Serena

Carver Lawson, Special Projects Manager

Serena was a lucky and gifted girl. She had a loving family and was naturally bright and observant. Her hardest problem in life so far was boredom. She had just finished freshman year of highschool and had expected more from her education and society. Her disappointment with the lack of challenges in life was a regular feeling for her. Ever since she was a little girl she had quickly caught on to how life works. She knew herself and the human condition well and often found herself studying people. No matter if she was out shopping, eating, or with friends she always found herself watching strangers. She would deeply wonder about their life and create a story of where they've been and where they're headed. The fact that so many people seemed to be unaware of the depths they had never stopped fascinating Serena. She didn’t understand how the mundane hollowed out experiences of life could capture and cloud people as they do. If someone tried to start small talk with her she would immediately ask an intimate question. She’d wonder about their opinion on what love really is and if evil truly exists in our world. She craved to know of the weight they carried and how it had shaped their being and character. She wanted to know the truth that existed in people, they were the ocean to her and she was a scuba diver. Unfortunately for her that blunt approach often scared them away, and so she had to learn a more subtle approach.

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Short Story: Words for War

By: Armando Covarrubias, Cartoonist, Writer

Out of all of the greatest weapons, mankind has ever concocted, the greatest weapon comes from humanity’s biology, specifically his voice. The human word can do so much, bring peace to nations, and create discord and war. As a humble messenger to the dark gods, I know far too well about the power of charisma, how it can be used and twisted for one's self-benefit. For my fight is not on the battlefield, but at the seat of the senate, or that is what I hope will happen. I have been going through this campaign for almost a year, and have developed a large number of supporters. And as I am still currently traveling from village to town, I plant my seeds of chaos in each successful campaign speech I make. For when I am victorious I shall reap the rewards, for my gods.

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The Penitent Soldier

By: Armando Covarrubias, Staff Writer/ Cartoonist

Forgive me Lord for I have sinned. I have strayed from your light and now I am broken. As I lay on my knees upon your house. As the fear of what is yet to come, an inquisitor, dressed in garbs of red, black, and white with golden embellishments, carries the book in one hand, and the cone on the other. By her side was an acolyte wearing white robes. The inquisitor looked down at me and stared into my eyes, or rather into my soul.

She asks me, “Do you have any idea of the weight of your sins?”

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