I called 911. When they arrived, they told me she was dead. They took the body away.After asking where my parents were, they made me call my best friend's mom, telling her to stay with me until my parents got off their flight. Then they left.Mrs. Crothers had arrived quickly and now sat in the living room uncertainly. The silence was unfriendly. The walls seemed to press inwards, trapping me. Her purple dress was rumpled...

"We'll be back in a few hours. Don't call us – we'll be on the plane."I nodded and rubbed the back of my neck, the phone pressing uncomfortably against my ear. "Okay, Mom.""Can I talk to Caroline?"I looked over at my sister. She was curled up in a ball of gray sweats, only her tear-streaked face peeking out. I raised my eyebrows in a silent question and she shook her head slightly. I nodded and said into the phone, "Uh, s...

Chapter One About six months ago, life for me became very, very complicated. My name is Junior Banner and I was a fool to believe all around me was as good as it seemed. I found out that not everyone I interacted with was normal, or even human for that matter. This world of mine, as it turns out, is home to the living, dead, undead and almost everything that goes bump in the night. Never again will I believe that it is a...

On Saturdays it was the habit of the restaurant employees to go to breakfast at a local diner. Since Bruce became involved with Amber, he had been absent from these gatherings, they were all happy when he announced he would meet them there. They took one of the corner booths that the owner reserved for them. He knew the owner and held them in such high regard that this booth was always reserved for them on Saturday. Each...

Many summers yes, have come and gone.Countless struggles, but still vigorous. Offerings abound, blessings numerous.67 plus years ago this old man did spawn. Like many who grew up in my day.Memories some good, some bad.Frequent challenges yes I've had.Damaged somewhat along the way. Darkness visited too many times.Demons alive, swim deep in my well.My secrets disquieting, not a hard sell. All color vanishes in those confin...

Chapter Twenty-eight: A Sealed Fate Ethan seemed more angry than sad by Marry’s letter after he read it. He was so upset he stormed out of the mansion on his own. He came out of the mansion at his old neighborhood and walked straight to the park he had once spent an entire spring break at. The park was covered with snow that was all the way up to his shins. Ethan sat down in the snow and simply pouted. There was nothing e...

Chapter Seven First thing in the morning Noah was off to the Arena. It had not seemed to change once since his time there when he was still a teenager. It took him several minutes to find the registration counter though. There were eight slots open for the arena that day, which was the standard amount of battles for the week day in Rozak cities arena. Entry fee was 20 crystals so he could only sign up for two matches; whi...

Chapter Five Before Noah could say anything more Primordious had already pulled him into the storm clouds and he was struggling to keep up. He couldn’t see even an inch in front of him; he tightened his grip on the Ethereal allowing it to guide him. From time to time he would encounter wet patches of the clouds and become soaked. Other times he would feel a discharge of static all around him and would suddenly be whisked...

Chapter Twenty-five: Dark Truths It was four days since the Reapers tournament and Ethan had yet to go see his dad. He spent all that time just wandering around earth aimlessly. Finally he grew bored of that and decided to return to the mansion. Ethan went straight to his room when he got inside the mansion; it was empty again, no Picario. Ethan sighed sadly and lay down on his bed. He closed his eyes for a moment but man...

"I am old," said the sea. "I have been here for millions of years." The mountain rumbled, "I am older than you. Before you, there was me." "Ha!" laughed the star. "It is I who am oldest. All time has been lost for me." "But I was the bringer of life," said the sea. "Without me your lands would be but arid wastelands. Useless and uninhabitable." "And I am the sustainer of life," roared the mountain. "It is I who cradles yo...

It’s always the same. Lock the doors. Set the furnace back. Glass of water. Shut the TV off. Then lay there. Until the courage comes. This is the part I hate the most. The dark. The small click of the light turning off. That’s when you come. When I am defenseless. Alone in bed. Without the distractions that armor me. Taking me prisoner each night. I reach for you in the empty dark. But it is too late. You have already eng...

In the eyes of another I would be thief.It matters not to them of my own hearts grief.Or the emptiness that dwells inside,A hidden heart that long since died. Lives half-lived with others twined.Trophies set proud, polished and shined.Yet something missing, an aching hunger.A desire unfulfilled from a heart much younger. Homes and lives left alone each night.But the yearning won’t leave until it feels right.Looking and se...

I know why the sky rolls on the edge of New OrleansThe blue billows like the waves of PontchartrainAngry waves, fervent ones, rise like dead from turquoise gravesCollapsing clouds with the force of hurricanesEve's approaching; rush, rush rushMust make arrival 'fore night comesThe ceiling's black; no stars, no moonShadows chase the remains of the sunStill in spite of the night I will journey on westTo deliver my daddy's bo...

Why do I answer?That insistent banginginside my closet door? I recognize the tap, tap, taps, from times of yore. Never colorful thoughts,only looming darkness,hides behind that door. Feeling powerless, reaching for the knob,giving a twist once more. Knowing I shouldn't, but I can't help myself, out they begin to pour. Resurrected memories, secrets never told,enter with a roar. Discarded bones, clattering skeletons, playin...

The most vivid memory I can recall from all of my years as a truck driver was one lonely December morning, all alone on the outback – well, that's what I called it anyhow – with the wind whistling through the trees and the snow all falling around me, chains on the tires, windshield frosted over: and then her, popping out of the fog like she was an angel, lips streaked with violet, golden hair whipping around her face, and...