KOWS- May 1998

Kids Only Writing ~Showcase~

A magazine for young people by young people, to showcase all of the hard work that goes into the preparation for a writing career, or just a hobby! Show off your best work and get feedback from your peers. Become a better writer.

The stories, poems, plays, etc. that you see here are submitted by people from ages 5-18. They are all original works. If you wish to congratulate the author of a certain piece, or offer comments, the screen names are listed. We really encourage you to offer feedback. It actually does help you to become better writers. Just remember, there are different styles of writing, so don't cut down other people! Constructive criticism is fine, but please respect the feelings of others. If you have a friend online who would like to receive or submit to the Kids Only Writing Showcase magazine, please tell them to e-mail Cheshrcat7@aol.com, or e-mail me and tell me their name. Keep those creative works coming in!

Attention!

There are some special issues of KOWS coming up, but we will not be able to publish them if we don't receive enough submissions.

Coming in June- Best of KOWS Poetry. Send in your best poetry. Humorous, dramatic, reflective, nature, or whatever. They don't have to rhyme. Since most poems are so short, we'll need a lot, so start writing!

Coming in August- KOWS Birthday Issue! Yes, the Kids Only Writing Showcase is turning one! Help celebrate our first birthday

Coming in October- KOWS Spook Spectacular '98! This popular contest from last year returns, accepting entries of spooky, strange, or horrific nature. Categories are poetry and prose in both junior (3-12) and senior (12 and up) divisions.

New Home at Blackberry Creek?

Would you like to see the Kids Only Writing Showcase on the Blackberry Creek newsstand? E-mail starrfishy@aol.com, hostbclime@aol.com, and creekie@aol.com and tell them you'd like to see this magazine on the newsstand. Be sure to give them my e-mail address. Thanks!

Comments, Questions, Concerns?

Changes are constantly going on here. I'd like to know what you think of them. I'm a very easy person to talk to. If you have any comments, questions, concerns, or suggestions, don't hesitate to talk to me!

On with the show!

Table Of Contents

Poem: A Dancer by Marybong@aol.com

Story: The Darkest Day by Eddyval1@aol.com

Story: Erica by Gymnist90@aol.com

Poem: Frankie's Story by Girl1Gym@aol.com

Story: Quest for Freedom by Jrrmm4book@aol.com

Poem: Silent Cat by Seameow@aol.com

Story: Emma Bunton News by Brain5204@aol.com

Story: The Girl Couldn't Wait by ButterC344@aol.com

Story: A Sweet Ship by AGHcat@aol.com

Poem: Anger by Vo11eyChic@aol.com

Poem: Celtic Yearnings by Fox317@aol.com

Story: Happy Birthday by IBGROOVY@aol.com

Poem: Loud by Vo11eyChic@aol.com

Poem: Moody Food by JHAWKS2BAD@aol.com

Poem: Wonder by DReeseJ@aol.com

Story: The Lost Orca by Orca2@aol.com Poem: Night by DReeseJ@aol.com

Poem: The Person I Like by Atheena9992@aol.com

Story: The Trail of Doom by EddyVal1@aol.com

Poem: The Job I Want by Atheena9992@aol.com

Song: That's It by IBGroovy@aol.com

Story: And Then There Was One by CGirl1000@aol.com

Poem: Volleyball by Vo11eyChic@aol.com

Story: Watch by Toopanga@aol.com

Story: In A Way, High School Is Over the Rainbow by Petertork9@aol.com

A dancer Leaps and turns Intricately telling a story like a woven tapestry Pirouette Practicing an art used for centuries, As recognized as a sculpture or mosaic. Leaning at the barre, Captivating the viewers In second position.

A melody wafts through the audience Like a beloved perfume A grand jete. The dancer's presence fills the room Like a friend Arabesque The story unfolds like a flower Plie.

Like a death sentence the final note sounds Done, gone, fini. The curtain comes crashing to the ground. Like thunder, the audiences claps roll through the theater. The dancers bow, one by one, The joy captured on each of their faces. In an explosion, the audience applauds. The dance is over. And on another stage, a dancer......

Once an old man told me this story about a girl with dreams. Her dreams come true, but not the way she wants them to! This girls name is Amanda Forbes. She was eleven years old when this story took place. She was up in the attic with her friend, John Homes, when a puff a smoke filled the air, and poof!- a witch appeared! "Who are you?" Amanda asked. "I'm a good witch", she lied to Amanda, making her think she was a good witch when she wasn't. "I will grant you three wishes!" "Wow," thought Amanda. "Three wishes!" "I can't think of any wishes right now," she told the witch. "You must wish for something!" "Well I do wantŠ" "Say it, and you'll get it," the witch told her. "But... be careful!" "Why do you say that?" "Because the last girl that got her three wishes wished she'd never wished for hers! I couldn't grant that wish, because she had used all her wishes up! She's still around, but people are after her, tying to kill her! But IŠ What?" the witch yelled. "What do you want?!" "I don't want anyŠ" "You don't want to have wishes?" "No!" Amy said. "I like he world the way it is!" "Don't you hate school?" the witch asked. "Yes, but I still have to go! Otherwise I can't get a job when I grow up, and no job means no money! Goodbye!" "ButŠ But-" the witch cried. "Goodbye. I'll call you if I need you! Okay?" Amanda walked downstairs, and saw the witch eating an apple! It was a rotten apple! "Yuk!" Amanda said. The witch turned around and said "That's what witches eat: rotten apples! They're good!" "You're gross," Amanda said. "No I'm not; I'm just hungry," the witch said as she took another bit of the apple. "Gross," Amanda said. She ran up to her room. The witch was on her bed! "Ready for a wish?" "Yes!" "Good," she said. Amanda said "I wish I had never met you!" "No, not that!" the witch cried, but it was too late. The witch disappeared into her house, but the witch was back! "Why'd you wish that?" the witch asked. "Because," Amanda said. "I wish the witch was gone and all the wishes that other kids made didn't come true on them, and they came true on you!" So all the kids were back to normal, and the wishes they had all wished for were on the witch! "I'll be back!" "We'll be ready for you," Amanda said as she pushed the witch out the window! The witch fell on her lawn and said again "I'LL BE BACK!" Then she flew away on her broom.

One day there was a little girl named Erika. Erika was in the second grade and was eight years old. It was three days before Valintines day. After school, Erika had six dollars to go buy her Valentine cards. On the way, Erika saw a little girl in the street. Erika gave the little girl two dollars. The little girl said thank-you. The little girls name was Nelli. Then Erika went to buy her valentines. After school the next day, Erika sat on the step in front of her school looking at her papers. Then, a few minutes later, Erika saw the little girl, Nelli. Nelli sat next to Erika. They talked. Nelli said that she bought herself new clothes with the two dollars. After they talked, they walked home together. "Bye!" said Erika as she walked up to her house. "Bye!" said Nelli. And from that day on, they were friends.

Frankie was a special friend Who had to go away. He had to go away to a better place in the sky. I wonder why God took him now, For he was only 18 years old. I was told by him this: "Ew, it's Kristen." I love the comments now, For he died!

Chapter 1 Aronlice

Aronlice was an otter with a brother named Bajoc. She lived in a cave with her mother, Helfronkice and a father named Beronjic. She had lived there all her life and had seen many things, but never had she seen anything outside of the boundaries of the forest where they lived. Aronlice had many friends, some of which were moles, hedgehogs, other otters, dogs, squirrels and mice. Every day she would play with these friends of hers, but she craved to see things outside her simple forest life. Her best friend was Dracorik, a mouse who lived with his parents, his three brothers and his two sisters. Since he was always bickering with his siblings, he would play with Aronlice every second he could. When he and Aronlice began their friendship, his parents did not approve of him playing with other animals and were constantly saying that he should not play with Aronlice. Yet he kept insisting she wasn't all that bad and therefore, they let him play with her. As time went on, they accepted Aronlice and the other animals in the forest. They soon became close to Aronlice and her family. Among her other friends were Krimm, a mole that loved to play, but hated work; Sanbec, another otter whose parents were much like Dracorik's and a hedgehog who went by the name of Zam, though his real name was Zambelitokatz, which nobody could pronounce, except his parents, so everybody else called him Zam. Her other friends included a dog named Frimbiski and a squirrel named Idana. The most hated animal in the forest of Crosh was Nakoboc, an adder that just loved to hypnotize her victims and eat them slowly, alive. And that is a list of the animals and inhabitants of the forest of Crosh.

Chapter 2 Sudden Danger

The favorite place of Aronlice and company was a tree behind her cave. They liked this place because they could sit there and talk about what was going on at their houses or the latest thing that Nakoboc had done, and did not have to worry about grownups hearing their secrets. The tree was a tall cedar bordering a lake behind the otters home. It was a shady, tranquil place that allowed one to think without having to listen to the hustle and bustle of the home. One day, Aronlice, Bajoc and their friends were sitting in the lower boughs of the tree. Idana had climbed to the highest branches until they told her to come down so she didn't have to shout, because if she shouted, the grownups would hear her. As they talked, they heard screaming and also felt a danger in the air. They looked down and saw their parents engaged in combat for their lives with wild vermin. Aronlice was about to swing into the battle when a great horned owl swooped down. He said, "Little one, do not be rash. Tell your friends to come with me." Aronlice said, "But what about our parents?" The horned owl said, "My spouse is going to rescue them. Right now, you must come with me, little one." So she called her friends to come and meet the owl. She told them that they must go with him now or they will be lost. So everyone climbed aboard the huge and mighty back of their rescuer. As they rode upon their new friend's back, he introduced himself as Farondoleia. Everyone had been anxiously watching behind them waiting to see if his mate would make it with their parents. When Farondoleia's wife came into view, up rose a rousing cheer. Farondoleia said, "My wifes name is Lezad. She has your parents. We have been sent by my father, Malhorn the Seer, who is in a nest across the great desert in the forest of Ickfleur." For a long time, no one spoke, until Frimbiski said, "I am tired and hungry and I feel faint. Please, if you could, sir, try to get to Ickfleur quickly." Aronlice could sense the fear in Frimbiski's voice, so she crawled, careful not to shake Farondoleia's body, over to the dog. She said, "Frimbiski, I see on the horizon a forest that I believe to be the forest of Ickfleur. So don't lose hope and don't be scared, for it will turn out all right in the end." With that, Frimbiski went to sleep.

Chapter 3 Attack and Rescue

While the children were playing in their special place on that fateful day, their parents were together discussing matters of great importance. They had learned from a traveling badger named Rillckar the Swordmaker that a company of vermin were headed in that direction. They absorbed this shocking news and asked Rillckar what they should do. He said, "I am not one of the fighting badgers, so do not think that I will be able to protect you, but I can see if Crinbe, a badger who lives at the border of this forest, can help." Zam's mother, Serena, said, "Yes, please. Hurry. We will need all the help we can get." The badger said, "I will go as swiftly as I can." He was off as quick as a wink. Sanbec's father, Rae, stated, "I may be brave in some ways, but in others, I tremble. In this matter, I tremble." Beronjic comforted Rae by saying, "My friend, do not be afraid, for the way the badger told us of the vermin hoard makes me think they are miles away." As he said this, he whispered to Rae. "If anything should happen to me, I want you to look after my daughter and my son." Suddenly, they heard yelling and screaming outside. The door was kicked in by a ferret with a large sword. "Surrender your valuables, your jewels and all your food supplies," he said in a rough, coarse voice. "This will be done immediately, and without question, in the name of the new king of Crosh, Grambetza." When they refused, a large number of screaming rats started invading the cave. Beronjic grabbed a handful of the swords he had been keeping in a bin next to the door in case of just such an emergency. He threw one to everyone in the room except the wives. He yelled, "Helfronkice, get your bow and gather a handful of sharp arrows. Bring a steak knife to every one without a weapon. And be careful!" In bloody combat, the males defended the females who were without weapons. Rae cleaved the ferret in two with his sword. As Helfronkice came back with the knives, Bedzy, Zam's father, noticed a rat creeping up behind her. With a wild cry, he screamed, "Duck!" As Helfronkice ducked, he swung his sword and cut off the rats head. Soon they were forced to move outside. Rae's paw was stabbed by a rat as he tried to protect Rasta, his wife. As Helfronkice tried to kill a rat she heard a shout. She looked up to see her precious daughter about to swing into battle from her special tree. "No, Aronlice, don't!" Just as she turned back, an enormous rat shoved a long dagger into her back. She screamed "Beronjic!". When her husband heard her scream, he turned and, with one stroke, cleaved the rats head into two pieces. "Helfronkice!" he cried as he knelt next to her slumped body. "No! It can't be true!" Unexpectedly, a large stoat who had snuck into the battle undetected, knocked Beronjic out cold with one blow from his club. Suddenly, there was a great flapping of wings. "Good beasts! Come quickly. Get on my back. Bring the wounded ones with you. Hurry! I will carry you to safety if you will come with me." When everyone was atop her huge back, Lezad, the rescuer, beat the air with her monumental wings and rose into the air with rats swinging their swords at her tremendous body from every side. As they flew, Lezad told them that her husband, Farondoleia, had rescued their children and they were being carried to safety at that very moment. "But what about Beronjic and Helfronkice?" asked Frib, Frimbiski's father. Lezad replied, "The great owl, Malhorn the Seer, who sent us to save you, is also a great healer. He will do all in his power to save your friends. He lives in the nearby Forest of Ickfleur where we are bound right now." Into view came a large horned owl with many small shapes on his back. Through the thin night air, they could hear the sounds of a soft cheer. Soon they were flying across a great desert filled with sights and sounds more marvelous than anything they had ever heard or seen before.

To Be Continued in our next issue!

Walking, silent paws on ground. Stillness settles all around. Eyes of yellow and fur of black, Is my little kitty cat.

Looks at me with golden eyes, Crouches down Below to hide.

Morning sun shines Down on her, Warms her; She begins to purr.

Emma Bunton News by Brain 5204@aol.com

Emma Lee Bunton with the beautiful blond hair, used to be a student because she was eighteen. She loves eating donuts with her mother. Like Mel C. said in the movie Spiceworld, Emma has that cute little smile that lets her get away with anything. She loves her last minute cuddle before bed. Emma is usually voted second best Spice Girl. She is the opposite off Mel B. Mel B. has a LOUD, LOUD voice, but Emma has a soft little voice that people notice. That's what makes people like her a lot. Emma was not a Spice Girl at the start. She was replaced by Michelle, her stepmother, because she wanted to act. Emma says "The most important thing is that we inspire our fans to try new things and make the most of your life. "

There is a girl named Lanie and this is her story of what happened on Valentines Day. The story begins on a nice January day when she woke up for school.

Hi. I am Lanie, and I will be the one telling the story. I woke up on the first day of school and did the regular things: got up, went to pick out some clothes, got dress, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, and headed for the bus stop. The cutest boy comes and stands right next to me. Oh my gosh! I felt as if I were about to faint. I was about to, but then I felt someones arms catch me from falling ,and it was him- the guy that was next to me. I told him who I was, and he said that he was Brad and that he moved here since his parents gotten divorced.

When we got on the bus, he asked if he could sit next to me because all the other seats were taken. So I said yes. We had the best conversation. He was handsome, plus funny- that's what I call the perfect man. We were both in the same grade (11th) and in all the same classes. I couldn't believe it. It was like God sent him down to earth for me. We did everything together and became best friends. With all that time we had together, soon it would be Valentines day, and that would be the day that I would tell him that I wanted more than friendship with him. I wished for so long that the day would come. We were so different but so similar that we would be perfect for each other. All the girls in the school liked him, but just because he was cute and they hadn't ever met him. I love him!

Today is that day, and I was so scared, but I had to do it our someone else would get to him before me, and then I would just die. So, like usual, we sat together everywhere and had so much fun until it came to the way home. I told him to meet me at the beach so that I could tell him something.

It was seven o'clock, and he walked down the hill. He had something behind his back. Then once he got to me he had chocolates. Plus there was a note taped on it and, it said "Will You Be My Valentine?" All along he liked me! I yelled out "YES!" He was so happy that before I knew it his lips were touching mine.

So after all that Lanie and Brad have been together ever since and still love each other even more.

A Sweet Ship Amanda Heuser (AGHcat@aol.com)

A ship of chocolate , gum, and ice cream. A ship with sweet things to eat. It's made of things that make you beam, Not veggies, pasta, or meat, But of things that taste of sugar and candy. Things that have a sweet little taste. Chocolate syrup and caramel paste, What a delight! For a ship of such taste, Why don't you just take a bite?

The crows nest-a long candy cane! It's so sweet, even the rain is tasty! The diner, a room full of candy! The waitress' name is Mandy. Oh, that beautiful, tasty ship, It'll make you have a sweet lip. So try that sweet boat, 'Cause it won't be there for long!

Anger Nicole* Bucar (Vo11eyChic@aol.com), age 13

Anger hurts me, internally, forces me, Anger hurts, hurts me.

Celtic Yearnings Fox317

As the Celtic wind blows, The willow tree sings, A song of mystery, of warriors, of druids, of lovers. I know I am safe. As the Celtic rain streaks down my face, My heart is overjoyed. I dream a dream, of love, of kindness, of safety. As I kiss the sweet cross, I finally believe. And the willow tree dreams.

Happy Birthday by Sharon Williams (IBGROOVY@aol.com)

Once there lived a young girl named Trisha Gramme. Her birthday was in two days and all she wanted was tickets to go see the SpiceGirls. One day went by but she still just wanted that. Then the next day, it was her birthday. She opened her first present. It was a watch. She kept opening presents, but they weren't what she wanted. Until her grandma said, "Here. I saved mine for last." Trisha opened it. It was tickets to go to see the SPICE GIRLS!

Loud Nicole* Bucar (Vo11eyChic@aol.com), age 13

A screaming voice in my head, controlling my every move. It tangles me up, and I am trapped. Like a fork in the road, I cannot decide. Decide what? Decide silence.

Moody Food JHAWKS2BAD

Moody food has attitude. Grumpy spaghetti has just a crab. Slow ice cream is just plain lazy. Sad pizza whimpers because of its onions. All together they make a meal, But if you eat them they will squeal.

When I am alone I wonder where and how snow is grown I wonder who sprinkles morning dew over my town at night I wonder how lighting fills the sky then vanishes without a sight I wonder who built the seven wonders of the world that are still today quite a wonderful sight. Now why I wonder, now that's something I've never wondered but one thing that shocks and scares me is what if I never wondered

Once there was a black, white, wet whale. The wet, white, black whale was very sad because a gigantic metal shark had kidnapped him!

The whales name was D.J. D.J. was very gloomy, for he wanted to see his mom, dad, friends, and his fiance. D.J. missed all of them deeply, but he mostly missed Fiona, his future wife.

Now lets check back on D.J. Remember that metal shark that whalenapped D.J. in the beginning of this story? Well, the metal shark has given D.J. to humans! They had put him in a tank, a really tini tiny tank, so he couldn't move at all, not even to eat!

D.J. was scared. I mean you would be also. Unless you can go 20 days without food or drink. I don't think you could!!!

Now back to D.J.'s relatives, including Fiona. D.J.'s relatives were very scared. They looked everywhere for him. They put his picture in every "UNDER WATER" magazine and newspaper. But when that didn't work all they could do was cry and pray.

Suddenly Fiona remembered something. "We checked every where except....." her voice trailed off.

"Where! Where have we not looked! Where!' D.J.'s mother yelled. "Where!?"

"I hate to say it," Fiona replied, "but we have not looked at the....unk.... Whale Disappearance Center." (W.D.C.)

"No it can not be Fiona!!" Mrs. Orca screamed and cried so loud it could make a person sick. "It can NOT be!! D.J. is only 12 years old!!! He is still my little baby!!! It can NOT NOT BE!!!!!"

"I love D.J. with all my heart and soul as well as you," Fiona tried to comfort her future mother-in-law. "But he must be there, he must."

"I am afraid so dear," D.J.'s farther remarked softly. " I am afraid so," he remarked even lower, probably talking to himself.

So everyone cried and went to bed because they all knew that they were going to go to W.D.C. early in the morning. That way the guards would still be tired.

When the next morning came, everyone was on their own, dressed in black. The girls in dresses, yet they were not to long. Mr. Orca wore a black T-shirt and a pair of black jeans. Although a human would call his jeans a long jean skirt. They wore black because they knew it was still dark outside.

"Well, we better wish everyone luck; we are all going to need it," D.J.'s farther told them. He was probably just trying to break the silence. "Everyone know what to do?" He asked. Everyone nodded sympathetically.

"Good," he replied with a smile. "Good," with a not-so-sure smile.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Fiona asked. "Christmas?" She made out with a small sympathetic smile. So they swam off.

*** 30 minutes later***

"Well we finally made it. There is the boat," Fiona barely made out for she was so out of breath, and she was relax her fluke.

"Yeah," Mr. Orca gasped, trying to get the numbness out of his flippers. Boy, he and his wife were sure not use to this type of exercise.

"And we have five and a half hours before this part of the ocean gets enough light for the humans to aim their "boom boom sticks at us and hit us," D.J.'s farther informed them.

"Ok. Lets go," Fiona replied.

"Ok. But before we do that, I must tell you something," Mrs. Orca told. "Humans are very tricky, even in the morning. So if you hear them; walking, talking or being silent, let the protection of the waves save you. If you hear them snoring, quickly do your job. We will meet here in five hours if we have him or not. If one of us gets him before the five hours are up, blow your horns that are around your necks. If you have him swim home very fast, for the humans will be after you. If you have found him, make bubbles and lots of motion, so the others will see you. Now we must go. Good luck, and find my baby!!" she finally finished.

To Be Continued...

Night Meredith Jones (DResseJ)

A dark curtain fills the sky as creatures of the night begin to cry of solemn things but as nightfall stings I see wet pangs of rain as they stain the night it glistens the town it listens to a shrill cry and my reply of a devils call dust defy all logical talk even eccentrics gawk at my own eccentricities and yet they smile at my ease As I write down these words the words turn into night and the night takes flight only night hears the sounds of a city of sadness of joy of a girl and a boy as they fight over a toy I hear these sounds to and they do destroy all senses let down all fences break open all creates holding all emotions and as the night dies only dawn quiets my cries

The Person I Like Holly Haarala (Atheena9992@aol.com)

The person I like is really nice to me He stands up for me and makes me laughs He makes me feel happy inside I hope he likes me the way I like him someday

Trail of Doom EddyVal1

There was once a path called the Trail of Doom. It was called that because there were a lot of things on the path that you would have to watch out for or you would die! Like these two kids- Amy and John.

One summer day, Amy and john were walking through the forest when they came to the Trail of Doom. Amy looked at John and said, "Which way do we go? Down the Trail of Doom or the path that will lead us home?"

"Let's go home," John said (John was always scared of everything).

"No!" Amy yelled. "Let's take the Trail of Doom!"

"No!"

"Chicken," Amy called him.

"I'm not chicken!" John yelled. "I'm going home!"

"You can't!" Amy yelled, but it was too late; he was gone. Amy ran after him, and they both were on the Trail of Doom!

John said, "Now what do we do?"

"We try to find our way home," replied Amy. "But which way did we come from?"

"I don't know," John said. "We're lost! We will never find our way home again!"

"Yes we will," Amy said.

"How?"

"I don't know but-"

"Look out!" John cried.

Amy looked behind her, and there was a huge, yellow bird flapping its wings! It swooped down and picked up Amy!

"Help!" Amy cried, but it was too late. The bird had already flown off with her!

"Hold on!" John called.

"Hurry, the bird is hurting my arms!"

"I will follow the bird!" John yelled.

"Okay!" Amy yelled back.

The bird swooped into a huge tree! John climbed and climbed and climbed. When he reached the top of the tree, he saw Amy sitting in a corner with chains on her hands, feet, and legs. Amy was crying! "I bet those chains hurt," John thought to him self. A man wearing a hat stepped out and said, "What do we have here? Another child? I hate kids! Come on little boy, you want some candy?"

"No!" John yelled, so loud that it made the man fall over! The bird swooped down and picked John up and brought him to the old man!

The man said "Well?"

"Well what?" John asked.

"Well do you like candy?"

"Yes, but I don't want any!" John yelled. "Because I hate your guts!"

"That's it!" The man stuffed John up with candy until he couldn't move! Amy sat in the corner watching.

"Let him go- it's me you want!" Amy yelled.

"No, don't-" I started to say, but Amy interrupted.

"If you want me, let him go!"

"Shut up!" screamed the old man.

"No! She doesn't have to!" I yelled.

"The Trail of Doom? You two kids were trying to get home?"

"Yes but-" John started to say.

"No buts. You two kids are going to stay with me forever! Until you die!"

"No we won't!" Amy yelled.

"Yes you will, you stupid little kids! I hate the way kids laugh and play and have fun!"

"Well you used to be a kid. Didn't you like to have fun and play with your friends and be with you family?" John asked.

"Yes," the old man said. "It was so fun that I didn't want to grow up! Alright, you can go free!"

We climbed down the huge tree and we were on our way!

I wish to be a Vet someday I wish to work with animals I wish to make them happy I wish to make a difference

Last night before you went to sleep, I prayed you wouldn't leave me anymore. Yes I hope you never leave me anymore. Yes I hope you never leave and slam that door. 'Cause I love you baby and if it happens again Then that's it. Yes that's it. Yea Yea Yea (whisper) That's it hunny hunny . That's it baby baby.(stop whispering) Yea Yea That's it! That's it! That is all I want to say so remember Baby... Oh Oh Oh- That's It!

*KOWS Warning- This story contains mature subject matter and some graphic violence.

Prologue

It was a Friday when they found the body. I'm not going to say that it was a gloomy, dark night, because it wasn't. It wasn't dark, gloomy, or night, but it was scary as Hel*. Anyway, as I was saying, I was walking to Her house to ask her if she wanted to walk to school with me. I rounded the corner, and all I could see was an ambulance and police cars. The sounds were deafening. All that I could hear for week were sirens, and if I think about it hard enough that's all I can hear now, and maybe for eternity. She was my best friend, until she was murdered.

I didn't feel that bad in the daytime, but at night I would let my self cry. Every time that I would close my eyes would see her laying on the pavement, her body as cold as death itself. There would be blood running down here face, and stab marks all over her body. Eighteen stab marks to be exact. Nine in front, nine in back. Put in her body with a butchers knife. The only time that I would be able to sleep would be for five minutes, before, or even during school. Everyday I would go to school, and everybody would come up to me and say sympathetically, "It's OK," or, "It will get better." It never did. The pain never went away, and the anger still burns deep within me. I'm not mad about not getting any sleep. Oh no, not about that. What I'm mad about is the fact that they never found the killer. Not until it was too late.

The next body was found on a Monday. It was found in a supply closet by the janitor (who nearly had a heart attack when he saw it. Well what would you do if you opened a door to find a cold, stone dead body on the other side?). The police decided that he had been killed over the weekend. He had been shot twice in the head. That morning I heard that school had been canceled. I asked why, and now that I think about it, I wish that I hadn't. My friend told me that there had been another murder. When she told me who I nearly fainted. It was Him. The one that I loved, it was Him, my boyfriend. This time I cried all day and night. He had always been there when I needed him, but not anymore. I would never get to talk to him, or tell him that I loved him again, ever, I never got to tell him goodbye. It wasn't fair. Nothing is fair in this world anymore.

One more body was found that year. It was the body of my best boy/friend. He was my only real live friend. He had been beaten and thrown in the street. He was ran over twice before anyone reported the body. As I was told the details by a police officer I thought bitterly, "And then there was one..."

***FIVE YEARS LATER***

Julie Rayer was walking through the courtyard of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She had the feeling that she was being watched. She pushed the feeling to the back of her mind. She jogged to the group of college students that were siting on the grass talking.

"Hi guys," Julie said. She sat down next to Brian, her new boyfriend. Her old boyfriend had died five years ago, when she had been 16. Two other friends of hers were also murdered. She decided to go to college. She thought that she could run from the horror of the murders, so she moved and made new friends.

"Hey Jule," Hayley, one of Julie's newer friends said.

"Hey Julie," said Justin, another of Julie's new friends.

"How have you been feeling lately, Jule?" asked Brian. Brian knew about the murders that had taken place five years ago in Ohio. He also knew that this week was the week that they, Julie¹s old friends, had died.

"I'm OK," Julie replied. She had figured that Brian was talking about the murders, "we are still going there tonight, right?" There, was the graveyard in Ohio that Julie¹s friends had been buried in. Every year Julie and Brian would drive to Ohio so Julie could go to the graveyard.

"Yeah. We'll go right after school," Brian said. Julie stood up quickly. She had started to cry. She sniffed and said something that sounded like," I have to go get my books," and walked quickly toward the dorms.

"Do you think that she'll be OK?" Justin asked.

"Don't worry. I'll sneak along to each of her classes and make sure that she..." Brian started, teasing Justin about his worrying. It was really obvious that Justin had a crush on Julie. He always flirted with her. He had followed her around like a puppy. Unfortunately Brian had beaten him to asking her out.

Before she was going out with Brian, Julie had a crush on Justin. She was just about to ask him out, but Brian asked her before she had a chance. Not that she didn't like Brian. Brian was handsome, strong, and very mature. That was why Julie said yes to him in the first place. They had been together for two years so far.

Julie sat down on her bed. Her roommate, Kathy walked in the door.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you were in here. I'll just come back..." she said.

"No, it's OK, I was just leaving," Julie said, grabbing her books. She walked to the door.

"You know," Kathy started to say," it's OK to cry in front of other people." Julie shot Kathy a strange look and walked out the door.

As she walked down the narrow corridor Julie had the feeling that she was being watched again. She quickly glanced around to see if anyone was in the hallway. The hall was empty. Julie started walking again. She heard footsteps behind her. Her heart raced. She walked faster and faster until she reached the end of the corridor. Suddenly someone grabbed her shoulder. She turned around.

"Justin! You scared me!" Julie exclaimed.

"I know," he said, laughing.

"You really shouldn't have done that," she said, her heart rate returning to normal.

"Sorry," Justin said, the smile sliding off his face.

"It's OK, I'm just a little jumpy today." she said. She opened the exit door and they walked out.

"I was just wondering what happened. You left so fast, I didn't know what was wrong." he said.

"I, uh, have to go to class, I'll see you later." Julie said quickly.

"Yeah, see you," Justin said quietly, walking away, "take care of yourself,"

"I will," Julie said. She turned and walked to her next class.

After school Julie was waiting in the parking lot for Brian. Everyone was happy that it was spring break. They were blasting their music on their car radios, and shouting obscene comments at the school as they went their separate ways for their vacations. They were going on trips to visit their homes and families. Julie was going home too, but she was going home to horror, to death, to the murders of her friends.

"Are you ready to go?" Brian asked. Julie jumped. She hadn't seen Brian walk up to the car.

"Oh, yeah. I think so," she stuttered. She threw her suitcase in the back seat and climbed up front with Brian. She turned on the radio and turned it to 99.1. They arrived in Ohio two hours later. They drove along the old country back roads until they came to a nice looking hotel. They got a room and went up the stairs. Julie laid down on a bed and fell asleep. She awoke to the sound of the alarm clock the next morning. She was still really tired and went back to sleep. She woke up again an hour later. This time it was the telephone that had awaken her from her sleep. She picked up the phone and held it to her ear.

"Hello," she said, her voice quiet.

"Hi, is this Julie Rayer?" The voice on the other line said.

"Yes it is, how may I help you?" Julie said.

"My name is Agent Meller, and I'm afraid I have some bad news. Do you know a person named Kathy Nadski..." Julie hung up the phone in terror.

"No!" She yelled, "NO!" Brian ran into her room.

"What's wrong Julie?" He asked. The phone rung. Brian picked up and was silent for a moment.

"Yeah, OK," He said and he hung up the phone. He sat down on the bed next to Julie and said, "Do you still want to go to the graveyard?"

"I guess so," Julie said quietly. She got dressed and walked down to the lobby. She leaned against the desk and waited for Brian. The clerk looked up at her and said, "Are you Julie Rayer?"

"Yes I am," Julie replied quietly.

"You have a message here," He said handing here a small sheet of paper. She read it and dropped it. It said: It was too bad for Kathy. I wouldn't have done it, but, wait, yes I would have...

"Who gave this note to you?" Julie asked frantically.

"It was a man about your age, he had brown hair, he was wearing a Wisconsin University shirt..." The Clerk said. Julie didn't want to hear any more. That was the description of Justin.

She picked the note up off of the ground and showed it to Brian. She told him the description that the clerk had given her. She could see the terror in hi eyes. They drove to the graveyard and stayed there for about two hours. Julie cried about a gallon of tears, but not all of them were for her old friends. Some of them were for her. She knew that Justin was after her, and that he would do anything to get her. Julie decided to take a walk a little farther into the graveyard. Brian decided to start to walk back to the car. Julie sai d that she was going to stay out a little longer. She ducked down by a grave to look at the inscription and she heard gunshots. She turned to see a car speeding by and Brian falling to the ground. Julie ran to Brian and cried. She dragged his body, now cold with death into the car and turned the key. She knew that she was in no shape to drive, but she knew that Justin could come back anytime to try and kill her. She drove about a mile before she saw a car that looked about the same as the car that had driven by the graveyard. She tried to duck down in her seat. She looked in the other cars window and saw Justin. He saw her too and sped up.

Julie knew what she had to do. She sped up as fast as she could and right as the cars were close enough that you could shake hands between them, she turned and crashed head to head with Justin.

She heard the crashing of the two cars and the shattering of glass, and then everything went black.

She woke up in a hospital bed. Two days later she was announced dead.

Afterward

This story doesn't have a surprise ending, Julie didn't come back to life, and Justin didn't die, but the game was over. Justin no longer had anyone to be jealous of. He no longer had anyone to blame all of his problems on. He was found on a Tuesday, hanging from a rope hooked to the ceiling of his bedroom.

Volleyball Nicole* Bucar (Vo11eychic@aol.com)

A game of thinking A game of skill A game of technique A game of good will A game of harm A game of strength A game of muscles A game of aches Volleyball is a sport for all, tiny-large, big-small. You work together as a team, for some to have fun, for the others to fulfill dreams.

I gazed out the window at the quiet blossoms that hung from the Johnsons only tree. I gave the last dish in the sink a short scrub and threw the wash towel over it. I slipped on my grey boots and walked out the door into the placid forest behind our tiny log cabin. We had only lived in Gregsville for a month, and papa had just finished our new home. I noticed the sunset painted florescent waves of brilliant colors on the tops of the tall pine trees. The forest wasn't on our property; I knew this. But I had always loved the forest. I loved the pine trees that towered above the earth, seeming to scrape the clouds. And the sent of the black berries that grew at the edge of Kerry's Creek. The only thing I didn't love was whos property the forest grew in. Mrs. Harps. She was always eyeing me, watching me. Like she was studying me. Pa had told me to stay away form that old lady and her forest, but she didn't scare me. As I neared the edge of the forest, I saw her leaning out her cottage window, her long wrinkled face drawn up. She took a long gander at me. Suddenly, I noticed something I had never noticed before... Could the old lady who had come to our door the first day we came, and told us to stay of her property, could the old woman who would watch me, could this old lady, be crying?

To Be Continued...

In A Way, High School Is Over the Rainbow

By Rachel (Petertork9)

Adam's like my bodyguard, my big brother. He's a Senior too. He's like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. High school was Oz, and I was Dorothy. Looking for a education and a way to find out who I was going to be when I grew up. The truth was I really wanted to go home, but first I had to find my classes. Up came this tall, dark haired, thin but strong guy who said "I believe your class is that way," so I started to go that way. Then I turned around to thank him, and he was pointing in the other direction. I looked at him funny and he said, "But then again some freshman do have classes both ways." I laughed and he showed me the way.

Classics Corner!

Every month we feature a famous author. Find out everything you need to know about an author, from "D Work", what he's written, to "D Buzz," what critics say.

Not only is this very entertaining, but help expose everyone to great literature, and may even encourage some of us to read it! This Month:

J.R.R. Tolkien

*D Author: J.R.R. Tolkien is world-famous for his "Lord of the Rings" series. It took him over 20 years to complete this trilogy, but well worth the effort. His much-beloved series has been printed and reprinted dozens of times all over the world. Tolkien and his work have in fact become so popular as to be hailed as a cultural icon.

*D Work: Mr. Tolkien has over 100 titles to his credit, the most famous of them include The Hobbit, and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.

*D Flavor: All of his stories take place in Middle-earth, a richly detailed fantasy world of his own creation. The stories are peopled with unique and likeable (or hateable) characters, and told in an intimate old-time story telling fashion.

*D Best: The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is my favorite.

*D Buzz:

"Filled with marvels and strange terrors.. an extraordinary, a distinguished piece of work." -New York Herald Tribune

"For any one who likes the genre to which it belongs, the Heroic Quest, I cannot imagine a more wonderful Christmas present.. No fiction I have read in the last five years has given me more joy than The Fellowship of the Ring."

-W.H. Auden The New York Times Book Review

*D Place: Any library, book store, or your parent's personal collection.

That's all for this month's issue. Please remember to send in your work for the Holiday Greetings edition! This is your chance to become a better writer and be published in a national magazine! Keep that work coming in, and make sure to tell all your friends about KOWS!

To be removed from the KOWS mailing list, simply reply with Remove From List in the message. Please inform me of any address changes. Thank you.

Bonus Section!

Would you like to be published by a non-online publisher? Do you feel confident that your work is good? Here is information on a few publishers who specifically publish the work of young people.

*The Acorn

1530 7th St., Rock Island, IL 61201. For young people in grades K-12, published four times a year.

Publishes: Fiction, nonfiction, articles on any subject of interest to young people. Uses 4" X 5" black ink drawings on any subject. Uses material from adult authors, as well as young authors, but work must be slanted to students in grades K-12.

Submission Info: Handwritten material OK if readable. Prefers standard format. Maximum length for fiction and nonfiction is 500 words; poetry up to 32 lines. Always put author's name, address, age/grade on manuscript. Submissions will not be returned without SASE. Reports in one week. Guidelines available for SASE. Sample copy $2.

Editor's Remarks: "Just be yourself. Write your feelings; dare to be different. You never know when what you have to say might be of help and encouragement to other young authors. No pay but it isn't necessary to purchase a copy to be published."

*American Girl Magazine

8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 52562. Full-color magazine published bimonthly be Pleasant Company.

Publishes: Children should submit poems, tips, suggestions and responses to polls and questions in American Girl magazine.

Submission Info: Guidelines available for adult submissions. See sample issues for more information regarding submissions from young people. Send SASE for guidelines. See guidelines on how to obtain a sample copy or purchase copies at bookstores.

Editor's Remarks: "The mission of Pleasant Company is to educate and entertain children with high quality products and experiences that reinforce positive social and moral values."

*Creative With Words

P.O. Box 223226, Carmel, CA 93922. Publishes anthologies, many of which are for or by children.

Publishes: CWW is devoted to furthering (1) folk/artistic tales and such; (2) creative writing by children (poetry, prose, and language arts work); (3) creative writing in special interest groups (senior citizens, handicapped, general family). Particularly interested in prose language arts work, fillers, puzzles and poems from young people. Publishes according to set themes.

Submission Info: Submissions from young writers must be their own work and not edited, corrected or rewritten by an adult. Will work with individual young writers if editing and corrections are necessary. Do not send personal photo unless requested. Used standard format for preparing manuscripts. Poetry must be 20 lines or less. Prose should not exceed 1,000 words. Shorter poems and articles are always welcome. Do not send previously published material. Copyright reverts back to author after publication. No payment is made to contributers, but they do receive a 20 percent cost reduction on publication in which their work appears. No free copies in payment. Send SASE for return of manuscript and/or correspondence. Send SASE for current guidelines and theme list. Address submissions to B. Geltrich.

Editor's Remarks: "CWW is an educational publication, which means that it serves both the academic and nonacademic communities of the world. The editors organize one annual poetry contest (only for those nineteen and older), offer feedback on manuscripts submitted, publish a wide range of themes relating to human studies and critically analyze manuscripts for minimal charge."