Alternate World Stories
A World I Never Knew
I sat on my bed looking at a document with a pros and cons list. I wasn’t sure how to tell her yet. I could hear footsteps so I pulled up a tab on my laptop that had my homework.
“Hey Bea. Can I ask you something?” Gia, my little sister paced around the room as she tried to find her words.
I replied, “Sure. What’s up?” I looked up from the screen.
“Do you miss it?”
“Miss what?” I didn’t know what she was trying to say. She sat at the edge of my bed playing with her fingers.
“Do you miss being able to go out?”
I thought about it before giving her an answer. To be honest, I did miss it but I was glad to be able to have time for myself. Gia loves being social and seeing people everyday. With this quarantine, she’d been having a hard time having to stay home all the time. That’s how we’re different.
“Yeah… I miss it also,” and I grabbed her hands. “But don’t worry, I’m here for you.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I needed that. School has been stressing me out a lot.”
As she walked out of the room, I noticed a movement in the window. I put my laptop aside and slowly stepped toward it. A bright light shined in my eye but it wasn’t the sun. I could see my best friend, Lee using a mirror to get my attention. I opened the window.
He yelled. “How did it go?”
“Horrible. I couldn’t tell her about you yet,” and I placed my palms on the windowsill.
“Well I am your best friend. What could be so…”
“Why did you stop?” He motioned at the window and I turned around. There was Gia with her mouth wide open.
“I can explain,” and I took a deep breath.
“What is going on?!” She rushed to the window and pushed me out of the way. “Who is that?!”
“Well that’s a difficult question to answer because I don’t know either.” She stared at Lee who wasn’t exactly a human being. My best friend was a jello-like being in the color purple. He looks squishy but I wouldn’t know if that’s actually true though.
“You do know that you can’t go out right?!”
“I know that. I talk to him while social distancing.” My sister ran to her room and grabbed one of those rubber balls that came from a vending machine. Without any notice, she just threw it at Lee’s head. He didn’t realize it and the rubber ball bounced off into the street.
“Gia, you can’t do that to him. You’re lucky that he’s squishy.” I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled, “Sorry about that Lee!”
He shouted back. “Well I can see how you guys are related!” He wasn’t wrong. When I first saw him, I threw a soccer ball at his head. However that was in the middle of night. I was scared out of my mind so you can’t blame me.
Gia turned to me, inhaling a long breath. “Tell me what happened? How did Lee get here?”
“Well, a few weeks ago, I was sitting on my bed when I saw a metal-like ball flying through the air with flames engulfing it. It was bizarre. By the way, I’m sorry about your makeshift garden. His rocket smashed into it.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an o. “My poor garden! You better ask him to replant it.”
I shrugged. “It wouldn’t matter anyway. It was already dying.”
Gia rolled her eyes. “Why is he here?”
“He’s here because he heard about the virus and this pandemic and he wanted to help. He’s been telling me how there’s this plant on his planet that could be the cure.”
“How would that be even possible?” Gia glanced over at him.
“Well, I’ve been reading in this book about plants and I found one called the Everlasting. It’s a rare one and I think I know where to find it.” Lee held up a drawing with the plant on it.
From the moment Lee landed on Earth, all he could talk about was this plant and how it was literally a life or death situation. He babbled as he started wiping purple slime on the flames on his rocket ship. He needed time to repair the rocket ship, which was why he delayed his mission.
“Don’t worry, Gia. I’m going to find it with him and we’ll see if it’s true.”
“Bea, you’re going with him?”
“Yes, I already have my bag packed and we fixed the rocketship.” I grabbed her hands in mine.
“Please cover for me.”
She nodded but pointed harshly at me. “Okay but you owe me.”
I walked over to my closet to grab the navy duffel and I threw it out the window to Lee. I was dressed and ready. Grabbing the makeshift ladder I had created, I climbed out and down with my shoes hitting the ground. I adjusted the mask on my face. I call out. “Don’t worry, we got this!”
As we rode on my bike, we reached the metal ball sitting on top of an abandoned parking lot. He opened the latch door; it took him 2 weeks to fix the rocket. I sat on the cushion and crossed the seat belt over myself. He sat in the driver's seat, and messed with the buttons above him.
He looked over at me. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” and we launched off the ground.
To say that his planet was beautiful wouldn’t be an exaggeration. It was as if purple had just vomited and called itself a planet. There were purple waves rolling out, and trees as tall as skyscrapers. There was no other color other than the olive t-shirt that I was wearing.
Lee pointed at the tallest mountain and said, “that is the location of the flower.” I hadn’t told him yet but hiking wasn’t my strong suit. I took a step and I nearly slipped. Parts of the ground were soft and slick.
“Maybe now’s not the best time, but hiking isn’t one of my skills.”
Lee nodded. “Don’t worry. The mountain only looks tall but it’s short.” I actually almost believed that but I realized that it was a lie. As we climbed, I had to keep checking where I was stepping. Lee was also moving faster than me, and I lagged behind.
There on top of the mountain stood a field of lilac fields with a pink rose covered in purple slime in the center. “Okay, Bea. You stay here. I’ll get the Everlasting,” and Lee started to inch toward the pink rose. As he moved, I noticed flashing lights above me.
“Lee, I think something’s wrong.” I pointed above me and I saw a hole in the sky. He grabbed the rose and turned in my direction. Lee slid forward knocking me out of the way.
“It’s my parents. They sent the hole to collect me for the trouble I caused.
“What do we do now?” My heart started beating faster as I could see him hesitating what to say.
“You’ve got to go back to Earth. Take the Everlasting and plant it in the ground. Once it blooms, take the leaves and liquify it. That’ll be the cure.”
“But what about you?”
“I wasn’t meant to go back with you. The rocket ship is automatically routed back to Earth.” He pushed me out of the hole’s direction. “I’ll be okay. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
I called out as he started floating up. “Thank you! I’ll keep this place a secret.” I ran back to the rocket and hit the green button. On the journey back to Earth, I remembered that Lee always said that after he helped the people of Earth, he would make me promise not to say anything about him and his planet. I was going to keep that promise.
The rocket landed and it flung me outward onto the grass. I was surrounded by a huge patch of dirt with a shovel right next to me. Lee always prepared for any situation. I grabbed the shovel and dug a small hole with the rose in it. After only a few seconds, purple veins flowed through the dirt and a tree started to form. The tree had purple leaves. I could feel the breeze on my face and I realized that my mask was still on the ground. It was the first time that I didn’t have my mask on while outside. I put a few leaves in my bag and gazed at the sunset. It was a beautiful sight.
As I rode my bike home, the tree had a mystical veil that only I could see. Gia stood at the door; it had been three days since the mission.
“I got it. Let’s start making it.” We liquified it as told and sent it out to the hospitals as a mysterious donor. A few weeks later, Gia and I sat on the couch watching the news with smiles on our faces.
Isabelle Tonel
I sat on my bed looking at a document with a pros and cons list. I wasn’t sure how to tell her yet. I could hear footsteps so I pulled up a tab on my laptop that had my homework.
“Hey Bea. Can I ask you something?” Gia, my little sister paced around the room as she tried to find her words.
I replied, “Sure. What’s up?” I looked up from the screen.
“Do you miss it?”
“Miss what?” I didn’t know what she was trying to say. She sat at the edge of my bed playing with her fingers.
“Do you miss being able to go out?”
I thought about it before giving her an answer. To be honest, I did miss it but I was glad to be able to have time for myself. Gia loves being social and seeing people everyday. With this quarantine, she’d been having a hard time having to stay home all the time. That’s how we’re different.
“Yeah… I miss it also,” and I grabbed her hands. “But don’t worry, I’m here for you.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I needed that. School has been stressing me out a lot.”
As she walked out of the room, I noticed a movement in the window. I put my laptop aside and slowly stepped toward it. A bright light shined in my eye but it wasn’t the sun. I could see my best friend, Lee using a mirror to get my attention. I opened the window.
He yelled. “How did it go?”
“Horrible. I couldn’t tell her about you yet,” and I placed my palms on the windowsill.
“Well I am your best friend. What could be so…”
“Why did you stop?” He motioned at the window and I turned around. There was Gia with her mouth wide open.
“I can explain,” and I took a deep breath.
“What is going on?!” She rushed to the window and pushed me out of the way. “Who is that?!”
“Well that’s a difficult question to answer because I don’t know either.” She stared at Lee who wasn’t exactly a human being. My best friend was a jello-like being in the color purple. He looks squishy but I wouldn’t know if that’s actually true though.
“You do know that you can’t go out right?!”
“I know that. I talk to him while social distancing.” My sister ran to her room and grabbed one of those rubber balls that came from a vending machine. Without any notice, she just threw it at Lee’s head. He didn’t realize it and the rubber ball bounced off into the street.
“Gia, you can’t do that to him. You’re lucky that he’s squishy.” I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled, “Sorry about that Lee!”
He shouted back. “Well I can see how you guys are related!” He wasn’t wrong. When I first saw him, I threw a soccer ball at his head. However that was in the middle of night. I was scared out of my mind so you can’t blame me.
Gia turned to me, inhaling a long breath. “Tell me what happened? How did Lee get here?”
“Well, a few weeks ago, I was sitting on my bed when I saw a metal-like ball flying through the air with flames engulfing it. It was bizarre. By the way, I’m sorry about your makeshift garden. His rocket smashed into it.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an o. “My poor garden! You better ask him to replant it.”
I shrugged. “It wouldn’t matter anyway. It was already dying.”
Gia rolled her eyes. “Why is he here?”
“He’s here because he heard about the virus and this pandemic and he wanted to help. He’s been telling me how there’s this plant on his planet that could be the cure.”
“How would that be even possible?” Gia glanced over at him.
“Well, I’ve been reading in this book about plants and I found one called the Everlasting. It’s a rare one and I think I know where to find it.” Lee held up a drawing with the plant on it.
From the moment Lee landed on Earth, all he could talk about was this plant and how it was literally a life or death situation. He babbled as he started wiping purple slime on the flames on his rocket ship. He needed time to repair the rocket ship, which was why he delayed his mission.
“Don’t worry, Gia. I’m going to find it with him and we’ll see if it’s true.”
“Bea, you’re going with him?”
“Yes, I already have my bag packed and we fixed the rocketship.” I grabbed her hands in mine.
“Please cover for me.”
She nodded but pointed harshly at me. “Okay but you owe me.”
I walked over to my closet to grab the navy duffel and I threw it out the window to Lee. I was dressed and ready. Grabbing the makeshift ladder I had created, I climbed out and down with my shoes hitting the ground. I adjusted the mask on my face. I call out. “Don’t worry, we got this!”
As we rode on my bike, we reached the metal ball sitting on top of an abandoned parking lot. He opened the latch door; it took him 2 weeks to fix the rocket. I sat on the cushion and crossed the seat belt over myself. He sat in the driver's seat, and messed with the buttons above him.
He looked over at me. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” and we launched off the ground.
To say that his planet was beautiful wouldn’t be an exaggeration. It was as if purple had just vomited and called itself a planet. There were purple waves rolling out, and trees as tall as skyscrapers. There was no other color other than the olive t-shirt that I was wearing.
Lee pointed at the tallest mountain and said, “that is the location of the flower.” I hadn’t told him yet but hiking wasn’t my strong suit. I took a step and I nearly slipped. Parts of the ground were soft and slick.
“Maybe now’s not the best time, but hiking isn’t one of my skills.”
Lee nodded. “Don’t worry. The mountain only looks tall but it’s short.” I actually almost believed that but I realized that it was a lie. As we climbed, I had to keep checking where I was stepping. Lee was also moving faster than me, and I lagged behind.
There on top of the mountain stood a field of lilac fields with a pink rose covered in purple slime in the center. “Okay, Bea. You stay here. I’ll get the Everlasting,” and Lee started to inch toward the pink rose. As he moved, I noticed flashing lights above me.
“Lee, I think something’s wrong.” I pointed above me and I saw a hole in the sky. He grabbed the rose and turned in my direction. Lee slid forward knocking me out of the way.
“It’s my parents. They sent the hole to collect me for the trouble I caused.
“What do we do now?” My heart started beating faster as I could see him hesitating what to say.
“You’ve got to go back to Earth. Take the Everlasting and plant it in the ground. Once it blooms, take the leaves and liquify it. That’ll be the cure.”
“But what about you?”
“I wasn’t meant to go back with you. The rocket ship is automatically routed back to Earth.” He pushed me out of the hole’s direction. “I’ll be okay. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
I called out as he started floating up. “Thank you! I’ll keep this place a secret.” I ran back to the rocket and hit the green button. On the journey back to Earth, I remembered that Lee always said that after he helped the people of Earth, he would make me promise not to say anything about him and his planet. I was going to keep that promise.
The rocket landed and it flung me outward onto the grass. I was surrounded by a huge patch of dirt with a shovel right next to me. Lee always prepared for any situation. I grabbed the shovel and dug a small hole with the rose in it. After only a few seconds, purple veins flowed through the dirt and a tree started to form. The tree had purple leaves. I could feel the breeze on my face and I realized that my mask was still on the ground. It was the first time that I didn’t have my mask on while outside. I put a few leaves in my bag and gazed at the sunset. It was a beautiful sight.
As I rode my bike home, the tree had a mystical veil that only I could see. Gia stood at the door; it had been three days since the mission.
“I got it. Let’s start making it.” We liquified it as told and sent it out to the hospitals as a mysterious donor. A few weeks later, Gia and I sat on the couch watching the news with smiles on our faces.
Isabelle Tonel
Someone Like Me
In the summer of 2022, I took a trip to Japan alone to be part of an art competition. After being stuck in the house all 2020 and 2021, a trip would probably help me find myself. While I was scrolling through the famous app TikTok, nothing exciting happened as I got most comedy posts on my feed. I then stumbled upon this one boy who was doing some amazing skateboarding tricks. I decided to go through his profile to check him out and was in shock when I did . This young man looked exactly like me. I couldn't believe my eyes! We looked too similar. I checked his bio caption, and he was located in the same place I was heading to: Morioka, Japan. I decided that was enough TikTok for the day, as I thought I wasn’t thinking well and fell asleep on the plane.
I woke up with a burst of energy once we arrived at our destination. I was definitely lost since I was alone and went on a little adventure. I definitely wasn’t able to get a fancy hotel room like the others, mine was located right next to a Lovely park. I wasn’t mad, as it is an honor being able to come to Japan for this competition. I went to go meet up with my art teacher as she was my sponsor while I was around. We went to some meetings and finally went to get food as we're both starving at this point. We went to a boba shop nearby and grabbed a caramel milk tea and some popcorn chicken to go eat at the park. We were both heading towards the picnic tables located in the center of the park. I stepped on a skateboard along the way and tripped with my food. I couldn’t remember much but a person heading my way asking if I was ok.
A day has gone by and I woke up confused in the hospital, I looked to my right and saw my sponsor right there.
“Oh my goodness, are you ok?! You took a big fall when we were going to sit down and eat and you haven’t responded since,” My sponsor shouted at me.
“Wait I fell? I thought someone shot me from behind or something, I thought it was the end of me,” I responded to her.
“Oh no, You tripped over this kid’s skateboard. He was here waiting for you to wake up a while ago. Maybe he’ll come back and visit later.” She replied
I did feel a bit angry with the person who knocked me out but I was just glad I was ok and was taken care of.
Hours later, after being in the hospital waiting for my release, this young man came to see me. I was already packing up to get ready to go until he stepped foot into the room.
“Uhh, Hello. I'm the one who caused this accident. Please let me apologize I wasn’t trying to hurt you or anything,” He said with a shaking voice.
I was shocked to see him, he looked exactly like me, I thought I was still conscious for a moment. I looked to my right at my teacher and he gasped.
“WOAH, YOU GUYS LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME!” she yelled so loudly.
“Yea I was in shock as well when we ran to go see him on the floor, I thought he was my long lost twin brother but we aren’t blood related,” she replied.
“Sooooo, what's your name, i'm assuming its a bit long,” I asked him
“My name is Syrus, Syrus Li. I'm a pro skater here in the city, nice to meet you,” he answered.
It was the guy who I saw on TikTok while I was on the plane. I couldn’t believe it.
As we got the notice that we were able to leave the hospital we made our way to the exit. We were planning to just head to the hotel and call it a day, but he invited us to explore the city as it is alive once it's dark outside. I wasn’t very sure, I haven't been in the presence of many people and I was still scared that I could possibly get covid after getting the vaccine last year. My teacher said she was gonna go to bed as he had to do some meetings for me in the morning, I didn’t really want to go but Syrus forced me at the end.
He took us to this famous ramen restaurant with very fun lights inside, I wasn’t sure what to order so I let him decide for me.
“So how has life been, any interesting events you’ve been to in the past year?” Syrus asked.
“Not really, back in the U.S we haven’t been able to go out since the virus is still spreading more than in 2020.” I replied.
“Oh my apologies, that must suck. Here we’ve been open since the beginning of 2021 since they were really strict with the rules,” he replied.
“Wow, I wish it was like that over there, people are constantly sick. It just made me lose hope for the future. I felt like I couldn’t even be happy anymore. People dying alone with no final words for someone to hear really just made me feel very lost,” I said to him looking down at my ramen.
He started tearing up a bit. I thought I said something bad so I just sat there and said nothing.
“Don't worry it's not your fault, I just lost my whole family during the event, I felt the same way while it was all going on. I had to steal from stores to keep myself alive and work 14 hours a day just so I could continue my studies at school. You just never know, you lose those who worked their lives to keep you alive and build your future and when you lose them you just want to dis-,” he said as I cut him off at the end.
“Don't say that, your family would want you to be strong and fight through it,” I told him.
We finished eating and we were ready to head off home.
As we started making our way to the exit he told me to duck down as two police men entered the restaurant. He told me to quickly get out of the restaurant and to make sure they don't see my face. I was able to get out and stood on the side of the restaurant waiting for him. I noticed he was taking a long time so I looked at the window and he was already in handcuffs. I didn’t know what to do so I just ran home. They were probably looking for him for a while as he said he stole from stores to get food. I kept walking home with a big Idea, I knew what to do, I had to win that art competition to get him out.
The next few days I spent it in my hotel room practicing my art skills to get an Idea on what I want to showcase to the judges. I hated everything I made, It didn’t feel like it was good enough for them to make me win. I started letting the brush take control of what I was trying to do at this point. At first I didn’t know where this was going until it started to look like a skateboard. It gave me a big idea, I wanted to showcase something that showed off Syrus’s life. I spent the next hours painting Syrus as a celebrity pro skater with shadows with big wings on the side to represent his lost family and how he fought through his issues and made it to a big place. I felt very accomplished. I let the painting dry overnight for the competition tomorrow.
It was finally the day for the competition, I woke up early and walked to the convention center two blocks away from my hotel. I met up with my teacher and started setting up my showcase. I felt a bit anxious as everyone else had sculptures, and the paintings I saw were as if they were printed it was just so good. The judges finally came to my table. They were a bit intimidating, they showed no facial expression so I couldn’t tell if they were impressed with the work. I just kept hoping I could win throughout the competition.
The judges were getting ready to announce the 3 winners as they had gone through everyone. I went to go get some water as my face turned red from being so nervous. They announced the third place, I knew there was still a chance for me to win. They announced the second place winner, it was a guy with an anime sculpture. At this point I kind of lost hope as the chances of me winning were very low. “And the first place winner is….. Abner ” I couldn’t believe it with my competitors' art, I thought I for sure lost this competition. I almost teared up as I went to get my 10,000 yen reward. They asked me if I wanted to sell my art work but I said no because I already knew who to give it to.
As everyone went to restaurants after the event I went to the station hoping Syrus was still there so I could get him out. We walked in and asked to bail Syrus out, the officer was in shock as he thought I was Syrus and had somehow escaped. After explaining to him we werent the same person he was finally let out.
“How did you manage to get the money to get me out?!” he yelled at me almost tearing up.
“I won the art competition today! The one I came here to Japan for.”, I replied
I slowly started to reveal the painting that gave first place at the competition and he was very happy with it. We walked out of the station back to the park where we first met and I told him that I was leaving Japan to go back home. He was a bit sad as we barely got to meet each other. Before I left I told him some last words: “Never lose hope.”
Abner Caldera
In the summer of 2022, I took a trip to Japan alone to be part of an art competition. After being stuck in the house all 2020 and 2021, a trip would probably help me find myself. While I was scrolling through the famous app TikTok, nothing exciting happened as I got most comedy posts on my feed. I then stumbled upon this one boy who was doing some amazing skateboarding tricks. I decided to go through his profile to check him out and was in shock when I did . This young man looked exactly like me. I couldn't believe my eyes! We looked too similar. I checked his bio caption, and he was located in the same place I was heading to: Morioka, Japan. I decided that was enough TikTok for the day, as I thought I wasn’t thinking well and fell asleep on the plane.
I woke up with a burst of energy once we arrived at our destination. I was definitely lost since I was alone and went on a little adventure. I definitely wasn’t able to get a fancy hotel room like the others, mine was located right next to a Lovely park. I wasn’t mad, as it is an honor being able to come to Japan for this competition. I went to go meet up with my art teacher as she was my sponsor while I was around. We went to some meetings and finally went to get food as we're both starving at this point. We went to a boba shop nearby and grabbed a caramel milk tea and some popcorn chicken to go eat at the park. We were both heading towards the picnic tables located in the center of the park. I stepped on a skateboard along the way and tripped with my food. I couldn’t remember much but a person heading my way asking if I was ok.
A day has gone by and I woke up confused in the hospital, I looked to my right and saw my sponsor right there.
“Oh my goodness, are you ok?! You took a big fall when we were going to sit down and eat and you haven’t responded since,” My sponsor shouted at me.
“Wait I fell? I thought someone shot me from behind or something, I thought it was the end of me,” I responded to her.
“Oh no, You tripped over this kid’s skateboard. He was here waiting for you to wake up a while ago. Maybe he’ll come back and visit later.” She replied
I did feel a bit angry with the person who knocked me out but I was just glad I was ok and was taken care of.
Hours later, after being in the hospital waiting for my release, this young man came to see me. I was already packing up to get ready to go until he stepped foot into the room.
“Uhh, Hello. I'm the one who caused this accident. Please let me apologize I wasn’t trying to hurt you or anything,” He said with a shaking voice.
I was shocked to see him, he looked exactly like me, I thought I was still conscious for a moment. I looked to my right at my teacher and he gasped.
“WOAH, YOU GUYS LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME!” she yelled so loudly.
“Yea I was in shock as well when we ran to go see him on the floor, I thought he was my long lost twin brother but we aren’t blood related,” she replied.
“Sooooo, what's your name, i'm assuming its a bit long,” I asked him
“My name is Syrus, Syrus Li. I'm a pro skater here in the city, nice to meet you,” he answered.
It was the guy who I saw on TikTok while I was on the plane. I couldn’t believe it.
As we got the notice that we were able to leave the hospital we made our way to the exit. We were planning to just head to the hotel and call it a day, but he invited us to explore the city as it is alive once it's dark outside. I wasn’t very sure, I haven't been in the presence of many people and I was still scared that I could possibly get covid after getting the vaccine last year. My teacher said she was gonna go to bed as he had to do some meetings for me in the morning, I didn’t really want to go but Syrus forced me at the end.
He took us to this famous ramen restaurant with very fun lights inside, I wasn’t sure what to order so I let him decide for me.
“So how has life been, any interesting events you’ve been to in the past year?” Syrus asked.
“Not really, back in the U.S we haven’t been able to go out since the virus is still spreading more than in 2020.” I replied.
“Oh my apologies, that must suck. Here we’ve been open since the beginning of 2021 since they were really strict with the rules,” he replied.
“Wow, I wish it was like that over there, people are constantly sick. It just made me lose hope for the future. I felt like I couldn’t even be happy anymore. People dying alone with no final words for someone to hear really just made me feel very lost,” I said to him looking down at my ramen.
He started tearing up a bit. I thought I said something bad so I just sat there and said nothing.
“Don't worry it's not your fault, I just lost my whole family during the event, I felt the same way while it was all going on. I had to steal from stores to keep myself alive and work 14 hours a day just so I could continue my studies at school. You just never know, you lose those who worked their lives to keep you alive and build your future and when you lose them you just want to dis-,” he said as I cut him off at the end.
“Don't say that, your family would want you to be strong and fight through it,” I told him.
We finished eating and we were ready to head off home.
As we started making our way to the exit he told me to duck down as two police men entered the restaurant. He told me to quickly get out of the restaurant and to make sure they don't see my face. I was able to get out and stood on the side of the restaurant waiting for him. I noticed he was taking a long time so I looked at the window and he was already in handcuffs. I didn’t know what to do so I just ran home. They were probably looking for him for a while as he said he stole from stores to get food. I kept walking home with a big Idea, I knew what to do, I had to win that art competition to get him out.
The next few days I spent it in my hotel room practicing my art skills to get an Idea on what I want to showcase to the judges. I hated everything I made, It didn’t feel like it was good enough for them to make me win. I started letting the brush take control of what I was trying to do at this point. At first I didn’t know where this was going until it started to look like a skateboard. It gave me a big idea, I wanted to showcase something that showed off Syrus’s life. I spent the next hours painting Syrus as a celebrity pro skater with shadows with big wings on the side to represent his lost family and how he fought through his issues and made it to a big place. I felt very accomplished. I let the painting dry overnight for the competition tomorrow.
It was finally the day for the competition, I woke up early and walked to the convention center two blocks away from my hotel. I met up with my teacher and started setting up my showcase. I felt a bit anxious as everyone else had sculptures, and the paintings I saw were as if they were printed it was just so good. The judges finally came to my table. They were a bit intimidating, they showed no facial expression so I couldn’t tell if they were impressed with the work. I just kept hoping I could win throughout the competition.
The judges were getting ready to announce the 3 winners as they had gone through everyone. I went to go get some water as my face turned red from being so nervous. They announced the third place, I knew there was still a chance for me to win. They announced the second place winner, it was a guy with an anime sculpture. At this point I kind of lost hope as the chances of me winning were very low. “And the first place winner is….. Abner ” I couldn’t believe it with my competitors' art, I thought I for sure lost this competition. I almost teared up as I went to get my 10,000 yen reward. They asked me if I wanted to sell my art work but I said no because I already knew who to give it to.
As everyone went to restaurants after the event I went to the station hoping Syrus was still there so I could get him out. We walked in and asked to bail Syrus out, the officer was in shock as he thought I was Syrus and had somehow escaped. After explaining to him we werent the same person he was finally let out.
“How did you manage to get the money to get me out?!” he yelled at me almost tearing up.
“I won the art competition today! The one I came here to Japan for.”, I replied
I slowly started to reveal the painting that gave first place at the competition and he was very happy with it. We walked out of the station back to the park where we first met and I told him that I was leaving Japan to go back home. He was a bit sad as we barely got to meet each other. Before I left I told him some last words: “Never lose hope.”
Abner Caldera
Rosalia
Rosalia was a goddess of wonders, a goddess of happiness. She’d float for days on end with pure joy throughout the clouds and stars, soaring with the whales and sharks of the sky. She found herself often, every summer, until her flesh was tainted the deep red of a crow’s blood. The other gods often joked about her skin, calling him “Luci,” as in Lucifer. Rosalia didn’t mind much. She lived blissfully nonetheless.
One Autumn afternoon, while midst his daily float routine, she stumbled upon the most beautiful cloud she had ever seen. It seemed to be in the shape of a woman; an alluring woman. Her name was Lumine. She was pink as peonies, with roses embroidered into her rose-gold locks and curls. Those twirly silk bunches felt like balletic Himalayan waterfalls down her back. Her cheeks were rosy, and her delicate, porcelain-like skin coated her heart-shaped face as a pale sheet of snow would during a soundless sunrise. Lumine could be seen from miles away, her silver lining accenting the rain in a way that was almost sedative. She was truly outstanding.
Rosalia, being a helpless romantic, fell instantly in love with her. She took Lumine around the empty globe, showing her the beautiful plants and animals that roamed freely. Lumine gave Rosalia butterflies and lumps in her throat, her palms sweating and her horns burning a bright scarlet hue. Lumine’d smile and blush at the way Rosalia executed her words, and the way they rolled off her tongue like a young lion club frolicking in the beautiful valleys.
Rosalia and Lumine spent all of their days together, happy and in love. Rosalia loved Lumine, and Lumine loved Rosalia.
Yet there was one thing that held Rosalia back. Lumine did not want to be touched by her. Rosalia had wondered why, for her hands had perfectly polished claws and gentle red fingers. She longed to touch Lumine, just to run her hands through Lumine’s waves of hair, to pick at the thorns on her roses. She had always refused.
One evening, while watching the sunset of the Summer Solstice, Rosalia felt extra ecstatic with Lumine. Rosalia had then dared herself only to hold Lumine’s hand, just the slightest tap. It wouldn’t hurt, right? Only a touch. Anything.
And so she did. But the moment their fingers met, Lumine’s soothing voice screeched in agonizing pain. Lumine felt her insides turn to coal, the worst pain she’s ever felt. It seemed as though acid emerged from her pores, scorching and clogging them.
Rosalia searched Lumine’s face in fear that she had hurt her. Abruptly, her pink roses were painted gray. Her hair was now a dark shade of purple. And her skin, oh, her soft skin, leaked in black droplets of blood, shedding all over Earth. The drops spread, creating humans. Exceptional humans, who immediately smiled once they had seen their surroundings.
Lumine looked deeply into the bright yellow eyes of Rosalia, lovestruck by her adorable yet pained expression. She held Rosalia’s hand tight, although it hurt her more, afraid to let go.
One by one, Lumine felt her nerves fail. She lost control, and Her hand slipped loose from Rosalia’s grip. She began to fall. Her violet waves scattered, as though they had a personality. Rosalia shrieked, and dove after her. They fell together for a few minutes, before Rosalia was able to reach out and grasp Lumine’s limp, dainty hand. The humans all glanced upward, to see a deep red shooting star soaring through the night sky, cradling a limp thundercloud in the shape of a beautiful nymph.
Rosalia cried for help, searching far and wide, and came to Lumine’s brother, Aether. Aether was a light blue cloud figure, and had the power to destroy the Earth with just the snap of his fingers.
Rosalia pleaded for Aether to help Lumine, to make sure she was alright. But Aether was furious. He scolded Rosalia with a booming voice, snatching Lumine’s unconscious figure from Rosalia’s bony, red arms. She shuddered and yelped, still jolted from the recession of Lumine.
With no hesitation, Aether then sent Rosalia down to the center of Earth, a fearsome and foul place where there were burning flames and ruthless demons. Every god, goddess, titan, and angel knew of this place. Only all evil was sent here, and the prime gods, including Aether, had the officiality to banish anyone.
Rosalia was scorched thoroughly by the flames, yet remained unhurt. Her happiness had been fried from her soul, the ashes making their way toward the surface of Earth to create “atrocious” humans who then, in a way, had worshipped Rosalia. They fed off of fear and immortality, scavenging to be the last ones to walk the lands. This gave power to their ruler.
Rosalia had then been casted officially as her alter name Luci, and was deemed Ruler of the Dwellers.
Raisa Eichmiller
Rosalia was a goddess of wonders, a goddess of happiness. She’d float for days on end with pure joy throughout the clouds and stars, soaring with the whales and sharks of the sky. She found herself often, every summer, until her flesh was tainted the deep red of a crow’s blood. The other gods often joked about her skin, calling him “Luci,” as in Lucifer. Rosalia didn’t mind much. She lived blissfully nonetheless.
One Autumn afternoon, while midst his daily float routine, she stumbled upon the most beautiful cloud she had ever seen. It seemed to be in the shape of a woman; an alluring woman. Her name was Lumine. She was pink as peonies, with roses embroidered into her rose-gold locks and curls. Those twirly silk bunches felt like balletic Himalayan waterfalls down her back. Her cheeks were rosy, and her delicate, porcelain-like skin coated her heart-shaped face as a pale sheet of snow would during a soundless sunrise. Lumine could be seen from miles away, her silver lining accenting the rain in a way that was almost sedative. She was truly outstanding.
Rosalia, being a helpless romantic, fell instantly in love with her. She took Lumine around the empty globe, showing her the beautiful plants and animals that roamed freely. Lumine gave Rosalia butterflies and lumps in her throat, her palms sweating and her horns burning a bright scarlet hue. Lumine’d smile and blush at the way Rosalia executed her words, and the way they rolled off her tongue like a young lion club frolicking in the beautiful valleys.
Rosalia and Lumine spent all of their days together, happy and in love. Rosalia loved Lumine, and Lumine loved Rosalia.
Yet there was one thing that held Rosalia back. Lumine did not want to be touched by her. Rosalia had wondered why, for her hands had perfectly polished claws and gentle red fingers. She longed to touch Lumine, just to run her hands through Lumine’s waves of hair, to pick at the thorns on her roses. She had always refused.
One evening, while watching the sunset of the Summer Solstice, Rosalia felt extra ecstatic with Lumine. Rosalia had then dared herself only to hold Lumine’s hand, just the slightest tap. It wouldn’t hurt, right? Only a touch. Anything.
And so she did. But the moment their fingers met, Lumine’s soothing voice screeched in agonizing pain. Lumine felt her insides turn to coal, the worst pain she’s ever felt. It seemed as though acid emerged from her pores, scorching and clogging them.
Rosalia searched Lumine’s face in fear that she had hurt her. Abruptly, her pink roses were painted gray. Her hair was now a dark shade of purple. And her skin, oh, her soft skin, leaked in black droplets of blood, shedding all over Earth. The drops spread, creating humans. Exceptional humans, who immediately smiled once they had seen their surroundings.
Lumine looked deeply into the bright yellow eyes of Rosalia, lovestruck by her adorable yet pained expression. She held Rosalia’s hand tight, although it hurt her more, afraid to let go.
One by one, Lumine felt her nerves fail. She lost control, and Her hand slipped loose from Rosalia’s grip. She began to fall. Her violet waves scattered, as though they had a personality. Rosalia shrieked, and dove after her. They fell together for a few minutes, before Rosalia was able to reach out and grasp Lumine’s limp, dainty hand. The humans all glanced upward, to see a deep red shooting star soaring through the night sky, cradling a limp thundercloud in the shape of a beautiful nymph.
Rosalia cried for help, searching far and wide, and came to Lumine’s brother, Aether. Aether was a light blue cloud figure, and had the power to destroy the Earth with just the snap of his fingers.
Rosalia pleaded for Aether to help Lumine, to make sure she was alright. But Aether was furious. He scolded Rosalia with a booming voice, snatching Lumine’s unconscious figure from Rosalia’s bony, red arms. She shuddered and yelped, still jolted from the recession of Lumine.
With no hesitation, Aether then sent Rosalia down to the center of Earth, a fearsome and foul place where there were burning flames and ruthless demons. Every god, goddess, titan, and angel knew of this place. Only all evil was sent here, and the prime gods, including Aether, had the officiality to banish anyone.
Rosalia was scorched thoroughly by the flames, yet remained unhurt. Her happiness had been fried from her soul, the ashes making their way toward the surface of Earth to create “atrocious” humans who then, in a way, had worshipped Rosalia. They fed off of fear and immortality, scavenging to be the last ones to walk the lands. This gave power to their ruler.
Rosalia had then been casted officially as her alter name Luci, and was deemed Ruler of the Dwellers.
Raisa Eichmiller
The Painted Wall
We were talking across the yard and we would spend hours listening to the faint buzz. Our minds pranced around each other, teasing curious thoughts and posing questions to one another. We wouldn’t see each other too often, even though we could have, because our halfway busy lives and picket fence-like distance kept us comfortable connecting in the space of that faint buzz. But then we weren’t across the yard, then we weren’t prancing, we weren’t divided by a picket fence anymore; now it was a tall imposing wall.
I’d try to climb our wall, but I must admit that any attempt I made left my hands raw and knees scuffed. I was desperate to get to you, a lot more desperate than when we just had our little picket fence. Sometimes you’d teasingly throw a rope over the wall and I’d try to catch it thinking you were ready to rescue me. But just as it was in my fingernails you’d pull it away. I’m picking pieces of frayed thread out of my fingernails now- little reminders of what could have been if you’d just let me catch it. I pondered why you’d toy with me like that, if you really wanted me to make the ascent over to your side, if this wall was just some game to you? I then came to sympathize with the games one plays with others when in isolation, and how the wall was capable of giving you twisted feelings for those you love. Why it is capable of such things, I do not know.
So I didn’t blame you. It wasn’t all your fault, I even came to play some of the same isolation games myself. But you see, this wall that went up between you and me was not one we built stone by stone, but instead one divinely placed by some cosmic power that had preexisted for ages, ticking down to the right moment. I must say that you and I, my dear, are pretty impressively destructive ourselves, but we couldn’t have ever manufactured such a grandiose monstrosity as dull and passive as this, no we are far too colorful together. Our multicolored essences stain everything we do together, it is the beauty of what our union looks like. What would our wall look like if we were both on the same side of it?
What divine judgement was I deserving of to have to share my space with such a soulless structure, one that daily reminded me of the passing of each hour? I looked up to the heavens and they did not answer who, I looked down to the pits and they neither knew. This power had permeated throughout all events in history, passing down through the ages; an ancient reminder of passing moments and fleeting youth. I had thought our bifurcation was only between us, but I could look around and see many other walls between me and the ends of the earth. Why hadn’t I noticed them till now? Had my youth clouded me from seeing them. Age had made me comprehend things that I had never wanted to know.
None of those other walls mattered as much as our wall, infact, if all the other walIs crumpled, I would not bat an eye. I desired for the omnipresent power to cause our wall to crumple so that we could change our fate. Some nights I awoke from a dream of the past, where it was just you, me, and the picket fence. Oh, how I wish for the past days of our picket fence.
I used to stare at you between the white segments of space, keen on closing the distance, but not taking advantage of the time I had before that distance was immeasurable. On my side grew the cypress and yours the lilacs. You would share them with me, a gracious gift I would long for. Watching as you gingerly picked petals I’d wait incessantly for their smell to encompass me. It was a lucky thing if we grazed hands in between the limitless spaces in our fence. The residue of dirt from the lilacs was my crown, I wore it proudly on my hands wishing it would never wash off. I kept all reminders of you. Lingering there in that small gesture in between the posts, we would both remember when there was no fence, no such thing as division of any sort. Little did we know that our division would grow to become horrid.
We are still young, yes, but we were even younger during those days. If I’ve learned anything, it's that age is the true division between you and me, and the mysterious power knew it and used it to our disadvantage. Youth was our union, but only a temporary one. I yearn for a permanent union, and often daydream in the boundless hours of what it would look like. How would we color it? For once the cypress and lilac might grow in the same soil if this thought could come true. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any shooting stars since I last saw you.
The fountain of youth ran dry, the elixir of life grew stale, a symptom of our collective sickness. And no, I don’t mean just you and me, the world is a little bit more than the two of us. What has the broader we done to warrant this? Must we all face this wall as we age? Should I call on restitution’s mighty hand to cure this division, or shall I be content to wade in my own solitude, quietly soliciting a savior? The preaching on street corners I have heard only announced of the latter, yet I am not content with it. If this wall wasn’t coming down, then there was no way I was going to let it stand there looking like that.
I decided myself that the best response to our division was to paint our wall, since the best gift from you was always given with a gentle hand. I called on the numerous dreams and daydreams for inspiration and the lilacs and cypress, I knew that they had not grown in vain all these years. I missed our colors most of all and the way they’d permeate through the air when we were together, so the only ones worthy of the wall, which was now our canvas, would be garish. The colors came through me, waiting to prove their existence and waiting to entice your arrival. All of this was an effort to garner your attention and restore our union, to turn back the hours spent apart. The ever present power may have placed this wall, but it surely could not erase my efforts to overcome it.
I threw the rope over the wall, but this time I was not playing games. Isolation had gotten the best of me then, but I had grown past it, harnessed it to my advantage. The rope was not a desperate plea for help anymore, or a rescue mission, it was an invitation for ‘one’ to make the ascent over. Fate might have doomed us to an inevitable end but the remainder of passing time would not be spent in solitude.
Time strolled on and the rope dangled over your side. It is said that the worst poison for the mind is anticipation, but only because we innately expect the worst. I drank the whole vial, hoping it would bring you here faster but knowing it wouldn’t.
Then it happened, you tugged and pulled and wrestled as the painting tugged and pulled on you. Popping over the top the painting lured you to come down. You came with a fist full of lilac and held it in my hand for more than a momentary graze of a gesture. You turned around, and like the frost on a bitter morning, the gift of my hands melted us away into each other, into the fountain, steeping in the elixir. We have grown even younger, and we will continue to as long as the rope hangs over the wall, fixed in place now. I refuse to let time divide us, we are kindred.
For Kirin
Isabella Reinhardt
We were talking across the yard and we would spend hours listening to the faint buzz. Our minds pranced around each other, teasing curious thoughts and posing questions to one another. We wouldn’t see each other too often, even though we could have, because our halfway busy lives and picket fence-like distance kept us comfortable connecting in the space of that faint buzz. But then we weren’t across the yard, then we weren’t prancing, we weren’t divided by a picket fence anymore; now it was a tall imposing wall.
I’d try to climb our wall, but I must admit that any attempt I made left my hands raw and knees scuffed. I was desperate to get to you, a lot more desperate than when we just had our little picket fence. Sometimes you’d teasingly throw a rope over the wall and I’d try to catch it thinking you were ready to rescue me. But just as it was in my fingernails you’d pull it away. I’m picking pieces of frayed thread out of my fingernails now- little reminders of what could have been if you’d just let me catch it. I pondered why you’d toy with me like that, if you really wanted me to make the ascent over to your side, if this wall was just some game to you? I then came to sympathize with the games one plays with others when in isolation, and how the wall was capable of giving you twisted feelings for those you love. Why it is capable of such things, I do not know.
So I didn’t blame you. It wasn’t all your fault, I even came to play some of the same isolation games myself. But you see, this wall that went up between you and me was not one we built stone by stone, but instead one divinely placed by some cosmic power that had preexisted for ages, ticking down to the right moment. I must say that you and I, my dear, are pretty impressively destructive ourselves, but we couldn’t have ever manufactured such a grandiose monstrosity as dull and passive as this, no we are far too colorful together. Our multicolored essences stain everything we do together, it is the beauty of what our union looks like. What would our wall look like if we were both on the same side of it?
What divine judgement was I deserving of to have to share my space with such a soulless structure, one that daily reminded me of the passing of each hour? I looked up to the heavens and they did not answer who, I looked down to the pits and they neither knew. This power had permeated throughout all events in history, passing down through the ages; an ancient reminder of passing moments and fleeting youth. I had thought our bifurcation was only between us, but I could look around and see many other walls between me and the ends of the earth. Why hadn’t I noticed them till now? Had my youth clouded me from seeing them. Age had made me comprehend things that I had never wanted to know.
None of those other walls mattered as much as our wall, infact, if all the other walIs crumpled, I would not bat an eye. I desired for the omnipresent power to cause our wall to crumple so that we could change our fate. Some nights I awoke from a dream of the past, where it was just you, me, and the picket fence. Oh, how I wish for the past days of our picket fence.
I used to stare at you between the white segments of space, keen on closing the distance, but not taking advantage of the time I had before that distance was immeasurable. On my side grew the cypress and yours the lilacs. You would share them with me, a gracious gift I would long for. Watching as you gingerly picked petals I’d wait incessantly for their smell to encompass me. It was a lucky thing if we grazed hands in between the limitless spaces in our fence. The residue of dirt from the lilacs was my crown, I wore it proudly on my hands wishing it would never wash off. I kept all reminders of you. Lingering there in that small gesture in between the posts, we would both remember when there was no fence, no such thing as division of any sort. Little did we know that our division would grow to become horrid.
We are still young, yes, but we were even younger during those days. If I’ve learned anything, it's that age is the true division between you and me, and the mysterious power knew it and used it to our disadvantage. Youth was our union, but only a temporary one. I yearn for a permanent union, and often daydream in the boundless hours of what it would look like. How would we color it? For once the cypress and lilac might grow in the same soil if this thought could come true. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any shooting stars since I last saw you.
The fountain of youth ran dry, the elixir of life grew stale, a symptom of our collective sickness. And no, I don’t mean just you and me, the world is a little bit more than the two of us. What has the broader we done to warrant this? Must we all face this wall as we age? Should I call on restitution’s mighty hand to cure this division, or shall I be content to wade in my own solitude, quietly soliciting a savior? The preaching on street corners I have heard only announced of the latter, yet I am not content with it. If this wall wasn’t coming down, then there was no way I was going to let it stand there looking like that.
I decided myself that the best response to our division was to paint our wall, since the best gift from you was always given with a gentle hand. I called on the numerous dreams and daydreams for inspiration and the lilacs and cypress, I knew that they had not grown in vain all these years. I missed our colors most of all and the way they’d permeate through the air when we were together, so the only ones worthy of the wall, which was now our canvas, would be garish. The colors came through me, waiting to prove their existence and waiting to entice your arrival. All of this was an effort to garner your attention and restore our union, to turn back the hours spent apart. The ever present power may have placed this wall, but it surely could not erase my efforts to overcome it.
I threw the rope over the wall, but this time I was not playing games. Isolation had gotten the best of me then, but I had grown past it, harnessed it to my advantage. The rope was not a desperate plea for help anymore, or a rescue mission, it was an invitation for ‘one’ to make the ascent over. Fate might have doomed us to an inevitable end but the remainder of passing time would not be spent in solitude.
Time strolled on and the rope dangled over your side. It is said that the worst poison for the mind is anticipation, but only because we innately expect the worst. I drank the whole vial, hoping it would bring you here faster but knowing it wouldn’t.
Then it happened, you tugged and pulled and wrestled as the painting tugged and pulled on you. Popping over the top the painting lured you to come down. You came with a fist full of lilac and held it in my hand for more than a momentary graze of a gesture. You turned around, and like the frost on a bitter morning, the gift of my hands melted us away into each other, into the fountain, steeping in the elixir. We have grown even younger, and we will continue to as long as the rope hangs over the wall, fixed in place now. I refuse to let time divide us, we are kindred.
For Kirin
Isabella Reinhardt
The Door
Amelia's day started with the desire to not want to. It was a constant replay of routines each and everyday. Wake Up. Shower with the lack of hot water that was accessible. Dress in the so-called “uniform” they had. Put on foundation, concealer, blush and mascara. Smell the delicious trail of french toast that goes up stairs and leads up to her room. Kiss her loving parents goodbye and wait for the bus filled with loud and obnoxious teenagers that would take her to school. Once school was over again she went on with her afternoon routine. Change out of the uniform. Eat anything she was able to find in her refrigerator. Complete her homework for English and Math. Before she realized the day turned to dark and it was time for bed. Without a doubt that tomorrow was a replay of today she fell asleep with calmness in her mind and face. The sun came out the next morning but that constant routine was broken. The lack of smell she was able to sense in the morning was a warning of what she was about to experience. Her house had somehow seemed to improve in every aspect. The walls were painted with a new coat of a light coffee color. She was able to take a shower without the hot water turning off. A fireplace with a flat screen in her living room. Everything seemed perfect.
She called out, “Mom. Dad.” No response. “Are you guys here?”
She thought to herself how could my house change from night to morning. Then from the corner of her eye she spotted someone. Her mom.
“Mom, you scared me. I thought you and dad left me,” Amelia said with a relief in her face.
While speaking she noticed changes to her mom. She was more robotized in a way. Her mom responded, “I am not your mom but I am going to help you find your way back home”.
Amelia was shocked and thought, “Where am I?”
While she explored the rest of the house all she noticed was that no door was open or able to be open.
She asked her mom, “Why can’t I open any door except mine?”
“You will soon find out,” her mom answered before she left and never returned.
There she was for a week before anything happened enjoying everything she didn’t have before such as the TV, fireplace, the hot showers. Not knowing it would become permanent. When a door creaked open. A bright light she saw from the corner of her eye. The closer she got the wider the door opened before she knew it was wide open and what didn’t she see. Her family, friends, everyone living their normal lives without her. She yelled for help thinking they could hear her but nothing. That's when her mom reappeared.
“I told you time will tell.”
“What is this, why am I the only one alone? How have my parents not been looking for me?” Amelia said with a worry that no one can take away.
“Because they forgot you exist. When you woke up in this universe you were erased from everyone’s memory.”
“I want to go back, how can I go back?”
“That’s not possible. Your new life began when you woke up here and nothing can be done.”
With shock in her face only one tear was able to roll down her cheek. She thought all was a dream and decided to go to sleep. The next morning when everything was the same as before she realized that her new life had begun. No family or friends to rely on. Loneliness was the way to describe the rest of her life. The only thing that brought her calmness was still being alive but sadness because she had no one to share anymore memories with but herself. Nothing had ever been the same since the door opened.
Alexa Perez
Amelia's day started with the desire to not want to. It was a constant replay of routines each and everyday. Wake Up. Shower with the lack of hot water that was accessible. Dress in the so-called “uniform” they had. Put on foundation, concealer, blush and mascara. Smell the delicious trail of french toast that goes up stairs and leads up to her room. Kiss her loving parents goodbye and wait for the bus filled with loud and obnoxious teenagers that would take her to school. Once school was over again she went on with her afternoon routine. Change out of the uniform. Eat anything she was able to find in her refrigerator. Complete her homework for English and Math. Before she realized the day turned to dark and it was time for bed. Without a doubt that tomorrow was a replay of today she fell asleep with calmness in her mind and face. The sun came out the next morning but that constant routine was broken. The lack of smell she was able to sense in the morning was a warning of what she was about to experience. Her house had somehow seemed to improve in every aspect. The walls were painted with a new coat of a light coffee color. She was able to take a shower without the hot water turning off. A fireplace with a flat screen in her living room. Everything seemed perfect.
She called out, “Mom. Dad.” No response. “Are you guys here?”
She thought to herself how could my house change from night to morning. Then from the corner of her eye she spotted someone. Her mom.
“Mom, you scared me. I thought you and dad left me,” Amelia said with a relief in her face.
While speaking she noticed changes to her mom. She was more robotized in a way. Her mom responded, “I am not your mom but I am going to help you find your way back home”.
Amelia was shocked and thought, “Where am I?”
While she explored the rest of the house all she noticed was that no door was open or able to be open.
She asked her mom, “Why can’t I open any door except mine?”
“You will soon find out,” her mom answered before she left and never returned.
There she was for a week before anything happened enjoying everything she didn’t have before such as the TV, fireplace, the hot showers. Not knowing it would become permanent. When a door creaked open. A bright light she saw from the corner of her eye. The closer she got the wider the door opened before she knew it was wide open and what didn’t she see. Her family, friends, everyone living their normal lives without her. She yelled for help thinking they could hear her but nothing. That's when her mom reappeared.
“I told you time will tell.”
“What is this, why am I the only one alone? How have my parents not been looking for me?” Amelia said with a worry that no one can take away.
“Because they forgot you exist. When you woke up in this universe you were erased from everyone’s memory.”
“I want to go back, how can I go back?”
“That’s not possible. Your new life began when you woke up here and nothing can be done.”
With shock in her face only one tear was able to roll down her cheek. She thought all was a dream and decided to go to sleep. The next morning when everything was the same as before she realized that her new life had begun. No family or friends to rely on. Loneliness was the way to describe the rest of her life. The only thing that brought her calmness was still being alive but sadness because she had no one to share anymore memories with but herself. Nothing had ever been the same since the door opened.
Alexa Perez