-Short Story Horror Writer-
Natalie Brown
lonely hearts dance
No one is exactly sure how our group began.
We just knew we were grateful and all formed a plan
A group for survivors and current victims of stalking
We longed for safety at home, at work, while out walking
We would convene, share horrors and vent.
Well assured they would come, in their minds we paid rent
It was my idea to use the barn for Valentine's Day.
We would reach out to them and then lure them away
The Lonely Hearts Dance the name that we give it
To be a beautiful, decorated proverbial snake pit
Our obsessors are contacted (the ones not convicted)
We tell them our hearts are no longer conflicted
We told them to meet us for a Valentine's date
Offering ourselves, for a purpose, as bait
We all have various methods, luring tales and lies
I insist I drive him in my car, telling him there's a surprise.
His eyes twinkle with joy, hands restless and fumbling
Surprised to finally have me, his words he was mumbling
I lean in, listen and laughed when he spoke.
His breath on my face, my disgust made me choke
We arrive at the barn, not the first ones there
I entice him inside right into my snare
My arm in his arm, I distract him with punch
He blissfully drank it, not so much as a hunch
Their vile hands yearning, affections toxic like sewers
After the first dance we break away from our pursuers.
The door was locked up, trapping them all inside
Panic we heard, no shadows for them left to hide
I throw the first match, Logan Brown throws the next
The flames spread fast, their screaming voices perplexed
I stand close by, nearly seared from the fire's breath
The noise inside faded as each one met their death
Reclaiming our lives in a victorious raze
A life of being hunted had reached the end of its days
They all breath easy, all with burned valentines
But there was one lone survivor.....one stalker......... it's mine......
DARK POETRY
DRINK YOUR COFFEE DEAR
The mornings are long and the nights are short
My good intentions are met with a hateful snort
I've made some coffee Dear
The children are wild yet you stay asleep
I'm locked away, your prize to keep
I've made some coffee Dear
My family calls, you snatch away the phone
You keep me isolated, make sure I'm yours alone
I've made some coffee Dear
My spirit more alive than you allow
I have to get us out somehow
I've made some coffee Dear
Foundation covers the bruises you've brought
Road maps of scars from where we've fought
I've made some coffee Dear
All too aware of the secrets that you keep
I know you touch them in their sleep
I've made some coffee Dear
The blood on my lip, a brownish red
You leave for someone's else's bed
I've made some coffee Dear
You've ruined our daughter's opinion of men
Up she will grow, not to trust again
I've made some coffee Dear
You make the money so you say you'd get the kids
Visions of your abuse dance behind our eyelids
I've made some coffee Dear
You allow me no friends, no family to talk to
My darling sweetheart if you only knew
I've made some coffee Dear
I want to fly but you've cut my wings
You indulge in all of your silly flings
I've made some coffee Dear
I stand to leave; beaten, battered and low
Your hand a vice on my neck as I try to go
I've made some coffee Dear
You scream at the children, I hold them close
I protect them from your hateful blows
I've made some coffee Dear
Our eyes not allowed to cry
Your mouth, always telling a lie
I've made some coffee Dear
All of us under your control
Oppression being your main goal
I've made some coffee Dear
You tear us down and keep us there
No other marriage that can compare
I've made some coffee Dear
I thought you'd want the best for us
You only wanted the best OF us
I've made some coffee Dear
There is no love in the way that we mate
You thrust into me, I feel the hate
I've made some coffee Dear
Every morning I paste on a smile
I try my best to love you all the while
I've made some coffee Dear
Your cold breakfast sits on the table
Our new life starts as soon as we're able
I've made some coffee Dear
Ground up ricin; a tasteless bean
You like your coffee, strong black and mean
I've made some coffee Dear
It's hard to acquire but easy to use
I will free myself from these years of abuse
I've made some coffee dear
A helpless victim used to be where I once stood
A warrior now, in our house in the wood
I've made some coffee Dear
We will step over you on our way out the door
I won't let them see their Daddy laying on the floor
I've made you coffee Dear
I'm smarter than you think I am
Never again a door will you slam
Drink your coffee Dear
​
Wolf
The wolf is going to eat me, I see him start to roam
The wolf is going to eat me, I'm long far away from home
The wolf is going to eat me, its breath fogs heavy in the night
The wolf is going to eat me, I've no chance to survive a fight
The wolf is going to eat me, in the woods this Valentine's Day
The wolf is going to eat me, I have no meat to keep it away
The wolf is going to eat me, its caught my scent and slowed
The wolf is going to eat me, to our date my husband never showed
The wolf is going to eat me, the moon is full and bright
The wolf is going to eat me, its teeth glisten in the moonlight
The wolf is going to eat me, I'm far too slow to run
The wold is going to eat me, it hunts me just for fun
The wolf is going to eat me, my flesh it will tear apart
The wolf is going to eat me, meat sweetened by the fear in my heart
The wolf is going to eat me, it is inches from me now
The wolf is going to eat me, it licks the sweat from off my brow
The wolf is going to eat me, with breath hot, muggy and thick
The wolf is going to eat me, it pins my foot as I try to kick
The wolf is going to eat me, that is no surprise
The wolf is going to eat me, and he has my husband's eyes
​
Edgar Jackson's Valentine
Edgar Jackson loves the girls
Their laughter, their smell, their sweet wavy curls
Edgar doesn't care about eyes or the size of a girl's chest
A beating heart, a pretty smile, that's what Edgar likes best
Edgar Jackson's resolve will not bend
The young man has a Valentine to send
Lacy Hendricks is the girl chosen this year
It arrives on her desk, her heart pounds with fear
He picks her up at about half past five
He grins, he knows that soon she won't be alive
Disinterest and fear are apparent in her face
Edgar only loves that her existence, he'll soon erase
After dinner he's charming, she starts to relax
Wickedly satisfied, his knuckles he starts to crack
There's a fire in his eyes, but it's not from lust
He yearns to use his weapon to betray her sense of trust
Edgar then clenches his hand into an angry ball
Upon hitting her shoulders, down the stairs she does fall
Lacy awakes confused, tied up and scared
He laughs at her tears, he really never cared
Edgar greets her with the tiniest carving knife
Slicing her up within a foot of her life
She falls unconscious from pain, sitting there in his den
He lets her rest for a bit, then starts slicing again
Her body now lifeless, lithe and limp
With the others she'll rest, his newest love imp
Poor Lacy Hendricks, a greusome fate she had met
But for Edgar Jackson this truly was the best Valentine's Day yet.
