Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets - Erma

 

Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets - Erma

My daughter Aurora has been begging for a pony since Halloween so I told her to write a letter to Santa asking for it. The problem is it's Christmas morning and I look outside to find a fire-breathing horse whose coat was as black as charcoal. I opened the door to find a letter on my steps. I pick it up and step to the side as Aurora comes darting out to go play with the horse.

            “Aurora be careful!” I yelled after her only to look out and see her petting the horse.

I turn around and start reading the letter. Apparently, she wrote the letter to Satan instead of Santa. *oh, that explains that* I start reading the actual letter, it says,

Dear Chloe,

I'm writing to you in regards to Aurora, did you tell her to write to me asking for a pony? Because I think it was meant for SANTA, the letters are in a different order, but close enough. Besides, I actually gave her a pony. The fat guy wouldn't. (also it’s trained and loves aurora and the box is a care package that comes with a saddle)

Oh, I wanted to let you know I will be back for 2 years this time! I figured hell could work without me for a while. Family is more important than all the terrible souls in the entire underworld.

See you in a week, my love!

From your loving husband

            Lucifer

“TWO YEARS!!!!!” I yelled and then I let out a very high-pitched squeal. I ran to go grab my cell phone and called my best friend Mazikeen, she NEEDS to meet my husband! Plus I need her help to build a pen in the backyard for this thing. It’s probably good that we live on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Otherwise, people would ask questions.

 

                                               

Soulmates - Erma

    Soulmate AU where instead of your soulmate’s first words to you written on your skin. It’s their last words you hear them say so you don’t know who your soulmate is until you lose them.
    Imagine generic last words like “did you get the mail?” “I’ll be down in a minute!” “Have you seen my cell phone?” so every time the mundane happens your blood runs cold.
    When you know you’ll hardly know them at all “What’s your name?” “Do you have Facebook?” “That will be $3.95 with tax.” Because it’s one thing to lose them and know too late, but it’s something much crueler to never know them at all
    Imagine being the parent of someone with “did you do the homework?” “My mom said yes!” “I really hate P.E” because you know it will happen young. You know you can’t protect them.
    People with horrifying ones like “don’t close your eyes!” “I don’t think we’re alone” “Didn’t you lock the door?” because they’ll be there when something horrible happens and there’s no way to prepare for that.
    Imagine what your OTP’s wrists might say.

Soulmates - Erma

It’s prom night and I can’t convince mom to let me go. I don't blame her though because of the words I got.

*Willma please, it’s prom! You can die at prom!*

¨dang girl, your looking extra pretty tonight¨ Tyler said, shocked at my rose gold ball gown with long sleeves.

¨its prom! Why wouldn’t I be dressed up?¨ I giggled ¨plus it matches your rose gold tux! Anyways why don't we go inside instead of standing out here?¨

We head inside and start dancing when all of a sudden these guys show up and one of them shot me and then they ran out

¨WILLMA¨ cried Tyler as he ran towards me

¨ISABELLA¨ cried Jensen as he ran for his girlfriend and my best friend who was sitting on her knees beside me ¨is she ok?¨

¨Willma please, it’s prom! You can die at prom!¨ cried Isabella and I felt all color fade from my face.

¨I….Isabella¨ I muttered and she seemed to get the memo. She lifted my sleeve and I watched her face light up ¨damn girl. And we never even considered each other¨ she was crying as she showed me hers

*damn girl. We never even considered each other* just then the world faded to black. And I was gone.

Soulmates? - Chelsey

    Soulmate AU where instead of your soulmate’s first words to you written on your skin. It’s their last words you hear them say so you don’t know who your soulmate is until you lose them.

    Imagine generic last words like “did you get the mail?” “I’ll be down in a minute!” “Have you seen my cell phone?” so every time the mundane happens your blood runs cold.

    When you know you’ll hardly know them at all “What’s your name?” “Do you have Facebook?” “That will be $3.95 with tax.” Because it’s one thing to lose them and know too late, but it’s something much crueler to never know them at all

    Imagine being the parent of someone with “did you do the homework?” “My mom said yes!” “I really hate P.E” because you know it will happen young. You know you can’t protect them.

    People with horrifying ones like “don’t close your eyes!” “I don’t think we’re alone” “Didn’t you lock the door?” because they’ll be there when something horrible happens and there’s no way to prepare for that.

    Imagine what your OTP’s wrists might say.

SOULMATES? - Chelsey

    To this day, I don’t believe soulmates are real. Who needs a soulmate anyway? Why we have the words there, I will never know. There is so much to be happy with and for without ever needing that silly old soulmate. The words that appear on your arm are just that. Words. I mean, really, I am 65 years old. I am married. I have 4 children and have been happily married for 46 years. If a soul mate was real, I am sure that I would have met them by now. I would have lost them already as well.
    How do I know that? Well, my dear, that would be because the words that stare at me from my wrists are “What’s your name?” I don’t go out. I have my shopping delivered. I make all my meals at home because the man I love is unable to leave the house. I need to be here for him. The children are grown and have left us. We don’t even have a nurse come in because I am still fully capable of taking care of the health of my husband and myself.
    So, I ask again. Who needs a soulmate? All my children are still happy, even with having lost the one that they ‘were supposed to be with’ or for that matter thinking that maybe on a shared deathbed, the words will match the one they love. Poppycock if you ask me. Let them have the dream, I guess. If nothing else, it makes them happy to think about it. I don’t foresee meeting anyone new except the mortician and I hope I don’t meet him for many years to come.
    As I stir my coffee and stare out the kitchen window, the memories of a time when things were simple flood my brain. A time when I worried that I would not find love. A time when everyone who asked my name made my heart jump and sink in the same small moment. I finally just wore down. I decided that the world wouldn’t stop because of the writing on my wrist so why should I? I have lived that way since. Now the words mean nothing. Nothing more than the ticking of a clock, or the beating of a bird’s wing. It just is.
    The days were warm back then. Back when I was young, time was endless, and the cares were the farthest thing from my mind. That is when I met Him. Oh, he was perfect. At least to me. But you know how old coots can’t remember every detail and everything is seen through rose-colored glasses. Oh, but to me he was handsome. His bright blue eyes that could look straight to your soul and hold you captive. His laughter was infectious, deep, and rumbling, but soothing like the comfort of a warm blanket. When I thought of him, I could only smile like a dim-witted child. His strong arms wrapped around me while he held me. His soft lips, ever so gentle as we kissed in the moonlight in the dissipating heat of a summer night. Knowing that my family didn’t fully approve of him only made the days we were together all the better.
    Those days slowly changed. Oh, they didn’t leave me, nor did he. But kisses stole in passing changed to goodnight make-out sessions. Simple laughter became inside jokes. His arms around me stayed through the night, not just for a kiss or hug. Soon, his arms twirled me around the floor as I wore a white gown and my daddy cried. His kiss was gentle and meant forever. My family may not have fully learned to love him, but they didn’t outright hate him anymore either. He became my world. It didn’t take him long to expand my world either. Soon our arms filled and so did our hearts. Together we raised our 4 children. Who now were grown and getting on their way to giving us grandchildren!
    Oh, those days passed by so quickly. Now those blue eyes are closed a lot more than they used to be. But they still shine like the stars when he smiles. His laugh isn’t as deep. His breath doesn’t come as easily as it used to. It is still nice to get him to chuckle at our inside jokes. His arms grow weak with age, but he still wraps me in them every night, even when I come to bed long after he has. His lips still pucker to kiss me every time I walk by, and I will gladly lean over and match his lips with mine. Oh, what a life we have lived. Who needs to fill their life with worry over finding a soulmate when you can love the one you are with as if the world revolves around them? I think I prefer my love to your soulmate.
    Lost in thought, I almost miss the sound of shuffling feet behind me as my love makes his way into the kitchen.
    “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” I yell as I notice that not only is he up out of his chair without help, but he is without his walker or any walking assistance, which is dangerous with the tile floor of the kitchen. “Let me get you a chair. Don’t move! Stay still!” I say, frantic because I don’t want to see him hurt in any way. As I turn to grab the chair, I hear it. A sickening, heavy, uncontrolled, thud.
    “NO!” I cry out as I run to him and start to assess the pain he might be in as well as see if he is awake and aware, grabbing my cell phone out of my back pocket as I drop to my knees beside him. “Open your eyes love. Open your eyes for me! Please!” I beg. As his heavy eyelids creep open to look up at me, and the tears pool in my eyes, I see his soft lips part as if to speak.
    “Wow.” He starts to speak. His breath barely coming across his lips. “You are beautiful.” He whispers as I watch the light in his eye begin to dim. “Tell me…… What’s your name?”

Two of a kind - Erma

 

Two of a kind - By Erma

            ¨WHY WON’T IT GO AWAY?¨ I yell

            ¨I’m sorry¨ mumbles my mother

 My name is  Fiona Hood, I am 20 years old and live in a small apartment. My mom lives in the apartment right next to me because I was diagnosed with Convutus Verli when I was only a year old. Convutus Verli is a rare brain condition that makes me think there is a 6 feet tall African penguin following me everywhere I go. I know, It’s weird. It is also genetic. My whole family has it but it’s a different animal for each of us. My mom, Morgan Hood, has a lion but the twist is that it is only 6 inches tall. Also, we can all see each other’s animals

¨It’s not your fault¨ I say and walk back to my apartment. I open my cupboard, but all my food is gone except for 2 boxes of macaroni and cheese. *I guess I need to go shopping* I think to myself. I grab my neon pink hoodie that has my family crest embroidered in the top left and a huge set of white wings covering the back. And slip on my jeans that actually fit instead of the pajama pants I was wearing, and head out to the store. Leaving my penguin at my apartment

As I’m walking around, I get sweaty so I take off my hoodie to reveal my sky blue tank top. I finished my shopping and head up to the checkout.

“Did you find everything ok?” the cashier asked.

“Yes, but I wasn’t sure what all I was coming in for” I responded.

“Do you only go shopping on Thursdays?” he asks.

“Y-..yes actually it’s kinda a habit of mine” I stutter.

“Well, you always seem to pick my register” he proclaims.

“Register number 3… 3 is my lucky number”

“It must be. Hey, do you maybe wanna go out to dinner sometime?” he suggests.

“Yes, that would be nice” I respond

            “Ok here’s my number¨ he says as I hand him my phone.

            ¨Ok thank you, and um…see you Saturday?¨ I ask

            ¨Sounds good to me¨

            Its Saturday and I show up at the restaurant only to find Flynn waiting outside for me. His eyes grew wide for a second when I showed up which didn’t make sense to me because we were both dressed comfy (I was wearing my pink hoodie and my favorite shinny jeans and my long jet black hair tied up into a  high ponytail. He was wearing a plain black hoodie that made his crystal blue eyes stand out and loose but not too loose jeans with his jet black hair that is the same color as mine slightly flopped to one side) His eyes soon returned back to normal and he leads me into the restaurant. We sit down and the waiter gets our drink order. Once the waiter walked away Flynn asked me

            ¨So… if you don't mind me asking… What’s up with the penguin?¨ My eyes grow wide and I turn around to see my penguin behind me.

            ¨You….You can see him?¨ I question in shock.

            ¨Yes…I actually have one of my own if you want to come back to my apartment after this?¨ Flynn replied.

            ¨YES I WOULD LOVE TOO” I said in a whispered yell

            We finish our meal and head back to his apartment which happens to be right next to mine. We walk in and I see another six-foot tall penguin standing in the living room.

            ¨We should go meet my mom¨ I said and started towards the door

            ¨Ok¨ He says and follows me out.

¨He can see my penguin and he has a penguin. The only time two people have had the same animal is when they were twins. So mom, what the HECK is going on here?¨ I practically yelled.

¨When me and your father separated, he took your brother and I, took you¨ mother spoke sheepishly.

¨So she is my sister?¨ questioned Flynn.

¨And he is my brother?¨ I quickly added.

¨Yes, I’m sorry I never told you that you had a twin brother¨ mother replied with a deep sadness in her voice.

Just then a strange man walked in.

            ¨Hi Morgan¨ He stated as he smiled at my mother.

            ¨Hello Shawn¨ She replied with a half-grin on her face.

            ¨Hi dad¨ said Flynn.

            ¨What the HECK is going on here?¨ I questioned loudly.

            As all eyes turned to me, my mother said, ¨Fiona, meet your father¨

Families are a pain - Erma

Families are a pain - By Erma

          Families are a pain, even if you’re the chosen one. My mother says that after that last stunt she will ground me if I bring home Felix again because I am only to love Trisha. I was chosen to lead this family with her by my side, but women are just not as good as men. My father said I am stupid forever loving someone as ugly as Felix because Trisha is the most beautiful girl on the planet, but I disagree Felix is the greatest man to ever live. I walk downstairs to find my mother and Trisha waiting for me.

“Oh, there you are garret.”

“Yes hello mother, hello Trisha.”

“Why do you sound so sad my love?”

“Never mind that, I’m headed out for the day.”

“Ok goodbye, dear.” I leave my house and walk the 6 blocks into town to find Felix waiting for me at our usual meeting place.

“Let’s go to your house this time.”

“Ok, but might I ask why?”

“Because mother has found out about us and is not happy with me for I am supposed to marry a woman.”

“Ok, let’s get going then my love.”

We then finish the walk out of the town and through the forest where we run into his mother along the way. She greets me as her own son because his parents are so much more supportive as he is not held to the ridiculous standards I am. I would rather give the leadership of the family to one of my two brothers because I am out of a set of triplets…. wait maybe I can! What if I ask one of my brothers to take over and I can go be happy…? I will have to talk to Trish and my parents along with Ranger and Derek because I will have to decide who I want to give this position to.

As we are walking Felix asked me what’s wrong so I told him everything and he starts jumping with joy because we will get to spend our lives together as we want to. After talking with his dad for about 2 hours I finally decide it’s time to head home. As I walk in my family is all joined for dinner. *perfect time to tell them* I head up to my room to get changed and hear faint footsteps following me so I turn around and there is Derek. “Can I help you?”

“Yes actually,” Derek stated, In a matter-of-fact way.

“What is it, Derek?” Garret asked.

“How are you and Trish doing?” Derek questioned.

“I will answer that at the dinner table tonight as I am sure mother will ask” Garret answered in a way that left everything open-ended.

“ok bro whatever you say” Derek resigned.

I finish getting dressed and head back downstairs only to find my family all waiting on me.

“Finally, now we may eat,” Ranger says with as much attitude as possible

“Yes, we may,” I say as I sit down in my chair.

Everyone starts eating and I figured now is as good a time as any. “mother, father, brothers, I have something important to say so please listen.”

“What is it, my love?” Trish says from the seat next to me.

“I would like to say that I would not like to lead this family and would love to pass it onto Derek or ranger”

“If you are not going to dedicate all of your time and energy into this family then I don't see a problem with it,” says, dad. Mom is in shock and stands up so she is looking me dead in the eyes.

“You are telling me that you don't want this?”

“Yes, mother. I am!”

“Then I stand by what your father said. But the question is which one of them are you giving this responsibility to?”

“I think you should give it to Derek,” said Trish. Derek shot Trish a look that almost said ‘shut up’

“You realize that would mean you marrying Derek, though right?” mother asked Trish

“Yes, and that is ok with me” Trish responded

“Derek do you agree to this?” mother asked very politely as ranger sat across from Derek and chuckled

“Yes mother” replied Derek and Ranger burst out laughing

“WHAT IS SO FUNNY?” mother shouted at Ranger

“They have been sleeping together for 2 months now!” replied Ranger

“Mother I can explain” Derek pleaded

“There is no need it is better that you two actually picked to be together instead of forced into it right dear?” dad spoke with a tone that said ‘agree or we are gonna have problems’

“That is right my love and I am so glad that all of my sons shall be happy.”

“What about me mother? Will I get to be happy?” my 6-year-old sister Lilly said.

“Yes, my dear someday you shall be happy too.” mother said through everyone's giggles.

 

Families are a pain - Chelsey

Families are a pain - Chelsey

Families are a pain, even if you are the chosen one. My mother says that after that last stunt, she will ground me if I ever bring up the prophecy again. People always think the chosen one is a GOOD thing, but they don’t know how to handle it when the chosen one has a path that is the destruction of the town.  Ground me? Like there was anything she could take away from me! I was already locked up tighter than the town bank!

Why are there still prophecies anyway? I mean, except for myself, the most that has been said about anyone at their birth has been that they would be a good shop owner or a good teacher. It doesn’t make sense to ask the oracle for reading at each birth. Had they given up this stupid tradition no one would know anything. We could be free to make our choices.

I feel I should be allowed SOME freedom if I kept my mouth shut but I am not even allowed that. I was born and the oracle died right after my prediction so only mother and father heard it. Mysterious, right? More like murder that can’t be proven.  When asked what the prediction was, I am supposed to say that I will be a wonderful mother. HA! I would have to know what one of those was before I could be one! My mother is hardly someone to admire. She keeps me on a short leash as one would say. I get to go to school, but I must not stay late, I can not go outside to be with the other young, and Gods take my soul if I am caught talking to a boy. It is too dangerous.

I guess it would be in her eyes. I mean, if a messenger from the Gods told you that your daughter’s first love would cause a blinding light that would destroy everything and everyone you love. Things like that will make you try to keep her from making friends. However, it doesn’t give her the right to keep me locked in this house the rest of the day. I only see my room and the kitchen. I am no better than the scullery maids that I hear about. Not that we could ever have one, that would mean someone else in the house that could put ideas in my head.

She is wrong though. The stories and ideas are there. I read the stories. I read the poems. I have heard of Cinder, Punzel, and Snow. All of them were treated badly and the prince of their dreams still came to find them. I don’t know how the prophecy will happen, and I don’t think magic is real, but heck…. I am supposed to ‘Glow and rise into the air, taking our souls to the highest’ someday. I don’t think anyone could do that. The only ‘magic’ around here is Charlie with that stupid trick of removing his thumb that he showed us at school on Tuesday.

I know with the situation that I am in, mother will never let a prince come find me. With the idiots that are around here, I may have to jump the fence and save him! They are all idiots.

Wait…. Jump the fence and go find my prince? Could it be that easy? Have I been this stupid all along? I mean, mother and father have a very strict time for bed, so I know when it would be best to leave and not get caught. The fence isn’t that high. The road can’t be that long to the next town as father travels back and forth each day. Is getting away and finding myself something that is real? Can I dream that far? I don’t know, but I do know that I have to try. Staying here will only kill me.

However, will it kill those around me if I do fall in love? Is it all worth it for me to be free? Wouldn’t it be better for the world for me to stay hidden away? I am nothing special. Nothing worth fighting for. Nothing worth even looking at if I were to be honest. I just…. I know there has to be more than this house and my tiny room!

The only thing special about the girls I have read about was their looks. Cinder was beautiful even with the ash. Snow was prettier than any girl in the land even in her torn and worn robes. At least they had that. What did I have? Straight brown hair. Brown eyes. And some chub around all the places I didn’t want it. It was nothing to look at to myself.

“Nothing to look at? Then you are looking in the wrong mirror” a voice rang in my ears.

Screaming like there was no tomorrow. (cause I wasn’t sure there was) I dove behind the bed and grabbed the biggest book I owned. If nothing else the voice would get one heck of a bonk on the head! How did someone get in here? Mother will NEVER allow it! I am gonna be killed if not by whoever has made it into my room, but by my parents because this is NOT something that they will ever want to happen!

I slowly lifted my head over the edge of the bed, book at the ready like I had some kind of strength. I looked around the room, but the only things I could see, were there before. There was no one there. Not a soul.

“Ummm…. Hello?” I asked. Barely a whisper above the cover of my bed.

“It’s alright dear, I’ve no plans to hurt you.” Came the voice again. This time, more clearly, and seeming to come from the corner of the room. Which, could not be as the only thing there is…. My mirror? No. There is no way that a mirror could be talking to me. I am not going crazy and I am no evil queen.

“Are you…. In the mirror?” As I walked across the room, looking around the mirror as much as possible, not knowing what I would find, a face started to form. One that seemed familiar, but I was sure I had never seen it before. His wispy hair fell across his forehead in an unfelt breeze. His eyes held mine unwaveringly. The blue color caught me off-guard as it brought back memories of summertime skies. He wasn’t super tall, but he did seem taller than me. His smile was sweet and playful as I looked upon him through the glass. He wasn’t muscle-bound, but he looked far from weak. His build shows that while he enjoyed some comforts in life, he wasn’t afraid of a day’s work. His nose was straight and true, unbroken, unlike the boys at school who had been through too many schoolyard fights. It gave him a noble look. One that showed intelligence and I had to admit that even in my scared state, I could tell he was a beefcake.

“Oh, darling. I have always been here. You have just never had the will to be able to see me.” Said the man in the mirror. “I know what you are thinking. It is one of the things that makes this mirror special. I can hear your thoughts. To say you are nothing to look at, well, that’s a lie.”

How could I be standing here, talking to a mirror with a man inside? This isn’t real. It just can’t be…. Can it? While this is all very odd, there was a warmth to his voice, trust in his eyes, and he just made me feel like he cared, with just a few words he had spoken.

“My dear.” He began again. “Let me tell you what I see since you can’t see it for yourself. I shall start with your hair. It is not straight. It has a slight wave that reminds one of the seas on a calm day. With a color that shimmers from nutmeg to obsidian depending on the light. You have a body that would keep a man warm in the winter when he curls up around you to hold you like the delicate flower that you are. The curves would fit in all the right places like a puzzle piece that was meant to be. Soft in places where it should be and firm in the rest. You are just tall enough that a man could hold you in his arms and lay his head upon yours as you sway in the cooling breeze of summer, enjoying the oncoming night. Your eyes are marvelous to behold. So dark. One could get lost in the deep depths of your endless onyx eyes.”

As he spoke, he drew ever nearer until we stood almost touching save for the cold glass of the mirror that separated us. His words were so strong that I could almost feel his breath as he spoke. Who could this man be and why did he describe me in such a way? How long had he been watching me through the mirror? Oh, Gods…. What had he SEEN while looking through at me?

Embarrassment overtook my thoughts, and I hid my face as I spun around away from the description unlike any I had ever heard. Not only had he said these things to me, but he had SEEN me! I had undressed in this room! I slept here. I lived ninety percent of my life in this room. I had no secrets from a mystical man in the mirror who I didn’t even know his name.

“My darling, please, don’t turn away from me. I can stand it no longer. I am here to take you away. I don’t have much, but we will have love. We will be together. We wi-“

“STOP!” I cut him off. “There are some things you need to understand BUCKO. First, I don’t KNOW you. So why do you think I would just up and leave with you? Do you think I am crazy? I may want out of here but on MY terms! I am not a princess. I know that. I am not for you to whisk away like a doll! If I am going anywhere it is over the fence and off on an adventure to find ME before I blow up the world when I fall in love. I am SURE that is what you want from a wife isn’t it? Someone who will kill everyone around you?” Ok, so I may be getting worked up and rambling. The point still stands right? “I am not a prize to be won!” Oh no… I am as bad as my aunt… now I am quoting fairytale lines! I need to shut up I am sure of it.

“Fine. You don’t want to come with me. I shall come with you. Where are we going? What is the plan?” Said the man who is avoiding the name issue.

“HA! Like I would carry around a mirror while I take off. You would only be in the way. Not happening. Or can you like…. Jump in a hand mirror or something?” I was actually genuinely curious about that, how many mirrors does he visit? Am I one of a hundred girls that he watches? I don’t need a sicko like that!

“You see, I can’t go into any other mirror. When I was born, the oracle gave my parents a mirror and told them it would allow me to be with my soul mate. That I would love her from afar until the time was right and that together, we would change the world. I have only ever seen you. From the moment the mirror cleared to show me this room, there has been no other sight in it.” The man said, almost bashful. Is it possible for a mystical mirror man to get embarrassed by his confession?

“That can’t be. For I was told that when I fell in love, I would rise in the air and I would glow like the stars. The world beneath me would no longer exist. I can’t change the world by falling in love with you. I would just destroy it.” Sad that I was confessing it to someone, I broke inside. I was never to love. I couldn’t. I didn’t love my parents, but no one deserved to die just because I was lonely.

“Oh, my love. I promise, together, there will be no death. Just trust in me. Please” He knelt in the mirror and as I broke inside, I mirrored his actions. As I began to weep into my hands, I fell forward to the glass. The hard surface reminded me that life was hard and unfair. No one would comfort me in my room. The man in the glass could only be in my mind, I was sure. It was just my hopes and dreams manifesting to teach me that I was dealt the crud hand in life that meant that I would grow old alone and stuck in my room. There was no other choice.

“We will find a way” He whispered. His voice gave comfort that his arms could not.

“No, I am not worth that. I am nothing but a problem. This is as it should be. I will keep everyone safe by staying where I am. Just……. Don’t leave me yet. Stay here. I just…. I need to hear a voice.” I was so lost in my tears that the words just spilled forward like a fountain. Nothing would stop them, I was sure.

Warmth. There was warmth on my shoulder. There was weight there as well. Shocked, I spun only to find the mirror man now kneeling beside me, his hand on my shoulder. Tears brimming in his eyes. His hand was placed softly as to give me comfort without pushing any boundary that may still be in place.

“How…… How did you?” I was lost. How did he get out of the mirror? How was he here? Where was the book? I may still need to defend myself! Shoot! Now mother and father really will kill me! As my mind raced faster than even I could keep up with, he leaned forward until we were nose to nose.

“Love will bring us together. If you will have me, we will be together forever, at your pace. This whole thing is in your hands. Your choice. My love is yours to take.” His voice slid over my ears like velvet. So sweet and soft. I had never felt so much pure joy as when he spoke.

“I don’t even know your name,” I said. For the first time voicing that I actually had no clue as to who this was nose to nose with me, staring straight into my soul and capturing my heart. “Please, I need to know.”

“Is it that important that you know my name? Maybe we could make it a guessing game and see how long it takes you to figure it out!” He said with a grin and a sly wink. Oh, great. He had a ‘silly’ side. How could he switch from being so sweet to absolutely annoyingly silly like he flipped a switch? I giggled despite myself. “Good. You do remember how to laugh. I love that sound.”

Despite everything. The threat of death for love. The threat of death if my parents found him here. The threat of being labeled a hussy for having a man in my room and not even knowing his name…. I tipped my head forward and our lips matched up. A warmth grew around us as we kissed. I don’t know if it is supposed to feel that way when you kiss, but I like it. As his had wrapped around and settled in the hollow of my back, I let myself have this one enjoyment. This one kiss. This one moment. This warmth. This….. glowing.

Wait…. Glowing? The light was growing bright and it made me pull away from my mirror man. He smiled at me and we locked eyes. “What…. What is happening?” I began to feel frantic. “We are gonna die! I need to run, let me go!” As I yelled to him, his smile only grew. “Let me go! Are you evil? I don’t want to kill these people you have to let me go! I don’t want you or anyone else to die! Please!” As I pushed him away, his grip only got tighter.

“My dear,” He laughed as he spoke, “You will kill no one. We are soul mates. However, I can not stay here on Earth. We must go to Mount Olympus, for that is where the Gods live, even us minor ones. You must change to go there. Your light that has been hidden away for too long must break free. The light will be bright, and the light will scare those around, but all will be safe and live to see another day. Join me, my Goddess. Please.”

Families are a Pain - Kelly

Families are a pain - Kelly

Families are a pain, even when you’re the Chosen One. My mother says that after the last stunt, she’ll ground me if I leave the state again. I couldn’t help it I had to go to California. I had to save Aiden from the Magic Guard. They were going to kill him for knowing too much. It’s my fault that he knows. It's not easy Being the Chosen One, I’m like freaking Harry Potter. Except Lord Voldemort didn’t try to kill me or my parents, Oh and I’m real. The books have it all wrong. That’s because they were written by a lady who has no clue what really happens in the magic world. I don’t get to go to a magic school or compete in a tournament of the best witches and wizards.

We have lots of rules that are enforced by the Magic Guard, like the number one rule: non-magic people CAN NOT know about magic. Kinda like Fight Club… you don’t talk about Fight Club; you don’t tell anyone your magic. That’s exactly what I did I broke the Number One rule. I talked about Fight Club, I almost got Aiden killed. That’s why I had to go save him, it’s my fault they took him.

Okay, let’s start at the beginning Aiden has been my best friend since the 5th grade. His brother Eithan pushed me down while we were at recess. Aiden came over and helped me up and apologized for what his brother did. We have been friends ever since.

When I turned 16, I started to get my magic. My mom knew that I would be magic because she was when she was younger. She gave up her magic to marry my dad. That’s the only way you can marry a non-magic (rule number one). This whole-time dad had no clue magic was real, it was a bit of a surprise for him when I got my magic. Apparently, there are small exceptions to rule Number One, parents can know, but not best friends.

I was being really careful; I wouldn’t use my magic around Aiden. I honestly didn’t use it that much anyway. They really took the fun out of it with rule Number Two: No using magic to Hurt, Mame, or Kill. and rule Number Three: no making money randomly appear. Other than that, you are really kinda free to do whatever.

One day I had a really bad day at school and my parents weren’t home, so I was using my magic Mitildia style making my snack with stuff flying around the room. That’s when Aiden walked in and caught me with all sorts of food levitating in the air, so I had to tell him. He was surprisingly chill about the whole thing. I thought that no harm was done. The Guard didn’t have to know that he knew. Boy was I wrong. I should have known that the Guard knew, They knew everything.

A few days after Aiden had found out we were sitting in my room doing homework, when three people in long dark cloaks appeared. They grabbed Aiden and handed me a scroll and disappeared just as quickly as they had shown up.

I opened the scroll and read it.

Kasey O’Brien

You have broken the number one rule, you have till 12 A.M. on Saturday to be in Oakville, California to defend your case. Failure to do so will result in the death of Aiden Steiner and your magic will be revoked.

I threw the scroll down and ran around my room throwing a bunch of clothes and other things in my bag as quickly as I could. I ran down the stairs and stopped just long enough to write a note to my parents.

MOM & DAD

Ran to California to save Aiden from the Guard.

I’ll be home by Monday, Maybe.

Love Kasey

They were going to be pissed but I had no choice I had to save Aiden. I grabbed my keys and ran out the door. It’s a good thing I filled my gas tank last night. I jumped into my Jeep and took off towards California it was a 28-hour drive straight through from my small town in Iowa. leaving now meant I would have 5 hours to spare but that was if nothing went wrong, and I didn’t have to stop for gas but that all was very unlikely.

I pulled into Oakville and got out of my car it was 10:45 pm I had plenty of time to find where the Guard was keeping Aiden. I walked up to a bar; it had a symbol on the door that I recognized. The symbol was three triangles interlocked It was for the Guard. I opened the door and took a step in when this big gust of wind blew the door shut and standing before me were the three guards and Aiden who looked like he just lost a fight.

“State your name to the council.” as I turned around, I saw 12 more people in black robes and one of which was wearing a fancy hat, I’m guessing he’s the judge.

“Kasey O’Brian” I looked back over at Aiden; he really did not look good.

“Kasey, you have broken the most important rule we have. Do you have anything to say?”

“Yes, I have thought long and hard on my drive here. I made a mistake letting Aiden know our secret. The only way I feel that this situation can be fixed is if we do a memory eraser spell on Aiden. I must make him forget about magic, but also forget me. That’s what would be safe for all.” I looked back at Aiden again he looked like someone had punched him in the gut. It was the safest way to get him out of here. Aiden is my best friend, he’s more than that I think I love him. If I want him to beagle to live the rest of his life he needs to forget.

“That sounds like a great plan, we will give you 15 minutes to say your goodbyes then he will be taken to get his memory erased and you’ll be free to go. After this, you will not be allowed to see him or talk to him ever again.” Suddenly everyone disappeared leaving just me and Aiden.

“Why would you say such a crazy thing! I don’t want to forget you! I need you! I love you!” Aiden grabbed my face with his hands.

“You love me?”

“Yes!” He started to lean in towards me. “Do you love me?”

“Yes!” I leaned in and our lips met in the middle. I had dreamed of this for so long who knew it took the threat of death for him to kiss me. All of a sudden, I could no longer feel his lips on mine. I thought he pulled away, but he was gone. The judge was standing in front of me.

“You’re free to go now, Miss. Kasey.”

Objection!

 Objection is a short story, written by Erma and edited by Chelsey. Enjoy!

As I run for the church all I can think is, I knew he was jealous, but not THAT jealous! Jasper has always snuck around and watched all the dates Jane and I have had. Every time we have met, he was hiding somewhere. It got annoying really fast; however, I have not said anything because he does not do anything. So, no harm no foul. Or so I thought.

As the door came into sight, all I can speculate now is that the wedding of the love of my life, Jane, lies on the other side of it. The problem is that my identical twin brother Jasper, stands at the front, pretending to be me

“I OBJECT!” I yell at the top of my lungs as I swing the door open. I realize as I open my eyes I am standing not surrounded by happy faces and lace…. But by black and tears at a funeral. As I am standing there, taking in my unexpected surroundings; staring at the casket that I thought would be my bride, the lid slowly starts to move. Nobody seems to realize because they are all staring at me. Suddenly the lid clatters to the ground and the man inside sits up, seemingly in perfect health!

“Hey, y’all! Did you miss me?” he said as he sat up, seemingly not surprised that he was rising out of his place of eternal rest.

“Jaxon!” yelled a little girl in a brown hat

I ran out of the door. “I can’t worry about this right now! I need to stop my fiancé from marrying my identical twin brother!”

Then again, I just brought someone back from the dead!

I run down the grand church hall to the larger main sanctuary and find the wedding. I yell “I object” again, (hopeful that I am correct this time) and everyone turns around to look at me. To which Jane yells,

“Jasper, what are you doing here? and why the HECK would you object?”

“BECAUSE I’M NOT JASPER, I’M JASEN AND THAT'S JASPER!!!” I continued to yell as I pointed to Jasper.

“Prove it” Jane challenged. I walked up to the church’s front. Jasper stood in one pulpit and I stood in the other. Jane stood in the aisle so she could see both of us.

“Since you are the one blamed for fraud,” she pointed at Jasper, “you will answer first on all these questions. Now, what type of flower was the first one you gave me?”

“Easy, a red rose”

“Actually, it was a single tiger lily,” I said with intense confidence.

“Correct” Jane said with confusion. “It was a tiger lily. Ok, where did you take me for our first date?”

“We went to Texas Roadhouse and then went mall shopping!”

At that moment Jane knew what a fraud he was but I gave her a look that meant to play along.

“How did you know that?” I asked Jasper

“How would I NOT know where I took my fiancé on our first date,” he said with such certainty in himself, it was funny.

“Well, I hope you know you’re wrong” I cackled

I still swear to this day that Jane's eyes got as big as dinner plates and her smile reached from ear to ear.

“Um, no, I’m not, Jasper.” This imposter of a brother snapped, with as much sass as possible.

“What you don't know is that we went on one before that! We went to five below and then to famous footwear and I bought Jane heels that sparkled everywhere she walked. She promised that in honor of our first date, she would wear them on our wedding day if they still fit her!” When I finished that sentence, Jane lifted her dress to reveal the shoe and I just stood in the pulpit grinning in silence.

“Oh my gosh, you are Jasper!” Jane yelled at him. she ran up, told him to get out of the church before she made him get out, and then followed him all the way out the door.

She came back and I came down to stand beside her.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you.” Jane apologized as she embraced me in a hug.

“It’s ok,” I whispered in her ear.

We went on with the wedding as planned. After the wedding was over, as we were on the way to her mothers’ house to finally relax, (it was 9-o-clock at night before we even made it to the car) I let Jane in on the secret of how to tell the difference between me and Jasper.

“Jasper has a dimple in his ear, and I don't,” I informed her.

“I had never noticed that!” Jane said with curiosity. Then I suddenly remembered the guy in the casket.

“Jane,” I said in a worried voice.

“Yes?” she asked turning her head towards me so she could see me more clearly in the dark car.

“I wanted to tell you something that happened just before I showed up at the wedding.”

“Anything. What’s up?” Jane questioned as she put her hand on my shoulder.

              “This is going to sound stupid, but you got to believe me ok?”

              “Ok,” Jane said sheepishly.

              I was about to tell her about the dead guy when my phone rang with a number I did not recognize.

“Well, answer it.” Jane half yelled at me.

“Hello?” I said as I answered the phone.

“Hey bro” an uncomfortable voice answered.

“JASPER?” I asked in a louder tone than I normally use.

“Yes, I wanted to know if-”

“What gave you the audacity to call and talk to me? And WHY did you change your number?” I yelled.

“Calm down Jasen.” He sounded like he was going to start crying.

“Fine. what do you want?” I said dropping my voice back down to a normal tone again.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry for trying to steal Jane, but things did not go the way I wanted them to.” he had dropped to almost a whisper.

“How did you want it to go?” I asked even though I knew that all he wanted was to get away with it.

“Meet me back at the church at 9-o-clock in the morning and I will tell you,” he said and then hung up.

“What was that about?” Jane asked.

“We have to be back at the church at 9 in the morning to meet with Jasper,” I said, shocked I had said it.

“Ok…” she said, more as a question than a statement.

“I don’t know,” I answered.

After supper at her mom’s house, we headed back home to the house we had lived in for a whole year before deciding we could get married.

Neither Jane nor I could sleep so I told her everything Jasper had told me. Which, to be honest, was not all that much.

“Um….... ok then?” Jane said as she lay there.

“There is something else you need to know,” I told her about the guy that sat up in the casket. Jane was quick to comfort me and told me to worry about it in the morning.

The next morning, we left the house at 8 to get to the church by 8:50. We get out of the car and slowly walk up to the door, not knowing what to expect when we pass through the doors.

“Jasper?” Jane says as we enter the sanctuary where our decorations still hang from the joy of the day before.

“You're early,” Jasper says from the front of the room, not even turning to look to see who entered through the heavy doors.

“So, Jasper.” I stumbled to find the words I wanted to say.

“The reason you called us here,” Jane said as a statement more than a question.

Turning toward us, but not raising his eyes, Jasper spoke. “Fine. the reason I have been following the two of you is that I was trying to convince myself that-” Jasper froze in his spot looking at his feet.

“Convince yourself what?” Jane said with intense sympathy behind her voice such as someone would talk to an injured cat.

Jasper mumbled something under his breath.

“What?” I asked, afraid of the answer.

“That I-” Jasper sputtered “wasn’t-” Jasper rubbed his hands together and covered his face to better block us from his sight as he struggled to speak.

“PLEASE JUST SPIT IT OUT JASPER!!!” I was finally fed up with him sputtering.

“I WANTED TO CONVINCE MYSELF I WASN’T GAY OK!!!!” Jasper screeched and closed his eyes, spinning back around, away from us.

Jane and I stood there trying to take in what we just found out.

“You know you could have just told us, right? We would have supported you.” Jane stated.

“Wait, but you guys go to church. So isn't that against your beliefs?” Jasper whispers. Slowly he turned his head to look at me out of the corner of his eye.

“That might be against some church's beliefs but not my personal belief! You’re my brother and I will support you no matter what!” I knew that those words were some of the truest I had spoken outside of my wedding vows. I quickly walked up to him and spun him around to face both me and my wife fully.

“Bro….. Thank you.” The words were no more than spoken as the invisible weight lifted from his shoulders and lifted the corners of his lips.

“Now,” Jane pauses for a minute, “About the not-so-dead-guy,”

              “The… What?” Jasper gasped, the smile quickly fading.

I explained the whole thing to him, and he stood in shock

              “Oh my gosh!” Jasper stated as the world began to fall back into place for him….. and me.