What dangers must Fae face in order to provide for her family? In this folkloric short story, a young girl must confront the terror of the nearby woods.

Xochitl Marines is majoring in animation at Columbia College Chicago. She says, "I adore story telling I used to wrote stories all the time centered around my life. I've always been drawn to creepier stuff and love to tackle morality and character relationships even those less than pleasant I hope to one day create a story people can find comfort and recognize themselves in as I've found myself in many I've enjoyed."

How do you find your future? In the late seventies, a young woman faces the challenges of high school and his small town when a rumor takes hold.

Chris Derek Van currently studies film and television at Columbia College Chicago. From Chris: "I come from a Cambodian background and am a queer artist/filmmaker in Columbia College Chicago. Through the years of being in this institution I've developed skillsets such as networking, and independence. I maintain that I've unlocked self-sufficiency and am always creatively driven to do the things that aesthetically interest me with other or on my own."

Inspired by myth and fantasy, this suspenseful story explores the frightening allure of the unknown.

Katie Peters studies in the undergraduate creative writing program at Columbia College Chicago. She’s currently an acquisition editor for Allium, seeking to promote impactful literary voices.

Heartbreak and twisted ankles. Mary discovers the complicated truth about her relationship with her best friend, Sasha.

Estela Miranda is from Los Angeles, California. She says, "I’ve lived there all my life and I’m hoping to create bigger and better things for myself and my family."

Check out our award-winning writings at Allium Journal

Backstage drama knows no bounds. Alex King’s hilarious, dramatic short story details the secret world of high school theatre students and their mercurial relationships.

Alex King is a young writer and artist from Missouri who is also a creative writing major specializing in fiction at Columbia College Chicago.