“Tell me, was I just another pawn in your elaborate game of chess?”

“You were, but unlike the other pawns you managed to become my queen.”

“I am not your queen! I have no crown; she got your crown!”

“But you get me. You get my nights my mornings, my kisses, my hugs and love. You get all of that, she gets none of it.”

“Games! It’s just games you play and nonsense you speak!”

“No, my love, no, you are the queen of my heart.”

“But not by name, so I will never sit by you on your throne.”… Read the rest

When the chimp attacked I left my body. I wasn’t there when he pounded at my face with his fists, when he jumped up and down on my stomach and groin, crushing me.

I barely remember being taken away with lights flashing, sirens blaring, but I remember waking up in agony, feeling like someone had ripped my body apart and sloppily put it back together.

“I’m sorry, the injuries to your face were too severe, we couldn’t save it,” the doctor said.

I know I’m a monster, but I’m trying to approach life with grace, while wearing someone else’s face.… Read the rest

We walk up the old wood path that is obscured by mist, which makes everything colored in a haze of green reflected from the lush trees.

“We should turn back,” Micah said.

“No, we’re too close, it’s right here.”

And it was. They’d reached the tree they searched for, and knocked three times on its bark.

A hidden door swung in and bright light emanated from within. Cheney proceeded directly inside while Micah tried and failed to stop her.

He was glad he did.

They’d found the ancient, secret library of the mystics, and now everything in it was theirs.… Read the rest

We stood in the street looking at the house for what felt like hours.

It got so late in the afternoon, I didn’t think we were going to make it inside before dark, and we had to be home before dark.

It would be fine; we wouldn’t have time to go inside.

But I was wrong, of course, and my friends got me to follow them through that open door that was hanging on one rusty hinge.

We never thought it could slam behind us.

We never could have imagined what would be on the other side of that door.… Read the rest

I’ve traveled incomparable distances through space and time to be you.

I’ve seen all the things that you’ve missed: the dinosaurs, the Neanderthal’s (who say hello), the Romans, the rise of Nazis, the fall of America.

(Oh wait, you’re not missing that, you’re living it.)

Within you are billions of years of time getting your back, making your spine tall and strong as a planet of its own, what everything else is tied to, to make you.

You will never see me, even if you think you do, that shimmer on your skin is your own glow, babydoll. Shine on.… Read the rest