes, since I can...