Nora always loved the idea of magic, of fairies and enchantresses and wonder.
What you never told me about, Nora, was your affinity for wicked witches and curses and evil spirits that carry your soul away in the night.
You definitely never told me about how much you knew about this. You never told me you were in danger. Maybe if you did then you would be okay. I could have helped you.
But I’m getting ahead of myself, of...

Ella stalked down the street. Her sneakers kicked the dry, crunchy leaves away from her. The wind bit her arms. She had been so angry that she had forgotten to put on a sweater. Who was she angry at? Her mom? Her dad? Her best friend? God? That's it. She reasoned. She was mad at God. How could God take away her mother? If He really was so good and kind and loving, then why did He make her die?...

    My eyes dart here and there as I silently pad along the path I have worn into the forest with my endless trips of hunger.  There's a cool breeze blowing between the trees, which stand tall, reaching to the sky with fingers of pine green needles.  I can smell my prey close, the scent carried through the air to my nose and tongue, which is tasting the wind.  I close my eyes and raise my head to sniff the air,...

    It's a beautiful afternoon.  The birds are singing with joyous, clear voices.  The sky is a perfect blue, like a lake in which puffy white clouds drift aimlessly.  The flowers are bright and colorful, all different colors  and shades of each lively hue.  It's a wonderful spring, bringing life and happiness to all, giving energy to those who before had none.  I look out the window and smile as I see Dawn playing with a butterfly, chasing it in...

   The sound of the electric razor shearing off his hair started filling Roland’s head, but it was better than the recurring sounds of police sirens and shouting that he’d heard when escaping prison. That sound was worse because that was Ro’s fault that they were after him. Ro, who beat his now ex-wife almost half to death. Now he was being forced to shave his head so that it’d be harder for police to recognize him. Who cares? His...

    The Viking Ship Ornaskip cut through the chopping, hungry waves, mist clinging desperately to the grey steel bow. The vessel was bound for Florida but was late, after hitting a storm in the north and spending a few weeks repairing the signal array that became bent and broken during the gale. Assistant Skeppare Carl Longbeard strode along the deck, listening to the strong engines below spin and thrash the steel oars on the sides through the black-green...

True love ain't hidden,
For it will be discovered
By those who explore.