Fiction

The unforgiving wind batted against the roof, and waves washed into the small wooden hut. The last piece of wood that held the house onto the ground came free, sending it into the storm.

The early-winter’s biting cold strikes me like a hammer. I shiver in the depths of our nest, poked and scratched by razor-sharp nettles. My thoughts drift to last night, as Casia and the kids had settled down for bed.

Dear Kevin, 
Today we boarded the ship. It's small, only two stories. We were lucky to get tickets. I hope our journey is smooth and we can be with you soon.

Dear Kevin,

 Photo by gg.

“Hi Mom , how are you?”

”I’m good.Can you go get the old books from the basement? Your grandpa wanted them.”

Carnivals. They aren’t bad, but I feel jumbled and confused. Right away, the Jaws theme songs plays in my head and the color orange dances around in my head. Clowns. Oh great. I hate clowns. I taste mouthwash-the really cheap kind.

The small earthy creature unfurls from its curved in body, smudged with dirt from a winter's sleep.
It blinks its large spring green eyes, blinded by the ever-shining sun.
The creature is a wood sprite. Her name is Petra.

“KAREN!” I screamed. I couldn’t think straight. People were shouting but I didn’t listen.
All I could think about was Karen. Tears poured down my cheeks, the world blurred around me.

I was walking down 8th Street when, all of a sudden, I saw a glowing light. As I got closer the light got brighter and brighter until I couldn’t look at it anymore. I found an old pair of sunglasses in my pocket so I used them to see.

Her silhouette next to the sunset is the perfect image. But at the wrong time. She doesn’t speak. The only part of her that moves is her feet, slowly dragging along the dock. Alyssa follows but I pull her back.