“What the hell do you want?” Jeffery barks as if oblivious to the howling wind and swirling snow behind me. I take a deep breath, reminding myself to be humble. Then, I force the words I was rehearsing the entire walk over. “A truce,” I say, and shove the fruitcake I baked the night before ...

The sound of urgent footsteps and panicked voices jolted Roxanne awake. Surrounded by empty seats, she sat alone in a bus that could accommodate seventeen people. Outside, the other occupants were busy packing up their belongings as they dismantled the beachside campsite. What’s going on? She lazily stretched her body and tried to shake off ...