The last echoing scrape of Dane’s helmet against the cave wall told him he had made a terrible mistake before the darkness began to consume not just his light, but his hope as well. His single back-up light flickered pitifully. Monstrous shadows danced along the walls, and seemed to breathe and narrow with each ragged breath he took. The cold limestone pressing in around him like an ancient ...

1

Throwing one leg over, Sir Cedric Gain descended from his horse with practiced ease. In the sun’s early morning rays, he cut an impressive figure. His armor was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, intricately engraved with patterns of vines and heraldic symbols. In one of his gauntleted hands he held a great helm. Scabbarded at his side was a longsword, ready to be drawn at a moment’s noti...

Did you storm the weather

Will you blather the blether?

Angels and thieves gathered together

Under parasols and umbrellas

Turquoise skies and lunatic lullabies

A seasons disguise

Hazel eyes

The seas roaring with our goodbyes

Sail off to Jamestown

Sail with me tonight

A town lit bright

Fireflies take flight

Let’s not think twice...

Expedition number one was to a cave on a deserted island. We had to take a 1 1/2 hour guided tour boat to get there. We figured we would get this tour over with first. We could spend the rest of the week doing party boats and enjoying the all inclusive amenities.

Along the way the tour guide pointed out the various islands owned by celebrities and some historical sites. We would be the first ones...

Against the stone wall of the cave, a scraping talon sounds. Echoing through the narrow passageway, the rhythmic scratching and tapping gradually grew faster and more frantic. Soon it became accompanied by deep huffs and high pitched screeches. The sound alone would send a full grown man to his knees in fear, but not a soul was near enough to hear it; the creature made sure of that.

Deep inside a ...

You always knew something was off about the new apartment, but you never had the money to buy yourself out of the lease. The apartment itself was fine, but walking up the stairs to your door you had to pass the laundry room. The room had a door at the end that was kept locked, both knob and in chains. When you did your laundry there, you heard something from behind that door … and you never went b...

My mind starts to spiral, who, what, where, when, why. How did I get in here?

Seconds ago, I was laying across from my partner on our queen-sized mattress encompassed by darkness of the inevitable and long “rest”. I remember feelings of loneliness, and then all of a sudden I’m here. But where’s here?

Caves of darkness, so quiet I can hear my blood flowing through my veins and feel the movement ...

“It dwells in the depths of the caves, never breaking the barrier between light and shadow.” He steps back, leaving behind the light of the flickering flame, now veiled in shadows in the corner of the room.

“It only feeds off those who can’t curb their curiosity and go wondering too near.” My uncle crouches low to the floor, arms held high with fingers mimicking the claws of the beast called Hail...

It started quitely enough, moving shadows, a echo of a step. Then it came on louder, sharper, the drag of something heavy across the rocky ground. You quicken your step, it becomes louder still, your panic rises. Faster. Harder. Until you finally trip over your own feet and realize the scrap of claws you’ve been hearing are your own....

Against the stone wall of the cave, a scraping talon sounds.

The cold, the dark, and the constant drip of water all around.

Flee! Your mind cries.

Stay! Your heart sighs.

For here and only here, dragon eggs abound....