Vlidonna {Chapter 1} In a kindergarten class of many colors, there was a little girl whose favorite color was black. In the storybooks, black coated the feathers of a crow. It devoured the petals of a flower. It was the color of ash after a fire. However, that little girl thought of the color with extreme admiration. When questioned as to why it was her favorite, she’d always respond with a simple smile, leaving others perplexed. The color black was unique in the girl’s eyes. It meant new beginnings and hope for change. It brought her joy when differential mishaps happen. It taught her the meaning of nostalgia. It helped her learn the sun could wear a cloak of darkness whenever it didn’t want to be seen. It was the vital core of her well-being, but as the girl grew older she learned more about her favorite color. It was the discrepancy between her existence and her perpetual personality. In a garden covered in cobwebs draped across a statue of malleable material. The statue has a pensive expression complimented by cheekbones of charismatic stigma. Not a soul could hear its melancholic melody flowing beneath a grandeur waterfall. A teenage girl sat upon the statue’s shoulder painting more of its features with a compassionate stroke of her brush. “You think you’re so fancy don’t you, little girl? You probably haven’t even seen a man’s body before. Such a clueless little girl,” she mocked the pungent carpenter in a pitiful tone. I pity the soil you walk on, old man. There’s nothing a man can show me that I haven’t seen from the victims hidden within my parent’s mortuary. The statues presented in the spider garden aren’t for the entertainment of living mortals. Its adulation is only for the likings of the skeletons who wander through the catacombs during the cumbersome evening. The antagonizing sorrow and exploited parts are contained within the forms of these statues. The consideration and detail applied to the fuse-made paint aren’t made for impressing people undesirable. Nothing brings me more enjoyment than frightening those graverobbers with the thought of a moving statue, Achlys thought to herself while painting the statue of the Crow Doctor fastidiously. There have been reports of her whereabouts around town. Everyone loves a cat-and-mouse game, right? It wasn’t any different from the way a mother chases after her child after bathing. It showed favor in its undeniable, irresistible taste. Unique like a poisonous thorn to one’s finger. However, the idea of getting caught underneath the moon’s cloak brought satisfaction to an empty pallet. Generosity is like a varied plague. It can’t bear to be taken towards another’s suffering nevertheless. It offends my moral being as it’s nothing but unworthy pity that’s unneeded. Adventures aren’t a major calling for one of the many talents one beholds. Vlidonna pictured the world like a fractured canvas centered around the voidless nature holding onto humanity. The significance of this chance brought life into pitless eyes filling them with wonder and unbreaking curiosity. “It’s not stealing if you’re permitted to use items as you please, Mister officer. Besides, I know you wouldn’t be able to do anything to a little old me. You don’t want to have those bad folks coming after you again, do you….Whatever, farewell”, Vlidonna smirked, pulling up the hood once again. I like to picture people as birds, only you can’t eat them. How does that make sense, hm? Animals can feast on their greatest enemies but it’s considered murder when humans do it. I’m not saying that animals eating their species is okay. My 1

brain is in complete tunneling pieces as there’s nothing more idiotic than not being tall enough. That’s enough failure for today I suppose. 2

Vlidonna {Chapter 2} Every day is another problem stemming from one investigation. There was an old lady watering patches of mushrooms while humming a tune. She creeped me out so I paid no attention to her. However, admitting to not communicating abnormally is different from actually completing an action. I simply do not understand why romance exists. It doesn’t do anything except urge other people to commit to something they truly don’t want. Will I ever fall in love? Nope! It’s not like there’s going to be a random person that walks up to me without judging the way I look or act half the time. Let’s not forget the way that everyone else is in color but bold colors aren’t the trend. Admitting individualism isn’t clinging to a self-diagnosed disease. “What if it’s all for not, Mr. Folrister? If I’m unable to not feel anything…How is that going to help me with finding my way through candles? You have a wonderful family and children. I highly doubt I’ll ever become a suitable girlfriend or a mother someday”, Vlidonna voiced to the man. It was a daft yet interesting thought. How can a young lady think so deeply about herself? She’s nothing like everyone else but her case isn’t, particularly as I once thought. I remember when I was in the same predicament. “Unfortunately, my dear, I do not have the answer you seek. It’s something you’re going to have to determine on your own. If this makes your life easier, my son’s going through something similar. He’s having trouble fitting in as the head mortuary son. He’s always so distant nowadays. Maybe you could chat with him? He should be cleaning one of the tombs of a departed resident”, the man interjected, bowing before returning to his daily duties. 3

Vlidonna {Chapter 3} I barely even know how the kid looks. It’s not even that difficult to understand when you’re having an existential crisis, but my brain definitely can’t function the way it should. Other girls would be creeped out at the way the mortuary looked and they’d be right. I don’t know how to explain it but he didn’t look anything like how I thought he would. Like the statues in the garden, he looked almost like the statue of David by Michelangelo only with piercings. Speechless communication is normal as this dude had extreme body language. I bet when he smiles it makes a crow's feathers shed faster than a cat’s fear of water. He probably chuckles at stuffed animals from antique shops and gives them names after his dead dreams. Why would he want to be here out of all places? Isn’t this considered trespassing? Why am I here again? I should just back out now before something happens to my lungs. Whatever, curiosity wouldn’t abandon its enemies unless they were as clueless as this freaky night. I approached the slouching figure slowly. Their breathing pattern was definitely like a kid with severe asthma only it was extremely silent. Beggars can’t be choosers so it ain’t my fault if he ends up in a hospital. One of the pillars needed light so I took a vape from my pocket and a lighter. The colors illuminated a glorious mist filled with purple and bright yellow. Guts have a way of telling when you fucked up but mine did not. A shadowy figure made my skin crawl in a good way. It started crunching like ice in a blender. Looking up at the shadowy figure quickly made me reevaluate my expectations of the male human body. It made me more self-conscious of my well-being, especially my lack of color. The male figure lifted what appeared to be some form of a lantern with a bandaged hand, or so it looked like a hand. A sudden glimpse hinder the possibly unphased look from his eyes his face wasn’t what bothered me the most, it was how his eyes resembled those of a porcelain doll. Damnit, it’s like his some puppet just by the way of his stiff movements. Even though they were robotic there was a gentle form to them. But, he was definitely questioning why I was lighting cupid on fire. “Umm…Hi? If you’re going to stare then go away and let cupid perish in peace. I don’t care if that’s your best friend or something, they had to go. Besides, it was their time to go”, Vlidonna sighed. He grimaced at how violent her gaze was that he hesitated before asking her to leave, “Arson is considered to be illegal, but the dead don’t seem to mind a splash of color. Do you mind telling me why you're stalking me?” He marveled at her lack of color. “By the goth guy thing going on I’m guessing you’re the graveyard boy, yes? You definitely don’t look the part”, Vlidonna teased. “Neil Gaiman reference nice, but I’m more of a Tim Burton person. Besides, you’re not the first girl to try to distract me from working. The name’s…Thank you”, he responded. The light hugged her eyes filling them with color. She hugged her spider closer to her chest wielding the thread of lies she always hinted to herself. Walking away from the fire lit, she created another void to barricade herself once more. This was the very frist interaction with someone not afraid of percularity. It filled her pitiful heart with hope towards gaining a friend other than garden statues. She knew this would test her ability to tell truth from lies especially from those of money driven folks. It’s heartfelt as it lasts but sometimes it’s all for nothing. 4

Mont. Leader’s Son {Chapter 1 } You might have heard me, yeah? The mummy in your closet or skull bones? If not, then you’re so fucking lucky. It’s not any different than being teased by your siblings. In reality, I don’t really like to say I don’t enjoy my job. I enjoy the solitude of the dead even if it leaves a foul odor on my clothes. My parents don’t commonly enjoy me being like this. It makes them feel uncomfortable for reasons. I know when they’re gossiping to our neighbors. I’m not clueless besides they don’t know how to whisper. I like to think of rumors as voices in my head wanting to get out. It reminds me of kindergarten whenever someone would tell you to if you blinked the wrong way. Something about this chick looks familiar yet so unreal like those black-and-white movies. I admire guts but what she’s doing is definitely against the law for sure. However, I enjoyed her presence. It made me feel human. Girls that come here usually end up devouring faces with boyfriends. Annoying when they know you don’t say anything except exist. I’m a mute and my silence will probably get me arrested someday. That would be awesome just like in the movies! Anyhow, I was carrying an infero lantern holding it towards the silhouette cast by the flame pillar. It was difficult in getting a good view of the figure so I did the first thing that came to mind; I splashed water on them. 5