Dancing with the Graceful One

There she stood, The Graceful One, more beautiful than anything or anyone. Her perfect face and pale green skin shone bright in the moonlight. Her plain white dress with with long flowing sleeves and the flower halo atop her head made her look like she walked out of a painting. Maybe she did. The stars from above seemed to smile down on her as she looked on into the distance passed me. Her neck was long and her long arms and legs stood still as if waiting. Her face beamed with a gorgious grin that stretched from one pointy ear to the other. I couldn't help but smile back even though she never looked my way.
Then it started to happen like it always did: She began to dance. She swayed back and forth, then her hands with her long delicate fingers went up with the music of the night. She danced on her toes across the meadow, spinning and swirling. The silk skirt of her dress seemed to flow perfectly behind her wherever she went. I just watched in awe and wonder of her grace and splendor. Her bare feet glowed in the green grass as she moved this way and that. All her steps were perfect. Everything was perfect.
Suddenly she stopped and looked at me for the first time. She held out her hand and I just stared at it. She never noticed me before and now her gleaming smile was looking straight at me. She was perfect and I was far from it, still covered in dirt from a long day of work. But without thinking I took her hand. It was soft and cold.
Before I knew what was happening, I was spinning and dancing. I stared into her bright purple eyes which glowed like the stars above. We danced through the meadows and hills and we spn around and around without getting dizzy. I felt like I was flying and soring through the stars with an angel. I had never danced before in my life and I was wearing my old work boots. How was I not falling or stepping on my own feet?
We swayed from side to side and danced freely through the field, the night's music following us whereever we went. We started to slow down and just sway. The music seemed to grow softer. She put her delicate head on my chest and I felt like I had everything in the world. She stopped peacefully and looked up into my eyes. She hugged me tight and I wanted to kiss her. She went up on her toes so she was as tall as me and kissed me sweetly on the cheek. Then she walked out of my arms. I didn't want her to leave and I didn't want it to end but I knew it had to. She turned and walked away swiftly, looking back only once before she vanished.
I never saw her again after that night but I will always remember that beautiful time when I danced with The Graceful One.

The Diamond Necklace

~Kindle Joy Miller

It had been a long day at school and I was excited to get home. I climbed into the school bus and made my way to the back where I usually sat. To my surprise I found on my seat a beautiful diamond necklace shining in the light from the window. I looked around and most of the other kids were listening to their iPods, reading books or whispering to the person next to them. I quickly grabbed the necklace and put it in my pocket then sat down.

When I got to my house, I raced to my room, closed the door and pulled out the necklace. I set it carefully on my desk and threw my backpack on my bed. I sat down at my desk and just stared at the necklace. It was beautiful. I wonder who it belongs to, I thought, maybe it's made out of real diamonds!

"Mike!" I heard my mom call, "it's time for dinner!" I glanced one last time at the necklace then got up. "I'm coming!" I shouted and hurried to the dining room. I ate hastily so I could get back to my room and the necklace. As soon as I finished I got up to run back to my room. "Where are you going in such a hurry, Mike?" asked my mom. "Um... homework," I said. "Don't forget it's your day to do the dishes." I sighed and turned to my dad. "I was just in the middle of something for school," I lied, "Can't I do the dishes later?"

"I guess," my dad said, "but you better get them done before bed." My mom gave my dad a disaproving look but I was already on my way out of the room. I ran to my bedroom quickly  and shut the door behind me. Then I looked at the desk and gasped. It was gone. The necklace was gone.

Who am I?

~Kindle Joy Miller

I was born in a small town by the coast of Celissia. I lived in an ordinary village and I had ordinary parents, so why was I not ordinary? Why was I different? I sat by myself on the beach and pondered this.

I could feel things, things I didn't undersand. I have one green eye and one brown eye. The green eye sees truth and the brown eyes sees much, much more. I see things that are a part of me somehow. I don't just see them though I feel them, I experience them. My dreams are somehow real. I don't just have them at night anymore, I have them anytime of the day. I just know that whatever I see is really happening somewhere. Besides that, nobody can lie to me because my green eye sees through them. I can tell when anyone lies. My name is Atorie and I think I might be a seer.

I look up at the sky and see faces of people I never met but they are somehow familliar to me. I feel somehow connected to them. I know my ordinary parents are my real parents because I would know if they weren't. But why am I different? What is so special about me that I recieved these unwanted gifts? I slowly got up from where I sat in the sand and picked up a long stick."I'm so confused," I wrote in the sand and sighed.

"Why are you confused?" I heard a small voice say and turned to see a small boy looking up at me. I quickly erased what I had written. "It's nothing," I said, "just nothing." I smiled at the boy and started to walk away but on the inside I was thinking, who am I?

The Protector

~Kindle Joy Miller

She was beautiful but hopeless. She didn't know that she was one of the most important people in the world. I can't tell her or comfort her, I just watch her and protect her. That is my job and that is what I must do. How can she live like this and not know who she is? 

Brenna walked down the street not suspecting anything but I saw the sniper and I knew why he was there. I have saved her so many times I've lost count and she doesn't even know I exist. Maybe that's how it should be. I've killed people for her and she goes on with her hopeless life not knowing how much she means to so many people. 

I quickly ran and climbed up the  side of the nearest building so I would have a better view of the vulture and where he was targeting. Many men have died at this job and I would gladly give up my life too if it was meant to protect Brenna. I was told that I was the fifteenth Protecter. I pray that I won't be the last.

I reach the top of the building and look over to where I saw the sniper and he is aiming right at me. I pull out my gun as fast as possible and shoot but it was too late. He hit me in the leg and I fell back on to the cement roof. The pain rushed through my body and the questions rushed through my head. Who was that sniper? Is he after Brenna now or was he just after me? If he was after me, why did he hit me in the leg? He was a sniper! Was it a warning shot?

As all these questions were going through my head I pulled out my cell and hit the speed dial. "Yes?" answered a woman's voice. I quickly said everything I knew, "I need back up. Brenna might be in trouble. I've been hit. Track me here and find Brenna." 

"Don't move! We're on our way!" I wasn't going anywhere, I thought. I sat trying to see where the sniper had gone. He seemed to have disappeared. I had to save Brenna, I thought. I tried to stand slowly but my leg was in too much pain. I had to save her. She needed help and she needed hope but there was nothing I could do. "Please, God, help her," I said aloud and waited.

Preview: Upcoming YouTube Series Scene

The following is a fragment from a screenplay for the first season of an upcoming Youtube series I'm starting this summer. this YouTube project will be airing beginning of the summer. This scene was rewritten in this format with the intent of being a teaser. some information within this preview is subject to change:Copyright of Silent Witness Group

-Brandon James Scott Scholl



Ethan looked out of the window of his apartment. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them? If they did know what was right around the corner, there’d be mass panic,” He muttered to himself.


“If I may intrude sir,” The butler announced, breaking Ethan’s thoughts. “I believe you wanted to see me.”


“I didn’t call for you Brody. I would prefer to be left alone.”


“On the contrary, Mr. Stuart. It was in fact the comment about how you believe that you are the sole reason why this city still exists that summoned me. You see, I have a keen sense of when someone starts to become too prideful in who and what they are. So, after hearing your remarks, I came as soon as I could.”

Ethan sighed and continued to look out the window. He took a sip of the glass of Brandy that was in his hand. It was as if Brody felt he needed to lecture and make accusations such as he being too prideful. It was typical for him to be so judgmental.

“You do know that I’m the one that signs your paychecks, right? If I wanted to, I could simply fire you and never have to hear you speak so disrespectful again.” Ethan turned around and faced Brody, watching his face for a response along the lines of either fear or instant reverence. Instead, the well dressed butler continued to have a blank expression on his face.

“Master Stuart, if it were out of line for me to say such things, I wouldn’t have said them in the first place. However, I believe it was more than necessary to tell you the truth. And as for your claims of writing my paycheck sir, you are incorrect. When your father died, he set a fund specifically to pay me after he passed and his wishes in the will asked that I continue to work for this family as my job already had entailed. Therefore, I believe I’m not only safe from being fired from my current position, but it would even be disrespectful to the wishes of your father now that he has passed.”

The butler had done it again. He had not only irritated Ethan further, but he also spoke the truth. His father’s will asked specifically that Mr. Brody continue to take care of the family in any and all capacities. That also meant that it would be disrespectful to ignore his father’s will and terminate him. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Is something troubling you Mr. Stuart,” Brody asked.

Ethan shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Ethan, I don’t mean to irritate you or upset you any further than you already seem to be. But when something is on my mind, it’s easier for me to come to grips with what it is and deal with it when I’ve shared it with someone else. For me, I usually share it with my brother or sister.”

“Well, fortunately for me, I don’t have any brothers or sisters or even parents for that matter. So, I think I’m
 out of luck there.”

“On the contrary sir, you have an irritating butler.”

Ethan smiled for a second, then went back to frustration. Brody came over and sat down on the bed next to Ethan.


“How did my father do it? I mean, leaving double lives and still maintaining a sense of sanity?”


Brody raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps you misunderstand what sanity is. Your father worked very hard, even before he met your mother, on finding a balance to this lifestyle. I know that even I would have had a very difficult time with what it is he did and you do now.”

Ethan looked at the open wardrobe where his suit and equipment sat. On one side there was his business suit. He was a favored accountant during the day. His name was Ethan Stuart and he not only enjoyed what he did, but he also made a fair amount of money doing it. On the other side, however, was his Black T-shirt, vest, and sidearm. He was Jason James Johnson when he put that on. He was a freelance spy and assassin for an organization called Phoenix. It was a lifestyle that he enjoyed just as much as he did when he was Ethan Stuart. But, it was so difficult to be two people. His father had been doing this long before he was born. He had started training Ethan from the young age of 7. Nothing serious, but the basics and building blocks that led up to more difficult tasks and training required to become an agent for Phoenix.

“If you were in my shoes, Brody, what would you do to try and get some balance,” Ethan asked.

Brody thought for a moment, then smiled. “Well, I would first start by getting a good night’s rest. Then, I would insist that my butler would make me a good breakfast that would allow me to take on my day right.”
Ethan smiled. “Good point.”


Mr. Brody got up from the bed and walked over to the door.
“Brody…”
Brody turned around and looked at Ethan.

“Thank you, for everything. And I’m sorry.”

It was Brody’s turn to smile. “Honestly Sir, I’d rather you take your frustration out on me than someone who can’t defend themselves against you. It might do some good to remember that.”


Ethan nodded. “Good night sir,” Brody said as he left the bedroom.

Ethan looked back out the window at the city around him. He needed to get some balance in this. If he didn’t soon, then this whole cover wouldn’t do much good and he’d be an easy target for every assassin that Ulrich could get his hands on. If his father was able to do it and his grandfather was able to do it, then so could he. Even if they weren’t around to see him succeed, he’d do it for Seth’s sake.

At Heaven's Gates

~Kindle Joy Miller

I slowly walked toward the golden city and I was in awe of its brilliance and splendor. I thought I must be in a dream but it was no dream. This shining city before me was the real thing. It glittered and sparkled in the bright light that was around it. I could never have dreamed up such a magnificent sight. I walked up to the pearly gate in front of me. “Amazing isn’t it?” I looked over and there was a man sitting at a small desk by the gate. I walked over to him. “There are no words to describe it,” I said. “It’s even more brilliant on the inside,” said the man, “Why do you deserve to enter?”

My mind wandered to my terrible past and the tears started to roll down my cheeks. I had done horrible things in my life and there was no way to justify what I did. I murdered my innocent babies, I abandoned my husband, I tried to commit suicide several times, I stole what I couldn’t afford, and I was addicted to everything I shouldn’t have been addicted to: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, and Tobacco. I fell to the ground. I couldn’t deserve this. Could anyone deserve this? I wept; the pain was too much to bear.

Then the gates opened and a glorious light shone through. I was blinded for only a minute and then I saw Him. I recognized him right away. I stood up quickly and dusted myself off then I ran into Jesus’ arms and wept on his shoulder. Jesus nodded to the man and he wrote down my name. “My sister,” Jesus whispered in my ear, “You are safe.” Those words echoed in my head and I felt huge burden come off my shoulders. I felt a peace that I had never felt before. I didn’t feel the uneasiness when I aborted my first child or the terror when I found out the guy I was with had seven other girls that he visited regularly or the loneliness when I left the only man whoever loved me or the fear when I woke up from a party not knowing where I was. I was really at peace for the first time in my life.

I remembered back to that day when I met Jesus. I was ten years old when I went to that Vacation Bible School to get away from the abuse I suffered at home. I would run away for several days at a time and my parents never worried about me. They knew I would come back eventually so they could yell at me and beat me. At Vacation Bible School I learned that I was free because Jesus died for me. They asked if anyone wanted to know Jesus and I did. I wanted him to make me free from my parents’ abuse. I never went home after that and I never saw my parents since and the only abuse I suffered after that was my own stupid choice that caused it. I was free from abuse because of Jesus. I only saw Him a few times after that. My husband was a church goer so I went with him but I never got much out of it. He didn’t want children so when I got pregnant I was afraid he would leave me so I had an abortion. I was so insecure. A month later I told him about it and he got mad saying I was a murderer. That is when I ran away again. I started to cry just thinking about it but I looked up into Jesus’ eyes and he smiled. His smile was so comforting and I knew everything was going to be alright from now on.

“There are some people who want to meet you,” Jesus said. I looked up and three little kids walked out the gate. An eight year old boy, six year old girl, and three year old girl. I knew exactly who they were. A tear trickled down my face and I ran up to hug them. They were the babies I had aborted. “I love you,” I whispered to them, “I always have.”

“We know, Mommy,” said the middle girl with a grin, “Jesus told us all about you.” I couldn’t help but smile at her joyful proclamation. This is my little girl, I thought.

“Let’s go show your mom the city,” said Jesus as He lifted the three year old onto his shoulders. I held the hands of my two little kids as I walked through the gates of Heaven. I was finally truly happy and there was nothing that would make me upset again.

Jim's Carrots

Just something random I had to write for school
~Kindle Joy Miller

Once there was a little bunny named Jim. He woke up to discover that he was completely out of carrots. Jim loved carrots so much he didn’t know what he’d do without them. Jim hurried to the grocery store to buy some more delicious carrots. When he got to the grocery store he grabbed a cart and hopped quickly to the carrot stand. There, he filled his cart with all the carrots from the stand. Jim was in such a hurry to get home and eat his scrumptious carrots that he hopped as fast as he could to the cash register. But when he got there the line was super long and he didn’t want to wait an hour to eat his carrots so he decided to cut in line. They don’t need their groceries as much as I need mine, he thought. So Jim took a huge hop and hopped over all the other animals in line. He looked up and the cashier was a large badger who didn’t look very happy. “What are you doing?” demanded the badger.”I am in such a hurry,” said Jim, “I must get home so I can eat these carrots!”

“You cannot cut in line in my store,” said the badger, “This blue jay you cut is really in a hurry. She must get back to her babies with her worms so they don’t starve. Now go back to the end of the line and wait. These animals have been waiting a long time and some of them are really in a hurry.”

Jim was shocked he didn’t realize this was the owner of the store and he didn’t know the bird behind him had babies to feed. He felt really bad about cutting in line. Jim promised to never cut in line again and hopped back to the end of the line. When he got home the carrots were even more delicious because he waited longer to have them.

The Creation of Terra

~Kindle Joy Miller

In the beginning, there was one glorious star. The star called himself king because he was the only ruler of the void. The void was a very dark closet and King was the only light so he was very lonely like a person stuck in a dark room with only one light. King decided to create more beings like him so he took bright light from himself to create another star. The other star was as beautiful and glorious as he was and he named the star Queen because she would help him rule the void. King and Queen were very happy like children for a long time shining and brightening up the void but they soon grew lonely once again. King and Queen both took light from themselves and put it together to make another star that they called Prince. Prince was a bright and shining star so they made more and more stars until there were millions of stars to light up the void.

Then King decided to bring all the stars together to help create a huge and grand star. All the stars took a little light from themselves and put it together. The star they made was so glorious that they called it The Most Great Star and The Majestic Son. The Majestic Son shot bright beams across the universe to light up the dark void. He was a huge golden ball showing off his brilliance. King said that Son was a wonderful addition to their now very large family.

Prince, King and Queen’s first son, decided to make a creation of his own. He wanted to make something new that wasn’t another star so he decided to create a smaller light in the sky by using light from him and a tiny bit of void. Prince called this light Luna meaning moon. Luna was a painter’s masterpiece and he was very pleased with it.

After awhile Prince got bored with the moon and decided to create something else. He made the world out of darkness from the void and light from himself. The darkness gave the world night and the light gave the world day. Luna gave a little light at night but it was still dark. Prince put land on the world which he called earth and water which he called seas. Prince called the world he had made Terra which means earth. Prince made the sky where he put clouds in it like fluffy white stars that didn’t shine. He made fire which gave off warmth and light like The Majestic Son. Prince made trees, flowers, and other plants grow up from the earth and produce food. He also made the dirt rise up from the ground and become hills and mountains. Prince sought help from other stars to make animals of different shapes and sizes. One star made an animal with four legs, a long tail, and lots of black stripes. The star called it a Tiger. Another star created an animal with long ears, a fluffy tail, and a small body which he called a Rabbit. A Star also made a huge animal with eight legs which were trees and six eyes like pomegranates, bright red. The star called it a Corgaspide. With help from the other stars, Prince created millions of different animals on Terra, in the seas, and in the sky. Prince saw all the things he made and knew that they were perfect but something was missing...

Prince looked at his creation and discovered that he hadn’t created anything intelligent like himself and his brothers and sisters. Intelligence is the silver heart you give a being. So he hurriedly got to work and made people out of clay with two legs, two arms and a head like a large egg with hair on it and he gave them intelligence. He called them Humans. Prince created short people in the same way with long beards that went to their feet and gave them intelligence. He called them Gnomes. Prince made large people like moving mountains to roam over the Terra. He called them Plumots. He made people with wings who could live in the clouds. He called them Kyries. Prince made people of fire which he called Flames and people of water which he called Waves. He also made intelligent creatures like Dragons, Golems, and Rhino like people called Rainoes and lots more. Prince made lots of intelligent beings to live on Terra and he was very pleased with all the intelligent people and creatures he had made. Now that he was done with his creation he could sit back and watch what they would do. They would create palaces, kingdoms, and governments. They would create wars and make alliances. They would be foolish, wise, dumb, smart, evil, and good.

At The Dock

~Kindle Joy Miller

I walked past the people lined up at the dock. They looked hungry, tired and worn. There was a lady with several children around her with fear on their little faces. An old man, disabled from all that he had been through in his life, sat with a little girl who looked sick and pale. There was dirty little boys trying to be strong but you could tell that they were terrified. A young girl nearby had only a cloth to cover herself. There were men laughing at her and making fun of her. I saw a group of old, worn women crying for all they had lost. There was some young men comforting those around them and telling them it was going to be okay. A woman with a baby stood to one side looking for something to give her child to eat. Though the group was weary, they seemed to stand together. As I looked at them I did not see slaves and people driven from their homes in war, I saw people; People like me. The girl being laughed at was the same as those who laughed at her: human. We have all been hurt in some way but some have been hurt more than others, I thought. I walked past the people lined up at the dock and I wished I could free them from the cruelty of people.

Lost and Found

~Kindle Joy Miller

I ran through the forest, tired and exhausted. I wasn’t quite sure who or what I was running from but I was too terrified to find out. I was getting too tired to run so I started to look for a good place to hide. A few minutes later I found a good climbing tree and climbed to one of the top branches where I sat panting. Soon I fell asleep. I dreamt a voice saying, “Keira, where are you?” The voice sounded familiar but unfamiliar. I didn’t answer. Then it came again. “Keira, where are you?” The voice was deep and soothing but unrecognizable. I kept silent. A third time the voice said, “Keira, where are you? Why are you hiding?”

I woke up shocked that I had fallen asleep. I looked around and realized I had traveled deep into the forest and it was getting dark. I started in the direction I thought was the way out. I soon discovered I was utterly lost. I wandered around the forest for what seemed like hours not knowing which way to go. I sat under a tree and started to cry. Suddenly I heard a branch crack and looked up. I wiped my tears away, it was my best friend. A smile crossed my tear stained face and I ran up and hugged him. He smiled and said, “I’ve been looking for you.” I hugged him again. We started on are way out of the forest and my friend explained how he found me.

“I saw you run into the forest and I knew you’d get lost so I ran after you,” He said, “I called your name but you didn’t answer. You were scared but you didn’t know why and it wasn’t until you were utterly lost and I heard you crying that I found you.”

“Thank you for coming after me,” I said with great relief. I had been running from my best friend and I didn’t realize it. I had heard him calling but I didn’t answer. I was horribly lost but he found me in the dark and all alone and now he was showing me the way home.

Negotiations

By: Brandon James Scott Scholl

Michael leaned up against the kitchen counter, waiting for the phone to ring. The man’s wife had been missing for close to 48 hours and they knew the kidnapper was going to call soon.

The family had called in Michael for his expertise with personality. He was able to profile people and read them on the spot to tell what kind of person they were, what triggers they had, and what ways things could be said or done to them to get specific results.

As Michael watched the family and friends that were surrounding the victim’s husband, the phone rang. He quickly pushed himself off of the kitchen counter and moved towards the phone in the living room where everyone else was. Michael picked it up and answered it.

“Hello,” Michael calmly said into the phone. He heard silence on the other end of the call for a few seconds, then there were two gun shots followed by a woman’s voice.

“I’ve just killed Mrs. Perkins,” the kidnapper said with a woman’s voice.

Michael took a moment to collect his thoughts and surveyed the people in the room who could also hear the conversation.

“I’ll let them know what just happened,” Michael commented.

“Next, I’m going to come after her husband. I’m going to kill him the same way I killed his wife. First I’ll torture him, then I’ll kill him.”

“Okay,” Michael replied calmly.

“Then, I’m going to kill that couple that they’re such good friends with. I’ll take both of them and burn them into ash.”

“Okay,” he continued to reply.

“Then, the only place that’ll be left for you to hide or for anyone to be safe is at Alan’s house.” Michael looked to the last guest that was there for Mr. Perkins. Alan was a middle aged man who had a wife and two kids across town. His look back at Michael was a mixture of both fear and panic.

“Look,” Michael answered, “Are you going to continue to make threats and monologue like a comic book villain or are you going to actually tell me where Mrs. Perkins is. I know you didn’t kill her because you don’t have the stomach OR the guts to do it. So let’s cut the crap and you tell me where she is.”

Silence overtook the phone conversation. People in the room looked around at one another and then at Michael like he was crazy. They believed he was crazy and going to be the death of them. Then, the kidnapper answered with a severe stutter.

“You… bbbbettered take mmmmmmmmme seriousssssssssssly. Mrs. PPPPPerkins is DDDDDDDDead. AAllllllll of yyyyyyyyyou are nnnnnnnnnext.” Then, the kidnapper hung up.

Michael put the phone down and looked at the astonished stares that were coming from everyone in the room. He smiled and walked over to Mr. Perkins who had tears slowly moving down his face.

“Mr. Perkins, she’s alive. The kidnapper wouldn’t have called if they actually killed her because he’d have no leverage or any reason to come after you. He’s here to make you feel pain in any way he can.” Michael stood up and then continued.

“The woman we’re dealing with is someone who’s very rarely taken seriously. Usually the type of person that would sit in the background and never do anything dangerous for fear of being caught or screwing up when they were a child. She also has a low self-esteem and is trying to cope with scaring everyone else to make her feel she has control. Alan, I would suggest calling your home. Make sure your family is okay. If they answer, tell them to leave. If they don’t answer, tell call the police and meet them there.”

Michael walked over to the counter where he had been leaning and grabbed his gun then put it into the holster. He walked back through the kitchen and then the living room towards the door.

“Wait, what now,” Mr. Perkins asked.

Michael stood in the doorway and turned around.

“Now, I go save your wife and be the hero,” Michael said with a reassuring smile before closing the front door behind him. He opened his car door and got inside. He pulled out his cell phone and called his tech support.

“Miracle worker here, what kind of magic would you like?”

“Marie, I need something to go on here. Did you get a chance to trace the call?”

“You bet your ass I did. I narrowed it down to an old industrial complex across town.”

“Thanks Marie, good work.”

“Michael, how’d you know that she has a stutter?” Michael sat there for a moment, fumbling with his keys.

“I didn’t. I got lucky there.” With that, he hung up his phone and pulled out onto the road. He was going to take this kidnapper down.

Courage

~Kindle Joy Miller

“Take Courage, my sword, and defeat this beast.”

“But, Father, the monster is huge and there is no way I alone can defeat it,” said John, “Our whole army couldn’t even defeat it!”

“Yes, son, but they didn’t have Courage,” Said his father, “Courage will defeat this beast.”

“But I’m afraid, Father…”

“It is alright to be scared but you must also be brave,” His father told him, “Now go! The village rests in your hands!”

John took Courage and ran out to hear the screams of innocent people. He knew something had to be done but what? The ferocious dragon was crushing homes and toasting people on sight. He had to think of a plan. Right then Courage started pulling John closer to where the monster was. John didn’t fight it he knew he had to do what he had to do. He remembered his sister’s last words. She said, “Now you’re the only one that can save us.”John heard it clearly in his mind but he didn’t want to believe it. His older sister was brave and cunning but now she was gone and it was up to him. John’s family was chosen to protect this village but now half of them were dead and he wasn’t going to let that dragon kill anyone else.

Courage pulled John closer and closer to the dragon. He knew it wanted to kill the beast as much as He did. The sword had been in his family for generations and he never thought he would be the one to use it now, in their darkest hour. John gave up holding back and ran with Courage toward the beast. The dragon got bigger and bigger as he ran towards it. He could see the smoke rising from the monster’s nostrils. The dragon saw him coming and was ready for a fight. It wanted another toasty treat but John wouldn’t let that happen.

“Who is this?” the dragon asked, “Do they send a little boy to defeat me!”

“I am John, the son of Sir Peter and Lady Jessica,” Said John, “I’m from the family of Tynia and I will not let you kill another person as long as I live.”

“Ha! I already killed your sister and your mother,” Said the dragon, “Do you really think you have a chance? You are just a boy and you’re afraid! I should just toast you right here!”

“We’ll see about that,” John said as he lunged at the dragon’s belly. The dragon blew ferocious flames at John but Courage moved to protect him. I will avenge the people that have died for this town, thought John. He ran up and Courage stabbed the dragon’s foot. The dragon Screeched with anger.

“Now you will die, young knight!” The dragon hissed, “I was going easy on you but now you’re in for it!”

John ran quickly around to the back of the dragon and started to climb up its back. The dragon tried to shake him off but Courage stabbed into it so John could keep his balance. The dragon squealed in pain which gave John time to climb to its head. The dragon started to fly but Courage knew what to do. Courage quickly stabbed into the dragon’s head right when John lost his balance. John fell and the dragon began to fall too. John braced himself for the hard landing but nothing could’ve prepared him for that horrible fall.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

“You have done well, John. Don’t fear I will save you,” Said Courage.

“Who are you?” John asked in a daze.

“I am your trusty sword and I will protect you. You will be okay for you have won.”

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

“Son?”

John opened his eyes. “Where am I?” he asked.

“You are at home, in our house, lying on your bed,” said his father.

“What about the dragon? And where is Courage?” So many questions were going through his head.

“We found you unconscious next to the dead dragon’s body. Courage was by your side…” His father told him, “You shouldn’t have survived that fall you know.”

Reborn

By: Brandon James Scott Scholl

Jacob puts his hands up to his face as the soldiers came up to him. For the last week they had tortured him because they believed him to be some kind of spy. It was a situation that he couldn’t win either way. Whether he told them that he wasn’t a spy or kept quiet, he was already convicted and condemned.

After telling them over and over they had the wrong guy and explaining his situation, they decided that the only option they had left was to kill him. A part of him was finally relieved to hear that this pain and suffering would end soon. It was something that he had looked forward to but they refused to tell him how he would be killed.

He slightly resisted the grip of the two military escorts that were now taking him to his death. They pulled him out to the cage that he had been waiting in and led him to the entrance to a slight alley. Jacob was pushed towards the wall and caught himself before slamming into it. He was confused about what was going on. No chains, no guards holding him in place. He just stood there out in the open with no one around.

He jumped as a whistle was blown around the corner and he heard stomping of boots. The sound came closer and closer to him. He had no idea what was coming for him but there wasn’t anywhere that he could run. He looked up and around the wall to see if there was somewhere he could climb and that’s when he noticed the wall in more detail. The numerous stains of bloody hand prints, smears and splatters made his heart stop beating for a few seconds within his chest. He then turned around and realized what the stomping sound was – a firing squad.

He had been waiting for death for so long and finally he saw how his existence was going to be ended. Not by a quick death, but a painful and torturous murder. Finally, the weakness and lack of energy overtook him. He slumped to the ground and looked from one face to another of his executioners. They were the last things he would be seeing as he took his last breath.

Orders were barked and the squad pulled their rifles to their chest and then aimed them at Jacob. He looked down at his hands as his entire life flashed before his eyes. From the times he spent with his parents, to the times with his wife and daughter, to the death of his wife and daughter. Now, he was the next one that was going to be killed, and there was nothing left to be done.

As the sounds of rifles going off filled his ears, he flinched. His eyes were squeezed shut in the knowing that he would be shredded by the bullets. But, as he sat there for a few seconds, he didn’t feel anything. In fact, he didn’t hear anything either. Jacob opened his eyes to see that the squad had fired, but the bullets were moving towards him in slow motion. That’s when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.

To his right, a woman came up to him. She wore a white flowing dress as a slight breeze drifted through her hair. He was mesmerized by the stunning beauty of this woman as she came closer, then his heart filled with both shock and a mixture of sadness and joy – it was his wife.

She stopped in front of him and put her hand out to him. He looked at the bullets that were caught in a slow motion and then took his wife’s hand. At this moment, he didn’t know what to think, just react. Just a few seconds ago, he was being executed and then everything just froze. Jacob looked at his wife’s hand and took it in his. Instantly, he felt as if the energy and strength was flowing back into his body.

He stood up and looked right into his beautiful wife’s eyes. The green in them was the most beautiful thin he had ever seen in his life. It was the one thing that he thought about every night before he went to sleep ever night. She moved closer to him and kissed him lovingly. He couldn’t believe what was going on at this moment. His wife looked into his eyes and spoke.

“Your time is not yet over, my love. You are called to be something far greater than you realize. You have the hidden strength to take on the world. You are more powerful than you or I had ever realized or thought possible. You have the gift. You can save me from them. You have the power to change this.”

He was stunned.

“You’re dead…,” was all that he could get out. She shook her head.

“No, not yet. You have to save me before they kill me. You’re the only one who can.”

His wife kissed him once more and as she ended the kiss, she disappeared.

Jacob didn’t know what to believe. He was still confused as to what just happened. He looked at the bullets that were still slowly coming towards him. You have the power to change this.

Just then, he threw his hand up at the bullets that were coming towards him. They stopped in mid-air and time resumed at its normal speed. Some of the soldiers gasped at what was going on before their eyes. Orders were yelled at the squad once again and another round of shots were fired, only to be stopped next to their predecessors in the air as well.

Jacob thought about it for a moment and then pushed the bullets back at the squad. All the soldiers within the squad fell to the ground lifeless. Then, he walked over to the one who had ordered his execution and the man collapsed to the ground, shielding his face. Jacob grabbed the collar of his jacket and pulled him up off the ground, inches from his face.

“Where is my wife.”

Coma

Julia is a friend of mine. Enjoy.

By: Julia Ellis

I can’t move.

That was my first thought as I woke up from what seemed like the longest sleep of my life. I felt stiff, like my whole body was weighted down by lead shaped to my tall frame.

What’s that noise? Something sounded like it was ticking, but…Wet, somehow. And there was this annoying beeping

Crap. I was in a hospital room. The wet ticking was the IV and the beeping was the heart monitor. The more I thought about why I was in a hospital room, and who was hurt, the faster the heart monitor sounded off, like high-pitched gun shots. What’s happening? What happened?

“Poor Benjamin…My boy, so reckless,” someone sniffled nearby. If I’d been able to move, I’d have jumped at the sound of another person in the room. I know that voice.

“Aunt Shari, you can’t just stand here staring at him forever. It won’t wake him up. You know as well as I that standing around doing nothing accomplishes nothing.”

“Jarie, honey, do an old lady a favor and shut up. Do something useful and get some coffee or tea for your parents – you know they need it. Standing around nit-picking your aunt won’t accomplish anything either.” No wonder her voice was familiar – that was my aunt Shari, and my elder sister Jarie.

“Mrrpher.” That was Jarie mumbling an expletive as she stomped out of the room – I know she was stomping because her stilettos clacked on the hard floor louder than they would have normally.

A few minutes later, a set of more confident sounding steps came close to the room I was in. They stopped a few yards away (I guess that’s where the doorway was) and there was the sound of plastic scraping on plastic, and then pages being turned. That must be my file. Someone put the file back, and then the footsteps entered my room.

“Ms. Stackdom, I’m Dr. Carver. I’ll be handling your boy Benjamin’s case. Now, I’ll explain what I think is going on with his condition.“

“You will do no such thing,” Aunt Shari interrupted, taking control as always. She may have been softhearted when it came to people in need, but she was no pushover.

“Ma’am?” The poor man sounded so confused. He must not be used to being told what to do anymore, not since he got his PhD.

“Do you have a hearing impairment along with your chronic stupidity? I said, you will do no such thing. I will not have you guessing at what my nephew’s newly acquired health problems may be. Obviously you doctors are way overrated, since I don’t have to have some fancy PhD certificate hanging in my office to know what’s happened here.” Way to go, Aunt Shari!

“Ah…Well, excuse me, I only meant that—“

“I don’t give a damn what you meant, boy. Either help my nephew with these overrated skills of yours or I will whisk him out of this place without giving you your outrageous payment, and get help elsewhere.” Wow, she must really be worried to say all that. Normally she’s so appreciative of modern medicines…

“Yes ma’am,” the doctor replied. He really didn’t seem like he knew what he was doing, but maybe he was just intimidated by Aunt Shari – that happened a lot, people being intimidated by her. “Well, obviously he’s in a coma. The injury to his head whacked his brain hard enough that it could be swelling, though we don’t know for sure because if we took him into X-ray, he’d likely fall into a deeper coma from being moved around too much. Six broken ribs, two wrist fractures, a contusion on his pelvis and a broken thigh bone. Those are the worst of it; the rest of the injuries are minor, though it’ll still take him a long time to heal. And he might not ever be completely normal again. That broken leg could result in a cane for the rest of his life…”

He went on and on, getting more detailed and using bigger words. Aunt Shari sounded like she understood everything, commenting and asking questions, and mumbling a few curses of her own.

About 20 minutes later, the doctor was gone, and I could hear Aunt Shari’s pencil working on a puzzle, like she so often did to fill up time gaps. She knew there was nothing for her to do now but wait.

The worst part about this whole situation was that I still couldn’t remember what was going on…I didn’t know how I had gotten all these “injuries,” and I felt fine, other than the fact that I couldn’t respond to anything or move. Ugh, I was just so frustrated; I swore I could break something.

I heard a noise from where Aunt Shari was sitting. It was quiet for almost a minute, and then she got up and came to stand next to me. I could almost feel her staring at me, her gaze boring into my skin, my body, my mind.

“Benjamin?” She whispered. She sounded startled, excited and nervous. “Benny, can you hear me? I thought I saw your hand move…Oh, maybe I’m just crazy. Everyone else seems to think so.” She sighed, turning to sit back down. I wanted to scream at her to come back, to tell be if I had moved. I didn’t know how I’d done it, and I thought I’d felt my fingers twitch, but I’d also thought it was a trick of my mind.

The sound of sneakers running down the hall towards my room sounded loud against the former silence. They squeaked like whoever was running had just walked in puddles and slapped the floor like they were running with a purpose. Sooner than I expected, a heavy breathing man asked Aunt Shari, “How is he? How is my son? What the hell happened? Why is he here? No one’s telling me anything!”

Aunt Shari responded too calmly, like she was striving to keep her patience. “That’s not surprising since you haven’t bothered to find out how your son has been doing for the past 12 years. Why are you even here? Aren’t you supposed to be on some big important tour in Europe?” By the time she finished, her tone went from a deadly calm to an even scarier dry sarcasm that she only used when she was about ready to break something – or in this case, someone.

“Now, Shari, that’s not fair. You know the band’s been struggling to stay noticed. Since we got a bigger gig in Europe, I thought it was a great opportunity to get some moment and—“

“Save me the expense of your unconvincing and gimp excuses. I don’t want to hear it.” Not good – she was starting to bring out some of her better vocabulary, meaning she was trying not to swear at him. “No one wants you here, Daniel. And since he can hear us, I’m sure Benjamin is agreeing with me. Aren’t you, Benny?”

She knows I can hear them? Of course she does, she always knows these things. Not for the first time today, I tried to move, to show her I could, in fact, hear everything. Just then, I heard Daniel’s sneakers squeal on the floor as he went over to another chair and plopped himself down. Hearing Aunt Shari go back to her puzzles, I decided they wouldn’t talk for a while and I could go back to sleep.


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

I was choking.

Or at least, that’s what it felt like. I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t tell anyone that I couldn’t breathe. The ringing in my ears was so loud that I couldn’t hear anything else – just when I thought that, someone screamed, “GET HIM SOME HELP! HE’S DYING!!”

Who’s dying? Me? No, I wasn’t dying – yet. All I needed was for someone to fix whatever was blocking my airways.

“Benjamin.” That voice wasn’t loud at all but somehow I could hear it through the ringing in my head, the high-pitched wailing that made my head feel like it was exploding with white-hot pain.

“Benjamin, you have to choose. This has nothing to do with your throat, or anything choking you. You were dreaming, Benjamin. Of what happened to hurt you like this.” Whoever was talking was crazy, I decided. No one can just choose to stop choking. It’s not a matter of, “Well, let’s see…Do I or don’t I want to choke today?” But even as I thought this, I remembered a flash of my dream: a deafeningly loud crash, metal screaming and folding in on itself, and the muffled sound of my own bones breaking. A car crash, my fault.

“Benjamin. I know you understand this. It’s buried within you to hear me. Boy, you must choose now. If you wait any longer, you’ll die. Choose whether you want to live or die, and it will happen.”

Choose…What? How do I choose whether I want to live or die? Of course I want to live! It’s obvious! Life is what everyone craves, even when they want to escape the horrors that it sometimes brings – oh. That’s what this person means. Choose to live and deal with pain, or choose to die and be at peace.

“Make the choice, kiddo. Your Aunt Shari understands either way.” Aunt Shari…She knew about this? “Son, God shows me a lot of things, and this is one of them. You need to choose, now.” Somehow I could hear her through the ringing, but only her and the other voice. The voice that was neither males nor female, but had a strong quality that made me want to hear everything this person had to say.

I want to live…Of course I want to live. I don’t care what life hits me with; I want to be alive and well.

I sucked in the biggest breath I could, my eyes popping open, and I was blinded momentarily by bright hospital lights. There was a group of people hovering, frozen over me, staring wide-eyed as I stared back at them. I clenched my hands, wiggled my toes, and looked around the unfamiliar faces. All but one, a small woman with graying hair at the back of the crowd, farthest from me. This woman I knew – my aunt Shari. She smiled at me, a small, proud smile.

“God boy, Benjamin. This is the beginning of a long, powerful journey for you. Be proud that you have such a good woman to lead you.” As the person spoke, I looked around the faces above me, noting that no one’s lips moved, and none of them seemed to have heard anything.

Such an odd voice, not man or woman.

But I got what I wanted. Now I’m alive and well, and leading the life that God said I would. My name is Benjamin Stackdom, and I chose to live.

Demonic Encounter

By: Brandon James Scott Scholl


Jack watched as the hallway grew dark. The daylight dissipated and darkness began its reign. Amidst the eerie darkness, numerous pairs of red eyes flashed and stared at Jack as if he wasn’t there. They started to hover from the ceiling, down the walls, and to the floor where the bodies became visible as well. The young man stood his ground at the entrance to the darkness. He knew exactly what was happening in front of him, before his very eyes, the demons were coming.

They hissed as if from a nightmare. From the breathing to the clicking of their overgrown nails, they were all manifesting in an aggressive stance. It wasn’t here to scare any longer, it was here to kill. Jack had known this time was going to come. He didn’t know when, he didn’t know where, but this time, he was ready.

As ten demons stood three feet tall before Jack, another figure appeared. One that was far larger, taller, and more gruesome than the others. It seemed to literally walk out from the shroud of darkness with a low growl. It was a prince of darkness. This prince was the leader of the demonic manifestations that had led up to this event. It had caused pain, suffering, and death for years but now its territory was being threatened. The beast was unreal and the most gruesome and most unimaginable sight that Jack had ever witnessed.

“My name is Anesis,” the demon spoke in a dripping, base tone. “You have been the cause of many issues for me. How dare you challenge me.”

Jack smiled. A week ago, he would have literally turned and ran. But now, he had a lion inside of him that was fearless.

“My name is Jack Darranger, and you are no longer welcome here.”

Anesis laughed deeply as the other demons cackled and hissed in their own ghoulish laughter.

“You are nothing, human. Your death will be slow and painful. I will take pleasure as I destroy you from this existence,” The demon bellowed as he started to take steps towards Jack.

Jack stood his ground. He had no idea of what was about to happen. But, he knew that whatever it was, God would protect him. As the demon reached its talon hand at him, a brilliant white light started to shine off of Jack. The demon went to take a step back, but it was too late. It was already too close to Jack and its figure started to crack and come apart.

“What…are…you,” the demon struggled to ask.

“I, am a child of the one who is seated on the Throne. The one who is in control of all things and, in the end, will cause the eternal destruction of you and your master. I am a child of God.”

Just then, the prince of darkness blew apart. The other demons hissed and became uneasy. Jack looked at every single one of them. He was no longer just merely a human being, he was an antenna for the power of God.

“Your prince is gone. He has been sent back to the pit of Hell that he came from. Not just by me, but by the power given to me by my Master. So, either you leave this place and never return, or you will have the same demise as your leader. Your choice is now.”

As he said those last words, light flowed from behind him. He turned around to see a group of angels standing their ground behind him, their silhouettes shining brightly against the shroud of darkness before him. Jack turned back to the demons and took a single step forward. The demons literally jumped as his foot landed on the floor. Jack glared at them once more.

“Leave this place in the name of Jesus.”

The demons instantly became full of fear and filled the air with wretched screams. They were pulled into the darkness and the darkness pulled away as well and lifted. The demons were gone.

Jack turned around and stared in awe and wonder at the band of angels before him. He didn’t know what to say to them. One stepped forward to him and looked him in the eyes.

“The Lord is with you, Jack Darranger, always.”

With that, Jack felt tears stream down his cheeks. In everything that had been said to him, in all the things that could have been said to him, those simple words impacted him the most. He nodded at the angel and then they dissipated into thin air.

Jack collapsed to his knees and bowed his head with tears in his eyes.

“Thank you lord, for protecting me with your angels. You are my shield, my strength, and my King.” He opened his eyes and starred at the hall that was now back to normal.

“As for you, Satan. No matter how many times I screw up, my Lord is with me. No matter how many times you tempt me, my King is there to redeem me. No matter if I’m alive or dead, my God has his arms around me. The ground that you have taken and the lives you’ve claimed will be taken back. Your power will be reduced and your grasp will be pulled away. But I’m also here to remind you, your days are numbered.”
With that, Jack stood up and looked up towards the ceiling.

“Thank you Jesus.”

Then, Jack walked down the hallway and out of the school. He then played back the event that just unfolded before him as he walked towards his home. A smile came across his face as he realized that he had just had the first encounter with the real enemy. He also felt in his heart that this was going to be the first of many battles. Amid the little bit of terror that pulled at him with that thought, he welcomed it.

The Passing of the Crown

By: Brandon James Scott Scholl

Prince Aldar didn’t know what to think. The soldier standing before him had just delivered the worst news that could ever come to a prince, the king had died. He had gone to sleep the night before and passed away in his sleep during the night.

Aldar was lost in all of this. His next move was a critical one. With his father dead, he was the next in line for the throne and to become king.

“Your highness,” the soldier inquired, breaking Aldar’s thoughts. “What are your orders?”

The soldier’s name was Rinehart. He had been loyal to the King as well as protected him. He was also one of the soldiers that counciled Aldar’s father about difficulties that issues and problems he was facing or dealing with.

“What would you suggest,” asked Aldar. Rinehart stood for a moment, eyeing Aldar. He understood that the young man was lost within himself at the moment. There were so many feels he was having that he could tell one from the other.

“Your highness, this is a critical time for you. With the death of the king, you are now to be king. The people of this city kingdom will be in disarray and need a leader. They will need someone who is strong and loyal to them. Aldar, the people need a king.”

Rinehart’s words sunk in to Aldar with both caring and firmness within them. Aldar stood up and turned to the wise soldier that stood before him.

“Then they shall have a king that will lead them, guide them, and protect them.” Rinehart nodded. They both walked to the other side of the castle to prepare for Aldar’s next move. Many pages had been summoned to gather the people within the city for an announcement from the king himself.

Aldar knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Not only did he have to live up to his father’s legacy that he had built during his reign, but he was to surpass it and continue the legacy of his family’s name. This was something that both excited and scared Aldar. However, he knew that with Rinehart at his side, he could do his best.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Aldar now stood on the balcony overlooking the assembled people of what was now his city.

“Citizens of Runemae, hear me. My father, the king, is dead. He passed away last night in his sleep. It is not only a shock to you but a shock to me as well. You may have lost a great ruler, but I have lost my father. I am next in the line to take the throne but before I do that, I want to explain myself. My entire life, I have watched my father become and be the man and king that he was over Runemae. He was a protector and a defender of all of you. He fought for you, he cared for you, and he dined with you on several occasions. My only hope and wish is to be as strong and courageous a ruler as my father was. If I’m lucky, I will be at least half the man he was. He has left a legacy from his actions and his words and now it is my turn to carry on that legacy. I ask that you help me keep the legacy of Runemae alive and that it continue to thrive and endure in this ever-changing world. That is my promise to you as well as my request.”

With that, Rinehart came out carrying the royal crown in his hands. Silence was all around the crowd as Aldar lowered himself to one knee and looked down. With that, Rinehart lowered the crown onto Aldar’s head. As he stood back up, he was handed the scepter and wrapped in the royal cape. Then, he turned to the people of Runemae. From the silence that had enveloped the crowd, applause and cheering emerged. Rinehart smiled as he stood next to King Aldar.

“They approve of who and what you are, my king. As do I.” Aldar turned to Rinehart.

“With you by my side and your wisdom present, I shall not fail in keeping my father’s name honorable and respected not only with the people, but with everyone who has and ever will hear the name.” Aldar turned back to the crowd.

The crowd cheered and praised the new king of Runemae. Aldar felt a great peace envelope him as he watched the crowd. Thank you father, he thought. Thank you for showing me what it takes to be a true king. I will live up to your name and honor will be kept.

For the first time in Aldar’s life, he felt peace. He was ready to take on this challenge that life had given him. With the help of the kingdom’s citizens, they would become a great kingdom.

The Swordian Princess

~Kindle Joy Miller

I was tired and scared as I lay there with my little sister in my arms. We were in a dungeon of the great Swordians castle. We were from the little town of Daggerland and they just came through and took us all away. They burned down the houses and shops and my mom was in our house when they lit it on fire. Our dad died trying to protect us and now it was just me and my sister. I swear I would avenge my father’s death but he had always said revenge is the Lord’s. I loved my mom and dad very much but now I would never see them again and I was in a dungeon with my little sister on my knee.

She was only six and I told her I would take care of her. She was so frightened. If I lost her I would have nothing. I saw a tear roll down her face; I hugged her and told her it was going to be okay.
“It’s going to be all right, Lila,” I said trying to convince myself as well, “we’ll get out of here. Don’t worry.”

We were in that dungeon for almost three days with nothing but water but finally someone was unlocking our door. I got up and slowly walked to the door. It swung open and a man came in.
“Come,” He said, “Wake up your sister. The princess wants you.” I hurried over to Lila.
“Wake up! We’re going to get out of here!” I said. She got up confused. I picked her up and followed the man. He led us down a dark hallway with cell doors on all sides and then up a long staircase. I couldn’t believe the Swordian princess would want to see us. What did she want with us? I thought. I set my sister down so she could walk by herself.
“Matty,” she whispered, “what’s happening? Where are we going?”
“The princess wants us,” I told her. Lila got a big smile on her face. It was the first time I saw her smile sense we’ve been here. The man showed us into a waiting room. There were windows on one side of the room and beautiful red silk curtains.

“Wait here,” said the man then he turned around and went back the way we came from. I felt really out of place in my rags. There were silk and bright colors everywhere and I felt like dancing. The princess had given me and my sister hopes. I hugged Lila and she hugged me back.

A while later the man came back and told us to follow him again. We got up and followed him to a magnificent room with a loft and those same curtains everywhere. “Your majesty, here are the girls,” said the man then he bowed and left.
The princess came out of a back room wearing a gorgeous blue dress.
“I’m sorry, for all this rudeness,” she said,” I can’t believe my father would put little girls in the dungeon. Anyway come along; let’s get you out of those clothes."

We followed the princess back to where she came from and it was like a little dressing room. There were dresses of all sizes and all colors and styles. I was amazed and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Okay, then,” said the princess, “Who wants to go first?”
“I do your majesty!” said Lila. The princess smiled.
“You can just call me Abigail,” She said, “What’s your name? And what would you like to try on first?” I was still awe struck not knowing what to say. The princess was beautiful and we’ve worn rags our whole lives and suddenly she’s letting us wear her clothes! King Herald the third of the Swordians was the meanest king who ever lived and he always wanted world domination but is daughter was so nice.
“My name is Lila and I want to where that dress.” She pointed to a gorgeous pink dress that looked twice her size.
“Hmm,” said Abigail, “It looks a little to big but I guess we can try it.”
“Yes!” said Lila, “Come, help me, Matty!” I went over to her laughing. That is never going to fit her I thought. I helped her get off her rags and put the dress on.
“Yep, just as I suspected,” said Abigail, “Too big but I think I might have one in a smaller size. Let’s see…” She went over to the dresses that were hanging up.
“Yep, here it is!” said Abigail bringing it over. I took the big dress off Lila and helped her get the other one on.
“I love it!” she exclaimed.
“Okay,” said Abigail, “that will work. Now it’s your turn, Matty.”
I looked around at all the dresses. There was so many to choose from. Then I saw a beautiful purple dress with lots of thrills and big bow in the back. I ram over to it.
“I really like this one,” I told Abigail.
“Okay, let’s put it on then,” said Abigail. I got the dress down and put it on then I looked in the mirror.
“I look beautiful!” I exclaimed.
“You were always beautiful,” said Abigail, “Now let’s see dinner is in a couple hours so until then we can go on a stroll through the court yard.”

My sister and I followed the princess down some steps and through a large door. The court yard was beautiful and huge. There was a big fountain in the middle and little fountains everywhere. Flower beds and rose bushes lined the walls. There was a gazebo in one corner and a rocking bench in another.
“Wow!” I said, “This place is amazing!”
“Yes,” said Abigail, “This is where I always come to think and get away from everything.” She went and sat on the bench and I sat next to her while Lila explored. “So, where did you grow up?” asked Abigail, “Do you have any parents?”
“Not any more…” I trailed off and started to cry. Abigail put an arm around me and started to cry too. Right then Lila came over.
“Why are you both crying?” she asked, “You don’t need to cry because God is crying for you and He knows what you’re going through.” I looked at her in shock. That’s what my dad would tell us when ever we were upset about something or had gotten hurt. “Where did you learn that?” asked Abigail.
“That’s what my daddy always says,” said Lila, “God is looking out for us and we don’t have to worry.” Then she started to cry.” I miss my daddy,” she said with a sob and ran into Abigail’s arms. Abigail held her and tried to comfort her. “You know something, I lost my mother when I was very little,” said Abigail, “my dad killed her because she didn’t do something he wanted. I’ve hated my father ever since and I have rescued people from the dungeons and even from the guillotine. If my father ever found out I probably wouldn’t be here right now.”
We all hugged each other and sobbed. Abigail was a very brave person and I really looked up to her even though I just met her. I didn’t know what would become of us in the future but I knew Abigail would help us in whatever we tried to do. I had a new friend who would be there for me and my sister no matter what and I didn’t even have to ask. She would be there.

Zombie Chase

~Kindle Joy Miller

I ran toward the stronghold where my friends were. The zombies were close on my tail but I kept running. Deep in my heart I knew I wouldn’t make it in time but I had to keep trying. I needed a distraction but what? I didn’t have anything with me except the clothes I was wearing. I just ran faster and faster.

My legs were beginning to hurt but I would not slow down. The gang needed me and I would not let the zombies win. I had to make it! I tried running faster but I tripped. Terrified I jumped up and kept going because I knew the zombies wouldn’t be far behind. What would happen if they caught me? I thought. What would I do? I was surely a goner. The stronghold was still quite a distance away and I knew the rest of the gang wouldn’t help me. I didn’t think they liked me. I was a girl and I couldn’t do anything they would always say. I was doomed…

I saw a tree nearby in the distance and decided I would climb it when I got there because I was so exhausted and I could collapse any moment. Who knows if the gang would even let me in with hoard of zombies behind me? I got there and started climbing as fast I could. Once I got up I looked back to see wear the zombies were. They were only a few feet away. I hid myself as much as I could in the tree so they wouldn’t see me. The zombies ran past and I released a small sigh of relief. I sat in the tree for quite awhile until I finally gave way to sleep.

I woke up hours later and it was dark out. I couldn’t see any zombies so I decided to try and make my way back to the stronghold. I climbed down the tree, looked around, and took a deep breath. The stronghold wasn’t very far but I didn’t know if they’d take me back because after all I was the one who ran away. I guess I’ll find out when I get there I thought.

I walked slowly towards the stronghold making sure there weren’t any zombies. Good, I thought, none. I walked and when I was halfway there, a hoard of zombies appeared from nowhere and started surrounding me. I was so frightened that I screamed. I felt like nobody heard me so I screamed again but the zombies were closing in. I threw my face in my hands and fell to the ground in despair.

One for the Lives of Many

By: Brandon James Scott Scholl

Carrie walked into the center of the light. The last thing she could do to save themselves from the demons of the sky was to sacrifice herself. She turned to her friends as they stood and watched with nothing left to say. The goodbyes had been said and it was time to do the deed.

Tears rolled down her face as all the fun and excitement they had been through together. She was strong though. As she had started to walk towards the beams, she felt unsure, like she was doing something wrong. Now, however, she knew her choice was the right one.

As she started to decend into the air, she felt at peace. As her feet were pulled away from the ground and she floated towards the light, the pins on the grenades strapped to her jingled together. It was her last resort to save her friends, her family, and her people.

Two weeks ago the demons decended from the skies in their chariots of the air, wreaking havoc wherever they landed. People who had opposed them before had been slaughtered and left as examples for everyone to know they were not to be opposed. Both her mother and her sister ran with her in tow. Screams of both fear and pain rang out as they saved themselves. Yet, in the end, it wasn’t Carrie that was killed, it was her mother and her sister. The love and longing Carrie had for them grew stronger and stronger with each passing day since they were killed. Now, it was time to avenge them and return the favor to the monsters.

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Hannah stood by as both she and her sister watched in amazment and grief as their dear friend was being taken up into the demon’s chariot. Carrie had protected them and watched over them ever since the attacks had first started. Never once had she complained about those tasks.

Now, she was going to destroy the enemy along with herself. It was a decision she had made by herself and when she explained it, nobody challenged her. When she made a decision, it was final. They had all been part of a tearful goodbye.

They watched her levitate into the air until they could no longer see her. The bottom of the great chariot closed and Carrie was now inside. At that moment, everyone became silent, holding their breath as they waited for something to happen.

Then there was a brilliant eruption of orange and black as it blew up from the inside. Several fires had started and the glowing all around it had stopped. Hannah’s heart hurt as she realized that Carrie was not longer alive. The other three people that were with Hannah and her sister watched as the behemoth fell to the ground in smoke and flames.

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It had been two days since Carrie had given her life for her people. Within those two days, Hannah had been put in charge of the remainder of her people. Their future was secure now and they needed a leader. After discussion, they had decided that Hannah would be best for that position.

Now, she was watching as the remainder of the demons were climbing into their ships and leaving. Through the slaughters and the attacks, she had survived and continued to fight. With her actions as well as the actions of others, they had secured their future to continue to prosper and grow.

A feeling of both grief and happiness mixed within her. Many times had she heard that the lives of one outweigh the lives of many. Never had she thought she would ever have to see an event where that was true or put to action. She wondered if she was going to be strong enough, like Carrie, to be the leader of these people. She turned towards the village as everyone, young and old, worked to repairing homes and other areas to be livable again. She smiled as she watched them taking care of one another and the love they showed.

She looked back to the valley where the last of the ships were lifting off and leaving. They had won, and now, it was time to turn a new chapter in their history. A time when Man once again rised from the ashes and it’s perseverence paid off. Hannah looked up to the evening sky as the sun cast it’s final shadows on the world.

“This is for you, my friend. Thank you.”