Day 6: Break Away

Dear Diary,

Well, the inevitable finally happened. Dad left today. I was hoping that since we live in the middle of nowhere that he would have nowhere to go, but he found a way out. I thought I did everything, but sometimes that’s not enough. Didn’t he know that we all depended on him? I would never hurt him, so why did he think he had to? There are better ways. Daddy I love you! And I always will. I know I can’t make you come back, but I wish to hell and back that I could.

Tearfully yours,

Cora

Day 4: Dark

SCENE: The Hall of Dreams. A girl approaches the Dream Master.

GIRL: These Dreams you send …

DREAM MASTER: I spark your imagination. The rest is all you.

GIRL: No it’s not. These Nightmares are from you. Your responsibility is to keep the Nightmares away. I’m running down halls, being wrested from my family’s arms, or being shot by the CIA. When I sit on my bed and close my eyes I want to feel safe. Please can’t you help me?

DREAM MASTER: Dear girl! This is your battle. I can help, but your darkest dreams are just that: yours.

Day 3: Light

It might be fighting through the clouds, or racing across open plains. It reflects off of cars and dirt and windows. It passes over revolutions, bloodshed and tears. It touches every little bud, and each mountain peak. It replicates nuances in shape. Each particle of light streams into the lens painting a different color. The  aperture, shutter speed and ISO match up, so the world will see what is in her mind’s eye. The shutter clicks and the world stands still for her digital brush to memorize the scene. “This is my art. This is how I paint: with light.”

Day 2: Love

“Run!” Keni screamed, her voice cutting through the smoke and bullets. Jan spun around, frantically searching for an escape. Buildings shook at their foundations as the rockets tore through the air. The soldiers came closer. Jan looked back at Keni lying in the dirt. Twenty years from birth and Jan wasn’t about to flake out. “Don’t you understand! Friggin’ GO!” screeched Keni. “They want you. Get out of here! You’ll see me again.”

“And you won’t see me go!” Keni knew Jan kept her word. So she pulled herself off the ground, grasped at Jan’s hand, and ran with her.

Day One: Introduction

Keep walking. As long as I put one foot in front of the other, I’ll be alright. First impressions can make or break the year. I scrunch my nose as the glasses slide down, and wipe my hands on my grey skirt. I don’t know what they are expecting, but hopefully this will do. A few more steps down the hall. Click, clack, click clack. This hall is empty, but I know the kids will be in soon. All the doors are shut, and I hold the key in my sweaty palm. Click, clack. I pause. I open the door.