Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

“Dear Friend” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

Submitted to Contest #275

Trigger Warning: This story contains themes of depression, self-harm, grief, and death, including references to mental health struggles and traumatic experiences. Dear Emma Marghareta, I see you've been using the Ouija board again. You must understand: this is not a game. It can be dangerous, even deadly. But tonight, you’re fortunate. I am the one who answered. I mean you no harm, though others might not be so kind. I came to you because there’s something you need to know. A story that must be told. My story. I was once a girl, just like yo...

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“My name is Caitlín” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

Submitted to Contest #208

My name is Caitlín. I keep a lot of secrets. But I won't tell them.In elementary school, we were taught the traditional seanfhocail that "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". I always wondered who came up with that phrase, and more specifically, why. Was it to comfort themselves? I never did care to further delve into its origin because, to begin with, I never did care about it. It was by far the stupidest, most untruthful proverb I had learned. I can envision how this age-old mantra might become a refuge for t...

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“Epitaph: Do not say goodbye” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

Submitted to Contest #136

Epitaph: Do not say goodbye “An empty page stares at me like a menacing creature. I came to it for refuge and in return, I am greeted by a shivering coldness. A cold that freezes my very being and leaves me there, unresponsive, eyes fixated upon it. Blind eyes. I thought I had secured one bosom friend, watering and loving that friendship over the years but today I feel abandoned. My thoughts fly and crawl with the clumsiness of bees, foolishly struggling to reach the light where only darkness prevails. To reach freedom when they are bound ...

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“The Perfect Crime” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

“And so I am moving on, letting go, holding on to tomorrow...”There are moments in life when you stare at yourself in the mirror and see no reflection. It is then the questions arise. What am I doing here? What have I done? The intimidating interrogation follows, until it ends in a simple, three word exclamation, who am I? A puzzle, an unsolvable enigma. The one affirmation you still seem to own is your own present existence. When the blade cuts your cheek and the blood trickles down your neck you feel alive, and you cling to that truth...

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“Will thou not follow me?” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

Submitted to Contest #107

- “Stephen?” - “Yes?” - “I love you.” - “I love you too.” - he replied. And scoffed. She laughed. A happy sigh. A cold, almost pitiful stare. He closes his eyes. The last time he had spoken those words with a heartfelt sentiment lingered in a conspicuous region of his mind. The redundancy of this phrase, lacking emotion or veracity was now an allotment to his personality. Her warmth invigorated his soul, the touch of her youthful flesh stirred his innate desire for passion, his voracious appetite. Her heart, beating against his chest, was a ...

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“Unspoken Words” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

Submitted to Contest #105

I. I didn’t know what was happening. Adults came and went and the house was always open to guests. Food was constantly on the table and drinks were served whenever anyone entered our abode. I actually liked that because unseen I could crawl under the table and eat to my heart’s content because no one would notice, for the adults were too busy among themselves to perceive what I was doing. Unless they did see me and then it was the pitiful stares and the caresses. Why was I being pitied? Then they would whisper because that is what they see...

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“The Paradox of Life” by Maria Esther Vilar Alvarez

Submitted to Contest #104

“No, not today. Please” He spoke the last word with effort but with a greater emphasis. He thought of his wife back home and of himself. She was probably anticipating his arrival. He wouldn’t be going back, not today. He was indisposed, feeling weak. They couldn’t force him to leave the comfort of his lodgings. He had told them he was poor in health. No one was devoid of these kinds of days. No one could boast of perfect health.   “I am sorry but I cannot make it today.” He repeated the phrase until he tired himself listening...

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