“I have to go,” Abigail said, laughing. She started toward the already-whistling train, but Cecil was faster, catching her hand.
“I’ll see you again soon?” Cecil asked, his smile faltering. Abbie’s heart softened. Cecil may have worn a carefree face well, but Abbie knew how much she worried. In truth, it was a little infectious. She’d been losing more and more sleep as of late, her mind so...
I remember when you loved me. It was just a few short years ago. You used to hold me tight underneath your threadbare patchwork blanket while you slept, the sound of your gentle breath echoing in my ear. We were both so new, so small, so foolish, our untouched hearts only just starting to spread their roots into the ground. Promises still felt binding and friendships still felt true. A year w...
Agnes does not even flinch when the verdict is read back to her.
Cold raindrops pour down her narrow face, yet her eyes never once blink. She makes sure they remain steady on the horizon even as her hands are bound so tight behind her back, the rope digs into the pale skin of her wrists and her fingers begin to prickle and go numb. After all, her mother always told her never to let the others...
The sky is electric.
Flashes of bright light create glinting porcelain cracks among the heavy gray clouds. Harsh, freezing drops soak through his clothes, pierce into his blinking eyes like daggers. Rivers of murky water run under his feet like the ghoulish veins of the cobblestoned street. He almost screams, but he cannot stand the sweet taste of the rain.
Desperately choking back sobs, he...
I can feel the cold sweat dripping on the back of my neck as she stares us down from the front center of the room. Her face is pale and cold, graying blonde hair pulled tight into a severe bun, pointed finger ready to press the dreaded button. My heart rate builds and my face scrunches in a fierce panic. God, all I wanted was to have a fun Halloween. How is it that I ended up here?
People aro...
When you were seventeen, you fell in love.
I can tell by the language of your letters, those little notes you passed each other with hurried hands in the hallways. Valentines with red roses imprinted on the front, signed off with sweeping Xs and Os. Lengthy, cursive confessions of flowery feelings I’ve never really understood, but venerated nonetheless. I used to think, after all, that I would...
The feast was brought out at the baron’s request, of course.
Nimble servant hands placed steaming platters covered with silver domes in front of each guest. I was glad—I hadn’t eaten a thing since that morning—and my seven-hour journey to the estate had well worn me out. Looking around, I saw similar expressions on the others’ faces: watering mouths, licking lips, fingers fidgeting out of hun...
There’s a prickling at the back of my neck and a sensation of spiders crawling up my spine. My heart is pounding as my eyes dart around like a hunted animal. I know you’re watching from somewhere. From the cobwebbed corners shrouded in darkness? Behind the slight crack in the door? I look, but I can’t see you anywhere.
My ears ring bright as I tear my house apart. I search the closet, th...
There is a mirror hanging on my bedroom wall.
It’s got a sturdy pink frame with little purple and white flowers, and it’s almost as tall as I am. My mom likes it, but I wish my parents would take it down. I really don’t like the way my reflection looks at me.
I have to bury myself under all my covers at night so I don’t see her staring; eyes half covered by her tawny, tangled hair; a huge, Ch...
