Earth

Earth

S.N. My name is Trinity Understanding and I live in a community in the Western Lands. My family is considered of higher class, since my mother is in charge of the community. Our community, the Peaceglory settlement, is located by the Bright Forest. I love where I live, but I've always been curious about the other Lands. Right now the year is 1973 and the Peaceglory community's major goal is to keep calm throughout the West. I haven't ever traveled outside of the Bright Forest because there are many dangers outside that peace and calm cannot protect me from. I'm scared because my brother, Byron, fell into the Darkest Abyss and we never saw him again. The security in Peaceglory tightened and now nobody can leave. But for some reason, lately, I've been having the urge to travel beyond the fences of Peaceglory. All of the Peaceglories worship Phase, the goddess of childbirth and travelers. We fear her powers but praise them, too. I am on my way to the Harvest Festival now with Anais Magnolia, my best friend, and Carolina Heart, my Pegasus. Carolina Heart was given to me by my mother for my fifteenth birthday. At first, Carolina didn't fare well with me (I have hoof marks still on my thighs to prove it) but now we have an inseparable bond. Carolina decides to take me and Anais to the festival by flight. Anais pats her head and I throw Carolina a fish, and we fly to the festival. The festival is important because it is a time to worship Phase, presenting her with fruits and vegetables alike, so the year will come with many healthy childbirths and the travelers will be sent off well. Anais and her other friend, Ethan play their ukuleles while food is served outside. I'm very relaxed. When I am relaxed, my blue eyes turn green. It runs in the family I guess, our eyes change color to emotion.I notice something odd. Something that makes my heart beat faster. The door attached to the boundary fence is open. I look to Anais and she notices it too. It isn't long before I'm silently leading Carolina and Anais towards the open door, when I'm faced with an improbable choice. I want to see new Lands, but what about the danger outside? My decision is made when I take Carolina and Anais and step outside the community boundary.....(SN1)*

**CM1**

**My name is Dakota Rain. I'm a lower class citizen and it is a struggle for me every day to survive in this "free world". My family doesn’t have much money so I grow my own vegetables. The only thing that costs a lot is my tie dye Volkswagen van.**

**I live in the eastern lands. The eastern lands are also called Sparkly Pond. There are a lot of mean people here. I get harassed daily. But I am big and strong enough to fight for myself. I hope one day I don’t get hurt. My unicorn Free Rainbow helps me a lot. He is white with a rainbow horn. I love him a lot. He also attacks just ANYBODY he doesn’t like... it’s kind of an issue...**

**I hope my sister wakes up soon. She sleeps for days straight. Ever since Free Rainbow attacked her she hasn’t been the same. I cannot let him go though. He's the only friend I have... He broke her arm and cracked her head open. Everybody in our Sparkly Pond hates me know. It’s awful to be me.**

**My parents left us when we were little. I do not remember them and I have no idea who they are. I don’t even know what they look like! Maybe they look like me? Light skin with dark black shaggy hair and green eyes? Or maybe my sister, Lightening Sky. Red hair and brown eyes... whatever they look like I’ve been told they are beautiful.**

**My goal is to find my parents. Maybe they left to go to the western land? Maybe they've gone somewhere else? Wherever they are I really hope they're okay... Maybe they meant to leave me. If I find them and that’s the case I’ll be upset... but I really hope I’m not left disappointed... (CM1)***

**CM2**

**Today I woke up in my Volkswagen to Free Rainbow banging his head on the window. His head even dented the side of the van. I hope his head's okay! All I eat these days are vegetables... rough... right? I've gotten used to it. People keep telling me to eat my unicorn, but I was like, uh no. I hope to be a vegetarian for the rest of my life. Killing animals for food just isn't my thing. I wish I could have fruit though... only the rich people have fruit. I'm jealous. Hopefully if I find my parents I'll be rich... Or maybe I'll marry a rich boy?**

**While I was at my garden I found this creepy old man hiding in my tomatoes. He told me where my parents are, or at least gave me clues. He told me once I was in the western lands I would find my way... but what does that mean? And why was he in my garden? Who was he? I decided that it wasn't worth it and I ate that tomato he left on the ground. He took a huge bite out of it & it was molding but who cares? You can't waste food... especially mine.**

**Anyways... I rode Free Rainbow around today... Something's up with him! I don't know what. He's trying to buck me off! I feel so sad. I hope the old man was right. I mean, who would take time out of their day to do that if it isn't even true? Maybe I should call Lightening Sky? She would FREAK out. She is 14 and I am 21. With such an age difference I'm like the mom she’s never had.**

**I hope one day she can have the mom that she deserves. I hope I can find them! If I don't I will be mad. **

** Free Rainbow ** **wants his spinach right now. He’s throwing a fit! All my unicorn eats is spinach these days. I wish that I could feed him some fruit. I feel so bad that he is like this. He's tough but he is skinny. He doesn't seem to mind though. I doubt he would ever want to go with anybody else. He's mean to so many people and I don’t want them to hurt him in any way. He's so beautiful that people want to buy him from me, but I always say no. H e’s too valuable!**

**Tomorrow I am going to the western lands to find my parents! I hope my sister doesn't know. Or maybe I should tell her? I don’t know what to do! I don’t think that she would want to come with me... or maybe she would? She kind of holds a grudge against my parents... (CM2)***

**CM3** **Today I am finding my parents, but I am afraid to go through Sparkly Pond. There are so many odd-balls there and the old man kind of scared me. I hope that I can make it through the town without any trouble.**

**As I am going through Sparkly pond, Free Rainbow accidentally steps on a small bearded man, I apologize and we gallop away as fast as he can go! There is a strange thing about my unicorn though... whenever he hurts someone or does something he thinks is funny, he laughs in his own special way!**

**I heard that the forests are dangerous in the Western lands! I heard that it is called "Peaceglory"! I am so scared to find out what is there. I know my unicorn can put up a fight... but can I? That's a really scary thing for me to think about. If I die... who's going to take care of Free Rainbow? Who's going to take care of my younger sister? She says she can take care of herself, but sometimes I don't believe her! Lightening Sky is SO stubborn sometimes! But you've just got to love her!**

**Early in the morning I go to wake my sister up. We both sleep in our van at night so it's hard not to wake her. She grunts a little and then opens one eye.** **"Dakota it's so early! What is your problem?!"** **I forgot to add that she is a little bit grumpy in the mornings. I tell her that we are both going to find our parents today! I also tell her about the old creeper man in my tomato garden! She like FREAKED out!** **She says "Dakota, what is your issue? You can't just talk to everybody you meet!!** **Whatever... you can't please everyone! I hope that she will agree to go with me on her Unicorn though! Her name is Tie-die! She is pink with a gold tail! She loves Free Rainbow though. I hope they have a cute unicorn baby! If she knows that, then maybe she will agree to join me! I just want to see my parents but I don't think my sister does... (CM3)***

SN2 What was I thinking? I'm not a traveler. Carolina Heart is way too scared to fly out of the forest, so instead, we walk. I've never been outside the Western Peaceglory boundary. Suddenly I realize how hungry I am, and that we have no food. "I don't know what in the name of pandas and peace signs you were thinking, Trin. You don't even know how to drive a car." Anais Magnolia says to me. "Oh, shut up, Mags." "Don't call me that or I won't come with you."

I take into account though, that there is no turning back and we need someplace to go. I have to find the Darkest Abyss to find Byron, and the Abyss is in the East. We keep walking to the edge of the forest, where the sage and rose brushes have stopped growing and instead, are surrounded by man-plants. That's what Mother called them, since they were not planted by the plant Goddess, Infinity, but rather planted by farmers and men. I feel Anais tense up before she whispers to me, "Look, Trinity! Man-plants, and lots of them!"

Anais and I are so hungry that without a second thought, we violently attack the man-plants and the juicy red fruit hanging from the branches. Carolina finds a pond and eats the carp fish out so none remains. We feel nice and refreshed until suddenly a boy wearing denim pants and a odd shirt-cloth steps from behind the farmhouse. My group is so startled that even Carolina tries to buck the backpacks off of her saddle. He's nothing like the boys on the Settlement, his hair is cropped short and he wears shoes with laces, not flip flops. "And just what do you think you chicks are doing in my papa's harvest?" He asks, picking something from his teeth.

Anais begs to turn around and go home, but the boy, Gabe, won't budge. "I know where ya'll came from. You're those hippies down in that Sunshine Forest or whatever they call it. You're both Peaceglories. What are hipsters like you doing here?" I feel panic spread throughout my entire body and my eye color changes to an alarming shade of purple. "We're trying to go to the East." Anais stammers, her bleach-colored hair matted to the sides of her face. Gabe throws back his head and laughs. He thinks this is funny? How can he possibly think our situation is funny ? "You won't even survive the journey there. So, quit sulking and go back to your tie-dye grooviness." He told us all about the communities there and the people. He told us that there were some mean-spirited people, so we had to look for the nice ones in order to stay alive. When I ask him what that means, he just shakes his head and starts to walk back inside. "What's your name?" Gabe asks me. I tell him my name, and just as we pass, he slips me something made from paper. "Good luck," He whispers, "Just remember, you won't be the first or last to perish on the way to the East." I look down at the folded paper. A map to the Eastern Lands. By the time I shove the paper back in my pocket, Gabe slams his barn house door shut.(SN2)*

SN3 Using the map Gabe gave us, and the energy we gained from the fruit and fish, Carolina lets us sit on her back and we fly out of the forest. Not for long, though, because soon she "neighs" in fright and begins a rapid descent towards the ground. Soon, I realize that we're not descending, but rather falling. Something is causing Carolina to spaz out. "What's she doing?" Anais shouts, panicking. I pull back on the reins but nothing works. "I don't know, Anais!" "Trin, slow down! TRINITY, we're going to-"

It happens too quick for me to stop it. We crash into the ground. It's unrecognizable: and far from appealing. It's the weirdest terrain I've ever set eyes on. Thick trees hang over what looks like chocolate pudding, and it's moist and nasty all at the same time. A marsh, I think. Anais tries to get up and something snaps before she starts crying. I feel plum-sized bruises forming on my hips, and after checking to make sure Carolina is ok, I tend to Anais and her ankle. "It's snapped in half, Trin, I'll never be able to move again!" She wails, blubbering dramatically. "Give me a break. You sprained it, that's all."

Next, we hear a mighty roaring, and the ground begins to shake. I gasp, running and dragging Anais for cover. Ear-splitting noises send waves of nausea through me. I'm sure its an earthquake. But it's not. The sky is parting, showering us with blue and white dust, sparks of the sun stabbing the earth like blazing needles. Long strands of purple, white and green come from the slit in the sky and Her face appears. Phase.

I shield my face from the glorious snow-blue lights that characteristically cascade from her cheeks. "Don't be afraid, Trinity Understanding. I've come to aid you and your friends in your travel to the East. I come with a gift." Her voice sounds like smooth butter and relaxes me. Never in my life have I ever seen Phase, though we pray daily and sing to her. Phase sprinkles a white dust over us that calms Anais' tears and heals her ankle. The power coats my long sand-colored hair and dots my eyelashes. The dust fills me with hope and joy, but makes me **ponder** the effects. Soon, Phase is gone and the sky closes again, and I am left feeling as if the whole event were **unfathomable.**

Anais is excited and hopeful, so we keep moving forward through our journey. "Did you see her face? Sunbeams were going //everywhere//!" All Anais can talk about is Phase, but I can deal with that later. Now we feel full of energy thanks to Phase' gift of the white dust, which I have collected in a small glass jar to use only for emergencies. Our next step is to camp by the Central Border in order to plan how we are going to cross the East to get to the Darkest Abyss. (SN3)*

CM4
==So, Lightening Sky agreed to come with me. I am so excited that she decided to come, because I did NOT want to go alone. She is going to bring Tie-Die while I bring Free Rainbow and they will protect us. I hope that that my unicorn doesn't cause any trouble like last time.== ==We leave after a breakfast of veggies. As we are going through sparkly pond, I start to worry. I worry about the strange people in the other lands and what we are going to do for food and what if we don't even find our parents? That would be awful!== ==So, we're off and I suddenly have a bad feeling in my stomach. I kind of think it was that grody tomato that i ate... WHY DID I EVEN EAT THAT?! My stomach hurts so badly! I hope that i don't get sick! :( I==

As I get over my sickness, I am so curious about what my parents are like. Are they intimidating? Friendly at least? Or maybe they're magical or insane! This should be interesting...
==As I was thinking to myself, I wasn't paying much attention to how far we were going and how dark it had gotten! We find a little tree to park our van and the unicorns. I make some homemade __**PIZZA**__ out of veggies and leafs and try to enjoy it. As my sister is __SNORING__ I try to fall asleep deep in my worried thoughts, but then I hear something strange in the bushes... (CM4)*==

SN4 That night my dreams were filled with fantastic sights and wonders. I dreamt of Phase. In my dream, Phase talked to me about the journey: and how I would meet people on the way. I don't know what she meant since I have a pretty good group now, but I was still fascinated that Phase, deity of childbirth and travelers, would come to //me// in a dream!

Has anyone ever woken you up from a semi-peaceful sleep in the middle of a marsh? No? Well, it just happened to me and was not a pleasant experience. Anais hangs over me with the map in her hand, already dressed with her white-blond locks piled on top of her head, the signature leather headband wrapped around her crown.

"We're almost there, Trinity. Get up!" She pulls me up and we start on our way. Carolina has found some mushy fruit to sustain herself, at least most of the way to the Eastern Lands. I'm hoping that today is the day we can find the darkest abyss and my brother. Byron's been gone for a year, so there's still a slim chance he's alive. My only fear is that we have to cross into the Eastern Lands in order to get to the Abyss. We're at the Central Border now.

Fear, excitement, and adrenaline shoot through me as I think of everything we're about to encounter. I still wonder what Phase meant by "meeting people on the way". It seems pretty black-and-white but I'm still pretty sure there's no one out here but me, Anais, and Carolina Heart. Speaking of Carolina, lately she's been having some issues. She won't fly at all, and her pure, dark eyes have turned a glassy white. She falls a lot, too. I've been trying to make supplements for her out of the wilderness, but nothing is working.

Suddenly, my breath quickens and we stop walking. Something, no, someone, correction, //another group of people//, is in the far distance. I'm fatigued but I know what I'm seeing. Two girls and two creatures that I can't identify from where I'm standing. "Anais, there are others! Other people!" I exclaim. Anais is busy trying to force-feed Carolina some apples. She doesn't look up, but instead shakes her head. "Trin, I think the heat is getting to you. We're kind of in the middle of nowhere, I bet you're just hallucinating," She mutters. No, it isn't the heat. I see them walking towards us. Suddenly my dream from Phase starts to make sense. "No, look, I'm not. There they are, real people." I whisper to her, "This is it, Anais Magnolia. This is where things get interesting."(SN4)*

RC (1) My name is Carlee Rose Storm, but everyone calls me Stormy Carl. I just turned 19 last Wednesday. Right now the year is 1973. I live in the northern lands in a little town called Bloomington, where I was born. I live in a trailer home, so I am traveling often. I can't stand being in one place for too long, and I don't really feel like I belong anywhere. I am a lower-middle class citizen, and I don't make much money. I work in my own business, making my own jewelry and clothes. I rarely get a lot of customers, but the money I get is enough to buy food for my pet elephant, Tuck.

He was born premature and hasn't grown since he was very young. He weights about 350 pounds and is almost as tall as me. Tuck was a present from my older brother Brady on my 13th birthday, before he passed away. My parents live down south in a community called Regenda Falls. They are quite wealthy, but I do not ask for their financial help. My dads name is Marcus and he is very strict. My mother is very quiet and sometimes I worry for her. She is a **brittle** woman and can't (or won't) do much for herself.

They don't contact me much; my father is an industrious man and works in a company as a manager making car parts. My mother works as a realtor and is extremely religious. I went to church often when I was a kid, but I never found it valuable to me. I'm not against believing in God, but I practice my own religion.

I believe in the Goddess of the northern lands, named Carmen Stone. She has the power over marriage, children, and craftsmen. She married my great grandma and grandpa. Back then people from different lands could not be together. My grandfather was from the east and my grandmother was from the west. They then joined together in the South, where my parents are now. She is seen as the **superlative** Goddess and has done no wrong (yet!). When I was 9 years old my best friend Jayden was riding his horse on a trail he'd assembled himself.

He had just recently had the measles and was still a bit weak, but he couldn't handle being inside any longer, and he missed his horse. He had been riding horses since he was 3 and was intensely passionate about it. On the path a large snake slithered out from the bushes unexpectedly-and spooked the horse. He reared back and Jayden fell off. He was riding bareback without a helmet. Jayden landed straight on his head and got a noticeable head injury. He developed major amnesia and forgot almost everything. Not knowing what else to do, Jayden's parents prayed to Carmen to come help heal his head trauma.

She does not live in our world, but she has people that deliver items, and bring messages from her to mortals like us. They are called the Keepers. (RC1)*

RC (2)

It has been raining for the past two nights, and my best friend Willow is //still// going on and on about how much she misses her ex boyfriend Carson. She is 19 and just decided she wants to live with me. I don't have tons of room for her, factoring in the fact that I live in a mobile home. But, I love her to death, and I know it's not good for her to be at home right now.

When I woke up this morning, my head was all sweaty and I could tell I had been tossing and turning in my sleep again. My sheets were all over the floor and it looked as if I had kicked my decorations all off the wall. The sun was piercing my eyelids through the window and I could hear tuck banging his trunk on the tires. He's hungry. My whole body felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Willow was passed out, sleeping in the front seat, her head hanging over onto her shoulder.

When I opened the door the smell of fresh rain came flooding towards me. I breathed it in, then sighed. //Aaahhh//, //it smells so good!// I thought to myself. I think the rain storms are over, but you can never be sure around here. I think something must be happening in the immortal world. You know, where all the gods live. Whenever it rains, Carmen Stone must be upset. There has been a lot of crimes committed lately towards children, and marriages have been falling apart. I wonder if this is in her control, I mean, she is the one who protects these kids, right? She is the one who saves these marriages.. isn't she?

"Tuck!" I called out to him. Tuck shuffled up to me and brought his trunk straight up to my nose. "Are you hungry, boy?" I giggled. I grab his food bucket and pour a trail mix of carrots, lettuce, apple cores, watermelon, and leaves. Yummm. He grabs a carrot with his trunk and brings it up to his mouth. I smiled, and when I looked at him, I thought I could see a smile on his face too, almost as if he knew what I'm thinking.

"I had the dream again last night." I say to Willow as she turns around. "What happened this time?" She said, her voice muffled, eating a muffin, crumbs falling out of her mouth. She can be such a pig sometimes. "I dreamed that Carmen came to me and told me that I was a Goddess. She said that I used to have such power over the Northern Lands but something terrible happened, and I became mortal again, and forgot everything that happened before." (RC 2)*

RC (3)

Today there is a music festival just down the road in a little town called Sea Harmony. I decided to bring my streamers, spray paint, and some money. I plan on meeting my friend Donna and her cousin, Ray. Me and Ray used to be in middle school together, and he kind of had a thing for me. He has bright blue eyes, and dark brown hair. He has olive skin and when he smiles, he has one dimple on his left cheek. I remember he used to be a rather skinny, uncoordinated kid. He's definitely grown out of that.

When I pulled up, the place was packed with people dancing, singing, playing the drums, hula hooping, raising flags, smiling. They appeared so free, like they hadn't a single care in the world. There were girls in long, flowy skirts, people throwing balls, and couples painting designs on each other. It was like magic. The beat of the music pulsed through my body and I closed my eyes. I hadn't felt like this is a while. I was elated.

I became too absorbed in the atmosphere and the people before I realized that I had gotten too distracted and forgot I was meeting Donna and Ray! I wandered around for a<range type="comment" id="440254148_11"> bit, and for some reason I was feeling rather </range id="440254148_11">light headed. I went to a shake shack and got a cup of ice water. //Maybe I'm dehydrated?// Walking around, everything looked like it was tipping to the side. People were giving me dirty looks and gawking at me.

I kept bumping into people and I was slowly coming in and out of consciousness. "Watch where you're going, freak." "Whoa! What's wrong with her!" "Dude, she looks like she's going to pass out."

The next thing I remember, I'm on the ground, and four different people are above, staring at me with confused looks on their faces. //Ouch. My head aches. What happened?//

"Man... are you okay?" A tall man standing above me asked. "Umm.. yeah. Sorry." I said. "Do you need some help? An Aspirin? Tylenol?" He asked, laughing a bit when he talked. (RC3)*

RC (4)

Next thing I know, I'm wrapped up in a blanket, sitting behind a tree with some guy placed in front of me crossed legged, staring at me like I'm some animal in an exhibit. "Can I help you?" I uttered, with an exasperated tone in my voice. He stared at me for a second, like he had forgotten how to speak, then all of the sudden he jerked his head and chirped, "Hello!" <range type="comment" id="444847526_1">"Um... hi?" I said.</range id="444847526_1"> "Hey there, I'm Ray Givingston. And you are?" "Carly Rose Storm..." I softly said. His whole demeanor made me feel insecure. He was broad and tough looking, yet he had a softhearted look in his eyes. I hated when he looked at me. I fidgeted with my clothes and I couldn't help but feel like he was noticing my every flaw.

"Where are you from?" Ray asked, as he unfolded his crossed legs. "I'm from Bloomington, <range type="comment" id="444847526_2">its</range id="444847526_2"> west a few miles away. Hey, um, where is my car?" "Oh, it's over there next to the hot dog stands." He smiled at me and I could see a small dimple on his cheek. "Are you lost?" I looked at my watch and realized how late it was. My head was pounding and I was exhausted. Not to mention starving, too. "I've got to go, thanks so much for your help... Ray." Before he could answer, I was already gone. As I walked to my car, I suddenly realized who I was just talking to. It was Ray, from Middle School! "Hey!" I yell as I turn back around. But he was already gone.

That night when I fell asleep, I had the dreams again. I'd been having these dreams since I was 14, but they were been coming back lately much more frequently. I dreamed that I lived in a palace, with all the money, riches, and happiness I could ever imagine. I was the goddess of light, and I could bring joy and peace wherever it was needed. My name was Serenity. I wore a dazzling yellow dress with a one shoulder strap and a pearl beaded necklace that previously belonged to my father, the God of the sea. I had a lover, his name was Sam. He was the God of children. A god with a pure heart, and a brilliant mind. We planned on having children of our own, but something terrible happened, that I've still yet to figure out.

<range type="comment" id="444847526_3">One day I was sitting on my thrown, and a poor woman stormed through the front door, crying and screaming for her life. She was thrashing all around, throwing things and pulling out her hair. Sam was next to me, and he stood up in **befuddlement.** "What is going on here, woman? Someone! Get this woman in control!" Sam demanded. Her screams were like murder, and I was horrified. She was wearing a robe and was carrying a cloth that was stained with blood. Her hands bruised and her eyes bloodshot.</range id="444847526_3">

"Someone!<range type="comment" id="444847526_4"> Some please</range id="444847526_4">!" Her hands were shaking and I ran to her and grabbed them tightly to control her violent twitches. She was making me feel nervous, and I was cautious to touch her for fear she would lash out. She suddenly went silent and looked up at my face, studying my delicate features and noticing my strong grip. I could almost hear my own heart beat. Her body began to relax, and her presence seemed to become **lethargic**, but she was still very alert. Everyone in the room was still, and then the woman softly cried, "I..I...I need.. I need your help Serenity." This was when my dream became a nightmare. <range type="comment" id="444847526_5">(RC 4)*</range id="444847526_5">

RC (5)

I woke up that morning with a jolt. I couldn't get the images of that woman out of my head. Willow was at the kitchen sink making breakfast for the both of us. It smelled heavenly. I dragged myself out of bed and walked over to the table, plopping my butt down on the seat. I let out a big, exaggerated sigh. Willow turned around and looked at me, raising her eyebrow. "<range type="comment" id="444847526_6">Someones</range id="444847526_6"> chipper this morning." "Ha ha." I said. "So where were you last night?" I had to think about it for a second. Lately all the days have just molded into each other and I can't tell one day from another. "Oh, I went to that music festival, you know, down in Sea Harmony." "And how was that?" Willow asked, as she focused on her pancake making skills. "It was um... interesting. I met this guy named Ray and I'm pretty positive he's this kid I knew in eighth grade. I think I might have been dehydrated or something. I was walking around and the next thing I know, I had passed out on the ground and the guy was just there.. watching me..." "Oh my God, Carly! Was he cute?" Willow shouted at me, her eyes widened and her mouth curved up into a smile.

"Wow, I appreciate your concern about my health, Will!" I shouted, laughing. Willow put her head down, giving me that puppy dog face she always does. "And yes, he //was// cute." I say. She brought her head back up again and smiled at me like she knew something I didn't. "Ooh! Ooh!" She said, snuggling her way into the bench. "Tell me all about it. Where is he from? Is he one of those artsy guys? Or is he the rebellious type? What did he say to you? What did you say to him?"

"Stop pestering me, jeez! I feel like I'm being interrogated. He didn't really say much. He just said hi and asked me where I was from. I left before he could say anything." Willow always does this. Every time the subject of boys come up as topic, she acts like a 12 year old girl squealing over David Cassidy. I don't have time for guys in my life right now anyways. Though I am a bit curious as to what he is doing nowadays. I haven't seen him in a long time. Things have changed in Bloomington since then. People too.

Mostly I've just been wondering what I want to do for the rest of my life. Most teenagers by now have got everything planned out for them. I feel like I was born to do something big. Something that will make me look smart, and important. But my parents don't seem to care since my brother died <range type="comment" id="444847526_7">anyways</range id="444847526_7">. I was 14 years old when it happened. I came home from school one day and went straight to my room. I put on my very first record of Led Zeppelin. Yeah, I was a fanatic. My mom was in the kitchen making lunch and my dad was at work. I remember it well, thought I try not to. <range type="comment" id="444847526_8">(RC 5)*</range id="444847526_8">

RC (6)

That afternoon I decided to go get groceries, and buy some food for Tuck. As I walked down the isle, I recognized someone on the other side. I moved some things out of the way on the shelf and bent down to look at who is there. <range type="comment" id="444847526_9">Its</range id="444847526_9"> a guy. I looked at him and I can tell he's pretending he is busy. I keep walking and then so does he. When I got to the end of the isle I turned and we bumped right into each other! My groceries all fell to the ground and the bottle of water I was drinking spilled all over me.

"Hey!" I yelled. "Watch where you're going!" He stared up at me and kept muttering, "Sorry. Sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." I looked at his face and I knew who he was. It was Ray. That guy who took care of me at the Music Festival.

''Wait, I know who you are, your name is Ray. I'm Carly. You helped me yesterday, when I collapsed." I said. "Oh, yeah. Hey." He said. "I'm so sorry about your stuff." He says, bending over to pick up my groceries. "It's alright." I say. His bright eyes look extra blue in this light. I'm wearing my favorite band T-shirt, The Killers. "You like The Killers?" He asks. "They're my favorite band. I got tickets last summer to their sold out concert in Silverstream." "Wow, really?" I say.<range type="comment" id="444847526_10"> //I like this guy already,</range id="444847526_10">// I whisper in my head.

When I finished shopping and went to the checkout line, I was engrossed in <range type="comment" id="444847526_11">Rays</range id="444847526_11"> stories, the way he spoke to me, and how his confidence radiated when he laughed and smiled. I had forgotten all of the worries circling in my head. He made me feel so comfortable and happy. I don't usually get this feeling, but I think I liked it.

He told me he wanted to see me again, so I gave him my number. Most people don't find me very interesting, but he listened to what I said like it was important, and he really wanted to hear. It was different for me, to feel wanted. <range type="comment" id="444847526_12">I don't know if I found it creepy or flattering, but either way</range id="444847526_12">, I wanted to see him again.<range type="comment" id="444847526_13"> (RC 6)*</range id="444847526_13">

RC (7) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next day I woke up to find an orange piece of paper on my windshield. It was windy outside so I ran to grab it before it blew away. When I reached up to get it, the edge of the paper sliced my finger and I quickly pulled away. Ouch. It <range type="comment" id="444847526_14">stings</range id="444847526_14"> and my finger began to bleed. I put pressure on it and ran back inside. When I sat down and looked at the paper, <range type="comment" id="444847526_15">my eyes are blurry and when I rub them my hands feel wet</range id="444847526_15">, almost like I had been crying.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><range type="comment" id="444847526_16">My eyes start to become normal again and I read the page aloud. </range id="444847526_16">"All Ladies and Gentleman of Bloomington heights, you are cordially invited to the 50th annual ball hosted by your beautiful majesty, Carmen Stone. Ladies, come dressed in your most elegant dresses. And gentleman, show up in your nicest suits, and be ready for a fantastic night.” I almost forgot about this. This is my first time going to Carmen’s annual ball. You have to be 18 to attend, and I had just missed the mark last year.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each year someone always comes back with some award, but I don’t know what for. I guess I’ll have to find out. I’m usually not interested in this kind of thing, but I’m thinking I will give it a try. I mean, what do I have to lose? Plus, you can always count on them to have delicious food, so that’s a bonus. I have to tell Willow about this.

The ball is in the Eastern Lands in the Kingdom of Parsley, a place I’ve always wanted to go. It is where all the wealthy families live, a place I’ve dreamt of my whole life. I don’t even know where Willow is. Half the time I find her wandering the streets with some new “friend” she’s decided to make her own. She’s been like that since we were little. She is always the first one to talk to someone new. I take my car into town and go to this little store called Dollar Dresses.

When I walk in a bell rings on the door and it startles me. The walls are **__adorned__** with flowing dresses of all different color and print, but it’s quite empty and there’s no one at the front desk. “Hello?” I yell. No one answers. “Hellooooo?” I turn around and rub my hand on the soft silk of a blue dress in front of me. It’s quite possibly the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.<range type="comment" id="444847526_17">(RC 7)*</range id="444847526_17">

RC (8)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hear a bunch of clatter coming from the back of the store and a woman saying some curse words under her breath. A short lady with dark brown hair and a long skirt comes out from behind the corner and looks a bit **__<range type="comment" id="444847526_18">flustered__** but</range id="444847526_18"> looks up at me and flashes an enthusiastic smile. “Welcome darlin!” She has a real thick southern accent. It’s strange; I’ve never heard someone sound like that anywhere around here. “Hello, I’m looking for a dress to <range type="comment" id="444847526_19">where</range id="444847526_19"> to the annual ball, can you help me get fitted?” I say. Her face lights up and she grabs my hand, “Why of course I <range type="comment" id="444847526_20">do</range id="444847526_20">! <range type="comment" id="444847526_21">Come on here back </range id="444847526_21">with me honey and I’ll get your measurements.”

I sit in the dressing room alone while she goes to find something for me. A few minutes go by, then I hear a knock on the door. “Are you decent?” She asks. “Um, yes, will you please just put the dress under the door?” I say. “Yes, of course. Oh boy, you’re gonna love them!” She places two dresses on the floor and I pick them up. One is yellow, with a thin blue belt at the waist and a strapless sweetheart neckline. It ends at my knees. The other is a silky blue dress that barely leaves a trail on the floor. It has small straps on my shoulders and has a long V-neck. Its millions of sparkles each individually shine with my every move. I recognize it <range type="comment" id="444847526_22">from</range id="444847526_22"> the one I touched at the front of the store.

I try both of them on and then open the dressing room door. The woman is standing outside by the cash register and turns around to say, “Did you find what you were lookin’ for?” "Yes" I say. "Thank you very much." I hang the dress on the hook in my car and drive back home. When I pull up Willow is on the front lawn sitting in a chair. I stop and jump out of the car. "Willow,<range type="comment" id="444847526_23">(?)</range id="444847526_23">

SN 5

"Not yet, Trin, that's not a good idea just yet!" Anais grabs my arm and I yank it free. I'm so ticked! Why isn't she as excited for me? There's other people, //other travelers// and she still won't let me go see the other group. "What the hey?! Maybe they can help us, maybe they're from the East and they know where the Abyss is. Come on, let's go!" "No!" "Yes!" "<range type="comment" id="440473754_1">Trinity Understanding</range id="440473754_1">," I gulp as she uses my full name,"I said NO!!" Anais shouts. The other group is starting to move in the <range type="comment" id="440473754_2">opposite</range id="440473754_2"> direction. In anger and frustration, I throw Phase's dust on the ground, the glass jar shattering. Things go silent as Anais studies my face. She's more than just angry. Something else is in <range type="comment" id="440473754_3">her expression; </range id="440473754_3">something I've never seen before. "Stop being such a baby, Mags!" I scream at her. I cover my mouth, instantly regretting my words. We're almost to the East, and if I lose my best friend, I'll be lost with Carolina.

It gets quiet as she glares at me silently. Carolina nudges me, reminding me that it's almost lunch time and we have to find food soon, but I ignore her. All I can do is stare at the powder-blue dust scattered all over the ground and make shapes in it with my toe. The dust is useless now that it's on the ground, and surely without Phase's blessing. Phase would definitely ignore me now, since I had wasted her precious gift to me.

"Anais, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" Anais slaps the map right back into my hand. Her glare, cold and calculating, cuts straight through me. Getting real close to me and in my personal space, I smell her apple-breath as she shakes her head. "Look, //Understanding//, I don't know who you think you are, but right now you're being a real tomato-head. I came all this way with you to help find your brother, and you start freaking out and complaining because you want to go talk to a potentially dangerous group of people! They could be ax murderers, Trinity, and you wouldn't listen to me! Maybe you should get a taste of what it's like to do things on your own." <range type="comment" id="440473754_4">I swallow an egg-sized lump in my throat.</range id="440473754_4"> "So what are you-?" I choke out. "I'm //saying//," Anais grabs her backpack off of Carolina, "That you can find your brother on your own. Because obviously, you //don't// need my help."

I froze in my spot as Anais walked away. Just me and Carolina. And suddenly, my lip curls into a frown as the horror sets in. Oh Phase, what have I done? (SN 5)*

SN6 I feel kind of sick now that I'm quite alone and left only with Carolina. I can <range type="comment" id="440473754_5">still see the group ahead of me,far shadows in the distance, but for some reason my feet are nevertheless </range id="440473754_5">__**cemented**__ to the wet, sticky ground. I can't move. I'm too scared; it's impossible. I'd been taking Anais and her company for granted. Now I realize how much I need it.

Should I stay? Should I go? Maybe I should take Anais' advice and stay away. I don't know what the other group is like. They could be cannibals, gang members, serial killers, or they could be....regular people. My mouth starts to taste like pennies: a sure sign I'm going to puke whatever lunch I had had before. But then I remember I didn't even have lunch, so I'm left pacing back and forth while dry heaving. Yuck. Suddenly I hear it. The familiar, distant buzz that keeps bothering me. A gadfly; the symbol of the goddess of pain and suffering, Isis. I forgot, we are nearly in her territory! Isis has a horrible rage and temper and sends her stinging gadly to torment the victim. The gadfly's stings are extremely painful to both human and beast.

It's too late to get Carolina out of the way, and her unique green eyes shoot open in utmost pain and she lets an ear-piercing shriek that I've never heard before rip through the sky, as the fly stings again; this time, in my upper thigh where my shorts end. I feel the pain immediately, becoming queasy from the venom in the fly. Carolina's eyes start to twitch something I've never seen happen to her.

It happens quick: more and more flies come swarming out of nowhere, attacking me and Carolina. I'm so dizzy and exhausted that it's hard to stumble out of the marsh. I grab Carolina's reins and clumsily turn around from the group, making my decision in the heat of the moment. I can find the group later if I need to. For now, I have to do this on my own. (SN6)*

SN7 We totally just turned the other way. Now, our mission has nearly been obliterated. I'm still a bit woozy from the gadfly venom, but I can still keep going. I see a <range type="comment" id="440562664_1">Magnolia on the edge of the river bank and my eyes start to tear up. I swallow, remembering Anais</range id="440562664_1">. I would kill for her company-wait, no. I wouldn't kill. I realize I've been forgetting one of the major missions of the Peaceglories, which is to spread peace and joy wherever <range type="comment" id="440562664_2">you</range id="440562664_2"> go. Sentimental feelings overwhelm my tired body as I remember that today is Ethan's birthday. I count the days I've been gone; a week. Birthdays are a huge deal at the Peaceglory community. It's the one day a year that you can have cake and watch movies.

I pick a tree for me and Carolina. We sit under it, <range type="comment" id="440562664_3">when</range id="440562664_3"> I notice how skinny she's getting. I brush it off and sing the Peaceglory birthday song to Ethan using my makeshift ukelele I created with tree bark, grass, and fish guts. "Your birthday, your birthday, your age is sixteen," I strum, the ukelele moaning a sad tune, "It's time for you to get a new pair of jeans. You've spread peace and joy through the whole co-mun-ity," A tear falls from my right eye, "Oh Ethan, dear Ethan your age is sixteen!"

I'm choking and sobbing all at the same time. I want to go home so badly, but I have to keep going. I want my brother to see his eighteenth birthday. Abruptly, a rumbling sound fills the air and my heart sinks down to my feet in anguish. I bet its Phase, here to punish me for wasting her precious dust. But it isn't. This time, it's coming from right next to me. Coming from Carolina.

Her skin tears along her sides and is ripped apart by an invisible force, as if something were trying to get out. I scream, disgusted and frightened. I bury my head inside my lap and wail, "No, Carolina!" My Pegasus is being torn apart by something I can't even see. I cover my eyes, too scared, grossed out, and heartbroken to watch Carolina being destroyed. But when I open my eyes, I see something <range type="comment" id="440562664_6">else</range id="440562664_6">. I expect to see grisly remains cover the entire field, but instead, there are just a bunch of things that look like egg shells. As I get up to examine my surroundings, I touch the shell-things and gasp. They //are// eggshells. Suddenly I hear a noise coming from a pile of the shells and a tiny head pops out. <range type="comment" id="440562664_7">A baby dragon!</range id="440562664_7"> It dawns on me that Carolina was never a real Pegasus...but rather the mother of a dragon. I read about it once. Dragon maidens closely resemble Pegasi. When ready to give birth, they explode and their remains harden into eggshells. I gingerly pet the baby dragon, which has green and gold scales, and it hops into my arms. I nearly drop him, his belly is smoldering. "Blaze," I said, "That's what I'll call you." I cup my hand over his head and smile as he purrs like a cat. (SN 7)*

SN8 <range type="comment" id="441596704_1">Dreams come to me in the form of a nightmarish flash back. I'm lying on my back, fallen twenty feet from the tall pine tree, the wind knocked out of me. I'm fading in and out of consciousness and trying to look for Blaze at the same time. Everything's blurry. I try to talk, but my words come out slurred. "Bllllaaaattthheeee..." My words lisp as I try to call for my dragon. I sit up painfully, but fatigue wins me over and I slump back ungracefully onto the dirt, knocked out.</range id="441596704_1">

//It's a muddle of things I can't put together. All I know is that it's supposed to be something horrible. I'm walking through the forest with Byron. I was only nine back then, but soon I realize what the dream is about. Byron holds my hand as we <range type="comment" id="441596704_2">skip to</range id="441596704_2"> a dusty log, and he pulls out our lunches of celery and <range type="comment" id="441596704_3">ranch.</range id="441596704_3">// //"I hate ranch," He says, "It's so disgusting." I let out a laugh.// //I love ranch!" Even now, in my dream that seems so innocent, I know what's about to happen. I feel my present self enveloped deep<range type="comment" id="441596704_4"> inside my nine year old persona</range id="441596704_4">, and I can't escape.// //"I've got an idea. You see that big hole over there?" Byron points to the Abyss, his eyes glittering. I grin, but inside, I'm struggling to awaken myself from the nightmare. The <range type="comment" id="441596704_6">Abyss</range id="441596704_6"> is dark and large, a huge dip that leads to nowhere. Once you go in, you never go out. Even from our far distance I can feel it sucking the joy right out of me.// //"What about it? Isn't that the-" I gasp.// //"Yeah. I'm so <range type="comment" id="441596704_5">sick and pissed</range id="441596704_5"> about mom thinking she's so cool just because she gets to lead the Peaceglories." Even though I'm so young, I can still see that glimmer of scheming in his eyes. I need to be awake, immediately! Why can't I wake up?// //"W-what are you trying to say?" I whisper. Byron pulls out the backpack. Inside is mom's favorite scarf. I gasp again.// //"This would look better in the Abyss. Stay here."//

Snap! I pull myself back into reality as my brain spins. I know what's about to happen in my dream, and I can't fall back asleep. I'm so scared to <range type="comment" id="441596704_7">ever see</range id="441596704_7"> what I had seen that day. But it's so hard, so hard to stay awake...

//"What do you think you're even doing? Come on!" I whine as Byron walks away with the scarf. <range type="comment" id="441596704_8">Towards the abyss.</range id="441596704_8"> I have to stay awake! Get up, Trinity, get up before you have to see what really happens...we all know how this ends. Byron won't listen. I push and push, finally, and I break through. It''s not little me in the dream anymore, it's ACTUALLY ME, my present me.////"BYRON, WHAT THE KNOCKS ARE YOU DOING? Get out of there! You're going to fall in!" But even I can't stop him. He throws the scarf into the Abyss, smirking. The smug look on his face is wiped off when he realizes how close he is, knowing what's to come. <range type="comment" id="441596704_9">The abyss roars and the tendrils grab his ankle</range id="441596704_9">. I can't watch, but I can't tear my eyes from him.// //"Byron!" I see his terrified eyes as the Abyss swallows him, and I can only helplessly <range type="comment" id="441596704_10">watch on</range id="441596704_10">. Too familiar, too real. My heart pounds in and out of my chest. Can't watch him, can't help him. I can only grit my teeth and try not to vomit as my older brother is sucked into a no-mercy portal.// //It's a strange thing, to see someone who is normally so tough have their resolve crumble to the ground. <range type="comment" id="441596704_11">Most of the time I'm used to seeing a smirking face and a ready-for-action anti-hippie. Today, however, I saw a weak twelve year old shrieking for his incapable little sister to save him.//

Breathe. That's what I try to do when I wake up, but air won't come. Hearing your sibling's screams is kind of hard to get out of your head, you know? <range type="comment" id="441596704_12">(SN8)*</range id="441596704_12">

SN9 When I wake up the next morning, I'm sweaty and Blaze is still with me. I can still feel myself trembling from the night terror I had experienced. A pounding migraine beats my skull, probably from the fall, as I try to sit up and recollect my surroundings.

That's when I nearly scream. A young boy, probably no older than sixteen, sits over me, staring down at me.\ "Holy //crap//! Get away from me, you stranger!" I bat him off of me with my hands and he backs away. His face is fair-skinned with brown hair that skims his piercing blue eyes. He's like Gabe; someone who is different than the Peaceglories at home, but not different in a bad way. All I can do is try to get the image of his eyes burning into my face when I woke up out of my head.

"You totally passed out there. I was on my way to Macey Miller's sweet sixteen when I saw you just kind of lying on the ground. Were you going there, too? Maybe not. You're not really dressed for it, anyway. Who still wears gladiator sandals?" He points to my shoes. My thoughts cross. What's a sweet sixteen? Is that some sort of ceremony? And who's Macey Miller? What a funny name.

"Um, uh, I fell from up there and now I don't really know where I'm going. And who's Macey Miller?" I sound so stupid. I feel my cheeks get warm and shame fills me. I'm not supposed to feel this way. This way...it's forbidden in my community. A smile plays on his lips. Offering me a hand, I stand up. "I'm Dylan. Nice to meet you. Cute headband, by the way." Dylan winks at me. I'm hoping he doesn't see how red my face is getting, since I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm strange already. "I can take you to the party if you want. Macey throws the best bashes." A bash? A party? Why is Dylan, someone who just merely stumbled upon me (literally), interested in taking me to a party? "Oh, um, it's kind of a funny story but I-" "Come on, it's this way!" Dylan grabs my hand and we run. I wonder what he'll say when he finds out I'm not exactly your average teenager.

<range type="comment" id="441596704_13">SN10</range id="441596704_13">

Loud music blares from speakers around me. I know music when I hear it, <range type="comment" id="441704456_1">but this sounds more like hormone-infused robots bleeping and blorping</range id="441704456_1">. Boys and girls giggle, dancing around the large <range type="comment" id="441704456_2">house as</range id="441704456_2"> soda sloshes in red plastic cups. It's the largest home I've ever been in. Whoever Macey Miller is, she really has it going for her.

As Dylan pulls me through the crowd, people stop to stare at me. My face heats up again, but not in the way it did when I met Dylan. I'm embarrassed, because I know I don't fit in with the hip and modern kids at the party. I'm just an awkward hippie girl who's been kept in the dark about the real world. My jean shorts, sandals, and tunic top don't match the other <range type="comment" id="441704456_3">girls who</range id="441704456_3"> are draped in pretty dresses.

Dylan stops us at a table. A girl with bright green eyes and blond hair chats with an equally pretty girl. Her hair is in spirals;<range type="comment" id="441704456_4"> I wonder how</range id="441704456_4">. "Macey, this is my friend Trinity. Trinity, this is Macey Miller, we go to school together." His smile is radiant; beaming across the whole table. Macey, however, is not kind at all. I'm shocked when she sneers at me. Is this what Gabe meant by mean people in the East?

"Um, //what// is she even wearing?" Macey shrieks, her eyes scanning my outfit. I swallow, humiliated as her friends turn to look at me with distaste. "I'm, like, freaking turning sixteen, Dyl! You totally just ruined the aura of my party by bringing that //hippie// //ch////ick// into my sixteenth birthday party!" Everyone has stopped dancing to watch the scene unfold. Suddenly, I'm not glad that Dylan's brought me to the party anymore. Now I feel shamed, as all these unfamiliar people whisper mean things about me.

"Oh, chill out, Macey. Don't be so catty. And don't talk to Trinity like that, she's my friend, ok?" Dylan snatched my hand again. "Let's leave. This party isn't worth it anymore."

There's a lush garden outside. Dylan sits down with me on a wooden bench as we both stare back at the commotion-filled house. Several times, I open my mouth to say something, but I find myself at a loss for words. Poor Blaze had to wait outside by Macey's driveway.I just got humiliated in front of a bunch of cool kids. I'll never fit in. I'll never be cool //anywhere//.

"Whoa, Trinity, don't cry." I don't realize that tears are rolling down my cheeks until Dylan reaches over and wipes them for me. Why do I have to feel so stupid and helpless around normal people? <range type="comment" id="441704456_5">"I //am// a hippie, Dylan. Macey was right. I'm a freak show!" I expect Dylan to jump up in disgust and run away, but instead, he reaches over and pulls me into a hug. "You're not a freak show. And I don't care where you came from." He embraces me in a tight hug before I can do anything. When he pulls me away, I'm shocked. Sucking in cold air, I still feel my lungs on fire. For the first time in my life, I know what it's like to be truly alive.</range id="441704456_5"> (SN 10)*

Dylan's nice enough to pay for a room for me at some hotel called "The Lydia". We stuffed Blaze into my backpack so nobody would see him, and gave him a treat to keep him quiet.
==="I'd let you stay with me, but my cousins are <range type="comment" id="441704456_6">over and there's</range id="441704456_6"> not a ton of room unless you want to sleep where it smells like diapers and baby oil." He says to me as he escorts me to my room. I manage a nervous smile even as my legs threaten to buckle underneath me. I'm so tired, so exhausted from walking around all day that even a slight trip will cause me to fall over.===

"Thanks, by the way. I mean, for taking me with you to that party." I shuffle nervously, avoiding Dylan's blue eyes.
==="Well, it wasn't much fun, anyway. But I'm really glad I met you. Maybe we can hang out sometime. Are you sure you want to keep looking for your brother? Seriously, you could stay with us." I press my lips together and think hard. I could spend the rest of my life carefree, normal, and average. I could hang out in the city, eat ice cream all day, go to a normal school, and have fun. Drink soda instead of drinking water. I could live the life!===

==="I'm sorry, Dylan. I really can't. My brother needs me." I say quietly. It's hard, so hard to watch Dylan drop his head as if he's sad to see me go. It's even tougher because I know how close I was to devoting my life to the pure American-teen lifestyle, spending all my time doing nothing.===

==="Alright, then. I guess I'll<range type="comment" id="442145736_1">-,</range id="442145736_1"> I guess I better go. Here's my cell phone. Call me at my spare phone at home if you need me. The number's in the contacts." The pain in his voice sounds so real that I feel my insides ache as he hands me a small, metal rectangle. "Remember <range type="comment" id="442145736_2">that </range id="442145736_2">there's always someone up here in the East, if you need a friend." That's the last I hear <range type="comment" id="442145736_3">from hi. I close the </range id="442145736_3">door, and with that, blocking out my own screams of frustration. (SN 11)*===

sn12
"Byron?!" I screech, my face purple with anger and horror. I don't find Byron half-dead in the Abyss, <range type="comment" id="442145736_5">no; I find</range id="442145736_5"> him at the ice cream parlor with a bunch of Normals! There he is, perfectly alive, looking like some normal eighteen year old! Where are his sandals? Nowhere, but oh, look; he's found himself some nice Air Jordans. What about his tunic? What tunic? Instead, he's decided he'd rather wear a shirt and jeans. Best of all,<range type="comment" id="442145736_7"> instead of his snake, Legacy, we had given him on his last birthday</range id="442145736_7"> got a normal girl under his arm!

He turns around to face me. Instantly, his face pales in recognition. "Yeah, that's right, kid. You better be scared." I mutter. The girl under his arm, tilts her head in confusion when I grab his arm and tug him towards the door.

"Like, //EHMYGAWD//, Byron, are you cheating on me?" She growls. I gag at the comment and Byron shakes his head in a panic.

"No, no! She's my sister!"

"I didn't know you had a sister. She sure dresses funny. You told me your family died in an earthquake." I can't believe Byron tricked us! I'm disgusted. Our whole family worried about him, all this time, and instead I find him perfectly<range type="comment" id="442145736_8"> fine in the outside worl</range id="442145736_8">

“You’ve got some explaining to do, you twit.” I <range type="comment" id="442541748_1">snarl</range id="442541748_1">. All of my sympathy for my brother has gone down the drain. How could he do this to us? And to think that he was in trouble! “Look, I can explain-“ “Oh, cry me the <range type="comment" id="442541748_2">river</range id="442541748_2"> Styx. You don’t even want to know what I went through to find you.” I narrow my eyes. His friends start to leave the ice cream parlor; obviously freaked out that a funky-dressed girl was related to their friend. People <range type="comment" id="442541748_3">begin to stare,</range id="442541748_3"> but what do I care? Byron had it coming. “You, for one thing, can start explaining as to how you got out of that Abyss. And why the knocks are you dressed like some Normal?” “I got out.” “Yeah, no //dip//!” “After you left, it died down a bit. The Abyss stopped roaring and I was able to use Backstabber to get out.” Byron says quickly. Backstabber is his sword that he forged himself when he was 10. Mom and dad would never approve, so he hid it in a scabbard under his bed. He had bribed me with candy, a rare treat, not to tell anyone. Blaze snarls, and I have to pinch one of his scales. (SN 12)*

SN 13 I can’t feel things anymore. It’s not even about what happened. All I can think of is everything I had done to find him. The friends I’ve lost, the lives that were so close to perishing, the people who tried to help me. All for nothing. “Then,” I sighed shakily, “If that’s true, at least come back home and spare me the pain in the tush.” “Alright.” Byron and I leave the ice cream parlor and slowly start the long walk home, my hardened heart sinking in my chest. It’s the worst feeling ever, knowing you haven’t gotten anywhere. This whole quest was for nothing, and now, when I go home, I’ll have to face the consequences. The city full of Normals disappears into darkness by the time we reach the edge of the forest. All I can see are a few stray, twinkling lights in the far distance. Blaze has gone ahead of us in search of <range type="comment" id="444847526_24">an</range id="444847526_24"> unsuspecting prey to have a midnight snack. I can’t talk to my brother. I won’t talk to him. My anxiety is at a stress level of one million. The community is quiet and full of sleep when we reach the West a few days later. I bring Byron into our <range type="comment" id="444847526_25">small little</range id="444847526_25"> trailer that children 18 and under are supposed to live in. “Wow, this place is just the same as I left it.” “Shut up,” I barked, “You don’t even belong here anymore, you stupid Normal.” Harsh words taste like fire on my tongue. I’m not supposed to say them, and I know it, but in this scenario, I feel like they’re needed.<range type="comment" id="444847526_27"> Byron begins to settle down and sleep atop of his old cot</range id="444847526_27">, but I quickly push him off. It’s been my old cot since he “died”. “What the-?” “It’s my cot now, deal with it.” We fall asleep within twenty minutes. At least this whole ordeal is over. I think. I wake up at 8:00 the next morning. Byron is still asleep on the floor. There’s commotion going on outside, people yelling and shouting. Great. I bet <range type="comment" id="444847526_28">its</range id="444847526_28"> about the whole Byron situation. But it isn’t: when I open the trailer window, it’s something far worse. All I can see is a giant black hole sucking everything in its path up. Something that can’t be anything else but the internal Abyss, coming back for someone who shouldn’t have escaped its dark reach 6 years ago. (SN 13)*

SN14 “Wake up, now!” I punch my brother in his stomach, panicking. Tears are streaming down my face, and all plans of ignoring Byron forever are gone. “Get up, get up, get up! Byron, it’s coming for you!” I keep shaking him until he stirs. I can’t watch this again. I can’t have a repeat of him disappearing, because if the Abyss got him now, then I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be escaping this time around. The roaring gets louder. I snap my head toward the window and can practically feel the burn of the Abyssal pull. “Uhhh…what the heck is going on?” He groans, rolling over. I yank his arm so he stands up. Pushing him towards the window to see, my hands shake. I think I’m having an anxiety attack. I see trailers<range type="comment" id="444847526_29"> knocking</range id="444847526_29"> over and some of my old friends are being sucked up. I push the trailer door open, and everybody rushes outside. “Now we’re really in trouble.” Byron gasps. I see the terror in his eyes. He may have escaped the clutches of the Abyss before, but there’s no promise he can do it again. Carrots and vegetables from different gardens fly through the air, in a whirling pattern, until they are eaten up by the Abyss. Blaze and I run for cover under a tree. It’s a stupid idea, but we’re so panicky that we don’t know what else to do. Byron is still glued to his spot, his mouth gaping. With every wasted second he lingers, the Abyss is inching closer. Time slows down. My fear melts into insanity. I run towards him, knocking him out of the way. I hear screaming, and realize it’s coming from me. My eyes <range type="comment" id="444847526_30">black out </range id="444847526_30">as the Abyss sucks me up. I am dead. <range type="comment" id="444847526_31">(SN 14)*</range id="444847526_31">

SN15 I am dead. I am dead. I am dead. The sound of my own screaming echoes through my ears. It’s so weird. I don’t know if I’m dead, alive, or dreaming. I can’t see anything except for black darkness, swirling around me in circles. My insides are on fire. I feel pulling all around me until there’s nothing left to pull. I try to breathe, to suck in air, but since I’m possibly dead, air doesn’t come. All I know is that I’m falling through complete nothingness. I can’t move. I’m stiff. Suddenly, an invisible force jerks me to the right and I feel my right wrist snap back. I hear more screaming, but this time, I can’t tell if <range type="comment" id="444847526_32">its</range id="444847526_32"> from me. I’m jerked to the left, and my left arm breaks. This time, I am certain the shrieking is coming from me. I feel both of my legs snap, broken. And then I feel the pressure of a cold force on my neck as I hear a faint //snap//. I’m truly in white hot blinding pain. Suddenly, I’m in a white tunnel. Someone is at the other end. She has purple hair that flows down to her waist, and a white gown that ends at her toes. It’s Phase. “You were a hero, Trinity.” Phase’s voice rings out clear and hollow. “W-what? What am I doing here? Am I still alive?” My own voice sounds shaky and afraid. “You saved your brother, Trinity. You saved him even after he lied to you. Lied to you for six years.” I’m relieved he’s alright and still alive. “But am I still alive?” “No,” Phase confirms, as my heart sinks down, “The Abyss broke you until you were gone. But for the bravery and good-hearted sacrifice and intent you have shown, I will give you back your life.” My life? Given back? My face lights up as I start to run toward Phase, who is at the end of the tunnel, when the tunnel becomes dark again. I trip over the exit, and the pain returns. I’m falling again, the same way I had been before meeting Phase. I can feel the severity of my broken legs and arms to the full extent now. My eyes snap open as I shriek. I’m lying on the grass in front of the trailer. I can taste blood in my mouth from screaming so hard, and my limbs and neck are on fire, but I’m so grateful to be alive. Byron stands over me, with Blaze in tow. And two others; Anais and Dylan. “Thanks, little sis.” Byron whispers. He has a small scrape under his eye, but that’s the worst of his injuries. “Anytime, loser.” I try to smile, but I end up going into a hacking cough. I turn to Dylan, who’s face is scrunched up in concern. “How did you get here?” “I found the phone in your pocket. I called the first person in there to get you help.” Byron tells me. I I wince in pain as Dylan, Byron, Anais, and Ethan pick me up carefully and put me on a makeshift stretcher made from tree branches and blankets. I’m so relieved to be alive; and surrounded by people I care about. Once I’m settled into a large, hospital room, the nurse closes the blinds on my room and inserts an IV drip into my arm. It’s morphine, to help me deal with the pain of my broken arms and legs. Anais comes in. Her hair isn’t blonde anymore, it’s been dyed bright blue. She’s wearing jeans that I think are too tight, and there’s a ring through the top of her ear. “I’m sorry, Trinity. I really am.” She whispers. I’m not mad at her anymore. There’s just a feeling of unfinished business that lingers in my stomach. “We’re still friends, right?” I ask, and she nods. “Then can I ask, what’s with the outfit?” Anais chuckles, looking down at her shoes. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I think it’s a good idea for me to move on to other things. I want to become a Normal.” I’m happy for her. I’m glad she’s finally making her own decisions. We smile at each other. “I better get going, you need your sleep.” I fall asleep, literally, 30 seconds after Anais leaves. //Phase is above me. Her face is pale, gleaming in the moonlight. Her maids, the star nymphs, dance behind her.// //“I am so proud of you, Trinity. You’ve come a long way on your quest, and now, it is time for you to rest.”// //“Wait, what?”// //<range type="comment" id="444847526_33">“You climbed through hell and heaven back,// //You soared through skies alike, to be exact// //Although your brother is still alive// //You made decisions so your community could thrive// //I tried to help you along the way// //And now it is your resting day.// //I’ll heal your broken bones, for you// //So you can do the things you do// //But greatness comes with a price// //choose wisely, and roll the dice.”</range id="444847526_33"> Phase evaporates, and I wake up.// When I wake up, I find that my bones have been mended, and I can walk.

Things are going well. I walk out of the hospital, still in the gown, with a smile on my face. I have security, friends, and family. That is all I need. (SN 15)*

<range type="comment" id="444847526_34">COMPLETE</range id="444847526_34">