Evocation
“Where am I going?” I asked. “It doesn’t matter, go wherever you want. Turn on the radio and then shush.” Jim said. He had a yellow legal pad propped up by one…
Memory is Like Water Carried in Cupped Hands
An uncomfortable tingling ran across my shoulders and up the back of my neck; the sensation of insects crawling across my grave. “Where did he go? People don’t…
Remnants and Reminders
The sound of echoed laughter stopped me in my tracks. I hadn’t heard any other voices than my own in a long time. Honestly, I had thought the House was empty…
Room of Renewal
The area was vast and open, though I could still see walls in the distance, and not nearly as foggy on this side. The air was comfortably warm but not hot and…
Re-evaluating Strangers
I couldn’t help but groan. Standing up had not been a good idea. Everything hurt. “Do you know that guy?” the girl asked. An icy spike shot up my spine. Panic…
Before She's Gone
I watched as the glass door swung shut. Outside, Rei walked away with renewed purpose. I didn’t care where she was going. Her destination didn’t matter at all…
The Invitation: Prologue
It would be a grave mistake to share my story. Speaking of madness often gets one sent to sanitariums—as I know all too well. However the events of the past…
Waiting for a Better Tomorrow
Stretching out my fingers, I imagined them as wings. The joints and ligaments tightened and then loosened as I reset my hands back into the rest position—palms…
A Seed of Truth
“Who are you?” I whispered. Mary placed a cold palm against my cheek. “I’m whoever you need me to be. Whoever you see, that is who you need most.” Memories of…
Sluggish
The girl took a step back from me, a hand creeping to her mouth. “Umm, is that normal?” she asked, nodding toward the blood streaks running down the spears of…
Nightmare Clowns: No Escape
Anne was standing on her apartment porch when I pulled up, clenching and unclenching her fists in short staccato bursts. At the sound of my car door closing…
The Agony of Awakening
Light. It was too hot. Uncomfortable. If I could just worm my way deeper into unconsciousness I wouldn’t have to face . . . anything. Something nuzzled against…
Who Comes? (Day 118)
Inside the frost covered walls of the cabin, three of us huddled together in the frigid air, trying to share what little body warmth we could spare. The…
Before I was Ready (Day 110)
Bearing the Light was harder than it looked. All anyone could see was a glowing nimbus of pale light, one that grew brighter as its surroundings became darker…
Neglect (Day 97)
Some days are unforgettable. The date is seared into my mind; a mental brand. I can feel the bumps that make up the scar tissue if I really try. They are…
Those Precious Moments (Day 96)
Breathing was hard. Short shallow breaths were okay. Anything more than that triggered sharp pains like knives running up the outer edges of my rib cage. Even…
Receptions (Day 95)
An incoherent expression was all the warning I had before a rickety wagon wheel threw mud at me. I leaped back to avoid having a foot crushed. Wiping the cold…
Violent Disconnection (Day 94)
A bee buzzed against the window. It wasn’t an angry noise but rather it sounded like nature herself was humming. It reminded me of a cat’s contented purr. I…
Hollow (Day 92)
The house was cold and dark as it always was when I came home. Turning the lights on didn’t seem to help. It just changed the museum from day to night. Even…
Dangerous Words
In front of me the scene continued to play out and I tried to remain invisible; less than a background piece and certainly not a witness. The three thin…