Submission: “A Struggle Within” by Michael Parker

The full title of this short story by Michael Parker is “A Struggle Within, a tale of a child soldier.” It is at once both touching and eye-opening to the real experiences that child soldiers face.
 
“A Struggle Within”

Ahci had been normal, he knew that. But that was before… before… it pained him to think about. [...]

Submission: “Freedom” by Leora Karoly

An original, dark but hopeful short story by Leora Karoly, age 16. 
“Freedom”
            Freedom.
            When they think of a lack of freedom, most people will think of jail, chains, locked doors. Teenagers might think of their parents, school, rules. People might think of prison, war torn counties, rules, or governments, people who [...]

Submission: “Music of the Heart” by Bre Caverty

This is a very original science-fiction by Bre Caverty, dedicated to James Caverty. 
 
“Music of the Heart”
I was an ordinary girl, once. But that was a long time ago. When my life made sense, when it had meaning. Before the end. When my world came crashing down, and everything that made up who I was became [...]

Submission: “Freedom To” by Leslie

This uniquely-formed story by Leslie, age fifteen, is divided into six snippets representing different things that we need freedom for. 
 
“Freedom To”

I. be beautiful
She averts her eyes as she walks past the mirror, unwilling to see the face that would look back. But there is nothing wrong with her; she is no less beautiful [...]

Submission: “Hands” by Judah Raleigh

A short story about a life in search of freedom and purpose by Judah Raleigh, age 16. 
 
“Hands”

Hands possess a quality that defines, that creates, so that no matter what we touch we cannot help but change it in some way, sometimes without realizing the mark we’ve left. In my life I have known many pairs [...]

Submission: “Lavender Snow” by Kati Duffy

A short story by Kati, age 17. 
 
“Lavender Snow”

Tomorrow is the birthday of a woman who loves chocolate. She has a friend who has known her for years, but can’t think of anything she likes besides chocolate. She could have asked any time in the past six years, but she hasn’t and so, as [...]