http://slow.writerscafe.org/nikki600 The original writings of author Nikki Congdon en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776206190 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 The wind howled as I raced through across the icy path. He was supposed to be here! I kept screaming in my head. The moon was high above the trees.  The weak moonlight covered the branches of the bare trees and gave them freaky shadows.   I finally stopped to catch my breath. I could.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222531/ Flora slept soundly. She had gained more weight andher hair had stopped losing hair.  Thedoctors said she was in some sort of shock and that was why she freakedout.  She was mourning and she justneeded to scream it out.  Our group hadholes in it.  Our attempt to save Rh.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222289/ I could tell from the sky that we were losing and weneeded to retreat soon.  When I heardWhitney scream, I nearly fell out of the sky. I knew something wasn't right,but I didn't have time to look.  Tanya'sstrength was not waning and we were not winning.  Betty had been knocked.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222287/ When we did reach the border, the sun was slowlysetting, shadowing us with the last rays of the day.  Rhett and I took the sight in, while theothers discussed what was needed to be done next.  Since Flora had lost so much weight, Derekhad to carry her on his back. The snow did tire y.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222286/ Raven hadn't returned with Derek from wherever theyhad went off to  "talk", so Idecided I would just leave for class since I wanted to plan something else toget Flora better again. It was so sad to see her losing weight and sodepressed.  It was as if she didn't wantto be pretty a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222285/ After the winter formal, Flora would not talk. Atall. She would lay in her bed, staring at the wall. Her dress hung limply inher closet, the hem ripped up.  I felt sobad for her. She watched her boyfriend die, or so that's what Williamsconfirmed it as. They couldn't find a body or who e.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222120/ The nights got colder as December rolled around. Iwas finally cleared to go back to my dorm room and back to classes. I was sofar behind in schoolwork, it took a lot of long, friday nights with Ethan'shelp to get caught up.  Raven had thesame problem and Derek helped her get caught up a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222118/ The longer I stayed at the Jacobson's house, the moreI felt they were my family.  Zella grewto love me as a sister and Penny and Jacobson treated me as their own daughter.I felt right at home, going on family outings together, helping Penny clean thehouse or cook and being active in Zel.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222117/ "Mother," I said flatly. My mother ran over tome and hugged me tightly.            "Thank God your alright,"She whispered into my ear. I didn't return as much affection.           &nb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222110/ "What?" I hissed into my phone.            "I know it’s a lot to take in,"Derek explained, "But you're just not safe here. I'm trying to talkmy father out of this crazy idea."        &nbs.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222109/ It had been days since Raven had bolted out angrilyof the hospital room and I was getting worried. I had wondered if I had upset her. Then again, she was upsettingWhitney and I knew Whitney didn't need the extra stress.  I knew what it was like. The dorm room hadbeen to myse.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222108/ Derek and I walked into the hall together.  His father was not at his podiuem, oranywhere in the room.            "Come sit with us." I whispered.He took my had and intertwined his fingers into mine.    &nbsp.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222104/ Igot up extra early to see Whitneywho had to stay overnight in the infirmary. I was worried about her. She was inshock at just what exactly had happened. As the alarm went off, I climbed out of bed and began rummaging throughmy closet. I pulled out a white, shoulder studded shirt with.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222103/ "I didn't doit!" I screamed at them as they lay me down. "I didn't do it! I wasset up!" My face was dry and sticky since I had been crying and pleadingwith the people who had taken me away like I was insane to let me go.  Rhett was on their heels, pleading as wellthat I didn't do it.&nb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222102/ Find the flag. That's my priority. I flew around inthe treetops, searching for the guy's flag. I had no idea where they would hideit exactly, but they were boys, they were stupid enough to hide it in an easyspot.              The .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222100/ Raven had us huddled up.  There weren't very many girls here, which wasquite sad. As we huddled up, a grey mass lumbered over to us.  It must have been Rhett. Raven signaled forhim to come here and then pulled a round tin from her pocket.        &.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222098/ Mr.Lee was blind as a bat, which is funny because he was a bat.  He was a plump man with thinning, gray hairand a small nose.  He wore a pair of nicekaki's with a black, bulging belt that was nearly undone.  As his shirt, he wore a plaid button down thatwas loosely tucked in a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222096/ Screaming            Swearing.            Crying.            Beeping.         &.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222093/ I sat alone in the dorm room, waiting for Raven tofinish in the bathroom.  I had the lampon and the light casted a soft glow, making the room have strange shadows.  I still wore my uniform. I wasn't sure if Iwas excited to start different classes. When Mrs. Berlowski had given me a l.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222092/ Burning.            That'sall I can see. Burning trees, Burning bushes, burning houses. The screams ofpeople sufferings make me want to help, but my feet are glued to the floor.          &.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222088/ "I've never in the history of my school, seen a girlchange into a wolf." Principal Williams admired.            "Th-thank you sir." Istumbled on my words.  Where was Raven?Why did I have to talk to the principal? Would he figure o.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222086/ Getting off the plane and walking into The Academythe next day was like a dream.  Big gatesas you entered and large buildings that reminded me of hotels. The place sortof reminded me of Harry Potter. I wasjust waiting for Harry to pop out from a tree and surprise me. Betty told meabou.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222084/ It was an awful ride to the nearest hospital, butapparently I had a broken wrist and a fractured femur. The girl graciouslystayed with me while they bandaged me up. She even made an excuse for me so Ididn’t have to tell the truth about how it all happened.    &nbs.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222077/ "All flowers seem perfect.  Their gentle colors to their perfect greenleaves.  Their sweet smells drawing youin to smell them, but not all flowers are perfect.  There is always an imperfection, whether it’sa rotting petal or chewed leaves. Yet we humans think their perfect.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222075/ Leavingsome filthy bar in Montana, I turned the corner and down a dark alley. I heardthe hoots and hollers of the drunk men as I escaped, cooing me to comeback.  Yeah, right.  At least here I could change and get the hellout of here. The alleyway was musty dark withoverfull .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222074/ There is some romance as well as some mild violence. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nikki600/1222070/