'Jack and Annie - Kitchen' by Tamar Knott

He sat at the kitchen table watching her dry the plates from the night before, the smell of baked goods filling the air.
“Are the kids up yet?”
“I told them you were coming.”
“I’ll call them.” He made to leave the table.
“They’ll be down in a minute.”
“Okay…” He sat back in his seat again.
“Do you want some tea?” she said, putting down the tea towel and turning to check the oven.
“Um please, if you’re making some,”
“Three sugars?”
“Uh no, Sophie’s got me on sweeteners, says it’s bad for the heart.”
“Oh.”
She shuffled the mugs in the cupboard above the kettle until finally finding the hand painted ‘Daddy’ mug right at the back.
“Are they up yet?”
“How was Cambodia?”
“Oh, um, great, we, uh spent most of the time in the temple, took some nice photos…” He took out his phone, looked at her and then put it back in his pocket.
“Milk?”
“Yeah, please, you got almond?”
“Full fat.”
“Oh, um, ah, well, what she don’t know…”
“The kids will be down in a sec.”
“Annie, I…”
“Don’t.” She stared out the window at the barren vegetable patch.
“But Annie-”
She walked to the stairs, “Come on you two, Dad’s waiting.” 

6 Delusions (inspired by Sophie Collins’ Eight Phrases) by Katie Thomas

- What would lettuce taste like in tomato soup?

- I should really change my sheets

- I’ve never looked at the bottom of my foot. I have two moles 

- Ear wax is by far the worst taste, much worse than semen 

- Shut the fuck up Toby 

- Is it bin day? 

Dystopian Joi - Harry G. Clark (Year 2)

The night sky used to be clean. It had some semblance of clarity long ago, now the only things that come close to bright stars are the sprawling numbers of off-world ships. Joi has never seen a star, felt the rain or touched the lips of her lover. This Earth she drifts in, damaged and irreparable, is not her mother, no her true children have hacked and burned their way to other safe havens, leaving the lesser and the artificial to cling to a ghost. To Joi, this is home.

Home is also a shoebox, one that takes mere seconds to cross the length of. Near-luxury living for the overpopulated. A drab grey colour palette does a more-than-disappointing job at sprucing up the place for both inhabitants, the only colours that don't match the monotone world's are the splash of spring grass green and enigmatic auburn. The green; Kay's favourite colour, pasted to his bedroom wall like a cherished banner, it was the colour of her eyes after all and the one that dug deepest into him. As for the auburn, that was Joi's hair dancing around the apartment in a flowing display, specifically tailored to Kay's eyes, catching them whenever he walked in. A subtle blend of coffee with a hint of cherry.

With a jarring thud, the front door flew open with Kay clinging to the handle. On first inspection of him, like a repeating memory, she can never tell what takes more of a beating, Kay's leather overcoat from the gloomy environment or his soft face from his dicey profession.
"I don't suppose you took this one alive this time?" Joi said with a condescending tone, though the question was rife with worry, she knew his job could get him killed one day.
"If they just came quietly then I wouldn't have to burden you with the state I'm in now" Kay smiled in his answer. He wasn't pleased to be 'home', he was happy to see her. Reaching into the breast pocket of his overcoat Kay produced a small rectangular object, roughly the size of a phone.
"I got you something today, let's take you outside" Kay's smile still unwavering in the wake of his glee.
"Kay, you know I can't..." Joi had fallen into a spell of sadness. She looked away to the green wall and appeared to be ashamed at Kay's proposition.
"With this, there's nowhere you can't be." He gestured once again to the emulator that he held in his hands. Joi's gaze met with his once again, the spell had been broken.
"Are you sure it will work, I'll be with you?" Joi said. Kay nodded with contentment and turned to the panel on the wall near the door. A few minutes later the emulator was working, Joi stood there in suspense, almost frozen.

Kay walked out into the night. He'd only just been out in it moments ago but it somehow had gotten colder, the wind was nearly non-existent but the snow was now the purest of white linen all around the city. He turned away from studying the weather to the doors of the plaza, his emulator still in his pocket. He gripped it tightly with anticipation. In the dead of night and the eerie silence of the snow-capped streets, Joi crept out slowly. She felt like a small mouse emerging from it's hole, stepping out into the bigger picture, her frame; gone.
No words were spoken, for these precious minutes were all for her to experience. Joi's head was almost bubbling over with seemingly endless adjectives for her emotions. Kay fell silent for as long as she did. His eyes never lost sight of her face, this was his gift to her and he took solace in her smiles and studious looks. She reached out with her hands to hold the droplets of snow and one-by-one they shimmered through her. She twirled her hands through the air and the snow was greeting her with the same shimmer. In a moment of inquisitiveness and pure euphoria, Joi dropped to the white blanket and moved in the motion of a snow angel.

Kay slumped into the same pit of sadness Joi had back in the confines of the apartment and he too was ashamed. He looked at the emulator and back at her, elated with the snow, she knew what was happening or rather... what wasn't. Joi left no imprint in the snow, not anywhere. The emulator glitched for a moment.

Joi was the one shimmering against the snow.

Your hand in mine (inspired by 'The meat') - Asher-Lee Tulip Downer (Year 2)

I took a star from the sky, sewed your name into the seam. Placed it above your head, while you continued to dream. I whispered into your ears, warned off all the bad nightmares. Kissed your bitter cheeks in the morning and pushed back your thin baby hairs. I cradled your cold body and warmed up your blue lips. And brushed all the dust off your pretty dress while I tightened the bow around your hips. 

I made the bed around you, wrapping the duvet up nice and tight. Keeping you trapped and safe from the cold, suspicious night. You stared at me, with your blue, crazy eyes and I can’t help smiling as I bat away the greedy flies. 

They sit upon you, like small vultures watching their prey, but I will not let them get to you my dear, no, not today. 

You are still the most precious thing I own, I take your hand and admire the ring. Thin and silver, on your pale skin it has begun to cling. 

The candle’s flame flickers in the descending light as I held your hand in mine. I look at your pale expression and how the light made your lifeless eyes shine. Your cheekbones were beginning to show even more today, your skin sinking into your face. The dark mistress of time taking away what was left of your beauty and grace. 

Stealing your warm, perfume smell and replacing it with odours of old, as I clasp your papery skin to mine and try to ignore the cold. 

I couldn’t keep you forever. I had known this for a while. But just a little bit longer, just a little while more, so I don't forget your smile. The way your lips used to curve up when you looked at me. The confused way your face crumpled up when I got down on one knee. 

Now your figures indent will forever be on our bed, as your body continues to decay. Resting in-between the duvet and the sheet. I will continue to tell you I love you, every single day. 

Every day, I will press my lips to yours and pretend they kiss mine back.  I will hold your hand till it turns to dust and until your pupils succumb to the black. Until the final calls of death ring at our door and take whats left of your decomposing bones from me. I will keep you safe and locked away, with my fingers around the key. 

You may be dead to the world, but you are still alive to me. I will keep your decaying body for as long as the flies will leave it be.