December 24, 1942:

I am writing today about the true horrors that we are experiencing around us. Thousands of people are forced to march through the freezing snow, waist deep, and painfully cold, for hours at a time. People who cannot go on are shot, and in a way I envy them for they are finally free from the horrors of war. I cannot believe that the world has come to this, it feels like the end is near. And when my time comes I think I will go freely, for I do not want to live, I have nothing left to live for. This doesn’t feel like reality; it seems like something out of a book, a dystopian terrifying book. -Elijah Klein

I laugh in the face of danger. Who knows if I'll have a tomorrow, so what's the point of worrying about it. Nothing scares me, I live for the thrill of the night. I've done a lot of stupid stuff in my twenty two years. I thought about my vacation in Elba, where I first met Zion. We smoked weed until three in the morning, then went for a long drive discussing life. I had done so much. I can gladly say that I have never been bored in my life. I once went skydiving with my ex-mother-in-law. I almost killed my old neighbor. I had moved around so much, never holding down a job, or man. My life has been very unconventional. But I don't mind. I enjoy it. I don't care about anything anymore except having a good time. I'm happy, and isn't that what it's all about?

The highway that is life, is a long, windy, yet exciting road. Highways are full of twists and turns, cracks in the pavement, and pot holes. There are police cars trying to hold you back, people who keep cutting you off, and the rain which blocks you view. But there are also birds in the distance peacefully singing, beautiful flowers on the side, and sunsets that take your breath away. The highway of life will take you somewhere, even if that's not where you planned on ending up. Take the ride. It'll take you somewhere worthwhile.

When I Look At You,

I Love You With All my Heart,

Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,

You Light Up My Life.

I Can't Help Falling in Love With You,

God Only Knows

I Love You always Forever,

I'm Yours.

You Got Me,

All Of Me,

Everything I Do, I Do it For You,

You're Still The One.

I have always been so smart, straight A's, dancer, nothing wrong with me. But when I was only eleven I developed OCD. Obsessive thoughts filled my brains, I couldn't sleep at night I was anxious all the time. Intrusive mantras filled my head, and to cancel them out I would knock on wood. One hundred times an hour, constantly thinking constantly knocking, I couldn't stop. I hid it from everyone. If I need to touch the cold wooden floor, I would drop a pencil, and pretend to be picking it up. OCD took over my life.

John and Rose are sitting in a car. They are sixteen years old and dating. Its summertime in the late 1990s in New York City. John's driving. The traffic is bad.

JOHN: So what movie do you want to watch?

ROSE: There's a new one "Sleepless in Seattle". It seems romantic

JOHN: No way. I am not watching some stupid lovey-dovey romantic movie. Let's watch something action. Lots of blood and guts. The Terminator is playing.

ROSE: What is wrong with men.

JOHN: Everything.

They pull up to the theater.

JOHN(to the ticket saleswoman): Hi we'd like two tickets. What do you recommend "Sleepless in Seattle" or "The Terminator"?

SALESWOMAN: Well, they're both good, but both sold out.

JOHN: Sold out? How'd that happen?

SALESWOMAN(Bored and tired): Well people came here gave me money and now they're sold out. Look I'm not here to answer your stupid questions I have a life you know.

JOHN: It's Friday night and your working alone, I don't know about the life part.

SALESWOMAN: Do you want to watch "Dead Man's Ghost?" It's a horror movie just came out. Guaranteed to scare you.

JOHN: Nothing scares me. I'll take two tickets.

ROSE: I don't know, I don't like scary movies.

JOHN: It's fine, I'll be there to protect you.

ROSE(sarcastic): Oh I feel so much better now.

They go and sit in the movie.

A few minutes later JOHN is terrified and ROSE is incredibly calm.

JOHN: This is terrifying.

ROSE: I thought you wanted to watch something scary with bloods and guts.

JOHN: I think I overestimated my bravery.

Cut to later back in the car.

ROSE: You scream like a little girl.

JOHN: I do not. It's not my fault that genetically I come from a long line of high pitched voices.

ROSE: You seem so proud of it too.

JOHN: How were you not scared? When he came back and slit her throat.

ROSE: I guess I'm just braver than you.

JOHN: Hey!

They drive on for a few minutes in silence. Then out of nowhere ROSE screams:

ROSE: OH MY GOSH!! THERE'S A BUG!

JOHN: Are you okay?

ROSE: NO! IT WAS ON THE BAG I WAS HOLDING. THE THING IS HUGE.

JOHN: Believe it or not you are huger.

ROSE: I can't deal with this. Its coming near me. John what do I do?

JOHN: I don't know it's a bug, kill it.

ROSE:I am not touching that thing. Help me, JOHN, help me. I'm terrified.

JOHN: Now this is what I imagined the movie to be like.

ROSE: I'm not kidding help me, kill it.

JOHN: I'm driving there's nothing I can do about it.

ROSE: Let me out.

JOHN: Here? There's like ten blocks left.

ROSE: I don't care, let me out, LET ME OUT.

She gets out of the car.

Later; John is back in his house sitting watching TV. The doorbell rings. ROSE has finally arrived panting and sweating.

JOHN: How was your nighttime run through New York City?

ROSE: Awful. There was this bee that started chasing me and wouldn't let me go. I hate bugs.

As Aaron and Carolina lay there, her head on his chest, gazing endlessly into the starry sky, listening to the rush of cars on the interstate, he realized he was falling in love with her. He yearned to tell her how he felt: that he didn’t need anything but her. That he loved her. Because he did, he did love Carolina Peterson, and he always would. But he just stared into the night. She looked lost in her own thoughts. He wondered if she somehow knew that he could not stop thinking of how perfect they could have been together.

As soon as I saw her.

The forest seemed to be alive.

I looked at him and died

I feel as if I have left this world,

I am no longer in touch with anything.

I just feel numb to everything.

I don’t want to do anything anymore.

I am lost with no guidance,

Wandering on an empty path at night.

Walking completely blind not seeing where I’m going,

Not even knowing where I am trying to go.

I need something to happen,

I need something to give me a reason:

To wake up everyday,

And continue living.

I don’t know why I try anymore,

I have nothing,

Nothing to win,

But nothing to lose either.