Talking to a Ghost
“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.”
Fiction
Student 2020
Cloudburst
“Grandfather would step outside and look up at the pure blue sky, the wrinkles on his face deepening, mimicking the dry cracked earth as he searched for the clouds.”
The Lost Child
“Unfortunately, it was not long before Samantha learned that the foster home was just as bad, or maybe even worse, than her home with her mother Karen.”
Dreaming Bird of Inter Mountain
“Within this cage, the killing of her spirit was daily from being forced to speak a language that was not her own and to learn of a culture she was not born into.”
Questions
“How did he choke you? How did he break your wrist? Did you try calling anyone? When did he start getting violent? Why don’t you move?”
The Dream
“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.”
Trapped
Throat by Leandra Chimal of the Institute of American Indian Arts
“‘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.”
Cake
“I had not eaten anything sweet in months. It felt amazing. That’s when I thought of a plan—a plan to get rid of both Peter and Karen.”
Finite Sunshine for a Forgetful Mind
Untitled by Erik Sanchez of the Institute of American Indian Arts
Every morning started out the same in the Lumbee’s home. The familiar sound of bacon sizzling on the stove as the comforting aroma of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee lingered throughout the house. Mrs. L, always ahead of the early bird, …
The Cleaning Bot
Rock by Crystal Teller of Dine' College
*BEEP BEEP BEEP* The earth-shattering noise of Thomas’ alarm clock beeped, loud enough for the entire house to hear. Thomas tiredly rolled over and hit the snooze for the third time that morning. Five more minutes and I’ll get up, …