The next morning at 9, I stuff my drawstring backpack with essential supplies (phone, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.) and dress for my secret journey to the island. My clothes consist of beige capri shorts, a blue and white floral tank top, and white strappy sandals with a floppy sun hat. One of the fashion tips in ...

Kofi arrives at the same sidewalk block heading towards the castle. While thunder quietly rumbles, he pulls Nia the rat out of her carrier when the taxi drives off. Nia happily nuzzles Kofi’s cheek. Nia stops when Kofi’s hand quickly puts her back in her carrier. A taxi arrives and stops on the same sidewalk ...

*Content Warning* This story contains themes of kidnapping, drug abuse, animal cruelty, and physical and verbal abuse. Read with caution if such themes may be upsetting. *** Shelby slowly walks down the corridor into the living room, where she sits in a round wicker chair. She looks down at her feet and clasps her hands ...

Hikari exits the taxi with her luggage, tips her driver, and walks to where the directions on her map lead to the castle. She happily sighs as she listens to the birds singing in the palm trees. I can hardly wait to see Mr. Cash, Hikari thinks to herself. This meeting is the thing that ...

I’m finally holding on to letting go.  What is the power of letting go? Well, when you have to find your own power, when you feel powerless, you learn how strong you really are. About a month ago, I did something crazy. I got on a plane and went halfway across the United States without ...

An enormous rusty barge enters a Monte Carlo harbor, creating a stark contrast against the gleaming spotless yachts bobbing on the water. Kofi, carrying a small pet carrier thanks the captain and crew, slowly disembarks and resists the urge to purge himself of his seasickness through his mouth. He finds a bench facing away from ...

Hikari stretches her back on an airport bench in relief after her seemingly endless flight reaches the airport. Her head and knees ache from the cramping environment of a middle seat between two obnoxiously loud people. Hikari gathers her luggage and makes her way to the security checkpoint. The security guard searches her backpack, coming ...