The warnings my mother gave me are far beyond what the typical woman experiences. Instead of predatory men lurking around trying to catch their next meal, I deal with otherworldly forces beyond the imaginings of others. Crystals, vials of salt, ancient markings burned into my skin repel these creatures, but they don’t hide me from the knowledge of bad intentions. Their malice is made known through...

I hate working nights.

There’s so much that’s inconvenient about it. The sleep schedule shift, the fact that nothing is open should you like to buy something, and there is this odd sort of unreality in the atmosphere. It’s a feeling of isolation. I work for a telecom company that handles emergency repairs and things break at all hours of the day so it’s not uncommon that I may have to work night...

“Ok next time i'm paying for drinks, you sneaky gentlemen” Matt punches me on the shoulder. 

Grinning back at him. “Don't get used to it princess, it was only a nice bonus. I’m back to ramen in a few weeks.” waving goodbye as i start the half mile walk back to my apartment. Whoever thought engineers were on par with lawyers and doctors can kick rocks for telling me that as a kid. If that were the...

As I concluded my summer housekeeping duties at the charming Sun Valley Inn in Franklin, Vermont, I couldn't help but revel in the early onset of autumn. Unlike the urban landscape of my hometown, Hoboken, New Jersey, the vibrant hues of the changing foliage in Vermont painted a captivating and picturesque panorama.

Exiting room 19, the final stop on my evening rounds at the quaint yellow motel n...

The street light was out. Only one of them, but it was next to a shady alley. The gaping maw of the passage looked before me as I creeped closer. I was alone, heading home from a party.

It’s seemed the smart decision; walking home instead of driving. I had been drinking and couldn’t afford points on my license. Now though, looking at the shadowy entrance before me, I wonder if I should have riske...

Sam, don’t walk home alone. It’s a long ways and it’s dangerous said his friend Janet. Awww I do all the time it will be ok.

Sam, if you must walk go straight home. Sure! I’ll be home in no time. Sam, took off walking, but before long he was starting to walk fast, for there seemed to be a strange person following him. Sam, got nueves and started running. He ran for a while before he realized that ...

Women, join me, sing this song,

I promise it won’t take long.

I'm going out, dut dut, dut dut. I'm going out.

Phone check, wallet check, keys check, taser?

I’m going out, dut dut, dut dut I’m going out.

Phone check, wallet check, keys check, knife?

I'm going out, dut dut, dut dut, I'm going out.

Phone check, wallet check, keys check, whistle?

I'm going out, dut dut, dut dut, I’m going out....

“Girrrrlllll, this party was everything”!

“Who you telling?”

“I needed this. This semester has been super stressful.”

“Yea, you stupid for taking all them classes.”

“Bitch, shut up! I’m trying to graduate early!”

“Taking all them classes you must be trying to graduate late!” They both burst into laughter.

“Well, I gotta get back to my dorm before I do something stupid. Steve looking real good a...

TW: Dark thoughts

Don’t walk home alone

For that is when the monsters strike

Hidden around the corner

Or deep inside your mind

Left to your thoughts

Your own devices

The what ifs

Internal actinomyces

Alone is when the walls cave in

Your truest, scariest self

scars and all

Archived in a mental bookshelf

You can’t help but check out a book

Explore what’s inside

Because when the mind wanders

T...

Don’t walk home alone… for it follows at night. It even lingers out of sight. “What is it?” You may ask. Eyes wide open yet the path ahead is dark and blight.

The cobble roads and winding path are an obstacle not for the weak; those who even wimper… their futures are bleak. Find a buddy, find a pal, find even the closest sign for sale- anything to hide yourself from what lingers in the streets wh...