Haylee Crouch

“The Perfect Theft - Halloween Edition” by Haylee Crouch

“Trick or treat!” the school aged children chant. All their costumes are so bright and terrible, stinging my eyes. They would never blend in on a normal night, and it would be very inconvenient to wear it for a normal mission. But tonight, I am clothed the same because sometimes the best way to hide is in plain sight. The gangling group doesn’t even noticed I’ve joined their posse of candy-seekers. Absent minded fools. I am told, however, this is how normal children act. Most children just dress up for the fun of it and don’t look twice for...

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“Sweet Milk (lies)” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #102

Human nature is like… milk? Did that make sense? Tammi flumped down onto the table, deflating. English was the most pointless, useless subject ever to exist in the school curriculum. Even worse than maths. She didn’t need to know a metaphor for human nature let alone create one. Her teacher, Ms Sutton, seemed adamant it was crucial to ‘acknowledge the good and bad in one quick sentence,’ so she said. Personally, Tammi thought it was dumb. Ah well, hunger was kicking in at fourth period, so milk was all she had. After a minute or two, she loo...

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“The Market Place” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #67

It has been so long since I’ve come to the market place. My insides writhe with the thoughts of the creatures I will definitely encounter. It’s been so long since I’ve associated with them, what feels like an eternity. I’m so overwhelmed with terror I almost swerve off course, causing a fatal collision. Focus, Teagan, focus. I can’t be squashed by the ever-amounting anxiety. Watching the familiar surroundings, I see every time I make the journey, I can barely control the shaking of my hands. Do I look decent? Will I blend in with the rest of...

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“A Change of a Lifetime” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat!” Alec yelled. Maybe the world depended on it, he wouldn’t let her do it.“Come on, Alec, I can’t be selfish. I could save millions, billions even! All for one person’s life. ME! You would want the same.” Maybe she had a point. If the roles were reversed, he would have gone in without a second thought, not caring about anyone else’s thoughts. And once, the roles were reversed, but now… Screw the prophecy. Just some random words spewed out of a random persons mouth. It didn’t change anyt...

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“Family Reunion” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #65

Screw Abigail. It’s such a stereotype, having the coven meet on Halloween. It’s just a whole fake holiday for candy companies and dental income. It’s so insulting! Just because we are witches does not mean we should act like our stereotype sisters. Alas, Abigail is a stickler for tradition, meeting on the last night of winter. And before you ask, yes, she is ancient, but young. No voodoo or blood sacrifice required. Just 1843 years of the correct herb combinations and incantations. The rest of us are young though. Me, Carlie, Dakota, Elise, ...

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“Star Student” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #51

I am a primary school teacher and I have to say, this week I was very disappointed. My class is mediocre at best but there is one student who is really good at writing. Like, really good. Her name is Charlotte and she never uses incorrect punctuation, ever or spells a word wrong. Every time I read her work, I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster. I get that feeling when you’re reading a really good book where my stomach does flips. And to have everything immaculately written. It makes me very proud. However, one day after a writing task of what ...

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“Titanic” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #44

The boat was a bit delayed. I mean, it’s a huge ship so I suppose that’s understandable. My sister and her husband had gone on the biggest ship in the world, the Titanic. I saw her off and it was humongous. Archie, her husband, was very rich and got them tickets. I loved my sister, but she was gone for ever and I couldn’t wait for her to be back. But after forever, it was still delayed. Until, one day, while I was waiting by the docks, my sister came to port. Not in the Titanic, but in a small rescue boat.As soon as I saw her, all cold and s...

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“The Crack in the Wall” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #43

I knew it wasn’t just a crack. My mum said it was just a crack, but I knew better. It just appeared one day, on my wall, next to my bed, an irregular, jagged line. I’m not scared of anything, the dark or spiders or heights. But this is different. It radiated the unknown, the darkness and the light, the begging and the end, everything and nothing. But it was just a crack in the plaster. Right? Boy was everyone wrong.When I got home, it was with a tear stained face. Olivia Hornby was teasing me. Again. Of course, my parents didn’t notice. Some...

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“The Woman, The War and The Planes” by Haylee Crouch

Submitted to Contest #42

The Woman, the War and the PlanesThe planes flew over head. I could hear them clear as day. The genius who invented them is truly that, a genius. I always did. Truthfully, I always wanted to fly one of those machines. Magical, truly magical. Although I would not use them for my country’s purpose, but my own. Realistically I’d never be able to fly one. My husband came at the door.“Sarah! Bring dinner to the shelter!” he screamed, panicked and angry.“But deer, there is but food for one,” I replied calmly, still listening to the planes.“Ok then...

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