A Quiet Strength
by Anon Allsop

-Part One-

-Twenty Seven-

Her hair was in disarray, she had blood on her arm. Etu was unsure whether the blood was from an injury or the bears. He slowly entered, her terror filled blue eyes followed his every move. "Are you injured?"

She said nothing, only tipping her head slightly as he spoke. He glanced around the cave, Etu could tell that she had been living here for quite some time. He saw a pelt laying on the ground and started toward it to ease the bleeding from his wound. Having only taken one step, the female threw herself between he and the small pile of pelts.

The sudden move caused the warrior to pull up, it was evident that the female did not want him any nearer. Like the wild animal he just fought, she showed her teeth at him and brandished a sharpened piece of thin stone. He backed away slowly, at the same time she held it menacingly toward him.

Confused, Etu moved back and crouched upon his haunches. Under furrowed brow, he studied the woman he had spent so much time searching for. She glanced over her shoulder quickly and then backed toward the pile, still holding the stone knife toward the man.

Atalanta's Story - Chapter 2 Revised. Written by Katelyn and Edited by William Durr.I want to thank Bill for editing and proofreading while admitting any errors left are mine. The setting and character were inspired by a story Julie O wrote; Frseh Start. The first 2 or 3 chapters were too close and I apologize to the readers, Big Closet, and Julie O. I have re written chapters 2-6 to avoid that as much as possible.

I also wanted to apologize for taking so long to get this out but medical issues and frozen water pipes will do that to a schedule. It is mostly edited and ready to go. You may need to read chapter 1 again.

In this chapter Atalanta adjusts to living as a girl. Both mother and daughter struggle with their new relationship and Atalanta is given a brief look at a mystery of her transformation.

Steve returns to school, excited to tell his therapist about the events over Thanksgiving but are things spiraling out of his control?

Living the Dream

By: Malissa Madison

Sweet Dreams-57

Chapter 57

*Before…

Anika Christenson is glaring daggers at me as I take a seat and look at everyone.
“Hey…”
Everyone does their “Hey’s” and I get a few hugs and a whole bunch of envelopes with what looks like cards for me and stuff.
I look at Jen. “What’s with Anika?”
Cindy holds up the school newspaper.
There’s the lists of people with their picture on there that are running for Homecoming Queen and King and there’s pictures of Alex there which…? I mean I didn’t think that he was into that but I guess he was maybe when he was with Jen.
And my picture is right beside his.

………………….. “Sonofabitch!”

*And Now…

Alex finds that her new life is about to get stranger and even more complicated as important pieces of the Mahanilui’s origin present themselves in wonderful, but sometimes painful ways. Can the phrase ‘Everyone has a twin somewhere’ be taken too far- and what about those ‘twin’s’ secrets?

When the rescue party rendezvous with Karen and Hicks at the desert escarpment, Karen Shaw soon learns that surviving the desert conditions may be the least of her problems.