An iron fist grips my chest I release an anguished cry And terror engulfs my core. Broken, I gasp my final breath The shackles fall away And darkness embraces me. Adrift in the eternal abyss I am lost between shadow and flame Until I see a shimmer A shimmer in the void Translucent, radiant, the Veil opens Enticing me with iridescent fingers I am struck by wonder Wonder in my being As I see you, my love Waiting on the othe...

Beyond the veil, where secrets hide, A world unknown, where dreams reside. In gentle whispers, shadows play, A land unseen, where spirits sway. What lies beyond this hidden door? A place of peace, forevermore? In twilight’s glow, we hope to find, The echoes of a heart aligned. Yet as we stand upon the brink, We ponder what the darkness brings, The pull of mystery's thread we feel, Drawing us to where dreams are real. Fear...

Beyond the veil, I cannot see; Does his heart still beat for me? Is mi amor forevermore? 🌹 Día de Muertos soothes my splintered heart, Pleading death does not keep souls apart. I lay one rose on my lover’s grave, A sign he’s here, I desperately crave. 🌹 Black lines crisscross upon my lips; Lips he once traced with tender fingertips. His favorite flowers adorn my hair; Inked roses embrace on skin left bare. 🌹 With papel...

Heaven repents from the cell I put you in My beautiful soul Does it hurt to trust me again? Is that why you keep me so afraid to begin…. …anything? Heaven Repents from the cell I put you in And Hell mourns the loss of your company The comforting swagger of your apathy Can you hear the horsemen pleading for your return? Heaven repents and Hell mourns But Earth? Earth hardly notices your return. What is a body but another c...

“Of all the carnal powers; and the blessings of the Shrove of Man; Grant me this small mercy. By the Saints and martyrs - beyond, before, within my blood rite, and without. Guard and protect my soul tonight. I ask all this as your humble servant. E Nomine Patri. Et Fili. E Spiritu Sancti. Amen.” As the prayer was uttered, the flame flickered. Once the seal was said, the flame was hushed into smoke. William got up from his...

The office was empty when Jack came back from the archives. He could not hear any sounds or see anyone around. Jack frowned, then went into his private office and dropped the pile of files he had pulled on his desk. The clock on Jack’s desk phone showed eight-thirty. He found it odd that no one seemed to be in yet. Then again, most of his co-workers arrived between eight-thirty and nine so maybe that would change soon. Ja...

I always loved this place: cherry trees flanking the wildflower meadow, sunlight glistening off the lake beyond. I hurry towards our bench and, spotting it, gasp. He waited… Running, I throw my arms around him. He’s soft, warm; his scent conjures memories, forgotten emotions. “I’ve missed you so much.” “And I, you.” He holds me close then eases me away. “You shouldn’t be here yet. Go, it's okay.” I’m suddenly woozy and th...

Aaron knew that it was only a matter of hours now. He couldn't open his eyes as he had the previous day. Then he had seen his family gathered at the foot of the bed. Odd, he had thought, how they appeared ghostly, slightly detached from the limbo in which he now found himself. Yet he was not frightened. Limbo, it turned out, was a peaceful world, away from the turmoil of life; there was space to think and to prepare.He kn...

Back and forth, never stopping in the middle long.Strapped to a pendulum, hearing that tic toc song. Sometimes flying fast and high, oh how exhilarating.Sometimes slow, oh so low and slow, very agitating. Passing the middle never staying for long.Captivated by this rhythmic tic toc song. Each day passes 24 hours, one can whimper or sing.Choosing to grasp the beauty, or only feel life's sting. Not knowing what tomorrow wil...

Chapter Nineteen: New years On new years day Ethan stepped outside his room and walked to the lobby to find out the mansion had transformed again. But this time it was much more different than on Christmas. The lobby had grown 20 times in size, maybe more, and no longer had a pool or hot tubs; it was now like an open street in a massive city. Things were a little dark like it was night time but there were paper lanterns f...

Chapter Eighteen: Christmas On Christmas day the mansion was transformed in a spectrum of colors that rose from the ground and covered the walls, ceiling and everything inside the mansion. Everything these colors of light washed over transformed its surface into something new entirely. The monotone walls changed into vibrant hues of red and green. Sparkling ornaments on diamond strings hung from the ceilings. And massive...

Chapter Seventeen: Family Legacy Ethan took a sip of the tea Marry had prepared for both of them. It was delicious. “I didn’t know this place had tea.” Ethan said taking another sip from his cup. “It doesn’t.” Marry said. “I must gather the herbs myself from the living world, as long as I don’t take too much at a time no one notices at all.” Ethan took another sip of his tea and waited for Marry to continue. “Right, your...

Chapter Sixteen: Suspicions Sabrina flinched in fear as the sword came down at her, but instead of cutting her down the blade sliced through her shackles. The rider then pulled back his hood and sheathed his sword. “Thomas!” Sabrina rejoiced. Thomas held out his hand saying, “Hurry now hop on; the both of you. We don’t have much time until they get here.” Sabrina took Thomas,’ hand and he swiftly pulled her up onto the ho...

Chapter Fifteen: Marry Cromwell “Sabrina Cromwell, you stand accused of practicing witchcraft in broad daylight and in front of the general public, how do you plead?” Sabrina stood in front of the court with her head held high. She knew all of the jury; they were her neighbors, her friends. She had lived in Salem all her life and was a respected member of the community, and one of its only herbalists. But none of that mat...

Chapter Fourteen: The Network Marry came out of the tournament inside her room in the exact same spot she was in before entering the portal. She had grown accustomed to how the tournament portal worked after a long time. At one point, Marry made it her goal to see where every portal would take her on what level of the mansion or room. She discovered that the portals into the tournaments take her or anyone to specific loca...