Group 1 poem winners

First PrizeStanding Swingby Zara Gandhi

My hands hold onto the swingThe parts I hold look like little sticksNot like the metal things on the swing where we sitI didn't need help, didn't need a pushI just went on it by myselfMove your bottom there and backOut and in, in and outI really liked itI was nervous but happyI was an explorerLooking around for dangerous animalsI was on the trapeze and stood on the swingJust something an acrobat would doThe other children at the park were lost puppiesThey didn't listen to their ownersIt was pretty dangerous but I was a Big girl and I knew what I was doing

Secondaire PrixLe braille me donne des ailes par Noémy Turcotte-Yank

J'aime beaucoup le braille!

La dactylo m'aide à écrire le braille.

Ses joli même si ses dur à lire.

J'ai du plaisir!

J'ai apris le braille a l'école.

Sout mes doigt les lettre vole.

J'adore le braille c'est

ma spécialité.

Le braille me fait rêver.

Troisième PrixLa reine des fleursPar Maya Shamas

Je suis la reine des fleurs.

Je vis dans le bonheur.

Un jour,

les fleurs ont rencontré l'amour.

Il y a une chose magique.

Si tu aimes les fleurs tu

entends une musique.

C'est magnifique!

L'air est super!

Regarde c'est le printemps.

Quel beau temps!

J'aime les abeilles!

Qui volent au soleil!

Group 1 Story winners

Premiere PrixPar Janes Daniel Leonard

Dit tal et Autaine, les fruits géants énervés.

Il était une fois une orange géante qui cherchait son ami le kiwi géant. Elle parcourrait la cuisine et cherchait partout.Elle criait:"Dittal où es-tu?" Autaine l'orange se mit à rouler sur le comptoir et autour du lavabo toujours en quête de son ami Dittal le kiwi.

Plus tard, Autaine a entendu crier:"Autaine" puis BOUM, BAM, BOUM…Dittal lui a roulé dessus en allant trop vite et ils ont débouléent comme un jeu de quilles et fait tombé Mme Bananes et ses enfants droit dans le bol de fruits. Au moins, ils étaient ensemble et pouvaient recommencer à jouer à la cachette entre géant. Mais ils continuaient à faire des accidents de jeux de quilles sans faire mal à personne, parcequ'il aiment s'énerver.

Second PrizeThe Kid That Wanted A Petby Xavier Stonechild

The boy climbed up the tree because he sees a big black crow that he wanted for a pet. Damien thought the crow would make a great pet because he wanted to learn about birds. He climbed up the tree branch by branch. The crow sat on a high branch watching Damien. Half way up the tree Damien stepped on a broken branch and "crack!" he fell all the way to the ground. He hit his forehead on a cactus.

He lifted up his head and felt ten sharp needles in his head and he let out a cry, Ouch. Blood comes out of his skin getting in his eyes. Damien is scared and starts to cry. The crow flies down to Damien and sits in front of his face. Damien is still lying on his stomach and he looks up at it but in shock. He tries to roll away from the crow but there are too many cacti around him so Damien just closed his eyes and drifted into a sharp sleep.

The black crow starts to peck at Damien's face and plucks out the ten sharp needles. Damien wakes with a startle and felt his bloody head with his hand felt happy that the crow helped him.

He felt like he made a new friend. The crow jumps onto Damien's back, grabbed him with his claws and flies up. Damien felt very excited as he was lifted high into the sky. and felt the wind on his body then the crow flew down out of the sky and brought Damien to his house. He then placed him on the ground and sat on Damien's shoulder. Damien found a new pet and a new friend.

Third PrizeLilyby Abby Roberts

I like Lily.

Lily can hop.

Lily can sing.

Lily can play.

I like you.

Group 2 Poem Winners

First PrizeMy Mistake Poemby Miles Arthorne

I went to the sea to find shipwrecks,

I made mistake and found semtex.

I went to the cupboard to find some jam, I made a mistake and found a ram. I went to the garden to find a rake.

I made a mistake and found some steak.

I went to the mines to find a jewel,

I made a mistake and found a ghoul.

I went to the basement to get applesauce,

I made a mistake and got an albatross.

I went to the park to sit on a bench,

I made a mistake and sat on a wrench. I went to the street to catch a cab.

I made a mistake and caught a crab.

I went to the airport to fly a plane.

I made a mistake and flew a train.

I went to the store to buy some wine,

I made a mistake and bought a porcupine.

I went to work to make a chair,

I made a mistake and made a pair

I went to the living room to vacuum the floor,

I made a mistake and vacuumed a boar.

I went to the stadium to watch the 67's,

I made a mistake and went to the heavens.

Second PrizeRainbow ColoursBy Laura Rushforth

Red looks like juicy strawberries

Red sounds like siren of a fire truck

Red smells like strawberry jam sandwich

Red tastes like delicious cherries Red feels like anger.

Orange looks like a ball

Orange sounds like pouring orange juice

Orange smells like the morning

Orange tastes like sour candies

Orange feels like home.

Yellow looks like the sun

Yellow sounds like picking lemons

Yellow smells like lemonade

Yellow tastes like lemon meringue pie

Yellow feels like joy and energy.

Green looks like the trees

Green sounds like running in the grass

Green smells like a freshly mown lawn

Green tastes like freshly picked grapes

Green feels like nature.

Blue looks like the morning sky

Blue sounds like blueberries being picked

Blue smells like delicious blueberry jam

Blue tastes like blueberry pie

Blue feels like happiness.

Purple looks like delicious grapes

Purple sounds like peace

Purple smells like making grape jelly

Purple tastes like grape juice

Purple feels like comfort.

Rainbow looks like colours in the sky

Rainbow sounds like the wind blowing peacefully

Rainbow smells like fresh rain from the sky

Rainbow tastes like cotton candy

Rainbow feels like happiness that the storm is over.

Third PrizeArch in the Skyby Caleb Campbell Arch in the SkyColourful rainbow.Many colours in the sky.Picture perfect day!

Group 2 Story Winners

First PrizeHelen Keller Essayby Dalaynie Conn

Helen Keller Essay

Have you ever met someone who is deaf or blind? How about someone who is deaf, blind, and has lost their ability to speak?

This is the story of the amazing Helen Keller. Helen was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Helen learned to walk and talk at an early age. Her first words were said to be "tea, tea" and "wah, wah" for water. When Helen was almost two years old she got very sick with a high fever. Their doctor thought that Helen would not make it but then suddenly her fever was gone and the family was happy to see she was fine. But sadly Helen was not fine.

One night when Helen's mother was putting her to bed she realized that when she moved the lamp in front of Helen's face she didn't blink. She had gone blind. And it didn't take her long to realize that another thing had happened. One night when the dinner bell rang Helen did not run to the house as usual. Instead she still sat there playing. Helen had gone deaf too. Her mother and father took her to adoctor but there was nothing he could do. Imagine living in a world of darkness and silence. That was the world that Helen Keller lived in.

Helen, liking to make trouble, did a lot of mischievous things. Once when her mother was in the pantry Helen felt the key in the keyhole and locked her in there for hours. Another time she was with the cook's daughter and they were cutting paper dolls on the porch. Helen soon got tired of this so she walked around the porch and cut flower buds from the plants. After she grew bored of this she cut the cook's daughter's hair. Mrs. Keller was not happy with this. And then one day Helen went over to where her doll's cradle was. She found her baby sister Meredith sleeping in it. Helen became very mad and pushed the cradle over. Luckily Mrs. Keller caught the baby before she hit the floor.

Everyone said that Helen should be sent away because she was not only a danger to herself but others too. The Kellers went to see Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. Now known as the man who invented the telephone. He felt that Helen could still learn. He told Mr. Keller to write to Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. When they got home Mr. Keller wrote to the school. They later wrote back and said they were going to send Anne Sullivan, a student at the school, to help Helen. The first word Anne tried to

teach Helen was doll. This was because the children at Perkins had given Helen a doll whichshe found in Anne's bag. Anne took the doll from Helen so she could spell the word in her hand. But Helen didn't know this. She thought Anne was taking the doll back after she had given it to her. Helen started a tantrum. Anne tried to calm her down but it didn't work. After that the two of them didn't get along too well.

One March break my family and I went to Nashville then drove to Tuscumbuia, Alabama to see Ivy Green, Helen Keller's house. The home got it's name from the characteristic ivy growing on the outside walls. While there, we saw the room that Helen and Anne shared and the window that Anne had to climb out of after Helen locked her in the room. We saw the porch where Helen and the cook's daughter cut off each other's hair. The dining room that Anne and Helen had their huge fight in and the water pump where Helen learned to say her first word. But the best things that we saw were the letters that Helen had written in cursive and the video of her speaking at the Lions Club International convention in 1925. It was amazing to see that someone who had lost so much had reached her goal.

Helen learned sign language, braille, and after many frustrating years of feeling people's lips and tongues, she learned to talk and went on to do great things because of her strong will and determination. She is an inspiration to all.

Second PrizeThe Best Season EverBy Layla Tulk

Summer is just the best season ever! It is the best because there is no school. You get to stay up late and sleep in! You can go to the beach on hot sunny days. That is a lot of fun. When I'm at the beach I sometimes catch caplin with my brothers, Lucas and Rylan. But most of the time I walk on the beach with my dog and collect rocks, which is my favorite hobby.

When I don't go to the beach I like to hang out in my yard. Swimming in our pool is great. So are BBQ's, eating outside, and campfires. Another special thing about

summer is when my cousins Ayva and Blake come home from Ontario for a visit. Ayva and I collect pine cones, take walks with Blake, Lucas and Rylan, and we also have sleepovers.

The high light of my summer is the CNIB Max Simms Camp. Each year my mom, my brothers and I go. The activities the staff members plan are super fun and are kid appropriate. We build boats out of chairs, paint, make sensory balloons, have movie nights, swim in the pool, bounce in the bouncy castle, dance with Zumba, and make cotton candy. All the kids and adults stay up late and talk to each other and the kids play around. For only two nights we have bonfires and they are fun! We make really good friends at camp.

Summer is the absolute best season! I love it! Don't you?

Third PrizeThe No Littering Agentsby Will Campbell

I was with my friend Nate eating my snack and I did not see a recycling bin to put my wrapper in so I put it on the ground. But then Nate showed me where one was so I put it there. Then Nate asked me if we should ask our teacher to be agents of no littering and I said yes. So then we asked our teacher if our class could be agents of no littering and he said yes too. The next day our teacher said, "Class now we can be agents of no littering and help people not litter." Then he assigned groups. "Nate and Will your in the field, Tommey and Beck your on the playground and Becket and Ryan you will go to the asphalt. You will go every recess and decrease the amount of litter." RRRRRIIIIINNNNG!!! So Nate and I went to the field and politely asked for everyone that was littering to put it in the garbage or recycling bin and they did. But for those who did not listen we used P.P.P. A.K.A. positive peer pressure and then they did.

Group 3 Poem Winners

Premiere PrixPar Aylin Acimaz

Toujours plus loin Les idées se bousculentJ'trace mon avenirJamais je ne reculeAinsi il faut agirJe vais tous vous le direRêver ça n'a pas d'âgeRêver sans jamais s'enfouirPour gagner faut du courageJ'suis très haut depuislongtempsPas question de redescendreMes idées sont comme l'eaucyanSa chance il faut la prendreJ'suis libre comme un dauphinIl faut toujours y croireOn se prend par la mainIl y a de l'espoir

Second PrizeThe Everbonding ParentsMargaret Ingleson

You may not realize,

So take great heed,

How much of our parents,

We really, really need.

Our parents make our lunches, Our parents say ”good night."

Our parents are there to encourage us,

And our parents are there to flick on the hall light.

Our parents help us with our homework,

They even make our bed,

They wash the dishes, do the laundry,

And are always sure we are fed.

Sometimes we do not appreciate,

The wonderful gift we share,

So remember this always:

Show your parents that you care!

Troisieme PrixPar Eïtel Houédakor

Regard d'une âme

La douleur m'a apprisMon Corps et mon cœur ontsaignéMais mon âme a prospéré.

L'univers est un grand cercledans lequel tout ce qui estcréé est voué à être détruit ;On nait on se développe et onmeurt,Mais tout au long de sa vieon doit se battre pour sasurvie,Et dans ce monde ou semêlent, douleurs, tristesse, bonheur, amour, méchanceté, bonté de cœur, raison, moral, fiction, aveuglement et bêtise,Ceux qui ne sont pas assezfort baissent les bras ou seregroupent pour avoir unsentiment de force ;Mais n'oubliez pas qu'unefaiblesse eut devenir uneforce;Ce monde dans lequel les plusforts dominent et les plusfaibles sont opprimés

Celui qui est fort se batpour sa propre survieCelui qui est encore plusfort se bat pour sa propresurvie et pour celle desautres.Cet univers est juste ou injusteTout dépend du regard aveclequel on regarde les choses.

Ici-bas, la vraie richesse,est-ce l'argent, l'or, lespierres précieuses ou lesterres ?Non. La vraie richesse, c'est celle du cœur ;Et pour ça je remercie mafamille ;Ma famille c'est mes parents,mes frères, mes sœurs, mescousins, mes oncles, mestantes, mes amis, et bien sûrle reine de mon monde a moi.Alors vous tous, sachez quevous êtes riches ;Tant qu'il y a au moins unepersonne qui vous aime; mêmesi cette personne c(est vous,cela est une richesse.

La vie est un champ de batailleMême si je ne suis pas lemeilleur soldat, je sais queje serai incapable de la battreTout simplement parce que dèsla première seconde, elle a mis mon cœur à feu et à sang.

La vie est un enchantement d'instants, Certains sont éphémèresd'autres sont éternels.C'est ce que nous décidons de

faire de ces instants qui faitce que nous sommes,Ce que nous serons,Et ce que nous ferons.

Toi qu'on appelle leCréateurEst-ce que je te connais ?Tu es à la fois toi, moi,nous et l'univers.On dit partout que tu nousaimesMais nous est-ce que noust'aimons?Qui parmi nous peut direqu'il t'aime ?

La vie est belle et pleine de mystèresMais elle est courte.

Cessons de nous concentrersur des détails inutiles,Et vivons nos vies à fond pour ne rien regretter.

Je n'écris pas juste pourécrire,Je ne parle pas pour ne rien dire, Je ne chante pas pour ne rien transmettre,Je ne vais pas à l'écolejuste pour apprendre.La meilleure école c'estcelle de la vie,Les meilleures chansons cesont celles qui viennent ducœur,Les vraies paroles ce sontcelles qui donnent la foi,Les vrais écrits ce sont ceuxqui ont une âme et quirestent.

Parfois, on dépasse leslimites avant de les voirMais moi avec ma cenne je les verrai.

Group 3 Story Winners

First PrizeThe Stone Keyby Humnah Tahir

Once there was a boy named Aron. On a summer afternoon he decided to go for a walk in his neighborhood. Aron walked on the sidewalk next to his street. The sun was going down but the air was still warm. Just as Aron came to the end of the sidewalk, something shiny caught his eye.

Aron bent down in the grass. He spotted a stone, shiny as tin foil. But certainly a stone shaped like a key. Aron collected rocks and he decided to add the stone to his very large collection.

But when he picked it up something strange happened. The rock began to grow warmer as Aron entered his home. Moments after locking the front door Aron noticed that the stone was glowing. Confused he turned the stone over 3 times in his hand. Then he felt himself being swept upward, as the stone swept him off to a hidden city named Korani.

When Aron landed he found himself standing in front of a very old tree. The strangest he'd ever seen. The tree had black dying leaves and red bark. Aron stared in shock. Then he looked behind him a man stood there. "Hello there," the man said. Aron looked behind the man, the city was covered in fog, people walked with their heads down mumbling grumpily. "Where am I sir," Aron asked the man. He had expected the man to ask how he didn't know the name of the city. But instead the young man replied "Korani. Then the man spotted the silver stone in Aron's hand. "The tree chose you," he said, more to himself

Aron stared, "Excuse me Sir what did you say?" he said. "Follow me," the man said starting to walk away. After a moment Aron began to follow. Wondering what was going to happen.

The man led Aron to a writhing field of grass, looking around to make sure no one was around. He began to explain.

"My name is Ben Anderson," he said. "The city of Korani was once a wonderful place, until King John's brother took over as king while John went on vacation. When King John came back he found nearly all the cities people in rags on the streets.

King John went to go speak with his brotherChristopher and found he was cursed by a sorcerer named Julia. Julia had cursed the city and was using her magic to keep Christopher from doing anything. John freed his brother and sentenced Julia to jail.

But the spell has not been broken. Julia's spell has damaged the silver birch that gives this city joy. The only the tree can be mended is if a special person goes beyond our city and gets memory water from a black cauldron. The tree choose you, that's why you're here." He finished."I'll help but then I need to get home," said Aron.

"I can help with that," Ben said. "Like Julia I am a sorcerer. I will come with you." "Let's go then," Aron said and the 2 were on their way.

Ben and Aron walked for a long time, eventuallyreaching the end of the city. The 2 arrived at a cave."This is where we'll find it," Ben said pulling out hiswand. "Be careful," the 2 entered cautiously. A black cauldron full of faintly sparkling water was locked behind a glass case. Aron studied the lock, then he pulled out the stone. With a click the lock opened. Ben took a bottle from his pocket and filled it. The 2 turned around. Creatures were guarding the entrance. They looked like human women. But they had wings. They formed a circle, one pulled out a flute and began to play. Ben pocketed the memory water. The music

was strangely pleasant. Before Ben and Aron knew it they were dancing with the strange creatures.

Ben suddenly realized what was happening. He grabbed Aron and pulled him out of the circle. The 2 ran out of the cave. "They were trying to keep us from leaving," Aron said as he and Ben sprinted up a grassy hill.

Then the 2 of them looked over their shoulders and saw that the trouble wasn't over yet. The chase was on. Ben and Aron sprinted into the city, closely followed by a new set of creatures.

They looked like panthers, solid black 2 inchteeth and shiny claws. Villagers looked over curiously. Realizing what was happening they joined Ben and Aron trying to hold back the creatures.

Ben handed Aron the bottle of water as they neared the tree. Aron unstoppered the cork and poured the magical water over a few of the tree's black leaves.

Instantly one of the creatures leapt forward toward Ben he jumped aside and the creatures vanished as the first one hit the shimmering tree. The villagers Ben and Aron watched as the tree's colour changed back to silver and gold.

Then they turned around to see the king and his brother watching, and for the first time in a long time smiling. "Come here," King John said to Ben and Aron. "How did you return the tree to its normal state?" he asked. "We used memory water," Ben said. "You went beyond the city?" said Christopher.

Ben nodded. "We thank you and your friend, you area great sorcerer," said King John.

Aron introduced himself. "We are grateful toyou," said King John "thank you." "Your welcomeyour majesty," Aron said. " But now I need toget home." "That's easy," said Ben.

"Just turn that stone your holding over 3 times. It's your key home. "Thank you Ben," Aron said.

Smiling he turned the silver stone over 3 times.Just like before he felt himself fly upward. "Turn thestone over 3 times again if you wish to visit us,"Ben shouted.

Moments later Aron landed in his home. Helooked at his watch there was a good chance no time had passed since he left. Aron pocketed the stone hedecided not to mention what happened in Korani toanyone. But he would return for another visit.

Second PrizeMy Ballet Audition Experienceby Gabrielle Close

It all began with the Victoria Ballet Academy. I proposed to my parents that I would like to take the summer intensive being offered at the academy. I mentioned that the academy was in Toronto and that the school studied the Russian, or Vaganova technique. After looking at the prices and taxes for the intensive, the three of us came to the conclusion that it was way too expensive. I was very disappointed because I wanted to move on from my current studio because I was not learning anything else. Also, I really wanted to learn the Russian method of classical ballet. I can't remember exactly how it happened, but my parents started looking at the website of Maritime Dance Academy.

After reading about the teacher faculty, what method the academy studied, and the classes and summer intensives they offered, I could not believe that there was an academy literally 15 minutes away from my home that could offer me all of these opportunities. Even my parents were excited.

That day, my stepmother called the academy to ask about classes. They said that I can be assessed in April or May to confirm what classes I would take the following year.

After a month of dedicated ballet practice and stretching, the day came. April 27 on a Thursday night.

My nerves were rocketing sky high as I walked through the doors of the academy with my father. I had to control

myself. I would not dance right if my nerves were driving up through the roof.

A teacher came to take me.

"Let's step in to my office and have a talk first," she said. "Sit here."

The teacher shut the door and sat across from me. She asked me questions like my age, what school grade I am in, have many years have I done ballet, and my previous dance studio. Then came the big questions.

What steps in ballet do you know, do you have any other dance form experience, and what is the structure of my current ballet classes.

She told me that Maritime Dance Academy has been running for 35 years and that it is very professional there. She said that there is to be no laughing or fooling around in class, no jewelry, hair always in a bun, and a proper ballet uniform.

This was exactly what I wanted. I wanted a strict and structured ballet academy. An academy that would not allow me to slack even a little bit.

She gave some papers about the classes and summer intensives to my father. Just before we left, I asked about the ballet technique the academy studied. "Russian," she replied. "The Vaganova technique." That made me so happy.

My father and I left the academy sooner than we thought because I was not required to dance like I had originally thought. I started talking with my father while we walked to the car about the teacher we heard giving directions to a ballet class while we waited for the assessment. We both agreed that it was amazing about the corrections and directions she was giving to the class.

"Plié!"

"Arms to third!"

"Jeté!"

"Tendu!"

"Pirouette!"

As the school year comes to a close, I get even more excited for my summer intensive and new Russian ballet academy.

Third PrizeThe Techno Tranceby Kaitlynn Lenius

My name is Katherine Ericson. I am 12 years old and this is my entry for the 3017 time capsule. Now, let me tell you about what the world was like. The government was very, very strict. You weren't allowed to leave your house, not even your bedroom! Instead of going to the store for groceries you ordered them online and a drone delivered them to you. Instead of driving or walking to school kids would study on the computer for 6 hours. For breaksand social interaction children of the same age were sent to a chatroom. Instead of adults going to work they did jobs on the computer. People didn't even bathe! No one got physical activity, unless walking from your desk to your bed counts.

Everything changed on May 7.3015. I was talking to my best friend named Lilly McLeod in the chatroom. We were discussing how we thought the world looked and what we thought was going on beyond our bedroom doors. You see, it had been that way for so long, people forgot the world looked like. That day, I had a plan to hack the world's internet. Then the government could not track our every move and I could break the world free from the vicious cycle. So after internet school I went onto the internet and typed, "How to hack the world's internet." The website said all you had to do was go into your search bar and type,

"hCk9053062347."

I tried that and then my computer screen started flashing different colors. When it stopped, I looked in my task bar and it said, "no connection." I reconnected my computer

and decided to try again. I typed, "How to hack the world's internet" once again and then clicked the second link. The website said to type, "Crashy-bashy–internet" into my files app, so I did. It worked! I decided to open my bedroom door since I wasn't being tracked by the government. I decided to look around my house. It looked fabulous!I was amazed when I looked outside through the window. It looked so pretty!

I decided to go and get my mom and dad come out of their room and see the beauty. Once I found their room, I said, "Mom, Dad, come out of your room! I hacked the world's internet so we could see the great outdoors!"

"So that's why my computer lost connection." said my mom.

"Wow Katherine, you're a genius," said my dad. I was amazed when I heard their voices because we only texted my whole life.

"Come on! Less talking more walking! I'll take you guys to the exit door," I said.

"Okay," they said in thrilled voices.

We walked around the block, spread the news and invited our fellow townspeople to come and see the world. Some of them were not impressed that they didn't have internet and still dislike me to this day, but others thanked me from freeing them from their dreadful enclosures. Once I got everyone out of their houses to explore the world, me and my mom and dad all went and spoke to the government. It turned out Lily and her family were also at the government's headquarters to speak to the government for the same reason. (I knew it was her because the government made us wear uniforms with our names embroidered in the center so they could keep track of us.)

We had a short conversation and then got down to business. We explained we thought what they were doing to us was wrong and why. Some of my reasons were that it to people not getting enough physical activity, sicknesses were easier to catch and it separated families from each other. The government workers disagreed but declared a

vote. In the end more people took our side than the government's so they stopped tracking people.

Everything changed since then. Kids were enrolled in schools, adults got jobs, buildings, appliances and other everyday objects were no longer just dust-collectors, people were going outside and getting physical activity and people got to meet their long-lost relatives. And that's how I saved the world from being in a super-mega techno trance.

Group 4 Poem Winners

First PrizeDo it for meby Brenda MacDonald

What can you see?

Open your eyes

What a beautiful day

What an amazing sight

DO IT FOR ME

THE BLIND

Take a look around

See all the colours,

Shapes all that you can

I know my world is Big,

Bold, and Beautiful

DO IT FOR ME

THE BLIND

I can still see the

beauty in it, can you?

Or do you just see

what is in front of you

and not around you?

We are all in a rush

that we forget to Pause,

Breathe, and take in what

is around us

Look around

DO IT FOR ME

THE BLIND

Take a second. Breathe

in fresh air and with

that breath clear your

windows to the world

Take in all the Sights,

Colours, and textures

that you can

DO IT FOR ME

THE BLIND

Look around yourself

and realize how lucky

you are to be able to

be in such a wonderful

place.

Secondaire PrixLe cœur a ses raisons que la raison ignore Par Marie-Pierre Brousseau

Pourquoi choisir une telle vie,On pense avoir tout tracé,Mais il faut se débrider,L'existence n'est pas toujours bénie.

Après les gens vont juger,Juger par la culture ou par la beauté,Au final on est toujours confrontés,A ces démons qui viennent nous hanter.

Ils disent que je suis faible,Faible mais belle, comment la vie peut-elle être aussi cruelle,Devenir à mon tour aussi cruelle, Ma destinée est telle.

En cherchant mes mots, J'entends les gens qui en disent trop,Trop ou pas assez, On ne pourrait se lasser de parler.

Après on veut aller plus haut, Mais il y a toujours quelqu'un qui dit qu'on a tout faux,On les croit et on vise moins haut,On leur donne raison et on abandonne tout sur l'échaffaud.

Être perdue dans un monde sans but,Ne voulant pas devenir déchueen cherchant son destin,On dit que l'avenir est à ceux qui se lève tôt,Je crois que j'ai raté le bâteau,On m'a planté un couteau dans le dos.

Qui sait si on survivra,Dans l'avenir je te promets on en parle-ra,On en rira et on sera juste toi et moi,

Sûrs en nos lois en en nos chois.

Group 4 Story Winners

First PrizeSpreading My Wingsby Makayla Conn

I sometimes wonder why people think that the most beautiful things in life need to be seen. That the beauty of the world around us can only be witnessed with one's eyes. Is the song a bird sings not as lovely as it'scolourful plumage? Isn't the soft feeling of a flower petal the same as seeing the plant's graceful shape?

Maybe they're not the same, but these sensations are equal in their ability to astound me. You might be wondering why I am thinking about such things, and I suppose my answer can be told through my story.

I lost my vision when I was five years old. I was the only one who was injured. I'm not sure of the exact cause of my blindness, but I do know that both of my retinas were detached from the impact.

That night, I couldn't see my parents as they tucked me in to the hospital bed where I was to sleep. I couldn't see thepatients who were in the same room as me.

I couldn't see the doctor who delivered the news that would change my life. But I could hear. I could hear the beeping and clanging of various machines around the room. I could hear the voices of people in the halls and the screams of pain from people in distant areas of the small country clinic.

The sounds were deafening and terrifying, and they still haunt me to this day.

It has been ten years since the accident, and my life is unlike most girls my age. I don't go to school, instead I spend my days outside, exploring the eccentricities ofnature in the meadow behind our farmhouse.

I don't have any friends, except for the creatures I find outside and who are docile enough to let me touch them.

However, one thing hasn't changed. I refuse to ride in any motorized vehicle. Every time I attempt it, a wave of panic washes over me, and my mind flashes back to that fatefulnight. My father slamming on the brakes. The explosion of glass. My mother screaming. Being flung from my carseat.

This being said, I have not left my property in ten years. It is my safe haven, the place where nothing bad can ever happen. I wake up every morning to the sweet melodies of birds outside my window. I eat breakfast while sitting on our porch swing, gently rocking back and forth while the sun warms my face. For the rest of the day, I wander around the meadow, feeling the grass and flowers, and listening to the hum of insects and the chirps of birds. I'm sure many would be opposed to this kind of life for a girl offifteen. Some would say that I'm not educated, and that I haven't been socialized properly.

I, for one, completely disagree with the first statement. I have learned to read using my fingers, and I know simple math. I learn new things every day while exploring the outdoors. I have discovered the names of every plant andanimal in the meadow. When I had been allowed to come home from the hospital, I was in a shocked state. For someone so young, I had no interest in food or moving from the comfort of my bed. I didn't respond to the desperate attempts from my parents. They were becomingincreasingly worried that the bright, joyful child that I had once been had disappeared forever.

It wasn't until my father carried me out to the meadow and down to the small creek behind our house that I began to wake from my shocked slumber. He placed my tiny hand in the cold water and let me decide what to do from there. I remember being pleasantly surprised by the cool sensation of the water flowing over my hand.

I plunged deeper and felt smooth stones brush my fingers. It was then that my father placed me carefully in the shallow water. Completely awake, I splashed my hands up and down and began to laugh. By that time, my mother had to joined us by the creek. My father picked me up,

spun me around and gave me to her. I recall feeling the hot tears on her face as she cried with happiness.

Since then, my father has shown me the most wonderful things in nature. He taught me to identify different insects by the sounds they made, and how different flowers have different textured petals. He taught me to call for him if I heard something I didn't recognize, and that I could never, never go down to the creek by myself.

I obeyed these rules for a very long time, doing exactly as I was told and never questioning anything he said. However, as everyone knows, growing children begin to develop rebellious behaviour. I loved being down at the creek, feeling the water and listening to the frogs croaking in their choir. It was tedious having to go all the way up to the house and fetch one of my parents if I felt like going down there. Besides, most of the time they were busy with their own work.

One day when I was around twelve years old, I felt responsible enough to go down by myself. I wasn't stupid, I knew that the creek had deep sections and I could fall in. I just had to be careful. I made my way to the water and was getting ready to crouch down when I tripped on a tree root and went sprawling into the shallow water of the creek.

Aside from being sopping wet, I was mostly fine. My hands and knees were scraped, but the cool water felt soothing on the injuries. In fact, it felt very nice to just sit in the water. I hadn't gone swimming in a very long time.

I sat there for several moments, enjoying the water, then decided I had better climb out and dry myself off before my parents found out I had been at the creek. I found nice rock to sit on, right in the sunshine, and was soon feeling groggy and lazy.

It was late afternoon, and the sun was shining just right. The rock was warm against my back, and my eyes were heavy. It was then that I felt the first tickle. I ignored it at first, but it soon became insistent on my legs.

I reached down to scratch it, and felt something stuck to my skin. It was slimy, and shaped roughly like a slug. The tickling sensation turned to stinging. I didn't know what it

was, but I wanted this thing off my leg. I tried to pry it off, but that hurt a lot, and the creature clearly didn't feel like moving. I ran my hands up and down my legs, and was horrified to discover that there were more of them.

On my feet, calves, and thighs, they were everywhere, sucking and pinching me. I ran all the way back up to the house, bawling, and learned a lesson I will never forget. Sometimes the silent things are the deadliest.

My life is different, and I am fully aware of it. I read the braille books my mother buys for me, and I learn about the outside world. The world where girls my age go to high school, have human friends and eventually move away from their homes. They go to college and get jobs. They get married and have children. And yet, these books never seem to mention any one like me. It seems as though all the girls in these books can see, and that is what makes them so successful in their lives. This fact has been occurring to me quite a bit recently.

I love my life how it is right now. I love my house, and the meadow and all of the living creatures. I feel as though I've learned a lot from my parents and the many adventurous experiences I've had. But I also feel as if I'm ready to continue on, and to accomplish something. I am ready to enter the world that I have been so afraid of. I know that it will be challenging, and there is much self doubt. I am worried that I will never do anything because I am not like everyone else. I am worried that I will not make friends, and that I will never get a job. Despite these insecurities, I know that I have been protected from the rashness of society, and I know that I need to find independence within myself and take control of my life.

I will always cherish my childhood, but it is time for me to have confidence in myself and take the next step. If there is one thing I have learned from nature, it is that a bird cannot fly if he doesn't find the strength to try.

Second PrizeThe Looking Glass by Macara Slobodian

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Emma. While she was working at the vintage store, she came across an

old mirror covered in a thick layer of dust. For a moment, she paused to admire it. She thought to clean it off, after all, someone would surely want to purchase this mirror. Emma reached out a hand and brushed some of the dust from the beautifully carved frame of the mirror.

As her hand came nearer to the glass, something very strange happened, it was as if the mirror was pulling her into it. Instead of the smooth surface of the glass, it felt more like water, deep and almost endless. Startled, Emma quickly pulled her hand away. She stared at the mirror, it appeared normal with no signs of anything unusual. Even so, there was something odd about the mirror, that much was clear. Though she knew her hand might get pulled into the mirror again, her curiosity over-powered her fear.

Taking a few steps closer to the mirror, Emma stuck out her hand and allowed it to pass seamlessly through the glass once again. Without a sound or even the smallest warning, her entire body was being pulled into the mirror.

The vintage store disappeared from view and for a moment, she couldn't see anything at all. Then, her feet hit solid ground. Surprised by the sudden impact, Emma stumbled a bit, then regained her balance. She looked around. She was no longer standing in the vintage store. It was almost as if she'd actually gone through the mirror.

Ever since she was little, Emma had heard stories about magic and far off places with strange creatures, but even at a young age, she'd never believed those stories. Was it possible that they were true? Emma shook her head, there was no way magic could exist! Then again, everything around her looked so bright and almost artificial, artificial like something out of a picture book. The grass was so green, it seemed like it would glow in the dark sky was a bright shade of blue, and the sun was so yellow, Emma couldn't even look up without having to shield her eyes from its rays.

All of this, plus the fact that she'd just been pulled into a mirror, made Emma think that at that point, magic was the only logical explanation left.

Suddenly, she thought of something, if she had come through the mirror, surely she would be able to go back

through it as well. Emma turned in the direction from which she had come, but the mirror was gone, maybe it had never been there in the first place. Emma was confused, somehow everything about this place felt wrong.

She decided to take a walk, during which, she would attempt to clear her mind and find a way back home. At first, it seemed to be working, the effect of the walk itself, mixed with the warm air and cool breeze was almost immediate. Emma was just beginning to feel better, when something happened. Something that was more peculiar than everything she'd seen that day, even the mirror.

As Emma walked, a tree just ahead of her fell with a crash and blocked her path. Emma stared at the tree, trying to think of what could've caused it to fall. However, no matter how hard she thought, no matter how many different scenarios she came up with, nothing made sense! There hadn't been a storm, the sky was clear as it had ever been, no one had chopped the tree down, if someone had, Emma figured she would've seen them. So if nothing had made contact with the tree, how could it have been knocked down?

Oddly enough, it seemed that once again, magic was the only thing that was an actual possibility! But, Emma was still in denial. Magic wasn't real, it just wasn't. Not wanting to put any more thought into the matter, Emma simply climbed over the tree and kept walking. It could've been five, minutes, ten minutes, maybe even twenty minutes, Emma wasn't really keeping track. She was putting all of her energy into finding a way home. She had no desire to stay in this place, with every minute she stayed, she felt as though she was going more and more insane!

Finally, Emma stopped walking. She was getting very tired and her mind didn't seem to want to function correctly. As she leaned against the trunk of a tree, her thoughts drifted to the vintage store. Had someone noticed she was gone? Just anyone at the cash register? But then, it didn't really matter, she had no control of anything at the store, not from where she was at that moment. For a while, she stayed that way, leaning against the tree and thinking of nothing in particular. Then, Emma realized she could continue on, after all, if she didn't keep walking, how was she going to find a way home? Reluctantly, Emma stood up

straight and began to walk. Soon she reached a clearing. It looked pretty much the same as the rest of the landscape, with the exception of hills on the opposite side of the clearing. However, the hills were not what caught Emma's attention. Right in the middle of the clearing, a girl who looked to be a bit younger than Emma, was crouching over some kind of machine. As she came closer to where the girl was, Emma got a better view of the machine.

She recognized it at once. It was a brailler, a machine used by people who are visually impaired so they can write and read. Emma had only seen one of those machines once, it had been broken when for some reason, someone had dropped it off at the vintage store. Now, Emma couldn't figure out why this girl was working on themachine, it didn't look like she was using it for writing, maybe she was fixing it. At that moment, the girllooked up and saw Emma watching her. As the girlstood up and came over to Emma, Emma noticedthat the brailler was typing by itself, the keys were movingand the paper was moving down with every line that was typed.

"Hello." Emma said.

"Hello." The girl replied.

"What are you doing with that brailler?"

"I'm trying to fix it! As you can see, it writes on its own. Also, everything it writes comes true. A little while ago, it made a tree fall over."

"It did that? I was wondering why that tree fell!"

"Well, now you know! I'm Monique."

"I'm Emma."

"Your not from here, are you?"

"What gave me away?"

"If you were from here, you would've already known about the brailler. Everyone here knows about it, and everyone is afraid of it!"

"Afraid? Of a brailler? Why?"

"Because. You only saw a tree fall because of it, but it does things that are much worse! It starts fires, causes floods, and if it wanted to, it could end lives immediately. It hasn't gone that far, yet, but it's only a matter of time. That's why I'm trying to stop it now!"

"How did it get this way?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, where I'm from, these things don't just write on their own!"

"They aren't supposed to be able to write on their own here either. This particular one was cursed by an evil queen who used to rule this land. She was destroyed a long time ago, but she left that brailler behind as a punishment for those who defied her. Problem is, not all of us defied her."

"So magic does exist?"

"Course it does! Why would you even ask that?"

"Where I'm from, we don't have magic. As a matter of fact, I was just looking for a way to get back home! Do you know of any, magic mirrors or portals to other places?"

"Sure, but they were all destroyed many years ago."

"Sure they were!"

"You didn't let me finish. There is one portal left, it isn't far from here."

"Perfect, do you mind telling me where it is?"

"Well."

"Well what?"

"I really have to break the curse on this brailler and I kinda don't know how to do it. You help me with my thing, then maybe, just maybe, I'll help you with yours!"

"Seriously? You, want to make a deal with me?"

"Yeah, unless, you'd rather stay!"

"Alright, alright fine. We have a deal!"

"Fantastic. However, if you prove useless in breaking this curse, I can call off the DEA!"

"What? No way, couldn't you have said that before I agreed to this?"

"Nope. I believe that's what you'd call, fine print."

"You know what? Whatever, let's just do this! What have you tried so far?"

"A few spells, but nothings worked, obviously!"

"Have you tried taking out the paper?"

"Don't you think I've thought of that? It doesn'tcome out, it's endless."

"Okay, so this just got a lot harder!"

"Really Emma? You think I don't know that?"

"Chill out Monique, just, let me try something."

"Knock yourself out."

Emma crouched down in front of the brailler the way Monique had. She stared at the six keys that were still typing away. The one downside was, she couldn't read braille, so if the brailler typed out something really terrible, Emma wouldn't know it.

"Hey Monique, can you read braille?" Emma asked anxiously.

"Nope!" Monique said.

"Awesome, just, awesome!"

Emma got to work, trying to reset the brailler. But that didn't work, so she tried pulling on the paper as hard as she could, but that was no use either. During all of this, Monique simply stood by and watched, smiling widely. She knew Emma wasn't going to be able to break the curse, therefore, she would not have to uphold her end of the deal.

In fact, she was very confident that she could walk away right at that moment and it wouldn't matter. She just hoped that Emma wouldn't figure out that she was the one who cursed the brailler, and she knew exactly how the curse could be broken! But, she enjoyed making people try to break the curse, all the while, she was controlling everything the brailler was writing. If she really wanted to, she could set fire to the clearing right there and then, and Emma would think the fire had been caused by an ancient curse. A few minutes later, to Monique's dismay, Emma stood up and took a few steps back.

"What? Giving up?" Monique asked.

"No!" Emma said confidently.

"What?"

"You heard me!"

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm not telling you!"

"Fine! Be like that."

"Whatever!"

Emma picked up the brailler, it was very light for such a large machine. Usually braillers were extremely heavy, that's when it occurred to her, there was something very wrong with this brailler and it had nothing to do with a curse. Monique had lied, about what, Emma wasn't completely sure.

It didn't matter, she had a plan and it was going to make Monique, furious. Emma lifted the brailler over her head

with ease. Then, she brought it down hard on the grass. She smiled as it smashed into hundreds of tiny pieces.

Monique's jaw dropped.

"You, you broke the curse! What made you think to smash it?" Monique asked.

"By the curse do you mean, your curse?" Emma asked.

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Save it! Now, I upheld my end of the deal! It's your turn! Where's this portal?"

"There's a lake a little ways away from here. Just think of where you wanna go, step into the water and you'll get there!"

"That simple?"

"Yep! But, I'm gonna make sure that lake is dried up by the time you get there!"

"Oh please. I can run pretty fast."

"I know my way around this land."

Without another word, both girls took off at a run toward the other side of the clearing. For a few minutes, Emma was in the lead, but of course, Monique wasn't going to let that last. She began shooting bolts of magic at Emma from behind.

These slowed her down, but even so, she was still ahead. Soon, the two girls reached a lake. The water was a gorgeous shade of blue, so clear, Emma could see to the bottom. She stopped for a second to admire it. That's when Monique caught up to her.

"Well, well. Your the first person who's been able to break that curse." Monique said.

"You know something? Your a witch!" Emma said.

"Very good Emma. Now, get out of my way so I can work some magic!"

Emma jumped aside to avoid yet another bolt of magic. Instead of hitting her, it hit the surface of the water, which upon being hit, quickly began to disappear.

"Ha! You'll never get back to your world now!" Monique cackled.

"Oh yeah? Watch me!" Emma shouted.

Without hesitation, Emma dove into the water, which was freezing and felt almost as though it was charged with electricity.

"I hate magic!" Emma muttered.

As she felt herself sinking lower and lower, all Emma could think about besides her destination, was how much she wanted to forget the events of the last few hours.

Getting pulled into the mirror, the cursed brailler and most of all, Monique. The very thought of her made Emma's blood boil, how could someone be that evil? Soon, Emma's feet hit solid ground and she was once again, back in the vintage store, standing in front of the old, dusty mirror. As she stood there, a young girl approached. Something about her dark hair and evil smile seemed so familiar to Emma, though she didn't know the girl at all. Or at least, she didn't think she did!

"Can I help you?" Emma asked.

"Yes! I'd like to purchase that lovely mirror." The girl replied.

"Excellent choice! Come to the front and I'll ring that up for you."

Emma grabbed the mirror. Though it had a good weight to it, she was still able to drag it to the front of the store. She gave the girl the price and she paid. Then, the girl grabbed the mirror and headed for the door. Emma couldn't quite remember why, but she was glad to see that mirror go. As she watched, the girl tipped the mirror ever so slightly. It

fell to the floor with a terrible crash and shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces. Horrified as she was, Emma couldn't help but smile. The girl had already payed, which meant that mirror, was not her problem anymore!

Third Prize – tieThird PrizeMy storyby Aya Darrouba

Hi my name is Aya Darrouba I am 12 years old. I am in grade 6. I am from Syria. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister and my sister is blind too like me.

When I was 4 years old I left my family and I go to blind school. My school is in Syria I live in a village and my school is in a city 2 hours away. I go to school on Sunday to Thursday and I saw my family every two weekends.

There was a war with lots of fighting in the streets. I was stuck in the school and I could not see my family for one month.

When I am 6 years old I went to Lebanon. The school in Syria closed because of the war so my father took me to another school. In my school we did lots of fun things. My favourite things were singing in the choir and running in 10 km marathons. After 1 year Mommy came to Lebanon to live with us. My brothers and my sister came with her. My school is a really nice school. I have lots of good friends. I use my phone to talk to them. I also had lots of good teachers. I started to learn English there. After 5 years we moved to Canada.

I have been in Canada for 5 months. When I first came here it was really cold, I didn't like it! But now I love it! I try lots of new things. I tried snowshoeing in winter. I go to the sugar bush where I tried maple syrup. I visited the ROM a few weeks ago. I learned lots of new things. I live in Peterborough. I go to school at Highland Heights Public school. I have lots of good friends and teachers.

Thank you very very much Canada! I am really happy because I can see my family everyday! I love Canada a lot because Canada has lots of good people.

Third Prize - tieRevolutionby Caitlin Higgins

Chapter 1

Sweat dripped down my back in exertion. My breath came hot and heavy against my face, as the humid atmosphere bounced it right back at me. I wrenched my body down and to the right, as a meaty fist, swung toward my face. Twisting I launched my shin into my attackers knees, sending him down. Finally I finished him off with a solid punch to the jaw. His head lurched back while he fell to the ground, with the rest of his comrades.

"I thought you weren't going to hurt them," a booming voice called. Standing up smoothly, I turned while lifting a hand to wipe the perspiration from my face. I squinted through the glaringly bright sunlight to confirm that it was indeed Alexander Vincent, strolling over.

"I never said that," I answered.

Ambling over to the bottles of water, hiding in the shade of a tree, I gave him a slight smile.

"You're going to scare them off, before they've even begun," he said shaking his head.

"Not my intentions," I replied placatingly.

Cracking open a bottle. "Besides, I think their pride of being beaten by a woman, won't let them go far." I saw the faintest of smiles on his lips as he surveyed the five young men.

They were only one of nine squads, we had managed to put together. In total our forces only equaled fifty-three people. However that didn't count the fifteen former UNSC commanding officers, or the twenty-one former soldiers, who would all fight when the time came.

"Still," he paused, "I thought you weren't training them?"

"I'm not really. But Lieutenant Hadley needed some encouragement for them."

"Yes of course. Because nothing says encouragement, like having the shit knocked out of you."

I lifted my eyebrows at him, amused at his remark. We gave half smiles at one another, as we waited for the Ensign to wake.

It took a while for everyone in Delta team to awake. However once all of the team had risen, Commander Vincent and I shepherded them to the showers. Where we met up with Lieutenant Hadley.

"Come on you louts, let's get a move on!" Lieutenant Hadley shouted. "No one wants to smell, your raggedy asses!" His voice came out like a punch; it was one-hundred percent the drilling frog tone.

"Ensign Piper! What are you waiting for?"

He went and stood over a young Ensign in her twenties.

"Lieutenant Hadley!" she hollered, saluting.

"Don't salute me girl! Get a move on."

Her face twitched slightly in response to the order, and Joe Hadley descended like a whip.

"What's the holdup Ensign Piper? Are you waiting for your Momma, to come hold your hand? Because let me tell you, you'll be waiting a long time."

The woman started moving jerkily, eyes downcast as she rushed. "And if I have to come hold your hand. I guarantee you won't enjoy it." Not surprisingly, by the time Lieutenant Hadley finished his threat, every Ensign was in the showers.

"I think he's got everything under control here," Alexander said thoughtfully.

"I would have to agree," I replied. Turning I started the long walk back to base.

Even after its near destruction in 2535, Jericho VII was still beautiful. The plants on the planet were harsh, stubborn things. So in the twenty-one years since its glassing, they had grown to be over ten feet tall. They sunk their roots into the polished mirror rocks, cracking and splitting it. Great swells of grass popped up from the welts on the surface, and took over.

Due to the glassing, the mountain ranges had become more rough and hazardous to climb. They were now more smooth and reflective, leaving few safe places to ascend. While this made for prime training ground, it also made hiding more difficult.

I shook off the thoughts as we approached our base camp. The main building consisted of a downed UNSC cruiser the name so chipped and faded there was no hope of reading it. This ship was so large that when fully functioning, it would have carried over thirty thousand crew.

Together Alexander and I, made our way down the main catwalk on the bottom deck of the ship. It was oddly eerie to be walking in a ship, so empty of other people.

Somehow even after being here for a year, I was still not used to the feeling. The overwhelming feeling of being watched, from shadows you couldn't hope to see through.

With footsteps echoing so loud, you would think a gun was going off.

"Do you know when you are leaving?" Alexander asked quietly.

"Not exactly," I replied. "I wanted to stay for a while, oversee the Ensign's training. Make sure everything is running, as it should. You know that kind of thing."

"I do know," he griped, "I know that if you stay, I get stuck with butler duty. And we won't have a big enough force to even cause a scratch on the Flood. "Butler duty," I muttered then raised my voice, "careful Alexander. We might not be in uniform, but complaining doesn't become you."

He sighed, "I apologize. Things have just been," he paused rubbing his Adams apple, "a little strained lately."

"I understand," I answered. For a few minutes the only sound was of our shoes, banging against the changing floors. "Still I'll leave in three days," I said softly. "That will give me enough time to plot a course with Yukon, and you all enough time to get a ship ready."

"Marina, I didn't mean it like that." The corners of his mouth turned down. "Like you had to pick up and leave, so soon."

"Again, I know. But you are right," I gave him a light smile. "We need to move forward with our plans. That means I must find more, who are willing to fight." In response Alexander nodded, before bowing his head. I understood why. Each time someone left the planet, it had a certain amount of risk involved.

We sauntered through vacant corridors for another five minutes, before we came to a door. I turned to Alexander as I spoke. "I'm fine here Alex, leave me now. I need some space to think properly.

"Yes Marina," he said voice low. Looking at the floor as he spoke, it almost seemed as though he was ashamed. Without another word Alexander swiveled around, and headed back the way we came. While I typed in my room access code, and entered the darkness.

Old customs die hard, and for me this was especially true. I would have gone directly to the bridge if it hadn't been for me not being clad in my formal attire.

The quarters I was in now, were pretty average. There was a low squatting bunk, shoved up against the wall to the left of the door. A small table sat on the opposite side of the room, with a medium sized monitor sitting on it. In the corner of the apartment, there was a half rack of a closet. The walls were all a dark grey in colour, and completely barren of any homey items.

Divesting myself of my damp training clothes. I then donned my clean crisp uniform, and went over to the

monitor. Switching it on, I reversed its settings with a few clacks of fingers on fiberglass.

The image cast back at me, was of a tall alert woman. Her hair was dark chestnut, and her eyes a glinting green-brown. She had lightly tanned skin, pulled tight across her cheekbones. Revealing her narrow nose, and a broad jaw. My overall facial appearance was definitely feminine. Not that the rest of my body followed suit. Or that look, I would get in my eye. That clearly stated, you mess withme, and I'll kill you. That was because of my unique

physicality, that just my presence would demand respect, whether I was in uniform at the time, or not.

A hiss rolled around the room, while my attention had been wondering from the screen. With a popping crackle and a shower of light, the monitor reverted back to normal.

"Captain," a young sounding male voice, came on.

"Yukon," my voice was delighted. The excitement in my tone surprised me.

"I have some information I think you would be interested in." His voice was that of a relaxed American, with that strange underlying monotone, that most AI constructs had.

"What kind of information?" I asked.

"Captain, it would be easier if you were on the bridge, for me to give you the details." It took me only a second to rearrange my features.

"I'm on my way," I said voice serious.