FEAR!

If we were to pinpoint the one pervasive
emotion in society today, it would be…..
FEAR
Here is a collection of fiction and non-fiction
pieces, written by DHHS Creative Writing
students, which illustrate this common
emotion. Compiled on February 24, 2014

Haley Bodnar
Fear
What is it that makes us fear?
Is it worry that we might hit a deer?
My biggest fear is that I am going to fail.
I would really like that thought to sail.
I want to be successful and make my family proud.
I want to accomplish all my dreams that keep me thinking in the clouds.
We all face different fears and we all approach it in a different way.
Some of us try to overcome it, but somehow for me it always turns out in a delay.
Fear causes us anxiety, discomfort, and stress.
So perhaps we’ll try to forget our fears and play a nice game of chess.
Fears are not always easy to overcome,
but everyone deals with it, so try not to look so glum.

Chloe Carman
Fear
Fear, that feeling you get when the worst thing possible happens. When you feel like your heart
begins to speed up, your hands become damp, it feels hard to breathe and you feel stuck in
that very spot, because by then fear has sunk in. The question is though: what is fear? Yeah, we
all know it’s one of the emotions we are all known to feel but what is it exactly? Fear is a
natural defensive reaction we get when we feel threatened. It is a very quick natural reaction to
start to feel fear and for the most part we don’t realize that natural instinct to feel fear because
it usually happens in a blink of an eye.
But why exactly is it our natural instinct when threatened to typically go straight to
feeling fear? For one it is a chemical reaction in your brain when stress is stimulated. This
stress simulation is onset by multiple things. Fears are developed in our brain but the process of
the development is completely unconscious. There are two types of fear the irrational fear
called the low road and the fear that is developed over time based off of life events called the
high road. Low road fear mainly has to do with the fears that we have that do not have a true
reason behind them but we are afraid of them. When fear is being developed both of these
types of fears are also developing simultaneously. This is the reason why we have those fears
that we don’t really know why we are afraid of them but also those fears with a story behind
them. Personally I have a low road fear of falling because there is no real reason behind the
fear, it just freaks me out, but having said that, I am in no way afraid of heights.
Having mentioned my fear of falling there are many common fears that are known to
society today. We all know the real common ones like fear of spiders, snakes, being alone, the

Chloe Carman
dark, and the list can go on. The thing about these common fears is that they are all low road
fears. Really think about it; if you’re afraid of spiders, is there some sort of memory or story
behind why you’re exactly afraid of them? I know at one point I was afraid of spiders but never
had a real reason why and eventually the fear faded out. I feel that can be the same case for
most people with these stereotypical fears, but it all falls back on the person. They need to be
willing to face these fears, but facing fears is basically like a teenager having the option of
taking a really important test. We don’t really want to do it, but we know we probably should.
For some people though they are willing to face their fears and minimize the fear to a little tiny
speck in our thoughts. Without the will to face our fears we will always be fearful.
So the one main thing that can be said about fear is that although there are the two
different types of fears, the high road and low road, it is natural for someone to feel fear. It’s a
natural defense mechanism for us to feel fear, so there is no reason for someone to feel silly
because they are afraid of something. Our brain develops fear simultaneously and naturally. We
have no control over whether or not we become fearful of something but we can always take
action and start to face our fears because in the end that will be the only way we overcome
these obstacles.

Ally Castaneda
Letting Go
I crossed my legs and leaned my head against my cold bedroom window. I wasn’t really focused
on any particular sight. I just sat there, starring into empty space. My mind was blank. I had
nothing to think about at the moment.
A knock came from the door.
“Go away!” I moaned.
“Vanessa, chill. It’s just me!”
there.
I turned my head towards the direction of the voice to find my friend Natalie standing
“I tired getting a hold of you but you never answered to any of my phone calls or texts.”
I looked down at my phone. Three missed calls and five messages all from Natalie.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I had my phone on silent. What’s up?” I said.
down?”
“Well everyone was getting together tonight and was going to do a bonfire. Are you
“Natalie… You know how I feel about those things. You know how my parents will react
to that. They won’t let me. I can’t disappoint them.”
Natalie gave me a blank stare, “You do know that sneaking out is always an option.
You’re parents always go to bed early anyways. They would never know!”

Ally Castaneda
Sneak out? Was she really being serious? That is probably the worst thing I could ever
do. Imagine the consequences. There’s no way I could ever do that. I don’t have the guts.
“As fun as that sounds… There’s no way I could do that, Natalie.”
“You know what your problem is? You don’t know how to live a little. You’re too
worried and scared of everything. You need to do what you love. What you want to do. Don’t
let things or people hold you back.”
I sat in silence. She did make a valid point. I really should let go a bit. “What time will
you be here tonight?”
Natalie smirked, “I’ll be here at nine.”
It was around 9:05. Where is Natalie? She did say nine o’clock! Everything was peaceful
and quite in my house. My parents of course were already fast asleep. I was lying in my bed,
waiting for the “text”. My phone vibrated from under my back.
*New iMessage from Natalie*
We’re outside your house. Sneak out through your back door.
I slipped my vans on and grabbed my hoodie off of the floor. I quietly opened my door
and tiptoed down the stairs. I haven’t even left my house and I could feel heart pounding out of
my chest. I’m actually going to face my fear tonight and sneak out.

Ally Castaneda
Just as I was about to grab the handle of my back door, I heard fast footsteps coming
from behind me. Oh crap. I haven’t even left my house and I’m already caught. I turned around
to find tiger, my boxer, standing there with his ball in his mouth.
“Sorry boy. I’ll play with you later” I said as I quietly shut the door behind me.
At a quick pace, I went over my gate and hopped over. Natalie was waiting in her Jetta
along with a few familiar faces.
“Get in the car; we’re going to have fun tonight.” Natalie smiled.
After driving for forty minutes, I asked, “So uhh, where exactly are we going?”
Vegas.”
“Oh I must have forgotten to give you the updated news; we’re actually heading to
“Wait what? There’s no way I can go to Vegas Natalie. That’s pushing it.”
“Oh come on… Just live a little. You’re going to have a good time tonight!”
We finally arrived to Vegas. I’ve never actually have been here but It was amazing. The
bright lights, the various aromas of food and the noise of cars. This seemed unreal. I actually
didn’t have a care in the world. Everyone else was having a good time. The music was blasting
and we were all cracking jokes and laughing. This was defiantly worth sneaking out for.
It was close to seven in the morning. We were finally arriving back to my house. Natalie
and the rest of the gang dropped me off and waved bye. I sneaked back to my house. I entered

Ally Castaneda
through the back door and it was still quite. I walked up the stairs and into my bedroom. I was
exhausted. I flopped onto my bed and was so close in falling asleep. This night made me realize
life isn’t worth letting your fears hold you back.

Alexis Holdeman
What We Fear
Happiness, Love, and peace are all just servants to a greater master. Fear has always
ruled our actions; we are afraid of the emptiness we feel when feelings are not present, so we
stuff our throats with false images that will never give us what we want. We love for fear of
being alone, to be alone we don't have happiness, without happiness we are afraid. We seek
peace because we fear the power of our neighbors; power could take away our partners, or our
happy illusion of safety. Therefore fear rules us.

Alexis Holdeman
December, 20, 1999
The Bailes
Today, Monday in our little town of
Bailes a suicide has taken place; our Cherish
Lottus. The body hasn’t been found, but all
evidence shows to it being a suicide. The two
children, Ayda A. Lottus and Alora A.
Lottus, and J. Lottus, the father are distraught
trying to find their mothers body. If you have
any information on this please contact the
police immediately.
The oil rig In Hawaii has combusted on itself
spilling the toxic oils all over the
This week December, 22,
1999, investigators found the
missing body of Mrs. Lottus
in her basement cupboard.
She had stab wounds on her
back and stomach, a total of
twenty three. Evidence
shows that she was sexually
abused, it appears as though
the offender tried to frame
Mrs. Lottus death as a
suicide, officials are running
DNA test to find the murder
as we speak.
Today is December,
23, 1999, DNA tests
reveal that the true
murderer is the
father, witnesses say
that Mr. Lottus has
been seen taking the
girls away for a
supposedly family
vacation. The girls
have been
kidnapped; the
children’s last
known location was
at the airport.
November, 23, 2007
ailes Tim
December, 25, 1998
We are following up on the Lottus family case file this
fortunate Christmas day. Finally the air has become a little lighter in
this little town of Bailes. The oldest daughter of the couple, Ayda
A. Lottus, was found at 1:15 AM by the river a source told us about.
She has a shot wound in her leg and sexual abuse is evidence. Ayda
A. Lottus will live; the hospital says she is recovering nicely. There
is still no sign of her younger sibling Alora A. Lottus, the police are
still looking if you see any sign of her but nothing yet. Officials still
have no idea who lent the information of where Ayda was and they
will keep looking for the source, some officials have reason to
believe that the anonymous caller was in fact the father of the two.
The very man who took the girls in the first place; why he would
call in the first place is till confusing the investigator on the case.
Alora A. Lottus; female, missing 8
years, blond hair blue eyes, would be
about 14 years, last seen December
20 1999. If seen please call this
number
Ayda A. Lottus (767) 692-5672
Brataumil L. Keepers; male, missing
10 years, brown hair green eyes, was
last seen at foster parents home, Mr.
and Mrs. Keepers. About 28 years old
now. He is a mentally disabled, if you
see him please call this number.
Cami Keepers (487) 668-7233

Alexis Holdeman
Our World
How beautiful was she, only the mere age of six and still so perfect. Without warning all
the love in the world was hers, and she stroked the flames with gentle passion. Oh little Alora,
she was beautiful inside and out. Her frail soft beauty attracted people to her like moths to the
light. (Then her heart, filled with light that almost exploded in love, that made people stay.)
Everyone loved her, the kind of love, however, can’t be ordered by a catalogue. It’s simply given
even if it’s not wanted. Love is always taken where it is given and being the young innocent age
of 6, my Alora didn’t know of foul love.
Alora had a beautiful mother, they looked almost the same. Except her mama beheld a
quiet sadness in her eyes. There in her eyes a dark clear blue pond held a foul scum beneath
the clear surface; she was no longer innocent in the world. Alora was still innocent to all the
darkness in this world; very happy in her oblivion. She preserved a small light of gentleness for
the world, for refugees of pain to hide in. she even looked like an angel, Wavy-orange blond
hair pinned up in a crisp white ribbon, a soft summer dress, and always barefoot.this angel
lifted up the spirit and hope of many; presents of flowers found in fields, kind affection of touch
and words. Even though what she did wasn't costly, it was the best kind of love. Everyone
should see the light glowing from her, and everyone did. How every, within us all Is a little
shadow: greed, hatred grudges, possession. He was a cancer in this world, grown and nurtured
by society and cruelty bid his time. He took my Alora, and hid her away from light in a dark pool
of love.

Alexis Holdeman
Her World
to fear the truth
in all its terribleness
or to fear the falseness
in all its beauty
Her World
The room is perfect, very beautiful. Flowers draped themselves from a ceiling; she
always loved white roses and the pretty tulips. The ground hugged her with patches of grass;
around her are rock walls covered in moss and delicate flowers. A single goldilocks bed sits on
the far side with a hanging window frame, and white night stand holds various medicines she
doesn’t wish to partake in. Medicines from the outside world, the outside world hurts. why else
would she need moss covered walls to keep the world out? From her side she heard scuffling of
paws. “I know! I know! Aislinn! I’ve got the perfect idea” Nyx chanted hanging on the hovering
mirror, he never got off of it; when he did he disappeared. a growl came from the far corner,
“She doesn’t need anything, just mope to yourself dear” that’s all Jasper would ever say, he
never even moved from his spot in the corner. Nyx shot him a death glance “I will find
something for you that will make you happier.” His sleek fur gleamed as he disappeared from
sight. Oh, she hated that, it made her all alone. Aislinn just wished for him to come back.
I hope it’s lovely
And full of joy
But how I rather enjoy
The strange cage
In which I hide

Alexis Holdeman
Our World
The air held a cold chill captive like a poison in a vile. Clinging to clothes and furniture,
just to remind you of its presence. To hide other feelings, the colds always been like that.
Quickly he opened the window, not enjoying the heat inside the house. “I like the cold; I love
the blanket of darkness it gives me. Most of all I love window,” he wished she would stop
closing it. The front door slowly crept open he could hear it, and he heard only one set of
footprints. The slow soft sweet clicking of her heels on the worn wooden walkway. “She
mustn’t see me yet! It will be a surprise!” He quickly crept to her closet and shut the door as
quiet as a shadow. As silently as nothing he watched, though as she came into her simple
bedroom he didn’t alert her of his presence, instead he just watched. She was wearing light
pants, and a simple blouse, her straight hair tied back in a bun. “Okay, now” he whispered for
only himself to hear. A clamor arose in her purse, a soft lullaby played, foreign seeming sang by
a child. Her soft hand produced a cellular device from her purse, and she accepted the call.
“Does she not even remember me?” he asked, fear and heartache gnawed at him.
“Hello? Oh hi Emilia. Ha-ha no I just got back from running; I needed to blow off some
steam after that meeting.”
Slowly he shuffled forward, enjoying the cool night air kissing him through the ajar
window. He listened closely to her tongue and mouth through the almost closed door.
“I know the meeting was to file the completed restraining order and all but it still weird
me out. I can tell when he’s been here, he leaves me creepy presents.”

Alexis Holdeman
Not this time, “I couldn’t have planned this even more perfectly,” he whispered for only the
ghosts to hear, he didn’t leave any presents today. He pulled a small pistol from his pack,
already loaded. A small container of beauty.
“Yeah I know I have the worst luck, but I’m serious! Remember when he left me those
notes? Um the one said ‘no need to fear your love’? And I always knew when I would get them
to. He would leave the fridge open, or the window…”
Oh no, I left the window open! He truly panicked, not thinking what he might do his fear
moved him, causing irrational movements.
Panic seared inside of her, fear true to the core. He’s here, inside my house. Her phone
fell; fear paralyzed her for a few precious seconds of life. Her phone was halfway to ground
when he emerged from ornate closet, a dark pistol pointed at her. As Emilia waited for her
friend to finish her final words, the Black Death rang through the air. The ground caught her fall
like a harsh blanket of reality. Her ribs burned, he cried: “Oh no please come back, I didn’t
mean it I need you.” Panic and fear swelled up inside him, this was wrong she was meant to
stay with him forever and ever. No one understands. With tears falling of his face in a cascade
of confusion, he didn’t fear the future now, only the present. He laid next to her, and he put the
gun near his heart. As Ayda’s eyes fell shut he whispered “I know how to fix this, no need to
fear my love for you Ayda.”
Groggily her dark brown eyes resumed their job after a long break, the real world hurt.
Ayda slowly examined her surroundings. Everything seemed perfectly intact. Her stuff was put
away, her stomach hurt a bit but it was probably just her period. Most importantly the window
was closed tight; the air was warm, though the air felt a little ominous. She was in bed, sitting

Alexis Holdeman
upright, her simple book lay in her hands a little farther than she had read. It must have been a
nightmare, I can never tell these days what’s really happening or not. Shame on myself for
causing myself a heart attack to hand my soul over to Satan. Her covers were soft as always,
though not as straight as they normally are, Ayda always slept like a rock, to have any wrinkles
in the covers were unheard of. She sat there for thirty minutes recovering her wits and sanity.
She contemplated calling a doctor for more pills or to call Emilia. But the sudden urge to realize
her bladder took over any other intentions she might have had. every step made her cringe,
and she felt as though she had already taken her pills. The bathroom door easily moved aside
for her, revealing its monster.
Blood, blood everywhere, medical tools, ruined towels, and sluty dress hung in the
corner. It seemed to not fit the situation, but on the other hand what did fit this situation?
“Feeling better?” Bratumil's breath was on her neck, his touch paralyzed her like a deer
running towards the headlights. she didn't even hear him walk. One arm around her waist,
another over her mouth. Why are you doing this to me? Was the only thought that could occur
in her broken heart. He terrified her, her body was frail and small; muscles always eluded her.
He was the opposite, seven feet tall he dwarfed her size of five feet two inches. He was strong,
she was not, he was going to win now, and she would lose, a bee caught in honey. His grip
tightened around Ayda, almost in a heart stopping way if there wasn’t a masked fierceness
behind his skin, a longing she didn't understand. Slowly his hand lifted away from her lips,
“promise not to scream and I won’t reopen your shot wound”, it wasn't till now that it became
apparent that the pain in her stomach indeed wasn’t anything as pleasant as the crushing pain
of womanhood.

Alexis Holdeman
“Oh sweet Ayda, I wish things didn’t have to be that way.”
“why didnt you just stay in jail?”
“Oh what fun would that be? that place would change me, I tried to keep myself the
exact same, for you”
Her throat closed off on itself, he was to close, and her safely was dissipating. Where
was her phone? Her safety? The only place in the world that should be her oasis of happiness
had just been invaded by an army, annihilating her soldiers as if they were made of butter.
Slaying everything that could stand between them and the grand prize, her heart. Thousands of
walls built up, only to be crawled under; getting the full view of her ugly, bruised, beaten,
slashed and disgusting heart.
“I don’t want you the exact same,” her voice quivered.“ I want you to ... get better,
you’re not right in the head Bratumil. They could hel-”
“No they won’t stop lying to me; I will punish your false tongue. I came here on much
different terms”
His eyes flashed evil colors, dark and ominous. He knew of the power he had over her.
The world felt colder almost chilly, she didn't know how far he would go to be heard, and Ayda
never wanted to find out.
“I have something you love Ayda Lottus.”
“I love almost nothing”
At least by now Bratumil should now be able to see what had become of her soul; the
organ called her heart performed its job, nothing else. It didn’t dare love anymore, love was
torture, love was a luxury and asset to the controller of all; fear. When everything else has been

Alexis Holdeman
taken from you fear is the only thing left to stay, and it had eaten her away. A stalker was the
least of her worries, stress and nightmares were closer on her list.
Yet she knew why she attracted him. They both had their faults hidden away; it put
them apart from the average. Ayda had a shrine dedicated to her sister since she went missing,
all Alora’s things neatly stacked in a room exactly as the missing child left them. Ayda even
owned a scrapbook she put together filled with pictures of girls that looked similar to Alora.
Though Ayda would never hurt anyone, unlike Bratumil.
She knew she wasn’t quite right in the head, how could anyone possibly after what she
endured as a child? Images to graphic to write down on a simple piece of paper with ink, no one
could possibly understand the pain given and received during that. No father should feel that
way about his child, no man should whisper that they loved their child in a dark locked room,
terrifying the very being of the simple white dove now spotted with black. Everyone endures
pain and there’s two ways to withstand and accept the pain; suffer yourself to protect other in
the future, or selfish stalking and plot for revenge.
“Deep inside I bet you could think of something you will always love dear Ayda.” His lips
kissed the top of her ear as he said this, and shudder ran through her whole body. Panic was
rising in her to the point of tears; he knew that he was resisting the rain from inside. Crying was
fears obedient minion, offering his bronze sword to the cause just to feed the commotion. Oh
how conflicted Bratumil was, wishing her pain and happiness unanimously.
“I love almost nothing, you can't do anything that will change my mind”
Bratumil just laughed squeezing the breath out of Ayda, imagining all the things he
could receive from his hidden treasure, and the dress he specially chosen for the occasion in

Alexis Holdeman
the bathroom corner. “And this almost nothing love is just what you love in general? But this
‘almost’ love is really all your love dedicated to one person, well that’s going to have to
change.”
“I don’t care for anyone, “ she tried to shift away from him, for some fresh breath that
wasn't poisoned with his intoxicating cologne.
“What about me?” Bratumil couldn’t help but ask, he knew the answer was no, but that
will change soon enough.
“You … terrify me.” she whispered this, barely audible. Bratumil found this very
satisfying, without warning he pinned her against the bathroom wall, the cool tiles sucking in
her body heat like a sponge. His body pressed into hers, “Terrify, that’s a good thing, you don’t
need peace.” Bratumil eagerly leaned in to her his lips grasping for the softness of her lips, no
more stolen kisses, just simple bliss. A cry erupted through the night, tears that were held at
bay rushed away from her in sudden burst of pain and terror, she turned her face as far away
from his as she could, her eyes and body rigid with only thoughts of fleeing. To hide in a safe
place, away from the boy who resembled a man she knew before.
“Oh dear Ayda, you have to kiss me now, if you want your sister back.”
Her World
The sun never sets or rises in this world of lush green on white tile; the suns are always
up and dim. The colors seem to fade as if they hold untold secret, mute colors. Jasper growled
from his dark corner where no one could find him, “he’s making a mistake!” Jasper used to
move around, not anymore. The window spun slowly as Nyx appeared next to Aislinn, panting
for breath. “I brought you a dream! A lovely dream!” he seemed very excited “I’ve been trying a

Alexis Holdeman
very long time to get it for you, it will come soon.” Aislinn liked a good dream, she refused to
sleep for fear that monsters would come to remind her of the past. “This is a mistake you fat
weasel.” Nyx didn’t even bat an eye, “We will see, old man.”
Our World
She hated him, loathed him, despised his appearance despite his attractiveness, above
all she feared him. In her life many people had tried to hurt her, to threaten her safety. And his
appearance, curly black hair, blue piercing eyes, tall muscular figure; Bratumil looked identical
to her father. The very man who ruined her heart and soul, her life as a young girl crumpled up
as if it was a simple newspaper, the first paragraphs scribbled, never to have the next articles
be the same. The rest of the newspaper will always be crumpled, or scribbled upon. At least
Ayda pretended to have her life back on track, to have her newspaper be preserved and
delivered every Monday. Bratumil knew all this; he memorized every corner of her house and
knew her better than anyone. He knew her secrets; she never had told anyone. He could ruin
her life; bring back painful shards of memories to ruin her newspapers. He corrupted her life,
with a single sentence. Even if this sentence was false Ayda had to go, her sister was the only
thing that could be used to persuade her; he always knew that.
Her World
Do you fear the dark?
I fear the light
It shines light on only what the world wants to see
The dark can be manipulated to see what you wish
I Enjoy That

Alexis Holdeman
Our World
The halls were stale and the room was stagnant, and clean and precise. It felt as though
ghosts hovered in the air waiting for their next victim. Ayda and Bratumil passed by many
people in this odd hospital but none of them paid them a second glance, the two looked fierce
covered in blood and dirt, him a gun and she a slutty dress. Bratumil watched silently as Ayda
tried to get someone’s attention and none even looked in their way, why did she want to leave
him so badly? She must be trying to hurt me. He feared the aloneness, he used to rob houses
but when he came to her house; she stopped him in his tracks. No matter how many times she
sent him away to the cement room with metal bars Bratumil could always find his way back. He
longed to take care of her, to never be alone again. Once they passed into the empty hall way
that had been abandoned long ago they rounded a few corners till Ayda was obvious lost, then
went to the only room with a light inside.
“I want something in return, I want you to stay with me, forever, or I won’t let you see
her.”
Her brown eyes pierced into his, so beautiful. She gritted her teeth, “you want me to be
with you? I want my sister intact, I know what I see behind this door will not be what she truly
is, and if she comes back to the light then I will offer a negotiation”
Ayda's statement alarmed him, his fist beat her flesh wound in her stomach a few times
before he realized what he was doing I’m not supposed to hurt her, please forgive me. But he
couldn’t deny the overwhelming power he felt then, its greed worthy. “You will love me, and I
make the rules” tears ran down her face, she only nodded her head. “She will never love me
now, I will be alone” he whispered the ghosts, unlocking the dirty door.

Alexis Holdeman
Her World
The scampering sound was the only thing she saw as Nyx appeared out of thin air once
again, he never stayed in the same place. “How are you today Aislinn?” a growl sounded in the
corner “terrible you miserable failure, she hates you now. You're all alone, Nyx.” Aislinn gasped
in terror, her world was perfect; always had been. yet she saw somethings off, things that were
wrong. “Stop Lying! Nyx yelped climbing over the flowers and leaves. “You foolish fool, look
around at what you have done, the flowers are dying, and the walls are decaying. Aislinn is
dying.”
Our World
The room was far from bare. Dead flowers lined the window, black and dusty. The walls
were white with writing all around them, insane writing. Words written in death and blood and
feces. A figure sat on the bed unmoving facing the window, still as a ghost. Blond curly hair and
pale skin from lack of sun, she didn’t turn to look at Ayda; didn’t even agonize her presence.
“Alora? Is that you?” it was only a whisper, silent as death but she heard. The silent figure
jumped from the bed and stood on the nightstand, and started screaming. Incoherent words,
monster syllables, scars and anger poured out of her. her face was sagged, dirty, and pale. her
eyes were black, and sad; just like her mothers. Ayda was frozen at the doorway before
entering the room, the small hallway was her protection from her sister. No, this wasn’t her
sister. This was a creature of destruction an unfortunate victim to circumstance. Ayda stayed as
long as she dared, till the tears couldn’t be held back, till she feared that her sister of memory
would never be found again, till she was scared of the monster actually hurting her did she run,

Alexis Holdeman
straight into Bratumil arms; oh how a simple even can send someone seeking peace from
destruction. “Oh my Alora, my sweet Alora, what did he do to you?”
Her World
“What is that? That sound I hear, is someone on the other side of the wall? Nyx what is
that?” he was so proud as he spoke his long slender body stood upright, “your dream! I got it
for you now-” a growl echoed in the room as the sound grew. “Silence! You fool! It’s coming to
destroy you! It’s Alix the monster of nightmares the worst ever to be seen! It’s the monster
who hurt you so many times before, fight the urges don’t let it in, patch the walls!” Jaspers
screaming was so painfully loud Aislinn was screaming as she bid herself to his will, Nyx huddled
just outside the window, alarmed by the outcome. Once the walls were patched and the
scratching sound stopped did Aislinn sit and panted, and blinking away dust did notice the
flowers. they used to be so pretty and white, now they were fading.
Our World
“You have to try again, she will remember sooner or later, but you can’t give up on Alora
now. This is when she needs you the most. I don’t understand what’s wrong with her, she
normally just sits there muttering, now she’s yelling. I don’t understand. ...”
But all Ayda wasn't even listening anymore all she could do was cry. She had helped
ruin the one thing that had kept her going. Even if he had been trying to help it seemed as
though he just burned her last newspaper.
“Actually, I can’t help Alora that’s why I brought you hear Ayda. I was trying to make her
better, for you, and she has gotten much better but after many years I haven’t made any
progress, Ayda are you listening?”

Alexis Holdeman
“You had her for years? Thank you,” her breath caught in her throat, her eyes stung.
“Thank you for not showing me what she’s become.”
Ayda had given up caring, that monster in that room scared her. If should have been
her, never her Alora.
Her World
The sound of despair was near the door
The flowers were dying
Nyx no longer was Nyx
The darkness was receding.
The floor was weakening
Wall’s turning grey
The sky turning black
“I told you she was dying”
Was all Jasper could say
Our World
The monster in the room got worse, angrier and more in rage. No longer did she
whisper to herself saying nothing important. Now articles of newspapers and book poured from
her mouth in angry syllables. “You ruined my life!” she would scream to the corner of her room
“Stop saying that!” she would try to lunge at Ayda and only Bratumil's strong arms kept her at
bay. Alora talked to the window begging for a dream, a shadow, to forget everything, and for
the ghosts to go away. her tears were too sincere to question, her pain was intolerable and for
her sister, still seared into her mind after the door shut.

Alexis Holdeman
Her World
“Aislinn, you don't understand!” she whirled on Nyx “Alix is ruining my life! I was perfect
in here! Remember when I tried to leave the room before? It’s scary out there he’s out there, I
can’t leave, and now there’s ghosts!” a chuckle erupted from the room. “Oh sweet child, you
still don’t realize” Nyx held her in his arms suddenly next to her, he looked different he changed
from a boy to a weasel. Brown fur or black hair. He gripped her tightly. “Alix is ruining me!” he
shoved her down, “This is real! This is all you the monster is you!” her mind broke and her rock
walls came tumbling down revealing cement with insanity on them, her insanity. The flowers
were black and dead. The horrible figures scratching was a ghost crying for forgiveness. A
nightmare, a dream, a girl , black hair, brown waves. Tears and she whispered. “Oh my dear
Alora, Aislinn Alora Lottus, what did he do to you? To us.” The lights went white. Showing the
insanity written there, a name; Aislinn Alora Lottus. “No! The truth is scary! Hide me in the
dark!”
“Even if the dark hides me?” Jasper chuckled, “Well done my dear, my lover.” A man lay
in the corner, then the remains of a man, then a shadow. Memories of Bratumil beating Jasper
to death seared into her mind, Jasper. Who was Jasper? But then she remembered; the pain,
the fear, sitting next to Bratumil her whole life, he was her only safety. “Daddy no!” the walls of
rock were gone the flowers dead, insanity on the walls and she was trapped in the world of
monsters. Forever.
Our World
“She’s gone”
“You can’t know that for sure”

Alexis Holdeman
“I know what he did to her, Bratumil, please take me home.”
He only winced, “be with me first; I don’t want to be alone. You promised.” Ayda was to
enraged to even move, “I wanted my sister back you monster! Is she there? No! Now I’m scared
for life, again.” He thought for a long time holding her down on the bench “you’re trapped here
though, you don’t know the way out, so why do you keep resisting me? I can’t be alone
anymore I need.”
“You don’t need me Bratumil, you're too afraid of being alone, you don’t love me”
Bratumil had expected this to happen, his head hung low and his grip on ayda slacked,
and he slowly led her out of the mental institution. Ayda felt as though the trip should have felt
longer, the silence didn't bother her and it seemed as though it had only been a few minutes to
get to her house, the blink of an eye. Bratumil just pushed the front door open, no longer hiding
how beaten down his heart was, how tiring his journey was. He sat slowly on the sofa, the TV
turned on as if sensing the need for noise. Ayda just stood there, paralyzed. she was she going
to do? Her whole life revolved around finding her sister. The girl that never enjoyed her first
name and went by her middle name. The perfect child who warmed peoples hearts, not the
creature of destruction that fell to the ground quivering to the ground, yelling at imaginary
ghosts. Ayda slowly sat down next to Bratumil, not able to think of anything without her words
falling through the air. Together they let their loneliness consume them.
A few days had passed without either of them moving, they both swore to hearing noises
like ghosts drifting through the house. and still neither of them cared enough to move, the fear
of impossible things had been swiped from them. he didn't speak for thought that if he were to
say something ayda would wake up from her daydreamy state, and no longer sit near him.

Alexis Holdeman
The TV buzzed in the corner, neither of them could even understand it anymore. Adyda
just stared at the electronic screen, she was indeed stuck in her own mind, trying to imagine a
time she could have saved her sister, anything she could have done differently. All the times
Bratumil had tried to kidnap her and failed; was he trying to gain her trust? Did he have Alora
the entire time? Anyone knows of this torture, a pain that only oneself can give; no matter how
unreasonable, the thoughts of ‘what if’ always resurface.
…Hello….
the shrill wail pierced through the night, it came from everywhere the hallway, the
kitchen, and the TV. It sent Ayda into a shrill cry jumping to her feet, the sound seemed to let
her body float in space; paralyzed there.
….weekly news….
Ayda searched desperately for the source of the sound, her eyes focused in on the dim
light in front of her, the glowing spectrum of colors set in front of the wall. The most she
focused the clearer the Tv became, the screens murky waters slowly cleared into a dark pond. it
sounded almost ghostly, but the sound was audible.
…. three bodies found ...ZZ... abandoned asylum …zz… 3 weeks old …..
Ayda sat up quickly, and eagerly glanced at Bratumil, this was real. she didn't have a real
meaning for happiness, she only felt happiness at actually feeling something.
….zz.. all dead ……zzZz…….. ZZzZz….
“Unfortunate but its a fact of life, people are always dying.” She spoke loudly to him, but
even a fly wouldn't be able to hear her tongue. a nervous russell shifted through the entire
house, through her bedroom and hallways.

Alexis Holdeman
..ZZzZ… Reviving … Lottus Case ..z..
The world didn't breath, her mouth died. her inard twisted into painful knots. Why
would the case be brought back? it had been 15 years ago, unless something tragic yet fulfilling
occurred.
...ZzZ. Jasper Lottus, Aislinn Alora Lottus, and Brataumil Lottus …….zzz…..
Her gasp shuddered the air and stillness, the bodies three weeks old?
….order of deaths ..z. Jasper Lottus ….beaten to death by son ..zz... Brataumil lottus ….
who then killed a localist ….zZ…. Ayda Alix Lottus …. his sister, before committing .. suicide …
Aislinn Alora Lottus …. went insane from visions of her sister …… overdosed on medication ….
The room was fuzzy again as Ayda screamed at the TV scream to come back, for the
soupy screen to create images again. For the strange noises in the hallways to return, this can't
be happening.
“I hoped you would never find out” his voice was strong but sad, he somehow was
standing right in front of her. “I know its wrong .. but .. I need you Ayda.” he was gripping her
arms with his, holding her there she squirmed and squealed. Yelling to anyone who would
listen. “I saved you, when he tried to kill you I convinced him to leave you by the river. That I
and Alora would be enough. Mom thought I died at birth but he had just kept me away from
you … I ” he paused breathing shakily his whole plan was unraveling at the seams. “I need you …
i know its wrong...” he tried to kiss her again but she was screaming, disgusted. “This can't be
happening!” she clawed at his arms, her aching wound throbbed. “I didn’t mean to kill you it
was an accident, we both died, exact same time. I’m so sorry Ayda.” he was sobbing holding her
captive and breathing in her scent. She was crying, it was impossible. “We haven’t been able to

Alexis Holdeman
talk to people, because they can’t see us. Please, we both share the same pains, I don’t want to
be alone anymore. Please Ayda. the whole time he tortured me all i thought of was you, you're
so beautiful. I've done everything for you.” He was sobbing, shaking, wanting her to love him,
wanting something she couldn’t give, her mind was going fuzzy all she could hear was a soft
breeze and rain.
Their World
Panic flared through Ayda’s tiered body, pushing away something that wasn't there.
quickly her dark brown eyes resumed their job after a long break, seeing what actually existed,
the real world hurt; she didn't mind. Ayda slowly examined her surroundings. Everything still
seemed perfectly intact. Her stuff was put away, her stomach hurt a bit, and she didn’t dare
check.. Most importantly the window was closed tight; the air was warm, though the air felt a
little chill. She was in bed, sitting upright against the wall, her simple book lay in her hands a
little farther than she had read. It must have been a nightmare, I can never tell these days
what’s really happening or not. Shame on myself for causing myself a tremendous
heartache. Her covers were soft as always, though not as straight as they normally are, Ayda
always slept like a rock to have any wrinkles in the covers were unheard of. She sat there for
thirty minutes recovering her wits, and sanity. She contemplated calling a doctor for more pills,
or to call Emilia. But she realized, in the corner, sitting silently was Alora. Alora screamed with
Ayda, sisterly love.

Corynn Nethercott
Escape Your Fears
The rain is pounding on my window and the thunder is roaring at me, I could not find more
peace if I tried. The Seattle Pacific University campus is my home, my peace of mind. The
weather seems like it was made for me, bringing me relaxation and a way to escape all my
worries. My worries? Yes, I am paranoid about a lot of things. The biggest challenge in my life is
escaping my fears. The constant pressure from my dad to graduate college with a Master’s in
Counseling Psychology, the worry that I could possibly disappoint him. I am scared, I am
terrified, I am fearful of possibility I could not be successful, the possibility I might have
unrealistic goals that will never be achieved.
“Allison,” says a young female voice. “Wake up!”
My eyes shoot open and I see the red haired freckled beauty of my best friend Melody.
Suddenly my back starts hurting and my butt feels like I have been sitting on rocks. I smell fresh
air and then notice I have fallen asleep under a tree, with all my books on my lap and the tree’s
roots are uncomfortably underneath me. Welcome to my college life.
“Allie come on seriously it’s going to rain!” she says, picking up my books off my lap for
me. “Not to tell you what to do, but I think you should be studying for that test in Jacobson’s
class tomorrow,” she extends her hand to help me up. We walk over to our apartment, a couple
blocks from the school. Her and I both come from very rich families, it’s just us two living in this
high-rise apartment in downtown Seattle. It has the best view of the city and marina either of
us could ask for, and it is such a stress-relief. I spend about 50% of my day in class, and about
50% of my day studying. Rarely do I get more than 4 hours of sleep a night.

Corynn Nethercott
As I stare out our window my cell-phone vibrates in my back pocket, it’s my dad and I
know exactly what he is going to say. “Hi Dad,” I answer. “What’s up?”
“Just making sure everything is going okay and that you’re studying for that test you told
me you have tomorrow,” he says, a bit pushy and intimidatingly.
Yep, I knew he was going to say that. I wanted to scream at him and tell him I can take
care of myself but I say, “Yeah of course.” The phone call ends shortly after that. I pick up my
books, sit on the floor indian-style, and lean over on the window so my forehead rests on the
glass. Why do I allow myself to be walked all over? I think. I have become such a passive
authoritarian.
The next day, after a whole lot studying and staying up until 3 in the morning, I feel like I
have this test in the bag. Melody and I walk to the college, it being a rare sunny day. I look at
Melody, who had the time to get ready and suddenly feel very self-conscious. My dark brown
hair is pulled into a pony tail, only had time to put mascara on, and I’m wearing capri-length
running pants with a zip-up hoodie. What if I meet the love of my life today and he won’t even
notice me because I don’t look good enough? I start getting more and more anxious, finally Mel
notices.
“Allison, what is wrong?”
“I look disgusting, and what if I meet a hot guy today? He won’t notice me when I look
like this,” I say, looking down at my outfit.

Corynn Nethercott
“Allie, you literally worry about everything. If you would just calm down and realize that
there is absolutely nothing in life to be worried about then you will have a better life,” she says,
and storms off. She must be sick of my constant complaining. Maybe she is right though, you
know? I mean, I wish I could stop obsessing over things and let myself relax. That is not how I
am though, I constantly worry about something.
After taking my test, I feel like I did okay on it. I avoid talking to Melody, being she is
probably still super annoyed. I walk out of class and run into an acquaintance of mine, Jonah.
“Allison!” He says, approaching me with one arm out and he puts it around me.
“Hey Jonah,” I say. We had met at a party about 3 weeks ago, and everyone so drunk I
was uncomfortable and Jonah took me home. “How did you do on that test? ‘Cause I’m pretty
sure I did okay, not good enough for my dad.”
“Who cares what your dad thinks?” He says, brushing his longish, curly blonde hair out
of his face. “Hey, can we hangout today around five?”
I had planned to make myself a good vegetarian meal for me and Mel since she was an
avid vegan, but I decide that going with Jonah might clear my head a bit. “That sounds good,” I
smile. “What’s your number?”
When 5 o’clock rolls around, I am sitting at home on my bed staring into my mirror I
have hanging on the wall. “Am I really wearing a tank top and shorts?” I say out loud, making
myself realize how ridiculous I look. It’s a good 78 degrees outside though and that is pretty
good for September weather so I’m taking advantage of it. Melody hasn’t come home, guessing

Corynn Nethercott
she is still in the library studying or talking with Wren, her “not-boyfriend boyfriend.” Suddenly I
get a text from Jonah to come outside and get in his truck.
I run out the front door, almost forgetting my purse. I hurry through the lobby and exit
the front doors. I see and old, white, Chevy Silverado parked outside, not blending in with the
cars around it at all. I hear Rascal Flatts pouring out of the rolled down windows, and see
Jonah’s curly hair poking out of a snapback he is wearing.
He jumps out of the car and runs over to the passenger door and opens it for me, “I
know its not an official date but I’d like to be a gentleman,” he explains. “You look super good
by the way.”
I blush, he is one of those guys who are rare to find these days. I laugh and thank him.
When we start driving, we go on back roads I don’t know and we are getting farther and farther
from the campus.
“We’re going to my favorite place in the world, don’t worry,” he says. How did he know I
was worried? Did I give off that awkward vibe or am I just sitting here shaking? I realize that I
am sitting indian-style and I am biting my nails. He pulls off onto a dirt road and I get even more
worried, I don’t like off-roading.
can.
“Jonah, you should slow down, I’m kinda not so good with off-roading,” I say, as cool as I
He slows the car down and just shakes his head laughing, “You’re not going to be my
country girl are you?” I shake my head in agreement, which apparently made him need to stop

Corynn Nethercott
the truck. “Allison,” he looks at me, begging for me to look back. “Listen to me. I know you
worry about a lot of things. Melody told me when I asked her about you. What I want you to do
right now is let me help you.”
I sit there, sort of intimidated but I was willing to get some advice from him. “Jonah, I’m
a worrier. My dad pressure’s me beyond belief to do good at school and he gives me such nice
things I feel guilty and that I owe it to him. I worry about tests and studying, and how I look,
what I wear-” I stop, noticing how easily I am talking to him and it kind of freaks me out.
“Allison. I’m gonna blast this music and go down this dirt road, and I want you to stick
your face out of the window, let the wind blow through your hair, look out at the tree’s and
nature that is all around us and I want you to forget all of that,” Jonah points to the window.
I take off my seat belt, put my legs down and off he goes. I hear Melody’s voice saying
“just calm down and realize that there is absolutely nothing in life to be worried about.” The
tree’s, that hang over the top of the road and make it look like a tunnel, pass by so fast I cant
focus on a single one. Everything I have been worried about escapes me, I forget my dad, I
forget what I have to study for, I forget all my worries. It is at this point that I am so grateful I
met Jonah, no guy has ever been able to get me to not worry. He turns the truck around and
starts heading back. “Wait, we are going back?”
“All I wanted to do was take you on a drive, get to know you, and get some stress off
your shoulders,” he glances at me and smiles. “Looks like it worked, you look like a whole new
girl Allie.”

Corynn Nethercott
When he called me Allie my heart melted. I realized something, that people like me take
life too seriously. I need to let go, I need to be worry-free and be young while I can. Fear is such
a weird thing, and it can go away so easily if we try hard enough. Fear shouldn’t be what
motivates us as human beings, we shouldn’t have a worry in the world. Stay on top of things
and get things done because you feel like that will help your life go in the direction you want it
to, not because you are fearful of what your dad or mom expects of you. You can think for
yourself. Be who you want to be, and know the possibilities of what you can become and let
that be your motivation. After all, the best things in life are achieved by hard work and no
worries.

Shae Roberts
Since the beginning of time, there was a purpose that drove every life form to progress and
move forward. This urgent need, this sole longing, drove them, empowered them and
eventually killed them. Ironically, their purpose, their sole need, was to prevent the destruction
of the world they had worked so heartily to make. Thus, the creature that would destroy their
home became their motto, chant, and fear. Timore hominis qui venit ut perdere et audate
chimera qui venit et redono.
This fear lead the creatures to create monsters that could not be controlled, to create a planet
they could no longer inhabit and unleash the Nameless Fear upon man who had come to kill
them once and for all.
"Man, where do you come up with this crap?" Kinsler asked, shoving week-old pizza into his
mouth, "I mean, this is a load of bull-"
Camira's withering look silenced him, she'd been part of the group for barely a week and
had already earned more respect from Kinsler than he cared to admit. When she was sure
Kinsler wouldn't use "colorful language" as she called it, Cam motioned for Sevrin to continue.
Sevrin cocked an elegant brow before continuing. "The white serpent with its human
like face fed off of the creatures' darkest fears, turning its yellow gaze upon the very beings
who gave it life."
"Is that all?" Cam asked, a worried look crossing her usually placid face. Kinsler studied
her expression for a moment but couldn't come up with a good reason for her worry.

Shae Roberts
"No," Sevrin said, "it speaks of an angel sent to protect man from the Nameless Fear.
The angel supposedly imprisoned it with the chimera. The only other thing the text mentions
is that the heavenly council voted man the planet's dominant species, which is why they sent
the angel to capture the Nameless Fear. We'll know more when I've finished translating."
Kinsler looked up at his friend, a look of skepticism crossed his face. "You mean you're
not an expert? What happened to 'old earth languages are a snap'?"
Sevrin's yellow eyes flashed, reminding Kinsler of the wolf that lived just behind Sevrin's
aloof manner. "Well, if you are so smart, then you translate a language that no one spoke
before earth was abandoned as a desolate wasteland."
"You mean it's a one of old earth's dead languages?" Anelle asked, peeking her blonde
head through a canvas wall panel.
"Precisely," Sevrin, replied.
Cam and Anelle looked at each other, distrust and suspicion evident on both of their
faces. Anelle turned her gaze back to Sevrin, a slight smile now evident on her lips.
"I hope I didn't interrupt too much," Anelle sighed, sitting as far from Cam as she could
get in the cramped tent.
"Not at all," Sevrin replied, "to what do we owe the pleasure of your company? Last
time we saw you at a reading you said they bored you."
Anelle raised her eyebrows at him, "They do, but-"

Shae Roberts
Her pause sent a nervous shiver through them all, even Cam seemed worried.
"What happened," Cam questioned, "did the voice come?"
Anelle looked at her hands, clasped gently in her lap, and nodded. Whatever animosity
the two girls felt for each other, this shared fear was strong enough to dispel it. Sevrin placed a
reassuring hand on Anelle's shoulder. Kinsler watched the whole thing, feeling a little like he'd
just ridden an angry danklig, an almost horse-like animal that had the temperament of a
mother bear when riled (at least, that's what he was told, he'd never seen a mother bear). He
glanced over at Cam wondering if she'd accept a reassuring hand from him. Kinsler shook the
thought away, whatever respect he had for Cam came from her ability to keep calm and bolster
herself. Yet in that moment, he almost thought of her as though she were like every other girl,
she almost looked...vulnerable. He shook the thought, whatever Camira Lonewater was she
was not vulnerable.
of the loop.
"So, what is this voice?" Kinsler inquired, looking around at his companions, feeling out
Camira focused on him, her eyes unreadable. "The voice is just that, a voice that starts
behind the door flap. It hisses our names and sounds like a snake slithering outside our tent."
"We could combine the tents," Sevrin suggested, sneaking a glance at Anelle, "this way,
if the voice does come, we'll be ready for it."

Shae Roberts
Anelle and Cam shook their heads in unison. "I don't think it will work," Anelle
whispered, "it only comes to Cam and I. When we're by ourselves or when we're together in
our tent."
for us."
"That we've noticed," Cam sighed, "it could be outside the tent at this moment, waiting
this?"
Sevrin shook his head, "I would have noticed if it entered camp. Are you sure you heard
Camira and Anelle looked at him balefully. "Yes, we're sure," Cam seethed, "it hissed
'caam-eeer-rrrraaaa, aaaannnn-nnnneeeeellll, cuuummmm fffaaayyyysssss yyyyouuuuuuurrr
fffeeeeerrrrr'."
The disembodied voice Cam portrayed had an odd effect on Kinsler. His arrogant
manner was barely held in place by sheer will, while Sevrin, the god of calm, was clearly shaken.
Composing himself, Sevrin's eyes shifted between the girls.
"Hmm," Sevrin muttered, cranking the flame of his oil lamp higher and pulling the
ancient text in front of him, "I wonder."
"W-what," Anelle shakily asked fixing her gaze carefully on Sevrin.
nothing.”
"Just the way she said 'Camira and Anelle,'" Sevrin stated, “though it’s probably

Shae Roberts
Cam and Anelle peered at each other, the light of realization dawning in their eyes.
Once again, Kinsler was left out of the loop. He watched the expression pass from Cam’s eyes,
he had seen that light in them not long before, on the day they'd met, when Cam realized she
could trust him. Kinsler sat back, letting the vibrant memory wash over him.
It was almost evening when he found her, bloodied and starved in a cavern he and Anelle had
uncovered only minutes before. She had been crouched in a corner, eyes fierce and feral, like
an animal, and a makeshift spear clutched in her left hand. Kinsler stepped forward, hands
splayed before him as a show of peace. The girl, Cam, had taken a deliberate step toward them
when Anelle panicked. This feral, cat-like Cam bolted quickly to action, babbling words Kinsler
had never heard.
Hands still splayed, Kinsler stood his ground to no avail; Cam had zeroed in on the
fleeing Anelle and was after her before Kinsler had time to react. He'd stood for a moment,
gazing at the room before him. How had she survived, he thought, looking at the barren space.
An object caught his eye, a small stone, glittering in the light of one of the bioluminescence
lamps they used for excavations. It was just a normal rock, but he picked it up anyways and
pocketed it, remembering Anelle and running off after her.
When he reached the end of the tunnels, Kinsler heard the low, authoritative growl of
Sevrin's spirit wolf and the territorial growl emanating from Cam. Carefully showing his hands,
Kinsler began to step between the two opponents. Sunlight hit him as he walked out of the

Shae Roberts
tunnels at the same time Cam's growling had stopped. She now stood erect, still clutching her
spear, but looking around as though unsure of her surroundings.
Seeing an opportunity, Sevrin bolted toward the then unfamiliar shape that was Cam. A
split second later, Cam had stepped aside and neatly grabbed Sevrin by the nape of his wolfish
neck and lifted until his eyes met hers. Kinsler had very seldom seen Sevrin use his mental
voice, but watching the two minds combating still gave him chills. It was then he noticed
Anelle, bleary eyed and doubled over, pain lining her lovely features. The blonde hair that fell
in golden waves around her face had turned brown, her once creamy skin tan and her soft grey
eyes a vibrant, leafy green.
The transformation shook Kinsler to his core, his friend, his sister, had seemed to be one
with the earth around her. A fresh wave of growling tore Kinsler’s eyes from Anelle and,
turning in time to see Sevrin set back on ground, he felt the beginning of an earthquake rattle
beneath his boots. The four of them turned collectively and watched as three years of work
was covered in rubble.
Kinsler’s eyes darted back to Anelle, almost the usual picture of herself, though her eyes
had only dulled to a mossy grey-green color. He walked over and helped her stand, easing her
shaking frame onto a nearby camp chair.
“You alright?” he’d asked.
“Fine,” Anelle gasped, clutching her side, “I just...need some water.”

Shae Roberts
After making sure Anelle was settled, Kinsler handed her his canteen. Sevrin had
changed into his usual brooding self, but was watching the newcomer with suspicion. Kinsler
darted toward their ruined excavation. Sevrin and Anelle followed, Anelle somewhat
deliberately, to see if there could be any salvaging the sight.
“It’ll take weeks to fix this damage,” Sevrin grumbled, turning his gaze to the newcomer,
“I hope you know we expect an explanation from you.”
The girl merely looked around, confused and disoriented.
Kinsler strode up to her, running his fingers through his sandy hair. “What’s your
name,” he asked the girl. Her eyes focused on him, their colors shifting endlessly.
"I am Camira, Camira Lonewater."
Kinsler focused back on reality as the realization that they were all staring at him
slapped his senses. He looked around the circle, "What?"
Tension seemed to melt off their shoulders. Half smiles of relief softened care worn
faces and Kinsler realized he had missed much more than a simple comment by Sevrin. "What
did I miss?"
Sevrin glanced over at him, "A very intriguing discussion about mineral water."
Kinsler groaned, "You need to learn how to crack a joke, Sev."
Sevrin frowned, "My sense of humor is just as keen as ever."

Shae Roberts
"For a billboard nerd who thinks mineral classification is fun." Kinsler joked, easing back
into Sevrin's odd form of wit.
"At least it's more exciting than falling asleep." Sevrin bantered back, giving Kinsler a
knowing smile.
Kinsler smiled back, "Actually, I was thinking."
"You, thinking?" Sevrin asked, sarcasm dripping like honey off the comb.
"Shocking, I know." Kinsler replied.
If Cam had been capable of expressing sarcasm, Kinsler was sure she would have rolled
her eyes. As it was, she played into the trap that he had taught her. "What were you thinking
about?" Cam questioned.
Kinsler flashed her a smile, "The day we met."
It was the subject that had lingered in the recesses of their minds since the day it
happened, yet they'd all feared to speak of it. Their eyes traveled anywhere but at eachother
as the events of that day came flooding back. Kinsler almost regretted bringing the subject to
light but knew it was one of those unfortunate, necessary evils that they had to face. He snuck
a glance at Cam and saw remorse written on her features. That day haunted her, her memories
were gone, but the way she'd been treated after clued her in to what she'd done.
"I just figured it was time we talked about it," he almost whispered.
The group around him nodded, still unable to look at each other.

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"I'm sorry," Cam sobbed, losing control for the first time.
Cam's pitiful confession of guilt seemed to break whatever power had held them in
silence. Oddly, Anelle was the one who went to comfort Cam. If Kinsler had been as selfcentered
as he pretended to be, he might have gone over and reassured Cam himself, but he
knew that the two girls needed this, whatever 'this' was. The shared animosity between the
two girls was a badly kept secret, but now he realized that sense of distrust and fear that kept
them from being, well, friends, had nothing to do with each other, but was merely a product of
what had happened that first day.
Kinsler shook his head in an effort to clear it. I'm starting to sound like Sevrin, he
thought. A vague sense of 'this is not cool' mixed with his usual 'why am I such a dork' that
came at times like these. More pizza, he thought, rummaging through left-over boxes. If there
was one way to drown out the billboard nerd in him it was eating cold pizza. The notion had
come years ago when he'd been teased about being smart. Since that time, he'd drowned
every moment he'd had a Sevrin-like thought with pizza. If he hadn’t spent everyday digging up
dead people’s houses, he might have been fat.
When Camira's sobs finally quieted, the girls turned their gazes up at their friends,
Anelle sneaking a glance up at Kinsler and mouthing 'thank you.' Kinsler gave her a slight nod
and the group looked at each other.
"Well, anyone care to start?" Sevrin asked, giving Kinsler a pointed look.
"Fine," Kinsler grumbled, "what do you want to know?"

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"Perhaps what brought this on?" Sevrin continued.
"Right. Well, you guys were all 'something about the way she said stuff' and so I zoned
out."
"Fascinating," Serin joked, "if only we were all so eloquent."
Anelle rolled her eyes. "Did you notice anything that you missed that day?"
Cam's spear?"
"Yeah, well, sort of, I'm not sure what it has to do with anything, but what happened to
It was Cam's turn to cock an eyebrow, "It's not a spear."
"No?" Sevrin asked, "Then what is it?"
"It's an acaelis," Cam said, shifting uncomfortably.
"And that is...what, exactly?" Anelle asked.
"It's a type of knife," Sevrin informed them, "they're quite rare actually."
"If they're so rare, then how did Cam get one?" Anelle inquired, seeming to already
know where Cam had come by it.
knew."
Cam shook her head, sending multi-pigmented hair flying about her face. "I wish I
Sevrin looked at Kinsler, "Anything else?"
"Yeah, while you and Cam were playing mind tricks, Anelle...changed."

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"Changed how?" Cam quizzed.
"Her hair, it turned brown, her skin became tan and her eyes..."
"What about my eyes?"
Kinsler looked up at his sister, seeing her fear but knowing that she needed to
understand. "They turned green."
The intake of breath was barely audible, but it was there. "Do you think I'm cursed?"
Cam looked at her. "There is no curse. The mark of green was meant to be a symbol of
the stone angel."
The group turned to face Cam. "How do you know? You can't even remember attacking
Anelle. In fact this whole mess is your fault, if you hadn't shown up, Anelle would never have
been marked!" Sevrin’s rant finished with an animalistic growl.
Cam merely looked on with a calm that scared Kinsler more than Sevrin's out of
character outburst. "You mean to say that I am the reason she came on the excavation team
and was in the tunnel opening it to the exact room where I was trapped? I think you need a
good look into the pond to cure you of your animosity toward me. To clarify, green eyes have
nothing to do with a curse, the humans who came to this planet were merely superstitious and
took to killing anything that didn't match up with their idea of 'normal.' Wouldn't you agree?
Seeing as you've been hiding what you really are your whole life."

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Kinsler was sure Sev would have blown his top if it hadn't been for the rustling slither
that made it's way around the tent. The group sat erect waiting for any sound that might
indicate that whatever was outside the tent would try to come in. Kinsler looked over just as
Cam's hand reached inside her jacket. He gave her a puzzled look but dropped it when the
creature began to hiss. He looked around at the terrified faces of his friends.
"Ccaaammmmeeeeeerrrrrrraaaaaaa, Aaaaaahhhhhnnnneeeeeelllllll, iiiiiiyyyyy
sssssssmmmmeeeeeelllll yyyyoouuuuurrrrr fffffeeeeeeerrrrr."
Cam quietly pulled out her acaelis and stood up, one hand poised on the tent flap, ready
to pull it back when the thing passed by. Anelle watched with admiration that clashed with fear
every time the creature paused or hissed. Despite his own terror, Kinsler somehow managed to
admire Cam's courage and the way her multi-hued hair hung about her tan face.
Cam wasn't sure what had come over her and wondered why she’d let them see that she
carried the acaelis with her, but then, most of the things she'd done hadn't matched up. To
make matters worse, she'd managed to let slip that she could remember some of her past and
it didn't look pretty. It was just as she had thought it would be, a tangled mess of things that
didn't match. Just like her, a mod podge of different colors.
She heard the thing coming around to the front of the tent and poised the acaelis,
quashing a fresh wave of panic as she did so. If there was one thing she was sure of it was this:
Camira Lonewater would do whatever it took to get into the council's good graces, even if it
meant helping the missing stone angel kill the Nameless Fear.

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Her target rustled just outside the tent flap and, adjusting the acaelis in her hand, Cam
flung it open and dashed toward it seeing the mesmerizing yellow eyes, human face and pale
creamy skin marked with its curse. The Nameless Fear, Cam thought, using her mental voice to
speak to it, how kind of you to stop by.
Caaaaammmmmeeeeerrrrraaaa, the beast hissed in her mind, yooouuuuuurrrrrr
fffffeeeeeerrrrr iiiiiisssssssssswwweeeeetttuh. Joiiiiiinnnnn uuuussssss.
Us? Cam thought at it, what do you mean us?
A supposition snuck its way into Cam's mind; if the creature were capable of plastering a
smile on its eerily human face, it would have. Instead of letting the thought drive her into an
attentive disadvantage, Cam lunged at the pale flesh beneath its chin. Getting jerked around as
its flailing body coiled around her.
Still, the acaelis hit hard, biting through cursed flesh like a miracle while pulsating
cherry-red liquid spewed out. It should be dead, Cam thought, why isn’t it dead? The thing only
laughed a despicable reverberating peal that bounced around in her skull.
Uuuuunnnnnttttteeeeeelllll nnnnneeeeexxxxxxtttttttiiiiiyyyyyymmmmm
caaaaammmmmeeeeerrrrraaaaa, it hissed, uncoiling its long snake-like form from her.
A question formed from the black that was slowly consuming her; why hadn't she felt
it's cursed skin slink around her? A wave of black washed over this half formed thought and she
fell to the ground, mind and body giving in to the paralyzing fear.

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Kinsler felt a wave of fear roll over him as Cam leapt out the door to face a giant, white snake
with the face of a human. He had watched, unable to will himself to action, as the slimy
creature wrapped itself around Cam and drained her. His whole body seemed to be struggling
against the chains of fear that had him bound. The word Cam resounded in every strain against
those chains until, too late, her now pale frame slipped out of the creature's grip as though she
were dead.
A new fear for Cam's life raked daggers across his heart. His ability to move came back
just as the fear that had held him for that eternity began to melt away. Purpose drove his
clumsy attempt to stand and run to Cam's nearly lifeless form despite both feet being asleep.
The rush of pain that came as blood once again flowed into his digits became lost in the pain of
losing Cam. His whole frame seemed racked with guttural sobs as he stood over Cam’s lifeless
form. A breeze blew the hair away from her delicate features and breath flowed back into her
lungs. By some miracle of the heavens, Cam had been saved.
He gently picked her up and carried her back into the tent. Anelle was busy searching
through Kinsler's mess for the medipack and Sevrin sat there, looking between the two of them.
As Kinsler set the unconscious Cam onto his cot, he noticed Sevrin pick up the ancient text and
work on the translation.
care of Cam?”
Anelle looked up at Sevrin, a puzzled look on her face. “You’re not going to help us take
behaved.”
“What’s the point?” Sevrin asked, “She wouldn’t accept my help after the way I

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Kinsler laughed. “Dude, she’s unconscious. Besides, none of us were exactly ourselves
just barely. I’m sure she’d forgive a wolf like you for being a panicky jerk.”
Sevrin cocked a crooked smile. “I suppose if she can forgive an arrogant pig, she can
forgive a ‘panicky jerk’ as well. However, that’s not the only reason I’m endeavoring to
translate.”
“What’s the other reason?” Anelle asked, pulling the half-buried medipack from under
Kinsler’s empty pizza boxes.
“The creature that attacked us tonight, you would describe it as snake-like, yes?”
Kinsler and Anelle nodded. “Well, I hope to learn more about this ‘white snake’ the text
mentions. This could be the Nameless Fear our text speaks of, and if so, we’re going to need to
learn as much as we can about it.”
Anelle sighed. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt, but…”
“But what?” Kinsler prodded.
“I think we should ask Cam.”
The two boys mouths dropped as they stared at her. “You are joking, right?” Sevrin
asked, slightly dumbfounded.
“No, I’m not. If I’m right, Cam’s getting her memories back and I suspect they can tell us
more about this thing than those musty papers can.”
It was Sevrin’s turn to sigh. “I suppose you’re right,” he said, “Still.”

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“I know,” Anelle agreed, kneeling in front of Sevrin, “But the most useful thing we can
do right now is help Cam. Whatever is hidden in her memories is important. I can feel it.”
Sevrin looked up at Anelle, admiration shining in his eyes, and would have kissed her if
Kinsler hadn’t interrupted. “Hey, lovebirds, are you going to sit there and make out or are you
going to help me with Cam?”
Anelle laughed and stood up, leaving Sevrin sitting alone. When Anelle’s attention was
focused on Cam, Kinsler looked over at Sevrin. As he caught his friends eye, Kinsler gave him a
hard look that said, ‘If you hurt my sister, I’ll kill you.’ Sevrin nodded, slowly rising to join the
others.
A thought occurred to Kinsler at that moment. What if Cam loses her memories again,
he thought, only this time, for good.
Cam woke up with pain throbbing behind her eyes as they began to register light. Too bright,
she thought, trying to sit up. A pair of hands gently pushed her back down, causing anger to
flash through her, and a flash of pain that radiated through her skull.
“Let go of me,” she growled, shoving the hands away.
“Cam, you’re not ready.”
“Ready for what?” she spat.

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There was no answer, but a wet rag was being dabbed on her forehead. She forced her
eyes open, squinting and grabbing her head as the full force of the light hit like a hammer on
her frontal lobe.
The face that greeted her was oddly familiar but her head hurt too much to try and
think. “Who are you,” she asked, hoping a name would jog her memory.
The girl’s features contorted with worry. “Kinsler?!” the girl called over her shoulder,
returning her worried gaze to Cam.
A guy walked in, lanky yet muscular with sandy blonde hair and an unshaven face. His
grey eyes looked at her with worry. His left hand was shifting endlessly, the lapidem stone from
her acaelis rolling smoothly in his rough hands. As she watched, Cam’s hand flew to her jacket
feeling the empty space where her acaelis had once lived. A primordial terror filled her body,
nearly drowning out the splitting pain in her head.
“Where’s my acaelis?” she demanded, glaring at the people before her.
The two looked at each other. “You mean, you don’t remember?” the girl asked as if
the news came as a shock. “I mean, it’s only been a week-”
“A week and a half now, she’s been out for three days.”
“Right. Still, you’d think she’d remember something.”
“That’s what we said on the day we met and all she knew was her own name.”

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“What are you talking about?” Cam asked, “All I’ve gotten so far is that my acaelis is
missing, the stone has been removed and you won’t let me sit up! I’ve had enough of trying to
think, I’ve got a headache and if you don’t explain what the heck I’m missing then-”
“Then what?” the Kinsler guy asked, clearly amused at her rant.
pig!”
“Then I’ll have to show you what an acaelis with its lapidem can do to an egotistical
The girl sighed. “Kin, I think I’ll leave this one to you,” she said, rising from her position
next to the cot.
Cam waited for the girl to leave, dreading her chances of fighting when she was stuck in
human form without her acaelis. The girl, however, didn't seem worried that Cam was facing
attack, but gave her a reassuring smile before exiting. Why can’t I remember, Cam thought
racking her brain for an answer as the headache lost is thunder.
"Maybe it's because you spent the last week in this sh-" the Kinsler guy paused as Cam
gave hard look. He cleared his throat, “latrine.”
Cam eyed him with suspicion. “I don’t think my inability to remember has anything to
do with...where ever we are.”
explained.”
Kinsler’s usually confident demeanor seemed to change. “That may be easily
“How?” Cam asked, reaching for her still missing acaelis.

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“Three nights ago, there was...an incident.”
Cam cocked an eyebrow and waited for him to continue.
“There was a white, snake-like thing with a human face-”
“The Nameless Fear.” Cam said, shaking her head as the last fog of the Nameless Fear’s
attack dispersed. “It’s really back then.”
“Yeah, um, you know anything about it?”
“More than Sevrin’s going to get from the text.”
returned.”
Kinsler’s eyes lit up and his cocky swagger kicked in. “So, Camira Lonewater has
Cam gave him a serious look, “I never left.”
“Then what do you call threatening to carve into me with your knife?”
“I call it ‘temporary memory loss due to an encounter with the Nameless Fear.’ I
wouldn’t have had this memory loss if my acaelis had had its lapidem.” she jibed, directing
pointed glances at the stone he kept twirling around in his hand.
“Oh, you mean the rock?”
Cam nodded, giving Kinsler a look that she hoped made him feel like an idiot. Instead,
Kinsler replied, “You mean the rock was missing for a whole week and you didn’t notice?”

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Cam sighed. Realizing yet again that Kinsler was completely clueless. “You’re an
archaeologist and yet you know nothing about the history or culture of the people you’re
studying.”
Kinsler gave her an overly cocky smile. “Glad you caught the drift.”
“A lapidem is a source of angelic power that fuels an acaelis.”
“And that’s supposed to make you look more observant?”
“If you’d give my acaelis, I can show you how it works.”
“Yeah, about that.”
A nervous flutter peeked its way into the front of Cam’s mind. “Kinsler, what happened
to my acaelis?”
“It sort of stuck into the Nameless Fear.”
An empty feeling crept into Cam’s stomach. Gone, how can it be gone? I’ve had it since
I was endowed with life by the stone angel, it can’t be gone.
Kinsler must have suspected that the acaelis was somehow a part of Cam when he sat
down and handed her the lapidem. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, handing her the stone.
Anelle.”
Sevrin walked in then, worry obvious on his face. “There’s something wrong with

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Cam looked between Sevrin’s worried face and Kinsler’s angry contortions. “What do
you mean, ‘something’s wrong with Anelle?’” she asked.
“The green eyes weren’t a one time thing.”
Cam shook her head for the upteenth time. “The mark of green is not a curse. It is a
mark of the stone angel, why do you refuse to understand that?”
Sevrin looked at Cam. “The stone angel was a traitor to the Heavenly Council. ‘Mark of
green, a cursed being.’ Or did you not know?”
“Mark of green, and cursed being, trapped in stone, flesh and bone, a thing now white,
she can’t take flight, from human ties ‘till one dies who sleeps beside the fearful tide.” Cam
repeated. “The mark of green was given to the stone angel as a sign of honor for trapping the
Nameless Fear, but was used as an insult to her when the council found out she breathed life
into...” she paused realizing she’d said too much.
“‘Breathed life into...’ what?’ Kinsler asked.
Cam slowly rose from the bed, walking out of the tent flap. "Me," she whispered.
Kinsler followed behind Cam, wondering at the things that she'd revealed and her unfinished
thought. Sevrin took the lead, and the three of them wound their way through the camp to the
spot where Anelle sat, brown haired, tan skinned and green eyed, a soft layer of feathers

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raising bumps on her shoulders. For the first time is his life, Kinsler couldn't protect his sister.
Of course it was the one thing she shouldn't have needed protection from; herself.
"Anel," Cam said, kneeling next to Anelle. "Anel de lapidem, auctor de spiritus."
Kinsler looked to Sevrin, getting only a shoulder shrug from his supposedly learned friend.
Anelle stared up at Cam, fear lining her face...no, not fear, horror.
"Cam," Anelle gasped, "I-help."
"It's alright, just breath, ok? I have to remove the alligans eamque spell." Cam replied,
and, seeing Anelle about to panic added, "it's the only way to stop the pain."
Kinsler saw Cam staring at him as if waiting for permission. He nodded, watching as
Cam pulled out the lapidem that belonged to her acaelis. “I suppose now that it’s gone, you
may as well take back the strength you put into it.” Cam said, looking sadly at the rock as
though it had been a lifelong companion, but Kinsler figured the way things had gone lately, it
might have been.
Anelle tried to push away Cam’s hand, but her fingers brushed against the stone. The
change in Anelle was instantaneous, a pure white glow seemed to emanate from her chest and
spread over the rest of her body. Kinsler watched, glad that Anelle would be all right, but
concerned that whatever was happening had only just begun.
When Anelle was finished glowing, she looked at Cam, grateful for...what? Making her
glow Kinsler assumed. Though what glowing had to do with Anelle, he had no idea. It was then

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that he noticed Sevrin, pale and reserved, staring at the fully manifested stone angel that stood
before them.
“Hey Sev, you ok?” Kinsler asked, knowing very well that his friend was definitely not ok.
Who was he kidding? He wasn’t ok.
midst.”
Sevrin shook his head, sending dark hair over his eyes. “The cursed one stands in our
Anelle looked at Sevrin, obviously confused. “Cursed one? I don’t see the Nameless
Fear. After all, it wouldn’t be wise for it come now.”
thing.
“What do you mean?” Kinsler asked, still trying to wrap his head around the whole
“She means to say that she imprisoned the Nameless Fear once and believes she is
capable of doing so again,” Cam explained. “However, unlike last time, I am unable to manifest
and am lacking one acaelis. Besides, the Fear has grown strong during its years in prison.”
“That’s not possible,” Anelle stated, more confident than Kinsler had ever seen her.
camp.”
“I agree,” Sevrin interrupted, “though I’m not sold on having the stone angel in our
“It is possible,” Cam confessed, lowering her eyes.

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“I don’t see how,” Anelle admitted, “In order for it to even survive it would have needed
someone to feed off of, but for it to grow stronger? That would take the strength of an angel to
withstand.”
Kinsler saw fire peeking in the back of Cam’s eyes as she spoke. “It did have someone
with the strength of an angel. It had me. Why do you think I behaved in a way that caused the
lapidem to fall from my acaelis?”
A light bulb seemed to turn on in Anelle’s eyes, but was quickly replaced by horror.
“You mean, all these years it was feeding off you?”
“Yes,” Cam whispered.
A strange silence seemed to fall on speech. “So, what now?” Kinsler asked, curious
enough to break that silence.
“Now, we kill the Nameless Fear.” Cam stated firmly.
"Just how do you propose we do that?" Sevrin asked somewhat grouchily.
Cam and Anelle smiled a devious female smile that said that neither Kinsler or Sevrin
were going to like the plan. "We get new acaeli." They said in perfect unison.
Sevrin groaned, "We are facing a creature that implants fear into its victims and then
feeds off of that fear until they die, and you want us to search for one of the rarest weapons on
this planet in order to kill it?"
Kinsler nodded his agreement as Cam began to speak. "We don't have very far to look."

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"You're joking right?" Kinsler asked incredulously. "We're in the middle of nowhere and
don't have far to search? You have to be nuts to believe that."
Anelle gave a little smile while Cam laughed. "You remember the day we met right?"
Cam giggled, "Well, it just so happens to be the spot where I was stuck with the Nameless
Fear."
"I'm not sure I see your point," Sevrin stated.
"Her point is that I would never leave my chimera alone with the Fear unless she was
well protected."
"Your chimera?" Sevrin choked. "You mean you put breath into the chimera?"
"More to the point," Kinsler said, "put breath into Cam?"
Anelle looked down. "I don't regret it. I never have. Cam has saved my life more times
than I can keep track of."
"So," Kinsler hesitated, "does this mean Cam's my niece?"
Cam snorted. "Just because she put breath in me, doesn't make us related. Besides,"
she continued, sending a joking smile toward Sevrin, "I'm an 'unholy' beast created to plunge
the world into another 'uncivilized' age."
Sevrin cracked a smile at this still uncomfortable but coping with the situation better
than he had previously.

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Cam felt good, better than she had in about 200 years. But then, she'd escaped eternity in a
prison with only fear for company and found the stone angel. Yet a grain of that fear sat in the
back of her mind, brought on by her comment to Sevrin. She truly had no right to stand with
these beings who had been given life by nature itself while she was just an imposter, a weapon
meant for nothing more than death and destruction upon those it's wielder wished, like
Frankenstein’s monster she was a thing that never should have had a consciousness. It was a
guilt that tugged at her conscious and kept her withdrawn.
"Hey," Kinsler called walking up to her, "everything alright?"
"Yeah," she said, not meeting his gaze. One of the many things she'd never understood
about life in the excavation camp was why Kinsler had been kind to her at all. If he had just
treated her with the fear and suspicion that Sevrin and Anelle had, her fate might have been
easier to swallow.
Kinsler gave her his typical cocky smile, "Want to know a secret?"
Cam kept her gaze forward, trying to control the curiosity that had plagued her since the
breath was put into her. "What?"
Kinsler leaned in close and whispered, "I know something's eating at you. I just wanted
to let you know, you're not a monster."
Cam looked at him, instantly wishing she hadn't. The cockiness in his smile had
disappeared, replaced by a softness she'd never thought him capable of possessing. Still, her

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face managed to keep its expressionless gaze. "I am a monster. I was made for the sole
purpose of killing every human being that dared claim this planet as its own. I am a merciless
weapon."
Sevrin."
Kinsler raised his eyebrows at her. "You know the only person who believes that is
Cam shook her head, resolving that her fluttering heart was caused by nerves. She
couldn't afford to believe she was anything more than a killing machine. "You're wrong," she
said, "and I don't need the frailties of belief. I know what I am. I let myself forget that once and
it's a mistake I won't make again."
Cam walked ahead, not giving Kinsler a chance to reply. Mark of green and cursed
being, if only they realized, she thought as they entered the cavern that stored every weapon
Anelle had hidden so Cam could protect herself. It had done no good, seeing as Cam had been
sealed into a room with only the Nameless Fear for company. She momentarily let herself
remember the day she’d defended the stone angel, leading the Nameless Fear into its prison
and being unable to get out before the earth shook the entrance closed.
As they came up to the weaponry, Anelle’s eyes glowed, and the large stone door slid
into the ground. The group walked in, viewing the shelves and walls covered in the armaments
of the stone angel and Kinsler gave a low whistle.
While Kinsler and Sevrin picked through the weapons, Cam and Anelle stood awkwardly
beside each other. Finally, Anelle looked at Cam. "You didn't use any of them."

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wanted to."
"I was sealed into a room with the Nameless Fear. I couldn't have used them if I had
Cam found them all looking at her. She shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that had Kinsler
and Anelle looking at each other. When no one stepped up to grab a weapon, Cam reached out
for the nearest acaelis, which was just out of reach. It flew into her hand as if pulled by a
magnet. She felt the familiar tingle of the stone angel’s power in her grip. It was comforting to
feel as though she could, once again, defend herself, but thoughts of her fate kept her
complacent. It wouldn't do for her to think that she could kill the Fear and defend the world
like a hero.
Kinsler stepped up next to her and put a hand on the acaelis that she'd summoned.
"You don't have to protect yourself from us."
She stared at him, anger welling up inside her from the subtext of his words. But he met
her anger calmly. She tried not to let her shock show. When Kinsler finally looked away to grab
a broad sword, Cam's heart had started fluttering again. Nerves, she told herself, it's just
nerves.
"We'll need a plan," Anelle sighed, "no more rushing in blind."
Cam nodded her agreement. Standing as far from Kinsler as she could, looking
anywhere but at him, trying desperately to crush the fluttery feeling she felt.
"What do you propose?" Sevrin asked.
"We take this discussion into daylight," Cam replied. "I don't trust these shadows."

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"Agreed," Sevrin said, giving Cam a suspicious glare.
The group made their way out of the tunnels and into the afternoon sun that glared
through the camp and sat in the most open, sunny patch they could find. Despite her best
efforts otherwise, Cam found herself sitting next to Kinsler. His arm kept leaning against her
and he would whisper reassuring phrases to her every chance he got. Didn't he understand
that she was a monster unfit for life? Couldn't he fathom that the laws of nature would never
allow her to keep this borrowed life?
A wave of anguish swept through her, her life, that had only truly been lived for this
short time, would soon be over. She knew this, having felt it in the core of her being. If I am
marked to die, then the Nameless Fear will be sent to oblivion with me, she thought, fingering
the acaelis from the weaponry. She listened with only vague interest, knowing, somehow, that
their carefully laid plan would fail. Strangely, though, this didn't bother her.
"What do you think Cam?" Kinsler asked.
"I think we need to make sure we don't get separated. The Fear can make us all panic
but it can't fend all four of us off at once."
Kinsler nodded. "Then we go to 'plan b.'"
It was Anelle's turn to nod. "'Plan b' it is."
Kinsler had been hoping for a chance to talk to Cam the whole day. He'd tried cornering her,
drawing her off and even asking her. How could she think she's a monster? he thought. It was

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unfathomable to him to think that she truly believed that she was only meant to cause harm.
Then the whole 'avoidance' thing only made it worse. Since he'd met her, Kinsler had been
fighting to crush the butterflies that had invaded his stomach, reasoning that the attraction he
felt would only result in one of those dumb Romeo and Juliet moments. Yet the night of the
Nameless Fear's attack, when Kinsler had seen her nearly killed a new understanding had
woken in his mind; the attraction he felt was for more than Cam's appearance, it was for the
courage, kindness and and the way she conducted herself. More than anything Kinsler wanted
to get to know her, he wanted to show her that he could be trusted to keep her secrets.
A shiver ran through him. Just what kind of secrets could she have that would withdraw
her like this? The questions that rested dormant in his mind bubbled up, longing to be resolved
by the one person who he knew would refuse to give their answers. The sun began to cast
shadows around Kinsler just as his thoughts reached their climax. It was now time to kick some
Nameless Fear...tail?
Kinsler sauntered over to the spot where the group had previously designed to meet.
As it came to view, Kinsler noted Cam's weapon change; a double-ended spear that was over a
foot taller than her. He looked around and, noting that Cam was alone, didn't hesitate to take
advantage of the situation.
direct.
"So, why'd you change weapons?" he asked, mentally kicking himself for not being more
"More distance," Cam shrugged, avoiding his gaze.

Shae Roberts
A thousand comebacks flitted through his mind, each better than the next. “Cool.”
Cool? Cool?! I’m an idiot!
Cam didn’t respond and the two stood in silence. It figured that his opportunity to really
get to know Cam would be like that, awkward and filled with dumb guy comebacks. At that
moment, he decided to say what was on his mind. He took a breath and mustered his courage
and then…”Hey Sevrin, hey Anelle.”
Possibly the only chance for days that he’d get to speak to Cam alone was
squandered because he gone all weird dumb guy. He really was a clueless idiot.
“Is everyone clear on the plan?” Anelle asked, sweeping a lock of brown hair out
of her face and flexing her large tawny wings.
When did she sprout wings, Kinsler wondered, nodding as he did so. Of course,
angels had wings, but his sister? He shook his head, trying vainly to wrap his head around
Anelle’s appearance while the four of them stood in silence, just looking at each other. Each of
them realizing that this might be the last chance they would have to see one another. A
reticent understanding now plagued them; not everyone would survive this encounter. Kinsler
tried to picture what life would be like with someone missing and failed utterly. They had
become his family and no force on earth could change that.
The sun’s last ray of light hovered over the tree tops until, finally, it disappeared and
was lost completely. Anelle and Cam lit the nearby oil lamps and all positioned themselves for

Shae Roberts
the inevitable attack from the Nameless Fear. They waited and watched the shadows, listening
for the soft rustle of the brush or the whipping sound of ferns returning to their position.
Minutes turned into hours and hours into seconds that seemed to drag on forever.
Kinsler fought to stay awake. He noticed Sevrin stand and snapped to attention. Anelle and
Cam were sleeping fitfully beside each other.
“Sev, where you going?” he asked, remembering they had agreed to stick together.
“Into the brush, I’ve been losing a fight with my bladder for the last hour.”
“Be careful.”
Sevrin smiled and nodded, heading off.
Kinsler sat there, alert for the time being. He looked over at Cam and Anelle, hardly
believing things had really come to this, fighting a creature that preyed upon every fear you had
until your heart gave out. He found himself wondering how Cam had survived all of those years
as the Fear’s victim, being constantly in the grip of the terror of something that wasn’t there.
Or maybe the thing she was afraid of was herself.
“Is everything alright?”
Cam’s voice shook Kinsler from his thoughts only to realize he’d been staring at her.
“Yeah, everythings fine.”
“Where’s Sevrin?”
“Heeding the call of nature.”

Shae Roberts
Cam looked confused, but must have determined that whatever it meant was
something best left unknown. She looked away from him, staring at the flickering flame of the
oil lamp.
“What was it?” he asked, admiring how the the light glinted in her eyes.
“What was what?”
“Your fear.”
She looked at him, clearly about to deny him the answer, but sighed and returned her
gaze to lamp. “I had nothing to be afraid of. I knew it wouldn’t kill me; if it did, there would be
nothing to feed off of. I didn’t need to watch my every move to prevent myself from harming
anyone and I wasn’t concerned about anyone wondering where I was or if I was going to be
alright. The only fear it could instill in me was the fear that I would be left in that dark cavern
for the rest of eternity.”
“You mean, no one knew you were there?”
She looked at him, one eyebrow raised. “The entire heavenly council knew I was there.
II wasn’t given life by nature, but was created at the hands of their precious creatures. In the
council’s mind I was never meant to exist.”
“What about in your mind?” he asked, watching as they turned away.
“I am a monster,” Cam said looking into her lap.

Shae Roberts
Kinsler was about reply when her head snapped up. Motioning Kinsler closer, Cam
nudged Anelle. “It has begun.”
The Nameless Fear had claimed Sevrin as its first victim and wouldn’t stop until they’d
all become subjected to its debilitating despair. Cam stood, helping Anelle up. They were all
slow moving and groggy, getting clumsily to their feet. Anelle was yawning and stretching her
wings when the Fear slunk out of the bushes, its human head hung low to the ground.
“Caaaaaammmmmeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrraaaaaaaa,” the Nameless Fear hissed,
“cuuuuuummmmmm ffffaaaayyyyysssssssss yyyouuuuuuurrrrrrr feeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr.”
Kinsler’s gaze was locked on Cam. A violent shudder shook her small frame, but still she
held the double-ended spear toward the slowly advancing snake.
Cam was paralyzed. The Fear was stronger than ever and what little control she had left
was focused entirely on the weapon that sat poised in her grasp.
I will not be ruled by fear, she chanted, I will not be ruled by fear. Yet the fear coursed
through her veins, barely inhibited by the sheer force of will that she employed. She stood
terrified with the weapon trained directly at her enemy. Not for the first time, Camira
Lonewater wished she wasn’t bound to a feeble human frame.
When the cold horror had frozen her completely, the Fear turned toward Kinsler moving
swiftly. His weapon hung uselessly at his side. The clueless dork hadn’t had the brains to pull it
from its scabbard. She watched as Kinsler reached clumsily for the sword, but it was too late.

Shae Roberts
The Nameless Fear’s snake-like body had coiled around her friend. Cam saw Anelle charge the
Fear, anger driving the angel forward until she, too, was caught in the hold of the Nameless
Fear’s power. Cam stood, tears streaming down her face as she realized that her family was
going to die because she couldn’t face the Fear.
No, she asserted, I refuse to be ruled by fear. As the thought cut its way through the
tendrils of terror that tugged at the threads of her soul, Camira Lonewater broke free of the
binding that hemmed her in human form. A new purpose filled her and her soul pulled her
body into the form of the human’s legend, she was the chimera. Her lion’s claws tore the
Nameless Fear from Kinsler’s unconscious body while her teeth severed chunks of flesh from its
throat.
Cam felt the Fear force the full extent of its power on her. The vicious, snarling beast
that her soul had set free shrank back into its human counterpart as doubt of her own self
control crept into Cam’s mind. She looked at the Fear that was slowly recovering from the
gashes she’d imposed on it. Soon, she realized, its flesh will knit itself together, then I’ll have to
completely start over.
Cam looked around for a weapon. Her double-ended spear lay just out of reach. A
quick glance at her opponent confirmed her suspicions; its horrible, white flesh had almost
completely healed and the Fear slunk slowly toward her friends.
A new purpose reared itself to the forefront of her mind, leaving little room for doubt.
She dove for the spear, quickly positioning herself for an attack. “Hey ugly,” she spat, drawing
the Fear’s attention away from her nearly lifeless friends, “I’m ready to face you.”

Shae Roberts
“Caaaammmmeeeerrrraaa,” it hissed charging at her, “tttthhhhheeeee
huuuummmmmaaaaannn’sssssss mmoooonnnnnsssssssstttttttrrrrrrrrr.”
Cam heard the satisfaction in the Fear’s voice, and was all the more determined to end
its miserable existence. “I am not the chimera their fears have made me,” she said as the spear
caught under the Fear’s chin, “I am not a monster.”
The force of the Nameless Fear’s charge drove Cam onto her feet with the spear
dangling over her chest. As her arms gave out under the weight of the Nameless Fear, Cam felt
the spear’s cold metal bite into her flesh. With the last bit of life slowly draining from her, Cam
invoked the power of the stone angel, letting power course through the Nameless Fear’s flesh
so it would become a fine dust; she’d sent it back to the void. A smile tugged at her lips as the
dust settled and she realized that her fate had been kind.
Kinsler woke to the light of dawn peeking over the evergreens. Cam and Anelle were
both lying peacefully in respectfully short distances from him. He surveyed the edge of the
brush to see Sevrin’s body pale and stiff. He shuddered.
A soft breeze ruffled the tawny down on Anelle’s tan shoulders making her shiver
violently. The dregs of fear still clung to the two of them as they walked over to wake Cam.
Cam’s spear lay sideways, stuck into her torso, a glassy eyed smile lit her features that
were now preserved in stone. Kinsler found himself dropping to his knees, wishing things could
have been different. A wave of anger mixed with his sorrow and he yanked the spear from her

Shae Roberts
chest. Dust flew into the air, making his nose itch and eyes water, but neither of them had an
effect. He flung the spear as far from his friend as his feeble strength would allow. With his last
ounce of vague sanity, Kinsler reached out to Cam and closed the lids.
“Come on Kin,” Anelle said, “Let’s let her rest.”
Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw the despair in his sister’s green eyes. She couldn’t
bring Cam back. The realization broke him. He wanted to scream and curse the heavenly
council for letting Cam die, but instead let Anelle drag him to his feet.
They sat in silence, neither of them willing to speak of the horror that night. Years
seemed to pass in the ensuing moments, until a sound from outside the tent brought them
back. The two survivors looked toward one another. Surely the Nameless Fear had not been
allowed to live while Cam lay cold and lifeless outside.
A pale hand gripped the tent door, slowly pulling it back. The small frame of a girl with
multi-hued hair and eyes that never seemed to stay the same color for very long met them at
the tent door. She wore a shirt that was bloodied and torn. A few motes of dust clinging to
her.
“Cam,” Kinsler breathed.

Taylor Robles
Three Times the Fear
It was a dull and uneventful Saturday night; I was taking my usual stroll through my
neighborhood contemplating the complexities of the community in which I surround myself in.
The light post was flickering causing the shadows to break in and out as if strobe lights had
been flashing. I thought to myself what a sad and somber sight that one must spend their
Saturdays inside tied to technology, rather than collecting together and chattering about how
their lives are going so vigorously, or even gather and gossip about different ideologies our
society has created. As the light flickered it began to grow dim until the last of the light came
from the televisions that sat inside the homes which surrounded me.
The darkness now surrounds me as I walked I heard a voice, a soft and warming voice
who invited to step into the darkness. I stood not knowing whether to accept the voice or not. I
stepped into the darkness and kept to my path, walking forward the darkness covered me;
nevertheless, I pressed forward. The darkness entered inside of me incasing me, in a paralyzing
poison, but I press forward. My muscles became weak and tense as my feet gave way, I fell
landing on my knees, however I continued to crawl. The poison had now covered my eyes in
total blackness and I thought could this be the end? No, I persistently moved onward until
stepping into the illumination of the light post.
I woke up on my bed in a dead sweat, chocking and coughing trying to orientate myself.
I saw a figure in the corner of my room as I flashed my phone in the direction the figure had
morphed into my bedroom chair. I stood up following the beam of light my phone projected
until my hand hit the switch. The rooms light touched every corner of the room. I quickly
scanned the room making sure no figure was still appearing; I thought to myself, What would I

Taylor Robles
have done anyways? I decided it was best if I did not go back to sleep, but something bothered
at me through the morning, what had I seen last night in my room? The same figure that had
poisoned me in my dream? I disregarded the idea and finished my morning routine.
Today was Sunday, which means I would walk again. Although I did not follow the same
path as in my dream, I walked alongside a busy roadway. Again the same feeling came over me,
what happened last night. I played the scary scenario over and over in my head. The idea of
being suffocated and surrounded by the darkness was a frightening thought. As I walked I
kicked a pebble along my path, then suddenly there was silence. The chirping of the bird seized,
not a single car was in sight for miles, I turned around glancing at my surroundings. I looked at
a small fruit tree farm; the fixed line formations seemed flawlessly formulaic. Something so
soothing can come from an obscure object so simple, but put into symmetrical lines. I stared of
and felt a sense of joy rush over me, finally a sense of happiness in a world that seemed to be
consumed by the fear of everyday life.
I turned to continue down the path in which I came and saw her. A small girl with eyes
white as pearls filled with nothing, hair the color of sleek obsidian; she appeared in a long black
gown and almost seemed to radiate darkness with skin as pale as snow. I approached the figure
pretending not to notice when she stood and stared into my eyes. I felt the sharp piercing stab
in which her gaze brought upon to me. I stopped walking. It now came down to a western style
standoff, but deep down inside I knew I would give in to the sharp pain in which she gave me. I
slowly made my way towards the small girl who didn’t seem too troubled. I glanced over my
shoulder; still no sign of any activity anywhere. I kept walking now shortening my distance

Taylor Robles
from the cautious child. I finally confronted the alien like figure and looked down at the pebble
that she held tightly between her fingers. I looked into her white blank eyes and felt the same
feeling that I had the night I walked, poisoned. My limbs grew numb, but this time I could not
move, incapable of any actions. I opened my mouth to scream but it rendered as a useless
action. My eyes still fixed on the girl as she stood. Her piercing voice echoed throughout my
head “what do you fear... the darkness?” It bounced through my head and replayed over. My
eyes widened and my stomach sank to the floor, the strange figure; the girl, had not opened
her mouth to talk, but rather implanted the voice in my head. I scream and moved with all my
might, but the girl now moved closer to my face breathing heavily. She began to shake,
trembling and opened her mouth revealing her mouth full spiders; they dangled webs from her
mouth and quickly rushed to me encasing my body in their wicked webs. I watched helplessly
as they bit into my skin, my mouth now released as I scream in pain and they entered my
mouth. I looked helplessly at the girl screaming.
I awoke in my bed frightened; I sat up and looked around wiping my teary eyes. I saw
two sets of eyes staring at me from the corner of my room white and blank. I flashed my phone
quickly in that direction, illuminating the room to see nothing but my chair. Something was
wrong. I hadn’t been asleep; I looked back at the calendar on my phone. It was Monday. Had I
really slept for a day? No, what I had witnessed was real. I have to tell someone, I need help. I
stood and walked into the living room and dialed the three digit number. I turned around to see
the figures behind me. As the dispatcher answer I scream my address hanging up the phone
and tossed it aside. I ran into the kitchen and slammed the door behind me. Panting, I closed

Taylor Robles
my eyes calming down and took a deep breath. I slowly opened my eyes to see the room was
completely white and empty, absolutely nothing present.
I ran to the corners of the room punching my fists furiously against the walls I cried for
help and ran back to the kitchen door, but the doorknob melted away. I turned quickly looking
for an exit, but rather a shadowed figure stood in the corner. I slowly approached the figure and
examined its sharp spikes along the spine of the spiteful figure. I quickly moved away as the
figure stood up standing over nine feet tall. I ran back to the door but it was no use to open, I
spun around to see nothing there, Isolation. I sat for hours in the colorless corners, siting facing
reality. It may have been days or minutes before I broke down. I went crazy from the isolation,
being alone, shut out from the world without sound, sight, and any other senses. I lay in silence;
the only other color came from the inside of my eyelids, which led to blackness. What was
time? Had it been days, months, or years? At any rate I lay in silence, I opened my eyes and
there were three figures there, the ones I had seen. One was a black cloud with black sparks;
the one who had suffocated my in darkness. Another figure, the girl with pearl eyes, and
obsidian colored hair; the one encasing me in spiders. The last was a giant figure with spikes
protruding from its back, and blank black face; the one that put me in isolation in the room.
I sat up and stared at the group. “Why are you here?” I asked. They gave me no reply
only blank faces. “What are you doing to me?” I scream crawling away from them. The small girl
stepped forward and looked into my eyes, “Why are you afraid?” she asked without moving her
mouth. I opened my mouth, but instead found no words. Why did I fear them? The girl smiled,
“Exactly, you fear what you do not know. You fear something so small and something so

Taylor Robles
inferior to your society.” I thought this over, and wondered what she meant. “Your species has
dominated this world by killing. Killing things you do not understand, and yet you fear things so
small.” I reflected this over, my fear of darkness, spiders, and isolation. These were all so simple
things, avoidable? It goes back to what she had said; what do you fear? Am I afraid of the
darkness, but why? Nothing came from the darkness; it was only the absence of light. For
spiders, they are small, tiny, and inferior to us. Yet, they are feared amongst our society.
Isolation might be beautiful, being alone in the woods with nothing but the sound of birds
chirping and the sound of water running, isolation for shorter times may be peaceful. I stood up
and walked away from the figures and to the door. I left the room, just then my doorbell rang.
Smiling in the satisfaction from overcoming my fears I opened the door to see three blue
uniforms standing at my doorframe. My heart sank.

Emily Seifert
Fear
Many people struggle with the thought of fear. But do they really know what fear is? To some,
fear is an unpleasant feeling one gets with the thought of danger, pain, or threat. To others, it is an
unlikable feeling of not reaching their goal of something. For me, fear is a not succeeding, letting people
down, and clown. Everyone has something they fear. It might be something as big as going outside or it
could be something as small as a bug. No matter how big or small the fear is, it is recognized by the
brain. The two parts of the brain that warns the body about the fear are the amygdala, and the
hypothalamus. These both control the ‘fight or flight’ response. With both parts of the brain recognizing
the situation, it produces adrenaline and stress hormone cortisol. Both chemicals are released into the
bloodstream and allow the body to see an increase heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased
sweating, or muscle tightening.
When I think of fear and how my body identifies them, I get nervous and sometimes my body
tells me to stay and try and face my fears. Other times, by body is just like ‘screw it and run!’ For
instance, I hate the feeling of not completing a goal I have set for myself. If I don’t reach it in the amount
of time I set, who cares. It just makes me work even harder to reach it. An example of when my body
tells me to run is when I see clowns! I have always hated them. I think the thing that made me realize I
hated clowns so much is a dream I had when I was little. I was a young girl at a fair and I couldn’t find
them. I had this friendly clown, or so I thought, come up and told me he would help me find my parents.
After walking in what seemed like one maze with only left and right turns I saw that I was all alone and
to make it worse, no one was around to help me. It was like everyone had vanished into thin air.
Without any time to think, I heard footsteps coming closer, and then it was silent. Lacking the desire of
wanting to know whose footsteps they were, I started to run. Without knowing where to go, I made
turns and hoped I would find my way. That is, until I ran into the clown. Only, it wasn’t the same clown.
This clown was angry, dirty, and had a look in his eyes that looked like he wanted to kill me. When I saw

Emily Seifert
the knife in his hand, I escaped from his grasp and ran. As I ran, not sure of where I would end up, I
could hear him getting closer. When he got super close to where he could stab me, I woke up. Ever since
then, I have been scared of clowns. Big ones, small ones, it doesn’t matter. They all frighten me.
Sure, that may be extreme, but I don’t care. I can barely even look at clowns without wanting to
turn away from them and run. Maybe one day I will get over my fear of clowns, but then again I might
not. This might just be an irrational fear, but to others, it could be a psychological fear. Some people can
be so afraid of their fears that people refuse to do much do to the fact that they might have to face their
fears. Others could possibly be so afraid of things that they might not even leave their house.
Even though it has been proven that the brain identifies one’s fears, some people think that
there is no such thing as fear. That fear is just a lie. Will Smith said, “Fear is not real. The only place that
fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things
that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me danger is
real, but fear is a choice.” I think he is trying to say that even though there are serious dangers in the
world, there is no fear. Anyone that thinks they fear something can get over it. After all, all you have to
do is stand up and tell yourself that nothing can scare you. However, at the same time, nobody is
perfect. People make mistakes, people can fear things, but what’s the point of living if all you’re going to
do is fear? What’s the fun in that?

Makai Smith
Fear
What is fear? If one surveyed the general public, perhaps the popular perception would
be that it is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that you are in danger or are being
threatened. Such feelings may occur when you watch a scary movie, or when someone leaps
out of an unexpected place to frighten you. Well what is fear really? Fear is literally a chain
reaction that occurs in the brain when a stressful situation occurs. This reaction ends with a
mixture of chemicals that are released throughout your body causing your muscles to tighten,
your heart to race, your breathing to accelerate, as well as other reactions. This would occur if
someone saw a spider, or had a knife to their throat with the belief that they were taking their
last breathes. Often, people wish that they were not scared of so many things. They may
believe the false idea that if they were not afraid, they might be happier when in reality, its fear
that keeps us alive.
How does fear keeps us alive? That’s a silly question you may ask, but when you think
about it, you may find that the statement to completely accurate. If we were unable to fear, we
wouldn’t stop to think about walking into busy traffic, or trying to pet the big fluffy dog in the
woods that people refer to as a brown bear. It’s our own fears that affect our survival in this
world. It is fear that protects our well-being. A common component of fear is anticipation.
Anticipation is an action of expectation or prediction. Most humans have not had their
house haunted by an evil spirit, but that doesn’t stop the fear that occurs when were home
alone, and we hear the thud at the front door informing us of impending doom. This fear is also
a way that ensures survival. The cave men who felt rain and saw black, bizarre, and boiling

Makai Smith
clouds would stay in the cave because they anticipated the lighting that might come. How much
have we learned from fear?
Fear is an extremely interesting emotion that has been studied and researched for
years. A very popular scientific opinion is that most fear comes from conditioning. During the
1920’s, John Watson, a famous psychologist, conducted an experiment which is now known as
the Little Albert Experiment. He predicted that he could “condition” an infant to fear whatever
he thought fit. He decided to see if he could train this baby to fear a white rat. In the beginning
of the experiment, a white rat was placed in front of the baby among other similar animals.
Albert was not afraid of any and was completely unconcerned. Watson then proceeded to bang
a metal rod above Albert’s head every time he would reach for the rat. It didn’t take long for
Albert to realize that white rats were associated with loud scary noises. Thereafter every time a
white rat was placed in front of him he would try get away being very frightened. Due to the
evidence in this experiment, it is now easy to see why some people are deathly afraid of
common things such as dogs. It most likely was because they had a traumatic experience with
one as a child that even now causes the brain to associate a dog to that horrible time. Although
this is very fascinating, is fear capable of being emotionally crippling?
The fear that was just mentioned is referred to as external fear and is most likely not
emotionally damaging. It is the internal fear that we really need to be afraid of. As external fear
includes fear of spiders, heights and death, internal fear consist of the fear of failure, success,
rejection, and self-worth. These are the fears that can damage someone’s emotions to the
point of them “giving up”. Internal fear is extremely different from external because internal is

Makai Smith
more based on you as an individual. If you are afraid to try something because you believe you
will fail, that is completely different than being afraid of a spider. Consider all the missed
opportunities and achievements people have missed because of internal fear. People who
succumb to their internal fears are not really living. We truly learn how to live a full life when
we can overcome our internal conflicts and simply believe in ourselves. President Roosevelt
said, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by
failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they
live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” It is failure that defines us, and it is the
motivation to continue after failure that immortalizes us.

Baylee Snow
Fear
Fear is the root of every emotion.
It’s the very reason we do everything in life.
Why we don’t just go through the motions.
We make sure to avoid every fear like a knife.
We go through this small world avoiding every bad situation,
Even if that means the wrong impression,
Or self mutation.

Maddie White
Spiders, My Greatest Fear
Spiders, my greatest, yet horrible fear!
Eyes, as black as night, can see through your soul,
Watching, waiting for its prey to come near;
As the fly flies through the wind to find its home.
Spider’s web, as beautiful as it is rare,
A dangerous thing, if bugs aren’t careful.
But as the fly flies, it gets caught in Spider’s snare,
Letting Spider know, the trap was successful.
Watching its prey struggling to break free,
It’s time to feed, before the fly can escape.
Crawling to its prey; the fly starts to plea,
But nothing will change the little fly’s fate.
“Don’t be afraid, my delicious little meal,
I’ll make sure that no one can hear you squeal.”

Robert Cole Wilkes
FEAR
“Love, courage, and honor are all the ways to overcome fear; sin is the failure to deal
with fear, that to you at the time seems like the only way to deal with it. Life is a constant battle
between overcoming fear the devil’s most powerful tool and how we deal with fear is what
defines us.” Said an unknown person. John loves to walk outside and enjoy nature in the
beautiful afternoon but at night it’s a different story. As he says good bye to his friend and his
friend closes the door he now no its time to take that terrible walk home from his friends house
which is a mile away. He then looks around in the pitch black and starts walking telling himself
that he will not get scared. His mind then starts to wonder about the things that be hiding in
the dark without thought doesn’t matter how hard he tries to think happy thoughts the idea of
something evil hear him ready to get him jumps in his mind. He can’t control it he looks around
and it seems like his fear is real. He swears he can hear somebody walking behind him. He looks
around subtly to fool himself that he isn’t scared but he is just checking only because he is
curious. “Nothing is there,” he then tells himself, “there is nothing there.”
His mind starts the wander again and he hears footsteps, except they are closer. He
looks behind quickly and then does a 360 he sees nothing there but, scared, he walks faster,
telling himself he is not scared, he just missed exercising and was going to start today, but
forgot, so, now he is just speed walking. He then calms down and starts to let his mind wander
but now he hears footsteps running to him. He starts to speed walk but they are getting closer,
fast. He then begins to jog. He looks behind fooling himself he is just scratching his ear, but
when he looks a quickly he swears he saw a head behind him. Just a corner hair and everything
he knows just with a glance. It’s a man following him. He starts to go slower, but he hears the

Robert Cole Wilkes
man was behind him start sprinting to him. This mind he thinks, “I’m not scared. I am not going
to let this guy catch me. This is real this time and I have the right to be scared. All of this goes
thru his mind within seconds. He starts sprinting.
He sprints the whole way home, not checking behind him, thinking it will slow him
down, or trip him up. Out of breath, he sprints the rest of the whole ½ mile home. As he gets
closer he sees the light downstairs in the TV room and thinks his family is watching a movie all
nice and peaceful, not knowing he’s out there about to die. He runs up the steps, hoping the
door is unlocked. If not certainly he will die. He goes to the door, ready to burst it down if it is
locked he knows there’s no way is frail body can do it, but he convinces himself he can. He gets
to the door bursts it open, and falls to the ground. He is thankful it was unlocked he slams the
door with his foot, knowing that the person can rush in behind him if he doesn’t hurry; he
stands up and locks the door, and looks at his mom staring at him. He catches his breath, runs
over to the window by the door, and looks outside. There is no sign of a person following him.
He then knows he has made this whole thing up in his mind. He looks at his mom and says
goodnight and goes upstairs to bed as if nothing has happened. Than a shadow of a man, across
the street, behind a tree, looks up to the light that goes on in on upstairs bedroom window and
smiles.

Jaden Wood
Fear is Here
A global, no, universal experience for every human being is fear. Or in other letters, fear
is experienced by all; it is defined as a “distressing emotion,” (Dictionary.com) “uneasiness
caused by possible danger,” (Online Etymology Dictionary) and a “chain reaction in the brain”
(Howstuffworks.com). According to About.com, there are two responses to fear: the
biochemical, which is the same for everyone, and the emotional, which is “highly
individualized.” It is this emotional response to fear that can and must be controlled, else it will
control you. Since fear is an emotion and an emotion is a feeling, it is important to distinguish a
feeling from a thought, as well as a phobia from anxiety. Significantly, fear, including shyness,
can be overcome.
Thoughts and emotions and feelings all contribute to fear. So what, then, is the
difference between a thought and a feeling? There are sentiments, there are passions, ideas,
sensations…when one stops to think about things that naturally make sense, they naturally
don’t make sense, for a time. That is because such things are unconscious. A thought is defined
as a mental cognition, “the act or process of thinking;” (Webster’s New World) “that which one
thinks” (Webster’s); a feeling as “a general term for a subjective point of view as well as for
specific sensations” (Dictionary.com); and an emotion as an “intensified” or “heightened
feeling: a strong feeling about somebody or something” (Encarta Dictionary). Both originate
from the mind and have profound effects on each other, working in a sort of cycle or process.
An emotion seems more subconscious or maybe even unconscious, sometimes, while a thought
is some cognitive verbalization that one is consciously aware of. Both the unconscious and the
subconscious spring from the conscious: the input that is received through the senses.

Jaden Wood
Everyone single person interprets things different than someone else, even if it is the same
object and the same information is told to each person at the same time by the same person.
Therefore, the emotional response to fear is “highly individualized” (About.com).
Feeling anxious? Anxiety is not a form of fear, rather, “an unpleasant state of inner
turmoil,” “the result of threats which are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable”
(Wikipedia). However, it is a “normal human emotion that everyone experiences at times”
(webmd.com). An anxiety disorder is very different and is, in fact, a serious mental illness.
There are obviously multiple levels of fear: apprehension, dismay, alarm, consternation, fright,
panic, horror, and finally, terror. It seems to be self-evident. Indeed, the order of the
terminology is easily debatable but unimportant. Back to that universal response to fear—the
biochemical, also known as the “fight-or-flight”—that is the physical response. Its indispensable
companion is the emotional response, which may be perceived as either positive or negative.
The emotional response cannot, and truly neither can thoughts, feelings, and emotions, be
stopped—only manipulated. Thus it behooves all mankind to instill self-control, self-discipline,
self-mastery. What is the opposite of fear? Courage, some might say, bravery, say others.
Without fear there would be no courage, no driving to overcome certain vicissitudes and
attitudes. But there is a twist.
A phobia is an irrational fear, a twisting of the normal fear response (that was the twist).
There are over 500 named phobias. Prime examples include Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter
series, having arachnophobia (fear of spiders); and Weston in the novel 1984, having
musophobia (fear of rats). Fear of fear and the fear responses can develop as well. In order to
reach a fuller experience, to broaden horizons, and to really experience a deeper sense of

Jaden Wood
happiness, all fears, especially phobias, must be faced. Everyone has a face. The eyes are part of
it, and the mind is behind it. To face a fear is not merely to notice it or even look at it; it is to
peer at it, unexposed, vulnerable as one is, all masks aside, and act. Act in the manner in which
one would as if that fear were not there. That does not mean by any means to ignore that fear:
but to handle it. There are methods to overcome phobias—acclimation. Specifically, these
include systematic desensitization and flooding. Wherein systematic desensitization a certain
method is used to gradually overcome the fear, in flooding one is inundated with the fear,
exempli gratia, if one is afraid of cats, he will be shown oodles of pictures of cats. If you want to
overcome a phobia or any such fear, seek a health care professional. It is possible to make a
fear worse. Particular to people in this era is a prevalent fear that inhibits and limits and can
even debilitate—termed diffidence. Id est, shyness.
What is it at the core of shyness? There are two types, according to Dr. Larry Nelson, an
associate professor of human development (Brigham Young University): physiologically shy, and
self-consciously shy. Physiologically shy people are born with a nervous system abnormally
responsive to stress, quick to respond, slow to calm down; however, only 15 percent of people
are born like this (Strength to Shyness). Self-consciously shy people are not necessarily
introverts, but become preoccupied with themselves and think about what they think others
may be thinking about them. That is a lot of thinking—indeed, mental circumlocutions that are
often negative and spurious. Do not worry about what is beyond your control. Instead, focus on
changing yourself. “To thine own self be true” (Shakespeare). Like anxiety, everyone
experiences shyness at times. But it can be serious and crippling. Like fear, it can be overcome.

Jaden Wood
What would you do if you didn’t have any irrational fears? Fear, shyness, anxiety,
thoughts, feelings, and emotions are universal. There are also levels of these phenomena,
including disorders and phobias. If one can control his own thoughts, then that one will be on
the right path to self-mastery. Meditation can alleviate shyness and other fears by learning to
change the focus of the conscious. There is always hope. Fear, indeed, need not be here.
“Perfect love casteth out all fear” (1 John 4:18).

Jaden Wood
Works Cited
Agnes, Michael, ed. "Thought." Webster's New World Dictionary. 4th ed. New York, NY:
Pocket, 2003. Print.
Allee, John Gage, ed. "Thought." Webster's Dictionary. New York: Galahad, 1975. Print.
"Anxiety Disorders: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention."WebMD.
WebMD, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.
"fear." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 Feb. 2014.
.
"fear." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 06 Feb. 2014.
.
"Fear." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Apr. 2014. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.
"Feeling." Microsoft Encarta 2006 Premium Complete Companion to Research and the Internet.
Redmond (Washington): Microsoft, 2005. Web. 6 Feb. 2014.
Fritscher, Lisa. "The Psychology of Fear." About.com Phobias. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
Friedman, Mindy Raye. "From Shyness to Strength." From Shyness to Strength. The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
Layton, Julia. "How Fear Works." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, 13 Sept. 2005. Web.
06 Feb. 2014.

Jaden Wood
Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet: Entire Play." Hamlet: Entire Play. Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
1 John. 1 John 4 . The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

Janae Young
Faith over Fear
I took one look at the slippery red slope and my heart dropped down to my knees. The steepness
of the cliff led right over the edge to a pool of sparkling Lake Powell water. A deep dark hole of watery
despair that could only be escaped by using a long rescue rope, which I knew we hadn’t carried along
with us on our hike. I started to walk behind those who were ahead of me, trusting in their steps. The
whole group stopped for a moment, making it possible for everyone to safely cross one at a time in a
split that had come up in the rocks. I stood there, just wanting to move along, just wanting to get it all
over with. It was then that I could feel my feet start to slip. My water shoes that I was hiking in didn’t
seem to support my weight or give me any traction on these slippery red rocks. My heart started beating
faster every centimeter my feet slowly started to slide. My fear rose up inside of me and my mind quickly
thought of all of the calamities that could happen next. I desperately clutched onto the rock wall beside
me but couldn’t get a good enough grip to stop my sliding. I fearfully screamed out to my dad who was
in front of me, for I knew that I was just on the verge of slipping down to my death. When I felt his hand
grab mine, an instant feeling of relief swept through me like hot chocolate on a chilled winter day. I
knew I was fine and that he wouldn’t let me slide any further down the slope. He told me to take my
water shoes off from my feet and walk bare-footed because it would make the hike easier and safer for
me. I did as he told me and we continued on with the hike safely, but I will never forget those moments
of complete and utter horror as I felt myself slowly slipping to my watery death. I was terrified.
Fear. We’ve all felt it in some way or other. We all know what it is. But do we really know
where our fear comes from? Is our fear really caused by an outside force or is it something motivated
more from within us? Can our circumstances really determine our fear? I believe that fear is found only
from within. Fear is all based on how we perceive the world around us or how we perceive ourselves. It
can be overcome by positive thinking and can be controlled by having courage and faith.
Fear is the emotion caused by the belief that something is dangerous or can cause harm to us.
There are many types of fear. Some are phobias, some are just the little tiny feelings of nervousness
and anxiety the moment before we attempt something new, and some are the feelings that just seem to
be constantly there: the fears that you aren’t good enough, the fears that you will never be good
enough. Some people fear actual objects around them such as spiders or snakes. Others have deeper
fears such as fears of the unknown, or fear of the future and what it might bring. The feelings of fear are
real to us all, yes, but are the forces that cause our fear really as real as we make them out to be?
Why is it that some people fear things more than others do? Take a fear of spiders, for instance.
Some people are fascinated with spiders and keep them as pets, while others are utterly horrified of
them and would cry out in complete shock for someone to kill the spider before they were able to move
again. So, why do some things appear scarier to others? Some people go through traumatic
experiences that can cause their brains to perceive things differently than they did before. Perhaps a
spider once crawled up the leg of the terrified victim or bit a close friend. In these situations, the fear
may be caused by how they really have perceived the thing to be, but does that mean that the same
experience is bound to happen to them? Since fear is an emotion caused by a belief, fears are only
based on what we believe, or what we accept to be true. So, if someone looks at a spider and is afraid,

Janae Young
then we know that they have simply accepted the fact that the spider is scary and don’t have the
courage to face it. They have accepted the fact that they are afraid and have created that barrier of fear.
In order to overcome our fear, first, we must come to realize that every fear that we experience
is a lie; a lie that comes from our heads and the evil that surrounds us. Fears are feelings of doubt and
worry that come only from what we choose to believe. If we aren't careful, our fears may consume us.
They can make us feel as if we can’t live up to the person that we really are inside. They can even stop
us from progressing in this life. As quoted in the bible, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but
of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). We were born to be powerful! We were
born to have love and a sound mind! In order to know how to overcome fear, we must realize that
these fears are not meant to be a part of us. They are not who we really are or who we were ever meant
to be. These fears do NOT define us. We are stronger than our fears.
It was once said by Eleanor Roosevelt that, “No one can make you feel inferior without your
consent.” This quote explains to us that we really do have more control over ourselves and the way we
live and perceive our lives. Even more than we think we do. Although outside forces may be working
around us, our spirits, even our very souls, are much stronger than we know. Each one of us has so
much more potential than we know! The evil that surrounds us daily wants us to believe that we aren’t
good enough and that we will never be good enough and that we should be afraid. But as we avoid the
temptation that prompts us to be afraid, and as we fill our thoughts with positive and uplifting thoughts
instead, our fears can and will be overcome.
Life is really all on how we perceive it, therefore, the key to overcoming fear is replacing
negative thoughts with positive thoughts and replacing fear with faith. Faith is the opposite of fear.
Faith is taking that next step with hope that it will be a good one, even though we have no idea what
really is ahead. As we look forward with a brightness of hope, our faith will be able to help us overcome
every fear. The light will overcome the darkness and ever corner of our minds will be filled with that
light. In a dark room, darkness can't be turned on with a switch like a light can be. Darkness is simply
there. But the light can be controlled and turned “on” and “off”. We can choose to turn on the light.
We control the light switch to our own minds, and to our very souls. We determine whether the room is
filled with darkness or light. We can choose to live in darkness and fear or we can choose to turn on the
light and live in the brightness of hope, faith, and confidence. We determine how we see the evil
around us, and we control our fears.
How can we apply this metaphor into our personal lives, though? One of the greatest fears we
may have is fear of rejection or fear of living up to our true potential. We may be afraid to be our true
selves in fear of what others may think of us or how others may perceive us. It is a human need to be
accepted and loved. Without it, one feels lost and alone and like they can’t go on. So, we safe guard
ourselves against being hurt and put on a fake façade that is not who we truly are. In order to overcome
these types of fears and become our best selves we can replace the negative thoughts about ourselves,
and about others, with thoughts of a positive nature. With thoughts of service and love we will raise our
spirits and help raise the spirits of the people that surround us, as well. If we have a positive outlook on
ourselves and recognize our true worth and potential and strive to live up to that, we can overcome

Janae Young
those doubts and fears that we have about ourselves. We need not fear man when we know we are
better and much, much more than what the lies that surround us want us to believe. We can overcome
these types of fear, and those barriers, which are only there blocking our way if we let them stay there,
will be lifted up from in front of our view.
Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.” As
we all strive to look more on the bright side of matters, all of the bad things about it will fade away.
There will always be light, if only we choose to look hard enough. There will always be hope for a better
future ahead, and these feelings of hope can guide us and make us happy and fearless NOW. So the
next time you feel those creeping emotions of fear inside, just remember: You are stronger than you
know. You control your fears; your fears do not control you. Your fears do not define you. You have the
power to turn on the light in a dark room. But, most importantly, remember… our FAITH can overcome
ALL fear.