Sleep tight and let dreams of the tooth fairy’s gift fill the night…

Your smile is a little gappy. The tooth fairy is coming to leave you a little treat to make you happy.

I am back… again! *giggles*

After surviving that weird thing called “real life”, I felt it was time again to go back to Second Life and do some pictures again – I really missed that!

Some already contacted me worrying if I might have been gone – thank you for that that really made me smile and feel better instantly. Yes I am alive and slowly RL seems to calm down again more and more 🙂

When I came back and browsed Flickr, I wondered to still find all those tilted pictures. I know before I had my forced “offline time” they already were there, but I was hoping after that kind of a break they would be gone *chuckles*
When I asked someone back then they tried to convince me that I would be because of the Black Dragon viewer. For what ever reason (I didn’t really understand that and yes I tried Black Dragon too) I was told, that this is the only way to have a good picture/ratio/what ever, that you snap the picture like that. Ok I get that and maybe that is the only way you can do that there, but since most anyway use programs to post-work their pictures, why can you not tilt them the right direction there before you upload it anywhere?
Another person told me they do it, because of the way Flickr displays pictures and because of they would get more Flickr headers in groups… do we really make pictures only to achieve that?

I am not… I prefer my pictures the way people can see them without laying sidewards on the couch, or tilt their heads until their neck gets sore to look at them *snickers* – but what ever floats your boat, I just still try to understand why it is still be done, maybe someone can give me a reason I do understand 😉

Today I come to you with a lot of new releases of the actual round of Midnight Order. Sadly we could not make it this time with the store (damn RL), but the more I would love to show you the amazing designs you can get there.
In the past I wrote about each design and realized people look mostly the credits anyway, so if you want to know the specific items, below you will find them all with names and surals :p

I really enjoyed doing pictures again even if it felt a little bit like walking in high heels after along time… rock road kinda *laughs*, but I found may way back there and I am looking forward to have many more over the next weeks since I’m on holiday now \o/

Thank you so much for reading and supporting my work!

Clothing

Outfit: AsteroidBox – “Midna Corset” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Cape: toksik – “Sweet Time Cape (XS)” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Sleeves: [Cubic Cherry] – “{Thai} sleeves” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Accessories

Crown & Halo: Nefekalum – “Sable’s Crown” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses”
Nails & Rings: .:. SHARD .:. – “Ophelia Revenge Claws” (Maitreya, Bento) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Abby 1”
Eyeshadow: Nefekalum – “My Anubis 2022 – Eyeshadow 16” (BoM, Materials, LeL. EvoX)
Face Tattoo: BodyArts – “Faceband Wicca” (LeL EvoX BoM, custom made – take a look at the “Vere Flores” or the “Fantasia Face Tattoo”)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo: +Nuuna+ – “KATI Black 90%” (BOM) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: Foxcity – “All Nighter-6m” (Bento, modified)
Backdrop: Spires Society – “The Traitor’s Sanctum w/materials” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Lamp (incl. hand/holding pose): [ContraptioN] – “Investigator’s Illuminator L hand” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Teeth: [Apika] – “Tooth Fairy” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Betrayed…

If you think you know people…

It is “amazing” how after all these years you still experience betrayal. You think you saw so much already, you already trust way less people than you used to and still some make it to disappoint and betray you.

This is for all of those – Karma will get you.

TUNES

You remember all their faultsAnd you don’t trust in any word they sayAnd you’re still waiting for the day whenYou can make them payAnd your blood is boiling and your head is explodingThe hopes are dying while the sky is about to fall

It’s time to open your eyes to knowYou’ve been used and betrayedIt’s time for you to have another go,Don’t leave it too lateAnd the sun is shining and you keep on fightingYou can be proud of yourself just never give in

Show them your middle fingerYou got to keep on going,Keep on screamingShow them your middle fingerYou got to keep on breathing,Don’t stop believing

[- Booze & Glory -]
Clothing

Outfit: – sixx – – “Underworld Set” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Shoes: cinphul – “virginia [stilettos]” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022

Accessories

Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – ““Moringa Swallow PIXIE Gauged S Girl” (for Swallow Gauged Ears)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Fingers: L’Emporio – “Dedalus” (Maitreya, Bento)
Nails (Hands & Feet): L’Emporio – “Damned Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Security”
Face Art: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Hunger #01” (LeL. EvoX BoM, colored)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Eyes: IKON – “Ascension Redux Eyes – Divine & Damned” (LeL. Applier)
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Ears: ^^Swallow^^ – “Pixie Gauged S Ears (f) 2.0”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo 1: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Luna ( Medium )” (BoM)
Tattoo 2: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Paranoid (A) ( Medium )” (BoM)
Tattoo 3 (incl. Horns): Nefekalum Tattoos – “Aspirant” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: BodyArts – “Nachtmahr” (Bento) – NEW @ Mainstore

Set:

DRD – “Forest Ritual Site – Altar”
DRD – “Forest Ritual Site – SpellBook”
DRD – “Mystery Mansion 1 – Wiccan Pentagram”
DRD – “The Cemetery – Ground Roots – Small”
NOMAD – “Spidey Waves”
NOMAD – “Just Spidey”
LB – “GiantCedar{Animated}*Seasons”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Venomous Poison

TUNES

Your cruel device
Your blood, like ice
One look, could kill
My pain, your thrill

I wanna love you but I better not touch
I wanna hold you, but my senses tell me to stop
I wanna kiss you but I want it too much
I wanna taste you but your lips are venomous poison
You’re poison, running through my veins
You’re poison
I don’t want to break these chains

[- Alice Cooper -]
Clothing

Bra: [CX] – “Chimera’s Delight Top – Red” (Maitreya, Gacha)
Corset: [CX] – “Seer Corsets – Black” (Maitreya)
Thong: [CX] – “Chimera’s Delight Undie – Red” (Maitreya, Gacha)
Garter 1: [CX] – “Chimera’s Delight Garter – Black” (Maitreya, Gacha)
Garter 2: .:Avanti:. – “Mina Garter”
Boots: Utopia@DESIGN – “Kaliska” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Bindi: Wicca’s Originals – “Carvis Bindi” (unisex)
Piercing (Nose) 2: Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Collar: [CX] – “Spellbound Collar” (Maitreya)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Ember (A)”
Lashes: rotten – “nymphette lashes” (LeL. EvoX Applier)
Fore Head: Nefekalum Tattoos – “The Marked Vampire (Carved)” (EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Bloom ( Dark )” (BoM)
Arms: Clover – “Demon Arms” (Maitreya)

Poses, Props & Tools

Backdrop: .PALETO.– “Backdrop:. – Mausoleum”
Pose: Foxcity
Animals: ::WetCat:: – “‘Edgar’ Prop Set [Bento] – crow p4”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

!!! Freak Show !!!

TUNES

In the past fools would pay
to see the freaks of the day
contradictions of the norm
the bizarre, the wonderful and deformed

[- Levellers -]
Clothing

Outfit: [CX] – “Blazing (Firefly)” (Maitreya)
Bracers: [CX] – “Ruffian Armguards – Black”
Shoes: cinphul – “merjan [platforms]” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // April 2022

Accessories

Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Earrings: .:E.A:Studio:. – “Han Earrings” – NEW @ Kinky // April 2022
Finger Bandages: L’Emporio – “Kick It” (Maitreya, Bento)
Nails: -SU!- – “Rhagon Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: .Shi – “Gavri’ela”
Eyeshadow: .E l e i. – “Yoko / G /” (LeL. EvoX Bom)
Lipstick: [Cubic Cherry] – “{Tenuous} lipstick” (LeL. EvoX HD Applier)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Ears: ^^Swallow^^ – “Gauged S Ears (f)”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo: Nefekalum – “Galvanized 02 (Full)” (BoM, materials) – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // April 2022

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: Infiniti – “Contort 3”
Set:
DRD – “Circus – Circus Wagon” (Gacha)
DRD – “Circus – Circus Act”
DRD – “Circus – Knife Thrower”
DRD – “Circus – Zantor”
DRD – “Circus – Popcorn Machine”
DRD – “Circus – High Striker”
DRD – “Circus – Crazy Balloons”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

“It’s a fragile thing, this life we lead”

TUNES

“I am a siren, and for my adoration of mankind, have been caught in fishing nets one time too many. And in those fishing nets I have learned too many unfavorable things about human intentions and the lack of trust and goodwill; I’m not going to allow myself to be caught, anymore. Sirens do well at singing the sirens’ song and dragging vile people to their deaths, and for good reason!

[- C. JoyBell C. -]
Clothing

Top: SynCo – “Mermaid Bralette”

Accessories

Ear Tips: ^^Swallow^^ – “Earrings E05” (rigged for LeL. EvoX Elf Ears)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Collar: [CX] – “XenoCircuit – Glass” (Maitreya)
Rings & Nails: RAWR! – “Medusa” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Renee (B)”
Lashes: Immortuos – “Aranea Lashes” (LeL.EvoX Applier)
Eyshadow 1: { minuit } – “Midori Eyeshadow”
Eyeshadow 2: Samia – “Arwen Eyeshadows Set 1”

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Eyes: AG. – “Sinister Eyes” (Omega Applier)
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Face Fins: CURELESS[+] – “Kimora Fins (AlphaMask)”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Face Skin: Dernier – “Foxxie (Ocean)” (LeL. EvoX BoM)
Body Skin: Velour – “Ipanema
Tail: ~cynefin~ – “Nemissa”
Face Scales: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Aquatic 07” (LeL.EvoX Applier) – NEW @ Fantasy Faire 2022
Body Scales: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Piscean #20” (Maitreya, Materials) – NEW @ Fantasy Faire 2022

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: selfmade

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

There is an answer to the darkest times…

Finally I am able to post something again. Life is really crazy and kinda turned upside down lately for various reasons. They will calm down again that I know, but it is very tiring and exhausting if life takes so much energy and power at once.

I like to say making pictures is holidays for my brain and it is relaxing. 99% of the time that is true as well, if you do not commit to picture assignments, not knowing that your real life hacks in so bad. But I was able to fulfill all those commitments and now I was able to do my own pictures again.

I am not very talkative at the moment and I hope you do not mind, I will be back with stories and short peeks into my life again soon, as soon as my real life gets more straight and calm again.

Today my styles are filled with a lot of AsteroidBox and Eclipse Art Studio designs. I love those designs and after all the stress I wanted to fool around with things I like out of my own comfort zone *winks* Certainly I have credited all designs below my second picture as always and if you need a location just click the bands names for a SURL to their main stores. If the items out at an event, you just need to click on the event behind the item and you will get your direct TP to that one.

I will get back to work and use the time for more pictures and ideas I have stuck in my mind for the past 2 weeks and hope I can realize a few more over the weekend…

See you soon

♥Wicca♥

Clothing

Top: AsteroidBox – “Alina Shirt” (Maitreya)
Pants: AsteroidBox – “Iris Shorts” (Maitreya)
Tights: Izzie’s – “Tights black” (BoM)
Shoes: AsteroidBox – “Nico Boots” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Equal10 // March 2022

Accessories

Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Blindfold: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Abel Blindfold Female”
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Collar: [CX] – “Spellbound Collar” – NEW @
Bracers: Blindfold: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Jordi Forearm” (Maitreya)
Rings & Nails: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Infernal Claw” (Maitreya, Bento)
Belt: Salt & Pepper (S&P) – “Bondage POSH belt” (Maitreya)
Knees: duckie – “Leg Bands black” (Maitreya)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Abby 1”
Branding: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Lucky (Both/Red)” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo:  .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo No Remorse ( Dark )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. Book): Diversion – “Book Lover – 1M” (Bento)
Backdrop: .PALETO. – “Backdrop: SEWER”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Imagine…

TUNES

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
[- John Lennon -]
Clothing

Top: Wicca’s Originals – “Maia” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing: Wicca’s Originals – “Kieran Piercing” (unrigged)
Gloves: Wicca’s Originals -“Burton Hands” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Lashes: (NO) – “Glitter Lelutka Lashes – Set of 3” (LeL. EvoX Applier)
Scar 1: [POUT!] – “OUCH! Face Stitches – Brow (Right)” (LeL. EvoX BoM)
Scar 2: [POUT!] – “OUCH! Stitches – Ear bandaids” (LeL. EvoX BoM)
Scars 3: Hexed – “Killer Scars FULL VERSION (TINTABLE)” (LeL. EvoX BoM)
Face Art: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Lucky (Right/Silver)” // (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoos

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Milan 3.1” – NEW @ Skin Fair // March 2022
Head Skin: leLAPEAU – “Evo X – Lum Skin – GA Ivory (No Brows)” – NEW @ Skin Fair // March 2022
Head/Shoulder Tattoo: Hexed – “Venomous Tattoo BLACK MID” (LeL. EvoX BoM)
Body Skin: Glam Affair – “Body skin Fit – Maitreya ( Ivory )” (BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: myself
Butterflies: *PKC* – “Face Butterflies”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

For you I become the Alien I am

TUNES

Squatting in your bodies, microscopic breeding
I sleep in you and eat from within
I am the Alien. We are here to help you
Make the mend in the chemical bend
We are the Aliens
I lack emotion, have no love that I can find
I want some devotion, to ease a worried mind
The heart is softened, soul is scorched
The mind erodes away some sentimental thought
The window cracks is closed
The door slams shut, the lights put out
Say no more, speak no less
For you I become the Alien I am
For you I become the Alien I am
The cry primal is muffled, the mouth seal’s tight
The eye looks within, say no more, speak no less
I the Alien
I am the Alien
Reject your human touch
[-Hawkwind -]

Clothing

Outfit: Black Cats Creations – “Alien Mantis” (Maitreya)
Gloves: cinphul – “raptor [gloves]” (Maitreya)
Shoes: cinphul – “raptor [boots]” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Bindi: [CX] – “Kishin Bindi (Black)”
Mask: cinphul – “temperance [mask]”
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Edge” – NEW @ Hongdae // February 2022
Eyeshadow: Rubedo – “penny 05” (Lel. EvoX BoM)
Face Art: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Hunger #01” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo:  .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo No Remorse ( Dark )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Scenery: cinphul – “azrexok”
Pose: Foxcity – “Tomorrow-4am” (right leg edited with Anypose)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

No one else could lift me high above

TUNES

I’m in love with a fairytale even though it hurts
‘Cause I don’t care if I lose my mind I’m already cursed

[- Alexander Rybak -]

Clothing

Outfit (incl. tattoo, legs and arms): CURELESS[+] – “Precious Gem” (Maitreya, Gacha)

Accessories

Headpiece (incl. birds): CURELESS[+] – “Flower Kissers”
Bindi: CURELESS[+] – “Moonlight Jewels”
Glasses: CURELESS[+] – “Flutterby Glasses Style 1”
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Rings & Nails: L’Emporio&PL – “Ancestral” (Maitreya, Bento) – NEW @ Man Cave Event // February 2022

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Hayden (A)”
Makeup: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Rowan’s Mask”

Head, Body & Tattoos

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Doll Joints: Sweet Thing – “Ball-Jointed Doll, Blush + Shine” (BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: myself
Backdrop: The Bearded Guy – “Sodalsia Rose Backdrop”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

 

It’s Time For Me To Say Goodbye…

It’s Time For Me To Say Goodbye

There comes a time in everyone’s life you need to say ‘no more”. I have reached that time.
When your family makes it clear you were a mistake and never should have been born. I cannot decide what is worse – treating me like I don’t exist or endlessly spewing vile, hateful comments at me.

It’s time to pack up the few belongings I have left, because whatever I manage to save up to buy is destroyed to taken away from me. I would rather take my chances out in the ‘cold, hard world’, as my family calls it, then stay here another minute to die a slow, lingering death.

No one will notice I am gone at first; not until they want something. “Anne, when the hell will dinner be ready?” “Anne, why isn’t the laundry done?” “Anne, stop that gawd awful racket this instant!” “Anne, stop reading that book and fix me a snack!”

The house is quiet now. Everyone is asleep, except me. I’m sitting in my tiny bedroom watching the clock as the minutes tick away. Twenty more minutes until Midnight.

Damn, I want a cigarette, but I don’t dare try to smoke one in the house. Everyone in my family smokes like a chimney, but if I even look at one I get hit. If I talk, I get hit. If I move too slowly, I get hit. Because I exist, I get hit.

I fidget with my purse, checking to see if my money is still there, even though I checked five minutes ago. I have to hide the little money I earn; otherwise my family takes it away. They say I owe them for room and board, because they pay for the clothes on my back and the food in my mouth. What a laugh! I barely have a change of clothes and I am only allowed to eat the scraps after everyone else is finished.

They don’t know about the money I make at school tutoring other students or teaching guitar. I don’t dare try to hide it at home, because they are always searching my room. A bank account is not possible either, without their knowledge. The President of the bank is their friend.

No one is on my side, except Mr. Hartley, the janitor at school. He tried once to report the abuse, but the school told him to mind his own business. My family is influential and no one dares say a bad word against them. I don’t blame Mr. Hartley for being afraid. He’s an old man and desperately needs his job. He did show me a place where I could hide my money and he never took a cent.

Ten minutes until Midnight. I can’t help rocking back and forth on my bed. I’m terrified that any minute someone will burst through my bedroom door and I will pay for my folly with bruises and broken bones. If they discover my plan, I may not survive until Midnight. They won’t stop the beating until I am dead. I strain to hear any sounds, but the house is quiet. The quiet makes me even more nervous. I feel like I am going to be sick as I watch another number flip over on the old alarm clock beside my bed.

A dog barks down the street and I nearly jump out of my skin. No, no, no. What will I do if that dog is still outside at Midnight? I offer a silent prayer to God, the universe or whatever is out there that will listen. The commotion finally stops and all is quiet again. I jump up from my bed and press my ear against the door. All is quiet here, too.

I back away from the door on tiptoes and gather my bag, purse and guitar in my arms. My eyes shift to the clock in time to see the numbers roll to 12:00. Midnight. Everything is ready. I already bypassed the alarm on the only window in this stuffy cell of a room. I even dripped liquid soap along the grooves so the window would slide open easily. There is no screen since I am not allowed to open it even for fresh air.

Now the hated window is open for the first time in more years than I can remember and I drop my meager belongings quietly to the ground. I am tempted to look over my shoulder one last time, but there is nothing there I want to remember. The time has come to look forward, not back.

With the window closed again, I gather my things close and stay in the shadows until I am several blocks away. Mr. Hartley is waiting for me at a closed gas station to drive me to the train depot. I bought a ticket weeks ago using the fake ID I made. At the station I start to climb out of the car, but a hand on my arm stops me. I look back to see tears swimming in Mr. Hartley’s eyes and I almost let out a sob.

“Happy birthday, Anne,” he said as he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. Now the tears are flowing down my face. That was the first time in my life I ever heard those words. It would also be the last time. Anne died at Midnight when she turned 18 years old.

I leaned across the seat and brushed a kiss on Mr. Hartley’s leathery cheek before I stuffed my hair inside a ball cap and dash for the platform where my train waited. It’s time for me to say goodbye to my old life.

Susan Beecher was just born.

Clothing

Top & Undershirt: AsteroidBox – “Nancy Sweater” (Maitreya Petite) – NEW @ Kustom9 // February 2022
Pants: Mellowcute – “Vola Shorts night” (Maitreya)
Tights: Izzie’s – “Tights Black (more sheer) (BoM)
Stockings: .:Avanti:. – “Ripped Nylons” (BoM)
Shoes: cinphul – “ravage IV [stomps]” (Maitreya) – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // February 2022

Accessories

Cap: cinphul – “ravage IV [cap]” (Group Gift) – NEW @ Mainstore
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Hand Accessories: L’Emporio&PL – “Ancestral” (Maitreya, Bento) – NEW @ Man Cave Event // February 2022

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Slow Fade (A)”
Eyeshadow: Izzie’s – “Sultry Smokey Eyeshadow black” (LeL. EvoX BoM)
Mouth: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Hush (You Wish/Black)” – (LeL. EvoX BoM) – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // February 2022

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Tattoo:  .:Vegas:. – “Wonder ( Dark )” (LeL. EvoX BoM) – NEW @ Uber // February 2022

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. guitar case): Secret Poses – “Guitar Case ( posestand)” (Bento)
Bag: HILTED – “Gym Bag – Black”
Backpack: Bleich – “Vodka Backpack – Black”
Backdrop: .PALETO. – “Backdrop: LAB X2” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // February 2022

Story

Anne Daumig

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin