Excerpt:
The torches flickered in the wind casting shadows on the ground and from under the hood of her black cloak, Caelia watched the witches place the stones on the slab around the chosen sacrifice . The snake stone was laid at the head of the voluptuous redhead, this stone enhanced magic. The dragon's stone was laid to her right side and gave one the power to control the elements. The swan stone to her left and made its bearer immune to poison.

Excerpt:
I realized I was just leaning against the screen door, not sure for support or so that she couldn’t open it and get inside my house. My confusion must have shown because the next words from her were, “Well for the love of Christ, Charlene, are you going to invite me in or not? It is 100 degrees out here and I just “shlept” in from Alabama to see you and yours.”

Excerpt:
He went to work after a week long holiday and she was left alone in the apartment. She ignored the doorbell at first but had to get up once it became incessant. She didn't bother looking at the caller, assuming it was her husband, and went straight to the bedroom. She thought she heard her name but lay still, her back to the door. She heard the shuffling of feet as he sat beside her. When he laid an arm over her shoulder, she turned to look at him and tears drowned her as she realized it was Rohit. He was shocked at what he saw. The girl he loved had somehow transformed into a ghost with bony limbs, unkempt hair and hollow eyes with dark circles under them. He gently pulled her into an embrace.

Excerpt:
Close your eyes, and do not stare at my back, not tattoos, just
Scars on my back, disfigurements I wear.
But dry your tears little one… just dry your tears.

Excerpt:
She took another sip of her coffee. It paid to be optimistic, she thought. She had truly believed that her future would bring her prosperity and that time had almost come. Happiness was only an arm’s distance away. Had happiness been palpable then at that instant she could smell it, feel it and drink it.

The beard  (E) about growing a beard #1943229 by tonibarri

Excerpt:
What`s with all this stubble?
And why has some turned grey?
I` sure it didn`t look like this,
what I saw yesterday.