Sketsa Sound System

In the coastal quiet of Baler, a studio is born—not of architecture, but of intention.* Founded by Yam, a poet whose words cradle pain gently, and Franc, an artist who paints tenderness into walls, the studio becomes a refuge for those learning to stay—with grief, love, longing, and themselves. As visitors arrive, they leave behind more than footprints: a sigh recorded in bamboo, a poem tucked into the “Found Letters” shelf, a mural painted in crooked lines. Through zines, tea, silence, and sketchbooks, the studio teaches softness as revolution. Ren creates the *Window of Soft Returns*, an installation of anonymous voice recordings—each whisper forming a community of echoes. Drew builds the *Staircase With No Wrong Turns*, inviting people to walk through emotions without shame. Franc offers brushstrokes as brave work, and Yam curates writing circles that map healing in half sentences. Together, they host festivals that feel like hugs, and they begin traveling their archive, letting softness cross oceans. Even those who once left—like Miguel—return, discovering that some doors never truly close. Others, like Tala, capture the studio’s sound and turn it into a podcast of breath and becoming. Over seventy chapters, the studio transforms into something larger than itself: a mural of memory, a sanctuary for second chances, a place where return is sacred and voice is proof of survival. In the final bloom, the studio stands not as a monument—but as a reminder: > *“Staying isn’t easy. > But chosen together, > it becomes home.”*

“Valerie.” My head snapped up at the sound of my name. The Alpha was standing by the sofa, unbuttoning the neck of his coat. “Come,” he said. “We don’t have much time.” Much time? For what? A chill moved up my arms. I wouldn’t dare ask—not that I needed to. I was not an innocent child anymore. All of my training had been for this moment. There was only one reason why werewolves purchased young, human virgins. Sex. I was a slave. A pet. And my master could do whatever he pleased with me. _________ When the war started. They fought. They slaughtered. We were nearly wiped out on the earth. Surviving humans were classified into three categories: free humans, Servants, and Slaves. My name is Valerie Davis. My parents were accused of committing a crime against the creatures in the war. After their execution, I was captured and sent to the cell as a human slave. I lived in that cell for years before I was transported to a Slave Shop, where I would be picked by a Master. It was during the dry season when I was put in the display box. I wasn't afraid like the other girls, because I was unwanted for my weirdness. I was despised for being the criminals’ daughter. I was lucky, as the masters wouldn’t want to lay a finger on me. But then the Alpha came. When he looked at me, he said he want me. ___________________________ Daily Update!

What a ridiculous thing happened to me! I was sent as a substitute for my sister for just one night but I end up marrying her supposed husband. “What are you doing? Are you not aware of the reason for which you are here?” He said and sat on the bed. I sat straight and curled my legs. “I…I….am... But I am a virgin and the thought of all of this is what scares me.” I said and Greyson gave me an evil smirk. My voice wasn't supposed to sound this weak and pathetic but I can't hide my emotions. “You have nothing to fear. I am the man who would be marrying you. Think of this as our marriage consummation.” He said and my eyes brimmed with tears. If only you knew that I am not the woman you would be marrying. I am simply her substitute. I thought to myself. Greyson reached out to my legs and dragged his fingers on them, and pulled me by the legs to himself. He frowned when he saw that I still wore a nose mask and suspicion took over him. “Remove your face Mask, Bella. There is no need to hide your face from me.” He said and I shook my head. Greyson tilted his head, and his eyes became cold. “Remove the face mask, Isabella Walters.” He said Authoritatively and I gasped. This was trouble.

My husband, Joaquin Landon, is a renowned wax sculptor. He hangs up on me when I call him to save my life so he can focus on the wax sculpture his cousin wants. Amphetamine is injected into my system, so my mind is clear as I watch my nails get removed one by one. Every inch of my skin is covered in burning hot wax. My hair and lashes are plucked off, and my organs are ground. Steel pipes are inserted into my legs, and I'm turned into a wax sculpture. Joaquin sees me during an exhibition. His colleague tells him that the wax sculpture he sees looks eerily like me, but he merely looks disgusted. "All she does is cause trouble and act unreasonably. She's better off dead." What he doesn't know is that I already am. Joaquin doesn't recognize that I'm the wax sculpture before him.

"One Decision" follows eighteen -year-old Freya Myers, a brilliant but broken foster teen, as she teeters on the edge of a new beginning-and a hidden nightmare. With a perfect GPA and dreams of opening a bookstore, Freya is determined to escape a system that's failed her. When a wealthy Southern family unexpectedly adopts her and whisks her away to a private estate in Georgia, it feels too good to be true. Because it is. The mansion is beautiful. The people? Picture-perfect. But behind the polished smiles and choreographed greetings lies something Freya can't quite name-yet. Strange rules. Watchful eyes. Whispers behind closed doors. And her new "brothers," who know more about her than they should. As Freya digs deeper into the family's secrets, she's forced to confront her past and a chilling truth: she may not have been saved... she may have been chosen. Dark, gripping, and emotionally raw, One Decision is a psychological coming-of-age thriller that explores what happens when the price of belonging may be your freedom-or your soul.

Being the head of the family, kay Marco na atang ang responsibilidad na palaguin ang kumpanyang itinaguyod ng pamilya pati na rin ang pagpapalaki sa nakababatang kapatid na si Beatriz. He had worked hard, played all his cards wisely para marating ang kung anumang narating niya ngayon. Aside from being the CEO of Fuentabella Conglomerate, together with his two mates ay naitayo nila ang FHM Management. He then finally decided the inevitable, to settle down because part of him longed for something warm like the sunshine. How cheesy it may sound he wanted something like what Beatriz possess. Love and family. Everything was doing fine. He's waiting for Poleen to be ready until he get a taste of her. Her sweet, innocent Cielo. Consuelo Sta. Maria, ang dalagang napiling ipakasal kay Stefano Hernandez. Ang naturang kasal ang magiging kaganapan sa matagal ng plano ng parehong haligi pamilya. She give it a try, kung para sa abuelo niya ay gagawin niya ang lahat. Stefano seems nice sa kabila ng pagiging stiff at aloof. Until their paths cross, the remarkable Marco Antonio Fuentabella Would she succumbed to heat everytime Marco initiates it? Paano na ang nalalapit niyang kasal kay Stef? Would she commit?

The past Day 159 after the first New Species were freed Joy tried to relax in the chair but worry over her client made her fidget. She glanced at the clock, noting he was late again. Minutes ticked by while her anger grew. It was the fourth session in a row that 466 had blown off. He did it on purpose. She knew he was going to be irate over what she’d done in retaliation but he’d left her with no choice. The loud sound of a menacing growl startled her. Her gaze flew to the door a second before it was thrown open. 466 hovered in the hallway, his rich brown hair messed up as if he’d dried it upside down with a blow dryer to give it that fullness. Rage showed in his narrowed, dark gaze. She guessed he’d been the source of the noise. He was pushed forward as one of the guards entered the office behind her client. “Here he is. He wasn’t happy but we got him.” The man shot a dirty look at 466. “Four of his men convinced him to come along or we would have had to drag his inside in shackles. He wanted to fight me.” She winced. “Please sit, 466.” “It seems I don’t have a choice.” He sauntered over to the chair in front of her desk and dropped his big body down hard enough to make the piece of furniture groan. “So much for saying we are free.”

"You are mine." He growled across my skin and burrowed his face at the base of my neck. I held my breath in fear when I heard the animalistic sound he made. I gasped as he pulled me into his arms. He was strong but also gentle, and his touch sent tingles down my spine. I gulped hard as I felt his lips grazing a soft spot on my neck. I could hardly breathe at this point. Please", he murmured, his lips close to my ear, his breath warm. "Don't leave me." I almost moaned out loud as he nipped on my right ear lope. Amelia Allen always dreamed of becoming a historian like her mother. After another death of her loved ones, Amelia moves to a small town to seek the comfort it had to offer and busy herself in her next project, to find the town's history. Everything is not what it seems and soon, Amelia finds herself in the middle of a world she did not even know existed outside of fictional novels and movies. Not only does the town hold some historical secrets, but several creatures of the night appear, craving her blood and her heart as her senses heighten. Throw in a cold-hearted, sexy, possessive Lycan King who claims she is his destined mate, her life seamlessly goes haywire.

•She ain't a good girl! She is the girl you don't want to mess with! ________ •He is a loved good guy in this world of hyped-up bad boys! Unless! Unless! You cross her way for the bad girl has wrapped the good guy around her little finger and makes him sin! BUT!!! •What happens when the trust is broken? '''The magical spell of euphoria is distorted and piercing pieces of betrayal unfurls making you bleed.''' __________ "Addiction is fucking heart-wrenching!" She stated taking a long drag of the cigarette which was held in between her lips. Then she blew out the smoke and jumped on the bonnet of the car. "Put this away then!" He raised his finger towards the cigarette. "Not this," she affirmed inhaling nicotine once again. "It's addiction is helpful to drown all other horrifying addictions." A pregnant pause engulfed them. The only sound was the whispering of wind with the shedding leaves of trees. The autumn had prevailed the green life likewise their souls were also shedding off its color, painfully. Agonizingly slow. "I'm always here for you!" He whispered. "I know!" Under the faint moonlight her self-pitying smile could be seen. "Besides these drugs you are the only one who is here for me." He did not say anything back for he knew she won't reply now. He too sat on the bonnet and taking the cigarette from her he inhaled the smoke. ___________ Find who the enigmatic warrior is or is that you?

“I’ll come back, Akiro,” Heli’s cold voice was calm, making him sound even more dangerous. The Crystal of Fate had appeared again after years of waiting. With it came the last chosen mate of the Regia Solaria royal family. The youngest prince—Helios—was the only one unhappy about the Crystal’s return because he hated having his fate dictated by anything or anyone. Determined to resist, he left, refusing to succumb to the Crystal’s power. But when things began to spiral out of control, Helios realised the Crystal was to blame. By the time he saw who his mate was, it was too late—he had already been tricked. And just like everyone else, he was instantly captivated by his mate's beauty. Akiro Valerian Freniere was a simple human being—perhaps too good-looking for his own good, too kind, and far too hormonal. He attracted attention and admirers everywhere he went but had never been in a relationship in his nineteen years of life. He knew where his interests lay, but society wasn’t always kind to people like him. So what would he do when, one day, a persistent and strangely intense man approached him, claiming they were mates? A man with near otherworldly visuals—platinum blonde hair and red eyes that burned with intensity whenever they looked at Akiro. Oh, and one more thing: the man was also a vampire.