THE CHASM 

By Tessa Harvey

    Ariella had driven Dylan's car down carefully from the mountain in the misty dank darkness. Now she was pulling up outside the hospital, clutching some chocolates. Her mother drew in beside her, both happy to have found parking. Alone, Ariella found Dylan's ward. He was pleased to see her and looking much better. They exchanged greetings. Dylan was delighted with the chocolates and thanked her warmly. Then he looked down, playing with the sheet.

    "Thanks for everything, Ari, and for bringing my car here. I go home later. It was just hypothermia, but I am not ready to be a God-person. Sorry, there is just too big a gap between us. Still friends, okay?" He looked up, sadly.

    His uncle's words from last night echoed in his ears. "Don't be stupid,  Dylan. Cut ties with that woman. We come from good Aryian stock. There is a great gulf between us and Jews. Are you listening, boy? Otherwise there will be no support for college etc. You disowned me as a child, but if you go against me now, you will be alone, totally!"

PREVIEW: AWESOME FIRE

    The young people had packed up their camping gear more or less carefully. Their leader checked the fire pit. Just grey ash, dead in an old tree stump. To be sure, he dumped a bottle of water on the ashes. They clumped in unsightly blobs. An arid smell rose. Coughing, the boy stepped back. 

    "Come on," the others yelled, and they were gone. A wisp of steam arose in the cold morning air. In the dead ash, a tiny red glow flickered and died down, waiting - for the wind. It could, of course, rain.