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 “Aw come on Grandpa! One more story!”

“One more story?” he asked. “I’ve already told you two today! Besides, it’s time for bed.”

“I’m not tired!”

“Neither am I!”

“Please Grandpa! One more!”

The man sighed as he tried to ignore the pleading stares. He was seventy-five years old. He’s faced worse than a bunch of children all under the age of ten.

But he was an old man, and he did not have it in him anymore to fight.

Plus, their little faces were too cute to resist he begrudgingly realized as he went to go get the book. Besides if they stayed up past their bedtime, it was going to fall on their parents to get them back on schedule.

“You little runts are relentless!”

They knew they broke him down, cheering excitedly as he shook his head in defeat. “You gremlins are lucky I love you.”

“We love you too Grandpa,” the oldest chimed in reply.

The two sitting on his sides wildly nodded their agreement.

With the book that wanted him to read from in his possession, the man took his seat in front of the children.

“Alright now. Where did we leave off?” he muttered to himself as he flipped through the pages. “Ah. Here we go. But-”

He sucked his teeth as he skimmed the first couple of lines. He then glanced at the children. He knew this story very well. And he knew it wasn’t going to be the best thing to read to small kids.

“How about I read you one of the other stories? I know you guys liked the one about the mermaid learning how to use their fin again.”

The littlest groaned. “We want a new story!”

The man was genuinely worried about giving them nightmares. He couldn’t even avoid it because it was the last story in the book, they would know immediately that he was keeping it from them. But he would try to deflect anyways.

“Are you sure I can’t interest you in another story? Maybe one that’s…not in this book?”

It truly scared him how strong genetics played a part in the deadpan expression they all had. A face he had seen more times than he could possibly recount.

“Fine. But if you have nightmares or get scared, nobody’s allowed to complain to their parents,” he warned. “Or Grandma.”

The kids affirmed as they scooted closer to the man. He sighed and began to read.

“So our tale begins with a big and great ship named the Persephone Rose and its crew’s run in with a deadly and vengeful siren-”

“Wait you said a siren?”

The old man raised a brow. “Yes. I did. Why?”

“Well why’s a siren story in a book about mermaids?” one of the children questioned. “Sirens aren’t mermaids.”

“Yes they are.”

“No, they’re not,” they retorted. “They’re different. Mermaids are good. Sirens are bad.”  

“If you really believe that, then you’re naïve.”

The old man let out a snort. “Mermaids are just as capable of evil as sirens.”

He continued.

“In fact, I would even say that sirens are usually much more benevolent than mermaids. If you don’t mess with them, then they won’t mess with you.”

The children were silent.

“Now.”

He patted the book. “Do you want the story, or do you want to continue to argue about mermaids and sirens?”

“…we want the story.”

The old man smiled smugly.

“Wonderful. Now. Once a upon a time…” 

Available on Kindle Vella Here

“Holy-”

Addy promptly slammed the book shut, staring at it with a terrified expression. Her heart was beating against her ribcage-threatening to punch its way out.

“What was that?”

Her mind was absolutely reeling as she tried to bring herself back into reality. Back to her own body.

She was in the book. The story.

She was Marie.

There was no other way to describe the feeling. It was more than just reading. She experienced it the whole thing. The whole story.

And she didn’t want to do it again. So with shaky hands, Addy leaned down and slid the book under her bed.

That book would be back in its place in those god-awful walls, never to be thought of or seen again as soon as it hit morning.

She should’ve left it alone. Obviously, it was in there for a reason.

Addy realized it was because the book was cursed. Or something.

With her mind made up, she reached over, turned off her lamp, then settled into bed. She let out a heavy sigh as she stared at the ceiling, thinking about what she just read.

What she had just felt and the life she had led. 

Life she led? Yeah she was clearly losing it.

But it felt too real so maybe she wasn’t.

She lived the life as a witch. The magic flowed through her, could feel when Marie-her­- used it against those that harmed and killed Victoria. When she was covered in the blood of those officials.

But Addy took in more than that too. Saw more. Like the memories Marie had of her and Victoria exploring their town. Exploring Victoria’s powers. Those weren’t mentioned in the story. But when Addy closed her eyes, she could clearly see Marie cleaning some mud on Victoria’s face. Or hear laughter as they splashed around in a creek.

Memories that made Addy smile.

The book might’ve been cursed, but the story inside held something that seemed so human. It was bitter but at least there was some justice.

As Addy drifted off to sleep, her mind was filled with thoughts of Victoria and Marie.

She didn’t want to read the book, but she did want to know more about them.

Where did Marie go?

Would Victoria approve of what Marie did?

Are there more stories of Victoria and Marie in the book? Or are there different stories of different people?

The longer the curiosity grew and festered in Addy’s mind, the less inclined she was to put the book back. 

COMING SOON

  “Okay so I have a proposition.”

Kat sighed. “Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Aw come on Kat! Hear me out!”

Nope. She wasn’t going to do it. Whatever Tamsin had to say, she could save it. She didn’t want to hear any propositions. She wanted to turn on her depressing playlist and be sad.

“No.”

“Kat.”

“Tamsin no.”

“Katherine Celeste.”

Kat removed the cover from her head, gaping at her friend. “Did you just pull the government name on me?”

Tamsin stared at her, standing like the unmovable force that she was.

“I did it because I had to,” she replied. “Now will you listen to what I have to say or will I have to call Mom and tell her what really happened back in senior year?”

Kat didn’t think her jaw could drop further. “Fine. Speak.”

Tamsin grinned which caused the other woman to roll her eyes.

“You must be the apple of the governor’s eye with that attitude,” she snarked.

“Yes. She’s quite pleased with the work I do for her and others,” Tamsin retorted as she waved her hand absentmindedly. “But back to my original point.”

The woman took a seat in Kat’s desk chair and turned to her. “I think we should do the birthday list.”

“Absolutely not.”

Tamsin’s smile fell.

“Aw come on Kat! It’ll be fun!”

“I can think of nothing worse than doing a list of things I wanted to do with my boyfriend,” Kat deadpanned.

“But I can’t think of nothing better than doing them with your best friend!” Tamsin argued. 

“Making new memories with your best friend that you pretty much abandoned.”

That struck a nerve with Kat. Tamsin meant it as a joke, but Kat could tell there was some underlying hurt in that statement too. And she was right. They were still pretty close sure but there was definitely some noticeable space between them. The fact that she didn’t even mention the birthday list to Tamsin was proof of that.

It was probably a semi-good idea. It would be nice to hang out with Tamsin again like they used it. They honestly haven’t had a good hang-out session in a while. And maybe this would help her get over-

Him.

COMING SOON

She always wondered where her mind would take her when things like this happened.

“Of course I would be taken here.”

She couldn’t believe that she thought for one moment that she would be taken somewhere other than here. The most beautiful place on Earth. The kingdom’s gardens. The most prized possession of the kingdom’s most beloved royal. 

The beloved royal she called a friend. 

The garden was the place where she spent most of her time. Lovely flowers of different kinds adorned the entryway, them beckoning entry. A call she didn’t ignore. Not that she wanted to anyways. The garden felt safe to her, she wanted to be there.

The Keeper of Her Memories. So many that came flooding back as a young woman walked through the gardens, gliding gentle fingers across delicate petals. All so ingrained in her head that she recollected them like she was reliving them. And in a way she was. Because the garden held more than just flowers.

It Told the Story of Her Life. Passing by the daisies and she could hear the giggles during afternoon talks over lunch sandwiches and lemonade. Plans of expanding the garden to make room for new arrivals.

Through the multicolored roses where lazy days were spent bathing in the sun and making flower crowns. If she closed her eyes, she could even see everyone’s faces as they looked at her latest creation. She chuckled at that.

Step by careful step she watched the years go by. She saw young girls that grew into adults. Flowers bloomed, died, and then grew anew with the season. Unfamiliar became well-known. And soon the memories became more recent. And more upsetting.

The Holder of Her Worst Nightmares. Screaming vitriol-covered words at loved ones that didn’t deserve them. Breaking bonds that were meant to stand the test of time. Watching everyone she loved become empty shells of their former selves. Looking in the mirror and seeing that the same thing was happening to her too.

It Told a Tale of All the Mistakes She Made. Crystal clear tears that never seemed to stop no matter what. Broken and wavering apologies that echoed with the breeze passing through the sunflowers.

She couldn’t take it. It drove her crazy. It seemed like the tulips were mocking her, making her remember every single thing she did wrong. The pain she caused. The pain she was now feeling crawling and scratching at her chest. She could barely breathe.

She had to fix this. She had to fix all of this. Things couldn’t stay in shambles. They had to go back to where they were. Back when things were good. When they were happy.

When they were all together.

She had to find her.

She’d be able to fix everything. She was good at that. She always knew what to say. What to do to ease tension and mend broken hearts. To repair what was once broken.

She knew how to make things grow. The whole garden was proof of that. All of it was a labor of her love. Love that knew no bounds. 

People being okay makes me okay. If there’s someone that needs something that I could provide, I have to do the right thing and provide it.

Those words rattled around a troubled mind, spurring the woman to move quicker. The garden became a blur as she took off into a sprint, grabbing her dress so it wouldn’t slow her down.

My favorite flowers are orchids. Why? Because they remind me of all of you.

She always cared about them. She never stopped even when she probably should have given up on them for one reason or another. Especially her.

She didn’t deserve her. Didn’t deserve to see her kindness.

There never a need for such formalities when it is just us. I am only your superior outside. But in here? When it is just us? I’m your friend first and foremost.

Didn’t deserve to see her care.

I just want to make sure you’re well adjusted here. I understand that all of this is quite the change. Plus that was your home. So hopefully little by little you’ll consider this place home too.

Didn’t deserve her love.

I love you all so much my heart can barely contain it all. Can’t contain it at all as a matter of fact. That’s why I have to shower you in it.

All she deserved was the words that she was left with. The ones that she wanted to hurt but because she was physically incapable of saying anything that could vaguely cause any kind of pain, fell flat.

And maybe that’s why they hurt so much now. She was filling them with the poison herself. She knew how much it would take to kill her. How much it would take to poison the others. When she started feeling sick, she picked up her pace, making it worse. It’s what she deserved. That and more. Soon she could see the end of her path. Where she’d be.

At least she hoped she was. She’d crumble into a ball of despair if she wasn’t there. She had to be there, or all of this was for nothing. She had to fix things. She had to fix her. Accept her apologies and put everything back together. No one would survive if she didn’t.

But what if everything that happened changed her? What if she wasn’t that same warm person? What if she was cold and unforgiving? What if she spat in her face and told her that the days of old were over forever?

What if she turned into her?

The thought made her stop dead in her tracks. Suddenly her whole body felt like it was weighed down by the heaviest rocks. Her finding her seemed like the hardest task in the world. She couldn’t do it. She’d be devastated if she was the reason she wasn’t the same anymore.  Because she was the reason why the kingdom’s prized Carnation bloomed bright and then died.

“I know you’re there.”

Her heart dropped to her feet and her blood ran cold.

“You should come in.”

Her eyes took in the opening of the back-most part of the garden. The place where the herbs were all held. A place that was a bit unknown to her, only coming a handful of times that she could remembered. The faintest scent of lavender coming to where she was. A spot she wanted to stay in. 

But she couldn’t. She couldn’t be selfish. Not again. Not anymore. She was here for a reason and she needed to stick to that. Her fear didn’t weigh more than what was at stake.

So steeling her nerves, she crossed the threshold. So many things happened when she did. Her mind immediately became at ease, the smell of lemongrass and the stronger smell of lavender filling her senses. She also felt lighter than a feather, all the weight she previously felt melting away. Why was she so panicked again? She had nothing to fear. Not from her.

She was safe. She was the source of comfort.

And there she was, dressed in a flowy dress made of several shades of purple and perched on a stone bench. The most radiant flower of them all. The Kingdom’s Carnation. Looking every bit the same as she remembered.

“Kiara.”

Looking more beautiful than remembered. A face that knocked the breath out of lungs and a warmth that couldn’t be replicated no matter how hard one tried. A presence that she couldn’t believe she thought would go away so easily. She was never like that.

With a smile brighter than the sun, Kiara held out her hand. 

“Hey You.”

COMING SOON