Bookish Magazine

8/17/2019 Bookish Magazine

1/15

BOOK I S H A n n u a l L i t e r a r y M a g a z i n e

2 0 1 5 -

2 0 1 6

EMERGING

YOUNGWRITERS

C o n t r i b u t i o n s f r o m I s l a n d s H i g h

S c h o o l W r i t i n g C l u b m e m b e r s .

EXCLUS IV EEXCERPTS

From threestudent-

written novels.


2/15

B O O K I S H

C O N T E N T S

2

A W K W A R D

S A R A H S K I N N E R

3

E V I L L O V E

M A C K E N Z I E E D W A R D S

4

D R A G O N D R E A M S

E L I Z A B E T H R I M E S

5

P O S S E S S I O N

A S H C O L L I N S

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F O O T P R I N T S ( A N E X C E R P T


8

A C U R S E A N D

A P R I N C E S S


9

B L U E B I R D ( A N E X C E R P T )

A M B E R R O B E R T S

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A L E X S

A C C E P T I O N

K R Z Y S Z T O F E R P H I L L I P S

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T H E P H A N T O M K I L L E R

E L I Z A B E T H S T U N T S M A N

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S T A R S

B R I T T A N Y C L A Y B O S S

B O O K I

Group Picture12


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S C R E A M I N G

3 3

F R O G S


4/15

E v i l L o v e


E v i l s h o w s i t s e l f i n m a n y f o r m s . L i m e g r e e n f l a m e s

t o p p i n g a w i t c h , w r e t c h e d s c r e a m s o f a t o r t u r e d s o u l - i t

d o e s n t m a t t e r t h e a p p e a r a n c e . E v i l p r e s e n t s e v e r y w h e r e , i n

e v e r y c o r n e r o f l i f e . A g n i h a d k n o w n t h e s e f a c t s a l l h e r l i f e ,

b u t s h e n e v e r e x p e c t e d e v i l t o p r e s e n t i t s e l f i n h e r .

A g n i h a d l o v e d E a n r i n . T r u l y , s h e h a d . H i s s h o r t

b r o w n c u r l s b o u n c e d p r e t t i l y o v e r h i s c h o c o l a t e b r o w n e y e s

i n w a y s t h a t m a d e h e r c h e s t f l u t t e r . T h e y h a d b e e n f r i e n d s

t h e i r e n t i r e l i f e , l o v e r s f o r t h e l a t t e r p a r t . T h e t w o w o r k e d

t o g e t h e r i n w a y s n e v e r b e f o r e s e e n i n t h e i r k i n g d o m .

D o m i n a t i n g t h e i r d i v i s i o n , t h e y l e d t h e i r s o l d i e r s g r a c e f u l l y .

B u t e v e r y t h i n g c h a n g e d w h e n B a l a r a , E a n r i n ’ s b a n i s h e d

s i s t e r , c a p t u r e d h e r .

B a l a r a w a s , i n e v e r y w a y i m a g i n a b l e , b e a u t i f u l .

P e r f e c t l o c k s o f b r o w n h a i r s l a c e d w i t h f l e c k s o f s i l v e r a n d

g o l d f e l l g r a c e f u l l y a r o u n d h e r s l e n d e r f a c e . H e r e y e s g l o w e d

w i t h p o w e r , h a z e l p i g m e n t s s h i n i n g . H e r b o d y l o o k e d p e t i t e

a n d d e l i c a t e , b u t t o n e d m u s c l e s h i d u n d e r n e a t h t h e b e a u t y .

S h e w a s s i m p l y c a p t i v a t i n g . S o , w h e n B a l a r a k i d n a p p e d

A g n i , i t w a s w i t h l i t t l e s u r p r i s e t h a t A g n i b e c a m e s m i t t e n

A l l t h o u g h t s o f E a n r i n w e r e t o s s e d o u t t h e w i n d o w a s

B a l a r a d r e w A g n i m o r e a n d m o r e i n . B a l a r a s h o w e d t h e

y o u n g e l v e n c o m b a t s t r a t e g i e s t h a t A g n i h a d n e v e r e v e n

d r e a m e d o f . T h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f s e d u c t i o n a n d f o r c e w a s a

s t r a n g e b u t e f f e c t i v e s t r a t e g y . A g n i n e v e r s a w t h a t B a l a r a

w a s u s i n g t h e t a c t i c o n h e r ; s h e m e r e l y s a w a b e a u t i f u l

w o m a n w h o w a s i n l o v e w i t h h e r . S h e w a s u t t e r l y o b l i v i o u s .

.

D a y s t u r n e d i n t o w e e k s o f t r a i n i n g f o r t h e t w o . A g n i s o o n

f o r g o t e v e r y t h i n g o f h e r k i n g d o m a n d d i v i s i o n , m e m o r i e s d e f t l y

b e i n g t a k e n b y t h e b e a u t i f u l B a l a r a . S h e w a s c o n s u m e d b y h e r ,

c o m p l e t e l y a n d t o t a l l y . H e r l i f e w a s d e d i c a t e d t o t h e i r c o m b a t

t o g e t h e r . A n d w h e n , a m e r e m o n t h a n d a f o r t n i g h t a f t e r h e r

k i d n a p p i n g , E a n r i n a r r i v e d a t t h e i r c a m p , s h e d i d n t h e s i t a t e t o

a t t a c k . E a n r i n w a s s t r u c k , b o t h p h y s i c a l l y a n d e m o t i o n a l l y . T o

A g n i , h e r n e w c o m b a t s k i l l s w e r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e m s e l v e s . B u t t o

E a n r i n , t h e e l v e n h a d b e e n d r i v e n i n s a n e . I t w a s n t u n t i l A g n i h a d

h e r o n c e l o v e r o n t h e g r o u n d t h a t B a l a r a ’ s s p e l l w a s b r o k e n .

B a l a r a s t o o d b e h i n d h e r , r e l i s h i n g i n h e r q u i e t v i c t o r y . A g n i

s t o o d f r o z e n . H e r s w e e t E a n r i n l a i d o n t h e g r o u n d , u n m o v i n g . T h e

g r a v i t y o f w h a t s h e h a d d o n e p u l l e d h e r t o t h e g r o u n d . S h e k n e l t

o v e r h i m , t e r r o r w r a c k i n g h e r f i g u r e . J u s t a s s h e r e a c h e d t o c h e c k

E a n r i n f o r a s i g n a l i f e , a c o l d t e n d r i l g r a b b e d h e r f r o m b e h i n d .

I n v i s i b l e h a n d s r e a c h e d i n s i d e h e r c h e s t , t u g g i n g a t h e r h e a r t . S h e

f o u g h t a g a i n s t t h e m , u s i n g a l l t h e m a g i c t o f o r c e t h e m a w a y . T h e

t e n d r i l s w o n , h o w e v e r , a s t h e s t i l l - b e a t i n g h e a r t w a s t o r n f r o m

h e r c h e s t . E a n r i n ’ s e y e s f l i c k e r e d o p e n o n l y t o w i t n e s s t h e o n e h e

l o v e d d i e . A s h e s t a r e d i n t o t h e e y e s o f B a l a r a , s e e i n g h i s o w n f a t e ,

h e s p o k e h i s l a s t w o r d s c a l m l y .

T h e r e s n o n e e d t o t a k e o u t m y h e a r t , S i s t e r . S h e s d o n e i t

f o r y o u . W i t h t h o s e w o r d s , h e p e c k e d A g n i ’ s l i p s l i g h t l y a n d

t r a n s f e r r e d h i s l i f e t o h e r . A g n i w o k e m o m e n t s l a t e r , o n c e b l u e

e y e s b l a c k w i t h t h e e v i l o f t h e r e v i v e d . B a l a r a s h i v e r e d a s s h e

w a t c h e d A g n i c l i m b t o h e r f e e t . S h e w o u l d f o r e v e r b e h a u n t e d

w i t h t h e f u t u r e s h e h e l p e d c r e a t e .

P A G E 1 5


5/15

Dragon Dreams

By Elizabeth Rimes

e silver hair glinted in the moonlight, granting the man before her

ethereal beauty. If she hadn't known he was coming for her, she

ht have been entranced by the sight. She had seen this man

ore in her dreams, and every instinct screamed for her to run,

ecially when his nostrils flared as he caught her scent. The dark

pils, that contrasted so sharply with the iridescent pale blue of his

s, contracted into slits.

gon.

heart sped up, and she stumbled back. “No.” He followed, but

was not going to let him near her. She spun on her heel, dark

r fanning behind her as she fled through the familiar streets of

am. She was at home in this city. She knew every twist and turn,

ry back street and alley. She sprinted through the streets,

dding around corners at random. There was no way she was

ng to let him take her. Freedom was too sweet to give it up.

oar split the air, shaking the windows in the buildings beside her.e ground shook as a silver dragon landed in front of her, scales

ering like his hair had only moments ago. He arched his neck to

er down at her as she stumbled to a halt. Her breaths came in

aky, terrified gasps. If only her enemies could see her now. And

the people called her the Dragonsbane. She had earned that title,

this was the one dragon she would not face. Could not.

ere wasn’t even a shimmer as he melted into his human form. His

ds were held out in a placatory gesture. Each step he took was

w, as if he were approaching a frightened animal. “You know I

n’t harm you,” he murmured. Those eyes glittered with a

mforting warmth, but she refused to fall for it.

ill not.” She turned to flee, but the dragon had speed she did not,

his hand snagged her arm, right above the wrist. She bit back a

y at the burning heat of the touch, and tore herself away. Her arm

ned white hot, and the pain was still building. She sprinted down a

e street, even as he shouted her name. The voice was alluring,

ging for her to wait, to let him explain, but she was no fool.

agons spoke with silver tongues, but the words that came out of

r mouth was black as tar. She would not stay. She would not let

take her. She-


6/15

PossessionBy. Ash Collins

ossession: 1. the act of having or taking into control 2. something own

occupied, or controlled 3. domination by something (as an evil spirit, assion, or an idea) 4. a psychological state in which an individual's nor

personality is replaced by another.

hatever the description, the term "possession" has found its way in m

if not all, cultures. The people of those cultures have a general, yet

complete and false, understanding of what it is. Unless you've been liv

under a rock.

When you hear the word, you probably think of demonic or ghostly possession. During this kind, the victims act differently. They will talk

ongues, do unspeakable acts, or perform various other terrifying thin

hat if I told you this isn't even one percent of possessions? You see, m

demons with this power aren't stupid enough to show themselves.

emons and demonic entities are not physical. They don't have bodies. T

best way to describe them is of a self aware concept.

The same goes for other similarly powered beings. The idea of humano

demons probably came from what they typically imagine themselves, a

laces most typically described as hell are...operated differently. For

asier understanding, let's just call them demons. After all, us humans

enjoy whatever makes life easier.

ost are able to enter a mind, but only when permission is given. These a

ften how people descend into madness. The process has to be gradual,

he human mind can reject foreign objects as much as the body if there i

threat. This will lead into John Doe hospital cases.o avoid this, a demon will try to bring out the inborn pleasure in bloodsh

nd satisfaction of causing pain that all creatures have. You can try to d

but no matter how evolved or intelligent we are, we will always have t

sickeningly sweet taste for what can only be described as death.

Some are strong enough to hold control without prior permission. Thi

usually characterizes inexperienced demons, as they don't show enoug

straint to preserve the vessel. They burn it out, or simply keep going u

they, quite literally, drop.


7/15

Though, there are those who are able to keep a vessel anywhere from

year to a lifetime. Demons with this ability often corrupt society, as if

really wasn't already doing so. They act as sheep dogs, leading the

unsuspecting souls wherever they please.

ery rarely, but it is still possibly, is a demon able to weave it's way into

complex tapestry of the human mind undetected.

the beginning of, well everything, only one entity was able to do this. W

call them by their most popular name, the Devil. And as humans also se

to enjoy sexualizing beings who's true forms are beyond their limited

omprehension, though admittedly by no fault of their own usually, we w

also call them a he.

Demons with this power and precision are able to whisper suggestion

isguised as original thoughts. Many horror novelists, such as Edgar Al

Poe, are possessed in this way.

emons have personal relationships with other demons, as humans do wother humans. Yet none have to deal with the inconvenience of "long

distance relationships" as they have power beyond any person's wilde

magination, including communication. Often times they are able to sha

their work and spread it to more demons and humans.

ll give you an example. Say the author of a story such as a CreepyPast

possessed. They could suggest their story to a possessed narrator o

ouTube such as MrCreepyPasta. If the two agree, the writer would sen

mail to the narrator "asking" for it to be read. This final exchange is ba formality and a way to keep people in the "supernatural business" th

actually know what they're doing from noticing.

As blind as humans have allowed themselves to become, they are smar

People can figure out that they're possessed. Some dismiss it as thei

imagination or see it as a game of pretend they can humor when bored

Some get rid of the visitor.

And then there are those that embrace it. They bond with the demon an

allow them to stay, no deal or blood pact required.Usually, it's a serial killer, some other nut case, or your general screw

p in the head maniac that you'll see in the news. And sometimes, it's jus

rl with an imagination. One who wants to write for her own, as well as

readers, entertainment. For people who, like her, prefer their stories

little darker.


8/15

FOOT-PRINTS

Tessa was perched on the arm of the couch, farthest from the fire. While her posture

relaxed, she watched her family with an observant gaze. As one of the original three

it her duty to keep an eye on everything at all times. Her siblings were scattered in a

circle, save one. Ilse was curled up, content to watch, on the big armchair. Her green

eyes danced in the firelight, and the smile she had was a feral one. Espen was spraw

couch, his massive frame threatening to crush the piece of furniture. Mattie had thro

himself across the hearth, as he should. He was the god of heat, and he basked in it w

possible. Ross leaned back against the chair Ilse had claimed, one long leg stretched

they all listened to a story told by Logan, who held court in the center of the room. Thaired god was waving his hands expressively as he spoke, a familiar gleam in his sil

Tessa stood quietly, heading for the kitchen. She was looking for a glass when she fe

on her arm. “Tess. Come on. The eggnog can wait. I have something to show you.” M

led her out the glass doors onto the porch. She looked over her shoulder to check on

family one more time. Logan had the floor still, with a glass of hot apple cider in one

he told yet another of his stories. Laughter followed them outside as her younger bro

continued to pull her out into the snow.

The icy wind bit at her skin, but she didn't give it much mind. The cold made the god

uncomfortable, but it didn't kill them. “Mattie, why-” She broke off as she saw the f

standing there. “Ren. . .” The final brother, the last of the original three, and the pric

them all. After the last fight he’d had with Logan, Ren had disappeared for years. De

Centuries.

Ren’s boots made little noise as he made his way to her side. “I know I said I wouldn

.” He grunted a little as she flung her arms around him. The force knocked him back

He hugged her back in an uncharacteristic show of affection. “I missed you too, sist

Centuries are long, even for us.”

She hushed him as she pulled away. Nothing would be allowed to ruin this moment

winter solstice. Forget the feuds for tonight and enjoy the comradery.” His charcoal

were soft as he nodded, and allowed her to lace her fingers with his. With a smile sh

inside to greet the rest of their family.

N O M A D I C

2 4

A N E X C E R P T

B Y



9/15

A Curse and a PrincessAn excerpt by Mackenzie Edwards

I sat in the back of the classroom,trying to make myself small. My lankyfigure fought against me, but none of the other students seemed to pay anyattention to me. They were scatteredthroughout the classroom, absorbed intheir IPhone’s. One was reading, but I aw headphones stuck in their ears. Of

course, the age of technology.A pair of twins entered, laughing

oudly. Identical, the boys were well-built and obviously athletic. Theyreminded me of the jocks from middle

chool. I inwardly rolled my eyes at them, shuffling my papers around on mydesk. A moment later, everyone went ilent. I looked up.

A girl stood at the door, deepbrown eyes sweeping the classroom. Fullegs were clothed in black and silver

eggings, with a My Chemical Romanceweater topping it. Her hair was shaved

on one side and startlingly purple. I wondered how her natural hair held thecolor, but that didn't matter. She wasbeautiful.

I wasn't the only one that thought s The twin boys from before stood, gesturin to a seat near theirs. “Hello beautiful,” one said. She raisean eyebrow, sipping from her large to-gocoffee. “Saved a seat for ya,” the other saidShe sipped her coffee again.“Well aren't you two sweethearts,” shedrawled in what I soon realized was a fak

southern accent. Her eyes snapped away from the two, landing on me. I sunk in mychair. “I already have a seat.”

The two pouted, sitting down again. The girl strode to the back of the room, straight to me. I tried to smile. “Divinity, but I prefer Divi. Nice tomeet you.” She grinned, sinking into thechair next to me. Under the table, I rubbemy birthmark.

“Ra- um, Ana. It's Ana. Hi.” Shegrinned. “Hello, Ana.” She would havecontinued, but the professor walked in. I noticed her looking at me a lot throughou

the lesson.Needless to say, I was embarrasse


10/15

BLUEBIRD

A n E x c e r p t

B y : A c e R o b e r t s

“Basic Agriculture, huh?” she

mumbled as she looked around for

the "veterinarian lab". After circling

the school once or twice shemanaged to find the room. She

smiled softly and grabbed the handle,

moving slightly to the left so she

wouldn’t get yet another head injury,

pulling the door open and stepping

inside.

Inside of the room a foul odor of what

seemed to be hundreds of animals

attacked her nose, which caused her

to lean back against the door for a

moment or two before Mila could

finally walk further into the noxious

smelling room. She looked around,

her eyes scanning all of the freshman

looking kids that sat all around, the

chatter of summer and animal

screeches filling the air of the small

room. Mila grinned when she saw

four of the kids that went to her

school the year before. There was

Scarlett, a brunette with semi-curly

hair and dark brown eyes,

Alice, a tan red head with bright

hazel eyes and nerdy looking

glasses, and Mason, younger broth

to Morgan.Scarlett and Alice were chatting

away whereas Mason was staring

off into space, watching all of the

kids and their reactions to

everything that new. Mila grinned

and skipped over to the three, her

hair bouncing around her shoulders

She threw her bag by her side as sh

took a seat next to Mason, grabbing

the attention of Scarlett and Alice a

she did so.

“Hey guys!” she chirped as she

looked around at the three, a

beaming grin seemed to be

contagious among them since the

other three swiftly sprouted a

similar grin at the look of the 5’2”

teen.


11/15

Alex's AcceptionAs Alex reached for his sword, he hesitated not sure what a sword could do to the

wraiths. He knew that he had to do something. The wraiths sensed Alex's indecision

choose tempted him one more time.

“If you join us you will be able to show off in front of your step-brother.” Alex was clos

enough to tell that it was an empty promise, but they were not done testing his faith his friends. “You can fix your friends problems if you join us. They will be unable to he

you finish the quest. And even if you succeed they will ultimately kill you to keep an

extra share of treasure.” A vision flooded Alex’s mind. Bregnest was standing over hi

with his sword in hand. He swung the sword down. The image ended just before his

head was lopped off. Alex was getting more and more suspicious of his quest

members especially of the quest’s leader.

“What will happen to the rest of the quest then?” Alex inquired

“That will be up to you what happens to them.” The wraiths replied in their singular

voice of an eerie, raspy whisper. Alex looked back at his party then within his heart

decided to accept the offer. The wraiths laughter filled the air as they saw within Alex

mind. They were becoming him. They were him and were not. Alex was no longer icharge of what his body did or said. He then knew he had been tricked. He was now

puppet.

Alex started walking back to the camp and relit the fire. Arconn was the first to wake

up. He looked around the campsite and became suspicious of someone within the

group. He looked around and saw that nothing, but the time had changed. It had bee

nearly four hours since the spell had been placed upon him. Alex was the first one

Arconn checked to see if he was alright. Alex woke with a slight shake and looked a

Arconn straight in the eye.

Arconn was afraid of what he saw within Alex’s eyes. He saw fear,malice, and pure

rage. Arconn within his twenty thousand year life had never seen anything like it

before. He hoped never to see it again. Alex hopes that Arconn would be able to cur

him were dashed as Arconn went to check on the other members of the group. He fe

the wraiths gladness that Alex was okay within Arconn’s little check-up on the group

As Arconn got to the quest’s leader, Bregnest, he told him of his suspicions. The thre

of the evil was gone from Aunk, but it might have become Alex. Bregnest just scoffe

at Arconn. He was just laughing on the inside with the notion of the idea that Alex wa

possessed. He told Thrain to make breakfast a little early. Skeld woke up as Thrain

asked Alex to start the fire.

“Inferno” Alex yawned. Thrang saw Alex’s lack of interest threw water upon it. He

looked at Alex and told him to do it again. Alex looked back at Thrang with a

murderous looked. Flames could be seen dancing in Alex’s eyes.

“INFERNO” Alex cried, startling all the members of the group. Skeld jumped back a

the anger flowing like water from Alex’s voice. Andy nearly jumped out of his skin. Th

looked at Alex as the pain tightened around the corners of his eyes. They could see t

pain he was going through. Arconn looked at Bregnest. They both nodded toward ea

other. Arconn may have been correct, but Bregnest wanted to be sure. He sent Alex

little way out to talk with the group telling them to ignore Alex’s sudden outbursts of

anger, because it might be from his wizard emotional hightning.

An Excerpt

by: Krzysztofer

Phillips


12/15

At the same time Alex was battling the wraiths from within his mind. He feared he

ght lose his sanity before too long. Alex thought long and hard about what he might

o to hint that the wraiths were controlling him. By the time Alex returned the rest of

questers had agreed to ignore Alex’s sudden outbursts of anger. Alex had thought

use the wraiths gift of anger against them. He was determined to make the group

s suspicious as possible. He may have been a puppet of the wraiths but, he would

y and control his own body. The minute expressions that he could do were all he

as able to do to try and show that he was possessed, but he could feel the wraiths

trying to put a stop to that.

Bregnest started them toward the mountain trying to remember the advice the old

man had given them a while back.

r the next few days Alex was getting stranger and stranger but the group ignored it.

ayo was the one who seemed the most affected by his strange behavior. He was

etting more and more sullen. Alex really wanted to help his friend but the wraiths

liked to make Alex suffer and made him just watch as Tayo went into a deep

pression.When they entered the Dark forest Arccon was happy to be home, even if

t was just for a short time. Bregnest was hoping to have something done to help

Alex.

It took the group eight days at a simple pace to get the the home of the elves.

Calypso greeted the group at the entrance and smiled.

Welcome to the dark forest. Please come in and be named Elf Friends.” Calypso

d with pleasure beaming through her voice. The quester’s were puzzled by this. All

except Arccon that is. He planned this with Calypso with a geeb. He just politely

asked her to do it. Only an Elf ruler can declare a person an elf friend.

The air rippled and Calypso’s calm demeanor changed to fear. The bright, crisp

nny Autumn day transformed into a whirling tornado ripping up the land. Within the

ornado there was a single man. Alex felt the wraiths leave his mind, but a darked

presence stayed behind. He felt like he had freedom within whatever the dark

presence wanted. It was the lie of freedom to him.

e was being drawn to the tornado. It was a mild tug at first. Then it slowly grew into

a nagging pull. He felt like a person who stayed at the beach as a tsunami wasoming. He whipped into the air. The air was being ripped out of his lungs. He was

aking into the center out the tornado and his lungs were screaming just before he

was taken there.

“Hi there, little wizard. If you are a good boy I might let you live.” The mysterious

wizard said. He grew a little smile as he watched Alex face melt into fear.

he wizard called out two words. “Nir Vie” Alex understood for some reason that he

st said “Death to these adventurers.” Alex then heard an explosion near where he

had been picked up. Painicking Alex looked over at The Elves homes. They were

ne. Smoke hazed the air near the camp. Alex understood that they were dead and

he was near death if he did not do what this wizard wanted.

The darker presence with Alex was joyous. It’s dark pleasure spread throughoutex’s body, causing him to shudder. He suddenly felt the realization of the shocking

cold air. It whirled around him, drawing the strength out of his bones.

fter reaching a place that was covered in snow, the wizard opened a swirling blue

ortal. He was forcefully Alex was shoved through and dragged one hundred yards,

cking and thrashing the whole way. He was tossed to one side and beaten until he

d bruised ribs. The air having been knocked out of Alex a while ago fell into a deep

sleep, similar to being knocked out.

Waking up a couple of days later, Alex felt drained of strength. The room he was in

reminded him of the Oracle's home.


13/15

A s e c r e t p a s s e d d o w n b y m y f a m i l y f o r

g e n e r a t i o n s . E v e n t h o u g h i t h a s f a d e d

t h r o u g h o u t t h e c e n t u r y t o w h e r e o n l y a f e w

k n o w w h a t i t i s . I a m o n e o f t h o s e p e o p l e .

W h e n I w a s b o r e t o p r o t e c t m e m y m o m

g i v e m e t w o i d e n t i t i e s M i c h a e l a n d A c e . M y

s e c o n d i d e n t i t y v a n i s h e d i n t o t h e

p a p e r w o r k b u t t h e

o t h e r s t i l l a r o u n d . M y g r a n d m o t h e r w a s

a f r a i d w h e n s h e l e a r n e d I p o s s e s s e d m a i n

f a m i l y p o w e r . W i t h l e a r n i n g t h i s s h e t o l d

n e v e r t o s h o w m y p o w e r . S o s h e s w i f t l y h i d

m e , a n d t a u g h t m e h o w t o c o n t r o l m y

p o w e r s a n d b e c o m e t h e m a i n h o u s e o f

N i g h t d e m o n .

“ G o o d m o r n i n g t o d a y ' s n e w s i s a b o u t T h e

P h a n t o m K i l l e r . W i t n e s s e s s a y i t b e c o m e s

v e r y c o l d l i k e d e a t h h a s t a k e n h o l d t h e n i t

v a n i s h e s i n t o t h i n a i r . T h a t a l l t h e p o l i c e

h a v e o n t h e c a s e i n v o l v i n g t h e P h a n t o m

K i l l e r . ” A n n o u n c e m e n t g o e s o n a n d o n

t h r o w o u t t h e d a y o n e v e r y n e w s c h a n n e l .

“ S o t o d a y c l a s s t h e r e w i l l b e o n l o c k e d

d o w n u n t i l t h e p h a n t o m k i l l e r i s f o u n d . ”

A n n o u n c e d t h e p r i n c i p l e o f o u r s c h o o l o v e r

t h e i n t e r c o m .

W h a t a g o o d f i r s t d a y o f s c h o o l t h i s i s

e x a c t l y w h a t I w i s h e d d i d n ' t h a p p e n n o w I

c a n ' t t a k e o u t a l l m y t a r g e t s b e f o r e w i n t e r

b r e a k . I r a n t t o m y s e l f f o r t h e f i r s t h a l f o f

t h e d a y . A t r a i n e d k i l l e r g o i n g a f t e r t h e e v i l

i n t h e w o r l d . I ' m n o w r a n k e d d e a d l i e s t o n

t h e n a t i o n . W h a t I d i d n o t p l a n f o r . M y

s c h o o l d a y s a r e f i l l e d w i t h h a t r e d t o t h i s

u n k n o w n k i l l e r . A g o o d t h i n g t h a t a f t e r I

f i n i s h t h i s b a t c h o f k i l l s i t w i l l a l l b e f i n i s h e d .

R e v e n g e t o a l l t h e p e o p l e w h o

d e m o n s t r a t e d m y c l a n ' s n a m e y e a r s a g o .

I n t h e m o r n i n g I w a k e t o t h e n e w s g o i n g o n ,

a n d o n a b o u t l a s t n i g h t ' s v i c t i m s . I l e t m y

h a n d l i g h t u p i n a l i g h t b l u e s p i r a l a n d h e a l

m y w o u n d s f r o m l a s t n i g h t a n d f r e e z e m y

n e a r l y c o f f e e . A f t e r l e a v i n g I g o o n t o s c h o o l

a n d s t a r t t h i s r o u t i n e a l l o v e r a g a i n u n t i l I

g o t a w a r n i n g o n m y f l i p p h o n e t h a t t h e

g o v e r n m e n t ' s t a s k f o r c e g o t o n t o m y t r a i l .

F a s c i n a t i n g s o m e o n e g o t a p i c t u r e o f m e .

E v e n t h o u g h t h a t i s n o h e l p s i n c e i c a n

c h a n g e m y h a i r c o l o r , a n d e y e s c o l o r t o

w h a t e v e r s u i t s m e , a n d I w e a r a m a s k . I f I

h a d t o p u t m y f i n g e r o n w h o t o o k t h e

p i c t u r e i t w o u l d b e a f r e e l a n c e

p h o t o g r a p h e r f r o m t h e d e t e c t i v e ' s o f f i c e

n e a r t h e h a r b o r . O h w e l l n o t i m e t o w o r r y

s i n c e t h a t w o u l d c a u s e s u s p i c i o n t o w a r d s

m e . I h o p e t h a t t o d a y w i l l g o i n m y f a v o r .

L u n c h i s a r o u n d o n e . T h e n r i g h t a f t e r t h a t i s

w h e n t h e d e t e c t i v e s c o m e t o t h e s c h o o l t o

h a v e a c h a t w i t h t h e

s t u d e n t s t h a t m a t c h t h e i r p i c t u r e , o r p e o p l e

t h a t s e e m s u s p i c i o u s . I h a v e n o t b e e n o n

t h a t l i s t , a n d h o p e I n e v e r d o e n d u p o n i t .

T h e y n e v e r f i n d a n y t h i n g e x c e p t , f o r t h e

d r u g a d d i c t s , a n d i d i o t s w h o h a v e d o n e

s o m e s o r t o f c r i m e . I t ’ s n o h e l p t h a t o n e

o f t h e r i v a l c l a n s h e l p t h e p o l i c e t h e y h a v e

b e e n a f t e r m y c l a n ' s s e c r e t s s i n c e t h e

b e g i n n i n g . N o t p e o p l e t h a t I h a t e s i n c e t h e y

d i d n o t c a u s e t h e d o w n f a l l o f m y c l a n i t w a s

t h e g o o d y t w o s h o e s A n g l e c l a n , y e a r i g h t

a l l t h e y e v e r d o i s k i l l w i t h n o p u r p o s e a n d

h a v e l e f t m o r e d e a d b o d i e s o n t h e s t r e e t

t h a t ' s b e e n b l a m e d o n m e . M y o n l y t a r g e t

a r e t h e r e c l a n m e m b e r s t h a t p u l l t h e

s t r i n g s .

T h e P h a n t o m K i l l e r

A n e x c e p t b y E l i z a b e t h S t u n t s m a n


14/15

StarsBrittany ClaybossYou think so lowly of yourself my dear...

You don't seem to quite grasp the fact that you are the moon on a winter's day or a supernova in the sky

Even the moon has it's dark times...and I believe if you cut your heart open, starswould come out,

and every inch of your creation would bring a brightness that could like the skies for millenniums

to come.

Your skin acts as a shield for all the wonderful things you hide and you have to let it out or you'll explode and I don't want you to go out that way.The world is dark and sometimes frightening

but there is a light at the end of the dark and suffering

that shines as bright as your heart.


15/15

Bookish Magazine

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