So many people believe in a god or gods who will determine their afterlife.

I had a friend who believed every dead person would rise when Jesus returns.

“How will we all fit? What’ll we eat?”

“There will be plenty for everyone.”

Then the one who believes in reincarnation:

“I met you in this life, and I’ll meet you again.”

That’s what I said as I kissed her forehead before walking away from the last time.

“I love you, Gram, I’ll see you again. I’ll see you again.”

Truth is, I’ll believe in anything not to have to say goodbye.… Read the rest

The girls were sleeping in two rows in the living room, tucked close together in their sleeping bags, but Mara was awake and staring at the thing hiding in the corner.

It was blacker than black, darker than the darkness, and she couldn’t tell if it was moving closer to her.

“Amy, Amy,” she smacked the girl beside her.

“What?”

“There’s something in the corner.”

“What?”

“Something is here with us!”

“Just go back to sleep.”

It was then that Mara’s heart started pounding, thinking she was alone in dealing with the darkness, not knowing that she always would be.… Read the rest

There was that time we were together and not together, when we shared space but not a life.

I can’t forget how much it hurt the days I couldn’t touch you, and how sad it was to even smile at you, because I was crying inside.

We’re never going to be friends now, you and I. If this ends, it ends.

I can’t live in a world where you’re right there and I’m over here and you won’t reach out and touch me.

Eternally platonic, I would have broken to pieces, doing everything I could to feel your love again.… Read the rest

He tore her heart out with the grace of a dancer.

First he spun around her and pulled her clothes away, baring her nakedness that she tried to cover, but couldn’t.

He scalped her, ripping off her golden hair, relishing the blood that was pouring in waterfalls over her pretty face.

He stabbed at her, cut her, slashed her, and when she was crying in a ball on the ground, he yanked her back to her feet.

With a flourish, he waved in the air and then plunged into her chest.

She went down again, her heart in his hand.… Read the rest

They were gliding along the water and trying to look away from the trash floating in the canals which were overflowing some banks with their dirty, murky water.

Wasn’t this supposed to be the city of love and romance?

Wasn’t this worthy of Harrison Ford saying “Ah, Venice,” over and over again?

The water is rising everywhere they go.

The garbage is piling up, the land fills are full.

“Maybe we should shoot our trash into space.”

Or maybe we just float along this water, close our eyes, and pretend like everything is beautiful, the way it always should be.… Read the rest