Playing with this doll's strings and singing novel lullabies that aren't up to par when the sandman awakens. For as consciousness alters, souls fall deep into the abyss showing that contrived tales are fallible knights of straw. And with each high noon pieces continue to fade while cries are masked behind an apathetic face, to ever deaf eyes.

Lorraine

He had his hand on my left cheek, fiery and firm. Avoiding the gaze of both him and my date I waited to be scolded.

“My precious Lorraine is this what you’re doing nowadays, hanging out with the likes of him.” The way Adrian emphasized him sent a chill down my spine. There was nothing I could say that would please Adrian and I was hoping that the cat wouldn’t be let out of the bag.

“Who are you,” Lucas inquired and protested simultaneously. Adrian removed his hand.

“Oh look it talks. Who I am is not important.” I mustered up enough courage to look him in the eye.

“Adrian, please.”

“What?!” His eyes glowed. “Lorraine don’t you think this brute deserves to be warned?” From the corner of my eye I saw that Lucas had stopped struggling with Adrian’s men.

“Can’t I be happy, just once Adrian?”

“But my dear you can only be happy with us. You destroy everything else, not on purpose of course; it’s just the way you are.” He was right and I fought to hold back the tears.

“Don’t listen to him Lorraine. You do deserve to be happy.”

“And she is Lucas, she just forgets sometimes.” Adrian moved to stand behind me, his scent of myrrh overpowering my mind. “You see this she-devil here loves feasting on hearts, figuratively speaking.” Adrian’s speech was more to me than Lucas. “I’m sure you’re a nice person, good willed and all, so try to see this as me doing you a favor.”

“A favor huh? Look we like each other alright and obviously you can’t handle that. Just go crawl back into whatever hole you came out of.” The dam had broken and the tears couldn’t be held back any longer.

“Well what do we have here? I think you made her cry Lucas. Oh I will be going soon enough and Lorraine will be coming with me.” Adrian positioned his face so close to mine that I could feel his breathe on my neck. “Would you like to tell the oblivious brute what happened to the last guy that had a thing for you?”

“Please Adrian,” I begged again.

“Well then I guess it’s up to me.” He dramatically cleared his throat. “The last guy, what was his name again? Bill? John? Ah whatever. Anyway the last guy is now an alcoholic. She didn’t just break his heart she ripped it out of his chest and mangled it beyond repair. Isn’t that right Lorraine?”
“I don’t believe you.” Lucas’ counterattack was worth nothing.

“Lorraine?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“A little louder dear, I don’t think he heard you.”

“Yes,” I said before burying myself into Adrian. He wrapped his arms around me.

“See Lucas, I don’t lie.” Adrian must have given them the signal to release him for his voice was so close.

“Lorraine, we all have our demons; let go of yours. Let yourself be happy.” I looked up, tear streaked face and all.

“Lucas, some of us are the demons.” Not being able to look at him any longer I turned my gaze towards the floor. “Your life will be better now.” Before he could protest Adrian stepped in.

“Now that you kids are done with your goodbyes I believe it’s time for us to go.” Putting his hand on my shoulder I walked with Adrian leaving Lucas behind.

I wondered if ending the relationship before it could truly start hurt him more than anything I would have done in the future. As if reading my thoughts Adrian said, “you did the right thing my dear.” Leaning into his body and getting lost in myrrh my mind stopped racing. I felt Adrian’s smile as we walked on.

The Diamondback

*Just a warning I'm not that great at dialogue, something I need to work on. And also I'm not discriminating against any culture or style in this piece just in case anyone thinks I am.


I was all dolled up which was awkward considering I hated make-up however it was necessary for where we were going tonight. That's right I was taking Jack to one of my dives and I felt a certain sense of honor since he always introduced me to new places.

Just doing the finishing touches the doorbell rang and my heart jumped. I opened the door and there stood Jack in his usual dress with that lovely smile glowing on his face. "Hey sweetheart," he said as I hugged him tightly. "Ready to go?" Jack's voice was deep but not to the point where it reminded you of cheesy sex songs.

"Yep." I grabbed my bag and keys as we headed out.

"You look..." Jack paused searching for the right word, "different." I could tell he wasn't satisfied with that one for he added, "in a good way of course." My smile had turned into a smirk.

"Of course." Jack looked down at what he was wearing.

"I feel like I'm underdressed." Turning my head to the side I looked him over and realized that I couldn't picture Jack in anything else; this was his style and I loved him for it.

"Don't worry, you look fine." Truth be told I really didn't have a style of my own and resorted to wearing whatever I felt fit the occasion. I held onto Jack as we drove off on his cycle.

*****

"Hey beautiful, who's the looker you're with?" Impersonating French culture we gave each other a kiss on both cheeks.

"Margo, this is Jack."

"Well hello handsome and welcome to the Diamondback," Margo said smiling that flirty smile and pushing out her chest to bring focus to her corseted breasts.

"Why thank you." Jack had that dumb look on his face that most guys got when presented with a woman like Margo.

Their silent flirting could have gone on for quite awhile and I would have let it if I hadn't wanted to sit down as soon as possible.

"Any rooms left Margo?"

"Quite a few actually. I'd suggest number six suga. Want a dancer Bethany?" I definitely needed the entertainment.

"What's the wait?" Margo finally took her eyes off of Jack before answering me.

"It'll be about twenty minutes."

"That's fine."

"Alright," she wrote something down in the book, "give us five minutes and your needs will be taken care of."

"Thanks Margo, I'll be seeing ya."

"You sure will," she confirmed while eyeing Jack. I took Jack's arm in mine and headed to the rooms.

"Our needs will be taken care of?"

"What's the Diamondback experience without having a go at the hookah."

"Ah, I see." We both laughed.

"Bethany," someone interrupted. I let go of Jack's arm.

"Damien," I spat out sourly.

"It sure has been awhile."

"Well I've been busy." He eyed Jack unfavorbly.

"So I see."

"What do you want," I sighed.

"Just wondering. You see Beth," I cringed for I hated the shortening of my name, "you're barely allowed in here and you go and bring a guest that's unacceptable." I brought my eyes to Jack to let him know I could handle this for if I didn't he would've stepped in. I could tell he wasn't happy about holding his tongue.

"And what's acceptable Damien? Not all of our lives revolve around wearing fishnets and black eyeliner." He would have refuted my comment if the people nearby hadn't fell into a fit of laughter. I took Jack's arm again. "Now if you'd excuse us, we came here to relax." Walking away I could hear the others poking fun at Damien. "See Jack, told you you weren't underdressed."

"Haha, I guess not," he said while we down on the plush couch.

Seeing the hookah already waiting for us I said, "now all we need is our belly dancer."

"Belly dancer?"

"Of course, another experience of," we said in unison before laughing, "the Diamondback."

Satellite Angel

*The want is there but I'm not sure the need is. I'm not giving up just yet though. Try to enjoy.



Polished beauty taunting
Behind a glossy lens.
Zooming focus upon lips
Speaking silver tipped lullabies,
Upon eyes that
Forge connection
A link of pure illusion.
All set in silk skin
Too close to touch,
Where love is conjured
By such a performance,
Feeding
A broken reality.