Stars

By Lincoln Wayland

Do you hear the stars at night? They sing and sparkle and dance around. Their patterns turn, twist, and bend, all around It. I love It. 

I didn’t used to; when I first saw the conductor, I was so, so scared. It’s cold touch seeped through my clothing, through my skin, into my bones. The warmth left my body. 

But then I realized; why does it matter? What was so bad about the warped night? I felt warm, and It hugged me tight. 

I laid down in the snow drift with a smile on my face, and went to sleep. 

The Older Sister

By Keira Shanahan

Mom and Dad are fighting again. 

Ever since Rose’s body was found, Mom gets drunk. Dad spends his days in the garden, flowers in his hands. 

It’s my fault. I was supposed to be watching her. 

*** 

Mom carried my backpack today– it was too heavy for me. She said it smelled and I told her I’d wash it. But not tonight. Clarissa is the right height, but her skin is wrong. Rose was paler. I’ll take Natalie tomorrow; her skin will be perfect, once I peel her. 

I am rebuilding my sister. Soon, my family will be okay again. 

A Little Preparation for Death

By Helen Hutchison

The first noise was the air conditioner. She was sure of that, but her sureness did not stop her from pulling the covers over herself. 

The second noise was the cat. She was sure of that, but still, she prayed. She only prayed in the dark, when the air conditioner buzzed and the house settled, resembling human breath. 

Come morning, the noises softened, and she could forget she prayed. But it was too humid tonight, to sleep under the covers. At that moment, she was ready for death. Once she pulled herself free of the blankets, she realized she was not.