Young Adult
Chased
The line for The Pirn spills into the cracked pavement of the streets. The air is thick with black smoke, only the buildings within the city walls still stand. Any sign of civilization outside the walls has long ago been erased. The line inches slowly forward and I send a quick prayer to The Imprinters. I press a kiss to my grandmother’s silver heart locket for luck. This morning when I said goodbye to my mother, I made certain to keep my tears in, but now they stream down my face. I keep my sobs inaudible, appearing weak in front of the crowd is not an option. The other people in the line wear no emotions, eyes trained to The Pirn and mouths in straight lines. I can’t remain calm knowing I could walk away today with the mark of a Chased One. Knowing my parents lead many Beast hunts causes my heart rate to relax, nobody in my family has ever received the dreaded skull. Yet I can’t stop the foreboding thoughts looming over me, promising a dreadful day.
By Rebekah Wills5 years ago in Fiction
Heart of Iron
I’m not sure this is what Kace had in mind when he gave me this locket. It arrived that June with a letter telling me to start going east, that something was happening. He said, in his words, that “the locket would be useful to me one day, maybe. I mean, I’m pretty sure you’ll find a use for it.” I hadn’t believed him at the time. On any of it. No news was coming from the west (besides more wildfires), and the locket wasn’t even able to be used for a picture. It was iron, at least partially, a heart-shaped lattice work with a thin layer of plastic on the inside to hold whatever was inside. It almost looked like a cage, and I remember thinking it was stupid. It hung down way lower than I liked and wasn’t adjustable, the chain was thick and cold, and the pendant was unusually large. I thought it was clunky and didn’t wear it; there was no use at the time. That was my first mistake.
By Shyanne McClendon5 years ago in Fiction
To Catch a Faery
June 2, 1967 I saw the first firefly of the season. Mom and dad would not let us go outside after dark. They said the boogie man would come and get us. My sister and I aren’t afraid of anything. This is totally ridiculous. My wish tonight is to catch a firefly.
By Kathy Saunders5 years ago in Fiction
Auren
I’ve never felt like a hero. Heroes are people who set out for greatness; people who are larger than life. people with ambition and dreams of greatness. They give all they’ve got trying to conquer and succeed. I’ve never wanted greatness. I just wanted my life. I did what I had to. I took one step forward and then another until I arrived where I am. Stuck somewhere between worlds. Someplace I never wanted to be. People always say I don’t know how you got through it- well the truth is I didn’t have a choice. Time keeps going, whether you like it or not- whether you’re ready or not. And you either find your stride and you summon your strength and your courage or whatever it is that makes you move, and you march along in time; or you get dragged along kicking and screaming or barely conscious at all; either way, as long as you’re still breathing, you’re along for the ride. Time marches on and it doesn’t stop, and it doesn’t care who you are. Time does all the work. All I did was keep ahead of time. All I did was survive.
By Mariah Thompson5 years ago in Fiction
Girl in 'Rhood 3
My plan is simple. Sneak through the city unseen, from ‘Rhood 3 to ‘Rhood 2. Slip into the basement of the Lab, using the window that the security guard would leave unlocked. Steal the antibiotics. Then bring them home to ‘Rhood 3 and pray I’m not too late for Aspen. Easy enough.
By Caroline Elias5 years ago in Fiction
