“She felt breathing in her ear and knew there must be someone behind her. The whispers got louder as she got closer to the door.”

“‘Run!’ Kyle screamed at me, took my hand, and pulled me down the hallway. He pushed me into a room and covered my mouth. Whatever was after us ran past the room.”

“When it comes time for you to part ways, you ask if she’ll be alright. Her hollow smile betrays the doubt before she even speaks.”

“A low rumble sounds gradually then all at once the train rounds the corner toward the road. Wind rushes across my face as it tears past. In its wake, the penny spins from the rail, flattened smooth.”

“A man walked into an El Paso Wal-Mart, training his aim on families gearing up for back-to-school. Mothers were armed with carts with new backpacks, markers, glue, and notebooks.”

“The Warriors versus the Cowgirls, too fantastic to be made up, and the mascots couldn’t be more fitting.”

“Your hollow rib cage echoes in silence as you float into the endless digital stream.”

“With words about savages, standing too long in the sun to know what’s good for them. My mother stands strong. I raise myself higher, in proud nickel likeness.”

“Shí’ee’ ’éí łeezh bee łíbá sílį́į́’ lá. My clothes became adorned with dust and dirt. ’Áko t’óó nízhónígo shí ’éé’ bík’ídíídláád. The Sun ribbons beautifully adorned my clothes.”