He embraced me dear When my skin glowed with the moonlight The lust that hid within Now exploding with the walls within

He watches me play While I stare back Beneath the moon Inside my window

He shows the pleasures Of the gem within He uses it to his gain As he waits for my timely demise

Monitors are beeping everywhere, but I’m not the patient anymore. Twelve years through medical school did a number on me. My name is Fran, and this is my story. I was five when I was diagnosed with skin cancer, all those days by the pool might have been a bad idea. I went through many trials of chemotherapy before my doctor cleared me. After ten years of fighting, I finally won the battle. College was difficult but I pushed through. My inspiration to follow through was my previous doctor, Dr. Montgomery. She had a soft spot for children, I hoped she remembered me. If she didn’t I would t hold it over her.

Today was my first day and I was an intern at Mitchell Hospital. I was finishing paperwork on a patient when I heard a scream behind me. “Francesca Santiago? Is that really you? I remember when you were a patient here many years ago!” “Dr. Montgomery, it’s so wonderful to see you again. I believe I get to train under you, this should be fun.” “Ah yes, you are one of my new ones aren’t you?” I finished the patient’s paperwork and continued to walk with my new teacher.

She gave me a tour of the facility, I knew most of it from living here for years under chemo. No, today she went further into the hospital, the places I never got to go as a child. I met some of the other doctors, and learned where the materials were. When we were finished, she took me to the locker room. “This is where you will change for work, you will also get to meet your new coworkers.” “Okay, sure. I’m excited to meet everyone. My mother would have been so proud of me.” “She would have been, I heard what happened. I’m sorry for your loss.” “It’s okay, really, it happened so many years ago.” She looked at me frankly and walked away.

I turned in to check out the locker room. I see many younger adults like I am. I walked to where my locker was, it was in the middle of the crowd. “Hey, I’m Fran. It’s nice to meet you guys.” “Aren’t you the girl who had cancer? How could you even afford college with that hospital bill?” A young girl said. “I’m Ericka, sorry for the questions, I’m always so forward.” “I get it, my mom paid for everything before she got into her accident. She already had the college fund saved up for me. I know kids aren’t that lucky.”

Ericka and I became the best of friends, it didn’t take long. We had so many things in common, she grew up the same way I did. We both came from a rich family, but money wasn’t everything. Most of it got saved for rainy days, or went to charity. It felt good to relate to someone new, also to have a friend in a big place. Sometimes I still got scared, but I never faltered. I was afraid to mess up, I could feel my mother watching down on me. Being an intern was a big responsibility, I had to watch my health along with others.

There was a relief in feeling the storms approach The thunder rolled between the clouds And the lightning filled the streets But only for a mere second

The storm approached us fast But lingered below It would leave damaged goods As it blows through

Nothing can save us now Perhaps if the summer were to leave The storm would brew another day Then my laughter could maybe stay away

We walked up the steps, we didn’t realize it at the time. At the top was a secret pressure plate, it was disguised, blended into the top of the stairs. It opened the front door, but surely this was a trap. The second we stepped foot inside the dark caves, the feeling in the atmosphere changed. Julia and I made it through the first room with no traps set. She thought it would be an easy trip to get this jewel for the captain. “Julia, please be careful. I know this place is rigged with traps, I can feel it. Also Captain Rick said to follow the inscriptions on the walls. That should get us through without getting hurt, or worse “ “Ah, Lori, you’re over reacting here doll face.” We were examining the second room, I didn’t see any traps. Julia moved towards the second door, and she grabbed the lever by the door. Upon pulling the lever down, the door opened. However, we had to duck quickly before the arrows pierced our hearts. “I thought I told you to be careful Julia! I told you this place was rigged. Please move on with caution?” “Alright, you have made your point.” We made it into the third room. There was a giant axe that could swing down and kill us at instant, we must proceed with caution. We didn’t know how many rooms there were, but I was now worried we wouldn’t make it through alive. Thankfully this time we made it through without pulling the trap off. We continued forward. This must have been the final room, we saw the jewel that Captain Rick needed for his project. “We must follow the pattern as written on the wall. If we don’t, who knows what will happen to us.” “You go first, I will follow behind you.” Julia said to me. I saw the colors and matched them up with the matching colored notes before me. It started with red, then yellow, blue, green, and back to red. I made it without messing up. “Your turn Julia.” She began the same way I did, but on the last note she lost balanced and fell through. “Julia! No!” Julia fell to her death, there was nothing I could do to stop it. I grabbed the jewel and headed home. “Lori, tell me that the two of you didn’t fail me?” “No Captain Rick, Julia fell on the last note in the last room. I made it back, here’s the jewel.” I began to tear up. Julia had just started and wasn’t very bright, but she was still one of my friends. She cared for everyone around her, even if she never really listened. I now suffered from PTSD, but I was also a stronger individual because of this jewel. And I owe it all to Julia.

There he was, his smile could light up a room. It certainly amused me. He was one of a kind, his strength was ungodly. At first it scared me, until it didn’t. He saved me from a terrible past, the kind that haunted you until you fed into it. He could move things so fast and with so much ease. It was the reason that I fell in love with him. He could talk himself out of any situation. He was the best at everything, even falling in love.

Yellow haystacks followed one another. Zach and Kaycee were the best of friends who thought the Halloween themed maze was a great idea. Kaycee was ready to celebrate with her friend, they had been in this maze for an hour now. “We need to find the way out Zach.” “I know, I’m trying to find it. I tried to push the bails of hay, but it is as if they are cemented together.” The laughter from the other children echoed into silence. It was now after midnight, and still no exit. When the silence grew, the two teenagers heard a deep laughter. “What was that?” “I have no idea, Kaycee. Stay close to me, I feel like we’re in this for the long haul.” Kaycee was frightened, she’s seen every horror movie. She knows that laughter meant a fight she wasn’t ready for. “You should know, this maze has no end. Your souls are mine for keeping. You will run endlessly and never find the ending. Good luck to the two of you.” The deep voice rang in their ears like the laughter just before. The kids began to run, and every corner was as worse as before. One corner had zombies,the next was a cyclops. The list became endless. “Zach, I’m tired of running. We should just end this now, let them catch us.” “No, Kaycee, we must keep running. We got in here right? So there must be an ending somewhere.” “You’re right, but I have a feeling that we will never reach it.” The two teens kept running. They both became tired and weary, but they knew they must run. Before they knew it, the sun was beginning to rise. “Zach, look. We’ve been running all night.” Zach looked up and he saw the sun. Both teens closed their eyes and let the warm embrace entrance them. When they opened their eyes, they both thought that they were dreaming. “Zach, do you see that?” “The exit?” “Yeah, let’s keep running towards it.” They made it to the finished point. They both crossed through the exit, that’s when they realized it. Stay away from mazes on Halloween night. If they would have given up, they would both be dead.

Loving someone includes a warm embrace Lasting forevermore Living with your soulmate Lost in the words I cannot speak

Learning everything about him Love alas everlasting Lonely nights gone forever Leaning near him always

Loving someone includes two souls Lasting for centuries more Living in a world chaotic Lost at sea

Learning to find myself Love again and yet again Lonely nights are chipping away Leaning towards a happy ever after

The ground was purple, and the sky glowed yellow. I was the maid of the land, I did everyone’s chores. In hope for a better life, I cleaned my life away. I know I wasn’t Cinderella by any means, but could I at least try? My mother passed away when the Dark Age came upon us all, the planet gave off deadly toxins. My mother wore her mask, but it wasn’t enough. She went out for groceries but never made it home. My father felt like I was his biggest mistake, he left the second mother didn’t come home. I’ve been on my own since I can remember. There was a witch at the other end of the planet. From where I live, it would take three months to reach her. I figured if I saw the witch, I could have at least one chance to change my life forever. Maybe I could be Cinderella, a princess who started the way I did but eventually meet her match. I’m the kind of alien that believes in fairytales, but I’m losing home fast. “Nightly, where did you put my earrings? You stupid wench!” “Gilda, I put them in your jewelry case in the front. I know those are your favorite ones.” “Just take the money and leave.” I did as she said. As I was walking home, I noticed him. Jackal was the hottest alien on the planet, but he would never see me. His father was the ruler of the planet, like I said I’m the planets maid. “Jackal, did you get your suit fitted?” “Yes father, I will be ready for the ball tonight.” “Good, you need to find a wife tonight.” Jackals smile lit the planet. He is warm and kind, and he treated people well. I walked back towards my place when I ran into Keebler. Keebler had a huge crush on me since grade school. We’ve dated before but it never worked out. “Hey Nightly, can I do anything for you today?” He would do anything from me. “Not today, but I appreciate your offer.” He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of my hand like I was royalty. Something changed in him, but I shook it off like any other girl would.

Writing is my bliss, I spend hours writing. I can create any fantasy, any world I desire. From fantasy to horror, my screen is my open world. I can write just about anything, or nothing at all. The screen on my word document is mine to create. I can stare at a picture, or watch any movie screen and instantly have an idea for a novel. I am currently writing a romance about a vampire who could only turn after she dies a human death. I’m also writing a horror about an alligator who disrupts an underwater city. My world in writing stretches far and wide, I love making every world possible. From snow eyed princesses to the afterlife searching for the paranormal, I can share the world my different visions of life. The time I lose in my free time. It’s as if I can hear the characters speak to me, or as if they were real.

I saw him standing there, but his mind was absent. “Hey Josh, earth to Josh?” “Oh, right.” “What’s going on with you lately?” “Nothing, I just have a lot of homework to do, I will see you later?” I wasn’t sure if he was asking to see me later, or if he was unsure of himself. We’ve been dating for three years, we were now seniors in college. I saw him get into his car and drive away. I was packing for a trip to see my mother, she lived in Florida and I in Tennessee. Josh knew I was taking this trip, but maybe he needed a reminder. I decided to text him to let him know. “Hey babe, I’m taking that trip to Florida tomorrow, wanna hang out tonight and watch a movie or something?” I waited for over an hour but no reply. I guess not. After waiting around in my dorm alone, I decided to head to Florida early. I met my mother at the airport, just as planned before. “Hello mother! I missed you so much!” “Luna, darling, I missed you too! How is school? How is Josh doing? I am shocked he didn’t come this time around.” “Josh had a lot of homework, don’t want him to start slacking now. We are so close to graduation, you are still coming aren’t you?” “Yes, I already got my plane tickets, just waiting for the graduation tickets to come out. You know that I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” My mom brought me back to my childhood house. I walked straight into my old room as if I had never left. Most of my old toys were exactly where I left them. As I was reminiscing, my phone rang. “Hello?” “Luna, it’s Sadie. I’m at Tonya’s winter party, and you wouldn’t believe what I just saw.” “Girl, tell me!” “Luna, Josh is hooking up with Tonya. I was looking for Billy, but when searching the rooms, I saw the, shacking up in her dorm room.” My heart was broken, but I wanted to see for myself. “Luna, are you sure you need to leave early?” “Yeah mom, I forgot about my science project that’s due.” “Alright, call me if you need anything.” I walked to the terminal, and hopped onto my plane. Finally back at college. I walked to Josh’s room to say hello, that’s when I heard them. I opened the door, it wasn’t a surprise to see MY Josh with Tonya. “Of course, I should have known when you were weird on the last day of class.” “Luna wait.” “I guess it was all in vain.”