Emily Pollan

“I Used To Think That Trust Is Overrated” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #276

Friendship and trust is something I’ve been weary of for a long time now. As a kid, I cherished my friends. I’d go above and beyond for them. But some saw that as something to toy around with, and others saw it as a weakness. Eventually, friendships would start with them saying “you can trust me, I promise,” and end with me saying, “I thought you promised.” By seventh grade, the words “you can trust me” were an immediate deal breaker. The second a friend uttered those words to me, I would stack layers upon layers of uneven bricks around myse...

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“You Shouldn't Go Yet” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #275

Note: I tried writing in present-tense this time. I'd appreciate if I could get some feedback on how I did! These preserved parks, untouched by the disgusting hands of humanity, have always been my safe haven. The edge of this steady rock, hidden by thorny bushes and flowers, is my favorite spot. The scratches on my legs and tiny rips on my shirts from the thorns was just a small price to pay for this view. Technically, I shouldn’t be off of the trail, but the dangers of it have been more and more appealing lately. At the edge, I look out to...

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“What's Down There?” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #273

"Don't tell anyone," I whispered to my little sister, putting a finger to my lips and tightening my fingers around the ice cold doorknob.  Layla nodded and made a zipping motion against her lips, and then against her stuffed bunny’s lips that she held tightly in her arms. "Good. I'll be back later," I patted her head and waited for her to run back upstairs so the possible creaking of the door didn't put her at risk too. Once out of sight, my smile melted into a look of anxiety. I could feel my heart pumping as I turned the key in the me...

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“Personal Hell” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #263

“Well? What do you think?”I didn’t know how to respond. Even if I did know, how was I supposed to? I was frozen, paralyzed. The only movement I could make was the uncontrollable shaking that had taken my body over.“Come on, isn’t this what you wanted?”No, this isn’t what I wanted. I wanted freedom. Not this. Anything but this.“Not happy with the result?”Of course not. I can’t stand the thing standing just a few feet in front of me.“Are you not happy to see me?”Why would I be? I was lucky enough to not be able to see you. But now, you’re righ...

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“Forsaken Library” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #251

"Ugh..." I coughed as I sat up into the dust cloud created by my impact on the dust covered splintered wood beneath me. I looked up, seeing a giant hole far above me, shining a dim light like a sad spotlight on me. "How did I even survive that fall?" I asked myself, feeling around my body for any pain from bruises or bumps, "I guess my bag cushioned the fall. Hah, I told Michael overpacking would be a good idea." I took off my bag and failed my attempt in standing. A shocking pain rang through my right ankle and up my whole body. I tripped f...

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“Faceless” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #244

My whole life, there has been this figure always looming behind me, only visible to me. No noticeable features, no noticeable clothing, just this dark humanoid figure. It’s never really done anything. It is just…there. Sometimes it is simply standing there, sometimes it’s messing with something in the background like a ball or phone, sometimes it’s even crawling on the ceiling. It stopped bothering me when I was six or seven. The only thing about it that has always bothered me is the chill I feel when I see it. The feeling isn’t the same kin...

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“Modoc” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #243

Author's Note: This story is based on the true story of my fluffy little brother. Due to time constrains (college is hard) and the new style I attempted, this definitely isn't even close to the quality of my usual writing. I attempted to write this in a sort of diary entry-inspired format, with key moments that I find especially special from my life with him. I remember people walking by in the bustling city streets. Some would look at me, some would give me a little food, but most just walked by. Until someone came up to me, kneeled down, ...

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“Life Giver” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #239

“Charlie!” Amanda called out, skipping her way over to the little boy under a tree. “Hi Amanda, did you sneak out again?” Charlie asked. “No! My mom said I could go out!” “Already? Weren’t you just grounded for sneaking out last time?” “Shush!” “Alright.” “Anyway, what are you drawing?” Amanda peerd over Charlie’s shoulder. “A butterfly. It’s almost done.” “It’s almost done?! Wow, this is the first time I’ll see it!” Amanda plopped down on the grass scattered with dandelions next to Charlie. Her eyes locked on to the delicate lines ...

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“A Wonderful Selection” by Emily Pollan

“This place you chose is amazing,” Said Bella, looking around at the shining lights and elegant wallpaper. “I chose it because of the food I heard they have here,” Michael said, sitting himself down in the cool leather booth. A silent waiter came over and placed down two laminated menus in front of each of them. They both looked at the waiter and he looked back with a welcoming smile, his brown curly hair casting a shadow over his eyes. As he walked away, they picked up their menus and quickly scanned the front and back. “Wow! What a wond...

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“A Goddesses Theory” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #159

Quick Note: A friend gave me the idea of using time as a currency. Without him, this story wouldn't be possible! Time is such a simple thing, yet humans struggle to comprehend it. A second is gone in a blink of my eye, and each second passing brings you closer to something. Whether that something be a life changing moment, or simply picking a rock up off the ground, that is left up to another force in the universe. This concept is so easy to understand, yet humans wrack their brains with theories… “Is there a way to get time back?” “Has...

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“Does this Feel Familiar?” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #156

TW: This story has dreamcore/weirdcore imagery and ideas of transphobia in it that the character deals with. “Don’t you remember?” One of the hyper-realistic, disembodied mouths on the wall said to me in a cunning, female voice. “No,” I responded without a single thought, focusing on the creaking of the bright pink and yellow swing as I swung back and forth. I’ve been here for a long time, I refuse to remember. “We all know you’re lying,” what sounded like a hundred voices said at once.  I gripped the slightly rusted chains of th...

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“Escape Artist” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #151

Again. I’m sitting here, staring at the same dirty concrete floor again. Scrapes and bruises cover my arms and legs from my earlier struggles. The eerie echo of the dripping dirty water in the corner of the room is taunting me. I can feel my anger growing every time a drop hits this filthy floor.  Sinking my nails into my mud stained green dress, I then tare my hands away from it and grab the plate near me and throw it against the wall, shattering it on impact and smashing the rotten food against the wall, sending glass and unknown foo...

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