She still lives in me
Facing my fears through Flash fiction and a Poem. I hope I helped you face your own. {Shoutouts} below, Sara Wilson, Tanya Lei and 10 others 🌹
Though she be far in heart, yet I still care.
And place my reach behind an iron bar.
Like north and south where dust and clouds don’t share.
The past comes back to haunt you from a star.
*
The sun must fall to find the days sure end.
No bat can see the darkness of my pain.
Before the grave opens the heart must mend.
I mend my heart I will still mourn in vain.
*
Yet on a stone the mind must trace her face.
For once born your image will always last.
Her spirit stays when scent gives up its place.
I send my grief upon the breeze to cast.
—
When lace shall close her eyes, her smile I see.
And thus I know that she still lives in me.
The Manifestation
Lucy thought she was alone at the morgue, finishing the final intake log on the old desktop. Tonight, the screen flickered more than usual.
Everything she logged began to shift.
The male patients file data morphed into a female identity.
Every detail, suddenly and impossible, was her mother.
She slammed her finger down on the power button.
The computer glowed brighter, rejecting the command.
The speakers crackled, a voice pleading, ‘Why won’t you let me help you? I am tired of feeling useless.’
Then, the tray slid out of the main refrigerator unit, revealing a familiar tag on a toe.
~Caitlin Charlton~
A\ N : I suck at writing horror. So If you got this far, this is where I will let you in on the inspiration for this peace — more of a practice piece, I would say. But to elaborate — I fear the death of my mother, and we are all looking at AI with a side eye. So I thought, why not combine the two. Thank you so much for reading ♥️🤗🙏🏽🖤
Canuck Scriber Lisa Lachapelle
About the Creator
Caitlin Charlton
poetry too close to home
🪄~unique fictional stories 💎 you’ve never known 🪄
📖~ let me read your work, say hi to me, I will leave comments longer than the road, please do return ~ 🙏🏽
📸 YouTube natures finest moments 🎥
~ married👰💍 ~
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Keep reading
More stories from Caitlin Charlton and writers in Horror and other communities.
The Scarlet Siren Of Sorrow
“Get away from me you sick human gargoyle” A lady said with a voice taut and strained, she stepped back bumping into a grave, which cracked her sense of balance. “now look what you’ve gone and done,” the thing moved before the lady, hovering over the ground, her body stiff and her fingers lifeless and bent — she was slighted.
By Caitlin Charltonabout a year ago in Horror
Comments (19)
Fantabulous writing! I loved the artwork too CC! 💕
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I think you did really well with this horror, Caitlin!! Congrats on placing honourable mention on the leaderboard this week!!
I can't believe I missed this one! Congratulations on Leaderboard placement! Wow, Caitlin! The sketch goes so perfectly with the story! "Before the grave opens the heart must mend," This whole stanza to be honest, being in the dark, mending the heart and mourning. It kind of reminds me of a seed being in the dark , but to sprout, the seed must crack, then it can make it's way to the light 🖤🖤🖤 Thank you for sharing my work darling 🖤 and well done on this poem/micro-fiction duo!!
That poem is really moving and full of deep sadness. And the little story is a chilling twist on that fear! It’s a very original way to combine those big worries.
Very clever, Caitlin. It would be no easy feat to write a horror poem, but look here - you did it! You always put so much thought into your work; no wonder each one is a masterpiece. Well done, my friend
This is great! I love how you intertwined with AI. I'm legitimately concerned by it. I read this morning computer viruses are teaching themselves how to evade being stomped out. I don't feel like anything good is coming from it. I love the beat of your poem. I love the line about the bat. I'd like to read more of your micro fiction! If you ever decide to go full blown story with this idea, I'm ready to read!
excellent atmosphere, you did a great job. It’s so crazy to watch the world’s top scientists all say turn it off!! while idiots are like let’s hook ai up to nuclear reactors, they need more power! 🤦🙃💣
Horror isn't my genre either, but this is perfectly spooky without violence.
A lovely dedication of love, Caitlin. "When lace shall close her eyes her smile I see " -- poignant.
Ooooo, I love this unique combination of writing styles you’ve fused together to create depth and intrigue! Well made, lovely Caitlin!
so captivatingly written. "When lace shall close her eyes, her smile I see. And thus I know that she still lives in me." DAMN. and then this horrific microfiction crossing fears, intermingling anxieties, ugh so well done. thank you for sharing, always 💙
What happens after?! I really want to know! :) First I thought it was your name appearing on the label, as it was right under that part. I thought you give the story a twist, and then suddenly ended. I think you're better than you credit yourself, but the honesty is always appreciated by me.
girl, your talents continue to amaze us. thank you again for your open transparency, allowing us to see inside the workings of your heart
Your art is already improving, Caitlin. The image continues further than the sightline, suggestive of infinity. But the fear that inspired the poem, the story and your haunting image is real, like an echo. All of them are freighted with meaning. The genre this represents is psychological horror. Your image and story are dreamlike, the horror is sudden, unexpected. The poem, however, is grounded in the now with an eye on the future. It speaks eloquently of your fear of your mother’s death while also acknowledging that she will continue to live in you after she is gone. This is writing of consequence, and merits further exploration, even when you are unsatisfied with the result. It is very hard to write about the things that we ourselves most greatly fear for a reason. This is not because of a lack of skill, but due to our natural inclination to protect ourselves from anything that threatens our well-being. I look forward to reading more.
Keep writing. You do not suck.
The poem is heartbreakingly beautiful. That toe tag moment was perfectly chilling.
Love the image and the combination of the two fears, the image is great and good, how you chmpion others
"No bat can see the darkness of my pain." That was my favourite line! As for your story, that was soooo creeepppyyyy! You did an excellent job! Oh and I love your artwork as well!