Growing up on the coast of South Carolina, I have always been drawn to the ocean. The tangy scent of the air, the seagulls laughter ringing through the cool breezes, and the ocean glistening under a pink and yellow sunset are engrained into my mind, taking control of my senses.

All except for one, that is. I have no idea what the sand feels like between my toes. Is it hot from the sun or cool fro...

One.

I

Think

I

Can.

Two.

Wait no.

I can’t.

Three.

Well, maybe…

I can try.

Four.

I am ready.

Five.

I am strong enough

To make it through this.

Six.

No, I need to go back.

Seven.

It is so much easier

I can’t do this anymore.

One....

“That’s it!”

Freya shouted angrily as she paused her show and got up from her warm nest on the couch. She stomped to her desk muttering to herself about squirrels.

She rummaged through her junk drawer until she found the miniature torch hiding near the back. She made sure it turned on and stomped back to the basement entrance.

Ever since moving in a few weeks ago, Freya had heard a scurrying...

Sometimes the only way to really forget something is to go to sleep. First, Jared would have to fall asleep.

It takes hours before he is, finally, in a light sleep but never fully reaching the REM phase. Every noise is an alarm bell sounding in his ear. The smallest light is an interrogation light blinding him from the room around him.

Jared takes his precautions. He has taped over every small...

“So this is it?”

I stood there starring at him, pleading with the universe to let him stay. He was the closest to love that I have ever been.

“I am so sorry. I fell in love. This has to be it.”

I refused to cry, so I stood there in silence knowing if I uttered a single sound, I wouldn’t be able to stop the tears.

He let out a sigh and turned to leave. I leaned against the front door of my ...

Breathe.

Slowly.

In.

Out.

In.

One.

Two.

Three.

Don’t think about the pain, the cold, or the dread of dying up on this mountain alone.

Four.

Five.

Remember going to the beach with Charlotte when she was maybe five? How happy she was to build sandcastles and run around in the sun? Her smile shined the brightest that day.

Out.

In.

Out.

God, please, let me see her again. ...

Two weeks was all it took for people to stop searching for my brother or caring to call. They’ve all moved on.

They may not care, but my family doesn’t have that luxury. My brother is still everywhere- pictures, memories of watching cartoons on the couch, his untouched room, and the kitchen where he would hum as he cooked.

Moving on is easy when constant reminders aren’t around every corner...

“Orders for Jamie, Louise, and Ashlyn!” The barista tried shouting over the conversations that controlled the small shop. He wasn’t having much luck, and I sat there as he called their names again, and no one went to claim their drinks.

It was abnormally busy in here for a Tuesday at two pm, and I couldn’t help but to overhear the conversations all around me.

“Order for Nora!” I got up to get ...