the celabration of the summer solstice was booming there was loud music evreywhere and the lights were dancing. we were forrbidden working class, The son of the blacksmith and daughter of the cheif of the theif gild. we were completley diffrent classes, and very rarely ever mingle.

“Izayha you coming, the ships leaving” said mannix “yeah” I mangaged to spit out. “I need you to do the thing, they dont really have girl pirates” he said “okay” I said looking him in his eyes

I hated turning but I found a way to controll it. But in order for us to leave the main land I needed to, we needed to pass off as a boy and his dog. in my case it would be a wolf. a really big dog. but it could pass.

He grabbed my hand and we ran closer to the docks. we hid behind some wooden crates and I looked at Mannixs warm brown eyes and I took my golden neckelace off. "it just until we get to the next dock” he said as I handed it to him for safe keeping.

“come on” he said as he got up and walked towards the ship. I stayed on his hip as if I was his pet and that is what it needed to look like, but only we knew what we were.

he steped up on the ramp to the boat as the crew was loading the supplies. one of them stopped Mannix. A big looking guy with a red cloth around his head. he was mainly wearing leather.

“state you name and your buiness here” He said. “I had a deal with the captain Hawkins, let him know Mannix is here” “Nelson get the captain” he said “Let him know Mannix is here” “pretty pup” He said as he reached down. I started growling. “she’s not really the petting type… especialy to strangers” Mannix said as he reached down and scratched behind my ears.

The Captin came out of his quaters, He as tall tan and he had cold dark eyes. but evreything was dark. he was a big man. He looked at his crewmates and then looked at us. “william! show him where the bunks are” he finally said after looking us up and down.

The guy that had stopped us at the ramp stepped aside and nodded as it was to follow him. Mannix staggered behind him.

Sam and Terry, stood side by side watching the fire and debris as it spread through out the buildings. There was no one around, as if everyone were dead or escaped the blaze. Terry , asked what do we do Sam? I don’t think there’s anything we can do, let’s walk around and try to find if there’s any survivors. Sam, looked toward the blaze and said, Terry if anyone has lived thru this blaze they are some lucky, son of bitches. Well let’s start searching just incase there maybe one person or child that needs help. Sam, said ok, but I have not even heard a dog bark nor any animal make any type of sounds. Sam, really didn’t want to go thru the rummage, but decided to do so for Terry. They could smell the Oder of scarched flesh many bodies were burnt to no recognition. Burnt corpses were everywhere. Oh my Terry, we’re lucky to still be alive. We need help and heavy equipment to be able to remove bodies and give them a proper barriel. I agree with you on that. Where do we go from here.? Let’s continue looking around, we must stay away from the fire. Terrys eyes watered as she told Sam, I don’t know how anyone can survive this fire and explosions. We did, but how is it were the only ones? I don’t know, I have no explanation, maybe there’s others somewhere around also looking for survivors. Yes I agree I believe that there are others let’s start looking hard. I thought this was an air attack at first, I never saw any planes nor bombs. I believe the gas lines erupted and started exploding killing and burning everything down in a matter of minutes. The explosion was so intense no one had a chance. Terry, is just you and me now, it’s up to us to find a new home and start building back our future. Ok Sam, let’s do it by the way we will need a YMCA and a new fast food place because I’m getting very much hungry. They both agreed and and started laughing. They both started looking for survivors and food and a place to rest. Terry, let’s stay here for the night tomorrow we’ll start hunting for survivors and food. Okey that will work, goodnight said Terry as she dozed off to sleep.

                                             10-31]=2024
                                              Written By:
                                              Ghostriter

Jacob and I stand amid the rubble of The Village. Dozens of homes are blazing, the flames reaching higher and higher. The Villagers who once lived here are gone. The Flame has them now, the way It has me. I take Jacob's hand, though it's cold, and squeeze it as hard as I'm able. He doesn't know me anymore, and I don't know him. I shouldn't know him. He's my secret. "I'll fix this," I promise him. He doesn't hear me. He does nothing but stare blankly ahead, his eyes cloudy and gray. Funny, I thought they were brown. They used to be brown. "I promised to keep you safe," I speak again, knowing Jacob will never answer. "I will keep that promise." What hurts more than anything is knowing Jacob is this way because of me. I did this to him, despite my promise. Because of this, I have to undo what I've done. Some day are easier than others. Today is a good day. I have more control over myself. Most days, the Flame has me. I forget who I am and my promise. I do things I hate and spend the rest of my time forgetting them. For instance, this Village fire. I set the flames. I burned these people's homes to ruins. I gave them, willingly, into the hands of the Flame. Now, I stand with a ghost. The ghost of the boy I destroyed. The boy I loved. Once. I don't remember a lot, but I must have loved him once.

I’ll forever keep us in this moment burned into my mind with the sweetest pain. How could i forget you? It’d be torment to hardly recall how we felt that day. Drowned in your blue eyes, in those deep waters I hold your memory that I savour. Please, let me sink deeper in these tortures without you i have lost my sole saviour. Blinding lights yet I can only see you. As the sun rose I panicked to recall your stunning image and my love-struck view; I couldn’t forget, I’d never be whole. I’d miss it- feeling that you were just mine, when without me you wouldn’t bat an eye.

The light of the fire bloomed and combined with little fairy bulbs strung merrily to form an arch that joined the stars speckled in the sky. The night was brisk, but breathtaking. Min almost didn’t notice the rundown buildings that flanked the alley or the sand underfoot. “It’s perfect,” he said softly, barely above a whisper. Leyda smiled, finally able to share this special place with another living, breathing human being for the first time in a long while. She had grown up nearby, back before The Destruction of 3068. Her dads succumbed to the Spoliations early on. No one knew what it meant to be Spoliated, only that those who were disappeared. “Thank you. I’ve been waiting for this moment a while. Ever since Eliz…” Leyda trailed off, lost in the thicket of memories linked to her name. “Hey, it’s okay. She’ll return to you when she is ready if you choose to let her in,” Min assured her. Of course, he was right. He usually was. He knew things that way. “Did you bring the boxes? We need to start as soon as we can.” It was frustrating that he wouldn’t tell her what was inside the boxes, just that they would be terribly important. “I picked them up yesterday from the south-bound jetsuit station. No one saw, but this better be good. You’re lucky I’m strong,” Leyda replied coolly. It truly was a ridiculous amount of boxes. “Okay, you know I’m dying to know. Quit the suspense!” Min rolled his eyes, chuckling. He flipped a blade out of his sweatshirt pocket and coated it in a strange powder. It looked jet black and yet shone purple upon catching the light, before bonding immediately into a liquid. “What’s that?” She pressed him eagerly, no longer bothering to hide her curiosity. “Elspium,” Min said simply. “Derived from the essence of rare gnat souls. Nothing complicated.” Right. Nothing complicated. He was the techentist after all. She would research it later. “Oh, of course, I should have known.” She countered sarcastically. “Want to see a magic trick?” Min tilted his head, confused, then nodded. Oh, poor innocent soul. She mimed tipping a hat in an exaggerated bow, smoothly revealing a middle finger within the motion. Min turned away dramatically, mock horror and shock etched across his face. “Alright, we really do have to get this done,” she reasoned, watching him flip the knife between his knuckles expertly. The liquid seemed to flow only on the blade. Gnats, really? Leyda flicked her gaze to one of the packages, sending it skidding over to his feet. “Hey, careful!” He protested. She had caught on to his stalling. “Any day now…” “Okay, fine. You’re sure you want to-“ “Yes I’m sure!” She cut in. “Just do it.” Min gestured for her to sit. He gently grasped her head, laying it across his lap, her silky hair splayed out like lightning on the damp, sandy ground. His hands worked fast, undoing the fastenings on the box beside him. He retrieved a pair of precision tongs and uncorked one of the many decanters within. White fog billowed out as he removed one of the marble-like objects. It glowed a radioactive actinium-blue. The stopper went back in quickly to keep the rest of the haze from escaping. Now, one hand held the marble tongs and the other, the knife. He was ready. He skillfully sunk the point into the center of her forehead, carving the likeness of an eye. The knife’s viscous fluid slowly flooded the cavity, leaving a small hollow in the middle. Then, in went the sphere, an eerie third pupil, mingling with blood and Elspium. The glow became more of an eerie purple. Leyda seemed to drift in an out of consciousness for the next few minutes, eyelids fluttering feverishly. Beads of sweat came and went. Of all people, she would be okay. She would have to be. Hadn’t she said herself how strong she was? Min willed his hands to stop shaking. If he had done it, so could she. “Min.” It was so small he thought he imagined it. “Min…” This time it was audible. Her eyes were still twitching. It seemed she was sleep-talking to some dream version of him. At least she was alive. “Leyda, it’s me. It’s Min.” Her eyes snapped open. She had done it. “Once the stars extinguish, they will come. Wash thy hands of the ethers. Night and day fuse upon the time-numb.” His mind spun. He hadn’t delivered a prophecy when he did it himself, after all. She had always had this alluring presence. What was it that was so special about Leyda? The hyper look in her eyes softened, and she blinked away the grogginess of another state, of mind. Min pulled her into a tight hug, her soft scarlet coat brushing against his bloodied palms. This was how they would rebuild society, for they had become enlightened to a state beyond time, one with the stars.

I’d burn the world if it meant you were happy Become the villain and have everyone hate me Because a million worlds mean nothing if I can’t have you by my side And I don’t care if i’m wrong or right Because aslong as you’re with me Then I’ll be alright You’re beauty is goddess worthy Ur personality is amazing You’re so stunning Breathtaking almost discomforting My hearts beating out my chest It’s weird how I feel this way from one glance of your face Nothing else matter if I’m not with you The world couldn’t do the things you’ve done for me The world couldn’t bring me back to life The world kills me without thinking twice You make me bright Light me up inside So if you want me to The world dies Army’s in front of me But for you I’d fight Because The world means nothing without you inside Without you in sight 1 million worlds will die Because one million worlds means nothing without you inside

the burning fire stood ahead of us. heat glazed at my face, making me choke out a cough.

I for myself never wanted or thought this would happen.

it was an hour earlier the smell of smoke hit my nose, i felt the smell travel closer and closer. i ran to my door pleading to find out what was going on. my door was shut and unable to open due to it swelling, i was banging and yelling trying to force it open. i didnt ever have windows at the time, my parents didn’t think of this happening 20 years ago when they bought this shabby home that’s now burnt to flames.

i saw flames outside my door, i was yelling and screaming for someone, anyone, to come help me. i was pleading, screaming till my voice was cracking.

my heart in my throat, i was slamming against my old wooden door. thoughts passed through my head as fast as the growing flames outside my door.

a chair sat by my desk and my first instinct was to get it. a non verbal command streaked my mind “get out” “you have to get out”. i picked up the chair and pushed it into the door. it wasn’t working. i tried again, and again. my face glistened with hot sweat of panic and terror. gasps of frustration and fear slipped out of me, i kept thinking of how i may not get out. which that thought make me slam the chair into my door even harder. my arms and body felt weak, numb, i felt as a melted ice cube unable to be as cold and strong as before. the flames grew under my door. i felt trapped, stuck, unable to get out. the more seconds that passed the worse the fire grew. i used all of my body weight and strength that i could manage, slamming the chair into my door. white paint starts chipping off more and more from the chairs rough edges striking it, time and time again. the door finally cracked open, my heart was pounding, shuddering in my chest of terror. i felt the warmth of the flames that stood ahead of me, the flames grew taller.

they painted black shadows on doors and walls. i held the chair in front of me trying to keep me from breathing all of the smoke that surrounded me. as an almost shield, yet not shielding much as the hot flames sept into my lungs. my eyes watered from the heat and fire washing in, they burned and my vision felt as weak as my body strength. i heard screams, coming from my little sisters room.

they were loud, unforgettable, screams. still engraved somewhere in my mind, they live with me. i held the chair out trying to get to my little sisters bedroom, i was praying she would be okay.

the screams slowed down, the banging became more quiet. my heart nearly was to the ground as i tried to get to her bedroom. i saw my mother scurrying down the steps. i couldn’t fully make her out through the hot flames but i saw her figure, i saw her holding my younger brother.

what about anna. “MOM!” i yelled to her coughing smoke out as the scream left my mouth. she looked back her face hot in smoke. she ran off down the fire spread steps, fear has struck me in a coat of paint, as dark and hot as the flames. my legs felt weak, my nostrils burned of the smoke that came in. the taunting orange flames were growing. my eyes teared causing my vision to be blurry, my head spinned. i kept making it through to get to anna’s room. “Anna move away i’m coming in!!” i screamed to her door backing up. i coughed loudly, it felt terrible, my lungs felt unable to work properly.

my vision was almost complete darkness now, i slammed against her door. my body slowing down getting tired, every part of me wanted to fall and give up. another time i pushed against the door with the chair, my strength and energy giving out. i tried again and again. i was coughing out hot tears and feeling sick.

the door opened finally opened. i threw the chair into the flames rushing in. anna was okay. her chesnut curls looked still intact and her lovely hazel round eyes were still there, which now were hot with tears streaming down her face. “anna, thank goodness.” i said hugging her small body. i managed the door closed right away after trying not to waste time.

anna looked scared she was shaking and crying. “okay anna, we’re going to get out through your window okay?” i told her stroking her hair.

“what about teddy?” she said looking me in the eyes. i knew she wouldn’t leave without that small teddy bear plush that sat in the living room, probably in ashes now.

“mom has him, we need to go now.” i lied, coughing. my throat burned of the smoke that i inhaled. i opened her window, and i picked her up.

“anna we’re going to have to jump okay?” i told her, just as afraid she was. i scurried my way out of the window staring down at the large drop under me. i gulped, terrified from what stood ahead me. i let go preparing for the impact, i fell, time felt slow, yet fast. i finally landed, my hip throbbed from the fall i just encountered. every part of me hurt, and longed to be better. “come on anna!” i yelled my throat dry and in pain. i coughed once again. anna stood up there, her small figure was shaking. “anna!! i will catch you okay, come on!” she still stood up there. “anna. please!!” she finally looked down and gently moved closer to the end. “anna it’s like a game okay!? jump and i’ll catch you it’ll be fun. like how we do it in the pool!!!” she looked down at me “i’m scared!” she yelled.

“don’t be, i’ll catch you okay..? 3..” my heart raced knowing the longer she stayed the more the fire was going to spread. she hesitated to jump. “come on anna! i’ll count you down okay? you’ll get teddy after this!” “5..” her big eyes were struck with terror as she looked down to me. “4..” “3..” “2..” “1..” she flung from the window jumping down, i quickly went to catch her. i caught her, thankfully and hugged her tightly. my arms throbbed as my hip did from the impact of her fall on my weakened arms. “good job anna” i told her.

now we’re still standing, staring at this house turn to ashes. the sound of fire truck horns come through, we turn back to see it. i pick up anna and place her to my side, rubbing her head comforting her.

(also i didn’t do the exact cover i just took some idea)

In my dreams, I often meet the soul of that who I’m meant to be with. My soulmate, if you will

I’m not sure if he’s here, or ever will be here. But he’s there when I close my eyes and when I need it the most

It’s always the same place; in a sort of library, with multiple levels, hallways that go on forever, and stairs that seem to lead to nowhere. Candles adorn the corners, and there doesn’t seem to be a ceiling. It looks to fade into what almost resembles the night sky

And in the midst of all of the baggage, heavy packed away trauma, and pain that I support every day, he walks up calmly to me. Gently placing one hand to cup my cheek, while the other goes to the small of my back to draw me closer in an embrace. And in that moment, I realize how touch deprived I’ve been

I close my eyes, my breath hitching as I release the tension within my chest. He presses his forehead to mine, and does not go after me in a sexual nature in the way that others always have. In the same way that I’ve been conditioned to do as well. He simply holds me, gently rubbing my back and caressing my cheek, as I painstakingly liberate myself of the burdens life has placed within my heart

Then, when I am ready, he helps me begin to inspect all of the parcels, boxes, luggage, drawers, anything inside the nooks and crannies of my mind. To process them, provide the proper attention to them, and then release them

Occasionally, we run across beautiful memories and moments, forgotten for quite some time but still treasured none the less as we smile, giggling and reminiscing amongst ourselves. Some moments tender, bittersweet. And we hold one another, letting the moment replay as often as needed until we are ready to release it

Others have been broken, sharp edges that cut my fingers as I try to handle the damaged memory again. They are difficult to hold, cutting deep as blood spills over the edges of my fingertips and palms to the ground. I sob in agony, but he does not run or chide me for my outburst. He takes some of the burden upon himself, bleeding with me, regardless of it not being his responsibility

He chuckles with me, holds me, supports me. He loves me, truly. And above all, he is my best friend

When I wake, however, he does not exist. And while it leaves my heart aching and burning, I know I’ll see him again when I need it most

Even so, I can’t help but think sometimes how different my life would be if I could only find him in this lifetime. How much more beautiful everything could be, if life were gentle

She didn't just have stars in her eyes She had planets in her soul

I KNEW I had been silent too long when Rykland awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. I opened my mouth to say something, anything. A thank you didn’t seem like enough. And anything real seemed like too much. I deliberated for a long moment when Rykland suddenly blurted out, “Wow, would you look at that sunset.” Quickly my awkwardness melted away and I smiled sideways at him. I’d never felt so comfortable around him. I wondered if what had passed between us moments ago was responsible for that change. “Yeah it’s gorgeous. I didn’t take you for a sunset lover kinda guy.” He smiled ruefully. “Perhaps you didn’t take me for a lot of things?” I looked at my feet. He was right. Why had I’d judged him so harshly? Even from that first day. I felt bad. No, horrible. I could see he’d always tried to be a friend to me. _I was the problem. _Rykland nudged my shoulder. I glanced at him expecting disdain but was met with a gentle smile. I looked away embarrassed, heavy with guilt. I didn’t deserve Rykland’s kindness. He stopped walking and turned me toward him. My breath was caught by his expression: a smile so warm, I felt it pry through my walls into my caged heart. He didn’t let me go until I smiled back. He the strangest ability to make me feel so much better. We continued walking.

“You know, my mom loves sunsets.” I said, kicking at the sidewalk of the alley we were passing through. Rykland smiled and walked a bit closer as the alley narrowed. Cardboard boxes of every size seemed to be stacked everywhere and getting higher and higher. Someone must be moving. Lots of someones.

“Really? Tell me more about her.” He said side-stepping a box. Smiling sadly I tugged my coat tighter. “She loves food. She’s was well loved critic which is uncommon in that profession. She writes-or used to write-mostly constructive criticism. She’s also an artist in the kitchen. The best bread you’d ever have.” Rykland listened thoughtfully and held his stomach as it rumbled. We laughed. “You’re making me hungry. That sounds incredible.” I chuckled, thinking of all the types of bread my mom used to make from before. “She is. Maybe I’ll bring some for you sometime. I have the recipes, it won’t be as good as when she bakes it, but I can try.” Rykland looked at me sincerely. His tone gentle and soft when he responded, “I’d love that.” I sighed feeling knots loosen in my chest. Somehow talking about her made me feel less alone in all this. I wondered if someone like him had been there for him when he’d gone through losing his mother. My heart panged with a flood of sudden empathy for him. “Do you remember much about your mother?” He frowned slightly his eyes going far away for a moment. “Not much. My pyschie told me it’s because my subconscious is trying to forget the traumatic event, taking lots of my childhood with it.” I felt so deeply sad for him I involuntarily stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. He met my eyes and that pain from before resided there. I suddenly saw Rykland as a scared, terrified ten year old boy, lost because he didn’t have his mother to come find him and tell him it was going to be okay. I wanted to hug him, but I didn’t know how he’d take that so I settled for an internal battle with my impulses instead. “I’m sorry, Ryk.” I whispered. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” He whispered back smiling sadly once more. He inhaled sharply and let it out slowly continuing forward. Then he grinned looking at me. I wasn’t sure why until I realized; I’d called him Ryk. My face warmed and I looked away to hide the fact, “I do have one memory of her though.” He said rubbing his arm, leaving the moment before unsaid which I was surprised by and grateful for. “She used to read me the same bedtime story every night.” I pursed my lips. He laughed at my expression shaking his head. “What?” “That’s so cute. What was the book?” Rykland chuckled. “It was called Goodnight Moon.” I searched my memory but came up empty. I shook my head. “I don’t think I’ve ever read that.” He smirked, turning to look at me, a familiar glint of mischief in his gaze. “Maybe I’ll read it to you sometime.” My heart thudded though I wasn’t sure why, or I didn’t want to be sure why. “I’d love that.” I said gently. I thought I saw his face redden slightly but it could have been the cold. We fell into silence yet again. Lost in thought, I almost tripped over a cardboard box.

I looked around in confusion. _Okay something strange was definitely going on. _Cardboard boxes reached well above our heads now, covering up the buildings around us. The alley in front of us was now blocked. We stopped at the same time, taking in the realization of it together. “What is this…?” I asked in awe staring at the mountain of boxes that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Rykland shook his head in disbelief. “No idea.” He said turning back the way we came. I felt him freeze beside me. My heart quickened. “Rue? You should see this.” I slowly turned around.

The way we’d come was now completely piled up with boxes. We were, quite literally, boxed in. I turned in a circle, confusion leading to panic. My breathing became labored. A hand rested on my arm. My eyes moved up to Rykland’s and it was like they had the power to calm a stormy sea because I instantly felt safer.

He smiled reassuringly. “Is this weird? Yes. But, they are just boxes. We can dig ourselves out.” I nodded taking a deep breath. After what looked like a moment of hesitation, Rykland trailed his hand down to mine and intertwined our fingers. It left me having an even harder time breathing, but I didn’t pull away. Not this time.

“Let’s try to go back the way we came.” I said and he nodded in agreement. We walked to where we had just entered a moment ago, now a wall of boxes. I started to look for what the best strategy would be to start moving them out of the way, Rykland doing the same.

“Hey, Rue?” I heard Rykland call over. “Yeah?” “I think…I think this one’s for you.” I turned to find him holding a box staring intently at the top. “What?” Rykland shrugged and walked over to me. “See for yourself.” I took the box from him and to my surprise, there on the top, scribbled in marker, my name.

Rubine Meyers 06/18/22

I sucked in a breath. “Rue? What is it?” I stared at the box suddenly terrified of it. It wasn’t all that big, no bigger than my hand. I felt like setting the boxes around us on fire now, fearing what could be inside. At the same time curiosity pleaded with me to open it. Part of me had already starting making guesses. None of them happy.

Rykland moved closer to once again look at the box. I was frozen. “Rue? What happened in twenty two?” I swallowed. “This is the day my mother was admitted into the hospital long term.” Rykland’s eyebrows raised. “Oh.” I nodded. He bit his lip. He did that a lot, I thought. I used to think it was arrogance but now I just wondered if it was a tick he had when he was thinking. “Should we open it?” I shook my head no, and then yes, but didn’t move. “Do you want help?” Slowly I nodded as if making sudden movements would somehow shatter my walls I’d so meticulously built over the last two years. Rykland gently removed the box from my hands, reverently sliced the tape open with his car keys, and handed it back like it was a active bomb that could explode any second. I felt like crying. A tug at my hand and Rykland’s eyes grounded me. I hadn’t even realized he’d taken my hand again. “Your turn,” he whispered. He squeezed my hand and let go. Time felt like molasses as I peeled the lips of the box open. A sob escaped my throat. This couldn’t be real. Inside rested a velvet pouch like the ones used to hold expensive jewelry. I pulled out the contents and shoved a hand against my mouth to keep from sobbing. “Rue? You’re scaring me. A-a watch?” He stared at the battered watch in my hand. Time worn and loved, the band was sliver and tarnished and a small scratch marred it’s face. I laughed suddenly wiping tears from my eyes. “I can’t believe it.” Now Rykland looked beyond confused. I tried to pull myself together. When I could speak again I cleared my throat. “This was my mothers watch.” He tilted his head. “Your mothers watch?” I nodded. “She hasn’t been allowed to wear jewelry since being admitted in to the hospital in case of emergency surgery, or MRIs.” I frowned tearing up again. “I was so angry at everything. At the world. At my mom for getting sick. I irrationally threw it out. I’ve regretted it since that day.” I put it on and started at it. “It’s so beautiful.” Rykland said, but when I met his eyes they weren’t looking at the watch. I looked away not sure what to do with the nervous twisting in my stomach. Suddenly all the boxes around me held new light. I wondered. I walked over to another box and felt Rykland follow. I looked at a medium sized one, a little bigger than a shoe box. We stared at it together.

Rykland Whitlock 04/09/11

“Hey, Ryk, I think this one’s for you.” I said softly, his nickname now fitting naturally in my mouth. He took the box in his hands and shook it a little as if trying to prepare for what to expect. “Ryk? What happened in eleven?” He ran a thumb over the date. “I have no clue. I would have been six.” I carefully took his hand and squeezed it before placing my car keys in his hand this time. Taking a deep breath he broke the tape seal. Inside rested what appeared to be a camera bag. Rykland’s eyes lit up as he lifted it from the box. He grinned. “Wow.” His smile was contagious and I grinned too. “What is it?” He pulled the camera out of the bag. “It’s my mothers Polaroid camera.” It was covered in vintage travel ticket stub stickers. “She used to take so many Polaroids and stick them all over the house.” He rested his hand over the shutter button. “That’s super cool, Ryk.” Rykland nodded. “You know, she used to believe we only ever got one shot in life. So she spent her time documenting everything she could. Viewing the world as much as possible. Taking as many shots as she could.” “She seems like she was amazing.” He smiled tenderly. “She was.” Rykland put the camera away, draping the camera bag over his shoulder.

We continued through the boxes, opening as we went, losing track of the passage of time. My moms heels I used to try on. Rykland’s first set of colored pencils his mom bought him and so many more memories. Rykland even remembered some from his childhood he’d forgotten, and I remembered some I’d never noted.

The boxes slowly disappeared along with the objects as we finally walked from the alley. More free than we’d both been in a long time.

A watch, a camera, and a new start. Hand in hand, On their way to make a whole lot of memories.