We all wear black to ensure the blood doesn’t show on our clothing. Mother decides to wear her pearl earrings, not caring if they get stained. Though, can pearls get stained? We all get into Father’s car, it’s fast and sleek, perfect for a good getaway. Deven puts on his headphones for the car ride, hyping himself up. I carefully study our plan in my notebook, but my nails distract me. Soon they’ll be bloodied, but, at least it’ll be for fun.

“Alright, now, we’re in and out, okay, I don’t want any funny business,” Father says as we park at our destination. “And Deven, no fooling around with the bait. We can’t risk getting caught.” The night’s darkness cloaks us as we walk through the gates, being careful to be as quiet as mice. Father slowly brings us closer and closer to our target, motioning us to be quick, yet quiet. Mother parts her way to grab the needed materials for clean up as Deven and Father go unlock the door. I’m the distraction. I carefully climb up a ladder near a window and slip through without any noise. I see him. He’s even more terrifying in person, but I don’t let him reach my nerves. I see a flash of red and know it’s Father signal. I need to distract…now. “Hello,” I say, getting his attention. Slowly he prowls near me. Father and Deven creep close near me, their hands covered in blood. They throw something at the creature and he leaves me. I breathe. I walk towards Father and Deven as they hand me a lamb’s bone, soaked in blood. Mother comes in with a broom and bucket. We all watch as the unique nocturnal black panther devours the food we’ve given him.

After we washed up, Father smiles at us all. “I knew this would work, sneaking you guys into the exhibit.” I spot his silver zookeeper badge sparkling in the moonlight. Mother smiles as well. “I still can’t believe I feed the panther!” Deven exclaims. “I still can’t believe he saw me,” I whisper.

The family’s zoo adventure was sure a fun one.

I watch as his gaze follows Beatrice. Her wine-colored hair and green eyes walks past us, and Eddy looks as if he’s in a daze. “Eddy,” I say, nudging him, “we have to get back to the farm before my father—“ “Oh shush,” he bites back. “I’m going to go talk to Beatrice. You go back.” “But…” my words die on my lips as Eddy stalks off, chasing Beatrice with a smirk. I pretend to not look jealous, but inside my heart rages. But why? Because of some stupid promise Eddy and I made when we were kids? We both promised to live in my farmhouse when we turned 21. But how foolish we were as kids.

I walk back to the farm and see my father sitting on the porch. “Is that you, Delia?” He asks, his blind eyes searching for me. I rush up to him, putting my hand over his. “It’s me, dad, I’m home.” His illness was getting worse each day. But today it wasn’t so bad. He knew who I was. “Leave me out here as you prepare dinner. I want to feel the glow of the sun on my skin,” my father says. I smile. Father and I eat as I wait for Eddy to return. He’s suppose to help me with the horses. “I’m sorry,” my father suddenly blurts. “What?” I say, clutching his cold hands. “I’m sorry I won’t get to see your wedding, my flower.” Small tears fall down his face. I shake my head. “Don’t talk like that.” “Promise you’ll take care of the farm,” he whispers, his voice hoarse. “I promise,” I say.

After I put Father to sleep, I step outside in the darkness of night, wondering where Eddy is. Could he still be with Beatrice? Finally, I stop waiting and take care of the horses myself. I don’t sleep with the constant worry of Eddy and Father.

The morning birds are quiet when I get out of bed. I stumble down to the kitchen to see Eddy drinking coffee. He was here early. “Where were you last night?” I ask, trying to hide my anger. “Beatrice invited me over for dinner.” “Hmm.” I walk over to my father’s room. He’s still sleeping? I touch his shoulder. It’s deadly cold. I shake him. “Father…” I shout. “Father!” Eddy runs in at my yelling, his face pale. I reach for a pulse, but hear nothing. “No no no no,” I cry. Eddy runs to get a doctor, but I know it’s too late. Father is dead.

Days pass and I’m standing at Father’s grave, clutching violets. Eddy stands by me, his hand on my shoulder. “I made him and you a promise,” he started. “I’m sorry, Delia, I really am.” “What are you saying?” “I never liked Beatrice, I was just angry you’d never brought up our promise we made.” I shake my head. “I would’ve but…” “I know.” He smiles softly. “But I made an even bigger promise with your father.” I lay the violets by Father’s grave and follow Eddy. In front of the rushing river, he gets down on one knee and asks, “Delia Barry, will you marry me?” “Yes!” I say without hesitation. The pain of Father’s absence would always be in my heart, but with Eddy, it wouldn’t be so harsh.

Weeks later, Eddy and I sit on the porch of our farmhouse, watching the ducks waddle and the butterflies flutter. I lay my head on his chest. “I love you,” I say. “I love you,” he responds.

The way we define things Is the very way we see things.

A lake could seem like an ocean to one, But a pond to another.

A field of flowers could seem like a garden to one, But a piece of land to another.

A piece of music could be a saving melody to one, But just a mere sound to another.

A person could be a savior to one, But an enemy to another.

A poet is only as good as their definition of poetry.

Definition creates a position.

Raven first struck me as abnormally large for a bird, but I didn’t question it as I saw how much he watched me. Soon enough, I befriended him and decided to name him after his own, Raven. Where ever I went, he followed in the sky. I believed it was a gift from nature, a protector. Raven was sent to protect me from the evil shadow wielders from the neighboring kingdom. “You know Raven,” I said, picking flowers for an arrangement. “My father told me today how I might have an inkling of magic within my veins. He said that his grandmother was a shadow wielder, which scared me, but then he told me his grandfather was a sun wielder, so maybe it balanced out?” Raven cawed at me in a reply. He tilt his head and narrowed his eyes, as if he wanted more information. Silly bird. I continued, “I thought it ridiculous, until I heard how Draven, the infamous shadow wielder, was on a hunt for someone with shared blood, someone who could wield both the sun and shadows.” I placed a rose beneath my nose, smelling its sweet scent. “But I surely couldn’t have both powers…” I whispered. I had to find out. I grabbed my flowers and headed straight back home, looking for my book of wielders. There were many kinds of wielders, some could wield the elements, others the weather, but the most powerful were the shadow and sun wielders. They were also the rarest. Raven perched on my shoulder, as if he was reading with me. “I can’t find anything about how to find out if you have the gift, Raven?” Suddenly, Raven flapped through pages with his beck, until I read the title: HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HOLD POWER. I skimmed through the entry. “Ok, so basically I need to find a moon pool, which will help amplify my powers, if I have any, and then do the wielding motions.” I had learned a lot about wielders since I was a kid, but never could I fully commit to discovering if I had any gifts, not after my mother died of a burn out fighting shadow wielders. I was scared.

Raven swooped around me as I found a moon pool. The night was quiet and calm. I put my hand into the shimmering water. It was lukewarm. I got in, and looked to the night sky. The stars were twinkling and winking at me. I could feel something brewing beneath my skin, some energy that needed out. Could I be a wielder? I started going through the motions, raising my hands and focusing on the energy. Soon I saw a trail of shadow was dancing at my command. I was a shadow wielder. I almost threw up my dinner. But I stayed calm. There was still an energy beneath my skin that needed out. I reached for it and light found my eyes. I could wield both shadow and sun. Raven flew in circles, until he disappeared completely. I got out of the pool, searching for him. “Raven?” I called. “That is not my name…” a low voice responded. A man, tall, with black hair and perfect features stepped from the shadows, which he was wielding. “You’re a shapeshifter and a—“ “Shadow wielder, yes. And my name is not Raven, it’s Draven, and I have finally come to take you back to my kingdom, Arya.” Draven had been watching me the whole time, waiting until I proved I could wield. “No.” I whispered, but I could do nothing as shadows wrapped around me, taking me away from my home.

_WAKE LUELLE! _

The voice dragged me from the depths of my sleep. I glanced outside to see the sun on the brim of rising. The husky voice again awoke me at this time. I shook my head and grabbed a blanket to drap over my cold body. Today I had to go to the neighboring village to buy seeds for Father, but I could tell a storm was brewing.

“If the storm is too violent, stay in Woodville,” Father said, giving me extra coins in case I had to stay in an inn.

I walked for about an hour, the songs of the birds dragging my dreamy feet to Woodville. I loved these walks; I could escape work for a day and enjoy the tranquil presence of nature. _LUELLE, DUCK! _ The voice caused me to suddenly bend down, the dirt covering my knees. Just as my head moved down, a razor sharp knife sliced the air where I once was.
I screamed and then ran. My feet dodged fallen branches and rocks as I ran away from a large man with a growling voice. I could hear him yelling for me, telling me I was payment. I didn’t try to understand him, I only focused on escaping. _GO NEAR THE ROCKS AND THEN JUMP DOWN THE HOLE! _ The husky voice was louder now and had an urgency in its tone. It sounded like a man, and he was anxious. I found a stack of rocks and ran for them, my feet brisk and light. A hole was open near it, but it plummeted down to darkness. Do I dare trust this voice? “You’ll be tasty, that’s for sure!” The large man shouted, edging closer and closer. I glanced at him, he was non-human, a vampire for sure, hunting me down for his next meal. Without a second thought I jumped down the hole, following the voice. I land in soft arms. My eyes are still closed when the voice again speaks, though, this time I can feel the breath of him, speaking in my ear, “You’re safe Luelle, but I fear you’ve only made Draven’s hunt more intense.” I opened my eyes to see a tall, familiar man. His golden blonde hair and forest green eyes brought tears to my eyes. It was Evan. I hugged him, and he laid a small kiss on my forehead. He had come back for me. “I’ll never leave you again, my love,” he spoke, setting me in my feet. “I heard your voice,” I said, smiling. “Once I heard Draven, the vampire king, wished to find you, I was too far to keep you safe, so I had to amplify my voice.” “Draven?” I questioned. Why would the vampire king wish for me? “Yes,” Evan started, “he found out your a descendant of the Forest Queen. He heard how your Father could grow the most powerful crops on earth, and he knew you’d hold special blood.” I gulped down my fear. I had Evan with me, no one would dare hurt me.

“Elaine listen to me, I beg,” Marina cried, her face pale and concerned. Elaine looked away, stubborn and angry. Her blonde curls looked dull, her rose skin blotched. Marina held Elaine’s hands, almost lurching away from the coldness. “Elaine, do not accept his marriage,” Marina whispered, tears forming in her delicate blue eyes. “He’s a cruel man. He’ll be a cruel husband.” Elaine snatched her hand from her sister’s grasp. “You know nothing of him, sister! Nothing!” Elaine moved to get up, but Marina grabbed her arm, forcing her to continue this agonizing conversation. “Look at me, Elaine, look at the tears falling down my cheeks, the shakes coursing through my body! I am in pain for you, Elaine, because I do not wish you to find death so soon.” Elaine stopped, sudden worry creasing her forehead. “What do you mean death?” she asked, a hint of fear in her soft tone. Marina’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you understand, Elaine? He will give you death, and you will love him for it. That’s the way your heart works; you love everyone despite their flaws, but his, sister, his will bring you to an early grave, and I will not accept that!” Elaine looked away, the pain in her sister’s eyes too much to bear. Could it be true? Could her lover bring her death? She’d seen the way his eyes grew cold when she offended him, and she could tell how his body went rigid with rage when any of his workers did not do as he commanded. But her heart, her heart yearned for his love. How could she ignore the feelings of love within her heart? “I do not know if I can follow my head over my heart, Marina,” Elaine said, sorrow stirring within. Elaine gripped her sisters hands, ensuring she would be fine, that death would not be so quick to come. “My dear sister, I am strong at heart, and I will not let him hurt me, I promise,” Elaine assured. But Marina knew deep down that she was lying. Elaine had a sensitive heart, one that would be six feet under in less than a year.

I’m skating over the iced feeling You once made me feel; All warmth has left me, Cold I now conceal.

Splinters of cracks Spot the ice like veins. I want to fall through So that I can feel the pains.

You promised me warmth, But now I am left cold. I hear a crack and wait As the water consumes me whole.

I freeze with hope, Hope that maybe you’ll return. But for now I’ll freeze in these waters, Waiting for my body to burn.

I looked at the castle, lite up in glowing golden lights and ornated with fresh flowers. Townspeople were dressed in their finest clothes; women in beautiful ballgowns and men in tuxedos. Marina was pulling at my arm, ready to walk inside the enchanted castle to dance until her feet ached. I studied myself, my crimson red dress and light gold shoes. I had a rose pinned in my hair, hoping I’d find the man sending me letters and roses. “You look perfect, Lavina,” Marina said with a lovely smile. We walked into the castle together and shared an ‘awe’ as we walked through golden corridors filled with expensive, beautiful objects. Paintings and statues were everywhere, as well as garlands and potted plants. When we reached the staircase that would bring us down to the ballroom, I could see everyone.

I stayed near a refreshment table, watching Marina waltz with many suitors. I tried to find the Prince, but many said he’d probably not show up; he never did. I walked near a window, looking out at the gardens beyond. This place was beautiful, right out of a fairytale. “May I have the next dance,” a low, soft voice said from behind me. I turned around and made eye-to-eye with the Prince. He was tall, dressed in fine red, matching me. His dark brown hair almost glittered gold in the lighting and his smile was charming as he awaited my answer. “Yes,” I breathed, not believing the Prince asked me for a dance. Soon, the music whisked us into a dance. Our bodies were close as our feet matched the rhythm. “You are the most beautiful lady here, Lavina,” the Prince remarked. He knew my name! “You know me?” “Who do you think gave all those red roses?” He laughed. And suddenly it all connected. The Prince was the man who wrote me silly letters and gifted me roses! “One day when I was walking down the street, assessing how the kingdom was doing, I saw you,” he said. “You were looking at the roses outside of the flower shop and you had this look of yearning.” He twirled me. “When I saw you with that rose in your hair I knew I’d found you.”

And so, the whole night we danced and talked. I could feel love brewing its spell and casting it upon us.

I don’t understand why the world has come to what it is. Everyone is assigned a routine they must follow, if not, punishment is given. It’s really quite cruel that our world is barely even human anymore; robots have taken over everything. Except for my job, the only job no robot dares nears. I am an artist. No robot can create something so close to the human heart. They can’t replicate the pure emotions and feelings humans endure. Everyone wishes to be an artist, only to be reminded that they are human.

The wind was unlike anything the small kitten had ever felt. Cold tendrils of icy wind, armed with piercing flakes of ice, wrapped the kitten in a state of undeniably cold pain. How the small kitten dreamed of warmth, but the only thing she could still do was walk further into the wind, hoping at the end of the stretching forest, civilization would welcome her. The frozen ground numbed the kitten’s small, delicate paws. Her black fur speckled white with snowflakes and slowly grew damp. As the kitten journeyed on, she found a small trail, clearly marked with footsteps. Running, she followed the trail. Above flew dragons and birds, filling the small kitten with fear, she ran faster. Suddenly, a small troll, with green skin and large warts, found the small kitten and bent down before her. “Hello little kitten, you seem so cold,” the troll said, gently and soft. Her voice brought the kitten a sense of warmth and safety. Gathered in the troll’s hands, the kitten was brought into a small house within the trunk of a tree. Warmth immediately found her, coating her in tranquility. The kitten had found her home.