Friends and Monsters final Split

A FIGHTING WORDS BELFAST 

ANTHOLOGY

About the anthology 

This anthology of work was inspired by Frankenstein, 

Mary Shelley’s exploration of obsession, grief, revenge 

and loneliness. 

To mark the book’s 200th anniversary, Fighting Words 

Belfast designed the ‘Friends & Monsters’ project. It 

brought four Belfast school groups together - pupils 

aged 12 – 14 - to encounter the novel through drama 

and Shared Reading. 

At a series of joint creative writing workshops pupils 

produced collective story beginnings. This was 

followed by individual work and opportunities for 

ongoing writing. 

Fighting Words in Wicklow and Cork also held ‘Friends 

and Monsters’ workshops, and members of Write Club 

at Duncairn in north Belfast submitted stories 

and poetry. 

A digital sharing platform allowed the young writers 

to upload their writing independently and share it with 

other participants. 

This is a selection from all of the writing produced 

across the ‘Friends and Monsters’ project. More than 110 

submissions were received.

“BEWARE; FOR I AM FEARLESS, 

AND THEREFORE POWERFUL”

Friends and Monsters 

AN ANTHOLOGY INSPIRED BY 

MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN

A FIGHTING WORDS BELFAST PUBLICATION 

Friends and Monsters is published in June 2019 

© Individual contributors, 2019 

Fighting Words Belfast 

Cotton Court, 

30-42 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2ED 

Northern Ireland 

www.fightingwords.co.uk 

Printed by: - 

Edited by: Marnie Kennedy 

Interior and cover design: Paperjam Design 

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any 

manner without written permission from the publisher, 

except in the context of reviews. 

ISBN: 978-1-9161552-0-6 

Engraving by W. Chevalier after Th. von Holst, 1831, 

frontispiece to Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, London 1831 

Made available under the Creative Commons, Public Domain 

Mark with thanks to the Wellcome Library (no. 40186i) 

A project in partnership with: 

Fighting Words, Dublin 

Fighting Words Belfast gratefully acknowledges the support 

of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in making 

this project possible

friends and monsters 

AN ANTHOLOGY INSPIRED BY 

MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN 

Year 8, 9 and 10 students 

Ashfield Boys’ High School 

Blessed Trinity College 

Coláiste Feirste 

St Genevieve’s High School 

Write Club at Duncairn 

St. Kilian’s Community School, Bray, Co. Wicklow 

Introduction by Myra Zepf

Introduction 

I 

Poetry 

Freedom 4 

CRAIG BAXTER 

Frozen 5 

MIA MAC HUGH 

I am a Robot 6 

DIYA DAS GUPTA 

Lost Souls 7 

SHANNON MC MENAMY 

On Halloween Night 8 

NIAMH DRAGONETTI 

Rising from the Dead 9 

OLIVIA CAMPBELL 

Too Glacial to Move 10 

ORLA O’NEILL 

Winter 11 

CAOIMHE SCANNELL 

Being 12 

SEÁNNA NÍ CHONGHAILE 

Colours 13 

ANNIE NIC MHÁNAISHAMALTÚN 

Desire of His Soul 14 

BRIANNA NÍ FHEARÁIN 

For I do not Know Where 15 

I am Headed 

ESTHER OLAJIDE

Fiction 

Beyond the Shoreline 16 

COLÁISTE FEIRSTE & 

BLESSED TRINITY COLLEGE 

chapter two TOIREASA DE BHÁL 

Billy the Cherry Tree 20 

ST. KILIAN’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL 

Billy the Cherry Tree’s 21 

Sandals and Pineapples 

JAMIE DOWLING 

The Origins of Billy 22 

L A NA BI L E N 

The Dark Secrets 26 



chapter two BROOKE NÍ GHIOLLÁIN 

The Long Lost Vampire 28 

ASHFIELD BOYS’ HS & ST GENEVIEVE’S HS 

chapter two CHLOE MCCLOSKEY 

Pablo’s Taco Drama 32 


BLESSED TRINITY COLLEGE, 

chapter two AOIBH NÍ BHROLCHÁIN 

The Old Man with the Beans 36 


The P-Onion Couple 37 


The Scrambled Dragon 38 



Wee Jonty’s Revenge 39 


The Alley 40 

AOIBH O’NEILL 

Ally Alone (a parable) 42 

AMY LEE BRENNAN

A Bad Idea 44 

KATHLEEN STEVENSON 

Ben’s Rescue 48 

SOPHIE O’REILLY 

Campers 50 

DYLAN MCARTHUR 

Candles and Potions 52 

CIARA MCCONVILLE 

Darach’s Destination 54 

DARACH SADLIER 

Doctor O 55 

CRAIG BAXTER 

Famine Figure 56 

LUCY MCDONNELL 

Frankenstein’s Creature 58 

RYA N L I N 

Skittleman and Peanutman 59 

CORMAC Ó NUALÁINN 

Some Things are Worth a 60 

Second Chance 

AOI BH O’ N E I L L 

Teddy 64 

BRADLEY GREER 

Untitled 65 

SOPHIA FITZSIMONS 

Wings 66 

ELLA MURPHY THOMPSON 

My Experience of 68 

Friends and Monsters 

MASON RINGLAND 

Acknowledgements 69

“THE SPIRIT OF REVENGE 

ENKINDLED IN MY HEART”

“YOU ARE MY CREATOR, BUT I 

AM YOUR MASTER; OBEY!”

Victor Frankenstein observing the first stirrings of his creature. 

Engraving by W.Chevalier after TH. Von holst, 1831.

FRIENDS AND MONSTERS

INTRODUCTION 

Introduction 

Warning 

MYRA ZEPF 

ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHORS 

Dear reader, 

Before you read any further, can we get something straight? If you 

have opened the cover of this anthology of our writing with hopes of 

discovering sweet moral tales, exemplary characters and happily-everafters, 

then you are reading the wrong anthology. Sorry about that, but 

it really is better for all of us if you just close the book again and walk 

away. We don’t mind if you smile to our faces and pretend you have read 

it. It’s ok, we understand. Really. 

If, on the other hand, you are up for a rollercoaster ride through the 

weird, the wonderful, the creepy and the crazy of our imaginations, then 

step right in. You are in for a treat. For this is not like any other creative 

writing anthology you have ever read (or your money back). It will make 

you belly-laugh, give you goose-bumps and tie knots in your brain. You 

are advised to put your cuppa aside while you read, as tea-snorting is 

(almost) guaranteed. It will move you profoundly, challenge you, blast 

you right out of your comfort zone, terrify you and then comfy-blanket 

snuggle you in loveliness again. 

Where else will you meet a cherry blossom tree called Billy, 

megalodons, scrambled dragons and purple sparkly goldfish? Where 

else could you read about taco dramas, robots and planet Glorb Glorb in 

the year 5050? This, dear reader, is what it looks like when you unleash 

the hurricane force of our imaginations into the wild. It can get weird. 

It can also get very dark. Replace happy endings with random sink 

holes and things being set on fire. Think famine ghosts, arson, teddies 

bleeding from the eyes, murder and revenge. Picture razor sharp 

cynicism and a heady mix of horror and humour. If we shock you? If we 

give you recurring nightmares? Well then we shall consider ourselves 

1

FRIENDS AND MONSTERS 

worthy successors of Mary Shelley. 

She started it. 

You know we could dress this all up differently. We could tell you that 

we were grappling creatively with the complexities of teenage life in 

these troubled times. That this is our response to the epic human themes 

of identity, power, redemption and inner turmoil. Our forging of poetic 

pathways to make sense of the chaos. Maybe we were. But mostly, we 

were just having fun – writing stories and utterly unique characters that 

tickled our imaginations. 

If you are brave enough to still wish to continue, we have one last 

warning to get off our chests. In these pages, as well as death, revenge 

and despair, you will find socks-with-sandals and pineapple-on-pizzas. 

If that information doesn’t deter you, nothing will. You are a hardened 

and determined individual with nerves of steel and we clearly can’t 

stop you. 

See you on the other side! 

Please note that turning this page will be understood as 

confirmation that you have read and understood the above 

written warning and are proceeding entirely at your own risk. 

You have been fairly and squarely warned. 

2

POETRY 

“IT WAS THE SECRETS OF 

HEAVEN AND EARTH THAT I 

DESIRED TO LEARN” 

3


Freedom 

all we want is freedom to take away the pain 

all we want is freedom to be treated the same 

all we want is freedom to not repeat the past 

all we want is freedom and that freedom to last 

CRAIG BAXTER 

4

POETRY 

Frozen 

Stand in a gloomy thicket. 

Quiet as death. 

No birds sing. 

Shivers go through me 

Narrow paths twist and turn 

Slither down hills, onto open ground. 

The thickest frost. 

Grass so pale 

White like death 

Catch cold air and hang onto it 

The air heavy and chill. 

One look at the lake and my heart beats faster. 

Frozen right across 

Frost covers everything in white fur 

I have a sudden urge to be out in the middle of it. 

MIA MAC HUGH 

5

POETRY 

I am a robot 

I am a Robot. 

Not human, a Robot, 

Wires, bolts and lead. 

I am awake… 

Yet dead. 

Controlled by humans. 

killed by the flick of a switch. 

Charged by information and communication, 

No room for emotion. 

No rhythm to live by. 

Bought for cheap or at a cost, 

In a world full of others yet I’m lost 

No place where I don’t work my best, 

but no home where I have yet to rest. 

Working around the clock making streets and blocks, 

When I am broken I am either thrown or crushed, 

Could I be reborn by a human’s trust? 

I am a Robot, 

not a human but a Robot. 

DIYA DAS GUPTA 

6


Lost souls 

I can hear them. 

Pervading my thoughts. 

I can sense them. 

They don’t wish to be caught. 

Help them. 

They’re sinister entities 

They enjoy inflicting harm. 

They thrive on having enemies. 

Don’t be enticed by their charm. 

Save them. 

They didn’t intend to be this way. 

They were doomed to this fate. 

They want an end to life. 

No one acknowledges their anniversary date. 

Free them. 

They want to be released. 

So their souls are at ease, 

They have had a harrowing life. 

Believe in them. 

Please. 

SHANNON MC MENAMY 

7


On Halloween night 

On Halloween night, as I walked down the street 

I found a new door to ask for a treat, 

But as I pranced up the path to the door, 

There was a girl whom I’d never seen before. 

As the residents answered and I received what they had, 

The girl stood and watched me, eyes looking sad, 

But as I turned back to where she had been, 

She appeared to have vanished and I hadn’t seen. 

Thirteen years later, I returned to that place, 

To see if that girl would once again show her face, 

Sure enough, she did, and I tried to say hi, 

But she just stood and watched, that sad look in her eye. 

As I got a closer look, I realised she hadn’t aged a day, 

And as I saw the garden through her, I turned a sickly pale grey, 

As I turned and ran on that Halloween night, 

The ghost stood and watched, before fading out of sight. 

NIAMH DRAGONETTI 

8

POETRY 

Rising from the dead 

I have been frozen for 125 years 

Never waking up again was my biggest fear. 

The current world I once called the future, 

Is now very different, with advanced computers. 

As well as Halloween in October, 

Things in this world have you looking over your shoulder. 

Jetpacks as daily transportation, 

That take you to whatever the location. 

Robots are casual to see around the street, 

Talking llamas are complimentary pets in a hotel suite. 

(Cannot imagine what they need that for!) 

Unlimited bacon-flavoured floss in almost every store. 

Books that read aloud to you when you pick them up 

Men in white suits serving opiates in a cup. 

The world nowadays is crazy. 

Technology has gone way too far, 

People are actually asleep driving their car! 

I don’t know where to start, 

Maybe the idea of being frozen wasn’t so smart. 

How long will I stay alive for now? 

If the people from my past only knew about this, 

They would probably all think, 

Wow! 

OLIVIA CAMPBELL 

9


Too glacial to move 

A voice called out, 

Everyone stopped, 

The bell tinkled again. 

The mood seemed to lift, 

Voices got louder, 

Laughter broke out. 

It made the room emptier, 

Somehow. 

It was bitterly cold. 

Shadows seemed to thicken in the corners. 

Noise echoed off the wall, 

Even the laughter sounded hollow. 

A sad sort of feeling came over me… 

I just about managed to smile. 

ORLA O’NEILL 

10

POETRY 

Winter 

The twisted ironwork 

And the queer looking flowers 

Loomed before us 

Ducking around them 

I was like a hare brain. 

So we walked, 

Then emerged into the thin air. 

We stood in a gloomy thicket 

Marvellous frost 

Spread out before us. 

And the trees were white, 

Like bones. 

Quiet as death 

Even the birds weren’t singing. 

I felt shivers go through me. 

It was a sight to behold. 

Winter. 

CAOIMHE SCANNELL 

11


Being 

Being 

Of hatred 

Heartless creator! 

Being that wore the human form 

Nature decayed around me 

The sun became heatless 

Spirit of revenge 

The agony 

SEÁNNA NÍ CHONGHAILE 

12

BLACKOUT POETRY 

Colours 

DIFFERENT 

DESPAIR 

BITTERNESS 

POSSESSED 

THE SUN 

BECAME 

HEATLESS 

PASSIONS 

HOPE 

ANNIE NIC MHÁNAISHAMALTÚN 

13


Desire of his soul 

His feelings were 

whom I pursued 

I cannot know. 

Sometimes I seek 

the everlasting misery 

of cold. 

I seek for prey, 

to provide food, 

for we shall soon enter 

upon a journey 

where your sufferings will satisfy 

my everlasting 

hatred. 

BRIANNA NÍ FHEARÁIN 

14

BLACKOUT POETRY 

For I do not know 

where I am headed 

It was late in autumn. 

The sun became heatless, 

Rain… snow… poured around me. 

The surface of earth was hard as the human heart, 

no tenderness… 

Mighty rivers were frozen, 

Chill… 

I found no shelter. 

Oh earth! 

Nature decayed around me, 

Then again. 

Heavily as it could be, wind came in rushing. 

For the sun was my only guide. 

Could I ask for information from a single human being? 

No? 

No! 

The mildness of my nature had fled. 

All within me had turned to gall and bitterness 

How deeply I felt the spirit of vengeance enkindled in my heart. 

I felt no sentiment but that of hatred 

I determined to seek justice on any human form 

I travelled at night because of their kind 

The agony! 

ESTHER OLAJIDE 

15

“THE BEAUTY OF THE DREAM 

VANISHED, AND BREATHLESS 

HORROR AND DISGUST 

FILLED MY HEART”


I 

Beyond the Shoreline: 

The girl who discovered she 

could breathe underwater 



The sun was setting, and Barnie was feeling a bit lost and freaked out. 

She was going to back track her steps when all of a sudden, a small 

sink-hole opened up, and it led to the ocean. She fell down the hole, and 

went to scream, but couldn’t because all the sand got in her mouth. She 

struggled to get up, and she felt the water under her feet. The tide was 

coming in. It pulled her out and swept her away, and she felt her life was 

going to end. 

She panicked: ‘I can’t breathe!’ 

She took a deep breath by accident in panic when she saw all the 

creatures. Then she realized she could breathe! She wondered where she 

was and saw lots of jellyfish and sharks going past her. She was stunned, 

and she didn’t know what to do. 

She fainted, and when she awoke, she was in a cave, and saw a 

Megladon, a giant prehistoric shark. 

‘Welcome to my cave! I’m Jonny,’ said the shark in a very deep voice… 

16

FICTION 

II 

Beyond the Shoreline: 

Barnie and the Megalodon 

TOIREASA DE BHÁL 

Barnie was lost on shore about to go back, but what is this? She fell in 

a hole, about to die. Wait! She discovered something amazing that will 

ultimately change her life forever. 

Underwater Adventure 

The next morning her mom and her dad came out to look for Barnie. 

They both shouted, “BARNIE, DON’T PLAY HIDE AND SEEK WITH US 

NOW, PLEASE, WE’RE WORRIED!” as they were both panicking. They 

sprinted to the police station and reported her missing. 

The policewoman said, “I’m terribly sorry but all of our policemen 

and women are on duty.” 

“Don’t you have a detective or something?” the dad said with rage in 

his eyes. 

“Actually we do,” the policewoman said. 

The police officer contacted the detective: “Hi, Mr Ó Connáil, we have a 

missing person,” the detective said in a calm yet excited voice. 

“I’m on my way.” 

The police officer said to the mom and dad, “Right so he’ll be here soon.” 

“Excellent,” replied the mom. 

The Detective 

When the detective arrived he stated his name as “Thomas Ó Connáil – 

Tom for short.” 

“Trinity Watersmen and my husband Dave Watersmen. Pleased to 

meet you, Tom,” said the mom. 

“So where was she last seen?” 

“Hmm... I think the beach,” answered the dad. 

“Right so let’s go check then,” said the mom with worry in her eyes. 

“It will take forever to search the entire beach so you two search here 

and I’ll go under the water.” 

17


“But you’ll die!” 

“Trust me, Tom, I won’t.” Trinity dove into a random sink-hole that no 

one had noticed. 

The Disappearing Act 

As Trinity dived, Tom heard a *shoowsh* along with a bloodcurdling 

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.” 

He quickly turned around. “There’s something strange going on,” he 

thought, as more missing persons reports kept piling up. 

The Hard Way Home 

Meanwhile Barnie started to wake up. 

“Ah you’re awake,” said a mysterious person. 

She felt her life flashing before her eyes. “Please don’t eat me. I don’t 

taste good,” she said quickly. 

“What do you think I am, a MONSTER?” 

She heard a low growl and turned around to find to her horror that an 

anglerfish had appeared. She screamed and swam to the Megalodon 

since it seemed friendly. 

“Ah, Angel, you’re here, this is uhh – what’s your name?” 

“Barnie. Umm... Hi, Angel. Do you seriously have an anglerfish as a 

pet?” 

“Yeah, is there a problem with that?” 

“Well... ye?... no? Nevermind.” 

Which Way is Home 

“Uhh... do you know where my home is?” Barnie said, confused. 

“Home? This your home.” 

“No I mean above the water,” explained Barnie. 

“Oh the clouds” 

“What? No! The land!” 

“Ohhh,” said the Megalodon, just realising. “Well follow me.” 

“Ok,” smiled Barnie. 

“Oh I don’t think so,” said a mysterious voice. “Turn around.” 

“Who are you?” cried Barnie. 

“You can call me Dr. Jessica.” 

Barnie knew something was wrong and she whispered, “We should 

get out of here.” 

They both agreed and swam as fast as they could. As they were 

starting to lose her they bumped into a two-way lane. “You go left, 

Barnie, to your world and I’ll go right,” shouted the Megalodon. 

18


Billy the Cherry Tree 

ST. KILIAN’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL, 

BRAY, CO. WICKLOW 

Once upon a time in a land far, far away there was a forest. Not just any 

ordinary forest, a forest so big and magical that no man or woman has 

ever ventured through it or made it out alive. 

In the forest there was a lonely cherry blossom tree called Billy. He 

was waiting for Autumn to come because he had so many sins, and in 

Autumn he could start his life again and turn over a new leaf. 

All the other cherry blossom trees had lots of admirers but everyone 

was scared to come to Billy because each one of his flowers represented 

one of his sins. 

Billy’s wilting blossoms were big and black. His blossoms were not as 

beautiful as the others and whenever someone touched one, they got a 

sour taste in their soul. 

But not only that, the people who touched his blossoms could also see 

what his sins were, and they too became evil and took the sins as their 

own to carry with them. It was almost as though they were possessed by 

Billy’s sin. 

“You look tired old friend, it seems like your sins are bearing you 

down even more than before,” rasped Daisy the wise oak tree at the top 

of the hill. Daisy was lucky, every time she got complimented she grew a 

new leaf. She had thousands of leaves, maybe even millions. 

“I still have many sins from my past life but I am trying to redeem my 

soul,” Billy barked. 

Daisy had been in the forest since the dawn of time and had seen many 

trees with the same problem redeem themselves, but none had been as 

bad as Billy. 

“I can change the seasons Billy, and make Autumn come, but first I 

need you to prove that you are worthy.” 

“But, how do I do that?” begged Billy… 

20

FICTION 

Billy the Cherry Tree’s 

Sandals and Pineapples 

JAMIE DOWLING 

“I can change the seasons Billy, but first you have to prove you are 

worthy!” 

“But how do I do that?” begged Billy. 

“Billy, you have to tell me your sins,” answered Daisy. 

“No one’s sins can compare to mine!” 

“Come on Billy.” 

“Okay... I wore socks with sandals... and I put pineapple on pizza.” 

“Oh GOD... Billy, that’s unforgivable.” 

“I know!!” Billy barked. 

Daisy then told Billy that to stop his sins he would have to think like 

a normal person, however Billy couldn’t wrap his trunk around why 

socks with sandals were so bad. Daisy suggested that they go for a meal 

to give them a chance to think. 

Daisy ordered eggs and toast, and Billy was about to unveil his other 

big sin: making bad puns. Daisy was suggesting ways he might take his 

mind off sandals. 

“Egg-celent idea, Daisy!” Billy smirked. 

“BILLY! Please, no. Think of something else!” 

“Daisy. Why don’t you give me an egg-sample!!” He burst out 

laughing. 

Daisy realised why he had no friends... 

21


The Origins of Billy 

LANA BILEN 

Once upon in a forest there was a criminal. He had escaped from jail 

and was running as fast as he could while policemen were chasing him. 

He was scared to enter that forest because it was magical and no human 

never ever stepped foot in it. Policemen were getting closer and closer 

though, so Billy stepped in. 

He felt something like vibrations through the wind, like a distant 

earthquake. Billy was going deeper and deeper into the forest, when he 

felt tired. He stopped and leaned his back on some tree. He fell asleep. 

A light shone in his eyes. He opened them. Everything was the same 

but different. For some reason his arms were spread, and now they felt 

stiff and heavy. He was looking at the world from a higher perspective. 

Then a bird sat on his arm. No. Billy looked at it surprised: he didn’t 

have arms anymore. He had branches! Billy realized he was a tree! 

“But... That´s impossible!” he thought while he looked at his hands... 

no... branches, full of weird black flowers and dark green leaves. 

A wind blew and brought a willowy voice to his hearing: 

“I´m Daisy.” It was the voice of a willow tree just to the left of him. 

“Um, hi Daisy! I was wondering why am I a stupid tree?!” 

She gasped and then laughed like Billy was some ignoramus. 

“You see those ugly flowers on your treetop?” 

He didn’t move but it seemed like she was pointing at his head. 

“Yeah, what about them?” 

“Well they are all the bad things you have done in your life. You were a 

very bad person and that’s why we wanted to make sure you learnt your 

lesson. We turned you into a tree!” 

“That’s just stupid!” Billy yelled. 

Daisy sighed. Billy heard two apple trees laughing. Billy called them 

ugly names and told them to shut up. They shared a look that said 

“another one” with each other. 

One day, a black cat was sneaking close to Billy the Tree. His eyes 

were ocean blue, Billy noticed, as the cat was climbing up his tree trunk, 

elegantly moving through the branches. He bit one of Billy’s flowers. 

The cat screamed and fell from the tree. It was lying on the ground like 

a black pancake. Other trees were yelling through the wind: “What did 

you do to Georgie?!” 

22

FICTION 

“Nothing,” Billy whispered. 

“Did he look at your flowers?” 

Billy said “Yeah,” while still looking at Georgie the cat. “What’s with 

my flowers?” 

“Billy, your flowers represents the bad things you did in your life. And 

everyone can see them, and creatures can sense badness from them. If 

you don’t change those bad flowers before autumn you will turn into a 

tree forever.” 

It was still spring and Billy was growing more bad flowers. He didn’t 

have friends and he didn’t talk to anybody. 

When September came Billy started feeling weird. Like he was 

growing more leaves and starting to turn more into a tree. 

“Oh, no, I will turn into a tree for real.” 

He was trying to remember things Daisy said. She had said that she 

missed her daughter who they had once ripped from beside her and 

planted far away from Daisy. He had an idea how to fix things and save 

himself! He had an old friend that was an woodcutter, and thought he 

could help. 

“Apple trees! Apple trees!” he called. 

The apple trees looked at Billy. Billy told them his plan and the apple 

trees didn’t say anything. 

“Listen! I really know what’s right. Thank you for making me realize it 

and sorry for everything.” 

“Why would you turn good now?” they asked. 

“Because in these six months I have seen and heard a lot of people 

and trees out here. And I have realized something. I was being 

bullied at 

school and everyone was always laughing at me. But, when I grew 

up I did those bad things to others just to satisfy myself and have a 

“revenge” of sorts. But none of the people I have hurt deserved it.” 

Billy looked at the apple trees in hope. 

The apple trees smiled weak smiles and decided to help Billy after all. 

They started throwing apples at woodcutter’s house. One broke his 

window and the woodcutter ran straight into the forest to see from 

where the apples were coming. 

Billy called to the woodcutter in a whispering voice. “Who is that?” 

the man said. 

“It’s me, Billy! I’m on a tree. But don’t climb up. I just need a favor, 

please.” 

The woodcutter laughed in disbelief. “Like when I asked YOU for a 

favor and you laughed and went away because you were busy?” he 

said, looking at the tree. 

23


“I’m really sorry about that. Right now I’m trying to fix things and I 

will fix that too. And your window.” 

“You broke my window?!” said the woodcutter holding his fist up 

but then he relaxed. “Ok, I will help you if you tell me what favor I 

was asking you for.” 

Billy tried really hard to remember his past, and what the woodcutter’s 

request had been. 

Then he remembered! Billy didn’t help him feed the dog when the 

woodcutter was away traveling. He apologized and the woodcutter 

decided to help him. He found Daisy’s daughter and planted it next to 

Daisy. Daisy was so happy when she saw her daughter. 

And then the first black flowers fell from Billy’s branches. 

Billy helped other trees as well, and flowers kept falling. 

Finally, Daisy turned him back into a human. Billy was feeling really 

good about helping and he continued to do good. He fixed a lot of things 

and made friends. The money he earned he gave to charities. People 

even thought he was too good for this world. They couldn’t believe that 

somebody could change that drastically. 

Every year from then on, Billy would go back to the forest and just sit 

under the willow tree and listen to the wind. 

24


I 

The Dark Secrets 



It was a bright but foggy afternoon. Cara was wandering around the 

park trying to find any traces of her little brother who was missing. The 

park was mostly full of trees, with no paths. 

While she was walking she saw her friend the werewolf. 

He stopped her because she looked worried and said, “What’s 

happened?” 

“I’m scared. My wee brother’s missing!” 

“When did that happen?” 

“He went missing last night,” she said, checking her phone to see if 

she’d had any updates… 

26

FICTION 

II 

BROOKE NÍ GHIOLLÁIN 

She had gotten a text from her mummy: “Go to the park, a neighbour 

said that he was seen walking to the park with a strange-looking figure!” 

She had panicked. “Can you help me? He wasn’t alone...” They both split 

up, searching for her younger brother. 

It was around 7 p.m. The moon was glistening down. Then a noise 

from the bushes... a cracking through the trees! “I’m paranoid, it’s 

nothing to worry about,” she thought to herself, shaking in fear. 

She continued to search for her brother. It got very cold all of a 

sudden. The noise, it was back, it was screaming in her ears. She saw a 

weird-looking figure in the fog. She crept closer and closer as she was 

curious as to what it was. When it grabbed at her she screamed; then, 

after two short seconds, all was silent. 

The next day, nothing. Her brother was still missing, and Cara hadn’t 

come home that night either. That next day Cara woke up in a dark cave, 

not knowing where she was. She was only able to hear her brother’s 

screams that terrified her. 

27


I 

The Long Lost Vampire 

ASHFIELD BOYS’ HS & 

ST GENEVIEVE’S HS 

Brenda was a middle aged woman, with dyed blonde hair who really 

liked biology. She was very unfriendly. 

Brenda saw Mr. Larvey in the school corridor. “I’ve been wanting to 

tell you something for a long time,” said Brenda. 

Mr. Larvey was a chemistry teacher in the same school. He was 

nervous and shaken because Brenda was unpredictable. 

“What is it?” stuttered Mr. Larvey. 

She showed him her vampire teeth. 

“Why are you showing me this?” Mr. Larvey said. “We’re not that 

close… But I’ve got something to show you.” He showed her his own 

teeth. 

“I already knew that!” she quickly replied. 

Mr. Larvey noticed a green emerald ring that matched the ring on his 

own finger… 

28

FICTION 

II 

CHLOE MCCLOSKEY 

“Wait… how have you got that ring?” Mr. Larvey questioned Brenda. 

“What do you mean?” Brenda said, pulling her hand away. 

Mr. Larvey expected Brenda to refuse rudely his request, but he asked 

anyway. 

“Please let me see that ring, just for a second,” Mr. Larvey pleaded 

kindly. 

“It’s none of your damn business, James. I’m not taking it off. Get out 

of my face now!” screamed Brenda. 

James quickly exited the corridor because he knew how Brenda’s temper 

could get out of control. He still had to find out about that ring… but 

how? 

At 12:25 all the teachers had lunch break in the staff room. Luckily for 

James, it was Brenda’s day of supervision in the halls. James realised that 

if he was to steal a spare key for Brenda’s classroom he might possibly 

find the ring and investigate further. 

The bell rang. 

James quickly executed his plan. 

“Come on… it’s bound to be here somewhere…” James thought while 

searching Brenda’s desk. 

“Bingo!” 

James grabbed the ring and slipped out of the room before anyone 

noticed. 

While investigating the rings James noticed that inside the ring was 

a neatly engraved ‘Sister 3/5’. James began to panic. He headed to the 

lunch hall to find Brenda. 

“How long have you known?” he shouted across the hall. 

Brenda pulled James aside. 

“Here isn’t the time to explain… but meet me at the grand clock at 

midnight.” 

James nodded and spent his day checking the clock continuously. 

Seconds felt like minutes and the minutes that ticked by felt like hours. 

Eventually it was midnight. When James arrived Brenda and three other 

people were waiting. 

“James meet Daniel, Ben and Derek… your brothers…” said Brenda 

anxiously. 

29


“My WHAT?!” screamed James. 

“Sh! Babies are sleeping,” said Ben. 

“James… Ben, Derek, Daniel and I have all been killing together for 

years,” said Brenda. 

Daniel interrupted, “Although, it was only in the second year of our 

killing spree that we realised all our rings were the same. Mine says 

‘Brother 1/5’, Brenda’s says ‘Sister 3/5’, Derek’s says ‘Brother 2/5’, and 

lastly, Ben’s says ‘Brother 4/5’.” 

“But we were missing our 5/5. I knew you were a vampire James, 

but when I saw your ring I knew you had to be our long-lost vampire 

brother, which is why I spoke out and called the boys to arrange this 

meet up with you,” explained Brenda. 

“Tonight is our annual killing spree and we want you to be a part of it,” 

added Ben. “So… Will you?” 

James stood amazed, although everything seemed to add up. Then he 

smiled and his glistening vampire fangs glowed in the moonlight. 

30


I 

Pablo’s Taco Drama 



Stephen the Demi-God was eating at his favourite place, Pablo’s Tacos, 

when he saw a car spinning out and completely wrecking the place. 

Stephen was the only survivor, because he was at the back of the shop. 

When the car zoomed in, it just missed him; then Stephen ran out of the 

shop. 

Bobby was a joy-rider, he had lost control of the Corsa, because it was 

snowing. After the car destroyed Pablo’s Tacos, the impact made Bobby 

unconscious. 

When Stephen was walking away, he heard the noise of the rocks 

hitting the dashboard, so he investigated it and then he realised it was 

Bobby. Stephen then decided to help Bobby out of the car; he shook him, 

and Bobby became conscious again, moving slowly and painfully; there 

were pebbles falling off his skin. When he moved his limbs, you could 

hear the sound of rocks scratching against each other. 

Stephen said, “Are you okay? Why did you destroy my favourite 

taco shop and kill all those people?! I banish you to the sun, using my 

powers!”… 

32

FICTION 

II 

AOIBH NÍ BHROLCHÁIN 

CRASH! BANG! TUMBLE! RUMBLE! The bricks of Pablo’s Taco Place 

came crashing onto Bobby’s head as he crashed his favourite car into the 

fast food joint. 

Stephen the Demi-God cast a spell without thinking of the 

consequences. The spell wasn’t working because the demi-god Stephen 

could only banish humans. “What are you? This is ridiculous,” Stephen 

said. Then he started to think of his next idea. 

Bobby the half-rock man was still in shock... He was now exposed! 

The demi-god knew he wasn’t human. ”What is going to happen?” he 

questioned himself. 

“Answer me, you creature,” Stephen said. 

There was no point in hiding it now. Bobby sighed and finally responded 

to the demi-god. “As you can tell I’m not human, I’m part human and 

part rock. It’s a terrible thing I have to live with,” Bobby said. 

“That doesn’t mean you can drive into my favourite taco place and 

kill all those innocent people,” Stephen said. 

“I’m truly sorry for that. But ever since, I now have no memory. I’ve 

currently started to try and drive again but as you can tell I’m no 

good,” Bobby said. 

“Clearly not! Let me take you for a spin, Bobby.” 

When the two got into Stephen’s car they had some short conversations 

and they found out more about each other. Then Stephen asked, “Why 

did you lose your memory?” 

Bobby lowered his head. “It started eight years ago when I was only 

seventeen. I wandered into the woods on my own not knowing what 

was out there. I reached a small cottage in the middle of a dark place 

shaded by the trees. Night was nearly falling and I’d heard there were 

wild creatures that only come out during the night. I walked in, not 

wanting to be eaten or hurt during the night and calling out for help and 

knowing no one was going to come. So I knocked the door of a cottage. 

“When the creaky wooden door opened there stood a lady with a long 

pointy nose, long nails and terrifying teeth that looked like they hadn’t 

been brushed in months. She welcomed me into her home. To be truthful 

I was a bit cautious at first but it was better than staying out in the cold 

all night whilst the creatures roamed around. She gave me a nice warm 

33


mug with hot chocolate inside and we sat beside the fireplace and made 

some conversation and I kept going on about how I didn’t know how to 

repay her. 

“I went to sleep in the room right next to hers. Inside the rooms were 

pictures of her and her family. I looked at them, wondering how she 

didn’t look that odd or as terrifying as she did now. I went to sleep 

that night feeling safe. 

“When I woke up the next morning I couldn’t remember a thing. She 

told me that I was her son and that I was in a crash that made me lose 

my memory. 

“I believed her until I was twenty years old. I kept getting dreams of 

a boy that looked similar to me but only way younger. They turned 

into flashbacks in the middle of the day, though. I went to her cottage 

in the woods and started questioning her about the flashbacks and 

dreams. She seemed nervous and stumbled on her words until she 

finally confessed and told me about going into her house in the 

woods and how she put a potion in my hot chocolate and how she 

was a witch. She told me the whole truth. That night I left the city and 

moved to this town.” 

Stephen stared in shock and wonder about how someone could do 

something so cruel. That day the demi-god and the half-rock man 

became closer than ever and they soon forgot about Pablo’s Taco drama. 

34


The Old Man With 

the Beans 



It was a Saturday morning and Gineen was tying her shoelaces at the 

track. Gineen was an inquisitive ten-year-old girl who loved running. 

She was about to do her four mile run when she spotted Edward. 

Edward was behaving suspiciously. He was hiding something. 

Gineen bolted over. She wondered why Edward was eating jellybeans 

and hiding them. She was curious about how an old man could be so 

fast. 

“Why are you eating jellybeans?” asked Gineen. 

“Because they’re nice,” said Edward. 

Gineen squinted her eyes at him. “Can I have some?” said Gineen. 

“No! You can’t have any,” said Edward in an angry voice. 

He tried to run off but Gineen was able to keep up with him.... 

36

FICTION 

The P-Onion Couple 



Onya and Pete were planning to meet each other between their two 

houses at their favourite café. Pete was a very shy pumpkin because 

people in school made fun of his head. He had a big orange head. 

Pete loved Onya because he could be himself around her. Onya was 

pale. People found her appealing, and she had an onion head. She was 

born with an onion head because when her mum was pregnant, she ate 

onions for nine months. 

They went to drink coffee. While they were there, they got food as 

well. They liked burgers. Pete had something special planned. Onya 

went to take a bite out of her burger and bit into something hard and 

broke a tooth, nearly choking on it. She spat something shiny out. It took 

her a minute to realise what she’d spat out, and then she saw it was an 

engagement ring. 

‘What’s this?’ said Onya. She was shocked. 

Pete started to cry. He took the ring and got down on one knee. 

‘Will you marry me?’ asked Pete. 

37


The Scrambled Dragon 



A few years ago in Madagascar, a man named Bob Smith was dandering, 

going on his usual run, when he heard a loud noise and he went over to 

see what it was. And there was a dragon’s egg. 

Gomzo the Ghiraft was watching Bob and saw him carrying the 

dragon’s egg away. He walked up to Bob and asked him if he wanted to 

hear a tune. 

“What’s the tune about?” asked Bob. “This might be a trap,” he 

thought. He was confused because he’d never seen one of these hybrids 

before. 

The Ghiraft turned round and said, “It’s an old Bob Dylan song, I 

thought you’d know that!” 

Then Gomzo thought, “I wish I could have some scrambled dragon 

38

FICTION 

Wee Jonty’s Revenge 



Wee Jonty had been waiting ages to seek revenge… 

Darnell’s spaceship went up in flames during the journey to Earth. 

Darnell began to panic and quickly ordered an emergency stop. The 

spaceship landed on Wee Jonty’s lake, where his family of purple 

sparkly goldfish had lived for generations. 

Darnell had seen a large body of water and thought there was 

nothing there and ordered the spaceship to land there. There was an 

explosion and unfortunately, it blew up all of Jonty’s family. 

Jonty was devastated and went into hiding. When he came out, he 

wanted to punish Darnell… 

39


The Alley 


The cold stung my face but it made me feel awake and refreshed. The 

ground had a slight slip to it, the beginning of winter was always my 

favourite. Looking around I could see graffiti on the back of dreary 

looking buildings that smelt like oil and smoke combined. Cars kept 

passing the road in the distance, I could hear them; every one that 

passed sounded different yet the same. The atmosphere was busy on 

the road ahead but lonely and calm in this alleyway; it was like two 

different worlds. It felt exhilarating to be alone and free in a new place. I 

knew the risk, my mum had warned, but it was worth it, I needed to get 

away for a while. 

All of a sudden the atmosphere switched. The cold was still stinging 

but it wasn’t awaking nor refreshing. The smell of oil and smoke grew 

stronger, so much so it was hard to breathe. No cars passed. Everything 

was still but not calm. A worried feeling came over me and the 

excitement vanished. The streets of New York were always busy but now 

they were still. No voices could be made out, not a single car passed. 

The gases from the buildings became so strong that my vision became 

clouded. 

I could see a figure in the distance. I felt the urge to walk over to 

see who it was. As I got closer and closer I could make out an old man 

with round glasses and a wrinkled face. His face seemed sweet and 

genuine but as he saw me approaching his face turned sour. I could 

hear him whispering to himself. When I reached him, I asked him what 

he is doing outside on a winter’s day with no coat, he replied to this in 

a gentle voice, “I don’t feel the cold.” It made me feel uncomfortable to 

hear this. I couldn’t understand why, but the way he said it made it seem 

like there was a strange reason why he couldn’t feel the cold. 

”Do you need help to get home?” I said as calm as I could although 

the feeling of worry still swarmed over me. 

“We don’t need any help from you. Now leave child before you regret 

it!” the man bellowed in a voice that didn’t match the one before. 

I stood shocked. His face was blank, and his eyes were black. I couldn’t 

move. This man was not a man at all, was he? He was some sort of 

demon, monster, ghost. When my legs finally caught up with my brain 

they ran. But after only beginning to run I looked back and saw the man 

40

FICTION 

was still standing there. My brain must have been affected by the gases 

from the buildings because my legs started to walk toward him again. 

Before I was close enough for him to see me, but I was close enough to 

completely make him out, I closed my eyes in hopes it would give me 

the strength to face him, took a deep breath and counted to three. When 

I opened my eyes again he was gone. It was impossible. The nearest 

building to us was far enough away that I would’ve been able to see him 

walk away. But he was just gone. That was not anything of a human. 

I started running home as fast as my legs can carry me. When I 

walked inside I saw my mum with her ear glued to the phone. She saw 

me and put down the phone. I told her everything before she could even 

open her mouth. “I was worried sick! I called you a million times and 

this is exactly what I was worried about! I thought the house was far 

enough away from there that we would be safe but evidently not! I told 

you not to go there because children go missing there every year but no 

you decide it would be fun! Any children that escape say the same thing 

as you just said. Never ever go there again understand me?” she rambled 

frantically. 

“I understand now,” I responded with no hesitation. Though my head 

was still pounding and my legs still shaking. 

41


Ally Alone 

(A Parable) 

AMY LEE BRENNAN 

Ally a sweet, eleven year old girl…brown hair, blue eyes. A normal, 

perfectly average girl…except she wasn’t. Everyone was scared of her. 

She didn’t understand how she was different. Some would say it was the 

way she looked, some would say it was the way she acts… but it was the 

way she was made. 

Before she was born her parents decided on a designer baby, the 

perfect child. But it went all wrong when the genes mixed. She turned 

out the opposite of what they wanted, so they advertised her for 

adoption, “New born, brown hair blue eyes, adorable! Doesn’t shed a 

tear. Call 077135507111 to collect.” Surprisingly, a middle-aged 

woman came and adopted Ally. 

Throughout the years Ally’s new guardian, Elizabeth, brought her 

up to be no different from the other children… school everyday, playing 

in the park, but when the people who knew her story saw her they 

would still run away even after knowing her. Throughout the years it 

got harder as she grew up, being bullied even more. Soon as she turned 

eleven she had had enough! 

“Mum why do the other kids not like me?” cried Ally. 

“They are just jealous Ally don’t listen to them,” replied Elizabeth. 

“But it’s true! They always call me names!” shouted Ally.” 

“What kind of names?” questioned Elizabeth. 

“They call me strange and different. Am I really that different?” 

whimpered Ally. 

“No not at all, you are gorgeous Ally, don’t listen to them okay!” 

responded Elizabeth. 

A few days later in the school one bully walked over to Ally calling 

her names as usual, but this time Ally snapped. She had enough of the 

bullying, she did not care anymore what they called her. She did not 

care what creepy feelings she gave anyone anymore… all she wanted 

to do was love people and help them. As soon as the bully came over 

she punched him and ran away. She felt powerful, strong. She wanted 

revenge! 

42

FICTION 

Over the weeks she planned to burn down the bully’s house. When the 

time came and she lit the fire she could hear the cries and screams of the 

family. Ally regretted doing it to them, taking their life, so she ran home 

and told her mother everything. 

“Mum! I burnt down the bully’s house!” cried Ally. 

“What? Why did you do that!” screamed Elizabeth. 

“I don’t know…” whimpered Ally. 

“Get out! Now!” shouted Elizabeth. 

Ally left the house, went into hiding and no one has seen her for many 

years… it’s like she never existed. 

43


A Bad Idea 

KATHLEEN STEVENSON 

Everything was going well until Scarlett made the worst decision of her 

life... 

It was a bitter cold night. Two best friends hanging out at the shop, 

everything normal. The hours dragged by as Alisha and Scarlett stood 

shivering, hands in pockets to try to keep them warm. 

“I’m away, it’s way too cold, and they’re 10 minutes late!” moaned 

Alisha. 

“Just wait ten minutes and stop being annoying!” shouted Scarlett 

impatiently. 

“No! They have probably stood us up, I’ll see ya later.” 

“There they are!” cried Alisha with excitement. 

“Okay, act cool,” said Scarlett. 

James and Ben casually walked towards the girls. 

James had dark blonde hair, dazzling blue eyes, and was very sporty. 

He was Scarlett’s crush from she was a little girl. She always felt, 

though, that she had to act like someone else around James to make him 

like her. 

On the other hand, there was Ben. He was not as handsome as James 

but he was very intelligent. He had been crushing on Alisha for the past 

year, but she was not interested. She was too busy concentrating on her 

studies. But the more she pushed him away, the more he liked her. 

“What do you want to do?” asked Alisha. 

“Let’s play dares! “James said with excitement. 

“Alright then, there’s nothing else to do.” 

“I dare you, Scarlett, to go into the haunted house up that hill.” 

“Don’t be daft, nobody goes up there,” murmured Alisha. 

“Do it! Do it!” chanted James. 

Scarlett’s heart dropped, blood pounded in her ears, cold sweat dripped 

down her forehead. This was her worst fear! Didn’t they know that? But 

James was here, and she didn’t want him to think of her as a baby. All 

these thoughts rushed through her mind, “What if she didn’t come out? 

What if she got caught?” 

And in the background of it all, all she could hear was James nattering 

on and on “Do it! Do it!” What was she going to do, face her fear, or be a 

baby? 

44

FICTION 

Alisha looked horrified, and shook her head as if to say, “Don’t do it.” 

After a long hesitation she replied, “Let’s do this.” 

Standing some 20 yards back from the street, guarded by black steel 

railings, stood the derelict, neglected old house with smashed windows. 

There was a cold, musty damp smell about the place standing on a 

gloomy hill and the dim light of a half moon. Scarlett straddled the gate, 

and then made her way along a path so overgrown with weeds that they 

seemed to be reaching out to her; through the middle of this overgrown 

garden she crept, a mist hovering around her knees and a chilling in her 

very bones. As she reached the door her heart leaped. She paused for a 

moment, and trembling with fear, she rapped on the large brown beaten 

door. No sound came from the house. 

Then, suddenly, the large brown door creaked open. Her heart 

stopped. She was ready to go back when she noticed James was 

watching, so she couldn’t, there was no going back. She slowly crept into 

the house, but suddenly the door shut behind her with a large bang. She 

nearly jumped out of her skin. 

“Ahhh,” screamed Scarlett. 

Alisha heard the scream from outside. “There is something wrong,” 

cried Alisha. “I am going in to get her, she’s my best friend.” 

Alisha ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Then she approached 

the house. It loomed over her as she stood glaring in astonishment at the 

place. She opened the dark, brown doors, and there her best friend was, 

in a little ball whimpering to herself. 

“Oh my goodness, are you okay?” asked Alisha. 

“Just get me out of this place.” 

Alisha took Scarlett’s hand and helped her get to her feet. They walked 

out of the deserted house. Scarlett heard James sneering, and Ben 

shouting at him. When they opened the huge old door, the two boys’ 

eyes stayed fixed on Scarlett. 

“Are you okay?” questioned Ben. 

“Of course she’s okay,” sneered James. 

At this moment Scarlett felt a sharp punch in the stomach. He was meant 

to be her crush, and he didn’t even care! Anger hit, and before she knew 

it Scarlett was swearing and shouting in a rage. She threw her arms in 

the air and she was like a madwoman. 

“I’m okay? I’m okay!” yelled Scarlett. James smirked, 

“Dunno, it’s not like I care”. 

Suddenly all the anger dissipated, and instead sadness washed over her 

like a flood, and a tear drip-dropped from her cold cheek. 

45


“Come on, Scarlett,“ Ben said, throwing his arms around her. 

They left the deserted garden, and headed home. By this time, Alisha 

was home already, and Ben offered to walk Scarlett home. 

“Yes, okay,” she replied. 

As they walked home, they talked about school. Scarlett realised that she 

could be herself with Ben, and she enjoyed his company. Finally, they 

arrived at Scarlett’s house. 

“This is me,” said Scarlett. 

“Okay, I’ll see you in school tomorrow.” 

And as she was about to say goodbye, he gave her a kiss on the cheek. 

Scarlett felt her cheeks burn, with happiness. 

46


Ben’s Rescue 

SOPHIE O’REILLY 

Candles flickered and potions bubbled as Ben entered the room. He 

wandered around, searching for something, but even he didn’t know 

what. Ben had been searching for days and days, over and over again 

still finding absolutely nothing. Frustration was building. Ben didn’t 

know what to do, who to tell, or where to go for help. 

“I recognise this place. Why can’t I just figure it out? If it wasn’t 

important I wouldn’t remember it!” 

After days of not eating, not drinking and no company at all, Ben heard 

something. Not something strange or horrid but weird and wonderful. It 

seemed harmless... at first. 

As Ben crept closer and closer to this creature, it began to move into 

the light. It was baffling. Its appearance uncanny as it moved closer 

and closer, getting bigger and bigger so that by the time it was at arm’s 

length, it was huge! Human-like features started to evolve. Ben was so 

terrified. Horrified, he turned away for a split second. Regaining his 

courage, Ben glanced again at this creature, shocked to see that it now 

appeared human. It took Ben an hour or two to come to terms with this 

change. He finally sat the human down. 

“What’s your name?” Ben asked. 

The human muttered, “Well... I’m not sure exactly.” 

“What do you mean, you’re not sure?” 

“I’ve been here for years and years stuck as some sort of monster until 

I had some sort of human company. I’ve observed everything and 

learnt many new things about this supernatural world we live in ...” 

“What do you mean supernatural world?” 

“Well you can’t be surprised after what you just witnessed a few 

minutes ago, but yes, a supernatural world and come to think of 

it, the worst thing I’ve ever seen was here in fact, the day before you 

arrived and you seemed to have spooked it when you got here!” 

Ben had to take a minute to let all this information settle in. He finally 

managed to spit a few words out when he said, “By any chance was this 

creature big with purple sludge for skin and one big green eye?” 

The monster took a step back from Ben and full of confusion he said, 

“Ben! How did you know that?” 

“Well I came here looking for something and I didn’t know what it 

48

FICTION 

looked like or what it was but something about that description just 

sounds so familiar.” 

They began talking about the creature more, and more details were 

revealed. They decided to go on the hunt for this mysterious monster but 

first Ben gave the creature a name, “Let’s call you Tom!” Ben exclaimed. 

They set off on their mission and hoped for the best. Ben had to make 

a very hard decision. They had been looking for days and he had no 

hope left to find the unknown monster. Ben decided to go back to the 

room that he met Tom in and they regrouped there. When they got there 

it was silent, they were both too upset to even speak. Ben knew he had 

failed and he was annoyed at himself for letting Tom down. Ben finally 

started the conversation and decided to bring up the question. 

“What are you going to do with your life now that you’re a human?” 

Tom took a moment to think about this and he replied, “Well I’m not 

quite sure. I have nowhere to go!” 

“Well, um you could stay with me but only if you wanted?” 

“Really! Are you certain?” 

Tom couldn’t believe the favour that Ben had just offered, he was so 

thankful to have Ben as a friend and to have the option to stay with him. 

Ben and Tom travelled the whole way back to London and Tom ended 

up finding a wife and having a family of their own. He was so grateful 

to have Ben as a friend and he thanked him because in Tom’s eyes all his 

successes were up to Ben letting him move in. 

49


Campers 

DYLAN MCARTHUR 

I A New Beginning 

A group of seven campers parked in the middle of the woods and their 

names were Tom, Laura, Kenny, Brice, Clem, Mike and Jane. 

It was night and all seven of them were around a campfire. They were 

all playing truth or dare. Mike chose dare and the dare was he had to 

smooch Jane. Mike kissed her. 

Laura asked Tom, “Truth or dare?” 

He replied, “Truth.” 

She asked him, “Are you afraid of the child-killing demon?” 

Tom said, “Ummm, no way. He’s not even real!” 

It was time to sleep and they crept to their tents. But yellow bright eyes 

appeared outside Mike and Jane’s tent and before they could scream the 

demon slashed their throats with his hook. 

“Five more to go,” he mumbled. 

Three hours went by and they woke up. Laura screamed at the top of her 

lungs to see her friends dead. Everyone looked at her. 

This character bites people’s head off and bathes in their blood and 

has no regrets, no mercy. He gouges children’s eyes out and grabs their 

organs from their bellies and strangles them until they go pale. He feasts 

on souls and always leaves at least one survivor to tell the tale… leaving 

them with a few scars that cause agony that feels like a lifetime. 

He has no home and is referred to as a demon and I promise you if he 

somehow died and went to hell the devil himself would go to church. 

When you think he’s fake he’s real. When you think you’re safe he’s 

coming for you! 

II An evil within 

The demon grabbed Laura and shoved her in the sleeping bag and hung 

it with her in it above the campfire slowly burning. Pain burst on her 

skin and her flesh was destroyed. 

Tom said, “Nooooo, Laura!” 

They all cowered away. Four were remaining. Clem ran from the demon 

because the demon was chasing her next. Clem said, “What do you want 

from us?” 

The demon replied, “Your misery, hahahaha!” 

50

FICTION 

Clem tripped on a wood cutter’s axe and the demon was not far behind. 

She was scared to death at this point. She grabbed the axe and smashed 

the demon on the face and it was stunned. Clem ran to the car and the 

other three were in it and drove away from it all, leaving her behind. 

Clem shouted, “Come back! Please!” 

III The last stand! 

The demon was very angry at Clem for smashing him in the head with 

an axe. He screamed, “You’re so dead!” 

Clem screamed and cried. The demon grabbed her by the neck and 

bit her face off. 

He said, “Don’t worry, my darling, I’ll get the ones who left you! 

They will suffer!” 

51


Candles and Potions 

CIARA MCCONVILLE 

Every year our family go on this trip to our granny’s house, it is usually 

around November time. My whole family is going to be there. For 

example, my uncle Jack, he’s so annoying, he’s one of those people who 

you’ve met about four times in your life and they act like they’ve known 

you forever. There’s my aunt Tracy - she’s super nice. I like Tracy. She has 

this crazy blue hair and wears strange clothes and always tells me funny 

stories about when I was younger… sometimes they’re a bit weird and 

creepy… to be honest I think she makes them up. There’s a lot more but I 

won’t get into them. 

We arrived at the house. It was big, old and was made of uneven 

stone. It was painted over with this grey blue colour. To be honest it 

made it look worse. Anyway we walked in and it smelt like an old 

church. I just wanted to put air freshener everywhere. We went to the 

kitchen and there everyone was gathered around a huge table eating 

little cakes and drinking wine. My uncle Mark offered me a drink but I 

wasn’t in the mood for anything, I just wanted to go home. I asked my 

mum could I go up to my room and unpack. She sighed, ”Alright but 

come back down soon, we are going to be having dinner.” 

Upstairs, I was putting my socks in the drawer, when I thought 

I heard something. It must have just been the wind or something, I 

thought, until I heard it again. I creeped out of the room as silently as I 

could. The noise seemed to be coming from the room at the bottom of 

the hall - the room nobody ever went into. 

I tiptoed into the room, I had to be really quiet I didn’t want anyone to 

hear me. 

Then I heard a voice shout, “Ben come downstairs dinner will be 

ready soon.” Straight away I knew it was my aunt Tracy, because she has 

a strange croaky sort of voice. 

I shouted back, “I’ll be down in ten minutes.” I had to hurry up. I 

looked around the room to see what I could find. I found a book. It was 

old, covered with brown leather and had a lock. I tried to open it but it 

was too secure. So I walked around on the creaky floor, and I found 

a key. 

The key was old like most things in this house. As quickly as I could I 

put the key inside the lock. This was very complicated and very rushed. 

52

FICTION 

I opened the book, it was unbelievable. There were all kinds of spells 

and potion mixtures in this. I felt a shiver go down my spine. Just then 

the door opened and stood there, was my aunt Tracy. 

She said in a scared voice, “Please Ben don’t tell anyone; I will do 

anything you want!” 

I replied, “Tracy what is this, are you a witch?” 

She whispered, “Yes! If you don’t tell anyone I will teach you 

everything I know!” 

I smiled to myself. 

Going to my granny’s house isn’t boring anymore. It is so fun I want to 

go every weekend. Tracy is the best witch - she can make things float 

and she can turn things to dust. Magic is the best thing ever! 

53


Darach’s Destination 

DARACH SADLIER 

Darach doesn’t want to grow up to have a bitter life. He wants to 

accomplish his goals and be who he wants to be. His destination in life 

is to always do what he wants and not to let anyone get in his way. He 

dreams at night about the times people omitted him from the group, 

such as John and Big Bruiser. As he thinks about that it makes him feel 

like he doesn’t have people in his life, but he questions himself, “Do I 

actually want bullies like these?” 

Darach doesn’t feel like he has enough people that care for him but 

there is always hope no matter what. His loving and caring family are 

always there for him and he knows that and that makes him feel bigger 

than any “Big Bruiser” anywhere in the world! 

As he awakens in the morning, stretching his arms, he sees the 

bruises fading and feels possessed with his new strength. As he leaves 

for school the next morning he realises that nobody is going to be in his 

way this day, and he loves that feeling. 

54

FICTION 

Doctor O 

CRAIG BAXTER 

On the planet of Glorb Glorb in the year of 5050 a doctor called 

Octavious was doing a test in his lab with a serum called O Serum. It 

was going to cure all cancers but Doctor Octavious had cancer himself 

so he was his own test subject. When he drank the serum he fell to the 

floor. BANG! When he woke up he had eight arms. 

He cured his cancer but he had to keep his arms to cure the cancer. 

If he takes the anti-serum he will only have days left not years. He was 

scared to go outside because he thought no one would like him and he 

would be scary so he locked himself up. 

The Present Day – 5051 

Diary Entry 525 

Today is the day I go out. I’m going to do it but I’m scared. 

Will they like me or will they be scared of me? Should I go 

outside? I can but I can’t. I ‘m doing it… 

Octavious goes outside. The people cheer. They aren’t scared. They are 

happy and love the invention so the rest of the planet wanted the arms. 

They got them. The entire planet had eight arms. 

55


Famine Figure 

LUCY MCDONNELL 

I was driving to my aunt’s on the coast of Ireland, when it happened. I 

drove past an old abandoned cottage which I hadn’t seen before, even 

though I have drove this way thousands of times. It instantly sent a 

chill through my spine. This cottage wasn’t newly built either. It was a 

pale grey shade as if all colour had been drained from the walls, layers 

of dirt and grime covered the window sill. The windows were shadowed 

which made it almost impossible to see anything from afar. Victorian 

style drapes hung from the rod above the window and a narrow pebble 

path led the way to the old red door. I stopped the car almost instantly 

determined to observe the house for longer. 

I slowly approached the house with caution and walked through the 

wild grass, my legs becoming cut with nettles wrapping round them 

but I was determined not to stop. I stood still in the spot observing the 

cottage and all its features. I became conscious of staring eyes burning 

into my back. I quickly turned round, always expecting the worst but 

what I saw was enough to make me want to scream in relief. It was a 

black cat, peering up at me with its majestic yellow eyes which glistened 

in the sun. Something about this cat made me turn cold, and I was going 

to find out what it was. 

My hand felt drawn to the cat. As if a force was pulling me towards 

it. I drew back trying to resist the temptation. But just then the clouds 

shifted sending spells of grey rushing through the sky. My hair was 

blowing in the wind sending all my baby hairs to stand on edge. And 

that’s when I heard it. A whisper. I frantically searched my surroundings 

for a suspect to accuse, when I realised I was the only one here. The cat 

brushed against my leg and began meowing, leading me towards the 

cottage without any intention to stop. The wind grew wild. It began to 

rain and the cottage door blew off its hinges. A figure stood in the frame 

of the door staring back at me. It was a woman, a Victorian woman. 

I glanced at the figure, scared of what she might do. I stood anxious 

and hesitant. But I soon warmed up to the idea and carefully studied 

her features. Her face was slender and her cheekbones were defined like 

blades. Her eyes were empty like she was missing something very dear 

to her, her lips as red as a rose and her face like a porcelain doll. She 

looked deprived, of happiness, love and food. Her face showed a vague 

56

FICTION 

expression. Her shiny grey hair was carefully pinned back behind her 

ears. Her frail body was dressed in a black dress which was much too 

big, with a red shawl covering her narrow shoulders. I looked away for a 

brief second. And when I looked back. She was gone. 

I stood frozen to the spot. Afraid to move in case I ruined it all, 

waiting eagerly for the figure to reappear, but it didn’t. I stood watching 

the window for what seemed like forever waiting for anything, a 

movement, a light, or even the strange cat. But again nothing. I began to 

walk home as I had lost all hope of explaining what I might’ve been 

on to. 

Just at that second a sour smell crept over my shoulder and lingered 

in my nose. The wind blew causing all the trees to dance in the sky, 

blowing my hair every which way, when I heard a whisper again in my 

ear. “Help,” it cried. I turned like a bullet and standing there looming 

over my shoulder, was the woman. But this time she was not alone. She 

had two little girls, one by her side and one in her arms. They looked 

like twins. Both girls were dressed neatly in white with red bows 

perfectly placed in the centre of their jet black hair which complemented 

the porcelain white skin. However, one of the children looked awful. 

She was carefully held in the mother’s arms looking cold and lifeless. 

She was all skin and bone. She looked dead. I extended my arm to 

touch her hair sympathetically, and just then they all disappeared. Just 

like that. Gone. Jet black ash covered the dead grass and the sour smell 

disappeared. That’s when I realised. The smell was rotting potatoes. 

Sad and anxious, I slowly walked towards my car. Not forgetting 

to stop for one last look, I opened the door, got in the car and sobbed. 

I struggled to think of how I could ever get over this and return to life 

like normal. The poor family will always remain in my mind and heart. 

So I put down my window, put on my seat belt and took a deep breath 

“Ok” I said. “Let’s go!” reassuring myself that I would be fine, I turned 

on the radio, put up the window and headed off. 

57


Frankenstein’s Creature 

RYAN LIN 

Frankenstein’s creature was a big green monster and Frankenstein 

was scared of it. The monster tried to be friends with Frankenstein 

but because it looked so big and bad Frankenstein ran to hide in the 

cupboard then ran out and escaped. 

The creature ran to a village but the villagers were terrified of the 

monster. He hid and listened to them talk and taught himself to speak. 

It found Frankenstein and said, “Will you be my friend?” but 

Frankenstein was still scared. The monster said, “I don’t have friends 

in the village because they think I look big and bad.” Frankenstein felt 

sorry for the creature and so he agreed to be his friend. They began to 

read books together. 

58

FICTION 

Skittleman & Peanutman 

CORMAC Ó NUALÁINN 

Skittleman is robbing a bank one day when a wee peanut fella comes 

in. The two lock eyes; an instant connection. Peanut guy has been quite 

lonely as of late but when he sees this muscular handsome and smartlooking 

snack he can’t keep his eyes off it. Skittleman has always liked 

peanuts. He drops his Glock and walks out with him. 

They instantly married in a gorgeous venue in Skittleland. They open 

a family bakery where everything in it is made of Skittles and nuts. They 

adopt a child and life is great in what seems to be everlasting love. 

Unfortunately things aren’t always perfect and their family business 

shuts down due to peanut incidents. Their son isn’t doing great in school 

and is failing his exams. They become miserable. 

Skittleman isn’t too happy and so meets Nerdsman and cheats on 

Peanutman, thinking that he won’t find out. However Skittleman leaves 

his phone behind when he goes to the bathroom and Peanutman, 

suspicious, checks his texts to find a full conversation with Nerdsman. 

In a fit of rage he punches the bathroom door down to find Skittleman 

and gives him an allergic reaction. Skittleman dies on the toilet. 

Peanutman is caught and charged with second-degree murder. 

Peanutman goes out of date in jail. 

59


Some Things are Worth a 

Second Chance 


I hate Sundays. Mum forces me to go to a mental health support group. 

She thinks I need talk to other people my age. I go to three counsellors, 

but I guess that isn’t enough for her. I don’t end up speaking to anyone 

anyway. But every Sunday I tie my brown hair back and throw on any 

clothes I can find, knowing that no one important will see me. But even 

though I hate going and it doesn’t help my anxiety, Mum still insists that 

I go. 

We pulled up outside of the community centre. There were no cars 

there today - most likely because it was the Sunday before Christmas. 

When I turned to Mum with a look of despair across my face she gave 

me a look that confirmed I still had to go whether I wanted to or not. 

The corridors seemed long and narrow although to anyone else they 

were short and well-spaced. When I finally reached the door that I 

had opened so many times, I noticed that there were only two other 

people in the room. Molly, the appointed supervisor, and a boy that I 

recognised from previous sessions although he had not been there in 

quite a few months. 

The session was as boring as ever, but I couldn’t help but notice the 

boy. He had dark brown hair, almost black and the brightest green eyes 

I had ever seen. As soon as we got out I headed straight for the door 

hoping I wouldn’t have to speak to anyone about my thoughts and 

feelings. Just as I was about to make my escape the boy came over to me. 

“Lizzy, right?” he announced. 

“Um, yeah,” I replied. I fumbled with my hands in my pocket, so he 

couldn’t see that I was nervous. I was suddenly aware that I looked a 

mess. My hair in a messy ponytail (not the cute kind) and my clothes 

that were over sized and faded from how often they had been used and 

washed. 

He extended his hand. 

“Nick,” he said, looking me straight in the eyes. 

I looked away and shook his hand. “Want to get lunch?” he said 

almost too confidently. 

“I only found out your name a few minutes ago and now you want to 

60

FICTION 

have lunch with me? You must be joking,” I said, snapping more than I 

intended. 

“Oh, come on! We are both here because our parents think we need to 

make friends so why not get them off our backs about it?” 

I looked at him for a while then smiled. 

I hadn’t felt this comfortable around someone since I was seven years 

old. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Hours had gone by and 

I realized that Mum was probably worried sick! I hadn’t looked at my 

phone since end of the support group. “Nick, sorry, I had a really great 

time, but I need to get going.” 

He handed me a piece of paper. I guessed it was his number, but I 

was too embarrassed to ask. 

“I had a good time Lizzy. Hopefully I’ll see you next Sunday?” he 

said softly, and it sounded genuine. I giggled and walked out the door. 

I rang my mum in hope that she would be pleased I had finally found 

a friend. “Mum?” I said with my voice innocent. 

“Well I see you’ve had a great time!” she giggled. 

I could see her car not too far from the café me and Nick had lunch at. I 

hung up the phone and marched right over to the door of the red mini. 

She just looked at me with a smug look across her face. 

“You were spying. You creep,” I spat. She just smirked and drove on. 

The whole way home was silent. I didn’t even want to know what she 

thought was going on. 

“He likes you,” Mum said with a skip in her voice. 

“He doesn’t.” 

“Then what is that in your hand?” 

I looked at the crumpled piece of paper and it occurred to me that I 

hadn’t opened it to see what it was yet. My hand began to shake, and I 

felt my chest tighten. Upon opening it I realized that it was his number. 

The next few weeks we got so close that we considered each other 

boyfriend and girlfriend. Every Sunday we went to the same café and 

had lunch and every other day we talked until night, until we needed to 

sleep. We still went to the support group, but my anxiety had cleared up 

and I would say it was because of Nick. He helped me through so much 

and I hadn’t a serious panic attack in over a month. 

The same as every other Sunday me and Nick planned to meet up 

at the same café as usual. I talked with Mum and we both agreed that 

it was finally time to tell him how I felt. I showed up half an hour early 

because Mum needed to get to work. I decided to just take a walk in the 

nearby park while I was waiting. 

To my surprise I saw Nick walking around the park as well. A smile 

appeared on my face and I got to my feet to run over to him when I saw 

61


my age. Blond with what seemed like brown eyes. My smile dropped. 

I was far enough away that they couldn’t see me, but close enough that 

I could make out what they were saying. I could hear something about 

him having to leave soon to take care of his friend that was struggling 

with anxiety. I could see the girl nodding. My head started to spin. 

My heart felt like it was about to snap. Everything was spinning. I 

ran all the way home with tears streaming down my face. They were 

uncontrollable. I cried so much that my chest hurt, my throat felt like it 

was closing over. When I reached my house, I ran past my mum into my 

room. I locked the door. 

Months went by of Nick trying to reach me. He was worried 

apparently. My mum explained to him what had happened. He called 

me every day and texted me saying he made a mistake and that he loved 

me. I was going to tell him I loved him too that day. But nothing ever 

goes right for me. 

The other shoe dropped. 

I was diagnosed with depression. All because I loved a boy. And he 

betrayed me. Every week I went to my councillor I looked at her with 

blank eyes and told her that I was fine. She never believed me. I was 

exhausted from the sobbing and the heartache. My eyes were sore, and 

my throat was raw. 

One Sunday I decided to go to the café where it all started. When I 

was about to sit down at our booth I noticed he was there too. To see his 

face made my heart twist. Before I could leave Nick saw me. He begged 

me to listen, so I did. 

He told me that the girl I had seen was his ex-girlfriend and that 

she still had feelings for him; he said he couldn’t bear to tell her that 

he loved someone else so instead he lied. She was struggling with 

depression as well and he didn’t want to make it worse. My mind was 

boggled. I believed him, and I still loved him. He asked could we start 

fresh. I nodded. I couldn’t say no. I’d regret not giving him a second 

chance. 

He handed me a piece of paper. I guessed it was his number. 

62


Teddy 

BRADLEY GREER 

One day there was a boy called Phil. Phil was a small boy with long 

brown hair. 

One night he was going to bed and he tucked himself in his covers 

ready to sleep. He was about to shut his eyes then his bed shook and 

jumped up in the air. It did this six times, then his toys and all his 

teddies bled from their eyes and their heads started twisting. 

Phil was scared and he screamed for his mum… Well, he tried to. 

His mouth was closed shut. It wouldn’t open. 

Then he slowly started to sink into his bed with two hands pulling him 

down and the bed vibrated while he sunk then he was gone and never 

seen again… 

64

FICTION 

Untitled 

SOPHIA FITZSIMONS 

It was always dim in that school. There was nowhere in that godforsaken 

school that wasn’t covered in a thick smudge of gloom. I 

promised I’d take Suzie out of that place, away from the weight of 

shadows lying on her chest. She was transferring in three days. But a boy 

holding a gun introduced himself at parents evening, with a stiff frown 

and wicked eyes. He pulled the trigger. I can still see her failing to suck 

the life back into her lungs as I cradled her body in my arms. 

She was my daughter. 

I’d killed my daughter. 

65


Wings 

ELLA MURPHY THOMPSON 

When I awoke it felt like I was in a completely different universe. It 

looked magical but yet mysterious. I felt like I was in heaven. I felt 

safe. I began to wonder about this magical land when I spotted tiny 

yet beautiful little creatures flying above a lake. I ran over and saw my 

reflection in the lake! Wings had sprouted on my back and anxiously I 

wondered what’s happening? What are these? Why me? Suddenly they 

began to flutter. My feet began to lift off the ground and slowly but 

surely I began to have control of these magical but terrifying objects that 

had randomly appeared on my back then I fell suddenly… When I fell 

I woke up terrified, in my bed, shaking, with tears streaming from my 

eyes. But then? 

I heard shouting from downstairs in the kitchen, it was Mum and 

Dad again. They’ve been shouting and fighting for a while and it doesn’t 

sound like it’s getting any better. I think they might be getting a divorce. 

I found pages in Mum’s bag from a divorce solicitor organising a 

meeting. I don’t think Dad knows. 

I walked downstairs and into the kitchen and as soon I walked in 

they immediately stopped shouting. Mum asked why my eyes were red. 

I just said they were itchy. I got a bowl out of the cupboard and poured 

myself a bowl of cereal, ate and went upstairs to get ready for school. 

I left and went to the bus stop, I got there and Lucy was there. I told 

her about my dream and she thought I was crazy. Lucy’s the kind of 

person, she doesn’t believe it until she sees it. 

First period was English and we had to make up a story about a 

mystical land for next Friday. I already had mine planned out - you 

probably could guess what it is. At lunch I told Lucy about my parents 

and she said I should go see the counsellor and tell her about it just to 

get it off my chest. 

After school we got the bus home. Dinner was sitting on the table 

and there was a suitcase sitting at the bottom of the stairs and Dad was 

putting his coat on in the hall. He lifted the suitcase, gave me a kiss and 

a hug and told me he loved me and I’d see him soon. Then a tear dripped 

from my cheek. I turned around to see my mum in the hallway. She was 

about to say something when I ran up the stairs and locked myself in my 

room. I lay on my bed and cried myself to sleep. 

66

FICTION 

I awoke at the same place - this time in the lake, soaking wet. All the 

tiny creatures were giggling and pointing. I couldn’t stop myself from 

laughing with them. When I got out, my clothes were dripping with 

purple water and my wings weren’t flapping anymore, they were 

dropping down against my legs. The tiny creatures started to blow on 

them until they were flapping and sparkling in the sun again. They then 

touched their noses and became human-size. They told all four of their 

names, Sophie, Belle, Zoe and Ellie. They were all fairies. 

They were going to tell me something else when I heard someone 

banging on my door. It was Mum. I was late for school. I missed the bus 

so Mum wasn’t happy she had to drive me to school. On the way there 

she asked me what I was dreaming about. She had thought I was on 

my way to school but then she heard me screaming. I couldn’t think of 

something quick so I just said, “Oh really I can’t remember.” 

After class I went to the nurse’s office. I called home sick. I thought 

maybe if I went home and went to sleep I’d find out what the fairies were 

going to tell me. The nurses called home and Mum said she would be 

here soon. She shouted at me when I got into the car saying, “You didn’t 

do your homework so that’s why you left school.” I just ignored her. 

When we got home I ran to my room locked the door and went to sleep. 

I woke at the lake and the fairies were whispering to the fish. I 

couldn’t hear what they were saying but when they saw me they ran 

over and hugged me. They asked me where I had been. I told them I had 

to go home then I asked what the fish were talking about. They said ask 

them yourself. I went over to the lake and lowered my head to where 

my eye just touched the top of the water. One fish came up to the surface 

and whispered in my ear. I felt a tear drop from my face and on the lake. 

It made a tiny ripple in the water. I stood up and just couldn’t hold my 

tears back any longer, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I didn’t know 

whether to cry or laugh. 

Zoe was the first to ask, “What did they say?” 

I told them they said my mum and dad were getting back together and 

they were waiting for me to waken up at home to tell me. I said goodbye 

to everyone and thanked them for everything they had done for me. 

When I woke up I ran downstairs but Dad’s suitcase was nowhere 

to be seen. Mom was sitting in the living room. I asked her where Dad 

was. She sat me down on the sofa and explained to me that she and Dad 

wouldn’t be getting back together and I’d see him on the weekends. 

I myself would just like to say… don’t believe everything a tiny fish and 

fairies tell you in a dream. They don’t always come true. 

67


My Experience of Friends 

and Monsters 

MASON RINGLAND 

Friends and Monsters inspired me. The facilitators let you believe you 

had a voice and they let you share your ideas even if you thought they 

might be stupid or weird! 

What I mean by having a voice is talking out loud because some people 

were shy but Friends and Monsters allowed them to feel confident to 

speak out. 

They were all lovely people. I enjoyed being with them. All I can say is, 

thank you for inspiring me! 

68

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The 100+ young writers - brave, hilarious, shocking 

and independent, 

the dedicated volunteer mentors, the engine and heart of Fighting 

Words Belfast, 

the teaching staff, who made miracles with their timetables and 

contributed so much enthusiasm, especially Noreen Lyttle, 

Gilah McCarroll, Rebecca Millar and Máirín Ní Dhuibhir, 

Myra Zepf, the first Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern 

Ireland, for her encouragement, guidance and inspirational energy, 

The Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts, for hosting the 

incredible Monster Slam, 

Fighting Words in Cork, Dublin and Wicklow, 

Feargal from BT48.com for building the digital sharing platform, 

Katrina and Paul from Paperjam Design for producing this 

beautiful book, 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for funding 

this project, 

and finally to Mary Shelley, for moving and frightening us, for 

inspiring empathy and questions, and for your powerful 

young voice. 

69

“I CLOSED NOT MY EYES 

THAT NIGHT”

“ 

If you are up for a rollercoaster ride through the weird, the 

wonderful, the creepy and the crazy of our imaginations, then step 

right in. You are in for a treat. 

For this is not like any other creative writing anthology you have 

ever read (or your money back). It will make you belly-laugh, give 

you goose-bumps and tie knots in your brain. 

“ 

MYRA ZEPF

Fighting Words Belfast is a creative writing centre based in east 

Belfast. It was established in 2015 and aims to foster a love of 

writing and to empower young people to become the 

authors of their own lives. 

Patrons 

Lucy Caldwell 

Roddy Doyle 

Dave Eggers 

Nick Hornby 

Paul Muldoon 

Glenn Patterson

Friends and Monsters final Split

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