If You Have Hope, Strength, and Friendship...

I am really grateful for all the good friends I have in my life, as well as my hope and strength that got me through even the toughest of times. This is the story I wrote, inspired by that feeling. :D

She was running. From what, who, where, she didn’t know. Tiredness was taking over her

body and spirit, tossing her life carelessly through its sneaky fingers. Feeling powerless against

everything, she fell; her tiara tumbled to the ground, her silken clothes torn. Her last memory was the

deep blue of the starry night beyond the mass of tangled tree branches. She lay unconscious, breathing

shallow, as moonlight shone over her - just a vulnerable girl in the night, nearly dead.


 As the first drops of the morning dew fell on her face, she awoke to the gentle rustling of the

wind, inhaling the sweet scent of pine trees. But some thing was wrong. The birds weren’t tweeting.

The bees weren’t buzzing. And faint footsteps were now thundering towards her. Panic swelled inside

her dry throat and she looked up. People. Masked people with knives.


 A scream escaped her lips, and suddenly several of the armaments were hurled at her. She

sat there, paralyzed, her mind running wild. Then, suddenly a new power flowed through her. Now

was her moment to act, her only chance at survival. She ducked and wove through the maze of the

assassins’ knives, grabbed two of the flying weapons and slashed back. Cut and bloody, she ran, barely

coming away with her life, once again.


 The girl had just enough energy left in her to stumble into a small wooden hut in the woods.

As she entered the doorway, she was transfixed by the radiance of the woman standing before her,

eyes blue as the ocean, with silky chocolate brown hair and dressed in a simple white gown. Then her

vision blurred and she lost consciousness once more. When she came to her senses, she was shaking

her head violently, pulling at her disheveled hair, muttering to herself.


The radiant woman smiled kindly, “ My name is Anne and yours is Emma. And I will show

you the way to your home and to your mommy and daddy.”

 “Where is home?” She scratched her head and looked up at Anne expectantly.” “And I got

hurt,” whimpering she tried to show her all her cuts and bruises. But they were all gone, every last one.

 Anne smiled. “I do think I did a good job healing you.”

 Emma stared at her in wonder, “Hurt all gone? Home – I want to go home.”

 Anne said, “Come, I will show you the way to get back to your home.”


 Anne walked Emma to the edge of the forest and pointed to the far side of the city, all the way

to a little red house. “That right there is where you have to go. In that house is an old woman who has

broken her way into your home. You can recognize her by a golden lion’s paw that has replaced her

left hand. She is evil. You must drive her out. Then your home will become yours again and you will

find your family too.” Saying so, she placed near Emma a slender twig that had two soft green leaves

attached to it. Anne whispered, “These leaves will give you hope and friendship. The twig provides

you the strength to succeed. Use it well.” Then she transformed into a doe and sprinted away.


 Emma picked up the twig and suddenly felt a jolt of energy surge through her body, clearing

all the fogginess in her mind. She said to herself, “Yes. I will reclaim my home and find my family.”

Then with fierce determination burning in her heart, she walked out of the forest and into the city.

 Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Ashercroume lived a princess named Emma, the only child of

King William and Queen Isabel. She had an abundance of anything money could buy, but not freedom.

Her parents wouldn’t let her out of the palace for fear that she would be harmed by the Forbidden One.

 Princess Emma didn’t believe in the Forbidden One. She didn’t remember one bit of her

grandmother’s story happening, even though she said it occurred only a year ago. But for the sake of a

good tale, here is what she said:


 It all started when preparations were being made for Princess Emma’s eleventh birthday

celebrations. A tall, slender young woman with a pointy nose and thin lips had come to the palace

seeking work in the kitchen. Although she dressed like a normal citizen of Ashercroume, she had an

unearthly aura about her, with eyes that shimmered like icicles. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of

the birthday preparations, this woman sneaked into Princess Emma’s bedroom. A scream then echoed

throughout the palace. Some guards even claimed that they saw the woman fly past dragging Princess

Emma with her. Luckily, Princess Emma was found sleeping peacefully in her bedroom. The guards

were immediately banished from the kingdom for lying about the princess. However a note was found

in the kitchen. It said:


 “King of Ashercroume, there is a lot of power in being a ruler. You don’t deserve the power or

wealth. I will make sure that your child too shall never ascend the throne. She will live, but driven

mad by my power. And when tomorrow comes, a worthy leader shall rule over Ashercroume. In other

words: me. Say goodbye to your rule.”


 The next morning a blinding light emanated from a little red house on the far side of the city and

enveloped the kingdom of Ashercroume. The king sent his soldiers to investigate. But one by one, they

fell dead at the threshold of the little red house. Rumor had it that it was the home of an old woman

with supernatural powers. She did as she pleased, stealing cattle from the farmers, money from even

the poor and creating misunderstanding and havoc among the subjects of Ashecroume. The citizens,

in their fear had named her the Forbidden One. No one dared contradict her or oppose her magical

powers, so the land came under the Forbidden One’s control.


 While the girl, Emma, set out for the city, Princess Emma had decided that she was going to go

out of the palace, regardless of the existence of the Forbidden One. She was tired of being cooped up

in the boring palace, so she smuggled herself out the palace gates to explore the city. The princess was

amazed by the city with its smell of baking bread, vendors hawking groceries, pots and pans, clothes

and all kinds of other goods. Children of all ages ran around playing and shouting in excitement.

Numerous carriages traversed the streets.


 Among the hustling city crowd, Princess Emma noticed a girl about her age looking slightly

lost. This must be her first time seeing the city too, she thought. Princess Emma walked up to the girl.

 “Hi! My name is Emma. What’s yours?”

 “Oh!” The girl looked up in surprise. “My name is Emma too. I am looking for a little red house.

 Do you have any idea where that is?”

 “Little red house? Why would you want to go there? The Forbidden One lives there!”

 “Forbidden One!” Emma felt an instinctive trust for Princess Emma, so she revealed

 her mission to kill the Forbidden One in order to save her family.

 “How will you ever manage to do this?” Princess Emma queried after thinking for a minute.

 “I will succeed with hope, friendship, and strength.” She pulled the twig out of her pocket and

 “Hope, friendship, and strength...what?” Emma narrated her experience with Anne to the

 “Okay, then. Let’s go!”

 “Let’s go? You don’t have to come with me. What if you got hurt?”

“Oh, I’ll be fine.” Princess Emma walked up to a boy and asked, “Do you know where the

Forbidden One’s lives? My friend and I are new in town and are curious. We’ve heard quite a

bit about her.”

 “The Forbidden One controls Ashercroume from her little red house about fifteen miles

 here. No one ever approaches her. I suggest you don’t try.”

 “Oh, no, we are just curious,” lied the princess as she ran back to inform Emma.

 The two girls started the long walk to the Forbidden One’s hut. The road south was dusty and

seemed endless. Hot, sweaty and tired, they did eventually get to their destination. Both Emma and the

princess stared at the house they were to break into. It was a small cottage, with two windows lit up by

the glow of the setting sun. The two stared in wonder, thinking about what was ahead...

 “Looking for someone?” An old woman stood before them, smiling a twisted smile. She was

wearing a patched brown dress and shoes of the same color. A paw peeked out of her long left sleeve.

 Emma was quick to act, drawing out her two knives, tossing one to the princess. They both held

their knives high, ready to attack.


 "Why are we being violent, friends? Let us go inside." With a lazy flick of her wrinkly, gnarled

hand she paralyzed both the girls and pulled them into her hut. With an evil cackle she tied them up

tight and threw them against the wall. As they lay bloody and unconscious, the Forbidden One pried

the knives out of their hands and poised each above each girl's heart. Then with a thundering force she

plunged both knives. And when she pressed her ear against each of their hearts, she chuckled knowing

there wouldn't be any heartbeat.


 But there was. The power of hope, friendship, and strength had saved the girls from death.

Disappointed, The Forbidden One raised her knife high in the air once again.

 "Wait!” commanded a woman’s voice.

 "Anne?" The Forbidden One fixated her gaze on Anne’s ocean blue eyes. Then she lunged

toward Anne, and a new battle started.

 Meanwhile, Emma and the princess began to gain consciousness. Finally when their eyes

opened, they saw the Forbidden One with her back to them – fighting!

 "Oh my! Is that Anne?!" Emma stared in surprise. The two girls then crept into the Forbidden

One's kitchen and grabbed the largest knives they could find. Then they ran up and hacked at the

Forbidden One from behind. Arms flailing around, she collapsed, leaving Anne standing before the

 "Come, I have a lot to explain to you." Anne led Emma outside, leaving the princess in the hut.

 "Emma, I had told you that when you defeated the Forbidden One, you would be free to go back

home to your parents. The truth is, you don't have ordinary parents. You were born to the king and

 "The king and queen?! But..."

 "Once you hear the whole story, you will understand all."

 "The Forbidden One knew that you were the next in line to be the ruler of Ashercroume. She

coveted power and Ashercroume's wealth. So, in order to usurp the throne, she transformed into a

young woman, kidnapped you from the palace and wiped out your memory. As she was flying over the

forest dragging you with her, you bit her hand and broke free, falling to the forest floor. Fearing that

you would be recaptured, you ran until you fell unconscious. The masked people who attacked you

were servants of the Forbidden One. Luckily you escaped and made your way to me. I gave you the

twig with the leaves, and you know what happened next."

 "Then I went to the city!"

 "Yes. So you see, you would not be have been safe with your parents until the Forbidden One

was dead. So now, my child, you may go back home."

 "But..my memory...just to be sure..."

 Anne seemed to understand. "Here we go then,” she said chanting some magical words. With

that Emma's memory was fully recovered.

Smiling widely, Emma said," Now lets go inside to Emma!"

 "Emma, your friend was just an orphan named Lily, pretending to be a princess until I got you

back home, with no idea that she was doing it. The king would have been mad at her for masquerading

as you even though it was by my magic, so I had to send her away."

 "Send her away? Please bring her back! She was my only friend!"

 "Okay... I can try, Emma."

 After a few more chants, Emma, I mean Lily was back, her memory revived too. After learning

the truth, she felt very, bad, but the real Princess Emma insisted she come back to the palace with her.

Laughing and skipping, they ran back home, carefree and happy, with Anne walking behind them.

"May hope, strength and friendship stay with you both."

Because of Grace

Enjoy this touching story, titled Because of Grace, written by two of my good friends. +1 if you have a friend like Grace! Let me know in the comments if you like it. :)

She walked the same way she usually did, through the hallways to get to the front of the school where her mother waited. Andrea got into the car as her mom questioned her about her day. "How was school?” Andrea sat silently for a moment, opened her mouth and then closed it, like a fish in water. "Did you get bullied again?" her mom asked worriedly. There was a long pause. "Kind of." Andrea replied. Andrea looked out the car window and noticed the cruel, “popular” kids who tormented her nearly everyday. Andrea sat with a slight frown on her face but didn’t say a word until they got home.

As Andrea slowly trudged towards room 16 for 1 hour of detention, she thought of how dramatically her day had changed. She had awoken from a nightmare to find that in her mother’s absence, she had slept late and had to rush to school. Her multiple sidetracks, one being forgetting her homework, caused her to arrive almost two hours late. As she burst into the room she was met with unyielding stares from both teacher and students, and ended up receiving detention. Running her incredibly horrible morning over in her head, Andrea was glumly trudging and found herself intimidated by all the confident teenagers' stares in detention. She saw empty seats surrounding an extremely tall, lanky girl working on her homework, and decided that she looked friendly enough to sit near. The girl looked surprised as Andrea slowly pulled out a chair to sit next to her. She smiled, then said "Hi, I'm Gracelyn. Gracelyn McKay, but you can call me Grace."  Andrea smiled and waved, which is the closest she has ever communicated with someone at school. Grace smiled and said, " I know you don’t talk in school. I’m in Mr. Badeau and Mrs. Amherst’s classes with you. Need help with the homework?” Andrea politely shook her head and pulled out a binder covered with pictures of cats. Grace jumped slightly in her chair and exclaimed loudly, “ I LOVE cats! I have two cats at home. Hey, I know, how about we hang out today after school; we can finish our homework and you can meet my cats!" Andrea contemplated this and thought this seems like an unusual way to start a relationship off but…, but decided to call her mom after school to tell her anyway. Taking a quick glance at Grace, Andrea decisively opened her binder, ripped out a piece of binder paper, and slid over a note that read: "Okay, we can meet at the front gate after school!" Grace picked up the note and bursted out,"Yay! This is great! My mom can pick us up! Hey do you want to sit next to each other at lunch?” Grace’s enthusiasm led Andrea to wonder if this girl was shunned like her but maybe that would bond them. Finally, Andrea looked down with a shy smile and nodded.

  Months went by and ever since that first day, the girls clicked. Grace explained that she had a serious disease called osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that develops in teenagers, and despite this "disability", Grace was care-free and confident, which was something Andrea lacked. Andrea and Grace spent all their free time together working on Andrea’s confidence and voice until she had blossomed into a social butterfly. Grace’s charm and charisma rubbed off on Andrea and soon, she was speaking up in class and even won the annual speech contest. During the first few stages of the speech contest, Grace was always there to cheer Andrea on and when she received a standing ovation, nothing mattered but her best friend rooting for her. "Yay! Go Andrea!”  Grace yelled from the crowd, louder than anyone else. A small tear of joy dripped from Andrea's eye; as she walked away from the stage, she thought to herself, I can't believe this just happened. Me, Andrea Trevelyan, talking in front of hundreds of people. I never thought this would be possible. Never in a million years. But it was.

Everything was perfect, Andrea was advancing through the competition with her best friend by her side to cheer her on. Grace, Andrea, and her mom were on their way to Sacramento when they stopped at a hospital. Andrea awoke as her mother pulled the brake in a parking spot. "What's going on?” Andrea groggily said as she tried opening her eyes from her nap. "It's nothing. I'm just taking Grace in to have a check up; stay in the car until we get back.” A few hours later, Andrea and turned impatient and walked to the room the doctor had put Grace in, discovering that Grace had to stay in the hospital. Andrea was speechless with many thoughts running through her mind and tears running down her face as her mother tried to comfort her. Will Grace die? she thought, scared to know the answer. Grace's mother came as soon as she could; the doctor and Grace's mother talked in private but had the door opened a crack. Andrea could only see their lips move but knew the truth when she saw Grace's mother fall to the ground crying. As Andrea’s mother held her tightly, the doctor came over and delivered the news, announcing that Grace had about 2 weeks to live because the osteosarcoma wasn't treated properly five years ago, it was progressing at a terrifying rate, and there was nothing he could do. "May I please visit Grace?”, Andrea choked out between her tears. Grace's face lit up as she saw Andrea. "Hi, Andrea!” she said with a large smile. Andrea couldn’t believe how positive Grace was; being optimistic at a time like this demonstrated Grace's strength and courage. They hugged each other as Andrea cried and as her sobs subsided to hiccups and whispered, “I can’t do it without you, I can’t be the person I've become.” Making sure she understood, Grace said, “ You have to go on for me so it will all mean something!” At first Andrea couldn’t bare the thought of leaving Grace but it was clear she couldn’t do anything here. “Wait for me...please.”, Andrea said as she walked out the doors.

After giving her emotion-filled speech, which earned her first place, Andrea rushed to the hospital to show Grace the exciting news. Upon seeing her run in, Grace’s mother bursted into tears and finally choked out "I'm so sorry…but Grace is in a better place now." Andrea started to bawl as Grace’s mom tried to comfort her. "I know, I know," she said trying to get her to listen, "but she was so tired and just knowing that you would be able to make it without her gave her the courage to let go. Trust me, I know this is hard but it will get better, it will."

Months passed, and although Andrea would never forget Grace. She made new friends on the debate team, which was a new hobby she developed to live in Grace’s memory and keep true to what she taught her: to be confident and express herself. Andrea frequently found herself thinking, I lost the best, supportive friend anyone could ever have, but I got to experience her love, energy and inspiration. She would have wanted this.

The Last Piece - A short (or long?) Story

Hey guys! I am writing a short (or long?) suspense/adventure/idontreallyknowwhattocallit story. I will continually update this post with more of the story. Sometimes I will post a page, sometimes a paragraph, maybe just one sentence. I am in the middle of writing it, and have no idea how it will end. Follow my blog or check it periodically to read about one boy's amazing adventures. I hope you like it...so, here it is:

I sit on the ledge of my window, questioning my sanity. Why am I even considering jumping out into the ugly, snow filled streets of New York City below me...my life isn’t that bad just a new home. I mean what’s there to grieve?

It doesn't matter what they tell me. All the lies and useless trickery. I miss it all. I want to go back. Back to my sun. My beach. My blue sky. I had a purpose, a life, a world. I could help them with their spying, and feel like I was someone.

That was the start, they had said. Then when will it end? When will they stop? When will it be enough for them?

A few days ago we moved to the loud and annoying New York City. I hate the place more than anything. The cramped, disgusting city fills me with a sick and nauseous feeling inside. But of course the secret is above all, right? Above love, above life, above my happiness. Of course it is? In twenty years it has never changed. And it never will.

Don't tell me I am selfish. Don't tell me I signed up for this. I don't care. Nobody knows the whole story. I've got enough to deal with. I've got enough on my head. Don't bother.

What will happen, if she opens my room door? She believes us all to be gone. They can all rot, but what about her? Where is she now? Does she know?

For twenty years, have been running away from ourselves. And no matter where we went, we were always found. 

And she won’t be there.

I sent her a card. Well, almost. I wrote it and everything...But of course I can’t send it. Of course they wouldn’t let me.

Ugh, what horrible people. I know they are trying to help...but sometimes I feel like forgetting everything, refusing to help the world, being selfish. Sometimes, I just want to have some time to myself, to do what I want. Can they really blame me for that?

Apparently, we’re rich - you would think we had everything in terms of supplies. But nooo, of course we couldn’t. “Too risky” was all I got when I attempted to question how in the world we were going to survive on the run with a mere 200 bucks on our hands!

All we ever do is hide, hide, hide. We are a cowardly family now, more than a rich one, sitting at home, moving from place to place, disregarding any thought of movies or fun or an education.

She is there waiting for me, and what am I doing? I am hiding in this cardboard box of an apartment, while she slowly fades out of existence. I will keep on going. For her. She needs me. I cannot leave, I cannot stay, I cannot hide.

I am selfish. I am guilty.

I will leave tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________________

I am sitting in the plane. I feel feverish, and slightly lightheaded. When will I see her? In what state will I find her? I tug on each of my fingers in turn, my mind whirling in all directions.

I stare out my tiny window, my eyes glazing over, watching the clouds swirling into different shapes.

“Looking for her, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Where do I find her?” I ask the clouds.

“I have a feeling she won’t be where you’re heading.”

“And why is that?”

“She isn’t here anymore.”

“Then where??” I was confused. The clouds didn’t reply. I turned away, disgusted. The old lady sitting next to me stared.

I snapped at her, “What are you looking at?”

“Well…” She offered me a tissue.

“What?” I stared her down.

She pointed to my face. I was crying.

“Can I help?” she asked.

“No. Leave me alone. I wasn’t crying. I’m fine. I was...my eyes were watering. The light…yeah.”

She raised her eyebrows. “I might be able to help, you know.”

I looked up. The old lady reminded me of her, the same deep wise chocolate brown eyes and concerned mashed up eyebrows.

“Say I was...looking for someone. And...if I didn’t find her, I would - I couldn’t live with myself.”

Her eyes bored deep into mine. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

How do they always know? “Yes.”

“I have a feeling-”

I was wrong to have trusted again.

“that she isn’t where you’re heading? I don’t want to hear it! I am done with this, I cannot, will not! No. No. NO. She is still here. I know. I KNOW. If there is one thing in my life I ever knew-”

And then I black out.

________________________________________________________________________________

A flight attendant stood above be, her heavily makeup coated face scrunched in confusion and worry.

“Hello. Hi. Honey? Are you awake?”

I sit up. “What?” I was feeling annoyed, and I couldn’t remember anything. “What happened?”

Her eyebrows bunched together. “Well, sweetie. I’m not sure how to say this. What seat number are your parents in? I need to ta-”

“I have no parents.” I instantly felt guilty as I said it, then shoved it off. If they put so much responsibility on one young boy’s head, then maybe they weren’t much of parents at all.

“Oh, alright…” She was looking me over, trying to figure me out. Uh-oh. If she caught me on this one, it was hello NYC all over again.

I thought fast. “My orphanage has sent me to California to...go to my new parents, yeah. Their names are Mrs and Mr Reve.” I congratulated myself. This would get me to her pronto.

“Sure, whatever, kid.” She didn’t seem entirely convinced, but didn’t care enough to press the matter.

I sighed. Whew. Somehow got out of that one.

_________________________________________________________________

My knees were wobbly…hours had passed. I got off the plane, I looked up. 

The universe shifted. Everything had changed. The center of all of existence focused onto one concentrated point.

I stared down at the little yellow rose petal at my feet.

I picked up the petal, and I looked up at the sky. I promised myself that I shall avenge this disgrace. The rose petal was a sure sign. I will not tolerate this. I shall avenge her. I shall make sure that they all die.

Tell me I have a responsibility to them. Tell me that I should go back and help. Tell me I'm selfish. I don't care. I hear mumbles behind me. I know they are talking about me. I know everyone thinks I've gone crazy. I don't care. I don't care!

The last thing I see is the checkered, smooth floor of the airport.

_________________________________________________________________________

I wake up in a new place. They tell me I have a problem. They have forced me into a room by myself. I was surrounded by white. Chained to a white bed. Looking at blindingly white walls. Staring at a machine with squiggly lines. I looked at the door. Dr. Elaine Melrow. What is this place? And when can I leave?

 I need to leave. I need to go to them. I need to be left free. The captors would understand. Though they chained me here, they must have some heart.

At least one, in this group of thoughtless people, must have a sister.

The people in white are approaching me. Their eyebrows are touching the clouds. 

"Look," I say. "I don't know what you want from me. I'm tired, I'm trying to get home to my....parents, Mr and Mrs Reve. Please. I don't work for them anymore. There's no need to attack me."

Their eyebrows raise higher.

"Who do you think we are, Blake?" The woman took out some papers. Kristin Marello, MD, her nametag read.

What the heck?

"Blake, I'm your doctor. And we've had enough. It's time for you to go home."

___________________________________________________________________________

They were surrounding her. She screamed. Her eyes were wide open, the chocolate brown achingly beautiful. Her jeans and a blue princess shirt were ripped up. "Help," she pleaded. 

My eyes jerked open. I touched them. Wet. Must have been the light again.

Chairs surrounded me, an uncertain circle of people. I sat in the middle, my eyes wide as I took in the sight. Hundreds of people, weapons in their hands. Hundreds of people, their angry expressions twisted with hate. Hundreds of people, their eyes boring into mine.

A girl stood at the back of the room, eyeing me warily. 

"You aren't going to go monster on me, right?"

I sized her up. Green shirt. I don't trip, I do random gravity checks, it said. I laughed.

The audience behind us tensed. I have a vague idea that they want to kill me. The light is too bright, my clothes are ripped to shreds, and thoughts of my revenge dance attempt to get my attention.

But I don't care.

I glanced up at her eyes.

Deep, chocolate brown.

________________________________________________________________________________

The girl, she was all that I could look at. Everything was gone, everything left behind, except her. The world had frozen around me. Her eyes brought me towards her.

I reached into my pocket. I placed the card in her hands, the rose petal safely inside. 

She stared down at the card, and my heart filled with joy. Happiness. Everything was going to become right again. 

She was alive, she was well, she was here. My sweet sister. My best friend. My Grace.

She opened the card. She took out the rose petal. Her eyes filled with tears. She sighed, and the light hit my eyes again.

She ripped the card to shreds. And the rose petal fell to the ground.

"I am no sister of yours, you murderer," she spat. Her eyes darkened, and my heart stopped. She was just like the rest of them. She believed their lies. She had been brainwashed. 

She was as good as any of them now.

And at that moment, my heart beat for the last time. The sun stopped shining. All I saw was dark. I felt ice, and I felt hate, stronger than anything I know. There isn't anything here for me in this evil world. There is nothing left for me.

I grabbed the rose petal and ripped it to shreds. 

A flower, once so sweet and innocent and beautiful. A dying flower. I laughed, and my eyes gleamed. A dying flower.

So, guys, what did you think? +1 if you liked it and want to read more...Comment with what you think, whether you like it or hate it...what you think is going to happen next! Thanks for reading!