Nina Zhang

“Like a Cool Breeze on a Hot Summer Day” by Nina Zhang

No one seemed to remember Illea Johnson.  She was a daughter. A sister. An accomplished academic student. A successful athlete. A kind classmate. Someone beautiful and kind, as they would go on to say. Someone with such a bright future. A girl.  But everyone seemed to forget who Illea was.  A memory. And I wished I could. Illea was not exceptionally kind or beautiful as they would say. She was an average person who knew she was average. But no one else wanted to accept that hard truth. Her teachers crowed about how brilliant...

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“Nearer Everyday” by Nina Zhang

Submitted to Contest #65

When the moon is covered by the veil of darknessThe clock struck midnight, the crows leaping from the branches in a majestic display. The moon glowed eerily white-silver, the light almost weak, wrapped in slithering tentacles of fog. My breath was so visible in the crisp air that it almost felt like an object, like cotton or soft clouds. I resisted the urge to wave my hand through the delicate trails of breath, to see them break apart in the wake of my hand. I liked to write at night, where my creativity thrived. Depending on the s...

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“The Woman in the Elevator” by Nina Zhang

Submitted to Contest #58

The crisp chilly air swept through the city, reminding everyone that the warm seasons have come to the end. Winter drew near, an unwelcome biting cold that tore at Aisylnn’s scarf, whipping lashes of her hair into her face. To no avail, she tried to tuck her dark locks into her jacket, but the cold fingers of fall made it nearly impossible.Finally, she arrived at the tall, imposing building. In the summer, the glass sparkled in the light, catching rainbows in its smooth architecture. At night, it lit up like fireworks on the fourth of July, ...

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“Uncle Reuben” by Nina Zhang

Submitted to Contest #21

The snowflakes outside were fat and fluffy, tiny ice crystals icing into spiraling shapes and patterns. The wind howled restlessly, a lone wolf crying out to the stars in the sky, like diamonds embedded in a black cloth. I traced my finger over the foggy window, leaving a path of pellucid glass. The cold air radiated off the panel as I pressed my nose close to it.  The fire crackled in the room, it’s warmth coursing through the air, claws reaching for us but never finding flesh. I curled into a tighter ball, the smells of spicy, exotic ...

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“The Creature” by Nina Zhang

Submitted to Contest #20

Deep breath.  In and out. In and out.  Take a step, Leena, take a step. Don’t fall on your face. Smile.  Sharp needles piercing my heart.  Deep breath.  Something fluttering in my stomach.  Deep breath.  The crowd is watching, silent as ever as they wait for me to trip or fall. I clench my paper harder in my fist. Time seems to slow and I hear my own heavy breaths as I make my way to the front.  One step. Two steps. Stop.  Deep breath.  I open my mouth to speak until the sight of all those pe...

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