Second Thoughts

 As if having second thoughts wasn't bad enough, now there is a raging thunderstorm on her wedding day. Perched on the window seat she watched as the rain fell from the sky, beating on the glass in attempt to wake her from the stupor she has been in all morning. She wondered if what she was about to do would be the right decision for her. She glanced around the room at the women in her life, there to support her on what should be one of the best days of her life. A day she would cherish always. Instead, she couldn't avoid the feeling deep inside of her that this would be the biggest mistake of her life. She was about to become the wrong man's bride. Ideally, Scott would be a great choice. He's a nice guy, goal oriented, and she knows that she would never have worry about anything with him. He's a safe choice and she really does love him but she's not in love with him. He would be a great husband for the right woman, just not her. She grabbed her purse and ran from the room. Ignoring the frantic voices chasing after her, she rushed from the church and into the rain. She couldn't go through with the wedding. Her heart belonged by the sea, with Ian.

Dance of the Candle

Upon lighting the three wicks of my candle the flames began their dance of enchantment. Swaying against each other as the scent of black cherry wafts into the room. Three flames that send out illusions of warmth and comfort as they continue dancing in the midst of a burgandy sea of wax. Little puffs of black smoke drift from the jar as I become enraptured by the fire's essence. Not only are they dancing but it's as though they are trying to break free of the glass that is keeping them contained. Reaching out with an urgency to spread their warmth; threatening to disrupt the false sense of comfort. They are eagerly jumping to release the danger that vivaciously lies within the glass walls.

Dream a Little Dream

As she was walking away she felt a pull on her wrist and looked down to see a hand grasping her wrist. She barely had time to recognize who had a hold of her before he pulled her into him. Wrapping his arms around her, his lips touched hers causing her to melt beneath him. Her knees had already gone weak and threatened to leave her at his mercy when he eased their bodies backwards. Pushing her against the side of the building behind her, he raised her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. The feel of his hands traveling over her body made her skin quiver in response to his touch...

The sunlight broke through the crack in the curtains causing her to leave that really good dream behind. One moment she was in a sensual bliss and the next she was thrown back into reality. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she cursed the daylight. "Why couldn't I have had just a little bit longer?" She asked incredulously.

A Key/Noon/Falling Leaves

Waking up, Ashlynn looks over at the clock sitting on her nightstand. The green numbers were blinking furiously at her. There must have been a storm during the night that knocked out the electricity again. Stretching across the bed her hand slipped beneath the pillow and brushed against a small, cool piece of steel. Folding her fingers around it, she pulled her hand back out and sat up on the bed.

Opening her hand, she revealed an old skeleton key laying on the palm of it. Crinkling her forehead in confusion she turned the key over and over with her fingers. Where did this come from, she wondered.

Scenes from the previous night began to flash through her mind. Realizing that they weren't pieces of a dream, a familiar rush of fear came over her. No, these things were part of a reality that until last night she thought only existed in stories. And the key she was holding in her hand was only  part of the proof that was uncovered.

Poem

Heart So Cold

Her heart has grown so cold

After many years of being so bold.

She longs to not be so frigid

But with so many layers it's hard not being rigid.

If only she could just break through

She could regain her virtue.