I blink to clear my vision, but the scene before me remains as it always has. A message in my nightmares that plays on repeat.

The night sky appears like an altar. No twinkling prayers, pleas, or wishes to the gods splattered across its mantle.

The ground starts to rattle, making my knees tremble instinctually.

I still the unbidden movement and exhale dramatically. “Here we go again.”

An an...

The ember’s light wavered for a moment.

Its heat flickered as if caught between two paths, unsure which way was the right one to take.

A small golden flame curled around the ember, still burning bright in the darkness it pierced. The smallest of rebellions, prodding the never ending night to smother it.

Night’s shadows swirled like a whirlpool around the brightness of this small flaming e...

[Incomplete, inspired by/Retelling of biblical story of Joseph]

The rope around my neck won’t kill me, but the nasty scar it’ll leave could ruin me.

With what little slack I have, I lift my bound hands to ease it away for some relief.

I need to focus on surviving. The future isn’t set in stone yet.

The coarse threads bite my palms as I gently tug the rope. Red blisters had formed, popped, and...

The greatest library in the world is also the deadliest - a reality that could tip the scales of my fate.

I’m trying hard not to dwell on that fact as I venture through the dark cavern halls of the infamous place leading me to the center that houses infinite knowledge.

It’s a place of legend most don’t believe.

But my ancestors built it so I know it’s real.

Too bad they didn’t leave me instruc...

Pain is my ever present friend.

Some days it whispers to me. Other days, it roars in my face, slicing its flaming claws down the path he carved into my skin now healed.

Most of the time, I welcome it as it reminds me of the path I am on that I committed to seeing to the end. I would hand over my soul to the devil if it meant I could look into his eyes as my retribution marked his skin and cleave...