A. S.

“cut them free” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #101

TW: murder, suicide Her plasticine face shatters with each change of expression. The fragments of her skin melt into each other smoothing the cracks once her appearance bears a thin resemblance to the proper emotion. Her fingers press to her lips, a subtle, yet undeniable sign that this person is only pretending.  That is if beneath it all she is even a person. The first signs of daylight appear over the fractured horizon of the mountains, sending waves of contempt flickering through my bones. Six in the morning, and already t...

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“parallels” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #101

  I could tell you a lot of things. I’m sure there are a lot of things to say. I could tell you about how I got to the top, the wind pulling at my clothing, the fabric trying to break free of my body. I could describe the dense feeling of the blood seeping into my hair and staining my scalp. Surrounding me like a laurel wreath. If you were truly interested, I could tell you what it feels like to die. You see, this could go an infinite number of ways, but I will be the first to admit; the roof was too high. They didn’t know that of cours...

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“Human” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #87

Humans are exhausting.Enough said, right? No need for an explanation, no need to elaborate. Because you agree, don’t you? It must boggle your mind that humans have enough space in their brains to worry about such tiny things. Seriously.Pick one, anyone. They are fanned out like cards in my hands. Parting around my fingers like grains of sand, or clay. I like that though, don’t you? That these humans are so easily molded by someone’s inconsequential opinions that they change who they are? That one. The one that your eye catches on, ...

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“brass heavens” by A. S.

Each stolen fragment chips away at the skies. Splicing the brass fabric of the heavens into thin ribbons, allowing light to pass through. Moments later, the slender threads knit themselves together again with the practiced grace of a weaver.  But the memory of universes opening at Rook’s fingertips is fresh, a cellist pulling at the strings, building to a crescendo in his chest. The careful awakening of peering into the dark cavern of his bones, breathing shallowly, waiting. His lips part in a breathless scream, burning his lungs as rai...

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“Dachau” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #74

My fingers catch in the angry, matted snarls of my hair, as I struggle to untangle the strands. The curls brush their sweat laden fingers against my cheeks, clearing thin trails against the dirt and grime that has built up. Elbows jab into my sides with every shake and rattle of the cattle car. Each jarring movement sends heavy lidded eyes glancing my way through the fog-like haze that surrounds us.  Hunger claws at each of our stomachs, hurling itself into our bones and shattering our defenses. The heat bleeds through the metal shutte...

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“Moments” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #74

            Your mother’s large eyes meet your own, her gaze filled with warmth that melts the flecks of ice in her stare. Her mouth parts in a wide circle; perfect lips drawn open with the exaggerated shape of a story. Her hands flutter around your face, showing you a small portion of the world that she inhabits. Your eyes are tugged open wide with wonder, holding you perfectly still. You know that the smallest movement could break her trance; send the icy walls crashing down aroun...

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“Invictus” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #72

Focus Group: 1134Congratulations! Today is the day when you become connected to the WORLD, or world-online-recognition-lock-design. You will never be alone again! Our software is specifically designed to prevent pain and allow you the happiest life possible. So, lean back, relax, because your new life will begin installation in 3… 2… 1… The muted whomp filters through the drug induced, dreamlike haze that fills my mind. Needle-like pain trickles through my ears as the polished joints of the MediCart approach my bed, checking my breathing and...

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“Dia De Los Muertos” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #71

The large hickory door looms in my vision, massive and imposing. Small windows bleed light through eye-like holes and the gargoyle knocker bares its teeth. From inside, the faint tone of the doorbell echoes throughout the cavernous rooms. With a deep-throated creak, the door swings open revealing a small, rotund figure.            “Why, hello, Kye!” The mild-mannered old woman adjusts her gingham apron. Small fingers interlace across her stomach.        ...

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“Shattered Refuge” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #70

Once they are gone, they never come back. Shattered moonlight drips across the crowded square. Pouring down buildings. Slipping through even the tiniest cracks. Fiery lights flicker up to where the moonlight ends. Trickling from crowded bars and street vendor’s carts. An explosion of multi-colored lights and rhythmic music fill the small square. With all the distraction, it is difficult the notice the small figure winding through the crowd. Head bowed; black sweatshirt pulled over unruly curls. Sweat slicked fingers are enfolded in rivulet...

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“Black and White and Red” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #70

Dear Lena,I’ve never been very good at writing letters. Or liked writing letters. But this is the easiest way to explain.Your fingers clench and release the pencil formulating how to put the one person who was always there for you, through the inevitable pain. Shouting from high overhead bleeds through the floorboards. Angry steps rain cobwebs and dust on your head, sprinkling silver into your hair; snowing white like the ashes that covered the ground. Heaps of dirty laundry fill the corners of your room, once bright colors as pungent as the...

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“Tapped For Error” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #70

His rosy-cheeked face peers at the bundle through an excitement induced fog, the thick lenses of his glasses magnifying his eyes to an impossible scale. Fading adrenaline lights his hickory smoke eyes, projecting his confidence to the corners of the room.“Well, that was fun and all… but now that we’ve had our laughs, we need to take it back.” Sweat plasters his snowflake hair to his scalp and he runs his fingers through it, raising it to stand on end.A carefully folded lump sits between us and every few moments he will tear his gaze away, re...

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“Forgotten Stars” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #68

The moon hung heavy in the sky that night. Smooth ivory silk that had been draped over a bulb, filtering the sparking, golden glow into something luminescent and unreachable. Stars were scattered throughout, drops of mercury splattered onto a canvas by an artist’s tired brush. The surrounding ink landscape was illustrated in such careful clarity that a single breath threatened to smudge it.             Feather-tipped fingers lightly traced the edges of the open window. Clear eyes sa...

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“Beyond the Storm” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #67

Iain’s throbbing pulse thunders into his swollen fingertips; tightening the swollen mass of tissue where flesh connected with bone. Ears ring with the shouts of the figures around him. They gather together, moving in perfect synchronization until there is no escape. The largest one brushes his fingers against his lip, baring rat-like teeth in a menacing grin when it comes away bloody. Lightning flashes and illuminates the dark alleyway, the sharp contrast highlighting the sobbing rain that drips through Iain’s clothes. Next to his ear a ras...

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“Burning Red” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #64

The wind shrieked through the weathered branches of the leafless tree. Rattled the greying bones and snapped the weak outstretched fingers. At the tips of each branch, a few resilient leaves tried to hold on. A single rope cut through the dancing patterns in the bark. Under the massive tree, illuminated by the stark contrast of lightning against the night sky, stood a young woman. Her dress billowed against her thin form; the wind whipped thick red hair away from elegant features. The rope around her neck had rubbed the skin raw; the other v...

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“Secrets of the Lost” by A. S.

“Can you keep a secret?” The words tore her life apart like a crochet blanket her grandma once made. Catching on every loose thread and slowly pulling. Pulling until everything she knew unraveled. Moisture cuts through her rain jacket, proving that ten dollars really is too cheap for quality clothing. The soft scent of rain tugs at her consciousness, but she forces it back into the dark recesses of her mind. Tiny rivulets of water stream down her collarbone, and rain-soaked hair lashes her face in the violent wind. Damp socks squish against...

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