Writing Prompt

Helen stared out at the rapidly darkening sky, eyes glittering like stars in an onyx night as she watched the red and amber stripes fade to a more mundane obsidian colour, as if someone had grabbed the batter to a dark chocolate cake and swiped it over a goldenly baked cake. “I don’t understand, I’ve never met anyone like you before!” She sat on the widows walk above her bedroom, legs dangling over the railing. Despite the danger a mortal might sense, she only felt a feeling of comfort. She could hear the faint noises of a television playing downstairs, and her father, Jerry, laughing at the football.

“You should be grateful for that.” Lucas mumbled quietly under his breath, unable to look at her even though he wanted to so badly. “Scions are both dangerous and helpful people, Helen. As you know, I’m from the House of Thebes, a somewhat descendant of Poseidon, as you’ll know from Hector who almost drowned you last night. Now, Helen. You may be stronger than us, but Creon is a huge factor in the House of Thebes. Menoceus looks nothing like him, but Hector sure damn does. His mother is just a mortal, but his father is a long gone man despite still being alive.”

“Helen…” his throat was strangled as he tried to turn to her. “None of my family knows what house you are, but you’re connected to Zeus, that’s for sure. Now, I know none of this coming from my tongue makes sense, but the Iliad should explain it better. And if you’re still struggling…well. Well find a way.”

“But, Helen, the truth is, you’re a scion now, you can’t hide into that shell forever. I get it, it’s a lot to adjust to in just a week. But these women and possibly tantalus is coming after you, you need to be protected.” His jaw clenched and a shadow crossed his forehead and to his eyes. “Just stay safe, Helen. And go to bed.”

“You won’t be cold?” She said quietly as she stood.

“No,” he lied, unwilling to add the part where he tells her how he truly feels. “I’ll be fine.”

“Goodnight, Lucas,” she said softly, her voice dreamy.

“Goodnight, Helen.”

And so the two souls, though trying to merge into each other and bind like soulmates, the mortal mind had more sensibility than the souls. So their bodies had silent arguments and shared scowls as they separated for the night, each in their own thoughts with sweet smiles on their faces.

The Devil’s Game

In the shadows of a moonlit city, two figures faced each other on the rooftop of a towering skyscraper. Alastor, the elusive spy known for his silver tongue and impeccable stealth, stood with his pistol aimed at the figure in front of him. Lucifer, the infamous assassin whose name sent chills down the spines of the underworld, smirked as she twirled a dagger between her fingers.

“Missed me again, Alastor,” Lucifer teased, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. Her leather jacket clung to her frame, blending into the night, while her crimson scarf fluttered in the wind like a warning.

“One of these days, I won’t,” Alastor shot back, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, every inch the professional, though his loosened tie betrayed the chaos she always brought into his life.

“You’ve been saying that for years,” she replied, taking a step closer.

They had crossed paths too many times, each encounter a game of cat and mouse where neither fully committed to finishing the other off. She was a contract killer, and he was a spy tasked with taking her down. Yet, somehow, they always ended up sparring with words as much as weapons.

Tonight was no different—except for the way the air between them felt charged, heavier than usual.

“You could make this easier and just surrender,” Alastor said, his tone laced with mock patience.

Lucifer let out a low, sultry laugh. “Surrender isn’t in my vocabulary, darling.” She closed the distance between them in a single, fluid motion, pressing the flat edge of her dagger against his jaw.

His gun was still aimed at her chest, yet neither moved.

“You’re predictable, you know that?” she whispered, her voice dangerously soft.

“Predictable keeps me alive,” he countered, his sharp blue eyes locking onto hers.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. The city hummed below them, its lights casting a faint glow over their tense standoff.

“Tell me, Alastor,” Lucifer said, tilting her head. “If you had the chance to kill me, would you really pull the trigger?”

Alastor swallowed hard. He knew the answer. He always had.

“No,” he admitted, lowering the gun slightly. “But I’m not sure why.”

Lucifer’s smirk softened into something almost tender, though she quickly masked it with her usual bravado. “You’re not half as cold-hearted as you pretend to be. That’s why you’ll never catch me.”

“And you’re not half as ruthless as you think,” he replied, his voice quieter now. “If you were, I’d already be dead.”

Their weapons lowered in unison, but neither stepped back. Instead, Lucifer leaned in, her lips hovering close to his ear.

“You don’t hate me, Alastor,” she murmured. “You hate that you can’t stop wanting me.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut, and for once, Alastor was at a loss. Lucifer pulled away with a knowing look, the dagger slipping back into its sheath as she stepped toward the edge of the rooftop.

“Until next time, spy,” she called over her shoulder before leaping off the side of the building.

Alastor rushed to the edge, his heart pounding as he watched her land gracefully on the fire escape below, disappearing into the night.

He stood there for a long time, the weight of her words lingering in the cool night air.

He didn’t hate her. He never had.

And that terrified him more than anything else.

Celia was just a normal girl with a normal life until she met Kai. He changed her life but not for the better or for the worse. Before she befriended Kai she did everything normal kids her age did, she was a straight A student and she played basketball and had a part-time job at a cafe two trains away from her little town.

On a Tuesday morning Celia was taking out the trash before heading to school then she saw a boy wearing her school uniform walk out a house down the street. She quickly chased after him and called out “Hey you!” He turned around looking confused “What?” He said looking confused.

“You go to my school” said celia out of breath. “So what?” “Would you like to walk together?” “Sure, why not” Kai said with a smile appearing on his face

15 minutes later they got to school they were a bit early so Celia helped Kai find his classes and warned him about some of the teachers then they parted ways.

At school Celia had 3 friends,

**Lila **who was creative and free-spirited she loved painting and writing poems even though she’s quiet she’s very thoughtful and offers kind words when needed.

Maya which is barely is school but she is curious and ambitious with a passion for exploring and travelling, Maya loves asking questions and solving problems and is a very quick thinker when it comes to difficult situations.

Lastly, Sophia, she is very outgoing and loves helping others she also loves being surrounded by friends and family she has a deep love for animals and often volunteers at the local shelter in out small town.

Apart from her three friends, Celia is also very outgoing and is quite well known at school.

It’s 10:45 which is break-time Celia is sitting with her friends in the canteen ,minus Maya obviously, then she spots Kai all alone and calls out for him “Hey Kai, do you want to join us!?”

He then starts walking forward with a grin sneaking up on his face.

The pair sat in comforting silence and Jack took a sip from his hot chocolate that was topped with whipped cream. Which was comforting on a snowy new york day. Emma chuckled to herself watching him. “What?” Jack let out a laugh. “You have.. whipped cream.” She gestured to his nose. Jack’s cheeks pricked with a subtle pink as he swiped away the cream from his nose. “That was a test, I was testing you.” Jack said cooly. Emma shook her head shoving him lightly. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.” Emma said realizing slightly taken aback from her own words. A smile crept onto Jack’s face. “You should be greatful for that, cause I’m amazing.” Jack smirked.

As Gwen and Matt sat in the comforting bed of grass coated by the setting sun, Gwen couldn’t help but stare over at Matt as he wasn’t looking. Matt eventually turned his head to be met with her gaze. Raising an eyebrow, he questioned her. “What? Do I have something on my face?” he asked gently, a slight teasing tone to his words. “No silly, I just like looking at you.” Gwen replied as a warm smile spread across her beautiful face. Matt couldn’t help but feel his heart race when he looked at her. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.” she continued. Matt’s gentle expression darkened, and he felt a pit grow in his stomach. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he glanced away and stared down at the grass. “You should be grateful for that.” he replied dryly. Confused, Gwen tilted her head and asked for an explanation. “What do you mean? I assume you’re taking it as a compliment, aren’t you?” she asked her second question rather hesitantly, her tone showing how concerned and worried she was. Matt turned his head to stare down at her again, his expression grim. Without hesitation, he responded, “Gwen. . . I’m not exactly a good person.” As soon as he said that, it was almost as if an alarm had been triggered in Gwen’s brain. Now suspicious of the man she had been gaining feelings for, she sat up more straight and furrowed her eyebrows. “What do you mean by that? With all the time we’ve spent, I’ve come to the conclusion that you are a good person.” Matt’s grim expression darkened furthermore, turning his head to look away from her naive gaze again. “You’ll find out soon enough. Don’t worry about it for now, my love.” Gwen, still confused, relaxed a bit. But now she was filled with even more questions. Deciding she would just listen to him and find out later, she stayed silent and scooted closer to him, tilting her head to rest it on his shoulder which earned a content smile from Matt. With one final movement, he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close, staring off into the sunset with her in peaceful silence.

“You keep to yourself, I’ve noticed. Even before summer break you never tried to stand out, why?”

I sighed as I looked at his curious eyes, his hands tapping against his knee as he waited for an answer, an answer I couldn’t give.

“Because..” I trailed off, because what? Why do I keep to myself? “Because I just don’t like receiving attention, it makes me feel nervous.”

Why am I lying? I love attention, it’s the only thing I crave from my parents. Not love, not anything. Just affection. But what did I expect me to say?

I didn’t have a reason. I never did. I guess it was just..me.

I watched as he laid his entire body on the bed, his arms resting on the white crystal designed pillows

“What about you?” I asked before reposting my position on the bed, sitting in one place was the most uncomfortable thing in the world, other than being in the same room as a teacher that fucked you the entire summer break.

What a small world.

“Me? I guess I don’t want attention, it just comes to me” he paused, I could tell he was thinking about telling me a half truth, I would know, I just lied to him.

“The attention makes me anxious sometimes, I get nervous and then my Palms get sweaty” My mind drifted off somewhere

Anxiety, I relate to that. I get nervous too when presenting in front of other people, but I suppose it’s not exactly the same thing.

Though both of ours is social based.

“Does that answer your question baby?” He was so subtle with the nickname I almost didn’t notice it

Almost.

“Why do you call me that? I’m older than you” I quickly shot him a glare which made him chuckle

What was so funny?

“So are you telling me you want to call me baby?” He stopped laughing at me but had an annoying smirk plastered all over his face

“I—we—No!” I buried my face into a pillow, what was wrong with this guy? Why is he terrorizing me?

“Baby I was kidding” He tried to take the pillow away from my face but I held it even harder, I couldn’t let him see my face.

I didn’t want him to see me being vulnerable, I won’t let anyone see me like that. Ever again.

Sensing my sour mood, his hand ran through my silky hair, getting rid of any tangled bits.

“I won’t ever judge you, D.” His words were so sweet I genuinely considered giving up and letting him see my vulnerable expression

Again, almost.

He groaned and I felt him drag me down onto the bed, we laid in silence for a few moments before he spoke again

“I mean it, D. I’m not the kind to judge someone, especially not you.” I felt his voice trailing off and the room fell into a deep silence

He fell asleep.

I quickly removed the pillow from my face and sat up, staring at him, I ran my hand through his hair. Mimicking the way his hand ran through mine, not exactly the same but similar.

“I know” I whispered softly, not caring whether he was actually asleep or not. “But that’s why I can’t be with you, I’ve done things that I’m sure you’d hate me for.”

Or rather, let some things happen to me. I wasn’t a victim, I knew that. It was a mutual agreement, yeah I told him to stop when we were having sex, and yes I never said the word “yes” to him. I still let it happen

It was my fault and I’d have to take responsibility for it.

He let out a soft yawn, so silent that I almost missed it, before resting his head on my thighs

“I could never hate you, mon amour.” He then fell asleep a second time

Unlike his other, annoying yet loveable nicknames, I had absolutely no idea what that meant. But knowing him, it was probably something sweet.

I put two of my fingers on his nose bridge before squeezing it together, when I let go he let out a loud snore

He was truly asleep this time.

I wait outside their door, patiently, for them to open it. Rain patters around, dropping down onto me making sure that I am soaked to the bone because I deserve it they say. Pitter patter, the sound of the rain goes echoing throughout this deserted street and not my heartbeat. I knock again on their door, patiently for their answer, but I know somewhere deep down they won’t. Not after everything we have been through.

There isn’t any other sound apart from the rain, as everyone else is taking shelter in a home. However, my home isn’t opening for me as the door remains closed on my face. A car does go pass but it disappears quickly like a snap. Then a horn screamed in rage but I’m sure it was my own voice, though my throat doesn’t feel sore. I close my eyes counting to ten to reassure myself that he will answer the door because he loves me.

Finally, I give up after five more minutes as the truth is an answer that is not going to come my way, and it hurts almost as if my heart is also going to give up on me, on my life because it knows he isn’t worth it for me to continue to be here. These thoughts crowd my head and I turn myself away from the door to get myself drowning in the tears from the heaven, not my own. Then a sound of clanking metal catches on my ears but I don’t make anything out of it. The metal scratches my thoughts forcing me to walk away from here, a street that I won’t walk down again as it will only bring me back memories of us. __ _Leave, he’s not worth it. _I take the steps down from the porch where the rain continues to fall upon my cold body. Winter rain makes my skin blue but it is also making my heart blue, from the hurt I feel. The bruises from knowing I don’t deserve someone like him scars me, because I deserve so much better than him if he is going to keep on hurting me. __ __ __ “Liana?” My name from his voice that separates his lips apart makes me stand frozen while the whole world around me continues to go on, rain carries on. The pitter patter still echoes and now it has reached my mind blocking his voice out. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m sorry because I’ve never been in a relationship before. I don’t know how it works. I don’t know love.”

I turn to face him, to look him in the eyes. His cold frozen pale blue eyes look back at me, hurt as well because he has hurt me. This realisation relaxes me a little but his excuse is not good enough for me. Surely, someone other than his parents taught him how to love like a friend? But then again, I haven’t met any of his friends, no he isn’t lonely. He has other friends, I just haven’t met them yet because maybe he thinks it’s too early to tell whether our relationship is serious or not. But I have dreamt our future already, as every girl does. The dream marriage, kids and a pet. The family I dreamt since we met and somehow I fear this future is breaking apart because of one small mistake. Anything small or big can have a huge impact on your future, and with us it is him not knowing how a relationship works and the way to treat a girl in order to keep her. “Didn’t your parents teach you love, Jackson? Didn’t they say what you should and shouldn’t do?” I ask.

“No,” he says turning his face away from me as if he is ashamed on what he is about to say next. “My parents didn’t love each other, they never did. I grew up pretty much without a father because one day he walked out and didn’t come back. My mother abused herself because she called herself not good enough. They didn’t teach me love because they didn’t know it themselves.”

There is a pause, which leaves me to feel sorry for him, feel bad because his life growing up was all by himself. But it doesn’t mean that he should hit me to make me feel physically hurt, and as well he has hurt me emotionally. He hasn’t told me anything about his family or past making me wonder why he felt like it should’ve been a secret from me. “It’s cause,” he continues, “I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re so nice, kind, and perfect and it scares me because I. I think I love you.”

“I love you too, Jackson. You should be grateful for that, because now you have me,” I say trying to break a smile within hoping to shatter away the clouds that pours down rain. The pitter patter still echoing and not let the sun pass to shine.

There is a crack that parts his mouth and his lips move to form a half smile before asking me, “am I lucky to have someone like you?”

“Yes, because I am not leaving you.” I watch Jackson bowing his head down and hear the tears that have managed to part ways with him, before I rush up to him so that I can hug him. He embraces me back in his arms, where it is warm and somehow I can feel the rain lifting away to bring the sun back from the dead. We stay in this embrace for awhile, to reassure ourselves.

“I love you,” I say again making sure he knows that I am destined to be with someone like him, that we are meant to happen as it is written in the stars and nothing could defeat us because we have got through our own battle with each other. I love him so much more than my dog, he is family to me and nothing can make me change my mind.

“I love you too,” he says. “And I am so grateful to have someone like you in my life.”

He dramatically through his arms up in response to her mocking tone. He didn’t give a damn and she evnied it. She wanted to learn how to be so free. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

“You should be grateful for that.” The look of a warm warning burned into her as he laughed.

“I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

Surely you have, though… right? I’m not the only one stuck in a ditch, a loop, warned against the fight versus the world and its stitches.

I’m not the only one with traits of a vampire, pale, pale skin, who loves the night, but can’t take a glance at a mirror unless it’s on fire. The only trait I don’t have is the bite.

I’d never do that… would I?

I’m not the only one stumbling on their words. I can’t think straight half of the time, it’s almost like the clock can hurt because it refuses to rewind.

I’m not the only one that did some things bad. I’m not the only one that took it out on others. I’m not the only one who’s been stuck in sad, dull, emotions, that don’t let them see colors.

But I’m the only one who’s all of these. At least, that’s in my thoughts to think. I’m the only one you should be afraid of, I have a lot of vampiric qualities.

I’m afraid to walk sometimes, I wouldn’t be shocked if I was the only one. I’ve been bullied, even after changing schools. I changed schools so much, but nothing else did.

Except, maybe, just maybe, the moving, it gave me my social anxiety. You know, the “afraid to walk” thing? I guess that’s why you’ve never met another like me.

You should be grateful for that. I’m a complex person, honestly. I’m all the nightmares; attacks, rolled into one person: me.

Kiara has always fallen in love so parachutingeasily. The first she could remember is in first grade with a little boy named Ethan Morris. What she found attractive about him was that he was the fastest boy during PE. Kiara figured he liked her too because when she wore a periwinkle purple bow to school he complimented it. She knew then he was the boy she was going to marry. Bows and periwinkle purple were her favorite things from then on because Kiara never forgot that. Kiara grew older and so did her obsession with boys. "I like you, from anynomys," she wrote on a sticknote in 3rd grade. She passed it to her friend with a whisper "give this to Oliver." She used her brunette hair to cover her face as she freaked out awaiting an answer. In less than 5 minutes it was returned with the response of: "who are you?" She was hesitant to share her identity to him but she did. She wrote her name with a heart next to it. Again she gave it to her friend but it was brought back to her faster than before. she unfolded the sticky note and instead of the "i like you too," she had expected she was hit by a "ew you're ugly." Kiara never forgot that. In 6th grade, she found a new boy. She was wearing a shirt of her favorite color, periwinkle purple, when two boys came up to her and her friends. They kept leaving her out of every conversation, and she soon realized those two boys wanted to talk to her friends not her. Then she remembered what Oliver had said to her and reminded herself, "No boy will like me, im too ugly." She backed up from the group and she noticed a skinny brunette boy who had come along with the boys, but didn't want to talk to the girls. She stared at him, and wondered if he would like her. As she thought, he looked up and said, "What are you looking at fattie?!" She wanted to cry. She wanted to go home and hug her mom. "Fat and ugly is what I am." Kiara never forgot that. When she would get hungry she would remember what he said. Last time she fell in love was her freshman year of high school. Finn was not a conventionally attractive boy, but in her eyes he was the most handsome man. During lunch, she was on her phone while others mingled. He tapped on her shoulder and she looked up. She saw him and he saw her. He hesitated on his words, "I think you're very pretty, and i wanted to get your number." His voice wasn't deep but wasn't high either. Kiara found comfort in that. "Are you playing a joke on me?" She questioned. No boy had ever come up to her with actual intentions of getting to know her. "Yes, obviously!" she smiled at him, and he looked starstruck. "Fine," she said. Kiara gave him her phone, "Put your number in." He did as he was told, then gave her back her phone and walked away. She looked at the name he saved his name as and repeated it back to herself. "Finn." She never forgot his name. A few months into talking they hung out at Finn's house. In Finn's room they were laughing. Finn looked at her longingly and smiled. "What?" She asked. "I don't know. I guess it's just... I've never met anyone like you!"

"You should be grateful for that." She said half jokingly, half not.

Finn grabbed her hand and she looked at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's just that I'm so ugly, and fat, and I've got a horrible personality. You could have anyone, but me-"

"But I'm here with you. The prettiest lady in the world. The most perfect woman in the world. You are anything but ugly. You are anything but fat." And Kiara never forgot that. With Finn, Kiara felt pretty. With Finn, Kiara felt like she could eat. Kiara felt that she could breathe as long as Finn was the air she was breathing.