“I’ve never met anyone like your before.” I voice, watching the blood fall from my attacker’s nose.

“You should be grateful for that.” He hisses, reaching out for me.

I can feel his left hand grasping my shirt as he stands in front of me protectively. I reach out with both hands and try to grab his hips. I need something to steady me because it feels like the tension weighing down will break me. I...

I heard life wasn’t this chaotic a century ago. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than the hell That Earth is now. In the year 2022, countries around the world started developing molecular enhancement drugs, or MEDs. Eventually, it went airborne and began an evolution. As a result, it wiped out half of the world’s population. Some bounded with the MEDs and became Molecularly Gifted or MGs. Huma...

I watch from the shadows as I see Arthur walk in and head towards the kingdom’s most powerful possession. Rage replaces the blood in my veins as I am overtaken with betrayal. I step forward cutting him off from my father’s weapon. He steps back, startled but not really shocked.

“I knew I gave too much away,” Arthur sighs out, shrugging his shoulders in a casual movement.

“Gave?” I scoff, “that wo...

My eyes are trained on the road as I press on the gas pedal even harder. 60. 70. 85 mph. I focus on my breathing, attempting to control anxiety. I have the urge to turn down the radio, so I can see clearly as if that makes any sense. We’re so close. My eyes go to the temperature monitor on the dashboard. 29 degrees Fahrenheit. We’re so damn close. I take my hand and reach out to him, and when my s...

My attention zones from Michelle to the paper I am clutching in my hand. I look at the letter and read it over, letting my brain automatically imagine the voice of my penpal correspondent. Last year during my college English creative writing course, my professor assigned us a pen pal from her other classes. A year later, I’m finally meeting Derek. Reading the words evokes a slight smile every time...

“I knew I would find you here.” A man says, breaking my concentration, causing me to gasp.

“Jesus! Nathan, you scared the crap out of me.” I exasperate, causing him to chuckle.

“When you need to shut out the rest of the world, you always come to this run-down playground. This is your safe haven.” Nathan comments with a smile, flaunting those perfect dimples.

The same dimples he has always had. H...