A Character Holding a Blue Item

My brother's high school science teacher stood at the pulpit of our church on Sunday and said to the congregation, "repent and return the thing that has been stolen." My brother sunk lower in the pew and I gave him a sideways glance, while snickering silently to myself. He and I were the only two…

Something You Had That Was Stolen

In high school I had the sneaking suspicion that someone was reading my diary. Well, not someone, more specifically, more parents. It was small things, like, my book was not in the same place between my mattress and bedframe, or, the handwritten notes, meticulously folded into complicated self-sealing envelopes, had double holes from the thumb…

Tell a Story That Begins with a Ransom Note

"Moist" This word, written a hundred times on small pieces of paper and littering my entire office space. "Moist" This word, written on a scrolling screensaver, marching across my computer screen. Password changed. "Moist" This word, tucked into my files, creeping into my daily life at the most unpredictable of times. A ransom note like…