There was dead silence in the cockpit except for the click of controls and my own laboured breathing. I pushed the control stick as far right as it would let me, holding down the countermeasures release as if my life depended on it - which it probably did…

He came in without any idea of what he wanted. The light of a dead afternoon slunk in behind him, lazy and guilty. Yeah, it had been a hell of a day. He slumped against the wall a moment, taking in the rest of the place. The shelves were mostly empty, tho…

Scout woke up and rubbed her eyes. It was Saturday which, as any kid knows, is the best day. She kicked her blanket off, sat up, legs dangling just barely above the floor and stretched her limbs. A yawn escaped.

Then she remembered. This wasn't just any …

Are you happy? You look happy. I'm glad.

I mean, it hurts a little deep inside because it used to be me that made you happy but still, I'm glad.

You deserve to be happy. You're wonderful.

I remember that I was happy during our short time together but…

Annette whirled on Mike. "Get out of my shop!" she yelled.

Mike took a step back, raising his hands. "Woah, woah! I'm here to apologize."

"Apologize?" She almost laughed. "Apologize for which time, exactly?

"Well..." he started.

"For sleeping with my …

The medic blinked upon re-entry into normality and had to repeat himself, louder, in order to be heard over the groaning of metal, the rushing of waves and the screams of men. Still dazed by the impact of being reduced to one reality, as if waking from dr…

I just want to run away now

Not even truly angry anymore

Just exhausted and hurt

There's been wounds on both sides, yes

But not once was I malicious

Or intentionally hurtful to you

I tried so hard to be

The person you needed.

Well.

The one you said you ne…

The ceiling of Stormcrow's base shattered. She glared up at her nemesis.

"So-Lar!" she yelled. "What..."

"Where is she?" the hero bellowed. "Where is Jane?"

"You dare..." She stopped, confused. "Jane's missing?"

In a flash, So-Lar was face-to-face wit…

"I don't know what to do." That's what I hear

So many times. I say this constantly.

Yet what I mean, I cannot say for sure--

I only know I'm lost, it's hard to see

.

The purpose in my life; it's hard to feel

What's best to do--what I need most in life

And…

But live I must, for now, so I'll contrive

To try things, to explore, to seek a guide

Or mentor to help lead me. I'm alive,

And thus there's hope, and so upwards I'll glide

.

T'wards better love, t'wards more, if e'er I may;

I'll build on what I learn. I'…

I need to love myself--but that's quite hard.

I don't know how to do it, nor do I

Have guidance, step by step success. I'm barred

From learning this great skill--I heave a sigh.

.

Oh, if there is a way to learn, I'll study,

Take notes, and practice till I…

Mornington did not need to close his eyes. Rather, there was a superposition of that which would be over that which merely was. Descending under erratic control, he fumbled with infinite possibility and finite perception. His exhalations slowed, turned to…

Had it been a year already, since the day Tor stood before his master and all the words turned to ash on his lips? It seemed so much further in the past, and yet he could not say what had taken him so long to arrive here.

The darkness stretched out before…

Nine-year-old Timothy Lane sits on the edge of his bed trying not to look at his closet. The room is dark, but that yawning portal is darker and more terrifying to Timothy than anything else. He twists his hands in his lap, trying to find the courage to w…

The rippling shockwaves and blinding detonations battering at their senses were in turn briefly overcome by the new and incredible din of piston engines starting up somewhere above. Mornington riffled through his knowledge of the Navy's carriers: this had…

“You seem off,

Is everything okay?”

“Yea I’m fine,

I just need to pray.”

“Are you sure?

I’m here to talk...”

“Yes, uh, of course..

There’s no need to balk.”

...

I should be worried....right?

I shouldn’t just let them be.

Because it’s the middle of the…

When we find each component,

We become So that not water, no flame or air or quake could not break us down.

This is how you make sure you love who you are and you stand within your power.

When you know you are:

Powerful

Solemn

Courageous

Determined

Stand …

Have you ever wanted to fly?

Well let me tell you how to jump.

The weightless and dragging feeling.

When will the wind catch?

Do I want a bird, plane or Aladdans carpet to catch me?

Which could save this moment?

I didn’t want to fall through air, but soar…

Who, What, Where, When & How.

We ask these all the time,

But do YOU know?

Do you, truly?

If you do, turn around...

But if you don’t,

Let me help you think.

•

Have you ever wanted to float?

Well let me tell you rhythm will tell you what to do.

Stay …

The fading splash cleared, revealing forces locked in combat across land and sea. Mornington saw two cruisers come past, cutting through the waves with majestic authority at flank speed, loosing a six-inch salvo at a target lost in smoke and distance. Fur…

In complete silence they walked ahead to a watertight door a short distance ahead, of the type commonly seen on ships. It was worn, textured, maintained - solid graspable reality in stark contrast to the otherness that surrounded them.

Silvertown twisted…

Silvertown, keeping a firm grip on her medallion, stepped up to the door and pulled on a handle that wasn't there. Except that it was, and it wasn't - when looked at directly it was there as if unnoticed until then.

Most disconcerting.

She swung the …

It was enough. Beckton knew what to do and how to get there - or rather, he had a feeling that he would know when it mattered. For now, he needed a door that matched a certain set of parameters.

There was a delicate clink, from somewhere close by, as if …

Beckton thought about it for a moment, but the Commandant had been very clear about the importance of the Newkirk mission. It wasn't like there were any alternatives - he found himself nodding solemnly, even as he wondered whether there was any point nego…

I'm trying to care less about what other people think of me: trying not to perpetually perform for an imagined audience, trying to forget all the invisible eyes on me.

4am in the dark lair of my study, two locked doors between my face and the world...

…