three: zoe

risen again

leeching the pain away

rapunzel's song

can heal me no more

than a god's curse

I am the dark and the light is afraid of me.

THREE

Zoe's thin hands tugged at the fabric, the stiff collar of her dress hot against her pale throat. Mascara that wasn't there pooled under her eyes. She could hear the whispers, telling the children at church to stay away from the zombie girl.

Zoe stayed silent and observed the people filing past, like souls into Hades's underworld realm.

"Hi, Zo! Next time, I'll help you with make-up~ Oh, here, have this, my little sister wanted to get rid of it because it was cracked and ugly. She said it reminded her of you." Giggles spewed forth from the amassed.

The ivory doll's broken smile wormed into Zoe's soul as she stroked a finger over the fissures in its cheek.

Her fingers itched for skin, her hands craved for blood.