A horror poem inspired by the infamous painting "Paganini's Dream" by Edward Okuń, 1898, Serenity Pierce's piece was originally created as a class assignment - but its unsettling tone lingers far beyond the classroom. Words capture the terror of a man paralyzed in bed, his room both eerily familiar and disturbingly altered. A strange, shadowy figure approaches with a violin in hand, its grotesque form bent on evoking nothing but fear. The air thickens with dread as the flame beside the bed threatens to die, and the only escape is to wake... if waking is even possible. The poem draws from the dark allure of Paganini's legend - the violinist rumored to have made a deal with the devil - and from the ghostly, imagined painting by Symbolist artist Edward Okuń. Though no such painting exists in history, its invented presence evokes a world where music conjures nightmares and genius comes at a terrible price. The painting becomes the gateway, the poem the descent. Together, the poem and its mythic muse explore a singular idea: that the boundaries of dreams, reality, and madness are paper-thin - and sometimes, music is the knife that cuts through.

Arthur, a man who commands respect and fear as a notorious figure in the criminal world, has a hard exterior that keeps everyone at bay-except for one person. Lila, his polar opposite, is the embodiment of sweetness and light, with her soft smiles, sunshine personality, and a love for baking. Despite Arthur's dangerous profession and the blood that stains his life, Lila sees beyond his rough exterior, offering him warmth and affection that he never thought he needed. While Arthur indulges her every whim with lavish gifts and trips, he's constantly on edge, knowing that his enemies are never far behind, and his greatest weakness is the one person who means everything to him. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, Arthur's protective instincts clash with Lila's gentle nature, creating moments of tension and tenderness. But when the bloodshed of Arthur's world starts to seep into their quiet life, Lila is forced to face the dangers surrounding the man she loves. With a backdrop of high-stakes danger, unexpected vulnerability, and a love that defies the odds, this story explores the balance between strength and softness, loyalty and love, in a world where trust is fragile, and hearts are tested.

Ache & After is a poetry collection about emotional aftermath. It explores love that bruises, loss that lingers, trauma that reshapes, and the slow, imperfect process of healing. Written through moments of grief, longing, survival, and self-discovery, each piece reflects the quiet truths we carry when the worst has already happened. This book is not about fixing pain. It is about naming it - and surviving it.