Writing by Toy Davis

Christy

2012-01-27T22:01:00.000-08:00

Christy sat at her table, outside Starbucks, as she sipped her vanilla bean frappuccino. She wasn’t a big Starbucks drinks but today she felt like relaxing. She had a long night and needed time to herself. She couldn’t get that time at hr home because it was painted with doubt and screams.

“God, she’s fucking fat,” a male’s voice invaded her thoughts.

“I know,” the sandy blond man agreed. She followed their gaze to a couple of women at the next table.

One was skinny with glasses while the other was overweight with curly hair. Neither of them was attractive but they didn’t deserve to be picked on. She rested her chin on her hands as she sipped her drink. She played with the bag at her feet with the tips of her shoes.

“Hey fatty,” the first one called at the girl. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough sweets?”

“Yes,” his sidekick agreed. “Stop drinking that and get a glass of water,” he taunted with a laugh.

“Shut up,” she snapped. Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m not fat, I’m healthy.”

“No bitch,” he decided to correct her. “You’re fat. If you had a mirror at home you would be aware of this already.”

“Fuck you,” she yelled at them. Her and her friend jumper out of their seats and rushed off. The thicker girl bumped Christy’s table as she ran away. Christy didn’t mind as she continued sipping her drink.

The sandy blond hair’s was cut short, almost military style. His baby blue eyes narrowed on her, like a predator’s when they find their prey. The guy sitting across from him had strawberry blond hair with hazel eyes.

“Hey beautiful,” the strawberry blond said. “I’m Scott, who are you?”

She pulled back from her straw long enough to answer his question. “Not interested.” She went back to her drink.

“That’s a strange name,” Scott snorted.

She paused in her sipping. “You’re an idiot.”

“And you wear too mush make-up,” he replied with a smirk, proud of his witty remark. “You would be mush prettier without all that liner and whory red lipstick.”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she looked at her reflection in a Starbucks window. Her raven hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Her almond shaped eyes were outlined with black liner and her lids were covered with silver shadow. She had on light blush and deep red lipstick. She looked dark which was how she felt.

Her eyes slid back to him as she smiled. “Am I supposed to care what you think?”

“It’s not only me who thinks this, I’m sure. What do you think Jason,” he asked his friend.

“That she looks ugly,” he laughed. “And like a whore. Next time you come out you should check a mirror.”

“I don’t have any mirrors at my house.” She met Scott’s eyes. “I don’t need one.”

“You do need one. Everyone needs one.”

“Mirrors are a symbol of people’s vanity. Its one of the reason people obsess with their looks and have self-esteem issues. They also never show who and what a person really is so there’s no real point in having one.”

“O.M.G, you are one of those intellect morons.” He rolled his eyes.

“O.M.G?” She raised her right brow. “You cannot be intellect and a moron.”

“Yes you can. Good job and proving that fact.” Both guys laughed.

She felt her rage as she watched them get up to go. They were the ugly ones. They judged people and walked around as if nothing can touch them. Her fingers curled around her plastic cup. He needed to release her rage; she needed to right now. She rose from her seat, grabbed her backpack, and threw away her cup.

Scott took the lead as they walked to his car. “I love how that fat chick ran away crying. Ha ha ha,” he shook his head. He mentally saw her face again. “She’s probably stuffing her face right now, just trying to eat away her pain.” Jason didn’t laugh.

What the, he thought as he glanced over his shoulder. Jason was gone, but he found the raven hair girl standing in his spot. He smiled as he turned to face her.

“Why, hello sweetie. Couldn’t stay away, could you?” Unimpressed, she inclined her head to the side. “Where’s my friend?” He looked around. Jason wasn’t anywhere amongst the cars that surrounded them. “He was right behind me.”

“You really are an idiot, you know that,” she softly told him.

“What?” His eyes snapped back to her face. Before he could say anything else she placed the tazer against his neck. Blackness filled his head as he slipped into unconscious.

Scott awoke to the sound of distance drilling. The smell of the room he was him hit him first. It smelt of blood, dirt, and mold. His head felt heavy as he raised it.

He was in a room with three doors. One was in front of him, one to the right, and one was to the left. All were closed. On the walls were chains and cuffs. Horror filled him when he saw the blades, whips, hooks and other weapons hanging between the chains. The floor beneath his feet was dark with what he assumed was blood.

The ropes bounding him to his chair dug into his flesh. He felt someone brushing against his back. He strained to look over his shoulder. The sandy blond hair he saw was a dead give away it was his friend Jason.

“Jason.” Hoped filled him. “Jason, are you okay?” His friend said nothing. “Jason?” He tried to twist around to inspect him but couldn’t. The ropes hold was true and kept him in his seat.

A door opened and closed. Scott faced forward and froze when he saw the intellect moron from Starbucks. She stared at him for a while before her head cocked to the side. He had the feeling she was sizing him up, but for what he didn’t know. She turned on her heels and walked to the wall.

“What are you doing?” he demanded. “What’s wrong with Jason? How come he’s not answering me?”

“He’s not able to,” she calmly answered. She paused in front of a two-sided blade. She reached out and gently caressed it. She slid her hand to its hilt and pulled it off the wall.

Fear filled Scott. Please don’t let that be for me, he prayed. “Why can’t he talk,” he whispered.

“Because.” She turned on her heels to face him once again. “I cut out his tongue.” Scott’s jaw dropped and she smiled at his horror. “Since you do all the talking I didn’t see why he needed it.”

“You cut out his tongue?” He didn’t understand how could do that.

She walked to stand in front of him. “Yes, then.” She absently ran her thumb down the blade. “I killed him.” She looked past Scott to the top of Jason’s drooping head. “He wouldn’t stop crying. No, don’t, stop,” she said as she recounted all that Scott had missed while he unconscious. “That’s all he would say to me.” Her dark eyes focused on Scott. “You know, I hate hearing people beg for their lives. Its like, you’re going to die. Deal with it, you know.”

He swallowed as he tried to remain calm. The dark hair vixen was crazy. He took a deep, cooling breath. “You’re not going to kill me, are you?”

Her curved eyebrows slid up with amusement. “I brought you here for one reason and one reason only." She stepped forward.

His hear stopped. Please, he silently begged. “Why?”

A dreamy smiled curved her lips. “To show you just how ugly your insides are.”

“No,” he whimpered as tears filled his eyes. “Please don’t.”

The blade fell to her side as disgust entered her eyes. “Are you crying?”

He snuffled. “No.” He tried to hold back his tears, but couldn’t.

“You,” she jabbed the tip of her blade at him. “Who made that poor overweight woman cry, is now crying.”

“Stop.” He tried to pull away from her.

She jabbed the knife at him again. “People like you are the reason I stay at home, and avoid the outside world. People like you.” She jabbed the tip of the blade into his shoulder. “Don’t deserve to walk this earth because you believe you are better than everyone else. You,” she jabbed his other shoulder.

Bitch, he thought as he squirmed in his seat.

“Think you’re smarter, stronger, and prettier but you’re not. You,” she jabbed him in his chest this time.

“Stop it,” he yelled at her. He tried to lung forward but the ropes strained against his flesh and held him in place. “I will fucking kill you,” he promised her. His tears dried up as a rage filled his mind and soul. This she-devil had killed his boy. “Just untie me bitch!”

“Are weak,” she finished as if he hadn’t said anything. She stood up straight and calmly stared at him. “You’re ugly and dumb. You see only what you want and dismiss everything else. So, I shall help you help Scott.” She gave him a warm, encouraging smile. “I will show you just how ugly you are on the inside.”

“Don’t,” he cried out as she drove the knife into his belly. She ripped him open and pulled his insides out. His screams filled the room until he faded from existence.

How to Deal with an Asshole

2012-01-27T17:47:00.000-08:00

Don't speak to them

Don't waste your time

They'll never change, just play games with your mind

They think they're the best

That they can do what they want

But they're not worth the pain you'll feel in the end

So to deal with a true asshole the trick is to not deal with them at all

(I do post other poems and short stories at http://www.twisteddreamsoficecream.blogspot.com/ )

I wish

2012-01-16T18:20:00.000-08:00

Cassie looked at Art. She loved him; the ring on her finger proudly reflected that. If everyone would get off their back they'd be fine. But they wouldn't. His past, and their words wouldn't let them be. She stared at her love. Etched each define line of his face into her mind.

"We have company," he said, aware of her violet eyes on him.

Like a small alerted animal, she turned. The smile left her face when she saw Kathy, her archenemy.

She felt her features stiffen as her pupils narrowed. She pressed her teeth together to hold back her tongue. Let her pass, she prayed to no one impartial. She saw Kathy's green eyes found and knew this was going to be bad.

"Cassie," she slowly purred the name, like a snake caressing each syllable. "I can see your still with the lower," her eyes slid to Art. She smugly smiled. "You know, you really should've stayed with Jack. He was a lot better for you."

Cassie squeezed his hand when she felt his body tense. Everyone always said the same thing, and she knew it was starting to get to him. "Art's the best thing for me." Her lids lowered as she looked up. "Don't you have someone else to go bother?"

In the distance she spotted Jamie, another loser who just took up space. "Actually, yes I do. Oh, by the way," she paused in her leaving. "Those new shoes of yours are really horrible." Without glancing back to see her reaction, she left to harass her new prey.

She tightly held Art's hand until Kathy was far away. "I hate her," she calmly stated.

"I know," he replied as he looked away. "We all do."

She continued to stare after her. That girl really got under her skin. “She’s the loser,” she said, not caring if anyone was listening.

Art smiled. Her short-lived temper amused him. That was one of the reasons he loved her. “Feel better now?”

She slumped next to him. “You know I do.”

They watched the people walk by, not caring to look at them. No one ever liked to pay attention to the down and out. Then they’d have to admit how shallow and greedy they were, and no one ever liked to admit that. No matter how true they knew it was.

“I hate men,” a new voice said. Cassie followed it to see her older sister Polly. Over off her shoulder was a new bag. She stopped to stand before them and crossed her arms. She evilly stared at Art. “Men really suck.”

Polly said this every three weeks or so; usually it was whenever one of her many men got tired of being on her list.

“So, who was it this time?” Art asked, not looking away from her heated gaze.

“Bert.” Her eyes glazed over with tears as her shoulders fell. The fight had left her body. She stared at the rough gray stone at their feet. “I really liked him and,” she paused to keep control of herself. “And he didn’t care. I was only a joke to him.” Tears formed at the corners of her eyes as she felt her heartbreak and humiliation. “I was everyone’s joke,” she painfully whispered. She kicked the stone. It flew away. She turned away, not wanting to show anyone this side of her. Not even her sister.

“Well, next week there will be another guy,” Art said, not understanding her hurt. Everyone knew she’d get a new guy in no time. She always did. He shook his head before he looked at Cassie. She calmly held his hand as she stared into the unknown; a place only she could see. Another reason he loved her.

Polly struggled to get control of her emotions. The fact that they couldn’t, and wouldn’t, care didn’t help. She had loved this one, but how could she say that. How could she voice her feelings to them when she couldn’t even face them silently to herself.

“I’m hungry,” Cassie said, not noticing how anyone around her felt. She was happy and that was all that mattered.

“You’re always hungry,” Polly pointed out, dispassionately. She didn’t want to be here anymore. She didn’t want to be anywhere at the moment.

“True.” She bounced in her seat, turning towards Art, her love. He’d care. “I’m hungry.”

He met her eyes. “What do you want?”

“Food.”

“Okay.” He lowered his chin as he spoke gently to her; “But what kind of food?”

“The kind you eat.” She smiled, cutely.

He smiled as Polly rolled her eyes. This made her sick. Love made her sick. Hell, life made her sick.

With a smile still on his face he rose to his feet. “Okay, I’ll be back with food.”

She grinned up at him like a happy child. His eyes softened. He kissed her on the forehead then ran off.

Cassie looked at her much lovelier sister. “So, what’s new?” She clasped her hands in front of her and hunched her shoulders.

The air left her body. “Oh, nothing.” She didn’t care.

“Isn’t Art great?”

“Whatever,” she mumbled. She felt the weight of her bag on her shoulder, and remembered why she had come looking for her sister. Her lips curved, first into a smile then a grin. Since just a second ago she was crushed it was strange to see her happy again. Anyone else might be un-nerved by her sudden mood change, but not Cassie. She was used to it; that was her sister. “Do you want to end it?” she asked, in a soft creepy voice.

Cassie’s eyebrows frowned at her. She noticed that in the distance was a tall cute guy. His long, wavy blond hair was wild and sexy. A smirk appeared on her face as she imagined, running her fingers through it.

“Cassie,” Polly said with a hand on her hip. “I asked you a question.”

“Oh,” she slightly shook herself. Reality sucked. She patiently looked up at her sister. “What,” she asked, slowly.

She sighed. “Do you want it to end?” her voice was crisp.

“End what?”

“End everything.”

Cassie stared her before slowly looking around. She felt nothing as she looked at the buildings, people, and the few trees that were surrounding them. She shrugged. “Okay.”

Polly smiled. She knew she could count on her sister. She always could, it’s not like the poor thing had anything else to do. “Good.” She stepped back. “Come over here.”

She shrugged again before she did what she was told. She bounced in place; excited she had something to do. “So, how do we end it?”

She smiled before she purred; “With magic of course.”

“Cool.” She bounced again. She watched as Polly shuffled through her bag. “What do I do?”

“Just stand in the circle and be safe.” Simple enough. She put her sister in the back of her mind as she focused on her spell.

Cassie looked at the sky. She was not worried about anything. She glanced at her sister as she made a circle of salt around them. She shrugged as she looked out the invisible wall. In the distance she saw the blond guy laugh with his friends. She wanted him. Her lower body tingled; she needed him.

“There,” Polly said with a smile. She was satisfied and proud of herself. Her spell had worked. She and felt it’s power build then spread to the affect the world around them.

“What?” She hadn’t felt a thing.

She let out a heavy sigh. “Are we really going to end it,” she asked, not wanting to be the bad guy. I mean, who would want to be the one that decided to end the world.

Cassie’s face pinched with annoyed disbelief. “Sure; why not?” Her eyebrows suddenly shot up when she saw Art. “Food!” Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him smile at her. She would’ve rushed out to greet him if Polly’s hand wasn’t on her arm. She shook her head. “Why not?”

“We’ve decided.” She felt empty. This world had done her wrong for the last time. “I wish the world blew up.”

Cassie and Polly never broke eye contact as the world did just that. Cassie’s brows fell in question. She didn’t understand what was happening. She slowly turned. Baby blue sky was all she saw. Above, below, straight out; it was all around them. The only ground left was beneath their feet, safe within the circle.

Cassie stared out in amazement. Nothing was left. She continued to rotate in her spot. No one was left. “What happened,” she asked in a distance voice.

Polly smiled, dreamily. “We ended it, like we said we would.”

After a few moments it fully dawned on her. They were alone. No food, no Art, and no hot blond guy. “You bitch!” She swung on her older sister. Stupid thing to do but she was mad.

Polly stepped back and caught the second punch. Her cold, crazy eyes caught her sister’s and held them. “We wanted this.”

Her angry subsided as her eyes watered. “I didn’t. No one would.”

Underneath her smile was coldness. “I would.”

“But Art,” she wailed as she collapsed to the ground. Her legs were not willing to hold her up.
“I wish for Art.”

She looked at her, perplexed. Outside the circle he appeared. Their eyes met for a brief moment before he fell. “Cassie!!” His screamed echoed in her mind.

“Why’d you do that?” She jumped up, horrified at what she had just seen. Her sister was becoming evil right before her eyes.

“I wish for Art,” she said again, with a smug smirk on her lips.

Again he appeared. He knew he was going to fall be still yelled. Cassie’s brows fell. Two more times this scene repeated.

On the third time his yell was different. “What’ss!!”

“I wish for Art.”

“Goiinngg!!”

“I wish for Art.”

“Onnnn!!”

Cassie laughed. “That’s so funny.”

Polly laughed as well. “I know.” She gently shoved her sister. “You try it. You can wish for anyone.” She spun with excitement.

“Anyone?” Wow; whom should she drop? She decided to stick with a sure thing. “I wish for Art.” He appeared with hard eyes and crossed arms. He was not amused. She enjoyed the power. “Another,” she eagerly asked Polly. With her head she nodded she could. “I wish for Kathy.”

“What?” The snob was confused when she appeared. She met Cassie’s eyes. The hunter in her awoke as she dropped. “Those shoes are still uglyyy!!!” she shouted at her destroyer.

Polly sat cross-legged as she searched through her bag. She pulled out a small jar of liquid, then a revolver. Cassie’s humor died. “What’s that for?”

She rotated a bullet inside the special liquid she had created to get it through the invisible wall, before placing it in its chamber. “For fun.”

“What kind of fun?” There was a hint of worry in her voice. She didn’t think her sister would really hurt her, but then again, she hadn’t thought she would destroy the world either.

“You’ll see,” she answered in a dreamy voice.

Cassie stepped away from her. Polly rose with a smile and gun in hand. “I wish for Bert.”
Cassie’s eyes grew with fear. This wouldn’t be good. He appeared. Confusion filled his big brown eyes as he looked at Polly. She smiled. She shot him in the chest before he fell. Shooting him had felt good. She called the other men who had hurt her and killed them as well.

Cassie’s brows slowly rose; that looked fun. “I wanna try.”

She thought about it for a second. She didn’t really want to give up the power in her hands, but then again. She shrugged. Her shoulders fell as she relaxed.

“I wish for a police officer.”

“What,” he gasped at the fact there was no ground. The bullet burned in his chest as he fell.

She giggled. “I wish for Saddam Laden.”

Polly’s right brow rose as she wondered why her sister would want the leader of the deadliest terrorists of the world. The Arab appeared. Cassie grinned as she pulled the trigger. Polly laughed to herself. “Cassie,” she grabbed her arm. “Cassie,” she said again. “I know we destroyed the world but in a way, you just saved it.” She laughed. The irony was hilarious, Cassie joined in.

After a while they became bored. Believe it or not, shooting people can get old. They sat and stared at nothing but the sky. That was all there was.

Cassis sighed. “I’m hungry.”

Polly’s face straightened. “I forgot to pack food.”

Her head snapped up with alarm. “What? But I’m hungry.”

She shrugged. “Don’t know what to tell you.” She really didn’t. Food would become a problem, but it was not one yet.

“I’m hungry,” she pouted. Her face lit up. “I know.”

“No,” Polly said, knowing what she was thinking. “You can’t break the circle.”

“But I’m hungry.”

“You can’t break the circle.” She braced herself in case she had to fight her little sister.

“Fine,” Cassie’s body slumped as her face soured. Her stomach rumbled. Polly leaned back on her hands as she relaxed. Cassie causally stood and walked to the edge of their ground and looked down. Sky was all there was. She found it a little depressing. She shrugged as she dismissed those feelings. A smirk touched the corner of her lips as she looked around.

Polly saw it and sat up straight. She pushed her shoulders back.

Now, she told herself. “I wish for a cheeseburger!”

“No,” she launched herself at her.
Cassie saw her coming. She surged forward to grab the tasty burger. The air left Polly’s body in defeat. The ground tumbled away from beneath them. Surprise filled Cassie’s eyes as they fell. Neither screamed as they both waited to hit something.

Below them was nothing. Polly’s lips pinched together with distaste as she saw the fall wasn’t going to end soon. She looked at her bratty sister. Cassie stuffed her face with complete joy. She crossed her arms. “Are you happy now?”

“Yes,” she managed to say around the food in her mouth.

She sighed. Two hours later, Polly once again looked at her sister who now hung her limbs at her side. “See what you did!!!” Cassie looked at her with dumb filled her eyes. “All because you had to eat!”

“It would’ve happened at some point.”

“Whatever,” she mumbled. “I don’t want to fall beside you anymore.”

“Well, neither do I,” she huffed her response.

Four hours later. They had given up on waiting to hit the ground, which would have been blissful at this point.

“That’s it, I’m making our last wish,” Polly said, not caring for anything just wanting it to end.

“We have one more wish?” Her eyes glittered with the possibilities.

She looked at her. “I have one more wish,” she corrected.

“Oh,” she sighed, no longer interested. “I was thirsty too.”

She rolled her eyes. “I wish for the world to return.”

Below them it appeared; trees, buildings, people, and everything else. She smiled. The smile slowly transformed into a tired frown.

“Uh oh,” Cassie whispered, as the ground rushed at them.

“At least now it ends,” Polly tried to amend the situation. Both screamed right before they hit the ground.

Art froze when he found the bloody mess. His love and her sister were dead. He eyed the people that were gathering around them. Soon the cops would come, and he didn’t like cops.

He turned and quickly faded from the scene. He looked at the sandwich in his hand. With a shrug he opened the wrapping, at least Cassie had good taste in food.

Love/Lust

2012-01-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

You're a criminal and cold

You won't let me in

If I open up to you

You will run away

I'll hold my tongue

I'll wait my turn

I'll cling to the lust and not feel the love

My heart is not here

I've hid it away

You will not touch it

I will never find it

I'll inhale your toxins whenever you're near

Love and lust, its all the same

Beat me, hurt me but don't come too close

You ask for nothing

You tell me no lies

I'll swallow my pride and stay by your side

Darkness

2012-01-15T21:26:00.001-08:00

Confused and hurt

I feel something horrible is going to happen and I’m helpless to stop it.

The darkness that’s surrounding me spreads further everyday

I’m afraid one day I’m going 2 look out and that is all I will see

Release

2011-12-30T20:40:00.001-08:00

Dark red liquid consumes my thoughts

Beautiful rubies haunting my dreams

The steel I see behind my lids

The coldness I want to feel

Cut down deep; rip my flesh

I pray for the sweet release

Lost Genarateion

2011-12-30T20:35:00.001-08:00

(I wrote this with the intention of the spelling the words in it to be incorrect)

Win will this wurld in

How kan I go on

The wurld iz burning & the children r screaming

I am a member of the lost genarateion

Surrounded ny write smoke & lies

My memories r scattered

My dreams r shattered

I have no diwrection & 2 many adictions

I sigh as I acept wat being a member of this genarateion intitles me to: nuthing

Mona's Sacrifice

2011-12-28T19:57:00.001-08:00

Darkness covered the earth, wrapping the demons and half-breed monsters in it's chilled embraced. In this time before time, only the mean survived. Compassion was a myth no one dared believed in.

Sazu understood this way of life. He had lived it for hundreds of years. Any creature that tried to face him was ripped apart, torn limb from limb. He bathed in their blood as he chewed on their flesh. Even Mona, the mother of all the half-breeds, did not get in his way.

Perched on a rock, he stares into the endless night sky. It comfort him because he knew no matter how much his world changed the dark sky never would.

In the distance, the sky lightened to a soft blue. He felt fear for the first time as it approached him, swallowing the beautiful black sky. The world itself seemed to lighten as well. The rock he sat on was no longer was black but was now gray. Panicking, he stood.

He didn't know what was happening as a strange, acidly smell filled his nostrils. He didn't understanding that the world was completely changing right before his eyes.

A giant orb of light rose from the ground, in the far distance. His eyes stung as his skin burned. Staring at the smoke rising from his skin, he wasn't sure what to do. It was the light shining on his flesh that was causing him pain.

Anger filled him as he watched his skin bubble. He snapped out with his teeth to bite the light on his arms. He tasted his own blood before pulling back. He couldn't hurt it. Howling his pain and frustration, he ran for cover.

His eyes narrowed on the cave in the distance. It wasn't too far for him to run. Dropping to all fours, he ran as fast as he could and made it to safety. The sweat rolled into his eyes as he batted at the flames on his body.

He crouched in the dark cave as he waited with the other demons and monsters. Waited for the dark to come or the world to end.

The heat the light brought with it chased them further into the cave. Huddled together, they didn't know what to do. Comfort wasn't in them to give.

Finally, the cave darkened as the air-cooled. Could it be? Did the light die on it's own? Sazu, being the strongest in his mind, had to do something. Swaying from side to side he walked out of the cave. He was ready to duck back into the cave at a moment's notice. The light was gone.

His fangs hung over his bottom lip as his smile spread across his face. The night was back. Roaring the news to the others, he raced out into the world. The dusty plains were a beautiful sight to him. Hearing a fellow demon nearby, he knew it was time to feed. With the light forgotten he slipped back into his old ways; feeding, fighting, and running.

The air was thick with the stench of rotten flesh. He knew there was a dead monster somewhere nearby, he only hoped there was still meat on it. He found a horde of demons huddled around it, picking its bones clean. Sazu had been too late. Disappointment flashed in his eyes.

The feasting stopped as the demons took notice of him. His claws extended as he braced himself for the fight. Fear glowed in their eyes as they stared passed him. Bewildered, he watched them run for the caves.

He felt the rising heat first and then noticed the world was getting lighter. The smell of his burning flesh filled his nostrils. He looked back. The orb had returned. Fear filled him as he made a run for the caves. He knew there were a number of caves in the hills that surrounded him. All he needed was one.

Once he was safe within a cave he knew they had problems, and by the confused looks on his brothers' faces he knew they were aware of the problem as well.

Mona called her children into her cave, which lay in the center of the earth. Her children were hurt and that meant she was hurt.

Sazu silently listened as they spoke of the orb of light. If only one of them could knock it from the sky and eat it, then all would be well But none could. Its rays of light protected it. While it was in the sky, their sky, none of them could leave the safety of the caves.

Mona, being the mother, had a plan. She would use the light to create her next child. It would have the ability to go into it, but would have the demon's hunger for destruction as well. With her ability to control her children she would guide it in the destruction of the light. The earth would be theirs again.

The demons and monsters watched in wonder as she opened the earth to set herself free. The light burned her, but being the oldest and the strongest she was used to the feeling of pain. Gathering the light with in her womb, she felt it merge with her eggs. She would have it's child. With the job done she went back into hiding until it was time for the birth.

Every night the demons roamed the earth, free to do as they willed. During the day they were forced to hide. Their hatred for the light grew more and more each day. Sazu had witnessed many try to take down the orb them selves, but they always bust into flames before they could even get close to it.

Mona's body baked a little more each day. The light within her stole her strength. Fluid wept from her open wounds. The demons and monsters silently mourned for her.

Her screams filled the air as the children from the light ripped open her belly. Twisting and turning, they got themselves free. The light ate away at Mona's remains as her youngest children walked free.

Unlike their brothers hiding in the caves, they liked the light. They enjoyed its warmth on their soft skin. They had even named the giant orb in the sky. They called it the sun.

The demons were angry at the youngest, convinced they had betrayed them. But they had betrayed nothing. They were true to the light that was in them. At night wars raged and blood was shed, but during the day all on earth was calm.

The young ones made their own homes and devised weapons. They were much smarter than the demons and monsters. After years of this deadly game of hide and seek it was obvious to the demons that the sun and the young ones were here to stay. Anger filled them as they decided to give them a name; man.

Escape (Tattooed Angel)

2011-12-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

Come to my arms; let me take you away from the pain

Close your eyes; I'll chase everything away

Slip inside; clear your mind

Don't worry about my protection; I'm here to ease your fears

I'm used to the night visits, I don't need the false care

I'll be your tattooed angel

I'll take you to the land of bliss and lust

I'll wrap myself around you and drown you in ecstasy

Don't be hesitant, there's no lies that this is meant

I'll be your tattooed angel

Provide the escape we both need

Sinking deep inside, getting your peace of mind.

Escaping our intense reality

Soft, pointless words are spoken

No hearts will be broken

And at the end, we will go our separate ways

The Black Hole

2011-12-26T21:35:00.001-08:00

Samantha stood on the edge of the black hole and looked down. She had silently witnessed many of her friends and family members happily jump into it. She didn't want nor did she need to follow their path. She was fine just the way she was.

"But you're alone," the hole purred to her.

Alone, she repeated to herself. A pain rippled through her heart.

"You'll never have to be alone again if you come to me. I promise, you'll always have a place where you'd belong."

I have a place where I belong already, she weakly argued. Deep in her broken heart, she knew that was a lie. She swallowed as she tried to withstand it's pull.

"I can make you beautiful," it lied. "You'll be the sexist woman around."

I wish to be beautiful and sexy, she reluctantly confessed.

"Everyone will love you."

Her right shoulder raised and fell in a weak shrug as she debated it again. What will it hurt to try? She finally asked herself. With a beer in one hand and a needle in the other, she fell to join the rest of the forgotten ones at the bottom of the black hole.

Flip

2011-12-26T21:14:00.001-08:00

Spend nights, tossing and turning

With tears on my face, wet and burning

I can still feel the nightmares chasing me

I know there's something out there, waiting to appear

And whatever it is makes me so scared

The faster I go, the more it gains

My eyes are playing tricks on me

I keep seeing stuff fly across the room

I hear footsteps on the ceiling

And I'm smelling the witches brew

I hear laughter in the distance

And now a voice is telling me what to do

I don't want to listen, but I feel I have to

I'm flying through time on this trippy ride

I'm seeing witches on their brooms, flying to the moon

I see dragons eating kings, while the queens just sit and scream

I need to get a grip before I flip

Work

2011-12-26T19:46:00.001-08:00

Twisted thoughts invade my mind

Sweet words no one else hears invade my ears

Everyday is exactly the same, it's enough to make someone go insane

I sit quietly in my chair

Needing anything to make me feel

But there's nothing...

I'm forced to live my life in wanting

Never satisfied...

Never knowing what is out there

Never...

Messy room

2011-12-26T19:39:00.001-08:00

Messy room

Darkened heart

Tangled hair

Shattered image

Angry words

Broken soul

Sad memories

Letting go

Kind of Woman

2011-12-26T19:33:00.001-08:00

When I was younger I was told I'd be the kind of woman men married

But that was a lie

I'm the kind of woman married men come to for fun

I'm the kind of woman who gets visited late at night

I'm the kind of woman who does what she has to just to get by

I'm not a kind woman

The Girl Who Told No Lie

2011-07-17T18:35:00.001-07:00

Carolina looked at the house she was going to be working at. The huge, peart white mansion, put a scare into her. She took a deep breath, gripped the handles of her suitcases, and begun the long walk up the driveway to the front door.

She heard the doorbell echo inside the walls of the house. A man in his early twenty's opened the door. He was wearing a well-pressed suit. His shoulders were broad and Carolina could tell he had hard muscles under the cloth covering his flesh. "Mr. Allen," she shuttered.

His eyes hardened and his body mass blocked the doorway. "No, I'm his butler Heaven."

She looked him up and down. "Yes you are."

His left brow arched up. "Excuse me?"

She felt her face burn beneath his heavy stare, as she quickly look at the floor. She hadn't meant to say that out loud. "I'm Carolina Sanchez." She chanced a glance at him. "Mr. Allen hired me as the new nanny."

His face and body language softened. The dimples his smile created made him irresistible to her. She was starting to think watching a kid over the summer, wasn't going to be such a bad thing after all.

"Oh yes, Mr. Allen told me you'd be arriving today." He stepped aside so she could finally enter the house. "He is not here at the moment, but Skyann is. She's upstairs. I'll introduced you after you put things away."

She followed him to her plain bedroom upstairs. She was pleased to see the walls were empty of the tasteless paintings most people added to them. She also liked that there was plenty of space for her to walk around. She laid her suitcase on the well-made bed and decided to put her things away later.

Heaven led her to a room, two doors down hers. Inside, sat a small girl with brown curly hair. She tightly held a tiny brown bear and stared out the window. He stayed in the doorway as he motioned to the girl. " This is Skyann." The girl didn't move to acknowledge them. "Skyann," he said a little louder. There was no interest in her face when she finally turned to face them. Heaven ignored this fact and smiled. "This is Carolina. She is your new nanny."

The girl's eyes settled on the nervous woman. " I hope she lasts longer than Roberta," she said before turning back to the window.

Carolina felt better once the girl's eyes were off of her. She licked her dry lips before she asked Heaven; "Who was Roberta?"

"The last nanny."

"Why'd she leave?"

Heaven's shoulders rose and fell in a casual shrug. " I cannot answer for another, so I wish not to even try." He stepped back. " I have things that must be attended to, so I will leave you two alone to get to know each other."

As he turned to leave Carolina raised high hand as if to silently call him back. "He's already gone," Skyann told her, while facing the window. "Besides, he doesn't care if you're nervous."

Offended by the girl's words she stood up straighter. "I'm not nervous."

Her blue eyes narrowed on her. "Sure."

Carolina grabbed a chair and dragged it to sit next to Skyann. The girl didn't notice her as she continued to stare out the window; mentally lost in her own world. Carolina leaned forward to look outside. All she saw was a view of the backyard not even a good one. Below them was a line of bushes with un-bloomed flowers on them. "What are we looking at?"

"I don't know what you're looking at, but I'm searching for my friend Alven."

Carolina's eyebrows drew together with slight confusion. "Who?"

"My floating friend. He usually comes out at night to look at the flowers, but sometimes I see him wandering around during the day."

Floating, she silently repeated. "I get it," she said with a smile. "You have an invisible friend; I had one as well when I was younger. But mine didn't float, he walked like me."

Skyann's eyes cut to her in warning. "He's not invisible or made up. He's real. Heaven's seen him, though I doubt that he'd confess to it."

Carolina swallowed. "Oh, well," she looked around the room for some form of help on what to say next. "Are you hungry?"

Skyann's eyes dropped as she thought about it. "Now that you mentioned it, yes I am." She set her bear aside and stood.

Carolina followed the small girl to the kitchen. Once there she climbed onto a chair, and placed her chin on the heel of her hand. "I'll have a peanut and jelly sandwich."

She stared at her for a moment and then remembered she was this girl's nanny and feeding her was a part of her job. Skyann did not help her find the items needed to make the food request, but Carolin a managed.

Skyann was staring into the backyard again when she placed her plate in front of her. "I'll have a glass of milk as well."

"Then get it yourself. "The girl's eyes snapped in her direction. "My father's paying you to take care of me."

Her hands shot to her hips as her eyes narrowed. "Correct, to take care of you not be your maid. Now if you want milk with your food then you'll have to get it yourself."

Skyann pouted as she pushed herself away from the table. Carolina watched to get her glass of milk before she made herself a sandwich. She had taken a long trip to get here and had barely anything to eat along the way.

Skyann shot Carolina a dirty look when she sat across from her. Her eyes looked past her and into the backyard. She dropped her sandwich and waved.

Carolina spun in her seat, expecting to see someone out back but it was empty. She looked at Skyann and raised a brow. "Whom were you just waving at?"

She swallowed the bite of food in her mouth before she answered; "Alven."

She turned to search the backyard once more. "I don't see anyone."

"That's because he left already."

"Oh" she said in bored voice. "Why didn't I think of that? I mean, it's so obvious." She rolled her eyes and lifted her sandwich to her lips. After a few bites she grew tired of Skyann staring at her. "What?"

"You still don't believe me."

"Of course I do. Who wouldn't?"

"You," she answered, coldly. "Lying is bad for the soul, did you know that?"

Amusement filled her eyes. "This coming from you?"

"I do not lie," Skyann told her in a stern voice.

"Sure," she mumbled in return.

Skyann barely spoke for the rest of the day. Carolina left her sitting on the floor drawing Alven, as she ran to her room to unpack.

When it came time for dinner Mr. Allen still hadn't arrived home yet. There was no conversation between Skyann and Carolina as they ate the dinner Heaven had prepared for them. She wasn't too excited about the spicy chicken on her plate, but loved the broccoli with orange ginger dressing.

After dinner Skyann rushed to her playroom to sit in her bay window that overlooked the garden. Carolina sighed heavily, and took a step towards the door. It was now time to take control, and let her know who was boss. "Carolina," Heaven's voice stopped her where she stood. "Leave her. She always sleeps in there."

"Fine," she bowed her head. "I'll just tell her goodnight then." She felt his narrow eyes on her as she entered the room.

Skyann was laid across the bay window with her blanket pulled up to her chin. Her eyes turned towards her nanny. Wonder danced in them. Carolina forced a smile onto her lips. "I wanted to tell you goodnight."

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Goodnight," she softly replied.

Carolina turned on her heels and went to her room. Once inside it she felt jaw set. She found herself walking towards her window, though she didn't know why. "Alven," she whispered to herself. "My god, what's next? Monsters under the bed?" She rolled her eyes.

All her anger for the girl's lies faded when she sas the garden out back. The white roses had bloomed. They are lovely, she told herself. Perhaps I should get some for my room. Her mood seemed to lighten with the thought. Yes, that is what I will do.

The house was dead with silence as she walked downstairs. She opened the back door and froze when she saw a pale man besides the flowers. He appeared to be tall. When she squinted to get a better look, she saw he was floating a foot off the ground. As crazy as the thought was she was sure she saw a bubble of water surrounding him. No way.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. When she looked outside again the strange man was gone. She was relieved it was empty. See, no man is here. Stop being silly, she silently lectured herself. Now getting those flowers meant more to her than just a simple decoration for her room. Now it meant she was in charge of her own thoughts, and would not allow a child to influence them.

She held her head high as she walked towards them. As she drew closer to them she saw the white night rose had a lace of silver around its petals. They were breath-taking beautiful. They enchanted her as she leaned forward to smell them.

I really need to take a few to my room. It will brighten it up, she thought with a ghost of a smile her lips.

Her fingers graced the stem as she debated where to snap it. The tips of her fingers pinched together as the hair on her arms rose. She could feel that she was being watched. She looked in the bushes, expecting to see the man. She only found leaves, branches, and flowers.

Hot anger radiated onto her back, and knew he was behind her. It's him, she thought, numbly. The floating man I saw is real. She felt him move closer to her. Run, she silently screamed. But her body wouldn't move.

Her mind filled with images of what his face was going to look like. After a few seconds the urge to run consumed her. Her heart raced and she couldn't think straight. She pulled her hand away from the flower and forced her back straight. Though she was scared to death, she was going to turn to face him.

She was faced with Skyann instead. The girl's dark blue eyes narrowed on her. "What are you doing out here?" she demanded to know.

Her face pinched in confusion. "I was," she couldn't remember. Her mind backtracked past all the fear she had felt a moment ago to when she first saw the night bloomers. "I was going to pick a few flowers for my room," she answered in a detached voice.

"What!" Skyann's eyes scanned the yard and then settled on her nanny. "You're lucky Alven didn't come out here to stop you."

The idea of Alven being real were chased out of her mind by the disgust she felt for the girl and her made up stories. "Not this again," she mumbled as she rose to her feet.

The girl's lips tightly pressed together, and her fists pounded on her hips. "This is his place, and he doesn't like having it invaded." A taunting smile appeared on her lips. "Just ask Roberta."

She blankly stared at her. "She's gone remember? That's why I'm here."

"Or so they want you to believe."

She searched the girl's eyes; she really didn't like what she was implying. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying exactly what I'm saying; it's you who's not listening." She looked pass her to the white flowers. "Now leave Alven's flowers alone."

She let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the ground. All of the sudden, the end of the summer looked years away. She was tired and in no mood to argue. "Fine," she stepped pass the girl to head inside. Skyann silently followed. This time Carolina didn't see her to bed because she just wanted to be left alone.

Carolina avoided the garden after that and did her job. Skyann worked her nerves with all of her talk of Alven; how long he's been here. When she first saw him, and anything else Skyann could think of that included him.

Carolina sat at the kitchen table, reading a magazine, while Skyann played outside. She noticed that Heaven had pulled out more food than usually for dinner. "Heaven, why so much food tonight?" She checked him out when he bent down to get the wok out of the lower cabinet.

He left it on the stove when he turned to face him. "We will be having one more person for dinner tonight."

"Really? Who?" She hadn't seen another person since she arrived here, and she liked the thought of entertaining a guest.

"Mr. Allen," he answered in a stern voice. She saw him check her as well before turning to start dinner.

Mr. Allen, she silently repeated. She looked outside to make sure Skyann was still jumping rope. She was. "Heaven will you keep an eye on Skyann while I go speak with Mr. Allen?"

He wiped his hands on a towel. "Sure."

Carolina left her magazine on the table and walked to Mr. Allen's office. She paused at his door. She wasn't sure if she should knock or not. To be on the safe side she did. "Come in," a strong male voice called.

Nervously, she opened the door. Mr. Allen had his hands clasped on his desk as he waited for her to sit down. It was the first time she'd seen him. He had strong features, and dark eyes that said he's seen it all and barely anything could surprise him anymore. Carolina could tell he was a proper businessman, with suits and all.

"Carolina, what may I do for you this evening?"

"I thought it would be nice to finally meet the man I am working for." She rubbed the arms of the chair as she tried to work off some of the tension building up inside of her. He made her very nervous. There was something dark lurking under his forced smile, and she did not like being in its presences.

"Now that you've met me what do you think?" he teased. His voice was even as he watched her nervous movements.

She held her breath for a moment as she sat her hands in her lap. She wasn't sure what to say, so she said what she thought he wanted to hear. "I think you're an impressive business man."

His smile widened with genuine amusement. "You haven't seen me at work yet."

"True, but you look like an impressive business man," she amended.
"Thank you." An awkward silence soon filled the room. He looked over the files on his desk. "If that's all then shut my door on your way out. I still have a lot of work to do before dinner," he coldly dismissed her.

"Um," she didn't mean for that one word to slip out. His dark eyes settled on her again as he waited for her to continue. She cleared her throat as she licked her lips. "Do you know of Alven?"

"Alven?" he repeated with distaste.

She tried to politely smile, but felt it come out all wrong on her face. "Skyann's invisible friend that stays in the backyard," she explained.

"All children have invisible friends Miss Sanchez, what's your point?"

She was taken back by his sudden change in mood. "Well sir," she swallowed. She shouldn't have brought it up, in truth; she wasn't sure why she had. Alven was harmless, though Skyann was annoying. The child was relentless in her constant stories of him. "Skyann will not quit. She just goes on and on about him, and at her age it can't be healthy."

"But it is. When school starts next month I'll worry, but until then, I'm fine with anything that keeps her out of trouble." Translation: keep her away from him.

"Yes sir," Carolina mumbled. He would not intervene with the situation, and she was trapped with the endless stories.

Mr. Allen picked up a black pen and flipped up the file on his desk. He tilted his head to the side as he looked at her. "Is there something else I may help you with? Perhaps, she has too many stuff animals that you would like to warn me about?"

Her face burned with embarrassment. "No."

"Then be on your way. I'm sure I'm paying you for something other than speaking with me."

Carolina kept her face pointed towards the expensive rug as she made her way out of his office. She was so embarrass she almost wanted to cry. She took deep breaths as she slowly made her way back to the kitchen.

Heaven turned away from his simmering food when she entered the room. He took one look at her face before sympathy filled his eyes. "You don't see him around here that much." His sexy dimples appeared on his cheeks when he gave her a smile. "Don't think about it, we are going to be having a delicious dinner and then he'll leave another business trip tomorrow."

Her lips curved in response. She had almost forgot how handsome he was. He seemed grim most of the time he was here, like a man carrying a huge secret on his shoulders. "Thanks," she said.

He shrugged, casually. "No problem; I remember how it was the first time I met him."

"How long have you been here?" she found herself asking.

He thought about it for a moment before he answered; "About a year now."

"So you're permanent?"

His lips pressed together as he shook his head; not in anger but as a simple gesture. "No. I am here until I can transfer from the junior college to an University."

"Oh, I never knew." She didn't think he had future plans like she did. She had assumed he was here for life.

A small smile touched his lips. "Most don't."

Skyann shuffled into the kitchen. Her hands and knees were covered with moist dirt. "What have you been up to?" Carolina gasped.

Skyann smiled up at her. Well this is a strange day, Carolina thought. First Mr. Allen makes an appearance, and now the grim twins decide to smile. I can't wait to see what happens next.

"I was helping Alven in the garden."

If she had said anything else Carolina wouldn't have cared, but since she used Alven as her excused she found herself angry. "You knew that dinner was about to be done and you get covered in mud?"

"Alven said we had to." She took a step towards her as she pleaded for her to understand.

Her hand shot up. "I don't want to hear it. Go get cleaned up for dinner. Your dad is here and will be eating with us."

Her face lit up and then that spark of life died. "Really? That's nice." She looked at her dirty hands. "I should go get cleaned up; he would not like to see me this way."

Carolina watched her leave the room with narrow eyes. Once she was gone she looked at Heaven. He was finishing up dinner. "What was that all about?"

His shoulders rose and fell, in a quick shrug. he met her eyes as he confessed; "I don't know. I mean, you can't ever tell what goes on in a parent/child relationship."

She searched his eyes but saw nothing. He was not going to let his secret slip this day. "True," she finally said. She left the room to check on Skyann, after all that was her job.

At the dinner table all was silent. Mr. Allen watched as Carolina ate. Nervous, she dropped her food once in her lap and heard Skyann giggle. "Skyann," Mr. Allen warned. Her laughter stopped and food was quickly shoved into her mouth.

Carolina looked from father to daughter and wondered if anything was going to happen; nothing did. Heaven gave her a half smile of encouragement when he brought out their desert; upside down pineapple cake. Skyann seemed pleased as she ate her piece.

"Well." Mr. Allen wiped his mouth with a napkin before he tossed it on his empty plate. "This was fun," his voice had an edge of bitterness to it as he stood. "We should do it again sometime."

"Liar," Skyann mumbled.

His face-hardened as he eyes narrowed on her. "What did you say?" he asked as if daring her to repeat it.

She met his eyes. "Liar," she repeated in her strong yet low voice.

A dangerous smile appeared on his lips. "Perhaps I am." He held his tongue and hand back from striking her as he forced himself to go back to his office, peacefully.

Skyann sat in waiting as Carolina processed what had just happened. When the girl looked at her she gave her the orders she had been waiting for; "Go get ready for bed." The child nodded as if she had expected this.

Carolina breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she was alone. Now that she had met Mr. Allen she was secretly glad he wasn't home that often. After ten minutes she got to resume her job as a nanny.

Skyann was waiting in her playroom when Carolina reached the upstairs. Once again, she had a smile on her face. This must be a record, she thought. She felt herself smile as she crossed her arms. "Now why are you so happy?"

"Because Alven was right." The smile disappeared from her face. "Removing those other bushes has given the night bloomers more room to breath."

"That's it," she snapped. She didn't care what Mr. Allen said; he wasn't the one who had to listen to all her stories. Carolina couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Skyann's hand, roughly, and yanked her towards the door.

"Ouch," she cried out. "Where are we going?"

"To see how Alven isn't real."
"How are we going to do that?" She stumbled down the last step, but her nanny's hold was too tight and she didn't fall.

"By picking a flower."

"No!" She finally started to struggle. "You can't!"

Carolina turned on her heels to look on the girl. "I can and I am, with or without you by my side. I have to show you he's not real."

She shook her head. "Alven, doesn't like people picking his flowers."

"There is no Alven!"

Skyann sadly shook her head when Carolina rushed outside. She stood in the doorframe and felt inside. She just won't listen, she thought. Adults never do. She sighed and hugged the frame.

Carolina's feet pounded into the moist dirt as she made her way over to the white spotted bushes. She felt eyes on her as she grabbed the stem of a night bloomer. It's just Skyann, she assured herself.

She broke the stem and felt herself tense. She took a moment to search the bushes for any kind of movement. Her breath rushed out when nothing happened. I knew it, she thought in victory as she turned with her flower in hand.

The man she had seen her first night here was floating behind her. Now that she was faced with him she could see he wasn't human. His features were alien and his skin was pale, almost transparent. His dark holes of eyes held Carolina's. They drifted to the rose and then he attacked.

Carolina's short scream was cut off when Alven pulled her into his bubble; and he took her to his home to be treated the way she had treated his beloved night bloomers.

Skyann didn't shed any more tears as she walked to the fallen rose. She picked it up. She looked after her nanny one last time before going inside to rest.

The sun poured through Skyann's window into her playroom and gave her new flower some much-needed light. "Where's Carolina?" Mr. Allen asked his daughter when he saw her sitting alone.

She didn't bother to turn around. "With Alven."

"What?" His right hand went to his forehead and rubbed his tempos. "Young people these days, have no work ethics. Heaven!" He called.

"I'm here."

"Oh," he looked at his young servant. "Watch Skyann while I go find a nanny to replace Miss Sanchez." He nodded as he stepped towards the door to do as he was told. "Heaven, did she happen to say anything to you about leaving?"

"No sir."

"Just thought I'd ask," he sighed.

Heaven saw the flower but said nothing. With his hand resting on Skyann's shoulder they looked at the uprooted soil and freshly re-planted night bloomers. He knew where Carolina was. He knew last night when he heard her scream. She was now with Roberta, and the other missing nannies at the bottom of the night bloomers; allowing their decaying flesh to nurture Alven's harmed plants.

Wild Hunt

2010-09-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Flinch balled his fists as he shoved them in his pockets. Damn, it's getting colder, he thought as he suppressed a shiver. He kept his eyes on the worn dirt path as he made his way home. This sucks, he told himself as he kicked a rock. His shoulders drooped with disappointment.

"Why didn't they pick me?" he wondered out loud as he thought about the play he wanted to be in. His head tilted back as he eyed the gloomy sky for answers.

He let out a heavy sigh he looked forward again. He decided to take the quicker way home and cut through the woods. He stopped when he got to the edge of his yard when he saw an unknown man was standing there. The man stood as still as a statue in the mist that gathered around him. He sent chills up Flinch's spine. "Hey," he whispered as he walked closer to him.

Now that the enchantment of seeing him for the first time, had worn off Flinch was able to step back and take him all in. His cloths were made from silk, and hanging off his shoulders was a cape out of leather. It was the color of human flesh. On his head set a golden crown, but it wasn't a typical crown. It was made to resemble three vines that intertwined with each other.

In his blond, satin hair, there were braids. Flinch's eyes stopped on his pointy ears. His brows met in question as he suddenly lost interest in him. Oh, a crazy lord of the rings fan, he dismissed him with the thought.

"What are you doing here," he asked, knowing his family was inside the house this man was interested in. The man's brown eyes never left his sister's window. "Hey; I'm talking to you," he said in a harsher tone.

His dark, penetrating, eyes finally turned towards him. "Go," he breathed the word at him.

Fear coursed through him, and seemed to stop his heart for a brief moment. Something about the intensity in this strange man didn't sit well with Flinch. "Whatever," he mumbled as he took step back. I will keep an eye on him through the window just in case he's crazy, he decided. Satisfied with decision, he finally went inside.

Inside he found all the lights were on, but no one was around. His brows slid up with worry. "Mom! Dad!" he called as he looked out the kitchen window, to the man in the cape. He felt another stab of fear at the thought that this man had hurt them while he was at college.

"In here," his dad called.

He followed the voice Flinch and found them in his sister, Amy's, room. His parents were huddled together beside her bed. He could see the fresh tears rolling down his mother's face. Calvin, his sister's boyfriend, knelt beside her bed with a grave expression on his face. Her eyes had rolled into her head, and form spilled from her open mouth.

He couldn't believe what he was seeing and felt nothing. "What's going on?"

"Your sister Amy," his mother choked. "She's..." Unable to finish her sentence she dropped her head onto her husband's shoulder.

"She took a bottle of pills," his dad finished for her. Other than his voice being a little shaky, he was the rock the family had always depended on.

"What?!" Flinch's heart dropped into his stomach as he took a step forward to help her. "How come she isn't at the hospital getting her stomach pumped?"

Horrified at what she had just heard, his mother looked up at him as she wiped away her tears. "Flinch, you already know the answer to that," she whispered.

"But," he started as his eyes burned into hers. His sister was going to die if they did nothing.

"But nothing," his father snapped, ending what would have been a life saving discussion. "You know the way it is in our family."

His eyes watered as he shook his head, feeling helpless. He did know the way that his family was; God decided if you were to be well or not. They had never gone to doctors and they never would, by doing so they were defying God's will.

He looked at his sister, her pale skin was moist with sweat. She was not doing good. She convoluted as vomit erupted from her lips. Her body was trying to get the drugs out of it.

"Calvin," he pleaded, hoping her boyfriend would step in to save her life.

He took a deep breath before replied; "Whatever happens is God's will."

"She's dying!"

He dropped his head. "So be it," he whispered.

His eyes fell to his sister. Her breaths were shallow; weak. She was going to die. And we are just going to watch it, he thought with shame. Disgusted, Flinch rushed for the phone. When he wrapped his hand around the receiver he knew he was doing the right thing. This was his sister, the only woman who was not his mother, he had loved all his life.

"No!" his father roared as he chased after him. Flinch looked up and was faced with his father's twisted anger. "Don't you dare make that call!" He slapped the phone out of his hand. His father had never laid a hand on him before and Flinch was not sure how to react to it so he did nothing. He stood in his spot and stared at him. "Now get in there." He jabbed his finger towards the room. "While we wait to see what is God's choice."

Feeling numb, he did as he was told. He walked to the window and looked out. The man with the elf ears still stood on the edge of his lawn and watched his house. He got the uneasy feeling that he had seen everything that had just happened. As his beloved sister finally slipped away, he saw the man smile a dreamy smile.

Ignoring his mother's howls of pain, he walked out of the house. "Hey!" he called to the fading man. He dropped his arms to his sides as he begun to race after him. Flinch had the feeling he knew something; but what? He needed to know it as well.

Running through the woods, he almost lost him a number of times. He was unbelievable fast, and as silent as the wind itself. Flinch's years on track allowed him to keep up with him. The woods became darker and less inviting the further he went into them. Where am I? he wondered. He pushed the question deep down inside as he continued to move forward.

He pushed his fear aside as he rush ahead to get his answers. Did this man know his sister was going to die? Why had he not stopped it from happening?

The trees seemed bigger as they now blocked his view. His saw the man's blond hair blowing in the wind just ahead of him. He pumped his arms as he pushed himself to go faster, no longer sure of where he was just that he had to catch this man. Yes, he thought with pride as he felt himself getting closer to him.
Breaking through the line of tress he was surprised to find a wall of spears pointed at him. The owners had been waiting for him. He gasped as he slid to a stop.

The man faintly smiled at him as he stepped forward to greet him. "Welcome to our world," his voice was as soft as piano music. He looked over his shoulder to the shorter men who held the spears. They were ready to strike Flinch down if this man ordered it. Flinch looked at their pointy ears and wondered what was going on."Place him in a room until I can decide what to do with him."

He was relieved he was not going to be stabbed to death by the elf men, but dreaded having to be locked up. Both options were not that desirable.

"Shall we secure it," one of the men asked as he lowered his spear.

"Of course." He smiled a dazzling, heart stopping, smile If Flinch was a woman he'd be melting right about now.

He stepped back as the little man moved towards him. He glanced over his shoulder as he debated if he would be able to run away. The man grabbed his arms to pull him. There was no longer an escape option. The man was surprisingly strong. "Where am I?" he asked.

"A place you do not want to be," he whispered in his ear before he pushed him forward. Flinch did not resist as he went where he was lead.

"Shall we get ready for tonight's feast?" he heard the man in the crown ask.

Flinch stood, alone, in a room, not wanting to touch a thing. He had never been in a room that was so fancy. The oak wood that the chair and table were made from had a glossy finish, and the bed frame and candle holders seemed to be carved from ivory. The blankets on the bed were sewed from satin with threads of gold. He lowered his to look at the floor. He knelt to run he fingers through the carpet, it felt as if it were made from real fur. "Wow; nice place," he breathed to himself, impressed with his prison.

After a while, when it was clear they were not coming for him anytime soon, he walked to the bed and sat down. It was soft. He smiled to himself as he sunk into it. "Nice." He pushed his toes into the the carpet as he bounced on the bed. He could really get used to a place like this, he realized.

"The King will see you now," a man said from the doorway. Flinch hadn't heard the door open.

He stopped bouncing to stare at the black hair man with the pointy ears. His eyes were bright green and his skin stone white. "The King?" he slowly said, to make sure he had heard him right.

"Erzeli, is our king," the elf explained in a cold tone.

"Erzeli," he slowly repeated the odd name.

The elf's eyes slit with warning. "Do not call him that; it's not proper for the likes of you to speak his name out loud."

Flinch finally rose. "Then why did tell me it if I'm not allowed to say it?" he asked, thinking the whole situation was very strange.

The elf stared at him as he thought about his question. "Keep your month shut and follow me," was the answer he decided to go with.

He sighed to himself as he followed him out of the room. In his mind Flinch saw the king smile again, taunting him with some knowledge Flinch did not processed. His shoulders fell as he walked down the halls. He eyed the beautiful palace. Gold, ivory, and oak made the walls and frames. There was no glass in the windows but he noticed there were shutters to shut in case there was bad weather.

In the dinning hall there was live music and dancing. Exotic beasts he had never seen before were laid out on the table to be feasted upon. Erzelie sat on his throne to oversee everything. "Sit here," the elf ordered as he pulled out a chair.

"Don't I get to dance?" he teased, coolly, before he sat down.

His green eyes darkened; he was not amused. "Of course not. Besides," an evil smirk faintly painted his delicate features; still, he was beautiful. "Your kind does not know how."

"My kind?" He raised a brow.

"Yes." His smile vanished. "Humans."

Humans, he mentally mocked. I guess I have to admit it; "I'm surrounded by elves." He rolled his eyes and then laid his head on the table. He closed his eyes as he took this time to mourn his sister, and perhaps himself as well.

A gong sounded, ending the dancing. He lifted his head to see that the elves were taking their seats. He noticed most were tall, beautiful with blond or white hair like Erzelie. But a few were short and dark. Their features were less defined, Flinch would say they appeared rougher. As if they were the workers, here to serve the tall ones. But even they were still beautiful.

He received none of the food that was served, though they did bring him a glass of red wine. How sweet, he thought as he rolled his eyes at the glass. The golden doors opened to allow a few more elves into the dinning hall. Their clothes were dirty and there was mud on their shoes. Amongst the three men was one female elf. Flinch was surprised when they sat next to him.

The men looked strong, powerful while the woman appeared fierce. He couldn't help to take in her features that were perfectly positioned on her face to be admired. She had almond shaped eyes, a small nose, and full lips. "Hi," she said to him with a slight smile.

Before he could reply, words he didn't understand fell from the king's mouth, stealing his attention from the pretty elf girl. He stared. The food that was placed on his table for the new guest smelt delicious. His mouth watered. He had not eaten all day and was now feeling it.

"To our visitor," Erzelie said. Flinch turned in time to see the king raise his glass to him.

"To our visitor," the room repeated.

He blushed, not sure how to response to the attention so he decided to play along. He raised his own glass as he said; "Thank you, thank you. It has been a pleasure," he lied. It had been weird.

The male elf sitting across from him smiled at his ignorance. "We are going to eat you tomorrow, and Erzelie shall use your flesh to make a new cape," he told him with a light laugh.

"What?" He lowered his glass as he stared into his baby blue eyes in disbelief. "What?" He looked to the woman, hoping she'd answer when the man did not.

Her green eyes softened with understanding. "Your kind is a specialty amongst my people."

"What!?" Stunned horror filled that one word. He pushed himself from his seat. He could not stay here.

"Do not try to run," the woman warned in a low voice. "Otherwise, your one night of bliss amongst our kind shall be taken away."

His brows met as confusion clouded his mind. What was she saying. He took a step back. Of course he was going to run. The eyes of the elves, surrounding him, were darts that pierced his skin. He looked at the king. Erzelie's knowing smirk filled him with dread. He turned on his heels to head towards the door. He wanted to escape, he needed to escape. He took one step. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the guards rush to stop him. He grabbed the back of his chair to raise it into the air, he would attack them.

The elves were unbelievable fast and surrounded him. Spears in hand, they were also ready to attack. The man from Flinch's table smile as he said; "You still have time to stop this nonsense."

"Fuck you!" He swung the chair at the closest guard. He was determined to hurt at least one of them. The chair shattered against the elf's body as it knocked him back a step. Still holding a leg of the chair Flinch swung it aimlessly. Rage filled him. All I wanted to do was know about my sister, he thought as tears filled him eyes. "Damn you all," he cursed.

Pain filled his hand as an arrow pierced it. Dropping the leg, his head turned in the direction the arrow had come from. Erzelie proudly held the bow.

"I just wanted to know about my sister," he sobbed as he grabbed his wounded hand. He had always been a strong man but the events of today were taking their toll on him. Tears clung to his long lashes. "Why were you outside my house?" His shoulders dropped as he looked away. "What did you know?" And why didn't you tell me? he asked, not brave enough to voice the last question.

Amusement filled Erzelie's cold blue eyes. "I knew she was going to die. Nothing else."

He yanked the arrow from his hand and closed his eyes so no one would see the pain that filled them. It was bad enough they had witnessed his tears. "How?'

"I could smell it," he purred.

"Why would you not tell us so we could stop it?'

"Death intrigues me," the King answered.

He didn't understand his answer. He had come here for that one answer and he didn't understand it. "Why?" he asked, against his better judgement.

"Because, I cannot die," a ghost of a smile curved his lips. "None of us can." He spread his hands as he motioned to his people.

The elves smiled at the horror that appeared on his face. "I followed you for nothing," the realization fell from his lips. His stomach twisted in knots.

"You followed me to honor us with your meat," Erzelie corrected.

"No." He doubled over as he fell to his knees. It was all for nothing. His stomach lunged as he fought back his vomit. He needed time to mend from his sister's death, and to understand what was going on. He wasn't going to get time for either. A pain shot through his heart as he thought of his parents and never seeing them again.

"Yes," a hiss came from the surrounding elves. They wanted his meat. They enjoyed his suffering since they did not feel pain nor fear.

He pulled himself together as he wiped away his tears. "I'm leaving. My coming here was a mistake, nothing more." Without realizing it, his hold on the arrow tightened.

"It shall be our treat," an elf corrected.

His hand tightened as his face narrowed. "I am leaving," he slowly repeated.

"No, you are not," he growled before he disappeared.

"You are brave," Erzelie's said from his throne. "I respect that." The eyes in the room slowly turned towards their king. Fear held Flinch in place. "I will make you a deal, human."

"Elves make deals?" The question calmed him. It was absurd, but then again why wouldn't elves make deals.

Ignoring him, Erzelie continued; ""Morrow we shall have a hunt; a wild hunt." Flinch noticed the elves surrounding him tense with anticipation. "If you survive it human, you shall be allowed to go home." A secret smile touched his lips. "That is if you still wish too."

"Of course I will wish to," he whispered, not sure why he would want to stay with the elves, who wished to eat the meat from his bones.

He softly laughed to himself. "Let us see if you live first."

Since Flinch had broke his chair he was forced to stand through the rest of dinner. He crossed his arms and pretended to not care that he did not receive any food.

Back in his temporary room he sat on the bed. Staring at his clasped hands, he had no idea what to do. "Well," he sighed. "This is boring." He fell back on the on bed as he decided to relax and perhaps even rest. Thoughts raced through his mind as he drifted off to sleep.

He awoke to the sound of the floor creaking. "Shh," a slender finger covered his lips. "Whisper, " a sweet voice ordered.

He pulled back and was faced with the beautiful female from dinner. Her soft lips curved into an amused smirk. She found something funny. But what? he wondered. Me perhaps?

He sat up straight as he pulled away from her and her touch. "What are you doing in here?"

She causally shrugged as she laid back on his bed. "I have never seen a human before and wanted a closer look."

"Never?" He raised a brow. "That's a long time, considering we live just on the other side of the woods." He shrugged as he looked out the window. "I've never seen an elf before."

"That's funny, since we live just on the other side of the woods," she said as she rolled onto her side to face him. "Besides, I know you lie." She shot him a coy smile.

"Why would I lie about seeing an elf?"

She shrugged again; "Because you are human."

He coldly looked at her, he was growing tired of her games. "How do you figure that I'm lying about seeing an elf?"

"There are paintings in your world of us, are there not?" Her brows rose in a challenge.

"Of course there are," he snapped.

"Then you have seen an elf before," she said with a lite giggle. She was toying with him.

"How do you know of our world," it felt weird to say those words, but he managed to without rolling his eyes. "If you have not met an human before?" he asked, toying back

She laughed, sending chills to his bones. "My father tells me of it."

His brows met with thought. "Your father?"

"Erzelie."

Alarmed, he sat up. "He's your father?"

"Of course," she sat up as well. "Do we not look alike?" She pulled her shoulders back as she held herself steady so he could steady her profile. She was beautiful. Her eyes were pools of blue fire and her lips were small and delicate. Her skin was like cream. In the light he could it glittered.

His face pinched with embarrassment as he looked away. "You all look the same to me."

Insulted, she looked at him with narrow eyes. "I suppose all humans look the same as well," she coldly admitted.

He paused in thought. We all have two eyes, one nose, and one set of lips. He smiled in spite of himself. "Yeah, I suppose we do."

"Hmmm," she moaned with thought. "That is too bad." She rose from the bed before he could say anything.
She's leaving, his heart raced. "Hey!"

Spinning on her heels, she placed her finger to her lips to silence him. His brows rose to say 'oops'. "What?" she whispered.

"What are we hunting tomorrow?"

A small smile crossed her lips. "Nothing of great importance."

"If it's nothing of great importance then why is it treated as such a huge thing," his voice dripped with doubt. He knew she was lying to him.

Her lips straightened into a hard line but the amusement remained in her eyes. "It is not the thing we hunt that makes it what it is; it is the hunt itself."

"Oh." He took a deep breath as he rolled his eyes. That explained nothing.

She turned and left. Alone in the room again, his thoughts started to race as his imagination began to run wild. What kind of exotic beast were they going to hunting tomorrow? A dragon perhaps, or an unicorn. Maybe even something he had never heard of.

"Cool," he mumbled to his thoughts. His lids lowered as he laid back. He allowed himself to fall asleep for a second time this night.

Standing outside the palace, Flinch eyed the elves' bows. Every elf participating in the hunt had one. He looked over his right shoulder to Erzelie and his daughter, they did not have one. He leaned back on his heels as he looked at the closest elf.

"Where's my bow?" He starting to get excited at the thought of hunting an unknown beast. He bounced in his spot. He had never been allowed to kill an animal before, taking a life was not permitted. But watching one die was, he thought with disgust as he remember his sister's dying face.

The guard now turned hunter, Marid, smirked as he looked at his king. "My lord, he wishes to know where his bow is?"

Erzelie did not smirk like the other elf nor laugh. "You do not get one," he calmly explained.

His shoulders fell with disappointment. "Then how am I to hunt?"

His lips coldly curved. "You are not going to hunt."

"Then," he froze as realization hit him. Marid's eyes laughed at him as horror filled him. Survive the hunt, repeated in his mind. I am so dumb! He closed his eyes as he prayed this wasn't real. But it was, and he knew it was. "I am the one to be hunted."

"Yes," Erzelie whispered, his eyes were bright with evil joy.

"You were never going to let me go."

"We have an agreement; it is no longer in my hands. Live and you can choose. Die and I get a new cape."

His heart raced with fear. I'm the hunted. "How long do I have to survive for?" He leaned forward, despise to hear this wasn't real.

"Until the hunt is over."

"But when is that?" He wanted a time frame so he would know how long he had to hide for.

He smiled as he held back his laughter. "When it is."

He fell back on his heels. This was getting him no where. "When does it begin?"

"Now." His brows bounced up to say 'what' though no words escaped his lips. "I suggest you run."

The armed elves looked at him. Their bodies were tensed, they were ready for the kill. His kill. Shit, he silently screamed. He turned and ran.

The elves stayed close on his trail. They would cut him off whenever he started heading in a direction they didn't want him to go. He stopped running and dropped to the ground. His legs ached as his heart painfully pounded in his chest.

He sat on the ground as he closed his eyes. Make this stop, he prayed to no one. In the darkness, behind his lid's, Rebbecca, his sister's face appeared. It pulled back to reveal her lying on her bed. She was dead. His face crumpled as tears threatened to slid from his eyes. Pain crept up his throat.

When he opened his eyes he was faced with a dark hair elf. His beautiful face curved into a smirk. Shit, Flinch thought. "You are dead," he purred. Flinch slowly looked down to see the elf pull out an ivory knife.

His blood rushed in his veins as his heart sped up. Oh god, he thought with fear. He slid back, needing to get away from the danger that was in front of him. His right palm pressed into a jagged rock that laid behind him. He knew what he had to do. He wrapped his fingers around it. If he were to die here, he would die with a fight.

He lifted the rock and with all of his strength he bashed the elf on the side of the head. Flinch followed him as he tumbled back, away from him. Lifting the rock again, he bought it down on his head. The hits came faster as Flinch lost himself in the beating.

Breathing hard, his body was tired. He sat back on his heels as he dropped the rock. The elf's face was no longer beautiful. His pale flesh was ripped and torn. Bits of bone and muscle could be seen through his new wounds. Flinch stared down at him and felt his stomach twist into a knot. He dropped to all four as the vomit spilled from his mouth.

In the distance he heard a howl of beasts. He eyed the sky, knowing that was where the howls were coming from. I can't stay here, he knew but was too tired to keep running. He crawled to the bushes and hid inside, hoping their branches would conceal him from the hunters. He forced himself to believe he would be okay. He would survive this day.

The howls came again, this time they were closer. His shoulders slouched as chills ran up his spine. He closed his eyes, hoping the hunt would end soon. He focused on his breathing until he was able to relax.
The God awful howl came, once again they were closer. He could no longer tell if they were still coming from the sky or now from the ground. The sound pieced his ears. He choked on the urge he had to cry.

The hair on his arms rose as a tingling sensation crept up his spine. There was electricity in the air, lots of it. The air was thick with it. The flesh on his arms started to crawl as the electricity weighed down on him.
His head fell back as he struggled to breath. The leaves bounced with the hum the electricity. He watched them as he dropped to all fours. Up, down, up , down. They moved as if they had the ability to move on their own.

Fire filled his chest as his heart pumped with the hum surrounding him. The leaves and his heart now moved as one. The air pressed against him. The blood in his veins throbbed within him, causing him pain. The burning in his chest ate at his stomach. He reached up to dig his nails into his chest, he needed to rip the fire out of him.

The howls were on him now. The elves would have him any minute. Tears streamed down his face. He knew the pain he was feeling was from their precious wild hunt. He closed his eyes as he screamed. He no longer cared if he were caught, he just wanted the hunt to stop.

Erzelie fingered his new cape. The humans flesh was surprising smooth. He smiled as he turned back to the feast. Their new additional sat at the front table. His face was still, his eyes were cold. Yes, he was going to do well amongst the elves.

"Crystal, you may led the dance." Erzelie's smile was chilling. "Think of it as an initiation if you must."

Crystal's brown eyes floated up to look at the king. He was not used to them being so focused. What were they then, he wondered. He rose from his seat with ease. His body was strong; mush stronger than what he was used to. What am I used to?

Rebbecca, his mind whispered as his sister faded from his mind. His old life was like the skin he had shred during the wild hunt. He took Erzelie's daughter, Tisah, hand as he lead her to the floor. She would be Flinch's guild into his new life he became Crystal. She would teach him their beliefs and laws.

The little bit of him that had not faded completely, turned and laughed at what he was to become. Once again, he would be bound by beliefs that he didn't agree with. They would bound him to this new life like steel chains.

He turned to face Tisah on the dance floor. All that remained of Flinch disappeared inside Crystal. Now he would have no say in his life. Erzelie's words were all that matter to him. He could feel in his heart that was the way things were here, and he was okay with it.

Story of a Dream Weaver

2010-09-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Bound in room

She's forced to dream

Locked in her cell

Where no one can hear her yell

Her dreams are her curse

They bring her bliss

She wants to leave

Led one of her dear dreams

She's doomed to sit

Watch others rape her soul

She digs down deep

Trying to make herself whole

But she is a dream weaver

Destined to live life's she can never hold

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

2010-09-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

Teller looked down at his plate, it held the perfect spring feast. Potato salad, Mac and cheese, a hamburger, corn bread and a slice of tri tip. With a hint of a smile caressing his lips, he looked across the table to the woman he loved. They had been together for over two years. She was the one he wanted to spend the rest of life with, and today, amongst his family, he planned on asking her for her to be his wife.

"Teller, come play some ball," his younger brother, Todd, called with a football in hand.

He shot him a bright smile as he shook his head. Today he was staying with his woman. Todd shrugged as he walked backwards towards the waiting game. He turned and disappeared with the other guys, their game would continue without Teller.

Today is a great day, he thought as he watched his family laugh together. His fingers brushed the ring case in his pocket. Today will be a start to whole new chapter in our life.

The roar of a distance truck caught his attention. He turned his head to see it rushing up the road. He shook his head at their stupidity. It was dangerous to drive that fast near a park but some people didn't care. His eyes traced it's path and his smile froze of his lips.

In the road, unaware of the harm quickly coming his way was a child. Teller didn't recognize him. He looked around, searching for his parents. No one seemed aware of him or worried for him. Nor did anyone else seem to notice what was about to happen to him.

His heart painfully tapped against the inside of his chest. No body sees but me, he realized. The laughter surrounding him continued as the truck closed in on the boy. It was woo late to yell; he had to act. Without explanation he jumped up from he table and ran towards the road.

"Teller," his girl, Lori, called after him. "Teller," she screamed when she finally saw the truck. "Don't!"

The pounding of his feet matched the throbbing of his blood. Just a few more feet to go. He was aware of the screams coming from behind him but he didn't know what the words were, nor did he care. He had to save this boy

His upper body dipped as his arms wrapped around the boy to lift him from the ground. In his half turn he was faced with the grill of the truck. It was close to him, too close. Through the windshield he could see the driver was just now seeing him for the first time. We're not going to make it, he told himself as his chest tightened with fear.

He pulled his shoulders back as he braced himself for the impact of the truck. He glanced at Lori and strained a smile. In that brief moment he saw the tears in her eyes, she knew. They both did that he was going to be hit by the truck. His shoulders fell in acceptance. At least the kid can survive, he thought as he tossed him towards the grass. Once he was out of the way, with tires squeaking, the truck hit him.

His body flew through the air but he was already unaware of his surroundings. He had already slipped into the safety of his mind. Lori hugged herself as she feel to her knees. "No," she sobbed.

He heard the distance beeping as he slightly came to. He tried to move his head but he wasn't sure if he had. "I'm not sure if he's going to make it," he heard a voice sadly confess. The beeping turned into a scream and he sank back into the darkness.

Teller opened his eyes to find himself in a dark room, or at least that where it seemed like he was. It was too dark to really tell where he was. "Hello," he called as he looked around. He rose to his feet. He circled on his heels as he called again; "Hello!"

A light came on in the distance. It was the kind of light you'd see at the end of a long tunnel. His muscles tightened as he realized where he was. "No," his brows frown as his mask threatened to crack. "I can't be dead." His head fell back as he looked up. "I can't!" he yelled at whoever was listening.

"My son, come to the light," multiple voices commanded. He could hear men and women calling to him.

He sobbed as he almost doubled over. His knees were suddenly weak. He wanted to cry but struggled to hold himself together. I can't be dead.

"Come to the light, my child."

"Ahhh," he yelled in frustration as he turned his back to the light. Blackness was all that was behind him. There was no way back to the land of the living, only a distance light to lead him to the land of the dead. Tears clung to his lashes. He didn't want to die. He wanted to live. He wanted Lori. He wanted to finish his life. "I'm not ready," he managed to admit around the lump in his throat.

"No one ever is," the voice told him, the sound of it made him feel slightly better. "Come to me my son, I shall make you better. I shall show you true love like you have never known." Teller's heart opened to the unseen being. "None suffer in my embrace," he repeated his promise made centuries ago.

He stared into the darkness, needing guidance. He knew behind him was the only help he would receive. Closing his eyes in defeat, he turned.

The first steps he took toward it were hard, but then again they usually are. As he drew closer to the light memories of his old life faded as hopes for his new one grew. The love of God radiated from the light and filled him with a joy he had never felt before. He smiled, no longer feeling afraid.

The light was only a few feet away from him now. His heart opened, wanting to be filled with God's presences. He felt his sins being washed away. One more step. He ached from the longing within him.

His eyes grew with fear when he realized the ground beneath him had disappeared. He looked down; blackness seemed to smile up at him. It mocked him of what he would never have. No, he quietly thought. Air rushed towards him as he fell from God's love. To his horror laughter followed him down.

The darkness gave way to a red light. Heat blasted up at him from the flames below. He shut his eyes as he prayed for forgiveness. The landing mercilessly abused his body. His bones felt as if they had been snapped.

"Rise meat and enter hell," a guff voice ordered.

He teeth pressed together as he pushed himself to sit upright. Before him, stood a metal gate. Bodies hung on its bars. The skin was missing from sections on them. Their mouths hung open to reveal torn out tongues. In their eyes there was life. He tore his eyes away from them.

"Get up!"

He followed the sound of the voice to see a bulging demon that had pins laced his skin. Teller scooted away from him. "Where am I?"

"In my home." His voice it rattled his bones and made Teller cringe.

He forced himself to meet the beast black eyes. "Why did you steal me from the light?" The demon laughed, apparently amused with this flesh-covered morsel. "You were the one laughing at me!"

The demon roared with laughter. "No dinner, that was God." He sobered at the humans’ confusion. "Your world is filled with sin. It is our playground. God turned his back on it centuries ago; leaving it to us. Anyone who dies there comes here. The light at the end of the tunnel is a joke he likes to play on your kind." He shrugged. "Guess the old one has to amuse himself somehow."

Teller stared at him in disbelief; but then again it made sense. Everyone these days did sin, and a sin was sin. "Now come on," the demon stomped towards him. "No more waiting; others wish to use your flesh." Teller was lifted off the pointy ground and tossed into the gates of hell.

Screams filled his ears as the heat alone threatened to cook his flesh. Worst was the longing he felt for God's light and love. He had an eternity to long for it. Everyone down here did.

The Fall from Grace

2010-08-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Damien hastily made his way across the fruit tree court. He paused just for a moment, to look at the yellow sky. The weather here was perfect, as usually. He could feel the pull as Allah called to him again. The judging of the human, Andy, was about to begin and Damien had to be present.

As he entered the dark hall of judgment he began to be filled with a need to serve. He moved quickly to stand before Allah, but as usually, he could not see the being he served. Allah refused to show himself until the war with Lucifer was over.

"Andy, your time as come to an end and now you must face your fate," Allah's voice rang through out the hall.

The dark hair man cowered on his knees as he listened to his God. Damien felt a surge of disgust course through him. Humans always coward, he silently reminded himself.

"God, I have been a good man. I have been faithful in my beliefs of you. I have loved and lost; please do not judge me too harshly," he pleaded in a shaky voice.

"What are your sins?"

"None that I am aware of," he answered, quickly. He wasn't truly being dishonest. At the moment he couldn't think of any of the sins he had committed while he was on earth.

Damien could taste the human’s lie on his tongue and he knew Allah could as well. He knew he was a fierce sight to Andy. He stood in his spot of light with his bird-feathered wings outstretched, and his strong hands clasped in front of him. He did not have the innocent features as most of the other angels; his were dark. Whenever he revealed himself to a human, they believed he was a demon who claimed to be an angel.

"I do not believe you!" Allah proclaimed. "Damien, remind Andy of his sins."

"Yes my lord." Damien nodded in obedience. "Andy, you abused your wife Cindy, neglected your child Pete, and ignored your Lord's commandments."

Andy slowly shook his head with disbelief. "I did not know he was real," he whispered to Damien. With tears sliding down his face he looked in the direction that Allah was in. "I did not know!"

"Do not worry my child; most do not know." Damien’s cold gray eyes snapped in the direction of his maker. "But you do know now. I shall give you another chance to prove yourself worthy of my kingdom," Allah told him, lovingly.

What!? Damien wanted yell, but didn't.

"You shall be reborn, but know this; the next time you stand before me you shall get what you deserve so live your life well and according to my rule."

"Yes my Lord." He bowed his head. "Thank you, my merciful lord. I shall not forget you."

"It is best that you do not my child." The light surrounding Andy brightened and then he disappeared to be reborn.

Damien felt his anger growing in his lower abdomen. "My Lord, why did you do that?"

"Do what Damien?"

"Give him another chance?" Now his chest was burning with his unexplained anger.

"Because;" he replied, calmly. "He deserves one."

"But why?!" he yelled, needing answers. "When we, your beloved angels, do wrong we do not get another chance. We get thrown from heaven, down to earth, which is our hell. But when these ungrateful humans do wrong you give them another chance. Why?" His last word echoed in the hall of judgment.

There was a short pause of silence as if Allah was giving Damien time to calm down, which he wouldn't. "Damien, why do you question me? Are you losing your faith in what is the right path?"

"No my Lord. You know that I would not question the path. It is just that I feel that giving him a second chance was not the correct thing to do. If anyone deserves a benefit of a doubt, a second chance if you will, it is we, your angels, not these humans."

"Feel? I did not creature you to feel Damien. You are here to serve me, and to help tame the wicked that now roams free. I do not have to explain why I do what I do nor do you have the right to question me. Now if there is nothing else bothering you, I am sure there are other things we can be attending to at the moment."

Damien’s jaw set as he stared at the faded figure of Allah. Finally through clenched teeth he replied; "Yes my Lord."

"Good." Allah disappeared.

As Damien was sitting under an orange tree he thought twisted thoughts. It is not right, he told himself. His eyes followed a lion in the distance as he walked to a tree to lie under. We are not allowed to have thoughts of our own yet humans can. They sin. They doubt. They have no right for forgiveness.

He picked up a trig and snapped it. The birds in the tree he sat under flew away; it was as if they sensed the darkness stirring inside of him. Reborn, his mind mocked.

"It is not fair!" he yelled at no one as he tossed the broken trig aside. A demonic smile appeared on his lips as he thought of a way to make it right.

Damien stood next to the concrete wall of the apartment building, as he watched Jill sit on her stoop with the local children. She appeared nice, and Damien could smell her innocence. He could also smell the hint of Andy's soul in the air, and he knew she was going to be his new mother.

His gray eyes traced her plain body and stopped on her stomach. Andy was growing in there; becoming a new innocent but Damien was determined to make it right.

When she entered her building he followed. No one seemed to notice the tall, black coat-wearing, figure as he made his way up the stairs to her apartment 3B.

He could hear her humming as he entered the living room. He smiled when he felt that she was the only person home. He made no noise as he walked to the kitchen, where she was.

His eyes examined the room. It was white and very clean. He was a step behind her by the time she laid the last pot onto the dishtowel to dry. She turned the water off and then turned to face him. She opened her mouth to scream but found she couldn't. He had taken her voice as soon as he crossed the doorframe to this room.

He smiled to himself as he realized he was finally going to make things right. She watched helplessly as he pulled his right hand back before he drove it deep into her stomach. Her eyes closed as her life and baby was ripped from her. He heard her last thought as she fell to the ground; why?

He stared at her crumpled body as he focused on his breathing. There seemed to be a knot in chest he had never felt before. Finally, he looked at the fetus in his hand and squeezed. Though it was dead he wanted to be sure that Andy didn't receive a second chance to right his wrongs. He dropped it before he went to join his brothers and sisters in heaven.

Damien walked the plains of heaven with his head held high. He looked at the dried blood on his hand. It was time to wash it off.

"Damien!" Allah's voice called from all around him.

He turned to face his maker, but had to look at the green grass because the white light that surrounded him was too harsh for him to look at. "Yes, my Lord."

"You went against my word and killed two innocents." It hurt Damien to hear the disappointment in his voice.

"I made everything right my Lord."

"It was right my son. You took the lives of two innocents for no other reason than to satisfy your wrath. You have sinned and you must be punished."

Damien tried to ignore the tightness pinching at his heart. "Why do you not give me a second chance? If I were human you would."

"My child, your jealousy of my humans has made you blind and in your blindness you have committed evil. I cannot over look that. I am sorry my son, but you must be punished."

Damien shook his head as his eyes watered. "I did nothing wrong," he told Allah again. The pain he felt was unknown to him. He had never felt anything like it, and the thought of his Lord choosing the side of the human over his only made it worse.

"Damien, I, Allah, cast thee from heaven to spend a thousand years wandering the earth amongst the humans."

"No," he choked.

Out of the shadows, two fellow angels appeared to help throw him from heaven. Each grabbed one of his wings and begun to pull. His hands clenched into fists and the pain made his knees buckle. He didn't want to cry out, but in the end he couldn't help it. He could feel his blood streaming down his back. As he looked at the bright light that held Allah he asked; "Why?"

Instead of answering, Allah tossed him from heaven. When Damien finally hit the ground below he felt the pain of leaving heaven turn into pure hatred for the humans. A wicked smile appeared on his face. "I have a thousand years to be with these humans so I may as well enjoy it," he whispered to himself as he eyed his next sinning victim.

Awakening of the End: Chapter 3

2009-12-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

"Shy, we should go right now. This place is freaking me out," Lee tensely said.

"I am not leaving." He turned to look at the tomb. "Not until we look inside."

"What? You can't even get the top off, so how do you expect to look inside?"

"Sure we can get the top off.” He smiled to himself, not listening to a word being said to him. “We'll just have to use all of our strength."

"Hold up, where do you get this we stuff from? I'm not going to help you. Jade and I are leaving. If you want to stay down here and try to get a look inside that damn grave, go ahead, but count us out." He grabbed Jade’s arm to drag her away. We have to leave now, he told himself.

Not noticing the warm flesh gripping hers she stared at the tomb. Through the haze in her mind she felt something coming.

"Jade, let's go," he told her, needing to leave right now.

She easily slipped out of his grip as she was drawn closer to it. "No," she whispered, barely opening her mouth to get to word out.

"You heard her; she wants to stay," Shy pointed out as he moved towards them. "Now why don't you go home or back to school and let a real man take care of this." He smirked smugly at him as he wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry about Jade. I'll take good care of her, I promise."

The cocky expression on his face was the last straw. Lee’s muscles tightened as his jaw set. "Get your hands off of my sister." He roughly grabbed hold of her hand to pull her back to him "She's coming with me rather she likes it or not."

Letting her go, Shy did as he was told. Darkness filled his eyes as he watched the younger man take his woman. Let‘s do this, he mentally said. He lowered his upper body before he lunged at Lee to tackle him to the ground.

Not wanting to drag Jade with him he let her go. He barely had time to brace himself as he hit the wall. Loose dust rained down on them. He gasped for air as Shy rammed his head into his stomach. He knew he had to do something. He pushed the pain deep down inside as he brought his right knee up to collided his face. Driven by pure rage he threw him off of him.

Shy's head painfully jerked back. He felt his anger well up inside of him, and he let it explode onto Lee.

Jade didn't see nor hear any of their fight. Her eyes were glued to the tomb as white light spilled from the crack in the middle of it. The floor rumbled as the walls shook. The boys stopped fighting. Confused, they glanced at each other for the answers neither knew. When they turned to ask Jade what was going on they saw the tomb and knew right away what was happening.

"Oh my God," Shy whispered. “It’s true." He glanced at Lee, half hoping he’d say it wasn’t.

Shaking his head, he turned to look at him "I hope not," he admitted as he wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. He looked at the tomb with a weary eye. "Because if it is, we just woke her up."

They watched in fear as cracks appeared all over the tomb. The light pouring from it quickly filled the room. "I'm getting out of here.” Shy reached for Jade. As soon as his fingers touched her cool skin she spun around to face him. With a vacant look in her eyes, and in a voice much harsher than her usually sweet one she said; "Let me go." Words spoken she turned away. The tomb rattled and small pieces tumbled off. Stunned by the wicked look on his sweet gentle girl’s face he did let her go.

Lee looked at her right hand. His concern filled him when he saw that it was swollen and irritated. The bite looked twice its original siz,e and he could literally see it throbbing. He moved closer to Shy. This is bad, he thought. Fear wrapped itself around his heart. This is really bad. He tapped Shy’s shoulder to get his attention. "See; I told you it wasn't a rat," he pointed to her hand.

"I think you'r-" He never got the chance to finish what he was going to say as the tomb finally exploded.

Huge pieces of shattered concrete flew everywhere. Lee was the closest to the crack in the wall. He could have easily made his escaped but he couldn’t leave his sister. She was still standing in her spot, and didn't seem to notice the football-sized piece of concrete flying towards her head. Mentally cursing to himself he covered his face with his arm as he went for his sister.

She‘s a fucking nut, he thought as a dime-sized piece hit his lip. Fresh blood quickly followed the pain he felt from it. Damn it. He closed his eyes as he wished this were all a bad dream. But it wasn’t, and he wasn’t going to be able to just wake up to make it all go away. He grabbed her arm and dragged her to the ground with him. The piece heading towards her flew over them as they hit the floor.

It was hell for the following minutes before everything to calm down. The backside of Lee got hit with concrete as Jade beat on the front side of him. She needed to see what was happening. She needed to see her wake up. The air stilled around him. He no longer felt any pieces of the tomb adding to the welts on his back. It’s over, he thought as he relaxed. His arms felt like rubber as he pushed himself off of his sister to slowly rise. His back was to the ex-tomb as he scanned the room for Shy. "Your dick of a boyfriend ran off," he informed her. The room was lit with the light from the tomb. Dread filled him as he turned to see the source of it.

Though the air was thick with dust he was able to see her standing where the tomb had been. She was wearing a very simple white dress that fit her body perfectly. She was as beautiful as the legend had said. Her hair was wild from not being brushed and when she smiled he saw the teeth. Her canines were long and sharp, and then she lunged. The only thing he was able to say was, "God." Then she fed.

Food, power, life, was all Ragana could think as she felt the beautiful thick liquid flow down her throat. She had never enjoyed the taste of blood or a kill like she did now. When there was nothing left in him she tossed his body aside. It took her a few moments to notice the shocked girl sitting on the ground.

Sometime during the death of Lee Jade had fallen to her knees. She had watched as Ragana drained her brother of life. She couldn't believe she was real, that the story of the vampire princess was true. The thing standing before her was the most powerful being on earth. She could literally feel the power Ragana had, and it made her heart stop and her skin crawl.

"You're real," she whispered, feeling cold inside. What‘s happening, a distant part of her wondered.

"Yes I am," she replied as she stared down at her. Trousers, Ragana thought as she eyed the outfit Jade wore. Girls do not wear trousers? Something is not right here. "What year is this?" she asked in a demanding tone.

"2013.”

"2013." Now it was her turn to be shocked. "It cannot be. It was just 1850." Confused, Ragana wasn't looking at her anymore. She looked around the room as she tried to figure out how this could have happened. Then she remembered. She saw Dionsus, the only man she had ever loved, betraying her. She saw the wine he had put the spell in for Mandrake, the one person she truly hated. She felt the anger come back as she remembered lying on the ground while Mandrake stood over her laughing. She watched Dionsus stand there with Mahr, who had once been a friend. Hell, she thought she had loved him at one time but then he had also betrayed her.

Jade’s throat closed when she saw the darkness in her eyes. The savage hunger for blood sparked within it. Ragana wrapped her fingers around her throat as she lifted her off the ground and started to squeeze. Jade could feel the strength in her hand as she begun to tighten her fingers, cutting off her air. This was the first time today she realized the danger she was in. She felt her heart stop as Ragana’s fingers closed. Oh God this is it, she squeezed her eyes shut. Lee I'm coming.

Surprisingly, the tightening around her throat stopped. She refused to open her eyes until she heard Ragana speak. "Where am I and who are you?" Her eyes were as cold as ice as she stared into Jade's. "If you answer true then I shall let you live." She tightened her fingers again, but just enough to let Jade know she meant what she was about to say. "But if you lie, you shall join your brother." She nodded towards the mangled body.

It hurt Jade to swallow. "Brakerstin," she answered, trying to make her voice as sweet as possible.

Ragana’s eyebrows met in confusion, as questions filled her eyes. She didn’t know this town.

Jade was breathing fast. She licked her lips. "That's where you are. In Brakerstin, well, underneath it at least. You're in a sewer." Her heart was beating so hard she could've sworn it was going to pop out of her chest.

Ragana inclined her head to the right as she let the girl go. "A sewer?" She looked at Jade. "They put me in a sewer! Me? The ruler of all vampires, in a sewer?" She held her head high as she promised, "Oh, they are going to pay." It took a moment for her mind to get back on Jade. "And you? You have not told me whom you are yet."

"Jade," she answered as she rubbed her throat. "My name is Jade."

"Are you working for Mandrake?" She hovered over her, ready to strike.

She shot Ragana a queer look. "Who?"

A smile touched her lips for the first time since she woke up. "No one. 2013?" She sat down on a piece of concrete across from her. "Tell me about it. Or do you wish to die. Being the," she paused as her left eyebrow went up. "Person, shall we say that I am. I will let you choose."

Jade stayed on the ground as she put her hands in lap, and tried to stretch a fake smile across her face. She really didn't want to make Ragana mad. "2013 is great. There are cars, planes, and computers."

She didn't get any of it. "What? Rars, planes, and compoters."

She couldn't help but to laugh. This monster from the past didn't know a thing about today. "No cars, planes, and computers," she said it slow so she would be able to hear how to pronounce it. "See, cars are big and you sit in them. They take you places like horses did, only they’re smoother and faster."

She still had a lost look on her face. Gracefully she rose to walk to her. Looking up Jade wondered what this lost soul from the past was going to do. "This will be easier," she answered her unspoken question. She put her left hand on her forehead and she closed her eyes. "Just relax."

That was hard for her to do. It was like asking a deer to stay calm as a hunter pointed a gun at it but she did her best, and surprisingly enough she actually started to feel calm. It was as if a river of calmness was flowing through her, and it started at her forehead where Ragana's hand was. It worked its way through her body. Her eyes slid shut as shut and she felt a tingling sensation at the mouth of the river on her forehead.

Ragana was reading her mind. She saw a dark skin girl with two braids who looked about ten. Her lips were a little bigger then, but that was because she hadn't grown into them yet. She had the same deep brown puppy dog eyes as she did now. Only now they had more fear and sadness in them.

She used to be so innocent, she sadly thought. I cannot remember when I was as innocent as that. I wonder what happe-... Then she remembered. She had killed this girl's, Jade's, brother right in front of her. A stab of guilt burned through her.

She started a mental search for these cars, planes, and anything else of this time. She saw flashes of big metal machines with wheels going by. Cars, people use these to get around, she told herself. She was certain about this, after all, she had been reading minds for hundreds of years now. Next she saw huge flying machines called planes. The flashes started coming faster as she saw computers, television, clips of wars that Jade had learned about in history, and everything else she had every seen, heard, or learned.

Ragana let go of her as she stepped back. Jade swayed forward. She put her hands on the ground to keep herself from falling over. Her head was swarming with images of everything she could remember. Looking up, she slowly pushed herself back into a sitting position. She was still trying to get her head on straight when Ragana said, "Let's go. I have to get some clothes and find a place to stay." Her feet moved then stopped as she realized she would have to wait for young human.

Slowly, Jade got up. She froze when she saw how Ragana was looking at her. With such intensity that it made her go cold. "What?" she managed to get out. Her heart was sore and her body was tired, she was just wanted to go home.

"We have to take care of something first." She moved to stand in front of her.
Jade’s arms fell to her sides as fear held her in place. Ragana pulled her by the shoulders, and tilted her head to one side to expose her neck. Nervous sweat lightly covered her skin. She watched as her canines grew. Her eyes became more silver than blue, but the blue that you were able to see was the color of the sky. She thought she was going to die of fright.

"This is going to hurt," she warned her before she dug her teeth into her neck.

It stung at first. Jade could feel her sucking her blood. She wanted to fight but knew Ragana would kill her without hesitation. Closing her eyes, she let her finish.

When Ragana pulled away Jade swayed forward again. She caught her since the poor child was too dazed to help herself. "You'll be okay," she assured in a soft tone. Slicing her left wrist she placed it to her lips, "Drink." Jade did as she was told. Ragana’s blood had a sweetness to it that tasted like honey. Before she knew it, she was enjoying it. "That's enough. I don't want you getting sick." Ragana gently took her hand away. Feeling dizzier than ever, Jade suddenly felt weightless. The floor beneath her feet rocked as the walls continued to switch sides. Ragana had to carry her out of the sewer.

Awakening of the End: Chapter 2

2009-12-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

Gasping Dedra sat up, holding her throat. It was just a dream, she told herself. But it seemed so real; too real. This simple fact bothered her. The fear of the blade coming at her throat scared her more than it should have since she was a vampire hunter. “I have to get over this human flaw,” she mumbled to herself with a soft, disappointing, shake of her head.

She looked at the digital clock on her nightstand and seven thirty shined back at her. “I’m going to be late,” she cried as she jumped out of bed. In her hurry her foot got tangled in the sheet. She tumbled to the floor and banged her elbow on it. “Ouch, shit!”

What a way to start the day, she mentally sighed as she lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling. Pulling herself up she quickly hopped in the shower. With her robe loosely tied around her she ran to her closet to throw on her undergarments, blue jeans, a white fitted tank top, and a pair of comfortable shoes. After her last lace was tied she grabbed her books and ran for her car.

“You’re late again Miss Jones,” Mrs. Nelson said in a critical tone as Dedra interrupted her class.

“I know. I’m sorry,” she replied as she sat in her seat.

“I know. You always are,” she said before she returned to her lessons.

Ivy leaned forward to talk to Dedra though her eyes stayed on the teacher. She didn’t want to get caught in her taunting. “At least you could have had the decency to wear something nice for once in your life.” She smugly smiled as she sat back in her seat. Though her comment was childish she felt extremely good about it.

“She does look nice,” Eddie quickly came to her defense. “Of course you wouldn’t know that. After all, you did wear that today.” He eyed her outfit with his left brow raised in awe of her bad taste.

She was wearing ankle high white boots, a white skirt, and a little pink top. “Excuse me, but this is in,” she motioned to her outfit.

“Maybe where you’re from, but here on earth, it’s out.”

“Fag,” she spit the insult at him.

“Do you two mind? I’m trying to teach a class here,” Mrs. Nelson interrupted in an irritated tone. She quickly put a end to whatever fight was about to begin.

“Sorry,” they apologized.

After school Dedra and Eddie quickly found Geneva so they could go to Dedra’s house. “So what happened last night?” Geneva asked. She helped herself to a bag of chips she found in one of the kitchen’s cabinets.

“Something happened last night?” Eddie asked. He took the chips out of her hand to place them in his mouth.

She shot him a dirty look before answering. “Yeah, but she won’t tell me what.”

”I didn’t say I wouldn’t tell you. I just wanted to wait until later," Dedra corrected her as she sat in a chair at the table.

“Well, it’s later,” Eddie pointed out as he sat next to her. “So do tell.”

She told them of her adventure of the night before and of her strange dream. She left out the details of Dionsus though. That was one thing she wanted to keep for herself. “Wow, now that’s what I call a night,” Eddie said. He dropped the last crumb in his mouth as he finished Geneva’s bag of chips.

She got up to get a soda. “Yep; I’m your regular party animal.” She turned to look out the window and saw a woman standing there. Shocked, her fingers lost their hold on the can. The woman had a creamy complexion with short black hair with red streaks in it. She was wearing gray slacks and a purple sweatshirt. Her darks eyes were focused on Dedra.

“Dee, what is it?” Geneva asked, jumping out of her seat to help her friend. She rushed forward and gently placed her hand on her shoulder. “Dee, what is it?” she repeated as she looked out the window, not seeing anything.

“Don’t you see her?” she asked, never taking her eyes off the strange woman outside her window.

“See who?” Eddie asked with a hint of worry in his voice. He stared out the window, not having a clue what was wrong with her. Women, his wondered. “I don’t see anyone,” he admitted. He grew tired of looking out it and looked back at her. He stepped between the two women to gently grab her shoulders to he turn her to face him. “Look Dee, there’s nobody out there.” She started to protest but he continued; “You had a stressful night and now you think you’re seeing people who aren’t there.” He searched her eyes in hopes of seeing reason in them. His eyes were pleading with her to stop this nonsense. “It could happen to anyone,” he tried to assure her as well as himself.

“Not me,” Geneva said with certainty.

His back straightened as he told her to shut up with a hard look. “It could happen to anyone,” he tensely repeated. She could hear the warning in his voice. She wouldn’t dare say another thing.

“What are talking about? She’s right the-“ She stopped mid-sentence when she realized nobody was there. “She was there,” she said as she pointed out the window. Over her head Geneva and Eddie shared a doubtful look. Stubbornly, Dedra stomped to the door. She would prove them wrong. She would! “You have to believe me. She was right there, just outside the window.” She stood in the doorway, and looked up and down the street for the mystery woman. She had to be out there somewhere; Dedra wasn’t the kind of person to see things.

Geneva moved to stand behind her so she could pull her back inside the house. “Sure she was,” she said it the way you would say to it to a child whom you were trying to comfort. Eddie shut the door as Dedra continued to claim she had seen a woman across the street.

When they were back inside the woman headed to her car.

“Why are we doing this again?” Jade asked as she crept closer to her boyfriend Shy.

“To see if the story is true, once and all,” he glanced over his shoulder just as long enough to remind her.

“Not to mention we get out of school for a day,” Jade’s younger brother, Lee, added.

They stopped when they came to a fork in the sewer. “So, right or left?” he asked. He shined his flashlight down the right tunnel then the left one.

“Well the story goes ‘to right her wrongs is why they buried her along’ “Lee quoted.

He held the beam of light to shine on him. “What’s that suppose to mean?”

“I don’t know but that’s what it says,” he admitted as he covered his eyes. “Now get that damn thing out of my face.”

Feeling a surge of anger his jaw set. This is not the place to get lost. Damn him, he bitterly thought. “What do you mean you don’t know?” His voice grew louder with each word he said. “I thought you knew what the hell you were doing. If I-”

“It means go right,” Jade calmly intervened. She was bored with the way the guys would always try to dominate each other to be the alpha male.

The guys looked at her. “How do you know?” Lee asked.

She didn’t take her eyes off of the right tunnel to address him. “ ‘To right her wrongs is why they buried her along,’ ” she re-quoted. Her face was a cool mask as she kept her steady gaze onto him. “Don’t you see, right her wrongs? Right,” she stressed the one word. “As in down the right tunnel.” Her attention slipped back to the tunnel.

“Okay; right it is,” Shy proclaimed as he headed in that direction. He didn’t wait for either of his traveling buddies to follow him. The water lapsed over his shoes with every step he took. The further he went the deeper and darker it became.

Somewhere down here she was buried and Jade knew it. She could feel it. It was like a great hand was pulling her towards the lost legend. It was crying out to her. It wanted and needed her to free it. She tried a number of times to stop walking, but her feet wouldn’t listen. They continued to move forward, taking her closer and closer to this evil forsaken thing of the past. She tried to speak out, but found she couldn’t open her mouth. She was too scared of what they were about to find.

“Dang, how much further do we have to go?” Lee asked as he covered his mouth and nose. The air was the foul odor of rotten trash. “It sticks down here.”

“Of course it does dumb ass,” Shy replied as he continued going deeper into the tunnel. “It’s a sewer. What did you expect? For it to smell like roses?"

He stopped walking as his body tensed. “Man, I’m tired of you disrespecting me.”

“Oh really?” Shy stopped walking as well. He turned to completely face him. “And what are you going to do about it?”

He took a threatening step towards him. “I’m going to teach you a little respect. That’s what I’m going to do.”

Jade drifted away during their argument. She had seen them fight so many times that now it meant nothing to her. She noticed to the left the wall seemed to darken. As she stepped closer to it she saw it was because it was cracked.

“And how are you going to do that?” Shy asked, also taking a step forward. He was about the same size as Lee but he had more experience in fighting, and they both knew this.

“Guys,” she called over her shoulder. She eyed the darkness inside of it as she stood next to the crack. She was too afraid to poke her head into the unknown. She needed Shy’s flashlight; bringing only one had been a mistake on their part. “Guys, look at what I found.”

Neither of them wanted to back down from the fight but in the end curiosity got the best of them. “I think we found Sleeping Beauty,” Lee said, looking into the hidden room Shy’s light easily filled. It was painfully small. It had rough rock walls and to the left stood a concrete tomb. “So which one of us princes gets to kiss her and wake her up?” he asked in a mocking tone.

Shy’s eyes slid to look him. “You can smart ass. I’ve already found my princess.” He shot Jade a sideways glance before stepping through the crack. As she entered it she stumbled over her own feet. He easily caught her. “You’ve got to be careful sweetheart.” She gave him a thankful smile as she pulled away to get a better look at the place.

“You know, I expected something bigger,” Lee confessed from behind her.

“Sooo, she’s in there?” Shy asked. Disbelief covered his face he moved closer to the tomb. “Well, let’s get the top off and take a look at the old hag.”

“Tsk, tsk,” he said, shaking his head he slowly moved closer to the tomb. “So much disrespect, it’s Ms. Hag.” The guys shared a smile before focusing on the tomb again.

Jade stayed in the background as she watched them. She was lost in a state of bewilderment. She felt distance, as if the ground was splitting between them. The strange images clouding her mind didn’t allow any room for thought.

The guys used all of their strength to try and pry the tomb’s top off, but it wouldn’t budge. Shy let go of it to rub his stiff shoulders. “Damn, I think I pulled something.”

Lee set one of his elbows on the tomb’s top as he rested his chin on the heel of his palm. With laughing eyes he watched him rub his pains. “What a hero.”

The sound of loud tapping invaded Jade’s twisted mind. ‘The black rose stop wilting as a hammer nailed her coffin shut.’ No, she mentally screamed as her mind filled with dead blackness. Looking around she was determined to find the source of the irritating noise. She sighed with disappointment when she found nothing because rock walls surrounded her. Where could it be coming from, she wondered.

Don’t give up, a strange voice commanded. Fear gripped her heart as she did as she was told. Her free will was gone. She was now a doll for beings more powerful than herself.

Tap-tap-tap. Her eyes narrowed on a five-inch hole in the wall off to the side of Shy’s head. That’s where that awful tapping is coming from, her anger said. Her feet seemed to move by themselves, and she couldn’t stop herself from walking towards it. What’s in there? As she got closer her head throbbed. Tap, pain. Bright red merged with the blackness behind her lids with each blink she had. Determination filled her. She knew she had to stop it

Lee and Shy were too busy cracking jokes to notice her sliding by them. It wasn’t until she was on the tip of her toes that Lee glanced in her direction. “What are you doing Jade?”

Squinting, she wasn’t able to see inside the hole. It was too dark. Tap-tap-tap. But she could hear it, and that was more than enough to keep her motivation to keep inspecting it. “I’ve got to stop it,” she said to herself in a much softer tone than she normally used. Her right hand started to sink into the cold hole.

“Stop what? I don’t hear anything.” The intense look on her face worried him. Something was wrong with his sister.

“I have to stop the tapping. The awful tapping.” Her hand sank further into the hole. He watched as a little figure leaped out of it to bite her hand. She screamed, snapping her hand back to look at her new wound.

Rushing forward he tried to get to her first but Shy beat him to her. He gently took her hand into his own to inspect it like a good boyfriend. “Jade baby, are you all right?” he asked as he searched her dazed face for any sign she was okay.

“Of course she’s not. She just got bit,” Lee answered for her. His eyes darted across the ground for whatever had bitten his sister. Slowly, he leaned forward to look inside the hole. It wasn’t there. “Where is it?”

“Where is what?”

He looked at Shy as if he should have known what he was talking about. “The thing that bit her. It’s not in the hole anymore. Which means it’s somewhere out here.” He scanned the room again.

Shy wasn’t worried about the creature that had bit her. “So? It was a rat.” He watched as she slowly walked to the tomb. “If it try’s to bit you, step on it.” His eyes ran down her body. He would have it tonight. A small smile curved his lips as he went to be by her side.

Lee was sure it hadn’t been a rat. But what was it then, his mind hurt with the question. Taking a small step, he moved closer to them. “Shy,” he said in a tense voice. “It wasn’t a rat. It was something else, and I really think we should take Jade to the hospital to get it looked at. After all, it could’ve had a disease.”

Shy grabbed her hand to roughly inspect it again. A little blood ran from it but that was all. “It’s not bad. She’ll live.” Dispassionately he dropped her hand. His job was done.

Lee was shocked at how uncaring he was being to his girlfriend whom he so called loved. Jade didn’t seem to notice. She was still in that strange dazed state. It was starting to scare him.

Her bleeding hand slowly rose. With her mind locked on the coffin she felt numb to the world. Some unknown force was pulling her strings. Now she only did what she was made to do. She ran her lightly bleeding hand over the top of the tomb and down the crack across the middle of it. Lee’s heart went cold in his chest. He didn’t know how he knew but he did, that she shouldn’t be doing that. Jade, his mind whispered.

Numb

2009-11-22T15:00:00.000-08:00

Jamie stood at the counter oblivious to her world. The customers came and went, never making a permitted impression on her. Large popcorn, small nacho; they all wanted the same.

In her mind dark thoughts painted with pain and longing kept her immune to anything anyone would say. She watched their mouths move, not caring for the words. Interesting is all she would think as she watched their lips push out and then pull back.

Weird. Her brows frowned. Do mine do that? She wanted to see, but she was already considered strange. Best for her not to do anything to make her co-workers think she was crazy.

Her body felt numb as she waited for the beat of her heart. It didn't come. I'm already dead, she mentally sighed, secure in the truth of the words. Standing in her spot she hid within herself, not wanting much but for the pain to end. The sky softened to velvet and she finally got to go.

But where, she wondered as she walked to her car. Keys in hand she honestly didn't know. Her stuff was scattered. She had no place to call home. Her men used her and her family smiled as they let her go.

I don't want to be here, she realized as the houses went by her window. It was all-fake. The world was fake. None of it mattered except for the life in the trees and the blood in the veins. But even that would pass. Her flesh felt cold.

She parked in her parents' driveway. Inside her mother slept, like always. She had given up on the world long ago, but not before it stole the strength she needed to finish the job. Jamie had the strength. She knew this world was bullshit. Filled with nothing more than lies and tears, and at nineteen she had seen more than her share of both.

She smiled at her cats as she walked to her room. She wanted to touch them, feel their soft fur one last time. But she wouldn't. Her fingers were numb like the rest of her. The thought of not being able to feel the few little beings that truly loved her was almost too much for her to take, so she decided not to think about it.

In her room, beneath her pillow, laid her savior. She had thought about this night for days, mentally preparing for the quick sting ahead. She didn't believe she would really do it. But after witnessing the mindless use of her body by others, and the neglect of her heart and mind she knew she couldn't stay in a world so cold. It was her choice, and she was making it.

One last shower and one last change, she was ready. The cold steel didn't penetrate the lonely cape she had wrapped around herself years ago. The red was beautiful against her creamy skin. A slight smile crossed her lips as she laid down to rest. Her soul was tired. The relaxing, forgiving music that was sleep filled her.

How much as she suffered at others' hands? How many fights had she gone through that wasn't her own? Too many; too much. This was her own. It was her choice and her doing. She left no note to explain. Why should she? No one had ever explained to her.

The beautiful music filling her soothed her mind as it healed her wounds. Yes, she had made the right choice. She was sure of it as she faded into the blackness filling her.

The blood soaking into her bed and sheets never bothered her as she mentally whispered her final goodbye to the world; the world that didn't care for the ones that lived in it. It couldn't, and if it couldn't then how could we?

Not Today

2009-11-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

Janet stared into the unknown, wondering if she should go. No she would tell herself when the urge was too great. It may be dangerous. Someday she would care. Someday she would be brave and run out into the unknown to face the world she belongs to now. Someday; but not today.

Closing her window, she sat back on her bed and closed her eyes. She covered her ears. She became deaf and blind to all that was around her, and ignored the shame that filled her. This was her choice. Why should she be ashamed?

Feeling cold inside she wrapped herself in her blanket. This would warm her; heal her. It would make her feel strong again. This was all she could do to feel normal and right.

What had made her this way? She didn't remember. Had it been the lovers that had abandoned her after the harsh ways they used her body? Or was it the insults her family so easily threw at her in their drunken state? She really didn't know. But she did know that this was not the day she was willing to find out.

Ducking her head in the covers she closed herself off. Someday she would care. Someday she really would be brave and forgive, but that was not this day.

Tag

2009-11-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

Deep in a dark, almost forgotten forest, sat an enchanted girl. Her light brown hair gently blew in the careless breeze. She stared at the flowers, wishing to touch one. How long had it been? She couldn't recall, nor could she recall the feel of its silky petals. Her arms longed to reach out and caress them but she couldn't, and sadly she knew she couldn't. Her father would be angry with her if she did.

Above her were branches she could never climb. Her shoulders fell as she sighed. Why do I continue to come here when there is nothing for me to do, she asked herself. She looked at her surroundings and thought, not for the first, that it was beautiful.

Her cold lips curved when she saw a chestnut squirrel run up the bark of a nearby tree. It paused on the closest branch to stare at her. Its whiskers wiggled as it tried to figure her out. Pushing its nose out it sniffed the air. She thought she saw something spark in it's innocent eyes before it turned, and ran off. Her body collapsed on itself in disappointment. "It sensed my sickness," she mumbled to no one. She had no friends. She couldn't with her sickness. It wasn't allowed.

The sound of a trig snapping turned her head. Her eyes grew with fear when she saw a blond hair boy standing beside a small bush. There was no fear in his face, only slight curiosity. "Why are you on my father's land?" he calmly asked.

She didn't understand what he meant. Land? "Land cannot be owned by any man."

With his eyes on her he stepped away from the false safety that the bush provided. "If he has enough money it can, which my father does."

Money? Her head tilted to the side as confusion filled her violet eyes. "What is money?"

Laughter that started in his chest erupted from his lips. "Silly child, it's why you are wearing the clothes on your back."

She looked down at her gold fitted dress her mother had made her. Her lips pushed out as her narrow eyes settled on him. "I'm not silly."

Her leaned forward. "Yes you are and I'm Josh," he happily stated as he forgot about the trespassing. He held out his hand.

Jumping away she pulled her hands close to her chest. "What are you doing?"

"Shaking hands silly. That's what people do when they first meet." He looked from his palm to hers; he didn't understand her fear. He scanned his palm once again. It was clean. With brows down he dropped his hand as he sadly shook his head. "What is your story?"

"I don't have one yet." She stared at the proud grass. It took a lot to hurt it. She wished she could be that way.

"Why won't you shake hands?"

She shrugged, not caring to talk about this.

Now his soft lips pushed out in uncertainty. "I heard you say you had a sickness, what kind?"

Her eyes grew. Needing comfort only she could give she pulled her hands closer to herself. "I can't touch things."

He smiled a charming smile. "Why not?"

"Because my father said so."

"And why did your father say that?" He had never met anyone sick before. His family kept him well protected from everything, even life when they could.

Needing something different to look at she turned her attention to the nearest tree. "Because bad things happen."

"Like what?" he challenged.

She shrugged again, not wanting to talk about this.

"Nonsense," he exclaimed. He ignored the stunned look on her face. "Parents always tell lies to us as a way to keep us in line." He proudly smiled. "But see, I know this."

Lies? She didn't know what those were. Instead of admitting this and looking silly again she decided to play along with him. "Really?"

"Yes," his chest was slightly pushed out. "With that cleared up; let's play a game." Excitement made his voice a little higher. He hadn't had a friend in quite some time thanks to his family and their fear.

"What kind of game?" Her head rose with interest. She liked games; she liked games a lot.

"Tag."

Her brows fell in confusion. "I never heard of that one."

He laughed. "Of course you haven't silly. The way it is played is you count to twenty and then come look for me. You want to find me and tag me before I tag this tree." He walked up to the tree the squirrel had disappeared into and touched it's bark. "See? Simple."

"Did you tag that tree?" Ugly fear curled in her belly.

"Of course I did." He shook his head. Poor girl, he thought. Her parents must have kept her locked up more than mine. "Okay; close your eyes and count."

She stared at him as disbelief grew inside her. "But you touched it."

"Oh," he groaned. "Not that again." He met her eyes so he could will the truth into her. "They lied to you." His eyes softened. "You can touch things."

"I'm scared."

"Do you want to play?"

Her heart skipped a beat. She had never played with a kid her age before. She wanted to; she really wanted to. "Yes."

It was settled. He smiled his charming smile again. "Then trust me."

Wanting to trust him she nodded. "Count then find you."

"You got it."

She closed her eyes. I'm playing with a kid. A friend, her mind corrected. She smiled and giggled to herself. Maybe now her loneliness was finally at an end. "Twenty!"

She turned. At first she didn't know which way to go. Slowly through the hunt it became fun. She froze when she found him. He grinned at her before taking off for the base. She laughed then chased. This is fun, real fun. She laughed when she saw him skid. Oh no, her mind gasped when she saw how close he was to the tree. She took a deep breath before pushing her body to go faster.

"I got it," he yelled as he turned.

It was too late for her to stop. As she tried to halt her run she stumbled like all children do. Without thinking she reached out. Before grabbing onto him she saw his face change from happy joy to confusion then it settled on horror. Her heart sank. He finally sensed my sickness. She could already feel her tears gathering in her eyes.

She felt his warm flesh beneath her cold skin. There was nothing she could do as the skin below her fingers turned to ash. The condemning curse spread all over his body. In a matter of seconds he was gone. She stared at her own hands in disgust as the sobs began.

Her father found her as a crying mess. He looked at the ashes the breeze was slowly taking and knew. He shook his head. "You know the rules," he softly said, not wanting to be too harsh. "We cannot touch mortals." Her tears hurt him. He didn't know how to stop them.

Her arms tightly wrapped around herself as she rocked back and forth. "He was my friend."

His heart broke. Dropping to his knees he wrapped his own arms around her. Her body trembled next to his. "Death has no friends," he sadly told her the cold truth. Her head fell in defeat as a wail escaped her throat. He closed his eyes. Tonight would be long and painful for both. He mumbled the words to take them home.

The last of the ashes danced in the wind as the squirrel watched from its safe perch. Some times being human wasn't best in a forest with too many hidden secrets.

Just another day (a different kind of Christmas story)

2009-11-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

Michelle lay in bed, staring at her ceiling. It was Christmas again. She didn't get up and run to her presents. She knew she didn't have more than one or two. She could hear the house was empty. She had been left alone again. Her parents were most likely getting drunk. It was a holiday after all.

She rolled over and eyed the cobwebs on her walls. She could've removed them but what would be the point, in a week or two they'd just pop up again. For hours she laid in a state of immobile bliss as her mind raced. Thinking, feeling, and trying not to feel is how she spent the early hours on this normal day. She listened as the house moaned with life. Someone had come home. Sighing, she knew she was going to have to get up.

It's just another day, she reminded herself in half hope she'd forget it wasn't. The rest of the house felt cold as she entered it. Her mother had removed the think curtain from the glass sliding door, allowing the bright light in. "You to put more sugar Brie," her mom said.

"Okay, okay." She poured more sugar into the bowl. With her brows up in slight interest Michelle leaned against the counter. She looked at the beer in front of her mom and said nothing. "Should I put more chocolate in it?" her aunt asked.

"No, but here," she handed her some of her favorite herb. Rolling her eyes Michelle looked away in disgust.

"Keri, take the seeds out."

"Oh," herb in hand she stopped. "What should I do it on?" The table was too dirt to do it on.

"I don't know," Brie answered as she focused on her stirring. "A plate or something."

"Oh."

With her arms crossed Michelle her mom waddled across the room to get one. Neither had noticed of her yet. When she turned, plate in hand, they finally met eyes. "Hey Michelle, what 'cha doing?"

"Michelle!" Her aunt exclaimed like a little kid. "Hey! How'd you been?'

"Good." She pushed herself off the counter. "What are you guys doing?" She already knew, but she wanted to hear them say it.

Smiling, her mom separated the bud from the seeds. "Making some special brownies," her aunt smiled up at her up.

"And tea," her mom added.

Looking over her shoulder she saw it boiling on the stove. Tea? She had never thought about that, not that she sat around thinking about weed and its uses.

"You want some? It tastes good," her aunt offered as if sensing her thoughts.

"Maybe later," she answered, dully. The thought of drinking the tea intrigued her, but the thought of her older relatives doing it didn't.

"It's good. You should have some," her aunt pushed.

Her face pinched with distasted as she turned away. Breathing in she smelt meat. Roasted meat. Her eyes grew with excitement as she walked towards the oven. Was her mom really cooking? "What's in the oven?"

"A roast," her mom answered without looking up. "There," she handed Brie the clean herb.

A roast? Michelle mentally repeated. It wasn't a ham or turkey like most families were having on this ordinary day that was really no ordinary day at all, but it would do. She circled the kitchen. "Is that all we're having?"

"No," Brie semi-snapped.

"We're having brownies as well," her mom joked, knowing how drug use annoyed her daughter.

Rolling her eyes Michelle turned to face them. She heard the front door open and close. Who was it she wondered. But seeing how her mom and aunt didn't react she wouldn't either.

"They're ready to be baked," her aunt announced.

"But there's a roast in there," Michelle pointed out. She watched as Joy, her mom's live in friend, walked to her temporary room without so much of a hello.

"There's room," her mom assured her.

She had the urge to remind them it was Christmas but decided against it. "I'll be in my room."

"Hey," her aunt said as she poured the brownie mix into the baking pan. "You have presents to open."

Presents, she smiled at the thought that they had remembered her. They didn't forget. "I will."

"I know. Go to the living room."

What? Her brows met in confusion. She didn't get old what to do that often, and she didn't like it when she did. "In a minute." Her aunt stopped to look at her. She could feel the fight coming. "You're making brownies, remember?" She headed towards the hall, ignoring the knowing smirk she saw on her mom's lips. Her mom knew she was running. Damn it. "So, I'll be back."

With her head high she walked towards her room. Glancing in Joy's room she stopped. She was digging through a bag. Damn, Michelle wished she'd moved out already. "What are you doing?"

"None of your damn business little girl," she said as she rose. Her hips cockily moved side to side as she walked towards to the door. "Now move on." She shut the door in her face.

Michelle's teeth pressed together as she mentally struggled with what to do. Fight or walk away? This is my house. Her eyes narrowed. Taking a deep breath she turned on her heels and went to her beautiful room.

Well, it wasn't actually beautiful. It was messy and dark, but most importantly it was hers. And no one entered it without her permission. Turning her music on, she fell back onto her bed to relax.

Thoughts of her extended ran through her mind. What were they doing right now? Her aunts on her biological father's side were probably cooking and gossiping, swapping stories about cakes and their families.

She curled into a ball. The kids were probably running around the house as they played games she had never been invited to play. How long had it been since she had seen them? For that matter; when was the last time she had seen her biological father? She closed her eyes briefly, not wanting to think about it. Well, at least the dad part of it.

The last time she had seen her aunts had been years ago. It had been a Christmas like today. She thought hard as she tried to really remember. I must have been about ten.

She hugged the blanket closer to her body as the music became cold. Cold like she wanted to be, needed to be.

She had watched them lovingly corporate with each other to make a delicious Christmas dinner. She had loved the warm feeling that filled the house. It really made it a home instead of just a building with hard walls and empty rooms.

She wanted to be one of the kids that played by the presents under the tree, but they didn't know her. How could they? She lived with her mom all year, not by choice, but with her nonetheless.

She was naively happy, accepted in her own mind. She was with her family and she knew she belonged until they gave out the presents. She sat in anticipation as each child received one; a few of them had received two. She hadn't got hers yet, but she knew she would. There were a lot under the tree and she was patience.

Sitting with her legs crossed she watched as the number of presents dwindled. It was now time for the last one. She felt herself smile. This was it. It was now time to see how well her family knew her.

"Jane," her aunt sweetly smiled as she held it out to Michelle's younger cousin.

The emotions left Michelle's face as she stared, not believing what had just happened. But, she wanted to say. The tree was empty. Around her kids played with their new toys. But, her mouth fell open though the word never came. She didn't understand. Had she done something wrong? Did they not love her anymore? Her chest hurt as her eyes watered. Their happy conversations invaded her thoughts. They had forgotten her and they didn't even care. Realizing she couldn't cry over such a thing and not look selfish she blinked away her tears.

Looking around she suddenly felt disconnected from everyone in the room. She wasn't one of them. She didn't belong here. She drifted through them, un-noticed, to a room no one was in. Staring at the wall she told herself it didn't matter. She never saw them any ways. The pain she felt in her chest disagreed. She didn't stay for much longer after that, and she hadn't been back since.

Hours later she left her room again. She could tell her mom and aunt were feeling good. Slipping in un-noticed, she sat on the couch. The hard shell around her heart softened as she listened to the pointless rambling of her family. They popped pills, smoked pot, and drank way too much, but still they loved each other.

"Presents," her mom exclaimed as she somehow got out of her seat. "Here," she sat three presents in front of Michelle.

"You're going to love what I got you," Brie promised her. "I spent my last twenty dollars on it."
Michelle knew she was going to have to like it. She was going to have to like all of them. From past experiences she had learned they usually bought her pointless items. Weird novelties only druggies would like. This year was no different. She strained a smile as she put them aside. Looking around, she noticed it was just them. "Where's Joy?'

"I don't know," her mom admitted in a tone that she didn't care either.

"Good." She sat back in her seat to rest. "I hope she stays away."

"She won't," her mom replied. They acted like she was no longer there as they went back to their pointless talk.

With a smile Michelle took the remote to watch what she wanted. Losing herself in a movie that wasn't too Christmassy it started to really feel like just another day. She only got up when she was thirsty. One good thing was there was finally soda in her house. Normally she had nothing to drink but nasty tap water. Grabbing a soda, she felt good.

She stopped when she saw the food on the table. She lifted the lids to see what was in store for dinner. There were mash potatoes, devil eggs, stuffing, the roast, and dinner rolls. There was a lot of it too, almost too much. Turning on her heels with a satisfied smile and her lips she went back to the living room.

She lazily fell back in her seat and crossed hr ankles on the coffee table. "So, you guys are feeling good huh?"

"Yeah I feel good. Keri?" Brie looked over her shoulder at her mom.

"Yeah," she laughed.

"Why?" her aunt asked her.

She felt herself shrug. "Just wondering why there was so much food, and I figured it was because you were feeling good."

"Oh no," her mom shook her head. "I would never cook when I'm feeling good. That just brings me down."

"Keri," Brie gasped. She laughed as she let it go.

Not understanding Michelle stared at them. "Then why the food?"

"John and his family is coming over," she proudly explained.

Uncle John, she mentally repeated. Rolling her eyes she let out a heavy sigh. His family was up tight. All her life they had just looked down their noses at her. Aunt Jody always told what to wear. True, Michelle never listened but still the nerve. "Why?" the question slipped out of her.

Her mom paused to stare at her. "He's my brother," and that explained it all.

Her lips moved side to side as she acted like she didn't really care. "When?'

"At dinner time," her mom gave her an answer that wasn't an answer at all.

"When's that?"

"Later."

"Keri," Brie laughed. "Stop!"

Her mom gave her a bitchy smile. Shooting one back Michelle turned her attention to the movie. Uncle John and aunt Jody, she thought. "This sucks," she whispered.

Joy finally came back, hours later. Calmly Michelle just watched her from her spot on the couch. She knew soon her entire family would be here. Her shoulders tensed. Showing up with more beer her step dad Aaron smiled when he saw the food. "Smells good."

Brie was on the new case of beer before he could even put it down. "Yeah, we worked hard on it."

"Are you going to eat it or just let it sit here?" It was obvious he was hungry.

Joy appeared in the kitchen. She always showed up when it was time to eat. Michelle's face darkened as she wished she would leave. "We have to wait for John," her mom said with dull hope in her voice.

"Mom he's not going to eat here."

"How do you know?" she challenged. Her eyes sparkled with dark glee. There was nothing her mother loved more than a good fight.

Not impressed Michelle met her eyes. "Because they would've been here already."

"Yeah, it's getting pretty late," Brie came to her defense. "Let's eat Keri." Shrugging, her mom agreed.

Joy was determined to be the first to get a plate. Bitch, Michelle thought, tiredly. Laughs filled the air as they enjoyed their food. There was no warm fizzy feeling in this house, on this day. There was no tree or lights, just some old drunks finally getting to eat a good meal, and one teen who finally got some soda.

With her food finished Joy ran back to her room to do whatever she did when she was wired. Knocks at the front door stop all of their conversations. "John," her mom whispered.

Great, Michelle mentally sighed. Crossing her arms she sat back. Pride seemed to fill her mom as she went to open the door. She refused to let anyone else do it but her. Her uncle and aunt appeared uncomfortable as she ushered them in. Michelle could tell they didn't want to be here. Her mom didn't seem to notice. She had an annoying habit of only seeing what she wanted to see.

Shame filled Michelle as she noticed her aunt and uncle looking at the strange tacky pictures on the walls. The old faded paint covered with cobwebs in every corner. The furniture that didn't match like it did at their house, and their television that set on an old bedroom dresser covered in think dust. She could see the judgment in their eyes. She could feel them looking down on her and her family.

"Dinner's in the kitchen," her mom offered.

"We have already eaten," John said, as he eyed the couch before he reluctantly sat on it. "Here," he handed out a few presents.

Michelle could tell from the box it was a piece of clothing. Not thrilled to open it she strained another smile. "Thanks."

Her aunt Jody said nothing. Through her hard eyes she watched as Keri, Brie and Aaron rambled on. Telling pointless stories and making Michelle fell more and more ashamed. If only John and Jody would laugh at the jokes instead of insisting on having no emotion. Couldn't they see how happy their visit had made her mom? Didn't they care?

Michelle did. She would act happy to see them and ignore their bitterness. Her mother's happiness was more important to her than the words she wished to say to them. "So what did they get you?" Brie asked Michelle, overly excited.

"I don't know." She felt her face soften as her smile turned sweet. "But I'm sure it's nice."

"Open it," her mom pushed.

Her lips disappeared in a tight a smile as she did just that. Inside the smooth white box laid a black sweater with a reindeer on it. As she held it up she was unhappy to see that the reindeer had bells hanging off its antler.

"Did you make that Jody?' her mom asked, with pride shining in her eyes.

"Yes." Her eyes stayed on Michelle. "I made it with her especially in mind," there was a lit taunt in her voice.

Out of the corner of her eyes Michelle looked at her. Was that a smirk she saw on her lips? "Did you hear that Michelle? She made it just for you." To her mom it wasn't a mean joke but a special gift made wit care and love.

"Yeah," she said as she put it aside. "Thanks Aunt Jody." She got up to give the old woman her hug of gratitude. Pats are all she got in return. The kind of pats on the back you gave a stranger who demanded a hug from you. Something pinched inside of her. Why did her aunt, her blood, treat her so coldly? Not wanting to think about it she decided to make herself scared.

As she walked down the hall to hide in her room she finally heard her aunt's voice join in the conversation. Michelle smiled to herself. She stopped at Joy's door again. She was digging through a box this time. I know that box, she realized. She leaned in the doorframe as she eyed the closet. It was their spare closet where they kept all the stuff they tended to forget about.

Hey, her brows met as realization dawned on her. "That's my box." Joy stopped when she realized she was being watched. Wide-eyed she glanced over her shoulder at her. "Why are you going through my stuff?" Michelle demanded as she stepped into the room. Anger was filling her. This junkie had invaded her stuff.

"This is my room," Joy warned in a dangerously low voice. "I can go through anything that's in my room."

"The hell you can!" She stepped further in the room. Thoughts filled with rage raced through her mind. Who dose this woman think she is. She comes into out house, eat our food and now she thinks she can go through out stuff. Bitch! "This is my house and that is my stuff!"

Joy calmly rose with the confidence only an adult could have. "This is your parents' house," she coldly corrected.

"It's our family's house." They were face to face now. Anger was burning in both their eyes. A taunting smirk curved Michelle's lips. "You are nothing more than an junkie my mom is mistakenly, letting stay here at the moment."

"Why you little bitch," Joy roared. She didn't seem to believe a fifteen-year old would stand up to her. Her anger exploded when the smile didn't leave Michelle's face. "I'll teach you lesson."

Out of the corner of her eyes Michelle saw the open palm coming at her face. She stepped back just in time to dodge it. "Fucking bitch," fell from her lips before she swung her own fist.

Their fight got her mom out of her favorite chair and into Joy's room. It took Brie's help to pry the two's fingers from each other hair. "What are you doing?" her mom demanded to know.

"That little bitch attacked me," Joy violently pointed at Michelle.

What? She was suddenly confused. "I didn't."

"You shouldn't hit your elders," her aunt Jody said. "You need to show them respect."

"What?" She spun on her heels to stare at her. "She swung at me first."

"Shameful," she replied in a flat tone.

"Michelle leave Joy alone. She's our guest." Her mom grabbed her arms to drag her out of the room.

"You should say you're sorry," Jody said, sternly.

"Yes you should," Joy smiled, knowing she had won.

"I will not!" She yanked her arm free. "I did nothing wrong." Stern looks of disbelief are all she got from them. How could they believe a junkie over her? Her who was their own flesh and blood? Her lids lowered as she struggled to control her feelings. Fuck them, she thought. "Whatever," she turned her back to them. With her head high she marched herself to her room, not able to face them right now.

Lying on her bed she could only imagine what they were saying about her. 'What a bad child.' 'Never did know how to listen.' 'No sense of respect,' they would say. Her eyes watered. She had done nothing wrong.

She rolled over to hug her pillow. Her only sin with her family was being born her mother's daughter. She was forever doomed to share in her faith, to be cast out and looked down on by all who were supposed to love her. As the pain of forgotten birthdays, and missed Christmases filled her she let her tears fall. After a half a hour of crying she felt amazingly better. As she wiped her face she noticed the house was silent. Curiosity filled her and dragged her from her room.

Joy was gone. Good, she thought. She stopped at the end of the hall to stare at the empty living room. They had all left and didn't tell her goodbye. Her shoulders fell with disappointment as she walked to the door. Looking out the little window she noticed her uncle's mini van was filled with smoke.

Intrigued, she raised an eyebrow as she opened the door to go out to it. After tested the locked car door she locked, not understanding why it was locked. Her mom opened it. Michelle was surprised by the loud music that rolled out of it.

"What?"

She slowly looked at one smiling face to the next. She knew what they were doing. Disappointment filled her. "What are you doing?"

"Listening to music, now go back inside the house." She started to shut the door.

John's laughter invaded Michelle's ears before the door closed all the way. Left out again, she mentally sighed. Turning, she went back inside to hide in her room. Christmas or not, it really was just another day at this house.

Rats in a Maze

2009-11-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

“Are you sure it was a right?” Skip asked as he squinted into the surrounding darkness. He didn’t see a corn maze anywhere.

“Yes; right,” Jane answered, sounding a bit irritated. She tossed the compute print out map aside to cross her arms.

“Relax Jane,” Vue said. He smiled as he leaned forward to gently pat her tense shoulder. “We’ll get there.”

“Yeah,” Jason teased. “If it’s this confusing to just get there imagine how the maze is going to be.” The guys met eyes has they shared a laugh.

Virginia playfully slapped both. “Guys stop. You know Jane’s mad.”

Jason’s humor seemed to dim as he pointed out; “She’s always mad.”

Vue’s eyes grew with warning but before he could voice the words Skip was already speaking. “Hey, let’s just focus on finding the maze.”

Vue turned to stare out the window. Nothing was out there. Disappointed, he slumped in his seat. Where is the maze? A flash of white light blinded him. It was like a camera flash, but no one in this car had a camera. He shook his head as he blinked away the effect that flash had on his eyes.

“There it is,” Jane said, leaning forward to point to the huge six-acre maze.

“It is a beautiful sight,” Jason admitted.

Vue didn’t feel the same. It wasn’t there a moment ago, he thought. Not before the…”Hey,” he bounced forward. “Did you guys see that flash of light?”

Jason raised his eyebrows as he looked at him out of the corner of his eyes. “What?”

“The light,” he pointed out the window.

With a soft chuckle he dismissed his friend’s worry. “Smoked something without me I see.” Sadly he shook his head. “We were supposed to be buds.”

Virginia laughed. She couldn’t hide her excitement that their long trip was finally over. “Jason stop.”

Vue looked out of the window again to the on coming maze. He had seen a light. Weird, he leaned back. He shrugged to himself as he decided to let it go. Maybe I didn't see a light. There was an empty field of dirt for them to park in. Vue was surprised at how few people were here. In fact, their car was the only one here.

“Finally!” Jason exclaimed as the car rolled to a stop. Throwing the door open he couldn’t seem to get out fast enough. “Show me the can.”

Virginia was shaking her head when Vue stepped outside. In the distance he found the reason of her disapproval when he saw Jason’s back. “Is that boy peeing?”

Her lips pinched in distaste before she gave him an answer. “Yeah."

He closed his eyes as he shook his head. “That boy.”

“You said it, boy,” Jane said. “You’re sick,” she yelled at him as she tightly crossing her arm to show her displeasure.

Zipping his pants he turned to face them. Vue wasn’t surprised when their disgust made Jason laughed. “Come on now.” He spread his arms. “It’s no big deal huh Skip?”

Skip only smiled in response as he pushed the button to turn his car alarm on. Vue couldn’t help but wonder who was he trying to protect it from out here in the middle of nowhere.

“Skip,” Jane gasped, slapping his arm.

“Hello,” a sweet, heavily accent voice said

They turned to find a blonde with wide eyes, smiling at them. Vue thought her stand was slightly off, a little awkward even. Like she wasn’t comfortable in her own skin and she was out of place here. But no one else seemed to notice it so he wasn’t going to be the one to say anything.

“Hello,” Virginia smiled politely and took a step forward. She bobbed her head to the high stalks as she asked; “Is that the maze?”

The girl stared at her and then finally after a very long second she answered; “Yes. Yes it is.” Tilting her head she blankly smiled again.

“What’s your name,” Virginia asked slowly, as if she were speaking to a child.
She stared at her as appeared to have to think about it. “Hill.”

“Hillary,” a strong male voice corrected.

She took a few steps back to turn and face him. His dark eyes were intelligent unlike hers. His smile had meaning behind it instead of her painted one. “You’re here for our maze?”

“Yeah,” Skip said.

“Good.” He met the other man’s eyes. “This way.”

“How much does it cost?”

His lips curved as he smiled to himself. “It’s free.” His eyes narrowed as he explained; “You are our first. Later it will be six dollars.”

“Oh.”

Vue’s eyebrows slid up he looked at the stalks. He wanted to go into the maze even if it was just to get away from these hillbillies.

“Great!” Jason cheered. “Then what are we waiting for?"

“Hillary’s already at the entrance."

Vue looked to where the man motioned to, he was right, she was already there. He didn’t remember seeing her seeing her leave the man’s side. He shrugged it off. I’m here to have fun not to keep track of the hillbillies, he reminded himself.

“Let’s go,” Skip said. He lost the lead to Jason.

“Wait for us, dork!” Virginia laughed, chasing after him.

The other three calmly made their way. At the entrance they could see the maze was dark and spooky. A few lights were posted, but it still left long sections in darkness. Jane hugged Skip’s arm. “It’s scary,” she whispered.

He smirked to himself before he looked at her amazed. “You, scared? I’m shocked,” he teased.

“Shut up.” She pushed him away to stand on her own. “It’s no big deal.”

“The ice queen melts. Sure it is.”

Vue ignored the brewing fight as looked for Hillary. He found what he was looking for. Hillary brightly grinned at him. “Do you have any flashlights?”

Her head tilted to the side, not understanding.

Holding her eyes with his own, he leaned forward. “Flashlights,” he repeated slowly.

“Here,” the guy said, stepping next to the blonde. He pulled out a small bag. “They’re inside.”

“Thanks,” his voice was ice. He met the man’s eyes one last time. He didn’t like what he saw in them; deep, cold knowledge laughed at him from within those dark orbs. He tore his eyes away, not wishing to be drawn in any deeper. Inside the bag there were five flashlights, just the right number. Did he just get them? He mentally shrugged off the uneasiness filling him before handing one to each friend.

“Great,” Jason said. “There is no longer a reason to wait. Let’s go.” He took the first steps into the creepy corn maze.

Maybe it wasn’t so smart to come at night, Vue thought as a chill went up his spine. Before entering the maze he saw the man smile. Not the fake one he had been using all night but a real one. It stuck Vue as wrong. It was a smile that meant trouble was coming. Dismissing it like he did everything else he rushed after his friends.

The girls’ flashlights were on and Vue kept his nose in the map Hillary had given him. “So which way?” Virginia asked him, holding onto the back of Jason.

“Who cares,” Jason shouted. “Put it away and enjoy the corn view.”

Nothing ever seemed to bother him. Stupid jock, something in the back of Vue’s mind said. His shoulders fell as he folded the map to slip it into his back pocket. It would be of no use to them tonight. He stared into the stalks as he followed like a lamb. Jason was in charge right now, unless Skip wanted to challenge him. Vue couldn’t.

Images of movies rolled through his mind sending chills through his body, and goose bumps on his flesh. He tried to rub them away.

“Okay Vue?” Skip said with a taunting smile on his lips.

“You’re not scared are you?” Jane asked, seeming to follow Skip’s lead.

“No. I’ll leave that to you,” he shot back without really paying her any mind.

“Shut up,” she snorted.

Vue didn’t understand how Skip could love that sour face she always seemed to make when she didn’t get her way.

There was a thrill in walking, lost inside a maze. Something sleeping deep within you awoke. It made your heart race, giving a true sense of being alive. Vue spend his time listening to Virginia and Jason flint while Skip picked on Jane. He was pointlessly scaring her to make her giggle.

Half an hour later he rolled his eyes. He had no one to talk to and no girl to hang onto. He sighed as he looked into the stalks, pausing when he saw a shadowed figured.

“Watch out,” Jane complained as she pushed him aside.

“Take up the rear,” Skip told him, holding onto his girl’s shoulders.

Vue stared at the figure, willing it to go away or show itself. It faded. His friends’ voices were weakening. Wide-eyed he turned. He saw Skip turn left, disappearing from his sight. He ran to follow. They were going to leave me. What pucks.

Two hours later. Jason stopped at a fork in the maze. “Which way?”

“ Man,” Skip sighed. He leaned back on his heels as he looked over his shoulder at Vue. “Give me the map.”

“It will do us no good,” he told him in a tired voice.

“What do you mean? Did you do something to it little man,” Jane snapped.

“No,” he slowly shook his head. “But we don’t know where we’re at, and we don’t know which way we’ve gone. So,” he pulled it out to toss it to her. “It’s no good to us.”

Skip caught it. He stared at him for a moment, his face not revealing what he was feeling. Tossing it on the ground, he faced the way they had been going. “He’s right. We’re screwed.” All sighed, but continued walking.

Hours later. “This is ridiculous!” Jason planted his feet. “We’re supposed to be out of it already.” He spun to look at Skip. “What do we do?” His eyes pleaded with him to take control and get them out.

Skip’s jaw set as he eyed the choices. “We could be anywhere. In the center or on the edge.” He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Jason’s chin dropped in defeat. Virginia’s hands gripped his arm as she gasped. With brows drawn together he followed her wide-eyed stare. In the stalks stood a shadowed figure. It appeared to be watching them.

Vue’s chest tightened. It was the same person from before, and now he knew he wasn’t crazy because they were all looking at it.

“Hello,” Skip called, pulling away from Jane. “Hillary?” No reaction. “Man with Hillary?”

“He has a name,” Virginia whispered.

“I never got it."

“He never gave it,” Jason added. He raised his flashlight, finally turning it on.

Vue pressed his teeth together. Soon they’d all see the figure for who it really was. Do we really want to? An almost silent whisper came from within him.

“What the hell?” Skip mumbled when the figure disappeared in the light. There was nothing there but the stalks.

When Jason dropped the light;it reappeared, scary silhouette and all. He raised the light; it disappeared.

“It makes no sense,” Jane whispered.

“It’s a cool trick,” Virginia said, releasing her hold.

Vue’s eyes slid across the stalks. It didn’t make sense. If it were a trick how was it done?

“Jason,” Skip called.

“Yeah?” His eyes slid across the stalks in search of Vue’s unasked question.

“Which one of us is going in?”

“What?” the girls cried.

“You can’t.” Jane grabbed him, allowing him no choice.

Virginia could only stare. She had no hold on Jason.

“I lead so it’s your turn,” he told him with a stern voice. The fun of the maze was gone. It disappeared two hours ago.

Skip swallowed. “Okay.”

“No,” Jane tightened her hold.

With hard eyes he looked at her. “I have to do this.” He pried her fingers off.

“No you don’t,” She shook her head. “Vue can do it.”

Amused he smiled. “No. He has to stay here and watch after you.” His face softened as the way he felt for her shined through. “I’ll be back.”

She stared at the flashlight he handed her. “Don’t you need this?”

“No. It disappears in the light, remember?”

Her shoulders fell when she realized she couldn’t stop him. All the pouting in the world wasn’t going to make him stay. Her eyes watered. “Be gentle on them,” she mumbled as she tried to sound supportive.

“Kick their ass,” Jason snorted.

He smiled. “Done. I’ll gently kick their ass.” His shoulders pulled back as he faced the stalks. The figure was there, taunting them with its presences.

Vue’s skin tingled with light sweat. He was scared for his friend. Corn maze, darkness, and a shadowed figure, not a good mix. Not a good mix at all. Horror movie here we come.

He stepped towards the forbidden stalks. His hands slowly slipped between the two he was going to enter through. He pushed them apart as he moved to step into the corn. The figure disappeared or so it seemed, actually it rushed at him. Vue yelled the warning.

Before him stood a demon, monster, great custom, call it what you will, it wanted blood. Vue could read that much in it’s red lined eyes. When it opened it’s mouth salvia dripped from its meat eating teeth.

Skip was frozen with fear. This thing radiated hatred and they all could feel it. Jason pulled him back as its muscled hands were moving in to yank him to his death.

They hit the ground. The shadowed figure reappeared in the safe distance. “What was that?” he breathed.

“I don’t know,” Jason admitted as he rose to his feet. Sadly he eyed the corn. “I don’t know anything anymore.”

“I do,” Jane, exclaimed with hysterical in her voice. “It was a demon.” She looked at them. “It was a demon and we’re in hell. Somehow we died on our way here, and now we’re in hell.” She nodded her head in conviction as Skip slowly stood. “In here for eternity.”

“Jane baby,” he said calmly. “It’s okay. This is not hell, it’s only a maze.” She backed away from him, getting closer to the stalks. “Come to me baby. Let me help you.”

She grinned. Not a happy grin, but a crazed-no-one-can-reach-me grin. “No one can help now. Only God can release me from here.”

“God has nothing to do with this.” He took a step towards her with his hands held out in that I mean you no harm way. She took another step. The stalks loomed behind her. “Hillbillies did it.”

She laughed. “Yes, hillbillies are the governors of hell.” Her eyes were un-usually bright. “Doesn't it make sense?"

Vue eyed the stalks. The figure was gone. "Um.....Skip."

He ignored the little man. “Come to me baby,” he crooned. He stopped moving towards her when he saw the stalks resist the pressure of her back. “You know I’m not here to hurt you, right?” There was a heavy plead in his voice.

She stared at him. Her eyes dimmed with reason. He wouldn’t hurt her; he loved her. She smiled a smile of love. “No, you wouldn’t.”

In that moment Vue could sort of understand what Skip saw in her. When the bitch in her decided to sleep her face held lovely features. Upturn nose, almond eyes, full lips that demanded attention, yes, she was pretty.

Her slim shoulders relaxed. “Okay, I’ll stop."

Skip smiled as he straightened to stand upright.

Black burned muscled hands shot out of the stalks. They wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the ground to carry her in. Her scream was loud and short. Ending when she went into the stalks.

“Jane!” Skip leapt forward.

Jason once again had to pull him back. Virginia and Vue stood in shock as the two wrestled. Jason pinned him. “You can’t do anything for her,” he told him the heart-breaking news through clenched teeth.

“I’ve got to try.” He pushed up, not achieving a thing. He was beat.

“Try what? She’s gone.” Skip continued to fight. His body collapsed beneath Jason’s. “Can I trust you to not do anything stupid if I get up?”

“Maybe not,” he gave him the honest answer.

Apparently deciding to take a chance, he stood. “We have to get out of here.”

“You think,” Vue replied in a distant voice.

Skip pushed himself up, not yet trusting the strength of his legs for him to rise. He stared into the stalks. The figure was gone. Vue was thankful for small blessings because he knew if Skip had seen it again there would be no way to stop him from rushing into the stalks himself, to find out what happened to Jane.

Vue glanced at him. He was worried for him. They’d known each other all of their lives and he was always acting without thinking, and in this place that might not be a good thing. This place. Where were they? A corn maze hell? He didn’t know.

Slowly he rose. “Let’s go,” he mumbled, taking the lead without knowing.

For hours they followed a blind man. As Vue stared at his feet he finally really looked at the dirt. It seemed fake to him, cardboard even. He stopped, ignoring the mumbles behind him. His legs pinched in protest of the extra work as he bent down. No dirt. His eyebrows rose. It felt soft like cardboard but more solid. He rose to look around. Seeing everything different. It was all-fake.

“What’s wrong,” Virginia quietly asked in a worried voice.

“Where’s the sun?” He kept his eyes on his surrounds. “It has to be morning by now so where’s the sun?”

Her eyes watered. “What do you mean?”

He turned, irritated by her refusal to understand. “I mean it’s seven in the morning.” He glanced his watch. “And there’s no sun!”

“What are you trying to say?” Her tears fell. “That maybe Jane was right?” She double over. Jason lifted her to place her head on his shoulder.

He looked at Vue with narrow eyes. “I know you’re scared but that doesn’t mean you have to be an ass.”

“She wasn’t listening.”

“Yes she was.” His lids lowered. “She’s just scared. We’re all scared.” He gently rubbed her back.

The air left Vue’s body as he looked past him into the un-natural dark. This isn’t right.

Skip raised his head to sniff the air. “Smell that?” The guys looked around. They did smell something. He smiled. “It’s food.” He took the lead.

Virginia and Jason held onto each other as they made their way through the maze. Vue’s eyes widen with joy when Skip found the bag of food. Warm bread, smells of roasted chicken, and what looked like bags of chips.

“How did it get here,” Virginia asked.

“Does it matter?” Jason stepped away from her.

“We need to eat,” Vue coldly stated one of the facts of life. His body ached with hunger. He was famished.

They moved as one towards the bag. The smell of real food weakened them. “Well, here goes,” Jason, said over his shoulder.

As his hand drew closer to the mouth of the bag he sucked in his breath. He was going to eat. His lips curved in faint smile. He heard the hiss first. The warning, hate filled hiss. The big gray ugly rat crawled out of the bag, baring its teeth. Its lips pulled back as its throat released a growl. Behind him Virginia whimpered as she held onto Vue since Skip wouldn’t have her.

Jason repositioned his hands to capture the bothersome rat. Another one caught his attention, and then another. He looked pass the bag. In the stalks were red glowing eyes. “God,” he breathed. “How many are there?”

“Tons,” Vue answered.

He rose. “We have to get out of here.” The rats crept forward, getting ready for the attack. “Now,” he cried as he turned.

They ran, surprised their legs still worked. The rats lead them through the maze. Popping out of the stalks so they would turn the way they wanted them to.

Their bodies were taking a beating. Vue wished he could disappear into the stalks. But his fear wouldn’t allow that. The fear of the un-known chained her to this group.

The rats stopped and faded into the stalks. The group stopped as well, huffing and puffing. Their legs were rubber. Vue collapsed. His legs throbbed beneath his body weight.

Jason stared at the corner the rats didn’t turn, wondering if they were really gone. One peeked its head around it, causing Virginia’s tears again. There was no one for her to turn to. She fell to her knees covering her face with her hands.

Jason walked away from the group, quietly dipping to the ground. His eyes stayed on the lone-approaching rat. Its feet pitter-patter towards him. It didn’t hiss only sniffed. Unlike the others it didn’t see them as food, only as new objects.

What is he doing? Vue wondered.

When it was in reach, he leapt. The rat twisted and turned in his hold, but his hands were stronger than it. He snapped its body. Its head fell limp. Its nerves caused a slight twitch in his hold.

“What are you doing?” Skip asked in a distance voice.

“We need to eat.” Pulling out his knife he avoided the look of disgust the guys were giving him; Virginia was too destroyed within herself to care. She was lost to them.

Blood ran down its fur, cooling his warm flesh. He cut himself a bite. He pushed up his chin to meet Skip’s eyes. He strained a smile, as he held up his piece. “Here goes.”

Vue silently watched him eat. Stomach torn between hunger and disgust. Jason quickly wiped away the blood on his lips so it wouldn’t run down his chin, making the scene more horror movie like then it already was.

Skip said nothing as he cut himself a piece. “Here goes,” he mumbled before he closed his eyes and shoved it into his mouth.

Jason turned his eyes to Vue as he held out the bloodied rat. “We need to eat,” he repeated the fact of life.

His face crumpled in horror. The tears rolled down his cheeks as he looked at the sky. He wasn’t ashamed that he cried. He was ashamed that he wanted, and was going to eat the dead rat held out to him.

His brows rose as he looked at the sky. It was the first time he had turned his face skyward all night. It held no stars. It was deep and thoughtful. He got a chill up his spine. It was the first time he had the feeling it was watching him instead of the other way around.

“Are you going to have some?”

He looked away from it to look at his soon to be dinner. Jason had already cut a piece for him. His face pinched in disgust as he took it. With his eyes closed, his cheeks moist he tossed it in his mouth. He prayed for forgiveness and help as he chewed.

The aliens gathered around the table. Calmly observing the humans. Their determination to survive disturbed them.

One cocked its head as it mumbled commands. They would keep these humans until they broke, recording every second. One day when the time was right they would need this information, but not yet. Right now was the time for studying and observing. This was the purpose of the maze.

Awakening of the End: Chapter 1

2009-11-20T21:13:00.000-08:00

Today

I have to find him, Dedra told herself. She was worried she wouldn’t find the guy she had been following as she looked down the street. It had to be him. I know it was. And I lost him; her reminded herself with disappointment.

The dirt bag she had been following was the last person to see Satet alive. Dedra recognized him from the description in the police report. When Dedra saw him for the first time what really caught her attention were his eyes. It wasn’t the fact they were hazel green, but that his pupils were outlined with a ring of bright emerald. She had never seen a human with eyes like that, at least not natural that way. That’s because he’s not human. He’s a bloodsucking leech, she told herself, halfway down the crowded street.

Satet’s body had been found in a field outside of town. There was no blood in her veins and no sign of how she was drained of it. The doctors and police working the case were at a loss, but Dedra knew what happened. It was her job to know what happened. This sap she was looking for had seduced Satet to join him on a ride out of town. He was probably laughing and joking until they were far enough away that no one would hear her scream for life. Then this monster, this leech, this vampire fed. Fed until it was satisfied, which ended up leaving poor, unsuspecting Satet dead.

What a pig, she thought as she eyed the people walking by her. She stopped when she spotted him. He was leaning on a building as he watched her with his un-nerving eyes. Her heart froze in her chest when she saw him turn to go down the alley.

She hesitated for brief moment before she pushed her fear aside to rush after him. As a vampire hunter she wasn’t going to let her doubts stop her from facing this beast in a dark, dead end ally. In fact, she preferred it. This way there would be no witnesses and she would have no reason to explain the way the world really was, and the coward wouldn’t be able to run from her.

She kept her eyes straight ahead as she avoided the trash that laced the ground. She could see the end of the alley was cluttered with beat up boxes and a dumpster. She slowed her pace when she walked by the dumpster in case he was hiding behind it. The rotten smell escaping the open lid knotted her stomach. God, she thought with disgust as she turned away from it. Not wanting to get dirty, she turned her attention onto the tall stacks of boxes. There were a few stacks he could hide behind. Her left hand hovered over her coat; ready to grab the stake in her belt.

From behind her came a male's voice singing "Dreams End" by Spiral Dreams. She felt her heart stop beating for the second time tonight as she silently cursed herself for being so dumb, she should’ve checked behind the dumpster. Damn her vanity.

How could I let him sneak up behind me? What kind of hunter am I, she wondered, as doubt suddenly shadowed her confidence.

Digging her heels in the ground she turned to face the vampire. He boldly stepped toward hers. She didn’t see any fear in him, though she was a hunter. Her pride pushed her chest out as she silently vowed to make him fear her.

He stopped singing to smile at her. It was a smile that meant trouble was coming. "Well Missy, it looks like you’ve gotten yourself into quite a mess here." He eyed the solid walls that surrounded them. "Doesn't it?"

"I guess it does," she coldly agreed, as she wrapped her left hand firmly around the stake.

She saw him look at her hand that was in her coat before meeting her eyes. His head tilted to the side as questions filled his eyes. "What do you have in your coat little one?" The smile was no longer on his face as a dangerous spark flashed in his eyes. He was a very deadly being.

Why am I here? She sometimes wished she could forget about her up bringing and not go after the kill. But vampires were predators that fed on her kind and it was her job to stop them, no matter how much fear they caused her. "Nothing," she replied, keeping her eyes on his. "I'm just having cramps. But you wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?"

He flashed her his dazzling smile again. He seemed to find her very amusing. "Actually no, I wouldn't.” He took a few long steps towards her tp fill in the gap between them.

Dedra felt her heart speed up. She was mentally preparing herself for the fight and the kill. I am the slayer, she reminded herself.

He let the smile slide from his lips as dark lust filled his eyes. "But I could help you get rid of them," he gently whispered, allowing the lit breeze to carry his words to her.

She eyed the dirt on his pants before looking at his face. She could see his canines had already lengthened as they slightly indented his lower lip. No matter how many times she saw them she couldn't get over how they looked. Sharp, yes they had to be, but they also looked delicate and thin. As if one gentle push from a finger would knock them out. But of course it took more than that, and Dedra knew that because she had tried it. Not all vampires she came across she killed right away. Some she experimented with; toyed with them for her own pleasures the way they toyed with humans.

He was so close Dedra could feel the body heat coming from him. "You're never going to have problems with them darn cramps again."

He reached out to restraint her arms, and was surprised when she bought her left hand up to shove the stake cleanly through his heart. His hands tightened on her before going limp as he fell to the ground. His body was finally able to catch up to his age. She watched as his hair fell out, and his muscles shriveled up. His skin rapidly decayed, making him appear as if he had been dead for years rather than just a few minutes.

She smiled to herself as she stared down at him. "Damn, I guess you can't help me with my cramps. Now can you?" Watching a vampire she killed die always filled her with a sense of power and pride. She felt a sense of self worth as well. She was saving people everyday. She knew she was important, and that facing her fear was worth it.

As her eyes slid over her kill she saw a tattoo above his left collarbone and then it was gone. She stared at him a few minutes wondering if she really saw anything then decided it didn’t if she had.

The sound of clapping coming from behind her stunned her for a second. After she collected herself she turned, ready to fight. No one was there. She was faced with only the brick wall. Clap, clap, clap. She turned again, but again, no one there. She spun in a circle, no one. Clap, clap, clap. Then she knew where it was coming from.

Looking up she saw a handsome man standing on the fire escape. He had short, silky brown hair and two slits for sad brown eyes. His soft lips were pulled back in an amused smile, meant to taunt anyone e turned it on. He had on a pair of black jeans with a black button up shirt. Black was defiantly his color in Dedra’s option.

He jumped off the fire escape and landed perfectly in front of her. She took a step back and almost fell over the dead body lying there. His head tilted to the side as he looked down at the deceased vampire. "Good job," he told her in a flat tone, unimpressed.

When he looked at her again he took the time to look her over. She had straight mid-back brown hair with hints of red in it. Her skin was soft and tan, she had almond shape brown eyes, and he couldn't help but notice, her bottom lip was slightly fuller than her top.

"Thanks," she whispered. She couldn't explain why but her heart wouldn't slow down. It’s because he surprised you, she assured herself. She didn’t want to admit that it could be anything more.

His eyebrows bunched together in confusion as he looked at the sap again. “I didn't know it took so much out of a person to just stand still, and drive a stake through someone else." His eyes twinkled at her with amusement. "Unless you’re really, really out of shape."

“I'm not out of shape! You just surprised me,” she protested, feeling very offended by is words.

"That's bad."

Now it was her turn to be confused. "Why?"

"Because I could have killed you." There was a hint of disgust on his face when he looked at the stake sticking out of the corpse. “And aren't hunters suppose to be ready for anything at anytime?"

"I don't think people popping out of nowhere counts."

“People popping out of nowhere is exactly what you deal with on a daily basics and should not surprise you,” he corrected.

“How did you know I was a vampire hunter?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. This man was cute but annoying.

His looked at her as if she were dumb. "I don't know, maybe the stake was a little hint." He pinched his fingers together. "Or is that the new rave, carrying stakes around to stick into random people’s bodies?”

Feeling dumb she let her chin dip with slight embarrassment. Change the subject, her mind quickly ordered. "Where did you come from?”

"I was planning on talking to David, about what he did to that girl Satet.” His amused smile returned to its place on his face. "But instead I got to have the pleasure of watching you kill him."

"You’re a vampire hunter too?" I thought there was only one, she thought in amazement. She slowly looked him up and down and found herself measuring him. How many vampires had he killed? How long had he been a vampire hunter? Why had she not known about him? “How many of us are there?” she asked as she met his eyes.

His eyes lowered as he snorted to himself. “I was not going to kill him, I was going to talk to him.”

“He deserved to die.”

“Everything deserves to die. It is why we are here.”

“Not me,” she said shortly. She pushed her nose up into the air as she refused to believe otherwise.

He shot her a cold look as something dangerous glittered in his eyes. “Even you,” he whispered. He saw her swallow her fear. He took a calming breath as he looked away. “I should be going.”

"Wait." She didn't want him to leave. She had never met another hunter before. He looked at her with a what-do-you-want look upon his face. Embarrassed, she looked at the tip of her shoes. "I don't even know your name," she finally said, trying to ignore the knot growing in her stomach. Why did I say anything? she wondered, feeling rather dumb at the moment.

He smiled a genuine smile this time instead of the amused one he had used this whole time to mock her. She liked how it made him look, but she could still see the sadness lingering in his eyes. “Dionsus." He turned and left.

"Mom," she called as she entered the house. "Mom are you here?" She went into the kitchen and right away she noticed the note on the refrigerator.

Dedra,
I had to go to a dinner meeting. I'll be back later tonight. There's chicken in the microwave if you're hungry. Love,
Mom

Great, she bitterly thought as she put the note aside. Her mom was never home. She sighed to herself before she headed to the microwave to get some chicken, but then decided she wasn't hungry after all. As she was passing the phone it rang. "Hello," she said politely into it, in case it was someone important.

"Dedra, where have you been?" It was Geneva, one of the two good friends Dedra had. The other one was Eddie. "I've been calling for over an hour, and you and I both know it doesn't take an hour to walk from my house to yours."

"I know. Look Geneva, it's been a long night and I just want to go to sleep. So could this wait until school tomorrow?" She rested her head on her arm as she leaned on the wall.

"No, this can’t wait.” Dedra could hear the anger in her voice but didn't care. "I was worried about you Dee. So tell me, what happened?"

"I will. Tomorrow; goodnight." She hung up the phone before Geneva could say anything else. With her body heavy with sleep she went to her room to let it rest.

She felt herself slip into blissful sleep mode. She dreamt she was in a white room with light mist floating in the air around her. While she was walking through the mist a dark figure appeared. She slowly drew closer to it and saw it was Dionsus. He was dressed the same as when she saw him for the first time tonight. He even had the same damned, amused smile on his face.

A cold chill ran up her spine as she approached him. "Dionsus, where are we?" she asked in a quivering voice, never taking her eyes off his.

Why am I so scared, she asked herself, not sure what was going on.

"Nowhere.” He raised his brows as he admitted; "Everywhere. How am I supposed to know? It’s your dream." Suddenly she felt cold all over. Hiss face-darkened as he looked passed her. "Don't turn around," he warned her.

She couldn't help herself; she had to turn around. Behind her stood a beautiful average size woman with long curly hair. She had on black pants, combat boots, and a fitted white tank top. Dedra’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the wooden dragon on her necklace. Who wears wood as jewelry, a distance part of her asked.

Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed that in the woman's hand was an old fashion dagger, but before she could get a good look at the details on the hilt the strange woman in front of her smiled. "You should've listened to him." With a quick movement of her wrist she slit Dedra's throat.

Will of the Waves: Chapter 1

2009-11-08T21:06:00.000-08:00

The Death of the Girl

The wall painfully met her shoulder as she crashed into it. She was sure it was going to leave a bruise. She grabbed the top of the oak cabinet, trying to steady herself. This storm was much wilder than expected. The door opened, stealing her attention. Sinn walked in. It took the weight of his huge body to shut it again.

“Sinn.” She stumbled towards him. “How be me father?”

He ran his hand over his wet baldhead to sweep the water off. His lips turned into a smirk. “Well, as always.”

Relief slumped her body. “And t' ship?”

“A sail be down.” He shrugged, showing he was not worried about it. “It be nothin' we cannot handle.”

“And t' crew?”

He laughed. His lids lowered, hiding his amusement. “I be happy t' hear you care.”

Gentina scowled at him, her hands going to her hips. A wave hit the boat and knocked her to the side. She threw out her arms to balance herself from falling. “I care.”

“Only after t' ship and your father.”

She playfully shrugged. “Of course.”

He shook his head as he lovingly watched her approach him. His muscled arms crossed over his chest as he forced his face to harden. ”What be you doin'?”

“Goin' out t' t' deck.”

His eyebrows rose with interest. “Oh, you believe you can better me?”

She stumbled some more. If only the damn boat would hold still she’d be fine. “Of course.”

His chest bounced laughter. "You be a arrogant one.”

She fell but caught his arm before she hit the ground. Her smoky eyes met his. “I be me father’s daughter.”

He had never heard truer words spoken at sea. “True,” his eyes softened as he pushed his chin up. “But you be still not goin' out thar. Your father will feed me balls t' t' shakes as he nails me feet t' t' wood meant t' weight me down.”

She laughed because she knew it were true. “You be silly.” She held onto his forearm as she swayed with the ship.

“Am I,” his brows wrinkled with disapproval.

Her face sobered. She knew her father just as well as him. “Why be you not gettin' knocked around?” She inched closer to the door.

“It takes more than our precious sea t' get t' better o' me.” His lips pinched together in stubbornness as he noticed she was still trying to get out.

Her hand settled on the knob. She felt Sinn’s presences close behind her. “I just want t' glance outside once. I want t' know how it be t' truly be a pirate, instead o' a protected lass.” She stared at the door. She wanted to open it, but wouldn’t until he said she could. Her feet were spread, holding her steady for the moment.

“Okay,” he softly gave in. “But only a look.”

“Only a look,” she promised, turning the knob. The wind threw her back into him.

His strong hands grasped her shoulders, determined to keep her safe. The rain attacked her face. She slightly turned her face away from it, but refused to turn completely away.
The sky was gray and ugly as the waves battered the ship, tossing it left then right. A few men fought to control a loose sail. They didn’t want to lose it since it was the center one.

Her father stood with his back to the rail as he shouted orders. She saw Jove slip on the wet deck. She took a step forward, wanting to grab him before he slid off the ship. He saved himself by grabbing the rail. He feet were off the ship but thanks to his hold he was still onboard. Her father was the only man to look at him and see what had happened. The others were too busy trying to save the sail. Jove’s left hand slipped.

“No,” she screamed, unaware when she did it. One of the men was going to fall to their death, and all she was allowed to do was stand here and watch. She struggled against Sinn’s hold to no avail; he was much too strong.

Her father’s eyes met hers. Her brows lowered in distress. His face was a stone. He knew what he had to do for his daughter, if for no one else. He braved the slippery deck for another man’s life. "Continue with that sail," he yelled to the crew.

She calmed as she watch her father play hero. Jove had a hold of the rail with both hands again. His feet slid and kicked off the side of ship. It appeared as if he was going to fall. Her jaw set in worry as she watched her father only slightly struggle to pull him up. Both fell back onto the deck of the ship. She smiled, resting her body on Sinn’s.

“Let us close t' door,” he said over her head as he stared out the opened door.

“Just a moment more,” she said, a hint of a plea in her voice.

His eyes drifted down to her. She was seeing her father as a hero, a way no pirate should ever be seen. Except, perhaps, by a daughter, his mind whispered. “A moment more,” he caved.

Her father shouted at Jove, chasing him away. He proudly rose to his feet as he watched his men. He knew they would beat this storm, as they had done many times before. He met his daughter’s smoky eyes through the rain and gave her a small, reassuring smile. She was the best thing in his life; no pirate should ever be as lucky as him.

When he broke their eye contact she chanced a look at the sea. It had clamed. Her feet swayed less. We have won, she mentally told it. Her lips smugly curved.

If she had heeded the past warnings of her shipmates she would have known better than to tempt the sea. She was a moody bitch. In the distance the water gathered beneath the surface. When none expected it, she struck.

Fear closed Gentina’s throat as the wave rose out of the deep blue sea. Her father turned as the wave crashed down on him. She almost collapsed as she watched in horror as he was knocked off his feet. If Sinn hadn’t had a hold of her she would have fallen, possible being tossed around as the sea raged on.

“No,” she screamed when he father disappeared over the rail. Sinn’s fingers dug into her flesh as he held her back from running onto the deck. “Father!”

The crew froze. One of them let go of the rope as he stepped towards the rail. “Our captain,” he mumbled, feeling and looking lost.

“Let me go,” she screamed, her throat pinching in protest.

“He be gone.” Sinn bowed his head in respect. Lost in thought he wasn’t ready for the pain that exploded in his shin. “Shit,” he mumbled, holding his leg instead of the girl.

She slipped and stumbled to the rail. The wind tried to push her back, but she tightly held onto it. Below, her father was nowhere to be seen. Her warm tears merged with the rain, hitting her face. Her anger rose like the wave that stole her loving father. She violently reached down snatching a piece of wood from the broken mass to throw it into the sea, wishing to hurt it as it had hurt her.

Her fingers painfully dug into the rail as she fought to get her breathing under control. Her eyes burned with tears that hadn’t fallen yet. She was a pirate no matter what anyone else said, and pirates didn’t cry. They cut their loses and moved on.

Sinn stayed back as he gave her the space she needed. She squared her shoulders, as she got ready to face the others. When she turned he saw a difference in her. Strength, not there a moment ago, a distance any one could cross. A mist formed over her eyes, closing her off from everyone.

“Get back t' work,” she yelled at the men. She took a step and slid a few feet. She refused to acknowledge it and continued forward. “Hank, get t' rope and help t' others get control o' that sail. If it be lost it will be on you!” She clenched her fists at her side as she dared him to challenge or disobey her. He did neither.

Sinn stayed where he was, watching the girl become the woman before his eyes. The wind sent her brown hair this way and that, but it could no longer toss her. Watching her father die had steeled her back. She could do this.

The sail was tamed and tied to the mass. It was secure. “Go down below, except you, Pevake. You will stay with me at t' helm.”

He obeyed. They all obeyed only Chicory, who paused to look at her. He stared at her with narrow, angry eyes. “Is somethin' amiss?” Sinn asked, stepping in his way so he couldn’t watch Gentina.

He forced himself too look away from her to look into the bigger man’s eyes. He pushed his resistance aside, now was not the time. ”No Sinn.” His feet shuffled as he went below deck with the other men.

She braved the rest of the storm, as a good captain would do, at the helm. Sinn stayed as well and was amazed that she held herself together. She had never been so hard. What happened within her he could only imagine, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

The stars slowly came out to fill the sky. Her skin goosed as the cold settled around them. She swallowed. “All is calm,” Pevake told her, feeling awkward. He glanced uneasily at Gentina. “Captain.”

Her eyes dropped at the sound of the title. Her father was captain, not her. Your father is dead, her mind reluctantly reminded her. A knife twisted in her chest. “Good,” she replied.

“Captain,” he turned towards her. “You can go rest. It has been a long day for all o' us, but especially you.” Her fiery eyes snapped to his face in warning. He dropped his chin to look at the deck. “Sorry ma’am.”

Her eyes drifted to the calm sea that now appeared like glass. Now it was beautiful when before it had been terrifying. She suddenly felt sick. “Are you sure you will be okay?”

“Positive.”

“If you need any help then come and get me.” Though she wouldn’t know what to do. He father hadn’t taught her much about running a ship.

“Do you want me t' come?” Sinn asked as he took a step towards her.

“No,” she said softly. “I can take care o' meself.”

She went to the cabin her and her father had shared. Her bed was in a small private room, while his was in the main one. Everything looked different to her after she lit the candles. His stuff was everywhere.

The bed she chose for him in Italy. The table he had forced someone to carve for her in France, so she could decorate herself the way all girls do. Her eyes drifted to the top of the table. The diamond-laced necklace he had taken from a Spanish ship shined up at her. A strained smile touched her lips. The jewels were cool against her hot flesh when she picked it up. She carried it with her to the bed, his bed.

With her free hand she gently brushed the blanket as she slowly circled the bed. Her feet stopped when there was no more room to step. She stared at the pillow, the pillow his head had been on every night before this night. The pillow he would no longer use.

Her knees gave way as she slowly sank onto the bed and stared at it. The mattress was curved to match his body. She caressed the silky fabric of the pillow surrounded by his scents. His pipe smoke laced the walls. He had enjoyed his tobacco.

She raised the necklace to her chest, to her heart. Her brows met with sorrow as she rested her head on his pillow, staring at the wall he had always stared at.

Never again will he lay here. Her face crumpled as her strength left her. No more on this night would she be the woman she had to be. She would be the girl one last time, one last time to grief for her father properly. One last time to weep for the love she has lost. One last time before she buried that side of her for good to embrace the strong, brave, possibly cold, being she was going to have to be to make it at sea.

Sinn woke her the next morning with a heavy heart. He wished he could let her sleep. He wished he didn’t have to watch her go through all she was going to have to go through. He wished he could do more for her than hand her, her father’s old deadly sword. He wished for many things, but at sea all that meant nothing, except weakness. The strong never wished because they took what they wanted as she was going to have to learn this day.

“Come young one, it be time t' prove yourself worthy o' this room.”

She wiped the sleep from her eyes as she pushed herself up. “What be you sayin'?”

“Our captain be gone. He left no first mate.” She stared up at him with blank eyes. He rolled his eyes as he looked at the wall above her head. “One has voiced a challenge against you t' be captain. You and him must settle this before t' crew does.”

She rose to her feet to stare him, still not taking the sword from his hand. “Who would do that? I am rightfully captain!”

His eyes burned into hers, with s fire she didn’t understand. It was the pirate’s fire; she didn’t have it yet. But she will, his mind purred, if she lives long enough. ”Chicory believes he should be captain.”

“He would,” she whispered, pushing her hair off her forehead. “T' others?”

“Are choosin' t' stay out o' it. Not all agree you should be captain, but all have too much respect for your father, and all he’s done for them t' betray you.”

She nodded to herself. “So if I take care o' Chicory I will not have t' worry o' them?”

“Probably not, but no one really knows t' mind o' another man. No matter what he says.”

She sighed as she dropped her shoulders in disappointment. “I suppose I have t' go out thar.”

“I suppose you do.”

Her eyes slid up to meet his. A sheepish smile touched her lips. “No matter what, you will stand beside me?”

“I stand beside whoever has t' ship,” he said with curved lips.

She raised her chin with pride as she took the waiting sword. “That will be me.”

“Then I be beside you.” He inclined his head as he bowed like her servant.

She bucked the belt around her waist as she walked to the door. Before walking out to face Chicory and whoever else wanted to stand against her she took a deep strengthening breath. “Father, be with me,” she prayed.

“He is,” Sinn whispered, standing close behind her.

She nodded to herself as she turned the knob. Outside the sun was bright and harsh on her just awakened eyes. When the crew saw her they parted just enough so Chicory and her could see each other

His feet were spread and his hand rested on his sword. A cocky smile touched his lips as he watched her approached. She slowly, calmly walked towards him. She eyed the crew as she did. Their eyes fell with shame. She placed one foot in front of Chicory and then the other. Her chin rose as she looked up to meet his eyes. “Chicory,” the name was crisp coming from her lips. “Do you disagree with somethin' that you would like t' brin' t' me attention?”

His lids lowered with distaste. “No, perhaps you do since I be now captain.”

Her brows rose as her head inclined to the side. "Oh really, how so?”

“No one knows this ship and crew better than I.” He eyed the men with a confident smile. His hand was still resting on his hilt of his sword. “And I can sail.” His eyes fell on her. “Can you?”

“Me father was captain!”

“And?”

Her brows fell with dismay, she felt herself sinking. “What?” Her brow smoothed as she collected herself. “What o' last night?”

His smile dimmed. “What o' it?”

“No one but I took control. No one but I was able t' lead us out o' t' storm.”

“I,” he started to protest.

She cut him off with her own cocky smile. “Were starin' after me father like a lost child. If not for me brains t' sail would have been lost.” She crossed her arms as she leaned back on her heels. ”See Chicory,” she spoke as if he was a child. “If thar be nothin' here,” she tapped her skull. “Then t' sailin' really be pointless, be it not?” Her eyebrows rose and fell in acknowledge me that she had won. Her point had been made. She eyed the crew, only their thoughts mattered. They looked at her with acceptance and him with distaste. She was captain.

“Fine. If words will not prove my point then this will.” He drew his sword. He bowed as he spoke his next words; “See little sea princess, brains do not matter with pirates if thar be no fire. And I do not believe you have it.”

The sight of the un-sheath sword had startled her but she quickly regained herself. Slowly she drew her own. “We do not have t' do this,” she calmly told him.

He wickedly grinned at her. “You mean, you do not want to?”

She held her sword to his with her eyes darkening. “But I will.”

The crew stepped aside. The winner would be captain, and the loser would be whatever the captain chooses. This was a deadly dance meant for two. He tried to lead, but was not strong or swift enough. Her father had not taught her to handle a helm, but he did teach her how to handle a sword. All women should be able to defend themselves, especially at sea he had said.

She blocked his sword with her own. Putting her body weight behind hers she pushed him back a few steps. His anger took charge of him, making him act without thought. He raised his sword and opened up his mid section. It was only for a second, but that was all she needed. She stepped aside and lashed out with her blade. It cut the skin above his ribs.

His chin dipped so he could look at it. She cut me, he realized as the blood appeared on his shirt. She used the tip of her sword to raise his head so she could meet his eyes. “Drop t' cutlass,” her voice held no emotion.

His wide eyes stared into hers with disbelief as he dropped his sword. His hands rested at his sides. “Now what?” He breathed a soft mocking laugh. “You kill me?”

Her lids lowered as her hand tightened on the hilt of her sword. “Step back.” His thick brows frowned in question as he did as he was told. “And another.” She kept her sword to his throat and added pressure to keep him going. He stopped when the rail pressing against his back refused to budge.

His throat pushed into her point and his skin was cut when he swallowed. “Now what?”

“Climb.”

He cocked his head, not understanding what she meant. “What?”

She pushed the tip deeper into his flesh. Her eyes were cold. “Climb,” she repeated.

He eyed the others for help. They weren’t going to help. At sea you were on your own. He straightened his back before doing as he was told. Holding onto the rail he looked at her because he didn’t want to look over his shoulder into the sea below. He had seen enough of his fall during the climb. “Now what?” he whispered.

She flicked the sword to the ocean. “Take a walk.”

“We be miles from land. There be sharks in these waters,” he pleaded, his pride now forgotten. Her eyebrows rose, un-amused. He had never seen her this cold and uncaring.

“Then I suggest an early start and as for t' sharks,” she smiled a heartless smile. There was no hint of her old self in it. “Walk quietly.”

Their eyes held as he tried to find mercy in hers. Finally, he smiled. “All be well, sea princess, I will walk. But when we meet again, I will be takin' back this here ship.”

“Never,” she promised him in a heavy voice.

He took a breath before, releasing the rail. She looked down to watch him hit the water. She didn’t lower her sword until he was swimming away. She forced herself to not care about what was going to happen to him. I am a pirate, her mind commanded of her.

She turned to face her crew. Sheathing her sword, she rested her hands on her belt. “Anyone else disagree that I be captain?”

“No,” numerous shouts said as their head shook.

She nodded. “Hank, take t' helm. Pevake, you can go rest.” She walked along the deck, her deck, to Sinn. She eyed the crew as they eyed her back. Her face relaxed as she rolled her eyes. “T' rest o' you get t' work. There be a fallen mass that stills has t' be removed from this ship and Hank cannot sail this ship by himself.”

Feet ran as they got to work. Sinn and her stood next to one another. “Well done.”
She licked her dry lips. “Thanks.” She didn’t feel like she had done a well job.

“Now what?”

“Now,” she stared into the horizon. “We continue on t' way me father would.” A smile touched her lips. “Did he not say t' Spanish treasure ship would be on route soon?”

His lips curved in return. “Aye, I do believe he did.”

“Then let us go make our names.”

He loudly laughed, glad to see she seemed okay and up to the task of being their captain. “You heard her men, time for another lootin'.” Howls of encouragement filled her ears. I can do this; she knew deep inside herself that these words were true.

Prologue (Awakening of the End)

2009-11-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

Dionsus slipped out of Ragana’s warm embrace as he whispered into her ear; "I will get us the wine." He stopped retreating from her when she didn't let go of his hand. He turned to look at her and noticed once again how beautiful she was. He licked his dry lips, as he tried to ignore the distracting affect the candlelight caused when it played in the sea of her honeydew hair. I do not think I will be able to do this, he told himself, as he felt his resolve start to rapidly fade.

Uncertainty filled her blue eyes as she gently bit her bottom lip. "Dionsus," she whispered softly, as if she were too scared to speak her words out loud. "I have not had many people in my life whom I could trust. They were all using me, or worse; working for Mandrake."

She didn't notice the way he looked away from her as her eyes narrowed on the far wall. He quickly looked back at her in hopes of not being caught in his shameful deed, and was stunned to see her guard was down. The strength she had always displayed in the hard times was now replaced with raw fear.

“I must know; can I trust you with my secrets, my love, and my life?”

He felt no indignity as he met her eyes to speak his lie. "Yes; you can trust me." With that said he made his escape to get their wine.

Out of the room he felt the pain in his heart decrease. Am I really going to do this? he asked himself. Could he really do this should have been the question he asked himself. Reluctantly he walked to the cabinet to get the wine. He slowly placed two glasses on the table and poured the sweet wine into them. He saw her trusting face and heard her loving voice ask again: "Can I trust you?” The wine hit his shoe, bringing him back to reality.

He cursed himself for his foolishness. Damn it. You have to pull yourself together, he mentally ordered. Just put the spell Rusalka made into her wine and be done with it. Think of the power that is promised to you for doing this.

He pulled the little cloth bag out of his pocket and untied it. The fine powder within it smelled awful. He hesitated one last time before pouring it all into her glass. Here goes, he thought as he picked up their glasses.

She rose to greet him and trustingly took the glass he handed to her. She smiled a loving smile as she held hers up. "Let us toast to our love.”

"Our love," he repeated, feeling empty inside. He tapped his glass to hers before taking a small drink. Out of the corner of his eyes he watched hers quickly disappear.

As she lowered her glass to put it aside a nerve numbing pain coursed through her body. Clenching her fingers she shattered her glass. Her hands shot to her stomach as she doubled over. He saw her eyes widen with realization to what was in her wine. She turned her head to stare up at him, eyes burning with blame and disbelief.

Emotionlessly he watched as she fell to her knees. Her body was shutting down. Her eyelids were becoming heavy as her head felt like a rock. She barely felt her body hit the ground.

How could he? she thought as she felt herself sinking into the longest sleep she would ever have. How could... Just then the answer walked into the room. Mandrake came in, grinning at her. He had two of his followers with him. She recognized one. Her anger flared when she looked at Mahr.

Dionsus didn't turn when him and his puppies walked in. He couldn't take his eyes off of Ragana as she tried to stay awake, and fight the magik of the spell with all of her strength. Hatred colored her face now. There was not a hint of the love that had been there a moment ago.

"Good job, and now you shall have all the power I promised," Mandrake told him with a quick pat on the back. "She is a sight," he said of Ragana. He smiled, knowing those words were all too true. His face sobered as he knelt beside her. "Do not worry; I will take care of you . You can trust me with your secrets, your love, your life." Her clouded eyes followed him as he stood up laughing.

The tears in Dionsus's eyes dried up as hatred covered his face and soul. The hatred he would feel for Mandrake for the rest of his life replaced all of the pain and tears he felt for losing Ragana.

She looked at him, and with the last of her strength she breathed; "I loved you." No longer able to withstand the magik she gave into the sleep that took over her body.

"Oh," Mandrake gasped, covering his mouth with his hand. It slid to rest on his chest, as he tauntingly looked at her. "That was really just so...sweet." The tone of his voice turned serious as he looked at his puppies to give them orders. "Let's get her and go."