Doskonali by Sarah Strader age 13     Muffled screams could be heard miles away in the little town of Mobile, Alabama. Crhisy Mckenlie was one of many teens locked up in the little building in the center of town. She meant nothing to the people holding her hostage. She had been taken from her home, her family, but no one cared.      As long as baby Dylin wasn't hurt, every one was happy but her. Her parents were willing to risk almost anything, including her, life just to get their precious baby back. They willingly gave her to the 'so called' Dr. Suinda to make it possible for him to trade Dylin for her. He was the reason Dylin was gone, but now her parents were letting him take her. How could they be so cruel? As sad as she was, no tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She actually wanted to cry, but couldn't. She had never cried, it was as if she was incapable of showing that emotion.      So here she was sitting, chained to the wall like an animal, surrounded by six other boys and girls in the same predicament. Some screamed, some cried, but most just sat staring into the empty darkness. Crhisy didn't know what to think. Were they all destined to die? What had they done to deserve this? What would these cruel people do to them? What could the people do?     A door creaked and, Crhisy shied away from the light pouring through the now opened door. A man, about the age of twenty-four, slowly inspected a boy on the far wall. He pulled out a walkie talkie and mumble into the receiver words she did not understand.      "He should do for now Felix, bring him to us." A soft, cruel voice came over the receiver. He undid the boy's chains. The boy looked weak, starved probably. Crhisy wanted to lash out, to help the poor boy who obviously had no power left in him to fight. As the man known as Felix walked past her, she kicked him with all the force she could muster. The boy dropped to the floor as Felix staggered in surprise, also falling in a heap on the floor.     "Run! You're free, get out and get help!" Crhisy screamed at the boy, he just stared at her in disbelief. Felix lay on the ground motionless, he was out cold. Coming out of astonishment the boy crawled over to Felix and reached for the keys that were hanging out of his pocket.     "Boy, did you not hear me? Run!" Crhisy yelled at him. He just turned and smirked at her. He finally got up off the floor, but instead of running to his freedom he unlocked all the chains for the rest. He saved Crhisy for last.      "I don't believe we have met." He said jokingly. "My name is Jude Warrinton." He smiled again, obviously laughing at an inside joke.     "Crhisy, my name is Crhisy. Please, Jude, will you let me out of these." She said gesturing toward the chains bound around her wrist.      "Maybe, all you have to do is tell us why you are here." It seemed simple enough, but how could Crhisy trust him. Could she trust him? Why did he keep looking at her like he knew something she didn’t? Why did he want to know? These were questions ramming through her mind.      "I'm here to save my baby brother!" Crhisy spat back at him, the venom behind her words was unnoticeable. Crhisy hated her brother. If she wasn't forced to be here, she wouldn't care one bit about what happened to him. She especially wouldn't come to save him. But under the circumstances it was the only thing she could think of to say. She looked from Jude to the other five. They were all crouched in attack position. Each of them looked drastically different, but their eyes, they were black as night and all the same. Also their skin was the same ghostly pale color as Dr. Sunida.      "Why would a baby, much less your baby brother be here may I ask?" Jude looked her deep in the eyes. Before she had time to answer all the chains were free from her wrist and the six boys and girls, Jude included disappeared from sight.      "Hello? Jude, were did every one go?" Crhisy asked as she looked around but there was no answer. "How the bloody heck did you move so fast?" Crhisy mumbled to herself. She picked herself off of the floor and walked toward the door were she suspected Jude and the others had gone.      The brightly lit hallway was empty; the white walls were almost creepy as Crhisy walked silently as she could. She had no clue as to where she was.      "Jude? Come on! I need your help; I don’t know were I am. I don’t know where Dylin is…" She was cut off.      "Ah but I know where your precious brother is." She spun around to find herself inches away from Jude.      "Jude! Where is he?" she screamed breathlessly from surprise and horror.     "Your brother is safe at home with his family. Did I mention how happy everyone is?" Jude had a smile on his face but his voice was serious. He wasn’t kidding. Her parents were happy. She knew that, she had known that since Dylin was born. But hearing someone else, (not even someone else, a stranger), say it out loud drove her mad. It hurt more than anything. It wasn’t just her imagination, they really didn’t want her any more.     "Why should I trust you?" It was barely audible but some how Jude caught it.     "You shouldn’t." She looked at him questioningly.      "Do you even know why you were chosen? Why you were born into a family that doesn’t care about you? Why fifteen years later the miracle son came along?" Jude asked her these questions. She could hear the strain as he tried to hide the fact that he new all the answers.     This was all Crhisy needed to tick her off. Jude being a pain in the butt. Without warning she lunged forward. Jude moved out of the way a split second before her fist would have collided with his gut. She was flustered to see him move so fast but kept at it. She threw a kick in his direction, but he yet again dodged it. He backed up against the wall.     "That all you got Crhisy?" He was taunting her, and it was working. She turned on him, her face flushed from anger.     "Not a chance!" She screamed with anger filling her voice. Jude just laughed as she came towards him.     "Doskonali!" Jude said under his breath. Before Crhisy could comprehend what he had said four icy hands had hold of her arms. Jude smiled triumphantly.      "What the… Let go of me!" Crhisy wasn’t as mad as she was before, fear was the dominant emotion for the moment.      "Crhisy, Crhisy, why would you try and attack me. All I wanted to do was help." Crhisy fidgeted to try and loosen the grips of her captors but they just held tighter. She was on the verge of pain, and she gave in.      "Please, tell me what’s going on? I...." Crhisy sounded pathetic as she let out a dry sob. She hung her head, she didn’t have the strength to go up against those eyes.      "Well..." Jude started, "I'm glad you are starting to see it our way. Nate! Enapyn! Let her loose."     "But Jude..." The one on her left said before he was silenced by Jude giving him a piercing glare. The one Crhisy was trying to avoid. They let her go instantly, and she dropped to the floor.     "If you will look up Crhisy, I would like to introduce you to the family." Again there was a hint of laughter; obviously trying to soften the mood Jude ended with a gentle "Please Crhisy I promise you have no need to fear us." Crhisy swore she heard the one on her right mumble "yet..." She cautiously looked up to yet again find herself inches away from Jude. Crhisy was silent was silent as she got back on her feet. Jude followed and stepped away a couple of feet.     "Crhisy I would like you to meet Nate Niylvak." The one on her right waved childishly to show who he was. Jude continued, "Enapyn Bena." The one on her left smiled shyly.     "Guilty." Enapyn winked at her. In a flash there was a girl at his side who smacked him on the back of his head. Crhisy stayed silent.     "Capa Sto" Jude motioned toward the girl standing by Enapyn.      "Oh Crhisy, I have waited such a long time for you to get here!"     Capa was cut of by Jude sternly saying "That’s enough Capa! Crhisy may I continue?" He looked at her questioningly. Crhisy made a {tell me later} gesture toward Capa, and motioned for Jude to continue.     "Aiha Lynce" Crhisy looked around but found no one to claim the name. She looked back at Jude who had a furious look in his eyes but a calm facade on everything else.     "Hi Crhisy, nice to meet you." Crhisy slowly looked up to where the voice had come from. There hanging half out of an air vent was a girl not even seven or eight yet. Crhisy nodded and looked back at Jude.      "There were six of you to begin with, two girls and four boys. Where is he?" Jude let out a huge sigh.      "Daniel you can make you entrance now." She looked toward the door were a boy about five foot nine came strolling out.     "He doesn’t do me honor Crhisy. Hi my name is Daniel Zyme, every one except Mr. Serious over there calls me Danny."     " It's nice to meet you Danny." She said as she stuck her tongue out at Jude. For some odd reason she felt more at home than she had felt in a long time.     "Now that introductions are over, can I tell her please, can I tell Crhisy Jude?" Capa was jumping up and down from excitement. Jude looked annoyed but nodded his head yes.     "But, Crhisy." Jude was talking to her. "You have no clue what you are getting yourself into. If I allow Capa to tell you our secret there will be no going back." Crhisy thought over his words and her options in her mind. What did she have to loose? Her parents hated her and here she stood in a hallway full of people she had known for five minuets offering her another path. Crhisy made the decision before anyone had time to question her.     She blurted out, "Tell me Jude! I am one of you, I belong here. I was made to be here." Everyone froze at her comment. Even Crhisy had no idea what she was talking about. Jude nodded again and Capa sat criss crossed and motioned for her to sit down.      "It's a long story so you might want to get comfortable." Capa said with a huge smile on her face. "Ok, nineteen years ago a man named Jackson Suinda wanted to create the perfect child. It took him two years, but he finally created the perfect genes for the perfect child. Instead of choosing at random like he had planned to do, Suinda became greedy. He wanted the perfect family. He injected his four month pregnant daughter instead. By doing this he risked her life and the baby inside her. Luckily no harm came to them. But three months later the daughter’s water broke. For his perfect child it had to be born at nine months, instead our little Jude here came two months early. Suinda's daughter died a year later of unknown causes. Suinda soon began his work again and he created three more perfect medications. He chose three women off of a list from the hospital maternity wing. That’s where Danny, myself, and you come into the picture." Capa paused for Crhisy to say something but she was listening intently, trying to put all the pieces together in her mind.     "First of us to come was Danny only a month early, like Jude he was born with certain characteristics that would not be seen on any normal human but he still was not the perfect child Suinda had wanted. You and I coincidentally came the same time. Our mothers knew each other from lamaz class. My mother died before I was born of an unknown cause, and Suinda performed a cesarean section to get me out. You on the other hand, are the only one of us whose mother did not die." Capa got a sad look on her face as she looked over at Aiha.     "He thought you were perfect so he stopped all the procedures. When you were two he brought you here to run a few test. Upon finding you were not perfect. He made Nate and Enapyn. Their mother’s were sisters, and both died on the operation table as they were born. Suinda took Jude, Nate, and Enapyn and did horrible tests on the three of them. They were as close to perfect as he was going to get for the time being.      He kept tabs on all of us as we grew older. When I was seven years old my father remarried and that is how we came to have Aiha. She was born nine months exactly, but she was also only three pounds seven ounces. My step mother died two months later."      Crhisy knew they were all waiting for her to respond in some way so she said a simple      "I'm sorry." looking Capa straight in the eyes.      "Thank you, back to the story. Ok so for the last five years he has been working, and testing, seventeen months ago he took me and Aiha from our father. We later found out that he believes we are dead. But not the point, eleven months ago he brought in Danny. He did things to us that none of us can explain or even want to remember. Yes we are strong, fast, and beautiful but Suinda found a way to make us weak. As perfect as we are their touch makes us powerless. As far as we can tell most of us are either proclaimed dead or have been replaced by the perfect children that our parents were involuntarily signed up to get. So all things being said here is were your big decision comes girlie." Capa suppressed a giggle as she said this, "Will you join us? Would you like to be a Doskonali?"      Crhisy took less than a second to make her decision but there was one thing she needed to know first. "What does Doskonoli mean?" She asked.      "It means Perfects" Danny said in a I-know-everything voice. Crhisy thought this over a minute then smiled.      "Jude, can I see my parents?" Jude was startled to say the least. He thought about it for a minuet and then a smile became was visible beyond his serious glare.     "Of course." Jude moved swiftly, and grabbed Crhisy gently by the arm pulling her to him.      "Hold tight and close you eyes." He whispered in her ear and Crhisy felt her stomach do flips as Jude ran at an inhuman speed. Within minutes they were standing outside Crhisy's wood cabin house in the middle of nowhere.      "I’ll be right behind you, but Crhisy." Jude sounded torn between some decision. "Be quick." Jude said slowly trying to find the right words and coming up short. Crhisy walked up the path to her living room window. Through the glass she could see her mom and dad smiling and laughing as the adorable baby Dylin walked across the floor from one to the other. They were happy, and they always would be. They did have the perfect child.      Crhisy turned from the window and a single tear slid down her cheek. She walked away from the horrible, neglect filled life of Crhisy Mckenli, and into the mysterious and definitely dangerous life of Jude Warrinton. She was after all a Doskonali. Back to top. The Extra Mile Doer by Eleanor age 12     Deep in Africa, where the desert winds pass and the grass grows barely ankle high, there is a certain farm that has a story like no other farm. This farm belonged to the Obi family. The Obi family had 3 boys and 4 girls. They were a wealthy, hard-working, and educated family. The story is about the youngest boy, Chad. Chad was a good-looking and lively boy of 15. He enjoyed many of the things that we enjoy today, like mancala, fishing, and even learning.     The home that the Obi’s lived in was your typical African farm home. The house servants lived on one side of the house, and the other side was where the Obi family lived. The Obi’s owned 125 acres. They used most of it for farming and raising cattle. Although the servants were not paid for their labor, the Obi's were kind to the servants, treating them fairly.     At the end of each month, Chad and, the eldest son, Jaloni would go to the near by village and sell the cattle, the produce, and buy supplies for the farm. On this particular day it seemed to begin like all the others. They got up early in the morning, gathered all the cattle that were to be sold, loaded all the farming produce on the wagon and began the trek to the village. As they were walking, Jaloni thought he had heard a twig snap, but decided not to worry about it thinking it was probably an animal. Nearing the bend in the road, that overlooked the village, three men with weapons jumped out from behind the bushes . Both Jaloni and Chad were startled, totally taken off guard. Jaloni attempted to fight the man who started attacking him, but Jaloni was shot. Chad watched as the men tied up his brother . They threw Jaloni to the side of the road, leaving him to die. The men grabbed Chad, tied him up, and dragged him to their ship. Chad was then thrown into a dark, musty, and crowed room.     For the first time in his life, Chad was terrified, not sure what was going to happen to him. He spent the first few weeks sobbing, refusing to speak to anyone. He did hear however that it was a slave ship, sailing to a place called America where Chad was to be sold into slavery. Loosing all hope for living, Chad wanted to die. Now a man on the ship had been watching Chad slowly give up. He felt the need to go talk to him. Knowing how Chad must feel, the man began to encourage him. At first Chad did not trust the man. After spending time talking to him Chad began to realize this man offered hope. For the first time being on this ship, Chad did not want to die. As the weeks turned into months Chad and this man, Omari, became close friends. Omari taught Chad some important principles to help Chad get through life. These concepts were foreign to Chad, yet he absorbed the ideas fervently.     They had been on this ship for 12 months when a crew man yelled,” Land ahead”. All of the people that been captured were terrified because it was a new land. They worried that whoever got them would be cruel to them and they would never experience freedom again.     Chad and the rest of the people had to wait three days after land was spotted. Knowing that this would be the last time Omari would see Chad he gave him one last piece of advice. Omari called it "going the extra mile." Chad tried not to cry when saying goodbye to his close friend. He thanked Omari for saving his life.     A man from the Roselands plantation, looked through most of the slaves, but was not happy with what he saw. Mr. Carrington, who owned Roselands, went to one of the slave owners and inquired if they had any other people for sale. The reply was yes, but the price would be very high. Mr. Carrington was very impressed with Chad. As they traveled back to the plantation, Chad couldn't help but look all around in am amazement at the new land that laid all around him. When they arrived at the plantation Chad was shown his new living quarters. It was better than the ships, but he longed for home.     Mr. Carrington introduced Chad to Honz, and left Honz in charge of explaining the responsibilities that Chad would be required to do everyday. Honz disliked Chad, because Chad was African and black. Honz let Chad know that he does not care about Chad or what happens to him, as long as he gets his work done. Honz would not act this way in front of the Carringtons, but behind their backs he did as he pleases.     The Carrington’s did not have a problem with owning slaves. They were unusual though because they believed in treating their slaves kindly. Mrs. Carrington taught some of the younger slaves to read and write even though it was illegal in the South. They had freed some of their slaves in the past, but only those whom they respected.     Chad started his day before sunrise in the stable preparing the animals for work in the fields. Then all day he would take care of the horses that were going in and out, cleaning their stalls, and grooming them. Because Chad followed the advice that Omari had given to him on the ship concerning others,he earned the respect and admiration of many of the slaves. Honz noticed this. He vowed that he was going to change what everyone thought about Chad.     Honz asked Chad to saddle up the best work horses with the best bridle. He informed Chad that he was going to work in the fields today. After Chad had gotten the horses ready for work, Honz told Chad to go and make sure that all the other work animals were fed and watered. While Chad was away, Honz went and tampered with the bridle on the best work horse. Chad was called to come back and go plow the field. In the meantime Mr. Carrington decides to go to the barn and have his horse saddled up. So Chad gladly does it for Mr. Carrington. Mr. Carrington could not help but notice Chad's good-natured attitude and tells Chad that his work is done exceptionally well. Chad thanks Mr. Carrington and gives him his horse. Chad then takes the best work horses to the field to give to the head master of the fields. The head master hten tells one of the slaves to begin plowing. As Chad began walking back to the barn, he heard a ear-peircing scream of deep pain. Turning around, he sees that the horse has broken loose from the plow dragging the man across the rocky field. The head master jumps on his horse and chases the runwawy horse with the slave attached to it. He catches up to the horse and unhookes the slave from the horse. The slave is badly wounded. His skin was torn to sheds, he was covered in blood, and both of his wrist were broken.     Chad stood there in shock and fear because he knew he saddled the horse with everything properly locked. After hearing the commotion, he rode his horse to the field to see what happened. Honz and the head master immediatly blamed Chad because he was the one who had gotten the horses ready. Chad was taken to Honz's quaters and whipped severly. The news of the accident got to Mr. Carrington. He decided to go and investigate for himself. He went down to the barn and found Honz there. After talking to Honz and learning that it was Chad who had saddled the horses Mr. Carrington demanded to speak to Chad. Honz tried to persuade him that everything had been taken care of, but Mr. Carrington was persisent. Honz realized he was not going to get rid of Mr. Carrington, so he brought Mr. Carrington to Chad. When Mr. Carrington saw Chad he was full of rage, because he saw that Chad had been whipped. Mr. Carrington demanded an explaination. Honz was to scared to talk, so Chad spoke up and told Mr. Carrington that it was his fault that the horse broke free. That Honz had whipped him for failing to do his job correctly, resulting in this horrible accisent. Mr. Carrington told Honz that there were to be no more whippings on his grounds or Honz would find somewhere else to live. With that Mr. Carrington left.     Because Chad had not defended himself Honz felt such guilt for what he had done. Honz asked Chad why he accepted all the blame and even justified what Honz had done to Chad. Honz wanted to know why Chad was different than the other slaves, always doing more than required and even looking happy while doing it. Chad began to tell Honz were he had come from and how he had gotten here. He told Honz about the man on the boat; about how this man had kept Chad alive and taught him some important principles to help him get through life. Honz just listened in amazement. Chad told Honz about going the extra mile, a valuable principle that Omari had taught him. Omari said that going the extra mile was doing extra work for others but also doing it with a cheerful heart. Honz asked for Chad's forgiveness. He told Chad that he had been the one to undue the bridle so that it would cause an accident. He saw that Chad looked confused. Honz told Chad that he had done it because Chad was getting more respect than he was getting as master.     Honz went to Mr. Carrington and asked if Chad could be moved up to a higher position. Remembering the accident, Mr. Carrington was skeptical at first. Honz explained that Chad was a trustworthy. Mr. Carrington then remembered how Chad had handled the whole situation and how he managed Mr. Carrington's horse. They decided on givind Chad a second chance.     Honz went to Chad the next day. he told Chad that would be working as the household food servant. Chad was very humbled at the thought. He was very thankful that Omari had taken notice to him and given him such good advice. Chad began his work the next day. A vistor was at the Roselands. He could not get over how well Chad acted and seemed to enjoy serving others. Mr. and Mrs. Carrington couldn't help but notice either. Months passed and Mr. Carrington saw that Chad never lost his joyful attitude. The Carringtons decided to move Chad again. Mr. Carrington told Chad to meet him in his office. Chad did without question, but he was confused. Mr. Carrington told Chad that he was now going to be Mr.Carrington's personal servant. Chad was shocked. His eyes brimmed with tears. From then on Chad went everywhere with Mr. Carrington. When Mr. Carrington traveled Chad went with him. Chad saw so many beautiful places and met many people. Some of those people did not treat their slaves kindly like Mr. Carrington treated Chad.     After six years of being Mr. Carringtons servant, Chad had been to every State from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean. Chad was educated by now in the English language, thanks to Mrs. Carrington. He knew how to act around civilized people. He was no longer a boy anymore, but a grown man. The Carrigtons felt that the time had come to give Chad his freedom. He had proven himself trustworthy, loyal, and hard working. Never complaining about what was required of him. So after giving ti much thougth. The Carrington's had a meeting with Chad asking him to join them in Mr. Carrinton's study. Chad walked in and felt nervous, but he also trusted and liked the Carrington's very much. Mr. and Mrs. Carrinton walked over to Chad and handed him a piece of paper. Chad read the paper over and over again hardly believeing what he was reading. The paper said: "That Chad is now a free man." Wherever he went he needed to carry this paper with him, but it was his ticket to freedom. Chad wept and thanked the Carrington's over and over again. He packed up his belongings and they gave him a horse with a little money to help him get started. He walked down the long driveway. At the end he tunrned around and thought about the first time he had seen that place. How far he had come since then. In the end he could say that Omari was right that going the extra mile will pay off . He turned and walked away, never looking back again. Back to top. Hopeful Letters By Sunny Sharma Age 13     Ralph paced the uneven asphalt outside his home. Thoughts were flitting in and out of his head. Should I or shouldn’t I? Well, no one lives there maybe I could just sneak in… Ralph bolted down the street to the corner house. There it was, looking its moldy, dilapidated self. “Alright, here I go.” Ralph leaped in and scoured the room. He searched everywhere until he came across a goldmine. “Wow.” He whispered.     Inside the room were shelves and shelves of books. Ralph felt the adrenaline rush through him. For weeks Ralph yearned for such a sight. He wanted to read. Despite the fact that Ralph had no one to teach him and he was already eight, he knew he had found a place to start.     He perused through the books and selected, what seemed to be, juvenile books. He tucked them under his arm and ran out of the house. Outside an old lady stared at him. “Did you just go into my house?” Ralph panicked; did this house belong to the lady? Should he run? Or could he take her down? No that was ridiculous. “Er…yes ma’am.”     He could not believe this was happening. How was he going to learn? How was he going to be an astronaut? His school was virtually bookless. For weeks the crazy thought of reading drove him to insanity. Reading was taking over him; he yearned for it more than anything in the world, more than even food.     Alas, this had all started with his second grade teacher, Ms. Thompson. She had opened the doors for him. Everyday she would read to him two books that she had brought from her home. He was confounded, stupefied of the powerful impact the words had on him, and what they could put inside his head. Reading took him to another world, far, far away where nothing could stop him. In stories anything could happen, there were unseen lands and people. And he, Ralph, wanted to explore each and every one.     Ralph needed help. He had not seen his mom in a week and his brother was illiterate as well. Though Ms. Thompson had left the school, she had given him a book. It had gorgeous pictures, with a perfect family, a mother, a father, and a roomy house; the book held the life Ralph had always dreamed of. Tears were flooding his eyes, he wanted these books badly, and he would do anything to have them.     “Come inside, now.” The lady murmured. Ralph followed the woman inside. “Sit. Now, do you know your alphabet?” Ralph replied hesitantly, “A little bit...” Back to top. Monster By Simone’ Hasskew Age 14     I grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father. That’s the only reason I am where I am today; he beat every ounce of life out of me that was possible. Literally.     Deceased, six feet under, no longer alive, call it whatever but all that matters is that I am DEAD, and dead at the hands of my own father. So I’m pretty sure by now you’re waiting for me to explain. So, explain I shall. I’ll take it back from the day that I died. Ha, I died. I’m still getting used to saying it. Anyway……..     It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Midnight rain had sprinkled an early morning dew over our quiet suburban town. Nothing big ever happens in little ole’ Maysfield; at least nothing as big as what happened that day. Sunshine poured through my glass balcony doors, and I moaned pulling my comforter over my face.     “Get up Lindsay!” my mother called from down the hall.     “No,” I murmured.     “NOW” she yelled back. I was surprised she picked up on my practically inaudible protests. Of course, I didn’t make an movements suggesting I was getting up. She knew this too. We went through this ever Saturday morning and it still amazes me to this day hoe fast she moves. In a matter of three seconds she was in my room, ripping off the comforter.     “Ma!!” I yelled at her, curling into a ball.     “Lindsay Marie Weston get out of that dang bed!”     “Alright already, Jesus. It’s only…” I paused to check the clock ,”10:00 in the morning.”     “Well I woke your brother up at nine, so you should be thanking me not complaining like this. Now get up and get dressed please, you have things to do today” she then turned on her heel and left.     “THANKS” I screamed sarcastically at her back. Sighing, I pulled myself out of bed and started my morning routine. I washed my face and jumped into a scalding hot shower. 20 minutes later I was towel-drying my hair and slipping into my favorite jeans and a white tee shirt. I only remember it was white because the blood was spilling all over it, staining it copper red. I dressed plain, because I looked plain. Straight brown hair, muddy brown eyes. I was nothing special, and my father told me that all the time. I took one last look in the mirror, and for some reason was overcome with this feeling.     “Something is going to happen today,” I said to myself out loud. Boy was I right on the money that morning. I quickly threw my hair into a pony tail, brushed my teeth, and headed to the kitchen. My mother was doing dishes while my brother Gregory was putting away dry clean ones.     “Where’s dad?” I asked even though I knew, There are only few reasons too why he isn’t home.     “Oh he went out with some friends last night and slept at someone else’s house,” explained my mother. I sighed. What that really meant was him and my mom got into a fight. There must have been lots of screaming, and he must have been pretty tipsy. He most likely hit her, and she yelled at him to leave. He left where he proceeded to go to a bar, get way too drunk, and pass out somewhere. It happened way too much, and that’s the only reason I knew what was really going on. I just never understood why my mother never admitted to what really went on right before my dad would leave.     “Oh,” was my reply. Sadly, my dad and I never had a really good relationship. He and I always fought whether he was sober, tipsy, or drunk. Most times he’s been drinking, or he stopped taking his bipolar meds. Anyway, we always went at it. He would always hit me, and I would never ever back down. I’m just now realizing how much I hated that man. My mom and brother have seen it happen, they’re just too scared of what my father would do to them if they spoke up. I, on the other hand, was not. I would tell trusted adults what was going on, but they never believed me. We look like the perfect family. It just goes to show you what happens when people don’t really give a care, or listen. So, whenever my dad’s not home I savor ever moment of it and pray to God it lasts for a while. He usually comes home, and profusely apologizes then drinks some more. Everything starts over from there like a vicious cycle.     “Here,” my mom put down her sponge and handed me a list of chores.     Silently I took them and got to work just as I did every Saturday morning. Around dinnertime my dad came home, surprisingly not drunk. We all sat down at the table and ate. Dinner was silent, aside from the scraping of forks on plates and the occasional “:Can you pass the green beans?” or “Oh mom your cooking is so good. Can I have seconds please?” My mom sure did know how to cook. After a filling meal my dad left the table and went down the hall towards his and my mother’s bedroom. Dad never helped with the chores or the dishes, he just worked to support us. For a drunken bipolar man, he earned a lot of money for our family. I helped Gregory with the clearing of the table while my mom relaxed a bit in the living room.     “What’s up with dad?” Gregory asked as we packed away leftovers into Tupperware.     “What do you mean?”     “He seems….a tad bit off. You didn’t notice that?” He wondered, closing the fridge. I immediately felt guilty for not picking up on it.     “I guess so. Maybe he had a really rough night last night,” I suggested.     “Every night is a rough night for him.” Gregory spat. He disliked our father as much as I did, if not more. Which is a lot if you think about it considering I hated the man.     “I’m gonna talk to him.” I turned and went to leave the kitchen     “Wait!” Exclaimed Gregory, pulling me back. “Please be safe okay? Don’t fight with him. I don’t want to see either of you hurt tonight.” Once again, right on the money with the hurt part.     “Okay Greg. Jeeze, he’s just our dad,” I replied nonchalantly, even though I was pretty darn scared on the inside.     “Promise?”     “Promise,” I said.     I left the kitchen, and slowly walked towards my parents’ bedroom. When I looked, though, my dad was not there. I figured he must have left and we didn’t notice. I smiled and went into my bedroom. When I closed the door and turned on the light, I got the shock of my life. There sat my father on my bed, reading my journal. This was the journal where I confessed all of my inner thoughts and feelings about everything. The very journal where I talked about how much I detested the man I called my dad. Telling this story now, I have begun to think he was nothing but a monster.     “Dad, what are you doing?” I asked,     He jerked his eyes away from the composition book. “Lindsay,” he started “I can’t believe you would write such things about your father.”     His voice was steady, and calm. I started to think I could possibly get out of the situation okay.     “Dad, it’s nothing. That’s not even mine,” I lied.     “Don’t lie to me,” He raised his voice a few decibels. He then stood up, and walked towards my glass doors. I reached to open the door.     “Don’t you dare open that door,” He called me out. I didn’t know what to do at that point.     “You really think I’m crazy? That I’m a bipolar psycho? A man who doesn’t appreciate his family?”     “N-n-n-no,” I stuttered. I was pretty much at a loss for words at that point. He turned around and charged towards me, grabbing me by my neck and pushing me against the wall.     “You’re right. Because I am none of those things,” he spat. “You, though, I could go on and on about how horrible your are. You mean nothing. You’re not special in any way, and I can’t believe you’re even my daughter.”     I Hate to admit it, but those words stung. They stung so bad, that I just couldn’t take it anymore. I kicked him as hard as I could with all of my might. He staggered back, letting go of my and I reached for the door. He recovered from the blow quick and pulled me back before I could get to the doorknob, throwing me down on the ground.     “Dad please,” I pleaded. He forced me to my feet, then shoved me back, I leaned against the wall as he walked back towards my bed. I didn’t know what it was, but he picked up an object off of the floor and tucked it into his jacket. Next, he picked up my journal and read directly from it. “My father is a horrid man,” he read. “He never does anything but drink, scream, and hit us. My whole family is made up of whimps because no one mentions what he does to anyone. You would think they would want out of the situation like I do. I don’t think this man I call my father deserves to live.”     He looks at me, and for a second I though he was going to explode.     Instead, he chucks the book at me and it barely misses my head. “I DON’T DESERVE TO LIVE!” He roars, pulling the object out of his jacket.     It was a gun.     “Dad, calm down. It was nothing.” I explain hastily. He ignores me, and cocks the gun then places it on his temple.     “I don’t deserve to live?” He says calmly     “You do…” I whispered. I was crying by then.     “What?” he screamed     “YOU DO!” I yelled back. I heard footsteps coming up the hall, then stopping behind my door.     “Mom!” I scream, “HELP”     The door flies open and In barges my mother and brother, They take one look at what’s going on, and the blood runs cold from their faces. Neither of them move, or say anything.     “You’re right Lindsay,” my dad finally says. “I do deserve to live.”     I sighed as relief floods my body.     “But Lindsay?” He says     “Yeah?” I cry.     “You don’t”     Before I could move or say anything, he whips the gun away from his head and fires at me. I scream as I crash to the floor. I’m pretty sure I heard my mom scream and my brother take off running.     “Help”, I choke out. Blood is pouring from the wound in my chest. My dad looms over me. The last thing I remember before dying was his face, and the smile spread wide across it.     Now here I am, my ghost standing next to my coffin, at my own funeral. There are loud sobs and cries coming from ever part of the church. I hear people whispering about how I died too young. I don’t think anyone but my mother, brother, and the police who arrested my father know what really happened that Saturday. I do think, though, that if this hadn’t happened to me that my whole family would still be suffering at the hands of my father.     My father, the monster. Back to top. The Unexpected Call By Taylor Jones Age 15     The sound of rocks being thrown at the glass panes turned Nick’s attention away from the game to his window. He paused his Xbox game and glanced cautiously around his room. He walked over to the edge of his room near his glass window and opened it up. Nick looked down and was perplexed by what could be throwing the rocks. He saw Yasmin’s radiant smile and instantly laughed.     “Well hello down there!” Nick shouted.     “Hey Nick! Can I come up?” Yasmin replied.     “You do know that there is such thing called a door, right? I mean it’s pretty easy. All you have to do is ring the doorbell and someone answers it and lets you in!” Nick responded sarcastically.     “Okay, wise guy, your mother wouldn’t let me come in.” Yasmin stated.     “Alright I will be right down.” Nick said.     Nick ran downstairs walking past his mom in the kitchen. She was too pre-occupied with cleaning the vegetables that she didn’t even see him go by. He went to the backdoor and walked out barefooted onto the spongy grass. Yasmin walked over to him.     “Follow me.” Nick said.     Nick took Yasmin’s hand; they swiftly ran up the stairs and into his room without his mother noticing. They slipped through the door and quietly closed it.     “We are so sly.” Yasmin giggled.     “Yes, we are. Why didn’t my mom let you come in?” Nick said.     “She said that you were grounded because you snuck out the other night and then she asked me if I had anything to do with it.”     “What did you say?”     “I told her of course I had nothing to do with it and then she just kept staring at me!” Yasmin laughed.     “At least I was the only one that was caught.”     Nick pulled her down onto the bed and kissed her lightly on her lips.     “NICK?!” Nick’s mother, Mary, called from outside the door.     “Oh no! Hide under the bed!” Nick whispered.     Yasmin barely made it under the bed as Mary walked in. Mary looked around suspiciously as her eyes wandered the room.     “I have your clothes.” She said.     “Thanks. Bye Mom.” Nick said quickly as he closed the door that was pushing Mary out. He took the clothes and threw them on the floor, only a few feet away from Yasmin’s hiding spot.     Yasmin crawled out from under the bed. She was smiling, clearly amused by almost being caught by Nick’s mother.     “That was close.” She said as she plopped down on Nick’s lap and rested her head up against his shoulder.     “I love you” Nick whispered into her ear.     “I love you too” Yasmin giggled. ***     Eight years later, Yasmin laid on the ground thinking about those powerful three words. She loved Nick more than anything in the world. Her dark blue eyes wet with tears blurred the bright lights in front of her. All she wanted to do was to be with Nick. She tried to walk but realized that her whole body was numb. The Earth imprinted Yasmin’s face as she lay hard on the pavement. She stared off into the darkness that was now being interrupted by the illumination.     Yasmin knew something was wrong. She saw her whole life flash before her eyes. Tears glided down her cheeks. She thought about Nick and the baby. What would happen to them? This was not supposed to happen. They were supposed to grow older together and watch Michelle grow up. Anger infuriated Yasmin’s thoughts as she realized she wouldn’t be able to see her baby walk or go to school. Why was all of this happening? They were so happy. Yasmin wanted, more than anything, to be with Nick right now. Not here, she thought, anywhere but here. The tears were coming faster and so was pain. Yasmin closed her eyes and turned towards the light. ***     At 10:47 PM, Nick received the worst phone call in his life. His wife, the girl he had known and loved for ten years, had been involved in a fatal car crash.     Nick immediately fell to the ground while clutching the phone. For being a man who never cried, the tears seemed to come and showed no sign of stopping. He wondered how this could possibly happen. How would he raise a child on his own. He wasn’t even sure how to be a father because his own had died while Nick was very young. His body shook like a leaf at these horrific thoughts. Nick reflected on all of the years he had known Yasmin. Sneaking out to her house when they were teenagers, going to school together, always being there for each other, their wedding day, the day Yasmin found out she was pregnant, giving birth to Michelle and sharing a life together. Now she was gone. Nick could never talk to her, kiss her or hold her. The tears were streaming down his face.     Nick walked over to Michelle’s crib and looked in at the only part of his family that he had left. Michelle smiled brightly and her blue eyes shined like nothing had happened. She giggled and reached for Nick’s hand. Nick let her pudgy hand grip his finger tightly. His tears fell onto her baby blue blanket.     Nick walked away from the baby as he tried to conceal his miserable state. His legs felt like Jello and he collapsed onto the couch; it was the same couch that Yasmin had been sitting on while holding Michelle before she left. What if Nick had been the one to go get the groceries? What if Nick had been in the car? Would all of this have happened?     Either way, Yasmin was gone. Nick would have to raise their child by himself. At the same time as he was mourning the death of his wife, Nick felt fortunate. He had Michelle. He had a piece of Yasmin. Nick would raise Michelle so that Yasmin would be proud. He would cherish her and never let anything happen to her. Nick found his small, but strong, light in the sea of dark. Back to top. Homecoming By Lucy Cole Age 17     “But I’m not tired Jiejie.” one of my worn-out toddlers tried to convince me while stifling a yawn.     “Now, now little one, its time for sleep. You don’t want to doze off during Baba’s lesson tomorrow now do you?” I asked tenderly. Baba, Chinese for Daddy, was the name the children had for my father, who was the orphanage director.     “No….”     “Then sleep. And when you wake up, Jiejie will have your brand new dress ready for you to wear to church ok?”     “Ok….” and within seconds, the little one in my arms wilted, her head falling onto the inside of my arm. Jiejie was my name, meaning older sister, which fit me perfectly, because to me, all the abandoned little ones were my siblings.     Placing her in the bed, I creeped silently out of the room filled with sleeping children. Closing the door, I turned around, preparing to make a beeline across the orphan’s playroom into my parent’s bedroom, when I ran head long into Li Chan, one of the young men that my father had hired to work in the orphanage to teach the children their lessons.     “Oh,” I exclaimed. “I’m sorry Li, I should have been paying better attention to where I was.”     “That’s ok, Jiejie. I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going either.” Li was taller than most Chinese men. At a good six feet, he looked on at me with those deep chestnut eyes, complimented by that ebony hair that I had come to unknowingly adore.     “Going to check in with your father?”     “Yea. I wanted to go spend some time with him before I went to bed. Would you care to join me?” I asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.     “I would Jiejie, but I’ve got to finish grading some papers that I promised the children I would return to them on Monday. You understand.”     “Yes, I’m afraid I do. Well, I guess I’ll see you in the morning then, ok Li?”     “Ok Jiejie. See ya tomorrow.”     Before Li could walk away, I stopped him and said, “Hey Li?”     “Yes?” he replied.     “Call me Sophie.”     Smiling boyishly, Li nodded his head in recognition and began to walk in the opposite direction.     With a bounce in my step, and a grin on my face, I went to go find my father. Looking down at my watch, I noticed that it was about 8:30, which meant that Dad would most likely be in the dining room, enjoying his nightly cup of green tea, and reading his bible. Which was exactly where I found him.     “Ni hao, Baba.” I greeted him brightly.     Looking up and seeing that it was me, he smiled warmly and replied,     “Hey baby. Care to join me?”     “Yes please!”     Taking my place to the left of him, I plopped down in my chair and leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek.     “How ya doin Daddy?” I asked, in the way I used to when I was a little girl.     “Oh, I’m doin fine Sophie. I saved you some tea.” He told me, sliding me a warm cup of the Fuzian green tea that we both loved best.     “You know me so well.” smiling at him, I held the cup in my hands and began to blow lightly on the surface of the drink.     After taking my first sip, I set the cup back down on the tabletop, and started in on our conversation.     “How was your day papa?”     “It was good baby. I had to fix one of the mini-androids, Olivia accidentally spilled her juice on it again.” He explained while reaching a hand over to stroke my blonde hair.     “What a goover.” I replied grinning, using one of the words that we had invented from my baby language. I loved these intimate moments with my father. They were the memories that I carried with me every day.     My father and I were best friends. I was my papa’s first baby, making me a full-blown daddy’s girl. I could talk to him about anything, but tonight’s subject, was going to be a little bit touchy for him.     “So what’s on your mind Sophie?” he asked, looking at me intently and taking another sip of his tea.     “Well, I kinda wanted to talk to you about Li.” I started.     “Ok,” he said. “What would you like to know?”     “Is he someone that could be….potential?” I asked bluntly.     Thinking it over, Dad took a drink of tea, taking his time to choose his words carefully.     “Li is a good man. He loves the Lord, which is essential, he loves children; we see that in his eyes everyday when he teaches those kids. And it seems, that he’s got a soft spot in his heart for you there little darlin.”     “You think so?” I asked with a sparkle in my eye.     “I do. And your mother seems to think so too.”     “So…what does that mean?” I inquired. Relationships were a delicate subject with my parents. I had been waiting for 25 years for the right man to come along, granted 20 of those years were spent as an adolescent, but I had had to wait just the same. But there seemed to be something different about Li. His passion for Christ and his love for children had made me all the more attracted to him, but without my parents blessing, I knew that I couldn’t let anything come of those feelings.     “It means,” he began. “That your mother and I think, that if you and Li decided that you two wanted to try to get to know each other a little better, that it would be ok with us.”     Smiling broadly, I jumped out of my chair and wrapped my arms around my father’s neck, nearly knocking over his cup in the process.     “You’re the best, Daddy.”     “I know, I know. Now it’s late. So finish up your tea and get on up to bed.”     “Dad,” I complained in a whining tone. “It’s 2056! I’m not a little kid anymore, remember?”     “I’m not that old am I?” he laughed. “But I am your father and you have to get up early for church tomorrow so you should really go to bed.”     “Ok,” I said. “What’s your sermon gunna be about anyway?”     “That little Jiejie, is for me to know, and for you to find out tomorrow, after you’ve gotten some sleep.”     “Alright, alright I’m going.” I kidded.     After giving him a goodnight kiss I walked to the door, turned back around and said to him. “I love you Daddy.”     Looking at me warmly, he said, “I love you too Sophie. I’ll see you in the morning.”     And with that, I closed the door behind me, and made my way up the stairs to my own room, where a peaceful sleep awaited me. *******     The next morning, I awoke to a voice calling softly in my ear, “It’s 6 o clock Sophie. Time to wake up.”     “Uuuuggghhh…” I groaned into my pillow. I told my mini android to wake me up early so that I would have time to speak with my father before heading off to prepare the children for the day ahead.     Tossing my sheet aside, I picked up my clothes that I had set out for myself last night, and dragged my feet over to the bathroom that I shared with the orphans. My room was directly across from the room that the older children shared, and right next to where the infants slept with a connecting door between the two quarters, allowing me to easily get to them if they cried out in their sleep, which was inevitable almost every night.     I showered quickly, dressed, and then hurried to the classroom where we held our service every Sunday morning. I knew my father would be pouring over his Bible while he enjoyed his traditional cup of green tea, as he did almost every morning. But as I entered the classroom, I noticed his presence was absent from the small space.     Curiously, I exited the room, thinking that maybe, he was upstairs with my mother, having a private conversation. I searched the orphanage high and low, but to no avail.     Hoping to find them outside, I started to walk past the mini-android control room, when I chanced a glance inside. Remembering that the television screens inside could access a view of all the rooms in the orphanage, I opened the door and headed inside the closet like space. There were cameras located in all of the mini-androids, which we had placed in each room, enabling us to see where every child was at all times.     Stepping up to the controls, I scanned the screens set up before searching for my parents, who were nowhere in sight. I noticed, though, that there was a video message left on one of the mini-androids, the one placed in my parents’ room. Typing in an access code, I turned on the android and reviewed the message left on the memory.     At first everything was dark and a bit blurry, so I wasn’t able to make anything out. But then the dark figure stepped away from the camera and I heard my mother’s voice. “What are you doing here? What do you want from us?”     The door to my parents’ room was flung wide open, and a Chinese man in a government uniform stepped in the doorway saying, “You are being deported. What you have done is against our laws. You must leave us at once.”     “I don’t understand. What have we done?” my mother pleaded.     The officer laughed, low and without humor.     “Do not be foolish. We are well aware of your Sunday services that you hold in front of the children. The teaching of Christianity is forbidden in our country, which you are both well aware of. Be satisfied that we are not sending all of these children into prison. And the man, he should be most grateful that we are doing nothing to him. He could be killed for this. But we could not find him on any of the tapes. But you both must leave. Now!”     The man made a move for my mother, but then my father stepped into the view, yelling at him, ”Don’t you dare touch her! Keep your hands off my wife!”     “You are coming with us as well.” Stated the other official who had entered the room. Pushing my father aside and grabbing my mother, the first clone like official kicked his foot through my parents’ wall, and headed out into the night, my mother gone forever.     “Where are you taking us?” My father demanded.     “We are taking you into our hover vehicle, and transporting you to the airport. There, you and your wife will be sent on a plane back to the United States, never permitted to return again.” The blank faced man explained.     “What of my daughter, what will happen to her?” my father pleaded.     “She is no longer your concern. But if you must know, she will remain here. We have no evidence that she participated in any of these teachings. However, we will be keeping a close eye on her from now on, for although she was not in any of the tapes, we have no doubt that she was involved. Do not attempt to contact her, or her fate will be far worse than that of yours. Now go!” What I would never know, was that my father had purposefully positioned me, as well as Li, in the blind spot of the mini-android every Sunday, so as to one day prevent this from involving me. He insured that Li and I would never be found out. The official began to push my father out of the wall and down into the hover car.     “Sophie! Sophie! I love you!” screamed my father.     And in the background, I could here my mother yelling, “Li, Sophie. Stay with Li!”     A loud blast of the engine came from the hover car, and then began to fade away as the officials flew off into the night with my parents. Then the screen once again grew black with the end of the message. The tape had run out. Tears were streaming down my face, breathing was impossible, and my mind went blank.     I slammed open the door of the control room, and raced to find Li. I ran, as if on autopilot, not even thinking of anything but finding him. Reaching his bedchamber, I pounded on his door with my fist shouting his name over and over through heavy sobs. Suddenly, his door flung open wide, lines of worry etched everywhere all over his face.     “Sophie! What is it? What’s wrong?”     I flung myself into his arms, weeping into his chest, “They’re gone…. Mom and Dad…. they took them…. the officials…. they’re gone…they’re gone….” *******     For days I neither slept nor ate. Praying was all I could seem to do. I cried out to God for guidance, for peace, for healing. I prayed longer and harder then I’ve ever prayed before. During the day, I would spend time with the children, hoping to take my mind off the sorrow that seemed to consume me, and at night, I wept.     I found myself questioning God. How could he do this to me? Why would he allow this to happen? How could a God who told me that he loved me permit my parents to be forever taken from me? What was going to happen to me? How could I go on?     One night, while I was sitting in the kitchen, staring at nothing really, I remembered my mother’s last words, “Li, Sophie. Stay with Li.” I had been contemplating this in my mind, praying about it, asking God what my mother had meant. I knew that Li was someone that my parents both loved and knew would be a man who would love and cherish me the way they wanted. This only seemed like a girlish fantasy for me at the time. I knew that Li was a Christian, a rarity among most Chinese men nowadays, but I was only 25. I thought I had time. However, knowing that I may never see my family ever again, I wanted to honor the last wishes of my parents, hoping that if I ever found them, that they might be proud of me.     Li had seen the message my father had managed to record, and knew the thoughts that were going through my head. We both agreed to pray about it for a little while longer, both of us wanting God’s blessing on the matter before we made our decision. But in the end, we both knew that our futures would be spent together. While I was spending some more time with my Heavenly Father, Li silently slipped inside, and took a seat next to me.     “How are you feeling?” he asked compassionately.     “Tired,” I replied softly. “I feel very drained from all this.”     Nodding, he folded his hands on top of the table, waiting for me to go on.     “I’ve been praying a lot about everything that’s happened. I don’t fully understand hardly any of it. I know that I’m stuck here. Chinese law forbids me to leave since I’ve given up my American citizenship. And I know that I may never see my parents ever again,” I paused, trying to subside another wave of tears that was threatening to break forth.     Patiently, Li remained silent, knowing the pain and depth of my grief, for he too had felt the ache and emptiness at the loss of two of the most important people in his life.     Taking in a big breath, I began again, “I may never see my parents here on this earth again. But I know that one day, we will be reunited in the most wonderful place in the universe, Heaven. Before God, before His people, united forever and ever.”     Taking my hand, Li looked me tenderly in the eyes and said, “And what a homecoming that will be.” *******     Everything is bright. There could be no darkness found in this place. My body feels like it is brand new. My old aches and wrinkles are gone, it’s as if I were 17 again. As I walked unhurriedly towards those tall gleaming gates, I reflected on my life and how I had lived it. Memories flood my mind as I think back on how rich and wonderful my days really were, through the good and the rough. But none of those bad times matter now. There is no sickness here; there is no pain, no sorrow, only joy.     Stepping forward, I look up into a face so magnificent, that no man on earth could ever compare to it. Beaming, I cast my crowns before his feet then bow before Him in his holy presence. And then, I hear him say,     “Well done, good and faithful servant. In you, I am very pleased.”     I rose, feeling empowered by his words, and humbled by His great Majesty.     And then, one more voice, one I had not heard in so long.     “Well done baby, well done.”     I spun around not believing what I was hearing. And there they were, standing behind me, glowing with pride and love on their faces. Rushing towards them, I buried myself in between their bodies with so much joy in my heart.     “I’m home.” I cried. “I’m home.” Back to top.