u/Gay_Writer1224

Hello, I am 18 and kinda new to writing. I am also not used to writing more emotional stories; the majority of what I write is psychological horror or cosmic horror. I recently wrote a short story and was wondering if anyone would be willing to read and review it. I would like to know what I could do better. It's 1,853 words, but it can't go over 2000. It's called "When the World Turns Colorful." It's written below if you would like to read it, pls I need advice on how it could be better. l

P.S. It has a gay couple as the main characters, so if you aren't comfortable with that, then just leave; you don't have to read it or spread hate. I will not change the sexualities of my characters due to hate; this is how the story is meant to be read. LOVE Y'ALL

The day the world turned colorful was the day we all knew it was over. Days earlier, impossible blossoms had begun appearing in the most unforgiving corners of the earth, from the scorching sands of the Sahara to the frozen expanses of the tundra. Scientists blamed global warming; the religious preached the end times. But on the fifteenth of May, the debate was over. Flowers erupted from every crack, crevice, and concrete highway on Earth—some a brilliant gold and red, others a deep, mesmerizing purple and blue. That morning, looking out our windows, we saw the true, terrifying beauty of the planet. It was as if the world finally let out a breath it had been holding for centuries. Nothing mattered anymore. No one went to work. No deadlines were met. We simply gathered outside, realizing we had spent our entire existence in a futile attempt to overpower nature. 

That morning, Alex woke up to a morning just like any other. However, when he opened the window, he froze in shock. Their lawn had been completely taken over by flowers. Even inside the house, small, vibrant petals were pushing through the floorboards beneath his feet.

Alex ran over to wake Magnus up. “Magnus, Magnus. Look outside.”

Magnus groaned, burying his face in his pillow, and tried to swat Alex away.

“No, really, you have to look at this.”

Magnus slowly pulled himself out of bed, muttering under his breath. “I swear to the Axolotl, if it’s another cute squirrel, I’m going to kill you.”

Alex grabbed Magnus’s hand and half-guided, half-dragged him to the window. Magnus’s eyes went wide when he saw the transformation.

“Let’s go look outside,” Alex said, already walking toward the door, still holding Magnus’s hand tightly. “Are you coming?”

Magnus hadn’t moved from his spot. “Oh, of course.” He blushed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I zoned out for a second.”

Magnus followed Alex out the front door. Outside, the flowers appeared even more vivid. Alex went running wildly around their yard, inspecting the endless sea of color. When Magnus looked down the street, he found that every single neighbor was out in their front yards, staring blankly at the flora.

He looked closely at his feet; they just looked like normal flowers, but there were millions of them, expanding by the second. As he stared down, a cold realization washed over him: this was the end. Not just for him, but for everyone. It should have made him panic, but strangely, it didn’t. For some reason, it just made him feel incredibly grateful.

He walked over to Alex and sat down next to him. Alex smiled warmly, and they both laid back to look at the clouds. Magnus rolled over, watching Alex's smile as he pointed out shapes in the sky. He looked so genuinely happy. His smile was infectious, and before Magnus knew it, he was laughing and smiling, too. Together, they laid in the flowers for hours, though Magnus secretly wished it could have lasted forever.

Soon, Alex sat up. “You know what would be fun?” He had that rare glint of hope in his eyes that Magnus hadn't seen in years.

“Where?” Magnus laughed.

“We should go back to the lake.” Alex looked up at Magnus with his warm brown eyes.

Magnus smiled gently. “What a wonderful idea.”

Magnus grabbed the car keys, and they were off. As they drove out of town, they could see people lying peacefully in the grass, and children chasing each other, laughing through the overgrowth. It was as if the world had entirely stopped for this one day. It felt like all the whimsy people lost when they grew up had suddenly come flooding back.

On the drive, Alex talked about his life. It seemed like all it took was the end of the world to show everyone that this one life was precious.

“I always loved this lake; I was so happy I was able to share it with you, too. I used to go here with my parents, but…” He trailed off, his voice cracking. Magnus had never pushed Alex to talk about his family; he knew the situation was complicated, and left it at that.

Wiping his eyes with his jacket sleeve, Alex continued. “But they disowned me for being me. Sometimes I regret telling them. I wish I could have shared just one more lake day with them.” Alex gave Magnus a shaky smile, his eyes shimmering with tears.

Magnus immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Alex, you never had to tell me that. I’m so sorry.” Magnus leaned over, pulling Alex tightly into his arms, and gently kissed the top of Alex’s head.

“It was important to tell you,” Alex whispered, looking up. Magnus’s light blue eyes were also filled with tears. “Whenever I think about how my life would be if I had never told them, I just look at you and remember it was all worth it.”

Magnus couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. For a long minute, they both just cried into each other's arms.

“I love you so much; you better know that,” Magnus choked out, burying his face in Alex’s shoulder.

Alex looked directly into Magnus’s eyes. “Leaving them was the best decision I ever made. I love you, too.”

New tears spilled over Magnus’s cheeks, but a wet laugh escaped him. “We better get going again if we want to make it.” He wiped his eyes and turned the car key.

They continued down the winding road until they reached the trailhead. Together, they stepped out and began walking the path. When Magnus looked up, the towering trees seemed to scrape the very sky. By midafternoon, the distant, soothing sound of rushing water echoed through the forest.

They walked until they came to a massive hill. Magnus looked at Alex and held out his hand; Alex took it without hesitation. They hiked the steep incline together, noting that the flowers beside the trail had become impossibly colorful. Some even bloomed with rainbow petals.

Once they reached the crest, the vast cliffside opened up before them. It was naturally rocky, but because of the sudden plant growth, it was now covered in soft, thick moss surrounded by blooms. Alex let go of Magnus’s hand and walked right to the cliff’s edge. A gentle breeze carried a sweet mix of floral scents and fresh lake air. He had a perfectly peaceful smile on his face.

Magnus walked up behind him. His brown hair blew in the wind as he wrapped an arm securely around Alex. They stood there in silence for a long moment, soaking in the raw beauty of the lake. It was a deep, mesmerizing blue with shifting hints of green, its surface rippling lightly under the breeze.

Alex turned to Magnus and kissed him deeply. “Best decision I ever made,” he whispered, smiling.

They sat down on the edge, looking out at the vast water. Magnus felt tears stinging his eyes again as he took a small, shaky sigh before turning to his partner.

“I know this may not mean much because of the flowers, but I wanted to tell you something.”

Alex looked at Magnus, a curious expression crossing his face.

“I love you, and I want you to always know that. So… will you be my husband?” Magnus reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small, simple ring.

Alex’s eyes went wide.

“I know this isn’t the best time,” Magnus rushed out, his voice trembling. “But I wanted you to know how much I loved you. I know we have both lost a lot because of our relationship, and I know I can’t fix anything, but I want you to know it was worth it.”

Alex didn't answer with words. He lunged forward and kissed Magnus fiercely, causing them both to fall over backward onto the soft moss. Alex was crying, the tears spilling onto Magnus's cheeks.

“I made the right choice,” Alex insisted, cupping Magnus's face. “I know that you constantly wonder if you ruined my life, but don't you ever say that. You made my life so much better. I would love to marry you.”

Magnus finally let himself completely break down. Alex crawled over, wrapping himself around him, letting Magnus sob into his shoulder. The silver ring slipped from Magnus's fingers, tumbling into the moss beside them.

“I… I thought you would end up hating me,” Magnus confessed, letting out the fears he had carried for years. “I knew your family was important. I thought if I had just never asked you out, maybe you would still have them in your life. I am so scared that I’m the reason your life became hard.”

“Magnus, I need you to hear me,” Alex said, pulling back just enough to force Magnus to look at him. “You never made my life worse. I am so incredibly lucky to have you. If my family can’t accept me for who I am, then they don’t deserve to be in my life anyway. You have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and the best thing that ever will.”

Alex wrapped his arms even tighter around Magnus. “If anything, you made my life easier. I never had to fake being someone else around you, and you introduced me to people who love me for me. You are the best. I love you so, so much.”

Alex found himself crying all over again, his heart aching at the immense guilt Magnus had been secretly carrying.

“I don’t deserve a husband like you,” Magnus whispered, wiping his eyes with a trembling hand. “I’m just so happy I get to experience this end with you.”

Alex looked at Magnus, his gaze softening. “I could say the same. I’m so happy to have you.”

Alex looked back toward the water, where the sun was starting to set, casting its fiery reflection across the ripples. Magnus turned to watch it, too. The sky was now heavily streaked with brilliant shades of orange, violet, and pink as the sun slowly lowered itself beneath the horizon.

Alex leaned his head heavily onto Magnus’s shoulder as they both watched their final sunset.

“The fact that I got to share this life with you is the single best thing,” Magnus whispered into the cooling air.

“It was the best thing to happen to me, too,” Alex replied, closing his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

As the sun completely disappeared, the moonlight didn't just shine—it began to touch the earth with a brilliant, overwhelming radiance. The light seemed to grow brighter and warmer around them.

Magnus and Alex closed their eyes, wrapping their fingers tightly together. They felt a profound wave of absolute calmness wash over them before everything faded. They gently dissolved into the silver light.

Where they had just been lying on the moss, a single purple and blue flower appeared. Its stems were perfectly intertwined, blooming beautifully right through the center of a small, forgotten silver ring.

This is the first story I have written that isn't a psychological horror or cosmic horror, so I would like to know what I could do better with an emotional, character-driven story. Also, this was meant to be less than 2000 words; that was the challenge I gave myself. It's currently 1,853. Hope you like it :p

The day the world turned colorful was the day we all knew it was over. Days earlier, impossible blossoms had begun appearing in the most unforgiving corners of the earth, from the scorching sands of the Sahara to the frozen expanses of the tundra. Scientists blamed global warming; the religious preached the end times. But on the fifteenth of May, the debate was over. Flowers erupted from every crack, crevice, and concrete highway on Earth—some a brilliant gold and red, others a deep, mesmerizing purple and blue. That morning, looking out our windows, we saw the true, terrifying beauty of the planet. It was as if the world finally let out a breath it had been holding for centuries. Nothing mattered anymore. No one went to work. No deadlines were met. We simply gathered outside, realizing we had spent our entire existence in a futile attempt to overpower nature. 

That morning, Alex woke up to a morning just like any other. However, when he opened the window, he froze in shock. Their lawn had been completely taken over by flowers. Even inside the house, small, vibrant petals were pushing through the floorboards beneath his feet.

Alex ran over to wake Magnus up. “Magnus, Magnus. Look outside.”

Magnus groaned, burying his face in his pillow, and tried to swat Alex away.

“No, really, you have to look at this.”

Magnus slowly pulled himself out of bed, muttering under his breath. “I swear to the Axolotl, if it’s another cute squirrel, I’m going to kill you.”

Alex grabbed Magnus’s hand and half-guided, half-dragged him to the window. Magnus’s eyes went wide when he saw the transformation.

“Let’s go look outside,” Alex said, already walking toward the door, still holding Magnus’s hand tightly. “Are you coming?”

Magnus hadn’t moved from his spot. “Oh, of course.” He blushed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I zoned out for a second.”

Magnus followed Alex out the front door. Outside, the flowers appeared even more vivid. Alex went running wildly around their yard, inspecting the endless sea of color. When Magnus looked down the street, he found that every single neighbor was out in their front yards, staring blankly at the flora.

He looked closely at his feet; they just looked like normal flowers, but there were millions of them, expanding by the second. As he stared down, a cold realization washed over him: this was the end. Not just for him, but for everyone. It should have made him panic, but strangely, it didn’t. For some reason, it just made him feel incredibly grateful.

He walked over to Alex and sat down next to him. Alex smiled warmly, and they both laid back to look at the clouds. Magnus rolled over, watching Alex's smile as he pointed out shapes in the sky. He looked so genuinely happy. His smile was infectious, and before Magnus knew it, he was laughing and smiling, too. Together, they laid in the flowers for hours, though Magnus secretly wished it could have lasted forever.

Soon, Alex sat up. “You know what would be fun?” He had that rare glint of hope in his eyes that Magnus hadn't seen in years.

“Where?” Magnus laughed.

“We should go back to the lake.” Alex looked up at Magnus with his warm brown eyes.

Magnus smiled gently. “What a wonderful idea.”

Magnus grabbed the car keys, and they were off. As they drove out of town, they could see people lying peacefully in the grass, and children chasing each other, laughing through the overgrowth. It was as if the world had entirely stopped for this one day. It felt like all the whimsy people lost when they grew up had suddenly come flooding back.

On the drive, Alex talked about his life. It seemed like all it took was the end of the world to show everyone that this one life was precious.

“I always loved this lake; I was so happy I was able to share it with you, too. I used to go here with my parents, but…” He trailed off, his voice cracking. Magnus had never pushed Alex to talk about his family; he knew the situation was complicated, and left it at that.

Wiping his eyes with his jacket sleeve, Alex continued. “But they disowned me for being me. Sometimes I regret telling them. I wish I could have shared just one more lake day with them.” Alex gave Magnus a shaky smile, his eyes shimmering with tears.

Magnus immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Alex, you never had to tell me that. I’m so sorry.” Magnus leaned over, pulling Alex tightly into his arms, and gently kissed the top of Alex’s head.

“It was important to tell you,” Alex whispered, looking up. Magnus’s light blue eyes were also filled with tears. “Whenever I think about how my life would be if I had never told them, I just look at you and remember it was all worth it.”

Magnus couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. For a long minute, they both just cried into each other's arms.

“I love you so much; you better know that,” Magnus choked out, burying his face in Alex’s shoulder.

Alex looked directly into Magnus’s eyes. “Leaving them was the best decision I ever made. I love you, too.”

New tears spilled over Magnus’s cheeks, but a wet laugh escaped him. “We better get going again if we want to make it.” He wiped his eyes and turned the car key.

They continued down the winding road until they reached the trailhead. Together, they stepped out and began walking the path. When Magnus looked up, the towering trees seemed to scrape the very sky. By midafternoon, the distant, soothing sound of rushing water echoed through the forest.

They walked until they came to a massive hill. Magnus looked at Alex and held out his hand; Alex took it without hesitation. They hiked the steep incline together, noting that the flowers beside the trail had become impossibly colorful. Some even bloomed with rainbow petals.

Once they reached the crest, the vast cliffside opened up before them. It was naturally rocky, but because of the sudden plant growth, it was now covered in soft, thick moss surrounded by blooms. Alex let go of Magnus’s hand and walked right to the cliff’s edge. A gentle breeze carried a sweet mix of floral scents and fresh lake air. He had a perfectly peaceful smile on his face.

Magnus walked up behind him. His brown hair blew in the wind as he wrapped an arm securely around Alex. They stood there in silence for a long moment, soaking in the raw beauty of the lake. It was a deep, mesmerizing blue with shifting hints of green, its surface rippling lightly under the breeze.

Alex turned to Magnus and kissed him deeply. “Best decision I ever made,” he whispered, smiling.

They sat down on the edge, looking out at the vast water. Magnus felt tears stinging his eyes again as he took a small, shaky sigh before turning to his partner.

“I know this may not mean much because of the flowers, but I wanted to tell you something.”

Alex looked at Magnus, a curious expression crossing his face.

“I love you, and I want you to always know that. So… will you be my husband?” Magnus reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small, simple ring.

Alex’s eyes went wide.

“I know this isn’t the best time,” Magnus rushed out, his voice trembling. “But I wanted you to know how much I loved you. I know we have both lost a lot because of our relationship, and I know I can’t fix anything, but I want you to know it was worth it.”

Alex didn't answer with words. He lunged forward and kissed Magnus fiercely, causing them both to fall over backward onto the soft moss. Alex was crying, the tears spilling onto Magnus's cheeks.

“I made the right choice,” Alex insisted, cupping Magnus's face. “I know that you constantly wonder if you ruined my life, but don't you ever say that. You made my life so much better. I would love to marry you.”

Magnus finally let himself completely break down. Alex crawled over, wrapping himself around him, letting Magnus sob into his shoulder. The silver ring slipped from Magnus's fingers, tumbling into the moss beside them.

“I… I thought you would end up hating me,” Magnus confessed, letting out the fears he had carried for years. “I knew your family was important. I thought if I had just never asked you out, maybe you would still have them in your life. I am so scared that I’m the reason your life became hard.”

“Magnus, I need you to hear me,” Alex said, pulling back just enough to force Magnus to look at him. “You never made my life worse. I am so incredibly lucky to have you. If my family can’t accept me for who I am, then they don’t deserve to be in my life anyway. You have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and the best thing that ever will.”

Alex wrapped his arms even tighter around Magnus. “If anything, you made my life easier. I never had to fake being someone else around you, and you introduced me to people who love me for me. You are the best. I love you so, so much.”

Alex found himself crying all over again, his heart aching at the immense guilt Magnus had been secretly carrying.

“I don’t deserve a husband like you,” Magnus whispered, wiping his eyes with a trembling hand. “I’m just so happy I get to experience this end with you.”

Alex looked at Magnus, his gaze softening. “I could say the same. I’m so happy to have you.”

Alex looked back toward the water, where the sun was starting to set, casting its fiery reflection across the ripples. Magnus turned to watch it, too. The sky was now heavily streaked with brilliant shades of orange, violet, and pink as the sun slowly lowered itself beneath the horizon.

Alex leaned his head heavily onto Magnus’s shoulder as they both watched their final sunset.

“The fact that I got to share this life with you is the single best thing,” Magnus whispered into the cooling air.

“It was the best thing to happen to me, too,” Alex replied, closing his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

As the sun completely disappeared, the moonlight didn't just shine—it began to touch the earth with a brilliant, overwhelming radiance. The light seemed to grow brighter and warmer around them.

Magnus and Alex closed their eyes, wrapping their fingers tightly together. They felt a profound wave of absolute calmness wash over them before everything faded. They gently dissolved into the silver light.

Where they had just been lying on the moss, a single purple and blue flower appeared. Its stems were perfectly intertwined, blooming beautifully right through the center of a small, forgotten gold ring.

Hello, this is a story I have been working on and planning for a few weeks. I wanted to show people my progress so far and ask for advice on how I can make it better. This was a part of a 2000-word challenge, which is why it's a short story. It's currently 1,853 words. I am a newer writer and am just happy if people want to read it. This is also my first charactor/emotional driven story. I mostly write cosmic bliss. I hope you like it :p

The day the world turned colorful was the day we all knew it was over. Days earlier, impossible blossoms had begun appearing in the most unforgiving corners of the earth, from the scorching sands of the Sahara to the frozen expanses of the tundra. Scientists blamed global warming; the religious preached the end times. But on the fifteenth of May, the debate was over. Flowers erupted from every crack, crevice, and concrete highway on Earth—some a brilliant gold and red, others a deep, mesmerizing purple and blue. That morning, looking out our windows, we saw the true, terrifying beauty of the planet. It was as if the world finally let out a breath it had been holding for centuries. Nothing mattered anymore. No one went to work. No deadlines were met. We simply gathered outside, realizing we had spent our entire existence in a futile attempt to overpower nature. 

That morning, Alex woke up to a morning just like any other. However, when he opened the window, he froze in shock. Their lawn had been completely taken over by flowers. Even inside the house, small, vibrant petals were pushing through the floorboards beneath his feet.

Alex ran over to wake Magnus up. “Magnus, Magnus. Look outside.”

Magnus groaned, burying his face in his pillow, and tried to swat Alex away.

“No, really, you have to look at this.”

Magnus slowly pulled himself out of bed, muttering under his breath. “I swear to the Axolotl, if it’s another cute squirrel, I’m going to kill you.”

Alex grabbed Magnus’s hand and half-guided, half-dragged him to the window. Magnus’s eyes went wide when he saw the transformation.

“Let’s go look outside,” Alex said, already walking toward the door, still holding Magnus’s hand tightly. “Are you coming?”

Magnus hadn’t moved from his spot. “Oh, of course.” He blushed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I zoned out for a second.”

Magnus followed Alex out the front door. Outside, the flowers appeared even more vivid. Alex went running wildly around their yard, inspecting the endless sea of color. When Magnus looked down the street, he found that every single neighbor was out in their front yards, staring blankly at the flora.

He looked closely at his feet; they just looked like normal flowers, but there were millions of them, expanding by the second. As he stared down, a cold realization washed over him: this was the end. Not just for him, but for everyone. It should have made him panic, but strangely, it didn’t. For some reason, it just made him feel incredibly grateful.

He walked over to Alex and sat down next to him. Alex smiled warmly, and they both laid back to look at the clouds. Magnus rolled over, watching Alex's smile as he pointed out shapes in the sky. He looked so genuinely happy. His smile was infectious, and before Magnus knew it, he was laughing and smiling, too. Together, they laid in the flowers for hours, though Magnus secretly wished it could have lasted forever.

Soon, Alex sat up. “You know what would be fun?” He had that rare glint of hope in his eyes that Magnus hadn't seen in years.

“Where?” Magnus laughed.

“We should go back to the lake.” Alex looked up at Magnus with his warm brown eyes.

Magnus smiled gently. “What a wonderful idea.”

Magnus grabbed the car keys, and they were off. As they drove out of town, they could see people lying peacefully in the grass, and children chasing each other, laughing through the overgrowth. It was as if the world had entirely stopped for this one day. It felt like all the whimsy people lost when they grew up had suddenly come flooding back.

On the drive, Alex talked about his life. It seemed like all it took was the end of the world to show everyone that this one life was precious.

“I always loved this lake; I was so happy I was able to share it with you, too. I used to go here with my parents, but…” He trailed off, his voice cracking. Magnus had never pushed Alex to talk about his family; he knew the situation was complicated, and left it at that.

Wiping his eyes with his jacket sleeve, Alex continued. “But they disowned me for being me. Sometimes I regret telling them. I wish I could have shared just one more lake day with them.” Alex gave Magnus a shaky smile, his eyes shimmering with tears.

Magnus immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Alex, you never had to tell me that. I’m so sorry.” Magnus leaned over, pulling Alex tightly into his arms, and gently kissed the top of Alex’s head.

“It was important to tell you,” Alex whispered, looking up. Magnus’s light blue eyes were also filled with tears. “Whenever I think about how my life would be if I had never told them, I just look at you and remember it was all worth it.”

Magnus couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. For a long minute, they both just cried into each other's arms.

“I love you so much; you better know that,” Magnus choked out, burying his face in Alex’s shoulder.

Alex looked directly into Magnus’s eyes. “Leaving them was the best decision I ever made. I love you, too.”

New tears spilled over Magnus’s cheeks, but a wet laugh escaped him. “We better get going again if we want to make it.” He wiped his eyes and turned the car key.

They continued down the winding road until they reached the trailhead. Together, they stepped out and began walking the path. When Magnus looked up, the towering trees seemed to scrape the very sky. By midafternoon, the distant, soothing sound of rushing water echoed through the forest.

They walked until they came to a massive hill. Magnus looked at Alex and held out his hand; Alex took it without hesitation. They hiked the steep incline together, noting that the flowers beside the trail had become impossibly colorful. Some even bloomed with rainbow petals.

Once they reached the crest, the vast cliffside opened up before them. It was naturally rocky, but because of the sudden plant growth, it was now covered in soft, thick moss surrounded by blooms. Alex let go of Magnus’s hand and walked right to the cliff’s edge. A gentle breeze carried a sweet mix of floral scents and fresh lake air. He had a perfectly peaceful smile on his face.

Magnus walked up behind him. His brown hair blew in the wind as he wrapped an arm securely around Alex. They stood there in silence for a long moment, soaking in the raw beauty of the lake. It was a deep, mesmerizing blue with shifting hints of green, its surface rippling lightly under the breeze.

Alex turned to Magnus and kissed him deeply. “Best decision I ever made,” he whispered, smiling.

They sat down on the edge, looking out at the vast water. Magnus felt tears stinging his eyes again as he took a small, shaky sigh before turning to his partner.

“I know this may not mean much because of the flowers, but I wanted to tell you something.”

Alex looked at Magnus, a curious expression crossing his face.

“I love you, and I want you to always know that. So… will you be my husband?” Magnus reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small, simple ring.

Alex’s eyes went wide.

“I know this isn’t the best time,” Magnus rushed out, his voice trembling. “But I wanted you to know how much I loved you. I know we have both lost a lot because of our relationship, and I know I can’t fix anything, but I want you to know it was worth it.”

Alex didn't answer with words. He lunged forward and kissed Magnus fiercely, causing them both to fall over backward onto the soft moss. Alex was crying, the tears spilling onto Magnus's cheeks.

“I made the right choice,” Alex insisted, cupping Magnus's face. “I know that you constantly wonder if you ruined my life, but don't you ever say that. You made my life so much better. I would love to marry you.”

Magnus finally let himself completely break down. Alex crawled over, wrapping himself around him, letting Magnus sob into his shoulder. The silver ring slipped from Magnus's fingers, tumbling into the moss beside them.

“I… I thought you would end up hating me,” Magnus confessed, letting out the fears he had carried for years. “I knew your family was important. I thought if I had just never asked you out, maybe you would still have them in your life. I am so scared that I’m the reason your life became hard.”

“Magnus, I need you to hear me,” Alex said, pulling back just enough to force Magnus to look at him. “You never made my life worse. I am so incredibly lucky to have you. If my family can’t accept me for who I am, then they don’t deserve to be in my life anyway. You have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and the best thing that ever will.”

Alex wrapped his arms even tighter around Magnus. “If anything, you made my life easier. I never had to fake being someone else around you, and you introduced me to people who love me for me. You are the best. I love you so, so much.”

Alex found himself crying all over again, his heart aching at the immense guilt Magnus had been secretly carrying.

“I don’t deserve a husband like you,” Magnus whispered, wiping his eyes with a trembling hand. “I’m just so happy I get to experience this end with you.”

Alex looked at Magnus, his gaze softening. “I could say the same. I’m so happy to have you.”

Alex looked back toward the water, where the sun was starting to set, casting its fiery reflection across the ripples. Magnus turned to watch it, too. The sky was now heavily streaked with brilliant shades of orange, violet, and pink as the sun slowly lowered itself beneath the horizon.

Alex leaned his head heavily onto Magnus’s shoulder as they both watched their final sunset.

“The fact that I got to share this life with you is the single best thing,” Magnus whispered into the cooling air.

“It was the best thing to happen to me, too,” Alex replied, closing his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

As the sun completely disappeared, the moonlight didn't just shine—it began to touch the earth with a brilliant, overwhelming radiance. The light seemed to grow brighter and warmer around them.

Magnus and Alex closed their eyes, wrapping their fingers tightly together. They felt a profound wave of absolute calmness wash over them before everything faded. They gently dissolved into the silver light.

Where they had just been lying on the moss, a single purple and blue flower appeared. Its stems were perfectly intertwined, blooming beautifully right through the center of a small, forgotten gold ring.

This is the first story I have written that isn't a psychological horror or cosmic horror, so I would like to know what I could do better with an emotional, character-driven story. Also, this was meant to be less than 2000 words; that was the challenge I gave myself. It's currently 1,853. Hope you like it :p

The day the world turned colorful was the day we all knew it was over. Days earlier, impossible blossoms had begun appearing in the most unforgiving corners of the earth, from the scorching sands of the Sahara to the frozen expanses of the tundra. Scientists blamed global warming; the religious preached the end times. But on the fifteenth of May, the debate was over. Flowers erupted from every crack, crevice, and concrete highway on Earth—some a brilliant gold and red, others a deep, mesmerizing purple and blue. That morning, looking out our windows, we saw the true, terrifying beauty of the planet. It was as if the world finally let out a breath it had been holding for centuries. Nothing mattered anymore. No one went to work. No deadlines were met. We simply gathered outside, realizing we had spent our entire existence in a futile attempt to overpower nature. 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

That morning, Alex woke up to a morning just like any other. However, when he opened the window, he froze in shock. Their lawn had been completely taken over by flowers. Even inside the house, small, vibrant petals were pushing through the floorboards beneath his feet.

Alex ran over to wake Magnus up. “Magnus, Magnus. Look outside.”

Magnus groaned, burying his face in his pillow, and tried to swat Alex away.

“No, really, you have to look at this.”

Magnus slowly pulled himself out of bed, muttering under his breath. “I swear to the Axolotl, if it’s another cute squirrel, I’m going to kill you.”

Alex grabbed Magnus’s hand and half-guided, half-dragged him to the window. Magnus’s eyes went wide when he saw the transformation.

“Let’s go look outside,” Alex said, already walking toward the door, still holding Magnus’s hand tightly. “Are you coming?”

Magnus hadn’t moved from his spot. “Oh, of course.” He blushed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, I zoned out for a second.”

Magnus followed Alex out the front door. Outside, the flowers appeared even more vivid. Alex went running wildly around their yard, inspecting the endless sea of color. When Magnus looked down the street, he found that every single neighbor was out in their front yards, staring blankly at the flora.

He looked closely at his feet; they just looked like normal flowers, but there were millions of them, expanding by the second. As he stared down, a cold realization washed over him: this was the end. Not just for him, but for everyone. It should have made him panic, but strangely, it didn’t. For some reason, it just made him feel incredibly grateful.

He walked over to Alex and sat down next to him. Alex smiled warmly, and they both laid back to look at the clouds. Magnus rolled over, watching Alex's smile as he pointed out shapes in the sky. He looked so genuinely happy. His smile was infectious, and before Magnus knew it, he was laughing and smiling, too. Together, they laid in the flowers for hours, though Magnus secretly wished it could have lasted forever.

Soon, Alex sat up. “You know what would be fun?” He had that rare glint of hope in his eyes that Magnus hadn't seen in years.

“Where?” Magnus laughed.

“We should go back to the lake.” Alex looked up at Magnus with his warm brown eyes.

Magnus smiled gently. “What a wonderful idea.”

Magnus grabbed the car keys, and they were off. As they drove out of town, they could see people lying peacefully in the grass, and children chasing each other, laughing through the overgrowth. It was as if the world had entirely stopped for this one day. It felt like all the whimsy people lost when they grew up had suddenly come flooding back.

On the drive, Alex talked about his life. It seemed like all it took was the end of the world to show everyone that this one life was precious.

“I always loved this lake; I was so happy I was able to share it with you, too. I used to go here with my parents, but…” He trailed off, his voice cracking. Magnus had never pushed Alex to talk about his family; he knew the situation was complicated, and left it at that.

Wiping his eyes with his jacket sleeve, Alex continued. “But they disowned me for being me. Sometimes I regret telling them. I wish I could have shared just one more lake day with them.” Alex gave Magnus a shaky smile, his eyes shimmering with tears.

Magnus immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Alex, you never had to tell me that. I’m so sorry.” Magnus leaned over, pulling Alex tightly into his arms, and gently kissed the top of Alex’s head.

“It was important to tell you,” Alex whispered, looking up. Magnus’s light blue eyes were also filled with tears. “Whenever I think about how my life would be if I had never told them, I just look at you and remember it was all worth it.”

Magnus couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. For a long minute, they both just cried into each other's arms.

“I love you so much; you better know that,” Magnus choked out, burying his face in Alex’s shoulder.

Alex looked directly into Magnus’s eyes. “Leaving them was the best decision I ever made. I love you, too.”

New tears spilled over Magnus’s cheeks, but a wet laugh escaped him. “We better get going again if we want to make it.” He wiped his eyes and turned the car key.

They continued down the winding road until they reached the trailhead. Together, they stepped out and began walking the path. When Magnus looked up, the towering trees seemed to scrape the very sky. By midafternoon, the distant, soothing sound of rushing water echoed through the forest.

They walked until they came to a massive hill. Magnus looked at Alex and held out his hand; Alex took it without hesitation. They hiked the steep incline together, noting that the flowers beside the trail had become impossibly colorful. Some even bloomed with rainbow petals.

Once they reached the crest, the vast cliffside opened up before them. It was naturally rocky, but because of the sudden plant growth, it was now covered in soft, thick moss surrounded by blooms. Alex let go of Magnus’s hand and walked right to the cliff’s edge. A gentle breeze carried a sweet mix of floral scents and fresh lake air. He had a perfectly peaceful smile on his face.

Magnus walked up behind him. His brown hair blew in the wind as he wrapped an arm securely around Alex. They stood there in silence for a long moment, soaking in the raw beauty of the lake. It was a deep, mesmerizing blue with shifting hints of green, its surface rippling lightly under the breeze.

Alex turned to Magnus and kissed him deeply. “Best decision I ever made,” he whispered, smiling.

They sat down on the edge, looking out at the vast water. Magnus felt tears stinging his eyes again as he took a small, shaky sigh before turning to his partner.

“I know this may not mean much because of the flowers, but I wanted to tell you something.”

Alex looked at Magnus, a curious expression crossing his face.

“I love you, and I want you to always know that. So… will you be my husband?” Magnus reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small, simple ring.

Alex’s eyes went wide.

“I know this isn’t the best time,” Magnus rushed out, his voice trembling. “But I wanted you to know how much I loved you. I know we have both lost a lot because of our relationship, and I know I can’t fix anything, but I want you to know it was worth it.”

Alex didn't answer with words. He lunged forward and kissed Magnus fiercely, causing them both to fall over backward onto the soft moss. Alex was crying, the tears spilling onto Magnus's cheeks.

“I made the right choice,” Alex insisted, cupping Magnus's face. “I know that you constantly wonder if you ruined my life, but don't you ever say that. You made my life so much better. I would love to marry you.”

Magnus finally let himself completely break down. Alex crawled over, wrapping himself around him, letting Magnus sob into his shoulder. The silver ring slipped from Magnus's fingers, tumbling into the moss beside them.

“I… I thought you would end up hating me,” Magnus confessed, letting out the fears he had carried for years. “I knew your family was important. I thought if I had just never asked you out, maybe you would still have them in your life. I am so scared that I’m the reason your life became hard.”

“Magnus, I need you to hear me,” Alex said, pulling back just enough to force Magnus to look at him. “You never made my life worse. I am so incredibly lucky to have you. If my family can’t accept me for who I am, then they don’t deserve to be in my life anyway. You have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and the best thing that ever will.”

Alex wrapped his arms even tighter around Magnus. “If anything, you made my life easier. I never had to fake being someone else around you, and you introduced me to people who love me for me. You are the best. I love you so, so much.”

Alex found himself crying all over again, his heart aching at the immense guilt Magnus had been secretly carrying.

“I don’t deserve a husband like you,” Magnus whispered, wiping his eyes with a trembling hand. “I’m just so happy I get to experience this end with you.”

Alex looked at Magnus, his gaze softening. “I could say the same. I’m so happy to have you.”

Alex looked back toward the water, where the sun was starting to set, casting its fiery reflection across the ripples. Magnus turned to watch it, too. The sky was now heavily streaked with brilliant shades of orange, violet, and pink as the sun slowly lowered itself beneath the horizon.

Alex leaned his head heavily onto Magnus’s shoulder as they both watched their final sunset.

“The fact that I got to share this life with you is the single best thing,” Magnus whispered into the cooling air.

“It was the best thing to happen to me, too,” Alex replied, closing his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

As the sun completely disappeared, the moonlight didn't just shine—it began to touch the earth with a brilliant, overwhelming radiance. The light seemed to grow brighter and warmer around them.

Magnus and Alex closed their eyes, wrapping their fingers tightly together. They felt a profound wave of absolute calmness wash over them before everything faded. They gently dissolved into the silver light.

Where they had just been lying on the moss, a single purple and blue flower appeared. Its stems were perfectly intertwined, blooming beautifully right through the center of a small, forgotten gold ring.

Is it just me, or do people just not understand Asexuality or just want to tell you that you're wrong? For context, I'm an 18-year-old male and Panromantic asexual. If you don't know, I romantically like people regardless of gender, but I'm still asexual and experience no sexual attraction. I personally think that it's easy to understand; it's not rocket science. However, some people don't know what I mean. I'm a writer and was having people read and help me edit my story. I made one of my characters asexual because we don't get enough rep. One of the people asked if asexuality was not liking anyone. I had to explain that we still can romantically like people. He argued with me, saying I was wrong about my own sexuality. I truly wanted to punch him.

In our modern world, I know sexual and romantic attraction are very intertwined, but can we like change that? I don't mind explaining what asexuality is, but I hate being told that I'm wrong about my own sexuality. I wanted to yell at him, "Dude, I'm asexual. Have you done the research? I have. I had a few years where I thought I was a freak; like, really, you want to tell me all those papers I read where completly wong." I hate people's ignorance, and most of the time they don't even want to learn. Then there's always the dumb question, "Why don't you want sex ?" People need to understand how attraction works; we don't live in a rom-com. I could truly write a whole story about all the things people say to me; it's only to get worse. I count myself lucky tho, though; I found a partner who respects my asexuality, and I truly love him for that. I have had so many people try to pressure me into sex, and it's like, no, I would much rather have cake lol. Oh well, I just needed to rant. We need to start taking over the world soon before someone else tries to deny my asexuality. Love Y'all :)

I am currently 18, but have known about my Asexuality for years. To me, it's clear; I experience no sexual attraction or desire, but why do others think I'm just broken or weird? I'm lucky I have found a partner who respects my asexuality, but it has been a fight. All my previous bf and gf have wanted me to try sex despite me being a sex repulsed asexual. I have had to explain it every time, and then they just leave. It's annoying tbh.

When I told some of my Christian friends about asexuality, they invited me to a camp, and I thought it would be fun; it was a freaking conversion camp. What I don't get is why they preach "Don't have sex before marriage" but don't like it when someone never wants sex. They confuse me. Also, I'm not broken, like come on people. They make me mad and just leave me alone. I already had the internal I am broken talk, but after a bit of time, I started to realize that I'm ok and what I'm experiencing is valid. I am obviously no longer friends with them; they can burn in hell for all I care. Thank the Axolotl I found someone who loves me for me. Ugh, I just needed to rant for a bit. People can truly be idiots. How can a 15-year-old make peace with asexuality, but 30-year-old adults can't? It just makes me mad; like, can we focus on something more important than my Asexuality? I was just wondering if anyone went through the same :)

When Alex opened his eyes, he was standing in a forest. He looked up; the trees stretched into the sky. The sky itself was dark blue with hints of white. The moon was his only source of light, though it seemed brighter than usual. He started walking forward slowly. The forest was eerily quiet as he made his way through it. A few times he stopped to look at the trees; they were massive pines.

He ventured into the forest until he came across a path. It stretched farther into the darkness. Alex felt calm as he started to walk the stone path, where flowers and grass grew between each crack. The path only seemed to lead him deeper into the woods. When he tried to turn around, the darkness was so thick that it was impossible to see anything. As he continued, the path seemed to loop around itself in a figure-eight pattern. Nevertheless, he continued until the path straightened out.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a child. He was small and looked no older than eight. He stopped in front of Alex, his face completely obscured by shadow.

“Are you coming to the tree?” The boy’s voice was high and innocent; it was as if he had just asked about the weather.

Alex gave the boy a confused look. “What tree?”

The child giggled. “Are you coming to the tree? A soul hangs beneath. Come and see.” The boy giggled a second time before running off into the darkness.

Before Alex could comprehend what the boy had said, a second child came running from the same spot. “Run, please. One must never go to the tree.” The child was a little girl. Instead of shadows, her face was covered by a rabbit mask. She was entirely out of breath. Before Alex could say anything, she fled after the boy.

Alex considered turning around, but all that lay behind him was darkness. A small voice in his head kept urging him onward. As he followed the path a little farther, he found the boy again. The child was hunched over something Alex couldn’t see. The boy looked up as Alex approached, stood, and took Alex’s hand. Alex didn’t fight it. He didn’t see the point; this was just a child, after all.

The boy led Alex farther down the path. Alex was surprised he hadn't seen the girl, since she had run past him in this exact direction. After a few minutes, they walked into a clearing. In the center was a hill, and on top sat a tree. It was massive, stretching high into the sky, but its branches had no leaves, which put Alex off. He still let the boy lead him up the hill.

“Cold deeds sewn beneath bone; no stranger would it be if we met beneath the hanging tree.” The boy stated this as if it were a simple fact.

Alex immediately stopped. Something was wrong. He was now close enough to see that people were hanging from the branches.

“Come on, let's go.” The boy began to pull Alex up the hill with a strength no child should possess.

When they reached the top, the boy ran toward the trunk. Alex looked up and saw that the hanging figures were people he knew. Magnus hung in the center; his boyfriend had a slash mark across his face, and Alex’s parents surrounded him. Their faces all held a look of peace, and their eyes were closed, making them appear as though they were merely sleeping. The darkness swallowed Alex’s voice; he tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. It should have scared him, but after the shock subsided, all that was left was a feeling of peace. He knew what was coming without anyone having to tell him.

A hand grabbed Alex’s shoulder from behind. When he turned around, he saw the girl. She was bloody, with pieces of her flesh missing. “I told you to run; we could have both been free.” Now that Alex was close to her, he could see she was wearing a necklace resembling the ouroboros. It was the only thing on the girl's body that wasn’t bloody. 

The girl walked over to the boy. The boy grabbed a rope and hung her from the tree. Her body swayed a little. The shadows around the boy's face dissipated, and Alex had to step back in horror. His face was covered in blood, his smile jagged and red. Between his teeth was what looked like human skin. 

The boy walked toward Alex and grabbed his hand, leading him to the base of the trunk. Carved into the wood were the words: “Built of flesh cursed to think, death shall be our release.”

Alex lowered his head, allowing the boy to place the noose around his neck. As Alex's body rose into the air, he could feel his throat constrict, but he didn’t feel any pain. From the roots, tendrils of flesh wrapped around the bark and began to consume Alex and the other bodies.

Alex closed his eyes as the flesh covered his face. He opened them a second later to find himself floating in a vast nothingness; the silence of the space was suffocating, though he seemed to be drifting until he found himself in front of a gigantic eye. A small piece of metal formed in front of him; it twisted into a shape that he knew. It looked like the girl's ouroboros necklace. It slowly lowered itself onto his neck. He suddenly felt calm for once, as if nothing mattered anymore and he could finally rest; he no longer needed to think; he felt free. He closed his eyes and couldn’t help but smile. 

© 2026 Rain Lightwood. All Rights Reserved.

When Alex opened his eyes, he was standing in a forest. He looked up; the trees stretched into the sky. The sky itself was dark blue with hints of white. The moon was his only source of light, though it seemed brighter than usual. He started walking forward slowly. The forest was eerily quiet as he made his way through it. A few times he stopped to look at the trees; they were massive pines.

He ventured into the forest until he came across a path. It stretched farther into the darkness. Alex felt calm as he started to walk the stone path, where flowers and grass grew between each crack. The path only seemed to lead him deeper into the woods. When he tried to turn around, the darkness was so thick that it was impossible to see anything. As he continued, the path seemed to loop around itself in a figure-eight pattern. Nevertheless, he continued until the path straightened out.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a child. He was small and looked no older than eight. He stopped in front of Alex, his face completely obscured by shadow.

“Are you coming to the tree?” The boy’s voice was high and innocent; it was as if he had just asked about the weather.

Alex gave the boy a confused look. “What tree?”

The child giggled. “Are you coming to the tree? A soul hangs beneath. Come and see.” The boy giggled a second time before running off into the darkness.

Before Alex could comprehend what the boy had said, a second child came running from the same spot. “Run, please. One must never go to the tree.” The child was a little girl. Instead of shadows, her face was covered by a rabbit mask. She was entirely out of breath. Before Alex could say anything, she fled after the boy.

Alex considered turning around, but all that lay behind him was darkness. A small voice in his head kept urging him onward. As he followed the path a little farther, he found the boy again. The child was hunched over something Alex couldn’t see. The boy looked up as Alex approached, stood, and took Alex’s hand. Alex didn’t fight it. He didn’t see the point; this was just a child, after all.

The boy led Alex farther down the path. Alex was surprised he hadn't seen the girl, since she had run past him in this exact direction. After a few minutes, they walked into a clearing. In the center was a hill, and on top sat a tree. It was massive, stretching high into the sky, but its branches had no leaves, which put Alex off. He still let the boy lead him up the hill.

“Cold deeds sewn beneath bone; no stranger would it be if we met beneath the hanging tree.” The boy stated this as if it were a simple fact.

Alex immediately stopped. Something was wrong. He was now close enough to see that people were hanging from the branches.

“Come on, let's go.” The boy began to pull Alex up the hill with a strength no child should possess.

When they reached the top, the boy ran toward the trunk. Alex looked up and saw that the hanging figures were people he knew. Magnus hung in the center; his boyfriend had a slash mark across his face, and Alex’s parents surrounded him. Their faces all held a look of peace, and their eyes were closed, making them appear as though they were merely sleeping. The darkness swallowed Alex’s voice; he tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. It should have scared him, but after the shock subsided, all that was left was a feeling of peace. He knew what was coming without anyone having to tell him.

A hand grabbed Alex’s shoulder from behind. When he turned around, he saw the girl. She was bloody, with pieces of her flesh missing. “I told you to run; we could have both been free.” Now that Alex was close to her, he could see she was wearing a necklace resembling the ouroboros. It was the only thing on the girl's body that wasn’t bloody. 

The girl walked over to the boy. The boy grabbed a rope and hung her from the tree. Her body swayed a little. The shadows around the boy's face dissipated, and Alex had to step back in horror. His face was covered in blood, his smile jagged and red. Between his teeth was what looked like human skin. 

The boy walked toward Alex and grabbed his hand, leading him to the base of the trunk. Carved into the wood were the words: “Built of flesh cursed to think, death shall be our release.”

Alex lowered his head, allowing the boy to place the noose around his neck. As Alex's body rose into the air, he could feel his throat constrict, but he didn’t feel any pain. From the roots, tendrils of flesh wrapped around the bark and began to consume Alex and the other bodies.

Alex closed his eyes as the flesh covered his face. He opened them a second later to find himself floating in a vast nothingness; the silence of the space was suffocating, though he seemed to be drifting until he found himself in front of a gigantic eye. A small piece of metal formed in front of him; it twisted into a shape that he knew. It looked like the girl's ouroboros necklace. It slowly lowered itself onto his neck. He suddenly felt calm for once, as if nothing mattered anymore and he could finally rest; he no longer needed to think; he felt free. He closed his eyes and couldn’t help but smile. 

© 2026 Rain Lightwood. All Rights Reserved.

When Alex opened his eyes, he was standing in a forest. He looked up; the trees stretched into the sky. The sky itself was dark blue with hints of white. The moon was his only source of light, though it seemed brighter than usual. He started walking forward slowly. The forest was eerily quiet as he made his way through it. A few times he stopped to look at the trees; they were massive pines.

He ventured into the forest until he came across a path. It stretched farther into the darkness. Alex felt calm as he started to walk the stone path, where flowers and grass grew between each crack. The path only seemed to lead him deeper into the woods. When he tried to turn around, the darkness was so thick that it was impossible to see anything. As he continued, the path seemed to loop around itself in a figure-eight pattern. Nevertheless, he continued until the path straightened out.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a child. He was small and looked no older than eight. He stopped in front of Alex, his face completely obscured by shadow.

“Are you coming to the tree?” The boy’s voice was high and innocent; it was as if he had just asked about the weather.

Alex gave the boy a confused look. “What tree?”

The child giggled. “Are you coming to the tree? A soul hangs beneath. Come and see.” The boy giggled a second time before running off into the darkness.

Before Alex could comprehend what the boy had said, a second child came running from the same spot. “Run, please. One must never go to the tree.” The child was a little girl. Instead of shadows, her face was covered by a rabbit mask. She was entirely out of breath. Before Alex could say anything, she fled after the boy.

Alex considered turning around, but all that lay behind him was darkness. A small voice in his head kept urging him onward. As he followed the path a little farther, he found the boy again. The child was hunched over something Alex couldn’t see. The boy looked up as Alex approached, stood, and took Alex’s hand. Alex didn’t fight it. He didn’t see the point; this was just a child, after all.

The boy led Alex farther down the path. Alex was surprised he hadn't seen the girl, since she had run past him in this exact direction. After a few minutes, they walked into a clearing. In the center was a hill, and on top sat a tree. It was massive, stretching high into the sky, but its branches had no leaves, which put Alex off. He still let the boy lead him up the hill.

“Cold deeds sewn beneath bone; no stranger would it be if we met beneath the hanging tree.” The boy stated this as if it were a simple fact.

Alex immediately stopped. Something was wrong. He was now close enough to see that people were hanging from the branches.

“Come on, let's go.” The boy began to pull Alex up the hill with a strength no child should possess.

When they reached the top, the boy ran toward the trunk. Alex looked up and saw that the hanging figures were people he knew. Magnus hung in the center; his boyfriend had a slash mark across his face, and Alex’s parents surrounded him. Their faces all held a look of peace, and their eyes were closed, making them appear as though they were merely sleeping. The darkness swallowed Alex’s voice; he tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. It should have scared him, but after the shock subsided, all that was left was a feeling of peace. He knew what was coming without anyone having to tell him.

A hand grabbed Alex’s shoulder from behind. When he turned around, he saw the girl. She was bloody, with pieces of her flesh missing. “I told you to run; we could have both been free.” Now that Alex was close to her, he could see she was wearing a necklace resembling the ouroboros. It was the only thing on the girl's body that wasn’t bloody. 

The girl walked over to the boy. The boy grabbed a rope and hung her from the tree. Her body swayed a little. The shadows around the boy's face dissipated, and Alex had to step back in horror. His face was covered in blood, his smile jagged and red. Between his teeth was what looked like human skin. 

The boy walked toward Alex and grabbed his hand, leading him to the base of the trunk. Carved into the wood were the words: “Built of flesh cursed to think, death shall be our release.”

Alex lowered his head, allowing the boy to place the noose around his neck. As Alex's body rose into the air, he could feel his throat constrict, but he didn’t feel any pain. From the roots, tendrils of flesh wrapped around the bark and began to consume Alex and the other bodies.

Alex closed his eyes as the flesh covered his face. He opened them a second later to find himself floating in a vast nothingness; the silence of the space was suffocating, though he seemed to be drifting until he found himself in front of a gigantic eye. A small piece of metal formed in front of him; it twisted into a shape that he knew. It looked like the girl's ouroboros necklace. It slowly lowered itself onto his neck. He suddenly felt calm for once, as if nothing mattered anymore and he could finally rest; he no longer needed to think; he felt free. He closed his eyes and couldn’t help but smile. 

© 2026 Rain Lightwood. All Rights Reserved.

When Alex opened his eyes, he was standing in a forest. He looked up; the trees stretched into the sky. The sky itself was dark blue with hints of white. The moon was his only source of light, though it seemed brighter than usual. He started walking forward slowly. The forest was eerily quiet as he made his way through it. A few times he stopped to look at the trees; they were massive pines.

He ventured into the forest until he came across a path. It stretched farther into the darkness. Alex felt calm as he started to walk the stone path, where flowers and grass grew between each crack. The path only seemed to lead him deeper into the woods. When he tried to turn around, the darkness was so thick that it was impossible to see anything. As he continued, the path seemed to loop around itself in a figure-eight pattern. Nevertheless, he continued until the path straightened out.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a child. He was small and looked no older than eight. He stopped in front of Alex, his face completely obscured by shadow.

“Are you coming to the tree?” The boy’s voice was high and innocent; it was as if he had just asked about the weather.

Alex gave the boy a confused look. “What tree?”

The child giggled. “Are you coming to the tree? A soul hangs beneath. Come and see.” The boy giggled a second time before running off into the darkness.

Before Alex could comprehend what the boy had said, a second child came running from the same spot. “Run, please. One must never go to the tree.” The child was a little girl. Instead of shadows, her face was covered by a rabbit mask. She was entirely out of breath. Before Alex could say anything, she fled after the boy.

Alex considered turning around, but all that lay behind him was darkness. A small voice in his head kept urging him onward. As he followed the path a little farther, he found the boy again. The child was hunched over something Alex couldn’t see. The boy looked up as Alex approached, stood, and took Alex’s hand. Alex didn’t fight it. He didn’t see the point; this was just a child, after all.

The boy led Alex farther down the path. Alex was surprised he hadn't seen the girl, since she had run past him in this exact direction. After a few minutes, they walked into a clearing. In the center was a hill, and on top sat a tree. It was massive, stretching high into the sky, but its branches had no leaves, which put Alex off. He still let the boy lead him up the hill.

“Cold deeds sewn beneath bone; no stranger would it be if we met beneath the hanging tree.” The boy stated this as if it were a simple fact.

Alex immediately stopped. Something was wrong. He was now close enough to see that people were hanging from the branches.

“Come on, let's go.” The boy began to pull Alex up the hill with a strength no child should possess.

When they reached the top, the boy ran toward the trunk. Alex looked up and saw that the hanging figures were people he knew. Magnus hung in the center; his boyfriend had a slash mark across his face, and Alex’s parents surrounded him. Their faces all held a look of peace, and their eyes were closed, making them appear as though they were merely sleeping. The darkness swallowed Alex’s voice; he tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. It should have scared him, but after the shock subsided, all that was left was a feeling of peace. He knew what was coming without anyone having to tell him.

A hand grabbed Alex’s shoulder from behind. When he turned around, he saw the girl. She was bloody, with pieces of her flesh missing. “I told you to run; we could have both been free.” Now that Alex was close to her, he could see she was wearing a necklace resembling the ouroboros. It was the only thing on the girl's body that wasn’t bloody. 

The girl walked over to the boy. The boy grabbed a rope and hung her from the tree. Her body swayed a little. The shadows around the boy's face dissipated, and Alex had to step back in horror. His face was covered in blood, his smile jagged and red. Between his teeth was what looked like human skin. 

The boy walked toward Alex and grabbed his hand, leading him to the base of the trunk. Carved into the wood were the words: “Built of flesh cursed to think, death shall be our release.”

Alex lowered his head, allowing the boy to place the noose around his neck. As Alex's body rose into the air, he could feel his throat constrict, but he didn’t feel any pain. From the roots, tendrils of flesh wrapped around the bark and began to consume Alex and the other bodies.

Alex closed his eyes as the flesh covered his face. He opened them a second later to find himself floating in a vast nothingness; the silence of the space was suffocating, though he seemed to be drifting until he found himself in front of a gigantic eye. A small piece of metal formed in front of him; it twisted into a shape that he knew. It looked like the girl's ouroboros necklace. It slowly lowered itself onto his neck. He suddenly felt calm for once, as if nothing mattered anymore and he could finally rest; he no longer needed to think; he felt free. He closed his eyes and couldn’t help but smile. 

© 2026 Rain Lightwood. All Rights Reserved.

When Alex opened his eyes, he was standing in a forest. He looked up; the trees stretched into the sky. The sky itself was dark blue with hints of white. The moon was his only source of light, though it seemed brighter than usual. He started walking forward slowly. The forest was eerily quiet as he made his way through it. A few times he stopped to look at the trees; they were massive pines.

He ventured into the forest until he came across a path. It stretched farther into the darkness. Alex felt calm as he started to walk the stone path, where flowers and grass grew between each crack. The path only seemed to lead him deeper into the woods. When he tried to turn around, the darkness was so thick that it was impossible to see anything. As he continued, the path seemed to loop around itself in a figure-eight pattern. Nevertheless, he continued until the path straightened out.

Suddenly, out of the darkness came a child. He was small and looked no older than eight. He stopped in front of Alex, his face completely obscured by shadow.

“Are you coming to the tree?” The boy’s voice was high and innocent; it was as if he had just asked about the weather.

Alex gave the boy a confused look. “What tree?”

The child giggled. “Are you coming to the tree? A soul hangs beneath. Come and see.” The boy giggled a second time before running off into the darkness.

Before Alex could comprehend what the boy had said, a second child came running from the same spot. “Run, please. One must never go to the tree.” The child was a little girl. Instead of shadows, her face was covered by a rabbit mask. She was entirely out of breath. Before Alex could say anything, she fled after the boy.

Alex considered turning around, but all that lay behind him was darkness. A small voice in his head kept urging him onward. As he followed the path a little farther, he found the boy again. The child was hunched over something Alex couldn’t see. The boy looked up as Alex approached, stood, and took Alex’s hand. Alex didn’t fight it. He didn’t see the point; this was just a child, after all.

The boy led Alex farther down the path. Alex was surprised he hadn't seen the girl, since she had run past him in this exact direction. After a few minutes, they walked into a clearing. In the center was a hill, and on top sat a tree. It was massive, stretching high into the sky, but its branches had no leaves, which put Alex off. He still let the boy lead him up the hill.

“Cold deeds sewn beneath bone; no stranger would it be if we met beneath the hanging tree.” The boy stated this as if it were a simple fact.

Alex immediately stopped. Something was wrong. He was now close enough to see that people were hanging from the branches.

“Come on, let's go.” The boy began to pull Alex up the hill with a strength no child should possess.

When they reached the top, the boy ran toward the trunk. Alex looked up and saw that the hanging figures were people he knew. Magnus hung in the center; his boyfriend had a slash mark across his face, and Alex’s parents surrounded him. Their faces all held a look of peace, and their eyes were closed, making them appear as though they were merely sleeping. The darkness swallowed Alex’s voice; he tried to open his mouth, but nothing came out. It should have scared him, but after the shock subsided, all that was left was a feeling of peace. He knew what was coming without anyone having to tell him.

A hand grabbed Alex’s shoulder from behind. When he turned around, he saw the girl. She was bloody, with pieces of her flesh missing. “I told you to run; we could have both been free.” Now that Alex was close to her, he could see she was wearing a necklace resembling the ouroboros. It was the only thing on the girl's body that wasn’t bloody. 

The girl walked over to the boy. The boy grabbed a rope and hung her from the tree. Her body swayed a little. The shadows around the boy's face dissipated, and Alex had to step back in horror. His face was covered in blood, his smile jagged and red. Between his teeth was what looked like human skin. 

The boy walked toward Alex and grabbed his hand, leading him to the base of the trunk. Carved into the wood were the words: “Built of flesh cursed to think, death shall be our release.”

Alex lowered his head, allowing the boy to place the noose around his neck. As Alex's body rose into the air, he could feel his throat constrict, but he didn’t feel any pain. From the roots, tendrils of flesh wrapped around the bark and began to consume Alex and the other bodies.

Alex closed his eyes as the flesh covered his face. He opened them a second later to find himself floating in a vast nothingness; the silence of the space was suffocating, though he seemed to be drifting until he found himself in front of a gigantic eye. A small piece of metal formed in front of him; it twisted into a shape that he knew. It looked like the girl's ouroboros necklace. It slowly lowered itself onto his neck. He suddenly felt calm for once, as if nothing mattered anymore and he could finally rest; he no longer needed to think; he felt free. He closed his eyes and couldn’t help but smile. 

© 2026 Rain Lightwood. All Rights Reserved.