It's The Same As It Never Was

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…they found him he was wet, shivering, naked and under three burlap blankets. His skin was riddled with insect bites, bits of leaves and indescribable things were embedded in his flesh. He had been struggling to finish what may have been a beautiful lullabye to a baby hummingbird when he had been discovered. He repeatedly uttered the following in a melodioc yet tragic and desparate yearn of passion.......'Forsake the slake of moonlit rise, for take the make of heartbreak prise, be my glory, my story my endless relentless tries....just be and be for me and mine'. ........ They covered…

By Shauna Woodbury

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The Provincial

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…flinched as I heard a thud, followed by mad fluttering. I cautiously approached the kitchen window, and peered through the murkiness outdoors. A massive black bird lay on the ground, flapping his wings, but unable to right himself. The poor thing must have lost his bearings in this weather and flew into the the large picture window. His fluttering became erratic, then slowed, and finally stopped.

The weather outside was dank and the ground covered in thick fog; not a day to spend outdoors by any means. It was, however, perfect for an evening inside with a good book and…

By Tracey Koehler

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Don't Cry for Notre Dame

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Feeling moved by Notre dame.. but the priority to fix it seems overboard.

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…cry for me I am Notre Dame, I am just a building, with all the money raised, give to the POOR, and all the REFUGEES, for I am old and the fame is not helping any one at ALL.. I once was worshipped and did stand TALL. But let the help in funds, go to all those in NEED.. Money to buy what is needed for all those to FEED.. The World is in need of Charity and HOPE.. Please I am just stone and wood, I will be able to COPE. Fame and fortune are an Illusion you SEE…

By Leah Pallaris

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Inka's Curse Part 2: A Phoenix in Winter

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…I looked up from the enchanted sword, I could see figures in the distance to my left. Four armed knights on horseback heading my way. They weren’t delighted to discover me. I guess I wouldn’t be heading back home tonight. I wanted to ignore the sword and explain myself to them but then I saw they’ve withdrawn their weapons so I run.

The overgrown forest was behind me. Most likely, I could evade them. Whoever they were would be extremely unfortunate if the shipwreck belonged to them. I couldn’t look like an innocent person wearing their armor and gripping their…

By Cristina Collazo

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Inka's Curse Part 1: Patience

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…world's unpredictable no matter at what time of day, but the most sufficient time to scavenge was when the sun was up. Genuine danger seemed to sleep during the day.

A self-defensive weapon was too expensive for me. My fishing rod couldn’t cause any damage. The best I could perform typically was to run and hide. It was a coward’s strategy, but it hasn't failed me yet. There shouldn’t be any creatures or bandits at the beach because it had snowed the day before. I could gather some fish, seaweed and a few gorgeous seashells to sell. The beach was white covered in a thin layer of snow. There were enormous rocks and large purple starfish…

By Cristina Collazo

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Through the Glass

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…me in the eyes and tell me! Tell me that you hate me and don’t want me in your life!” I pause, make my hands in to a fist, “just tell me.” Blood was dripping and glass was scattered all over. I stumble, hitting my back against the wall, tears racing down my cheeks. I take a seat on the cold tile floors, pick up a piece of the glass and star at the girl on the other side. Look deep into her eyes and whisper…

By Maddy

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Moonlight’s Desire

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…had felt it building within her for several nights past. A fire pulsing through her veins with wondrous intensity, awakening her dulled senses. Every nerve, titillating with an electrifying arousal, yet she felt an inner tranquility, with such clarity, in a most strange and harmonious circumstance of coexistence. As the sun set in the West and the moon began to rise, she felt her yearning come alive, the most arousing, exquisite ache of her life. Feverish with passion and pleasures inside, she threw back her head in her ravishing frenzy and howled at the moon above, welcoming her new…

By Tracey Koehler

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The End

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This work blends a mind of a office goer who is trying to find the meaning of life through a words of a mystic whom he encounters. How mystic defines the world is important to him. The character is tired with routine, corporate life and wants to end his story.

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On a very own sustainable ego. Pal had grown subtly inept to his behaviors. He led a capital life blended with corporate world and media, of the homely shaped colony. He had charities to attend and all the glamour of the ball parties and social grimace consoled him. He hated them. His self of the individual hood was always jointed with the obligations which he shared on his desk or at the boss’s office. During presentations and conferences he was obliged to be brought at the centre of the stage. Only to find an excuse in the vulnerable environment he…

By Sushant Thapa

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The Path of the Fireflies

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…glimpse inside my soul reveals a new path, lined with fireflies to guide my way. The path is smooth and soft beneath my toes like fresh sand. I can feel it give way beneath my step as the flight of the fireflies outline each footstep in its soft glow. My mind is filled with childlike curiosity as I follow along, the sweet scent of blooming hyacinths riding the warm breeze beside me. I can hear the lulling sound of waves rolling to an undiscovered beach in the distance, and the far-off cry of a seagull…

By Tracey Koehler

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The Last Stockade

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…walls are stripped bare, the cubicles emptied. No more potted plants or flowers, pictures of loved ones, or construction paper devotionals from children. Sharon is mildly surprised that the lights are still on. She has holed up in the 4th floor accounting department waiting for the end.

The entire corporate structure of NCADS had been moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Iowa, for God’s sake. But Sharon isn’t going. She hasn’t eaten anything since they took out the vending machines, but the faucets in the bathrooms still work. She shakes her stainless steel water bottle as if it’s a tribal gourd…

By Matthew C. McLean

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