It's day five of BEDA/VEDA and I've already fallen into a routine. I film, edit, and post my videos in the morning, then I go to work, then I come home and write a blog. It's not the best plan (partially cause of the lack of sleep that results), but it's working for me so far, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So I'll just throw out some flash fiction.
Today's piece is based off of this Figment Daily Theme
Write
a story in which a false rumor spreads about a character. While the
speculation isn't flattering to this person, he or she decides to
embrace the story anyway and to pretend that it's true.
"Yep, it's all true." Melody spoke casually and Annie's mouth dropped open.
"Seriously? All of it?" Annie and the other girls gathered in the locker room shared surprised looks.
"Every single word." Melody shrugged, pretending as if it was nothing.
"You mean to tell me..." Bethany began.
"I spent the summer in rehab. I was an alcoholic, and I got so trashed at a field hockey party that I slept with Andy the water boy, made out with Hannah the team captain, and jumped off the roof, breaking my arm. All true." Melody relayed the list of transgressions like a robot, having memorized them just this morning.
"I heard that you even got drunk at rehab and they had to lock you in solitary." Candace almost whispered. Melody blinked in surprise, that was a new one, and shrugged.
"Not really worth mentioning, but also true." Melody made a mental note to add solitary to the notebook. She turned back to the sink to finish pulling up her hair, hoping the other girls would move on. She watched in the mirror as they whispered to each other, comparing rumors and stories. She saw Diane open her mouth to speak, but the bell rang. The girls immediately stopped speaking and left.
Melody lingered in the bathroom for a few moments. She had five minutes to make it to homeroom across the hall, and Mr. Frost wouldn't care if she was late anyway. Melody pulled the notebook from her bag and added "drunk at rehab and locked in solitary-Candace" to the growing list of things she'd been up to this summer. The truth was she'd spent it in California with her aunt and uncle, looking at colleges, playing with her cousins, reading, and writing in the sun.
She had been to that field hockey party, it was the last thing she'd done before flying out to Cali, but she hadn't even had so much as a beer. There had been no drunken sex, making out with girls, or jumping from roofs, or rehab. There hadn't even been a broken arm. Yet, when Melody had arrived back at school last week the whispers had been hard to ignore. People kept looking at her with a mix of awe and disgust. Her friends stated asking questions and it didn't take long for Melody to piece it all together. That's when she made the list.
When she figured she had a good enough grasp on everything she supposedly did this summer, she started hinting that it was all true. Conveniently, Andy had graduated and moved to New York for college, Hannah was well known for kissing girls and had been so drunk at the party she remembered nothing, and everyone who was there that night seemed to remember someone jumping off the roof. Melody remembered Keith and Michael tossing off a blow up doll. It was shocking how easily even her friends started to believe it was true. They somehow found it easier to accept that her stories of going to Cali were a cover up for rehab than that rehab was just a rumor. Melody was hurt by this at first, that her friends could think so little of her, but she rapidly realized that it didn't really matter anyway.
Melody embraced the lies and even started embellishing on the original rumor. Every time someone added a new tidbit she accepted it and molded it into the story of her summer. She begged her parents not to say anything, and even took the pictures of her summer in California off Facebook, pretending they had been fakes anyway. She slowly came to realize that people were more amazed by this tale than disturbed by it. They asked her what it was like, and everyone wanted to hear her harrowing tale of struggling with alcoholism and coming back from the edge. They ate up the idea of a rehab romance and soon Melody was the girl who survived so much, rather than the girl who partied to hard she had started the year as.
It was almost two months into the school year when Melody finally figured out who had started the first awful rumors about her. Melody had been standing at her locker when Amanda came over with her little entourage. Amanda had disliked Melody from the moment Melody took over as editor for the school newspaper, and their rivalry had only grown.
"I know you didn't go to rehab this summer." Amanda said.
"Really? What makes you think that? I remember it very clearly, do you know something I don't?" Melody raised her voice, admittedly trying to draw attention.
"You know exactly what I mean." Amanda insisted, paying close attention to the eyes watching them argue. "You didn't do any of those things you say you did."
"Well, I'll admit I wasn't planning to tell anyone." Melody said, "But when I got to school everyone seemed to already know, so their wasn't any point in denying it."
A large crowd had gathered to watch by now, and Melody smiled, knowing Amanda was stuck. She would either have to admit she made up the stories, and ruin her reputation, or pretend they were true and let Melody reap the benefits of her knew fame. Melody enjoyed watching the emotions play across Amanda's face while she made her decision. Melody saw a flash of anger that might have scared her once, but that old Melody hadn't been through rehab.
"I heard you sucked off one of the orderlies to get him to bring you booze." Amanda said finally, her eyes triumphant, figuring Melody wouldn't own up to that. Melody looked at the floor.
"I was sick and desperate," she said quietly, but still loud enough for the crowd to hear, "I'm not proud of what I did, but there's no point in lying about it." Melody heard the crowd gasp as one.
"She's so brave. I can't believe she went through all that. Melody is such a role model. She's gone through so much. I feel bad for her. I'm going to stop drinking too." The crowd whispered back and forth. Melody watched as Amanda's face grew redder and redder, but she didn't open her mouth. Instead, she slammed her locker, turned on her heel and marched away.
"Score one for the little guy." Melody whispered as she watched Amanda disappear down the hall.
********
Let me know what you thought of the story. Until tomorrow.
Showing posts with label flash fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flash fiction. Show all posts
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
BEDAugust 2
Two days and thus far I've managed the video AND the blog. We'll see if it's something I can get to continue. I'm sticking with the themes I used to have even though I haven't been writing them in almost a month. I feel bad that June and July went south so quickly, but that's a price you have to pay sometimes. Anyway, today is Thursday which makes it a finish a story or expand a dream day. I'm going to go look for something to finish.
I couldn't find anything on my computer and since there are currently people asleep in my room where my notebooks full of unfinished pieces are stored I'll just have to go with writing a random but of fiction from a Figment prompt instead. It occurs to me that BEDA is likely supposed to be about me blogging my life, but since I'm hesitant to talk too much about my job and I honestly don't do too much outside work, my life doesn't fill a blog very well. Thus I turn to writing fiction, which is infinitely more thrilling.
Figment.com prompt
Create an imperfect villain – one with a rich history that explains the events that shaped your antagonist – the painful or traumatic events that created the character your readers will love to hate.
Kaylynn used to be happy, at least that's what she tells herself at night when she wants to jump off the bow of her ship. She tells herself that she used to be happy, and that means she could be happy again. Of course there's always a small part of her brain reminding her that it's a lie, what she remembers as happy was really just young and naive. She believed in things that didn't exist and was tricked into being happy. Yet, despite that small insistent voice, Kaylynn has kept her feet on the deck of the ship for twelve years now.
Kaylynn could vividly remember growing up with her father. The Kings Aerial Navy had never seen a better captain, and Kaylynn had basically grown up on an airship. Her mother had died before she could remember, but it never seemed to matter. She never felt lacking with the skies laid out in front of her, the wind in her hair, and her father at her side. By the time Kaylynn was six she could steer an airship on her own, knew how to navigate the skies, and could fire the cannons and rifles better than most of the soldiers on board her father's ship. By ten Kaylynn worked on the ship, learning how to operate each piece, and by twelve she was the unofficial pilot, trusted by the crew but unsanctioned by the crown. The only thought in Kaylynn's mind was how long it was taking to reach 18, when she could become a soldier herself.
That dream was stolen from her the summer after she turned 13. Kaylynn was on the airship when her father was called on a mission in enemy air. His superior ordered him to trim down his crew to only essential personell and fly into Grater territory. The mission was supposed to be simple; fly in, take some photos of bases, fly out. Flying in went just fine but when they emerged from cloud cover to take the pictures they found the Grater base stocked to the brim with anti-airship cannons, all already cocked and aimed. It was as if they knew the ship was coming. The airship was damaged beyond repair and crashed to the ground. Kaylynn survived only because her father threw her off the crashing ship with a parachute. She was the only lucky one, everyone else perished.
Kaylynn found herself stuck in Grater territory with nothing but her skills and a worn out pilots uniform to her name. She managed to find a town, and it was there she learned something that would change the course of her life forever. Kaylynn had planned to find her way out of the Grater's land and back the the Crown and her father's superiors. That was until she saw one of her father's superiors at the town marketplace. At first Kaylynn believed she'd somehow managed to make it out of Grater land, but as she listened it became clear the sergeant had come in instead. The more he spoke to the locals the more suspicious Kaylynn became, and when he admitted to tipping off the base to the arrival of her father's ship Kaylynn saw red.
She remembers very little about what happened that night, but the next morning the sergeant was dead, she was covered in blood, and she held a signed letter explaining that the Crown had set her father up to die. The sergeant had told her that people were losing faith in the Crown and the war, they didn't believe it was necessary anymore. The Crown decided they needed a way to make the people pay attention. Kaylynn's father was well known and well loved, his death would upset the world, sparking them into action, so the Crown arranged to have the Grater's kill him.
Kaylynn looks from the sky over the bow of her ship to the blood on her hands. They met a Crown ship tonight, thirty soldiers on board, now all dead. Yet it wasn't enough, it would never be enough. Kaylynn would tear about the Crown's forces piece by piece but she knew it would never be enough, not until she'd ripped the crown from the King's cold dead hands. He needed to pay for what he'd done, and he was going to. Kaylynn looked out of the bow of her ship again. The royal palace was peeking out just above the horizon, shining like a beacon, beckoning Kaylynn to come and test her mettle.
****************************
Until tomorrow.
I couldn't find anything on my computer and since there are currently people asleep in my room where my notebooks full of unfinished pieces are stored I'll just have to go with writing a random but of fiction from a Figment prompt instead. It occurs to me that BEDA is likely supposed to be about me blogging my life, but since I'm hesitant to talk too much about my job and I honestly don't do too much outside work, my life doesn't fill a blog very well. Thus I turn to writing fiction, which is infinitely more thrilling.
Figment.com prompt
Create an imperfect villain – one with a rich history that explains the events that shaped your antagonist – the painful or traumatic events that created the character your readers will love to hate.
Kaylynn used to be happy, at least that's what she tells herself at night when she wants to jump off the bow of her ship. She tells herself that she used to be happy, and that means she could be happy again. Of course there's always a small part of her brain reminding her that it's a lie, what she remembers as happy was really just young and naive. She believed in things that didn't exist and was tricked into being happy. Yet, despite that small insistent voice, Kaylynn has kept her feet on the deck of the ship for twelve years now.
Kaylynn could vividly remember growing up with her father. The Kings Aerial Navy had never seen a better captain, and Kaylynn had basically grown up on an airship. Her mother had died before she could remember, but it never seemed to matter. She never felt lacking with the skies laid out in front of her, the wind in her hair, and her father at her side. By the time Kaylynn was six she could steer an airship on her own, knew how to navigate the skies, and could fire the cannons and rifles better than most of the soldiers on board her father's ship. By ten Kaylynn worked on the ship, learning how to operate each piece, and by twelve she was the unofficial pilot, trusted by the crew but unsanctioned by the crown. The only thought in Kaylynn's mind was how long it was taking to reach 18, when she could become a soldier herself.
That dream was stolen from her the summer after she turned 13. Kaylynn was on the airship when her father was called on a mission in enemy air. His superior ordered him to trim down his crew to only essential personell and fly into Grater territory. The mission was supposed to be simple; fly in, take some photos of bases, fly out. Flying in went just fine but when they emerged from cloud cover to take the pictures they found the Grater base stocked to the brim with anti-airship cannons, all already cocked and aimed. It was as if they knew the ship was coming. The airship was damaged beyond repair and crashed to the ground. Kaylynn survived only because her father threw her off the crashing ship with a parachute. She was the only lucky one, everyone else perished.
Kaylynn found herself stuck in Grater territory with nothing but her skills and a worn out pilots uniform to her name. She managed to find a town, and it was there she learned something that would change the course of her life forever. Kaylynn had planned to find her way out of the Grater's land and back the the Crown and her father's superiors. That was until she saw one of her father's superiors at the town marketplace. At first Kaylynn believed she'd somehow managed to make it out of Grater land, but as she listened it became clear the sergeant had come in instead. The more he spoke to the locals the more suspicious Kaylynn became, and when he admitted to tipping off the base to the arrival of her father's ship Kaylynn saw red.
She remembers very little about what happened that night, but the next morning the sergeant was dead, she was covered in blood, and she held a signed letter explaining that the Crown had set her father up to die. The sergeant had told her that people were losing faith in the Crown and the war, they didn't believe it was necessary anymore. The Crown decided they needed a way to make the people pay attention. Kaylynn's father was well known and well loved, his death would upset the world, sparking them into action, so the Crown arranged to have the Grater's kill him.
Kaylynn looks from the sky over the bow of her ship to the blood on her hands. They met a Crown ship tonight, thirty soldiers on board, now all dead. Yet it wasn't enough, it would never be enough. Kaylynn would tear about the Crown's forces piece by piece but she knew it would never be enough, not until she'd ripped the crown from the King's cold dead hands. He needed to pay for what he'd done, and he was going to. Kaylynn looked out of the bow of her ship again. The royal palace was peeking out just above the horizon, shining like a beacon, beckoning Kaylynn to come and test her mettle.
****************************
Until tomorrow.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
July 1st
Go, enjoy your summer break, let loose, nothing
can go wrong. That's the last time I listen to Ashley about anything.
Which is not to say I haven't enjoyed this last two weeks, I have, who
wouldn't enjoy two weeks in the sun, at a luxury resort, with roller
coasters minutes from your bed, but nothing can go wrong? I beg to
differ.
It started out glorious, I was so happy to get away from college and my parent's divorce, and just have some time to myself. I couldn't thank Kade enough for inviting me along when his sister bailed on their summer trip. He knew what I was going through, we've been friends for ages, and he thought a trip to Florida was just what I needed. We arrived at a swanky hotel, got adjoining rooms with queen beds and jacuzzi bathtubs. I spent that first night just wandering the resort taking in the three pools, spa, restaurants, and beautiful gardens and gazebos. It was in one of those gardens that I first ran into Jackson. He was lounging on a bench reading a book, and I'll admit I admired him from afar for quite awhile before building up the courage to speak. He was sexy, in a very nerdy way, with thick brown hair, square glasses, a tall lanky frame, and a shirt that read "Keep Calm and Don't Blink", and I was smitten. Eventually I made my way to stand over his bench.
"What are you reading?" I tried to sound casual, but I could feel my hands shaking. He looked up from the pages and I saw his bright blue eyes for the first time. I tried to remember to breath.
"Nothing much, it's a choose your own adventure book about the zombie apocalypse." He slipped in a piece of paper and held the book out to me. I flipped through the pages, trying to keep my hands still, and noticed the post-it tabs marking each ending.
"I do that too," I said without thinking, "mark all the endings so I know I don't miss any." Then my mind caught up with my mouth and I clamped it shut, what was I thinking talking to this strange boy I'd only just met. He didn't seem to notice, just nodded and took the book back when I offered. He studied me for a long moment and I was painfully aware that I was sweaty from running around and hadn't brushed my hair after the eight hour car ride. I resisted the urge to pull the tangles with my fingers, not wanting to draw more attention to my disheveled appearance.
"I'm just getting ready to start at the beginning again." He sat up as he spoke. "Want to help me survive the zombie apocalypse?" I must have given some reply, but I honestly don't remember. What I do remember is suddenly realizing it was getting too dark to read and that I had somehow ended up snuggled into the boy's side. We died for what must have been the dozenth time, and he closed the book. "It's too dark to read now, guess I'll have to save the zombie killing for another day."
I sat up straight and looked everywhere but at him. I couldn't believe I'd spent hours with a stranger, snuggled up to him even, and I didn't even know his name. "Well, that was fun," I said, still avoiding his eyes. "It was nice meeting you." I turned and walked quickly back towards my room, but a hand on my arm stopped me. I turned to look at his face.
"Hey, I just realized I didn't get your name, I'm Jackson." His voice was calm and cool, like he snuggled with strange girls every night, for all I knew he probably did. When he got back to his friends I'd be nothing but Sunday July 1st, another notch in his snuggling with strangers belt. I realized I was staring and shook my head.
"My name's Taryn." I managed, and then I turned and walked away. I waited until I was sure he could no longer see me and I sprinted back to my hotel room. I collapsed into bed, but even my dreams were invaded by a pair of bright blue eyes and zombies.
"You were out late last night." Kade commented as we walked to the park the next day. I felt my face flush and turned away.
"I got caught up reading in one of the gardens." Alright, so it wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't exactly a lie either.
"That's good, I'm glad to see you relaxing instead of worrying." Kade gave me one of his wide smiles and lead the way through the turnstiles.
I hadn't been to a theme park in almost five years, not since my parents started fighting and family vacations ceased to exist. I was thrilled to be riding roller coasters and eating funnel cakes and corn dogs. Kade worked hard to make things fun, buying me silly souvenirs and joshing me into riding the kids rides and seeing the shows. I raced around as excited as any of the little children, laughing and smiling and delighting in every little thing. I happily went along when Kade grabbed my hand to pull me towards yet another ride, and when he didn't let go all the way through the line or even during the twists and turns of the coaster, I didn't give it a second thought. I was so happy to be having fun without my parents fighting or school stress weighing down my mind that I didn't even notice when he went from holding my hand to holding my waist. I was still riding the oblivious high when we sat down for dinner and Kade placed our haul in one bench and scooted in to sit next to me while we ate.
I finally noticed when we got back to the hotel and collapsed side my side on my bed. I noticed Kade was tracing patterns up and down my arm and it was like I suddenly awoke from a dream. This was Kade, my best friend, the boy who used to let me paint his nails and put lipstick on his face, my partner in crime when someone needed to be taught a lesson, the one who listened to all my boy troubles and offered sound advice in every situation. This was not the person I had a summer fling with. Not the person I ruined a friendship with for a pointless make out session. I bounced up from the bed.
"Well, I'd say we had a pretty full day. I'm gonna take a walk and then head to bed. Thanks for all the fun. Night, Kade." I spoke in a rush and left before Kade could even begin to protest. I wandered out across the resort gardens, needing to clear my head. It wasn't that Kade was unattractive, and his hand had certainly felt nice in mine, but I didn't have the best track record when it came to relationships, and I didn't want to add Kade to that list. I tried to convince myself that he was only being friendly, having fun, but I knew that was a lie. I sat down on the grass trying to think of a way out of this whole mess.
"Taryn, fancy meeting you here. Up for another round of zombie fighting?" Jackson's shadow appeared in the grass at my feet. Well, I'd already made a mess of this day, might as well go the whole nine yards.
"Sure, escaping into fiction sounds like a blast." I muttered. If Jackson heard what I said he made no comment, just settled on the grass next to me and pulled out the book. I forced Kade out of my mind as I focused on the best way to kill a zombie with a Nintendo 64. Soon enough Jackson and I were lying on the grass side by side and I was reaching over his arm to point out a particularly important sentence. When he placed his hand on mine I didn't shrug away and I found myself leaning in to his touch as he brushed my hair behind my ear when it fell onto the pages. When the light faded neither of us made a move to leave. We turned to our backs and he held my hand and we watched the sky as we talked. We talked about my parents' divorce, his father pressuring him to be a lawyer, my worries about school, his parents shipping him off to this resort and that hotel every summer because they were too busy to spend time with him, our shared love for Doctor Who and zombie books. Talking to Jackson was easy and no subject was off the table. Hours passed and yet still neither of us stopped talking. Then at some point Jackson was leaning over me, the moon shining a halo around his head, and then he was kissing me, and I was kissing him back.
Kissing Jackson was just as easy as talking to him. There were no worries, no guilt eating away at my stomach, just a happy little warmth in my gut. His lips were warm against mine and I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation. He came up for breath, but I didn't let that last long before I curled my fingers in his hair and pulled him back down.
"Taryn?" Kade's voice hit me like ice water and Jackson rolled away as I sprung up. I didn't know how long Kade had been standing there, but a look at his face told me it'd been long enough. I opened my mouth, not sure what I was going to say, but I never got the chance. Kade turned and ran.
"Well shit."
It started out glorious, I was so happy to get away from college and my parent's divorce, and just have some time to myself. I couldn't thank Kade enough for inviting me along when his sister bailed on their summer trip. He knew what I was going through, we've been friends for ages, and he thought a trip to Florida was just what I needed. We arrived at a swanky hotel, got adjoining rooms with queen beds and jacuzzi bathtubs. I spent that first night just wandering the resort taking in the three pools, spa, restaurants, and beautiful gardens and gazebos. It was in one of those gardens that I first ran into Jackson. He was lounging on a bench reading a book, and I'll admit I admired him from afar for quite awhile before building up the courage to speak. He was sexy, in a very nerdy way, with thick brown hair, square glasses, a tall lanky frame, and a shirt that read "Keep Calm and Don't Blink", and I was smitten. Eventually I made my way to stand over his bench.
"What are you reading?" I tried to sound casual, but I could feel my hands shaking. He looked up from the pages and I saw his bright blue eyes for the first time. I tried to remember to breath.
"Nothing much, it's a choose your own adventure book about the zombie apocalypse." He slipped in a piece of paper and held the book out to me. I flipped through the pages, trying to keep my hands still, and noticed the post-it tabs marking each ending.
"I do that too," I said without thinking, "mark all the endings so I know I don't miss any." Then my mind caught up with my mouth and I clamped it shut, what was I thinking talking to this strange boy I'd only just met. He didn't seem to notice, just nodded and took the book back when I offered. He studied me for a long moment and I was painfully aware that I was sweaty from running around and hadn't brushed my hair after the eight hour car ride. I resisted the urge to pull the tangles with my fingers, not wanting to draw more attention to my disheveled appearance.
"I'm just getting ready to start at the beginning again." He sat up as he spoke. "Want to help me survive the zombie apocalypse?" I must have given some reply, but I honestly don't remember. What I do remember is suddenly realizing it was getting too dark to read and that I had somehow ended up snuggled into the boy's side. We died for what must have been the dozenth time, and he closed the book. "It's too dark to read now, guess I'll have to save the zombie killing for another day."
I sat up straight and looked everywhere but at him. I couldn't believe I'd spent hours with a stranger, snuggled up to him even, and I didn't even know his name. "Well, that was fun," I said, still avoiding his eyes. "It was nice meeting you." I turned and walked quickly back towards my room, but a hand on my arm stopped me. I turned to look at his face.
"Hey, I just realized I didn't get your name, I'm Jackson." His voice was calm and cool, like he snuggled with strange girls every night, for all I knew he probably did. When he got back to his friends I'd be nothing but Sunday July 1st, another notch in his snuggling with strangers belt. I realized I was staring and shook my head.
"My name's Taryn." I managed, and then I turned and walked away. I waited until I was sure he could no longer see me and I sprinted back to my hotel room. I collapsed into bed, but even my dreams were invaded by a pair of bright blue eyes and zombies.
"You were out late last night." Kade commented as we walked to the park the next day. I felt my face flush and turned away.
"I got caught up reading in one of the gardens." Alright, so it wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't exactly a lie either.
"That's good, I'm glad to see you relaxing instead of worrying." Kade gave me one of his wide smiles and lead the way through the turnstiles.
I hadn't been to a theme park in almost five years, not since my parents started fighting and family vacations ceased to exist. I was thrilled to be riding roller coasters and eating funnel cakes and corn dogs. Kade worked hard to make things fun, buying me silly souvenirs and joshing me into riding the kids rides and seeing the shows. I raced around as excited as any of the little children, laughing and smiling and delighting in every little thing. I happily went along when Kade grabbed my hand to pull me towards yet another ride, and when he didn't let go all the way through the line or even during the twists and turns of the coaster, I didn't give it a second thought. I was so happy to be having fun without my parents fighting or school stress weighing down my mind that I didn't even notice when he went from holding my hand to holding my waist. I was still riding the oblivious high when we sat down for dinner and Kade placed our haul in one bench and scooted in to sit next to me while we ate.
I finally noticed when we got back to the hotel and collapsed side my side on my bed. I noticed Kade was tracing patterns up and down my arm and it was like I suddenly awoke from a dream. This was Kade, my best friend, the boy who used to let me paint his nails and put lipstick on his face, my partner in crime when someone needed to be taught a lesson, the one who listened to all my boy troubles and offered sound advice in every situation. This was not the person I had a summer fling with. Not the person I ruined a friendship with for a pointless make out session. I bounced up from the bed.
"Well, I'd say we had a pretty full day. I'm gonna take a walk and then head to bed. Thanks for all the fun. Night, Kade." I spoke in a rush and left before Kade could even begin to protest. I wandered out across the resort gardens, needing to clear my head. It wasn't that Kade was unattractive, and his hand had certainly felt nice in mine, but I didn't have the best track record when it came to relationships, and I didn't want to add Kade to that list. I tried to convince myself that he was only being friendly, having fun, but I knew that was a lie. I sat down on the grass trying to think of a way out of this whole mess.
"Taryn, fancy meeting you here. Up for another round of zombie fighting?" Jackson's shadow appeared in the grass at my feet. Well, I'd already made a mess of this day, might as well go the whole nine yards.
"Sure, escaping into fiction sounds like a blast." I muttered. If Jackson heard what I said he made no comment, just settled on the grass next to me and pulled out the book. I forced Kade out of my mind as I focused on the best way to kill a zombie with a Nintendo 64. Soon enough Jackson and I were lying on the grass side by side and I was reaching over his arm to point out a particularly important sentence. When he placed his hand on mine I didn't shrug away and I found myself leaning in to his touch as he brushed my hair behind my ear when it fell onto the pages. When the light faded neither of us made a move to leave. We turned to our backs and he held my hand and we watched the sky as we talked. We talked about my parents' divorce, his father pressuring him to be a lawyer, my worries about school, his parents shipping him off to this resort and that hotel every summer because they were too busy to spend time with him, our shared love for Doctor Who and zombie books. Talking to Jackson was easy and no subject was off the table. Hours passed and yet still neither of us stopped talking. Then at some point Jackson was leaning over me, the moon shining a halo around his head, and then he was kissing me, and I was kissing him back.
Kissing Jackson was just as easy as talking to him. There were no worries, no guilt eating away at my stomach, just a happy little warmth in my gut. His lips were warm against mine and I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation. He came up for breath, but I didn't let that last long before I curled my fingers in his hair and pulled him back down.
"Taryn?" Kade's voice hit me like ice water and Jackson rolled away as I sprung up. I didn't know how long Kade had been standing there, but a look at his face told me it'd been long enough. I opened my mouth, not sure what I was going to say, but I never got the chance. Kade turned and ran.
"Well shit."
Monday, June 11, 2012
June 11th
I've been debating between writing about Sylvia more or perhaps more flash fiction. You'd figure I would have made this decision before I sat down to type, but that would just make sense, and I'm not really one for making sense. I still have a bunch of 750 words to catch up on, but I'll deal with that at another time. For now I'll just worry about the words for today. I'll just pick another picture and write a story.
Every time they look at me I can feel what they're thinking. They edge away from me, take the long way so they don't have to cross my path. Every single one of them is terrified of me. Worried that what I am, what I can do, is contagious. Mother's pull away their children and more than once a restaurant or store has turned down my money. Even the churches, supposedly places of peace and solace, have refused me entry. I wish I cared as little as I tell people I do. I wish that it didn't burn a hole in my chest each time someone who used to be my friend makes a quick excuse not to see me, or avoids my phone calls, or turns the other way on the street.
They say I bring half of it on myself, dressing the way that I do. They say that if I didn't look like some vampiric princess; all black dresses and red lips, that people might actually get over all the rest. They forget, or want me to, that when this all started I didn't dress this way. When it all began two years ago, I wore jeans and t-shirts like everyone else. I didn't change my clothes until the whispers began, until best friends were suddenly always busy, until the first day "Witch" was spray painted on my locker. That's when I figured that I might as well look the part, since people were going to treat me that way regardless. At first I relished in the way they looked at me, the little spark of fear in their eyes, it served them right for turning their backs on me. Now, I'm just too tired to care. Even Mother barely speaks to me, and when she does she refuses to acknowledge the existence of all the rest. She pretends that I'm just a normal teenage girl, acting out by wearing Gothic clothing, even though we both know I'm anything but normal.
When Stacy died I thought my heart would never mend. It didn't matter to me that I was adopted, that we weren't sisters by blood, I loved her more than anything. At first I was angry that she left me with Mother, who looked at me strangely even back then, but as the days went by anger faded into sadness. I didn't move from my bed for weeks, couldn't even go to the funeral. I refused to accept that Stacy was really gone. I'd spend my nights dreaming that I went to that party with her, that I drove home when she got drunk, that we made it safely to our beds, that she awoke the next morning with nothing more serious than a hangover. When I finally reached the point that I could accept that Stacy was gone, she came to me.
The first time it happened I was in my room. It was late at night and the glimpse of her I got in the mirror was obviously my mind playing tricks on me. I didn't think much of it until the trick repeated the next morning. When she was staring me down, pale and winged, in the middle of the school playground, I finally had to acknowledge that what I was seeing was real. I was thrilled beyond belief, so thrilled that I made the worst mistake of my life; I told someone. I was so happy to have Stacy back that I didn't think twice about sharing what I'd found, and once I acknowledged Stacy, they all started coming. Soon I met more of the dead while walking to school than I did the living.
I can feel Stacy's arms around my shoulders right now. She's telling me that I'm doing good, that I'm helping those who are dead. I try to believe that, and a part of me does believe that, but another part of me fights it. That part of me remembers what life was like before I saw them, the happiness I had, and misses it. The price for keeping Stacy has been the lose of every living friend I ever had. Yet, as I look at her face, and the happy faces of those around her, I realize it's a price I'm willing to pay. After all, these are friends I'll have for eternity.
******************
Until tomorrow.
They say I bring half of it on myself, dressing the way that I do. They say that if I didn't look like some vampiric princess; all black dresses and red lips, that people might actually get over all the rest. They forget, or want me to, that when this all started I didn't dress this way. When it all began two years ago, I wore jeans and t-shirts like everyone else. I didn't change my clothes until the whispers began, until best friends were suddenly always busy, until the first day "Witch" was spray painted on my locker. That's when I figured that I might as well look the part, since people were going to treat me that way regardless. At first I relished in the way they looked at me, the little spark of fear in their eyes, it served them right for turning their backs on me. Now, I'm just too tired to care. Even Mother barely speaks to me, and when she does she refuses to acknowledge the existence of all the rest. She pretends that I'm just a normal teenage girl, acting out by wearing Gothic clothing, even though we both know I'm anything but normal.
When Stacy died I thought my heart would never mend. It didn't matter to me that I was adopted, that we weren't sisters by blood, I loved her more than anything. At first I was angry that she left me with Mother, who looked at me strangely even back then, but as the days went by anger faded into sadness. I didn't move from my bed for weeks, couldn't even go to the funeral. I refused to accept that Stacy was really gone. I'd spend my nights dreaming that I went to that party with her, that I drove home when she got drunk, that we made it safely to our beds, that she awoke the next morning with nothing more serious than a hangover. When I finally reached the point that I could accept that Stacy was gone, she came to me.
The first time it happened I was in my room. It was late at night and the glimpse of her I got in the mirror was obviously my mind playing tricks on me. I didn't think much of it until the trick repeated the next morning. When she was staring me down, pale and winged, in the middle of the school playground, I finally had to acknowledge that what I was seeing was real. I was thrilled beyond belief, so thrilled that I made the worst mistake of my life; I told someone. I was so happy to have Stacy back that I didn't think twice about sharing what I'd found, and once I acknowledged Stacy, they all started coming. Soon I met more of the dead while walking to school than I did the living.
I can feel Stacy's arms around my shoulders right now. She's telling me that I'm doing good, that I'm helping those who are dead. I try to believe that, and a part of me does believe that, but another part of me fights it. That part of me remembers what life was like before I saw them, the happiness I had, and misses it. The price for keeping Stacy has been the lose of every living friend I ever had. Yet, as I look at her face, and the happy faces of those around her, I realize it's a price I'm willing to pay. After all, these are friends I'll have for eternity.
******************
Until tomorrow.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
June 10th
I decided to base a story off of this image.
The autumn leaves fell around her as she stood amid the trees. She
stared down at the white flowing dress and was once again struck by the
insanity of what was happening. What sort of life was she living? She
just wanted to run away, to escape back to the abandoned castle where
she'd last felt safe. Before she could get her body to obey her heart a
strong hand ringed her wrist.
"Thinking of running darling?" The man's voice was even larger than his hands. "You can try if you want, but that will only make it worse." A deep laugh escaped the cage of his yellowing teeth and thick black beard. She fought down the bile that rose in her throat. She knew what she had to do, even if she hated it.
"Of course not." She managed to choke out. "I was merely imagining how wonderful my life is going to be. The excitement got to me." She tried to smile, she knew it looked fake, but it seemed to please the man. He loosened his grip on her wrist from painful to merely restrictive.
"The Prince will be pleased to hear that. He is also excited for this day." The man was grinning now, and a few of the other men (her honor guard) joined in. She fought hard to keep the tears from her eyes. Once again she considered escape, but the pressure on her wrist and the five other men surrounding her reminded her that it was a foolish notion. Instead she used her free hand to fiddle with the long flowing dress, and gently ran her fingers over the slim dagger hidden at her thigh. She had been lucky that the Prince had forbidden his men to watch her dress, or she doubted she'd have even this small comfort.
The man pulled her along as they continued their march through the shadows of the forest, and she found the crunch of dead leaves under her feet rather fitting for a day like this. Ahead she could see the small gazebo and the rows and rows of chairs laid out in front of it. Hundreds of people looked to her as she walked, but not a single one was a familiar face. At the gazebo stood the Prince, dressed in a beautiful dark blue suit, looking deceptively dashing. She had to admit that from the outside he seemed like a dream, beautiful, strong, and rich, but she knew better. She'd known from the second she met him.
The way he'd held her face, roughly, and turned her head this way and that. He'd touched her hair, her face, her body, like she was a statue and not a person. He never spoke to her, just at her, calling her "the girl". She tried to speak to him early on, to understand what was happening, but he'd only laughed at her as one would a pet. In fact, since she'd met him, she'd often felt like a pet. He dressed her up and lead her around wherever he went. He never spoke to her, and neither did his subjects, they treated her like a beautiful bird. They complimented the Prince on how beautiful "the girl" was and hands were constantly running over her body and through her hair. She imagined that this is what life as a cat was like, but while cats seemed to enjoy it, she did not. But she learned early on not to complain.
She'd been with the Prince for barely two days when she couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't handle being petted and ignored like a dog. In the middle of dinner she demanded that somebody tell her what was going on, and that the Prince show some respect, she wasn't an animal. The Prince had politely excused himself, explaining to the court that "the girl" was having a rough time adjusting to court life. She still remembered his bruising grip on her arm and the vein that stood out on his neck as he lead her from the hall. She didn't return to meals in the hall for five days, which is how long it took the bruises on her face and body to fade. When she did return she sat in calm silence, allowing the conversation to flow around her, and meekly submitting to the caresses of the Prince and his court.
Now, three weeks later, she was dressed in white, and walking down the aisle towards the one person she hated most in the world. The bruises on her back, badges from her escape attempt yesterday, were hidden by layers of fabric, but she felt them as she walked. In a daze she repeated the words when prompted and accepted the Prince's rough and possessive kiss without reaction. Before she knew it she was being swept through the applauding crowd. There was food and dancing and everyone stepped forward to congratulate the Prince and caress her face or hair. The evening seemed to go on forever and it was well after midnight before the Prince took her back to his chambers. Nothing the Prince did was gentle, but she endured silently until he finally fell into satisfied slumber.
When his breath deepened she slipped from the bed. As there were no other clothes in the Prince's room, she pulled on the white dress once more, checking to make sure the dagger was still hidden in the folds. She gently pushed open the door and was delighted to find the hallway empty. The Prince's men were likely taking part in their own late night celebrations. She crept down the hall silent as a ghost and made her way out of the castle. The guards at the gate were distracted by a pitcher of wine and a group of young serving girls. Everyone so focused on celebration that they never thought to turn their eyes to the forest.
As soon as she entered the trees she began to run. The leaves crumbled under her feet and tangled in her dress. Branches pulled at her hair, but she didn't dare slow her pace. She made it to the ruins just as the sun was beginning to rise. She crept through the eroded rooms until she came to the place it all began. She stared through the circular window at the rising son. This was the place she'd fallen asleep, it had seemed so comforting then. When she awoke, to a rough possessive kiss from the Prince, it had been anything but. Her home nothing but ruins, everyone she knew long gone and forgotten. Nothing left for her but a Prince who didn't love her and a court that saw her as nothing but a pretty creature. Since the moment she'd been awoken she'd wanted nothing more than to return to her slumber, to her family and friends. Now she had the chance. She climbed onto the bed under the window and laid down. As the alarm bells rang through the trees, announcing her escape from the castle, she slipped the dagger from her skirt, slid it smoothly through her skin into her heart, and closed her eyes; ready to dream.
"Thinking of running darling?" The man's voice was even larger than his hands. "You can try if you want, but that will only make it worse." A deep laugh escaped the cage of his yellowing teeth and thick black beard. She fought down the bile that rose in her throat. She knew what she had to do, even if she hated it.
"Of course not." She managed to choke out. "I was merely imagining how wonderful my life is going to be. The excitement got to me." She tried to smile, she knew it looked fake, but it seemed to please the man. He loosened his grip on her wrist from painful to merely restrictive.
"The Prince will be pleased to hear that. He is also excited for this day." The man was grinning now, and a few of the other men (her honor guard) joined in. She fought hard to keep the tears from her eyes. Once again she considered escape, but the pressure on her wrist and the five other men surrounding her reminded her that it was a foolish notion. Instead she used her free hand to fiddle with the long flowing dress, and gently ran her fingers over the slim dagger hidden at her thigh. She had been lucky that the Prince had forbidden his men to watch her dress, or she doubted she'd have even this small comfort.
The man pulled her along as they continued their march through the shadows of the forest, and she found the crunch of dead leaves under her feet rather fitting for a day like this. Ahead she could see the small gazebo and the rows and rows of chairs laid out in front of it. Hundreds of people looked to her as she walked, but not a single one was a familiar face. At the gazebo stood the Prince, dressed in a beautiful dark blue suit, looking deceptively dashing. She had to admit that from the outside he seemed like a dream, beautiful, strong, and rich, but she knew better. She'd known from the second she met him.
The way he'd held her face, roughly, and turned her head this way and that. He'd touched her hair, her face, her body, like she was a statue and not a person. He never spoke to her, just at her, calling her "the girl". She tried to speak to him early on, to understand what was happening, but he'd only laughed at her as one would a pet. In fact, since she'd met him, she'd often felt like a pet. He dressed her up and lead her around wherever he went. He never spoke to her, and neither did his subjects, they treated her like a beautiful bird. They complimented the Prince on how beautiful "the girl" was and hands were constantly running over her body and through her hair. She imagined that this is what life as a cat was like, but while cats seemed to enjoy it, she did not. But she learned early on not to complain.
She'd been with the Prince for barely two days when she couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't handle being petted and ignored like a dog. In the middle of dinner she demanded that somebody tell her what was going on, and that the Prince show some respect, she wasn't an animal. The Prince had politely excused himself, explaining to the court that "the girl" was having a rough time adjusting to court life. She still remembered his bruising grip on her arm and the vein that stood out on his neck as he lead her from the hall. She didn't return to meals in the hall for five days, which is how long it took the bruises on her face and body to fade. When she did return she sat in calm silence, allowing the conversation to flow around her, and meekly submitting to the caresses of the Prince and his court.
Now, three weeks later, she was dressed in white, and walking down the aisle towards the one person she hated most in the world. The bruises on her back, badges from her escape attempt yesterday, were hidden by layers of fabric, but she felt them as she walked. In a daze she repeated the words when prompted and accepted the Prince's rough and possessive kiss without reaction. Before she knew it she was being swept through the applauding crowd. There was food and dancing and everyone stepped forward to congratulate the Prince and caress her face or hair. The evening seemed to go on forever and it was well after midnight before the Prince took her back to his chambers. Nothing the Prince did was gentle, but she endured silently until he finally fell into satisfied slumber.
When his breath deepened she slipped from the bed. As there were no other clothes in the Prince's room, she pulled on the white dress once more, checking to make sure the dagger was still hidden in the folds. She gently pushed open the door and was delighted to find the hallway empty. The Prince's men were likely taking part in their own late night celebrations. She crept down the hall silent as a ghost and made her way out of the castle. The guards at the gate were distracted by a pitcher of wine and a group of young serving girls. Everyone so focused on celebration that they never thought to turn their eyes to the forest.
As soon as she entered the trees she began to run. The leaves crumbled under her feet and tangled in her dress. Branches pulled at her hair, but she didn't dare slow her pace. She made it to the ruins just as the sun was beginning to rise. She crept through the eroded rooms until she came to the place it all began. She stared through the circular window at the rising son. This was the place she'd fallen asleep, it had seemed so comforting then. When she awoke, to a rough possessive kiss from the Prince, it had been anything but. Her home nothing but ruins, everyone she knew long gone and forgotten. Nothing left for her but a Prince who didn't love her and a court that saw her as nothing but a pretty creature. Since the moment she'd been awoken she'd wanted nothing more than to return to her slumber, to her family and friends. Now she had the chance. She climbed onto the bed under the window and laid down. As the alarm bells rang through the trees, announcing her escape from the castle, she slipped the dagger from her skirt, slid it smoothly through her skin into her heart, and closed her eyes; ready to dream.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
June 3rd
Today Sara & Chris got married. I thought
that I'd want to write about the ceremony and reception, but I've
decided that I'll save that for tomorrow. I feel like writing some
fiction right now. Actually, I sorta feel like writing about Sylvia, my
HP fanfiction character. This won't really be a story, more like
background information on her.
**************
Sylvia grew up in an orphanage after her mother was killed. She met Harry when they started primary school and became fast friends. They never saw each other outside of school (Sylvia tried once but the Dursleys punished Harry and she never asked to visit again), but it didn't seem to dampen their friendship. Sylvia had a strong protective instinct and she stood up for Harry (and others) when no one else would. At the orphanage the older kids made fun of her for spending time with animals. She got picked on a lot and the staff didn't care enough to stop them from mistreating her. Despite the fact that she would defend Harry, or anyone else who got picked on, to the ends of the earth, she never had much to say when it came to defending herself.
Sylvia was always able to talk to animals but she learned at a VERY early age that the ability was a secret best kept to herself. However, it never occurred to her that this talent (and the other things that happened around her) were magic and not just her being a "freak", as she was often called by the other children in the orphanage. Then she received her Hogwarts acceptance letter, and her whole world changed. One visit from Professor Kettleburn later, she had supplies, a wand, and a tiny kitten all packed and ready to head to Platform 9 3/4. Her only misgiving was that she couldn't tell Harry or her few other friends and she was hesitant to leave them without her protection. Her animal friends could follow her, her human friends could not. Imagine her incredible happiness when she arrived on the train to find Harry already seated.
Sylvia actually managed to thrive at Hogwarts, where she was sorted into Gryffindor after the sorting hat debated the positive qualities of Ravenclaw. Although she still didn't tell anyone she could speak to animals, since no one was telling her that they could either. She found that she loved the classes and the students and especially the creatures in the Forbidden Forest. Harry didn't need her protection anymore, it turned out that in this world he was famous. He found some great friends and while Sylvia was still involved in his life and helped him with trials, she also found friends of her own. She met Fred and George Weasley on the train, and found it easy to fall into their world of tricks and pranks, especially since speaking to her animal friends gave her an edge in their prank wars.
When it came to classes Sylvia did decently well for a child raised in the Muggle world. She loved to read and found that despite what everyone said, she rather enjoyed History of Magic. Sylvia found making potions to be very relaxing, but she found facing Professor Snape and fighting down the urge to hex him over the way he treated Harry and the other Gryffindors quite stressful. Charms was fun and she found that she had a natural talent for the protective spells they learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Astronomy wasn't particularly interesting, but it did happen outside, largely at night, and got points in Sylvia's book for that. Transfiguration on the other hand was an entirely different beast. She wanted so much to please the professor, but try as she might Sylvia couldn't bring herself to transfigure any living creature. Often she would sneak the creature away and transfigure something from her bag instead. This only proved to be an issue when McGonagall decided to reverse the transfiguration. Herbology was also a challenge for Sylvia. She had a natural knack when it came to animals, but plants seemed to go out of their way to mystify and annoy her. Sylvia discovered early on that Neville Longbottom was good in the greenhouse and worked her way to sit next to him.
Outside of classes there were many things that Sylvia loved, starting with the fact that mail was delivered by owls. She didn't have anyone to send her packages, but she found out she could order Wizarding newspapers so that the owls would visit daily. Then there were all the creatures that lived on the grounds, the students she met, and all the adventures she could get up to while at school, but more on that lately.
Until tomorrow.
**************
Sylvia grew up in an orphanage after her mother was killed. She met Harry when they started primary school and became fast friends. They never saw each other outside of school (Sylvia tried once but the Dursleys punished Harry and she never asked to visit again), but it didn't seem to dampen their friendship. Sylvia had a strong protective instinct and she stood up for Harry (and others) when no one else would. At the orphanage the older kids made fun of her for spending time with animals. She got picked on a lot and the staff didn't care enough to stop them from mistreating her. Despite the fact that she would defend Harry, or anyone else who got picked on, to the ends of the earth, she never had much to say when it came to defending herself.
Sylvia was always able to talk to animals but she learned at a VERY early age that the ability was a secret best kept to herself. However, it never occurred to her that this talent (and the other things that happened around her) were magic and not just her being a "freak", as she was often called by the other children in the orphanage. Then she received her Hogwarts acceptance letter, and her whole world changed. One visit from Professor Kettleburn later, she had supplies, a wand, and a tiny kitten all packed and ready to head to Platform 9 3/4. Her only misgiving was that she couldn't tell Harry or her few other friends and she was hesitant to leave them without her protection. Her animal friends could follow her, her human friends could not. Imagine her incredible happiness when she arrived on the train to find Harry already seated.
Sylvia actually managed to thrive at Hogwarts, where she was sorted into Gryffindor after the sorting hat debated the positive qualities of Ravenclaw. Although she still didn't tell anyone she could speak to animals, since no one was telling her that they could either. She found that she loved the classes and the students and especially the creatures in the Forbidden Forest. Harry didn't need her protection anymore, it turned out that in this world he was famous. He found some great friends and while Sylvia was still involved in his life and helped him with trials, she also found friends of her own. She met Fred and George Weasley on the train, and found it easy to fall into their world of tricks and pranks, especially since speaking to her animal friends gave her an edge in their prank wars.
When it came to classes Sylvia did decently well for a child raised in the Muggle world. She loved to read and found that despite what everyone said, she rather enjoyed History of Magic. Sylvia found making potions to be very relaxing, but she found facing Professor Snape and fighting down the urge to hex him over the way he treated Harry and the other Gryffindors quite stressful. Charms was fun and she found that she had a natural talent for the protective spells they learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Astronomy wasn't particularly interesting, but it did happen outside, largely at night, and got points in Sylvia's book for that. Transfiguration on the other hand was an entirely different beast. She wanted so much to please the professor, but try as she might Sylvia couldn't bring herself to transfigure any living creature. Often she would sneak the creature away and transfigure something from her bag instead. This only proved to be an issue when McGonagall decided to reverse the transfiguration. Herbology was also a challenge for Sylvia. She had a natural knack when it came to animals, but plants seemed to go out of their way to mystify and annoy her. Sylvia discovered early on that Neville Longbottom was good in the greenhouse and worked her way to sit next to him.
Outside of classes there were many things that Sylvia loved, starting with the fact that mail was delivered by owls. She didn't have anyone to send her packages, but she found out she could order Wizarding newspapers so that the owls would visit daily. Then there were all the creatures that lived on the grounds, the students she met, and all the adventures she could get up to while at school, but more on that lately.
Until tomorrow.
Monday, May 28, 2012
May 28th
It's time for Miscellaneous Mondays! That means you're stuck here reading whatever I feel like writing, and it could be ANYTHING. Well, technically I suppose you aren't stuck, you can click away any time you want. I just like to hope you find yourself drawn in by my intriguing prose and then you stay to read a riveting post on a subject I haven't even decided on yet. I know that this is a false hope, and that likely you have already clicked to a new page and never even made it to these words, which is a bummer because the post is about to get awesome...or I'm just lying to you.
Quite honestly I'm incredibly tired and I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open. I just want to curl up and go to sleep, which wouldn't actually be a bad thing, but it is a little early for that. I'm afraid that if I fall asleep now I'll wake up before tomorrow and then I'll be tired at work tomorrow. Speaking of work, I had day four of training today, and it was just as awesome as the other three days. I feel like I'm really understanding the process and I can't wait to actually start working. Of course there are still six days of training before they push me out of the nest to fly (or fall) on my own. I'm hoping that I can fly.
Then I came home, unpacked my stuff from work, and sat down to get my daily YouTube watching out of the way. I'm completely caught up on all my subscriptions and that makes me incredibly happen. I love commenting on videos in a timely manner, making video responses, and getting inspired to make videos of my own. I've actually made four videos this month (two for my personal channel and two for my collab channel), and I have another video shot that is just gonna take some editing time. I'm hoping to get around to it before June starts. It's nice to feel like part of the YouTube community again. I have fun doing it, and I think I forgot that for awhile.
I'm also thinking seriously about food, but I know that if I eat I won't be as sleepy and I really should get some sleep. My nose is all stuffy and I've been sneezing almost constantly so I think rest would be recommended. Of course then there's the fact that my stomach is going to growl just a little, and that isn't good either. I might have to settle for a light snack to hold me over till the morning. Of course my snacky foods are all in the mostly unhealthy category, not that I'm trying to eat totally healthy, but it's always a bummer to only eat something unhealthy.
I still have almost three hundred words to write and my exhausted brain is having trouble coming up with ideas. I suppose I could write some flash fiction. I make no promises or apologies when it comes to the quality of the piece I'm about to write for you.
**************
"Grab it, quick!" Jilly reached out lightening fast and caught the teddy bear as it plummeted towards the bedroom floor. Jamie looked over the edge of the top bunk and sighed in relief.
"You have to be more careful, Jamie." Jilly said as she leaned out of her bunk and reached the bear up to Jamie's waiting hands. He hugged the bear securely to his chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jamie said. He lay down on his bed and hung his head over the edge to look as his sister. Jilly had a pile of books spread out in front of her and was taking notes on a sleek silver tablet. She patted the top of Jamie's head.
"I know you didn't mean to, buddy. But I might not be here next time, so you're gonna have to make sure to keep everything on your bed or in your drawers." She motioned to the dresser that was hooked to the wall by his bed, positioned to be easily reachable from when he lay now.
"Someday I want to play on the floor." Jamie said with a bit of a pout. Jilly looked at the laser grid on their bedroom floor, created to slice and dice anything that landed there. Then she looked back at the schematics and layouts on her tablet.
"Someday, Jamie, you will."
Quite honestly I'm incredibly tired and I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open. I just want to curl up and go to sleep, which wouldn't actually be a bad thing, but it is a little early for that. I'm afraid that if I fall asleep now I'll wake up before tomorrow and then I'll be tired at work tomorrow. Speaking of work, I had day four of training today, and it was just as awesome as the other three days. I feel like I'm really understanding the process and I can't wait to actually start working. Of course there are still six days of training before they push me out of the nest to fly (or fall) on my own. I'm hoping that I can fly.
Then I came home, unpacked my stuff from work, and sat down to get my daily YouTube watching out of the way. I'm completely caught up on all my subscriptions and that makes me incredibly happen. I love commenting on videos in a timely manner, making video responses, and getting inspired to make videos of my own. I've actually made four videos this month (two for my personal channel and two for my collab channel), and I have another video shot that is just gonna take some editing time. I'm hoping to get around to it before June starts. It's nice to feel like part of the YouTube community again. I have fun doing it, and I think I forgot that for awhile.
I'm also thinking seriously about food, but I know that if I eat I won't be as sleepy and I really should get some sleep. My nose is all stuffy and I've been sneezing almost constantly so I think rest would be recommended. Of course then there's the fact that my stomach is going to growl just a little, and that isn't good either. I might have to settle for a light snack to hold me over till the morning. Of course my snacky foods are all in the mostly unhealthy category, not that I'm trying to eat totally healthy, but it's always a bummer to only eat something unhealthy.
I still have almost three hundred words to write and my exhausted brain is having trouble coming up with ideas. I suppose I could write some flash fiction. I make no promises or apologies when it comes to the quality of the piece I'm about to write for you.
**************
"Grab it, quick!" Jilly reached out lightening fast and caught the teddy bear as it plummeted towards the bedroom floor. Jamie looked over the edge of the top bunk and sighed in relief.
"You have to be more careful, Jamie." Jilly said as she leaned out of her bunk and reached the bear up to Jamie's waiting hands. He hugged the bear securely to his chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jamie said. He lay down on his bed and hung his head over the edge to look as his sister. Jilly had a pile of books spread out in front of her and was taking notes on a sleek silver tablet. She patted the top of Jamie's head.
"I know you didn't mean to, buddy. But I might not be here next time, so you're gonna have to make sure to keep everything on your bed or in your drawers." She motioned to the dresser that was hooked to the wall by his bed, positioned to be easily reachable from when he lay now.
"Someday I want to play on the floor." Jamie said with a bit of a pout. Jilly looked at the laser grid on their bedroom floor, created to slice and dice anything that landed there. Then she looked back at the schematics and layouts on her tablet.
"Someday, Jamie, you will."
Sunday, May 27, 2012
May 27th
Today I decided to once again take a photo and write a story about the character. Here is the picture I chose.
It's been twenty years since I saw my home land. Twenty years since my family and the court gathered to celebrate my 5th birthday party. Twenty years since the raiders, lead by Ulrich the Liver Eater, burst into the throne room and slaughtered my father. Twenty years since I watched them drag my mother, screaming and crying, onto the feast table so the entire court could watch Ulrich prove how much of a man he was. Twenty years since they lined up the knights of my father's court and beheaded them one by one. Twenty years since the raiders took the sobbing ladies of the court and divided them up. Twenty years since my brother Avery, all of twelve at the time, shoved me out the passage behind the throne and told me to run to the stables. Twenty years since Jinto, the stable boy, shoved me and a bunch of other kids into a wagon and fled the town.
Everything else I know about that day I heard from Adele, one of the serving girls in my father's court. She was serving tables that day, and at thirteen she wasn't of much interest to the raiders. After Avery shoved me out of the room he apparently rallied the squires and pages in a last ditch effort to fight off the raiders. They managed to take down five raiders and Avery cut open Ulrich's face before he was slain. After that the raiders threw the bodies in the fire and forced the women to join them in finishing my birthday feast. Adele said that sometime during the feast my mother took a knife and slit her own throat, she would rather die than be with Ulrich.
Adele actually staying in the castle for a few months, helping some of the ladies smuggle other people to the Island that Jinto had taken me to. Eventually she was caught and only some quick work on the part of my mother's lady in waiting allowed her to escape with her life. I can't express to her how thankful I am that she saved so many, yet she is always wracked with guilt that she couldn't save more. She's actually why I'm doing this, so Adele doesn't have to feel guilty anymore.
Here on the island they call me The Winter Princess, after all my father was The Winter King, but I've never been sure what to think about the title. I was five when Ulrich and the raiders took over my father's kingdom, I've lived most of my life in exile, not as a Princess. Still, it's a title I bear with pride, pride for my father and mother, and for my brave older brother. And today I will prove that I'm deserving of that title. When we arrived on the island twenty years ago the oldest of us, Jinto, was only seventeen. Since that terrible day we've been training and studying.
Today is that the day that all changes. To celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday I'm going to take back Winter Kingdom. My army of orphaned children are ready for battle. This is what we've trained for. We've studied the raiders, we have spies in their kingdom, surviving ladies from my father's court. They've told us that Ulrich and his men have gotten lazy. It's been over ten years since they had to fight any of the neighboring kingdom. They are not ready for what we are bringing their way. Ulrich will pay for what he did to my family, for what he did to all our families. He sits on my father's throne believing his is king of everything, but he had no right to that crown.
The trip across the narrow sea was simple, and making our way to the castle was much easier than expected. It turned out that most of the peasants weren't too happy with the way they were being treated by Ulrich and his raiders. They were more than happy to help the orphaned warriors of the realm sneak up to the castle. I stood before the doors of the castle I'd been born in, surrounded by the bodies of the dozen or so guards that had already crossed our path. We were an unstoppable force, trained, focused, and filled with vengeance. I turned to regard the force behind me, they looked up at me with fierce determination, and almost as one they nodded.
I turned and shoved open the castle door.
It's been twenty years since I saw my home land. Twenty years since my family and the court gathered to celebrate my 5th birthday party. Twenty years since the raiders, lead by Ulrich the Liver Eater, burst into the throne room and slaughtered my father. Twenty years since I watched them drag my mother, screaming and crying, onto the feast table so the entire court could watch Ulrich prove how much of a man he was. Twenty years since they lined up the knights of my father's court and beheaded them one by one. Twenty years since the raiders took the sobbing ladies of the court and divided them up. Twenty years since my brother Avery, all of twelve at the time, shoved me out the passage behind the throne and told me to run to the stables. Twenty years since Jinto, the stable boy, shoved me and a bunch of other kids into a wagon and fled the town.
Everything else I know about that day I heard from Adele, one of the serving girls in my father's court. She was serving tables that day, and at thirteen she wasn't of much interest to the raiders. After Avery shoved me out of the room he apparently rallied the squires and pages in a last ditch effort to fight off the raiders. They managed to take down five raiders and Avery cut open Ulrich's face before he was slain. After that the raiders threw the bodies in the fire and forced the women to join them in finishing my birthday feast. Adele said that sometime during the feast my mother took a knife and slit her own throat, she would rather die than be with Ulrich.
Adele actually staying in the castle for a few months, helping some of the ladies smuggle other people to the Island that Jinto had taken me to. Eventually she was caught and only some quick work on the part of my mother's lady in waiting allowed her to escape with her life. I can't express to her how thankful I am that she saved so many, yet she is always wracked with guilt that she couldn't save more. She's actually why I'm doing this, so Adele doesn't have to feel guilty anymore.
Here on the island they call me The Winter Princess, after all my father was The Winter King, but I've never been sure what to think about the title. I was five when Ulrich and the raiders took over my father's kingdom, I've lived most of my life in exile, not as a Princess. Still, it's a title I bear with pride, pride for my father and mother, and for my brave older brother. And today I will prove that I'm deserving of that title. When we arrived on the island twenty years ago the oldest of us, Jinto, was only seventeen. Since that terrible day we've been training and studying.
Today is that the day that all changes. To celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday I'm going to take back Winter Kingdom. My army of orphaned children are ready for battle. This is what we've trained for. We've studied the raiders, we have spies in their kingdom, surviving ladies from my father's court. They've told us that Ulrich and his men have gotten lazy. It's been over ten years since they had to fight any of the neighboring kingdom. They are not ready for what we are bringing their way. Ulrich will pay for what he did to my family, for what he did to all our families. He sits on my father's throne believing his is king of everything, but he had no right to that crown.
The trip across the narrow sea was simple, and making our way to the castle was much easier than expected. It turned out that most of the peasants weren't too happy with the way they were being treated by Ulrich and his raiders. They were more than happy to help the orphaned warriors of the realm sneak up to the castle. I stood before the doors of the castle I'd been born in, surrounded by the bodies of the dozen or so guards that had already crossed our path. We were an unstoppable force, trained, focused, and filled with vengeance. I turned to regard the force behind me, they looked up at me with fierce determination, and almost as one they nodded.
I turned and shoved open the castle door.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
May 20th
The elevator door opened and I stepped onto the training floor. Immediately my chest was covered in tiny red lights and I was staring down the barrels of about 40 guns. I did the only thing I could do in a situation like that, I smiled.
"Honestly, I infiltrate a secret base, take out the leader of a terrorist organization, reroute his entire bank account to a little place in the Cayman Islands, do it all in time for afternoon tea, and 40 guns in my face is supposed to scare me. Try again."
In a single seamless motion I dropped to the floor and laid out a spray of bullets from the automatic I had held behind my back. People underestimate the power of a good shot to the knees. Half of the recruits went down with me, the difference being that they weren't able to spring back up the next second and make a run for the door on the other side of the room. I know what you're thinking; running the gauntlet through 20 armed grunts sounds like suicide, and for most people it might be, but I am not most people.
I knew these recruits, each and every one of them, we'd trained together, risen through the ranks together, and been recruited together. We were close as kin, and right now I used that to my advantage. As I ran along the length of the room they were hesitant to shoot and risk hitting each other. I didn't want to shoot them either, they didn't cause this, but I wasn't at all hesitant to stay low and take out more kneecaps. The recruits would recover, and I made it out the other door without so much as a bullet graze.
Once I hit the other side of the door I engaged the bolt, ripped out the keypad, and reloaded my guns. I may have gotten past the newest recruits, but there was still a lot of distance to cover if I wanted to end this. I heard the gunfire cease behind me as they realized I'd left the room. Soon they would start taking apart the door, so it was best that I get some distance.
I sprinted down the maze like hallways. To most they might have been confusing, but I knew them well, I'd grown up here after all. I faced a few guards along the way, and took them down with ease. I knew they were just a few left over guard dogs, the main force was waiting for me on the lower levels. The lights suddenly snapped off, someone had finally alerted command that I made it through the recruits. I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips, they'd waited almost ten minutes to call command, someone didn't want to admit to him that they failed, and I couldn't blame them. Of course I was prepared for this eventuality and swung the night vision goggles down over my eyes.
The air vent was a tighter squeeze than I remembered, but it was the quickest way to get to the command center. Not only that but I knew for a fact that he didn't know where these lead. Somehow, despite all of the action movies, people still ignored the usefulness of air vents. Sure, they welded the entrances or added deadly fans every few dozen feet, but never anything I couldn't get through, and never any armed guards. I vowed that if I ever built a secret base there wouldn't be air vents. I don't care if that's completely unrealistic. Soon I could hear voices, which let me know that the command center was near, it was time to see what I was up against.
From a very tight little corner of the vent system I had a clear view of the command center. Outside of the glass window I could see around 100 agents milling about, preparing for what they expected to be a head on attack. By comparison the command center itself was deathly quiet. The computer banks glowed dimly but only four of them were manned. I recognized Gerard and Emily, his right hand man and lead tech, but where was he. My eyes ran over and over the four people in the room again and again. He had to be there.
It was at that moment I saw a movement in the glass. There was his face, staring at the agents. He was right under me, just out of my view. I was out of options, there was no way to sneak this in quietly. Time to go for broke. I took a deep breathe, grabbed my guns, and kicked. The grill hit the floor seconds before I did. Before anyone could react I'd slammed the lock down button and the steel shield slammed down, cutting the command center off from the rest of the compound. A spray of bullets took out the four people at the computer screens, and then it was just me and him.
He stared at me, surprise evident on his face. I saw him twitch, thinking about getting his gun, but both of my pistols were already trained on him, I fired a warning shot past his knee. He froze, and I waved the pistol in my right hand at him. Without a word he grabbed his gun and tossed it my way. Now he was standing before me, seemingly unarmed, but I knew better than that. I knew about the knife up his sleeve, the gun in his pant leg, and I would never underestimate the power of his fists. Lucky for me he would never have a chance to get to any of them. I answered the question he was silently asking.
"Because I found out the truth, about what you do here, about who you work for, and about what happened to my mother. There is nothing you can say. Goodbye, father."
Then I shot him.
"Honestly, I infiltrate a secret base, take out the leader of a terrorist organization, reroute his entire bank account to a little place in the Cayman Islands, do it all in time for afternoon tea, and 40 guns in my face is supposed to scare me. Try again."
In a single seamless motion I dropped to the floor and laid out a spray of bullets from the automatic I had held behind my back. People underestimate the power of a good shot to the knees. Half of the recruits went down with me, the difference being that they weren't able to spring back up the next second and make a run for the door on the other side of the room. I know what you're thinking; running the gauntlet through 20 armed grunts sounds like suicide, and for most people it might be, but I am not most people.
I knew these recruits, each and every one of them, we'd trained together, risen through the ranks together, and been recruited together. We were close as kin, and right now I used that to my advantage. As I ran along the length of the room they were hesitant to shoot and risk hitting each other. I didn't want to shoot them either, they didn't cause this, but I wasn't at all hesitant to stay low and take out more kneecaps. The recruits would recover, and I made it out the other door without so much as a bullet graze.
Once I hit the other side of the door I engaged the bolt, ripped out the keypad, and reloaded my guns. I may have gotten past the newest recruits, but there was still a lot of distance to cover if I wanted to end this. I heard the gunfire cease behind me as they realized I'd left the room. Soon they would start taking apart the door, so it was best that I get some distance.
I sprinted down the maze like hallways. To most they might have been confusing, but I knew them well, I'd grown up here after all. I faced a few guards along the way, and took them down with ease. I knew they were just a few left over guard dogs, the main force was waiting for me on the lower levels. The lights suddenly snapped off, someone had finally alerted command that I made it through the recruits. I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips, they'd waited almost ten minutes to call command, someone didn't want to admit to him that they failed, and I couldn't blame them. Of course I was prepared for this eventuality and swung the night vision goggles down over my eyes.
The air vent was a tighter squeeze than I remembered, but it was the quickest way to get to the command center. Not only that but I knew for a fact that he didn't know where these lead. Somehow, despite all of the action movies, people still ignored the usefulness of air vents. Sure, they welded the entrances or added deadly fans every few dozen feet, but never anything I couldn't get through, and never any armed guards. I vowed that if I ever built a secret base there wouldn't be air vents. I don't care if that's completely unrealistic. Soon I could hear voices, which let me know that the command center was near, it was time to see what I was up against.
From a very tight little corner of the vent system I had a clear view of the command center. Outside of the glass window I could see around 100 agents milling about, preparing for what they expected to be a head on attack. By comparison the command center itself was deathly quiet. The computer banks glowed dimly but only four of them were manned. I recognized Gerard and Emily, his right hand man and lead tech, but where was he. My eyes ran over and over the four people in the room again and again. He had to be there.
It was at that moment I saw a movement in the glass. There was his face, staring at the agents. He was right under me, just out of my view. I was out of options, there was no way to sneak this in quietly. Time to go for broke. I took a deep breathe, grabbed my guns, and kicked. The grill hit the floor seconds before I did. Before anyone could react I'd slammed the lock down button and the steel shield slammed down, cutting the command center off from the rest of the compound. A spray of bullets took out the four people at the computer screens, and then it was just me and him.
He stared at me, surprise evident on his face. I saw him twitch, thinking about getting his gun, but both of my pistols were already trained on him, I fired a warning shot past his knee. He froze, and I waved the pistol in my right hand at him. Without a word he grabbed his gun and tossed it my way. Now he was standing before me, seemingly unarmed, but I knew better than that. I knew about the knife up his sleeve, the gun in his pant leg, and I would never underestimate the power of his fists. Lucky for me he would never have a chance to get to any of them. I answered the question he was silently asking.
"Because I found out the truth, about what you do here, about who you work for, and about what happened to my mother. There is nothing you can say. Goodbye, father."
Then I shot him.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
May 13th
Happy Mother's Day! Did you talk to your mom today?
It's also short fiction day. I decided to take one of the random pictures I pinned on Pinterest and write a short story for that character. Here is the picture I chose.
I found the image on conceptart.org, created by the talented drawnblud, who you can see more work from here.
*****************************************
Jenny took a deep breath and peered over the edge of the building, four floors down to the window washing lift or thirty feet over to the neighboring roof. Footsteps pounded behind her and Jenny turned to see four Agency goons burst through the door onto the roof. A glance back over the edge showed the lift moving rapidly away. Damn, they're getting better at this, Jenny thought. She turned and ran at the goons. The surprise had just registered on their faces when Jenny spun on a dime and sprinted towards the edge.
"What's she doing?" One of the goons shouted.
"I think she's going over."
"Is she insane? That's suicide." The goons upped their speed but Jenny knew that they were going to be too slow. The edge was approaching, 50 feet, 20, 10, 5. Jenny coiled her legs and propelled herself into the space between buildings. The seconds she was airborne lengthened into hours and Jenny held her breath and prayed that the other building would appear beneath her feet. The skittering of gravel echoed behind her as the goons stopped shot behind her, none of them were crazy enough to follow.
"I knew they called her Jumper, but I didn't know she was that crazy."
"She'll never make it, this will be an easy clean up."
Jenny heard the voices, but they seemed to come from far away. She was focused on the building ahead of her. She imagined the air thickening around her, keeping her afloat, and a strong wind propelling her towards the roof. Days, or perhaps seconds, later the lip of the building passed beneath her eyes. Jenny instantly compacted into a ball and rolled across the pea gravel. She felt the hilt of her sword dig into her shoulder and knew that she would be covered in scrapes and bruises. Small price to pay for freedom. As soon as she slowed enough she sprang to her feet and spared a quick glance at the roof behind her. The goons were standing in a row on the edge of the roof just staring. Jenny gave a harsh laugh, they were too stupid to realize they should be following. That was their loss. She blew them a kiss and took off across the roof.
********************************
"Jumper, you're all over the net. They've raised your price to 10,000." Globe whipped the screen around as soon as Jenny enters the base. "The Agency refuses to say what you were after, but the price hike suggests something big. What did you do?"
The core members of the PLP were gathered in the basement of the abandoned library. Computer screens glowed along the wall and couches and blankets littered the floor. All the faces except one were turned towards Jenny to see how she would respond. Out of habit Jenny tried to catch Gunner's eye, but she knew he wasn't going to look at her. They hadn't spoken since the Pringles Mission, and she doubted that would change tonight. Still, it didn't hurt to try.
"I hit them where it hurts. I went into the west side headquarters and got this." Jenny holds up a gold key card. Gasps and appreciative whistles fill the crowded room.
"A gold key, holy shit Jumper." Dex snatches the key from Jenny's fingers and plugs it in to the nearest open computer port. "Do you know what we can do with this?"
"Anything." Jenny finally allowed herself to smile. "We can do anything we want."
"Provided that we get to it soon." Arrow pointed out as she looked at the screen over Dex's shoulder. "The countdown started the moment your took that key, and all the codes will be rewritten in just over 5 hours."
"What's the plan?" File asked as she pulled a keyboard onto her lap. "Food? Money? Transport? What do we want?"
"Food should come first," Globe pointed out. "Everyone needs the food, there are a lot of families in the undercity who would benefit."
"Money can get you food though." Dex pointed out.
"Only at an unrealistically steep price, unless The Agency likes you." Globe replied.
"Jamison Myers," Gunner's gravely voice interrupted. "Forget food, forget money, we want Jamison Myers."
"The head of The Agency?" Arrow said. "Are you crazy?"
"No," Jenny replied quietly, "he's right. This is a chance we can't pass up. Jamison Myers is the target. Let's make a plan."
****************************
It's also short fiction day. I decided to take one of the random pictures I pinned on Pinterest and write a short story for that character. Here is the picture I chose.
*****************************************
Jenny took a deep breath and peered over the edge of the building, four floors down to the window washing lift or thirty feet over to the neighboring roof. Footsteps pounded behind her and Jenny turned to see four Agency goons burst through the door onto the roof. A glance back over the edge showed the lift moving rapidly away. Damn, they're getting better at this, Jenny thought. She turned and ran at the goons. The surprise had just registered on their faces when Jenny spun on a dime and sprinted towards the edge.
"What's she doing?" One of the goons shouted.
"I think she's going over."
"Is she insane? That's suicide." The goons upped their speed but Jenny knew that they were going to be too slow. The edge was approaching, 50 feet, 20, 10, 5. Jenny coiled her legs and propelled herself into the space between buildings. The seconds she was airborne lengthened into hours and Jenny held her breath and prayed that the other building would appear beneath her feet. The skittering of gravel echoed behind her as the goons stopped shot behind her, none of them were crazy enough to follow.
"I knew they called her Jumper, but I didn't know she was that crazy."
"She'll never make it, this will be an easy clean up."
Jenny heard the voices, but they seemed to come from far away. She was focused on the building ahead of her. She imagined the air thickening around her, keeping her afloat, and a strong wind propelling her towards the roof. Days, or perhaps seconds, later the lip of the building passed beneath her eyes. Jenny instantly compacted into a ball and rolled across the pea gravel. She felt the hilt of her sword dig into her shoulder and knew that she would be covered in scrapes and bruises. Small price to pay for freedom. As soon as she slowed enough she sprang to her feet and spared a quick glance at the roof behind her. The goons were standing in a row on the edge of the roof just staring. Jenny gave a harsh laugh, they were too stupid to realize they should be following. That was their loss. She blew them a kiss and took off across the roof.
********************************
"Jumper, you're all over the net. They've raised your price to 10,000." Globe whipped the screen around as soon as Jenny enters the base. "The Agency refuses to say what you were after, but the price hike suggests something big. What did you do?"
The core members of the PLP were gathered in the basement of the abandoned library. Computer screens glowed along the wall and couches and blankets littered the floor. All the faces except one were turned towards Jenny to see how she would respond. Out of habit Jenny tried to catch Gunner's eye, but she knew he wasn't going to look at her. They hadn't spoken since the Pringles Mission, and she doubted that would change tonight. Still, it didn't hurt to try.
"I hit them where it hurts. I went into the west side headquarters and got this." Jenny holds up a gold key card. Gasps and appreciative whistles fill the crowded room.
"A gold key, holy shit Jumper." Dex snatches the key from Jenny's fingers and plugs it in to the nearest open computer port. "Do you know what we can do with this?"
"Anything." Jenny finally allowed herself to smile. "We can do anything we want."
"Provided that we get to it soon." Arrow pointed out as she looked at the screen over Dex's shoulder. "The countdown started the moment your took that key, and all the codes will be rewritten in just over 5 hours."
"What's the plan?" File asked as she pulled a keyboard onto her lap. "Food? Money? Transport? What do we want?"
"Food should come first," Globe pointed out. "Everyone needs the food, there are a lot of families in the undercity who would benefit."
"Money can get you food though." Dex pointed out.
"Only at an unrealistically steep price, unless The Agency likes you." Globe replied.
"Jamison Myers," Gunner's gravely voice interrupted. "Forget food, forget money, we want Jamison Myers."
"The head of The Agency?" Arrow said. "Are you crazy?"
"No," Jenny replied quietly, "he's right. This is a chance we can't pass up. Jamison Myers is the target. Let's make a plan."
****************************
Sunday, May 6, 2012
May 6th
Today I worked and then bought the dress I picked out yesterday. It's pretty and the bride is happy. Of course these words aren't supposed to be about my day, they're supposed to be a short work of flash fiction. Here goes nothing.
**********************************************
"How am I even supposed to know what she wants?" James complained. His head was buried in his hands and he was hunched over in the passenger seat of the car. "Everyone acts like there's some magical formula and I'm just supposed to know, but I don't."
Dev laughed and gentle prodded James until he looked her way. The frustration and hopelessness was painted clearly in the redness of his cheeks and the slight sheen of his eyes. Dev wanted to giggle again, but she held back for his sake.
"There is no magical formula, whoever told you that was just plain full of it. You're not supposed to know by magic, you're supposed to feel it, or learn it, or ask, or figure it out by observation."
"Yeah, because figuring it out would be so easy and asking wouldn't make her upset at all. You act like I haven't trying feeling or learning or figuring it out. I have. The only possible thing left is magic."
"Magic, or this." Dev turned the car into the mall and pulled into a parking spot. She reached into her bag and pulled out her video camera. Scooting over in the seat she held it out so James could see the playback as well.
"I don't see what good watching a video of us is going to do." James said, and he hung his head again. Dev cuffed him gently on the back of the head.
"That's cause you don't pay attention. I filmed this video the last time the three of us went to the mall. That was only a couple of weeks ago. Tell me what you see." Dev pressed play and they watched the girl and boy on the screen walk down the hall between the shops. They stopped here and there and looked in the shop windows. They even entered a few stores. As the video wound to the end Dev turned to James.
"I don't know what you expected me to see. I was there that day, I'm in that video. I don't see anything I didn't see then, it's not gonna be very helpful."
"Ugh, boys. When will you ever get it through your thick skull that that was how she was telling you what she wanted." Dev presses the rewind button. "See here, how she stares at that necklace, and walks back to it when you aren't looking?"
"So what, we were window shopping, the whole point is to stare at things in the windows."
"Yes, but she doesn't linger on other things. She keeps looking at this because she likes it. She's hoping you'll take enough interest to ask about it and perhaps get it for her." Dev rewinds more. "The same goes for this dress and that set of figurines. Every single time she stops like that and sighs, or pulls on your arm, she's telling you she likes that item. She's letting you know what to get her."
"Couldn't she just say, hey, I like that necklace? Why does this whole thing have to be a huge game of "guess what's going on", or is just saying something aloud too scary?"
"If it wasn't complicated women would want nothing to do with it. We're by nature complicated beings. Plus, if she has to tell you what she wants she might as well buy it herself. If you can figure it out, then you're actually giving her gift."
"This conversation is making my head hurt." James said and buried his head in his hands again. Dev put the camera away and turned as much as she could to face him. "I miss the days when we used to hang out. I always knew exactly what you wanted. You never kept me guessing, you told me exactly what I should do. I miss dating you."
Dev's clear laugh sounded unusually loud in the car. "That's probably not the best thing to say when we're out shopping for your girlfriend. Besides, by now you should realize that I'm not like other girls, I just like girls."
"I know, I know, today is about Amanda. I love Amanda, I just miss how easy it was before."
"Well with me as your guide it will be easy again. Let's go get that necklace."
**********************************************
"How am I even supposed to know what she wants?" James complained. His head was buried in his hands and he was hunched over in the passenger seat of the car. "Everyone acts like there's some magical formula and I'm just supposed to know, but I don't."
Dev laughed and gentle prodded James until he looked her way. The frustration and hopelessness was painted clearly in the redness of his cheeks and the slight sheen of his eyes. Dev wanted to giggle again, but she held back for his sake.
"There is no magical formula, whoever told you that was just plain full of it. You're not supposed to know by magic, you're supposed to feel it, or learn it, or ask, or figure it out by observation."
"Yeah, because figuring it out would be so easy and asking wouldn't make her upset at all. You act like I haven't trying feeling or learning or figuring it out. I have. The only possible thing left is magic."
"Magic, or this." Dev turned the car into the mall and pulled into a parking spot. She reached into her bag and pulled out her video camera. Scooting over in the seat she held it out so James could see the playback as well.
"I don't see what good watching a video of us is going to do." James said, and he hung his head again. Dev cuffed him gently on the back of the head.
"That's cause you don't pay attention. I filmed this video the last time the three of us went to the mall. That was only a couple of weeks ago. Tell me what you see." Dev pressed play and they watched the girl and boy on the screen walk down the hall between the shops. They stopped here and there and looked in the shop windows. They even entered a few stores. As the video wound to the end Dev turned to James.
"I don't know what you expected me to see. I was there that day, I'm in that video. I don't see anything I didn't see then, it's not gonna be very helpful."
"Ugh, boys. When will you ever get it through your thick skull that that was how she was telling you what she wanted." Dev presses the rewind button. "See here, how she stares at that necklace, and walks back to it when you aren't looking?"
"So what, we were window shopping, the whole point is to stare at things in the windows."
"Yes, but she doesn't linger on other things. She keeps looking at this because she likes it. She's hoping you'll take enough interest to ask about it and perhaps get it for her." Dev rewinds more. "The same goes for this dress and that set of figurines. Every single time she stops like that and sighs, or pulls on your arm, she's telling you she likes that item. She's letting you know what to get her."
"Couldn't she just say, hey, I like that necklace? Why does this whole thing have to be a huge game of "guess what's going on", or is just saying something aloud too scary?"
"If it wasn't complicated women would want nothing to do with it. We're by nature complicated beings. Plus, if she has to tell you what she wants she might as well buy it herself. If you can figure it out, then you're actually giving her gift."
"This conversation is making my head hurt." James said and buried his head in his hands again. Dev put the camera away and turned as much as she could to face him. "I miss the days when we used to hang out. I always knew exactly what you wanted. You never kept me guessing, you told me exactly what I should do. I miss dating you."
Dev's clear laugh sounded unusually loud in the car. "That's probably not the best thing to say when we're out shopping for your girlfriend. Besides, by now you should realize that I'm not like other girls, I just like girls."
"I know, I know, today is about Amanda. I love Amanda, I just miss how easy it was before."
"Well with me as your guide it will be easy again. Let's go get that necklace."
Friday, January 14, 2011
Week Two Has Stories!
Somehow I've made it to week two of this whole blog/vlog weekly thing, and I'm super proud of myself. I think this a new high for me as far as sticking to New Year's Goals goes. I think that I made the decision this year to strive for goals I actually WANTED to achieve and that that has made this entire process easier and a lot more fun. This week for your reading pleasure I have two short stories I wrote over at 750words.com. We might have our fights but that site is certainly keeping me writing with it's wall of shame looming over my head.
Remember these stories are rough drafts so I make no promises about grammar (especially commas, Lena), but I hope you enjoy them. I also appreciate feedback so if you want to give me some I'd really love it. If you don't that's totally cool too. I'm a lurker quite often so I understand the tendency to always read and never comment. Enjoy the stories
Remember these stories are rough drafts so I make no promises about grammar (especially commas, Lena), but I hope you enjoy them. I also appreciate feedback so if you want to give me some I'd really love it. If you don't that's totally cool too. I'm a lurker quite often so I understand the tendency to always read and never comment. Enjoy the stories
Henry
The moon landing, everyone knows that story, or at least they think they do. What they don't know is that the moon landing wasn't all about simply proving that we could get a man on the moon, it was much more than that. The moon landing was all about hiding something, something the government never wanted anyone to discover. Haven't you ever wondered why we quit going back? Sure, they can claim it was a waste of money, but the truth is that they didn't want anyone to figure out the truth.
So, the question is, why did they let me go? Did someone at the top decide it was time to tell the truth? Did they figure there was no way I'd find out? Did they just not care anymore? I can never be sure why they allowed me to discover the truth; I only know that I did. By now you're wondering what in the heck I'm talking about. Well, give me a second, and I'll tell you. My name is Annabelle James, and I'm an astronaut with NASA. A few years ago the decision was made that we were going to send someone to the moon again, to give rest to the theories that it was all a hoax, and I jumped at the chance. I trained for years and spent even more time in interviews, talking about how excited I was. It was a one woman mission, well, one woman and one chimp. Joleen was my partner in space, and I was glad to have her. In fact, it's because of her that I even made the discovery at all, but more on that later.
When launch day finally arrived I was more excited than I've been in a very long time. I barely slept the night before and was ready for launch hours before anyone else was. Everything went smoothly and before I knew it Joleen and I were in space. The view was stunning! I'd seen so many videos of space, but nothing compared to it actually experiencing it. I slept a little on the way to the moon, and Joleen woke me up in time to take the lunar lander down to the surface. She's pretty intelligent, for a chimp. When the lander touched down I spent a few minutes trying to build up my courage. I was about to set foot on a place that had been untouched for years. I would see things that no one still living had ever seen. Joleen had no such thoughts and pulled at my arms and legs until I finally opened the portal.
I wish I could explain what it's like to be on the moon, but that is impossible for someone who hasn't been there. The training they give you in NASA doesn't even come close to the true feeling of jumping across the lunar surface. Joleen seemed to enjoy the moon even more than I did. So much, in fact, that she ignored my calls and wandered off on her own. At the time I was frustrated, but I would soon discover that Joleen knew what to do much better than I did. After collecting some samples and setting up the lunar rover I was assigned to launch, I decided to find Joleen. Tracking her was easy, but she'd traveled quite a distance. By the time I reached her the only footprints on the surface were her's. This would seem strange when I found what Joleen discovered, but at the time I thought nothing of it.
Joleen was sitting in the center of a crater pulling at something half buried in the ground. I was surprised to discover that rather than an old lunar rover it appeared to be a bone. I couldn't figure out what a bone would be doing on the moon, so I decided to investigate. I often wonder if it might have been better to turn back, but I didn't then and I can't change it now. A few hours of digging later proved that I had indeed discovered a bone, but rather than a chimp or some other animal, as I rationalized it might be, I found a strange skeleton. This looked like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was vaguely human in shape but had three obvious legs which each had two joints and a set of four arms, which were strangely thin and lacked hands. I checked my oxygen to make sure that I wasn't hallucinating, but everything seemed in order. I had found an alien. More than that the skeleton was buried with a US army jacket and a small steel box marked with the President's seal. I took as many pictures as I could, and worked to bring everything back to the lander.
I returned to find Houston slightly panicked that I hadn't checked in, but I just explained that Joleen had run away. I mentioned nothing about what I had found, I needed time to think. We took the lander back to the ship and I started our return trip. I took advantage of the time to myself and examined the steel box. It was locked, but had been buried a long time and I had no trouble breaking the mechanism. Opening it was a much more difficult task. I fought with myself for a long time, trying to decide if this was really something I wanted to do. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore and I flung open the lid. Inside was a collection of papers and photos detailing the alien, who was named Henry. Apparently Henry crashed to earth and actually lived in a government facility for years. The army jacket was his. It was with his help that we made our technological advances and he actually designed the first space shuttle. When he died the government didn't want him discovered and so they sent a final mission to the moon, to have him buried where no one could find him.
By the time we reached earth I had made the decision that I wouldn't be quiet. I was going to tell Henry's story even if no one believed me. I wanted the world to know who he was, what he had done, and the truth about life in the universe. I stepped off of the shuttle with Henry's bones in a bag on my back and the box in my arms, ready to scream the truth to the press even as government agents dragged me away. Imagine my surprise when it was the President who met me on the end of the gangway.
"You found him. It's time they knew anyway."
Emily
This world gave me no child, so I built one. Perhaps built is not the phrase I should have used, created might be a much better description. I can leave it up to you to decide. Many people have called my child an abomination, a freak, a monster, a demon, and a crime against nature. I called her Emily.
Before she was my daughter, Emily was a lot of other people's daughters too. When I was creating her I figured this would make her a perfect child. After all, all those other people seemed so sad to have lost their daughters and cried about how perfect they were. Now, before you get any Frankenstein ideas in your head, I want to take a second and explain myself. It's true, if you met Emily on the street you probably think she was nothing but pieced together flesh brought to life, but I assure you that isn't the case. I might have started with parts collected from perfect little girls all over the world, but Emily is much more than that. I never believed that flesh could be reanimated anyway, and even if it could I didn't want to run into the same problems that Doctor Frankenstein did. On the outside Emily might be other people's daughters, but inside she's 100% mine.
Originally Emily wasn't my daughter at all, when I first started tinkering with cogs and gears I still had dreams of John and I having children and growing old together, but the accident changed all that. One car crash later John was dead and I'd lost the only daughter I would have a chance to bear. My mother tried to encourage me to find someone else, but I know that John had been my one and only, and nothing could bring him back. I could keep part of him though, and Emily literally has his eyes. It was almost a year after the crash, and I was tinkering with an artificial intelligence program that John had been working on when I found a file labeled Emily. John had originally designed it to be part of a robotic doll or teddy bear that could learn and act like a child. He'd been making it as a gift for our unborn daughter. With John's program, a small robotic body, and a covering gathered from the local graveyards, Emily was born.
She was born with a body that would always be seven, but her mind started fresh and new. Teaching her about life gave me a new purpose, and soon she was teaching me things I never knew. I spent the first eight years of Emily's life living in our house in the country. Since Emily didn't have to eat it was easy for us to be self sufficient. I explained to her that she wasn't like me, but I couldn't really explain how she'd been created, because she wasn't ready for that. The problem was that she was ready to be outside. Despite my protests Emily was determined to see the towns she'd read about in books, and in the end I couldn't deny her the chance. I dressed her in a way that would make her look as much like a normal child as possible, and prayed that no one looked too closely.
At first town seemed like a wonderful idea. Emily excited watched from the car and asked all sorts of questions. I took her to a museum and we walked around the park. She especially loved feeding the ducks small bits of bread. We spent the afternoon watching a Shakespeare performance in the park and I thought we were going to have the perfect day. That was until we met the ice cream cart. The cart was surrounded by children, as ice cream carts tend to be, and Emily was drawn in by the bright colors. The real problem came when the man offered Emily an ice cream cone. Despite my insistance that we didn't need ice cream today, the man gave some to Emily for free. I tried to walk away before Emily could eat it, but she was curious, I never ate ice cream at home, and she tried it. Ice cream and electronics are not meant to go together, as anyone who has spilled some on a computer is aware.
We weren't nearly far enough out of the park when Emily started to spark, and despite my best efforts to scoop her up and leave, people noticed. They rushed over, assuming I'm sure, that something was wrong with my daughter. When they discovered what was really happening, and what she really looked like, the screaming started. I grabbed Emily and ran towards the car as fast as I could. The mob followed me, screaming about what an abomination she was, and what a terrible monster I was for creating her. I couldn't even pause to get the ice cream out of Emily's hand. That ended up being the biggest mistake I've ever made. By the time we were safely away in the car, she was shorted out and her motherboard was fried beyond repair. There was no way to bring Emily back.
When I got home I laid Emily to rest in the garden and returned sadly to my lab. I stared at my tools and the computer and quickly made a decision. Molly, is never going to be allowed to go into town.
***
Till I next fail at failure.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Illusions
"It's so cold here." Jaz whispered. "How can it be so cold?" Her breath floated around her head like a smoky halo. Quinn pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders. How had they ended up here anyway? It had been a fall night like any other when they set out on their date. It felt like days since they had entered the theatre with Rose and Zane, but Jaz knew it had only been a few hours. The movie had been decent, but it seemed silly to think of it now. How could movies possibly important when this had happened? Zane had his arms wrapped tightly around Rose but her teeth were still chattering.
"It's cold because we are on a plain of ice god knows where." Zane was a little testy. "They better question is how the hell did we get here." Funny, Jaz had been thinking the same thing. The movie ended, they walked outside, that annoying husky was barking on the corner, Rose had forgotten her coat so they turned to get it, then...well then they were here. Try as she could Jaz could remember nothing in between.
"Does anyone remember what happened after we turned to get Rose's coat?" A coat she could really use right now Jaz thought. Rose's lips were purple and the rest of her body wasn't doing much better.
"I opened the door to the theatre I think." Quinn's voice was uncertain.
"He did, and there was a man behind the door." Rose's words were punctuated by her chattering teeth. Jaz remembered none of this. How could that be? "He said something, but I didn't really hear it. Then...well then we were here."
"No, wait you forgot the light. There was an aqua light." Zane's eyes were closed. Jaz just stared. A man, words, aqua light? How could she remember none of it? She closed her eyes and pictured the scene over and over, but no matter how hard she tried the last thing she remembered was Rose needed the coat. She looked around her hoping for a clue. Maybe there was a man or an aqua light in the distance. She scanned the horizon to no avail. The only thing she saw was more and more ice and snow.
"Look there's a building." Rose jumped a little and pointed. Jaz followed her finger but she couldn't see a thing. Quinn and Zane seemed to though. They grinned and the three of them started moving quickly towards it. Jaz had no choice but to follow.
They continued to move closer but still Jaz saw nothing. Then Rose put out her hand, as if touching a wall. She pulled at an invisible handle and Zane and Quinn stared eagerly ahead. Jaz put her hand in front of her but she felt nothing. Even placing her hand alongside Rose's she couldn't feel a thing. She considered shoving her hand through the "door" just to see what the others would say, but she held back. Rose entered the building.
"It's warmer in here. Come on." Rose walked through the empty space and the rest followed. "What a lovely cabin. A fireplace, a couch, a stove, it looks like there might even be a bathroom and a bedroom upstairs."
"I'll go check." Quinn ran forward across the ice and started climbing thin air. Jaz couldn't help herself any longer.
"Stop! Don't do it! There's nothing there!" Jaz was almost screaming and her breath was coming in short bursts. What was wrong with them? There was nothing here. She didn't even feel warmer. Quinn stared at her like she had sprouted horns, but he came back down to stand at her side.
"What do you mean there's nothing there? You don't think there's a bedroom?"
"No, there's nothing there. This place isn't real."
"Jaz are you ok?" Rose touched her cheek gently. "Of course this place is real. There are walls, a door, windows, and a sofa. It's all right here."
"No it's not. I don't see any of that. It's all a lie. Here I'll prove it. Show me where the sofa is." Zane walked over and placed his hand on what he saw as a sofa. Jaz walked back and forth through the area a few times. The other three gasped.
"Jaz, you just walked though the sofa." Quinn grabbed her arms as if checking to see if she was real.
"No I didn't. There is no sofa."
"A seer, I didn't expect one of your kind to be among those sent to me." The voice was deep and seemed to ring all around us. Rose screamed and they automatically huddled together. "True the building isn't real, but I can make it seem that way. Does it really matter if it's only in your head?"
"Yes, I'm not going to let my friends freeze to death in this godforsaken land tricked by an illusion." Jaz stood and stepped in front of the others. As soon as he had spoken Jaz had seen the source of the voice. He was a tall man, easily over six and half feet, and he was wearing a thick black fur coat. He had reddish brown hair and a pointed beard. Jaz hated him instantly.
"Really little Seer? Do you think you have the power to take me on? I'm more powerful than you can imagine, and I have been here longer than even the ice." His voice echoed oddly, as if he was in a room instead of on a plain of ice.
"I don't have to take you on. I know the truth, I can see past your illusions. There is nothing you can do to me." Jaz didn't know where the confidence came from but she welcomed it gladly. The others had stayed silent, and from the way they glanced around Jaz could tell they couldn't see the man. "There is a way out of this ice world, and I will find it." The man laughed, and it sounded like a rock slide.
"Silly little Seer. Do you think it is that easy? Do you really think I would leave the door open just waiting for you to find it?"
"No, but I know your game. You can only hold illusions as long as we believe in them. I will find a reason to quit believing in this world, just give me time."
"I see you are more observant than I gave you credit. True my illusions only hold when someone believes in them, but it is not enough for just you to quit believing little Seer, the others must too. Don't think that my other illusions will be as easy to crack as that little house."
"I don't expect them to be." Jaz closed her eyes and listened. "I will beat them anyway." Come one she thought, that has to make you say something.
"Your optimism is quite adorable, but it will do you no good. Call me again when you feel like giving in." Jaz listened intently to his voice, to how it echoed, to what she could hear beyond his voice. When he finished speaking she heard the faintest sound but she couldn't place what it was. When she opened her eyes he was gone.
"What was that?" Zane and the others were staring at Jaz.
"I think he's a wizard, or something. I mean did you see his outfit. He looked like a cliché movie villain." Jaz continued to look around as she spoke.
"What are you talking about Jaz? I didn't see anyone. I just heard a creepy deep voice." Quinn was holding her arms again and stared into her eyes.
"Trust me he was there. He controls this world, but it's not real. I'm sure about that. I just need to figure out how to convince you. This way." Jaz set of in the direction that she had first heard the echo. She figured it would be the closest wall. If she could show them a wall they would believe her.
"Jaz, we were warm. There was a fire and a place to sleep, why'd you have to take it away?" Rose had tears in her eyes and her lips were a deep purple now.
"Oh Rose, it wasn't real. The warmth was only in your head. You would have frozen to death in you sleep thinking you were wrapped under piles of blankets."
"Well that's better than freezing to death thinking I'm freezing to death. At least there it would have been peaceful, and I would have been happy." Zane had a pained look on his face. Jaz felt terrible, but she knew she was doing the right thing.
They continued to walk for about an hour, and that is when Jaz saw it. There was a slight disturbance in the landscape about 20 feet ahead of them. It was almost as if there was a mirror there, but it didn't reflect them, only the ice and snow. Jaz ran forward and placed her hand against it. The wall was rough and felt like plaster. Immediately the illusion vanished. She could see a long blue plaster wall. She turned triumphant, but they others were just staring.
"Jaz when are we going to stop. We've been walking a long time. Rose is tired and cold and Zane and I aren't fairing much better." Quinn was leaning on his knees and Zane and Rose were supporting each other.
"But we're here. This is a wall. Can't you see it? It's blue." They all shook their heads. "Here touch it." She dragged Quinn to the wall and placed his hand against it.
"I feel cold air. Should there be something there?" Jaz tried to press his hand against it, but try as she might it seemed to stop short every time. The same was true for Rose and Zane. Jaz was starting to get really frustrated, but then she remembered how she had discovered the wall.
"Ok stand back a little. Look for a break in the landscape, where it seems like there is a mirror. The horizon reflects back on itself. See it?" They stared at the wall and Jaz continued to instruct them in what to look for.
"Wait I see it!" Zane ran up to the wall and turned to Jaz with his mouth agape. "She's right, there's a wall and it's blue." With Zane's help it took only minutes for the other two to find the wall as well. Suddenly the man was back.
"So you've discovered that this isn't a plain after all. I must admit I'm impressed. Still knowing the place and escaping it are not the same thing. There is still much you must do." For the most part Jaz ignored his voice. Instead she closed her eyes and listened again. That sound was there again, faint like before. If only she could place it, she was sure it was the key to the illusion.
"No matter how much I will do it." Jaz just had to keep him talking a little longer. "Can you guys see him?" She whispered. They all shook their heads. Jaz launched into a detailed description from the top of his balding head to the shiny black boots on his feet until all three could see him.
"Perhaps I was wrong about you. You're turning into a worthy opponent little Seer."
"She's more than that. She's the woman who is going to beat you." Quinn stepped forward and took Jaz's left hand. Rose and Zane stepped up to her right.
"So now you have allies. How quaint. I might actually stick around to watch you die. I haven't seen this much spirit in years." He continued to speak but Jaz was done listening.
"Close you eyes and listen to his voice. When he speaks you can hear a faint sound. I think it's the key to getting us out of here. Try and figure out what it is." Jaz whispered. Quinn squeezed her hand in agreement and they all closed their eyes.
"Aww look you're all praying. Not that that will do you any good, but if it makes you feel better. I'd hate think that you're giving in though. After all we were having so much fun." Jaz worked hard to drown out his deep voice and focus on the sound behind it. What was that?
"It's a dog. Can't you hear it?" Rose whispered. As soon as she said it Jaz knew it to be true, but why would she be hearing a dog?
"I hear it." Zane muttered. "It's really faint but it's definitely a dog."
"I can hear it too. The dog sounds crazy, like something spooked it." Quinn breathed. "It does sound crazy. In fact it's barking incessantly."
"Just like that husky on the sidewalk." As soon as the words were out of her mouth the world shifted. Jaz opened her eyes and grinned at the man. "It is the husky. We never even left the sidewalk. Even the room is an illusion. That's why I don't remember the door or the man or the light. They were illusions too. The last real thing was that stupid dog, and it's still here."
"She's right that's what it is. I remember it." Rose opened her eyes as well. The others did the same and stared at the man.
"No...not...no one...can't." He stammered, but it was too late. Jaz opened her mouth.
"Yes." With that one word the entire world crumbled. The ice faded away, the walls disappeared, and the world went from freezing to pleasantly cool. The man lost his black coat and boots. He went from seven feet to less than six. His hair was still red but the beard was gone. They were back on the sidewalk outside the theatre. The man gave Jaz one last searching look and backed into the shadow of the alley and was gone. Jaz moved to follow but people blocked her path, by the time she reached the alley he was nowhere in sight. She returned to her friends. People were bustling along the street and that husky was still barking like crazy. Jaz thought it was one of the most beautiful sounds she'd ever heard.
"It's cold because we are on a plain of ice god knows where." Zane was a little testy. "They better question is how the hell did we get here." Funny, Jaz had been thinking the same thing. The movie ended, they walked outside, that annoying husky was barking on the corner, Rose had forgotten her coat so they turned to get it, then...well then they were here. Try as she could Jaz could remember nothing in between.
"Does anyone remember what happened after we turned to get Rose's coat?" A coat she could really use right now Jaz thought. Rose's lips were purple and the rest of her body wasn't doing much better.
"I opened the door to the theatre I think." Quinn's voice was uncertain.
"He did, and there was a man behind the door." Rose's words were punctuated by her chattering teeth. Jaz remembered none of this. How could that be? "He said something, but I didn't really hear it. Then...well then we were here."
"No, wait you forgot the light. There was an aqua light." Zane's eyes were closed. Jaz just stared. A man, words, aqua light? How could she remember none of it? She closed her eyes and pictured the scene over and over, but no matter how hard she tried the last thing she remembered was Rose needed the coat. She looked around her hoping for a clue. Maybe there was a man or an aqua light in the distance. She scanned the horizon to no avail. The only thing she saw was more and more ice and snow.
"Look there's a building." Rose jumped a little and pointed. Jaz followed her finger but she couldn't see a thing. Quinn and Zane seemed to though. They grinned and the three of them started moving quickly towards it. Jaz had no choice but to follow.
They continued to move closer but still Jaz saw nothing. Then Rose put out her hand, as if touching a wall. She pulled at an invisible handle and Zane and Quinn stared eagerly ahead. Jaz put her hand in front of her but she felt nothing. Even placing her hand alongside Rose's she couldn't feel a thing. She considered shoving her hand through the "door" just to see what the others would say, but she held back. Rose entered the building.
"It's warmer in here. Come on." Rose walked through the empty space and the rest followed. "What a lovely cabin. A fireplace, a couch, a stove, it looks like there might even be a bathroom and a bedroom upstairs."
"I'll go check." Quinn ran forward across the ice and started climbing thin air. Jaz couldn't help herself any longer.
"Stop! Don't do it! There's nothing there!" Jaz was almost screaming and her breath was coming in short bursts. What was wrong with them? There was nothing here. She didn't even feel warmer. Quinn stared at her like she had sprouted horns, but he came back down to stand at her side.
"What do you mean there's nothing there? You don't think there's a bedroom?"
"No, there's nothing there. This place isn't real."
"Jaz are you ok?" Rose touched her cheek gently. "Of course this place is real. There are walls, a door, windows, and a sofa. It's all right here."
"No it's not. I don't see any of that. It's all a lie. Here I'll prove it. Show me where the sofa is." Zane walked over and placed his hand on what he saw as a sofa. Jaz walked back and forth through the area a few times. The other three gasped.
"Jaz, you just walked though the sofa." Quinn grabbed her arms as if checking to see if she was real.
"No I didn't. There is no sofa."
"A seer, I didn't expect one of your kind to be among those sent to me." The voice was deep and seemed to ring all around us. Rose screamed and they automatically huddled together. "True the building isn't real, but I can make it seem that way. Does it really matter if it's only in your head?"
"Yes, I'm not going to let my friends freeze to death in this godforsaken land tricked by an illusion." Jaz stood and stepped in front of the others. As soon as he had spoken Jaz had seen the source of the voice. He was a tall man, easily over six and half feet, and he was wearing a thick black fur coat. He had reddish brown hair and a pointed beard. Jaz hated him instantly.
"Really little Seer? Do you think you have the power to take me on? I'm more powerful than you can imagine, and I have been here longer than even the ice." His voice echoed oddly, as if he was in a room instead of on a plain of ice.
"I don't have to take you on. I know the truth, I can see past your illusions. There is nothing you can do to me." Jaz didn't know where the confidence came from but she welcomed it gladly. The others had stayed silent, and from the way they glanced around Jaz could tell they couldn't see the man. "There is a way out of this ice world, and I will find it." The man laughed, and it sounded like a rock slide.
"Silly little Seer. Do you think it is that easy? Do you really think I would leave the door open just waiting for you to find it?"
"No, but I know your game. You can only hold illusions as long as we believe in them. I will find a reason to quit believing in this world, just give me time."
"I see you are more observant than I gave you credit. True my illusions only hold when someone believes in them, but it is not enough for just you to quit believing little Seer, the others must too. Don't think that my other illusions will be as easy to crack as that little house."
"I don't expect them to be." Jaz closed her eyes and listened. "I will beat them anyway." Come one she thought, that has to make you say something.
"Your optimism is quite adorable, but it will do you no good. Call me again when you feel like giving in." Jaz listened intently to his voice, to how it echoed, to what she could hear beyond his voice. When he finished speaking she heard the faintest sound but she couldn't place what it was. When she opened her eyes he was gone.
"What was that?" Zane and the others were staring at Jaz.
"I think he's a wizard, or something. I mean did you see his outfit. He looked like a cliché movie villain." Jaz continued to look around as she spoke.
"What are you talking about Jaz? I didn't see anyone. I just heard a creepy deep voice." Quinn was holding her arms again and stared into her eyes.
"Trust me he was there. He controls this world, but it's not real. I'm sure about that. I just need to figure out how to convince you. This way." Jaz set of in the direction that she had first heard the echo. She figured it would be the closest wall. If she could show them a wall they would believe her.
"Jaz, we were warm. There was a fire and a place to sleep, why'd you have to take it away?" Rose had tears in her eyes and her lips were a deep purple now.
"Oh Rose, it wasn't real. The warmth was only in your head. You would have frozen to death in you sleep thinking you were wrapped under piles of blankets."
"Well that's better than freezing to death thinking I'm freezing to death. At least there it would have been peaceful, and I would have been happy." Zane had a pained look on his face. Jaz felt terrible, but she knew she was doing the right thing.
They continued to walk for about an hour, and that is when Jaz saw it. There was a slight disturbance in the landscape about 20 feet ahead of them. It was almost as if there was a mirror there, but it didn't reflect them, only the ice and snow. Jaz ran forward and placed her hand against it. The wall was rough and felt like plaster. Immediately the illusion vanished. She could see a long blue plaster wall. She turned triumphant, but they others were just staring.
"Jaz when are we going to stop. We've been walking a long time. Rose is tired and cold and Zane and I aren't fairing much better." Quinn was leaning on his knees and Zane and Rose were supporting each other.
"But we're here. This is a wall. Can't you see it? It's blue." They all shook their heads. "Here touch it." She dragged Quinn to the wall and placed his hand against it.
"I feel cold air. Should there be something there?" Jaz tried to press his hand against it, but try as she might it seemed to stop short every time. The same was true for Rose and Zane. Jaz was starting to get really frustrated, but then she remembered how she had discovered the wall.
"Ok stand back a little. Look for a break in the landscape, where it seems like there is a mirror. The horizon reflects back on itself. See it?" They stared at the wall and Jaz continued to instruct them in what to look for.
"Wait I see it!" Zane ran up to the wall and turned to Jaz with his mouth agape. "She's right, there's a wall and it's blue." With Zane's help it took only minutes for the other two to find the wall as well. Suddenly the man was back.
"So you've discovered that this isn't a plain after all. I must admit I'm impressed. Still knowing the place and escaping it are not the same thing. There is still much you must do." For the most part Jaz ignored his voice. Instead she closed her eyes and listened again. That sound was there again, faint like before. If only she could place it, she was sure it was the key to the illusion.
"No matter how much I will do it." Jaz just had to keep him talking a little longer. "Can you guys see him?" She whispered. They all shook their heads. Jaz launched into a detailed description from the top of his balding head to the shiny black boots on his feet until all three could see him.
"Perhaps I was wrong about you. You're turning into a worthy opponent little Seer."
"She's more than that. She's the woman who is going to beat you." Quinn stepped forward and took Jaz's left hand. Rose and Zane stepped up to her right.
"So now you have allies. How quaint. I might actually stick around to watch you die. I haven't seen this much spirit in years." He continued to speak but Jaz was done listening.
"Close you eyes and listen to his voice. When he speaks you can hear a faint sound. I think it's the key to getting us out of here. Try and figure out what it is." Jaz whispered. Quinn squeezed her hand in agreement and they all closed their eyes.
"Aww look you're all praying. Not that that will do you any good, but if it makes you feel better. I'd hate think that you're giving in though. After all we were having so much fun." Jaz worked hard to drown out his deep voice and focus on the sound behind it. What was that?
"It's a dog. Can't you hear it?" Rose whispered. As soon as she said it Jaz knew it to be true, but why would she be hearing a dog?
"I hear it." Zane muttered. "It's really faint but it's definitely a dog."
"I can hear it too. The dog sounds crazy, like something spooked it." Quinn breathed. "It does sound crazy. In fact it's barking incessantly."
"Just like that husky on the sidewalk." As soon as the words were out of her mouth the world shifted. Jaz opened her eyes and grinned at the man. "It is the husky. We never even left the sidewalk. Even the room is an illusion. That's why I don't remember the door or the man or the light. They were illusions too. The last real thing was that stupid dog, and it's still here."
"She's right that's what it is. I remember it." Rose opened her eyes as well. The others did the same and stared at the man.
"No...not...no one...can't." He stammered, but it was too late. Jaz opened her mouth.
"Yes." With that one word the entire world crumbled. The ice faded away, the walls disappeared, and the world went from freezing to pleasantly cool. The man lost his black coat and boots. He went from seven feet to less than six. His hair was still red but the beard was gone. They were back on the sidewalk outside the theatre. The man gave Jaz one last searching look and backed into the shadow of the alley and was gone. Jaz moved to follow but people blocked her path, by the time she reached the alley he was nowhere in sight. She returned to her friends. People were bustling along the street and that husky was still barking like crazy. Jaz thought it was one of the most beautiful sounds she'd ever heard.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Being a Muse
"I am not nor have I ever been a prostitute. I'm a muse. My body doesn't figure into the equation at all; only my ideas." Cailyn's red hair whipped around her face as she stood. "And I have no ideas for someone like you." The man could do nothing but stare as she walked out of the cafe.
"Well I don't see what the big deal is. You've slept with plenty of your inspired." Tobias said as they sat in the living room that night. Cailyn's purple eyes should have killed him.
"That is not the same Tobias and you know it. If I find one of my inspired to be attractive I might want to be with them, but this was different. He wasn't even an artist, he just wanted a warm body." Cailyn was positively crackling with anger. Morgan laid a soft hand on her shoulder.
"The world's changing. People don't pay mind to the old ways anymore. They forget things they once knew. Even the artists have forgotten. Musicians and painters take drugs, sculptures waste their craft on toys, and writers care only for the next dollar." Morgan sneered. Wesley pulled Morgan back onto the sofa.
"How did we end up like this?" Selena looked around they room. There they sat, five of the greatest muses in the world. Each responsible for hundreds of amazing works. From the Parthenon, to the Mona Lisa, to Danny Boy, to Harry Potter; these five had their hand in them all. Cailyn with her flaming mane and a body that most would kill for was every sculptor's dream. Tobias looked plain with his brown hair and eyes but he could make anyone dream of arches and columns. Selena could make a dying cat sing the sweetest melody you've ever heard just by setting her blue eyes on it. Wesley's grey eyes would fill your dreams with colors and patterns that only a brush could express. Morgan's realm was that of words and with her raven hair and emerald eyes it wasn't hard to believe that she had whispered to Rowling.
"We ended up like this because we have no power on our own. We can't create, only inspire." Wesley had always been the realistic one, they figured it was because he was the most unrealistic muse. Selena nodded her agreement.
"Then the question is what can we do about it?" Morgan was never one to surrender. She'd seen her share of book burnings and came out of each one more determined. She stood in front of the fire staring the others down. "They still need us. They can still use us. You can't tell me you would rather waste away in this room."
"Of course not Morgan, but we don't know how to reach them anymore." Tobias spoke softly and had his arms wrapped around Selena. Wesley simply watched.
"Well then we damn well better find a way." Morgan's eyes sparked and she seemed taller than her 5'10" frame. Cailyn stood and faced her like an opposing storm front.
"And just how do you propose we do that? Prostitute ourselves? If that's what you're interested in Morgan I know just the guy."
"Cailyn, you don't mean that." Wesley rose from his seat and stepped toward them. Morgan waved him away.
"No, we use our skills." There was a smug smile on Morgan's face as she said that but everyone else just stared.
"Have you lost your mind Morgan?" Selena asked. "You know we can't create what we inspire."
"Correct. I can't create what I inspire, but there is nothing that says you can't. Have you every tried to write something Tobias? Or Selena have you ever tried to paint a picture? Ever tried to sing Wesley? What about you Cailyn every tried your hand at making a beautiful building? I've certainly never tried to sculpt anything but I don't see why I couldn't." Everyone stared open mouthed as they considered her idea. They had never considered inspiring each other before.
As if to prove her point Morgan grabbed a piece of clay and stared at Cailyn. A few minutes later she had sculpted a beautiful mermaid. Inspired by her achievement Cailyn ran to the kitchen and grabbed a box of toothpicks. With some whispered pointers from Tobias she had soon constructed a perfect miniature chapel. Wesley opened his mouth the next second and sang a beautiful joyful song. While he sang Selena painted a glorious picture of the five of them in a sunny meadow. Exhilarated they all turned to Tobias. That is when he picked up a pen and wrote down this story.
"Well I don't see what the big deal is. You've slept with plenty of your inspired." Tobias said as they sat in the living room that night. Cailyn's purple eyes should have killed him.
"That is not the same Tobias and you know it. If I find one of my inspired to be attractive I might want to be with them, but this was different. He wasn't even an artist, he just wanted a warm body." Cailyn was positively crackling with anger. Morgan laid a soft hand on her shoulder.
"The world's changing. People don't pay mind to the old ways anymore. They forget things they once knew. Even the artists have forgotten. Musicians and painters take drugs, sculptures waste their craft on toys, and writers care only for the next dollar." Morgan sneered. Wesley pulled Morgan back onto the sofa.
"How did we end up like this?" Selena looked around they room. There they sat, five of the greatest muses in the world. Each responsible for hundreds of amazing works. From the Parthenon, to the Mona Lisa, to Danny Boy, to Harry Potter; these five had their hand in them all. Cailyn with her flaming mane and a body that most would kill for was every sculptor's dream. Tobias looked plain with his brown hair and eyes but he could make anyone dream of arches and columns. Selena could make a dying cat sing the sweetest melody you've ever heard just by setting her blue eyes on it. Wesley's grey eyes would fill your dreams with colors and patterns that only a brush could express. Morgan's realm was that of words and with her raven hair and emerald eyes it wasn't hard to believe that she had whispered to Rowling.
"We ended up like this because we have no power on our own. We can't create, only inspire." Wesley had always been the realistic one, they figured it was because he was the most unrealistic muse. Selena nodded her agreement.
"Then the question is what can we do about it?" Morgan was never one to surrender. She'd seen her share of book burnings and came out of each one more determined. She stood in front of the fire staring the others down. "They still need us. They can still use us. You can't tell me you would rather waste away in this room."
"Of course not Morgan, but we don't know how to reach them anymore." Tobias spoke softly and had his arms wrapped around Selena. Wesley simply watched.
"Well then we damn well better find a way." Morgan's eyes sparked and she seemed taller than her 5'10" frame. Cailyn stood and faced her like an opposing storm front.
"And just how do you propose we do that? Prostitute ourselves? If that's what you're interested in Morgan I know just the guy."
"Cailyn, you don't mean that." Wesley rose from his seat and stepped toward them. Morgan waved him away.
"No, we use our skills." There was a smug smile on Morgan's face as she said that but everyone else just stared.
"Have you lost your mind Morgan?" Selena asked. "You know we can't create what we inspire."
"Correct. I can't create what I inspire, but there is nothing that says you can't. Have you every tried to write something Tobias? Or Selena have you ever tried to paint a picture? Ever tried to sing Wesley? What about you Cailyn every tried your hand at making a beautiful building? I've certainly never tried to sculpt anything but I don't see why I couldn't." Everyone stared open mouthed as they considered her idea. They had never considered inspiring each other before.
As if to prove her point Morgan grabbed a piece of clay and stared at Cailyn. A few minutes later she had sculpted a beautiful mermaid. Inspired by her achievement Cailyn ran to the kitchen and grabbed a box of toothpicks. With some whispered pointers from Tobias she had soon constructed a perfect miniature chapel. Wesley opened his mouth the next second and sang a beautiful joyful song. While he sang Selena painted a glorious picture of the five of them in a sunny meadow. Exhilarated they all turned to Tobias. That is when he picked up a pen and wrote down this story.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Animal Boy
"Get that thing away from me!" the girl yelled. Jake scrambled to put the snake back in his pocket. He hadn't meant to scare her.
"Sorry. Sam's really nice you know. He won't bite or nothing." Jake pulled his hands out of his pockets, snake free. She gaped at him.
"You named that thing?" She was backing away slowly, like Sam might escape and come for her. That was silly. Jake had told Sam to stay and he would.
"Course. Everything's gotta have a name don't it. Snake's no different. But I didn't name him, Sam's just his name. Like mine's Jake." He stuck out his hand hoping she might shake it but she was backing off much faster now. "You gots a name?" Jake hoped if he could get her to talk she would stay.
"I have a name, yes. My name is Lucy." She stopped moving away. Her name gave her courage. Not that much different than the animals then, their names always make them braver.
"Lucy's a right pretty name. I had a deer named Lucy. She was pretty too." Lucy folded her arms across her chest, she wasn't scared anymore.
"That's silly. Deer aren't pets. No one keeps a deer; they're wild animals."
"Well I has a deer. I gots lots of pets. Wanna see em?" Jake could tell she did, he should have started with the rabbits or cats, girls love cats. Lucy didn't speak but she nodded. Jake turned and walked deeper into the woods, to his home.
Jake lived in a care about a quarter of a day outside the town. Been there long as he could remember and he liked it, just him and his animals. Sometimes he went to town to buy something pretty, or talk to people. Mamma told him before she died that the animals were better but Jake shouldn't forget that he was a person. He even went to the school once but they kill mice there and he couldn't stay. Jake knew a few of the other children, and they sometimes played with him, but he'd never met Lucy.
"Where you from?" Jake asked as they walked. "I never seen you 'fore today."
"My father is the new doctor. We moved here from Boston. Mother said it would be good for me to grow up someplace small, like she did." Jake could see Lucy wasn't used to walking in the woods. He dress was catching on the ground and she kept forgetting to duck from the branches. Jake went back and helped her. Eventually they reached the creek.
"We're going to cross that?" Lucy looked really scared now.
"Yep. Don' be afeared I know just where to cross." Jake took her hand and helped her from one rock to the next. Soon they were on the other side. From there it was only a short walk to his cave. He stopped at the entrance.
"This is my home. My momma brought me here when I was little and she couldn't stay in town no more."
"Why?"
"Don't know. She never said. Here I want you to meet my family. Family I has a friend for you." Lucy had never seen so many animals. First rabbits, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, then cats, dogs, a beaver, and deer. After that came birds that Lucy didn't know, bats, foxes and finally a bobcat. The last made Lucy cry out, but Jake petted them all as she would her puppy at home.
"Lucy this is my family." Jake spent the rest of the afternoon introducing Lucy to everyone. She was really nervous around Sara at first, but when the big cat started to purr Lucy laughed and began petting her. Jake's family liked Lucy and Jake liked her too. Soon though it was getting dark. Lucy stood.
"I have to go. If I'm late to dinner Mother will be very upset." Jake wanted her to stay but he knew not to argue. He helped her back down from the cave. When they reached the spot just inside the trees where Lucy had found him playing with Sam he stopped. Lucy turned and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"I think we will be great friends." Then she turned as was gone, but Jake knew that wasn't the end. It was the beginning.
"Sorry. Sam's really nice you know. He won't bite or nothing." Jake pulled his hands out of his pockets, snake free. She gaped at him.
"You named that thing?" She was backing away slowly, like Sam might escape and come for her. That was silly. Jake had told Sam to stay and he would.
"Course. Everything's gotta have a name don't it. Snake's no different. But I didn't name him, Sam's just his name. Like mine's Jake." He stuck out his hand hoping she might shake it but she was backing off much faster now. "You gots a name?" Jake hoped if he could get her to talk she would stay.
"I have a name, yes. My name is Lucy." She stopped moving away. Her name gave her courage. Not that much different than the animals then, their names always make them braver.
"Lucy's a right pretty name. I had a deer named Lucy. She was pretty too." Lucy folded her arms across her chest, she wasn't scared anymore.
"That's silly. Deer aren't pets. No one keeps a deer; they're wild animals."
"Well I has a deer. I gots lots of pets. Wanna see em?" Jake could tell she did, he should have started with the rabbits or cats, girls love cats. Lucy didn't speak but she nodded. Jake turned and walked deeper into the woods, to his home.
Jake lived in a care about a quarter of a day outside the town. Been there long as he could remember and he liked it, just him and his animals. Sometimes he went to town to buy something pretty, or talk to people. Mamma told him before she died that the animals were better but Jake shouldn't forget that he was a person. He even went to the school once but they kill mice there and he couldn't stay. Jake knew a few of the other children, and they sometimes played with him, but he'd never met Lucy.
"Where you from?" Jake asked as they walked. "I never seen you 'fore today."
"My father is the new doctor. We moved here from Boston. Mother said it would be good for me to grow up someplace small, like she did." Jake could see Lucy wasn't used to walking in the woods. He dress was catching on the ground and she kept forgetting to duck from the branches. Jake went back and helped her. Eventually they reached the creek.
"We're going to cross that?" Lucy looked really scared now.
"Yep. Don' be afeared I know just where to cross." Jake took her hand and helped her from one rock to the next. Soon they were on the other side. From there it was only a short walk to his cave. He stopped at the entrance.
"This is my home. My momma brought me here when I was little and she couldn't stay in town no more."
"Why?"
"Don't know. She never said. Here I want you to meet my family. Family I has a friend for you." Lucy had never seen so many animals. First rabbits, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, then cats, dogs, a beaver, and deer. After that came birds that Lucy didn't know, bats, foxes and finally a bobcat. The last made Lucy cry out, but Jake petted them all as she would her puppy at home.
"Lucy this is my family." Jake spent the rest of the afternoon introducing Lucy to everyone. She was really nervous around Sara at first, but when the big cat started to purr Lucy laughed and began petting her. Jake's family liked Lucy and Jake liked her too. Soon though it was getting dark. Lucy stood.
"I have to go. If I'm late to dinner Mother will be very upset." Jake wanted her to stay but he knew not to argue. He helped her back down from the cave. When they reached the spot just inside the trees where Lucy had found him playing with Sam he stopped. Lucy turned and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"I think we will be great friends." Then she turned as was gone, but Jake knew that wasn't the end. It was the beginning.
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