“I couldn’t tell you the last time our roof leaked. When all we could hear were the winds and the raindrops whipping against the windows, barely drowning out the constant beat of the buckets catching the leaks…” Written by Hakiri Diarra.

“The world was burning and not metaphorically. For the past 20 years we had been fighting fatal wildfires, but this year was different. This year the systems that had kept us safe before were failing…” Written by Nicole Linares.

“As the first sun of Exoplanet Jora began to set, casting a violet glow over the silent landscape, Dr. Johana N. stood on a small ridge, watching her creation come to life for the first time…” Written by Jurjaan Onayza Noim.

“Abeke had to find a way to appease Osun and she had to do it fast. The festival was 3 months away and was in jeopardy of being delayed. She was happy to be this year’s Arugba as it was a great honour to lead the traditions held close by her community for so many years.” Written by Oluwasemilore Adeyinka.

“The screens in the Department of Future Relocation flickered with images of distant galaxies—a cruel facade to those who knew the truth. As a government data analyst, I had unraveled the lies of false hope and broken promises embedded in our society…” Written by Rachel Renegado.

“From my quaint porch, I can see a welcoming prairie rolling into the distance. A cloud of disturbed dust travels in the distance. The smell of petrichor is in the air and the ground is soft to step on, but otherwise only a few clouds dot the sky. It wasn’t always this way, though…” Written by Mateo Rueda Montes.

“Why did they block me out? After all I’ve done for them. They used me. Made me feel important, indispensable even. Just to move on to the next big thing. You would think that the light I brought into their lives would be something they can’t ignore. That the warmth I filled them with was irreplicable, that it was something they couldn’t live without…” Written by Sebastian Polanco.

“This morning at the lab was pure chaos. Word had spread that the mayor would be visiting, and everyone rushed to clean, sort, and prepare. For the others, it was a chance to make an impression and catch the attention of someone with power. For Sean, it was just another day at work…” Written by Sanjana Robinson.

““BRACE” blares Alejandro! The boat jolts to a stop as he gently steers us to scrape against the rocky shore below. Carlos tumbles my gear towards me as he goes prepares himself to disembark. Maria walks out onto the deck already in her nicely fitted trousers, scratched up boots, and loaded backpack. This isn’t her first rodeo…” Written by Max Pedroza.

“A small boy named Domingo wandered the giant forests of his hometown. He ran into the trees across the ground covered in spongy fungi making a soft cushion for his feet on the forest floor. The wind rushed through the giant stems of mushrooms that lined up with the trees, while giant canopies of the mushrooms made home to animals relaxing in the sun…” Written by Kate Wagner.

“Location: Earth, Year 3158

We were warned to stay away from the unknown, to not go so far, but like moths to a flame, we continued our path. When they came, it was not from the stars, but from the oceans and the ground. Turbulent waves that went on for years and destroyed everything in its path…” Written by Shade Odagwe.