Thesis advisor: Susan Michalczyk / Turbulent times always elicit change. Outside forces are constantly shifting, only to affect the lives of the characters that are at their mercy. Only by adapting to these changes can one truly survive in this world. However, unlike these forces of nature, God, or chance, people have to think about changing before they can carry through with it. Questions plague their minds and options torment their souls. What course of action is best for them, and which allows them to maintain some sense of self? These collected stories focus on people in turmoil. People in pain. People who must change. What happens to a man who will truly die if he loses the love of his life? Should you take the advice of a psychic, abandoning your own free will in the process? When the larger forces in the world are trying to destroy you, do you let them, or fight back against literally impossible odds? In the end, everyone must come to a decision. Stagnation and inaction themselves can decide your fate. As Neil Gaiman once said: Everything changes. But nothing is truly lost. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2006. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: College Honors Program.