By: Elizabeth Kelly “How did your first night go with the baby?” Avery gave Maya a tired smile. They were sitting on the soft grass close to the water’s edge,and she lifted her face to the sun. The days were growing cooler,but it still felt good to be in the outdoors. They had bathed in the lake and washed their clothing, and Avery couldn’t get over how much better she felt after having her long hair and body scrubbed clean for the first time in months. “He has a fever.…

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By Elizabeth Kelly Chapter Two “What on the gods’ earth were you thinking, Tristan?” Marshall frowned at him as he clucked loudly to the horses. The wagon started with a jolt and Marshall slapped the reins gently on the horses’ backs, encouraging them to move faster. They pulled onto the dusty road, the wagon creaking and groaning as they drove toward their camp. “What do you mean?” Tristan asked. “The Red? Are you deliberately trying to curse us?” “That’s nothing more than an old wives’ tale, Marshall,” Tristan scoffed derisively.…

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by Elizabeth Kelly Chapter One Tristan rubbed his forehead and sighed irritably. He had grown weary of the man’s fawning from the moment he had stepped into the building, and with an impatient grunt he held up one hand. “Enough. Show me the slaves.” “Of course.” The old man bowed low and pattered down the long narrow hallway. “Forgive me, my lord. It is not often we have someone of your stature visiting.” They walked out into the courtyard and the man stopped short, staring suspiciously at the large horses…

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By Meadow Murphy ( That Night ) I fell asleep in front of the television and wake up to the six o’clock news and my mother bursting through the door. She flies past me on her way to the kitchen to start dinner for dad who will be home any minute. “We’ll talk about what happened to you today when your father gets home so you don’t have to repeat everything. Are you hungry? Where’s that boy that took you to the hospital?” “No, and I thought you were waiting…

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By Meadow Murphy ( Later That Day ) It’s just after two when we pull up into my driveway. We live in a modest two storey house that has a desolate looking tree in the front yard. My father works two jobs just so we can live here and pay for my skating. Adam shifts his black mustang into park and turns her off, “Are you going to be okay?” he asks concerned. With a heavy heart I shrug, not even having the energy to respond.“Give me your phone,” he…

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