By Denise Diehl Lake Tekapo is known for its turquoise-blue waters, mountainous backdrop, and dark sky reserve—where one can view the stars in all their glory and ponder the mysteries of the universe. Truly a fantastic tourist attraction. It also has another little-known feature—inexplicable disappearances. One that Lucy Erb would soon discover. Had she been … Continue reading The Yellow Dress
The Critic
By John Tures The writer thanks his sister and his mother, and his family as well as Sharon Marchisello and Ann Michelle Harris for the great feedback. He would also like to thank an anonymous author and his family for helping provide the inspiration for the story. The writer stood before his toughest critic, shocked … Continue reading The Critic
The Thief
By Sarah Collins Standing before the school board, my stomach was tight as if I’d recently completed 100 sit-ups. I never thought something like this would happen to me. I wasn’t the girl to find trouble. My momma raised me to be honest and kind and to never tell a lie. The act of lying … Continue reading The Thief
The Fish Store
By Erica Macri My grandfather wants fancy tail guppies: three male, two female. I get in the car with Joe, his dutiful son and my father, and before I can blink, he speeds onto the Long Island Expressway. Joe is talking about fish, positing that the females of the species have the fancy tails. I … Continue reading The Fish Store
The Swamp Witch
By Thom Schilling Gray and windy, the last ghosts of winter spit sleet from the mid-March sky. Bored senseless, my best friend Paul and I spent the last hour depositing quarters in an industrial-sized dryer in the only laundromat in town. If you wore heavy leather gloves and braced yourself against the barrel, you could … Continue reading The Swamp Witch
A Black Belt in Action
By Lewis Brett Smiler The tournament was more than a month away, but Mrs. Holland could not help feeling excited. Her grandson Gary would be competing for the first time as a black belt. The fifteen-year-old was determined to win the top prize in sparring, but his opponents would be tougher than before. He would … Continue reading A Black Belt in Action
Ben Alone
By Detlef Wieck Ben stood in the middle of the floor, looking at the layers of newspaper he had put there to block the cold drafts that were coming up through the cracks between the rough, worn, boards of the floor. Although the majestic cook range was burning with the draft all the way open, … Continue reading Ben Alone
Shelter from the Storm
By Teresa Freeland I hate our SUV. I hate the ugly brown exterior. I hate the glove compartment that won’t stay shut. I hate the aqua blue seats and the muddy beige carpet. And I hate that I have one more whole day of relentless riding in the hated back seat with my repulsive little … Continue reading Shelter from the Storm
Burnt Sienna
By Jim Bates Fall was her favorite season. Smiling and happy she walked woodland trails collecting leaves and weeds and grasses. She enjoyed the feel of nature in her hands she liked to say, especially the colorful leaves. Sometimes she’d take him along, holding his tiny hand gently like she held her collections. He’d follow … Continue reading Burnt Sienna
Closing Time
By Peter Rustin After the recession, the formerly splendid Main Street could only support one jewelry shop—barely. Harry was getting ready to close early as the streetlight shadows grew long under the monochrome winter sky. Emma had already left to pick up the twins from ballet, leaving Harry to finish removing the jewelry and watches … Continue reading Closing Time
Academy of the Heart And Mind 