Elsa Zhou

“Atryx and the Friar” by Elsa Zhou

He flung himself to the ground in a way that seemed to disregard his health and bones. His body trembling, I saw tears darken the dirt underneath his bowed bald head. "Friar." I nudged his shoulder with my sandaled foot. "Friar, get up." The man remained a shuddering heap on the ground. What a wreck, I thought to myself. I moved closer and placed a hand on his shiny head. As I did, he let out an exultant sob and clutched the hem of my robe tightly, his knuckles whitening on the cream-colored fabric. Finally, he stood, though he refused...

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“Choices” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #94

Sweat collected on my brow, threatening to drip into my eyes. I pushed my hair back, wiping my forehead with a handkerchief and exhaling forcefully, the must of nearly rotting accounting books turning stale in the air. A pair of boots clicked cleanly on the marble floor of the bank as a crisply dressed gentleman arrived in front of my desk. Slowly closing the accounting book I had been scratching into with a pen, I looked down from the small elevated desk that was my station. The man took off a hat, his shoulders hunching slightly as he pla...

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“Transformation” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #74

I doubled over with laughter, wheezing. The crowded tavern's music, by the form of a spindly bard enchanting several different mandolins to strum by themselves, could hardly be heard over the howling and guffawing coming from our table. Bjorn clapped my back, thumping it to the rhythm of his bobbing beard as he shook with glee. The entire table cackled, hands beating the sturdy wooden table and tankards sloshing with ale. Unsteadily, I nearly fell down in a fit of giggles, my wand nearly clattering onto the floor. We'd all been done in by a ...

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“MAY BE ON THE LOOSE IN PROVIDENCE” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #67

The sky floats above, a maze of blue and white hedged in by the tops of skyscrapers. I hum softly to myself as I cross the yellow-striped pedestrian walkway, my hands tightened firmly over the straps of my black backpack. Seeing the red hand blink at the crosswalk light, I quicken my pace, reaching the cement sidewalk right as the hand turns into a signal rather than a warning and feeling the whoosh of the closest car speed forwards. A smile dances across my face as I catch sight of the familiar red door and I can hardly keep from sprinting ...

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“It Wasn't A Mistake” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #47

It must be a mistake, you think. A mistake. She wouldn't do this to you. Not again. Not after... not after that. But there it is. You pick up the familiar letter and the rest of the mail drops, the science magazine you avidly read each week falling limply to the asphalt ground, Entertainment Weekly slipping from your palm and nearly crushing the life out of the small flower that you'd planted near your mailbox, the one that tentatively bloomed a week ago, stretching out its delicate white petals and reaching for the sun, which made you so ...

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“The Ten” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #46

Three stretched, yawning, and lumbered into the kitchen just as one would imagine 'lumbering' to look like - clumsy yet powerful. He sniffed the air deeply, breathing in the mountain's essence, before exhaling loudly and sitting down at the table, where a large spread of assorted breakfast foods had been laid out: toast, pancakes, waffles, eggs, ham, fruit, juice, and of course (Three's favorite), fried chicken. "THANKS, SEVEN!" Three bellowed, knowing that his loud voice would carry his gratitude all the way down the hallway to where Seven ...

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“It All Began With Rain” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #46

The corners of my mouth lifted into a small smile as I traced the dust on the old wooden floorboards with my finger. Duke had just said something funny, and it sent Renee into peals of laughter, leaning back and filling the entire attic with her energy. Smirking, Duke continued his joke and Renee continued to smile winningly and fawn over Duke, Duke, Duke. Bom sat cross-legged across from me, and we gave each other a knowing glance. He stood up, brushing the grime off of his jeans, and turned towards a corner of the attic. Pushing myself up,...

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“Mr. Pandy” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #40

Aurora bobbed her head to the electronic music pulsing through her veins. She could feel the vibrations of the party rocking her body as she danced and weaved through the crowd. "Come on, Hal!" she called, unintentionally slurring her words. Hal bounced over, beer in hand, whooping to whatever rapper was playing over the speakers."Whoa there, Ror, how many shots have you had?" he joked, catching Aurora as she began tilting violently to the left."You don't -- I don't -- I dunno, haha," Aurora mumbled, her head drooping suddenly. She lifted he...

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“Trouble At Home” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #40

Poe"Commander, Commander! We've got the building surrounded. Give us the signal and we'll begin entry," I reported, leaning my head sideways and raising my shoulder to talk better into the walkie-talkie. I felt a rush of adrenaline as I did so. All throughout my childhood, I had wanted to be like this, an officer, a hero defending innocent civilians. Nothing felt better than knowing that a hardened criminal was in the cross-hairs of the BCPD. "You're a go," my walkie-talkie spat. I motioned silently towards the unit, pointing inwards. Moving...

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“Bea” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #40

The raindrops hurled themselves against the glass pane, angrily beating against the window like spears launched from the muscular shoulder of a javelin thrower. I traced a path down the window, pressing my palm against the cold glass and looking out at the dimly lit street. What I would have given to be outside, even with the pouring rain, even with the crashing thunder, even with the crackling lightning... I shook my head furiously. No. I couldn't think about escape when it wasn't possible. As I continued to stare outside, melancholy writin...

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“Lucky” by Elsa Zhou

Submitted to Contest #39

I closed my eyes for a second, the droning buzz of the dusty air conditioners overhead lulling me to sleep. Sinking back into the faded cushions of my driver's seat, I relaxed for a second, hardly thinking, and let the pounding sun cover me like a welcome blanket. Then I curled up, coughing and grimacing, and straightened again in the seat. Around me, cacti poked out of the sand, angry needles breaking the monotony of the landscape. A few houses were scattered around the vicinity, each painted a different color of the surrounding landscape -...

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