Envelopes

The old man eyed the small cafe from afar, studying with intense concentration. He had to be sure to pick the right one. He headed down the street towards a small cafe, reaching the doors as soon as they flipped the sign to “Open.”

After ordering his breakfast, he limped over to an unassuming booth and settled into a comfortable position. The waitress tidied her hair, and he waited.

First came the nurse, dark circles underneath her eyes from finishing her night shift, ordering a deluxe roast beef sandwich with a side of salad. She must have been a regular since the waitress didn't bat an eye at the strange “breakfast.”

Next was the businessman. There was a streak of gray in his hair he could no longer hide and his hand gripped tightly around his custom leather briefcase. Flipping open his wallet to pay for his Big Original Breakfast, the old man glimpsed a picture of what seemed a younger version of the man, standing in front of the doors to Wellington College, where the faculty served more as babysitters than educators. No, this man definitely didn't need his help.

The Story of Hallows Eve

By Kaleigh Smith

Along the muddy roads at night
the winds would blow and then
a howl be heard amongst the trees
of the kingdom Mourning Dwen
the shrieks and cries of witches’ lies
beyond the river bend,
and be only heard at midnight in
this spooky howling glen

The Museum

Dee held tightly to the rope. In the darkness above her hovered a small dot, the entrance of the shaft—or was it the exit? A few minutes had passed since she started her descent. She peered keenly below her, hoping to see the bottom. Her stomach tilted when the rope made another small lurch downward. Her breathing quickened, sounding strange and unnaturally loud inside her sealed white suit. Dim lamps aligned the walls every few feet as she continued down, the dusty air swallowing her. She squeezed her eyes shut while she tried to keep her fear of heights under control.

“How’s it going down there?” crackled Yale’s voice over the com.

Instinctively, Dee pressed the com closer to her ear. “Good so far,” she replied, her voice shaking slightly. “The entrance is so low. I wish it wasn’t. It’s scary in here.”

“You’ll be fine,” Yale assured. “You’re just nervous because it’s your first time. And you know that the guys who dug the tunnel double- and triple-checked to make sure this place is safe.” Yale’s voice paused for just a moment. “Of course, there may be explosives hidden in the building, ready to detonate when anyone steps foot inside.”

“Thanks a lot,” Dee retorted.

Boris’s commanding tone forced itself in. “You’ll be fine, Dee, you’re almost there. And we have defenses against the traps. Just focus on the mission.”

With the light shining from her visor, Dee could see the cavern floor. Her eyes followed the bending tunnel until they found a faint rectangular shape emerging from the wall. “Hey, I think I am almost there!” she exclaimed, nervously. Once she was only a couple of feet off the ground, she unlatched herself from the rope, and landed on the floor with a loud, “Oof!”