WCWC 2023 WRITING CONTESTS
For the 2023 Fiction Contest, the theme was Out of This World. There were eight entries submitted and the following three were selected as winners.
*** 1st Place ***
THE FOREST SECRET
Maryke de Witt
“This is not a good idea!”
“Shhh!”
“I want to go back!”
“Shhhh!!”
Michael rolled his eyes, frustration tugging tensely at his jaw as he tip-toed over the foliage between the dark trunks that reached past them into heaven. His unnerved friend, Elias, was close behind him, anxiety dripping from his face.
“We’re almost there,” Michael whispered as he manoeuvred past a fallen branch. The moonlight slivered past the dense canopy of leaves, illuminating patches of the forest floor. It must be close, I’m sure.
“If my mum finds out we’re tottering around in the Unholy Forest, she’ll flip!” Elias’s voice shook, and Michael knew the fear had nothing to do with Elias’s mother. Mrs White was the friendliest and most kind woman in the neighbourhood, and even though she was strict enough, she had nothing on Michael’s mother. She had forbidden him many times throughout his life from trespassing into the Unholy Forest, telling him stories of witches and goblins. Realising this made him even more curious, she eventually switched her story to it being illegal and that she would not bail him out of jail. Michael was sure that at fifteen, he was still a minor and wouldn’t actually go to jail, but the thought had kept him from the vast green expanse, nonetheless. But this was different. If his father could go inside, surely, he had a right to as well?
It had been almost two weeks ago when he’d discovered his father’s secret. Struggling to fall asleep, he had gotten up to sit in the bay window in his room to read his latest horror novel. It had been way past midnight when he noticed his father, sneaking across the lawn. Before Michael could call out to him, he saw him walk over the main road and straight into the forest, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Now, sneaking into the forest in the early morning hours, was not something a normal suburban dentist should do. So naturally Michael, who was always looking for another adventure, was curious. His boring father, always cautious and sensible, with no adventurous bone in his body? It didn’t fit, and Michael was adamant to find out the truth. He would have followed his father then already, but venturing into the dark night with hopes of finding his father in a dense vegetation, felt like a really bad idea. No, he had to prepare; black clothes, hiking boots, a headlight just in case, and his phone to record everything.
So, Michael had waited for the next Saturday, sure his father would repeat his stroll into the dark abyss. Right after midnight, Michael had sneaked around the house, hid behind his mother’s Indian Hawthorn bush, and waited, his phone ready. He had waited and waited, but his father never showed. After three in the morning, legs frozen and irritated at his miscalculation, Michael had gone to bed, slipping through the back door he had left unlocked. New plan, he had thought. He would have to inspect the forest himself. Or maybe not entirely alone, I’m sure Elias won’t mind.
The following week had gone dreadfully slow as he had dragged his feet through each class, wishing for Friday night when he and his life-long best friend would explore the forest and finally see what his father had been up to.
“Mick, this is crazy! We’ve never been in so deep!”
“Can you chill, please? I don’t know who else is inside! We cannot be seen!”
“If your father is indeed around here somewhere, maybe he just wants to be alone? What can he possibly be doing that’s so interesting?”
“That’s what we are here to find out! Now shush!”
They crept forward, sneaking past large trunks and through thick bushes until they reached a part of the forest that opened up into a leaf speckled, moonlit patch. It looked almost other-worldly, and Michael could feel a difference in the air.
“This must mean something,” he said, his eyes roaming the space excitedly.
“What? I don’t see anything.”
“The leaves, they seem to be—luminous?”
When Elias didn’t answer, he turned and saw Elias’ face twisted in concentration. “Nope, don’t see anything but darkness and trees.”
“You’re joking!” Michael turned back and stared at the opening. Colours of red, yellow and green lay scattered across the forest floor, shimmering softly, as if the light was coming from inside each leaf. It barely lit up the trees around them but was most definitely visible enough to anyone with decent eyesight. “You don’t see the leaves glowing? Are you blind?”
“Mick come on, stop playing games, I want go home,” Elias whined.
“Fine, if you so badly want to go, then GO!” Michael snapped, “I’m staying. This is too good to ignore.” As if to prove his bravery, he stepped into the clearing, chin held high. He looked back at Elias, who was wavering.
“I— can’t go back alone; I have no idea where we are,” he said softly as he stepped a few steps forward, barely into the clearing.
“Then stop moaning and let’s see where the leaves take us.”
Michael started following the trail of shimmering dots that led deeper into the forest. He felt Elias behind him, but didn’t dare take his eyes away from the glimmering pathway. The radiance seemed to be waning as they moved deeper into darkness. After a few minutes, the barely glowing dots stopped. But Michael and Elias had already halted in their steps, eyes wide and mouths gaping.
In front of them, just behind a gigantic yellow wood tree, he saw his father. But that was not the source of his shock. A tall slender figure, wearing a long brown cloak and sleek black pants with polished shoes, was talking to his father in muted tones. His face was pale and old, but his eyes was what drew Michael in. A dark, dimmed plum pink glowed from within his pupils. What the…? Michael swallowed. His eyes must be deceiving him! He blinked twice for good measure, but it made no difference in what he was seeing. A glance in his friend’s direction confirmed as much. They were witnessing a being from another world! And his father was speaking to him, seeming as calm as though talking to a patient.
Michael slid his hand into his pocket, reaching for his phone. He had to capture the moment, if only to convince his father to tell him the truth. Michael wondered if his mother knew about this. Surely she, with her strict rules about horror and sci-fi movies, would not approve of such an encounter! As Michael lifted his phone, ready to press record, everything spiralled. The being with the coat locked eyes with Michael, making him drop his phone. Elias yelped and backed into a tree, hitting his head. Michael’s father jerked around and caught the shoulder of the being as he lunged forward, snarling at Michael and Elias.
“Stop!” Michael’s father yelled.
“You said you were alone!” The being shrugged off my father’s grasp.
“I was!”
“Then who is this?” he sneered.
Michael’s father glanced at him and then to the floor, “My son.” He seemed almost embarrassed at Michael’s sudden appearance.
“Dad?” Michael whimpered, the being still scowling at him.
“Michael, what are you doing here?” Instead of sounding angry, as Michael had anticipated, his tone was sullen, almost sad.
“We were just—"
“—leaving!” Elias yelped and grabbed Michael’s hoodie, yanking him backward. Michael resisted. “Dad, who is this? What are you doing here in the forest?”
“Come on!” Elias hissed through his teeth, but Michael wanted answers. “But—"
“Follow your friend, Michael, now.” This time his father’s tone was firm. “Go now, or else.”
“Yes, or else—" The being licked his lips, and his eyes flashed a bright magenta.
Elias wasted no time and twisted into a run, disappearing through the dark. Michael reluctantly turned and followed, falling into a sprint. Spots of green and black flashed past him as tears flew from the corners of his eyes. How could he? How could his father chase him away like that, as if he was the one who had done something wrong? He ran past the clearing, jumped over branches and skipped over fallen trunks and finally burst through the wall of greenery into the moonlight. He stopped at the road, his lungs burning and his sides aching.
“Mick?” Elias stood on the other side of the road, eyes shining in the moonlight, hugging himself.
“I’m ok.” Michael panted.
He walked to his friend, and they looked at each other, no words crossing their lips. An understanding reflected in his friend’s eyes; this encounter had to be kept a secret. No matter what. Michael glanced at the forest stretching out across the valley, wondering what the morning would bring once he confronted his father.
***
Cereal crunched and milk was slurped, but no words were spoken at the breakfast table the next morning. Michael stole another glance at his father, who was reading the news on his phone. His mother was busy making coffee, oblivious to the tension in the room. His father had not looked at him once, but his mood seemed light as a feather. If he hadn’t known any better, he would have sworn his father didn’t remember anything from the previous night.
But there was one moment, as his father had entered the kitchen, when he noticed a slight pull on his father’s mouth. It was the same tautness that usually appeared when Michael was in trouble, but it had quickly vanished into a smile when he greeted them and sat down at the table.
Michael gulped down the milk from his bowl, knowing his father hated it, to see if he would get some kind of response. There was none. He sighed, wiping the milk moustache from his lips. Is he really going to ignore me? Michael frowned, wondering if he should just blurt it out. So, father, who was that creepy guy you met in the forest last night? You know, the one with the pink eyes? He imagined his mother’s reaction and the stream of questions and almost smiled. No, he had to wait to be alone with his father. That would give him a better chance to hear the truth. His father finished his cereal, got up, greeted his wife, and swiftly left the kitchen for work. Michael slumped back into his chair, folding his arms. He would have to wait until that evening, when his father enjoyed his Saturday evening routine with a glass of expensive port and his records, to ask him.
Michael spent the day at Elias’s house playing games. Elias had the newest PlayStation and the day flew by in a blink. When Michael entered his house just before six that evening, he halted in his steps. Sitting in the living room, smiling brightly, was the man from the forest! Except, his eyes were dark brown and his face slightly rosier; he looked absolutely normal! Michael’s mother stood up.
“Honey, this is Mr. Brown. He is a friend of the family.”
Michael gaped at her. Did she know? “Hi,” was all that fell from his lips as his heart hammered in his chest.
“Michael don’t be rude, come sit down.”
“Oh, you know how boys are,” the man laughed, eyeing Michael with cold eyes, “Bored out of their minds with adult conversation!” The curl in his upper lip indicated to Michael the hidden meaning of him and his friend eaves dropping on the man and Michael’s father.
Michael’s mother smiled politely, flashing angry eyes at Michael, but sat back down. Michael couldn’t stand there any longer and ran upstairs, skipping half of the steps. He slammed his door shut and breathed loudly, trying to still his thumping heart. Who was that man and what was he doing at their house? Michael refused to believe that his mother would invite a stranger, let alone an otherworldly being, into their home.
The sound of the front door opening brought Michael to a still. Loud greetings sounded and laughter erupted, making Michael’s head spin. What is happening? He sneaked back to the staircase and peeked through the railings, his sweaty hands slipping off the wood.
“—not sure what he saw.”
“They saw something, judging from his friends haste departure.”
“Your sneering didn’t help, Robaine.”
“What can I say, I like entertaining.”
Michael clasped a hand over his mouth to keep him from gasping out loud. His parents were friendly with the man called Robaine. A man who was clearly not from this world. What else were they hiding?
His attention was snatched by the voice of his mother, “—for the new mission. We need all the help we can get.”
“He’s not ready, Martha, he’s only fifteen!” his father’s voice sounded hollow.
“Nonsense! My father recruited me when I was but twelve!” his mother snapped.
“That was different, being from the other planet makes this mission your birth right!”
A sigh. “I knew this would be a problem; we should have told Michael a long time ago.”
“Martha, you remember my reaction when you told me, don’t you?”
Michael’s mother gave a giggle, “You mean when you ran out of my house and ignored me for two weeks?”
The other man laughed.
“You should have seen his face, Robaine, I swear I thought I’d never see him again.”
The man called Robaine growled, “That’s the problem when you fall in love with a human. Martha you were lucky, not all of us get a second chance.”
Michael only saw blackness.
Thump.
***
Michael opened his eyes. His mother’s concerned face came into view. “Honey, are you alright?”
Michael blinked, “What happened? Was I dreaming?”
Another face came into view and Michael gasped. He had not been dreaming.
“Nah, he looks alright. Poor chap took quite a tumble.” The man called Robaine smiled, his white teeth as radiant as the moon. Deep inside the brown of his eyes, Michael saw a sliver of pink light.
Michael sat up so quickly the pain in his head slammed through his brain. Rubbing the knob that was forming between his hair, he glanced at his mother, pleading at her to explain herself. His mother is an alien? Did he understand that correctly?
“Honey, you fainted and fell down the stairs. Do you remember?”
“Who is this man and why are you speaking of other planets?” Michael’s voice was shaky.
His mother stood up straight and his father put a hand on her shoulder. “My love, I think it’s time,” his mother said to him.
His father nodded. “Alright. Michael, please come sit on the couch.”
It was a long discussion, and there were many gasps and gaping from Michael’s side, but in the end, Michael was sure of three things. One, his mother was from another planet, much like earth, and they were stationed on earth to protect the portals that transported you there. The leafy patch in the forest was one such location. Two, knowing this information would change the course of his future tremendously, as would the fact that he was half-otherworldly. That was why he could see the light in the leaves, and Elias not. And three, but most importantly, Michael had learned to always trust his gut and curiosity, and he was beyond ready for this new adventure in another world!
*** 2nd Place ***
HOME AT LAST
Roy Cheek
The small plane landed smoothly. Jason released his seatbelt and stretched his legs before standing up and reaching for his baggage. Tall and well built, with thick brown hair that flowed over the collar of his shirt, he easily pulled two heavy bags out of the compartment and made his way towards the small airport buildings. This was the last leg of a journey from his home in Kelowna, a small town on the shores of Lake Okanagan in Canada’s British Columbia. His destination: the vast, sparsely populated region, north of Saskatchewan, known as The Canadian Shield. His mission: a Quest.
The two-engine Cessna had brought him as far as Yellowknife on the Great Slave Lake. From here, by arrangement, an ancient-looking helicopter was waiting for him. Adjacent to the airport were some hangars. The one with a green door, said the note in his hand. This must be it. He went inside. Wiping his hands on an oily rag and offering a cheerful grin, a thin, sandy-haired man clad in jeans and a leather jacket walked over to greet him with ‘Hello Mr. Bailey, glad to meet ya.’ The handshake was firm, and Jason smiled in return. ‘My name is Jake, and we’re ready to take off as soon as you want’. Jason shook his hand warmly, and said: ‘That's great, but is there someplace we can sit a while… we need to talk.’ Jake led the way past cluttered workbenches and shelves sagging under the weight of aircraft spare parts and tools to a small office in a corner. He poured two steaming cups of coffee and handed one to his guest. They sat down and Jason gazed through a fly-spotted window pane at the flying machine on the hangar floor. ‘You're wondering if it flies?’ the old man said with a wry smile.
Jason smiled back and said: ‘It does look long in the tooth! But I’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover,’ and leaning forward, he added ‘that goes for you as well.’ The old man laughed out loud. ’I like this young man’ he thought ‘A straight arrow… but what brings him to this place so far from civilization?’ Jason read his thoughts and steeled himself for the revelation. ‘Jake, I was born 30 years ago in Winnipeg. I had a twin brother, Peter, and we lived with our Mom and Dad… but not a simple or even normal life. You see, our Dad was a geologist, but even more… an adventurer, which didn't sit well with our mother at all. In addition to occasional family holidays, he would take my brother and me with him whenever the opportunity arose for his visits to far-flung destinations, even taking us out of school sometimes.
We knew he was wealthy we flew or sailed everywhere. He taught us so much… and we loved every moment of the journey. We quickly became self-sufficient in so many ways… we grew up fast, so fast that we missed a very important signal. Our Mother was becoming distant. feeling neglected and unappreciated… then it happened.’
The two men sat drinking their coffee. A fly buzzed around Jake’s head. He waved it away. Jason continued: ‘One day, we’d just turned 18. Dad accepted an assignment near Lake Aylmer, which is just northeast of Yellowknife.’ Jake nodded his head. Of the numerous lakes in the Northwest Territories, this one was just a few hour's flight away. ‘Peter and I had heard of the Canadian Shield, known for its rich deposits of rare minerals. We jumped at the opportunity to go with him and left Mom once again with a quick hug and a kiss. With hindsight, I now realize the final straw was not far away.
The three of us flew on a chartered flight to Calgary, where Dad saw a procession of company officials. Pete and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to the Zoo while these meetings were on. It was a depressing day for the two of us. We had seen many of the caged animals in the wild, and we sensed the sadness of wild animals staring back at us from behind wire cages. We made our way back to the hotel and slept poorly that night. We perked up the next morning at the sight of a brand-new 6-seater super-plane that was to fly us directly to our destination. A runway, built specially for the camp on the eastern shore of the lake, provided a safe landing, and we were welcomed by Tom Evans who ran the operations for the Canadian Group. That evening after stowing our gear in a temporary hut we joined Tom and his small crew of engineers for a meal. At the table was another guest, a constable from the RCMP. His name was Jack Monterey and I remember he was so easy to talk to. He spun some tales of his adventures to the company that I can still remember to this day. He told of meeting and befriending the people from the Mississauga Tribe. They seemed to be more advanced than any other indigenous tribe he had come across in his travels. Pete and I had trouble getting to sleep that night-we were so hyped up!’ He paused, sipped from his mug, then continued.
The next day, Dad helped Tom pack some gear and provisions for a night away from the base, onto a jeep. We looked on with bated breath…would they let us come along? Our silent pleas did the trick! Hop on board you two, Tom shouted, and we hung on for dear life as the tyres spun on the gravel. I have such vivid memories of the excitement we felt, holding on tight to the bull bars as the jeep gathered speed. We headed away from the lake towards the forest. Of course, there were no roads at that time, so we sat patiently in silence as Tom drove. The Thelon River feeds into Lake Aylmer, as you know, Jake, and there is a waterfall just north of the lake. This was our destination. It was so long ago. but I do remember an eerie silence, broken only by the water rushing through some rapids, then tumbling down a hundred metres or so to a deep pool, and then moving on. Pete and I called out to Dad, and asked if we could have a swim. Sure, he said. So we stripped and dived into the pool. After a while, we climbed onto some flat rocks and lay on our backs, staring into the Sun. It was warm…and we fell asleep.’
‘Where is Peter, Jay?’ I felt my Dad’s hand shaking me awake, and I looked around. My brother was gone. He disappeared while I was sleeping, Jake…he just vanished into thin air. We panicked as we searched desperately for hours. Eventually, we returned to camp. The authorities were informed and a massive search was undertaken, but with no results. We informed Mom immediately, and as the days passed, they spoke regularly. Finally, after weeks of anguish and fruitless searching, we returned home to Winnipeg. The house was empty. Mom had cleared out, and we never saw her again. Dad and I soldiered on. I went to university and managed to put the whole episode behind me. Dad and I slowly grew apart. He was devastated …You can imagine what it is like to lose a child…and then a wife. For me, life went on. It took time, but new experiences took over. I’m not even sure where he lives now. I moved to Kelowna, where I met Irene. We’ve been married for 5 years now.’ Jason stopped talking and placed his empty mug on the table. He looked into Jake’s eyes and said: ‘I believe my brother is alive.’
Jake sat bolt upright and stared at Jason. ‘You can’t be serious. Are you sure? What happened?’
‘You’re familiar with Ham Radio, right? Well, I have a neighbour in my street. He’s a good friend and spends part of everyday tuning into calls being placed from around the world. Two nights ago, he picked up a voice repeating a short message - it was: Jay come to the falls. That was it. Just those few words, repeated over and over again. I discussed it with Irene. Her words after hearing this news:’ Go, Jay, go there and if it is him…bring him home.’ So here I am…will you take me to those falls?’ Jake stood up and placed his hands on Jason’s shoulders.
‘I believe we’re going to unlock a door into the past… put your gear on board, we’ll be in the air in 15 minutes… let’s go!’
The two men buckled into their seats, the helicopter vanes steadily picked up speed, and the old machine lifted slowly into the sky. A course was set, and Jason’s heartbeat slowly returned to normal. Ten years had passed and not for one moment did he ever believe his brother was dead…soon he would have a final answer. His heart began to thud again in anticipation.
The helicopter droned steadily over the thickly forested land in a north-easterly direction, reached the thin ribbon of water known as Artillery Lake, and turned towards Lake Aylmer. Because of the canopy of closely knit branches and leaves, they saw little sign of wildlife as they passed over the land. The two men spoke little, each busy with his thoughts. What lay ahead? They flew on.
Then the falls lay beneath them. No movement. Only swiftly moving water, the drop of a hundred metres over the falls and then jutting rocks formed rapids as the water flowed downstream. They hovered over what appeared to be the old encampment, now deserted and derelict. Jake cruised gently to a stop. Unhitching buckles, they stepped down and stretched tense muscles, looking for any signs of life. Nothing moved. Jason said:’ The message was cryptic ”Come to the falls”. Let’s go there.’ And they set off.
The sound of rushing water heralded their arrival at the waterfall, and they decided to keep a low profile, dropping to their knees and creeping towards the trunk of a large Fir tree. Jason tapped his newfound friend on the shoulder and signed with an upturned finger his intention of climbing up to give a more sweeping view of the terrain. Jake leaned against the trunk and pulled his knees under his chin. They both waited and the afternoon sun slowly waned. Darkness fell, and they wordlessly made their way back to the Helicopter. A small fire helped brew a pot of soup and with a few mouthfuls of cornbread, they ate a meagre meal, then wrapped in blankets, lay down in the cockpit for a few hours of sleep. Soon after dawn, they awoke and hunched over mugs of coffee and the dying embers of the campfire. Painfully aware that the terse message gave no time frame, they could do nothing but place themselves at the meeting place again and wait. They made the short walk back to the falls and found their tree. As Jason reached for a branch, a low whoop sounded from a dense bush no more than 20 metres along the path from which they had just come. They froze. A buckskin-clad figure rose slowly from the undergrowth and stepped into view. Jason stood transfixed. Peter Bailey walked hesitantly towards him. Then Jason couldn’t hold back. He rushed forward and embraced his brother in a bear hug. Tears flowed unbidden, and years of sadness silently flowed with them. The air was electric.
Jake stood quietly by, as the two brothers stepped apart, and then Jason introduced him. Peter shook his hand then turned towards the bush from which he had come, and whistled softly. A young woman emerged, clad also in a buckskin garment. Her hair was a lustrous black, long and braided with colourful beads. Lithely built, she moved with an effortless grace to stand by Peter’s side, as he said: ‘This is Marawatatee of the Mississauga Tribe… I call her Mara… she is with me,’ and he looked at her with pride. Jason and Jake both bowed in welcome with surprised smiles on their faces. ‘We have much to talk about’ said Peter, ‘Shall we make our way back to your camp?’ With that, the group started walking in the direction of the derelict mining camp. They had only travelled a short distance when the woman put up her hand and stopped them. They froze. ‘What is it?’ Jason whispered. ‘Trouble…they want us!’ Peter whispered.’ Her tribe is against us leaving. We’re in danger.. we have to get away.’
They sensed the fear in his voice and quickened the pace. ‘Do they have guns, Pete?’ ‘No’ came the answer,’ but that's no comfort, an arrow is quiet and just as lethal.’ They reached the camp and loaded everything onto the helicopter. Jake started the engine and they breathed a sigh of relief as the old machine started to ascend.
Yip, yip, yip, yip aaeeeha rang out from a dozen throats as Mara’s pursuers burst from the forest, too late to do any harm. Their arrows pinged off the metal skin of the aircraft and fell harmlessly to the ground. Safety beckoned, and Jake set a course for the hangar in the town of Yellowknife. High in the sky, Jason reached over to grip his brother’s hands with joy as he said:’ Pete, what happened? I just couldn’t believe you died that day. I just didn’t want to live with that.’
‘I’m sorry you went through those years of uncertainty, Jay, but now I’m back, and tonight we will talk.’ He turned to Mara, and kissed her gently. Under Jake’s expert hand, they landed soon after, and Jake invited them to his bungalow on the edge of town. He lived a solitary life and busied himself in the kitchen while Mara and the brothers settled on some worn but comfortable furniture. Then, with steaming mugs in their hands, the two men stared at Peter as an incredible tale unfolded.
‘That day we lay on the rocks in the pool…you seemed fast asleep, but I was fidgeting, so I dived into the water…straight into a submerged rock! It was solid and unmoving so there was no mistake about that! I floated to the surface, bleeding like a pig, but just able to keep afloat. The current took me downstream. My brain was addled. I couldn’t see a thing. How far I floated I have no idea. I kept flapping my arms when I felt myself sinking, then all of a sudden, I felt arms supporting me and lifting me up. I still couldn't see.. just heard these voices. Then I blacked out. I learned later that they had been fishing and simply pulled me out of the water like a piece of flotsam! I remained unconscious for many days. When I finally came to, the first person I saw was Mara.’ He paused, smiling at the beautiful woman at his side.’ I couldn’t make sense of anything. Where were you and Dad? Who were these people around me? What happened to me?’ It was a while before I managed to understand the predicament I was in. I learned that Mara’s tribe had developed a fractious relationship with the Mounties in the area, and were afraid to contact them about me, preferring to simply move deeper into the forest. This they did, taking me with them. ‘Jay, I fell deeply in love with Mara, and that’s it. I was going nowhere… she was going to be my wife! I chose to live with them and learn their ways.’ And Jason understood.
‘But then something changed. The elderly chief became ill and died. The new chief was a much younger man and became very jealous of my relationship with Mara. I knew both our lives were in danger. We talked about the possibility of reconnecting with you. I wanted to take her out of this world we loved so much and show her something new. She agreed! On a very rare visit to a small town to get some supplies, I managed to get a local radio ham to send that message…and you got it! Now brother, take us home, and let’s start living!’
*** 3rd Place ***
GRACE’S WORLD
Samantha Wallace
In the quaint suburban town of Oaklands, where towering oak trees and cobblestone paths paint a picturesque scene, lived a sweet, teenage girl named Grace. With her short, vibrant, auburn flock of curly hair and a heart full of unwavering faith, she was a beacon of light in both her school and her community.
Grace was an only child; a miracle baby, born to a young missionary couple, just in time to save their marriage and restore their faith. She was by no means spoilt, and from a young age had followed the example of her loving parents, and had done well to grow a strong faith of her own.
At Oaklands High School, Grace’s faith was tested like never before. It was a daily struggle to try to please everyone in her life, and still keep her moral compass pointing towards her true north. She was surrounded by a diverse group of classmates, each with their different personalities, ambitions and interests. Among her favourite friends were Sophie, a charismatic, confident cheerleader, and Leah, a kind, cool, creative artist. Grace admired their confidence, but couldn't help but notice that sometimes their choices didn't quite align with her own beliefs or values.
One sunny Autumn afternoon, Grace found herself seated on a leafy carpet of her favourite oak tree, sketching a scene of the town's steepled Church, that stood resolutely in the distance. Sophie and Leah approached her, drawn by the aura of peacefulness that seemed to emanate from her.
"Hey, Grace! What's up?" Leah asked, her hands covered in splotches of paint, having just come from an Art project.
Grace smiled warmly, "Just sketching and enjoying the beauty around us."
Sophie raised an eyebrow, confused at what beauty she was seeing, "Are you coming to Jake's party tonight?"
Grace hesitated, not wanting to disappoint her friends, "I... I don't think I'll be able to make it. I have to help my mom with her fundraising project tonight", she lied.
She justified lying by convincing herself it was to protect her from associating with Jake. He had a reputation for being a party animal - even if he was the most handsome, most popular boy in their class.
Leah shrugged, "Suit yourself, but parties are where High School memories are made "
As they walked away, Grace couldn't shake their words from her mind, conflicted by her need to lie. Doubt began to creep in, as she wondered if she was missing out on experiences that were essential for a fulfilling high school life. That night, as she watched the stars
As days turned into weeks, Grace continued to navigate the maze of high school life, by making the difficult choices of when to say no when deep down, she wanted to say yes. She just wanted to fit in and be accepted. Although she excelled in her studies and was an active participator at school events and in the community, she was known as a loner, who didn’t socialise or hang with the ‘in’ crowd.
Grace enjoyed her Saturday afternoons helping her parents out at the Homeless shelter. She felt good to make a difference in the lives of the children whom she had befriended, always taking time to play with them and try to make them feel special. Yet, the allure of parties and social gatherings still lingered in her mind.
One day, as Grace was helping the Art teacher organize the art supplies, she accidentally overheard a conversation between Sophie and Leah.
"Seriously, Sophie, Grace is missing out on so much. She's too uptight with her crazy religion and all her silly commitments," Leah remarked.
Sophie chimed in, "I know, right? I've been trying to get her to loosen up before she regrets it, but she's always so stubborn."
Grace retreated, so her presence would not be discovered. She felt a pang of hurt cut deeply into her heart. All this time, she had believed that her friends had respected her choices, but it seemed like they saw her as a bore instead. She wondered if they were right and that she was indeed too rigid in her beliefs.
That afternoon, as she walked home from school, Grace found herself passing by the Oaklands Family Church. She stepped inside, seeking the solace and guidance she always found there. As she bowed her head to pray for clarity, a sense of peace washed over her. She even felt forgiven for the lies she had told.
When Grace got home, she found her mom in the kitchen preparing dinner. She knew she would need to get her parent’s approval to go to the party, and prayed for the right words that would allow this controversial decision.
“Hey there Mom. Do you have a minute?”
“Hi Grace. Of course, my angel. Let me just get these beans into some water and I’m all yours”
Taking a seat in the lounge, Grace fiddled with her hands, as she waited for her mom to join her
“Remember I told you that Sophie and Leah had invited me to this boy’s party. Well, I’ve been thinking about it and I’d really like to go.” Grace took a deep breath and continued, “Now before you tell me all the reasons why I shouldn’t; I have prayed about it and I feel peace about going”
“Grace, you know your dad and I trust you explicitly. So, if you think you can handle the temptation not to do anything you might regret, then you have our blessing”
“Thanks, Mom, I appreciate that”, Grace smiled, making a beeline to her cupboard to start looking for the perfect outfit to wear. She tried hard not to be obsessed with the desire to look beautiful so she could feel accepted.
The following morning, Grace woke up with a renewed purpose. She realized that her faith didn’t have to be a hindrance. She decided to confront her doubts head-on and find a way to bridge the gap between her beliefs and socialising with her friends.
Approaching Sophie and Leah at school, Grace cheerfully announced, "Hey, I've been thinking. Maybe I've been too much of a party pooper. If it’s okay with you, I'd like to join you at that party this Friday."
With raised eyebrows, Sophie and Leah exchanged surprised glances, before breaking into wide, triumphant smiles.
"Really Grace? That's awesome!" Sophie exclaimed.
"It's about time you let loose a little," added Leah, giving her friend a high-five.
Grace smiled, relieved and pleased that her friends were receptive to her change of heart. She was determined to show them that faith and fun could still coexist.
As Friday evening’s sun dipped its last rays below the horizon, the music at Jake's party thumped through the air. Grace was pleased with the outfit she had chosen, which she felt was modest enough to please her parents, but still cool enough to be accepted by her friends. With a pair of blue jeans, a purple striped top and her new boots, adorned with her mom’s silver looped earrings, necklace and a little make-up, she felt comfortable enough to fit in with her peers. Feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation, she spotted Sophie and Leah near the makeshift dance floor and hastily joined them.
As the party reverberated with the beat of the music, Grace listened intently, tapping her foot. She realised that the songs were not that different to the ones at Church, except for the lyrics. Grace even found herself dancing, laughing, and engaging in conversations with others that she'd never imagined having before. Although she could see a few of her classmates sneaking outside to smoke, and wondered if some of their drinks had more than just fruit punch in them, she chose not to judge them, or say a word. As she scanned the room, she was concerned about not seeing Jake’s parents, who she had assumed would be present.
As the night wore on, she couldn't quite shake off the feeling that something was amiss. As much as she was trying to enjoy herself, the choices she was making, conflicted with her core values. Soon, the lyrics of the music seemed meaningless, trivial and in some cases, too sexual.
Taking a breather outside, Grace stared up at the stars and remembered her prayer and the answered presence of peace. At that moment, she felt a deep sense of clarity. She knew she didn't have to compromise her beliefs just to fit in. With a newfound resolve, she returned inside to bravely face her friends.
Grace searched the darkened room until she found Sophie and Leah laughing with some boys. With a firm smile, she whispered loudly, "Hey, I had a great time tonight, but I think it's time for me to head home."
Sophie looked up surprised, "Already? The night's still young!"
Grace nodded, "I've realized that I can have fun without compromising who I am, so thanks for helping me to see that. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I’ll see you both on Monday. "
Before Grace called her mom to come collect her, she made a point of finding Jake.
“Hey Jake, thanks for the great party and for letting me come check it out. To be honest, it’s not really my scene, but I did have a great time. See you on Monday”
Before Jake could answer, Grace had already waved him goodbye, but it left him wondering about this girl, who suddenly captured his attention. He had never spoken much to her in class but now remembered a time when she had helped him pick up his books when his backpack had broken.
As Grace walked away from the party, she felt a new sense of freedom. She had faced her fears, confronted her doubts, and emerged stronger. The path of faith wasn't always easy, but it was true to her heart. No matter how much she wanted to fit in with her friends, she knew she was destined to stand out instead.
Back at school that Monday, Grace no longer avoided situations that made her stand out. She was no longer prepared to be the quiet bystander to bullying, cruelty or crude talk. She finally no longer cared if anyone thought she was odd, weird or different. Instead, she chose to sit next to the new girl, who smelt funny. She befriended the red-headed girl who was bullied and she even offered her lunch to a boy sitting by himself, who had nothing to eat.
On one occasion, Grace was the one who called a teacher to alert them to a fight behind the Athletics Centre, between some of the wilder boys in the school. The old Grace would have been afraid to be called a snitch, but the new Grace followed her heart and chose to do the right thing instead.
When Mr. Pienaar’s wife died, it was Grace who got a card and had everyone in the class sign it, and when Mrs Mathews left for her maternity leave, it was Grace who gave her a baby gift and said it was from everyone, even when it wasn’t. Sophie and Leah admired their friend’s courageous kindness from the side-lines, but weren’t quite ready themselves to be called a ‘goody two-shoes’
However, Grace’s decision to leave the party early and her new bold acts of kindness resonated with them and even some of her other classmates, especially Jake, who now couldn’t help but notice her more. Some were inspired by her courage, whilst others questioned their own choices. Sophie and Leah, too, began to reevaluate their priorities, even agreeing to help Grace out with the Church’s Christmas party at the Homeless shelter. Seeing their friend take charge in her environment, easily and comfortably playing with the children, they were suddenly the ones who felt like fish out of water and understood how Grace must have felt at Jake’s party.
Over the school holiday, the three friends met up regularly, finding themselves opening up with each other about things they had never felt comfortable sharing before. Grace learnt about Sophie’s fear of her parents divorcing and how Leah’s heart was broken by a boy she was keen on, but who liked someone else. Grace was even courageous enough to share her own struggles and confess to the lies she had told them, trying hard to explain the reasons for them.
When Sophie and Leah came to Grace’s house to hang out, they couldn’t help but notice how friendly her parents were to them and how close their family was. Her parents even asked them questions about themselves, like their hopes for their future and their likes, and seemed genuinely interested in their answers. Their behaviour contrasted with what their parents were like and suddenly made them wish for things to be different.
Back at school, Sophie and Leah approached Grace, who was sitting on a bench, happily reading a book.
Sophie was the first to speak up, "Hi Grace. You know, I've been thinking. Maybe there's more to life than just parties and keeping up our appearances.”
Leah joined in, smiling, "Yeah, I've realized that too. Your faith gives you a sense of purpose that's pretty admirable. I think I could use some of that this year."
Grace beamed with joy, "I'm glad you guys finally realised that! And I've learned that friendships can still thrive when we respect each other's differences and accept them instead of trying to change each other."
As the year rolled by, Grace’s unwavering faith continued to be a beacon of light, not just for herself, but for all those around her. Although she had been unable to get her friends to swap the parties for the Church’s Friday night Youth Groups, she was pleased to have shown them that having faith didn’t mean you had to be perfect. She proved that it was possible to stand strong against peer pressure, without compromising your principles. The town of Oaklands became a place where diversity and unity flourished, all because one girl dared to follow her heart and be different.
Grace kept in touch with all her classmates on Facebook, always offering them encouragement and support, when it was needed. She was delighted when she bumped into Jake at the Library and learned that he was now using his excellent party animal skills to fundraise for Charities instead. After a brief chat about life and its purpose, Grace plucked up the courage to invite Jake to Church.
Years later, as Grace stood under the same oak tree where her faith journey had begun, she reflected on her high school days. She remembered how she had faced doubts, and made tough choices, but had emerged victorious. The lessons she had learned were etched in her heart and guided her through every phase of her life. She had learned that you could live outside of the world, but still remain very much a part of it.
Surrounded by her friends who had valued her for who she was, Grace knew that her unwavering faith had not only shaped her path but had also illuminated the lives of her two special friends, Sophie and Leah, who had embarked on their own faith journeys. All three of them were now happily married with small children of their own, who were all becoming good friends, just like they had been.
In the end, Grace understood that the light of her faith, when combined with the strength of her human spirit, had overcome every challenge she had faced. She had chosen to live a life outside of their world and had shone brightly into the dark corners of her school.
For the 2023 Fiction Contest, the theme was Out of This World. There were eight entries submitted and the following three were selected as winners.
*** 1st Place ***
THE FOREST SECRET
Maryke de Witt
“This is not a good idea!”
“Shhh!”
“I want to go back!”
“Shhhh!!”
Michael rolled his eyes, frustration tugging tensely at his jaw as he tip-toed over the foliage between the dark trunks that reached past them into heaven. His unnerved friend, Elias, was close behind him, anxiety dripping from his face.
“We’re almost there,” Michael whispered as he manoeuvred past a fallen branch. The moonlight slivered past the dense canopy of leaves, illuminating patches of the forest floor. It must be close, I’m sure.
“If my mum finds out we’re tottering around in the Unholy Forest, she’ll flip!” Elias’s voice shook, and Michael knew the fear had nothing to do with Elias’s mother. Mrs White was the friendliest and most kind woman in the neighbourhood, and even though she was strict enough, she had nothing on Michael’s mother. She had forbidden him many times throughout his life from trespassing into the Unholy Forest, telling him stories of witches and goblins. Realising this made him even more curious, she eventually switched her story to it being illegal and that she would not bail him out of jail. Michael was sure that at fifteen, he was still a minor and wouldn’t actually go to jail, but the thought had kept him from the vast green expanse, nonetheless. But this was different. If his father could go inside, surely, he had a right to as well?
It had been almost two weeks ago when he’d discovered his father’s secret. Struggling to fall asleep, he had gotten up to sit in the bay window in his room to read his latest horror novel. It had been way past midnight when he noticed his father, sneaking across the lawn. Before Michael could call out to him, he saw him walk over the main road and straight into the forest, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Now, sneaking into the forest in the early morning hours, was not something a normal suburban dentist should do. So naturally Michael, who was always looking for another adventure, was curious. His boring father, always cautious and sensible, with no adventurous bone in his body? It didn’t fit, and Michael was adamant to find out the truth. He would have followed his father then already, but venturing into the dark night with hopes of finding his father in a dense vegetation, felt like a really bad idea. No, he had to prepare; black clothes, hiking boots, a headlight just in case, and his phone to record everything.
So, Michael had waited for the next Saturday, sure his father would repeat his stroll into the dark abyss. Right after midnight, Michael had sneaked around the house, hid behind his mother’s Indian Hawthorn bush, and waited, his phone ready. He had waited and waited, but his father never showed. After three in the morning, legs frozen and irritated at his miscalculation, Michael had gone to bed, slipping through the back door he had left unlocked. New plan, he had thought. He would have to inspect the forest himself. Or maybe not entirely alone, I’m sure Elias won’t mind.
The following week had gone dreadfully slow as he had dragged his feet through each class, wishing for Friday night when he and his life-long best friend would explore the forest and finally see what his father had been up to.
“Mick, this is crazy! We’ve never been in so deep!”
“Can you chill, please? I don’t know who else is inside! We cannot be seen!”
“If your father is indeed around here somewhere, maybe he just wants to be alone? What can he possibly be doing that’s so interesting?”
“That’s what we are here to find out! Now shush!”
They crept forward, sneaking past large trunks and through thick bushes until they reached a part of the forest that opened up into a leaf speckled, moonlit patch. It looked almost other-worldly, and Michael could feel a difference in the air.
“This must mean something,” he said, his eyes roaming the space excitedly.
“What? I don’t see anything.”
“The leaves, they seem to be—luminous?”
When Elias didn’t answer, he turned and saw Elias’ face twisted in concentration. “Nope, don’t see anything but darkness and trees.”
“You’re joking!” Michael turned back and stared at the opening. Colours of red, yellow and green lay scattered across the forest floor, shimmering softly, as if the light was coming from inside each leaf. It barely lit up the trees around them but was most definitely visible enough to anyone with decent eyesight. “You don’t see the leaves glowing? Are you blind?”
“Mick come on, stop playing games, I want go home,” Elias whined.
“Fine, if you so badly want to go, then GO!” Michael snapped, “I’m staying. This is too good to ignore.” As if to prove his bravery, he stepped into the clearing, chin held high. He looked back at Elias, who was wavering.
“I— can’t go back alone; I have no idea where we are,” he said softly as he stepped a few steps forward, barely into the clearing.
“Then stop moaning and let’s see where the leaves take us.”
Michael started following the trail of shimmering dots that led deeper into the forest. He felt Elias behind him, but didn’t dare take his eyes away from the glimmering pathway. The radiance seemed to be waning as they moved deeper into darkness. After a few minutes, the barely glowing dots stopped. But Michael and Elias had already halted in their steps, eyes wide and mouths gaping.
In front of them, just behind a gigantic yellow wood tree, he saw his father. But that was not the source of his shock. A tall slender figure, wearing a long brown cloak and sleek black pants with polished shoes, was talking to his father in muted tones. His face was pale and old, but his eyes was what drew Michael in. A dark, dimmed plum pink glowed from within his pupils. What the…? Michael swallowed. His eyes must be deceiving him! He blinked twice for good measure, but it made no difference in what he was seeing. A glance in his friend’s direction confirmed as much. They were witnessing a being from another world! And his father was speaking to him, seeming as calm as though talking to a patient.
Michael slid his hand into his pocket, reaching for his phone. He had to capture the moment, if only to convince his father to tell him the truth. Michael wondered if his mother knew about this. Surely she, with her strict rules about horror and sci-fi movies, would not approve of such an encounter! As Michael lifted his phone, ready to press record, everything spiralled. The being with the coat locked eyes with Michael, making him drop his phone. Elias yelped and backed into a tree, hitting his head. Michael’s father jerked around and caught the shoulder of the being as he lunged forward, snarling at Michael and Elias.
“Stop!” Michael’s father yelled.
“You said you were alone!” The being shrugged off my father’s grasp.
“I was!”
“Then who is this?” he sneered.
Michael’s father glanced at him and then to the floor, “My son.” He seemed almost embarrassed at Michael’s sudden appearance.
“Dad?” Michael whimpered, the being still scowling at him.
“Michael, what are you doing here?” Instead of sounding angry, as Michael had anticipated, his tone was sullen, almost sad.
“We were just—"
“—leaving!” Elias yelped and grabbed Michael’s hoodie, yanking him backward. Michael resisted. “Dad, who is this? What are you doing here in the forest?”
“Come on!” Elias hissed through his teeth, but Michael wanted answers. “But—"
“Follow your friend, Michael, now.” This time his father’s tone was firm. “Go now, or else.”
“Yes, or else—" The being licked his lips, and his eyes flashed a bright magenta.
Elias wasted no time and twisted into a run, disappearing through the dark. Michael reluctantly turned and followed, falling into a sprint. Spots of green and black flashed past him as tears flew from the corners of his eyes. How could he? How could his father chase him away like that, as if he was the one who had done something wrong? He ran past the clearing, jumped over branches and skipped over fallen trunks and finally burst through the wall of greenery into the moonlight. He stopped at the road, his lungs burning and his sides aching.
“Mick?” Elias stood on the other side of the road, eyes shining in the moonlight, hugging himself.
“I’m ok.” Michael panted.
He walked to his friend, and they looked at each other, no words crossing their lips. An understanding reflected in his friend’s eyes; this encounter had to be kept a secret. No matter what. Michael glanced at the forest stretching out across the valley, wondering what the morning would bring once he confronted his father.
***
Cereal crunched and milk was slurped, but no words were spoken at the breakfast table the next morning. Michael stole another glance at his father, who was reading the news on his phone. His mother was busy making coffee, oblivious to the tension in the room. His father had not looked at him once, but his mood seemed light as a feather. If he hadn’t known any better, he would have sworn his father didn’t remember anything from the previous night.
But there was one moment, as his father had entered the kitchen, when he noticed a slight pull on his father’s mouth. It was the same tautness that usually appeared when Michael was in trouble, but it had quickly vanished into a smile when he greeted them and sat down at the table.
Michael gulped down the milk from his bowl, knowing his father hated it, to see if he would get some kind of response. There was none. He sighed, wiping the milk moustache from his lips. Is he really going to ignore me? Michael frowned, wondering if he should just blurt it out. So, father, who was that creepy guy you met in the forest last night? You know, the one with the pink eyes? He imagined his mother’s reaction and the stream of questions and almost smiled. No, he had to wait to be alone with his father. That would give him a better chance to hear the truth. His father finished his cereal, got up, greeted his wife, and swiftly left the kitchen for work. Michael slumped back into his chair, folding his arms. He would have to wait until that evening, when his father enjoyed his Saturday evening routine with a glass of expensive port and his records, to ask him.
Michael spent the day at Elias’s house playing games. Elias had the newest PlayStation and the day flew by in a blink. When Michael entered his house just before six that evening, he halted in his steps. Sitting in the living room, smiling brightly, was the man from the forest! Except, his eyes were dark brown and his face slightly rosier; he looked absolutely normal! Michael’s mother stood up.
“Honey, this is Mr. Brown. He is a friend of the family.”
Michael gaped at her. Did she know? “Hi,” was all that fell from his lips as his heart hammered in his chest.
“Michael don’t be rude, come sit down.”
“Oh, you know how boys are,” the man laughed, eyeing Michael with cold eyes, “Bored out of their minds with adult conversation!” The curl in his upper lip indicated to Michael the hidden meaning of him and his friend eaves dropping on the man and Michael’s father.
Michael’s mother smiled politely, flashing angry eyes at Michael, but sat back down. Michael couldn’t stand there any longer and ran upstairs, skipping half of the steps. He slammed his door shut and breathed loudly, trying to still his thumping heart. Who was that man and what was he doing at their house? Michael refused to believe that his mother would invite a stranger, let alone an otherworldly being, into their home.
The sound of the front door opening brought Michael to a still. Loud greetings sounded and laughter erupted, making Michael’s head spin. What is happening? He sneaked back to the staircase and peeked through the railings, his sweaty hands slipping off the wood.
“—not sure what he saw.”
“They saw something, judging from his friends haste departure.”
“Your sneering didn’t help, Robaine.”
“What can I say, I like entertaining.”
Michael clasped a hand over his mouth to keep him from gasping out loud. His parents were friendly with the man called Robaine. A man who was clearly not from this world. What else were they hiding?
His attention was snatched by the voice of his mother, “—for the new mission. We need all the help we can get.”
“He’s not ready, Martha, he’s only fifteen!” his father’s voice sounded hollow.
“Nonsense! My father recruited me when I was but twelve!” his mother snapped.
“That was different, being from the other planet makes this mission your birth right!”
A sigh. “I knew this would be a problem; we should have told Michael a long time ago.”
“Martha, you remember my reaction when you told me, don’t you?”
Michael’s mother gave a giggle, “You mean when you ran out of my house and ignored me for two weeks?”
The other man laughed.
“You should have seen his face, Robaine, I swear I thought I’d never see him again.”
The man called Robaine growled, “That’s the problem when you fall in love with a human. Martha you were lucky, not all of us get a second chance.”
Michael only saw blackness.
Thump.
***
Michael opened his eyes. His mother’s concerned face came into view. “Honey, are you alright?”
Michael blinked, “What happened? Was I dreaming?”
Another face came into view and Michael gasped. He had not been dreaming.
“Nah, he looks alright. Poor chap took quite a tumble.” The man called Robaine smiled, his white teeth as radiant as the moon. Deep inside the brown of his eyes, Michael saw a sliver of pink light.
Michael sat up so quickly the pain in his head slammed through his brain. Rubbing the knob that was forming between his hair, he glanced at his mother, pleading at her to explain herself. His mother is an alien? Did he understand that correctly?
“Honey, you fainted and fell down the stairs. Do you remember?”
“Who is this man and why are you speaking of other planets?” Michael’s voice was shaky.
His mother stood up straight and his father put a hand on her shoulder. “My love, I think it’s time,” his mother said to him.
His father nodded. “Alright. Michael, please come sit on the couch.”
It was a long discussion, and there were many gasps and gaping from Michael’s side, but in the end, Michael was sure of three things. One, his mother was from another planet, much like earth, and they were stationed on earth to protect the portals that transported you there. The leafy patch in the forest was one such location. Two, knowing this information would change the course of his future tremendously, as would the fact that he was half-otherworldly. That was why he could see the light in the leaves, and Elias not. And three, but most importantly, Michael had learned to always trust his gut and curiosity, and he was beyond ready for this new adventure in another world!
*** 2nd Place ***
HOME AT LAST
Roy Cheek
The small plane landed smoothly. Jason released his seatbelt and stretched his legs before standing up and reaching for his baggage. Tall and well built, with thick brown hair that flowed over the collar of his shirt, he easily pulled two heavy bags out of the compartment and made his way towards the small airport buildings. This was the last leg of a journey from his home in Kelowna, a small town on the shores of Lake Okanagan in Canada’s British Columbia. His destination: the vast, sparsely populated region, north of Saskatchewan, known as The Canadian Shield. His mission: a Quest.
The two-engine Cessna had brought him as far as Yellowknife on the Great Slave Lake. From here, by arrangement, an ancient-looking helicopter was waiting for him. Adjacent to the airport were some hangars. The one with a green door, said the note in his hand. This must be it. He went inside. Wiping his hands on an oily rag and offering a cheerful grin, a thin, sandy-haired man clad in jeans and a leather jacket walked over to greet him with ‘Hello Mr. Bailey, glad to meet ya.’ The handshake was firm, and Jason smiled in return. ‘My name is Jake, and we’re ready to take off as soon as you want’. Jason shook his hand warmly, and said: ‘That's great, but is there someplace we can sit a while… we need to talk.’ Jake led the way past cluttered workbenches and shelves sagging under the weight of aircraft spare parts and tools to a small office in a corner. He poured two steaming cups of coffee and handed one to his guest. They sat down and Jason gazed through a fly-spotted window pane at the flying machine on the hangar floor. ‘You're wondering if it flies?’ the old man said with a wry smile.
Jason smiled back and said: ‘It does look long in the tooth! But I’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover,’ and leaning forward, he added ‘that goes for you as well.’ The old man laughed out loud. ’I like this young man’ he thought ‘A straight arrow… but what brings him to this place so far from civilization?’ Jason read his thoughts and steeled himself for the revelation. ‘Jake, I was born 30 years ago in Winnipeg. I had a twin brother, Peter, and we lived with our Mom and Dad… but not a simple or even normal life. You see, our Dad was a geologist, but even more… an adventurer, which didn't sit well with our mother at all. In addition to occasional family holidays, he would take my brother and me with him whenever the opportunity arose for his visits to far-flung destinations, even taking us out of school sometimes.
We knew he was wealthy we flew or sailed everywhere. He taught us so much… and we loved every moment of the journey. We quickly became self-sufficient in so many ways… we grew up fast, so fast that we missed a very important signal. Our Mother was becoming distant. feeling neglected and unappreciated… then it happened.’
The two men sat drinking their coffee. A fly buzzed around Jake’s head. He waved it away. Jason continued: ‘One day, we’d just turned 18. Dad accepted an assignment near Lake Aylmer, which is just northeast of Yellowknife.’ Jake nodded his head. Of the numerous lakes in the Northwest Territories, this one was just a few hour's flight away. ‘Peter and I had heard of the Canadian Shield, known for its rich deposits of rare minerals. We jumped at the opportunity to go with him and left Mom once again with a quick hug and a kiss. With hindsight, I now realize the final straw was not far away.
The three of us flew on a chartered flight to Calgary, where Dad saw a procession of company officials. Pete and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to the Zoo while these meetings were on. It was a depressing day for the two of us. We had seen many of the caged animals in the wild, and we sensed the sadness of wild animals staring back at us from behind wire cages. We made our way back to the hotel and slept poorly that night. We perked up the next morning at the sight of a brand-new 6-seater super-plane that was to fly us directly to our destination. A runway, built specially for the camp on the eastern shore of the lake, provided a safe landing, and we were welcomed by Tom Evans who ran the operations for the Canadian Group. That evening after stowing our gear in a temporary hut we joined Tom and his small crew of engineers for a meal. At the table was another guest, a constable from the RCMP. His name was Jack Monterey and I remember he was so easy to talk to. He spun some tales of his adventures to the company that I can still remember to this day. He told of meeting and befriending the people from the Mississauga Tribe. They seemed to be more advanced than any other indigenous tribe he had come across in his travels. Pete and I had trouble getting to sleep that night-we were so hyped up!’ He paused, sipped from his mug, then continued.
The next day, Dad helped Tom pack some gear and provisions for a night away from the base, onto a jeep. We looked on with bated breath…would they let us come along? Our silent pleas did the trick! Hop on board you two, Tom shouted, and we hung on for dear life as the tyres spun on the gravel. I have such vivid memories of the excitement we felt, holding on tight to the bull bars as the jeep gathered speed. We headed away from the lake towards the forest. Of course, there were no roads at that time, so we sat patiently in silence as Tom drove. The Thelon River feeds into Lake Aylmer, as you know, Jake, and there is a waterfall just north of the lake. This was our destination. It was so long ago. but I do remember an eerie silence, broken only by the water rushing through some rapids, then tumbling down a hundred metres or so to a deep pool, and then moving on. Pete and I called out to Dad, and asked if we could have a swim. Sure, he said. So we stripped and dived into the pool. After a while, we climbed onto some flat rocks and lay on our backs, staring into the Sun. It was warm…and we fell asleep.’
‘Where is Peter, Jay?’ I felt my Dad’s hand shaking me awake, and I looked around. My brother was gone. He disappeared while I was sleeping, Jake…he just vanished into thin air. We panicked as we searched desperately for hours. Eventually, we returned to camp. The authorities were informed and a massive search was undertaken, but with no results. We informed Mom immediately, and as the days passed, they spoke regularly. Finally, after weeks of anguish and fruitless searching, we returned home to Winnipeg. The house was empty. Mom had cleared out, and we never saw her again. Dad and I soldiered on. I went to university and managed to put the whole episode behind me. Dad and I slowly grew apart. He was devastated …You can imagine what it is like to lose a child…and then a wife. For me, life went on. It took time, but new experiences took over. I’m not even sure where he lives now. I moved to Kelowna, where I met Irene. We’ve been married for 5 years now.’ Jason stopped talking and placed his empty mug on the table. He looked into Jake’s eyes and said: ‘I believe my brother is alive.’
Jake sat bolt upright and stared at Jason. ‘You can’t be serious. Are you sure? What happened?’
‘You’re familiar with Ham Radio, right? Well, I have a neighbour in my street. He’s a good friend and spends part of everyday tuning into calls being placed from around the world. Two nights ago, he picked up a voice repeating a short message - it was: Jay come to the falls. That was it. Just those few words, repeated over and over again. I discussed it with Irene. Her words after hearing this news:’ Go, Jay, go there and if it is him…bring him home.’ So here I am…will you take me to those falls?’ Jake stood up and placed his hands on Jason’s shoulders.
‘I believe we’re going to unlock a door into the past… put your gear on board, we’ll be in the air in 15 minutes… let’s go!’
The two men buckled into their seats, the helicopter vanes steadily picked up speed, and the old machine lifted slowly into the sky. A course was set, and Jason’s heartbeat slowly returned to normal. Ten years had passed and not for one moment did he ever believe his brother was dead…soon he would have a final answer. His heart began to thud again in anticipation.
The helicopter droned steadily over the thickly forested land in a north-easterly direction, reached the thin ribbon of water known as Artillery Lake, and turned towards Lake Aylmer. Because of the canopy of closely knit branches and leaves, they saw little sign of wildlife as they passed over the land. The two men spoke little, each busy with his thoughts. What lay ahead? They flew on.
Then the falls lay beneath them. No movement. Only swiftly moving water, the drop of a hundred metres over the falls and then jutting rocks formed rapids as the water flowed downstream. They hovered over what appeared to be the old encampment, now deserted and derelict. Jake cruised gently to a stop. Unhitching buckles, they stepped down and stretched tense muscles, looking for any signs of life. Nothing moved. Jason said:’ The message was cryptic ”Come to the falls”. Let’s go there.’ And they set off.
The sound of rushing water heralded their arrival at the waterfall, and they decided to keep a low profile, dropping to their knees and creeping towards the trunk of a large Fir tree. Jason tapped his newfound friend on the shoulder and signed with an upturned finger his intention of climbing up to give a more sweeping view of the terrain. Jake leaned against the trunk and pulled his knees under his chin. They both waited and the afternoon sun slowly waned. Darkness fell, and they wordlessly made their way back to the Helicopter. A small fire helped brew a pot of soup and with a few mouthfuls of cornbread, they ate a meagre meal, then wrapped in blankets, lay down in the cockpit for a few hours of sleep. Soon after dawn, they awoke and hunched over mugs of coffee and the dying embers of the campfire. Painfully aware that the terse message gave no time frame, they could do nothing but place themselves at the meeting place again and wait. They made the short walk back to the falls and found their tree. As Jason reached for a branch, a low whoop sounded from a dense bush no more than 20 metres along the path from which they had just come. They froze. A buckskin-clad figure rose slowly from the undergrowth and stepped into view. Jason stood transfixed. Peter Bailey walked hesitantly towards him. Then Jason couldn’t hold back. He rushed forward and embraced his brother in a bear hug. Tears flowed unbidden, and years of sadness silently flowed with them. The air was electric.
Jake stood quietly by, as the two brothers stepped apart, and then Jason introduced him. Peter shook his hand then turned towards the bush from which he had come, and whistled softly. A young woman emerged, clad also in a buckskin garment. Her hair was a lustrous black, long and braided with colourful beads. Lithely built, she moved with an effortless grace to stand by Peter’s side, as he said: ‘This is Marawatatee of the Mississauga Tribe… I call her Mara… she is with me,’ and he looked at her with pride. Jason and Jake both bowed in welcome with surprised smiles on their faces. ‘We have much to talk about’ said Peter, ‘Shall we make our way back to your camp?’ With that, the group started walking in the direction of the derelict mining camp. They had only travelled a short distance when the woman put up her hand and stopped them. They froze. ‘What is it?’ Jason whispered. ‘Trouble…they want us!’ Peter whispered.’ Her tribe is against us leaving. We’re in danger.. we have to get away.’
They sensed the fear in his voice and quickened the pace. ‘Do they have guns, Pete?’ ‘No’ came the answer,’ but that's no comfort, an arrow is quiet and just as lethal.’ They reached the camp and loaded everything onto the helicopter. Jake started the engine and they breathed a sigh of relief as the old machine started to ascend.
Yip, yip, yip, yip aaeeeha rang out from a dozen throats as Mara’s pursuers burst from the forest, too late to do any harm. Their arrows pinged off the metal skin of the aircraft and fell harmlessly to the ground. Safety beckoned, and Jake set a course for the hangar in the town of Yellowknife. High in the sky, Jason reached over to grip his brother’s hands with joy as he said:’ Pete, what happened? I just couldn’t believe you died that day. I just didn’t want to live with that.’
‘I’m sorry you went through those years of uncertainty, Jay, but now I’m back, and tonight we will talk.’ He turned to Mara, and kissed her gently. Under Jake’s expert hand, they landed soon after, and Jake invited them to his bungalow on the edge of town. He lived a solitary life and busied himself in the kitchen while Mara and the brothers settled on some worn but comfortable furniture. Then, with steaming mugs in their hands, the two men stared at Peter as an incredible tale unfolded.
‘That day we lay on the rocks in the pool…you seemed fast asleep, but I was fidgeting, so I dived into the water…straight into a submerged rock! It was solid and unmoving so there was no mistake about that! I floated to the surface, bleeding like a pig, but just able to keep afloat. The current took me downstream. My brain was addled. I couldn’t see a thing. How far I floated I have no idea. I kept flapping my arms when I felt myself sinking, then all of a sudden, I felt arms supporting me and lifting me up. I still couldn't see.. just heard these voices. Then I blacked out. I learned later that they had been fishing and simply pulled me out of the water like a piece of flotsam! I remained unconscious for many days. When I finally came to, the first person I saw was Mara.’ He paused, smiling at the beautiful woman at his side.’ I couldn’t make sense of anything. Where were you and Dad? Who were these people around me? What happened to me?’ It was a while before I managed to understand the predicament I was in. I learned that Mara’s tribe had developed a fractious relationship with the Mounties in the area, and were afraid to contact them about me, preferring to simply move deeper into the forest. This they did, taking me with them. ‘Jay, I fell deeply in love with Mara, and that’s it. I was going nowhere… she was going to be my wife! I chose to live with them and learn their ways.’ And Jason understood.
‘But then something changed. The elderly chief became ill and died. The new chief was a much younger man and became very jealous of my relationship with Mara. I knew both our lives were in danger. We talked about the possibility of reconnecting with you. I wanted to take her out of this world we loved so much and show her something new. She agreed! On a very rare visit to a small town to get some supplies, I managed to get a local radio ham to send that message…and you got it! Now brother, take us home, and let’s start living!’
*** 3rd Place ***
GRACE’S WORLD
Samantha Wallace
In the quaint suburban town of Oaklands, where towering oak trees and cobblestone paths paint a picturesque scene, lived a sweet, teenage girl named Grace. With her short, vibrant, auburn flock of curly hair and a heart full of unwavering faith, she was a beacon of light in both her school and her community.
Grace was an only child; a miracle baby, born to a young missionary couple, just in time to save their marriage and restore their faith. She was by no means spoilt, and from a young age had followed the example of her loving parents, and had done well to grow a strong faith of her own.
At Oaklands High School, Grace’s faith was tested like never before. It was a daily struggle to try to please everyone in her life, and still keep her moral compass pointing towards her true north. She was surrounded by a diverse group of classmates, each with their different personalities, ambitions and interests. Among her favourite friends were Sophie, a charismatic, confident cheerleader, and Leah, a kind, cool, creative artist. Grace admired their confidence, but couldn't help but notice that sometimes their choices didn't quite align with her own beliefs or values.
One sunny Autumn afternoon, Grace found herself seated on a leafy carpet of her favourite oak tree, sketching a scene of the town's steepled Church, that stood resolutely in the distance. Sophie and Leah approached her, drawn by the aura of peacefulness that seemed to emanate from her.
"Hey, Grace! What's up?" Leah asked, her hands covered in splotches of paint, having just come from an Art project.
Grace smiled warmly, "Just sketching and enjoying the beauty around us."
Sophie raised an eyebrow, confused at what beauty she was seeing, "Are you coming to Jake's party tonight?"
Grace hesitated, not wanting to disappoint her friends, "I... I don't think I'll be able to make it. I have to help my mom with her fundraising project tonight", she lied.
She justified lying by convincing herself it was to protect her from associating with Jake. He had a reputation for being a party animal - even if he was the most handsome, most popular boy in their class.
Leah shrugged, "Suit yourself, but parties are where High School memories are made "
As they walked away, Grace couldn't shake their words from her mind, conflicted by her need to lie. Doubt began to creep in, as she wondered if she was missing out on experiences that were essential for a fulfilling high school life. That night, as she watched the stars
As days turned into weeks, Grace continued to navigate the maze of high school life, by making the difficult choices of when to say no when deep down, she wanted to say yes. She just wanted to fit in and be accepted. Although she excelled in her studies and was an active participator at school events and in the community, she was known as a loner, who didn’t socialise or hang with the ‘in’ crowd.
Grace enjoyed her Saturday afternoons helping her parents out at the Homeless shelter. She felt good to make a difference in the lives of the children whom she had befriended, always taking time to play with them and try to make them feel special. Yet, the allure of parties and social gatherings still lingered in her mind.
One day, as Grace was helping the Art teacher organize the art supplies, she accidentally overheard a conversation between Sophie and Leah.
"Seriously, Sophie, Grace is missing out on so much. She's too uptight with her crazy religion and all her silly commitments," Leah remarked.
Sophie chimed in, "I know, right? I've been trying to get her to loosen up before she regrets it, but she's always so stubborn."
Grace retreated, so her presence would not be discovered. She felt a pang of hurt cut deeply into her heart. All this time, she had believed that her friends had respected her choices, but it seemed like they saw her as a bore instead. She wondered if they were right and that she was indeed too rigid in her beliefs.
That afternoon, as she walked home from school, Grace found herself passing by the Oaklands Family Church. She stepped inside, seeking the solace and guidance she always found there. As she bowed her head to pray for clarity, a sense of peace washed over her. She even felt forgiven for the lies she had told.
When Grace got home, she found her mom in the kitchen preparing dinner. She knew she would need to get her parent’s approval to go to the party, and prayed for the right words that would allow this controversial decision.
“Hey there Mom. Do you have a minute?”
“Hi Grace. Of course, my angel. Let me just get these beans into some water and I’m all yours”
Taking a seat in the lounge, Grace fiddled with her hands, as she waited for her mom to join her
“Remember I told you that Sophie and Leah had invited me to this boy’s party. Well, I’ve been thinking about it and I’d really like to go.” Grace took a deep breath and continued, “Now before you tell me all the reasons why I shouldn’t; I have prayed about it and I feel peace about going”
“Grace, you know your dad and I trust you explicitly. So, if you think you can handle the temptation not to do anything you might regret, then you have our blessing”
“Thanks, Mom, I appreciate that”, Grace smiled, making a beeline to her cupboard to start looking for the perfect outfit to wear. She tried hard not to be obsessed with the desire to look beautiful so she could feel accepted.
The following morning, Grace woke up with a renewed purpose. She realized that her faith didn’t have to be a hindrance. She decided to confront her doubts head-on and find a way to bridge the gap between her beliefs and socialising with her friends.
Approaching Sophie and Leah at school, Grace cheerfully announced, "Hey, I've been thinking. Maybe I've been too much of a party pooper. If it’s okay with you, I'd like to join you at that party this Friday."
With raised eyebrows, Sophie and Leah exchanged surprised glances, before breaking into wide, triumphant smiles.
"Really Grace? That's awesome!" Sophie exclaimed.
"It's about time you let loose a little," added Leah, giving her friend a high-five.
Grace smiled, relieved and pleased that her friends were receptive to her change of heart. She was determined to show them that faith and fun could still coexist.
As Friday evening’s sun dipped its last rays below the horizon, the music at Jake's party thumped through the air. Grace was pleased with the outfit she had chosen, which she felt was modest enough to please her parents, but still cool enough to be accepted by her friends. With a pair of blue jeans, a purple striped top and her new boots, adorned with her mom’s silver looped earrings, necklace and a little make-up, she felt comfortable enough to fit in with her peers. Feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation, she spotted Sophie and Leah near the makeshift dance floor and hastily joined them.
As the party reverberated with the beat of the music, Grace listened intently, tapping her foot. She realised that the songs were not that different to the ones at Church, except for the lyrics. Grace even found herself dancing, laughing, and engaging in conversations with others that she'd never imagined having before. Although she could see a few of her classmates sneaking outside to smoke, and wondered if some of their drinks had more than just fruit punch in them, she chose not to judge them, or say a word. As she scanned the room, she was concerned about not seeing Jake’s parents, who she had assumed would be present.
As the night wore on, she couldn't quite shake off the feeling that something was amiss. As much as she was trying to enjoy herself, the choices she was making, conflicted with her core values. Soon, the lyrics of the music seemed meaningless, trivial and in some cases, too sexual.
Taking a breather outside, Grace stared up at the stars and remembered her prayer and the answered presence of peace. At that moment, she felt a deep sense of clarity. She knew she didn't have to compromise her beliefs just to fit in. With a newfound resolve, she returned inside to bravely face her friends.
Grace searched the darkened room until she found Sophie and Leah laughing with some boys. With a firm smile, she whispered loudly, "Hey, I had a great time tonight, but I think it's time for me to head home."
Sophie looked up surprised, "Already? The night's still young!"
Grace nodded, "I've realized that I can have fun without compromising who I am, so thanks for helping me to see that. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I’ll see you both on Monday. "
Before Grace called her mom to come collect her, she made a point of finding Jake.
“Hey Jake, thanks for the great party and for letting me come check it out. To be honest, it’s not really my scene, but I did have a great time. See you on Monday”
Before Jake could answer, Grace had already waved him goodbye, but it left him wondering about this girl, who suddenly captured his attention. He had never spoken much to her in class but now remembered a time when she had helped him pick up his books when his backpack had broken.
As Grace walked away from the party, she felt a new sense of freedom. She had faced her fears, confronted her doubts, and emerged stronger. The path of faith wasn't always easy, but it was true to her heart. No matter how much she wanted to fit in with her friends, she knew she was destined to stand out instead.
Back at school that Monday, Grace no longer avoided situations that made her stand out. She was no longer prepared to be the quiet bystander to bullying, cruelty or crude talk. She finally no longer cared if anyone thought she was odd, weird or different. Instead, she chose to sit next to the new girl, who smelt funny. She befriended the red-headed girl who was bullied and she even offered her lunch to a boy sitting by himself, who had nothing to eat.
On one occasion, Grace was the one who called a teacher to alert them to a fight behind the Athletics Centre, between some of the wilder boys in the school. The old Grace would have been afraid to be called a snitch, but the new Grace followed her heart and chose to do the right thing instead.
When Mr. Pienaar’s wife died, it was Grace who got a card and had everyone in the class sign it, and when Mrs Mathews left for her maternity leave, it was Grace who gave her a baby gift and said it was from everyone, even when it wasn’t. Sophie and Leah admired their friend’s courageous kindness from the side-lines, but weren’t quite ready themselves to be called a ‘goody two-shoes’
However, Grace’s decision to leave the party early and her new bold acts of kindness resonated with them and even some of her other classmates, especially Jake, who now couldn’t help but notice her more. Some were inspired by her courage, whilst others questioned their own choices. Sophie and Leah, too, began to reevaluate their priorities, even agreeing to help Grace out with the Church’s Christmas party at the Homeless shelter. Seeing their friend take charge in her environment, easily and comfortably playing with the children, they were suddenly the ones who felt like fish out of water and understood how Grace must have felt at Jake’s party.
Over the school holiday, the three friends met up regularly, finding themselves opening up with each other about things they had never felt comfortable sharing before. Grace learnt about Sophie’s fear of her parents divorcing and how Leah’s heart was broken by a boy she was keen on, but who liked someone else. Grace was even courageous enough to share her own struggles and confess to the lies she had told them, trying hard to explain the reasons for them.
When Sophie and Leah came to Grace’s house to hang out, they couldn’t help but notice how friendly her parents were to them and how close their family was. Her parents even asked them questions about themselves, like their hopes for their future and their likes, and seemed genuinely interested in their answers. Their behaviour contrasted with what their parents were like and suddenly made them wish for things to be different.
Back at school, Sophie and Leah approached Grace, who was sitting on a bench, happily reading a book.
Sophie was the first to speak up, "Hi Grace. You know, I've been thinking. Maybe there's more to life than just parties and keeping up our appearances.”
Leah joined in, smiling, "Yeah, I've realized that too. Your faith gives you a sense of purpose that's pretty admirable. I think I could use some of that this year."
Grace beamed with joy, "I'm glad you guys finally realised that! And I've learned that friendships can still thrive when we respect each other's differences and accept them instead of trying to change each other."
As the year rolled by, Grace’s unwavering faith continued to be a beacon of light, not just for herself, but for all those around her. Although she had been unable to get her friends to swap the parties for the Church’s Friday night Youth Groups, she was pleased to have shown them that having faith didn’t mean you had to be perfect. She proved that it was possible to stand strong against peer pressure, without compromising your principles. The town of Oaklands became a place where diversity and unity flourished, all because one girl dared to follow her heart and be different.
Grace kept in touch with all her classmates on Facebook, always offering them encouragement and support, when it was needed. She was delighted when she bumped into Jake at the Library and learned that he was now using his excellent party animal skills to fundraise for Charities instead. After a brief chat about life and its purpose, Grace plucked up the courage to invite Jake to Church.
Years later, as Grace stood under the same oak tree where her faith journey had begun, she reflected on her high school days. She remembered how she had faced doubts, and made tough choices, but had emerged victorious. The lessons she had learned were etched in her heart and guided her through every phase of her life. She had learned that you could live outside of the world, but still remain very much a part of it.
Surrounded by her friends who had valued her for who she was, Grace knew that her unwavering faith had not only shaped her path but had also illuminated the lives of her two special friends, Sophie and Leah, who had embarked on their own faith journeys. All three of them were now happily married with small children of their own, who were all becoming good friends, just like they had been.
In the end, Grace understood that the light of her faith, when combined with the strength of her human spirit, had overcome every challenge she had faced. She had chosen to live a life outside of their world and had shone brightly into the dark corners of her school.