• green valley between mountains
    23
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    As they walked, the glowing orb stared at them with unseen eyes as they dove deeper into the open cave. Their shadows stretched along the craggy white rocks that now jutted through the sand, glossy and clear as diamonds. A cool breeze shifted through the walls, softly billowing inside. Hana thought she could see her ...
  • waves of sand
    33
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    Hana tensed in fear at the messenger’s words. The three specks against the shivering sand began inching closer, and as she made them out better in the light, she realized one of them carried shining white chains. “Posdin,” whispered Sayrin, “The athia.” A wisp of light sailed past Hana’s ankles. She looked down in time ...
  • desert and sky
    35
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    Heavy rain came down like fog as the group made their way through the city. The two Dimoven soldiers guided Hana and the others with quick steps. When Hana turned around to watch Marcus, she noticed how Brigdu rapped on the front doors of houses. Sometimes a timid tap answered.  The entire time Ino flew ...
  • Three girls showing off wrist corsages for homecoming
    78
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    A couple of weeks had passed since the hostage-taking of Hannah’s English class. The school had slowly returned to what most would consider routine. The focus now would be on homecoming season. Hannah hadn’t planned on attending the dance, but her friends talked her into it. Hannah was nervous and unsure while she got ready ...
  • archway with storm
    92
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    Hana didn’t notice when the blue sky turned gray and light raindrops pattered against the glass walls. She wandered the corridors for a few minutes, and her mind raced. How was she supposed to preserve an entire world? Where would she travel to first? Hana hadn’t mastered any aspect of her new abilities. She wished ...
  • moon with trees in front
    106
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    A swelling, growing mass of indigo and violet swirled up toward the ceiling. Thick waves of mist slithered across the slick floors, and as they curled around Hana’s legs, the damp clouds kissed her skin. Deep blue settled over the hall until everyone at the table disappeared. Hana blinked. She checked her hand but couldn’t ...
  • Shadowy guardian angel.
    88
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    In the far future, the world has become a more dangerous place. Things long thought fantasy have made their presence known. They seek humanity’s positions of power; churches, colleges, and schools. This makes it more hazardous to get an education than even during the early 2000s when school shootings were widespread. Grailand High students are ...
  • Halloween Picture
    205
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    My heart sinks when I hear the front door lock, followed by the beast’s sinister laugh. I didn’t think beyond grabbing mom before she ran up the stairs, nor did I realize how powerful her emotions were to wake the monster. With my arm still around her waist, I pull her back down the stairs ...
  • sun set with tree in front
    128
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    In a split second, Hana wrenched herself away while the Captain remained frozen, the last light in his eyes glazing over. Brigdu readied a glistening spear, the ends of his fingers shaking. “Watch him!” Hana held her hand up out of instinct. Sayrin gasped behind her. Ino leaped through the crowd again, past the Posdin, ...
  • clay brown wall with steps
    178
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    Time slowed down. Everyone else disappeared around her as Hana stared at Marcus, who looked the same as she remembered. He had the same large brown eyes and wide smile, but an unfamiliar essence passed over his face that she couldn’t recognize. “I knew you would return,” he said, his tone soft. He tripped over ...