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The stories inside this issue are veiled

narratives about their inner thoughts and

beliefs, even though most of their stories

are fantasy or quirky surrealism. They live

in magical kingdoms—places where their

subnormal lives can breathe and be more

than human. Fiction becomes the only place

where they can write happy endings, because

so much has already happened to them.

Most of them have a strong desire to love

and be loved, and for over an hour each

morning, they write and discuss fiction with

enthusiasm. It releases the creative

imagination and calms them. It becomes a

place where anything is possible, a place

where they can be themselves—free of

judgment, a place where they belong, where

they can feel like part of a group, a place

that reminds them that they are alive and

things will get better.

I do not edit the stories or correct them

in any way. They appear as the student

typed them. Enjoy their imaginations!

—Robert Stofel, Editor

2

Red Riding Hood With a Twist By Dawnterria

Once upon a time there was

this little girl named red

riding hood. Her mom sent

her to go over her

grandmother’s house to take

care of her or something.

By the time red riding hood

got her grandmother’s house

her grandmother was on the

bed sick. Her grandmother was crying because

she had a few minutes to live, but the only

person who knew was herself. Nobody else

knew that she was dying red riding hood ran

to her grandmother hugging her in tears.

Then a few minutes later her grandmother

died. Red riding hood went back home to tell

everyone the news. Everyone filled their eyes

with tears.

3

Faith In Herself

By Becca

There is no one that can

help her not me, not

family or friends, not

even doctors. The only

person that can help her

is herself. I know she is

going through things,

these days we all are.

She has to keep the faith

in herself to destroy the

monster. She needs to stand up and show him

who’s boss and be the person she wants to be

and not let anyone hold her back. She is

stronger than she thinks she is, she just

needs to breathe and take one step at a time

and live her life to the fullest with no

regrets. She is beautiful, and she needs to

stop allowing the monster to make her feel

otherwise.

4

He was the death of

himself. All he felt

was loneliness and

hopelessness. He wanted

a way out, but would

never take the time to

get the help that he

needed. He was lost and

confused. He wanted the

help, but was afraid.

Afraid of judgment and

no one understanding. Afraid that no one

would be able to help him because they

wouldn’t understand him which infuriated

him and made things worse. He needed to

find his escape. A way out but he had

fallen so far, that he has no hope for

returning and will never be the same.

5

I miss you before you’re

even gone. Afraid that

when you leave it will

be the last time I ever

see you. I love you and

want you safe. I don’t

want to feel the pain

of loneliness. I know

this is something you’ve

wanted your entire life and I’ll support

you in every way possible. I’ll wait for

your return with arms wide open. You

mean the world to me and I never want

to lose you. When you’re away think of

me to get your head on straight. When

it’s a full moon hold your thumb up and

remember that it is the same where I’m

at. When you look at the stars look for

Rudolph and remember Angel. Were both

with you and always will be through

everything. We love you and want you

home safe.

6

Lost in thought

with no way out.

Alone is where she

is most comfortable.

No one to disturb

her, just her and

her thoughts. She’s

confused about

everything and

wants to know what’s wrong. She feels

sadness and angriness. Hopelessness and

confusion. Her mind is flustered and wants

it to end. She questions herself, “will the

pain ever end?” then a voice inside her head

whispers, “no.” *the tears begin to fall*

7

Flying By Jeffrey

Some day when I jump I will soar ever upward

never down. till I reach the clouds. Even then I

will not stop I will fly to worlds unknown. And

tour the solar system. I'll do whatever the heck

I want to cause I’ll be free. No more worries

pain or problems, just me and freedom, till

centuries have passed and years are like

seconds, then I will make my descent to a

desolate and wretched world to live out my

days. And when I'm discouraged, I will remember

my trip. And if I want I’ll go back. I’ll jump and

won’t come back down, cause I’ll be flying,

soaring wherever I please.

8

Semi Automatic Love By Vincent

Where is the love?

Where is the passion?

Where is the communication?

That was once there.

Our love for each other was,

Once like a fully automatic M-16

But now it’s like a semi automatic desert

eagle

When I kiss you,

I don’t get the passion

That was once there.

And when I reach for you,

You’re not there.

Every time I call you,

Every time I see you,

I can hear it in your voice,

can see it in your eyes,

That our once

fully automatic love

Has now turned into nothing

But…….

A shot in the wind.

9

Chained Love By Vincent

There was once a time

When I trusted you

There was once a time

When you trusted me

remember the times

When I was with you

would feel no pain

I would have no worries

But now those times

have faded away

Ever since you started

with the lies

I have chained my heart to you

And every time I unchain myself

I always turn back to you

For you’re the one I love

But every time I try to run

From the pain

I get pulled back in

By the illusion that someday

But I have come to realize

That our love for each other will be forever…..

CHAINED

10

My name is Hailey. I was born a girl. But

because of my self-hate and bottled up anger, I

am cursed. I am a tree. During the day, I watch

people through my twisted branches and horrid

knots. I try to touch them with my leaves.

Instead, I annoy them by the leaves being in

their way. I hurt them by scratching their faces

with my colorful razors. When night begins to

fall, my branches twist and break painfully

into bone. My leaves fuse together and become

flesh. My twigs curl and become my hair. I am a

girl. I lie naked on the ground in the silence

of the night. I finally stand up, shaking by the

11

unfamiliar weight. I go to a pile of abandoned

and wet clothes to cover my weak and fragile

body. I ponder for a second in the cold,

wondering if I should see my true friends or

not. But now I remember that they are dead.

Because of this curse, it has given me the

burden of immortality. Because of my

foolishness, I have seen all of my loved ones

suffer and die through bark and through eyes.

As I go back to the park, my tears turn into

the dew of the morning. I stand up and try to

bare the pain of my body breaking down and

becoming the ugly plant I once was. My name is

Hailey. I am an immortal, depressed, and a

guarding tree.

12

In a Guy’s Brain

By Jeffrey

Well one day I was

jumping on my

trampoline. There

was this random

dude walking by. He

was wearing a

bright, pink suit. I

could tell he was deep in thought. I thought

of a cool idea. Why not jump in this guys

brain! That would be interesting. I always

wanted to know what it was like to see a

brain functioning. I then did it. I jumped

really, really hard. I pretended like I was

diving into a swimming pool. Except I aimed

for the guys noggin. I dove and voila, I went

right into the guys head.

13

It knocked me out for a second but I woke up

next to the brain. I thought it was very cool to

be in a head. What was really interesting was

that I could read the guys thoughts. I could

predict what the guy would do before he did it.

After a while I got bored. I tried telling the

guy to let me out. He thought he was hearing

voices. Eventually he ended up in a psych ward.

There I was doomed for the rest of my life.

14

I am a girl named

Sandy. I am sad

because the one I

care deeply about

left me. He was a

young man. He was my

friend. He was part

of my family. He was

always there for me.

I wish he was still

here. So I can have someone to talk to.

Someone I could go places with. He was

someone I cared deeply about. He was like a

best friend.

15

The Big Bang By Vincent

Whoa!!!!

It all happened so fast,

I mean it was…… BANG!!!!!!!

Then pure silence

Next thing I know,

I got the police chasin me

Pullin me outta my car

With my face in the dirt

And a knee in my back

Now…..

Six months later I sit here

In my cell as inmate 23614

Still I fight for

my freedom

But never knowing

What truly happened

That night my world went,

BANG!!!!!

16

I tremble as they stare at

me. I feel almost like they

just stare at my belly, as

if they know. I finally

utter the words, “I’m

pregnant.” My father cries

in disappointment, and my

mother sits there in silent

horror. My boyfriend is a broke, nobody. He

has nothing to offer me, or this child; but we

were so in love. I face the reality of it all

so quickly, it’s almost like life flashing

before your eyes. The future does not look

promising. Nine months passed by, and there

is a beautiful baby girl, Abigail. With my

eyes, and her fathers smile. Her father is

nowhere to be found, even when he promised to

be there. I do not face this world alone, my

family has been wonderful. I’ve graduated,

and established a career. I never needed him

to begin with.