January 2017
Midnight Writers
Table of Contents Cover: “Spacing Out,” an illustration by Comet Page 10: World,” an illustration by Calliope This Page: ”You Otter See This,” a photograph “Hello “Songs of the Space Age,” a poem by Janus by Technicolor Zebra Page 11: Page 3: Ask Aphro & Dite
Advice on how to keep those News Years Resolutions How to get a monkey to space
President Eris rants about the new year
Dawn gives new years resolutions
Indecisiveness
“Don’t You Want the Best School Week Ever: Chapter One,” a story by HMSCORPIO “Truffle Puff,” an illustration by Caffeinated Pinkie
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“Wishing Upon Stars,” a poem by Andromeda “The Devil in Disguise,” an illustration by Celia Bowen “Paper Worlds,” a poem by Incandescence
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A Dose of Dawn
“Cosmic Part One,” a story by Janus Page 13: “Earth & Her Moon,” an illustration by The Masked “I Can’t Breath,” a short story by The Masked Lady Lady “What’s Happening to Me?” an illustration by The “Mars,” an illustration by The Masked Lady Masked Lady “Venus,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Cosmic Part Two,” a story by Janus “I Heard You Like Flowers,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Where is Moon,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Can You Guys Shut Up?” an illustration by The Masked Lady
“Daffodils,” a poem by Hestia “House on a Hill,” a photograph by The Teumessian Fox “To Fly,” a poem by Andromeda “May Flowers,” a photograph by The Teumessian Fox “Self,” a poem by Incandescence
“Falling Through Jupiter,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Cosmic Part Three,” a story by Janus “Give Him Back,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Let’s Make a Deal,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
“I Can’t Breath Part Two,” a short story by The Masked Lady “I Can’t Breath,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
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“Cosmic Part 4 & 5” a story by Janus “I Found You,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
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“All Four Seasons,” a poem by Iris “Better Days,” a photograph by Cananda “Autumn,” a photograph by Incandescence “Fading Sky,” a photograph by Elaine “Memories,” a photograph by The Teumessian Fox
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“Dark Heart,” a short story by Janus “Hurry Up,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
issuu.com/midnightwriters midnightwriters2017@gmail.com
Ask Aphro & Dite Dear Aphro, As 2017 just begun, do you have any advice on how to keep new year's resolutions? Sincerely, Mill Enial Dear Mill Enial, Yes, in fact, I do have a few tips and ideas that will help. First off, try not to make huge goals that may seem too overwhelming for yourself. Take steps to accomplish your goal day by day. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier and you just ate a salad, you can reward yourself with a piece of chocolate… or two… or the whole bar (just kidding… save some chocolate for me). There is absolutely no need to swamp yourself with things that you need to do, which you will probably end up putting off. I like to think of new year’s resolutions as something that I work on all year round, not just something in January that I will forget about later on. So I try to tackle small things in order to try to improve myself and my daily routine and habits. I even have a document where I will write down every day what my goals are and how I have improved or will improve for the future. It is also a good idea to reward yourself for achieving your goals. Just remember, your resolutions will take a while to achieve; it is something that will not happen overnight. With love, Aphro
Indecisiveness Happy New Year Midnighters! 2016, the worst year possibly ever, has finally come to an end. It was full of hardships for me and everyone I know, whether it be academically, politically, socially, mentally, or physically. It was a tough year, but we made it out alive. 2017 has already been hard, but I have high hopes. You can’t live life with no ups and downs. That’s not living, just existing, which is no life at all. 2016 was especially hard for me for reasons I won’t bore you with, but it was still good. I started doing better in school, my mental health got better towards the end of the year, and I found out who my true friends are. They are the ones who stayed by me in my darkest days and the ones who didn’t judge me for being me. In 2017, I hope to be myself more and continue to explore my relationships with other people. Hopefully I will keep the friends I have, and create stronger bonds with people.
Dear Dite, My New Year’s resolution was to go to space but NASA isn't accepting Monkeys anymore. What do I do? Sincerely, Coco
Even though it is only the second week of the year, things are still looking up for me, as I hope they are for all of you too!
Dear Coco, Clearly, you are very deserving to go into space. Perhaps you should try reaching out to NASA. Maybe they could make you the one exception for a space monkey. Or, if you truly want to go to space, maybe invest in making your own spaceship. It is no monkey business when it comes to making a spaceship. It is rocket science. When all of those people say things are not rocket science, it is true. But there is only one thing that is rocket science, and it is rocket science. I am sure that there were opportunities in the past for monkeys to go into space. Maybe you should have gone on the apeollo 11. With love, Dite
~Be me unconditionally
New years resolutions are hard to keep, so I’m keeping them simple.
~Be around people who love me for me ~Explore my horizons ~Fix relationships that are worth saving ~ Love more 2016 was hard, and 2017 will be, too, but surround yourselves with loved ones and no hurdle can stop you. -President Eris
A Dose of Dawn Happy New Year! It is 2017, the most exciting one yet for so many people, even though we don’t know what will actually happen this year, the idea of a new year makes people feel motivated to make some new changes to their lives as well, myself included. Try and get inspired by this New Year as a way of reinventing parts of yourself that you’ve always wanted to attempt but have been too scared to. To celebrate the fairly new year that is still upon us, here is a list of new things to try: Do yoga Go biking Go ice skating Write a page of your rambling thoughts down on paper every day Set a simple goal for yourself each morning and try to accomplish it by bedtime (each simple small goal can get you closer to the big one you hope to achieve) Set aside an hour of time each day for doing something you love Go hiking Make a healthy dish of food you’ve always wanted to make Make a fun dish of food you’ve always wanted to make Write down your resolutions and hang them up somewhere you will see them every day Explore what makes you happy and do more of it Study like you mean it when you do; don’t multitask Change something about your look Everyone has places to improve upon, so even if this list didn’t ignite anything within you, keep digging and in the end, remember: A purely happier you makes the world around you a better place. Happy New Year!
Special thanks to Sra. Steele, Eris, The Masked Lady, Technicolor Zebra, Calliope, and Hestia :) 3
Cosmic
“Earth and Her Moon,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
By JanuS For eons we swirled in primordial fog, shielded from other planets or stars. At first, he lingered far from me. I raged at the heavens, for putting me through such pain! Volcanoes burst from my surface and harsh seas raged. But as the ages passed, he rotated closer and closer. Finally, he approached, staring at me with large silver eyes. I twisted my necklace chain between my fingers. The ornament, a clouded blue globe, twirled slowly. “Hello,” he said, voice quieter than the breeze. “Hi, I’m Earth,” I said. “What’s your name?” “Moon.” His silver chain spun, a dusty sphere dangling from it. Another person to talk to! I hadn’t seen anyone in so long, not since Father Sun created me. Soon others emerged from the mist. Venus blasted volcanoes from her surface, sending toxins into her atmosphere. Mercury, sped by so fast that I barely saw his face. Mars groaned whenever I tried to talk to him. His two moons, Phobos and Deimos bickered endlessly. Eventually they warmed up, and even came over to talk. Mars was grim and spoke of the asteroid belt harassing him. Venus bragged about her volcanoes and crushing gravity. Lifeforms evolved on my surface. Moon, Venus and Mars watched curiously as I spun DNA in my lap. Wiggling microscopic bacteria emerged from deep sea vents and steaming clay. Larger and larger, until they evolved. Algae, crustaceans, then fish. I blew on my crust until it cooled down. Animals lifted themselves onto the new dirt, my first land creatures! Moon was there for each moment. He wondered at my creations, picked flowers from my fields, praised the forests until I blushed. So I kept building, for both of us. My flowers grew larger and more colorful. Wolves howled at Moon, and bats flew under his light. He curbed the oceans rage with his tides and soothed my temper with sweet words. In return, I tucked pale flowers in his hair and let astronauts keep him company. My beloved humans looked at his face with wonder in their eyes, and praised us both equally in their mythologies. I couldn’t live without him. “Mars,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
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“Venus,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Cosmic Part 2
“I Heard You Like Flowers,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
By Janus And one day, Moon was gone. I looked up from my work, to see an empty planet. The rock was there, but his avatar was gone. Where did he go? It wasn’t like him to disappear like that. “Moon?” I called out hesitantly. There was no answer, only the vast silence of space. Winds whipped on my surface and seas seethed. I needed him! Maybe the other planets knew where he was. “Have you seen Moon?” I asked Venus and Mars. “Not since the last rotation,” Venus said, tossing her hair. “He’s fine.” “He’d never leave without telling me,” I said. Mars looked up from shaping mountains, his eyes grim. “Maybe he went into the asteroid belt.” “That’s silly,” Venus scoffed. “Moon knows not to go there.” “What’s past the belt?” I asked quietly. “I’ve heard stories from passing asteroids and comets,” Mars said hesitantly. “There’s another planet out there.” “You haven’t told us this?” Venus said. “His name is Jupiter, a gas planet. He captures asteroids to be part of his collection, and makes them into his moons. If they disobey, he sucks them into his gas.” “Why would he do that?” I said, wiping tears from my eyes. “Jupiter wants power,” Deimos said. “Nasty guy.” “He’d suck you up like a black hole,” Phobos added on. “He must have taken Moon,” I said. “I have to save him.” “It’s too dangerous,” Venus said. “There’s always other moons.” I turned to her. “You don’t understand, Venus! I can’t work without him.” The waves already grew higher, pounding coastal cities. If Moon’s tides were gone, my humans would be submerged. He helped me for billions of years, setting up a routine. He calmed my tempers, shielded me from asteroids and smiled down on my creatures. Without him, I don’t know what I would do.
“Where is Moon?” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Venus floated away from me, scowling. Shoulders slumped, I turned to Mars. “Please tell me what else is out there,” I said. “I’ve heard other rumors. There’s a planet that fights Jupiter. Her name is Saturn. Try to find her and she will help you. And dodge the asteroids best you can.” “Thank you, Mars. I will bring Moon back in no time,” I said and hugged him. He turned red and said, “Good luck, Earth.” By the next rotation, I was ready to go. I stabilized the oceans as best I could and whispered goodbyes to my humans. In my pocket was a handful of flowers, for when Moon returned.
“Can You Guys Shut Up?,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
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“Falling Through Jupiter,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Cosmic Part 3 By Janus The Belt stretched into the distance, a formidable barrier. Asteroids cursed, their lopsided faces sneering. Some slammed into each other, cratering their surfaces. Others floated wordlessly. How was I supposed to pass them? “Hey look guys, it’s a planet!” an asteroid shouted, and they all turned to me. A wave of yelling hit me, and I stumbled back. How rude of them! “Please, I need to get through the Belt. Can you move for a moment?” “You move!” one laughed, and launched themselves at me. More went hurtling at me as I tried to protect myself. They stung my face, limbs, back, until droplets of blood fell. They swarmed over me, pelting me with more chunks of rock. Keep moving, or I’ll never see Moon again. I barreled through them, crushing them into pieces. Screams filled the solar system, as they were torn apart with my gravity. “Sorry,” I called out. I never thought to use my powers like this! I created, not destroyed. But this devastation started to feel good. It reminded me of my early days, before Moon. When I cursed at the cosmos for making my skin molten and my air toxic. Where my anger snuffed out life before it truly started. I shook my head. What was I thinking? Those billion years were miserable. Destruction only led to “Give Him Back,” an illustration by The Masked La- loneliness and despair. dy Eventually I made a broken path through the Belt. Asteroids cried out in pain. Tears slipped down my cheeks, as I whispered, “Sorry.” I left the Belt behind, and set off into uncharted space. For a long time, I drifted. Specks of dust and occasional comets were my only company for many kilometers. When I was lonely, I thought of Moon. He wouldn’t want me to be sad. He’d brush a flower from my hair and say not to worry. Asteroid debris flew past me as I 6 continued. They
were torn apart by gravity, like what I did to the Belt. Shame rose in my chest. Who else did this? More remains passed by, their life extinguished. Until I saw one still alive. She sat on her asteroid surface, groaning softly. The surface was almost split in half from an impact, and chunks of rock trailed behind. She looked at me fearfully, and moved her position. “Wait, do you need help?” I asked, floating over to her. “No more, leave me alone,” she murmured. “Who hurt you?” “Jupiter. Grabbed me from my flight to Sun.” “Is he near?” “Tore me apart, piece by piece. Until I was nothing. I still hear his storms.” She groaned, before splitting apart in a burst of dust. Her avatar disappeared, the necklace disintegrating. Chunks of rock powdered my dress. “Oh stars!” I whispered, tears falling. I gathered her pieces and hurled them towards the sun’s direction. Hopefully the asteroid will finish her journey. This Jupiter is a monster, doing that to poor celestial objects like that. I brushed away the fact that I tore apart the Belt. An orange dot appeared ahead, and the howl of wind filled the vacuum. The debris was so thick that I struggled to get through. A strong gravity pulled on me, but I resisted its temptations. Finally I reached the outer core of moons. They cowered before me, their surfaces covered in scorch marks and craters. “Moon!” I shouted, as the wind howled. “Let’s Make a Deal,” an illustration by But he wasn’t in any cluster of The Masked Lady moons! Where did Jupiter hide him? “You won’t find him here,” a voice said. I turned around, and faced Jupiter. He smirked at me, and drew closer. His gravity was overpowering, and my movements were useless. “Oh stars,” I whispered, as Jupiter dangled Moon’s broken necklace in front of my face. He tossed it to me and I caught it with trembling fingers. “Let’s play a game, little planet. I’ll let you leave with your life, if you can resist my gravity.” “What did you do to Moon?” I spat. “You should be worried about yourself, darling.” He said. His gravity weighed me down, until my limbs couldn’t move. I screamed as I spiraled towards his surface.
Cosmic Part 4 & 5 By Janus
Jupiter sent storm after storm, ones of toxic gas and ice and fire. I fought each off, but grew weaker. He was wearing down at me, and it wasn’t long before I was ripped apart. Go faster! I plummeted, past storms and winds and screams. Blood rose from my skin in droplets. Suddenly, it was silent. The storms died down, and there was an eerie science. Did Jupiter give up? It was dark, and I couldn’t see anything. This was truly the abyss, and it felt like I’d never stop falling. Maybe that’s what he wanted, for me to fall and be incinerated by his core. But I won’t let that happen. A flame burned in the abyss, blazing orange. I gasped. This was Jupiter’s core. Beautiful but dangerous. But as I tried to slow down, I found I couldn’t stop falling. My descent continued, despite all my efforts. Jupiter tricked me. His pressure was too great to withstand here. He intended to send me right to his core, to be vaporized. I sobbed as the light filled my vision. In the next moment, I was swallowed. Heat, blinding heat. Shapes writhing in the dark, their eyes bubbling and swelling. A crown hovered in front of me, made of melting metal. Be my Queen, Earth. We can rule this solar system, with our powers to create and destroy. You can have all the moons you desire, and your lifeforms will rule the galaxy. We can do this together, Jupiter spoke, his voice coming from far away. Longing sparked in me. It felt so good, tearing through the belt. Ripping them apart for being in my way. With Jupiter, nothing would stand in our way. Even the stars would bow before us. Earth, don’t give in, a soft voice said. “Moon?” I cried out, waving my sword. I was blinded by the searing flame, only strange shapes formed around me. You’re so close, Moon said. Keep going. I won’t be a like Jupiter. A hollow monster that consumes his own moons, a creature that never knew the beauty of life. None of the other planets understood, only me. Lifeforms changed me, from a bitter hateful planet into something else entirely. Spinning DNA into vast webs, molding new creatures, giving inspiration to humans, these were the best parts of my existence. I won’t give that up. The crown hovered patiently, as Jupiter awaited my answer. I rose my sword and swung. There was a scream, and light burst into my vision. The crown exploded in a shower of metal. I slashed at the core again and again, until it split open and poured molten lava. With each swing, the core distorted. Its walls were collapsing, waves of fire escaping. I went deeper, until I saw a pulsating orb. Moon’s pale face was visible through the surface. I ripped the sac, as flames poured out. I caught Moon before he collapsed. “Moon,” I cried out, and held him close. “You saved me,” he said weakly. I smiled and wrapped his necklace around his neck. We needed to go, before the core became more unstable. We fled Jupiter’s surface, as storms raged. Jupiter screamed incomprehensibly, lightning bursting with each second. I pushed through the winds, making my own path. We burst through the cloud cover, into space. Below us, Jupiter’s surface roiled. We left that cursed planet, and fled into space. Moon opened his eyes and smiled. I squeezed his hand tightly. I pulled a few wilted flowers from my pocket and tucked them into his hair. I sniffled softly, tears running down my face. saved Moon. Nobody will ever separate us again.
Time slowed, as I fell. Wind whipped my body, and rocks drew blood. A red spot pulsated on the surface, like an eye. His gravity was thousands of times stronger than me. No, there had to be a way out! Moon needed me. Flames burst within me, and I took off like a rocket. Jupiter’s hold on me was broken as I blasted away from his gravitational pull. I was a comet, fire arcing behind me. Jupiter cursed at me, and his gravity increased. I couldn’t stop now! Moons gaped as I left the orbit. Only when Jupiter’s roiling planet was long gone, did I cry. Moon was still trapped by that monster. Was he already absorbed by Jupiter, or torn apart? He had to be there somewhere. I pulled Moon’s broken necklace from my pocket and clutched it in my hand. I drifted for some time. Space was cold and dark, without any asteroids or comets for company. The distances between planets grew more and more. I was so far from Mars and Venus and it became hard to see Sun’s light. Mars said that Saturn was beyond Jupiter. She can help me to find Moon and stop Jupiter. Eventually, a planet emerged from the distance. It was gigantic, and thick rings encircled its surface. It must be her! I flew faster and entered her orbit. Colorful moons looked at me with curiosity. Her surface was calm in comparison to Jupiter, only a few storms flickering in the atmosphere. Her rings were huge, filled with silent asteroids of all sizes. Almost like a barrier. I went over them and continued on. She emerged from the soupy atmosphere, dripping with ammonia. Her golden hair fanned around her head like a halo. Her necklace and dress rippled in the gentle winds. “Are you Saturn?” I asked, tears rising in my eyes. She looked at me, confused. “Yes, I am.” “I’m Earth the planet, from past the asteroid belt. My moon was stolen by Jupiter, and I’ve been trying to get him back. Can you help me? They said you were the only one who won against Jupiter.” She laughed softly. “I don’t fight Jupiter anymore. You’ll have to find someone else.” “Why can’t you help?” Tears rose in my eyes, and I wiped them away furiously. “I’ve had enough of battle for the next few eras. We agreed on peace many years ago.” By the time the asteroid told Mars about Saturn, they must have stopped fighting. I deflated. “My moon was taken! I need him.” Her eyes grew cold. “You don’t know what loss is, Earth. I used to have more moons. Jupiter tore them apart in our last fight. Their remains still orbit me, and I have to see them every rotation for the rest of my existence.” “Your rings?” I said quietly. She nodded. “So many of them, lost to that monster. You have to let your moon go, otherwise Jupiter will swallow you too. “No, I won’t give up. He is everything to me.” “Fine,” she said, and dove back into her atmosphere. Did she just leave me? I hovered there until finally she emerged. In her hand was a glowing energy ball. “This was my weapon against Jupiter. It’s yours now,” she said. “I Found You,” an illustration by The Masked Lady The ball plopped into my hands, tingling like electricity. It stretched and melted into a sword, like one a human knight would use. I ran my fingers over the chilly blade. “I’m sorry I can’t help you more, Earth,” she said. I smiled and hugged her. “Thank you so much.” Warmth burned inside of me, a happiness I hadn’t felt since Moon disappeared. I will defeat Jupiter, and find my Moon. “Aim for his core,” Saturn said, before diving into her surface. His core? The molten center that lay beneath every planet. The beating heart of us, and heavily protected. Somehow I’d get through Jupiter’s storms, and strike at his core. I flew towards Jupiter, ready for battle. **** He waited for me, face twisted with hatred. His moons cowered and looked at me with pity. But I wasn’t afraid. Every planet has their weakness. “You finally returned,” he said, scowling. “How pathetic, running away from a battle like that.” “Where is my moon?” I said coldly. “He could be anywhere by now. Maybe I flung him out of the solar system, or ate him, or ripped him apart. It doesn’t really matter, does it? You will never find him, not in a billion years.” “You lie,” I said, before flinging myself into Jupiter’s surface. His malevolent laughter followed me all the way down. Dense clouds blocked my vision as I descended. The air was sharp and bitter as metal. Winds swept from deep below, ruffling my dress. As I went deeper, I saw the red spot. It pulsed, sending winds and toxic rains towards me. I dodged it best as I could, until one gust blew me into the eye. The pressure was immense and my body was tossed like a doll. I screamed as rain and hail lashed my skin. Then I was out, falling more.
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“Better Days,” a photograph by Cananda
All Four Seasons By Iris Summer he thawed my icy heart. i soaked in his sunny warmth, but heat can be bad.
“Autumn,” a photograph by Incandescence
Fall i am left alone. he loved just between my legs. i forgot i’m sacred.
“Fading Sky,” a photograph by Elaine
Winter he is warm with her. she doesn’t know he loved me. it’s time i let go.
“Memories,” a photograph by The Teumessian Fox
Spring reawakening i become the light once more. he was blind, not me.
-he gave me all four seasons 8
Dark Heart By Janus
She stole away the children at night. Her lilting song woke me, the sweet melody piercing my ears through layers of sleep. Heart pounding, I rose from bed, clutching a blanket around my shivering body. A song, more beautiful than the sweetest bird, echoed down the village streets. A lone figure floated along the ground, her white dress glowing in the moonlight. Was this a goddess or nymph? Why did she come to our hilly town? Figures streamed out from houses and flocked to her. I left the doorway and drew closer. The village children clustered around her, eyes glittering. Athene was there, and Demetrios the baker’s boy, and Thalia, the farmer’s girl that lived next to my family’s plot of land. Nobody older than sixteen was there. I sighed with relief as my older brothers weren’t among the children. But my friends were! Should I cry out to them, to wake them from this spell? I tripped over a stone, falling to the ground. The woman turned. Her face was rotten, flesh hanging off her bones in drooping layers. She bared black teeth, glaring at me with sunken eyes. The smell of the grave leaked from her form, chilly and dead. I cried out, stumbling back from this monster. An evil spirit! The woman flew into the dark forest, the children streaming after her. Wait, come back! My knee bleeding, I stumbled into the trees. But I couldn’t find them. The woods were too thick, and the night too dark. She disappeared into the trees, the children following. I cried out their names, but they ignored me. Euthymios scrambled over rocks, and the twins ran through the brush. When I finally stopped, sobs bursting from my mouth, the children were all gone. Crying softly, I looked for where they went. In dawn’s light, pale footprints glowed on the grass. I followed them, stepping over roots and rocks. The prints meandered then stopped in front of a dark cave. What if there was an animal inside? I pushed away nervous thoughts and went in. The dark swallowed me, and my fingers scrambled to find a hold against the rough walls. A blue light glowed in the distance, wavering faintly. Slowly, I stumbled through the cave, until it opened into a wide cavern. A stone table stood to the left, covered with brown splotches. And next to that was a round pool, where the glowing came from. Aqua water lapped against its walls, and the scent of fresh rain filled the air. And besides it was a clump of black hair, and a pool of blood. I picked up the hair, it was soft and silky against my fingers. Maybe one of the children fought back against the monster. A plop made me raise my head. Something bobbed up to the pool’s surface. A soggy, leather sandal. My heart twisted. It was Athene’s shoe, with the heel loose and floppy. I reached out for it, across the water. It bobbed silently. Just as I grabbed the sandal, a cold hand grabbed me. I screamed and let go of the shoe, but I already fell into the water. Cold liquid filled my mouth as I sputtered. More hands ripped at my tunic with sharp claws. The pool frothed and bubbled, water slamming into my body. Ghoulish faces sneered at me, their eyes burning into my vision. Then the waves overcame me, and I sank into the deep. **** A cold light shone above me. I squinted, rubbing my eyes with one hand. I coughed violently as cold water spilled from my lips. Pushing back soaked hair, I looked around. A dripping cavern surrounded me, the ground wet. Flaming blue torches were attached to the walls. I unclenched my hand, where the monster’s hair was tangled in a ball. Shakily, I placed it
into a pocket. My friends had to be here someHis crooked fingers tightened on my arm, where. burning me. I cried out and pulled away from Strange screams echoed as I walked through him. My flesh was red, his hand seared into the the tunnel. Growls and groans oozed from shad- skin. I jumped from the boat, falling onto the owy passages. A figure stumbled from one tun- river banks. Collapsing into the sand, I looked at nel, glowing in the night. him fearfully. Charon glared at me. He couldn’t “Hello?” I called out, and tapped their shoulleave the river, so I was safe for now. der. Clutching my arm, I ran from the god. The My fingers went through their body, and a ground grew muddy and wet as I left the river shock of cold raced up my arm. I stumbled back, shore. I pulled the silver ring from my pocket crying out. It was like dipping my hand into and placed it on my finger. freezing water! More spirits waited, sighs fluttering from their The person turned around, revealing a pale mouths. A deep growl rose from ahead, and a rotten face. Their body was transparent, light hound barked loudly. The sound slammed into shining through their torso. A spirit, silver coin my ears, and I clutched my head. Out of the corglittering in their open mouth. Suddenly, I real- ner of my vision, a snarling dog snapped at a ized where I was. spirit. Its mouth was flecked with foam. Then “Tartarus,” I whispered, as the spirit floated another head rose, and another. I stared at the away. creature in horror as it rose from its sitting posiThe underworld, where daemons and spirits tion. Its giant tail waved, and gusts of wind allurked. I wasn’t supposed to be here! most knocked me over. Cerberus, the threeA group of spirits glided towards me, their headed hound. Who made sure only the dead eyes unseeing. I darted out of their way and went entered Tartarus. But if I was turned away here, into another tunnel. There had to be another way I’d never find my friends. If they got through out. In the distance, an exit glowed. Maybe this Cerberus, then so would I! But what tricks a was the way back! I ran, stone scraping my feet. hound? But as I exited the tunnel, despair welled up in Cerberus sniffed the air, surveying the crowd. I me. A procession of spirits, flickering in the had to disguise myself. Quickly, I rolled in the light, waited at the shore of a river. The Acheron sticky mud, the stench of death clinging to my river! Many hovered over a rotting wooden flesh. Now I smelled more like the spirits around dock. A boat emerged from the mist. A hooded me. Slipping back into the crowd, I waited. My figure perched inside, rowing through the murky heart pounded. What if the hound wasn’t fooled? water. Charon, who brought the dead to inner A heap of gnawed bones surrounded Cerberus, Tartarus. The spirits murmured, and spat out yellowed with age. coins from puckered mouths. If souls didn’t have I stepped forward, hiding within a thick mass money to pay the ferryman, they’d wander the of spirits. Cerberus sniffed us, all three heads entrance of Tartarus. I had to find a coin! I bowed. I held my breath as the hound’s hot pushed past the spirits, who rimmed the river’s breath fluttered my hair. Another head came banks. Their mouths opened as they watched the over, and its drool plopped down into my hair. boat. Shiny items glimmered in the banks, metal The final head growled into my ear. Any mochunks and discarded jewelry. A ring shifted in ment and it could rip me apart. Finally, the the sand, its silver band studded with blue jewhound lifted its heads, moving on to the next els. I picked it up, but continued searching. group. I sighed softly, and joined the procession. There had to be a coin-like item. I ripped a flat A silver gate glittered ahead, the gates opening disk from a tangled necklace, the beads flying for the spirits. into the dust. This had to do. I looked back one last time, the distant AcherI rejoined the line, as the ferryman Charon on river dark as night. I needed to find my approached. There was a splash, and the boat friends, no matter what the cost. I stepped past halted. Using an oar as a staff, the god lifted the gates, into the deep of Tartarus. himself onto the dock. His ragged robes “Hurry Up,” an illustration by The Masked Lady billowed, and a chilly smell washed over me. He tied the boat up, fingers fumbling. He held out a gnarled hand. Quickly, the spirits handed him their coins. I looked into his hood and shivered. His eyes were gray and clouded over. I gave him my disk and stepped into the boat. Charon held a hand out to block more spirits from boarding. The boat teetered, spirits swaying gently. Infants cried silently, their faces twisted. Soldiers dripped with blood, still wearing remnants of armor. Others skin was pocked from disease. Charon bit down on each coin, exposing rotten teeth. I nestled myself in a corner of the boat. As he came to my disk, he paused. Eventually Charon bit down, and nodded, seeing my false coin to be passable. He tucked it into a pocket with the other coins, and untethered his boat. We set off into the black waters, my stomach twisting. Pale faces flashed from the river, their mouths contorted. Hands waved silently, grabbing at the boat. The ride was quiet, only the dripping of water and soft groans puncturing it. We were in a giant cavern, torches and lights illuminating the darkness. More tunnels led out to the water, and creatures peeked from them. Their eyes glowed blue, in contrast to their shadowy bodies. The ride was soon over. Before I departed the boat, Charon grabbed my arm. Yelping, I turned around. “Thief,” he hissed. 9
“Hello World,� an illustration by Calliope
Songs of the Space Age By Janus The stars sing to me Sonar tunes stretch like Strings of astral beads Each note blooming Raw and wild.
The planets talk to me Their throaty buzz Sharp as insect wings Snap lunar ice Under crooning skies.
The cosmos call to me Waves of stardust Pump through my veins. The universe speaks I choose to listen.
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Don’t You Want the Best School week Ever Chapter 1 By: HMSCORPIO
“Here,” he growled. Giving the phone to Rachel like he was holding a dirty gym sock. Rachel looked at the phone and started to open the flip phone slightly like she was afraid that a giant alligator would come out of the phone and bite her. “Use, only for emergencies and be back by seven, okay. Spend your money on some lunch and some cheap merchandise you find about,” ordered Great-Uncle Sidney. The kids still stared at him hoping for something more. “Shooo,” mouthed Great-Uncle Sidney while making the hand gesture. There was still a long pause. “What do you want and how soon will you guys leave,” snarled Great-Uncle Sidney. Another long pause and finally a sound. “What about bug spray?,” Lucas asked. “You don’t want us covered in mosquito bites when we get back, don’t you.” Great-Uncle Sidney heaved another loud sigh and marched back into the house. Moments later he gave Lucas the bug spray violently. Another pause. “What do you want more,” growled Great-Uncle Sidney again. Jacob made a tiny head nod yes. “What is it.” “We need sun block. You don’t want us to be all red and burnt when we come back,” pointed Jacob. With a “humph” Great-Uncle Sidney stomped back into the house once more and came back with SPF 45 sunblock. “Here,” he dropped the sunblock in Jacob’s hands. Long pause. “Is there anything else?,” grumbled Great Uncle Sidney. Scared like a bomb was about to go off right now the three kids simultaneously made a quick head shake “no”. “Good,” cheered Great Uncle Sidney while doing a little clap of his hands. “Now get out and do something with your lives,” roared Great Uncle Sidney expectedly. He slammed the front door millimeters away from the kids and took off. The kids momently getting back to reality realizing that their Great Uncle slammed the door on them went down the house’s front steps into the town quietly.
The Blank children never would have experienced something so mesmerizing, so odd, so bloodcurdling, and so depressing. That they would never know what to say when acquaintances, friends, and other family members how they spent their summer at GreatUncle Sidney's house among the Pocomoke Sound in Crisfield, Maryland. It was really not a step forward or step back from the Blank children’s perspective because they lived in Providence, Rhode Island. They already lived near the Atlantic Ocean. It was a kind of day in July where you just wanted to stay indoors and do nothing, but be on your screen. The oldest of the Blank children is Jacob a stout and muscular incoming senior who wanted to do nothing this vacation with his Great-Uncle, but be on his laptop PC filling out college applications and typing a college essays. Rachel the middle one was going into eighth grade was in her own little world called Snapchat on her smartphone documenting every little she did. Finally, there was little Lucas an incoming fifth grader who was playing Skip-Bo against a stranger on his tablet. Their came their Great-Uncle Sidney disappointed that his grand niece and nephews weren’t taking advantage of this beautiful day (to him at least) on their screens. “Kids, it is already ten-thirty and you guys are still on your screens. I should have expected you to get outside ages, ago,” chastised their Great-Uncle. The only three sounds that came out of the grand niece and nephews mouth was a “huh” from Rachel snapchatting on the sofa. An “uuuhhh” from Lucas focusing on his game on his Great-Uncle’s rocking chair. And a burp from Jacob after drinking a whole can of soda and clacking on his laptop in a word document with his college essay on the loveseat. None of them made eye contact with their Great-Uncle whatsoever. “That’s it,” Great-Uncle Sidney belched. He stomped into the family room snatched the tablet out of Lucas’s hands, grabbed the phone from Rachel, and closed the laptop from Jacob’s fingers practically almost crushing Jacobs sausagey fingers. When he grabbed all of the devices and stored them in the closet among the hallway. A choir of “Heys” were coming out of the grand niece and nephews mouth. “I had it,” said Great-Uncle Sidney. “You guys need to get a life. I am sick and tired of these screens taking over your world. You need It was scorching outside and the kids preferred high altitude mountains versus a few feet above sea level. to get out of the house and get a life.” Moans and groans came out of the three children’s mouth. “Don’t you go complainin’ to me. The outdoors is good for you. All of you guys need some Vitamin D,” was Great-Uncle Sidney’s response. Great-Uncle Sidney stepped into his bedroom to get his wallet. He came back with three crinkled twenty dollar bills. “One for you,” giving the first twenty dollar bill to Rachel. “One for you,” giving the second twenty dollar bill to Jacob. “And one for you,” giving the third twenty dollar bill to Lucas. The three kids stared at their bills in disgust like they were given a dirty rat as a birthday present. He led his three grand niece and nephews to the front door, opened it, and pushed the three children to the outside. With three miserable looks on all the kids faces, finally one of them spoke up. “So no technology at all?, questioned Rachel with her eyebrows raised. “Mhm,” nodded Great-Uncle Sidney. “But what if there’s an emergency,” remarked Lucas. “We have to find a way to contact you somehow.” Great-Uncle Sidney heaved a loud sigh and walked back into the “Truffle Puff,” an illustration by Caffeinated house again. Moments later he came back to the front door with a 11 dinosaur phone.
Wishing upon stars By Andromeda When I looked at her I saw stars And the wonder of the night sky Those fixed luminous points Shining in her eyes Stardust in her bones And galaxies in her mind She grasped my hand in hers And my world would realign I didn’t think about my problems
I didn’t worry about being able
And all the world's tears
I didn’t think about the unfinished taxes
Were infinitesimally small
Still sitting on the kitchen table
That there was nothing to fear
She might not have cured my sickness
Were all part of one galaxy
The cancer eating at my soul
All live on one planet
She may not have quelled my worries
All revolve around one sun
But she helped fill the hole
Just as the Universe planned it
And each night
We carry our dreams in our pockets
As I lie awake in bed
They make us who we are
The stars in her eyes
And In the end we all find ourselves wishing
Danced in my head
Upon far away stars
She reminded me that all the world's troubles
Paper Worlds By Incandescence I've fought and slayed a dragon And journeyed across Mars I've solved a hundred mysteries And came out of it unscarred I've traveled back in time To Pompeii, Berlin, and more And changed history (By meeting rulers vis-à-vis) Such grand places to explore! I've lost and made fortune and fame And seen all there is to see By horseback, ships, rockets and cars How glorious it is to be free! To support or shatter a glass throne Whose legend lies in smoke The choice is all up to you What long-lost secrets will you uncloak? This universe, this place is solely yours To explore the great outdoors Face off with dangerous carnivores Or meet a group of centaurs So the next time that you're angry Or glum, or bored, or have grieved Just snag a book and you'll be put Into a reverie Lose yourself inside a paper world What a great place it is to be! 12
“The Devil in Disguise,” an illustration by Celia Bowen
I can't breathe
“ EARTH!!!” A distant cry came " I just wanted to thank you for giving moon the from behind me. potions." I turned around to see Venus racing towards me. " Yes yes aren't I such a helpful person now go away." By The Masked Lady She crashed against me with her arms wrapped around Mars said sarcastically. me. She burst into tears as she hugged me tightly. He gave me a scorned look and went back to work“ You're awake!” she kept crying over and over ing at his table. I felt my heart sink. Was mars mad at “Earth please come play with me!” Venus pouted. I stroked her long hair as her tears soaked my cheek. me? I don't understand. “ Venus not right now but I'll play with you later.” I After Venus stopped crying, Moon and Venus told me " Mars?" I whispered. sighed as I continued concentrating about what happened while I was out. We talked and But mars gave me the cold shoulder and continued “This is so unfair!” Venus whined. laughed together and it felt like nothing bad happened. fiddling with his things. “You're playing with mars why can't I join?” “ Guys… How long was I out?” I asked cautiously. " We should go" moon told me as he gently grasped “We are not playing.” Mars groaned, Venus and Moon looked at each other. my hand. “For the last time earth is trying to teach me how to “ Earth… you were out for 2 years.” Venus replied. I nodded at moon. As we walked away I looked back create life.” My heart stopped. What how can this be? I was out at mars. He continued murmuring to himself. I felt my “What's the point?” Venus sulked. that long. I felt my breathing become heavier and heart beat slower. Ink began to rise more in my throat “It's not like you have oxygen on your planet anyheavier. My vision became shaky until I realized Mars but I clenched it down the best I could. Venus took my way.” wasn't here with us. hand and gave me a glum look. I tried giving her a “Oh shut up Venus!” Mars shouted. “ Uh where's Mars?” I asked to distract myself. smile but my lips quivered. She stroked my back as we Venus rolled her eyes as Mars clenched his fists. “ Ugh Mars is probably back at his planet.” Venus floated away from mars “Stop it you guys!” I raised my voice. groaned. *** “Please Venus, I promise I’ll play with you later.” “ He's actually the one who gave me the medicine.” “Hey Mars what's going on with you?” Deimos Venus let out a deep sigh Moon spoke asked. “Fine!” she murmured up. Deimos leaned against mars lab table and let out a “ Thank you.” I sighed gratefully Mars did? I didn't know he knew how to create podeep sigh. All of the sudden I felt liquid deep in my throat. I let “ Yeah Mars why were you so mean to Earth?” out a deep cough and dark ink purple substance spilled tions like that. He never told me. “ I bet he will be happy to see you. Want to visit him Complained Phobos. out of my throat. I covered my mouth as I continued if you are up to it.” Moon asked. “ None of your business.” Mars groaned. coughing out ink. “Yeah I can do it.” I smiled. “ Hey we are just worried about you!” Phobos “ Earth are you ok?” Mars asked. Moon gave me a grin and lends me his hand. I grate- fought back. I could see the worry in his eyes. fully took it and together we all head out to space. “ You have been acting weird ever since-” “ I’m fine I’m fi-.” I tried telling him. “SHUT UP!” Mars shouted at the top of his lungs. I let out another cough but this time stardust came out *** We arrived to Mars planet. I noticed Deimos and His voice echoed across the horizon. Phobos and of my throat. I felt it hard to speak. Ink continued pouring out of my mouth. I clenched my stomach as a Phobos bickering to each other. I chuckled to myself. Deimos eyes shifted towards each other unsure what They’re the same as always. We drew closer to them to do. burning pain surged through my body. until they noticed us. “ Leave me alone, NOW!” Mars yelled. “ Earth!” Venus cried as she went towards me. “ Earth you're ok!!!!” They cheered at the same time Phobos and Deimos slowly nodded their heads. PhoShe held me up as I felt my eyelids grow heavy. as they glided towards me. bos and Deimos leaped up and floated away back out “ Get moon and….” I whispered " We were so worried!" They cried at the same time. to space. Mars looked back down at his test tube. He into her ear. They continued talking at the same time making shifted it around in his hands watching the liquid slosh But then I felt my vision going dark as I heard Venus their words mash up together. around. crying my name. " As much as I would love to catch up but I need to “ Ha it seems like I messed up big time.” Mars *** see mars,” I told them. chuckled to himself. “ Earth? Can you hear me?” Said a light gentle " You looking for mars?" Phobos asked. Mars squeezed the glass tube in his hands until voice. " He's working on the other side of the planet,” Dei- blood gushed out of his palm. The tube broke apart “Moon?” I tried asking. mos answered. with the fragments digging deep into his skin. Neon I felt my vision coming back slowly. I tried sitting " Thank you" I smiled as I pat their heads. green dense liquid slowly dripped out of the tube. up but I felt a burst of sharp pain in my head. Moon, Venus, and I floated around mars planet to “ Let the games begin.” “ Careful!” Moon replied. find mars standing in front of a “ Don't sit up so fast you're still recovering.” lab table. As we drew closer I Moon helped me sit up by gentle pushing my back “What’s Happening to Me,” an illustration by The Masked Lady noticed the table covered in up. rocks and space dust. Bins un“ Thank yo-“ I tried saying but then I felt ink surging through my throat. Ink dripped out of my mouth. I felt der the table were filled with empty tubes. Mars had a microtears in my eyes due to the burning pain in my lungs. After I finished coughing moon wiped my mouth with scope on his table. Unlike my humans microscopes his was a soft cloth. seemed to made of space rock. “Th..anks.” I chuckled. Moon let out a deep sigh. I noticed how pale he was. We came up behind him. He His eyes had circles under his eyes and his hands and didn't seem to notice us as he continued murmuring to himblisters. “ We were really worried about you.” Moon sighed. self. " Mars!!!" Venus groaned. He took out a medium sized box from next to him. "What?" Mars shouted still Inside was a range of colorful liquids in bottles. He looking away from us. took out a bright green liquid bottle. The liquid " Look who woke up!" Venus sloshed in the bottle as he gave it to me. sighed. “ Drink this it should help.” Mars turned around away I smiled as I took the bottle. I took the cap off and a putrid smell spilled out of the bottle. I closed my eyes from his lab table. I was exas a forced myself to bring it up to my lips. The liquid pecting a warm welcome like sloshed down my throat. I felt myself gag but I forced from the others but instead mars just stared at me. His eyes myself to drink every last drop. I handed back the were cold and dense. He bottle to moon. seemed uninterested in my “ How do you feel now?” awakening as he looked back “ Better.” I answered cheerfully. down at one of his test tubes. It was sort of true. The pain in my throat was gone " Hey at least say hi to earth!" but I felt ink ready to rise from my throat. Venus yelled. “ Thank god” Moon sighed. " She was asleep for 2 years!" He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a gen" Hello Earth, there happy? tle embrace Now go away I'm busy." Mars “ I'm so sorry.” He whispered. quickly spoke as he turned “ Don't be it's not your fault.” I smiled away. I gently stroke his hair. He let out a deep chuckle " Hey don't be like that you and unwrapped his arms around me. jerk!" Venus shouted. “ Do you know what's wrong with me?” I asked She clenched her fists and Moon had a nervous look on his face. His eyes beraised them up firmly. I quickly gan to water. put my hand in front of her and “ I'm sorry I don't know.” He replied. I looked down to my chest. My dress was dyed with shook my head. Venus sighed and stood down but I could tell black ink stains. she was still upset. I walked “ It's fine don't worry.” I chuckled. But truthfully I was scared. I felt my heart pounding closer to mars and spoke, 13 faster and faster. What's going to happen to me?
“House on a Hill,” a photograph by The Teumessian Fox
Daffodils By Hestia On the dawn of ‘17, There was not a soul to be seen, But a young girl, Dazzled in white pearls. While avoiding the raindrops, She stopped by the local flower shop. As memories flooded her head, Minutes and seconds held between a thin thread, Her eyes darted toward, An object that could not be ignored. With its presence in the sunlight, A single daffodil filled her sight, She plucked the pot off the ground, Lost and found. She felt an internal force, As time took its course, A figure appeared behind the counter, What a captivating encounter. Words stuck between her throat, Unable to utter a note, She passed the pot to the cashier, Who her eyes suddenly held so dear. “Shopping for new year decor?” She nodded, “Bit of a chore.” He smiled. As time stopped for him, ‘17 no longer looked so dim. Her heart soared. Actions spoke louder than words.
To Fly
By Andromeda The egg breaks And tiny wings peek through tiny cracks Its feathers made From lightly woven spider's silk It soft chirps echos the sound Of a new beginning Little feet emerge New and unused Stepping into its wooden home Perched amongst the trees Looking outward with all the world to see Emerging safely into nature's open arms Fluffy wings flap curiously In the spring breeze
“May Flowers,” a photograph by The Teumessian Fox
While naive eyes open wide And sweet music is sung softly The notes float freely in the air Soon its steps are proud And the wings wide and strong Long white feathers beat impatiently Out of loving arms To embrace the open air Soaring against the current Freedom ringing with every motion Fluid and graceful through clouds Fying faster stretching farther To the golden light shining brightly On the next horizon
Self By Incandescence
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I am a blade of grass, one among a sea Common and plain, I break easily. But I am able to bend in any way the wind blows. I am a journal, my pages barely written. My story could be Any type of possibility Even the plot is entirely unknown to me It could be comedy followed by a tragedy Or a horror story turned happily ever after. I am the wind blowing through the trees. My temper shifts like lightening Sometimes bitter and bleak, sometimes warm and playful. I am a camera That stays still through thick and thin I see everything I can focus in on one snapshot and enlarge it to a lifetime.
I Can’t Breath Part Two By The Masked Lady I open my eyelids to a rich light blue sky. I look around to see myself lying in a grass field. Grass gently brushed against my legs as Sunflowers sky rocketed up to the sky. I chuckled to myself. This must be a dream. Did I fall asleep? I must have after I got back home. I pushed myself up on my feet. I strolled across the never-ending hills I know this is dream yet why does it feel so real? All of the sudden I felt the air around me become heavier. I noticed a pair of shadows in front of me. One is mine and the other is from something not human. I slowly turned my head to see the unthinkable. Its me but it's not. It has my face but its skin was pale like snow. Her cheeks were covered in eyes all staring right at me. And on her forehead a big eye like a Cyclops. Her body was covered in flesh like tentacles. I felt my hands starting to shake. A big grin spread across her face.
Q continued laughing as I fell on my knees. Why would she do this. I'm such an idiot for trusting her so quickly. “Oh stop crying already.” Q mocked me as she waved her hand “There, I got rid of your wound so stop being such a whining .” I looked back down at my chest. The gaping hole disappeared. It was like it never existed. Before I could fight back I felt ink filling my lungs. I don’t understand this has to be a dream. I don’t understand, I don’t-. I felt my vision growing darker. “Oh it seems like you’re going back to your reality. I guess I pushed you mind too far.” Q chuckled “ Wait who are you?! Why do you look like me?! What do you mean that you are the reason I'm sick?!” I gasped before I puked more ink. “I would explain what is going on but you wouldn’t believe me anyway.” Q chuckled. “See you next time earth. Oh and tell Mars I said hi." Then everything went pitch black.
“Hello my name is *#@^&, but you can call me Q. Nice to meet you.” She said with my voice. All I could do was stare at her. Her eyes were all gazing at me at different directions. “Ok.” I managed to say. “I Can’t Breath,” an illustration by The Masked Lady Q gave me a big smile. Even though her face was strange she had such a kind warm smile. Maybe Q is actually a nice person. I was too scared by her appearance that I didn't even think of what she actually could be like. My hands stopped shaking and I smiled back at her. “ My name is Earth.” I told her. I suddenly felt my throat fill with ink. I let out a deep cough causing Ink to spill out of my mouth. “ Earth do you know why you are coughing up ink?” Q randomly asked. I shook my head as I continued coughing. Q smirked at me. Her eyes turned dark and cold. “Silly girl.” Q chuckled. “I’m the reason why you coughing up black ink.” I look at Q stunned. “What that makes no sense. This isn’t real. This a dream and I’m just making this up.” I laughed. Q continued laughing and she walked closer to me. Without thinking I took a step back. It was if my body was trying to tell me to run away. “If this was a dream wouldn’t you not feel this?” All of the sudden I felt a burning pain in my chest. A long tentacle of flesh parts stab through me. My lungs filled up with ink. I cried as Q pulled the spear out of my chest. I felt my eyes growing hazy and a sickening pain in my stomach.
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