Speech

Author's Note: This is a speech about how lines from my zombie apocalypse piece help propel the story forward. 

The first line I chose from my piece is:

"What have we become, we feeble humans, where we let the dead take over us?"

I chose this line because I believe it sets up the whole story. It kind of calls for an explanation. 

The second line I chose is:

"I'm just...hollow. Why is this happening? What have I done to deserve this? A feeling of pure hatred bubbles up inside me."

This line really tells you a lot about the main character, because it shows you how protective and brave she is to want revenge. 

The last line I decided to use is:

"My cries catch in my throat and I feel completely helpless. I suck it up, grab my gun, and kick the doors open, where the zombies await."

This is the last line in my story, and I chose it because it's open-ended. Anything can happen after it. It leaves you hanging, but you can imagine whatever you want. 

A Breezy Day

The gentle wind blows
through the trees
stirring leaves
above our heads or below our feet
With a light drizzle
mixing with the breeze
spraying in your face
refreshing

It's Happened...

Author’s Note: A zombie apocalypse story...thank you for this assignment Mrs. Reagles. It's still a WIP, so if it feels incomplete/rushed, I know.

They rise out of the rubble.

They climb out of the sewers.

They crawl from under fallen buildings.

The zombies have taken over, and the rest of my family has gone with them. Now, being the only sane human left within a 50 mile radius -as far as I can tell- I have no one. Not a single person to help me in this disaster of a world. What have we become, we feeble humans, where we let the dead take over us.

-*~*-

Tears stream from my eyes as I try to keep the door shut against the pounding on the other side. If I could just get rid of these things, I would be happy. No, not happy. Because my family is gone. Where is everyone? I feel so alone. I think I’d rather be dead than in the situation I’m in now. I push a flat slab of rock towards the door, when I see something that makes me stop in my tracks.

It’s her.

She’s right there.

So close, yet so far away

My little, fragile, 4 year old sister, had been under that rock this whole time. My sobs choke me as I realize she’s still alive. Broken, bleeding, and in some form of unconsciousness, but still alive. How? It’s been at least 2 days since this place caved in and the zombies took the rest of them. Her breathing is shallow. What do I do? I think frantically. My heart drops through the floor as I realize there’s nothing I can do. I have no medical experience, not even a measly first aid kit. All I can do is be with her while she dies.

“I love you,” I whisper to her. “Please...don’t go.” Her breathing’s coming quicker, and I know she doesn't have much time left. I should just put her out of her misery... I eye a gun that I unearthed from the rubble. Unfortunately, the zombies are immune to these things. The only way to get rid of them is to get close and chop their heads off. But I have no other weapons.

I cross back over to my sister and gently grab her hand. She clutches it like a vice. Somewhere, in her unconsciousness, it registers that there is another human being right there. It makes me feel not so alone. But she’ll be gone soon. My tears are coming out in waterfalls now, and I scream as my sister’s breathing stops.

Slowly sinking to the floor, I lie there for who knows how long.

It feels like forever until I can get up. I’m so numb inside that I don’t even feel any sadness. I’m just...hollow. Why is this happening? What have I done to deserve this? A feeling of pure hatred bubbles up inside me. I must get revenge, but how? There are millions of zombies, and only one of me. Plus, these things are practically indestructible.

My cries catch in my throat and I feel completely helpless. I suck it up, grab my gun, and kick the door open, where the zombies await.

Choosing the Right Pet

Author's Note: This is a completely random research essay I just decided to write. It was the first thing that popped into my head when I thought of the word "essay." Aside from that, it might help you decide on the pet you want. My family is looking for a good dog, which is pretty hard considering I'm allergic. But it would be a nice change from the billions of fish I've had. Including the large, slightly overweight goldfish I currently own. 

Looking for the perfect pet, one that suits your family, lifestyle, and home, can be hard. There are so many different options, and just choosing one is almost impossible. When people hear the word "pet," they think of different things. A dog. A parakeet. A chameleon. But picking a pet is more than just having a cute, lovable friend. It needs to fit into your life, and you need to be ready to have the responsibility to care for it.

One of the easiest pets to care for is a fish. Any small aquatic animal, really. If you have allergies, limited space, or maybe just a thing for animals that swim, then a fish is the right choice. A betta fish, for example. Betta fish are one of the easiest fish to take care of. They don't need that much space, and they're quite hardy fish. This means they're able to survive in relatively poor water conditions. This doesn't mean you should let your tank get dirty. The only drawback is that the males tend to get aggressive towards each other, so you shouldn't have two males in one tank. Goldfish are another good option; they don't need much care and they're not aggressive fish. They're just not as hardy as bettas.

You might be looking for something cuddly and less wet, and hamsters are a good option. These cute furry friends are,  like a fish, great for limited space. They don't cost a lot, which is another pro. If you properly care for it, it won't bite or scratch you. One of the downsides is that they're mostly awake at night, so they might make some noise. This goes true for most other rodents.

If you want something you can run and play with, a dog is a great choice. They're friendly, loyal, and playful, so it's no wonder they're called man's best friend. Dogs are loving, and once they get attached to their owner, which won't take long, they're be ready to defend them against anything. Another huge pro about dogs? Some can be specially trained to be your eyes. If you're blind, these are a good pet to put your money on. There are even "hypoallergenic" breeds if you're allergic. But there are some things you'll have to be willing to do: Train your dogs, take them for walks, and give them baths. These are all big responsibilities.

There are many types of pets out there, and these are just a few. What you decide is based on what you think you can live with and what will best suit your lifestyle. You need to be prepared to thoroughly care for it, but it'll be worth it.

http://www.aspca.org/

http://www.bettafish.com/

The Sun Persists

Dense fog blankets the city
early in the morning
Making it impossible to see
fifty feet in front of you
As the sun rises
The fog slowly starts to burn off
Fighting a battle
With the unbeatable light
Fading away
Until it surrenders

Winding down

The school year

is nearing its end

Only a few days to go
The number dropping

Everyone is slowly 

starting to slack off

and shut their brains down

For the summer

We're all waiting

for June 14, 2013

So we can sleep in

Go to the beach

Do whatever we want

The beach of "S's"

Author's Note: Just a random poem, but I added a lot of "s" alliteration without even realizing it until about halfway through the poem! At that point, I just decided to go along with it and make that kind of a second highlight to my poem.

I stand on the beach

feeling the salty spray of the sea

the wind blowing through my hair

soft, squishy sand under my feet

The sun starts to set

slowly sinking under the horizon

Bright light turning to darkness

Lights go on in the distance

Making slight shadows

Against the setting sun

The serene scenery

Smooth seashells, half buried in the sand

A perfect environment

For anyone