A mutt; a secret; a live oak; a perceptive biker. Add a dandy surprise to complete the winning stories from the 2013 Creative Writer's Notebook Short Story Contest. The Honorable Mention short stories are just as diverse. Discover: An ancient ritual; an unlikely friend; an unexpected encounter- Vengeance, revenge, and retribution- Young love; new love; old love; lost love- Cats, ghosts, crazies, and messages from beyond- Journeys VII presents a variety of characters, plots, and emotions in disparate genres, taking the reader along pathways into the imaginations of these award-winning authors. Enjoy!