Stories and Poems

This issue brings the continuation of two of our on-going stories as well as a selection of poetry for your reading pleasure. Waves chapter 7 by Scary Pudding sees more plot twists and intrigue in this wonderfully creative story set in Earth's far-distant future. Rizzo joins the section with A Few Haikus to give us all a different perspective on the world, with the first ably illustrated by Cresenne. Finally the second part of Pitawakia by ZacharyB simultaneously takes us to new heights and depths: heights of tension and depths of mystery - can the concerned parents find their missing daughter? and what else will they find? Enjoy them all!

Waves - By: Scary Pudding

Chapter 7

"Maybe they're not coming," Ryan said in a panicked tone. It had been almost an hour since they had received the response. "They probably just thought we were bored hackers."

Jacob was not in the same state as Ryan. "The IP's are many things, but they're not liars. They can't risk a lawsuit if we're really in trouble." They both chuckled, but it was cut short by a man armed with a stun gun bursting in. He performed a quick sweep of their cell then motioned for them to follow. He led them down a long hallway into what looked like the facility's control room. They were immediately greeted by a large man with short gray hair.

"Hello boys, my name's colonel Shaun Wheelwright," he said in an over-friendly tone. "What are yours?" The boys introduced themselves and the colonel laughed loudly and patted their shoulders. It was obvious to both of the boys this display was a charade. Colonel Wheelwright led them to a computer console and sat down without offering the boys a seat.

"All right kids," he said in a much more serious tone, "what are you in for?"

The only response he got was a pair of confused looks. Colonel Wheelwright pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Why were you imprisoned here? The Union doesn't regularly arrest children."

"The Union?" Ryan asked.

"Answer my question and I'll answer yours," the colonel said, voice rising.

Jacob began, "We don't exactly know, sir. The man who arrested us said we viewed some footage we weren't supposed to."

The colonel stared at the boys, mouth agape. "That was you." His voice trailed off and he snapped back into reality.

"Now that we have everything cleared up, let me tell you boys how much of a mess you've gotten yourselves into.

"The Union is the most powerful criminal organization on the planet. We have tried to get them for everything from burglary to murder."

He paused and shifted in his seat.

"Note, I say try boys. No matter how many of our best men we put on the case we can never come up with any evidence. We've put plenty of their goons in jail but we have never been able to shut them down."

Colonel Wheelwright let his words sink in. "All right boys," he said "now that you know who you're up against, you're going to help us stop them."

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A Few Haikus - By: Rizzo

A window for life
Seeing what all need to live
A child so cold


The grass a sweet green
An ocean with its clear waves
Sky the finest blue

When some do not care?
What is there for us to do
So small is our world

As one see the light
Miracles always take place
Soul goes to heaven

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Pitawakia Part 2 - By: Author

Cathy couldn't focus on the road as they drove home. She had to pull over three times just to put her head over the wheel and cry. Rick took over the wheel and got them home. Cathy's face was still wet with tears in the passenger seat.

When they got home, Cathy ran up to the front door, and scrambled for her keys. Once she found the key and put her shaking hands into the lock, she pushed open the door and went into the living room. Rick watched this from the car, then he walked inside.

Rick was on the phone or searching on the computer for anything that could help him find Lily. He looked for things on the mountain where she apparently disappeared, any leads on the case, anything at all. There didn't seem to be anything, though. It was practically hopeless.

A few chaotic days passed, with absolutely nothing from the camp. Were they doing anything? They never returned Rick's calls, and he could find no other ways of contact.

One Saturday afternoon, Rick just got tired of waiting. He couldn't take not getting any answers. "Come on, Cathy, we're going to the camp,"

"What?" Cathy replied, "We can't go down to the camp!"

"Why not?"

"Well . . . " Cathy couldn't think of a response. She didn't want Rick to do something dumb (even though it's more likely she'd do something dumb, and she knew that), but she wanted to see if she could find her daughter. She decided against her first judgement, and grabbed her coat.

After a five hour drive down a long strip of highway, they turned off an exit and were riding under a cool shade of tall trees. They saw a sign that said in big print, "Pitawakia" and an arrow to the left. They turned and saw the camp.

Cathy and Rick drove into a parking spot, and got out of the car. They saw a sign that showed where the main camp building was. Then, they went down a small path, and climbed up a large set of stone steps, and rushed into the camp building.

They entered a big empty room, with only a table and someone filing papers on the other end. "Excuse me," Rick said to the person sorting through papers, "We're the parents of Lily Sanchresto."

This caught the man's attention. "We're trying as hard as we can, Mr.Sanchresto," he said, "we think we found her backpack on the trail."

At this, Rick and Cathy didn't know what to say. This could mean that they may have almost found her . . . or it could mean she's . . . Rick couldn't bear to keep on thinking.

"Could you call us if you have any updates?" Cathy asked.

"We have been calling you," the man said, sounding slightly concerned.

"You have . . . ?" Cathy said.

"We've been calling both your home phone and your cell phone." At this, Rick pulled out his cell phone, and checked his messages.

"Nothing," he said. Rick pulled out Cathy's phone, and dialed the number for his phone. Rick's phone rang, but he didn't pick up. When it stopped ringing, Rick checked his messages. It said there was a message waiting. Rick showed this to the man.

"Your phone must be acting funny," he responded. Rick looked behind him to see Cathy walking away slowly outside, hiding her face in her palms. Rick soon followed.

"We have to find her ourselves, Rick," Cathy said through a thick sob, "they're not going to do anything, we should go . . . " She glanced at Rick, and then turned away.

Rick didn't know what to say. He actually thought she was right, and more then anything, he wanted his daughter back. Cathy was clinging onto him, and he didn't know if she was going to let go until he gave her an answer.

"Well . . . " Rick started. But then he stopped. What could he say? If he said no, he would risk losing his daughter. If he said yes, he could go up there, and lose everything. He looked down at Cathy's shiny eyes.

A pulse surged across his mind, taking over any common sense he had. "Lets go."

"Really, Rick?" Cathy asked in astonishment. Cathy didn't have time to get a response, because Rick was already stepping down the stairs. "Rick," Cathy called out to him, but he wouldn't stop. What's coming over him, Cathy thought?

Rick finally stopped for a quick second of air, but it was enough time for Cathy to catch him. She ran up behind him and said, "we're going to need to plan first, if we're going to do this."

"Why do we need to plan?" Rick asked, "she could be out there dying, and we're wasting time."

"Dang it, Rick! You're starting to sound like me," Cathy yelled, "use your head and stop thinking like this!" The only form of response that Cathy got was a frustrated glare. Cathy closed her eyes and put her face in her hands. It sounded like she was crying, but Rick was under to much pressure to notice.

"If you want to run and find her, Rick," Cathy said slowly, "I won't stop you. Just please come home safely." She paused for a second. "Keep your Cell Phone on, and try not to go so far down the path. I'll be up the mountain by tomorrow morning.

Rick didn't put much though into it, "I'll be safe, Cathy," he said. He started to jog down the path, taking a glance behind to see his wife staring at him. He kept on looking back until she was out of sight, and then he didn't look back.

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