Inklilngs 2024

Brutal Young Days Short Story Excerpt Jordan James ’25 The girl was six years old when she realized the natural world’s beauty for the first time. Balanced upon a rock, in the middle of the creek, she closed her eyes and smiled. Here, she was free. The beautiful crackle made from water brushing against rocks was a sound she loved most, the wind’s whispers a close second. She felt it now, its tender caress ruffling her hair, murmuring in a language she longed to understand. If she could, she’d bottle up the smell of her creek after it rained. The scent of damp earth mixed with the bitter tang of pine trees was otherworldly. If she could, she’d spend the rest of her days in this forest, befriending the muddy, croaking toads and the nosy, gossiping raccoons. But all too soon, the sound of crunching leaves drew near, and her moment in paradise came to an end. “C’mon, you have to come back,” her brother said, gently tugging her hand. The girl’s brother, four years her senior, was her sun, lighting up her world one joke, smile, and hug at a time. The girl opened her eyes and stared down at her feet. “Is Dad still red?” she mumbled. “Nah, I don’t think so. Some rain’s comin’ soon, though. I don’t want you to catch a cold.” The girl released a sigh and stepped off the rock. She cast one last look at her creek and her rock perch at the heart of it. Hanging her head, she grabbed her brother’s hand and wordlessly allowed him to guide her out of the forest. As they emerged from the forest onto their front lawn, a crash sounded from the kitchen. The house shook, the shouts from inside blurring into a deafening roar in the girl’s ears. She watched them through the window. Her father’s hands flung jerkily about as he enunciated his words with growing force. Spittle flew from 23