“Reunited,” by Amelia Rosbach: May 2025 3rd Place

Willow would have done anything to see her mother again. Even facing death itself. But the night death did come to claim Willow, she wasn’t sure she was ready.

Death’s grasp was gentle. It picked her up and floated her into the sky, climbing a spiral staircase of stardust as they went. She was amazed at how serene dying felt.

Willow didn’t think that heaven would look like a mysterious factory, but, strangely, it did. Even though there were several large machines whirling, it was as quiet as midnight in the enormous workhouse. Willow showed each worker a picture of her mom, hoping someone had seen her. Many shook their heads, but one old man pointed her toward a door leading to a different room.

When Willow saw her mom, her joy was overwhelming. Her mother saw her too and ran towards her, tears streaming down her face.

They embraced and Willow’s mother caressed her forehead. How they had both longed to see each other! But somehow her mother knew Willow wasn’t there to stay. Willow explained how Death had heard her plea and brought her here, for only a brief time. If Willow stayed any longer, she would die. Really die. That was where the factory came in.

This factory made bodies. Vessels for spirits—ships for captains. If Willow could manage to get one, she could leave. It wasn’t easy, Willow was almost caught a few times, but she prevailed. It took almost all night. Luckily, with the help of her mother and her clever wits, she succeeded in finding a suitable body. As she climbed into it, she looked back at her mom.

“Come with me,” Willow begged. But her mother just shook her head and kissed Willow on the cheek. “You will be back. I know you will come back, but until then, live life to its fullest, and remember this: I love you.” As Willow descended to Earth, she whispered one last goodbye. But it wasn’t goodbye. Not really.