On that second of February, the sky was clear and bright, and the sun’s powerful rays were felt even below the ground’s surface. The groundhog lay asleep deep within its sand burrow, curled up like a cinnamon roll. Soil sprinkled its brown fur, resembling diamond dust as he dreamed of his father. My son, I ...

The gentle throb of neon lights, pulsating with anticipation on my sweating palms. The air thick and heavy with deafening music, each unfortunate soul dancing to the rhythm of their demise. Every step a futile attempt to live and breathe, their vessels weakening in each second spent. “Mi amor,” your gentle whisper masked within the ...

The man in the white coat approached Andrew. “I’m Dr. Ben Matthews. Unfortunately, the prognosis isn’t favorable, but we are trying to figure it out.” Andrew shot out of his chair. Trevor followed suit, his heart raced. Oh God. First Allan, now Richard’s going to die. “What do you mean, the prognosis isn’t good? What’s ...

We were surprised but not frightened when the dead came to visit. Our hopes and prayers had been answered. Their return, a gift that death was an elaborate joke, a mistake, a bad dream. At first, we knew them. Lost family members, ex-lovers, neighbors, and friends of friends made their way to our homes. The ...

Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?Not me, no way, no sir.Because I am his and he is mine.For I am his soulmate. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?Are you such a delicate and fragile rose?You should be as heis a force to reckon with. He can swallow you wholewith a single gulp,without any ...

A crowd of hopeful Arizona State University students gathered around the bulletin board outside Dr. Isis Nassar’s lecture hall. She posted the semester’s final scores. There was a cluster of students who anxiously waited to scan for their grades. Hopefuls who wanted their scores to be high enough to get selected for the internship slots. ...

“Geena! How long does it take to catch a fish girl? You’ve been down by the beach all day!” The gulls resting on the sand scatter into the air, frightened by Ma’s hollering. I wave to her but say nothing. It’s better to do that and avoid a fight. Some days Ma gets mad enough ...

“Sebastian. Salvador. Enough!” Alejandra’s voice echoes through the house, her frustration palpable. “I swear, you two are brothers and should be each other’s allies, not adversaries.” “Then tell him to stop going into my room without my permission and playing with my stuff.” Sebastian retorts. “Well, if you would stop stealing my things and taking ...

The corners of my mouth twitched as Josh leaned into the trunk of the thick oak and blew a smoke ring at the moon. Becky stretched out on his lap and drew her finger across it to form an arrow piercing a heart. They were both wearing uniforms from their high school glory days.  I ...

Am I part of your world?I must be dreaming. Am I worthy of your touch?Here you are, holding mewithin the palm of your hand. Only you can save me,Oh, angel of darknessand sinful passion. You are my savior,as you are theend of me. I am the Juliet to Romeo,the Persephone to Hades,the light to your ...