Title: Painful Memories
Characters: Juliette/Eve
Prompt: memories
Words: 240

:::

Juliette was lying on the small bed in her room. Just bare walls around her, an empty shelf, a steel table, and a chair. Nothing personal. Not that it wasn't allowed, but what could she have put up?

Yes, she could still remember her past, happy times spent with Nick; Monroe and Rosalie, her closest friends. All, they had gone through together. Her job as a vet, how much she had loved it. But she's no longer part of all this. She couldn't help it; as much as she had loved her former life, as much she had learned to hate thinking about it.

It had been her own decision to do the ritual, despite Rosalie and even Sean Renard having warned her that there could be some side effects. She had thought about pain, nightmares, maybe even death. But she hadn't been prepared for what happened then.

She had turned into a Hexenbiest. Had paid with her mind and finally her life. Maybe the decision to come back from the death had been wrong, but she wanted so desperately at least something good to come out of all this.

Now, she was Eve, not Juliette any longer. The memories of her past life had turned into painful tales that she preferred not to think about. Only rarely, when she was alone in her room, like just now, did she allow herself to mourn about all she had left behind.

Title: His heart is broken, but he still smiles
Characters: Casey Connor, Zeke Tyler
Prompt: drabble / song-lyric
Words: 100

Used Song: The show must go on - Queen
Lyric: Inside my heart is breaking … But my smile still stays on

:::

„Columbus!“ Casey grinned widely. „I'll go to New York!“

Zeke cringed inwardly. His heart seemed to fall into pieces. Strange enough. He had never been a guy for a serious relationship, but Casey had managed to sneak much too deep into his heart. He wasn't ready to let him go. Not yet!

But he had no right to ruin Casey's big day; all his dreams would come true, and for sure, he deserved it.

So Zeke put on a smile and answered: “That's great news, geek boy. Congratulations!“

Title: The Harlequin
Original Work
Prompt: Harlequin
Words: 67 / 14 lines

:::

They called him a harlequin,
A silly clown.
Everyone only saw the mask,
He used to hide behind.
No one noticed the truth.
His hidden tears, his loneliness.
His desperate cry for help.

Until he met him.
His soulmate, both day and night.
Together, they could face the world.
Make it through the hardest times.
Or they would go down,
hand in hand.
Never alone again.

Title: An Embarrassing Moment
Characters: Casey Connor, mention of Zeke Tyler, Josh Hartnett
Prompt: any, any, mistaking a stranger for a friend
Words: 431

:::

His backpack over his shoulder, Casey stepped out of the house... and stopped dead. This guy, only some steps away, standing in front of the thrift store, looked just too familiar. The tight jeans, paired with a plain, beige-brown long-sleeved shirt. Sunglasses. Short cut brown hair.

Zeke! Casey's heart beat quicker. It had been a while since he had last seen him. Last autumn, a few days before he was moving to New York to attend Columbia. It had ended with a fight. He had told Zeke to adhere to their plans, although he had his difficulties understanding Zeke's decision to work as a mechanic instead of attending college. Zeke was clever, perhaps even more brilliant than he, Casey. But he could be so stubborn. Had told him that it was better to go their separate ways, better for both of them.

„It was cool to hang around with you after school,“ he had said, “but, c'mon, you and me, we are so different. Sharing an apartment, that would never work. I'm a rebel; you are the one with the brilliant mind and a future.“ And when he noticed tears in Casey's eyes, he winked. „Don't worry, dramaqueen, you will forget me the moment you reach New York.“

And he had been right, New York was great, and Casey enjoyed his new life. But he never gave up the thought that, together with Zeke, it would have been even more fun.

And now, he was here, in New York, near the Bronx. Next to the house where he was living. Casey licked his suddenly dry lips. He had never told Zeke the address of his tiny apartment in the basement, but Zeke had always been good at finding out other people's secrets. Maybe he wanted to apologize for his stupid behavior. Maybe he even missed him. Maybe he had changed his mind about staying in Ohio.

A grin turned up on Casey's face, and he forced it back. No, he wouldn't make it so easy for him; he deserved it if he kept him on tenderhooks for a while. Silently, he stepped closer and put his hand on the young man's arm. „Now, that's a surprise. What are you doing here in New York, dickhead?“

Zeke turned around, a light smile on his lips... and Casey stiffened.

This was … not Zeke! Oh shit! He blushed deeply. How embarrassing was this? Maybe the earth could open up and swallow him? However, this didn't happen, of course.

„Just a little bit of shopping,“ Josh Hartnett answered. „Nice to meet you!“

Title: My Life is over!
Characters: Casey Connor, Zeke Tyler
Prompt: it's over
Words: 865

:::

„Hey!“ Zeke eyed Casey thoughtfully. „What's wrong with you today?“

The boy didn't bother to look up; he only shrugged.

„C'mon, it can't be that bad. You are a golden boy who never pulls shit!“

Casey huffed. „You don't know anything about me. We share a lab table in chemistry and sometimes the bleachers during lunchbreak. That's fucking all. We are not friends.“

„Okay.“ Zeke smirked, surprised by this sudden outbreak. „Wanna talk about it?“

„About what?“

„Seems as if you are in trouble. Maybe I can help.“

„Geez!“ Casey rolled his eyes. „No one can help me. I'm a freak.“

„You are a bit of a drama queen today, that's all. I would offer you some Scat to wind down, but I know you never touch this stuff.“

„I might change my mind, to forget my fucked-up life at least for some moments.“ Casey blinked some tears away. „I don't even know if I will still have a home when I get back after school."

„Okay, now you are overreacting. Whatever you have done, I am sure, this will never happen. Your parents adore you beyond all reason.“

„That was before they found the photo this morning. I am such an idiot; I knew I should have burned it.“

„A photo?“ Zeke frowned, feeling clueless. „But they know, you are a talented photographer. You even got a partial scholarship for a private art school in Columbus.“

„Not this kind of photo.“ Casey turned away, but Zeke could see him blushing anyway. „A selfie. Me … kissing...“

„Holy shit! That's all?“ Zeke grinned wildly. „You will turn eighteen next month, it's about time that you kiss a girl. As long as it is not Delilah bitch. Tell me, is she pretty? Where do you know her from?“

Casey kept quiet for a long while, but when Zeke no longer expected an answer, he finally looked up and shrugged. „If you want to know. Chess club. His name is Pete. He's a nice guy, and sometimes we hang out a bit afterward. Last weekend it was his birthday, and I'm afraid we both got a bit tipsy. This kiss... it was only a joke, but this doesn't make it better. My parents will hate me from now on.“

„Oh! Understand.“ Zeke looked at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement. So, the golden boy from Herrington High, Casey Connor, who used to wear much too wide jeans and stupid checkered shirts, a photogeek, who loved chess and hated every kind of sport, had some secrets, not even he, Zeke, had known about. And usually, he knew all about everyone at school. You could never know what it was good for.

Casey glared at him. „No, you don't! You are used to live alone; your parents give a shit about you! But my parents care; they love me, my dad is busting his butt at work to send me to the college of my choice. And now I am ruining their life.“

„Because of what? Because of a kiss?“

"I kissed a guy!"

Zeke shrugged. "Well, this can happen."

Casey gasped for air. „But I am not...“ he wanted to protest, but stopped midsentence. Lying to Zeke never seemed to make sense; it was as if he could read him like an open book. „I don't know. Maybe I am gay. Or bi. Or whatever. Kissing Pete was so much different than the fake kisses from Delilah. God, my life is over.“

„Don't be silly. Okay, I will admit, being openly gay in Herrington is not the smartest thing, but I am sure your parents would get over the shock quickly. And when you are moving to Columbus next autumn, the world is open for you. The gay community there is not as big as in New York or San Francisco, but there are some nice places.“

Casey frowned. „What do you know about the gay scene in Columbus? “ he asked.

Zeke grinned. „Let me put it this way: I like variety, and Herrington doesn't have much to offer.“

„This cannot be! You are so not gay!“

„Well, I didn't say that. But I like the gay club scene. You could come with me next time when I am going to Columbus; check out if you feel better there. No one will care about it if you are gay, bi, or whatever. Just be yourself and everything is fine.“

Casey licked his suddenly dry lips. „You and me? Together in a club?“

"Why not? Might be fun!"

"Strange."

„What are you afraid of? “ Zeke teased him. „I promise, I won't tempt you to do things you do not want to do. Though it is said that I am a good lover.“

Silence for a while, then Casey huffed: „God, you are such an asshole. I really don't know why I hang around with you.“

„Because,“ Zeke stepped closer, stretching out his hand, but did not touch the boy who stared at him with his eyes wide open,“ I can show you that your life isn't over yet, but just beginning.“

Title: The Sound of Silence
Characters: Mr. Smith
Prompt: sound of silence
Words: 147

:::

Frowning, Smith opened his eyes. Not a nightmare had woken him from sleep; something was different today. The rain had finally stopped, and a fresh smell of grass and wet soil filled the air. The sun just started to rise from behind the clouds, promising a beautiful day.

Smith sat up. It was not that. He listened hard. Nothing! Silence!

Since he woke up on the shore of the lake months ago, the booming voice had been in his head. He had tried to ignore it at first, but no one could escape God's voice. It was omnipresent, every hour, every minute. Every day and every night.

But now – silence. Smith relaxed and smiled. He wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad omen. But for the moment, he didn't care. He would enjoy the sound of silence as long as it lasted.

Title: Trapped in a Labyrinth of Infinity
Characters: Zeke Tyler, Casey Connor, mention of Deliah Profitt
Prompt: Yahtzee - picture of a girl in a labyrinth
Words: 566

:::

„Hey, geek boy,“

Casey barely looked up. “Hi!“

Zeke frowned, alarmed. „Okay, what's wrong?“

„I am fine!“

„No, you are not, don't try to fool me. What is it? A nightmare again?“

"Not exactly a nightmare." A deep sigh. „Do you think we can go visit Delilah today?“

Zeke kept quiet. Not how he had pictured spending the day. Visiting Delilah at the hospital would bring back lots of memories he preferred not to think about. Thoughtfully, he eyed his friend. He was pale; for sure, he hadn't slept well during the last nights. „Will you ever stop tormenting yourself?“ he asked. „It is not your fault what happened to her. It's actually no one's fault. No one was prepared for an alien queen, trying to take over the world.“

Casey shrugged. „If I hadn't hesitated... maybe I would have been at the swimming pool in time to save her, too.“

„If you had been there in time, you would be locked up at the hospital's lab with Delilah now.“ Zeke shuddered visibly; he preferred not to picture this. No one should be forced to exist like that; not dead, but neither alive. A kind of a zombie; Delilah was able to breathe, to move awkwardly. The sounds she made were not human; her eyes, hidden behind thick sunglasses because she couldn't bear daylight any longer, were dark and empty. She had nothing in common anymore with the pretty, smart cheerleader bitch she had been once. And no one, no doctor, no professor, no expert in the whole world had been able to help her so far.

To be honest, Zeke had never been a big fan of her, but even he felt miserable when thinking about her now. Maybe it would have been better if she hadn't survived that night. Better for her, better for the world. Better for Casey. Yes, he would mourn about her, but finally, he would be able to look forward again.

Now? The thought of Delilah tormented him every day anew. Although they had never been close friends, he had worked with her on the school's magazine, and she had respected him for his photography skills. Probably, Casey had saved the world when he finally, when everything seemed lost, stepped up against the alien queen. Everyone survived unharmed; even the infected people returned to their normal selves within a few days. Everyone but Delilah. Probably, she would continue to exist like a living dead until one day she would find salvation. And while everyone else called Casey a hero, he would never stop blaming himself for betraying her.

„It feels as if this is the place where I should be right now. She needs me!“ Casey looked at Zeke with his blue eyes wide open. „I know, you don't believe in this, but she calls for me in my dreams. She is still there, Zeke, and I need to reach out to her, to help her!“

:::

An endless, small way. High walls on both sides, built out of countless steel plates.

A young woman; brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses. Wearing a transparent, long dress. Her hands running over the cold, steely plates.

There was no escape from this labyrinth. She would wander around here forever. No past, no future. No memories.

Casey! Suddenly, a whisper in her mind. It got loud and louder. Casey! Casey!! Ca...sey!!!

Title: Moving on to College
Characters: Zeke Tyler, Stokely Mitchell
Prompt: our song
Words: 329
Note: dialogue only

:::

„So, do you miss him?“

„I always knew that he would move on one day. He is much too smart for a city college in Ohio.“

„Sure, he is. But that was not the question. Do you miss him?“

„Mpfh. That's life. No need to make a drama.“

„Geez, Zeke, do you always need to play the uncaring shit? As if he didn't mean anything to you.“

„We had some fun, that's all.“

„Sure. And that's the reason why you almost freaked out yesterday, when Stan was playing this song? Obsessed with you by the Orion Experience.“

„Pathetic song!“

„Casey told me that you once called it 'our song'.“

„Casey is a geek; he tells a lot of shit.“

„And that's why you miss him?“

„God, Stokes, I am not missing him. He did the only right thing, grabbing the chance to leave this hellhole behind.“

„Hm. And why are you still here? What's holding you back? A job in a shabby garage? Oh, c'mon, that's ridiculous. I am sure, also in Massachusetts, people own cars and need a good mechanic now and then.“

… …

„You don't get it! I am not a guy for a serious relationship. And I don't want to hurt him.“

„You are such a pathetic coward! Maybe you are right. He deserves someone better than you. I've heard he is already very close with his roommate. Wealthy parents, a bit of a macho, but Casey seems to like him.“

„Where do you know this from?“

„Met his mom this morning at the mall. She seems slightly worried. Told me that she wished you had been gone with him, to have an eye on him.“

„Fuck you, Stokes! She is a motherhen, everyone knows this. Casey doesn't need a babysitter."

„Sure thing. But, in case you are going to Massachusetts sometime soon, say Casey hello.“

Title: Gentle Massage
Characters: Abigail Bianchi, Daniel Svensson
Prompt: gentle massage
Words: 242

:::

I closed my eyes and sighed when the warm hands of my half-brother gently started to massage my neck and shoulders. Oh, this was good. The day had been so stressful, and my muscles felt much too tense; I would end up with a massive headache tonight when I wasn't able to relax.

It was not that Daniel and I were very close; we had met for the first time about eight months ago, and I knew, for Daniel, I was more a rival than the long-lost sister. Even more surprising was that he had offered the massage right away when noticing my futile attempt to release at least some tension.

„Where have you learned to do this,“ I asked. „You do better than my last physiotherapist, and I have paid him lots of money.“

„A lifestyle guru in India; I try to visit his seminars at least once a year. I pay him a lot of money, too, but he is worth it.“

A guru?! I stiffened inwardly, pictures crossing my mind of half naked people walking over living coal and sex orgies. My half-brother being one of them. Oh God! I shook my head to get rid of these ideas. As if he could read my mind, I could hear Daniel slightly laughing. His gentle hands kneaded my muscles once more. „You are overreacting, as always. Relax, or you will ruin everything. That's the problem of your life!“

Title: A Future without Casey
Characters: Zeke Tyler, Casey Connor
Prompt: regret
Words: 180

:::

„I will miss you!“ Casey murmured.

Zeke put on his smuggest grin. „No, you won't. You are going to live your dream. There won't be much time to miss good old Herrington.“

„I wish you could come with me. MIT together with you would be double the fun.“

Zeke sighed with relief when the announcement at the airport saved him from answering. „Guess, it's time to go, geek boy,“ he said, pulling him in a last fleeting hug. „Don't look back! Just have fun. You deserve it!“

Ignoring the tears in Casey's eyes, he pushed him toward the gate. Inwardly, he could feel regret growing in his gut. All the time, he had tried to tell himself that letting Casey go was the only right thing. But maybe he had only been a coward, much too afraid to admit his true feelings.

Zeke watched him vanishing in the crowd, and turned away. Now, it was too late. All he could do was to dive back into the lonely life he had enjoyed so much before Casey.