Anonymous

by Meoshie Swift

“There comes a time when all human life, must die. … There comes a time when all human life, goes through hell. … There comes a time when-..”A girl with black soft full wave hair rose from her seat, groaning heavily raising a hand in the air before blurting out 'I have to use the restroom’, and then wandered out of the classroom. She ignored the teacher's protest as she closed the door behind her. No way in hell was she going to sit there and listen to the continuous babble of ‘dying, and troublesome lifestyles’ from her teacher again. Every time she heard that speech about ‘There comes a time’, she wonders what was going through that old man’s big head. She; has a name, of course. Every story has a pretty, well unique name for a character except for me... My name is Anonymous; Really, Anonymous Spencer. I know, a rather inadequate name for a girl, but oh well. She, herself, wondered what went through her mother's head the day she gave birth to her. She paced through the hallways of her rather large school, her right arm tucked securely under her breasts as she sighs softly. She was thinking about him again; her heart swells some. Taylor Ingram, a boy she dated for a year was long gone from her life, and she would do almost about anything to get him back. Why did she have to break up with him? Her mind began to swirl with images of her time with him: their first meeting, their first kiss. Everything was her first. He was her first, and she was his. She gripped her shirt with her right hand, resting her left hand against the wall while her head slowly lowered. It was starting again, her major anxiety attacks. Her breathing quickened; body shivering uncontrollably as her eyes welled up in tears before she collapsed onto the floor. She broke down. Why? Why was this happening all over for her again? Her heart ached so much that she thought it would break into a million pieces, leaving her breathless. It felt like hours, but it was only mere minutes before her shivering body soon decreased. Her crying soon stopped; a trail of mascara smeared on her golden-brown cheeks. She lifted her hands to her face, slowly wiping the tears while her breathing was now steady, yet shallow. "Taylor..." She whimpered, her voice so low it was barely heard under the loud bell that rung throughout the building. Students rushed from out of their classes, never once turning a glance towards her. A few individuals scoffed at her thinking all she was, was an attention whore; seeking attention from people to help the school slut. No, she isn't a slut. “…Anny!” A voice yelled, pacing towards her before kneeling in front of her. Anonymous’ glance never left the ground, for she knew who that voice belonged to. It belonged to an old time friend; someone who she has been close with since childhood. "Elizabeth...” She mumbled, keeping her face hidden under her hair. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Anonymous before hugging her close. "Stop it... You do this all the time over him. Stop worrying, stop panicking. Please... I'm worried about you." She said while gently rubbing her head as she held her friend closer. Anonymous loved this girl to death, as a friend. She cared more about her, than her own self. Anonymous wrapped her arms around Elizabeth so tight; she almost strangled the girl while crying into her shoulder. "I... I'm sorry...So sorry. I just... I just miss him... I want him back, but... He wants to move on, and-... and I accept that, but...-" Her throat tightened before burying her face into Elizabeth's shoulder. Elizabeth slowly stood to her feet, bringing Anonymous up with her as well. "Shut up, and stop being a baby. Dammit. You’re embarrassing me." Of course, she was joking around with her. They always joked around, but this time... It was different, though Anonymous just continued to cry. Dragging both herself and Anonymous to the nearest bench, she sat them both down gently onto the wooden surface. Elizabeth sighed in relief as the weight on her shoulders had now become lighter, but her face searched Anonymous’. She wrapped an arm around her sad friend’s shoulders, and pulled her close once again. "You gotta fight just to make it through... ‘Cause I will be the..." "Death of you... Breaking Benjamin... Breathe.... I love that song." Anonymous finished, smiling faintly as she rested her head on Elizabeth's shoulder. "I listened to that song earlier, and it made me think about him." Elizabeth laughed, nodding as she tried to lighten the mood. "I heard that crappy song 'Star stuck' earlier on the radio. It is much better with just 3Oh!3, but... Katy Perry? Oh gaw, shoot me." She put her index and middle finger together to form a gun, her thumb pressing down as if the trigger. "She tries so hard to be like Lady Gaga, it's pathetic." She smiles, glancing to the side to see Anonymous stifling a laugh. As funny as it sounded, it was half true. But who knows? Both Lady Gaga and Katy Perry weren't a role model for her, and never will. Anonymous pulled away from Elizabeth, sighing lightly as she stood to her feet. "I have to get to my next class. Who knows what Mrs. Ordain is thinking; nevertheless, what assignment I might have to do if late for class again." It was only an excuse to get from as far as possible from Elizabeth. All this hugging and stuff... May make people think they were lesbians. .. Hell no. Elizabeth nodded as if she understood, but Anonymous could tell that her mind was elsewhere by the way her eyes traveled behind her; eyes now wide. Anonymous blinked, curious to what could have shocked Elizabeth. She turned around, only to come face to face with... "Oh... Hey Lance." Lance was an ex-boyfriend of Elizabeth. 'Elizabeth and Lance forever <3' that sign was still in Liz's room from 2 years ago. He raised a hand at Anonymous as if not really interested in talking to her, as always. He always thought he was too cool to talk to anyone, who knows what goes through this kid's head. He used the hand he waved to Anonymous to run through his long, thick brown locks before gripping it between his fingers. "Lizard... We need to talk." He mumbled, letting go of his hair as he sighed. Lizard... A fuckin' stupid name Anonymous hated throughout that year. Elizabeth stood there, as if motionless to the words he sprouted in her direction. Staring with anticipation, Anonymous grabbed Elizabeth by the hand before walking off in the other direction far from Lance. "We'll have to talk to you some other time, we have class to attend; you too." Glancing over her shoulder, Anonymous could have sworn she saw him mouth the words 'Bitch' under his breath.

**

The Stubborn Mule; A Jackass

by John 

I am but a stubborn mule, a jackass if you will. All knowing but oh so ignorant to the truth. I stand under the pulsing streetlight, a self-righteous, self-portrayed artist clinging to the everglow of this fading beam. I wail, I screech in hopes to turn eyes. Alas, eyes meet; I search the crowd to found it distant. A crowded loneliness if you will. For I scan the audience to find the eyes I truly seek missing. The exploding suns I so frequently am blinded by. So often do I find myself seeking there gaze. I see the faded raven haired lass moving from the crowd. I see her curving figure, teasing, taunting my body as I follow. Piles of past regrets and jaded heads prevent my closure but I push on. Shoulder down as I plow through the mistakes only to come out battle scarred. I grasp your shoulder but pull my hand away by the immense freezing I am overtaken by. You continue forward and I stand behind. I stare as your figure fades to a silhouette. Words fumble out my mouth followed by the smoke of a barrel after firing words I long to never repeat. I fall back to the past, back to those regrets I let them lead me to a false sense of comfort and it only pushes you further. You’re almost gone and I stand stronger. I will not let you go. Jolt through the crowd I feel the jagged blades take on my skin, it grows rougher, the bullets take on my head, It grows smarter, the claws at my eyes, I see further. I know what I must do, I learn from the past and history shall never repeat itself. Repetitive is something I shall not withstand. The heat of my passion burns through your icy touch and we kiss. I feel the artistic mess and as your starving artist, a claim I’ve made so many times, I shall let you live through me. Vicariously I shall live through you.

A Fitting Funeral

by Kellyann Zuzulo

Gazing through rheumy eyes at the throngs jostling below him, Beluu stood upright on the dais. He raised his arms, complacency on his features and readiness in his heart.

He had waited many years for this day, for a time to render the response to a challenge the gods had delivered to him so long ago. His purpose derived from misfortune. Everything he did that brought him to this moment was the echo of his beloved Wanda’s death.

City of Elite

by Heather Choate

Part One

I slipped a .44 magnum into the rim of my panty hose. There were 15 rounds loaded in the clip, but I hoped I wouldn’t have to use them. I’d never shot a gun before— at a human that is.