We were taught not to love. We were taught that all pairings were made based on necessity. The council of love makes all pairings based on genetics and who works together. Once a year, there is a ceremony...

Growing up, according to my mother, I had always had a strange fascination with death. It wasn’t like I was always around death; in fact, I’ve only ever been to one funeral in my life, and I’m almost...

It was the worst accident I had ever been in, and that's saying a lot. I should have considered my poor choices, such as turning left on a red light. Maybe the worst option was not breaking when I realized...

We have worked so hard for this all year. We have grown as a team and as individuals. We finally made it to nationals. We hear our team get called to the stage. We freak out hearing that we have made it...

The sun’s light and warm glow beamed down upon my face. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I witnessed the bright beams fade to small patterns dancing in the darkness of my eyelids. The air smelled...

It was the day of the test, and Joshua Matteson was running late. Joshua put on his radiation gear and ran to the test chamber. He had heard word of trouble in the test chamber, but he elected to let it...

...Systems online… ...Recalibrating sensors… ...Pilot status - unresponsive...   I pushed myself off the ground, confused and dismayed. Glancing about, I didn’t like what I saw....

Period & Context: Around 1985. The main character is a 12-year-old girl who's curious about a house on the outskirts of town.   It was a dark, eerie Halloween night. Alone, I walked the...

“So, you’re telling me that this is a time machine?” Teddy Montgomery huffed in disbelief.  His history professor tilted his head, “Perhaps.”   Teddy Montgomery and Anna Freeman...

He was the small-town hero that everyone loved. The prestigious quarterback never lets anyone down. His grades placed him in the top 10 percent of his class. He seemed to have a perfect life and had many...

The first officer set his palms against the holographic display.   “Captain, there is a planet with a hospitable atmosphere and water here,” he said.   “Initiate a full planetary...

I loathed him. His provoking smirk gave rise to the frustration in me. How could one person cause so much hatred? I loathed that smirk, yet I could not help but admire it. The way his face creased perfectly,...