Mom threw me a gun. I stared at her in horror.
"Mary-Jane,"
she said "You are a woman. A woman is a mother. One day you would have to
protect your children. Be brave and run!"
I ran
without looking back, even when a shot instantly killed her.
Today
I look at the gun in my hand, before throwing it to my only daughter.
She
stares at me in horror.
I told
her the exact thing as my mom did.
By the
time she went running, they broke in.
A gun
shot followed with mom's dying silhouette flashes upon me.
·
Mrs.
Morrison's Tale
I would never understand what happened at that time.
I mean there I was, just strolling by the city lake, when
suddenly this…this vampire swooped
down and--well, of course it was night! Have you ever seen a vampire by day?
So, anyway, this vampire came from God knows where, called me a
conniving thief, punched me in the nose and snatched the brooch that I bought
from a pawn shop that morning. And it was such a nice brooch, too; it looked
like an antique heirloom.
Cape? Oh, no, he didn’t wear any. He clenched it in his hand.
·
Final Days
Day 5
The rumors were true, we met them today. They shambled jerkily
towards us. 'Rigor mortis caused that,' said Geoffrey. We ran away and found
this shelter.
Day 6
Geoff is dead. He was always the slowest, that poor bastard. Ten
of them devoured him.
Day 7
Returned to bury Geoff, or what remained of him. Recognized his
nose. He bit me, caught me by surprise, never thought he'd be a twitcher. Damn.
Day 9
Arms numb. Met more survivors. Their heads shining. Nice lights.
Bright. Take darkness away. Hungry.
Day 10
Shining head stop hunger. Must get mo
·
You
Jump I Jump!
Feet bound up on the 43-meters tower, about to
put my life on a single rubber rope, I've never felt so close to God.
Fuck
adrenaline rush. It was pure fear. Eyes shamelessly closed, my high-pitched
squeak can be heard from miles off as I went down. I was almost in tears when
finally earth righted itself and I could put my feet firmly on the
ground.
The
demons of curiosity sated and once was more than enough.
Then
this stupid girl ran towards me, shouting with excitement,
"Increeeeedible! Let's do it again!"
I
cursed that damned thing called pride.
·
Children
are Starving
"I want to go where children are starving. Namibia or
Kenya perhaps," blond Ingela said.
"It is not just hunger, dear Ingela.
They’re orphaned by war and plagues that we adult create for them," said
my other classmate, red-haired Marrissa. "I will go where the number of
HIV infected people is the highest," she added confidently.
I could not think of any places where we can
do our field research. Where we can save children or prevent them from being
orphan, except the thought of my autistic son with his starving brain back
home. Where he needs me the most.
·
Afterthought
Everything was dark. I reached out my hand,
trying to feel my way. I can feel nothing. I saw a spot of light far away. I
tried to reach it. My legs felt heavy. Why am I here?
Suddenly
the tunnel shook. I was thrown to the side, and fell into the light. I heard
someone called my name. I opened my eyes. It was the nurse. I remember
everything now.
I
looked around and saw the bandages around my chest.
"In
a week, you'll have the body you wanted!" said she, annoyingly cheerful.
Is
this really what I want?
·
A
Mother's Love
"You'll always be my child."
Little did I know how those words would turn from comfort to justification to
torment me beyond my wildest dreams. "Windi, it's in your best
interest," she told me as I spoke to her from the psych wing of a hospital
2000 miles away from her. She'd called the police department and told them I
was dealing drugs and delusional and might kill someone. First, they broke into
my apartment only to find my terrified cat and red splatters in the bathroom,
remanants of coloring my hair earlier in the day. The rest is history.
·
Take
That
I had hoped he was giving up for the night, but
instead he came out with his drill. He's wanted his hammer, but he'd left
it at the job, thank god. He still managed to beat some good, deep chinks
into the TV screen. I covered myself with the afghan that had been in my lap
knowing I couldn't intervene or appeal to the man I knew was inside that
drunken maniac. He wouldn't recall it tomorrow and be on his best
behavior, but there in the middle of the screen would be the evidence I rarely
had. Finally, evidence.
·
The
Gallery
"Can I help you, young man?" asked the venerable gentleman in front of the
ancient gallery.
"Erm...," the young man seemed unsure, "is the
gallery still open?"
"Of
course," the old man
smiled warmly and invites his young guest in.
Please,
enjoy our collections, new ones will be added soon," he said, still
smiling.
The
young man walked around and made 'oohs' and 'aahs' noises of wonder as he
passed most of the collection exhibited inside.
As he
was walking towards the exit, the young man promised that he would tell all his
friends that this gallery is still open.
·
Lonely
Hearts Play Cards
My crush.
No use
sending him signals anymore. He likes my darling best friend, not me.
My
sisters.
Can’t
contact them today. They’re busy with their darling lives.
My friends.
That
one has a meeting. Another has a rehearsal. Another has a plan with darling
boyfriend. Another has a possessive darling girlfriend.
My
dad.
He’s
busy. Working his ass off to feed his new wife and new darling daughter.
My
mom.
She’s
busy. Working her ass off to feed darling me now dad’s gone.
Oh
well.
I pick
up my darling cards. Shuffle them. Play poker with other solitary souls.
·
Best Friend
She ripped off the photo on her hand.
“Men are bastards!” She cried.
I looked at her sadly, knowing that nothing I say could make her feel better.
I sat closer to her and let her know I am there for her. I never understand why
she wastes so much time on those ungrateful bastards. I hate to see her crying
to me every time her love episodes end.
Doesn’t she realize that I, her best friend, am the only one who could love her
unconditionally?
She sighed and walked into the bathroom.
I wagged my tail and followed her.
·
One Fine Afternoon on the
Serengeti
"Honey, I'm hoooome!" she crooned.
He got up and lazily sauntered to meet her and mumbled, "Any food?"
"Sure." She answered cheerfully.
Ignoring her, he proceeded to eat on the spot, followed by his mate's stare.
"Whaddaya lookin' at? It's my right!" He snapped
She cringed and stepped back. She was dead tired. She chased the food all over
the neighborhood and the last thing she wanted to do is to fight over food.
"Leave some for the cubs," she pleaded softly. He shot her an angry
glance.
She pretended not to see and threw her gaze over the savanna…
·
This is How I Learned My
Colors
See the purples? Daddy made these by grabbing my arms while
ripping off my clothes.
But don't worry, it will fade out.
See the blues? Mommy made these by beating me up when I wouldn't say I'm lying.
But don't worry, it will fade out.
See the reds? Teacher made these with her iron ruler when I begged for help.
But don't worry, it will fade out.
See the whites? The doctors made me see these for months.
But don't worry, it will fade out.
See the black? I made this myself.
But this time it will not fade out.
·
She Really Does Love Her
Son
"It's freezing out there!"
"It's alright. I'm waiting for someone."
"Who?"
"My son. Tall, brown eyes and hair..?"
"No, sorry. How long have you been waiting?"
"Two years. I've been waiting 2 years now."
"And he said he was gonna meet you here?"
"I'm not sure. he said, 'i'll get you, bitch!' right after i stabbed him,
right after he set his dad on fire."
"Uhm.. right. And you're waiting for...?"
"I'm waiting for him to kill me for stabbing him."
She looked at me with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Not a problem."
...
She didn't even recognized me.
That bitch!
·
Happy Thanksgiving
The weekend began with a longing.
A man walked down the street as I stared out the peeping hole on my door. An
orange wooden door, which I am very keen of.
*ding*
The oven is calling.
I cooked for you. For your admiration and adorement.
I peeped.
Still no you.
Minutes passed.
I peeped again. You came running from the corner. I opened the door.
"Hi there, neighbor. Mmm..smells good! You cooked?"
I nodded, smiled.
"Well, Happy Thanksgiving! I gotta run along now. My wife is waiting for
me."
I nodded again.
...
Someday I'm gonna kill your wife.