Mary watched Kesha’s slender form melt into the silver mists that clouded the road. Carefully, she lifted a finger to smooth out the little folds she had begun to notice above her brow.

A heavy weight in her chest hurt every attempt to breathe. She sank to her knees.

“Lord God, I need you!” she whispered into the pale black air. “Why can I not hear you?”

Salt-water bathed the careworn eyes. The twinkling lights of the house danced through the glassy lens.

All night, the wind whistled and blew. The small house shook occasionally but stood firm, a strong rock amidst the swirling, rushing snow. When the sun’s first rays of light began poking through the clouds and darting across the land, the wind’s howling quieted to a whisper.

The girl peeked through the window and smiled. Swiftly, she pulled on her long winter socks and brown, fuzzy boots; tied a soft, red scarf around her neck; and slipped her fingers into a thick, snug pair of green gloves. Then she bounded outside, eager to explore the winter wonderland.

Chapter 5 The Truth Comes Out
Barty's Cafe was a small place, six tables at most. A wooden bar stretched from the kitchen to the opposite wall with stools to match. The decor was old fashioned, mainly black and white photographs of famous athletes, presidents, and actors. The atmosphere was cozy, bright, and a little too happy for Tom's taste.

I strive
And fight
And work
In vain
I try
And try
And try
In vain
My strength
Fails
Me
My effort
Remains
Worthless
No matter
How hard
I try
It
Never
Seems
To
Work
In vain
I
Try

I feel like I’m missing out
On a lot of things
I missed church
One week
I missed two fun outings
I didn’t get to see my
Friend
So I planned this day ahead
One friend can’t make it
The other two may
Be busy as
Well

So I wonder
Am I going to keep missing out
On life?
My social life is slowly
Deteriorating
Before my eyes
My health forces me to
Cancel
Postpone
Or show up and
Sit miserably
In the
Corner
Wishing away a
Migraine

I try to think
rationally
Try to tell myself
it’s not true
But my mind
just won’t listen
The chains
grasp
ensnare
trap
I
can’t
do
it
God tells me to obey
But the chains
pull
me
back

Fear

“Elizabeth Cracken?” Mrs. Mansfield’s clear voice rang out to the back of the classroom where Liz Cracken (as she was called) was sitting at her desk, listening intently to what her teacher was saying.

“Could you please solve the problem on the board?”

Liz nervously stood up and walked up to the chalkboard. Mrs. Mansfield handed her a piece of chalk and Liz simplified the problem before her, her hand shaking as she wrote. The chalk in her hand squeaked and scraped against the board as she circled her answer. She turned back to the class to explain her answer.

Dear Levi,

Butternut the Bird took center stage that evening, with Miles and Lissa begging to hold her. The bird had perked up since our first introduction and was singing like she was just fine. Josh was careful not to tire her out as he carried her around the house, allowing Miles to gently stroke his small finger over her fine head. Butternut chirped whenever his finger made contact with her. Her beady black eyes blinked with a quietness and calmness that she didn’t showcase a few hours ago.

Fog surrounds me
It’s so thick that I
Choke
I
Trip
I get tired of being unable to see
The path winds on before me
I squint, trying to peer through the haze
My crutches drag the dirt
Beside me
While I walk alone
I’m searching for
Peace
I’m searching for
Ease
But I’ve been walking for miles
Treading rough ground
Breaking my bones
And
Breaking my heart
And
Breaking my pride
While I
Realize that rest may never come
Never or