The school bell rang. There were five minutes until the next class period. Shutting his locker door and swinging on his backpack, Carlos started toward his last class of the day, economics. As
Some monsters went easier than others. Her father’s monster crawled away to die after three sharp kicks from his soccer cleats. Her mother’s monster was fatally wounded after being sliced by
Some monsters went easier than others. Her father’s monster crawled away to die after three sharp kicks from his soccer cleats. Her mother’s monster was fatally wounded after being sliced by
“Time.” With the final finishing touches complete, the room stretched to life as the examinees tensely rose from their seats, accompanying the echoes of two dozen pencils clattering to a stop. Helen released
“Mommy, Mommy!” Anne ran out the front door crying, blonde strands of hair sprouting like dandelion pappi from her once tightly woven pigtail braids. Tiny fists wiped away the tears from her crystal
Frank didn’t say a word on the drive back from the doctor’s office. From the corner of his eye, he watched Francie stare silently out the window as the houses and
Detective Josiah Lapso scribbled down a quick note and straightened to post it on the glass board. He crossed his arms and stared at the diagram that he had spent the last three
The ice shattered in splinters, the darkness beneath lining each edge. The boy lifted his hatchet to break more of the iced-over layer, squeezing his eyes shut before landing the blow. For this
On the last night of my Speedy’s Auto Repair and Oil Change career, the cash drawer came up $100 short. I counted it at least four times, but it wasn’t adding
Alone isn’t such a lonely place to be. Not when there’s acres of intriguing island to explore and worlds of possibility. I’ve seen at least three different ecosystems already, which
I hunch forward in the uncomfortable vinyl chair, pull in a deep breath, and hold it. The waiting room around me is a bright, sterile white from floor to ceiling, and it smells
Walter Stevens had finally stacked all his paperwork into organized piles when a whirlwind of brunette curls came barreling through the door. She marched straight up to his teller window and slammed down
I gripped the straps of my backpack as my classmates and I filed off the bus. As I was stepping onto the sidewalk, I was shoved from behind. I fell forward, unable to
Chaos’s shoulders hung in dejection. She kept wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. Her lip quivered as she tried to quiet her sobs. Her small feet dragged on
Perhaps this was the fresh beginning they all needed. Novak smiled as she turned over the silver watch in her left hand. The ticks of time pulsed through her veins with each strike
Elluin swished her great tail, and the snow behind her scattered in obedience. The tail came down in rhythm with the steps of the human beside Elluin. The girl’s steps rang strong
After fifty-seven years of marriage, Frank Farmer simply wasn’t interested in celebrating his birthday without his dear Francine. Since she had died, his whole world had been upended and thrown into disarray,
“The great titan is dead!” Hestia lifted her head from where it rested on the ground. She looked around her, marveling at the scene before her: a crisp blue sky, vibrant green grass,
Francie Farmer wanted to spoil her husband, Frank, for Christmas. They’d been married for fifty-four years, and every year Frank had managed to surprise her and give her the best Christmases of
Psst. Hey. There’s something we need to talk about. Some rumors have been floating around, and I’m trying to set my record straight. Have you ever had anyone lie about you?