Welcome to the first edition (March, 2010) of Albany Kids Create, the local 'zine for the display of local student artistic works. Scroll down and find:
- Stories by Robby, Charlie and SeanMarie
- Photos by Ashley
- Poems by Katelyn and Rebekah
- Song by SeanMarie
- Acrylic Paintings by Alex, Alexis, Teddie, Mackenzie, and SeanMarie
As you will see, Albany kids do create. If you want to submit your work for the second edition, you should sent proposed work by email (in the text or as an attached file) to: Albanykidscreate@gmail.com before May 31, 2010. In the meantine, enjoy the works you will find by scrolling down.
- Stories by Robby, Charlie and SeanMarie
- Photos by Ashley
- Poems by Katelyn and Rebekah
- Song by SeanMarie
- Acrylic Paintings by Alex, Alexis, Teddie, Mackenzie, and SeanMarie
As you will see, Albany kids do create. If you want to submit your work for the second edition, you should sent proposed work by email (in the text or as an attached file) to: Albanykidscreate@gmail.com before May 31, 2010. In the meantine, enjoy the works you will find by scrolling down.
Simplicity in Love
Photo by Ashley, 11th grade
The Osprey and the Old Man
by Charlie, 8th grade
“Where are you going, Bryan?” Natalie screeched.
“Sheesh. I’m just going to get some food,” I crowed back. Honestly, I don’t understand why Nat has to ask. I’m not an osprey chick born yestersun. I was born 5,000 suns ago. It’s as if I’m hiding something from her. And actually, I am. I’m not going to get some berries. I’m going to the river to sabotage the old man’s covered nest that’s made out of trees and not twigs. He eats fish, but he catches more than he eats and leaves the rest of it somewhere to rot.
As I went to the man’s nest, I contemplated on how to deliver the message that he should move or give us his uneaten fish, instead of letting it rot and acquire diseases. I decided that I would just give him the impression that the ospreys around here don’t like him.
With that in mind, I swooped down to the entrance of the nest and right before I crashed into it, I winged upward, letting my talons scrape the wood. As I readied myself for another go, I realized how much fun this could become. Of course, Nat or Talon, my baby chick, couldn’t know about it. Unfortunately, as I was about to travel upward two things happened.
One was that Nat and Talon popped up from the undergrowth. The second thing was much worse though. The entrance to the nest opened and the old man himself stood right inside the nest.
I just don’t get it. Every time I seem to have some time to relax, that osprey bothers me in some way. I’m just an old man. I don’t know what they want. It’s almost as if they want me to shoot them. I would, if I had a gun. My biggest weapon is my fists. They seem afraid of me when I run out of my house to yell at them.
When I heard the talons scrape against the wood of the door I decided that it was the last straw. As I opened the door I saw the osprey fly at me. When it hit me, we fell to the floor in a big heap.
I was the first one up. When I pinned its wings to the ground I heard squawking. When I looked up I saw another adult osprey and a juvenile one. I ignored them and set the stunned osprey in a corner. I waited the better part of an hour for the birds outside to leave.
When I stuck my head outside I figured that they had gone back to their nest. I grabbed my net and dropped it in the river. After about 5 minutes I pulled it out and it was filled to the brim with fish. As I carried my net inside I saw that the osprey was just starting to come to his senses.
I tossed some fish to him and he gobbled them up greedily. I tossed him some more and I noticed that he set some aside. I realized that he was probably going to give them to his family if I set him free. I was so amazed at this show of caring for his family that I decided to let him go right then and there. When I opened the door he just started to move toward me threateningly. I raised my fists for self defense, and then all chaos broke loose.
Why did Bryan have to lie to me? It almost got him killed! We probably should have left the old man alone or moved to a different nest. When Talon and I came to watch the nest, the last thing that I expected the old man to do was open the door and let Bryan free! I also didn’t expect it when Bryan advanced on the old man to get some more fish.
When he did, I burst inside the nest, both to get Bryan to safety and also to keep Bryan from killing the old man. I know that the old man kept food from us when he didn’t need it and we did, but I believe that he didn’t know that other animals might need it.
I first came at the old man, hoping to stun him or even corner him. Luckily, I managed to corner him. When Bryan saw this, he rushed over to the old man. I think that he was going to slit the poor guy’s throat. Thankfully for the old man, Talon, whom I told to wait outside, rushed in and tripped over the pile of fish. She flew over us and landed in the old man’s lap.
It was a stalemate. If Bryan slit the old man’s throat, then the old man would kill Talon. On the other hand, if the old man tried to kill Talon then Bryan would kill him. The old man made the first move. He gently set Talon on the ground and raised his arms in self-defense. As Bryan moved forward I ran toward him and tripped him. I then explained to Bryan that I thought the old man was innocent. Bryan finally agreed. We took the fish that we needed and left.
From then on, the old man gave us the extra fish that he didn’t eat and we became friends.
“Sheesh. I’m just going to get some food,” I crowed back. Honestly, I don’t understand why Nat has to ask. I’m not an osprey chick born yestersun. I was born 5,000 suns ago. It’s as if I’m hiding something from her. And actually, I am. I’m not going to get some berries. I’m going to the river to sabotage the old man’s covered nest that’s made out of trees and not twigs. He eats fish, but he catches more than he eats and leaves the rest of it somewhere to rot.
As I went to the man’s nest, I contemplated on how to deliver the message that he should move or give us his uneaten fish, instead of letting it rot and acquire diseases. I decided that I would just give him the impression that the ospreys around here don’t like him.
With that in mind, I swooped down to the entrance of the nest and right before I crashed into it, I winged upward, letting my talons scrape the wood. As I readied myself for another go, I realized how much fun this could become. Of course, Nat or Talon, my baby chick, couldn’t know about it. Unfortunately, as I was about to travel upward two things happened.
One was that Nat and Talon popped up from the undergrowth. The second thing was much worse though. The entrance to the nest opened and the old man himself stood right inside the nest.
I just don’t get it. Every time I seem to have some time to relax, that osprey bothers me in some way. I’m just an old man. I don’t know what they want. It’s almost as if they want me to shoot them. I would, if I had a gun. My biggest weapon is my fists. They seem afraid of me when I run out of my house to yell at them.
When I heard the talons scrape against the wood of the door I decided that it was the last straw. As I opened the door I saw the osprey fly at me. When it hit me, we fell to the floor in a big heap.
I was the first one up. When I pinned its wings to the ground I heard squawking. When I looked up I saw another adult osprey and a juvenile one. I ignored them and set the stunned osprey in a corner. I waited the better part of an hour for the birds outside to leave.
When I stuck my head outside I figured that they had gone back to their nest. I grabbed my net and dropped it in the river. After about 5 minutes I pulled it out and it was filled to the brim with fish. As I carried my net inside I saw that the osprey was just starting to come to his senses.
I tossed some fish to him and he gobbled them up greedily. I tossed him some more and I noticed that he set some aside. I realized that he was probably going to give them to his family if I set him free. I was so amazed at this show of caring for his family that I decided to let him go right then and there. When I opened the door he just started to move toward me threateningly. I raised my fists for self defense, and then all chaos broke loose.
Why did Bryan have to lie to me? It almost got him killed! We probably should have left the old man alone or moved to a different nest. When Talon and I came to watch the nest, the last thing that I expected the old man to do was open the door and let Bryan free! I also didn’t expect it when Bryan advanced on the old man to get some more fish.
When he did, I burst inside the nest, both to get Bryan to safety and also to keep Bryan from killing the old man. I know that the old man kept food from us when he didn’t need it and we did, but I believe that he didn’t know that other animals might need it.
I first came at the old man, hoping to stun him or even corner him. Luckily, I managed to corner him. When Bryan saw this, he rushed over to the old man. I think that he was going to slit the poor guy’s throat. Thankfully for the old man, Talon, whom I told to wait outside, rushed in and tripped over the pile of fish. She flew over us and landed in the old man’s lap.
It was a stalemate. If Bryan slit the old man’s throat, then the old man would kill Talon. On the other hand, if the old man tried to kill Talon then Bryan would kill him. The old man made the first move. He gently set Talon on the ground and raised his arms in self-defense. As Bryan moved forward I ran toward him and tripped him. I then explained to Bryan that I thought the old man was innocent. Bryan finally agreed. We took the fish that we needed and left.
From then on, the old man gave us the extra fish that he didn’t eat and we became friends.
Dream
Acrylic Painting by Teddie, 9th grade
MY GIFT
by Katelyn, 6th grade
The bees are dancing in the trees
And now there is a gentle breeze.
The flowers have danced the sun
But now they have wilted because the day is done.
If I could give the gift of happiness
The world would fall into peaceful rest,
Life would be a peaceful dream
With children in the park eating ice cream.
Earth’s creatures would form a hoop.
Love would circulate in one big loop.
The world would be so full of love
With angels watching high above
Peace and love are never far.
Lost in Love
Photo by Ashley, 11th grade
Together
by Rebekah, 6th grade
Both our hearts beat.
The sound is dead.
We are as tight as thread
And here together
We will last forever.
Ghost Horse
Acrylic Painting by Mackenzie, 7th grade
Grey Stripe's Last Catch
Acrylic Painting by Alexis, 6th grade
The Childhood of Hermes
By Robby, 7th grade
It was a dark and stormy night. Then – wait a second. Never mind. Once upon a time – wait – hold it. That’s not how it starts! O.K., here we go.
It was a bright and sunny day. Even so, the village of Kanaraka had no confidence. Oh, they had hope, every day they had hope. The problem was nobody had answered their hope…not yet, at least. Then, one day, all of that changed. A baby was born. His name was Hermes. Now their hope was answered.
He was the son of Zeus and Maia, who had given him gifts after his birth, along with Apollo, the sun god. Zeus had given him two snakes, for that was one of his favorite animals. Maia gave him a wooden rod, of the strongest wood (actually, it couldn’t break), and Apollo, the sun god, gave him winged sandals and a winged helmet. Unbeknownst to Hermes, Zeus, Maia, and Apollo had foreseen before his birth that he would be a hero. That was the exact reason why they gave him the gifts that they did.
The village of Kanaraka was near a swamp. It was completely surrounded by the contrast of very tall and magnificent mountains and small, if not shrub-like trees. The ground was always muddy (probably because the weather was almost nothing but rain), and the village itself was somewhat poor, because there were hardly any occupations in the main cities that weren’t already taken up by the residents of those cities. Another reason why they were so poor was that they didn’t have very many people, so they couldn’t grow as many crops. Therefore, they couldn’t trade hardly anything, so they didn’t get hardly anything back, whether it was money or other materials.
Their village also didn’t look particularly nice. To that, there was one main cause: battle. Camped inside the mountains to the north of Kanaraka, in a cave, lived a Cyclops. His name was Cronus, and he was the biggest, ugliest, and most stubborn person (or more like monster) you have ever seen. Luckily, for the people of Kanaraka, he was too stubborn to even fight on his own, whether it was a poor village that he was planning to raid or not. That was the exact reason why he had something else. It was Cronus’ way of fighting without actually fighting: slaves. Cronus’ clumsy method of battle did give the people of Kanaraka hope in their part of the battle too, though. They had thought up a plan – wait – check that. Hermes had thought up a plan. He was nine years old. Yeah, that might be a little young, but who says young people can’t think better than, say, old people? His plan was this: when the Cyclops’ army of enslaved people tried to invade Kanaraka (again), he would sneak off in the midst of the battle, with all of his gifts from the gods (the winged helmet and sandals, the two snakes, and the wooden rod), and he would go straight to the Cyclops’ cave…and slay him (hopefully). That day, the army of Cronus didn’t come. Hermes decided that it would probably be hard to kill the Cyclops, so he knew he would need as much rest as he could get. Tomorrow would be a big day.
During his sleep, Hermes dreamt about the gods (actually, he just saw them in his sleep). But anyway, he saw Zeus, Maia, and Apollo. Zeus was the one to speak first. He told Hermes that the Cyclops could not be slayed by a sword of any kind. He said that the only thing that could kill the Cyclops was poison.
Maia spoke second. She said that if Hermes struck the ground with the wooden rod that she had given him, it would show him the way to the Cyclops’ cave.
Lastly, Apollo spoke. He said that the gifts he had given Hermes would allow him to ride the rays of the sun.
Then Hermes woke up. It was morning. He got out of his bed, got dressed, and had a small breakfast (which just happened to be bread and water) before saying goodbye, for he would be waiting in the trees near the front of the village for two reasons. For one, he would be able to have a head start on his journey to kill the Cyclops, and two, he would be able to signal to the villagers when the Cyclops’ army of slaves came marching toward them. The second reason ended up coming to good use. When Cronus’ army came toward them, Hermes, still concealed in the trees, took out the bow one of the villagers had given him, took an arrow out of the quiver, and shot it straight up and high in the air. He hoped that the people of Kanaraka would see it, but he also hoped that the people in the army would not. They didn’t. As soon as he shot the arrow, he dropped the bow that he had used onto the ground, where any of the villagers could pick it up if needed during the battle. Then he ran.
Once he was behind the army, he didn’t know where to go, so he took out the wooden rod that was one of his gifts from the gods, and struck the ground with it, hard. At first, nothing happened (nothing seemed to be happening, at least). Then Hermes realized that something was happening. The sunlight had started to stream through the tops of the trees, when it hadn’t before. Therefore, Hermes, with winged sandals and all, hopped onto the sun’s rays, and amazingly, started to ride them. It felt very good to him. He was flying through the trees at what seemed like the speed of light. After a couple of minutes, he saw a cave appearing in the distance. Hermes leaned back to slow himself down. When he came to a stop, he was near the mouth of the cave, although he couldn’t see anyone or anything inside of it. Just pitch black.
Hermes hopped off the sunbeam and carefully scouted outside of the cave. He went all the way around it, but he couldn’t find an opening, except for the front. Even that, though, the Cyclops had apparently closed, knowing that Hermes was on the outside. Because of that, it left him one place left to look: the top, so he climbed up. The cave had small indents along the side that Hermes could barely fit his feet into. After a few tries, he made it up to the top of the cave. It was mostly flat, with a few pebbles here and there. The feature that stood out the most, however, was that there was a somewhat small hole near the center of the top. It looked just large enough for Hermes to fit through. He wasn’t about to go through there just yet, though. He needed a plan. Then he thought of one. He hoped that what his mother and father had said when they appeared to him in his dream was true, because he was counting on it.
Then he jumped down and knocked the Cyclops into next week, returned to the village, and they lived happily ever after. The end.
Actually, that didn’t happen. And it isn’t the end. Sorry. What did happen was actually that Hermes took one of the snakes (given to him by Zeus) that were curling around the rod (given to him by Maia) and carefully placed it along the edge of the hole. It slithered down along the inside edge of the cave. Hermes then took the second snake from his rod and likewise laid it along the edge of the opening. It slithered down. Hermes had instructed the snakes on what to do beforehand, so he knew that he was all set. He then heard a ground-shaking roar coming directly from inside of the cave. That was Hermes’ cue to execute his part of the plan. So he jumped down, and when he saw Cronus, he ran up to him (the Cyclops was flailing his arms, trying to get the snakes off of him, who had a death grip on him with their mouths) and struck him hard with his rod. He struck him one more time, and the Cyclops fell to the floor of the cave. Hermes’ snakes were still holding on to Cronus while he was K.O.’d (knocked out), and they injected the last bit of poison into him. Then…he died. Right away, Hermes found a small door in the back of the cave. He then, with much effort, rolled the stone slab aside, and, with his two snakes again (they had been accompanying him since the day he was born) ran out into the blinding sunlight, and struck the wooden rod on the ground (that had also been accompanying him since the day he was born) one last time. Again, the sunlight beamed through the trees and showed him the way. He jumped onto one of the rays and rode through, as he had before (although not nearly as nervous this time).
When Hermes arrived at Kanaraka, everything was surprisingly quiet. He looked around and saw that someone he didn’t know was walking into one of the mud-brick houses. Then someone he did know walked out of the same home. He went up to Hermes and told him that the men who used to be working for Cronus were going to live in Kanaraka and make them a wealthier and more “well-rounded” village.
Hermes told the man that the Cyclops was dead, and that made a widespread smile come over his face. He spread the word to everyone else, and soon everybody was thanking him.
Hermes wasn’t thinking about much at that particular moment, but he did know one thing: he was a hero.
By Robby, 7th grade
It was a dark and stormy night. Then – wait a second. Never mind. Once upon a time – wait – hold it. That’s not how it starts! O.K., here we go.
It was a bright and sunny day. Even so, the village of Kanaraka had no confidence. Oh, they had hope, every day they had hope. The problem was nobody had answered their hope…not yet, at least. Then, one day, all of that changed. A baby was born. His name was Hermes. Now their hope was answered.
He was the son of Zeus and Maia, who had given him gifts after his birth, along with Apollo, the sun god. Zeus had given him two snakes, for that was one of his favorite animals. Maia gave him a wooden rod, of the strongest wood (actually, it couldn’t break), and Apollo, the sun god, gave him winged sandals and a winged helmet. Unbeknownst to Hermes, Zeus, Maia, and Apollo had foreseen before his birth that he would be a hero. That was the exact reason why they gave him the gifts that they did.
The village of Kanaraka was near a swamp. It was completely surrounded by the contrast of very tall and magnificent mountains and small, if not shrub-like trees. The ground was always muddy (probably because the weather was almost nothing but rain), and the village itself was somewhat poor, because there were hardly any occupations in the main cities that weren’t already taken up by the residents of those cities. Another reason why they were so poor was that they didn’t have very many people, so they couldn’t grow as many crops. Therefore, they couldn’t trade hardly anything, so they didn’t get hardly anything back, whether it was money or other materials.
Their village also didn’t look particularly nice. To that, there was one main cause: battle. Camped inside the mountains to the north of Kanaraka, in a cave, lived a Cyclops. His name was Cronus, and he was the biggest, ugliest, and most stubborn person (or more like monster) you have ever seen. Luckily, for the people of Kanaraka, he was too stubborn to even fight on his own, whether it was a poor village that he was planning to raid or not. That was the exact reason why he had something else. It was Cronus’ way of fighting without actually fighting: slaves. Cronus’ clumsy method of battle did give the people of Kanaraka hope in their part of the battle too, though. They had thought up a plan – wait – check that. Hermes had thought up a plan. He was nine years old. Yeah, that might be a little young, but who says young people can’t think better than, say, old people? His plan was this: when the Cyclops’ army of enslaved people tried to invade Kanaraka (again), he would sneak off in the midst of the battle, with all of his gifts from the gods (the winged helmet and sandals, the two snakes, and the wooden rod), and he would go straight to the Cyclops’ cave…and slay him (hopefully). That day, the army of Cronus didn’t come. Hermes decided that it would probably be hard to kill the Cyclops, so he knew he would need as much rest as he could get. Tomorrow would be a big day.
During his sleep, Hermes dreamt about the gods (actually, he just saw them in his sleep). But anyway, he saw Zeus, Maia, and Apollo. Zeus was the one to speak first. He told Hermes that the Cyclops could not be slayed by a sword of any kind. He said that the only thing that could kill the Cyclops was poison.
Maia spoke second. She said that if Hermes struck the ground with the wooden rod that she had given him, it would show him the way to the Cyclops’ cave.
Lastly, Apollo spoke. He said that the gifts he had given Hermes would allow him to ride the rays of the sun.
Then Hermes woke up. It was morning. He got out of his bed, got dressed, and had a small breakfast (which just happened to be bread and water) before saying goodbye, for he would be waiting in the trees near the front of the village for two reasons. For one, he would be able to have a head start on his journey to kill the Cyclops, and two, he would be able to signal to the villagers when the Cyclops’ army of slaves came marching toward them. The second reason ended up coming to good use. When Cronus’ army came toward them, Hermes, still concealed in the trees, took out the bow one of the villagers had given him, took an arrow out of the quiver, and shot it straight up and high in the air. He hoped that the people of Kanaraka would see it, but he also hoped that the people in the army would not. They didn’t. As soon as he shot the arrow, he dropped the bow that he had used onto the ground, where any of the villagers could pick it up if needed during the battle. Then he ran.
Once he was behind the army, he didn’t know where to go, so he took out the wooden rod that was one of his gifts from the gods, and struck the ground with it, hard. At first, nothing happened (nothing seemed to be happening, at least). Then Hermes realized that something was happening. The sunlight had started to stream through the tops of the trees, when it hadn’t before. Therefore, Hermes, with winged sandals and all, hopped onto the sun’s rays, and amazingly, started to ride them. It felt very good to him. He was flying through the trees at what seemed like the speed of light. After a couple of minutes, he saw a cave appearing in the distance. Hermes leaned back to slow himself down. When he came to a stop, he was near the mouth of the cave, although he couldn’t see anyone or anything inside of it. Just pitch black.
Hermes hopped off the sunbeam and carefully scouted outside of the cave. He went all the way around it, but he couldn’t find an opening, except for the front. Even that, though, the Cyclops had apparently closed, knowing that Hermes was on the outside. Because of that, it left him one place left to look: the top, so he climbed up. The cave had small indents along the side that Hermes could barely fit his feet into. After a few tries, he made it up to the top of the cave. It was mostly flat, with a few pebbles here and there. The feature that stood out the most, however, was that there was a somewhat small hole near the center of the top. It looked just large enough for Hermes to fit through. He wasn’t about to go through there just yet, though. He needed a plan. Then he thought of one. He hoped that what his mother and father had said when they appeared to him in his dream was true, because he was counting on it.
Then he jumped down and knocked the Cyclops into next week, returned to the village, and they lived happily ever after. The end.
Actually, that didn’t happen. And it isn’t the end. Sorry. What did happen was actually that Hermes took one of the snakes (given to him by Zeus) that were curling around the rod (given to him by Maia) and carefully placed it along the edge of the hole. It slithered down along the inside edge of the cave. Hermes then took the second snake from his rod and likewise laid it along the edge of the opening. It slithered down. Hermes had instructed the snakes on what to do beforehand, so he knew that he was all set. He then heard a ground-shaking roar coming directly from inside of the cave. That was Hermes’ cue to execute his part of the plan. So he jumped down, and when he saw Cronus, he ran up to him (the Cyclops was flailing his arms, trying to get the snakes off of him, who had a death grip on him with their mouths) and struck him hard with his rod. He struck him one more time, and the Cyclops fell to the floor of the cave. Hermes’ snakes were still holding on to Cronus while he was K.O.’d (knocked out), and they injected the last bit of poison into him. Then…he died. Right away, Hermes found a small door in the back of the cave. He then, with much effort, rolled the stone slab aside, and, with his two snakes again (they had been accompanying him since the day he was born) ran out into the blinding sunlight, and struck the wooden rod on the ground (that had also been accompanying him since the day he was born) one last time. Again, the sunlight beamed through the trees and showed him the way. He jumped onto one of the rays and rode through, as he had before (although not nearly as nervous this time).
When Hermes arrived at Kanaraka, everything was surprisingly quiet. He looked around and saw that someone he didn’t know was walking into one of the mud-brick houses. Then someone he did know walked out of the same home. He went up to Hermes and told him that the men who used to be working for Cronus were going to live in Kanaraka and make them a wealthier and more “well-rounded” village.
Hermes told the man that the Cyclops was dead, and that made a widespread smile come over his face. He spread the word to everyone else, and soon everybody was thanking him.
Hermes wasn’t thinking about much at that particular moment, but he did know one thing: he was a hero.
Dragon Eating Prey
Acrylic Painting by Alex, 6th grade
Editor's note: This painting won the curator's prize that the Howland Community Open Exhibition in Corvallis in February, 2010
Through Alexandria's Eyes
Story by SeanMarie, 6th grade
ALEXANDRIA
(Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from a novel in progress that deals with a group of animals struggling against a dangerous dictatorship that has taken over their forest. Alexandria is a dog. The stars indicates a lapse of time.)
Searing pain lanced through Alexandria, bringing her to a crouch. Calico Red leered at her, his fire-red claws glinting with a strange green light.
“The wolf’s bane in these more then makes up for my lack of your precious magic.” Sneered the cat. “Have fun dying.”
* * *
Alexandria woke to the premonition that something terrible had happened. She hadn’t expected to ever wake up again. The battle was a blur, with her clearest memory the look on Fidele’s face as she fled. Alexandria dimly remembered getting up even after Calico Red had struck his blow, fighting on until she realized that everyone was dead, friends and enemies alike.
However Fidele had escaped. So why did she feel this awful dread?
She sat up and nearly blacked out again. Her head spun and she felt feverish. She couldn’t stay here, but it would be impossible to get back to the Resistance base.
Or would it? She couldn’t remember where it was. For a minute she thought Tonka was standing in front of her yelling curses. Then it was Alicia, tears streaming down her face. Then it was Fang, crouched, ready for attack.
Alexandria shook her head and the images disappeared. She had to make it back to the Resistance cave…
* * *
It was raining, a thin drizzle that crept through her fur and chilled her to the bone, but she was still hot. The door wouldn’t open, the door to the cave…
Finally it slid open, revealing Alicia and Larkin standing ready for battle. Alexandria took a step toward them, but the world spun and a black cloud descended over her mind.
* * *
“How did she survive?”
“I thought they were all dead.”
“Is little Tarka safe?”
“Does Alexandria know anything more about Fidele’s death?”
Alexandria’s eyes snapped open. Lisebeth stood over her, her cinnamon eyes angry, exactly the way Alexandria had seen her last.
“Lisebeth? Why are you here?”
“Alexandria! Alexandria!” Alicia’s voice said, and the image of Lisebeth vanished, to be replaced by Alicia’s grief-wrought face.
“Where am I?” Alexandria said, scanning the room. Assembled were Alicia, Larkin, and Fang.
“Don’t you remember? You stumbled into the cave last night.” Said Alicia.
“We thought you had been killed with the others.” Said Fang.
“You very nearly were.” Larkin said. “It took Alicia the better part of the night to assure that you would survive.”
“Did Fidele make it?” Alexandria asked, trying to push the growing apprehension out of her voice.
Alicia looked like she might cry, and Larkin’s face was full of anger. Fang just said stonily “She was intercepted and killed.”
Alexandria clenched her teeth, trying not to cry. “How about her pups?”
“Only one survived. The female, Tarka. I left her with a good family.” said Larkin.
Alexandria bowed her head. Fidele had been a good fighter, a good leader… but most of all she had been Alexandria’s friend. The only one she had told her darkest secret to…
“We need to know what happened, Alexandria.” Said Fang. “Everything.”
“Everything was going to plan.” Alexandria said, staring Fang in his good eye. She knew perfectly well that he didn’t quite trust her, because she alone had survived. “Brella and Aros were in the lead, and I was with Fidele. Kiara was trailing behind us, staying hidden in the bushes. Suddenly we heard a strange cry from her, and they were upon us. Brella was in full stride in seconds, and Aros was doing well too, but it wasn’t enough. Kiara was already dead, and Brella was badly wounded in that first attack. Aros was also dead in minutes. Brella and I fought back to back, we were doing well, and for a few seconds I thought we were going to prevail. Fidele was wrestling with Tarin, and she had just finished him off when Brella was killed. Brella must have killed at least five of them, and I remember clearly she was fighting better then I had ever seen anyone. Dancing, really. But she was taken down, and it was just me and Fidele. I knew we didn’t have much of a chance, so I told Fidele to go. She did, not for her sake, but for her pups, I think. I think she wanted to fight alongside me until the end, but her instincts said protect her pups. Right after that Calico Red clawed me, and I can’t remember much more.”
Fang looked at her, and she was chilled by how cold his eyes had grown. “I’ll make them pay.” He said. “I’ll make them pay for Brella’s death, for Fidele’s, and for Aros’. And for…Kiara’s.” His head dropped.
“I should have gone with Fidele, or done… something.” Said Alexandria, tears streaming freely down her face.
“Look, I know we are all grieving, but there are other things that need attending to.” Alicia reminded gently.
“Oh…Yes.” Fang said, straightening. “As you probably know, I am now the leader of the Star Resistance.”
“Congratulations.” Alexandria said flatly. She didn’t really care, she knew he would be a good leader, but Fidele’s death was the only thing on her mind then.
“Normally, the other deputy, in this case Tonka, would assume the post of senior deputy. However, Alicia would be a better choice, don’t you think?” Alexandria nodded.
* * *
Alexandria bowed her head, her thick fur ruffling in the strong wind. She stared down at Alicia’s lifeless body. Alicia’s Lethren lay in the mud, in the blood of its master.
“You’re dead.” Came the malicious voice from behind her. She turned and saw Serpentine, looking immaculate despite the battle. Alexandria, in contrast, was covered in bloody mud, with cut and scrapes oozing more blood into her fur.
“I killed your precious deputy, didn’t I? Don’t deny it; I saw her go down twirling that stick. I saw the blood. You Resistance animals are weak, easy to break by the death of friends.”
Anger surged through Alexandria. She straightened, and on a sudden impulse picked up Alicia’s Lethren.
“You don’t know how to use that twig, do you?” sneered Serpentine. “I don’t recall the Kalon accepting dogs… Or half breed mutants.”
Alexandria turned with the Lethren in her mouth. The turquoise in the hand flashed with cobalt fire as she hurled it at Serpentine’s chest. He stared in shock at the rowan spear protruding from his chest. Then he started laughing hysterically. Alexandria darted forward and plucked the Lethren back. She turned and ran.
It wasn’t noble. It wasn’t brave. But she sure as heck wasn’t going to fight something right then that could laugh at a Lethren.
* * *
Alexandria didn’t have time to explain what happened to Fang before the skirmish flared up again. By the time it was over Fang must have deduced what happened to Alexandria and Alicia. The Lethren was heavy in Alexandria’s mouth, and her jaws ached from the unaccustomed weight, yet she felt strangely elated. The spear felt right. The way she spun it felt right. That she had escaped the remaining hours of the battle virtually unscathed was testimony to how she learned quickly.
As she loped back to the cave, far ahead of the other returning rebels, she thought about the events of the day. Alicia’s absence was a dull ache that was already filing itself away at the back of her mind, to be brought out in some private moment, late at night when she lay sleepless. She was a different dog then the still-naïve animal that had fought Calico Red, and obtained her crescent-moon scar. Five long years of war had hardened her, at least on the outside. All but those she truly let inside her mind thought that she was the hardest in the Resistance. The truth was she felt just as passionately as her comrades, she just didn’t wear it on the outside. It was easier for others to find confidence in a commander who seemingly never was afraid.
As she drew near to the cave she could make out the form of twelve year old Xavier Skye pacing back and forth in front of the entrance. A flash of pity shot through her. Poor Xavier…
Shadows of the Past
Acrylic Painting by SeanMarie
Editor's note: This painting won an honorable mention from the curator of the Howland Community Open Exhibition in Corvallis in February, 2010.
Summer Beauty
Photo by Ashley, 11th grade
Song: I'm Flying
Lyrics by SeanMarie, 6th grade
I'm flying
Fly-y-ying
Flying on wings of fire
Wings of gold.
The clouds, the air rushing by me
So sweet and so cold.
I'm flying, flying on wings
Of fire and gold.
Swooping through the valleys
And over the hills
Across the great plains
Above factories and mills.
Soaring like an eagle
And diving like a dove
The world looks so tiny
When you're far above
'Cause I'm flying
Fly-y-ying
Flying on wings of fire, wings of gold.
Flying in the morning
When the sky is bright
As all the birds
Sing to bring up Heaven's light.
Rising in the evenings
When darkness comes around
As the sun
Creeps toward the ground
And the sky is alight
With flames and light
The day's last stand 'fore the coming night.
I'm flying
Flying on wings of fire, wings or gold.
Formally Dying
Photo by Ashley, 11th grade
