Discover "Voices Unbound": an anthology showcasing Arizona State University's Young Adult Writer's Camp students. Historical narratives and captivating Flash Fiction stories come alive in this collect

Voices Unbound: An Anthology of Young Writers

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1. Fear A soldier, Fighting off vile monsters and demons. Unsafe in his own home, When others hurt him by trying to help, Because war leaves&nbsp;no survivors.

2. Skin Deep On the outside, A soldier, Veteran, Hero. Internally, Broken, Empty, Silent.

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Warnings 	Alarms blared through the hallways, 	people in consternation and questioning, 	why it felt like the ship was shifting.

Evacuate 	Everyone, may you please evacuate the ship. 	The captain said, panicked. 	 	I was worried, and I decided to go to the lifeboats. 	I saw the captain and some volunteers had a rope, strapped onto the wall, into the lifeboat. 	What's going on! 	My sister screamed. 	 	But we lost grip of each other through the loquacious crowd. 	I never saw her again.

In the forest a small sound bearly heard in the vast trees A head peeks out from along the way My brother Ian stands outside calmly I usher him to come with me to see the creature that lurks in the shadows

I am from the wind that sweeps&nbsp;with grace I am from the shadows that lurk and from the dusty&nbsp;light that shines on the trees they surround me and stand tall so the dark green top, is never seen I am&nbsp;from the sun the sky the clouds whose lightness floats softly in the sky, moves slowly as the days turn to nights and importantly, watches me every day from&nbsp;afar

The two figures dropped their gaze on Dorothea and settled it on me. Eyes and actions steady, reflecting each other like a mirror and with ease and confidence of a model. One of the people was a girl with wavy strawberry blonde hair. She was dressed in an intricate black dress the color of midnight, exuding extreme confidence despite how short she looked. The other person was a young man only a few inches taller than the girl with heavy brown hair and big ears the size of pancakes. He was wearing a dirty black vest and trousers, matching the girl's dress. "What's going on here?" I repeated. Dorothea turned paler than snow, clearly unable to respond. She shrunk back into her seat until the pair grabbed her back up, with more force than an elephant. "What does it look like?" asked the man rhetorically. "Something I need to call the police about," I answered. "A robbery?" "You're right about one of those things." cut in the girl. Her voice wasn't very melodic but very familiar. "And it ain't the police." She flipped her hair dramatically, insinuating more dejà vû.

"I'm sure that's not true. Mr. Hart! Mr. Williams!" I scream the name of other bankers, awaiting them to come help me. My voice, so high and loud it could have shattered the glass windows that run up the concrete bank walls. "In a second!" Mr. Hart shrieked back. No one else responded. They probably didn't take me seriously enough to even try to. Now I was on my own. My heart was beating faster than an Olympic track star. Meanwhile, the two robbers had gone back to snatching the things out of Dorothea's purse. "No! Please!" she shouted. Notified of her situation, I rushed over to the three, and tried to grab back the purse. The opposing pair tugged and lugged at her purse, in opposition to us. I was tempted to let them have it after all of the stupidity and cruelty Dorothea both obtained and radiated around me. But I did what was right. "Who are you people?" I said bitterly. "Wouldn't you love to know." said the woman. Her snarky tone yet feminine voice taunted me, reminiscent of someone I couldn't place. "What's the harm? The cops aren't going to get here in time. I'm. Clyde," exclaimed the man. "And that's Bonnie. But now that you know who we are, I'm afraid you have to come with us."

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PROLOGUE PTSD has been present since war was born. In the Civil War, PSTD was called "soldier's heart" or "the thousand yard stare". In World War 1, it was referred to as "shell-shocked", because it was thought to have been caused by physical trauma from bombshells. In the1980s, PTSD was finally, officially recognized. But the soldiers before that were not. They were sent home, heavily drugged, made to endure the excruciating pain of seeing the horrors of war. No one understood what they were going through. Soldiers who fought in a war, in fact, fought two. One in the body, one in the mind.

National Center for PTSD Most people who go through a traumatic event will&nbsp;not&nbsp;develop PTSD. About 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the U.S. population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives. Many people who have PTSD will recover and no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD after treatment. So, this number counts people who have PTSD&nbsp;at any point&nbsp;in their life, even if their symptoms go away. About 5 out of every 100 adults (or 5%) in the U.S. has PTSD in&nbsp;any given year. In 2020, about 13 million Americans had PTSD. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men. About 8 of every 100 women (or 8%) and 4 of every 100 men (or 4%) will have PTSD at some point in their life. Veterans are more likely to have PTSD than civilians. Veterans who deployed to a war zone are also more likely to have PTSD than those who did not deploy.

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Where I Go Kwame Alexander

Where I go Each night After a long day It is calm and quite It is where I am alone and proud A place that keeps me composed and my worries Go away In my deep safe My room Where I am small in my world And calm And silent Into the quite emptiness Until a burst of emotions or business comes joy Like a bud of a flower

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Is this reality? "Hum didle dee dum, hum didle dooo" I hear soft happy humming I force my eyes open As if by magic I am in a world of wonder I suddenly realize that my hands and feet are tied together and I am gagged. I am being transported into a dungeon "Bring the intruder in" says a menacing voice "Meh, I don't need her" says the queen "Bring her back to the average world" a guard says to another guard Zwooop I am back my new house, a basement Home Sweet Home? "We are extremely sorry for how we have treated you" says Mrs. Janet, looking truly sorry I am in awe of such a turn of events "Thank you" I say with for once, a true smile on my face. They tour me around they're four story house explaining every detail. This is my home sweet home Newfound Joy Emmy Now loved by guardians Finds herself in a world of gratefulness and happiness after numerous hardships All is well◾

3. Unheard If you are hurting, Who do you tell? Family, Friends, Lovers? For sympathy For peace of mind. But what if no one hears you? Understands you? Empathizes with you? Except for the dead, Who hear you, See you, Understand you, Yet you do not hear them. Are you alone? Is this world for the living, Or for the dead?

4. Memorial The soldier sees his brethren, In a sea of gray, At rest. He wonders if it would have been easier To join them. The flag waves high above, A country built on sacrifices. We do not regret. We honor, We remember, We move on, With them in our hearts.

5. Flashback He hears the voices, He smells the smoke. He tastes the blood, He sees the dead. He feels his heartbeat, The guilt, The nightmares, His own thoughts. He wishes it would end.

The world came crashing down on me. Not just because of Dorothea's insistent and annoying comments. Not just because of everyone's refusal to help. Not just because my best friend of ten years dropped out of school. Not just because that friend married a terrible man at sixteen. Not just because she never divorced him, and still loved another man- Clyde. Not just because she committed misdemeanors. Not just because she committed felonies. Not just because she broke into the bank I work at. Not just because she tried to rob a customer at that bank. Not just because she didn't recognize me. And not just because this so-called "friend" kidnapped me. The reason is all of the above.

Bonnie and Clyde had by now stolen back Dorothea's currently empty purse. And with a brandish and threat of their knives, they forced us out of the bank. "What are you doing? Where are you taking us?" Dorothea screeched. Clyde smirked with more menace and mischief than I've ever seen anyone express. "Where no one can hear your screams." My body tensed, my mentality as well. I did not know if that day I would die or live but either way I was unsafe and in danger. Dorothea must have felt this pressure and danger too, because she began to shriek. Uncontrollably. "GET AWAY FROM ME! SOMEBODY, ANYBODY! HELP!" Yet there were no onlookers or a single passerby for her and I to be saved. The few other shops and establishments that lined the street were not open at the time, so no clientele or employees were admitted in. We were all alone.

Liverpool 	I saw it. 	I saw the new world of Liverpool. 	Revelry playing in the back. 	Just as I stepped out of the train. 	A new world was awaiting for me.

The Marina contained a huge ship called the SS City of Benares. Me and my sister held hands and wished for the best, but our treacherous journey just began.

SS City of Benares 	Woah! 	My sister exclaimed after seeing all the luxurious seats and food to satiate us and keep us sane. 	They had cabins, and had room numbers, including all the passengers on the ship's list. 	They even had a play pen that nobody wanted to get out of.

My Cabin In my bed, thinking about the exuberant memories we had. I shook those thoughts away, and talked with my sister.

Sunburnt 	The Sunburnt Ship, 	with broken communications, 	made us think there was nothing perilous up ahead.

As they rolled in, like children into a candy shop, people approached me. My social anxiety strengthened, waxing and waning like a silver moon glowing in the midnight sky. Practically the time I had to wake up for this job! "Excuse me, madam, I'd like to request a loan," asked a woman with a fancy hat as golden as the sun and as big as her head. Though she seemed nonchalant, my stress and worry shone through. "Um, yes... of course. Identification, please." The woman nodded and took out a white card embellished and engraved with her name in white. "Dorothea Smith" She and I filled out the most boring papers I have ever been forced to look upon even topping school's boring miscellaneous...

Tears rolled down my cheeks, nerves spiraling like an endless abyss into the unknown. First day of the first grade, and despite all that my parents had told me, nothing could fight the incurable fear that brewed inside me. At the age of six, I was a clear introvert, and yet there was nothing more I wanted than to make some friends. My father dragged me into school despite my urge to run back into the street all the way back home, and far away from Eagle Ford School. "It will be fine, Amara," he said. "Others will be just as nervous as you." I didn't want to believe him about this subject- like how I didn't want to admit how unicorns weren't real. Yet in the end, my father was right about both of these things. To an extent. "That little girl looks upset too," my father pointed out. A very short, blonde-haired girl stood in the corner of our small schoolroom. She was weeping, whilst being embraced by her mother. "Go introduce yourself!" he urged me.

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ASU's Young Adult Writing Program Presents

Special Mentor Text Kwame Alexander's Door of No Return

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I am Kevin Phillips 	I am a servant that is dedicated to become a captain of a ship. 	At Liverpool 	In 1940 	Because of the story about the SS City of Benares.

I had never thought that my best friend would turn on me though she likely had no idea the young bank teller she kidnapped was Amara Miller, her best friend for ten years. and I had never thought this would be something I'd experience- especially not on the first day of my first job. But this was my experience. And as Bonnie and Clyde forced us into the back seat of their rickety old truck, all I could think about were these these terrible, terrible concepts. Until Clyde interrupted them. "Bonnie, keep the girls in the truck, watch them. I'm going to go back in the bank; get some more stuff. When I'm back, let's get going." he said in a thick Texan accent. Bonnie nodded and replied, "Sure thing, Clyde. Be quiet though. The other bankers may hear you." And with that, Clyde scrambled out of the pick-up truck and ran back into the bank. Dorothea, meanwhile, fainted. As Clyde exited the truck, a new idea entered my mind- the one to get us out of this predicament...

"I can't believe you," I said. I kept my voice level but full of tone, something that would catch the attention of my old friend. "First you marry Roy at sixteen, and then four years later you rob a bank? What is wrong with you?" Bonnie whipped her head of bouncing curls over to face me."How do you know that?" "You don't recognize your old best friend?" Her face once calm, serious, and yet threatening melted into pure shock. "Amara?" she yelled, and a mix of emotions overcame both me and her. I was concerned and slightly pleased she finally knew- and Bonnie looked both depressed and surprised. "Yes. By the way, I really appreciate how you stole from my bank and now kidnapped me! Brings back great memories!" The sarcasm in my voice mixed into pure anger and offensiveness; like a smoothie of anxiety, anger, shock, and fear. "I...I... had no idea. I didn't know!" Bonnie shouted, and I could see her eyes darken and gloss over. "That doesn't justify what you did, Bonnie!" "I'm sorry- okay? I know words can't express how I feel." She leaned over her seat as a rush of tears cascaded down her face like a giant, miraculous waterfall. I almost felt sorry for her, but she deserved to feel this way after everything she did. So I cut in. "Letting us go will express it."

Bonnie sighed with more expression than I ever have seen her with. I could tell she was conflicted. Finally, after a long silence with as much tension to fill a room, she said to me,"Okay. You can go. Because we were friends." My eyes widened extremely, my heart soared, and my confidence felt like it was flying above the clouds. "Dorothea! Wake up!" I shouted to her conscious-less body. Groggily, slowly, but surely, she got back up. "What's going on?" she asked with as much serenity and respect I have ever heard her use. "We can leave!" The woman bounced out of her seat as Bonnie unlocked the truck, not even waiting to linger, the facade of kindness clearly fading. "Thank you, Bonnie." I said. "You deserve it. I'm sorry about everything, Amara." "If you're sorry, then show it." I told her. She looked pensively at me. "Goodbye, Amara." "Goodbye, Bonnie." ◾

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Sibling-ship When I&nbsp;had to say bye, all&nbsp;I&nbsp;couldn’t&nbsp;do was cry. I didn’t want him to leave. I just wanted him&nbsp;with&nbsp;me, but my family refused&nbsp;to have him here. I broke down, no&nbsp;consolation. Missing him. I&nbsp;decided to go look for my brother, without my parents knowing... he had a favorite&nbsp;spot. He always took me. &nbsp; ”Come home” I&nbsp;said&nbsp;to my brother.&nbsp; ”But why should&nbsp;I?” he&nbsp;said&nbsp;”&nbsp;you always’d hated me” SO??”&nbsp; ”Your still my brother and siblings are meant care for each other no matter what”&nbsp; Little did my brother know that our parents are criminals I&nbsp;confronted my parents in their&nbsp;study by the time I&nbsp;finished&nbsp;the argument I&nbsp;told my brother to come outmy dad wanted to him&nbsp;out I&nbsp;said&nbsp;”&nbsp;if you want to kick him out, kick me out too”&nbsp; That&nbsp;held my dad back I&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;leak the evidence yet…….. TO BE CONTINUED. Things that pens and pencils can't do but they did I am from the world of pencils and pens&nbsp; form day and night&nbsp; and form the sadness on when you go to school I see every sad move you make and even if it’s a bad move and I&nbsp;still observe and when you go to sleep I&nbsp;write down all the things that you did that were boring I&nbsp;share with the village (the pens and pencils) by the time I'm done,&nbsp;I laugh with tears of&nbsp;laughter and go to sleep

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6. Death The soldier knows he does not have long. The stress, The fear, The anxiety, Everything, Is too much. Death, A means to an end.

7. Freedom The soldier embraces death, Like an old friend. His body, Unchained from the earth, Joins his long free soul. He unites with his brethren, In the skies.◾

I follow the creature with Ian we move swiftly around the trees and to the water It seems to glow with the power of sunshine and light We get sucked in to the river

We gasp It is so amazing I can't believe that this is happening maybe a dream? This is my dream world but its can't be true its to good to be true

On a land with air that flows through my blond hair The small land that floats in the sky I panic Ian gasps Dragons fly with grace and silence a goat a talking comes up

Where are we? sky world of course Ian and I need to go home now. Ahhh humans, you'll have to go to the mistresses castle and take her gem then come back here where is that? I don't want to go! Ian says On your right miss Fine Ian I can go by myself we need to go *sigh* I'll go with you, fine!

we shoot through the rainbow portal at the speed of light also in slow motion I move and shift till I end up at the door of a great big castle

The dark castle is covered in flames it reeks with Eire vibes I am stunned and freeze the gargoyles seem alive and then I look at Ian

I walk through the dimly lit halls with black bricks Ian smiles with great joy I scoff what? nothing I can't believe your happy! It's cool! oh my god- well we will get help from whoever is here ok then we are going home! no. fine I'll go myself!

Ian careless and crazy chasing, running, and jumping he has known me since I was a baby my brother but still unknown to me

Step into a realm where imagination knows no bounds, stories spring forth like wildflowers in the desert and allow yourlself to immerse in the captivating pages of "Voices Unbound," an anthology that showcases the remarkable talent of Arizona State University's Young Adult Writer's Camp students. Inspired by Kwame Alexander's "The Door of No Return," these aspiring writers embarked on a journey of historical narrative exploration. But that was not all. With the spirit of adventure coursing through their veins, these budding wordsmiths also delved into the realm of Flash Fiction to hone their skills. Within these pages, you'll find a collection of student-selected stories and poems that breathe life into pivotal moments in history and fiction while igniting the imagination. These young writers have crafted vivid narratives, bridging the gap between the past and the present. With concise yet fun or powerful tales, they captivate readers, leaving them yearning for more. We extend our gratitude to the students, families, and Arizona State University for their support in making this anthology possible. And a special thank you to Kwame Alexander for his text-mentorship, which has inspired these young voices to tell their own stories with passion and grace. Join us on a literary adventure as "Voices Unbound" takes you on a journey of imagination, reminding us of the power of youth and the written word.

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04. 1930 by Brooke C. 14. The Poems by Yocheved I. 17. Torpedoed by Ryan K. 26. Flash Fiction by Christopher L. 28. Joy Renewed by Trinn L. 33. In The Castle by Jenna El M. 41. The War Of The Mind by Serena S. 46. A Time Travelling Tale by Summer S.

I walk down to the gleaming river. I set my shoes on the side of the bank. I hesitate before stepping into the cold water. I sit down on the grassy side of the river bank. In the morning air in the trees something catches my eye. I stand up and move closer and closer until. *Thud* I face plant into the river. "Ugh, come on I wanted to stay out of the house, I guess I'll have to go home now." I twist my hair and watch the water drip back into the river. 

old and run down breaking, chipping, and molding inside My favorite meal the warm feelings I feel inside sitting with my family eating the warm pasta with joy

JEM...3

I am from the sweltering Arizona From the library, abounding in books and magazines Constantly devouring enchanting books I am from the airplane Always traveling and exploring new countries around the globe I am from the resonating keys of the piano Graceful slender fingers flying across the keys Playing a heavenly tune◾

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4 “Mayday, mayday, mayday” is what the pilot yelled as we started to descend in altitude. The enemy place had hit us and our engine was practically&nbsp;useless.&nbsp;My&nbsp;heart was racing and the thought of crashing to my death scared me. Suddenly, I remembered I had a parachute on my back. I yelled to the pilot, “Hey use your parachute.” But I noticed that he didn’t have a parachute on his back and he realized this too. Unfortunately, that meant I&nbsp;had to abandon him and he would die a gruesome death.&nbsp;“Save yourself!” He yelled at me with haste, “Tell my family I love them! ” I knew what I had to do, and I jumped out of the aircraft and pulled the rope that deployed my parachute. I floated calmy in the air as I watched the plane crash and explode into flames. This was the first time I had lost a friend.&nbsp;◾

2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cookie Monster reaches into his secret stash and pulls out pancakes that have&nbsp;are covered&nbsp;with an immense amount of syrup. As the Giant lobster advances with the dynamite in his hand, the cookie monster launches the pancakes and pins the&nbsp;Lobsters’&nbsp;claws to the wall.◾

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1 So there I was, sitting on a couch in a cold, chilly wasteland. I don’t know why the couch was there, but it was comfortable and I could rest and wait. I watched tourists and people walk by taking pictures and, oddly enough, a man riding on a horse covered in a decorative cloth. I sat there so calmly, wondering when my parents would come back from the hiking path, that I refused to go on. The sun shined brightly in my eyes and I slowly got bored and lonely. Maybe I should have joined their hike after all.&nbsp;◾

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Once upon a time, there was a world where bears and bunnies were at war. Unfortunately, the bears were losing, and the evil killer bunnies and captured many bears to be&nbsp;brainwashed. The bear government knew they had to do something. They experimented and invented a dangerous chemical that could paralyze the evil bunnies and save the bears that were brainwashed. They produced many copies of the serum and distributed them throughout the army. The bears were advancing into demon bunny territory and eventually&nbsp;reached the capital state. They had an epic battle that lasted for days. Bunnies and bears&nbsp;were flying left and right as the bears fought with all their might. The bunnies were strong, but they couldn’t stand the serum.&nbsp;Finally,&nbsp;after&nbsp;3 long days of fighting, the president of the Evil Bunnys surrendered and released the bears. All the bear families and soldiers celebrated all across the nation. They lived happily ever after and the evil bunnies never dared to attack anyone again.◾

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Lifeboat 7 	Cold, bleak, dreary waters ahead of me, 	instructed to go down a frayed rope, 	the water felt like a freeze, 	and then I heard screams.

Waves 	Turning around, 	I see helpless, frozen 	people drowning in the frozen waters. 	Waves pushing lifeboats, and flipping them over, 	Costed lots of lives.

The Atlantic Ocean 	As we floated away, 	waves consumed our boat, 	and then I submerged under the water.

Raft 	Head above water, 	gasping for air, 	shouting for help, 	I grabbed onto the nearest, buoyant object.

"Do I have to?" I cried. He gave me the look in response. The tell-tale sign of what must be done. A chilling response as cold as an ice cube and as descriptive as an essay. Begrudgingly, hesitant and worried, I made my way over to the girl. Her mother smiled at me her teeth like little white lights glowing and lighting the way of a very dark world. Her daughter, on the contrary, looked at me with the biggest sky blue eyes I have ever seen. Eyes that still wept, but she had nonetheless acknowledged me, at least before she buried her little head into her mother's skirt. "Hi, my name is Amara." the words came to my mouth easier than I had thought they would with less anguish and anxiety than I had predicted. "What's your name?" The girl slowly crept out of her mother's skirt with even more hesitation than me. But at least I got an answer.

she had said. Her deep blue eyes stared into my soul, as if this was some test I desperately needed to pass. Her mother pushed Bonnie closer to me, breaking the concentration the little girl had on me. "Mom!" she scolded. Her mom only smiled in response. "So Amara- how old are you?" asked Bonnie's mother. "Um, I'm six. How old are you, Bonnie?" "I'm six too." And then she proceeded to stare deeply into me again. "I apologize about Bonnie," her mother said again. "She does have trouble with introductions." "That's okay," I responded. Gradually, in our first grade year, Bonnie and I did get closer and less awkward together. She stopped staring into me and hiding with her mother when someone approached her. But this change didn't all happen on her first day. "Why don't you two go find a seat together?" At the time, I didn't appreciate this incentive from Bonnie's mother. To me, Bonnie seemed a little crazy, and I myself was socially awkward. But now, I couldn't respect or be so happy that I had this friendship with Bonnie. Not just because of our strong, enjoyable bond- but because being friends with Bonnie would save my life.

The bitter end to my depressing memory shocked me back into coherence. The woman I was checking in, Dorothea, looked at me with more confusion and impatience than I have ever seen. "Miss," she trailed off, her voice uncertain yet angry. "Oh, yes- sorry!" My embarrassment burned hotter and brighter than a Texas wildfire. I tried to conceal it, but I'm sure with the sheen of sweat and nervous sips I took of my water bottle gave it away. "A loan, you said?" She nodded. "Do you have an appointment?" For the amount of grief and cruelty she had given me, I almost wished she didn't- just to cost her the convenience. "No. Did I need to?" Ugh. Of course she didn't know to. "Yes. However, I can get you in with a banker soon." "So I need to wait? You know what- whatever- just get me in. I'm tired of waiting." The woman stared me dead in the eye, as if her misdirected anger could cure her wait time. "...Okay. Take a seat; I'll find someone to meet with you."

As the woman sat down, I rose, as did my anxiety. I made my way to the back of the bank- furtively, quiet, and concerned. The bankers here are like bears, hibernating. Make a wrong move- or do something to interrupt their stagnant state, then you're in trouble. This philosophy especially applies to me; seeing as I am the only woman who works in this building. Unfortunately, that was what I had to do. "Hello? Does anyone have the time to meet with a client?" I called into the banker offices lining the bank's back. My assorted replies include little to no other responses except for, "No," "Too busy," or just demonic laughter. Only one person- the banking director, Mr. George Hart gave me a different answer. "Yes." Quickly, I gave him the information about Dorothea Smith, her needs, and then I ran back out to relay the message. I definitely did not need to get yelled at again for no reason. However, my strained eyes were greeted by a different sight than a grumpy, middle aged woman sitting on a wooden chair once I got back. Instead, two people were looming over her as she dug into her pocketbook, grabbing money and valuables out of it. "What's going on here?"

How could this day get any worse? Envision this: Your first day on the job as a bank teller. The only woman in the building, and also the only sensible person. All the men around you laugh and jeer. You're straight out of high school forced into an unfamiliar world of business, deceit, and sexism. You prayed for this day to be anti-climactic. For you to be welcomed into the Bank of Rowena. But you're not. This is what the world has come to. At least for me. I do not see why they hired me if they can not see my positive qualities and ability to do work just as well as they can. But this sexism, this gender based cruelty was not the hardest thing I had to handle that first day of work.

At 8:00a.m. sharp, the bank opens. And guess who got the first shift? As if it isn't bad enough that I must sit behind a dusty wooden counter, and give dirty, random people money, the bank director installed my shift at the crack of dawn. It almost seemed intentional. Just as the sun was rising, my hopes were going down. But consequences far worse than waking up before the sun does were going to arrive in mere minutes. Customers, a few at least, began to finally flood like a trickling spring stream into the bank. And my first day nerves began to rev as well. If only I had a therapist- but they're too expensive. Especially now. I'm extremely lucky to have this job now as a woman, and a young one at that.

Though our introduction was rough, Bonnie and I became fast friends and our relationship easily strengthened. We learned a lot about each other too. In the second grade, Bonnie and I learned multiplication facts and how to help each other. In the third grade, we learned division and fractions, each others's secrets, and I learned that Bonnie's dad died when she was four. In the fourth grade, Bonnie and I learned engineering and science, the tests of a long friendship, the tests of jealousy, and I learned that Bonnie wanted to become a poet. In the fifth grade, we learned American history, mixtures and solutions, about our mood swings, coping skills, and I learned Bonnie had a crush. In the sixth grade, Bonnie and I learned about the French Revolution, the Scientific Method, graphing, our anger, our anxiety, and I learned Bonnie had the same stresses as me.

In the seventh grade, we learned functions, integers, algebra, about our mindsets changing, common actions of our age, why everyone seemed so mean, and I learned who Bonnie's crush was; Roy Thornton. In the eighth grade, Bonnie and I learned world history, how to write structure poetry, translations, Spanish, why we need to start thinking about our future, the effects of social pressure, the strength of our own bond, and I learned that Bonnie was experiencing depression. In the ninth grade, we learned about the American Revolution, botany, trigonometry, geometry, that we needed to start to take school seriously, colleges best fit for us, how to give each other space, love ourselves, and I learned Bonnie was keeping secrets and distance. In the the tenth grade, I learned only a few things. Bonnie was going to get married, at age sixteen- to Roy. And she was dropping out of high school. And I probably wouldn't see her ever again...

November Night Listen… With fast,&nbsp;dry sound, Steps of passing ghosts, The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees And fall.

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I am from nowhere Lonely, solitary, always in my petite personal bubble I have been adopted from many but I have never found a home sweet home

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So much depends on a kind and loving family In times of grief and death, they are always there for you embracing you with touching words and reminding you of all the wonderful memories that you had with them A broken heart is mended with tenderness and affection

A story begins "And here are your new adopters" Says Mr. Molt cheerfully for the tenth time I have been adopted by nine different people and have not even come close to a perfect home. These look no different than all of my other ones. "I am Emmy" I say introducing myself. "Beware, she can be quite the nuisance I've heard" The woman says to her husband. I scowl. "If there is any, I'll be sure to take care of it." The husband replies. "This is Mrs. Janet Wilcox" he says gesturing toward the arrogant looking woman, "And this is Mr. Arnold Wilcox" he says. Mrs. Wilcox is dressed in a double breasted periwinkle trench coat and a fur scarf. Mr. Wilcox is dressed in light grey suit and a dark blue tie. The Wilcoxes They bring me to their home Opulent mansion Rose gold chandeliers hanging from the lilac celling "Where should we put her?" they ask each other with a face of disgust They have at least two guest rooms which I can see The Wilcoxes put me in their filthy basement "This is where you will sleep eat and spent the rest of your time at our mansion" they say I muster all my strength to look grateful They shut the door and lock me in. Greedy, arrogant, brats Tired "What a day" I sigh As I drift off to sleep I dream of a magical land with loving and caring people I want to wake up to joyful guardians maybe even gnomes Gnomes Gnomes Friendly, joyful welcoming, smiling, caring Always the perfect friend magical creature

My sadness in me Sitting there all alone in the twilight. Singing a sad song just waiting for someone to come.&nbsp; In&nbsp;the end I just sat&nbsp;the&nbsp;alone just singing a sad song. Then finally time came with bitter sadness&nbsp;then ended up in bed.◾

Prologue Living the practical life. Having a figment of an imagination. A sham, a lie, it's practically inevitable. Like when the thunder strikes.

Sounds whirring, mistaken as a whim. The ground moving, Alerts shackled, scathed, and trapped, People bombarded without any warning.

Conversation with Rose Clambering on the ladder in the bunker, I say to my younger sister Oh no, we have to take the evacuation plan. But I want to stay here! We can survive with our parents! Isn't that what our parents want?! Rose, our parents want us to live, if you want to make your parents happy, you are going to have to proceed in the evacuation plan. Rose looked a bit loathsome. I don't want to lose them though, we will become orphans, and we will never see them again. I handed her a memoir of a family photo. Here take this. We can commemorate the lives of our family. And with this, their souls will always look towards us with this. ... Okay, just for our parents. And with that, we went on the train to go to a marina in Liverpool, and we said our final goodbyes to our parents, not knowing if we'd ever see them again.

Rescued 	The ship was inches away from our raft, and the passengers threw down a net rope. 	HOLD ON THE NET! One of the passengers said. 	One of the Indians on the raft died by sunburn and exhaustion once they set foot on the ship. 	They told me to shower immediately to relax our bodies. 	I saw my friends, like Sonya, but I didn't see Rose.

Epilogue 	Living in a one-story residence, 	with no family, 	in London. 	I celebrate my family's birthdays each year with my friends. 	And I can hear my family, cheering me on 	with their souls with the same picture I gave to Rose.

Cramped 	I surfaced myself atop the wooden raft, 	finding 3 more people shivering from the cold. 	As we couldn't sleep because of the insufficient space of the raft.

The Woman 	A woman, freezing from cold air, 	asked to sleep on somebody's lap, 	and I volunteered. 	She slept quietly, 	but the next evening when she still didn't open her eyes, 	we assumed she was dead, so we gently placed her body atop the blue waters.

A Ship 	A ship, came closer and closer. 	Flare guns shot, and loud. 	Lips and throat dry, 	we couldn't shout. 	The ship, shrinking from our vision, 	was gone.

"Hello" a mysterious voice says. * chuckles* Ian and I jump in surprise. "We can go now," he says frantically. "Told you, but we need to get the gem ok?" "there, there it is!" We run toward the gem as fast as we can. "Not so fast!" The voice says. A girl with wings twice the size of me and Ian with curled red hair. Ian freezes. I don't. I run and slip past her grabby hands. I take the gem and run.

I don't even think to jump I leap into the portal. I sweep to the island we started on.

Slow motion I run and can't think of anything the adrenaline scares me I have never ran this fast I grab Ian's arm and head toward the colorful portal

I huff and puff Ian is frozen Hi again hi I say gasping for air You got the gem yep All you have to say is teleport thats it yep ok Teleport, I learned that I shouldn't take my family for granted, I guess I guess I learned to trust my sister more awww thanks don't push it.◾

I am from the wind that sweeps&nbsp;with grace I am from the shadows that lurk and from the dusty&nbsp;light that shines on the trees they surround me and stand tall so the dark green top, is never seen I am&nbsp;from the sun the sky the clouds whose lightness floats softly in the sky, moves slowly as the days turn to nights and importantly, watches me every day from&nbsp;afar

Devoid 	Scarce of food, 	water, and toys. 	Cannot keep us sane. 	Some wished goodbyes 	and fell into the waters. 	Everything looked bleak.

Picture Frame 	I saw a picture frame that looked extremely familiar to me. 	Is that the picture frame I gave to Rose? I pondered. 	I extended my hand and picked it up. 	It was the picture frame, but more dead. 	Everyone's ebullient faces shattered. 	And I assumed that Rose dropped this after she drowned.

Saraspond The Saraspond Ship big, black, bold letters, revealing their name, came over our way. We used the last of our energy to wave our arms directly towards the ship.◾

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Jordan was playing his favorite game Minecraft. He taught his little sister Esther to play, but she was an absolute noob and sucked at Minecraft design. Esther care running into Jordan's room. "JORDON JORDON! YOU WONT BELIEVE IT!!! THERES A TIME MACHINE IN THE BACKYARD!!" "What? Show Me!" Jordan replied. Esther was usually wrong, but she was right! There was a time machine just large enough for the two of them. A note read "Use it wisely, if not the whole world has a fate of doom!" The pair noticed number buttons to take them to any date they wanted "Let's pack, sis" Jordan said "we will go to meet Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!" "NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I WANT TO GO TO THE DISCO PERIOD!!!" Esther said. "I asked first, so disco after" Jordan said. "FINE." Esther replied. "Ok Esther, how this works is you go in and press the buttons for the date and press go!" And Off they went. Then, Dr. King, giving his speech To thousands And now, them Jordan and Esther pressed the buttons and went back to the present. "That Was So FUUUNN!" Esther said as they both returned to their room "and we were able to actually experience a timeless piece of history" Jordan added They both settled into their rooms, dreaming about where they would go next. The End◾