Ashley L

“Elise” by Ashley L

Trigger Warnings: Sexual violence, substance abuse, physical violence, gore, or abuse There’s something you need to know about me, my best friend died almost 40 years ago. She was murdered. Murdered in cold fucking blood. She was found in a park covered by leaves and dirt. The state that her body was found in was horrible. Unspeakable almost. It’s one of those things where you think, “this will never happen to me.” She was found naked and gagged. She had bruises around her neck. Her blood vessels were popped. The bastard who did this to her ...

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“Longing” by Ashley L

She rolls over in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, trying to find the will to get up. Her long brunette hair is working its way out of the loose ponytail she had from the night before. She slowly blinks and wipes the crust from the corners of her deep brown eyes. The eyes that once held some much joy and life. The eyes that used to light up a room, accompanied by a wide smile with sparkling teeth. No one has seen that smile in weeks. No one has seen that old girl in weeks. These days, she barely showers. It’s an unbearable feat to get out...

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“The Great Downfall” by Ashley L

“Hello? Earth to Eliza!” I look up from my phone and stare blankly at my boyfriend sitting across the table from me. I click the power button on my phone to put it to sleep, set it on my lap so I can feel it buzz, and stare back at him. “What’s up with you? You’ve been staring at that thing all day.” I shake my head, my half ponytail bobbing as I do so. “Sorry, I’ll put it away. What were you saying?” He shoves a plate of spaghetti towards me. “It was nothing, just about how I can’t believe we’ve been together for two years now.” He puts ...

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“The Little Dipper” by Ashley L

Submitted to Contest #39

“Ooh! What’s that one Sissy?”I smile at the small, dainty finger pointing up at the night sky. “Well, Mikey, that’s the Little Dipper.” I take his hand and guide it to each different star as I explain it, “see that really bright star on the end?” He nods his head quietly and I smile again, “that’s the North Star.”“I know that one,” he shouts excitedly. “That’s the one that sailors would follow when they were lost!”I smile again, “exactly! Now, if we look around carefully, we may be able to find the Big Dipper. It looks just like the Little D...

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“Decline of a Mind” by Ashley L

Submitted to Contest #38

I adjust myself on my bed. I fix the sheet that I hung up as a makeshift backdrop. I look at the viewfinder on my camera that I begged my parents to get for my birthday. I smile at it. It doesn’t feel right. I look around. Make sure everything’s nice and ready. Make sure it’s clean. Don’t need anybody seeing how much of a slob I’ve been recently. I look down at my outfit and my stance. My denim shorts are riding up, but it’s not too much. My yellow tube top shines against all of the dull colors that my apartment has become. What sun is able ...

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“A Walk in the Park” by Ashley L

Submitted to Contest #35

The air feels nice on my face. I think I really needed this. Who knew life could be so hard?  The flowers look pretty today. Really pretty. Look how bright and vibrant that lilac is. I need a picture of this. It’ll look great in my portfolio! Maybe it’ll be great enough to get me that internship! I’ll send it to Michael and see what he thinks of it! He always knows just what to say! Wait… He’s busy. He’s always busy. I’m lucky if I even get a good morning from him. It hasn’t even been a week since he moved back home, but it feels like f...

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