“Promise me you won’t laugh at me.”

I look up from my book to see Kristina standing in front of me, holding her arms. “What would I laugh about?”

She clears her throat and then lets her arms fall to her sides. She reaches for her hair with her right arm, and pulls on it. What clearly is a wig comes off of her head and I stare in awe at what her natural hair has become. I clasp my hands over m...

Growing up, silence felt uncomfortable

Filling the emptiness with small talk

Was more appropriate than remaining still

Being still in your thoughts and making a choice

Choosing to push them down or let them roam

My fingers grasp the sand in clumps

Grains descending from the gaps of my hand

The cool air brings me into a calm state

I look towards the sun as it slowly sets

This bare setting evokes...

Pressure had led me to this place

I’d fought my fears and worries

In hopes that I would win the race

Everyday I was in a hurry

Having reached my destination

Relief didn’t wash over me

I mourned every expectation

Still existed that insatiable curiosity

Many years were required for me to learn

Being still won’t always cause a rift

I could actually see more after realizing

That silence was a pric...

This fox did not intend to move

Move far from his den that he had crafted

Crafted and made secure by time

Time could only pass by while he watched

Watched over but he wasn’t aware

Aware of my presence in the trees

Trees which I attempt to use to hide

Hide myself from his observant eyes...

Peyton is carrying me back towards the camp. He has his hunting rifle strapped across his back along with his water container. I was making it more difficult for him to get back to camp so he could leave with the Watchers.

“Just put me down and run. You can’t be late and I’m just holding you back.”

He looked down at me and let out an exasperated sigh.

“In what world do you think I would ...

He left me broken. Before he came into my life, I was hopeful. I was excited for everything most young women want to experience. Graduating college, landing my dream job, and experiencing the love. The love that you hear about from friends and family members. The love that you see in movies and read about in books. The kind of love that my parents shared. That kind of love.

“Congratulations...

My body is in a chair. With a blanket wrapped around my shoulders and a book in my hand, that is where I’m at. Physically. Though my mind is not there. My mind goes from world to world, immersed in each adventure. At times I’m a spectator, watching and keeping up with the characters and the twists and turns of a story. Other times I feel as though I’ve become a character, fitting into the wo...

I hate myself. Why do I do this? Why do I put myself in situations like this? I could have said no, that I’m in a relationship, or not looking for a relationship. Of course when she asked to go on a date with me that popped into my mind immediately. Obviously it’s because I’m self destructive and insecure. She’s everything good about life. Her laugh makes people warm, and her smile is perfec...

To everyone but her, that house is a paradise.

They see a place that covers each who enters in a blanket of love.

They see a building used to host birthday parties and hangouts during the Super Bowl, or a place to gather during the holidays.

She always wondered how one house could have two completely different descriptions.

Like she was living elsewhere, but that house remained. The memori...

The icy breeze consumed my body

My heart grew more and more unsteady

A stranger on the sidewalk passed by

Glanced at me and continued on their journey

The sensible thing would be to leave

I’d been frozen there too long, I knew

My mind instructs and yet my body stayed still

Fully aware of the uncomfortable chill

It was a diversion, it kept my mind busy

I had grown quite used to the cold

Un...