The Heart of GoldTessa studied the rings in front of her, smiling widely. It was nice of Jarrod to ask her to pick the rings, to put them in her care. She thought he would surely pick Lolita; especially since he’s been acting so weirdly for the past three days, but he proved that he still cared for her.She had a little dance in her head. Lolita thought she was smart, pulling a stunt like that. She thought she would win his heart by choosing him over and over again, but it didn’t work. He wanted her; he wanted only her. Oh, what a comforting thought that was.Poor Samantha. Tessa would have been pleased to have her as a bridesmaid, but she won’t even be alive till then. With the way she was bled dry every day, it was only a matter of when she would eventually stop fighting death.Tessa exhaled sharply at that thought. Even though they had fought and weren’t exactly on good terms at the moment, Sammy was still her very good friend. Samantha had picked her up in a time of her life wher

Sealed FatesTessa unlatched the metal door for Jarrod. She was quiet today, not wanting to incur his wrath. He had reminded her that morning to be a good girl and just listen to him, which she intended to do. She didn’t oppose him when he suddenly started cooking, nor did she question him about it. Something about him that morning had shifted. He looked and acted like a predator; smiling softly and preparing a meal with love. It didn’t sit right with Tessa, especially after he dished out two plates of food and took it up to the metal room.“Good morning,” he announced cheerily. “Anyone in the mood for hot, delicious macaroni and cheese?” he smiled at Lolita. “I made it in exactly the same way you like them, with fried chicken as a side.”A single tear slid down Lolita’s cheeks. Jarrod worriedly dropped the plate on the ground and approached her. Samantha shifted to the side, avoiding his contact while watching him wearily. He cradled Lolita’s face like a baby, his fingers slowly mass

Samantha’s True Love “Don’t do that,” Samantha cried. “Please, please, I beg you! Don’t kill her. Just don’t.” Jarrod was so into the moment, that he didn’t hear her pleas for several seconds. She sang it over and over, until it broke into that barrier of his sanity. He looked up at her, taking into account the fear in her eyes, the way one of her hands were suspended in the air and the other around her throat, as though she was literally in Lolita’s place and wanted to die in her place. Jarrod stared at her, remembering that he hadn’t disposed of her yet. Why was she so lucky? Why had he so neglected her when he could have easily been done with her in the first place? She didn’t need to spoil the magic that he was about to perform right that minute. “Do you want to take her place?” he growled, his knife still on Lolita’s throat. “Is that what you’re aiming for?” Samantha did not even hesitate. “Yes. Yes, I want to take her place.” The anger in him festered so quickly, it n

The Memories Of One Who’s Lost It was the day after Samantha died. Lolita clung to her in her sleep, dreaming about good things. When she held Samantha’s body, she was lured into the deep, dark abyss where everything seemed okay. It was dark, but at least Samantha was with her. Samantha was her sunshine, the bright hay in the sack. She was the reason Lolita still stayed positive about her dead toe. “See? It’s never going to get infected,” Samantha said, patting the empty spot where Lolita’s toe should have been. “He wrapped it up pretty shabbily but it’ll do.” “Tell me about your childhood,” Lolita crooned, leaning in towards her. “I want to hear about it again. What were your parents like?” Samantha rolled her eyes. “Oh you know, they adored me. They gave me so much that I'd never be able to work in my entire life.” “True.” She giggled at her friend’s words. “But working seems hectic, right? I want to work. Sitting around can be so idle.” “Yes. That’s why I involve myself in s

Wedding Present “I’ve booked a hotel for you in New York,” Jarrod was saying. “You just have to go there. Say, you guys don’t mind sharing a room?” “Of course not!” Mrs. Adams gushed. “We don’t mind that at all. We’re so happy you both are finally taking these steps!” “Is Lolita there?” Alex spoke into the phone, interrupting his mother. “No, but she’s getting ready. She can’t pick any calls now; she’s stressed enough as it is. I will be the one handling your transportation to the venue,” came Jarrod’s explanation. “That’s cool but we thought she’d speak to us herself.” “Alex, she’s stressed. Let it be,” Mrs. Adams rebuked him. “Where is this venue so we might come there directly?” “Don’t worry about it. You just get to the airport on time and I’ll have Dr. Banners waiting to take you to us. You don’t have to do anything.” “Who’s Dr. Banners?” “Just a friend of mine. He’ll wait for you at the airport and take real care of you. There might be a change of plans but he’ll be th