Arms

The girl heard gun shots everywhere, the sound of a bomb exploding to her left, and people crying to her right. They marched into her house, wearing green and black outfits with paint on their faces. They grabbed her parents and forced them to go outside. She cried and tried to pull them back, but she was too weak. Maybe she didn't know, or maybe she didn't care; right now, she was entering a war zone. She walked through the streets in search of her parents, several soldiers trying to protect her from harm. Many of them died in the process, but she didn't notice. She found her parents beside the leader of the enemy. They were dead in a second. She screamed.

She ran to them, crying, and asked the leader, "Can I have them back?"

He answered, "No."

She said, "Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

Instead of replying he pulled out his gun.

"I think you need a hug," said the girl. "Stop being mean. Please..."

He pulled the trigger, and she was gone as well.

"You have them back now," he whispered quietly.

He shot himself and the war ended.

written by Danie Evan

12 Noon Glances

12 in the afternoon, that is when I see her. Everyday, the Angelus would come on at this time. Students will open both doors of the classroom to let the prayer in. I was one of those who would stand by the door. But one day, it was different. The prayer still started at 12, all doors were opened and students held it in place. In between the domino of doors, she was there. And she looked so bright and perfect. For the 4 minutes the Angelus was on, the sound of the prayer got fainter and fainter as I was looking at her deeper and deeper. What stopped my trance was a tap on my shoulder, "Dude, it's over. Come in." I snapped out of it and glanced at her for the last time. She was about to close the door until she looked at me and

slightly

smiled. My eyes widened and I couldn't believe it. I checked the classroom beside mine to check if she smiled at someone else, she didn't, it was for me, or maybe I was imagining it. I looked back to see if she was still there, but she was already inside her small world. And that was my cue to go back inside and

slightly 

smile goofily at myself. 

written by Therese Padilla