#Marissa the survivor

[scribbiesan]

Day 1: Your Apocalypse Survivor.

@imagine-darksiders

Click for better quality

I’ve never really done an Inktober before, but what the hell, imma try this year!

This is Marissa. She’s a college student who was on her way from classes when shit hit the fan. Her equipment consists of: a wallet containing 4 dollars, 2 expired coupons, her drivers license, and a gift card, a duffel bag with a cracked laptop, 2 schoolbooks, several pens and pencils, and 3 notebooks, an old flip phone, and some pepper spray. She survives by being wily enough to skitter outta tight situations.

Anywho, thank you Ellie for the prompts list!! I’m gonna try to work on the next one after I’m done babysitting tomorrow.

Toodles!~

[simplegenius042]

Fallout 4 is a part of my adolescence so I would like to know more about your story A Symbol For A Better World 😊 a snippet or an anecdote, whatever you want 🤗

I unfortunately do not have a snippet, but I can sure talk a little about it @cassietrn!

So A Symbol For A Better World is a fic of Fallout 4 (obviously) and the final installation of A Radioactive Calamity of Love, Bombs & Gore. It takes place some years after The House Always Wins (FONV fic) and a decade after The Waters Of Life Flow (FO3 fic). It's still in its early stages, but so far what I got is this; Marissa Bishop, or "Ress" as she liked to be called by her brother until he died, is a half-human, half-dimensional creature, that has traveled from California to the Capital Wasteland, to the Mojave, and all the way down to the Commonwealth, where she knows her father, Arcane Urias, and the Occult he founded are beginning their next step in their master plan; the resurrection of the Mad God of Carnage, Discord. With the few allies she has left out in other parts of the Wasteland, she goes on the hunt for him alone, though she stumbles into the Sole Survivor of Vault 111; Nate Gust Sarid, recent widow but still a father looking for his son. Taking pity on him, she does her best to lead him to the only group she trusts to be safe; the Minutemen... who are in a bit of a pickle, so both help them out. Ress is very reluctant with sticking around, but is persuaded by Preston Garvey and Nate to lend a magical hand, in exchange of directing any information on the Occult to her. She and Nate go explore the Commonwealth together, kissing faces, earning names and kicking ass, and collecting a bunch of weirdos and outcasts that Ress can help train to at least survive against her father (she learnt the hard way in the FO3 fic that mortals are pretty weak against Urias, and the FONV crew got off lucky facing Aggravor), while getting in a four-way conflicting between the Minutemen, the Railroad, the most xenophobic chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel she's disappointed to see, and lastly the damn Institute. Meanwhile the Occult benefits off the distraction the war brings as Urias prepares his final moves against his remaining child and humanity as a whole.

I would like to say more, but it's still in early development, and I'm hoping the final product can give justice.

[ohpheeb]

WIP Intro & Call for Beta Readers!

Premise:

When the sole survivor of a small town serial killer swears his ghost has come back to haunt her, she tracks down the detective who originally caught him to uncover the secrets behind the killer and put him down for good.

genre: contemporary fiction/lit fic (and paranormal + suspense elements)

themes: overcoming fear, identity/being able to change

tropes: unreliable narrator, revenge, emotional hurt/comfort

cw: explicit depictions of trauma/violence/panic attacks, mental health issues (some suicidal ideation), paranormal hauntings and stalking

length: ~49k

beta period: starting around mid-June, ending in mid-July (4-6 week beta period, specific dates TBD). I'll choose betas by May 30 at the very latest.

No beta experience required - I want genuine feedback from people interested in the story!

Sign up to be a beta here!

beta signups are now closed!

Signal boosting would be super appreciated! :'-)

↓ Excerpts and more story details under the cut ↓

Marissa is a survivor fueled on paranoia and spite. When she realizes she's being haunted, she's determined to do whatever it takes to get rid of the killer's ghost - even if that means uncovering the secrets of the case and returning to a town more haunted than she is.

"Marissa takes a step forward and the man’s eyes dart around, panicked. It feels good to be the cause of it, to have some semblance of control for once. She takes another step."

//

Cary is a dedicated son and friend, fiercely loyal and totally out of his depth. He's back in town eager to connect with his mother and bring her out of the darkness she's wallowed in for so many years.

"Cary moves around the kitchen quietly. It’s different from the way Talia moves and different from Marissa too... Cary is quiet because he loves his mother."

//

Talia is a former detective stuck in the past, resigned to spend the rest of her life rotting away in her home. She wants to help Marissa but it's clear she's not the woman she used to be — although maybe that's for the best.

"Talia Hayworth moves around her kitchen like she barely lives in it; she reopens the same three cabinets twice before she finds two mugs hidden behind a stack of plates."

☆ wip tag / pinterest / song insp / photo credit

[gatheringbones]

[“The stories of criminalized survivors can be hard to read. The violence they have experienced, both at the hands of individuals and the state, is extreme. Narratives about and from those who are directly affected convey that violence in a visceral way and bring to light what many criminalized survivors have struggled with and continue to endure. These stories are offered not because they are sensational but because they are ordinary— they capture the violence inflicted on criminalized survivors every day.

The criminal legal system’s treatment of survivors of gender-based violence raises broader questions about the intersection of the criminal legal system and the antiviolence movement. The antiviolence movement was built through grassroots organizing. Survivor defense, as in the case of Joan Little, was very much a part of that grassroots effort. But the anti-violence movement was also an early adopter of criminal system reforms, advocating for mandatory arrest and strict prosecution policies as early as the 1970s. Some in the antiviolence movement championed VAWA not despite, but rather because of, its support for criminal responses to gender-based violence (and funding to implement those policies). Others swallowed concerns they may have had about forging close alliances with the criminal legal system to ensure VAWA’s passage. Advocates then championed VAWA reauthorizations that required the antiviolence movement to formalize its relationships with the criminal legal system to be eligible for funding.

Over time, antiviolence organizations and law enforcement have become increasingly enmeshed, so much so, Bierria has observed, that it is “rare for folks who are in direct service organizations to have the capacity to imagine a response outside of the usual paradigm of either direct services or pro-criminalization.” Even as antiviolence organizations recognized the harms done to victims of gender-based violence because of criminalization, most continued to advocate for and benefit from VAWA and related criminal laws and institutions. Bierria and organizer Hyejin Shim have noted that mainstream domestic violence organizations were reluctant to join survivor defense campaigns for criminalized survivors Marissa Alexander and Nan-Hui Jo. In Alexander’s case, prosecutor Angela Corey actively pressured antiviolence organizations to withhold their support. Although Shim was not certain that similar pressure was exerted in Jo’s case, she did “wonder if the reliance of domestic violence orgs on the DA to prosecute batterers and thus legitimize domestic violence work is a barrier” to publicly supporting criminalized survivors.”]

leigh goodmark, from imperfect victims: criminalized survivors and the promises of abolition feminism, 2023

[thousandfireworks]

Authors whose books you have to avoid because they are problematic.

Abigail Hing Wen.

Alex Aster.

Alice Hoffman.

Alice Oseman.

Alison Win Scotch. ‘Terrorism is never acceptable. Not in Israel.’

Allie Sarah.

Amber Kelly.

Amy Harmon.

Annabelle Monaghan.

Anna Akana.

Aurora Parker.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Brandon Sanderson. Islamophobic.

Carissa Broadbent. Said that hamas is doing violence against innocence.

Chloe Walsh. Siding with Israel in the name of humanity.

Christina Lauren. Believe that Israel is the victim. A racist, also Islamophobic.

Colleen Hoover.

Cora Reilly. Travel to Israel despite criticism.

Danielle Bernstein. Islamophobic.

Danielle Lori.

Deke Moulton. Said hamas is terrorist.

Dian Purnomo.

Eliza Chan.

Elle Kennedy.

Elyssa Friedland.

Emily Henry.

Emily Mclntire.

Emily St. J. Mandel. Admiring Israel.

Gabrielle Zevin. Wrote a book about anti-Palestine. Mentioned Israel multiple times without context on his book.

Gregory Carlos. Israeli author. A zionist.

Hannah Whitten.

Hazel Hayes. Reposted a post about October 7th.

Heidi Shertok.

Jamie McGuire.

Jay Shetty. ‘Violence is happening in Israel.’

Jean Meltzer.

Jeffery Archer. Wrote a book with a mc Israel operative (mossad) in a positive and anti terrorist light.

Jennifer Hartman. Liked a post about pro-Israel.

Jen Calonita.

Jessa Hastings.

Jill Santopolo. Said that Israel has right to exist and fight back.

John Green.

Jojo Moyes.

J. Elle.

J. K. Rowling. Support genocide. Racist. Islamophobic.

Kate Canterbery.

Kate Stewart.

Katherine Howe.

Katherine Locke.

Kristin Hannah. Support Israel. Shared a donation link.

Laini Taylor.

Laura Thalassa. Islamophobic.

Lauren Wise. Cussed that Palestinian supporters would be raped in front of children.

Lea Geller. Thanked people who supports Israel.

Leigh Dragoon. Islamaphobic and anti Asian racist rants on Twitter and threads

Leigh Stein.

Lilian Harris. A racist. Blocking people who educates about colonialism in Palestine and call them disgusting.

Lisa Barr. A daughter of Holocaust survivor. Support Israel.

Lisa Kennedy Montgomery.

Lisa Steinke.

Liz Fenton.

Lynn Painter. Afraid of getting cancelled as a pro-Palestine and posted a template afterwards.

L. J. Shen. Her husband joins idf (Israel army).

Mariana Zapata.

Marie Lu.

Marissa Meyer.

Melissa de la Cruz.

Michelle Cohen Corasanti.

Michelle Hodkin. Spread false rumors about arab-hamas. Islamophobic.

Mitch Albom. ‘We shouldn't blame Israel for surviving attacks or defending against them.’

Monica Murphy. Siding with Israel.

Naomi Klein.

Navah Wolfe.

Neil Gaiman. Suggested Palestinians unite with Israel and become citizens.

Nicholas Sparks.

Nic Stone. Talked nonsense that children in Palestinian refugee camp are training to be martyrs for Allah because they felt it was their call in life.

Nyla K.

Olivia Wildenstein. Blocking people who disagree with Israel wrongdoing.

Pamela Becker.

Penelope Douglas.

Pierce Brown.

Rachel Lynn Solomon.

Rebecca G. Martinez.

Rebecca Yarros. ‘I despise violence’ her opinion about what's happening in Gaza. Blocking people who calls her a zionist.

Rena Rossner.

Renee Ahdieh.

Rick Riordan.

Rina Kent.

Rivka (noctem.novelle).

Rochelle Weinstein.

Romina Garber. ‘These terrorist attacks do nothing to improve the lives of Palestinians people.’

Roshani Chokshi. Encourage people to donate to Israel.

Samantha Greene Woodruff.

Sarah J. Mass. Her book contained ideology of zionism.

Stephanie Garber. Promoting books by zionist author (Sarah J. Mass)

Skye Warren.

Sonali Dev.

Talia Carner.

Tarryn Fisher. Said ‘there was terrorist attack in Israel.’

Taylor Jenkins Reid. Posted a video about genocide.

Tere Liye. Rumoured to have ghoswriters to write his books and never give credit to them.

Tillie Cole.

Tracy Deon.

Trinity Traveler (Ade Perucha Hutagaol). Rumour to wrote book about handsome Israelis.

T. J. Klune.

Uri Kurlianchik.

Veronica Roth.

Victoria Aveyard. ‘Israel has the right to exist.’ quote from her about the issue.

V. E. Schwab. Shared a donation link and video about Israel.

Yuval Noah. ‘Israel has the right to do anything to defend themselves.’

Zibby Owens.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Books Coming Out in April 2024 🌈

🌈 Good morning, my bookish bats! Struggling to keep up with all the amazing queer books coming out this month? Here are a FEW of the stunning, diverse queer books you can add to your TBR before the year is over. Remember to #readqueerallyear! Happy reading!

[ Release dates may have changed. ]

❤️ Spring on the Peninsula - Ery Shin 🧡 When I Arrived at the Castle - Emily Carroll 💛 Bloodline - Jenn Alexander 💚 Grey Dog - Elliott Gish 💙 Every Time You Hear That Song - Jenna Voris 💜 I'm in Love with the Villainess v. 2 - Inori and Hanagata ❤️ The Caravaggio Syndrome - Alessandro Giardino 🧡 Leather, Lace, and Locs - Anne Shade 💛 Firebugs - Nico Bulling 💙 I Married My Female Friend v.2 - Shio Usui 💜 The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray - Christine Calella 🌈 A Sweet Sting of Salt - Rose Sutherland ❤️ The Selected Shepherd: Poems - Reginald Shepherd 🧡 Rough Trade - Katrina Carrasco 💛 Aubrey McFadden is Never Getting Married - Georgia Beers 💚 Taming of a Rebel - Eada Friesian 💙 Dayspring - Anthony Oliveira 💜 The Titanic Survivors Book Club - Timothy Schaffert ❤️ Orphia And Eurydicius - Elyse John 🧡 The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers - Samuel Burr 💛 A Good Happy Girl - Marissa Higgins 💙 Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine - Nicole Melleby 💜 Here We Go Again - Alison Cochrun 🌈 Women! In! Peril! - Jessie Ren Marshall

❤️ Blood City Rollers - V. P. Anderson and Tatiana Hill 🧡 The Prospects - KT Hoffman 💛 Crazy Like a Fox: Adventures in Schizophrenia - Christi Furnas 💚 WATCHNIGHT - Cyree Jarelle Johnson 💙 Love From The Sidelines - Tuesday Harper 💜 The Pleasure in Pain - Roxie Voorhees ❤️ Mal - Perla Zul 🧡 The Black Girl Survives in This One - Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell 💛 Darker by Four - June C.L. Tan 💙 Otherworldly - F.T. Lukens 💜 Hearts Still Beating - Brooke Archer 🌈 Tryst Six Venom - Penelope Douglas

❤️ Teenage Dirtbags - James Acker 🧡 The Heart Wants What It Wants - D.M. Batten 💛 Something Kindred by Ciera Burch 💚 Sheine Lende - Dr. Darcie Little Badger & Rovina Cai 💙 Rainbow Overalls - Maggie Fortuna 💜 Flowers for Dead Girls - Abigail Collins ❤️ Canto Contigo - Jonny Garza Villa

❤️ Court of Wanderers - Rin Chupeco 🧡 Molten Death - Leslie Karst 💛 Triad Magic - ‘Nathan Burgoine 💚 You, Me and Bad Movies - Twoony 💙 The Faithful Dark - Cate Baumer 💜 A Case for Discretion - Ashley Moore ❤️ Party of Fools - Cedar McCloud 🧡 The Last Love Song - Kalie Holford 💛 This is Me Trying - Racquel Marie 💙 Dear Wendy - Ann Zhao 💜 Sun Eater - Dre Levant 🌈 The Breakup Lists - Adib Khorram

❤️ Bad Dream - Nicole Maines & Rye Hickman 🧡 If We Were Stars - Eule Grey 💛 The Broken Lines of Us - Shia Woods 💚 Eye of the Ouroboros - Megan Bontrager 💙 Henry Henry - Allen Bratton 💜 Dear Bi Men - JR Yussuf ❤️ Paige Not Found - Jen Wilde 🧡 Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership - Chaya Milchtein 💛 Wide Awake Now - David Levithan 💙 Merciless Saviors - H.E. Edgmon 💜 Smile and Be a Villain - Yves Donlon 🌈 Crash Landing - Charmaine Anne Li

❤️ Call Forth a Fox - Markelle Grabo 🧡 Central Avenue Poetry Prize 2024 - Beau Adler 💛 Good Bones - Aurora Rey 💚 Curiosities - Anne Fleming 💙 Someone You Can Build a Nest in - John Wiswell 💜 Revisiting Summer Nights - Ashley Bartlett ❤️ Bright Spring - Emmaline Strange

❤️ Girls Night - I.S. Belle 🧡 Late Bloomer - Mazey Eddings 💛 Withered - A.G.A. Wilmot 💚 A Wolf Steps in Blood - Tamara Jerée 💙 It Always Finds Me - Anthology 💜 Dulhaniyaa - Talia Bhatt ❤️ Moon Dust in My Hairnet - JR Creaden 🧡 Blood Justice - Terry J. Benton-Walker 💛 Relinquishing Control - J.J. Arias

❤️ Selamlik - Khaled Alesmael 🧡 Houseswap 101 - Jaime Clevenger 💛 Earthflown by Frances Wren & Litarnes 💚 Covenant v.1 - LySandra Vuong 💙 Honey - Victor Lodato 💜 The Dragonfly Gambit - A.D. Sui ❤️ Double Dyno - Sharon K Angelici & Taylor Rose

[shannendoherty-fans]

Published Aug 1, 2024

The Cancer Community Says After The Loss of Shannen Doherty, It’s Important To Keep Going- A Legacy of Bravery

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star candidly shared about her day-to-day fight with metastatic breast cancer up until the end.

By Marissa Sullivan.

An Inspirational Icon

The loss of Shannen Doherty, who died on July 13 of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at age 53, affected fans and loved ones from around the world, and the cancer community was hit particularly hard by this profound loss.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress gave people hope, and despite her passing — which can be especially devastating for other late stage survivors, it’s important to keep going in her honor and not give up that hope that she instilled.

After the death of a loved one or someone you looked up to, it’s key to remember that grief may look different for everyone. The stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These labels help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. These stages can also occur in any order.

As far as your own cancer journey, don’t give up. There are more and more options becoming available for patients to manage symptoms of advanced stage disease, and it’s best to talk about specific treatment plans and what is best for you with your own doctor.

The loss of Shannen Doherty, who died on July 13 of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at age 53, affected fans and loved ones from around the world, and the cancer community was hit particularly hard by this profound loss.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star gave people hope, and despite her passing — which can be exceptionally heavy on other late stage survivors, it’s important to keep going and not lose faith in your own journey.

Doherty was over four years into her advanced stage diagnosis and had gained a powerful voice in the health space with her Let’s Be Clear podcast, holding nothing back as she aired out past personal struggles in her career and love live, and candidly spoke of her day-to-day fight.

Actress Shannen Doherty became a household name after starring in hit shows like ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed.’ “This is what I am currently facing. #cancer #life,” Doherty captioned what would be her last video post.

The day the world woke up to the tragic news, comments came pouring in on Instagram for the late pop culture icon.

“Rest in peace. I’m donating to metavivor today in your honor,” one fan commented, while actress Selma Blair shared: “Thank you for showing us how to keep going.”

CEO Alana Stewart — who runs the Farrah Fawcett Foundation in honor of her late best friend’s cancer mission — wrote, “God bless you, you’re an amazing inspiration.”

How to Cope After Losing a Loved One to Cancer

After the death of a loved one or someone you looked up to, it’s key to remember that grief may look different for everyone.

Everyone is entitled to their feelings, and yes, the emotions are real, even if you consider yourself “just a fan.”

The stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These labels help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. These stages can also occur in any order.

The time it takes to navigate these stages can also vary, so giving yourself grace and patience is essential while navigating your feelings.

“It often gets better over time, but on certain days, it can look like depression, and on other days, people look perfectly normal and can function,” Dr. Scott Irwin, a board-certified psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.

‘Grief Comes in Waves’

Dr. Irwin added that grieving people are coming to terms with “the change in their life; the future they had imagined is now different.”

SurvivorNet also had a prior conversation with Megan Newcomer, who lost a close friend to metastatic cancer in 2018. She shared her unique way of coping with grief.

Newcomer’s friend was an athlete and soccer player, so to help her cope, she embarked on a marathon race in his honor, and advises others grieving to first “acknowledge your feelings.”

Shannen Doherty was a passionate animal rights activist. Courtesy of Instagram/Shannen Doherty

“Then, think about a way that you could honor the person through a mechanism that is meaningful to you,” she continued. “So that can be artwork, music, or developing a financial fundraising project. It could be something very simple, but I do think having it be intentional is what you’re doing to help honor this person.”

In a column for SurvivorNet, New York-based clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin expressed that it may be helpful to remind yourself that these feelings are “meaningful yet temporary.”

“If you approach them with compassion, kindness, and eventually acceptance, you will come away from this period in your life more connected to your resilience and strength,” Dr. Strongin added.

Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer

Stage 4, or metastatic breast cancer, means that the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body. Even though there is currently no cure for metastatic breast cancer, doctors have many options to treat this advanced stage of breast cancer.

Hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted drugs are all options to talk to her doctor about, depending on your individual needs. Sometimes surgery and/or radiation is considered as part of the treatment, but mainly it is important to focus on improving your quality of life.

Dr. Erica Mayer, a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, says clinical trials have shown that hormone medicines are more effective when paired with targeted therapies. At some point, chemotherapy will be introduced. And according to Dr. Mayer, it’s delivered at a dose and schedule that’s as well-tolerated as possible.

“We are so lucky in breast cancer that we have so many effective and well-tolerated treatments,” Dr. Mayer previously told SurvivorNet. I’m so gratified to see that patients are doing better and living longer today with metastatic breast cancer than they have ever done before.”

Bottom line, there are more and more options becoming available for patients to manage symptoms of advanced stage disease, and it’s best to talk about specific treatment plans and what is best for you with your own doctor.

Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer

With metastatic breast cancer, the primary goal of treatment is to control its spread. SurvivorNet offers information about what those options are from targeted therapies to chemotherapy and when these various treatment options can be used.

We also provide information on new, exciting research that is currently being tested in clinical trials and information about when recently approved drugs, like immunotherapies, can be used.

For help finding a clinical trial that may be right for you or a loved one, try our easy-to-use Clinical Trial Finder.

While there have been many developments in recent years when it comes to treating late-stage breast cancer, which therapies can be used will depend on the characteristics of the patient’s cancer.

What are the treatment options for late-stage breast cancer?

“Metastatic breast cancer is a treatable disease,” Dr. Kenneth D. Miller, medical oncologist at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore shared in a pior interview with SurvivorNet.

“Fortunately, we have so many new treatments for women with recurrent breast cancer and for many women who look at this as a chronic disease that they can live with — often for many years.”

*****

RELATED: ‘Stage Four Needs More’: Metastatic Breast Cancer Requires Dramatically More Research Investment’ Say Advocates Mourning ‘90210’ Actress Shannen Doherty

RELATED: For Patients, The Inspiration of a Famous Actress And Her Quest to Make Sure Her Affairs Were in Order — Mourning Shannen Doherty

RELATED: Crusading to Save Horses, Shannen Doherty Says ‘We Have To Speak For The Voiceless’

RELATED: ‘Not Done Living & Loving’ Said Actress Shannen Doherty– She Placed Hope In Experimental Drug Trials To Treat Metastatic Breast Cancer

[halofanfiction]

Fan Fiction:

Halo: Shards of Honor

Chapter 1: The Gathering Clouds

The ground quaked beneath the boots of the UNSC Marines stationed at Fort Horizon, the distant booms of Covenant artillery blending with the howling winds of Carathon IV. Private Connor Halden, barely 19 and fresh from boot camp, tightened his grip on his MA5B assault rifle. Beside him, Corporal Marissa Vega, a hardened veteran of the Fall of Reach, muttered curses under her breath as she adjusted the sights on her sniper rifle.

“How long until they hit us?” Connor whispered, his voice cracking.

Marissa didn’t look up. “That sound? It’s just their calling card. When it stops, that’s when you worry.”

The artillery roar suddenly ceased. Connor’s blood ran cold.

From the ridge above, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 scanned the valley below through his helmet’s VISR. A shimmering wave of cloaked Spec-Ops Sangheili crept through the rocky terrain, heading straight for the minefield. His voice cut sharply through the comms:

“Echo-One, enemy infiltrators are breaching the outer perimeter. Hold your fire until I give the signal.”

The Marines tensed, their training clashing with raw fear. Connor’s hands trembled as he stared at the shifting distortions in the air—barely visible outlines of the cloaked enemies.

Master Chief waited, his eyes tracking the Sangheili as they neared the first set of mines. Then, with a calm born of experience, he uttered one word:

“Now.”

A series of deafening explosions rippled through the valley. The mines obliterated several Sangheili, but the survivors retaliated instantly, hurling plasma grenades toward the UNSC positions. Connor screamed as plasma bolts detonated nearby, sending shards of rock and debris into the air.

The Covenant artillery resumed, louder and closer. Chief cursed under his breath as he saw a wave of Jiralhanae charge into the chaos, shielded by a Wraith tank. The Marines scrambled for cover, their sporadic gunfire barely scratching the tank’s thick armor.

“Chief, we can’t hold this position!” Marissa shouted over the comms.

Master Chief didn’t respond immediately. He was already moving, sprinting across the ridge and launching himself onto the Wraith from above. His energy sword, taken from a fallen enemy earlier in the campaign, ignited with a sharp hiss as he plunged it into the tank’s engine, disabling it in a burst of plasma and flame.

As the Wraith burned, Chief dropped to the ground, only to find himself surrounded by the surviving Jiralhanae. Their growls echoed menacingly as they closed in, barbed mauls raised high.

“Chief, do you copy?” Marissa’s voice crackled in his ear. “We’re falling back to the inner perimeter!”

Master Chief activated his comm. “Negative. Hold your ground. If we lose this line, the pass is theirs.”

The thunder of artillery grew louder. For a brief moment, Chief’s gaze turned skyward, catching the shadow of a Pelican overhead. Reinforcements were en route, but the Marines had to endure the storm until they arrived.

Gripping his MA5B, Chief turned to face the Jiralhanae. “No retreat,” he muttered, his voice steely. “Not here.”

The artillery’s thunder echoed once more, signaling the battle’s escalation.

Chapter 2: A Desperate Stand

The battered remnants of the UNSC defense forces regrouped within the scorched walls of Fort Horizon, their hope dwindling as Covenant forces swarmed the valley below.

Master Chief stood at the center of the command tent, his reflective visor masking the weariness in his eyes. A holographic map of the terrain flickered before him, displaying the narrow pass leading to the fort. Beside him, Lieutenant Carter Singh, the senior officer on-site, paced with anxious energy.

“This isn’t a defense anymore, Chief,” Carter growled, slamming his fist on the table. “It’s a last stand.”

Chief’s voice was calm, measured. “Not yet. If we control their movement, we can buy time for evac.”

Master Chief traced his finger along the holographic map, highlighting a series of choke points within the pass.

“Engineers, rig these locations with every explosive we’ve got. Plasma mines, leftover Covenant charges, even demo packs from our supply crates. Force them to funnel through here.”

Chief Engineer Sergeant Marco Grier nodded grimly. “We’ll need two hours to rig the pass.”

“Then you’ve got one,” Master Chief said firmly.

The Spartan turned to Captain Elena Monroe, leader of the ODSTs. “Your squads will infiltrate behind their lines. Sabotage their supply routes and draw their reinforcements away from the main force.”

Monroe nodded, her confidence unshaken despite the odds. “Just give me the word, Chief.”

Finally, Chief addressed the remaining Marines. “The rest of us hold Fort Horizon. Scorpions and Warthogs will anchor the line, while Pelicans provide air support. This isn’t just about survival—it’s about making them bleed for every inch they take.”

The room fell silent as the Spartan’s words sank in. Then, one by one, the soldiers nodded. They had no choice but to fight.

Hours later, the first wave of the Covenant forces surged into the valley, their Hunters leading the charge. Plasma fire lit up the twilight as the Marines hunkered down behind makeshift barricades.

From his perch above the pass, Master Chief watched the Covenant advance. “Hold,” he ordered through the comms, his voice steady despite the chaos.

The first Hunter stepped into the kill zone, its massive shield absorbing stray rounds. Master Chief’s hand hovered over the detonator.

“Hold…”

As the bulk of the Covenant forces funneled into the narrow passage, Master Chief pressed the trigger.

The ground erupted in a fiery cascade as explosives tore through the enemy ranks. Plasma mines sent shockwaves rippling through the canyon, and Covenant vehicles were thrown skyward in a blaze of purple and blue flames.

The Marines roared in defiance, opening fire on the survivors.

Behind enemy lines, Monroe’s ODSTs struck with precision.

“Move fast, stay quiet,” Monroe whispered as her team crept through the shadow of a Covenant supply depot.

With synchronized precision, the ODSTs planted charges on fuel tanks and communication relays. The explosions that followed sent the Covenant forces into disarray, forcing them to divert troops away from the frontlines.

“Target hit,” Monroe reported over comms, grinning as she watched the chaos unfold. “They’re scrambling, Chief. Hope your line can hold.”

At the fort, the battle raged. Scorpion tanks fired shell after shell, obliterating advancing enemy vehicles. Above, Pelicans swooped low, launching missile salvos into clusters of Covenant infantry.

Master Chief fought at the front, his energy sword cutting through Sangheili and Jiralhanae alike. His shield flared under plasma fire, but he pressed on, his focus unrelenting.

Connor Halden and Marissa Vega fought side by side, their bond forged in the crucible of battle. When Connor’s rifle jammed, Marissa pulled him down just in time to avoid a plasma bolt.

“Focus, kid!” she barked, tossing him a sidearm.

“I’m trying!” he shouted, his hands shaking as he reloaded.

Between waves, Master Chief found himself alone on the ridge, staring at the carnage below. The screams of the wounded and the acrid smell of burning metal filled the air.

Memories flooded his mind: his fireteam falling one by one during the Covenant War, the faces of civilians he couldn’t save, the weight of every life lost under his watch.

The thunder of approaching Covenant reinforcements snapped him out of his thoughts. Master Chief activated his comm.

“Everyone, hold the line. No one falls back.”

The Spartan drew his rifle, his voice resolute. “This is where we make our stand.”

Chapter 3: The Climax

The night sky over Fort Horizon ignited with plasma fire and tracer rounds as the Covenant unleashed their final assault. Despite the minefield ambush, the Covenant’s forces pressed forward with relentless precision, determined to crush the UNSC resistance.

Master Chief crouched on the ridgeline, his enhanced optics scanning the chaotic battlefield below. Suddenly, his HUD lit up with motion markers—Spec-Ops Sangheili, their forms shimmering under active cloaking devices, had breached the perimeter.

“Contact. Cloaked enemies in the minefield,” Chief reported calmly over comms.

The Marines braced themselves, but the Sangheili moved like ghosts, neutralizing sentries and disabling charges. Chief switched to his energy sword, the blade humming to life.

“On me,” he ordered. A fireteam of Marines followed him into the fray.

The firefight erupted in the minefield, plasma bolts streaking through the darkness. Chief’s blade arced through the air, cutting down one Sangheili after another. A stray grenade detonated a cluster of remaining mines, sending shockwaves through the canyon and vaporizing half the enemy vanguard.

Panting, a Marine spoke up, “Sir, the minefield’s gone.”

Chief gave a curt nod. “So are their infiltrators. Fall back to defensive positions.”

The respite was brief. Moments later, the ground shook under the advance of Jiralhanae-led armored units, massive Covenant vehicles lumbering forward through the wreckage.

“Scorpions, light ‘em up!” Lieutenant Carter’s voice roared over the comms.

The Marines rallied, their Scorpion tanks firing HE shells that tore into the enemy armor. Warthogs zipped between cover, chainguns blazing, but the Covenant's counterfire was devastating. Plasma turrets shredded makeshift barricades, and energy mortars sent explosions rippling through UNSC lines.

Connor Halden and Marissa Vega manned a Warthog turret, the young Marine’s resolve hardening under fire.

“Keep shooting, Connor!” Marissa shouted as she swerved to avoid an incoming plasma bolt.

He gritted his teeth, his rounds finally piercing the shield of an advancing Jiralhanae, dropping the brute in a spray of blood.

Despite their efforts, the UNSC line buckled under the weight of the assault. “We’re losing ground!” Carter shouted, his voice grim.

Chief knew they couldn’t hold much longer. “Monroe, I need your best,” he said over the comms.

“Always ready, Chief,” Monroe replied.

Chief handpicked a small strike team of ODSTs and led them on a daring counteroffensive. Under the cover of darkness and artillery fire, they slipped behind enemy lines, their target: the Covenant’s command post.

The infiltrators moved swiftly, evading patrols and neutralizing sentries with silenced weapons. At the command post, Chief hacked into a signal relay as Monroe’s team held off reinforcements.

“Chief, hurry!” Monroe shouted, her rifle blazing.

Chief’s fingers flew over the device’s interface. “Got it. Relaying coordinates to the Infinity now.”

Seconds later, the skies split apart as a slipspace rupture opened above the battlefield. The UNSC Infinity, the mightiest warship in the fleet, emerged with its complement of frigates and strike craft.

“Fort Horizon,” came the voice of Captain Gavin over the comms. “Reinforcement are on the way!”

Pelicans and Longswords rained fire down on the Covenant forces, decimating their armor and breaking their momentum. The tide had turned.

With the Covenant in disarray, Chief led a final charge back to the fort, his energy sword glowing in the dawn’s light.

“For Horizon!” he shouted, his voice rallying the remaining defenders.

The Marines surged forward, driving the Covenant into retreat. The once-invincible enemy faltered under the combined might of the UNSC forces, their morale shattered.

As the dust settled, Chief stood amidst the ruins of Fort Horizon, his armor scorched and battered. The cost had been staggering, but they had held.

Lieutenant Carter approached him, his face lined with exhaustion. “Hell of a fight, Chief. You saved us.”

Chief looked out over the battlefield, the weight of his choices pressing down on him.

Above, the Infinity loomed as a symbol of hope, its presence a reminder that the UNSC would never yield.

Chapter 4: Victory at a Cost

The first light of dawn broke over the charred battlefield, bathing the ruins of Fort Horizon in an eerie, golden glow. The UNSC defenders, battered but unbroken, dug into their last stronghold as the final moments of the battle played out. Reinforcements from the UNSC Infinity and its fleet struck decisively, sealing the fate of the Covenant’s assault.

Above the battlefield, squadrons of Longsword bombers screamed through the sky, their payloads of cluster munitions raining fire onto the Covenant’s remaining forces. Plasma anti-air fire streaked up in a desperate defense, but the bombers proved too fast, too numerous.

“Pelicans, move in! Neutralize survivors,” came the commanding voice of Captain Gavin over the comms.

A fleet of Pelican gunships followed, unleashing a torrent of autocannon fire and missile strikes that tore through the Covenant’s rear lines. The alien forces, once disciplined and relentless, faltered under the combined might of UNSC airpower and the Infinity’s orbital guns.

Master Chief stood at the front lines, watching as Jiralhanae war chieftains and Sangheili officers called for a retreat. Their banners fell, their cohesion shattered.

“Victory is ours,” Lieutenant Carter murmured, awe and exhaustion in his voice.

Chief gave a slight nod, but his attention remained fixed on a Sangheili figure rallying a dwindling group of warriors—a towering Zealot in ornate green-and-gold armor.

Chief stepped forward, his energy sword igniting with a hiss.

“Chief, what are you doing?” Carter called after him.

“Ending this,” Chief replied.

The Zealot, 'Vareem, turned to face him, his blade coming to life. The battlefield around them seemed to still as the two warriors closed the distance, their footsteps crunching over debris.

“You fight with honor,” 'Vareem growled in flawless human speech. “But this world belongs to the Covenant.”

Chief leveled his blade at him. “Not today.”

Their duel began with a clash of swords that sent sparks flying. Chief’s enhanced reflexes matched the Zealot’s agility as they exchanged blows, their movements blurs of precision and power. 'Vareem feinted left and slashed at Chief’s flank, but Chief anticipated the move, parrying with a twist of his wrist and countering with a strike that scorched the Sangheili’s armor.

The fight wore on, the two warriors circling each other amid the wreckage. Finally, Chief disarmed 'Vareem with a decisive upward strike, his blade poised at the Zealot’s throat.

The Zealot dropped to one knee, his mandibles flaring in defiance. “Do it, Spartan. Prove your strength.”

Chief hesitated. He saw no hatred in the Sangheili’s eyes, only a fierce, misguided loyalty. Lowering his blade, he stepped back.

“Go,” Chief said. “Your war ends here, but not your life.”

'Vareem stared at him, then nodded solemnly. “You are stronger than I imagined.” He rose and disappeared into the chaos, leading his surviving warriors into retreat.

As the battlefield quieted, Chief returned to the fort, his armor scorched and dented but his resolve intact. The Marines cheered as he entered, hailing him as a hero.

“Master Chief! Master Chief!”

He waved them off, his thoughts elsewhere. He found himself alone on a ridge overlooking the battlefield, gazing at the wreckage and the bodies—human and alien alike.

Lieutenant Carter approached, his helmet under one arm. “We did it. The Covenant won’t recover from this.”

Chief shook his head. “They’ll regroup. This isn’t over.”

Carter frowned. “You should take the win, Chief. We couldn’t have held without you.”

Chief didn’t reply, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He was haunted by the losses—names and faces of the dead flashing through his mind. He clenched his fists.

“The war is far from over,” he said finally. “We have to prepare for what comes next.”

As the UNSC began its cleanup, Captain Gavin arrived in person, offering commendations to the troops. Chief, however, refused to stand for the ceremony, choosing instead to help organize the wounded and the salvaging of supplies.

That night, in the quiet of his quarters, Chief replayed the battle in his mind, every choice, every life lost. Redemption felt elusive, even in victory.

Chief’s helmet rests on a makeshift shelf, its visor cracked, a testament to the Spartan who bore the weight of victory at a cost.

[accirax]

I remembered that you did that fun prediction game when Disventure Camp: All-Stars was still coming out, and I was wondering if you had any thoughts about this new season so far? Whether that be what characters you like, who you think will win, anything really, I just think it’ll be interesting to hear your thoughts.

oh, you mean my power rankings? i'm glad you thought they were fun enough to remember them come season 4! i probably won't keep up the tradition this season (mostly just bc they took a while to write per week), but that doesn't mean i can't share a little of what i'm thinking now. especially since you asked so politely ;D

overall, i think the season looks really great so far! as has seemingly been the tradition with each season, the art has just gotten better and better, and the new crop of voice talents seem, well... talented! (i wonder if any of them will hop over to RR for future seasons, assuming there are more 👀) my sister and i both agreed that this season seems to be even more based off of modern Survivor, what with the twist at the episode's ending and the way in which they packaged everyone's beginning confessionals. as someone who's been a fan of Survivor for basically her entire life, i'm definitely looking forward to that aspect.

as for my favorite, it might have to be Anastasia so far. i love her judgments and her ambition, and the prospects of a relationship with Marissa have me intrigued. i also really liked Isabel-- "i dedicate my life to the Lord, but i dedicate my body to the algorithm" was absolutely the standout one-liner of the first episode, imo. i'm also sure that i'll be a fan of Spencer in the future provided he sticks around for long enough. i always enjoy arrogant-yet-bullyable nerds a la Miles Edgeworth or Byakuya Togami :)

as for my predictions, given that not THAT much gameplay has occurred, they're largely still the same as what i discussed in my pre-season analysis. however, i have a few updates, which i'll list here:

i've grown even more convinced that Alessio WILL be the first boot from the Blue Team, and likely the first boot of the season, given how Blue lost both of the initial quality of life challenges. if there was literally ANY challenge that Alessio could have proven his worth with, it would have been one that relied fully on visual memory, like the flag challenge. but alas, contributed nothing at all. now Alessio has no allies AND no worth in challenges. he's super dead, imo.

related, i don't think Lynda will be the first Blue boot anymore, but she could definitely still go early, given her beef with Anastasia (where Anastasia has more solid allies than she does).

meanwhile, i'm not as convinced that Amelie will be the first Red boot anymore. she seems to have the stronger positive relationship with Hannah that i initially pinned for Benji. i'm predicting that one of Amelie or Benji will be the first Red boot, but i'm much more uncertain on which one. i still think both of them may be premerge, though.

might be too early to call it, but i'm feeling a lot worse about Logan's odds in general now? idk, he just had a really quiet premiere. i had the thought that he could be eliminated early despite his athletic prowess to show someone else's strategic blindside capabilities (such as Anastasia or Lynda), and i can't get it out of my head. also, the fact that he's paired with Alessio in the intro is... not great. then again, Miriam managed to win despite being paired with Dan (who she barely had any relation to) in the intro, so who's to say?

i see the Jade vision more now. although she still hasn't exactly "shook up the game," the first episode definitely made a point to show that she's an intellectual. plus, she has an alliance with Spencer now. that Jade/Spencer/Diego trio is going to go SUPER far, i feel. Spencer winner train, let's goooooooooooo--

oh, and i was just straight up wrong about Tristan not having any natural allies. well, maybe they're not "natural" in the sense that i don't see them having too much inherently in common, but the Tristan/Ivy/Zaid alliance is totally a thing. i forgot that the three of them were posed together on the poster, and at the time i wrote that post the intro wasn't released yet. this alliance will probably carry them to midgame, at least-- although, it is a little threatening to go up against the Jade/Spencer/Diego trio on the same tribe.

hopefully that suffices! thanks for sending in the ask. it always makes me happy to hear that people think my thoughts are interesting :D

[stealerofnames]

DC: Carnival of Chaos Final Predictions/Updated thoughts

First episode is dropping tomorrow so in honor of that I'd would like to give my final predictions

Alessio: I like him! Probably still going to be an early merge boot

Logan: I expected a frat boy and they gave me an Olympic swimmer (Not that I'm complaining). I don't think he's making merge, but I hope he gets some good conversations with Richard because god know Logan needs a good father figure

Richard: I hope he's not fodder, he seems like a good team leader. Either he's booted right before merge or he's the first merge boot

Ivy: I like her! Really hoping she beats the pre-merge boot allegations. It also appears that her, Tristan and Zaid are in a trio. Maybe it's an alliance, maybe its a friendship, maybe its a poly relationship, who knows?

Tristan: I love them so much! A part of me wants to see them make the final, but another part says they're probably getting booted early to mid merge

Zaid: I love him! Hoping he gets far

Jade: Still love her. It appears she going to be the third wheel in the Diecer relationship which should be fun to watch! Hoping she makes final or is at least a late merge boot

Diego: Still love him. He and Spencer appear to be the gay couple which I think we all called. Hoping he gets far

Spencer: I love him! But I'm calling it now, A game twist he won't see coming (like a sudden death challenge or a relationship with Diego) will be his downfall.

Lynda: I have no strong opinions on her. Either someone figures out her tricks and she's booted early; or her craftiness pays off and she's not voted off until very late into the game

Natalia: I like her! I can guarantee her social nature will give her a huge advantage so I'm hoping she goes far!

Marissa: Still love her. It looks like she and Anastasia are going to be the lesbian couple and honestly I hope it goes good! Hoping she makes it to the final

Anastasia: I like her! The wiki says she looks heavily based on a real survivor contestant (Valeria Sizova from AUS Survivor: Titans vs Rebels), so if she gets the same placement, I'm going to scream. (Spoilers: Valeria placed 9th)

Ted: Not my favorite. More than likely a pre-merge boot

Isabel: PLEASE BEAT THE VILLIAN ALLEGATIONS I BEG OF YOU. But other then that, I'm hoping she goes far. She also appears to be forming a friendship with Natalia so I'm looking forward to seeing that

Benji: I like him! I unfortunately don't think he's making merge, as promotional videos seem to imply his communication skills aren't the best

Hannah: I love her! She reminds me of Damien in the sense of "I don't know what I'm getting into, but how hard can it be?". Really hoping she gets far

Amilie: Was not expecting her to be a businesswoman, but I'm not complaining. Hoping she makes it to the final

[scribbiesan]

Day 14: Danger

@imagine-darksiders

Click for better quality

Okay, this one gave me some trouble, mainly bc I spent most of my day with my roomies dicking around and binging Ellie’s fanfics over on AO3 (as one does of course I always need my Darksiders/FNAF:SB fix), but I’M DONE!! :D

Legit tho I was also trying to find something that would vibe with me today, and I was tempted to do a scene from the Chaos War blurbs Ellie has done with the Goremaw and War trying to wrangle this slippery little human while he’s tramping across the city too big for his own good, but I chose to give Marissa a bit more love and some color instead.

Tomorrow I will actually do a scene from either Accidental Human Acquisition OR Hollow! Both give good shit for the Safety prompt, and I adore rereading those fics, so imma give them some love.

Anyway, hope y’all enjoy!

Toodles!~

[simplegenius042]

If you're taking the WIP Folder asks, I would love to hear about A Symbol For A Better World!

Sure thing!

A Symbol For A Better World is the sixth and final installation to my Fallout fic series A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs & Gore, taking place during the events of Fallout 4.

The fic stars Nate Gust Sarid, my Sole Survivor OC, and my other OC, Marissa "Ress" Bishop; they encounter each other in the Commonwealth, with Nate searching for his son Shaun, who had been taken by Conrad Kellog and the Institute, while Ress is hunting down the two leading heads of "the Occult"; the founder and her father, Arcane Urias, and his right hand, Aggravor, whom had killed her brother in The House At The Top (Fallout New Vegas fic). Both Nate and Ress work alongside the Minutemen and the Railroad (as well as a strained partnership with Maxson's Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel) to find both groups and eliminate them, as well as retrieve Shaun. Nate is under the belief that the Institute holds Shaun to indoctrinate him to be apart of their callous cult, while Ress believes that Urias is planning on sacrificing Nate to bring back the Mad Kin of Carnage, Discord, just as he'd done with previous allies that both she and her brother had known (that being the previous Fallout protagonists; Elrand, Finidy, Alph and Ryder, though neither were old enough/alive yet to meet Vega). However, neither Nate and Ress could be farther from the truth.

Not to mention how neither could have expected the carefully crafted orchestration the Institute had over Nate's life, nor the meticulous infiltration of the Occult within the Commonwealth, especially when more threats are being rallied on both Far Harbor and Nuka-World.

As the fate of the Commonwealth is on the brink of destruction, allies and companions must come together now more than ever to put down the threats that hinder a future for a better world in the Wasteland.

This fic is till under heavy construction, and I don't have anything more else to share as of now, but I do have a solid idea where I want to take this finale to A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs, & Gore.

[trixierosewrites]

Happy STS! What would happen if your OCs got stuck in a gladiator type battle? Who would win? Who would survive?

Happy STS!

Taking two casts for this: first the cast of Memento Vivere, and then The Wasp.

Memento Vivere: Cassie would slaughter. I can tell you that much. Hugh puts up a good fight and maybe takes one person out, and Nate might take out a couple, but Cassie would win. Con: Cassie can’t bring herself to kill Miriam, and Miriam is prepared to survive. What I’m saying is that Cassie wins, soaked in blood and devastated, and then Miriam snaps her neck from behind so she never has to know it was Miriam.

The Wasp: Camille shoots Emilia instantly. She’s trying to disable, not kill, but Emilia fakes dying slowly and painfully, and then goes still. Camille then turns her gun on Marissa, but can’t bring herself to pull the trigger; Marissa can’t bring herself to fight back. Emilia eventually kills Camille by surprising her, and then turns to Marissa, going, “You would never have killed her. This is the only way you could’ve lived.” Emilia then makes a pitch about her being injured anyway, so Marissa should kill her, but before she does, she asks for a kiss. Then she stabs Marissa through the throat mid-kiss—Emilia is, if nothing else, a survivor.

[toprayarc]

"i imagine a world where nothing exists but us: casual conversation, bonded in boundless love, and intersecting only by sheer fate. perhaps in this world, no one dies at all. perhaps we all exist, in a warm kitchen full of baked goods and careless jokes. maybe there, the joke of marissa dai doesn’t exist at all. maybe it is simply mari, dancing in the sunlight, drinking my favorite tequila, drowning in the presence of my favorite people, and dizzy with the high of a life, loved." — 'A RECORD ON REPEAT', OLD DRABBLE.

if you're ever wondering why mari's recovery arc is so extremely important to me, it's because the quote above is at the core of what mari really wants. what young mari dai dreamed of. and what, in her primary verse, she obtains— mari dai, dancing in the sunlight, drinking her favorite tequila. (this is even more poignant if you know mari doesn't listen to music out loud because of a traumatic experience in her childhood, and she doesn't dance because she finds it hard to feel free in her own body, as many trauma survivors do.) mari's story as a recovery arc may seem not in line with what a lot of people do with quote-unquote villains, but trauma often tells us we can never move past a certain point. that this moment, this painful experience, will last forever. for mari to be able to move on, to put down the knife, to find something for herself that allows her to feel safe in her own body beyond brutality and relentless maladaptive coping mechanisms (ones that, ultimately, keep her trapped in those cycles,) is important. it is immeasurably valuable. it is living proof, in her very own body, that she can find a home in it. that she has a place in this world beyond violence. that she, above all, is a person, and not a weapon, or an asset, or a skillset, but a human being who can love, be loved, and trust, and be trusted. that these moments of horrific violence, of achingly painful memory, are not all there is.

"...attachment researchers have shown that our earliest caregivers don’t only feed us, dress us, and comfort us when we are upset; they shape the way our rapidly growing brain perceives reality. Our interactions with our caregivers convey what is safe and what is dangerous: whom we can count on and who will let us down; what we need to do to get our needs met. This information is embodied in the warp and woof of our brain circuitry and forms the template of how we think of ourselves and the world around us. These inner maps are remarkably stable across time. This doesn’t mean, however, that our maps can’t be modified by experience. A deep love relationship, particularly during adolescence, when the brain once again goes through a period of exponential change, truly can transform us. So can the birth of a child, as our babies often teach us how to love. Adults who were abused or neglected as children can still learn the beauty of intimacy and mutual trust or have a deep spiritual experience that opens them to a larger universe." — THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE, BESSEL VAN DER KOLK.

often, trauma survivors can be stunted to where the moment of impact happened. for mari, there are so many pieces of her that developed into these strikingly dark pieces, but plenty more pieces that never developed past initial stages. for her to learn how to not only acknowledge those pieces (and those wants and needs of her younger self,) but also be able to get their needs met and move forward is an intensely important step in recovery. it is the first step in being able to develop those pieces past their stunted development, and the first step in being able to allow them to grow to bigger pieces of her. mari, in the beginning of her arcs, is in such a dark place with nothing nurturing those soft, tender, caring and compassionate pieces of her. mari, by the end, is able to nurture themselves, and find who they are. and isn't that transformative? isn't that the butterfly motif in visible action? the unfurling of her wings taking place as her being able to find things she loves, to find joy in her daily life, to begin to feel safe enough to be herself, is all pieces of this story that i cherish deeply. it is more than just a story about crime, injustice, and cycles of violence. it is about breaking through those, and finding the other side. it is about being more than what we have had done or given to us. it is about returning to the core of ourselves, and perhaps not being able to find full love, but at the very least, acceptance. and if that isn't what recovery is about, then i don't know what is.

[fearsmagazine]

DECADE OF THE DEAD comes to life with Film Mode Entertainment and makes Cannes World Market Premiere.

Film Mode Entertainment (FME), Flynn Forest Productions, Sight & Sound Productions and Lucky 13 Productions announce the Cannes World Market Premiere and screening of newly completed action/adventure, Decade of the Dead. The film stars Sean Patrick Thomas (Till, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Lying and Stealing), Shane Johnson (Power), Jenna Leight Green (Sabrina, Wicked), Corsica Wilson (In a World…, Dead Season) and Marissa Merrill (End, Dead Season). Decade of the Dead is directed by Adam Deyoe and Fairai Branscombe Richmond and written by Loren Semmens and Adam Deyoe. The film was produced by Loren Semmens, Bryan Spicer and Joel Michaely.

Decade of the Dead takes place ten years after the apocalypse, where a group of bounty hunters finds refuge on a tropical island only to discover it’s ruled by a deranged cult leader with plans to take over the post-apocalyptic world. Stuck between the cult and the relentless hordes of the walking dead, the survivors must fight for their lives.

Sean Patrick Thomas’ extensive body of work includes critically acclaimed features Chinonye Chukwu’s “Till”, Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” with Denzel Washington, and Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain” with Hugh Jackman. His current role as Polarity in “Gen V,” Amazon’s The Boys spin off, has introduced him to a whole new generation of fans. As well as countless other memorable films such as the iconic “Cruel Intentions”, additional credits include the hit ensemble franchise “Barbershop”; and the fan favorite “Save The Last Dance”, which garnered him the Young Hollywood Award for Standout Performance; and two MTV Movie Awards, for Breakthrough Male Performance and Best Kiss. He is repped by Innovative Artists and Greenlight Management.

Film Mode Entertainment has acquired international sales rights for Decade of the Dead and is presenting the film and promo-reel to buyers in Cannes for the first time. The deal was negotiated by Andrew van den Houten of 79th & Broadway Entertainment on behalf of the producers with Clay Epstein of FME.

“We’re thrilled to be working with the amazingly talented Decade of the Dead team, who have successfully crafted an action-adventure film that raises the bar on one of the most popular and lucrative genres in the marketplace today,” said Epstein. “Decade of the Dead will wow audiences across the globe and leave them on the edge of their seats throughout a wild ride, to the very last shot of the movie.”

[abstractguilt]

(s) [private message: misc marissa]: i dare you to go to new horizons school library at 6:30pm on thursday, locker 26, code 2014

the alert was. . . unexpected, though sanem would be lying if she were to say receiving it didn't send a skidding bolt of electricity down the length of her spine. though she was alone, her eyes still skidded around to see if anyone around looked disturbed. questioning. uncomfortable. eyes flickered back down to the illuminated screen of her phone, manicured thumb dragging back and forth across the private messaged she had received, as if teasing it — to open or . . . not to open.

sliding her tongue along her lower lip, an almost morbid excitement gripped at her bones, heart stuttering in her chest like she had just received an anonymous love letter from a mysterious suitor. . . though sanem was wise enough to know, delighted enough to realize, that this was anything but. opening it only confirmed that suspicion, bringing a wicked gleam of curiosity to the girl's eyes.

a DARE.

her blood practically sweltered at the sight word, so glorious and magnificent in its simplicity. a definition she'd never soon forget; to have the courage to do something. to challenge.

sanem was practically foaming at the mouth, leaping from her seat as she held her phone tight to her chest. had anyone else received a text ?? did anyone else KNOW that the four letter word that had steered them all back here was once again in play ?? her opportunity was flashing in bright, golden lights with her name spelled out on a glistening marquee and sanem would be a damned fool to turn it down.

sanem, the sole survivor. the butterfly who could change the trajectory of life itself if she so much as flapped her wings and FLEW.

—

the count down to thursday felt like a ticking time bomb, a metronome of potential destruction that had sanem's heart singing like a songbird. painted fingers trembled as she slipped through the halls like she was still a young teenager, the sound of her heels on linoleum floors echoing throughout a corridor that felt so much smaller now. the library had been a sanctuary for her, an escape, a place to hide from the noise that never involved her and plot a way to make it so her name rung like church bells through the halls. now, it was her moment . . . a light so bright not even a FAMILY MASSACRE could hold a candle to it. she made a show of peering around to see if anyone was watching, just in case anyone was, almost wanting them ( god, she hoped someone was watching ) to know she was up to something without having to say it.

what was SANEM KEMAL doing in the new horizon's school library ??

why was she alone ??

what is SANEM KEMAL up to ??

finding the locker with ease, sanem practically pressed herself against it, wanting to feel an ounce of the power its mystery held burrowing deep into her skin. like a spirit to a host. TAKE ME, her palm seemed to say as it slid against metal. USE ME.

quick though savoring fingers twisted at the combination lock, plugging in the code with an anticipation, an excitement, that made her tremble. sanem gasped for breath, eyes almost watering with desire, her spirit HUNGRY for whatever laid beyond the barrier of the locker door. she then held her tongue between her teeth, closed her eyes, and breathed in a deep inhale as the dust-filled scent of the air around her swarmed her flaring nostrils. then, with an eager tug that almost sent her weight falling backwards, sanem yanked open the locker door.

besides a thin veil of dust that coated the locker, sanem's holy grail seemed to sing to her as her eyes fell upon it. a black tape rested on the shelf, the only thing occupying it besides a dead bug curled up in the back corner. there weren't even finger prints in the dust that coated the shelf; just a lone, black tape. her head tilted, long lashes fluttering, tongue pressing against the back of porcelain teeth as her fingers reached out but didn't dare touch the tape, not yet wanting to soil the majesty of the power it likely held with her fingers.

sanem would bask in this moment for as long as time would allow. feeling the aura of potential engulfing the plastic, how it penetrated the pads of her hovering fingers and burned them with a searing heat. what was on it ?? what would it reveal when placed into a projector ?? what truths did its reels of footage hold onto, kept from the world until sanem ALLOWED them to be seen ??

she was practically panting, climbing to a euphoric peak that she had only experienced between sets of silk sheets, one that made the apples of her cheeks rouge and the muscles in her limbs twitch. power was such a beautiful thing, and as she finally allowed the tips of her fingers to graze the edge of the tape, sanem released a slow and shuddering breath.

even if it was footage of her own truth. . . sanem would relish in it. even if it was proof of the skeletons not kept in her closet, but buried six feet below the ground in a graveyard not far from here. skeletons in graves marked by tombs that had the names of her family etched into their faces, a shared date of death scrawled beneath in font she had picked.

even if that was what the tape held, GOD was it fucking beautiful to feel even the potential exposure of her own secret. the potential of her own destruction.

pulling the tape from the locker, sanem raised it to her face, holding it close, breathing so hard the condensation of her breath clung to the plastic's front. the brunette then lowered it to her lips, stamping it with the waxy lipstick she had adorned her lips with. as if sealing the secret, and the power of it, as hers.

then, holding it to her chest like a newborn infant, sanem shut the locker behind her, mindlessly twisting the lock to seal it shut once more. her heart was swelling like an orchestra reaching a crescendo, the sound echoing throughout her body, finding the holes in her soul and filling them with the sweetest symphony.

sanem kemal had received a dare.

and in true sanem kemal fashion, she had completed it.

whatever the tape would reveal, she didn't care, but the feeling of being chosen was one she'd revel in until she was chosen again.

. . . and she WOULD be chosen again.