The end of creation was simple and arithmetic: _finishing in 3s_.

There was the **First Disaster**, of course. Well, everyone knows about _The Sinking_.

For centuries, sea levels inched higher, taller until stretches of prospering vegetation were swallowed whole by waves so monstrous they kissed the sky.

Brown cattle and silver planes and green foliage and busy-bodied people were swept away by...

Staring into my bathroom mirror, I smudged a thumb across the darkened skin.

For the third consecutive day, I'd dozed off while studying. Now, soft granuals of pigmented charcoal marred my cheeks like a puckered tattoo.

"**_Nox erat et toto sidera_**..." _Latin_.

_"_**_She'veę req ouli a_**_..." Kabralhi._

**_"It was night and all the stars_**_..." English._

Across my face, all three written ...

"Oh, you're back again," The darkness crooned.

The smile in its voice was palpable,

"How long have you come to play?"

Vidya's arms outstretched before her as she stumbled into the blackness -- feeling for the walls of the familiar inky coridor.

Almost instantaneously, pools of light flooded around her, illuminating the thick muddy walls and swamp-like paths. Everything she touched began to gl...

The yellowness leaked into the corners of the crypt, signaling that it was Above day.

I stretched myself in preparation, giddy with possibility.

Perhaps today would be the day.

Perhaps I wouldn't be alone anymore.

_3..._

_2..._

_1..._

I lurched my body into yellow, pushing up and against the sand as it flooded around me. There was a slight resistance before the sudden break, and then I was...

I waited for you

I walked for miles with worn ankles and shoulders burnt from the sun's gravelly rays

I waded in the shallowest grave of discernment

I struck matches against my fingernails

and drowned in solitude

I waited for you

pretending to be lighter than I am

more gawdy

more willing

pretending to know love like tendrils of muscle

the tempered underbelly

pretending to have feeling

I waited fo...