Junior Ally Henrich learned today that "Integers", a short story she submitted as part of the Young Writers' 2023 Integer - Stories Inspired by Numbers creative writing contest, has been chosen for publication in its Integer - US Tales anthology.

Applicants were asked to submit a story in 100 words or fewer that incorporated a numerical or mathematical component.

Established as a platform for young writers to become more inspired and confident, the program hatched by Young Writers USA accepted over 2,000 entries nationwide.

Integers

by Ally Henrich

I was supposed to get 60 more years. I had a life planned ahead of me. In 50 years, I'd retire to spend time with my wife of 40 years and our kids we'd have in 30 at our house we'd buy in 20. And yet, here I lay between pavement and sky having lived only one-fifth of that whole life, knowing it will remain only a fraction of what was meant to be. The car screams through the blinding red light, and my 60 years is suddenly subtracted, and I'm left incomplete, with 10 seconds remaining...9...8...7...