The portrait girl
I wandered through an abandoned hallway, unconvinced as to why. It was not me trying to impress my friends. Neither was it some kind of internet challenge. It just happened. And by the time I'd realized, I was already too deep into the mansion. It would have made for quite an intriguing attraction at the pier. There were moldy walls, ones with holes as wide as a boulder. Wrong word. Maybe crater. At least, a rather small one. Something cracked beneath my feet. The floor was littered, with glass. I realized that I could somehow see properly, even though it was dark outside. I studied the ceiling. No bulbs. No lanterns. The obvious question kept playing back in my mind. A loud thud disrupted my thoughts, and I noticed a painting split in two, on the ground. I had watched enough horror movies and enough ghost stories, to know what could happen if I approached it. So, I picked up both parts of the painting, and in my best attempt to reconstruct it, placed both pieces together. It formed a portrait of a girl around my age. She looked beautiful and barely made any effort to smile. The sound of running water caught my attention. To my left were some steps, leading into a green-lit cave below. I dropped the painting and took the steps down. Sensing something behind me, I quickly glanced back. The hall was nowhere to be seen. Behind me was a wall of rocks. I studied it for a few seconds, before continuing down the stairs. They led me to a luminescent pond and in its center, was a girl. Unaware of my presence, she carefully scoped the water with her palms and lifted them over her head. She closed her eyes and gracefully tilted her hands. The water flowed down her skin, and it glittered. I didn't notice my jaw was wide open until I felt a fly land on my tongue. I quickly reacted and almost swallowed it. I began to cough and spit. My voice echoed in the cave, and the girl stopped in her tracks. Our gazes met, and I choked on my words as I tried to apologize. She giggled and began to laugh. Something about her carefreeness, made me calm down. Her voice suddenly trailed off, and I watched as she struggled to pull her leg. She fell and looked as if she was battling the water. She reached out her hand, just as the water swallowed her. My body moved on its own, and I dove into the pond, realizing how deep it was. Her hand was still outstretched, and I tried my best to grab it, but the current carried me back to the surface. I was suddenly on a beach, and the water barely covered my knees. The girl stood several meters away, and she waved excitedly. I sluggishly raised myself and noticed she was standing further ahead, between two trees. She seemed hopeful. Her lips parted, and she looked like she was shouting something, but I couldn't hear her. Her face changed when she realized and she spun around and entered the woods. I frantically followed her, charging into the woods. She waited for me outside the doors to a large building. She sat on its porch and sadly poked the ground with a stick. Her face lit up when I approached, and she stood up. She wiped down her dress and smiled as she grabbed my arm, and I recognized her. She led me into the building. There was a party. No. A ball. Couples danced around in the room with grace. Some watched as the large chandelier swung back and forth, like a pendulum. Something about the lighting of the room complemented her red dress. She looked so happy as she led me to the center and elegantly bowed. I was so dazzled by her look and barely noticed that there was no music. Only the sound of shoes, hitting the wooden floor. It came to my attention that the people around us had no faces. They looked like puppets, moving mechanically around. As I looked away, I realized that the girl had disappeared and that I was dancing with a puppet. I struggled to free myself, but it would not let go. The others stopped dancing and began to walk towards us. They twitched as they grabbed my arms and head. I struggled to free myself and failed. I was losing consciousness and was about to give up when she appeared. She rappeled down a thin string and seized my arm. The puppets let go, as she pulled me up and we ascended past the mansion, into the clouds. The moonlight illuminated her beautiful face, and she cupped mine. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she forced a smile and let go. I fell. A type of fall that lasts an eternity and my vision went dark. Something licked my face, and I woke up with a jolt. It was Rex, and he whined as I got up. I heard people call my name. Realizing that the others had been waiting for me, I quickly hurried past the old fountain and Rex followed suit. Something tugged my jacket, and I stopped. I spun around and saw nobody. The mansion remained dark, but my eyes scanned one of its windows. People called out my name again and this time, sounded closer. Rex barked happily and dashed towards the small gate. I glanced back one last time, before chasing after him.
Possessive Love
“STOP”, Cierra shouted as she leaned forward to catch her breath. Lucas, with his back still facing her, stopped walking.
“What do you think you’re doing?”, she asked. She had grown tired of it all. This time, she would be the one to pull. Lucas dropped his bag as he turned around. He parted his arms and shrugged.
“What does it look like, C?”, he replied, “I’m tired...of THIS. This...back and forth. I’m out”
“No, you’re not”, she said and corrected her posture. Lucas grunted, shook his head and picked up his bag again. She started walking towards him.
“Yes, I am”
“LUCAS”, Cierra raised her voice. She was close enough to grab his arm, which she did and he tried to yank it back. She quickly slapped him. Lucas showed no sign of surprise. He did clench his fist, but didn’t respond. Cierra then tackled him down – the same way he had taught her.
“You don’t get to leave, Lucas”, she said, raising her head. She knew very well how thin, the line she walked was. She knew just how deadly, things could turn if she kept overdoing it. But she had resolved herself and would only accept one of two possible endings.
“Yes, I do. C”, Lucas clenched his jaws, “now get off”
“No”
“Cierra”, Lucas calmly said. Her body began to tremble and she felt it once again. A genuine fear. One, she had convinced herself, would no longer faze her. Cierra couldn’t have been more wrong, barely noticing the tears, running down her face. Her lips quivered and she struggled to speak.
“Don’t...”, she said in a low tone, “don’t leave me”
“Get off, C”
“No. Promise you won’t leave”
“C. Get. Off.”
“Promise me”
Something flashed in Lucas’s eyes and he shoved her off. She hit the ground hard and cried out. Lucas got up and began to walk towards her. Cierra’s instincts begged her to retreat and she crawled backwards, until she hit a wall.
”I know you have every reason to, but you can’t leave”, she continued.
”Shut it”, Lucas calmly said.
”We’ve been through enough”
”Just stop”
”We just need...more time and we’ll soon be–”
”Stop. Stop....”, Lucas raised his arm and she flinched. He began punching around her. She froze with fear.
“DAMN IT”, he roared. His fists were bloody and she cautiously touched one of them.
”Lu...”, she said as a drop of liquid fell on her forehead, accompanied by army. Cierra realized why her sister told her not to go out without an umbrella. Although, none of that mattered as she only watched the person looming over her. All she thought of, was about what was going through his mind.
“Damn you”, Lucas said as his legs gave out and he fell on his knees. He planted his head into her chest and she hesitantly hugged him.
“I know”, Cierra replied, “I hate myself too”
Later that evening, Lucas sat up on the bed. He glanced at Cierra, who looked so peaceful, that his heart began to ache. He ran his bandaged hand through her soft hair. He never could understand how something so basic, calmed his mind. Cierra moaned and he checked to see if she had woken up, sighing as he realized she was sound asleep. He forced himself to smile but failed miserably, recalling the last time he genuinely did. It had almost been a year, since then. That was one of the reasons why he had to leave. There was no other outcome. His heart was nowhere near prepared, but staying any longer would destroy him. Lucas calmly snuck out of bed and began to dress. He checked his bag and jacket to make sure nothing had been taken out. As he walked towards the bed, to see her one last time, he noticed his necklace was missing. Cierra rolled on to her back and he glimpsed it between her breasts. He had no intention of waking her up. “Necklaces do not make the man”, he whispered to himself and left the house. Lucas stopped in the middle of the road and took a deep breath. Just as Cierra opened her eyes.
Zev’s wish Pt. 1
A violent breeze on a clouded day
A black shore and obsidian sea
I lay on infinity
Surrounded by obsidian eternity
But my eyes remain closed
For they shall not open
Lights bursts through the clouds
A divine body seeps through
I do not know how, but I know it is you
Oh, magnificent sovereign
I feel your pale fingers grab my face
I see your green light through the back of my eyelids
Magnificent sovereign
I do not know how
But surely, it must be you
My face begins to burn from the heat
I cannot bear to hide my pain
But I wish to see you
It Wasn’t Necessarily Love At First Sight
Chapter 1
It was a chilly autumn morning. Faith Castle found herself once again, lying somewhere other than her bed. She sat upright in her bathtub, caressing her head as a searing pain shot through it. Faith felt hungover, even though she was convinced she hadn’t had a drink in over six months. Her sleeping attire was drenched in what she hoped was sweat. Somewhere in the background, she could hear an obnoxious ringtone. One that signaled the time to rise up. She leaned forward and cursed her condition, leaping out of the bathtub with grace. Unsurprised, she grunted as the kitchen came into view. It too, yet another victim of her condition. Faith sluggishly picked up pieces of a shattered teacup, ignoring an almost irresistible urge to throw her phone out the window. Her favorite one again, she thought. This time, she was careful not to cut her fingers like previous times. Things were going to be different, she assured herself. This time, she wouldn’t have to be deadweight to her aunt, the only individual she loved more than anything in the world. Even more than her broken self. Although, broken was probably too dramatic a choice of word. She yawned. The type of yawn that would make you want to stretch your body into every direction for no apparent reason. Even with a well-deserved eight-hour sleep, Faith still felt exhausted. A whole week, she hounded herself, desperately looking for vacant accommodations. She was about to give up and deliver the bad news to her university, when she – out of sheer luck – called the right person at the right time. An elderly lady who was sick and apparently spending most of her days in the hospital. She didn’t mind leaving her apartment in the hands of a young Faith. They got along very well, especially on the day they had planned to sign the contract. The kind lady then left Hailey with a few things: keys, a copy of their contract, a fire extinguisher and a sheet of paper with handwritten rules and regulations – the typical ”dos and don’ts”. Faith read it with intent and etched the words onto the back of her mind. She then spent the weekend moving her things and redecorated areas where she was allowed to alter. She had barely eaten anything. Partly because of her self-diagnosed OCD, but also because of sheer anticipation. Three more years until she could go out and experience the world like her mother did. Three more years until her destined life actually began. Faith finished sweeping her kitchen floor, disposed of the pieces and finally tended to her phone. It had seven missed calls and 15 messages from an overly protective aunt. The thought of still being treated like a child made her smile. She was okay with it, as long as it was her aunt. She replied to the messages and then took off her garments.
The walk to school took a surprising ten minutes. For the first time, Faith didn’t have to wait for trains or over-crowded busses. She could spend time enjoying nature and picking out scenes in her mind to sketch later. She was even half an hour early. Something her friends and high school mates would have never believed. They would rather be convinced that pigs could sprout wings and fly than believe Faith was capable of being early. Even if it was to save her life. She felt pride and joy fill her heart. People from all sides of the street glanced her way and she enjoyed it. A group of guys sitting outside a cafe even whistled at her but she didn’t mind. Even if she was such a tardy person, the whole world still loved her. People would walk up to her and compliment anything that had to do with her. Girls would ask her for advice on fashion. And even on boys. Hailey would stand proud with her chest out like her aunt’s former boyfriend, Chad, and cunningly give her followers all kinds of advice. Even on subjects she was yet to experience. She reached the entrance and lauded her work ethic once again. Although, her celebration came to an abrupt end when she realized she didn’t know what building her department was in. Faith felt despair overwhelm her to the point where she began to imagine things. All those admiring looks she got turned into smiles of scorn. The group of guys, who had whistled at her were now laughing. She felt so hopeless that she wanted to go home. But she couldn’t because she had already been seen by people. Besides, her outfit had been carefully picked for the occasion. She couldn’t go home after only ten minutes of exposure. Something had to be done.
”...me...Hello?”, a voice interrupted. Faith spun around to see a shorter girl her age nervously reaching towards her. She wore one of those granny clothes Faith and her friends would make fun of.
”I’m sorry but do you know where building ”D” is?”, the girl asked.
Zion Kassidy woke up with a jolt. His seemingly drenched body felt heavy and unhinged. He gasped for air as if it was about to run out and his hand instinctively moved to his chest. Perhaps, it was to fill the painful void that had appeared in it. Another nightmare, he thought as he checked the alarm clock. Its’ cracked display showed 11:30. He was late. Zion rolled back on to his bed. The wet sensation his back felt made it hard for him to fall asleep. Although, the nightmares would probably slap him back to reality again. He had given up on negating it a long time ago. Now, all he does is what he can; gather as many hours he could, even if it was a mere hour. Zion had already woken up twice that same night and was so repulsed by the thought of yet another jump scare, that he had turned off the alarm. He sighed. Yawned and then stretched. He had figured out how to operate on minimal amount of sleep thanks to his ex-girlfriend's military sister. The key was resting whenever he had the chance. Even merely closing his eyes, was good enough. He got up and brewed some coffee, practically vomiting it out the moment the liquid entered his mouth. For some reason, Zion couldn’t get used to its taste, but just getting some of it in his mouth helped. He prayed it did. He ate a slice of toast and then reluctantly ventured into his bathroom. Quickly brushing his teeth, he took off his boxers and entered the shower. The water was cold at first, but then began to warm up. He studied his body and its functions. Like a drone, he checked his limbs movement. He had forgotten what made him start doing that in the first place. He examined the scars on his torso and back. Something flashed in his eyes and he closed them. An unpleasant memory played back in his mind. He really hated his first name.
Zion picked up his book from the small desk, barely noticing the heavily discolored, red leaf that was glued to his window pane. He hated fall more than most things. He picked up the leaf and threw it out the window, taking a short moment to study his newly acquired view. The park outside his apartment looked like a giant peach, spread open to reveal its ugliness beneath. As he had learned from his childhood days, he pulled out an old journal from under his pillow and jotted down a few sentences, pausing to read it and study the park again. Happy with his work, he nodded and put the journal away. Zion picked up his book and keys and exited the apartment, stopping as he saw her. A lady, slightly older than him leaned against the apartment door opposite his room. She looked worn out and her plain, long hair covered some of her face.
”Hey”, he called out as he walked towards her. She jerked up and practically retreated into the wall which made Zion stop in his tracks.
”I’m fine...sorry. I’m just reactive when I’m tired”, she fixed her hair and politely bowed. She then took out her keys and unlocked the door, hurrying into her apartment. Zion felt somewhat confused. He had run into her once, right after he moved but didn’t think much of her. Only that she was pretty, despite her plain and worn-out look. He adjusted his book and headed out.
Faith stared unenthusiastically out the window. Something bothered her. The day had gone so well, almost too well. She had for the first time in her life, arrived early to school. She made it through orientation day without any hiccups. And she even made a friend. She examined her partner, sitting across the table. Her nervousness from earlier had disappeared and she looked livelier. She even seemed to be enjoying her parfait quite well. Faith watched as said friend stuffed her face. Almost too well, she thought.
”So, Hailey. What are your thoughts about today?”, Faith asked as she spun her empty cup around.
”Huh?”, Hailey responded with her mouth stuffed.
Faith wasn’t sure how to explain it. But something felt off. Hailey coughed and swallowed hard.
”Well, it was great. Went smoothly. And I got to know you. I’m glad I met you”, Hailey continued. Faith forced a smile. She didn’t disagree with Hailey, but her answer differed from what Faith was expecting.
”I just think there should be more, you know”
”Like what?”
”I don’t know. Just. More.”
”Hmm”, Hailey studied her cup with intent. Although, it didn’t seem like she was actually looking at it.
”How about a walk?”, she asked, raising her finger, ”we could get to know the city. Besides. Something interesting always happens”
”Sounds like a line out of some B-movie”
”Hey, come on. I’m doing this for you, you know”, Hailey stood up and offered her hand. She grinned,
”So how about it? Partner?”
Faith sighed and took it. They left the café and continued walking, with no destination in mind.
Faith felt like a child, exploring some makeshift dungeon at an amusement park. She had lived a somewhat sheltered life and she was proud of it. Her aunt had raised her well and taught her lots of things. But walking around in the city made her feel like what she had learned, wasn’t enough. Not to mention, she was doing it without her aunt or one of her boyfriends’ acting as bodyguard. They turned and entered a narrower street. It looked different and almost ancient. Portable stalls littered the street, making it seem like a long super market that couldn’t fit indoors. Faith didn’t notice her jaw drop. She somehow felt isolated from the rest of the city. Her aunt would probably drag her away defensively. They witnessed all sorts of things as they passed each stall. People called out to them. Children ran around, chased by some elderly man holding a frozen fish in one hand. He looked upset but somehow not. Faith wasn’t sure. The area smelled of all sorts of things and it was so intense at times that Faith had to cover her nose. She wondered if this was why her aunt disagreed with her decision to move to this city.
”What’s with your reaction?”, Hailey chuckled, ”don’t tell me this is your first time in a place like this?”
Faith remained silent. She had no satisfactory answer to respond with. Something made her stop. A rotting, wooden sign that hung over a small, cardboard house. The word on it read: “mirror”. She didn’t quite understand but her curiosity kept her from leaving. She walked a few steps and leaned forward.
”Careful, so you don’t trip, princess”, a man, dressed in baggy clothes called out. A dark beanie, together with some hair, covered his eyes. He sat beside the cardboard house. Faith felt alarmed but also fascinated. The man looked clean but also dirty. She felt an urge to draw the scenery as strong as an itch.
”Who?”, Hailey responded. She looked weary and reached for her bag. The man smiled.
”The princess don’t seem like she has ever had her fortune read”, he pointed towards Faith.
”How about it?”, he asked, ”I can give you a freebie. Just this once”
She narrowed her eyes. Her aunt had taught her to never accept free things from people without knowing their motives.
”What’s the catch?”, Hailey cut in. The man stood up.
“Potentially regular customers, I’m hoping”, he replied as he gestured towards the cardboard house.
“What’s it gonna be, princess?”
“Don’t call me that”, Faith said in a low tone. She despised the word and how it made her feel. Hailey patted her shoulder.
“Let’s just leave”, Hailey said. Faith agreed but her curiosity kept her from leaving. The word: “mirror”, had triggered something inside of her. Perhaps, she could learn how people viewed her or maybe how she truly viewed herself.
“It’s fine”, Faith replied and Hailey frowned.
“Well then”, the man reached into the house and pulled out a hexagonal, marble tile. He closed his eyes and took deep breathes. Faith and Hailey stared at each other. And then at the strange man. He opened his eyes and gazed upwards.
“An unclear contrast to the leaves of the center. Don’t let the cover fool you. And don’t stare at it for too long, for you may never look away”, he said as his legs spasmed, making Hailey shiver.
“What do you mean?”, Faith asked.
“I’m sorry prince–, I mean mam, but that was a freebie. Anything else, will cost you”
“Just leave it”, Hailey grabbed Faith’s arm and led her away, “you’ll only get scammed”
Faith glanced back, noticing as the man happily waved goodbye. They left the street and walked towards a park. Faith couldn’t help but feel like she had journeyed to some magical realm but that thought was short-lived as the park came into view. It wasn’t necessarily beautiful, but its’ scenery was worth sketching. Although, she wondered if it was possible to do it from a high place. They reached the center of the park after a couple of minutes. There was a small, dark green lake, decorated with red leaves. Benches surrounded the lake, evenly spaced out. The bench in front of them was occupied by the body of a man, laying on it. A book covered his face and one hand rested on his chest, while the other was used as pillow. The book was blue-green with a title called; “Allures Of The Past”. She didn’t notice until Hailey called out her name that she hovered over the man’s face.
Zion was beyond exhausted. Not only had he screwed up his first day, he had also forgotten his keys and had no way of returning home. Everyone else was already at the welcoming party – one he particularly avoided – so he had no way of entering the room, where he had left his keys. He felt his apathic nature kick in and had decided to rest somewhere. Fortunately, there was park, right beside his home. Zion laid down on a bench by the lake to enjoy the afternoon breeze. He tried reading his book but drowsiness made him close his eyes, so he had placed it over his face. It was peaceful but didn’t last long enough as Zion felt a presence right above him. It caused discomfort and he removed the book to see what it was. A girl, younger than him, hovered over his face. The wind slightly blew her hair to the side and their eyes met. Zion reached out towards her head and she froze with anticipation. He stopped and opened his mouth to say something and she watched his lips.
“Oi...Your breath stinks”, he said.
“Huh?”, the girl responded. Silence erupted but only for a short moment as another girl, standing behind the bench, burst out laughing.
Midnight Reminiscence
I rose up a jolt, in the middle of the night. Thundering headache made me nauseous and I leaned forward just in case, barely noticing my surrounding. Once a clean room, now an aftermath of a war. One, centered around cheap alcohol and sliced lemon. Why was it lemons? I soon realized what had happened. Why did I end up here? Meanwhile, the seemingly unhinged lady in the red dress, snored like an elderly man on bath salts. She looked as stiff as a log, which made me briefly scan the room for a potential murder weapon. My Tv had been split in half and my computer was nowhere to be found. I sighed, cursing my condition yet again. To think it had been three years, already. Like scratching an itch, I reached into my semi-opened drawer, pulling out a black box. Made out of African blackwood, it had a bright red and gold sigil on its top. The letters “A. I. L”, engraved onto it. Aliyah Ira Locke. She couldn’t help herself and wanted to make the name-change official, somehow. In the box, was her favorite red coral gemstone – one I despised from the bottom of my heart. It wasn’t just her first name and mine that were polar opposites. A red-stained, gold ring was slightly covered by a burnt off piece of black paper with grey static, etched onto it. I picked it up – a ring, I once wore with pride. She made me promise not to remove hers, refusing to listen to my cries to stop talking. Her caramel face, stained red and littered with pieces from the debris. Her crimson tears and wounded smile.
I stopped myself, with a huge sigh. Returned the box, before laying down, in one more attempt to fall asleep.