13

by Jayna Ostler

A short prose piece taking a different angle on high school bullying and a school shooting. From second person point of view.

Genres: Short Stories

5 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2014

About the author

Jayna Ostler grew up in Northern Utah. When she's not busy writing her next novel, she's adding to her personal library, attending concerts, contemplating her next tattoo, fangirling hard over one of many fandoms, and balancing work life with her creative one. Swallow, her debut book, was written in fifteen days. The Openers and Stereo followed quickly after in their publishing. Seven Cities is her fourth book and she continues to plan and plot many more to come.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this for free from Amazon. I wasn't really sure what to rate this. It is an extremely quick read, but it does seem to be written to be read at a quick pace. It is something that sticks with you. The fact that it is in second person really packs a punch in your gut and really makes you think. This could be triggering for some.

I don't know if this was done on purpose, but the prose seems to mimic the feeling I hear many survivors describe the event. Everything happens so fast, but also seems to last forever.

[Ashton Baker]

I read this poem when I first got to know Jayna and was able to see that she was a talented writer. She published it because someone wanted to use it in a competition, and that's pretty neat! Jayna is talented at approaching serious topics, and though this isn't a novel, it holds just as powerful a story.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl is abused by her father, who has his own contemptuous demons. She goes to school one day and shoots it up, killing thirteen. This short story is different in that it depicts a female who kills many with a gun.

Depressing story

[Clarissa McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerfully written piece of prose. Unique perspective

[Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

That was the creepiest and most understandable thing I have read in such a short story. I’m sorry to whoever feels that way. I wish they could reach out. Get help.