The Shining Common Sense Media Novels & Stories

His eyes glittered as he saw me and butterflies filled my belly. Kayden almost jumped in excitement when she saw her friend, Tom and I allowed her to sit across from him. Before I knew it, they were already talking about their favorite cartoons. “Don't tell me, you don't watch Barbie,” Kayden said disappointed. “Barbie is for girls and weak boys. I watch superheroes,” Tom defended himself and I almost roared in laughter at what was happening between the both of them. “That's not true. I also watch super heroes cartoons and I feel Spider Man is better than Batman,” Kayden said and her tiny hands were placed firmly on the table.

That night, Brielle curled up on the couch beside Lila, the flicker of an old movie casting shadows across their faces. It was something they'd watched a hundred times—one of those childhood classics that never quite faded, no matter how grown-up the world became. But tonight, it played in silence between them. Lila leaned into her side. Brielle didn’t move. She couldn’t. Her body felt like it had been hollowed out. She hadn’t realized how long it had been since she’d just been with her sister. No panic. No explaining. No pretending. Just this—shared air, shared grief, shared blood.

I replied. Chris’ eyes met mine, his eyes darkening, “excuse me?” -oops, maybe a little too far. I rolled my eyes at this, “all I’m saying is that he is going through something,” I replied using my journalistic instinct, never strike when it’s too hot or you might get burned, “no one wake ups and just becomes whatever he is,” I replied, choosing my words carefully, a little strong towards the end but easy.

"What are you talking about?" Juniper asked, confused. She was initially startled, then gently looped an arm around Lucas'. "Come on, Lucas. You're not seeing this right. How could I have misled you guys? I know I was wrong earlier, but there must be a misunderstanding—" Lucas shook her off without hesitation, glaring at her as she fell to the ground. "You think we're all idiots? Do you get a kick out of playing everyone like fools? Huh?"

she kept talking to him like she understood what was happening in his head. “I’ll need you to push the shadows at full force all at once. That should uncover the thorn long enough for you to have a good look at it. Every detail will be important. But you must be objective.” He did not react for a while. ‘She does not know what she is doing.’ It looks like it. ‘We can still think of another way.’ Yes. But we do not act without telling her. ‘Fine.’ The pressure dropped. The shadows retreated back to where they belonged.

Chillingly composed. She gestured to the screen. “This one’s called *Shamed Then Seen*. The second doesn’t have a name yet. The third is still in testing. You’re seeing them because you didn’t walk when the press tried to make my name a headline instead of a legacy.” Her words hung in the air. “We won’t release these to the media,” she added. “No sneak previews, no leaks. They’re for people who understand the difference between trend and endurance.” Silence followed.

"You feel like you're floating, watching your body shake and cry on the floor... until they cut out half of your stomach." I looked at his suddenly pale face and asked in a soft voice, "How do you think I know all this so well?"

"There is a popular saying among my people that a blind man is useless in the eyes of his people when the sun is shinning in the morning but when the sun has departed and everywhere is in complete darkness, the blind man eventually becomes the king because he has mastered the art of walking in darkness and those people who had neglected him in the morning will seek his help as they try in vain to find their way home. Great people of Umuise, i am not saying that I am blind neither am I supporting any of you to lose your sight, I am simply teaching you about the importance of every small blessing you possess. Most of us are not aware that we are blessed and most of us who are aware of our bles

Before I could get a word out, the reporters were already on me like a pack of wolves, cameras and microphones thrust in my face. "We've heard you're quite the hermit and hardly ever seen in public." "What's your take on the scandal with the scholarship student's assault?" I narrowed my eyes, a wave of annoyance washing over me. What was supposed to be a simple ceremony for my foundation had turned into a circus. I fought back the queasy feeling rising in my throat and faced the camera head-on.