#vss365 Sweat slicking her hair to her face and nape, she hadn’t meant to cross into the field. Even now, realizing what she was doing, she couldn’t stop. The corn was only waist high, the green leaves rasping and itching at her as she walked down the row toward the clearing in

#vss365 Sighing at the disbelieving look on his friend’s face, he points with a piece of broccoli. “Look, it’s none of your business if I want to be a little healthier and go vegan, so don’t give me that look.” “Yes, but-” “No buts,” he interrupts, aggressively taking a bite

#toxic Arm over his head stretching, his lip curls slightly when he stumbles around a #toxic, oil slick puddle. “You see this mess? You’d think someone would clean it up.” “Who’s going to clean it up? You?” His buddy laughs, boots splashing through the mess to spatter on his

#vss365 “You know what’s freaky? #Narwhals.” He mutters, nursing his bottle as the little boat bobs fitfully on the waves, tasting salt when his lips brush his bottle. Feels it crusting in his beard as he salutes at his companion, his drink slashing into his lap. “Fish with a

#vss365 Maybe there’s a threshold to horror. A limit to how much can be dealt with. Because somehow she falls asleep and doesn’t dream of whatever she’d seen. By morning she can go back to pretending everything is alright. She’d imagined it, because somehow coming back here has

#vss365 #fantasy Retreating back to the bed, she scoots into the middle, legs drawn up. She’d always thought of dealing with her mother as a type of altruism. Charity tempered by pity and that old anger she’d never been able to shake. It’d never occurred to her that the

#vss365 #fantasy Maybe like her mother, there’s an #affinity for the strange in her. For mad, irrational thoughts, because looking down at whatever that is, she can’t convince herself it’s just an animal. A stray dog, a coyote, or bear. Because there’s an overwhelming certainty

#vss365 #fantasy Those eyes snare her, an awful awareness spilling through her in a cold rush. She’d never questioned her acumen for rational decisions or for being able to react well in an uncertain situation. Had just assumed that she would do well. React well. She can’t move,

#vss365 #fantasy The bells are ringing, that awful silvery din jarring her from confused dreams of Tiernan, teeth, and shadows that didn’t move like shadows. That jangling noise shivers through her, coiling her into a state of breathless avidity. Because something is outside.

#vss365 #fantasy That realization strikes through her with alarming alacrity. Like it should have been a forgone conclusion. Why would she want to leave? It’s crazy to even think about it. This is home. It clings to her the rest of the day. After parting with Tiernan, feeling

#vss365 #fantasy Leaning forward in his seat, he braced his chin in his palm. “I’ve heard the diner down the road makes the best apple pie, you have to try that. There’s a festival in the fall you’d miss if you left too soon,” he said, green eyes bright and intense as he stared

#vss365 #fantasy Was she crazy? She can’t ask, isn’t even sure she really wants to hear someone confirm her suspicions about May. Especially the cutest guy she’d ever seen. A guy she genuinely liked. “What do you think of Haven so far?” He asked, a finger tapping at his cup.

#vss365 #fantasy Like pretending this, whatever it is, can go anywhere. Fingers curling around her drink, she studied Tiernan. Liking him is fine and all, but the plan was to sell the cottage as quickly as possible. Go home to the city. Continue on with her real life. This was

#vss365 #fantasy There was something inherently soothing about the soft chatter and the smell of coffee as Tiernan led her to a table against the wall. Sliding into the booth, she sipped her drink, the sugar making her shiver. And all too aware of him as he slid into the booth on

#vss365 #fantasy Reluctantly letting her arm slide free of his, she moved closer to the counter to order a caramel and chocolate, sugar bomb of caffeine to finish waking her up by force. Beside her, Tiernan frowned up at the board long enough to make her glance his way before

#vss365 #fantasy Smiling at the old timey gesture as he offered her his arm, she played along and hooked an arm through his. So close she could smell his aftershave, an unusual almost pine and ash smell. This was nice. She could almost pretend this was actually a date and how

#vss365 #fantasy It was a relief to escape the funeral home, every second trapped in that building she felt herself unraveling a little more. Dipping her toes into the waters of panic. Bright sunlight had broken through the clouds by the time she stepped back out onto the

#vss365 #fantasy “Miss Reaver?” Leading with a sweaty hand outstretched, that smile widened. “It’s Philips, actually,” she corrected, already exhausted as she gingerly shook his hand to find that it was in fact very damp. “Ah, yes. Sorry.” Turning, he gestured at one of the

#vss365 #scifi Coming to in the lull of a gentle swaying, it took her muddled brain a moment to understand she was being carried. Like a sack of potatoes. Her arms and legs dangling and her only support an arm around her middle. So much for dignity, though that ship had likely

#vss365 #fantasy The morning sky bled azure, pink and orange even as the streaky clouds half heartedly drizzled just enough rain to chill her skin and leave her miserable as she hunched deeper into her jacket and walked a bit faster down the sidewalk. Forget asking for