#two of my favorite things popped up in these snippets: the ghost and Ryder and the kid's banter

[crwn-nrth]

Word tag game!

Thank you thank you @sentfromwolves for the tag! I've always wanted to do the find the word tag game.

I'm doing this for VH wip and my words are: rust, ember, damp, breath, teeth

(sadly i did not have the words rust or damp)

Ember --- Chapter: Dream log #256

The world comes back into focus slowly, in drips of color and sound. It’s like swimming in molasses or floating through space as I wrestle with my subconscious. I try to cling to the warm fuzzy feeling enveloping me on all sides but then a loud click breaks through the haze, and my eyes flutter open again. It's late outside, or that's what I assume. My legs dangle off the armchair and the glowing embers of the dying fireplace are the only source of light bathing the dark wooden floor panels in a dull orange hue, emphasizing the warmth and forcing my eyes shut. 

Seconds, hours, years later, a hand running through my hair guides me back to the land of the living. It's large and callous and gentle as it passes through my locks and I let myself drift further, tethered only by the soothing motions. 

A rumble. "You left your porch light on." The deep vibrato tone has my mind settling in bliss. Safe, home. A light tug at the end of my hair informs me that the voice is waiting for a response. 

"Left it on for you." I mumble, prying my eyes open. Kind blue eyes smile down at me.

 "You don't have to do that." There is a hint of laughter in his words, some subtle joke that my hazy brain can't catch on to. 

"How else would you find your way home?" 

The rumbling laughter that follows starts low and soft, bringing a smile to my face. Then it sharpens and fades, ebbing and flowing like the reeling of the tide, surrounding me from all sides. It's everywhere and nowhere all at once. 

It's a sharp slap of icy water to the face.

Breath --- Chapter 4: The Universe Loves Meddling

The kid was naively unaware what hopelessness does to a soul.

My gaze caught onto the puddle at my feet. The water shimmered in the streetlight as my reflection stared at me with disdain. A droplet of water from a pipe above disturbed the surface and by the time the ripples died down, my reflection had been replaced by a familiar sight. The cold blue eyes that bore into my soul and the distinctive square jaw stirred an aching within me. Time slowed and a voice echoed within my mind, "but you know?"

Yes. it forces man to do the unthinkable; it chips away and corrupts the soul as it pushes away all morals. It forces man to do what he would never have done otherwise. The actions that a man makes under this despondent spell, he regrets till his dying breath.

The ghost said no more and time resumed. The sounds of bustling market swelled up around me, pulling me from the reflection and away from its icy hold.

Teeth --- Chapter 8: This is not a Library

I let the knock ring through the place, hopelessly hoping that the kid would simply leave. Unfortunately, i had horrible luck and the kid was horribly stubborn. I slowly made my way through the the maze of stacked books, inching closer to the door as the knocks refused to cease. As I finally found the way out of the fragile labyrinth, the kid's muffled voice reached out, "Hello! Mr. Ryder! I know you're home!"

I let in a deep breath. Murder is wrong.

Before the kid could begin his incessant knocking once again, I threw open the front door.

The kid tumbled a little at the sudden opening but righted himself quick enough, flashing his blinding smile. I entertained the thought of knocking all his teeth out for just a single moment.

“Good morning Mr. Ryder!” he chirped.

“You have already said that to me, kid hero.” I muttered, thinking about those nuisance messages.

His smile only brightened, “yep i did! But I can finally say it in person! And you can finally say it back cause you never reply to the messages.”

“No.”

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I don't have anyone specific to tag so whoever sees it please feel free to give this a go.

your words are: sunshine, shadow, ghost, and hero!