Fog

Black fog swirls around me lazily, caressing me with each languid tendril. I'm trying to avoid the cracks - in the floor, in the walls, in the ceiling but I can't see anything. Everything is grey and black and more grey. The fog envelops me like an old friend, but it's something sinister. It curls around my arms and my legs, rising to cup my shoulders, asking me to join it. I don't want to, but it compresses itself around me and suddenly everything feels heavy. There's a weight against my chest and there is pressure in my skull. Black spots block my vision, like a rogue eyelash floating around on your eyeball - you can see it but you can never quite get close enough to look right at it. The cracks in the ground start to judder and creak. I begin to fall, dragging my nails down the walls with a sickening screech, trying to find something to grasp onto.

Sleep Talking

"It's okay, it's okay," I soothe, awkwardly wrapping my arms around his head. His eyes don't open but I know he senses me there. There is a cold sweat adding a sheen to his forehead and his breathing is irregular. I don't know what to do, so I just sit there, with his head tucked under my arm until I feel his laboured breaths slow. I make the odd shushing sound but mainly sit in silence. He softens beneath me and I know he is asleep again. I feel strange sitting by his pillow whilst he sleeps, but for some reason I am reluctant to leave. His terrified screams made me nervous. I didn't want him to dream like that again. So I stay and lean my back against the headboard, counting the cracks in the ceiling. I can't stop my eyes from flickering down to his face every now and then, making sure he's okay and making sure he's still there. He huffs as he rolls onto his side and faces me, a small, sleepy frown creasing the part between his eyebrows. He's still asleep, but he's mumbling incoherently and it almost makes me smile. He breathes my name, but it's soft as a whisper and I think I imagine it. I hear it again and start - he must know I am there. I gently swing my legs off the edge of the bed, ready to leave, when I feel his fist lamely grab my knee. I stop and he relaxes, even in sleep. "I love you," he mutters. "I love you." I swallow the lump in my throat and kiss the top of his head gingerly. "I love you," he sighs again and I sigh too, but for a different reason.

Earth, Air, Water

When he held me, it was Earth - stable, solid and felt as old as trees, like we had never done anything else.

When he looked at me, it was Air - breath leaving my lungs and words failing me. I saw pink and hearts and rainbows and I knew I should be embarrassed, but I wasn't.

When he kissed me, it was Water - drowning, gasping, trying to tread water and keep myself steady, but they currents took me under and I knew I was a goner.

Strength

Everyday is a battle won

A wound that didn't kill you

A step towards Paradise

A light year closer to the Sun

Old diary entry (stream of consciousness)

Looking for gold deep in my bones Paradise is a breath away Hell is a journey the strongest come out fighting nothing drags me down but me

Creep

The stone walls are sticky and I can hear a dripping tap. I'm crumpled in the corner and everything is dark as coal. Iron invades my nostrils and I can taste salt on my tongue. My forehead is damp, maybe with sweat. Something is dried in my hair, making it crunch under my nervous fingers. My eyes dart around the room and I see a shape on the ceiling. I can't make it out. I've been ignoring it for hours. I swear I saw it twitch. My tongue feels too big in my mouth. I look up again. Two shining eyes are staring right back at me.

Six Word Story

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