My red hair never used to be this vibrant.

It used to be a dull auburn, more brown than red. In the sun it shone a slight rust color.

But now it was crimson red…and the color would not fade.

I do not know how my hair changed such a drastic color.

My mom thinks it’s because I eat too much cherries.

My dad is convinced I dyed my hair.

I did not.

The first week I noticed my different hair hue...

Dante’s sword could kill merely as a spectacle.

The pure image of his sword haunted his enemies’ minds.

It truly was a gruesome sight.

His sword, which he named Stained Slither, was a bright silver, with whirl engravings that turned crimson when the sword struck down rivals.

The handle was sharp and snake-like, venom in its snake-shaped fangs.

Stained Slither, a sword no one dares to touch....

Edwin had run inside with quick panic.

My tea cups shook with his anxiety.

He froze when he saw my tranquil state, how I had been drinking a cup of tea near the fire, writing about the many silences I have encountered.

He stood, silent, with his fingers nervously holding his hat.

“Aislin…” he breathed. No words followed my name…only silence.

Suddenly I could see it, the silence before b...

Revenge and forgiveness—

Such opposites that deal with pain.

Revenge—

Blinding rage,

Infliction of pain,

Lusting for blood.

Forgiveness—

Warm understanding,

Healing of pain,

Wanting of reconciliation.

If both feel pain, why do some seek out blood and others seek to heal?

I suppose pain changes a person—

Some are brought before anger

And other wish simply for peace....

Broken glass sparkled on the marble floor. I was careful to avoid the sharp shards on my bare feet.

The white marble flooring was stained red with blood.

I tried to find an exit, but my broke body pleaded to fall to rest. My vision blurred with tears.

I caught sight of a fractured mirror, finding an altered reflection.

Half of my face was bleeding from a wound that would forever scar me. My ri...

My eyes burned, tears only worsening the pain.

I force my eyes close, slowing my breathing.

The pain will pass…

“Alice?”

The sound of a voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Are you alright?” Marie asked.

Suddenly I realized I was halfway through cutting the onions.

“Yes,” I sniffled. I forced my eyes closed again as another wave of pain teared through my eyes. “I’m just cutting onions.”

I hea...

Aragon looked at me with trust. His golden hair and perfect smile attempted to enraptured me.

A distant boom pulled me from his gaze.

“Freya, we will win this,” he said with such determination, I almost believed him.

“Remember, place your men at the river bend,” I said.

He nodded.

Suddenly, he looked at me with such intensity, my heart began to flutter.

“Can I trust you, Freya?” Aragon asked...

Nightmares used to never exist…

Long before fear harbored within our dreams,

Sleeping was always

A way of rest and peace.

One day a man grew vengeful,

And wished to curse his rival

With horrid dreams.

He found beast,

Dark, evil, and vengeful,

Who took shape as a mare.

“Nightmare,” he named it,

And set it free

Within the dreamscape.

With power, Nightmare evoked

Feelings of fear in slee...

Elspeth

There was a rose, with blush pink petals and sparkles of gold, taped to my dorm door.

I looked down the hallway, as if I could find the mysterious man.

Before anyone could see, I torn the rose from my dorm and closed the door behind me.

A small card hung from the rose’s thorns.

In elegant gold writing, it read:

Even in a crowd of red roses,

I’d chose the pink one,

_Not only ...

Four years ago today,

I was happy…truly happy.

I had friends I saw each day—

I could speak my soul’s way.

I was enraptured by him—

He saw through my quiet skin.

I was home…truly home—

Loving comfort made me never feel alone.

Four years ago,

I was so innocent of pain.

It would be easier to forgive myself,

Then forget Time’s old ways....