Inkling 2025 - Flipbook - Page 13
I can’t count all of the ways he’s di昀昀erent,
the same. An island over. Only that far. It
took Mabel no e昀昀ort to type his name onto
her computer, but it means everything to
see him here now. And so when Mabel
gives him the locket, open, face up, I’m
swiftly 昀椀lled with immense gratitude to her.
I can see it register on his face. I can see it
as he looks up at me. I got my closure; I’ll
give him his. Thus, I radiate one last smile,
before I fade into the light.
surrounded by tall grass, and cried, just to
see if my tears would make ripples. They
did not.
“I would give anything to know how they
are doing.” I 昀椀nish.
I look up, tentatively, expecting to see
horror, or pity. Instead, I see she isn’t
looking at me at all. She’s lost in thought,
looking down at the locket contemplatively.
Until, a desperate, explosive smile blooms
on her face.
“You know, I think I have an idea.”
My nostrils sting with the tangy smell of
hope and sea. Framed against the setting
sun, Mabel knocks, and then he’s there.
My son.
Lilly is the 2nd place winner in the
Short Story category for this year’s
Teen Writing Contest.
INKLING 2025 | 13
