The walk had been freezing

relentless, gruesome.

It had been snowing and snowing

the woods mumbling a deadly song.

Two souls were wandering till night

through blank and blinding white,

Their hands numb with frostbite

a timid fire creating their only delight

The one mate was sleeping

the other stood guard.

The cold was creeping

Keeping the fire was hard.

Do not play with the fire

it’s your life’...

"I hate that song", the voice chimed in Eleanor's head.

Her perfectly manicured fingers tapped her white desk, and tiny downward crease formed in her perfect full lips.

If she had had less botox, her forehead would show deep lines of concentration.

She was editing her video for social media. Baking 2-Ingredient gluten free sugar free brownies in a 2 million dollar kitchen. Her mouse hovered over...

"How about this one? Do you want to use it for the Scrapbook?"

Belle handed Anna a smudged black and white photo. Anna inspected it closely. It showed her grandma just after being wed in her magnificent gown, but...

"Ummm I don't think so. There is a stain on grandpa's face. Well, let's see if there is a better one."

"Like this one?"

Belle gave Anna another picture. A man in a tuxedo was sta...

The door opened.

Marlon Smith glanced up as the agent entered.

"Here’s your water, Mr. Smith. And something from the vending machine."

Marlon opened the bottle and downed it in one shot. He had been waiting for hours for this interrogation to begin.

"So... state your name for the tape, please."

"Marlon Smith."

"Occupation?"

"Guard at Isle de Muertas."

"Let’s talk about the third of March. T...

Oh Melanie, look at you.

Your soft hair, your deep eyes.

When I talk to you time flies.

Quick wits and pretty ... legs.

Be mine Melanie, and we will rise.

What do you mean just friends?

Is this how this ends?

Well, that's fine by me

Can't cure stupidity.

Screw you and your mom

I wish you were gone

I hope you get hit by a truck

You would've been just another f-.

...

I want to remember... It itches my brain grasping and losing this memory. Dry grass, the creaking of the dry trees. In my dream, everything seems so big. Small flys and moths are gigantic. My father and mother tower over me. They are stomping through the grass, I follow them meek and small.

They throw the most terrible insults at each other, a lot of the bad words I have never heard. The sun is s...

"Huh what is this... Inescapable oak looting-"

"Hey stop reading that is top secret!"

"Ouch! Wait, why?"

"It's my Krypto passphrase. It's like a password for the Krypto wallet with all my savings"

"Interesting... Sounds like a story though... Maybe a writing prompt"

"I swear if you make this a writing prompt again this friendship is over"...

I don't know when I last saw a ray of sun. Months, years must have passed since I got lost in this inescapable forest. Using the moss on the oaks I was sure was I was not wandering in circles. But the fear of walking so far in the wrong direction always gnawed at me. The woods seemed thicker and more overgrown the farther I got. But between the foliage a warm glimmer broke through. I ran, tumbled ...

The warm summer air caressed my skin. People going on evening strolls, walking their dogs and chattering with their sweethearts. I glanced at the big watchtower. He's late.

"Hey". A tiny blonde woman tapped my arm. *Are you waiting for him?"

"Why? "

"You're here and you're wearing bourdeux."

"Yes, I was told to. Maybe he likes it."

"Favourite Color? No Idea. But his darkest secrets? Those I knew ...