Author: Avellina Balestri

  • Sun, Sky & Moon Chronicles Chapter 4: Recon & The Chair

    Mother was right, Khalid thought. They’re kidnapping children. Wonderful children, super-humans and Myth both.  Read more

  • Tolkien and Restoration: A Look at Catholicism in England during the 19th and 20th Centuries

    BY DR. JOSEPH SHAW The Catholic Church in England embarked, therefore, on a massive programme of restoration. Read more

  • It Is Morning

    It is morning Catkins gold. Wind sun, Chainsaw sound, a warm buzz I am tired of trying… Read more

  • The Fairy Fountain

    BY ELIZABETH TROUP “In return for your gratitude, I have something to give you,” she said, motioning to a pink-haired fairy…. Read more

  • Slip in Time: Chapter 1

    BY CHRIS S. (ALIAS WEREWOLFKING350) The last thing Harry heard before he passed out completely was a loud crack and himself screaming. Read more

  • The Best Robe – A Star Trek Story: Chapter 1

    “Yikes. Is he dead?”  She pressed two fingers against his neck. “No, thank heavens. Just unconscious.” She grabbed him under his armpits and tugged, but she couldn’t lift him. “Help me lift him. We’re bringing him back with us.” Read more

  • Sun, Sky & Moon Chronicles Chapter 3: Evil Snake or Land Mermaid?

    “You’re an interesting child,” remarked the man dragging Zenon down to a large cavern. “My technology can negate your strength, but I can’t break that aura protecting you. I think I’m going to enjoy studying a god.” Read more

  • Humanity’s Question

    “There’s a question you’ll ask at some point in your life if you haven’t already asked it. But the truth is it’s already been answered…” Read more

  • Fruits of Forgiveness: Overcoming Evil with Good

    BY AVELLINA BALESTRI Some of the greatest works of art contain the ability to make us react in such a way, to find ourselves in the warp and wield of dehumanization. Read more

  • Lost Time: Chapter 17

    Gabriel has assured her that the children are very good and loving to each other as adults, and that she did a good job raising them. She has to trust him for now. She looks forward to getting to know her children again… Read more

  • Les Miserables… The Title Says It All

    BY SARAH LEVESQUE I watched and I waited for good music. Hugh Jackman sang and Russell Crowe sang and I don’t know if the songwriter failed or if the actors failed. Read more

  • Love of a Father

    His name was Quasimodo and he resembled his name, incomplete… He caused horror and disgust in all but one single person: his adopted father, the young priest Claude Frollo. Read more

  • Reprise: A Les Miserables Story

    As he watches the inspector gaze up at the night sky, Valjean notices that he is standing up on the edge of the bridge. Frowning, Valjean starts to walk towards him. “Inspector, what are you doing?” Read more

  • Up in Flames

    “You will be hired as a butler for my family,” stated the man matter-of-factly. “You will help in caring for the children, since I am unable to, see to it that their needs are met, and they are disciplined well. You will also have to be on the look-out for enemies who will try to… Read more

  • Notre Dame: A Picture Walk from 2017

    I rejoiced greatly at the news that the Eucharist and artwork had been saved from the fire, especially because I had gone to see Notre Dame when I went to France on pilgrimage in 2017. Here I will share with you the pictures I took… Read more

  • One Small Star: A Les Miserables Poem

    “One small star, like the flame of a candlestick One small star which my blot out the rest One small star that may heal all enmity One small star that may make the cursed blest.” Read more

  • An Emperor’s Grudge

    “You wanted to see me, sir?” queried Thomas.  “Ah, yes,” nodded Napoleon. “You were impressive during yesterday’s battle. I thought when they charged us when we first took the city, that would be the end. Now a revolt. But you solved that, didn’t you?  Knocking down the doors of the Al-Azhar mosque, mounted on your… Read more

  • Bells of Notre Dame

    He gave a slight bow to the statue of Our Lady before dashing up the stairs to the bell tower. He enjoyed listening to them and wondered who was ringing them nowadays. He smiled sadly as he knew it couldn’t be Quasimodo, though he wished he could have met the fellow. It had been about… Read more

  • Daughters of the Phantom: A Phantom of the Opera Story

    BY ISABELLA SUMMITT “True art comes from suffering, my little one. You are my children; you should share in my suffering so you can truly appreciate music.”  Read more

  • Haemorrhage: A Phantom of the Opera Story

    A year since he set her free with Raoul, and her heart twists to remember how frail he was at the end of things, sitting in his chair with his head in his hands, her promise to return to him upon his death still fresh on her tongue.  Read more