It was the first of September, Mint Schwartzwald's 16th birthday, and like her father before her, she was cut up, leaving home, and following a strangely visible dirt path in the lightless void between universes.

Fortunately, *she* wasn't fleeing monsters, with only a magical staff to her name, and never expecting to return.

Unfortunately, her love life was on a timelimit, she didn't know where she was going, and she didn't know how to return home.

But, she had a path to walk on, a guarantee of safety, and a plan, and that changed everything.

It was the first of September, Prince Obsidian's 16th birthday, and he was unable to enjoy any of it.

First, his twin sister, Princess Amethyst, went missing, so he had to help find her. Then, he got caught in an explosion. So now, he's unconscious, bruised, scratched up, and infected with some magic that was working to turn him into a girl.

And after all that injury, Princess Amethyst was still missing.

Chapter Eight -- The First Fifteen

Archie and Sandra arrive home to find that their marriages, hanging together by a thread, are in dire jeopardy. We learn more about Charlotte's relationship with Quinn and what happened at the cottage that Charlotte liked to call 'One for the Boys' gentleman's club.

Things begin to come together as they fall apart. I might still have a way back to Lee, but there is also the matter of telling Sarah the truth about the wishing stone. Nothing in a new girl's life can ever be simple.

The first meeting.

I suppose I had better tell you how I got into this position. I am, at present, typing this on my computer keyboard and thinking that it was a good job I am able to touch-type. She is watching the television, yet another of the weepy chick movies she loves, along with game shows. I hate chick movies and game shows but she has to get her fill every day.

Suddenly Royal Chapter 12 by Tiffany Shar Edited by Carla Ann

Alan and his best friend Ellie are enjoying being able to hang out on their summer break. Ellie has known about Alan's desire to be Allie for several years, and they plan one of their many shopping trips to the mall while their parents are at work. Little does Allie know that her simple day of secretly being out with her best friend would suddenly spiral into a whole new life!

"A lot of things don't make sense. You're gonna have to narrow it down." I said.

"Yeah. Like how they got it in there in the first place." chimed Susan.

No. I meant, why are we on the third floor?" Seeing the confused look on Susan's and my face she continued before either of us could say anything. "Shouldn't there be rooms right below us?" We all stared at each other in silence for a moment, before all coming to the same idea. Without a word we all made our way back down the corridor, towards the staircase, and down to the second floor.

Jen gives me a piece of her mind. The quandary about Penny's love life starts to be too much. And I make the decision to tell someone about the stone.

Sunny: The Hippie Chick

By Dawn Natelle

Reviewed and Edited by Eric

Chapter 10 – God damn, god damn the pusher man

Sunny handed me $5 for her share of the rent money at the end of the month. “You don’t have to pay,” I told her. “I know you aren’t busking anymore. I can cover your share. It’s what I paid before you moved in.”

Strolling Along

Suddenly Royal Chapter 11 by Tiffany Shar Edited by Carla Ann

Alan and his best friend Ellie are enjoying being able to hang out on their summer break. Ellie has known about Alan's desire to be Allie for several years, and they plan one of their many shopping trips to the mall while their parents are at work. Little does Allie know that her simple day of secretly being out with her best friend would suddenly spiral into a whole new life!