I float through the decades-old patchwork of tunnels. The stone feels warm somehow in the darkness as I descend through Gaia. When I finally reach the bottom, I am momentarily surprised by the shadows hugging the walls like small creatures, despite the absence of sunlight.

Then I see _him_.

Unconsciously, I churn faster, feeling the furnace ahead. As I do, I am greeted by the taste of hope—if s...

“Is there truly no way to stop it?” says Aër.

Gaia studies her. “The children that recently called me home. Their spirit is now but scattered dust upon my belly. Unlike the first, they had built wondrous technology. And yet, even they—“

“But—,” Aër tries to interject, but Gaia rumbles, cutting her off. “Even they could not shield us from this fate.

Egua considers for a moment. “The first? You m...

Welcome, everyone, to another mud-slinging episode of… (Host bends dramatically, gesturing excitedly to the audience.)

Audience:

The Blame Game! (Applause.)

Host:

I'm your host, Ricky Phil, and today's episode is so hot, this place might seriously go up in smoke. (Audience laughter.)

You know these guys already, so let's just dive on in. (Ricky gestures dramatically at the screen behind him.) E...

“Hey,” the newcomer says, taking a seat beside me. I glance over, noting his charcoal jacket and hair, and feel instantly awkward.

“Sup,” I reply, shifting uncomfortably.

He eyes me curiously. “Are you casting for the nightmare too? You don’t exactly scream ‘perfect fit’ to me.”

“Excuse me? How should I be if I wanted to join your scary frightmare?” I say, immediately on the defensive.

“Well, ...

We walk in silence, our steps leisurely as we move deeper into the park. Neither of us speaks, content to let the muted sounds of the city wash over us.

We’ve been here before, navigating this trail. Back then, I didn’t know his name. Didn’t care to ask_ what_ he was—I still don’t, not really.

And now, with him beside me again, I’m determined to learn the truth about why he left me five years ag...

Write a limerick vividly describing something. In the final line, reveal it’s actually an ordinary object viewed through a child’s eyes....

A “List” poem is built around a collection of items, thoughts, people, places, or ideas—often connected by a central theme. Write one whose title could be “My Writing Place.”

What do you see, hear, smell and feel in the spaces where you write? What’s unseen?

...

Your beloved family pet has passed on from this world. One quiet moment, you feel their presence—and somehow, they’re able to communicate with you.

Write a story or poem about the conversation you never thought you’d get to have.

...

**Write a poem about the act of writing a poem.**

Is it three lines or nine? Do the words rhyme or all match in time? Do you choose a modern theme or something slightly less mainstream?...

**Create an origin story for a common saying, such as “Break the ice” or “Once in a blue moon”.**

Your story should explain how this expression came to be, and why it means what it does?

...