1993

“This is a bad idea,” Gaspar mumbled for maybe the millionth time as he flashed the flashlight into the darkness of the abandoned orphanage, the starless night a weighing canopy of dread above them. He heard Casparo’s boisterous laugh from behind him, his sixteen-year-dol twin brother approaching him from the darkness with the flashlight shining in his face.

“What’s the matter? Afriad lit...

She was supposed to have a future. She was supposed to have a choice. She was supposed to be able to enjoy her life to the fullest she could. She was supposed to be able to live life the way she wanted to live. She was supposed to be free like the birds she saw soaring up high in the heavens.

But she didn’t have that option anymore. She had to be rational now. She had to listen to her father now...

August stared at the sight in disbelief. Piles of sand filled the former home, and the walls were dirty and washed out. What used to be a comely, large, and extravagant mansion was reduced to only a fraction of its former glory. August inhaled sharply and turned her gaze back to Dawn’s icy blue eyes—almost purple. “_This _is where my ancestors used to live?” She asked, unable to hide the scowl for...

1997

He was told to leave the hospital room after he passed out seeing the crowning. So he left, with Hesperia’s permission and encouraginement. The sight still made him feel sick—and that was coming from someone who had seen too much bloodshed in his dad’s organization.

He kept pacing along the floor, panicked, anxious thoughts running through his head. He was going to be a dad. He was hardl...

1965 . . .

“Take your shot, Mohave. You’ll only get one.”

Agustin rolled his eyes at Rodriguez’s repetitive instructions. He had multiple shots at this point. “Again?” His voice was tinged with exhaustion, and he was trying his best not to let his arms fall down because of how sore they were. He was done with this. When was he going to fight someone? He wasn’t going to be defending himself fro...

_1968 _

In his reflection was a pair of dark brown eyes, the color of dark, dark chocolate with streaks of yellowish-brown. In his reflection was a stern, furrowed, thick brow. In his expression was curly black-brown hair that fell down in front of his face from days of not cleaning it. In his reflection was a broad, slightly round face. In his reflection was a boy with a broad figure and dark b...

2012 . . .

“Race you!” August giggled as she bolted through their suburban neighborhood towards the playground, her prosthetic leg making a clanking sound against the concrete as the eight-year-old sprinted as fast as she could. However, she was still bit a slowed down despite her headstart. She heard Victor yell at her in Spanish behind her as he fruitlessly tried to keep up and she snickered...

In the corner of a small little bakery, filled to the brim with delectable scents that could be considered overwhelming for some. For Miguel, it was the perfect distraction on this day. He sipped his piping hot coffee with a soft, satisfied sigh as the drink rolled down his throat, burning, but so sweet with the few sugar and crème packets he had insisted on having. He nestled back against the cus...

Who could be trusted? That was the question of the century.

A question she had to ask herself constantly every single day.

The music from the party roared on, the laughter and carefreeness of a bunch of college students illuminating the night. she sighed softly, leaning against the balcony and staring out at the surprisingly starry night. Khalil was always talking about light pollution and how ...

_1968 . . . . _

A petite woman in her early forties with long, thick dark brown hair that was pinned up into a braid, dark bronze skin, freckles, and a firm look in her gaze, was perched at the counter of a bar, the dimly lit area disguising parts of her appearance as she gently, and lightly tapped her margarita against the counter. Everything was loud and dirty and brown and crowded. The perfect...