I feel a tinge of joy—the first in years—and a sliver of hope. But I’ll not relax until I am certain my daughter has escaped with the family’s savings. If they catch her trying to get across the border, they could confiscate her money and condemn her to solitary confinement in a Psychiatric Hospital for … Continue reading →

To Alice’s chagrin, fish eyes were the look for the upcoming year. And not just any fish eyes, mackerel eyes. Once again she would be out of step. The desperate young girl leaned into the mirror hoping to get a more encouraging view but, even in subdued light, no wishful thinking could transform her large … Continue reading →

Shivering and frightened, he huddled in the center of the crypt, as far from the sound of the rats as possible. Would someone discover him years from now, the only skeleton not encased in a coffin? Although terrified, he was reluctant to do what they demanded, uncertain if it would save him. They had lied … Continue reading →