I am greeted with bright red text screaming “New Messages!” as I log in. It appears there are four from my amphibious and perfectly porous girlfriend, Tchegunda, and I open them eagerly. Message 1 (7/22, 9:20 am): You were magnificent last night. Who knew you could do that with a waffle iron? My tentacles writhe. I struggle to get myself under control. Message 2 (7/22, 5:16 pm): Lover, I’m not going to make it tonight. Sorry! Message 3 (7/22, 8:12 pm): Leaving now! Keep those horns sharp for...

The cold started at the base of her spine, trailing upwards lazily, jolting her awake. It continued between her shoulder blades, light as a feather, but weighty as lead. She gasped as freezing tendrils that felt like fingers wrapped around her neck. She jerked from under the covers, clawing at her neck, choking from the fear and the overwhelming sensation of cold. As she looked at herself in the bedroom vanity, she realized there were no fingers, just the trickling drops of blood oozing from...

Shivering. The kind of deep down shaking that can only spring from pure fear, and has nothing to do with the weather. A darkness she can't escape from. The room with no windows and a locked door. The room so small and dim she felt she would surely suffocate, die in this forsaken room, the hell of her young life. And yet, if she could die in this darkness, she would never again hear those footsteps, see that little crack of light that grew as he entered. Always drunk, always so angry, so hate...

Whitney's eyes snapped open in the same instant that her arm shot out to silence the screaming alarm clock on the bedside table. She had always hated alarm clocks. Their howling reminder of the time always seemed to make her day get off to a horrible start. Today was Monday, and she had to work at the gym from ten in the morning until eight that night. She didn't mind; in fact, it was her favorite job. She flexed like a cat, sprawling in the large empty bed, working out the kinks in her muscl...

Head pounding with the pain Still I see you The arms in which I have lain Vanished with the sun Where did you go, away from here What dreams have become, become unreal Raking my life to pieces, shedding wasted tears And there you are, once again Ripping into my soul Taking my life in your hands Dig your nails in to grab ahold Wasting it all again And I cry in the dark In the corners I hide my shame Evils rising, past to swallow whole So bright a world when you came Makes me feel the darkness ...

Shivering. The kind of deep down shaking that can only spring from pure fear, and has nothing to do with the weather. A darkness she can't escape from. The room with no windows and a locked door. The room so small and dim she felt she would surely suffocate, die in this forsaken room, the hell of her young life. And yet, if she could die in this darkness, she would never again hear those footseps, see that little crack of light that grew as he entered. Always drunk, always so angry, so hatef...

Uncapped eye Flash, shudder Life taken in one moment Pure, void of emotion My life And yet so full So powerful All the feeling That goes into My art Hide the feeling Expose the film Release the moment Close the eye My truth Heaven forbid they see The truth Void of denial Face themselves My pictures They don't want to see That which is Before them Blissful oblivion My secret

Between us, Sisters of the Earth Mother make it so Harsh days are behind us As long as we have Each other Life isn't worth living Without that soul That complements Need rifes my power What was once there Turned to cinders Now my spirit lives In hopes you will invite My soul to yours To be one again To be whole, safe As it should be Blood Sister hear my cry Help me feel again The burn of your fire The heat from you Your heathen tongue Raised in song Forgive me for mistaking This Sisterhood fo...