Final exams started with the students attention focused on getting the highest score possible and achieving the top student spot in their class. The freshman class competition during the school year was extremely high because Marcia set the standard for excellence. She studied hard and had little difficulty retaining what she read. She loved school because it made her use her mind and taught her how to succeed. With the e...

Classes had ended for the day before lunch and students wandered the hallways searching for new diversions. Naomi led Daria and Polina to the newly cleaned music room, as the headmaster promised. Daria limped to the first chair with a music stand, flopped into it, sighed heavily moving her leg onto another chair and removed her flute from its case. Naomi sat next to her holding the violin she removed from the shelves full...

Daria was pleased with being back at school, but getting around was not as easy as she thought. Polina helped by carrying her books and helping with doors, but Daria was stubborn and demanded more. One fortunate thing was that Daria did not have to climb up and down stairs to get around. Everything she needed was on the same level and the buildings connected. However, Daria's flute playing disrupted her neighbors on her f...

Unless you hide yourself awayYou’ll likely meet one on most daysYou know the kind - they seem quite niceIf not, then they are harmless types You share a laugh, a latte, lunchOr if online, you talk enoughThat you think this person’s coolAnd you’re no rubeYou’re no one’s fool They share with you their historyYou start to wonder “can it be?”That your new friend, a decent sortCan hate so many friends before? Every boyfriend w...

A heavy grey fog shrouded the castle, obscuring it from the village below. Hans prepared the limousine to carry Daria back to school from the hospital. Part of the preparations included a small picnic hamper with snacks and drinks for the ride. Twelve weeks ago, Daria's accident happened and the doctors declared her ready to leave the hospital. The headmaster chose to have Polina and Naomi accompany Hans on the drive. Pol...

"That was wonderful." Susan hit me with that smile again. It made me quiver down to my core, but I didn't let her know. I think she knew anyway. "Do I get any of your story?" "Not just yet. I'd like to keep you guessing. You could tell me some of yours though." My face darkened briefly. I thought for a moment and said, "It's long, but I'll tell you next time you come in." She pretended not to notice my dilemma. "Thank you...

After Stefan and Marcia spent time in the tunnels, she wanted to get back into the chapel. The headmaster arranged for Chantel's memorial service with village priest for just before Palm Sunday on a Thursday night. The small chapel would hold the service with interment in the crypt following it. Marcia was happy with the arrangements, but still felt suspicious of the way Chantel died. She wanted Stefan to join her in open...

Vipers slither from your lipsTwisted into clever quipsFueled by petty vengeful ireHow is it that you haven’t tired? Every chance to take a swipeThere you are with caustic bitesBriefly do your serpents restRetract their fangs, curl in their nest But never are they still for longEmerge anew, to right the wrongsThey perceive were heaped on youAnd help to heal the gaping wound I don’t lash out; I hold my tongueYet still your...

Soft sunlight leaked through the shades covering the windows of Daria's room. It softened her appearance and almost made her look angelic, as she slept. With her leg suspended, she could not roll around, as she normally did while sleeping. The light coming in the window came from sparkling reflections off the newly fallen snow. Daria moaned in discomfort, as she groggily lay trying to get comfortable, but it just made her...

It was near the end of February and Marcia looked forward to the start of spring. She loved to watch the re-awakening of the flowers and trees long dormant over the fall and winter. Naomi and she renewed their friendship, but an uneasy wariness persisted between them. After they spent time explaining why they were in the abandoned classroom floor of the school, Marcia gave up exploring the castle and searching the chapel....

"Welcome to Dave's Place." Walking in was a cute latina mujer. She was about 5' 4" with curves in the right places. I was obviously interested. I could only hope she'd pick up. I try to just flirt lightly with the customers, but sometimes I can't help myself. "Hola," she replied. "¿Como esta?" I think she was trying to catch me off guard, but I've lived in Texas a long time. " ¿B ien, y tu?" She smiled appreciatively. "I...

Daria followed Stefan stealthily to his room and floated into the corner near the ceiling. She stayed in her shimmering state watching him study and talk to his roommate. One of his roommate's friends came by and took his roommate to play cards. Daria smiled wickedly, when they left and descended to Stefan's bed. As she sat, she shifted from the shimmering wraith to her human visage. She waited until her visage was stable...

You hissed a greetingWinding snakeI heard your rattlesClick and shakeI didn’t listenThought I knewThe friendship that I had with you Though I saw your other preyBe chased and never get awayThough I saw you  Coil and strikeAnd swallow down the ones unlikedThough I saw you shed your skinEmerge unscathed, and start again We were as closeAs friends can beI trusted youYou needed meI should have knownYou’d feed on me.

Daria's wraith followed Stefan everywhere, from when he woke until bedtime. She floated nearby and occasionally played pranks on him. She enjoyed embarrassing him around his friends. She hated when Marcia and Naomi met with him. When Polina volunteered to open the chapel, Daria was furious. She wanted Marcia to fail in the chapel entry. The afternoon when Marcia, Stefan and Polina went to try the newly made key, Daria wat...

"Welcome to Dave's Place," I said from behind the bar. I can always recognize someone with a story. She walked through the door glancing around like she wasn't supposed to be here. Yet, she couldn't have arrived by accident. This place was very obvious from the outside. You know what you're going to find. It was much bigger than the surrounding buildings and the sign had my name. There were oversized glass doors to the en...