"Aeraxian Stranger," by Geneva Sharif: November 2024 3rd Place

I stared outside the window, the autumn leaves swaying, while the aroma of my mom’s pumpkin pie wafted into my room. I then saw quite an unusual sight: A young woman with light blue hair and a fur coat (foreign to Marloth). She strided confidently as if she were on a search mission, a trail of snow trailing behind her. I gasped incredulously. How is that possible?! I thought as the green landscape transformed into a blanket of snow.

That night, an emergency town meeting was called. “Zane! Get ready, we have to go.” I heard my mom call with a slight quiver in her voice. “Ready.” I sighed after I hurriedly zipped my hoodie. Hopefully this meeting explains the snow situation. I thought, all my questions engrossing me. As always, I put my notepad and pen into my pocket, ready to note down any important information.

Both of my parents were silent for the whole drive to Marloth Square. I felt a ripple of tension emerging as my heart pounded with anticipation. Before I knew it, we had arrived in what felt like an eternity but a blink of an eye simultaneously.

I saw the Marlothan leader on the podium, eyes narrowed, the stranger next to him. I peered over at her, and noticed that she had a star mark on her cheek, identical to my own. She emitted a warm aura as if she was familiar. My mom gasped discreetly. “Citizens of Marloth!” The leader’s voice boomed, “I have been informed that this strange weather has been caused by magic from this lady right here… Meaning she is Aeraxian. Unfortunately, there are no Aeraxian translators, and she refuses to speak.” My mom and the stranger were widening their eyes at each other, as if they were conversing telepathically. “What’s going on, Mom?” I whispered, but was replied with silence.

“Zane…”