CHRISTINA CROFT is a teacher by daylight, but come nightfall she writes. Her poem "Frozen" was part of a compiled CD collection. She has been published twice in Parents Make a Difference. More of Christina's work will be seen in Steelcaves and Living Well.

                                              midnight to morning madness


Four, shallow walls denied even a smidgen of light encased my hostile being, as I sucked in a few gasps of desperately needed air. My pale, violet lips quivered in the abandoned darkness, as my green eyes absorbed the absurdness of this seemingly futile plight that I was in. "Merrick!" I yelled, then whispered, "Bid me not farewell, love. I will find you, I own you." I clutched onto the antique locket Merrick had given me, which had gotten tangled in my locks of raven hair; somehow it gave me power, or maybe it just enraged me enough to want to fight.

With my proclamation of twisted love, and filled to the brim with anguish, I started to scratch the rancid wood that held me prisoner. The wood soon started to feel rough, but it needed a much harsher kick in the face to budge, so I used my locket. "What the hell," I mumbled. "It’s either use this or die trying." My shrill laughter then gobbled up the rest of my fear, for I knew I’d make it now.

Little by little the hours passed, I grew weak; nonetheless I hungered for him. Merrick was all I thought of as I pulverized my knuckles and tore my heart out avenging my soul from this pit of despair.

To my great astonishment and blessed relief, a fine spray of earth filtered down upon my cold face. My eyes twitched as the dirt fell and I never thought I’d ever believe dirt could smell so sweet. Minutes later, my cage was all but splintered and ripped apart by my bare hands and mad determination.

"Oh, Merrick, you should have buried me deeper, much deeper," I sarcastically said, as I stretched my weary bones and gazed up at the full crimson moon. I breathed in so much oxygen my lungs could have burst into flames.

Ready to dance my last dance with Merrick, I quickly made my way to our home. "Won’t you be surprised, honey? I wonder, do you miss me?" My thoughts tickled my fancy.

The full moon lit my way and shadows followed me as anxious as I to see Merrick’s face when I fulfilled my needs. Easily, I entered over the front, steel gate and soared behind our mansion on Whitman’s Hill.

There he was, sleeping like a baby, with a new mistress in his cheating arms. I tapped on the glass. "Merrick. . .honey, I’m home. Care to play with me now?"

At first, Merrick didn’t move. However, he sensed me. Merrick felt me. His dark, brown eyes sprung open, he sat up like a jackrabbit caught in a trap, and whispered, "Selena, no!"

Our eyes locked, souls forever bound. I glanced down at the earth below me, thought about letting him go for a split second. But, no, not tonight; the madness has me and I’m hungry. "Merrick, fast food tonight?"

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