Creek Speak | Page 54

creates the most beautiful and vibrant rose anyone has ever seen. She gazes at the deep red, velvety petals and notices a beam of light peaking through. She peels back a single petal. She gasps and stares at the bright, clear diamond.

“Rosalie, will you marry me?” Her eyes light up and she is breathless. All she can do is nod yes as she jumps into Ralph's arms. They love each other as long as the the world lives.

End

Our first place winner is War by Michel Jusseaume. For a story about violence, politics, and war, this story doesn't lack an emotional lead. War has a well written storyline, fantastic characters, and a message that sticks with you. Out of all the writings available, it is truly worthy of its publication. The story and underlying theme tied in with obvious extensive historical research makes it more than worthy of being shown to the intelligent and thoughtful students of Silver Creek High School.

War

Michel Jusseaume

December thirty ninth. Second Coalition. My home, Austria. My livelihood... Taken.

The only thing that I could truthfully say I remember about that day is the smell. Gun smoke. Gun powder. Hickory smoke. More smoke. I didn't remember my name, Klaus Brandt, until I was retold by my father days after. I don't remember feeling. My family fled to Britain after Napoleon took our land. We were treated kindly by their people. Napoleon went missing afterwards, yet Austria was still in the hands of the French.

As soon as I came of age, I joined the King's German Legion, men fighting for Britain for the ability to go back home. My father was pleased with my decision, yet my mother wasn't as happy. I remember her telling me that warfare didn't seem the life for me, yet she shall respect my decision and see me off with no anger. I, for one, was glad when I joined the legion. I was, for once, fighting for something. Living for something. For my country, truly. My country is all I had loved when I was younger, I was grown a very patriotic son. In my room alone, two flags of Austria hung. One a banner, and the other on a mounted pole.