“New York January 16, 2020, Tsunami Erica.” Willow started her speech.

“The quakes in the Atlantic had erupted as it did on the 15 of December 2019 only bigger. The quakes had shifted causing large amounts of water to push onto land. Erica tragically wiped-out half of New York leaving huge amounts of damage across the city. Hawaii March 10, 2020, another Tsunami called Felix hit Honolulu. Not only did it knock down many buildings, but it carried a huge majority of garbage flooding it across the capital. Honolulu remained calm and built from it but weeks later a tornado hit Honolulu that formed from Texas travelling its way over the North Pacific Ocean. That's when the full effects of climate change pretty much destroyed our home planet. Luckily we were prepared and escaped onto Alya. Some say there were survivors that took space shuttles and completed the journey back to Earth after the tragedy. All the books I’ve read say it’s a myth but of course I don't believe that. Thank you.” Willow said finishing her speech.

Dreaming in Green by Coralie Smith - WINNER

The astringent scent of tea tree filled the air as the group of hikers trudged their way along the track, snaking through the thick heath covering the headland. It closed in on them now, arching overhead and obscuring the horizon, trapping the heat. It had been four hours since the journey began and the initial chatter of excitement faded as the bush grew thicker, scratching against arms and forming small snares of tangled roots along the sandy path. Lost in her own thoughts, Amelie focused on the crinkling sounds coming from the map folio hanging around her neck. As expedition leader, keeping the topography charts and compass safe at all times was her priority but also her salvation; a small distraction from the worry of bringing along the two youngest members of her patrol. Her quiet thoughts burst as one of the lanky teens whooped with delight and a seagull simultaneously screeched overhead giving the effect that the boy himself was squawking when he glimpsed the beach ahead. Despite herself, Amelie smiled too at the sight of the turquoise shallows; a photo straight out of a travel book and her footsteps quickened to keep up. With legs aching, the final descent over a series of large boulders was almost complete when she looked up to find a strong arm outstretched towards her. Gratefully, Amelie grasped his palm and jumped down onto the red rock platform, the sharp grains of sand pressing indentations into her own skin.

50:50 by Rowan Faulconer

It had been a long week and after five full-on days he decided it was time for a reward, not the kind you get when you open the door to your house and you’re greeted by a loving family, but the kind that requires money… and luck. The local pub squatted on the high street of Milton, it was a small rural town – yet to be urbanised, although well on its way. Shaking the rain from his second-hand jacket, he ordered a pint and watched the tilt of the glass and the beefy hand of the barman as the head cascaded into the drip tray. An emotional journey stretched across his face, as easily read as the pages of a book by the barman; fatigue overlayed with hope spinning like the reels of the pokies he was heading for. A nod and a ten-a passed across the bar. He took the cold glass in hand revealing the tattoo of his wife’s name, ‘Marlene’, on the underside of his forearm, he’d gotten it just after they’d got married and it had been sitting there ever since. He headed to the far machine.

SHORTLIST - OVER 18 YEARS

The House of Her Dreams by Terry Malone