#wooden shelves in wall cutout

[markwickens]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen

Remodel ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, and white counters.

[undohersad]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen pantry remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

[deathofapig]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen pantry remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

[httyd-mc-pl-twilight]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen pantry remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

[shevahh]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen pantry remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

[randomfactortees]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen pantry remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

[silvabrylee]

Kitchen - Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen pantry remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

[simverses]

Big Barn Furniture Set - Bunk Bed Deco Frames updated!

Let’s start with the beds.

The original set (by Wood for Sims for Sims 2) included a single bed, done with comfy straw and an old blanket. I think its perfect as a base for bunk beds, so these beds are included:

- Single bed

- Double bed (adapted for bunk beds)

- Toddler bed

- Top Bunk Bed

- Bottom Bunk bed

- Deco frames. Can of course be used for my other beddings.

These are now updated to also be included in saved rooms. New files, delete the old.

- Dresser, adapted for bunk beds

- 1x1 desk, adapted for bunk beds

Also, a floor bed for toddlers, based on @pandasamacc s fantastic bed. (You need that one for this to work.)

Then we have the tables.

- 1x1 dining table, seats 4

- 2x1 dining table, seats 6 (not in pic)

- 3x1 dining table, seats 8

- 5x1 dining table, seats 12

- 6x0 dining table, seats 12

- dining chair (the classic 3-legged stool)

Lights - candles with extra safety. Ceiling, wall and table model.

Works off-grid.

The Counters

- Modular counter - works with other sinks also

- Modular wall cabinets. some with deco

- 1 deco counter with deco, non-modular

- 2 special counters for sink, with drawers or cupboard

- 1 deco counter with shelves, with slots

- Kitchen sink. Does not work with cutout, if I solve that I will of course update - works with the 2 special counters, though.

- Modular island counters

- 1-tile bar, which works with the island counters

- A wooden larder (fridge)

- A small wooden larder (mini-fridge, needs University EP)

Plumbing

- Matching loo

- Rain Barrel sink, with or without pipe

- Rain Pipe Shower.

- Fire alarm

- Trash barrel

Straw furniture

- Straw sofa

- Straw love bed

- Straw dining table

- Straw dining chair

- Another loveseat with wooden frame and straw

Download links:

WFS Big Barn Build Items (Curseforge)

WFS Big Barn Furniture (Curseforge)

WFS Big Barn Decorative (Curseforge)

WFS Big Barn Extras (Curseforge)

[moon-lit-stars]

There is a place east of home

That bears witness of generations

Where you store the happy memories in frames

And sad memories in locked chests

The corner café table with your initials

The scent of warmth and fresh bread

Watching the sun go down out the window

Seeing its lover the moon come out

Empty coffee cups hold illicit affairs

Polaroids filled with smiles

Hearts void of little joys

These little things are what we live for

These litte things are what we die for

Wooden door frames

Twinkling tubelights

Wall full of cutouts

And air full of rusty defiant naive youth

Sunlight hits the worn out desk

Bringing nostalgia pouring in with it

The beginning is as real as the end

Now sunlight shines on a marble counter

Making tiny rainbows all over (little joys)

Familiar footsteps echo

Tin boxes lined on dusty shelves

I am a creature of habit

Bound to circle back to my roots

This place east of home

Bears witness to all the hearts it owns

[alldollsarevalid]

While I am proud of myself for making a bookshelf, I'm not in denial about the visible glue, crooked shelves and general awfulness. So I bought these four wooden boxes. Once glued together I think they will make a fine doll sized bookcase.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with these but I think if they were glued to the wall, they would be a great knick knack display. Someone talented at painting could even customize the little cutouts.

I'm not interested in the beads, but I think the little jars are adorable.

There were also some miniature wooden stackable drawers but I already had too much stuff.

[igoldenlaser]

Wood Laser Cutter: Precision and Efficiency in Woodworking

Woodworking has been revolutionized by the introduction of advanced tools and technologies. One such technology that has gained significant popularity in recent years is the wood laser cutter. A wood laser cutter utilizes a high-powered laser beam to cut and engrave wood with remarkable precision and efficiency. This cutting-edge tool offers numerous advantages over traditional woodworking methods, making it a valuable asset for craftsmen, hobbyists, and industries alike.

Wood laser cutter is a type of cutting machine that uses a high-powered laser beam to cut through wood. The laser beam is typically generated by a CO2 laser, which is focused through a series of mirrors and lenses onto the wood to be cut.

Advantages of Wood Laser Cutter:

Precision: The wood laser cutter provides unparalleled precision in cutting and engraving wood. The laser beam can be controlled with utmost accuracy, resulting in clean and intricate cuts. This level of precision allows for the creation of intricate designs, delicate patterns, and precise joints.

Efficiency: The laser cutting process is exceptionally fast and efficient compared to conventional methods. The wood laser cutter operates with high speeds, reducing production time significantly. It can swiftly cut through wood, creating finished pieces in a fraction of the time required by manual cutting techniques.

Versatility: Wood laser cutters offer remarkable versatility in terms of design possibilities. They can cut and engrave a wide range of wood types, including plywood, hardwood, MDF, and more. This flexibility enables users to create diverse products, including furniture, decorative items, architectural elements, signage, and personalized crafts.

Minimized Material Waste: With precise laser cutting, the wood laser cutter minimizes material waste. The narrow laser beam allows for tight nesting of designs, maximizing the usage of the wood sheet. This reduction in waste not only saves costs but also promotes sustainability by utilizing resources more efficiently.

Automation and Repetition: Wood laser cutters can be programmed to repeat designs and cutouts, ensuring consistent results. This automation feature eliminates human errors and ensures uniformity in the produced pieces. It also enables efficient batch production, making it ideal for industries with high-volume manufacturing needs.

 

Applications of Wood Laser Cutter:

Wood laser cutters are used in a variety of industries, including woodworking, furniture manufacturing, and crafts. They are often used to cut intricate designs and shapes that would be difficult or impossible to create by hand or with traditional cutting tools. However, it is important to note that wood laser cutting can generate smoke and fumes, so proper ventilation and safety precautions are necessary.

Furniture Manufacturing: Wood laser cutters are extensively used in the production of furniture, including chairs, tables, cabinets, and shelves. They can accurately cut intricate patterns, decorative elements, and joinery details, adding a touch of uniqueness to each piece.

Architectural Woodwork: Wood laser cutters are employed in architectural woodworking to create intricate wood panels, wall partitions, ceiling tiles, and decorative screens. They can produce intricate designs that enhance the visual appeal of interior spaces.

Crafts and Decorative Items: Wood laser cutters are widely used in the creation of crafts and decorative items. They can engrave intricate designs, personalization, and delicate patterns on wooden plaques, coasters, ornaments, and gift items.

Signage and Branding: The precision of a wood laser cutter makes it an excellent tool for creating custom signage and branding elements. It can engrave logos, texts, and graphics on wooden boards, nameplates, and promotional items.

Model Making and Prototyping: Wood laser cutters are invaluable for model making and prototyping purposes. They can accurately cut and engrave wood to create architectural models, product prototypes, and scale models with intricate details.

The laser beam vaporizes the wood at the point of contact, creating a narrow cut that is typically very precise. The width of the cut can be adjusted by changing the focus of the laser beam, and the speed of the cut can be controlled by adjusting the power of the laser.

Wood laser cutters can be used to cut and engrave a wide range of woods, including hardwoods, softwoods, plywood, and MDF (medium-density fiberboard). They can also be used to cut through other materials, such as acrylic, leather, and certain types of plastics.

One of the advantages of using a wood laser cutter is its high level of precision. The laser beam can be programmed to cut intricate designs with very fine details, making it ideal for creating decorative items, signage, and other specialized products. In addition, the cut edges of the wood are typically very clean and smooth, requiring little or no post-processing.

Wood laser cutter come in a range of sizes and power levels, depending on the specific needs of the user. Small desktop models are available for hobbyists and small businesses, while larger industrial models are used in large-scale manufacturing operations.

[lizzieartsblog]

The End Of The World

Characters Introduction

Sophie Turner (Soph/Saffi), age 21, was born on September 19th, 2001. Sophie married Joseph Turner (Joey), age 20, born on April 9th, 2002.

Sophie has long wavy dark brunette hair that frizzes out of control and forest green eyes that are hooded by thick eyelashes. Standing 5 feet and 2 inches tall, she has a dainty hourglass frame.

Joey has short light brown (almost dirty blonde) hair, which he keeps approximately 3 inches long at the top and faded on the sides. Joey slicks his curly brown hair back with a lightweight gel to keep it maintained throughout the day under his hat. Joey is 6 feet tall, with just the right amount of muscles that would make any girl swoon at the sight of him. He goes to the gym three times a week to stay within the weight regulations of the military.

Joey enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he believed it would be better for their relationship in the long run. Joey and Sophie have had a rough time in the first year of Joey's enlistment so far.

Prologue

It's 9:00 in the morning. Sophie is on a flight to stay with her grandmother while her husband is on deployment overseas. She paid extra for a window seat near the front exit of the plane. She usually falls asleep during flights, but she likes having the view.

When she looks out the window to her left, she sees clouds dancing over the mountains. Sophie imagines the clouds as an avalanche of snow rolling off the mountains onto the cities and towns below.

"We are halfway done with our five-hour flight, ladies and gentlemen..." The overhead announcement radio hisses to life. "Thank you for choosing us to fly with, and we look forward to seeing you again." The radio crackles and silence follows the soft sighs of the passengers.

Sophie closes her eyes and gets lost in thought, before drifting off to sleep for the rest of the flight.

.

.

.

Chapter One - Grandma's House

The taxi cab drives past old houses, once standing, which are now empty lots. Windows of buildings that used to be her favorite stores and restaurants are boarded up, and the aftermath of fires lingers around the town's perimeter. Charred trees and brown plants, once green and full of life, haunt the fields they used to thrive in. As they're driving through the town that Sophie used to call home, she has never felt more out of place.

As the Taxi rounds a corner and pulls into the driveway of her grandmother's house, she's overcome by a wave of nostalgia and the feeling of being home. Despite the change in the town, her grandmother's house is the same: blue-painted exterior, a small garden on the lawn just barely off the porch, and red rose bushes lining the windows.

Sophie thanks the driver through her exhaustion, while she grabs her suitcases and waves goodbye. The sun beats down viciously. As the driver turns around and leaves the gravel driveway, she pauses to take in her childhood home once more before heading inside, thankful to be done with the trip.

The door is unlocked. As she walks in, the smell of champagne and toasted marshmallows fills her with comfort. The house is quiet and empty, the only sound is the clock that's mounted on the wall in the living room, ticking continuously.

"Grandma?" Sophie calls out. No response. She heads to the guest room and drops her suitcases on the bed, and makes her way to the kitchen. The hallway is brightly lit with sunlight cutouts on the roof. The house is deeply cleaned and looks barely lived in, like a magazine cover. The kitchen, beautifully minimalistic, has the same appliances and shelves as it did when Sophie lived here 13 years ago. Plants line the windowsill and a bowl of fruit sits neatly on the handmade wooden table near the entrance.

While exploring, Sophie finds a note by the fruit bowl on the wooden table, left by her grandmother.

"Welcome home, honey. I'm sorry I couldn't be here in person today, something came up and I left right before you were supposed to get here. I will be home before dark. Love, grandma."

Sophie sighs and heads back to the guest room to get some much-needed rest.

.

.

.

Sophie is suddenly awoken by the sound of static and a loud bang outside. Groggily, she stretches out of the warm bed and stumbles to the light switch on the wall. The light flickers to life. Her gaze wanders to the window, the inky blackness outside gives her an eerie feeling.

She walks through the dark hallway to the living room, her path being illuminated by the TV static on the screen.

"Grandma?" Sophie calls out. Her grandmother was supposed to be home before dark, maybe she didn't want to wake her up after such a long trip... but that noise outside was concerning. No response.

The clock reads 11:40 pm. It's nearly midnight. If her grandmother had gotten home hours ago, she would have heard the front door open. Searching the house, Sophie finds no sign of her grandmother, and her worry is increasing. As her head is spinning with possible explanations, the TV flips through channels on its own.

Sophie finds the remote and presses the power button, but the TV continues to act on its own. She mashes the buttons, pressing 'guide'. The TV lands on a news channel.

"... the lights are just floating there- in the sky- there's no explanation for this from the United States Government just yet. Oh. Wait just a second. I'm getting word right now- they're saying there's no cause for alarm- but stay indoors. Close your windows. Lock your doors- turn all your lights off-"

Sophie stares at the TV in amazement, unsure of what to think. This has to be a joke, right? No cause for alarm, but don't go outside? It looks like they're alarmed to me.

As she's watching the news reporter anxiously list off rules, the phone rings. She cautiously answers it.

"Hello?"

"Where is your grandmother?" The line clicks and the caller hangs up.

"... the United States Military is being sent to the site of the crash- there's helicopters and jets flying over the city right now-"

Joey! Sophie grabs the phone and dials her husband's phone number, it rings a few times, and the line drops. She dials again, and again, each time there's nothing but beeping over the line. There's no connection.

"... a missile- a bomb- from space?! Being sent from space! The government is- your family- this is the end- everybody-"

The TV glitches and the screen turns to static again.

Sophie runs to the guest room and packs a bag, her grandmother is still gone. I need to find her. She breathes heavily, throwing clothes into a backpack. I don't want to be alone.

She takes a deep breath and heads out the front door.

[hobbyindia]

8 budget-friendly Wall Decor Items to exquisite your home

When it comes to decorations, sufficient time, art and exclusive thoughts are invested. We always want to make our home an enchanting place of creativity. 

While taking selfies to post on profile, the bare wall might seem like a light background. Thus, to gain praise for interior and likes on Instagram profile, we are fascinated to make the home an excellent sharable site.

You don’t have to fix your heavy pocket when it comes to wall decoration items. Decorations are the art of presentation, and the more unique you create, the more elegant it looks.

Check out the list of exclusive budget-friendly wall decor items that will surely inspire you to change up your living space.

~ Wooden wall Art

Whether it is a wooden interior of the decorative products, it never fails to give a high-profile touch to your living space. The wall decor wooden items can be anything from hanging wooden shelves to engraved artistic wooden frames.

~ Acrylic Wall Art

Today, acrylic products are more creative as they give polished and mirror-touch finishing. The acrylic wall decor products are heavy in looks and light in weight. 

~ Mirror crafted on the wall

These mirrors are not like you used to glamour your face. The wall decore mirrors glamorize the room's interior and make it look more glimmering. Other than white, the acrylic mirror cutouts can be in different colours like golden, black, and rose gold with various shapes and forms.

~ Mixed Artistic gallery

Abstract painting and expensive frames pop up the senses when it comes to artistic decor frames. But surprisingly, the art gallery is the oldest and cheapest means of wall decor as you can set the walls with your majestic memories and photo frames. You can even try out the colourful empty frames by assembling them in sustainable forms on the wall. 

~ Macrame dream catcher

Dream catchers were initially known to ward off nightmares, but today, this has become the fancy wall art accessory. You can place them in the bedroom, living room, or even on the balcony to create a fantastic attraction in the space

~ Quote up your Thoughts

Whether you are reading quotes on the mobile screen or your regular wall, they are the warming words that always enlighten the internal darkness. You can write quotes on the border with the help of paint or tapes. Other than this, you can also try out the ready acrylic quote and spiritual frames to increase the ambience in the room. 

~ Paint up painted wall

The colours are the essential element that brings the rusting charm to your living area. Even if you adore the simplicity yet want to add the artistic touch on the wall, decorate the sustainable space with the help of D.I.Y. tricks of sponge, tapes, and toothbrush splashes.

~ Stick the Decorative Stickers

Try the ready wall decoration stickers if you are too lazy to pick the paintbrushes. Here, you simply have to bring suitable stickers and stick them on your wall to give a 3D elegant effect on the wall.

Wall Decor Items Enhance the Internal Beauty of Room

If you are looking for enchanting attires for your wall, M.D.F. Art offer you the list of best budget-friendly wall decor products. We help bring an exquisite touch to your walls with a massive range of products and remarkable services. 

Planning to get the out of the box design, share your thoughts, and we are here to offer you complete assistance to mould your ideas into reality. 

[sleetfarm08]

10 DIY Home Enhancement Ideas

DIY Home Enhancement Idea #1 Install handmade shelves. Rather than purchasing common cookie-cutter shelves, visit a local build fair or woodworker for customized racks. Anything from style, color, design and cutouts may be customized along with handmade items. Shelving great storing resources inside the garage or perhaps knick-knacks in the particular family room. DIY Home Improvement Thought #2 Replace convertible top flooring or set up new tiles. These days, convenience is crucial. It's easier than ever to exchange convertible top flooring or mount tiles with basic self-adhesive backing simple placement. This may literally give you a new floor surface within a that same day. DIY Home Development Idea #3

Install carpet. Before producing a purchase, make sure to measure the location you need to carpet. When you need to be able to cut carpet, is actually not an issue plus special cutting equipment can be obtained any kind of time home improvement store. Simply move it and protect it to the particular floor for the effortless DIY home improvement project. DIY House Improvement Idea #4 Install a limit fan. Not simply will this include beauty to the room, but it may also help to flow mid-air. Just be careful in the unit installation process and once rising up or lower a ladder. DO IT YOURSELF Home Improvement Concept #5 If an individual are a large fan of wall picture, then you already know that it could start to remove from time to time. It's inevitable. At some point, wallpaper can need replacing and it's arguably among the easiest home improvement projects that you can do. Wallpaper is sold from any home improvement store and can be reduce to fit any room in your own home. During assembly, make sure you smooth the paper as you go in purchase to avoid bubbled areas. DIY Diy Idea #6 If you love the idea associated with sitting on typically the porch or deck and watching fireflies light up inside the night, consider adding an outside add-on to your home. Plans can be acquired on the internet or a few home improvement stores, together with the materials had to complete typically the job. DIY Diy Idea #7 Painting your home, either inside or out, is a really popular method of increasing it's overall appearance. Always be sure in order to read the instructions in addition to use paint within a well-ventilated area. DIY Do-it-yourself Concept #8 Significant practical DIY home improvement projects includes typically the installation of a dusk to dawn lighting system outside of the home. This type involving lighting will quickly turn on if you have any movement away from your home and is ideal for any person, whether you reside out in the country or in a larger area. DO-IT-YOURSELF Home Improvement Concept #9 As winter time rolls around, several people start to look at replacing their house windows to ensure that these are protected from the elements. Many individuals think of home windows as simply some thing to appear through yet, in fact , they are usually much more compared to that. wooden doors can in fact help to keep warm air within your home and the cold air out and about during those severe cold months, which might make it much more comfortable for your loved ones and also your current wallet where heating costs have concerns. DO-IT-YOURSELF Home Improvement Idea #10 Install wall structure paneling. If you don't such as the idea of painting or just prefer the appear of paneling, a new visit for your community home improvement shop could be typically the response to your following DIY home improvement project. Wall surfaces is sold throughout sheets, is pre-cut and ready with regard to installation. All an individual need to do is place that inside the desired place and secure it.

[btsinwonderland]

A Drop of Poison - Ch. 3: The Library

A Loki fanfiction!

Previous Chapter --- Next Chapter

Full Chapter List

Chapter warnings: bit of smut at the end...

-----------------------------------

You placed your books on the nightstand and slumped onto your bed. The pillows caught your face in a soft hug and you felt the weight of the entire day sink into you. Your roommates were gone nearly all the time, working most hours of the night in the common room study area. It used to be lonely, constantly coming back to a room with three empty beds, but now you reveled in the emptiness.

He deserves it.

Professor Heimdall’s words bounced around in your mind.

He killed someone. A close friend of his father’s.

You tried picturing a younger version of your professor, whom you barely knew, being trapped in Azkaban. Is he truly a murderer? You thought about that and could not find a simple answer. Sure, he had a cold disposition. However, it was encased in a strange, jovial warmth that both intimidated and intrigued you.

His cool blue eyes entered your mind, and you wondered what sort of menacing secrets he held behind them. As awful as you tried to make him, there was something about it all that did not feel right. The way his lips subtly twitched when he threw ingredients into the cauldron and the way his eyes lit up when the students applauded him did not scream “evil” to you. You pictured his face in your vision and the fear in his eyes as the dead surrounded him. It was the face of a man trapped in a hopeless situation.

Professor Heimdall was not usually so clinical about his judgments. It surprised you he doled out such a firm statement. And to listen to him tell you that you were having silly dreams was even worse.

Freya…

Why had he uttered your name? That alone was proof enough. He needed your help. Professor Heimdall was hiding something else from you and you needed to find out what it was. Fine Heimdall, if you won’t help me, then I’ll do it myself.

You walked out of the common room and headed to the courtyard. Dusk was approaching, but there were still some students out, so your presence was not too suspicious. You walked across a couple lounging on a picnic blanket. The boy had his head in his partner’s lap. They giggled about something and took no notice of anyone else in their vicinity. You smiled at their affections wistfully.

The grass was freshly cut, and the air had a rich smell to it. You walked over to your favourite willow tree - the one that did not whomp - and sat at the trunk. There was a breeze which picked up your curly locks and moved them about your face. You tied your thick hair back and crossed your legs.

You breathed in and out, trying to remember Heimdall’s exercises. The scent of flowers in bloom distracted you for a few minutes until you could grasp some focus. It took several seconds of listening to your breath until you found yourself in a calm state. Your thoughts slipped out of your mind like water through your fingers. Your mind was empty, waiting to be filled. In this state of bored concentration, you felt the stirring of a question: What must I do?

It was the only question that floated in your mind; like a cloud drifting across a clear sky. Then you pictured something. A blurry image that slowly came into focus. It was a book, but the letters were unintelligible. It was on the shelves of the restricted section. The book was dark red, leather bound and cracked along the spine. As the image cleared, you saw the title: “Spells for the Common House Cat”.

“What the hell?” You said aloud. The vision dissolved as soon as you lost focus. You leaned back on the trunk and repeated the ridiculous title to yourself. Perhaps Heimdall was right, and it was all just a silly dream. How could this have been an important vision?

Your first impulse was to return to the common room, go to sleep and forget about the whole damned thing. Instead, you found yourself calculating how to get to the library unseen. Your impulse control was failing you as of late.

It was half an hour before it would be inappropriate to be out and about on the grounds. The sky was darkening quickly. You dashed past Skurge as he grumpily mopped the floors and slid into the library. There was a section on Magical Tax Law near the back you hid in; the books and the floor were so dusty here that you hoped no one would find you.

A few aisles away, there were students roaming the shelves.

“Come on Victoria, I can barely read anymore my eyes are going to fall out!” A low voice said.

“You’re clearly going to fail potions. We have our O.W.L.’s this year and I have to at least get Exceeds Expectations,” said a voice, higher pitched.

Fifth year potions, you thought. It was already an immensely tough course at the time with Professor Rattowl. You felt sympathy for the students.

“Have you heard, Laufeyson’s carryin’ the Slytherin name? He’s been to Azkaban,” said the boy.

The girl, Victoria, gasped. “What! How could they let him teach here?”

The boy said, “well we know how he got the job, when mum’s Headmistress, I guess they'll let anybody do it. I don’t feel safe knowing some felon is creeping around in the school.”

“Yeah, he must have done something awful to get into Azkaban,” she said.

“You know what I think?” he said.

“What?”

As their feet shuffled away, you barely caught his words. “I don’t think it’s no coincidence Rattowl bit the dust right before Laufeyson got here.”

The rest of the conversation was unintelligible whispers as you stood there like a stone and mulled over what they said. After a long silence, you heard the last student leave. The door ominously shut, and the sound echoed through the library. The flames in every lantern went out in succession. You looked out the glass windows, as moonlight was now the only natural luminance that could guide you in the dark.

Their words did not deter you from your path, though the questionable nature of Professor Rattowl’s demise was a new addition to your list of “things to investigate”. Your thoughts dispersed when you heard Skurge coming with his bucket and mop. The wheel squeaked loudly, and you thanked the bucket gods.

You darted into the restricted section. The door had a latch on it, which you carefully opened with your wand, trying not to make a sound. The restricted section was decently large, with tall shelves lining the entire wall. At the back of the area, was a cabinet where several scrolls were placed in rows of small, square cubbies. The bottom part had a cabinet just large enough for two precocious sixth year students to hide in. The doors had a large square cutout where a lattice covering was added. Lucky for those students, they could see if anyone was coming.

You smiled to yourself as you walked over to the cabinet and opened the door. On the bottom right, just above the hinge, was a carving in the wood. “Bad bitches make good witches”. You silently laughed to yourself at Valkyrie’s idea of ‘leaving a mark’.

Long tables extended across the area surrounded by uncomfortable looking wooden chairs. You walked over to the shelves and searched across the volumes for that strangely titled book about cats. Maybe you were crazy, but it was far too late to turn back now.

“Where could you be?” You whispered as your fingers traced the chains along the spine of a book that was as thick as your head.

The sound of the squeaky wheel came from a few bookcases away, and your heart fluttered nervously. You looked at the entrance to the restricted section and wondered if you could make an escape unnoticed. But it was too dangerous, so you crawled inside the bottom of the cabinet and shut the door just as Skurge came by. He was humming to himself and scanned the premises as he mopped. After a few minutes, he continued down the aisles and you no longer heard his voice.

You sighed and were about to crawl out of the cabinet when you heard voices. You went back into position and closed the door, staying absolutely still.

First you heard a woman’s voice. She was laughing in a flirty sort of way.

Then you heard another voice, deeper. “You’re a bad influence, aren’t you?” Your stomach dropped. It was Professor Laufeyson’s voice.

“Hmmm, let’s go in here, Skurge is done with his rounds.”

Was that Professor Sif? Your suspicions were confirmed when you saw Sif and Laufeyson enter the restricted section. She led him by the hand to the table in front of the cabinet where you hid. She leaned back on it and you saw her undo the clasp in her bun as Laufeyson approached her. Her black hair cascaded down her shoulders seductively. The look in Laufeyson’s eyes caused a tremor through your body. You wondered if Sif was blushing as hard as you were.

Your heart rate shot up when her hand reached over to him as she unbuttoned his shirt. He ran his hand down her arm and you closed your eyes, unsure of what to do. Of all the places to be, of all the worst times.

“You are quite a minx, aren’t you?” He said in a low voice. It was almost a purr.

Your eyes snapped open to look at him. His gaze was curious and inviting. He cupped Sif’s face and when his pink tongue came out to lick his lips, you bit yours to keep from breathing too loudly.

“Only when I want to be,” she said.

They kissed. You could hear the smacking of lips and clashing of tongues. You nearly gasped and put a hand on your mouth to stop yourself. A part of you felt guilty watching such a lewd display, but you could not look away.

She slipped off her cloak to reveal a blue button up blouse and black skirt. She undid the blouse. You saw him move her hair aside and kiss her neck. He traced his tongue up her jawline and sucked on her earlobe. Dear lord, help me. You wished you were anywhere else, and yet your nipples hardened underneath your bra.

“Why my brother doesn’t see the beauty of what you are, I know not,” he said, running a hand up her stomach. She moaned a little and leaned back further so that she was sitting on the edge of the table.

“He doesn’t know what he’s missing out on,” she said between breaths.

“Why don’t you show me?” He said as he pushed her down on the table and opened her blouse. You saw her breasts openly now as he walked in between her legs.

She hoisted up her skirt while he undid his pants. Your mouth was gaping open. Sif lifted herself up on her elbows so you could no longer see past Laufeyson’s belly button anymore. You moved your head up for a better view, but hit your head on the roof of the cabinet. Your heart stopped as you looked through the hatching and saw him look in your direction. Surprise flashed on his face for the briefest of seconds before he arranged his features back into an aroused state.

Professor Sif turned her head, “what was tha- “

He rammed himself into her, and she cried out with a gasp. She writhed on the table, arching her back. He placed his hands on her breasts and pinched her pink nipples as he thrust into her. You watched shamelessly, with a hand on our mouth as your body reacted to the scene. You looked up at his face and froze when you saw him looking right at you. He held her down and thrust into her with an almost violent ferocity. You felt a strange heat in your entire body as his gaze transfixed you in such a grossly inappropriate state.

He came in a short groan, eyes only leaving you once Professor Sif got up. Her skin almost glowed from the sweat and you wondered if that afterglow was always so beautiful.

“That was…” she said in a dreamy voice.

She slowly buttoned up her clothes. There was a section of hair at the back of her head that was sticking up. You might have laughed had you not been thinking about the needful look on Laufeyson’s face just before he came. It was seared into your mind and you felt your lower abdomen tighten at the thought.

The professor did up his pants and walked towards the cabinet, looking at you with an unreadable expression, eyebrows drawn in. A lock of hair fell around his temples, and he pushed it back with his hand. His abdominal muscles were clearly visible as he buttoned up his shirt. You saw the slanted lines on his hips that led to a place that you dared not imagine. Heat rippled through you at the notion.

He turned around in front of you so that all you could see were the backs of his black trousers. Was he...blocking you from view so that Professor Sif would not see? Surely not.

“Now, can you tell me where Odin’s journals are?” Professor Laufeyson said.

“What?”

“Oh, you know, there were certain…works that Odin wrote and left here. What I was talking about earlier today. Do you know where they are? I would imagine they’d be here in the restricted section. Though I have looked and there’s not much, that’s useful here.”

She straightened her shirt and looked at him. “I believe Headmistress Frigga had a cleaning done and removed several books from this section. They may be somewhere in her office now.”

“Ah, I see.” He leaned back on the cabinet.

“Is this why you wanted us to come to the library?” She scoffed. “Loki, you could have just asked if all you wanted were your father’s books,” Sif said.

Professor Sif said no more, rushing out of the restricted section and slamming the door.

Professor Laufeyson called to her, “as I recall, I came to you with a question. And you took our conversation elsewhere.” He lowered his voice then. “Nonetheless, this was far more entertaining,” he said, drumming his fingers on the surface just above you. He stepped away from the cabinet, and headed out the door without another word.

Your heart pounded in your ears. What the hell had you gotten yourself into?

[little-miss-dumpsterfire]

I think I made you up inside my head - chapter three

Chapter three my select few darlings! Yes, it’s already on wattpad (sorry if you’ve read it already) but I like to share!

Are you ready kids?

Chapter Three - I am only what you made me. I am only a reflection of you

Trigger warning - mental health issues and blood/gore.

If you're not comfortable, please skip. 💛

******************************************

Sharp tears prickled in his hazel eyes as the ability to form coherent words seemed to escape him. He had known the minor details surrounding Lindsay's untimely death - a reality tv darling dropping dead was headline-worthy - but her family were tight-lipped about the exact circumstances of her demise. His mind raced as he tried to comprehend how Izzy had known all of this; her knowledge rivalled that of a fly on the bathroom wall. As if she could hear his innermost thoughts, Izzy answered his unspoken question.

"I knew the right people to ask," she told him, brushing the hair out from in front of her eyes, "I knew she didn't just die. I wasn't going to let her death be treated in such a blasé fashion."

Axel choked, the words lodged deeply in his throat. "Bu- I mean... how did you get the mirror?"

"I found it one day. It was in a box on my doorstep. Any sane person would leave it be, but if the media established anything, I'm clearly not seen as sane. So I opened it. I don't know who sent it to me. My money's on a producer who revels in the sadistic thrill derived from the torment and suffering we went through. I couldn't throw it away though, because what would be left of her if I did? She was already condemned to the ground. I wasn't going to be the one to throw her memory to the wind."

Izzy looked to her left, her reflection dimly lit in the glass cabinet on the far wall. "In my head... all I think of is when it's all over, is this how I'll be defined? The final victim of Total Drama... that's etched into my brain. I'll become another knick-knack in a hall of curiosities. We're no longer people in here, Axel, we're collectables."

Thoughts bounced around erratically in Axel's head - conflicting notions manifesting like an angel and a devil on his shoulder. In front of him was a woman who was struggling with the turmoil outliving all of her friends. Yet, the magnetic pull of the almighty dollar swayed his actions towards chasing stardom.

He lightly gripped her forearm, giving her his best convincing empathetic smile.

"Tell me the stories. Let the voices out of the purgatory that is your mind. Everything...one, everyone in here will not be relegated to the sidelines, I won't let that happen." Axel assured Izzy, his warm smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.

Ignoring the suspicion that washed over her thoughts - for the time being at least - Izzy continued walking down the aisles of shelves. Axel shadowed her, following a few paces behind, mindlessly fiddling with the items on display. Two tarnished faux-gold lockets sat near each other, the two halves of the 'BFF' heart separate from one another. As he went to push the two sections together, Izzy stopped him abruptly and pushed his hand away.

"No," she started, startling Axel with the sudden sternness. "They can't be together. They don't share a heart anymore."

"So what? They grew out of being obnoxious teenage girls and went their separate ways. Big fucking deal!"

She stared daggers into him, holding the shelving for support. "You've got no idea, kid. Just because the sun's covered, it doesn't mean your shadow's gone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As far as appearances were concerned, Katie and Sadie were almost each other's doubles. Matching short pigtails with bright pink hair ties, coordinated short shorts, crop-tops and wedged sandals... the two looked like they fell from opposite sides of a funhouse mirror. To all of us on the cast, and the audience at home, no doubt, the only differentiating factor between the two was their build. Katie was slim and taller than Sadie by about four inches, whereas Sadie was shorter and carried more weight.

The two 'BFFL's sat together on the stairs leading to the dock, ready to film their segment for the opening sequence. Waiting for the crew to finish setting up the camera equipment, Katie busies herself with refastening her hair ties.

"Okay girls," an unseen producer informs them, "we need your best-infatuated expression. So give up wide eyes, big smiles, the whole nine yards."

The girls nod in response, awaiting their cue. Sadie clasped her hands against her chest - a wide smile plastered on her face - and Katie bit her lip coyly.

"And.... cut. Alright, move set to the dock for Beth's fire-baton stunt. Doug, remember the extinguisher this time." The producer called about. "Great job, girls. Especially you, Katie. That lip bite was dynamic."

Sadie looked to her right at her best friend. "Wait, you bit your lip? We agreed on a wide-mouthed smile."

"It's no big deal, I just wanted to try something different," Katie shrugged, readjusting her shoulder strap. "We can't always be the same, you know?"

Personality-wise, once you got to know them separately, it was like night and day. Katie was free-spirited, leading with her heart. Her passion for all things fashion was evident through her and Sadie's matching outfits and her behind-the-scenes chats with the likes of Lindsay and Heather. Sadie, on the other hand, was more logical, leading with her head. She was more likely to be the sheep as opposed to the shepherd. And when Katie was eliminated early? It was like leading a lamb to the slaughter.

Sadie sat on a jagged log at the campfire, head in her hands violently sobbing. Bridgette futilely offered her support, attempting to coax the girl from her hysterical state.

"Hey, Sadie, it'll be okay. You've got all us Killer Bass on your side." Bridgette lightly rubbed circles on the crying girl's back.

"No!" Sadie snapped at Bridgette, tears staining her cheeks. "It's not okay! I need Katie. When she's not near me, I break out in hives. She's my everything! I need her more than oxygen! Without her... I'll just die!"

Concerned expressions flashed on the faces of their fellow teammates as Sadie's wails echoed through the woods of Camp Wawanakwa. She clutched the debris from the dock closer to her chest; small cracks formed as wooden shrapnel shattered from around the edges.

What we thought back then was just a toxic 'uber' friendship between two sixteen-year-old girls was far more deep-rooted than any of us anticipated. Regarding Sadie... the best way to sum that up is to quote my dearly missed best friend Noah: 'Sadie is a whackjob with more baggage than an airport terminal'. But I suppose that is giving her a disservice. Upon Katie's departure, Chris was notified by Sadie's therapist of the extent of her mental state. I found out too because back then, well, let's just say you couldn't leave me in the dark for too long.

Sadie's childhood wasn't easy in the slightest. Her relationship with her birth parents was relatively non-existent. Therefore, she was surrendered into the custody of the state. The conveyor belt life of passing through the foster care system took a toll on the girl, with an absence of permanent parental love leaving holes in her heart. Her talkative nature and inhibitions to talk and hug strangers lead to her first visit to the therapist. She was a clear cut case for the child behavioural scientists: disinhibited social engagement disorder, an attachment disorder. Looking back, this was evident in all her future actions, particularly those with Katie.

The bell rang on the first day of their last year of high school. Sadie - dressed as per usual in fuchsia shorts and a striped crop top - eagerly skipped over to the locker of her best friend. As the locker door slammed and her friend came into view, the excited expression on Sadie's face dropped.

"K-Katie? What's this?" Sadie questioned, holding her sticker-covered folder flush against her chest.

Katie raised an eyebrow quizzically, straightening out her paper timetable to find her first classes location.

"What do you mean, Sadie?"

"I mean that!" the shorter girl exclaimed, gesturing at Katie's outfit. The taller girl had moved away from her typical Total Drama outfit, substituting it with a pair of denim jeans and a pastel pink cardigan.

"Oh, this? I just wanted to branch out a bit. I mean, matching outfits? What are we, twins?"

Katie giggled at her observation, with Sadie clearly missing the joke.

"Anyway, I have to get to English, but I'll see you around, yeah?" Katie chirped before walking off with two other girls.

Sadie stalked over to Katie's locker, using a spare hairpin to open it. Her heart broke upon looking at its contents. Gone were the photos of her and Sadie plastered onto her locker door. Cutouts from fashion magazines and runway shows lay in their wake and stuffed under a pile of books was the BFF necklace Sadie gifted her years prior.

Following their graduation, the pair had drifted apart. Katie received an offer to the most prestigious fashion school in Canada and left their small town for Toronto. Unbeknownst to her, Sadie followed suit and got a job at a sewing goods store. Sadie became Katie's shadow, desperately following her every move. Her morning routine was memorised, her coffee order became part of her mental wallpaper. Sadie's infatuation only grew, as in her mind, distance made the heart grow fonder. If only Katie knew that this distance was all of a few metres.

A harsh squeak dripped from the tired hinges of the ladder as Sadie climbed up the rungs, fastening something onto her wall. For her neighbours, the sound had become a part of their daily lives, as day after day, Sadie adhered more photos on the apartment wall. The collage of the lush green of leaves, the yellow of the bustling taxis and blue of the cloudless sky swirled around on the wall, catching a person's attention as they entered the room. A timber coffee table was neatly placed on the left, adorned with additional photo frames and miscellaneous decorations. The centrepiece to her display shimmered brightly when the morning sun shone through the gap in the curtains. Perched in a small, open velvet lines box was one half of a golden heart-shaped 'BFF' necklace.

Sadie took a step back and tilted her head, taking in the view from as many angles as she could. She had finally achieved the pinnacle of her undying love and infatuation for her former 'BFFL'. Neatly arranged across the length of the wall was a mural, dedicated to her muse, to the reason she woke up every morning. Candid photos of Katie walking down the street, exiting cars and meeting friends for coffee dates were carefully taken by the shadow she didn't know that she had.

A year and a half passed. There was a stark dichotomy between Katie and Sadie's lives. The final year of her fashion degree was approaching quickly, and Katie was not entering it alone. I don't know how many of us predicted it - probably Noah with his impeccable 'gaydar' - but Katie had fallen in love with an architecture student called Daisy. From what was depicted on their respective social media accounts, it was clear to us that they were enamoured with one another. The presence of another woman in Katie's life infuriated Sadie, as she believed that that position was reserved for her and her alone.

Then came the drop in the ocean that caused the whole tsunami. If it wasn't for Katie's selfless nature... well, I imagine things would've turned out a lot differently.

Katie sat cross-legged on the couch, a decorative throw rug draped across her lap. Their rescue cat, Archibald - a male calico - rested behind her head, purring with content as she opened her laptop. Her fingers barely touched the trackpad as she scrolled through her Facebook feed, bypassing ads for strange items and memes about the current political climate.

"Ekaterina," an auburn-haired girl walked through the doorway, a basket of washing in her hands. "I'm making something for lunch after I finish this washing. I'll probably use what's left in the fridge and make a frittata. D'you want some?"

"Ooh, yes please, Dais," Katie smiled at her partner, who poked her tongue out at the use of her nickname.

Katie clicked on her latest post to see who had reacted and liked. A smile crept across Katie's face as she clicked onto the picture: a photoshoot in a field on flowers where a bright ring sparkled on Katie's ring finger. She looked down at her left hand, still in a state of shock at Daisy's proposal. One name stuck out as Katie scrolled through the comments. She hadn't thought of them for years now and wondered what they were getting up to.

She clicked on their profile to compose a new message. Daisy walked up behind her and scratched Archibald's head before planting a kiss behind Katie's ear.

"Oooh, who are you talking to? Not your girlfriend, I hope," Daisy taunted, giggling breathlessly.

Katie threw her head back against the couch cushion and looked up at her fiancée.

"Yeah, I'm shopping elsewhere. I need someone who appreciates my nicknames!" Katie threw back, puffing her cheeks out comically. "No, you goose. It's this girl I used to go to school with. It's been forever and a day, and I thought I'd see how she's going."

"Sadie Calhoun... isn't she that one you went on that show with?"

"Yeah... I felt like such a poser back then. I don't think I've ever squealed since," Katie responded.

"Hey, people change. I had such a crush on you when I saw you on TV, and look now!" Daisy told her before walking away towards the kitchen. "I snagged the girl of my dreams!"

Katie laughed as she typed an introductory line, sending it through before closing her laptop.

*********

A sudden buzz from her phone against the wooden table shook Sadie out of her delirium. She had been sat before her photo wall, carefully cutting out photos of her face for what could have been hours. Paper scraps lined the wooden flooring like irregular speckles of snow as Sadie rose to her feet. Picking up her phone, her eyes shone brightly with its blue light as a squeal escaped from between her lips.

On her screen - behind the myriad of cracks and scratches - sat a notification that held Sadie's heart in a tight grip: Message request from Ekaterina Byers.

If this were a sitcom, I'm sure Sadie would've pinched herself at that moment to assure that she wasn't dreaming. But with one olive branch in the form of an instant message, Katie had signed her own death warrant.

Sadie opened the notification with bated breath, her cheeks aching from the smile that was cemented in place. Her heart fluttered with anxious butterflies as she read the message.

Ekaterina Byers:

"Hi, Sadie. I wonder if you remember me, probably not! High school seems like forever ago! Haha! 😝  I just thought I'd reach out and see if you wanted to get a coffee sometime and just catch up on life!"

The words swirled and danced before Sadie, who lovingly took in every single one with deep adoration and love. Everything she had wanted to tell her, the praise she had wanted to shower Katie in bounced around in her head. She placed her phone down, forcing herself to calm down before she wrote a response.

Sadie Calhoun:

"Oh, hi! OMG! Of course, I remember you! I'd love to catch up! You're the busy fashion designer, so you pick a time when you can squeeze an old friend in! 😎 💕" Watching the three dots in the bottom left corner caused Sadie's breath to hitch in her throat. She was typing... Katie was typing. They'd finally be reunited, not just from behind a camera lens. She felt as if she was in the painting 'The Creation of Adam', just a fingers touch away from her god, her whole world.

Ekaterina Byers:

"Haha, as if! I'm not there yet 😂  Would next Friday suit? Say about 9am at the Good Coffee Co. I need to hand in my portfolio at 8:30 so that'd work well."

Impulsively, acting out of desperation alone, Sadie immediately responded.

Sadie Calhoun:

"Yes! I'll be there! See you soon, Katie! 💕"

Sadie locked her phone before focusing her attention back to her craft. She picked up her scissors, skilfully manoeuvring around the edges of the photos. She stuck the product onto the wall and gazed upon it proudly. Hundreds of small cut out photos of her head were plastered on the wall, covering up any person Katie was with, replacing them with herself.

They did meet up, that much we do know. Testimonials from five different individuals confirmed that they saw the two girls at that café on Friday the 25th. What they talked about is up for speculation, because that stayed between the two of them. Why were testimonials needed if two young adults were just catching up over a cup of coffee? Because that was the last time Sadie Calhoun and Ekaterina 'Katie' Byers were seen alive.

Katie's eyelids drooped as she sat in the passenger seat of Sadie's car. Sadie - the 'good samaritan' that she was - had offered to drive Katie home after she suddenly felt light-headed following her coffee. Sadie parked in the driveway and opened Katie's door for her, helping her up as she tiredly hobbled towards the front door. Katie wearily collapsed onto the couch, her eyes barely registering the environment around her. She could hear faint crashing and shattering sounds as she struggled to keep her eyes open. She looked down upon the couch she was dozing on and sat up with a start.

"This isn't my house," she whispered to herself, scanning the room for any familiar objects. She froze in place when she spotted something utterly recognisable to her: her face. Hundreds of different angles of her face created a mosaic, a shrine to a friendship that was never meant to last.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Sadie smiled sweetly as she entered the room. "It couldn't be anything but. Not when the subject is as exquisite as you."

Confusion washed over Katie's face as Sadie approached her, a clothed parcel delicately held in her hands. Sadie reached up to caress her old friend's cheek; Katie snaked away from the touch, petrified of the girl in front of her.

"Hmm. That's the problem, isn't it?" Sadie soliloquised, her grey eyes meeting Katie's scared onyx eyes. "You stopped being Katie. You stopped being my best friend. I know Katie is living in those photos, not 'Ekaterina'. Katie wouldn't have left me. No, not at all. Forever isn't a term to just throw around."

Black tears dripped down Katie's face as she silently sobbed. "W-we were kids. What we were wa-wasn't healthy. We're two separate people, Sadie! I couldn't live being so connected to a shadow. I wanted t-to shine on my own."

"But I don't wanna be separate people! I want to be with you... to be you. To never be apart from you!" Sadie passionately yelled as Katie started to slump down in front of her. The world around her became dark as her lids closed tightly. As her consciousness drifted, a phrase echoed through her head.

"Don't worry now. We'll never be apart again."

*********

Excruciating pain emanating from her side woke her with a jolt. A dull haze covered her field of vision, but as she pulled her hand away from her waist, she could see it as clear as day. A warm layer of blood coated her hand like a glove. Her eyes slowly settled to the room she was in. Metres ahead of her was the collage of photos, but the furniture has been removed, leaving a wide-open space.

Her fingers felt around to find the source of the pain, coming across thick strands of string attached to her waist. A scream silently bubbled up inside her, threatening to explode.

Rough, uneven strands of double-wound fishing wire had been haphazardly sewn into both her and Sadie's sides, connecting them to each other.

A groggy smile spread across Sadie's plump cheeks as she revelled in her actions. "I told you we'll never be apart again."

An extreme shock was the only emotion Katie was able to come to terms with. Her body was statuesque; set in place by a fear-driven paralysis. A dryness inhabited her mouth, inhibiting her ability to swallow the truth in front of her. The room swayed and distorted around her - a prison cell painted with her face - as she forced her eyelids shut. This couldn't be reality. It was the sick dream of a girl trapped in the suffocating world of a teenage girl.

The pain Sadie felt in her abdomen only further fuelled her pleasure, letting every wave of pain wash over her in euphoric ecstasy. Her heart felt complete again as if she had regained a long-lost limb.

"I knew we'd become one again," Sadie hummed, intoxicated by being in Katie's presence. "Daisy was just a placeholder... keeping the bed warm for me. With every thread... every stitch... our closeness is now defined. We'll never be apart again. Best friends for life."

"...for...life," Katie mumbled, fresh blood weeping from her wounds.

Night and day passed slowly, the shadows cast from the pair forming contorted, misshapen dark splotches on the walls. A sickening warmth surrounded Katie, whose heartbeat pounded heavily in her ears. Her waist was bruising a deep purple, with the surrounding blood vessels snaking across her abdomen. Sadie was shaken awake by Katie's convulsions as her body became slick with a layer of sweat.

"Katie? I'm here, it's okay."

"I don't feel good... I want Daisy," Katie slurred, lazily searching the room for her partner.

The 'tethering' procedure was as wildly unsuccessful as one could imagine. Sadie's homemade suture kit - a sharpened metal knitting needle and fishing line - only managed to pierce through Katie's large intestine. Bile and stool seeped into her abdomen, eventually finding their way into her bloodstream. The coroner estimated she died two days later of septic shock.

A thin beam of light eclipsed the drawn curtains and rested on Sadie's face as dawn broke. Her hand moved softly to caress Katie's hand; a stiff claw lay in her wake. An overwhelming panic flooded Sadie's system as she attempted to wake the other girl from her 'deep' slumber. Half-lidded blood-red eyes stared back at Sadie, a trickle of dried blood pooled at her temple. Sadie's heart shattered like a golden locket as she cradled the limp body in her arms, pulling the skin taut around her suture wounds. The shadow had won. It had succeeded in snuffing out what was left of the light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What happened to Sadie in the end?" Axel asked, taking a minute amount of sadistic glee from the story.

Izzy turned to face the young man. A single tear crept down her cheek as she fiddled with her rings. "She refused to live without Katie. She starved to death, all the while she left Katie's decomposing corpse attached to her hip like a growth."

Izzy wiped the tear from her eye, suppressing sniffles as Axel glanced around the room.

"Hmm...Alright. Who's next then?"