By June Ahn

“The Unknown”

A long time ago my grandpa told me a story about this “person” who lives at the end of the world. It’s apparently the edge of the world and is right next to the afterlife. It’s also super dark, like PICH BLACK. Only people that are dead can cross, and the “person” is the one to carry them to the other side.

“But, can-n you fall?”

Not really, well . . . I guess you could, only if you were really bad. My grandpa said that you gain invisible weight when you do something wrong, and get lighter when you do something good. So if you only do bad things when you are alive, you’ll sink the boat that takes you across, into the dark abyss

“What is in the abyss or what happens if you fall in?”

You really just see darkness, nothing more. You just feel nothing forever.

“A Boy With His Dog and a Big Blue House”

I lived in a big home, then a small one, then a S-shaped one. I lived in many different homes, some with family, some with only my parents. But most of the time I would be alone since my mom and dad work a lot. 

Don’t open the door for anyone, ok? That’s what they always say every time they leave or

Don’t stay up all night. That comes up a lot. But most of the time they say

Love you, we’ll be right back. But I don’t like this one the most, because they come back home late at night.

I don’t really know what they do. I know that they’re really busy and that they work with money, but that’s it. I overheard them say they work too much because of their job, that there’s too much money to count and manage, and that their boss makes them move too much for the amount of pay. I agree, since I have to go to different schools almost every year because of it, most of the time I leave in the middle of the school year, so I don’t have that many friends, and when I do get one we don’t stay in touch after I leave. But all in all, it’s not that bad. I get to read.

One day we had to leave, again, but this one was different. Papa told me that this was permanent, I did not know what that meant but I think it was a good thing. He said that we could stay there and not move, that I could have longer-lasting friendships, and we could have a DOG. I always wanted one. When we got there the house was BIG, it was blue and had a really large roof. The school was also big, more on the sides than how tall, but still big, bigger than I’ve seen. And the Dog. I am so fluffy and soft. It was a golden retriever. My first real friend.

“Road Trip”

Why must the roads be so long, why must it be so cramped, I don’t want to be hear. I don’t want to stay in this musty car. But I must, I don’t really have a choice. The paint is starting to peel off the car, dad starting to feel the tiredness of the drive, and Mom is cheerful and ever. The day passes by quickly when you’re asleep most of the ride.

The breeze of the open window. The sun is warm on the face but it’s still cool because of the wind. My two younger brothers fighting for no reason, the singing of Mom and Dad to old songs that I never heard of, and the view. The only reason I agree to come along. It’s so beautiful. So nice. The red and purple colored sky, the fading sun, and the perfect song. I can stay like this forever.

“Final Stop”

HIGH SCHOOL FINALLY ENDNED. Long 4-year grind and it’s done. Now a new chapter awaits, Collage. I feel like there’s only school now. My parents are so sad but also so happy, and with every passing day, my future awaits. I can’t think about anything else. The excitement is so unreal, I’m finally going to have some freedom, but then again I might be getting too much. Living with 5 others will be hard but it can’t be that hard when I already live with 4 other people in the house. Making food, studying, and then on top of that paying taxes and stuff will be overwhelming at first, but I will be ok, this is what growing up is all about so I must embrace it.

The new school is almost coming up, and started to pack and start driving to school. My heart is pumping with nervousness. First taste of being a young adult, a true adult. I say my goodbyes, and my hugs and leave for college.

“Stranded With My Self”

Dont know were or when it is, all I know is that I’m going to die if I don’t get help soon. I’m on a raft with a guitar that I don’t even know how to play with no food or drinkable water. Stranded with no sign of help. Great. Just great. And with all this SHARKS start to flock around. They started to chomp and chomp but whacked them with my guitar and then they swam away. After that fight, I slept

It’s been a while since I woke up and I see something in the distance, A ISLAND. I frantically paddle towards it with my guitar. Panting I use what strength is left in my body to peddle. And like about an hour later, I got to the island, so desperate for food, I got to find water and survive. The end