Survival In The Black

I walk through life with my conscience clear. I have done no wrong that deserves conviction. Yet here I stand, convicted on heresy, my life in your hands and in your own tainted conscience. And at night, when I sleep peacefully, without regret, I will not think of you. But of those souls who have lifted me up, instead of destroying what friendship there could have been. ~ Elizabeth Monroe Bel stepped off the ship, a man from the ship carrying hers and Taia’s bag while Bel snuggled the sleeping Jonas across her chest. Taia followed behind and looked around in wonder at all the lights and sounds and sights that awaited her at the night strewn Persephone. It was all old news to Bel, having stayed quite awhile on the planet while she took care of business. As Taia looked around at the new sights and sounds, Bel’s gaze was looking on the stretch car and driver sitting not far from her. His cap under his arm while he watched the people file off the large passenger ship, The Lincoln. She inwa...

Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other. It is the place of confidence. It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts. It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule. ~Frederick W. Robertson Bel looked at the cortex message and hummed while she read over the words. She frowned slightly before shrugging her shoulders and shutting down the machine. She tossed it onto the bed and continued to pack her bag. Seems about right. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Just wish he would have had the guts to tell me to my face. All fine and dandy with an armada behind him. But scared to face a woman. BUN tyen-shung duh ee-DWAY-RO. She took a deep breath as she turned to look at Taia and Jonas, the two looking out th...

Go your way to the land of the Ancestors, where they wait for you with open arms, there on the edge between this world and the next. See; there they stand. Ancestral spirits, welcome this one to the place where we all must go. - Ceisiwr Serith Bel stepped out of the hut and took a deep breath, her red hair braided close to her head and the long blue tunic brushing against her knees as she stepped into the sunshine. She blinked a bit but did not cover her eyes as she moved over to the small circle of people surrounding the fire. She turned and nodded to the elder, Grandfather, her eyes closing as she folded her hands and bowed. “Asche.” She spoke softly before turning to his wife, the woman dressed like her, a large gold necklace draped around her shoulders to show her status in the tribe. “Asche che.” She bowed to her before turning to the new head of the fighters. A young man who’s eyes looked older than his years. She smiled at him and nodded before bowing towards him. “Gaunte.” She ...

“Any change, any loss, does not make us victims. Others can shake you, surprise you, disappoint you, but they can't prevent you from acting, from taking the situation you're presented with and moving on. No matter where you are in life, no matter what your situation, you can always do something. You always have a choice and the choice can be power.” -Blaine Lee “How long will you be gone?” Taia bounced Jonas on her thigh gently, the child giggling and grabbing at her long hair while he chewed on his hand. She looked at Bel curiously, the tribe clothes gone, replaced with a long skirt, a tank top and sandals. In the short time Taia started living on Hale’s, she had assimilated quite nicely. Her eyes still held the sadness of a lost mate. And at night, Bel could hear the soft sobbing of grief coming from the room downstairs. “I don’t know, Sayasi. It will take awhile to get there. Then there is the short medical training, Sea and Sabrina’s wedding. A few days, maybe a week.” She ...

I can remember the very first time I cried How I wiped my eyes and buried the pain inside All of my memories - good and bad - that's past Didn't even take the time to realize Starin' at the cracks in the walls Cuz I'm waiting for it all to come to an end Still I curl up right under the bed Cuz its takin' over my head all over again Do you even know who you are? I guess I'm tryin' to find A borrowed dream or a superstar? I want to be a star Is life good to you or is it bad? I can't tell anymore Do you even know what you have? Lyin' awake watchin' the sunlight How the birds will sing as I count the rings around my eyes Constantly pushing the world I know aside I don't even feel the pain, I don't even want to try - Lonely Girl – Pink Belize sat on the pillow and gazed at the sleeping baby curled up in her arms. She tenderly curled her fingers through his dark hair and brushed her knuckles along his soft skin. She takes in little Jonas’ innoc...

How does it feel when you're lost and blind Loneliness is your only guide And how does it feel when you're black inside Numbness calls from your inner eye - Dead Inside – Danzig Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never Is, but always To be blest: The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home, Rests and expatiates in a life to come. Her father used to quote this beautiful passage by Alexander Pope to Bel over and over again until the girl had it down by heart. Able to recite it at the drop of a hat. She even believed it. She even believed the old Earth That Was fable of Pandora and her magic box. How all of the world’s ills escaped except for hope. Bel thought long and hard about that word. Hope. It has broken her heart more times than she can imagine. She had a hope for the future. She had a hope for love. She had a hope for a family. And she lost all of them. She lost hope for outside influences. All she had left is the hope that her cousin will be back. Hop...