Short Story

“They stolen my prized possession, I’ve stolen their greatest prized possessions of all... their two children.”

“Please give this to Jared for good luck. Sam is my favorite.” Cindy said shyly.

“Mom! What happened? What was stolen?” Caroline frantically asked her mom as Molly stood there speechless.

“Oh hey Melissa, where's mom?” he asked casually, as if there wasn't a raging fire around them. Melissa moved her short blond hair out of her eyes and speaking softly, as usual, said “Maybe she'll be in her room, we should go find her”. “Okay then, let's go” he said as he ran down the hall looking for his mom, his sister following closely.

Samuel sat on the front steps of his home. He had a sack of sugar next to him which he would take handfuls from to rub into his calloused hands. He sat there, patiently trying to remove the evidence of strenuous labor. Gently, he would rub the sandy texture in circles, his hands making a motion as if he was plotting something evil. When he was satisfied, he tiredly got up to run his hands under the garden hose. Every step he took, he could feel his back pulsing. Years of the same hard work really take a toll on the body. It’s not like Sam had a choice. It's all he knew how to do. He had to work to support his family so that his children wouldn’t have to go through what he did. As he walked through the chipped wood door frame of his home,

The trek was arduous and cold despite the layers and layers of clothing Sage wore. She wasn't even sure if Gu Mi knew where she was going. They had been walking for hours in quiet and there was nothing but snow white wasteland for miles. Her boots, meant for such cold weather, didn't keep her toes from feeling numb. She was certain her nose and cheeks were a bright shade of red. Sage never thought she'd visit Siberia. She knew now that she didn't want to, either.

“Jared, are you sure you really want to do this?” Gemma said, wiping a hand over her moistened face. “Are you certain that we shouldn’t do this another day or another time? We really should think this through.”

“I don’t want you to worry but Maddie didn’t come home last night. We’re looking for her and asking her friends if they can help by answering our questions. Okay?”

One Saturday in 2014 Dayton went to a racetrack in Marshalltown, Iowa. He got there paid the entry fee and drew his number to start the heat. He drew number 4 so he would start 2nd row outside. Then he got up to the track and went to take a look at it to see how he was gonna take his lanes. He got back to the truck unloaded the stuff. Prepped the tires to get a good grip on the track.

“Well, you never know.” The girl shrugged a shoulder. “I mean, if it’s depressing you that much Silas would never force you to stay here against your will. He was only trying to help you.”

Early December in Idris was cold and grey. For the shadowhunters did not celebrate christmas as the mundane people do. Lake Lynn was as vacant as ever as Evalyn sat at its bay. She sat motionless, staring at the lakes reflective waters until she felt the ground vibrate. She was quick to gather her skirts and be up on her feet already balanced. If there was one thing she had learned in her many years of training, it was to always be alert. However this was Idris, there was no threat opposing her here in the city of glass. She calmed almost instantly as Tessa Gray stepped out from the forest. Evalyn sighed heavily sitting back on the ground, her body cushioned by the many layers of skirts that she was bundled in.

The embers in the fire-pit glowed in Asmund’s deep, brown eyes. He stared into the flames as a calm aura washed across him; he knew they were coming for him. Yet the seasoned warrior’s heart knew no fear, only honour. Either victory or Valhalla awaited him and both promised glory.

“Fine, Olivia!” wept my mother. “I will answer your questions tomorrow. Just give me time to collect myself.”

“I’m sorry, Mark. I heard some girls talking in the bathroom they said, if Janet’s parents found out about Mom, they wouldn’t allow her to go out with you. Guess they found out.” Ashley felt terrible for her brother.

“What is it mom?” Bella asked getting agitated, still unable to meet her mother’s gaze.