Calling all creative writers! This is a column run by Averie Black to inspire readers to become writers. The column includes writing prompts, pieces written by the coordinators, and occasional submissions from readers.
This month: Take a peek at the bittersweet short story by Averie Black, a tense short story by Shaylin Peckham, and chapter two of Star-bloom by JJ Norton.
Below is a set of prompts for different styles of writing beyond journalism. The idea is that you can create some kind of creative writing piece inspired by one of the prompts, but it doesn't have to be. You can submit any piece of writing you would like to share! All submissions should be school-appropriate. You can also suggest prompts to be featured in the next issue.
Here are some prompts to get you started. You can follow a prompt or submit a unique piece of work. The prompts can be used for anything, though some specify poetry or short stories. This month, the prompts are:
Write about a mystical reason for why leaves change color.
Write about a weather phenomenon.
Write a story that starts and ends with the same sentence.
Write a story about a search for revenge.
Write about an older person reflecting on their past.
If you have any prompt ideas in mind that you haven't seen on here yet or would like to see someone else respond to, then drop them in the Google Form below and I'll try to get them in the next issue! I sometimes don't see the response until after the issue is published, so I'm sorry if it takes a couple of months.
It had been three weeks since Everly went missing and CJ still could not stop thinking about her. Every place CJ went had been where they went together, every conversation was a joke Everly would laugh at, and every moment was one she wanted to share with her. CJ’s heart ached in such a way that blood moved slower through her veins. Her fingers and toes would tingle with numbness without Everly squeezing the lazy redness from her heart to her limbs. CJ dreaded what she would become. With no body to attach her soul to, all that would remain is a haunting version of herself.
“Missing” is a misleading statement. From the moment Everly’s mom called CJ in a panic– she already knew what had happened to her. Well, not so much to her as for her. The conversation had taken place weeks before. As unsuspecting as it seemed, CJ didn’t realize how serious Everly had been.
One humid Friday night, Everly and CJ were splayed out on Everly’s bed in shorts and sweat-stained tank tops. Everly’s hands tangled into CJ’s hair, weaving her dirty blonde curls into a loose French braid. The open windows blew in a cool breeze every once in a while that did little to relieve the heat, but it raised goosebumps on the back of CJ’s neck as her friend's knuckles brushed against her back. Everly didn’t have much of her own hair to work with anymore, not after she quit ballet and decided to buzz it. CJ wasn’t sure if it was self-expression or a breakdown, but it was her job to support her either way.
Now, whenever the girls have a moment to themselves, it is most usually marked with Everly twisting, brushing, braiding, and parting CJ’s hair into shapes she could never figure out how to do herself. The hum of the overhead fan was interrupted by a groan from between Everly’s lips. She snapped a hair tie around the end of CJ’s braid and threw herself back onto the blue comforter.
“I’m bored,” Everly said, halfway between a whine and a groan.
CJ spun herself around, following Everly’s blue-eyed gaze up to the popcorn ceiling, “So sorry. I didn't realize I was boring you.”
Everly grabbed CJ's shoulders, pulling the other girl down to lie with her. It was blazing hot in Everly’s room, but CJ felt a shiver of cold.
“Not now, I mean,” Everly began rambling. “Not with you. Just like– in general. Summer is already halfway over and I feel like I’ve done absolutely nothing interesting.”
“We saw that scorpion get carried away by a hawk. I’d say that was pretty interesting.”
Everly cracked a smile. A smile that widened until her soft giggles filled the air like a choir of angels casting golden sound down on them. CJ glowed with pride, but the quiet moment of softness only cast Everly deeper into her mood. As the other girl closed her eyes, CJ cast her gaze along the curl of Everly’s black lashes, the small between her nose and pink lips, and the gentle hollows under her cheekbones.
“That was pretty interesting, but I want new. Everything new. I’m so bored of Arizona. Our school is filled with the same hundred people, our town with the same thousand. I can’t take it anymore. I need to get out.” Everly spoke like a hungry dog growls.
CJ sat in silence listening to the humming fan. It would get boring in their little town sometimes, but she never wanted to run. Not like Everly, a ball of anxiety pacing around her cage thinking the outside was any different from the inside. For a moment, CJ thought she could be enough to make her happy, but that was a quickly fading hope.
“Maybe after graduation, we can take a trip to California. That is probably like the most interesting place ever, right?”
“That’s a good idea.” Everly yawned. “Beaches. Beaches sound so nice.”
CJ got the call two weeks later. Everly was “missing”. Not missing like disappeared without a trace, missing like a cleared-out closet and her favorite band posters torn off the walls. Pictures of CJ gone from her desk, the money she had saved up from babysitting drained out of her bank account, and the chemical smell of gasoline from her gas-guzzling truck peeling out of the driveway at 2 AM. CJ spent days texting and calling, but the only thing she heard from her best friend of six years was a note that read: “I’ll see you there someday.” Everly had gone to California, and CJ didn’t have the strength to go after her.
Did that mean she never really loved her? CJ struggled with that herself. Was it love if she chased her down? Or was it love that she told Everly’s parents she didn’t know where she ran off to? She couldn’t say. All CJ wanted was to be with her, but all that was left was a hole in her stomach and a brain draped in fog. Maybe CJ would see Everly there someday, she just wasn’t sure if it would be her going after her or if it would be the universe pulling them together again.
“Where have you been?!” Megan screeches, as I enter through the front door silently. I jump five feet in the air, spinning around to meet my mother's eyes. I gulp. Anger creeps at my door. I can feel it. I make sure that my mom and I are at least two feet apart, in case I need to run.
“I was walking back from the game, like you told me to do,” I reply, shaking stiffly. Megan stares at me, eyes burning into my soul like fire-burning wood. I felt like I was not going to make it out of this alive. Not all the way, honestly.
“It's almost midnight, and the game ended at 9! Where were you?!” Megan growls dangerously. I swallow. What do I say to get out of this? Do I tell the truth? That I was with Colin and his friends? My best friends, Diamond and Keely, were there, telling me to hang out with him longer.
Megan is a hungry snake, ready to digest whatever I throw at her. Truth or not, she is ready. Does she know the truth already, and is this a test? I meet her eyes, something I rarely do, and sigh.
“I was with Keely and Diamond, and… Colin.” I admit in utter shame.
Megan explodes! I immediately cower away from her in fear. I can already tell this will be an unpleasant conversation.
“With…with COLIN! What were you thinking?! And Diamond was there? Why did you drag her into the lying and sneaking?!” Oh no. Megan is furious! I can't move or speak. My mind is running as fast as a hamster on a wheel. I can’t comprehend all her questions. I’m overwhelmed. When I get overwhelmed I get angry.
“Just SHUT UP! I’m almost old enough to leave this stupid house, anyway! Why do you keep treating me like a little girl!?” I seethe, screaming over Megan's flurry of questions.
She just…stands there. I shiver in my fading anger, struggling to grasp my anger and hold onto it. She shakes her head, and I realize how quiet the house is. My siblings are hiding, trying to stay out of her path, I think.
“So you think that you're ready for the world? You think you are ready to face the challenges that people will throw at you? You're ready to throw away everything that you had here for someone who might not work out?” Megan says quietly, looking at me. I hate when she talks like this, so quietly. It means danger is coming.
“So what if I think that I'm ready? Maybe I am, and maybe everything will work out. Maybe it's a risk that I want to take,” I answer defiantly, not wanting to back down. Megan’s eye twitches dangerously, and I falter. She takes a step towards me, and I place my hand on the door handle, my eye not looking away from her. I’m ready to run if she lunges at me.
“Don’t do this. You're going to be in more trouble if you do what I know you're about to do. Running is not the right option, Amethyst. We can resolve this in a better way. Let go of the door handle…now,” Megan orders, taking another step towards me. I grip the handle tighter and turn it all the way.
Megan lunges at me, a hissing rattlesnake, and I bolt out the door, barely missing her grabbing my arm. She screams loudly, as I bolt down the road. I’ve got to hide somewhere, or she’ll find me with her car! I have about five minutes to hide before she has her keys and her car. My breath is running short, and my mind is whirling about where to go. Do I go to Rachel's house to hide, and when it's safe, book it to Diamond's?
I’m going to go to Rachel's. It's the safest place to go right now because Megan doesn't know her and won't know to look there. She might look at Ben's house, assuming I went there. When I reach her house, I ring it desperately. Rachel opens the door, and then looks at me with a quizzical expression.
“Amethyst? What are you doing here out of breath at midnight?!” She looks me up and down, pulling me inside. I sit down and catch my breath, crying into my hands. She brings me a glass of water, and sits down next to me. Her family is awake, and watching a movie in the family room.
“It happened so fast! I hung out with Colin and his friends, and my parents found out. I told her about it and she freaked out! I need somewhere to hide for the night, and then I am going to Diamond's house to figure out where Colin's house is. Then I’m going there,” I explain in rapid fire.
She listens with wide eyes as I explain my story. When I’m done, she gets up and heads over to her parents, talking to them quietly. I didn't even hear their response because, as soon as she went to them, I fell fast asleep right there.
___________________________________________________________________________________
“Am? Ammm? AMETHYST! Wake up!”
I wake up groggily and look up to see Rachel's concerned face. I look around in utter confusion, wondering where the heck I am.
“Where am I? Why are you at my house?” I ask her, getting up.
“Actually, you're at my house, remember?” Rachel tilts her head, confused. I look around. Suddenly, my brain clicks from the previous day's events. I break down crying, and Rachel hands me a tissue, already prepared for my fresh tears. Rachel sits there as I cry, comforting me.
“Why did she do that? She knew that I would run away if she yelled or tried to get me! I wanted to see him longer. I know I should have called, but we missed each other a lot. It was just two extra hours, not a whole day. We didn't do anything bad. We just talked about our summer, and the fun things we did!” I cry. Rachel just listens to me, until a buzz from her phone pulls her attention away.
“Here. Take these clothes. Your ride is almost here.” Rachel throws some clothes at me. I look at her in horror. She betrayed me! My mom is coming! She’s gonna kill me!
“Rachel how could you--” she shushes me. I angrily push her hand away, and she rolls her eyes.
“Dakota is going to safely drive you to Colin's house. You will be safe there.” Rachel says, as a chime signals on her phone again. She looks at it, and texts back. I just stare at her, speechless. She texted Dakota for me? She catches me staring at her, and smiles.
“Th-thank you, Rachel. I don’t know what I would do without you in this situation.” I hug her, grateful. I hear a car pull into the driveway and glance out. Dakota. While they both chat, I get ready and head out to meet Dakota. He waves at me, then says goodbye to Rachel with a passionate hug. I buckle up, and we are gone.
“Amethyst Amethyst…I left high school and this is what you got yourself into?” Dakota laughs, looking at me.
“I can’t help it, Dakota. I wanted to see him for longer,” I laugh back, recalling last night. I had a great time.
“The things you do for him…” Dakota mumbles to himself. I laugh.
“What do you mean? You did the same with Rachel. Hung out with her, did stuff for her, and other things like that. How is the fact that I am doing it any different?” I ask him, truly wondering what made me different.
“Well, 'cause you're the good kid. You don’t do things other people do. You do what you're told, and don’t break rules,” Dakota says. I stare at him.
“I’m not all innocent. Shoot. Last night, I spent almost three extra hours with Colin 'cause Diamond told me it was a good idea to do,” I explain.
“Yeah, I heard about that from Rachel. So, how was it?” Dakota asks, smiling at me.
“Amazing! We walked around the high school, talking to each other and joking around with his friends and my friends. Best night in the history of all the nights I have ever had!” I told him. He listens eagerly as I give details.
“Really? You actually said that to him?! Amethyst, that's so mean!” He laughs.
“He doesn't mind, and he actually tried to top that! He went just as mean, and his friends pitched in trying to help him!” I pointed out.
“He was trying to top that?!” Dakota yelps, laughing so hard he almost loses control of the car. He steadies the car, and laughs again.
“Yeah, it was a good night for us all. Do you even know where you're going?” I ask, as Dakota stops at the gas station.
“Nope. I’m going to get gas while you write down his address so we can get there.” Dakota gets out of the car and works the gas pump. I grab a pencil and a piece of paper and write down the address I have known for years.
When Dakota finishes putting gas into the car, he heads into the little gas station market for some snacks. I roll my eyes. He's taking forever on purpose. He puts the snacks in the back of the car and gets in.
“Rogue River Highway? Alright, that's not too far from here.” Dakota starts the car, and pulls out.
“We are literally on it right now. Can I see your phone to put in the directions?” I ask. He hands me his phone, and I type in the directions.
“Okay, just follow this road for a little bit,” I instruct. Dakota listens to my instructions, joking lightly as I tell him. I point out the house area, and he drives a few feet away. A silver car. Colin's parents may be home and, hopefully, him as well. No black Chevy, so Megan isn't here at the moment.
“Dakota, I think you should scout the area for a hidden black Chevy. Just in case she is hiding around here. Drop me off in case she comes out and is suspicious of you,” I add, swiftly glancing around for one last check from me.
Dakota nods, and drops me off 10 feet away from Colin's house. I wait there, as Dakota drives up to Colin's house. As Dakota comes out, a black Chevy drives out from further into the driveway. I hold my breath, fear threatening to swallow me.
Megan walks out, swiftly and dangerously. Dakota looks at her wide-eyed and glances in my direction. I creep back, motioning him to look away from me. He nods and faces her, braver than I would be if it was me.
I can’t hear their conversation, but I know what's going down. Megan is angry, and Dakota is holding it together as best he can. Eventually, Dakota hands Megan a piece of paper, a number maybe, and hugs her. She smiles at him, gets in her car, and drives off. I wait a few minutes as Colin comes out of his house.
He is confused, and Dakota walks over to him. Dakota is whispering and, soon, Andre comes out. Colin shoos him inside and Andre protests. I watch as Colin whispers into Andre’s ear and looks at him.
Andre stares at him in shock and swiftly heads inside. I giggle. Just the sight of Colin makes butterflies in my stomach. Dakota says something to him, and his face goes bright red. He looks around desperately. Dakota laughs, and I start looking around to see if Megan is really gone.
I slowly make my way towards his house, still hiding. Can’t risk anything until I’m with him, safe. He is looking around a lot, Dakota must have told him that I am around here somewhere. Soon, I am five feet away from him but decide to stay hidden. Maybe he might say something cute.
“Dakota, is she really here? Where is she? What do you mean she ran from home?!” Colin demands.
“She ran away because her parents found out who she was with last night. You.” Dakota crosses his hands, a little mad. Colin's face goes white, as he realizes what Dakota said.
“I-I didn’t mean to get her in trouble. We just wanted to hang out, and it was Diamond's idea in the first place…” Colin protests. I stifle laughter as I watch him try to defend us. Dakota pushes him ruffly, not hard enough to knock him down though. I almost hop out to yell at Dakota.
“Why did you listen to her?! Do you see the problem you two have created?!” Dakota growls. Colin looks at Dakota, a scowl on his face.
No Colin! Don’t do it. Don’t fight Dakota over this, I plead silently.
“I’m sorry that I wanted to see the one person I love most as much as I can!” Colin snaps. One person he loves the most? Aww Colin, you didn’t have to be that nice.
“She ran from home! Don’t you understand? I had to bring her here at her request so she can--” Colin cuts Dakota off.
"She’s here? Right now?” Colin asks, a hopeful expression on his face. Dakota rolls his eyes, and I walk out from the bushes. Colin and Dakota yelp, but almost instantly Colin rushes over to hug me tightly. I hugged him back, glad to see him again.
“Long time no see, huh?” I whisper, and he laughs.
“It felt like forever when you left,” Colin whispers back.
Andre comes back out, and he and I lock eyes. He tilts his head, a confused expression on his face.
“Amethyst? What are you doing here?” he asks, looking at Colin.
“It's kind of complicated…” I answer, a bit uncomfortable.
“It’s none of your concern Andre. Plus, you know why she’s here.” Colin cuts me off. Andre shifts his eyes away from Colin. I meet his eyes, and he looks away. Colin senses my uneasiness and confronts Andre.
“What do you need, Andre?” Colin growls. I elbow him lightly, mouthing to him to be nice. Colin sighs and awaits his brother's response.
“Dad wants us inside. He is still mad from…from last night,” Andre admits. Colin sighs and looks at me sadly.
“Guess I’m not the only one who's in trouble,” I laugh. Colin smiles.
“It was worth it,” he whispers back. My turn to smile. Andre just watches us, clearly uncomfortable.
“You should probably get inside, Amethyst, before your mom comes back. This won’t be a pleasant sight to her,” Dakota warns. I sigh because he’s right.
“Colin, you're not bringing her inside are you?” Andre asks nervously. Colin straightens up a little.
“As a matter of fact, I am! Come on, Amethyst. Let's go talk to my parents,” Colin says, grabbing my hand. Andre widens his eyes, and starts to protest.
“Bye, Dakota. Thanks for everything!” I call, heading inside with Colin. Andre follows after, head hung low. Dakota waves goodbye and drives off.
“Nervous?” Colin asks.
“Yeah, but I’m ready to face them. It’s not the first time, after all,” I reply, walking inside. The door closes behind me as Andre walks in behind us.
I stare at every single beautiful clothing I find and am shocked at the detail. So many colors and styles and so many dresses! I saw a woman smile as Ellis and I entered. I see them talking in the distance. I ignore it and, instead, go back to the dresses in front of me. I can’t keep my eyes off of them. I recently found out the woman's name is Grace and I see them glance at me now and then. I shrug and guess he is just asking for some clothes for me to have instead of my ripped ones. The ones I'm wearing make me feel like a peasant in a palace. I just feel like they don’t fit the beauty in front of my face.
“So, anything that you would like to try, Miss?” I hear the woman behind me say.
I look at Ellis nervously and shake my head.
“Everything looks too nice.” I glance at her and smile.
“So we shall take your measurements then, Miss.” She looks for something and talks to me.
I nod and follow her to a stool and she motions for me to step up onto it. I step up and she wraps a tape measurer around my waist.
After a few minutes of taking my measurements, she lets me step off the stool.
“I will look for some good dresses that will look good on you.” She walks off to the racks and looks around while I face Ellis.
I frown and see that he has walked outside to Fala and is talking to a pretty little lady. She looks like Ellis, with gray eyes and brown hair. She may be his sister or cousin. I shrug and find Grace coming towards me with many dresses. Each one a different color.
“I think we should try some light colors like green, pink, lilac, and light blue,” I nod and focus on the dresses in her hands. I take a lilac one. “There is a changing room behind that curtain.”
She motions behind me with her free hand.
I look and see a brown curtain and open it up to find a mirror and bench. I step in and close the curtain behind me. I pull on the lilac dress and gasp.
The dress flows around me like a cloud. It is off the shoulders and the sleeves flow down and it's tight on my chest like a corset. It has a slit in the leg part and all I need to finish the beauty are some white lace heels. I smile and play with my hair because it's still down.
“Miss? Are you dressed in the first one?” I hear her close to the curtain and look behind me at it. I pull the curtain and step out. Grace gasps and claps her hands together.
“It's perfect! Right, Ellis?” She looks at Ellis, who is inside again and sitting in a chair.
He is staring at me and smiles.
“Of course it is. You make everything perfect, Grace.” I hear him flirt with that tone and a grin.
My jaw drops to the ground and I stare at him like an alien has appeared. What the heck is he doing?! I look down at the dress again and then back at Grace.
“Wow,” I mumble, as Grace blushes and looks away, smiling.
Grace looks and me and her eyes widen.
“Oh! I’m sorry, Jasmine. I forgot you were there.” She comes over to me and looks around me.
“Seems like Ellis is too busy flirting with you,” I say, my tone neutral.
She looks up at me with big, innocent eyes. Ellis laughs from across the room. He looks at us and is grinning. This little brat was eavesdropping on us.
Grace looks at him and stutters. “W-what? Of course not!”
I roll my eyes and glare at Ellis. “He is definitely flirting with you.”
I turn around back to the dressing room.
“I am not staying here to third-wheel. Just give me all of the dresses you know I will like.”
I ripped off the dress, disgusted. I pull on my clothes from my world and they make me feel at home. I walk out and Grace hands me a box.
“Here are four dresses and I will add the one you just had on.” She doesn’t look at me in the face anymore as she puts the lilac dress in the box.
Ellis and I are walking down the street and he is holding Fala’s reins.
“So, was the shopping good for you?” I say and look at the river.
“What? You were the one getting the dresses.”
I rolled my eyes and didn’t answer.
“Jasmine, what is it?” He stops and I feel him looking at me.
“You flirting with Grace the whole time is the problem, Ellis.” I finally look at him and he looks mad.
“Why is that your business?” he says and seems to be holding back his anger.
“Well, maybe I don’t like third-wheeling!”
His face goes into confusion.
“Third-wheeling?” I groan and keep walking again. “I am NOT about to tell you something like that.”
I hear him start walking with Fala behind me again.
“Is it so bad?” I hear him call out to me.
“YES.” I barely keep my voice quiet and feel people outside looking at me.
I walk faster. To where? I don’t know at all.
I look at Ellis and sigh. “Fine. Where are we going?”
We stumble down a dock to a small ship.
“A ship? I thought you lived here in this town?” He looks back at Fala and pets her.
“We live downstream. Plus, Fala is too tired to walk all that way.”
I am really looking at Fala this time and see her breathing heavily. I feel bad for not noticing earlier. I nod and follow Ellis over to the man by the small ship.
“Hey, Ellis!”
Seems like everyone knows Ellis at this point. I roll my eyes and look at the ship. It's quite small but it's pretty and colorful. I see blue paint starting to fall off and a bit of white old paint beneath. I reach over and touch words that say Sky-Moon. I turn to see that Ellis has paid the man and is loading Fala on board. The man smiles and motions for me to board, as well. I nod and follow behind Ellis and Fala. The man unties the ropes holding the ship in place and we set off the dock into the river waves that take us downstream to a new place.
I smile and try to touch overhanging tree branches as we pass them. I catch a leaf from a nearby branch and see a star-like leaf in my hand. Ellis is watching behind me. I know because I feel his glance.
“What do you want, Ellis?” I spin the leaf in my hand and turn around.
He smiles and pets Fala. “Just watching you enjoy the trees.”
I groan inside at this stupid handsome man trying to flirt. “Oh. Stop being a weirdo.”
I look at the leaf and then toss it over the side. I watch as it flows down the river like a heartbeat. My own heartbeat. Why is my heart acting like this? I take a deep breath and ignore the feeling. I couldn’t be like this around a weird stranger. Fala roars behind me and I almost turn around when I feel his hands around me.
“How am I being weird, beautiful?” He grins at me as we make eye contact.
He has a strange look in his eyes as he stares at me.
“Y-you just are! Now stop looking at me!” I stutter and look away, my heart beating fast.
My blue eyes scan the trees by the river and I brush my blonde hair away from my face. The silence is deafening and I can't stand it. Suddenly, the boat jolts to a stop. I am tilted to the side and almost fall off the boat. Ellis is there and catches me by the waist.
“Careful!” Ellis yells at the man.
“Sorry, Sir! The boat gets bumpy up here with all the rocks in the water.” The man steers us and we come to a steady flow again.
Ellis hasn't let go of me yet and I look at his tight hands on my waist.
“Ellis,” I say in a whispered tone.
He looks at me with those smoky eyes and looks concerned.
“You don’t have to hold me anymore.” I try to get him to let go by stepping back.
He doesn't look at me but lets go and steps back.
We stop when we reach a small town off to the side of the river. People are out with nets for fishing and they wave at us. One even calls out Ellis by his name and smiles. Ellis grins back and waves. I look away and at those small houses that line up to each other. They are a reddish brown color like they used some kind of dirt on the wood they are made of. The man driving the boat ties us to a wooden dock as Ellis leads Fala off and I step off behind them. Some town folk look up from their daily chores and smile as we pass the crowds. Some people are trading fruit and clothes as the kids run around laughing. It looks so old-fashioned and the happiness is unbelievable to my eyes. I smile as the smell of flowers flies towards my nose. I look around till I find a woman selling bouquets. I see my favorite peony pink flowers there, too. Ellis catches up to me with Fala.
“Nice flowers, aren't they Jasmine?” he says and nods at the flower woman.
“Yes. I love the fresh peonies.” I touch one with a finger and smile.
Ellis tosses a coin to the woman and picks up the Peonies I have been eyeing. He hands them to me and nods. "Here, then. Welcome to my town, Elendor."
We walk past more pretty market stalls and Ellis is greeted by people who seem to know him really well. Old or young, small or big, tall or short. I feel the love in the air with how friendly they are to each other. I sigh and smell the peonies in my hand. We reach a big building, where Ellis stops.
“Want to grab something to eat, Jasmine?” He looks back at me and nods toward the door.
We enter the doors and hear chatter from inside. We see many town folks eating early dinner and I feel them glance up the second we enter. A small lady in a cute waitress-like outfit comes up to us and smiles.
“Hey, Ellis! You have a guest today. Do you still want to eat at your table?” The lady looks at a spot by the window with a small candle on the table.
Outside, Fala is eating with the other Haos and she looks happy. Ellis nods and looks at me but I just shrug and follow them.
“Thanks, Sam,” Ellis says when we sit down at the table.
She nods and looks at me. “What do you want? Chicken stew with a fruit cider sound good?”
I nod as my stomach grumbles and I blush. Sam smiles and skips off to do her job. I hear the town folk chatter about their day and how it went. I glance around and see that this is like a big family gathering having dinner. Even Fala outside seems to have done this a lot of times and is so relaxed. I can't help but feel tense. Like something is bound to happen and I don't like it at all. I fidget with my skirt beneath the table and look outside to distract my mind.
“What's wrong?” I hear Ellis say across from me, but I refuse to look at him.
All it takes is to look at my face to know how I feel.
“Jasmine.” He says it in such a tone I have to snap my face to look at his.
“Nothing. I'm fine.” I feel like my tone and shaky voice were not that convincing.
“Liar. I can tell something is going on.” He softens his voice and his eyes are worried. “What is it?”
I sigh and look around worried other people will hear me. “I feel like something bad is about to happen.”
Ellis frowns and looks around. “Like what? I think we are pretty safe here.”
I shrug and look down at my hands.
“I am sure we will be just--” He is cut off by screams outside.
I jump and my eyes widen as I look at him. Ellis is out of his seat and flying towards the door. That scream sounded like a child in pain and fear.
“Ellis!!” I yell and jump up and run after him.
Outside it is just down starting to get dark out. The sky is a light peachy color. I look around for Ellis, but all I see is people running in panic and screaming. I feel the tightness in my throat and feel so sweaty. This was not normal. Where is all the love and joy that was here when I first came here? I run around and dodge people as they shove past me.
“Ellis!” I scream and I feel people elbow me in the gut.
I gasp for air, but it is too crowded and I am scared. Suddenly, someone hits me in the head and I fall. The last thing I see is blood.
********************************************************************************************
When I come to, I see a fire before me.
“Finally, she is awake,” I hear a gruff voice say out loud.
A second one laughs. I flinch as I see them and want to throw up. They are monsters, made of ripped skin and red dangerous eyes. I squirm and feel the bite of rope on my wrists and ankles. I hear them laugh.
“Feisty, isn't she? Just how I like them, all scared and trembling."
I whimper and want to curl up but can't.... tied up like this.
“Ellis.” I managed to croak out. “Ellis?! What does that evil man want with you?”
I hear him smirk and bite my lip from crying.
“Should we eat her now or later?”
I wake up to their voices again and don't dare to open my eyes or move.
“We should wait for a while. We had that child earlier and she isn't fighting.” The second gruff voice says.
I suddenly hear them shout out in pain and open my eyes wide. I find a girl my age with a bow and arrow before me.
“H-hello,” I croak out from not speaking and wanting to scream.
She looks at me in shock. “I thought I was too late and you were dead.”
She rushes over to me and cuts my binds with a knife from her hip.
“Thanks,” I say and slowly and painfully sit up and look up at her.
“Do you know Ellis?” I say and take deep breaths. “Ellis? The one with that golden Hao?”
Her face is frozen in surprise and she holds out a hand. I take it and stand up by her feeling a bit dizzy. I stumble and she catches me.
“Yes, him,” I say and grunt in pain.
Everything hurts right now.
“Well, let's get you to a safe place first and make sure you are okay.” She helps me walk a bit with most of my weight on her. “I'm Sally.”
I smile at her and nod. “I am Jasmine.”
"Are you feeling better, Jasmine?”
Sally enters the tent after I finish eating and having a lot of water. I nod and chew up the last of the food in my mouth.
“Yes. Thanks again for all the help. You could've just left me there to die.”
She shakes her head and fills my water jug again. “No. That's not what I could have done. I have a soft heart.”
Sally hands me the jug and I sip it. I nod and smile my thanks.
“Take a nap, okay?” Sally says as she stands up and leaves.
I lay down with my thoughts so keep me company. What happens now? Where is Ellis?
