“Wake up,” yells the young man as he frantically tries to rouse his brother. Pulling and pushing and blowing air into the mouth — doing anything and everything he can think of. All he gets in response to his effort is silence. Frightful and heart-wrenching nothingness. The pool of blood expands with each passing moment, and so … Continue reading Carnage
Lonely souls traverse the ruined city. Lost in the shadows of what used to be. So many souls, yet such desolation. For they must first find themselves if they are to find others. Be they peasant or king, what does it matter now? They all walk the same path without prejudice. Need perhaps catastrophe be … Continue reading Ruins
I bathe in the luster of a thousand blooming sunflowers — sinking deep into nature’s tender embrace. In the sky shines the gazing sun, gently caressing my skin. And. The droplets of sweat trailing down my body are tears of joy. From being alive at this very moment and experiencing such warmth and tranquility. This is Paradise. … Continue reading Paradise
Somewhere on earth during a brief moment in the passage of time, there was a modest town inhabited by modest people. There really was nothing special about that place. It was a town among towns. Thus. They lived their lives in peace and were expecting things to remain that way. Forever and a day. However, … Continue reading The Day Of Flames
The stars are pretty tonight… don’t you think?” I try to speak, but my mouth is closed. Instead, I shake my head. “Hmm, what’s that, you see no stars?” With disfigured arms, I point to the empty sockets on my face. “Oh, right. You have no eyes.” A few minutes pass, and I start to … Continue reading The Boy with a Demon’s Eye
I pinch my arm in disbelief. Carnage. Slaughter. Evil. I try the feel of each word on my tongue, but none is adequate to describe… “this”. I find myself surrounded by bits and pieces of human flesh and bones. The once green forest floor now painted red. The gore is scattered here and there, but … Continue reading The Last Step
Clouds swarm the sky and, in doing so deny the sun its domain — hindering the life-giving rays of light from reaching its creation. I stand on the ground beneath, watching attentively as shadows creep up the sidewalk, draining away the light in its wake. My hands are outstretched, reaching for the skies, wanting only to offer … Continue reading Cloudy Skies
“Come back here, you good-for-nothing piece of crap.” The son, tears fresh in his eyes and adrenaline pumping through his small body, slams the door shut behind him before running out into the cold of night. Searching desperately for somewhere to hide — a place where he may finally be given respite. The forest floor is wet … Continue reading The Escape
Leaves tremble in the wind — a premonition of a storm forthcome The faint silhouette of a man can be seen underneath the coverings of a munificent tree, a creature of bark and sap that offers both warmth and shelter. Surrounding him are beasts of wind, threatening to disturb his fated encounter. And yet he stands tall, … Continue reading Waiting for a Storm
The servant of one highly acclaimed lady sits in front of his sturdy desk — inkwell and feather ready for use, and high-quality parchment waiting patiently for his confession. The man sighs deeply before putting quill to paper. Dear lady, It is with a heavy heart that I confess, at last. I acknowledge that I … Continue reading I Am Scared of the Dark
Benjamin Bratz 