Apr 24, 2022
"Slowly they drove by the front lawn, enclosed in a chain-link fence. A strange hush settled over the occupants of the van as many eyes scanned the enclosed yard for the wonderful gardens so confidently promised.
Beyond a locked gate stood a few tangled shrubs and gnarled trees arching above overgrown grass that...
Apr 17, 2022
"I had just finished running on the gym’s treadmill and was heading towards the free weights when something—rather, someone—caught my eye. It was a frail girl, maybe 13 or 14, carefully climbing up onto the Stair Master. Her spindly arms looked like dry, brittle sticks—the kind children use to fashion...
Apr 10, 2022
"Mark kicked the ball to James. It rolled through the matted grass. James turned and dashed after it. They kicked the ball back and forth. James had terrible aim. The ball went spinning off in random directions. Every time Mark went after the ball, he wandered a little farther away from the car. The grass got deeper...
Apr 3, 2022
"The massive church felt cold and damp inside, even in the heat of summer.
Natasha looked furtively over her shoulder and then scanned the pews. Seated in a corner of the sanctuary was her friend Natalia. Sitting next to Natalia was Adrian, and with him was another boy. They looked up at Natasha and smiled. So began a...