"I'm sorry," I choke out. I can feel the pressure building in my throat, tears starting to form in my eyes.  Coming from the kitchen table, I hear my mother's ragged breathing. Again I whisper, "I'm so sorry." 

From as far back as I can remember, people have told me the world is going to be destroyed. That our planet is slowly dying, and it's all my fault.  From before I could write, I remember freaking out because it's my...

    The grand throne room was flooded with light from the large windows set at the back of the room. Tapestries hung from the long walls displaying everything from dragons to fairies, to war pictures. At the heart of the throne room sat a glorious, golden throne. Everything was what you would expect in the castle of a great King and it all looked bright and welcoming. But as soon as one stepped in, one would feel an immediate shiver...

The grand throne room was flooded with light from the large windows set at the back of the room. Tapestries hung from the long walls displaying everything from dragons to fairies, to war pictures. At the heart of the throne room sat a glorious, golden throne. Everything was what you would expect in the castle of a great King and it all looked bright and welcoming. But as soon as one stepped in, one would feel an immediate shiver that...

The scowl on his father's face did not help settle Miles’s nerves. It was the first time he was allowed to sit next to his father while the court was in session.
The guards opened the large wooden doors, revealing two hooded figures.
“Your majesty,” announced one of the guards. “These two have requested your council.”
“Very well,” the king replied. The scowl slowly vanishing off his face with obvious difficulty.
“Your majesty,” said the first figure in a voice...

The guards opened the large wooden doors, reviling two hooded figures.
“Your majesty,” announced one of the guards. “These two have requested your council.”
“Very well,” the king replied. The scowl slowly vanishing off his face with obvious difficulty.
“Your majesty,” said the first figure in a voice that was obviously masculine. The second hooded figure knelt in a sweeping curtsy. “We have come to seek your guidance. For our people have-”
“I can not think of a reason why...

The wind howled as it passed through the small gap between the glass doors, bringing more dust onto the marble floor of Nadia’s house's lobby. Outside the day was hot, although the sky was covered in a thin blanket of gray clouds. I leaned back into the old couch, that now served as part of our fort. Nadia, my 10 year old neighbor, sat next to me. She is three years older than me. But she was one of the...