Short Story Selections

Maisie in the rink  

By: Asa Montreaux What was the difference in skill, and ability, between Canada and the United States?  Could a match ever be fixed? What if the NHL wanted Canada to win so we would all watch?  What if Russia wanted Canada to win so as to not support U.S. politics? What did they think of this contest anyways? As Trudeau takes jabs at Trump, we know they support a side. One might say it was Finland. To be honest they were obviously not politically involved in such a contest, though I thought of other countries' choice to win as I compiled this data. (Click for larger image) It seems a very close contest, with Canada less than 80 points, and just one goal ahead of Team USA. It would seem these reason are facetious. Though if the NHL wanted its biggest name brand players, Crosby, McDavid, and MacKinnon to continue to generate money for the NHL, it is likely it drew Canada up as the winner. With a picture perfect finish, McDavid scoring the overtime winner, it is tough to say the ...

By: Asa Montreaux The first leg of our journey took us south—far south. Antarctica, the frozen heart of the world, stretched out before me in vast, blinding whiteness. The research station where we were staying was a small cluster of metallic buildings, braced against the unforgiving wind. Maisie and I had arrived with a team of climate scientists who had granted me special permission to document their work. I could hardly believe I was here, standing at the bottom of the world, camera in hand, ready to capture what remained of the glaciers before they disappeared forever. The cold was beyond anything I had ever known. Even with layers upon layers of insulation, the wind cut through, a silent predator. Maisie clung to my arm, her breath visible in the freezing air. "This is madness, Tristan," she said, laughing through chattering teeth. "I can’t feel my nose." "Just a few more shots," I promised, adjusting my lens. In the distance, the ice sheets stretched...

 

  - Maisie, January '09 Artwork by: Asa Montreaux

  Maisie, from Tristan. Artwork by: Asa Montreaux

By: Asa Montreaux Chapter 89: Goodbye… For Now The end of the school year arrived swiftly, a whirlwind of packing and goodbyes that filled the dorms with a blend of excitement and nostalgia. Hugh stood by his bed, staring at the clutter of clothes, books, and magical trinkets scattered around him. The walls of their shared dorm room felt oddly bare as he packed away the remnants of the year—his wand, the charms he had crafted, and the notes filled with incantations that had once felt so intimidating. Eliza sat cross-legged on her bed, meticulously folding her clothes into neat piles. She glanced over at Hugh, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Are you sure you have everything?” she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice. “I mean, it would be a shame to leave behind your prized collection of spellbooks.” Hugh chuckled, shaking his head. “I think I can survive without the entire library,” he replied, lifting a tattered book on elemental spells. “Besides, I’m planning on visiting the librar...

By: Asa Montreaux  - Hugh Chapter 87: The Nefarious Plan The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across The Andrews School as night enveloped the campus. The aftermath of the battle at the airport was still fresh in everyone’s minds. In the days following their victory against Crimson Dawn, there was an air of both celebration and somber reflection. Students gathered in groups, recounting the events with wide-eyed wonder, while others sat in silence, grappling with the reality of what they had experienced. Hugh, Eliza, Mish, and Sam sat together in the common room, the flickering flames of the fireplace casting a warm glow. The atmosphere was charged, filled with unspoken thoughts and the weight of their recent actions. They had faced danger head-on, but what lay ahead was still uncertain. “I can’t believe we actually did it,” Sam said, breaking the silence. His eyes were alight with excitement. “We stopped them!” “Barely,” Mish replied, her tone serious. “What if th...

By: Asa Montreaux Chapter 85: The Amulet The cavern shook as spells collided, the air crackling with energy and tension. Shadows danced along the walls, illuminated by bursts of magic that lit up the chamber like a strobe of lightning. Hugh and his friends stood resolute, united against the encroaching darkness of Crimson Dawn. “Now!” Hugh shouted, directing his gaze toward the pedestal where the amulet shimmered with an alluring light. With every ounce of determination coursing through him, he reached deep within himself, tapping into the new depths of magic they had recently discovered.  Eliza, sensing the urgency, raised her wand high, summoning a shield to protect them from the onslaught of dark spells flying their way. “Cover me!” she cried, her voice ringing with confidence. Mish stood firm beside her, channeling her power to create barriers of fire that pushed back their attackers. “We need to distract them! Sam, can you reach into their minds and give us an advantage?” “On ...

Chapter 83: United Against the Darkness The next morning dawned with a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night. The sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the school grounds, but the air was thick with tension. News of the battle had spread, and students were buzzing with a mix of excitement and anxiety.  As Hugh entered the dining hall, he could feel the weight of a thousand eyes upon him. Whispers filled the air, snippets of conversations about the creature they had defeated, the bravery shown by students, and the uncertainty of what was to come next.  “Did you really face that monster?” a first-year asked, wide-eyed and awe-struck. “Tell us what happened!” another chimed in. Hugh glanced at Eliza, who sat across the table, her gaze steady and unwavering. They had become something of local legends overnight, heroes in their own right, but the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them.  “Mish and Sam were incredible,” Hugh began, recoun...

By: Asa Montreaux Chapter 81: A Rush of Hope The air crackled with tension as Hugh and Eliza faced the cloaked figures, their hearts pounding in unison. Shadows twisted and turned around them, the faint glow of their wands illuminating the dark alley. They were outnumbered, but they had something the attackers didn’t—resolve. “Remember our training,” Hugh said, his voice steady despite the fear swirling inside him. “We can do this together.” Eliza nodded, her grip tightening around her wand. “We’ve come too far to back down now.” The first cloaked figure lunged forward, launching a bolt of energy that sizzled through the air. Hugh reacted instinctively, raising his wand just in time to deflect the spell, sending it spiraling harmlessly into the distance.  “Nice move!” Eliza shouted, sending a wave of light toward another attacker. It struck them squarely in the chest, causing them to stagger back, momentarily stunned. “Let’s push them back!” Hugh urged, a sense of exhilaration risi...

By: Asa Montreaux Chapter 79: “Catastrophic” The tension in the air was palpable as the school prepared for what everyone knew was imminent. With each passing day, the students were increasingly aware that the clash with Crimson Dawn was no longer a distant threat; it was a reality creeping closer. Hugh, Eliza, Sam, and Mish spent every free moment strategizing and honing their magical skills, determined to be ready for whatever came next. As the sun set one evening, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the group gathered in their usual spot near the edge of the school grounds. The light was fading fast, but they had grown accustomed to meeting after dark, fueled by their urgency. “Hugh, do you think the faculty has any idea what’s really at stake here?” Eliza asked, her voice steady but her expression betraying her worry. “I don’t know,” Hugh replied, his brow furrowed. “I hope they’re preparing as much as we are. But there’s been too much secrecy. If they think we can just ...