Ever since Evangeline was a child, she has always been empty.

The other children on the playground would tease her, call her strange. She was ostracized as soon as she was put amongst other people. She always felt out of place, as if her presence was a neusance. To deal with the involuntary isolation, she would cut little creatures out of craft paper, fold them in half and glue another piece on to...

Once I sink into sleep,

I open my eyes to peeling mint green paint, on grey brick walls.

My eyes itch and there’s a distant hum, I plant my hands on either side of my hips and push myself into a seated position. The ground is warm, fine sand. I bury my fingers underneath until I feel a cold cement bottom. There is an empty doorway directly in front of me, sun shines through in harsh beams. A dark ...

One candle on the cake.

Two parents, two siblings, four grandparents, ten friends.

Two candles on the cake.

Laughs and cheers as you blow out the candles for the first time all on your own.

Three candles.

Fifty photos of you with cake all over your face on your mothers lap. Aunts, uncles and neighbours all show up.

Four candles.

You sing happy birthday along with everyone you love, you don’t...