By Max Worley It started with a bump. The oxygen masks tumbled out of their hidden alcove in the storage bins above the seats. The left engine sputtered and died before my eyes as I looked out the window. I leaned forward anxiously, then relaxed; I’d heard that planes are designed to be able to … Continue reading 350 Seconds
Alarm Clock
By George Ashford His alarm clock is beeping. Just like every other morning for the past few years, Alex is overcome by half second stress response learned from being rudely awakened at an ungodly hour by the same noise every day. A rush of blood through his veins, a brief moment of adrenaline before he has … Continue reading Alarm Clock
His Words
By Rebby Berard “What are you doing?” “Watching turtles.” “Isn’t that boring?” “Nah, they’re cool.” “I guess so…” “Look, those two are friends!” “Like us.” “Just like us.” “They’re probably all friends.” “Or family.” “Either way, I’m more lonely than these turtles.” “Ah yes, this is a conversation between you, Allen Jameson, and me, chopped … Continue reading His Words
Hello I Am
By Jason Kaplan The van skidded through the intersection and over a speed bump, sending Noah’s head up against the padded ceiling of the 2006 Grand Cherokee. “Are we almost there?” he asked, rubbing his head. The driver did not reply, but as they made it to the top of the hill, Noah recognized the building … Continue reading Hello I Am
“Summer Money”
By Gabby Velasquez The worst time to get a job is when you don’t need it. My ma doesn’t need her fix and I don’t need this job...especially since it's my money she uses to get all her drugs. Here I am, my face sticky-sweaty and my arms sore from holding a sponge all day. I … Continue reading “Summer Money”
Ben
By Jake Suh “Parker, why did you shoot?” I sat there, fiercely tangling my fingers until words finally managed to escape my clenched teeth. “I didn’t know it was fake,” I muttered. My palms dampened with sweat as Lieutenant Herbert raised one of his bushy eyebrows. He picked up his pen. Click...click...click. I watched … Continue reading Ben
“Dr.Varbo”
By Nicholas Beaupre “Who did this?” He points to the board. Someone had erased parts of the lesson plan. The students stare back, their eyes shining in the purple light spilling through the window. His intricate model of the moons is half gone. Sighing, Dr.Varbo paces. No one says anything. He stops at the window. The … Continue reading “Dr.Varbo”
Forever and Always
By Alanna Sibrian I started in the living room. Preparing to sob as I placed each item into the cardboard box, I came to find that not one drop ran down my face. It was a strange feeling that I was unsure of. Deciding to ignore it, I continued to pack up my late husband’s … Continue reading Forever and Always
Bridget and John
By Fran Riley Bridget told her parents about John the day they met. “Sold me some rotten tuna at the market today, that’s what he did,” she yelled into the phone, alone in her flat. “No fish tonight. How do you expect me to win the ‘Best of the Market’ award if I don’t … Continue reading Bridget and John
Missing Mila
By Haili Bruckner I open my eyes. Water is spiralling around me, sand is churning under my feet, and ocean waves are crashing violently above my head. I let out a frantic, helpless scream, but it is muffled by the salty seawater that meets my mouth. My feet drag across rocks that are scattered … Continue reading Missing Mila
Academy of the Heart And Mind 