He doesn’t remember the lab. But his body never forgot.

When Orion was two years old, he vanished. Two months later, he was returned without a word, without a scratch—and without his mother, who had taken her own life in his absence. Blamed for her death, Orion grew up under his father’s violent hand, each day a cycle of pain and silence.

Two scars mark his back. He doesn’t know how they got there—until the night he turns seventeen.

In an explosion of agony and blood, wings erupt from beneath his skin, ripping through muscle and memory alike. Horrified, he tries to destroy them. But they grow back. And they bring questions that won't stay buried.

When Orion meets others like him—survivors of childhood disappearances, each with strange abilities and fractured pasts—he uncovers a dark truth: none of them came back unchanged. And the people who made them this way? They might still be watching.

This is a poem composed from linked haikus that I wrote immediately after reading several poems from young people who deal with their intolerable pain by cutting and other forms of self-harm. These broke my heart, which is where the title comes from, and I immediately penned this poem in response as it is my way of dealing with the great pain that life sometimes subjects us to, trying to give some comfort and hope to unknown colleagues in distress, knowing full well that words alone could do little or nothing to assuage their pain. But hope springs eternal.

Roxy’s world was a chaotic blend of broken promises, stifling control, and unanswered cries for help. At just sixteen, she bore scars not only on her skin but also on her heart—a quiet testimony to battles fought in the shadows. With light brown hair streaked with red wine highlights and green eyes that flickered between defiance and pain, she had a presence that demanded attention. Her wolf-cut hairstyle framed a face that had seen too much too soon. Behind her Y2K-inspired makeup and piercings—a left eyebrow ring and helix piercing—was a girl desperate for safety. A red pocket knife with a cross, always in her back pocket, served as both a coping mechanism and a weapon against the world that had hurt her.

Evan Thomas wasn’t supposed to be a savior. At twenty-five, he was still piecing himself back together after years of trauma. With light brown hair streaked with red wine highlights and piercing blue eyes that carried the weight of a lifetime, he was as much a paradox as the songs he wrote. His emo style and makeup masked the deep wounds of his past—abuse, self-harm, and a suicide attempt at nineteen that almost ended it all. Openly bisexual, Evan had spent his life battling judgment and pain, but his strength lay in his vulnerability. Music became his therapy, his outlet for all the emotions he couldn’t voice.

Cam, Evan’s 27-year-old childhood best friend and bandmate, was the one constant in his life. With brown eyes and light brown hair streaked with red wine highlights, his light emo style and signature eyeliner reflected his emotional depth. Cam, like Evan, had scars of his own—literal and emotional—from years of self-harm. Their bond was unshakable, forged through years of shared struggles and triumphs, as close as brothers but unromantic. Cam was Evan’s anchor, and together, they were determined to keep each other afloat.

The day Evan found Roxy at the adoption center wasn’t just coincidence—it was fate. As she sat there, hollow and guarded, her trauma was unmistakable. A worker had crossed the line, touching her inappropriately to take away her knife. Roxy froze, paralyzed by memories. Evan’s protective instincts roared to life. He recognized the signs because he had been there himself, assaulted at eighteen and left to navigate the aftermath alone. Pulling her out of that place was an act of defiance and a promise to protect her at all costs.

Dark poetry.

Dark poetry for me has always been an outlet.

A -sometimes- uplifting sequel about growing up, conquering generational trauma and learning to love yourself, even if you don't know who you are yet. Things are looking up for Luna- a new girlfriend, a supportive new family and a job she kind-of tolerates. But when a childhood friend's wedding brings Luna back to her home town of Sanford, Luna has to deconstruct her trauma while dodging the advances of her well-meaning but problematic former church friends.

*There are no perfect people in this story; no villains, no perfect protagonists and no fairytale romance. There is, however, realistic examples of neurodivergence, discovering yourself, LGBTQIA characters and nuanced depictions of mental health problems, self harm, religious and generational trauma.*

"My name is Faith Elizabeth Samuels. Well, it used to be, before I left my fundamentalist helicopter parents and started going by Luna... My counselor tells me writing will help me to 'heal'. Somehow, writing my feelings of depression, anxiety, self harm and suicidal thoughts will negate a lifetime of 'bad feelings' about my self image, mental health and general well-being. Sounds legit. So, fair reader, does my little tale of woe intrigue you? If so, come join my merry band of misfits on this roller coaster of life."

A -sometimes- uplifting story about growing up and overcoming life's challenges. Laugh, cry and smile with our cynical author as she tries to traverse the scary life of after high school while battling her inner demons and conquering the ever-terrifying world of adulting.

Rated Mature (13+) For themes of self-harm, depression, anxiety and some sexuality.

WARNING: This story contains scenes that might be triggering for some people. Please stay safe and skip this story if you know you should! In addition, there will be scenes with the following (subject to change as the story progresses):

Self-harm, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, mentions of suicide.

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Not-so-positive thoughts haunt the minds of many people; Max is no different. Max also doesn't plan on anyone finding out. He deserves the punishments he gives himself and has no intention of stopping. Good thing no one will find out! Right?

These are Ash's personal vents, they will be from different points of view.

Pronouns: They/Them

Press Shift+Enter for multiple line breaks.

this is literally the most non-fiction thing I've ever written. it's everything I would tell my mom if she were here. (she isn't dead tho she just chose my other siblings and coke over me)

You're a girl. A girl with coal-black hair. You're alive. And the way you feel, trapped in a destiny you didn't choose, makes you yearn for any kind of escape, even death. He has feathers blacker than the night sky. And he makes you feel something more, something better than alive. He makes you feel free.

Alex is a middle schooler who lives in an abusive home and is bullied everyday. Depression takes over his life ever since his best friend, who was like his brother, passed away due to a car crash. He thinks its his fault. He blames himself for not being there for him. He thinks hurting himself will get his mind off of it. Insomnia joins his body. Not wanting to stay up, he has... coffee. It helps to stay awake. When he moves to a new school, he meets someone who might just be the one to help.