A Light So Dark by Isabelle

John William Waterhouse

“Everyone’s asleep,” she said softly, placing the oil lamp carefully on the floor and slinking down beside it. Her back against the wall, the skirt of her nightgown tucked gently beneath her bottom,  she knocked once and waited for a response.

“Thisbe,” a muffled voice called from the other side of the cracked wall.

Her breath hitched. “Yes,” was her strangled cry, as her eyes slipped closed and her head fell back against the wall. “Every night I fear it will be someone else’s voice I hear.”

“Never. So long as I live I will take my place beside you.”

Independence Day by Lisa

*Originally posted here.

I snap my suitcase shut. It’s a classy vintage number—maybe I should have thought about how much space it’d take up in my dorm room when I saw it at the thrift shop, but I couldn’t help myself. It was so pretty.

I couldn’t be more excited about getting out of this town. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not a bad town. It’s just suffocatingly small. And the only person who made living here worth it left three years ago. Not that Kyle Landry ever really saw me that way, anyhow. I got into a good college on the coast and other than holidays, I’ll never have to look back.

A knock comes at the door and my mom pokes her head in. “Just about ready? It’s a long drive, you know.”

An unexpected tear pricks my eyes, but it’s gone in a second. It’s just because Mom is trying so hard to be strong. If she was really so nonchalant, I would be too.

“Yeah, I know. I’ll be there in a sec.”

Most of the car is packed. Pillows, comforter, a box of books and another of knickknacks I didn’t think I could live without. The truth is, I’m not taking too much. This is little girl stuff, a lot of it. Time for something new. A whole new life, far away from here. Then again, my best friend Sheila is coming with me, so that takes up some space.

I lug my suitcase downstairs, and there’s a knock at the front door. Has to be Sheila.

I flick my messy strands of hair out of my face and throw the door open—and Kyle Landry is standing there, his eyes lighting up until he sees my suitcase. My suitcase drops. So does my heart.

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Forgive me for cheating this week, I’m getting ready for a move, and for our big Tales From the Hollow Tree Release Giveaway. Make sure you’re following us on Twitter and Facebook so you have all the latest news from the Hollow Tree!

**Image credit to vintageleathersuitcase.com

Primal by Isabelle

The moon hid its face from us that night, leaving the sky looking as black and inky as the depths of the forest or the surface of the lake. A far cry from the oiled lamps and the golden splendor of our walls.

Light and shadows danced along the edge of the bonfire. I stayed close to the whispering voices, to the safety of the small group huddled together trying to keep warm. 

And the winner is…

Can you believe that it’s now November? Man, time does fly by when you’re not paying attention or locked oneself in the bookstore (no that wasn’t me on the news…maybe…). Anyway I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in our contest and it was so great to see what all of you are reading as well. Now it’s time to announce our winner (drum roll please)…congrats to Gail Zuniga. Please be sure to let me know what email addy you would me to send the gift card to. Also because I had so much fun I’m going to give a second prize gift card of $10 out as well, and the winner for that is mamabunny13.

Congrats to both winners and thank you to everyone. Also starting next Thursday I’ll be starting back with book reviews again. Plus who else is looking forward to Lisa and Isabelle?

Have a great Wednesday!

~thephoneix