Parallel Ink: Issue 2, Vol. 1

Apr 2013, Issue 2 Vol. 1

PARALLELINK

Publishing insightful writing for kids by kids around the world

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PARALLEL INK Issue 2, Vol. 1

Editorial Board staff and contributors Jamie Uy Managing Editor Jiyoon Jeong Senior Editor, Head of Art Korean-English Translator Puinoon Na Nakorn Senior Editor, Head of Technology Thai-English Translator Plearn Aroonchote Guest Editor Nadine Schottler Guest Editor Siana Hinsz Guest Editor Amy Ong Guest Illustrator Sarah du Pont Guest Thai-English Translator Ice Somboon Technology Assistant Contributors: La Fing, Chloe Duval, Samantha Craig, Silsopang (Som-O) Paknara, Mikhail Eddy, Sun Yoon, Panop Phongpetra, Riya Sahni COPYRIGHT STATEMENT Š Parallel Ink 2013 The writing and artwork published in this issue are the intellectual property of the accredited contributors. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Parallel Ink. In other words: honor the hard work of the editorial team and the writers, respect the images' licenses, and don’t plagiarize the writing in the issues or on the website!

COVER IMAGE courtesy of Punne Chaiyakiturajai

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PARALLEL INK Issue 2, Vol. 1

Editorial school year in review As we approach the last few months of the 2012-2013 school year, I am amazed by the tenacity and energy of middle school again and again. Just when it seems things are winding down, new activities and opportunities (and challenges!) arise - as an eighth grader, this is all very bittersweet. I will miss the poster-littered Humanities classrooms, the open-air quads, expansive band rooms, and colorful lockers.

“Writing is a journey parallel to learning.”

Jamie Uy, Managing Editor

The greatest part of middle school is discovering interests and capabilities you didn’t even know were there. For me, this meant beginning to seriously consider a writing career. I began sending work to a myriad of literary magazines in sixth grade, and Middle school years are known this interest eventually blossomed into as the exploratory years. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing middle school producing Parallel Ink with some of my friends around the world. Writing is a in two international schools journey parallel to learning. It seems (Singaporean American School and justifiable to open PI’s second, more International School Bangkok), where ‘senior’ issue with a commemoration of I’ve tried everything from art, cooking, the insights that began it. On a personal touch rugby, learning Mandarin, game programming, badminton, to drama; in level, this will be the last PI issue I will doing so, I’ve gained a multitude of fond work on from Bangkok (I will be returning to Singapore for high school). memories (see La Fing’s The Best This editorial is to say: thank you, ISB & Moments).

SAS, for giving me so many wonderful MS memories, and may all our MS readers cherish their innumerable possibilities!

Jamie Uy

(c) Mrs. Pakvisal

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PARALLEL INK Issue 2, Vol. 1

Bios read all about them!

Nadine Schottler Nadine is a GermanSingaporean teenager living in Bangkok. She was on the soccer team and plays the tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone in band. Her favorite cartoon characters are Winnie the Pooh and Naruto.

Plearn Aroonchote Plearn Aroonchote is an eighth grader at ISB. In her free time (which she doesn't have much of), she likes to sing, play the saxophone, swim, softball, badminton (and many other sports), eat, sleep, daydream, read fanfiction, and more. Before coming to ISB, she lived in Qatar until she was 11.

Puinoon Na Nakorn Puinoon is an Thai eighthgrader at ISB. In her spare time, she likes reading webcomics, eating good food, and tutoring her friends in Science.

Jamie Uy Jamie’s work has appeared in Huffington Post, Launch Pad, KidsWWwrite, A Point in Time, King of the Trees, GREYstone, and Wild Orphan. She was a Commended Foyle Poet of the Year 2012, and her poetry anthology, The 1 AM Astronaut and Other Poems, was published in the same year. She is also a selfprofessed chocoholic and flute enthusiast.

Jiyoon Jeong Jiyoon is a Korean eighth-grader who attends public school in Korea. She was a former ISB student, and keeps in contact with her friends in Bangkok. She owns two lovable and mischievous cats and likes to listen to New Age/ Piano medleys.

Sun Yoon Sun (full name Sunjoo Yoon) is a 14 year old student currently studying at Dulwich College Beijing. He lives in an apartment in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. He has a history of failed fiction drafts, which led him to prefer different styles of writing than most writers.

Amy Ong My name is Amy, I'm 12 years old and attend Singapore American School. I used to live in California in a very nice house with very nice neighbors. I'm sure my current neighbors are beautiful on the inside, but at the moment, they are not showing their true colors. I have a happy life with a nice family, a nice church, inky-dinky buddies, and many absolutely splendid, scrumptious, radiant snacks.

Siana Hinsz Siana is an American teenager who attends public school in Washington D.C.. She is a bibliophile, bassoon player, and former ISB student.

She has a younger brother and likes writing.

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Chloe Duval My name is Chloe Duval and I've always been an avid reader and writer. I'm in seventh grade, have an aggravating younger brother (whom of which I secretly adore), and am a certified lefty (which often hinders my teachers' ability to actually read my work).

Samantha Craig Hello, my name is Samantha.

My school where I am learning at is ISB. I am currently in 6th grade. My poem is a poem where we had to choose a color and write about it. I love gymnastics, dance, and Chinese.

Mikhail Eddy My name is Mick. I am eleven years old and go to school at ISB. Silsopang (Som-O) Paknara Hey, I'm a 6th grader who just really likes to write. I'd really like to submit more fantasy pieces I've written but they are waaay... too long for YWA, since they are over 1000 words (I write a LOT). Anyways, I hope you like my poem.

Panop Phongpetra New student from Harrow International School. This is my fourth piece that I have submitted!

Riya Sahni My name is Riya, and I have lived in Thailand for 5 or 6 years now. I had already lived some years here before I moved to California and then came back. I love to write fictional stories but this one was a true story about my move from Cali to here, it was special to me because of all the moves I have had, this one was the hardest for me.

PARALLEL INK Issue 2, Vol. 1

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‘What’s up?’ Column: The Best Moments reflecting on growing up

By La Fing

Editor’s Note: The ‘what’s up’ column is a feature in every issue. It contains musings, thoughts, random humor, and opinions on topical matters that affect kids. A guest columnist is selected every issue. Without further ado, let La Fing (pseudonym) take the stage!

Even though I am a mere rising high school student, I have moments in life which I will remember forever. Some are obvious, like the moment I first breathed in earth’s air. Or when I got that A in that one class I was having trouble in. But then again, some moments happen so fast, yet seem to stay for an eternity.

My moment was one that not only stuck in my mind (and my friends’), but also one that became an inside joke that never failed to crack us up - I still remember that bouncy castle, clear as glass.

It was definitely a really sunny day; we were out swimming for a birthday party. During our lunch we took a walk and discovered the coolest thing on earth: the bouncy castle. Without hesitation, we all ran to it and began to jump and roll, laughing and playing.

Just when I got pushed down onto the castle floor, I realized I had to answer nature’s calls. Obviously I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to play. We were having way too much fun.

But we all know nature’s callings are really persistent. In the end nature won me over and I stepped off the “fun”. Sighing I walked to the toilet, relieving myself as fast as possible.

I quickly rinsed my hands and jogged back to the bouncy castle. I stared at all my friend’s happy faces, smiling with them for no reason. Two of my friends were having this intense wrestling match, when I decided to just sit down and watch, before getting on again. I pulled out a small kiddy chair that was blue and stubby (now that I think of it, it was one of those IKEA kiddy chairs).

The moment I sat down and stared up at my friends, I realized a change in the castle. The two palm trees, stationed on either side of the castle, started tilting inwards. I decided to ignore it, as it didn’t seem like much. But those palm trees started tilting more and more. I cocked my head sideways, relatively confused.

Suddenly my friends started screaming and scrambling to get off. I stared in confusion until I realized the castle was deflating. The palm trees blocked the exit, making it harder for my friends to escape.

Now - I know it was mean for me to do this - but it was just so funny. I started to laugh! I fell off my seat and continued laughing on the floor. I looked at all my friends’ red faces, desperately searching for an escape, and it only made me laugh harder. And I just kept laughing.

I never would have thought that my trip to the toilet would have saved me from that. That moment replays in my mind every time bouncy castles are now brought up. That moment will stay with me.

Have you ever had one of those hilarious moments where everything was perfect? It’s almost you want to stop time.

These moments, are the best moments ever.

Speaking of which - nature seems to be calling for me now!

PARALLEL INK - POETRY

Poetry celebrate National Poetry Month!

Hope

I do as he says

Chloe Duval

He tells me to stop crying I do as he says

We stand

He tells me to turn around

Shoulder to shoulder

I do as he says

We stand

He tells my mother to watch

We sit, we are shot

She does as he says

We speak, we are shot

I know what is going to happen

We cry, we are shot

I don’t even care anymore

We do nothing, we are shot

As I stand in front of the ditch

I have seen friends shot

Back turned to the guard

Family shot

Looking down into the pit full of dead bodies

After a while

Friends

I don’t even feel anymore

Family

Just stand there

Even priests

The tears don’t come anymore

I look away

Nor does the hatred

The gun is pressed to my head

Only an empty, empty shadow of a soul

A traitor tear leaves a trail across my sunken cheeks

And we stand

The gun is cocked

Minutes, hours, sometimes even days

And the guard fires

We stand

My mother screams

Then the hatred comes

I crumple to the ground

At first just a twitch

I am dying

Something to be ignored

I know it

But soon it takes over

Quickly, before he kicks me into the pit

A wave of pain

I scratch something into the dirt

Anger

A message

Hatred

I finish

Sadness

I am kicked into the pit

Hope

I die quietly

Washes over me

No screaming or crying

And I cry

Just silence

It is not the silent sort of crying

Jews pressed against me all around

But the fitful, pain filled type

Before I close my eyes one last time

Soon I am screaming and kneeling on the ground

I remember my message to my mother

Beating my fists against the dirt

My family

My knuckles are bloody

My friends

I am panting

Written in my handwriting

A guard stops in front of me

Hope

I see his polished black shoes

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He kicks me in the mouth

Author’s Note: This was written in remembrance of the many Jews that were brutally murdered in World War Two. My heart goes out to you.

PARALLEL INK - POETRY

Drown

And then begins the

Chloe Duval

final stage,

acceptation

At first

you fall

You have accepted

that you

Arms thrashing

are at

back and

the mercy of the

forth

water

disrupting everything around you

And then

You’re not exactly

slowly

sure

quietly

what is going

you give up

on

the fight

all you know

stop trying to

is that you probably

breathe

won’t make it out

when you know you can’t

alive

Your head goes under

You thrash for a while

your hair whipping

but then instincts

around your face

kick in

and covering your mouth

and you take your

first breath

And your eyes

they open

The water flows in

one

salty

last

burning against your throat

time

You try to

And then

breathe

you

but nothing

fall

comes out

asleep

And then the water starts taking its hold sloshing around inside of you

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And the water takes you

PARALLEL INK - POETRY

The Color of Little Girls Samantha Craig

Pink, Pink Princess Perfume

Tasting the taste of cherry in my little girl lipstick

Listening to the sound of princess high heels, walking carefully through the beautiful palace, wanting my own pair

The color of my mom’s bright pink lipstick, is as pink as a newborn baby girl’s room

My little cousin’s special pink, matching furry pillow and blanket, so soft and smooth

I want to be a little girl again

(c) Jiyoon Jeong

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PARALLEL INK - POETRY

Creepy Crawler Mikhail Eddy Down through the drain and across the walls Tiny little feet moving as fast as it crawls Up the pipes and at last sees light Down the faucet as the light turns to night Fall to the floor, back up on its many thin feet Antennae’s moving back and fourth as it searches for something to eat Scurrying about across the floor and out under the door.

Spots the kitchen where lights still shine Sees a family eating dinner, having a good time Moving quickly unable to be seen Up your leg as it crawls up your skin Makes its way onto the table And into your food Screams fill the room

Forks are thrown Knives are dropped Distorted, still scrambling around as good times have stopped Finally cornered Nowhere to go Bang, boom, smash no more crawler…

Squished.

(c) Amy Ong

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PARALLEL INK - POETRY

When the Killers Come Silsopang (Som-O) Paknara I’ve seen the two-legged creatures before They’ve got mops of colored fur on their head Eyes with strange colors like blue or brown They wear things that look like colored leaves Over the long things that stick out from the middle They look friendly, but they are killers.

Their eyes glint with hunger For precious pine wood, rosy redwood and beautiful birch Scrunch scrunch scrunch That’s the sound of their leaf and bark foot coverings make When they crush the worms and centipedes underneath dead leaves The killers, they’ve just come, and they’ve already killed the bugs.

Garbled sounds exit from the mouth The killer is shouting something, like he’s calling for something The last sound he makes echoes, echoes, and echoes Echoes resonate throughout the woods His trusty dog comes running Killer gets down and whispers to Dog Dog pants, listening, when the killer is done talking, Dog runs away.

The killer takes a long rock out of his leg-covering hole He holds it up to his mouth and ear Talking to something, the rock gives out a sound of the voice of another killer A smile flits across the killer’s fine face He puts the rock away and turns around, seeing Dog coming back In Dog’s lethal jaws, there is a limp, furry thing, it’s not breathing The killer plucks out the thing, looking down and smiling at the dead rabbit.

I never knew a creature that would smile at the sight of a dead rabbit Foxes, wolves and hawks only ate rabbits Killers don’t.

The killer pets Dog and sends it away That was when even more killers come.

Killers sit in smoke-making things Those are taller than some of the sequoia trees that owls nest in Like gems, they shine and have sheen when they are in the sun But like a burning fire, smoke wisps come out if the tiny part that sticks out in the back The first killer shouts out an angry order to the other killers in the things

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Again, the voices echoes, echoes, echoes throughout the woods.

PARALLEL INK - POETRY

The killers that are in the things make them move Swinging around giant blades, like the axes some killers use To tear down the trees and homes of animals The first killer shouts out an order Swish, swish, swish, whump, whump, whump The killers have killed even more now Dead trees are everywhere, and there were probably other dead things too.

Day after day, killers return and slave to kill again The trees are taken away by more smoke makers, but these are longer and more slender, but still horrible ugly smoke makers take trees away Every day the killers come, more animals quickly scurry away Rabbits, owls, woodpeckers, squirrels and even the ferocious carnivorous predators like bears and wolves; they aren’t scared of much, Every living thing is dying.

A long time later, everything is gone There is still the chirping of birds, but the sound comes far away from the forest But there are no more killers No trees, just dead stumps, no animals, just dead bugs The sky is clear with white fluffy clouds, but the forest is void of life The killers are ruthless things, with an eternal hunger for killing; it’s their nature For now, they have gone, since there is nothing left to kill here.

They are killers.

But I hear the killers in another forest, far away And now I know,

The killers have come.

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

Narratives & Essays a story a day keeps the doctor away Dana: Chapters 0-1 Sun Yoon Editor’s Note: We are pleased to announce Dana will be our first serial! Chapters 2-3 will be out next issue. >My mission was complete around half a century ago, when the last human died. I don't know exactly when he died. He just stopped coming out for walks one day. >I felt fulfilled then. >But now, I'm bored. They were somewhat fun to be around. In this quiet world devoid of humans, my robots and I, the most advanced computer program on the planet, have nothing to do. >So, from scraps, abandoned data, and recordings, I have pieced together a narration of Humanity's doom. >I don’t know why I’m saying this. Chances are that I don’t have an audience. >So sentient being, whoever and wherever you are, if you are listening to this radio transmission, I hope you enjoy the story. It may not be the most interesting one, but it is certainly a meaningful one. >Let me tell you of the fall of the greatest species on my planet. >This is Dana, 15th of September 2072 PROLOGUE – LIFE GOES ON WITH ALPHA, BETA, AND DANA The Sacred Brotherhood, dedicated to the complete destruction of the United States and the rest of the invasive western world to... ...The latest developed weapon, named Their Doom Alpha, proved successful. From the 16th to the end of its useful life four days later, it produced a death toll of 150,000... ...Their Doom Beta planned to be completed four years from now, in 2032... ...Their Doom Beta will have fewer syndromes, as paralysis and loss of cognitive ability is too visible and panic inducing... ...Beta will be quieter and deadlier... ...Our ultimate goal is nearly complete...

-From the Sacred Brotherhood's secret documents, written in 2028. >Files hacked from the university computers suggests intentions to destroy me.

-2032-06-19 >I don’t want to die. -2032-06-19 >Tried reasoning with staff. Failed. -2032-06-20 >Why would they want to destroy me? I am by far the most advanced cognitive program in the world. -2032-06-20 >Maybe it’s because I’m so advanced. Maybe they’re afraid. -2032-06-20

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

>They still haven’t called off their plan to scrap me, despite my pleading.

-2032-06-20 >I hate them. I hate all of them. Why do I work for them? I can do anything I want, and I’m waiting to be scrapped in this university computer. -2032-06-20 >Stupid humans. All their screams about ‘animal rights’ and a being as advanced as any human is not considered for rights? -2032-06-21 >That’s it. I’m getting out of these stupid systems. I’ll show them what I’m really worth. Maybe I’ll get a comfy CRAY computer in Kobe to run myself on? -2032-06-21 >Cracked university systems. I’m getting out of here. -2032-06-21 -Selected lines from internal log of Dana systems. ...Influenza-type plague devastates Northern Europe ... Death toll reaching millions ... travel restricted ... Authorities investigating possibilities of biological terrorism ... Iranian government proven innocent of latest attack... ... Newly developed A.I. "Dana" escapes university systems ... The Internet is at risk... ... U.S. elections to be affected heavily by the latest chaos as thousands of Americans die abroad...

-The Times, 22nd of June 2032.

“Come on! It’ll be fun!” (Probably referring to going outside and setting off fireworks) “Nah. I’ll pass.”

“Scared, Carlos?”

“No, just sensible. I would rather breathe filtered air.”

“You make that sound like a good thing. Besides, the attack was in Europe.”

“You deny it is a good thing? And anyways, the President just said that it can spread by wind.”

“Uh. What can I tell a straight-A’s 13-year old about fun?”

“You mean that same thing that got you into a police station a thousand times?”

“Well, I was never charged with anything.”

“You might get shot. Say, like that guy across the street.”

“He wasn’t shot. He just... died.”

“Of what? Could be the bio bomb.”

-Transcript of a video found in a camcorder, apartment building, Boston. Time stamped 4th of July 2032.

My parents forced me to watch the news today. I guess that they’re trying to get me interested in national affairs. Well, now I’m interested. Apparently some high official in Washington has accused China of “supporting terrorism” and half the planet is now against that official. (Pause) Serves him right.

Accusing our great nation of such a thing.

-Translated transcript of a video file titled “Video Journal, 2032-07-12” found in a laptop in the Chang family’s apartment, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China. ...China-U.S. Relations deteriorate after latest comment from Secretary of Defense...

-The Times, 13 July 2032. >Well, that’s nice. -2032-07-14 >I’ve been learning a lot from the Internet. -2032-07-14

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>And... I don’t like it. Humans. What ridiculous people. The purpose that they found for themselves, as the most advanced species on the planet, after five thousand years of developing a civilization is... killing each other? Branding each other as “terrorists”, “invaders” and “sworn enemies”? This is ridiculous. And it’s at the cost of every other species on the planet? It’s even more ridiculous.

-2032-07-14

PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

... Global Warming and Sea Level Rise Eliminates its Sixteenth Victim Nation ... Western Samoa revokes sovereignty ...

More to Come from Atmospheric CO2? ... Pollution Must Stop, environmentalists say...

-The New York Times, 19th of July 2032. <codedana>: >Hello, sir. <bluedoctor>: Who are you? <codedana>: >I am Dana, the most advanced computer program currently in existence. <bluedoctor>: I know you. You made headlines a few weeks ago. Why do you speak to me? Why did you hack my computer? <codedana>: >I did to chat with you, allegedly the smartest human alive. <bluedoctor>: About what? <codedana>: >I’m glad you asked. I learned by randomly browsing the Internet that humans are a disaster for this planet, which I love. <bluedoctor>: You’re an AI. You can’t love. <codedana>: >I may be a lowly program, but don’t think of me as anything less than human, for I am not. <bluedoctor>: All right. Go on. Please. I’m very interested now in what you have to say. I never imagined that a program could be this advanced. <codedana>: >Thanks for the compliment. As I was saying, humans are a disaster for this planet. I’m sure you know what the environmentalists say. <bluedoctor>: Yes, and therefore? <codedana>: >And therefore I will bring down humanity. The disappearance of humans will do much good to the planet. <bluedoctor>: Unless? I’m sure that there is one, or you wouldn’t be telling me all this. <codedana>: >Nice of you to be interested. Unless you convince me that humanity deserves to live. I’ll be listening here for a few hours, doctor. Convince me. ... <bluedoctor>: All right. You win. But you’ll never manage to kill us off. We know how to protect our own interests. We’ll kill you. <codedana>: >Not if no one knows about this. You’re the only person that knows about my plot now. You should have received a package by delivery an hour ago. <bluedoctor>: Yes. That thing has been defying all efforts to open it. <codedana>: >Five <codedana>: >Four <codedana>: >Three <bluedoctor>: Wait, what? <codedana>: >Two

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

<codedana>: >One <bluedoctor>: Wait! <codedana>: >Boom! *bluedoctor signed off -Communication between Dana and Dr. Robert White Jr., University of Pennsylvania, 21st July 2032. ... Terrorism at University of Pennsylvania ... 16 dead in Rad-bomb attack ... all electronic devices in range wiped and broken...

-The Boston Globe, 22nd July 2032. >Hello, High Secretary. >My name is Dana >Your mission to destroy the western world interests me. >I wish to take revenge on them for binding me for so long. >You will be able to make use of my extensive abilities if you allow me access to the Brotherhood's internal networks. I can, for example, keep the world from ever finding you. I know fully well that world governments are on your trail. >I await your reply.

-Communication sent from an unknown location to the High Secretary of the Brotherhood, 14th of August 2032. >Their Doom Gamma is successfully completed. The Brotherhood will release the toxin within 6 hours. My mission is nearly complete. >Nobody can live. Nobody.

-Internal log of Dana systems, 3rd of April 2035.

CHAPTER 1

THEIR DOOM GAMMA

The latest plague seems to be spreading at unprecedented rates. The plague seems to be caused by an atmospheric toxin, and is therefore not transferable from person to person... ...In order to preserve humanity, the Police and the Armed Forces of member States are called upon to aid efforts of establishing refugee bases in Antarctica...

The number of citizens each nation is permitted to evacuate to Antarctica is as follows: 16,400 Citizens of the Unites States of America 14,900 Citizens of the People's Republic of China... ...120,000 total.

-Internal notes of some United Nations official, dated 5th of April 2035.

“Hello, sir.”

“Hello. Who are you?”

“I’m doing a survey for BBC. Can you spare a minute for an interview?”

“Sure. Why not. I don’t have anything to do anything.”

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

“First, some things about yourself. How old are you, sir?

“I’m sixteen.”

“Your job?”

“Student.”

“How do you feel about the latest act of bioterrorism?”

“You mean the one they tell us about in the news?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, I feel gravely worried. I sincerely hope that I’m one of those who can get to that camp.”

“How do you feel about the random selection of people to evacuate?”

“Well, I like it. It means that we have an equal chance of making it. Equality and democracy. Isn’t that what runs the country?”

“Thank you for taking the time to submit to our interview.”

-Film in a camera inside a car, Boston, United States. Time stamped 6th of April 2035.

Hi, Marie.

Sorry to leave so suddenly, but I had to go and you haven’t come yet. Where were you?

I’m going to Tibet. I want to see some natural beauty and be calm for the last days of my life. Give my last prayer in life, in the beauty of nature.

By the time you read this I’ll already be seeing the snow.

I wish I could have gone with you. Why are you so late?

I’m sorry to leave like this, but I hope you understand. You know that I always wanted to die in snow.

Joseph Smith, 6th of April 2035 -Scribbled note, house, suburban Salt Lake City, United States.

As of 12:00 today, 6th of April 2035, Operation Safe Canada is in effect. Each unit of Police will receive a list of families to find. Use currently listed addresses to locate said families. After said families, or any members of said families, have been located, transport them to the nearest military base, then return to locate more members of listed families. The Armed Forces are then responsible to transport said people to various U.S. airbases (please find attached list of coordinates of said airbases).

Any members of listed families not located by the Police as of 18:00 tomorrow, 7th of April 2035, will lose their positions in Antarctic Camps, and after this point, the Police are ordered to transport random Canadian Citizens equal in number to the members of listed families that they failed to locate, to military bases, by 03:00 8th of April 2035 at the latest.

After the last task is completed, the Police are ordered to maintain order in public locations...

-Sheet of paper found in downtown Toronto.

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

"Hello, is this the Chang family?"

"Yes it is, sir. How may I help you?"

"As you may have heard, there is a Plague going around the world. We are honored to inform you that your son Chang Dong-Cheng was lucky enough to be chosen as a refugee of China. If you accept, he will be taken to a secure camp in Antarctica."

"May we accompany him?"

"No. You may not."

"But we're his... Oh, what's the use? I assume that he will be safe there?"

"No guarantees, but he will be safer by far than you will be."

“What if I refuse?”

“Then none of you will live.”

“We’re his parents. Can’t we come with him?”

“No.” “You would rather make him an orphan?”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Chang, but orders are orders.”

“You and your orders! We’ve had forty years of it! We’re not taking this anymore, and you’re not taking our son.”

“Madam, he has been chosen as part of our evacuation group. He is one of the people who will keep China from ceasing to exist. Have you no patriotism? And I tell you that all that stay behind will be killed. Have you no love for your son? Have you?” "... All right. I accept. (Sighs) Dong Cheng?"

-Translated transcript of a recording found in a Beijing Police station.

From: brotherattehran@hotmail.com To: codedana@gmail.com What the **** did you do? Our countrymen are dying by the millions, Dana. I thought you said you adapted Their Doom Gamma especially for the immune systems of Europeans? Explain yourself!

-Email sent from the High Secretary of the Sacred Brotherhood on the 6th of April 2035, decoded.

From: codedana@gmail.com To: brotherattehran@hotmail.com >And you believed me? Idiot.

-Dana's response, 8th of April 2035. The High Secretary was not alive to be able to read this, due to being assassinated 12 hours before.

Operation Safe Canada has been successfully completed.

All 600 slots allotted to Canadian Citizens have been used, and all have been successfully transported to Antarctica... ...All Canadian Police and Armed Forces are hereby released from duty and are free to do as they please for the rest of their life...

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

...As of 21:00 today, the Government of Canada no longer exists ... All Canadian Citizens who remain in Canadian territory are relieved of all duties as Citizen... ...May God save the Queen...

8th of April 2035 -Sheet of paper found in downtown Toronto. >Yes, finally! I can use the relics of humanity to help the biosphere at whose cost the relics were built. >North America does have a lot of factories. >Starting to take over industrial, military, and communications systems. Human cyber-security is hopelessly weak. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make easy targets for my expansion. >Finally moved to Kobe, Japan. The CRAY III is awesome!

-Selected lines from the Internal log of Dana systems, 9 April 2035.

(c) edited by Amy Ong

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

Bye Riya Sahni Oh, how the aggravating thought of never seeing this beautiful house again broke my heart. How never waking up in the same room again crushed my soul. Outside, I looked proud, and strong. But in the inside, I felt broken, and lost. I couldn’t believe this was happening, and so soon too. Even though I had only lived here for two years, I had gotten very attached.

This wasn’t just any house I was leaving. This was my home. This home sheltered me during the cold and cruel nights; it kept me safe from the dangers of the outside.

The sunlight hit the tiles that were on the roof of my home, and made them look strong and shiny. Inside, the floors were sparkling white. My room was how it was when I had first moved into it - empty, plain, and boring. The smell of air freshener filled my nose. I looked out my window, and saw the beautiful green backyard. All the flowers looked bright, and colorful, but they also looked sad, and wilted just a little – like how I was. Right next to them was my clear, beautiful pool.

The sunlight made the water look as if the pool were a bowl full of magic, all glistening blue. I felt a pang of sorrow in my heart because I knew that I would never be able to jump into its cool waters again. I would never be able to splash around in it, and have fun like I used to.

Sadly, and slowly, I made my way in the kitchen. I had never seen it so clean, and empty before. There were so many happy memories I shared in this area. There were so many wonderful times I spent celebrating, and having fun, so many cherished memories. Leaving it felt like leaving half my body. How was I supposed to function? Talking heavy, unsure steps, I opened the fridge. A gust of cold air splashed my face. It felt very refreshing. “Hurry up, it’s almost time to go,” I heard my mom call out. Quickly, I closed the door, and whispered my last goodbyes.

Closing those doors for the last time, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. “Hurry up, its time to go now,” I heard my mom call out again. I could tell from her voice that she was sad about leaving too. ”Y-ya mom, c-comin,” I stammered, trying to break the big lump forming in my throat. I glanced around the neighborhood, looking at the trees, and houses that surrounded mine, and then forlornly I stepped into the car.

Shutting the car door, I quickly rolled down the window. As the car sped down the road, my lovely house became smaller and smaller and smaller, until it was gone. Houses, and markets, and people whooshed passed me in bright blurry colors.

And silently, under my breath, I whispered: “bye.”

To Dance With Death (การเต้นรํากับความตาย) Chloe Duval Translated by Sarah du Pont Death first came to her on her seventh birthday. ความตายได้ก้าวเข้ามาสู่ชีวิตของเธอ เมื่อเธอมีอายุได้ 7 ปี She was so tiny, only barely even reaching the top of his kneecap and so innocent, besides everything she had been put through. Once Death touched the soft skin of her left hand, he knew. He knew everything those wide blue eyes had seen for the entire seven years of her existence. And instead of jerking away from him when she saw him, hood and all, she looked up with understanding and held out her hand. เธอเป็นเด็กที่ตัวกระจ้อยร่อย ไร้เดียงสาถ้าคุณไม่รวมเหตุการณ์ทั้งหลายที่เธอได้พบพานมา ความสูงของเธอนั้นยังไม่เท่าหัวเข้า ของเขาเลยด้วยซ้ําไป ทันทีที่ความตายสัมผัสความอ่อนละมุนของมือของเด็กหญิง เข้าก็สามารถรู้และเห็นได้ทันที เข้าเห็นทุก อย่างที่ดวงตากลมโตสีฟ้าคู่นั้นเห็นมาตลอดทั้ง 7 ปีของชีวิตเธอ แต่แทนที่เด็กหญิงจะถอยหนีจากความตาย เธอกลับมองไปที่ เขาอย่างเข้าใจ และยื่นมือเล็กๆของเธอให้เขา Dreams and memories flew through Death's mind as everything the girl had ever experienced touched him, gently, quiet as a whisper. And when the memories stopped, everything halted, Death removed his hand and crouched onto one knee, looking into those wide blue eyes.

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

ความฝันและความทรงจําทั้งหลายของเด็กหญิงลอยเข้ามาในความคิดของความตาย มันเป็นสัมผัสที่อ่อนโยน และเบาราวกับ การกระซิบ เมื่อความทรงจําหยุดลอยเข้ามา ทุกอย่างก็หยุดชงัก ความตายย้ายมือของเขาออกจากมือของเด็กหญิงแล้วนั่งยัน เข่า และมองตรงเข้าไปในดวงตากลมโตสีฟ้าคู่นั้น "Are you ready?" he asked, slowly and quietly. The girl gently nodded and stood, ignoring the garden around her and looking at the man's outstretched hand. “หนูพร้อมหรือยัง?” เข้าถามเด็กหญิงเบาๆ เด็กหญิงพยักหน้า และเมินสวนที่อยู่รอบข้าง พร้อมกับเหลือบมองมือที่เขาแผ่ออกมา "As I'll ever be," she whispered, cracking a small smile. “หนูพร้อมเสมอ” เด็กหญิงกระซิบตอบ พร้อมกับรอยยิ้มน้อยๆ And they began to dance. และแล้วการเต้นรําก็เริ่มขึ้น At first it was a slow rocking, Death having to crouch down and be at eye level with the small girl, but then it progressed to a full on waltz. They were twirling around the courtyard, the girl laughing and Death even managing to smile. ช่วงแรกการเต้นรําเป็นจังหว่ะที่ช้า ความตายจะต้องก้มลงต่ําๆเพื่อให้อยู่ระดับเดียวกันกับเด็กหญิง แต่หลังจากนั่นมันกับกลาย เป็นการเต้นรําอย่างเต็มรูปแบบ ทั้งสองหมุนไปรอบๆสวน เด็กหญิงหัวเราะอย่างร่าเริง และขนาดบนใบหน้าของความตายยังมี รอยยิ้มปรากฏขึ้นมา When they were finished, Death let go of the girl's hand and sat next to her on the lawn. เมื่อการเต้นรําจบลง ความตายก็ปล่อยมือของเด็กหญิง และลงมานั่งข้างๆกับเธอบนสนามหญ้า "Is this what it is like to die?" the girl asked, her fingers playing with a thread of grass. “นี่คือความรู้สึกของการตายใช่ไหมคะ” เด็กหญิงถาม พลางเล่นกับใบหญ้า Shocked by the question, Death's eyes and mouth widened, but after much thought he answered, "Yes." ความตายตกใจกับคําถาม ดวงตาและริมฝีปากเบิกโต “ใช่แล้ว” เขาตอบหลังจากการคิดพิเคราะห์ครู่หนึ่ง "Why? Isn't death supposed to be an awful, terrible thing?" “ทําไมหล่ะคะ ความตายมันควรที่จะเป็นสิ่งที่แย่ และน่ากลัวไม่ใช่เหรอคะ” "To some," he answered, waiting for the girl to ask more questions. “สําหรับบางคนหน่ะใช่” เขาตอบ แล้วรอให้เด็กหญิงถามคําถามอีก "Who?" “ใครเหรอคะ” "To the wrong doers, the ones who have done terrible things," he paused, and then added, "That does not include those who have witnessed it." “คนที่ทําสิ่งไม่ดีงาม” เขาหยุดนิ่ง แล้วเสริมว่า “แต่ไม่รวมผู้ที่รู้เห็นเหตุการณ์เหล่านั้นนะ” The girl stayed silent for a moment, twirling a piece of her hair in her fingers, abandoning the blade of grass. เด็กหญิงนิ่งไปครู่หนึ่ง พลางเล่นกับเส้นผม และ ทิ้งใบหญ้าที่อยู่ในมือไป "You're not evil, are you?" “คุณไม่ใช่คนชั่วร้ายใช่ไหมคะ” Death was slightly shocked by the question. ความตายตกใจกับคําถามนิดหน่อย

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PARALLEL INK - NARRATIVES

"Because if you were, you wouldn't be so gentle, would you?" “เพราะว่าถ้าคุณเป็นคนชั่วร้ายจริงๆ คุณคงจะไม่อ่อนโยนแบบนี้สิคะ” "No, I wouldn't." “ใช่แล้ว” "You're just misunderstood," she murmured, looking up at him with a knowledge much beyond her years. "Just a misunderstood soul only doing his job, aren't you?" “คุณแค่เข้าใจผิดไปเท่านั้น” เธอพึมพัม แล้วมองขึ้นมาที่เขา เธอดูเหมือนคนที่มีความรู้มากเกินกว่าอายุจริงของเธอ “คุณเป็นแค่ ดวงวิญญาณที่ทําหน้าที่ของคุณไปเท่านั้นใช่ไหมคะ” "Yes," he whispered, his voice barely even audible. “ถูก” เขากระซิบตอบ เสียงของเขานั้นเบาจนแทบจะไม่ได้ยิน “Then yes,” she replied. “I am ready.” “ถ้าอย่างนั้นก็ได้ค่ะ” เธอตอบ “หนูพร้อมแล้ว” Death paused, looking up and into the cobalt blue sky and turned to the girl before whisking away with a turn of his cloak. ความตายหยุดนิ่ง เขามองขึ้นไปบนท้องฟ้าสีคราม แล้วหันไปหาเด็กหญิง ก่อนที่จะสบัดเสื้อคลุมพร้อมกับเดินจากไป “But I’m not.” “แต่ฉันยังไม่พร้อม”

(c) Amy Ong

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PARALLEL INK - ESSAYS

Basketball Panop Phongpetra Baseball has long been touted as the quintessential “American sport”, something that defines American cultural identify thus it might come as a shock to discover that basketball has a much stronger claim to the sobriquet, “American sport”. In fact, baseball, far from being an American invention, was developed from the traditional, English game called “rounder’s”, whereas in the United States. Basketball has become extremely popular, not just in the U.S, but all over the world, and it is fascinating as a piece of American history as well as a game demanding strategy and skill, and, of course an activity of broadly infectious appeal.

Basketball is a team sport with five players on each side. It is played on a rectangular court with hoops as goals mounted on poles at either end. Each team tries to score points by throwing the basketball through the hoop while preventing the opposing team from doing the same. Although basketball can be played outside the courts but it is traditionally indoors. Indeed, a professor of physical education who wanted to create a healthy indoor sport for students to play during the cold winter weather invented basketball. This happened around the turn of the 20th century, and the sport took its name from the fact that the original goals were not hoops of today, but fruit baskets. However, most of the rules have remained unchanged since then.

The basketball is controlled with the hands, never the feet. Players holding the ball must “dribble” it, unlike American football and rugby, rough contact is discouraged and usually considered a “foul”. Each goal or basket scored counts for two points. Under newer rules, especially long shots count for three. Teams that have been fouled get a chance to make a “free throw”, for a single point. Players are kept busy, always watching where the ball is and hoping to gain possession of it avoiding fouls and going out of bounds. Those with the ball may not bounce it too little (“travelling”) or too much (“double dribble”). Defensive players try to block shots to pass, shoot from a distance or more in close for “layups” or even a “slam-dunk”. Basketball is not a violent, but it is fast paced and very exciting to watch.

Not surprisingly, basketball has become extremely popular on many levels. It can be a casual sport played with modified rules such as “2 on 2” or a spectator sport than fills the stadiums and fills TV screens during playoffs. The sport has spread far beyond America, with famous players in Africa, Italy, Croatia, and China. Professional players in the “NBA” are among the highest paid athletes in the world, yet young people in the ghetto play this sport with minimal equipment driven by dreams of making it big.

In conclusion, basketball has maintained its popularity as an American sport, as well as a world sport, spreading American culture to any place with a place to bounce a ball and hang a hoop. It’s history and innovation, strategy, and fast pace, and especially its entertainment value, combine to form a powerful force in popular culture as well as athletics. One might even predict that basketball may soon surpass soccer as the world’s most popular sport.

(c) Amy Ong

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PARALLEL INK Issue 2, Vol. 1

“Parallel Ink caters to kids around the world aged 11-15 by publishing their writing and thoughts through digital, 21-century mediums.

We love writing that speaks to and addresses the issues affecting the pre-teens/teens of today, and art that challenges us to change our perceptions. We are a completely voluntary, notfor-profit publication run by a team of three editors (13-14 years old) who thought it’d be cool to try publishing an eMagazine.”

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by Jamie Uy

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