Darkness Until Dawn

Your Presence is like a smile in my soul When darkness preys on my mind I think of you and my heart is warm.   Your voice is like a song in my heart The words are verse and the tone is the melody It makes me strong just to hear you call   Your eyes are the looking glass I hold dear Within them I see everything that we are A gallery of memories shining brightly through   Dance with me, we’ll make our own tune Laughter that echoes louder than a symphony And more sweetly then the finest chimes. It echoes forever through the sands of time. ©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

For Ashes, life was always about the spark. The hard part was avoiding a wild fire. With the spark, everything was meaningless. But after a wildfire, there is nothing but death remaining. Ashes had seen a few wildfires in his time. In fact, that is how she found him. It had been a day like any other day, back in another lifetime, when he had used a different name and lived a completely different life. Flames of hatred came down on him daily, until they consumed him. When there was just a shell of a person left, he was thrown out of the home he had known and was to never return. So he wandered aimlessly, a broken shell looking for something that broken people can’t find: love, compassion, acceptance. He worked odd jobs and found shelter where he could. It wore on him. Always a different place, low pay, total isolation.  He found himself in a store, staring at the food on display, yet with no coin to buy any. It would be so easy just to take some. He was so very hungry and discourage...

 There was a loud impact not 30 yards off, followed by something or someone crashing through brush and over rough terrain. Then Ashes realized that there was not one, but two creatures hurtling straight towards him, obscured by thicket and trees. As his ears attuned to the chaos, he realized that one was chasing the other, though the front runner moved with agility and much greater speed. At the same time, he heard a loud bird call in the distance, which could only mean that Diamond was moving towards with all haste. For a split second Ashes’ mind went from the runners to Sarah to Jenn and back and forth until suddenly he began breathing again and clarity and context returned to his consciousness.  Eddie burst out of the brush, his tongue lolling despite himself. Jess could be heard whimpering not far behind. For a moment they just stared at each other, Eddie eying the tree line across the road and Ashes too stunned to react.  “Hey there!” a sweet voice called. Eddie and ...

 Sarah was poised, motionless, on a large tree branch near the point where the trail looped back around the perimeter towards the footbridge by the clearing. Her eyes were closed and her brow furrowed in focus as she listened. Above the rustle of the faint breeze she could hear the faint sound of the water moving down the riverbed. Birds called and the occasional squirrel darted about. This is where she belonged, out in the world, losing herself in the flow of time. Her body was like a metronome set to the rhythm of nature. She did not miss a thing. Today she was perfectly in tune. She needed to be. The gang really needed this. The sun was sifting through the trees, the air warm and calm. She smiled as she watched the birds  That’s when she heard the scream.   ©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

 “I don’t know vhat you see in this stuff.” Vlad said as he sipped a fresh glass of gnat juice. Dat bat. Nebber before had ennyone gotten so far under Spidey’s carapace. He was worse den a can ob Ortho Home Defense. Now he had di nerb to insult Spidey’s specialty beverage.  “I tell you vhat is truly delightful, a nice bottle of A negative with extra platelets. Last time I flew by DI/LO they were having a sale… 4 pint barrels, 2 for a forearm. Vhy, there were undead lining up past the rusted gates. I saw one ripping off an arm near the entrance. It was to live for!” All dis talk about di dead. And nebber enough about DI/LO. Vlad’s eyes just light up when he talks about blood. On and on, di types and di qualities ob di stuff. Drive an arachnid just plain webby. Worse, now der were udders around, the bat tells me. Humans!  “Quite dull around this wooden castle. Reminds me of my uncle Boromir. We used to call him Bor. He never figured out why. You know what hits the spot? A v...

 What I wouldn’t give to be more like Sarah. Don’t get me wrong, being invisible has its perks, but it’s not much use if you’re uncoordinated and trying to track someone through the wilderness. Sarah was so graceful that stealth came naturally to her. She could sneak up on people easily, even pick pockets, all while being perfectly visible. It was hard not to be jealous. I had stopped by every flower on the way here, even picking a few. Flowers, bright colors, and strays were some of my favorite things.  After many broken branches and falls, I was nearing the reservoir on the North side of the preserve. I stopped to take a breath. Sarah had become like a big sister to me. She had such poise and presence, could fly under the radar or command attention as she pleased. Yet she never seemed to need attention, somehow social and independent at the same time. She could easily laugh or be serious on the spot. She had a calm confidence, good intuition, and good instincts. Honestly, sh...

 Ocean waves press the sand as wisps of cloud skirt the edge of the skies. The bluest waters caress the land as sunlight shines bright in my weary eyes I built a strongpoint upon a crag, to keep myself true and rest my mind Watchers, walls and towers with flags, to protect what’s left of my ability to be kind I strive to release the slights of the past, for wisdom builds what a fool destroys Night creeps in and the cold wind blasts, yet the flame of faith, the darkness avoids When someday my strength falters and at last gives way I’ll rise to the altar, thanking God, I pray. ©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

 The skies were dark the other day My compass had lost true North I turned to face the wind away Searched the horizon and set my course   A lighthouse blinks off in the distance As blasts of wind break the waters anew And doubt creeps into my weary conscience Yet will and word with faith stay true.   And so my ship cuts through the ocean With gusts and swell it shudders and rolls My soul, it bursts with relief and emotion As I pass the shadows and beyond the shoals.   At last some sunlight breaks through the shroud With the calming waters of the harbor in view I sail past the breakers and the sun through the clouds As the dark skies and waters turn bright and blue.   The storm is behind me and fading fast Tears rise up as strife fades into the past The docks draw closer with help standing ready With Joy, I realize my ship sailed steady. ©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

It casts a long shadow (and really it should) You spent a long time perfecting the story Controlling every detail you possibly could In an epic indulgence in pride and glory.   Block by block you built the pedestal Your pride mounting with every stone Until it became truly monumental And even surrounded, it stands alone.   Many labored to erect these stones Yet there is only name this monument saves The other names remain lost and unknown This statue marks their struggles like a grave   With such careful chiseling, the narrative is well defined The unmoving stone standing cold and lifeless Just like its inspiration became in time And yet this stone will always know best.   Yet a crack is spreading through the foundation Belying the rage behind that cold visage A symptom of the wrongs and rationalizations That allowed you to maintain your mental mirage.   Even the stars seem to surround this prize Making it the center of its own universe. Yet this glory leads it ...

A glance, a word, a smile… Laughter in the dark. A whisper, a nod, a wink… A match, a flame, a spark!   Take my hand, let’s make our plans Of what we will be together For a day, an hour, or just one moment Or perhaps even forever!   Like lightning flash & thunder crash You electrify and excite me Like magnetic wave as emotions rage You capture and energize me   The sparkle in your eye is what tells me why You make my world so bright Words soon fail, I’m flushed then pale The moment you come into sight.   With Siren’s call you assail my walls. How long can I resist? My heart beats faster, I fear a disaster From rushing into this tryst.   The touch of your hand, I can’t withstand The burning flames of joy and desire. With our words like a dance, so begins romance. The intensity couldn’t be higher!   Night fades to day and we laugh our passions away And cherish the time that we spent. As we say goodbye, I see the look in your eye And within it each preciou...

With a gentle, heartfelt, goodbye kiss I smile and take my leave of you Yet a piece of me shall stay to reminisce Because you’re a part of me now too. Now is not the time to grieve nor tarry Fly free, love, and find something new Yet cherish these memories we both carry And know I’m always here with you. Always remember that the sun will rise again And embrace me as we prepare to part Please smile for me as you and I end And always and forever keep an open heart I know I cannot lean hard on your shoulder With all we’ve been through it wouldn’t be fair With each moment that passes our love grows older Can we simply smile on the memories we share? I cherish the life that we had together Even after it’s done and through Look to the horizon beyond this stormy weather The light shines down to something new Love is like a kaleidoscope The swirling colors bring me hope In life, like the colors, we dance as one All just shards of the light of the sun. Goodbye, my love, we’ll meet once more We’...

 Empty space surrounds me Stretching out into the shadows The echoes are loud here. My head splitting with the sound. A yell comes back again and again to assail me. A whisper never fails to revisit me. A cry of anguish! a laugh! a lie! NOTHING dies in the echo chamber! Not even a thought. CAN YOU HEAR ME??? My voice is lost in the echoes of what you say… Long before it reaches you. As loud as I shout, you never hear my voice You say you miss me But who do you miss? You’re so fixed on your own words That I think you miss a ghost of your imagination. I am not a pawn and this is not a game to play. I scratch these words upon the walls… Even as your echoes call. Perhaps you’ll see them at last someday Long after we’re done and I’m gone away. ©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

It rests alone in overcast fields A wisp of cloth upon the grass A breeze picks up and the cloth it steals Slipping it away like a cherished time passed   I’m wondering what the lettering might say As the wind persists to blast and blow Lifting it higher and on its way The fabric flutters, flutters, and flows   The sun’s kind rays will kiss the threads Its blessing warm and bright On cloth upon which no foot treads Just a square of red and white   The breeze must not spoil its face As it flutters so bright and gay I’m wondering where it will find its place As it flutters and flows away. ©️ 2024, Accountec, LLC

  The voice on the phone was familiar to him and still talking, but he had stopped listening several minutes ago. She obviously didn't realize this because the cadence did not change. He was far away, floating somewhere far above where he lay sprawled on the floor, his tense hand still clutching the cold receiver in some sort of karate death grip. His breaths were slow and shallow, his body motionless, and from the vacant look in his eye, one might mistake him for dead and gone. But Eddie was very much alive on a physical level, even if emotionally he was numb. He could still hear her words in the distance. He didn't really need to hear them. He knew what the message was. In some sense he had seen this coming. He never acknowledged it, of course, but the gnawing dread, the feeling of falling, had been there in the background for quite some time. The words themselves were unimportant and expected, words like "time", "space", and "different". Yet s...

I found them easily enough. In the years after I left home, I spent my time exploring the world. I had been far too sheltered for too long. I wanted to know for myself how the world worked. I know they thought they were helping me by keeping hidden away and presenting a false facade to the world. In the end they could maintain the illusion without my ever being there at all. I made the choice to be real. I made the choice to leave. Was it easier to play along? Definitely. But if you ask me if it was a mistake to leave, I’ll tell you the truth: the mistake was not leaving sooner. So I traveled (by foot) and observed the world. I took a series of odd jobs. It was amazing to truly experience life rather then be instructed on what life was like. I had heard the word “freedom” many times before but never truly knew what it felt like.  I was on my way back one day when I came upon them. It was in the old historic district, a place I sometimes visited when I was homesick. The proud old ma...

You knew… Didn’t you? You… KNEW. Long ago… Though no one knows… Buried, ancient memories Details lost, but who paid that cost? In their place, I have your face I trusted you, you knew it too if only I had known when you were the only one I could turn to You left me in the dark alone. In my darkest hour, you shamed me into silence All the days… No words to say… But you knew what you were doing. Broken tears… so many years Lost and thrown away…  The darkest days… No voice to say I couldn’t find the words You broke me down… In shame no sound… Lost and thrown away They speak your name Were they to know? The truth will flow Your lies they’ll know Your titles won’t protect you You broke me down YOU BROKE ME DOWN Regardless what you say The games you play Will fade away And in the end they’ll see Monsters cannot hide in light Soon the truth will be in sight The doctor and his degrees… You broke me down. YOU BROKE ME DOWN. The pain you wrought… for fees They know your name Do you know sham...

Water down the mountain Dripping from the snow And as the droplets gather A Stream begins to grow Slowly Ripples join each other And down and down they flow In that moment beautiful Like that crystal snow As the stream grows larger and speeds up as it goes It descends down the rapid slope And the beauty begins to show First, it takes some time to pool Gathering poise as it slows With grace it lifts from clifftop heights seeking new life down below And so it comes to freefall From those distant heights Creating its own show of hope In that early light. And now what can be seen for miles And in morning sunlight glows Is a flight of color in the air That only the heavens could truly know. ©️ 2023, Accountec, LLC

 After it bit me, I dropped the gun and started running. I hadn’t run but maybe 20 yards when I had to stop, bending over to welcome back the contents of my stomach. There I was, all sweaty and huffing and trying to stop heaving. My hands shook, and I felt weak in the knees. I looked back. The house was farther then I thought. No sign of the dog or the thing that bit me… or my buddies. I thought maybe I could hear them calling for me, but my heart was pounding so loud that I couldn’t be sure. Then there was the wind and the darkness that obscured so much. I looked up as I panted, to see the moon coming out from behind the clouds. In the distance came a howling.  Suddenly, to my surprise, I joined in. It was a shaky but throaty howl there in the sight of the full moon. I looked down at my paws and did a double take. My knees bent under my weight as I realized that what were once hands were that no longer. I hunched over on my forelegs and ran off into the forest, never looking ...

 I had never been so lost, and of all the places to be lost… the suburbs? A true forest, a true city, either would do. You can prowl urban sprawl as easily as the wild. But this? Far too civilized. Leave it to that crazy cousin Vinny to give me bad information. I couldn’t even get a good view of the moon. One night I even caught myself howling at a street lamp. If anyone saw me I’d never live it down.  I got bitten almost a year ago, and I’ve been on the run since. Me and my buddies were out drinking outside of a small town where I grew up. Someone came up with the fool idea of tryin’ to put down the crazy old mutt that the Rileys owned, but we were all scared of old man Riley and his shotgun. For good reason too. The old man was nearly blind but he was so trigger happy that the Sheriff’s office had been up there maybe half a dozen times to tell him to lay off. The mutt was mean as the devil to everyone but him. So we took it upon ourselves to do a public service, drunk as we ...

They think I did not know. Yet even an old bat with a hangover could hear them. My father always told Vlad, verk that sonar, my boy, that’s what makes the Drakuls who we are, our famous (sometimes infamous) listening skills. You never know what you might catch. Yes, yes, I knew the girl was there. The why escaped me at first. Yet even with that blabbering dolt carrying on below, even without twitching, Vlad got the gist of the conversation. Strange, they were to me. Strangers that seemed stranger then Vlad himself, which of course I found impressive. Perhaps my arrival was vell timed, if a bit undignified. Zee legged one was more irritating in his oddness. Vlad tried to give him the benefit of the mortality. Life can be rough, I don’t know how they do it. It mystified me how anyone could choose to live here. It vasn’t dark enough, cold enough, and was made entirely from wood and fiber. Verse, it was a long fly from zee nearest cave or castle.  Vhile the little crazy one fumed, I ma...

 The Nerbe of dat bat. Spidey scrub and scrub and di floor is still stained. He had been fussing about Vlad for what seemed like hours, scrubbing, stopping, crawling back and forth fuming, and on and on. You’d think with eight legs he could scrub faster.  Sunlight was streaming through the window and vlad hung from a rafter, fast asleep ever since Spider chased him off the floor. The critter was so in a tizzy that he didn’t even notice me slip out the window. My name is Jess, though they sometimes call me Dust. I’m almost 16, but I left home years ago. Even before my fading, when I became invisible, people didn’t notice me much. I can be very quiet. I saw on the roof for a few minutes, looking out towards the Southern horizon. It was beautiful, all blue Skye, wisps of clouds, and sunlight above trees, houses, and streets. The people of the world were coming out.  “Almost time.” A shingle said. Gradually the outlines of a lizard became greener. Jess smiled. Below, she coul...

 Somewhere in the Carolinas Spidey found this attick on my own, I'll hab you kno. Then came the others, much to Spidey's chagrin. Yees, dey can be useful, but an arachnid needs his space. Cobwebs to hang, wardrobe to store.  A Spider's werk is nebber done. Deese humans... clumsy, but big. They built a house and did nuttin wit di attick! Spidey fix.  All Spidey wanted was to bring the attick to its full glory, arachnid style. It was going just fine, tank you berry dutch, but den one night Spidey woke to a fluttering, and there he was, lying on the floor...      Vlad take it from here. You tell it wrong. Peter Vladimir Drakul II, Prince of the Northern Wood, Wallachia. Yes, yes, I know your question. Drakul, like Dracula? He's my father's father's second cousin. Why he mutilated the name, I do not know. Vanity, Vlad suspects. He also likes to mutilate, on occasion. My family was considered a bit odd by local standards as we dislike the human form. Zee Batty D...

Where does your mind go in your moments of doubt? When fear runs wild, you run and hide behind a wall of ignorance So eager to find someone to blame You fail to stop to consider if you should. And so you wrap yourself in false righteousness pridefully creating narratives to preserve That ignorance that grants you your superiority While unleashing primal fury on anyone who fails to acknowledge it. The mind, like a vine, it sprouts its passions The mouth, like a chute, fires off its venom You call it love as if that makes it so. You’re lost within the biggo tree. In your frantic desperation to be right You blind yourself to your own actions Do you see, within you, your own perversion? No, you’re lost within the biggo tree. You know you’re right because you tell yourself so pronouncing it as often and loudly as you can You feed on your hatred and lust for its power So you can look down on your fellow man You’ll always hate because there is evil, Not in others but in yourself. Your obstina...