Cover: “Green Hopes and Dreams,” an illustration by

Her eyes flickered in the darkness as she trudged along the cracked cobblestone. The echoing sound of her footsteps rung in her ears. She clutched a metal lantern in her hand, the chill handle sending a shiver through her body. The candle in the lantern dripped hot wax that covered it’s floor while the flame burned vibrantly. It shed a bit of light, illuminating only a foot or so around her, but it was enough. The lantern kept her from complete darkness, and without it, she would be lost. Stumbling through the dark without a light to guide her and without the hope to push her forward.

It was a chill winter’s night, freshly fallen snow powdered the ground, and the brisk air brushed her cheeks until they were pink. She shouldn’t have been out this late, especially on a night like this, when there were so many dangers threatening her source of light, but she promised she would meet her. Under the branches of a pine tree, the spicy scent filling their noses, under the blanket of darkness that filled the nighttime.

She pushed forward as a large gust of wind lifted her fiery red hair off her shoulders. She put a hand over her eyes to shield them from the biting wind, but in the process, she ignored the lantern clutched in her hand. There was nothing stopping it. The frigid breeze blew out the flickering flame in one gust, shedding undeniable darkness all around her. She let out a gasp, her air puffing out in front of her from the cold. She was left in the inky black of the night, with no direction whatsoever except what had recently been around her. She knew that behind her was her home, but she had been walking for around ten minutes, navigating constant turns and she could no longer remember what they were. The oil of the streetlamps had long gone out and she knew that the forest would have no light at all, the branches blocking off any moonlight. She gazed behind her shoulder, searching for any sort of direction but she could find none. She was lost in the dark, and there was no light coming to illuminate through the night.

Time to make a goal That I will not remember Within the next week

Missing Work

By Lola

I’m really hanging on Dangling by a thread. With first semester ending and college decisions arriving, I can feel the senioritis Seeping into me. Please don’t call on me, For I wouldn’t be there. Yes I know I know, I’m haven’t turned anything in Since December, But hey I’m not completely failing?

“Ten!” Illustration by Cupid

“Help!”

I stared at the flickering flames, entranced by its light. There was beauty in the trail of distruction it left behind. Orange gnawed at the paper, releasing a slow, steady whisp of pale gray smoke.

“Please! Help me!”

It spread across the edges first, creating a parameter of fire. Then, it closes in. The one snow white sheet of paper quickly disintigrated into ash. But it was still hungry.

N three haikus in candlelight

By Vérité

“Can you hear me? Please!”

It roared haughtily and shot up in the air in a show of strength. Moving sharply, it began its second attack. This time, it bared its teeth at the thick rope lying at my feet. I watched, mezmerized, as it hungrily latched onto the end.

“Oh my god, help!”

Like a true predator, it took its time. With slow meticulous movements, it made sure to devour every inch of the rope. As it moved it laid waste to the Earth, allowing sparks to bite into leaves. Within seconds, it had created an army blazing across the terrain.

“No! No! You have to help me!”

My lips curved upwards as flames licked at my feet. Soon they would be just as hungry as the beast a few yards away. It had now reached a large patch of dried out grass. Licking its lips in satisfaction, it stood.

“Help!”

It was in satiable. No matter what or how much it ate, its fierce body kept it starved. But paper and leaves were no meal for a king. No, it craved something more. With a crackling snarl, it stepped over cloth and towered over flesh. A 6ft blazing wall of fire, it pounced. i. you light one candle I blow out another two dark, light, me and you.

ii. three flames for three souls five matches to light the three all go up in flames.

iii. blow out a candle ask again, we’ll sing again another year passed.

Light

By The Cold Hearted Queen

A single flame burns,

Dancing and jumping

Both delicate and dangerous.

Teetering to and fro,

It entertains an audience