Spring 2026

By Prapti Patel Good evening, passengers. This is your captain speaking. I want to welcome everyone to Lifeline 26A. We are currently cruising at a high of 33,000 feelings at a brain speed of 400 thoughts per second. The time right now is 2:00 am. Weather at our destination: with oxytocin release on our side, overcast, with a 90% chance of crying in the shower. We recommend lowering your expectations accordingly. We are currently facing a turbulent landing. If the heart coope

By: Yasmin Carter

By Yasmin Carter By living within this household, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions without modification. Meals and care are provided until you start to work and make your own money. Expect to regulate and navigate your emotions on your own once you reach high school. Keeping your voice silent unless called upon is critical as no one wants to hear your concerns or how you feel You are responsible for: Keeping your voice at a manageable volume, no mat

By: Charlotte Martin Collected Anomalies: Case 08-17-23: Subject Duplication By Charlotte Martin Dr. Lucille Wieszczek: “Statement recorded September 24th, 2023, at 1800 hours. First-person testimony. Please proceed with your account of the events.” [Name Redacted]: “...Okay. It was–no, it is around 10 o’clock at night and” The clock that hangs above the customer service desk across from my register ticks increasingly louder as it inches closer to the end of my shift. The

By: Erin Wright Why won’t Brother talk to me? I always wonder in my head. We’re a small family; just Mother, Father, Brother, and me. My dear Brother, you sure know how to grab my interest for someone who won’t talk to me. No, you reserve your attention for sports and hanging out with your friends. I’m just your bothersome Little Sister. Even now at the dinner table, the two of us eat like total strangers while Mother and Father have their own conversation. You don’t even sp

By Tsohoy Buggan Over the mountain a beautiful golden girl has sprung to her feet  She moves according to the day as she takes a glimpse of me, the long silk rhythm of the bamboo trees  To their adorning her favor meet I opened my eyes and felt the radiance of her causality laced amongst my skin. Creeping through the small openings of my windows and hitting me with a distinct call  A call to rise, A call to be different, A call to be woman but I just simply sigh... A sigh of

By: Charlotte Martin I love you. I love the way you used to brush my hair in the mornings before school, your hands were careful, like you were trying not to hurt me. I love the way you let me borrow your clothes and call it dress up, how I felt older just standing in your shoes. I love the way you never take the blame for anything. The way every criticism becomes “I’m a bad mother,” like there is no space between perfect and unforgivable. I love that I thought I could fix it

By: Caroline Layman INT. NURSING HOME HALLWAY - MORNING The halls are quiet. ALICE (82), quiet and sweet, closes the door to her room and slowly shuffles down the hallway. She walks past the bulletin board filled with flyers of the events happening in the nursing home. Her pace falters as she glances at the board, but she lowers her head with regret and continues walking. Alice approaches a room full of people. She stops to observe, peeking in through the doorway. Someone

By Ivan Walsh You're driving home I'm floating around Enlightened by convenience is a fucking joke We're going down I'm lighting up Breathing in wasted time until I choke Couldn't even skate back home It was hard for me to stand up straight Sacrificing myself with every single breath I take Get yourself outside and take your mind off the heartbreak You're a cloud of smoke But I'm a lingering ache You're letting go I'm closing down On the feeling I could finally see right thro

By Macy VanOrden