Cia

Happy Birthday!!

Lakshou and Captain stared at me, like I was going to break apart or run screaming. But… I’d had years to experience the horrors of what they did to me. The digging around in my brain. The tests. Things I’d done even when I didn’t want to. I’d hoped they were all in my head, visions as I’d been held immobile in my cell. But I’d crushed that box. Just like I’d crushed…. Nausea swirled in my belly. Maybe I’d left my cell before Captain had rescued me. If that was true… “You

Sexuality is rarely black and white for every person, and it sounds like you don't really know where you fall on the spectrum either. Most people are shades of gray. They may find someone of the same sex attractive mentally, or react physically, or explore things physically... but that doesn't mean they're "gay". Taking part in sexual activity doesn't mean you have to be one thing or another, and labels rarely make a person happy because then you try to fit yourself into one thing, which may not be who you truly are or the type of relationship that will make you happy in the end. I think it's more important to focus on finding a person that turns you on mentally and physically (and you do the same for them) than to focus on the gender. Exploring what turns you on is a natural part of finding out who you are and what you want in a partner in life, but don't limit yourself (or him) just because of something you've done in the past that might not be what you want long-term or in the future. Oh, and if someone is in a relationship that isn't open, asking them to have sex with you (in any form) would mean they're cheating if they agree. That's more about integrity than sexuality. If your friend says he didn't want to have sex with you again, then pressuring him is unlikely to be helpful to his mental state and happiness. You're more likely going to lose a friend than gain a romantic relationship.

Captain held up a box. “First, do me a favor. Can you take this in your hand?” I eyed the small green box in his hand. It was small, with smooth sides. I still hesitated. “What does it do?” “Nothing. It’s just a cube. It can’t hurt you.” The edges weren’t even sharp, so I carefully reached out my hand. Captain gently dropped it into my hand. “What now?” It was so light I could barely feel its weight on my palm as I cradled it. “Squeeze it,” he said. “Okay.” I closed

Just because visual directions often help, here is how you can check the issues and disable/download/fix drivers that relate to black screen issues in Windows 8: http://www.windowswally.com/how-to-fix-graphics-driver-update-causing-black-screen-error-in-windows-8/ And here are a lot of links and options to screen issues fixes in Windows 10: https://www.drivethelife.com/windows-10/fix-display-video-graphics-problems-after-windows-10-update.html

Next week! Mebbe... mebbe not... can't say!

Bad me, bad, bad, bad me. Maybe Santa should take all my toys away? Awww.... dunno about that. Maybe he'll bring something else though. "Things" have been discovered. I think ramping up is definitely going to be a good way of describing it. What, me? Would I do such an evil, evil thing? Noooooooo, say it isn't so. Oh wait... yes I did. Muahahahaha.

Doesn't it? Somehow, I doubt it's the Flash Gordon thing, though. LOL!! Nope, definitely didn't do his meditation exercise post-session calm any good at all! Seems like the cliffie hasn't enhanced your calm either. Muahahahaha! Ahh, yes, the tie in with the title! You used the perfect word! What Kohen has been denied, he's now rediscovering. Life, happiness... love? LOL! More next week. Sorry I couldn't do more this week!

Yes, cliffies suck, but they're so hard to avoid with a 1k limit. Don't worry, though, more coming last week with answers to this week's questions! Yes, soooo mean. Forward and back. Eventually he'll get to a healthy place (we hope), but it's a marathon, not a sprint, for sure. Yes... what WERE they doing? What did they discover? What does it mean for Kohen? More next week!

Oh, you picked up on the younger mindset he's fallen into. The "I've got a chance to do something, but should I?" sneakiness that kids can do when they're alone. LOL What can I say? I had to throw in some geekness about space in this story. Yes, that's something they'd all be instructed to obey in a limited space environment. Personal limits/space must be respected to survive the close quarters. Kohen cannot figure out Aparoe's gender, as they appear androgynous. So... they are 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'. As I'm using first person POV, from Kohen, there's a lot of the background and happenings outside his experience I can't share until he is involved (or oversees things) or gets up the guts to ask. Thanks, Jeffrey. I'm trying to keep it real, as much as I can with this being a spaceship full of humans and aliens traveling about the cosmos far, far from the mundanity of real life on Earth, lol.

Ups and downs. Anyone recovering from a trauma has them, and he's on an up right now. Predicting what's going on in my brain? Not even I can do that, LOL!! Yep, fun time. He's on an up, he's feeling more positive and not doubting as much. But... what must come up, just come down. Right?! Yes. He's reaching out, opening up to the idea he's not in his cell or being tricked. And after his teen years of next to no contact and sensory deprivation other than negative, he's understandably wary.

Ah, the joy and pain of a flash fiction story with the Wednesday Briefers! I'm glad you're reading, though! Yes! But that's all part of it. He's been conditioned, and just wanting to be free, or being free, doesn't mean he can handle the reality of it. Slow and steady. Thank you, Scotrik1!! Yessssss!!! I love water and snuggly blankets. Total sensory nut, can't you tell?

I think we all have our sensory needs, and that is one I couldn't help but share with Kohen. Yes. Years being locked into it, while developing, would be traumatic for someone. This chapter was very much two steps forward... unfortunately, a step back is inevitable. Thank you! I really like Kohen too, and his story has captured me as an author. I try to be 'true' to the way a real person would feel, no matter what situation the story puts them in, and anxious is definitely a biggie for him.

Oh, I sooo don't. I absolutely love that moment each evening because it is such a sensory experience (and not in a naughty way, lol!). Hot, cold, firm water pressure, a waterfall shower head for a gentle rain... I love living in a place where water is so plentiful! Yes, yes, it does! I totally agree, as you can see from my reply above, lol. Yeppers! Too bad he was stuck with a sonic shower. Space is very important for Kohen, but not too much.

Quiet is definitely on the horizon. Nope, not just some random storage space. Captain wants him close. I do try to include things without telling readers, but it was important information to share what his room used to be. Captain is very protective, yes, and I like strong men with soft insides. They're the sweetest. Yes, I thought some would pick up the closeness, but others might need a little more information to realize what exactly Kohen's room used to be. You do pick up on all the little clues I litter about to create the emotional vibe for readers though.

The insistent chime from the door woke me up. I sat up in bed and yawned, then grimaced. My tongue felt thick and tasted nasty. Cokala didn’t taste good the next day. “Yuck.” The chime was loud in the tiny space of my room, and the muscles in my neck tightened as my shoulders hunched. I didn’t want to answer the door or let anyone in. Every time I spoke to someone, it was like my world changed again. Ignoring it wasn’t working though. Sighing, I pushed the covers back and slid off th

Did you catch Monday's blog featuring Vlista's teen drama, Tyler? Make sure you check it out and download your copy of the signature graphic at the bottom if you want to share your love for the story. Or, if you haven't read the story before or checked it out yet, enjoy this excerpt below! Cia said: Vlista's stories can be quite graphic and dark, but Tyler is more about the life after the worst a teen has faced than the negative experiences that shaped him. I really like the sense of hope in the story as the characters look forward and not back, refusing to let the darkness take away the chance of a happy future. I also really liked the way this one section offers so many glimpses into the major characters in the story. To read more, check out the rest of the story here.

This month I picked a Classic Author story to feature that might make for some difficult reading, but the hope inside the story is what I like to focus on. As one of the older stories on the site, you might have missed it before, but I hope everyone will enjoy Vlista's teen drama, Tyler! Length: 86,934 Description: Tyler’s a foster kid, after being abused by his parents and mistreated in foster care he’s angry with the world and all but given up on finding true happiness, until he meets Connor, but is he too angry to let himself be happy? Some Readers Said: If you want to spread the word about Vlista's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature! Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

Hi @Sweetlion If the relationship isn't one that includes coercive elements such as the person being someone of influence (teacher, family friend person/someone in charge of behavior, religious leader, etc....) then it would most likely be acceptable if the age gap isn't too extreme. The same element of 'like age group' really does need to apply because we don't want to showcase stories where someone of a much greater maturity level is grooming a young teen either. Not saying your story idea is like that, but it's an overall line we try not to cross.

The door chimed, and I reluctantly uncurled from my ball on the bed and went to find out who was there. I hesitated, my hand hovering over the panel, before I finally let it settle on the cool screen. It warmed briefly, then the door slid open. “Hello, Kohen.” Aparoe stood outside the door with a bag in one hand. “Hello.” I retreated, but they didn’t follow me. I stared at the black bag. “Can I come in?” I darted a look up at their face, then tilted my face to one side and

“Yes. It’s all yours. You control who comes in. All you have to do is place your hand on the sensor and it will open.” I looked at the pad inside the door. “From inside?” “Yes, Cohen. You are not a prisoner on my ship, you’re a guest. It is probably best that you don’t wander around alone, since I don’t want you to get lost, but you’re not trapped here. If you wish to go out, just hit this button which will page the bridge. Someone is on duty at all times and can provide you with ass

Well, there are a lot of holiday 'themed' stories that aren't so easy to find. This CSR is just for stories with those exact words in the title though. I had to limit the theme somehow.

That's right! Your eyes have not deceived you. This month the last Monday is Christmas, and New Year's is a Monday as well. There are other posts we're going to feature those days, so I thought I'd do something a little different these two months for our Can't Stop Reading selection(s). There are so many stories, there's sure to be a favorite for everyone to choose and share with each other! In honor of the holidays, you can use the Advanced Search to find any story with "Christmas" or "Holiday" in the title for your reading enjoyment. Or five. Or five pages... totally up to you! I'd like you to pick 1 (just one) story to write a review of 1-3 sentences. You love it, you want others to read it... now why? On Monday, January 29th, I'll share a blog post with all the great stories our members loved over the holiday season. Sounds like fun, right? Not sure how Advanced Search works? Follow these 5 super easy steps! 1. Click on the Stories tab 2. Click on the Advanced Search option in the right sidebar Browse box. 3. Type in Christmas or Holiday into the title field 4. Scroll down and click Search 5. Enjoy the stories!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Lisa!!