Pacifica Stories

THE GHOSTS OF MIDWAY BY ANDREW HUNG

"The Ghosts of Midway" follows the crew of the USS Midway as they unearth an ancient artifact with mysterious powers from a sunken Japanese ship during World War II. This discovery triggers supernatural phenomena, including the appearance of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's ghost, who warns them of the artifact's potential dangers. Lieutenant Emily Warren, intrigued by the artifact's history, and Ensign Hiro Tanaka, offering cultural insights, seek to unravel its mysteries. Skeptic Chief Petty Officer Samuel Jenkins and Captain Richard Holloway face the challenge of balancing the crew's safety with the ethical implications of the artifact's power. As supernatural events escalate, the crew must confront their fears and differences, uniting to protect a secret that could alter history. The novel blends historical fiction with the supernatural, exploring themes of duty, courage, and the impact of the past on the present.

EXCERPT BY ELLIE KNIGHT

In 1800s Rome, a tragic event disrupts the life of a wealthy family, centering around the death of the younger of two sisters, leading to a family shrouded in mourning and mystery. The older sister, driven by guilt and a sense of responsibility, discovers her unique ability to time travel, hoping to uncover the truth behind her sister's death. With the help of her loyal handmaiden, she embarks on a journey through time, facing increasing obsession and strained relationships in her quest for closure. Despite her efforts, she is unable to change the past, eventually uncovering a shocking truth: her sister's involvement in a cult and her own inadvertent role in her sister's death. This revelation forces her to confront the painful reality that her sister was not the innocent she believed her to be, and in a twist of fate, she realizes it was she who killed her sister in a moment of rage. The older sister loses her time-traveling ability once she comes to terms with the truth, leaving her to deal with the consequences of her actions and the loss of her sister.

HERSHEY'S GROVE BY ANDREW BUDIMAN

"Hershey's Grove" narrates the journey of Emir, who, grappling with his own failures, returns to his hometown and confronts his father Ahmet's legacy of unfulfilled dreams and debts. Through discovering Ahmet's hidden novel and their joint venture to restore an old well, Emir finds a deeper connection and understanding with his father, bridging years of resentment. Emir's resolution of Ahmet’s debts, sacrificing his desires, signifies his acceptance of their shared legacy. This story, set in a stagnant rural town, eloquently explores themes of familial bonds, sacrifice, and the acceptance of one's heritage.

REWIND, INDIANA BY HILARY MILLER

A group of ambitious high school seniors, bonded by their love for filmmaking, create a time capsule filled with VHS tapes capturing their teenage dreams. Twenty years later, they attend their class reunion and open the time capsule, confronting the divergent paths their lives have taken. Once aspiring directors and writers, they find themselves managing movie theaters and families. Their old films stir up unrequited love, unresolved ambitions, and hurtful deceptions. If the group can confront the past, reassess the present, and find a way to stay together, they may discover that life can be just as sweet as a movie.