I ran down the dark alleyway, not slowing down despite almost falling over. My lungs screamed in protest and I was sure that my legs were going to fall off any second now. But I kept running. Stopping would be far worse than not.

“Get back here Guardian Walker!” I hear a voice from behind me.

Like hell I’m going to stop, but I couldn’t run forever. I gripped my black bag, it’s now or never. I ...

“IM SORRYYY,” Travis whines, dodging chairs and other objects being thrown while keeping a fast speed.

— Travis ate one of Zane’s prized possessions. A Chocolate Chip Cookie —

”NO YOU-” Zane lunges, pinning Travis to the ground with a loud thud, “Don't.”

“Owww,” Travis whimpers, “can’t you share for once.”

”In. Your. Dreams,” Zane growls.

”Okay, got it,” Travis winces, giving a thumbs up as Z...

Rylee snatches Ravi’s shirt from a chair beside the hotel bed and pulls it over her head, breathing his scent in.

He’s sleeping in a bed beside hers, too shy to share a bed with her, not knowing how to tell her where he wants to sleep.

She watches his handsome face in the dark, his black scruff pushed against the poofy pillows. She sighs, he’s so cute. Something Rylee will never deserve.

“Ravi,...

Run after her.

Stop her at the door.

Fumble with her emotions.

That’s right, lay them out.

All on the table, what do you see?

She loves you, she loves you not.

Dandelions dance on the breeze.

Emotions swirl in the wind.

Count to ten and start again.

She loves you, she loves you not.

*One, two, three…*

Grab ahold of the surface.

Dance along the edges.

Take the blade.

Shove it deep.

*Four, fiv...

“Has anyone seen Jessica?”

It was a typical day at Mt. Shirley’s. Us girls were all huddled behind the playground, hiding from a mob of boys who just spent the past 15 minutes chasing us around the school. Don’t be the slowest, don’t stand alone. Those were the rules I lived by. I didn’t know what would happen if I was caught - still don’t - but the thought alone kept me running. All was good...

Rylee snatches Ravi’s shirt from a chair beside the hotel bed and pulls it over her head, breathing his scent in.

He’s sleeping in a bed beside hers, too shy to share a bed with her, not knowing how to tell her where he wants to sleep.

She watches his handsome face in the dark, his black scruff pushed against the poofy pillows. She sighs, he’s so cute. Something Rylee will never deserve.

“Ravi,...

The Green Trabant flew around the corner of Friedrichstrasse, taking the turn on two wheels as it bumped along the cobblestone street. The darkness and misty October East German rain helped outrun the Stasi that were close behind. The driver skidded down alleys and up and over deserted concrete sidewalks, desperate to get to the final destination and beat the secret police and the shrieking waa wa...

Dodging a fireball, I tug my bag closer and duck behind a hay bail. Sweat gushes down my forehead, my back, and my heart hammers, running a separate marathon in my chest.

A bone-shattering roar shakes the earth, and my legs buckle, crumbling beneath me like chalk. Pain jolts my spine as I hit the ground, white spots flashing around my vision.

Blinking and with shaking hands, I open my bag. Nest...

Her breath comes in fast and shallow, making little clouds of mist as she exhales. Her feet pound on the asphalt beneath them. Water splashes in her wake, slow to register what had disturbed them. Her mind races, taking in and analyzing every possible weapon, hiding spot, and escape route faster than a jack rabbit ever could. Behind her, footsteps and hoof beats thud and echo through the deserted ...

A terrifying roar startles me, and I know this is no joke. Beads of sweat rolled down my face, and my dress became caught in the wheels of my wheelchair. My hands sting like crazy thanks to the blisters that have popped open on my hands.

As I’m frantically wheeling trying to catch up with him, my son looks at me with those big green eyes, a stream of drool and a gapped tooth smile. I must get to...