This way-more-abstractly-metaphorical-than-I-usually-write story was inspired by one of the exercises in Holly Lisle’s “How to Beat Writer’s Block.” She calls him her “muse”; I call her my very life-breath.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119:28)
Flashlight in hand, I progress slowly down each step, toward the dungeon in which I keep my soul. Repeating drops of condensation drip, drip, drip and echo off the cold, dead walls. The scent of urine and defecation permeates the air, and intermingles with a poison must.
I loathe this place, which reeks of hell and depression.
I approach the cage. My keys rattle against the thick, steel slats, as I wrestle with the heavy padlock.
The noise rouses my soul from her bed on the concrete. She glares at me in terror, her once luminous countenance now merely flickering a dim grey, bruised and mottled from years of abuse and neglect. She slinks into the opposite corner. I swing the gate open, slowly enter the cage, but do not approach her. The horror of a hundred thousand past encounters etches itself into her eyes, as they follow me, tracking me.
I stoop in my corner of the cage. I try not to touch the floor with my knees or hands, but I cannot get down to her eye-level, because she is balled up tight as an armadillo bug, her eyes peeking out from behind emaciated fingers.
“I wanted you to make me popular, powerful,” I explain. “I expected you to do whatever necessary, whatever I demanded. I thought that would bring me fame and fortune, and fame and fortune would bring me happiness.”
My eyes stare as into the void.
“But it didn’t work,” stolid. “And now there’s no one left in the house but you and me. And I’ve all but killed you.”
I rise, not knowing what else I might say. I want to tell her I’m sorry, but I know she cannot believe me. I have worn out any trust she may have ever had for me.
“I’ll leave the door open for you. I hope you decide to rejoin me upstairs.” I begin to leave.
Pausing: “For what it’s worth, I promise never to make demands like that of you again. I promise from now on, we’ll only create what we both desire to create. And I’ll never cage you again or attempt to restrain you.”
No answer. No movement.
I return to my favorite space, in the once-bright reaches of my home, a place formerly full of possibilities and promise. Now, dark except for a single, yellow incandescent lamp.
In the distance, a tentative step falls on my ear. And another. Getting closer now.
And the tiniest tear I feel returning to the corner of my dry eye.
здесь зеркало vodka bet
the canadian pharmacy https://viagranewark.com/# Viagra Newark
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I liked this post. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Cor Pharmacy: CorPharmacy – CorPharmacy
CorPharmacy: canadian mail order pharmacy – Cor Pharmacy
аренда механических строительных лесов продажа фасадных лесов
ed meds cheap Ed Pills Afib EdPillsAfib
As the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.
наркологические клиники москва наркологические клиники москва .
такой сайт kraken darknet
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
https://tradnity.com/2025/10/25/melbet-skachat-prilozhenie-na-kompyuter-2025/
Hey! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
https://melati888.org/melbet-registracii-2025-polnyy-gayd/
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay a quick visit this website on regular basis to get updated from newest news update.
https://dana188.net/melbet-obzor-2025/
“QQ88 – Sân chơi cá cược đẳng cấp châu Á, bảo mật cao, nạp rút nhanh 24/7. Hàng trăm game hấp dẫn từ casino, nổ hũ, đá gà đến thể thao đang chờ bạn khám phá.”
canadian pharmacy prescription https://edpillsafib.com/# EdPillsAfib
I need to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I certainly loved every bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new stuff you post…
Cheap generic Viagra online: ViagraNewark – Viagra Newark
Потолок Армстронг http://www.potolok-armstrong1.ru/ .
электрические карнизы для штор в москве elektrokarnizmoskva.ru .
электрокарнизы цена elektrokarniz1.ru .
Cor Pharmacy: CorPharmacy – CorPharmacy
seo продвижение рейтинг компаний seo продвижение рейтинг компаний .
электрические гардины prokarniz36.ru .
удаленная работа для подростков Фриланс в интернете: безграничные возможности. Интернет предоставляет огромные возможности для фриланса. Здесь можно найти работу на любой вкус и уровень квалификации.
оценка ущерба при заливе квартиры оценка ущерба при заливе квартиры .
Viagra Newark ViagraNewark generic sildenafil
филлер цена http://www.filler-kupit.ru .
фриланс работа Удаленная работа на дому без опыта — продолжение темы для новичков: можно начать с заданий на транскрибацию, модерацию контента и базовой веб-аналитики. Важно сосредоточиться на создании портфолио небольших проектов: размещайте примеры работ, тестовые материалы и фрагменты решений, чтобы показать способность работать самостоятельно. Освоение базовых инструментов онлайн-работы: создание учётных записей в облаке, работа с документами, основами общения в чатах, а также базовые навыки поиска информации и самоконтроля. Регистрация на платформах фриланса и участие в проектах для новичков помогут набрать первые отзывы и рейтинги. Не забывайте про обучение: онлайн-курсы по копирайтингу, SEO-оптимизации, дизайну и основам программирования существенно ускоряют путь к более сложным вакансиям.
https://viagranewark.com/# Viagra Newark
I read this post completely about the resemblance of most up-to-date and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.
удаленная работа на дому Удаленная работа на дому: вакансии без опыта. Ищите вакансии, которые не требуют опыта, и будьте готовы к обучению. Многие компании предлагают бесплатные курсы и тренинги для своих удаленных сотрудников.
prescription drugs online without http://corpharmacy.com/# www pharmacyonline
Viagra Newark: ViagraNewark – Viagra Newark
Asking questions are in fact pleasant thing if you are not understanding something totally, except this paragraph provides nice understanding yet.
Подвесной потолок Армстронг https://www.potolok-armstrong1.ru .
карниз электроприводом штор купить http://www.elektrokarnizmoskva.ru/ .
электрокарниз недорого https://www.elektrokarniz1.ru .
удаленная работа для подростков Удалённая работа для подростков: первые шаги в карьере. Подростки могут найти простые задания в интернете, такие как написание текстов, обработка фотографий или помощь в социальных сетях. Это отличный способ заработать первые деньги и получить опыт.
Viagra Newark: Viagra Newark – ViagraNewark
карниз моторизованный https://www.prokarniz36.ru .
CorPharmacy CorPharmacy best canadian pharmacy for viagra
сколько стоит экспертиза после залива ekspertiza-zaliva-kvartiry-5.ru .
интернет магазин филлеров интернет магазин филлеров .
largest canadian pharmacy http://corpharmacy.com/# CorPharmacy
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this site regularly, this site is truly nice and the users are truly sharing pleasant thoughts.
https://exclusiveglobalservices.com/melbet-kazino-obzor-2025/
смотреть здесь зеркало водка бет
For latest news you have to pay a visit world wide web and on web I found this site as a best site for most up-to-date updates.
https://kosmetologi-shop.ru/2025/10/26/sait-melbet-2025-obzor-bukmekera/
Подвесной потолок Армстронг https://www.potolok-armstrong1.ru .
карнизы с электроприводом карнизы с электроприводом .
электрокарнизы для штор купить в москве elektrokarniz1.ru .